Welcome to the new year, friends! We are excited to share our approach to goal setting this year. We are discussing what has worked (and not worked) for us in the past, and how we can set intentions to guide our decisions this year toward a full and meaningful life!! Thanks for listening.

Mel and Tash wrap up the year by highlighting a couple of their wins and woes amongst the Christmas clean-up.

In the final week of Advent, we are diving into LOVE. Not just the kind of love we see in movies, or on social media, or in perfectly-matching-Christmas-card families. With nods to Adele, the OG Christmas story, and our current chaotic lives, we are taking a look at our greatest calling, and the final pillar of advent: Love.

This week we continue on our advent journey and consider the source of joy in our lives. Taking on the classic phrase "choose joy" - We discuss holding the conflicting spaces like grief and trauma while leaning into the strenth that true joy brings.

This week we continue the practice of observing advent with a focus on peace. We discuss the process of seeking and accepting peace--and even more importantly what peace is and isn't. The concept of peace doesn't feel immediately synonymous with being a mama in the margins, but it is promised to us nonetheless. Again we will be sharing excerpts from the book Poeima (by Taylor Johnson and Whitney Carlson) to reflect on this pillar of advent. Join us as we lean into peace.

This week we dive into the first week of Advent by discussing the Mangled Space where hopeful anticipation meets heartbreaking grief. Sparked by the words and art of Taylor Joy Johnson and Whitney Leigh Carlson in their book Poiema, we are leaning into stubborn hope this season.

Take Tash and Mel along for a listen while you black Friday this year. This is a light-hearted bonus episode to kick off the next stage in the holiday season.

Tash and Mel unpack some of the well-intended platitudes that are often ill-received by mamas in the margins. Listen in to learn some tips on what to say instead, or how to respond with kindness and education when on the receiving end!

This is your personal invitation to hear about Mel's adoption day! Tash and Mel talk a little bit about the Mangled Spaces of foster care, adoption, and the grief and joy with both.

As promised in the episode: the scripture verse referenced (that we couldn't pull out of thin air!) is James 1:27. And the statistic Mel stumbled to articulate is: if one family in one of every 3 churches in the United States adopted a child, there would be no more children waiting for adoption.

This week's episode is an audible tool box of sorts, with Tasha and Mel's favorite skills to stay regulated in a highly triggering season. From fidgets to focus to reframes--you're bound to find something to take with you into the stresses of the holiday season.