What I Have Learnt Through My First Season Of Podcasting
I have always been good at just jumping, sometimes to my own detriment, but jumping nonetheless. This endeavor though was different because in all actuality it took me 7 years of consciousness and a life time of growing into myself. When I was a little girl, I use to think that I was born in the wrong time period, being called an old soul to becoming branded with the nickname Old Soul, I didn’t quite belong it seemed with the kids my age. I was constantly with older people, I felt far more comfortable and held great conversations that I felt were far more stimulating than most conversations I would find myself in as 10 year old. I remember later, history becoming one of my favorite classes, I once wrote a papers that ended with, “I believe the reason I am alive is to keep history alive.” Bold for a seventh grader, I know, but yet I believed it. I was going to become an archaeologist and discover the next hidden, ancient tomb in the depth of Egypt! Thinking back now that was little out there for a girl who got scared of going into the basement, lets be honest sometimes I still gets scared going to the basement, but it was a day dream sitting there watching documentaries. Though I haven’t discovered ancient tombs with a tooth brush, I have began to discover what has been written on my heart and the next step towards the plans God has for me in my life.
Everything we experience in life is scaffolding to who we become and that is why I find it funny that the thoughts that I had in childhood begin to make a full circle into my adulthood without even fully realizing it. What drawn me so much to history was the mystery of having such a small glimpse of someones life, I always wanted to know more or see more, I wanted to meet these people I read about. When I started this podcast, I began to think about all the untold stories, at least that is what I call them, that history never told us about. We will never know about every single persons story but I believe I can be a part of capturing more of them to be remembered. Through this podcast I want to bring the same feeling as the documentaries I watched as a kid made me feel to someone’s family member down the road, to give them a glimpse of who came before them. In a long story short I am still that little girl who believes wild dreams.
When I started this podcast I didn’t know what to expect. I had no clue what I was doing or how I was going to do it but I just dived in head first and figured it out as I went. I had all the same questions anyone else would have under the circumstance though. What would I say? Who would listen? What If I can’t get anyone to be a guest? What would people think? Am I good enough for this? (Thats right, I even flung that question out there. I will write about that subject later down the road sometime.) Before I know it though I was diving head first into this whole new experience that would become a life changing passion for me.
There is something to be said to push through doubt because otherwise I would have missed out on these amazing 16 weeks of genuine community building and hearty storytelling. I’ve learnt so much about this passion, and what I believe to be a calling on my life. There is a weight of responsibility that comes with being entrusted to share someone else’s story, it is not your own and it takes thoughtful diligence to bring forward the story that will be truthful but not exploiting in anyway. In generalness of the matter, trust is something I will never take for granted and I will steward it well. I believe that this feeling is a good a feeling, the weight, because it proves to be the cornerstone of my intentions and heart posture. I never want to loose it because if I do it, I fear my compass will be off and the last thing I would want to do hurt someone who trusted me.
I thought I understood that fully before I started the podcast but the biggest lesson I have learnt in this season is just exactly the extent of the weight. After having my lovely friend, Rebekah, on, I was left with a full heart but a heavy mind. In her episode we discuss her life, how she got through her experience with domestic violence, and how she has brought joy to her everyday life through ballroom dancing. As I sat there listening to this amazing woman talk, I began to feel that weight. How was I going to share this episode? Was she comfortable? Will I help or hinder her? It was in that moment that everything was confirmed inside of me, no matter what, my guests are number one priority. I make it a practice to bring a loving and safe atmosphere for my guests, allowing them to have full control of the time we have whether that is taking a moment in the middle of the podcast recording to stop recording or spending an extra hour after just being with them. I am always thankful for these moments and that lovely weight, this exactly what intentionality feels and looks like when people are in my presence. I everyone to feel special and wanted.
I have had a wide variety of guests on season one, from the renown Orchestra conductor, Debra Lynn, who played at Carnegie Hall, to local homesteaders like A Simple Farm and Teal Stone Homestead, building their dreams of self sustainability. Not only that I have been able to share stories that come from all ages and I am so proud of giving you a taste of bridging the gap between generations through this whole season. These guests have shared advice throughout each episode. I could never be able to do it justice here but I will give you some of my favorite highlights, though it definitely is better coming from them themselves so make sure you listen to each episode.
I had so many performers on the podcast: Debra Lynn, Angelina Funk, Emily Perkins, Rebekah O’Neal, and Lou Hunt. Within these episode we discuss the idea of music and what live performances does for the community around us. There is nothing like experiencing theater, music, or like for Carol Gebert, storytelling live. The arts transcends time and generations, it is the true definition of bridging the gab between generation. When we all sit in the same room listening to a piece of music whether it be Opera or Southern Gospel, there is a feeling that begins to radiate through the whole room, we are all are having a unified experience but not a uniformed one. Yet the moments when the audience is moved there is a tangible feeling and reaction throughout the whole place. I believe the take away for me is to support the arts far more and go to more local live events.
Storytelling can come in many different art forms, maybe it is live renditions of ancient stories or through a photograph, either way it speaks volumes to impact a story can make on someone. Carol, as mentioned before, discussed with me the importance of the keeping cultures alive and honest within stories. As a fellow storyteller, I find that special. As for Rhoda Gerig and David Nelson, storytelling comes through a photograph. They have a passion for bringing nature into our homes and turning their artful eye into beautiful art that brings joy in to everyday life. Practice is king but having a true love for what they capture reigns through the whole image. As a photographer, the idea of keeping that joy of what I capture has become a great steadiness for when burn out has coming knocking at my door.
I have had the opportunity to interview teachers that I have sat under in high school, Rhoda Gerig being one of them and Cathy Gohmann being the other. Cathy Gohmann, though hard to not want to instantly say Mrs Gohman, mention one of the biggest inspirational lines in her podcast. When I asked her who she has learned from in her life, she simple answered everyone that she meets. I keep that with me through hard moments, good moments, and everything in between. I love that no matter what the experience, there is always something good that could come out of it.
Making an impact not only on my community but my family is so important to me. This idea of learning from each other leads me to the homesteading families I have had a chance to talk to. Tiffany Taylor displaces such a resilience about her, and her desire to dig her root farther into home truly shine through. Kristin Reynolds and Vincent Giesman, homesteading became the pull that continues to grow their family closer and closer together. Through both interviews, I saw the fire each one of them had to become more intentional and experience life fully through learning new skills. Of course for someone like me who would have to live till I am 1,ooo years old to be able to learn everything I would love to, I love finding people the display the same passion.
Kim Bickel brought to life the idea of being joyful. A true representative of hard work and will power, she talks about taking caring of ourselves not only physically but mentally. “Happiness is temporary but joyfulness runs deep.” I think about this often.
Finally, I have learnt how to build a true community through my interview with Ashley Miller of Elevated Collective. Ashley’s passion for small business and the person behind the brand is inspirational in more ways than one. I believe the biggest take away from this episode is the idea of pivoting and embracing life when a door closes because the right door will open when it is time.
I want to say a huge thank you to all of my guests! You have been truly a blessing to me and I am so glad you have said yes to come on to this new podcast! Thank you for trusting me with your stories, I have enjoyed every moment with you.
God has placed me here for a reason, a purpose just like you, and I want to steward my time here wisely as much as I can. I want to make an impact in my day to day life, in my community, and hopefully leave something behind that will help move the next generation forward.
There is a whole episode with this writing so I encourage you to go listen to that, if you haven’t already, because in that episode I discuss more on this idea and tell you all about my plan for the future! I also share with you a huge life announcement within this episode but this week I will be sharing with you in writing more in depth on plans and musing about the podcast and “Here, In My Time” in general! Thank you so much for supporting my podcast and following along with me through out my journey! I hope you have enjoyed it just as much as I have!
SEASON 2 COMING JUNE 1ST
Until Thursday….
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2aCWK5dJvMy8eR6V2SlrEs?si=FmrOTf6qQFKlMcjAaTTeJQ
