Prelude to Season 2 - The Year of Refinement

The Men Who Raised Us: A 3-Part Series

The Men Who Raised Us: A 3-Part Series In this deeply personal three-part series from I Grabbed the Branch, twin sisters Heather and Holly share the stories of the men whose lives shaped their own. From a father who battled addiction and found redemption, to a stepfather whose sudden loss left an unfillable void, to the beloved patriarch who taught their family the meaning of kindness, strength, and empathy — each man left a lasting imprint on the women they helped raise. Raw, honest, emotional, and at times unexpectedly funny, The Men Who Raised Us explores grief, healing, resilience, family bonds, and the complicated beauty of imperfect people. Though each story is unique, they are forever interwoven into the lives of the strong women left to carry on their legacy. Join Heather and Holly as they reflect on love, loss, redemption, and the men who helped make them who they are today.

Feeling Seen & the Future of Ellicott City

Episode Summary: Feeling Seen & the Future of Ellicott City In this episode of I Grabbed the Branch, I share a deeply personal reflection on what it means to feel seen—as a survivor of the 2016 Ellicott City flood and as part of a community that has fought to be heard. For a long time, the experience of that day—and everything that followed—felt invisible outside of those who lived it. But recently, something shifted. I talk about the progress of the North Tunnel project in Ellicott City and what it represents. This isn’t just infrastructure—it’s acknowledgment. It’s proof that stories, losses, and voices are being recognized through real investment and action. This episode connects the emotional and the tangible: healing, validation, and the ongoing work of flood mitigation. Because being “seen” isn’t just about words—it shows up in policy, progress, and a commitment to doing better. 🔗 Read my story featured on CBS News Baltimore: https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/howard-county-ellicott-city-progress-key-flood-mitigation-project-tunnel-north/ [https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/howard-county-ellicott-city-progress-key-flood-mitigation-project-tunnel-north/] 🔗 Learn more about the Ellicott City Safe and Sound Program: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/county-executive/ellicott-city-safe-and-sound [https://www.howardcountymd.gov/county-executive/ellicott-city-safe-and-sound]

Prelude to Season 2 - The Year of Refinement

After time away, this prelude episode of I Grabbed the Branch marks a return shaped by challenge, change, and reflection. As 2026 unfolds with unexpected transitions, including job loss, this episode sets the stage for a more intentional and honest Season 2. With the 10-year anniversary of the 2016 Ellicott City flood approaching, this prelude revisits the foundation of the journey—resilience, healing, and what it truly means to rebuild. This is where the next chapter begins.

Bonus Episode: Where I’m Going in 2026 — A Short Reflection on Refinement

In this bonus episode, Heather shares a forward-looking reflection on the year ahead — not through resolutions, but through refinement. Grounded in the lessons of the last decade, she speaks honestly about purpose, healing, leadership, boundaries, pursuing her legal education, and choosing peace for her family. This episode is an intimate look at how hardship shaped the path she’s stepping into — and how 2026 will be a year defined by clarity, courage, and becoming.

Episode 9: Heather and the Healing Journey - 9 Years Later

Nine years after the flood that changed everything, Heather Owens reflects on how healing has unfolded—not in a straight line, but in waves. In this deeply personal episode, she opens up about losing her dad, John (2011); her fiancé, Joe (2016); her stepdad, Curtis (2021); and her granddad, Jim (2025)—the four men who shaped her heart and taught her strength through love. Heather shares the raw truth of grief, the power of therapy, and the importance of community—the counselor who helped her process pain, the psychiatrist who guided her through dark seasons, and the friends, family, and coworkers who continue to anchor her in light. Through every heartbreak and every moment of grace, Heather shows that healing isn’t about moving on—it’s about learning to carry both love and loss in the same breath.