Solo Trips With My Kids: The Best Parenting Decision I Ever Made

Solo Trips With My Kids: The Best Parenting Decision I Ever Made

A couple years ago, after my separation, I decided to stop filling Christmas with more stuff and start giving my kids experiences instead. Since then, I’ve taken each of my three kids on a yearly one-on-one adventure—usually a quick 36-hour trip built around something they love. This week on the podcast, I’m sharing stories from my latest adventure with my son Calvin: a whirlwind weekend in Chicago for Bruno Mars at Soldier Field that included Korean food, terrifying pedicab rides, sushi push pops, a near-death-feeling experience at the Hancock building, and some surprisingly meaningful conversations. But this episode is really about something bigger: How intentional one-on-one time can completely change your relationship with your kids. We talk about: * Why I shifted from buying more Christmas presents to gifting experiences * The unexpected magic of short solo trips with your kids * Why the misadventures become the memories * Watching your kids grow into their own people * Rebuilding meaningful family traditions after divorce * Why uninterrupted time together matters more than elaborate vacations And if solo travel with your kids feels financially or logistically impossible right now, I promise this episode is not about expensive trips. Sometimes the most meaningful adventures are the smallest ones. As always, thanks for being here. And if this episode resonates with you, I’d love if you shared it with another parent who might need the reminder that connection doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow me: @adventureiseverywhere.pod [https://www.instagram.com/adventureiseverywhere.pod/]

National Parks, Midlife Adventure, and 29029 with Jeanette Davey

What happens when someone who once thought “roughing it” meant a hotel without room service becomes the kind of person who casually hikes rim-to-rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon and signs up for open-water swim relays across the Catalina Channel? In this episode, I sit down with my friend Jeanette Davey — endurance athlete, national park lover, 29029 [https://29029everesting.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooDsfN176Oyg0rWAVQB8l5-Xi7k0PC6N24sM_w4KmWWWuBEPDDp] red hat finisher, and one of the most adventurous women I know. We talk about how adventure doesn’t have to start with some massive life overhaul. Sometimes it starts with saying yes to one thing that scares you a little. Jeanette shares: * How she went from figure skating judge to endurance athlete * Why she accidentally started triathlon with a half Ironman * What 29029 taught her about mindset, resilience, and community * Our Grand Canyon rim-to-river adventure together * Her favorite U.S. national parks [https://www.nps.gov/] (including a few underrated ones) * Why the people you surround yourself with matter so much * Her advice for anyone who wants to feel more adventurous in midlife We also talk about endurance sports, hiking, national parks, aging, friendship, and why the best adventures are often the ones you almost talked yourself out of. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not adventurous,” this episode is for you. Follow Jeanette: @ramvanvanna [https://www.instagram.com/ramvanvanna/] Follow along with the podcast: @adventureiseverywhere.pod [https://www.instagram.com/adventureiseverywhere.pod/]

Motherhood is the Greatest Adventure I've Ever Had

This week, with Mother’s Day around the corner, I wanted to talk about something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately: motherhood as adventure. Not because it’s always magical or picture-perfect…but because it constantly asks us to evolve. In this episode, I’m sharing why the teen years have surprisingly become my favorite phase of motherhood, the strange and beautiful transition from being constantly needed to slowly learning to let go, and the moments that have made me realize my kids are becoming fully formed humans right in front of me. We talk about: * why I was terrified of the teen years (and why I ended up loving them) * teaching my oldest to drive as an anxious mom * the bittersweet reality of raising increasingly independent kids * the tiny personality traits that showed up early and never really changed * how my kids have shaped me as much as I’ve shaped them * why motherhood feels both heartbreaking and hopeful at the exact same time * learning to trust your kids enough to let them make their own mistakes Whether you’re in the toddler trenches, navigating the teen years, or somewhere in between, I hope this episode reminds you that it’s okay for motherhood to feel joyful, exhausting, beautiful, scary, and meaningful all at once. Because maybe that’s the whole adventure. Follow along on Instagram: @adventureiseverywhere.pod [https://www.instagram.com/adventureiseverywhere.pod/]

Why It’s So Hard to Make Friends as an Adult (And What Changed for Me)

This week’s episode was supposed to be all about my trip to Richmond for my daughter’s soccer showcase. But somewhere between the tornado sirens, the missed waterfall hike, and the chaos of real life, the episode turned into something very different. I’m talking about social anxiety, divorce, vulnerability, and the uncomfortable reality that if we want more connection in adulthood, we usually have to be willing to put ourselves out there first. For years, I told myself it was just hard to make friends in your 40s — especially after divorce, with older kids, and a busy life. And while there’s truth to that, I’m also realizing that I spent a long time standing on the sidelines waiting for connection to magically happen without taking many social risks myself. In this episode, I share: * Why social media and visibility feel so uncomfortable for me * How anxiety and self-doubt shaped the way I showed up in relationships * The surprising connections and opportunities that came from starting the podcast * Conversations about divorce, grief, loneliness, and adventure that never would have happened if I hadn’t gone first * Why I think vulnerability is the gateway to deeper friendship, community, and a fuller life I also talk about: * 29029 and the adventure community * Why microadventures have become such an important part of my life * Getting invited to hike the Grand Canyon after putting myself out there online * Brené Brown’s thoughts on vulnerability and connection If you’ve ever felt lonely, socially awkward, “too much,” or afraid to be seen… this one’s for you. Follow along on Instagram: @adventureiseverywhere.pod [https://www.instagram.com/adventureiseverywhere.pod/] And if this episode resonated with you, I’d love if you shared it with a friend or left a review. It really helps more people find the show.

Why Moms Feel Guilty When They Finally Have Free Time

You say you don’t have time. But what happens when you actually get some? This weekend, a stretch of bad weather canceled games across St. Louis—and a group of us moms suddenly found ourselves with something rare: hours of unexpected free time. And instead of feeling relaxed…we felt weird. Restless. Uncomfortable. Unsure what to do with it. In this episode, I’m unpacking that moment—and what it reveals about how we’ve been conditioned to think about time, productivity, and rest. Because maybe it’s not just that we don’t have time. Maybe it’s that we’ve forgotten how to use it in a way that actually feels good. We’ll talk about: * Why free time can feel uncomfortable (even when you desperately need it) * The hidden pressure to always be productive * What we’re actually craving when we say “I don’t have time” * And how small, out-of-the-ordinary moments can help you feel more present in your own life No big life overhaul required. Just a different way of looking at the time you already have. If you’ve ever finally had a break…only to spend it catching up, cleaning, or wondering what you should be doing—this one’s for you. If this episode hit home, share it with a friend who’s been saying “I just need more time”…and follow along for more ways to bring a little more joy and novelty into your everyday life. Connect with me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/adventureiseverywhere.pod/]!