Breaking the Mold

Vauna Byrd is a marriage and parenting coach, wife of 20 years, mother of six, and grandmother. Thirteen years ago, Vauna and her husband separated. While preparing divorce papers, something spoke to Vauna's heart saying "Not yet, let's see what he does with this." Since then, Vauna and her husband have spent over a decade on a journey of personal growth, healing, and accountability. Vauna is also certified in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Timeline Therapy, and Hypnosis. She gets great joy out of helping individuals and couples overcome patterns, behaviors, and beliefs that endanger relationships and families. Podcast Instagram:@breaking_the_mold_podcast Vauna's Socials:-Instagram: @vaunabyrd.familycoach-Facebook Group "The Joyful Family Society"

Meet Aleisha Black. Aleisha was born and raised in southern Utah. She is a 43 year old mother of four, and married for 25 years to her high school sweetheart. She has struggled with her weight since she was married. Aleisha lost 85 pounds and documented her journey on Youtube in 2018. Then some her and her family faced some emotional trials and Aleisha gained the weight back. Aleisha decided to start up a podcast documenting her new journey and approaching losing weight in a new way. She joins me to discuss her experiences, the ups and downs of her journey, and working on healing from the inside-out!Podcast Instagram: @breaking_the_mold_podcast Aleisha's Socials:-Webiste: www.findingmyselfthroughobesity.com-Instagram: @healthy.momma.journey, @aleisha_black_-Facebook Page: Finding Myself Through Obesity-TikTok: @aleishablack-Podcast: https://anchor.fm/aleisha-black

Meet Charity! Charity is a boudoir photographer with a goal to spread positivity, inclusivity, and kindness. She uses her photography to show women that their body and sensuality deserve to be celebrated! Join us on a discussion about the uniqueness of each self-love journey and how we can help each other in creating a more empowering community for everyone! Podcast Instagram: @breaking_the_mold_podcast Charity's Socials: -Instagram: @charityrebekahboudoir-Website: www.charityrebekah.com*This episode discusses boudoir photography, but no explicit details are shared. 

Meet Brittany De La Cruz! Brittany is 24 years old, and moved to southern Utah three years ago with her husband and dog. Brittany received a liver transplant when she was 16 years old. Two years later she experienced two close family deaths. She struggled with her mental health most of her life, but now she is in a good healthy place and shares her story of overcoming challenges and finding a path to healing. *Trigger Warning* There is mild discussion of suicide in this episode. Podcast Instagram:-@breaking_the_mold_podcastBrittany's Instagram:-@brittxrae

Robyn Sanders is a 25 year old mother to a three year old son. Robyn has been dancing since she was three, and dances any chance she gets. In August of 2020, Robyn was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. She joins me on this episode to discuss her experience of living with an "invisible illness".Podcast instagram: -@breaking_the_mold_podcast Robyn's instagram: -robyn_kim16National Fibromyalgia Association website:-www.fmaware.net

Meet Karissa Jones! Karissa is a 24 year old divorced single mother, originally from Las Vegas. She lost her mother to cancer when she was 14, and moved in with her father who she didn't get along with well at the time. More recently, she discovered her now ex-husband/high school sweetheart had been having a long-term affair. They share a 3.5 year old son and now co-parent while living in separate states. Listen in to hear Karissa's story of overcoming adversity and blossoming into her own strong person! Follow the podcast instagram to see upcoming guests, suggest/request guests, and submit your questions!Instagram:-podcast: @breaking_the_mold_podcast -Karissa: @karisssaalynnn

Meet Micah Barrick! Micah is a transmasculine non-binary individual, who uses all pronouns, and is setting out to help people understand what it means to be non-binary in a binary society. They are here to share their story of joy and hardship they have faced in their journey of breaking binary barriers and how the art of drag helped them embrace their true self. Podcast Instagram: -@breaking_the_mold_podcastMicah's Instagrams:-@barrick_micah-@pauper_cherry

On this episode of Breaking the Mold, Natalie chats with Tina Hender. Tina lost her brother and her son to suicide. She discusses those two experiences and what life has been like after the loss. She also co-facilitates a suicide support group, and we discuss the importance of advocacy, seeking help for yourself, and reaching out to others. If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please seek help. Podcast instagram: @breaking_the_mold_podcast RESOURCES:National-National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255-Text line: Text "TALK" to 741-741-TrevorLifeline: 1-866-488-7386-3 digit suicide hotline beginning in 2022: 988St. George Local -S.O.S. support group: Third Thursday of each month @ 6PM, RRCI Building, 165 N 100 E, St George, UT. Open to anyone. -SOS facebook group: " Suicide Loss Family Support of So.UT."-LOSS support group: Third Tuesday of each month @ 7PM, TCN Building, 162 N 400 E Suite B200, St George, UT.  

On this episode of Breaking the Mold, Natalie chats with Jenna. Jenna is a 30 year old mother and business owner. She speaks about her experiences growing up bisexual and how that affected her and her relationships with the people around her. Jenna also discusses LGBTQ+ acceptance and how to support the LGBTQ+ community.Follow the podcast instagram page to see upcoming guests, request guests, submit questions for guests, and stay updated on current happenings! Podcast socials: -Instagram: @breaking_the_mold_podcastJenna's socials:-Instagram: @cyncatgraphics-Facebook: Moody Mamas Boutique -Facebook: Cyncat Graphics*There is some echo for about 2 minutes starting just before minute 37. Apologies! 

Malory Ruesch is an author, speaker, and survivor who travels to high schools to help individuals identify trauma and understand healing strategies. Malory is soon publishing a book titled "The Way in 90 Days" to help anyone heal from addiction/addiction trauma. Healing is the ultimate goal. Malory sits down with host Natalie to tell her story of addiction, her path to healing and recovery, and why she is so open and willing to share her emotional story. Grab some tissues, and give this episode a listen! "I choose to live". * (This episode does discuss some mature topics, but is suitable for most audiences).Podcast socials:-Instagram: @breaking_the_mold_podcastMalory's socials:-Instagram: @rueschrecovery -Facebook: Ruesch Recovery -Website: www.rueschrecovery.com  (Get the first chapter of her upcoming book for free!)Malory's "Journey Journal": https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Journal-Mrs-Malory-Ruesch/dp/B094T3Q7W6/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=my+journey+journal&qid=1622527003&sr=8-4

Tiffany Amber placed a child for adoption when she was 17 years old, was a surrogate for a couple in Spain (and is working on a sibling project to do it again), and is also raising six children of her own, all while going to nursing school! She joins me in this episode of Breaking The Mold to discuss these experiences and how they have affected her life story! Socials:-Podcast: @breaking_the_mold_podcast on Instagram -Tiffany: @the_force_is_with_this_one_ on InstagramFor surrogacy information: https://www.hostofpossibilities.com/

Lexi Sanderson joins me on this episode of BTM to discuss her experiences taking on guardianship of her five siblings (in addition to raising her own two children), the realities of parenting and learning as we go, and the importance of advocating for our children. --Follow the podcast instagram @breaking_the_mold_podcast to see upcoming guests, request guests, and submit your questions for them! --I apologize for the sporadic background noise. Unexpected chaos ensued in the middle of recording. But not to worry, you can still hear Lexi nice and clear! 

In this episode of Breaking the Mold, I speak with Danielle Jones. Danielle was adopted as an infant, placed a child for adoption when she was 18, struggled with addictions to drugs/alcohol and an eating disorder, but is now sober and a recovery coach who helps others to find healing! Listen to her experiences in this episode. Follow the podcast on Instagram @breaking_the_mold_podcast in order to see  upcoming guests and submit questions for them, and to suggest/request future guests. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction of any kind, reach out for help. There are many sources. Here are just a few mentioned in this episode:-Danielle's website Evolution of You: https://evolutionofyou.godaddysites.com     -Instagram: @e.o.y_2020     -Facebook; Evolution of You-Addict to Athlete website: https://www.addicttoathlete.com/-USARA website: https://www.myusara.com/

In this episode, Jeffrey joins me to speak about his journey as a gay latter-day saint. WE cover his experiences growing up in the church, being involved in a mixed orientation marriage (meaning he is married to a heterosexual woman), dealing with mental illness, and his views on equality and love! It was such a pleasure to interview Jeffrey, and I'm so grateful he was willing to share his story. He and his wife are wonderful individuals, and I hope you enjoy their story as much as I do! Follow the podcast on Instagram @breaking_the_mold_podcast to see future guests, submit questions, and submit guest requests/suggestions! Everyone has a story, feel free to share yours! *This episode is not meant to speak negatively of any religion or religious beliefs. Opinions stated are simply that, and may not necessarily represent the thoughts/feelings of a whole religion and it's members**This episode does not contain any explicit discussion*

Kara is a boudoir photographer residing in Southern Utah. She attended Southern Utah University and majored in art and marketing. Kara and I talk about body positivity, self-love, and her experiences as a boudoir photographer in a conservative area. We also discuss listener's opinions and assumptions about boudoir and boudoir photographers.  Whether or not you feel comfortable with doing a boudoir session yourself, Kara and I hope that you all know you are beautiful, worthy, and deserve to feel comfortable in your own skin, no matter its appearance. *Despite the context, this episode does not discuss anything graphic. We kept it friendly for all mature listeners.*

In this episode of BTM, we meet Makayla Snow. Makayla is a 23 year old mom who created and runs her own lipgloss business (@stellarcosmetix) and she open up about her experiences with anxiety, depression, how those have affected her postpartum and motherhood journeys, past drug use, and how she has been able to cope, overcome, and be successful in various aspects of life. As always, any reviews/ratings/shares are always appreciated! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram (@breaking_the_mold_podcast) to stay in the loop on who the upcoming guests are so that you can submit your questions! You can also DM the Instagram with guest requests/suggestions.Thanks for joining! And remember: be a voice, not an echo!

In this first episode, we speak with Mabi Thompson (@thepretichina143/@mabi_slays82) on her experiences as a first generation immigrant to the United States. We discuss her journey, her views on illegal immigration, learn what legal immigration means, and we also discuss some fun traditions and talk about being a step parent and biological parent. Join us for a listen to this enlightening and fun episode! As always, any reviews/ratings/shares are always appreciated. You can also follow us on Instagram (@breaking_the_mold_podcast) to stay in the loop on who the upcoming guests are so that you're also able to submit your questions for the guests!Thanks for joining, and remember: be a voice, not an echo! 

This is a quick introduction to what the podcast is about, and the format of the episodes. To request or suggest guests, please DM on instagram @breaking_the_mold_podcast