Your Mom™

Fresh off her last on-air broadcast with the Pac-12 network, Ashley Adamson sits down with leadership coach Chantal Below and executive producer Betsy Bloom to process the sweet sorrow of “necessary endings.”

In our early years, endings are honored with graduations, diplomas, and yearbooks. But, as we get older and lose these rituals, it becomes harder to identify the “right” time to make a change or say goodbye. And, as Chantal points out, maybe there isn’t a “right” or “wrong” time, just choices and consequences.

And, what about those endings we don’t see coming: the last time we see a loved one before they die, the last time we eat at our favorite restaurant, the last time we tuck our kids into bed? How can we acknowledge the finales that conclude without fanfare?

Endings always leave us with more questions than answers. In the end, our most important lesson came from a children’s book: the power of embracing “maybe”. How fitting, then, that Ashley signed off from her final broadcast with this quote from Bruce Springsteen: “Maybe everything that dies, someday comes back."

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Ryan Leaf was an All-American quarterback at Washington State University. He was the No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick by the San Diego Chargers in 1998. A few years later, he was known as the No. 1 overall NFL Draft bust.
Much has been written about the small town, big-armed quarterback from Montana who went from living out his dream to enduring life in prison. Today, we hear a uniquely intimate perspective on that journey, as Ryan's mom joins the show.

Marcia Leaf tells Ashley and Lisa about some of the joyful moments, like the time she crowd-surfed at one of Ryan's games. She also opens up about some of her most painful memories and regrets, including being in denial as Ryan struggled with drug addiction.

Today, Ryan advocates for those struggling with mental and behavioral health issues. He’s found purpose in his career as a college football analyst and - more importantly - in his role as a father.

Come listen to this emotional journey like you've never heard it before. Through the eyes of Ryan's mom.

26:30- Ryan's phone call to Peyton Manning in college
28:08- Marcia crowd surfing.
31:50 - The significance of Ryan asking his dad to tie his tie.
51:00 - Marcia explains why prison was the best thing that happened to her son.
52:40 - Marcia describes her Sunday “prison hangovers”
54:50- The change she saw in Ryan after he got out of prison
1:02:32- The one thing Marcia would change, as a mother, if she could go back in time and do it all again.
1:07:32 - What Ryan says is his favorite thing about Marcia.

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“If we can have some real talk here, this is what I want to say.” So begins our conversation with Pac-12 Sports Broadcaster Tammy Blackburn, who is living with stage four metastatic breast cancer.

In this episode, Tammy illuminates the reality of living with cancer, especially the parts we tend to overlook or consider impolite to discuss: She delves into the physical pain of treatment and then emotional pain of losing control of her body. She calls out the commercialization and sexualization of the breast cancer awareness movement. And, she shares the moment she learned she would never be able to have children.

Listening to Tammy is like taking a masterclass in grace and honesty. Rather than running from reality, she has channeled her diagnosis into action, raising awareness and funds to combat this deadly disease. She loves fiercely and is fiercely loved in return (stick around until the end of the episode for first-hand testimony).

While this episode tackled heavy topics, we ended it feeling lighter. In addition to real talk about death and sacrifice, we also discussed the power of play and the necessity of balancing seriousness with silliness.

So, grab a hula hoop and some headphones and settle in for an inspiring hour with the inimitable Tammy Blackburn.

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We love you all, and as always, thanks for being here.

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New year, new mailbag!

Your MomTM made it another year, and we’re kicking it off by answering your burning questions.

Topics include the imaginary matchup of Ed’s 1994 Super Bowl champion 49ers vs. Christian’s 2024 Super Bowl contending 49ers, McCaffrey wedding planning updates (featuring Lisa’s continued determination to sit down, shut up, and wear beige), instilling confidence in kids, and manifesting YourMom’s dream guests.

If like us, you struggle with New Year’s blues, we hope this episode provides a balm, or at least a welcome distraction from your holiday hangovers.

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We’re thrilled to introduce you to our executive producer, Betsy Bloom. Everyone agrees that Betsy Bloom has a name made for showbiz, so it’s only natural that she join us in front of the mic in addition to her work behind the scenes.

While Ashley and Betsy first met via their husbands (Ashley’s husband’s Chris is best friends with Betsy’s husband Mac), they quickly forged their own love affair. Ashley recalls first falling in love with Betsy when she heard Betsy recite her vows on her wedding day; while Ashley wasn’t the intended recipient of the vows, Betsy is glad they landed with such a receptive listener.

As Ashley began to brainstorm starting a storytelling company, she found herself wanting to talk through the idea with Betsy. Meanwhile, Betsy was struggling with post-pandemic teacher burnout and looking for a different creative outlet. When Ashley called to discuss working together, Betsy interpreted it as a sign from above and jumped at the opportunity. The two have been collaborating and swapping stories ever since.

Join Betsy and Ashley as they discuss the cathartic power of storytelling, interactions with online trolls, and what teachers wish parents understood about kids. Stick around until the end to hear their contingency plan should their husbands decide to run off together.

Thanks as always for listening, please rate and subscribe wherever you listen and if you'd like to watch this episode on YouTube please click here.

As always, please send any comments or feedback to [email protected].

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More about Betsy Bloom:

As an only child with an active imagination, Betsy spent much of her time reading and inventing stories. In middle school, she was an inaugural member of the club “Spin-A-Storytellers”, and she still has the t-shirt to prove it. Her love of language continued through her time at Colgate University, where she earned a B.A, and after graduating, Betsy worked in book publishing, where she engaged with literature in a new way, working directly with authors (meeting Judy Blume remains a career highlight).

Betsy left publishing to earn a Masters in Literature from Middlebury’s Bread Loaf College of English, where she spent four summers studying stories, writing essays, and consuming obscene amounts of Vermont cheddar; she also met her husband through the program.

While earning her degree, Betsy made a career transition into teaching English; seven years later, it remains her most challenging and rewarding professional experience to date. Betsy and her husband reside in Buffalo NY, (Go Bills) where they are currently renovating a hundred-year-old home, binging The Great British Bake Off, and testing the area’s best wings.

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