I sit down with my friend and boss, Samantha, to talk about her journey from being a young girl obsessed with hair and all things beauty to becoming the owner of Salon Stella, and most recently a brand creator of her very own hair extension line, The Mane Collection™. Sam shares where her passion began and how each chapter of her career unfolded. From starting out in a corporatized salon, to stepping into the safety-net of a commission-based environment, to eventually taking the leap into chair rental, she walks us through the lessons learned in every season.

It’s funny how just when the chaos of life finally starts to settle, the next door of opportunity swings wide open. Ready or not, she took the biggest leap of faith and purchased her own salon. Unfortunately, it wasn’t all roses and butterflies, and smooth sailing from there. No matter how hard you try to be the perfect boss who gets it right every time, business ownership has a way of sharpening you. As a female, it will harden you, & that’s just a fact. In Part 2, we dive into what that hardness really looks like behind the scenes.

I’m coming to you solo and catching you up on all things Life Lately- starting with big news: we officially have a walker! Someone woke up on the morning of her 11-month birthday and decided she’s not a little-bitty baby anymore. I share how I audit my calendar and routines to figure out what’s working, what’s just wishful thinking, and which expectations I need to let go of. Momming is more than a full-time job- it’s not 9–5 or even 6–6. It’s 24/7, 365.

I also wonder: if I had gone back to a corporate job, would my baby have by default become a better sleeper because she wouldn’t have had a choice? Wake up, daycare drop-off, scheduled naps, pick-up, dinner, bedtime, repeat... I’ll never know!

And last but not least, I’m highlighting the ever-controversial Candace Owens this week. Love her or hate her, there’s no denying she has grit & grind- all while being a mom to four littles.

Matt and I break down our very first trip without the baby- the nerves, the freedom, and everything in between. The baby stayed with Grandparents and we headed off to a 3-day wedding retreat… and honestly? It was just what the Dr. ordered! We shared where we stayed, the good times, the beautiful scenery, and the questionable cleanliness of our hotel. Turns out bringing Volk turned the whole trip into a mini hiking adventure!

Being surrounded by vows, speeches, and that infectious wedding energy had me wanting to marry Matt all over again. The simplicity and boldness of true love reminded me that life gets richer when you build it with someone. You will go further together- and to all my friends waiting until they accomplish XYZ goals before pursuing love: you don’t need the perfect bank account, investment strategy, or portfolio to be worthy of meeting your person.

The whole weekend felt like one long fairytale date with my husband- a reset, a reminder, and a chance to dream all over again!

Anastasiya sits down with her friend Vera to share a story of courage, growth, and finding the love you truly deserve. What happens when you reach the end of your 20s, step into your 30s, and love doesn’t look the way you always imagined it would?

Once stuck in a long-term relationship that seemed picture-perfect on paper- a shared home, pets, and big plans for the future, Vera knew deep down it wasn’t her forever. When things took a turn for the worse, leaving didn’t feel possible… until she found the courage to listen to her gut.

Now, one year into marriage with the love of her life, she reflects on how timing, honesty, and self-awareness changed everything. Vera shares the honest truth about staying too long, losing herself in the process, and how finding herself again made finding real love possible.

Matt and I dive into what it really looks like to be both doers and dreamers in marriage and business. We talk about which of us leans more toward dreaming big and which one keeps things grounded- and how we’ve learned to find balance when those two worlds collide. From the early days of running our business together to how becoming parents (even when we were just dog parents!) shifted our rhythm. We share the lessons, challenges, and growth that have come with chasing goals side by side. Whether you’re building a business, a dream, or your family’s future, we hope this reminds you that the best things grow where communication & connection never stop.

This week we dive right back into the messy middle of becoming “mom.” The journey into motherhood hasn’t been linear - especially since I was never the girl who “dreamed of being a mom.” I knew I would be a mom (one day), but I didn’t think about it much more than that- which I feel made my transition into motherhood a little more complex. BUT like any challenge in life, that is where faith steps in. When I lift it all up in prayer, the weight lightens even if the circumstances don’t. I am also learning that accepting AND asking for help is its own kind of strength. It’s not easy, but it’s a season of becoming stronger and more grounded- one day at a time.

I’m opening up about how the enemy doesn’t go after you where you’re strong, he targets the areas where we’re most vulnerable. For me, that’s been the transition into motherhood. After nine months of sleepless nights and constant change, it honestly felt easier to go back to work and feel “useful” than to sit still and face the storm of becoming “mom.” But this season has reminded me, once again, that our mindset is everything. When we fill our hearts and minds with truth from above, even the hardest days begin to shift.

You are called into motherhood, you are capable, and you are worthy of this new identity coexisting with your previous one. The time for your dreams will come again- but for now, your greatest calling might just be right where you are. What’s meant for you will never pass by you, so take heart in that while you’re in the thick of a different season.

This week it’s just me, coming to you solo with my sights set on the long game for The Anastasiya Podcast. I’m sharing where I see this podcast heading, the kinds of stories I can’t wait to share- entrepreneurial journeys, soul-mate love stories, and marriages that thrive through different seasons. The deeper purpose behind it all? I want this podcast to be a constant place of encouragement and real connection. We’re all in this thing called life together, and I want every listener to walk away reminded that God’s plans for you are good- so take heart in that.

I also open up about my social media fast for the month of October and what I’m hoping this reset brings me. Plus, some thoughts on why I wish maternity leave lasted a full year and what that could mean for mothers emotionally and mentally. And finally, I’m talking about my goal to read the entire Bible in a year, and why I’m craving truth that isn’t watered down. I don’t want surface-level faith- I want the real deal, even if it challenges me.

When life feels impossibly hard: sleepless nights, endless weeks, and the same struggles on repeat, it’s easy to think that you’re failing. In this episode, we talk about giving yourself grace, lowering the bar when you need to (especially while trekking through uncharted territory), and the little things we cling to that help us stay grounded in blurred hard seasons. Because no matter how heavy it feels right now, it ALWAYS gets better.

PS: We have entered the phase where the baby gives kisses. So, nine months straight of no sleep has been forgiven!

We’re back from our first extended family vacation and sharing all the details: what we loved, what challenged us, and what we’d redo if we had the chance. Our cozy beachside rental was the perfect backdrop for lifelong memories, and we all (Volkie included!) felt the post-ocean blues as soon as we got home. We’re especially grateful that we adjusted our expectations ahead of time for how this vacation would go. It made a huge difference.

We’re thankful to have made it through the “hard” infant stage, but teething has taken over our lives and no one has slept through the night in over a month- send help! Even with the exhaustion, we know we want more babies (in due time, of course) because Noli needs a sibling. Maybe even siblings, who knows! And hey, where are those angel investors when you need them? We’re dying to renovate a beach house!