It’s Time to Bring this Magical Journey to a Close
Chip Alford, host of the Home Where You Belong podcast, pictured on a recent trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland
in June, I embarked on a magical retreat in Northern Ireland, hosted by Gareth Higgins, the author and speaker featured in Episode 37. The retreat was all about the transformative power of storytelling—a theme Gareth and I dove into during our podcast chat. If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, I encourage you to check it out.
While in Northern Ireland, I enjoyed several days in the picturesque town of Kilkeel on the eastern coast. It’s located near the beautiful Mourne Mountains where I did some soul-soothing hiking. Then there was Belfast—vibrant, welcoming, and fast becoming one of my favorite cities. From its eye-catching architecture and rich history to the amazing restaurants and numerous cozy pubs I may have visited more than a few times—Belfast has it all.
Another highlight of my trip was a visit to Giant’s Causeway on the country’s northern coast. Imagine this: around 40,000 massive black basalt columns rising from the sea, forming a natural wonder so awe-inspiring that legends of giants walking over the water to Scotland were born there. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national nature reserve, and if you ever find yourself in the UK, you must see it for yourself. To give you a taste of the magic, I’m posting some photos from my trip at the end of this blog entry.
Over the past few months, I’ve also been contemplating the future of this podcast. Should I continue, or is it time to close this chapter and explore new adventures? I recently dipped my toes into freelance communications and I’m considering doing some travel writing as well. After much reflection, I made the decision to end the podcast with the episode posted on August 27. Episodes will continue to be available on our website and wherever you listen to podcasts through the end of this year and possibly longer. I encourage to check out any episodes with topics that interest you that you may have missed.
Over the last two years, I’ve had the privilege of releasing over three dozen episodes, speaking with an incredible array of guests—from authors and journalists to design professionals, architects, professors, and real estate experts. I’ve learned something valuable from each conversation, and a few of my guests have become good friends.
We covered diverse topics ranging from building your dream home to the impact of living in a tiny house, a treehouse, or even an RV. We delved into home security, the power of color and design, and how to create a space that sparks creativity and reflects your personality and needs. Two personal development coaches shared insights on how to bring your whole self into your living space, no matter where you call home.
I ended every episode by asking guests the same question: "What makes you feel at home?” The answers they provided were thoughtful, inspiring, and sometimes even humorous. I knew from the start there wouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all answer. Home means different things to different people. But if I had to sum up what I’ve learned through this experience, I think I’d put it this way: Creating a home where you belong isn’t primarily dabout a particular structure, design or even location. It really boils down to intention – all the conscious choices we make to turn any space into a place where we belong and others feel welcome.
As the late, great author and poet Maya Angelou said: “The ache for home lives in all of us…the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” Whatever home means to you, I hope you find a place where you can be yourself, feel safe, cherish time with loved ones, and experience that deep sense of belonging we all yearn for.
It’s been a pleasure sharing this journey with you. Thank you for listening to Home Where You Belong.
