In this episode, Kara steps in with Rachel Gossett, a breathwork facilitator and reiki master, to explore her story of healing from a 33-year journey with an eating disorder and body dysmorphia. Given the instability in her home, as a young girl Rachel longed for love and acceptance. In 7th grade when she was being bullied and made fun of for the way she looked, she began to think if she could change that it would bring her that love and acceptance she craved. Restricting her eating became a way to control life around her. Kara and Rachel engage in an honest conversation about the societal pressures and early experiences that can shape our perceptions of our bodies, and Rachel shares the pivotal moments and shifts in perspective that guided her toward recovery and now allow her to support others on their own healing paths. Rachel gives ideas for engaging with teens if you are concerned around their body perception or food behaviors. If you are navigating challenges with your body image or disordered eating, this episode offers profound hope and practical insights.

In this episode, Kara welcomes Dr. Karen Hyden, a board-certified nurse practitioner, Christian counselor, and integrative wellness coach, to discuss the power of exploring her story for healing. Karen has just released her memoir, Back to Hope. From finding her way though eating disorder, body dysmorphia and self-doubt as a teen to navigating the challenges of marriage and chronic illness to finding her true calling helping others, Karen's story offers inspiration and encouragement for anyone seeking to understand their past and create a brighter future. Karen offers encouragement and hope for listeners navigating their own journeys. If you need hope and inspiration, this episode will lift you up.

In this deeply moving episode, Kara sits down with Jessica Fein, author of the book Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams and Broken Genes to explore the profound depths of love and loss she has experienced. Jessica shares her journey of building a family through adoption, experiencing the heartbreaking loss of her entire family of origin while navigating a degenerative disease process in her daughter Dalia, which eventually took her life at 17.   But this is not a story defined only by grief. It's a story of love, resilience, and the power of family bonds. The two talk about how she and her family navigate the complexities of grief while still embracing the beauty of life. They discuss the power of resilience, the importance of cherishing every moment, and the strength that can be found in love, even amidst unimaginable sorrow. This episode is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit and will leave you feeling inspired and hopeful, even in the face of life's greatest challenges.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Kara reconnects with her childhood friend, Tim Moylan, to share his incredible story of overcoming alcoholism and finding a new lease on life. Tim opens up about his struggles with addiction, his near-death experience, and the long, challenging, but ultimately rewarding journey to sobriety. From the normalized drinking culture of his youth to the depths of despair and depression and the ultimate turning point, Tim's story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of self-love.

In this deeply moving episode, Kara welcomes Annie Sklaver Orenstein, author of Always a Sibling: A Guide for Grieving and Honoring Your Sibling, to discuss her experience of sibling loss and grief. Fifteen years after the tragic death of her brother Ben, who was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, Annie shares her personal journey of navigating the complex emotions and challenges that accompany this unique type of loss. Drawing on her own experiences and interviews with other siblings who have lost loved ones, Annie offers invaluable and honest insights into the grieving process. This episode offers a heartfelt glimpse into the complexities of sibling relationships, the unique challenges of grieving a sibling, and the power of finding connection and hope amidst profound loss. If you have experienced the loss of a sibling, or if you are seeking to understand and support someone who has, this episode offers solace, insight, and a path toward healing.

In this insightful episode, Kara connects with life coach and business consultant Ryan Spence to explore the journey of finding true fulfillment in all areas of life. Ryan shares his personal quest for deeper meaning and satisfaction, from navigating a challenging childhood to achieving external success, and ultimately discovering the importance of honoring his inner self. This conversation delves into the complexities of self-love, the power of setting boundaries, and the courage it takes to align with your authentic desires. Join Kara and Ryan as they discuss how to shift from seeking validation outside of yourself to cultivating a deep sense of inner peace and fulfillment.

In this raw and honest episode, Kara sits down with ordained minister, Kate Riffel, to explore her deeply personal journey from a seemingly perfect life to the depths of alcohol addiction, and ultimately, to a place of deep self-discovery. Kate opens up about the years of people-pleasing and overachieving that led her to seek solace in alcohol, and the difficult road she traveled to break free from its grip. This conversation delves into the shame, the struggles, and the eventual triumphs, offering hope and inspiration to anyone who has felt lost or trapped in a cycle of self-destruction. Kate's story is a powerful reminder that healing is possible, and that even after a significant fall, you can rise again, stronger and more authentic than before. Not to mention, she has a way of humor and lightheartedness that bring brilliant perspectives and insights into a heavy topic.

In this episode, Kara sits down with Rhonda and Jason Halbert, the husband-and-wife team behind the novel Caretaker and a new hybrid publishing company. After reading Caretaker, Kara knew she had to talk with Rhonda and Jason about their deeply personal journey. This isn't just a story about writing a book; it's a story about navigating immense loss, trauma, and ongoing challenges, including the loss of loved ones and their forever home. Rhonda and Jason share how writing Caretaker became a lifeline, a way to process their pain and find meaning amidst the chaos. They also open up about their vision for their publishing company, a space where authors can tell their authentic stories without compromise. This raw and honest conversation will leave you reflecting on your own experiences with grief, the power of creativity, and the enduring nature of hope.

In this deeply personal episode Kara explores the transformative power of vulnerability and how sharing our most difficult life experiences can lead to profound healing. Through her journey of healing from childhood trauma and a near-death experience, Kara reflects on how being vulnerable in sharing her story not only helped her process pain but strengthened her connection with others. Kara talks about the ongoing work of integrating her inner child and how it’s deepened her sense of purpose and empowerment. She also highlights the importance of sharing your story with loved ones and how this kind of reflection can foster deeper healing and connection. She reflects on the power of creative expression—whether through writing, art, or simply speaking your truth—as a means of processing trauma and healing.

In this episode, Kara is stepping in with ICU nurse, Shelby Colette as she takes us with her to reflect on her adventures aboard the “Mercy Ship.” She has served as a volunteer twice on the ship, giving surgical care to people who would not otherwise receive it. Shelby shares that her journey with Mercy ships started even as a child. Her parents' travel taught her that the world was much bigger than her backyard. The dream took form in college when she saw a flier hanging in her nursing school hall that sparked a deep desire in her to one day be on that ship. Despite the dream, after nursing school she got a job, and was in a very serious relationship. Her life was settling down and she could see it written out for the next 30 years. But she felt a little part of her dying, knowing she was made for more. When Mercy ships reappeared, she knew it was her time to go. Even though it felt like she was exploding her own life and stopping everything she had been working for up to that point, she made the brave decision to break off her relationship and let go of everything she knew. Shelby shares her perspectives on how sometimes other people’s stories have a great impact on our own. She doesn’t claim to tell her patient’s stories, but rather honors them as she offers the great treasures she stored up from watching them hope against devastating circumstances, find joy amidst deep pain and have peace when there was no answer. Listen in to gain a valuable lens into a part of the world and a topic that we aren’t generally tuned into.

In this episode, Kara is joined by Colby Coash, a childhood friend and author of the newly released book, Running Naked: Surviving the legacy of family in rural Nebraska. After reading his book, set primarily in their childhood hometown of Bassett, in three sittings, Kara was thrilled to get the opportunity to go a little deeper into Colby's story. The two talk about their reflections on growing up in a small rural Nebraska town, which they both hold dear. They share heartfelt conversations about hometown roots, themes of hard work, family expectations and growing up in true community. Kara and Colby also go into difficult conversation about the confusion he had as a boy of only 13 when his mom abandoned their family to create a new life for herself in a faraway state and eventually another country. Colby shares how the lonely process of writing his midlife memoir helped him make sense of and find purpose in his life thus far. He invites his readers to reflect with him through his childhood memories while offering his adult reflective perspective as he takes us on a journey through the stories he shares. The book and conversation will have you laughing and crying, reflecting and thinking about how your own stories shape your life and if you have children, your parenting.

In this episode, Kara is stepping into the important topic of postpartum depression with Holly Fisher. The two have an honest conversation about how moms aren't really given the space to acknowledge or grieve that a part of them is changing after the birth of their child. Holly shares feelings of guilt and repressed emotions around the thoughts she was having. It felt shameful to share them, so she suffered in silence to uphold society’s expectation of how she “should” be doing as a new mom. Holly emphasizes that her identity isn’t in being a mom or in her work or in her experience of postpartum depression and gives us all useful strategies to really check in on the moms we love. Postpartum depression isn’t a failure, it is a medical imbalance in a mom’s body after giving birth.