Beautiful Shifts

Motherhood, Loss, and LGBTQ+ Advocacy After Suicide with Alyson Deussen

In this episode, Alyson Paul Deussen shares her remarkable journey through life’s transitions—embracing motherhood, becoming the parent of a newly out gay son, navigating shifts in faith, facing the heartbreaking loss of her son Stockton to suicide, and transforming grief into powerful advocacy. With over 30 years in nonprofit leadership, Alyson has worked with Mama Dragons, Affirmation, Love Loud, and the Utah LGBTQ Suicide Prevention Workgroup, while also sharing her family’s story in media outlets like Al Jazeera, CNN’s Great Big Story, and HBO’s Sundance documentary Believer. Today, she and her husband George continue to honor Stockton’s legacy through grief education, humanitarian service, and suicide prevention efforts that inspire hope and healing.
 
We're so grateful for Alyson's vulnerability and wisdom, and for sharing her story with us. 
 
Learn more about Stockton's story and the Stockton Powers Memorial Scholarship at standingforstocktom.com. 

Surviving a Stroke: From Motherhood Blogger to Brain Health Advocate with Erin Proctor

In this episode, we sit down with Erin Proctor, the voice behind @toddler.frat.house, who went from sharing the raw, funny truths of motherhood to surviving a Covid-induced stroke that changed the course of her life. Erin opens up about her subarachnoid hemorrhage, the challenges of living with a traumatic brain injury, and the hidden struggles of recovery while raising four kids. She also shares how her experience led her to advocacy work with the American Heart and Stroke Association, and how she continues to find purpose and joy through educating others, navigating motherhood, and celebrating her husband’s recent cancer recovery. Thank you, Erin, for sharing your story with us! 
 
Find Erin on Instagram: @toddler.frat.house
Learn more, get involved, and know the signs of a stroke with the American Heart and Stroke Association: www.stroke.org.

Welcome to Season Four

Welcome to Season Four! We’re starting off by sharing about our guest appreciation dinner this past weekend and what a wonderful night it was, chatting about finding beauty in life even during difficult times, and a few thoughts on the podcast and what’s ahead. Whether you’re new or have been here before, we’re so glad you’re here. We have so many great guest stories coming soon, and we can’t wait to share them with you!

The Moments We Stand: Finding Light After Loss with Ashlee Boyson

In this powerful episode, Ashlee Boyson shares her journey through unimaginable loss after the infidelity and murder of her husband in 2011. Just months after welcoming her fifth child, Ashlee faced trauma that reshaped her life—and eventually led her to healing, advocacy, and helping others. She has shared her story on Dateline, Dr. Phil, True Crime Daily, and more, and continues her work through her blog The Moments We Stand, her books, and online courses. Ashlee’s story is one of resilience, hope, and finding light after darkness.
 
Find Ashlee at themomentswestand.com and on Instagram @themomentswestand.

From Gang Life to Poetry Teacher: Jorge Nunez's Life-Changing Journey

In this moving and eye-opening conversation, Jorge Nunez shares how poetry became the lifeline that helped him escape gang life in L.A., endure prison and deportation, and ultimately build a new life as a father, teacher, and poet. From writing his first poem in a juvenile probation camp to teaching in the same prison where he once served time, Jorge’s story offers a powerful glimpse into resilience, transformation, and the healing power of words.
 
This interview has stood out to us as one of the most unique, eye-opening stories we’ve had the privilege to hear — offering a glimpse into a world so different from our own. We’re deeply grateful for Jorge’s openness, his inspiring journey, and the friendship we’ve developed along the way. Thank you again, Jorge!
 
Find Jorge on Instagram @sr.jnunez

Grief, Growth, and The Commodity of Connection with Molly Bice Jackson

In this re-released episode, Molly Bice Jackson—author of The Commodity of Connection, keynote speaker, actress, and child loss survivor—shares how grief, creativity, and connection have shaped her story. With warmth, humor, and honesty, Molly talks about growing through life’s hardest moments and how meaningful connection continues to guide her work and life. We loved this conversation and know it will leave you reflecting on the power of connection and the essential role it plays in all of our lives.
 
Find Molly on Instagram @smallyspice
 
Molly's book The Commodity of Connection was released earlier this year and can be found on Amazon here. 

Resilience After Spinal Injury: Dan & Michelle Wadsworth’s Story

In August 2022, our friend and neighbor Dan Wadsworth sustained a life-changing spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down. In this inspiring conversation, Dan and his wife Michelle reflect on the journey they’ve been on since—navigating uncertainty, finding strength in each other, and learning to adapt to a new reality. Their story is one of courage, deep love, and discovering what you’re truly made of. We're so grateful they joined us to share their story. 
 
Connect with Michelle on Instagram @michellehwadsworth or Facebook at Michelle Heaton Wadsworth.

Finding Peace in Life’s Storms: Susie Augenstein’s Journey of Faith, Family & Advocacy

As part of our summer series resharing some of our most popular episodes from Season 2, we’re bringing back this conversation with our dear friend Susie Augenstein. We thought it was the perfect episode to re-air this June, as Susie is a fierce and thoughtful advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals here in Utah.
 
In this heartfelt and wise conversation, Susie opens up about navigating major life transitions like the empty nest phase, and how she’s found peace through life’s storms. She also shares her evolving faith journey as a lifelong, devoted member of the LDS Church and former bishop’s wife. Susie’s honesty, warmth, and insight make this episode one that stays with you. We’re so grateful she joined us on Beautiful Shifts.
 
Find Susie on Facebook here. 

Season 3 Wrap-Up & The Next Day

Today we’re wrapping up Season 3 highlighting favorite moments and themes from the second half of the season. We share plans for the podcast over the summer and look ahead to what’s coming in Season 4. We also talk about The Next Day by Melinda Gates—a book we both recently read—and how her insights on navigating life transitions connect with the stories shared on our show.
 
A huge thank you to all our amazing guests this season! We’re so grateful for your honesty, vulnerability, and the meaningful conversations we got to share with you.
 
And to our listeners—thank you for your continued support. We’re incredibly grateful for each of you and that you keep showing up to find beauty with us in these open, connecting conversations.
 
This summer, we’ll be re-releasing some of our top-listened episodes from Season 2, and we’ll be back with new interviews in late August. See you then!

Finding the Balance Between Following and Ignoring Conventional Advice: Nate Meikle on Trusting Your Own Path

In this episode, Nate Meikle—husband, father of four, author, leadership professor at the University of Kansas, Stanford Law graduate, former sideline reporter, and host of the Meikles and Dimes podcast—shares the story behind a series of unexpected decisions that shaped his life and career. From walking away from traditional job paths to pursuing a PhD in his mid-30s, Nate reflects on what it’s taken to follow his own intuition instead of conventional advice.
 
We talk about the risks and rewards of stepping off the expected track, how he decides when to listen to outside expectations (and when to ignore them), and what he’s learned along the way. It’s an honest look at what it means to carve out your own direction in a world full of well-meaning advice. We’re grateful to Nate for joining us and sharing such an enjoyable and insightful conversation.
 
Find Nate and his podcast Meikles & Dimes online at www.natemeikle.com and on Instagram @nate_meikle. Find Nate’s 250 favorite children’s book list (that we discuss in the episode) here.