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Welcome back to “So This Happened” with Jen and Rachel! This week, we’re diving deep into the art of showing up—whether it’s for friends, strangers, or yourself. From spontaneous adventures to the power of community, this episode is packed with laughs, real talk, and a few unexpected shoutouts.

🔥 Episode Highlights:
TBEX Takes Wichita by Storm: Jen shares her behind-the-scenes experience as community manager at the Travel Blogger Expo, where nearly 200 bloggers descended on Wichita. Shoutout to the city for “showing up and showing out”—dancing safety cones and all!

Swifties Unite: When Taylor Swift’s new album dropped, Jen rallied the TBEX crew for a Swiftie trivia night at Tor Brewing. Special love to Brenda (the ultimate Swiftie by proxy) and Tim, the most supportive man in the world. “If you want to expand your customer base, just host a T Swift event!”

Strangers Become Friends: From spontaneous coffee meetups with Amy (whose blog, Elijah’s Baby Bucket List, is a must-follow!) to impromptu adventures with Jewel from Winfield, this episode is a masterclass in making connections.

Wichita: The Most Accessible City? Amy’s story about Wichita’s accessibility for her family is a heartwarming reminder that small towns can have a big impact. “That’s such a positive thing to do. Good job, Amy!”

Vinyl Vibes: Tim’s inaugural ICT Vinyl Club Night at The Depot brought together old friends, new faces, and a whole lot of ‘90s nostalgia. “Music is the connector—it brings everyone together.”

Girls’ Trip Glow: Rachel recounts a low-key Kansas City getaway with her friend Ali, complete with haunted wineries and hotel TV marathons. “Potent but delicious—just like me!”

Boundaries & Hosting: The duo gets real about the joys and challenges of hosting, setting boundaries, and being a good guest. “There will be spills—and sometimes, we’re the ones who do it!”

💬 One-Liners & Memorable Quotes:
“Wichita showed up and showed out.”
“Swiftie by proxy—Tim, you’re the real MVP.”
“Strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet.”
“Music is the connector. Your vibe attracts your tribe.”
“Showing up is a form of love. So is setting boundaries.”
“If someone invites you, they actually want you there. Stop with the imposter syndrome!”

🙌 Shoutouts:
Amy – For her inspiring family travel blog and advocacy for accessibility.
Jewel – For saying yes to adventure and becoming a fast friend.
Tim – For hosting the ICT Vinyl Club and being the ultimate supportive partner.
Brenda – Swiftie by proxy and all-around legend.
Ali, Holly, Blake, and the KC crew – For making the girls’ trip unforgettable.
Gush Media (Tanner) – For social media tips and Wichita pride.
Tor Brewing, Grow, Higher Grounds, The Depot, Larcher’s Market – For being the backdrop to so many great stories.

🎲 Game Time: Show Up or Shut Down
Jen and Rachel play a rapid-fire game of “Show Up or Shut Down,” tackling scenarios from networking happy hours to spontaneous girls’ weekends. Spoiler: Sometimes you need to set boundaries, and that’s okay!

💡 Valuable Conversations:
The importance of showing up for others—and for yourself.
How music, food, and shared experiences break down barriers.
The power of saying yes to new connections (and knowing when to say no).
Why being a good host (and guest) matters.
Navigating imposter syndrome and embracing your own worth.

Next Week Teaser:
Get ready to “romanticize your life” with a special episode featuring Her Edit Candles. Set the mood, light a candle, and join us for more laughs, stories, and bonus content!

Connect with Us:
Follow Jen: @jlarict on Instagram

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Welcome back, friends! In this episode, Jen and Rachel take you on a whirlwind tour of their fall weekend adventures, packed with local flavor, unexpected encounters, and enough pumpkin spice to make even Taylor Swift jealous.

🍂 What’s Inside This Episode:

• Friday Night Feels:
  The gals kick things off with dinner at The Depot (chef salad = chef’s kiss), followed by a “quick” beer at Leprechaun’s Lab that turned into a full-on close-the-place-down kind of night. (Pro tip: If you’re going to Leprechaun’s Lab for “just one,” bring a sleeping bag.)
• Nailed It—Literally:
  Jen’s Saturday started with a nail emergency (RIP to the last set), but it turned into a “Life of a Showgirl” mani inspired by Taylor Swift’s new album. Shoutout to Kayla for clocking the reference before anyone else—Swifties, unite!
• Pumpkin Patch Palooza:
  Saturday’s main event: a trip to Walter’s Pumpkin Patch in Burns, KS.
  • Early birds get the best pumpkins (and avoid the crowds).
  • Top activities: train rides (caboose squad!), petting the world’s friendliest goat, and sampling the legendary pumpkin spice mule in the adult beverage garden.
  • Local cider and beer galore—special shoutouts to White Crow, Cider Boys, and Angry Orchard for keeping the fall vibes flowing.
  • The staff and owners at Walter’s? Absolute gems. Thanks for making everyone feel like family!
• Slide Into Nostalgia:
  Rachel relives her childhood on the tunnel slides, and the duo discovers the expanded playground, complete with tractor tire swings and spooky skeletons. (Warning: Going down the fast slide may reactivate your inner child and cause spontaneous cartwheels.)
• Sunday Funday:
  • Open Streets in Delano, brunch at Livingston’s (we love you, Livingston’s!), and a little retail therapy at The Workroom.
  • Art shoutout: Lori Moody’s home art show—thanks for the beautiful print and for teaching Rachel how to oil paint!
  • Chiefs game at The Belmont—victory tastes even sweeter with local brews.
• Bonus Adventure:
  On the way back from the pumpkin patch, the crew pops into Walnut River Brewing in El Dorado for “just a beer.” Spoiler: They stay for three hours, make new friends (hi, Ben Wheeler!), and leave with a six-pack each.
  • Pro tip: If you’re at Walnut River, try the BBQ chicken pizza and the queso (with a green chili kick!).
  • The serendipity is real—sometimes the best memories are the ones you don’t plan.

🏆 Local Shoutouts:

• The Depot (for dinner that hits the spot)
• Leprechaun’s Lab (where “just one beer” is a myth)
• Walter’s Pumpkin Patch (the ultimate fall destination—go for the pumpkins, stay for the goat)
• White Crow, Cider Boys, Angry Orchard (cider squad)
• Walnut River Brewing (BBQ pizza, friendly staff, and surprise six-packs)
• Livingston’s (brunch goals)
• The Workroom (for all your local shopping needs)
• Lori Moody Art (support your local artists!)
• The Belmont (where Chiefs wins are celebrated in style)
• Harvester Arts (upcoming sponsor—thank you!)

🎉 Coming Soon:

• Episode 16 will feature Jenna from Her Edit Candles—get ready to romanticize your cozy spaces!
• Special thanks to Harvester Arts for sponsoring the upcoming episode.

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Welcome to Episode 13 of "So This Happened"—and this one’s a breath of fresh air! Join us as we uncork a bottle of "The Verdict" (spooky label and all) and dive into a lively, laughter-filled conversation about the power of taking a break, the magic of road trips, and why recharging is absolutely essential.

Episode Summary: After a whirlwind of adventures, Rachel returns from a sisterly road trip through New Mexico’s wild beauty—complete with bear-proof trash cans, corgi camp hosts, and the world’s largest pistachio. The duo swap stories about camping under the stars, the joys (and challenges) of disconnecting from technology, and the unexpected lessons learned from nature. Meanwhile, Jen shares her own weekend of Oktoberfest beers, hair transformations, and the importance of community and connection.

But this episode isn’t just about travel tales—it’s a heartfelt reflection on knowing when you need to recharge, how to listen to your intuition, and the little rituals that help us reset. From grounding in the mountains to making lists on bathroom mirrors, Rachel and Jen get real about self-care, mental health, and the value of planning moments of joy.

What You’ll Hear:

• The story behind "The Verdict" wine and its spooky label
• Rachel’s epic New Mexico camping trip: Santa Fe, White Sands, and more
• Bear safety, cougars, and the art of setting up a tent in under 10 minutes
• The joy of showering at truck stops and campground camaraderie
• Disconnecting from technology: what happens when you have no signal for days
• Reflections on recharging: how to know when you need it, and how to make it happen
• The power of planning adventures and having something to look forward to
• Jen’s Oktoberfest adventures, hair appointments, and the magic of local music
• This or That: road trips, camping vs. boutique hotels, cider vs. beer, and more
• Real talk about self-care: spa days, shopping, and the little things that keep us sane

Timestamps:

• 0:00 – Cheers! Introducing the episode and "The Verdict" wine
• 2:00 – Road trip tales: camping, bears, and New Mexico’s hidden gems
• 10:00 – Disconnecting from tech and the joy of being off the grid
• 20:00 – The world’s largest pistachio and surprise gifts
• 30:00 – Jen’s weekend: Oktoberfest, hair transformations, and community
• 40:00 – Reflections on recharging: intuition, anxiety, and grounding rituals
• 50:00 – This or That: road trips, camping, cider, and more
• 60:00 – Self-care, shopping, and the importance of maintenance
• 70:00 – Listener shoutouts, upcoming adventures, and how to connect

Takeaways:

• Recharging isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Listen to your intuition and plan your resets.
• Nature, travel, and even a simple change of scenery can work wonders for your mental health.
• Disconnecting from technology can help you reconnect with yourself and those around you.
• Self-care looks different for everyone—find what works for you, whether it’s a spa day, a shopping spree, or a walk in the woods.

Connect with Us:

• Follow Rachel’s adventures on Instagram: @studioellechappelle
• DM us your fall adventures, questions, or suggestions for future episodes!
• Subscribe, rate, and share if you enjoyed the show—your support means the world.

Thanks for listening! The verdict is in: recharging is essential. We hope this epi

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