Are You a Top or a Bottom? Opposites in Marriage & How We Work

In this episode of The Stories We Leave You, Julie and Ryann dive deeper into who they are as individuals and as partners, sharing the very different paths that shaped them long before they built a life together. From Julie growing up in a low-income household with early responsibility to Ryann’s more traditional middle-class upbringing, this conversation explores how those differences show up in their marriage, parenting, and everyday life. It’s an honest look at identity, privilege, work, and the experiences that quietly shape how we move through the world.

They also talk about career pivots, burnout, and how becoming parents forced them to rethink everything — from leaving teaching and retail schedules behind to building careers that actually support family life. This episode leans into the reality of modern parenting, including decision fatigue, feeding kids (why is that so hard?), and the constant balancing act between structure and chaos. It’s relatable, funny, and refreshingly unfiltered, especially as they navigate their different personalities — one more Type A and planned, the other more impulsive and go-with-the-flow — and how that dynamic actually works.

The conversation also touches on starting the podcast itself, from buying the domain to debating branding, photos, and what it means to “do it right” versus just starting messy. Along the way, they share glimpses into Ryann’s transition and how that continues to shape their family identity, as well as the ongoing, very real process of figuring things out in real time. At its core, this episode is about growth, partnership, and building a life that works for you — even if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s.

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Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. https://juliebeckllc.com/