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The Miles to Zen Podcast with Shannon Miles Halliday
Conversations through curiosity, creativity & connection.
Welcome to Miles to Zen, a podcast that celebrates life's delightful twists and turns, no matter where you are on your journey. I'm your host, Shannon Miles Halliday, a follower of curiosity, a mom, a wife, a former corporate executive, a creator and a connector. This show is your companion for navigating the beautifully messy adventure of life. Each episode invites you into heartfelt, inspiring, and expansive conversations, diving into topics like self trust, big moments and big decisions, navigating day jobs and finding purpose, and how can we thrive. You’ll feel uplifted and even enlightened each week as we share stories, and insights that spark your own ideas as well as conversations that offer completely new perspectives.
The Miles to Zen Podcast with Shannon Miles Halliday
The Power of Being Seen. How One Woman Turned Struggle Into Hope
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In this heartfelt episode of Miles to Zen, Shannon sits down with Hieke Morton, founder of The Gathering Markit, an innovative nonprofit grocery store that is changing the way communities respond to food insecurity.
But this isn't simply a story about groceries.
It's a story about a mother who quietly struggled to feed her children while appearing to have everything together. It's about answered prayers, unexpected acts of kindness, the power of being truly seen, and how life's deepest hardships can become our greatest purpose.
Hieke shares the remarkable journey that led her from Red Seal chef and high school foods teacher to creating a community model that offers families not a handout, but a hand up—restoring dignity while helping people build lasting stability.
Throughout the conversation, Shannon and Hieke reflect on resilience, community, gratitude, the stories we carry, and the small moments that can completely change someone's life.
If you've ever wondered whether one person can make a difference, this episode is your reminder that they can.
In this episode you'll discover:
• Why dignity matters just as much as generosity
• The difference between a handout and a hand up
• How small acts of kindness can change the course of someone's life
• Why our hardest seasons often prepare us for our greatest purpose
• The importance of being truly seen—and seeing others
Whether you're navigating your own difficult chapter, looking for hope, or simply wanting to hear an inspiring story of human resilience, this conversation is one you won't forget.
If this episode moved you, please consider sharing it with someone who could use a little encouragement today.
Learn more about The Gathering Markit and Hieke's work: https://gatheringmarkit.com/
If you enjoy conversations about creativity, leadership, personal growth, intuition, and living a more meaningful life, be sure to subscribe to Miles to Zen.
Time stamps:
00:00 Curiosity Sets the Stage
00:47 Meet Hieke Morton
01:41 Food Career Origins
02:09 Catering and Teaching
04:16 Childhood Sweet Memories
06:30 Access Foods Dream
06:54 Hidden Food Insecurity
11:12 Salvation Army Lifeline
14:39 Answered Prayer Flowers
21:35 Starting the Markit
25:46 Meal Kits for Five
28:48 Hand Up Philosophy
31:17 Three Stage Program
32:18 Commitment Through Membership
33:04 Financial Wellness Launch
33:55 Dignity Over Budget Shaming
38:31 Small Wins Build Confidence
39:40 From Food Hampers to Meal Kits
40:56 Abbotsford Only Mission
42:08 Finding Suppliers and Partners
45:42 Hand Up Not Handout
49:08 Joyful Community Gatherings
54:00 Success Story of Resilience
58:04 How to Support and Replicate
01:00:19 Closing Wisdom and Farewell
#MilesToZen #ThePowerOfBeingSeen #HumanConnection #Hope #InspiringStories
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You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@milestozen
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Created by Shannon Miles Halliday
Original music by Anna Wawrzyniak: www.annawritesmusic.com
See you next week!