Explore every episode of the podcast Blended, Blessed & Always A Mess
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The Unspoken Truths of Loss and Suicide with Jill Wood
It's a new season for Blended, Blessed & Always A Mess! We are giving volume to voices on hard topics in Season 4. During this episode, we chat with guest, Jill Wood. Together we dive into the profound impact of grief and loss, particularly focusing on the experience of losing a loved one to suicide. Jill lost her husband, Chris, 18 months ago. Our conversation explores her personal journey, the challenges of navigating grief, the stigma surrounding suicide, and the importance of open conversations about mental health. The conversation emphasizes the need for understanding and compassion in the face of loss, as well as the compound impact of suicide on families. We highlight the importance of finding purpose in pain and the ongoing journey of healing through THE AFTERMATH.
New Year, New Season, Same Pain Thanks for listening. You Matter! Love, Angie & Aric
It's hard to believe we are closing out another season, another year, another chapter. Ever sit down and reflect on all the good, the bad, and everything in between? In this episode, we reflect on our Christmas traditions, share highlights from the past year, and discuss the importance of family. It's been a hard year but when we pause and reflect we remember the joy, too!
We also dive into our hopes for 2025. As we look ahead to the new year, we share our chosen ONE word emphasizing the themes of balance and finding refuge in faith.
We hope you will join us in 2025! Broken and Beautiful! Thank you for your support, Angie & Aric
In this episode of 'Blended, Blessed, and Always a Mess', hosts Aric and Angie Phillips discuss various themes surrounding family dynamics, parenting challenges, and the emotional journey of navigating different stages of life. The conversation delves into the complexities of parenting teenage boys, particularly during the 'wander stage', where they seek independence while still needing guidance. They reflect on their experiences with their children, the challenges of letting go as kids seek independence, and the significance of being present during critical moments. The discussion also touches on the importance of compassion, understanding, and the pursuit of purpose in parenting, culminating in a reflection on gratitude and the lessons learned from different cultures.
Every week we deal with a whirlwind of emotions. Some days an emotion is stronger than others. This week, anger has been at the forefront.
A wise man was asked, "What is Anger?" He gave a beautiful answer. It's a punishment we give to ourselves for somebody else's mistake. And that's exactly what it feels like to us.
Listen to this week's episode as we share our anger and how we are processing the hurt and the frustration of THE THIEF.
God’s grace and the special signs that Hallie is more than ok gets us through the darkest of times. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were incredibly difficult. We received two incredibly amazing signs; one during church on Christmas Eve and one on Christmas Day.
As humans, we are incredibly limited in our understanding and perception. Only through God’s grace can we find something to rejoice about.
The last thing Hallie said to us was "Don't worry about me Mama, I'm going to be OK".
While things have been incredibly heavy and we are filled with sadness, God has been good to us in that He's given us many signs that Hallie is with Him in Heaven...
The signs give us hope and keep us moving forward every day, no matter how difficult.
In this episode, we begin to share some of the many different signs that Hallie and the Lord have sent to us in the last several weeks!
Thanks for listening and for your continued prayers! We hope 2023 brings you new beginnings.
If we're being 100% honest this doesn't feel like Christmas in our home...we are surrounded by sadness...missing Hallie more than we can explain...
And yet the meaning of Christmas is the one reason we can hold onto Hope of seeing Hallie again one day...that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was born as a child...so that he could one day die for us and our sin...so we could be with Him and Hallie again one day in Heaven...
So in this episode we walk you deeper into what saying Goodbye to Hallie really looked like...and we remember she's walking with Jesus on this Christmas Day...
Thank you to everyone who has reached out and offered condolences as The Crew walks thru this unbelievably complex and life-changing set of circumstances.
The pain is unimaginable. Yet, "The sun will still rise and set regardless. What we choose to do with the light while it's here is up to us. Journey wisely".
Season 2 of Blended, Blessed, and Always A Mess begins NOW as we learn to cope with the loss of our beautiful Hallie and discover how we can shine our lights brighter.
This episode walks you thru the fateful day that has FOREVER changed our lives...and how we are trying to navigate the suck of it all...
Thanks for listening and supporting our family during this time.
As many of you know I've been on Today's Best Country Clear 99 for most of the last 25 years...
So I couldn't go back on the air without be real and authentic (like Hallie) and share with our listeners why I've been off the air and what our family has been going thru...
Angie and I will do an entire Episode dedicated to Hallie and the light that she continues to SHINE on the world...
But this is a quick 18 minutes that I shared about our sweet girl to our radio audience in Mid-Missouri...
This episode should have aired one week ago...BUT God had other plans...
5 Minutes before uploading this episode about narcissism ...God had other plans...
Our world was changed forever when we got the phone call that our daughter Hallie (oldest Crew Member) had been involved in a tragic accident...why? Because God had other plans...
This past Tuesday, November 29th, 2022 our daughter Hallie left this Earth to get her Angel Wings...we can only find comfort in the fact that God had other plans...
We couldn't record a podcast this week...we are honestly barely making it thru each day...so I finished last week's episode because long term we believe this episode will be important to many of you but also to our family...Because of God's other plans...
Please know that our plans are to continue this podcast to HONOR Hallie...and to help blended families...however...God had other plans...
So...this podcast will also be even messier to deal with Grief and Loss and Trusting God...why? Because God had other plans...
We love each and every one of you and appreciate your support during this difficult time...
In this episode, Aric and Angie explore the complexities of relationships, politics, and personal growth. They share humorous anecdotes about their interactions, delve into the challenges of grief and anger, and reflect on the importance of family time. The conversation also touches on spiritual messages from nature and the concept of strength in vulnerability. They conclude with expressions of gratitude for the little joys in life, emphasizing the power of choice in shaping their experiences.
Takeaways
Relationships often involve moments of misunderstanding and humor.
Engaging in political discussions can highlight differences in perspectives within a relationship.
Grief can manifest in various emotions, including anger and confusion.
Quality family time can provide much-needed emotional recharge.
Nature can offer spiritual messages that resonate with personal experiences.
Strength is not the absence of pain but the choice to keep moving forward.
Gratitude can shift focus from challenges to the positives in life.
Communication is key in navigating relationship dynamics.
Personal growth often comes from reflecting on past experiences and emotions.
Finding joy in small moments can enhance overall well-being.
We are super excited to dive deeper into what it means to create a Blended Family "Huddle".
Angie helped put on an amazing women's event last week called Grit with Grace. The goal was to create a sense of connection and community for her customer base. It just so happened that the guest speaker, Brooke Baldwin, wrote a book called "Huddle" geared towards creating a community for women. The theme really hit home in so many ways.
We want to apply that concept to our blended family community! Will you join us?!?!
In this week's episode we celebrate our 3rd anniversary of "becoming friends" on Facebook...
To reflect on that we did an exercise that we think would benefit any couple...we reflected on three things that we love about the other person and then three things that we've brought into the other person's life...
It definitely made us appreciate each other!
Hope you enjoy the exercise and getting to know us better!
No one has it 100% together all of the time...and we realized our communication has dipped the last several weeks...
So...rather than build up walls and shut each other out we decided to dig our heels in and do some work...a little "Check Up from the Neck Up" if you will...
We each took the Enneagram personality test to better figure out how to communicate and be there for each other! This is a great tool that you can use in your relationships too! With your significant other, kids, friends or co-workers!
We get asked A LOT...how do you co-parent with your ex's? Let's be honest...it's definitely a different kind of challenge for everyone...
Overall we believe that we have a positive co-parenting relationship with all parties. In this episode, we share our do's and don'ts that we try to follow.
Hopefully it can help you in your current situation! Thanks for listening!
In this episode of 'Blended, Blessed and Always a Mess', Aric and Angie reflect on their recent experiences, discussing the balance of grief and joy, the importance of finding glimmers of hope amidst pain, and the healing power of nature. They share personal stories about their trip to Florida, signs from their late daughter Hallie, and the challenges of navigating hard emotions. The conversation also touches on family dynamics, communication, and exciting developments in Angie's writing journey. In this conversation, Angie and Aric discuss various themes surrounding grief, empowerment, and community engagement. Angie shares her experiences reading to children and participating in a podcast focused on women's empowerment. They also reflect on a significant event held at a women's soccer stadium, highlighting the importance of female representation in sports. The conversation concludes with expressions of gratitude and the importance of finding joy amidst sadness.
takeaways
The importance of community support during tough times.
Finding beauty in painful experiences can provide comfort.
Nature can be a healing space for emotional recovery.
Signs from loved ones can manifest in unexpected ways.
It's essential to process emotions rather than escape them.
Communication is key in relationships, especially during hard times.
Children can surprise us with their achievements and growth.
Family dynamics can be complex but rewarding.
Personal growth often comes from navigating grief and loss.
Creative outlets, like writing, can be therapeutic. Angie loves reading to children and finds joy in their innocence.
Grief is a personal journey that cannot be fixed by others.
Support from loved ones can sometimes feel like a burden during tough times.
Empowerment through storytelling is a powerful tool for women.
The women's soccer stadium represents a significant milestone in sports history.
Molly Fletcher's experiences as a female sports agent inspire others.
Burnout often stems from misaligned priorities in life.
Taking risks is easier when the goal is meaningful.
Celebrating achievements in women's empowerment is essential.
Finding glimmers of joy in sadness is a vital part of healing.
In our very first 2 part episode we continue visiting with Counselor Lynn Roush...
In this episode she breaks down the 3 Rules to break dsyfunction...by working thru these rules you can end years of cyclical dysfunction in your life and relationships!
We couldn't be more excited to share this week's episode of Blended, Blessed and Always A Mess with Licensed Counselor Lynn Roush...
Lynn walks with us thru the difficulties of blending a family but also the path of HEALING that allows for parents and children to truly build a bond of trust that allows for the blending to work!
This chat with Lynn was AMAZING for our SOULS! We hope it is for yours too!
Hey friends...it's Aric...And this episode hits me HARD...
David and his Bonus-Dad Bill have provided a road map that we've followed as we go through the journey of blending our family. The two of them worked hard for years to build a success story. And now we are sharing that with each and every one of you! You don't want to miss this "real talk" episode.
The work I've put in specifically with Chace has been from so many different angles and comes from so many different places. But when it gets hard, I always reach out to David.
Angie and I hope you enjoy this week's episode of Blended, Blessed & Always a Mess!
We aren't going to bore you with our family vacation BUT we also aren't going to lie and say it was easy-breezy...
This year the Crew fought more than Angie and I were used to BUT we also realized some of it had to do with being away from each other for so long...at the end of our trip their were great memories and we just want to share how we dealt with the hard times and how fun the good times were!
In this week's episode, we visited with Angie's mom and dad (Kenny and Alice Oligschlaeger) while we were on vacation with them...
We talked about their 52 years of marriage...how they met...how it can be hard...raising LOTS of kids (they have 7) and what their secrets to staying together are! (5 Tips)
They were SUPER nervous but definitely felt more comfortable when we got rolling! Since we were on vacation you'll occasionally hear some kiddos and background noise, too!
In this episode, we decided to revisit the goals we set individually and as a couple for 2022.
We need to hold each other accountable for our progress. But let's be honest...that's scary AF and requires some vulnerability! So how do we help each other achieve our goals and not be a nag?
We did some research on this topic. We hope your family can utilize some of the tips to finish the back half of 2022 strong!
In today's episode we welcome our first remote guests to the Podcast...
Kim and Dustin have a different story than mine and Angie's...Kim lost her husband to a battle with cancer...and so finding love again wasn't necessarily something she was looking for until her friendship with Dustin couldn't be ignored any longer...(it's a truly hilarious story they will share in today's episode...)
We think you will find some similarities in how Kim and Dustin do things to how We do things...but also some differences! We appreciate them being vulnerable and sharing their story!
We are super excited about the amount of listeners we are reaching across the entire country! Our goal when we started this podcast was to just help one family!
To know that we are helping many is incredibly rewarding and we feel so blessed!
Today we answer some of your questions we've been getting via social media and the website!
In this episode of 'Blended Blessed and Always a Mess', Aric and Angie reflect on the emotional journey following the tragic loss of their daughter, Hallie. They discuss the recent sentencing of the individual responsible for her death and share the powerful victim impact statements delivered by family members. The episode captures the profound grief, the struggle for justice, and the resilience of a family navigating their loss while honoring Hallie's memory.
Thank you for all the love and support given to us during heartbreaking time in our lives. Love, Angie & Aric
Keeping your family engaged is HARD!!! And that goes for Nuclear and Blended Families!!!
Angie convinced me to read this book called "Take Back Your Family" and we both absolutely LOVED IT!!!
So...in this episode we do a little "book report" if you will...we discuss high points of the book and things we would like to start implementing with "Our Crew"...
We used new editing software so I'm hopeful our audio problems are behind us and we've also advanced to having an intro/outro!!!
Hope you enjoy this week's episode and God Bless!!!
We have both done therapy...BUT...we came into it with different views and we realize that most people have very different views on therapy...
In this episode, we talk about how/why it was helpful for us and how it can be helpful for you/your kids and others and shouldn't be seen as something filled with shame...it's a healthy avenue to live a better life!
In this episode we visit with the oldest sibling in the Crew...Hallie Bear! (That's what we call her)...
We truly believe if you have been thru divorce as a parent or child you will learn a lot of helpful tips from Hallie...I don't want to say we were "surprised" but Hallie definitely IMPRESSED us with her deep thoughts and wisdom on the subject!
And honestly we couldn't believe how happy and excited our kiddos were! It made the entire day/experience and we wanted to share with you our family's highlights from the day!
Maybe if you are considering blending a family you will find some nuggets in here to incorporate as well!
Thanks for listening to the day our Family got married!
In this episode, Angie that it would be a great idea to talk about many of our differences! LOL...
It was actually kind of fun to re-visit all of them...some we have worked thru...some we compromised on and some we have just had to learn to live with...
But they not only effect us but our kids too so we thought it was definitely worth exploring...
We've talked a LOT about Chace's growth in the last 2.5+ years...in this episode, you get to hear about it firsthand from Chace..
We are super proud of him and we think he does a great job conveying his experiences here while embarrassing myself and Angie at different times here (as he points out areas where we needed to grow as well!)
PS: Please ignore our dog Polly whining thru the door at times during this episode because we wouldn't let her into the Studio with us...
Angie takes on the topic of self-worth. She explores the concepts of self-worth and self-esteem, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one's inherent value. She shares personal anecdotes about motherhood, the challenges of maintaining self-worth in relationships, and the necessity of setting boundaries. Angie encourages listeners to embrace their purpose and engage in positive self-talk, ultimately fostering a deeper understanding of their worth and potential.
Thanks for listening and supporting us along the way. Love, Angie & Aric
takeaways
Self-worth is an internal sense of being worthy of love and belonging.
Self-esteem often relies on external factors, while self-worth is intrinsic.
Motherhood brings both joy and challenges that impact self-worth.
Building self-worth involves recognizing personal strengths and positive relationships.
Setting boundaries is crucial for maintaining self-worth in relationships.
Negative relationships can drain self-worth; it's important to remove oneself from them.
Self-talk plays a significant role in shaping self-worth; be kind to yourself.
Embracing one's purpose can significantly enhance self-worth.
Everyone is created with inherent value and purpose.
In this episode, Angie crosses another milestone by taking Aric on a work trip!!! Not as bad as calling her his "girlfriend," but a BIG deal for her!
Aric crosses off a bucket list item by getting to attend Cardinals Spring Training, and while we are there...a news article pops up that would lead to a LOT of downtime with Covid!
In Episode #3 of "Blended, Blessed & Always A Mess" Angie THOUGHT "air quotes" THOUGHT she was going to Die when I wanted to call her my girlfriend...News flash...SHE SURVIVED!!!
But we break down her concerns and fears and become an official couple to the public during this Episode...Hope you enjoy!