Jessyl and Alex Podcast

The hosts discuss the confusing sensory changes during pregnancy, like aversions to smells, and the importance of communication between partners. They delve into the evolving dynamics of relationships, shifting from traditional medical to more intuitive approaches to birth. Alex highlights the emotional adjustment fathers face during the fourth trimester, while Jessyl emphasizes the necessity of practical support over social expectations. They advocate for protected recovery periods, community support, and maintaining connection beyond physical intimacy.

Family boundaries are crucial to maintain harmony without cutting ties. The hosts share personal stories about facing cultural assumptions and pressures from extended family. Raising bilingual children becomes a hot topic, leading to discussions on managing family dynamics. They emphasize the importance of clear communication and creating a shared vision as a couple. Listeners learn practical strategies to protect their values and navigate tense family interactions, all while reminding us that it's okay to prioritize immediate family over extended expectations.

Join Alex and Jessyl as they share their journey through unimaginable challenges, including a brain tumor diagnosis and the heartbreaking loss of their son. They challenge the idea of 'fake positivity', highlighting how pain can actually reveal important lessons. Discover how viewing struggles as teachers rather than enemies fosters growth and healing. Their candid insights emphasize the power of connection and service, showing that true purpose often emerges from helping others. Explore practical ways to find meaning amid suffering and transform your perspective!

Alex and Jessyl reunite on the podcast, exploring how their family adapts when one parent is away and the deeper lessons they've learned parenting four children.• Jessyl shares how she manages parenting solo while Alex was delivering a TEDx talk in Tampa• The importance of teaching children independence and responsibility from an early age• How their parenting approach differs with four children versus families with fewer kids• The distinction between natural consequences and imposed rules in parenting• Alex's transformative experience sharing their son Liam's story on the TEDx stage• Cultural differences observed between life in the Dominican Republic and the United States• The choice we all face: letting our past define us or using it as fuel for positive change• Why personal growth doesn't require a dramatic transformation, just consistent small steps

Discover a refreshing approach to education that breaks away from desks and homework. The hosts share their transformative journey of unschooling, where their children thrive by following their natural curiosities. Uncover how one child taught himself to read, and hear about the shift from skepticism to belief in this learning model. The importance of teaching life skills and fostering independence resonates throughout their parenting philosophy, encouraging respectful dialogue and personal growth. It's a unique exploration of raising confident, capable learners.

The hosts share a heartfelt journey as they navigate profound emotions with Jessyl's pregnancy after the loss of their son, Liam. They candidly discuss the complexities of balancing joy and grief, feeling like first-time parents again despite this being their sixth child. The conversation also touches on self-growth by stepping out of comfort zones and the importance of supportive relationships. They reflect on life in the Dominican Republic, celebrating connections and acknowledging the beauty amidst challenges.

The hosts reflect on their transformative journey through grief and travel, emphasizing resilience in the face of loss. Alex finds healing by sharing memories of his son, while Jessyl discusses the importance of embracing motherhood amid societal pressures. They highlight cherished family moments in the Dominican Republic, from surfing to supporting each other in their emotional processes. As they look forward to new beginnings, they tease upcoming events and the return of the podcast, promising even more heartfelt stories and insights.

Explore a heart-wrenching yet uplifting story of a family's journey with their son Liam, who defied medical odds to lead an extraordinary life. From joyful travels to unexpected challenges, Liam's resilience shines through as he experiences the beauty of the world despite his severe heart condition. The emotional rollercoaster of navigating grief and cherishing memories unfolds, highlighting the profound lessons of love, presence, and connection. This touching narrative celebrates a brief but impactful life, revealing how Liam continues to communicate through meaningful signs.

That small, seemingly insignificant decision to take a budget flight through London instead of flying direct to Cyprus? It cost us hundreds more than we planned and taught us a valuable lesson about family travel logistics. But that's the beauty of this journey we're on—the unexpected detours often bring the most profound realizations.When we finally arrived at our Cyprus villa, nicknamed "Serenity," it lived up to its name. After the whirlwind pace of Morocco, this spacious three-bedroom haven with its pool and mountain views became the perfect place to catch our breath. The kids explored freely without neighbors to disturb, we established morning walks with Liam on our backs, and for the first time in months, we had space to simply be.Cyprus brought so many pivotal moments for our family. There was the near-disastrous hike to Adonis Baths where we learned the power of maternal instinct when a taxi driver's wife insisted he rescue "those babies" from walking back in the dark. There was Alex's first experience driving on the left side of the road, with all of us chanting "left, left, left" at every turn. And there was the magical moment watching our daughter with special needs fearlessly glide across an ice skating rink, showing us how our own limiting beliefs often hold us back from attempting new things.But perhaps most significantly, Cyprus became the backdrop for important relationship transformations. My sister Catherine made the decision to end her travels with us, and we welcomed Aaliyah as our nanny, shifting our family dynamic. Alex and I used a Valentine's weekend retreat to reconnect deeply, creating family values and vision boards that would guide us forward. I made the conscious choice to focus on what I loved about my husband rather than what frustrated me, and it transformed our relationship in ways I never imagined possible.Looking back now, we couldn't have known that this peaceful month in Cyprus was preparing us for the greatest challenge we would ever face. These moments of connection, these lessons in adaptation and presence, were forming the foundation we would soon desperately need. If our journey has taught us anything, it's that the real adventure happens in the spaces between our plans—in the messy, beautiful reality of a family learning to live awake together.Join us next episode as we share Liam's story—from his birth through the synchronicities that led to his passing. Your story matters too, and we'd love to hear how our journey intersects with yours.

Step into the shifting sands of Morocco through the eyes of a family discovering its vibrant landscapes, ancient cultures, and most importantly—themselves. From the blue-washed streets of Chefchaoun, where street performers sing your name for small coins, to the majestic Atlas Mountains with their wild monkeys and Berber cave dwellings, this episode captures the full spectrum of Moroccan wonders.The heart of their journey unfolds in the Sahara Desert, where camel rides lead to picnics where bread is baked directly in the sand, and children race up and down towering dunes with sandboards as the sun sets dramatically over an otherworldly landscape. Through each adventure, watch as their toddler Liam—whose presence now carries poignant significance—experiences these magnificent surroundings with unexpected joy.Beyond the breathtaking scenery, this episode delivers profound insights about recognizing when you're already living your dream while still chasing it. As Alex reflects atop a thousand-foot sand dune: "We had this vision of traveling the world... and somehow we're finding reasons to be miserable even though we're right here doing it." Their story reminds us that success isn't always what we're pursuing—it's often what we're already living, if only we'd slow down enough to notice.Whether you're planning your own Moroccan adventure, traveling with children, or simply seeking perspective on appreciating the journey, you'll find resonance in this honest, sometimes challenging, but ultimately exhilarating family expedition. The episode closes with a tantalizing promise of future Sahara journeys they plan to host for others, inviting you to consider your own desert dreams.