It's Been A Journey Podcast

Teresa Huerta
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Personal Journals
  • Weekly

This podcast gives ordinary people the space to share their extraordinary journeys. We've all felt the pressure to have a perfect "elevator pitch" for our lives, but the truth is, there is no one-liner path. We move in one direction, something changes, and we evolve. We're bringing you stories from real people to help you navigate your own winding road. Whether a story resonates with you, inspires you, or challenges your perspective, each episode features a guest who crossed my path and shared their world with me. Together, we walk down their unique path, honoring the detours and breakthroughs alike. These aren't just interviews—they are stories meant to be told.

Episodes

  1. Jul 7

    Episode 4: Vanessa Hernandez Orange — Hometown Roots, High School Hoops, and The Courage to Serve

    For this episode, I'm sitting down with a guest who wears many titles: Daughter, Sister, Mother, Wife, Executive Director, and Councilwoman. But to me, I'm lucky enough to just know her as my cousin. Vanessa Hernandez Orange joins the mic to share her incredible journey of finding purpose by returning to the very place that raised her. Growing up in East Chicago, Indiana, Vanessa's hometown and tight-knit family provided the foundational launchpad for her ambitions. She always knew she wanted something bigger, setting her sights on a career as a lawyer. But as life took its natural, unpredictable turns, Vanessa found herself feeling deeply lost. In a brave move to find herself again, she decided to do the one thing she hadn't expected: she went back home. It was there, back on her old stomping grounds, that an unexpected opportunity to coach at her local high school changed everything. As Vanessa beautifully states during our chat, the kids saved her life. Reenergized by their spirit, she hustled fiercely to give the players a better athletic program, becoming their biggest champion. But fighting for the kids was just the beginning. That experience sparked a much bigger calling—a desire to serve her entire community at the highest level. Fueled by the deep-rooted resilience of her grandmothers, who served as a profound source of lifelong inspiration, and backed by the encouragement of the powerful female leaders in her life—her mother, mother-in-law, and aunt—Vanessa found the fire to speak up, run for office, and become an East Chicago Councilwoman. Today, she opens up about the natural backlash and rough waters that come with local politics, and how she keeps her focus when things get tough. Through it all, her guiding light remains unchanged: the kids, her community, and the hometown she loves. Join us for a moment to connect with the extraordinary story of a woman fighting for the future of her community. Hit subscribe, take a breath, and let's see what we find together.

    Episode 4: Vanessa Hernandez Orange — Hometown Roots, High School Hoops, and The Courage to Serve

  2. Jul 7 ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: The Next Five

    Introducing Code and Conscience: Freedom to Invent from The Next Five. Follow the show: The Next Five We’re at the start of Q3 2026. Every day that passes, individuals, managers, executives and boards are crunching their internal numbers. They’re working out if the millions of dollars spent on cutting edge agentic AI deployment over the previous 2 years is showing signs of meaningful ROI. If figures from the first half of 2025 were anything to go on, the juice was not worth the squeeze. MIT’s Gen AI Divide Report 2025 showed that ninety-five percent of generative AI projects in H1 last year failed to deliver demonstrable ROI. Ninety-five percent. But, what happened to that remaining five percent? What secret engine were those elite organisations running that the rest of the market is completely missed? Is it really a gap in technical horsepower? Did they structure innovation better? Manage risk more competently? Or did they grant their teams the power to experiment more freely than the rest? Joining host Tom Parker is Steve Tarcza, Director of AI & Developer Acceleration for Stores at Amazon, alongside Jim Rowan, US Head of AI at Deloitte and Seth Fox, Chief Technology Officer at S&P Global. Sources: FT Resources, MIT This content is paid for by AWS and is produced in partnership with the Financial Times' Commercial Department. The views and claims expressed are those of the guests alone and have not been independently verified by The Financial Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

    You Might Also Like: The Next Five

  3. Jun 30

    Episode 3: Tre the Illusionist — Magic, The Hustle, and Childlike Wonder

    For this episode, I'm sitting down with Tre the Illusionist, a magician from the West Side of Chicago who navigated a winding road paved with big dreams, a dangerous detour, and the ultimate magic trick: transforming his life to find his way back to himself. It all started with a simple visit to a Chicago Winter Fest, where a local magician planted a seed that inspired a young Tre to pursue magic. But as the years went on, that childhood dream began to fade. Growing up, the pressure of the hustle took over. Tre opens up about his journey through college and the choices that ultimately led him into trouble with the authorities. Faced with legal battles, Tre knew he needed to make a radical change. Instead of letting his mistakes define his future, he used that pivotal moment to reclaim his original dream of becoming an illusionist. With the unwavering support of his family and the mentors who guided him, Tre didn't just become a magician—he became an entrepreneur. During our conversation, Tre even performs a live magic trick that left me speechless, but the real magic is in the advice he shares for anyone navigating their own struggle: Move slow, stay motivated, and above all, stay focused. He talks about the pure joy and happiness he brings to every event he touches, serving as a beautiful reminder to all of us to never lose our childlike freedom and wonder, no matter how heavy the world gets. Join us for a moment to connect with the extraordinary story of a stranger who crossed my path. Hit subscribe, take a breath, and let's see what we find together. P.S. Looking to bring some of that positivity to your own crowd? Book your next event with @tre_the_illusionist! 🪄

  4. Jun 23

    Episode 2: Jason Chan — The Dojo, The Dining Room, and The Big Fight…Cancer

    For our second episode, I'm sitting down with someone who knows exactly what it means to have the life you planned look nothing like the life you're suddenly living. To the city of Chicago, Jason Chan is a legendary restaurateur—the ultimate host behind some of the city's most iconic dining rooms, including his latest beautiful space, Gavroche. But behind the polished tables and the perfect presentations lies a much deeper story of grit, discipline, and survival. In this conversation, Jason opens up about how a lifetime dedicated to martial arts prepared him for an entirely unexpected fight: a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. We bypass the usual "resume talk" to explore the messy middle of his recovery and how he found the meaning of what really matters—the small moments you can experience with the people you love because you don't know when your time will end. He shares deeply about how martial arts can prepare you for who you are and how you treat others, showing us that at its core, the discipline of the dojo requires the exact same heart as true hospitality. I don't know exactly where this podcast is going to take us, but sitting across from Jason made me realize just how beautiful one's journey can be. Join us for a moment to connect with the extraordinary story of a stranger who crossed my path. Hit subscribe, take a breath, and let's see what we find together.

    Episode 2: Jason Chan — The Dojo, The Dining Room, and The Big Fight…Cancer

  5. Jun 16

    Michael "Murph" & Susan Murphy — The Secret, The Marriage, and The Grace to Choose Love

    In this episode, I'm sitting down with Michael "Murph" Murphy and his wife, Susan Murphy, a couple who navigated a winding road paved with survival, a heavy secret, and a profound love that ultimately rewrote their family's script. At just 14 years old, after the heartbreaking loss of his mother, Murph found himself in the foster care system. Looking for a way to build a better life, he enlisted in the Air Force. It was during his service that he met someone special and experienced a deep, meaningful relationship—but at a time when society was far from accepting, holding onto that truth felt impossible. When that relationship ended, Murph took the path society expected: he married Susan, and together they spent 25 years building a beautiful family. But some truths cannot be hidden forever. Murph opens up about the weight of carrying his secret, and the immense bravery it took to finally come out to Susan after a quarter-century of marriage. Susan joins the conversation to share her side of the story—how she learned about her husband's truth, and why, instead of walking away in anger, she chose to encourage him to finally start living his life authentically. We talk about how their family remained the absolute priority through it all, and how they navigated this massive personal shift with deep love, honesty, and mutual respect. Now retired, Murph turns his journey into advocacy by partnering with organizations like Vivent Health to support healthcare access for the LGBTQ+ community. This episode is a breathtaking reminder that a major life transition doesn't mean letting go of the love you've built—it just means allowing it to evolve. I don't know exactly where this podcast is going to take us, but listening to Murph and Susan reminds us that our true journeys often begin the moment we choose honesty. Join us for a moment to connect with the extraordinary stories of strangers who crossed my path. Hit subscribe, take a breath, and let's see what we find together

    Michael "Murph" & Susan Murphy — The Secret, The Marriage, and The Grace to Choose Love
  • 5 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

About

This podcast gives ordinary people the space to share their extraordinary journeys. We've all felt the pressure to have a perfect "elevator pitch" for our lives, but the truth is, there is no one-liner path. We move in one direction, something changes, and we evolve. We're bringing you stories from real people to help you navigate your own winding road. Whether a story resonates with you, inspires you, or challenges your perspective, each episode features a guest who crossed my path and shared their world with me. Together, we walk down their unique path, honoring the detours and breakthroughs alike. These aren't just interviews—they are stories meant to be told.

Information