Ash to Dusk

Ashley Morena
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  • Self-Improvement

Life is busy, messy, and beautiful all at once. ASH TO DUSK is the reminder that in between the sunrise and sunset, you still hold the power to shape your day, your choices, and your story. Hosted by Ashley Morena, entrepreneur, speaker, and mom navigating the “messy middle”, this podcast is where motivation meets real life. From building a business to balancing family, from self-doubt to self-care, Ashley pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to keep going, keep believing, and keep burning bright. If you’re hustling hard, chasing goals, or simply craving a pause to breathe and reset, this show will help you rise in the morning, push through the middle, and finish the day strong. Because from Ash to Dusk… we’re still burning. 🔥

  1. Oct 4

    65 | School Lunch Has a Perception Problem - Here’s How We Change It

    School nutrition is having a moment—and not always for the right reasons. After more than 13 years working in this industry, I’ve learned that school nutrition is one of the most misunderstood parts of the entire school system. Recently, someone in one of my sessions asked me a question I haven’t stopped thinking about: “What is it going to take to change the perception of school nutrition and the work that we do?” My answer probably wasn’t what she expected. We have to change the way we show up. In Episode 65 of Ash to Dusk, I’m having a conversation directly with my school nutrition people—but I also want parents, educators, administrators and anyone who has ever had an opinion about school lunch to hear this one. Because there is so much happening behind that tray that most people will never see. We talk about what it actually takes to operate a school nutrition program, the financial and staffing pressures teams are facing, why the “lunch lady” stereotype still matters, and why the way we communicate, dress, serve food and tell our stories shapes how people perceive this profession. I also revisit my conversation with Amanda O’Dell, the Lunch Lady Ninja, and the moment she refused to play into the stereotypical “lunch lady” character producers wanted for American Ninja Warrior—even knowing it could cost her airtime. That decision has stayed with me. Because changing perception doesn’t happen because one person launches the perfect campaign. It happens when one person here, another person there, and eventually thousands of people decide: I’m going to show up differently. I’m going to tell the stories happening behind the scenes. I’m going to speak proudly about this profession. I’m going to make the food look like something I would want to eat. I’m going to communicate professionally. I’m going to take a seat at the table instead of waiting to be invited. And most importantly, I’m going to believe that this work matters. This isn’t about pretending school nutrition doesn’t have challenges. We do. It’s about remembering why we are doing the work in the first place—and helping other people understand it too. If you work in school nutrition, this episode is for you. I see you. I know how hard you work. And I’m proud to walk alongside you. CONNECT WITH ASHLEY Website: ashleymorena.com Write to me: Ashley Morena PO Box 457 Green, Ohio 44232 Watch Ash to Dusk on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. If this episode makes you think of another school nutrition professional who needs to hear it, send it to them.

  2. Sep 25

    64 | From Lunch Lady to American Ninja Warrior: Strength, Peace & Starting Again with Amanda O’Dell

    Amanda O’Dell never considered herself an athlete. She didn’t grow up playing sports. She describes herself as awkward, not naturally athletic, and someone who has to work hard to learn physical skills. Then, in her 30s, everything started to change. What began as a search for something active her son could enjoy eventually led Amanda into a Ninja Warrior gym—and ultimately onto American Ninja Warrior. But when producers discovered she worked in school nutrition, they wanted Amanda to lean into the stereotypical “lunch lady” character: apron, hairnet and all. She said no. Amanda wanted people to see what school nutrition professionals actually look like and the work they really do. And after an incredible run on the show, she ended up getting something even better: the opportunity to tell that story on national television. In Episode 64 of Ash to Dusk, Amanda and I talk about so much more than American Ninja Warrior. We talk about getting stronger as we get older, making our health a priority after years of pouring into everyone else, growing your own food, raising chickens, protecting your peace, anxiety, motherhood, and learning to actually like who you are. Amanda also shares one of those simple reminders that has stuck with me: When you tell yourself, “I can’t do this,” sometimes the real question is: Can’t you? Or do you just not want to? We also talk about the idea that turning 40 does not automatically mean accepting a body that hurts, moves less, or becomes incapable of doing the things you love. For Amanda, fitness isn’t about chasing a certain appearance. It’s about being able to sit on the floor, work in her garden, move her body, play, and remain capable for as long as possible. And somewhere along the way, her journey expanded beyond fitness. Today, Amanda and her family are growing food, preserving what they harvest, raising chickens and becoming more intentional about the way they live—all while figuring it out as they go. This conversation is about strength in a lot of different forms. Physical strength. The strength to say no. The strength to let go of things that are costing you your peace. And the strength to finally accept yourself instead of constantly trying to become someone else. Toward the end of our conversation, I asked Amanda what she knows now that she wishes she had trusted sooner. Her answer was simple: Everything will be okay. We are meant to evolve. We are meant to adapt. And even during the seasons when we can’t imagine how we’re going to get through something, eventually we find ourselves standing on the other side. ABOUT AMANDA O’DELL Amanda O’Dell is known online as Lunch Lady Ninja. Her journey has taken her from working in school nutrition to competing on American Ninja Warrior, advocating for the school nutrition profession, building strength later in life, growing her own food, and sharing the funny, messy and very real parts of life along the way. Find Amanda on Instagram by searching Lunch Lady Ninja. CONNECT WITH ASHLEY Website:  ashleymorena.com Write to me:  Ashley Morena PO Box 457 Green, Ohio 44232 If this conversation connected with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it and subscribe to Ash to Dusk for new conversations every week. Until next time, keep chasing what matters, keep growing through every season, and keep your light burning from ash to dusk.

  3. Sep 20

    63 | She Left the Amish at 19 With $20 | Lizzie Ens on Reinvention, Health & Finding Her Voice

    Lizzie Ens grew up in the strictest order of the Amish community in Ohio on an 80-acre farm with 18 siblings, without electricity, indoor plumbing, or running water. At 19 years old, she made the decision to leave. With just $20 in her pocket, a flashlight, and the clothes she was wearing, Lizzie climbed out of a window, jumped from a 15-foot roof, and walked away from the only life she had ever known. In Episode 63 of Ash to Dusk, Lizzie shares the story behind that night, what it took to rebuild her life from the ground up, and how all of those experiences eventually led her to become a Board Certified Functional Practitioner, entrepreneur, author, and the owner of Undiet You. We talk about:  Growing up in the strictest Amish order  Losing her father at a young age  Questioning the beliefs and rules she was raised with  The night she left the Amish community  Starting over with only $20  Divorce, identity, and learning to trust herself  Body dysmorphia and her relationship with food  Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s  Stress, gut health, hormones, and the nervous system  People pleasing and learning to use your voice  Building Undiet You  Why Lizzie believes so many women have lost touch with what their bodies actually need One of my favorite parts of this conversation comes near the end when I ask Lizzie what she knows now that she wishes she had trusted sooner. Her answer? Herself. This conversation is about so much more than leaving the Amish community. It is about all of the versions of ourselves we become, learning to question what no longer fits, and finding the courage to build a life that feels like your own. ABOUT LIZZIE ENS Lizzie Ens is a Board Certified Functional Practitioner and the owner of Undiet You. She is also the author of Amish Renegade, where she shares more of her story of growing up Amish and leaving the community at 19. Learn more about Lizzie and Undiet You:  https://www.undietyou.com/ Order Lizzie’s book, Amish Renegade: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBRFDF3C/ SUPPLEMENTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Lizzie discusses the supplements she personally recommends as a starting point during our conversation. Shop Lizzie’s recommended supplements:  https://www.usana.com/ux/cart/en-US/product/OOLA-FG-00029?ref=lizzieens Note: Always talk with your own healthcare professional about supplements, medications, or health concerns before making changes to your routine. CONNECT WITH ASHLEY Website:  ashleymorena.com Write to me:  Ashley Morena  PO Box 457  Green, Ohio 44232 If this conversation connected with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it and subscribe to Ash to Dusk for new conversations every week. Until next time, keep chasing what matters, keep growing through every season, and keep your light burning from ash to dusk.

  4. Sep 13

    62 | Stop Waiting to Live Your Life | Callie Wylie on Grief, Reinvention & Starting Over

    In Episode 62 of Ash to Dusk, Ashley sits down with author, podcast host, speaker, and leadership strategist Callie Wylie for a conversation about grief, ambition, identity, reinvention, and what happens when you stop waiting for permission to build a life that actually feels like yours. Callie shares how losing her mom changed the way she looked at time, success, and the idea of waiting until “someday” to really live. We also talk about leaving the corporate world, entrepreneurship, self-doubt, leadership, and learning to trust the version of yourself you’re becoming. Callie is the author of Fascination, a book about the messy, unfiltered space between who we’re expected to be and who we actually are. Order Fascination: calliewylie.com/book Learn more about Callie: calliewylie.com Follow Callie on Instagram: @itscallierenee Connect with Ashley: ashleymorena.com Write to Ashley: PO Box 457 Green, Ohio 44232 Ash to Dusk is available wherever you get your podcasts.

  5. Sep 6

    61 I Wanted to Burn It All Down… Then Everything Changed on Tour

    Season 2 of Ash to Dusk is here. In Episode 61, Ashley gets honest about the summer that almost made her want to quit. Between co-parenting stress, family conflict, exhaustion, anger, and the pressure of showing up for a nationwide speaking tour, she found herself questioning how she could motivate anyone else when she didn’t feel motivated herself. But she showed up anyway. In this episode, Ashley talks about setting boundaries, letting go of what you can’t control, pushing through hard seasons, and what happened when she stopped trying to have all the answers and simply showed up as herself. Season 2 is going to be less polished, more honest, and completely unfiltered. Visit Ashley at ashleymorena.com Want to write in? Send a handwritten note to: Ashley Morena PO Box 457 Green, Ohio 44232 New episodes of Ash to Dusk release weekly.

  6. May 31

    60 | I’m Ending Season 1 of My Podcast… Here’s Why

    Today we’re celebrating 60 episodes of Ash to Dusk and officially closing out Season 1 of the podcast.  In this episode, I’m sharing why I made the decision to pause the podcast for the summer, what this journey has taught me so far, and what’s ahead for Season 2 launching September 6th. We talk about:  building a podcast while running a business and raising a family  learning as you go instead of waiting to be perfect  leadership, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and personal growth colliding together  protecting your peace and your time  burnout and intentional living  why I believe trying imperfectly is better than never starting at all  and how Ash to Dusk has evolved over these first 60 episodes I also share:  what’s happening behind the scenes this summer  my upcoming speaking tour  why I’m taking time to reflect on what’s resonating most with listeners  and the vision I have for making Season 2 even stronger and more intentional This episode is reflective, emotional, hopeful, and honestly just a real conversation about growth, reinvention, and learning to trust yourself enough to evolve publicly. Because this isn’t the end of Ash to Dusk. It’s just the end of Season 1. ✨ Season 2 launches September 6th 📬 Stay connected this summer by signing up for my weekly Sunday letter at:  ashleymorena.com 📬 PO Box information is listed in the show notes if you’d like to send a handwritten letter.

  7. May 27

    59 | What 7 Days Away From My Family Taught Me

    I just spent 7 days away from my husband and kids on a solo trip to Anna Maria Island… and honestly, I came home feeling refreshed, emotional, inspired, and completely recharged.  In this episode, I’m sharing what that week away taught me about:  leadership  motherhood  creativity  protecting your peace  and why so many of us hold on too tightly to everything and everyone around us We talk about:  solo travel as a mom  the importance of alone time and mental space  emotional healing and grief  learning to trust the people around you to step up  why inspiration matters in leadership  seasonal depression and burnout  entrepreneurship, flexibility, and time freedom  and why time has become more valuable to me than money I also share the realization I had while being away:  sometimes we spend so much time worrying about everyone else that we forget to ask ourselves what we actually need. And maybe the reason so many people feel stuck isn’t because they aren’t capable…  but because they’ve stopped believing they’re allowed to want something different for their life. This episode is reflective, honest, a little emotional, and honestly just a real conversation about life, growth, leadership, motherhood, and figuring out what truly matters most. Because sometimes the space we’re afraid to take…  is exactly what we need. 📬 PO Box: 457 Green, Ohio 44232

  8. May 20

    58 | Avoidance Is Costing You More Than You Think

    Avoidance feels easier in the moment… until the thing you keep avoiding starts taking over your mental space, your energy, your leadership, and your peace.  In this episode, we’re talking about procrastination, avoidance, hard conversations, leadership, entrepreneurship, and why so many of us delay the exact things we know we need to face. I share personal examples from my own life, including:  avoiding difficult conversations  procrastinating on taxes for years  struggling with consistency on social media  perfectionism and overthinking  leadership decisions  and the fear that often hides underneath procrastination We also unpack:  why avoidance creates more stress, not less  how procrastination drains mental capacity  why leaders avoiding conflict impacts entire teams  the connection between ADHD, perfectionism, and procrastination  and why the freedom you want is often on the other side of finally doing the thing you keep putting off And for those of you dreaming about:  starting a business  creating more freedom  leaving your 9–5  monetizing your skills  or simply making a change in your life… this episode is your reminder that the time is now.  Because eventually, avoiding it becomes harder than facing it. 📬 PO Box: 457 Green, Ohio 44232

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About

Life is busy, messy, and beautiful all at once. ASH TO DUSK is the reminder that in between the sunrise and sunset, you still hold the power to shape your day, your choices, and your story. Hosted by Ashley Morena, entrepreneur, speaker, and mom navigating the “messy middle”, this podcast is where motivation meets real life. From building a business to balancing family, from self-doubt to self-care, Ashley pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to keep going, keep believing, and keep burning bright. If you’re hustling hard, chasing goals, or simply craving a pause to breathe and reset, this show will help you rise in the morning, push through the middle, and finish the day strong. Because from Ash to Dusk… we’re still burning. 🔥

Information

  • Creator
    Ashley Morena
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    65
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ash to Dusk
  • Show Website
    Ash to Dusk

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