This is the first full episode of Grace Lives Here, and honestly, it still feels a little vulnerable to say that out loud.

In this episode, I share the story behind this podcast. Why it exists. Why it matters to me. And why it comes from a very different place than anything I’ve done before.

I talk about losing my voice in a very real way after surviving meningitis, how close I came to losing my life, and what it was like to rebuild myself when my brain and my words no longer worked together the way they used to. I share the fear, the self-doubt, and the lasting effects of trauma, along with how writing became the one place my thoughts could go when everything felt overwhelming and unsafe.This episode is not about having answers or offering a formula for healing. It is about telling the truth while still in the middle of things. It is about surviving experiences that leave a mark on your body, your voice, and your sense of self. And it is about making room for stories that are messy, unfinished, and deeply human.

If you are listening and you feel like you are still in the middle of your own story, still surviving parts of it and unsure how to move forward, you are welcome here. You do not need to be okay to listen. You just need to show up.

Next week, the podcast shifts into something lighter and more playful as I share the books, writing, and creative rituals that carried me through hard seasons.

Until then, remember that grace does not always show up when things make sense. Sometimes it shows up right in the middle of the mess.

Because this is where grace lives.

~ Kris

If you’d like to stay connected or explore more of this work, you can visit secondstorystudios.org. It’s where the podcast lives alongside my writing, projects, and what’s unfolding next.