#287 When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned with Laura Behnke
In today’s episode, I’m talking to Laura Behnke, whose story is such a powerful example of resilience, hope, and what it means to build a meaningful life regardless of the “rules” we think we need to follow. Laura shares openly about not having her first real relationship until age 35, what it felt like to reach milestones later than she expected, and how she learned to imagine a future that didn’t hinge on partnership. We dive into her experiences navigating major grief—including the losses of her father-in-law and her own father, a long, emotional journey with IVF and infertility, and eventually facing a cancer diagnosis when her daughter was just seven months old. We discuss the emotions that come up when life doesn’t go as planned, finding strength during difficult seasons, and why sharing our most vulnerable moments can be such a lifeline to others. Laura’s honesty about dating, grief, motherhood, and health is such a needed reminder that we’re not alone in life’s hardest chapters, and that it’s okay to question—and break—the “rules” we’re handed.