Living BIG: Stories of Creativity, Courage, and Community

What happens when life doesn’t follow anything close to the plan?In this episode, Becca and Meredith sit down with Nicci Smith, photographer, nurse, mom, and self-described recovering people pleaser, for an honest conversation about resilience, empathy, creativity, and finding where you belong.Nicci shares how the premature birth of her son changed the way she saw everyday moments and helped shape her love of photography. She also opens up about surviving a brain aneurysm, returning to school to become a nurse, working in labor and delivery, her personal experience with addiction and recovery, and how caring for people through trauma ultimately led her toward forensic nursing and behavioral health.The conversation also gets deeply personal as Nicci talks about vulnerability, painful experiences with community, and what it means to finally find people around whom you can be completely yourself. Through all of her different chapters, one theme keeps emerging: people deserve dignity, compassion, and the chance to be fully seen.From photography and motherhood to nursing, mental health, belonging, humor, and healing, this episode is a reminder that life rarely unfolds according to plan—and sometimes the unexpected chapters shape us the most.Living BIG is about creativity, courage, and the communities that help us grow. Learn more at biginc.org.____________________________________________Episode Chapters00:00 Meet Nicci Smith: The Woman with Nine Lives01:37 How Nicci Became Part of the BIG Story03:32 Creativity, Identity & a Recovering People Pleaser04:50 A Premature Birth That Changed Everything06:24 Photography as a Lifeline07:18 Finding Beauty in the Everyday10:08 From Creativity to a Career in Medicine11:22 “What Makes You Think You Could Be a Nurse?”12:34 A Brain Aneurysm & Choosing to Go Back to School13:43 Why Women Deserve Better Care16:10 Birth Trauma, Grief & Giving Moms Permission to Feel Both18:32 The Humanity Behind Healthcare20:26 Your Nurses Are on Your Team21:10 Birth Plans & Making the Next Best Choice26:06 The “Nicci Patients” & a Move Toward Mental Health28:42 Behavioral Health & Becoming a Forensic Nurse Examiner31:19 Dignity, Consent & Caring for the Whole Person33:26 “You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know”35:16 Empathy Behind the Camera36:31 When Community Is Hard38:32 What It Feels Like to Never Quite Belong39:27 Finally Finding a Place to Be Yourself41:47 Finding Your Weirdos—and a Little Whimsy43:14 Finding Humor in the Dark44:10 What Support Looks Like Now45:09 Capturing Reality Instead of Perfection46:00 Chaos, Beauty & Belonging

What happens when Becca and Meredith start talking before they actually start recording the podcast?Apparently…you get the podcast.In this Living BIG mini-sode, Becca and Meredith turn an ADHD-fueled conversation about Audible speeds, timers, therapy, algorithms, and floor chips into a surprisingly honest discussion about personal growth, relationships, and what it means to be human.They talk about why growth doesn’t mean showing up perfectly, how healthy relationships survive rupture through repair, and why learning to have hard conversations sometimes means accepting that not everyone is going to like you. They also reflect on owning the moments when you weren’t your best self, circling back when you can, and choosing curiosity over judgment.And when the world feels overwhelming? Becca and Meredith talk about focusing on the corner of the world you can influence—building braver people, stronger relationships, and communities where people have room to grow.Because living BIG isn’t about becoming perfectly healed.It’s about becoming more self-aware, repairing when things break, and choosing how you want to show up next.Living BIG is about creativity, courage, community, and becoming more fully yourself. Learn more at biginc.org.________________Episode Chapters00:00 ADHD, Audible & Why Everything Is Faster01:48 The Diagnosis Meredith Doesn’t Have02:02 Couples Therapy & Secondhand Therapy03:26 Can Self-Improvement Become Its Own Trap?04:28 Rupture, Repair & Stronger Relationships05:19 Being Nice vs. Being Honest06:02 Learning to Let People Not Like You07:34 Growth Means You Won’t Be for Everyone08:00 Owning the Times You Weren’t Your Best Self09:18 Repair, Reconciliation & Circling Back09:42 What the Algorithm Is Feeding Us11:15 Proof That We Actually Do Grow12:05 Wait…Was This Already the Podcast?13:02 Parenting, Big Reactions & Modeling Better14:15 Floor Chips & Choosing Your Response15:26 Life Becomes What You Choose16:06 You Can’t Control How the World Spins17:03 Control Your Corner of the World17:45 Building Braver, Stronger Communities18:01 Landing the Mini-Sode

What happens when everything you've built disappears?In Part 2 of Becca's story, Meredith picks up where the last episode ended to explore the season that ultimately gave birth to BIG.After leaving traditional education, navigating burnout, juggling multiple jobs, and taking an enormous leap of faith, Becca shares the unexpected series of events that led to launching what would eventually become BIG. From quitting steady work and starting a business, to losing her home, temporarily moving into a friends' basement, and building a dream with little more than conviction and community, this conversation is an honest look at what it takes to build something that matters.Along the way, Becca and Meredith unpack the origin of the BIG name, the meaning behind "Big. Brave. Bold.," why community has always been the true mission, and how creating spaces where people feel seen is more important than creating great performers.This isn't just the story of a nonprofit.It's the story of choosing courage when certainty isn't an option.In this episode you'll hear:The surprising origin of the BIG nameWhy burnout became the catalyst for changeThe leap from education into entrepreneurshipThe season of living with another family while rebuilding lifeHow BIG Deal Show Choir was bornWhy authentic community matters more than performanceBuilding culture instead of simply building an organizationWhat "Go BIG" has come to meanWhether you're building a business, raising a family, starting over, or simply wondering if your dream is worth pursuing, this episode is a reminder that some of the most meaningful things we build begin during life's most uncertain seasons.Episode Chapters00:00 Previously on Becca's Story: Picking Up Where We Left Off00:36 Burnout, Ministry & Knowing It Was Time for Something New02:24 Quitting Everything to Become a Life Coach03:19 Rebranding...and Accidentally Discovering "BIG"05:00 Building Something Bigger Than Yourself06:15 The Stone Soup Philosophy of Community07:11 Terrified to Begin08:13 "Go BIG" — The Moment Everything Changed09:10 Losing the House While Starting a Business10:30 The "Commune" That Made BIG Possible12:17 Starting Over From a Basement13:09 Why BIG Deal Was Born14:39 BIG Isn't a Building—It's a Culture15:57 Creating BIG Deal Show Choir17:00 "Let It Suck...Then Let It Surprise You"18:29 Why Community Beats Competition20:16 Testing an Impossible Idea21:40 People Came for Show Choir...and Found Belonging22:07 Leadership Is Lonely23:02 Becoming a Nonprofit24:12 Creating a Place Where Authenticity Wins26:23 Investing in Yourself27:00 Escaping Burnout & Choosing MarginClosing Thoughts Living BIG Means Building People

What does it really mean to be brave?In this host-to-host conversation, Meredith turns the microphone toward Becca as they unpack the moments, decisions, setbacks, and unexpected turns that shaped the life she's living today.From growing up in a family that believed in impossible dreams to pursuing performing arts, becoming a teacher when she swore she never would, navigating single motherhood, moving to a new city, and building programs that changed lives, Becca shares how courage rarely looks dramatic in the moment. More often, it looks like saying "yes" to the next right thing.Along the way, Meredith and Becca explore identity, public failure, ADHD, parenting, finding your authentic self, and why living BIG isn't about becoming someone different—it's about allowing the person you've always been to finally emerge.If you've ever questioned your path, wondered if you've missed your chance, or felt like life has taken unexpected detours, this conversation is a reminder that your story isn't finished yet.In this episode you'll hear:What "big, brave, and bold" really meansHow courage often begins with small decisionsWhy failure isn't the opposite of growthFinding purpose through unexpected career changesParenting, identity, and redefining successWhy authenticity requires braveryHow every chapter prepares you for the next oneBecause sometimes the bravest thing you'll ever do……is become yourself.Episode Chapters00:00 Birdcage Quotes & A New Kind of Conversation00:33 What Does It Mean to Live BIG?01:10 Ask Me Anything: Becca's Story Begins03:30 Choosing the Performing Arts When Everyone Says "Be Practical"04:25 Parents Who Believed in Big Dreams06:55 Why Theater and Music Feel Like Home08:25 Becoming the Teacher She Never Planned to Be11:30 The Audition That Changed Everything11:54 Motherhood or the Stage? Choosing a Different Dream15:25 Leaving Small-Town Iowa for Something New16:00 Falling Into Education—and Finding Her Calling19:20 Public Failure, Ego, and Starting Over21:00 Building a New Life in Omaha22:15 Creating a Legacy Through Teaching and Theater24:00 When Your Career Becomes Your Identity26:30 Authenticity Takes Courage29:45 What Does a "Big Life" Really Mean?31:20 The Hard Road Builds Strong Foundations36:10 Whose Dream Are You Living?41:00 Looking Back Without Regret44:10 Final Thoughts: The World Needs More Courage

For the first time, the person usually working behind the scenes steps in front of the microphone.This week, podcast producer and BIG marketing director Chris Smith joins Becca and Meredith for a conversation about creativity, leadership, fatherhood, vulnerability, and why the performing arts are about so much more than performing.Chris shares how theater shaped his own life, why he and his wife have encouraged all five of their children to pursue the arts, and how BIG has become a place where confidence isn't expected,it's developed.The conversation quickly grows into something even bigger as they explore adult friendship, men's mental health, raising emotionally healthy boys, breaking generational patterns, and what it really means to "show up" for the people we love.Whether you're a parent, educator, artist, leader, or someone still trying to find your place, this episode is an honest reminder that courage isn't about having everything figured out—it's about taking the next brave step.In this episode, you'll hear about:Why performing arts teach us how to show up for lifeConfidence as a skill—not a personality traitThe surprising role theater plays in leadership and teamworkThe challenges of adult friendship, especially for menBreaking unhealthy generational expectationsRaising kids who are emotionally healthy, resilient, and braveWhy authentic community changes everythingBecause Living BIG isn't about becoming someone else.It's about becoming more fully yourself.Episode Chapters00:00 Art Teaches Us How to Show Up00:25 Meet Chris Smith02:52 A Friendship That Started Before BIG04:16 Why Our Family Chose Performing Arts09:06 Leadership Lessons from Theater11:18 Learning Through Disappointment12:27 Confidence Is a Skill You Build14:35 Rediscovering Confidence as an Adult16:27 Authenticity Over Perfection18:18 Why the BIG Dudes Mattered20:12 Community Beyond the Stage22:18 Why Shared Activities Build Friendship24:19 The Challenge of Adult Male Friendships25:56 Why Men Struggle to Build Deep Friendships27:08 Vulnerability, Masculinity & Breaking Old Patterns31:24 Partnership Instead of Performance32:39 Raising Better Men and Better Communities37:17 Modeling Vulnerability for the Next Generation39:05 Mental Health, Emotional Regulation & Showing Up42:16 Community That Calls You Higher43:15 Why Growth Requires Accountability

In this episode of Living BIG, things are getting a little more... friendlyBecca officially welcomes returning guest Meredith Garwood as the new co-host of the podcast, and together they dive into a conversation about adult friendship, authenticity, vulnerability, and what it actually takes to build meaningful community as grown-ups.From motherhood and marriage to loneliness, show choir, ADHD, and the pressure to curate a “perfect” life, this episode explores why genuine connection matters more than appearances—and why brave friendships require intentionality, reciprocity, and the courage to show up as your real self.They unpack the realities of making friends in adulthood, the difference between supportive and draining relationships, and how communities like BIG become spaces where people can truly belong.If you’ve ever wondered:Why making friends as an adult feels hardHow to find “your people”What healthy friendship actually looks likeOr how authenticity changes relationships…this conversation is for you.Living BIG is about creativity, courage, community, and becoming fully yourself.Learn more at biginc.org.Episode Chapters:00:00 Authentic vs Curated Lives00:45 Meet the New Co-Host02:08 Why Friendship Matters03:25 Building Intentional Community04:34 Friendship Through Showing Up06:34 The Search for Adult Friendships08:06 What Adults Really Want in Friendship09:31 Why Show Choir Builds Community09:54 Friendship Through Life Stages11:20 What Makes a Great Friend?12:52 ADHD, Friendship, and Staying Connected14:17 Authenticity & Self-Awareness in Relationships15:26 Reciprocal Friendship & Matching Energy16:13 Inner Circles & Vulnerability17:59 Authenticity vs the “Perfect Life”20:00 Building Brave & Supportive Communities21:42 Standing Up for Friends in Rooms They’re Not In22:25 Mel Robbins & The Three Pillars of Friendship23:48 Proximity, Timing, and Energy25:25 Intentionality in Adult Relationships26:34 Checking In on Your People27:54 How to Build Lasting Community28:56 You Have to Be a Friend to Make Friends

In this episode of Living BIG, Becca sits down with theater educator, director, and BIG Education Director Jeanette Gallup for a conversation about creativity, risk, and the power of building spaces where people feel seen.Jeanette shares her journey from discovering theater as a teenager in Miami to becoming a director, educator, and creative leader who believes art is more than performance —it’s transformation. Together, they explore intuition, storytelling, emotional safety in creative spaces, and why theater can become a catalyst for confidence, identity, and belonging.The conversation dives into the realities of educational theater, the importance of creating brave and supportive communities, and the moments that remind us why creativity matters in the first place.If you’ve ever needed a reminder to trust your instincts, take a risk, or reconnect with the creative parts of yourself, this episode is for you.Living BIG is about creativity, courage, and the communities that help us grow.Learn more at biginc.org.Episode Chapters:00:00 Introducing Jeanette Gallup01:46 What “Living BIG” Means02:39 Saying Yes to BIG10:18 Discovering a Creative Life14:13 Finding Theater & Identity16:33 Becoming a Director20:58 Visualization & Dreaming Bigger21:19 Dreaming of In the Heights23:05 The Joy of Directing27:29 Transformation Through Theater28:23 Building Brave Spaces at BIG34:47 Seeing Growth in Students35:13 Why Community Matters37:45 One True Thing & Reflection39:02 Self-Awareness & Growth39:26 Why Jeanette Keeps Creating41:23 Let’s Freaking Sing

In this episode of Living BIG, Becca sits down with educator-turned-corporate leader, creative, and community-builder Becky Cook for an honest conversation about growth, change, and stepping outside the boxes we build for ourselves.Becky shares her journey from art teacher to change management consultant, including the terrifying moment she left a stable career without a job lined up, and how that leap reshaped her confidence, identity, and purpose.Together, they explore what it means to live bravely, lead with empathy, and create space for people to show up fully as themselves. This conversation dives into creativity, community, leadership, and the kind of courage it takes to keep showing up, even when life feels uncertain.If you’re navigating change, craving growth, or learning to trust yourself in a new season, this episode is for you.Living BIG is about creativity, courage, and the communities that help us grow.Learn more at biginc.org.Episode Chapters:00:00 Living BIG & Personal Growth03:55 Creativity & Art Education10:30 Community in Creative Spaces14:01 The Power of Performance14:19 Career Transitions18:40 Empathy & Change19:44 Leadership Dynamics21:12 Leadership Lessons24:27 Transformation Through Community27:05 Excellence vs. Belonging33:24 Passion & Community

In this episode of Living BIG, Becca sits down with educator, creative, and community-builder Kelly Whisinnand for a conversation about the power of creativity to shape confidence, identity, and belonging.Kelly shares her journey working with young people and why her goal has never been to create perfect performers, but to help people discover their voice, express themselves, and feel ownership in who they are becoming. Together, they explore how creativity can be a lifeline in a noisy, overwhelming world, and why having an outlet isn’t optional, it’s essential.This conversation dives into the impact of arts education, the importance of giving people space to show up as they are, and how creativity builds more than skills—it builds people.If you care about confidence, community, and the kind of creativity that actually changes lives, this episode is for you.Living BIG is about creativity, courage, and the communities that help us grow.Learn more at biginc.org.

In this episode of Living BIG, Becca sits down with Omaha performer, producer, and community builder Cathy Hirsch for a conversation about creativity, courage, and building spaces where people can belong. Cathy shares how a shy, anxious kid grew into someone who launches projects when nobody else will—co-founding the Candy Project, helping bring contemporary musical theater to Omaha stages, and creating opportunities for artists who simply wanted to perform the shows they loved.This conversation explores the power of creative community, the courage it takes to show up before you feel ready, and why sometimes the best response to “someone should do something about this” is simply: okay, let’s do it.Cathy reflects on a life that is spent saying "yes" to creativity, even when the timing, money, or confidence weren’t perfect.Living BIG is about creativity, courage, and the communities that help us grow.Learn more at biginc.org.

In this episode of Living BIG, Becca welcomes Nebraska-based performer, improviser, musician, and animator Matt Geiler for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity as a practice — not something you wait for permission to do. Matt shares how drawing and music became early creative lifelines, how comedy helped him navigate tension at home, and how community shaped his path from small-town to Omaha improv, touring with The Weisenheimers, and studying at Second City in Chicago.Together, Matt & Becca explore the importance of creative consistency, showing up on uninspired days, and why community matters even when the work itself can feel solitary. The conversation closes with a reflection on why art and beauty feel especially urgent right now—and why creativity may be “what we stay alive for.”Living BIG is more than a podcast. Learn more about our community at biginc.org.

In this episode of Living BIG, Becca sits down with Meredith Garwood — leader, artist, and creative partner — to explore what it means to live big with both strength and heart. Meredith shares her journey back to creativity, the power of compassionate leadership, and why brave spaces don’t require being the loudest in the room. This conversation is about integrity, excellence, community over competition, and showing up fully—especially when you lead behind the scenes. If you’re finding your way back to creativity or learning to lead with courage and care, this episode is for you.Want to learn more about the Living BIG community and creative spaces we’re building? Visit biginc.org.

What does it really mean to live BIG without regrets? In this episode of Living Big, Becca sits down with theater director and educator Julie Murren for an honest conversation about community, creativity, and why the process matters just as much as the final product.Julie reflects on what “living BIG” looks like in real life, how community theater creates belonging, and why saying yes to meaningful work continues to shape who we become. Together, they explore the difference between passion and enjoyment, the power of truth and trust in leadership, and why community matters now more than ever.Whether you’re a creative, an educator, or someone craving a deeper connection, this episode is an invitation to live bravely, boldly, and with purpose.

Episode 1: Welcome to Living BIGWhat does it really mean to live big? In the very first episode of Living BIG, host Becca Jackson Cusick invites you into the heart of a movement built on courage, creativity, and community. This podcast was born from one simple belief: people thrive when they’re brave enough to create and supported enough to try.Becca is joined by her first guest, Sandy, a studio mom, board member, Big Deal Diva, and self-described “not a singer” who decided to borrow someone else’s confidence and say yes anyway. Together, they unpack what it looks like to step outside your comfort zone, show up imperfectly, and discover that growth doesn’t require talent—it requires bravery.This conversation explores:What “Living Big” really means in real lifeHow supportive, inclusive (and brave) communities change peopleWhy adults desperately need creative spaces tooThe power of borrowing confidence until you find your ownLetting it suck… and letting it surprise youYou don’t have to be a performer to belong here. You just have to be human. If you care about creativity, courage, or community—and if you’re ready to do hard things with supportive people, this podcast is for you.Welcome to Living BIG.