2 Lives “The second begins the moment we realize we have only one.”

Anna Runkle calls herself the crappy childhood fairy and has helped a million people deal with their Complex PTSD. But it took 11 therapists and dozens of self help books before she found a name for what she has and a practice that worked.

2 Lives is created by Laurel Morales. Valerie Shively is the assistant producer. Christian Arnder is our pod art illustrator and website designer. Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Learn how to support the show at 2lives.org/support.

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2 Lives “The second begins the moment we realize we have only one.”

Subscribe to Laurel's Substack here.

We had planned to launch season 11 today with a new episode. But at the last minute the guest we interviewed asked us to hold off. 

At 2 Lives we share the script with the person we interview before the story is finalized to make sure we got everything right. We do that for two reasons: one, because I’m often asking people to share their worst day and I want them to feel comfortable with the way we share it. And two, because the same courtesy was shown to me when I was featured in a newspaper and I caught an error. We all make mistakes. I’ve been told by other journalists that this practice is “radical,” but these aren’t investigative exposés of corrupt political leaders, these are people’s most vulnerable personal stories and heartfelt truths.

I thought this might be an opportunity to share with you another practice we have and that is in the pre interview with assistant producer Valerie Shively she makes sure people are in the right time in their life to share their story. And before every interview I say, while sharing stories can be therapeutic, I am not a therapist. What I ask and share might be triggering. I also say there are seasons when we are more open to sharing our stories. And there are seasons when we are closed. Obviously this was one of those for our guest; she just didn’t realize it. 

At a time when it’s so easy to click submit and share and over share on social media in an effort to sell our book or our brand, I think we often don’t listen to that voice inside that’s saying NO don’t do it. This thing you’re about to exploit, we haven’t gotten enough distance from it yet. It feels too raw to share.

At 2 Lives, our intention to shine a light on stories of transformation is governed by the principle that these stories shared are symbiotic in nature, mutually beneficial for both the teller and the listener. We don’t share a person’s story unless they really want to share it. We honor that, even if it is to our own detriment. And those ethics are more important than numbers. 

So when today’s guest asked that we not share at the last minute, although we were disappointed, we understood, and saw it as a perfect opportunity to reflect on the importance of ethics in storytelling. The importance of an internal moral code that helps us live above the numbers, especially when things don’t go our way.

So instead of a 2 Lives episode, I’m sharing with you an episode of a podcast we love called Ladies of Lore. On this most consequential Election Day, we thought we’d give you a break from the noise by casting a wink and a nod to all the ancient female powerhouses throughout time and space. 

2 Lives “The second begins the moment we realize we have only one.”

2 Lives is created by Laurel Morales. Valerie Shively is the assistant producer. Christian Arnder is our illustrator and website designer. Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Become a 2 Lives patron at https://www.patreon.com/2lives

Or give a donation at paypal.me/2LivesPodcast

You can learn how to support the show here. Or order merch here.

Subscribe to Laurel's Substack here.

Drop us a note on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.  

Episode transcripts are posted on our  website.

Kiersten Parsons Hathcock became a medium after discovering an unexpected psychic ability. Today Kiersten helps investigators around the country solve missing children's cases, and the spirits have helped her uncover and heal from her own traumatic past.

2 Lives “The second begins the moment we realize we have only one.”

2 Lives is created by Laurel Morales. Valerie Shively is the assistant producer. Christian Arnder is our illustrator and website designer. Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Become a 2 Lives patron at https://www.patreon.com/2lives

Or give a donation at paypal.me/2LivesPodcast

Drop us a note on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You can learn how to support the show here. Or order merch here. Episode transcripts are posted on our  website.

Find out more about Kiersten, her book Little Voices, and the National Institute for Law & Justice at her website.

When Heather Straughter’s son got sick, her perspective shifted. She discovered how fragile life is. She had to keep pivoting, when she was forced to change her expectations and recalibrate hope. 

2 Lives “The second begins the moment we realize we have only one.”

2 Lives is created by Laurel Morales. Valerie Shively is the assistant producer. Christian Arnder is our illustrator and website designer. Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Become a 2 Lives patron at https://www.patreon.com/2lives

Or give a donation at paypal.me/2LivesPodcast

When you become part of the 2 Lives Crew, we'll send you an uncut episode of your choice.

Drop us a note on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You can learn how to support the show here. Or order merch here. Episode transcripts are posted on our  website.

Learn more about Heather Straughter, Jake's Help From Heaven, and her podcast A Place Of Yes on our website.

2 LIVES - STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION

As a teenager Michael discovered he was a great tennis player. He fell into a flow state that he spent decades studying and striving to achieve again. He became a psychologist in the process. After years of telling clients to face their fears, Michael Brady has taken his own advice and confronted his perfectionism, but it’s still difficult to let go.

2 Lives “The second begins the moment we realize we have only one.”

2 Lives is created by Laurel Morales. Valerie Shively is the assistant producer. Christian Arnder is our illustrator and website designer. Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Become a 2 Lives patron at https://www.patreon.com/2lives

Or give a donation at paypal.me/2LivesPodcast

Drop us a note on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You can learn how to support the show here. Or order merch here. Episode transcripts are posted on our  website.

Find out more about Michael Brady or M Brady's music on Spotify or our website.

2 LIVES - STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION

For years Sonia Kahlon succeeded by her parents’ and husband's standards, but it was only after getting sober and volunteering at a women’s prison that Sonia found her true calling.

2 Lives “The second begins the moment we realize we have only one.”

2 Lives is created by Laurel Morales. Valerie Shively is the assistant producer. Christian Arnder is our illustrator and website designer. Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Become a 2 Lives patron at https://www.patreon.com/2lives

Or give a donation at paypal.me/2LivesPodcast

Drop us a note on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You can learn how to support the show here. Or order merch here. Episode transcripts are posted on our  website.

Find out more about Sonia Kahlon, Sisters In Sobriety, their substack, and ACE scores on our website.

2 LIVES - STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION

After years of relying on cocaine and caffeine to focus Kathleen discovers she has ADHD. The diagnosis and subsequent tools help her achieve her dream of becoming a therapist.

2 Lives “The second begins the moment we realize we have only one.”

2 Lives is created by Laurel Morales. Valerie Shively is the assistant producer. Christian Arnder is our illustrator and website designer. Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Become a 2 Lives patron at https://www.patreon.com/2lives

Or give a donation at paypal.me/2LivesPodcast

Drop us a note on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You can learn how to support the show here. Or order merch here. Episode transcripts are posted on our  website.

Find out more about Kathleen Killen and her podcast "Sisters In Sobriety" on our website.

2 LIVES - STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION

After years of capture kill missions Kervin Aucoin now employs his military training to help people thrive. He says sharing his story keeps his PTSD at bay.

2 Lives “The second begins the moment we realize we have only one.”

2 Lives is created by Laurel Morales. Valerie Shively is the assistant producer. Christian Arnder is our illustrator and website designer. Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Become a 2 Lives patron at https://www.patreon.com/2lives

Or give a donation at paypal.me/2LivesPodcast

Drop us a note on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You can learn how to support the show here. Or order merch here. Episode transcripts are posted on our  website.

Find out more about Kervin Aucoin on our website.

2 LIVES - STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION

At 15 Meghan Callaghan was left alone with her grandfather for the day. What started out as a seemingly ordinary day became a defining moment in Meghan’s life.

2 Lives “The second begins the moment we realize we have only one.”

2 Lives is created by Laurel Morales. Valerie Shively is the assistant producer. Christian Arnder is our illustrator and website designer. Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Become a 2 Lives patron at https://www.patreon.com/2lives

Or give a donation at paypal.me/2LivesPodcast

Drop us a note on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You can learn how to support the show here. Or order merch here. Episode transcripts are posted on our  website.

Find out more about GUEST on our website.

2 LIVES - STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION

Rod Nordland, author of "Waiting For The Monsoon," doesn’t plan to die from an incurable brain cancer. He’s a survivor — of violence, war, and now disease.

"Although it's been terrible, I wouldn't change it back, his partner Leila Segal says. "Even though I was in love with him and I loved him before, I would never have got the relationship I now have with this man unless this had happened. Not only to him, to me too, because of course I've had to change." 

"Learning to love and express love was a very important part of my second life," Nordland says. 

2 Lives “The second begins the moment we realize we have only one.”

2 Lives is created by Laurel Morales. Valerie Shively is the assistant producer. Christian Arnder is our illustrator and website designer. Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Become a 2 Lives patron at https://www.patreon.com/2lives

Or give a donation at paypal.me/2LivesPodcast

Drop us a note on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You can learn how to support the show here. Or order merch here. Episode transcripts are posted on our  website.

Find out more about Rod Nordland and his partner Leila Segal on our website.