Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life

Send me a message via text or voicemail!☀️As part of the Hidden Chapters Summer Replay Series, we’re revisiting conversations that shaped the heart of this podcast,  stories that continue to reflect the themes introduced in the Season 3 bridge trailer.Original Shownotes:What happens when the life you built starts to slowly unravel, not with a crash, but with quiet, unseen shifts?In this episode of Hidden Chapters, Liz Davis shares her journey as a military spouse navigating identity loss, the emotional weight of constant change, and the courageous decision to choose herself and begin again.Liz shares the hidden realities of military family life, the sacrifices, silent struggles, and honest conversations with her kids about what was really happening at home. Beyond the challenges, she invites us into her story of rediscovering self-worth, creating a peaceful home, and launching a new career in financial planning.This isn’t just a story about divorce, it’s about growth, clarity, and hope. Whether or not you’re connected to military life, Liz’s honesty about reinvention, parenting, and reclaiming identity will resonate with anyone facing a season of deep change.A Personal Note from Genevieve:This episode feels a little different, more of a real conversation about struggles Liz and I have both walked through. Having traveled a similar path in my own military marriage, I found myself adding more to this conversation not just as a host, but as someone who truly understands the quiet struggles and hidden chapters many military spouses face. Liz’s story reminded me why it’s so important to speak these truths out loud and choose ourselves, even when it’s hard.This episode is for anyone facing a season of reinvention, questioning who they are outside the roles they’ve carried, and learning that choosing yourself can be the beginning of a more peaceful life.💻 Connect with Liz:📧 Email: [email protected]🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/liz-davis-finance📖  Theme:  Choosing yourself. Burnout. Identity 🔗  Affiliates:  Podmatch.com Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!☀️  As part of the Hidden Chapters Summer Replay Series, we’re revisiting conversations that shaped the heart of this podcast,  stories that continue to reflect the themes introduced in the Season 3 bridge trailer.This week's episode is a deeply relatable conversation about motherhood, expectations, and the emotional weight so many women carry quietly.  It's honest, raw, and unfiltered in a way that makes you feel less alone.  For anyone navigating motherhood and everything it brings with it, this one is for you. Original Shownotes:In this powerful episode of Hidden Chapters, Meg opens up about the unexpected journey of early motherhood. From birth trauma and postpartum depression to parenting a neurodivergent child, she shares the chapters she never saw coming.Meg reflects on how her own childhood shaped the way she parents today and the healing that’s come through therapy, honesty, and doing the hard inner work. We talk openly about unmet expectations, isolation, resentment, and the emotional weight many mothers carry in silence.This conversation is full of truth, hope, and Meg’s deep belief that healing is possible. Even when motherhood looks nothing like you imagined.If you’ve ever felt alone in motherhood, struggled with postpartum mental health, or found yourself grieving the version of parenting you expected, this episode is for you.Connect with Megan:  Want to stay in touch with Meg or learn more about her work and her greeting card company? Check out all of her links and socials. Portia and Pete Greeting Card Company:   www.portiaandpete.etsy.comMegan’s LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/meganmcglynnEmail:  [email protected] the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!☀️ As part of the Hidden Chapters Summer Replay Series, we’re revisiting conversations that shaped the heart of this podcast,  stories that continue to reflect the themes introduced in the Season 3 bridge trailer.☀️This week's Summer Replay conversation explores identity, transition, and what happens when one chapter of life closes and another one begins.  If these topics are something that resonates with your life, this episode with my husband is worth the listen. Original shownotes: In this episode, my husband, Chris joins me to share his journey from Army life to author. We explore the highs and lows of deployments, the challenges of reintegrating into civilian life, and the emotional impact of the Afghanistan withdrawal on veterans.We explore the hidden struggles that service members face: deployments, mental health challenges, and the transition to civilian life.  Chris opens up about the lessons he’s learned, the power of sharing personal stories, and how storytelling can build connection and understanding for both veterans and their familiesAll the links to connect with Chris: 📚 Purchase "Walking Away From the Ledge" on Amazon:  https://a.co/d/aIIhZxm🔗 FB: Chris Kruger Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!☀️ As part of the Hidden Chapters Summer Replay Series, we’re revisiting conversations that shaped the heart of this podcast, stories that continue to reflect the themes introduced in the Season 3 bridge trailer. ☀️This week we begin where so many stories begin: family. This conversation with my mom is one of the earliest and most meaningful episodes ever recorded.  It's a story about motherhood, sacrifice, generational strength, and the parts of our families we don't always think to ask about until later in life.  Start here. This one holds the foundation! Original Shownote: This first interview episode is deeply personal. It’s not just the beginning of the podcast, it’s a celebration of Mother’s Day, my 45th birthday, and the woman whose quiet strength shaped my life, my mom.For the first time ever, she shares her side of the story. Her journey into motherhood, the unexpected challenges she faced, and the life changing choices she made with courage and love.We talk about the moment she found out she was pregnant with me, the weight of that reality, and the resilience it took to raise me through it all. She opens up about single motherhood, family support, military life, pursuing education as a parent, and the hope that comes with finding love later on.This episode is a tribute to the unseen courage so many women carry, and a reminder that the stories we often keep hidden are the ones that shape us the most.I’m incredibly honored she chose to tell her story here, with me. Thank you for being here for this meaningful beginning.Special Dedication: 🎵 The song that my mom kept for us: “You and me against the world” By Helen Reddy  https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=F34c1Re8k5s&si=_Fz3V7Mm-SiGFdaYSupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!In this bridge trailer, I reflects on the heart of the podcast and the stories shared over three seasons, from military spouses and grieving parents to authors, veterans, and people rebuilding their lives after unexpected change.Hidden Chapters is a space for honest conversations about grief, identity shifts, healing, motherhood, marriage, faith questions, resilience, and starting over. It is a reminder that even the parts of life we tend to hide can hold deep connection and meaning.💛If you are new here, this is a perfect place to begin. You can start anywhere, each conversation stands on its own.Hidden Chapters exists to honor the stories we don’t always see, and to remind you that you are not alone in yours.Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!Hidden Chapters Season 3 Finale +  One Year Anniversary Reflection 🎉In this Season 3 finale and one-year anniversary episode of Hidden Chapters, I find myself looking back at everything this first year has held.What started as a simple idea to create space for storytelling has grown into something far deeper than I ever expected. Through every conversation, every guest, and every hidden chapter shared, I’ve been changed just as much as the stories I’ve heard.This episode is a reflection on the lessons I didn’t know I was learning along the way, woven together with guest voices from Season 3 that bring those moments back to life in real time.As I reflect on this year, I share three core lessons that have shaped me as both a host and a human: Learning how to listen differently and see people more fully  Realizing I am not starting over, I am starting from experience  Understanding that my voice and my story already hold purpose Throughout this episode, you’ll also hear moments from past guest conversations that helped shape these lessons, including stories of resilience, loss, faith, identity, healing, and transformation.From Adrian’s leadership lesson born from hardship, to Dan’s perspective on what it means to keep going, to Zulma’s reminder that it is never too late to begin again, and Mick and Laura’s reflections on faith, courage, and purpose, each voice adds depth to what this year has meant.This episode is both a reflection and a pause.Because after this season, Hidden Chapters will be taking a short summer break with my family. This space is not ending, it is simply resting and making room for what is next.Behind the scenes, I will be stepping into a new season of growth, exploring new conversations, new guest spaces, and even opportunities beyond the mic.Season 4 is already forming, and when it returns, it will carry everything this first year has taught me forward.Until then, thank you for being part of this journey. For listening. For sharing space with these stories. And for reminding me that stories matter more than we often realize.Audio clips from Season 3 guests:  * Arian Cruz                  Episode 5  : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2463085/episodes/18699538* Dan MacQueen      Episode 12 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2463085/episodes/18952215*Zulma Williams      Episode 4 :https://www.buzzsprout.com/2463085/episodes/18720648*Mick Wienholt       Episode 6 :https://www.buzzsprout.com/2463085/episodes/18856637* Laura Bratton       Episode 7 :https://www.buzzsprout.com/2463085/episodes/18855244Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, start there, it’s the foundation for everything in this episode.🎙️  Episode Summary PART 2In Part 1, Laura Engel shared what happened in 1967: the pregnancy, the unwed mothers’ home in New Orleans, the forced goodbye, and the fifty years of silence that followed. In Part 2, everything changes. In 2016, Laura submitted her DNA to Ancestry.com. A few months later, her firstborn son,  the one she’d been told to forget, actually found her. What followed was five years of reunion: of learning who he had become, of introducing him to family, of filling in the gaps on both sides. And then, in 2021, she lost him again in a way she never saw coming. She almost didn’t publish the book. In this episode, Laura talks about what changed her mind, what her story has meant to the thousands of adoptees and birth mothers who found themselves in its pages, and why she’s still speaking for all the women who can’t yet.🎧  What We Talk About in This EpisodeThe DNA test that changed everything and the moment Laura realized her son had found herWhat the reunion with Richard was like after 49 years apartThe grief of losing Richard in 2021 and what she calls “the most complicated grief I’ve ever lived through”Why she almost pulled the book from publication after he died and what made her say yes📖  Laura's Hidden Chapter MomentAfter Richard died, Laura’s husband Gene said something to her that she couldn’t shake.She told him she wished Richard had never found her. And he said: "don’t ever say that again. Because look what you learned. Look what you got. You loved him. He loved you. And we have three grandchildren we never would have known existed."That’s the hidden chapter in all of this. Not just the shame, not just the grief, but the love that was there the whole time, even in the parts that hurt the most.  🔗 Resources Mentioned:Laura’s memoir: You’ll Forget This Ever Happened by Laura L. Engel: available on Amazon and through She Writes PressLaura’s website and the Family Secrets podcast episode where she first shared her story: lauralengel.comAdoption Knowledge Affiliates: adoptionknowledge.org — education and support across the adoption triadCUB – Concerned United Birthparents: cubirthparents.org — support for birth parentsAdoptee Rights Law Center: adopteerightslaw.com — check your state’s current law on original birth certificate accessISRR – International Soundex Reunion Registry: isrr.org — mutual consent reunion registryDNA Detectives on Facebook — volunteer search angels to help adoptees and birth parents connectAlliance of Hope for Suicide Loss Survivors: allianceofhope.org988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!🎙️  Episode Summary PART 1: Laura Engel was seventeen when she got pregnant, unmarried, in Mississippi in 1967.  Her family sent her to an unwed mothers' home in New Orleans for five months.  She signed papers she didn't want to sign. She then came back home to her parents house and was expected to just keep going on with her life.   She did that...for fifty years.🎧  In Part 1 of our conversation,  Laura shares what her experience of being pregnant, the months living at the home, and what the next fifty years looked like carrying a child she never forgot.  We end on a cliffhanger: the son she had to give away, Jamie, now named Richard, finally found her!  📖 Laura's Hidden Chapter Moment: The pregnancy, the unwed mother home, and giving up her baby, are all parts people can only imagine.  The hidden chapter is what came after.  Laura walked back into her life and nobody every spoke of it again. Not because she'd healed, but because that was how it was supposed to be.  🔗 Resources & LinksInclude these in your episode show notes so listeners who connect with Laura’s story can find support and community:Laura’s Links• Website: lauralengel.com (includes a Starter Guide for finding a lost loved one)• Book: You’ll Forget This Ever Happened available on Amazon and through She Writes Press• First podcast appearance: Dani Shapiro’s Family Secrets — available on Laura’s websiteAdoption & Birth Parent Resources• CUB (Concerned United Birthparents): cubirthparents.org — support for birth parents• Adoption Knowledge Affiliates: adoptionknowledge.org — education and advocacy across the adoption triad• ISRR (International Soundex Reunion Registry): isrr.org — mutual consent reunion registry• DNA Detectives (Facebook group) — volunteer search angels to help adoptees and birth parents connect• Adoptee Rights Law Center: adopteerightslaw.com — advocacy for open original birth certificatesFor Adoptees Seeking Records• Many states are gradually opening access — check your state’s current law at adopteerightslaw.com/map• Ancestry.com and 23andMe DNA testing remain powerful tools for connectionGrief & Suicide Loss Resources• Alliance of Hope for Suicide Loss Survivors: allianceofhope.org• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsp.org  |  Crisis line: 988Podmatch.com Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!🎙️ Episode Summary:  At 28, Dan MacQueen was living his best life in London- working in tech, traveling in Europe on weekends, active and untethered.  Then a string of worsening headaches led to an optometrist appointment that uncovered a dangerous buildup of pressure in his brain caused by a non-cancerous cyst.  What followed was emergency brain surgery, a massive brain hemorrhage on the operating table, and four weeks in a medically induced coma.  When Dan woke up, he couldn't walk, couldn't talk, and had lost significant weight and muscle.  He spent months relearning the basics, speech, movement, balance, before slowly rebuilding his life.  Then in 2015, just as he was finding his footing again, a second brain surgery set him all the way back to the beginning.  In this conversation, Dan talks about what recovery actually looked like from the inside. The nights in the ICU when the silence gave way to fear. The small victories that kept him moving forward.  The discipline he built when motivation wasn't enough. And the mindset shifts that turned some of his hardest moments into his greatest lessons. Today,  Dan is a speaker who brings those lessons to teams and organizations around the world and he's still navigating the effects of his brain injury a decade later.  📖 Dan's Hidden Chapter Dan's hidden chapter wasn't a single turning point.  It was a decision he made over and over again when no one was watching: the decision not to let go. Not in the ICU. Not in the rehab center at three in the morning.  Not after the second setback brought him all the way back to the beginning. Each time, he made the same quiet choice to keep going. To take the next step even when the road ahead wasn't clear. What makes that remarkable isn't that Dan is extraordinary. It's that he'd be the first to tell you he isn't. His brain scans came back average.  And he carries that like a badge of honor because if an average person can do this, the rest of us have fewer excuses than we we think.  💛  Why this episode matters and who needs to hear itThis episode is for anyone in the middle of something hard who isn't sure they have what it takes to get through it. It's for the person who has already overcome one thing and just got hit again. It's for anyone who relies too heavily on motivation and keeps waiting to feel ready. And it's for the person who needs permission to stop controlling the things they can't control and start moving on the things they can.You don't need a brain hemorrhage to need this conversation,  but if Dan got through his, you might just be able to get through yours.Resources and MentionsThe Boy, the Fox, the Horse and the Mole — Charlie MungerEpictetus — Stoic philosopher, "It's not what happens to you but how you think about it that matters"Iron Mike Tyson — "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth"Rich Roll — "Follows action"Tim Ferriss — "Win the morning, win the day"Whoop Strap — strain and recovery tracker Dan uses dailyConnect with Dan MacQueen🌐 www.macqueendan.comSupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!🎙️  Episode SummaryWhat does real inclusion actually look beyond good intentions and surface level awareness? In this episode, I get to sit down with educator, author, and accessibility advocate Jenna Udenberg, founder of Above and Beyond with U, for an honest conversation about disability, ableism, and what true advocacy requires.Jenna shares her experience living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and unpacks the realities that often go unseen, including the pressure to be labeled “inspiring,” the complexity within disability culture, and the emotional weight of navigating a world that wasn’t built with accessibility in mind.We talk about the difference between performative inclusion and real, lived inclusion, and the deeper internal work it takes to recognize and dismantle ableism in our everyday lives.This conversation invites you to rethink accessibility, challenge your assumptions, and consider what it really means to see people fully. 📖 Jenna’s Hidden ChapterJenna’s hidden chapter is the part of her story before she had the language to understand her own identity.It’s the years of navigating a world that didn’t fully see or reflect her experience. Before discovering disability culture. Before realizing she didn’t have to earn belonging by being palatable, agreeable, or “inspiring.”That chapter led her to a pivotal moment of self-recognition, where she could finally look at herself and see her whole identity clearly. That truth now shapes the work she does and the way she shows up in advocacy.🎧  Who This Episode Is ForIt’s for educators, parents, advocates, and leaders who want to move beyond performative inclusion and step into something more honest and impactful.It’s for those living with chronic illness or disability who are still navigating what it means to fully embrace their identity.And it’s for anyone willing to sit with discomfort, reflect honestly, and do the deeper work of understanding themselves and others.You don’t have to have a disability to be part of this conversation.Resources MentionedJenna's Memoir: Within My Spokes — available on AmazonAbove and Beyond with U (Nonprofit): aboveandbeyondwithu.orgDisability Culture Resources: disabilityculture.orgConnect with Jenna🌐 aboveandbeyondwithu.org Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!🎙️  Episode SummaryDivorce doesn't just end a marriage, it unravels an identity. In this episode, I sits down with Brenda Bridges, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, coach, and author of Sh!t, I'm Getting Divorced, for a conversation that goes well beneath the legal paperwork and into the emotional terrain most people aren't prepared for.Brenda shares her own hidden chapter, the slow unraveling of a long-term marriage, the identity loss that came with it, and how navigating that season without the right support eventually became her calling. She talks honestly about the social dynamics of divorce, the grief that often goes unacknowledged, the ways faith communities sometimes fall short, and why having non-judgmental support isn't a luxury, it's a lifeline.This is a conversation about what divorce actually feels like from the inside, and what it looks like to come through it with dignity and grace.📖 Brenda's Hidden Chapter MomentBrenda’s hidden chapter lived in the space between what looked fine and what felt off. It was a slow internal shift that did not announce itself loudly, but quietly changed how she saw her life, her marriage, and even herself.She kept moving through it while trying to make sense of feelings she could not yet name, carrying the weight of something private while still showing up in a life that looked unchanged from the outside.What she could not see then is that this season would eventually reshape her entirely. It would become the foundation for how she understands people now, especially those standing in the middle of something they cannot yet explain.🎙️ This Episode Is For:This one is for the person quietly questioning what is happening in their marriage, or already standing in the reality of its ending and not sure how to move forward from here.It’s for anyone carrying a grief they cannot easily explain to the people around them, and for the friends who want to show up well but don’t always know what to say.It’s also for the ones who have already made it through a hard ending and are now sitting in the unfamiliar space of rebuilding who they are.Resources MentionedBrenda's Website: brendasupport.comBrenda's Book: Sh!t, I'm Getting Divorced — available on AmazonSupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!🎙️  Episode 9 SummaryWhat happens when the life you built around being busy suddenly stops?For Chip Scholz, that answer came in the form of a stroke. One morning in Jacksonville, Florida, a man who had spent over a decade coaching leaders, logging 200 nights a year in hotels, and billing into the seven figures, woke up and couldn't find his words.In this episode Chip shares what it took to rebuild,  physically, mentally, and professionally and what he discovered about himself on the other side of a life that had been running at full speed for far too long.🎧  What we Talk about in this Episode: What life looked like running a seven figure business on five hours of sleep a nightThe morning of the stroke and why he kept going longer than he should haveThe physical recovery, relearning to walk, read, and think clearlyHow his coaching framework became something he finally had to live instead of just teachHow woodturning became an unexpected part of rebuilding his purpose📖 Chip's Hidden Chapter MomentChip spent years teaching leaders how to lead themselves. The stroke forced him to actually do it.He said it plainly, "you can't lead others until you can lead yourself. And by the way, I didn't either." The framework he had been teaching for years didn't become real to him until everything stopped. 🔗  ResourcesChip's website and coaching: https://scholzandassociates.com/Chip's reading list:  https://scholzandassociates.com/whats-chip-reading/New book: Every Dog Has Its Day: Reflections on Life, Love, and the Lathe https://scholzandassociates.com/chips-books/Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!🎙️  Episode Summary Noah May has been navigating anxiety and depression since age 12. In this episode, he opens up about his mental health journey, the coping strategies that have helped him, and how podcasting became a meaningful outlet for connection, expression, and growth. From his early struggles to finding community and purpose, Noah shares what it’s really like to live with these challenges while pursuing his passions.🎧  What We Talk About in This Episode: Noah’s personal experience with anxiety and depression from a young ageHow medication and supportive relationships helped him manage mental healthHow he discovered podcasting as a way to process, connect, and share with othersAdvice for teens, parents, and anyone supporting someone with anxiety or depression📖  Noah's Hidden Chapter Moment Noah shares a deeply personal insight about living with anxiety and depression and how podcasting became a form of therapy and purpose for him. His “hidden chapter” is not a cure but a journey of managing, coping, and thriving despite ongoing mental health challenges. He encourages openness, finding a supportive community, and being vocal about your struggles instead of suffering in silence.🔗  Resources & MentionsNoah’s Podcasts: https://noahspodcasts.com/🎙️ Lethal Venom — Noah's flagship podcast, now over 100 episodes. Focuses on truth-telling, mental health, serious real-life topics, and honest conversations. The name comes from the idea that truth, like venom, can be lethal — it can sting when we hear it, but it's necessary. 📚 Southern Reads — A book-focused podcast that originated as a class pitch during Noah's journalism program at Auburn University. 🎵 Music Talks — Based on a college paper Noah wrote exploring how music speaks to people in different ways. Music Mentioned:Sweetener album by Ariana Grande – a meaningful album in Noah’s mental health journeySupport & Mental Health Resources:National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)Crisis Text LineSupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!🎙️ Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode, Laura Bratton shares her journey of losing her sight at a young age and how she navigated anxiety, grief, and depression while learning to embrace life on new terms. From her earliest memories of uncertainty to the lessons she’s still learning today, Laura opens up about the slow, ongoing process of emotional healing and how faith, family, and friendships shaped her resilience. This is a conversation about acknowledging grief, finding purpose, and living fully, even in ways the world might not see.🎧  What We Talked About In This EpisodeThe emotional and mental impact of vision loss during adolescenceCoping with grief, anxiety, and depression over timeThe role of supportive family, friends, and mentors in her journeyRelearning everyday life and adjusting physically and emotionallyHow faith transformed from a cultural practice to a personal connectionThe principle of “grit and gratitude” and living fully despite limitations📖  Laura's Hidden Chapter MomentLaura shares a powerful lesson from a mentor: grief is not a box to check. She learned it’s possible to continue grieving what’s lost while also moving forward and embracing life. This mindset allows her to experience life fully, whether cheering at her stepdaughter’s soccer game or celebrating her niece’s milestones, without being consumed by what she can’t see.🔗 Resources & MentionsLaura Bratton’s Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0h6akn3UWebsite & Speaking Info: Laura Bratton🔗 🎙️🎧 Laura and I connected with Podmatch.com https://www.joinpodmatch.com/genevievekrugerSupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!🎙️  Episode SummaryIn this deeply moving episode, Mick shares his journey of navigating unimaginable grief after the loss of his son, the raw and authentic prayers that sustained him, and how his faith in God has transformed over 14 years. Mick also opens up about building his podcast from the ground up without financial compensation, trusting God every step of the way. From heartbreak to hope, and from uncertainty to purpose, this episode is a testament to how faith, family, and persistence can turn pain into blessing🎧 What we talk about in this episode:Learning to pray authentically and be fully raw with GodMick’s faith journey: from early struggles to deep trust and spiritual growthExperiencing God’s provision, guidance, and blessings through life’s challengesStarting and growing a podcast without pay while trusting God for provisionLessons on faith, perseverance, and trusting God even when circumstances make no logical sense📖  Mick's Hidden Chapter Moment Mick's hidden chapter is the long stretch between January 4, 2012 and March 2025 :the years most people never saw. The grief of losing his son. A miscarriage. The quiet rebuilding of a faith that started on his knees in a hospital hallway. It's the savings account meant for a mortgage that became a year of provision, and the job offer that fell through in a way that could only be described as God. The three words, sit, wait, and trust that asked him to trust completely before he had any reason on paper to do so. The hidden chapter is where God was building something Mick couldn't see yet. And everything visible now grew from what happened in that invisible season.🔗  Resources & Mentions: "The Awe of God" by John BevereEphesians 2:10, Luke 6:46, Matthew 6:26"When You Look Podcast", Episode 33 - Mick's full testimony🔗 🎙️🎧 Mick and I connected with Podmatch.com https://www.joinpodmatch.com/genevievekruger📩 Connect with Mick: Mick is the host of the When You Look podcast. Website: whenyoulook.comPodmatch.com Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!Episode SummaryTwenty four years ago, Adrian sat in my high school English classroom. He was quiet. Thoughtful. The kind of student who did not demand attention, but was always paying attention. I do not think either of us could have imagined where life would take him.Today, he is an Air Force ROTC commander and instructor at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, leading and mentoring the next generation of Air Force and Space Force cadets.But there is a chapter in between those two versions of Adrian that most people never saw.After 9/11, he felt pulled toward military service, searching for purpose and direction. He became a pilot. He deployed. He stepped into leadership. And in one defining deployment, no one showed up when he left and no one checked in when he returned. In an environment that expects strength and steadiness, he carried that weight quietly.In this conversation, we talk about what it feels like to grow up unseen, the pressure to hold it together when others are depending on you, and the moment that changed the way he leads. Adrian made a decision that day. If he ever had the opportunity to lead others, he would not let them walk through major moments alone.Now, as an instructor and commander, that commitment shapes the way he mentors this generation.This episode is about the moments that mark us, the responsibility that comes with leadership, and the choice to show up differently because of what you once needed yourself.The Hidden Chapter MomentAdrian’s hidden chapter was not just the deployment itself. It was what surrounded it, or more accurately, what didn’t.No one checked in before he left. No one reached out when he came home. In a role where you are expected to be steady and strong, he quietly carried that experience by himself.That moment stayed with him. Not in a bitter way, but in a clarifying way. He decided that if he ever had the responsibility of leading others, he would pay attention to those moments. He would not let someone walk through something significant and feel invisible. Now, as a commander and instructor, that decision still guides him. The way he shows up. The way he checks in. The way he leads.Resources and Mentions:🇺🇸  The LMU Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) : https://academics.lmu.edu/afrotc/📩 Email: [email protected] the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!🎙️ Episode SummaryAt 42, Zulma walked into a classroom with determination and a clear sense of who she was. At 46, just two months after graduation, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. At 50, she chose to pursue her master’s degree and begin again. At 60, she chose her mind, body, and soul and moved to Panama to build a life aligned with freedom.But between those milestones lies a hidden chapter.In this episode, Zulma shares what it was like to face a breast cancer diagnosis in midlife while remaining grounded in her strength. She takes us into the quiet reality of treatment, the hard days when strength did not feel strong, and the decision to return to Argentina to focus on healing before rebuilding her life.We talk about what it means to start over after breast cancer, to listen to your body instead of pushing through, and to believe in another dream when most people would have slowed down.This is a story about rebuilding your life in midlife. Not because you lost who you were. But because you chose to grow again.What We Talk About in This Episode: • The emotional weight of a breast cancer diagnosis at 46 • The day strength did not feel strong • Letting go of plans to prioritize healing • Listening to your body after survival mode • Becoming a therapist shaped by lived experience • Grief and freedom in a move to Panama • Honoring your internal hero in ordinary lifeThe Hidden Chapter MomentZulma’s hidden chapter was not just the breast cancer diagnosis.It was the season where she had to stop.Where achievement paused.Where plans unraveled.Where her body asked for attention instead of ambition.That moment could have defined her by loss.Instead, it became the turning point where she rebuilt her life in midlife.Rather than rushing back into productivity, she chose healing. Rather than seeing herself as a victim of what she survived, she began to see herself as someone becoming again.Resources and Mentions:🦋 Dragonfly Therapy Serviceswww.dragonflytherapyservices.net🎙️  Host of Keeping It Real with Zulma The Swearing Therapist Podcast📩 Email: [email protected]🔗 🎙️🎧 Zulma and I met from Podmatch.com https://www.joinpodmatch.com/genevievekrugerSupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!🎙️  Episode Summary:This week’s bonus episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how I started Hidden Chapters. From the equipment I use to the platforms that keep everything running, I walk you through my real setup and what works for me.But this episode is not just about microphones and software.It’s about connection.I share how honest conversations have created unexpected reconnections with former students, old friends, and new guests. I talk about the ripple effect of storytelling and how one shared story can quietly inspire someone else to speak up.If you’re curious about starting a podcast or you simply want a behind the mic look at how stories create connection, this episode is for you.💡 In this episode you’ll hear about:My podcast setup from recording to hostingPlatforms I rely on like Buzzsprout, Riverside, and PodMatchThe equipment I personally use including my MacBook Air, Samson Q2U, Focusrite 2i2, and Sony headphonesWhy podcasting is more than just a micThe unexpected ripple effect of sharing your storyThis podcast is not just me talking. It’s a conversation.If this episode sparked something in you, I would love to hear from you. Your story might be the ripple someone else needs. 🔗 Links & Tools I Use (Affiliate Links Where Applicable):Buzzsprout –  https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2406015Riverside –  https://riverside.com/PodMatch – https://www.joinpodmatch.com/genevievekrugerSamson Q2U Microphone – (on Amazon) https://a.co/d/0iXj6kwvFocusrite 2i2 Audio Interface – (on Amazon) https://a.co/d/09ssoNA2Sony Headphones – (on Amazon) https://a.co/d/0ipiyQqvThese are tools I personally use and recommend. If you use these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!Episode Summary: When schools shut down during COVID, learning didn’t just move online. Childhood did too.In this episode of Hidden Chapters, I sits down with Karin Tramm, a retired Department of Defense Education Activity kindergarten teacher and author of 100 Days Smart. Karin shares what it was really like inside a kindergarten classroom when the pandemic hit an American military school in Italy. From teaching five year olds through screens to preserving routine, connection, and emotional safety, Karin offers a rare and honest perspective from the front lines of early childhood education during a global crisis.This conversation explores how children adapted, how parents became co-teachers overnight, and how teachers carried far more than lesson plans. They carried fear, resilience, and the responsibility of helping children feel safe in a world that no longer made sense.What We Talked About in This Episode• What kindergarten classrooms looked like before COVID and why physical connection mattered • How teachers tried to preserve routine, predictability, and emotional safety through screens • The “hidden curriculum” of social skills, community, and emotional regulation • The unique challenges and strengths of military connected families during the pandemicThe Hidden Chapter MomentKarin’s hidden chapter is not just about teaching kindergarten during a pandemic. It’s about what children carried quietly behind screens. The loss of routine. The absence of touch. The confusion of learning emotions without faces, carpets, or closeness. While adults focused on lesson plans and logistics, teachers and parents were holding something much heavier. Fear, grief, adaptability, and hope. This episode reminds us that resilience was being built long before anyone could name it.Resources & Mentions: 🔗 Karin's Website:   https://karintramm.com/🔗  FB: https://www.facebook.com/KarinTramm.author/🔗  IG: @karintramm.author 🔗  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-tramm-23086925a📖 Amazon to purchase her book “100 Days Smart”:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BTS9SR34 Museum of the American Military Family and Podcast: https://militaryfamilymuseum.orgSupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!Privacy Note: Due to the sensitivity of the immigration process, some personal details are intentionally kept private in this conversation, including specific names and circumstances. This was a thoughtful choice made to honor both legal boundaries and personal dignity.Episode Summary: In this episode of Hidden Chapters, I sit down with Rasmus, whose life took an unexpected turn after a decision made years earlier resurfaced during the immigration process. Newly married and now separated from his wife due to circumstances beyond his control, Rasmus shares what it looks like to grow, heal, and stay grounded while living in the waiting.We talk about identity, values, faith, emotional tools, and the importance of not standing still when life feels paused. Rasmus opens up about examining his beliefs, letting go of what he cannot control, and choosing intentional growth even in isolation and uncertainty.This conversation is an honest look at resilience, self-awareness, and how seasons of waiting can quietly shape who we become, while respecting the parts of his story that remain sensitive.What we talked about in this episode:  • How a past decision resurfaced years later and changed the course of his life • Navigating marriage while being physically separated • Examining personal values and learning to live in alignment with them • Tools for growth. Journaling, gratitude, prayer, box breathing, and thought      reframingThe Hidden Chapter Moment :The hidden chapter in Rasmus’s story is not the separation itself. It is what happened internally while everything externally was on hold.Instead of numbing, avoiding, or staying stuck, he chose to look inward. He examined his values, questioned his reactions, leaned into faith, and committed to growth. This season did not define him by what he lost, but by who he was becoming.🔗  Resources and Mentions : • Military Spouse Advocacy Network: https://www.militaryspouseadvocacynetwork.org/ • Foreign Born Military Spouse Network : FMSN LinkTree • Military Spouse Leadership Development Program: https://www.leadershipinstituteformilitaryspouses.org/ 📩 Rasmus email:  [email protected] the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!Episode Summary: This conversation with Alex explores how early, unspoken family trauma shaped her identity, coping patterns, and relationships. A sudden financial collapse during her late teens created instability, emotional suppression, and a belief that strength meant independence and silence. In her twenties, that unprocessed grief showed up as self-sabotage, addiction, unstable relationships, and repeated rock bottoms. Healing began when Alex stopped looking for external fixes and instead faced her internal patterns, especially in romantic relationships. Through therapy, community, and a secure partnership, she learned boundaries, emotional honesty, and the power of connection. Today, she channels her lived experience into advocacy and leadership within military and foreign-born spouse communities, helping others navigate transitions, identity, and belonging.What We Talked About in This Episode: • Unspoken family trauma and emotional suppression• Repeating cycles of self-sabotage• Healing through boundaries and relationships• Why asking for help changes everything• Finding identity through community Alex’s Core Hidden Chapter Moment: The hidden chapter moment was not the financial collapse itself. It was the belief she formed afterward. That she had to be emotionally self-sufficient, unbreakable, and worthy only through achievement. This belief quietly shaped her addictions, relationships, and self-worth for years until she faced it directly.Resources and Mentions: FMSN Foreign Born Military Spouse Network: FMSN Linktree🔗 Alex's FMSN email address is [email protected].🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-pop-apt/📩 Email: [email protected]: Military Spouse Advocacy Network: https://www.militaryspouseadvocacynetwork.org/ Who This Episode Is ForThis episode is for anyone navigating unprocessed trauma, repeated self-sabotage, or major life transitions, especially those learning how emotional healing happens in connection rather than isolation.Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!Hidden Chapters is back for Season 3!! 🎉In this short pre launch episode, I sharing whats coming this season, and reflecting on the quiet, untold stories behind the smiles, the hidden parts of life that shape us, inspire us, and sometimes stop us in our tracks. I talk about why this season feels different, the exciting lineup of guests ahead, and what listeners can expect from these honest, real life conversations.  A little introduction to our first guest, Alex, and a little invitation to join me on Substack for extra reflection and connection.  If you're ever wondered what's behind someone's hidden chapter, this episode is the perfect way to step back in, settle into the season, and get ready for stories that hopefully stay with you. Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!🎙️ Season 2 closes with a heartfelt look back at the stories that shaped Hidden Chapters. This finale brings together powerful moments from Seasons 1 and 2: highlight clips of guests, reflections, and stories that continue to resonate. 🎙️ Highlights include: Jay Smith Pinned but Not Out Season 1 Ep.6 Jillian Delgado The Summit of Strength Season 1 Ep. 3 José Raymundo From Immigrant to Sergeant Major Season 2 Ep.4 Jessica Wright Living through it, Leading from It Season 1 Ep. 7 Laura Lyn Donahue Who Do You Think You Are? Season 2 Ep.2 Christin James Raising Hope after Loss  Season 2 Ep.8Justin Mitchell The Power of Music and Mentorship Season 1 Ep.4Genevieve's  Why Sharing Your Story Matters  Season 2 Ep. 6Jennifer Blankenship When Trust is Broken Season 2 Ep. 5Meg McGlynn What She Didn't Expect Season 1 Ep.8Chris Kruger Walking Away from the Ledge Season 2 Ep.1Lindsay Swoboda Holding on and Letting GoSeason 2 Ep.3 ✨ Why listen? This episode is your opportunity to relive the stories that moved us, reflect on lessons learned, and gain inspiration from voices that have walked through courage, grief, resilience, and hope.Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!In this episode of Hidden Chapters, I sit down with Simona Pappalardo, a global executive turned leadership coach, speaker, and author of Authentically Yours. Born in Milan and having lived in Scotland, Malaysia, and the U.S., Simona shares how every life transition holds hidden chapters waiting to be written.We talk about navigating male-dominated industries, leading with empathy, and learning to trust herself despite doubt. Simona opens up about advocating for others, guiding multicultural teams, and embracing imperfect action in her career and personal life. We also dive into her shift from engineering to coaching, blending cultural traditions, and her deeply personal IVF journey. Her story is a testament to courage, authenticity, and giving yourself permission to shift.This conversation is for anyone looking to embrace change, lead with purpose, and find their authentic voice in every season of life.Fun full circle moment: I met Simona through her editor, Brunella Costagliola, who also worked with past guests Jose Raymundo and Chris Kruger. Her book Authentically Yours launched December 1st, and she once dreamed of it under a Christmas tree, now ready to inspire readers to live authentically.Connect with Simona: 📧  [email protected]🌎  https://coachingwithsimona.com/📖 Purchase "Authentically Yours" on Amazon:   https://a.co/d/3AGB7ocSupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!There is so much to be grateful for this year! ❤️A season to reflect on gratitude and encouragement, shared by voices from Hidden Chapters.As I look back on the past months, I’m filled with appreciation for every story, every conversation, and every person who has joined me, whether as a guest on the mic or as a listener tuning in from across the U.S. and around the world.In this special Hidden Chapters Thanksgiving episode, I share my heartfelt THANK YOU with the help of voices from some of my wonderful guests. They offer reflections on gratitude and little pieces of advice that have inspired them along the way.My hope is that this episode encourages you to pause, reflect on your own journey, and find renewed appreciation for the people, experiences, and stories that have shaped your year.Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for being part of this community! 💛Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!What if the cracks in your life could become your most beautiful part? Inspired by Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, I share how heartbreak, disappointment, and loss can be transformed into strength, light, and beauty.In this solo episode, I reflect on my own hidden chapters, stories from past guests, and what it truly means to be “mended with gold.” If you’ve ever felt broken or unfinished, this episode is for you, a reminder that healing is possible and beauty can emerge from the cracks.Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!I’ve realized that some chapters aren’t hidden because we’re afraid to share them. They’re hidden because we’re still living in them.In this solo episode, I talk about what it’s been like to navigate healing without having everything figured out yet. I share reflections on forgiveness, emotional expression, and why strength without honesty can quietly wear us down.💭 Reflection prompts:• What chapter in your life is still unfolding?• Which emotions are asking to be recognized?Resources mentioned: 🎙️  Ryan Leak Podcast: The Science of Forgiveness https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-science-of-forgiveness/id1523090326?i=1000730370849📖  "21 Day Inner Healing Journey" by Jimmy Evans https://a.co/d/1gEuDBkSupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!Some losses change everything. Other's pile up quietly until you realize you've been carrying more than anyone ever knew.   In this episode, Christin shares her story of losing both parents in high school, navigating her brother's addiction and incarceration and learning how to build a life rooted in faith, boundaries, and hope.  What looks steady from the outside was shaped by grief, hard decisions, and a deep trust that God could hold what she couldn't. We follow her through military life at Fort Rucker and Colorado, where a rough command season collided with family challenges and early signs of her daughter’s special needs. Christin became the guide she wished she had helping new Army spouses learn the real language of aviation and how clear expectations can protect a marriage. She also reflects on her time as a military spouses, sharing the challenges, joys, and the supportive power of community, especially through her volunteer work with Operation Deploy Your Dress, a program that uplifts military spouses.At the heart of this episode is motherhood and advocacy. Christin shares her daughter’s adoption story, the moment ADHD changed everything, and how early intervention, speech therapy, and occupational therapy made a real difference. She’s honest about public meltdowns, the courage it takes to medicate when needed, and helping her daughter find independence through sports and routines. Now in education, she keeps her library as a safe space for students who need a reset—a reminder that empathy can be taught, practiced, and passed on.If you’re carrying loss, parenting through uncertainty, or supporting someone with special needs, Christin’s story is full of hope and gentle challenges: believe in tomorrow, set boundaries that protect your home, and trust that beauty can grow from ashes. Listen, share it with a friend who needs courage, and subscribe for more hidden chapters worth hearing.❤️ Connect with Christin:📬  Email: [email protected]👗 Operation Deploy Your Dress information: https://operationdeployyourdress.org/Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!I told people I was fine for years. The truth was, pretending came at a cost I didn’t understand yet.In this solo episode, I share a season I don’t talk about often. The years I spent teaching while quietly questioning my purpose, failing my Praxis exams (8 times), and believing the lie that I wasn’t enough. I wore the mask well, but underneath it, I was exhausted and unsure of who I really was.This episode is about what it felt like to keep that mask on and what finally helped me take it off. I talk honestly about self-doubt, the pressure to prove myself, and how Scripture slowly reshaped the story I was telling myself.This isn’t about Halloween costumes. It’s about the real masks we wear to survive seasons we don’t understand yet.If you’ve ever said “I’m fine” when you weren’t, or felt disconnected from who God created you to be, this conversation is an invitation to unmask gently and remember the truth about who you are.____________________________🗒️  Resources talked about in the episode: ❤️💙💚💛 Insights Discovery Assessment: https://www.insights.com/us/🎙️  Mel Robbins Podcast Episode 329 with Dr.Todd Rose https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-one-research-study-will-change-how-you-think-about/id1646101002?i=1000728615600 📖 Scriptures mentioned: Romans 12:2 Ephesians 6:112 Corinthians 10:5Psalm 139:14Psalm 119:9-16Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!Note✨: This episode is a live stage recording and may sound different than studio episodes.What happens when the story you’ve been carrying quietly finally asks to be spoken out loud?In this special episode of Hidden Chapters, I’m sharing my very first live stage talk from the Military Influencer Conference. This is the raw, unfiltered version of my story. No studio. No edits. Just truth.I talk openly about life as a retired military spouse, navigating grief, identity loss, and the long, often unseen journey that eventually led to the creation of the Hidden Chapters podcast. I share how storytelling became part of my own healing and why the stories we keep hidden often shape us the most.During the talk, I invited the audience to share one word that describes their own hidden chapter. That moment turned into a powerful reminder that none of us are as alone as we think.This episode is for anyone who has ever questioned whether their story matters, struggled to find their voice, or felt caught between who they were and who they’re becoming. Sometimes healing doesn’t start in the quiet. Sometimes it starts when we speak.Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!What do you do when the life you thought you knew is turned upside down?In this deeply personal conversation, Jennifer Blankenship joins me to share her journey navigating betrayal after discovering her husband’s long-term affair and hidden family. As a retired, divorced military spouse, Jennifer opens up about the complexities of narcissistic trauma bonds, and the courage it takes to reclaim her identity while protecting her family.Faith became her anchor during this season of life, guiding her healing, helping her process grief, and giving her strength to step into her next chapter. She also shares the transformative power of self-publishing her memoir, the lessons learned through sharing her story, and her desire to support others facing similar struggles.This conversation is for anyone who has experienced betrayal, loss, or the challenge of rediscovering themselves. Jennifer’s story is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest chapters, hope, faith, and personal transformation can guide us to a new beginning.Connect with Jennifer Blankenship: 📖  You can purchase Jennifer's book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/7KWQQmB🔗  Reflecting His Heart Ministries: https://reflectinghisheartministries.com/📬  You can send Jennifer a message at: [email protected] Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!From arriving in the U.S. without speaking a word of English to rising through the ranks to become a Sergeant Major, Jose Raymundo’s journey is a remarkable story of resilience, courage, and transformation.In this episode, Jose, author of Brave New Horizons, shares the hidden chapters behind his military career, the quiet struggles few ever saw, and the courage it took to tell his story. He opens up about the challenges of being an immigrant in the military, the emotional weight of service, and the lessons learned through counseling, mentorship, and self-reflection.We also explore the transition from military to civilian life, reconnecting with family, and finding purpose beyond the uniform. Jose’s story is a powerful reminder that behind every uniform is a human story and sharing those stories can bring hope, light, and encouragement to others walking a similar path.Connect with Jose Raymundo:FB Author Page: Jose F Raymundo – Author 📖 You can purchase Jose's book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/j7El8lb Email José:    📧 [email protected]  📧  [email protected] the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!What do you do when everything that once defined you begins to shift?In this heartfelt conversation, Lindsay Swoboda joins me to share her journey navigating life after her husband’s military retirement. From launching her first book to balancing her identity as a writer, wife, and woman in transition, Lindsay opens up about the hidden challenges behind reinventing yourself. Together, we explore the tension between holding on and letting go and how relationships change. Lindsay also shares the emotional weight of identity shifts and the courage it takes to keep showing up through uncertainty. This conversation is for anyone who has felt caught between where they’ve been and where they’re headed. It’s a reminder that change doesn’t erase you—it reveals who you’re becoming.Recommended Reads: Nicole Gulotta "Wild Words": https://www.nicolemgulotta.com/Stephanie Duncan Smith Substack Slant Letter "What Publishing Can and Cannot Do For You" Anne Lamott "Bird by Bird" quotes Barbara Brown Taylor: https://barbarabrowntaylor.com/Connect with Lindsay: IG: @lindsay.swo  www.instagram.com/lindsay.swo/Substack: The Eleven O'Clock Number | Lindsay Swoboda | SubstackLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lindsayswoEmail: [email protected] the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!Who we are isn’t something we figure out once, it’s something we keep discovering.In this episode, Laura Lyn Donahue joins me to talk about authenticity, identity, and growth through life's changing seasons. Drawing from her book and personal experiences, Who Do You Think You Are?, Laura Lyn discusses how our sense of self shifts with time, how to embrace uncertainty instead of fearing it, and why change can be one of our greatest teachers.This conversation is a reminder that discovering yourself is an ongoing journey, and every chapter, no matter how challenging, can bring insight, courage, and clarity.All the links and ways to connect with Laura Lyn: 📧 Email: [email protected] 🔗 IG: @itslauralyn_author🔗 FB: itslauralyn_author📬  Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/lauralyndonahue🔗 LinkedIn: Laura Lyn Donahue📚  Purchase Laura Lyn's book (non-Amazon): https://books.by/w-brand-publishing#who-do-you-think-you-areSupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!Kicking off Season 2 🎉 In this first episode of Hidden Chapters Season 2, my husband, Chris joins me to share his journey from Army life to author. We explore the highs and lows of deployments, the challenges of reintegrating into civilian life, and the emotional impact of the Afghanistan withdrawal on veterans.We explore the hidden struggles that service members face: deployments, mental health challenges, and the transition to civilian life.  Chris opens up about the lessons he’s learned, the power of sharing personal stories, and how storytelling can build connection and understanding for both veterans and their families.This conversation kicks off Season 2 with a reminder that the stories behind the uniform matter and that every chapter, even the hardest, can offer insight, growth, and hope.All the links to connect with Chris: 📚 Purchase "Walking Away From the Ledge" on Amazon:  https://a.co/d/aIIhZxm🔗 FB: Chris Kruger 🗒️ Substack: https://substack.com/@theaccidentalauthorSupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!🎉 YOU all did it!! 1,000 downloads worldwide! 🌍In this special behind-the-mic update, I’m celebrating this milestone and sharing a heartfelt thank you to listeners from the U.S., Canada, Singapore, Trinidad & Tobago, Nigeria, Germany, and beyond. 💛 Every download, share, and moment of connection has helped Hidden Chapters grow, and I'm so grateful for each of you. This episode is all about gratitude, connection, and celebrating community.  Whether you've been here since the beginning or just discovered the show, this is for you. ✨ Connect with Hidden Chapters: 🎤 Leave a message on Speakpipe:  https://www.speakpipe.com/HiddenChapters ☕ Support the podcast on Buy Me a Coffee:  https://buymeacoffee.com/hiddenchapters 📖 Check out Chris’s book Walking Away from the Ledge: Purchase on AmazonUntil the next chapter, thank you for being here and for being part of this journey. Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!🎉 Season 1 Finale: Behind the Mic of Hidden ChaptersIn this recap, I’m sharing the lessons, surprises, and hidden moments from Season 1. From behind-the-scenes insights to the stories that moved me the most, we reflect on why Hidden Chapters matters and what comes next in Season 2.Stick around until the end for a special hidden blooper moment!What You’ll Learn from This Season 1 Recap: • Starting a podcast takes patience, creativity, and behind-the-scenes effort. • Taking breaks allows for growth, reflection, and recharging creatively. • Hidden layers shape our experiences and how we see the world. • Sharing our stories connects, heals, and inspires others. • Brave choices move us closer to authenticity and transformation. • Podcasting allows for deeper conversations than social media ever could.Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, start here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2463085/episodes/17433468In Part 2 of Mollie’s journey, we explore what comes after survival. After the heartbreak of losing her first husband, Mollie shares how she slowly rebuilt her life, rediscovered love, and leaned on faith to guide her through deep change.From step-parenting to honoring the past while embracing the future, Mollie’s story is a powerful example of second chances, resilience, and finding joy after loss.This episode is for anyone navigating grief, blending families, or looking to reclaim hope and purpose after life’s hardest chapters. Mollie shows us that light can return without erasing the past and that rebuilding is possible with courage, faith, and intention.💌 Contact Mollie if her story resonated with you:FB: Mollie Hamiltonhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1CF3c1cMVj/?mibextid=wwXIfr🎧 A big shoutout to Zach King for jumping in and helping me clean up the audio on this episode, Part 1 and Liz Davis' story. So grateful for his help behind the scenes.Connect with Zach:  [email protected] of YouTube: Winter Wolf Den Podcast:  FrostCasthttps://www.youtube.com/@winterwolfsdenSupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!*Note: You might notice a little echo in parts of this conversation.  Podcasting isn't always perfect, and while I did my very best in post editing, some audio echos and quicks couldn't be fully fixed.  Thanks for your grace and for sticking with it. Mollie's story is truly worth hearing! In this Part 1 conversation, Mollie shares the heartbreaking story of losing her first husband, Ashley, and the shockwave of grief that followed. She reflects on their life together, the suddenness of his death, and the way loss reshaped everything for her and their son, Colton.Mollie speaks honestly about the early days of widowhood. The numbness, the overwhelm, and the faith questions that surfaced in her darkest chapter. This episode centers on survival. Learning how to breathe, how to show up for her child, and how to keep going when life no longer looks recognizable.This is a raw and tender conversation about grief in its earliest form and the strength it takes to simply endure.Contact Mollie if her story resonated with you: FB: Mollie Hamiltonhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1CF3c1cMVj/?mibextid=wwXIfr🎧 A big shoutout to Zach King for jumping in and helping me clean up the audio on this episode, Part 1 and Liz Davis' story. So grateful for his help behind the scenes. Connect with Zach:  [email protected] of YouTube: Winter Wolf Den Podcast:  FrostCast https://www.youtube.com/@winterwolfsdenhttps://www.youtube.com/@winterwolfsden/podcastsSupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!In this heartfelt episode of Hidden Chapters, Melissa shares her journey through grief after losing her twin brother, Grant, and the unexpected way his loss transformed her life.Grant was the bubbly one, the encourager, the light in every room. Melissa often called herself “the mean one,” the twin who got them into trouble. But when Grant passed, something shifted. His joy became her legacy.Melissa opens up about their unbreakable twin bond, the devastation of sudden loss, and how faith, grief, and love have shaped the way she now lives with intention, joy, and an open heart to serve others.This isn’t just a story about loss. It’s a story about choosing joy alongside grief, honoring the people we love, and learning how to carry their light forward in our own lives.Contact Melissa: 📧 Email:  [email protected] 🔗 LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-thicklin-26858752?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!What happens when the life you built starts to slowly unravel, not with a crash, but with quiet, unseen shifts?In this episode of Hidden Chapters, Liz Davis shares her journey as a military spouse navigating identity loss, the emotional weight of constant change, and the courageous decision to choose herself and begin again.Liz shares the hidden realities of military family life, the sacrifices, silent struggles, and honest conversations with her kids about what was really happening at home. Beyond the challenges, she invites us into her story of rediscovering self-worth, creating a peaceful home, and launching a new career in financial planning.This isn’t just a story about divorce, it’s about growth, clarity, and hope. Whether or not you’re connected to military life, Liz’s honesty about reinvention, parenting, and reclaiming identity will resonate with anyone facing a season of deep change.A Personal Note from Genevieve: This episode feels a little different, more of a real conversation about struggles Liz and I have both walked through. Having traveled a similar path in my own military marriage, I found myself adding more to this conversation not just as a host, but as someone who truly understands the quiet struggles and hidden chapters many military spouses face. Liz’s story reminded me why it’s so important to speak these truths out loud and choose ourselves, even when it’s hard.This episode is for anyone facing a season of reinvention, questioning who they are outside the roles they’ve carried, and learning that choosing yourself can be the beginning of a more peaceful life.💻 Connect with Liz: 📧 Email: [email protected] 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/liz-davis-financeSupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!In this powerful episode of Hidden Chapters, Meg opens up about the unexpected journey of early motherhood. From birth trauma and postpartum depression to parenting a neurodivergent child, she shares the chapters she never saw coming.Meg reflects on how her own childhood shaped the way she parents today and the healing that’s come through therapy, honesty, and doing the hard inner work. We talk openly about unmet expectations, isolation, resentment, and the emotional weight many mothers carry in silence.This conversation is full of truth, hope, and Meg’s deep belief that healing is possible. Even when motherhood looks nothing like you imagined.If you’ve ever felt alone in motherhood, struggled with postpartum mental health, or found yourself grieving the version of parenting you expected, this episode is for you.Connect with Megan:  Want to stay in touch with Meg or learn more about her work and her greeting card company? Check out all of her links and socials. Portia and Pete Greeting Card Company:   www.portiaandpete.etsy.comMegan’s LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/meganmcglynnEmail:  [email protected] the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!What happens when grief becomes part of your story at a young age?In this episode of Hidden Chapters, I talk with Jessica Wright, a life and career development coach, about her journey through grief, self discovery, and leadership.Jessica shares what it was like losing her mother to cancer at just 11 years old and how that loss shaped the empathetic leader she is today. We talk about self awareness, the impact of inner saboteurs, and how our hardest chapters can influence how we lead, connect, and show up in the world.Jessica emphasizes the power of choice. Choosing how we respond to our experiences, how we embrace our hidden stories, and how we allow pain to shape us with empathy rather than define us.This episode is for anyone learning how to lead, grow, or show up with more compassion after loss.Contact Jessica: 📧 One on One Leadership Coaching: https://www.jessicawright.online/🔗LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/wrightlife?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=🗒️  Take your saboteur assessment: https://lnkd.in/g-WMmF2qSupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!What happens when life throws punches harder than the wrestling ring ever could?In this episode of Hidden Chapters, I’m catching up with Jay Smith, who was actually one of my students when I was a first year teacher back in 2002. Fast forward 20 plus years, and Jay is an Army veteran, professional wrestler, dad, and someone who has walked through divorce, anger, and some really hard seasons.We talk about what it’s like to fight for a marriage that doesn’t make it, how divorce shifts everything, learning to co parent well with an ex, and how wrestling became more than just a sport. It became a way to release anger and process emotions he had spent years suppressing.Jay opens up about the walls he built, the resentment he carried, and what it’s taken to slowly break those walls down. After years of serving in the military and walking through one of the darkest seasons of his life, he has learned how to choose growth, patience, and joy, even when life doesn’t go as planned.This episode is a reminder that even when life pins you down, resilience is built one step at a time and finding the good is still possible. 💬 Jay's Words That Stay With Us:“It was my darkest time in my life.”“Always hunt the good stuff.”“Be patient with yourself.” 🔗 Resources & Links:Connect with Jay Smith on IG: @jay5mashthemat Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!What does it look like to move from silence and fear to strength and healing?In this heartfelt episode of Hidden Chapters, I sit down with my longtime friend Stephanie as she shares her journey of trusting God through the healing process after an abusive marriage.Stephanie opens up about finding her voice, navigating single motherhood, learning to set healthy boundaries, and discovering unexpected support through her church and close friendships.Her story is a reminder that healing is possible, your voice matters, and you are never alone. This episode offers hope to anyone feeling stuck, afraid, or unsure of their next step.Stephanie's words that stay with us: •    "Your voice matters."•    "You're never stuck."•    "It felt empowering." To contact Stephanie : 📧  : [email protected] the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!How do you find purpose when life starts with hardship?In this episode of Hidden Chapters, Justin shares his journey from growing up with very little to discovering hope, faith, and purpose through music and mentorship.Justin opens up about how his faith deepened through his relationship with his wife, the role mentors played in shaping his life, and how writing Christian music became a way to heal and pour into others.Guided by one powerful question, “What’s the one thing I can do right now to make the biggest impact in this relationship?” Justin’s story reminds us that purpose often grows out of pain and that mentorship and creativity can lead to lasting transformation.This episode is for anyone searching for meaning, encouragement, or a clearer sense of purpose. The ONE Thing:  The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller https://a.co/d/6HzIhMb Contact Justin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mitchell-a3979a2a8?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_appFacebook:  Justin Mitchell Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!What does it really take to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and overcome self doubt?In this episode of Hidden Chapters, Jillian shares her journey of adventure, perseverance, and inner strength as she takes on one of the world’s most iconic mountains.Guided by the phrase “pole pole” slowly, slowly, Jillian reflects on the quiet struggles, mental endurance, and personal growth that unfolded during the climb.This episode is a reminder that the greatest summits aren’t always visible. They are the inner transformations we experience when we do hard things.Jillian’s life is full of adventure, fun, and embracing the journey whether she’s climbing mountains or traveling the world with her husband, checking off every escape room they can find. 🔗Follow her on social media: Facebook: Bucket List Escapes (Jillian Delgado) Instagram:  @escapoholics Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!Welcome to the official launch of Hidden Chapters!🎉This first interview episode is deeply personal. It’s not just the beginning of the podcast, it’s a celebration of Mother’s Day, my 45th birthday, and the woman whose quiet strength shaped my life, my mom.For the first time ever, she shares her side of the story. Her journey into motherhood, the unexpected challenges she faced, and the life changing choices she made with courage and love.We talk about the moment she found out she was pregnant with me, the weight of that reality, and the resilience it took to raise me through it all. She opens up about single motherhood, family support, military life, pursuing education as a parent, and the hope that comes with finding love later on.This episode is a tribute to the unseen courage so many women carry, and a reminder that the stories we often keep hidden are the ones that shape us the most.I’m incredibly honored she chose to tell her story here, with me. Thank you for being here for this meaningful beginning.Special Dedication: The song that my mom kept for us:   “You and me against the world” By Helen Reddy   https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=F34c1Re8k5s&si=_Fz3V7Mm-SiGFdaYSupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!Welcome to Hidden Chapters, a podcast about the parts of our stories we rarely share, the quiet struggles, the unexpected turns, and the strength we discover along the way.This short trailer is an invitation, not to have it all figured out, but to begin listening when the moment feels right.Each episode of Hidden Chapters holds honest conversations about resilience, healing, identity, and navigating seasons of change. Through real stories, including my own, we explore what it means to grow through life’s unseen chapters and find hope in places we never expected.You may notice this episode isn’t perfect, and that’s intentional. I’m learning as I go, choosing heart over polish, and trusting that authenticity matters more than perfection.If you’ve ever felt unseen, overwhelmed, or quietly rebuilding, this space is for you. I’m so grateful you’re here, and I can’t wait to turn the page together.Support the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay

Send me a message via text or voicemail!Every person has a story—one that’s shaped by struggles, turning points, and moments of resilience. But some of the most powerful stories remain untold, tucked away in the chapters we rarely share. That’s where this podcast comes in.I’m Genevieve Kruger, and I created Hidden Chapters as a space to explore these unseen narratives. Through honest, heartfelt conversations with everyday people, we’ll uncover the experiences that have shaped their lives—the moments of triumph, heartbreak, growth, and discovery that often go unseen.This trailer will give you a glimpse into what Hidden Chapters is all about. If you’ve ever felt like your own story has hidden layers, or if you love hearing the journeys of others, you’re in the right place.In each future episode, we’ll dive into personal journeys that inspire, challenge, and connect us. Expect raw, real storytelling that reminds us we’re not alone—that an extraordinary, untold story is waiting to be heard behind every ordinary life. Hit play to learn more, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Let’s uncover these hidden chapters together! Music Credits: Smooth Waters by Serge Pavkin Music by Sergii Pavkin from PixabaySupport the show🌐  Visit my website: https://hiddenchapterspodcast.com/ and stay connected! 🎙️  Want to be a guest on Hidden Chapters: Real Stories that Bring Light to the Hidden Parts of Life? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genevievekruger 🎵 Background Music: "In Time" by Folk_acoustic from Pixabay