Hidden Chapters Podcast

Audio Note from Genevieve:Hey friends—I’m still learning the editing ropes, and you might notice the volume shifts a bit in this episode. I’ve done my best to balance it, but I’m still growing in this area. Thanks for your grace as I figure it out! I truly believe Jillian’s story is worth the listen, imperfections and all.____________________________________________Jillian’s story fits beautifully with the Hidden Chapters theme: the parts of our experiences that live beneath the surface, beyond what’s shared in photos or casual conversation.In this episode of Hidden Chapters, I sit down with my friend Jillian, whose journey to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro was about so much more than just reaching the summit.While the photos and stories might show the mountain, Jillian’s true story lies in the quiet moments of strength, perseverance, and discovery that unfolded long after the climb. Guided by the Swahili phrase “pole pole”—meaning “slowly, slowly”—Jillian faced challenges that tested her in unexpected ways. As she says, “You are capable of more than you ever imagine. You can do hard things.” Jillian’s life is all about adventure, fun, and embracing the journey—whether she’s climbing mountains or traveling the world with her husband, checking off every escape room they can find along the way.This episode reveals the deeper layers behind her journey, showing that the true summit is about much more than what’s visible on the outside.What you'll learn:   Jillian climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to challenge herself and prove her mental strength.The climb symbolized determination, perseverance, and inner strength.The journey was grueling, requiring mental endurance and support from others.Climbing taught Jillian that the struggle is often unspoken but essential to the experience.Jillian experienced silent struggles and moments of self-doubt during the climb.The climb transformed Jillian, leaving behind her old self and self-doubt.Jillian learned the importance of patience and taking life slowly, embodied in the phrase 'pole pole'.What we talked about: 00:00 The Journey Begins: Climbing Kilimanjaro06:43 The Inner Struggle: Emotions on the Ascent11:47 Transformation: Leaving Doubt Behind16:09 Reflections: The Climb's Lasting Impact20:53 Letting Go: The True Strength of Climbing23:04 Closing  Follow her on social media: Facebook: Bucket List Escapes (Jillian Delgado) Instagram:  @escapoholics Leave me a note-I'd love to hear from you!Support the showThank you for listening to Hidden Chapters! If today's reflection spoke to you, I'd love for you to follow the show, leave a review, or share it with someone who might need to hear it. 📣 📌 You can also connect with me: 📷 Instagram: @hiddenchapterspodcast 📘 Facebook: Hidden Chapters page 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.buzzsprout.com 💌 Have a story to share? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at: chapters@hiddenchapterspodcast.com 💌 Subscribe to our newsletter and updates: Coming soon Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Welcome to the official launch of Hidden Chapters!This first interview episode is deeply personal—it’s not just the beginning of the podcast, it’s a celebration of Mother’s Day, my 45th birthday, and the woman whose quiet strength made all of it possible: my mom!!For the FIRST time ever, she shares her side of the story-her journey into motherhood, the unexpected challenges she faced, and the life changing choices she made with courage and love. We talk about the moment she found out she was pregnant with me, the weight of that reality, and the quiet strength it took to raise me through it all. I’m so honored she chose to tell her story here-with me!This episode is a tribute to the unseen courage so many women carry, and a reminder that the stories we often keep hidden are sometimes the ones that shape us the most.  Thank you for being here for this incredible beginning! What you'll learn from Mom: Motherhood can come unexpectedly and change one's life trajectory.Societal pressures can heavily influence personal decisions, especially for single mothers.Support from family and friends is crucial during challenging times.Balancing personal ambitions with motherhood is a continuous journey.Finding love can bring new hope and stability to a family.Military life presents unique challenges for families, especially during deployments.Pursuing education as a parent can be daunting but rewarding.Understanding one's identity and background is important for personal growth.Family is defined by love and support, not just biological connections.The journey of motherhood is filled with both challenges and profound joys.What we talked about: 00:00 The Unexpected Journey Begins04:56 Navigating Early Motherhood07:49 Balancing Motherhood and Personal Ambitions11:13 The Challenges of Military Life14:07 Finding Love and Building a Family16:55 Pursuing Education Amidst Chaos23:12 Understanding Identity and Family32:11 Reflections on Motherhood and Life Lessons39:48 Dedication to Mothers on Mother's Day Special Dedication: The song that my mom kept for us:   “You and me against the world” By Helen Reddy   https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=F34c1Re8k5s&si=_Fz3V7Mm-SiGFdaYBackground Music: "In Time" by folk_acoustic from PixabayLeave me a note-I'd love to hear from you!Support the showThank you for listening to Hidden Chapters! If today's reflection spoke to you, I'd love for you to follow the show, leave a review, or share it with someone who might need to hear it. 📣 📌 You can also connect with me: 📷 Instagram: @hiddenchapterspodcast 📘 Facebook: Hidden Chapters page 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.buzzsprout.com 💌 Have a story to share? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at: chapters@hiddenchapterspodcast.com 💌 Subscribe to our newsletter and updates: Coming soon Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Episode 1 of Hidden Chapters is here! This is a soft introduction to the journey ahead! it’s not the official launch, but today, I’m gently turning the page and inviting you to listen when the moment feels right.  A quick note:  You may hear a little crackling in this episode.  It’s not perfect, but I chose to share it anyway because the heart behind it matters more than the sound.  I’m learning as I go, and I’m so grateful you’re here to support. Thank you for listening through the imperfections - there’s so much more to come, and I can’t wait to grow with each new untold story.   Music:  “In time” by folk_acoustic from Pixabay Leave me a note-I'd love to hear from you!Support the showThank you for listening to Hidden Chapters! If today's reflection spoke to you, I'd love for you to follow the show, leave a review, or share it with someone who might need to hear it. 📣 📌 You can also connect with me: 📷 Instagram: @hiddenchapterspodcast 📘 Facebook: Hidden Chapters page 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.buzzsprout.com 💌 Have a story to share? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at: chapters@hiddenchapterspodcast.com 💌 Subscribe to our newsletter and updates: Coming soon Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Every person has a story—one that’s shaped by struggles, turning points, and moments of resilience. But some of the most powerful stories remain untold, tucked away in the chapters we rarely share. That’s where this podcast comes in.I’m Genevieve Kruger, and I created Hidden Chapters as a space to explore these unseen narratives. Through honest, heartfelt conversations with everyday people, we’ll uncover the experiences that have shaped their lives—the moments of triumph, heartbreak, growth, and discovery that often go unseen.This trailer will give you a glimpse into what Hidden Chapters is all about. If you’ve ever felt like your own story has hidden layers, or if you love hearing the journeys of others, you’re in the right place.In each future episode, we’ll dive into personal journeys that inspire, challenge, and connect us. Expect raw, real storytelling that reminds us we’re not alone—that an extraordinary, untold story is waiting to be heard behind every ordinary life. Hit play to learn more, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Let’s uncover these hidden chapters together! Music Credits: Smooth Waters by Serge Pavkin Music by Sergii Pavkin from PixabayLeave me a note-I'd love to hear from you!Support the showThank you for listening to Hidden Chapters! If today's reflection spoke to you, I'd love for you to follow the show, leave a review, or share it with someone who might need to hear it. 📣 📌 You can also connect with me: 📷 Instagram: @hiddenchapterspodcast 📘 Facebook: Hidden Chapters page 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.buzzsprout.com 💌 Have a story to share? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at: chapters@hiddenchapterspodcast.com 💌 Subscribe to our newsletter and updates: Coming soon Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay