When Jane Smith’s van breaks down outside Bend, Oregon, she’s forced to face more than a busted alternator, she must confront the fear of being seen.

What follows is a story of healing, art, and the courage to call yourself an artist.

Brushstrokes to Breakdowns is a journey through silence, self-doubt, and the road that leads home-not to a place, but to purpose. Perfect for dreamers, painters, and anyone building a life from the ashes of what came before.

Keywords: artist journey, female entrepreneur fiction, vanlife story, creative healing, women in business, finding purpose, self discovery, small town romance, inspirational fiction, Hallmark style, business fiction, #HerStoryHerJourney, #BusinessFiction

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💌 Join the Her Story Society for behind-the-scenes art and story notes → https://www.patreon.com/HerStoryHerJourney

About the Podcast: Her Story. Her Journey is where fictional storytelling meets real-world business inspiration. Each episode shares a short, emotionally rich story designed to help you move forward in your own entrepreneurial journey, whether you're just starting or starting over.

I'm Melissa, a successful business owner, mom of six, and business coach with over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience and 7 years coaching women just like you. I've built multiple income streams from home while raising a family, and I believe in learning through story, because stories stick. If you’ve ever felt like business advice wasn’t made for your life, you’re in the right place.

In this narrated fiction episode, Sam Antonio is more than a name, it’s a reminder that your past doesn’t define your future. This heartfelt story follows Sam as he learns to pursue his dreams despite mistakes, regrets, and the weight of history. Along the way, he discovers that the courage to move forward is often greater than the pain of looking back.

If you’ve ever felt stuck because of your past, doubted your worth, or wondered if it’s too late to begin again, this story is your invitation to believe otherwise. With warmth, grit, and inspiration, Sam Antonio shows us that no matter where we’ve been, we all have the power to step into where we’re going.

Want more behind-the-scenes insight, journal prompts, ad-free episodes, and early access to new stories? Join the Her Story Society on Patreon:

⁠⁠https://melahti.com/HerStorySociety⁠⁠

About the Podcast: Her Story. Her Journey is where fictional storytelling meets real-world business inspiration. Each episode shares a short, emotionally rich story designed to help you move forward in your own entrepreneurial journey, whether you're just starting or starting over.

I'm Melissa, a successful business owner, mom of six, and business coach with over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience and 7 years coaching women just like you. I've built multiple income streams from home while raising a family, and I believe in learning through story, because stories stick. If you’ve ever felt like business advice wasn’t made for your life, you’re in the right place.

What if one small “yes” changed everything?

In this uplifting short novel, 20-year-old Sofie travels to a weaving retreat in Wales, New Hampshire, craving peace and quiet. But instead of just yarn and solitude, she finds Krystin, a wildly creative weaver with a secret plan and Ben, her fiddle-playing son who carves tables by day and listens like the world depends on it.

Told in alternating points of view and steeped in creativity, this is a story about what happens when we stop playing small and start following the thread.

If you’ve ever:

• Said yes to something before you felt ready

• Found clarity in nature and quiet work

• Or fallen in love with someone who saw your soul before you did...

Then Where the Wild Threads Lead is for you.

💬 Drop a comment if you loved a moment in the story—we read every one.
🎧 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you tune into stories that feel like a hug.
Want more behind-the-scenes insight, journal prompts, ad-free episodes, and early access to new stories? Join the Her Story Society on Patreon:

⁠⁠https://melahti.com/HerStorySociety⁠⁠

About the Podcast: Her Story. Her Journey is where fictional storytelling meets real-world business inspiration. Each episode shares a short, emotionally rich story designed to help you move forward in your own entrepreneurial journey, whether you're just starting or starting over.

I'm Melissa, a successful business owner, mom of six, and business coach with over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience and 7 years coaching women just like you. I've built multiple income streams from home while raising a family, and I believe in learning through story, because stories stick. If you’ve ever felt like business advice wasn’t made for your life, you’re in the right place.