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 means - How courage often begins with small decisions - Why failure isn't the opposite of growth - Finding purpose through unexpected career changes - Parenting, identity, and redefining success - Why authenticity requires bravery - How every chapter prepares you for the next one Because sometimes the bravest thing you'll ever do… …is become yourself. * * * # Episode Chapters **00:00** 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