This week, I stumble into a wild twist of fate — running into my long-lost cousins, the Longs, at a bar that just happens to be owned by them… and used to be our family’s grocery store a century ago. Turns out, history really does have a funny way of circling back around. Once again let's play Six Degrees of Separation from Zada. 

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Over the years, the medical field has played musical chairs with autism diagnoses—changing names, shifting criteria, and even folding Asperger’s into the broader spectrum. Sounds tidy on paper, but in real life? Not so much. As a mom of two kids on the spectrum, I talk about what those changes have looked like from the parent side, how confusing (and sometimes harmful) misdiagnoses can be, and why those shifting labels don’t always tell the whole story. I also in true Zada form tell the "Google Docs to get bent".  

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This week on Bless Your Heart I’m Talking, I’m in full ramble mode. From the ongoing creamer vs. milk epidemic in my house, to the fine art of reading the room, to folks who think they know exactly how I’m feeling (spoiler: they don’t) — nothing is off the table. It’s a little random, a little sassy, and all me.

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In this episode, I’m giving thanks for the everyday things that keep me sane and slightly less feral. Paper towels? Non-negotiable—you can pry them from my cold dead hands. Artwork? Because blank walls feel like prison cells. Good pots and pans? Because I’m not about to wrestle scrambled eggs out of a dollar-store skillet. And mental health? Well, let’s just say it’s the only thing more fragile than my Tupperware lids. Join me as I laugh through the stuff I’ll never take for granted—big, small, and a little ridiculous.

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This week’s episode is all about change—the little things that used to be part of everyday life that cell phones and modern living have replaced. From answering machines and home phones to paper maps and even certain foods we don’t see anymore, I take a trip down memory lane to see what’s disappeared. I wrap up with a reminder that while technology keeps moving forward, we still need to pause, unplug, and choose kindness in a world that feels more divided than ever.

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This week on Bless Your Heart I’m Talking, I’m sharing the cabin sister sleepover—full of late-night deep talks, belly laughs, is the Cabin a Squash Farm? And a few family secrets that probably should’ve stayed at the cabin. Get your pen and paper out to start drawing a family tree.  But there’s also something heavy on my heart: a missing limb to our family tree. We learned about 10 years ago about a stepbrother who was put up for adoption over 50 years ago, and we’re hoping someone out there can help us find him. If you have a clue, a story, or even a hunch, reach out—every little bit helps. Help us find out some answers to the missing brother.  

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In this episode of Bless Your Heart, I’m Talking, we dive into the power of saying no to boxes others try to put us in. I share why it’s so important to stop trying to please everyone and start honoring who you really are. From setting boundaries to making yourself a priority, this one’s all about living unapologetically as you.

Plus, we start the episode with some  fun bonus chat catching up with my daughter, Zaley—because life’s always better with a little Mother-Daughter banter! 

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In this final installment of my three-part cowboy poetry series, I tell a tall tale about the current residents of McMilan Cemetery.  The poem is set in McMilan Settlement, San Saba County Texas. 
Meet Hosea Lawless and his loyal horse, Catdaddy, as their tragic tale unfolds among the graves of ancestors I never knew. Murdered by horse thieves, Hosea’s spirit rides through history, weaving together family roots and western legend in this combinatio of truth and fiction. I will have photos of the actual Cemetery and headstones of my real life inspired characters and the Cemetery posted on Instagram. 

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In this episode, I’m opening up about living with ADHD and what it’s like when your brain refuses to slow down. Picture six thoughts running at once — all loud, all important, all tangled together. I talk about the funny side of it, the frustrating side of it, and how I try to find some peace in the middle of the mental traffic jam. If your mind ever feels like it’s on overdrive, this one’s for you.

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In this special bonus episode, I’m bringing you more of my original poetry — a mix of cowboy grit, hippie soul, and Cajun rhythm. These poems tell stories of family, roots, and wide-open spaces, all wrapped in a voice that’s both tender and tough. If you loved the first poetry bonus, you’ll want to settle in for this one too. It’s heartfelt, a little wild, and full of that down-to-earth spirit that keeps us connected.

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