Welcome to Wonder in the Weeds, the show where we talk about how we are living, thriving, and surviving in a world full of constant change, challenge, and grief, and learning how to live and love right in the middle of it all.

Today, the weeds are feeling pretty heavy. We are talking about the sheer exhaustion of just being a woman in the world today. I am raising two daughters, navigating a huge time of transition in my fifties, and watching the news with a completely new set of feminist lenses.

In this episode, I share a story from my high school days about an after-prom party that completely changed my perspective on how women are treated. A male teacher shamed me for a choice my boyfriend made, and looking back, it was a glaring symbol of a lesson I carried for decades: women are expected to make the right choices for men, accommodate their feelings, and take the fall when things go wrong.

But here is where the wonder comes in. I am watching my girls navigate the world, and they take so much less nonsense than I did at their age. They show up authentically, without making themselves small or trying to be "palatable" to fit into a room. Inspired by them, I am unlearning my own conditioning. I am finding incredible joy and power in women-only spaces, from learning golf and pickleball with other women to cheering at sports bars dedicated entirely to female athletes.

There is so much strength when we do things together, and we have every right to take up space.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why your fifties can feel like a total do-over of your teenage years.
• The high school story that opened my eyes to the double standards women face.
• How we are subtly conditioned to make our lives "easier" by accommodating men.
• The "boiling frog" effect of noticing the slow loss of our rights.
• How finding female-only community spaces in sports is bringing me hope and energy to keep fighting the good fight.

Take care of yourselves out there, keep looking for the wonder in the weeds, and I will see you next time!

Are you prepared for the quiet that comes when your kids finally move out? In this episode of the Wonder and the Weeds show, I am opening up about the very real, often unspoken struggles of becoming an empty nester.

It is not just about missing your kids; it is about figuring out your own identity when your day-to-day role as a manager of their schedules disappears.

I am sharing my recent experiences of having my adult kids back home for spring break. I also talk about a frantic gym incident that highlighted my rusty multitasking skills , and the lingering question I keep asking myself: "What is even the point of me now?".

Tune in to hear my thoughts on:

The unexpected grief and loneliness of the empty nest.Why taking care of myself and having fun no longer feels selfish.

Picking up new sports like golf and pickleball to get off social media and connect in real life.

The absolute joy of women's sports and taking my daughters to a packed NCAA basketball tournament.

How your 50s can be a time to meet your 16-year-old self again, but this time with actual love and grace.

Join Our Community: Women of WonderIf you are experiencing serious symptoms and your doctor is not listening, it is time to find a new provider. You know your body better than anyone else.

Join our community for a safe place to return to yourself.

I WANT TO BE A WOMAN OF WONDER:https://thewonder.life/wow/

In this second part of my story, I share the physical and mental hurdles I faced after my hysterectomy. For years, I carried a literal weight around my neck that caused chronic pain in my neck, back, and shoulders. I used to believe that a breast reduction was just about vanity or that I lacked the financial resources for it, but I eventually realized it was about my ability to live my life.

My path to healing was not simple. My surgery was paused when my bloodwork showed an A1C of 6.7, placing me in the pre-diabetic category. As a former health coach, I struggled with the internal stigma of using medications like GLP-1s because it felt like "cheating".

However, balancing my body chemistry through Metformin and Tirzepatide finally silenced the "food noise" that had dominated my internal monologue for decades.I also examine the missing pieces of the menopause puzzle, including the progesterone supplement my doctor jokingly called "I hate my husband medicine".

This episode is about the relief that comes when you find providers who affirm your complaints and help you return to being your whole self.

Video Chapters:

01:00:00 A personal trainer's suggestion: Considering breast reduction 01:02:34 The A1C shock: Why my surgery was postponed

01:04:30 Finding a menopause specialist who truly listens 01:06:14 "Is this cheating?": My struggle with the GLP-1 stigma

01:12:10 10 Pounds Lighter: The reality of my surgery results 01:13:42 The day the food noise finally went silent

01:21:49 Switching medications: My experience with Zepbound

01:31:52 "You're Not Crazy": The power of medical validation

Join Our Community: Women of WonderIf you are experiencing serious symptoms and your doctor is not listening, it is time to find a new provider. You know your body better than anyone else. Join our community for a safe place to return to yourself.

I WANT TO BE A WOMAN OF WONDER:

https://thewonder.life/wow/Keywords:

Women's Health, Breast Reduction Surgery, A1C Levels, GLP-1 Medications, Food Noise, Menopause, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Progesterone, Metformin, Medical Advocacy, Health Coach.

Welcome to Wonder in the Weeds. In this episode, I am opening up about a deeply personal, ten-year battle with the medical system. Starting in my late thirties, I dealt with severe pain, heavy bleeding, and extreme swelling. Despite staying highly active with spin classes and yoga teacher training, multiple doctors repeatedly dismissed my concerns.

They often blamed my weight and told me to simply eat less and move more.Because of my background in health coaching, I internalized this dismissal and blamed myself.

My health continued to decline, leading to such severe anemia that I craved nothing but ice chips and pickles. The breaking point finally arrived when my general practitioner noticed my dangerously low hemoglobin levels, which pushed my care team to take my situation seriously.

This crisis ultimately led me to agree to a partial hysterectomy.

After the procedure, my surgeon validated everything I had been experiencing: I had a massive fibroid and excessive tissue causing my severe symptoms. Tune in to hear why you must always advocate for yourself when the medical system stops listening.

Key Takeaways:

The danger of medical dismissal: Doctors ignored my severe symptoms and blamed my weight, which severely delayed vital treatment.Overcoming self-blame: The mental toll of internalizing medical gaslighting left me thinking I was failing my own body.The reality of a hysterectomy: I experienced immediate physical relief from finally receiving the right surgical intervention.Advocating for yourself:

You know your body best and must push back until you find a doctor who listens.

Join Our Community:

Women of WonderAn online community with no algorithms, no ads, no arguments, and no red-faced emojis driving the content.

A SAFE PLACE FOR WOMEN TO COME BACK TO THEMSELVES....while being lifted up and held in love.I WANT TO BE A WOMAN OF WONDER: https://thewonder.life/wow/

Welcome to "Wonder in the Weeds" with trauma therapist Cristie Ritz-King.

This is the show where we talk about how to live, love, and grow right alongside grief, change, and the "wild messiness of this human life".

Moving beyond the role of the "blank slate" therapist , Cristie combines her professional experience with her personal stories of challenge and reinvention. We're not about toxic positivity or influencer-style advice. Instead, this is a space for authentic connection, community , and understanding that we don't have to wait for life to be perfect to feel good.

Each week, we'll talk about:

Finding "wonder" even when you feel like you're "walking through the weeds".

Navigating personal change, from parenting to finding your authentic self.

The "Weeds of the Week," where we discuss everything from small daily annoyances to the big things that bother us.

Sharing stories to feel less alone in our experiences.

Join us to get through the weeds together.

Let's connect:

➡️ Website: https://thewonder.life/

Welcome back to the Wonder in the Weeds podcast! I am Cristie, your Gen X representative, and I am here with Faith, your Gen Z representative. In this episode, we are discussing a major life event: buying a new car. After Faith's old car completely died in the driveway, she had to find a reliable replacement fast.

We talk about the entire experience from our two different generational perspectives. Faith explains her intense online research strategy to find a dependable Toyota within her budget, and how she used funds from a playwriting grant for her down payment. She also shares her experience navigating the high-pressure environment of the dealership as a young woman.

From the parent perspective, I share the mental work it took to support Faith in making this large purchase without taking over the process. We also talk about how Dad handled the stress of the situation; he ultimately stepped up to be the perfect, positive cheerleader for Faith's new car.

Finally, we wrap up with our weekly wonders. Faith shares her current favorite tracks from Noah Kahan and Bruce Springsteen, and I talk about the absolute joy of the recent Bad Bunny halftime show.

In this deeply personal episode, I am opening up about my own experiences with grief and change. After recently emptying my nest and moving to Minnesota , I noticed how big life transitions can bring old losses right back to the surface. I lost my dad to cancer when I was four and my mom to cancer when I was a young mother myself. I share what it feels like to navigate parenting and big milestones without them , the frustration of feeling like society expects you to be over it by now , and why grief truly has no timeline.

I also talk about the "box and the ball" metaphor that helped me understand how the pain of loss operates over the years. Most importantly, I share how I intentionally look for the good things in life, even when circumstances feel incredibly unfair.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

1. 00:00 Welcome to The Wonder and the Weed show
2. 01:38 The reality of losing parents at a young age
3. 06:09 Why grief has no expiration date or set timeline
4. 19:41 The "box and the ball" metaphor for understanding grief
5. 27:20 Practical coping strategies and giving yourself grace on hard days
6. 40:30 How to intentionally look for the good after a profound loss

In this special Valentine's Day episode of Wonder in the Weeds, we take a brief pause from the heavy news cycle in Minneapolis to find a little joy in the fire. We’re breaking down our favorite on-screen romances, analyzing why mutual respect creates the best chemistry, and discussing the "female gaze" in media.

Finally, we end with The Wonder: a spotlight on the incredible resilience of the Minneapolis community, including how neighbors and businesses like the Modern Times Cafe are organizing to support one another.

In This Episode:

1. Favorite Kisses: We break down the famous "trench coat" kiss between Nick and Jess in New Girl and why it remains the gold standard for on-screen chemistry.
2. Parks and Recreation: Why Ben and Leslie represent a "meeting of the minds" and true partnership.
3. Rivals to Lovers: Discussing the dynamic in Red, White & Royal Blue and the concept of "competition" as a form of intimacy.
4. The "Female Gaze": A look at why characters written by women feel more respectful and genuine.
5. The Wonder: An update on Minneapolis mutual aid, where neighbors are feeding neighbors and the Modern Times Cafe is providing free food to the community.

Timestamps:

1. 0:00 - Intro: Life in Minneapolis & The PSA
2. 04:01 - Valentine's Special: Our Favorite Movie & TV Kisses
3. 05:16 - New Girl: The Nick & Jess "Trench Coat" Kiss
4. 16:32 - Parks & Rec: Ben & Leslie’s mutual respect
5. 22:28 - The "Female Gaze" & Writing Men with Respect
6. 44:10 - Moonstruck & My Lady Jane
7. 51:52 - The Wonder: Minneapolis Mutual Aid & Modern Times Cafe

Let's Connect:

1. Website: TheWonder.Life

In this episode, I am exploring a difficult but necessary question: How do we find joy when the "weeds" of life feel overwhelming?

I discuss the vital difference between reacting to an acute crisis and sustaining yourself for the long haul. I share what I am witnessing on the ground, including the incredible mutual aid groups delivering food, walking kids to school, and supporting neighbors in need. We also talk about the importance of not looking away while still protecting your peace.

Finally, I share a personal story about a recent trip to Arizona where I made a purposeful choice to be "dazzled" by the little things (even wild boars) to refill my cup. If you are feeling burned out, anxious about the state of the world, or just tired, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

1. 00:00 Welcome to Wonder in the Weeds
2. 02:07 The reality of the current crisis and occupation in the Twin Cities
3. 05:49 How to decide where to focus your energy when everything feels urgent
4. 11:19 The power of community care: Meal trains, rides, and mutual aid
5. 18:35 Managing news consumption to avoid burnout
6. 23:27 Why holding space for immigrant rights and women’s safety matters
7. 27:42 "Instructions for living": Mary Oliver and the choice to be dazzled
8. 30:01 A lesson from Arizona: Finding wonder in travel mishaps and nature

About the Show:

Wonder in the Weeds is where I explore how we live, love, and grow alongside the grief and messiness of being human. As a trauma and crisis expert, I created this podcast to help us find the light in the day-to-day monotony or trauma of regular life.

Moving beyond the role of the "blank slate" therapist, I combine my professional experience with personal stories of challenge and reinvention. We aren't about toxic positivity or influencer-style advice. Instead, this is a space for authentic connection, community, and understanding that we don't have to wait for life to be perfect to feel good.

Connect with me:

➡️ Website: https://thewonder.life/