The #1 Platform For Growing A Massive Online Brand

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So this is us in all of our glory.

I am an educator, podcast host, successful entrepreneur... and I raise my babies. At the same time.

I don’t have a  nanny. I do laundry… Well actually, I ignore laundry. My house at any given moment is most likely messy. The Legos are scattered on the floor and there are dishes in the sink. My toenails are a mess, my eyebrows are hairy… And I have a few grays sprouting out under my mom bun. 

And guess what? I’m living my best life. I don’t wish it was different, easier… or that I could jump forward five years and have all the success achieved, the dream list checked off... Sure it’s hard… But you know what else would be hard? Going into that full-time job I used to have or being a slave to my old network marketing business, dropping my kids off at daycare, or ignoring them because I’m on the phone 24/7.

Pick your hard.

The truth? I always want more. I’m a 3 on the enneagram. I’m in achiever. For so many years my worth was tied up in how much money I make or what rank I achieved.

But what actually creates worth? Happiness? Falling in love with the journey. Falling in love with the hard. The chaos. The imperfect. The failures. And everything in between.

That this present moment in all of its messes and stickiness IS the actual blessing. The hard is what makes our lives GREAT.

I wouldn’t trade this dog hair covered couch in this exact moment for anything. 

That reality hit me SO HARD I sat down and recorded this BONUS episode for you... YESTERDAY. I edited it myself and stayed up working late because I believe SO STRONGLY this ONE THING can shift the trajectory of your LIFE.

And guess what? 90% of you aren't using this platform....
 
In today's episode, I walk you through the struggles of transitioning from top network marketer to online educator and coach. Why it was so dang hard to grow a following and scale my business. I walk you through EVERYTHING I tried over 24 months from blogging to Facebook ads, to group coaching... every win and every failure. 

And most importantly? I'm going to go share the platform that changed everything for me... and how it can for you too. Let's dig in.

Come learn with me beautiful.

Love and light,
Stef

P.S. Don't forget to take a screenshot and share today's episode in your IG stories to get featured in my stories! 

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Listen and Subscribe on iTunes

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​​​​​Full transcription available at the bottom of this blog post. ​​

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Confused about what to do FIRST in your business? Overwhelmed with the endless to-do list?

​Download my Mompreneur Biz Blueprint and find out the exact order of operations to build your online business.

​What to do, when. Made simple.

​bizblueprint.gr8.com

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Did you know I am a PODCAST COACH? Yep! I help women launch podcasts.
I am also a MOMPRENEUR SUCCESS COACH. I help women figure out their calling, niche, and focus. Then monetize using courses or coaching!

If you are interested in podcasting, keep reading!

A podcast is such an amazing way to grow your audience and build a brand. It helps you share your voice, pour into your niche, and build trust. Did you know audio consumption is growing by over 30% each year? People are craving audio like never before and this is YOUR opportunity to secure your spot in a massive emerging market... podcasting.

But... maybe you're thinking... what equipment do I need? Which software do I use? How do I record and edit? Where can I save money vs. outsourcing? Should I do interviews and how do I find guests? And, can my podcast make me money? (Insert a huge YES!!!!)
​
I'm here to help you answer all of those questions, and so much more.

I put together a page FULL OF FREE PODCAST TRAINING for you. Completely free. No registration nessessary. I mean, who else is tired of webinars?! Haha!

I have a full training video there on how to start a podcast in 10 steps and lots of LIVE podcast training and Q&A from my students.  I even share EXACTLY HOW I hit #54 in the Entrepreneurship Category and over 60K downloads in the first 12 months without ONE DOLLAR of paid traffic.

I've also included 10 tactical steps to starting a podcast that will scale so you can walk away from this training with implementation.
(And, P.S. all of this is 100% FREEEEEE)!!!!!

HOW TO START A PODCAST!

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I launched my podcast in 2018 after searching for a way to scale my coaching business and grow my following in a faster, more authentic way. I decided on podcasting because I have kids (aka. video isn't my jam), and because audio is growing insanely fast and I saw an emerging trend. Last, because committing to a podcast was my way of showing up consistently and dedicating myself to my mission.

What has podcasting done for my business? Well, my podcast grew my revenue by over 98%! My community has grown by thousands and it has allowed me to touch more people than I ever could have imagined.

I have now helped MANY other women (just like YOU) launch top rated podcasts. Many of them have ranked in the top #30 because of my effective launch strategy! If you want to have a show that STANDS out and grows your business, brand, and mission here on Earth - come check out my proven program.

COULD PODCASTING BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

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Show Notes:

Wanna do a coaching session with me?! From power-hour calls to monthly and annual packages, there's an option for you. Email us for the coaching menu at support@stefaniegass.com

Launch your podcast with ease. Follow the PROVEN system for scaling to success! Join the dozens of women who have launched TOP 30 RANKED shows using my exact system inside of Podcast Pro University. JOIN now and you'll get FREE, life-time access to the membership community, too! Hurry, this offer expires soon.

Thinking about podcasting? Learn EVERYTHING you need to know at my free Start a Podcast Training Page (https://startapodcast.gr8.com​)! Or, Snag my launch strategy + checklist at podcastchecklist.gr8.com

Confused about what to do FIRST in your business? Download my Mompreneur Biz Blueprint and find out the exact order of operations to build your business. What to do, when: bizblueprint.gr8.com

All of my recommended programs & software can be found at stefaniegass.com/resources
​
FB Community: bit.ly/successsupportgroup
​
Instagram: @stefaniegass

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FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION:

Welcome to episode number 54 and a half because you know me, I batch out my episodes, but this topic was so important to me. I had to squeeze it in and I didn't want to rerecord all of the episode numbers. So here we are on episode 54 and a half. And this is the number one platform for growing a massive online brand. And this is a bonus episode. I'm going to talk to you about the struggles I went through in trying to grow and scale an online community, all the different ways that I tried to grow over the two years of being an educator and a coach and an online marketer. And I'm going to tell you the number one platform that changed everything for me, my community, scalability, growth, and compounding a community faster than I ever imagined. And no it's not paid ads.

I can't wait to teach you all of my secrets today. Before we dig in, let me read you the review of the week. This review is left on iTunes from Alex Evans. She says, you need this five-star review. Steph is constantly speaking life. Anytime I listen, I feel refreshed and ready to keep pushing towards the goals I have. All of the content is encouraging, uplifting, authentic, tangible, and real. I can talk, get enough of this podcast. Thanks Steph, for being you and wanting to pour into other mom bosses. Thank you, Alex. You truly touch my heart with your review. Thank you so much because hearing reviews like that is what keeps me motivated, excited, and pouring into this passion project of mine, which is this podcast. And if you haven't left a review yet you still have the opportunity to win $120. Christian entrepreneur gift set my personal favorite. My five-year journal, Jesus calling devotional and a may through May, 2020 planner. Guys, you're going to want to win this. So head over to iTunes and leave a written review. You still have 15 more slots, but you won't have it for long. So head on over there and leave your review rat. Now

What's up mama boss. Welcome back to The Mompreneur Mastermind Show. I'm Stefanie Gass, success strategist and passive income queen creator. If you're ready to step into your God, led potential, create profit from your passions and capture the success that is already yours. This podcast was made for you as always. And you can find out more and connect with me over at stefaniegass.com. So grab that cup of coffee or fill up that glass of wine and let's dig in to today's okay.

Before I give you the number one way to grow your brand's platform community and explode your business as quickly as possible. I have to take you through a sequence of events for me so that you can really understand the personal struggle I had with this. As you guys know, I went from top network marketer, I'm talking $17,000 months at my best, the free cars, the free trips, and went through this reckoning. And I think really what it stems from for me was how it all began, how I am, where I'm sitting here right now and in the backstory is as a teenager, my worth came from what other people thought of me, right? Validation and fitting in. And I tried being the nice girl and then the mean girl, and then the skater, and then, you know, this and that. And I found, okay, I'm still feeling the same way.

I'm still feeling like there's more, there's something missing. I'm not validated in a way I'm not worthy. So then in my twenties, it was about external beauty. I wore the revealing clothes. I partied too hard. I drink too much. I got breast implants. I dated the wrong people, but guess what? There I was, again, I missing something. This is not it for me. This isn't the right feeling. I know there's more. And I was still searching for worth. In my early thirties. I then recognized that, Oh, success and worth is tied up in financial gain. It's in money. It's in recognition as far as success goes. And so guess what ran out there. I was a six figure earner in corporate. I was a six figure earner in network marketing and had so much recognition and accomplishment. But yet I was still feeling like there was something missing because my worth was not actually tied up in my bank account.

And two years into my network marketing journey, you know, top, top, top of this company, I felt pretty good. But as things started to crumble over the next couple of years, people were leaving for a different company. I was forcing people to join. I was working 60 hours a week just to maintain the lifestyle that I had grown accustomed to. I was saying the same things over and over. And I truly didn't feel in my heart that I was adding any value to anyone. I felt like I was hurting people and morally, it just wasn't the right fit for me. And so I kind of went through this early life crisis here. I was second had just been born. All the people that mattered to me that I thought mattered to me in this network marketing company, we're gone. They didn't care if I wasn't going to work this business, then I didn't matter.

Or anymore. All my worst came crumbling down around me and to boot. Okay. We had grown accustomed to a certain income level and the cashflow issues were growing and there came a month and I looked at my husband. I said, Hey, we're not gonna be able to pay the bills this month, unless we charge them on a credit card. And he's like, well, what's in, you know, what's in our son's savings account. Like my are dropped into the, my stomach. Like talk about pitting your rock bottom moment. I think for me, borrowing money from my son who was, what two at the time, his savings account was it. And that's when I had to let go and let God, that was the moment for me, where it was like, okay, this isn't, it's not about my worth and success anymore. It's about what God's call is for me and whatever he answers me with, I'm going to do it.

And so I let go, like I relinquished control and started just being still stopped. Over-Planning I think over-planning is the devil's work. It's us trying to mask our fears and try to figure everything out. When in reality we don't control everything. I think he does. So got into the gym, started working out again, started to find some really new friendships that were lifting me up that were just as equally, you know, giving as receiving and found some new mentorships. And you guys is, I discovered, okay, success for me, it's not an external beauty successes, not in fitting in. It's not in what other people think of me. It's not even in money. It's not in thousands of dollars a month or hitting a certain amount. Rank success for me was time and success for me was helping other people by pouring into, with no expectation of return, the gifts that God had blessed me with so that I could bless others with those gifts.

And that was the most moment when I decided I'm going to become an educator and a mentor for women, and I'm going to help them step into their greatest potential because I was truly like gangster at sales and marketing. I totally was killing it on social media. And I knew how to build a business that way, but I no longer want it to force people to do it my way. I wanted to meet them where they were at and say, Hey, where is your heart pushing you? And then let me conquer those fears with you. Let me hold your hand, let me lift you up. Let me guide you using God's word and faith as our basis. You know? And so when I heard that, that answer and I, you know, I think it's funny, cause God will put the right people in your life so that they can be a conduit for his word, met some new, amazing people, read the book.

I needed to read her the messages I needed to hear. And I didn't know how, wow, I didn't know where the money was going to come from, but I just took the step and I actually started a blog. It was a lifestyle blog and I started it, the blog. And I poured into that for about six months. And I'm like, Hmm, I don't think that's it. This doesn't feel like it's lighting me up. So then I started a YouTube channel because I knew I had something to say, I wanted to do it in a passive income way, but I just didn't know how, but I just decided I'm just going to try it all until something clicks, did YouTube too much work. I'm not gonna do my makeup and show up on video and edit the videos and have the background. It set up in my bedroom.

I had the pretty blue background and my kids would run in. I mean, it was just a crap shoot, you guys. So then I'm like, it's Facebook lives. So I started the group and started going live every Tuesday I would come on and share topic Tuesday. And the problem was I wasn't assistant because I'm a mom and it's super difficult to go live. And it was really disheartening because I'd get on there and on a good day, 30 people listen and on a bad day, no one would listen. And I like it just rips your, when you're doing a live video and not one person is watching or even better when people are on and then they get right off, I feel like, oops, didn't mean to click that. And I'm like, this isn't working like, and granted from those fields live viewers, I was getting, I was getting clients, God always qualifies the called.

Right. And so, so he was providing income for us to get by and for me to have a passive lifestyle with my kids, but my goal. And I think it's okay to set financial goals was $10,000 a month and passive income so that I could really make a shift in our lifestyle. We could really tell hive at a really incredible level that we could gift more and get out of debt and start to dress, do more and have the lifestyle that I truly believed was Crete was, you know, destined for. And so I'm like, gosh, you know, this is getting so frustrating. So then I shifted my focus course creation. Okay. Maybe if I create this course or this course, or this course, and then I tried Facebook ads and you guys, it was working okay. But it wasn't scaling it. Wasn't exploding. Facebook ads trying to, you know, first a hundred bucks a month, then 300 bucks a month and $500 a month.

And it was fine because it would grow my list. And I was covering the expenses of the Facebook ads, but I wasn't profiting in a huge way. And I didn't have $15,000 a month to spend on Facebook ads to profit in a massive way. So that was frustrating. So then I'm like, okay, maybe it's group coaching. So then I start group coaching and I had two really successful group coaching pros, the grams I sold out. And we had a huge inflow of income in those two months. I think we had like, wow, no, I don't, I don't even remember, but it was like close to 10,000. And that was like, well, I figured it out it's group coaching. That's how I'm going to massively impact women because I believe that I can charge and should charge for my premier products. And then I can actually help change their lives, waves.

This is it. And then I watched it a third time and I actually haven't even said this out loud because I feel like, I guess I was embarrassed in a sense launch it. The third time four people signed up and that's a blessing, believe me, but I wasn't and about to run it as a group coaching program because there's only four people. So I messaged them. I'm like, Hey, you can take it as a self study course. Here's the login. And I just sat back like, what the heck, man? Like, I'm really gifted at sales. I'm really gifted at marketing. I understand Facebook ads. I understand promotion. I have a lot of followers on Instagram. This isn't scaling and I'm so frustrated and I've got two kids. I want this to be passive. I have something to say, but I don't see it. Like social media saturated.

The algorithm is kicking my butt. Nobody's engaging with me. My Facebook group is like super blah. What the heck do I do? And I came to like this just again, stuck be still moment. And I'm such an over planner and I'm constantly trying to figure it out. And then I am, I'm brought back to girl, I got this and that whisper from God that tug at your spirit. So I really prayed on it, went to bed and I woke up the next morning. You guys, and the, the answer had been planted in my heart. I would almost say, let's go. As far as to say I heard in my dream, you will start a podcast because I woke up and the words came out of my mouth. I am starting a podcast.

What? I didn't know how, I didn't know what that meant. I only listened to like one podcast here and there. I wasn't even an avid podcast consumer, but I heard that answer. And so I leaped and I said, okay, I hear you. And it was super overwhelming. I didn't know where to start. I didn't understand which programs I needed, which equipment would make sense. I didn't understand how to get on iTunes, how to monetize my show. Should I interview, should I not interview? What does it mean to have SEO and metadata? And there were so many things that were overwhelming, but I just clicked for cord. I had a $30 microphone lean around from Amazon. The super staticky go listen to episode one and found some free software on the internet and clicked record and started recording my show. And I will tell you, I believe that podcasting has completely shifted the trajectory of my business and allowed me to scale so much faster than I ever could have continuing to show up on video, struggling to show up on Instagram and Facebook.

And I still show up there because it's important, but that's not the bread and butter. The bread and butter was the podcast. It changed everything right now. As I sit here, recording this for you, my show is about to pass 20,000 downloads and I've only been at it for seven months and I was in it for the long haul. I'm like, well, maybe it takes a decade. Maybe I can just help one person right now. But to see that people are consuming this information. Imagine that 20,000 times my show has been listened to. And my revenue passive revenue has grown by over 98%. What? From a podcast. Yes. So the number one way to grow your brand and business today that I truly believe in my soul because I've done everything. I've tried. It all is audio value, audio coaching, audio, teaching, audio interviews. Audio is where it's at.

It's a podcast. I think I know it is the number one way to expand and build your brand right now. Why? Because value wins every time in today's day and age. If you're not pouring out your best free coaching, teaching workshops, tutorials, recipes, mentorship, you're not going to win because the Google search bar is right there. People have so much access to free. They're not going to pay for something unless they love you. And how are they going to love you? They're going to love you because you're going to pour your heart and soul out, teach, show, mentor, and you're going to be consistent with it because a podcast forces you to do it. Even if it's a 15 minute show, once a week, it's consistent. You're dedicated. I've never been this dedicated to any one thing as an entrepreneur, because it was easy to bop around video live, Pinterest, marketing, Instagram, this, that content, Ooh, this hashtag that like you're trying all the things, but you're not sticking with anything.

A podcast forces you to commit, which means you're going to show up for your audience over and over. And you're going to pour out your soul and you're going to teach them and show up for them. And when you do this, you create trust. You're relatable. The number one, I think for me, the number one compliment I get is that Stephanie is a relatable. Like I'm sitting down listening to her and it's like, we're having coffee. She's like my best friend, my best business buddy. Yes, that's what I want. I w you know, I was tired of faking it, being the professional network marketer. And then all of a sudden, I'm the schmancy YouTube girl with my makeup done like BS. That's not me, but showing up in my mom bun with my iced coffee, with my peeling fingernails, with my hairy eyebrows that need to be plucked to behind this microphone.

I am the truest. Most authentic me. I have ever been. Why else is a podcast? The number one way it's simple to repurpose and distribute. You record this show. You can get it transcribed for like 10 bucks and upload it as a blog post. You can convert it into an MP4 and PO pop it into YouTube and have a YouTube channel with your podcast. You could record a video while you're recording your show. You could go live while you're recording your interview or your podcast. Now you're everywhere. And you're only speaking. One message. And here's the biggest one. Audio consumption is exploding. When do you consume information? Where are you right now? Are you driving? Are you working out? Are you mowing the lawn? Are you doing dishes? Are you doing laundry? Are you running after your kids? People want to learn while they do.

I'm sorry, but reading and watching videos. It's out. It's old news. Audio consumption is on the rise. It's by 30% every year. And it's compounding like crazy. And guess what? Podcasting is just getting started. You right now, have the opportunity to get in before the wave. You can be the first person in your niche to talk about what you talk about to teach what you teach to, to become a voice and an expert in your arena to build trust, grow your following, explode your brand, pour more free, amazing content into the world, which then in turn compounds back to you and brings you income time, freedom, financial freedom worth, because you're actually helping people. It is the most incredible gift I am telling you. I am telling you, I am telling you so that's it. That's my secret. It's podcasting. It's starting a podcast. And here's why I'm sharing this message with you.

I started having my private clients, hire me to teach them how to start a podcast. And they were paying me hourly. And I'm like, okay, another client that wants to start a show, another client that wants to start a show. And I started searching online. I'm like, isn't there a course for this? Like maybe I could be an affiliate for a course, no courses, not by women, no courses out there that taught not just how to start one, this button, this equipment, but how to market your show, how to create more money from podcasting using affiliate, marketing, your own products, how to use all the sales, Mark and marketing Ninja skills that I have. I know I have this gift, pairing it with teaching people, how to get really great guests on their show, how to promote their episodes everywhere, how to create really stellar episode layout that keeps people enticed, excited, how to record, how to edit it didn't exist.

So girlfriend, what did I do? I sat down with my computer and I started drafting every step of my process and recording it. And again, I truly feel that I had a call and that God kind of spoke to me and pushed me and is like, Hey, it doesn't exist. Create it. So I have created a podcast pro university, and this course I'm so proud of it. I truly believe that this course takes somebody from, Hey, I have an idea. Or I'm thinking about starting a podcast to Holy smokes. Like I'm recording, I'm editing, I'm launching, I've been featured. I'm getting guest spots. My following is exploding. I have so many reviews. I'm now making money from my podcast. And this is incredible and it's rewarding and fulfilling. And they can do it 10 times faster with my coaching and this course than they can on their own.

I truly believe it because I've cut through all the trial and error. I literally give in my course, 12 modules, there's hours and hours of coaching. I show you how to do each step. I all my recommended stuff. My recommended programs, my recommended equipment. When to, to promote when to publish, how often I brainstorm with you, I help you come up with your first 30 topics. I teach you everything. I give you my swipe files, my tracking files. You can download them my email pitches to get featured on other podcasts, to get guests on my podcast. I gift them to you in my course, all of it. You get free access to our membership community on Facebook, which is later going to cost me by the way. And so it's just stellar. Like I am just so proud of it. And I wanted to share it with you because if you have all are interested in this and let me give you a couple of examples.

So I had a realtor call me and she's like, I think I want coaching. I don't know what I need to do. I need to grow. Or my brand I'm like, girl, start a podcast. Talk to the home buyer, teach them first-time home buying. One-On-One you know, first room to renovate to grow your equity. How to understand mortgage rates, understanding how to become, go from a renter to a home buyer. Like she lit up. She's like, this is the answer. It's a podcast, because then it grows your rapport. It grows your business. Your, your potential home buyers are learning from you, loving you, trusting you. And when they're ready to buy, they're going to use you. And then I was like, girl, you can monetize it, create a mini course, home buying one handbook, sell that bad boy on your podcast. Right? Then I had another friend of mine come to me and she's like, I feel this strong call to minister and to teach women God's word and to host Bible studies like should I do a course, a membership group.

And my girls started pocketing cast, get on there, speak about faith and build it. And women up through the word. And maybe you have a Bible study once a month on your podcast. And then you can market a group coaching program or market your membership group through your podcast. Imagine your reach, imagine the impact you will have. And then I had someone else come to me and they're like, so I'm with the network marketing company. And I market these health and wellness products and I need to build my brand. Should I grow my Instagram? I'm like, girl, no, start a podcast. Instagram is full of algorithm. It's full of competition. You got to spend money to be seen. And, and in my opinion, it's the first touch, but it's not the fastest touch. It's the slowest touch. It's important, but it's not the fastest way to grow.

Start a podcast. I said, start teaching. Okay. Nutrition. One-On-One how to understand your macros, how to track progress without using the scale, how to stay motivated to fit in your workout. Five minute workouts for busy mamas, three supplements. You can't live without podcast and then monetize your podcast with your network marketing product, right? Like these people's brains were exploding. They're like, Oh my gosh, this is the answer. I'm like, I know. So if your wheels are spinning and you're like, maybe I should start a podcast. Well, girl, maybe you should, maybe you should have two things for you to do the first thing. Go ahead to podcast pro university and take the quiz. Should I start a podcast? And that's the first fun thing you can do. The second thing you can do is join. I have a live training webinar it's totally free. And it talks about starting a podcast.

I give examples of how you can podcast, how it might work for your business, how we monetize. I go through those different ways of monetizing. And then I walk you through. So the 10 steps of starting, launching and promoting a podcast and those 10 steps are coming out of my course. So great first step for you to get a feel for if my course is for you or not. So that link is also at podcast pro university. Okay? I believe in my course, so much you guys, and I want to see you have the type of success that the podcast has brought to me. And it's just getting started. Podcasting is evergreen. It lives on forever. It's not like creating a post and in 24 hours, it's old news. No girl, no. Like your podcast lives on an infant. When somebody finds you and they love your show, they're going to binge listen from episode one.

It never goes away. Talk about buyability with your business and brand. You're creating an encyclopedia of trainings and interviews and discussions or recipes or mentorship. It's going to live on forever. It's going to make you so much more growth, money community, then anything else can, that's what I truly believe in my heart. Even bigger than video. And the beauty too is you can repurpose it. So there you go. I girlfriend, I believe in this hardcore podcast pro university, I'm going to meet you over there. If you want to snack the course, there's a special secret deal happening right now, but you got to go to podcast pro university and opt in to find it. It's limited time. It's so big. It's so good. Holy smokes. So I, you over there and love. I just want to leave you with a prayer. I pray over you super hard right now that you find the drive excitement.

You find the inspiration that you need to just leap forward. Your biggest leap you've ever taken in your business. If you're an online marketer, I pray that you right now, believe in yourself enough to know that you can do anything. I pray that you have patience and you have dedication and consistency, and that you, I pray that God helps you learn to love the journey. Love where you are today, because your worth is who you are. You're surrounded in blessings, breathe it in baby, because those blessings are infinite right now. But your dreams are still your dreams. And I want you to strive for your dreams. And I want God to hold your hand and pull you and push you and whisper in your heart. The next step is here for you now, cheering for you. I'll meet you over at podcast pro university as always love and light, Stef.