5 Things I Learned from My First Podcast Guest Appearance 🎙️

I spent this past Friday night tucked away in my "Mom-cave," my dedicated ‘zen-zone’, plugged into a studio link as a guest on the Sober Not Mature podcast. It was a total blast—a raw, rowdy departure from the quiet intentionality I usually aim for. (Translation: There was a lot of giggling. I felt like the chick who brings a spreadsheet and a highlighter to the cool kids party 🤓📊)

But the morning after, I found myself doing that thing we all do after a big moment. I’m taking a "mental inventory" of the entire conversation. I’m having those classic "shower thoughts" where I’m replaying the tape and coming up with much better, deeper, and cooler versions of everything I said. 🚿

It’s so easy to "should" all over yourself in the aftermath. Because in the middle of all the laughs, the hosts asked the one question I really should have stuck the landing on: “So, tell us about the brand. What is Wandering Weightlessly?”

Instead of the soul-stirring manifesto I’d imagined, I gave the "technical" answer. I talked about the agency and the niche.

It was fine, but "fine" doesn't exactly set the world on fire.

That "ick" I felt this morning was actually a gift, though. It forced me to get crystal clear on the things I wish I’d said—the real heart behind why Wandering Weightlessly is different. So, in the spirit of the "Sunday Morning After," here are five things I realized about my business—and my life—after the microphones were turned off.

1. You will always find exactly what you’re looking for. 🐘

In the early days of my sobriety, I was irritable, skeptical, and—if I’m being honest—kind of a pill. I didn’t believe in "awe," and I certainly didn't believe in the God or "gratitude" stuff people were trying to sell me. But I had joined a gratitude accountability group text, and the rule was non-negotiable: Find 10 things every single day. That accountability created the discipline I lacked. It forced my brain to stop looking for excuses to pick up and start looking for things to be grateful for.

One random Tuesday at the Cleveland Zoo, that discipline paid off. I went in a skeptic and left profoundly humbled. I started to see God in the rhythmic, swaying gait of the giraffes and the heavy, intentional swing of an elephant’s trunk. I smelled Him in the damp, sweet air of the butterfly glasshouse and heard Him in the uninhibited giggle of a toddler in an animal onesie reaching for his mother’s hand.

The Lesson: This is why I don't just "book trips." Anyone with an internet connection or a Sam’s club membership can book a trip, but if you don't have the eyes to see the beauty, you're just taking your baggage on a very expensive walk. My brand is about the lens. I want to help you build the "Zoo Moment" muscles so that when you finally get to that dream destination, you aren't just physically there—you actually have the eyes to see the beauty that’s waiting for you. (And stay tuned—I’m working on opening up a way for us to do that 10-point accountability together! 📱✨)

2. Engineering the Environment for Awe: The Difference Between a "Getaway" and a Breakthrough

I used to believe that travel was just an escape hatch—a way to outrun the "heavy" parts of my story like infertility, the bottle, or limited mobility and weight gain. But I’ve realized that my "Why Me" isn't found in the struggle; it’s found in the mechanics of the survival. It’s about the fact that I’ve spent the last decade learning how to put down the weight so I could finally stand up and see the view.

When I plan a trip, I’m not just looking for a cruise itinerary; I’m looking for the intersection of preparation and peace. For the sober traveler, that means an environment where you aren't white-knuckling it at a swim-up bar. For the foster or adoptive parent, it means a trauma-informed itinerary that respects a child’s need for felt safety. For the solo mom, it’s the confidence of knowing every detail is handled so she can actually be a mom instead of a logistics manager. For the traveler with limited mobility, it's the weightlessness of a seamless, vetted route.

The Lesson: Most people travel to escape their lives, but I want to help you travel to practice the person you’ve worked so hard to become. A transaction gets you a hotel room; a transformation gives you your life back. Whether you are navigating a foreign city with a mobility aid or a quiet morning in a new time zone without a drink in your hand, the goal is the same: participating in your life with clear eyes and a sense of serenity. I’m not selling you a getaway; I’m selling you a breakthrough—the freedom to finally stand in the middle of your own life and be an active participant in the awe.

3. Receipts! Proof! Timeline! Screenshots! ⚖️

I’ll admit that Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is a major guilty pleasure of mine, but it actually taught me a valuable lesson about my business: if you’re going to make a claim about your life, you’d better have the evidence to back it up. For a long time, I thought my "receipts" were only the messy parts—the jail cell, the broken ankle, and the bottom of a bottle. Those stories are important because they prove that change is possible, but I’ve realized that my business isn't just about the struggle; it’s about the blueprint I was given to architect my way out of it.

I didn’t just "arrive" here on my own. Through a lot of work, a lot of faith, and a path I didn't even think was open to me, a life was built that shouldn't have been possible on paper. I have the receipts for a debt-free life. I have the timeline for becoming a single-mom-by-choice through foster care and adoption. I believed I’d have to give up travel to be a mother, yet here I am, taking three big trips a year with my son and staying on track for a very early semi-retirement and early mortgage pay off by 2031. What is happening in my life is amazing—not because I’m special, but because I was willing to follow the manual I was given. And I’m so passionate about Wandering Weightlessly because I know that when you have the right tools, you can find this freedom, too.

The Lesson: Your past is the floor you stand on, not the ceiling that holds you in. I’m here to show you that you can use the grit of where you’ve been to architect a future that feels completely weightless. You don't have to choose between your responsibilities and your dreams—you just need a guide who has already walked the path.

4. Architecting a Path vs. Riding the Current. 🏗️

I have so much respect for the creators and travelers who are out there "doing the dang thing" and sharing their joy. That energy is infectious and necessary. But I’ve realized that my specific role in this space isn't just to provide a "vibe"—it’s to build a map. There is a difference between posting and selling a highlight reel and intentionally drafting a path toward a lifestyle of freedom.

For me, being a type-A numbers nerd is a form of stewardship. It’s the way I bridge the gap between where I am today and where I want to be when my son, Zion, graduates in 2031. It’s about ensuring that every trip or retreat I plan or every financial plan I coach is a brick in a foundation that allows for long-term presence. I’m not just looking for the next getaway; I’m building the blueprint for a life I don't need to holiday from.

The Lesson: Inspiration is the spark, but strategy is the engine that actually gets you to the destination. Whether I’m vetting a mobility-friendly route or helping someone find their financial footing, my goal is to ensure we aren't just "getting through" the journey. I want us to reach our milestones standing on solid, weightless ground—ready to finally enjoy the view we’ve worked so hard to reach.

5. Don’t Talk About My Friend Heather That Way. 🛡️

I spent the first part of this morning beating myself up. I felt like I fumbled the "Why Me" question and therefore blew the opportunity. The negative self-talk started creeping in like an old, bad habit. But then I remembered something a friend once said to me when I was spiraling: "Don't talk about my friend Heather that way." She was right, I would never talk about or to a friend the way I talk to myself. It’s a powerful way to get put back in your place. It reminded me that the "fumble" wasn't a failure—it was a catalyst.

Having to sit in that discomfort and really dig into "Why Me? Why Wandering Weightlessly" has been one of the most uplifting things I’ve done all week. I realized I’m not just another travel agent adding to the noise. I’m a freedom fighter. I’m a weight-lifter (the spiritual kind). I didn't just survive the heavy stuff, but I’m turning it into a strategy for anyone else who is tired of feeling stuck. That morning "ick" wasn't a setback; it was the fire I needed to remember exactly who I am and what I’m building.

The Lesson: Growth isn't about the absence of self-doubt; it's about how quickly you pivot from "I messed up" to "Wait a minute—look how far I've come." I’m not selling you an escape hatch to get away from yourself. I’m showing you how to stand up for yourself, clear the noise, and walk toward your own version of freedom. Why me? Because I’ve got the manual, the receipts, and the grit to help you do the same.

Leaving the Baggage in the Booth

This morning’s "mental inventory" reminded me that Wandering Weightlessly isn't about being a perfect person or having a perfect business—it's about having a better plan. I’m still a work in progress, and I’m still learning to talk to myself with a little more grace. But I know that the blueprint I’ve been given works, and I’m dedicated to sharing it with anyone else who is tired of carrying around a life that feels too heavy.

If you’re ready to trade the "escape hatch" for a real strategy, I’d love to help you map it out. Whether you’re looking for a vetted, accessible itinerary or a community that gets the grit of the journey, let’s connect.

Come find your seat at the table in my Facebook group, Suitcases & Sobriety, and let’s start architecting your next breakthrough together.

A huge thank you to the crew at Sober Not Mature for letting me crash the party. If you want to hear the 'technical' version of my story (and a whole lot of giggling), go give them a listen. They’re doing incredible work keeping the recovery conversation real, raw, and hilarious.

#WanderingWeightlessly #SoberTravel #SuitcasesAndSobriety #TravelWithIntention #SingleMomByChoice #AccessibleTravel #TraumaInformedTravel #FinancialFreedom #RecoveryIsPossible #TravelAdvisor