Have you ever felt like certain parts of your story were too messy to share? That maybe you should keep them tucked away, hidden from the world? If so, this episode is for you.

I sat down with Olli DeBoer, host of the Dirty Laundry podcast, to talk about the power of storytelling, vulnerability, and why sharing our experiences—no matter how difficult—can be life-changing. Olli is no stranger to deep conversations. With a background in social work and foster care licensing, she works closely with individuals who have walked through some of life’s toughest challenges. And now, through her podcast, she’s creating a space for others to share their own stories in a way that brings healing, connection, and understanding.

Why We Hide Our Stories

Olli and I dove into why so many of us hesitate to share the harder parts of our journey. Whether it’s fear of judgment, rejection, or simply the societal pressure to always appear “put together,” we often keep our struggles locked away. But as Olli shares, the reality is that everyone has “dirty laundry.” The things we think we should hide are often the very things that connect us to others.

She explains that through her own experience—navigating trauma, therapy, and healing—she found immense power in sharing her story openly. That honesty led her to launch Dirty Laundry, a podcast that highlights real, raw conversations about topics like childhood healing, sexual assault, and moral injury.

The Journey of Launching a Podcast

We also talked about what it was like for Olli to start her podcast from scratch—and let’s just say, it wasn’t as easy as she first thought! From figuring out the technical side of things (hello, RSS feeds!) to balancing deep, emotional conversations, launching Dirty Laundry has been a learning process.

One of the biggest lessons? Just start.

Olli shared a piece of advice that really stuck with me:
“Nobody listens to your first 20 episodes. And that’s actually a good thing!”

When you’re just starting out, whether in podcasting, business, or any creative pursuit, it’s easy to get caught up in perfectionism. But the truth is, you don’t have to be perfect—you just have to begin.

Holding Space for Hard Conversations

Because Dirty Laundry tackles some incredibly deep and emotional topics, I asked Olli how she takes care of herself while holding space for others. She shared that fitness (she’s also a boxing coach!), her faith, and strong support from her family and friends help her process and recharge.

We also talked about how important it is to separate yourself from the stories you hear. As much as she wants to support and empathize with her guests, she’s learning how to not carry their pain as her own. This is such an important reminder for anyone in a helping profession or who frequently holds space for others—your well-being matters, too.

The Vision for Dirty Laundry

Even though her podcast is only a month old, Olli has big plans for the future. She’s working on launching merch (which I love—yes, I already put in my request for a t-shirt!) and hopes to create products that align with each season’s theme. Her long-term vision? To merge her podcast work with her dream of becoming a therapist, creating a space for both large-scale impact and one-on-one healing.

What’s Your Next Brave Step?

Olli’s story is such a powerful reminder that sharing our experiences—no matter how “messy” they feel—can be healing, not just for ourselves, but for those who hear them.

So I want to challenge you: What’s a part of your story that you’ve been afraid to share? Maybe it’s time to take that next brave step and open up about it, whether in a journal, with a friend, or even on social media.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment below or tag me and Olli on Instagram (@TheNextBraveStep & @DirtyLaundryPodcast) and let us know what stood out to you the most.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify!