NOT MEETING EXPECTATIONS

Today's special guest is my childhood friend (does since 9th grade count?) and Senior Assistant Solicitor for the 10th Circuit in Anderson, SC, Kristin W. Reeves. Kristin prosecutes domestic violence cases in a state that ranks 6th in the United States for what are called, Criminal Domestic Violence (CDV), cases.

[National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 or Text START 88788]

Kristin secured a conviction in April of this year for a man who brutally murdered his wife in front of their toddler. I'm particularly proud of her for working on CDV cases and putting her heart and drive for justice into her work because of my own story of sexual assault when I was 15 years old and my experience with the law. But mostly, I am proud of her for being a voice for the victims of these horrible crimes.

In this episode, we are just getting to know Kristin and learning how she decided to become a lawyer. Despite Kristin's work being so comprised of the harsh realities of the kind of cases she sees on a daily basis, she is witty and fun to talk to and be around. I'm grateful that between her work and being a mother of two, she was willing to share some of her story with me and my audience. This conversation is us just getting started, as there is so much more to learn about Kristin and her work!

Thanks for listening, Y'all! With love, your host—Rachel

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WHY BREATHWORK? This is the how and why for me. It is how I found it (how it found me) and why I continue to do it AND why I want to share it with you.

I believe it calls to us. It definitely called to me, this unique three-stage pranayama (focusing the breath) that allows you to drop into a deep meditative state and connect to your own energy, cleansing and releasing.

Oh I am especially excited for this one. PART 2 of my conversation with my Pilates teacher and friend, Elaine Entenza.

Oh I am especially excited for this one. My guest today is my Pilates teacher and friend, Elaine Entenza.

This is Part 3 of a FOUR (maybe FIVE)-parter. **I wanted to note that what I am sharing is my experience and interpretation of my experience. I am not making blanket statements about Christianity, any other religion, nor religion as a whole. 

Thank you for traveling along with me. 

Part 3 

- Growing up Catholic in Clemson, SC, continued. 

- Turning points in my beliefs. (Too young to commit to a life of Catholicism and aren't there other religions who believe as strongly as            Christians? Wait. There's a whole host of beliefs out there.)

Part 4 

- Getting sober. (A God of my own understanding, aka. Higher Power)

- Old Testament class in college. (Yeah. The Bible may be a roadmap for some but used in a really jacked up way for others.)

- So many cool things to explore when Spirituality is about living with openness and wonder. (Love and compassion abound.)

Take a listen. Subscribe for this adventure we are headed on together. See what connections we can make when we share our stories with each other.

This is Part 2 of a three parter. I didn't quite get to my belief "Turning points" in this one, but I got close and will continue the conversation in Ep. 7, Part 3 to be released later. Thank you for traveling along with me. 

Part 2 - Growing up Catholic in Clemson, SC. (Not the coolest thing to be when everyone else was Southern Baptist, but we got to drink.)

- Going to Mass with my dad. (I cry a little. It was important to me.)

- How I interpreted the message of Jesus. (Wasn't he supposed to represent love and compassion?)

- Turning points in my beliefs. (Too young to commit to a life of Catholicism and aren't there other religions who believe as strongly as            Christians? Wait. There's a whole host of beliefs out there.)

Part 3 - Getting sober. (A God of my own understanding, aka. Higher Power)

- Old Testament class in college. (Yeah. The Bible may be a roadmap for some but used in a really jacked up way for others.)

- So many cool things to explore when Spirituality is about living with openness and wonder. (Love and compassion abound.)

Take a listen. Subscribe for this adventure we are headed on together. See what connections we can make when we share our stories with each other.

Why not kick off my episode/s about my spiritual path with a video podcast? I'm set up with a badass microphone to record my podcast and ended up recording PART 1 through my phone but with video. 

Part 1 - Intro (My first video podcast.)

Part 2 - Growing up Catholic in Clemson, SC. (Not the coolest thing to be when everyone else was Southern Baptist, but we got to drink.) 

            - Going to mass with my dad. (I cry a little. It was important to me.)

            - How I interpreted the message of Jesus. (Wasn't he supposed to represent love and compassion?)

            - Turning points in my beliefs. (Too young to commit to a life of Catholicism and aren't there other religions who believe as strongly as            Christians? Wait. There's a whole host of beliefs out there.)

Part 3 - Getting sober. (A God of my own understanding, aka. Higher Power)

           - Old Testament class in college. (Yeah. The Bible may be a roadmap for some but used in a really jacked up way for others.)

           - So many cool things to explore when Spirituality is about living with openness and wonder. (Love and compassion abound.)

Take a listen. Subscribe for this adventure we are headed on together. See what connections we can make when we share our stories with each other.

Today is the anniversary of my mom's passing, Dec. 7th. We had a special bond. 

In 2016 I had a desire to write an essay about her life through my eyes and decided to read it aloud with her. My mom was married four times in her lifetime with the second one being a physically abusive one. She was intelligent and kind and driven by the excitement of love and the traditional idea of marriage (until she was done). I am the only child by my parents, and my mom was my advocate, critic, benefactor and my closest model of love. At 47 years old, even in a healthy relationship with Bunny, I am faced with what it means to be in this world without that presence, that expression of generosity and safety. 

My mom's death was not a moment on December 7th, 2020, but it was in motion for years beforehand. I was lucky enough to be with her the last 2 years of her life. But because of a 2nd stroke in June 2020 and then COVID, I didn't see her for the last month she was alive. She died separated from me. (months before vaccines became available).

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" - song by composer Harold Arlen and lyricist Yip Harburg and performed and recorded by Bunny Frost (2021) for my mom's memorial. 

Anyway, this is Part 1 of 2 of that conversation with her, about her LIFE. 

Love, Rachel 

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WILD WOMAN, A NOVEL is my debut novel. You've heard me describe what it is about (survival and transformation, abuse and breaking the cycle in relationships, love and hope and friendship). Set in a small town in the Appalachian Mountains, WILD WOMAN, tells the story of Charlene Louise Montgomery (Charlie), a Guns ‘N’ Roses-loving mountain girl who comes from generations of women to whom spousal abuse is just another part of life, “like fixin’ supper.” After twenty-two years of living a life according to what “don’t work,” her moment of grace comes, empowering her to let go of the need to acquire her violent husband’s attention and to transform her purpose for living.

But why did I write this story? 

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Oh, I am. I do. However, I pose a question to you about getting to the experience of that word. Because, after all, isn't it the experience we are here for? 

Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you are warm, fed and feel loved. 

Love, Rachel

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Take a listen. Subscribe for this adventure we are headed on together. See what connections we can make when we share our stories with each other.