Our Story

Emily: This year, after 30 years of not seeing or hearing from my childhood school days bestie, I got a friend request, as any solid rekindling story seems to go in these modern times. 

It was from Meredith Rausch. Formerly, Meredith Dooley. Formerly my Best Friend Forever.

I stopped in my tracks as a flood of fond memories raced through my mind. I was suddenly transported to the early 90s, where from our Catholic School and homes just blocks apart in central Wisconsin, we took on the world - together. 

With a mutual appreciation for uncomplicated joviality, ten-speed bikes that we rode with what felt like reckless abandon, collegiate crew necks, marching to the beat of our own drums, and wildly-swinging side-ponies (held high and tight with a scrunchie), we were as close as two tweens could be. With matching acrylic bangle watches and shared best friends forever necklaces as proof, we took on our world as 4th graders at Saint John Vianney in Janesville, Wisconsin, together. 

Meredith: As it goes sometimes, even the best of friendships have their seasons. The day I switched to a public school is the day Emily and I each started on our own paths, and life simply went on.  

In the 30 years that have passed, we have lived. We have learned. We have cried. We have experienced amazing joys. We have each married, had kids, and find ourselves in different areas of the country (Emily in the PNW and Me in the Southeast) - far from each other and far from Wisconsin. 

The day Emily’s brother popped up through a mutual connection on my social media was the day I emphatically scoured his friend list with any attempt to find Emily’s name. I had never forgotten about her. And I so wanted to reconnect. 

Emily: The process of reconnection has proven to be mutually cathartic, nostalgic, life-elevating, and significant for both of us. As it turns out, the pure and honest connection that was alive and well as children- and connected us at the hip back in the day - is just as pure and true as mature and seasoned adults. 

Meredith: Experiencing the power and beauty of this sincere human connection, alive both then and now, is the catalyst for the Hello Again, Friend podcast. 

Recognizing the raw and uncomplicated connection that exists as children, Hello Again, Friend opens the door to discovering if that same, pure connection that connected two souls at the hip many moons ago, may serve as the foundation to a renewed friendship as adults and leaves the gift of, “What if?” on the doorstep for each person.

Emily: And as life should have it, Meredith and I happen to have a particular interest in human connection and the power of friendship. So much so that we have each made it our life’s work - Meredith is a professor in counseling and I am a certified professional life coach. We hope that our story, as well as our professional backgrounds in guiding others through life-elevating experiences, not to mention our affinity for belly laughter and a good cry with a box of chocolates in hand, will allow us to offer support, comfort, and encouragement as these sweet reunions among childhood friends takes place - live on our show. 

This is the Hello Again, Friend Podcast. And YOU are welcome here.