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?
19episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
I Broke 5 Minutes in the Mile. Then I Watched the Tape.
1w ago00:27:15Tap 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
2w ago01:21:56Tap 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
3w ago00:24:44Tap 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?
4w ago00:32:01Tap 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
Transcribe →Visiting France with Gracie
May 500:40:11Tap to summarizeGrab a baguette or an Oreo Coolatta, and find out what Gracie has been up to for 3 months in France as I recount our family's visit to France to see Gracie. From Gracie making a lot of supportive friends from all over the world to Jack eating all the ice cream he possibly can, and talking about the fact that it's been 10 years since Molly died. Key Takeaways: [0:37] Gracie has lived in France for 3 months [3:05] Public transportation is one of the biggest differences [5:25] Food quality in France is superior to America [7:56] Disneyland Paris is different to Disney World [9:28] Not making a plan, just enjoying Paris at a slow pace [10:38] Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and playing in the park [14:51] Adventure Land, Spider Man, and not having a sense of urgency [18:41] Gracie's friend showed us around Disney [21:00] Jack was very excited to meet Queen Anna [23:25] The Sports Bar is my favorite place to eat [24:58] Gracie's friends, the entertainment industry, and being happy for each other [29:23] Finding a CrossFit gym here has been important for community [31:12] Being 10 years into losing Molly [32:31] Markers of time feel weird [34:11] I've found people who are okay with me talking about my grief [35:44] Shifting to utilizing the loss instead of just missing her all the time [36:25] MollyB camps coming up and try Dunkin for me Connect with Barb: Leave me a message Website Facebook Instagram YouTube The Molly B Foundation
Transcribe →Memories of the Boston Marathon
Apr 2800:23:14Tap to summarizeAs I've come up on the 10th anniversary of Molly's death I look back on how as much as things change, they also stay the same. I was in Europe 10 years ago at this moment and that's where I am now, but this time I'm trying to figure out where do I belong in life and how do I feel like I still have purpose as I age? Key Takeaways: [0:14] My memories of 2016 and going to Europe [2:38] Not going to the Marathon for years - and finally going back now [3:47] Reconnecting with so many lovely people at the Marathon [6:47] The Unicorn Club and commemorating time [8:52] The Marathon has changed and change is hard [14:09] How do I do something and feel like I still matter? [19:10] What unicorns represent Resources: Lady Justice and the Sisterhood of the Crones Connect with Barb: Leave me a message Website Facebook Instagram YouTube The Molly B Foundation
Transcribe →Lady Justice and the Sisterhood of the Crones with author Jennifer Speidel
Apr 2100:50:45Tap to summarizeJennifer Speidel, my long time friend and now author, wrote a book called Lady Justice and the Sisterhood of the Crones. A story of a corrupt world where women are silenced and it's up to Mavon and Buluku to get justice, gain wisdom, and rise to their true power. Key Takeaways: [0:39] Why I decided to write my first book: womanhood and getting older [4:20] I started the book by writing the chapter titles and developing characters [6:05] Crones in the book and what it represents in real life [12:07] The writing and editing process [16:18] Giving the book a genre [20:32] Being a crone is not supposed to be a bad thing [25:07] How I found a publisher and the marketing I have to do [30:11] Book signings coming up [31:31] My next book: The Cursed Life of Goldilocks [34:05] Deciding to do an audiobook version or not [37:11] Reading two excerpts from the book [44:35] Taking inspiration from sexism in real life and putting it on the page Resources: Lady Justice and the Sisterhood of the Crones The Testaments Book The Change Book The Woman of Wild Hill Book When Women were Dragons Book The Goddess Project Connect with Barb: Leave me a message Website Facebook Instagram YouTube The Molly B Foundation
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