A boundary is defined by Oxford Languages as a line that marks the limits of an area; a dividing line. Physical boundaries are tangible and make sense. Here's the line in the sand - that is your space and this is my space. You can only cross the barrier that I've put up to protect myself, unless I allow you to.

On this week's episode, we kick off part 1 of our series on emotional boundaries with special guest, Abbey Kochert. We like to think of boundaries as the "guardrails" that protect us so that we don't stray too far off our life path and lose ourselves. Boundaries are not only necessary in maintaining healthy relationships, but also preserving your mental health and wellness. Tune in to learn practical examples of how you can apply boundaries to your personal and professional life. 

Let's make lemonade!

Last episode was all about the “lemon” of abuse, pain, and heartache. But then he came along - a cool glass of lemonade.

Relationships that are built to last don’t just land in your lap though, they take work. Tune in to hear how we’ve developed a healthy relationship by healing from our pasts, understanding ourselves on a deep, personal level, and consciously choosing one another every day. I'll talk about how I utilized the 5 Love Languages and The Enneagram to understand myself and my partner better as well as tools that help us stay connected.

Let's Make Lemonade!

Resources Referenced in This Episode:

• What Are The Five Love Languages?  by, Gary Chapman: https://www.5lovelanguages.com/learn
• The Love Language Quiz by, Gary Chapman: https://www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes
• The Enneagram Institute: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/
• The Enneagram Type Combinations: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/the-enneagram-type-combinations
• Paired App: https://www.getpaired.com/
• The Adventure Challenge: Couples' Edition: https://www.theadventurechallenge.com/collections/products?param1=&utm_term=&utm_campaign=General_Dynamic+Search_Search_U.S.&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=2233757441&hsa_cam=9352096443&hsa_grp=95025713936&hsa_ad=418616804063&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=dsa-19959388920&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=b&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gclid=CjwKCAjwo4mIBhBsEiwAKgzXOEfHEr3IYkVb7bTptmDlzbZH6FJEI90h2uFSpUK5KWNJH_vX6j-KjBoCo-8QAvD_BwE

*When Life Gives You Lemons is not sponsored by The Five Love Languages, The Enneagram Institute, Paired, or The Adventure Challenges.

On this week's episode, I sit down with special guest Mackinzi Bradshaw to discuss the challenges of being a first-time, stay-at-home mom vs. being in corporate America.  As females, we feel pressure daily to fit inside the box that society tells us we should fit within. These pressures look different because of the different paths we are on, but the heart of overcoming them is the same. We also talk about how we maintain our strong friendship through intentionality, vulnerability, and authenticity even though we are on very different paths in life.

The CDC reports that 1 in 10 women in the United States have experienced an episode of major depression in the past year. When focusing on postpartum depression, that number can reach as high as 1 in 5, depending on the state. That is why we, as women, should stand together and support one another through life's challenges. Whether that's having a new baby, starting a new career, or simply trying to figure out who you are in the world as a woman - we need each other, now more than ever.

Let's make lemonade!

Resources:

• Depression Among Woman: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/depression/index.htm
• BetterHelp therapy resource: https://www.betterhelp.com/

*This podcast is not sponsored by BetterHelp.com

On this episode, I sit down with special guest, Meagan McBride, to discuss what it's like being a first generation college student and the challenges of transferring schools. We also provide advice on navigating college life and the "real world" post-graduation.

A first generation college graduate is defined as a student whose parent(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree.  This does not include extended members of the family, such as grandparents, aunt/uncles, etc.  Additionally, your parents may have attended some college courses, but they did not complete a degree, which would still classify you as a first generation college student based on certain institutions' definitions.

Why is this important?

According to the Center for First-Generation Student Success, "the term 'first-generation' implies the possibility that a student may lack the critical cultural capital necessary for college success because their parents did not attend college" Thus, having an understanding of the needs of first-generation college students allows the opportunity for institutions to come alongside these students and provide additional support so that they may be as successful as their peers and have a sense of belonging on campus.

Read more about this topic at:

• Defining First-Generation by, Center for First-Generation Student Success: https://firstgen.naspa.org/blog/defining-first-generation

Follow Meagan on Instagram: @meggyweggy406

In this episode, I discuss the “lemons” that spiraled into my mental health challenges and eventual attempt at taking my own life freshman year of college. I share how I was able to use this experience to empower others to step into their power and own their story. I also provide risk factors and warning signs for suicide as well as tips on how to show up with courage and vulnerability when someone is in crisis. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, help is out there. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “HOME” to 741741. You are not alone and I’m so happy you’re here. 

Resources Referenced in This Episode:

• Risk Factors and Warning Signs for Suicide provided by the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/how-we-can-all-prevent-suicide/
• "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" IUPUI Student Talks presented by Samantha Brinkman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PitmGl1PnHA
• Virtual therapy provider: https://www.betterhelp.com/

*When Life Gives You Lemons Podcast is not sponsored by the National Suicide Prevention Hotline or Betterhelp.com

In this episode, we dive further into the topic of "Deconstructing Faith." April Reuning joins me as a special guest to define what "Deconstructing Faith" means to her and how her faith journey has been impacted by her past experiences.  

Follow April on Instagram or Tik Tok (@aprilajoy) for more content around challenging faith in a humorous and honest way. 

Resources:

• What Is Faith Deconstruction?  By, Melanie Mudge with The Sophia Society: https://www.sophiasociety.org/blog/what-is-faith-deconstruction
• Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church by, Rachel Held Evans: https://www.amazon.com/Searching-Sunday-Loving-Leaving-Finding/dp/0718022122

Episode Summary:

This will be a three part series on religious trauma, deconstructing religion, and purity culture. In this episode, I introduce the concept of “deconstructing religion.” This is not the same as “destructing religion.” Rather, it is the re-evaluating of one’s religious views and indoctrination, while still keeping your faith in tact. I talk about the religious trauma I experienced as a child growing up in a strict sector of the Christian faith and how this led to me reconceptualizing my faith identity as an adult.

Resources Referenced in This Episode:

• What Is Faith Deconstruction?  By, Melanie Mudge with The Sophia Society: https://www.sophiasociety.org/blog/what-is-faith-deconstruction
• Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church by, Rachel Held Evans: https://www.amazon.com/Searching-Sunday-Loving-Leaving-Finding/dp/0718022122

In the second episode, I discuss Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), or potentially traumatic life events that occur in childhood (0-17 years.) The assessment for ACEs, located in the resource page of the podcast site at: https://whenlifegivesyoulemonspodcast.wordpress.com/resources/, can help conceptualize the trauma you may have experienced as a child. ACEs can have a tremendous impact on our mental and physical health if left untreated due to the negative impact on health outcomes in adulthood. There is help though to process through your trauma and flip the script. Let's make lemonade!

Additional resources referenced in this episode: 

• How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime - Nadine Burke Harris
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ovIJ3dsNk&t=6s
• Virtual therapy provider: https://www.betterhelp.com/. *When Life Gives You Lemons podcast is not sponsored by BetterHelp.com.

On this episode, I explain the premise of this podcast and why I started this movement. In the earlier episodes, I’ll dive into the various personal experiences that can impact our professional lives. From there, we’ll dive into the ways that we can use these personal and professional experiences to grow into the best versions of ourselves while living more authentically and courageously.