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 Daniels and Meredith Garwood, 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.

  1. Sep 15

    Living BIG w/ Nicci Smith: Chaos, Beauty, and Belonging

    What happens when life doesn’t follow anything close to the plan? In this episode, Becca and Meredith sit down with Nicci Smith, photographer, nurse, mom, and self-described recovering people pleaser, for an honest conversation about resilience, empathy, creativity, and finding where you belong. Nicci shares how the premature birth of her son changed the way she saw everyday moments and helped shape her love of photography. She also opens up about surviving a brain aneurysm, returning to school to become a nurse, working in labor and delivery, her personal experience with addiction and recovery, and how caring for people through trauma ultimately led her toward forensic nursing and behavioral health. The conversation also gets deeply personal as Nicci talks about vulnerability, painful experiences with community, and what it means to finally find people around whom you can be completely yourself. Through all of her different chapters, one theme keeps emerging: people deserve dignity, compassion, and the chance to be fully seen. From photography and motherhood to nursing, mental health, belonging, humor, and healing, this episode is a reminder that life rarely unfolds according to plan—and sometimes the unexpected chapters shape us the most. Living BIG is about creativity, courage, and the communities that help us grow. Learn more at biginc.org. ____________________________________________ Episode Chapters00:00 Meet Nicci Smith: The Woman with Nine Lives 01:37 How Nicci Became Part of the BIG Story 03:32 Creativity, Identity & a Recovering People Pleaser 04:50 A Premature Birth That Changed Everything 06:24 Photography as a Lifeline 07:18 Finding Beauty in the Everyday 10:08 From Creativity to a Career in Medicine 11:22 “What Makes You Think You Could Be a Nurse?” 12:34 A Brain Aneurysm & Choosing to Go Back to School 13:43 Why Women Deserve Better Care 16:10 Birth Trauma, Grief & Giving Moms Permission to Feel Both 18:32 The Humanity Behind Healthcare 20:26 Your Nurses Are on Your Team 21:10 Birth Plans & Making the Next Best Choice 26:06 The “Nicci Patients” & a Move Toward Mental Health 28:42 Behavioral Health & Becoming a Forensic Nurse Examiner 31:19 Dignity, Consent & Caring for the Whole Person 33:26 “You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know” 35:16 Empathy Behind the Camera 36:31 When Community Is Hard 38:32 What It Feels Like to Never Quite Belong 39:27 Finally Finding a Place to Be Yourself 41:47 Finding Your Weirdos—and a Little Whimsy 43:14 Finding Humor in the Dark 44:10 What Support Looks Like Now 45:09 Capturing Reality Instead of Perfection 46:00 Chaos, Beauty & Belonging

  2. Aug 18

    Living BIG Mini-Sode: Rupture, Repair, and Being Human

    What happens when Becca and Meredith start talking before they actually start recording the podcast? Apparently…you get the podcast. In this Living BIG mini-sode, Becca and Meredith turn an ADHD-fueled conversation about Audible speeds, timers, therapy, algorithms, and floor chips into a surprisingly honest discussion about personal growth, relationships, and what it means to be human. They talk about why growth doesn’t mean showing up perfectly, how healthy relationships survive rupture through repair, and why learning to have hard conversations sometimes means accepting that not everyone is going to like you. They also reflect on owning the moments when you weren’t your best self, circling back when you can, and choosing curiosity over judgment. And when the world feels overwhelming? Becca and Meredith talk about focusing on the corner of the world you can influence—building braver people, stronger relationships, and communities where people have room to grow. Because living BIG isn’t about becoming perfectly healed. It’s about becoming more self-aware, repairing when things break, and choosing how you want to show up next. Living BIG is about creativity, courage, community, and becoming more fully yourself. Learn more at biginc.org. ________________ Episode Chapters00:00 ADHD, Audible & Why Everything Is Faster 01:48 The Diagnosis Meredith Doesn’t Have 02:02 Couples Therapy & Secondhand Therapy 03:26 Can Self-Improvement Become Its Own Trap? 04:28 Rupture, Repair & Stronger Relationships 05:19 Being Nice vs. Being Honest 06:02 Learning to Let People Not Like You 07:34 Growth Means You Won’t Be for Everyone 08:00 Owning the Times You Weren’t Your Best Self 09:18 Repair, Reconciliation & Circling Back 09:42 What the Algorithm Is Feeding Us 11:15 Proof That We Actually Do Grow 12:05 Wait…Was This Already the Podcast? 13:02 Parenting, Big Reactions & Modeling Better 14:15 Floor Chips & Choosing Your Response 15:26 Life Becomes What You Choose 16:06 You Can’t Control How the World Spins 17:03 Control Your Corner of the World 17:45 Building Braver, Stronger Communities 18:01 Landing the Mini-Sode

  3. Aug 4

    Living BIG: Building Something Bigger Than Yourself (Part 2)

    What happens when everything you've built disappears? In Part 2 of Becca's story, Meredith picks up where the last episode ended to explore the season that ultimately gave birth to BIG. After leaving traditional education, navigating burnout, juggling multiple jobs, and taking an enormous leap of faith, Becca shares the unexpected series of events that led to launching what would eventually become BIG. From quitting steady work and starting a business, to losing her home, temporarily moving into a friends' basement, and building a dream with little more than conviction and community, this conversation is an honest look at what it takes to build something that matters. Along the way, Becca and Meredith unpack the origin of the BIG name, the meaning behind "Big. Brave. Bold.," why community has always been the true mission, and how creating spaces where people feel seen is more important than creating great performers. This isn't just the story of a nonprofit. It's the story of choosing courage when certainty isn't an option. In this episode you'll hear: The surprising origin of the BIG nameWhy burnout became the catalyst for changeThe leap from education into entrepreneurshipThe season of living with another family while rebuilding lifeHow BIG Deal Show Choir was bornWhy authentic community matters more than performanceBuilding culture instead of simply building an organizationWhat "Go BIG" has come to mean Whether you're building a business, raising a family, starting over, or simply wondering if your dream is worth pursuing, this episode is a reminder that some of the most meaningful things we build begin during life's most uncertain seasons. Episode Chapters00:00 Previously on Becca's Story: Picking Up Where We Left Off 00:36 Burnout, Ministry & Knowing It Was Time for Something New 02:24 Quitting Everything to Become a Life Coach 03:19 Rebranding...and Accidentally Discovering "BIG" 05:00 Building Something Bigger Than Yourself 06:15 The Stone Soup Philosophy of Community 07:11 Terrified to Begin 08:13 "Go BIG" — The Moment Everything Changed 09:10 Losing the House While Starting a Business 10:30 The "Commune" That Made BIG Possible 12:17 Starting Over From a Basement 13:09 Why BIG Deal Was Born 14:39 BIG Isn't a Building—It's a Culture 15:57 Creating BIG Deal Show Choir 17:00 "Let It Suck...Then Let It Surprise You" 18:29 Why Community Beats Competition 20:16 Testing an Impossible Idea 21:40 People Came for Show Choir...and Found Belonging 22:07 Leadership Is Lonely 23:02 Becoming a Nonprofit 24:12 Creating a Place Where Authenticity Wins 26:23 Investing in Yourself 27:00 Escaping Burnout & Choosing Margin Closing Thoughts Living BIG Means Building People

  4. Jul 21

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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4.5
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Living BIG is a podcast about creativity, courage, and community. Hosted by Becca Jackson Daniels and Meredith Garwood, 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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