Joyful Journeys

Hosted by GOTR NOVA

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia Joyful Journeys Interview Series, the podcast highlighting inspirational individuals in the GOTR and NOVA communities. Join us as we engage in powerful conversations centered around confidence, connection, character, care, and competence. Each episode will feature empowering conversations with public professionals, GOTR volunteers, and program alumni (to name a few). From overcoming obstacles to discovering their inner strength, these stories will uplift and motivate listeners of all ages. Get ready for a dose of positivity, resilience, and the infectious spirit of Girls on the Run. Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone passionate about empowering the next generation, this podcast is your invitation to be part of the joyful journeys that define Girls on the Run.

Listen to episodes

42 recent

August 26, 2026Episode 221 min

Coach Advisory Council - Patricia, Nicole, & Deborah

This week, we're joined by three members of the Girls on the Run NOVA Coach Advisory Council (CAC), a dedicated group of volunteer coaches who help shape the future of our program by providing valuable feedback, ideas, and perspective. While they come from different backgrounds, careers, and stages of life, they all share one thing in common: a passion for empowering kids to recognize their limitless potential. Tune in to hear what first inspired them to become coaches, the moments that have stayed with them, and why they continue coming back season after season. Feeling inspired? You can make a difference, too. Learn more about becoming a Girls on the Run coach at www.gotrnova.org/coach .

August 20, 2026Episode 117 min

Light Horse Track Club - Dustin, Chelsea, and Andy

Welcome to a new season of Joyful Journeys, where we’re highlighting some of our superstar supporters! In this episode, we’re hitting the pavement with Light Horse Track Club—and we mean that literally. They recorded this episode while out on a run! Hear from Light Horse Track Club co-founder and Executive Director Dustin Sweeney, along with club members Chelsea and Andy, about the partnership between Light Horse and Girls on the Run. Andy also has a special connection to GOTR as he gets ready for his first season coaching his daughter’s team. Listen in to hear how Light Horse Track Club and Girls on the Run align, support one another, and work together to fulfill their missions in Northern Virginia.

October 15, 2025Episode 1619 min

2013 - Katie Ramboyong

Katie Ramboyong joins us on Joyful Journeys to share her family’s deep connection to Girls on the Run! Katie’s story truly embodies the spirit of GOTR, as she was a participant in elementary school, a 5K volunteer in high school, her sister was her teammate, their mom coached the team, and her dad ran beside her as her Buddy Runner. As Katie says, it was a whole family affair! From crying through her first 5K to crying across the finish line at her first marathon, Katie’s dad has been by her side every step of the way. In this episode, she shares the heartwarming story behind those tears, and the joy and growth they represent. Though running wasn’t her favorite part of GOTR as a child, the lessons she learned stuck with her. Today, she still carries one in particular with her every day and credits Girls on the Run for helping her discover a lifelong love of physical activity and confidence in motion.

September 24, 2025Episode 1515 min

2023 - Julia Goussetis

This week on Joyful Journeys, we’re joined by Julia, who has worn many Girls on the Run hats over the years! From coach to SoleMate to her current role on a committee with our sister council, Girls on the Run DC, she has always found meaningful ways to keep GOTR in her life. Her story is a wonderful reminder of the many ways to get involved with the organization and how each experience can fuel a deeper passion and commitment.

September 3, 2025Episode 1416 min

2019 - Kelsie Humbert

This week on Joyful Journeys, we’re joined by Kelsie Humbert, who shares how the positive team mindset she first discovered through Girls on the Run has carried into her high school cross country and track experiences. Kelsie reflects on the valuable life skills she gained from the program, like active listening and using “I feel…” statements to foster understanding instead of conflict, which continue to shape who she is today. Tune in to hear some of Kelsie’s favorite Girls on the Run memories and how she’s using what she learned to uplift and inspire her teammates!

August 15, 2025Episode 1315 min

2016 - Kathleen Ecker

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Kathleen Ecker, a former Girls on the Run coach whose journey with the program began when her daughters joined the team. She shares the joy of staying connected with her former participants and watching them grow, as well as the meaningful lessons the program instills, even for kids who aren’t big fans of running. From her time as a Gamma Phi Beta at George Mason University (GOTR NOVA's current philanthropic partner) to weaving GOTR’s life skills into her own home, Kathleen reflects on the deep, lasting impact of the program on her family and community.

August 6, 2025Episode 1218 min

2015 - Becky & Kai Wheeler

In this heartwarming episode, we hear from a mother-daughter duo whose Girls on the Run journey has come full circle. Kai fondly recalls making tie-dye shirts and tutus with her team, and the unforgettable moment when her dad proudly wore his to the 5K. After moving to a new area, GOTR helped Kai find her footing and new friendships, while her mom, Becky, coached and discovered how powerful the program is beyond running. Together, they reflect on the growth they witnessed season after season. How the curriculum not only shaped the girls but also brought the team closer together. Kai opens up about a powerful high school experience where, despite being the last to finish a race, she felt uplifted by her coach and teammates, which fueled her commitment to always cheer for the final runner. From staying in touch with fellow coaches to cheering on former teammates now competing in college, Becky’s passion for the program continues to shine. And now, as a coach herself, Kai has come full circle, guiding girls through Camp GOTR this summer.

July 18, 2025Episode 1115 min

2014 - Julia Troppe

In this episode of Joyful Journeys, we’re joined by Julia Troppe, a Girls on the Run NOVA alum who takes us down memory lane, sharing about high-fiving teammates after practice laps and proudly wearing her 5K shirt after crossing the finish line. Julia shares how GOTR sparked her lifelong love of movement and group-based activities, and taught her that community can be found anywhere, even among strangers at a fitness class. Tune in to hear how one special song still motivates her on runs today and how the friendships formed through GOTR continue to shape her journey.

July 10, 2025Episode 1013 min

2009 - Hailey Walcott

In this episode, we’re joined by Hailey Wilcott, a former Girls on the Run participant whose journey has come full circle. Now a sports photographer on the side working with some of the biggest teams in the D.C. area, Hailey shares how the lessons she learned as a young girl in GOTR continue to influence her life today. Hailey talks about how the people around her—coaches, teammates, and her support system—shaped her GOTR experience and gave her the confidence to chase her dreams. Her story is a vibrant reminder that when you follow your passions and surround yourself with the right people, your work truly can feel like joy.

June 4, 2025Episode 917 min

2002 & 2008 - Mimi Dabestani & Cailor MacIntyre

This episode comes to you from an unexpected (and awesome) location, the steampunk studio! Thanks to a serendipitous connection, we met Mimi and Cailor, two Girls on the Run NOVA alum who had no idea they shared this connection. Tune in to hear how their worlds unexpectedly collided and what these creative trailblazers are up to now as they design, disrupt, and repeat.