Podcast
A Thousand Tiny Steps
Hosted by Barb Higgins · EN
This podcast is for people who want to experience personal growth. Finding joy in tragic moments is a difficult task, but by listening to the stories of an ordinary woman who goes through extraordinary experiences, you can learn how to get through anything.
Hear stories from Barb Higgins, the woman who had a baby at 57, lost her daughter to a brain tumor, dealt with addiction, and so much more.
Inside each episode, Barb shares a story from her life and how she got through each tough experience. From lessons learned to how she took her self-care to another level, Barb pulls you into her world of inspiring circumstances and leaves you wondering, how does she do it?
22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Price of Settling
3w ago00:35:44Tap to summarizeI've been thinking about justice - and how Molly will never get it. I settled the lawsuit and took money and I wonder if that's a mistake. If I hadn't taken it I could tell so many stories about people's characters and that's its own kind of justice. It's a balancing act: I now have money to help others, but I can never reveal the full truth. Key Takeaways: [0:00] What is justice and does it exist? [4:09] Reading my book about the justice we had for Molly [13:06] What wasn't in the book: my drug use and how aggressive the lawsuit was [15:00] I befriend a lot of people with narcissistic tendencies [16:52] My deposition experience painted me as a bad mother [19:02] Doctors thought Molly faked it - it's in the medical notes [20:36] I have to live with the fact that Molly may never get justice [21:14] The lawsuit just felt like a game of who could make the other person look worse [23:25] Your house is on fire - do firefighters ask what you could've done better? [24:18] The fire analogy in my book [26:24] They really harped on my addiction during the deposition [28:31] I hate the money I received [31:03] Focusing on the medical reality of Molly for the Foundation [32:34] I feel reluctant to pick a side Connect with Barb: Leave me a message Website Facebook Instagram YouTube The Molly B Foundation
Transcribe →Generation Jones: Caught in the Middle
4w ago00:26:35Tap to summarizeAs I contemplate my life, I realize some aspects haven't really changed at all. That as much as I embrace things like using my phone to schedule things or text, I still cling on to the nostalgia from my childhood. Writing letters, having homemade food, and bopping along to the Styx and ABBA. In this episode, I look at how my childhood changed rapidly as I'm sandwiched between Boomers and Gen X-ers. Key Takeaways: [0:00] Music from the 70s is still popular today [1:54] The jokes surrounding "okay, boomer" [3:58] Good habits from baby boomers: keeping commitments [4:47] Growing your own food and living within your means [6:08] Writing on paper and repairing before replacing [7:17] I don't get enough sleep and working on long-term goals [8:51] I hate toxic gratitude and think people need to talk offline more [9:51] There's a TV in almost every room of our house [10:42] There's no quick fixes in life [11:27] Handwriting letters should make a comeback [12:20] Losing the art of cooking from scratch [13:03] Boomer bands that are still popular now [15:13] Boomers that are still touring in concert [17:33] The cute box next door bought me a Styx album [18:35] Figuring out I'm Generation Jones [19:26] My childhood went from eating dinner at the table to whatever was left [19:49] Missing out on the prosperous wealth our parents had [20:26] I went from an analog life to a digital one so quickly [21:25] Buying on impulse, struggling to accumulate wealth, and ageism at work [23:33] Having to care for my aging mother, my children, and myself [23:55] I'm grateful to have grown up with more information than previous generations [25:02] The music I listen to now isn't new Resources: Lady Justice and the Sisterhood of the Crones book Connect with Barb: Leave me a message Website Facebook Instagram YouTube The Molly B Foundation
Transcribe →You Have A Reason to Celebrate
Jun 3000:23:20Tap to summarizeMy friend is having to relearn how to walk and it's frustrating to him, but he's making little bits of progress every day and he should celebrate that. You should too. So often we only celebrate the big wins, the things that we deem worthy of celebrating. But in reality, everything is worth celebrating because you are inherently worthy as a human being that exists. Key Takeaways: [0:51] June is a month of new beginnings [2:13] Children's awareness month and pride month [3:05] African American Music, the zoo, and why do people think eggs are dairy? [4:09] Men's Health, Alzheimer's, and Aphasia Awareness month [5:41] Balloons, surfing, and why is our medical system like this? [6:34] Fostering animals and getting them microchipped [8:05] Country and soul cooking with a side of steak [8:47] The outdoors, rivers, potty training, and the ocean [9:38] Skin cancer and my experience [10:30] Viruses, marketing this podcast, and infertility [12:08] People argue because they misunderstood, not because they disagree [12:43] Bad drivers, sports for kids, and aging without apology [14:15] Autoimmune disorders, migraines, and scoliosis [15:22] Alcoholism in pharmacists [15:59] Black Lives Matter, frozen treats, and gardening [16:39] Cross-breeding fruits and camping [17:46] PTSD Awareness month and audiobooks (you can buy mine) [18:40] My friend is struggling, but he's making more progress than he realizes [21:26] I'm angry, I complain, and I don't change the things that I'm angry about [21:55] Track camp, musical theatre camp, and run for Molly Resources: OK Yup Podcast Video of Me Breaking 5 Minutes! Connect with Barb: Leave me a message Website Facebook Instagram YouTube The Molly B Foundation
Transcribe →I Broke 5 Minutes in the Mile. Then I Watched the Tape.
Jun 2300:27:15Tap to summarizeI broke 5 minutes in the mile - and it's not how I remember it. Memory is such a crazy thing that changes over time. We amplify some parts of our memory and dull others to fit the image we want to see. That's what I did, but I have it on video to compare to my memory and it's wild to see. Video is linked here and it's helpful to watch to follow along with this episode! Key Takeaways: [0:00] Your memories change over time [2:11] Watching the video of me breaking 5 minutes in the mile [3:40] Going from asthmatic to realizing my potential [4:34] Finding out women couldn't get track scholarships [5:42] The backlash from Title IX [8:32] The first lap was how I remember, but the second… [10:34] Going head to head and winning [12:54] I never realized Kathy had a whole crowd cheering for her [14:26] Girls track teams were small, but they didn't have opportunities before this [18:00] More girls than boys do track now [20:41] Girls support each other in sports - even as competitors [21:56] Certain girls got overshadowed by champions [23:28] I would love to have an episode with the women in this race Resources: Video of Me Breaking 5 Minutes! Connect with Barb: Leave me a message Website Facebook Instagram YouTube The Molly B Foundation
Transcribe →My Interview on The Human Experience
Jun 1601:21:56Tap to summarizeI feel like everywhere I look now I see instances of secret keeping, of being told to be quiet, of lying for others. So when I listened to a podcast episode where a woman's entire life she was told to keep a secret inside of her? That hit my soul. Which is also why I was so delighted when Jennifer chatted with me and got into how it impacts a person when they're constantly told to be quiet. Key Takeaways: [0:00] The podcast that is all about keeping secrets [6:33] My interview on The Human Experience Resources: Family Secrets Podcast The Human Experience Connect with Barb: Leave me a message Website Facebook Instagram YouTube The Molly B Foundation
Transcribe →Running Taught Me to Love My Body
Jun 900:24:44Tap to summarizeRunning was a part of my life for years and then… it was gone. I've had to rebuild my life piece by piece and in the process I've realized I need to get back into running. It's the sport that taught me to love my body and more importantly gave me a community that understood the struggles and triumphs of running. Key Takeaways: [3:11] Running allowed me to love my body [5:11] The sexual abuse that's prevelant to elite athletes [7:42] Being isolated from the running community [10:57] Thinking back to why I didn't fight for myself [12:55] Running is still painful for me, but I want it to be a bigger part of my life [16:46] If you're a past runner of mine, please message me [17:55] I've been really successful at coaching and want to continue [22:04] I'm re-establishing a 5K Resources: The Silence of Great Distance Connect with Barb: Leave me a message Website Facebook Instagram YouTube The Molly B Foundation
Transcribe →What Does Consent Mean to You?
Jun 200:32:01Tap to summarizeI'm quiet. I freeze. I don't say no. My consent is violated again and again by numerous people in different situations that still follow me today. I did a deep dive on the types of consent, what it actually means, and why the meaning of it gets tricky for people. In this episode, I explore the different types of consent and how those have gone wrong in my life. Key Takeaways: [0:00] Saying the quiet part out loud and sexual assault [4:11] I don't defend myself or set boundaries [5:47] Consent: voluntary, informed, mutual, respect personal boundaries [7:35] Consent can't be given under the influence [9:34] I'm always cleaning up after others [10:40] Expressed consent: an enthusiastic yes [12:07] Implied consent can be dangerous [12:54] Unanimous consent in politics [14:11] My childhood abuse set my foundation for consent [15:37] Consent violations in my friendships [26:31] Molly's death - I didn't listen to my gut, I was just quiet [28:50] What are the rights of marginalized communities? [29:57] How do you give consent? Resources: The Cookie Podcast Episode Connect with Barb: Leave me a message Website Facebook Instagram YouTube The Molly B Foundation
Transcribe →Learning to Break the Silence
May 2600:31:28Tap to summarizeThe shouting starts, voices overlapping, and I freeze. I stay quiet hoping not to be noticed. Now, I'm having to unlearn that… A thousand tiny steps, right? It's easier to not say anything, to justify the abuse, to defend those that have hurt me, but repeating traumatic situations because it's familiar in my life can't continue forever. This is how I'm taking small steps towards healing. Key Takeaways: [0:00] Giving $13,000 in scholarships [2:25] Cleaning out dance clothes [3:41] People want to be seen and heard [5:33] In conflict, I freeze up and become quiet [7:58] Why do I defend those who have hurt me by hiding? [10:28] Repeating the trauma that happened in my childhood [15:07] Justifying the abuse to make it less painful [16:14] Not standing up for myself when losing my job [17:47] Not speaking up enough in the ER with Molly and taking settlement money [20:01] What trauma bonding actually is and my experience with it [24:06] I'm not perfect, but I've never hurt someone on purpose [26:21] Being told I was complacent in my sexual abuse [29:29] Starting a HYROX training program Resources: Barb Fit Connect with Barb: Leave me a message Website Facebook Instagram YouTube The Molly B Foundation
Transcribe →The Number 13 is Sacred
May 1900:21:18Tap to summarizeNo description available
Transcribe →Treat Yourself Like your Best Friend
May 1200:26:39Tap to summarizeI went to Molly's grave, but it's not the same anymore. I know that as time passes, others forget, but I never will. So, as I grapple with that, I reflect on the amazing people I got to see, what I'm planning to do next with the podcast, and just sitting in my grief. Key Takeaways: [0:00] I don't celebrate Mother's Days anymore [2:50] The first Molly WOD not to be during death week [4:54] Visiting Molly's gravestone and seeing Tim and Ricky [7:53] Kenny didn't come visit Molly's grave [9:46] Surround yourself with community in grief [11:42] Keeping connected to the ones who have died [12:54] Your grief does not define you [14:23] Treat yourself like your best friend [16:40] Reflect on how others treat you, reach out, and do not compare yourself [18:25] Count your wins - yes, even the small ones [19:17] Checking in on Gracie and the people who visited Molly's grave [21:11] Finding a sign of Molly in the air [22:44] Season 13 is next and then… who knows? Connect with Barb: Leave me a message Website Facebook Instagram YouTube The Molly B Foundation
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