Steve in Minnesota

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 not one but two Sunday afternoons to this tough topic!)Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose My Instagram: @spaceandpurposeShare your story: [email protected] me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

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: @spaceandpurposeShare your story: [email protected] 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, suicidal ideationSustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose My Instagram: @spaceandpurposeShare your story: [email protected] me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

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 ideationSustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose My Instagram: @spaceandpurposeShare your story: [email protected] me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

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 podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose My Instagram: @spaceandpurposeShare your story: [email protected] me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

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 ViolenceSustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose My Instagram: @spaceandpurposeShare your story: [email protected] me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

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! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose My Instagram: @spaceandpurposeShare your story: [email protected] me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

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: @spaceandpurposeShare your story: [email protected] 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 this relationship.Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose My Instagram: @spaceandpurposeShare your story: [email protected] me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

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, I'm proud of her and honored to be any part of it.  CW: Child molestation, parental abuse, spiritual abuseSustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose My Instagram: @spaceandpurposeShare your story: [email protected] me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!