New Year, New Reflections: Strength, Community, and Stories from the Strength Happens Podcast

As this year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on everything 2025 held for me...personally and professionally. Much of that reflection brings me back to some of the most meaningful work we are doing through the Halle Grace Foundation, especially our newest endeavor, the Strength Happens podcast. For a long time, I’ve carried a deep desire to reach families in a more purposeful way. To offer not just information or resources, but a genuine sense of community and understanding. Stepping into this podcast feels deeply personal. It is a true extension of my story, and my family’s and, alongside Janine and her lived experiences, we share a hope that no family ever feels alone in their journey.

What began as a simple idea quickly became something more. It stretched me, challenged me, and reminded me that meaningful work rarely begins with certainty. Instead, it begins with a willingness to take the first step even when the path ahead isn’t fully clear and in all honesty, felt a bit scary at times.

When we launched this podcast, we didn’t have a clear roadmap. We had a voice and a vision, but many details were uncertain. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that clarity does not come before action, it comes because of action. By showing up consistently, even when life bogged down both Janine and I, we learned to trust ourselves more than our fear.

The early episodes were rough around the edges. The audio wasn’t perfect, the topics sometimes felt scattered, and we often questioned whether anyone was listening. But each episode became a teacher, helping us learn about more about storytelling, pacing, and how to truly connect. Through the process of doing, learning, and adjusting, a clearer sense of direction slowly began to form. We began to learn to be our authentic selves with each episode.

One of the most surprising discoveries for me has been realizing that the episodes that resonated most were not the most polished, they were the most honest. I learned that when Janine and I shared openly, asked real questions, and allowed ourselves to be vulnerable, those moments created the strongest bonds with listeners.

Messages began to arrive from people who felt seen...felt understood...felt less alone. They weren’t responding to flawless production. They were responding to that authenticity. It was a powerful reminder that stories don’t need to be perfect to be meaningful, they simply need to be real. It's in our title afterall: Strength Happens: Real Friends. Real Talk. Real Life.

As we enter a new year, I feel both excited and grounded. I’m drawn toward deeper conversations and more intentional storytelling as we welcome others to the show to share their own lived experiences. My goal for this podcast is to continue growing, not just in the number of listeners, but in the strength of the community it creates. I want this to be a space where people feel seen and heard. A platform where stories are met with understanding and where support and encouragement are freely given. A place that reminds us we are not walking this journey alone, and that even in the hardest moments, strength is still taking shape.

As I reflect on what guided this podcast from the beginning, I am reminded on one simple truth...

At its heart, this podcast has never been about having it all figured out. It has always been about showing up...imperfect, honest, and willing. It’s about recognizing that strength isn’t something we wait for, it’s something that grows in the moments when we choose to keep going. That’s where Strength Happens.

It happens in the uncertainty, in the courage to use your voice, in the connections formed through shared stories. As we step into a new year, my commitment is to continue showing up, embracing imperfection, and trusting the process because strength doesn’t arrive fully formed. It happens along the way.

Season 2 is live! Listen to our latest episode. Hear more about our reflections on the first year of starting a podcast and where we hope to go in the new year.

Streaming on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon Podcasts.