Prickly and Blooming

Prickly and Blooming

By Jessie BrowningSociety & CulturePersonal Journals
Download on the App Store

Prickly and Blooming episodes

  • Celebrating 15 Years | Daniel Browning

    It's the end of the month and time for another PB&J episode. In this episode of Prickly and Blooming, host Jessie Browning brings back her husband, Daniel Browning, to talk about their 15 years anniversary. They recap their past anniversary celebrations and what they look for in future ones. Listen as they discuss what makes their marriage work and unique.

    Episode Timeline:

    • [00:03] Intro
  • [04:49] The voice from the intro
  • [05:49] 15 year anniversary
  • [08:04] September 30, 2005
  • [10:50] A Vegas wedding
  • [14:13] Jessie's birthday
  • [15:03] Talking about anniversaries
  • [21:52] Being married for 15 years
  • [25:56] Advice from Paul Dunham
  • [30:12] What is unique about us?
  • [35:46] The hard times
  • [42:01] Jessie's rapid fire questions
  • [45:59] Outro
    • Standout Quotes:
    • "I'm not even going to explain to everyone why we're not to the beach. Like pick one of the 10 fucking obvious reasons from 2020 and that's why we're not going on vacation this year." -Jessie Browning [07:06]
  • "I actually said if I ever get married again, I'd get married in flip flops." -Daniel Browning [10:37]
  • "I've always been interested and curious as to why there's not more conversations about being parents of older children." -Jessie Browning [28:39]
    • Connect:

    Connect with Lajoie Society:

    Lajoie Society is Prickly & Blooming; please rate, review, and subscribe.

    Lajoie Society on Instagram

    Lajoie Society on Facebook

    Lajoie Society on Twitter

    Lajoie Society Website

    52 min
  • I’m getting out of here | Samantha Heuwagen

    When she was 10 years old, Samantha Heuwagen moved to a small town after growing up in a city with a multicultural community. It was quite the change for her, and she didn’t see anybody like her. The town wasn’t for her and she wanted to get out of there.

    In this episode of Prickly and Blooming, Samantha chats with host Jessie Browning about growing up in a small town and how entering a beauty pageant helped her realize that she wanted to pursue a career that helps people. Listen as she discusses how a college that adapted to her learning disabilities helped her success in class.

    Episode Timeline:

     

    • [00:03] Intro
  • [03:51] Meet Samantha Heuwagen
  • [04:30] Growing up in a multicultural community
  • [10:04] Moving to Michigan
  • [16:04] Finding out she has a learning disability
  • [20:01] The Red Flannel Queen pageant
  • [28:53] The day of the pageant
  • [34:53] And the winner is...
  • [39:39] Leaving Cedar Springs
  • [42:33] Women and gender studies change her life
  • [45:36] Attending grad school in Florida
  • [46:56] The decision to become a sex therapist
  • [49:42] Relocating to Georgia
  • [53:16] The Starless series
  • [55:16] Her private practice
  • [58:46] How mentors helped Samantha
  • [1:00:50] Contacting Samantha Heuwagen
  • [1:04:07] Jessie’s rapid fire questions
  • [1:14:37] Outro

    •  

    Resources Mentioned:
    • “Dawn Among the Stars” by Samantha Heuwagen
  • The Starless Series by Samantha Heuwagen
  • Red Flannel Queen pageant
    • Standout Quotes:
    • “I started off realizing, ‘Oh, I’m not smart’ to finally realize, ‘no, no, no. I’m just smart in a different way.’ I might forget how to spell a word. Is that because she’s bilingual? Is that because she’s got disabilities? I realized all of this is part of who I am and I need to accept it.” -Samantha Heuwagen [46:09]
  • “I feel so stable, even though we’re in the middle of a pandemic and all that. But I feel confident and I feel very grateful for all the clients that I work with, even the troubled ones.” -Samantha Heuwagen [56:14]
  • “Think Twilight meets War of the Worlds, but without the bad Twilight on healthy relationships.” -Samantha Heuwagen [1:02:19]
    • Connect:

     

    Connect with Lajoie Society:

    Lajoie Society is Prickly & Blooming; please rate, review, and subscribe.

     

    Lajoie Society on Instagram

     

    Lajoie Society on Facebook

     

    Lajoie Society on Twitter

     

    Lajoie Society Website 

    Learn more about Samantha Heuwagen:

    Samantha Heuwagen’s Website

     

    Samantha Heuwagen on Instagram

     

    Samantha Heuwagen on Facebook

     

    Samantha Heuwagen on Twitter

    1 hr 19 min
  • I'm getting out of here | Samantha Heuwagen

    When she was 10 years old, Samantha Heuwagen moved to a small town after growing up in a city with a multicultural community. It was quite the change for her, and she didn't see anybody like her. The town wasn't for her and she wanted to get out of there.

    In this episode of Prickly and Blooming, Samantha chats with host Jessie Browning about growing up in a small town and how entering a beauty pageant helped her realize that she wanted to pursue a career that helps people. Listen as she discusses how a college that adapted to her learning disabilities helped her success in class.

    Episode Timeline:

    • [00:03] Intro
  • [03:51] Meet Samantha Heuwagen
  • [04:30] Growing up in a multicultural community
  • [10:04] Moving to Michigan
  • [16:04] Finding out she has a learning disability
  • [20:01] The Red Flannel Queen pageant
  • [28:53] The day of the pageant
  • [34:53] And the winner is...
  • [39:39] Leaving Cedar Springs
  • [42:33] Women and gender studies change her life
  • [45:36] Attending grad school in Florida
  • [46:56] The decision to become a sex therapist
  • [49:42] Relocating to Georgia
  • [53:16] The Starless series
  • [55:16] Her private practice
  • [58:46] How mentors helped Samantha
  • [1:00:50] Contacting Samantha Heuwagen
  • [1:04:07] Jessie's rapid fire questions
  • [1:14:37] Outro

    • Resources Mentioned:
    • "Dawn Among the Stars" by Samantha Heuwagen
  • The Starless Series by Samantha Heuwagen
  • Red Flannel Queen pageant
    • Standout Quotes:
    • "I started off realizing, ‘Oh, I'm not smart' to finally realize, ‘no, no, no. I'm just smart in a different way.' I might forget how to spell a word. Is that because she's bilingual? Is that because she's got disabilities? I realized all of this is part of who I am and I need to accept it." -Samantha Heuwagen [46:09]
  • "I feel so stable, even though we're in the middle of a pandemic and all that. But I feel confident and I feel very grateful for all the clients that I work with, even the troubled ones." -Samantha Heuwagen [56:14]
  • "Think Twilight meets War of the Worlds, but without the bad Twilight on healthy relationships." -Samantha Heuwagen [1:02:19]
    • Connect:

    Connect with Lajoie Society:

    Lajoie Society is Prickly & Blooming; please rate, review, and subscribe.

    Lajoie Society on Instagram

    Lajoie Society on Facebook

    Lajoie Society on Twitter

    Lajoie Society Website

    Learn more about Samantha Heuwagen:

    Samantha Heuwagen's Website

    ...

    1 hr 19 min
  • Listen to your body | Tricia Brooks

    One morning, Tricia Brooks reached for her phone and realized she couldn’t feel anything from her waist down. She knew she was stressed from working two jobs, taking more than a full load of college courses and acting in a professional play, but she had never experienced stress like this.

    In this episode of Prickly and Blooming, Tricia chats with host Jessie Browning about how she recovered from that morning which required her to take a hard look at her life choices. Listen as she describes how her path towards healing also changed her career path.

    Episode Timeline:

     

    • [00:03] Intro
  • [03:57] Meet Tricia Brooks
  • [04:38] Waking up feeling numb
  • [09:27] Ask questions and do your research
  • [11:34] Taking a hard look at herself
  • [17:56] Figuring it out it was shingles
  • [20:39] Strong intuition
  • [22:26] The work towards healing
  • [30:28] Peeling the onion
  • [32:14] Reading vs experiencing
  • [36:12] Attending college
  • [37:43] Changing her routine
  • [43:48] New focus means new career
  • [52:38] Tricia’s last thoughts
  • [53:32] Jessie’s rapid fire questions
  • [1:02:03] Contacting Tricia Brooks
  • [1:03:39] Outro

    •  

    Resources Mentioned:
    • The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
  • Eckhart Tolle
  • The Gifts of Imperfections by Brene Brown
    • Standout Quotes:
    • “Sometimes I knew that I was stressed. I knew I was to a different point of stress that I had never experienced in my life, but I think it was this underlying thing of I just said ‘it’s fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. Everything is going to be good. I’m just going to do all these different things, not get any sleep. I’m just going to study harder. I’m just going to work harder,’ but the thing is your body is always giving you signs. Your body will keep giving you signs until it’s like you listen and I wasn’t listening.” -Tricia Brooks [07:00]
  • “Books are amazing and I still read every single day and I love it, but there’s a different thing from reading the book and actually experiencing the shit, you know what I’m saying, and applying that to your life.” -Tricia Brooks [32:26]
  • “The anticipation. That’s the worry you were talking about. Yes, the anticipation of things are so much worse than they actually are.” -Jessie Browning [33:46]
    • Connect:

     

    Connect with Lajoie Society:

    Lajoie Society is Prickly & Blooming; please rate, review, and subscribe.

     

    Lajoie Society on Instagram

     

    Lajoie Society on Facebook

     

    Lajoie Society on Twitter

     

    Lajoie Society Website 

    Learn more about Tricia Brooks:

    Tricia Brooks’ Website

     

    Tricia Brooks on Instagram

     

    Tricia Brooks on Facebook

     

    Tricia Brooks on Twitter

    1 hr 8 min
  • Listen to your body | Tricia Brooks

    One morning, Tricia Brooks reached for her phone and realized she couldn't feel anything from her waist down. She knew she was stressed from working two jobs, taking more than a full load of college courses and acting in a professional play, but she had never experienced stress like this.

    In this episode of Prickly and Blooming, Tricia chats with host Jessie Browning about how she recovered from that morning which required her to take a hard look at her life choices. Listen as she describes how her path towards healing also changed her career path.

    Episode Timeline:

    • [00:03] Intro
  • [03:57] Meet Tricia Brooks
  • [04:38] Waking up feeling numb
  • [09:27] Ask questions and do your research
  • [11:34] Taking a hard look at herself
  • [17:56] Figuring it out it was shingles
  • [20:39] Strong intuition
  • [22:26] The work towards healing
  • [30:28] Peeling the onion
  • [32:14] Reading vs experiencing
  • [36:12] Attending college
  • [37:43] Changing her routine
  • [43:48] New focus means new career
  • [52:38] Tricia's last thoughts
  • [53:32] Jessie's rapid fire questions
  • [1:02:03] Contacting Tricia Brooks
  • [1:03:39] Outro

    • Resources Mentioned:
    • The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
  • Eckhart Tolle
  • The Gifts of Imperfections by Brene Brown
    • Standout Quotes:
    • "Sometimes I knew that I was stressed. I knew I was to a different point of stress that I had never experienced in my life, but I think it was this underlying thing of I just said ‘it's fine. I'm fine. I'm fine. Everything is going to be good. I'm just going to do all these different things, not get any sleep. I'm just going to study harder. I'm just going to work harder,' but the thing is your body is always giving you signs. Your body will keep giving you signs until it's like you listen and I wasn't listening." -Tricia Brooks [07:00]
  • "Books are amazing and I still read every single day and I love it, but there's a different thing from reading the book and actually experiencing the shit, you know what I'm saying, and applying that to your life." -Tricia Brooks [32:26]
  • "The anticipation. That's the worry you were talking about. Yes, the anticipation of things are so much worse than they actually are." -Jessie Browning [33:46]
    • Connect:

    Connect with Lajoie Society:

    Lajoie Society is Prickly & Blooming; please rate, review, and subscribe.

    Lajoie Society on Instagram

    Lajoie Society on Facebook

    Lajoie Society on Twitter

    Lajoie Society Website

    Learn more about Tricia Brooks:

    Tricia Brooks' Website

    Tricia...

    1 hr 8 min
  • Conquering the shame | Jen Hirst

    Jen Hirst didn’t see herself in the image of an alcoholic, but her drinking caused her to lose her job, her car and almost her marriage. It was when she found herself as a 30-year-old sitting on her childhood bed at her parents house and googling if she was having a heart attack that she started her bumpy road to recovery.

    In this episode of Prickly and Blooming, Jen chats with host Jessie Browning about receiving treatment for her alcoholism and her relapses. She didn’t share about her recovery until she started coaching and spent four of those seven years as a closet sober person living a dry, drunk lifestyle. Listen as Jen explains to Jessie why it helped her to overcome the shame of being an alcoholic by being outspoken about it.

    Episode Timeline:

     

    • [00:03] Intro
  • [03:54] Meet Jen Hirst
  • [06:17] How Jen reached rock bottom
  • [12:37] Why she gave up drinking
  • [14:15] Her first drink
  • [16:10] The first time she abused alcohol
  • [18:26] Recovering perfectionist
  • [22:36] Drinking and wedding planning
  • [25:25] Seeking treatment
  • [28:19] The second DWI
  • [34:38] One bite at a time
  • [39:14] An isolating road to recovery
  • [42:39] Becoming a sober coach
  • [47:12] Wine Mom culture
  • [52:29] Conquering the shame
  • [55:27] Jen’s tools to maintain recovery
  • [1:04:43] Jessie’s rapid fire questions
  • [1:12:34] Contacting Jen Hirst
  • [1:14:27] Outro

    •  

    Resources Mentioned:
    • Brené Brown
  • Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Whitaker 
  • Floor is Lava
  • Peace & Calming Essential Oil Blend from Young Living
  • Stress Away Essential Oil Blend from Young Living
  • The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober: Discovering a happy, healthy, wealthy alcohol-free life by Catherine Gray
  • This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol: Find Freedom, Rediscover Happiness & Change Your Life by Annie Grace
  • Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol by Ruby Warrington
  • Rachel Hollis
    • Standout Quotes:
    • “I hope by sharing my story and telling others these hard things that I’ve been through, I hope it gives you permission to do the same and realize again that you’re not alone in this. That you can pivot at any time that you want and hopefully by me knowing that you can reach that point faster than I did.” -Jen Hirst [05:44]
  • “A lot of times people tell me, ‘Well I haven’t lost my job’ or ‘I haven’t gotten a DWI,’ so that doesn’t make me an alcoholic. I didn’t do that either, but I also like to tell people, ‘you haven’t done that yet,’ because it will happen.” -Jen Hirst [10:47]
  • “It’s incredible what your body can do when you treat it well and how fast it can repair the damage that you’ve done once you just stop poisoning it.” -Jen Hirst [31:52]
    • Connect:

     

    Connect with Lajoie Society:

    Lajoie Society is Prickly & Blooming; please rate, review, and subscribe.

     

    Lajoie Society on Instagram

     

    Lajoie Society on Facebook

     

    Lajoie Society on Twitter

     

    Lajoie Society Website 

    Learn more about Jen Hirst:

     

    Jen Hirst’s Website

     

    Jen Hirst on Instagram

     

    Jen Hirst on Facebook

     

    #ZeroProofMoms on Facebook

    Living Zero Proof website (coming soon)

    1 hr 19 min
  • Conquering the shame | Jen Hirst

    Jen Hirst didn't see herself in the image of an alcoholic, but her drinking caused her to lose her job, her car and almost her marriage. It was when she found herself as a 30-year-old sitting on her childhood bed at her parents house and googling if she was having a heart attack that she started her bumpy road to recovery.

    In this episode of Prickly and Blooming, Jen chats with host Jessie Browning about receiving treatment for her alcoholism and her relapses. She didn't share about her recovery until she started coaching and spent four of those seven years as a closet sober person living a dry, drunk lifestyle. Listen as Jen explains to Jessie why it helped her to overcome the shame of being an alcoholic by being outspoken about it.

    Episode Timeline:

    • [00:03] Intro
  • [03:54] Meet Jen Hirst
  • [06:17] How Jen reached rock bottom
  • [12:37] Why she gave up drinking
  • [14:15] Her first drink
  • [16:10] The first time she abused alcohol
  • [18:26] Recovering perfectionist
  • [22:36] Drinking and wedding planning
  • [25:25] Seeking treatment
  • [28:19] The second DWI
  • [34:38] One bite at a time
  • [39:14] An isolating road to recovery
  • [42:39] Becoming a sober coach
  • [47:12] Wine Mom culture
  • [52:29] Conquering the shame
  • [55:27] Jen's tools to maintain recovery
  • [1:04:43] Jessie's rapid fire questions
  • [1:12:34] Contacting Jen Hirst
  • [1:14:27] Outro

    • Resources Mentioned:
    • Brené Brown
  • Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Whitaker
  • Floor is Lava
  • Peace & Calming Essential Oil Blend from Young Living
  • Stress Away Essential Oil Blend from Young Living
  • The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober: Discovering a happy, healthy, wealthy alcohol-free life by Catherine Gray
  • This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol: Find Freedom, Rediscover Happiness & Change Your Life by Annie Grace
  • Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol by Ruby Warrington
  • Rachel Hollis
    • Standout Quotes:
    • "I hope by sharing my story and telling others these hard things that I've been through, I hope it gives you permission to do the same and realize again that you're not alone in this. That you can pivot...
    1 hr 19 min
  • Waking up from the sleepwalk | Megan Clayton

    When Megan Clayton was 22 years old, she found herself looking at a house she couldn’t afford with her then-husband, her parents and a realtor. It was a fixer-upper but a great house. As she listened to everyone talk about filling the rooms with kids, Megan realized she didn’t want any of it.

    In this episode of Prickly and Blooming, Megan chats with host Jessie Browning about reevaluating her life in her early 20s after that moment and how yoga and therapy helped her through those hard growing pains.

    Episode Timeline:

     

      • [00:03] Intro
  • [04:59] Meet Megan Clayton
  • [05:57] Megan’s wake-up call
  • [09:22] Not a “Say Yes to the Dress” wedding
  • [12:24] Looking at a potential house
  • [17:24] “I really wanted it to work.”
  • [21:01] Moved back with the parents
  • [23:27] Her healing process
  • [29:08] Dating now-husband
  • [33:55] Megan’s tools
  • [41:27] Knowing what you don’t want
  • [43:42] Hell of a four years
  • [49:44] What’s next for Megan?
  • [52:15] Jessie’s rapid fire questions
  • [1:03:32] Contacting Megan Clayton
    • [1:05:16] Outro

     

    Resources Mentioned:
    • Untamed by Glennon Doyle
  • Yoga With Adriene
  • Holotropic Breathwork
    • Standout Quotes:
    • “It was like a huge wake-up call just that the things that I was supposed to be wanting as a newlywed and as the good daughter and all of these things, I realized in an instant that I didn’t actually want those things. It was a really hard pill to swallow, because I was in this life already.” -Megan Clayton [08:30]
  • “I felt like I had been sleepwalking through my life and I realized like who tows all of these things for me, ‘cause it didn’t feel like it was a life that was my choice.” -Megan Clayton [13:17]
  • “Starting with what you don’t like and don’t want is really fucking valid.” -Jessie Browning [41:28]
    • Connect:

     

    Connect with Lajoie Society:

    Lajoie Society is Prickly & Blooming; please rate, review, and subscribe.

     

    Lajoie Society on Instagram

     

    Lajoie Society on Facebook

     

    Lajoie Society on Twitter

     

    Lajoie Society Website 

    Learn more about Megan Clayton:

     

    Megan Clayton’s Website

     

    Megan Clayton’s on Instagram

    1 hr 9 min
  • Waking up from the sleepwalk | Megan Clayton

    When Megan Clayton was 22 years old, she found herself looking at a house she couldn't afford with her then-husband, her parents and a realtor. It was a fixer-upper but a great house. As she listened to everyone talk about filling the rooms with kids, Megan realized she didn't want any of it.

    In this episode of Prickly and Blooming, Megan chats with host Jessie Browning about reevaluating her life in her early 20s after that moment and how yoga and therapy helped her through those hard growing pains.

    Episode Timeline:

      • [00:03] Intro
  • [04:59] Meet Megan Clayton
  • [05:57] Megan's wake-up call
  • [09:22] Not a "Say Yes to the Dress" wedding
  • [12:24] Looking at a potential house
  • [17:24] "I really wanted it to work."
  • [21:01] Moved back with the parents
  • [23:27] Her healing process
  • [29:08] Dating now-husband
  • [33:55] Megan's tools
  • [41:27] Knowing what you don't want
  • [43:42] Hell of a four years
  • [49:44] What's next for Megan?
  • [52:15] Jessie's rapid fire questions
  • [1:03:32] Contacting Megan Clayton
    • [1:05:16] Outro

    Resources Mentioned:
    • Untamed by Glennon Doyle
  • Yoga With Adriene
  • Holotropic Breathwork
    • Standout Quotes:
    • "It was like a huge wake-up call just that the things that I was supposed to be wanting as a newlywed and as the good daughter and all of these things, I realized in an instant that I didn't actually want those things. It was a really hard pill to swallow, because I was in this life already." -Megan Clayton [08:30]
  • "I felt like I had been sleepwalking through my life and I realized like who tows all of these things for me, ‘cause it didn't feel like it was a life that was my choice." -Megan Clayton [13:17]
  • "Starting with what you don't like and don't want is really fucking valid." -Jessie Browning [41:28]
    • Connect:

    Connect with Lajoie Society:

    Lajoie Society is Prickly & Blooming; please rate, review, and subscribe.

    Lajoie Society on Instagram

    Lajoie Society on Facebook

    Lajoie Society on Twitter

    Lajoie Society Website

    Learn more about Megan Clayton:

    Megan Clayton's Website

    Megan Clayton's on Instagram

    1 hr 9 min
  • Meeting the JTs | Monica Danna

    Wrapping up the month, host Jessie Browning takes a break from the deep topics to indulge in celebrity crushes with Monica Danna. Two and a half years ago, Jessie met her celebrity crush, Justin Theroux, after the actor walked into her coffee shop. Monica shares her story about how her dad helped her to meet her celebrity crush, Justin Timberlake, on a cold December night.

    Listen to how both gathered the courage to initially approach their crushes, but how second changes provided those memories of a lifetime.

    Episode Timeline:
    • [00:05] Intro
  • [02:08] Hello Monica
  • [04:31] Jessie's history with Justin Theroux
  • [06:26] February 18, 2018
  • [11:39] There he is again
  • [14:46] Selfies with Justin
  • [17:56] Waiting for Armageddon
  • [21:02] "Are you going to watch The Leftovers now?"
  • [23:31] The shirt
  • [26:58] Monica's story
  • [32:34] Heading to the airport
  • [34:46] Seeing Justin Timberlake
  • [36:47] "I'll never forget this feeling"
  • [39:35] A second chance
  • [41:57] Recapping at Taco Cabana
  • [44:31] Jessie's rapid fire questions
    • [55:37] Outro

    Resources Mentioned:
    • Justin Theroux
  • HBO's 6 Feet Under
  • HBO's The Leftovers
  • Justin Timberlake
  • The 20/20 Experience by Justin Timberlake
    • Standout Quotes:
    • "I hope that this photo is framed somewhere in your home." -Monica Danna [17:06]
  • "I did not talk about her. I was not bringing her into my moment." -Jessie Browning [18:56]
  • "So we're standing there and I'll never forget this feeling. The stairs from the jet slowly lower down and my heart just drops to my stomach. Like, this is happening. This is my moment. This is what I've been waiting for my whole life." -Monica Danna [36:47]
    • Connect:

    Connect with Lajoie Society:

    Lajoie Society is Prickly & Blooming; please rate, review, and subscribe.

    Lajoie Society on Instagram

    Lajoie Society on Facebook

    Lajoie Society on Twitter

    Lajoie Society Website

    59 min

About Prickly and Blooming

From the publisher's feed

Jessie has lived in Texas for 20 years now (half her life) and still ponders "what makes a Texan?" Prickly and Blooming is a weekly conversational podcast hosted by Jessie Browning *now focused* on…