How to Last The Miles in Long Distance Relationships
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Release Date: 05/22/2025
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
You're three weeks into your goal. The excitement's worn off. You're questioning everything. Your brain is screaming at you to quit. And then someone tells you to "just stay motivated." Here's the truth: motivation doesn't last. It's not supposed to. And the reason you keep quitting your goals has nothing to do with willpower, laziness, or not wanting it badly enough. There are five predictable emotional stages every single person goes through when making real change—and most people quit at Stage 3 because no one told them it was coming. In this episode, you'll discover: Why that...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
After such a heartbreaking, life-shattering year, I wanted to record this little message for you as we head into 2026. ❤️ Ready to Stop Forcing Happiness and Actually Start Healing? You can know all the "right" things to say to yourself, all the strategies, all the steps—but if you're still trying to push through grief, anxiety, or life's hardest moments alone, nothing truly shifts. That's where coaching comes in. I help women navigate the messy, non-linear process of healing—not by forcing happiness or bypassing pain, but by figuring out what YOU actually need (not what others...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
If you've lost someone, you've probably heard people say "they would just want you to be happy." Well-meaning? Absolutely. Helpful? Not always. In this episode, I'm sharing why that phrase hasn't been landing for me—and what I wish people would say instead. Because grief isn't about forcing happiness. It's about something much more important. Whether you're navigating loss or supporting someone who is, this one's for you. You don’t owe anyone happiness. But you do deserve healing. Take this episode slowly. Pause when you need to. Let it meet you wherever you are today. Ready to Stop...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
There's a loneliness that comes with loss that's hard to describe until you've felt it. That moment when you realize the person you'd normally call isn't there to answer anymore. Tara Accardo knows this pain intimately. In December 2019, she lost her mom to cancer. Six months later, her dad. Then, her beloved dog of 19 years. Each loss compounding the one before, leaving her asking: "What am I going to do?" But this conversation isn't about finding silver linings or moving on. It's about the messy, visceral reality of grief—and the unexpected strength that emerges when you're forced to...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever find yourself waiting for someone to notice how hard you're struggling? Waiting for your partner to ask if you're okay, your doctor to take you seriously, or someone—anyone—to validate that yes, what you're going through really IS that hard? Here's the truth: you can't control if someone else gives you that validation. But you can give it to yourself. And no, that's not the same as toxic positivity or forcing yourself to "look on the bright side." It's about giving yourself the same compassion you'd give a friend going through the exact same thing. In this episode, I'm sharing a...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever gotten feedback at work that just... stung? Like, you worked your ass off on a project, pulled off what felt like a miracle given the circumstances, only to be told you "weren't enthusiastic enough" or "should have felt more excited"? Yeah, that's the kind of feedback that can send you spiraling. In this episode, I'm breaking down why feedback hits us so damn hard in the first place, and more importantly, what to do about it. I'll share my pistachio nut framework for figuring out what feedback is actually worth keeping versus what's just... someone else's baggage you don't need to carry....
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
After the hardest year of my life, I discovered something I'd been taking for granted—the one thing that held me when everything else fell apart. This isn't your typical gratitude episode. Because when you're barely holding it together, "just be thankful" doesn't cut it. In this episode, you'll discover: Why one deep breath does nothing (and what actually works) The science behind why your exhales matter more than your inhales The 60-second tool that can stop you from spiraling before a difficult conversation What happens in your nervous system when you sigh (hint: it's not dramatic,...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever caught yourself smiling on the outside… while dragging around that heavy, invisible rock of resentment on the inside? Yeah. Me too. In this episode, we’re pulling apart that quiet tension so many of us live with — the resentment that comes from unspoken needs, swallowed frustration, and hoping people will magically “just get it.” And I’m sharing the one sentence… the one simple structure… that finally helped me stop feeling like a doormat and start feeling like a grown woman with a spine and a soft heart. If you’ve ever: • dreaded a text from that person • walked on...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
This week, I sit down with Meghan Barakett—founder & CEO of One Girl—a woman who embodies everything this show stands for: courage, community, and choosing to create the good when life doesn’t hand it to you. We talk leadership that starts on the inside. The kind that asks you to get quiet, get honest, and then get moving. We talk about grief, advocacy, and what happens when your identity is used against you online—and why that moment became a turning point, not a dead end. I won’t spoil the full story (you’ll feel it when you hear it), but here’s what you’ll learn: In this...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
When someone you care about loses someone they love, it’s hard to know what to say. You want to comfort them, to make it better, but most of us were never taught how to show up in the face of raw grief. After losing both my mum and sister in separate tragedies, I realized we're walking through one of the most universal human experiences - grief- with zero training. No wonder we're all fumbling through it. In this episode, I'm sharing the grief education we all missed: Why we freeze up and don't reach out (and how to get past that) The well-meaning words that actually invalidate pain What...
info_outlineLet’s be real—long distance isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for the ones who are willing to cry on dog walks with sunglasses on. The ones who whisper we’ll figure it out even when every plan falls through. The ones who know love is worth the effort—but still wonder, how the heck do people actually make this work?
So in this episode I dive into this topic that's close to my heart - the rollercoaster of long distance relationships. After navigating my own 2 year international long distance relationship with my now-husband Nate (including military life and visa challenges!), I'm sharing my top 10 tips for making the distance to turn Facetimes into forever.
Just to be clear - I once said I never wanted to do long distance or date someone in the military.
But then one summer night in D.C., fate had other plans—and my Aussie heart fell for an American soldier.
From navigating 5-month stretches without seeing each other, to voice calls filled with tears, to the moment I saw him waiting for me at the bottom of the airport escalator… this episode is as raw and real as it gets.
If you're currently separated from your person or considering a long distance relationship, this episode offers practical strategies, emotional validation, and hope that the distance can actually strengthen your bond rather than break it.
Episode Highlights:
- My unexpected journey falling for an American military man while living in Australia
- Why being "all in or all out" is crucial for long distance success
- How to focus on what you can control when apart
- The importance of sharing daily details to stay connected
- Why trust is foundational (and starts with trusting yourself)
- Creating shared rituals, mantras, and future plans together
- Using your "extra time" to invest in personal growth
And because every love story deserves a soundtrack, I’m sharing something deeply personal: the song I had written for Nate during our time apart. It carried us through the lonely nights and played at our wedding. I hope it carries you, too.
Whether you're already navigating the challenges of loving someone from afar or wondering if you should take the leap, this episode offers genuine encouragement from someone who's been there. Because while long distance may not be easy, the right person is absolutely worth it.
Need support? I’ve got a few free coaching calls open this month. Let’s talk about how to keep your heart strong—no matter how many miles are between you: https://www.kategladdin.com/coaching