The Stories We Leave You

Ryann and Julie Beck
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Personal Journals

Between coming out, building a family and breaking cycles, we don’t know what the fck we’re doing but we sure as hell aren’t going to shut up about it.  The Stories We Leave You shares the messy, heartbreaking, and healing moments that make us who we are and make you say “holy sh*t same.” Expect a little chaos, a lot of honesty and the kind of raw, unfiltered storytelling you needed to hear growing up. You might cry from laughing, or just flat out cry but no matter what, you’re going to feel something (for once). 

  1. 4d ago

    "College Is Not the Only Option" | College Regrets, Career Changes & What We'd Tell Our Kids About Life After High School

    In this episode, we're talking about college—what we thought we were supposed to do after high school, how we chose our majors and career paths, and what we wish we'd understood before making such a huge decision at 18. We look back at the very different expectations we grew up with, from having college paid for to figuring out scholarships, Pell Grants, and student loans on our own. We also talk about the pressure to have everything figured out, our assumptions about community college, and why we both felt like going straight to a four-year university was simply what came next. We also share how much our actual careers have changed from the ones we imagined in college. Between accounting, medicine, teaching, mass media, IT, trade school, entrepreneurship, and several career changes along the way, neither of our lives looks exactly like what we planned when we picked a major. We talk about why getting real-world experience can be just as important as choosing a degree, the careers we didn't even know existed when we were younger, and how changing majors or taking extra time in college becomes a much bigger decision when every additional class costs money. We also get into student loan debt, whether our degrees actually prepared us for the workforce, and the opportunities we might have approached differently knowing what we know now. Finally, we talk about what all of this means for our own kids. We don't regret going to college, but we also don't want them growing up believing a traditional four-year degree is the only path to a successful life. Whether they choose college, community college, trade school, entrepreneurship, or something completely different, we want them to explore their options, understand the financial reality of their choices, and know that they don't have to figure out the rest of their lives at 18. Most importantly, we want them to know that it's okay to try things, change direction, and build a life that looks different from the one they originally imagined—because college can be a great choice, but it's just not the only one. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions! Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

  2. Sep 2

    "I'm Not a Baby, I'm a Mommy Tiger" | Violet Turns Four, Sibling Bonds & the Bittersweet Last Firsts

    In this episode, we're celebrating Violet's fourth birthday by capturing exactly who she is at this stage of life—from her big personality and even bigger imagination to the little quirks and sayings we never want to forget. We sit down with each of her siblings to hear how they would describe her, what they love about her, and the funny stories that come to mind when they think about their baby sister. Their answers range from sweet to brutally honest and give a pretty accurate picture of life with the youngest kid in the family. We also talk about what it's been like watching Violet grow from a laid-back fourth baby into a sassy, sweet, stubborn, funny, and fiercely independent four-year-old. From her obsession with big cats and princesses to working on her poses in the mirror, aggressively loving us, making up elaborate stories with her toys, and insisting on doing things her own way, Violet has made it very clear that she's going to be exactly who she wants to be. We share some of our favorite Violet-isms, what she loves right now, and the bittersweet realization that so many of those last baby and toddler milestones are already disappearing. Finally, we talk about Violet's unique relationship with each of her siblings and what it's been like watching her find her place as the youngest of four. We share the everyday moments we hope we remember years from now—from zoo and library trips to sibling hugs, pretend doctor visits, "Mama Tiger," "Hee-Hee," and all the other little things that make Violet who she is at four. Most of all, this episode is a time capsule for her: a reminder that she completed our family, has been deeply loved from day one, and that we hope she holds onto that sass and determination as she grows...even if we'd appreciate her going a little easier on us. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions! Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

  3. Aug 26

    "Seconds Away From the Epidural" | Our Unmedicated Hospital Birth Story, Midwife Drama & the Birth That Completed Our Family

    In this episode, we're celebrating Violet's upcoming fourth birthday by telling the story of her birth—and the chaotic final hours that brought our family’s last baby into the world. After previous birth experiences that included a C-section, Pitocin, and an epidural, Julie went into her final pregnancy hoping for a more natural, unmedicated birth. We talk about navigating gestational diabetes, preparing physically and mentally for labor, and choosing a hospital midwife and doula in hopes of having the birth experience Julie had always wanted. We also get into the parts that didn't go according to plan, including being pressured into an induction, disagreements with the midwife over Pitocin, and learning how difficult it can be to advocate for yourself while you're actively in labor. After progressing naturally without Pitocin, Julie eventually reached the point where her body was pushing before Violet was ready, leaving her exhausted, defeated, and asking for an epidural just to make the pushing stop. Then everything changed. While the anesthesiologist was preparing the epidural, Violet suddenly dropped into place, and within minutes Julie delivered her standing beside the hospital bed while Ryann helped catch her. We look back on the chaos of those final moments, finding out Violet had been sunny side up, what it was like for Ryann to catch their baby, and why—despite everything—this became Julie's favorite birth experience. Four years later, knowing Violet's personality, there really couldn't have been a more fitting way for her to enter the world: on her own terms, facing her own direction, and causing just a little bit of chaos. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions! Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

  4. Aug 12

    "You're Not Born Religious, You're Taught It" | Religion, How We Were Raised & What We're Telling Our Kids

    In this episode, we're diving into one of the most personal—and sometimes controversial—topics we've ever discussed: religion. We share how two very different religious upbringings shaped us, from Ryann growing up in a Reform Jewish family celebrating traditions and holidays to Julie's experience with Southern Baptist churches, church camp, and navigating a faith that never quite felt like the right fit. Looking back as adults, we reflect on what we believed, what we questioned, and why both of us ultimately stepped away from organized religion. We also talk about the differences between Judaism and Christianity, what it was like growing up with religious traditions, and how our views evolved over time. Along the way, we discuss everything from bar and bat mitzvahs, church camp, and holiday celebrations to tattoos, questioning religious teachings, and why curiosity has become more important to us than certainty. We also explore the positive role religion can play in building community while acknowledging the harm we've seen when faith is used to judge, exclude, or control others. Finally, we have an honest conversation about how religion has personally affected our LGBTQ+ family—from family members who chose not to support our marriage because of their beliefs to how we're raising our own children to explore different faiths and come to their own conclusions. Whether you're deeply religious, no longer practice your faith, or are still figuring out what you believe, this episode is an invitation to ask questions, stay curious, and lead with kindness. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions! Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

  5. Aug 5

    "Who Are You Gonna Call to Help Bury a Body?" | Friendships Over the Years, Finding Your People & What We've Learned

    In this episode, we're talking about friendship—how easy it seemed as kids, why it gets so much harder as adults, and what we've learned after decades of friendships that lasted, faded away, or ended unexpectedly. We look back on growing up in very different environments, from rural schools and small-town friend groups to suburban neighborhoods filled with kids, and share how those early experiences shaped the way we build relationships today. We also open up about losing childhood and college friends, navigating friendships through marriage, parenthood, coming out, and transitioning, and how our definition of friendship has changed over the years. We discuss why some friendships naturally drift apart while others end because of differences in values, including experiences with homophobia and transphobia. Along the way, we talk about insecurity, comparison, communication, setting healthy boundaries, and the importance of finding people who genuinely show up for you. Finally, we share the advice we hope our kids carry with them: friendships require effort, honesty, and mutual respect, but it's also okay to let relationships go when they're no longer healthy. Whether you're struggling to make friends as an adult, grieving a friendship that's changed, or trying to build a stronger community around you, this episode is a reminder that meaningful friendships aren't about quantity—they're about finding people who choose to keep showing up. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions! Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

  6. Jul 29

    "I Don't Wanna Talk About You, I'm Paying You to Talk About Me" | Bad Therapists, Finding the Right Fit & Normalizing Mental Health

    In this episode, we're talking about something that affects so many people but still carries a surprising amount of stigma: therapy. After receiving a listener request, we share our personal experiences with therapy, what we expected before we ever walked into an office, and how finding the right therapist can be a lot harder than people realize. From therapists who spent more time talking about themselves than helping us to the ones who genuinely challenged our thinking, we discuss what has—and hasn't—worked for us. We also open up about why we each sought therapy in the first place. Julie shares her experience searching for answers while questioning her sexuality, while Ryann talks about finding an LGBTQ+-affirming therapist during the process of pursuing top surgery and navigating gender identity. Along the way, we discuss why therapy isn't about someone telling you what to do, but helping you ask better questions, recognize unhealthy thought patterns, and work through life's biggest challenges. The conversation also turns to parenting and why we've chosen to normalize therapy for our own kids. We talk about childhood anxiety, ADHD, raising emotionally healthy children, and why we hope our kids will always see therapy as just another part of taking care of themselves—no different than going to the doctor or dentist. Whether you've been in therapy for years or you're still trying to find the courage to make that first appointment, this episode is an honest conversation about mental health, finding the right fit, and giving yourself permission to ask for help. *Content Note: This episode contains discussions of mental health, anxiety, ADHD, depression, gender dysphoria, LGBTQ+ identity, gender transition, family relationships, and therapy experiences. We share our personal experiences only and are not mental health professionals. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions! Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

  7. Jul 22

    "I Am Shocked I'm Not Dead or in Prison" | Drinking, Drugs & the Reckless Decisions That Somehow Didn't Ruin Our Lives

    In this episode, we're taking a walk down memory lane and sharing some of our wildest (and occasionally questionable) experiences with drugs, alcohol, college parties, and growing up. From first cigarettes and first drinks to college partying, bad decisions, near misses, and the lessons we learned along the way, this is one of our most honest conversations yet. We talk about our very different experiences with alcohol and marijuana, including Ryann's college party days, sorority life, smoking weed for the first time, and some moments that could have gone very differently if luck—and a few good people—hadn't stepped in. We also share stories about peer pressure, drinking culture, making risky decisions, and how growing older has completely changed our perspective on what fun looks like. Julie opens up about some of her first experiences with drinking, including situations where friends helped protect her when she was too intoxicated to make safe decisions for herself. Together, we discuss the importance of looking out for each other, trusting your instincts, and knowing when it's time to leave a situation that doesn't feel right. We also talk about our experiences trying marijuana, edible horror stories, paranoia, why cannabis affects people so differently, and the surprising realization that neither of us are particularly interested in partying anymore. These days, we'd rather spend time camping, hiking, traveling, or relaxing with friends than recovering from a hangover. Most importantly, this episode isn't about glorifying drugs or alcohol. It's about sharing real-life experiences, talking honestly about mistakes, and discussing the lessons we'd want our own kids to take away someday. If you've ever looked back on your younger years and wondered how you survived them, you'll probably relate to this conversation. *Content Note: This episode contains discussions about alcohol use, marijuana use, underage drinking, college party culture, intoxication, addiction, drinking and driving, and situations involving sexual vulnerability. Listener discretion is advised. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions! Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

  8. Jul 15

    "You Don't Need to Take Up Less Space to Be Loved" | Body Image, Diet Culture & Breaking the Cycle for Our Kids

    In this episode, we're diving into one of the most complicated relationships many of us have: our relationship with our bodies. From childhood insecurities and family influences to diet culture, weight loss, body image, and learning to treat ourselves with a little more kindness, we're sharing the stories and experiences that shaped how we see ourselves today. We talk about growing up in the 80s and 90s, watching the adults around us constantly diet, criticize their bodies, and chase the latest weight-loss trend. We discuss how comments from parents, grandparents, friends, and even classmates can stick with us for decades, influencing how we think about our bodies long after childhood ends. Along the way, we share our own experiences with body image struggles, dieting, emotional eating, weight fluctuations, exercise, and the pressure to look a certain way. We talk about everything from Weight Watchers, Atkins, Paleo, Keto, and GLP-1 medications to the realization that health isn't one-size-fits-all. What works for one person may not work for another, and sometimes the most important thing is learning to listen to your own body instead of chasing someone else's definition of success. We also open up about topics that are often difficult to discuss, including eating disorders, body dysphoria, mental health, self-esteem, and the impact of social media and peer pressure. Most importantly, we talk about how we're trying to break those cycles for our own kids by teaching them that bodies come in all shapes and sizes, that food isn't something to fear, and that a person's worth has nothing to do with a number on a scale. This conversation is funny, vulnerable, and honest—and a reminder that most of us are far harder on ourselves than we would ever be on someone we love. If you've ever looked in the mirror and wished you could be kinder to yourself, this episode is for you. *Content Note: This episode includes discussions about body image, dieting, weight loss, eating disorders, body dysphoria, and mental health. Listener discretion is advised. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions! Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. Home - Julie Beck LLC

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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Between coming out, building a family and breaking cycles, we don’t know what the fck we’re doing but we sure as hell aren’t going to shut up about it.  The Stories We Leave You shares the messy, heartbreaking, and healing moments that make us who we are and make you say “holy sh*t same.” Expect a little chaos, a lot of honesty and the kind of raw, unfiltered storytelling you needed to hear growing up. You might cry from laughing, or just flat out cry but no matter what, you’re going to feel something (for once). 

Information

  • Creator
    Ryann and Julie Beck
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Stories We Leave You
  • Show Website
    The Stories We Leave You

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