Season 1 Recap: Behind the Mic of Hidden Chapters + a Surprise Ending

🎉Chris's book: "Walking Away from the Ledge"  is now available for preorder!
⭐️Grab your copy here!⭐️
https://books.by/w-brand-publishing/walking-away-from-the-ledge


🎉Season 1 Finale: The Why, the Lessons, and What’s Next 

In this Season 1 recap of Hidden Chapters, I’m taking you behind the mic to share what I’ve learned, what surprised me, and what’s next for Season 2! 

Stick around 'til the end, theres one more hidden moment you won't want to miss.  (And who knows? This may become a regular occurrence) 

Genevieve's takeaways: 🎙️

• Being a new podcaster takes a lot of behind the scenes effort.
• Season breaks give us both the chance to recharge creatively.
• Hidden Chapters came from the tension between perception and reality.
• We all have hidden layers that shape our experiences.
• Sharing our stories helps us connect and heal.
• Podcasting allows for deeper conversations than social media.
• Every brave choice moves us toward healing.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Hidden Chapters
02:39 The Journey of Podcasting
06:01 The Essence of Hidden Chapters
09:34 Lessons from Guests
11:07 Reflections and Future Plans
12:14 Behind the Scenes Blooper Moments

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:01

I'm glad you pressed play today. I'm Genevieve, and welcome to the season one finale of Hidden Chapters. Real quick, if you've ever listened to an episode and wished you could just sit down and continue that conversation with me or my guest, would you join my list? I send out heartfelt notes each week, and it's the best way to keep in touch while I'm off the mic. The link's in the show notes. Now, you know those moments when someone you know says, but you look like you have it all together. That sentence, it didn't tell the whole story, but it did spark something in me because the truth is we all carry chapters no one else can see. And sometimes those are the parts that shape us the most. Being a new podcaster takes a lot of behind the scenes effort. It's not as simple as grabbing a mic, pressing record and sharing it everywhere, hoping it sticks. I've learned that it takes research, logistics, a little tech savvy, creative planning, editing, some self-doubt, and a whole lot of heart and soul poured into this kind of work. And even though I've loved producing weekly episodes, I'm taking the advice of seasoned podcasters and building in a break between seasons, not just for me, but for you too. Season breaks give us both the chance to recharge creatively and come back with fresh eyes, ears, and open hearts. Looking back at the last few months, I'm proud of this work, really proud. From an idea that came in the shower almost two years ago, to a reflective journal entry I wrote about the layers others don't see, to actually launching with a real mic in my hand, this podcast came to life with a lot of prayers and deep desire to use the gifts God gave me of organizing, planning, and creating to walk this path as a real podcaster. Like I always do when I want to learn something new, I dove into Google, YouTube, and even ChatGPT. I followed advice from fellow podcasters like Pat Flynn, Jenna Kutcher, and others. I listened, learned, and jumped in, terrified but determined to do this. There's never a perfect time to start something new, and if we're vulnerable enough to admit it, the older we get, the scarier it feels to put ourselves truly out there, to jump into something unfamiliar and take the next brave step forward, despite any criticism or severe self-doubt we might feel. The title Hidden Chapters came from that tension, the gap between how people saw me and what I was actually carrying. People would say, But you seem like you're doing just fine. But inside, I was struggling. I was tired. Honestly, I still am. Tired of being the strong one. Tired of showing up for everyone else and wondering if anyone really saw me. Tired of hustling to meet expectations just to feel like I was enough. And the hardest part? I couldn't even answer the question. What do I truly want? But it wasn't about me. It was also about all the people I knew, friends, family, even strangers who were carrying powerful stories they didn't always share. Those hidden chapters, those were the ones I wanted to hear. Not the highlight reels, not the polished success stories wrapped in a bow, but the gritty, tender, raw, real ones. The ones that shape us, break us, rebuild us. The ones people don't always talk about. but they really should. Because those are the chapters that change us. Those are the ones that connect us. And I knew deep down that if we just gave those stories a place, they could help us all feel a little more human. Hidden Chapters was the perfect name because we all have those buried layers, the pain that isn't always visible, the parts we don't post online or say out loud in conversation. But when we do share them, That's when the truth hits the deepest. That's when someone else says, I had no idea you went through that. And then quietly adds, me too. That's when hearts connect. That's when healing begins. And that's the kind of space I wanted to create. That's why this platform mattered to me. That's why your stories mattered to me. Podcasting felt different than anything else. Not just another post people scroll past, not just another caption competing for attention. It felt quieter, but deeper. It let me speak from the heart, and more importantly, listen from the heart too. I recently read something from an email from podcaster Jenna Kutcher that really resonated. She said,"...the internet feels like a noisy bar, so I'm stepping outside." Being online lately feels like standing in a crowded bar full of half conversations and noise. Social media is full of quick content and surface-level moments. But I want the depth. I want the space to think deeply, feel grounded, and be fully present where I am. I related deeply with that. Because that's exactly what Hidden Chapters became. A step outside the noise. At first, I thought this podcast was about giving others a platform to share their stories. And it is. But the more I listened, the more I started to recognize pieces of my own story too. Things I hadn't really looked at. Things I hadn't put into words before. Things I was finally ready to see. So before I close out season one, I want to share a few of the things I've learned. The moments from each guest that made me stop and think. Yep. I needed to hear that too. My mom. She's the reason I'm here, literally. Her story reminds me that healing begins with choice. Even in the darkest chapters, you can still choose love. She chose to have me, even though I came from something traumatic. And in doing that, she showed me that my life has purpose. Her story reminds us that every brave choice moves us toward healing. She's always said to me over the years, the choices you make dictate the life you lead. Jillian, she taught me that growth doesn't come from comfort. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro wasn't just about the summit. It was about the slow, steady climb. Pole, pole, slowly, slowly. Her story reminded me not to rush the process, not to quit. Even if it's hard, even if it's slow, Keep going. Justin. His story of faith, mentorship, and rising from hard beginnings taught me the power of presence. He challenged me to ask, what can I do with what I have right now? That kind of grounded thinking, that's where real change begins. Stephanie and Jay. Two very different stories, two powerful reminders. Stephanie showed me that we're never stuck. There's always a way forward. Always help. Always hope. Rebuilding after abuse takes courage most people never see. Jay reminded me to hunt the good stuff. To lead with intention, even when life is hard. But what made it even more meaningful? Jay was once my student. And now, all these years later, he's the one teaching me. Jessica. Jessica helped me name patterns I've been living in for years. People-pleasing, performing, hyper-achieving. She gave me language for things I hadn't been able to articulate. And her story? It taught me that our pain doesn't disqualify us. It equips us. Especially when we use it to serve others. Meg. Meg reminded me that purpose is rarely polished. Her story was full of pivots, birth trauma, PTSD, career shifts, and starting a business from pain. But it was all connected. She taught me that healing isn't linear, that we can hold both pain and passion. And that starting over doesn't mean we failed. It means we're finally starting in the right direction. Liz, we shared a quiet, unspoken understanding. As a fellow retired military spouse, I didn't even need to explain everything. She just got it. Because of that connection, I shared more of my own story than I ever had before, even though there are still parts I'm not quite ready to say out loud. What stayed with me most is when she said, I'm good on my own. Not in bitterness or defense, but in peace. She reminded me that rebuilding a life after heartbreak with strength and softness is possible. Melissa. Melissa taught me about joy. Real joy after deep loss. Losing her twin brother Grant broke her heart, but her perspective gently pieced it back together. She didn't sugarcoat the pain. She carried it. She chose to smile through it, to talk about it, and to help others heal by showing up with her full, faithful heart. And truthfully, she lives with pure joy every day. That stayed with me. Molly. Molly's known me since high school. Soccer fields, teenage angst, all of it. But what she taught me is that we don't bury old chapters. We build with them. Her story across two episodes needed space. Because love, loss, healing, and rebuilding deserve room to breathe. She showed me that loving again doesn't erase what you've lost. It honors it. And starting over doesn't mean starting from scratch. It means starting from experience. Each one of my guests gave me pieces of myself I didn't even know I needed. I'd hear them talk and think, yep, me too. And I loved that. Every conversation gave me something to think about. I reconnected with old friends, made new ones, and soaked in their wisdom. But more than that, I started uncovering things in my own story. from my own hidden chapters, the ones I'm still slowly turning the pages to. So what's next? I'm going to take some time to breathe, reflect, and soak in what I've learned so far, and then keep building Season 2. Because the stories are still coming, and I know there's plenty more to say. Season 2 is already shaping up to be just as powerful and meaningful. I'm connecting with a few authors who've done the brave thing, shared their stories with the world. Because putting your words on paper or in a mic, that's scary, but it's also freeing. I want to keep sharing those brave voices and open up more of my own hidden chapters too. To each of you who listened, shared, messaged me, or just quietly carried these stories in your heart, thank you. Want to stay connected with me while I prep season two? Join what I newly titled The Next Chapter Notes. It's my weekly email full of reflections, stories, and encouragement. I'll link those in the show notes. You encouraged me through season one, and I'm not done yet. So I'll see you back here soon with more hidden chapters to uncover. Okay, if you stayed till the very end, you're officially my favorite. Want to hear a little behind-the-scenes blooper moment from recording this finale? Let's just say my stomach tried to join the conversation. And then I wrapped it all up with a full-on talk to myself. So here you go. Enjoy the real, unfiltered, slightly ridiculous versions of me. So what's next? I'm going to take some time to breathe, reflect, and soak in what I've learned so far, and then keep building Season 2. Because the stories are still coming, and I know there's plenty more to say. Like my stomach. I guess I should have had more than cereal this morning. I really don't know if it caught that or not, but that's funny. Okay. Okay. Really, I'm going to laugh. So you all can have my bloopers there if you heard my stomach growling. That's a real thing. In my closet and my stomach's growling. Okay, well, you know what? Genevieve signing off. I need some more tea, caffeine, and food. Peace out.