S2E12: Embracing Your “Self-fulfilling” Era | Beth’s Story Part 2

As Season 2 of The Tox Drop wraps up, Maggie and Beth are back to share the second half of Beth’s story. 

From a whirlwind young romance to building a life in New York City, raising children, and ultimately growing apart from one another– Beth is back to share more about her story. In part one, we learned about Beth’s childhood and how she grew up in Europe, torn between two families, and ended up meeting her husband in high school. Now we’re picking up where we left off and diving into more about Beth’s love story, what it means to grow into yourself after growing apart from your partner, navigating grief, and stepping into a new chapter. 

As Beth steps into a new decade, she reflects on her achievements in the last few years– earning her doctorate, redefining love in her late 40s, and embracing what she calls her “selfish” era. You’ll be reminded that it’s never too late to choose yourself. 

There’s no better way to end this incredible season than with Beth’s story. Her resilience is a true testament that hardships are just a blip of time, and there is so much more to life past that hardship. If something from today’s episode resonates with you, please leave the show a rating and review! It truly helps the show and with that, enjoy today’s episode! We’ll see you in June for Season 3!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Watch Beth's Episode on YouTube!

Follow Beth on Instagram

Book With Beth at Rejuvalase 

Connect with Maggie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tox.chik/

Follow The Tox Drop Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetoxdrop/

Book Your Next Appointment at Rejuvalase: https://rejuvalase.com/

Check Out Our Esthetician School, NVLET: https://nvlet.com/

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Tox Drop! For more ways to connect with Maggie, see the links below!

Follow The Tox Drop on Instagram

Follow Maggie on Instagram

Book Your Appointment at Rejuvalase Medspa

Check Out Our Esthetician School, NoVa Laser & Esthetics Training

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:26

Let's go.

SPEAKER_02 0:30

Hey everybody, and welcome back to part two of Beth's episode here at the Tox Drop. I'm your host, Maggie McIntyre, and let's drop in. All right. So when we last left off, Beth, we were talking about your experience with patient zero as a COVID nurse six years ago, uh, working at Rejuvile starting eight years ago as one of our injections nurses. We talked about being raised uh essentially by two families uh in Europe, first in France and then in Germany. And during that time, you grew up, met your future husband, and at what was it, 18 or 19, came with him to the US. So take us there. That's a that's a huge shift. Was it scary coming over here?

SPEAKER_01 1:17

It was scary. Um, but we met when I was 15 and he was 17. We dated for a few years. Um, we had a surprise trial together. And how old were you when you had your child?

SPEAKER_02 1:30

I was turning 18 that year. I did not know you were that young. I think I thought you were at least in your 20s. Okay. No.

SPEAKER_01 1:37

And um we were good. Uh my, you know, my ex, but we were great. He wanted me to move to the United States with him. He wanted us to get married, and you know, I think from both sides, his family and my side, my family, they had concerns, we're too young, and but I we loved each other so much. You know, looking back, what do you know about love at the age of 18 or 19? But for you know, at that point, whatever the love was, it was a uh a pure love. And um, yeah, we moved to New York City because that's where he's from.

SPEAKER_02 2:19

Did you have your son before you guys moved to the US? Okay, all right. So you had your son there. Um, and then you guys moved to New York City. Uh-huh. And when did he join? How soon after did you all marry? And then he joined the military.

SPEAKER_01 2:32

Um, I moved to New York City, and then I think six months later we got married.

SPEAKER_02 2:37

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 2:37

Something like that.

SPEAKER_02 2:38

All right.

SPEAKER_01 2:39

And then um he didn't want to join the military at first, but I think by the time he was maybe five years later, four or five years later, he joined the military. I think it was just um it was hard uh working at different jobs, and you know, he had quit college, and uh we were just working at jobs versus careers.

SPEAKER_02 3:05

Were you an RN at that point or was it after he It was after? Okay, then he went back to school. Okay. All right, that is hard, especially with a little one to be bouncing around and doing that kind of thing. When you all got married, was it a traditional wedding or was it more Justice of the Peace?

SPEAKER_01 3:22

It was a Justice of the Peace wedding. Um, my family could not make it, so it was just his family that was there. Uh, we did just uh a quick JP visit and then we went to eat at um I'll never forget this, Junior's in Brooklyn. And that's where we had our little celebration dinner. And it was small, it was cute, it was good.

SPEAKER_02 3:47

And you know, the thing is is that had things turned out a little bit differently, I mean, it doesn't take away from the fact that that moment and that part of the story was a really positive one. Yeah. Maybe it was naive, maybe it was too soon, maybe it was unplanned, but if you knew how it would end, I mean it's still it would still be a cute part of your story, you know? Yeah. And if if it had ended differently uh with you guys, then it would be one of those, oh, it was meant to be, you know. So it's it is. It's I think you can look back and and and appreciate those moments, even if they don't work out as you as you'd hoped they would, you know. So how long were you all married before you all divorced?

SPEAKER_01 4:31

Oh gosh. Uh we got married in '95 and we started our separation process in 2018, but we had already been living separately in the house. I lived on the main level and he kind of just stayed in the basement. But we were at that time, I think we were probably at our best since we could tell that we were not going to be together anymore, or that we there was, you know, I think not to disparage him, but um we made a lot of mistakes when we were younger. Um and then we didn't know who we were ourselves. And, you know, as I got older and he got older, I think we just didn't share the same fundamental views and values of um family. Um uh so I think we just truly just grew apart. We were two separate different people that we were not at the age of 18.

SPEAKER_02 5:40

When you all divorced, did you was there from your from what you remember, from what you experienced, do you feel that there was a mental health crisis going on with him at that time, or is that something that came along later?

SPEAKER_01 5:56

That must have come along later. Um, I think, you know, when we divorced uh or went through the separation process, I think he was um he was difficult uh to deal with during the divorce process. I think the times that I would see him. Um I think uh I was always very kind um when I when we chatted because I just didn't want any problems between us.

SPEAKER_02 6:31

If that's the case, then would you say um, and of course we understand that this is it's not to sort of disparage, but to just share your perspective. Would you say that he, if not say mental health crisis, do you feel that he his behavior was maybe more volatile or unpredictable? Was that the case, or did he have a propensity to get angry quickly?

SPEAKER_01 6:55

Um, you know, I I think I think he has um he can get volatile and um angry. I think his ego was so big that um no matter what kind of interaction I had with him, I had to placate to his ego at the time. And um, and I think honestly, that's what helped me get through the divorce process, is I just killed with kindness.

SPEAKER_02 7:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 7:30

Um just to get just to get through. Just to survive it.

SPEAKER_02 7:34

Right, right. So after you all divorce, uh, he moves, you move. Boys are grown. You've had at this point you guys have two sons. Correct. And they're full grown. Um and recently, what was it about a year, a little year, over a year ago, yeah, you got a pretty shocking phone call. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

SPEAKER_01 7:56

Yeah, so I um, you know, I have not kept in touch with my ex at all since the divorce. Um and I received a phone call uh um in 2024 that um and and then I found out that he had committed suicide. So, and I had to uh communicate that to his family, and then I had to communicate that to um his kids. Wow.

SPEAKER_02 8:26

Yeah, your kids, my kids, your kids. It's a fairly complex uh kind of grief for so many levels, for so many reasons. Um the manner in which he passed, the surprise, the fact that he'd been a large part of you as a younger woman and the father of your children. But of course, since then you guys hadn't really kept in touch or talked in a while. Um, and then of course, it's the um compassion and empathy you feel for your children. How did you navigate that? What was it like for you? Was it was it confusing?

SPEAKER_01 9:01

You know, I think the um telling his mother was hard. Um I still have a relationship with her, I care for her, they care for me. I mean, she was basically like a mother to me for 26 years.

SPEAKER_02 9:13

Yeah, my kids' grandmother, um, paternal grandmother, I really care for her too. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 9:17

Um this woman. And I, you know, I wanted to make sure that I was the person that told my kids I did not want them to hear it from somebody else. And um, it was hard. Um, I didn't think that they expected that phone call to come from me. But to be honest, I didn't expect to get that phone call um at 6 a.m. So it was, you know, the shocking thing to me was more or less I did not see that in him. I I would never have guessed that that that would have happened. That that would have happened. But you know, I did hear from mutual friends, and we ran into each other when um I went for um a funeral uh back in California. Um and he he did not look well uh mentally, he did not look well. Okay. I just um disproportionate to to the funeral that we're at. Right. That's all I'll say about that. Sure. Yeah. Okay. So I um, you know, I but I have heard that he, you know, he was struggling with his health, he was struggling with his relationship. He um he had at that point been remarried like almost five years, um, had, you know, uh his new family living in a different state.

SPEAKER_02 10:42

Right.

SPEAKER_01 10:42

Yeah, his health, his work, um, and his his relationship, I think were suffering.

SPEAKER_02 10:50

Right. I just yeah, I can't imagine getting the call like you did, and then um sort of navigating that with your kids. And you know, it's it's I think the shock of a sudden passing, but also one like that, because there's just so many so much it's just it's it goes against nature in such a way, you know, that I think it can be really disturbing.

SPEAKER_01 11:10

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 11:10

So well, thank you for sharing that with us because that's that's really difficult um to say the least. And I'm sure there are other people listening that have been in similar positions uh with loved ones or with um, you know, man, you know, at the end of the day, when you when you divorce someone and they're linked to you, especially through children, there's there's always some kind of link, I think, spiritually or what whatnot, and you know, where you can't quite leave them entirely. Yeah. And you had a life with them. Yeah. You you built something with them at one point that there was at one point two children who two young adults, I should say, that met at a DOD school in Germany and fell in love.

SPEAKER_00 12:00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 12:01

And that's not who he was anymore. But at one time he had been. And I think just that there's, you know, there's a sadness in that. Um, but I think that you've done a pretty miraculous job of navigating that and being there for your children. So that's great. Okay, let's be real. We all want that fresh, glowy skin that looks like we've been sleeping eight hours a night and drinking green juice. Even when, if you're like me, you've been swapping that green juice for Coke Zero and you're getting more like five hours of sleep instead of eight. Well, that's where our medical spa, Rejuvalise Med Spa, comes in. We do everything from relaxing facials to laser treatments, body contouring, injectables, and biostimulation. The team at our medical spa really listens to you and customizes treatments based on your goals, your lifestyle, and your budget. If you've been thinking about giving your skin a little love or a big transformation, be sure to check us out at rejuvenatesmedspa.com or feel free to stop by. You deserve to feel confident and radiant, and rejuvenates MedSpa makes it easy. Trust me, your future glowing self will thank you. With that, we're coming into this era. You've gone through divorce, countries, living in different countries over the years, raised your children, you went from an RN, registered nurse, to becoming a nurse practitioner into this last year, obtaining your doctorate. So you are doctor, Beth, now. Yeah. And what's next for you? You're turning 50 this year. Yeah. What does that what does that look like and what do you hope for yourself? Are you currently dating anybody, Beth? I think that's what everybody wants to know. Especially if you guys are watching the video, you'll see just how beautiful she is. Absolutely stunning. And yeah, so what do you what are you thinking?

SPEAKER_01 14:07

You know, I um I feel like I sometimes feel like I can't sit still and I'm always looking for something else to do. When I went back for my uh nurse practitioner, I just needed a a lifestyle job change. Um, and then, you know, to get my doctorate, it's a terminal degree. That's the highest that we can go. And um, I did it with a friend. There was support there, we made it. Um, but you know, after that, it's I I feel like the last six years I've been constantly in school.

SPEAKER_03 14:44

Right.

SPEAKER_01 14:45

And this is the first year that I'm not in school. And I think it has allowed me to uh be a little bit more purposeful in like what my needs are, my personal needs are, you know, with dating. And um, I think it's also giving me a little bit more time to be at the spa as well. Right. Um, so you know, dating, um, I didn't have the opportunity to date date when we were young because it was my high school boyfriend to husband to then divorce in my mid mid-40s and um and then COVID and back to school. And then COVID and back to school. So, you know, I feel like God puts people in your path um at the time that you need them. So I've met uh, you know, different men along the way who have been supportive, uh, great individuals, and I had to learn that just because they're a great person um doesn't mean that they're your person. And I remember thinking to myself, oh, I just don't know if I could love again. And um, and I was fine with that. I was like, you know, love makes you foolish, you believe things, you you gaslight yourself, you allow yourself to be breadcrumbed, like all these things. And I thought, I'm in my 40s, I don't have time for that. Right. I I I'm I'm exhausting. It's exhausting. And I could be with somebody who is comfortable, a good person, but you know, ultimately, um I, you know, just decided that I just didn't want to repeat a relationship of that of years of not having that love. And you know, it's it was when my my um adopted or foster mother, when she passed away um in 2022, I remember the love that I saw from my dad and my mom, and something clicked and I said, that's what I want. Right. I just I don't I I want that type of love. So I think at that point I was open to it and I just knew that the relationship that I was in was not that right. So my dating life, I've had, I think, I I don't think because the two or three people that I've dated since my since my divorce, that it hasn't worked out that it wasn't a good experience. I think it has taught me a lot about myself as um as a as an adult woman dating um of things that I'm looking for and things that I'm not looking for.

SPEAKER_02 17:31

I really like what you said about meeting a good person. Um, but just because they're a good person, it doesn't mean that they're you they are your person. Right. And that is where I think so many of us um, again, we've we've grown up listening to fairy tales, watching fairy tales, seeing things in movies. It doesn't have to be you're either dating a jerk or you're dating your dream guy, or dating a jerk or dating your dream girl. It doesn't have to be one or the other. What you said is true, and I can speak to that myself um before Steve and I got together um years ago. I I dated a couple of really nice guys. Yeah. And it just what they wanted, their direction, or quite honestly, what they they have families of their own because they too had been divorced. And quite honestly, there was stuff within their families that just I just was like, if I'm being honest, I can't bring this to my kids. I can't bring this into my to my world. This is just there's too this too heavy, there's too much stuff going on here. But the guys themselves are really, really nice. Some of them, too, maybe their direction or work ethic or something was a little different, but still good guys. And so I think it's important to be able to say, just because they're a good guy doesn't mean that's right for you. There's a lot of components there. Yes, good guy is to me, should be the foundation and the basics, but there is, you know, more to it, and I think that's holding up to you don't want unrealistic standards, but you do want good and high standards because you hold them for yourself. Right, right. You know? So you I know that you had dated someone for a little while, and that was just kind of a point too, where lots of really good things within that relationship, um, but just some things that you know are just different, and just if you're being honest with yourself long term, you don't know if that can work for you or not. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 19:24

I sometimes think, you know, am I being um selfish? And I, you know, I feel like I've lived my late teens, all of my 20s, the majority of my 30s being something for somebody else, be it for my husband at the time, my children, and your patients, my you know, and I now that um my kids are older, they're standing on their own two feet, and I am maybe, and this might be you know taboo to say, but I'm in my selfish era now. I I need it to fit my life. Um obviously there's compromise and learning and growing with your partner, but there are some things that I'm just not willing to compromise for my own piece.

SPEAKER_02 20:22

Well, and I think that's for you to say selfish, there could be maybe an elephant, an element, elephant, an element of selfish, but I would say more like self-fulfilling, because selfish to me would be like, you know, there's no way I could stay long-term in this relationship because he has like really small kids or something like that, and I'm past that point in my life. But I really enjoy going out on dates, and he always buys my dinner, so I'm gonna stay with him. That's selfish to me. You're really being objective and saying, you know, it's heading down this path. And while I really like him, I just I can't be a mom again to this, to this little one, or I don't want to move to Ohio because that's where he's moving, and I'm very happy with my life here. Whatever it is, those things that you just can't change. Yes. You're not trying to, you're not trying to force it to fit, and you're also being honest with them, though. And that's the important thing. That's the difference. So I don't think it's selfish. I think you're being, I think you are making decisions that will ultimately be best for you, but also for that person. You're letting them go so they can find somebody that is able to meet their needs in that regard. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 21:37

I think you know, when two people get together, especially this late in life, I think it's um something that I'm looking for is I want to complement their life and I want them to complement my life. And then how do we integrate that together? Um and obviously that will take work, but that's kind of where I'm at with that.

SPEAKER_02 21:56

Yeah. I mean, nothing's ever going to be perfect, but I think it You need to be really kind of in the same place. And yes, I mean, so much of it is choice. You, you know, whoever you're with most likely either has children that are that are grown or decided not to have children for one reason or the other. Your children are grown. Uh, you're an independent person, you've done well for yourself, you're well educated. Nobody needs a relationship. You certainly don't. So it's it's but we crave it and we desire that, and that's normal. And that's nothing to be ashamed of. Um, but there is definitely an elective and a choice here. Right. And it's like, so choose wisely. You know, you've been there before, you don't want to go through that kind of thing again.

SPEAKER_01 22:41

Right, right.

SPEAKER_02 22:43

So here you are on the frontier of dating. I get to hear your stories. I love it. Um, and want the best, of course, for you. And I do think, I mean, I do think you're raising, you've raised that bar for yourself, which doesn't mean that it's going to be perfect or that you find the one right away, if you will. But um, I like that you seem to be with guys that are worthy of your time, even if things are not the perfect fit. Yes. They're still worthy of your time and still good men. Yes. You know, so I'm happy to see that because you should be with that, you know, for sure. Thank you. Before we wrap things up here, um, I have so many questions for you, but before we're gonna have to wrap it up, I want to talk a little bit about aesthetics. I've noticed in my last few interviews, we actually have not talked a whole lot about, and that's the talk strop. We're supposed to be talking about aesthetics a little bit and well-being. And and I guess we do that in a sense, but um, talk to me about being an aesthetics nurse. So what was it? I mean, your ICU, what was it that had you interested in coming to work for rejuvenes? Besides, it was Anna, not not social Anna who works with us now, but our other Anna. Uh, and she's she she worked with us and she was wonderful, and then she moved. But um, I think you guys were friends, and she talked to you about positions. Or so talk to, I know she's so great. Um, so talk to me about what got you into that. I think it was her, but what was your interest in getting into it?

SPEAKER_01 24:08

You know, the funny thing is my sisters from my foster family, um, we they have always been into beauty, uh, beauty treatments, facials, and as we got older, you know, injections, Botox. But um, and we have always talked about one of us working in that field or uh investing in that field. So are they still in France? Uh one sister lives in California and the other one lives in Japan.

SPEAKER_02 24:41

Well, they need to come over here for a visit.

SPEAKER_01 24:44

So um, anyway, so I and so I've always been interested in it. I've uh I've I was all I was nervous to get Botox the very first time. That was in 2018, and then I was hooked once I got it. And like you said, Anna was working for you at the time. She and I worked together at uh at the hospital uh when she was still there, and then um I think you were looking for an aesthetics nurse, and then she kind of got me in, she trained me, and I think I've just been there ever since. Yeah. What I've always liked is that you have always prioritized education and um and training, and you know, you pour back into your business, and I do like that, and that you um and you want to do things the right way. Like if you find out, you know, the law is changing about XYZ, you always try to stay on top of it and make sure that we're always on the right side.

SPEAKER_02 25:50

Always in compliance, in compliance, doing everything that's supposed to be done.

SPEAKER_01 25:53

So I totally respect that, and I think that is, you know, one of other than I love you, but um, one of the things that I've always felt safe practicing um for you is that we are always trying to be on the right side, right? Always compliant, and then always increasing our education, our knowledge, our skills. Right.

SPEAKER_02 26:18

Uh when we say try, it's because when we say try, what Beth is saying is that in this industry, for those of you that are in it, you understand there different states and different jurisdictions, different um different boards have different requirements, and and a lot of them are very vague and whatnot. So we we are on the side of being uh proactive and yeah, it's just trying to dot i's cross t's, even if we haven't been told to because yeah. So and it's changing always.

SPEAKER_01 26:53

You know, one year we're allowed to do this, the next year you can't do this, then the following year they let you do it again. It's it's always it's a moving target.

SPEAKER_02 27:01

Yes. Well, yeah, and they they changed that too with yeah, what what NPs can do at one point. Yeah, yeah. We talked about that. So always. What's your favorite part about the aesthetics side of things? And how how much tell me the similarities and the differences between nurse injecting as an aesthetics nurse and ICU work.

SPEAKER_01 27:21

So um ICU type work is we really see our patients at their worst. Um, and you know, I do see a lot of death at the hospital. Um, and but there's also a lot of uh fulfillment in or satisfaction. I don't know if that's even the right term, but of helping someone at the hospital to get better. Um and so I like that. Right. I like being a part of a team that gets people better. And sometimes it's a big impact, you know, because and sometimes getting better means, or the transition also means, you know, we don't talk about it enough, is that sometimes helping them to get to pass peacefully is also a skill. Right. And um, it's part of life. Um, what I like about aesthetics is everything is lighthearted. You know, people come in, they have concerns uh about you know their skin, their whatever it is, and they come in, they share it with you, and you come up with a plan that's just for them. And I love watching them come on day one, and let's say it's a year, a year and a half down the road, the transformation that we're able to achieve. Because, you know, I tell our clients all the time, it's not a one-stop shop. Right. Like it's it's it's a journey. It's a plan, it's a journey. And if we stick to that plan, we can get you to what your goal is. Um, so I I find that fun. And when I get messages back, um, and they tell me, oh my God, thank you so much. I love the way I look, like that is in itself also a reward.

SPEAKER_02 29:12

Right. And the thing is, is that it's it there's so much of an emotional and mental component to it, you know, that um that's really nice to see because it's not just it's not just the aesthetic, but it's the you know, the big smile that they're able to have. And that there's a different look in them when they're feeling good about themselves, you know. So, and it is, it's very different. So we generally work with healthy patients and knock on wood, you're not dealing with a life and death issue, but there is still reward and still a need for it, and it's I think there's there's something fun with that. I'm going to do a couple of sort of rapid fire questions. Okay. Um, somewhat rapid fire. Tell me of all of the services we do at Rejuvales. What would be your two, like, this is it? I have to always be able to do or have these two things. Botox. Yep.

SPEAKER_01 30:02

Any of the neurotoxins. Yes. Can I live without it? I get it every three to four months. I can tell when I need it again. I think it's an investment in everything. Um, and skin pen.

SPEAKER_02 30:15

You are a skin pen girl.

SPEAKER_01 30:16

I am a skin pen girl.

SPEAKER_02 30:17

Yeah, I do like the skin pen too. Don't get me wrong. But I think I neurotoxin, no question. Yes. And I do, I like all of them. Um, definitely neurotoxin. Um, I'm trying to think what else. If you had a pick two, Maggie.

SPEAKER_00 30:31

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 30:31

Mmm. I do like skin pen, but I think uh I think definitely neurotoxin, and I'm thinking filler or biostem. Uh-huh. Uh, just because with like weight loss and aging, my face has changed, and so with volume loss, yeah, that makes a difference. So I think I'd have to go with those two. Uh, it's hard though. I like all of them. I like everything. That's true. So uh favorite date night. What would be an ideal date night for you?

SPEAKER_01 31:02

Oh, an ideal date night. Um, I like I, you know, I'm a sunrise kind of girl over sunset. I think it just sets the mood for your whole day when the when the sun comes up and it's bright and it's shining. If I could pick an ideal date, it's we, you know, we get up in the morning, we go on a hike, we watch the sunrise, and then um, you know, a brunch afterwards. That would be nice. That would be really nice. That's uh mache date.

SPEAKER_02 31:37

Yeah, that's a good date, though. That's a that's a quality date. That's a quality date for sure. Um, and then what is your favorite candy? Do you have a favorite candy? So a sweet treat?

SPEAKER_01 31:50

Haribo gummies, kind of a girl.

SPEAKER_02 31:53

Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_01 31:54

I like it too. Um, I actually have a mix of the different kinds and a baggie in my purse as we speak. I just can't. Oh my gosh, that's so funny. And I will eat it. Uh, there is no such thing as, you know, the portion recommended portion size is five pieces. No, the recommended portion size to me is the whole bag. Yeah. So once I start, it's just they are.

SPEAKER_02 32:18

They are so good. That's my favorite. They're very addictive. Yeah. Okay, and last question. Let me see. Let me see. This next year, do you have any goal or intention that you've set for yourself?

SPEAKER_01 32:33

So I turned 50 in October. That's so exciting. Um, my big thing to do this year is I haven't been able to celebrate a birthday with my family since I've lived here, uh, since 1995. Oh my gosh. So I want to spend my 50th with my family, my brother, my stepdad, my mom, um, and my children. They will come out to Europe. Um, and so I'll be in Munich and then doing some traveling to see the other parts of my family too, and Paris.

SPEAKER_02 33:03

And oh, so nice.

SPEAKER_01 33:05

But uh, that's the big goal is to spend it.

SPEAKER_02 33:08

To do that, that's gonna be amazing. What a great trip. Yeah, very, very cool. Well, thinking about everything that you've been through, where you are now, what you're looking at in the future. If somebody is listening, going through a hard time, questioning their future, maybe they're going through a rough time in their marriage, maybe they don't know what they want to do with their career, maybe they're not feeling good about themselves, maybe they've experienced a great loss or tragedy. What would you tell them? What is some of the advice that you would recommend for somebody going through something like this? Is there anything that you would recommend?

SPEAKER_01 33:43

I think, and you know, throughout the years of having different hardships, I say the hardship is a blip in your life. And it's um it's not forever. And if you constantly sit in that moment of hardship, and you know, I think there's a reasonable amount of time to mourn whatever it is that you're going through. But at some point in time, you have to say to yourself, like, I'm giving myself three days, five days, whatever that looks like for you. And once that time is up, you need to move on because there's so much more life ahead. Right. And um I think we overuse the word trauma sometimes. I agree.

SPEAKER_02 34:27

Yeah, yeah. I mean, don't get me wrong, lots of hardships, but we overuse the word trauma to the point where it's like I think it magnifies the things that are happening to us. And sadly, I mean, this is part of life. Yes, yes. Loss is part of it, hardship's part of it. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 34:42

And I just, you know, I I give myself a day or two when I'm unhappy about something after that, whatever time I set for myself, then I just move on. And I think had I not, I think I developed that from being torn between two families. Um, otherwise, I don't know where I would be if I just wallowed in the moment of, you know, the we joke about it, the kidnapping, the and um the separation from my families, you know. I look back and I love my biological mother. And I commend her for doing what she did. She gave me to a great family. It wasn't a bad family. They love me to this day. I am still their daughter, I'm still their sister. They incorporate me in all of the things that they do as if we were blood. And I have two fabulous families out of this, you know. So I try to always look for the positive in things. And um, so yeah, I I I you know, I tell my kids when they're having a hard time too, like, this is a a blip, right? You're still young. Believe it or not, there will be multiple blips throughout your lifetime. You're gonna be, yeah, you just have to work through and get past it. You know, in the moment of that acute phase of the blip, you might think, oh my god, it's the end of the world. This I will never get past it. And you look back three, four, five, six months later, and you're like, oh, I'm okay. I'm okay. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 36:18

So I would agree. Yeah. Well, Beth, I loved just being able to see you, to catch up with you, to chat, and just to get to hear a little bit more of your story in more detail. And I'm sure the um listeners and the audience uh and viewers uh have been too. So I just want you to know how grateful I am to have you as a part of our staff, to know you personally, and to have you as a guest on the show. Thank you. Um, I think it was you've been a great person to uh help us wrap up season two of the talks drop. And guys, be sure to tune in for season three beginning in June. Of course, we'll be advertising and posting those specific dates. We always appreciate your support, your feedback, downloading us on Apple Music and Spotify. And to all of our guests from season two and season one, thank you so much for making this possible. And um, thank you.

SPEAKER_01 37:09

Thank you, Maggie.

SPEAKER_02 37:10

Thanks for having me. Of course. All right, guys, thanks for dropping in.