In this episode, Hannah and Aaron explore intuition, self-trust, vulnerability, and the strange ways life seems to guide us. What starts with a journal entry written by Aaron at 15 years old turns into a conversation about future selves, unexpected detours, emotional resilience, and the courage it takes to follow a path before you know where it leads.

They discuss the difference between intuition and anxiety, why playing it safe comes with its own kind of pain, how authenticity differs from vulnerability, and whether everyone has a calling.

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What starts as a conversation about random Google searches, turns into a deeper conversation about death, nostalgia, aging, and how relationships, identity, and personal growth evolve over time.

In this episode of The Dishes Can Wait, we follow the thread wherever it leads. That means laughing through a mildly traumatic treadmill story, talking about the very real moment you realize your body isn't as forgiving as it used to be, and unpacking why some of us think about death more often than others and what that actually says about how we experience life.

Along the way, we land on the idea of present nostalgia…that feeling of missing a moment while you're still living it. The kind of awareness that makes something beautiful… and a little bittersweet at the same time.

This episode is funny, thoughtful, a little existential, and grounded in the kind of honest, meandering conversation that feels like sitting around the table with people you trust.

SHOW NOTES

Hannah dancing to Proud Mary on Instagram

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In episode 7 of The Dishes Can Wait, Hannah and Aaron settle in for a funny, meandering, and deeply honest conversation about creativity, identity, and what it really means to "make" something. Along the way, they reflect on how creativity evolves with age, energy, and self-acceptance.

The conversation then shifts (as it often does at their table) into nostalgia, memory, and food—sharing the dishes, smells, and moments that feel like home. From Tex-Mex and barbecue, to family recipes and childhood experiences, they explore how food connects us to identity, place, and belonging.

To close, they pull a question that takes things even deeper: Are you more afraid of failure or success? What follows is a vulnerable, thoughtful discussion about perfectionism, worthiness, and the emotional complexity of being seen. It's an honest reminder that growth often happens in small, brave steps.

Come for the laughs, stay for the heart.

SHOW NOTES

Develop Your Creative Skills in Low-Stakes Spaces

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CW: Death and loss

In this deeply personal episode, Hannah and Aaron open up about the losses that have shaped who they are today. Aaron shares memories of his grandmother and the guilt he carried after her passing. Hannah reflects on losing her father in 2021, the trauma of navigating complicated family dynamics in the aftermath of his death and the additional grief it brought with his loss.

But this isn't just a heavy episode about loss. They find moments of laughter remembering funny stories about the people they love that are gone. They explore how deconstruction has given them new language for grief and a new framework for how to understand loss. They also discuss the importance of self-compassion and why remembering the funny moments matters just as much as honoring the pain.

If you've experienced loss, this conversation gives permission to feel it all and offers hope that our loved ones are still near.

Show Notes Wynonna Judd, Testify to Love Information about Michael Tait

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In this deeply vulnerable episode, Aaron and Hannah explore what happens when you choose curiosity over certainty, authenticity over approval, and creativity over control. Hannah opens up about her transformative experience writing a play and how a mountain of rejection led her to rediscover her true creative lane in theatre. Then the conversation shifts to harder territory; The two share their journey of leaving evangelical Christianity and how faith deconstruction impacted their marriage, creativity, and sense of self.

Show Notes

Hannah's Faith Deconstruction Series on Substack Rowan Williams 2025 Parchment Lectures at Truett Seminary Aaron VanDanacker, Certified voice teacher

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In this episode, Aaron and Hannah explore the difference between routines and rhythms, and how intentional patterns can help you become a healthier version of yourself. They discuss the importance of listening to your body, creating sustainable habits, and aligning daily choices with your goals in order to manifest what you're hoping to accomplish.

The conversation takes a fun turn as they dive into how their personalities complement (not compliment!) each other as a couple. From Enneagram types to crisis management styles, they share honest insights about holding space for each other's authenticity, balancing right-brain emotions with left-brain logic, and why they can't both have a breakdown at the same time.

Along the way, expect tangents about neurodivergence, vegetarian phases, grammar lessons, and eating Popeyes in London.

Show Notes Develop Your Skills in Low-Stakes Spaces Eternally Existential

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What would you change if you could live your life over again? In this episode, Aaron and Hannah explore the paths not taken and the choices that shaped who they are today.

Hannah shares a heartbreaking moment from her university theater days when a Broadway producer offered to produce her original musical, and she didn't take him seriously. Years later, she wonders what life might have looked like if she had believed in herself enough to say yes to that opportunity. And Aaron opens up about quitting football after a coach's harsh treatment left him feeling humiliated, and the two discuss how coaches, teachers, and mentors have the ability to shape the trajectory of our lives

But this isn't just a conversation about regret. The conversation explores what it means to hold space for both—the loss of what could have been and the gratitude for what is. And they ask what we can we do about these regrets now. How do we learn from them without getting lost in the "what ifs" and romanticizing a reality that doesn't exist. Plus: Hannah makes literally everything existential and they pull a question from the Sack of Somethin' that gets (not) surprisingly deep.

Show NotesStages Podcast with Daniel Pink about regretEverything Everywhere All At Once

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In this episode Aaron and Hannah dive into the quirks and comforts that make up their personal love/hate lists, swapping stories about the everyday things that make them smile and the little annoyances that get under their skin. From the joy of a freshly sharpened pencil to the annoyance of a pants zipper that falls down all on its own (Hannah spent a day walking around London after her fly fell all the way down on its own). Along the way, the two reflect on how their personalities and sensory quirks shape their lists, reflect on the changing seasons, the importance of being present, and how our unique preferences shape our daily lives. It's a relatable, lighthearted conversation about the little things that make life interesting.

Show Notes Pen World Dromgooles

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In this episode, "Little Joys, First Impressions, and Preparation vs. Spontaneity," Aaron and Hannah invite you to their table for a heartfelt, laughter-filled conversation about the small comforts that make life sweeter. From the rituals of morning playlists and the magic of tarot cards, to the art (and science) of the perfect nap, they share the little things that bring them joy.

The duo also takes a nostalgic trip down memory lane, revealing their first impressions of each other and the story of how they met nearly 20 years ago. Along the way, they explore vulnerability, the tension between preparation and spontaneity, and the beauty of being present in the moment.

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In the inaugural episode of The Dishes Can Wait Podcast, hosts Hannah and Aaron introduce their listeners to the concept and ethos of their new show. They aim to create an atmosphere akin to a cozy post-dinner conversation among friends where time disappears. They discuss their background as previous podcasters and their journey towards starting the podcast again after a seven-year hiatus. Sharing personal anecdotes about their life, their family, and the experiences that shaped them, they emphasize the importance of meaningful, unhurried conversations and the value of connection and invite listeners to join their new venture, promising a blend of humor and depth in future episodes.