109. All Good Things End: My Finale Episode

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.

(Eccl 3:1 NKJV)

If you've been listening for a while, you may have noticed some consistency back towards the end of last year and then a drop off. I had a team of 2 amazing women who helped me produce this podcast and to show up consistently on social media. In November after attending an influencer event in Nashville, I started some soul searching around this podcast. I made the decision to not invest financially in having a team to edit and produce the podcast and help me with my social media presence on IG @strongherme. I had no idea when I made that decision, that a few months later, I would be making another bigger decision about the podcast.

I've cried a few tears thinking about all I plan to share with you today. 

My first episode of this podcast went live Feb 2017. Back then it was name the StrongHer podcast. If you go back and listen to that first episode, it's a clip of my message from the 2017 You Are Stronger Than You Think Women's Event. Our theme that year was Who Am I? In that episode I share the origins of the 'You Are Stronger Than You Think' message, stories from my own life of how God uncovers purpose and calling.

The previous year's event included a Friday night event and 5K race. 

It came with some harsh criticism from an attendee. 

- it was my greatest fear and my wakeup call: I needed to be the leader my vision deserved. I needed to ask for help; I needed to push beyond the fear of criticism to be a more brave and authentic leader. 

 

After some deep reflection, prayer and talks with my husband and friends, I'm discerning it's time to bring this podcast to a close. My initial purpose for starting this podcast was to have a platform to share women's stories and their expertise, as I affirmed women that there is grace to be successful as keepers of the home and as professional women.

This journey has produced more in my life than I could have known to ask for and the growth I've experienced in 4 years, in part, due to the discipline of publishing this podcast, is something that I not only wouldn't trade, but I also highly recommend this or some other creative pursuit that requires you to stretch, as your own personal development tool. 

Here are just 3 of the ways I've grown, as a direct result of this pursuit:

I've learned authenticity through this podcast. It has required me to process my own thoughts about topics. I've learned new skills, capabilities (listening, interviewing, technical skills around podcasting). I've learned new things about myself.

 

I've reclaimed my voice through this podcast.

When I say "voice", sometimes I'm referring to your actual voice; other times I'm referring to your influence, your mission, your values, your perspective, your story. Your voice is one of the parts of you that identifies you in this world.

 

I've learned how to tend to my own heart while staying faithful to a vision in my heart/soul, without constant validation of its impact. Talk about Hebrews 3,4.

Hebrews 3: 12 Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still "today," so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.

Hebrews 4: 6 So God's rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. 10 For all who have entered into God's rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.