Sharing The Middle

Big Feelings & Shame Origins: Part 2 - No Shame in Our Game

This one got big in the best way. We started with Lacey's shame story about being called "too dramatic" as a kid — and somewhere along the way, we landed on silk robes, talk show beds, and the power of living your life out loud. Turns out, when you're told your feelings are too much, you learn to shrink. And when you shrink long enough, you start to believe the universe doesn't want big things for you. Spoiler: it does. Sara and Lacey dig into how childhood shame becomes the box we live in as adults — until we realize we get to rewrite the rules. They talk about the difference between shame that protects and shame that diminishes, why "of course it's me" is a perfectly reasonable thought to have, and how chronic illness might just become a feature instead of a bug. It's messy and hopeful and honestly, a little bit of a breakthrough in real time. If you've ever felt too much, too loud, or too whatever — this one's for you. Listen in and see what happens when you stop asking permission to take up space.

Big Feelings & Shame Origins: Part 1 - No Shame in Our Game

We're starting something new on No Shame in Our Game. Sara turns the mic around and Lacey becomes the guest, and we're kicking off with the word Lacey uses to beat herself up that she hasn't done nearly as much work on as the other one: dramatic. Big feelings, where they come from, what it costs to spend years making yourself smaller so other people are more comfortable. We went two episodes on this one because it kept going somewhere real. Part two is next week. Timestamps 1. 00:00 — Welcome + introducing the new format 2. 01:00 — Sara sets the stage: where "no shame" started and why it matters 3. 03:30 — Guilt vs. shame: what Brené Brown got right (probably) 4. 06:00 — Lacey's topic: dramatic, big feelings, and the word she hasn't worked through yet 5. 09:30 — Where it started: being the biggest feeler in a house that didn't have room for it 6. 13:00 — Reality TV as a safe space to watch big feelings from the outside 7. 15:30 — "I self-edit so much I don't even know what that would look like" 8. 17:00 — The Joe story: "I am afraid of your big feelings" 9. 18:30 — What would it feel like to just... not edit? 10. 20:00 — The Midwest lane: you can be happy, but not too happy 11. 21:30 — Saying out loud that you're smart, pretty, and likable — and the qualifying that follows MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Brené Brown's work on shame vs. guilt — brenebrown.com [http://brenebrown.com] Miss Rachel's "Big Feelings" song [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/juPW1au87Ck] — because apparently it's doing real work in Lacey's house K-Pop Demon Hunters / Golden [https://youtu.be/yebNIHKAC4A?si=-NiTlDnWzPlXihCs] — Lacey's K-Pop moment that actually made a point TELL US What's a word someone used to describe you growing up that you're still working to shake? We'd love to hear it. Submit a Joy Moment or Submit a Question with us at pracitcalhug.com/submit [pracitcalhug.com/submit ].

Messy Midlife: Chronic Illness, Baby Sleep, and Radical Flexibility

In this mini check‑in, I’m sharing a very real slice of my midlife: RSV running through our house, living with ME/CFS, and parenting a baby who does not believe in sleep. Instead of pretending everything is fine and polished, I’m talking honestly about what it looks like to keep showing up for Sharing the Middle when planning conversations with guests feels nearly impossible. I walk you through a new “hybrid” approach I’m trying for scheduling guest interviews that builds in radical flexibility for both me and my guests, and I reflect on how chronic illness and this particular season of parenting are reshaping my expectations around sleep, routines, and consistency. This is an episode about letting things be different than they were before, honoring my actual capacity, and staying messy out loud so you feel less alone in your own middle. TIMESTAMPS 1. 00:00 – Welcome to Sharing the Middle + RSV and an exhausting week 2. 01:00 – Why planning guest conversations feels almost impossible right now 3. 02:00 – The new hybrid “flex window” I’m trying for scheduling recordings 4. 03:00 – Letting guests cancel first and making room for my own flakiness 5. 04:00 – Sleep chaos, chronic illness, and how this baby season is different 6. 05:00 – Allowing this chapter to look different and noticing the good in it 7. 06:00 – Being messy out loud + updates on other JSM shows and submissions If you’re in your own messy middle and you’re willing to share it, I would love to hear from you. You can submit a story, a Joy Moment, or a question for No Shame in Our Game at joyfulsupportmovement.com/submit [http://joyfulsupportmovement.com/submit]. You’ll be able to choose which show you’re submitting for, and then we can figure out the details together.

A Joyful Chaotic Colorful Christmas with my Dad

I sat down with my dad to talk about where my love of Christmas decorations actually comes from. I learned so much, and also realized lots of ways my attitude toward Christmas decor can help me with my other messy middles We traced it back to his childhood in Cincinnati, going downtown to see the massive Christmas window displays. Then to the era of cutting down trees so big they had to be shoved through doorways with a running start. And eventually to our family's current setup featuring a 16-foot tree, 27 strands of lights, and so many handmade and gifted ornaments to tell much of our family story. This conversation gave me something I didn't expect. It's not about perfection or magazine-worthy aesthetics. It's about embracing what my dad calls "grandiose chaos" - the kind of Christmas that's overflowing, colorful, chaotic, and full of genuine joy. We cover the logistics of transporting a freshly-cut tree in a 1964 Ford Galaxy convertible, why bubble lights are non-negotiable, how my dad became the MacGyver of Christmas repairs, and why every ornament on our tree tells a story. From wedding favors to Coca-Cola memorabilia to the things my mom made. Whether you're the type of person who loves an all-white-lights Christmas tree or a tacky decor lover, I hope you see some of your own traditions in this episode. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Real Talk Conversations Guide [https://joyfulsupportmovement.com/pages/realtalk] - A framework I created for having intentional conversations with people in your life to document stories and make connections. If you want to have a conversation like this with someone you love, this guide walks you through how to do it. Enjoying these conversations? Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. And if you have a minute, leave a rating and review - it helps others find the show. Keep the conversation going: Join the Joyful Support Village [https://village.joyfulsupportmovement.com] (it's free) More from me: * All JSM Podcasts [https://joyful-support-movement.captivate.fm] * Website [https://joyfulsupportmovement.com] * Newsletter: The Practical Hug [https://joyfulsupportmovement.substack.com] Let's connect: Instagram: @laceyshares | TikTok: @laceyshares Want to share your story on Sharing the Middle? Fill out the form at joyfulsupportmovement.com/submit [http://joyfulsupportmovement.com/submit] Questions about the show or working with me? Email: hello@joyfulsupportmovement.com [hello@joyfulsupportmovement.com]

Three Years in the Messy Middle: A Chronic Illness Anniversary

Three years ago this Halloween, my life changed forever. What started as unexplained fatigue became an ME/CFS diagnosis that reshaped everything—my career, my body, my future. But then came the plot twist I never saw coming: an IUD pregnancy that actually improved my symptoms. In this deeply personal anniversary episode, I'm sharing the full story—from the Halloween 2022 moment I realized something was seriously wrong, to the shocking positive pregnancy test, the missing IUD mystery during my C-section, and how I figured out what probably happened (spoiler: menstrual cups and IUDs don't always play well together). This episode is for anyone navigating chronic illness, making impossible decisions about their future, or wondering if the universe might know better than they do. It's about grief and building simultaneously, trusting your path when you can't trust your body, and finding gifts in the places you least expect them. IN THIS EPISODE: * The Halloween 2022 turning point that marked my "before and after" * What ME/CFS actually means (and why "chronic fatigue" doesn't capture it) * How I learned to pace my energy and listen to my body after a lifetime of ignoring it * The IUD decision that was supposed to be "responsible" * July 2024's 0.1% surprise: a positive pregnancy test * The scary lack of research on pregnancy with ME/CFS (and the 1/3 statistic I clung to) * How pregnancy actually improved my symptoms instead of making them worse * Taking the European vacation we'd canceled due to illness * The C-section discovery: my IUD was completely missing * The menstrual cup revelation and important PSA * Life six months postpartum with baby Violet * How chronic illness shaped JSM and made me a better parent * What I'd tell anyone in year one of their diagnosis IMPORTANT TIMESTAMPS: * [00:00:00] Introduction and overnight curls * [00:03:00] Halloween 2022 - The moment with my mom on the couch * [00:05:00] Getting the ME/CFS diagnosis * [00:07:00] Learning to pace and listen to my body * [00:08:00] Building Joyful Support Movement during this time * [00:09:00] The IUD decision and family planning * [00:09:30] July 2024 - The positive pregnancy test * [00:10:00] Researching ME/CFS and pregnancy * [00:11:00] Plot twist - Feeling better during pregnancy * [00:12:00] The European vacation redemption * [00:13:00] The missing IUD during C-section * [00:14:00] PSA about menstrual cups and IUDs * [00:15:00] Six months postpartum update * [00:16:00] Gratitude and perspective * [00:18:00] Invitation to share your story RESOURCES MENTIONED: Learn More About ME/CFS: * ME Action Network [http://meaction.net] * Bateman Horne Center [http://batemanhornecenter.org] Connect & Share: * Join the Joyful Support Village [http://joyfulsupportmovement.com] * Share your messy middle story [http://joyfulsupportmovement.com/submit] * Instagram: @joyfulsupportmovement * Watch on YouTube [http://youtube.com/sharingthemiddle] Products Mentioned: * Shower chair on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3JLXmh8] * "I Have to Go Lay Down Now" sweatshirt [https://joyfulsupportmovement.com/products/lay-down-unisex-organic-sweatshirt?variant=50332396192017] Mentioned in this episode: Cubtail Cubtale [https://sharingthemiddle.com/cubtale]