I Grabbed the Branch

Episode Summary: Feeling Seen & the Future of Ellicott City In this episode of I Grabbed the Branch , I share a deeply personal reflection on what it means to feel seen—as a survivor of the 2016 Ellicott City flood and as part of a community that has fought to be heard. For a long time, the experience of that day—and everything that followed—felt invisible outside of those who lived it. But re...

After time away, this prelude episode of I Grabbed the Branch marks a return shaped by challenge, change, and reflection. As 2026 unfolds with unexpected transitions, including job loss, this episode sets the stage for a more intentional and honest Season 2. With the 10-year anniversary of the 2016 Ellicott City flood approaching, this prelude revisits the foundation of the journey—resilience, hea...

In this bonus episode, Heather shares a forward-looking reflection on the year ahead — not through resolutions, but through refinement. Grounded in the lessons of the last decade, she speaks honestly about purpose, healing, leadership, boundaries, pursuing her legal education, and choosing peace for her family. This episode is an intimate look at how hardship shaped the path she’s stepping into —...

Nine years after the flood that changed everything, Heather Owens reflects on how healing has unfolded—not in a straight line, but in waves. In this deeply personal episode, she opens up about losing her dad, John (2011); her fiancé, Joe (2016); her stepdad, Curtis (2021); and her granddad, Jim (2025)—the four men who shaped her heart and taught her strength through love. Heather shares the raw tr...

In this powerful episode of I Grabbed the Branch , Mike opens up about his extraordinary path from the front lines of military service to the soulful world of music. Through stories of courage, healing, and resilience, he shares how songwriting became both a sanctuary and a means to honor those who’ve served and sacrificed. This episode is a heartfelt reflection on the battles we fight both abroad...

🌿 “Healing is not linear — it’s a slow unfolding of grace.” At just 13 years old, Zahra left everything she knew behind — her home, her culture, her sense of belonging — to start over in a new country. What followed was a journey through identity shifts, faith, self-discovery, and healing from the inside out. In this deeply moving conversation, Zahra opens up about the years it took to rebuild he...

In this powerful episode of I Grabbed the Branch , host Heather Owens sits down with Paige Swanstein — co-founder of the Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC) — to explore how one student’s struggle to survive became a national movement for change. Paige opens up about working three jobs in college, skipping meals, and facing the impossible choice between rent and education. Those experiences becam...

In this special bonus episode, Heather Owens opens up about the recent loss of her granddad — her rock and constant source of strength. It’s the first time Heather appears on camera to share what grief feels like in the raw, unfiltered moments after loss. This heartfelt episode offers an intimate look at love, loss, and the space in between.

🗣️ About Jennie Jennie’s journey is one of strength, balance, and authenticity. With nearly two decades of experience leading complex technology projects, she has learned what it means to lead with both skill and heart. In this episode, Jennie shares how resilience has shaped her path as both a mother and a leader, opening up about the challenges, lessons, and growth that come with holding those r...

🗣️ About Angela Spring Angela’s story is one of courage, authenticity, and transformation. For years, she wrestled with what it meant to be heard—and what it meant to stay silent. Through resilience and self-discovery, she found the strength to embrace her own voice and live authentically. Today, Angela speaks openly about that journey, inspiring others to step into their truth and claim the power...

After surviving the Ellicott City flood that took her fiancé, Joe, Heather returns to share what came next — the quiet, unseen battle of grief. In this deeply personal episode, she recalls the day of Joe’s funeral, the moment she saw him for the last time, and the decision to begin healing. Through counseling, the unwavering support of her twin sister, Holly, and family, and the love of her soul d...

🎙️ Episode 1: The Night the Floodwaters Came ✨ Episode Summary The Night the Floodwaters Came is a raw, first-person account of survival during the 2016 Ellicott City flood—a night when life changed in an instant. This powerful story captures loss, resilience, and the moment that sparked a lifelong journey of healing and advocacy. The reality of surviving a life-altering natural disaster. How res...

In this clip, I take you back to the night the floodwaters swallowed Ellicott City. Swept into the raging current, I fought to keep my head above water—searching desperately for Joe while clinging to a branch that became my lifeline. Every second was a battle: against the current, against fear, and against the heartbreak of not knowing if he made it out. Climbing up the hill that night was more th...

Episode Zero of I Grabbed the Branch sets the stage by sharing the personal story and meaning behind the podcast’s name. It explains why resilience, survival, and holding on through life’s storms are at the heart of every conversation to come.

A first glimpse into I Grabbed the Branch — a podcast about resilience, survival, and the moments that change everything. This teaser sets the tone for the stories, reflections, and hope to come. 🌿