The Stories We Leave You

Family vacations have looked pretty different throughout our lives—from childhood road trips, lake cabins, and the occasional big vacation to college spring breaks, cruises, camping trips, and eventually traveling with four kids. In this episode, we're looking back at what family vacations were like growing up, how differently our families traveled, and some of the experiences that made us realize just how much our relationship with travel has changed. We also share some of our favorite places we've visited together and why certain destinations have become surprisingly meaningful to our family.

Of course, traveling with kids isn't always the relaxing vacation people imagine. We get into some of our most memorable family travel moments—from trips that felt genuinely magical to vacations where things definitely did not go according to plan. We talk about the places we keep wanting to return to, what kind of travelers we've become, why we're firmly in the “leave some room to go with the flow” camp, and how some of the trips that were miserable in the moment have somehow become the stories we still laugh about years later.

More than anything, we talk about why traveling as a family has become one of our priorities. It's not about taking the fanciest vacations or checking destinations off a list. We want our kids to have experiences outside their everyday lives, see more of the world, experience different places and cultures, and grow up curious about people whose lives may look different from theirs. And someday, when they're adults looking back on their childhood, we hope they remember less about exactly where we went and more about the ridiculous, unexpected, ordinary little moments we shared while we were there.

New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram at The Stories We Leave You to be part of the conversation. And tell us: Are you beach people or mountain people?

Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

In this episode, we're talking about virginity, first sexual experiences, and all the weird messages we grow up hearing about sex. We look back at what sex education actually looked like in our homes and schools, where we learned about sex before the internet was constantly at our fingertips, and the very different attitudes we each had about virginity growing up. From purity and shame to pregnancy, STIs, porn, and the idea that there's one specific act that suddenly means you're "not a virgin anymore," we're unpacking how much of what we believed came from the culture around us rather than conversations anyone actually had with us.

Then, of course, we get into our own stories. We share how old we were, what led up to our first times, what we expected sex to be like, and what actually happened—which, in both cases, was a lot less glamorous than anything you'd see on TV. We also talk about how being queer complicated the whole idea of "losing your virginity," why our first experiences with each other felt completely different from our previous experiences, and how intimacy changed when there was an emotional connection, trust, and two people figuring things out together.

Finally, we talk about what we understand about sex now that we wish we'd understood then—and what we're trying to teach our own kids differently. We get into consent beyond simply saying "no," changing your mind after something has already started, feeling safe enough to communicate with a partner, porn versus real-life sex, birth control and STI testing, and why we don't want our kids attaching their worth to whether or not they've had sex. We may not be able to prevent every awkward first-time experience, but we want them to know that sex should always be their choice—and that they can come to us without shame when they're ready to talk about it.

New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions!

Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

In this episode, we're going back more than 20 years to Julie's first wedding—and a family situation that still affects the way she remembers that day. With her parents newly divorced and both in new relationships, Julie made one request about the wedding that she hoped would keep the day peaceful and drama-free. Her mom respected it. Her dad... did not. What followed became one of those family stories that sounds almost unbelievable until you know everything else that was happening at the time.

We talk about what happened when Julie's dad decided at the last minute that he wanted to be part of the wedding, why she refused to change plans for him, and how the situation escalated the night before she was supposed to get married. Julie also shares the embarrassment, fear, and guilt she remembers feeling as her family's dysfunction spilled into what should have been a happy weekend—and why, despite everything that happened, she still allowed her dad back into her life afterward.

More than two decades later, Julie and Ryann look at the story very differently than Julie could at 21. They talk about setting boundaries with parents, the complicated cycle of giving someone chance after chance, and how one painful experience can become attached to an otherwise happy memory. Most importantly, Julie reflects on whether she'd do anything differently today—and what this experience has taught her about the boundaries she wants her own kids to feel empowered to set, even with family.

New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions!

Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

In this episode, we're talking about ripples—the lasting impact our words, actions, and relationships can have on the people around us. Sometimes it's something seemingly insignificant that sticks with you for decades. Other times, it's an act of kindness someone may not even remember that becomes part of your story. We share some of the negative and positive moments we've carried with us and talk about what we're trying to teach our kids about how the things they say today could become someone else's internal voice years from now.

We also look at the much bigger ripples created within families. Julie shares how her dad's behavior during her childhood didn't stop affecting her when she grew up—it shaped memories, relationships, the way she handles conflict, and ultimately the kind of parent she wants to be. Ryann reflects on how the reactions he received during some of the biggest moments of his life still influence him today. Together, we talk about the things we've unintentionally carried forward from our own childhoods and the cycles we're consciously trying to change for our kids.

But creating better ripples doesn't mean being perfect. We yell, we lose our patience, we say the wrong thing, and we f*ck up just like everyone else. What matters is recognizing when you've hurt someone, taking responsibility, apologizing, repairing the relationship, and trying to do better the next time. We talk about giving our kids space after conflict, setting healthy boundaries, and one of the biggest lessons we hope they carry with them: leave people better than you found them.

New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions!

Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

In this episode, we're talking about college—what we thought we were supposed to do after high school, how we chose our majors and career paths, and what we wish we'd understood before making such a huge decision at 18. We look back at the very different expectations we grew up with, from having college paid for to figuring out scholarships, Pell Grants, and student loans on our own. We also talk about the pressure to have everything figured out, our assumptions about community college, and why we both felt like going straight to a four-year university was simply what came next.

We also share how much our actual careers have changed from the ones we imagined in college. Between accounting, medicine, teaching, mass media, IT, trade school, entrepreneurship, and several career changes along the way, neither of our lives looks exactly like what we planned when we picked a major. We talk about why getting real-world experience can be just as important as choosing a degree, the careers we didn't even know existed when we were younger, and how changing majors or taking extra time in college becomes a much bigger decision when every additional class costs money. We also get into student loan debt, whether our degrees actually prepared us for the workforce, and the opportunities we might have approached differently knowing what we know now.

Finally, we talk about what all of this means for our own kids. We don't regret going to college, but we also don't want them growing up believing a traditional four-year degree is the only path to a successful life. Whether they choose college, community college, trade school, entrepreneurship, or something completely different, we want them to explore their options, understand the financial reality of their choices, and know that they don't have to figure out the rest of their lives at 18. Most importantly, we want them to know that it's okay to try things, change direction, and build a life that looks different from the one they originally imagined—because college can be a great choice, but it's just not the only one.

New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions!

Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

In this episode, we're celebrating Violet's fourth birthday by capturing exactly who she is at this stage of life—from her big personality and even bigger imagination to the little quirks and sayings we never want to forget. We sit down with each of her siblings to hear how they would describe her, what they love about her, and the funny stories that come to mind when they think about their baby sister. Their answers range from sweet to brutally honest and give a pretty accurate picture of life with the youngest kid in the family.

We also talk about what it's been like watching Violet grow from a laid-back fourth baby into a sassy, sweet, stubborn, funny, and fiercely independent four-year-old. From her obsession with big cats and princesses to working on her poses in the mirror, aggressively loving us, making up elaborate stories with her toys, and insisting on doing things her own way, Violet has made it very clear that she's going to be exactly who she wants to be. We share some of our favorite Violet-isms, what she loves right now, and the bittersweet realization that so many of those last baby and toddler milestones are already disappearing.

Finally, we talk about Violet's unique relationship with each of her siblings and what it's been like watching her find her place as the youngest of four. We share the everyday moments we hope we remember years from now—from zoo and library trips to sibling hugs, pretend doctor visits, "Mama Tiger," "Hee-Hee," and all the other little things that make Violet who she is at four. Most of all, this episode is a time capsule for her: a reminder that she completed our family, has been deeply loved from day one, and that we hope she holds onto that sass and determination as she grows...even if we'd appreciate her going a little easier on us.

New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions!

Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

In this episode, we're celebrating Violet's upcoming fourth birthday by telling the story of her birth—and the chaotic final hours that brought our family’s last baby into the world. After previous birth experiences that included a C-section, Pitocin, and an epidural, Julie went into her final pregnancy hoping for a more natural, unmedicated birth. We talk about navigating gestational diabetes, preparing physically and mentally for labor, and choosing a hospital midwife and doula in hopes of having the birth experience Julie had always wanted.

We also get into the parts that didn't go according to plan, including being pressured into an induction, disagreements with the midwife over Pitocin, and learning how difficult it can be to advocate for yourself while you're actively in labor. After progressing naturally without Pitocin, Julie eventually reached the point where her body was pushing before Violet was ready, leaving her exhausted, defeated, and asking for an epidural just to make the pushing stop.

Then everything changed. While the anesthesiologist was preparing the epidural, Violet suddenly dropped into place, and within minutes Julie delivered her standing beside the hospital bed while Ryann helped catch her. We look back on the chaos of those final moments, finding out Violet had been sunny side up, what it was like for Ryann to catch their baby, and why—despite everything—this became Julie's favorite birth experience. Four years later, knowing Violet's personality, there really couldn't have been a more fitting way for her to enter the world: on her own terms, facing her own direction, and causing just a little bit of chaos.

New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions!

Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

In this episode, we're diving into one of the most personal—and sometimes controversial—topics we've ever discussed: religion. We share how two very different religious upbringings shaped us, from Ryann growing up in a Reform Jewish family celebrating traditions and holidays to Julie's experience with Southern Baptist churches, church camp, and navigating a faith that never quite felt like the right fit. Looking back as adults, we reflect on what we believed, what we questioned, and why both of us ultimately stepped away from organized religion.

We also talk about the differences between Judaism and Christianity, what it was like growing up with religious traditions, and how our views evolved over time. Along the way, we discuss everything from bar and bat mitzvahs, church camp, and holiday celebrations to tattoos, questioning religious teachings, and why curiosity has become more important to us than certainty. We also explore the positive role religion can play in building community while acknowledging the harm we've seen when faith is used to judge, exclude, or control others.

Finally, we have an honest conversation about how religion has personally affected our LGBTQ+ family—from family members who chose not to support our marriage because of their beliefs to how we're raising our own children to explore different faiths and come to their own conclusions. Whether you're deeply religious, no longer practice your faith, or are still figuring out what you believe, this episode is an invitation to ask questions, stay curious, and lead with kindness.

New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions!

Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

In this episode, we're talking about friendship—how easy it seemed as kids, why it gets so much harder as adults, and what we've learned after decades of friendships that lasted, faded away, or ended unexpectedly. We look back on growing up in very different environments, from rural schools and small-town friend groups to suburban neighborhoods filled with kids, and share how those early experiences shaped the way we build relationships today.

We also open up about losing childhood and college friends, navigating friendships through marriage, parenthood, coming out, and transitioning, and how our definition of friendship has changed over the years. We discuss why some friendships naturally drift apart while others end because of differences in values, including experiences with homophobia and transphobia. Along the way, we talk about insecurity, comparison, communication, setting healthy boundaries, and the importance of finding people who genuinely show up for you.

Finally, we share the advice we hope our kids carry with them: friendships require effort, honesty, and mutual respect, but it's also okay to let relationships go when they're no longer healthy. Whether you're struggling to make friends as an adult, grieving a friendship that's changed, or trying to build a stronger community around you, this episode is a reminder that meaningful friendships aren't about quantity—they're about finding people who choose to keep showing up.

New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions!

Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

In this episode, we're talking about something that affects so many people but still carries a surprising amount of stigma: therapy. After receiving a listener request, we share our personal experiences with therapy, what we expected before we ever walked into an office, and how finding the right therapist can be a lot harder than people realize. From therapists who spent more time talking about themselves than helping us to the ones who genuinely challenged our thinking, we discuss what has—and hasn't—worked for us.

We also open up about why we each sought therapy in the first place. Julie shares her experience searching for answers while questioning her sexuality, while Ryann talks about finding an LGBTQ+-affirming therapist during the process of pursuing top surgery and navigating gender identity. Along the way, we discuss why therapy isn't about someone telling you what to do, but helping you ask better questions, recognize unhealthy thought patterns, and work through life's biggest challenges.

The conversation also turns to parenting and why we've chosen to normalize therapy for our own kids. We talk about childhood anxiety, ADHD, raising emotionally healthy children, and why we hope our kids will always see therapy as just another part of taking care of themselves—no different than going to the doctor or dentist. Whether you've been in therapy for years or you're still trying to find the courage to make that first appointment, this episode is an honest conversation about mental health, finding the right fit, and giving yourself permission to ask for help.

*Content Note: This episode contains discussions of mental health, anxiety, ADHD, depression, gender dysphoria, LGBTQ+ identity, gender transition, family relationships, and therapy experiences. We share our personal experiences only and are not mental health professionals.

New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions!

Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC