Solidarity Sister
Welcome to the Solidarity podcast,
where we share stories to connect with one another, find comfort in life’s challenges & to celebrate the solidarity that is..
being a woman.
I’m your host Riley Q and as this is our first episode allow me to introduce myself!
As I said I’m Riley. I go by Riley Q as a musician and Riley Quin on social media, but you can call me Riley or Ry.
So I gotta tell ya, I got severe imposter syndrome right off the bat when creating this. As ideas flooded my head night after night while feeding my son, I often was hit with “who am I?”. Who am I to be speaking, sharing, teaching, etc. I’m only 21, I’m only 2 years into marriage. I’m only a few months into motherhood. A few years out of the house.
Who am I?
While I could tell you all about my so called “accomplishments” that my ego is dying to get off my chest, I am reminded that without God I would not have conquered any of the things that I have. And in fact, the words that I will be speaking through this podcast aren’t coming from me, I am in no way qualified by my own accord, but only by God’s authority.
This is my second time recording this episode because as I listened back to the listing of all the reasons why I was good enough to sit here and tell stories and give advice, I was very convicted because although my intentions were good, the delivery- not so much. Already in the first few minutes of this endeavor my flesh was longing to take the spotlight and that’s just not what’s going to happen on this podcast. That’s not why I’m here. The glory has to go back to God because any amount of wisdom comes from Him. I’m just the vessel.
So as much as the evil one is trying to get in my head and make me feel like I’m not qualified to be a vessel for God, I’m fighting that. And wow let me tell you the spiritual warfare over my household since this idea has developed has been major. We’ve had to dive into scripture and prayer like never before because we have been under attack. I’ll definitely go into that another time but if it comes to your mind, I’d love if you’d pray for me as this venture unfolds.
Now that all of that’s out of the way, here’s a few quick facts about me.
As I said I’m 21, I’ve been married for almost 2 years to my incredible husband Dustin. I am a mama to 2 babies that God took home early at just 6 weeks and a beautiful rainbow, my son Hayden.
I am a songwriter and released several songs in 2019 & 2020. More on that later but for right this moment God has closed that door.
I am from the metro-Detroit area but moved to Nashville on my own at 18. I’ll definitely share this story another day but I met Dustin a month later and we got married within 9 months.
I am a huge country music fan- mostly the old stuff, I’m pretty picky about modern country.
I have watched Friends, New Girl and Gilmore Girls all the way through too many times to count.
I love my coffee black and piping hot but usually I end up drinking it stone cold and I’ll add in some almond milk to make it a little bit more tolerable because mom life.
I have the pallet of a child, I could live off of waffles, grilled cheese sandwiches & potatoes.
That’s pretty much the basics although I’m sure my husband would say I’m far more complicated than that, you’ll learn more about me as time goes on.
I am super pumped to be here sharing stories. Stories are important y’all!
When we share we instantly connect with others who are wondering how to get through the very things you’ve conquered and navigated. There are others who are desperate to know they’re not alone in their trials and frustrations. There are others who are looking for some solidarity in what they’re deeply feeling and experiencing.
It’s crazy because it’s not like I’m this huge influencer but I’ve noticed that when I share my deepest, rawest, most intimate struggles that’s when people come sit at the table. That’s when I get DM’s with pictures of your struggles, your stories and your desire for me to know that you stand in solidarity with my experiences.
It’s a deep rooted need for connection that is fulfilled by the transfer of stories.
It’s one of my favorite parts about being a storyteller, a woman- really just a human. I love it. So that’s why I’m here. shaking in my boots, answering Gods call to share and I’m showing up.
So why, solidarity? Well..
“Solidarity, sister!”
It’s something I used to hear my mom say. Either in those words or through the sharing of her own experiences. I’m not sure if she realized it but she’d say it when she’d come across women who would share their stories. She’d also say it when she came across a woman going through something hard in public, like a child throwing a tantrum in the dollar section at target. We’ve all seen it, but have we all reacted that way? With grace, empathy & the nod of been there, endured that, you’re doing great? Or do we meet their sorrowful gaze with a glare, a shaking of heads or laughing eyes?
Whether she knows it or not, I took from that. I noticed her response and I tucked it away because I knew I wanted to be that person when someone was going through something hard. I wanted to be the woman that softly smiled and whispered to her, “solidarity sister” when I saw her going through something difficult or frustrating. I wanted to be the woman that encouraged and stood by and wasn’t afraid to say that I knew what she was feeling. It was a way that I could tell my story and make her feel heard with as little as 1-2 to words. Not something most of us women are that great at- the consolidating part at least.
When I knew I wanted to start a podcast I had no idea what it was going to be about but I knew I wanted to encourage women. I started praying for God to give me ideas and the go ahead if I was supposed to do it. Slowly over the weeks I was recovering postpartum I had alll of these ideas come to my mind. Little blurbs of encouragement for myself and others about real things I was experiencing. I figured they would just be good Instagram captions. But then I started seeing the word solidarity everywhere. Women in my life speaking that word to me- over me. Then I shared a very vulnerable post on Instagram about my changing postpartum body and suddenly I had so many comments and DMs of women thanking me and sharing their stories and feeling seen and heard because I shared my story that they didn’t know how to verbalize. Without even realizing it I was standing in solidarity with them. They no longer felt alone.
That’s when all the bells went off and I felt God nudge me towards the “there it is, step into it” door. Ya know, that super fun, scary, door.
All of the sudden I couldn’t stop. It was all flowing. That’s how I always know an idea is from God. He creates through me with a unleashed passion and wild sense of security- even when there is none.
Suddenly I had something to work on- something I was praying about- I desperately needed something to do postpartum. But I wasn’t sure what that was or what God would give me, but this was it.
I have so many ideas for this, so many things I’m excited for. I feel like there will be something deeply unifying and healing about this. For me and for all of the women who God brings to it.
I see the sharing of stories, not just mine, but other women who desperately need to be heard and share their stories. I see quick encouragements, I hope to keep all the episodes under 10 minutes because let’s be real; none of us have time for anything longer than that plus we all love us some binge worthy content and what’s more binge worthy than a 3-5 minute story?
I truly want this to feel like we’re catching up over coffee, not something we’re able to do much anymore and I want you to feel like we’re just sharing our hearts and making each others struggles feel seen.
I see this as bigger than me, something only God can create, I’m just the vessel. I see prayer walls & women sharing the creations that God has inspired within them. I see a place where you can come and just be and drop your shoulders in relief and relax your jaw because you’re not alone.
So I invite you to give a quick listen to these stories and thoughts so that you know that you’re not alone in the trials and frustrations and the joys and discoveries.
If you have a story to share, please reach out. DM or email me. Be sure to follow me on Instagram & Twitter - @riley_quin to continue the conversation in stories and keep up with new episodes and my blog. If you’re a Facebook kinda person feel free to follow the Solidarity Podcast page. This isn’t just for women in their 20’s like me. This is for women from all walks of life and I intend to have plenty of women represented as we share stories and stand in solidarity with one another.
If you dig this concept and want to tune in and be a part of this community of women I would love it if you’d subscribe! I’ve got one more episode out today so you can get a feel of how this is really going to go and if you love it, please leave a review! I’m going to be super open and honest here about everything from my life to the realities of running a podcast. In this realm subscriptions and reviews are everything to getting into the algorithm and getting this message into other women’s hands. Even if you don’t feel comfortable sharing, simply hitting that subscribe button and leaving a review talking about how you felt listening would mean the world and can truly make an impact. That being said, I’m so thankful for you.
I’m so glad you’re here.
You’re wanted, needed and loved.
I see you, I hear you and you my love, by the grace of God, you’re enough.