It’s been a minute. 😂
After a few months away from the podcast, Jason and Lauren Vallotton are back behind the microphones—and there was no way they were going to let this week pass without recording an episode.
Because Lauren wrote a book. 😭
Past the Picket Fence: A Memoir for Life in the Messy Middle released Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
In this episode, Jason and Lauren talk about how a book Lauren dreamed about writing for years finally became real, what the process has looked like behind the scenes, and why the story ultimately became about something much bigger than accomplishing a dream.
Longtime Dates, Mates & Babies listeners will recognize pieces of the story: marriage, becoming a stepmom, infertility and waiting, babies, losing Lauren’s mom, changing expectations, faith, surrender, and learning to trust God when life doesn’t follow the plan.
At its heart, Past the Picket Fence is for anyone learning to love the life they’re actually living without pretending they never wanted the one they pictured.
Jason and Lauren also talk about what it has been like to bring such a personal story into the world, why launch day matters especially for an independently published book, and how listeners can help send it out.
Past the Picket Fence released September 29, 2026.
Grab your copy here!
Follow Lauren on Instagram: @lvallotton
More soon!
Introduces memoir, sends to Amazon for purchase.
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For information on the Marriage Intensive and other resources, go to jasonandlaurenvallotton.com !
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