The beginning of a new year often brings questions about what’s next — new goals, new plans, new versions of ourselves.

But what if we paused long enough to ask a different question?

What if, instead of rushing forward, we reflected on what we’ve already lived?

This episode marks the start of a new Ages & Stages series on The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth — a space to honor women at every point in their lives and careers, and to explore what each season teaches us about leadership, identity, and purpose.

As I reflected on my own life, I noticed patterns that have followed me through every stage: curiosity, creativity, ambition, and a deep fascination with people. From childhood afternoons spent reading in patches of sunlight… to teenage years driven by achievement… to early adulthood shaped by marriage and motherhood… to entrepreneurship fueled by growth and, eventually, burnout. Each and every season left its mark.

What I’m learning now, in this midlife (yikes!) chapter, is that there are no clean dividing lines between stages.
The skills we build early don’t disappear.
They evolve.

• The creativity that once showed up through Barbies and books later became storytelling and strategy.
• The discipline learned in classrooms and rehearsal spaces now shapes how I lead teams and facilitate conversations.
• The ambition that once needed to prove something is slowly transforming into a desire to create meaningful impact.

This season is teaching me to linger.
To move with intention.
To ask better questions instead of chasing faster answers.

That’s the heart of this series — and this episode, number 234 of The Found Podcast.

As you step into this year, I invite you to reflect on your own age and stage.
What has it taught you?
What are you still carrying forward?
And how might this season be inviting you to lead differently?

Sometimes growth isn’t about becoming someone new.
It’s about integrating who you’ve always been.