Covid was the least dramatic thing to happen to us in 2020 episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 25, 2025 · 1H 6M

Covid was the least dramatic thing to happen to us in 2020

from Unpolished · host Jessie Heidenreich

We’re starting Unpolished by going back to the year that changed everything for both of us.2020 was messy, heartbreaking, confronting, and defining; a year of identity questions, deep grief, unexpected crisis, and moments that reshaped the course of our lives.In this first episode, we open up about the inner turmoil, the losses, and the near-unbelievable experiences that pushed us closer to Jesus and to each other. And because we cope through humour, you’ll find both laughter and tears woven through the storytelling.It’s raw. It’s tender. It’s honest.Welcome to where the story begins, our unpolished beginning.This conversation also launches Episode 1 of our second podcast, Small Churches, Big God, where we explore the stories behind small-church ministry.

We’re starting Unpolished by going back to the year that changed everything for both of us.2020 was messy, heartbreaking, confronting, and defining; a year of identity questions, deep grief, unexpected crisis, and moments that reshaped the course of our lives.In this first episode, we open up about the inner turmoil, the losses, and the near-unbelievable experiences that pushed us closer to Jesus and to each other. And because we cope through humour, you’ll find both laughter and tears woven through the storytelling.It’s raw. It’s tender. It’s honest.Welcome to where the story begins, our unpolished beginning.This conversation also launches Episode 1 of our second podcast, Small Churches, Big God, where we explore the stories behind small-church ministry.

NOW PLAYING

Covid was the least dramatic thing to happen to us in 2020

0:00 1:06:57

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Unlocking Us with Brené Brown Vox Media Podcast Network I’ve spent over 20 years studying the emotions and experiences that bring meaning and purpose to our lives, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s this: we are hardwired for connection, and connecting requires courage, vulnerability, and conversation. I want this to be a podcast that’s real, unpolished, honest, and reflects both the magic and the messiness of what it means to be human. Episodes will include conversations with the people who are teaching me, challenging me, confusing me, or maybe even ticking me off a little. I'll also have direct conversations with you about what I’m learning from new research, and we'll do some episodes dedicated to answering your questions. We don’t have to do life alone. We were never meant to.Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. The Inner Game Of Entrepreneurship With Cera Byer Cera Byer A show about the challenging, rewarding, and complex inner terrain of building a business that’s part of your spiritual assignment — creative, service-driven, and inseparable from who you are.We explore the emotional patterns, nervous system responses, identity shifts, and shadow work that surface when your livelihood is also your calling.Hosted by veteran life and business coach Cera Byer, with unpolished, nuanced conversations — solo and with guests — about self-concept, capacity, visibility, boundaries, spiritual growth, and the inner edges of heart-centered entrepreneurship in late-stage capitalism. Unpolished Watches Unpolished The companion podcast to Unpolished, the newsletter for watch collectors. Follow along for regular chats with collectors and enthusiasts. www.unpolishedwatches.com Moms, Mats and Manuscripts Ksenia Volkova Tomaz Moms, Mats and Manuscripts is a podcast hosted by Ksenia Volkova Tomaz, a former molecular biologist, yoga teacher and mindset coach for scientists, and mom. This is a space for honest, unpolished conversations about the parts of academia and ambition we don’t talk about enough.Here, we explore the mental and emotional load of being a young scientist or high-achieving woman: the pressure to constantly produce, the identity crises, the inner critic, the fear of slowing down, the guilt around rest, the invisible labour of motherhood, and the messy process of redefining success on your own terms.I share personal stories, science-backed insights, and yoga-psychology tools to help you navigate burnout, self-worth, boundaries, and the overwhelming push to “do more.”Think of this space as a friend's couch, where you can have a cup of coffee, relax, exhale and be seen.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Unpolished?

This episode is 1 hour and 6 minutes long.

When was this Unpolished episode published?

This episode was published on November 25, 2025.

What is this episode about?

We’re starting Unpolished by going back to the year that changed everything for both of us.2020 was messy, heartbreaking, confronting, and defining; a year of identity questions, deep grief, unexpected crisis, and moments that reshaped the course of...

Can I download this Unpolished episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!