Still Choosing You

This week on Still Choosing You, we talk about something we’ve lived but didn’t fully understand until we said it out loud:Two opposite emotions can exist at the same time.We share the story of Alyssa climbing the stairs after nearly losing her life, feeling overwhelming joy… and deep grief. Grateful to be alive. Heartbroken that walking up stairs felt like a victory.We unpack what it means to hold both.We also explore the difference between empathy and sympathy, and why it matters in marriage, healing, and everyday life.This one is honest. Unfiltered. Processed in real time.

In this episode, we’re talking all about relationships at home.Our marriage, our kids, and the intentional choices we’re making to stay connected in the middle of busy family life.We share why we’re recommitting to dating each other, what that actually looks like right now, and how we’re also carving out individual date time with each of our kids each month. Not to be perfect parents. Just present ones.If you’ve ever felt like life moves fast and relationships get the leftovers, this conversation is for you. Simple rhythms, honest reflections, and a reminder that connection doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be intentional.

What does faith look like when prayers feel unanswered and heaven feels quiet? In this episode, we talk about having faith in the middle—the space between pain and promise, waiting and hope. We share what it’s looked like for us to keep trusting God during hard seasons, even when clarity hasn’t come and answers feel delayed. This isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about choosing faith in the middle of the unknown.

After a year and a half away, we’re back.In this episode, we share why we stepped away from the podcast, what the last year and a half has looked like for our family, and what ultimately got us back behind the mic. We talk honestly about growth, hard seasons, and the lessons that came from pressing pause when life required it.We also introduce the new name of the podcast, "Still Choosing You", and what it represents for us moving forward. From there, we share our hopes and plans for the podcast this year, along with the themes and intentions we’re carrying into the new year.We’re grateful to be back, and we’re glad you’re here with us!

In this week's episode, we open up about the emotional journey of coping with grief after my Alyssa's hysterectomy. We share our personal experiences, the challenges we've faced, and how we're finding our way to healing. We also talk about how friends and family can offer support to anyone going through similar grief.

This week, we keep it pretty lighthearted as we discuss the pros and cons of dog ownership. Our dog, Swoosh, is a mini goldendoodle and he's the best. Dogs aren't for everyone, though, so take a listen to hear both sides of dog ownership.

The Nilsens are racing! Thomas is gearing up for another half marathon, while Alyssa takes on a 10K trail run.Join us as we delve into the motivations behind our running journey. Thomas shares how running became a vital part of his life, and Alyssa inspires with her story of overcoming immense physical pain and a near-death experience.We explore the mental health benefits of running and the power of achieving big goals together. Tune in for our training adventures and the highs and lows of this transformative journey.

We've gotten lots of questions about our surgeries, so we decided to talk in-depth about them! Join us to hear just a little bit of nerdy talk but mostly useful info. To make things easier, you can jump to the timestamps listed below to hear about a specific surgery.Deviated septum: 3:31Gum graft: 16:49