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Morgan turns 34 today! In this Fireside Fridays episode, host Morgan Barrett pauses to reflect on where she is now—six years into taking Trikafta, three weeks into sobriety, and committed to therapy work that’s teaching her how to finally feel safe in her body. Morgan reads a piece she wrote in 2021, about the times (pre-Trikafta) when every CF exacerbation put the brakes on whatever she had going on in her life at the moment, requiring her to cancel plans to attend to her health. The piece takes a moment to share gratitude for the version of herself post-Trikafta, acknowledging the things she now sometimes takes for granted in this healthier era of her life. Support Morgan's work by reading & subscribing to Chronically Candid on Substack at morgannbarrett.substack.com Support my work by reading & subscribing to Chronically Candid on Substack at morgannbarrett.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Chronically Candid feels like a cozy, heartfelt conversation between two Millennial women who genuinely get each other. Host Morgan welcomes Elizabeth Su—author, creator, and the mind behind the Everyday Millennial Oracle—and together they gently unravel what it means to acknowledge and heal our inner teen in a world that seems to ask us to disregard our feelings and experiences from those formative years. Elizabeth shares her winding path from Silicon Valley hustle to creative self-trust, opening up about burnout, perfectionism, and the deep emotional cost of staying in spaces that don’t feel aligned. Her story is one of listening to her body, honoring intuition, and bravely pivoting—even when it meant facing rejection, uncertainty, and fear. That honesty becomes a quiet throughline of the episode: healing doesn’t come from pushing harder, but from pausing, noticing, and choosing yourself. The conversation naturally drifts into Millennial nostalgia—not as escapism (okay, maybe a little bit), but as reconnection. Butterfly clips, singing Christina Aguilera songs to yourself in your bedroom mirror, diaries filled with feelings, and the sting of not fitting in all become portals back to the versions of ourselves that still live inside us. Both Morgan and Elizabeth reflect on how teenage wounds—people-pleasing, rejection, jealousy, and the fear of being misunderstood—don’t simply disappear with age. Instead, they wait patiently to be acknowledged. Elizabeth explains how this insight shaped the Everyday Millennial Oracle, a deck that offers the opportunity to give yourself compassion and clarity. When they pull cards together during the episode, the messages land with uncanny tenderness—about knowing your limits, letting discomfort pass, and trusting that pain is temporary. These moments mirror Morgan’s own experience navigating new motherhood and postpartum anxiety, grounding the conversation in real, lived vulnerability. What makes the episode especially resonant is its gentleness. There’s no pressure to “fix” yourself or rush healing along. Instead, there’s an invitation to sit with your feelings, honor your inner teen’s voice, and reclaim joy without apology. By the end, the episode feels like a reminder that growth isn’t about erasing who you were—it’s about finally welcoming them home. You can follow Elizbeth on Instagram and TikTok, and find Morgan on Instagram. Support my work by reading & subscribing to Chronically Candid on Substack at morgannbarrett.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Fireside Fridays episode, host Morgan Barrett reflects on returning to the podcast after a long hiatus and marks a deeply personal turning point in her life. Looking back on the past three years, Morgan shares how her relationship with alcohol gradually became something she could no longer ignore—and how, after years of fear and hesitation, she attended her first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Morgan opens up about the vulnerability of asking for help, the stigma she wrestled with, and the relief and inspiration she felt hearing others’ stories. With honesty and compassion, she reframes seeking support not as a failure, but as a proactive choice made before alcohol could turn her life into something she no longer recognized. The episode closes with Morgan reading a powerful letter she wrote to her future self in April 2025—a reflection on living in the gray area of “functional” drinking, the fear of giving alcohol up, generational patterns, and the reminder that worth is not defined by sobriety. Though she’s only at the beginning of this journey, Morgan shares this moment with hope, humility, and a desire to help destigmatize conversations around drinking and recovery. Support my work by reading & subscribing to Chronically Candid on Substack at morgannbarrett.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Chronically Candid, host Morgan Barrett returns after a year-long break to explore her long-held dream of becoming a published author through a heartfelt conversation with literary agent Jessica Berg of Rosecliff Literary. Morgan reflects on how chronic illness—especially her lifelong experience with cystic fibrosis—has shaped her creative voice and inspired her mission to build a space where people with chronic illness feel seen and validated. She shares how stepping into writing publicly, including through her Substack, has been a vulnerable but transformative part of embracing her calling. Chronically Candid is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Jessica brings warmth and “big sister energy” as she breaks down the myths and opaque systems of the publishing world. She explains her own unconventional path into agenting, her commitment to making the industry more equitable, and why storytelling should never be limited by privilege or pedigree. Together, Morgan and Jessica discuss the confusion built into traditional publishing, the slow evolution toward amplifying marginalized voices, and the realities of querying, platform-building, and treating authorship as both creative passion and business. The episode ultimately serves as both encouragement and roadmap for anyone dreaming of writing but unsure where to begin. Jessica Berg is a literary agent, author, and the founder of Rosecliff Literary, where she champions bold, emotionally resonant fiction with unforgettable characters, strong stakes, and a sense of urgency. She is currently closed to fiction. She is especially drawn to upmarket, historical, and supernatural suspense, with a soft spot for haunting atmosphere, richly layered relationships, and characters who carry deep emotional wounds. Give her a protagonist standing at the edge of reinvention, a world on the brink of change, or a past that refuses to stay buried. She loves stories that explore grief, longing, ambition, and survival and the complicated ways they intersect. If your book feels like it belongs in a candlelit room with a storm raging outside, she wants to see it. She earned her MFA from Spalding University and contributes regularly to Writer’s Digest. Jessica serves on the boards of the Women’s National Book Association and the Historical Novel Society, and teaches nationally on querying, comp titles, and the business of authorship, with a focus on building sustainable, long-term writing careers. Her client list includes Vincent Zandri, Lisa Roe, Arizona Bell, and others. Thanks for reading Chronically Candid! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Chronically Candid at morgannbarrett.substack.com/subscribeSupport my work by reading & subscribing to Chronically Candid on Substack at morgannbarrett.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Chronically Candid podcast! I haven’t recorded anything for a year, but I’m back with a solo episode! Life updates: Our kids are back at school full time & I’m back at work full timeAn Instagram post I chickened out of sharing WRITING MY FIRST BOOK: How it’s going & answering the question, “What’s it about?” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Chronically Candid at morgannbarrett.substack.com/subscribeSupport my work by reading & subscribing to Chronically Candid on Substack at morgannbarrett.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey, friends! It's been a while. Well, almost four months! This episode is a little life & mental health update, and some words on how I'm getting out of my own way and pursuing a lifelong dream of writing. The podcast is being featured at cff.org/blog, so I wanted to say hello to folks who may be listening for the first time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Chronically Candid at morgannbarrett.substack.com/subscribeSupport my work by reading & subscribing to Chronically Candid on Substack at morgannbarrett.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 19 of the Makers, Dreamers, Doers podcast, Morgan talks with Jessica Grider, a fellow mom-of-twins (+ a singleton!), high school librarian, hobby gardener, and writer. Morgan and Jessica compare notes on their experiences with finding out they were having twins, twin pregnancy, C-section birth, (tandem) breastfeeding, and the emotions that come with weaning but knowing that it's 'time'. Jessica shares about why she and her husband don't share a bedroom (spoiler: yes, they like each other, and, yes, they have sex) and how it's made them more intentional about spending time together. Morgan and Jessica delve into a conversation about race: The difference between racist remarks and genuine curiosity about the differences between her skin color and her boys'—both are things that Jessica experiences often as a Black mother to biracial children; raising 'white-presenting' boys and how that may change how she and her husband have conversations with them about police brutality and racial bias when they are older; and the importance of open dialogue and honesty in interracial relationships. Jessica also shares about her transition to becoming a high school librarian and what she loves most about her role in the 'hub' of her school (she was previously a high school English teacher for 12 years, including through the COVID-19 pandemic); what it's been like being a librarian in the midst of a frenzy of book bans from the political right across the country, and how her school district has mostly remained immune from the discriminatory bans happening in libraries across Missouri; and, lastly, why representation in libraries and literature matters (Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop: "Mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors") Books Mentioned in This Episode Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera The Poet X by Alyssa Acevedo Supermarket by Bobby Hall Love, Theoretically by Ali HazelwoodBabel by R.F. KuangThe Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver Lawrence mom gives birth to 'MoMo' twins — article referenced in the episode You can learn more about Jessica and her life as a school librarian raising three boys by following her on Twitter and Instagram You can learn more about Morgan and her work by following her on Instagram | morganbarrett.co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Chronically Candid at morgannbarrett.substack.com/subscribeSupport my work by reading & subscribing to Chronically Candid on Substack at morgannbarrett.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 18, Morgan sits down with Nancy O'Connor, the Executive Director at Growing Food Growing Health, a non-profit in Lawrence, Kansas which runs school gardens and a community garden at a women's residential drug addiction treatment center (Growing Food Growing Hope). Nancy shares her love for fresh, organic, locally-grown food through a conversation on how Growing Food Growing Health began and has grown over its 14 seasons (and counting). Nancy shares how the kids she's worked with over the years have found a passion for growing healthy food through the GFGH programs, particularly through the connections they make with fellow gardeners and those who benefit from the food they grow. Nancy shares how gardening has taught the teens she works with about where their food comes from and the labor it takes to get (healthy) food on our plates. Nancy and Morgan muse about what keeps them coming back to gardening, despite the unglamorous work and frequent failures and flops. They talk about their love for gardening—how it reconnects us to nature, encourages us to slow down, and teaches us to be present. Books Mentioned in this Episode: Michael Pollan (author)Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall-Kimmerer Nancy is also the author of the Rolling Prairie Cookbook (Buy her book on ThriftBooks!) Follow Morgan on Instagram | Learn more at morganbarrett.co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Chronically Candid at morgannbarrett.substack.com/subscribeSupport my work by reading & subscribing to Chronically Candid on Substack at morgannbarrett.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 17, Morgan sits down with her friend Farai Harreld to talk about breaking generational cycles, motherhood, home schooling, representation in education, and instilling a love for nature in children. Farai is a mother, spouse, writer, herbalist, and much more. Born in Zimbabwe, raised in Botswana, and now living in Kansas, she calls all three places home. Farai is thoughtful and intentional in all of the work she does—in examining her own generational trauma and breaking cycles, in raising and educating her children, and in the way she lives upon the Earth—and she brings that energy to this conversation. Books Mentioned in this Episode: To Bless The Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings by John O'Donohue Children's books by Phoebe Wahl To learn more about Farai and her work, visit her website at faraiharreld.com or follow her on Instagram at @thehillbillyafrican Learn more about Morgan and her work at morganbarrett.co or follow her on Instagram at @morganbarrett__ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Chronically Candid at morgannbarrett.substack.com/subscribeSupport my work by reading & subscribing to Chronically Candid on Substack at morgannbarrett.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A piece Morgan wrote for the Lawrence Times (never got published) about her favorite local coffee spot, La Prima Tazza. Instagram | Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Chronically Candid at morgannbarrett.substack.com/subscribeSupport my work by reading & subscribing to Chronically Candid on Substack at morgannbarrett.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For Episode 16, Morgan sits down with Tayanna (Tay) Nelson, the photographer and owner of GoodBodies, a KC boudoir photography business, and Hey Tay, a queer-focused KC wedding & portrait photography business. Morgan and Tay talk about why Tay's photography focuses on marginalized identities, what trauma-informed boudoir means & what it looks like in Tay's studio, unpacking society's body & beauty expectations imposed upon us, Tay's advice to 'stay in your lane' and 'keep your eyes on your own paper' when it comes to other peoples' bodies & their supposed health status, what Fat Camp is and how it's a middle finger in the face of what 'fat camp' has meant in the past, what's behind the hate directed toward fat people and LGBTQIA+ folks, and the persistent joy of queer love even in the face of hateful legislation. Whew! It's a fun and loaded episode. Enjoy! You can learn more about Tay's work and enjoy her good humor by following her on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok good-bodies.com | hey-tay.com You can learn more about Morgan and her work by following her on Instagram | morganbarrett.co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Chronically Candid at morgannbarrett.substack.com/subscribeSupport my work by reading & subscribing to Chronically Candid on Substack at morgannbarrett.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 15 of the Makers, Dreamers, Doers podcast, Morgan talks with her longtime friend, Jess McLaughlin—In 2019, Jess suffered a serious mental health crisis that landed her in the hospital for months, rendering her catatonic and unable to communicate. Today, Jess is living a full life as a working mom and wife, fully recovered from her traumatic 2019 experience thanks to ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). Jess shares what it was like living through encephalitis, psychosis, and catatonia, losing weeks to memory loss, and ultimately coming out on the other side of what was a grim, life-threatening situation with no real answers as to the cause. Morgan and Jess also talk about how their childhood experiences with divorce, anxiety, and mean-girl antics have shaped who they are today and the way they approach life. morganbarrett.co | @morganbarrett__ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Chronically Candid at morgannbarrett.substack.com/subscribeSupport my work by reading & subscribing to Chronically Candid on Substack at morgannbarrett.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 14 Morgan sat down with Jillain Williams, longtime friend and the Assistant Executive Director at the Kansas City chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to talk about alcoholism and sobriety. Trigger Warnings: Addiction & Rape Jillain stopped drinking alcohol in 2018 after a night where she said something hurtful to a friend - it was the wake up call that made her realize that drinking was not working for her, and she needed to quit.  Morgan made the decision to stop drinking in April 2023, not after any particular event, but after 15 years of consuming alcohol on an increasingly regular basis. She wanted to be more present with her kids and husband, and the shame and guilt she felt after a night of drinking became no longer worth it to her. She made a list of pros and cons to quitting, and 9 weeks later, she's feeling really good about the decision to live alcohol-free. Jillain and Morgan talk about their journeys to sobriety, leaning on therapy to work through trauma, what’s changed in their lives since they quit drinking, the rewards and challenges of being a sober person, the drinking culture, alternatives to AA and its definitions and approaches, and more. And one last note: If you are struggling with your consumption of alcohol or just curious about getting sober, Jillain and Morgan are both safe people to reach out to and are happy to lend an ear. Books mentioned in this episode: Hagitude: Reimagining the Second Half of Life by Sharon BlackieUntamed by Glennon DoyleRising Strong: The Reckoning. The Rumble. The Revolution. by Brene BrownThe Body Keeps Score by Bessel van der Kolk You can connect with Jillain on Instagram at @justjillyinkc and you can connect with Morgan on Instagram at @morganbarrett__ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Chronically Candid at morgannbarrett.substack.com/subscribeSupport my work by reading & subscribing to Chronically Candid on Substack at morgannbarrett.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where My Heart Beats — Read this piece of writing at https://www.morganbarrett.co/post/where-my-heart-beats Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Chronically Candid at morgannbarrett.substack.com/subscribeSupport my work by reading & subscribing to Chronically Candid on Substack at morgannbarrett.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 13 of the Makers, Dreamers, Doers Podcast welcomes Panta Flórez of Maseualkualli Farms in North Lawrence, Kansas. Maseualkaulli (Mah-say-wahl-kwa-lee) Farms means “The Peoples’ Farms” in Nahuatl, an Uto-Aztecan language spoken by ~1.5 people in Mexico today. Maseualkualli Farms is a no-till, no fossil fuel farm that sustainably grows seasonal produce for restaurants, farmers markets, and for food security work in Lawrence. In addition to operating the Farm, Panta is an educator who speaks on topics such as food sovereignty, food justice, sustainable agriculture, and Indigenous Mexica plant ecologies. In our conversation, we talked about why representation in farming matters, what sustainable agriculture can be, what Panta’s project ‘Food as a Public Work’ is all about and what it aims to achieve (including creating a living wage for farmers), and, Panta offers a history lesson on why the landscape of agriculture (pun intended) looks the way it does today in the United States, and how Indigenous modes of farming have been proven (by Western science) to be more sustainable, more bountiful, and just… plain… smarter.  Books mentioned in this episode: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Forest Bathing, How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness by Dr. Qing Lli Flora: The Aztec Herbal Learn more about Maseualkualli Farms and Food as a Public Work at https://www.masefarm.org/. Write a letter of support for the Food as a Public Work project here. Follow Maseualkualli Farms on Instagram. Learn more about Morgan at morganbarrett.co and follow her on Instagram at @morganbarrett__ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Chronically Candid at morgannbarrett.substack.com/subscribeSupport my work by reading & subscribing to Chronically Candid on Substack at morgannbarrett.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.