unmasked

Last episode we got separate perspectives from both the guys and girls talking about experiences, hesitations, insecurities, and benefits of navigating the online dating world. This episode, part two, we have it set up as a panel, as we pick each others brains to gain more understanding of the differences between guys and girls online dating! 

This time is a little different because instead of one person sharing their story, I have four of my friends shed some light on what their experience has been with online dating. We talk about the stigma of online dating, the struggles, hesitations, and also the benefits of it! First half of it you'll hear from my friends Ariana and Karen, getting a ladies perspective and the second half you'll get the guys perspective from my friends Scott and Sam.

In this episode we actually talk about belonging to a religion, or a different way of saying that is belonging to a particular faith or certain belief. Kaitlyn shares being brought up in a christian conservative home her whole life, to then wrestling and journeying through her own questions about what she actually believes in, and making her faith her own.  

What is really cool about this conversation, is Aly's journey literally speaks into the soul purpose of this podcast- keeping people at bay, pretending to have it all together, so they cant see your mess. She shares how she would keep people at an arms distance and wouldnt let people really get to know her. And if they got too close, she would find herself slipping away in the other direction. 

First time ever having a married couple on the podcast, and it was incredible! Matt and Anna have been married for 6 years now. They dated for a year and half, then engaged for a year and half; together for 3 years before getting married. You would think being together for that amount of time it would be a strong start to their marriage. But that wasnt quite the case. You’ll hear what went on, what they discovered during their first year of being married and what got them through.

This story is different from previous stories because instead of talking about moments in someone’s past, Matt lets us in on what he currently handles and faces everyday in his job as a paramedic. As a first responder, Matt has no way of knowing what to expect or what he will run into day to day, yet has to stay on and be ready for any given situation. He talks about discovering something new about himself that affects his performance, and what he has to do to take care of himself after handling traumatic situations.

My experience with counseling was a lot like going into Target, anticipating to get one thing and come out with 20 other items. I went in with small expectations of what therapy would do for me, and came out with having to sift through a lot more than I expected. Sifting through the dirt and muck of life is not a fun process, but always worth coming out better on the other side! 

Welcome back my friends! After some thought and wrestling with what to do next, I present to you, Season 2 of the Unmasked Podcast! Tune in to hear what has been going on since launching the podcast, and what to expect in the episodes with a new twist on conversations. Here we go!! 

My special guest this week is my dad! He shares about a season in his life that was unexpected, led to some insecurities and fears, and having to navigate the single life after being married for 23 years. Its deep. And to be honest its a little weird talking about dating with your own dad, but we went there! And I am so glad we did because I learned a little more about him, and grew in my understanding of what someone else could be going through in a similar season.

Olivia lets us in on her journey of finding reconciliation with her dad and forgiving one another to pursue a healthy and loving relationship. This story is loaded with feeling some loss of identity, trying to have a relationship and gaining approval from a family member, to ostracizing herself and coping in certain ways to keep from talking and avoiding conflict, to then something switching and going forward with forgiving one another and choosing to continue to fight to stay connected.