Eternal Echoes

Chapter Sixty- Five: The Podcast Episode

Michaella's POV

The early morning light filtered through the curtains as I woke up, feeling a mix of excitement and nervous energy coursing through me. Today was a special day—one that I'd been looking forward to for weeks. I was about to record a new episode of RaiseUp, but this one was different. My guests weren't just anyone; they were my cousins, my family—Elijah, Matthew, and Pamela. Each of them was incredibly successful in their own right, and our bond went far beyond just blood.

I started my day with a short prayer, trying to center myself and calm the nerves that fluttered in my chest. The familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the kitchen as I prepared my notes for the episode. I wanted this conversation to be as genuine and heartfelt as possible, so I jotted down a few key topics: family dynamics, the different paths we've taken in life, and how we've supported each other through it all. I smiled to myself as I thought about the stories we'd share—some funny, some poignant, all meaningful.

I got ready, grabbed my keys and bag, and went to my car. The drive to the studio felt shorter than usual, my mind already spinning with ideas and potential conversation threads. When I arrived, Sarah was already there, overseeing the final setup. Ethan was adjusting the lighting while Alex, as always, was making sure everything was in place for the best sound quality.

"Good morning, Michaella," Alex greeted me with a smile that seemed a little too warm, his eyes lingering on mine for a moment longer than necessary.

"Morning, Alex," I replied, keeping my tone light and professional. After the event the other night, I had been careful to maintain boundaries, and today was no different. "Everything set?"

"Almost there," he said, his gaze shifting back to the control board. "Looking forward to today's episode. Family dynamics, huh? Should be interesting."

"Definitely," I said, focusing on the task at hand. "It'll be great to get their perspectives. We've all come so far in different ways."

Alex nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Yeah, it's impressive. You've all got these incredible careers, but it's obvious that family is still at the heart of it all."

Before I could respond, the door opened, and in walked Elijah and Matthew, their voices filling the space with an easy, confident energy.

"Michaella!" Elijah's grin was infectious as he pulled me into a quick hug. "Ready to spill all our childhood secrets?"

I laughed, feeling some of the tension in my shoulders ease. "Only the embarrassing ones. Hi, Matthew."

Matthew, ever the composed businessman, gave me a warm but reserved smile. "Morning, Michaella. This is going to be fun."

And then Pamela arrived, as fashionable as ever, her presence commanding the room even before she spoke. "Hey, love," she greeted, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. "Ready to dive deep?"

"Always," I replied, feeling a surge of gratitude for these people who knew me better than anyone.

The mics were hot, the cameras rolling, and after a few sound checks, we were ready to begin. I took a deep breath and introduced the episode.

"Welcome back to RaiseUp. Today's episode is incredibly special to me because I'm joined by three of the most important people in my life—my cousins, who also happen to be some of the most inspiring individuals I know. Elijah, who you might know as one of the most sought-after actors and influencers today; Matthew, a powerhouse businessman with an empire to his name; and Pamela, a fashion designer whose influence in the industry is nothing short of legendary. Thank you all for being here."