Grace over Goals: Starting 2026 without a Perfect Plan

Welcome back to The Bry & Samua Show — and welcome to 2026. If the last few years have felt like five years crammed into two… you’re not alone.

In this episode, Bry and Samua sit down for a real, unfiltered conversation about starting a new year when life doesn’t “reset” on January 1st — and when plans can be rewritten overnight.

We talk about the “before COVID / after COVID” feeling, how time has felt distorted since 2020, and why years like 2018 and 2019 feel like a different lifetime. As always, the conversation moves from deep reflection to laughter and nostalgia — the kind that makes you feel like you’re sitting with friends.

Yes… we talk NSYNC vs Backstreet Boys, first concerts, lawn seats, parking lot chaos, and the moment your favorite songs suddenly land on the oldies station. We also talk about the power of live music — not just arena shows, but small venues — and why shared experiences matter for mental health.

But this episode isn’t just nostalgic. It’s about how to move forward when life is heavy.

Bry is currently walking through a leukemia diagnosis that arrived suddenly in early November — and it changed everything. If you’ve ever had life flip upside down without warning, you’ll understand the core theme of this episode:

You can’t always control what happens — but you can choose how you respond.

Bry shares what it’s like to enter a new year without a clear timeline, while waiting for a bone marrow transplant, navigating treatment, and balancing rest with the desire to stay strong.

This part of the conversation is for anyone facing a health crisis, major uncertainty, sudden life disruption, or emotional exhaustion and pressure to “stay positive.”

We keep it real: you can still have hope without pretending it’s easy, and you can still plan without turning your plan into a prison.

We talk about New Year’s resolutions and why the all-or-nothing mindset usually fails. Instead of treating January 1st like a reset button, we suggest using the new year as a checkpoint: what worked, what didn’t, and what you want more or less of.

One key truth: When you fall off — don’t quit. You don’t need to wait until next year or next Monday. You restart from where you are, with the energy you have. Samua shares how this shows up in endurance training — celebrating progress even when the plan isn’t perfect. Consistency isn’t perfection. Consistency is resilience.

We explore family dynamics and boundaries, especially when people don’t show up the way we hope. Boundaries don’t always mean cutting people off; sometimes they’re quiet, practical, and intentional.

We also reflect on the “Let Them” idea — including the harder part: letting people love and support you. Healing isn’t just about cutting people off. It’s about learning how to be okay inside yourself, regardless of what others choose.

2026 doesn’t have to be perfect. It can be a year of intention, growth, healing, and grace.

Choose one thing to grow in — a habit, a boundary, a class, a conversation, or a step.
Small steps add up.

Drop a comment:
• Are you making New Year’s resolutions this year?
• What’s one thing you want to grow in during 2026?
• Has life ever rewritten your timeline?

If this episode made you feel less alone: Like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs encouragement.

We’re excited to be in 2026 with you — choosing to keep moving forward together. 💛

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.