Living BIG: Stories of Creativity, Courage, and Community

Boldly Inspiring Greatness
  • 4.5 (8)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Semiweekly

Living BIG is a podcast about creativity, courage, and community. Hosted by Becca Jackson Cusick, the show features honest conversations with artists, educators, and everyday people who are choosing to live boldly and build meaningful connections through the arts. Rooted in the mission of Boldly Inspiring Greatness, Living BIG celebrates the power of creativity to help people grow, belong, and thrive.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    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 meansHow courage often begins with small decisionsWhy failure isn't the opposite of growthFinding purpose through unexpected career changesParenting, identity, and redefining successWhy authenticity requires braveryHow every chapter prepares you for the next one Because sometimes the bravest thing you'll ever do… …is become yourself. Episode Chapters00:00 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

  2. Jul 7

    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 lifeConfidence as a skill—not a personality traitThe surprising role theater plays in leadership and teamworkThe challenges of adult friendship, especially for menBreaking unhealthy generational expectationsRaising kids who are emotionally healthy, resilient, and braveWhy authentic community changes everythingBecause Living BIG isn't about becoming someone else. It's about becoming more fully yourself. Episode Chapters00:00 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

  3. Jun 8

    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 hardHow to find “your people”What healthy friendship actually looks likeOr 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. 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

  4. May 7

    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. 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

  5. Apr 6

    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. 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

  6. Mar 24

    Living BIG w/ Kelly Whisinnand: Creativity, Confidence, and Giving Kids a Voice

    In this episode of Living BIG, Becca sits down with educator, creative, and community-builder Kelly Whisinnand for a conversation about the power of creativity to shape confidence, identity, and belonging. Kelly shares her journey working with young people and why her goal has never been to create perfect performers, but to help people discover their voice, express themselves, and feel ownership in who they are becoming. Together, they explore how creativity can be a lifeline in a noisy, overwhelming world, and why having an outlet isn’t optional, it’s essential. This conversation dives into the impact of arts education, the importance of giving people space to show up as they are, and how creativity builds more than skills—it builds people. If you care about confidence, community, and the kind of creativity that actually changes lives, this episode is for you. Living BIG is about creativity, courage, and the communities that help us grow. Learn more at biginc.org.

  7. Mar 9

    Living BIG w/ Cathy Hirsch: Creating Community and Just Doing the Thing

    In this episode of Living BIG, Becca sits down with Omaha performer, producer, and community builder Cathy Hirsch for a conversation about creativity, courage, and building spaces where people can belong.  Cathy shares how a shy, anxious kid grew into someone who launches projects when nobody else will—co-founding the Candy Project, helping bring contemporary musical theater to Omaha stages, and creating opportunities for artists who simply wanted to perform the shows they loved. This conversation explores the power of creative community, the courage it takes to show up before you feel ready, and why sometimes the best response to “someone should do something about this” is simply: okay, let’s do it. Cathy reflects on a life that is spent saying "yes" to creativity, even when the timing, money, or confidence weren’t perfect. Living BIG is about creativity, courage, and the communities that help us grow. Learn more at biginc.org.

    Living BIG w/ Cathy Hirsch: Creating Community and Just Doing the Thing

  8. Feb 23

    Living BIG w/ Matt Geiler: Creativity as a Practice

    In this episode of Living BIG, Becca welcomes Nebraska-based performer, improviser, musician, and animator Matt Geiler for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity as a practice — not something you wait for permission to do. Matt shares how drawing and music became early creative lifelines, how comedy helped him navigate tension at home, and how community shaped his path from small-town to Omaha improv, touring with The Weisenheimers, and studying at Second City in Chicago. Together, Matt & Becca explore the importance of creative consistency, showing up on uninspired days, and why community matters even when the work itself can feel solitary. The conversation closes with a reflection on why art and beauty feel especially urgent right now—and why creativity may be “what we stay alive for.” Living BIG is more than a podcast. Learn more about our community at biginc.org.

    Living BIG w/ Matt Geiler: Creativity as a Practice

  9. Feb 9

    Living BIG w/ Meredith Garwood: Leading with Strength and Heart

    In this episode of Living BIG, Becca sits down with Meredith Garwood — leader, artist, and creative partner — to explore what it means to live big with both strength and heart. Meredith shares her journey back to creativity, the power of compassionate leadership, and why brave spaces don’t require being the loudest in the room.  This conversation is about integrity, excellence, community over competition, and showing up fully—especially when you lead behind the scenes. If you’re finding your way back to creativity or learning to lead with courage and care, this episode is for you. Want to learn more about the Living BIG community and creative spaces we’re building? Visit biginc.org.

    Living BIG w/ Meredith Garwood: Leading with Strength and Heart

  10. Jan 26

    Living Big w/ Julie Murren: Community, Creativity, and Saying Yes

    What does it really mean to live BIG without regrets?  In this episode of Living Big, Becca sits down with theater director and educator Julie Murren for an honest conversation about community, creativity, and why the process matters just as much as the final product. Julie reflects on what “living BIG” looks like in real life, how community theater creates belonging, and why saying yes to meaningful work continues to shape who we become. Together, they explore the difference between passion and enjoyment, the power of truth and trust in leadership, and why community matters now more than ever. Whether you’re a creative, an educator, or someone craving a deeper connection, this episode is an invitation to live bravely, boldly, and with purpose.

    Living Big w/ Julie Murren: Community, Creativity, and Saying Yes

  11. Jan 13

    Welcome to Living BIG

    Episode 1: Welcome to Living BIG What does it really mean to live big? In the very first episode of Living BIG, host Becca Jackson Cusick invites you into the heart of a movement built on courage, creativity, and community. This podcast was born from one simple belief: people thrive when they’re brave enough to create and supported enough to try. Becca is joined by her first guest, Sandy, a studio mom, board member, Big Deal Diva, and self-described “not a singer” who decided to borrow someone else’s confidence and say yes anyway. Together, they unpack what it looks like to step outside your comfort zone, show up imperfectly, and discover that growth doesn’t require talent—it requires bravery. This conversation explores:What “Living Big” really means in real lifeHow supportive, inclusive (and brave) communities change peopleWhy adults desperately need creative spaces tooThe power of borrowing confidence until you find your ownLetting it suck… and letting it surprise youYou don’t have to be a performer to belong here. You just have to be human. If you care about creativity, courage, or community—and if you’re ready to do hard things with supportive people, this podcast is for you. Welcome to Living BIG.

    Welcome to Living BIG
  • 11 Episodes

4.5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Living BIG is a podcast about creativity, courage, and community. Hosted by Becca Jackson Cusick, the show features honest conversations with artists, educators, and everyday people who are choosing to live boldly and build meaningful connections through the arts. Rooted in the mission of Boldly Inspiring Greatness, Living BIG celebrates the power of creativity to help people grow, belong, and thrive.

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