The P-I-G: Stories of Life, Love, Loss & Legacy

Kellie Straub & Erin Thomas

Welcome to The P-I-G, a podcast where we explore life, love, loss, and legacy through real conversations and meaningful stories—with Purpose, Intention, and Gratitude. Hosted by sisters, Kellie Straub and Erin Thomas, The P-I-G was born from the bond they shared with their late mother, Marsha—a woman whose life and love continue to inspire every story told. What began as a deeply personal project has since evolved into a growing legacy movement, including The Boxes, a developing film and television series inspired by the physical gifts their mother left behind—each one unwrapped at a defining life moment after her passing. At its heart, The P-I-G is about what matters most: connection. It’s a warm, welcoming space for open and honest conversations about the things we all carry—and the stories that shape who we are. While “loss” is often defined by death, our episodes explore a much broader truth: We grieve relationships, mobility, identity, careers, finances, health, pets, confidence, memory, belongings, faith—even entire versions of ourselves. Through personal reflections, powerful guest interviews, and expert insights, each episode invites you to consider what it means to live fully, love deeply, grieve honestly, and leave a legacy that matters. Whether you’re navigating a loss, rediscovering your voice, or simply craving deeper connection—you belong here. 💬 Favorite topics include: Grief and healing (in all its forms)Sibling stories and family dynamicsLove, marriage, caregiving, and motherhoodSpirituality, resilience, and personal growthLegacy storytelling and honoring those we’ve lost🎧 New episodes post every other week. Follow and share to help us spread the message that hearing the stories of others helps us create a more meaningful connection to our own and legacy isn’t just what we leave behind—it’s how we live right now. Hogs & Kisses, everyone. 💗🐷💗

  1. From Roots to Ripples: Rearview Reflections, Hands on the Wheel

    JAN 21

    From Roots to Ripples: Rearview Reflections, Hands on the Wheel

    One year ago, we pressed record without fully understanding what this journey would ask of us — emotionally, creatively, relationally, and personally. What began as a heart-led project to honor our mom became something far bigger: a space for truth, reflection, reconnection, and growth — both for us and for our listeners. In this special "PJs & Pokey" sister chat, we slow down to reflect on Year One of The P-I-G Podcast — the conversations that moved us, the work we didn’t know we were signing up for, the losses we carried quietly while still showing up, and the unexpected relationships that reshaped our lives along the way. We talk openly about: How this podcast transformed our relationship as sistersWhat we learned through self-awareness, communication, and courageWhy our coaching work — and the creation of The P-I-G Relationship Reset (link)— became something we had to shareThe people who became family when we didn’t even know we needed themWhat it means to honor the past while keeping our hands firmly on the wheelThis episode also marks the launch of Roots & Ripples, a new reflective resource inspired by the very work we’ve been doing here — designed to help listeners pause, look back with clarity, and move forward with intention. This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a breath. A reflection. And an invitation to live with purpose, intention, and gratitude — even when the path surprises us. 🎧 Listen, reflect, and share with someone who’s walked this road with you.  🌱 Learn more about Roots & Ripples and other listener resources at thepigpodcast.com. Support the show Hearing the stories of others helps us create a more meaningful connection to our own—because legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it’s how we live right now. 💬 Subscribe & Leave a Review Please subscribe on your favorite platform, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with someone who may need to hear it! 🔗 Connect & Follow Along If you have a personal story or expertise to share, we’d love to hear from you. To learn more about The P-I-G, complete the guest form, and connect on social: 🌐 www.thepigpodcast.com 📬 thepigpodcast.com/contact 📱 Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn 💖 Support Our Mission Each episode of The P-I-G is created with deep care and intention. If The P-I-G has touched your heart, please consider supporting us or becoming a sponsor: https://www.thepigpodcast.com/sponsorship https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449606/support

    1h 26m
  2. Where Joy and Sorrow Meet: Ashley Jo on Heartbreak, Healing, and Redemption

    JAN 5

    Where Joy and Sorrow Meet: Ashley Jo on Heartbreak, Healing, and Redemption

    Some stories don’t fit neatly into categories of grief or healing — they live in the space where both exist at the same time. In this deeply honest and courageous conversation, Ashley Jo joins us to share the story behind her memoir, Tides of Grief, Waves of Grace: A Memoir of Scandal, Sobriety, Heartbreak, and Healing. Ashley opens up about losing her infant son to SMA, navigating the unraveling of her marriage, confronting addiction, surviving a paternity scandal and public shame, and rebuilding her life with truth, grace, and purpose. Rather than offering easy answers, Ashley invites us into the real work of healing — where joy and sorrow can coexist, where redemption unfolds slowly, and where telling the whole truth becomes the doorway to freedom. In this episode, we explore: Infant loss and the long road of griefShame, secrecy, and choosing honestyHealing after addiction and heartbreakThe courage it takes to tell your full storyHow grace often rises in the places we thought we were drowningAshley’s story reminds us that healing isn’t about erasing pain — it’s about learning to live fully, truthfully, and compassionately alongside it. Learn more about Ashley Jo & connect on Instagram. Purchase Tides of Grief, Waves of Grace on Amazon. Support the show Hearing the stories of others helps us create a more meaningful connection to our own—because legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it’s how we live right now. 💬 Subscribe & Leave a Review Please subscribe on your favorite platform, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with someone who may need to hear it! 🔗 Connect & Follow Along If you have a personal story or expertise to share, we’d love to hear from you. To learn more about The P-I-G, complete the guest form, and connect on social: 🌐 www.thepigpodcast.com 📬 thepigpodcast.com/contact 📱 Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn 💖 Support Our Mission Each episode of The P-I-G is created with deep care and intention. If The P-I-G has touched your heart, please consider supporting us or becoming a sponsor: https://www.thepigpodcast.com/sponsorship https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449606/support

    1h 29m
  3. From a Calling to a Legacy: Christy Whitney on Hospice, Leadership & Letting Go

    12/24/2025

    From a Calling to a Legacy: Christy Whitney on Hospice, Leadership & Letting Go

    The holiday season is often filled with joy — but it can also be a time of reflection, loss, and quiet grief. In this powerful and deeply human conversation, we sit down with Christy Whitney Borchard, a pioneering hospice and palliative care leader whose life’s work has shaped end-of-life care in western Colorado and far beyond. Christy didn’t set out to build a legacy — the work found her. What followed was a thirty-year journey of service, compassion, leadership, and courage, founding what would become one of the most respected hospice organizations in the country. Now, she shares what it means to step away from the work that defined her — and trust what comes next. This episode is not just about hospice. It’s about calling, identity, leadership, grief, service, and the courage to let go when a chapter is complete. In this conversation, we explore: How Christy found her life’s work — and how it found herWhat hospice really means for patients, families, and communitiesLeading with compassion in emotionally complex environmentsNavigating retirement after building something from the ground upRedefining legacy beyond titles, roles, and accomplishmentsWhy learning to let go can be a powerful act of loveWhether you’re grieving, reflecting, transitioning, or simply listening quietly during the holidays, this episode offers wisdom, warmth, and perspective that lingers long after the final word. 🎧 Listen, reflect, and share with someone who may need this conversation today. Support the show Hearing the stories of others helps us create a more meaningful connection to our own—because legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it’s how we live right now. 💬 Subscribe & Leave a Review Please subscribe on your favorite platform, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with someone who may need to hear it! 🔗 Connect & Follow Along If you have a personal story or expertise to share, we’d love to hear from you. To learn more about The P-I-G, complete the guest form, and connect on social: 🌐 www.thepigpodcast.com 📬 thepigpodcast.com/contact 📱 Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn 💖 Support Our Mission Each episode of The P-I-G is created with deep care and intention. If The P-I-G has touched your heart, please consider supporting us or becoming a sponsor: https://www.thepigpodcast.com/sponsorship https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449606/support

    1h 47m
  4. Can One Sentence Change Everything? Neil Gordon on Story, Truth & Communication

    12/10/2025

    Can One Sentence Change Everything? Neil Gordon on Story, Truth & Communication

    What if a single sentence could change the way you communicate, connect, or make meaning of your life? In this conversation, communication strategist and author Neil Gordon joins us to explore what he calls The Silver Bullet — one intentional, clarifying sentence that can move people, inspire action, and deepen connection. Neil shares the personal story behind his book The Most Powerful Sentence of All Time — including the grief of losing his father, the emotional shutdown that began in childhood, and the moment during the pandemic when he reconnected to his own voice and feelings in a way he hadn’t in years. We talk about:  The Silver Bullet and why one sentence outperforms advice or explanation How contrast creates clarity in storytelling, messaging, and everyday communication Grief, vulnerability, and the emotional journey that reshaped Neil’s work Handling online criticism with empathy (and algorithm-friendly curiosity) Why goosebumps signal that your message is landing at the emotional level How one sentence shaped The P-I-G Podcast’s own missionNeil offers simple but transformative guidance for finding your own Silver Bullet — whether you’re a parent, partner, leader, writer, or simply someone longing to speak and listen with more clarity and intention. This episode is a reminder that words don’t just communicate — they connect, heal, empower, and become part of our living legacy. 📘 Explore Neil’s work: neilcanhelp.com 📖 Order the book: The Most Powerful Sentence of All Time Support the show Hearing the stories of others helps us create a more meaningful connection to our own—because legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it’s how we live right now. 💬 Subscribe & Leave a Review Please subscribe on your favorite platform, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with someone who may need to hear it! 🔗 Connect & Follow Along If you have a personal story or expertise to share, we’d love to hear from you. To learn more about The P-I-G, complete the guest form, and connect on social: 🌐 www.thepigpodcast.com 📬 thepigpodcast.com/contact 📱 Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn 💖 Support Our Mission Each episode of The P-I-G is created with deep care and intention. If The P-I-G has touched your heart, please consider supporting us or becoming a sponsor: https://www.thepigpodcast.com/sponsorship https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449606/support

    1h 25m
  5. The Sisters & Their Guys: Gratitude, Growth, and a Little Holiday Chaos

    11/26/2025

    The Sisters & Their Guys: Gratitude, Growth, and a Little Holiday Chaos

    What happens when two sisters sit down with “their guys” for a Thanksgiving conversation that’s equal parts heartfelt, hilarious, and unexpectedly healing? In this special holiday episode, Kellie and Erin welcome Marcus and Jason back to the mic to talk about gratitude, growth, family traditions, and the beautiful chaos that makes this season meaningful. From kitchen mishaps and family quirks to the deeper moments that shaped them this year, the four of them open up about what they’re learning, what they’re laughing about, and what they’re letting go of. They talk about relationships, resilience, blended families, the work of becoming better humans… and why gratitude is more powerful when it’s messy, honest, and shared. In this Thanksgiving roundtable, we explore: • What each of us is most grateful for this year  • How challenges shaped our growth individually and as couples  • Why presence matters more than perfection  • How gratitude rewires relationships  • The power of reflection, humor, and intentional connection This episode is real, raw, meaningful — and full of the kind of laughter that reminds us why holidays matter. Whether you’re cooking, driving, hosting, or hiding in the pantry for five minutes of quiet, this conversation is a warm reminder that gratitude is a practice… and we’re all learning. **FREE RESOURCE** Download the all-new P-I-G Gratitude Reset today! **NEW PROGRAM** Learn more about the P-I-G Relationship Reset. Support the show Hearing the stories of others helps us create a more meaningful connection to our own—because legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it’s how we live right now. 💬 Subscribe & Leave a Review Please subscribe on your favorite platform, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with someone who may need to hear it! 🔗 Connect & Follow Along If you have a personal story or expertise to share, we’d love to hear from you. To learn more about The P-I-G, complete the guest form, and connect on social: 🌐 www.thepigpodcast.com 📬 thepigpodcast.com/contact 📱 Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn 💖 Support Our Mission Each episode of The P-I-G is created with deep care and intention. If The P-I-G has touched your heart, please consider supporting us or becoming a sponsor: https://www.thepigpodcast.com/sponsorship https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449606/support

    1h 28m
  6. Hidden Truths, Uncovered Roots: The Story of The Not-So Only Child

    11/12/2025

    Hidden Truths, Uncovered Roots: The Story of The Not-So Only Child

    What if one discovery rewrote everything you thought you knew about your life? When Rich Boerner flew across the country to clean out his late mother’s apartment after her passing, he expected grief — not a total rewrite of his family history. Inside her nightstand, he found a letter that revealed a secret she had kept his entire life: the truth about his father, his identity, and the family he never knew he had. In this honest and heartfelt conversation, Rich — longtime radio producer, podcaster, storyteller, and author of The Not-So Only Child — shares what it was like to uncover the unimaginable, and how the experience transformed his understanding of love, legacy, and truth. We talk about:  • How hidden family stories shape identity and belonging  • Grieving the loss of a parent while uncovering new truths  • The emotional impact of silence and secrecy in families  • What it means to “rewrite” your story with compassion  • The power of humor, humility, and healing through honesty Rich’s story reminds us that truth doesn’t erase love — it deepens it. And sometimes, the family we lose isn’t the only one we find. 🎧 Listen and share at thePIGpodcast.com or on your favorite platform. 📖 Purchase the book and connect with Rich. Support the show Hearing the stories of others helps us create a more meaningful connection to our own—because legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it’s how we live right now. 💬 Subscribe & Leave a Review Please subscribe on your favorite platform, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with someone who may need to hear it! 🔗 Connect & Follow Along If you have a personal story or expertise to share, we’d love to hear from you. To learn more about The P-I-G, complete the guest form, and connect on social: 🌐 www.thepigpodcast.com 📬 thepigpodcast.com/contact 📱 Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn 💖 Support Our Mission Each episode of The P-I-G is created with deep care and intention. If The P-I-G has touched your heart, please consider supporting us or becoming a sponsor: https://www.thepigpodcast.com/sponsorship https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449606/support

    1h 47m
  7. Our Relationship Reset: Turning Self-Awareness Into Meaningful Action (Part Two)

    10/29/2025

    Our Relationship Reset: Turning Self-Awareness Into Meaningful Action (Part Two)

    Some relationships don’t break because of big events—they fracture quietly through years of misunderstanding, assumptions, and unspoken emotion. In this two-part series, we invited Marcus Straub—coach, mentor, brother-in-law to Erin and husband to Kellie and—to guide us through a live, unscripted deep-dive into our own relationship as sisters. In Part One, we explored self-awareness through our DISC assessments: how we’re wired to behave, communicate, and respond under pressure.  In Part Two, we take it a step further—uncovering the Driving Forces that shape our motivations, influence our responses & reactions, and define how we show up for the people we love. Understanding the WHY behind our HOW. We laugh, reflect, and lean into the sometimes uncomfortable truths about family, communication, and the courage it takes to listen without judgment or assumption. What began as a coaching session became a powerful reminder that healing relationships isn’t about fixing what’s broken—it’s about rediscovering what’s possible. In this episode, we: Explore the 12 Driving Forces and how they influence relationshipsDiscover why curiosity and courage are more powerful than controlLearn to listen without defensiveness and speak without blameDiscuss the power of empathy, healthy boundaries, and compassionShow how behavioral tools can bring connection back to families... and so much more! Every conversation we have reminds us that self-awareness is the foundation for all kinds of love—between siblings, partners, friends, families, and even within ourselves. If you’re ready to experience your own "reset," explore The P-I-G Relationship Reset—a guided and deeply personal coaching experience to help you discover, understand, and heal together.   ✨ Learn more at thepigpodcast.com/relationship-reset. Support the show Hearing the stories of others helps us create a more meaningful connection to our own—because legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it’s how we live right now. 💬 Subscribe & Leave a Review Please subscribe on your favorite platform, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with someone who may need to hear it! 🔗 Connect & Follow Along If you have a personal story or expertise to share, we’d love to hear from you. To learn more about The P-I-G, complete the guest form, and connect on social: 🌐 www.thepigpodcast.com 📬 thepigpodcast.com/contact 📱 Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn 💖 Support Our Mission Each episode of The P-I-G is created with deep care and intention. If The P-I-G has touched your heart, please consider supporting us or becoming a sponsor: https://www.thepigpodcast.com/sponsorship https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449606/support

    1h 50m
  8. Our Relationship Reset: How Self-Awareness Healed What History Couldn’t (Part One)

    10/22/2025

    Our Relationship Reset: How Self-Awareness Healed What History Couldn’t (Part One)

    What if the thing holding you back in your relationships isn’t what you say or do—but how you’re wired to show up? In this two-part series, we’re joined by our coach and mentor, Marcus Straub, for an unfiltered, real-time look at what happens when two sisters bring self-awareness, honesty, and raw vulnerability into the heart of family disconnect. Together, we unpack our live DISC comparison report—revealing how our natural communication styles, pacing, and decision-making have shaped decades of misunderstanding, growth, and rediscovery. In this first half, we explore: What DISC really measures and why it mattersHow self-awareness transforms communication and conflictThe surprising “pressure behaviors” that appear when stress hitsWhy multitasking is a myth and single-focus work builds trustHow small awareness shifts create real connection and repairThis episode also marks the official launch of The P-I-G Relationship Reset—a deeply transformative and personalized coaching experience for siblings, couples, partners, family and step-family members, close friends, or anyone ready to bridge disconnects, embrace differences, and strengthen connection—all guided by the spirit of Purpose, Intention & Gratitude. Because real growth doesn’t happen when we get perfect. It happens when we get real. Support the show Hearing the stories of others helps us create a more meaningful connection to our own—because legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it’s how we live right now. 💬 Subscribe & Leave a Review Please subscribe on your favorite platform, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with someone who may need to hear it! 🔗 Connect & Follow Along If you have a personal story or expertise to share, we’d love to hear from you. To learn more about The P-I-G, complete the guest form, and connect on social: 🌐 www.thepigpodcast.com 📬 thepigpodcast.com/contact 📱 Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn 💖 Support Our Mission Each episode of The P-I-G is created with deep care and intention. If The P-I-G has touched your heart, please consider supporting us or becoming a sponsor: https://www.thepigpodcast.com/sponsorship https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449606/support

    2h 1m
5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Welcome to The P-I-G, a podcast where we explore life, love, loss, and legacy through real conversations and meaningful stories—with Purpose, Intention, and Gratitude. Hosted by sisters, Kellie Straub and Erin Thomas, The P-I-G was born from the bond they shared with their late mother, Marsha—a woman whose life and love continue to inspire every story told. What began as a deeply personal project has since evolved into a growing legacy movement, including The Boxes, a developing film and television series inspired by the physical gifts their mother left behind—each one unwrapped at a defining life moment after her passing. At its heart, The P-I-G is about what matters most: connection. It’s a warm, welcoming space for open and honest conversations about the things we all carry—and the stories that shape who we are. While “loss” is often defined by death, our episodes explore a much broader truth: We grieve relationships, mobility, identity, careers, finances, health, pets, confidence, memory, belongings, faith—even entire versions of ourselves. Through personal reflections, powerful guest interviews, and expert insights, each episode invites you to consider what it means to live fully, love deeply, grieve honestly, and leave a legacy that matters. Whether you’re navigating a loss, rediscovering your voice, or simply craving deeper connection—you belong here. 💬 Favorite topics include: Grief and healing (in all its forms)Sibling stories and family dynamicsLove, marriage, caregiving, and motherhoodSpirituality, resilience, and personal growthLegacy storytelling and honoring those we’ve lost🎧 New episodes post every other week. Follow and share to help us spread the message that hearing the stories of others helps us create a more meaningful connection to our own and legacy isn’t just what we leave behind—it’s how we live right now. Hogs & Kisses, everyone. 💗🐷💗