https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast daily 0.75 2026-07-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/3951a5c4-b30c-44ee-99ec-d8cdb1e1266a/OurRoughDraft2026-15.jpg https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/the-expectations-we-never-say-out-loud monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/1784404185595-Z20W8CS9D5KEXT6LTF8R/now.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - The Expectations We Never Say Out loud - About This Conversation What happens when the expectations we never talk about don't match reality? In this episode of Our Rough Draft, Denise and Tim reflect on their family's senior year journey—the surprises, disappointments, and meaningful moments that reminded them parenting rarely follows the plan. Through honest stories and thoughtful conversation, they explore the unspoken expectations parents and students often carry into this milestone season, why letting go can be one of the greatest gifts we give our children, and how embracing the unexpected can lead to deeper connection and growth. Whether you're parenting a senior, remembering that season yourself, or navigating a major life transition, this conversation is an invitation to trade certainty for curiosity and expectations for presence. https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/what-makes-a-family-feel-like-home monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/1784406889558-0LZJM0FWD7VG5VTYM64Y/belonging.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - What Makes A Family Feel Like Home? - About This Conversation What makes a family feel like a place where everyone truly belongs? In this episode of Our Rough Draft, Denise and Tim explore how trust, shared values, and honest conversations shape the culture of a family. They reflect on what it means to create a home where people feel safe, seen, and valued—not because they're perfect, but because they know they belong. Together, they discuss the difference between personal values and shared family principles, the role of vulnerability in building trust, and how kindness, curiosity, and respectful communication help families navigate conflict and change. Whether you're raising young children, parenting adults, or thinking about the kind of relationships you want to cultivate, this conversation is an invitation to build belonging one conversation at a time. https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/why-shared-adventures-matter monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/761e0205-22cb-456b-a558-0bf6833c1f0d/adventures.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - Why Shared Adventures Matter - About This Conversation What are the adventures that stay with you long after you've returned home? To celebrate Denise's birthday, Denise and Tim look back on some of their favorite travels together—from kayaking in the San Juan Islands to exploring Mazatlán, San Diego, Mount Rainier, and the Grand Canyon. But this conversation is about more than destinations. Together, they reflect on why shared adventures strengthen relationships, how travel changes the way we see ourselves and each other, and why the best memories often come from simply saying "yes" to something new. Whether you're planning your next getaway or reminiscing about your own favorite places, this episode is an invitation to celebrate the experiences that become part of your story. https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/finding-our-way-back-to-each-other monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/38254d66-9197-41d0-ae26-48aff6308436/reconnect.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - Finding Our Way Back to Each Other - About This Conversation How do you reconnect after time apart? In this episode of Our Rough Draft, Denise and Tim settle back onto the couch after Denise's trip to reflect on what it means to come back together with intention. They share what helps them reconnect after time apart, how they stay close to their kids while embracing new adventures, and why returning home is about more than unpacking a suitcase. It's a conversation about balancing independence and connection, creating rhythms that strengthen relationships, and making sure the people we love always know they belong. https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/what-the-road-is-teaching-me monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/2fde2254-3d1f-4a33-9da0-c2c4018f9aa3/journey.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - What the Road Is Teaching Me - About This Conversation What happens when you spend thirty days on the road with your mom? Broadcasting from South Carolina, Denise checks in from the middle of a month-long journey across the country. What begins as stories about beaches, bookstores, bridges, barking dogs, and Memorial Day becomes a deeper conversation about fear, family, and what travel reveals about who we are. Together, Denise and Tim reflect on honoring those who served, facing the things that scare us, visiting family, and navigating the joys and challenges of spending extended time with a parent as adults. Sometimes the best part of a road trip isn't the destination—it's the conversations, unexpected discoveries, and moments of clarity that happen somewhere along the way. Join us as we explore what the road is teaching us about courage, connection, and the stories we're still writing. https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/the-questions-we-ask-the-people-we-love monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/6aa8ea7d-a293-4ea7-89d3-38790e2e5a2e/question.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - The Questions We Ask the People We Love - About This Conversation What can a trip to Disney teach us about learning, curiosity, and family? Recording from the lobby of Disney's Swan Resort, Denise and Tim begin by comparing Disneyland and Disney World before the conversation takes an unexpected turn. Inspired by watching Mason explore the parks in his own way, they reflect on how different people learn, why examples matter, and what it means to create space for curiosity instead of simply following the plan. As Denise begins a five-week road trip with her mom, the conversation shifts to the challenge—and gift—of spending extended time with a parent as adults. Together, they explore the kinds of questions that deepen relationships, how families communicate across generations, and why the most meaningful journeys often happen through conversation. Whether you're planning a vacation, raising a learner, or simply wondering what questions are worth asking the people you love, this episode is an invitation to stay curious. https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/when-time-doesnt-matter monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/52048a8a-b107-4607-b4f9-fad70e2b2b08/time.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - When Time Doesn't Matter - About This Conversation What if the best part of summer isn't the vacation—it's the feeling that time doesn't matter? In this episode of Our Rough Draft, Denise and Tim reminisce about the summers that shaped them: camping under towering trees, ferry rides, beach days, neighborhood adventures, and the simple freedom of being outside until the sun went down. Along the way, they share favorite camping memories, dream about the perfect summer getaway, and reflect on why nature has a way of slowing us down and reminding us what matters most. Whether your favorite place is the beach, the mountains, or a quiet campground under the stars, this conversation is an invitation to rediscover the wonder, freedom, and connection that make summer feel a little magical. https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/what-makes-a-place-feel-like-home monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/aae0f9c6-b2ab-4dd8-8f7c-aa49abaa29a0/knownhome.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - What Makes a Place Feel Like Home? - About This Conversation What makes a place finally feel like home? As Denise prepares for a five-week road trip, she and Tim reflect on the many moves that have shaped their lives—from chaotic moving days and missing refrigerators to unpacking suitcases, settling into new spaces, and discovering the routines that help us feel grounded. Along the way, they share funny moving stories, explore why some people unpack immediately while others take their time, and laugh about the little quirks that reveal where we're really from—including wild salmon, paper straws, and the surprisingly complicated question, "Where are you from?" Whether you've moved across the country, settled into a new neighborhood, or are simply trying to create a place that feels like home, this conversation is about belonging, routines, and the stories we carry with us wherever we go. https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/what-25-years-of-marriage-has-taught-us monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/187be219-d644-42ea-a5a8-0118ec788a39/25years.jpg Our Rough Draft Podcast - What 25 Years of Marriage Has Taught Us - About This Conversation What have twenty-five years of marriage taught us? As Denise and Tim celebrate their silver anniversary, they look back on the moments that shaped their relationship—from their wedding day and military deployments to raising three boys, navigating career challenges, and learning how to support each other through life's hardest seasons. Along the way, they share the lessons they wish every couple knew: how to argue without losing each other, why it's important to understand how your partner experiences love, and how putting your relationship first can strengthen your family. Whether you've been together for twenty-five years, twenty-five months, or you're simply curious about what helps a relationship endure, this conversation is an honest reflection on choosing each other again and again. https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/the-courage-to-be-read monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/8096d184-496c-4d2c-b35e-da929ad2dcb1/story.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - The Courage to Be Read - About This Conversation What does it take to finally put your story into the world? Fresh home from a writers' retreat in Knoxville, Denise shares what she learned about craft, publishing, and the courage it takes to let go of perfection. She and Tim explore the changing world of publishing, the difference between traditional and self-publishing, and why telling meaningful stories matters more than following someone else's definition of success. Along the way, they reflect on career transitions, finding purpose after change, unexpected gratitude, and the stories that become family legends—including one unforgettable tale about Bigfoot that just might change the way you see every Yeti sticker. Whether you're writing a book, navigating a career transition, or wondering if your own story is worth telling, this episode is an invitation to trust your voice and keep creating. https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/the-quiet-moments-that-change-us monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/383d0ed8-4108-403b-bf6a-cf338ee15f4e/change.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - The Quiet Moments That Change Us - About This Conversation What are the moments that quietly change the course of our lives? In this episode of Our Rough Draft, Denise and Tim reflect on the stories that have stayed with them long after they happened—from missed phone calls during deployment and terrifying bridge crossings to parenting teenagers, sunsets that stopped them in their tracks, and the everyday moments that slowly shape a marriage and a family. Along the way, they talk about repair after conflict, finding gratitude in ordinary days, and why the memories that define us are often the ones we don't recognize until years later. Sometimes the biggest turning points aren't dramatic at all—they're the quiet moments that stay with us. https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/what-are-we-carrying monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/fcff9aca-3c6b-4a00-bcd5-f3ad9205e794/carrying.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - What Are We Carrying - About This Conversation What are you carrying that you haven't fully unpacked? As Our Rough Draft returns from a break, Denise and Tim reflect on the transitions they've been navigating over the past few months—from new jobs and creative work to changing routines and the emotional baggage that sometimes lingers longer than we expect. Together they explore what it means to support each other through change, why gratitude is often found in small moments, and how looking honestly at what's weighing us down can become the first step toward moving forward. Along the way, they begin asking deeper questions, sharing more of the stories behind the stories, and inviting listeners to do the same. Welcome back. https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/whats-next monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/004e6ebd-d8ae-4689-96a8-55005724c918/hopeful.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - What’s Next - About This Conversation Just days after graduating from Arizona State University, Thatcher sits down with Denise for a conversation about college, growing up, and stepping into whatever comes next. Together they reflect on finding your own path, what it means to become an adult, and how our families continue to shape us long after we leave home. This week's question: What chapter of your life is ending—and what are you hopeful comes next? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/what-we-keep monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/639abe5e-ba32-4351-8d83-fa9e917622b4/tradition.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - What We Keep - About This Conversation What traditions are worth keeping? In this holiday conversation, Denise and Tim use their Connection Cards to reflect on the family traditions they've inherited, the ones they've created, and the new ones beginning to emerge as their children build lives of their own. From Christmas morning pajamas and family photos to Thanksgiving, church services, and holiday meals, they explore what traditions really give us—and why the people around the table matter more than the table itself. This week's question: What tradition tells the story of your family—and what do you hope the next generation will keep? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/the-roads-we-didnt-take monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/0971fa91-939d-45f3-ad9e-28960a952d90/direction.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - The Roads We Didn’t Take - About This Conversation What if life had gone differently? In this episode, Denise and Tim reflect on their very different college journeys, the unexpected turns that shaped their lives, and how the paths they didn't choose helped define the ones they did. From Columbia to ASU, Bellevue College to the Army National Guard, they explore identity, belonging, higher education, and the surprising realization that the right path isn't always the one you planned. This week's question: What's one decision that changed the direction of your life—and what did it make possible? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/holding-it-loosely monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/e836631d-a927-4a55-88c3-2d24e30c2e1f/loosely.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - Holding It Loosely - About This Conversation In this conversation, Denise and Tim reflect on shifting identities, changing friendships, new jobs, moving houses, gratitude, and the surprising realization that stability has less to do with where you live than with the people you return to. Together they explore what it means to keep growing while letting go of the pressure to have everything figured out. This week's question: What part of your life are you learning to hold a little more loosely? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/the-stories-we-share monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/68ed8831-d3c9-4d3b-ac0b-8f8b82010499/grateful.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - The Stories We Share - About This Conversation What happens when we ask better questions? In this episode, Denise and Tim try out the first draft of their new connection cards—a collection of prompts designed to spark deeper conversations about gratitude, family, loss, work, and the small moments that shape our lives. As they answer the questions themselves, they discover that meaningful conversations rarely begin with perfect answers. They begin with curiosity. This week's question: What's one small thing you're grateful for today—and why does it matter more than you first realized? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/stories-of-us monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/318fee5b-1b59-41c7-9463-cc77ba171ea0/stories.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - Stories Of Us - About This Conversation Every family has stories they tell over and over again. In this episode, Denise and Tim revisit the moments that turned two people into five—from surprise pregnancies and military deployments to difficult decisions, joyful arrivals, and the friendships that became family. Together they reflect on how families are built not only through birth, but through resilience, shared experiences, and the people who choose to belong. This week's question: What's one story your family tells over and over—and why does it still matter? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/more-than-thank-you-for-your-service monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/0b61579b-10e5-489e-995e-35b218e2a192/service.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - More Than, “Thank you for your service” - About This Conversation What does it really mean to honor a veteran? In this Veterans Day conversation, Denise and Tim reflect on why "thank you for your service" is only the beginning. They explore the importance of listening to veterans' stories, the challenges of returning home, the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day, and how meaningful conversations can replace simple gestures. Along the way, they discuss the film Sheepdog, military identity, and the importance of seeing the human being behind the uniform. This week's question: Who has served in your life, and what's one story you've never asked them to tell? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/a-life-of-service monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/0b61579b-10e5-489e-995e-35b218e2a192/service.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - A Life of Service - About This Conversation In this deeply personal conversation, Denise asks Tim to reflect on his twenty-one years in the Army National Guard, the decision to enlist, two deployments to Iraq, and the challenges of coming home. Together they explore service, identity, leadership, grief, military transition, and why serving something larger than yourself continues to shape the way they live today. This week's question: What does service mean in your life—and who has shown you what it looks like? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/when-work-breaks-your-heart monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/c7d22421-8b04-4746-888a-716b80186445/work.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - When Work Breaks Your Heart - About This Conversation Sometimes the hardest part of work isn't the work itself. In this deeply personal episode, Denise and Tim reflect on the jobs that pushed them to their limits, the leaders who failed them, and the moments when work began to shape not just their careers, but their sense of identity. Together they explore fear, burnout, leadership, military transition, education, and the importance of creating workplaces where people are seen as human beings first. Through difficult stories and honest reflection, they discover that even painful work experiences can teach us how to lead with greater compassion and build healthier workplaces for those who come after us. This week's question: Who helped you become the person you are at work—and what kind of workplace do you hope to create for others? Content Note: This episode includes a conversation about suicidal thoughts and workplace trauma. Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for confidential support. https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/the-people-who-changed-our-lives monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/389a9e3b-1ae2-4caf-bf0e-8ce458179198/believe.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - The People Who Changed Our Lives - About This Conversation Sometimes the most important thing about a job isn't the work—it's the people who believe in you. In this episode, Denise and Tim reflect on the best and hardest jobs they've ever had, the leaders who changed their lives, and the workplaces that taught them what leadership, mentorship, and trust can look like. Along the way, they discover that while jobs come and go, the people who invest in us continue shaping who we become long after we've moved on. This week's question: Who believed in you before you fully believed in yourself? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/the-way-we-are-wired monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/7aea5b86-601a-4d6f-939a-9a2992701fe2/wired.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - The Way We Are Wired - About This Conversation Why do two people experience the same moment so differently? In this episode, Denise and Tim explore the ways they're wired—from optimism and order to spontaneity, sports fandom, parenting, work, and everyday life. Along the way, they discover that their biggest differences haven't weakened their relationship. They've made it stronger by teaching each of them to see the world through someone else's eyes. This week's question: What's one way you're wired differently from someone you love—and what has that difference taught you? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/travel-changes-you monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/86ef4310-3552-4d14-9b2a-588f15c15ac3/travel.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - Travel Changes You - About This Conversation What happens after the trip is over? Fresh home from Italy, Denise and Tim reflect on the moments that surprised them most—from hiking the Path of the Gods and wandering Pompeii to cooking with locals, slowing down, and discovering that the best travel experiences often happen far from the tourist crowds. More than a recap, this is a conversation about what travel teaches us: how it changes our perspective, deepens our relationships, and reminds us why coming home can feel just as meaningful as leaving. This week's question: What's a place that changed the way you see the world—and what part of that change did you bring home? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/the-places-that-change-us monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/2e4420cf-3b42-4db8-9748-787979f43350/place.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - The Places That Change Us - About This Conversation Some trips become vacations. Others become part of your story. In this episode, Denise and Tim look back on the places that shaped their marriage—from Oregon and Disneyland to Sun Mountain Lodge, Shanghai, Milan, and the Amalfi Coast waiting just ahead. They explore why travel matters, how it stretches us, and why some of the most meaningful traditions aren't tied to holidays at all, but to the places we return to together. This week's question: What's one place that quietly changed who you are? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/listening-to-understand monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/738425aa-e3a4-4b94-aea9-2b499f59cd9e/heard.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - Listening to Understand - About This Conversation In this episode, Denise and Tim explore what it means to truly hear another person, especially when emotions, assumptions, or strong opinions get in the way. From everyday conversations to military stories, parenting, and the challenges of today's divided world, they reflect on the simple practices that build trust: asking better questions, staying curious, and listening to understand instead of listening to respond. Along the way, they discover that meaningful conversations rarely begin with having the right answer. They begin with creating enough space for another person's story. This week's question: When was the last time someone made you feel truly heard? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/raising-brothers monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/e6cd04e6-15d4-4ec8-9f3b-b6978850aaa7/childhood.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - Raising Brothers - About This Conversation Parenting changes, but it never really ends. In this episode, Denise and Tim reflect on raising three boys, navigating military deployments, learning to parent from a distance, and intentionally building a family where brothers become lifelong friends. They share funny stories, difficult moments, and the values that shaped their decisions along the way, discovering that some of the most important work of parenting isn't raising independent children—it's helping them become people who always know they belong to each other. This week's question: What's one lesson from your own childhood that has shaped the way you care for the people you love? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/the-family-stories-we-inherit monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/7c70855a-c3c6-4031-ba31-dbf8f2228f9d/tradition.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - The Family Stories We Inherit - About This Conversation Every family has stories. Some are funny. Some are heartbreaking. All of them shape us. In this solo episode, Denise reflects on growing up in a beautifully complicated extended family, exploring how divorce, grief, remarriage, humor, and tradition became part of her understanding of belonging. She shares stories that span generations, asks what it means to truly fit within a family, and reflects on the small choices we can make to honor our history without repeating every pattern we've inherited. This week's starting place: What family pattern are you choosing to continue—and what story are you ready to rewrite? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/meet-tim monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/cbe9fabd-a733-491f-bdfa-67513a16437c/timwaters.jpg Our Rough Draft Podcast - Meet Tim - About This Conversation You've heard our stories—now it's time to meet Tim. In this special introduction, Tim shares the experiences and values that have shaped his life, from growing up in Washington and serving in the Army National Guard to finding purpose in mentoring veterans, building a career, and discovering adventure alongside Denise. It's an honest look at loyalty, service, family, and the quiet ways we become who we are. Whether you're new to the podcast or simply curious about the person behind the microphone, this conversation offers a glimpse into the experiences that continue to shape Tim's life. https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/the-people-we-meet-on-the-ball-field monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/bb5d3d23-e1c2-40dc-8a77-bdd00afdcb69/ballfields.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - The People We Meet on the Ball Field - About This Conversation For years, baseball fields were our second home. In this episode, Denise and Tim look back on decades of youth sports—the unforgettable coaches, lifelong friendships, heartbreaking moments, and surprising life lessons that came with raising three boys on the ball field. From Little League All-Stars and "Two Out Larry" to volleyball, cyclocross, and the parents who became family, they reflect on what youth sports gave them beyond wins and losses. This week's question: Who are the people you met through your kids' activities that changed your life? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/the-families-we-carry-with-us monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/cffaa87b-022a-457a-8fb1-c36d9c85b276/patterns.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - The Families We Carry With Us - About This Conversation Long before we fall in love, our families begin shaping the way we see the world. In this solo episode, Denise reflects on growing up between two families, navigating divorce, and slowly understanding how those early experiences influenced her marriage, work, and relationships. From childhood card games to people-pleasing, therapy, and learning what it feels like to truly be supported, this conversation explores the patterns we inherit—and the ones we can choose to change. This week's question: What family patterns are you still carrying, and which ones are you ready to rewrite? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/the-myth-of-balance monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/ad0ed3c5-f051-4ac7-98ca-f19cf30bd77e/support.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - The Myth of Balance - About This Conversation Is work-life balance even real? In this episode, Denise and Tim talk honestly about busy seasons, shifting priorities, and what they've learned after years of juggling careers, parenting, school, military service, and marriage. Instead of chasing perfect balance, they explore something more realistic: paying attention, communicating often, and creating small rituals that bring them back together. Whether it's dinner at the table, a walk around the neighborhood, or simply asking, "How can I support you today?" they discover that strong relationships aren't built on perfect schedules—they're built on intentional connection. This week's question: How can you best support your partner when life feels overwhelming? https://www.deniseleighwaters.com/ourroughdraftpodcast/the-story-we-keep-telling monthly 0.5 2026-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66f09168607f941e91e33c4b/964820ea-b445-4128-871c-50ddaf292d9f/beginning.png Our Rough Draft Podcast - The Story We Keep Telling - About This Conversation In the very first episode of Our Rough Draft, Denise and Tim look back at how they met, the first impressions that almost got in the way, and the moments that slowly turned friendship into a lasting partnership. From getting lost on the way to a boat cruise to a surprise proposal in New York City, they share the stories that have become part of their family's history—and reflect on why the little moments often shape a relationship more than the dramatic ones. 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