I Choose Grit.
By Carrie Schuessler
A space to share our heavy burdens and honor the courage it takes to carry them. •
Interviews of ordinary people sharing the experiences that have taught them to choose courage, resolve, and strength of character (I.e; grit). AND...regular minisodes from your host on the many ways she strives to do so herself while in the midst of dealing with #potssyndrome & #chronicmigraine
I Choose Grit. Jul 22, 2023
00:00
24:29
Loneliness // Pt 2
A social worker (Carrie) and a nurse (her friend, Kendal Lee) who both have chronic illnesses continue a conversation about living through the USA’s current #epidemicoflonelinesa, and specifically, how social media has played a role…and maybe sometimes, can be done well.
Jul 22, 202324:29
Loneliness & Kendal Lee.
Carrie & her friend Kendal chat about the current Epidemic of Loneliness in the USA, their own experiences of this being exaggerated by chronic illness, & one unique way they’ve found connection in the midst of these challenges. (full article from surgeon general if you geek out about reading about all things connection and isolation and community like K & C: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf?fbclid=PAAaaIBbz9H1Vh5vqXYwG_GbFBq731tRKWrbIijDdaMj5Y6U6r_aXo0DcHZ9Y_aem_AUneflYuI1nWG7KB0R5sqW0EqmgwyL9ySk4z3vf7a8oZMrvWSdZxAW3pcVD9dqAQSAo
Jul 08, 202341:39
real life chronic illness // a common thread
Carrie gives an update on the return to work life & what it’s been like to start a private practice for those with a chronic illness (after seasons of being off work because of a chronic illness), & a common thread already among clients. ~recorded on a walk that you will hear made Carrie embarrassingly winded~ reach Carrie at carrie@schuesscounseling.com
Feb 24, 202313:55
real life chronic illness // life update & Christmastime
Carrie started her own therapy practice! & hopes you all have such a Merry Christmas. She is also mistakingly two days off from the actual podcast anniversary-but close enough yes? www.ichoosegrit.com/therapyservices
Dec 23, 202223:32
real life chronic illness // a summer abroad with a migraine
Carrie shares tips and aspects of her summer abroad that made it work while managing her health // also some added bonuses & lessons learned while to being away she didn’t necessarily anticipate. Ichoosegrit.com for more on Carrie’s trips!
Aug 23, 202224:22
Minisode // Lourdes Life.
Life in Lourdes & 3 good stories.
Jul 06, 202235:21
Minisode // off to Europe.
Carrie shares of the continued struggle to balance work and managing her health, and why she made plans to spend a summer in Lourdes, France.
May 11, 202216:59
real life chronic illness // victories
Carrie shares a few things she’s experienced recently she at one point thought were completely out of the question for her.
Feb 22, 202214:37
Steven + Griffin: Missionaries of the Real Presence
Carrie chats with two Milwaukee missionaries, Steven Kehoe & Griffin Rain, who are choosing grit by living a lifestyle many don’t pursue, in a community they started themselves—with hopes to foster reconciliation in their neighborhood. Learn more here: https://https://www.realpresencemissionaries.org// further support Carrie in this project here: patreon.com/ichoosegrit
Jan 12, 202231:37
real life chronic illness // the holidays
Carrie shares some hacks she has learned to get through.. & even enjoy…the holidays while suffering. Most of all: REMEMBER YOU ARE A GIFT REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU’RE AT & WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR LIFE. ••• if you like what you’re hearing: SUBSCRIBE & SHARE. ••• follow @ichoosegrit on social media, and ichoosegrit.com ••• to donate & better support Carrie in this project/life: go to patreon.com/ichoosegrit
Dec 24, 202116:19
Intentional Community: Married Style.
Carrie chats with a few friends (Mia Lyon + Andrew & Dana Steufen), who are living out intentional community while married about what that means to them, how it started, and why they have found it to be so necessary for their marriage & family lives. Warning: this may make you want to become their neighbors. // further support Carrie in this project at: patreon.com/ichoosegrit
Dec 03, 202136:37
Intentional Community: While Suffering.
To continue the conversation on community, Carrie tunes in a for a minisode to share some of her experiences of community life while experiencing suffering.
Nov 21, 202118:11
Intentional Community: The Ladies.
Carrie chats with 3 of her friends: Sophie Collins, Samantha Vosters, & Amanda Fahrendorf, representing 3 different women’s households, about their experiences with genuine community, what it means to them, & why they’ve chosen to make it a priority. Tune in to hear about learning to love & be loved up close and personal; something that, at times, takes more grit than anything. • Hit subscribe! • Shoutout to riverwestfoodpantry.org & brewcitycatholic.com • further support Carrie in this project at patreon.com/ichoosegrit •
Oct 14, 202148:25
Berta: Hardest Earned Diploma, Ever.
Carrie sits down with another neighbor/friend, Berta Hawley, who is also her hero. Berta was born with holes in her heart & entered the foster system at age 3 & despite both of these things causing major challenges in her ability to function well, she just graduated high school and started college this fall. She is a gritty, graceful, & straight-up beautiful human. // to further support Carrie in continuing this project: www.patreon.com/ichoosegrit
Sep 03, 202130:05
Joy + Rashad: Mother’s Intuition
Joy Bass and her son, Rashad, sit down with Carrie to talk about some major challenges they faced as a family over the past year and a half. After experiencing a major move, their car being stolen, and job loss for Rashad, Rashad eventually found himself losing his ability to function due to challenges to his mental health. The gamechanger? Mom stepping in. (leave more about supporting this podcast at Patreon.com/ichoosegrit)
Aug 05, 202132:33
Amanda: An Unromantic Missionary Experience.
Today’s featured guest is Amanda Fahrendorf, Carrie’s friend & roommate, talking about a summer she spent as a missionary in Honduras that proved to be completely not what she imagined it would be (to say the least). Hear Amanda process this time of coming face to face with her own weaknesses, in a way that she can now say she is grateful for.
Jun 28, 202130:56
Bri: Poked & Prodded 5 Times a Day.
A conversation Carrie had with her friend/neighbor, Briana Mueller, on her lifelong experience of living with Type 1 Diabetes—a disease that doesn’t ever allow you to forget about it. (Also-some romance included😉). {further support Carrie in this project at www.patreon.com/ichoosegrit}
Feb 15, 202128:47
real life chronic illness // why I said yes to a JOB...and some grief.
why I said yes to a JOB. as well as some unanticipated grief happening simultaneously.
Feb 03, 202113:20
Aaron: Our Bodies Matter // MLK Day
A talk given by a member of Carrie’s neighborhood & parish, Aaron McCoy, to local young adults over the summer. Aaron melds together his firsthand experiences of racism within the church & within our country, a healing experience of conversion, & his knowledge of theology to inform our community on this issue & specifically how he feels Catholics should respond. He also graciously allows time to pick his brain through q&a. (Much of convo geared towards Catholic audience, worth hearing for all! forgive the un-ideal audio). FULL version of Aaron’s talk with presentation slides found here: https://youtu.be/qKR_IfgoYWA .
Jan 18, 202148:36
ONE YEAR // Merry Christmas // Let’s talk about Jesus.
Carrie reflects on the accidental social experiment she found herself in the middle of after one whole year of doing interviews on suffering....making it kind of impossible for her to not talk about Jesus. Merry Christmas!! www.patreon.com/rss/ichoosegrit?auth=TMG2GzNBLsNw2noG6G-aLUiJca4b6V3z
Dec 23, 202014:51
Monica: The Slow Work of God.
A conversation Carrie has with her friend, Monica Murphy, about two ways she chose grit while seeking a career path: 1) showing up to a corporate job that felt brutal for two years, and 2) leaving to pursue a career that she always felt drawn to but also kinda steered away from. Today? She couldn’t be more grateful (even 4 months after original recording😉). Love this project? Learn how to better support here= www.patreon.com/rss/ichoosegrit?auth=TMG2GzNBLsNw2noG6G-aLUiJca4b6V3z
Dec 08, 202035:35
Steve: What’s My Thing?
Carrie chats with her friend Steve Calme about a serious bout with depression he experienced while struggling to find his purpose. And from facing this burden as he pursued his Master's degree and eventually a doctorate, to seeking out help, and eventually choosing to do what he knew would benefit him even though he completely didn't feel like it.....it won't take you long while listening to see how this season of Steve's life called for a lot of whole lot of grit. Find out how to better support Carrie in this project right here: www.patreon.com/rss/ichoosegrit?auth=TMG2GzNBLsNw2noG6G-aLUiJca4b6V3z
Nov 20, 202031:43
real life with a chronic illness // work + exercise
Carrie thought it time for an honest life with chronic illness update as she’s now 5 months into wholly focusing on regaining strength...as well as some insight into her complicated employment journey, and her slight proposition to the “everyone should work” mentality. Also this: www.patreon.com/rss/ichoosegrit?auth=TMG2GzNBLsNw2noG6G-aLUiJca4b6V3z .
Nov 13, 202018:38
Lona: I Lost My Home.
This weeks episode features, Lona Owens, a friend of Carrie’s that loves to share what she learned through her experience with homelessness if able to help another by doing so. Lona shares her walk through the shelter system, eventually gaining housing, and ultimately, a true transformation that came when she discovered her own dignity among a genuinely welcoming community. Recording of this episode started outside + eventually became indoors with a mask, so please forgive the varying recording quality.
Oct 21, 202025:10
Becca: A Rare Disease at Seventeen.
Loved getting to sit down with a friend I’ve known as long as I can remember, Rebecca Syens (formerly Surita). Becca let me pick her brain about her experience of being diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia our junior year of high school. Becca explains why we didn’t talk much about it at the time she was going through it + ultimately how it completely shaped her career choice today. Her entire story is full of grit.
Oct 08, 202029:43
Sam: I Got Mono & it Never Went Away.
Today’s guests is Sam Wiebersch, a friend of Carrie’s who has also particularly had to learn to choose grit through a number of physical health issues. Sam + Carrie spend a lot of time discussing tactics they learned to get them through college while suffering physically, and Sam shares how stopping her life after years of pushing it ultimately led to a lot of healing.
Sep 29, 202037:43
Rachel: Depression + Anxiety.
Carrie introduces us to her first internet friend and fellow podcaster, Rachel Wong. Rachel shares openly about struggles related to her mental health that began for her in middle school and how therapy, community, & her relationship with God have played (and continue to play) into her healing. We chat about how she is applying what she’s learned in the midst of 2020, and hear some of her perspective on issues of race unique to her experiences as a Chinese-Canadian at this time. I promise you, this one’s story will soothe your soul.
Sep 22, 202040:03
Grit for the Whole World.
Carrie opens Season TWO of the podcast by sharing about her experience of 2020 thus far, and some practices & mindsets getting her through that closely parallel her life with a chronic illness. Episode ends with highlights of what this season’s phenomenal guests have said is getting them through this year so far—a year that is calling for a lot of grit....from all of us.
Sep 15, 202012:00
minisode: how I accidentally became a social justice advocate
Carrie reflects on the fact that she’s been referred to as a social justice advocate, and what about her life has led her to have a heart that breaks at witnessing the issues of division & racial inequality being brought to the surface these days. (hint: other people’s’ reactions to her own suffering)
Jun 15, 202010:28
Anna: I Left a Convent.
A few more weeks of a Stay at Home Order means Carrie has begun to interview her roommates. Anna Romportl shares a time she was sure of what she was meant to do with her life, and she turned out to be wrong. She chose grit by deciding to do something about it. Hint: a convent is involved.
May 18, 202035:34
Quarantine Sanity Check: The Funk Has Come.
Episode 3 of crummy social-distanced audio & quality conversation. This simple weekly check- in gets deep this week. #coronavirus
May 01, 202029:37
Quarantine Sanity Check: Episode #2.
Week two of sanity checks between Carrie and her two friends, Monica Murphy and Jacinta Van Hecke. This week we share progress on projects we’re working on, how we’re doing overall, and end by challenging ourselves (and you) to do something for the other while being ordered to stay home during Covid-19. Milwaukee artist fund: www.imaginemke.org/mke-artist-relief-fund/donate.php?fbclid=IwAR2o_EpB1xVIqvImkMoeMKa73Ho6lW6HN792spkdNIodEqZQt-9yfjupPI0
Apr 25, 202017:23
Quarantine Sanity Check: Episode #1.
Carrie and two of her particularly creative friends (future guest Monica Murphy & former guest Jacinta Van Hecke) chat about their daily routines, what’s scary, what’s keeping them sane, and what’s just plain weird about their lives one month into being ordered to stay home due to Covid-19. They end by sharing challenges for listeners and one another to make the most of this time and share their progress on in future episodes.
Apr 18, 202030:22
Danielle: Williams Syndrome.
A short and sweet conversation between Carrie and her friend Danielle Noth, who was born with one less chromosome than many of us. D talks about her favorite movies and love for music and Carrie shares a few specific ways Danielle’s grit & sensitivity has lightened the load of her own suffering.
Mar 20, 202016:56
M+K: I Look Different Than Everybody Else...and Couldn’t Care Less.
Matt Endres shares his story of how he learned to choose grit as someone born with a slightly different physique than many of us. His fiancé, Katie Boehm, tunes in to share her perspective on the topic. {aka- another fun love story included} Note from the host: apologies for the technical difficulties that led to some recording blips.
Mar 20, 202039:09
Jacinta: I Have to Love You Differently.
Oh shoot...I’m codependent. The eloquent, Jacinta Van Hecke, discusses a unique encounter with heartbreak she experienced in the form of the loss of an intensely close friendship. Jacinta shares how this experience shaped her into so much of who she is today. It taught her how to love, and it taught her to choose grit.
Mar 20, 202025:20
B + B: Should I Marry You?
Sometimes dating gets gritty, and bringing the question of marriage into the picture can cause a whole lot of feelings to arise. Carrie introduces two of her biggest supporters, her sis and bro-in law, Bridget and Brett Hutchison. Hear how these two chose grit by facing hard things together and how, eventually, taking a leap into the unknown became an enormous blessing to many.
Mar 20, 202041:27
minisode: courage.
Brief thoughts from your host on the beginning of this project thus far while she finishes prepping the next lovely interview (possibly recorded from her pillow while in a fairly medicated state).
Jan 18, 202005:08
Minisode: The Story of Carrie.
Your host (Carrie) shares some of her firsthand experiences of suffering that inspired this space and podcast to come to life.
Dec 21, 201914:18