It's not about me, it's about telling stories, says Katie DeRaddo, creator of A Grave Attraction

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It's not about me, it's about telling stories, says Katie DeRaddo, creator of A Grave Attraction

On my podcast It’s a Lot this week, I chatted with Katie DeRaddo, the human behind A Grave Attraction. She spent years cleaning headstones for fun before deciding to start sharing the stories of the dead through social media. From there, she’s received tons of opportunities, met interesting people, and cleaned many more headstones along the way. During the first half of the show, we discuss proper headstone cleaning techniques, how she does her research, and some of her favorite cemeteries to work in. In the latter half of our conversation, we dive into the pesky comparison trap of social media, her feelings on long form video content, and fears of being a washed up content creator. I really appreciated Katie’s vulnerability in talking about these things that so many of us struggle with!

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Artist & mom Molly Darling refuses to let fear take the wheel anymore

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Artist & mom Molly Darling refuses to let fear take the wheel anymore

This week on It’s a Lot, I spoke to artist and mom Molly Darling, who has evolved quite a bit since I first interviewed her on I Heart Roc in 2018. In the first half of the show, we talked about leaving each of her marriages, deconstructing her faith, and how she eventually discovered she was nonbinary and a lesbian. During the second part of the episode, we explore her experiences as a mom over the past 14 years, from how difficult it felt to force herself into the mold she was expected to fit into as a young Christian mother to how she owns her own authentic version of motherhood now. Also, how amazing it is when your kids become more independent and can do cool things like make themselves a delicious veggie omelet!

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Champagne Manley says being a sober mom is her biggest flex

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Champagne Manley says being a sober mom is her biggest flex

On my podcast It’s a Lot this week, I chatted with Champagne Manley, owner of Cakedd by Champ, mom, and very creative human who has taken an unconventional path to where she is today. It was a fun recording session and felt like we could’ve talked for hours! We explored some of the low points of the years where they were deep in alcoholism, what it was like to attend their first AA meeting, and how working out has helped replace some of the feelings alcohol gave them. She also shared why she suddenly shut down her popular jewelry business, Pop Shop Jewelry (hint: running it wasn’t compatible with being present with her newborn in the NICU), and why becoming a cake and cookie baker and artist was actually a way better fit.

In the second half of our conversation, we discuss what happens when your baby shows up 10 weeks early, the joyful parts of raising a toddler, the lore of Baby Shark, and more.

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Shining a light on the good, the bad, and the ugly with Ashley Charbonneau

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Shining a light on the good, the bad, and the ugly with Ashley Charbonneau

This week on my podcast It’s a Lot, I spoke to my college friend Ashley Charbonneau, who is now a therapist, author, and podcaster. We met during our sophomore year of college and worked together on a research project about people's writing traumas and how they impacted their feelings about writing 🤓 It was so fun to have an in-depth conversation with Ashley over a decade and a half later. In the first half of the show, we discuss abusive workplaces, how AI is causing issues that therapists now have to determine how to deal with, the writing process for her new book, why she was inspired to start a podcast, and more.

In the second half of our conversation, we explore what it was like to become the guardian of a teenage sibling, how being the oldest of 8 affected Ashley growing up, her decision to be childfree by choice, and how to read more books you love!

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