The Kindred & Brave Project

Season 2 Episode 15: ADHD & Our Neurospicy Journey

October is ADHD awareness month, and in honor of that & my own kiddo today, I share some candid stories about what this journey has looked like for us as a family. It’s an episode that sheds light on how having a neurospicy kiddo impacts the family as a whole and flips the script on what we “typically” learn about parenting.
I leave you with some of our hardest moments and biggest wins, as well as how to think about showing up for your students, friends, or relatives who have ADHD. 
Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back. 
Resources:
https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/
Dr. Becky “The Single Most Important Parenting Strategy” 
Inspired by this Moth Card Deck -
Think about:
A time you felt the HEAT.
A time you got burned.
A time you fanned the flames.
With Gratitude,
 
Mandy-

Season 2 Episode 14: Midlife in the Wild // Finding Home

Hello - I’m back! Today, I talk about the summer I accidentally took off from here and what I’ve learned from falling apart. 
This episode isn’t about putting a pretty bow on the unraveling that is bound to happen in midlife; it’s about learning to turn within when your compass goes awry. 
It’s an honest chat about the inner work that never ends if we want to keep choosing ourselves. 
 
Resources // 
 
https://brenebrown.com/articles/2018/05/24/the-midlife-unraveling/
 
Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back.
Mandy

Season 2 Episode 13: Welcoming The Second Half of the Year

Today, I share all the things that have gone wrong in the last few months and how I realized that our lessons are in learning and that learning takes time, discomfort, and pushing against old ideas.
 
We have the opportunity to refuel - be it with grace, forgiveness, and the reminder that you know best how to fill your own tanks. 
 
Welcome to a brand new half of 2025. I hope you can take what you need. 
With Gratitude,
 
Mandy

Season 2 Episode 12: Letting Go of Should & Releasing Control

Does anyone else have some anxiety about how the first half of the year has gone? Maybe you aren’t “on track” with your goals, or life is "lifing" too hard that you feel stuck?
Today, I want to share some ideas about what happens when our brain tries to take control by using some of my own stories about the last 6 months. Spoiler: not a lot has gone as planned. 
I’ll leave you with some reminders & a lucky duck glimmer that I hope will make you feel seen & have a giggle at the unpredictable nature of life.
With Gratitude,
 
Mandy 

Season 2 Episode 11: Renegade Grief with Carla Fernandez

In this episode, I talk with Carla Fernandez, author of Renegade Grief and co-founder of The Dinner Party. We share grief stories and the power of connection during times of grief and loss. Carla shares important insights for how to navigate the Mother's Day and Father's Day holidays and ways to be an ally for other grievers and create rituals. 
 
https://www.carlafernandez.co/
 
https://www.thedinnerparty.org/
 
With Gratitude,
 
Mandy 

Season 2 Episode 10: A Eulogy // The Life of My Beloved Mama

I’m sharing something special with you all today. After 5 years I finally got the courage to write a eulogy for my mom.
 
We never got to have a service and I was never able to honor her in this way; I’m sharing some of the stories that describe who she was as a person, a mother, colleague, and grandmother. 
 
My hope is that you can learn more about me by learning more about her - some might say we are two peas in a pod.
 
This is also a testament that your grief journeys and rituals can look like whatever you want or need them to. If you never got to speak about your person the way you’d hoped you can use this as a practice for yourself. 
 
Thank you for listening.
Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid and the universe has your back.
With Gratitude,
 
Mandy

Season 2 Episode 9: Wellness Check // What is a Grief Bomb?

Grief Bombs. The reality is that no amount of time keeps them away. And that's ok. It's hard. And it's natural. 
 
In this episode, I share the story of the “biggest” grief bomb I’ve had in the almost 5 years since my mom has died, how I dealt with it, and how I’ve reflected on it. 
The idea in these moments is to pause and let it be. Give yourself a moment to recognize what you feel and honor it. Don't push it away. 
 
Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back.
With Gratitude,
 
Mandy

Season 2 Episode 8: Oh Biscuits! // What We Can Learn From Bluey

I am honored to introduce you to today’s very special guest - my dear husband Andy Lundquist. Andy has spent 15 years as a high school educator focusing on social studies and religion, having taught in Washington, Indiana and Illinois. Following his masters in transformational leadership, Andy began his PhD in Bluey over a year ago alongside fellow student, our now four year old daughter Zoey.  
We talk about how the show Bluey has helped us on our parenting journey and how we can learn right along with our kids. 
Andy serves up insightful observations about some episodes from this lovable children’s show that remind us about how hard adult friendships can be to cultivate, how to be fully present with our kids, and releasing control over how things “should” go. 
Resources
https://www.bluey.tv/
Season 1: Episode 6 // The Courageous Act of Grieving 
Season 1: Episode 7 // Finding Friends & Community in Mid(ish) Life
With Gratitude,
 
Mandy

Season 2 Episode 7: Allowing the And/Both of Emotions

Today I’m talking about what it felt like to have the most significant opportunity of my career by presenting at SXSW EDU and embracing the AND/BOTH of big feelings. 
There is so much we can learn when we have the courage to lean into the discomfort of being afraid and still work through it. I don’t believe the work removes the fear but it allows us to hold fear AND courage - that’s a powerful thing.
There were some big lessons (and winks from my mama) in my time in Austin. I hope you take what you need. 
Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back. 
Resources 
Prism Oracle Deck 
 
Episode 13: A Language For Mental Health: Why It Matters
 
I would be honored if you shared this episode. Please remember to like and subscribe to the show - it makes a big difference in who can find it online! And if you took the time to write a written review that is the icing on the cake - I would be so grateful. Your support means so much to me.
With Gratitude,
 
Mandy

Season 2 Episode 6: Comfort & Connection in Grief // A Conversation With Brie Overton

Today’s conversation features Brie Overton, the clinical director for Experience Camps, an award-winning national nonprofit that transforms the lives of grieving children through summer camp programs and innovative, year-round initiatives.
We dove into the ways that she was supported early in her grief journey and the class that changed how she thought about death and dying.
Brie shares the impact of Experience Camps and talks about the many ways she helps kids and teens build a toolbox to cope with their grief. 
We bond over the openness in literature and language we share with our kiddos about grief and loss. Brie’s book, “My Grief Comfort Book” just hit the shelves and she discusses how a variety of activities, physical and emotional, are important to our grief journeys. 
 
“I know a lot of folks say I don’t want my kids to see me cry, but they need to see you cry. They need to know it’s ok to have these emotions.” 
 
Brie Overton
Resources //
Experience Camps
My Grief Comfort Book 
Gentle Reminders 
 
With Gratitude,
 
Mandy