Little Lives in the Suburbs

We recorded this episode LIVE on Facebook. We begin with our Arbitrary Fresh Starts, discuss who/what/when/why/how we've needed some strength, shared what's been sparking joy, and we end with the culture we've consumed, PLUS, a BIG announcement!Some of the topics we covered: quarantine (of course)Dry Julybunk bedspillows with ear holesa virtual race across the countryAlanis MorissetteACESDr. Nadine Burke Harris

We talk with author and actor Megan O'Russell about her craft and career.

We recorded this episode Live on Facebook on May 18, 2020, and caught up on how things have been going since we last podcasted from quarantine. We discussed how many of our words we've eaten since quarantine was novel and how our lives have changed.

Wes shares his journey from middle school teacher to pastor to lawn guy to coach and how he learned that the stable train is not all that stable after all.

It's our semi-monthly dive into our arbitrary fresh starts, talk about moments when we've needed someone to beer us some strength, what's sparking joy in our lives these days, and the culture we've recently consumed.

We talk with Paige who maintains a perpetually positive outlook throughout the challenges of several moves, missionary work, and a cancer diagnosis. She navigates the multiple roles of mom, wife, friend, and accountant, among many others, with grace and positivity.

Four of our guests from Seasons 1 and 2 give us updates on what they've been up to since we chatted, advice for future guests, and their opinions on a very controversial topic.

We discuss how the novel coronavirus has impacted our lives, from our arbitrary fresh starts, to the culture we've been consuming.

Socks, slumber parties, and Emily Dickinson

Today we talk to Laura, an educator with a passion for social justice.

Two and a half months into 2020, we're making some progress on our Arbitrary Fresh Starts. Also, Laura needs some strength to get through a kid's injury, Grace finds joy in a new planner, and Scottie tries to raise racially conscious kids.

Today's episode is a first for us-our first guest to record under a pseudonym (due to an ongoing legal matter) as well as our first episode to feature a puppy. Rex discusses the aftermath of an assault and the new outlooks he's discovered in his recovery.

We dissect our youthful expectations for the most romantic day of the year vs the reality that is Valentine's Day as a married grown-up with kids. We dive into Valentine's Day growing up, what it is now, and the mess, pressure, and frustrations that come with school Valentine's Day celebrations. We also give out our awards for Best Valentine's Day Ever, Biggest Letdown, and Cutest Valentine.

This week's episode has us discussing a reframing of gift giving, Dry January, the frustrations of joining a national wellness organization, kids' sports, and our fascination with pandemics.

This episode comes to you from Brussels. We talk with Guillaume about his job at the Brussels Opera House, his planning (or lack thereof) of his life, his move from Paris to Brussels, the moment when he finally felt like an adult, and how he and his husband balance each other.

This is our inaugural episode of Suburban Updates, our mini-episode between interviews. We share how we're doing with our New Year's Resolutions, our Beer Me Strength Moments, the culture we've been consuming, and what's been sparking joy in our lives. We discuss snow days, Hood Politics Podcast, travel planning, and how we're doing with our arbitrary fresh starts.

In this episode we talk to Addy. Addy is mom to four beautiful children, three of them with her, and "a daughter in Heaven," as she puts it. Addy shares the joy she finds in being a mom to her children as well as the grief she continues to experience after her third daughter passed away at 24 days old. Addy discusses the emotions and support she experienced through her pregnancy with her third daughter and the impact her daughter's short life continues to have on her and her family. CW: Infant loss, Trisomy 18Addy's BlogHope Mommies

In this episode we talk with Erika Modrak, the author of Resistant: A World Divided. Erika wanted to be a bestselling author since the age of nine but focused on gymnastics for most of her childhood. When she broke both arms, her Olympic dreams were shattered, but the characters of Cat and Wren, the main characters in her recently released novel were born. We talk with Erika about the twists and turns her life took after she had to give up gymnastics and how she finally realized her dream of publishing a book. Also, a bonus segment: our arbitrary January fresh starts.

In this bonus episode, we share the expectations we held for New Year's Eve vs the reality that is actually New Year's Eve. Our discussion ranges from taffeta to Times Square, casinos to falling asleep on the couch before midnight, bold romantic gestures (that NEVER happened), and more. We thought this would be a mini episode, but we had so much fun talking about our New Year's Eve experiences that it ended up being about as long as a regular episode!

In this episode we talk to Kate, who serves on staff with the campus ministry Intervarsity, and operates DC Justice Tours, walking tours devoted to sharing lesser known pieces of Washington DC's history. Kate is also a mother, a wife, and a scholar committed to serving all those around her. We also discuss a 12 year old's struggle with stage makeup, the Mr. Rogers movie, the book Raising Good Humans, mindfulness, and Erika Modrak's book Resistant: A World Divided.

In this episode we talk to Marcia, a mom of two who never expected to live her life in Nebraska. Marcia shares the story of how and why she went from a cell biologist in Northern Virginia to a business owner in Nebraska. Also: the perpetual sharing of viruses, sparking joy through movies of our youth, and going to concerts.

In this episode, we interview Gracie's first college roommate, Shayleen. Shayleen opens up and discusses everything from her mother's unexpected death, to placing her daughter with a loving family in an open adoption, to her experiences during protests, to breaking into a gas chamber at a concentration camp.Content Warning: the Holocaust, domestic violence, parental loss Also: the HVAC guy, the joy of being together, and Dolly Parton's America

In this episode we interview Stephen. Stephen grew up in Worthing, England. He went to Queens College at University of Cambridge to study math, but ended up switching to study Theology. After graduating, Stephen spent 6 years with the City of London Police, and left to switch to teaching, and eventually met his American wife. They moved to Washington, DC, for her job in 2014. Upon moving to the States, Stephen and his wife decided that he would take on the role of primary caretaker for his two children. Stephen lives with his wife, 4 ½ year old daughter, and 3 year old son. He recently returned to work outside of the home as the Director of Community Groups for the church he and his family attend. Stephen shares his story and the winding paths he took to get where he is today.

In this episode we talk to Rebekah O'Dell. Rebekah is a middle school English teacher with a heart for issues of social justice and equality. Growing up, she thought she'd either be on Broadway or spend her life saving all the whales, but she accidentally fell in love with teaching. Rebekah sees herself as a "window builder," someone who exposes her students to issues of poverty, inequality, and injustice through young adult literature. Scottie needs someone to beer her some strength on a family vacation, Grace finds joy walking through IKEA without kids, and Laura recommends the book Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle.

In this episode, we take clips from our first season and splice them together in an attempt to intrigue our audience. Episode 1 drops on October 15!

Grace, Laura, and Scottie imagine what questions potential listeners might ask if they were wondering about Little Lives in the Suburbs.