Short Story Long, Always

20. The Final Countdown | Preparing for the Biggest Adventure Yet

Today's episode is a little bittersweet as Elisa shares the decision to press pause on the podcast a little earlier than planned. Between wedding preparations, running a growing business, stepping into new leadership responsibilities, and preparing for a month-long adventure in Alaska, life has become fuller—and busier—than anticipated. In this honest conversation, she reflects on the importance of honoring your capacity, letting go of guilt, and giving yourself the same grace you so freely extend to others. Elisa also takes listeners behind the scenes of one of the biggest seasons of her life, sharing exciting updates about her upcoming Alaska wedding, a cross-country road trip through Canada and Alaska, and her plans to celebrate her 30th birthday in Banff National Park. What started as wedding planning has evolved into a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and she's opening up about the excitement, overwhelm, and lessons she's learning along the way. This episode is a reminder that life doesn't always unfold according to plan—and that's okay. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is pause, reassess, and make room for what matters most. While the podcast is taking a short break for the summer, Elisa will be soaking in every moment of this next chapter and looks forward to sharing the stories, adventures, and wedding memories when Season 2 returns this fall. Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: Follow Elisa on Instagram @elisaunscripted

19: Camp Elisa Diaries: My Bachelorette Week Recap | I Do Diaries

Pack your bags, grab your snacklebox, and gather around the campfire because it's time for a full Camp Elisa recap. Elisa is taking you behind the scenes of her Parent Trap meets Camp Bach inspired bachelorette weekend—a five-day adventure filled with camp games, matching Meredith Blake outfits, canoe races, heartfelt surprises, handwritten letters, lakeside cabins, bookstore stops, and memories she'll cherish forever. But beyond the themed activities and perfectly planned details, this weekend became a powerful reminder of what it feels like to be deeply seen, celebrated, and loved by the people who matter most. Elisa opens up about receiving love, navigating the emotions of being the bride, and the overwhelming gratitude she felt throughout a weekend thoughtfully designed by her closest friends. From ChatGPT toasts and Camp Games to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore boat tours and her very own Elizabeth James-inspired moment, this episode is packed with laughter, nostalgia, friendship, and a few happy tears. Whether you're planning your own bachelorette party, looking for themed party inspiration, or simply love hearing stories about meaningful friendships and life's milestone moments, this campfire chat is for you. Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: Stay at Hovey's Bear Trap Resort [https://www.hoveysbeartrap.com/] Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Boat Tour [https://picturedrocks.com/] Follow along on the BTS on Instagram @elisaunscripted [https://www.instagram.com/elisaunscripted/]

18: My Hormone Health Journey | How Burnout and Birth Control Opened My Eyes to Women's Health

Today Elisa is diving into the world of women’s health in honor of National Women’s Health Month. From hormone health and menstrual cycles to burnout, birth control, fertility awareness, and the gaps in women’s health research, this conversation blends personal experience with approachable science and education. Elisa shares her own hormone health journey, including coming off birth control, learning to understand her cycle, and discovering how stress, sleep, nutrition, and lifestyle can impact overall wellness. She also explores the recent PCOS to PMOS name change, cycle syncing, hormone testing, and the importance of advocating for yourself in healthcare settings. Whether you’re navigating your own health journey or simply want to better understand your body, this episode offers honest conversation, practical insights, and resources to help you feel more informed and empowered. Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: Instagram Accounts I leaned on: Sarah Grace Meck [https://www.instagram.com/sarahgracemeck/] Berrion Berry [https://www.instagram.com/berrionlberry/] Balanced Beyers [https://www.instagram.com/balancedbeyars/] Cycle With Kylah [https://www.instagram.com/cyclewithkylah/] Dr. Jolene Brighten [https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten/] Podcasts I Mentioned: Did We Just Say That? --Sleep Episode [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/162-what-happens-in-your-brain-after-9pm-why-this-sleep/id1634712886?i=1000762376269] Dr. Brighten Show [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161] Books I Recommend: This is Your Brain on Birth Control [https://www.sarahehill.com/books/your-brain-on-birth-control/] Woman Code [https://www.amazon.com/WomanCode-Perfect-Amplify-Fertility-Supercharge/dp/006213079X] Beyond the Pill [https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Pill-Program-Hormones-Dangerous/dp/0062847058] Brands I Recommend: Rowe Casa Organics [https://www.rowecasaorganics.com/collections/face-care?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22554860623&gbraid=0AAAAABq3Ph5j_uTcnsjFwkDgZD0SQQI7J&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlLDQBhDjARIsAPlIefE56msD5FPeDwFVe-QmHybr8yX78QkEP54KEIeNjH3gAs7aHMZ0_fkaAiC6EALw_wcB] Grove Collaborative [https://www.grove.co/?srsltid=AfmBOor47Waz48BzAa9NL3pLB55G4f6JJLD7NesFFouwFpmhqBluMl89] Primally Pure [https://primallypure.com/collections/blue-tansy?g_acctid=100-956-7096&g_adgroupid=&g_adid=&g_adtype=none&g_campaign=us_google_conversion_retention_pmax_bluetansy&g_campaignid=23556651268&g_device=c&g_keyword=&g_keywordid=&g_network=x&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=23556651268&tw_kwdid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23556674158&gbraid=0AAAAADCGTjzi3eMtAreZm8L-2qEX5-Dx_&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlLDQBhDjARIsAPlIefEZP9xD25DWc877f_kN26tKVqkFkhxlDPU0CUaKJ4Hg237ayqKS_34aAoaDEALw_wcB] Crunchi [https://crunchi.com/?tw_source=google&tw_adid=753282674093&tw_campaign=22580638006&tw_kwdid=kwd-295584279340&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22580638006&gbraid=0AAAAAoogc0YXHPsgVF-a5a1jwmFUQvgqX&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlLDQBhDjARIsAPlIefEhq9kLIosaqi3myhn3cRHWrzc8gIJubUoipMt5v9z-AgxQmb3G58AaAoQmEALw_wcB&als=1] Ilia [https://iliabeauty.com/] Dime Beauty [https://dimebeautyco.com/?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=23022530102&utm_content=778310938016&wm_source=google&wm_medium=ads&wm_ad_id=778310938016&wm_adgroup_id=182358631381&wm_campaign_id=23022530102&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23022530102&gbraid=0AAAAABqAsWd0XYd8Ms-CfM_vIO6XfMjEv&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlLDQBhDjARIsAPlIefG1OU-CdbsX0egoJHqT-RDb6Aefweluvd9_nlPwcKh6AV_51NB0FWwaArJiEALw_wcB]

17: Mental Health Will Never Go Out of Style | Part 2 with My Friend & School Psychologist, Jordan

We’re continuing the conversation on mental health in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month with part two of Elisa’s conversation with her friend and school psychologist, Jordan. Together, they talk about the realities of working on the front lines of student mental health. From navigating burnout and compassion fatigue to responding to crisis situations in schools, Jordan opens up about the emotional weight of supporting students through some of the hardest moments of their lives and the beautiful moments that make it all worth it. They continue on to discuss the importance of protecting your own mental health while caring for others– Flight Attendants always tell us to put on our oxygen mask first. Jordan also shares her personal decision not to have children, the fulfillment she’s found through her career, and the powerful relationships she’s built with students over the years. This episode is a powerful inside look at the work school psychologists do every day while also providing practical mental health advice, warning signs to watch for in kids, ways to support loved ones, and resources for anyone struggling. Whether you’re interested in psychology, education, or simply want a more honest conversation about mental health, this episode is filled with meaningful insight, vulnerability, and encouragement.  Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: If you or someone you love is going through a difficult time and need some extra support, please call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential mental health support. American Psychological Association Psychologist List [https://locator.apa.org/] Check Out The Healthy Minds App [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-minds-program/id1326310617] in the App Store Get “Punished For Dreaming” Book! [https://www.amazon.com/Punished-Dreaming-School-Reform-Children/dp/1250280389] Get “The School Psychologist Survival Guide” here! [https://www.amazon.com/School-Psychologists-Survival-Jossey-Bass-Teacher/dp/1118027779] Connect with @ElisaUnscripted on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/elisaunscripted/]  Follow @ZealCastStudios on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zealcaststudios/] Short Story Long, Always is a ZealCast Studios Podcast: ZealCast Studios is a podcast management agency for passion-driven female creatives ready to amplify their messaging and leverage their brand through podcasting. If you are ready to step into your calling as a podcaster or are wanting to take your show to the next level, I invite you to reach out to ZealCast Studios for podcasting support. You can get started by going to www.zealcaststudios.com/get-started [http://www.zealcaststudios.com/get-started].

16: You’re Never Alone, Like Ever ft. my friend & School Psychologist, Jordan

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re opening up the conversation of mental health and diving into one of the mental health professions that may not be as widely talked about. Today on the podcast, Elisa sits down with one of her closest friends, Jordan, for an honest look into the world of school psychology, student mental health, and the realities of supporting others through difficult seasons of life.  Jordan shares what it’s really like working as a school psychologist in a large urban high school, supporting students through everything from anxiety, panic attacks, and friendship struggles to crisis intervention and mental health advocacy. Together, Elisa and Jordan unpack the misconceptions surrounding school psychology, the stigma around therapy and mental health, and why accessible support systems for teens matter now more than ever. The conversation also dives into Jordan’s personal story and how she discovered her passion for helping teens feel seen, heard, and supported. Along the way, they discuss compassion fatigue, burnout, imposter syndrome, grad school, and the importance of caring for your own mental health before you reach a breaking point. Whether you’re a parent, educator, student, or someone navigating your own mental wellness journey, this episode is full of honest perspective, encouragement, and reminders that you never have to go through hard things alone. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: If you or someone you love is going through a difficult time and need some extra support, please call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential mental health support. American Psychological Association Psychologist List [https://locator.apa.org/] Connect with @ElisaUnscripted on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/elisaunscripted/]  Follow @ZealCastStudios on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zealcaststudios/] Short Story Long, Always is a ZealCast Studios Podcast: ZealCast Studios is a podcast management agency for passion-driven female creatives ready to amplify their messaging and leverage their brand through podcasting. If you are ready to step into your calling as a podcaster or are wanting to take your show to the next level, I invite you to reach out to ZealCast Studios for podcasting support. You can get started by going to www.zealcaststudios.com/get-started [http://www.zealcaststudios.com/get-started].