When Olivia Howell’s life took an unexpected turn, she found herself standing at the edge of everything she thought family was supposed to be. In the aftermath of her divorce, she wasn’t just rebuilding a household—she was rebuilding an identity, a rhythm, and a new kind of love for her children and herself. In this episode of A Fresh Story, Olivia shares how she not only survived one of the most challenging chapters of her life, but slowly, intentionally, began to thrive in it.

With honesty and heart, Olivia invites us into the world she created with her two sons—a modern nuclear family grounded in laughter, rituals, and unconditional support. She opens up about the early days of motherhood marked by gestational diabetes and postpartum depression, the transition from teacher to entrepreneur, and the everyday magic found in sibling bonds and grandparent hugs. Through the cracks of what was lost, she built something beautifully untraditional and deeply rooted in authenticity.

This is more than a story about parenting—it’s a story about choosing joy in the middle of grief, about holding space for the mess and the miracles. Olivia shows us how traditions can anchor a family, how support systems carry us through, and how the definition of family expands when we allow ourselves to live without judgment. If you've ever wondered whether you could make it through your own fresh start, Olivia's story is proof that not only can you survive—you can bloom.

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