
About this episode
Some weeks don’t just happen — they quietly shape you.
In this episode, Jen and Rachel step into what they’re calling An Era of Becoming: a season marked by starting new things before feeling ready, watching loved ones grow into themselves, and recognizing that milestones don’t arrive without a whole lot of process behind them.
☕ Coffee Break (aka Brew Break): Starting Before You’re Ready
The episode opens with a behind-the-scenes look at the launch of Coffee Break, a new Reels and YouTube Shorts series inspired by the Wichita Coffee Passport. What started as a planning conversation turned into an on-the-spot decision to grab microphones, head to a brewery and hit record.
Sometimes becoming starts with simply saying, “Let’s just try it.”
🎲 This or That: The Era of Becoming Edition
For the first time, the beloved This-or-That segment appears earlier in the episode — and it changes everything.
The game sparks deeper conversations that ripple throughout the rest of the show, with prompts like:- Starting before you feel ready vs waiting until it feels right
- Learning by doing vs learning by watching
- New beginnings vs gentle endings
- Being proud of who you’re becoming vs missing who you used to be
- Celebrating the milestone vs honoring the process
By moving this segment up, Jen and Rachel find themselves naturally circling back to their answers as real-life stories unfold — proof that becoming isn’t linear, and neither is growth.
🎭 Becoming in Real Time: Nathan’s Performance
A major heart of the episode centers on Nathan’s high school production of Alice by Heart, which has qualified for State.
The biggest moment doesn’t just happen on stage — it happens afterward, seeing a young performer glowing with pride, teamwork and adrenaline.
🎪 Broadway Anticipation: Water for Elephants
The conversation then turns toward what’s ahead: a night at Broadway in Wichita for Water for Elephants.
Jen and Rachel talk about:
- Going into shows without spoilers
- Why circus stories, theater and music often mirror seasons of becoming
- Seeing yourself reflected in characters mid-transformation
- Why live performance consistently brings big emotions
🎟️ Listener Perk:
Use code WONDER (all caps) for $20 off tickets to Water for Elephants.
🎂 Becoming an Adult: Nick Turns 18
The episode closes with reflections on another major milestone: Nick turning 18.
This moment opens up conversations about:- Watching kids become adults seemingly overnight
- Pride mixed with disbelief
- Parenting through independence
- Letting go while still staying close
Becoming doesn’t always announce itself loudly — sometimes it shows up quietly, in car keys, haircuts and vinyl nights.
🌱 Final Thoughts
This episode is a reminder that:- Growth doesn’t always look like forward leaps
- Process matters just as much as milestones
If you’re in your own era of becoming, this one’s for you.
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