Lived Experience

Stories, conversations, and reflections rooted in real life—not advice.

Lived Experience is the educational heart of Feed & Flourish Co.

This space exists to share stories, conversations, and reflections rooted in lived experience—particularly around food, chronic illness, ostomy life, mental health, identity, and rebuilding trust with your body.

Nothing here is about telling you what to do. Instead, it’s about offering language for hard things, normalizing experiences that often feel isolating, and creating space for curiosity, compassion, and connection.

Why Blank Slate Lives Here

I started my podcast, Blank Slate becasue I wanted to create a space for honest reflection as well as exploring love, vulnerability, empathy, and human connection. Feed & Flourish grew from the same place. Both are rooted in the belief that nourishment goes beyond food, and that real connection starts when we slow down and show up as ourselves. The podcast lives here because it reflects the values that guide everything we do.

In the first episode of Blank Slate, the host steps out of her comfort zone to explore what it means to embrace fear, vulnerability, and empathy. With a background in journalism and a passion for creative expression, she dives into the idea that life is too short to let fear limit us. Through personal anecdotes and reflections on human connection, this introduction to her podcast aims to spark meaningful conversations, encouraging listeners to slow down, understand each other better, and cultivate more compassion. With an open invitation for listeners to share their thoughts, this podcast is about building a space where empathy, curiosity, and authenticity can thrive.

In the third episode of Blank Slate, the host opens up about the challenges of navigating mental health, especially after a recent layoff. She shares her personal struggles with motivation, the voice of self-doubt, and the importance of perseverance through tough times. Through reflections on community, connection, and the power of shared experiences, she discusses the significance of finding support, whether through personal passions or unexpected encounters with old friends. This episode encourages listeners to embrace the small moments that help pull them out of a funk and reminds them they're not alone in their journey.

In a world that often feels rushed and disconnected, this episode of Blank Slate is a soft reminder of the power of kindness. From strangers helping at gas stations to birthday surprises and belly rubs for puppies, we explore the magic of small moments that make us feel seen, supported, and deeply human.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the world of dating apps, new experiences, and stepping out of our comfort zones. While dating apps can be flawed, one of the cool things about them is how they connect us to people we might never have met otherwise—strangers with unique perspectives and life stories. I recently had a conversation with a guy who couldn’t answer the question, “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” That got me thinking about how we often get stuck in our routines and how important it is to push ourselves to try something new, no matter how small. Today, I’ll share how I stepped out of my own comfort zone to volunteer at a local library, met amazing people, and learned a lot about myself along the way. Let’s jump in!

In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode, Kat opens upabout navigating the messy, uncertain space between endings and new beginnings — what she calls the "in-between." From job loss and identity crises to unexpected self-discovery and medical recovery, she explores how grief comes in many forms beyond loss of life: lost jobs, changing careers, shifting friendships, and versions of ourselves we leave behind. Joined by her friend Becca, they reflect on liminal spaces, learning to let go of comparison, andfinding purpose in uncertainty.

Whether you’re questioning what’s next or just trying to stayafloat, this episode reminds you: you don’t need to have it all figured out. You just have to keep showing up.

After a summer of reflection and self-discovery, Katherine returns to Blank Slate to talk about giving yourself grace when life doesn’t go as planned. From learning to embrace mistakes and manage jealousy, to finding courage at an ostomy youth camp and rediscovering gratitude for being alive—this episode is a reminder that growth isn’t linear, and compassion starts within.

Reflections

These reflections are personal pieces rooted in lived experience.
They’re not here to teach or advise, just to offer perspective, and a reminder that you’re not alone.

Coming Soon….