Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life

Genevieve Kruger- Host of Hidden Chapters Podcast

Behind every put-together exterior is a chapter most people never see.If you’ve ever felt alone in your own story, especially in the middle of it, this is a place where those unseen chapters are spoken out loud. Not the version that made it onto a stage. Not the polished takeaway or the neatly packaged lesson. Hidden Chapters is a storytelling podcast that goes back further. To the grief that didn’t come with a lesson yet. The identity crisis in the middle of the night. The fear, the silence, the in-between, the raw and unresolved moments most people don’t talk about. Hosted by Genevieve Kruger, each episode invites guests to share the parts of their story that are often left out. Not because the ending doesn’t matter, but because most of us are still living in the middle, and that part deserves its own space. This is a show about the messy, complicated, tender, and deeply human parts of life that rarely get airtime because they don’t fit neatly into the stories we present to the world. Hidden Chapters exists to honor the stories we don't always see, so you don't feel alone in yours. 

  1. 4D AGO

    Recovering from a Stroke and Redefining Success in Life

    Send me a message via text or voicemail! 🎙️  Episode 9 Summary What happens when the life you built around being busy suddenly stops? For Chip Scholz, that answer came in the form of a stroke. One morning in Jacksonville, Florida, a man who had spent over a decade coaching leaders, logging 200 nights a year in hotels, and billing into the seven figures, woke up and couldn't find his words. In this episode Chip shares what it took to rebuild,  physically, mentally, and professionally and what he discovered about himself on the other side of a life that had been running at full speed for far too long. 🎧  What we Talk about in this Episode:  What life looked like running a seven figure business on five hours of sleep a nightThe morning of the stroke and why he kept going longer than he should haveThe physical recovery, relearning to walk, read, and think clearlyHow his coaching framework became something he finally had to live instead of just teachHow woodturning became an unexpected part of rebuilding his purpose📖 Chip's Hidden Chapter Moment Chip spent years teaching leaders how to lead themselves. The stroke forced him to actually do it. He said it plainly, "you can't lead others until you can lead yourself. And by the way, I didn't either." The framework he had been teaching for years didn't become real to him until everything stopped.  🔗  Resources Chip's website and coaching: https://scholzandassociates.com/ Chip's reading list:  https://scholzandassociates.com/whats-chip-reading/ New book: Every Dog Has Its Day: Reflections on Life, Love, and the Lathe  https://scholzandassociates.com/chips-books/ Support the show ❤️I would love to hear from you! Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/  _______________________________ Let's stay connected: 🔗 📷 Instagram: @hiddenchapterspodcast 📘 Facebook: Hidden Chapters ______________________________ 🎧 Podmatch.com: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/genevievekruger 🗒️ "The Next Chapter Notes" Newsletter on Substack: https://substack.com/@hiddenchapterspodcast ______________________________ Got a story to share or want to be a guest? 💌 Email me:  chapters@hiddenchapterspodcast.com 🎙️ Be a  guest?  Apply here __________________________________ Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

    37 min
  2. APR 3

    Living With Anxiety and Depression Since Age 12 | Noah May’s Mental Health Journey

    Send me a message via text or voicemail! 🎙️  Episode Summary  Noah May has been navigating anxiety and depression since age 12. In this episode, he opens up about his mental health journey, the coping strategies that have helped him, and how podcasting became a meaningful outlet for connection, expression, and growth. From his early struggles to finding community and purpose, Noah shares what it’s really like to live with these challenges while pursuing his passions. 🎧  What We Talk About in This Episode:  Noah’s personal experience with anxiety and depression from a young ageHow medication and supportive relationships helped him manage mental healthHow he discovered podcasting as a way to process, connect, and share with othersAdvice for teens, parents, and anyone supporting someone with anxiety or depression📖  Noah's Hidden Chapter Moment  Noah shares a deeply personal insight about living with anxiety and depression and how podcasting became a form of therapy and purpose for him. His “hidden chapter” is not a cure but a journey of managing, coping, and thriving despite ongoing mental health challenges. He encourages openness, finding a supportive community, and being vocal about your struggles instead of suffering in silence. 🔗  Resources & Mentions Noah’s Podcasts: https://noahspodcasts.com/ 🎙️ Lethal Venom — Noah's flagship podcast, now over 100 episodes. Focuses on truth-telling, mental health, serious real-life topics, and honest conversations. The name comes from the idea that truth, like venom, can be lethal — it can sting when we hear it, but it's necessary. 📚 Southern Reads — A book-focused podcast that originated as a class pitch during Noah's journalism program at Auburn University. 🎵 Music Talks — Based on a college paper Noah wrote exploring how music speaks to people in different ways. Music Mentioned: Sweetener album by Ariana Grande – a meaningful album in Noah’s mental health journeySupport & Mental Health Resources: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)Crisis Text LineSupport the show ❤️I would love to hear from you! Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/  _______________________________ Let's stay connected: 🔗 📷 Instagram: @hiddenchapterspodcast 📘 Facebook: Hidden Chapters ______________________________ 🎧 Podmatch.com: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/genevievekruger 🗒️ "The Next Chapter Notes" Newsletter on Substack: https://substack.com/@hiddenchapterspodcast ______________________________ Got a story to share or want to be a guest? 💌 Email me:  chapters@hiddenchapterspodcast.com 🎙️ Be a  guest?  Apply here __________________________________ Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

    42 min
  3. MAR 27

    Grit, Gratitude, and Life Without Sight: Laura Bratton’s Hidden Chapters

    Send me a message via text or voicemail! 🎙️ Episode Summary:  In this inspiring episode, Laura Bratton shares her journey of losing her sight at a young age and how she navigated anxiety, grief, and depression while learning to embrace life on new terms.  From her earliest memories of uncertainty to the lessons she’s still learning today, Laura opens up about the slow, ongoing process of emotional healing and how faith, family, and friendships shaped her resilience. This is a conversation about acknowledging grief, finding purpose, and living fully, even in ways the world might not see. 🎧  What We Talked About In This Episode The emotional and mental impact of vision loss during adolescenceCoping with grief, anxiety, and depression over timeThe role of supportive family, friends, and mentors in her journeyRelearning everyday life and adjusting physically and emotionallyHow faith transformed from a cultural practice to a personal connectionThe principle of “grit and gratitude” and living fully despite limitations📖  Laura's Hidden Chapter Moment Laura shares a powerful lesson from a mentor: grief is not a box to check. She learned it’s possible to continue grieving what’s lost while also moving forward and embracing life. This mindset allows her to experience life fully, whether cheering at her stepdaughter’s soccer game or celebrating her niece’s milestones, without being consumed by what she can’t see. 🔗 Resources & Mentions Laura Bratton’s Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0h6akn3UWebsite & Speaking Info: Laura Bratton🔗 🎙️🎧 Laura and I connected with Podmatch.com https://www.joinpodmatch.com/genevievekrugerSupport the show ❤️I would love to hear from you! Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/  _______________________________ Let's stay connected: 🔗 📷 Instagram: @hiddenchapterspodcast 📘 Facebook: Hidden Chapters ______________________________ 🎧 Podmatch.com: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/genevievekruger 🗒️ "The Next Chapter Notes" Newsletter on Substack: https://substack.com/@hiddenchapterspodcast ______________________________ Got a story to share or want to be a guest? 💌 Email me:  chapters@hiddenchapterspodcast.com 🎙️ Be a  guest?  Apply here __________________________________ Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

    45 min
  4. MAR 20

    Trusting God Through Grief and Unpaid Work: A Story of Family, Faith, and Podcasting

    Send me a message via text or voicemail! 🎙️  Episode Summary In this deeply moving episode, Mick shares his journey of navigating unimaginable grief after the loss of his son, the raw and authentic prayers that sustained him, and how his faith in God has transformed over 14 years. Mick also opens up about building his podcast from the ground up without financial compensation, trusting God every step of the way. From heartbreak to hope, and from uncertainty to purpose, this episode is a testament to how faith, family, and persistence can turn pain into blessing 🎧 What we talk about in this episode: Learning to pray authentically and be fully raw with GodMick’s faith journey: from early struggles to deep trust and spiritual growthExperiencing God’s provision, guidance, and blessings through life’s challengesStarting and growing a podcast without pay while trusting God for provisionLessons on faith, perseverance, and trusting God even when circumstances make no logical sense📖  Mick's Hidden Chapter Moment  Mick's hidden chapter is the long stretch between January 4, 2012 and March 2025 :the years most people never saw. The grief of losing his son. A miscarriage. The quiet rebuilding of a faith that started on his knees in a hospital hallway. It's the savings account meant for a mortgage that became a year of provision, and the job offer that fell through in a way that could only be described as God. The three words, sit, wait, and trust that asked him to trust completely before he had any reason on paper to do so. The hidden chapter is where God was building something Mick couldn't see yet. And everything visible now grew from what happened in that invisible season. 🔗  Resources & Mentions:  "The Awe of God" by John BevereEphesians 2:10, Luke 6:46, Matthew 6:26"When You Look Podcast", Episode 33 - Mick's full testimony🔗 🎙️🎧 Mick and I connected with Podmatch.com https://www.joinpodmatch.com/genevievekruger📩 Connect with Mick: Mick is the host of the When You Look podcast. Podmatch.com Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show ❤️I would love to hear from you! Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/  _______________________________ Let's stay connected: 🔗 📷 Instagram: @hiddenchapterspodcast 📘 Facebook: Hidden Chapters ______________________________ 🎧 Podmatch.com: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/genevievekruger 🗒️ "The Next Chapter Notes" Newsletter on Substack: https://substack.com/@hiddenchapterspodcast ______________________________ Got a story to share or want to be a guest? 💌 Email me:  chapters@hiddenchapterspodcast.com 🎙️ Be a  guest?  Apply here __________________________________ Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

    1h 14m
  5. MAR 6

    From Feeling Unseen to Showing Up: A Military Leader’s Hidden Chapter

    Send me a message via text or voicemail! Episode Summary Twenty four years ago, Adrian sat in my high school English classroom. He was quiet. Thoughtful. The kind of student who did not demand attention, but was always paying attention. I do not think either of us could have imagined where life would take him. Today, he is an Air Force ROTC commander and instructor at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, leading and mentoring the next generation of Air Force and Space Force cadets. But there is a chapter in between those two versions of Adrian that most people never saw. After 9/11, he felt pulled toward military service, searching for purpose and direction. He became a pilot. He deployed. He stepped into leadership. And in one defining deployment, no one showed up when he left and no one checked in when he returned. In an environment that expects strength and steadiness, he carried that weight quietly. In this conversation, we talk about what it feels like to grow up unseen, the pressure to hold it together when others are depending on you, and the moment that changed the way he leads. Adrian made a decision that day. If he ever had the opportunity to lead others, he would not let them walk through major moments alone. Now, as an instructor and commander, that commitment shapes the way he mentors this generation. This episode is about the moments that mark us, the responsibility that comes with leadership, and the choice to show up differently because of what you once needed yourself. The Hidden Chapter Moment Adrian’s hidden chapter was not just the deployment itself. It was what surrounded it, or more accurately, what didn’t. No one checked in before he left. No one reached out when he came home. In a role where you are expected to be steady and strong, he quietly carried that experience by himself. That moment stayed with him. Not in a bitter way, but in a clarifying way. He decided that if he ever had the responsibility of leading others, he would pay attention to those moments. He would not let someone walk through something significant and feel invisible. Now, as a commander and instructor, that decision still guides him. The way he shows up. The way he checks in. The way he leads. Resources and Mentions: 🇺🇸  The LMU Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) : https://academi Support the show ❤️I would love to hear from you! Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/  _______________________________ Let's stay connected: 🔗 📷 Instagram: @hiddenchapterspodcast 📘 Facebook: Hidden Chapters ______________________________ 🎧 Podmatch.com: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/genevievekruger 🗒️ "The Next Chapter Notes" Newsletter on Substack: https://substack.com/@hiddenchapterspodcast ______________________________ Got a story to share or want to be a guest? 💌 Email me:  chapters@hiddenchapterspodcast.com 🎙️ Be a  guest?  Apply here __________________________________ Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

    1h 2m
  6. FEB 27

    Breast Cancer Couldn’t Stop Her: Rebuilding at 50 and Thriving at 60

    Send me a message via text or voicemail! 🎙️ Episode Summary At 42, Zulma walked into a classroom with determination and a clear sense of who she was. At 46, just two months after graduation, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. At 50, she chose to pursue her master’s degree and begin again. At 60, she chose her mind, body, and soul and moved to Panama to build a life aligned with freedom. But between those milestones lies a hidden chapter. In this episode, Zulma shares what it was like to face a breast cancer diagnosis in midlife while remaining grounded in her strength. She takes us into the quiet reality of treatment, the hard days when strength did not feel strong, and the decision to return to Argentina to focus on healing before rebuilding her life. We talk about what it means to start over after breast cancer, to listen to your body instead of pushing through, and to believe in another dream when most people would have slowed down. This is a story about rebuilding your life in midlife. Not because you lost who you were. But because you chose to grow again. What We Talk About in This Episode:  • The emotional weight of a breast cancer diagnosis at 46  • The day strength did not feel strong  • Letting go of plans to prioritize healing  • Listening to your body after survival mode  • Becoming a therapist shaped by lived experience  • Grief and freedom in a move to Panama  • Honoring your internal hero in ordinary life The Hidden Chapter Moment Zulma’s hidden chapter was not just the breast cancer diagnosis. It was the season where she had to stop. Where achievement paused. Where plans unraveled. Where her body asked for attention instead of ambition. That moment could have defined her by loss. Instead, it became the turning point where she rebuilt her life in midlife. Rather than rushing back into productivity, she chose healing. Rather than seeing herself as a victim of what she survived, she began to see herself as someone becoming again. Resources and Mentions: 🦋 Dragonfly Therapy Services www.dragonflytherapyservices.net 🎙️  Host of Support the show ❤️I would love to hear from you! Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/  _______________________________ Let's stay connected: 🔗 📷 Instagram: @hiddenchapterspodcast 📘 Facebook: Hidden Chapters ______________________________ 🎧 Podmatch.com: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/genevievekruger 🗒️ "The Next Chapter Notes" Newsletter on Substack: https://substack.com/@hiddenchapterspodcast ______________________________ Got a story to share or want to be a guest? 💌 Email me:  chapters@hiddenchapterspodcast.com 🎙️ Be a  guest?  Apply here __________________________________ Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

    52 min
  7. FEB 20 ·  BONUS

    How I Started My Podcast | My Equipment, Platforms, and the Ripple Effect of Storytelling

    Send me a message via text or voicemail! 🎙️  Episode Summary: This week’s bonus episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how I started Hidden Chapters. From the equipment I use to the platforms that keep everything running, I walk you through my real setup and what works for me. But this episode is not just about microphones and software. It’s about connection. I share how honest conversations have created unexpected reconnections with former students, old friends, and new guests. I talk about the ripple effect of storytelling and how one shared story can quietly inspire someone else to speak up. If you’re curious about starting a podcast or you simply want a behind the mic look at how stories create connection, this episode is for you. 💡 In this episode you’ll hear about: My podcast setup from recording to hostingPlatforms I rely on like Buzzsprout, Riverside, and PodMatchThe equipment I personally use including my MacBook Air, Samson Q2U, Focusrite 2i2, and Sony headphonesWhy podcasting is more than just a micThe unexpected ripple effect of sharing your storyThis podcast is not just me talking. It’s a conversation. If this episode sparked something in you, I would love to hear from you. Your story might be the ripple someone else needs.  🔗 Links & Tools I Use (Affiliate Links Where Applicable): Buzzsprout –  https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2406015Riverside –  https://riverside.com/PodMatch – https://www.joinpodmatch.com/genevievekrugerSamson Q2U Microphone – (on Amazon) https://a.co/d/0iXj6kwvFocusrite 2i2 Audio Interface – (on Amazon) https://a.co/d/09ssoNA2Sony Headphones – (on Amazon) https://a.co/d/0ipiyQqvThese are tools I personally use and recommend. If you use these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show ❤️I would love to hear from you! Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/  _______________________________ Let's stay connected: 🔗 📷 Instagram: @hiddenchapterspodcast 📘 Facebook: Hidden Chapters ______________________________ 🎧 Podmatch.com: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/genevievekruger 🗒️ "The Next Chapter Notes" Newsletter on Substack: https://substack.com/@hiddenchapterspodcast ______________________________ Got a story to share or want to be a guest? 💌 Email me:  chapters@hiddenchapterspodcast.com 🎙️ Be a  guest?  Apply here __________________________________ Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

    7 min
  8. FEB 13

    Kindergarten Behind the Screen. What Children Lost and Learned During COVID with Teacher Karin Tramm

    Send me a message via text or voicemail! Episode Summary: When schools shut down during COVID, learning didn’t just move online. Childhood did too. In this episode of Hidden Chapters, I sits down with Karin Tramm, a retired Department of Defense Education Activity kindergarten teacher and author of 100 Days Smart. Karin shares what it was really like inside a kindergarten classroom when the pandemic hit an American military school in Italy. From teaching five year olds through screens to preserving routine, connection, and emotional safety, Karin offers a rare and honest perspective from the front lines of early childhood education during a global crisis. This conversation explores how children adapted, how parents became co-teachers overnight, and how teachers carried far more than lesson plans. They carried fear, resilience, and the responsibility of helping children feel safe in a world that no longer made sense. What We Talked About in This Episode • What kindergarten classrooms looked like before COVID and why physical connection mattered  • How teachers tried to preserve routine, predictability, and emotional safety through screens  • The “hidden curriculum” of social skills, community, and emotional regulation  • The unique challenges and strengths of military connected families during the pandemic The Hidden Chapter Moment Karin’s hidden chapter is not just about teaching kindergarten during a pandemic. It’s about what children carried quietly behind screens. The loss of routine. The absence of touch. The confusion of learning emotions without faces, carpets, or closeness. While adults focused on lesson plans and logistics, teachers and parents were holding something much heavier. Fear, grief, adaptability, and hope. This episode reminds us that resilience was being built long before anyone could name it. Resources & Mentions:  🔗 Karin's Website:   https://karintramm.com/ 🔗  FB: https://www.facebook.com/KarinTramm.author/ 🔗  IG: @karintramm.author 🔗  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-tramm-23086925a 📖 Amazon to purchase her book “100 Days Smart”:  https://www.amazon.com Support the show ❤️I would love to hear from you! Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/  _______________________________ Let's stay connected: 🔗 📷 Instagram: @hiddenchapterspodcast 📘 Facebook: Hidden Chapters ______________________________ 🎧 Podmatch.com: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/genevievekruger 🗒️ "The Next Chapter Notes" Newsletter on Substack: https://substack.com/@hiddenchapterspodcast ______________________________ Got a story to share or want to be a guest? 💌 Email me:  chapters@hiddenchapterspodcast.com 🎙️ Be a  guest?  Apply here __________________________________ Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

    47 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Behind every put-together exterior is a chapter most people never see.If you’ve ever felt alone in your own story, especially in the middle of it, this is a place where those unseen chapters are spoken out loud. Not the version that made it onto a stage. Not the polished takeaway or the neatly packaged lesson. Hidden Chapters is a storytelling podcast that goes back further. To the grief that didn’t come with a lesson yet. The identity crisis in the middle of the night. The fear, the silence, the in-between, the raw and unresolved moments most people don’t talk about. Hosted by Genevieve Kruger, each episode invites guests to share the parts of their story that are often left out. Not because the ending doesn’t matter, but because most of us are still living in the middle, and that part deserves its own space. This is a show about the messy, complicated, tender, and deeply human parts of life that rarely get airtime because they don’t fit neatly into the stories we present to the world. Hidden Chapters exists to honor the stories we don't always see, so you don't feel alone in yours.