In this episode of Diamonds in Dumpster Fires, I’m joined by the insightful Danielle Sangalli—licensed marriage and family therapist, relationship coach, and the brilliant mind behind the term single-spousing. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the emotional heavy lifting in your relationship while your partner feels miles away (even if they’re sitting right next to you), this conversation is for you.

If you’ve ever wondered how neurological conditions like ADHD or autism affect how we handle stress, relationships, or life transitions like divorce — this episode is for you. I’m joined by Dr. Robert Melillo, a leading expert in brain development and functional neurology, for a fascinating, deeply practical conversation about what’s really going on beneath the surface during moments of emotional overwhelm.

What if the money stories you’ve been told—especially in the church—are actually holding you back from stepping into the life God has for you?

In this powerhouse episode of Diamonds in Dumpster Fires, Melie sits down with Christian entrepreneur, speaker, and best-selling author Janine Mix, who went from living in a cockroach-filled apartment and $120,000 in debt… to building a multimillion-dollar life by 33.

We’ve all heard the phrase “just bounce back,” like we’re rubber balls instead of actual human beings with hearts, brains, and tear-stained sweatshirts. But real resilience? It doesn’t look like a movie montage or a perfectly curated Instagram comeback story. It looks like crying on your living room floor, knitting through the quiet, whispering prayers you’re not even sure God can hear… and showing up again anyway.

What if joy isn’t about feeling good all the time? In this episode, Melie sits down with Charlie Engelmann—educator, speaker, and PhD candidate studying joy—to unpack what joy really is, how it’s different from happiness, and why adversity is actually essential for building a joyful life.

In this honest and heartfelt episode, Melie gets real about what it looks like to rebuild a life after heartbreak. She opens up about the unexpected path her life has taken post-divorce—wrestling with rejection, untangling old expectations, and learning to heal from the inside out.

In this episode of Diamonds in Dumpster Fires, Melie gets real about what it means to wear your heart on your sleeve—and why that’s not a weakness, it’s a superpower. From Shakespeare to C.S. Lewis to the Psalms of David, she unpacks the beauty (and the occasional chaos) of being emotionally open.

Have you ever felt like you're screaming into the void—on social media, in a room full of people, or even in your own home? Like no one really sees you?

In this powerful episode, Melie gets real about something deeply personal: the ache of feeling invisible. Whether it's navigating Instagram algorithms, dating apps, or church gatherings, the sting of being unseen is real—and you're not alone.

Together, we explore the concept of the false self vs. the true self, how societal pressures push us into living inauthentically, and how we can break free from external validation to embrace our God-given identity. If you’ve ever found yourself striving for worth through achievement, approval, or possessions—this episode is for you.

Do you ever feel guilty for doing something just for fun? In today’s episode, we’re talking about the importance of creativity for the sake of creativity—and why self-expression is essential, not a waste of time.

Life after a major transition—like divorce—can feel like standing in the rubble, wondering what’s next. In this episode, I sit down with Chris Meston, a Transformation Life Purpose Coach, who knows firsthand what it takes to rebuild with intention. Chris shares his personal journey of self-discovery and how he turned a difficult chapter into an opportunity for growth.

Welcome back to Diamonds in Dumpster Fires! In this special (and slightly spooky) 13th episode, we’re tackling a topic you might not expect on a faith-based podcast—superstitions, luck, and how they intersect with faith and resilience.

Life throws curveballs, but resilience is the key to bouncing back stronger. In this episode of Diamonds in Dumpster Fires, we dive into The Resilience Blueprint—a practical, faith-based guide to developing resilience when life gets messy.

Ever felt like your relationship with your body is just one big, exhausting battle? In this episode of Diamonds in Dumpster Fires, I sit down with Tamara Newell, author of The Peaceful Body Approach, to talk about breaking free from body shame and finding healing through faith, love, and community.

Valentine’s Day can be beautiful, but let’s be honest—it can also feel like a giant neon sign flashing “YOU’RE ALONE” (or “YOUR LOVE LIFE IS A MESS”). In this episode, we’re breaking down the myths around love, the pressure of this holiday, and why real love—whether romantic or not—is way deeper than what Hallmark and rom-coms would have you believe.

In this episode of Diamonds in Dumpster Fires, Melie dives into the messy, unpredictable reality of hard times and what it really means to be resilient. Spoiler alert: it’s not about having it all together. Drawing from personal experiences with divorce and layoffs, Melie gets real about how strength isn’t about standing tall without a wobble—it’s about getting back up after life knocks you flat on your face.

In this episode of Diamonds in Dumpster Fires, we’re diving into what it really means to live unbothered. Spoiler: it’s not about ignoring the chaos—it’s about finding peace in the middle of it.

In this episode, Melie dives into the messy, emotional, and necessary process of saying goodbye to relationships that just don’t work anymore. With her signature blend of humor, faith, and straight-up honesty, she tackles the tough stuff: setting boundaries, recognizing when a connection is unhealthy, and making the brave decision to let go.

In this episode, Melie dives headfirst into the dumpster fire that is modern dating—because why swipe right when you can swipe into chaos? After 15 years out of the dating game, she’s sharing her hilariously honest and faith-filled take on the world of dating apps, catfishing, breadcrumbing, and ghosting (oh my!). With her signature blend of humor and wisdom, Melie unpacks the emotional rollercoaster of modern romance, reminding listeners that their worth isn’t up for debate—even when their DMs are a mess. Spoiler alert: hope and resilience might just be your best match yet.

n this episode, your host, Melie Williams, dives into the wild world of unsolicited advice—especially the kind that shows up when you're navigating the wreckage of a divorce. With humor, honesty, and a touch of faith, Melie unpacks the well-meaning but cringe-worthy comments people love to offer, like "just stop looking" or "focus on yourself." Spoiler: not all advice is created equal.