Parenting through grief, career vs. motherhood, and raising confident kids - with the Abbys

This episode was sponsored by ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, Kindred Bravely, Omaha Steaks, and Hiya Health. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Explore coverage at https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/UNPLANNED Kindred Bravely: Get 20% off your first order at https://KindredBravely.com/UNPLANNED with promo code UNPLANNED Omaha Steaks: Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code UNPLANNED at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order of Hiya's best selling children's vitamin at https://hiyahealth.com/UNPLANNED this deal is not available on their regular website. Maddie Henderson and Matt Scharff join us for a fun, honest conversation about their whirlwind love story—from meeting online to moving in fast and now preparing for their first baby. Matt opens up about his adoption from Russia, we answer your audience questions, and wrap it all up with a chaotic round of Who’s More Likely. 💛 Maddies IG: @maddiehen.scharff Matt's IG: @mattscharff Follow The Unplanned Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/unplanned__podcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@unplanned_podcast Listen to the pod on Spotify / Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ToDA4ufQuWuEgMq07zN6t https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unplanned-podcast/id1669604504 Follow Matt & Abby: Abby's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/abbyelizabethoward/ Matt's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/_matt_howard_/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_and_abby Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/mattandabb YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@MattandAbby Chapters: 01:01 - Love Story 10:27 - Archives of TikTok 15:51 - Leaving Utah 20:17 - Divorce in the LDS church  23:05 - Future planning  25:24 - Good Good  36:45 - Baby girl! 46:30 - Adopted from Russia  01:05:53 - Questions from audience  01:22:07 - Who's More Likely? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt and Abby sit down with entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author Dean Graziosi and his wife Lisa to talk about family, ambition, and building a life with intention. Dean shares how the pain of divorce became a turning point that pushed him toward deeper personal growth, while he and Lisa open up about blending families, waiting a year before introducing their relationship to his kids, and the values shaping their homeschooling journey. They also talk about work-life integration vs. balance, and how tools like AI can help create more time for what matters most at home. Chapters: 00:00 - Dean & Lisa 01:04 - Finding balance 03:42 - Love story 09:27 - Our age gap 11:35 - The balance of business and family 16:39 - Moms and Al 20:45 - Context for Al 25:21 - Divorce 28:43 - Crafting a vision 40:20 - Keeping the family bond 46:18 - Work/life integration 57:46 - How rich is Dean Graziosi 01:03:34 - How do most millionaire's make their money? 01:04:11 - What are the 3 C's? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TRIGGER WARNING This episode contains detailed discussions/depictions of sexual assault and rape involving minors. We understand this material is deeply disturbing and can be triggering for survivors. Please prioritize your well-being. This episode is sponsored by Shopify, Ladder, and Cash App. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://shopify.com/unplanned Ladder: If you have an iPhone, go to https://ladder.fit/unplanned to take a quick quiz and get a free 7-day trial with no credit card required, plus $10 off your first month if you join. Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/kssum24w #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Cash App Green, overdraft coverage, borrow, cash back offers and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. In today’s episode, we’re joined by Elizabeth Smart — and her story is one of both unimaginable hardship and incredible hope. After being kidnapped at 14 and held captive for nine months, Elizabeth has gone on to build a beautiful life — as a wife, a mother, and a powerful advocate for survivors. We talk about what healing has looked like for her, how she learned to move forward after trauma, and what it’s been like to find love and create a family of her own. We also dive into what fuels her advocacy, the impact she hopes to make, and her perspective on forgiveness. Elizabeth's IG: Elizabeth_Smart_Official https://www.elizabethsmartfoundation.org/ If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, support is available and healing is possible. You can reach the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or connect online at rainn.org. Or call 911. Reporting can save a life. Follow The Unplanned Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/unplanned__podcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@unplanned_podcast Listen to the pod on Spotify / Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ToDA4ufQuWuEgMq07zN6t https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unplanned-podcast/id1669604504 Follow Matt & Abby: Abby's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/abbyelizabethoward/ Matt's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/_matt_howard_/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_and_abby Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/mattandabb YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@MattandAbby Chapters: 00:36 - Choosing to share my story 04:51 - The night of the kidnapping 09:20 - what kept me going 12:17 - changing mentality around victims 20:06 - How to talk to your kids 26:31 - Accusing my family 28:22 - Victims and the justice system 37:53 - Forgiveness 40:28 - Finding out my captor was released 45:35 - Why I didn't run 51:51 - Trauma responses 55:02 - What the documentary left out 59:06 - Counting the days 01:02:02 - Concern of pregnancy 01:04:01 - Telling my story to my children 01:09:41 - Intimacy after sexual trauma 01:16:53 - Clinging to my childhood 01:20:57 - Supporting survivors through my foundation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by Square, Wayfair, and Upwork. Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/unplanned ! #squarepod Wayfair: Find furniture, decor, and essentials that fit your unique style and budget at https://wayfair.com. Upwork: Visit https://upwork.com to post your job for free and connect with top talent ready to help your business grow. In this Agree to Disagree: Pregnancy Edition, the sisters-in-law are BACK! Abby, Abigail, and Addy dive into pregnancy symptoms, hormones, cravings, breastfeeding, birth plans, and everything no one prepares you for — sharing honest takes, personal experiences, and unfiltered opinions. Abigail's IG: @abigailghoward Addy's IG: @addybiswell Follow The Unplanned Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/unplanned__podcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@unplanned_podcast Listen to the pod on Spotify / Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ToDA4ufQuWuEgMq07zN6t https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unplanned-podcast/id1669604504 Follow Matt & Abby: Abby's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/abbyelizabethoward/ Matt's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/_matt_howard_/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_and_abby Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/mattandabb YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@MattandAbby Chapters: 06;14 - If men had to give birth, humanity would end 08;41 - Pregnancy brain is just an excuse 10;58 - I have cried over food while pregnant 13;01 - Ad break Square 14;20 - Babies know when you're about to get freaky 15;05 - The first trimester is the hardest 17;19 - Working out during pregnancy makes things easier 17;55 - Pregnancy is harder mentally than physically 20;06 - No one prepares you for how hard postpartum is 24;12 - Ad break Upwork 25;25 - Screentime is necessary for surviving the third trimester 27;01 - You should find out the gender as soon as possible 34;30 - Announcing pregnancy early is a mistake 37;38 - Gender reveals should be cancelled 38;38 - Breastfeeding is way harder than people admit 43;19 - Ad break Wayfair 44;46 - It's okay to still be breastfeeding a 4 year old 46;45 - Mom guilt never goes away 48;25 - Moms deserve a push present every time 50;38 - Toddlers can sense weakness and will absolutely exploit it 53;06 - I have hidden in the bathroom to get a moment of peace 56;00 - Gentle parenting doesn't work 58;44 - Every parent compares their kids to other kids 1;00;13 - Having kids makes marriage harder 1;01;43 - Pregnancy hormones have started arguments 1;04;09 - It's normal for your spouse to feel like a roomate 1;05;57 - During the baby years, your relationship is 2nd 1;07;28 - Checking your partner's location is totally normal 1;07;58 - Apologizing first doesn't always mean you're wrong 1;09;13 - Marriage advice from single friends isn't helpful 1;10;54 - Romance has to be scheduled after kids 1;12;55 - Protecting your marriage means setting boundaries with family 1;13;19 - Being a parent makes you more anxious 1;14;45 - you don't understand your partner until they're a parent 1;14;56 - I sometimes feel like the default parent 1;15;49 - You do become your own mother 1;16;45 - Traveling with kids isn't worth the chaos 1;17;22 - Using cloth diapers won't save the environment 1;18;34 - I wear the pants in my household 1;20;11 - I know the code to my husband's phone 1;20;26 - Having kids made me lose a part of myself 1;23;41 - I miss my pre-pregnancy body 1;24;52 - Sex feels different after birth 1;25;10 - I am the fun parent #unplannedpodcast #mattandabby Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's episode is sponsored by Shopify, Pocket Pivot, Little Spoon, and Upwork. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://shopify.com/unplanned Pocket Pivot: Text UNPLANNED to 64000 to get a free pocket pivot and 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of any size Copper Head hose; message and data rates may apply, see terms for details. Little Spoon: Go to https://littlespoon.com/unplanned30 and enter code UNPLANNED30 for 30% off your first order of real, nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for kids at every stage. Upwork: Visit https://upwork.com to post your job for free and connect with top talent ready to help your business grow. In this episode Matt and Abby get honest about what this rainbow baby pregnancy has actually felt like: the joy, the grief, and the complicated space where both live at the same time. They open up about the fear leading up to that 17-week appointment and what it has meant to finally let themselves feel hopeful again. Follow The Unplanned Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/unplanned__podcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@unplanned_podcast Listen to the pod on Spotify/ Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ToDA4ufQuWuEgMq07zN6t https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unplanned-podcast/id1669604504 Follow Matt & Abby: Abby's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/abbyelizabethoward/ Matt's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/_matt_howard_/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_and_abby Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/mattandabb YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@MattandAbbyHoward #unplannedpodcast #mattandabby Chapters: 00:47 - Why we waited to share 05:15 - Finding out we're pregnant 15:28 - Bleeding scare and coping 22:50 - Ad Break 26:31 - Finding out the gender 29:07 - Telling our family 38:36 - Reaching the 17 week mark 45:35 - Gender reveal party 49:11 - Ad Break 52:02 - Pelvic Rest 59:52 - Telling our boys 01:02:09 - Feeling the baby kick 01:09:21 - Talking about baby #4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt and Abby open up about what it feels like to raise boys in a moment where conversations around masculinity feel louder and more polarized than ever. They unpack the difference between healthy and unhealthy masculinity, how criticism aimed at grown men can be internalized by young boys, and the role social media plays in amplifying extremes. They also share their biggest hopes as parents — raising sons with strength, humility, emotional awareness, and a sense of purpose in a rapidly changing world. This episode is sponsored by Zoc Doc, Better Help, Kindred Bravely, Olipop, and Flamingo. Zoc Doc: Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/UNPLANNED to find and instantly book a doctor you love today. Better Help:Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp/unplannedpodcast Kindred Bravely: Get 20% off your first order at https://KindredBravely.com/UNPLANNED with promo code UNPLANNED. Exclusions apply. OLIPOP: Get a free can of OLIPOP when you buy any 2 cans in store—just visit https://drinkolipop.com/unplanned Flamingo: Our listeners get the Flamingo Starter Set for just $7 at https://www.shopflamingo.com/unplanned Chapters: 00:00 - Modern Masculinity 01:53 - Living in a man hating culture viral clip 08:05 - How did we get here 10:08 - Redefining masculinity 17:36 - Not all men 18:42 - Raising good men 25:50 - Teaching our boys emotional regulation 29:46 - Boys vs. Girls 38:41 - Consequences 41:06 - Service in healthy masculinity 45:10 - Why young men are afraid of emotions 50:44 - Pay disparity in the home 01:00:17 - Normalizing therapy 01:03:47 - Social Media and the gender wars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

George and Whitney Kamel join Matt & Abby for an honest conversation about money, marriage, and what financial freedom actually looks like behind the scenes. Known from The Ramsey Show and Smart Money Happy Hour, George shares how he and Whitney followed the Dave Ramsey Baby Steps to pay off all their debt, eliminate their $165,000 mortgage in just 26 months, and reach millionaire status by age 32. They talk cutting up credit cards, renting vs. buying, why so many Americans feel stuck financially, and the real sacrifices required to become debt-free. We also answer listener questions about budgeting on one income, saving while paying off debt, and buying your first home, before putting George and Whitney to the test in a fun round of Agree to Disagree: Financial Edition. This episode is sponsored by Upwork, Little Spoon, Square, and Olipop. UPWORK: Visit https://Upwork.com right now and post your job for free. LITTLE SPOON: Give them meals + snacks that are actually right for where kids are developmentally—balanced, intentional and made to support real growth. Go to https://littlespoon.com/UNPLANNED30 and enter code UNPLANNED30 for 30% off your first order. SQUARE: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/unplanned! #squarepod Chapters: 00:00 - George Kamel 02:17 - How we met 06:13 - Working for Dave Ramsey 07:42 - We got our wedding paid for 11:15 - Ramsey Solutions Baby Steps 22:08 - Getting out of debt 36:07 - Buying a house w/out a credit score 39:16 - Credit Cards 45:54 - Talking to our kids about finances 50:00 - How frugal are you really? 58:38 - Viewer questions 1:12:48 - Agree to Disagree Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As they approach the due date of the daughter they lost last September, Matt and Abby open up about how this season has truly felt, how they’re coping with grief in everyday life, and what healing looks like while life keeps moving forward. If you or someone you know has experienced pregnancy loss and needs support, these are the resources we mentioned in the episode: The Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Centre: https://PILSC.org Postpartum Support International: https://postpartum.net This episode is sponsored by Huel and Square. Huel: Limited Time Offer – Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code UNPLANNED15 at https://huel.com/unplanned15 New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show! Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/unplanned! #squarepod Chapters: 00:00 - Matt & Abby 02:16 - Life Update 18:09 - Wuthering Heights 29:12 - Our daughter's due date Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt’s parents are BACK and we made a questionable decision: play 'Never Have I Ever' together. We cover sexting, stalking an ex, reading each other’s private diaries, parenting fails, marriage boundaries, and the generational differences we did NOT see coming. This episode is sponsored by Little Spoon, UpWork, Olipop, Zocdoc & Nutrafol. Little Spoon: Give them meals + snacks that are actually right for where kids are developmentally—balanced, intentional and made to support real growth. Go to littlespoon.com/UNPLANNED30 and enter code UNPLANNED30 for 30% off your first order. UpWork: Visit https://Upwork.com right now and post your job for free Olipop: Buy any 2 cans of Olipop in store, and we'll pay you back for one Works on any flavor, any retailer https://drinkolipop.com/UNPLANNED Zocdoc: Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/UNPLANNED to find and instantly book a doctor you love today. Nutrafol: For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you visit https://Nutrafol.com and enter promo code UNPLANNEDPOD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Brock and Boston Mikesell join Matt & Abby for an honest conversation about growing up viral, getting married young, and navigating life as twin brothers in the public eye. Brock shares what it was like marrying his high school sweetheart Kesley after a short engagement and how marriage shifts the twin dynamic. We also play a hilariously Mormon coded game of Agree to Disagree. This episode is sponsored by Better Help, Shopify, and Cash App. BetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/unplannedpodcast #ad Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/unplanned. Little Spoon: Give them meals + snacks that are actually right for where kids are developmentally—balanced, intentional and made to support real growth. Go to littlespoon.com/UNPLANNED30 and enter code UNPLANNED30 for 30% off your first order. Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/kssum24w #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Chapters: 00:00 - Brock Boston & Kesley 05:30 - Mormon Missions 14:33 - What do people get wrong about Mormons? 18:34 - Mormon 101 25:35 - Kesley and Brock meet cute 28:22 - Growing up on Youtube 34:30 - Young marriage 39:09 - Our unplanned moment 51:57 - Surviving a plane crash changed our lives 1:00:50 - Buying a house at 17 1:03:02 - Boston's Mission 1:15:46 - Agree to Disagree Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices