The Life Actually Podcast
By Laura Behnke
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Category: Personal Journals
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Description
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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A Spiritual Awakening With Jamilah Lang
4264
Jamilah Lang knows what it's like to struggle. She understands working so hard for something you want so badly and still having it not work out in the way you expect. But that struggle is all part of her story. It's a huge reason why she's currently living a life of abundance. As a professional organizer and interior stylist she brings a holistic approach to helping people simplify and design a home they love. Because, as she knows through experience, organizing your life and your purpose goes deeper than cleaning out your closet. But that's certainly a good place to start! Jamilah has gone from a successful career in the corporate world, to starting over on her own. She's gone from struggling to buy groceries for her family to now fully supporting that family so her husband can stay home with their kids. All thanks to her own spiritual awakening, as she learned how to let go in order to let in opportunity and peace of mind. |
Nov 30, 2021 |
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An Untraditional Order With Amanda Greenspan-D'Souza
3831
It didn't take Amanda Greenspan-D'Souza long to realize her now-husband was "the one" when they first met. She expected them to get married and start a life together at some point. What she didn't expect was how quickly that point would arrive. But four months into dating they both had to make a life-changing decision as he faced possible deportation back to his native India. The result? They had two weeks to plan a wedding and get married. Amanda never doubted her decision or their relationship, but that didn't make the reality of their situation any easier. Gone was the big wedding celebration, the perfect dress, and the enjoyment of a proposal and engagement. Instead Amanda found herself worrying about what people would think as their plans moved so quickly. Now five years into marriage, she's fully realized just how special her story is. And that what makes it special is its uniqueness. That's why she's telling her story now. Because life rarely goes according to plan--and that's okay. This is Amanda's journey, and she's owning it. |
Nov 23, 2021 |
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Loving Your Life & Yourself With Elizabeth DiAlto
3739
Elizabeth DiAlto is all about telling it like it is. Because when we have a deeper connection to ourselves through embodied living and self liberation, well, we have the tools needed to help us through the difficult times. But Elizabeth never planned to become the spiritual guide that she is today. No, she was going to become a millionaire selling knives. And, yes, you read that correctly! But after experiencing burnout at just 25 she knew there had to be more to life than just going after a paycheck. That realization eventually led her to create the Institute For Embodied Living and the Wild Soul Movement. She knows life isn't perfect but believes there is a freedom that comes with giving ourselves permission and grace to get through the messy times. At 38, Elizabeth is single, and after really learning to date on her terms she knows the right relationship is out there, but it has to enhance the life she's already created. Because that life is already pretty special. |
Nov 16, 2021 |
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Letting Your Heart Lead With Tiffany Paul
3471
On paper Tiffany Paul was living her own definition of success. Happily married, a mom of two, and working her way up the corporate ladder over a 10-year career at Proctor & Gamble. But what that on-paper success didn't show was the struggles it took to actually become pregnant and then the struggles to find joy and satisfaction in the career she was building. It all made her wonder, was this where her heart was leading her? The answer to that question would change her life and her family's lives as she left her six-figure salary and ventured into the world of entrepreneurship, eventually becoming the founder of The Slept Life. It would also challenge her original idea of what it means to be successful, and what society tells us about success. |
Nov 09, 2021 |
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Self Love Activism With Femi Olafioye-Omogbehin
4119
For as long as she can remember Femi Olafioye-Omogbehin wanted to be in a relationship. In fact, the rest of the details of her plan were pretty fuzzy. Because the real expectation was to fall into her husband's plan. But as she grew up, Femi realized how much this plan was shaped by her own internalized racism. The daughter of Nigerian parents, she also realized how little she saw of women who looked like her in the mainstream media she consumed. And that didn't sit right with her. After giving the corporate world a try, Femi is now building her own brand that seeks to increase the representation of black women and encourage them on their journeys of self love. She is a speaker, writer and self love activist. She's also still single. Which she appreciates while also still finding herself sometimes grieving the relationship she doesn't have yet. Femi is all about supporting black women by sharing her own observations and life lessons. And her honesty and transparency are things that can inspire us all. |
Nov 02, 2021 |
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Finding Strength Over Pain With Gigi Robinson
3139
Gigi Robinson's life changed in ways she never could have expected at the age of 11 when she was diagnosed with a chronic illness. It altered not only her childhood but also her dreams for the future. Now just 23, this New York City-based content creator has already experienced living with chronic pain, disordered eating, and pushing herself to the point of burnout in college. Not to mention graduating from college during a global pandemic while also realizing you're never too young to feel all of those dating and societal pressures placed on women. Now she creates content that reaches and supports a global Gen Z audience, focusing on mental health, chronic illness, body image and self advocacy. Gigi knows her story is just beginning, but already she has plenty of twists and turns to share. |
Oct 26, 2021 |
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After It All Falls Apart With Ruth Chan
3429
What do you do when you're 32 and find everything you've spent your life working toward just disappear before your eyes? This was Ruth Chan's reality when she found herself getting a divorce at the same time that she lost her job. For a while she didn't know her way forward. Especially because she had spent her life assuming it would all go according to plan like the rest of her friends. Instead Ruth made a complete career and life pivot... going from a decade spent working with youth and families in underserved communities to becoming a writer and illustrator of comics and children's books. You can bet she never saw that career coming years earlier! Now Ruth is very happily remarried, enjoying a newfound love of surfing, and doing things that truly make her happy. But getting to this point was anything but simple or easy. Because putting things back together after life seemingly falls apart is complicated and heavy. But can be so rewarding, too. |
Oct 19, 2021 |
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An Unexpected Life With Jody Day
4080
There are so many topics and life experiences for women that have been silenced by society, including being childless not by choice. Which is something Jody Day is on a mission to change. As the founder of Gateway Women, a global friendship and support network for childless women, she is a voice for so many who are facing a reality they never expected in life. Jody's own life has followed an unexpected path as well. From ending a pregnancy when she was 20, to struggling to conceive years later, to watching her marriage end, to eventually coming to the realization at 44 that she would never be a mother, none of it went according to plan. And all the while she came to this childless acceptance she faced another unexpected part of life--grief. Known as the "voice of the childless generation" and the author of Living The Life Unexpected: How to Find Hope, Meaning and a Fulfilling Future Without Children, Jody works with women every day to help them accept and process their grief in order to keep going in their own unexpected lives. |
Oct 12, 2021 |
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Single IS Amazing With Debbi Rice
4148
Ever since she was young Debbi Rice wanted one thing in her life--to be single. Okay, maybe two things--to be single AND amazing. What she didn't expect were the societal pressures, especially from her church, that would push her toward marriage, even when she knew it wasn't right for her. Years later now Debbi truly is living her single and amazing life. She even created a community to support other women who are looking for the same thing. But getting here wasn't easy. From getting married at a young age to navigating divorce and becoming a single parent, Debbi has persevered. And now it's her mission to make it clear that being single is so much more than just a relationship status. |
Oct 05, 2021 |
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Never Too Late With Winn Clark
3649
Getting married, having kids and achieving professional success. That is exactly how Winn Clark expected her life to go. The professional success? She had that covered. But a husband and family? That was a lot more difficult to find. Winn struggled through years of being single, eventually coming to the difficult realization that she might never have kids. But she never gave up on the idea of love. Winn is now happily engaged and running her own coaching business, things that didn't happen until after she was 40 and 50, respectively. She's proof that it's never too late to make a change, or to find true happiness. |
Sep 28, 2021 |
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A Journey Toward Fearlessness With Paola Rosser
4522
For years Paola Rosser was punishing herself for her traumatic and abusive childhood. She knew she wanted a better life but she didn't know how to make that happen. After years of falling into the same patterns, Paola realized her fate was in her own hands. She also discovered what it truly means to manifest the life you so desire--and spoiler alert, it isn't just about making a vision board. Paola is now the founder and CEO of the Fearless Female movement as well as a spiritual mentor and life coach. She's also married to her soulmate (whom she met after she was 35) and living a lifestyle she had previously only ever been able to imagine. Paola is proof it's never too late to change or do anything in life--especially when it comes to taking control of that life. |
Sep 21, 2021 |
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Creating Space For Change With Cat Cantrill
4367
Cat Cantrill didn't really have a plan for how she wanted her life to go, but she did have a very strong idea about how her life should go. As a result, she found herself married at 22 even though she had doubts about the relationship heading in. Even after divorcing 13 years later and navigating life as a single mom, she still felt the pressure of how her life was supposed to look. It wasn't until years later that she gave herself permission to create her own idea of happiness, and that means helping other women do the same. From dating again before she was ready to opening a burlesque dance studio in Iowa to finding love after 40, Cat's journey to get to this point wasn't easy or quick, but it made her who she is today. |
Sep 14, 2021 |
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Reinvention At Any Age With Sandra Rodriguez Bicknell
3396
Sandra Rodriguez Bicknell has found her purpose. And it all began when she finally shared her voice through her bestselling memoir, Cuts of a Diamond. Now she works with others to help them do the same through their own writing. Sandra knows this is the work she was meant to do. But it didn't all come together until she was in her 50s. Which is further proof that there are no time or age limits in life. Sandra is also a mom, a model, an acclaimed jeweler, and so much more. So far her life definitely has not gone according to any plan. And she wouldn't have it any other way. |
Sep 07, 2021 |
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The Desires On Your Heart With Alexa Cawley
3256
Alexa Cawley didn't know exactly how her life would go but she did expect a couple of things: she'd be married and have kids. Now in her early 30s she's realized that may not go according to plan. At least not on her original timeline! Alexa has been too busy following her entrepreneurial spirit and carving out her own space in the health and wellness industry. Because while she enjoyed her time in the corporate world, there was something tugging at her heart and urging her to take that scary--but exciting--leap out of her comfort zone. From there her company, Forever Friday Consulting, was born. Just as a global pandemic began. Talk about things not going according to plan! All the while she was also going through an unexpected breakup. It wasn't what she expected, but it led to her now being exactly where she knows she should be. |
Aug 31, 2021 |
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The Things We Celebrate With Lisa Cleary
4033
There are certain things we openly celebrate in a woman's life, like engagements, getting married, having kids and getting that promotion. But what about everything else? Lisa Cleary knows all about what she calls the "toxic milestone mentality". And the feeling that if you aren't checking off those boxes then you are failing. After ending a toxic relationship in her early 30s with the person she thought she would marry, this tough love self-help writer knew it was time to start redefining the idea of life milestones and the things we celebrate. Because there's more to life than just chasing the next societal norms. And being single presents plenty of experiences and achievements that deserve to be acknowledged. |
Aug 24, 2021 |
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Solo Episode: Our Pregnancy Story
4829
It has been a long journey, but in this solo episode Laura tells her pregnancy story. She and her husband Marc and so thrilled to be welcoming a baby in December, 2021, but getting to this point has not been easy. From dealing with a rare genetic condition, to educating themselves on infertility treatments, to dealing with a global pandemic and enduring multiple failed rounds of IVF, Laura shares it all. She's also letting you in on the baby's gender. This is an emotional episode that could be difficult for those triggered by talk of infertility and IVF. It's also a real look into one person's path to having a baby which looked nothing like how she had planned. |
Aug 17, 2021 |
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Discovering Yourself With Laura Friedman Williams
3920
For 27 years Laura Friedman Williams thought she was living out her happy ending. She'd been in a loving relationship with her husband for nearly three decades and had three beautiful kids as a result. It was everything she had planned for. Then one day she learned of her husband's affair and it not only rocked her world but also set her off on a course of self discovery. While she had always loved the life she had, Laura found there was more than one way to create a new happiness for herself. And it just so happened to involve a lot of sex. Because there's no single outcome that gives your life meaning. We all have a choice. And Laura isn't apologizing for hers. |
Aug 10, 2021 |
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No Ordinary Life With Francesca Hogi
4010
Francesca Hogi has never really had a plan. In fact, she still doesn't! Her main goal has always been to not live an ordinary life. Turns out, that hasn't been a problem. Francesca has been a corporate lawyer, worked in Hollywood, gone back to being a lawyer, been a two-time reality show loser--her words!--tried her hand at matchmaking, and now helps people as a love coach. She also has no interest in getting married or having kids, despite all the questions she still gets asked about it. Francesca doesn't know what's next, but it's safe to say that whatever happens, it won't be ordinary. |
Aug 03, 2021 |
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Doing It Your Way With Hillary Seiler
3284
Hillary Seiler never wanted to be a person who just checked off a box because that's what someone else told her she was supposed to do. No, Hillary refuses to settle, not only in relationships but in every aspect of her life. Her perspective on life changed drastically when she watched her family struggle for years through her mom's terminal illness and saw the toll it took both emotionally and financially. When her mom passed she knew she wanted to help others understand and establish their own financial ability. And with that her first business was born. She's a certified financial education coach and works with several NFL teams to help their players achieve longterm financial stability. Hillary never expected her life to go this way, but now she couldn't imagine doing anything else. |
Jul 27, 2021 |
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Everything To Fight For With Ceta Walters
3600
Ceta Walters's plan didn't exactly go the way she expected but the end result was the same: a great job, a husband, and two beautiful kids. But that's where much of her story begins. Because in the span of just a few months in 2019 Ceta filed for divorce and then learned she had breast cancer. That's right, it was the Big C and D, as Ceta calls them. And she went through the thick of it all right in the middle of a global pandemic. The last two years have been anything but simple for Ceta, but she knows she can't be the only person who is going through something like this. Which is why she tells her story of perseverance. Because no one should feel alone in their own struggles. |
Jul 20, 2021 |
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An Unexpected Journey With Laurie Hellmann
3426
Laurie Hellmann is a planner. So, she thought she had her life all figured out. Until she didn't. Like most parents, Laurie had big expectations for children and their futures. Then her son was diagnosed with severe non-verbal autism at the age of 3. And those expectations, like her life, completely changed. But navigating the unknowns of raising a child with special needs gave her a new plan. A purpose. A mission. To help other families facing similar realities understand that they aren't alone. Now she believes this is the life she was meant to lead. Wherever it may take her. |
Jul 13, 2021 |
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Creating Intentional Purpose With Marissa Lee
3430
Marissa Lee knows that even the best laid plans often don't go the way we expect. From graduating from college without a job, to working abroad, to starting a business, to not being married with a family when she expected, Marissa's story hasn't followed the traditional route. Which is why she's focused on following her purpose and intentions above all else. It's what led her to publish her first book, launch her business, release an original song, and become the best fur mom possible to one pretty cool pup. Now this global HR leader is ready for whatever comes next. |
Jun 29, 2021 |
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An Untraditional Plan With Mara Krausz
3179
We all know that even the best laid plans have a habit of totally changing. But what about when you don't even have a plan? Mara Krausz says, no problem! This book and television writer has definitely followed her own path with her own plans, even when she wasn't sure exactly what those plans should be. She's proof that not only is there no age-limit on discovering your passion and going after it, there's also no one set of rules to follow to get there. Mara is all about making her own plans, and encouraging other women to do the same. |
Jun 22, 2021 |
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The Purpose Of Influence With Lissette Calveiro
3283
What does it mean to have influence? For Lissette Calveiro it goes far beyond the perfectly curated social media feeds and performative attempts at perfection. This self-proclaimed recovering perfectionist learned that the hard way. But it put her on a path to finding her purpose. From moving back home after college, to going into debt in pursuit of an Instagram life, to realizing influence can be used in ways that actually help others, Lissette didn't expect her story to look like this. Which is what makes it so real. And so full of possibilities. |
Jun 15, 2021 |
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Planning For Change With Stephanie Feger
3581
Stephanie Feger had a plan. She would get married, start a family, and work her way up in the corporate PR world. What she would begin to realize is that making a plan is often futile. She may have gotten married but then she and her husband lost their first pregnancy. And even as she achieved the PR success she had always dreamed of she couldn't help but wonder, is this really it? Stephanie is now living a life she never expected, but one she wouldn't replace for any incredible plan she may have set for herself at any point. Because plans change, and so do we. |
Jun 08, 2021 |
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Defying Expectations With Dominique Baker
3394
Dominique Baker is all too aware of the expectations in life. You find a steady career and stick with it no matter what, get married, and have kids. But what if those expectations simply don't work for you? Dominique is proving there is no one way to live a happy and successful life, one social media post at a time. This full-time beauty and lifestyle influencer left a stable career to follow her joy, and she is childfree by choice. A choice not everyone understands, but guess what? They don't have to. Happiness is different for everyone and Dominique isn't afraid to celebrate her own. |
Jun 01, 2021 |
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What It Means To Be Single With Shani Silver
3545
If there's one thing Shani Silver wants you to know it's that single people are valid and completely capable of enjoying infinitely amazing lives. But she hasn't always felt this way. For years this podcaster and humor essayist believed that being single made her incomplete and that her life wouldn't truly start until she found her person. Now, she is still single but her life? Oh, it's happening! Shani knows how difficult it is to not have the relationship status you so desperately want. But she's also committed to changing the negative narratives around not being in a couple, and redefining what it really means to be single. |
May 25, 2021 |
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Creating Your Own Happiness With Jeannette Ceja
3578
Jeannette Ceja knows what it's like to tell yourself that good things will happen for you once you achieve a certain milestone. Like, when I'm married I'll take that trip to Paris. Or, I'll have confidence in myself and what I offer when I finally have that perfect job. But if there's one thing traveling all over the world by herself has taught her, it's that waiting for the perfect scenario isn't helping anyone--especially yourself. This travel journalist and TV host may have expected to be married by now, but she's also pretty happy with the life she's built. And, as Jeannette tells us, it's happiness that truly matters. |
May 18, 2021 |
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Daring To Change With Beate Chelette
3876
Take a look at Beate Chelette’s bio and you can’t help but be impressed. She’s known as the Growth Architect, now helping visionaries and leaders make an impact in their lives and businesses. A #1 International bestselling author she also once sold a business to Bill Gates in a multi-million dollar deal. But while her list of accomplishments is long, not a single one came easily. In this conversation, Beate takes us beyond the bio to share what her journey has really been like, and all the changes she had to make along the way. |
May 11, 2021 |
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Discovering Your Joy With June Suepunpuck
3779
June Suepunpuck is a self-described recovering perfectionist. She spent years trying to please everyone but herself, which led to a very successful but unfulfilling career in the entertainment industry, a relationship that was toxic, and an uncertainty about what she was supposed to do with her life. The result was a whole lot of soul searching and a whole lot of changes. Now she helps others find meaning and purpose in their own lives as a joy guide and energy healer. This isn't what she planned for herself, but it has led to a place of happiness and contentment she didn't know existed. |
May 04, 2021 |
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Calling Your Own Shots With Alanna Rizzo
3388
Alanna Rizzo knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it. From going back to school so she could make a huge career pivot in her late 20s, to ending a marriage that wasn't the right fit, to confidently knowing she doesn't want kids of her own, to finding incredible success in the male-dominated sports broadcasting world, Alanna makes no apologies for always being herself. She is strong and confident. But don't think that means her path has always been easy. Quite the opposite. Easy? No. But worth it? Definitely. |
Apr 27, 2021 |
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Embracing the Unexpected With Elsi Pacheco
3659
Elsi Pacheco has had little in her life go exactly according to plan--and that's okay. It's actually more than okay! The unexpected has helped her build the beautiful life she enjoys today. But there were ups and downs getting here. From having a baby at 16 to leaving the corporate world years later with no concrete plans--just confidence in the belief that something better was out there--Elsi has paved her own way. And she wouldn't change a thing. |
Apr 20, 2021 |
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Finding Your Identity With Ivanka Dekoning
2920
Like so many of us, it took Ivanka Dekoning time to figure out who she truly is and what makes her happy. And once she did, there was no looking back. A true champion of the LGBTQ+ community, Ivanka uses her voice to bring awareness and inclusivity to the fashion and beauty world, while breaking down stereotypes along the way. But getting to this point wasn't always easy. And like every story, hers is far from over. |
Apr 13, 2021 |
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Transforming And Evolving With Jessica Ryan
3342
What does it mean to be happily single? For Jessica Ryan it's about understanding you can be fulfilled and energized on your own while also being fully capable of giving yourself and your love to a healthy and supportive relationship. But she didn't just figure it all out overnight. Jess has worked hard to maintain an incredibly busy and successful professional life while also navigating difficult and emotional challenges that have changed her life. As she sees it, there was Jess 1.0 and now there's Jess 2.0. Who knows what will be next. |
Apr 06, 2021 |
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Learning To Be Confident With Regina Bonds
3232
Regina Bonds thought she knew exactly how her life would go. But when she got pregnant her senior year of high school everything changed. Since welcoming her son, Regina has discovered so much about herself, what she wants and needs in life, and how to have the confidence to go after it. |
Mar 30, 2021 |
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Following Your Calling with Alexis DelChiaro
2710
For as long as Alexis DelChiaro can remember she hasn't just wanted to be a mom--she has known she would be a mom. But even as she found herself in a happy and loving marriage her dream still seemed out of reach. That is to everyone except Alexis. She has experienced infertility, a failed adoption, and countless setbacks, but as Alexis tells Laura, through it all she always believed her calling was to be a mom and trusted it would happen. |
Mar 23, 2021 |
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The Power Of Hope With Regina Sather
3696
Regina Sather thought she had gotten her happily ever after until she found herself widowed at 33 with a young son to raise. She will be the first to tell you her life hasn't gone the way she planned, but through it all she leaned heavily on her faith and her hope to get through. Regina tells Laura she believes she's just now getting started on all of her potential at the age of 48, because it's never too late to find yourself. |
Mar 13, 2021 |
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Finding Your Voice With Wendy Kim
2836
Wendy Kim grew up believing there was a way she was supposed to live her life. But even as she checked off the boxes of getting married and having kids she felt something was missing. That something was an ability to help women and people of color find and use their voices in a meaningful way. In this episode Wendy tells Laura how she followed her passion by finding her own voice. |
Mar 11, 2021 |
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Learning To Pivot, Part Two With Jessica Bloodgood
3636
Jessica Bloodgood never had a set idea for how her life should go, instead she just let her life happen. In the second half of Laura's conversation with her good friend, Jessica talks about the changes she's made in her career from working on a dude ranch to now becoming a non-profit fundraiser. She also shares how she's dealt with difficult changes in her personal life and having to pivot in ways she never imagined. |
Mar 11, 2021 |
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Living & Loving The Single Life, Part One With Jessica Bloodgood
2479
Jessica Bloodgood and Laura met in the first two weeks of college back in 1998 and became fast friends. Neither had much luck with relationships in the years that followed until they both got married within three months of each other... 20 years after they first met. But while Laura spent those 20 years constantly worried about being single and wondering if she'd ever find love, Jessica was busy enjoying her life. How could two such close friends have completely different perspectives? Laura and Jessica talk it out in the first half of their conversation. |
Mar 10, 2021 |
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From Brazil To The US, Following Your Passions With Flavia Lemos
3005
Growing up in Rio de Janeiro, Flavia Lemos thought she'd marry a Brazilian man, have a family and life happily ever after. Then she was rejected by potential love interests 29 times (yes, she counted!) and had to face a difficult reality about her ability to have children. Flavia tells Laura how she stays so positive as she navigates the ups and downs of life, actually. |
Mar 09, 2021 |
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Choosing Single Over Settling With Dr. Karin Anderson Abrell
3624
From breaking off an engagement to finding true love after 40, Dr. Karin Anderson Abrell is proof you never have to force yourself to settle on anything in life. A champion of the single woman and the single experience, Karin talks with Laura about choosing not to get married to the wrong guy and how it led her (eventually) to the right one. |
Mar 09, 2021 |
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Welcome To The Life Actually Podcast!
1360
The Life Actually Podcast is here! In this episode you'll meet your host, Laura Behnke, as she shares parts of her own story while letting you know what's to come in the conversations ahead. |
Mar 09, 2021 |