Currently single and looking for some perspective, motivation to hold out for the best, OR wondering how to support a friend who is?  Maybe you have a son/daughter who is navigating dating and relationships for the first time.  I hope this conversation provides some helpful insight! When it comes to the unique experience of being an Elder [Christian] Millenial in the current dating world, I called on a couple of seasoned pros: my friends Karen and Serenity. (Shoutout to them for dedicating...

It's been a minute.  Let's talk about launching this podcast, attempting to write a book and getting a diabolical reality check, pregnancy, my birth experience, and my not-so-secret vision for where this could all lead.  Happy end of 2023! ...Whew. Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose My Instagram: @spaceandpurpose Share your story: [email protected] Want me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

Alexis was very young, had a daughter, and met a dream man who stepped right in and was wonderful with her.  It was as if he knew exactly how to be the father her daughter needed. The biggest thing that stands out in Alexis' story for me is her ability to forgive her ex for the hell he inflicted on her, her daughter, and the son they had together... and her heart to speak to anyone else struggling to protect themselves and leave a dangerous situation. CW: Domestic violence, death,...

In order for Sawyer to see the truth for what it was and disentangle herself,  something had to painfully fall apart.  She also had to give the right people permission to speak the truth into her life and accept it. Another favorite quote: "I had this fear of being alone, and it kept me in this relationship where I was already alone." CW: Suicidal ideation Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose My Instagram: @spaceandpurpose Share your story:...

Sawyer had just moved away from home and immediately made two close friends who formed a tight little triangle of sorts. Sawyer's experience with both Madison and Ryan is important because it can be hard to recognize dysfunction or toxicity when it's all you know, you're lacking strong community around you to speak the truth, and you love the people who are perpetuating the cycle.  Like Sawyer says, "It's possible to experience good things with people who are not good for you." Sustain the...

Lucy and her daughter were fully integrated in Lou and his daughters' lives for quite a while. Family, vacations... and eventually this led to a custom engagement ring designed by Lucy herself. Unfortunately, Lucy found out later she wasn't the only woman to be offered that ring. HER ring.  She wasn't even one of two.   CW: Infertility, Domestic Violence Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose My Instagram: @spaceandpurpose Share your story:...

Steve was young and had just started a study abroad program in Argentina when he was approached by a gorgeous, bold Argentinian woman.  She was funny, older, successful, and changed his life so quickly that he proposed in just 4 weeks. Not long after getting married, he found himself waiting for a cab driver to help him make his escape before his wife could return home- because he'd booked a one-way ticket back to the States.  Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee!...

Sage's ex-fiance continues to push all of our patience even further before she fully disentangles herself - and her cat - and we get to dive into her 5-year healing journey.   Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose My Instagram: @spaceandpurpose Share your story: [email protected] Want me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

Imagine finding out your fiance has committed a heinous crime against his own mother over the last few years... yet you were told just 5 days before he was due to show up in court. (When he had known this day was coming for months.)  Then you are expected (by both him and his community) to fully support him every step of the way.  Sage had already endured years of belittling and mistreatment by this time, but this turn of events would thankfully be what freed her from feeling trapped in...

The abuse is threefold: Emma's mom, the man her mom chose to marry, and the pastor that was a mandated reporter yet failed to take action on her behalf.  Emma is now going back and doing the work for "little Emma," filing the reports, confronting her abusers, and taking the stand that little Emma never got from the adults around her.   She's also telling her story in hopes of being a voice for others like her who need the courage to do the same for themselves... and as her real-life friend,...

Stephanie's experience with her ex-boyfriend is long and frustrating, but when you've been conditioned to make yourself small to make room for someone else for so long, it can simply feel like second nature.   She's come an incredibly long way when it comes to realizing she deserves to take up space, speak up for herself, be happy, and know when to ask for and receive help and I'm thankful for her willingness to hold nothing back in telling her story. CW: Domestic violence, sexual assault,...

Lena connected with Daniel in very personal ways and he treated her like she was rocking his world.  When his behavior oddly shifted, she took note but didn't have enough evidence to prove herself right... until she had a dream that drove her to investigate further and uncover more than she ever suspected.   Sometimes we have to walk something out fully in order to fully decide that our intuition is right... and something IS very wrong. CW: Abortion  Sustain the podcast with a cup of...

I had a one-in-a-million encounter while in Mexico this week that couldn't NOT be told. Instead of missing this week's episode due to a crazy schedule, we're sitting down for another session of "Storytime with Sara" - and if you notice anything funky with the music or audio, it's because I threw this together myself without the usual help of a professional and finally gave up.  It was either get this episode out today or wait until next week, and waiting just wasn't an option! Sustain...

As we know, toxic people don't just show up in romantic relationships... family members can wreak havoc and cause deep stress in our lives, too. Mia recounts growing up with her stepsister, Hilary, and how years of patterns of behavior led to her making the scary decision to cut her out of her life.  It meant drawing boundaries that other family members wouldn't understand or support, but she stood up for herself and finally drew a line. She recounts insight and support she's gleaned...

Six months later, Elle is still dating the guy she met the night before we recorded her episode... and the healthy dynamics are rocking her traumatized world. We talk about the upsides AND struggles of accepting something healthy and healing after multiple dysfunctional relationships, and where Elle is now.  This was a very exciting and fulfilling episode to record!  May it infuse hope to whoever needs it, whether your healing comes in the form of a new relationship or not. Sustain the...

Warner was everything Elle had been looking for:  Admired as a Godly man, a position of leadership in church ministry, well-admired, athletic, and passionate.   She developed a huge crush on him after working with him in ministry, and very soon she found herself with her dream wedding booked and fast approaching. She was in so deep that she brushed off subtle jokes at her expense, inconsistencies in his character, and the intrusive, hurtful questions from his family.  It was her first time...

Kerri's boyfriend finally pushes her to her limits, and everything clicks.   She's done, she gets out, and for a while, she's never felt so free.   She sets out to make up for lost time until a few months later when the reality of her experience crashes in on her and she is diagnosed with CPTSD. Resources mentioned: OneLove #ThatsNotLove Commercial OneLove Website No More's "Text Talk" Commercial Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose My Instagram:...

When Kerri met Scott, it felt like the pieces were falling together.  They were the ideal Instagram couple, and within a month Kerri was ready to marry him.   No one had ever made her feel the way he did. Within months, Kerri's life looked nothing like it used to. She was isolated from important friendships, walking on eggshells, and living in fear of someone she thought she loved who controlled every aspect of her life. CW: Domestic violence, suicidal ideation My Instagram:...

Solo episode time!  After a nightmare circus of a broken engagement, what were the green flags that told me marrying my now husband was the right choice?  What gave me peace and reassured me that this would be different and I could trust myself again? I make myself laugh, I make myself cry... it's a one-way conversation about the comparison game of dating that hopefully you'll relate to in some ways.   May this reach and reassure whoever needs to hear it! If you enjoyed this kind of episode...

Anna makes the discoveries that would finally give her the strength to move on, then we dive into building her new life and navigating the dating world from a very new set of eyes. Need some hope for a future relationship?  We both share about how much we enjoy our current marriages, and Anna talks about how different her husband's approach was from the very start compared to her ex.   My Instagram: @spaceandpurpose Email Your Story: [email protected]

Anna was young, given a full academic scholarship for college, had wonderful relationships with her friends, teachers, and family, and rocked the 2000's-era Christian purity ring with full commitment.   It wasn't until she was exploring life on her own in a different state with a new job that a mysterious stranger walked into her work, became obsessed with her, and hooked her in.   Six years later, after multiple attempts to reclaim her life, she finally made discoveries that scared her...

Nicole locked eyes with a stranger, and everyone else in the room disappeared.  It felt like she'd always imagined it would. At first, his charm and charisma were enough to hide the warning signs that this man was hiding a past... one that she would dig up 3 years later. CW: Sexual assault, abuse, suicidal ideation. Resources Mentioned (Plus Extras): - Dr. Ramani, YouTube - Dr. Ramani's Podcast: Navigating Narcissism  - Sam Vaknin, YouTube  - Trauma, Drama, and Life Podcast   - Mental...

Mandi had been married for over 10 years, and her son was 3 years old before she realized she was in an abusive situation and it was time to make her move.  After leaving, things got ugly, and one day, she came home to find a business card in her front door. It said "Robbery Unit", and the phone number was answered by an FBI agent... who was looking for her ex-husband in relation to multiple bank robberies. Years later, she is now an author, advocate, and speaker, and is coaching women and...

Imagine knowing before your wedding that something isn't right, so you try to call it off... but find yourself cornered and feeling stuck into going through with it. This was Kate's situation, and if you've ever experienced anything similar, you will relate to the immense pressure that comes with weddings.  Kate was swept up (along with her family) and eventually made the decision she'd known she should have made all along... something much of her community still doesn't quite understand to...