For Grits and Giggles

On this week's episode, Gillian and Lauren talk about how vintage things make them feel like their most authentic selves. Not only do they have a love for vintage clothing, but they also enjoy antique jewelry, furniture, housewares––you name it! They share how their love of vintage began and why they think it means so much to them. Head over to the website to enjoy some photos of a few of their favorite things!

In this week's episode, Gillian and Lauren kick off the fall season with a new theme (and we all know how Gillian loves a theme!). Join the ladies as they catch up after months of not seeing each other and talk about living authentically. They discuss how hard it is for people to be okay with simply being themselves and understanding that we all do things a little differently. And of course, they let you in on all their favorite Fall Things!

On this week's episode, Gillian and Lauren sit down with Beverly Jarrard, who happens to be Lauren's Grandmother. At 85 years old, Beverly is full of life, joy and wisdom. She shares her life story and about where she draws her strength from and how she has been able to choose joy!

On this week's episode, Gillian and Lauren sit down with Gillian's friend and neighbor, Abbi Marrs. Abbi is a breast cancer survivor, after being diagnosed only at 35 years old. She shares her story in hopes of encouraging women to conduct self-exams, care about their health, and be proactive. An avid runner, Abbi is just about to compete in her first marathon, after years of half-marathons. Like she says, "If you do a half marathon, you're only half crazy. But if you do a full marathon, then you're full crazy." The girls think she fits right in! Recorded 6/12/19

On this week's episode, Gillian and Lauren do their first virtual guest interview with author and maternal mental health activist, Flow Belinsky. Flow has written the book, "Postpartum: A Story of Unraveling and Becoming" and is a sought after speaker for women around the world. She shares how her hardships and struggles with mental health and satisfaction in motherhood, helped her discover the tools and keys to achieving true happiness and balance as a mom. She sits down with our gals to talk about her story and to share some of her wisdom and keys to maternal mental health! Also, Lauren seems to have accidentally coined the phrase, "advo-c-ist", someone who is both an advocate and activist! Recorded 5/23/19 ​

This week, Gillian and Lauren welcome guest, Sheli Ellsworth. The quintessential "renaissance woman", Sheli is a published author and editor, house flipper and handywoman, expert seamstress, designer of interiors and landscapes, holder of a Masters degree in Psychology and Lauren's writing teacher and mentor. Join the gals as they dive deep into how Sheli grew a love for story telling and how her fascinating life has been the driving force behind most of her notable work.

This week, Gillian & Lauren talk about the "good things about cancer" and the experiences that make them joke about it being #WorthIt. Both ladies agree, that they would rather not have taken this road, but love certain aspects of the results. They share about how their "unity in community" was able to help them walk through some of their darkest moments, by being lifted up by local and national organizations, friends and family and some of the greatest experiences their children have ever had. Recorded 4/11/19

This week, Lauren interviews photographer and mom, Jennifer Carrillo. If you want to hear a story about hope and the will to live, then look no further! Jennifer tells us about her journey of health mysteries, three attempted kidnappings, and a BLACK WIDOW SPIDER BITE TO THE SPINAL CORD! Even though it took ten years for Jennifer to finally feel healthy again, she never gave up. She knew she had a purpose and has learned to get rid of the expectations of what our lives should be and accept the life we have. Recorded 2/15/19

In today's episode, Gillian and Lauren talk about one of their favorite things: rescue animals! You will hear about the role rescue animals have played in the gals' lives, their kids' relationships with these animals and the healing they can bring. You will also get a few fun facts to take with you!

Spring has sprung at For Grits and Giggles! Join Gillian and Lauren as they kick off their new season talking about how Spring has brought them both a sense of rejuvenation and healing. They share what a typical Spring looks like in a household of six or seven, what they do on Spring Break, and whether or not they take part in spring cleaning––we’ll give you a hint…no ;)

Gillian and Lauren had the pleasure of sitting down with the producer of KOST 103.5’s “The Ellen K Show,” Darlene Rodrigo. You will be inspired by Darlene’s story of her life as an empath, professional and mother of two beautiful children, Bella and Little Bear (Alex). She retells the story of finding out that Bella had both Down’s Syndrome and Autism and gives us insight into how she has learned to cope and still find time to find joy. One of the best things to come out of this interview is finding a new friend to text inappropriate and dark humor comments about the grit of life!

If you missed the recent announcement on Facebook that Gillian and Lauren are kicking off spring with "lighter" episodes, full of rejuvenation then don't dismay. Episode 9 of For Grits & Giggles doesn't follow that trend just yet. We are wrapping up our winter season with an episode on the history of death and mourning. Yup, you heard that right! The girls wouldn't be the girls if they didn't mix it up and get weird on their listeners. Join them as they talk about an incredible article in The New Yorker, by Andrea DenHoed called: "Our Strange Unsettled History of Mourning." They examine how, as a modern and western culture, we have lost the art of loss and how it is important for us to look at our ancestors and cultures from around the world to help us face and deal with our constant companion--DEATH. The episode actually leads the girls on a journey of education, reflection and more understanding than ever before. Don't worry, they will soon be on to soup and vintage hats!

On January 4, 2019, Gillian and Lauren had all eight kids in one house for an afternoon of podcasting. Interviewing two at a time, the ladies are able to hear from their children about what it was like to have a family that went through childhood cancer and learn from them how they cope best. The episode is broken down into four parts, to be released in succession. In Part 4, Gillian and Lauren interview their second oldest children, Penelope and Elizabeth. These two girls have walked away from a trying experience as better, more mature and empathetic young ladies. They have the remarkable ability to reflect on their experiences and understand the lessons they have learned. You will not want to miss this one!

On January 4, 2019, Gillian and Lauren had all eight kids in one house for an afternoon of podcasting. Interviewing two at a time, the ladies are able to hear from their children about what it was like to have a family that went through childhood cancer and learn from them how they cope best. The episode is broken down into four parts, to be released in succession. In Part 3, Gillian and Lauren interview their two youngest children, Zoey and Violet. Zoey is a childhood cancer sibling to Hazel, and Violet is a survivor. While many questions went unanswered, you will have the opportunity to hear what childhood cancer can really be like. Violet is moved to tears when she remembers her friend and fellow warrior, Hazel. Zoey does what she does best and joins her momma, Lauren, to try and bring a smile to Violet's face. You may miss Gillian's voice a little, but she was doing what SHE does best and that was comforting, cuddling and loving her sweet girl...

On January 4, 2019, Gillian and Lauren had all eight kids in one house for an afternoon of podcasting. Interviewing two at a time, the ladies are able to hear from their children about what it was like to have a family that went through childhood cancer and learn from them how they cope best. The episode is broken down into four parts, to be released in succession. In Part 2, Gillian and Lauren interview their two younger sons, Greyson and Jonah. It's clear that Jonah loves to talk, but is very good at articulating his feelings. Greyson's sensitive heart gets affected by the subject matter, but offers up a lot of wisdom as well. What a beautiful thing it is to see two boys, with very different coping mechanisms, still share in each other's experiences and just get busy understanding and being friends. Disclaimer: When Jonah talks about super powers, the spankings refer to what would be done to a "bad guy", not to him.

On January 4, 2019, Gillian and Lauren had all eight kids in one house for an afternoon of podcasting. Interviewing two at a time, the ladies are able to hear from their children about what it was like to have a family that went through childhood cancer and learn from them how they cope best. The episode is broken down into four parts, to be released in succession. In Part 1, Gillian and Lauren interview their two eldest children, Harrison and Micah. These two 12 year old boys are about more than Fortnight and sarcasm. You will walk away in awe

Gillian & Lauren are getting heavy this week folks...not that they haven't been already! Join the girls as the discuss the differences between PTSD and Complex PTSD. They discuss how facing a life with childhood cancer is the furthest thing from "okay". They are learning how to manage their triggers and unexpected emotions, face dissociation and flashbacks, and talk down their feeling of helplessness, shame, guilt, detachment and isolation. They wanted to share the nitty gritty of their experiences with PTSD so that others would not feel alone and because they believe that "education is the combatant to ignorance." And like Gillian said, "When you know better, you do better."

Join Gillian & Lauren in welcoming their second guest, comedian Vinny Fasline! Vinny, who grew up in Ohio and Pennsylvania is a teenage brain tumor survivor, and has turned his life experiences into a career of making people laugh and smile. The girls don't mince words as they dive into tough subjects like divorce, bankruptcy and brain surgery, but the conversation takes hilarious ADD fueled tangents on technical difficulties, love of soup (surprise-surprise..) how you eat a donut and lots of cheese! Follow Vinny on Instagram @vinnyfasline Recorded on 12/4/18

Join Gillian and Lauren as they talk about the "V" word...you guessed it, vulnerability! If you played a drinking game with how many times we said the word vulnerable, we may not see you until the next episode, but don't let that deter you. The girls get real about what being vulnerable meant pre and post cancer, why they think people are afraid to be there and explore how even though it is the best way to connect to other human beings, it is still one of the hardest things to do. You will also learn that they are learning to decipher between what is harmful for them versus what is hard for them, why they think red lipstick can be a coping mechanism, and why Gillian may be blacklisted from Wal-Mart and Lauren from Knott's Berry Farm! Recorded 11/14/18

Join Gillian and Lauren as they talk about their lives as moms of medically fragile children, by using the word "journey" way more times than they should! Between the vacuum, the dogs barking and the kids coming home from school, Lauren and Gillian dive into the importance of self-care and trying not to feel guilty when you feel like you don't measure up. They are both trying to figure out the truth to the saying, "It's okay to not be okay," and encourage each other to give themselves grace. As an added bonus, be the first to hear about their new venture, "For Grits and Giggles Guide on How To Be a Mother" ;) [Recorded on 10/25/2018]

Join Gillian and Lauren as they host their first guest, the incredible Elle Bolton. Wife, mom, cancer-survivor, and co-founder of the pediatric cancer non-profit Cancer Fit, Elle shares how she has been able to see the light and the humor during her toughest times. Tune in to hear about how Elle and her husband figured out a support system through treatment, reached out to encourage others sexy velcro shoes, bathroom wiping issues, #doodads, and how our friendships have helped encourage us many times over.

In our second episode (complete with second microphone!), join us as we share our hearts and stories about our dealings with cancer, mental health, wine dispensers, grief, mom life, and IV pole piñatas. There is nothing like a good text conversation to get you through the grit of life and we hope that sharing our friendship and coping mechanisms, you may know that you are never alone.

In our very first episode of For Grits and Giggles, it is all about getting to know Lauren and Gillian. You will quickly learn why we get along so well and how our friendship came to be. We hope you enjoy the grits and giggles of the bond that two very special girls helped to create. Being the chatty gals that we are, we had a hard time cutting the first episode down. So we have split it into two episodes. We hope you enjoy. Thank you for coming along with us on our newest adventure!

In our very first episode of For Grits and Giggles, it is all about getting to know Lauren and Gillian. You will quickly learn why we get along so well and how our friendship came to be. We hope you enjoy the grits and giggles of the bond that two very special girls helped to create. Being the chatty gals that we are, we had a hard time cutting the first episode down. So we have split it into two episodes. We hope you enjoy. Thank you for coming along with us on our newest adventure!