Unwritten: Your Authentic Story

Welcome back to Season 2 of Unwritten: Your Authentic Story! After a much longer than anticipated break, Trista is back and ready to share with you the stories of people's life experiences...their struggles and triumphs...and what they have learned along the way.  This week, Trista shares some of her thoughts on what she hopes for her last year in her 30s! After many nudges to start recording again, actually getting this episode out was more work than expected, but it provided another example of overcoming, finding the joy, and enjoying the journey! 

Stacey Thury was like so many of us...going through the motions of life and doing what she thought she was supposed to do: go to college, get married, have a family, and work in corporate America. But when she was faced with making a major change in her job, she started to question if the path she was on was actually right for her. Through a series of twists and turns and an ending still unwritten, in this episode of Unwritten: Your Authentic Story, Stacey shares her journey and what she's being called to right now.

Most of us underestimate what we are capable of and sell ourselves short simply because of a lack of  mental toughness. Last fall, what started off as a simple text about 75 Hard sparked something that neither Abby Weiler or I were expecting.  On this episode of Unwritten: Your Authentic Story, we share our experience and the "secret" to our physical and mental transformations...consistency, hard work, and enjoying the journey.

If we are not careful, it can be easy to look around and take so many of the things, opportunities, and experiences we enjoy for granted. On this episode of Unwritten: Your Authentic Story, Abby Weiler tells her story of coming to the United States from Africa when she was 8 years old as she and her mom left their home in search of something more. Growing up in South Dakota and now having a family of her own, Abby is very aware of and thankful for what she has because of the risk her Mom took in leaving her family and coming to the U.S.

Here it is...the 10th episode of the podcast, and Trista had a few gems that did not make it in their original episodes due to time. But they were too good not to share so it is all thrown together in a way that is hopefully not too much of a mishmash. From the fun and experience of having your own podcast and a shoutout to the Rural Revolution to owning the gifts you have been given, enjoy these tidbits of wisdom in this week's episode.

It seems the "Be Kind" message is all around us these day, but did you know there's actually so much at work when you choose to simply be kind? On this episode of Unwritten: Your Authentic Story, author and speaker Nicole Phillips shares her story of how a simple act of kindness changed the path of her life in a big way...she quit drinking, lost 30 pounds, and fell in love with her husband again. And more than that, as a self-proclaimed "kindness advocate," it has become her passion to educate on and encourage kindness! 

On this episode of Unwritten: Your Authentic Story, we have a real and honest conversation with organization expert Laura Hill.  She gives some organization secrets, but more than that, she shares about her teen years  and her father's battle with  alcoholism, how finding her husband led her to a real relationship with Jesus, and her still unfolding search for an identity outside of being a wife and a mom.

It is not always easy to be content and to trust the plan God has in store for our lives. On this Episode of Unwritten: Your Authentic Story, Cara Defibaugh talks about learning to give up  control of what we think our lives should look like in order to enjoy what we have been given. From the loss of her son at 20 weeks of pregnancy to the everyday ups and downs of raising four children, she shares both the joys and struggles of parenting and remembering these really are the "good ol' days."

After going through several life experiences that proved to her life is too short, Carly Pochop has decided she is not going to get to the end of her life saying she could have done better. On this episode of Unwritten: Your Authentic Story, this 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year shares how she is very purposely creating the life she wants.

Many women grow up dreaming of having a family and anticipate that when they are ready to have children, it will be easy. Unfortunately, for so many, that's not the case. It's also a struggle that until recently, was not often discussed. On this episode of Unwritten: Your Authentic Story, Adrienne Fliehs shares her and her husband 's infertility journey and what is prompting her to openly share her story and give hope to others who are walking this road. 

In this episode of Unwritten: Your Authentic Story, Trista introduces you to former news reporter, Ben Dunsmoor, who also happens to be her husband.  As she she tries to keep Ben from taking over the podcast, he talks about what it was like to work in local TV news. Together, they share some of the challenges of having a young family and a demanding career, as well as why Ben chose to transition out of the news business and into his current job.

Calling all perfectionists and control freaks!!! This episode is for YOU!  This week on Unwritten: Your Authentic Story, Abby Cogley talks about how she used to control every interaction and relationship in her life and help others to the point of resentment under the guise of service. She shares how it took what she calls a personal "train wreck" to shift how she approaches life. Through boundaries and compassion, she has learned to ask for help and recognize how vulnerability and giving up the perfectionism can lead to better and more authentic relationships.  

The hard things in life can break you...and at the same time, they can also bring you into the life you were meant to live.  In her early teen years, Kristina Dykhouse lost her brother and aunt, and then 11 months later, her dad. She shares her story of going through those losses  and how her experiences have shaped her faith and made her live with intention and purpose.

In this first episode of Unwritten: Your Authentic Story, Trista talks about who she is and why she felt it was important to start this podcast. Carly Pochop, her friend who encouraged her to start the podcast, joins her as they navigate what exactly Unwritten will be about and how Trista hopes to bring people together by sharing personal stories of everyday life.