The Year in Review: A Listen Back at Your Favorite Episodes of 2021 — Episode 105

It’s so hard to believe that we’re coming to the end of another
year. And, with all the hope we had going into 2021 after a
traumatic 2020, I think it’s safe to say that this was also a
very difficult year. That’s not to say there weren’t a lot of
positive things to happen this year, but I just wanted to start
by acknowledging the fact that 2021 was hard — for me, for a lot
of you, for us. But, if you’re still showing up, whatever that
looks like at the moment, I see you and I applaud you. It’s not
easy — and especially not in the work that many of you do. But,
we made it through the year together.


It’s rare that I get on the podcast to just do a monologue — and
honestly, it feels kind of strange not having a conversation with
someone else for this episode — but I wanted to end the year with
a huge thank you to you, our listeners, for going through this
year with me and all of the wonderful guests who have shared
their stories on the show this year. It was a year of some of the
best conversations I’ve ever had the privilege of being a part
of, a year of milestones, and also a bit of a bittersweet year as
we said goodbye to my longtime cohost, colleague and friend,
Roxanne Sutton, as she moved on from NRPA to, well, be the boss
that she is! We still miss her endless wisdom on the podcast,
though.


This year we released our 100th official episode, we surpassed
100,000 downloads of the show – which, I can’t thank you enough
for continuing to listen that many times. We were also nominated
by Blue Ridge Magazine for the Best of the Blue Ridge awards,
which we’ll be finding out the results of in February – so
another thank you to everyone who voted for the podcast!


All of those milestones are due to your continued support and the
amazing individuals who have been open to sharing their
experiences. So, today we’re listening back at some of the most
popular episodes from this year. The things these folks shared on
the podcast taught me so much this year on a deeply personal
level, and I hope you feel the same.


Tune in to the full episode below as I reflect on each of these
13 most-downloaded episodes from 2021 and share inspiring
messages from guests of each episode:


Creating Opportunities for Underserved Youth in Louisville —
Episode 084

Creating a Space for Women in Parks and Recreation — Episode
085

One Year Later: COVID-19 and Parks and Recreation — Episode
086

The Importance of Amplifying Contemporary Indigenous Voices —
April Bonus Episode

What Inclusion and Accessibility Mean to a Special Olympian —
Episode 088

Creating a Culture of Transgender Inclusion in Sports —
Episode 092

Fostering an LGBTQ+ Inclusive Environment in Parks and
Recreation — Episode 094

Our Park and Recreation Story: How One Family Finds Peace in
Parks — July Bonus Episode

The Genesis Project: How a Mother Is Keeping Her Son’s Spirit
Alive — Episode 095

Leaving a Lasting Legacy in The Big Apple Through a Culture
of Care — Episode 098

On a Mission to End Playspace Inequity for Good — Episode 099

Inspiring Others to Experience the Fullness of Their Humanity
— Episode 102

How Unlikely Hikers Is Creating Community and Belonging
Outside — Episode 103