SOON

I’m Susie Schug, and while I’m honored to serve as Miss North Dakota Teen Volunteer 2027, that title is only one small chapter of who I am. At my core, I’m a storyteller, a listener, and a person who cares deeply about helping others feel seen. I’m driven by connection, those honest, real conversations that remind us we’re not alone in what we’ve carried. My purpose didn’t come from a perfect plan; it came from the unexpected moments that stretched me, humbled me, and ultimately clarified what I’m here to do.

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For as long as I can remember, I had a clear picture of what I thought my future would look like. I dreamed big, set goals early, and believed that if I worked hard enough, the results would line up exactly the way I imagined. I poured myself into preparation, showing up, practicing, improving, and learning how to carry myself with confidence even when I didn’t feel it yet. I pictured doors opening in a certain order and milestones happening on my timeline. And honestly, I was willing to do whatever it took to earn the outcome I was chasing.

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Then came a moment that changed everything. I remember competing for Miss North Dakota’s Teen and walking off the stage knowing I hadn’t won. I tried to keep my smile steady, but inside it felt like the air had been knocked out of me, because I had wrapped so much hope around that dream. When the lights dimmed and the adrenaline wore off, disappointment got loud, and the questions got even louder: What now? Was I not enough? What was all of this for? I replayed every detail, every choice, every “what if,” wondering how I could have worked so hard and still ended up on the other side of what I wanted. It was one of those turning points that forces you to sit in the unknown, even when you’d rather rush straight to a solution.

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But the surprising part is what happened next. Within days, opportunities began appearing, conversations I didn’t expect, doors opening in directions I hadn’t considered, and moments of encouragement that felt almost perfectly timed. The loss didn’t magically stop hurting, but it started to loosen its grip as I realized something important: sometimes the dream you lose is the space where your real calling begins. I began to see that setbacks aren’t always stop signs; sometimes they’re redirections that protect you or prepare you. That season taught me that pain can either close you off, or it can deepen you, soften you, and point you toward purpose. And slowly, the disappointment became a catalyst instead of a conclusion.

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That shift is what led me to build what I’m creating today: Stories with Susie, a podcast centered on authentic conversations and real life. I believe every person has a story worth sharing, not because of a spotlight, a title, or an audience, but because real life is where the lessons live. I will talk to people from all walks of life, teachers, students, parents, entrepreneurs, veterans, volunteers, community leaders, and those quietly doing the brave work of showing up each day. Not just the polished highlight reels, but the turning points, the setbacks, the growth, and the “I didn’t know how I’d get through it, but I did” moments. Because sometimes the story you need most won’t come from someone famous, it will come from someone willing to be honest.

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My hope is that every episode leaves someone feeling a little more understood and a little less alone. I want people to hear these conversations and think, “Me too.” I want them to feel seen, heard, and reminded that their story matters, even if it’s still being written. If I can help someone find courage in the middle of disappointment, or hope in the middle of uncertainty, then this platform is doing what it was meant to do.