We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Abigail Vaden a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Abigail, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

If I could go back in time, I think I would have started my podcast sooner. When I launched it, I was working full time and figuring out how to turn my ideas into something that actually made an impact. I didn’t have a background in broadcasting—just a voice, a message, and the drive to create something real and relatable.

Starting earlier could have meant a faster learning curve, more growth, and maybe even more opportunities that I didn’t know were possible at the time. The conversations I’ve had on the podcast have been powerful, and sometimes I wonder how different things might have looked if I’d given myself permission to start earlier.

Still, I believe timing shapes the message. Starting when I did gave me the perspective and purpose I needed. But looking back—yes, I wish I had started sooner.

Abigail, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m the host of a podcast that was born out of a deep passion for authentic conversation and storytelling. I’ve always believed in the power of real, unfiltered dialogue—the kind that doesn’t just entertain, but resonates, challenges, and connects. That belief is what led me to start my podcast, even without a background in media or broadcasting. I didn’t wait for perfect circumstances—I hit record and started building something meaningful from the ground up.

My podcast is more than a platform—it’s a space where people feel seen, heard, and understood. I interview guests from all walks of life: entrepreneurs, creatives, survivors, dreamers, and change-makers. Each episode is crafted to inspire, educate, or provide a moment of relatability for someone who might need it. Whether we’re talking about mental health, career shifts, overcoming adversity, or chasing wild dreams, it’s always grounded in truth and intention.

What sets me apart is that I lead with heart and honesty. I’m not chasing viral moments—I’m chasing real impact. I’m not afraid to ask hard questions, to sit in the silence, or to laugh mid-breakdown. I’ve built a space where guests feel safe opening up and listeners feel like they’re part of something genuine.

I’m most proud of the community that’s grown around the podcast. The DMs, emails, and comments from people saying an episode changed their mindset, helped them through something tough, or made them feel less alone—that’s the why behind everything I do.

If there’s one thing I’d want new listeners or collaborators to know, it’s that this isn’t just a show—it’s a movement. It’s for the people who want more than surface-level content. It’s for the ones who crave depth, growth, and realness. My goal is to keep showing up, keep growing, and keep creating a space where people can feel connected to something bigger than themselves.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One moment that really tested—and ultimately proved—my resilience was early on in my podcast journey, when I released my first few episodes. I had poured my heart into creating something meaningful, and I expected support to just roll in. But instead, it was quiet. No viral moment, no flood of followers—just silence. That stung. I questioned whether I had made a mistake, whether anyone cared, and whether I should keep going.

But instead of quitting, I made a decision: I wasn’t doing this for applause—I was doing it because I believed in the message. So I kept showing up. I kept creating, recording, editing, promoting—most days with no roadmap and zero guarantees. I reached out to potential guests even when I doubted myself. I pitched the show to platforms and opportunities I didn’t feel “ready” for. And little by little, things started to shift. Listeners began reaching out. The audience grew. The podcast climbed the charts.

That stretch of uncertainty taught me that resilience doesn’t always look like bold victories—it’s often quiet, persistent effort when no one is watching. It’s believing in your vision even when you’re the only one who sees it clearly. And I’m grateful I kept going, because every connection I’ve made through this platform has made the uphill moments worth it.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building my audience on social media didn’t happen overnight—and it definitely wasn’t a perfectly curated journey. It started with me just showing up as I was. I shared behind-the-scenes clips from the podcast, honest thoughts, personal highs and lows, and things I felt people needed to hear—not just what I thought would perform well. That rawness, I think, is what resonated with people the most.

One of the biggest turning points was when I started leaning into consistency. I stopped overthinking every post and just started posting with purpose. Whether it was a quote from an episode, a vulnerable story, or a light-hearted reel, I showed up regularly and made sure every piece of content aligned with my message: real talk, real life, real growth.

Collaboration also helped a ton. Featuring guests with their own followings, tagging them, and encouraging them to share gave my content more reach. I also engaged constantly—replying to comments, jumping into DMs, resharing people’s feedback. That two-way connection built trust, and trust builds community.

For anyone just starting:
• Be consistent. Even when you think no one’s watching—keep going.
• Be real. People connect with authenticity more than perfection.
• Engage. Talk to your audience like they’re already your people.
• Use your voice. Don’t try to copy what everyone else is doing.
• Repurpose content. One podcast episode can turn into 5+ pieces of content.

Most importantly, don’t let slow growth discourage you. The right people will find you, and if you stay true to your message, your presence will grow in a way that’s not only sustainable—but powerful.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abigail.g.vaden/profilecard/?igsh=MTdzOGl5eHgxM2Fhcw==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GJXXHCsCj/?mibextid=wwXIfr