Episode 1 - Meet the Puzzlers
Transcript
Nicole - 0:05
Welcome to “The Puzzlers”. Join us as we embark on a journey with four incredible women who are determined to piece together the mysteries of life. In each episode, they will pick up one of life's puzzling pieces, and attempt to uncover where it fits into the grand scheme of things. This week, the puzzlers will delve into the question of who they are, and why podcasts like this as necessary. Hi there. I'm Nicole, and the producer of “The Puzzlers”. I was the one who initially laid down the first puzzle piece. It was one of those jigsaw puzzle pieces with two knobs and two holes, requiring four connections to unlock its true potential. Isn't it fascinating how we often carry these pieces within us unsure of the purpose, or where they fit in the puzzle of life? This piece for me was the desire to create a podcast not for myself, but for others. I spoke individually with Tracy, Val and Catherine about the idea, but nothing came off it. Years later, I met Sue. And in a moment of serendipity, I shared my podcast vision with her as well. Encouraged by a stirring in my heart, I took a leap of faith and invited these four remarkable individuals to a cozy coffee shop. Picture the scene: four women, each with their own unique stories, backgrounds and life experiences, who were complete strangers to one another. The only connections I could see was their curiosity, and their shared love for words, writing and matters of faith. What would happen when they gathered around a steaming cup of coffee? Would it be awkward? Would they have anything to talk about? Would they share my vision of creating a podcast featuring all four of them? Now let me open the microphones and introduce to you Tracy, Val, Catherine and Sue – our puzzlers. A big welcome to the four of you.
Sue
Well, good morning.
Val
Hello.
Catherine
Thank you so much, Nicole.
Nicole
So let's start the conversation with Catherine. If I remember correctly, you were the first one at a coffee shop even before me. And I actually wondered if you would show up at all, because you were so noncommittal leading up to this get together, which is not like you. So tell us what went through your mind and why did you decide to come out?
Catherine - 2:45
It's such a good question. Thank you so much, Nicole. Yeah, what was going through my mind? Not too sure. Not all in I don't have time for this. And ultimately was coming going, okay, maybe I'll just meet some people and have a little Convo listen, and leave, be friendly and confirm that it wasn't for me. So I arrived with my little notebook ready. And early, as you said, I was going to be early to arrive and early to leave. That was my goal. And once people started talking, I couldn't contain myself. It was crazy. Our stories and journeys are passions. They were so interconnected. It was like a little fire that got blazing kind of inside my spirit. So I came like with no fire at all. And I left blazing. So looking at people thinking, Whoa, hold this, how can this be happening? I don't know these ladies. And yet I feel so connected like an intersection of all our lives. And I was watching you, Nicole, as you were watching me, because you saw me shift. I remember the intensity and excitement as you watched everybody super involved in each other's thoughts.
Nicole - 3:51
Yeah, absolutely. When I when I look at you, Sue and Catherine spoke, you were just it's like you were back at the coffee shop. So how was it for you? What were you,
Sue - 4:02
um, totally reliving it. And when you said, you know, would we have anything to talk about? It makes me laugh because we did not stop talking. We talked over each other. But we were all very respectful because we were just getting to know each other. You know, so you always give space. But I remember thinking, well, first of all, I was very excited to go because you and I had had a really cool connection. And serendipitous I it's a great word. I hardly remember how we came to know each other because it feels like I've known you so much longer than I have. But because of the way we connected I thought anybody that this woman introduces me to, if she thinks highly of them, I'm going to like them on some level. And if she has a good feeling about this then so do i something good is going to come of this and much like you Catherine it's like maybe it'll just be a great conversation and I'll have new people to wave to in the grocery store and you know, that'll be great but But really I just echo Katherine's words. As soon as we got talking and sharing where we came from what our passions are. I was like, wow, these are intelligent, thoughtful, faithful, vulnerable women. These are my kind of people. So I came expecting, and I left excited. And expecting more.
Nicole - 5:23
Wow. Yeah. Yeah. So what was your experience, Val?
Val - 5:29
Yeah, well, I came in kind of a whirlwind. We were leaving for the cottage right after the cafe. So I was like, Can I do this? Can I fit this in? But I trusted Nicole, she's got some great ideas. And I'm like, Yeah, again, it's exciting. And I want to, I want to join this vision. It sounds like a really cool opportunity. So I got there, and my brain was just, you know, going through my list of do have everything for the cottage, and we're gonna hit the highway, and we're gonna get into traffic. And yeah, but as we started to talk, I just got pulled right into that rhythm of conversation. And I just realized, yeah, this is kind of what I love. Like, I love sitting with these ladies, and just hearing their hearts. And being in this rhythm is what I'm, I'm made for. And I love this. And then Tracy, as we were talking, she, she's just like someone who grabs on to words. And I love that. And I've never really seen someone do that before. And I remember I said something. And she pulled out one of the words later on and repeated that word back to me and just brought out the beauty of that word. And I was like, okay, like, I am also with people that love words, just like I do. And, and I love that. And I want, I want to be with people that that think like that. Because that makes me excited. Yeah.
Nicole - 7:01
So Tracy to you?
Sue - 7:04
Well, excited. That was I think that where I was at was just, this is like we said, worth a cup of coffee, you know, and we trust Nicole, and what's that place going to be? And I'm not sure curious is probably the best word curious, because I'm a high level introvert who loves people. So when you have someone you trust, who says like Sue said, I think you should connect and meet these people and see where it goes. That's worth it. And what caught me when I say excited, I most watched that weaving together of pieces in watching Katherine, and the whole serendipitous piece of not ever having met each other and all just knowing Nicole, finding out that Katherine and I attended the same church sat in the same section of church for over two years, and had never met each other. That in itself just said something but then I watched her transition from like she shared just by I don't know why I'm here, becoming increasingly excited her body language like leaning forward on her chair, little gasps of exclamation without interrupting. And then just that whole weaving together as each story built and wove in among each other. And then Katherine being at the end and just pulling together all these pieces so, so that pulling together and her cute little notebook was the best. I mean, I took a picture but also really heading in trusting the thing that is in Nicole. That's something that spurred her forward. And yes, serendipitous is another word that has just been in my heart recently, too, and, and that there had been three and then when Sue met Nicole, there was just a something a puzzle piece that fell into place.
Nicole - 8:55
Yeah, I'm a bit humbled by what you guys owe me here for you. I think it's really how God kind of spoke to me I like like, was the desire and I think that's the really interesting part a desire that is so unrelated, really, to, to the four of you and still so connected to the four of you and that's kind of know what what really connects us this project of of making this podcast and I think that leads me to my next question, kind of why should people tune into the puzzlers? I mean, we named as a puzzlers because it seems like it's all these pieces that somehow by kind of like a divine hand like all fit and and and even with my asked you like the first get together, what is your passion and what do you if we do this podcast, what do you want to talk about so and it seems like everything just kind of was flowing into into each to others. So my I think my my question, and there are 1000s and 1000s of podcasts out there. So why did you commit? It's one thing to connect with a person. It's another thing and in our busy lives to commit to one more thing, right? And but what was it about the idea of the podcast that you felt at this point in your life, this is what you want to do. And I'm just going to open it up. So whoever wants to go first, please do.
Sue - 10:35
I'll jump on that one. I just feel like this is such a natural extension of what God's been doing in me already. The topics that we are all talking about the way we connect and communicate. There are lots of podcasts out there, you're right, I listened to several regularly. And there are many more that I haven't discovered yet. So I'm not saying that this idea doesn't exist out there. But it doesn't for me, and an opportunity to have the kind of rich conversations that we were getting into. And not just topically, but topically within faith is so key to why I was excited about this. Selfishly, I want to have these conversations with y'all. You know, like, I want to do this. And, and I really think that there is an audience that there are there are men and women out there who who want to listen to deep, meaningful conversations that don't shy away from God, but that also say, Where was God in that moment, but it's part of the puzzle, right? Like we've all gone through these things and wondered, and struggled and found a way through. And that's, that's just rich, and it's important. It's important. And I think it's very much God's heart for us to find him alone, and in community, and that's this little community gathered here is quite beautiful.
Val - 12:16
Yeah, I didn't really understand the value until we met that day. And I heard everyone's stories. And I thought, you know, these ladies are incredible people with this deep trust in God. And they've been through stuff. And I just want to learn from them. I want to be in those podcasts that they were describing, and be a part of it. But I also want to listen to it myself. I want to learn from them. And so then I realized, you know what, there's just a lot to be learned in this group for others. And that's when I wanted to join. Yeah ... awesome. How
Nicole - 12:53
Awesome. How was it for you, Catherine?
Catherine - 12:55
Yeah, two prongs, the same same vein of thought of what everybody else is saying is that sense. And actually, I have to say, a newfound respect for Nicole, because she was right right. away, like honoring the gifting that she has to pull people together and honoring that she saw something, and also feeling so honoring of each of your stories and going like this was a divine encounter. These are people I really love, even though I don't fully know. And yeah, my double mindedness and my small book went away. And so I just couldn't wait to talk again, it couldn't wait to hear again. And, and then the other pieces, I just really felt like for us to walk alongside each other, share our stories and ponder that there was such value, because this is a community and there's so many people who need community, and potentially are puzzling pieces or pieces that other people have as well, so that we could bridge the gap and bring some hope.
Nicole - 13:56
All is your peace and love?
Tracy - 13:57
Well, I think your question at the beginning is why would others listen? Like why would we invite, and I think that part of it is that it's just so easy to be alone, too easy, whether that is isolation in the world, whether that is, you know, introversion and like I love that time. And yet, if we come back to the picture of a puzzle piece, I only really can understand myself because I'm only the art on a piece of the puzzle. When I come into community. So when my piece snaps into Sue and into Catherine and into Val and Nicole, I think that even for myself, and maybe that sounds selfish, but it's not because I even get to understand myself better because I get to see this painting and like there's one who knows the box of the puzzle and knows what it all looks like but none of us do. So I love that there's colors that match up and line up and just is exploring that and learning from others.
Sue - 15:02
Yeah
Nicole - 15:04
Yeah, we were touching on experiences a bit that everyone is kind of Val was saying that everyone has these rich experiences. And I just would love to go around the room just to give our listeners a chance to get a feel of who is the person behind the voice. And I'm dealing with people who just love to talk. So I'm gonna put a time limit, okay? So in in two sentences, could you tell me your passion? Like words and and your, your life experience that you feel like you want to share? Maybe that's a little bit stretched into sentences. But what what would you liked our list eners to know about you? Maybe we start with Val.
Val - 15:56
Well, I think they may just want to know, like that I'm just a regular person. And I'm passionate about many things I, but I'm very passionate about the human body. And I'm a massage therapist for 25 years. And I just, it is like an endless found a fascination. And so I just, I love studying it. I love listening to podcasts on the body, I love to learn more. And there it's just there's so much that's undiscovered and, and it never ends. So I love that. And I love health and wellness because it all goes with the body. And many more passions on top of that. I love being outside. I love my bunnies. Of course I love my family.
Sue - 16:48
I like how your bunnies came before your family.
Val - 16:52
Oh, yeah, they are pretty cute. And I love food. I love colorful vegetables. I I feel very like and lived with food. And it's it's all the connection to the body as well in connection to the earth and connection to God for me.
Nicole - 17:10
How about you, Sue?
Sue - 17:11
Well, I would, I would just say I want to say that I love how Val approaches massage therapy, because it's so beyond the body. And it's I have huge respect for Val in that regard. My passion if I was to bring it down to one thing, which will then become to is really communication. I mean, it's what I do professionally. But it's it's where my personal life goes constantly because as I was saying before, it's all it's about connection. I mean, people for me, are the spice on Val's food, of life, you know, and I, I, I've spent time in marriage, I've spent time solo. I've had some pretty horrendous experiences, I've had a ton of beautiful experiences. And they have all involved people, and relationships and connection. And I would not be where I am today without the people that God has put in my life. And I know that I really do believe that community and people are, you know, the hands and feet of Christ. And I don't, I don't take that lightly. That's how I receive people. So it's. So for me, it's all about connection and communication. And that's on so many levels. I'm a speaker and a writer and a mother and a friend and a teacher. And it's all it's all the same regardless of where I find myself. And that's more than two sentences.
Val - 18:49
She said two,hoping for five.
Nicole - 18:54
Catherine, how about you?
Catherine - 18:55
Oh, I echo what you're saying Val in terms of like that interplay and really understanding the interplay, the interconnection between our body, brain and beliefs. So I'm really passionate about that and helping people actually like unlearn and relearn things where they're stuck. They've stuck points. And I have to say that that's birthed out of my own experience my own challenges, right, like, I'm in the middle of my story. We're all in the middle of our messy stories. And so people know, I guess about me is that this is birth this hope is birthed out of walking through some challenges. And so yeah, I'm just coming in the middle of my mess. And so grateful to journey together and talk about where God's grown us what he's shown us and even just to grow each other.
Nicole - 19:43
And Tracy?
Sue - 19:45
Well, two sentences because I was really helped at one time when my from another podcast where my daughter shared this line and she said, Mom, I think you're multi passionate, and that was really helpful to me because I think before that I felt really scattered, like how like over here and over there. And so that whole thing of wellness and wholeness and recognizing that there's all these different dynamics and it doesn't make us broken up into pieces. I think that some of the first and foremost that I'm what I'm really passionate about is pilgrimage. I'm passionate about living well, I'm passionate about finishing well, I'm passionate about walking alongside people in that journey themselves, helping them like you know, find their authentic voice and tell their true story, not just what's been imposed on them. And that connects to my background in education. I love, love, love history, and I'm a bit of a genealogy Geek on top of all the words, but I'm passionate about wellness, and meeting people at their point of need, not telling them what their point of need is, and making them jump through your hoops. And I think I would, I can't stop without saying, ultimately, what I'm really passionate about. And I think I've made apologies in some degrees for this in the past. But I am passionate about Jesus, I just love him. And I have said you do not have to embrace my beliefs for me to love you. But I would not be authentic. And or serve you well, if I didn't be honest and true with who I am. So that's me.
Nicole - 21:22
Awesome
Sue - 21:23
Beautiful.
Nicole - 21:24
Well, thank you so much for sharing these wonderful glimpses into your life. And I have to tell you, from the moment we all first met at such coffee shop, I could sense that there was something very special here. And I'm just so excited to hear more of your stories and insights and actually experienced the magic that unfolds whenever the four of you come together. So, as we wrap up each episode, we will introduce a puzzle piece for the puzzlers and for you, our listeners to ponder about. And well, we'll be the podcast host of our next segment. So Val, what question do you want to explore with a puzzlers? And next time you all come together?
Val - 22:08
Okay, Nicole. Well, I'm excited for the first podcast and to be your host for that podcast. And I'd like to explore the question. We may not directly answer it, but I'd like to ask Should Christians worry?
Nicole - 22:21
Mm hmm. I can't wait to hear that conversation. So thank you so much for listening to the puzzlers.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
