What an incredible year it’s been! 2024 marked the first full year of the Penny for Your Shots podcast, and as I look back, I’m filled with gratitude for the inspiring stories, laughter, and insights we’ve shared. To celebrate, I’ve compiled the top 10 most shared and inspirational moments from this year. Did your favorite make the list? Let’s dive in!

1. Shirah Benarde: The Invention That Went Viral

Shirah shared her journey from high school student to the creator of NightCap, a drink-spiking prevention tool. From crafting the first prototype out of her mom’s pantyhose to landing a deal on Shark Tank, her story is a testament to turning a problem into a life-changing solution.

2. Joanna Giangardella: A Survivor’s Journey

Diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 cancer, Joanna refused to give up. Her powerful journey through chemotherapy, holistic healing, and mentoring others offers hope to anyone facing life’s toughest battles.

3. Niamh McAnally: The Art of Saying Yes

Niamh spoke about embracing life’s opportunities with curiosity and courage. Her philosophy of asking, “Why is this happening for me?” instead of “Why is this happening to me?” resonated deeply with listeners.

4. Lydia Martin: Massive Imperfect Action

Lydia shared her mantra of “massive imperfect action,” encouraging us to embrace progress over perfection. Her journey to entrepreneurship shows that clarity and confidence come from doing, not waiting.

5. Judy Hahn: The Beauty of Slowing Down

Judy reminded us that slowing down is essential for well-being. From prioritizing sleep hygiene to embracing stress reduction, her advice struck a chord with those juggling busy lives.

6. Victoria Chai: Conquering Networking Anxiety

Victoria’s actionable tips for navigating networking events—like observing first and preparing key talking points—helped listeners approach these situations with confidence and ease.

7. Gabrielle Bauer & Tara Smylie: Breaking Taboos

This mother-daughter duo brought humor and honesty to their discussions about navigating family relationships. Their message: relationships can be messy but worth the effort.

8. Wine Camp 2025: Peace, Love, and Wine

Robin Hackney and I teased next year’s Wine Camp, highlighting its groovy Peace, Love, Wine theme. With its exciting agenda, this episode had everyone dreaming of Virginia wine country.

9. Shrylle Mikkonen: The Power of Play

Shrylle encouraged listeners to bring playfulness back into their lives. By experimenting with new hobbies and ideas, we can spark creativity and joy at any age.

10. Penny’s Podcast Reflection: One Year of Storytelling

My solo reflection on one year of podcasting resonated with many. Sharing women’s stories, overcoming my limiting beliefs, and building this platform have been life-changing.

What’s Your Favorite Moment?
2024 was an amazing year filled with inspiring guests and heartfelt conversations. I’d love to hear from you! What was your favorite moment?

Cheers to Another Year of Connection and Growth!
Thank you for your support and for helping me share these stories. Here’s to more laughter, learning, and inspiration in the coming year.