Episode Summary:

In the very first episode of Root to Rising, Christine Hummel sits down with her daughter, Ellie Ternes, and Ellie’s best friend, Megan Hutson, for a raw and empowering conversation about confidence, choices, and finding your path after college. From “fake it till you make it” to the floating rock mentality, they share unfiltered insights on navigating uncertainty, breaking free from expectations, and embracing life’s messy middle.

🌱 Show NotesRoot to Rising Podcast – Episode 1: Confidence, Choices, and the Messy Middle with Ellie Ternes & Megan Hutson

Welcome to the first full episode of Root to Rising with Christine Hummel—a podcast created to go beyond the highlight reels and share real stories that help women rise with courage and clarity.

Christine kicks off the show with two very special guests: her daughter Ellie Ternes and Ellie’s lifelong friend Megan Hutson. Together, they open up about the messy but meaningful transition from college to career, tackling uncertainty, and building authentic confidence along the way.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The one-year “deal” Christine made with Ellie to push her beyond her hometown comfort zone.
• Megan’s journey from psychology to marketing—and why her cousin’s beer-marketing career might be the dream.
• The role sororities, clubs, and business fraternities in shaping their confidence and career direction.
• How to build confidence when you feel unsure—fake it till you make it, remember everyone’s scared too, and lean into failure as a teacher.
• The floating rock mentality—a surprisingly grounding way to keep life in perspective.
• Why YOLO and “life goes on” aren’t clichés but confidence boosters.
• Honest reflections on cultural, family, and religious expectations—and how to choose your own path despite outside pressures.

Why listen:

Whether you’re a college student, a young professional, or simply someone rethinking what confidence looks like in your own life, this conversation will inspire you to take risks, embrace imperfection, and rise stronger from every messy middle moment.

🎧 Tune in now and start building the confidence to make choices that are fully your own.