EPISODE [17]: My Dad Died Without Warning My Senior Year | FEAT. Avery Mattinson

Welcome back to The Owenverse—this little corner of my universe.

In this episode, I sit down with Avery Mattinson as she shares what it was like to suddenly lose her dad to a heart attack during her senior year of high school.

At the time, Avery was on the cheer team and serving as a cheer captain when everything changed without warning. She opens up about the shock of losing a parent so unexpectedly, what those first days and months of grief looked like, and how she learned to keep moving forward while carrying a loss that would always be part of her story.

Avery describes her dad as the ultimate girl dad—someone who devoted his life to his daughters, showed up for them, loved them deeply, and built a relationship with them that continues to influence who they are today. We talk about the legacy he left behind and the lessons his life can teach parents about raising children who know they are loved, supported, and prepared to keep going even when their parents are no longer physically with them.

We talk about:

• Losing her dad unexpectedly to a heart attack

• Experiencing grief during her senior year of high school

• Being a cheerleader and cheer captain while going through loss

• The moment everything changed for her family

• What the first days and months after losing a parent felt like

• Why her dad was the ultimate “girl dad”

• The relationship he built with his daughters

• The sacrifices he made for his family

• The memories Avery will always carry with her

• Learning how to continue living while still grieving

• How losing a parent changes your perspective on life

• The legacy her dad left behind

• What parents can do now to build strong relationships with their children

• Raising children who know they are deeply loved

• Preparing your family with memories, values, and lessons that can outlive you

• Finding strength after losing someone you never thought you would have to live without

This episode is for anyone who has lost a parent, experienced unexpected grief, or is learning how to live after losing someone they love. It’s also a reminder to parents that the time, love, memories, and values you give your children today can become part of the legacy they carry for the rest of their lives.

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Episode Resources:

Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6nN5gaXMlAlLSZEyeM9yhn

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@theowenverse?sub_confirmation=1

Apple Podcasts | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-owenverse/id1877564735

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/theowenverse

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/theowenverse

🌀 Subscribe and join The Owenverse. New episodes every Monday at 8:00 PM.

ONE DIAGNOSIS AFTER ANOTHER | FEAT. Haylee Gardner

Welcome back to The Owenverse—this little corner of my universe.

In this episode, Haylee Gardner shares her experience of facing one health problem after another—and how she continued searching for answers when she knew something still wasn’t right.

After years of difficult symptoms, Haylee was diagnosed with POTS. Then came severe digestive problems, an SMAS diagnosis, major surgery, and a period when she finally felt like she had her life back. But when her symptoms returned, she once again found herself visiting countless doctors, stepping away from school, and trying to understand what was happening inside her body.

Eventually, Haylee received another diagnosis: SIBO. She opens up about the physical and emotional toll of chronic illness, the frustration of delayed treatment, and how her faith has helped her find meaning in some of the most difficult moments of her life.

We talk about:

• Living with POTS and its effect on everyday life

• Developing severe digestive and eating problems

• Being diagnosed with SMAS

• Undergoing major surgery

• Finally feeling healthy before the symptoms returned

• Stepping away from school and work because of her health

• Visiting countless doctors while searching for answers

• Knowing something was wrong even when others couldn’t see it

• Receiving a SIBO diagnosis

• Insurance delays and difficulty accessing treatment

• Changing her diet and beginning the healing process

• The emotional toll of experiencing multiple health problems

• Finding purpose and strength through faith

• Helping others feel less alone in their struggles

This episode is about more than medical diagnoses. It’s about trusting yourself, continuing to search for answers, and finding hope when your body and your life don’t go according to plan.

Want to be on The Owenverse? Click here to share your story:

https://theowenverse.com/

Episode Resources:

Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6nN5gaXMlAlLSZEyeM9yhn

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@theowenverse?sub_confirmation=1

Apple Podcasts | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-owenverse/id1877564735

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/theowenverse

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/theowenverse

🌀 Subscribe and join The Owenverse. New episodes every Monday.

Welcome back to The Owenverse—this little corner of my universe.

In this episode, Taylor Joyce shares how a four-year friendship with his future wife eventually turned into love, marriage, and a family of five kids.

For years, they were just friends. They dated other people, experienced the friend zone, and had no idea that their friendship would eventually become something more. Taylor shares why he believes friendship can be one of the most important foundations for finding and building a lasting relationship.

Whether you’re single, stuck in the friend zone, dating, or already in a relationship, this episode is a reminder that some of the strongest relationships begin with simply learning how to be a great friend.

We talk about:

• Being friends for four years before dating

• What it’s like being in the friend zone

• Dating other people while remaining friends

• How Taylor knew she was the one

• Why friendship matters before and during a relationship

• Going from friends to dating to marriage

• Advice for people who are single and looking for love

• Building a strong friendship with your spouse

• Marriage and raising five kids

• Their struggles with infertility

• Why finding the right person can take time

This episode is about more than finding “the one.” It’s about becoming a good friend, building meaningful relationships, and recognizing that sometimes love grows from a friendship you never expected to become anything more.

Want to be on The Owenverse? Click here to share your story:

https://theowenverse.com/

Episode Resources:

Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6nN5gaXMlAlLSZEyeM9yhn

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@theowenverse?sub_confirmation=1

Apple Podcasts | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-owenverse/id1877564735

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/theowenverse

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/theowenverse

🌀 Subscribe and join The Owenverse. New episodes every Monday.