The Commons with Karla

It is the week of Christmas and to celebrate we are sharing Christmas favorites.  Today you will hear some of the guests you have heard from before on other episodes sharing their favorite Christmas memories, traditions, and stories. Twelve friends of The Commons are back and if you stick around to the end, you will hear some of my Christmas favorites. If you want to listen to the original guest episode, be sure to check out the links below. I hope this episode encourages you to focus on what is really important this Christmas. 

Past Guests that you Will Hear From Today: 

●       Jess Hartwig from Episode 10

●       Lynsey Sala from Episode 14

●       Angel Needham from Episode 15

●       Lindsay Min from Episode 24

●       Maggie Opperman from Episode 26

●       Victoria Hudgins from Episode 32

●       Kari Sweeney from Episode 33

●       Teresa Vasko from Episode 36

●       Rachel Wilding from Episode 39

●       Denise Crosby from Episode 47

●       Katie Fellows from Episode 60

●       Sylvia Tamborrel from Episode 75

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate and review The Commons with Karla Podcast on Apple or Spotify. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. For show notes, go to karlaosorno.com/podcast.

The Commons with Karla is all about connection, and one of my favorite ways to connect is through books. This week we are sharing a book conversation that we had over in our Patreon community with my dear friend Jennette about the book The Downstairs Girl.

If you haven’t yet heard of Patreon, it is a platform where you can support creatives and also get additional content and community. We have one level of support currently and it is $3 a month. If that is something that interests you, consider supporting the podcast and head over to patreon.com/thecommonswithkarla for all the details. If you like inspiring and fun stories shared on The Commons with Karla podcast, you will love our conversations about the stories in the books we are reading and our own stories. We are just getting started and would love to have you. 

Episode Highlights: 

• The busyness of the holiday season 
• Shorter episode and bonus content during the month of December
• Patreon
• Example of our Book Conversation
• The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee
• What Guests are Reading Spreadsheet 
• Join us today! 

Find more on Guest:

• Jennette Bratzler on Instagram @pjbratzler

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

• On IG @karla_osorno

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate and review The Commons with Karla Podcast on Apple or Spotify. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. For show notes, go to karlaosorno.com/podcast.

Thanks to our Sponsor:

The Commons with Karla is a space for connection and community. If you love these episodes and want more connection and community, join us over on Patreon. There we are connecting through books. For just $3 a month you can participate in conversations about books and life. We meet together and use the stories told in books to tell our stories and listen to each other's stories.  

"We read to know we are not alone." C.S. Lewis

Join us and connect through books at patreon.com/thecommonswithkarla

In today’s episode I am in conversation with Tammy. Tammy exudes positivity, friendship, and kindness despite the tragic losses that she has endured. Tammy talks with us today about the many benefits of having a diverse community. She has friends in all walks of life: friends that are parents to young children, parents to college students, or even friends who are single with no children. She expresses how there are so many interesting people and perspectives in the world - why limit our friendships to only certain types of people? Tammy is truly a people person and does a beautiful job of expressing the difference between a friend and an acquaintance. I hope this episode encourages you to broaden the horizons of your friendships. 

Episode Highlights: 

●       3 things that Tammy loves to do 

●       Tammy’s family 

●       Pivotal moments in Tammy’s life 

●       Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis 

●       The loss of Tammy’s husband, son, and parents 

●       Tammy’s diverse community

●       The different levels of friendships 

●       What would prevent Tammy from turning an acquaintance into a friend

●       Tammy’s lifelong friendship 

●       The Commons with Karla #10: Making Others Feel Special with Jessica 

●       What Tammy is reading for her book club - All I Know and Love by Judith Frank

●       Looking forward to post-surgery 

Find more on Guest:

●       Tammy Geary is on IG @vegastammy and on Facebook @TammyKhouryGeary

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

●       Join our community on Patreon Connecting through books - one of the bonuses you get for supporting the show on Patreon is a searchable spreadsheet that includes each guest, a link to the show, and the book each guest has read and recommended 

●       Karla on IG @karla_osorno

●        Visit The Commons with Karla Episode 91 page

Thanks to our Sponsor:

Memory Lane Chats is the best way to record the story of your family. Knowing the story we were born into and understanding the people who came before us is powerful, beautiful, and healing. Invite your loved one to tell their stories at MemoryLaneChats.com. Use the code STORY50 to save 50% (offer ends January 8, 2023). Stories matter and Memory Lane Chats wants to help you tell yours to future generations. 

Welcome back to The Commons with Karla. Today’s guest, Katie Menante Anderson, speaks with us about the value of slowing down and making human connections. She is a wonderful example of a woman who appreciates, loves, and gets along with all different kinds of people. Katie went through an extraordinarily difficult time when she lost her son Benjamin to a terminal illness, but throughout the heartbreak and darkness, with the help of Jesus, beauty and healing has risen from the ashes. Going through all of the pivotal moments that she went through put into perspective what is really important in life. Slow down. Take in the time with your family. Enjoy every moment. I hope Katie’s message inspires you to really focus on the things that matter. 

Episode Highlights: 

●       Katie’s background story 

●       Stepping outside of your comfort zone to connect

●       Reconciliation Walk 1996-1999 - Christianity Today article

●       Katie’s marriage to Matt, and their two sons Luke and Benjamin (Ben)

●       Ben’s terminal diagnosis Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)

●       Life during Ben’s illness

●       Found this marriage book helpful - The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller 

●       Raising money for research to arrest ALD through the Van Haren Lab

●       Having conversations with people who disagree and stay curious

●       Slowing down 

●       Katie’s business - Organize!

●       Where to find deep connection

●       What Katie is currently reading and looking forward to

Find more on Guest:

●       Be Warrior Hike - Accept the Challenge website BeWarrior.net

●       Organized! By Katie Anderson on IG @organizednv

●       Dr. Keith Van Haren Lab at Stanford

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

●       Karla on IG @karla_osorno

●       Coaching with Karla - Build connections. Grow your impact.

●        Visit The Commons with Karla Episode 90 page

Thanks to our Sponsor:

The Commons with Karla is a space for connection and community. If you love these episodes and want more connection and community, join us over on Patreon. There we are connecting through books. For just $3 a month you can participate in conversations about books and life. We use the stories told in books to tell our stories and listen to each other's stories. Join us at patreon.com/thecommonswithkarla and connect through books.

Life is full of ups and downs, ebbs and flows, and many transitions. 

As today’s guest Erin put it, “Life is hard.” Through these challenging times, we are often dealing with and facing grief. Grief over losing a loved one or even grief feeling like we have lost ourselves. As the seasons of life change, the idea of our identity can change as well. In this episode, Erin expresses how she tied her identity to the roles she was playing in everyone else’s lives, that once that circumstance changed- she wasn’t sure who she was. Erin talks with us about how through challenging times, her faith may have been challenged- but ultimately, it’s what carried her through those hard times. I hope this episode reminds you that you are not alone in your challenges, and that the darkness of the cloud will not be there forever. 

Episode Highlights: 

●       How Erin spends her time 

●       Where Erin’s faith started

●       The challenges of church 

●       Grieving during life’s transitions 

●       The loss of Erin’s mom who suffered from early onset Alzheimer’s

●       Asking God deep questions

●       Checking in on your motives

●       Friends that turn into family 

●       Ivy Market link to shop - coasters and scissors

Find more on Guest:

●       Erin Holland Photography Instagram

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

 ●       Karla on IG @karla_osorno

●        Visit The Commons with Karla Episode 89 page

Thanks to our Sponsor:

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One challenge changed everything for today’s guest, Nikki.

Nikki joined a gym after hesitation and intimidation tried to stop her. After a year at her gym, she was challenged to an elimination diet. This diet changed the way she looked at food forever. She now enjoys cooking healthy food for her family. The impact of these choices has benefited Nikki and her family, not only physically, but mentally as well. Nikki expresses how you don’t always have to be perfect, as long as you don’t give up and keep pushing forward. I hope this episode encourages you to lead a happy, healthy, fulfilled life. 

Episode Highlights: 

●       Nikki’s love for cooking

●       Going to the grocery store daily

●       Symptoms of an unhealthy diet 

●       Intimidation of beginning a new gym 

●       The challenge at Nikki’s gym

●       The elimination diet

●       The positive impacts that eating healthy has had on Nikki and her family 

●       What Nikki is currently reading 

●       What Nikki is looking forward to 

Find more on Guest:

●       Recipe Nikki recommends - Asian Sticky Meatballs

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

●       Karla on IG @karla_osorno

●       Visit The Commons with Karla Episode 88 page

Thanks to our Sponsor:

Memory Lane Chats is the best way to record the story of your family. Knowing the story we were born into and understanding the people who came before us is powerful, beautiful, and healing. Invite your loved one to tell their stories at MemoryLaneChats.com. Use the code STORY50 to save 50% (offer ends January 8, 2023). Stories matter and Memory Lane Chats wants to help you tell yours to future generations. 

What does the word empowerment mean to you? 

Today’s guest, Melanie, does a beautiful job of explaining what it means to be empowered and how to empower others around you. Melanie is a great example of empowerment as she not only empowers her own children, but also many other families in the world through Trades of Hope.  Trades of Hope is a missional business that works with artisans all over the world to empower women out of poverty. Listen to this conversation to hear practical ways on how to empower others.  I hope this episode encourages you to lift yourself, and others, up today.  

During editing of this episode, we realized there was background noise on the audio track. We apologize for that and are releasing the episode so you can hear our original conversation. Melanie said many important things we wanted you to hear. Thank you for listening, and like me, you can look for Melanie coming back to The Commons for more conversations.

Episode Highlights: 

●       High school Bible teacher

●       Busy Mama of 4

●       What is empowerment? 

●       How to empower others around you 

●       Trades of Hope

●       Melanie’s values

●       Potter’s Wheel Intensive Group Soul Care

●       Encouragement re-defined

●       Current read In Pursuit of Love by Rebecca Bender

●       What Melanie is looking forward to 

Find more on Guest:

●       Link to Sharing HOPE with Mel

●       Melanie’s Trades of Hope Website 

●       Melanie on IG @MelanieSunukjian

●       Facebook Group SharingHopeWithMel

●       Upcoming Anti-Human Trafficking Conference - Until All Are Set Free

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

●       Karla on IG @karla_osorno

●       10 Day Connection Challenge 

●       Coaching with Karla - free consult or jump in 

●        Visit The Commons with Karla Episode 87 page

Thanks to our Sponsor:

The Commons with Karla is a space for connection and community. If you love these episodes and want more connection and community, join us over on Patreon. There we are connecting through books. For just $3 a month you can participate in conversations about books and life. We use the stories told in books to tell our stories and listen to each other's stories. Join us atpatreon.com/thecommonswithkarla and connect through books.

What role do adventure and sports play in your life? 

In today’s episode, I am in conversation with Laurie. Incorporating adventure into her life has been very important to her since she was young. As a child she was introduced to so many new places, and in return has given her daughters the same experiences. Laurie also talks with us about how being involved in sports from a young age taught her life long lessons that she still uses to this day. She talks with us about how adventure and sports are so valuable in shaping who you are as a person, how they can provide community, and appreciating the lessons that they bring. I hope this episode encourages you to take the leap into your next adventure! 

Episode Highlights: 

●       Laurie’s trip to Germany

●       Running a mini triathlon with her daughter 

●       Saying yes to new things

●       Sunday night dinners 

●       Traveling and adventure 

●       Laurie’s daughter studying abroad 

●       How sports shaped Laurie’s life 

●       Sports providing community with others 

●       What Laurie is looking forward to 

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

 ●       Karla on IG @karla_osorno

●       10 Day Connection Challenge 

●       Coaching with Karla - free consult or jump in 

●        Visit The Commons with Karla Episode 86 page

Thanks to our Sponsor:

 Memory Lane Chats is the best way to record the story of your family. Knowing the story we were born into and understanding the people who came before us is powerful, beautiful, and healing. Invite your loved one to tell their stories atMemoryLaneChats.com. Use the code STORY50 to save 50% (offer ends January 8, 2023). Stories matter and Memory Lane Chats wants to help you tell yours to future generations. 

How can we develop deep connections when everyone is always so busy? 

This is a question that today's guest, Desiree, often wonders. Desiree cares for people deeply and is a hard-working woman who enjoys her career. She also likes the flexibility she has to spend time with the people she loves. In our conversation we talk about loving our lives while also wishing people were less busy. And we talk about ways to develop deeper connections. If you feel like the pace of life makes it difficult to form deep connections, you are not alone. I hope this episode encourages you to make time for what is really important. 

Episode Highlights: 

●       Desiree’s background story 

●       Desiree built her own business and is able to have a flexible schedule

●       Nature of the business means being on call all the time

●       Being a workaholic 

●       Finding new hobbies and making “me time”

●       Making connections although everyone is busy 

●       Staying connected to family 

●       The challenge of making deep connections

●       Deciding what is important and delegating to be less busy

●       Desiree’s love of Halloween decorating

●       Hospitality is about connection 

Find more on Guest:

●       Email Desiree or Visit her website

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

●       Karla on IG @karla_osorno

●       10 Day Connection Challenge 

●       Coaching with Karla - free consult or jump in 

●        Visit The Commons with Karla Episode 85 page

Thanks to our Sponsor:
The Commons with Karla is a space for connection and community. If you love these episodes and want more connection and community, join us over on Patreon. There we are connecting through books. For just $3 a month you can participate in conversations about books and life. We meet together and use the stories told in books to tell our stories and listen to each other's stories.  Join us and connect through books at https://www.patreon.com/thecommonswithkarla

Welcome back to my conversation with Barbie. This episode is part 2 of my conversation with Barbie. If you haven’t listened to episode 83, you may want to pause this episode and come back after listening. In this episode, Barbie shares with us what it was like to become pregnant after having two miscarriages. She walks us through the journey of feeling joy while also grieving some devastating news about her mom’s health. The challenge of balancing good and bad news at the same time can be a lot to carry. Life can be hard, but I hope this episode reminds you that you are not alone. 

Episode Highlights: 

 ●       Barbie finding out she was pregnant again after two miscarriages

●       Barbie’s mom having cancer 

●       Barbie’s father in law also having a chronic illness

●       We can’t have the capacity to take care of every person

●       The challenges of connection in changing seasons of life 

 Find more on Guest:

●       Barbie’s vibrant community on TikTok @barbiecmg

●       Connect with Barbie on IG @barbiecmg

●       On Facebook @BarbieCeciliaMiranda

Find More on The Commons with Karla:

 ●       Karla on IG @karla_osorno

●       10 Day Connection Challenge 

●       Coaching with Karla - free consult or jump in 

●        Visit The Commons with Karla Episode 84 page

Thanks to our Sponsor:

Memory Lane Chats is the best way to record the story of your family. Knowing the story we were born into and understanding the people who came before us is powerful, beautiful, and healing. Invite your loved one to tell their stories atMemoryLaneChats.com. Use the code STORY50 to save 50% (offer ends January 8, 2023). Stories matter and Memory Lane Chats wants to help you tell yours to future generations.