Call it Good: Recent Episodes
Ali Wren
Call it Good is a podcast about letting go of things—expectations, fear, & perfectionism, by learning to overlook the gap between where you are and where you want to be, and instead honoring the growth along the way. Host Ali Wren chats with authors, creatives, and influencers, along with everyday women. Together they explore the beauty and freedom that can be found when we call something good, even if it’s not perfect.
Molly Huffman is a writer, mom and wife who shares her journey of loss, grief, pain, peace and joy in an honest and heartwarming way, encouraging people in all walks of life with her faith and perspective. She is the author of The Moon is Round: A True Story of Extraordinary Loss, Grief, and the Fight for Faith.
On this episode, we talk about her journey of grief and the ways she has claimed joy and peace. Molly shares about her faith, and as with all episodes of Call it Good, you don’t have to share her faith to extract good nuggets of wisdom or takeaways. For me, one of my main takeaways was how to help someone in your life who is walking through his/her own pain or grief.
Connect with Molly:
mollyhuffman.com
The Moon is Round Book: https://www.amazon.com/Moon-Round-Story-Extraordinary-Grief/dp/B089D34VT6
Connect with Ali:
aliwren.com
instagram.com/alisonwren
Morgan Harper Nichols is a writer, artist, and musician who makes her work around people and their stories. In 2017, Morgan started a project where she invites people to submit their stories to her website. From there, she creates art inspired by what they send her, and then, sends them the art, for free. Nearly everything Morgan creates and shares today is from this project, and she always keeps the names and stories anonymous. The fruit of this project is shared daily around social media, in publications, on murals, and more. Morgan lives in California with her husband, Patrick, and their new son, Jacob, who was born on May 30.
I’m pretty sure you’ve seen her beautiful art and read her moving words before. She was so wonderful to talk to, and I felt so honored that she spent some of her busy time to be on Call it Good.
On this episode, Morgan and I talk about her creative process, letting go of self-doubt, her family, and so much more.
Connect with Morgan:
morganharpernichols.com
@morganharpernichols on Instagram
Connect with Ali:
patreon.com/aliwren
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
Madison Hedlund is a coach and self-worth mentor dedicated to helping women reclaim their self trust, personal power, and come alive in their truth. It’s a messy, beautiful line of life-changing work and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Madison and I met through our mutual friend Alexis Teichmiller. You might remember my conversation with Alexis from episode 10 on Call it Good.
On this episode, Madison and I talk about stopping the people-pleasing cycle, setting loving boundaries, and embodying our own power.
SHOW NOTES
Connect with Madison:
madisonhedlund.co
@madisonhedlund on Instagram
Boundaries101 e-course (closes on 12/4)
Come Alive Journal Guide
Connect with Ali:
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
Rachel Klein is the founder of Revival Food Co. Founded in 2014, Revival Food Co. almond butter is filled with nutrient-dense superfoods, sustainably sourced almonds, and lots of handmade hustle. Rachel lives in Indianapolis with her husband, David, and their two sons: Jonathan and Benjamin. On this episode, we talk about how she got started with Revival Food Co., identity, and what health and wholeness mean to her.
SHOW NOTES
Connect with Rachel:
Revival Food Co.
@revivalfoodco on Instagram
@rachel.klein_ on Instagram
Connect with Ali:
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
Abbie G Meyer is a 20-something writer and cat mom, married to her pilot husband Cal, and a newly minted Colorado resident. She believes that we are all designed to live abundantly, find fullness in community, and unashamedly press into our creativity.
On this episode, we talk about building community as an adult, navigating friendship, the beauty of the here and now, and seeing gifts in the ordinary.
SHOW NOTES
Purposeful Relationships: How to find genuine friendships
Purposeful Relationships: How to keep genuine friendships
Sermon: How to develop friends
A Manifesto for Authentic Friendship - Ali’s ebook
Connect with Abbie:
Abbiegmeyer.com
@abbiegmeyer on Instagram
Abbie G Meyer on Facebook
Connect with Ali:
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
Rachel Gilliam is a digital marketer who shares her story of life, love, and loss online and in real life. She founded fmnst.co–an advertising and marketing company that empowers boss babes and fempreneurs with branding and digital marketing consulting.
On this episode, we talk about her story of health and healing, her marriage and the loss of her husband, Joe, and social media–the good and the not so good side.
SHOW NOTES
Connect with Rachel:
@rachelsymonegilliam on Instagram
@fmnst.co on Instagram
Connect with Ali:
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
Nora Schlesinger is a baker, food photographer, content creator, and the face behind A Clean Bake–a website of gluten-free and paleo treats and recipes for everyone to enjoy. (She has the best grain-free chocolate chip cookie recipe, in my opinion.)
Nora lives in Chicago with her husband and their toddler son. In her spare time, she loves to test new recipes for her blog, collaborate with brands, and work on freelance recipe development and photography projects.
On this episode, Nora and I chat about her food and health journey, what it’s like to be a food blogger, social media, motherhood, the working mom balance, and prioritizing what really matters in life after a season of overwhelm and perfectionism.
SHOW NOTES
Ali’s favorite grain-free chocolate chip cookie recipe
Nora’s health and food journey
Finding Balance After a Tumultuous 4th Year of Blogging
Connect with Nora:
acleanbake.com
@nora_acleanbake on Instagram
@acleanbake on Twitter
Email: acleanbake@gmail.com
Connect with Ali:
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
Mary Graham is a writer who shares about her life–the raw, embarrassing, funny, hopeful, and real stuff. She is also the co-host of the Not Terrible podcast–a weekly show for the hopeless optimist in all of us. Mary lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, with her husband Chris, two daughters Elliott and Harper, and their rescue dog, Blue. She has a Bachelor’s degree in secondary English education and a Master’s in curriculum and instruction. She taught middle school and high school English for thirteen years and is taking the school year off to pursue a full time writing and creating career.
On this episode, we talk about her unfiltered writing style, being an introvert, navigating fear and joy, and choosing forgiveness and peace.
SHOW NOTES
Quiet by Susan Cain
Introverts in the Church
Typology Podcast
The Enneagram Journey Podcast
Slime Videos on Instagram
31 Days of the Enneagram on Ali’s Blog
Connect with Mary:
TrustyChucks.com
Not Terrible Podcast
@themarygraham on Instagram
@themarygraham on Twitter
Connect with Ali:
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
Alexis Teichmiller is a creator at heart with a love for adventure, frequent flyer miles, and trying new food. She believes in side hustles, which is why she has two! Alexis hosts The Laptop Lifestyle podcast, and has built a strong community of laptop lifestylers hungry for motivation and honest conversations. Alexis is also a content creator for hospitality brands. She thrives on vulnerability, connection, and authenticity. When she’s not traveling, Alexis lives in Nashville drinking overpriced coffee and eating at trendy hipster restaurants.
On this episode, we talk about Nashville, living a laptop lifestyle, and chasing your dreams.
SHOW NOTES
A Manifesto for Authentic Friendship
Larz Mae
#HalfTheStory
The Five Minute Journal
So You Want to Talk About Race
Connect with Alexis
The Laptop Lifestyle
@alexisteichmiller on Instagram
Alexisteichmiller.com
Connect with Ali:
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
Simi Botic is a coach, author, and speaker who is on a mission to help others embrace their beautifully imperfect lives–food, body, and beyond. She lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband Tim, and their son Osh.
On this episode we talk about intuitive eating, ditching perfectionism, and comparison.
SHOW NOTES
SimiBotic.com
Letting Go of Leo
Beautifully Imperfect Facebook Group
Intuitive Eating
Connect with Simi:
Connect with Ali:
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
Natalie Borton is a jewelry designer, lifestyle blogger, Instagram influencer, wife to Brian, and mom to Jack and Lucy. They live in San Diego. Natalie creates handmade minimalist California-inspired jewelry for everyday wear. On her blog and on Instagram, she inspires women to live healthy, confident lives of true beauty and worth.
On this episode, Natalie and I talk about simple style, body positivity, being an entrepreneur, and prioritizing relationships.
SHOW NOTES
Natalie Borton Shop
NEDA
Blog post about her birthday pumpkin latte
#legitmomstyle on Instagram
Connect with Natalie:
Blog
Connect with Ali:
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
Natasha Red is a business owner, designer, wife to Jordan, and mom to Reaghan and Everett. They live in Denton, Texas. She helps women organize their meals and create an intentional plan for hospitality, so that they can invest their energy into people not just food! Natasha is passionate about hospitality and meal planning so women can live with more joy and less fuss, which is why she created the Seasonal Meal Planner–a year-long prompted planner that takes all of the guesswork out of meal time.
On this episode, we talk about hospitality, friendship, meal planning, and cultivating community.
SHOW NOTES:
The Simplest Way to Change the World
Seasonal Meal Planner
Connect with Natasha:
natashared.com
@natashajred on Instagram
Connect with Ali:
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
Lauren Krauter is a former nurse who chased her dream to pursue photography full time. She and her husband Casey own Krauter Photography–intimate photography for adventurous souls and wild love. They live in Indianapolis, but are currently traveling and are in Germany right now. On this episode, Lauren shares her journey of embracing imperfection, living authentically, chasing her dreams, and claiming hope and peace amid life’s unknowns.
SHOW NOTES:
KrauterPhotography.com
@krauterphotography on Instagram
Lauren’s health journey
Connect with Ali:
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
Manda Carpenter is a writer, speaker, wife, foster mom, and first impressions director at her local church. She lives in Chicago with her husband, Eric. Manda always says: “there isn’t a single person you would not love if you knew their story.” She loves to write and speak with transparency because she believes impressing is exhausting. On this episode, we talk about Manda’s journey to city life in Chicago, faith, depending on social media to feel seen, and their life as foster parents.
SHOW NOTES
Wild and Free book
Soul City Church
Hannah Ellen Art
Unseen blog post
Unseen book by Sara Hagerty
#ImpressingisExhausing on Instagram
Connect with Manda:
MandaCarpenter.com
@mandacarpenter on Instagram
@mandasuecarp on Twitter
Connect with Ali:
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
Allie is a pediatric SLP, designer, lifestyle blogger, and hand letterer who lives in Seattle with her husband Daniel and 2-year old son, Trey. On her blog, Allie documents her life, DIY projects, recipes, design, and photography. She is one of my favorite Instagram follows. Not only is her feed aesthetically beautiful; Allie has a genuine joy that she shows online about life, marriage, parenthood, and friendship. On this episode, Allie and I talk about balancing social media and overcoming comparison, authentic friendship, and motherhood.
SHOW NOTES
#petitejoys on Instagram
Caroline Joy Rector
Jen Hatmaker
Liz Bohannon
Sekko Designs
Overcoming Comparison with Allie
Authentic Friendship with Allie
Connect with Allie Seidel:
Allieseidel.com
@allieseidel on Instagram
Connect with Ali Wren:
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
Addie Martanovic is a Chicago-based wellness blogger with a passion for public relations and marketing. She loves to share stories of small businesses in the health industry. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Addie lives in Chicago where she focuses her passions on her blog: Chickpea in The City. The name is inspired by her love of hummus and affinity for city life. Chickpea in the City is dedicated to sharing and educating others on healthy restaurants, products, recipes, workouts, and overall adapting a positive outlook on life.
I have followed Addie’s journey for several years. She is a young, successful, and humble influencer who is making a big impact in the health and wellness world.
On this episode of Call it Good, Addie and I chat about what health and wellness means to her, her favorite restaurants and food brands, grieving the loss of her mom, and making the choice to find positivity every day.
SHOW NOTES:
Presidio Chicago
Range
Kitch Fix
True Food Kitchen
Sweet Green
Purely Elizabeth
Simple Mills
Rach L Mansfield
Soul Cycle
Yoga, Cycling, and Grief
Connect with Addie:
Chickpeainthecity.org
@chickpeainthecity on Instagram
@addiemartan on Twitter
Connect with Ali:
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
On this episode of Call it Good, I’m chatting with Lindsey Hein: 13-time marathon runner, RRCA certified running coach, host of I’ll Have Another Podcast, wife to Glenn of almost 10 years, and mom to three fun and sweet boys with another on the way! I love Lindsey’s enthusiasm and joy that she spreads wherever she goes, and I appreciate her honesty about the hard things in life. Lindsey and I talk about overcoming your fears, what faith looks like, how to cultivate community, and being authentic online and offline.
SHOW NOTES
Back On My Feet
Lindsey’s BRCA 2 gene story
Livery
Next Door Eatery
Twenty Tap
Shoefly Public House
Connect with Lindsey:
I’ll Have Another podcast
@LindseyHein626 on Instagram
@LindseyHein on Twitter
I’ll Have Another Podcast Facebook group
LindseyHein.com
YouTube Channel
Connect with Ali:
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
On this episode, I’m chatting with Sonja Overhiser. Sonja is the wife of the writer and photographer couple behind the award-nominated food blog A Couple Cooks. Alex and Sonja are authors of the cookbook Pretty Simple Cooking. They have garnered a worldwide following for their delicious vegetarian recipes and sustainable approach to cooking and eating well. Sonja is passionate about woman entrepreneurship and she speaks at events empowering women in business. Sonja is the co-founder of Indy Women in Food, an organization to support women working in the food industry in Indianapolis. Alex and Sonja live in Indianapolis with their 1-year-old son Larson.
I met Sonja at a women’s conference in 2014 here in Indianapolis, and have since followed her around at local events. I’ll never forget when she shared her journey of cancer at an intimate coffee shop meet-up. I’ve always been struck by Sonja’s strength, charm, and ability to be transparent and professional online all at the same time.
Sonja and I talk about her food journey, her story of cancer and adoption, and what she’s learning to call good in this season.
SHOW NOTES
Pretty Simple Cooking
Food Matters by Mark Bittman
Cancer, Miscarriage, and Adoption
Napolese Pizzeria
Bar One Fourteen
Indy Women in Food
Connect with Sonja:
ACoupleCooks.com
@acouplecooks on Instagram
Connect with Ali:
@alisonwren on Instagram
@alisonwren on Twitter
Facebook Page
AliWren.com
In this short episode, Ali Wren explains why she started this podcast, and what you can expect from future episodes.