Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life
You know those moments when someone says, “But you look like you have it all together”? That’s where Hidden Chapters begins. Behind every smile, there’s a story, the struggles, the healing, and the moments of courage most people never see. This podcast is about uncovering those unseen stories. The real, raw chapters that shape who we are, but often stay untold. Each week, I sit down with everyday people and new authors who open up about various life challenges of grief, loss, faith, identity, purpose, or starting over. Through honest, heart-centered conversations, we’re reminded that none of us are as “put together” as we seem and that healing often begins when we share what’s been hidden. If you’re craving authenticity, connection, and hope through real stories of courage and transformation, you’re in the right place. Because the most powerful stories are the ones we don’t see.
Episodes
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Privacy Note:
Due to the sensitivity of the immigration process, some personal details are intentionally kept private in this conversation, including specific names and circumstances. This was a thoughtful choice made to honor both legal boundaries and personal dignity.
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Hidden Chapters, I sit down with Rasmus, whose life took an unexpected tu...
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Episode Summary:
This conversation with Alex explores how early, unspoken family trauma shaped her identity, coping patterns, and relationships. A sudden financial collapse during her late teens created instability, emotional suppression, and a belief that strength meant independence and silence. In her twenties, that unprocessed grief showed up as self-sabotage, addiction, unstable rel...
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Hidden Chapters is back for Season 3!! 🎉
In this short pre launch episode, I sharing whats coming this season, and reflecting on the quiet, untold stories behind the smiles, the hidden parts of life that shape us, inspire us, and sometimes stop us in our tracks.
I talk about why this season feels different, the exciting lineup of guests ahead, and what listeners can expect from these ho...
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🎙️ Season 2 closes with a heartfelt look back at the stories that shaped Hidden Chapters. This finale brings together powerful moments from Seasons 1 and 2: highlight clips of guests, reflections, and stories that continue to resonate.
🎙️ Highlights include:
- Jay Smith Pinned but Not Out
Season 1 Ep.6 - Jillian Delgado The Summit of Strength
Season 1 Ep. 3 - José Raymundo Fro...
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In this episode of Hidden Chapters, I sit down with Simona Pappalardo, a global executive turned leadership coach, speaker, and author of Authentically Yours. Born in Milan and having lived in Scotland, Malaysia, and the U.S., Simona shares how every life transition holds hidden chapters waiting to be written.
We talk about navigating male-dominated industries, leading with empathy, and ...
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There is so much to be grateful for this year! ❤️
A season to reflect on gratitude and encouragement, shared by voices from Hidden Chapters.
As I look back on the past months, I’m filled with appreciation for every story, every conversation, and every person who has joined me, whether as a guest on the mic or as a listener tuning in from across the U.S. and around the world.
In t...
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What if the cracks in your life could become your most beautiful part? Inspired by Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, I share how heartbreak, disappointment, and loss can be transformed into strength, light, and beauty.
In this solo episode, I reflect on my own hidden chapters, stories from past guests, and what it truly means to be “mended with gold.” If y...
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I’ve realized that some chapters aren’t hidden because we’re afraid to share them. They’re hidden because we’re still living in them.
In this solo episode, I talk about what it’s been like to navigate healing without having everything figured out yet. I share reflections on forgiveness, emotional expression, and why strength without honesty can quietly wear us down.
💭 Reflection prompts:
...
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Some losses change everything. Other's pile up quietly until you realize you've been carrying more than anyone ever knew.
In this episode, Christin shares her story of losing both parents in high school, navigating her brother's addiction and incarceration and learning how to build a life rooted in faith, boundaries, and hope. What looks steady from the outsi...
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I told people I was fine for years. The truth was, pretending came at a cost I didn’t understand yet.
In this solo episode, I share a season I don’t talk about often. The years I spent teaching while quietly questioning my purpose, failing my Praxis exams (8 times), and believing the lie that I wasn’t enough. I wore the mask well, but underneath it, I was exhausted and unsure of who I re...
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Note✨: This episode is a live stage recording and may sound different than studio episodes.
What happens when the story you’ve been carrying quietly finally asks to be spoken out loud?
In this special episode of Hidden Chapters, I’m sharing my very first live stage talk from the Military Influencer Conference. This is the raw, unfiltered version of my story. No studio. No edits....
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What do you do when the life you thought you knew is turned upside down?
In this deeply personal conversation, Jennifer Blankenship joins me to share her journey navigating betrayal after discovering her husband’s long-term affair and hidden family. As a retired, divorced military spouse, Jennifer opens up about the complexities of narcissistic trauma bonds, and the courage it takes to r...
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From arriving in the U.S. without speaking a word of English to rising through the ranks to become a Sergeant Major, Jose Raymundo’s journey is a remarkable story of resilience, courage, and transformation.
In this episode, Jose, author of Brave New Horizons, shares the hidden chapters behind his military career, the quiet struggles few ever saw, and the courage it took to tell his story...
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What do you do when everything that once defined you begins to shift?
In this heartfelt conversation, Lindsay Swoboda joins me to share her journey navigating life after her husband’s military retirement. From launching her first book to balancing her identity as a writer, wife, and woman in transition, Lindsay opens up about the hidden challenges behind reinventing yourself.
Together, w...
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Who we are isn’t something we figure out once, it’s something we keep discovering.
In this episode, Laura Lyn Donahue joins me to talk about authenticity, identity, and growth through life's changing seasons.
Drawing from her book and personal experiences, Who Do You Think You Are?, Laura Lyn discusses how our sense of self shifts with time, how to embrace uncertainty inst...
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Kicking off Season 2 🎉
In this first episode of Hidden Chapters Season 2, my husband, Chris joins me to share his journey from Army life to author. We explore the highs and lows of deployments, the challenges of reintegrating into civilian life, and the emotional impact of the Afghanistan withdrawal on veterans.
We explore the hidden struggles that service members face: deploy...
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🎉 YOU all did it!! 1,000 downloads worldwide! 🌍
In this special behind-the-mic update, I’m celebrating this milestone and sharing a heartfelt thank you to listeners from the U.S., Canada, Singapore, Trinidad & Tobago, Nigeria, Germany, and beyond. 💛 Every download, share, and moment of connection has helped Hidden Chapters grow, and I'm so grateful for each of you.
This episo...
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🎉 Season 1 Finale: Behind the Mic of Hidden Chapters
In this recap, I’m sharing the lessons, surprises, and hidden moments from Season 1. From behind-the-scenes insights to the stories that moved me the most, we reflect on why Hidden Chapters matters and what comes next in Season 2.
Stick around until the end for a special hidden blooper moment!
What You’ll Learn from This Season 1 Recap:...
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If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, start here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2463085/episodes/17433468
In Part 2 of Mollie’s journey, we explore what comes after survival. After the heartbreak of losing her first husband, Mollie shares how she slowly rebuilt her life, rediscovered love, and leaned on faith to guide her through deep change.
From step-parenting to honoring the past wh...
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*Note: You might notice a little echo in parts of this conversation. Podcasting isn't always perfect, and while I did my very best in post editing, some audio echos and quicks couldn't be fully fixed. Thanks for your grace and for sticking with it. Mollie's story is truly worth hearing!
In this Part 1 conversation, Mollie shares the heartbreaking story of losi...
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