Barren not Broken

Navigating a Childless Life with Guest Brandi Lytle (Part 2)

Brandi Lytle, founder & owner of Not So Mommy… and creator of the olive green Childless Not By Choice Awareness Ribbon, is a wife, dog mom, aunt, host mom, infertile woman living an imperfectly perfect life in South Carolina, USA with her husband, Dane, and fur baby, Maddie. She has redefined what momhood means to her and strives to focus on the bright sides, #RedefiningChildless. Her hope is to inspire others to accept, embrace, redefine—discovering a Plan B that brings them joy!

Brandi and I met on social media through a mutual friend. We have been able to collaborate together on some awesome projects. Brandi and her hubby, Jase and I have some similar things we’ve walked through. Our childless not by choice journeys have forced us to face the unknowns we never wanted and discover who we are without kids.  It’s always so helpful when you don’t have to feel like you are the only one. In this conversation we chat about navigating difficult conversations with our hubbies and families. We tackle how to manage and throw off others' expectations. Both of us share how we have taken the path of healing from loss. Brandi really opens up and shares vulnerability with us. She will inspire you to be willing to take the journey as it comes and give yourself space to heal. 

No matter the barren places in our lives, let’s not live broken. 

@barrennotbroken www.barrennotbroken.com

Navigating a Childless Life with Guest Brandi Lytle (Part 1)

Brandi Lytle, founder & owner of Not So Mommy… and creator of the olive green Childless
Not By Choice Awareness Ribbon, is a wife, dog mom, aunt, host mom, infertile woman living
an imperfectly perfect life in South Carolina, USA with her husband, Dane, and fur baby,
Maddie. She has redefined what momhood means to her and strives to focus on the bright sides,
#RedefiningChildless. Her hope is to inspire others to accept, embrace, redefine—discovering a
Plan B that brings them joy!

 

Brandi and I met on social media through a mutual friend.We have been able to collaborate together on some awesome projects. Brandi and her hubby, Jase and I have some similar things we’ve walked through. Our childless not by choice journeys have forced us to face the unknowns we never wanted and discover who we are without kids.  It’s always so helpful when you don’t have to feel like you are the only one. In this conversation we chat about navigating difficult conversations with our hubbies and families. We tackle how to manage and throw off others' expectations. Both of us share how we have taken the path of healing from loss. Brandi really opens up and shares vulnerability with us. She will inspire you to be willing to take the journey as it comes and give yourself space to heal. 

No matter the barren places in our lives, let’s not live broken. 

@barrennotbroken www.barrennotbroken.com

Unimaginable Loss, Medical Trauma and Friendship with Gayle Novak

Gayle is not only one of my dearest friends, but she is one talented woman! Gayle and I have both experienced medical trauma. We both quickly discovered it is no small thing to navigate! We share what friendship looks like or should look like when someone we love is going through loss or medical trauma. Together we get real, share practical tips and encourage new mindsets. Too often friendships are lost unnecessarily in a season when one friend is in need and the other doesn’t know what to do. Both Gayle and I hope you will lean in! Be willing to learn how to show up, communicate love in friendship no matter what. Be willing to share what you need and be open to receive love and care when it’s offered.

No matter the barren places in our lives, let’s not live broken. 

 

@barrennotbroken www.barrennotbroken.com

Surviving Loss & Navigating Through Grief From a Man’s Perspective with Dustin Alise (Part 2)

Dustin shares with us how he navigated his heart and relationships in the midst of the deep loss of his daughter Leila who was born, stillborn. He chose to be present with his wife Amy as they walked through devastation and heartache. Dustin shares how he held onto his sobriety while figuring out his way through grief. Dustin and I talk about the difficulties of the hard conversations with ourselves and our spouses. We dive into the coping skills needed to sustain a healthy marriage in the midst of grief. My heart for this episode is that the men in this community would hear from someone who gets it. That they would know that they do not have to have it all figured out. This conversation with Dustin was filled with authentic truth and practical tools we hope will encourage you where you are in your story. No matter the barren places in our lives, let's not live broken.

@BarrenNotBroken www.barrennotbroken.com

Surviving Loss & Navigating Through Grief From a Man’s Perspective with Dustin Alise (Part 1)

Dustin shares with us how he navigated his heart and relationships in the midst of the deep loss of his daughter Leila who was born, stillborn. He chose to be present with his wife Amy as they walked through devastation and heartache. Dustin shares how he held onto his sobriety while figuring out his way through grief. Dustin and I talk about the difficulties of the hard conversations with ourselves and our spouses. We dive into the coping skills needed to sustain a healthy marriage in the midst of grief. My heart for this episode is that the men in this community would hear from someone who gets it. That they would know that they do not have to have it all figured out. This conversation with Dustin was filled with authentic truth and practical tools we hope will encourage you where you are in your story. No matter the barren places in our lives, let's not live broken.

www.barrennotbroken.com @barrennotbroken

Childless Not by Choice and Thriving by Choice with Jobi Tyson

I had the privilege of interviewing my friend Jobi. We met via instagram over a year ago and hit it off. We have collaborated on several projects and every time I just come to admire Jobi even more. We have so many shared experiences that lead us to some very meaningful conversations, as women who are childless not by choice. We both have faced tragedy and heartache yet chosen to not let those things define us but rather to live as overcomers and advocates for others. Jobi shares what she believes women in this community need to hear to live fulfilled lives. Together we talk about the topics of stereotypes, advocating for yourself and others while living above the pain. 

 

Jobi Tyson is the founder of Tutum Global, a multidisciplinary platform for involuntarily childless women. She is a sociocultural researcher, a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Practitioner, and a content creator. Jobi is also the founder and editor-in-chief of an international magazine for childless women, Tutum Journal. Her life’s mission is to change the way female childlessness is presented, analyzed and discussed.

2 Year Anniversary - What Has Been and What is Coming!

In this episode, Jason and BonnieRuth look back over the last two years of all that has come from stepping out and starting Barren Not Broken! There have been some incredible stories shared that have taught us as a BNB community to better learn how to grieve well. We have discovered we are not alone and grew stronger in learning no matter the barren places in our lives, we do not have to live broken! Not only do the Rolf's take time to honor what has come from the Barren Not Broken Podcast, they also share some exciting things on the horizon to becoming more than just a podcast. 

www.barrennotbroken.com

How To Show Up When You Feel Like You Are The Only One - Nicole Clark and BonnieRuth

My friend Nicole from Twelve 12 Ministries not only shares her own story of infertility and the difficult decision to not move forward with trying to grow their family of 3 to 4. She shares her experience of feeling like "the only one". We talk about how to show up when it feels like you are the only one, how to be aware of others when in a group setting so everyone feels welcome. Nicole and I also tackle the topic of navigating tough choices when it seems like the unpopular choice. This incredible woman is a business owner, creative and a woman on a mission to inspire purpose and hope in the lives of woman. She has the most genuine heart. We hope this conversation encourages you and reminds you, you are not alone. 

 

@barrennotbroken www.barrennotbroken.com

Never Underestimate The Impact of Someone Else's story- Deana and BR (Part 2)

Deana is an emotional architect who loves taking others places they didn't know to go. She is an author and conference speaker who loves to come alongside others to create a safe place for them to heal. She is one of my dearest friends. Deana and I have a conversation on how important it is to not let the barren places leave us broken. When we walk in brokenness we miss the relationships and legacy that is purposed for us. This episode is a bit different than the rest. However it is an important one to me. We navigate how important it is to learn from and be impacted by each other’s stories. Deana shares her story of abortion, motherhood, marriage and heartache with us. Through her story you will see she has done the hard work to grieve and heal. Together we communicate how each of our stories has impacted each other. I hope through this episode you discover that every relationship that comes into your path can add value to the legacy of your own story. @barrennotbroken

Never Underestimate The Impact of Someone Else's Story- Deana and BR (Part 1)

Deana is an emotional architect who loves taking others places they didn't know to go. She is an author and conference speaker who loves to come alongside others to create a safe place for them to heal. She is one of my dearest friends. Deana and I have a conversation on how important it is to not let the barren places leave us broken. When we walk in brokenness we miss the relationships and legacy that is purposed for us. This episode is a bit different than the rest. However it is an important one to me. We navigate how important it is to learn from and be impacted by each other’s stories. Deana shares her story of abortion, motherhood, marriage and heartache with us. Through her story you will see she has done the hard work to grieve and heal. Together we communicate how each of our stories has impacted each other. I hope through this episode you discover that every relationship that comes into your path can add value to the legacy of your own story. @barrennotbroken