"I Am Shocked I'm Not Dead or in Prison" | Drinking, Drugs & the Reckless Decisions That Somehow Didn't Ruin Our Lives

"I Am Shocked I'm Not Dead or in Prison" | Drinking, Drugs & the Reckless Decisions That Somehow Didn't Ruin Our Lives

In this episode, we're taking a walk down memory lane and sharing some of our wildest (and occasionally questionable) experiences with drugs, alcohol, college parties, and growing up. From first cigarettes and first drinks to college partying, bad decisions, near misses, and the lessons we learned along the way, this is one of our most honest conversations yet. We talk about our very different experiences with alcohol and marijuana, including Ryann's college party days, sorority life, smoking weed for the first time, and some moments that could have gone very differently if luck—and a few good people—hadn't stepped in. We also share stories about peer pressure, drinking culture, making risky decisions, and how growing older has completely changed our perspective on what fun looks like. Julie opens up about some of her first experiences with drinking, including situations where friends helped protect her when she was too intoxicated to make safe decisions for herself. Together, we discuss the importance of looking out for each other, trusting your instincts, and knowing when it's time to leave a situation that doesn't feel right. We also talk about our experiences trying marijuana, edible horror stories, paranoia, why cannabis affects people so differently, and the surprising realization that neither of us are particularly interested in partying anymore. These days, we'd rather spend time camping, hiking, traveling, or relaxing with friends than recovering from a hangover. Most importantly, this episode isn't about glorifying drugs or alcohol. It's about sharing real-life experiences, talking honestly about mistakes, and discussing the lessons we'd want our own kids to take away someday. If you've ever looked back on your younger years and wondered how you survived them, you'll probably relate to this conversation. *Content Note: This episode contains discussions about alcohol use, marijuana use, underage drinking, college party culture, intoxication, addiction, drinking and driving, and situations involving sexual vulnerability. Listener discretion is advised. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thestoriesweleaveyou/] to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions! Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC [https://juliebeckllc.com/]

"You Don't Need to Take Up Less Space to Be Loved" | Body Image, Diet Culture & Breaking the Cycle for Our Kids

In this episode, we're diving into one of the most complicated relationships many of us have: our relationship with our bodies. From childhood insecurities and family influences to diet culture, weight loss, body image, and learning to treat ourselves with a little more kindness, we're sharing the stories and experiences that shaped how we see ourselves today. We talk about growing up in the 80s and 90s, watching the adults around us constantly diet, criticize their bodies, and chase the latest weight-loss trend. We discuss how comments from parents, grandparents, friends, and even classmates can stick with us for decades, influencing how we think about our bodies long after childhood ends. Along the way, we share our own experiences with body image struggles, dieting, emotional eating, weight fluctuations, exercise, and the pressure to look a certain way. We talk about everything from Weight Watchers, Atkins, Paleo, Keto, and GLP-1 medications to the realization that health isn't one-size-fits-all. What works for one person may not work for another, and sometimes the most important thing is learning to listen to your own body instead of chasing someone else's definition of success. We also open up about topics that are often difficult to discuss, including eating disorders, body dysphoria, mental health, self-esteem, and the impact of social media and peer pressure. Most importantly, we talk about how we're trying to break those cycles for our own kids by teaching them that bodies come in all shapes and sizes, that food isn't something to fear, and that a person's worth has nothing to do with a number on a scale. This conversation is funny, vulnerable, and honest—and a reminder that most of us are far harder on ourselves than we would ever be on someone we love. If you've ever looked in the mirror and wished you could be kinder to yourself, this episode is for you. *Content Note: This episode includes discussions about body image, dieting, weight loss, eating disorders, body dysphoria, and mental health. Listener discretion is advised. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thestoriesweleaveyou/] to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions! Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC [https://juliebeckllc.com/]

"Can Everyone Just Be Quiet?" | Parenting Expectations vs Reality, Millennial Mom Guilt & the Moments That Make It All Worth It

In this episode, we’re getting brutally honest about parenting—the good, the bad, the exhausting, and the parts nobody really prepares you for. What started as a conversation about why having a baby won’t magically fix a struggling relationship quickly turned into a candid discussion about sleep deprivation, overstimulation, anxiety, social media pressure, and the reality of raising four kids. We talk about the expectations we had before becoming parents versus what parenting actually looks like in real life. From believing we’d be the perfect parents with perfectly balanced routines, educational activities, and limited screen time to realizing we were just trying to survive the day, we share the gap between the parenting we imagined and the parenting we actually live. We also discuss co-sleeping, childhood anxiety, neurodivergence, sensory overload, and the constant mental battle of wondering whether we’re doing enough for our kids. We also dive into the pressure modern parents face from social media and parenting influencers. Comparing ourselves to seemingly perfect families left us feeling like we were failing, until we learned that every family has to find what works for them. Along the way, we reflect on how parenting changed us, how our roles as parents ended up being completely different than we expected, and why raising kids is somehow both the hardest and most rewarding thing we’ve ever done. Most importantly, we talk about those little moments that make it all worth it—the family snuggles, the unexpected laughter, the sibling relationships, the proud parenting moments, and the memories that somehow outweigh the chaos. Parenting doesn’t always make sense. It’s exhausting, overwhelming, and frustrating, but somehow it’s also beautiful enough that we’d choose it all over again. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thestoriesweleaveyou/] to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions! Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC [https://juliebeckllc.com/]

"I Really Thought It Was a Sex Toy" | LGBTQ+ Marriage, Double Weddings & Chosen Family

In this episode, we’re telling the story of our two weddings—and why we ended up having both. Long before marriage equality became the law of the land, we found ourselves navigating proposals, wedding planning, legal roadblocks, family opinions, and figuring out what marriage actually meant to us. What started as a conversation after a baby shower eventually led to not one proposal, but two, and two very different wedding days. We share the story of Ryann’s proposal that almost involved room service (but definitely involved Julie mistaking an engagement ring for something entirely different), followed by Julie’s surprise proposal at their St. Louis wedding venue. We talk about why getting legally married in New York mattered at a time when same-sex marriage wasn't recognized everywhere, what it was like having a private City Hall ceremony, and the complicated emotions that came with asking family members to support a wedding some weren't willing to witness. We also dive into our Cinco de Mayo wedding celebration in St. Louis—the wedding we often think of as our "real" wedding. From having our donor officiate the ceremony and including traditions from both families to dancing the night away with friends and loved ones, it was one of the happiest days of our lives. We share funny memories, wedding mishaps, and the reality that after both weddings we were far more interested in sleep than any romantic movie ending. But like many LGBTQ+ wedding stories from that era, there was heartbreak mixed in with the joy. We talk about the family members and friends who chose not to attend because of religious beliefs, the relationships that changed forever, and what those experiences taught us about love, support, and acceptance. Looking back more than a decade later, we reflect on the people who showed up, the people who didn’t, and why both weddings still mean so much to us today. Whether you're planning a wedding, navigating family relationships, reflecting on the history of marriage equality, or simply love a good relationship story, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the best love stories don't follow a traditional path. We want to give credit to our wedding favorites! * Wedding cake from The Cakery Bakery [https://thecakerybakery.net/] * Our New York wedding photography Kamila Harris [https://kamilaharris.com/] New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thestoriesweleaveyou/] to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions! Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC [https://juliebeckllc.com/]

"Something Gay Is Happening Over There" | How a Camping Trip Became 18 Years of LGBTQ+ Found Family

In this episode, we're talking about one of the most meaningful traditions in our lives: Pride Float. What started nearly 20 years ago as a random camping trip turned into lifelong friendships, chosen family, and a community that has supported us through some of the biggest moments of our lives. From spotting rainbow flags across a campground creek to becoming part of an annual LGBTQ+ tradition, we're sharing the story of how Pride Float became so much more than a weekend event. We take a trip down memory lane and talk about the early days of Pride Float—the crowded campsites, themed weekends, drag shows, river floats, campfire conversations, and the friendships that formed along the way. Over the years, we've watched people come and go, relationships begin and end, marriages happen, babies arrive, and entire lives change. What started as a once-a-year gathering eventually grew into a close-knit group of friends who became part of each other's everyday lives. We also talk about the importance of finding your people, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. Having a space where you can fully be yourself without explanation is something we never take for granted. Whether it was navigating coming out, raising kids, transitioning, building relationships, or simply existing without having to filter who we are, this community has been there through it all. For Ryann, Pride Float also became a place where he felt fully accepted and supported during his transition, surrounded by friends who already knew and loved him. Today, Pride Float looks very different than it did when we first started going. The all-night parties have turned into camp chairs, shared meals, meaningful conversations, and reconnecting with the people who matter most. But the heart of it hasn't changed. It's still about friendship, belonging, community, and having a place where you can show up exactly as you are. If you’re interested in Pridefloat, check it out here [https://www.pridefloat.net/]. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thestoriesweleaveyou/] to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions! Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC [https://juliebeckllc.com/]