The Motherhood Experience

Rich conversations with everyday moms and TME host Val Kleppen about the fun, messy, heartwarming, and tough aspects of motherhood.

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Episodes

012 No Such Thing As "Impossible" [Part 1]: The Motherhood Experience Interview with Sarah Rogness

I first met Sarah in 2009 when I was working with her husband, Jack. Sarah walked alongside Jack for years as he quite literally fought for his life. They experienced miracles, they experienced "impossible" outcomes, all while also experiencing heartache, setbacks, and suffering. Tune in for Part 1 of Sarah's story as she shares about the early years of her motherhood experience. Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The Motherhood Experience We...

Oct 24, 2023•28 min

011 The Last 10 Years: A Bereaved Motherhood Experience Reflection from Val Kleppen

October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, and I thought I would take this opportunity to reflect on the last ten years as a bereaved mama. I wouldn't say this is a sad episode - even I didn't cry recording it. It is an insight into what the last ten years have looked like for us as we've navigated this path as bereaved parents since our daughter Harlynn was stillborn in 2013. Val's blog post after Harlynn was delivered Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standa...

Oct 17, 2023•30 min

010 Motherhood Mentor & Namesake: The Motherhood Experience Interview With Karen Harlan

Karen, and her husband Mike, are very dear friends of Brent's and mine. They've been alongside us through wonderful celebrations, dreadful heartache, and have even helped us move a time or two. This was an especially meaningful and emotional conversation for me, given how much Karen and her husband mean to our family. I hope every mom, and every married couple, has mentors in their life like Mike and Karen. Karen's Family Lefse Recipe Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Stan...

Oct 10, 2023•32 min

009: What Is A Hanny? The Motherhood Experience Interview with Rachel Kemp

From my college bestie, to running the medical world of Memphis, my friend Rachel has jumped over quite a few (lofty) hurdles in navigating her professional nursing career and life as a wife and mother. I really appreciated her insight into focusing on hope, experiences, and making memories with her family. Give it a listen and let me know what you took away from my conversation with Rachel! Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The Motherhood E...

Oct 03, 2023•36 min

008 Real Mom Talk With Real Life Families Founder: The Motherhood Experience Interview with Christine Leeb

When you know someone, but not really, but enough to get them on as a guest on your podcast... This was a good one - and I knew just enough to know that! Listen in as I chat with my guest, Christine Leeb, about parenting, knowing better and doing better, and switching mindsets in the middle of our parenting style defaults. Get in Touch With Christine Here To get on her email list, go to: https://reallifefamilies.org/teamworktools/ And as a bonus, she wanted to share her book: Go Family: 31 Ways ...

Sep 26, 2023•39 min

007 Reckless to Redeemed [Part 2]: The Motherhood Experience Interview with Jacque Martin

This is the second half and conclusion of my conversation with Jacque. We pick up right where we left off: hearing about how her affair affected the lives of her family members, how she struggled through single parenting, and how she stepped into redemption. Grab your tissues and your coffee - this is gonna be a good one! Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The Motherhood Experience Website Follow us on Instagram Find us on Facebook...

Sep 19, 2023•33 min

006 Reckless to Redeemed [Part 1]: The Motherhood Experience Interview with Jacque Martin

Jacque and I started off not being fond of one another, and after a quirky realization, became nearly inseparable friends some 25 years ago. Jacque did not come into motherhood easily, and her path was one of struggle and heartache. She danced on the cliffside of recklessness and ruin more than once. Hear part 1 of her story on today's episode. Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The Motherhood Experience Website Follow us on Instagram Find us...

Sep 12, 2023•24 min

005 Two Adoptions Meant To Be: The Motherhood Experience Interview with Annette Schultz

After eight years of muddling through infertility, Patrick and Annette turned to international adoption to grow their family. It's a heartwarming, moving story (that wrecked me hearing it for the first time during this mom chat). Pull up a chair and join me as I visit with Annette to hear about her motherhood experience. Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The Motherhood Experience Website Follow us on Instagram Find us on Facebook...

Sep 05, 2023•42 min

004 Coworker Chat: The Motherhood Experience Interview with Elisha Ford

Elisha and I started working together in January of this year, and I came to know pretty quickly, Elisha was "my people". I didn't know as much about her motherhood journey, however, and I was so excited when she agreed to be a guest on the podcast. Not only did I learn so much about her as a mother, but I learned about family-centric entrepreneurship, contentment, and the reward that awaits on the other side of taking big risks. Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard ...

Aug 29, 2023•36 min

003 From Photographer to Friend: The Motherhood Experience Interview With Michelle Warren

Michelle is a single mom of three, who loves spontaneity, has an eye for the creative, and is one of the most empathetic (and hilarious) moms I know. 1:54 Michelle's stage of motherhood 4:40 Michelle's journey in photography 10:19 How Michelle became involved in bereavement photography 13:12 When Val & Michelle met 19:28 Harlynn's Heart 21:00 Val's survival story of riding with Michelle 22:25 More about Michelle's life as a mom 27:57 Motherhood & Photography Find Michelle on Facebook Sig...

Aug 15, 2023•35 min

002 Multiplying Miracles: The Motherhood Experience Interview With Tiffani Asher

Tiffani and I have been friends for three decades, and I thought it would be especially fitting to have her as my first guest. She has three fantastic (grown) kids, and an incredible story to tell about miraculous plot twists in otherwise traumatic events. Tune in as she opens up about her experience in motherhood. Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The Motherhood Experience Website Follow us on Instagram Find us on Facebook...

Aug 11, 2023•37 min

001 The Introduction: The Motherhood Experience Pilot Episode

An introduction to the host, Val Kleppen, a glimpse into what The Motherhood Experience is, and what you can expect from future TME podcast episodes. Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The Motherhood Experience Website Follow us on Instagram Find us on Facebook...

Aug 09, 2023•14 min

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