Living Twentyish

It was the best of times and the scariest of times... I'm telling you, Dora's story of faith and focusing on the future is one of the hardest things I have heard. From learning they are expecting there first child to her husband discovering his cancer; emotions were everywhere. Dora shares about her husbands fight through cancer, as well as herself fighting to stay strong through the most trying time in her life. All the while, she prepares herself for motherhood, in the little spare time she had. I am absolutely blown away by her strength and honesty. I am so thankful she was willing to share it with you, hope you all find encouragement and strength from it yourselves! 

Enjoyed catching up and collaborating with Trent from the Trent Speaks podcast. Listen as we both open up about our dreams and reason behind starting a podcast. Trent has been in the podcasting world for over a year now. He set the path for me and helped get me started. Having goals and dreams are great things to aspire to, but just like all things in life, they come with challenges. Today we share some of our biggest hurdles with reaching our end goals and continuing our podcasts. Hope you all enjoy! You can find Trent Speaks on Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts as well.

Hey Friends! Wanted to give a quick summer update, we've been so busy this summer just trying to soak up every minute we can. We've had lots to celebrate with birthdays, baby showers, new babies, and weddings, we even had to say some hard goodbyes. Life seems to be moving so quickly these days, it's so nice to have a day to slow down and just relax. My biggest hope for you all this summer is you are taking in every bit of sunshine and joy this season can bring and do your best to engage in every day to the fullest! Two things I forgot to include in today's episode were follow-ups on my friends Emily Sexton and Leann Podskalan who both got the jobs they were waiting for! So proud of these girls and looking forward to seeing them embark on their careers! 

I think there are many of us who in our young naive years had expected we would grow up, get our dream jobs, marry the person of our dreams, and start having babies. All of course by the age of 22 or so. Much like myself, Leann had expected life to go in the direction she had planned. Unfortunately, that's not realistic, and Leann learned quickly that life isn't always perfect or fair. From her career changes and adjustments that ultimately brought her to and through nursing school to living in a different state than her husband. It's clear to say she's learned how to alter plans and keep moving forward. Listen as she shares her journey through different jobs, nursing school, and as she opens up about the challenges of living in a different state than her husband. How they made it through that challenging time.  Leann is a joy to be around and I am blessed to have a friend like her. Hope you all enjoy!

Emily Sexton is one of the biggest "go-getters" I know. Her determination and hard work got her through the University of Michigan, where she mastered being the president of her sorority and making long lasting friendship, to pushing outside her comfort zone and moving to Florida by herself. She always knew she would make her way back to school after her undergrad, which is where she began the long road of law school after another move. It wasn't easy and through the stress, she watched as many of her friends got engaged and married and some even starting families. That feeling of being "behind" is hard to ignore, but ultimately she took the path that was right for her. Now it's time for the Bar exam and time to plan her own wedding. We all need to send her good vides over the next couple of weeks! Hope you all enjoy today's episode. 

Hey Guys! Just me for today's episode. I wanted to do a quick follow up for several weeks without a podcast episode. It's safe to say life got busy, as it does for everyone. I apologize for not getting something to you sooner, but Living Twentyish is still here and the episodes are still recording! Some days it's just hard to stay focused, it's hard to find the motivation, and it's hard to make the extra time. However, in the end, this has been my desire and deepest passion and I refuse to let excuses or lack of motivation at times get in my way of pressing on. So thank you for the support, thank you to those who have reached out with encouraging words. This week we are calling it a refresh as I get myself back on track. 

Danielle entered her twenties like a lot of us, escaping the high school version of ourselves and growing into the women we set out to be. Through college and switching degrees to casual dating and a quick engagement; she discovered who she was and where she wanted to be. Listen as she shares the story of her passion for marketing, homes, and writing to something a little more personal like the hole in her heart. She is a miracle baby living life to the fullest and never allowing her limitations to create fear or keep her from enjoying the things she loves. She's now faced with a tough decision about her future because life is not always easy, but her faith in God and love of supporting others keeps her in positive spirits. I am thankful to have connected with her as she grows her side hustle. I am amazed by this lady and so happy she shared. Take a listen and I hope you enjoy! Happy Memorial Day!

I am beyond thankful to this sweet lady, Michelle Chang, for opening up and sharing her challenges through marriage and divorce. No one enters a relationship, let alone a marriage with the expectation of it only lasting several years. However, as we get older I think we are learning that life is not always perfect. Things don't go as planned and we get curve balls thrown at us from time to time that we learn to push through and grow from. Michelle's heartbreak is one many of us I'm sure can relate to. Marriage is hard. Two people choosing to spend their lives together need to be able to openly communicate and always be honest with themselves and one another. Divorce was never planned, but what she took away and learned from it was life-changing. 

I'm posting a day earlier than usual, but it's just too fitting to miss out. I know you are all busy with your own Mother's Day plans, but when you have a chance I promise you this episode is worth the listen! My mom shares her incredible story of how she entered her twenties. I already knew my mom was the strongest women I know, but after learning even more about her struggle I am more captivated and astonished. She had to escape a cult and run away to a new town with nothing but the clothes on her back. She begged for a job and a place to sleep, which gives me anxiety just thinking about. But SHE DID IT! She started a new life for herself with her faith in God that directed her paths and kept her safe when all the odds were against her. It amazes me all that she has gone through and raised us 6 kids with my dad in a loving and supportive home that I will cherish forever. I can only hope and pray I set that same example for my daughter and provide all the love and support I have had my entire life for her. Happy Mother's Day, mom, you are truly an amazing and wonderful Mom, Mimi, and friend to us all. We love you!

Entering her college days, Miranda knew she wanted to try something new. To find that independence, but still be able to drive home and visit family on the weekend. She found the right college and began her degree. Like many of us, majors changed, she met a boy, and the hunt for the right career was underway. After marrying at 21, she adjusted to the challenges of different career paths and now launched her own business. Listen to her story, as it's one most of us have experienced or are experiencing now. We make a lot of big decisions in our 20's and Miranda has learned and grown from each one. 

Most of us grow up with the expectation and dream of meeting the love of our life, getting married, and becoming a parent. It's supposed to be that easy right? Boom, boom, boom. Then life actually happens and it throws us curve balls. Sometimes the plans don't happen in the order we want, or sometimes those big moments seem unattainable. For Raquel Goossens, one of her deepest desires was to become a mom. Something that should be so natural became one of the biggest struggles in her life. Listen as she shares her heart through the difficulties of facing infertility through failed attempts of IVF and entering what's known as the long road of adoption. Together, with her husband, they put their trust and faith in God and grew a beautiful family. It was a period filled with heartache, but it brought them here... with another baby on the way! I hope her story encourages you to stay positive through the challenges and continue on. 

Let's be honest we do a lot of dating in our twenties. Whether we are coming off of that first "puppy love" relationship from high school, or our first serious relationship that has real potential, or maybe just casual dating from blind dates to one night stands as we discover what we like and what we don't like. Regardless, dating plays a big role in this decade for most. Joining me for today's episode is my husband. Yes, he actually agreed to be a guest, which I was thrilled about! We talk about our 4-year "on and off" dating relationship through its' ups and downs. He opens up about the hard times, but also how we came to the place of him putting a ring on it and changing my life forever! Dating can be stressful, but the outcomes can be oh so worth it.

Not much tops a life-changing event than becoming a mom, let alone becoming a mom when you still feel like a kid yourself. Ashleigh Burgess is one of my oldest friends from elementary school. She's truly one of the strongest and most hard working ladies I know. Going from a 19-year old single mom and working full time to the amazing woman she is today. She's my most brutally honest friend and I think we all can appreciate friends like that! Listen as she shares her heart through some of the most challenging times in her life. How she adjusted to motherhood and dating as a single mom. I couldn't be more proud to call her my friend.

I'm telling you, get yourself a best friend like mine! This girl, Court Toliver, has been there through my ups and downs and has always been so supportive. We chat all the time, but I was thrilled to have her on the podcast. She talks about friendships and how some relationships can go through stages, but it's all about "Quality over Quantity". She opens up about her struggle with college and careers and how it's not always for everyone. Lastly, she opens up about the heartache she felt from her parents divorcing in her early twenties and how it played a role in her own opinion on marriage. I hope you all enjoy!

Catching up with an elementary friend, who we were reconnected through the wonderful world of social media (see good things can come out of the double-tap!) We were able to chat and unravel the twists and turns her twenties brought her. From college degrees to the career changes all the way to dating, engagement, and of course the busy mom life. Meet Jennette Stevenson, her story, and of course all of the cute boys in her life!

Finally my first guest! This woman is very close to my heart, I've known since I was born... literally. Catch up with my sister and me; as she shares some hardships and unexpected turns in her twenties. How she overcame them, accepted them, and learned from them. The way she entered her twenties was much different than how she exited them. I think we could all relate and learn from her experiences as well.   

Welcome back to Living Twentyish, our first full episode is finally available! You will get to hear all about me and the start to Living Twentyish. Just a few forewarnings as I am learning the ropes to podcasting; I apologize for the moments I talk really fast, and how many times I say "I am so excited". Oh and also when I go all Robin Scheribatsky on you with my "but um" moments.  Hope you all enjoy and thanks so much for listening!

Hey Friends! Exciting news here, Living Twentyish now has a podcast. We all know how busy life is, so having the opportunity to listen while you multitask on other things like driving, working out, at work, grocery shopping, etc whatever it may be sometimes listening is better than reading. I have all the news and updates for what to expect from the Living Twentyish Podcast go ahead and tune in!