Go With God

Alright, so really, how many times have you heard or read the word enneagram in the past six months? Whether you have a vague knowledge or you’ve researched all there is about your number - this particular episode is for you. I feel like “what’s your number?” is our generation’s replacement for “what’s your sign?”.

My friend Kaley isn’t necessarily an expert in the enneagram but she’s the reason I even heard about it to begin with. And I’ve seen what a huge tool it has been in self-discovery in her own life over the past year. I know I’m just personally scratching the surface of what I can learn from it. I’ve discovered an addiction to being needed, Kaley shares how the enneagram has changed how she views her world and how she hardcore doubted my number - we talk about it all on No One Told Me What The Enneagram Actually Means.

As we prepped for this final show of 2018, there were lots of topics we thought we could cover. And interviews lined up to talk about them. But, something in me has been unsettled. Have you ever felt that? A restlessness? And here’s some real honesty...I’m just tired. This particular episode is short, mainly because of this weariness in my heart. And the emotions that started welling up. Sometimes, you just don’t need a lot of words simply because you can’t find them. Anyway, I hope you hear this and feel the hope it’s meant to bring. And I know the holidays make everyone feel something different - ranging from joy to dread. Wherever you are on this spectrum, I hope you feel some connection here. Because No One Told Me...About Weariness.

Buying gifts is real hard. I didn’t realize how hard it was until I was old enough to actually start picking and buying gifts out for friends and family. So I got to thinking - how can I can make this easier this year? Option one is to send a family email out saying I’m making a donation in their name to Henley and Hagan's college fund. Option two is perhaps a nice coin counter that was $5 at Kohl’s on Black Friday. And then there’s option three which is...effort. I’m just going to have to try. But I want this effort to result in some excitement and maybe some sentimental tears from my mother. So, I called my friend Kayla. She’s a writer for BuzzFeed, which is where I learn all of the things that seem important but probs don’t matter that much. Her job is kind of a dream. She’s the queen of putting together gift guides, which we link to in the show notes, and it was good hearing what some of her favorite things are this year. Here’s No One Told Me How To Buy Gifts As An Adult.

Growing up, I generally wasn’t an anxious person. I mean, I worried about who was going to ask me to prom and if my turtleneck gave me a double chin - but my life was never really altered by any of it. Until my mid-20s. Until my life started changing in big ways. Whether it was avoiding large groups of people because I didn’t want them to sense something was wrong. Or the times I would be so overcome with worry it was hard to fall asleep. It was varying degrees of just simply feeling overwhelmed with life. I’d be willing to bet many of you have felt this same thing. Maybe on different levels, probably about different things. My friend Connie is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has seen, and experienced, anxiety in so many different seasons of life. I hope you find some new insight in No One Told Me How Controlling Anxiety Can Be.

When I graduated high school, I started thinking a little bit about what I ate. I started intentionally exercising. And, slowly, it became an obsession. The problem was, I was just going off what I read on social media and some unhealthy habits that would help me lose weight - but it wasn’t sustainable. No one ever taught me about food. All I knew was diets and restricted eating. My friend, Megan, is a registered dietician who dispels lots of myths we read about daily and partners with us in learning what it means to feed our bodies well. Take a listen to No One Told Me Food Is Our Friend...Just Not Our Best Friend.

In this episode we talk about the best sides (#corncasseroleforlife), "special" family dynamics and some things you maybe shouldn't bring up when you're gathered around the table.

I didn’t know anything about hormones. Honestly...nothing. I didn’t know they corresponded with menstrual cycles, eating habits, moods...everything. I was at a loss until I got married and went on birth control. And then, literally, my life changed. I share about that time in my life and learn so much, SO MUCH, from Dr. Edie Wadsworth concerning a woman’s health, hormones and overall well-being. This episode is full of so much information. Dr. Edie has an incredible story found in her memoir, All the Pretty Things, listed below, and also on her Lifeingrace website. But listen, you may not agree with everything you hear. And that’s okay. The main thing to take away from this particular episode is to study, research - find your answers. You’ll be better equipped to make decisions concerning your health and the health of your family. My hope is you finish this episode wanting to learn more and knowing facing all of these changes is done better with a team, a community. And, lastly, you might want a place to take notes because ol Dr. Edie is a wealth of information. Enjoy No One Told Me Hormones Aren’t Just For Puberty.

Alright. We’re getting practical here. I’ve gotten lots of messages about grocery shopping. Personally, I kind of like it. There’s something kind of comforting, soothing even, about walking aisle by aisle. Of course that’s not actually a thing when a one and three year are yelling about getting another cookie from the bakery. We have to park at the lobsters for a little while to get everyone to simmer down. Anyway, there’s not a real rhyme or reason to my shopping. I’m just free wheeling it. And then there are others who hate it. Like really hate it. So this time around we have my friend Liz who’s got a system down and is ready to make us shopping pros and my friend Whitney who basically just cries every time she’s forced to the grocery store. We’ll talk about it all on No One Told Me My Mom Won’t Always Buy My Groceries.  Show Links: Food City Aldi Kroger Clicklist Kroger App Publix Dessert Hummus Riced Cauliflower Papa John’s The Lazy Genius The Lazy Genius Meal Plan Chick-Fil-A Ibotta Crock Pot Liz’s Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe 2 chicken breasts can of corn can of black beans can of great northern beans can of rotel package of ranch mix package of taco seasoning large can of V-8 juice Cook chicken breasts on low for 3-4 hours. Shred chicken and add remaining ingredients. Cook on low for an additional two hours. Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips.  Liz’s Crock Pot Pork Loin Recipe 2 lb pork loin package of onion soup mix 1 lb bag of baby carrots and/or baby potatoes Sprinkle pork loin with soup mix. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Add in veggies after 2 hours. Shred and use for pork tacos or BBQ baked potatoes.

Alright. We’re getting practical here. I’ve gotten lots of messages about grocery shopping. Personally, I kind of like it. There’s something kind of comforting, soothing even, about walking aisle by aisle. Of course that’s not actually a thing when a one and three year are yelling about getting another cookie from the bakery. We haveContinue reading →

After lots of convincing...lots of convincing...my husband, Ryan is finally joining me for an episode! Honestly, we took on parenting blind. Like completely blind. We didn’t read a bunch of books or go to any seminars. We actually got kicked out of a birthing class. I mean who knew you actually had to sign up for those things? Be more clear, birthing people. All we went off of was what people told us. In this episode, we talked about the worst advice, how kids changed who we are and we even learned some new things about each other. For example, Ryan really needs to work harder to appreciate my hilarious jokes. I hope you love No One Told Me Parenting Is Super Hard.