HeyJaredMiddle of Chaos
A Story of Survival and StrengthGrowing up as a middle child in a large, deeply religious household, I learned early how to survive in the space between — unseen, unheard, and absorbing more than my share of chaos.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 6
- Latest publication
- Sep 30, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Jul 5, 2026
Latest episodes
Episode 21: Finding Faith, Losing Myself (opens the original)
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This episode is a little different—you’re coming along with me on a road trip across the country. As the miles pass, I look back at a time when I was ready to give up on church altogether, only to find a place that felt like the family and community I had been searching for. I became deeply involved, gave everything I could, and somewhere along the way, I lost parts of myself. Looking back now, I can see how that church helped me, shaped me, and, in some ways, held me back.
Episode 20: Finding My Place (opens the original)
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After high school, I thought I knew exactly where life was headed. Instead, I found myself juggling college, multiple jobs, searching for a church where I belonged, and discovering that the career I planned wasn't the one I ended up with. In this episode, I share the unexpected turns that shaped my early adult years and the lessons I learned along the way.
Episode 19: Police, Tickets, and a Motorcycle Burn (opens the original)
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A listener's question about one of my teenage adventures sent me down memory lane. In this episode, I share stories involving unexpected visits from the police, getting stuck in a swamp, car accidents, traffic tickets, a suspended license, and the painful lesson I learned from a motorcycle exhaust. Looking back now, these are the kinds of stories that make me laugh—most of the time.
Episode 18: The Dad I Hardly Knew (opens the original)
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It's been a while since I've talked about my dad, mostly because there never seemed to be much to say. In this episode, I share the memories I do have—from flowers for the garden and card games to hunting trips, forgotten promises, and trying to understand the quiet role he played in my childhood. Sometimes the people who shape us the most aren't the ones who speak the loudest. Content Note: This episode contains discussion of depression, suicide, and family loss. Please listen with care.
Episode 17: Leaving Home Didn't Mean Leaving the Chaos (opens the original)
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My senior year was different. For a while, it actually felt like my mom and I were getting along. But that didn't mean life suddenly became easy. In this episode, I share what graduation day was really like, the rumors spread about me at church, why I moved in with my aunt, and how my mom's own insecurities nearly damaged that relationship too. Sometimes leaving home is the beginning of finding yourself—but it doesn't mean you've left the chaos behind. Thank you for listening and for continuing
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