D.I.Y., home makeover, fixer upper...whatever you call it, we're right there with you. Sometimes you either like to do the work or you need to do the work yourself. And we've had our share of projects around the house. In this episode, Wendy ta

Nancy’s Hands

Jan 2nd, 2024 27m 7s

Have you ever looked in the mirror and said, "Whoa. I look like my mom"? A picture of Wendy's aunt's hands calls to mind the ones who have gone before and serves as an opening for a flood of memories.Then, join Wendy and her Aunt Nancy as they

You Never Know Who’s Listening

Dec 19th, 2023 22m 48s

Just in time, OUR CHRISTMAS EPISODE drops! This one is about telling stories and a reminder that who is listening really matters. And in response, Wendy crafts a special Christmas story for the little ears that we know are tuning in (and pickin

What Grace Overheard

Dec 5th, 2023 26m 16s

It's not like she meant to be eavesdropping – or did she? – but what she heard was her mother talking about her. Sometimes living in the same house can be challenging.The conversation that follows is between Wendy and Grace. They discuss the w

Losing Ann

Nov 15th, 2023 25m 25s

An unexpected relationship begins after a difficult diagnosis and a friendship emerges. And while there is so often joy in the journey, sometimes that journey also involves walking alongside others in the midst of their suffering. Ann's story i

Last Days

Oct 31st, 2023 32m 20s

A phone call. A surgery. A terminal diagnosis. Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn that alters everything we once knew. And on the other side of goodbye, there is tremendous sorrow, grief, and gratitude.The conversation that follows is bet

The Tallest Tree

Oct 10th, 2023 28m 16s

Fathers are tall trees, especially to this girl. In this episode, Wendy takes a walk down Carlson Drive in an attempt to capture the man, the myth, and the legend of Dad - who can only be captured because of a sharp stick in the eye.The conve

My Neighbor’s Tree

Sep 26th, 2023 25m 57s

In this episode, an encounter with a neighbor's missing tree opens up a deep river of grief. Then Wendy is joined again by her husband Randy to discuss people and trees as a preview of the next set of episodes coming up on On Carlson Drive.C

People Watcher

Sep 12th, 2023 24m 52s

A visit to the beach reveals the creativity of human beings and their creator. And we just can't stop gawking at them all. In this episode, Wendy recounts looking down (literally) on a populated beach to see the beautiful and playful collection

A Short Bit of Sisterhood

Aug 29th, 2023 25m 10s

As a Christmas gift, Wendy received a book of stories from her daughter Grace. In this episode, Grace shares one of her stories about high school, relationships, and friends drifting apart. Then, Grace is joined by her friend Adam for a tangen

Confessions of a Nosy Neighbor

Aug 15th, 2023 30m 27s

There comes a day when you realize you have become your own version of Gladys Kravitz*...but you're kind of okay with it. In this episode, Wendy takes a walk through her neighborhood to introduce you to the wonderful people of Walmer Street.Th

The People In My Neighborhood

Aug 1st, 2023 28m 9s

Our lives are fleshed out in homes and apartments that are found in neighborhoods that have...*gasp*...people in them. You know, the people that you meet each day. Frankly, those neighbors can be pretty entertaining at times. In this episode, W

The Grandma Life

Jul 18th, 2023 37m 48s

In the long awaited third season, Wendy recounts the arrival of a new member of the family and the joys and challenges of extended families and new grandchildren.Then, Wendy sits down with Jami Johnson (the "other woman") to have a conversati

My Birthday is Too Close to Christmas

Dec 14th, 2021 28m 28s

Oh, the plight of those who have a birthday during the Christmas season. The overshadowed and overlooked voices both her love for Christmas and her disdain for birthday presents in Christmas wrapping.Joined by her Christmas Eve eve baby, Wendy

The Baby of the Family

Nov 30th, 2021 36m 45s

It's time to visit the in-laws – a grumpy angel and an earthy matriarch – and the effervescent family that reflects their love. Then join Wendy and her sister-in-law Rhonda as they discuss how perspectives reveal how stories get told (as well

Bitterness Puppies

Nov 16th, 2021 25m 20s

This is our episode about puppies. Not just one puppy. A basket FULL of puppies. Everyone loves puppies, right? Oh, yeah...and the two Staceys...but no one likes them. Then Wendy is joined by our friend, David, who still holds a grudge agains

The One That Got Delayed

Nov 9th, 2021 10m 40s

We may be too young a podcast for a "best of" week but when you're young you do foolish things – like messing up your production schedule and getting a little behind. So enjoy one of our favorites from last season. Come take a walk in the park

A Walk in the Park

Oct 26th, 2021 40m 43s

This is the story of how a simple walk can turn into a lifelong friendship. Featuring a conversation with Wendy's walking buddy, Donna, this episode is a reminder that sometimes friendships can develop and deepen in three-mile increments.Come

What‘s Happening to Grace?

Oct 12th, 2021 34m 29s

Life has its fill of defining moments. Some (well, most) you just can't control. And it seems they can either break you down or build you up, but either way you end up with a tale to tell. This is the story of a morning that startled a sleeping

Babies!

Sep 28th, 2021 34m 45s

Everyone's story begins a little bit the same way, yet all of them are remarkably different. From the very start, the way we come into the world becomes part of the story our parents tell about us. In this week's episode, we explore three birth

20 Years Later: Remembering 9/11

Sep 11th, 2021 36m 31s

Our generation's shared story was 20 years ago from the day this episode was released. Everyone old enough to remember knows where they were when it happened. And we all have stories that connect to that world-changing Tuesday morning. Included

Our Cabin on Lake Michigan

Aug 31st, 2021 29m 30s

Camping together turned into a new adventure - buying land and building a cabin. The shores of Lake Michigan became the destination and a lifetime of memories followed. Joined once again by "Uncle" Harry, we take a look at summer vacations and

Camping

Aug 17th, 2021 28m 33s

Tents, campers, campgrounds, skits, and s'mores around the campfire. In another life, it seems, these were signs of summer. And almost all of them were accompanied by lifelong family friends Harry and Barb, their boys Steve and Kevin, and Biscu

The 15-passenger Van

Aug 3rd, 2021 31m 50s

In the 80s, the 15-passenger van was a staple in the lives of those whose parents worked for a church. And so it goes for Wendy...youth retreats, camp trips, and learning to drive were all part of the unique experience of having a "van in the f

Summer Camp

Jul 20th, 2021 33m 38s

Summer is the time of year that shouts, "CAMP!" - as in summer camp - for those of us who grew up going to church camp. This episode reflects on a lifetime of summers at camp, from parents being on staff to becoming a camper to working at camp