001: Intuition Take the Wheel — What You Need to Know About the Unplanned Mom School
Do you want to live a beautiful life that reflects the truth of who you are, and be bold and courageous as you step into your heartfelt desires? How does trusting yourself fully and connecting with your soul's purpose sound? The unplanned mom podcast is a potent mix of real-life stories, practical, spiritual teachings, and a community to help guide you for eternity. This is the place for inspiration with down-to-earth tools to help you pivot and continue to live your best life beyond your wildest dreams. Here, we honor your deepest, authentic truth, embrace motherhood, talk, all things, money, mindset, and most importantly, miracles. So are you ready to say yes to all of this? If so, then let's dive in. I'm your host, Ashley Bush, and I have been praying for you, and I cannot wait to get to know you better. Let's go.
(01:06):
All right, welcome. Welcome. Oh my goodness. I'm so glad you are here. And that you've stopped by the unplanned mom podcast. I'm guessing that the chances are that you may have been searching or stumbling trying to find someone; some other people have been exactly where you are right now in this unplanned pregnancy that you are dealing with. You're likely super ambitious, very goal driven, and just trying to wrap your brain around everything and how the heck you will make this all work. So, first of all, I, you know, since we haven't officially met, I am just already super thankful that we've crossed paths and that you are here. I am Ashley. You know, I've been exactly right where you are. And as we get to know one another, you're going to learn more about my story, my journey, where I've been, where I'm going, and just super excited.
(02:02):
So what exactly is the unplanned mom school? Well, the unplanned mom school was a dream and a vision that I had many, many years ago because, as I said, I'm, I faced an unplanned pregnancy at the age of 21. And at that time, you know, this was, you know, Christmas time, 2005, it was early in 2006 that I found out I was pregnant. And, you know, there weren't any resources like this. I mean, Facebook was just starting, and back then, Facebook, you had to have a school email address to be able even to have an account. So yes, that kind of dates me, tells you a little bit about how old I am, but you know, the one thing that I wanted because I was in college, I was the first person in my family to go to school.
(02:48):
And at that time, that was, that was my big goal, my big dream, and, you know, my milestone that I knew I wanted to overcome if you will. So finding out I was pregnant and, you know, not in the best relationship. So there was a lot of stuff leading up to that moment. You know, I just remember feeling very like something was just kind of off in my life. I grew up in a very big Catholic family and have considered myself Christian all my life. And, at that time, you know, I had a very dear friend and, you know, she and I would go to church with her. So I was kind of like, I had one foot in this college life and partying and then had this other foot where I knew God had bigger plans for me.
(03:49):
And I just really couldn't find the balance and fit those two things together. So, you know, really years later, and kind of doing deep dives and things and looking in into how, you know, alcoholism played a role in my upbringing and just characteristics, thought patterns, boundaries, all of that stuff kind of really played into it. So kind of going full circle then, I had to tap into and use free resources. So I, you know, I love pregnancy centers. You know, everybody that works there has got a heart of gold. There are many great things to help financially, with supplies and emotional support. What I found, though, that was lacking, in my perspective, was that there wasn't a place that gave me an area where I was around people that wanted more like I did for my life but had been in a similar situation.
(04:47):
So, I wrote a book starting all of these years ago. I had a blog, and, you know, I had gotten remarried. Life was just kind of putzing along, and I was feeling pretty good about things. And I had a couple of miscarriages. So those were my planned babies. I like to save those planned babies. They're up in heaven, looking out and watching over my family, my husband and me, and my three daughters now. But those losses shook me because I had my oldest, Anna, and, you know, life was it; it all worked out. And so this is how the unplanned mom school was born because I have this yearning and this desire to help women in the exact same boat that I was in. And even years later, as a woman in her thirties, going through pregnancy again and essentially starting all over has been a journey.
(05:40):
So I love to say that all of all, three of my babies that are here on earth with me, we were all unplanned in every story. Every obstacle, everything I have gone through throughout the pregnancy itself, has just been enlightening and joyful, full of scary times with high-risk pregnancy and then being, you know, UNW and pregnant. So, I've experienced many different things, and I've met so many amazing women along my path and my journey. And so, again, the unplanned mom school is just a rebirth of what I wish that I would've had when I was younger. And then even, you know, now in my thirties, just kind of starting over and trying Tose and working, working a husband now, a home, all of these things while you are navigating, preparing for a new life in your, in your family.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
So I'm just, I, I, I'm just so excited that you're here and welcome to our first episode and just kind of an entry point to what the unplanned mom school is, is about, and what we are here for. So it's encouragement and support, of course, in just moving through that unplanned, unplanned pregnancy. So my thing has always been for many, many, many, many years is that you have got this all-knowing intuition, innate intuition. That is, that is already born. It's inside of all of us. I believe when we are, when we come into this world, our life experiences shape us, and mold us. You know, they just impact us in how we make decisions in how we move forward. And for me, and this may be, you might feel the same way, but pregnancy is a key to figuring out precisely who you are.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
Even though right now, this timing is it's not ideal. No, it's, it never is. I mean, when anything good, really good or bad happens in our life, we tend to put them on, you know, on scales, really good, really bad, and we kind of weigh it and, and kind of go from there. But when things appear to be bad, I have found throughout my lifetime. And you know, the many people I have spoken to that these times were really challenged in the world and the universe, or by God, we have a choice. We have a decision to stop dead in our tracks because we have nowhere else to go other than looking internally in, into the inside of ourselves. So inside the unplanned mom school, I mean, we work on breathing life into fi into your finances.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Again, tapping into that internal power that God has given you, that love that you, you are born with so much love that you are ready to give and to receive. And as I said, life happens and changes us, and experiences and opportunities, struggles, and disappointments shape and mold us, but still, at the end of the day, we have that intuition, and we have that love that is inside of us. And then, ultimately, that love that is instilled in us is there to protect our unborn child. And we will do everything in our power to give the absolute best to our child. So, you know, I, I hope that that's inspiring. So you might feel a little bit fearful, perhaps unsure again, about what your future holds. And, you know, I believe you're here, and you're listening because you are looking to surround yourself with other people who want more out of their lives.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Even though they faced an unplanned pregnancy, they know that this pregnancy is not a deterrent to life not being well lived. In fact, it's gonna be the key to unlocking, unlocking a life well lived and well deserved as the way that God intended for you to live and also for your child. So you do deserve the utmost happiness, and you do deserve a fulfilling life, a life full of abundance, and, you know, tapping in and leaning into your dreams. Still, your dreams do not die. They just blossom. They grow, we change, and everything that you're going to be learning and feeling and experiencing throughout this journey of pregnancy and motherhood is, is everything that's going to shape you and transform you into. Ultimately the person that you're going to be up until you're on your deathbed. You know, if we're lucky enough to live and be old women and, you know, see our families grow and, and, you know, get to know our friends and family and deepen our relationship with God, we get to be at the other end and look back on our lives and, and not be filled with any shame or regret.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
And I have met many women that have made decisions that they live with and have regret and shame. And there's, there's nothing, nothing wrong with that at all. You know, God is so forgiving, and it's beautiful what he can do and how we can restore ourselves. It's when we continually keep walking down those paths and making choices when we know better, we know better, and we do better. So, you know, if you have experienced some sort of loss, you know, such as abortion, and you are struggling with that, I know there's a ton of resources out there. And I cannot stress that enough to just get yourself in and surrounded by women that have gone through very similar things as you, and, you know, getting in touch with a, with a life team or a life-affirming group through a church, it might sound, you know, really uncomfortable and awkward.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
And you don't think that people at a church are going to understand you, and you're going to be judged. It's, it's just the opposite. I, you know, witness it repeatedly, and I see God's love, mercy, and forgiveness. I see it through my church, and I'm going to share the link to my church because my pastor has all of his sermons online, and they're recorded on YouTube and a lot of really good, good topics. Because you know, he, he's very transparent in his life and how things have affected him and changed him. And since I've started going there, it's fine-tuned my relationship with God. And it's led me to this position right now to where I'm like, this is, this is kind of do or die for me. I'm kind of going through all this again, and I'm, I'm going to make it work.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
So I'm right there alongside you. I'm walking with you. I want to share what I'm going through and just let you know that you are not alone. You are not alone. You are going to get through this. I want you to rub that belly and tell your baby, you, you two, are going to get through this. You are fine. You are loved. That is your child; no matter what has happened or how you came into the situation, God has a plan for both you and your baby. He has this story written. He knows exactly what's going to happen. And it's, it, we never was told that it's going to be easy. We never said we're going to get through this world without any suffering or pain. And so, you will persevere. You will get through this and know that you are not alone.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
I think that the biggest thing I want to stress is that you're not alone because I remember feeling alone at times. And because I was the first one in my immediate family to go to school, you know, some people I don't, I think they were very supportive, but they didn't quite understand why or where I had that drive come from now, you know, 15 years later, what I tell somebody to go and finish school, that's a whole other topic. But because at that time, you know, I was, I lived like a lot of people. I was taking out credit cards and, you know, living well beyond my means and had to take out student loans. So you live and learn, right? So if you're in that boat and you're thinking you need to be taking out loans, stay tuned because we do talk all things, money, mindset, miracles, but the money part, we don't want to go in debt for any, anything.
(14:08):
So there is where there's a will, there's a way. And you know, facing an unplanned pregnancy as I did at age 21 changed me. And now here I am, 37 years old. And I can tell you that my kids, my oldest, absolutely hands down, have been the greatest blessing in my entire life. Have it. Has it been easy? No, no, but the moment I met her, the moment I welcomed her when she was in my womb. I didn't know if she was a boy or girl at the time. My life was changed. I mean, my life was totally changed when I saw those two B two blue lines. You know, there were times, though, during that very first pregnancy that I wished, you know, well, maybe this shouldn't be happening. Maybe I will have a miscarriage, you know, wouldn't I be so lucky if I had a miscarriage because, you know, I hate even saying that out loud right now, but those were some of the thoughts that I had because I was so afraid.
(15:05):
I was so scared, of what could happen, what was going on. I was just afraid. I was afraid of the unknowns. I did not know how life would turn out, but I will tell you, I was blessed with some really incredible job opportunities and got opened doors for me with jobs and then employers that were phenomenal. I know I am blessed in that sense that I had people put on my path, and then it taught me from there. And this is what I would like to stress to you is that it taught me to follow my intuition. So what I mean by that is when I was, you know, actively seeking employment, it was listening to what my body was saying. And there's been times, man, through all, throughout all these years where I've been tested and have stayed in positions where they weren't necessarily the best fit for me, but it was a good fit for my family and me or so I thought, but this is all stuff that we're, we will be unpacking here on the unplanned mom podcast.
(16:07):
But listen, again, I go, back to that intuition because we, as females, we are born, and I, I do believe that we just have a stronger sense of a, a natural ability to use our intuition and to guide us and steer us into making decisions that will, that will serve us best. So listen to your body when you are interviewing. And when you're trying to figure things out, you know, we don't have to know the answers. We oftentimes don't know the answers. I mean, we, we, we don't, we, I mean, and all hon we don't, I mean, I even saying this, hello, we really, we don't, we don't know the answers. So be patient, we give, you know, give yourself grace, and again, just trust, trust, trust, trust your intuition. So just real quickly, kind of wrapping up just a little bit more about me.
(17:01):
So I, you know, as I mentioned, maybe at the top of this, I, I was affected greatly by the disease of alcoholism, you know, as I said, too, I, I longed for purpose and meeting in my life, and I did not know how to give that to myself. So, you know, kind of going back to my early twenties and before I found out that I was pregnant, you know, I was drinking way too much, and I tolerated, I put up with unhealthy behaviors. I, I just really, I did not know how much the disease had impacted me and my ability to be in a loving relationship. Now I would never change my situation. I would never, you know, I tell my daughter this all the time, you're meant to be here, but your dad and I were not meant to be together.
(17:44):
And throughout these years, I've, I've learned to love myself still. Sometimes it can be a struggle by the hour or the minute. Sometimes it can take me a little bit longer to kinda get through it, but it's been through years of practice and, you know, working with people, being involved in just different programs and counseling to help me to learn how, you know, my past affected me how it impacted my decisions. I did a lot of things out of just feeling like I should, you know, I was in a really, really unhealthy relationship before I got pregnant. And so this guy, the new guy and who is my daughter's father, really bit the boxes, he was somebody I could bring home because somebody before that, I could not bring home. And when I'm ready, I will share more about that because that's one area of my life I've just worked through tremendously.
(18:45):
I know I experienced PTSD, and for many years, I didn't realize how much it was blocking me until this past year or so. I worked with a phenomenal counselor and did lots of training in therapy with her and have unlocked through it and walked through it. And I can even sit here and say this without my heart running to pump out of my chest, my face turning all red anxiety, just feeling my whole body. I can say that I was in an unhealthy relationship, and I was taken advantage of, and I can say that and know that he was in the wrong and I wasn't in the wrong. So again, everything we go through shapes us, molds us and brings us to who we are today. And so I encourage you no matter where you are at right now, today in your life, you're exactly where you're supposed to be.
(19:42):
You are exactly where you are supposed to be. And how beautiful is that? I, it doesn't matter if you, you know, if something's, you know, not going as planned, and this is what you're going to learn throughout this journey is you're going to learn to go with the flow. You're going to, because you have to, especially when you're pregnant, you have to go through the motions. You have to go with the flow. Sometimes you have a buckle down, and you have to get business done. You still have to work on, you know, things that matter for short-term and big-term goals. And that's, you know, kind of again, full circle. That's really what the unplanned mom school is all about. We all have different stories and scenarios, and I'll be bringing on different guests in the future and interviewing different people that have many different stories than I do but have overcome.
(20:31):
They have survived, you know, the past, excuse me, they have forgiven themselves for their abortions. They've had children in their life. They have found refuge and peace in knowing that there's a higher power that loves them and is, is always going to be there for them. They've walked through that shame and have forgiven themselves. And I think we all can relate to that in some shape or form, just in the sense that, you know, we all have different things going on in our lives. I don't, I, I think even if you grew up in the, you know, quote-unquote, best of best homes, things are going on, you know, maybe it's mental illness, maybe it's an addiction to pills, alcohol, drugs, work, alcoholism, you know, parents being gone marital issues. I mean, whatever it can be, all of these things are, you know, shaping and molding us.
(21:35):
And you know, we, we live and learn. So we live and learn. And, my mission is to just share what I know with you. I, I'm not anybody special. <Laugh>, I'm just, I am just somebody that's, you know, maybe a little bit wiser in the sense that I've gone through it. I've gone through a lot of different things. And, you know, at the end of the day, I view myself almost like your big sister. I want to be seen as your big sister. Maybe I'm your little sister, depending on how old you are. Perhaps you view me as a friend, someone to confide in, or, you know, someone to share your experiences with share your experience, strength, and hope. You know, just knowing that you are not alone and have somebody here on the other end, that's super excited for you, even though you might not be able to feel excited for yourself right now.
(22:26):
It's okay. And, but we, on this end, are super excited for you and your unexpected blessing. So if anything, as we get to know one another and you, if you download and you follow along with the podcast, I want you to walk away just feeling taller. I want you to feel confident, you know, in telling people that you are pregnant and to own it and to enjoy it because I did own it. I feel like for the most part, but there were definitely periods, especially after I was married and had kids, I realized I didn't let myself enjoy, you know, the shower or different things. I didn't enjoy it to its fullest potential because I wasn't married or because, you know, I didn't have my degree or because I had to change my plans; all of these different things were just excuses to stop me in taking away that moment of the joy and not letting me feel the joy.
(23:26):
So I want you to feel the joy. I want you to feel okay with being pregnant and feel like there are tools and there are people and jobs out there. There are ways to make money to set you up for success. It might not look right now how you had originally planned, but there is a plan, and there is a way to make a living, put food on the table, take care of yourself, and take care of your baby. And you know, all of those things, and it's not selfish for wanting to care for yourself. And in fact, it's the most beautiful thing that you can do for your child is to take care of yourself and love yourself and practice self-care and do the things that you need to do to make yourself whole again so that you can move forward and be set up for success.
(24:22):
And so the next time something unexpected comes along in your life. You're ready; you know that you will get through it. And I think at 37 years old, and I can tell you that no matter what life throws your way, you're going to get through it. So this space is just all about bringing us together. I love to hear from listeners. We're on all the social, hitting it up on TikTok and sharing some fun things over there. We've got our website that's all up and launched, and doors will officially open to the unplanned mom school here in August. So, you know, to plug into the website if you want to be caught up and see the latest offerings and what's going on over there. And if you want some fun inspiration to come on over, get signed up for the newsletter.
(25:09):
So unplannedmomschool.com. Again, that's unplanned mom, school.com. So again, we're coming together; we're going to get through this. We are going to feel empowered together, and we're going to, all of us, we're going to tap into our intuition. We will know that God has given us everything we need. And you know, if anything, you know, the people that we meet here and they plan a mom school, different people that comment on things, or join us in some private closed-door sessions to just kind of work through some stuff and again, be in community and know that we're not alone. You are not alone. And you, there is a way there is a there your path is lit, and now it's time to, you know, go along. Find those candles, find where those light spots are in your life and move towards the light and the goodness, look for the good, and be grateful for where you are at.
(26:03):
So, what burning questions do you have? I am going to be taking questions. Eventually, I saw this podcast being on a live schedule, almost like a radio schedule and being able to take questions during the week on live calls. But until then, I would love for you to email me and send me a DM; everything can be anonymous. I would love to answer any questions that come our way and address them on TikTok. It's just kind, I, I didn't think I'd be having this much fun over there, but I'm, I'm starting to have some fun, so, you know, send questions, you know, I want to hear from you, I want this space, and I want this podcast to be the light for you throughout your pregnancy, so that you don't feel alone and that you feel inspired and feel encouraged and uplifted and know that, you know, God's got your back. Everybody here on earth is ultimately rooting for you too.
(26:59):
So I know that I am, and I just hope you feel that and sense that love. So send over your questions. Hello@Unplannedmomschool.Com. You could shoot me an email. Hello@unplanned momschool.com would absolutely love to hear any questions that you have. And lastly, I'm just going to close off, you know, by saying I'm not a licensed professional. This is my own opinion. It's I, I feel led to be here and to share stories and bring in guest experts and guests that have walked through, you know, different aspects of an unplanned pregnancy and how they navigated it. And just in hopes of sharing and showing you that you are not alone. So consider me your new friend, and I'm rooting for you. I believe in you. I love you when you might not feel like doing those things for yourself, but I am here for you. So with all that, I will talk soon.
(28:15):
Okay, my sweet mamas, if you're tuning in and I've got a friend's name that keeps bubbling up at the top of your head as you've been listening to this episode, go ahead. I want you to grab that link, copy and paste it and shoot them a quick text and tell them that you are thinking of them; you know, after all, we're all here to help each other. And if this episode resonated with you, there's a good chance that something in it will also resonate with them. This show is for you. So do me a salad. Go ahead, share it with that one person that comes to mind so we can spread the love to all of our sisters. And if you really, really loved it, it would mean the world to me if you would leave a review. All right. Thank you. My sweet friends. Thanks so much for tuning in. I will see you all next week, and if you need more inspiration between now and then, come on over and check us out on Tik Tok; see you soon!
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Links mentioned in this episode:
★ How to Tell People I’m Pregnant
★ Roots Church (search and find any topic!)
★ Unplanned No More: A Step-by-Step Guide for Handling Your Unplanned Pregnancy
