Beautiful Shifts

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 in...

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...

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 r...

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, psyc...

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 Sob...

How can we stay grounded, compassionate, and open when navigating conversations around politics, religion, or other high-stakes topics? In this episode, we’re joined again by Brandie Paterakis—licensed therapist and founder of Blue Bee Counseling—for a conversation about how to have meaningful, and sometimes messy, discussions with friends, loved ones, and even our children and spouses. We talk about how she approaches interpersona...

Becki Andrus shares the deeply personal story of how she came to the decision to end her marriage—despite doing everything “right.” With honesty and grace, she talks about what it was like to stay for years in a relationship that began strong but transitioned to one that looked great from the outside but left her feeling stuck, unseen, and spiritually conflicted on the inside.

In this conversation, Becki opens up about breaking f...

Kecia Cox is a mother of seven, including three incredible children with Down syndrome. In this heartfelt conversation, she shares her journey into special needs parenting, the unexpected paths that led to adoption, and the unique joys and challenges of raising twins. Kecia opens up about the mindset shifts she’s embraced along the way and the lessons she’s learned about inclusion, community, and love.

Her perspective on raising ...

Dr. Nancy Saltzman’s life is a testament to resilience, love, and the power of embracing joy despite unimaginable loss. A lifelong educator and award-winning principal, Nancy faced profound tragedy when she lost her husband and two sons in a small plane crash—after already battling cancer. In this heartfelt conversation, she shares her journey of survival, healing, and finding beauty on the other side of life’s hardest moments, as ...

Raised in a small-town LDS community, Ashley moved away in 2008 and thought her faith transition was behind her, until opening her therapy practice in 2022 led her to an unexpected specialization: religious trauma, particularly within Mormonism. In this episode, Ashley shares her personal journey growing up in an inactive LDS family, leaving the church, and ultimately returning to Utah as a therapist now helping others navigating f...

In this episode, Andrea shares about the profound loss of her young husband to brain cancer in 2002 and how it reshaped her life. As a new mother navigating grief, she found herself on an unexpected path—one that led to a deep passion for functional nutrition and using food as medicine. What began as a personal search for healing became a calling to help others, changing the course of her career and life. 

Now a Functional Medici...

Parenting neurodivergent kids can come with unique challenges and opportunities for growth. In this episode, we sit down with Cheryl Cardall, a passionate mental health advocate, educator, and host of the Fight Like a Mother podcast. As a mother of five, Cheryl understands the complexities of raising children with extra challenges and neurodiversity such as ADHD and anxiety. After experiencing a lack of support and resources for fa...

In this continuation of Vickie Walker's story, she shares how her journey took another transformative turn when her children came out as LGBTQ+. Her oldest son, Jeremy, was the first to come out, followed by her son AJ - who survived the Trolley Square mass shooting - and later, her daughter, Alex. Having been deeply rooted in her LDS faith, these experiences led Vickie through a faith transition.

In this episode, Vickie opens up...

In this episode, we sit down with Vickie Walker, founder and executive director of Circles of Comfort, to hear her deeply personal story of loss, trauma, and healing. Vickie's life changed forever on February 12, 2007, when her husband, Jeff Walker, was killed in the Trolley Square mass shooting, and her 16-year-old son, AJ, was critically injured. Vickie shares her journey through grief, the impact of trauma, and how she found hea...

This Valentine's week, we're talking about love and belonging. We share about our visit to The Other Side Academy, the rehab program that changed the life of our past guest, Dylan Gibson. The love and community we saw there were powerful reminders of what true belonging looks like. We also reflect on Brene Brown's insights and the importance of extending love and belonging to those around us. Hope this episode leaves you feeling in...

In the second half of this powerful two-part series, we pick up where Dylan's story takes a pivotal turn. After years of addiction, crime, and incarceration, Dylan faced a life sentence - until he made a decision that changed everything. Encouraged by the unwavering belief of his grandmother, he took a leap of faith and joined The Other Side Academy. Through accountability and the support of a community that refused to give up on h...

Dylan Gibson's life spiraled from a childhood marked by trauma leading to years of drug addiction, crime, incarceration, and despair. In this first episode of a two-part series, we follow his journey from a turbulent upbringing and struggles with heroin dependency to rock bottom - when an unexpected act of love from a stranger and the unwavering belief of a family member spark hope. This pivotal moment leads him to The Other Side A...

In this episode, our guest Lindsay Staples (one of Lindsay's closest friends!) shares her experiences moving and living in various parts of the country, being an elementary school teacher in Harlem, New York, and the lessons she learned along the way, including how these experiences shaped her approach to life. From navigating major life transitions like becoming a mom to working in crisis prevention for mental health, Lindsay offe...

Today we talk with Ellen Young about her journey through several major transitions. From going through cancer as a young teenager and living with a resulting disability to studying women's studies in college, to navigating cultural and personal shifts including marrying young, going through a divorce, and leaving the LDS church, Ellen shares how these experiences shaped her life and how she came to a place of acceptance a growth. E...