On October 10th EAT will host their Hoe Down for Hope. Lulu Bogolin, Executive Director, discusses the importance of their biggest fundraiser of the year. Listen here as Lulu and I talk about what the Hoe Down for Hope supports, programming and what’s happening in the pasture: https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/podcast-from-the-pasture-hoe-down-for-hope The EAT Hoe Down for Hope raises funds to sustain all of the programs and the organization over the year. It also has

On a Friday night in August, I find myself once again on a floating raft in the outdoor pool at Life Time. It is a gorgeous Sunday night-the sun still high in the sky and it’s warm but not too hot. I’m here for a meditative float series with Lisa and Ulrikke. Together the two of them were offering a yoga nidra and sound bowls experience as part of the meditative float series. I was fortunate to have experienced a meditative yoga float a few weeks ago with Margie, and whil

I love ice cream. I always have. My sister and I have a long history with ice cream and it’s all good. We believe that ice cream (and chocolate) are a food group. It’s been suggested that dairy products help build strong bones. I am here to tell you; I have VERY strong bones. And those of us in St. Louis, can enjoy building strong bones, singing karaoke, and relaxing at Singers Ice Cream in Wildwood. Come along for a storybook journey into Micah and Courtney Turnbough’s adven

Close your eyes. Trust me. You'll want to do this. Close you eyes….and imagine yourself floating on a giant raft in a quiet place listening to sound bowls being played by one of your favorite yoga instructors (although they are all my favorites) as a beach breeze without the humidity gently rocks your float and makes you think of being in one of your favorite places. You are relaxed, guided to breathe and reminded to just let yourself BE. This Aquarius girl was in yoga heaven

Lulu Bogolin is about community, collaboration and working together for a healthy community. We asked Nikki Carey, Founder and Executive Director of One Table STL to join us in the pasture for our newest Podcast from the Pasture to chat about cultivating and building relationships in order to serve, reach and carry out their mission. In addition, we visited with all three herds: The Hero Herd, The Dale Herd and the Flo Herd. Listen here to our StoryCorps interview: https://ar

In Pilates class, the week of July 4th our instructor asked and thanked anyone who had been in the service. She then asked if anyone had family in the military. A number of people shared they had service members. Then I heard our instructor repeat this: “Your great-grandfather was a drummer boy in the Civil War?” This I had to know. It turns out Anne Marie Moebes’ great grandfather Jeremiah Collins was indeed IN the Civil War in 1862 and WAS a drummer boy. Listen to our Story

Road Trip! In April, my sister Staci and I loaded up her car and headed to Beale Street for a weekend of fun and adventure. During our sleepover weekend in late January, we began talking about Graceland. I said, “I’d love to go there,” and my sister replied, “Me, too.” We booked a hotel, googled Graceland, The Civil Rights Museum and a bus tour and we were set for our Road Trip to Beale Street in April. Yes, it really happened that way. And it was that fast. I believe I’ve be

Driving down Highway 109 in Wildwood near Old State Road you will be delighted to see two herds of horses that live on the ranch that is Equine Assisted Therapy. EAT also has therapeutic horses at Longview Farm at Clayton and Mason. Their mission is simple: create life-enriching horsemanship experiences that uplift and empower participants to enhance their well-being. It is both hoof to heart and heart to hoof work. Listen here to our StoryCorps interview: https://archive.st

In May of 2025 I bought a bike. A sparkly purple cruiser. I love it! That bike has brought me such joy. Last spring as a break from the gym, I was riding twice each week on flat trails. Within four months I had worked up to riding ten miles each ride. I even rode in my first bike ride in over twenty years last July. (https://www.stlouisgirlstorytelling.com/post/2025-i-scream-for-ice-cream-ride) Each and every time I rode, I felt the sense of freedom dance brings. It’s freeing

Last summer I walked into REI in Brentwood on a mission. I needed a bag for travel. It could be a sling bag, a glorified fanny pack (the kind that you wear on your back or front side), a backpack or a cross-body bag. When I travel, I usually carry ID and valuables on my body and a backpack for everything else: books, a jacket, meds, power cord, snacks, maybe a swimsuit if I’m headed for the beach. I’ve had the same L.L. Bean backpack for over ten years-and love it for its ver

In May I had the opportunity to sit down with Phyllis Ring and Beth Eves to talk about vibrant aging. It was a fun conversation filled with laughter, inspiration, and ideas. If you want to continue to age well, maintain your independence and laugh, listen to our StoryCorps interview here: https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/inspiring-women-vibrant-aging/ What I find the most inspiring is that Phyllis and Beth are happiest when they are working out in really hard class

Walking into the Champ Assistance Dog offices on a Saturday morning in May, I am greeted by Christina Rustenhaven, the Champ Assistance dog trainer, Sue, a puppy raiser, and Gunny who is full of energy and one of the sweetest puppies I’ve ever met. Sweetness and energy aside, this is a working session and Christina and Sue are already hard at work discussing what Sue would like to work on in this training session. As an observer I can tell that Gunny has good energy and is a

We started the puppy raisers training class sitting in a circle with Katie showing the puppy raisers how to talk with their puppies so that the puppy would remain sitting by their side as she talked with us. She’s as calm as they come and the puppies pick up on this energy. She gently leads a puppy in front of her and easily demonstrates how to have the puppy sit in front of her keeping her eyes on Katie for further direction. Katie loosely has the puppy in between her legs w

Katie Leemon and Christina Rustenhaven Champ Assistance Dog Trainers were nominated for the Woman of Impact Project sponsored by Jill Gray of Higher Focus Photography. In my mind their impact is far reaching. They've worked with hundreds of puppies, dogs and humans. They are front-line workers and their inspiration and impact has made our community a better, happier, puppy-filled world. Jill and I thought it would be a good idea to have one photo session for both Champ Assist

The trip to Corpus Christie happened quite organically, which is the best way for travel and adventure to happen. Sometime this winter, it occurred to me that I needed to be on the beach. I wasn’t sure which beach or how it would happen, but I began to understand in every cell of my body that the Ocean was necessary. I needed to be with the Ocean…. I began mentioning this idea to all of my friends. I also need an adventure. I’ve been on many beaches, and they all hold special

In the midst of puppy chaos, working with intention, respect, leadership, and trust Christina Rustenhaven remains calm. Because of Christina’s patience and kindness, clients, family, co-workers, and volunteers respond to her work in a positive way. Including the puppies and dogs she’s responsible for training. She is a puppy whisperer changing lives one paw print at a time. Listen to our StoryCorps interview here: Champ Assistance Dog Trainer: Christina Rustenhaven – StoryCor

Katie’s broad smile proceeds her into the room. Her calming presence with puppies, dogs and humans is immediately noticeable. I met (or rather observed) Katie at a puppy raiser training class in December. I watched as she handled, managed, and inspired puppies and humans all at the same time while remaining completely relaxed. Listen to our StoryCorps interview here: Champ Assistance Dog Trainer: Katie Leemon – StoryCorps Archive In training classes and when working with pupp

In October after returning home from a 21-day trip that was more stressful than I realized I ended up in Dr. Maddie and Dr. Mike’s chairs at Lifetime for soft-tissue demos that began releasing the tension I was carrying in my shoulders. In addition, I arrived home to a deadline that was moved up to October 31st from December 31st. Needless to say, Dr. Maddie and Dr. Mike released tension and stress in my shoulders. Dr. Maddie asked me how I was…and that was it… Listen to our

As we walk into Mason Pointe Senior Living, we are met with smiles all around. Holly Nylander and Linda Thomas gently guide Hannah and Charlee into the building for their Therapy Dog commitment. The minute we walk in, humans begin to smile and walk over asking if they can say hello to the dogs. Hannah and Charlee know exactly what to do. They stand still and allow the humans to reach out and gently pet them. A few people talk to the dogs and then say hello to the humans. We m

Every year my sister and I spend a day making mint patty’s. We make hundreds each year and share with anyone who is mint-patty-worthy. We also keep a daily mint count in the weeks after we make them. This year I booked my sister for the end of January. Yes, you have to book my sister who is busy living her best life. In addition, we know we needed an entire day because we often combine mint-patty day with resale and thrifting, movies, and our favorite restaurant in St. Charle