From Isolation to Inspiration: How One Mom Found Her Voice (and Business) Through Podcasting

If you'd told Gabi Garland five years ago that she'd be running a podcast production company helping nearly 50 women share their stories every month, she probably would have laughed. Back then, she wasn't even an avid podcast listener.

But sometimes life has different plans.

When Everything Falls Apart

In 2019, Gabi's world looked nothing like the entrepreneurial success she enjoys today. She had recently moved from New Mexico to Virginia, leaving behind her community and support system. After experiencing the heartbreaking loss of her baby at 16 weeks, she became pregnant again. At 20 weeks, she and her husband received life-changing news: their son had a heart condition. 

"I was really lonely," Gabi reflects. "I moved from the West Coast to the East Coast, didn't really know anybody local, and I was struggling."

What she didn't fully recognize at the time was that she was deep in postpartum depression. When the pandemic hit, her isolation intensified. With a medically fragile child who would later be diagnosed with autism, working a traditional nine-to-five job simply wasn't possible.

"I couldn't get a normal job with a little boy with a heart condition and a pandemic," she explains.

Finding Community in Unexpected Places

It was during this period of isolation that a friend approached Gabi about starting a podcast together. Despite not being a regular podcast listener herself, something about the idea resonated.

"I wanted community," Gabi says simply.

But when they sat down to discuss their vision, it became clear they had very different goals. Her friend was interested in the potential for "Joe Rogan money," while Gabi was seeking something deeper—connection, authenticity, and healing.

So she decided to do it alone.

In August 2020, she launched "The Resilient Heart Podcast." The name wasn't chosen lightly—it reflected her journey as a survivor of domestic violence and the beautiful daughter who is now 25 and a police officer and volunteer fire fighter back home. While grateful for the love of her life, it came at a price from the tumultuous and abusive relationship. She and her husband are having a baby with a heart condition, and learning to navigate the complexities of raising a neurodivergent child.

When Authentic Storytelling Meets Success

What happened next surprised everyone, including Gabi herself.

"I hit number #111 on Apple Podcasts in my genre during launch weekend with just a thousand people within my social media footprint," she recalls. "I thought, 'I know you need a million people to make a BIG impact,' and I did it with a thousand."

The secret? Authentic storytelling.

"I look at podcasting a little differently than probably a lot of producers do," Gabi explains. "I really look at it from the storytelling aspect. It's really cool that you build systems for people, but why do you do that? Is there something that led you to that work? Being able to tell that story behind it—I feel like that's more engaging for an audience, but also more impactful for long and short-term success."

This approach resonated deeply with her audience. Within two weeks of launching, Gabi received her first paid speaking engagement, which led to nearly $20,000 in revenue. More importantly, she was building the community she had craved.

From Personal Healing to Helping Others

As Gabi's podcast grew, something unexpected happened. Women began reaching out, asking if she offered coaching. Drawing from her background in business development, she created a program called Selling with a Soul, with the purpose to help other women sell their products and services from a place of connection rather than the spam-filled world she lived in for years as a top producer in network marketing.

She quickly realized that business strategies alone weren't enough.

"I could teach women how to do what they needed to do, but if they didn't believe that they deserved more, or if there was some sort of emotional block, they weren't going to implement what they learned because they didn't believe they deserved it."

This insight led her to pursue additional certifications in Hypnosis with a focus on inner child and trauma, NLP, and Reiki—tools that helped her address not just the tactical side of business, but the emotional barriers that often hold women back.

Building a Business That Serves

When one of her clients expressed interest in starting a podcast, Gabi saw an opportunity. She had written her own launch strategy and achieved remarkable results. Why not help others do the same?

That client's success became the foundation for what is now Resilient Voice Media. Today, Gabi's company produces podcasts for women across various industries—from financial literacy experts to wellness coaches to authors sharing their stories.

"All of our current shows are top 10% global ranking or above in their genre," she shares proudly. "We're doing something right over here."

The Real Talk About Motherhood

What makes Gabi's approach so refreshing is her commitment to authenticity, even when it's messy. During our conversation, she shares a recent moment when her son was literally rubbing a Cinnabon wrapper on his body—something that might mortify some parents but that Gabi takes in stride.

"I was like, 'Live your best life, buddy. As long as you're happy, I don't even care. You're not breaking anything, you're not climbing on something. Frosting lotion? I'm here for it.'"

This judgment-free approach extends to her work with other mothers.

"Too often parents and moms specifically are like, 'Oh, I can't show the mess,'" she observes. "I'm like, 'No, today we're washing our mouth out with apples because we were eating out of the trash can. Welcome to my life.'"

Why Podcasting Works for Moms

For Gabi, podcasting became more than just a business—it was a lifeline during one of the most challenging periods of her life. And she believes it can serve the same purpose for other mothers.

"A lot of moms struggle with finding their voice in motherhood," she explains. "I think the power of podcasting can help moms feel empowered to share their thoughts, even if you don't need to have this crazy story. Everybody has a voice. Everybody has a story to tell. From a business-building perspective, a podcast is an incredible marketing tool, especially during seasons of life when creating consistent online content isn’t possible. 

The medium is particularly well-suited for mothers because it's flexible. You can record from home, on your own schedule, without the pressure of being camera-ready. It's about the story, not the production value.

"You don't have to be perfect," Gabi emphasizes. "You just have to be real."

The Ripple Effect

Today, Gabi's son is thriving post-surgery, and her business continues to grow. But perhaps more importantly, she's created a ripple effect of empowerment. Every woman she helps launch a podcast goes on to impact others with her story.

"I think podcasting has been an amazing thing for connection and communication," she reflects. "People are itching for a place to share their stories, but they don't know where to go."

Finding Your Own Voice

Gabi's journey from isolated new mom to successful entrepreneur didn't happen overnight. It required facing difficult emotions, seeking help, and taking imperfect action. But most importantly, it required believing that her story mattered.

"Just because you can't afford certain services doesn't mean that your story doesn't matter," she says. "Finding ways for that to be accessible is important."

Whether you're considering starting a podcast, launching a business, or simply looking for ways to connect with others during a difficult season, Gabi's story offers a powerful reminder: your voice matters, your story has value, and sometimes the most challenging chapters of our lives become the foundation for our greatest growth.

Ready to explore how podcasting might help you find your voice?

Many moms feel inspired by stories like Gabi's but aren't sure where to start. If you've ever thought about sharing your story through podcasting—whether as a creative outlet, a way to connect with others, or even as a potential business venture—there are resources available to help you take that first step.

From understanding the technical basics to crafting compelling stories that resonate with audiences, the world of podcasting is more accessible than ever. The key is starting with authenticity and remembering that every voice has something valuable to contribute.

Interested in learning more about how podcasting could fit into your life?

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