A Fresh Story

There’s a quiet power in learning how to sit with your own feelings—and in this episode of A Fresh Story, we dig into that transformative work. Executive coach and licensed clinical social worker Laura Fink joins Olivia Howell for a conversation that goes far beyond therapy buzzwords, revealing the real, raw, and sometimes messy truth of what it means to be emotionally agile in today’s world. From the endless swirl of social media comparisons to the guilt we carry over emotions we “shouldn’t” have, Laura reminds us that the question isn’t whether we’ll face struggles—it’s who we’ll be when they arrive.Laura opens the door to emotional agility as both a practice and a lifeline. She shares how we often fall into one of three unhelpful patterns—bottling, brooding, or splashing our feelings everywhere—and explains why none of them lead to real relief. Instead, she guides us toward awareness, naming what we feel, and learning how to move through emotions without judgment. With vulnerability and clarity, Laura makes it clear that our bodies, not our racing thoughts, hold the deepest truths we need to hear.For anyone navigating divorce, single motherhood, or simply the everyday chaos of modern life, this conversation is a balm. Laura’s perspective offers not just hope, but tangible tools for slowing down, checking in, and choosing emotional honesty over repression or chaos. It’s an episode about courage, resilience, and the radical practice of honoring your own humanity—even when the world tells you to “calm down.”🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartspodcasts

The first time money breaks something you love, it doesn’t sound like coins; it sounds like silence. In this intimate Book Talk, we sit with Heather and Douglas Boneparth—partners in marriage, parenting, and work—who wrote Money Together because they lived the gap between what couples say about money and what they can’t bear to say out loud. The episode opens where most advice books don’t: inside the messy, human moments—doors closing, calendars clashing, one person carrying the weight of “contribution” without a paycheck to show for it.Heather, a recovering corporate attorney turned money writer, and Douglas, a financial advisor and resident finance meme-lord, built their book as a series of love stories about money. Through real couples’ narratives and their own, they show how cultural scripts, childhood histories, and unequal caregiving shape what we spend, save, hide, or fear. The chapters on “Beginnings” and “Contributions” ask harder questions than “What’s your budget?”—they ask who taught you what “providing” means, whose time gets valued, and what counts as care.Money Together matters because it replaces lectures with language, and shame with doable conversation starters. It’s a book for anyone craving equity at home and intimacy that can survive a bank statement—an invitation to stop performing the relationship and start living it. If you’re in a season of transition—new baby, job loss, divorce contemplation, or the slow realization that something has to change—this conversation offers a gentle push and practical prompts to open the door, sit down, and begin again.Learn more about Money Together and buy the book: https://domoneytogether.com/Subscribe to Heather and Doug’s Substack: https://www.readthejointaccount.com/🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartspodcasts

What if the problem isn’t that you want “too much,” but that the world keeps insisting you be just one thing? In this A Fresh Story: Book Talk, Amanda Goetz opens the door to the messy middle—those seasons when ambition and tenderness, rebuilding and exhaustion, motherhood and desire, all crowd the same room. She tells the truth about filing for divorce while leading marketing at The Knot, raising three kids under four, and learning to love a life that refused to fit a single lane.Her new book, Toxic Grit: How to Have it All and (actually) Love What You Have, is a practical guide for anyone trying to reconcile competing parts of themselves. Drawing on her years as a founder (House of Wise) and a marketer, Amanda offers “character theory,” a framework for re-meeting the cast inside you—the worker, the mother, the lover, the friend—and rewriting their scripts. Across three sections—Meet Your Characters, Honor the Imbalance, and Master the Multiverse—she gives language and tools for intentional seasons, “front-burner” focus, guilt-free check-ins, and spin cycles that help you redistribute energy when life shape-shifts without asking.Why does this matter now? Because life transitions—divorce, career pivots, becoming or unbecoming in motherhood—demand both grit and gentleness. Amanda’s story is a permission slip: set an end date for your sprint, name what’s on the front burner, and communicate the season to your supporting cast. This is a book you can work through with your therapist, your book club, or alone at the kitchen table—a restorative companion for anyone who needs a framework to feel whole again, not smaller. If you are lost, numb, or newly starting over, Toxic Grit offers a map and the courage to choose yourself.Toxic Grit: How to Have it All and (actually) Love What You Have by Amanda Goetz

Some books arrive in the world because their authors have always dreamed of writing them. Others are born from heartbreak, stitched together from the pieces of a life forever altered. Your NICU Story is the latter — a tender, practical, and deeply human guide born from Ravi and Mahaley Patel’s experience of loving and losing their daughter, Saachi, after a birth injury and a NICU stay. What began as unimaginable grief became a mission: to help other parents navigate the uniquely disorienting, exhausting, and often traumatic world of the NICU — whether their child came home or not.Co-written with therapist Emily Souder, Your NICU Story is part journal, part reflection guide, part lifeline. Structured like a workbook, it gently walks readers through five stages of the NICU journey — from those first moments in the unit, to the long days and nights by an incubator, to the complexity of going home (with or without a baby). With prompts that invite honesty, space for partners’ voices, and room to write or simply sit with memories, it offers both a tool for processing trauma and an anchor for those still feeling adrift. The book’s structure is intentional — trauma fragments memory, and these pages help knit it back together.But Your NICU Story is more than a book; it’s an act of generosity. In sharing their own heartbreak with vulnerability and even moments of hard-won humor, the Patels have given other families permission to speak their truths. For parents, grandparents, partners, and friends touched by the NICU, it’s a reminder that healing is not linear, that small wins matter, and that love endures beyond every beeping monitor. Above all, it’s proof that even in the wake of profound loss, there is still a way to create meaning, to connect, and to honor the smallest lives in the biggest way possible.Your NICU Story: Reflecting on Your Family's Experience by Emily Souder and Mahaley Patel: https://amzn.to/41Fx5a6🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartspodcasts📬 Newsletter: https://freshstartsregistry.substack.com/

When the world shut down, Anna Rollins opened a door she had kept locked for over a decade. A longtime teacher and private writer, Anna found herself postpartum, isolated during the pandemic, and struck by a single, urgent question: Would she go her whole life without telling the truth about what had shaped her? What followed was a furious commitment to finally write the book she’d always feared—and needed—to write. In this intimate episode, Olivia Howell sits down with Anna to discuss her forthcoming memoir, Famished: On Food, Sex, and Growing Up as a Good Girl, and the winding, courageous path to saying the unsayable.Anna’s memoir dives deep into the tangled roots of evangelical purity culture and diet culture, unearthing the ways these ideologies collude to separate women from their own bodies, appetites, and desires. Structured in three acts—girlhood, marriage, and motherhood—the book blends personal narrative with reportage, including interviews with nearly 50 women who have lived under these same scripts. Anna shares how writing this story helped her reclaim her body, her voice, and her authority after years of self-erasure, and why she believes telling the truth about our most tender experiences is an act of rebellion and liberation.This conversation is not just for those who grew up in religious communities—it’s for anyone who was ever taught to shrink themselves. With vulnerability and clarity, Anna reminds us that writing for yourself first is sacred, and that the courage to share your story doesn’t have to arrive all at once—it can come quietly, in the margins of your life, and grow louder with time. Whether you're an aspiring memoirist, a woman untangling herself from cultural expectations, or simply someone in search of a fresh story, this episode offers hope, resonance, and a powerful invitation to reclaim the narrative.Buy Famished by Anna Rollins here: https://amzn.to/40E0aT3🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartspodcasts📬 Newsletter: https://freshstartsregistry.substack.com/

It starts with a hot flash. That moment—unexpected, uninvited, and disorienting—becomes the spark that ignites Clementine Crane’s quiet rebellion. In this moving and laugh-out-loud episode of A Fresh Story: Book Talk, Olivia sits down with novelist and writing teacher Kristin Bair to discuss her forthcoming novel Clementine Crane Prefers Not To, a fierce and funny feminist tale of a woman who wakes up, drenched in sweat, and realizes she’s been sleepwalking through a life of over-functioning, over-giving, and never asking herself what she wants. What follows is Clementine’s unraveling—and remaking—of her life, one “I prefer not to” at a time.Kristin brings her sharp wit and deeply lived insight to a conversation about writing, rage, midlife, and the radical awakening that can occur in the most mundane moments of motherhood. Inspired by both her own perimenopausal experience and the literary ghosts of Melville and Ibsen, Clementine Crane Prefers Not To is part love letter to women who are done saying yes to everything—and part battle cry for those still trying to find the language for their no. Clementine is a mother, a wife, a library worker, and a woman who has spent decades appeasing the world around her. But in the quiet heat of hormonal upheaval, something cracks open, and she begins to reclaim the person she’s long buried beneath obligation.For anyone moving through a major life transition—whether it's divorce, menopause, career change, or simply waking up to the ache of self-neglect—this novel is an anthem of autonomy. Kristin shares her writing journey with warmth and vulnerability, reminding us that transformation rarely looks glamorous, but it often begins with the smallest refusal. Clementine’s story is not just fiction—it’s a mirror, a permission slip, and a hopeful blueprint for choosing yourself, over and over again.Buy Clementine Crane Prefers Not To by Kristin Bair: https://amzn.to/3INQ6kg🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartspodcasts📬 Newsletter: https://freshstartsregistry.substack.com/

When Laura Danger first began writing No More Mediocre, it wasn’t just a book—it was a lifeline. Born from her own marriage, her classroom experiences, and thousands of digital conversations, Laura set out to unpack one of the most overlooked truths of modern life: domestic labor isn’t just a set of chores—it’s the foundation of intimacy, equity, and well-being in every relationship. In this powerful episode of A Fresh Story, Olivia Howell sits down with the educator, advocate, and viral voice behind That Darn Chat to explore how Laura’s book invites us to stop settling for crumbs—at home, in partnership, and in life.Together, Olivia and Laura unravel the invisible weight so many people carry—the dishes in the sink, the towels folded “wrong,” the long nights alone with the baby while the other parent sleeps soundly. But this conversation goes far beyond rants about chores. With clarity and compassion, Laura explains how sitcom tropes, cultural narratives, and deep-rooted biases have shaped our expectations of care work. And with real, vulnerable stories—including the evolution of her own marriage—she shows us that we’re not broken, we’ve just been handed a broken system.This episode isn’t a takedown—it’s a wake-up call, a warm hand on your back, and a rally cry for anyone who’s ever thought, “Is this all there is?” With practical tools, a high-impact task workbook, and a deep belief in the power of community care, Laura’s book—and this conversation—offer more than hope. They offer a new way forward. If you’ve ever wondered what your life could feel like with real equity, real support, and real partnership…this is the story you need to hear.Pre-order the book: https://www.lauradanger.com/no-more-mediocre🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartspodcasts📬 Newsletter: https://freshstartsregistry.substack.com/

The moment Tiffany Graham Charkosky received the phone call that changed everything, she wasn’t a child anymore—but suddenly, her childhood grief came rushing back. In this poignant episode of A Fresh Story, Tiffany sits down with Olivia Howell to share the emotional landscape behind her debut memoir, Living Proof: How Love Defied Genetic Legacy. What began as an unanswered ache—the loss of her mother to colon cancer at age 11—became a search for meaning, identity, and a way forward through the lens of genetic testing. Tiffany’s story is not just about DNA; it’s about motherhood, memory, and making peace with a future you didn’t ask for.As she recounts her journey through grief, motherhood, and writing, Tiffany offers listeners a deeply honest glimpse into what it means to live with inherited trauma—and choose love anyway. With Olivia, she explores how writing can serve as both mirror and medicine, and why some stories take a decade to write. The episode moves through the harrowing reality of testing positive for a genetic mutation, the fierce desire to protect her children from the loss she experienced, and the quiet, persistent act of becoming the parent she never had.This conversation isn’t a how-to. It’s a heart-to-heart. It’s for anyone who has lost a parent too soon, who has faced the weight of legacy, or who is trying to mother without a map. Tiffany's words offer no perfect answers—but they are steady hands reaching out across time and loss. Whether you're a writer, a daughter, a parent, or someone who has simply loved and lost, this story will stay with you.Buy the book here: https://amzn.to/4eYGyPv

It started with a softball game and a dream to become fathers. In this heart-opening episode of A Fresh Story, we sit down with Danny Auld and David Fullner, a couple whose love story spans over two decades—and whose journey into parenthood required courage, creativity, and a cross-country dash to a Honolulu delivery room. What began with a lighthearted “Would you be our surrogate?” turned into a lifelong bond with Auntie Dian, the woman who carried their son Paul into the world eight weeks early and gifted them a family.But this story isn’t just about how Paul came to be—it’s about what came after: a multi-generational household filled with love, a Kickstarter dream turned national brand, and a baby food company that’s as much about flavor and cultural inclusion as it is about nutrition. Kekoa Foods was born from their kitchen and their deep desire to raise an adventurous eater—and the result is a product line now gracing shelves at Sprouts, Wegmans, and Amazon.Danny and David open up about what it really means to build a life together—from marriage under a tree at a Connecticut rest stop, to NICU night shifts, to launching a business during the pandemic. Their story is one of radical love, intentional parenting, and the everyday magic of showing up for your dreams (and your people). This episode is for anyone who's ever asked themselves: “Can I really do this?” Because the answer, as Danny and David prove, is yes. And you just might find your family—and your future—in the most unexpected of places.Snag some Kekoa for 25% off at THIS LINK with code FS25! And check out our review of Kekoa foods HERE.🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartspodcasts📬 Newsletter: https://freshstartsregistry.substack.com/

Some weeks are about productivity. Others are about survival. And then there are the ones like this—where the beauty lies in the whimsy, the detours, and the quiet wisdom that sneaks in while you’re painting miniature wallpaper or waiting for a thunderstorm to pass. In this heartwarming episode of Weekly Wrap-Up, Olivia and Genevieve are joined by a very special guest: Weston, Olivia’s oldest son, who brings both sparkle and soul to the mic for his podcast debut.The trio dives into the unexpected joys of potion-making, haircuts that feel like declarations of self-worth, and the sacred silliness of summer break. From shopping trips and shadow boxes to missed summer camp days and viral Instagram roundups, the episode offers a tender, funny, and deeply relatable portrait of what it means to live creatively and intentionally—even when the week doesn’t go as planned. And in between the laughter and tangents, there's powerful reflection on rest, love after divorce, and learning to find joy in small, magical corners of life.As always, the conversation closes with “weekly wisdoms”—this time from all three voices. Weston reminds us that rest is doing something. Genevieve reflects on the power of whimsy in serious times. And Olivia offers a quiet but stirring reminder that single moms can still believe in love stories. It’s an episode full of honesty, heart, and hope—and one you’ll want to revisit the next time you need permission to pause.🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartspodcasts📬 Newsletter: https://freshstartsregistry.substack.com/

When Lori Lyons became a stepmom, she knew exactly what she didn’t want: the tension, jealousy, and divided loyalty she had grown up with as a child of divorce. Instead, she envisioned something radical for the time—a family that included everyone, even her husband’s ex-wife. In this heart-opening episode of A Fresh Story, Lori invites us into her Louisiana home and into a decades-long story of blended family done beautifully right. A Hall of Fame sports writer, adoptive mom, caretaker, and storyteller, Lori’s life is a patchwork of intentional relationships, deep empathy, and the kind of resilience you can only earn the hard way.From taking off her engagement ring before a pickup at her now-stepkids’ house to asking her husband’s ex-wife to be her adopted daughter’s godmother, Lori’s story is a masterclass in humility, generosity, and healing generational hurt. She shares the tender details—how Cheryl became “Nanny,” how they tag-team holidays and emergencies, and how they grieved, celebrated, and raised children together as a team. Her voice is strong and steady, grounded in years of lived wisdom, but it’s the softness underneath—the mother who wanted her daughter to feel included, the woman who chose peace over pride—that stays with you.This is more than a story about co-parenting—it’s a story about what becomes possible when we abandon old rules about exes, stepfamilies, and women’s roles, and build new families from the heart. Lori reminds us that the people who show up for us—who wash dishes in our kitchens after the Christmas parade, who split the mother-of-the-groom dance without blinking—those are our people. This episode will make you cry, laugh, and maybe even believe that a peaceful, joyful blended family isn’t just possible—it’s worth fighting for.🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartspodcasts📬 Newsletter: https://freshstartsregistry.substack.com/

Some weeks, it all bubbles over—and this was one of them. In this emotional, unfiltered, and deeply personal episode of The Weekly Wrap-Up, sisters Olivia Howell and Genevieve Dreizen unpack a week full of professional friction, single mom milestones, and the aching beauty of watching your child graduate when life hasn’t gone to plan. Olivia shares the vulnerable experience of sitting solo at her son’s graduation—reflecting on how far they've come since the early, uncertain days of her divorce—and the overwhelming gratitude she feels for the teachers and support systems that helped carry them through.But it’s not all tears and tissues. The sisters pull no punches in their fiery takedown of gatekeeping in the divorce coaching industry, challenging misinformation and defending the importance of kindness in professional spaces. Their candid discussion—sparked by a particularly condescending Facebook exchange—evolves into a powerful meditation on regulation, integrity, and the unseen labor of women who dare to claim space. And somehow, through it all, there's room for fireflies, Marco Polo shoutouts, and a whole lot of laughter.This episode is a testament to the magic of staying soft while standing your ground. Whether you’re parenting solo, rebuilding your life, or just trying to make it through another exhausting June, you’ll find yourself nodding along—and probably crying too. This one’s for the moms with tear-streaked cheeks, overfilled hearts, and unmatched strength.🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartspodcasts📬 Newsletter: https://freshstartsregistry.substack.com/

Some weeks feel like a blur of soft moments and wild schedules, where the biggest revelations are found not in headlines, but in quiet yards, tiny donuts, and the hum of treadmills. In this week’s wrap-up, Olivia and Genevieve invite listeners into their real lives—the ones with deer sleeping in the backyard, pool memberships, belt tests, donut day detours, and dreams of Muppet parades. It's a gentle episode full of small delights, missed routines, and the ongoing dance between burnout and creativity.Genevieve shares her renewed love of swimming and her evolving reflections on little treat theory—a life philosophy that reframes happiness as a practice of cultivating tiny moments of joy, not chasing big milestones. Olivia opens up about dealing with physical discomfort, missing her workouts, and the bittersweet magic of seeing a deer and her fawn appear every morning. There's laughter, sibling banter, and a reminder that healing, creativity, and exhaustion can all coexist.The sisters also talk about their newest project, a podcast called Actually I Don’t, which will explore the world of broken engagements and canceled weddings, and Olivia shares her excitement about becoming a certified divorce coach and opening up free consultation sessions again. From spontaneous wisdom about contentment to donut box design critiques, this episode is a love letter to the beauty of the ordinary—and a warm invitation to honor your own moments of transition.🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartspodcasts

Scott Christian Sava didn’t plan to write a book or become a YouTube mentor to millions. He just wanted to draw Spider-Man. But as his creative journey unfolded—from comic books and video games to filmmaking and community-building—Scott discovered something bigger than himself: the call to teach, to connect, and to remind others that art is a deeply human experience. In this heartfelt episode of A Fresh Story, Scott shares the long road to becoming the artist—and person—he was always meant to be.At the center of our conversation is Scott’s new book, Becoming an Artist: How to Make Art Like a Human by Embracing Failure, Discovering Your Creative Voice, & Finding Joy in the Process. It’s part memoir, part creative manifesto, and part love letter to anyone who's ever made something just because it felt good. We talk about the myth of “cheating” in art, the loneliness of creative life, and how perfectionism can block joy. Scott reminds us that making art is not about being the best—it’s about being real.Whether you're a lifelong artist or someone who's been too scared to pick up a pencil, this episode is for you. Scott’s honesty, humility, and humor breathe life into every lesson, and his story is a reminder that creativity isn't just a skill—it's a legacy. If you’ve ever felt like giving up, Becoming an Artist just might be your permission slip to begin again.Grab the book here: https://amzn.to/3Hq3oTf🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartspodcasts

Olivia had a secret—and not the bad kind. This week on A Fresh Story, she shares a joyful surprise: after quietly enrolling in and completing a certification, she’s now a certified divorce coach. For someone who’s spent years writing about divorce, supporting others through it, and building an entire support ecosystem, it wasn’t about adding another title. It was about taking responsibility for her words and the people who read them. What started as a quiet spark during meditation became a proud milestone, made even sweeter by the sisterly reveal.Meanwhile, Genevieve battles a broken washing machine in a rental that seems to fight back at every turn, shedding light on the invisible emotional labor of tenants everywhere. Her story isn’t just about appliances or landlords—it’s about boundaries, burnout, and the frustrating gray area between dependence and control. But even amid chaos, she finds joy in small rituals: a new bathing suit, the return of lap swimming, the soft power of reclaiming personal style.This week’s episode is a celebration of progress—messy, nonlinear, but beautiful. Olivia and Genevieve share music, routines, and reflections on the sacred act of feeling good in your skin. With honest laughter, a few “I told you so”s, and a new podcast award under their belt, the sisters remind us that wisdom lives in the little things—and that you’re never too busy (or too tired) to grow.🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartspodcasts

Chloe Sexton didn’t plan on becoming a mom—or a business owner shipping massive cookies across the country. But life has a way of rewriting the script. When Chloe’s mother was diagnosed with brain cancer and later became pregnant, Chloe stepped up to help raise her baby sister, Charlotte. Years later, that unexpected bond transformed into guardianship. And just as Chloe was navigating pregnancy, job loss, and grief, she found herself baking cookies in her Memphis kitchen—cookies that would soon go viral.What started as a hobby turned lifeline, Chloe’s love for Martha Stewart-level baking evolved into a full-fledged company: Chloe’s Giant Cookies, a now-booming bakery known for its decadent, oversized treats. With the support of her husband and family, Chloe grew her business into something extraordinary—all while documenting her grief, parenting, and advocacy on TikTok. From mixing dough to managing loss, Chloe shares how authenticity became her superpower.This episode of A Fresh Story is a heart-wrenching and heartwarming look at what happens when you grieve out loud, raise a family that wasn’t part of the plan, and build a business that nourishes not just others—but your own healing. Chloe reminds us that family is what you make it, and sometimes the best fresh starts come with a side of cookies.🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartspodcasts

There’s a certain kind of magic that happens when sisters talk—not about the big milestones, but about the quiet moments in between. In this emotional and deeply honest episode of A Fresh Story’s Weekly Wrap-Up, Olivia and Jenny invite listeners into one of those rare, intimate conversations where laughter and longing intertwine. What begins as playful banter about Dunkin’ Donuts and “noise violations” unfolds into a soulful reflection on energy, sisterhood, and the ways we see (and 'missee') each other.As they peel back the layers of their relationship, Olivia reveals how Jenny’s powerful presence has shaped her world since childhood—and how, even now, their energies remain entangled across oceans. They speak candidly about the emotional weight of distance, the burnout that comes from loving too deeply, and the surprising tenderness of growing apart to grow stronger. And as they swap love songs and childhood memories, we’re reminded how music becomes the language for what we often can’t say out loud.But this isn’t just a personal episode—it’s also a celebration. Olivia and Jenny share the behind-the-scenes story of their newest creation: the Divorce Guide Series, a rainbow of supportive books designed to be accessible, nonjudgmental, and profoundly helpful. Their commitment to offering these guides for free, no strings attached, underscores what A Fresh Story is all about—making space for healing, humor, and the power of starting over.🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartspodcasts

In this episode of A Fresh Story, we sit down with Leslie Gray Streeter—journalist, memoirist, and now debut novelist—to unpack the heartbreak, humor, and honesty woven into her new book, Family and Other Calamities. With wit and grace, Leslie shares how she turned personal loss and professional scandal into fiction that cuts close to the bone.We follow Leslie’s journey from writing about her own grief in her memoir to crafting a protagonist—Dawn Roberts—who’s just as complex, scarred, and compelling. Dawn returns to Baltimore with her late husband’s ashes, only to be confronted by the ghosts of betrayal, ambition, and love. Leslie takes us behind the scenes of building this character, revealing how fiction gave her the freedom to explore emotional truths that nonfiction sometimes can’t contain.This conversation is about more than a book—it’s about reinvention, aging with power, and the radical act of writing women in their 40s and 50s as vibrant, sexy, and deeply human. Leslie talks pop culture, storytelling as self-discovery, and why reclaiming your narrative isn’t just cathartic—it’s necessary. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your calamities into a comeback, this episode is your permission slip.BUY Family & Other Calamities: https://amzn.to/43oN7FA

In this episode of Weekly Wrap-Up, hosts Olivia Howell and Jenny Dreizen of Fresh Starts Registry share an engaging and heartfelt reflection on the week's events. They kick things off with the exciting news that their podcasts have been named semifinalists in the Quill Podcast Awards, highlighting their deep commitment to creating impactful and community-focused conversations. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and passion they pour into their work, sparking a meaningful discussion about the journey of building a brand that prioritizes education and support during life's most challenging transitions.The sisters also introduce a brand-new resource for divorce support—a comprehensive guide with 250+ essential questions to ask divorce professionals, available completely free of charge. Their belief that education during crisis moments should not be monetized underscores their mission to make divorce support accessible and stigma-free. Throughout the episode, they share personal stories, reflections on work-life balance, and the joy of small comforts like warm socks and having ice at home—moments that ground and uplift them during the chaos of life changes.The episode concludes with light-hearted banter, reflections on social media etiquette during divorce, and a reminder of the importance of curiosity in understanding oneself and navigating relationships.Key Takeaways:🎉 Semifinalists in the Quill Podcast Awards: A Fresh Story and Jenny Says So are in the top three for Best Branded Podcast and Best Creative Branded Podcast.💡 The Podcast Journey: Reflecting on the culmination of their life's work in creating impactful conversations around divorce, life transitions, and community building.📚 New Divorce Support Resource: Over 250+ essential questions for divorce professionals, offered for free—no email required, no paywalls, just pure support.✨ Education During Crises Should Be Free: They believe that monetizing information for people in crisis is unjust, and their resource is a testament to their commitment to accessible support.🏡 Home Comforts Matter: The simple joy of warm socks and a home ice maker brings a sense of normalcy and happiness.🎨 Post-Divorce Trends: Decorating with color and personal style becomes a form of self-expression after divorce.🔍 Curiosity as a Superpower: Emphasizing curiosity over judgment, both in understanding oneself and in navigating relationships.💡 Navigating Social Media During Divorce: Be mindful of what you share—social media can be used against you in legal matters.👥 Community vs. Audience: Understanding the difference is key to building meaningful connections.💭 Light-Hearted Moments: Fun discussions about home decor, Snapple facts, and making iced coffee at home with an ice maker.Listen to this episode for thoughtful reflections, practical advice, and a sprinkle of humor as Olivia and Jenny explore the realities of life after divorce, the joy of small comforts, and the impact of meaningful support.

Emily Westerfield’s journey into surrogacy began not with a grand plan, but with a simple, profound desire to help others. After experiencing her own ups and downs with pregnancy, Emily found herself drawn to the idea of carrying a child for another family—a selfless act of compassion and strength. Her story unfolds with heart and honesty as she shares the transformative experience of being a surrogate, navigating the emotional landscapes of pregnancy and loss, and ultimately finding her calling in helping others build their families. With each step, Emily learned more about the intricate process of surrogacy, from the deep bonds formed to the legal and logistical challenges that come with carrying someone else’s dream.But Emily’s journey didn’t stop at surrogacy. Inspired by her experiences, she transitioned from surrogate to entrepreneur, founding her own surrogacy agency. In her conversation with us, Emily opens up about the crucial importance of psychological readiness, the often-overlooked emotional toll of surrogacy, and the need for a solid support system. She shares intimate moments of connection with intended parents—moments of joy, relief, and sometimes heartbreak. Her story is not just one of motherhood but of creating possibilities for families who had almost given up hope.Throughout the episode, Emily dispels myths about surrogacy, addresses the stigmas attached, and reveals the rigorous screening process that ensures both surrogates and intended parents are fully prepared for the journey ahead. She emphasizes that while the logistics of surrogacy are complex and the legal framework can be daunting, the outcome—a new life and a complete family—is always worth it. Emily’s candid insights and heartfelt reflections remind us that surrogacy isn’t just about carrying a baby; it’s about carrying someone else’s hope.🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartspodcasts