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Shawna Rodrigues 0:00

Grit. It's a word that can get tossed around a lot. But if you put much thought into it, and adding it to a show, well, we have noticed that in that context, it sounds very similar to another word when that rhymes with it, and a whole different kind of show. It will over add it. But does any of this have to do with a podcast?

Shawna Rodrigues 0:24

Welcome to The Grit Show. Growth on purpose. I'm grateful you found us. We're a community growing together as seekers and thrivers. I'm your host, Shawna Rodrigues. And you are joining us for our inaugural Thursday thoughts. These episodes come out each Thursday, and vary from the format of our Tuesday episodes that include guests and are conversational. These episodes are much shorter, typically less than 10 minutes. And are solo episodes where I get to talk to you one on one. The topics vary. It might be a bit of storytelling, passing along information, or just sharing thoughts, as the name clearly implies.

Shawna Rodrigues 1:06

Today, to kick things off, we're going to start with a bit of background, and a little framing. It makes sense to wonder, where did the name The Grit Show even come from? And what does it mean for the content of the show? So first off, some things at The Grit Show is not. It is not a show dedicated to the many ways you can cook grits. I know it's possible, it could be that because I've lived in Louisiana. And I know the culinary genius that exists there. However, that's not what the show is. It also isn't about liberal Canadian politics. I didn't even know that grit was liberal in Canadian politics until I stumbled across it in a definition. There's so much in this world that I still have to discover and learn about. It also isn't just straightforward conversations about that buzzword term, grit. Nearly a decade ago, I went through a period of time where life literally pulled the rug out from underneath me. Something that you yourself may relate to. I was working hard, putting in the long hours, bending as far as I could to meet demands, still maintaining my integrity and making lots of sacrifices. Because I thought I knew what was important. Because I was passionate about my work. And I thought I was moving closer to what I wanted. Then everything completely fell apart. Okay, more like it absolutely imploded. My world turned upside down. There was some dark moments in that chapter. Ones I'm sure you will hear about as we get to know each other better.

Shawna Rodrigues 2:38

My favorite people are always the ones that gave it to me straight. So on a visit with one of these dear friends, I was finally ready to talk in detail in person about what did occurred. And he poured out all the messy information. They listened intently. Let me cry a little. And then I waited for their sage advice. Their only response? Well, that's a real ****** show. Yep, that was the best way to sum it up. According to dictionary.com. That's a situation or event marked by chaos or controversy. Webster says it's something such an event or situation is chaotic, contentious or unpleasant to an excessive or absurd degree. All very accurate depictions about what I was going through. But words are important and I wanted something different. I also did went to the dictionary.com's second definition, which was a person or thing that is a total mess, failure or disaster. Definitely, did not want to be a total mess, failure or disaster. That is when I reframed, as they often do. And I chose my narrative path and move forward. I decided instead that my life would be The Grit Show and my opportunity to show up, step up and be able to change things. Hence the genesis of the show's title.

Shawna Rodrigues 3:59

Even back then I never would have dreamed of having a podcast. At that point it was simply a frame for have lived my life. I thought about having a blog somewhere to chronicle the process of me figuring things out for writing consistently and editing or not exactly something I commit to was going through so many transformation. The term The Grit Show was something that I had the opportunity to just simmer. About a year and a half ago, while working on some great projects around grit, grace and gratitude, three of my favorite words that I'm sure we will talk about often here. The Grit Show came to the forefront. And I knew it was meant to be a podcast. Show was always in the title, right? So I purchased equipment, lined up guests, set a launch date and made some big, big glance. However life intervened. And last summer, other things are put in the forefront. That really is quite a long story. So much the fact that we'll have to talk about it another time.

Shawna Rodrigues 5:00

So next week's Thursday thoughts we'll dive into that. The little teaser I'll give you is it begins with one of those doctor's appointments, or something starts out as good news, and then somehow takes a wide left turn and turns into a referral to a neuro oncologist. Yep, you heard that right neuro oncologist. Definitely something we need more time for. So we'll dive into that next week. The year that this cause of had to ripen was in the end, just what it needed. Grit is the tenacity to get beyond the challenges. The courage, resolve and strength, the character needed for life's hardest moments. Grit, is about the hard parts. And grit is imperative. But it doesn't fit into the podcast in the obvious sense. It's still the title, right? Well, the show's title is for you. It's about you. It's describing all of us as a community. This is our show. The title is referring to what should be on the show. It's about who's listening to the show. You have grit, you have persevered. You are the doer. This somebody who has made things happen in your life, who has pushed through and overcome things in your life. I think that is a common ground that makes this community what it is. That's why The Grit Show is the title of this. Because that is where we all connect. The year since I was first ready to launch this show has helped me to recognize that who we are, means that what we want for this show is there's something more that comes after all the hard work. That comes after the struggle and the fight and the pushing through.

Shawna Rodrigues 6:38

So this show isn't about ruminating on the grit that got us through. We have a tenacity and courage that made us who we are. We're very grateful to be who we are, were very grateful we've gotten to the other side, that is definitely part of us. We're proud of that. However, we're ready for the next phase, we are ready to thrive, we're ready for the ease, ready for the openness, we're ready for more. And that, that is what the show is about. That is what we're looking for. We're looking for that something more. So this show is where we grow together as a community and move closer to that as we learn more about how to be in better alignment with who we are and what we want. This is where we talk about purpose, where we shake out the buzzwords and turn them to concepts and actions that connect to our lives and get us to where we want to be. It's where we find connection and see that we aren't alone on this journey. It's where we all agree that life is harder than we thought, that we have more grit than we ever thought we needed. But now we need to learn to let go of all of it a little. We need to seek the spaces and places where we can move a bit easier. We are about growth on purpose. I'll be here every week, learning alongside you and offering tidbits from my own journey, when I think they may be helpful.

Shawna Rodrigues 8:02

I have decades of experience leading teams and organizations in the nonprofit and public sector. A clinical social work license, and I've even received awards from the Boston University Alumni Association and the Department of Health and Human Services for my work. All that tells you is that I am passionate about what I do. And I care deeply about my work. And when I'm here, I care deeply about you. And I'm passionate about this podcast, and it actually making an impact on your life. The Grit Show's about community. Together we'll find our voice. Discover our way. Figure out what we truly want and get small, actionable way each week to uncover what we truly want and ways to make our lives a little better.

Shawna Rodrigues 8:45

I'm so glad you found us. Be sure to take a minute and subscribe or follow us wherever you listen. So you'll be alerted as soon as we have new episodes posted each Tuesday and Thursday. You can also go to our website, www.thegritshow.com to join our mailing list and get free coloring pages. Hey, we are all about self care and whatever small ways we can build a day. Thanks for being here. I hope your weekend ends well. Make sure you take a minute to do something you love just for you this weekend. Even if it's only 15 minutes, you need to start somewhere. Special shout out to John Michael Farley, the brilliant mastermind behind The Grit Show's unique theme music. I look forward to being with you next week.