Strategy Hour | Episode 999: What’s Next for Me (And Maybe, for You Too)

Host: Abagail Pumphrey | Date: November 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this emotional and candid solo episode, host Abagail Pumphrey reflects on her eight-year podcasting journey as she approaches the 1000th episode milestone. Facing significant personal and health challenges, she opens up about the need for rest, the evolving direction of her work and voice, and her willingness to embrace uncertainty. Designed as a heartfelt check-in, she assures her community of ongoing support while signaling a coming shift—not just for herself, but potentially for listeners navigating pivots in their own businesses and lives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Challenge of Change and Slowing Down

• Personal Struggles & Health:

  • Abagail recounts recent surgery and hospitalization ([02:00]) that have forced her to examine her priorities and rethink what’s sustainable:

    "Life has been pretty adamant that I need to slow down, that I was running on a speed that was not sustainable, especially with me and a small team." (03:04)

  • She clarifies that the business is thriving, but her realignment is more about the podcast and personal fulfillment.

• Unique Podcast Run:

  • The Strategy Hour podcast has stood out for its continuous, non-seasonal run:

    "There's very few podcasts that have reached a thousand episodes, and there's very few that ever will. This level of consistency is just not common." (04:24)

  • She reduced frequency for the first time (from twice to once a week) due to health, highlighting the rarity of such sustained output.

2. Embracing Uncertainty and Rest

• Releasing the Need for Clarity:

  • Abagail discusses the discomfort—and necessity—of not knowing what's next:

    "I've just wondered what to say and how to say it and not really known the right way. So this is me attempting. This is me acknowledging that it's hard to talk about what's next, especially when you're not clear on what that's going to be." (05:50)

• Permission to Pause:

  • She anticipates unusually quiet months—beyond her traditional December break—and is open about not having all the answers ([08:27]).

• For Herself and Listeners:

  • Encourages acceptance of uncertainty:

    "Sometimes I think you not knowing the answer is exactly where you're supposed to be." (09:54)

  • Models that it’s okay to pause and live in the question, rather than rush to solutions.

3. Evolving the Mission: From Strategy to Wholeness

• More Than Tactics:

  • A shift in her focus—away from tools and formulas, toward caring for listeners’ hearts and health:

    "It's not just tactics and tools and formulas and frameworks to help you build a business. I care a lot more about all of you—your mind and your heart and your health, not just how much money is going into your bank account." (07:19–07:29)

• Uncertain Format, Continued Impact:

  • Explores potential formats: reruns, new show, rebranding—but no decision yet.
  • Reassures that her resources, programs, and limited coaching will remain ([11:44]).

    "I would be doing a disservice to my community if I just said ... I'm just going to take everything away, take it all down, close the business... The things I've built still have value." (15:32)

4. Addressing Fear, Perception, and Community

• Vulnerability in Public Leadership:
  • Admits fears—not about change itself, but about others’ opinions and misunderstanding:

    "I'm not so much scared of that. I'm more scared of what you guys think it might be, or scared of someone misunderstanding me." (15:40)

  • Rejects the idea that shifting directions means collapse or failure. She stands by the continuing mission of empowering small business owners:

    "I still deeply care about my mission and the vision of this company. I want to see more small business owners financially free. I want to see more people be successful, doing their own thing in their own way." (16:18)

5. Practical Assurances and Next Steps

• Business Will Keep Running:

  • Programs, resources, and community will remain accessible ([16:55–17:32]).
  • She promises ongoing communication—though at a quieter, less visible pace.

• What’s Next?

  • The real answer: she doesn’t know, and that’s by design.
  • She is working on her book proposal and teases more insight in episode 1000.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On longevity and commitment:

  "I'm the kind of person who when I start something, I generally stay incredibly committed to that effort. There's very few podcasts that have reached a thousand episodes, and there's very few that ever will." (00:00, 04:24)

• On rest and reevaluation:

  "I know I want to rest. I know I want to take a break. I know I really want to think through how this can evolve, because the things I'm called to share aren't just strategy anymore." (06:56)

• On embracing uncertainty:

  "We’ve painted a picture of what certainty needs to look like... Sometimes I think you not knowing the answer is exactly where you’re supposed to be." (09:44–09:54)

• On vulnerability:

  "I've never really been one to put the cart before the horse... but that doesn't feel right right now, especially given the state of the world." (14:16)

• On her ongoing mission:

  "I still deeply care about my mission and the vision of this company. I want to see more small business owners financially free." (16:18)

• On not needing it all figured out:

  "For you, I encourage you to take it one step at a time. You don’t have to have it all figured out. I certainly want to model that I don’t have it all figured out. And you don’t have to either." (21:57)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• (02:00–07:19): Honest reflections on health, commitment, and why change is needed
• (07:19–10:29): The challenge of not knowing; stepping back for reflection
• (13:35–16:55): The gift (and risk) of not having answers, and embracing transparency
• (16:55–19:10): Practical community and business reassurances
• (21:57–23:11): Final message: modeling imperfection and embracing the unknown

Closing Thoughts

With characteristic transparency and care, Abagail uses this milestone-adjacent episode to invite listeners into her current chapter of introspection, pause, and trust in the value of uncertainty. Listeners are reassured that resources and support continue, even as the podcast and host reposition for a possible new season—literally and figuratively. The message: not knowing can be empowering, both for entrepreneurs and for the leaders who guide them.