This week we’re joined by our friends Susie and Alyson who recently started their own podcast - Meno Moms After the Pause! Join us for this honest (and fun!) conversation about menopause, perimenopause, and everything in between. We talk about how hormones can impact mood, grief, and even how we handle life’s biggest challenges. Plus, what they’ve learned about parenting, identity, faith and gender role deconstruction, and giving yourself grace through it all.    Find Susie & Alyson's podcast Meno Mom's After the Pause on Instagram here. Listen to their podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!  

This week we're continuing our tradition of having a gratitude episode leading up to Thanksgiving.   We talk about finding gratitude through life's seasons and how it can anchor us through change, uncertainty, and growth.   We share a few personal reflections, questions to reflect on, and thoughts on noticing beauty in the middle of it all.    Feeling grateful for this space and for all of you that tune in! 

In this powerful episode, Joel Haddock shares his journey from addiction and incarceration to finding purpose and healing through The Other Side Academy—a residential program that helps people rebuild their lives through accountability, hard work, and community. Joel opens up about choosing a new path, the lessons he’s learned, and his mission to help others do the same.    Visit https://www.theothersideacademy.com to learn more about the program and how to support its residents, including the annual Angel Tree at Christmas.    You can also connect with Joel on Instagram at @joel.haddock.94.  

We’re re-releasing one of our most loved and listened-to episodes! In this heartfelt conversation, we sit down with one of Lindsay’s closest lifelong friends, Tamara Jacobs, as she shares her LDS faith transition journey—what led to it, how she’s reframed her values and spirituality, and how she’s navigated parenting and identity through such a major shift. Her honesty and insight offer comfort, clarity, and connection to anyone experiencing change or seeking to understand it.   Thank you again to Tamara for this impactful and meaningful conversation.   Find Tamara on Instagram @tammykae84, where she shares glimpses of her life, books, and creative inspiration.

Poet Hannah Rosenberg joins us to talk about finding beauty in everyday life through poetry and turning a personal passion into meaningful work. Through her upcoming debut book, Same, she captures love, friendship, marriage, and motherhood with honesty and grace—and even reads a few of her beautiful poems about the changing seasons of life. Listen to this heartfelt conversation about creativity, connection, and the magic found in ordinary moments.    Find Hannah at hannahrosenbergpoetry.com and on Instagram at @hannahrowrites (https://www.instagram.com/hannahrowrites).

Therapist Shannon Ricks shares about her journey through chronic illness, perfectionism, and faith transition—and how learning to listen to her body instead of fighting it became the foundation for healing. Drawing from her personal story and clinical experience in eating disorder recovery, Shannon shares insights on body neutrality, intuitive eating, and self-compassion. She also explores how beauty standards and perfectionism affect society, and how we can help the next generation develop a healthier relationship with food, body image, and self-worth.     This was such an interesting, insightful, and fun conversation, and we’re so grateful Shannon joined us on the podcast.    You can find her and her clinic, Modern Eve Therapy, on Instagram at @modern.eve.inc and @shannonricks. 

In this episode, Alyson Paul Deussen shares her remarkable journey through life’s transitions—embracing motherhood, becoming the parent of a newly out gay son, navigating shifts in faith, facing the heartbreaking loss of her son Stockton to suicide, and transforming grief into powerful advocacy. With over 30 years in nonprofit leadership, Alyson has worked with Mama Dragons, Affirmation, Love Loud, and the Utah LGBTQ Suicide Prevention Workgroup, while also sharing her family’s story in media outlets like Al Jazeera, CNN’s Great Big Story, and HBO’s Sundance documentary Believer. Today, she and her husband George continue to honor Stockton’s legacy through grief education, humanitarian service, and suicide prevention efforts that inspire hope and healing.   We're so grateful for Alyson's vulnerability and wisdom, and for sharing her story with us.    Learn more about Stockton's story and the Stockton Powers Memorial Scholarship at standingforstocktom.com. 

In this episode, we sit down with Erin Proctor, the voice behind @toddler.frat.house, who went from sharing the raw, funny truths of motherhood to surviving a Covid-induced stroke that changed the course of her life. Erin opens up about her subarachnoid hemorrhage, the challenges of living with a traumatic brain injury, and the hidden struggles of recovery while raising four kids. She also shares how her experience led her to advocacy work with the American Heart and Stroke Association, and how she continues to find purpose and joy through educating others, navigating motherhood, and celebrating her husband’s recent cancer recovery. Thank you, Erin, for sharing your story with us!    Find Erin on Instagram: @toddler.frat.house Learn more, get involved, and know the signs of a stroke with the American Heart and Stroke Association: www.stroke.org.

Welcome to Season Four! We’re starting off by sharing about our guest appreciation dinner this past weekend and what a wonderful night it was, chatting about finding beauty in life even during difficult times, and a few thoughts on the podcast and what’s ahead. Whether you’re new or have been here before, we’re so glad you’re here. We have so many great guest stories coming soon, and we can’t wait to share them with you!

In this powerful episode, Ashlee Boyson shares her journey through unimaginable loss after the infidelity and murder of her husband in 2011. Just months after welcoming her fifth child, Ashlee faced trauma that reshaped her life—and eventually led her to healing, advocacy, and helping others. She has shared her story on Dateline, Dr. Phil, True Crime Daily, and more, and continues her work through her blog The Moments We Stand, her books, and online courses. Ashlee’s story is one of resilience, hope, and finding light after darkness.   Find Ashlee at themomentswestand.com and on Instagram @themomentswestand.

In this moving and eye-opening conversation, Jorge Nunez shares how poetry became the lifeline that helped him escape gang life in L.A., endure prison and deportation, and ultimately build a new life as a father, teacher, and poet. From writing his first poem in a juvenile probation camp to teaching in the same prison where he once served time, Jorge’s story offers a powerful glimpse into resilience, transformation, and the healing power of words.   This interview has stood out to us as one of the most unique, eye-opening stories we’ve had the privilege to hear — offering a glimpse into a world so different from our own. We’re deeply grateful for Jorge’s openness, his inspiring journey, and the friendship we’ve developed along the way. Thank you again, Jorge!   Find Jorge on Instagram @sr.jnunez

In this re-released episode, Molly Bice Jackson—author of The Commodity of Connection, keynote speaker, actress, and child loss survivor—shares how grief, creativity, and connection have shaped her story. With warmth, humor, and honesty, Molly talks about growing through life’s hardest moments and how meaningful connection continues to guide her work and life. We loved this conversation and know it will leave you reflecting on the power of connection and the essential role it plays in all of our lives.   Find Molly on Instagram @smallyspice   Molly's book The Commodity of Connection was released earlier this year and can be found on Amazon here. 

In August 2022, our friend and neighbor Dan Wadsworth sustained a life-changing spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down. In this inspiring conversation, Dan and his wife Michelle reflect on the journey they’ve been on since—navigating uncertainty, finding strength in each other, and learning to adapt to a new reality. Their story is one of courage, deep love, and discovering what you’re truly made of. We're so grateful they joined us to share their story.    Connect with Michelle on Instagram @michellehwadsworth or Facebook at Michelle Heaton Wadsworth.

As part of our summer series resharing some of our most popular episodes from Season 2, we’re bringing back this conversation with our dear friend Susie Augenstein. We thought it was the perfect episode to re-air this June, as Susie is a fierce and thoughtful advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals here in Utah.   In this heartfelt and wise conversation, Susie opens up about navigating major life transitions like the empty nest phase, and how she’s found peace through life’s storms. She also shares her evolving faith journey as a lifelong, devoted member of the LDS Church and former bishop’s wife. Susie’s honesty, warmth, and insight make this episode one that stays with you. We’re so grateful she joined us on Beautiful Shifts.   Find Susie on Facebook here. 

Today we’re wrapping up Season 3 highlighting favorite moments and themes from the second half of the season. We share plans for the podcast over the summer and look ahead to what’s coming in Season 4. We also talk about The Next Day by Melinda Gates—a book we both recently read—and how her insights on navigating life transitions connect with the stories shared on our show.   A huge thank you to all our amazing guests this season! We’re so grateful for your honesty, vulnerability, and the meaningful conversations we got to share with you.   And to our listeners—thank you for your continued support. We’re incredibly grateful for each of you and that you keep showing up to find beauty with us in these open, connecting conversations.   This summer, we’ll be re-releasing some of our top-listened episodes from Season 2, and we’ll be back with new interviews in late August. See you then!

In this episode, Nate Meikle—husband, father of four, author, leadership professor at the University of Kansas, Stanford Law graduate, former sideline reporter, and host of the Meikles and Dimes podcast—shares the story behind a series of unexpected decisions that shaped his life and career. From walking away from traditional job paths to pursuing a PhD in his mid-30s, Nate reflects on what it’s taken to follow his own intuition instead of conventional advice.   We talk about the risks and rewards of stepping off the expected track, how he decides when to listen to outside expectations (and when to ignore them), and what he’s learned along the way. It’s an honest look at what it means to carve out your own direction in a world full of well-meaning advice. We’re grateful to Nate for joining us and sharing such an enjoyable and insightful conversation.   Find Nate and his podcast Meikles & Dimes online at www.natemeikle.com and on Instagram @nate_meikle. Find Nate’s 250 favorite children’s book list (that we discuss in the episode) here.

When Aimee lost her husband in a tragic car accident just three days after their wedding, it marked the beginning of a life-altering transformation—one shaped not only by grief, but by a traumatic brain injury that changed how she experienced the world. Years later, while serving in a high-level leadership role in the LDS Church, Aimee made the life-altering decision to step away from her faith, leave her marriage, and confront the realities of infidelity and identity. In this deeply honest and hope-filled conversation, Aimee—a trauma-informed therapist and Certified Sex Therapist—shares her story of unraveling, rebuilding, and choosing to become more fully herself. With raw vulnerability, Aimee invites us into her story of loss, transformation, and the healing that comes from choosing to live authentically.   Find Aimee on Instagram @therapyaimee. Find Aimee’s therapy practice Worth It Counseling and Coaching at worth-it.com and on Instagram @worthitcounselingcoaching

In this episode, we sit down with Samantha to talk about how journaling became a powerful tool during her divorce and life as a single mom. She shares how writing helped her navigate difficult emotions and transitions, and how she now helps women tap into this same healing process through journaling. Samantha explains her approach and how it helps women reconnect with their inner voice, and how it can be a tool for healing.    We really enjoyed chatting with Samantha—she’s open and insightful and it was compelling to hear how journaling can help us work through emotions and be a valuable tool for self care. Whether you’re curious about journaling or already love it, this episode has some great takeaways.   Samantha is an Inner Voice and Self-Trust Coach and a mom. Find her website samantha-says.com. Find her on Instagram @samantha.s.says. Download her free Calm Mind Blueprint we discuss in the episode here. And find her podcast Journal Entries here. 

Andrea, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and Medical Director at LEVO, brings over 16 years of experience in mental health and addiction treatment. In this episode, she shares how her own journey with anxiety led her to a career in psychiatry, and how personal experiences with ADHD and anxiety in her family have shaped her compassionate, holistic approach. Andrea explains the importance of seeing the whole person—biologically, psychologically, and socially—in order to create understanding and healing.   We also dive into the stigma that still surrounds mental health and how we can work to dismantle it. Andrea offers simple, practical tips anyone can start to support their mental well-being. Whether you're navigating your own journey or supporting someone else, you'll walk away from this conversation with insight and hope.   Find Andrea on Instagram @help.just.one where she shares valuable mental health tips and insights, and her clinic Levo Mind, specializing in mental health, medication management, and mind care tools online at levomind.com and on Instagram @levomind.

In this heartfelt and candid conversation, Kellie Adams shares her journey through addiction and transformation to sobriety. From beginning to drink at a very young age to becoming completely dependent on alcohol, Kellie opens up about the turning point that led her to get sober in 2014—and how that decision changed everything. Her story is raw, relatable, and filled with both honesty and humor.   Much like her memoir Shit I Do Sober, this episode explores the real-life complexities of recovery—the struggles, the beauty, and the growth along the way. Kellie’s reflections on healing, identity, and embracing life without alcohol remind us that reclaiming your story is a radical act of self-love and strength.   We loved getting to know Kellie and are so grateful she came on the podcast to share her story and valuable perspective.    Find Kellie and her book on Instagram @shitidosoberbook where she posts helpful and fun videos and thoughts about sobriety, and find Shit I Do Sober on Amazon here.