Where Your People Came From

Michael and I are very excited to share the launch of our podcast: Your People, a podcast dedicated to the pursuit of community—finding it, loving it, and being it for others. Michael and I host the show together, which has been such a blessing for us to do! Together, we're navigating life as two imperfect people who love Jesus and love people. After 6 moves together in 12 years of marriage and military service, we've learned a thing or two about loneliness, starting over, and the beauty of turning friends into family. Through this podcast, we hope to encourage you in finding and fostering community in your own life.

Our Story

Our journey began as high school sweethearts when we met in 2004 and started dating in 2006. After college, we got married and embarked on a life that included numerous relocations due to Michael’s Air Force career. Each move—from Georgia -> Maryland -> Mississippi -> Arkansas -> Germany -> Georgia -> Texas —brought unique challenges and lessons about building community. Whether it was the vibrant but expensive life in D.C. or the struggle to find connections during a brief six-month stint in Arkansas, we discovered that fostering community takes effort and intentionality.

Living in Germany for four years was a turning point for us. Being far from home, we realized how crucial it was to find our people and build a support system. This experience taught us the importance of stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing the challenges that come with forming new relationships. We made lifelong friends who became more like family, and those connections enriched our lives in profound ways.

Returning Home and New Challenges

After Germany, we returned to our roots in Atlanta, Georgia, surrounded by family. While it was a blessing to be near our loved ones, we unexpectedly found ourselves lonely for friendship. Our friends were scattered across the city, and we missed having those shoulder-to-shoulder connections that are so vital to daily life. This was a new lesson for us—understanding the difference between the warmth of family and the need for deep, daily friendships.

When the time came to move again, this time to West Texas, we were in a word, heartbroken. Leaving behind our home, our friends and family in Atlanta was difficult, but once again, we were reminded of God's faithfulness. He provided us with a new community in Abilene, Texas, where we have been welcomed with open arms. This experience reinforced our belief in the power of community and the importance of being open and ready to receive it.

Why We Started This Podcast

The idea for this podcast came to me one night while Michael was away on a training assignment in Chile. It was one of those "lightbulb moments" where I felt a strong pull to share our experiences and insights on community building. Not that we have it all together by a long shot, but it is something we are deeply passionate about and through both failures and success, have learned a lot about over the years. After discussing it with Michael, we both felt that this was something we were meant to do. Our goal is simple: to inspire and encourage others to find their people and love them well.

Our Goals

We hope this podcast becomes a source of inspiration for anyone feeling the need to connect with others. Whether you're a single person, a young family, or someone navigating the challenges of building community in a new place, we want to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone. Building community takes grit and intentionality, but the rewards are immense. We also want to explore how social media, while a useful tool, often falls short of providing the deep, meaningful connections we crave.

Through future episodes, we plan to invite guests who have their own stories and insights on community building. Whether it's in a business setting, a military unit, or a local neighborhood, there's wisdom to be gained from hearing how others have succeeded—and sometimes failed—in their efforts to foster community.

Conclusion

Thank you for joining us on this journey. We're excited to grow alongside you as we dive deeper into the topic of community. If anything we've shared today resonates with you, we would be honored if you’d like, review, or share this episode with someone you love. Together, let's work towards finding and loving our people!