Celebrating 100 Episodes & Special Announcement

Welcome to the Moms who Create podcast. I'm your host, kelly Hile, and I am thrilled to share a podcast that celebrates the incredible moms who are pursuing their creative passions. Are you a mom who feels like you just can't balance your creative pursuits with the demands of motherhood? Each week, I'm bringing you interviews with accomplished and talented moms who have made their creative dreams a reality. I talk to writers, artists, musicians and entrepreneurs who have successfully found a way to do what they love while raising the ones they love. Some of the writers I talk to are New York Times bestselling authors, while some are self-published first-time authors. I also share my own insights and resources to help you navigate the unique challenges of being a mom who creates. So, whether you're an early bird or a night owl, a seasoned pro or just starting out, I want you to know that you can pursue your creative passions and be an amazing mom at the same time. Grab a cup of coffee, a notebook and get ready to join our community of like-minded moms who are on a mission to live intentionally and create with purpose. This is the Moms who Create podcast, and I can't wait to share this journey with you. Hi everyone, and welcome back to this week's episode of the Moms who Create podcast. This is my 100th episode and I can't believe it. It's been almost like two years exactly of having weekly chats with absolutely incredible moms. What started out as a passion project of just inspiring moms around the world to pursue their passions and goals by spotlighting moms actually doing it has turned into friendships, inspiration to help me keep going myself and just lots of personal growth and love. So today I just kind of want to take a journey of reflection, share some of my favorite milestones, lessons I've learned and what I've gained during this two-year podcasting journey. I am so grateful for all of you, guests and listeners alike. When I first started, I always heard that most podcasters don't make it past. I think it was like episode seven Seven. I researched stats from listen notes on podcasting, and did you know that there are currently like three to four million podcasts out there and 44% of podcasts have less than three episodes? Less than three episodes? Only 720,000 podcasts have more than 10 episodes. So then, out of the remaining 720,000 podcasts, only 156,000 are releasing a weekly episode. That's wild. So 100 just feels like a big, wonderful thing that I've accomplished, and I'm just so excited when I think back to that very first episode. It's like opening a time capsule in my mind the excitement, nervousness and passion I felt when I hit record for the first time. I was also terrified, on top of imposter syndrome. I remember staring at the microphone wondering if anybody would even listen. I had a vision, a dream and a mission, but the path ahead was like super uncertain, because this was just again a passion project. Would I help one mom listening to start that book artwork goal that she had in mind? So if I get one listener, this will all be worth it. I would literally tell myself Kelly, do it for that one listener. The initial inspiration for creating the Moms who Create podcast stemmed from my experience as a new mom and just being completely and utterly overwhelmed. I wanted to look back on how I felt, maneuver, take in, sit on those feelings and then take action, like if I could go back and make something for myself as a mental boost and set that creative fire under my butt that I had say as a fresh art school graduate. This podcast was going to be it. And how would I do this? Spotlight the incredible stories of moms who, despite the daily challenges of motherhood, managed to pursue their creative passions. I've always believed in the power of storytelling and I want to create a platform where these stories could inspire, empower and resonate with moms all around the world. One of the most significant milestones was booking the very first guest. I remember the thrill of reaching out, the anticipation of their response and the excitement when they agreed to be on my show. The first interview set the tone for the Moms who Create podcast and what it would be a place where creativity, motherhood and just shared experiences intersected. Early on, building a community around the podcast was definitely a challenge, as starting any new project is, but seeing the first few reviews and messages from listeners who resonated with the content was so powerful and so rewarding. It made me realize that there was a hunger for these stories and still that's what motivates me to talk about these moms every week. Reaching episode 10 felt like a pretty big deal to me. It showed me that the podcast wasn't just a pipe dream and this idea that came and went, as so many things before this happened, that's just this life. It was an actual commitment and something I was totally loving. By this point, I'd learned so much about interviewing, production, audience engagement. I began to see the growth in the listener numbers and the impact that the podcast was having on the lives of moms who were inspired to also follow their creative dreams. Expanding the range of guests was another pretty pivotal moment, welcoming not just writers and artists, but also entrepreneurs, musicians and these little niches that needed to be explored and shared. It reinforced that creativity takes many forms and every mom's journey is completely and totally worth sharing. And here we are, at our 100th episode. This is a moment of reflection, gratitude and holy gal such joy. I'm thankful for the trust and support of my guests, the incredible story shared and the loyal listeners who have joined me on this journey. You guys are the best We've grown together and I couldn't be more excited about the episodes of Milestones that lie ahead 100 down, hopefully, at least like what? 900 to go. So thank you from the bottom of my heart for making it to 100 episodes with me. Whether you've listened from the beginning, you're a new listener. This is your very first episode that you're listening to. You're the reason that I do this and I will continue doing this until I lose my voice. I don't know. I'm gonna do this as long as I can and as long as people are saying that this is helping them. And, on that note, I have something very special to announce. Okay, to celebrate these two years 100 episodes, many of thousands of downloads. I have made something for you guys. I've often talked about the importance of brain-dumping your ideas, brain-dumping everything in your head, getting those creative ideas out there. Well, I'm excited to introduce the Moms who Create Journal, a dedicated space for your book concepts, sketches and ideas. This is a 110-page journal featuring a personal note from me at the beginning to get you started, as well as over 100 blank pages where you can put your ideas onto paper. It's a place to sketch out your new illustration or artwork, series plans, outline a new book or simply brainstorm what's next. I created this because I believe in the power of taking your ideas, seeing them visually and turning them into reality. The Moms who Create Journal will be released on November 14th, 2023. Guys, that's in like. Let's see what this is. The sixth, eight days. It'll be released in eight days and I hope you love it as much as I do, and I encourage all of you to use it as your creative initiation planner. It's your space of generating and nurturing all of those ideas that we have in our head. For more information about my journal, visit momswukratecom slash journal. Again, november 14th is the release day. I can't wait. Thank you so much for joining me on this really special episode and here's to the next 100. I appreciate you all more than you will ever know. Thank you so much for the amazing support. Keep creating, moms, and remember your creative journey is worth celebrating. I'll see you in the next episode.