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Holy smokes. It’s the first show of a project I’ve been wanting to launch for over two years! I don’t know what. I recorded this episode in not my first apartment in Charleston, but my second.

About Jordi

Anyways, my name is Jordi and I’m the host of The Big Sis Podcast. I was born and raised in a small town in Western Wisconsin (so small that people ride snowmobiles to school sometimes…)

Growing Up

My high school experience was a little different than most. The summer before my freshman year of high school, I contracted Lyme disease. It’s a tick-borne illness that affects everyone differently. For me, I missed two years of high school and my doctors weren’t sure if I’d live. I was told to not plan on anything, which wasn’t my schtick.

My case of Lyme disease was a journey. I don’t remember people vs

College

I applied for a few schools: Arizona State, the University of Hawaii, and the University of North Dakota. I ended up at UND– which still baffles me considering how much I love the beach and warm weather. I wanted to be close to home, which made for a good plot line.

At UND, I joined a sorority, made tons of friends, and have so many memories that I’ll forever be grateful for. I experienced what some might consider “too much” fun.

My sophomore year of college, I was assaulted at a fraternity by someone I was close with. For seven months, I was bullied online, in class, and on campus leading up to the hearing. I can’t remember the amount of times I had to tell my story to the same people. It was the darkest period of my life, but I don’t regret it. It brought me to where I am.

Fast Forward

I met the love of my life the summer after my assault. We fell in love and fell fast. I decided to move home and switch to online. We lived together for 5 years, had a wedding planned, and life was perfect on the outside. But then one day, it wasn’t. He ended our engagement the week of our 5 year anniversary and the 6th anniversary of my assault. I thought my story was over.

I went from being assaulted to finding someone who thought I was worthy despite of it all. But then I wasn’t worthy. I was pushed out of a picture I thought we were painting together.

Road trip

So I did what anyone would do and booked a mini Eat Pray Love. I traveled 6,000 miles, hiked 10 national parks, and drove through 14 states.

I wanted to fill my camera roll with memories that didn’t include him. I wanted a chance to make memories by myself. I’ve always been sick, or processing the assault, or in a relationship that wasn’t healthy, to not being in a relationship at all. There were so many highs and a few lows, but it was my way of finding myself.

Part of this trip was me trying to figure out if I’d be living on the West Coast with my best friend Kaitlin. But I quickly realized that it wasn’t where I was going to end up. Nothing felt like home.

Road trip

My therapist and I talked after my trip and she challenged me to consider the East Coast. I didn’t want to, but because she challenged me I had to prove her wrong. She asked where I was going to go and the only place I could think of was Charleston.

I got off the plane and I knew it was where I was supposed to be.

I didn’t like Charleston though. The sand was prettier in Hawaii. I kept finding reasons to like it. Finally Kaitlin said to me, “Stop comparing this to everywhere else you’ve been. Maybe it’s supposed to be different.”

On the last day of the trip, I went to Folly Beach and asked for a sign that I was supposed to be there. I got to the crosswalk and the hand had blocked out two fingers to display the “I Love You” sign… which is how my family says hi and goodbye.

Moving to CHS

Kaitlin (she’s literally in every story!) helped me move down in a U-Haul in February. We’ll definitely be chatting about that because it’s quite humorous.

The Big Sis Podcast Podcast

I started this podcast because I want one person to feel a little less alone.

I hope that my story and the people that come on the show share things that make you take a deep breath. I plan to have different opinions and perspectives on the show. An outlet for me to talk to people, share stories, and create a community of support.

Thank You

I was ready, then I wasn’t, then I was, then I wasn’t, now I am.

I’ve put this off for so long, but I just want you to know that you’re here for a reason. Your big sis (aka ME!) is always here and willing to chat. I hope that through these episodes, things make a little more sense in your life.

tl;dr I started a podcast.