Welcome to the IN-BETWEEN

As I started prepping and planning for season 2, I was trying to find the balance between episodes with guests, episodes with Zach (my husband), and solos. When comparing myself to other successful female podcast hosts, I felt pressured to film solos. I felt obligated to keep my podcast… mine. So, I settled on making every other week a solo episode, but when I sat down to film my very first one, it just felt wrong. I had no words other than a quick little spiritual thought I had planned out on the drive to the studio. Hence why that episode is a grand eight minutes long.

It’s been such an interesting experience… creating and growing something that I am genuinely so proud of and passionate about, and it actually having very little to do with me. My dream has always been to be a motivational speaker, to be known for my words. So why would it make any sense for MY podcast to not be about what I have to say?

I have been so blessed to interview so many amazing people and I feel so honored that they have trusted me with their stories. I want this podcast to be my baby, the avenue to my success, my life’s work, but there seems to be a tug of war between what I think I want and the way God is pushing the podcast naturally. I didn’t know how to do both, to keep the mission “glory to God” while also using it for my own benefit. It seemed contradictory, still does.

It wasn’t until last week, when I was dabbling with the idea of a newsletter/blog situation and asked my amazingly talented family members for writing advice, that I gained some sense of direction. One of my cousins said to me, “You’re giving a voice to people who have things to say, but not a place to say them.” And it was in that moment, thank you Mamoo (@missbirdboy), that I felt so proud to be the Lord’s instrument. I don’t think I’ve felt that way since I was a missionary in Costa Rica.

So here’s where I’ve landed. The IN-BETWEEN. A weekly (maybe less if we’re being honest, I do have 3 kids after all) blog. It fills both voids, it gives my audience a chance to know me a little better, and allows me to continue building my brand… without taking away from the podcast. Because I genuinely feel like I have words to say and thoughts to share, but the podcast wasn’t the place for it. It’s all the same message, to share and testify, without the pressure to feel like I have to fill a 30-minute episode multiple times a month.

I’m excited! … and nervous. What do you mean I can’t use ChatGPT? What do you mean I have to do creative writing exercises when I haven’t even written an intro paragraph since high school? What do you mean I have to be vulnerable and risk being misunderstood or judged for what I’m going to say? Isn’t that exactly what I ask of my guests every time they come on my podcast? So why wouldn’t I also ask that of myself? Who knows, maybe I’ll be writing a general conference talk one day, or a book, or simply learn to more intentionally appreciate the world around me.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past couple of years, it’s that you will never get approval from everyone, so it’s important that you’re proud of yourself, and that’s my goal here. These blogs are going to be me on paper… random, sarcastic, making connections, probably some oversharing, and if I’m lucky a little bit of humor. So thanks for being here… in the IN-BETWEEN.

-Daisy