December 10, 2025

Rising Tides Live: 2025 Successes And Challenges + Goals For 2026

1 hour 7 minutes

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef and Troy Hooper, the community looked back at the wins, lessons, and momentum that shaped 2025 while setting intentions for the year ahead. Operators, creators, technologists, and founders reflected on what it means to grow through consistency, vulnerability, and showing up even when life and business feel chaotic. From launching new ventures to giving back locally, from shifting travel schedules to embracing content creation, each story highlighted a shared theme: progress comes from participation. When people lean into connection, share real experiences, and commit to steady action, the tide rises for everyone.

Interview Takeaways:

Showing Up Is the Foundation of Growth – The episode highlighted that consistency is what moves careers, businesses, and relationships forward. Whether posting your first imperfect video, attending industry events, or joining weekly sessions, momentum begins the moment you decide to be present.

Small Actions Compound Into Big Wins – From blocking time to think, to recording early podcast episodes, to taking first steps on dream projects, everyone proved that progress doesn’t come from sweeping gestures. It comes from daily effort, tiny experiments, and the willingness to improve one brick at a time.

Community Makes Ambition Sustainable – The most meaningful 2025 wins came from collaboration: helping a child with a brain tumor live out a dream, supporting new operators, sharing tools, giving honest feedback, and celebrating milestones. When people invest in one another, aspirations feel lighter—and success becomes shared.

Episode Links:

Cali BBQ Media: https://content.calibbq.media/

Join Our Next Show: https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/

Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

Troy Hooper on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtroyhooper/

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