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© Anastasiya Goretaya-McLinden
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“Long story long.” - (Notoriously) Anastasiya
We’ll chat about love + marriage, friendship + faith — and all the magic (& mess) in-between.
Sharing honest stories from my life- the inspiring highs, the hard seasons that shape us, and the beauty found along the in-between. From dog-mom life to my latest chapter as a Mama, this is a space for heartfelt conversations about growth, grace, and the richness of everyday moments.
Because sometimes it’s in the hardest seasons- that we find the biggest blessings.
Cheers to the seasons that shape us!
20 Episodes
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Anastasiya sits down with her friend Vera to share a story of courage, growth, and finding the love you truly deserve. What happens when you reach the end of your 20s, step into your 30s, and love doesn’t look the way you always imagined it would?Once stuck in a long-term relationship that seemed picture-perfect on paper- a shared home, pets, and big plans for the future, Vera knew deep down it wasn’t her forever. When things took a turn for the worse, leaving didn’t feel possible… until she found the courage to listen to her gut.Now, one year into marriage with the love of her life, she reflects on how timing, honesty, and self-awareness changed everything. Vera shares the honest truth about staying too long, losing herself in the process, and how finding herself again made finding real love possible.
Matt and I dive into what it really looks like to be both doers and dreamers in marriage and business. We talk about which of us leans more toward dreaming big and which one keeps things grounded- and how we’ve learned to find balance when those two worlds collide. From the early days of running our business together to how becoming parents (even when we were just dog parents!) shifted our rhythm. We share the lessons, challenges, and growth that have come with chasing goals side by side. Whether you’re building a business, a dream, or your family’s future, we hope this reminds you that the best things grow where communication & connection never stop.
This week we dive right back into the messy middle of becoming “mom.” The journey into motherhood hasn’t been linear - especially since I was never the girl who “dreamed of being a mom.” I knew I would be a mom (one day), but I didn’t think about it much more than that- which I feel made my transition into motherhood a little more complex. BUT like any challenge in life, that is where faith steps in. When I lift it all up in prayer, the weight lightens even if the circumstances don’t. I am also learning that accepting AND asking for help is its own kind of strength. It’s not easy, but it’s a season of becoming stronger and more grounded- one day at a time.
I’m opening up about how the enemy doesn’t go after you where you’re strong, he targets the areas where we’re most vulnerable. For me, that’s been the transition into motherhood. After nine months of sleepless nights and constant change, it honestly felt easier to go back to work and feel “useful” than to sit still and face the storm of becoming “mom.” But this season has reminded me, once again, that our mindset is everything. When we fill our hearts and minds with truth from above, even the hardest days begin to shift.You are called into motherhood, you are capable, and you are worthy of this new identity coexisting with your previous one. The time for your dreams will come again- but for now, your greatest calling might just be right where you are. What’s meant for you will never pass by you, so take heart in that while you’re in the thick of a different season.
This week it’s just me, coming to you solo with my sights set on the long game for The Anastasiya Podcast. I’m sharing where I see this podcast heading, the kinds of stories I can’t wait to share- entrepreneurial journeys, soul-mate love stories, and marriages that thrive through different seasons. The deeper purpose behind it all? I want this podcast to be a constant place of encouragement and real connection. We’re all in this thing called life together, and I want every listener to walk away reminded that God’s plans for you are good- so take heart in that. I also open up about my social media fast for the month of October and what I’m hoping this reset brings me. Plus, some thoughts on why I wish maternity leave lasted a full year and what that could mean for mothers emotionally and mentally. And finally, I’m talking about my goal to read the entire Bible in a year, and why I’m craving truth that isn’t watered down. I don’t want surface-level faith- I want the real deal, even if it challenges me.
When life feels impossibly hard: sleepless nights, endless weeks, and the same struggles on repeat, it’s easy to think that you’re failing. In this episode, we talk about giving yourself grace, lowering the bar when you need to (especially while trekking through uncharted territory), and the little things we cling to that help us stay grounded in blurred hard seasons. Because no matter how heavy it feels right now, it ALWAYS gets better. PS: We have entered the phase where the baby gives kisses. So, nine months straight of no sleep has been forgiven!
We’re back from our first extended family vacation and sharing all the details: what we loved, what challenged us, and what we’d redo if we had the chance. Our cozy beachside rental was the perfect backdrop for lifelong memories, and we all (Volkie included!) felt the post-ocean blues as soon as we got home. We’re especially grateful that we adjusted our expectations ahead of time for how this vacation would go. It made a huge difference.We’re thankful to have made it through the “hard” infant stage, but teething has taken over our lives and no one has slept through the night in over a month- send help! Even with the exhaustion, we know we want more babies (in due time, of course) because Noli needs a sibling. Maybe even siblings, who knows! And hey, where are those angel investors when you need them? We’re dying to renovate a beach house!
We pause our usual podcasting style to sit with some heartbreak unfolding behind the scenes and across the world. While we don’t claim to have all the answers, I felt called to speak honestly about the weight many of us are carrying. Even when the divide feels impossibly wide, I believe most hearts, on each political side desire the same thing: safety & security for the people we love, and for humanity as a whole.We reflect on guarding our hearts against overwhelming despair, leaning on your faith (especially) when the heartbreak of the world feels too great, remembering that future generations depend on us to work through turmoil and trauma, and embracing the truth that there’s no age limit on “figuring it out.” Every day that you show up, try again, and move forward with a pure heart: you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.
This week we lean into the less than glamorous feeling of living groundhog day in motherhood. How solo parenting can quickly take its toll on your attitude and how perspective, gratitude and the G-man are always there to not only turn things around, but remind you how blessed you truly are. I ponder why we try to run from a God given calling when it feels heavy and hard, but we stick it out at corporate jobs we loathe way longer? How do we navigate exhaustion while remembering that this season, while our babies are itty-bitty, will be over before we know it? We give a shout out to girlfriends who are the real ones: who lovingly call you out before you spiral into grinch mode.. All so we can be reminded that taking ownership of our attitude allows us to be the type of wife, mom, and friend we want to be.
This week we unpack self sabotaging doom-loops that seem to appear every time packing for a vacation is on the horizon... running for 20+years straight without fail. (Hint: it's always baking & staying up way too late.) In this new season of life we are reaching for understanding why the brain reacts this way when overwhelmed, instead of slipping into deeper frustration. Breaking the cycle starts with you and when we identify what systems are broken, we are able to focus energy on what needs tweaking.I also give a glimpse into The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin and share how understanding your personal ability to meet inner and outer expectations can be the most helpful revealing guide to living a fulfilling life. Where my fellow Rebel & Obligers at??
![Ep 1.8 - [Pt. 2 of Ep 1.7] | The Gift of Marriage, Legacy, & The Importance of Hard Conversations](https://s3.castbox.fm/2e/7c/63/6e7caeb10b4ae686d3207fb2da3cd1da10_scaled_v1_400.jpg "Ep 1.8 - [Pt. 2 of Ep 1.7] | The Gift of Marriage, Legacy, & The Importance of Hard Conversations")
In this continued episode we share how we found realistic rhythms with fitness, balancing household roles, & how the gift of marriage has made the journey of parenthood even more special. We share why choosing your spouse wisely matters, the blessing in leaning into hard conversations, how they are essential for lifelong connection, & how self worth isn’t just about you- it’s about family legacy.Whether you’re a new parent, navigating marriage, or working on becoming more honest with yourself; this episode is a reminder that growth comes from leaning into hard things, choosing wisely, and that not everyone deserves a seat at your table.
6months in and someone's teeth finally broke through! But not after the wildest string of all nighters and a sleep regression that made us rethink becoming parents. I ended my pumping journey and a mastopexy just got added to my neverending to-do list! We also share what inspired us to make it a point to have Noli (& all our future kids) grow up loving movement. Hiking, surfing, skiing, and every adventure in between starts with taking care of yourself and we’re excited to nurture a positive relationship with health from the beginning.
This week’s episode is packed with life updates from Volkie’s second and third emergency surgeries, Noli’s gnarly sleep regression, and surviving what felt like 100 days of rain. We chat about what’s playing in our world, why we’re pressing pause on our business Coast to Cabin (for the meantime), and how we're learning to honor the season of life that we're in—even when it means letting go of something we love. Plus, this week’s win: Noli’s sleeping on her tummy, and I put on real clothes. Progress!
In this episode, we're sharing the wild behind-the-scenes of our dog, Volk’s emergency surgery after swallowing a golfball-sized rock (yes, really) and how post-op recovery took us by total surprise. From customized baby-to-doggy diaper hacks and dressing him in Walmart tights, to two weeks of medicating him with a conveyor belt of medication—we're so glad it's over! We also share some takes how our marriage has been affected since becoming parents: open communication, sharing the load, and choosing not to take things personally when things come off bold. We're continuing to lean-in because at the end of the day - we’re on the same team and rooting for our family.
In this episode we have a special guest, my sweet friend Val, who happens to be a reality tv show aficionado! Join us as we dive into the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 2 Reunion Show! We promised not to voice-note/text/or chat about the reunion until we filmed this episode - so this conversation is raw, unfiltered, and full of first reactions. Take a walk through SLOMW memory lane with us as we discuss everything from the casts dynamics, Mormon faith, moms doing it all with the help of their village, and everyone in Utah getting work done. BUT most importantly, we need to know: are you, or aren't you: Team Taylor & Dakota???
From Volkies medical scare to dating apps and potential catfishing- We share the story of how our dog Volkie went from playful wrestlemania to emergency, life saving surgery in 24 hours, why we swear by pet insurance, and how modern dating culture is missing the mark. Plus, 12 years in, did we catfish each other?
Summary: We dive into the raw and real of what the last four months have looked like as first-time parents. From missing parts of our old life to adjusting to a brand new reality, we open up about where our hearts and minds are now—on the other side of pregnancy. We also talk honestly about how husbands and wives often experience this season differently, and what that’s looked like for us.What We Talk About: – Top concerns and adjustments from first-time parents – Are we ready for another? (Spoiler: TBD) – The biggest blindside wasn’t birth—it was nursing and pumping – How our perspectives have shifted since pregnancy – The emotional tug between our “before” and our “after”Why It Matters: Because sometimes the fear of the unknown is so loud, it convinces you to play it safe and avoid it altogether. We're sharing our story to help strip away some of that fear—and to remind you that it’s okay to feel it all as you step into something new.
*DISCLAIMER: Everyone's birth story and experience is different*Summary: In this episode of The Anastasiya Podcast, I share my full birth story—every intense, beautiful, painful, and unforgettable moment. From naturally inducing labor, to an unexpected prolonged delay in the ER, to finally being admitted, getting an epidural, and welcoming our baby girl into the world (when we thought we were having a boy!)—this is the unfiltered experience of bringing life into the world.Whats Covered: – How we naturally kickstarted labor – Breath work, meditations, and bruising Matt’s wrists – The kindness of the labor & delivery staff – The moment we met our daughter (surprise!)Why It Matters: Because the hardest parts of birth can shape the most magical memories—and remind you that you are powerful, capable, and made for this.
Summary: Join us (Matt & Ana) as we share the nitty gritty and raw behind finding out we’re pregnant, along with all the behind-the-scenes thoughts that came with this life-changing news. This episode is especially for our late-20s and early-30s peers who haven’t yet taken the leap into parenthood—and might still be wrestling with the “Do we? Don’t we?” questions.What We Talk About: – Feeling like we weren’t “ready” – Not reaching enough of our goals/dreams before bringing a baby into the world – The very real feeling of “time’s up!” – Where our minds are now, almost halfway through pregnancyWhy It Matters: Because behind every pregnancy announcement is a quiet, tender journey of processing what this all really means.
Sharing a quick little recap of why “The Anastasiya Podcast” was born, the things I am most passionate about, and why I will be taking you along for the ride!
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