Living BIG: The Courage to Become Who You Are

Living BIG: The Courage to Become Who You Are

What does it really mean to be brave? In this host-to-host conversation, Meredith turns the microphone toward Becca as they unpack the moments, decisions, setbacks, and unexpected turns that shaped the life she's living today. From growing up in a family that believed in impossible dreams to pursuing performing arts, becoming a teacher when she swore she never would, navigating single motherhood, moving to a new city, and building programs that changed lives, Becca shares how courage rarely looks dramatic in the moment. More often, it looks like saying "yes" to the next right thing. Along the way, Meredith and Becca explore identity, public failure, ADHD, parenting, finding your authentic self, and why living BIG isn't about becoming someone different—it's about allowing the person you've always been to finally emerge. If you've ever questioned your path, wondered if you've missed your chance, or felt like life has taken unexpected detours, this conversation is a reminder that your story isn't finished yet. In this episode you'll hear: * What "big, brave, and bold" really means * How courage often begins with small decisions * Why failure isn't the opposite of growth * Finding purpose through unexpected career changes * Parenting, identity, and redefining success * Why authenticity requires bravery * How every chapter prepares you for the next one Because sometimes the bravest thing you'll ever do… …is become yourself. ---------------------------------------- EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Birdcage Quotes & A New Kind of Conversation 00:33 What Does It Mean to Live BIG? 01:10 Ask Me Anything: Becca's Story Begins 03:30 Choosing the Performing Arts When Everyone Says "Be Practical" 04:25 Parents Who Believed in Big Dreams 06:55 Why Theater and Music Feel Like Home 08:25 Becoming the Teacher She Never Planned to Be 11:30 The Audition That Changed Everything 11:54 Motherhood or the Stage? Choosing a Different Dream 15:25 Leaving Small-Town Iowa for Something New 16:00 Falling Into Education—and Finding Her Calling 19:20 Public Failure, Ego, and Starting Over 21:00 Building a New Life in Omaha 22:15 Creating a Legacy Through Teaching and Theater 24:00 When Your Career Becomes Your Identity 26:30 Authenticity Takes Courage 29:45 What Does a "Big Life" Really Mean? 31:20 The Hard Road Builds Strong Foundations 36:10 Whose Dream Are You Living? 41:00 Looking Back Without Regret 44:10 Final Thoughts: The World Needs More Courage

Living BIG w/ Chris Smith: Showing Up, Finding Community, and Redefining Strength

For the first time, the person usually working behind the scenes steps in front of the microphone. This week, podcast producer and BIG marketing director Chris Smith joins Becca and Meredith for a conversation about creativity, leadership, fatherhood, vulnerability, and why the performing arts are about so much more than performing. Chris shares how theater shaped his own life, why he and his wife have encouraged all five of their children to pursue the arts, and how BIG has become a place where confidence isn't expected,it's developed. The conversation quickly grows into something even bigger as they explore adult friendship, men's mental health, raising emotionally healthy boys, breaking generational patterns, and what it really means to "show up" for the people we love. Whether you're a parent, educator, artist, leader, or someone still trying to find your place, this episode is an honest reminder that courage isn't about having everything figured out—it's about taking the next brave step. In this episode, you'll hear about: * Why performing arts teach us how to show up for life * Confidence as a skill—not a personality trait * The surprising role theater plays in leadership and teamwork * The challenges of adult friendship, especially for men * Breaking unhealthy generational expectations * Raising kids who are emotionally healthy, resilient, and brave * Why authentic community changes everything Because Living BIG isn't about becoming someone else. It's about becoming more fully yourself. ---------------------------------------- EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Art Teaches Us How to Show Up 00:25 Meet Chris Smith 02:52 A Friendship That Started Before BIG 04:16 Why Our Family Chose Performing Arts 09:06 Leadership Lessons from Theater 11:18 Learning Through Disappointment 12:27 Confidence Is a Skill You Build 14:35 Rediscovering Confidence as an Adult 16:27 Authenticity Over Perfection 18:18 Why the BIG Dudes Mattered 20:12 Community Beyond the Stage 22:18 Why Shared Activities Build Friendship 24:19 The Challenge of Adult Male Friendships 25:56 Why Men Struggle to Build Deep Friendships 27:08 Vulnerability, Masculinity & Breaking Old Patterns 31:24 Partnership Instead of Performance 32:39 Raising Better Men and Better Communities 37:17 Modeling Vulnerability for the Next Generation 39:05 Mental Health, Emotional Regulation & Showing Up 42:16 Community That Calls You Higher 43:15 Why Growth Requires Accountability

Living BIG w/ Meredith Garwood: Adult Friendship, Authenticity, and Finding Your People

In this episode of Living BIG, things are getting a little more... friendly Becca officially welcomes returning guest Meredith Garwood as the new co-host of the podcast, and together they dive into a conversation about adult friendship, authenticity, vulnerability, and what it actually takes to build meaningful community as grown-ups. From motherhood and marriage to loneliness, show choir, ADHD, and the pressure to curate a “perfect” life, this episode explores why genuine connection matters more than appearances—and why brave friendships require intentionality, reciprocity, and the courage to show up as your real self. They unpack the realities of making friends in adulthood, the difference between supportive and draining relationships, and how communities like BIG become spaces where people can truly belong. If you’ve ever wondered: * Why making friends as an adult feels hard * How to find “your people” * What healthy friendship actually looks like * Or how authenticity changes relationships …this conversation is for you. Living BIG is about creativity, courage, community, and becoming fully yourself. Learn more at biginc.org [http://biginc.org]. ---------------------------------------- Episode Chapters: 00:00 Authentic vs Curated Lives 00:45 Meet the New Co-Host 02:08 Why Friendship Matters 03:25 Building Intentional Community 04:34 Friendship Through Showing Up 06:34 The Search for Adult Friendships 08:06 What Adults Really Want in Friendship 09:31 Why Show Choir Builds Community 09:54 Friendship Through Life Stages 11:20 What Makes a Great Friend? 12:52 ADHD, Friendship, and Staying Connected 14:17 Authenticity & Self-Awareness in Relationships 15:26 Reciprocal Friendship & Matching Energy 16:13 Inner Circles & Vulnerability 17:59 Authenticity vs the “Perfect Life” 20:00 Building Brave & Supportive Communities 21:42 Standing Up for Friends in Rooms They’re Not In 22:25 Mel Robbins & The Three Pillars of Friendship 23:48 Proximity, Timing, and Energy 25:25 Intentionality in Adult Relationships 26:34 Checking In on Your People 27:54 How to Build Lasting Community 28:56 You Have to Be a Friend to Make Friends

Living BIG w/ Jeanette Gallup: Risk, Creativity, and Building Brave Spaces

In this episode of Living BIG, Becca sits down with theater educator, director, and BIG Education Director Jeanette Gallup for a conversation about creativity, risk, and the power of building spaces where people feel seen. Jeanette shares her journey from discovering theater as a teenager in Miami to becoming a director, educator, and creative leader who believes art is more than performance —it’s transformation. Together, they explore intuition, storytelling, emotional safety in creative spaces, and why theater can become a catalyst for confidence, identity, and belonging. The conversation dives into the realities of educational theater, the importance of creating brave and supportive communities, and the moments that remind us why creativity matters in the first place. If you’ve ever needed a reminder to trust your instincts, take a risk, or reconnect with the creative parts of yourself, this episode is for you. Living BIG is about creativity, courage, and the communities that help us grow. Learn more at biginc.org [http://biginc.org]. ---------------------------------------- Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introducing Jeanette Gallup 01:46 What “Living BIG” Means 02:39 Saying Yes to BIG 10:18 Discovering a Creative Life 14:13 Finding Theater & Identity 16:33 Becoming a Director 20:58 Visualization & Dreaming Bigger 21:19 Dreaming of In the Heights 23:05 The Joy of Directing 27:29 Transformation Through Theater 28:23 Building Brave Spaces at BIG 34:47 Seeing Growth in Students 35:13 Why Community Matters 37:45 One True Thing & Reflection 39:02 Self-Awareness & Growth 39:26 Why Jeanette Keeps Creating 41:23 Let’s Freaking Sing

Living BIG w/ Becky Cook: Change, Courage, and Living Outside the Boxes Boxes

In this episode of Living BIG, Becca sits down with educator-turned-corporate leader, creative, and community-builder Becky Cook for an honest conversation about growth, change, and stepping outside the boxes we build for ourselves. Becky shares her journey from art teacher to change management consultant, including the terrifying moment she left a stable career without a job lined up, and how that leap reshaped her confidence, identity, and purpose. Together, they explore what it means to live bravely, lead with empathy, and create space for people to show up fully as themselves. This conversation dives into creativity, community, leadership, and the kind of courage it takes to keep showing up, even when life feels uncertain. If you’re navigating change, craving growth, or learning to trust yourself in a new season, this episode is for you. Living BIG is about creativity, courage, and the communities that help us grow. Learn more at biginc.org [http://biginc.org]. ---------------------------------------- Episode Chapters: 00:00 Living BIG & Personal Growth 03:55 Creativity & Art Education 10:30 Community in Creative Spaces 14:01 The Power of Performance 14:19 Career Transitions 18:40 Empathy & Change 19:44 Leadership Dynamics 21:12 Leadership Lessons 24:27 Transformation Through Community 27:05 Excellence vs. Belonging 33:24 Passion & Community