As I end my podcast for the foreseeable future, I reflect with great gratitude upon what I have learned, the people I have met, the support I have enjoyed and the incredible opportunity to tell and share stories from people all over this world. I want to end this season, episode and podcast as I started it, by stepping out of the boat of sameness and into the sea of adventure.

Although I would have liked to thank each guest by name, I did not want my whole episode to sound like a segment from the acceptance speeches from an award show. But I truly am beyond thankful for the contribution of each and every guest, listener, musician and supporter for making this a fantastic four seasons on this podcast.

In my final episode, I want to reiterate my purpose and my point in doing this. During COVID, we all were redirected. Instead of whining and being angry I chose to turn to the wisdom of my elders, my dad in particular. I chose to say that when the going gets tough, the tough get creative. I stepped out of my comfort zone as a teacher, author and dancer and learned how to and then became a podcaster. It was a way I could still use my gifts of storytelling and encourage others to tell their stories to encourage and inspire others too.

As I step away from podcasting now, I have great anticipation to fulfill a life-long dream of playing music. In this episode, I share the messages that told to me, as a child, I would never be able to play a musical instrument. I relate how God brought me a teacher and mentor, in my 70's, to dismiss those messages.

May you find ways to dismiss negative messages, find and cling to those who reinforce the message, "You can do this." Thanks for all the years of support. I hope this podcast has encouraged you to live your best life, realize your dreams and go forward to find/share your gifts no matter your age or stage.

God bless.

All my love,
Laura

The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero Praise Fellowship
https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com

I can not imagine a better guest to end this fourth season of Livin' What You're Given Podcast, than Robin Freed. Robin is also my last interview as I end the podcast for the foreseeable future. The reason Robin is such a great fit for this role is because she embodies all the values and encouraging messages I've tried to highlight in this show for four seasons.

Ms. Freed is a musician, playing several instruments, including piano, harp, and hammered dulcimer. She is a teacher of all of these as well. She feels that no matter what age or stage we find ourselves in, we can learn, grow and heal by playing music. Drawing from her own experiences, she relates how many adults take music lessons when they are kids but give it up for a variety of reasons. Life happens. But then as adults they can be reluctant to return to this beautiful and beneficial art form. This is what happened in her own life. She was given lessons and played for several years as a child and young adult. And after a fairly long absence returned to playing and making music.

She shares stories of her eye witness accounts of people finding healing and new directions through grief and loss by listening to and playing musical instruments, especially the harp. As an older adult student of Robin's, (recently deciding to play the harp), I can attest to the truth of these statements.

Robin believes that we are never too old to learn new ways to express ourselves in art forms. And that is why I am so grateful to have her has my last interview to reinforce what I have been saying throughout this podcast. We have value, purpose and the ability to learn and create at any age or stage.

For more information about Robin, her studio and to speak with her about possible resources, go to her email address at: robin@harpsandhammers.com, or contact her by telephone at (970)275-8996.

The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero Praise Fellowship
https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com/

My guest today holds a special place in my heart. Her name is Suzanne Chimera and she is Co-Founder of ​Hair We Share, an organization that takes hair donations and make wigs for people who are losing their hair due to a variety of reasons.

I met Suzanne in January of 2024 when I contacted her to take a donation of my sister, Mary's, hair after she passed away from cancer. Mary had long brown hair but because she had gray throughout her locks, I had to find a place that would take hair that had gray in it. I was referred to Susanne at Hair we Share and I knew this is where Mary would have wanted her beautiful hair to go in order to help others.

In this episode Suzanne shares the story of this incredible organization, how it came about, where it has gone from day one because of the request of a child to have a wig made for her because of her severe alopecia (hair loss). She talks about the overwhelming amount of beautiful donations that are sent to Hair We Share every year.

We have formed a special bond around the gift of my sister's hair. And she graciously shares the story of where Mary's hair is going even though I did not actually send it to her until several weeks after Mary's demise. As we talked over the months after she received Mary's braid, we became friends while waiting for just the right person to receive a wig made from my little sister's hair.

In ending this podcast season and perhaps the podcast at this point, I hope you will be inspired to share whatever you can to help others. That is when we understand our stories do matter.

To give a donation or money to Hair We Share, find information on how to do that at this link: https://hairweshare.org

The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero Praise Fellowship
https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com/