Beautiful Shifts

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.

Grief, Faith Transition, Letting Go, and Becoming Herself — with Aimee Mortensen

When Aimee lost her husband in a tragic car accident just three days after their wedding, it marked the beginning of a life-altering transformation—one shaped not only by grief, but by a traumatic brain injury that changed how she experienced the world. Years later, while serving in a high-level leadership role in the LDS Church, Aimee made the life-altering decision to step away from her faith, leave her marriage, and confront the realities of infidelity and identity. In this deeply honest and hope-filled conversation, Aimee—a trauma-informed therapist and Certified Sex Therapist—shares her story of unraveling, rebuilding, and choosing to become more fully herself. With raw vulnerability, Aimee invites us into her story of loss, transformation, and the healing that comes from choosing to live authentically.
 
Find Aimee on Instagram @therapyaimee. Find Aimee’s therapy practice Worth It Counseling and Coaching at worth-it.com and on Instagram @worthitcounselingcoaching

Journaling Through Divorce, Grief, Motherhood, and Emotions with Samantha Hawley

In this episode, we sit down with Samantha to talk about how journaling became a powerful tool during her divorce and life as a single mom. She shares how writing helped her navigate difficult emotions and transitions, and how she now helps women tap into this same healing process through journaling. Samantha explains her approach and how it helps women reconnect with their inner voice, and how it can be a tool for healing. 
 
We really enjoyed chatting with Samantha—she’s open and insightful and it was compelling to hear how journaling can help us work through emotions and be a valuable tool for self care. Whether you’re curious about journaling or already love it, this episode has some great takeaways.
 
Samantha is an Inner Voice and Self-Trust Coach and a mom. Find her website samantha-says.com. Find her on Instagram @samantha.s.says. Download her free Calm Mind Blueprint we discuss in the episode here. And find her podcast Journal Entries here. 

Caring for Our Mental Health: Real-Life Insights with Andrea Beckstrom from LEVO

Andrea, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and Medical Director at LEVO, brings over 16 years of experience in mental health and addiction treatment. In this episode, she shares how her own journey with anxiety led her to a career in psychiatry, and how personal experiences with ADHD and anxiety in her family have shaped her compassionate, holistic approach. Andrea explains the importance of seeing the whole person—biologically, psychologically, and socially—in order to create understanding and healing.
 
We also dive into the stigma that still surrounds mental health and how we can work to dismantle it. Andrea offers simple, practical tips anyone can start to support their mental well-being. Whether you're navigating your own journey or supporting someone else, you'll walk away from this conversation with insight and hope.
 
Find Andrea on Instagram @help.just.one where she shares valuable mental health tips and insights, and her clinic Levo Mind, specializing in mental health, medication management, and mind care tools online at levomind.com and on Instagram @levomind.

From Rock Bottom to Reclamation: Kellie Adams on Sobriety and Owning Her Story

In this heartfelt and candid conversation, Kellie Adams shares her journey through addiction and transformation to sobriety. From beginning to drink at a very young age to becoming completely dependent on alcohol, Kellie opens up about the turning point that led her to get sober in 2014—and how that decision changed everything. Her story is raw, relatable, and filled with both honesty and humor.
 
Much like her memoir Shit I Do Sober, this episode explores the real-life complexities of recovery—the struggles, the beauty, and the growth along the way. Kellie’s reflections on healing, identity, and embracing life without alcohol remind us that reclaiming your story is a radical act of self-love and strength.
 
We loved getting to know Kellie and are so grateful she came on the podcast to share her story and valuable perspective. 
 
Find Kellie and her book on Instagram @shitidosoberbook where she posts helpful and fun videos and thoughts about sobriety, and find Shit I Do Sober on Amazon here.