Some objects carry more than just weight, they carry history. They hold memories, emotions, and the echoes of past versions of ourselves.

Tonight, I pulled out a blanket. A thick, high-quality throw that has been with me for fifteen years. But I didn’t buy it. I didn’t inherit it. I picked it out on my first day at a women’s shelter, when I had nothing but the weight of my own heartbreak.

At the time, I felt guilty for taking something nice like I didn’t deserve warmth or comfort. But that blanket stayed with me. Through the hardest moments. Through rebuilding my life. Through Shakespeare classes and sociology degrees and late-night revelations about Hamlet and the art of avoiding pain.

Fifteen years later, I’m at a New Ivy League school. And that blanket is still here. A reminder that I chose to be. That I was never meant to simply suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, but to oppose them. To fight, to grow, to take what I needed to build something better.

This episode is about that journey, the things we carry with us, the things that carry us, and the moments where we realize we are no longer who we were.

Credits:

Music by Fil Biggs | Goal Getter

Find him here:

Instagram: @thelifehand

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Website: thelifehand.com

Thank you, Fil!

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If you’re in a place where you feel like you don’t deserve warmth, comfort, or peace, take the blanket. You deserve it.

Not all sanctuaries have walls. Some exist in the hush of midnight, in the weightless drift of water, in the space between the stars and the earth. This is the story of a Midwest farm, a dark pond, and a moment of stillness that felt like sanctuary. A summer night where the world disappeared, and for the first time in too long, I felt free.

What’s Inside This Episode:

Rebuilding a life after divorce and trauma

The heartbreak of separation from my children

Finding unexpected friendship in a quiet, rural place

A night swim that became something sacred

The therapeutic power of stillness, silence, and surrender

Have you ever found peace in an unexpected place? Let’s talk. DM me or share your story.

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In this episode, I share the serendipitous story of how life brought me back to two incredible people, Reema and Ramneesh, and their restaurant, Amaya Indian Cuisine.

Years ago, in Carbondale, Illinois, I found comfort and connection at their first restaurant, Reema’s. Their warmth, kindness, and unforgettable food made a difficult time in my life a little easier. But one day, they disappeared… no explanation, no goodbye.

Fast forward to now: After moving back to Rochester, New York, I discovered they were here too. Out of all the places in the world, our lives aligned once again. In this episode, I talk about the power of connection, the beauty of their friendship, and how their new restaurant has become an even bigger part of my life.

Listen in for a story about how the universe works in mysterious ways, how chai and samosas can feel like love, and the bonds that endure across time and distance.

Mentioned in this episode:

The origins of Reema’s in Carbondale, Illinois

The move back to Rochester and a surprising Facebook comment

Amaya Indian Cuisine: a restaurant filled with love, warmth, and incredible food

The cherished back booth, chai, and samosas that make every visit unforgettable

How Reema and Ramneesh have become family and embraced not just me, but my daughter

Tune in to reflect on the magic of alignment and the people who remind us what it means to belong.

Sometimes, the right person enters your life at exactly the right moment, and for me, that person was Ann.

In this episode, I share the story of how Ann and I met as medical secretaries, both navigating devastating circumstances and rebuilding our lives. From morning coffee chats on a rusty backyard table to Jeep rides blasting Mr. Jones on winding Midwestern back roads, Anne’s friendship brought laughter, freedom, and light into some of the darkest times of my life.

Ann wasn’t just a friend, she became family. She showed me what unconditional love and acceptance look like. Together, we shared Indian food, unforgettable adventures, and moments that reminded me how to truly live again, even when life felt overwhelming.

Join me as I reflect on the beauty of friendship, connection, and the way a single person can change everything.

Mentioned in this episode:

How Ann and I met and became neighbors

Our carefree adventures, blasting Mr. Jones and Kelly Clarkson

Indian food at Reema’s: the life-changing malai kofta

The power of friendship to carry us through life’s hardest moments

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In this brief episode of Don’t Call Me, I dive into one of the most profound moments from my childhood—an encounter in a grocery store that taught me the power of compassion and how our actions, even as kids, can leave a lasting impact.

I also reflect on how life has a way of bringing us full circle, from my experience with pancreatic cancer to a similar teaching moment with my youngest son. These moments remind us of the humanity in others and the importance of seeing beyond the surface.

Join me as I explore the hard lessons, the grace in growth, and the threads that connect us all.

Description:

In this episode, we explore how the stories we tell ourselves shape our lives—and what happens when we step outside of them. From a near-drowning at age five to a life-altering car accident decades later, two pivotal moments reveal the power of leaving behind what separates us. Featuring reflections on Shakespeare’s “Life is a tale told by an idiot” and the unexpected symbolism of shoes, this episode examines how true connection is born when we abandon the narratives we cling to and dive into life’s chaos.

Listen as we uncover what it really means to be present, vulnerable, and free.

In this episode, I take you back to a pivotal moment from my childhood—a near-drowning experience that shaped my understanding of stillness, connection, and instinct.

As chaos unfolded above the surface, I found myself in a state of profound calm beneath the waves. Floating between two worlds, I witnessed everything—the commotion, my father running toward me, kicking off his shoes as he dove into the water, and my small body gently moving with the currents.

This isn’t a story about trauma—it’s about clarity. It’s about the moments when stillness becomes our greatest strength and when love, stripped of barriers, moves instinctively toward action.

Join me as I reflect on what this experience taught me about grounding, the bonds we share, and the power we hold—even in our most vulnerable moments.

🎧 Listen now to explore the stillness beneath life’s noise.

In this deeply personal episode of Don’t Call Me, I share a life-changing moment that forced me to reassess my life, my relationships, and what I truly deserve. It’s a story about survival, connection, and the kind of clarity that only comes through adversity.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

• The ordinary drive home from work that turned into a life-altering accident.

• How my friend Hannah’s instinctive love and selflessness—running barefoot through shattered glass to reach me—showed me what true connection looks like.

• The cosmic connection with the other driver, who, like me, was battling cancer, and how it reminded me of life’s shared struggles.

• A reflection on relationships: from my then-husband’s detached response, to my ex-father-in-law’s proximity, and what those moments taught me about who shows up for us.

• The realization that I will always fight for connection, no matter how broken or battered I feel—and how that moment crystallized who I am at my core.

• My new mindset: If it doesn’t bring peace, joy, or fulfillment, I’m leaving it behind.

• A call to action for all of us to keep working on ourselves, so we can show up as the healthiest, most amplified versions of who we are—and take better care of each other.

Why You Should Listen

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt trapped in circumstances or relationships that don’t serve them. It’s for those who need a reminder that transformation often comes through the hardest moments. And it’s for anyone seeking inspiration to live a more vibrant, authentic life.

Key Takeaways:

• Life’s most unexpected moments can bring clarity about what we truly deserve.

• Connection and selflessness can come from the most surprising places.

• Working on ourselves is the foundation for healthier relationships with others.

If this episode resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your reflections on Instagram, tag me, or drop a comment. Let’s keep the conversation going.

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