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E. 41 A Pause with Purpose — Gratitude, Growth, and What’s Ahead
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Episode 41: A Pause with Purpose — Gratitude, Growth, and What’s Ahead
We’ve built something beautiful together—40 episodes of stories, inspiration, and courage. In this episode, I take a moment to pause and reflect on what this podcast journey has taught me so far, why stepping back can be a wise and empowering choice, and why gratitude changes everything.
This isn’t the end—it’s a pause filled with purpose. A moment to breathe, realign, and come back even stronger.
You’ll hear:
✨ What I’ve learned from 40 episodes of storytelling
✨ Why community and vulnerability change lives
✨ How boundaries and rest protect our growth
✨ A heartfelt thank you for walking this journey with me
Take this episode as your reminder: reflection isn’t quitting, it’s preparing. And the best is yet to come.
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Transcript
Welcome and Reflection on 40 Episodes
00:00:15
Danielle Kessler
Hey friend, welcome back to There You Are. This isn't a goodbye, not even close. It's just a moment to pause, breathe, and reflect.
00:00:26
Danielle Kessler
We've created 40 incredible episodes together, and couldn't be prouder of the community that has come to be. I've had the privilege of sitting with some of the most inspiring people.
Guests' Stories as Mirrors of Growth
00:00:39
Danielle Kessler
People who have shared their stories, their struggles, their victories, and so much more along the way. They've helped remind me and hopefully reminded you of the power in showing up as yourself.
00:00:55
Danielle Kessler
When I started this podcast, I wasn't sure how it would unfold, really. But here's the thing. What I've learned is that impact doesn't come from perfection.
00:01:06
Danielle Kessler
It comes from presence. From being willing to share your voice, even when it's shaky. From daring to believe that your story matters. Looking back, the stories, you know, that have been told here, they've been about resilience, encourage, healing, laughter, freedom.
00:01:24
Danielle Kessler
Much, you know, has been so much more than just conversations, right? They've been mirrors. Each guest, each episode has reflected something back to me about my own life.
Storytelling as a Transitional Exchange
00:01:37
Danielle Kessler
my own growth, and my own blind spots. And I hope that you can sit back and think, man, you're so right, Danielle. I learned whatever you want to fill in the blank there, you know, from such and such episode.
00:01:51
Danielle Kessler
And you know what? The gift of storytelling, it isn't one-sided. It's an exchange, right? You don't just hear someone's truth. You walk away a little changed, a little stronger, maybe even a little more brave yourself too.
00:02:07
Danielle Kessler
I mean, I hope that's what you guys have taken from this because it was about here with the meaning of allowing to show you somebody who goes first so that, that you can go next.
00:02:19
Danielle Kessler
This, you know, hasn't been easy for me to come to this conclusion as of, you know, where I'm taking this at this time. It's not closing the book.
00:02:30
Danielle Kessler
Um, it's more like we're turning the page. Um, I want to make sure that I'm not just creating noise, but I'm out here creating meaning. And sometimes the best way to honor that is to pause, right? And to set new boundaries and then come back with even more clarity.
00:02:47
Danielle Kessler
Because let's be honest, we all hit seasons where we need to just stop and ask, am I pouring from an overflowing cup or from an empty one? I know I personally refuse to give you an empty version of me.
00:03:02
Danielle Kessler
And I hope that inspires you too to take some time to sit and take an inventory, to pause when you need to, to know that stepping back isn't failure, it's wisdom.
Four Key Takeaways from the Journey
00:03:17
Danielle Kessler
So here's what I've learned, you know, some along the way. Like I said, we've carried out 40 episodes together. It's been pretty exciting. It's been a wild ride. I've met a lot of amazing people.
00:03:29
Danielle Kessler
So like four takeaways though. Community changes everything. Every voice shared here has rippled out further than we'll ever know. That's the beauty of it.
00:03:42
Danielle Kessler
You'll never know whose lives we've touched just by being honest, just by being you.
00:03:50
Danielle Kessler
Boundaries protect growth. If you want to rise, you have to know when to rest. It's not about quitting. It's about protecting your fire so you can keep it burning.
00:04:02
Danielle Kessler
Your superpower, going to back that up. Your story is your superpower. Every time someone said, I didn't think anyone else went through that.
00:04:14
Danielle Kessler
We all grew a little closer, right? Vulnerability is the bridge that connects us all. And last, joy matters. It's not all grind, hustle, or healing.
00:04:27
Danielle Kessler
Sometimes it's those belly laps. Sometimes it's celebrating small wins. Sometimes it's just being fully here.
00:04:36
Danielle Kessler
You know, and I've talked and expressed so much about how important gratitude is. So I want you to know I'm very grateful to everyone who's listened.
00:04:47
Danielle Kessler
Thank you. To those of you have sent messages and shared episodes with friends or simply pressed play when you needed encouragement. You've touched me more than I can express.
00:05:00
Danielle Kessler
You've made this podcast what it is. The truth is, I came here to encourage you, but you've encouraged me right back. So what's next, you might ask?
00:05:12
Danielle Kessler
Growth, more stories, more honesty, more of the real, raw, messy truths that connect us. 2025 is just beginning,
Reflection and Anticipation for 2025
00:05:21
Danielle Kessler
right? And I believe with everything in me that the best is yet to come.
00:05:27
Danielle Kessler
For me, for you, for us. So as we close the chapter, i need to reword all of this again.
00:05:36
Danielle Kessler
So what's next? Growth? More stories? More honesty? More of the real, raw, messy truths that connect us? I don't know, right? 2025 is coming to an end.
00:05:47
Danielle Kessler
Here we are, a September already, like how? And I believe with everything in me that the best is yet to come. For me, for you, for us.
00:05:59
Danielle Kessler
You know, and as we're closing this chapter, we're just going to step into a new one. So I want to leave you with this challenge. Take time to reflect.
00:06:10
Danielle Kessler
Look how far you've come. Give yourself credit for growth you've already made. And promise yourself to keep showing up, even if it isn't perfect.
00:06:23
Danielle Kessler
Truly thank you again. um i know so many times you just come out here and I'm just like, what do I want to share with others? What, Lord, do you want to put on my heart to bring to other people?
00:06:36
Danielle Kessler
And I just knew that it was so important to bring Other people that you could relate to, other people's whose story you could feel like, yes, they're talking right to me.
00:06:48
Danielle Kessler
And of all of these people that we have done, each one have kind of shared a similar story, right? That they believed in themselves. And that goes back to the power of understanding that everything you need is already inside of you.
00:07:06
Danielle Kessler
I just feel like crying today because like we continue to second guess ourselves and be like, are we even good enough? We are good enough. Okay. Like that has been the whole point of all of this.
00:07:19
Danielle Kessler
And I really want you to turn and look in the mirror. If you've been missing who you are and just feeling like, what is my purpose and where do I need to go? What am I supposed to do Who am I supposed to be? Turn around, look in the mirror and say, oh, there you are.
00:07:36
Danielle Kessler
Oh, there you are. It's been an honor. And I'm so excited to see where this might, you know, take off next. And we come back and sharing the same type of story, so be it. Then this, that this part of the chapter isn't done.
Encouragement for Personal Reflection and Growth
00:07:50
Danielle Kessler
Like I shared, it's just about turning the page.
00:07:52
Danielle Kessler
We are going to meet again. We are going to connect, but I feel like sometimes it is important to sit, take some time, reflect, breathe, exhale, and be grateful for what we have and for the so ah exciting things that are yet still to come.
00:08:11
Danielle Kessler
And I want you to always remember, friend, you are not late. You're right on time. And together, we're going to keep walking this out.