I’m giving you a little takeaway from my podcast episodes.
Something I felt or experienced during my conversation with my guest. Perhaps something that happened behind the scenes, something that happened afterwards or something that impacted me on a personal level. When I was a field journalist, I often wrote as a freelancer for different publications. I usually wrote two pieces; one was about the topic, and the second was just for myself. How I saw the experience, filled with realness and vulnerability. I rarely shared these until one day I started writing for a publication that wanted me to share my viewpoint, they wanted to share my eyesight on things. And once I did, others gravitated towards what I shared. I consider this the most important part of my journey as a storyteller. I’ve decided to highlight a single point from my podcast – a podcast minute if you will. And then you can hop on over and enjoy the full episode with some background insight through the eyes of me, your interviewer.
First off Mieke is an amazing, open, honest and super approachable human. It’s so easy to talk to her, and there’s a feeling as though I had known her for a long time, even though we had only just met. The moment that stayed with me was when she spoke about the names, she had on her World Cup shirt. Three of the five were names of coaches who have walked with her in her journey as a cricket player, and wicketkeeper. Touching on each coach and what they gave into her life, I felt afresh the impact people make in our lives without even truly knowing how deeply that impact is sometimes felt. We can walk away changed, encouraged, and upheld by the words and the belief someone has in us. They walk away forgetting those words because they imparted them. We are touched because we are the ones who receive them.
One of the coaches Mieke mentioned is coach Claire, who encouraged her to take wicketkeeping seriously (and a lot more). After listening to the interview, Claire sent me a message saying she never realised how what she said to Mieke would stay with her and it was an overwhelming (blessing) to hear.
In that short space of a podcast, an open conversation between myself and Mieke, someone else was inspired to know their words and wisdom as a coach does matter. Our words as teachers and mentors can often seem forgotten or lost, but it’s heard and held quietly. I also believe this speaks volumes about Mieke’s character, to honour her coaches on her shirt and to give honour where it is due. To coaches (who are rarely seen in the public eye or even on TV for that matter), for them to be encouraged to know that what they do matters.
This was such a special moment in the podcast for me.
So enjoy our conversation.
And ask yourself, which five people you would honour on your shirt if you had that opportunity?
