Baggage Claim
Baggage Claim is a space for blended families, marriage, and friendship.
Here, we dive into real-life conversations about the ups and downs of relationships, from navigating second marriages to unpacking the baggage we all bring. Hosted by Greg and Jessica, who both have rich experiences with love, loss, and family, this community is about sharing stories, learning together, and growing stronger as couples and individuals. Grab a drink and join us as we unpack, laugh, and claim our baggage—one conversation at a time
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 42 minutes
- Episodes
- 27
- Years Active
- 2025
Time: The Currency You Can’t Earn Back
Do you know exactly where every dollar in your budget goes, but have no idea where your hours disappear to each day? Time—our most precious and finite resource—often slips through our f…
Why Your Yes Still Matters
Choosing who to marry might be the single most consequential decision of your life—more significant than your career path, education, or where you live. In this vulnerable and honest co…
The Untalked-About Leadership Role
Leadership is everywhere in the corporate world – books, seminars, workshops – but why don't we talk about it at home? That's the question Greg and Jess tackle in this revealing convers…
From Sparks to Stability
What draws us to our partners initially, and what makes a relationship last through decades of change? In this intimate conversation, Greg and Jess explore the profound question of how …
Bros, Babies, and Building a Marriage That Lasts
What happens when you bring a bromance to the podcast table? Pure magic. This episode of Baggage Claim features our son Thomas and his best friend AJ as we explore the fascinating inter…
Why Kids Don’t Need Perfect Parents—They Need Present Ones
The dance between loving our children and setting appropriate boundaries can be one of parenting's greatest challenges. This becomes even more complex when guilt enters the equation—whe…
"We Built This Together: The Power of Inclusion in Blended Families"
The foundation of any successful blended family begins with intentionality, especially when it comes to involving children in the process. In this deeply personal episode, Greg and Jess…
"We Promised You Real – So Here's Real"
There's something powerful about admitting you're in a valley. In this raw and unscripted 20th episode, we break from our usual format to have an honest conversation about the seasons o…
Selfishness vs. Selflessness: The Trade-offs of Marriage (Part 1)
What's the real enemy of a thriving relationship? According to Greg and Jess, it might be something we don't like to admit: selfishness. In this deeply personal and sometimes emotional …
Taco Bell, Talladega Nights, and Talking About Sex
Ever notice how marriage comes with an instruction manual for everything except the bedroom? That silence might be more damaging than you realize.
We tackle the conversation every couple…
The Argument That Wrote This Episode
Ever sit across from your partner during an argument and wonder why the simplest disagreement suddenly feels like World War III? You're not alone. Every couple fights—it's how you fight…
Curiosity Over Conflict: A New Way to Communicate
Ever wonder why some couples seem to navigate conflicts effortlessly while others get stuck in endless loops of misunderstanding? The secret might be simpler than you think.
In this hea…
Beyond I Do: Creating a Shared Journey That Actually Works
Marriage is a team sport that nobody prepared us for. What happens when two different people try to build a life together? How do you create a truly functional partnership rather than j…
We Have No Idea What We're Doing, And That's Perfectly Okay
"We had no idea what we were doing." Those words might not be what you expect to hear from podcast hosts sharing advice about blended families, but that's exactly what makes Baggage Cla…
From Bank Beef to Backyard Vows: Nick & Brandy’s Love Story
What happens when a bank teller and a marketing guy fall in love over karaoke at a country bar? In our first-ever guest episode, we're thrilled to welcome Nick and Brandy Kastner, who b…
Every Moment Matters: How Being Present Creates Lasting Family Memories
Have you ever wondered how to make each child in a blended family feel uniquely valued? Sometimes the answer lies in being purposefully present in both big adventures and small everyday…
From Burned Furniture to Rebuilt Lives, How loss and healing reshaped our view of faith.
What happens when your faith gets shattered? How do you rebuild trust in something bigger than yourself when life deals devastating blows? This deeply personal episode reveals the spiri…
The Scheduling Dance of Blended Families
The scheduling dance of blended families might be the most challenging choreography you'll ever learn. In this heartfelt episode, Greg and Jess dive deep into the complexities, frustrat…
Love, Loss, and the Little Things That Matter Most
We're all guilty of seeking that elusive "silver bullet" – the one magical secret that transforms an ordinary marriage into an extraordinary one. But what if the answer isn't found in g…
From Sticky Notes to Strong Roots: Defining Your Family Culture
Family culture doesn't happen by accident. Drawing on corporate experience, we discovered how establishing core values could transform our blended family's dynamics and create an intent…