Relationships look simple on paper. Love someone, build a life, roll credits. Real life is two flawed people with old wounds, busy schedules, stress, and the daily grind of dishes, work, and emotional labor. In this episode, I get honest about what happens after the honeymoon phase, when effort stops being mutual and appreciation turns into expectation. I share what I learned from my own relationships, including a breakup that forced me to face a hard truth. Sometimes two people want different futures, and no amount of effort can fix misalignment. I also talk about watching a friend get pulled into a destructive relationship marked by addiction and violence, and the moment I realized that love without boundaries becomes self-abandonment. From attachment and codependency to communication and self-worth, this episode is about learning the difference between the kind of hard that builds something and the kind of hard that slowly erases me.

Welcome to the very first episode of No One Is Normal.
This show exists for anyone who’s ever felt out of place, misunderstood, mislabeled, or judged for the way their story unfolded. This is the space where people like us finally get to breathe, talk, and be real without apologizing for the roads we’ve had to walk.

In this episode, I’m introducing the mission behind the show and why this whole project exists in the first place. I talk about the core message that shaped the book and now the podcast:
You weren’t meant to be normal. You were meant to be you.
That’s more than a tagline. It’s a truth I had to learn the hard way, and one I want this community to learn with me.

You’ll hear how this podcast came to be, where the idea started, and why I believe storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have for breaking shame, connecting with each other, and rebuilding our lives. I share some of my own background, the real turning points that pushed me to launch this, and why I think your story matters just as much as mine or anyone else’s.

Each week, you’ll get episodes that blend personal stories, honest conversations, and reflections that challenge the idea of “normal.” Some episodes will come from chapters in my book, some from moments in life that taught me something, and some will come straight from the stories you share with me. Every five episodes, you’ll also hear pieces of Bonnie’s story — because her voice deserves to be part of this too.

This show is for people who’ve lived through it, fought through it, and are still trying to make sense of their own second life. You’ll hear vulnerability, humor, grit, and the kind of truth most people don’t say out loud.

If this episode resonates, tap follow so you don’t miss the next one.
You can learn more at bradhhill.com or nooneisnormal.co

Join the community on Facebook, and share your story for a future episode.

Thanks for being here. This is just the beginning.

— Brad H. Hill