Closet Chaos & Chair Confessions

Some stories aren’t meant to be kept quiet.

In this episode, Annie Berkey gets real about what it actually looks like to grow up in trauma, navigate addiction, and fight your way back to yourself. We’re not sugarcoating it—we’re talking about the hard parts people usually avoid… and why that honesty is exactly what creates healing.

We get into her experience with Teen Challenge, finding faith in a way that feels real (not forced), and what it means to finally feel safe in your own life.

But this conversation is bigger than Annie.

It’s about why authenticity matters, why mental health conversations can’t stay surface-level anymore, and how sharing your story might be the thing that changes someone else’s.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your past, questioned your path, or needed proof that people can actually come back from it…

This episode is for you.

Some stories aren’t meant to be polished… they’re meant to be told.

In this episode of Closet Chaos & Chair Confessions, Desiree sits down with Annie Berkey; someone from her past...for a conversation that’s raw, honest, and a little bit uncomfortable in the best way.

Annie opens up about surviving childhood trauma, navigating addiction, and what it really looks like to rebuild your life from the ground up. Not the highlight reel version… the real version. The messy middle. The hard truths. The moments no one talks about.

They dive into:

• what addiction actually looks like behind closed doors
• the long-term impact of childhood trauma
• why healing isn’t linear (and never looks how you think it will)
• how faith, therapy, and safe spaces can change everything
• and what it means to stop just surviving… and actually start living

This episode isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about being honest enough to face your story and brave enough to change it.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, numb, overwhelmed, or like you’re carrying things no one sees… this conversation will hit home.

Because the truth is you’re not alone. And your story isn’t over yet.

In this episode, we sit down with our friend Luisa, who shares her powerful journey from Australia to Iowa—and the wake-up call that changed how she sees health, beauty, and freedom.

Luisa opens up about living in Australia during COVID-19, where extreme government control, lockdowns, and a social-credit-style system forced her to question how much control we should ever hand over. That experience sparked a deeper shift—one that led her toward self-sufficiency, living off the land, and prioritizing low-tox living as a non-negotiable.

We dive into the beauty industry’s dirty little secrets: toxic ingredients hiding in “professional” products, how they impact long-term health, hormones, and scalp health, and why most people have no idea what they’re actually putting on their bodies. Luisa shares why transitioning to low-tox products isn’t always instant—but why it’s worth it.

The conversation naturally leads into hair care, ingredient education, and why MONAT stood out as a solution that aligned with both performance and health. This episode isn’t about fear—it’s about awareness, choice, and taking your power back.

If you care about what goes in your body, on your skin, and on your scalp—this one will make you think, pause, and probably read your shampoo bottle a little differently.

• Low-tox living isn’t trendy—it’s foundational for long-term health
• Many beauty products contain ingredients that quietly work against your body
• Government control during COVID exposed uncomfortable truths about freedom
• Education is the missing link in hair and beauty decisions
• Transitioning to low-tox hair care takes patience—but delivers real results
• MONAT bridges the gap between clean ingredients and actual performance

This episode went rogue… and honestly, that’s exactly how it was supposed to go.

In this special (and wildly unfiltered) episode of Closet Chaos & Chair Confessions, I handed the mic over to my nieces...because they’ve been begging to do a podcast and were way too excited not to let them have their moment. Joined by my sister Payten and our tiny co-hosts Charlee and Sutton, this conversation is equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and completely unpredictable.

We talk Christmas magic, what actually makes a “good day,” motherhood through a kid’s eyes, and the kind of honesty only kids can deliver...no filter, no agenda, just pure truth. There’s laughter, side tangents, kid logic that somehow makes more sense than adult logic, and a reminder that life (and parenting) isn’t meant to be perfectly structured.

Was it polished? No.
Was it planned? Absolutely not.
Was it exactly what it needed to be? 100%.

This one wasn’t for us; it was for them. And yes… they’re already asking to do another one. Will it be more structured next time? Maybe. No promises. That’s life with kids and honestly, that’s the magic.

If you need a reminder to slow down, laugh more, and see the world through a simpler lens… this episode is it.

New year. Same body. New mindset.
In this episode of Closet Chaos & Chair Confessions, Desiree and Heidi get real about what health actually looks like heading into 2026—no toxic positivity, no “just try harder” BS. We’re talking real health journeys, mental health check-ins, weight loss surgery truths, working with health coaches, and the uncomfortable (but necessary) self-awareness that comes with choosing yourself.

This isn’t a glow-up overnight story. It’s the messy middle. The discipline. The grace. The moments where you realize not everything—or everyone—gets to come with you into your next chapter. We break down why sustainable wellness starts with compassion, why support systems matter more than motivation, and how setting realistic goals beats burning out by February.

If you’re navigating weight loss, wellness, mental health, or simply trying to build healthier habits without hating yourself along the way—this episode will feel like a deep exhale. Less pressure. More honesty. And permission to do it your way.

Because growth isn’t about perfection—it’s about staying in the room long enough to change.

🎧 Perfect for anyone searching for:
health journey podcast, mental health & wellness, weight loss mindset, self-care conversations, realistic New Year goals, women’s wellness podcast, personal growth in 2026

Thanksgiving in Spain, seasonal depression honesty, childhood fears that never fully left, and the chaotic magic of the holidays. In this episode, we’re catching up after Heidi’s solo trip to Southern Spain (10/10 recommend), unpacking Thanksgiving abroad, and easing back into real life at home. We talk solo travel nerves, big family gatherings, winter blues, and why this podcast has quietly become therapy with microphones. We also get into winter beauty must-haves, why gift cards are actually a top-tier gift, and wrap it all up with a Naughty or Nice holiday edition that gets a little too honest. If the holidays feel heavy, exciting, overwhelming, or all of the above you’re not alone. Grab your coffee or wine and settle in. This one feels like a deep exhale.

In this episode of Closet Chaos & Chair Confessions, we’re unpacking the beautiful, chaotic circus that is holiday season relationships and family life. From hosting stress and gift-giving fails (yes… ranch dressing), to the traditions that make us emotional and the wedding-day drama we’re still healing from — nothing is off-limits.

We get real about one-sided relationships, burnout, and how to quit abandoning yourself just to keep the peace. We talk boundaries, family dynamics, holiday conflicts, and the kind of personal growth that only happens when you finally decide you’re done carrying everyone else’s emotional baggage.

You’ll laugh, you’ll nod aggressively, and you’ll probably text this episode to your sister. And of course, we end with rapid-fire holiday questions that expose our quirks, our chaos, and our Midwest-girl hearts.

If you’re craving relatable stories, a little therapy, and a reminder to choose you this season… this one’s your vibe.

In this week’s episode, Desiree and Heidi pour a little holiday cheer (and maybe a little chaos) into the mic and catch everyone up on life lately — broken bones, weekend adventures, beauty routines, travel plans, and the emotional gymnastics we all do this time of year.

From untangling family dynamics to keeping yourself sane during the season of 10,000 to-dos, the girls break it all down in the most honest, girlfriend-in-the-chair way possible.

They unpack what holiday prep really looks like, why self-care matters more when you swear you “don’t have time for it,” and the tiny rituals — beauty, mindset, Target body sprays — that keep them feeling human. Heidi also shares how she uses red light therapy to fight off seasonal depression, while Des gives her go-to quick holiday hair hacks for anyone who has 3 minutes and a prayer.

And of course… they remind you to take pictures. Because these are the moments your future self will want to remember — even the messy ones.

• Des gives a raw update on recovering from her broken collarbone — the healing, the setbacks, and how she’s navigating work, life, and… deodorant struggles.
• Weekend adventures + upcoming travel plans from both hosts — relatable, chaotic, hilarious.
• Real talk on holiday stress — and how to avoid spiraling when everyone wants something from you.
• Tips for navigating family dynamics without losing your mind (or your boundaries).
• Why your self-care + beauty routines matter more during the chaos, not after.
• Des’s current obsession: body sprays from Target — affordable, nostalgic, and ridiculously good.
• Heidi’s go-to red light therapy routine for boosting mood + managing seasonal depression.
• PSA: Schedule your holiday hair + beauty appointments early or risk ugly-crying into your peppermint latte.
• Quick holiday hairstyles you can do in under five minutes and still look put-together in photos.
• A gentle push to actually take photos this year — messy, candid, imperfect ones included.

This week’s episode is your official Thanksgiving survival guide served hot, messy, and beautifully real.

We are pulling up a chair and spilling all the holiday tea: the traditions we love, the dishes we fight over (spoiler: the sides always win), the chaos of hosting, and the family dynamics that make you want to hug your people… and maybe hide in the pantry for five minutes.

We’re diving into:
✨ The unfiltered truth about hosting (and how to not lose your mind).
✨ Our absolute must-have Thanksgiving dishes and the ones we politely avoid.
✨ Holiday fashion do we dress cute or show up in stretchy pants and vibes only?
✨ The family stories that live rent-free in our heads every single year.
✨ Navigating drama with grace, boundaries, and a little humor.
✨ Simple gratitude practices that hit different when life feels busy and loud.
✨ The games that turn Thanksgiving night into a full-blown family tournament.

If you’re craving a podcast that feels like sitting at the salon chair with your favorite girls real, raw, relatable, with a side of “I literally thought I was the only one” this one’s yours.

Listen in, laugh with us, and walk into Thanksgiving feeling a little more prepared… and a whole lot less stressed.

Press play let’s get you holiday-ready, babe

This week, Heidi and I went all in on the beautiful chaos of life because let’s be honest, none of us have it figured out. We’re talking the real stuff: being stretched thin, finding moments of sanity, saying “yes” when it scares you, and learning when it’s time to purge the clutter (physical and mental).

We swapped stories about the moments that knocked us on our butts… and the ones that pulled us right back up. We unpacked those hard-earned life lessons, the fall reset energy we’re both chasing, and how to prioritize what actually matters when the world feels loud.

If you’ve been craving a fresh start, a little permission to breathe, or a reminder that you're not the only one juggling 17 plates while trying to find yourself again… this episode is your warm, slightly chaotic hug.

Grab your coffee, your clutter pile, or your car keys for your Target run and tune in.

Listen in and then tell us: What season of life are you in right now? What are you ready to release, reset, or say yes to?