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 name - Why burnout became the catalyst for change - The leap from education into entrepreneurship - The season of living with another family while rebuilding life - How BIG Deal Show Choir was born - Why authentic community matters more than performance - Building culture instead of simply building an organization - What "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 Chapters **00:00** 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