A Fresh Story Fresh Starts

Fresh Conversations with Rachel Sobel: do you have to hate your husband?

On this episode of A Fresh Story, we chat with Rachel Sobel about all the things! We discussed the process of healing and finding love after divorce, and explore the challenges of integrating a new partner into a single parent's life and the importance of setting expectations and boundaries. She emphasized the significance of communication, transparency, and being each other's rock in a relationship, and also discuss the role of timing, rebounds, and learning from past relationships.

The conversation highlights the importance of prioritizing children and creating a safe space for open communication and vulnerability. They challenge societal expectations and emphasize the importance of maintaining intimacy and connection in a long-term relationship. In this conversation, Olivia and Jenny discuss their experiences with stepfathers and blended families with Rachel Sobel. They talk about the impact of stepfathers on their lives and the importance of seeing their mothers happy. They also discuss the challenges and joys of blending families and the importance of creating individual relationships within a blended family.

We discuss the importance of choosing the right partner and navigating conflict in a healthy way, and also discuss the impact of blended families on children and the importance of seeking support and advice. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities and rewards of blended families and the importance of intentional dating and authenticity.

Topics discussed in this episode:


Stepfathers can have a significant impact on the lives of children in blended families, providing love, support, and a sense of family.


Creating a happy family in a blended family requires intentional effort, including spending quality time together and creating special traditions.


Building a strong relationship with a stepfather involves giving them space to develop their own relationship with the child, separate from the biological parent.


Blending families and having a baby together can bring up fears and challenges, but with open communication and support, it is possible to create a loving and inclusive family dynamic.


Navigating conflict and resolving issues in a blended family is important for teaching children healthy conflict management skills and creating a strong foundation for the family.


Being alone after a divorce can be a liberating and empowering experience, allowing individuals to focus on themselves and their own happiness.


Choosing the right partner in a blended family is crucial, and it is important to prioritize compatibility, shared values, and a willingness to put the children's needs first.


Individual relationships within a blended family are important, and allowing each person to have their own unique bond with the child can strengthen the overall family dynamic.


Navigating conflict in a blended family requires open communication, honesty, and a willingness to work through challenges together.


Blended families can have a significant impact on children, and it is important to provide them with love, support, and a sense of belonging.


Intentional dating involves being clear about what you want in a partner and being open to building a new family unit.


Honesty and authenticity are key in building strong relationships within a blended family and creating a safe and supportive environment for everyone involved.


Seeking support from friends, family, and professionals can be helpful in navigating the challenges of blended families and providing guidance and advice.




Long-distance relationships can provide space and freedom for individuals in blended families, allowing them to maintain their own identities and pursue their own interests.

Fresh Conversations with Christine Gritmon: do you have to be miserable to want a fresh start?



We talked to marketing and branding expert Christine Gritmon about packing up her family’s life in America and moving abroad. We discussed all of the details of the big move, why they made the decision, and why Christine ultimately made the decision to give up her dream house and lead her family on a fresh start journey to England. If you’ve ever wondered about moving your family abroad, take a listen to this lovely episode with the wonderful Christine Gritmon!

Learn more about Christine Gritmon on her website: https://www.gritmon.com/

Fresh Conversations with Rob Abney: can a marriage have a fresh start?



In this conversation, Olivia, Rob, and Jenny discuss various topics, including Rob's new podcast, the challenges of marketing a podcast, Jenny's honeymoon experience, and the dark side of the honeymoon period. They also explore the dynamics of early marriages, the identity shift that comes with marriage, and the importance of commitment in maintaining a relationship. The conversation highlights the ups and downs of relationships and offers insights into navigating the different phases of a partnership.

In this conversation, Rob discusses the importance of commitment and remaining committed in a relationship. He shares his experiences of making mistakes and learning from them, as well as the challenges of having fresh starts. Rob emphasizes the need for effective communication, defining the problem, and assuming good intentions in relationships. He also highlights the importance of reframing arguments and taking a moment to communicate effectively.

Topics discussed in this episode of A Fresh Story with Rob Abney:


Commitment and remaining committed are crucial in a relationship.


Learning from past mistakes is essential for personal growth and relationship improvement.


Having fresh starts in relationships requires forgiveness, letting go of past baggage, and focusing on the present.


Effective communication, defining the problem, and assuming good intentions are key to resolving conflicts in relationships.

Fresh Conversations with Alex Alexander: why do we need friends?



Alex Alexander wears many hats as a founder, speaker, podcaster, and soon-to-be-published author, but her work always centers around one passion - exploring the dynamics of community and friendship in our daily lives, uncovering what's working and what's not. Through her work, Alex provides relatable examples and practical insights, empowering you to create a support system that truly resonates with you.

Alex Alexander discusses the importance of community and friendship in our lives. She shares her personal journey of discovering the value of support and realizing her own worthiness. Alex also talks about her career in the wedding industry and how it influenced her understanding of emotional connections and the importance of creating meaningful experiences. She emphasizes the role of friend group culture and the impact of friends' parents in building a strong support system. Ultimately, Alex believes that a healthy support system is the ultimate form of self-care. In this conversation, Alex Alexander discusses her journey from being a wedding planner to focusing on friendship and connection. She emphasizes the value of connection and the importance of appreciating the relationships we already have. Alex provides practical advice for making friends in a new country and encourages individuals to be specific about the type of friendships they want. She also highlights the significance of leaving one's comfort zone and finding communities where one feels a sense of belonging.

Topics discussed on this episode of A Fresh Story with Alex Alexander:


The ultimate self-care is having a healthy support system.


Friends can play a crucial role in helping us realize our worthiness.


Creating meaningful experiences and emotional connections is essential in building strong relationships.


Friend group culture and the influence of friends' parents can shape our support systems. Friendship is not black and white, but rather a spectrum of connections that contribute to our support system.


When making friends in a new country, it's important to be patient and invest time in building connections.


Broadening your base of connections, whether through formal communities or neighborhoods, can lead to meaningful friendships.


Voicing your desire for more friendships, especially with specific interests or activities in mind, can help attract like-minded individuals.


Accepting support from existing connections and reaching out to others who have gone through similar experiences can provide valuable guidance and companionship.

Fresh Conversations with Raena Boston: how can we show up for each other?



Raena Boston is a rising thought leader in the women’s and maternal rights space with a fresh, imperative voice. She is a working mom of three, fierce advocate, co-founder of the nonprofit focused on mothers’ rights Chamber of Mothers, and an HR corporate baddie. By night, she writes and creates content for her online platform, The Working Momtras. The Working Momtras is a community designed to help empower moms to unsubscribe from the scams of motherhood, resign from doing it all, and instead lean into their inherent worth.

Raena has appeared on Good Morning America, PBS Newshour, and many of your favorite podcasts. She is regularly tapped to provide thought leadership on the intersection of working motherhood, paid leave, and childcare.

She and her family reluctantly reside in Florida.

Raena Boston shares her journey of experiencing burnout, panic attacks, and a fresh start in 2020. She re-evaluated her career, her marriage, and her own self-worth, leading to significant changes in her life. Raena's story highlights the importance of prioritizing mental health, setting boundaries, and redefining success. In this conversation, Raena Boston discusses her journey through marriage, motherhood, and advocacy. She emphasizes the importance of choice and wanting what's best for oneself and the other person in a relationship. Raena shares how the birth of her daughter and her experience with paid leave inspired her to start the Chamber of Mothers, an organization focused on paid family leave, affordable childcare, and improved maternal health outcomes. She highlights the need for community care and collaboration, asking better questions, and supporting each other. Raena encourages individuals to trust themselves and approach challenges with curiosity instead of fear. She also shares her love for food, particularly a delicious lobster roll. Finally, Raena invites listeners to get involved with the Chamber of Mothers and make a difference in creating a better system for mothers and families.

Topics discussed in this episode of A Fresh Story with Raena Boston:


Burnout can lead to panic attacks and disassociation, and it's important to recognize the signs and seek help.


Taking a mental health leave can be a crucial step in recovering and reevaluating one's life and priorities.


Diagnoses like ADHD can provide clarity and understanding of one's experiences and challenges.


Reexamining work, relationships, and personal values can lead to transformative changes and a fresh start.


Choice and wanting what's best for oneself and the other person are crucial in a relationship.


The Chamber of Mothers advocates for paid family leave, affordable childcare, and improved maternal health outcomes.


Community care, collaboration, and asking better questions are essential for supporting working mothers.


Trusting oneself and approaching challenges with curiosity can lead to personal growth and positive change.

Reema Zaman is an author, speaker, and screenwriter. She is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir I Am Yours and the forthcoming novel Woman in Flight. Her essays have been published in Vogue, The Guardian, Salon, The Rumpus, and several others. She is an Oregon Literary Arts Fellow and you may recognize her from her viral interview with Cheryl Strayed on the Dear Sugars podcast. Born in Bangladesh and raised in Thailand, she now lives in Los Angeles with her chihuahua-daughter Fia the Fierce. For more, please visit www.reemazaman.com.

Reema Zaman, author and speaker, shares her journey of finding her voice and reclaiming her power after leaving an abusive relationship. She discusses the importance of using language to shape our beliefs and the transformative power of writing. Rima also highlights the significance of living alone and embracing one's true self. Her story is a testament to the resilience and strength of women. In this conversation, Reema Zaman discusses her journey as a writer and the importance of finding one's voice and reclaiming oneself. She shares her experiences of moving to different cities, staying with her parents, and working various jobs to pursue her writing career. Reema also talks about the challenges she faced in the publishing industry and the power of social media in connecting with others. She emphasizes the need for women to support and uplift each other and offers advice for those going through a fresh start.

Topics discussed in this episode of A Fresh Story with Reema Zaman:


Abusive relationships can strip away a person's voice and power, but finding the courage to leave can lead to personal growth and transformation.


Writing can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and healing, allowing individuals to find clarity, confidence, and a new sense of identity.


Language shapes our beliefs and self-perception, so it's important to use empowering and affirming language to build a positive sense of self.


Living alone can provide a valuable opportunity for self-reflection and self-discovery, allowing individuals to tune into their own voice and embrace their true selves.


The journey of healing and self-discovery requires discipline, resilience, and the willingness to challenge societal conditioning and expectations. Finding one's voice and reclaiming oneself is a powerful journey.


Moving to different cities and exploring new opportunities can lead to personal and professional growth.


The publishing industry can be challenging, but social media has democratized access to resources and connections.


Supporting and uplifting women is essential for creating a more inclusive and empowering community.


Embracing fresh starts and pursuing what you love can lead to personal fulfillment and success.