This Was Supposed to be Easy Podcast

We’ve all had those moments, the quick errand that turns into a three-hour adventure, the “simple” task that somehow spirals into a full-day project, or the thing we swore would take five minutes… and absolutely did not.

In this episode, Amy and Cheryl go back to the heart of their podcast title and unpack the reality behind it: life rarely goes as e...

In this episode of This Was Supposed to Be Easy, Amy and Cheryl are joined by special guest Ranee Conley for a heartfelt and thought-provoking book club-style conversation about The Midnight Library authored by Matt Haig. What begins as a casual discussion quickly unfolds into a deeper exploration of life’s choices, regrets, wishes, purpose, and the stories we tell ourselves about “what coul...

In this episode of This Was Supposed to Be Easy, Amy and Cheryl dive into a thoughtful and relatable conversation about books, reading, and the way stories shape connection. What starts as a simple reflection on shared reading habits unfolds into something deeper, how books become bridges between people, spark meaningful conversations, and open doors to new perspectives.

Whe...

In this episode, Cheryl and Amy welcome guest Casey Sterle for a conversation that feels both deeply personal and incredibly relatable - parenting, but through the lens of joy.

Casey begins by sharing her story as both a longtime educator and a mother of four, offering a perspective shaped by decades of working with children and raising them across many stages of life. From ...

What happens when a fiction book opens the door to a very real conversation about time, memory, connection, and the lives we’re living right now?

In this episode, Amy and Cheryl start by talking about The Seven Year Slip and quickly find themselves reflecting on something much bigger: how strangely time can feel, especially in the years since the pandemic. They explore how easily we lose track of where our time actually goes,...

When was the last time you truly paused to celebrate something you did?

Not brushed past it. Not minimized it. Not immediately moved on to the next thing—but actually let it land.

In this episode, Cheryl and Amy explore something that felt surprisingly hard to answer in real time: why we struggle to celebrate our own accomplishments. Throug...

In this episode, Amy turns the microphone toward Cheryl to reflect on her most recent study abroad trip to Reggio Emilia, Italy—a place known around the world for its innovative approach to early childhood education. But this conversation goes far beyond travel stories. Instead, Amy invites Cheryl to unpack what it really means to design and lead a meaningful travel experience for others.

Sometimes the hardest part of friendship isn’t love or intention, it’s simply finding the time.

In this week’s episode, Amy and Cheryl reflect on a recent gathering with their long-time book club friends. What started as a simple plan to reconnect turned into a deeper conversation about how difficult it can be to get everyone together as life becomes busier...

Saying “no” sounds simple in theory, but in real life, it can be anything but easy.

In this episode, Amy and Cheryl explore what happens when we set a boundary and the other person doesn’t listen. Why do some people treat “no” like it’s negotiable? When does persistence cross the line into pressure? And how do we stay grounded in our bound...

What happens when you want to say yes… but your body, your calendar, and your capacity are quietly begging for no?

In this episode, we explore the complicated practice of saying “no” — especially when the invitation is meaningful, the people matter, and part of us truly wants to say yes.

What happens when our desire and ...

Episode 50 feels a little like a birthday, not brand new, not frantic, but grounded in everything we’ve lived and learned along the way. In this milestone episode of This Was Supposed to Be Easy, Amy and Cheryl pause to reflect on what 50 conversations have taught them about connection, joy, growth, confidence, listening, and honoring the seasons of our lives.

What sta...

In a world that feels loud with bad news, Cheryl and Amy slow down to talk about something both tender and surprisingly practical: hope. Inspired by a conversation between Mayim Bialik and Simon Sinek on optimism vs. pessimism, they explore what hope really is (and what it isn’t). Together, they name how easy it is to spiral into helplessness—and how hope can be a mindset plus action, not de...

Leadership is often talked about as a natural next step, something you should want, something that comes with clarity, confidence, and readiness. But what if that story no longer fits?

In this episode, Amy and Cheryl unpack why so many capable, thoughtful people are hesitant to step into leadership roles right now. Through honest reflection, real-world examples, and a post-C...

This episode starts with what feels like a small win—and quickly reveals why it’s anything but small. Cheryl shares the surprisingly profound experience of clearing off her desk for the first time in a long while, and how that physical shift immediately changed how her brain felt. Amy picks up the thread by introducing a personal change project she’s beginning as part of her doctoral p...