Not The Way I Planned

When I first met Jenny Steinmetz, she was the type of person that I saw as “perfect.” Perfect marriage, perfect home, perfect kids, going to church kind of girl. As I got to know Jenny a little better I discovered that she had painful struggles […]

Spend 1 minute with this young woman and she is sure to brighten your day. I first met Sarah Patterson through an incredible program called “Miss Amazing” which gives women and girls with disabilities the opportunity to compete in a pageant. I was a judge […]

Sasha’s story is one that I wish no mother ever had to tell. I first met Sasha through a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She told me about her daughter Kandice. Even though I never got the chance to meet that little girl, […]

Becky and her husband Joe had just built their dream home when the unthinkable happened. No one ever expects they’ll hear the word cancer, but life can turn on a dime and it has left this beautiful couple fighting for Joe’s life. I hope this […]

I told myself with this episode of the “Not The Way I Planned” podcast that if my story helps one person it is worth sharing. My journey with body image and self-esteem has been a rough one. I’ve battled anorexia, bulimia, and scoliosis. It’s taken […]

Crystal Lowther is one of the most dedicated Mother’s I have ever met. She hasn’t had it easy, putting her dreams on hold while raising her two boys as a single Mom. Her children are incredible. Infectious smiles and personality for days, but her son […]

This woman is the epitome of a good co-parent. From the very beginning of my divorce journey, she was an example to me that everything can be okay if you proceed as mature adults and keep the kids your top priority. I’ve witnessed her ex […]

I first met Jennifer Claassen through an incredible program called “Miss Amazing.” The program gives women with special needs the opportunity to experience pageantry. Jennifer was the director and we connected over having son’s on the Autism Spectrum. Shortly after our first conversation, I learned […]

I’ve known Ammie for over thirty years. She’s been through a lot. She’s inspired and strengthened me in some of my darkest days and yet she’s just like so many of us in being overly critical and feeling inadequate. Trust me, she is one of […]

This is by far the most vulnerable interview I have ever conducted. I tried to bury my childhood for many years. Just so you know, that doesn’t work. It played a big role in me not having a successful marriage down the road and bled […]