A Fresh Story

When the world shut down, Anna Rollins opened a door she had kept locked for over a decade. A longtime teacher and private writer, Anna found herself postpartum, isolated during the pandemic, and struck by a single, urgent question: Would she go her whole life without telling the truth about what had shaped her? What followed was a furious commitment to finally write the book she’d always feared—and needed—to write. In this intimat...

It starts with a hot flash. That moment—unexpected, uninvited, and disorienting—becomes the spark that ignites Clementine Crane’s quiet rebellion. In this moving and laugh-out-loud episode of A Fresh Story: Book Talk, Olivia sits down with novelist and writing teacher Kristin Bair to discuss her forthcoming novel Clementine Crane Prefers Not To, a fierce and funny feminist tale of a woman who wakes up, drenched in sweat, and realiz...

When Laura Danger first began writing No More Mediocre, it wasn’t just a book—it was a lifeline. Born from her own marriage, her classroom experiences, and thousands of digital conversations, Laura set out to unpack one of the most overlooked truths of modern life: domestic labor isn’t just a set of chores—it’s the foundation of intimacy, equity, and well-being in every relationship. In this powerful episode of A Fresh Story, Olivi...

The moment Tiffany Graham Charkosky received the phone call that changed everything, she wasn’t a child anymore—but suddenly, her childhood grief came rushing back. In this poignant episode of A Fresh Story, Tiffany sits down with Olivia Howell to share the emotional landscape behind her debut memoir, Living Proof: How Love Defied Genetic Legacy. What began as an unanswered ache—the loss of her mother to colon cancer at age 11—beca...

It started with a softball game and a dream to become fathers. In this heart-opening episode of A Fresh Story, we sit down with Danny Auld and David Fullner, a couple whose love story spans over two decades—and whose journey into parenthood required courage, creativity, and a cross-country dash to a Honolulu delivery room. What began with a lighthearted “Would you be our surrogate?” turned into a lifelong bond with Auntie Dian, the...

Some weeks are about productivity. Others are about survival. And then there are the ones like this—where the beauty lies in the whimsy, the detours, and the quiet wisdom that sneaks in while you’re painting miniature wallpaper or waiting for a thunderstorm to pass. In this heartwarming episode of Weekly Wrap-Up, Olivia and Genevieve are joined by a very special guest: Weston, Olivia’s oldest son, who brings both sparkle and soul t...

When Lori Lyons became a stepmom, she knew exactly what she didn’t want: the tension, jealousy, and divided loyalty she had grown up with as a child of divorce. Instead, she envisioned something radical for the time—a family that included everyone, even her husband’s ex-wife. In this heart-opening episode of A Fresh Story, Lori invites us into her Louisiana home and into a decades-long story of blended family done beautifully right...

Some weeks, it all bubbles over—and this was one of them. In this emotional, unfiltered, and deeply personal episode of The Weekly Wrap-Up, sisters Olivia Howell and Genevieve Dreizen unpack a week full of professional friction, single mom milestones, and the aching beauty of watching your child graduate when life hasn’t gone to plan. Olivia shares the vulnerable experience of sitting solo at her son’s graduation—reflecting on how ...

Some weeks feel like a blur of soft moments and wild schedules, where the biggest revelations are found not in headlines, but in quiet yards, tiny donuts, and the hum of treadmills. In this week’s wrap-up, Olivia and Genevieve invite listeners into their real lives—the ones with deer sleeping in the backyard, pool memberships, belt tests, donut day detours, and dreams of Muppet parades. It's a gentle episode full of small delights,...

Scott Christian Sava didn’t plan to write a book or become a YouTube mentor to millions. He just wanted to draw Spider-Man. But as his creative journey unfolded—from comic books and video games to filmmaking and community-building—Scott discovered something bigger than himself: the call to teach, to connect, and to remind others that art is a deeply human experience. In this heartfelt episode of A Fresh Story, Scott shares the long...

Olivia had a secret—and not the bad kind. This week on A Fresh Story, she shares a joyful surprise: after quietly enrolling in and completing a certification, she’s now a certified divorce coach. For someone who’s spent years writing about divorce, supporting others through it, and building an entire support ecosystem, it wasn’t about adding another title. It was about taking responsibility for her words and the people who read the...

Chloe Sexton didn’t plan on becoming a mom—or a business owner shipping massive cookies across the country. But life has a way of rewriting the script. When Chloe’s mother was diagnosed with brain cancer and later became pregnant, Chloe stepped up to help raise her baby sister, Charlotte. Years later, that unexpected bond transformed into guardianship. And just as Chloe was navigating pregnancy, job loss, and grief, she found herse...

There’s a certain kind of magic that happens when sisters talk—not about the big milestones, but about the quiet moments in between. In this emotional and deeply honest episode of A Fresh Story’s Weekly Wrap-Up, Olivia and Jenny invite listeners into one of those rare, intimate conversations where laughter and longing intertwine. What begins as playful banter about Dunkin’ Donuts and “noise violations” unfolds into a soulful reflec...

In this episode of A Fresh Story, we sit down with Leslie Gray Streeter—journalist, memoirist, and now debut novelist—to unpack the heartbreak, humor, and honesty woven into her new book, Family and Other Calamities. With wit and grace, Leslie shares how she turned personal loss and professional scandal into fiction that cuts close to the bone.

We follow Leslie’s journey from writing about her own grief in her memoir to crafting a p...

In this episode of Weekly Wrap-Up, hosts Olivia Howell and Jenny Dreizen of Fresh Starts Registry share an engaging and heartfelt reflection on the week's events. They kick things off with the exciting news that their podcasts have been named semifinalists in the Quill Podcast Awards, highlighting their deep commitment to creating impactful and community-focused conversations. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and p...

Emily Westerfield’s journey into surrogacy began not with a grand plan, but with a simple, profound desire to help others. After experiencing her own ups and downs with pregnancy, Emily found herself drawn to the idea of carrying a child for another family—a selfless act of compassion and strength. Her story unfolds with heart and honesty as she shares the transformative experience of being a surrogate, navigating the emotional lan...

In this episode of the Weekly Wrap-Up, Olivia and Jenny reflect on their week, sharing personal updates, business insights, and reflections on growth and resilience. They kick off the episode by talking about the importance of having an agenda and how the weather can shape their productivity and mood. Jenny shares the experience of buying their first coffee table for their apartment, navigating the quirks of furnished UK apartments...

It began with a mother’s intuition, an uneasy text from her daughter, and a phone call that would shatter the world as she knew it. In this unforgettable episode of A Fresh Story, Shawnee Baker walks us through the life-altering days that followed a tragic accident involving her daughter Baylie Grogan, a brilliant pre-med student with her entire future ahead of her. As Shawnee and her husband raced to Miami from a remote sailboat o...

In this week’s jam-packed episode of The Weekly Wrap-Up, Olivia and Jenny catch you up on all the behind-the-scenes wins, woes, and wisdom. From award nominations to media features to the eternal struggle of finding a summer camp that actually has spots left, this episode is equal parts celebration and commiseration.

Jenny shares the thrill of a long-awaited breakthrough—years in the making—and Olivia spills the tea on what really m...