Business with Purpose: Recent Episodes
Molly Stillman - Blogger, Speaker, Believer, and Social Change Agent
Business with Purpose takes you “behind the scenes” with some of the world’s most generous entrepreneurs with host Molly Stillman of "still being molly blog - stillbeingmolly.com." From the CEOs of mission-driven brands, to directors of small, community non-profits, and everything in between, Molly is sitting down with men and women who believe in changing the world through not only their personal lives, but also their professional careers. We believe that every person was created with a purpose, for a purpose and this podcast gives inspiration for how we can all make an impact by supporting businesses with purpose.
Well friends, today’s episode is going to be a bit different!
After nine years of weekly episodes, I’ve made the decision to take a break from the show for a little bit. This isn’t something I’ve taken lightly- it's something I’ve been praying about, wrestling with, and reflecting on for months. And while it’s hard to hit pause on something I love so much, I know it’s the right time.
With my daughter heading into middle school, my son starting fourth grade, my first year of seminary coming to a close, and my 40th birthday around the corner (!), life has been beautifully full. In the midst of it all, I’ve sensed God gently inviting me to slow down, create margin, and make space to truly listen to His leading.
I’m so grateful for each of you who’ve tuned in, reached out, laughed, cried, and grown with me over the years. Thank you for letting me show up as I am. This certainly isn’t goodbye, just ta-ta for now. I’ll see you again this fall- refreshed, renewed, and ready for what’s next!
FEATURED QUOTES
“I just am so grateful that God has given me this space to be able to have conversations with incredible people that I would never have had the opportunity to talk to otherwise.”
“I'm just really hoping that God gives me clarity and vision for what to do and where to take this show next.”
I’m thrilled to welcome back my friend, Whitney English, to the show today! She is an author, artist, and self-proclaimed reluctant expert in surviving family drama with grace... and a glue gun.
Whitney is known for telling the truth with humor, finding beauty in the mess, and believing that good stories and good design can heal just about anything- whether she’s organizing a junk drawer or untangling generational dysfunction.
Her new book, Organize First, Decorate Second, is out now, and today, we’re diving into everything from the psychology of organization and decoration to practical tips you can use in your own home. So, grab a cup of coffee and get ready for an episode packed with inspiration and fun. I’m so excited for you to hear it!
3:19 – Whitney 201
• Navigating a busy season • Releasing a new book • Seeing evidence of God in difficult times
5:21 – Organize First, Decorate Second
• The deeper philosophy behind Whitney’s book • Balancing sentimentality and organization • The importance of functional items
16:38 – Making Home
• Whitney’s journey of house hopping • How Whitney stays organized with ADHD • Practical tips for organization
36:52 – Takeaways
• Rapid fire questions with Whitney • Connecting with Whitney • Get your copy of Organize First, Decorate Second
FEATURED QUOTES
“Just because we've been through some hard stuff doesn't mean that God isn't good.”
"I think that if you have a big dream… it is okay to make a slow decision about it."
“Function is beautiful.”
Learn more about Whitney:
https://whitneyenglish.com/
Get your copy of Organize First, Decorate Second:
https://www.amazon.com/Organize-First-Decorate-Second-Creativity/dp/0785251960
Whitney on Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhitneyEnglish/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitneyenglish/?hl=en
I'm thrilled to welcome Niki Hardy to the show this week! Niki is the author of the Audie Award-nominated Breathe Again and One Minute Prayers for Women With Cancer. Her newest book, God, Can We Chat? A Daringly Honest Guide to Growing Closer to God, One Doubt at a Time, hit shelves in March, which I’m so excited to chat about today.
Niki has left corporate life, moved continents, gone to seminary, planted churches, launched businesses and nonprofits, and navigated seasons of deep loss, cancer, church hurt, and painful uncertainty. Through it all, she firmly believes that God loves a cheerful doubter.
In this conversation, we talk about what it means to bring your real questions and struggles to God, and how to navigate those seasons when it feels like He’s silent. It’s a rich and hope-filled reminder that joy can exist even in the hardest seasons.
4:30 – Niki 101
• Moving from the UK to North Carolina • What led Niki to becoming an author • Niki’s family and love for nature
6:11 – The Cheerful Doubter
• Niki’s struggle to reconcile her doubts • Turning towards God in times of doubt • How doubt and faith can coexist
12:51 – Walking in Doubt
• For the person that feels let down by God • Practical steps for doubt walking • The acronym “CHAT”
23:35 – The Legacy of Doubting Saints
• Peter walking on water • Devotional elements and exercises Niki’s book • Holding doubts and joys together
29:08 – God, Can We Speed Chat?
• Rapid fire questions with Niki • Where you can connect with Niki • Getting your copy of God, Can We Chat?
FEATURED QUOTES
“I think God actually loves a cheerful doubter. I think he'd rather we came to him than we just slid out the side door.”
“Feel free to question His presence and His provision and His providence and His goodness and His mercy, and cry out to Him, but turn towards him, not away from him.”
“I think holding the doubt and the questions and the confusion in tension with the joy and the love and the faith that we do have is just such a healthy way of walking our faith journey out.”
Learn more about Niki:
https://www.nikihardy.com/
Get your copy of God, Can We Chat?
https://www.nikihardy.com/godcanwechat
Niki on Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NikiHardyauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niki.hardy/?hl=en
You are in for an absolute treat this week! My guest is the one and only Melissa Radke- bestselling author, speaker, TV personality, comedian, and the self-proclaimed HGIC (Head Girlfriend in Charge). With over 1.1 million followers, Melissa has been lifting women up since 2016, dishing out everything from hair tips to life advice with her signature humor and heart.
Her brand-new book, Chicken Fried Women, just hit the shelves, which is a love letter to the strong, faith-filled, flawed, and unforgettable women who shaped her life. She reflects on generational legacies, healing family dynamics, motherhood, and the complex beauty of womanhood.
Trust me, even if you're a man, you’re going to take away SO much from this episode. This conversation is honest, funny, and full of heart- everything Can I Laugh on Your Shoulder is all about. I’m really excited to share it with you!
8:12 – Melissa 101
• Melissa and Molly’s mutual connection • Melissa’s viral Facebook post • Becoming a comedian, author and public speaker
10:53 – Chicken Fried Women
• Rapid fire southern culture questions • The genesis of this book • The women that inspired this story
27:54 – The Women That Made Us This Way
• The lessons Melissa’s learned from the women in her life • Creating a supportive network • Someone is waiting for you as much as you are waiting for someone
41:28 – How Strong Women Do It
• Mom vigilantes • Melissa’s relationship with her daughter • Passing on stories to future generations • Getting your copy of Chicken Fried Women
FEATURED QUOTES
“These chicken fried women of mine were always topics of conversation that everybody wanted to know and that I love to tell.”
“This book was so easy to write because it was just me telling one story after the other. And when a book can come to you that beautifully and that naturally, that was the one you were supposed to write.”
“Who could grieve with me like the woman who'd walked in that fire before me?”
“Someone is waiting for you as much as you are waiting for someone. Someone needs you. They need your friendship, they need your humor, they need your style. They need the way you're such a great listener. Someone is waiting to forge a relationship with you as much as you are waiting for them.”
Learn more about Melissa:
https://www.melissaradke.com/
Get your copy of Chicken Fried Women
https://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Fried-Women-Friendship-Kinship-Made/dp/1546008241
Check out the Chicken Fried Women Podcast
https://www.melissaradke.com/podcast
Melissa on Social Media
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MelissaRadke
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaRadkeStretchMarks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msmelissaradke/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissaradke
This week on the podcast, I’m joined once again by the brilliant Dr. Morgan Cutlip- author, psychologist, and relationship expert. She is known for equipping individuals and couples with practical, down-to-earth tools to navigate the most challenging parts of relationships. She has a true gift for turning psychological research into relatable, real-life strategies, and she shares her wisdom through her books, courses, blog, podcast, and social media platforms.
Morgan first joined us to talk about her book Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself, and now she’s back with her brand-new release, A Better Share, which just dropped last week.
In this episode, we talk about the “invisible load” so many of us carry in marriage and relationships. From emotional labor and intimacy to resentment and repair, Morgan helps us understand what’s really going on beneath the surface- and how to stop feeling like you're carrying it all alone.
Heads up: we touch on some adult topics, so this one might be best saved for when little ears aren’t around.
I know you’re going to love Morgan’s wisdom, insights and message of hope today!
4:01 – Morgan 201
• Life in a book-writing hole • Kids getting older • The bob is bobbing!
6:56 – Morgan’s Expertise And Book Launch
• Morgan’s background in psychology • Helping women stay connected to themselves • How Morgan’s experience and others’ experiences influenced this book
11:28 – The Mental Load
• Defining “the mental load” • The weight on women • The emotional work of home and family
15:00 – Challenges In Modern Relationships
• Why couples end up in imbalanced relationship dynamics • How women are socialized to self-sacrifice • Breaking under the weight of assumed responsibility
20:43 – Repairing Resentment and Rebuilding Intimacy
• Talking about these issues without defensiveness • Externalizing the problem and setting up conversations well • 5 key conversations couples should be having • Practical tools for improving relationships • Getting your copy of Morgan’s book
FEATURED QUOTES
“If we just point the finger at our partners, it's not going to get us to a better place.”
“Everybody has a mental load…However, in home and family life, research shows us time and time again, even when women work full time, part time or stay at home parents, it doesn't matter, we tend to carry the bulk of it.”
“When couples stop talking about the little things, they stop reaching for the big things, like intimacy.”
Learn more about Morgan:
https://drmorgancutlip.com/
My Love Thinks:
https://www.mylovethinks.com/
My Love Thinks Podcast:
https://www.mylovethinks.com/relationship-podcast/
Get Your Copy of A Better Share:
https://drmorgancutlip.com/bs-preorder/
Get your Copy of Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself
https://drmorgancutlip.com/book/
Morgan on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmorgancutlip/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mylovethinks/
This week, I am so excited to be joined by the incredible Lauren Sisler. She is an Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster, ESPN sideline reporter, author, keynote speaker, and the queen of the sideline shimmy.
After landing her dream career with ESPN and reporting on college football and gymnastics, she began to open up about a story she once kept hidden: losing both of her parents to opioid addiction.
Through sharing her journey, Lauren has not only shed light on the stigma surrounding addiction, but she’s also found a powerful way to help others navigate their own struggles. Whether on the sidelines or speaking on stages, her mission is to help people find the courage to tell their own stories and live more resilient lives.
I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation, and to learn more about Lauren's powerful new book, Shatterproof.
3:11 – Lauren 101
• Residing in Brimingham, Alabama • Lauren’s career in sports broadcasting • Wife and mom
5:53 – Shatterproof
• The “why” behind Shatterproof • The process of writing this book • Lauren’s journey to acceptance
12:04 – Healing In Layers
• The challenges of writing this book • Greif and healing are not linear • How Lauren’s perspective shifted over time
18:02 – Understanding Addiction and Stigma
• The stigma surrounding addiction • Finding compassion for those battling addiction • Having open, honest conversations
27:22 – Holding The Whole Story
• Honoring legacy through honesty • The lessons Lauren learned from her parents’ lives • We shouldn’t be defined by our hardest chapters • The difference between helping and enabling
34:08 – The Power Of Sports And Storytelling
• The resilience that sports builds • How Lauren’s career has shaped her own storytelling • The power of storytelling • Getting Lauren’s book Shatterproof
FEATURED QUOTES
“Growing up, society tells us what addiction looks like, who it affects, who it impacts. And I felt like my parents were none of those things.”
“The good Lord will free you when you stare something in the face and say, you know what? This is what it is. And now we gotta work through it and move through it.”
“I hope anybody that's listening that has walked through addiction or is actively walking through it knows there's absolutely hope and recovery. There are… so many amazing stories out there and testimonies- but it's a journey.”
Learn more about Lauren:
https://www.laurensisler.com/about
Get your copy of Shatterproof:
https://www.laurensisler.com/my-book-shatterproof-lauren-sisler
Lauren on socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurensisler
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenSisler/
X: https://x.com/LaurenSisler/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensisler/
I’m thrilled to welcome back my dear friend Mary Marantz for her third appearance on the show! If you’ve been here a while, you already know how incredible Mary is- she’s a powerhouse in every sense of the word. As a podcaster, author, speaker, photographer, and coach, she truly does it all.
Today, we’re diving into her latest book, Underestimated, which releases later this month. We’re talking about what it means to be underestimated, why fear is a boring liar, and how playing small was never part of your purpose. This conversation was so good and I’m so excited to share it with you!
4:23 – Mary 301
• Catching up since Mary’s second book • The experience writing Underestimated • The journey leading up to this book
6:25 – The Starting Line
• Starting over in your 40s • It’s never too late to achieve your goals • Untangling limiting beliefs
13:32 – Fear Is A Boring Liar
• Fear often repeats the same lies • Fear’s jealousy of creativity • How the enemy uses deception • Flipping the fear narrative
27:31 – The Power of Naming Fear
• How unaddressed fears can lead to burnout • Having an accountability partner • Mirrors and microscopes • Learning and growing from your mistakes
50:09 – Closing Thoughts
• Who this book is for • Mary’s prayer for her readers • Pre-ordering your copy of Underestimated
FEATURED QUOTES
“What does it look like for us to quit playing small on the good work that's been prepared for us in advance?”
“This book is for the one who feels like they're being called up to greatness. They're being called up to more, but at the very same time, you simultaneously doubt that someone like you could ever get there.”
“God did not call you to play small. He did not call you to shrink back. He made you for more than you realize.”
Learn more about Mary: https://marymarantz.com/
Grab a FREE chapter of Mary’s book, Underestimated: https://marymarantz.myflodesk.com/underestimatedch1
The Mary Marantz Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mary-marantz-show/id1478272407
Achiever Type Quiz: https://www.marymarantz.com/quiz
Mary on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marymarantz/?hl=en
Mary on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marymarantz/
Mary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymarantz/
It’s been one whole year since If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry made its way into the world, and today, we’re celebrating! In this special anniversary episode, I’m reflecting on the journey of writing and releasing this book- what it was like to put my story on paper, the emotional highs and lows, and the incredible messages from readers that have reminded me why I wrote it in the first place.
Whether you’ve read the book or are just hearing about it for the first time, I hope this episode makes you laugh, reflect, and feel a little less alone in your own beautiful mess.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me!
0:47 – Intro
• My 1-year bookaversery! • A big thank you to my readers
3:06 – Behind The Pages
• What was it really like to write a book? • The cathartic and terrifying writing process • Reader messages that moved me
5:33 – Embracing The Messy & Real
• Offering presence, perspective and hope • The anticipation leading up to release day • Honoring my mom’s storytelling
11:08 – Future Plans & Final Thoughts
• Is another book on the horizon? • Staying true to my voice
FEATURED QUOTES
“One of the goals that I had in this book is to just make someone feel seen, make you feel seen, to know that your mess is not too much for God- that you're not too far gone.”
“This year taught me that this story, my story, this book, didn't end with the last chapter. It has kept going in the conversations, in the tears that were shed at book signings, in the emails from strangers, in the quiet mornings on the farm, when I remember why I wrote it.”
“There's something really beautiful that happens when you let people see the cracks. Because what happens is light gets in, and you'll be able to watch other people shine too.”
This week, I'm thrilled to welcome the most special guest ever on my show- my dad. With the release of my book just around the corner (coming out next week- can you believe it?!) I couldn’t think of a better time to have him on the podcast. Together, we dig into some of the stories that are (and aren’t) talked about in my book.
Join us as we laugh, reminisce, and share stories of the joys, the challenges, and everything in between. My dad has such powerful things to say about gratitude, slowing down, choosing love, and finding joy in the darkest of moments. This conversation is so special to me, and I am so excited to share it with you today.
Without further ado, let’s jump into this conversation with Tom Buckley.
3:34 – Tom 101
- Tom’s upbringing + challenging relationship with religion
- Going to college, joining a fraternity, and career as a teacher
- Difficulties in marriage, battles with alcoholism and homelessness
- Tom’s journey to sobriety + spiritual growth
26:49 – Parenting Perspectives
- Reading the memoir
- Watching children make mistakes and learn from them
36:28 – Choosing Love
- Tom and Lynda’s marriage that defied the odds
- Prioritizing sobriety, God, and the good of the family
- The importance of love, respect, and kindness
48:28 – Rule 62
- Looking for the good throughout Lynda’s sickness
- Not taking yourself too seriously
- Appreciating what life has taught you
- Tom’s favorite chapter in the book
48:28 – Life lessons at 80
- Tom’s life today with Cindy
- Slowing down and appreciating the present
- Trusting that things will work out when you get out of your own way
FEATURED QUOTES
“That's what life is about. It isn't about failure, it's about getting back up.”
“If you take yourself too seriously, you just lose sight of all the things that really are important.”
“In the ‘getting through it’ stage, you gain experience and knowledge that you can use to get out of it. You can find places for help and guidance that will work.”
“You want to see who the winners are? Follow the laughter.”
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
Preorder my book:
PREORDER YOUR COPY TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
I'm under the weather this week, so I'm sharing one of my favorite episodes!
This week, I’m excited to welcome Ginny Yurich, a homeschooling mother of five and the founder of 1000 Hours Outside- a global movement reclaiming childhood and fostering family connections through nature-based play. Alongside her husband, Josh, Ginny is the brilliant mind behind the 1000 Hours Outside lifestyle brand, featuring an online store, app, podcast, a brand new book, and much more.
Whether you have kids or not, this episode is an absolute must-listen. We dig deep into issues that resonate, especially for those of us stuck behind desks and indoors all day. This conversation was deep, thought-provoking, and left me feeling challenged and convicted in the best way. It’s easily one of my top 10 favorite episodes of all time, and I’m so excited to share it with you!
3:36 – Ginny 101
- Struggles of early motherhood
- A playdate that changed everything
- Transformation through outdoor time
- Writing about this experience
15:07 – The Power of Outdoor Play
- The challenges of modern parenting
- Making small, intentional changes in daily routines
- Building outdoor habits as a family
- The power of friends and community with outdoor activities
34:11 – Embracing All Seasons
- The magic of winter
- Leaning into the unique experiences each season brings
- Cultivating grit and resilience
41:55 – Parenting in a Changing World
- Balancing structured and unstructured activities
- Encouraging self-discovery and independence
- Rethinking the college-centric path
1:01:21 – Takeaways + Words of Encouragement
- The power of pre-ordering books
- The long-term impact of parenting choices
- Celebrating real-life, hands-on experiences
FEATURED QUOTES
“If all that time, all those memories, all that relationship building, all of that connection, all of those moments of exhale- if those had gone to screens, our life would be so much less full….This is about bringing balance back to childhood.”
“What I’ve learned over the past decade is that this is a step that you take as a family. And the step is awareness. It’s about knowing that, when we play outside, it benefits every single member of your family, from your newborn to your grandmother to your great grandmother.”
“There are long-term effects to the choices that we make. And this is their life, this is their childhood. And it’s important to understand, at least to a small degree, what self-directed childhood play does for kids. And it does an immense amount.”
Learn more about Ginny:
https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/
https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/about-us
Oh MAN, you are in for a treat this week! I have not one, but two incredible guests joining me: Randy Frazee and Gisela Kreglinger.
Randy is the lead teaching pastor at Westside Family Church in Kansas City and a visionary in Bible engagement, spiritual formation, and building biblical community. He’s the architect behind The Story and Believe church engagement campaigns and the author of books like The Joy Challenge and Think, Act, Be Like Jesus.
Gisela grew up on a winery in Franconia, Germany, where her family has been crafting wine for generations. She holds multiple degrees in Biblical Studies and a PhD in Historical Theology from the University of St Andrews. Her passion lies at the intersection of food, faith, and joy, which she explores through her writing, teaching, and wine pilgrimages.
Together, they are the brilliant minds behind Wine in the Word, a Bible study that explores the theology of wine, its biblical significance, and how it connects with the Christian life.
This conversation was unlike anything I’ve ever had on the show. It was thought-provoking, eye-opening, and honestly, I could’ve talked to these two for hours! Get ready for a super fascinating discussion!
4:27 – Randy 101
• Lead pastor for 36 years • Writer and author • Husband, father and grandfather • Working on this project with Gisela
6:03 – Gisela 101
• Growing up on a winery • Theologian, teacher, and writer • Wine tastings and pilgrimages
7:24 – The Story Behind “Wine In The Word”
• Randy and Gisela’s backgrounds • How this collaboration came to be • Wine as a bridge builder
13:55 – The Role Of Wine In The Bible
• The historical context of wine in America • Wine consumption in Christian context • Reclaiming wine as a gift from God • Teaching your children to have a healthy relationship with wine
26:54 – “Holy Tipsiness”
• Wine as a social lubricant • An invitation to community + sharing God’s gifts • Addressing opposition to wine consumption
45:25 – Takeaways
• Teaching about wine in a healthy, biblical context • Learn more about Wine In The Word • Randy and Gisela’s prayer for this study
FEATURED QUOTES
“I just feel like it's time that we stop looking at wine through the lens of our culture.” - Randy Frazee
“Wine is really an invitation to community, to sharing the gifts of God. You know, wine and bread and all food that the earth brings forth are gifts from God. They are not just things out there that we need to eat. They're actually God's love language.” – Gisela Kreglinger
“You don't even have to drink or like wine, but you should know about what wine is teaching us in God.” - Randy Frazee
“We as the church have always been called to show how to live and how to live well as God has intended it, and I think we need to do that.” – Gisela Kreglinger
+++
Wine in the Word: https://www.randyfrazee.com/wine-in-the-word
Learn more about Randy: https://www.randyfrazee.com/
Randy’s Books: https://www.randyfrazee.com/books
Westside Family Church: https://www.westsidefamily.church/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RandyeFrazee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randyfrazee
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-frazee-43bb1545/
Learn more about Gisela: https://www.thespiritualityofwine.com/
Gisela’s Books and Articles: https://www.thespiritualityofwine.com/publications
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gisela.kreglinger
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giselakreglinger/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisela-h-kreglinger-615a2910/
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
Hey, friend! Today, we’re talking about something that has been on my heart a lot lately- the power of small wins and why they actually matter more than we realize.
We live in a world that constantly celebrates the big, flashy milestones- the promotions, the six-figure businesses, the book deals, the dream homes. And those things are great! But what about the small victories? The little moments of progress that quietly shape our lives?
In today’s episode, I’m sharing why shifting our mindset to celebrate small wins- whether it’s folding laundry the same day it's washed (yes, that counts!), drinking more water, or just showing up when it feels hard- can truly transform how we approach life, business, faith, and our relationships. Plus, I’ll share some practical ways to start recognizing and celebrating these moments in everyday life.
So, if you’ve ever felt like you’re falling behind because your wins don’t seem big enough- this episode is for you. Let’s reframe our thinking, embrace progress over perfection, and start finding joy in the little things!
1:52 – Reframing “Success”
• Moving away from hustle culture • Celebrating incremental progress • The power of small wins • How hustle culture can overshadow small victories
9:23 – Practical Tips For Celebrating Small Wins
• Keeping a gratitude or prayer journal • Writing down one accomplishment a day • Texting a friend
11:27 – Takeaways
• Life is made up of tiny moments • Examples of incremental progress • Taking a moment to share a tiny win
FEATURED QUOTES
“Things like social media and that hustle culture I was talking about, all of that has fed into why we don't tend to celebrate the tiny victories, the tiny steps, because we are constantly bombarded with everyone else's big wins.”
“Sometimes we have to remember that when we get to the end of the day and we have done the best that we can with what we've been given… that is a win.”
“Incremental progress, day-by-day matters, because here is the deal- our lives are made up of the tiny moments. Yes, the big milestones are great- the marriages and the having kids, the big career wins- they are wonderful, but they don't happen overnight.”
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
This week, I’m joined by Amy Senter, a former teacher and artist with a passion for making the Bible accessible to everyone. After struggling to understand Scripture herself, Amy used her background in education and art to create tools that simplify Bible study for all ages and learning styles. Her popular Books of the Bible cheat sheets, designed with visual learners and those with ADHD or dyslexia in mind, are now sold in over 50 countries.
Amy’s journey has not been without challenges. After receiving a late-stage Lyme Disease diagnosis, she found herself questioning her faith and purpose. But through this challenging season, Amy's relationship with God deepened, and she rediscovered her passion for Bible study. Her story is a powerful reminder of how God can bring purpose and growth even through our most difficult circumstances.
I really enjoyed this conversation and know it will inspire you, so let’s dive in!
1:43 – Amy 101
• Growing up in Northen Virginia • A wife and mom living in Texas • Transitioning from teaching to being a stay-at-home mom • Getting sick and rediscovering a love for art
12:26 – Finding Purpose In The Unexpected
• Navigating the identity shifts of adulthood • Letting go of external expectations • Amy’s journey to teaching and sharing through art • Taking the next step
20:20 – The Importance of Bible Literacy
• The decline of Biblical literacy • The role teaching and curriculum play in comprehension • The danger of only relying on secondary sources • Reading and discerning the Bible yourself
35:12 – You Are Not Alone
• Being diagnosed with Lyme disease • The physical, emotional and spiritual toll of this sickness • How Amy is doing now • A deeper understanding of God’s presence in suffering • Connecting with Amy
FEATURED QUOTES
“So many people are constantly like, what's my purpose, what's my calling, what's my next step? And I've tried to constantly encourage people [that] you may not know until you've already gotten there.”
“I thought all this stuff I worked so hard for was a waste, and then it came back and served such a different and wonderful purpose. And I didn't see it coming at all.”
“It's so important to know biblical literacy, because that's how you discern things.”
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OR LINKS THAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN POST
Learn more about Amy: https://amysenter.com/about/?srsltid=AfmBOooEHBBJ3KnlYETp6Ab09rdTjiKbFzB8CK1A6X7cXZhqG4h-_9-T
Amy on Socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/senteramy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amy.senter.intentional.living
Pinterest: https://www.facebook.com/amy.senter.intentional.living
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amysenter
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@senteramy
Amy’s Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/shopamysenter
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
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Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
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About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
Today, we’re doing something a little different! For the first time ever on the show, I’m sharing a sermon I preached at my church over a year ago. Now, before you think, Oh no, a sermon?- stick with me. Over the last couple of years, I’ve received countless messages from listeners who are feeling isolated, lonely, and disconnected. And I think this message is incredibly timely.
The loneliness epidemic is real, and it’s affecting so many of us, especially in the wake of declining church attendance and increasing feelings of disconnection. In this sermon, I dive deep into what the Bible says about loneliness and how the church can be a source of support and community for those feeling alone.
So, whether you're currently struggling with isolation, have stepped away from the church, or are curious about what the Bible says on the topic, I hope this message resonates with you!
4:22 – Introduction
• 1 Corinthians 12 • Issues the Corinthian church faced • Paul’s message to the church
13:15 – Every Gift Matters: Serving In The Body Of Christ
• The church is the body of Christ • 1 Peter 4:10 • Being good stewards of our gifts • There is no hierarchy of gifts
24:26 – The Pandemic Of Loneliness
• 50% of American adults feel lonely • The role of community in overcoming loneliness • We can be lonely with God
35:14 – Love in Action: Building a Stronger Community Through God’s Love
• Community is a byproduct of love • Being intentional alongside others • Ministering to someone else
FEATURED QUOTES
“The church cannot and should not be established on the charisma or the personality or the giftings of any one person. The church is to be built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.”
“Some gifts may bear more responsibility and consequences than others, but you have gifts, and those gifts matter.”
“We create these dividing lines between us based on our gifts or our roles or status or economics or whatever. And those lines are unbiblical, they're unnecessary, and they lead to chaos.”
“Our primary goal must be the love of and pursuit of Jesus, who is the lifeblood of the body.”
This week, I’m thrilled to welcome my friend, Cassandra “Cass” Speer, to the show! Cass is a bestselling author, Bible teacher, and the host of the Hard and Holy podcast. She also serves as the Vice President of Her True Worth, a global ministry dedicated to helping women find their identity and validation in Christ alone, which touches millions worldwide.
Cass has a passion for offering hope and biblical encouragement to the weary and wounded, helping them navigate faith in the midst of life’s challenges. She’s currently pursuing a master’s in Biblical and Theological Studies at Denver Seminary, which is where we connected and became fast friends. I truly adore her, and I know you will too!
In this episode, we’re diving into her brand-new book- Ready As You Are- which comes out next week, and it’s powerful message on faith, identity and worth.
2:08 – Cass 101
• Veteran wife and mom of 3 • Author, podcaster, and seminarian • The founding of Her True Worth
7:44 – Worth, Identity & Authenticity
• The biggest misconceptions women face regarding their worth and identity • Living from worth, not for worth • Maintaining authenticity in an online ministry space • The individual impact of Her True Worth
14:07 – Ready As You Are
• Readiness is faithfulness • Surrendering to God’s sufficiency • Living on mission in everyday moments • Differentiating between selfish desires and genuine God-given callings
32:24 – Final Thoughts
• Surprising lessons from writing this book • God’s power has given us everything we need • Connecting with Cass • Pre-ordering your copy of Ready As You Are
FEATURED QUOTES
“Readiness is not about feeling qualified. It's about faithfulness and knowing that He who equips you, qualifies you and He who has commissioned you, qualifies you.”
“I have so many statistics stacked against me to tell me, very validly, you should not be here. You are not ready for this- and yet God opens doors that I would never knock on.”
“There really are no small things in God's kingdom.”
“God makes so much of our little, if we're willing. Every moment that you're living is a miracle. Every opportunity you have is an opportunity to bring God glory.”
Learn more about Cass:
https://cassandraspeer.com/
Pre-order your copy of Ready As You Are: https://readyasyouare.com/
Get your copy of Her True Worth: https://www.amazon.com/Her-True-Worth-Breaking-Pleasing/dp/1400231124/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1699992124&sr=8-1
There’s Beauty In Your Brokenness Devotional https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/theres-beauty-in-your-brokenness-book/?fbclid=PAAab5MjPqTPxwgXgQVx0AMCsg3YHYp3WDPYqCQ20sgsq0eEP_VUWQ2TzW0lA
Her True Worth https://hertrueworth.com/home/ Check out Cass’ podcast Hard & Holy: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hard-holy-with-cassandra-speer/id1767270286
Cass on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cassandralspeer/?hl=en
Cass on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/speerandarrows/
Brittany Maher on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brittmaher/?hl=en
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
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About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
This week, I’m joined by the lovely Tabitha Panariso. She is a licensed professional counselor, writer, speaker, and theologian, who brings counseling into the everyday fabric of life.
She’s also the author of Loyal in His Love: An Invitation to Be Held by Jesus When Others Let You Go. At the heart of Tabitha’s work is a commitment to creating space for life's toughest moments and guiding others toward healing with clarity and compassion.
We dive into everything today from the plots of Seinfeld to the ways we experience and process rejection- both as adults and as parents helping our kids cope with it. This is exactly the type of conversation I love having on this show, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it just as much!
2:08 – Tabitha 101
• Wife and mom • Christ-centered and trauma-informed therapist • A new author • Bonding over Seinfeld
14:13 – Redefining Acceptance
• The emotional and spiritual toll of rejection • How social media can amplify feelings of rejection • A defining moment of acceptance for Tabitha • God’s unwavering love and faithfulness
23:09 – Healing Through Christ’s Compassion
• Receiving the compassion that Christ has given us • Naming the pain and emotions you experience • Allowing ourselves to be dependent on God
37:24 – Modeling Faith For Your Children
• How practicing self-awareness extends to parenting • Offering children a safe place • Pointing your kids to Christ over and over again • Getting your copy of Tabitha’s book
FEATURED QUOTES
“It's important for us to name our pain, name our feelings, because it's just like when we break a bone or when we are physically hurt- if we aren't able to acknowledge that pain, then it's only going to exasperate, it's only going to fester.”
“When we can lament, when we can grieve, when we can name what's happening in us, that's us re-posturing our hearts and allowing us to be dependent on God.”
“Reminding our kids where their true value lies and where their true worth lies- that is the greatest gift that we can give them.”
Learn more about Tabitha:
Get your copy of Loyal in His Love
https://www.amazon.com/Loyal-His-Love-Invitation-Others-ebook/dp/B0CTHR9FCD
Tabitha on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/tabithapanariso/
Tabitha on Substack
https://substack.com/@tabithapanariso
Tabitha on Threads
https://www.threads.net/@tabithapanariso
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
You are in for a treat this week! We are back with my good friend Tyler Merritt today, who has been on the show before. Tyler is a Nashville-based actor, author, musician, activist, cancer survivor, and founder of The Tyler Merritt Project. He’s appeared in shows like Netflix’s Outer Banks, Marvel’s Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and NBC’s Young Rock.
Tyler is also the author of the bestselling memoir I Take My Coffee Black and the children’s book A Door Made for Me. I’m thrilled to have him back on the show today to talk about his new book, This Changes Everything: A Surprisingly Funny Story About Race, Cancer, Faith, and Other Things We Don’t Talk About.
Tyler is a true light in this world, and this conversation is packed with depth, vulnerability, and lots of laughs. I’m honored to have him back to share more of his story, and I know you’ll walk away with so much from this conversation!
2:26 – Tyler 201
• Tyler’s second book birthday! • The positive response to his first book • Acting projects and walking through cancer • Tyler’s stance on Coca-Cola
11:31 – Finding Peace In The Present
• Tyler’s advice for someone struggling to live in the present • Living in your life right now • Navigating fear and anxiety about the future
22:07 – Facing Fear And Living Well
• Why humor has been such a powerful tool for Tyler • Confronting your fears head on • Living well and loving fully
32:33 – Learning To Lament
• The importance of true grief • The legacy Tyler hopes This Changes Everything leaves • Getting your copy of Tyler’s book
FEATURED QUOTES
“There's a thing I think sometimes that we associate with, oh my gosh, how much time do we have left? What's going to happen after I'm gone? and not really taking the moment to go, I'm still here right now, and I'm so, so radically thankful that that's a thing.”
“If tomorrow, God forbid, I was no longer here, did I love well while I was here? Did I serve well up until the very last moment?”
“There are some things I can't change, right? But while I'm here and I have the tangible moments to do these things now, I can bring as much goodness as I can into the moments that I currently exist in, and that can be my stronghold on the fear that I might see coming against me.”
Learn more about Tyler:
The Tyler Merritt Project https://thetylermerrittproject.com/
Get your copy of This Changes Everything https://www.amazon.com/This-Changes-Everything-Surprisingly-Cancer/dp/1546006966
Tyler’s other books https://thetylermerrittproject.com/book/
Tyler on Social Media:
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPB48_JfK-VMnYQPTYyMX5Q
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thetylermerrittproject
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thetylermerrittproject/
X https://x.com/ttmproject
Happy New Year! I’m SO excited to be back with you all and to kick off the year by welcoming back an incredible returning guest, Ian Morgan Cron. If you haven’t had a chance to catch his previous episode, you might recognize him as the author of The Road Back to You, or as the host of the popular Typology podcast.
Ian is a psychotherapist, an Enneagram teacher, an Episcopal priest and the author of several other books. His new book releases at the end of this month, called, The Fix: How the Twelve Steps Offer a Surprising Path of Transformation for the Well-Adjusted, the Down-and-Out, and Everyone in Between.
I’m thrilled to have him back on the show to share his heart behind this book and how everyone, no matter where they are in life, can benefit from the twelve steps. This conversation is rich, deep, and packed with insights you won’t want to miss!
2:38 – Ian 201
· Continuing Enneagram, coaching and podcast work
· Songwriting for Netflix
· Ian’s new book, The Fix
7:54 – The Genesis of The FIx
· Why Ian wanted to write this book
· Understanding the twelve steps
· Finding the balance between powerlessness and healing
14:28 – Looking at Modern Addictions
· Craving control
· The need to play God
· Denial as an addiction
23:07 – Hugging The Cactus
· Why everyone needs to “hug the cactus”
· Accepting “unacceptable” parts of yourself
· The connection between self-awareness and spiritual growth
· The power of the twelve steps for all walks of life
39:56 – Seeking Progress, Not Perfection
· The difference between reformation and transformation
· How this process has impacted Ian’s life
· The role of community in the transformation process
· Closing thoughts + pre-ordering your copy of The Fix
FEATURED QUOTES
“The 12 steps are not just for alcoholics, drug addicts, over-eaters, gamblers, spenders, shoppers or whatever…Everybody's on the addiction continuum somewhere, and everybody can experience the same liberation, joy, freedom and happiness that people that self-identify as addicts or alcoholics do.”
“The one thing that stands between you and you becoming the person you want to become is the truth.”
“The parts of you that you have rejected all your life- all the quote-on-quote ‘crappy, sinny stuff ‘going on in there- is actually still at work. And until you welcome it home and accept the unacceptable about yourself, you will never accept that you've been accepted by God. And that's really important work.”
“There's a lot of people of faith out there who have just tried to hate themselves into becoming better people. You can't do that. You can't shame yourself, beat yourself up. You have to welcome these parts of yourself home and tell them that all of you is welcome.”
Learn more about Ian:
https://ianmorgancron.com/
The Typology Podcast
https://www.typologypodcast.com/
Pre-order Your Copy of The Fix
https://ianmorgancron.com/thefix
Ian’s Other Books
https://ianmorgancron.com/books
Ian on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/IanMorganCron/
Ian on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/ianmorgancron
Ian on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianmorgancron/
I’m so excited to welcome back Anthony O’Neal to the show! He is the national bestselling author of Debt-Free Degree, a personal finance expert, and host of the wildly popular podcast and YouTube show, The Table with Anthony O'Neal, which has garnered millions of downloads. For over a decade, Anthony has been challenging cultural norms, empowering individuals to live debt-free lives, break generational wealth gaps, and build true financial independence. He’s been featured on major platforms like Good Morning America, Live with Kelly and Mark, Fox and Friends, CNN, Success Magazine, and more- he’s truly everywhere! Join us today as we dive into the exciting details of his upcoming book, Take Your Seat at the Table: Live an Authentic Life of Abundance, Wellness, and Freedom, which is set to release in January. We talk about building a strong foundation for your life, taking control of your future, and surrounding yourself with the right people who can encourage and challenge you. This conversation is the perfect wrap-up to 2024, and I know you’ll walk away feeling inspired and ready to take on the new year- so let’s dive in!
4:31 – Anthony 201
• Stepping out on his own + giving back • Launching a third book • Living in DC
6:31 – Take Your Seat At The Table
• Why Anthony chose this metaphor for his book and podcast • The importance of building a solid foundation • Taking control of your life and not allowing others to dictate your decisions
12:22 – The Power Of Vision
• What do you want to do and where do want to go? • The importance of a clear vision • Writing down your long-term goals and working backwards
19:21 – Embracing The Messy Table
• Learning from failure • Messiness can be beautiful and meaningful • Embracing learning opportunities
26:25 – Don’t Do It Alone
• Inviting therapists, coaches and spiritual advisors to your table • The value of support systems • Connecting with Anthony
FEATURED QUOTES
“So many times, we allow other people to sit at the head of our tables and tell us what to do with our life and how to do things with our life, and we never take that opportunity.”
“You have to have a vision… When you have a vision, it's even easier to invite people to your table.”
“Failure, messiness- it's not a negative. Embrace it. Learn from it, enjoy it, laugh- just make sure that you keep moving forward.”
Learn more about Anthony:
https://www.anthonyoneal.com/
Pre-order your copy of Take Your Seat At The Table
https://www.anthonyoneal.com/takeyourseatatthetable
Get your copy of Debt-Free Degree
https://www.amazon.com/Debt-Free-Degree-Step-Step-Getting/dp/1942121113
The Table with Anthony O’Neal on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaW51g-nmLfq703TPZC7Gsg
The Table with Anthony O’Neal Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-with-anthony-oneal/id1543458790 Anthony on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/anthonyoneal/?hl=en
Anthony on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/aoneal/
Anthony on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-oneal-378704207/
This week, I’m joined by the incredible Tori Hope Petersen. She is an author, speaker, Bible teacher and fierce advocate for foster care, adoption, and vulnerable children. Raised in and out of the foster care system herself, she has dedicated her life to sharing her testimony and offering hope to others. Tori is also a wife, mom, and lover of people, with a deep appreciation for cooking, family, community, and hospitality.
Tori has so many incredible insights to share about healing from the past, breaking destructive patterns, and finding lasting hope. Plus, we talk about her upcoming book, Breaking the Patterns That Break You, which is set to release on February 4th, 2025.
I was so moved and inspired by this conversation and I’m so excited to share it with you!
5:36 – Tori 101
· Growing up in and out of the foster care system
· Working in foster care advocacy
· Releasing her first book, Fostered
· Second book release in February
8:57 – Resilience and Hope
· The healing Tori experienced through her track career
· The power of having supportive figures in your life
· The lasting impact of words and emotional abuse
15:05 – Finding Lasting Healing
· Having deep self-compassion
· Recognizing and addressing harmful patterns
· Having trusting people around you to provide feedback
26:24 – Inviting Jesus Into The Healing Process
· The misconception that Jesus is a band-aid solution
· Jesus is a true healer who repairs and rebuilds
· Putting in the foundational work and continuing ongoing maintenance
40:39 – Encouragement For The Healers And Hurting
· Avoiding quick fixes
· Being a good listener and question asker
· Your life has purpose
· Continuing to fight to find people who truly love you
FEATURED QUOTES
" That's healing- to accept sometimes the sad version of ourselves and not to try and change her.”
“We think that Jesus is coming in and just slapping a band aid on it, but really that that's sometimes what his people do. That's not who Jesus is…I think we just need to change our perspective and understand that like God is coming in and he wants to truly repair the home.”
“More than people need advice. People need someone to sit with them, walk with them. Listen to them.”
"Your life has purpose… There's a beautiful plan for your life. God loves you and for you to stay here very well may be the thing that someone else needs.”
Learn more about Tori:
https://www.torihopepetersen.com/
Pre-order your copy of Breaking The Patterns
https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Patterns-That-Break-You/dp/1400250048
Get your copy of Tori’s book, Fostered
https://www.amazon.com/Fostered-Womans-Powerful-Finding-through/dp/1087750970
I Love You Already Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/67tPTqQ6uMS1WRuy4tvQyP?si=1poWQ1nMS_KbP9-GqgwrjQ&nd=1&dlsi=72a9e71cf68b4ce7
Tori on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/torihopepetersen/?hl=en
Tori on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@iloveyoualready
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
My guest this week is the amazing Ashley Jameson. She is the Associate Director of Pure Desire Ministries- a ministry dedicated to equipping individuals and churches with the tools to heal from the impacts of sexual brokenness, addiction, and betrayal.
She and her husband, John, discovered Pure Desire during one of the most challenging seasons of their marriage, battling the devastation caused by a pornography addiction. It’s tools and resources provided them with the support necessary to heal their marriage and family. Four years later, Ashley now leads leadership training for Pure Desire's regional group advisors nationwide, helping spread the message of recovery and healing in communities and churches across the country. I truly believe this conversation is one that can bring hope, healing, and freedom to so many. Let’s dive in!
3:23 – Ashley 101
• Discovering her husband’s addiction • How Purse Desire’s resources helped her family • Joining the Pure Desire team
6:22 – The Realities Of Addiction
• The latest stats on Christian pornography use • The lack of churches addressing this issue • The unique challenges women face with pornography addiction
12:42 – Breaking The Silence
• The importance of normalizing these conversations • Impactful resources you can offer your congregation • How compulsive sexual behavior rewires the brain • The need for churches to become educated and equipped to handle these challenges
21:41 – The Neurological Impact Of Pornography
• Having open conversations as a family • Early exposure to harmful content • How repeated exposure rewires the brain
32:23 – Taking Steps Toward Healing
• The steps churches can take to become supportive environments • Resources available through Pure Desire • Getting help for betrayal trauma • Practical first steps for women struggling with pornography
FEATURED QUOTES
“The newest numbers are showing that 75% of Christian men are looking at pornography, 40% of Christian women, and it's also saying that 82% of Christians are saying that nobody is helping them avoid pornography.”
“We don't have to be afraid to talk about these things in a church or as leaders or as parents, because this stuff is already happening. What we're doing is just bringing it to light so we can start sifting through it and figuring out how to be part of the solution.”
“My number one recommendation would be, do not go another day without having a plan of at least sharing it with one safe person who you can say, ‘will you walk with me as I try to figure out what my next step is?’”
Learn more about Ashley:
Pure Desire Ministries
https://puredesire.org/
Pure Desire’s Resources
https://puredesire.org/resources/
Unfiltered: Real Talk About Sex and Love Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unfiltered-real-talk-about-sex-love/id1749351656
Get in touch with Pure Desire
(503) 489-0230
groups@puredesire.org
Today, I wanted to talk about something that’s been on my heart lately: gratitude. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, my family and I started a new tradition this year-a gratitude wall in our living room. Every day, we write down things we’re thankful for, and it’s sparked some really meaningful conversations with our kids about seeing God’s blessings in our lives.
Gratitude has the power to change us. So, this week, I wanted to chat about what a biblical approach to Thanksgiving truly looks like.
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones, and I’ll see you back here in December!
2:14– The Theology Of Gratitude
• Gratitude is a response to who God is • God is the giver of every blessing in our lives • Gratitude is an act of worship
7:00 – Practical Expressions Of Gratitude
• Having a heart that acknowledges God • Gratitude through worship • Gratitude through action
10:38 – Gratitude During Difficult Seasons
• Psalm 34:1 • Trusting God’s presence and promises • How are you practicing gratitude this season?
FEATURED QUOTES
“Even when life- especially right now, heading into the holiday season- feels chaotic, God's goodness and His love is constant, and so it gives us this reason to be thankful.”
“Gratitude is…an act of worship. It's a way that we acknowledge God's rightful place in our lives as Lord and King.” “Gratitude isn't just what we say. Gratitude is how we live… It's our it's our words and our actions- word and deed- coming together.”
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
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About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
I am thrilled to be joined by the amazing and talented Shana Wilson Williams and Melinda Watts in today’s episode. Shana is a pastor’s daughter, worship leader and songwriter from Detroit. Melinda is a family lifestyle travel creator, speaker, and worship leader from Atlanta.
These two incredible women have come alongside other talented artists to create the album, Return To Love, which calls the church back to its true purpose by embracing authentic worship and community. It showcases a rich blend of musical styles and diverse voices, all centered on the powerful theme of rediscovering true worship and love in a divided world.
As we come off of this election season, Shana and Melinda are here to remind us how important it is to examine our hearts, prioritize our relationship with God, and better love ourselves, our families and our neighbors.
I hope you’ll join us for this rich conversation and will give this powerful album a listen!
4:14 – Shana 101
- From Detroit
- Mom and wife
- Pastor’s daughter and worship leader
7:00 – Melinda 101
- From New Jersey, now in Atlanta
- Mom and wife
- Worship leader with a love for ministry
8:21 – Return To Love
- How this collaborative project came together
- The meaning behind this album
- Returning to the feet of Jesus
11:57 – Rediscovering True Worship
- Lessons from Revelation
- Rediscovering a deep connection with God
- Putting aside our differences
- Loving yourself to love others well
20:19 – Overflowing Love: A Call To Kingdom
- Being mindful of what you consume
- Worship that brings your attention back to the presence of God
- Leading by example and focusing on kingdom values
- Breaking bread with those who are different than you
36:00 – Takeaways
- Shana and Melinda’s hope for this project
- Connecting with Shana and Melinda
FEATURED QUOTES
“We need to not just be waiting for Him to return but be ready for Him to return. And the only way we can be ready is if we return back to what it was supposed to be- that's genuine love, genuine community, genuine fellowship with one another, putting aside our own motives or agendas or views…and returning to the sacredness of who Jesus is.”
“We are supposed to be known in the world by our love and so to see this project focus on love is really helping us get back to what we should be known by.”
“I hope that after listening to this project, that people reevaluate their relationships- their relationships with one another, with fellow Christians, non-Christians, and that we would keep love at the center.”
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OR LINKS THAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN POST
Listen to the Return To Love Album:
https://www.returntolovealbum.com/
Learn more about Shana
https://www.shanawilsonwilliams.com/sww
Shana on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/shanawilsonwilliams/?hl=en
Shana on Tik Tok
https://www.tiktok.com/@shanawilsonwilliams
Shana on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC98C1ok21B5YlR4xF22vTlw
Learn more about Melinda
https://www.melindawatts.com/
Melinda on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/melindawattsglobal/
Medina on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/melindawattsmusic/
Melinda on Tik Tok
https://www.tiktok.com/@melindawatts_
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
Welcome to episode 420! Today, it's just me, and I'm tackling one of the most frequently asked questions I’ve received since the release of my first book, If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry. And that is… “How do I get a book published?”
A recent study showed that more than 80% of Americans dream of writing and publishing a book. So, in today’s conversation, I’m going to walk you through the basics of book publishing and share the tips and tricks I learned along the way.
If you've ever imagined holding your own book in your hands or are just curious about the publishing world, stick around. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer idea of where to start and how the process works!
2:37 – Understanding Your Options
· The different approaches to publishing
· Getting an agent
· Creating a book proposal
6:50 – Finding Your Team
· Researching agents who specialize in your genre
· Putting together your query letter
· Showing agents your personality
12:03 – The Book Proposal Process
· What is a book proposal?
· Showing your knowledge and commitment
· Sample chapters
15:49 – Self-Publishing and Hybrid Publishing
· Hiring your team
· Don’t forget about marketing!
· Considerations for hybrid publishing
19:25 – Okay… So Where Do I Start?!
· Polishing your manuscript
· Having a book proposal
· Defining your goals + researching options
· Establishing relationships + thinking about marketing
· Don’t give up!
FEATURED QUOTES
“If you don't hear back or you get a rejection, you can't let it discourage you. Tons of successful, famous authors have received multiple rejections before finding the right fit. So, you are not alone. It is part of the process.”
“The writing community in general is incredibly supportive and has been vital in my own process.”
“Publishing a book, writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint…Rejections are going to happen. Timelines are going to change. Things are not going to go the way that you want them to go, but you have to keep going. You have to have that end goal in mind and focus on the end result that you're really, really looking for, because that part is incredibly rewarding.”
Punchline Agency
https://punchlineagency.com/
Hope Writers
https://www.hopewriters.com/
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
I'm thrilled to welcome my dear friend, Mattie Jackson, back to the show! You may remember her from earlier this year, and I was so inspired by our chat that I had to invite her back- especially with the release of her new book, Through the Valley of Grief.
Mattie is an author, podcaster, and speaker whose life changed dramatically when she tragically lost her 28-year-old husband to a traumatic brain injury just weeks before their first anniversary. Despite her grief, she has used her story to give glory to God and to bring others hope and healing.
Her new book is a 365-day devotional, carefully crafted to guide readers through spiritual practices that offer hope and peace during times of grief. If you or someone you know is walking through loss right now, I hope that this episode- and Mattie’s devotional- will be a source of comfort and inspiration.
6:02 – Mattie 201
• Having a baby • Releasing her second book • The difference between Lemons and this new devotional
13:52 – Walking Through Grief
• The four practices to navigate grief • Feeling grief without getting stuck in it • Actions and tools to move toward hope and healing
27:02 – Finding Freedom In Hope
• The courage required to hope • Don’t let Satan steal present joy • God’s message of hope
41:23 – Closing Remarks
• Helping others through the grieving process • Getting your copy of Mattie’s book
FEATURED QUOTES
“This was really hard fought, hard written, five years in the making- and it was a lot of work, and so I'm really proud of it in that way as a writer.”
“We need to be affirmed in our pain, and that's important, but we also need to be called to act in it.”
“There is such freedom in the action of hoping, even though you don't know what the final outcome is going to be.”
“The courage to hope in a very broken situation, in a very rightly anxiety-producing world, is going to only come from God's Word.”
Learn more about Mattie:
Get your copy of Through The Valley of Grief
https://www.amazon.com/Through-Valley-Grief-Devotional-Spiritual/dp/0593601238
Get your copy of Lemons On Friday
https://www.amazon.com/Lemons-Friday-Trusting-Greatest-Heartbreak/dp/0785241272/ref=asc_df_0785241272?nodl=1&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=675601147131&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16219095298050732835&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYtFXuwWotiZA-6LEU-IvYhl8AlHMjw6dcuilzZnQUl6pI2as2x1W99FzU_aem_PH7jpc88JU1KxPkE8PIAgA
Mattie on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/mattiejackson/?hl=en
Mattie on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/mattiejacksonofficial/
In Joy Life Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-joy-life-with-mattie-jackson/id1667357187
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
My guest this week is the incredible and hilarious Joby Martin, the lead pastor of The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida. Since launching the church in 2012, Joby has been at the forefront of a movement that helps people from all walks of life discover and deepen their relationship with Jesus.
Beyond his leadership at The Church of Eleven22, Joby is also an author, speaker, husband, and father of two beautiful children. His newest book Run Over By the Grace Train: How the Unstoppable Love of God Transforms Everything just hit shelves this September.
I hope you’ll join us today as we talk about this concept of grace and explore how we can better understand and apply it in our daily lives. I had an absolute blast learning from Joby's wisdom and getting into the nitty gritty on this subject!
2:09 – Joby 101
Getting saved in high school Feeling called to ministry Planting a church in Jacksonville Connecting to people through comedy
12:30 – The Importance Of Grace In Today’s Culture
How grace is often misunderstood and misapplied Grace transforms everything We need grace daily
16:37 – Defining Grace
How grace is defined by scripture Grace brings the dead to life God’s relentless pursuit of us
26:50 – Encouragement For Those Struggling With Grace
Investigating the Bible and seeking a relationship with Jesus The Gospel of John Being open to the transformative power of grace
35:18 – Final Thoughts
Who is Jesus to you? Everything Jesus has for us is good Grace has a face Connecting with Joby
FEATURED QUOTES
“I've also realized in preaching, if I just preach from my own failures and weaknesses, I never run out of material.”
“If you got hit by a train, your whole life would be different. You can't say that you've been hit by the grace of Jesus, and things don't change in your life.”
“I promise you, there's more grace in Jesus than sin in you, and He wants you, and He's not disappointed to choose you.”
--
Learn more about Joby:
https://www.jobymartin.com/
Get your copy of Run Over By The Grace Train
https://www.jobymartin.com/books/grace-train
Church of Eleven22
https://coe22.com/
Joby on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/jobypmartin/
Joby on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@jobypmartin
Joby on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/PastorJobyMartin
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
You are in for a treat this week! My guest is the hilarious and amazing Sophie Hudson. Sophie is a best-selling author and a beloved podcaster who started blogging at BooMama.net in 2005 and has co-hosted The Big Boo Cast since 2007- roles that make her feel like the internet's mee-maw. She's known for her infectious laugh, love of live sports, and cooking her mama's recipes for friends.
Her latest book, A Fine Sight to See: Leading Because You Were Made for It, explores leadership principles from the book of Exodus, touching on the important role women played in Moses’s life and the Israelites’ journey to freedom. Sophie’s approachable style and love for laughter make her work- and this episode- so insightful and incredibly fun. We had an absolute blast as Sophie shared her heart and her wisdom. You don’t want to miss this one!
2:23 – Sophie 101
Southern accents, morning weddings & the power of a good nap Living in Birmingham, Alabama Starting a blog in 2005 and co-hosting a podcast An unexpected journey to full-time writing
20:42 – Women In Leadership
How Sophie landed on Exodus 1-20 for her book The challenges women face in leadership roles in the church Using the language of leadership for women
33:40 – Developing Humble Leadership
The balance between confidence and humility in leadership Leadership that reminds people of who God is Leading with a quiet life Practicing your gifts in private
45:58 – Closing Thoughts
Bonding over musical theater Getting your copy of A Fine Sight To See
FEATURED QUOTES
“I think Moses is a leadership manual for all of us, women or men.”
“We need men to lead, but we also need women to lead, and women are underrepresented in leadership in our churches.”
“If you have influence over one other person, you're a leader in that person's life.”
Learn more about Sophie:
BooMama
https://www.boomama.net/
https://www.boomama.net/about-me/
Get your copy of A Fine Sight To See
https://www.amazon.com/Fine-Sight-See-Leading-Because/dp/0764243349
Sophie on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/boomama205/?hl=en
Sophie on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/SophieHudsonBooMama/
The Big Boo Cast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-boo-cast/id262921699
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
I’m so excited to welcome the hilarious and amazing Ellen Skrmetti to the show today! Ellen first rose to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic, capturing hearts with her Instagram sketches where she "calls" Jesus for advice. Her account went viral in the spring of 2022, racking up millions of views and a devoted following.
Now, Ellen has just released her first book, Hey Jesus, It’s Me: I Have Questions, Comments, and Concerns, where she brings her signature Southern charm and wit to tackle topics like motherhood, menopause, and menus- subjects her fans have come to love.
Trust me, you won't want to miss this episode- Ellen and I had a blast (and even did a bit or two). I can’t wait for you to hear it!
7:35 – Ellen 101
Studying at Second City Growing an Instagram following Starting comedy after a career in advertising sales Waiting on God’s timing
12:52 – God Math
The importance of timing and faith Doing your reasonable best
16:33 – Faith, Comedy, and Southern Charm
How Ellen’s faith and Southern upbringing influence her comedy The mix of truth and absurdity in comedy Starting rumors about Nate Bargatze!!
22:41 – Hey Jesus!
The evolution of Ellen’s sketches How the “Hey Jesus” sketches resonated with people Wholesome and positive comedy in a world filled with negativity Menopause, y’all!
31:34 – Final thoughts
Connecting with Ellen Getting your copy of Hey Jesus
FEATURED QUOTES
“Even though my path is so unconventional... it's God's path.”
“My goal with the book is for people to remember that He does want our sad, He does want our fears, He wants everything… He wants to laugh with you. I mean, He created laughter.”
"People want something wholesome and people want something to cling to that's positive because there's so much negative."
Learn more about Ellen:
https://ellenskrmetti.com/
Ellen on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/justskrmetti/?hl=en
Get your copy of Hey Jesus
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1546007040?tag=hacboogrosit-20
Ellen’s upcoming shows and signings
https://ellenskrmetti.com/about-appearances/
Ellen on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmYobCHqa6CKHHjutgw80rw
Ellen on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ellen.skrmetti/
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
My guest this week is Jonny Ardavanis, Lead Pastor of Stonebridge Bible Church in Franklin, Tennessee, and founder of Dial In Ministries, an organization dedicated to providing biblical resources for the next generation. Previously serving as a camp director at Hume Lake Christian Camps and dean at The Master's University, Jonny’s passion is helping people know and love Jesus through a deeper understanding of His Word.
In this episode, we dive into his new book, Consider the Lilies: Finding Perfect Peace in the Character of God. With statistics showing that one-third of teenagers have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and one in four young adults have experienced suicidal thoughts in recent years, Jonny offers a compassionate, biblically-centered approach to addressing anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles.
This is such a powerful and timely conversation, whether you're personally navigating these challenges or supporting someone who is. You don’t want to miss this!
2:26 – Jonny 101
Husband and girl dad Pastor of Stonebridge Bible Church in Tennessee President of Dial In Ministries
4:35 – Consider The Lilies
Jonny’s experience at Hume Lake Providing a resource that addresses anxiety from a biblical perspective Understanding God’s character in addressing anxiety
12:12 – Living In An Anxious World
The root causes of anxiety and worry The stories of Job, David and Elijah Jesus addressing anxiety in scripture
31:28 – Finding Hope and Healing
Experiencing holy hindsight Practical steps for those dealing with anxiety Christian counseling and community support The hope and joy found in Christ
FEATURED QUOTES
“To be human in the world in which we live is to be prone to anxiety.”
“What is anxiety? Well, I use the definition that it's anytime we take our eyes off of God and fix our gaze instead on the problems, pressures, and uncertainties of life.”
“If God loves, cares, provides for the lilies and the birds…how much more does God love, provide, care and nurture those who are made in His image and who have been blood bought by his one and only Son, Jesus Christ?”
Learn more about Jonny:
https://www.forthegospel.org/jonny-ardavanis
Jonny on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/jonnyardavanis/?hl=en
Pre-order your copy of Consider The Lilies
https://www.amazon.com/Consider-Lilies-Finding-Perfect-Character/dp/0310368243
Stonebridge Bible Church
https://stonebridgebible.org/
Dial In Ministries
https://dialinministries.org/
Dial In Ministries on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGB5fYWHTNemqp9aZC232eg
Dial In Ministries on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/dialinministries/?hl=en
Dial In Ministries on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/p/Dial-In-Ministries-100063760952717/
Dial In Podcast
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3166a6da-ec56-457f-a56b-f513711d2dfe/dial-in-with-jonny-ardavanis
Bio Jonny Ardavanis is the lead pastor of Stonebridge Bible Church in Franklin, Tennessee, and the founder and president of Dial In Ministries, a ministry that provides biblical resourcing for the next generation. Jonny formerly served as both a camp director at Hume Lake Christian Camps and as a dean at The Master’s University. Jonny is passionate that people come to know and love Jesus Christ as they pursue a deeper understanding of His Word. Jonny lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife, Caity Jean, and their two daughters.
DialinMinistries.org instagram.com/JonnyArdavanis ; instagram.com/DialinMinistries youtube.com/@DialinMinistries x.com/DialinMin Podcast: Dial In with Jonny Ardavanis
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
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About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
My guest today is my dear friend, Dr. Steve Bezner. Steve is the senior pastor of Houston Northwest Church, in Houston Texas. His passion is to see Houston and the world become more like heaven as people become more like Jesus. He’s a preacher, teacher, writer, and speaker and has such a gift for making the Bible easy to understand.
Steve’s new book is releasing this October, called Your Jesus is Too American: Calling the Church to Reclaim Kingdom Values over the American Dream, which I’m so excited to talk about today. In this book, Steve challenges the overpowering influences of money, politics, and status that often overshadow Jesus' teachings.
With over a decade of pastoral experience, Steve encourages readers to rediscover important kingdom values like humble service, reconciliation, generosity, and a grounded political witness in our communities. This is such an incredible book, and I strongly believe it’s a must-read as we head into this election season.
So, without further ado, let’s get into it!
5:44 – Steve 101
Pastor of Houston Northwest Church Growing up in north Texas Being called to ministry Two adult sons
7:36 – The Genesis Of The Book
The inspiration behind Your Jesus Is Too American The book’s foundation in the Sermon on the Mount Embodying the kingdom of God in the middle of community
15:29 – Living Out Kingdom Values
Being disciples of Jesus first Focusing on issues rather than candidates Turning to scripture and working towards the vision of Jesus locally Jesus’ command to love your enemy
34:33 – Faith In Action
Embodying Jesus in our daily lives Recognizing ingrained beliefs that conflict with Jesus’ words Stepping into the lived experience of the kingdom Pre-ordering your copy of Your Jesus Is Too American
FEATURED QUOTES
“The purpose of a church is to provide faithful witness for Jesus in the midst of a community that often wants to ignore Jesus and ignore His way.”
“The first and most important identity needs to be your identity in Christ and joining into His story.”
“When you die to the American dream and you embrace the way of Jesus, you actually end up having a far better experience of being human than you could ever imagine.”
Learn more about Steve:
https://www.stevebezner.com/
Get your copy of Your Jesus Is Too American
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Jesus-Too-American-Calling/dp/1587436310
Houston NW Church
https://www.hnw.org/
Steve on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/sbezner/
Steve on X
https://x.com/bezner
Steve on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/sbezner/?hl=en
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
I’m thrilled to welcome the incredible, hilarious, and brilliant Chase Rashad to the show. Chase is the lead pastor at Unison Christian Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is also a musician and a racial equity coach for many schools, churches, and businesses.
Chase recently released a new book, Seamless: What Your Spiritual Gifts Are Really For, exploring how spiritual gifts, intended by God to transform the world, are often underutilized. He reminds us that, like a human body has many different parts and functions, every believer has a unique role to play in the Body of Christ.
This conversation was truly special. We laughed, we got deep, and this quickly became one of my favorite episodes in a long time. Chase’s insights on community, the role of spiritual gifts, and the importance of working together within the church were so inspiring and thought-provoking. Trust me, you’re in for a treat this week!
3:56 – Chase 101
Married for 19 years Parent to 4 humans and a great dane Pastor, singer, writer, musician and author The perfect shade of green and sanctified imagination
12:49 – What Your Spiritual Gifts Are Really For
Where Chase’s passion for this book came from The importance of unity among believers 1 Corinthians 12 Spiritual gifts as a way to serve others
24:44 – The Power of Every Gift
Recognizing and honoring all gifts The danger of only valuing visible or “up front” gifts The detrimental effects of isolation How spiritual gifts are often best discovered and used in community
39:30 – Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts
Identifying your gifts in community Spiritual gifts as a conversation starter Praying over your skills and talents Connecting with Chase
FEATURED QUOTES
“It’s not hung on, how big our churches are, how dope our podcasts are, how good our books are, and how great we sing… Our witness for Christ is hung on our love for each other and our unity. And that was really the burden by which I wrote Seamless.”
“If you're working against your ability to be united, you're also working against your ability to show the world Jesus.”
“Our purpose isn't to memorize Scripture with each other. Our purpose isn't to sing songs to one another. Our purpose isn't even to just make sure that we're good. Our purpose is to make disciples.”
Learn more about Chase:
Get your copy of Seamless
https://www.amazon.com/Seamless-What-Spiritual-Gifts-Really/dp/1632575841 Unison Christian Church
https://unisongr.churchcenter.com/home
Unison Christian Church Podcast
https://unisoncc.podbean.com/
Chase’s Music
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/chase-rashad/1481147224
Chase on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chase-r-stancle-sr-b577b068/
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
This week, I'm so excited to welcome Sandra Stanley and her daughter, Allie Stanley Cooney, as our guests. Sandra, a familiar face on the show, is a dedicated foster parent, foster advocate, and co-author of the book Parenting: Getting It Right.
This time, Sandra is joined by her daughter, Allie, who has a Master’s in Christian Education and background in student ministry, to discuss their book Meet Me in the Middle: 8 Mother-Daughter Conversations about Life and Faith.
This book is such an incredible resource for those looking to strengthen their relationship with young girls in their lives. As a mom of a tween girl myself, this conversation was so insightful and encouraging. Moms, grandmas, sisters, dads, uncles, and mentors- there is something in this episode for you!
4:52 – Allie 101
Georgia native, pastor family, youngest of 3 Background in student ministry and Christian education Wife and mom
7:27 – Sandra 201
Life as a grandmother Writing a book with Allie 36 years of marriage
8:26 – Writing a Book Together
What led Sandra and Allie to write this book Having hard conversations ahead of time Setting your child up for success
15:24 – The Imperfect Path of Parenting
Appreciating a parent’s love when you become a parent Making mistakes as a parent Allowing children to make mistakes in a safe environment The unique dynamic of a mother/daughter relationship Philippians 4:4-9 as a foundation for this book
28:16 – Meet Me In The Middle
How this book is structured Identity and self-worth in middle and high school What we model matters Parenting in the age of social media Helping your children own their faith
48:17 – Final Thoughts
Navigating big feelings with your children Getting your copy of Meet Me In The Middle Encouragement for moms and mentors
FEATURED QUOTES
“If we can bridge the gap between moms and daughters so that they can have some of the hard conversations ahead of time, before…. there's conflict and tension…it is such a win when those hard times come.”
“We really wanted to structure it in a way that a grandmother or an aunt or a mentor could also pick it up and do this with the young lady in their life that they love and who is important to them.”
“You don't have to change, you don't have to pretend, you don't have to give up hope, because Jesus did all of that on your behalf… You are enough and you are loved, and you are a child of God.”
“What we model matters, and it matters in the development of our children's faith and how they view their Heavenly Father.”
Learn more about Sandra and Allie:
https://www.sandrastanley.com/meetmeinthemiddle
Get your copy of Meet Me in the Middle
https://www.amazon.com/Meet-Me-Middle-Mother-Daughter-Conversations/dp/0310368677
Get your copy of Parenting: Getting It Right
https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Getting-Right-Andy-Stanley/dp/0310366275/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zWEmq7GGvxYEchs0KShkw_xA3D4LBVR9tIJAm0eZLRgsDPFM_0sVtgStL4OceEucDiZxuWVTa7BVc4qDvnVWp7BeV1To3BFO9wjky07Q-79EBPiNXZ7kgu1gkj4eK0vUojrsnXGW9LG5NIcO6A9y3vGgpzBMRJ6okTT9KESOzRcswK2SRxd7AYBXH5v9trlMJNfAeRisd-GLAzzEHg0BnNrdhj8Ng9QM9egb7OTAdCo.K97LQwbs-mFGFmMBDRy1cpDI5RVsSO8JoZbkRnss_qA&dib_tag=se&hvadid=634502039983&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9010494&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5591213651008220050&hvtargid=kwd-1913356014711&hydadcr=27890_14488800&keywords=parenting+getting+it+right&qid=1725999611&sr=8-1
Allie on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/alliekaycooney/?hl=en
Sandra on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sandrawstanley/?hl=en
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
As we kick off the new school year, this conversation could not be timelier! My guest this week is the incredible Jennifer Pepito, who is on a mission to help moms create a home filled with peace, wonder, and purpose.
Jennifer is host of the Restoration Home Podcast, founder of The Peaceful Press, and author of the book Habits for a Sacred Home: 9 Practices from History to Anchor and Restore Modern Families.
As a homeschooling mother of seven, Jennifer has a deep passion for equipping families to homeschool in a way that is developmentally appropriate, spiritually nourishing, and based on proven methods of education.
I’m so excited to have her on the show today to talk about her new book. Whether you homeschool or not, this conversation offers so much wisdom about building good habits in your home. I know you’re going to love it!
2:02 – Jennifer 101
- Mom of 7 children
- Homeschooling for 26 years
- Empowering moms to take action
5:23 – Intentional Parenting in a Chaotic World
- How Jennifer’s upbringing influenced her intentional parenting
- Having strong family practices to counterbalance culture’s chaos
- The power of simple habits, like family dinners and reading together
14:48 – Building Good Habits: Foundations for a Purposeful Life
- Utilizing and caring for what God has entrusted us with
- Balancing work and presence with your loved ones
- Staying committed to good practices even when results aren’t immediately visible
- Finding balance in consuming the news
27:54 – Final Thoughts
- Influential women of faith
- The Peaceful Press and resources for families
- Connecting with Jennifer
FEATURED QUOTES
“Just being humans in relationship with other humans, as opposed to living solely in a virtual reality world, is counter-cultural. And I wanted to highlight in this book how powerful it is just to be like a normal, sort of 1980s human.”
“Be faithful and trust that you sowed. Somebody else is going to water and make sure the harvest grows, and you don't know when that's going to happen. We aren't the potters. We are just the clay…Stay on the potting wheel and let God do what he's going to do, and just be faithful.”
“If we look at stories and we look at the Bible, we can be hopeful, but if we look at the news, we will be dysregulated, and our bodies will feel awful, and we'll have a really hard time being sweet with our kids.”
Learn more about Jennifer:
Get your copy of Habits For a Sacred Home
https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Sacred-Home-Practices-Families/dp/0764239546
The Peaceful Press
https://www.thepeacefulpreschool.com/
The Peaceful Press on Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.com/peacefulpress/
The Peaceful Press on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/thepeacefulpress/
The Peaceful Press on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/thepeacefulpress
Restoration Home with Jennifer Pepito Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restoration-home-with-jennifer-pepito/id1650672690
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
This month marks a huge milestone for Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? - 8 amazing years of podcasting! It’s incredible to think that for 8 years, I’ve had the privilege of sharing my thoughts, interviews, and stories with you every single week. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your endless support and encouragement along the way!
Since I’ve been a little quieter on social media this summer, I wanted to record a special solo episode this week to catch up and share what’s coming up. Tune in as I fill you in on the last few months and share some exciting updates!
We have some incredible guests lined up for the fall that I can’t wait to share with you. But I also want to hear from you! Who would you like to hear on the podcast? What topics are you passionate about? Send me your ideas at hello@stillbeingmolly.com – I’d love to hear from you!
1:26 – Podcast Feedback, Guests, and More!
- Share your thoughts with me at hello@stillbeingmolly.com
2:38 – A Quiet Summer
- An intentional break
- Catching up on social media
- The beach, lake, and a trip to Rome
4:22 – An Exciting Update…
- Going back to school
- Masters in Theological and Biblical Studies
- Words of encouragement (please!)
6:50 – 8 Amazing Years!
- Grabbing your copy of If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry
- Thank you for your endless support!!
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
This week on Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder, we’re sitting down with the incredible Abbie Halberstadt. Abbie is a wife, homeschooling mama to 10 amazing kids, a best-selling author, blogger, and fitness instructor. But most importantly, she's a Bible-believing Christian with a deep desire to know God and make Him known.
Abbie lives by the motto "Hard is not the same thing as bad," and she passionately encourages women to dig deep in the everyday trials of motherhood to uncover the treasures of joy and growth that are abundant if we're willing to look.
In this episode, we dive straight into a rich conversation about her newest book, Hard is Not the Same Thing as Bad, which echoes this philosophy. We explore what it looks like to navigate the trials of life, motherhood, and everything the world throws at us.
It was an absolute honor to have Abbie on the show, and I just know you'll be as inspired by her as I was!
2:30 – Abbie 101
- Wife, mom, and Christian living in Texas
- Best-selling author
- Married to a supportive and wise partner
- Trust and teamwork within a family
16:55 – Hard Is Not The Same As Bad
- Where the idea for this book came from
- The hard teaches us something
- Who Abbie had in mind when writing this book
- Motherhood is not a burden
31:01 – The Gift of Parenting
- How motherhood is commonly portrayed today
- Ignoring voices that encourage complaining and victimhood
- Seeking strength and support from God
- Giving children purpose and responsibility at home
48:47 – Takeaways
- Psalm 27:13
- Connecting with Abbie
FEATURED QUOTES
“The hard teaches us something. Hard is not the same thing as bad.”
“Moms need to hear that the Lord is good regardless of your circumstances, that motherhood is not a burden, that it is, in fact, a blessing from the Lord.”
“Dig deep into Jesus and kick out those voices that are telling you can't and you're a victim. And then also take the practical steps to prepare yourself and your children to have peace in your home and good rhythms, because they will pay off over time.”
Learn more about Abbie:
https://misformama.net/
Abbie’s book, Hard Is Not The Same Thing As Bad:
https://misformama.net/hard-is-not-the-same-thing-as-bad
Abbie’s book, M Is For Mama:
https://misformama.net/book
Abbie on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/M.is.for.Mama/
Abbie on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MisforMama
Abbie on Pinterest:
https://www.facebook.com/MisforMama
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
You are in for a treat this week! My guest is the hilarious and inspiring Cynthia Yanof. Cynthia is a wife, mom of 3, podcaster, blogger, and everyday girl who believes in embracing life’s messiness with a sense of humor and a whole lot of faith.
She spends most of her days hoping her kids won’t embarrass her in public while praying they chase after God-sized dreams. After meeting her husband, Mike, in law school, she swapped legal aspirations for a simpler life (though that only lasted about a day). Now, Cynthia is the host of the popular MESSmerized podcast, a speaker, writer, and a passionate advocate for foster care.
We laughed, we got deep, and we covered it all in this episode. Cynthia’s first book, Life Is Messy, God Is Good, is available now, and this conversation is a perfect reflection of that message. Tune in for a fun and relatable chat that reminds us all that while life may be messy, God is always good.
2:13 – Dance Parties in Nursing Homes
- Embracing 40
- Having fun at every life stage
- Reminiscing about prom music
11:20 – Cynthia 101
- Married for 22 years with 3 kids
- A foster parent
- Author of Life Is Messy, God Is Good
- Leaving law to become a podcaster
16:21 – Redefining Success + Aligning With Your Calling
- Being outside of your gifting
- What narratives are you listening to?
- Measuring success by God’s truth
- God wastes nothing
24:46 – The Foundational Things
- The story of the thigh master
- Learning to hear the voice of God
- The ordinary stuff is important
- Deepening your relationship with God in hard seasons
36:42 – Embracing The Mess
- Questioning God’s timing and methodology
- God is God
- Connecting with Cynthia
FEATURED QUOTES
"When you're doing something outside of your gifting, you know."
“If you're sitting in a space where you're like, I feel like there might be something next the Lord's calling me into something next…. it takes the most reluctant ‘yes,’ and the Lord will take that and run with it.”
" You've got to be putting foundational things in place in your life in order to hear from God.”
" Don't buy into the lie that the ordinary stuff isn't significant because it is.”
Learn more about Cynthia:
https://cynthiayanof.com/
Get Your Copy of Life Is Messy God Is Good
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Messy-God-Good-Everyday/dp/0830785337
MESSmerized Podcast
https://cynthiayanof.com/episodes/
Cynthia on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Cynthia on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cynthiayanof/
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
I am so excited to be joined by Kyle Winkler this week. He is a bible teacher and the creator of the highly acclaimed mobile app, Shut Up Devil!, which ranks among the top Christian apps. Kyle is also an accomplished author, speaker, and frequent guest on prominent Christian media platforms such as The 700 Club, Praise the Lord, and Sid Roth's It's Supernatural.
Outside of this, Kyle is the host of an incredible podcast and author of the book Permission To Be Imperfect: How To Strive Less, Stress Less, Sin Less. I’m always thrilled to have other podcasters on the show, and this chat with Kyle absolutely did not disappoint. In a world that constantly pushes us to do more and achieve more, this discussion is a timely reminder that we are already enough in God’s eyes.
I’m telling you, this is an episode that you’re going to be thinking about weeks after you hear it. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this powerful conversation with Kyle!
3:50 – Kyle 101
- Living in central Florida
- Founder of Kyle Winkler Ministries
- Creator of the Shut Up, Devil! show and app
- Author of Permission To Be Imperfect
6:18 – Finding Peace in Imperfection
- Kyle’s faith journey and struggle with perfectionism
- The pressures of modern hustle culture
- Common misconceptions about God’s character
- The true nature of God
20:04 – Shut Up, Devil!
- Shifting your perspective when reading scripture
- God’s intention for humanity
- Combatting lies with biblical truths
- Understanding the enemy’s tactics
- Renewing our minds with the truth of God’s word
30:29 – Encouragement for Perfectionists
- The trap of the “good Christian” syndrome
- Performance vs. grace
- You have permission to be imperfect
- Leaning into who you are
FEATURED QUOTES
“We get into this pattern of we've got to do, do, do, do, do, in order to exceed or succeed, and it ends up wearing us down and burning us out.”
“Any other thing that isn't grace and isn't unfailing love- any other idea that you have about God is ultimately a lie.”
“When you… take yourself out of the picture, and you let the Holy Spirit really take you through things and show you things, you'll see God in ways you never did before.”
Learn more about Kyle:
Kyle Winkler Ministries
https://www.kylewinkler.org/
Get Your Copy of Permission To Be Imperfect
Permission to Be Imperfect: How to Strive Less, Stress Less, Sin Less - Kyle Winkler Ministries
Kyle’s Other Books
https://www.kylewinkler.org/store/books/
The Shut Up, Devil Show
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-shut-up-devil-show-with-kyle-winkler/id1051150056
Download the Shut Up, Devil! App
Shut Up, Devil! - Apps on Google Play
Kyle on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/kylewinklerministries
Kyle on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/kylejwinkler
Kyle on X
https://x.com/kylewinkler
Kyle on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/kylewinklerministries?sub_confirmation=1
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
My guest this week is the incredible Kim Jones, who you might also know as Real Talk Kim. She is a pastor, entrepreneur, mentor, motivational speaker, entertainer, best-selling author, and mother of two sons, Morgan and Lincoln.
I’m thrilled to have her on the show today to talk about her new book, Unstuck. This is a powerful 90-day guide designed to help you break free from pain and regret through God’s truths and prepare your soul for new beginnings.
In our conversation today, Kim talks about hitting rock bottom after a devastating divorce. It was during this time that she realized she needed to take charge of her life, forgive others and herself, and embrace joy.
I hope you’ll join us for this great reminder that, no matter where you are in life, it's never too late to get unstuck and start anew. This is probably one of my favorite episodes of the summer and I’m so excited to share it with you!
2:55 – Kim 101
- Real Talk Kim on social media
- Mother, pastor, and coach
- Author of six books
6:58 – Turning Scars Into Stars
- Embracing joy
- Forgiving yourself and letting go
- God’s perfect timing and plan
14:24 – Breaking Free: Getting Out Of Your Own Way
- Kim’s catalyst for change
- How Kim used prayer and affirmations to change her mindset
- The role of forgiveness during the healing process
- The story of Jesus and Judas
24:52 – The Heart Behind Unstuck
- Forgiving others and yourself
- Taking one day at a time
- God isn’t done!
FEATURED QUOTES
"I remember when I got my laugh. And it was when I stopped caring what people thought about me.”
“Every season is strategic by God. Even if you did it, even if you messed up, he's gonna turn them scars into stars.”
"As long as you ain't dead, God ain't done."
"Forgiveness is about getting your heart right with God."
Learn more about Kim:
Real Talk Kim
https://realtalkkim.com/
Get your copy of Unstuck
https://www.amazon.com/Unstuck-Days-Inspiration-Encouragement-Promise-ebook/dp/B0CMQ74M7Y
Real Talk Kim on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/realtalkkim
Real Talk Kim on X
https://x.com/realtalkkim?mx=2
Real Talk Kim on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/realtalkkim/
Real Talk Kim on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/realtalkkim
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
I’m so excited to welcome Courtney Joseph Fallick onto the show today. She is a best-selling author and founder of Women Living Well Ministries and Good Morning Girls. Since 2014, Courtney has been blogging through the Bible, one chapter at a time, and her impactful work has been featured on platforms like the Rachael Ray Show and Proverbs 31 Ministries.
Courtney’s latest book, Still Standing: How to Live in God's Light While Wrestling with the Dark, dives into her personal journey through a dark season marked by fear, shame, and grief. Listen in as she shares her story of overcoming the pain of her husband's infidelity and offers powerful insights on how to stand up after life’s most crushing struggles.
Whether you’re wrestling through a dark season or are supporting someone who is, I hope you’ll join us for this incredible reminder of God’s faithfulness!
3:09 – Courtney 101
- Blogging since 2008
- Navigating a dark season of life
- New book to help women face struggles with courage and faith
5:30 – Blogging Through The Bible
- How Courtney started blogging though the Bible
- The blog’s format and schedule
- The soak method
12:18 – Finding Peace After Infidelity
- The early stages of shock and denial
- The struggle of public perception and advice
- Finding healing and a new normal
- Courtney’s marriage before this event
22:52 – Faith In The Silence
- Navigating unanswered prayers and pain
- How God provided strength and comfort in unexpected ways
- Standing on God’s word
27:49 – Choosing Joy Over And Over
- Struggling with resentment, bitterness and anger
- Surrendering to God
- The continual process of healing
34:54 – For Those Feeling Stuck…
- Are you ready for change?
- The book of Psalms
- Making your home a haven
38:25 – Takeaways
- What life looks like for Courtney today
- Getting your copy of Standing Still
FEATURED QUOTES
“What I needed was people to just show up and give me a hug. To show up and love me. To listen. To just be sympathetic and care and not judge.”
“Our feelings are liars and we cannot believe our feelings because God's word is true. And we stand on the promises of His word.”
“I've been through all those emotions that we all humanly go through. But God's word is really what kept me standing and pulled me through.”
“Change only comes when we decide we’re going to change.”
Learn more about Courtney:
Get your copy of Standing Still
https://www.amazon.com/Still-Standing-Light-While-Wrestling/dp/0764242393
Women Living Well Ministries
https://womenlivingwell.org/
Women Living Well YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkbl7jYIPjneSbn_m5fszKQ
Women Living Well Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/womenlivingwell/
Women Living Well Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/womenlivingwell/
Good Morning Girls
https://womenlivingwell.org/good-morning-girls/
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
My guest this week is Clare McCallan. She founded and serves as the Creative Director at St. Joseph’s Home for Artisans, is a touring spoken word poet, and host of the podcast Letters From the Least. She is also the creator and host of The Renaissance Room and co-host of This Is The Day on CatholicTV, where she works as a writer.
I am so excited to have her on the show today to talk about her upcoming book Courage to Create: Unleasing your Artistic Gifts for Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, which serves as both a roadmap and an inspiration for young creatives and those who may not yet see themselves as artists. This book dives into how we are all creatives who can unleash our gifts for truth, beauty and goodness for the glory of God.
4:04 – Clare 101
- Author of a new book
- Host and co-host of shows on CatholicTV
- Creative Director at St. Joseph’s Home for Artisans
- Film critic for the National Catholic Reporter and Christian channel
6:11 – Clare’s Creative Journey
- Being heavily involved in politics in college
- Backpacking through Europe and losing a family member
- Leaving politics and volunteering with the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata
- Discovering and pursuing spoken word poetry
13:58 – The Power of Community
- The importance of community in nurturing creativity
- The challenges and joys of living in a tight-knit community
- Fostering environments where young singles can thrive and feel included
20:51 – Reflections on Courage To Create
- The two groups of people Clare hopes her book speaks to
- Clare’s friend Karina, who integrates creativity into mission work
- Writing a dystopian novel this summer
FEATURED QUOTES
“You look the most like your dad when you act like him. And we serve a creative God. The creator- it's kind of the thing He does.”
“If you were made in the image of the creator, then you're a craftsman.”
“We are all creative. And the moment that you accept that part of your identity, it adds so much richness to your life.”
Learn more about Clare:
http://www.claremccallan.com/#/
Get Your Copy of Courage To Create
https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Create-Unleashing-Artistic-Goodness/dp/164680287X
Clare’s Other Books
http://www.claremccallan.com/buy-my-books.html#/
Letters From the Least Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/letters-from-the-least/id1538807289
Summary In this conversation, Molly Stillman interviews Claire McCallan, an author and creative director, about her creative journey and the intersection of faith and creativity. They discuss the importance of community in nurturing creativity and serving the Lord as an artist. Claire shares stories of artists and creatives she has worked with, including a friend who operates shelters for pregnant women on both sides of the border. Claire also talks about her book, Courage to Create, which encourages young creatives to step into their creativity and shows that everyone is creative in their own way.
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
Keywords faith, creativity, community, artists, shelters, book
Takeaways Creativity is a part of everyone's identity as they are made in the image of the Creator. Community plays a vital role in nurturing creativity and serving the Lord as an artist. The intersection of faith and creativity can have a powerful impact on culture and the world. Even small acts of creativity in everyday life, like cooking a meal, can bring richness and beauty. There is a need for more community and support for adult singles, who often feel left out by the church. Writing a book or pursuing a creative project takes a lot of work and effort, but it can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience. Sharing stories and experiences of artists and creatives can inspire and encourage others to step into their own creativity.
My guest this week is the lovely Kirby Kelly. She is a Christ-centered content creator and influencer who runs the Bought + Beloved podcast. Whether it’s on stage, through writing, or in one-on-one conversations, her passion is teaching God’s truth everywhere she goes.
Kirby desires to see this generation and culture flourish in freedom and confidence, rooted in their identity and walking in the victory won on the cross. I loved getting to hear her story and learn more about her new book, You Can Be Free: Overcoming Temptation and Habitual Sin by the Power and Promises of the Gospel, which just released.
Kirby has such a powerful testimony and shares so many valuable and practical strategies for those struggling with addiction and habitual sin in this episode. I always find talking to younger generations so inspiring and hope this conversation brings you encouragement today!
2:26 – Kirby 101
- Content creator, author, podcaster and wife
- Master’s in theology
- Passionate about making Jesus’ name known
4:19 – Digging Deeper Into Kirby’s Story
- Growing up in a Catholic household
- Losing her father to alcoholism
- Struggling with addiction, depression and anxiety
- Giving her life to Jesus
- Making social media content to spread the gospel
14:37 – The Journey To “You Can Be Free”
- Kirby’s story of overcoming habitual sin
- Feeling a calling to write this book
- How Kirby’s struggles have resonated with many
- Equipping those struggling with sin with tools and knowledge
21:24 – Conviction vs Condemnation
- Romans 7:15-20
- Conviction leads us toward life
- Green and red light zones
- The importance of community and accountability
36:30 – Takeaways
- Connecting with Kirby
- Getting your copy of You Can Be Free
- Kirby’s hope and prayer for this book
FEATURED QUOTES
“I just really wanted to provide a practical and biblical strategy for anybody, wherever they're at in life, in faith, in sin, to be able to look at it and understand that in partnership with Jesus, we can be free.”
“There's no condemnation in Christ. There's no longer shame for the things that he has freed us from and delivered us from.”
“Condemnation has a sitting in death. Conviction leads us towards life.”
Learn more about Kirby:
https://kirby-kelly.com/about-me
Get your copy of You Can Be Free
https://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Free-Overcoming-Temptation/dp/B0CNDDTJJF
The Bought + Beloved Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/@boughtandbelovedpodcast
Kirby on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/kirbyisaboss/
Kirby on X
https://x.com/kirbyisaboss
Kirby on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Kirbyisaboss/
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
Join us this week for an incredible conversation with Hannah Keeley, the founder of Mom Mastery University, the #1 life coaching app for moms. Hannah is a parenting expert, master board-certified life coach, and mother of seven, who integrates faith and psychology to help moms achieve radical transformation in their lives.
I’m thrilled to have her on the show today to talk about her book, Mom Fog: 8 Steps To Overcoming Mom Fatigue Syndrome, and dive into the fascinating science behind "mom fog" or "mom brain."
After recording this episode, I couldn't wait to share what I'd learned with my husband- so many concepts just clicked into place for me. If you're a mom, dad, aspiring parent, caregiver, or teacher, I know you're going to find this discussion incredibly enlightening!
6:29 – Hannah 101
- Mom and grandmother
- A behavior therapist
- Facing challenges in early motherhood
- Hearing God’s voice + developing effective strategies to help moms
12:27 – Taking The First Step
- Getting up and doing the hard thing
- Getting curious about our thoughts
- Learning how to be
18:33 – Speaking Your Vision
- The profound impact of the words we speak about ourselves
- Speaking positively to transform our mindset and our reality
- How Hannah visualized living in her dream home before it was a reality
28:06 – The Concept of “Mom Brain”
- Why the brain changes post-children
- How mom brain leads to feelings of overwhelm and overstimulation
- The unique role moms play in holding a family together
43:40 – Takeaways
- Hannah’s 5-day boot camp for moms
- Mom Mastery University
- Getting a free copy of Mom Fog
- Connecting with Hannah
FEATURED QUOTES
“The most strategic action to get you out of the negative place that you are [in] will always be the most counterintuitive. It will always be the thing that you least likely want to do.”
“Whatever you're saying, you will become. So just understand that your life, your subconscious, your future is always eavesdropping on what's coming out of your mouth.”
“Without a vision, we perish. So if you're perishing, change the vision. Create something new.”
Learn more about Hannah:
Mom Mastery University
https://mommastery.com/
Get your copy of Mom Fog
https://www.amazon.com/Mom-Fog-Overcoming-Fatigue-Syndrome/dp/1727284321
Hannah on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/hannahkeeley/?hl=en
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
My guest this week is the amazing Becky Kiser. As a certified life coach, author, and host of the Hearers and Doers podcast, she has used her relatable approach and biblical insights to teach at women’s events, churches, conferences, prisons, and more for the last two decades.
In our conversation today, we dive into Becky’s new book, But God Can. This sets the stage for such an important conversation about embracing our vulnerabilities, understanding true freedom in Christ, and navigating life's ups and downs in faith.
I hope you’ll join us for a powerful reminder that, even in your deepest moments of self-doubt, God remains constant.
3:39 – Becky 101
Mom of three girls in The Woodlands, Texas Author of two books Author, life coach, business consultant, and podcaster Raised in a home with diverse religious influences Helping women live full lives and find freedom through Jesus
9:10 – True Freedom In Christ
Freedom in Christ vs the world’s freedom How self-help mantras fall short on their own Relying on God’s strength and guidance
17:22 – What Is Truth?
Having people in our lives who can help decipher truth Being consistent in God’s word The truth is in us Trusting God to redirect us and guide us back to His truth
26:51 – But God Can
Navigating emotions in faith Learning from Jesus’ example Trusting in God through feelings of inadequacy and impostor syndrome Connecting with Becky
FEATURED QUOTES
"We are not enough, but God completely is enough. God can do absolutely anything in our lives."
“A path to freedom is simply acknowledging that you can't and then opening your hands enough to see if God could and would and can.”
"The truth is that even in our pursuit of truth, it's going to be messy, but we have to pursue. We have to keep going. We have to attempt in faith, to trust the Spirit in us."
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OR LINKS THAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN POST
Learn more about Becky:
https://www.beckykiser.com/
Order your copy of But God Can
https://www.amazon.com/But-God-Can-Purposefully-Abundantly/dp/1400335752
Molly’s Episode on the Hearers & Doers Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h-d-20-molly-stillman-laughing-crying-and-farming/id1493950669?i=1000656245402
Becky on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/beckykiserllc
Becky on Twitter
https://x.com/beckykiser
Becky on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/beckykiser/
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
Wow! Can you believe it? Can I Laugh on Your Shoulder? has hit its 400th episode! If you had told me back in 2016 when this all started that we'd make it this far, I don’t know if I would’ve believed you. But here we are, and it feels incredibly special. I'm beyond grateful for each and every one of you who's supported the podcast over the years.
In celebration of this huge milestone, I’m going to take some time today to share some of my favorite memories and answer some listener questions that I’ve received over the years! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being a part of this journey. Here’s to many more episodes filled with laughter, tears, and growth!
0:49 – Reflecting On 400 Episodes
- 8 years in podcasting
- THANK YOU!
- The highs and the lows of the last 8 years
4:46 – “Why Did You Start This Podcast?”
- Working in radio, blogging, and starting “Business with Purpose”
- Rebranding the podcast
- Creating a space for diverse conversations
8:53 – “Most Memorable Moments + Favorite Guests?”
- Turkeys interrupting a recording session
- Kevin Fredericks’ episode
12:00 – “How Do You Prepare For Each Podcast?”
- Booking and communicating with guests
- Reading books + light-to-moderate internet stalking
- Coming up with interview questions
- Recording sessions, graphics and more
14:50 – “How Do You Remain Inspired Amidst Setbacks?”
- Thinking of ways to keep the show fun
- The challenges of podcasting
- Molly’s “why”
16:31 – “What’s One Piece Of Advice From A Guest You’ve Implemented?”
- Ginny from 1,000 Hours Outside
- Being present in daily life
- Taking the summer off
FEATURED QUOTES
“When I started this podcast eight years ago, if you'd told me that I would still be here, eight years later, and I will have published 400 episodes…I don't know that I would have believed you.”
"Podcasting is hard. I’ve done this every single week for nearly eight years. This is not something that you go into lightly."
“My why and my motivation for doing this is because of the stories that I hear from listeners when they share how a particular episode has impacted or inspired them or changed their lives.”
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
My guest this week is the incredible Stephanie Quayle. She's a Nashville recording artist, founder of the record label Big Sky Music Group, and has been recognized by Rolling Stone Country and CMT for her talent. With two Billboard charted singles, she's an independent artist who frequently performs at CMA Fest and the Grand Ole Opry.
I’m thrilled to have her on the show today to talk about her new book, Why Do We Stay? How My Toxic Relationship Can Help You Find Healing. It’s not only an incredibly powerful story but an excellent resource for spotting red flags and starting your journey toward healing. She’s here to share her story with us today, reflect on life post-toxic relationship, and share some of the steps she took to navigate the most difficult times of her life.
If you’ve ever experienced an unhealthy relationship or are supporting someone who is going through one, this conversation is so important. Stephanie has such an incredible story and was such a joy to talk to!
2:45 – Stephanie 101
- Growing up on a farm in Montana
- Starting a record label in 2015
- Performing at the Grand Ole Opry
- Becoming an author
4:14 – Digging Deeper Into Stephanie’s Story
- Facing bullying and discovering a love for music
- Experiencing the underbelly of the industry in LA
- Losing partner in a plane crash and discovering infidelity shortly after
- Moving to Nashville, starting a label, and falling into another toxic relationship
- Confronting the past and writing a book to help others
20:22 – Reflections On Toxic Relationships
- Staying in unhealthy relationships
- Forgiving toxic partners and yourself during the healing process
- Finding the unconditional love of Jesus
34:18 – Life After A Toxic Relationship
- Seeking out professional support in the healing process
- Leaning on faith and God’s tools
- You are not the problem, but you are the solution
- You are enough on your own
42:03 – Stephanie’s Advice For Those In Toxic Relationships
- Listening to your intuition
- Recognizing red flags
- Surrounding yourself with trusted people
- Considering the advice you would give to others
FEATURED QUOTES
"We are not meant to do this on our own. God gives us tools. God gives us people. And we need to utilize those."
"You are not the problem, but you are your solution. And that only happens by us getting stronger."
“Until we fix ourselves, there's, there's really no way around it, there's no way of getting over it… The only way to get over it is by getting through it to get to the other side."
“No one is going to fix you. No one is going to complete you. You know, I think that sometimes when we think of equally yoked, we think of ourselves as only 50%. And that then our other 50% will be this person that comes in like saves our lives, right? Well, there's only one that does that. That's Jesus.”
Learn more about Stephanie:
Stephanie’s website
https://www.stephaniequayle.com/home
Get your copy of Why Do We Stay?
https://www.amazon.com/Why-Do-We-Stay-Relationship/dp/140024451X
Stephanie on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/stephaniequayle
Stephanie on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/stephaniequayle
Stephanie on X:
https://x.com/stephaniequayle
Stephanie on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/STEPHANIEQUAYLE
This week's guest is Ally Fallon, an award-winning author, ghostwriter, and expert book coach who has helped countless individuals find their voice and share their stories through her community Find Your Voice.
Her new book, Write Your Story: A Simple Framework to Understand Yourself, Your Story, and Your Purpose in the World is incredibly powerful, and a testament to her belief that everyone has a story worth telling.
I’m thrilled to have her on the show today to share insights on why writing can be such a powerful tool for personal growth and healing. If you’ve ever thought about writing a book, starting a blog, or even starting to journal, this conversation is sure to inspire you to pick up that pen and start writing!
2:32 – Ally 101
- Passion for books and writing at a young age
- Becoming a teacher
- Finding a niche in coaching aspiring writers
6:33 – The Transformative Power Of Storytelling
- The desire to write should be pursued
- Seeing life through the lens of storytelling
- Gaining new perspectives and finding empowerment
11:09 – The Science Behind Writing
- The physical and emotional benefits of writing
- Developing your writing skills through consistent practice
- Anyone can write!
19:32 – The Keys Elements To A Good Story
- Recognizing oneself as the hero
- Embracing problems as a pathway to growth
- Transformation as the heart of the story
- Self-reflection and honesty in storytelling
37:01 – The Path To Healing
- Spiritual growth through storytelling
- Authentic change and growth cannot be rushed or forced
- Connecting with Ally
FEATURED QUOTES
“Writing your story will connect you to yourself and your own intuition. It connects you to the people around you, especially your family members and the people who are immediately related to you. And it also connects you to the broader world at large.”
“Problems are the lighter fluid on the fire of stories. Without problems, there's no story.”
“Consistently the people who come to the Write Your Story workshops, who pick up this book, who come to me asking for help with a book 100% of the time, these are people who are hungry for spiritual growth. And they're like, ‘I don't care what it takes. I don't care how uncomfortable it is. I want this for myself.’ And I hope that the book can help them to achieve that.”
Learn more about Ally:
https://writeyourstory.com/
Get your copy of Write Your Story
https://www.amazon.com/Write-Your-Story-Framework-Understand/dp/1637632592
Ally on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/allyfallon/?hl=en
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
My guest this week is Terry Crist. He is the co-lead pastor of City of Grace in Phoenix, alongside his wife, Judith. As a fifth-generation pastor, Terry is dedicated to community transformation and advocates for adoption and foster care through his involvement in state government.
Outside of his pastoral duties, he's a passionate outdoorsman, a skilled communicator, and has shared the gospel in 65 countries. Terry and Judith have three married sons and three grandkids, and their family is dedicated to spreading the good news of Jesus.
Terry’s new book, Loving Samaritans: Radical Kindness In An Us VS. Them World, explores the transformative power of radical kindness. I am so excited to dig into the meat of his book with him today and talk about how even the smallest acts of kindness can pave the way for deeper connections and understanding.
I know you’re going to love this one!
2:43 – Terry 101
Raised as a church kid Falling in love with ministry Planting 3 churches
6:38 – Faith In The Everyday World
Why Terry felt called to write this book The significant polarization and division in today's world Feeling a call to live more intentionally on mission
13:02 – The Woman At The Well
The significance of this story Jesus’ radical inclusivity Jesus' reconciliation and healing What is truth?
26:30 – Living On Mission Anywhere
Jesus became a neighborhood kid The distinction between hospitality and fellowship Being hospitable to people outside the church Jesus’ model of loving people
38:15 – Walking In Love
Looking for traces of grace every day Walking through the day with eyes open Identifying everyone we meet as a neighbor Understanding God’s love in order to love others well
FEATURED QUOTES
“I think all people have some fundamental things in common. We all want the best for ourselves and our family, we all want to be seen, we want to be heard, we want to be loved, we want to be valued, we want to be known.”
“All people are worthy of being heard. All people are worthy of hearing the truth without insult, and all people are worthy of unconditional love. Even if they don't accept our gospel, we can and should still give them our love, in the hopes that they do receive our gospel.”
“We don't need to assume that we don't have strangers around us, because we do, even in the smallest of towns. Hospitality is really opening our doors to them, just as Jesus did to us.”
“Loving people unconditionally, with strength, faithfully, enduringly, blessing our enemies, being compassionate to those who are in need, welcoming strangers- these are the practices of the gospel.”
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OR LINKS THAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN POST
Learn more about Terry:
https://www.terrycrist.com/
Get your copy of Loving Samaritans
https://www.zondervan.com/p/loving-samaritans/
Terry on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/terrycrist
Terry on X
https://x.com/terrycrist
City of Grace Church
https://www.cityofgrace.com/
The Chosen Woman At The Well Scene
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ordhsDeAt60
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
Julie and Chris Bennett have spent the majority of their 23 years of marriage working in vocational ministry. Through overwhelming challenges- a cancer diagnosis, a relapse, and a pandemic- they have learned how to fight for the things that matter and devote themselves to helping others do the same.
Today, they are the founders of Welcome Home Lifestyle which exists to create and promote content that celebrates all things family. Their new book Fighting For Family: The Relentless Pursuit of Building Belonging, was just released in March and is all about embracing togetherness in a time when so many suffer from loneliness.
I’m so excited to dive into the heart of their new book with you and talk about how vulnerability, intentionality, and grace play pivotal roles in nurturing healthy relationships, whether with family, chosen family, or friends.
2:50 – Chris and Julie 101
- Met at 19 and married at 21
- Working in ministry in Oklahoma
- A calling to move their family to LA
- Julie’s stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis
- Challenges after the move + writing a book
7:34 – Guided By Faith
- Life is not linear
- Trusting God's plan and remembering His track record
- Inviting children into the journey and allowing space for emotions
- Relying on His guidance
16:57 – Cultivating a Healthy Family Culture
- Chasing after a healthy family instead of a perfect family
- The greenhouse effect at home
- Modeling vulnerability and self-awareness as parents
- Remembering God’s faithfulness
28:37 – Building Belonging
- The 3 commitments for healthy relationships
- Creating space for understanding, vulnerability, and belonging
- Being intentional about building relationships
- Connecting with Chris and Julie
FEATURED QUOTES
“We find out what we really believe about God, not when we get answers- it's when we're tested.”
“The idea of a greenhouse is that no matter what is happening externally- if it's scorching heat, if it's freezing cold, if it's raining- inside that greenhouse is a culture that things can grow year-round. And so we know that our kids are being exposed to all types of things. The world we're living in is very difficult for our kids… so we've tried to create this greenhouse effect at home.”
“Remembering what God did yesterday is what gives us faith for tomorrow.”
“Belonging is not something that you find, it’s something that you bring… people are able to do that and bring belonging when we give space for not having it all together and being messy.”
Learn more about Chris and Julie:
Fighting for Family
https://www.fightingforfamily.org/
Get your copy of Fighting For Family
https://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Family-Relentless-Building-Belonging/dp/0785293191?maas=maas_adg_980D35D24FEFF4EC892FEA9B34155B43_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas
Julie on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/juliebennett_/
Chris on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/chrisbennett143/
Chris and Julie on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/chrisandjuliebennett/
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
My guest this week is Emily Morrow who founded the social media channel Really Very Crunchy with her husband, Jason, in 2022. Since then, her platform has rapidly grown, amassing over 3 million followers and more than a billion views across various video platforms.
Emily is passionate about living a natural and sustainable lifestyle, and she uses her platform, along with her incredible sense of humor, to educate and inspire others on their journey to a healthier, toxin-free life.
Her new book, Really Very Crunchy: A Beginner's Guide to Removing Toxins from Your Life Without Adding Them to Your Personality, is now available wherever books are sold, with her upcoming children's book, Little Helper, Big Imagination, set to release in July 2024.
Stay tuned as we chat about her journey into crunchy living, navigating the comparison trap, the power of small changes, and so much more. I absolutely loved getting to know Emily and hope this conversation leaves you smiling and feeling inspired!
1:45 – Emily 101
Emily’s new book release A mom of two boys Moving to South Korea Falling into content creation
15:52 – The Crunchy Journey
How Emily started making healthy lifestyle changes Finding what works for your family Creating relatable, non-judgemental content online Navigating feedback and perception along the way
26:28 – Crunchy Living in Practice
How family members have supported this lifestyle What crunchiness looks like on a day-to-day for Emily’s family Universal childhood experiences
37:51 – Takeaways
Focusing on what’s best for your family Making realistic lifestyle changes for you Connecting with Emily
FEATURED QUOTES
“If you can't make all the changes, choose one thing…It doesn't have to be this big, extreme, and scary thing. You can make little changes.”
“I hope that people are able to resist falling into a comparison trap. Honestly, I hope that people realize the only person they have to convince that they're doing their best is themselves.”
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
Learn more about Emily:
https://www.reallyverycrunchy.com/
Get your copy of Really Very Crunchy
https://www.zondervan.com/p/really-very-crunchy/
Tik Tok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@reallyverycrunchy
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLEvpTMBa0WuZuWAF2M9m0w
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/reallyverycrunchy/?hl=en
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/reallyverycrunchy/
In today’s episode, I’m joined by the remarkable Ryan George. Ryan is the author of the book, Hurt and Healed by the Church: Redemption and Reconstruction After Spiritual Abuse.
He spent the first 20 years of his life in a cult, attending a series of independent fundamental Baptist (IFB) churches, including one where his dad was a pastor with ultimate authority. Later in life, Ryan was confronted with the devastating truth of his father's serial sexual abuse.
Despite the trauma he experienced, Ryan didn't abandon his faith. After leaving the spiritually abusive IFB movement, he embarked on a 25-year journey of reevaluation and reconstruction. Today, through his blog, books, interviews, and spiritual adventure company, Dude Group, Ryan offers hope for those navigating their own paths of healing.
I do want to warn our listeners that this episode focuses on sensitive subjects like church hurt and sexual abuse. However, Ryan’s story is so powerful, and filled with hope, compassion, and healing.
2:48 – Ryan 101
Oldest of six homeschooled children + a pastor’s son Husband and adoptive father Adventurer and blogger Author of 3 books
6:51 – The Path To Healing
Discovering his father’s abuse Navigating the aftermath Sharing his story to help others
18:16 – Jesus’ Model Of Justice
Jesus as a model for handling anger and betrayal Pursuing justice with compassion Seeking Heaven on Earth
33:31 – Finding The Real Jesus
What identifies a cult from a healthy church environment Ryan’s experience with IFB churches Seeking out the authentic Jesus Recognizing that churches have both moments of beauty and moments of failure
54:54 – Takeaways
Being the person that confesses first Podcast recording stories Connecting with Ryan
FEATURED QUOTES
"Wounds from relationships are only healed in relationships... And I think that wounds from the church can only be healed not necessarily in a church building, but by people who also love Jesus." “Give people the gift of going second... You have to start with yourself, or it can spin in some very horrible places. You become a bomb thrower…. I want to be the person that confesses first, so that people go, ‘Oh, that’s the real thing.’”
Learn more about Ryan:
Instagram:
https://www.booksbyryan.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ryan.george
Ryan’s Website
https://www.booksbyryan.com/
Check out Ryan’s books:
https://www.booksbyryan.com/books/
Explorience:
https://explorience.org/about/
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
Melissa Kruger serves as the Vice President of Discipleship Programming at The Gospel Coalition. As an author and Bible teacher, she regularly teaches women in her community and speaks at conferences around the country.
I’m so excited to have her on the show today to talk about her latest book, Parenting with Hope: Raising Teens For Christ in a Secular Age, and dive into the ins and outs of raising teenagers. We talk about transitioning with your children as they grow, modeling a life of faith, creating a prayerful home, and so much more.
In a culture that often implies that the teenage years are miserable and difficult, Melissa encourages parents to not overlook the beauty and joy in this chapter. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or simply someone who influences young lives, this conversation is SO important, and I can’t wait for you to hear it!
2:00 – Melissa 101
- Vice President of the Gospel Coalition
- Mother of 3 and wife
- Former math teacher
- An unexpected path to writing 16 books
6:42 – Changing The Parenting Narrative
- The negative narrative surrounding parenting teenagers and tweens
- Understanding the development stages of this time period
- Being gracious and patient with teenagers + adapting your parenting style
14:21 – The Gracious Home Vs. The Permissive Home
- Setting boundaries and allowing for mistakes
- A lack of structure leading to negative outcomes
- Setting boundaries as a parent
- Allowing children to face consequences in a safe and supportive environment
21:25 – Parenting Through Different Stages
- Transitioning parenting styles from one stage to the next
- Recognizing children as independent human beings
- Walking alongside your children as they make their own decisions
- Avoiding placing your identity in your children’s actions or behaviors
33:03 – Modeling Faith
- Being gracious with failure as a parent
- Setting the example by walking with God
- Incorporating prayer into everyday life as a family
- Connecting with Melissa
FEATURED QUOTES
“I think growing up with our teen in some ways, is remaining curious about who they are and not making assumptions about why they're pushing back on something.”
“I think it's really tempting as a parent sometimes to place a lot of our identity and in our teen…we start trying to control who they become, rather than walk alongside them as they're becoming who God made them to be.”
“Learning how to make a mistake is actually a life lesson.”
“I always say aim for patterns, not perfection.”
Learn more about Melissa:
https://melissabkruger.com/
Get your copy of Parenting with Hope
https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Hope-Raising-Christ-Secular-ebook/dp/B0CFTGDKJ1
The Gospel Coalition
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
My guest this week is the lovely Myquillyn Smith, also known as The Nester. She is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author of Welcome Home and Cozy Minimalist Home. For over a decade, she has been encouraging women to embrace imperfections and live boldly in their spaces through her blog.
Myquillyn’s home in North Carolina has been featured in publications such as Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies Home Journal, Cottages and Bungalows, and more. As a practicing imperfectionist, she believes in the power of small changes, putting nail holes in the wall, and taking the time to make a place feel like home – even if you’re renting.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her, hearing her perspective on creating a space you’ll love, and learning more about her latest book, House Rules, which is set to release on April 23rd. I just know you’re going to love her too!
3:07 – Myquillyn 101
- Starting “The Nester” in 2007
- Learning to build a home by moving frequently
- Teaching universal decorating truths
9:55 – Making a Home
- The perfectly staged homes seen on social media
- Embracing imperfection in home decor
- Making your space feel like you
17:45 – Establishing Roots Where You Are
- Taking ownership of your space, even in rentals or temporary spaces
- The perfect circumstance will never come
- The power of simple changes in home design
29:06 – Design Insights
- The genesis of Myquillyn’s passion for decorating
- Understanding design principles like scale, contrast, and lighting
- The Inspiration behind Myquillyn’s book, House Rules
38:39 – Embracing Imperfection
- Being a practicing imperfectionist
- Learning to take risks in home decor and life
- You can’t ruin something you already hate
- Connecting with Myquillyn + pre-ordering House Rules
FEATURED QUOTES
“I’ve never met a home I haven’t loved. I believe every home has a silver lining.”
“I 100% believe it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.”
“Where else can we take a risk if not at home?”
Learn more about Myquillyn:
Pre-order House Rules:
https://www.amazon.com/House-Rules-Decorate-Every-Budget/dp/0800744748
The Nester
https://thenester.com/
The Nester podcast
https://thenester.com/podcast/
Myquillyn on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/thenester/?hl=en
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
My guest this week is the incredible Mattie Jackson Smith. Mattie is an author, podcaster, and speaker whose life took an unexpected turn when she tragically lost her 28-year-old husband to a traumatic brain injury just weeks before their first anniversary.
Her first book, Lemons on Friday, offers a raw and honest account of her journey through grief, providing solace and guidance to others navigating the lonely and difficult path of widowhood. Outside of her writing career, Mattie is the host of the podcast In Joy Life, where she encourages her listeners to choose joy in any season or circumstance.
We dive deep into Mattie’s story today as she transparently shares what it looked like to wrestle with God in life’s darkest moments, ask hard questions, and bring her hurt and doubts to Jesus. She has so many powerful things to say about finding God in the questions and navigating life after loss. I absolutely loved getting to spend time with her in this episode and know you will too!
2:21 – Mattie 101
- Born and raised in Nashville in a country music family
- A passion for creative writing
- Owning a wine bar in Nashville
- Losing her husband after a brain injury
- Mattie’s memoir, Lemons on Friday
14:04 – Honesty in Grief
- Sitting in anger with God
- Biblical examples of emotions and suffering
- Embracing your emotions instead of suppressing them
24:45 – Finding God in the Questions
- Lamentations 3
- How writing helped Mattie begin to heal
- God's invitation to bring our questions, doubts, and struggles to Him
36:09 – Navigating New Beginnings
- The secondary losses that come with grief
- Redemption is not a replacement
- Navigating dating after experiencing loss
- Honoring the past while embracing the future
- Connecting with Mattie
FEATURED QUOTES
“I lived my life and the worst thing I could have imagined happened. And through that God not only has worked miracles in me through the grief and healing process, but he fulfilled this desire that he planted in my heart at 19.”
“God not only can handle it but invites me to bring it to Him.”
“What I hope people see from my life is you do have agency to choose joy, even in the worst of the worst of it.”
Learn more about Mattie:
Get your copy of Lemons on Friday
https://www.amazon.com/Lemons-Friday-Trusting-Greatest-Heartbreak/dp/0785241272
In Joy Life podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-joy-life-with-mattie-jackson/id1667357187
Mattie on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/mattiejackson/?hl=en
Mattie on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/mattiejacksonofficial/
Join me in this week's episode as I sit down with my dear friend and extraordinary human being, Kim Butler. Kim is the lead coach and founder of The Whiteboard Room, where she empowers creatives, leaders, and companies to unlock their true potential through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and speaking engagements.
With a heart fueled by faith, family, and a passion for adventure (and a Diet Dr. Pepper), Kim's coaching journey has touched countless lives, including my own. I’m thrilled to have her on the show to share more about her story, her mentoring process and what it looks like to set personal and professional goals and walk them out in faith.
3:53 – Kim 101
- Kim’s job at The Whiteboard Room
- Kim’s passion for helping people overcome obstacles and set goals
- Merging coaching and consulting
- The power of goal setting
8:25 – Following God’s Call
- Life lessons from a desk job
- Inspiring people to see the best in themselves
- Kim’s journey to the world race
- Sitting with God’s silence
16:32 – In The Waiting
- Sitting in the waiting
- Remaining faithful in God’s timing
- The careers that led Kim to where she is today
23:27 – The Creation of The Whiteboard Method
- How Kim created The Whiteboard Method
- What Kim’s mentor process looks like
- Working in alignment with your life
32:04 – A Work in Progress
- Real client stories
- Kim’s experience being Molly’s mentor
- The power of accountability
- Getting in touch with Kim
FEATURED QUOTES
“Goal setting became this like linchpin that I started to see, wow, there's so much power in this very simple thing. And nobody does it.”
“Your platform is not your purpose. It is just the place that you get to live out your purpose.”
“To know where you’re going and who you want to be, you have to know where you’ve been and who you are.”
Learn more about Kim and The Whiteboard Room:
https://www.thewhiteboardroom.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thewhiteboardroom/
https://www.facebook.com/THEWBROOM/
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
The day is FINALLY here! Yesterday marked the official launch of my book, which means you can now purchase If I Don’t Laugh I’ll Cry everywhere books are sold!
To make this moment even more special, I'm joined by the one and only John Stillman in today’s episode. Although he didn’t prepare his interview questions (but don’t you worry- he never fails to prepare a joke or two) we had a blast reminiscing about the journey of bringing this book to life.
From the initial days of the writing process to receiving my first-ever feedback from early readers, every step of this adventure has been nothing short of incredible.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who has supported me on this journey. Whether you've preordered the book, left a review, or simply shared in the excitement, your support means the world to me.
If you’re planning to get your hands on a copy soon, I can’t wait for you to read it!
Until next time, happy listening + happy reading!
0:11 – Presidents, Past Boyfriends & The Making of a Memoir
- Selecting Millard Fillmore
- The boyfriend chapter
- The evolution of If I Don’t Laugh I’ll Cry
8:09 – … Now What?
- A second book?
- Anticipation of reader feedback
- The publishing process
- Molly’s favorite chapter
14:32 – Chapter By Chapter
- What it’s like to work with an editor
- Crafting an engaging narrative and chapter titles
- Where chapters of the book were written
21:07 – Completing the Book
- The book’s content and structure
- The hardest chapters in the book to write
- John’s dialogue in the book
- The Dark Knight + Googling “racketeering”
29:16 – Final Thoughts
- Positive feedback from male readers
- Designing the book cover
- Buying the book in person
FEATURED QUOTES
“The initial idea was really just to tell a debt story... I think as I began to work on the outline I realized that more of that backstory needed to be included than I think I originally thought.”
“I think the thing I'm most looking forward to is hearing the stories of people who are reading it.”
“I can say, I'm not I'm not sick of myself. That sounds really weird to say, but I mean… I'm not sick of this book. Like, I'm not over it. I am more excited about it than ever. And I'm just genuinely excited for people to read it.”
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
GET YOUR COPY TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
This week, I'm thrilled to welcome the most special guest ever on my show- my dad. With the release of my book just around the corner (coming out next week- can you believe it?!) I couldn’t think of a better time to have him on the podcast. Together, we dig into some of the stories that are (and aren’t) talked about in my book.
Join us as we laugh, reminisce, and share stories of the joys, the challenges, and everything in between. My dad has such powerful things to say about gratitude, slowing down, choosing love, and finding joy in the darkest of moments. This conversation is so special to me, and I am so excited to share it with you today.
Without further ado, let’s jump into this conversation with Tom Buckley.
3:34 – Tom 101
- Tom’s upbringing + challenging relationship with religion
- Going to college, joining a fraternity, and career as a teacher
- Difficulties in marriage, battles with alcoholism and homelessness
- Tom’s journey to sobriety + spiritual growth
26:49 – Parenting Perspectives
- Reading the memoir
- Watching children make mistakes and learn from them
36:28 – Choosing Love
- Tom and Lynda’s marriage that defied the odds
- Prioritizing sobriety, God, and the good of the family
- The importance of love, respect, and kindness
48:28 – Rule 62
- Looking for the good throughout Lynda’s sickness
- Not taking yourself too seriously
- Appreciating what life has taught you
- Tom’s favorite chapter in the book
48:28 – Life lessons at 80
- Tom’s life today with Cindy
- Slowing down and appreciating the present
- Trusting that things will work out when you get out of your own way
FEATURED QUOTES
“That's what life is about. It isn't about failure, it's about getting back up.”
“If you take yourself too seriously, you just lose sight of all the things that really are important.”
“In the ‘getting through it’ stage, you gain experience and knowledge that you can use to get out of it. You can find places for help and guidance that will work.”
“You want to see who the winners are? Follow the laughter.”
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
Preorder my book:
PREORDER YOUR COPY TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
PREORDER MY BOOK - IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
My guest this week is the hilarious Dustin Nickerson, a comedian from Seattle now suffering in Southern California. In 2020 he released his debut comedy special Overwhelmed, which is currently one of the highest-rated specials on Amazon Prime.
His humor has graced the screens of Comedy Central, Netflix with Kevin Hart, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Fox, and Hulu, and his stand-up clips have garnered tens of millions of views. Dustin is also the author of How To Be Married To Melissa and co-host of the podcast Don’t Make Me Come Back There.
If you want to laugh today, this is the episode for you! I have been a long-time fan of Dustin’s work and I’m so excited to have him on the show today to share his perspective on life, marriage, comedy, and more. You’re going to love this one!
12:07 – Dustin 101, Toby Keith, and Bojangles
Dustin’s Twitter bio Molly’s first date at a Toby Keith concert Bojangles Biscuits Dustin’s fan base
21:46 – Set Bedtimes and Mouthguards
Adult parties need bedtimes Middle-aged friendships The beauty of marriage
27:40 – If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry
Dustin and Melissa’s viral video Dustin’s relatable humor Evolving as a comedian
33:44 – Finding Your Funny
Authenticity in creativity Bombing in stand-up Understanding your audience
41:41 – The Solider Dog, The Late Late Show and Dustin’s Book
Dustin’s memorable career moments The dedication behind success Connecting with Dustin
FEATURED QUOTES
"The only way to get good at stand-up comedy is to do stand-up comedy."
“No comedian is beloved by everybody. You're not trying to get everyone to love you. You're trying to get the people that do love you, or will love your stuff, to find you.”
Learn more about Dustin:
Dustin on Tour:
https://www.dustinnickerson.com/
Dustin’s Comedy Specials:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs2QQYow6VX9nDpDwCspiqQ
Dustin on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/dustinnickersoncomedy
https://www.instagram.com/dustinnickerson/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/DustinNickerson
How To Be Married To Melissa:
https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/how-to-be-married-to-melissa/
Don’t Make Me Come Back There Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dont-make-me-come-back-there-with-dustin-melissa-nickerson/id1434215707?mt=2
Melissa’s Target Outfit Video:
https://www.tiktok.com/@dustinnickersoncomedy/video/7327676165953457451
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
PREORDER MY BOOK - IF I DON'T LAUGH, I'LL CRY TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
We have such an incredible guest joining us for today’s show! Bola Sokunbi is a certified financial instructor (CFEI), money expert, speaker, and founder of Clever Girl Finance, one of the largest personal finance media platforms for women in the U.S.
Bola received the 2021 Financial Education Instructor of the Year Award from the National Council of Financial Educators and is a 4x best-selling author of the Clever Finance Series and her book, Choosing To Prosper. She is passionate about helping women take control of their money stories and live life on their terms.
Bola has such amazing things to say about breaking free from a limiting money mindset, being intentional, and giving yourself grace along your financial journey. I could not be more excited to have her back on the show with us today to share her story and wisdom with all of you!
4:49 – Bola 201
- Bola’s life as a business owner, mom, and wife
- Releasing 4 books
- Bola’s career journey and mission
- Pursuing her business on her own terms
22:35 – Embracing Imperfections in Money Management
- “Low dough March”
- Tips for curbing impulsive spending
- Embracing imperfections and finding solutions that work for you
40:57 – The Wealth Paradox
- The cultural attitude towards money
- Wealthy individuals being idolized and demonized
- Common misconceptions about wealth
- Money as a tool
51:24 – Final Takeaways
- Breaking free from a limiting money mindset
- Learning from others, being intentional, and open-minded to opportunities
- Changing dynamics in the financial planning industry
- Connecting with Bola
FEATURED QUOTES
“I had an idea that I wanted to build a business that would help women- that would empower women to not feel any shame or any judgment about their finances.”
“Automation is a tool that can help you save and help you get out of debt faster, that can help you invest more. Leverage the tools and resources that can help you help yourself.”
“Give yourself that grace. We’re all making money mistakes.”
“Money is not anything. It's a tool. It doesn't make you good, it doesn't make you evil, it doesn't make you kind, it doesn't make you hideous… it… amplifies who you are. If you're a good person, you're a great person with money. If you're an evil person, you're a worse person with money. It’s a tool.”
Learn more about Bola:
https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/
Clever Girl Finance Book Series
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bola-Sokunbi/author/B076GP7FS3
Bola’s book, Choosing To Prosper
https://www.amazon.com/Choosing-Prosper-Triumphing-Adversity-Achieving-ebook/dp/B0B4V644NT
The Clever Girls Know Podcast
https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/podcast/
Clever Girl Finance on social media
https://www.instagram.com/clevergirlfinance/
https://www.youtube.com/clevergirlfinance
https://www.facebook.com/clevergirlfinance/
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
PREORDER YOUR COPY TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
I am so incredibly excited to sit down with Joy Clarkson in this week’s episode. Joy wears many hats - from being a research associate in theology and literature at King’s College London to serving as the Books and Culture Editor for Plough Quarterly.
Completing her Ph.D. in theology at the University of Saint Andrews, she's also the face behind the popular podcast Speaking with Joy and the author of several books, including her latest release, You Are a Tree, which we chat about today.
This conversation was so rich, and it was such a delight to unpack some of the powerful metaphors found in scripture together. I hope you join us as we learn more about the inspiration behind Joy’s new book and talk about how God uses imagery and nature to help us better understand ourselves, our relationships, and the mysteries of life.
7:06 – Joy 101
- Living in Scottland and teaching theology in London
- Joy’s books and podcast
- Joy’s love for tea, music, and baking
13:03 – The Origin Story for Joy’s book
- Frequently relocating as a child
- Joy’s lifelong connection with trees
- Living in one place for 27 months
- Exploring trees in Scripture
18:50 – Nature’s Lessons
- The profound metaphors found in nature
- God’s intentional creation
- The 7 metaphors explored in Joy’s book
26:44 – Metaphors of Mystery
- God’s intentional design woven into creation
- Embracing childlike wonder to see God’s presence and intentionality
- Using metaphors as tools to describe the mysterious aspects of creation
40:59 – Final Takeaways
- Unpacking “love is a disease”
- The metaphors of trees and travel
- Connecting with Joy
FEATURED QUOTES
“Scripture itself… it's not just a rulebook…doesn't give us a bunch of abstract, philosophical truths about God- it draws on our experiences of the natural world, and our experiences of light and height and depth, to help us understand ourselves and our relationship with God.”
“I think metaphors kind of keep us open to the many facets of things and the mystery of being alive.”
“We are created to belong in this world, and to have a relationship [with] it and to find meaning in it.”
“To be in the world and to flourish we do need to have roots, we do need to be like a tree and stay in one place. But even the best tree human life is still a temporary life and we still have this sense of belonging for a home that isn't here."
Learn more about Joy:
https://joyclarkson.substack.com/about
Check out You Are a Tree:
https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Tree-Metaphors-Nourish/dp/0764238256
Check out Aggressively Happy:
https://www.amazon.com/Aggressively-Happy-Realists-Believing-Goodness/dp/0764238248/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=LfzV1&content-id=amzn1.sym.cf86ec3a-68a6-43e9-8115-04171136930a&pf_rd_p=cf86ec3a-68a6-43e9-8115-04171136930a&pf_rd_r=144-9553475-8087324&pd_rd_wg=LvZyp&pd_rd_r=6d7bd05c-79fe-4760-962e-083df08e9a43&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk
Speaking with Joy podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speaking-with-joy/id1310614879
Joy on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/joynessthebrave/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/p/Joy-Clarkson-100063508753020/
https://twitter.com/joynessthebrave?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
PREORDER YOUR COPY TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?
Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
My guest this week is the amazing Donna Jones. Donna is a national speaker, church planter, pastor’s wife, and self-described bible explainer with a remarkable speaking portfolio spanning 26 states and 4 continents.
Donna is also the host of the weekly That's Just What I Needed podcast and the talented author behind Seek: A Woman's Guide to Meeting God, Taming Your Family Zoo, the Get Healthy Bible Study Series, and more.
In honor of her newest book, Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life, she joins us today to share powerful strategies for handling conflicts with grace and truth. We talk about everything from navigating disagreements to the biblical foundations of forgiveness. I know there is something valuable in this conversation for everyone- get ready for a good one!
2:29 – Donna 101
- Pastor’s wife and church planter
- National speaker, writer, and mom
- Passionate about conflict resolution
- Gym, coffee, and shoe lover
7:04 – Healthily Handling Conflict
- Communicating thoughts, feelings, and opinions with grace and truth
- Donna’s unique perspective on conflict through ministry
- Don’t make the small things big and the big things small
18:31 – The Art of Listening & Disagreeing Gracefully
- The conflict continuum
- Listening to understand
- Learning to disagree without being disagreeable
34:20 – Forgiveness
- Forgiveness is a command, choice, and promise
- Starting with the “want to”
- Inviting Jesus into the pain
- It’s never too late
49:28 – Takeaways
- Ordering Donna’s book
- Connecting with Donna
- Free online resources
FEATURED QUOTES
“I would like to hope that this book serves the purpose to help people avoid things that will make them regret how they handled some conflict in their life.”
“If you have conflict with someone, it does not mean you are a bad person, they are a bad person, or your relationship is somehow defective or bad.”
“When we invite Jesus into those spaces, He doesn't shame us. He sympathizes because He leans towards us and He whispers, ‘I know. I felt it too. I get it. I understand. And I can help.’”
Learn more about Donna:
https://donnajones.org/
Get your copy of Healthy Conflict/Peaceful Life:
https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Conflict-Peaceful-Life-Communicating-ebook/dp/B0CDKY8YNJ
Donna on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/donnaajones/
Donna on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/donnajonesspeak/
Connect with me:
http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly
http://instagram.com/canilaughpod
http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly
http://facebook.com/canilaughpod
http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly
Preorder my book:
PREORDER YOUR COPY TODAY:
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG
ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb
Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2
Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ
Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib
My guest this week is the incredible Rose Booth. With over 30 years of experience in technology and publishing, Rose is a dedicated mentor and counselor, passionate about ministry and teaching. She is also the co-host of the podcast, One Single Thought.
In December 2021, Rose's life took a turn when she became an amputee, offering her a new perspective on life. Her first book, Dancing in the Valley: Finding Life and Joy Amidst the Shadow of Death Nipping at My Heels, was released in December 2023.
I’m so excited to have her on the show today to share her inspiring story and talk about the power of surrender, as well as the growth that comes from navigating through dark valleys. Her story is such a powerful reminder that, even in our darkest moments, God is faithful and His plans for us are always good.
2:03 – Rose 101
- Rose’s involvement with her church + journey as an author and podcast host
- Being born to parents who experienced 18 years of infertility
- Being instilled with a sense of independence from a young age
16:50 – Facing the Valley
- Rose’s series of health complications and surgeries
- Grappling with questions of faith and purpose
- Rose’s pivotal moment of surrender
27:45 – Navigating Setbacks
- The unexpected setbacks that kept Rose from healing
- Deciding to undergo amputation
- Yearning to be with Jesus
36:44 – Finding Strength in Surrender
- Encouragement for those in the valley
- Growing in the darkest places
- God is working all things for good
46:13 – Takeaways + Rose’s Life Today
- How Rose is doing physically today
- Publishing her book + future projects
FEATURED QUOTES
“The worst time of my life, God used to make my dreams come true.”
“God will grow you more when you're in the darkness than He ever will in the light. It's one of the only things that grows in the dark and it's our faith.”
“If we think in the valley that we are where we're supposed to be because it's part of God's plan, then we know that this is ultimately going to work out for His good and His glory.”
Learn more about Rose:
https://www.rosebooth.net/
Order Rose’s book, Dancing in the Valley
https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Valley-Finding-Amidst-Nipping/dp/1955051240/ref=sr_1_1?crid=X9EWQA7QFLWY&keywords=dancing%20in%20the%20valley%20rose%20booth&qid=1701392519&sprefix=%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-1
One Single Thought podcast:
https://www.rosebooth.net/podcast
Rose on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/rosieboo65/
This week, I am sitting down with the incredible John R. Miles, the driving force behind the wildly popular Passion Struck podcast and nationally recognized radio show. With a background as a former US Navy officer and a senior executive at a Fortune 50 company, John is celebrated as a transformative leader in intentional behavior change and personal mastery.
He’s an author, entrepreneur, and visionary in modern leadership and I’m so excited to have him on the show today to talk about his new book and the transformative power of purpose-driven living.
Stay tuned for a powerful conversation on overcoming adversity, fostering authentic connections, embracing gratitude in our daily lives, and much more. I was truly inspired by my conversation with John, and hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
2:38 – John 101
- John’s unique career path
- John’s book + the “pinball life”
10:01 – Breaking Free from the Pinball Life
- The self-discrepancy theory
- Intentionality as a muscle
- Life crafting + identifying goals
- Building a foundation through pillars of support
20:50 – Awakening to Purpose
- John’s unexpected career shifts
- John’s wake-up call and journey towards a more meaningful path
- Aligning with your true calling
32:43 – Gratitude, Connection, and Purpose
- Our innate desire for purpose
- The power of connection and service
- Being vessels for a greater purpose
40:42 – Hope in Hardship
- The transformative power of pain and hardship
- Focusing on the small wins
- The path to rebuilding
48:15 – Takeaways
- Connecting with John
- Matt Doherty’s story
FEATURED QUOTES
“When we're acting like a pinball, we're completely unintentional, we are so distracted by the world around us, so caught up in the matrix, that we're not allowing ourselves to live with intention- to craft the life we want, to become a self-realized version of ourselves that God put us here to actuate in our life.”
“We can have suffering and be self-compassionate. We can experience trauma and be forgiving. But I think too many of us hold on to these things as either ors.”
“We all can rebound, but it takes intentional action to do so.”
Learn more about John:
https://johnrmiles.com/
Passion Struck Podcast:
https://passionstruck.com/passion-struck-podcast/
John’s new book, Passion Struck:
https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Struck-Powerful-Principles-Intentional/dp/B0C8G5R5FZ
John on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/john_r_miles/?hl=en
https://www.linkedin.com/in/milesjohn/
https://www.youtube.com/c/johnrmiles
My guest this week is Matt Brown, the founding and senior pastor at Sandals church in Riverside, California. From a humble eight-person church plant in 1997, Sandals Church has now expanded to 14 physical campuses across California, with a digital footprint touching 110,000 people weekly.
In our conversation, Pastor Matt shares insights from his latest book, Every Day a Miracle. He challenges us to explore the everyday opportunities for miracles and invites us to see Jesus not just as a savior but as a healer.
I can’t wait for you to join us for this powerful discussion filled with laughter, tears, and deep reflections on faith and prayer.
2:17 – Matt 101
- The early years of church planting
- Matt’s hobbies and interests outside of pastoring
- A vision to be real as a church
13:16 – The Power of Confession and Repentance
- Modeling confession for the next generation
- A story of miraculous healing
20:31 – Faith-Driven Miracles
- The inspiration behind Matt’s book, Every Day A Miracle
- God answers all prayers with yes, no, or wait
- Miracles in moments of desperation
28:12 – Participation in Miracles
- Getting real with God
- Repetition and meaning in prayer
- Trusting and worshiping amid uncertainty
40:27 – Journeying with Jesus
- Matt’s prayer for people reading his book
- Asking “how” instead of “why” during disappointment
- The complexity of healing
52:21 – Takeaways
- Connecting with Matt
- Pre-ordering Every Day A Miracle
FEATURED QUOTES
“If you want to heal, you’ve got to get real…That's just the only way it works.”
“I'm not one of these super uber charismatic people that's always believed in miracles… I'm a Baptist, who has been compelled by repeated evidence that they happen, that miracles are real, and they happen every day.”
“I cannot guarantee the miracle you want, but I do guarantee the miracle you need.”
“There's a very little chance of that prayer being answered if your audience is the people around you and not the God in heaven.”
Learn more about Matt:
Sandals Church
https://sandalschurch.com/
Pre-order Everyday a Miracle
https://everydayamiraclebook.com/
Matt on social media
https://www.instagram.com/matthewstephenbrown/
https://twitter.com/pastormattbrown
https://www.facebook.com/pastormattbrown/
Today we’re joined by my good friend, Shannon Leyko. Shannon is an author, podcast host, mother of three, and a military wife who recently moved from Alaska to Florida with her family.
As a former Miss New York for the Miss America Organization, classically trained vocalist, and reality television development producer, Shannon has worn many hats throughout her life. Along with this, her book, You’re Completely Normal, achieved recognition as one of the Top 50 Hot New Releases in Self-Development on Amazon in 2020.
Shannon currently works as a ghostwriter and content creator for a world-renowned psychologist and is the host of the podcast Paring Down, where she helps listeners live a more intentional, decluttered life.
Stay tuned for a powerful conversation on embracing the non-linear path, cherishing the present, and being mindful of what truly matters. I know you’re going to love it!
7:31 – Shannon 101
- Becoming Miss New York after college
- Moving to DC and Virginia Beach
- Becoming a military wife and moving to Alaska
- Writing a book, moving to Florida, and starting a podcast
13:08 – A Non-Linear Path
- Societal pressure to follow a linear life trajectory
- The inspiration behind Shannon’s book, “You’re Completely Normal”
- Guiding children to be content with their individual paths
- Nonlinear paths leading to personal growth and wisdom
26:22 – The Power of Patience
- Taking your next step in faith
- The human tendency to take matters into your own hands
- Peace through trusting in God’s plan
32:54 – Decluttering and Slowing Down
- How living in Alaska inspired the Paring Down Podcast
- The power of intentionality and gratitude
- The sentimental aspect of decluttering
- Swedish death cleaning
54:07 – Don’t Save the Good Wine
- Living intentionally and for the now
- Wear the sequin pants
- The frailty of life
- Creating a calm home environment
FEATURED QUOTES
“It will all come together if you just continue to pursue the things that God calls you to that bring you joy, and not always just move through with urgency.”
“If I remove this urgency from my life, this idea of where I want to go, what success means to me…remove all of that and just put on God’s lenses and say, ‘I trust in His will. Let me sit back and listen to what He wants from me.’ That… makes our lives so much better.”
“Be mindful and present right now, because today matters. Use the good things. Don't put the quilt that your grandma sewed for your child in the closet because you don't want anything to spill on it. Put it on their bed. Let them use it.”
Learn more about Shannon:
https://www.theexpertbeginner.com/
Shannon on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/paringdownpodcast/
The Paring Down Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paring-down-realistic-minimalism-to-live-more-intentionally/id1713108995
Shannon’s Book, You’re Completely Normal:
https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Completely-Normal-Trading-Should/dp/0578742616
My guest this week is the incredible Susie Larson, who you might know as the host of the popular radio show, Susie Larson Live. Susie is also a best-selling author and national speaker who is passionate about helping people discover the depth of God's love, the value of their soul, and their calling in Christ Jesus.
Susie is a two-time finalist for the John C. Maxwell Transformational Leadership Award, has authored over 20 books and devotionals, and touches the lives of over half a million people weekly on social media with her daily devotionals.
We'll be diving into her newest book, Waking Up to the Goodness of God: 40 Days Toward Healing and Wholeness, and exploring what it means to intentionally embrace God's goodness each day. Susie has such a powerful story of faith, healing, and resilience and has amazing insights into what it looks like to make space for hope in our lives, even in the darkest of moments.
3:34 – Susie 101
- Susie’s family and upbringing
- Starting as an author and speaker and becoming a full-time talk radio host
- Susie’s journey through high-risk pregnancies and Lyme disease
- Embracing the goodness of God
17:09 – Trust in the Midst of Loss
- Choosing trust over bitterness in the face of life’s hardships
- Leaning into God’s goodness
- Actively imprinting God's goodness on the heart
24:50 – Making Space for Hope
- We can’t afford to live without hope
- Spend time getting to know God
- Finding older mentors that have a fire for God
29:23 – Spiritual Resiliency
- Affirmations and declarations rooted in biblical truths
- Battling inner critics and countering the lies of the enemy
- How Susie rewired her brain while battling Lyme disease
37:16 – Overcoming Fear + Closing Thoughts
- The significance of 40 days in healing
- Pushing through the wall of fear to expand your ministry and purpose
- Ordering Susie’s book and where to find her radio show
FEATURED QUOTES
“I would say a large share of Christians might have right theology around salvation- they know they're saved, but they don't know they're loved- and that makes a very big difference.”
“Maybe you're in between crises, and in between storms… this is the perfect time to be looking around and noticing the goodness of God all around you.”
“There are legitimate reasons for fear in our day. But there's even more legitimate reasons for faith because our future is bright in Jesus.”
“If you're willing to apply yourself to the truth of God, change will happen.”
Learn more about Susie:
Susie’s Book, Waking Up to the Goodness of God
https://www.amazon.com/Waking-Up-Goodness-God-Wholeness/dp/0785294716
Susie’s Radio Show:
https://myfaithradio.com/programs/susie-larson-live/
Susie’s Website:
https://www.susielarson.com/about
Welcome to the first official episode recorded in 2024! After an incredible year filled with so many inspiring conversations, I've decided to shake things up and steer away from the usual New Year's resolutions talk this year.
Let's face it, there's nothing inherently magical about January 1st. So instead, I want to share some of my favorite lessons from the podcast and life in 2023. I hope this episode encourages you and inspires a fresh perspective on the year ahead!
3:51 – Word of the Year
- Reflecting on the last two years
- This year’s word: “flourish”
- Your word of the year
7:16 – The Podcast in 2024
- 8 years of the podcast
- Switching up formats this year
- Getting creative and breaking routines
9:43 – “If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry”
- Recording my audiobook
- Prayers for this journey
- Pre-ordering the book
- Mini book tour
13:41 – Top 5 Episodes of 2023
- Episode 334, Megan Hyatt Miller
- Episode 369, Jay Hewitt
- Episode 373, Dr. Emily Smith
- Episode 345, Jamie Winship
- Episode 376, Ginny Yurich
23:29 – Encouragements For This Year
- Saying “no” to more things and “yes” to the right things
- Giving yourself room to try new things and mess up
- Learning when and when not to apologize
- Creating margin in your summer
FEATURED QUOTES
"I want to give you the encouragement to, this year, give yourself the space to break routines. Give yourself the space to get creative, give yourself the space to try something new."
“I'm encouraging you to say no to more things, so that you can say yes to the right things. This is not a new concept. But it's easier said than done.”
“I am so excited about what this podcast is going to look like this year.”
We’re kicking off the new year with Bill and Kristi Gaultiere. They are Doctors of Psychology and founders of the Soul Shepherding Institute, a ministry dedicated to helping pastors, leaders, churches and more thrive with Jesus in emotional and relational health.
Bill and Kristi have authored several soul care books and resources, such as their newest book, “Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith.” I’m so excited to have them on today to explore the relationship between our spiritual lives and mental health. Stay tuned as we talk about how embracing our feelings can lead to greater joy, peace, and spiritual growth.
4:25 – Bill and Kristi 101
- A background in counseling and ministry
- Starting Soul Shepherding in 2009
9:21 – Psychology and Faith
- Spiritual Directors vs Spiritual Counselors
- All truth is God’s truth
- Embracing emotions to deepen your relationship with others and God
19:43 – The Enneagram
- Using the Enneagram as a tool for spiritual growth
- Unconscious sin, dysfunction, and areas of growth
- Dealing with distressing emotions to cultivate positive emotions
27:15 – Embracing Emotions, Empathy, and Faith
- Anxiety as a repressed emotion
- Empathy and understanding with the Enneagram
- Jesus’ emotions and faith
38:12 – Breaking Free into Greater Joy
- Taking action when dealing with anxiety and depression
- Finding words for your emotions + seeking support
- Bill and Kristi’s recommended resources
FEATURED QUOTES
“We just realized that all the people who are helping other people are prone to neglect their own soul. And so that's our niche, to reach in there for the people that are really committed in their relationships in their work... and to really help them care for their own soul so that their work, their ministry, can be coming out of the overflow of God's love to them.”
“God doesn't want us to be hiding our emotions. He wants us to be emotionally honest with him, like the psalmist.”
“Jesus shows us perfect faith in God. He shows us how to have healthy feelings and thriving faith. He shows us how feelings and faith are not necessarily enemies. Some people think that they don't get along with each other, but actually being aware of our emotions and learning to care for our emotions and other people's emotions…helps us become more like Jesus.”
Soul Shepherd Website-
https://www.soulshepherding.org/
“Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith” Book-
https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Feelings-Thriving-Faith-Emotionally/dp/0800742818
Soul Shepherd Enneagram Resources-
https://www.soulshepherding.org/enneagram/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhc-sBhCEARIsAOVwHuQwau6brhW2gSyD3j64zm6zbSQIfbfanPcY0jg0uitQPjGzELTh_yIaAqdeEALw_wcB
Meet with a Spiritual Director-
https://www.soulshepherding.org/spiritual-directors-directory/
This week, I'm excited to welcome Ginny Yurich, a homeschooling mother of five and the founder of 1000 Hours Outside- a global movement reclaiming childhood and fostering family connections through nature-based play. Alongside her husband, Josh, Ginny is the brilliant mind behind the 1000 Hours Outside lifestyle brand, featuring an online store, app, podcast, a brand new book, and much more.
Whether you have kids or not, this episode is an absolute must-listen. We dig deep into issues that resonate, especially for those of us stuck behind desks and indoors all day. This conversation was deep, thought-provoking, and left me feeling challenged and convicted in the best way. It’s easily one of my top 10 favorite episodes of all time, and I’m so excited to share it with you!
3:36 – Ginny 101
- Struggles of early motherhood
- A playdate that changed everything
- Transformation through outdoor time
- Writing about this experience
15:07 – The Power of Outdoor Play
- The challenges of modern parenting
- Making small, intentional changes in daily routines
- Building outdoor habits as a family
- The power of friends and community with outdoor activities
34:11 – Embracing All Seasons
- The magic of winter
- Leaning into the unique experiences each season brings
- Cultivating grit and resilience
41:55 – Parenting in a Changing World
- Balancing structured and unstructured activities
- Encouraging self-discovery and independence
- Rethinking the college-centric path
1:01:21 – Takeaways + Words of Encouragement
- The power of pre-ordering books
- The long-term impact of parenting choices
- Celebrating real-life, hands-on experiences
FEATURED QUOTES
“If all that time, all those memories, all that relationship building, all of that connection, all of those moments of exhale- if those had gone to screens, our life would be so much less full….This is about bringing balance back to childhood.”
“What I've learned over the past decade is that this is a step that you take as a family. And the step is awareness. It's about knowing that, when we play outside, it benefits every single member of your family, from your newborn to your grandmother to your great grandmother.”
“There are long-term effects to the choices that we make. And this is their life, this is their childhood. And it's important to understand, at least to a small degree, what self-directed childhood play does for kids. And it does an immense amount.”
Learn more about Ginny:
https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/
https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/about-us
https://www.amazon.com/Until-Streetlights-Come-Brightens-Uncertain-ebook/dp/B0BW11WHTN/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1703003496&refinements=p_27%3AGinny+Yurich&s=books&sr=1-1
Jenny and Dave Marrs have been restoring and renovating historic homes since 2004. You may know them as the stars of the HGTV show Fixer to Fabulous, where they showcase their amazing work in their charming hometown, Bentonville, Arkansas.
Jenny and Dave believe that beautiful spaces are often imperfect and full of character, much like those who live there. Faith, family, and community are the driving forces behind everything they do, and I’m so excited to have them share their story with you today.
Listen in to learn more about the heart behind the work that they do, their passion for nonprofit and community engagement and what it means to lean into intentional living.
5:35 – Jenny and Dave 101
- Moved to Arkansas in 2004
- Started a family building company
- Getting picked up by the HGTV network
12:02 – Cultivating Hope
- Jenny’s fundraiser that evolved into a nonprofit
- Establishing a partnership in Zimbabwe
- Empowering orphaned teenagers through agriculture
19:49 – Called To Adoption
- A heart for adoption and family preservation
- Misconceptions about adoption and foster care
- Acknowledging the brokenness and trauma that comes with adoption
28:25 – Home and Heart
- Incorporating charitable passions into their HGTV show
- A passion for restoring older homes and preserving history
- The logistics of moving a home to a new location
- The cultural shift in homeownership
51:04 – Intentionality In Your Space
- Jenny’s book release
- Making your home work for you and your family
- Where to find Jenny and Dave
FEATURED QUOTES
“There's so much beauty in adoption and redemption and all of that but it is all very much rooted and trauma and loss and brokenness, which is just the reality.”
“Your family's story changes…when we moved out here 10 years ago, our twins were just about to turn four. Now they're bigger than Jenny is…there's always a shift and a juggle to make it fit our family's current needs.”
“You can always paint the walls back and sell it… you can make changes and take risks… it's about giving yourself permission to love the space where you live.”
This week, I am thrilled to have the incredible Ciara Laine Myers as my guest. Ciara is a mother, award winning business owner, and author of the book Glasses Off: Seeing God When Your Vision is Gone.This book is an collection of personal stories and life lessons brimming with heart, passion, and raw authenticity that will resonate with every reader.
In our conversation today, Ciara and I dive into the depths of vision and purpose in life. We learn more about Ciara’s story, what led her to write this book, and reflect on the beauty that comes from embracing both the dreamer and the visionary within ourselves.
Stay tuned as we chat about the delicate balance between dreaming and doing, the importance of humility in fulfilling our calling, inspiring others with our gifts, and so much more!
2:45 – Ciara 101
- Growing up in the faith
- Starting a group counseling center
- Being called into the writing industry
8:52 – A Calling To Write
- A strong calling to stop digital work
- The genesis of Ciara’s book
- Finding and living one's purpose, calling, and vision
21:28 – Living With Purpose
- The role of purpose and meaning in longevity
- Adam and Eve in the garden
- Practical approaches for pursuing purpose in your life
33:23 – Balancing Vision and Action
- The distinction between being a dreamer and a visionary
- Bringing your dreams to fruition and inviting others into the process
- Being confident in one’s calling while maintaining humility
43:28 – Closing Thoughts
- Daily date with God + what this looks like for Ciara
- How to connect with Ciara
FEATURED QUOTES
“God is an example to us of how we need to be a visionary. If he had stopped at the dreaming, none of us would exist.”
“How can I serve one person with my gift? Awkwardly? Humbly? Just one soul. How can I do that? If I throw a concert and only one person comes, it's more than worth it.”
Learn more about Ciara:
https://veiledfree.com/
This week’s guest is the incredible Dr. Emily Smith, who you might also know as the Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist on social media. Emily is an assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine and Surgery at Duke University and at the Duke Global Health Institute.
With a background that includes four years at Baylor University, a PhD in Epidemiology from UNC Chapel Hill, and an MSPH from the University of South Carolina, Emily brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Beyond her professional achievements, Emily is a devoted wife of 20 years, the mom of two incredible children, and shares her home with a sweet golden retriever and golden doodle puppy.
I am so excited to dive into Emily’s story and the heart behind her new book, The Science of The Good Samaritan: Thinking Bigger About Loving Our Neighbors, with you today. Stay tuned for a powerful conversation that challenges, uplifts, and encourages a deeper understanding of what it means to truly love our neighbors.
6:04 – Emily 101
- Born in eastern New Mexico
- Moving around, medical school + research at Duke
- A passion for global engagement + public health
14:07 – The Good Samaritan
- Two questions from the Good Samaritan story
- The Science of the Good Samaritan
- Recognizing and addressing structural injustices
20:35 – Becoming Authentic Neighbors
- Moving beyond token gestures of kindness
- Recognizing the historical context of poverty and inequality
- Shifting from shame to understanding
- Emily finding her calling
29:49 – The Birth of "Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist"
- Responding to the pandemic
- Navigating rapid online growth + hostility from strangers
- Finding courage in the face of adversity
- Discovering a like-minded community
44:44 – The Work of Neighborly Love
- Taking a deeper look at “Science of The Good Samaritan”
- Recognizing injustice + entering the conversation like a good neighbor
- Heart-centered faith
- A call for courage
FEATURED QUOTES
“Epidemiology is the science of the Good Samaritan... it's a science of quantifying who is most at need so that we don't walk by.”
“It feels very natural as a person of a Christian faith to do the type of science that I do, because it's quantifying those that are typically overlooked.”
“When we consider health for our children, we want them to be fully healthy, thriving, happy, live out their full potential. So why don't we want that for the rest of the world?”
Learn more about Dr. Emily Smith:
https://www.facebook.com/friendlyneighborepidemiologist/
https://emilysmith.substack.com/
https://www.instagram.com/friendlyneighborepidemiologist/?hl=en
https://globalhealth.duke.edu/news/epidemiologist-next-door
Our guest this week is the incredible Adrienne Bankert, award-winning national news anchor and host of "Morning in America" on News Nation. With an impressive background that includes five years at ABC News, two Emmys for her work on "Good Morning America," and coverage of global events from Tokyo to Paris, Adrienne has worked with some of the biggest names and headlines throughout her career.
We’ll chat about Adrienne’s career journey, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and her book, "Your Hidden Superpower: The Kindness That Makes You Unbeatable at Work and Connects You with Anyone." This book focuses on the genuine and transformative influence of kindness and offers guidance on building authentic connections in various aspects of life, be it within teams, friendships, or even with strangers.
Adrienne is an amazing woman and getting to hear her story and wisdom was such a treat. I know you’re going to love this conversation!
3:24 – Adrienne 101
- A passion for storytelling
- Growing up in a small town
- Internships and connections in college
- Becoming a news anchor
- Balancing confidence and fear throughout her career
15:25 – The Emotional Challenges of Journalism
- Adrienne’s approach to traumatic stories
- Adopting a mindset of service
- Being present, safe, and a voice of comfort
25:00 – The Power of Kindness
- Adrienne’s book
- Who do you want to be?
- Being authentic
- Muscle memory for being more fulfilled and relatable
- Stop living in fear
38:42 – Profound Lessons
- Making an impression with the time you have
- Authenticity in journalism
- Connect with Adrienne
FEATURED QUOTES
“I came from very humble beginnings, and I think that prepared me for where I am today.”
“As you do venture out, it becomes easier and easier to stay confident. And also, to balance… You learn how to be confident without being too aggressive, and you learn how to be humble without being passive.”
“When you stimulate your life with kindness on a regular basis, it has a biological, psychological and physical change that you will find in your personal life and your professional life and in your mental health.”
Learn more about Adrienne:
https://www.newsnationnow.com/
https://www.newsnationnow.com/author/adrienne-bankert/
https://www.instagram.com/abontv/?hl=en
Today’s guest, Anh Lin, is a celebrated interior stylist known for her captivating designs and thought-provoking writing, including The Abundant Life Devotional Journal. Anh is also the creator of the popular faith and lifestyle blog, Girl And The Word, which has since expanded its influence through YouTube, Instagram, Tik Tok, and her online shop, The Hooga Shop.
In this episode, we dive deep into Anh’s powerful story and how these experiences have shaped her unique perspective on design and life. We also discuss her new book, Forever Home: Moving Beyond Brokenness to Build a Strong and Beautiful Life.
Listen in as we talk about moving beyond brokenness, embracing a fulfilling and meaningful life, and so much more. This conversation with Anh was such a delight. I just know you’re going to love it!
3:35 – Anh 101
- Born in Vietnam
- Moving to Pasadena, California
- Losing her father to cancer
- Finding Jesus in the darkest times
19:14 – Resilience Through Faith
- Jesus has overcome the world
- Suffering is a universal experience
- God can empathize
24:48 – New Beginnings
- A newfound appreciation for life
- Seeking therapy
- Healing + a deeper connection with God
34:07 – The Journey To Interior Design + Writing
- An unexpected path to interior design
- Gaining a social media following
- Moving beyond brokenness and restoring a sense of peace
FEATURED QUOTES
“I think that's exactly what a life with Jesus gives you. He allows you to live beyond the physical and beyond the cultural demands and seek to purpose.”
“My ultimate hope is that Forever Home can be a guidebook to helping you restore the sense of peace that has been hijacked by trauma.”
“You can start small instead of feeling overwhelmed by tackling entire rooms at a time. It all begins with a deconstruction process. And at first, being in this demolition phase might feel like a tear down. But it's only when you demolish this old life, can you actually rebuild something new and better for yourself.”
Learn more about Anh:
https://www.girlandtheword.com/
https://www.instagram.com/girlandtheword/?hl=en
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqo-jdu6ue5Wv-oe5-PSNvQ
I am beyond excited to announce that after 7+ years in the making, my book, If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry: How Death, Debt, and Comedy Led to a Life of Faith, Farming, and Forgetting What I Came in This Room For, is now available for pre-order. It feels so surreal that this day is here.
Today I’m going to give you a glimpse into this journey and share the inspiration behind writing this book. This memoir is the story of my testimony. It’s a story of brokenness, shame, and regret, but most importantly, it’s a story of restoration, redemption, and healing. This project has been an absolute labor of love that I cannot wait to share with you!
Whether this is your first time listening, you’ve been here since day one, or something in between, I'm grateful for each one of you who has been a part of this incredible journey so far. I pray that this book makes you laugh, cry, and realize that even the messiest, muddiest, most broken parts of your story can be redeemed.
1:57 – A Special Announcement
- Pre-ordering my memoir
- A labor of love
- The inspiration behind this book
7:39 – What Is This Story About?
- My mother’s passing
- My journey with loss, debt, and brokenness
- Transformation and redemption through Jesus
13:49 – Support + Share!
- Where you can pre-order the book
- My prayer + excitement for this journey
- My new website + more!
FEATURED QUOTES
“I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that in less than five months, you are going to hold in your hands a copy of my book… of some of the most honest and vulnerable words I have ever written and shared.”
“My prayer is that as you read this book, that you can see that even the messy, muddy, broken parts of your story can be redeemed- that there is no one that is too far gone to be redeemed and to be forgiven. That we all make mistakes.”
“Life is the both and; it is about living in the tension of the grief, and the joy and the beauty and the brokenness.”
PRE ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!
This week, we have an incredible guest, Jay Hewitt, joining us. He is a pastor, author and motivational speaker, and his life journey is nothing short of a remarkable testimony of courage and faith.
At the age of 37, Jay was confronted with a devastating diagnosis- terminal brain cancer. Through this experience, he found strength in God and embraced his calling to be a storyteller. His memoir, I Am Weak, I Am Strong, is coming out this fall, which details his extraordinary journey to become an Ironman while battling cancer.
Living in Orange County, California, he cherishes his family and continues to inspire others with his unwavering faith and empowering messages. His journey reminds us of the boundless strength within each of us. Join us for an incredibly moving and powerful conversation that you do not want to miss!
2:47 – Jay 101
- A calling to ministry
- Jay’s family
- Battling brain cancer
- Jay’s testimony
9:00 – Embracing New Assignments
- From student ministry to new adventures
- Launching a church + discovering new giftings
- Saying ‘yes’ to where God leads
15:59 – Jay’s Diagnosis + Journey
- The discovery of Jay’s brain tumor
- Finding the right surgeon + the surgery
- Jay’s cancer diagnosis + shortened life expectancy
- A shift in prayer
33:48 – The Ongoing Journey
- Holding on to hope and faith
- Inspiration for the Ironman
- Beginning training and chemo
49:05 – Resilient Faith
- Combining one’s calling with confidence
- Asking in faith
- Cooperating with God’s work
55:59 – Jay’s Life Today + Wisdom
- Current health status
- Living each day to the fullest
- Depending on God’s strength
FEATURED QUOTES
“In 2 Corinthians 12:10, God says, ‘My grace will sustain you.’ And that's what I've been learning through this whole thing.”
“I've just come to realize, it's only by God's grace that we have today. And it's not just me. It's you. It's the people next to us. The people listening right now. It's by God's grace that we have today.”
“I need to dream like I'm gonna live forever and live like it's my last day. And that's how I keep moving forward in this life of uncertainty with my specific type of cancer.”
Pre-order your copy of I Am Weak, I Am Strong, available November 14th, 2023:
https://www.zondervan.com/p/i-am-weak-i-am-strong/
Our guest this week is the remarkable Jay Kim, who serves as the lead pastor at West Gate Church in the heart of Silicon Valley, California, and a teacher in residence at Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz. Jay is not only a gifted pastor, but a seasoned writer, having authored several books, including Analog Church and Analog Christian, and most recently, the 40 Days Through The Book: Colossians Bible study.
In addition to his writing and pastoral roles, Jay co-hosts two podcasts: Barna’s Making Space podcast and Western Seminary’s ReGENERATION podcast, and is an incredibly talented speaker and educator. If you're someone who loves diving into scripture, you are going to love this episode. His ability to bring the text to life and make complex concepts clear is truly inspiring.
Listen in as we dive deep into the background and cultural context of the book of Colossians in this episode and explore how it directly apply to our lives in the present day. Get ready to be educated, entertained, and moved as Jay Kim shares his incredible wisdom and perspective with us.
3:47 – Jay 101 * Growing up in Silicon Valley * A father, pastor and writer * Jay’s testimony
16:51 – 40 Day Bible Study * Why Colossians? * The relevance of Colossians * “My truth” is gaining prominence
25:44 – Jay’s Writing Approach * Laying out the cultural context * Parallels between ancient Colossians and our struggles today * Jay’s revelations during his studies
37:26 – Honoring God’s Love * Being chosen by God is a statement of love * Taking God’s love for granted + understanding costly grace * Becoming people of love, compassion, and humility
46:23 – Jay’s Prayer For This Study * God is in control * Finding peace in God’s promise
FEATURED QUOTES “Finding some people who love you and care about you and are willing to sort of lean into whatever you're going through. It's just….it's a lifeline.”
“Your motivation, your desires, your intention- point them to God and the things of God and then think about what that means for your life….That's the life of centering or reorienting yourself around Jesus.”
“My prayer, then, and my prayer now is the same. It's that people would find an immense hope and comfort and confidence for life, in knowing that someone else is in is actually in control of the human story.”
Learn more about Jay:
https://jaykimthinks.com/
In this episode, join us for an inspiring conversation with Rachael Powell, the Chief Communications Officer of Passages. Passages is an organization with a remarkable mission – they've brought over 10,000 Christian college students to Israel while helping them to grow as leaders and caring community members on their college campuses.
Rachael has a profound passion for Gen Z and younger millennials, and in this conversation, she shares her insights on how to best care for and nurture the faith of the next generation. Through her role at Passages, she aims to inspire young minds and help them dig deeper into their faith. Tune in as she discusses the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and deeper connections in church life, especially for younger generations.
Before we dive into the episode, please note that this conversation was recorded well before recent events in Israel and Gaza. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who are suffering and impacted by this current situation.
3:44 – Rachel 101 * An unexpected path to passion * Becoming a part of Passages * Transformative experiences in Israel
7:08 – Visiting Israel: A Journey of Faith and Identity * The history, culture, and tangibility of Christianity * The power of a firsthand experience * Digging deeper into your faith
10:56 – Discipling Gen Z * The unique challenges faced by Gen Z in this digital age * The deconstruction movement * Craving community and deeper understanding * The power of contextual discipleship
19:09 – A Safe Space * Finding genuine in-person connections and community * Creating a supportive environment to ask questions * Wrestling with faith
32:29 – What Gen Z Is Looking For? * The power of authenticity * Curiosity and a willingness to listen * Being open about your journey and faith struggles
40:04 – Shifting Church Culture * Authenticity over flashiness * Reconnecting with ancient roots * Embracing the community experience
FEATURED QUOTES “We like to say that Israel is like drinking from a firehose, and that when you leave, you will probably have more questions than what you came with. And that's not a bad thing. That's the beginning of a journey to becoming deeper in your faith and really understanding.”
“It begins with this challenge in Israel of digging deeper, but it doesn't end there. It continues with community and curiosity throughout life.”
“I think even some of our concepts about how our faith has to be so individualized is also not a Middle Eastern concept. Faith in the Middle East is a community. It's a group of people living together, who all believe the same things and often meet together to ask each other questions to read scripture out loud, right? To live in community.”
https://www.passagesisrael.org/
Connect with Rachael: rachael@passagesisrael.org
Today I’m so excited to be joined by the remarkable Sharon Jaynes, a renowned international speaker and best-selling author of 26 books with nearly 1 million copies sold. She's a prominent voice in the global faith community, having served as the former Vice President of Proverbs 31 Ministries and co-host of their radio program.
Sharon's latest book, "Praying for Your Child from Head to Toe," is a 30-day guide to praying purposely over your children. In this conversation, we explore how parents, grandparents, and anyone invested in a child's life can use the words of scripture to pray with intention and impact.
Join us as Sharon walks through 16 distinct areas of prayer, offering a heartfelt pattern for praying over the people you love, from the crown of their heads to the soles of their feet. This discussion touched my heart profoundly, and I pray it will do the same for you!
6:46 – Sharon 101 * An unexpected path to book writing * Starting up Proverbs 31 Ministries * A passion for teaching the word of God
10:10 – The ‘Head to Toe’ Series Origin * Where did the ‘head to toe’ concept come from? * Using scripture as a guidepost for everyday life * The challenges and stresses of today’s world on children
15:48 – Influence Beyond Parents * The significant impact that adults can have on children’s lives * Sharon’s journey to faith * The transformative power of prayer
22:05 – The Nature of Prayer * Why does prayer matter? * We are called to pray * God is always working behind the scenes * Adversity leading to spiritual and personal growth
32:41 – The 16 Prayer Landmarks * Walking through each landmark from head to toe * Praying in alignment with God’s word * A pattern of prayer * Relinquishing control
48:51 – Sharon’s Parting Words * There’s no right or wrong way to pray * There are no perfect parents, but we can be praying parents * God is always working, even when we can’t see it
FEATURED QUOTES “If you pray the word of God, you’re praying the will of God”
“God will make the pain in our meanwhile, worthwhile.”
“Our responsibility is obedience, and God's responsibility is the outcome.”
“There are no perfect parents, but we can all be praying parents.”
Sharon’s Website: https://sharonjaynes.com/
Sharon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonejaynes/?hl=en
Sharon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharonJaynes/
Today we’re celebrating seven – yes seven! – years of producing this podcast and want to take a quick second to thank YOU for being a part of the show, reaching out, listening, and giving us the motivation to keep producing new shows.
We are excited to welcome on Ike Miller, a pastor who helped start Bright City Church along with his wife, Sharon, back in 2018. Ike has written about the intersection of theology, mental health, and family of origin issues. He’s developed a passion for helping others who grew up in difficult circumstances after confronting his own family history of substance abuse disorders.
He’s a great friend to our family and we wanted to bring him on to share this message about understanding how difficult childhoods prepare us for healthy relationships, which he writes about in his new book Good Baggage. We don’t hold back when it comes to childhood trauma, how we can move forward, and why everything doesn’t necessarily happen for a reason.
6:29 – Ike 101 * Celebrating five years at the church on Sept 30 * What fueled the book * How the pandemic brought a lot to the surface
15:31 – Defining Co-Dependency * Differentiating the definition from symptoms * Trauma related loss of self * Plays out in different types of situations
17:55 – Sorting through your baggage * Learning to identify and disarm our baggage * Ability to read emotions * Figuring out what context to use that
25:45 – Improving theology to provide support * Creating space in our theology for the impact of trauma * Building a theology around redemption * Being okay with people angry at God
38:17 – Parenting * Recognizing when you’re screwing up * Asking for forgiveness * Realizing our parents are people with lives of their own
58:48 – Good Baggage * Reflect on your pain points * Dig up that pain an deal with it * Connecting with Ike
FEATURED QUOTES “We typically think of codependency as people pleasing, but really, it's fundamentally about a loss of self. That, in that context, whatever we went through, in some trauma, it forced us to be someone other than ourselves in order to survive, in order to appease someone else to protect ourselves mentally, emotionally, or physically. And so you just kind of become whoever you think others need you to be because you've lost your sense of self of who you are.”
“We need to create more space in the church just for being able to say that not all sin is just strictly about my sheer disobedience to God, but that as a broken human being, I'm acting out of that because of brokenness that was done to me.”
“I think that's kind of a bit of it for me is that ability to say, I don't know that I can explain all of why it happened, but where do I want to go from here? What kind of life do I want from here?”
Learn more about Bright City Church: https://brightcitychurch.com/
Get Ike’s Book Good Baggage: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Baggage-Difficult-Childhood-Relationships/dp/1540902862
Every parent struggles with maintaining their own identity while also trying to pour all their energy into being a mother or a father. Our guest this week knows all about that. Dr. Morgan Cutlip knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood and she’s been determined to help others navigate that with more success.
You might have come across her on social media, her podcast, her blog, or through the courses on her website. She also just published a new blook called Love Yourself Without Losing Yourself, and it’s all about how moms can beat burnout and banish guilt. But even better, it actually provides some practical tips for taking care of ourselves.
Her focus might be on motherhood, but you’ll quickly realize that this also applies to the dads out there. Really, anyone with kids can benefit from listening to Morgan and that’s why we’re really excited to bring you this interview.
4:05 – Morgan 101
- Her experience in the relationship education field
- Struggling with motherhood
- What pushed her to make this her mission
10:24 – Challenges of motherhood
- Overwhelming amount of advice about what’s right and wrong
- Conflicting advice from social media ‘experts’
- What she learned from her parents
24:19 – Parenting now vs past generations
- Every generation faces its own set of challenges
- No child will leave their childhood experience without something
- Putting parenthood on a pedestal
30:33 – Mom guilt
- Intensive mothering
- Giving yourself permission
- Putting your own identity on the backburner
47:19 – Her book
- 3 reasons self-care irritates her
- 5 areas that exist in all relationships
- Touch purposefully
FEATURED QUOTES
”I know I didn't have the answers, but I knew I had the skill sets to figure out how to empower moms to navigate motherhood differently. And so that's when I made up my mind, this is what I wanted to do.”
“We have overcorrected, and it's all done with good intentions. But sometimes too much of a good thing becomes bad. And we have left ourselves in a place where we are parenting so intensely, that we can't help but feel like we're regularly getting it wrong.”
“Sometimes we need that permission to not make everything about our kids, right. And I think a lot of us then if we if we act on that permission, we will feel guilty about it. And so we have to deal with what's underneath that guilt in order to get that get rid of that because it's not serving us.”
Connect with Dr. Morgan Cutlip: https://drmorgancutlip.com
Get her book ‘Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself’: https://drmorgancutlip.com/book/
About Dr. Morgan Cutlip: Dr. Morgan Cutlip knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood, and she's determined to help mothers navigate it better. She is experienced and trained in translating psychological theory and research into practical, accessible, and actionable advice, which she shares with her clients and social media followers (@drmorgancutlip) and through her courses, podcast, and her blog as cofounder of MyLoveThinks.com. Dr. Cutlip earned her masters in human development and family science and her doctorate in counseling psychology. She is a mother of two wild kids, wife of her high school sweetheart, and life-long lover of all things relationship.
Buy the book here: LOVE YOUR KIDS WITHOUT LOSING YOURSELF. For more information, visit https://www.mylovethinks.com/links/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/drmorgancutlip/
What if your past could become your passageway to true connection? This week, we welcome the author of Get Past Your Past, Jason VanRuler. Jason opens up about his journey from a broken home and the struggle trying to avoid repeating those same patterns. He brings insights on healing, the power of vulnerability, and the role of psychological care, self-help, and healthy relationships in our lives.
I love this conversation with Jason because we really dive deep into the journey of healing from our past and how challenging that can be. We talk about how we find the courage to be vulnerable with people around us and how it is really important to feel it to heal it. We get deep in this episode and I know you’re going to love it as well.
3:10 – Jason 101 * Coming from a broken home with trauma and chaos and abuse * When did things begin to change for him? * The things he wanted to do differently when he reached adulthood
12:09 – Feel It to Heal It * Why is it so difficult for people to deal with grief? * Bringing other people into the equation to help you heal * Opening up and building trust incrementally
20:03 – Steps to find someone to be vulnerable with * Taking it step-by-step, there is not shortcut * Don’t try to make someone your person * How we think about it and talk about it changes over time
29:41 – The struggle to forgive ourselves * When did you stop deserving forgiveness? * Common thread for people that struggle with forgiveness * Honoring people we hurt by being better
41:46 – Action steps you can take * Be honest with yourself about what’s going on * Recognizing the cost * Hope is always there even if you can’t see it
FEATURED QUOTES "If you don't know how to do it differently, you return to what you know. And within a couple of years, I just sort of built the life I was running from."
“I think the best way we can honor the people we hurt is by being better. And we can't be better if we if we don't forgive ourselves because people don't improve what they don't value.”
“If you're in this season and this space, use that growth. And remember that when you feel those times of regret in those moments, that's actually a sign you changed for the better. Because you never would have noticed it otherwise.”
____
Connect with Jason: https://www.jasonvr.com/
Get Jason’s book ‘Get Past Your Past’: https://www.amazon.com/Get-Past-Your-Facing-Connection/dp/0310367417
I am so excited to be joined by Christa Hardin this week, founder of Reflections Counseling Center and the host of the immensely popular Enneagram and Marriage podcast, which has over a million downloads. For over two decades, Christa has been helping couples find renewal and happiness together. Utilizing the Enneagram, alongside other research-based marriage tools, she works to offer couples a deeper understanding of their unique strengths and shadows.
This episode brings a powerful exploration of how our individual personalities influence our ability to communicate in relationships. We’ll also dive into the exciting release of Christa's new book, "The Enneagram in Marriage: Your Guide to Thriving Together in Your Unique Pairing," which is set to hit the shelves this month.
4:02 – Christa 101 * A calling to working with couples * Using the Enneagram as a tool in counseling * “You shine brighter in the world when your gifts are in harmony together”
18:43 – Understanding your spouse * The 9 types of Enneagram personalities * Seeking out how to love each other * Express what you’re learning about yourself
28:42 – Relationship dynamics through the Enneagram * Working with couples of different Enneagram types * Recognizing strengths and shadows within a relationship * Bringing your unique gifts to the table
35:40 – Some common enneagram parings * Enneagram 1 and 3 * Enneagram 8 and 9 * Marriage as a marathon, not a sprint
41:46 – Using the enneagram to learn about yourself * Starting generous conversations * Date nights each week * Christa’s new book coming out October 3rd, 2023
FEATURED QUOTES You shine brighter in the world when your gifts are in harmony together.
By looking at the way our spouse sees the world differently, we do become more expansive.
There's these little cues you can start giving to your spouse as you come to know your personality.
https://www.enneagraminyourmarriage.com/home
Jesse Eubanks show: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/podcast/jesse-eubanks-332/
Ian Morgan Cron show: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/podcast/enneagram-ian-morgan-cron/
Hey there, amazing listeners! I’m excited to share today’s special episode with you. You see, today marks a significant milestone for me: I'm celebrating my 38th birthday! What better way to celebrate than with all of you?
Birthdays, especially as we grow into adulthood, carry this intriguing blend of excitement, reflection, and dread. Lately, I've been pondering this unique tension surrounding birthdays, especially the big ones ending in “0.” Now, I'll admit when I hit 30, I wasn't exactly thrilled. But as the years rolled by, my mindset shifted, and I find myself loving my late 30s.
What's changed, you ask? Well, it's this newfound appreciation for life that I've developed. Life is a precious, fragile thing, and I've been deeply reminded of this truth the past couple of years. So, for my birthday special, I'm sharing five heartfelt prayers with you – prayers for my own growth, for my kids, my husband (whose 40th we won't mention), and my friends.
These aren't just for birthdays; they're wishes for the year ahead, full of hope and purpose. I invite you to listen in, no matter where your own birthday falls. Together, let's embrace the journey, celebrate life, and look forward to the amazing possibilities each new year holds.
4:39 – Prayer of Gratitude
- Expressing deep gratitude for life’s blessings
- Asking for wisdom and guidance through a posture of gratitude
- Practicing daily gratitude
5:55 – Prayer of Praise
- Praising God for who He is, what He’s done, what He’s doing and what He will do
- Praising God for your growth in mind, body, and spirit
- Appreciating God’s involvement in the details
6:51 – Prayer of Reflection
- Looking back on the journey of life, with all its challenges, successes, regrets, and growth
- Letting go of regrets and fears that have weighed you down
- How do I use the regrets and mistakes that I've made to grow and to move forward?
8:04 – Prayer for Wisdom
- James 1:5 – God grants wisdom to those who ask
- Seeking guidance for decisions, steps, and the next right things to do in your life journey
- Learning from those who have experienced much in life
10:25 – Prayer for Joy and Celebration
- Cultivating a joyful spirit and embracing celebration
- Finding joy in the little things
- Making the most of opportunities, being present in the moment, and creating meaningful connections
FEATURED QUOTES
We are all living on borrowed time. And so a birthday is something to celebrate.
How do I use the regrets that I have or the mistakes that I've made to grow and to move forward?
Wisdom is the prayer that we pray that God always says yes to.
I am so glad to be back! I took three weeks off from the podcast. If you have been here since the beginning, you know that I’ve only taken one week off in the past seven years. It was one of those summers where I gave myself time to rest, and I pulled out some replay episodes.
I planned to come back last week, but I got sick and lost my voice. I am here now and am so excited about what’s on the horizon, especially my first book coming out. This week is a solo episode and we’re talking about figuring out your vision and purpose for your life.
5:18 – Have a vision * The Bible says where there is no vision, people perish. * Ask yourself, if money were no object, what would you do with the rest of your life? * What do you think God put you here to do?
7:34 – Spend time with God * Are you regularly spending time with God? * Are you reading the Bible? That’s God’s love letter to us. * Reading the Bible will help you spot the fake, phony lies.
10:51 – Pray * This sounds overly simplistic. But when you are intentional with prayer, things happen. * Call on your Heavenly Father. * You can pray literally anytime.
13:03 – Be part of a Godly community * Take an extra step and invite people into your space and your life. * You cannot do this alone. * Cultivate a Godly community.
FEATURED QUOTES Today, I’m going through the three things that really begin to help you understand what your vision and purpose is for your life.
Ask yourself, if money were no object, what would you do with the rest of your life?
Are you regularly spending time with God?
This episode originally aired July 29th, 2020.
A few months ago, I heard about this show called The Chosen. It depicts the life of Jesus and the disciples in a unique way, taking a look at Jesus’ life, and how the disciples became disciples. When I first heard about it, I was skeptical, but I gave it a try. After the second episode, I was hooked! Not only have I watched the entire season once, I’ve actually watched it though three times now. When I fell in love with the show, I started to do more research on it. Not only is it a unique show in and of itself, it’s also the first series that is the #1 crowd-funded media project in history. It even has its own app! As I began to dive deeper, I learned more about the company producing the show, Angel Studios, formerly VidAngel. The show is directed by Dallas Jenkins, the son of Jerry Jenkins, who wrote the Left Behind series. I wanted to know more about VidAngel and why this platform wanted to produce a show about Jesus in such a unique way. My guest this week is Neal Harmon. Neal is the CEO and cofounder of Angel Studios formerly VidAngel, a streaming service that allows parents to skip objectionable content in entertainment using groundbreaking technology. VidAngel has been highly profiled for The Chosen, and its other incredible family-based content like Dry Bar Comedy. VidAngel recently made headlines by offer all of its streaming content for free during the Covid-19 pandemic, provided that people agree to social distancing of course. My conversation with Neal was incredible and refreshing He was very transparent about the story of VidAngel as it experiences growing pains and lessons many young companies experience. You’re going to love this conversation with Neal, so let’s dive in!
4:30 - The Neal 101 * Neal grew up in Idaho working on dairy farms and even tried to start his own cattle business at one point, but as he got older and learned more about the world, he started working with web businesses. After experiencing a spectacular failure right out of college, he started a company called OraBrush, a tongue cleaner that got rid of bad breath. * OraBrush went from zero sales to global distribution in just a few years, thanks to YouTube marketing. Later a company reached out to Neal and his brother, cofounders of OraBrush, to help them market Poo~Pourri! * The Poo~Pourri ad campaign was so successful that it turned Neal and his brother into an ad agency. Shortly after that, they started VidAngel, which is something Neal and his three brothers wanted to create for their own families. * Neal’s favorite movie is Cinderella Man. The movie portrays people having character, even in their darkest moments, but the movie has a coach who has a foul mouth. Neal wanted his young kids to be able to see the story, but didn’t want them hearing or repeating those words in their home. * VidAngel allows you to take popular movies and TV shows, and skip over content you don’t find appropriate for your own home. It’s like a pre-programmed remote. * Neal and his brothers had a bigger vision for VidAngel, too. They wanted to have a bigger impact on media and on the world. They knew that if they found the people who valued protecting their families by using technology to skip over specific content, that they would also have a group of people they could also distribute content in a manner that would be a better fit than what Hollywood provides.
10:53 - A Broken Feedback Loop * The creators in Hollywood love to see who wins the awards each year, but it seems they are essentially making movies for each other. About three fourths of the revenue in the box office comes from the family friendly movie, but half the titles coming out of Hollywood are rated R. VidAngel is bridging the gap to give creators a feedback loop. If audiences are skipping over certain scenes, creators can learn how to adjust the content that is affecting their market. It allows them to listen to their market, rather than their peers. * When there is immediate feedback, there is acknowledgement of an issue and something productive can be done with that information. Since big studios own the distribution channels, they can also fill those with what they chose. VidAngel’s feedback loop helps create a voice for those without access to big distribution channels.
14:10 – Resistance, Controversy, Transparency, Growth * During the summer of 2016, VidAngel faced a lawsuit with The Walt Disney Company. It was a shock to VidAngel because before they started their service, they actually wrote The Walt Disney Company in good faith and transparency, telling them about the service, giving them information on the users they’d tested it with, and asked for their feedback. They shared their own reasoning for why they thought what they were doing was ok, but also gave The Walt Disney Company an opportunity to let them know if they thought anything being done was unlawful. * VidAngel heard no response from The Walt Disney Company until a year later when families were already enjoying what Angel Studios was providing. VidAngel asked their customers if they’d be interested in investing in VidAngel to start growing the next phase of the company, and their customers said they’d put in over 60 million dollars to help it grow. Two weeks later, The Walt Disney Company sued VidAngel. * It’s been a long, difficult journey and a lot of time spent in depositions. After the lawsuit started, VidAngel reached out to their customers asking if they wanted to take it to the Supreme Court if they were willing to invest $5 million into the company. They invested $10 million in 5 days. Because of that, VidAngel has been able to improve their product and fight the legal battle. * VidAngel doesn’t know what will happen now in the midst of this process. They are trusting that they have been called to work to help families through their services and will continue moving forward in faith as they wait for the outcome and experience the process.
20:00 – The Chosen * The Chosen is VidAngel’s first scripted original series. It will be a multi-season series based on the gospels and the life of Jesus from the perspective of the disciples. The first season is out with 8 episodes. The Chosen is the highest grossing crowdfunded media project of all time. * VidAngel’s first original series is called Dry Bar Comedy, which has over a billion views per year. It’s a stand-up comedy series (with clean humor). When Dry Bar started out performing all the other studios in the digital space, VidAngel learned that the data from people’s skip choices can create a bigger market when the comedians improve their content based on the consumer feedback loop. * VidAngel decided they wanted to do a real TV series next, and after a friend of Neal’s introduced them to a short film by Dallas Jenkins, Neal’s brother Jeffrey pitched an idea to do something similar on the life of Jesus. Neal wasn’t interested at first, but after watching Dallas Jenkin’s short film on the birth of Christ, everything changed. Neal knew then and there he wanted to get behind a project like this on VidAngel. * VidAngel has a lot more exciting these coming. The Chosen has awakened in a lot of people the desire to change media. They want to hear stories from the bible that are well written with a high level of video production, imagery, and storytelling. They want to see the ability for both reverence, humanity, and light-heartedness in the portrayal of Jesus. It was important to Dallas to find someone to play Jesus (Jonathan Roumie) who was slightly unexpected, unique, and genuine, rather than a famous Hollywood actor. * In The Chosen, you get much more insight into each individual’s story and what their lives were like before Jesus and then their individual relationships with Jesus. The stories are plausible, relatable, and do not conflict with scripture. There is a biblical committee and those working on the show have educational backgrounds in biblical studies and have taken trips to Israel to study. Their goal is to stay true to the Bible.
44:15 – Find out how the cast and crew are dealing with COVID-19 and what’s on the horizon for The Chosen. You can watch The Chosen on VidAngel (and skip parts that your children may not be ready for or that might be scary). You can also download the app The Chosen app. Either option allows you to watch for free!
46:12 - Getting to Know Our Guest Find out what meal Neal would eat if he had to eat the same thing for dinner every night for the rest of his life, a dream of his he’s yet to achieve, his favorite TV show when he was growing up, and of course, what it means to Neal to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes 13:50 - “The beautiful thing about the internet is that it provides an opportunity for those of us who don’t have a have a voice in the big distribution channels to have a voice for ourselves and create content for ourselves.”
25:20 – “I think the reason that The Chosen has so much of a good spirit about it is because I think a lot of the people making it, and the distributor who’s getting behind it, are going through similar trials and facing similar situations in modern society as what the disciples faced back then.”
38:18 – “The goal of the scriptures and The Chosen is to lead us to understanding who He (Jesus) was and that He redeems us. If we don’t get there or if we get off the mark or too caught up in how good the actors are or how famous the show becomes, then we’ve missed the mark. As soon as it takes us into the scriptures and gets us into a relationship with Christ, then it will have been a successful project.”
39:58 – “This project is just about telling the stories of Jesus in a way that we can all relate to to and can hopefully lead people of all faiths, and people who don’t have faith, to our Redeemer.”
Connect with Neal Harmon and Watch The Chosen: * https://www.angel.com/watch/the-chosen
ABOUT NEAL HARMON, CEO, ANGEL STUDIOS (formerly VidAngel) How can parents make entertainment good for their homes? Neal is the CEO and co-founder of VidAngel, a streaming service that allows parents to skip objectionable content in entertainment using ground breaking technology. VidAngel has been highly-profiled for The Chosen, its original series about Jesus and the #1 crowdfunded media project in history, and its other incredible family-based content like Dry Bar Comedy. VidAngel recently made headlines by offering all of its streaming content free during the COVID-19 pandemic, provided people agree to social distancing of course.
Leave a comment below with something you learned from this episode
This episode is a replay that originally aired on August 7, 2019. (Click the featured times below to jump forward in the episode)
Laughter is the best medicine, and Kevin Fredericks (KevOnStage) is here to talk about how humor can heal and bring us together. Kevin does it all. He has nearly 5 million followers and 140 million views on YouTube. He’s a fast-rising entertainer who’s already sold out a 50 city self-produced tour, written and produced several TV shows and movies, and grown All Def Digital from 300,000 fans to nearly 10 million fans. Join me in laughter for this fun show with KevOnStage.
3:45 - The Kev 101 * Kev’s first comedy show was a church talent show while in high school, and during college, he and his brother transitioned to creating plays. After some local success, Tyler Perry’s booking agent came to see one of the plays. They thought it was their big break, until they realized it would still cost $300,000 for them to produce their own play. * Kev’s kids were young at that time, so the family decided to quit doing plays and focus on raising their children. With the rising success of YouTube stars, Kev suggested they put some funny sketches online to try and grow their notoriety and then travel to promote their plays. * After their videos gained immediate viral success, Kev and his team transitioned primarily to feature video content for social media. * Kev quickly started his own channel, quit his job and added a stand-up routine to his repertoire. Making funny videos on the internet has played a huge role in Kevin’s career success. * Kev and his family moved to Los Angeles where he worked in the TV industry, and has since gained vast experience with editing, directing, and digital media. The majority of his work now consists of producing content for YouTube, podcasts, and his stand-up routine.
13:45 – Relatable Unites * We are drawn together by our shared human experiences, and that is even more powerful when mixed with humor. * While Kev is a comedian who is a Christian, he is not a Christian comedian. He makes jokes about himself, his family, his experiences, music, married life, the audience, Bobby Caldwell, etc. to reach more people and more audiences who are not all Christians. * Kev wants to use his platform to show that you can have a good life with God. Often his fans find a good message in his jokes and relate that feeling to getting back to church. * When Kev feels like his comedy isn’t going over well with the audience, instead of introducing shock value to his material, he’ll go back to jokes he knows go over well. In the early days, he’d just leave early. “It’s totally ok to get off the stage if you are not doing your job, which is to make people laugh.”
26:18 - Sharing is Caring * The world wide web has allowed Kev success by building a dedicated audience online. It’s much easier to do 30 minutes of standup when the audience already knows you and likes you. * Kev was already well-versed in stand up before his online career took off, so audiences were able to witness a well-oiled comedy machine once Kev started going viral. * With all the negativity you can find in social media or the daily news, Kev has used his social media presence as a platform for influencing people in a positive way. * Kev’s ultimate goal is to produce long-form content independently for himself as well as for other creators.
31:59 - Comedy Tour and What’s Next * Kev is traveling with his Real Comedians of Social Media Tour with Tony Baker, TM, and Doughboy. * On the major cities tour stops, Kev and his wife also record their podcast with the live audiences before the comedy lineup begins. * As the lines between TV and social media are blurred, Kev is seeing continued success in opportunities outside of the traditional Hollywood route. * Kev has a new show on Facebook Watch called Kev on Everything where he learns new skills, completely unscripted. He also plans on adding other forms of entertainment (like music!) into his stand-up shows. * One of the greatest things about being creative and sharing creativity in the age of social media is that that the opportunities to spread your ideas have no physical boundaries.
38:11 - Getting to Know Our Guest * Listen to hear who Kev names as his favorite comedians and biggest influences, what song he has to sing along with anytime it comes on, and a recent joke that was a complete flop. Most importantly, you’ll hear what it means to Kev to run a business with purpose.
My guest this week is Ruth Chou Simons, is a Wall Street Journal bestselling and award-winning author of several books and Bible studies, including GraceLaced, Beholding and Becoming, and When Strivings Cease.
She is an artist, entrepreneur, and speaker, using each of her platforms to spiritually sow the Word of God into people’s hearts. Through her online shop at GraceLaced.com and her social media community, Simons shares her journey of God’s grace intersecting daily life with word and art. Ruth and her husband, Troy, are parents to six boys.
Her newest book is, “Pilgrim: 25 Ways God’s Character Leads Us Onward.” You are going to love today’s conversation!
6:38 – Ruth 101 * GraceLaced.com started as a blog. She wanted to write about God’s grace. * In one decade, she had six boys, started a school and started a church. * Her boys are ages 10 to 21.
12:00 – Your unique gifts * Use your unique gifts for the glory of God. * Ruth loves writing and coloring and painting. * Be creative in how you will use your unique giftings for God’s glory.
15:59 – Read your Bible * Read your Bible. Soak it up. * It takes practice to get the rhythm of quieting your heart to hear God’s word.
23:23 – Pilgrim * Ruth’s new book, Pilgrim, is a devotional style book with shorter readings. * The book includes Biblical truths and attributes.
29:08 – Remember God's character * We need to remember God’s character when we’re in the wilderness. * When we’re on a journey, we won’t always know why things happen.
34:20 – Go deeper * Go deeper in your walk with the Lord. He will lead you on your journey.
37:34 – The unknowns * Ruth has been in seasons of unknowns, not knowing how God was going to provide. * When you go through major life transitions, every season brings questions you don’t have answers to. And that’s ok. * We’re all headed to one destination – and that’s to see our Savior face-to-face.
FEATURED QUOTES We had six boys, started a school and started a church – all in the same decade. And it was a lot.
I’ve always been someone who sketches and draws. All along, I’ve always known I was artsy.
The truth is, I’m not the most talented watercolorist or artist there is. I just have chosen to use my brush and my paints in a very specific way that has met a need in the body of Christ.
Go deeper in your walk with the Lord.
My guest this week is Inés Franklin. She currently serves as a teaching pastor at Mariners Church, where she preaches sermons and writes and teaches theology and discipleship courses.
Inés is the founder and president of Trochia Ministries, a Christian discipleship ministry, which seeks to provide resources designed to equip and encourage believers to develop genuine, mature, and resilient faith. Inés is also the author of the new book, Uncharted: Navigating Your Unique Journey of Faith.
This book offers lessons learned from Inés’ own courageous journey of faith. We go deep in our conversation today, and her testimony is incredibly powerful. You will be blown away by her story.
2:42 – Inés 101 * Inés is from Puerto Rico. She teaches on Sunday mornings in English and Spanish. * She is the CFO for a real estate business she owns with her husband. * Inés and her husband have a blended family and 9, soon-to-be 10, grandchildren.
10:55 – Her faith journey * Inés and her six siblings were raised by a single mom in poverty with a lot of government assistance and help from family members. * Inés’ mom had no interest in going to church, but her grandmother took them to church. * Inés wanted to go to heaven as a child and thought about taking her life to get there.
19:16 – It’s never too late * It’s never too late to come to Christ. * When Inés’ life crashed, she was desperate for life again. She was hungry for a new way. * You can’t jump a divide between you and God on your own effort. God is the one who bridges that divide through Jesus on the cross.
28:09 – Seminary on her heart * When God puts something on your heart, it won’t go away. * Inés decided to go to seminary school in her 40s.
39:19 – Extending forgiveness * When you extend forgiveness to yourself, you let go of the pride you have. * None of us like to walk into grief, but you need to remember that none of us are perfect. * Sadness is the consequence of sin. * Grow into a deeper relationship with God.
48:40 – Faith is mysterious * Don’t be afraid to ask questions. They are essential. * God isn’t offended by our questions.
FEATURED QUOTES I wanted to go to heaven. I heard about heaven, and I wanted to go right away.
You can’t jump a divide between you and God on your own effort. God is the one who bridges that divide through Jesus on the cross.
When God puts something on your heart, it won’t go away.
I was not kind to myself, but I was forgetting how human and vulnerable I am.
Even today, after 20 years of walking with Jesus, I’m still capable of doing things that are wrong.
Questions are essential. God is not offended by any questions we ask.
https://www.inesfranklin.com/
My guest this week is Curtis Chang, a theologian, consulting faculty member at Duke Divinity School and a Senior Fellow at Fuller Theological Seminary. His ministry experience includes serving as a senior pastor of an Evangelical Covenant Church in California, a campus minister with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and engaging in racial reconciliation work in Soweto, South Africa.
Curtis is the founding Executive Director of Redeeming Babel, a nonprofit that helps Christians engage the wider world. He also hosts the Good Faith podcast where he discusses how Christian faith intersects with culture, law, and politics.
His latest book, The Anxiety Opportunity: How Worry Is the Doorway to Your Best Self, was released in May.
3:26 – Curtis 101 * Curtis has always stood at the intersection between the world of secular institutions and work and Christian faith. * He wrote a book about anxiety because it is a pervasive pandemic, and Christianity has something to say about it.
7:49 – Shame of anxiety * In the Christian faith, there’s a tremendous amount of shame around anxiety. Some see it as a flaw, lack of faith or sin. * Curtis has suffered from anxiety for his much of his life. He once had a catastrophic breakdown and had trouble sleeping. * Anxiety is the most profound opportunity for spiritual growth we may have.
12:44 – Anxiety spectrum * We all exist somewhere on the anxiety spectrum. * There’s a difference between anxiety and anxiety disorder. * Anxiety is the fear of loss. An anxiety disorder is when our response to anxiety is dysfunctional and unhealthy.
19:38 – Avoiding the unavoidable * Many Christians fall into the trap of thinking that bad things won’t happen to them because they are believers. * But Christians experience loss, too. God did not let you down if you experience a loss. * You can’t avoid the unavoidable.
23:43 – How to handle loss * The real promise of the gospel is not loss avoidance, but loss restoration. * You have to go through loss to get to future restoration.
25:22 – Anxious children * Your kid’s anxiety can make you anxious. * Curtis has two daughters. He has tried to jump in and make their anxiety go away. But that makes them more anxious. * Instead, he holds their loss and empathizes with them.
35:40 – Anxiety and politics * Why talk about anxiety and politics? Because you can’t respond to what’s happening with politics without acknowledging the pervasive anxiety around it. * Politics can be a toxic drug.
48:32 – Advice about anxiety * If you want to lessen anxiety, get curious about what you’re feeling and experiencing.
FEATURED QUOTES The best way to understand me is, I’m someone who has always stood at the intersection between the world of secular institutions and work and the Christian faith.
There is a pervasive and growing pandemic – and it is a mental health pandemic – of anxiety. The Christian faith has something really helpful to say.
There’s a tremendous amount of shame around anxiety.
I write as somebody who knows of the painful reality of anxiety.
Anxiety is actually the most profound opportunity for spiritual growth we may have.
https://redeemingbabel.org/
https://www.amazon.com/Anxiety-Opportunity-Worry-Doorway-Your/dp/031036728X
About Sandra Byrd:
The author of more than fifty books, Sandra’s work has received many awards, nominations, and accolades, including a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and multiple starred reviews and Best Book selections from Library Journal. Other awards include the Historical Novel Society’s Editor’s Choice award, two Christy Awards nominations, a Bookpage Top Pick for Romance, and inclusion on Booklist’s Top Ten Inspirational Books of the Year list.
Sandra is an experienced devotionalist. Her newest devotional, Dwell, will be published in Spring 2023. Previous devotionals for women include The One Year Home and Garden Devotions (from which Dwell was drawn) and The One Year Experiencing God’s Love Devotional, which was named by Called Magazine, the #1 magazine for Christian Women, as among their favorite, must-read books. In addition, her tween devo, One Year Between You and God, is a bestseller.
As an editor and an in-demand writing coach, Sandra is passionate about helping writers develop their talents and has mentored hundreds of writers at all stages of their writing careers. For testimonials about her editing and book coaching, please visit sandrabyrdbookcoach.com.
A dedicated foodie, Sandra cooks through the topic and location of every book she writes. In addition, she collects vintage glass and serve ware in her free time, loves long walks with her husband, and Sunday Suppers with her growing family.
About Dwell:
Dwell 90 Days at Home with God Because God dwells in us and we dwell in Him, evidence of Him surrounds us, right where we live. And He wants us to lean in to Him, enjoying security in His love and comfort from His companionship.
Join Sandra Byrd for 90 days of devotional readings that will lead you to a place where you feel at home with God. She draws inspiration from do-it-yourself projects, gardening, home decor, and more, and then pairs each story with biblical insights that nurture gratitude and deepen faith. You’ll love the earthy look of this devotional with a scattering of full-page photos and full color throughout, this warm, inviting devotional will feature beautifully on a nightstand or coffee table and provide fresh encouragement for the soul.
With stories from real life and gentle words from Scripture, Sandra invites you into her own home and garden. Whether you’re delighting in a window view of a chubby squirrel, savoring the first bite of a hot buttery roll, stressed over a broken-down furnace, or distracted by badly hung wallpaper, you’ll discover that every experience can bring you closer to Jesus.
About Jenell Jones:
Jenell M. Jones is an early education entrepreneur, currently operating multiple early learning centers, which specialize in providing high quality learning experiences to children who experience trauma in low-income areas. Her education background includes earning a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on autism spectrum disorders from Arizona State University. A native of Phoenix, Jones has provided her expertise to families for the last decade and currently hosts private discussions with other foster and adoptive parents on current issues affecting the nontraditional home. Through her life experiences, passion is the source by which she governs herself to make a difference. The goal is not to be perfect but to assist others in rising through difficulties. Jones’ blueprint of success can be summed up in a few statements: Be tenacious, be kind, be loving, but most of all…be forgiving. Find out more about her at JenellJones.com.
Adoptive mother shares first-hand experiences of under-supported foster and adoptive parents
PHOENIX, Arizona – Adoptive and foster parents assume there will be adequate resources to support their growing families – but too often, the system doesn’t follow through. In “Shattered” (AuthorHouse, May 16, 2023), Jenell M. Jones tells the raw truth behind America’s foster and adoption system, sharing the day-to-day realities and challenges of raising children with mental and physical limitations, and tells parents (and would-be parents) what they most need to hear: It won’t be what you expect, and you are not alone.
With the trajectory of today’s society, we can all agree that parenting is difficult. Choosing to foster and adopt proves to not be an easy feat. Parents are in constant competition with societal influences and sometimes feel it’s an uphill battle. These same parents are often told they will be supported in the rearing of their children and that adequate resources would be made available. But what happens when you discover the system that promised to help you, would betray you? What happens when you decide to enter into another realm of difficulty – fostering and adopting children who come with mental and physical baggage?
Meet Jenell M. Jones, an adoptive mother who is still trying to find the answers to these questions. In these pages, you will see through a mother’s eyes as she shares her deepest pain for her daughter, “Mercy.” In the end, justice is necessary and peace is questionable.
My guest this week is the hilarious and amazing Elizabeth Passarella, the author of two books, “It Was an Ugly Couch Anyway” and “Good Apple.” She is contributing editor for Southern Living and former editor at Real Simple and Vogue.
Elizabeth has spent more than 20 years writing about food, travel, home design, and parenting in outlets including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Parents, Martha Stewart Weddings, Coastal Living, Airbnb Magazine, and Apartment Therapy’s The Kitchn.
Elizabeth grew up in Memphis, Tenn., and graduated with a degree in journalism from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives in New York City with her husband and three children.
4:18 – Elizabeth 101 * Elizabeth is a writer and has lived in New York City since 1999, but she’s a Southerner at heart. * Her books are humorous essay collections about her life, including parenting, marriage, friendships, her faith and some politics.
7:22 – New York City * Elizabeth’s dad encouraged her to attend college up north and move somewhere different from where she grew up. * She finally realized how fun and high energy New York City was. * Once she got to New York, she didn’t plan to be there long-term, but she felt a spiritual calling that it was home.
19:56 – Books and family * Elizabeth’s mother is supportive but wants her to stop writing books, especially ones that talk about their family. * Elizabeth enjoyed working part-time for magazines and also raising her kids. * A former magazine editor turned literary agent asked Elizabeth to write a book.
25:28 – Green lights from God * There were lots of green lights with writing a book. God made it very clear to Elizabeth that she should keep writing. * God kept opening little doors, so she kept going.
35:11 – Taboo Christianity * It can feel taboo to be a Christian in New York City, but the city has a lot of churches. * It’s a misconception that there aren’t a lot of Christians in New York.
40:21 – Raising kids in the city * Elizabeth didn’t take her kids to touristy areas in New York City until friends came into town and wanted to see the sights. * Living in New York City, space is the biggest thing you give up. * Elizabeth has a minivan, but her family mostly walks everywhere.
FEATURED QUOTES Once I got to New York, I didn’t think it was where I was going to live forever. But it was a cosmic, spiritual transformation in me. I just knew in my bones that this was home.
There were lots of green lights with writing a book. God made it very clear that, “You’re doing what I want you to be doing. Keep doing it.”
It’s a misconception that there aren’t a lot of Christians in New York. There are a lot of thriving churches here.
I’m not always fighting to hold onto God. He’s fighting to hold onto me. He’s fighting to hold onto all of us.
https://www.elizabethpassarella.com/
https://www.elizabethpassarella.com/books
My guest this week is Karrie Garcia. As a pastor, life coach, author and CEO, Karrie inspires change in others by boldly sharing her journey to freedom. With more than 10,000 hours of experience under her belt, Karrie has been speaking formally since the age of 19. Her audiences range from church small groups to crowds of thousands.
Karrie’s authentic, raw, and fearless approach to addressing challenging, and sometimes uncomfortable, topics makes those who hear from her feel known, loved, and accepted. She started the nonprofit Freedom Movement in 2014 with the understanding that every single one of us is broken and has wounds, many of which are not often addressed within traditional church environments.
Karrie’s new book, Free & Fully Alive: Reclaiming the Story of Who You Were Created to Be, is available now.
10:22 – Karrie 101 * Besides being a wife and a mom of three kids, Karrie trains people to heal through their trauma. * Karrie wanted to know God deeply, but she didn’t know how to deal with the harm and heartache she experienced at home.
21:36 – Struggling through addiction * Karrie has been sober 21 years, but she still struggles with drug addiction. She got off drugs because she was going to die. * No one is doing drugs just because they want to. Something deeper is going on.
34:26 – What has helped her heal? * Her entire book is about healing and connection to self, God and others. * Pause the things you’re doing today and look at who you were when you were younger. What role did you have to play in your family? * Write down one, two or three stories about how you played that role. How did you protect yourself?
44:56 – Broken and in need * People often come to Christianity broken and in need, and they think they’re supposed to have their life more together than they do. But that is a lie. * Jesus asks us not to be scared. Trust in Him.
52:20 – Honesty * People often put on masks and don’t have real, honest conversations with people. * Connect to yourself first. Be honest with yourself first and then be honest with God.
FEATURED QUOTES I wanted to know God deeply, and yet I didn’t know how to encounter or faceoff or even really embrace the stories of harm and heartache that were in my home.
I’ve been sober 21 years. However, I still struggle with addiction. I got off drugs because I was going to die.
I take very complex things and simplify them.
We must see the story before we see the sin. You’re on drugs? OK, what’s the story?
https://www.wearefm.org/
https://www.amazon.com/Free-Fully-Alive-Reclaiming-Created/dp/0310366445
My guest this week is the incredible Jodie Berndt. She is a wife, mother, speaker and author of the best-selling Praying the Scriptures book series, which teaches to use God's word to enhance your prayer life. Her newest book, Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage, is available now.
She and her husband Robbie have four children, and they live in Virginia Beach. Jodie has such a deep well of wisdom, and I loved this conversation all around marriage.
2:56 – Jodie 101 * She has been married to her husband for nearly 38 years. They both went to University of Virginia. * Things Jodie planned to do with her life didn’t usually work out. She has enjoyed the unexpected nature of where life has taken her. * Jodie met a woman whose husband was an author. Jodie began writing for him.
7:11 – How her series was born * Jodie’s first book was about miracles. * She loved using the Bible to help her pray for her family and herself. That led to her book series about Praying the Scriptures
12:20 – Work vs. personal life * People often introduce Jodie as a prayer expert or warrior. But she doesn’t feel comfortable with those titles. She is just someone who’s aware of her own need for God’s help. * Jodie asks God to help her, even when it’s hard to obey Him.
15:34 – Clogging the prayer lines? * Some people tell Jodie they feel bad about praying for simple things, like a child’s field hockey team or wanting a new refrigerator. They see it as “clogging the prayer lines” when there are more important things happening in the world. * When you pray about the little things, it lets you live with a greater sense of gratitude.
23:12 – Getting to know God * Prayer isn’t so much about getting things from God as it is about getting God and getting to know Him better.
25:08 – Prayer and marriage * People kept asking Jodie for a book about prayer and marriage, but she didn’t think the world needed any more. She already had a lot of books on her shelf about marriage. * Her passion for the project developed as she worked on it.
40:18 – Praying together * Praying with your spouse can be awkward, especially if you have different styles of prayer. * You can download a 31-day prayer calendar that has suggestions for topics, like generosity.
53:20 – Favorite thing to do with her husband * Jodie loves being grandparents together and going boating.
FEATURED QUOTES
I kind of fell backwards into writing, but it’s been a fun journey.
People will often introduce me as a prayer expert or prayer warrior. I’m just like, “Whoa, whoa! I don’t consider myself an expert or a warrior. I consider myself who’s really aware of her own need for God for his help.”
I think, “God, help me obey you, even when it’s really hard.”
The best stuff comes out of the wrestle.
When you pray about the little things, it lets you live with a greater sense of gratitude.
Prayer isn’t so much about getting things from God as it is about getting God and getting to know Him better.
https://jodieberndt.com/
Welcome to Episode 350! I can’t believe we’re here. I’m coming up on 7 years in podcasting, which is incredible, and I’ve had the chance to talk with so many amazing people.
Every 10 episodes I do a solo show. And it’s really just me! No team. No people sitting nearby. Just me sitting by myself at my desk in my office/recording studio. I wanted to do something fun for this episode, so we’re doing a “Get to know me” show.
2:02 – Get to know me
- Back in high school, I created my own website on GeoCities. People used to share fun “get to know me” info.
- Let’s jump into some questions you have about me!
5:11 – Am I named after anyone?
- No, I’m not named after anyone. My name is Irish. My parents always wanted to have a girl named Molly.
5:33 – Do I have kids?
- Yes, Lily and Amos. And two boys, Elijah and Malachi, who went to Heaven during pregnancy.
- I always wanted 5 kids, so I adopt my friends’ kids.
6:03 – Last time I cried?
- I cry all the time. I’m a sympathy crier.
7:01 – Do I use sarcasm?
- Not as much as my husband.
7:34 – What I first notice about people?
- What they’re wearing and if I think they’re real or phony.
8:43 – Scary movie or happy endings?
- Hard pass on scary movies.
9:09 – Favorite smells?
- Flowers – roses and peonies. Also, the smell of my house, especially my bed and sheets. Is that strange?
11:14 – Hobbies
- Playing guitar and reading, if I have time. Also, anything farming.
- I have several “granny habits,” like canning, cooking and food preservation.
12:54 – What did I want to be when I grew up?
- I wanted to be on Saturday Night Live. Seriously, that was my dream.
13:56 – How tall am I?
- I’m 5’3” on a good day!
14:48 – Favorite and worst subjects in high school?
- Loved writing, hated math.
16:07 – Favorite childhood memory
- When my mom took my friends and me to see NSYNC in concert.
18:24 – Extrovert or introvert?
- I’m an introvert … really! I just love my alone time. That’s how I recharge.
20:02 – Am I a good cook?
- Yes! I love to cook.
21:02 – Where would I love to live?
- Right where I am.
22:43 – First movie I saw
- The Wizard of Oz. I was obsessed with it.
23:02 – One word that describes me
- Loyal.
23:56 – Something that amazes me
- Living on the farm and seeing life happen around me.
FEATURED QUOTES
I love doing this podcast. I get to sit down with so many cool people.
I cry all the time. I’m a sympathy crier.
Do I use sarcasm? Not as much as my husband.
I have developed what I call “granny habits” over the last couple of years. I really like to can and cook and do food preserving.
My guest this week is Jenny Nuccio, a mom, wife, coach, mentor, and founder and CEO of Imani Collective. What first started as a non-profit training program has developed into a social enterprise and holistic women’s empowerment program in Mombasa, Kenya.
Jenny started going to Kenya when she was 18 and started Imani Collective at 21. She didn't have mentors along the way and humbly entered every door asking countless questions. Her journey felt extremely lonely and she realized so many others were in her shoes.
Jenny wants women to not only come alive in who they are but also realize that they are fully capable of chasing their dreams.
Jenny is a good friend of mine and was on the show in April 2021. Listen to her previous episode.
3:15 – Jenny 201
- Jenny lives in Kenya and was just in the states traveling for a week.
- She is now Dr. Jenny Nuccio and proudly uses that title, but she’s not a medical doctor.
- Her new book, Let it Be Wild: Stepping into the Unknown and Finding a Home, comes out May 29.
9:12 – Creative process
- Jenny’s creative process has changed over the years. She used to journal, and now she shares thoughts by voice notes.
- Her book takes people behind the scenes of her life and work.
- Her short stories take people through the highs, lows and lessons learned.
13:16 – Radical listening
- Ask yourself: What are you doing to radically listen and create change?
- Jenny is always fighting against the narrative of quick change in communities. She wants to empower people and aid communities for the long term.
21:10 – Let it Be Wild
- Jenny’s family always called her the wild one, so that inspired the name of her book.
- Her family didn’t travel much, but Jenny now travels all over the world.
- When she was young, she had audacious bravery.
30:40 – Challenges and the future
- After Covid started, her business grew 116%. They handed out thousands of masks to the community.
- She was blessed with more business, but it was a challenge.
41:30 – Quieting the inner voice
- Jenny allows herself to feel emotions and have some stagnant days.
- Hiding under the covers is OK for awhile, but don’t stay there.
47:05 – Get to know you
- What brings her the most joy? Her daughter’s laugh.
FEATURED QUOTES
My expertise is the social enterprise world.
I’m always fighting against that narrative of quick relief. How are we doing empowerment and development that is actually aiding communities for the long term?
What are you doing to radially listen and create change?
When you’re young, you have audacious bravery.
https://www.amazon.com/Let-Be-Wild-Stepping-Finding/dp/B0C1TKJ2DW
HTTP://www.letibewildbook.com
My guests this week are Dr. Ed Gravely and Dr. Pete Link Jr. Ed serves as Professor of Christian Studies at Charleston Southern University and occupies the Ott Chair of Theology there.
He has been teaching koine Greek and New Testament at the university and graduate level since 2002, and the focus of his research and writing is in the field of Textual Criticism. Ed serves as an elder at his church in the Charleston area. He is married and has two children.
Pete serves as an Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Charleston Southern University. He teaches biblical Hebrew, Old Testament, and hermeneutics with a focus on the Torah. Dr. Link earned his PhD from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2012, and he currently serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Southeast Region of the Evangelical Theological Society.
In addition to his academic work, Pete also serves as a Groups Pastor at Crossroads Community Church in Summerville, S.C. God has blessed him and his wife, Becky, with five wonderful children.
3:30 – Pete 101 * His background is in radio, TV and film. He was a failed screenwriter. * Pete gave his life to the Lord at age 31.
5:30 – Ed 101 * He is married with a 16-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter. * One of the best things about living in Charleston is putting Christmas lights in palm trees.
7:10 – Bible 101 * Pete and Ed wrote the book, “Bible 101,” to be a comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide to the ins and outs of the Old and New Testaments. * They spent about 6 to 8 weeks writing the first draft of the book. * They think Biblical illiteracy is a problem.
16:00 – New and Old Testaments * The amount of Old Testament that is assumed by the New Testament writers is substantial. * Paul is sort of the spark notes for the Old Testament.
27:41 – What order to teach the Old Testament? * They wondered what order would be best to teach the Old Testament. * While reading the Bible, you can begin to see the patterns of God’s mercy.
36:36 – How should I live in this world? * Think about the things you need to hold onto and the things you need to let go of, because you are passing through this world.
42:54 – Asking God questions * God is not afraid of our questions.
44:20 – What to say to nonbelievers? * Some people have very particular and meticulous questions, and you can work to answer those. * Does the person you’re talking to consider the Bible to be innocent until proven guilty or guilty until proven innocent?
57:26 – Get to know you FEATURED QUOTES
We sent the book to friends, asking, “Does this make sense to you?” – Pete
This book sort of fell out of the sky into our laps. – Pete
We certainly believe that Biblical illiteracy is especially bad right now. – Pete
I can remember how intimidating the concept of the scriptures were. – Pete
The amount of Old Testament that is assumed by the New Testament writers is substantial. – Ed
I often tell my students that in many ways Paul is sort of the spark notes for the Old Testament. – Ed
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Bible-101/Edward-D-Gravely/Adams-101/9781507219805
About Heather Thompson Day:
Dr. Heather Thompson Day is an interdenominational speaker, an ECPA bestseller, and has been a contributor for Christianity Today and Newsweek. She is also the host of Viral Jesus, a new podcast with Christianity Today which charts in the top 200 of all Christian podcasts in the U.S.
Heather is an Associate Professor of Communication at Andrews University. She is passionate about supporting women, and runs an online community called I’m That Wife which has over 270k followers.
Heather’s writing has been featured on outlets like the Today Show, and the National Communication Association. She has been interviewed by BBC Radio Live and The Wall Street Journal.
She believes her calling is to stand in the gaps of our churches for young people. She is the author of 8 books; including I'll See You Tomorrow, and It’s Not Your Turn.
She resides in Michigan, with her husband, Seth Day, and their three children, London, Hudson, and Sawyer Day.
About "I'll See You Tomorrow"
In a culture where people easily and hastily cancel relationships rather than cultivate them, discover what the Bible has to say about how we need to keep showing up for one another—even when we feel like walking away.
We are surrounded by choices. If we want to watch a movie, we have multiple platforms we can choose from. If we grow tired of a friend or conversation, we leave them on read. It's never been easier to tune out and make a switch when something doesn't go perfectly or when we are offended. It's easy to cancel something from our lives when it comes to technology, television shows, or choices of food and drinks. But what about canceling friends or family members when we are disappointed or offended by them?
In I'll See You Tomorrow, communication professor Dr. Heather Thompson Day and Seth Day tackle difficulties that people face in relationships and help them navigate through relational disappointment, conflict, and fear. The dangers of a relational cancel culture are a timely one.
My guest today is the incredible Mignon François, a speaker, entrepreneur and community leader who has inspired thousands.
Mignon is the Founder and CEO of The Cupcake Collection. A multi-million dollar bakery brand she created from scratch. Since planting its roots in 2008, Mignon’s business savvy has earned her the titles of “Woman of Legend and Merit” by Tennessee State University, “Emerging Business Leader of the Year” and Black Enterprise Magazine “Family Business of the Year Award.”
In her new book, Made from Scratch: Finding Success Without a Recipe, Mignon shares her story of climbing out of a life of continuous upsets, struggle, and lack to building a legacy that would bless her and future generations.
8:07 – Mignon 101 * Mignon is a mother of 6 plus 1 and a grandmother of 8. * She followed Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps plan and put money in envelopes to budget. * Her neighbor asked her to bake cupcakes, but all Mignon had was $5, so she had to make it work. * Mignon turned $5 into $60 that night and $60 into $600 by the end of the week.
15:01 – Healing and hope * Mignon turned her ancestors’ enslavement into healing and hope for future generations. * She is passing privilege onto her children and grandchildren.
23:58 – Prosperity * Mignon felt that God was telling her she’d be prosperous. * At the time, she was living in a home without regular electricity and water. * She had so many business ideas and realized she was never afraid to fail. She was afraid to be successful.
32:28 – God’s idea * Mignon sees her successes as God’s idea. * God blessed her and started putting things in her hands that she could give.
34:25 – Highs and lows * Mignon realized that things weren’t happening to her, they were happening for her. * Highs and lows work together for your good. All things work together for your good.
50:25 – Get to know you * Last thing that made her laugh? She laughed at herself. * Last time she cried? After the shooting in Nashville.
FEATURED QUOTES I turned $5 into $60 that night and $60 into $600 by the end of the week. I’ve been flipping that money for 17 years.
I have been sitting in a home that doesn’t have regular electricity, and I have been sitting in a house where the water doesn’t turn on.
I was never afraid to fail. I was afraid to be successful.
It took for us to be at rock bottom for us to realize that there was nowhere else to go but up.
https://www.amazon.com/Made-Scratch-Finding-Success-Without/dp/B0BV7G8F7C/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1682356529&refinements=p_27%3AFrancois+Mignon&s=books&sr=1-1
Buckle up, friends. You’re in for a treat today. My guest is Jamie Winship, who has spent decades bringing peaceful solutions to some of the world’s highest conflict areas. Jamie is the co-founder of Identity Exchange and Identity Method, a training and consulting company, committed to significantly enhancing the resiliency level of people by teaching them the transformative power of living fearlessly in their true identity.
After a distinguished career in law enforcement in the metro Washington, D.C. area, Jamie had a unique opportunity to bring his identity-centric approach of transformation to the field of education.
3:37 – Jamie 101 * Jamie was born in Washington, D.C. and dreamed of being a police officer. * He went to college and then worked in a police department, which he loved. * Jamie worked overseas and came back to the U.S. in 2016. He wanted to help U.S. cities deal with gangs.
24:19 – The mind of Christ * One of the great incentives of being in the Kingdom of knowing Christ is that you have the mind of Christ and you’re filled with the spirit of the living God. * That doesn’t make you morally better. It means you think at a different level. * Evil doesn’t require imagination. Evil just imitates.
43:11 – What are you afraid of? * Jamie often asks people what the main negative emotion they’re dealing with is. * Fear is the most common response he hears. * Ask yourself: What are you most afraid of?
56:11 – Christian parents * There’s no such thing as a Christian parent. * Your gift to the world is who you are. * Two gifts parents can give children is to help them hear from God and know who they are.
1:04:21 – An angel standing guard * Jamie tells a memorable story about an angel standing guard over him and his coworkers during a tense time.
FEATURED QUOTES The truth sets people free. It doesn’t accuse them.
One of the great incentives of being in the Kingdom of knowing Christ is that you have the mind of Christ and you’re filled with the spirit of the living God.
Evil doesn’t require imagination. Evil just imitates.
Most people who are praying are praying from a false identity.
We’re taught to introduce ourselves in ways that cause division.
Once you get your identity from God and God alone, you’re unstoppable.
https://www.identityexchange.com/jamiewinship
My guest this week is the incredible Terri Broussard Williams, an executive, author, keynote speaker, lobbyist, philanthropist, and social impact strategist. She’s the best-selling author of “Find Your Fire: Stories and Strategies to Inspire the Changemaker in You.” She is also an award-winning professional speaker on social impact strategy, diversity and inclusion, women's leadership, and public policy.
2:08 – Terri 101 * By day, she is a lobbyist and has done that for the past 20 years. * Terri started in journalism and news media. * In the past 5 years, she has been working on her passion about helping people find their fire and start movements for social good.
3:15 – TV news * Terri started working in TV news as a teenager and felt empowered in the job. * She worked at three TV station before becoming a press secretary and lobbyist.
5:02 – Working for others * I know the work I do is not for me. It’s for the people that I’ll never meet and never know. * She learned hard work and helping others from her grandparents.
12:30 – A life of community service * Terri believes she is doing what she was called to do. * She sees herself as a storyteller, an activator and a doer. * She doesn't know what’s ahead, but she knows she’s ready to serve others.
16:22 – Working too much * Terri was working too much and being everything to everyone but nothing to herself. * She couldn’t relax and worried her brother or someone else she loved would be in a car crash.
26:06 – Angels in heaven * Terri says she has a lot of angels in heaven who help guide her. * She feels the need to slow down.
30:42 – A rebirth * Terri thinks she is having a rebirth and needs to reset her compass. * She needs reset moments along the way so she doesn’t burn out.
33:47 – Get to know you * Last thing that made her laugh? Being at a Taylor Swift concert * Last thing that made her cry? Sharing a heartbreaking decision with someone.
FEATURED QUOTES I know the work I do is not for me. It’s for the people that I’ll never meet and never know.
I’m a storyteller and an activator and a doer.
I don’t know what’s ahead, but I know that I’m ready. And I’m ready to serve.
I need reset moments along the way so I don’t get burned out or frazzled.
https://terribwilliams.com/movementmakercollective/
https://terribwilliams.com/find-your-fire/see-the-video-of-my-tedx-talk/
More shownotes to come
ABOUT MIKE GIBSON: Mike a scholarship to Cal-Berkeley for football and played for 2 years before he got drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008. He played a total of 6 years in the NFL (Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals). (NFL GUARD)
In his 3rd year he suffered an injury and shortly after got addicted to prescription painkillers. He started at 5 mg of Vicodin and by the time he finished his career was taking a minimum of 300 mg of OxyContin daily.
After he retired he became a sheriff's deputy, completing his credentials as class president, abusing OxyContin and adderall the entire duration. He was a deputy for under a year before getting asked to resign for his unhealthy habits. This setback turned him to becoming addicted to stronger substances such as heroin and meth. After going in and out of rehab 6 times, in his last session Mike made a breakthrough and has been sober for 5 years. He has worked in treatment centers as an addiction counselor for the entire 5 years he has been sober.
My guest this week is Heather MacFayden, the host of the popular podcast, “Don’t Mom Alone,” with more than 18 million downloads from across the globe. She finds great joy in connecting moms to mentors and experts through her podcast and speaking across the country. Her new book, “Right Where You Belong: How to Identify & Fully Occupy Your God-Given Space,” comes out in April.
4:43 – Heather 101 * She met her husband Bruce at a small college in Indiana. They've been married for 24 years and have four boys, from 11 to 17 years old. * Heather has been doing a weekly podcast for almost 10 years.
6:45 – New book & free audio * Heather’s new book, “Right Where You Belong: How to Identify & Fully Occupy Your God-Given Space,” comes out in April. * If you pre-order the book, you’ll get a free audio copy.
13:29 – Grace and space * Heather has worked on giving herself more grace in the present moment and tries not to compare herself to friends or colleagues. * She focuses on her God-given space and how she can serve others.
17:55 – Dialogue with God * Dialogue with God about your life. Bring your decisions to Him. * We should be faithful and ask God for help and advice.
20:40 – Challenges * Have an ongoing conversation with God about all things, good and bad. * When you face challenges, focus on what you can control and where you can be.
27:00 – Sit with God * Heather is a big believer in talking with God, sitting with Him. * Don’t only talk with friends about your problems.
31:04 – Fully occupy your space * Heather occupies her space and invites other to join her, but she doesn’t try to force people to convert to her beliefs.
47:00 – Get to know you * Last thing that made her laugh? Her youngest son singing happy birthday to her while wearing costumes. * Last thing that made her cry? American Idol
FEATURED QUOTES
I reflected on some places in my journey that felt like I was missing out or that I had messed up or I had failed. When I could pull back and see what God was doing, I could give myself grace then.
What if I could give myself grace in the present moment, in the failures and places that don’t look like all of my friends?
God has given you this space.
Dialogue with God about your life. Bring your decisions to Him.
https://heathermacfadyen.com/
Heather MacFadyen is the host of the popular parenting podcast Don't Mom Alone, with more than 18 million downloads from around the globe, as well as the author of the book Don't Mom Alone. She finds great joy in connecting other women to mentors and experts through her podcast and in speaking at live events with women across the country. She and her husband and their four sons live in Dallas, Texas. Learn more at www.dontmomalone.com.
1:39 – What is low dough March? * My family has done this for the past few years. We spend as little money as possible for the entire month of March. * We cut down on anything extraneous.
2:31 – Where did this idea come from? * We didn’t create this concept. My husband John got the idea from a podcast called “Abraham’s Wallet.” * We picked the month of March because we don’t have much going on.
5:12 – Why do a low spend month? * You don’t have to be married. You don’t have to have kids. Literally anybody can do a low dough month. * The number one benefit, in my opinion, is it’s a recalibration tool to help us evaluate our spending habits. * We do not eat out at all in the month of March unless we have a gift card. We like to stockpile gift cards and restaurant rewards points to use in March.
9:09 – Intentional grocery spending * We spend an insane amount of groceries, but we try to reel it in during the month of March. * We love to host people and make meals for friends, but we try to use food in our pantry and freezers.
14:24 – It’s a training tool * Low dough March is a training and discipleship tool. We are training and learning to be better stewards of our money. * By placing boundaries around certain places in our lives, we are training ourselves.
20:17 – Exercising your “no” muscle * Part of this training is helping us exercise our “no” muscle.
21:57 – Teaching your kids about stewardship * My kids are 9 and 7, and this teaches them about being a good steward of money. * It helps our kids realize that things cost money.
23:05 – Planning for our money * When we have a surplus of money from low dough March, we give some of that money away and plan for big projects.
FEATURED QUOTES Low dough March is a month where we as a family spend as little money as possible. We really cut down on anything extraneous.
You don’t have to be married. You don’t have to have kids. Literally anybody can do a low dough month.
The number one benefit, in my opinion, is it’s a recalibration tool to help us evaluate our spending habits.
When you sit and you really look at where you’re spending money, it helps you hit a big reset on it.
By placing boundaries around certain places in our lives, we are training ourselves.
- sometimes things won’t go your way
- it’s expensive
- death happens
- it’s fun, but it’s much harder than we thought
- the work never stops
- babies are really fun
- fencing is the thing we could never stop buying
- goats are an animal you love to hate
- we’ve learned a lot about God
- it’s rewarding and I can’t imagine doing anything else
More shownotes to come!
My guests this week are Amy Daughters and Dana Rivera. Amy is a native Houstonian and a graduate of The Texas Tech University who has been a freelance writer for more than a decade—mostly covering college football and sometimes talking about her feelings.
Amy’s debut novel, You Cannot Mess This Up: A True Story That Never Happened (She Writes Press, 2019), was selected as the Silver Winner for Humor in the 2019 Foreword INDIES and the Overall Winner for Humor/Comedy in the 2020 Next Generation Indie Awards.
Dana has been teaching 31 years and has 5 children and 6 grandchildren. She enjoys the beach, running, reading, LSU and spending time with her family. She is writing her first book, “This Is Not What I Expected.”
You might be wondering, how are these people related? Years ago, Amy wanted to reach out to her old friend Dana and learned that Dana’s son had terminal cancer. Their friendship was rekindled after decades, just because of a handwritten letter.
4:47 – Dana 101 * She is retired from public school after teaching reading for many years. * Dana is a grandmother and PE teacher. She considers it her dream job.
6:55 – Amy 101 * She has lived in the Midwest and overseas. * She mostly writes about college football, but also writes about her feelings.
10:41 – Dear Dana * Amy wrote a book, “Dear Dana: That time I went crazy and wrote all 580 of my Facebook friends a handwritten letter.” * More than 30 years ago, Amy and Dana met at a summer camp in Trinity, Texas. They were counselors together for six weeks. * They reconnected years later, and Amy found out Dana’s son had cancer. Amy started writing her letters.
14:08 – Letters from a friend * Dana was shocked that Amy was sending her the nicest cards. * Amy wrote letters for several weeks before Dana’s son Parker passed away at age 15.
29:23 – Lost art of letter writing * Amy decided to write letters to all of her Facebook friends.
32:32 – What can others learn? * Try to rekindle the lost art of letter writing. * It can be tough to write to someone who is grieving. Often, we don’t know what to do or how to respond.
51:01 – Feeling a nudge * Connecting with people is so important. When you feel a nudge to do it, go for it. * Challenge yourself – send a handwritten note to two people.
55:35 – Get to know you * Last time they cried? When they leave each other after a visit.
FEATURED QUOTES
I mostly write about college football, and I sometimes write about my feelings. – Amy
I believe that every letter that left my outgoing mail is a credit back to my connection to Dana and to Parker. – Amy
Amy created a safe space for me to say this sucks, what in the world is going on? The outpouring of sharing came because she created a safe space. - Dana
https://www.amydaughters.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Dana-Facebook-friends-handwritten/dp/1647429005
My guest this week is Greg Jones, president of Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. A celebrated speaker, author, educator and business leader, Greg believes in supporting communities through hope-inspired leadership and instilling a sense of purpose and entrepreneurial mindset in the next generation.
Greg speaks all throughout the Middle Tennessee area and beyond on a variety of related topics and is excited about his work across campus and throughout the Nashville community. Under Greg’s leadership, Belmont is furthering its efforts to become the leading Christ-centered University in the world, radically championing the pursuit of life abundant for all people.
5:01 – Greg 101 * Greg comes from a family of preachers and jokes that he didn’t know he had a choice to be anything else. * Two years ago, he got a call asking if he’d be interested in leading Belmont University. * Character, purpose and an entrepreneurial mindset – those are all passions of his.
12:35 – Let hope abound * He asks Belmont students to call him “Greg.” * He uses the phrase, “Let hope abound,” to account for the realities of the day while still staying hopeful and relying on God.
16:30 – A theme of innovation * Greg has a propensity towards innovation and is cultivating relationships across the globe. * Hope and purpose are both oriented toward the future, and so is innovation. They’re also connected to the past. * He coined the term “traditioned innovation” and says the best innovation draws on the best of the past.
23:36 – Mental health * The pandemic caused people to be isolated, and their mental health declined. * Greg wants to get to the deeper issues and help students who are struggling.
39:39 – Spreading stories * Greg wants Belmont to spread good stories and help educate a younger generation about the difference they can make in creative ways.
43:18 – Get to know you * The last thing that made him laugh? A video from one of his granddaughters. * The last thing that made him cry? Visiting a friend who is now in hospice care.
FEATURED QUOTES
I come from a family of preachers. When people asked me why I went into the ministry, I said, “It’s the family business. I didn't know I had a choice.”
Character, purpose and an entrepreneurial mindset – those are all passions of mine.
I coined the term that I call “traditioned innovation” to say that the best of innovation draws on the best of the past.
We need to be nurturing imagination and recovering that bigger sense of who we are.
https://president.belmont.edu/
My guest this week Carmin Black, Co-Founder and CEO of Half United. Founded in 2009 in Wilmington, N.C., Half United is a globally-minded human-first lifestyle brand committed to partnering with customers to fight hunger and empower lives with each purchase made.
Each collection reflects Carmin's love of fashion, philanthropy, and travel, seen every season in the product design, as well as the videos of the people and places where each purchase helps.
Half United is sold in more than 300 stores globally and embraces a philosophy of humans-first by fighting hunger and poverty, specifically for children and families, with every purchase made.
3:54 – Carmin 101 * Her company has been in business for 13 years and is socially minded. * She is planning to segment her business into a for-profit and non-profit entity. * Growing up, both of her grandfathers were ministers. There was always an emphasis on selflessness and giving to others. * But she also loved fashion, just like the women in her family.
17:55 – Fighting hunger * Carmin didn’t grow up hungry. Her family was the one giving food to hungry people. * Food is one of the few things in life that is a level playing field. We all know what it means to be hungry, and we all need to eat.
22:42 – Chicken in a ditch * Carmin loves a meal called “chicken in a ditch” and trying unique food around the world. * Food is memorable and we need it. It creates a human connection.
36:07 – Peaks and valleys * The valleys of life wear us down. For example, if your kids are driving your crazy and it happens often enough, you start thinking, “I don’t like my kids. What is wrong with me? Why am I a mom?” That’s a bad place to be. * To make things better, ask God to get you back on track. * When we think we are the masters of our fate and the dictators of our destiny and we don’t recognize a higher power, it’s not a good place to be.
41:50 – When to grow your business * You have to trust your gut instinct about growing your business.
46:15 – Get to know you * The last thing that made her laugh? Her brother’s jokes about her old vehicle. * The last thing that made her cry? Stress of business and burnout.
FEATURED QUOTES My mom, and many of the women in my family, were extremely fashionable and worked in the fashion industry.
I’m like, “Holy cow! We’ve got fashion. We’ve got philanthropy.”
I didn’t live in a home that personally battled hunger. We were the family that was giving to hungry people.
Food is one of the few things in life that is a level playing field. We all know what it means to be hungry, and we all need to eat.
When we think we are the masters of our fate and the dictators of our destiny and we don’t recognize a higher power, it’s not a good place to be.
https://www.halfunited.com/
My guest this week is Inez Ribustello, a mother, wife, author, entrepreneur and beer and wine lover.
Inez got her start in the world of food and wine after moving to New York City from her home state of North Carolina. Her wine career took a huge leap forward when she became an Assistant Cellar Master at Windows on the World in One World Trade Center. In a very short time, she was promoted to Beverage Director.
After losing her job and her work family in the terrorist attacks on 9/11, Inez moved back to her hometown with her fiancé Stephen. Together they opened their own restaurant, wine bar and retail store called On the Square.
Inez' next big venture was Tarboro Brewing Company, a microbrewery that began operating in 2016. Almost a year later, she and her husband opened a satellite taproom in a neighboring town. Stephen and Inez have two children.
In September of 2021, Inez self-published her memoir Life After Windows, a book she wrote chronicling her journey from North Carolina to Manhattan.
5:31 – Inez 101 * Most people in Tarboro call her “Ine” (pronounced eye-knee) * After getting a part-time job at a wine shop during culinary school, Inez realized she liked to drink more than she liked to cook. * After 9/11, she went back to North Carolina and opened a small restaurant.
10:59 – Moving to New York City * Inez didn’t have big plans for her life and wanted to get engaged in college. The man she loved moved to New York City, so she did, too. * She didn’t expect to fall in love with New York and fall out of love with the man she followed.
15:10 – Windows on the World * Inez was determined to work at Windows on the World, a restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center. * Inez read an article about the restaurant and the sommelier and decided she wanted to work there.
18:54 – Sept. 11, 2001 * Inez went home to North Carolina to be in her sister’s wedding in September 2001. * She told all her co-workers goodbye before leaving work for what would be the last time. * Inez watched 9/11 unfold on TV and tried calling everyone she knew.
25:06 – The aftermath * When Inez saw where the plane hit the tower, she thought it would be a mess to clean up. She was in a state of shock and didn’t understand what was happening. * The hardest thing for her was the intense rage and anger that she had never experienced before. * Inez was so mad at God for what happened.
44:06 – Writing her memoir * A publisher she spoke with said no one would care about her or her book. * A woman encouraged Inez to write her book and publish it on the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
56:20 – Get to know you * The last thing that made her laugh? Her son in high school is hysterical. * The last thing that made her cry? Talking with a friend.
FEATURED QUOTES I realized I liked to drink more than I liked to cook. No one ever told me you could make a career in wine.
The whole season after 9/11 was just such a lonely, brutal time.
The hardest thing for me was the intense rage and overwhelming anger that I had not experienced as a person because that’s not who I am. That lasted a really long time.
I was so mad at God, just furious [after Sept. 11].
I wasn’t a victim [of Sept. 11], but I lost people and I lost a place.
https://www.inezribustello.com/
https://www.inezribustello.com/book/#continue-reading
My guest this week is Michael Hyatt, the founder and chairman of Full Focus and the author of several bestselling books, including Platform, Living Forward, Your Best Year Ever, Free to Focus, The Vision Driven Leader, and his newest book (with daughter Megan Hyatt Miller) Win at Work & Succeed at Life. (Listen to my interview with Megan on last week’s show!)
Michael has scaled multiple companies over the years, including a $250M publishing company with 700+ employees and his own goal-achievement company that has grown over 60% year over year for the past 4 years.
Under his leadership, Full Focus has been featured in the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in America for three years in a row and in 2020 the company was named to Inc.’s Best Work Places list.
4:27 – Michael 101 * He spent most of his career in book publishing and has written about 20 books * Michael has five daughters and 10 grandkids and they all live within 20 minutes of each other. * His granddaughter calls him “Gandhi.”
8:18 – Goal setting * The role of imagination is so crucial in problem solving and goal setting. * People who are successful aren’t smarter than most of us. They just tell themselves different stories about who they are. * They preserve the ability to imagine a bigger, better future.
21:10 – Finding your imagination * You need to identify your story, interrogate your story and then tell a better story. * You have to be conscious of your story. Because the story that you’re telling yourself in your head becomes a controlling narrative that limits the scope of what you think is possible.
34:34 – Michael’s heart attack * Michael considers himself a very healthy person, but he had a heart attack while walking. He had to get quadruple bypass heart surgery. * Some people have heart attacks and think their life is over, but others think their life has just begun. * There are facts, and there is the meaning we assign to the experience.
41:12 – More brains are better than one * God created us to live in communities. We’re not meant to be lone rangers. * Left alone with our own thoughts can spiral downward. * One of the things that I think is so detrimental to our creativity right now in our society is that social media is facilitating more silos. * Find people who think differently than you do. That enriches our world.
50:20 – Get to know you * Last thing that made him laugh? Something a nurse said at his cardiac rehab session. * Last time he cried? He can’t recall, but the older he gets the more he cries.
FEATURED QUOTES People that have accomplished more than us, a lot of times the only difference is they’re just telling themselves a different story. They preserve the ability to imagine a bigger, better future.
You have to be conscious of your story. Because the story that you’re telling yourself in your head becomes a controlling narrative that limits the scope of what you think is possible.
There are facts, and there is the meaning we assign to the experience.
God created us to live in communities. We’re not meant to be lone rangers.
One of the things that I think is so detrimental to our creativity right now in our society is that social media is facilitating more silos.
https://fullfocus.co/rebrand/
http://mindyourmindsetbook.com/purpose
My guest this week is Megan Hyatt Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer at Full Focus, previously known as Michael Hyatt & Company. She is Michael’s oldest daughter.
Megan is also the co-host of the popular business podcast, Lead to Win. As the architect of her company’s standout culture, she is committed to helping her team win at work and succeed at life, while also delivering phenomenal results to their customers.
Under her leadership, Michael Hyatt & Company was named as one of Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces for 2020, which ranks the top companies in America for their employee engagement.
When she’s not taking the company to new heights, Megan is fully present at home with her husband Joel and five kids in Franklin, Tenn.
4:29 – Mind Your Mindset * Megan and her father wrote a book, Mind Your Mindset: The Science That Shows Success Starts with Your Thinking
4:46 – Megan 201 * Megan has been on the show before, so she’s giving us an update on her life. * She co-owns the company with her dad and has been busy writing the book with her dad.
14:48 – Neural pathways * Our brains really like comfortable things and predictable things. * One of our brain’s primary jobs is to predict for us. The problem is it’s not that precise.
17:58 – Megan’s personal fear * Megan used to be so afraid of public speaking that she didn’t want to read the Bible aloud in a small group at church. * The sound of her own voice felt dangerous to her. * Everybody has a narrator, but you need to interrogate that internal narrator.
28:04 – Interrogating your narrator * You need to examine your internal stories. * We have to dislodge the facts from what we’re saying about the facts. * You want to shake loose the narrative from the facts.
40:25 – Wow moment * Megan’s wow moment in working on her book was that our brains can change. * God made our brains plastic. Our brains are not set in stone.
50:46 – Fun questions * Last thing that made her laugh? Her 3-year-old daughter Naomi saying, “Oh my heck!”
FEATURED QUOTES Our brains really like comfortable things and predictable things.
One of our brain’s primary jobs is to predict for us. The problem is it’s not that precise.
I used to be near a panic attack, paralyzed with fear about public speaking. The sound of my own voice felt dangerous to me.
We have to dislodge the facts from what we’re saying about the facts.
God made our brains plastic. Our brains are not set in stone.
https://mh.fullfocus.co/author/meganmiller/
http://mindyourmindsetbook.com/purpose
My guest this week is Teresa Swanstrom Anderson, an author, speaker, podcast host, Bible teacher and entrepreneur. She is obsessed with the concept of living lighter, while helping overwhelmed women learn how to slow down with Scripture as well as with life.
Teresa lives with her husband and six children and has written more than four Bible studies. Today we’re talking all about parenting, and it went in a direction I wasn’t expecting.
2:45 – Teresa 101 * She got married to a guy who she initially thought was a big douche, but it turns out he’s awesome. * Teresa never thought she wanted children, but she changed her heart after consulting God and now has six kids. * She felt like the Lord was saying to her, “What life are you after? The life of busyness and hustle and bustle or a slower paced, more intentional life?”
12:34 – The Bible is not boring * People say the Old Testament is so boring, but Teresa says, “Have you actually read it? It’s so full of drama.”
16:40 – Kids or no kids? * Teresa didn’t want kids initially because she viewed families as TV versions full of problems and stress. * She babysat four times and had some terrible experiences.
22:24 – Adoption dreams * After having two biological children, Teresa and her husband wanted a girl and an older boy. They now have six children.
35:32 – Adoption difficulties * You should consider the birth order of your biological and adoptive children. * Sometimes you have to have hard conversations with people who say things about your adopted children. * Teresa corrects people when they ask how many children she has and how many she adopted. They are all her children, she says.
1:00:14 – Get to know you * Last thing that made her laugh? One of Teresa’s sons can impersonate her husband really well. * How does she choose joy? She likes the saying “Take joy” instead of “Choose joy.”
FEATURED QUOTES
I felt like the Lord was saying to me, “What life are you after? The life of busyness and hustle and bustle or a slower paced, more intentional life?”
I didn’t know what the Lord was calling me to, but I knew pretty quickly what he was not calling me to.
People say the Old Testament is so boring, but I’m like, “Have you actually read it? It’s so full of drama.”
https://heyitsteresa.com/bible-studies
My guest this week is Jesse Eubanks, a certified Enneagram coach and host of The EnneaCast, a podcast exploring personality and relationships through the lens of the Enneagram.
Jesse is also the founder and executive director of Love Thy Neighborhood, an urban missions agency putting young adults on the front lines of nonprofit work. Relevant named him one of the top 50 Christian artists and activists making an impact on culture in America.
Jesse and his wife, Lindsay, have two children and live in Louisville, Kentucky. He is also the author of, “How We Relate: Understanding God, Yourself, and Others through the Enneagram.”
6:09 – Jesse 101 * Jesse does discipleship and missions for modern times. * He has been working in urban ministry since he was 19, and he spent time working with a homeless shelter.
7:38 – What is the Enneagram? * None of us see the world the same way. * The Enneagram is a tool to help people understand the ways that other people perceive the world. * It’s a personality typing system that looks at motivation and core desires.
14:15 – “How We Relate” book * You need to know about the Enneagram and Jesus. If you only use the Enneagram, you’re missing half of the equation. * The Enneagram doesn’t need to be explicitly Christian in its origins to be useful. * Why not just use the Bible? Sometimes we need new language to look at something in a fresh way.
20:54 – Enneagram types * Type 1 – The Reformer * Type 2 – The Helper * Type 3 – The Achiever * Type 4 – The Individualist * Type 5 – The Investigator * Type 6 – The Loyalist * Type 7 – The Enthusiast * Type 8 – The Challenger * Type 9 – The Peacemaker
31:11 – Enneagram is a tool * The Enneagram is a wonderful tool, but it cannot love me into wholeness. * Empathy + Authority = Trust
42:30 – How do you relate to God? * No one who encounters Jesus stays the same. * Jesus wants to break us out of our addictions. * We bend our ideas of God to suit us. Just let God be who He is.
56:52 – Jesse’s goal for readers * Jesse wants you to know that Jesus is reaching for you and loves you.
FEATURED QUOTES None of us see the world the same. The Enneagram is a tool to help people understand the ways that other people perceive the world.
The Enneagram allows us to be really complicated people, but it’s a very user-friendly approach to understanding all that complexity.
The Enneagram is a wonderful tool, but it cannot love me into wholeness.
We bend our ideas of God to suit us. Just let God be who He is.
https://lovethyneighborhood.org/
https://www.amazon.com/How-We-Relate-Understanding-Enneagram/dp/0310365198
Hey! Welcome to my podcast, Can I Laugh on Your Shoulder? (formerly known as Business with Purpose!) I’ll be talking with guests each week and having raw, funny, and often brutally honest conversations about the things that matter most in life.
My first guest is Sandra Stanley, and we are talking all about parenting. But wait! If you don’t have kids, that’s OK. We’re also talking about conflict resolution, and this is the kind of conversation that I guarantee everybody can get something out of.
Sandra is married to Pastor Andy Stanley, and they have three grown children. Sandra is known for her devotional books: "Breathing Room" and "Comparison Trap.” She is also the cofounder of North Point Ministries in Atlanta. She and her husband are releasing a new book, “Parenting: Getting It Right.”
3:22 – Sandra 101 * Sandra and Andy have been married 34 years, and all three of their kids are married. * Her daughter just had a baby girl, and Sandra is enjoying all the newborn snuggles. * Sandra and her husband have been foster parents since 2010.
8:34 – Getting it right * Sandra’s book doesn’t have all the answers for every parenting dilemma. There are no perfect parents. There are no perfect kids. * Her “it” was having such a good relationship with her kids that they still wanted to be together when they were adults.
14:36 – Mindset shifts * Sandra and her husband made “honor” an important part of their children’s relationship. They had to apologize sincerely. * “Honor mom” and “Don’t tell a lie” were the two big rules in their house.
28:56 – Stages of parenting * There are different stages of parenting. From 0 to 5 years old, it’s focused on discipline. Five to 10 are training years. From 11 to 18 are the coaching years.
42:51 – Takeaways from the book * Sandra wanted to raise kids who were accountable to God and who sought God’s will for their lives. * Don’t make your kids have quiet time with the Lord each morning. But model it, encourage it and make it easy.
50:02 – Good things and hard things * Last thing that made her laugh? Hearing her kids laugh with their cousins * Last thing that made her cry? Seeing the first picture of her grandchild
FEATURED QUOTES What other endorsement do you need if your kids endorse your parenting book? – Sandra
We don’t have all the answers for all of your parenting dilemmas. There are no perfect parents. There are no perfect kids. – Sandra
One of the greatest rewards in this season of life is watching our kids choose each other, like each other and want to be friends. – Sandra
We wanted to raise kids who were accountable to God and who sought God’s will for their lives. – Sandra
CONNECT:
- https://www.sandrastanley.com/
- https://andystanley.com/parenting/
Out with the old and in with the new... I'm so excited to share the new name of the podcast is...
Listen to this episode to find out why I'm changing the name and what you can expect moving forward. :)
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
This week is a very special one because it’s one of the last official episodes of “Business with Purpose” before we transition to a new name and new brand. Next week’s episode will have all the details about what this show will look like in 2023.
This week, I’m happy to be joined by my husband, John Stillman. He is a business owner and an incredible person who uses his business for good.
5:16 – John 101 * John is a financial advisor and his office is in a barn at our house. * He went to journalism school and wanted to be on the radio. He eventually realized people in radio don’t make much money. * John eventually started his own media company and became a financial advisor.
9:25 – Financial lessons from grandfathers * John always had a knack for managing his finances. He’s not inclined to spend money. He put 20% down when he bought his first house. * His grandfathers dealt with money very differently, but their lessons taught John how to handle money.
15:04 – From radio to financial advisor * While interviewing financial advisors on the radio, John realized he had learned a lot about the topic and could do the job himself.
17:16 – Unique relationships with clients * John has very unique relationships with his clients. He not only cares about their financial futures, he cares about their lives. * Several clients have told John, “Man, you’re almost like my therapist.”
24:25 – Give real advice * A lot of people in the financial advisory world really approach it as a sales job. * John prefers to give people real, helpful advice and not be a salesman.
27:39 – Taking care of employees * John is motivated to take care of his employees and wants to put more money in the pockets of those who work for him. * He has always liked to be the person taking care of people. * Your people are an investment.
33:00 – Long-term vision * John isn’t great with long-term vision because things change so quickly that it’s hard to look out 10 years. * His medium-term goal is to have another advisor working with him. * When figuring out whether he’ll take on a client, John asks himself if he likes them and can help them.
FEATURED QUOTES When John comes on my show, ratings skyrocket. – Molly
I’ve had several people say, “Man, you’re almost like my therapist.”
I had one lady who told me after her divorce, “You’ve been more helpful in helping me process this and move on then my therapist has.”
A lot of people in the financial advisory world really approach it as a sales job.
I’ve always liked to be the person taking care of people. Your people are an investment.
https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Rob Lee Andrews, president and CEO of CommunityWorks, a company that empowers the unemployed and those with barriers to employment to become self-supporting through job preparation and placement.
Rob is a published author and a serial social entrepreneur whose life mission is to align businesses with peoples’ needs, to keep money in communities, and to empower others to create social change in minute and then massive ways.
Since 1995, CommunityWorks has provided customized hands-on training, immersive experiences and comprehensive connections to every job-seeker who walks through their doors.
3:02 – Rob 101 * Rob was born and grew up in Colorado Springs with four siblings. * He played in the Canadian football league, but realized he wanted to work with the community and give back.
4:48 – Expanding * Rob became CEO of CommunityWorks and has been trying to expand it beyond Colorado.
5:50 – Beyond football * On Sept. 30, 2006, Rob broke several bones and was depressed because he realized his football career could be over. * As he recovered, God helped him realize football wasn’t his life’s passion.
12:14 – In the community * People who work for the company have to be working in the community and helping neighbors. * Ask yourself: What is the one thing I can do in this moment to impact somebody else?
20:09 – Misconceptions and myths * Rob’s company serves people who were previously incarcerated, those on food assistance, needy families, veterans and people who are 50 or older. * People who were incarcerated don’t want to reoffend. They want opportunity. * People in these groups face stigma.
27:04 – What’s next? * Transportation is a major problem, and they are trying to find solutions. * Single moms also struggle, especially with daycare.
33:21 – Get to know you
- Something memorable from the past year? Getting engaged.
- Something we wouldn’t guess about him? He’s a writer.
FEATURED QUOTES
Because of Covid, folks were forced to be an entrepreneur.
We’re in the community every step of the way. We are constantly working with our neighbors. That’s how change really happens.
What is the one thing I can do in this moment to impact somebody else?
https://www.commwrks.org/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest this week is Steven Izen, founder and CEO of Lokai, the iconic bracelet brand infused with elements from the highest and lowest points on Earth. The white beads are infused with water from Mt. Everest, the highest point on Earth. The black beads carry mud from the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth.
The idea of Lokai came to Steven when his grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The diagnosis made Steven think about the highs and lows that everyone experiences. He wanted to make a product for himself and others as a reminder to stay humble through the highs and hopeful through the lows.
3:59 – Steven 101 * Most importantly, he is a father of two and a husband. Secondly, he is an athlete and entrepreneur. * He came up with the idea for Lokai as a freshman in college.
5:23 – An early entrepreneur * His father and grandfather were entrepreneurs. * Steven is into woodworking and had a custom wood pen business in high school.
8:22 – Starting Lokai * Steven thought about his own personal highs and lows and how he could make jewelry with the highest and lowest points of the world. * His dad told him it was the good idea but said he needed to make it happen. * The mud is a lot easier to get. A lot of beauty products are made with mud from the Dead Sea. * The water from Mt. Everest took longer to get, and he had to get connected to a climbing group. * He employs a team of Sherpa’s to climb Mt. Everest, bottle the water and bring it back down.
16:35 – Social media * The value in Lokai is to the story that people attach of their own highs and lows. * Steven’s company tried to learn about people’s stories, including celebrities and influencers.
20:50 – Why Lokai? * The inspiration for the name Lokai comes from a Hawaiian word that’s spelled a little differently. It means unity and blending of opposites.
27:09 – What’s next? * Steven launched a membership program that gives them different messages about balance. * He wants to build more of a community and support system.
27:49 – Lokai promo code * We have a Lokai promo code! Go to Lokai.com and use promo code “podcast15” to save 15% off your order.
29:08 – Get to know you * What has made biggest impact on him in the past year? His children. * Something we’d never guess about him? He loves woodworking. * Favorite shows? The Wire and Lost
FEATURED QUOTES Stay humble when you’re on top of the world and hopeful when you’ve hit a low.
I try to find balance by really putting an emphasis on what’s important to me outside of work.
The highs and lows of being an entrepreneur are crazy, and if I emotionally lived by those, I’d be a train wreck.
My family and my fitness really ground me. Those help to soundproof the craziness of work.
https://lokai.com/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest this week is George McGraw, founder and CEO of DigDeep, a human rights nonprofit serving 2.2 million+ Americans without sinks, bathtubs or toilets that the rest of us take for granted.
While most people think of the “water crisis” as a problem in Africa or India, more than 2 million Americans still don't have clean, running water or basic plumbing at home. George started DigDeep to help those communities build and manage their own water systems, advocate for their rights, and teach all Americans to use our precious resources more intelligently.
George is an avid speaker and writer and has been published by The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Nation and many others. He has been profiled by NPR, Vice, and Forbes, and spoken at events hosted by the Clinton Foundation, The Atlantic and Ford.
4:35 – George 101 * DigDeep is based in Los Angeles and is a non-profit, not a charity. * George has always been a little bit of a water nerd. * He started working in Africa and realized people in the U.S. need help with water, too.
9:36 – Educating people about water * DigDeep was the only organization working on the water issue in the U.S. * Tens of millions of more Americans have a water tap, but they can’t use the water.
21:01 – Working water * Water systems usually work very well and are so reliable that when you walk to your sink and turn it on, you’re not surprised that it works. * Most people take water for granted. * Most people lack a connection to water problems, because they have not experienced it. * We have more of a connection to our wifi signal than we do to our water.
30:42 – Economic impact * He published a new report this past summer about the water crisis and the economic impact. * People without access to water are more likely to get sick. * People experience anxiety and depression because they can’t get access to water.
41:40 – Get to know you * Memorable experience in past year? George’s best friend moved to New York and has impacted him emotionally. * Something we’d never guess about him? He is an artist and makes neon signs.
FEATURED QUOTES How am I going to get enough clean water for me and my family to survive?
I’ve always been a little bit of a water nerd.
We have more of a connection to our wifi signal than we do to our water.
CONNECT: https://www.digdeep.org/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest this week is Cary Heise, executive director and founder of Designed for Joy, which provides women in crisis with stability through employment and support.
Cary grew up in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and has lived most of her adult life in Raleigh. Her faith and international mission experience working with women’s artisan co-ops in Central America and Africa inspired the birth of Designed For Joy.
Cary is a serial entrepreneur and has founded small several businesses around creating community for women in the Raleigh area. She is a big believer in encouraging women to pursue their passion.
2:41 – Cary 101 * Cary is married and has two teenagers. * She works with about 20 other nonprofits in her area to help women in difficult situations. * She sells jewelry, bags and home décor. * Her company is five years old, and she has hired 97 women.
7:27 – Becoming an entrepreneur * When her kids were toddlers, she was a stay-at-home mom but kept creating businesses. * Cary is thankful for her mistakes and wins, because they have made her more confident.
11:15 – Growing pains * Her first two months in business, she felt overwhelmed and realized she had some growing to do.
21:03 – Devotion and prayer * Her business starts with devotion and prayer, but you don’t have to be religious to work with them. * Cary helps women trust each other again. * Some women need to earn more money. Others need help with mental health, childcare, etc.
31:43 – Same fears, worries, anxieties * Many of the women they work with have the same fears, worries and anxieties.
43:55 – Get to know you * Something memorable that happened in the past year? Seeing her teens dating, driving and applying for college. * Something she did that people wouldn’t know? She skied the Alps.
FEATURED QUOTES
You’re important here. We need you. You bring value to the workplace.
I’m so thankful for all those little mistakes or wins, because they make me so much more confident now.
You do not have to be a believer of Christ to work with us.
https://www.designedforjoy.com/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest this week is Robert Craig, an innovator, entrepreneur and creator of Robert Craig Films. He has a long history of taking start-ups and guiding their growth to become successful companies. Before he produced movies, Robert founded Gutterglove in 1996, the leading gutter guard supplier in the U.S.
In 2019, he founded Robert Craig Films to produce inspirational and hopeful movies that make people smile and bring a high level of entertainment with spiritually uplifting storylines to the viewer. Robert believes God has a plan for him to make quality films with spiritually uplifting messages.
3:25 – Robert 101 * He wanted to produce money for more than 30 years. He wanted to be rich and famous when he was young but realized that was the wrong approach. * In the last 30 years he has been on a journey where the Lord was molding him in a bunch of different ways. * Robert had a passion for filmmaking and decided to follow his dream.
9:01 – Waiting for the right opportunity * Robert would often talk to God and ask, “When are you going to release me?” so he could focus on films. * He could tell the timing was right to become a filmmaker because his heart was different than it was back then. * Robert was tithing at church when it was convenient for him, but he realized he wasn’t being obedient.
20:50 – Faith-driven projects * To Robert, making a movie is like making a widget in business. * God was directing Robert’s steps.
32:17 – Family-friendly content * There’s a need for good, family-friendly content. * Visit RobertCraigFilms.com and learn more about his films through his newsletter.
36:23 – Get to know you * Favorite movie as a kid? Star Wars
FEATURED QUOTES The last 30 years I’ve been on a journey where the Lord was molding me in a bunch of different ways.
Now my attitude is completely different. It’s not about me. It’s about God.
I can tell the timing is right, because my heart is so different now than it was back then.
https://www.robertcraigfilms.com/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest this week is Traci Barrett. She was one of the founding members of the national cable network, HGTV. Traci enjoyed the exciting and amazing ride of taking an idea and turning it into a billion dollar media empire. But almost two decades later, with a family and plenty of life ahead, success was no longer the beacon it once was.
Traci took a risk and walked away from the comfort of corporate life to embark on a soul-searching journey – one that would answer her questions, validate her instincts, and change her life forever.
7:01 – Traci 101 * Traci grew up in West Palm Beach, Fla. She moved to Chicago and knew she always wanted to work in television. * She stayed in Chicago for 25 years and helped start HGTV. * After 20 years with HGTV, she woke up one morning and wondered what else was out there. * Traci decided to merge her decades of experience leading, strategizing, managing and mentoring by starting the business consulting firm, Navigate the Journey.
17:39 – HGTV’s early mission and vision * HGTV wanted to be loyal to the brand and have a common thread. * It was always clear from the top down that HGTV was going to stick with the brand. * It’s always good to know what the competition is doing, but Traci and her coworkers didn’t fear what the competition was doing. * Believe in the mission, and stay true to the mission.
29:56 – Navigate the Journey * Traci and her husband started a business, Navigate the Journey. * She coaches people and helps them connect the dots in their lives. * Her business took off, and she began hiring people to work with her.
39:26 – Helping those who struggle * Women who stay home with their kids and want to re-enter the workforce often come to Traci for help. * Traci helps people figure out what’s holding them back and how they can lean into their purpose.
45:03 – Get to know you * Something we’d never guess about Traci? She loves to sing.
FEATURED QUOTES
I just woke up and asked myself: What more is out there?
It’s always good to know what the competition is doing, but we don’t fear what the competition is doing.
Believe in the mission, and stay true to the mission.
CONNECT:
https://www.tracischubertbarrett.com/
https://www.navigatethejourney.com/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guests this week are Jessica Honegger and Liz Bohannon. Jessica is the author of Imperfect Courage and founder of the socially conscious fashion brand Noonday Collection.
Liz is the founder of Sseko Designs, an ethical fashion brand that works to educate and empower women. She is also the newly named chief growth officer of Noonday Collection.
Today we're talking about the merge heard around the fair trade world that happened this summer when Noonday Collection and Sseko Designs came together. Jessica and Liz have been on the show before, but today’s conversation will be extra special.
6:05 – Jessica 201 * Jessica’s company is a one-stop fully ethical shop that creates opportunities for artisans living in some of the world’s most vulnerable places. * She is a mom of three and has a book, a podcast and a love of queso and margaritas.
7:20 – Liz 201 * She joined Noonday and is working to grow the company’s global artisan impact and community of entrepreneurs in the U.S. * Liz believes every girl should have the opportunity to learn and to lead. * She has three young boys and also loves queso and margaritas.
17:22 – Counterculture * Liz and Jessica are living counter culturally by working together instead of competing against each other. * They spent many hours having difficult conversations about how to merge their businesses. * Their business cares for women around the world.
32:23 – Going into business together * Long ago, I felt like Liz and Jessica should go into business together but never told them. * Their work is a beautiful testament to who they are.
40:35 – A faithful, consistent partner * 11 years ago, Liz hired Agnes “Aggie” Netunze, of Uganda, as an intern. She later became the company’s general manager. * Aggie has been the most faithful, consistent work partner Liz has ever had. * Aggie is now the majority owner of Sseko Uganda.
46:16 – Running a business with purpose * Liz and Jessica are leaning into their shared purpose. * They are using business to create opportunities for women by staying curious and gritty and open.
FEATURED QUOTES Every girl should have the opportunity to learn and to lead. – Liz
This is why women should run the world. You can do hard things. – Liz
Our business is what cares for so many women around the world. – Jessica
You don’t know what God is doing. Someday we’ll get to see the full picture. – Jessica
CONNECT:
https://mollystillman.noondaycollection.com/
https://www.jessicahonegger.com/
http://lizbohannon.co/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest this week is David Pruitt, a first-generation college graduate from UNC-Greensboro. As a senior leader in the U.S Bicycle industry, he served on the board of “People for Bikes,” a national organization with 1.3 million members that works to make riding a bicycle in America safer, easier to access, and more fun.
A licensed CPA, David started his business career in an entry-level accounting position before advancing to first CFO, then CEO, of Performance Bike, for a time the largest cycling retailer in the United States.
He is an avid reader, a happily married husband for more than 30 years, and a proud father of two successful children. He currently resides in Chapel Hill.
5:24 – David 101 * He was raised in Greensboro with two older brothers. * David had a dysfunctional, chaotic upbringing. His mother had mental health issues and his father was mentally and physically abusive.
20:12 – Breaking cycles * 30% of children who are abused end up abusing their children * David knew he was never going to put his hands on his kids. There was never a doubt, given his experience with abuse.
22:16 – 10 traumatic events * The CDC identified 10 traumatic events that can happen to a child before the age of 17. * If enough of those events happen, it can dramatically change the quality of the rest of their life. * Some include: physical/verbal/sexual abuse, neglect, domestic violence on mother, alcoholic parent, etc.
29:30 – Easy and difficult writing * Writing is not a cathartic experience. * There are tough things in his book, but it has a good ending.
42:32 – Forgiveness * David used his faith to help him forgive his father before his death.
45:00 – Missing the mother-son connection * David never had a connection with his mother. Mother-son relationships are supposed to the closest, but it wasn’t.
52:03 – Get to know you * Strange pet peeve? Mess. He’s a neat freak. * Hobby we wouldn’t guess?
FEATURED QUOTES I wanted to stop the cycle with my kids. So I was focused on being a good dad.
I knew I was never going to put my hands on my kids. I knew it. There was never a doubt.
There’s nothing worse than seeing a child’s potential stolen.
CONNECT:
https://gosparkpress.com/portfolio/david-pruitt/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My podcast celebrated its 6th birthday at the end of September, and I’m blown away by how far I’ve come and how far this show and you, the listener, have come. If you’ve been here awhile, you’ll know that every 10 episodes I do a special show or topic. This week’s show is episode 320, so let’s jump into my thoughts on influencers and what it means to influence people.
3:03 – Influencers * I loathe the term influencer. If someone calls me that, I will immediately reject that. * That suggests I have more influence than people you know, but that’s not true. * Everybody listening today has influence.
4:10 – Sidewalks * When I was 8 years old, I wanted sidewalks in my neighborhood. * I went to the town council and demanded sidewalks. It took 2.5 years of letter writing and speaking, but I got the sidewalks.
6:34 – Rethinking your influence * My goal is to get you to rethink what it means to influence people on social media. * Whether you have five followers of 5 million, think about how you can practically use social media for good. * I promised myself I would not add to the hate on social media.
8:24 – Children and grandchildren * When you post on social media, ask yourself: Would I be OK with my children, grandchildren or great grandchildren seeing or reading this?
9:31 – My mom’s journals * My mom died when I was a senior in high school. My dad gave me her journals, and it has made a huge impact on me.
10:36 – If my kid posted this … * Ask yourself about your social media posts: Is this something I’d be OK with my children posting when they’re older?
11:03 – Encouraging others * The third question I ask is: Does this content encourage or uplift, make people laugh or smile, bring joy to others, educate or connect people?
12:48 – Changing opinions * I don’t post about politics, because people’s opinions aren’t changed on Facebook. * Your social media following doesn’t define you.
FEATURED QUOTES
Your online presence is going to be a digital legacy.
Think about how you can practically use social media for good.
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest this week is Bethany Tran, Founder + CEO of The Root Collective. She is an accidental entrepreneur who believes passionately in the power of business and consumers to change the world and make it a better place.
Her mission is to build a better future through retail, and she believes that jobs can change the world. This is Bethany’s second time on the show.
5:37 – Bethany 201 * Her business is almost 9 years old. * The pandemic has caused some struggles, but they made changes to keep their business strong.
8:30 – What makes The Root Collective different? * They work with small batch makers in Guatemala. * Most people there have a job, but they don’t make enough money to put food on the table. * Bethany has no background in shoes or product development, but she had experience in marketing. * The company launched in 2013.
11:56 – A growing business * I was a model for one of Bethany’s earliest shoots. It’s been a joy to watch the business grow.
14:00 – How the pandemic has affected the company * 2020 was supposed to be the year they focused on pop ups. But no one was leaving the house because of the pandemic. * One of the killers with being in retail is holding inventory.
23:32 – Ethical fashion continues to grow * There’s a big movement toward ethical fashion. * Consumers are becoming more aware. * Women are the most powerful people in the world, because they control 85% of the household budgets.
42:04 – Get to know you * Memorable moment from past year? People pouring into her popup shop. * Strangest pet peeve? When people misused phrases, like “I could care less” instead of “I couldn’t care less.”
FEATURED QUOTES People don’t want to wait. We’re used to Amazon. It’s the fast-food mentality. But the slow fashion movement is becoming more popular.
We need to slow down. We’re going at an insanely fast pace, and it’s not good.
One of the best pieces of business advice I got was – you have to pick one thing.
One of the killers with being in retail is holding inventory.
https://therootcollective.com/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest this week is Jane Hanson, an Emmy award winning television journalist and coach who has spent over 30 years helping people learn to communicate better. She focuses on three core elements: what you say, how you say it, and how your body language keeps it all in sync.
Jane has hosted programs on cable channels and private satellite broadcasts, covering nearly every subject, from healthcare to food to finance to religion. And she is a frequent speaker, emcee, host, and panel moderator.
3:50 – Jane 101 * She’s a communications coach and speaker and worked for NBC Networks in New York for almost 30 years. * Jane grew up in a rural town in Minnesota and moved to New York City, where she felt embraced by the city and its people. * Her father was an incredible inspiration and read newspaper articles to Jane when she was little.
12:55 – Being a minor celebrity * Being on TV made her a minor celebrity, and she had to develop a thick skin when people said unkind things. * She got to interview some of the most interesting people in the world, but the hours were long and she saw some horrific things.
15:10 – Technology changes * Jane saw many technology changes in TV over the years. When she began, they didn’t have cellphones and laptops. * She reveled in watching technology’s development and always wanted to be at the very front of it.
25:19 – Stories that stuck with her * Jane was the first reporter on air at NBC on Sept. 11, 2001. She showed live footage and talked with a janitor who witnessed what happened. * She was on the air for almost 8 hours straight on 9/11. * Jane was interviewing Desmond Tutu when he found out he won the Nobel Peace Prize.
32:36 – Coaching women * Some of the most prominent women in the world tell Jane that when they walk into a boardroom full of men, they feel like they’re in kindergarten. * Jane often feels like a shrink and has to coach women to be more confident. * We need to be better advocates for our own abilities. You have to own your expertise.
55:07 – Get to know you * Strangest pet peeve? People who are late. * Memorable moment from past year? Traveling to South Africa
FEATURED QUOTES I reveled in watching technology’s development, and I always wanted to be at the very front of it.
Some of the most prominent women in the world tell me that when they walk into a boardroom full of men, they feel like they’re in kindergarten.
Many times I almost feel like I am a shrink that I am trying to instill self-confidence in women.
We need to be better advocates for our own abilities. You have to own your expertise.
CONNECT:
https://www.janehanson.com/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest this week is Stephanie Flies, who is passionate about building local communities. She is the Founder & Director of City Mom Collective, growing the network after founding its original site, Scottsdale Moms Blog, in 2009.
Now living in the greater Minneapolis area, she oversees the national network by spearheading growth strategies, sales initiatives, and shepherding and encouraging an ever-increasing number of moms managing individual local parenting websites.
She is married to Alan and is the mom to three girls, Nora, Elsie, and Audrey.
4:02 – Stephanie 101 * Stephanie has a passion for gathering people. * Even in middle school, she wanted to help people get together. * Her girls are 13, 11 and 9.
11:42 – A social introvert * A few years ago, Stephanie was feeling down and not herself. She realized she wasn’t seeing her close circle of friends very often and wasn’t serving others with her gifts. * Service of community, while we’re serving other people, it refills us back. * Stephanie calls herself a social introvert.
19:35 – Connecting during the pandemic * When the pandemic began, they were still connecting people online. * Local events changed a lot, and they followed local rules for gathering.
23:35 – Deep roots of happiness * People often think they will be happier when they get (fill in the blank). But you need deep roots and family. * Social media fuels wanderlust. * Stephanie’s business uses social media for good. * The only people you don't have a lot of choice about is your neighbors and your birth family. Those are usually the most intentional people God put into your life to love.
33:09 – Get to know your neighbors * Take the first step and put yourself out there. * People will feel loved if you take the one step to make them feel welcome. * Find out what energizes you and use that to serve and connect with your neighbors.
43:29 – Get to know you * Something memorable that happened in past year? Her daughter turned 13, and they let her pick and plan a trip. * Something we’d never guess about her? That she’s introverted.
FEATURED QUOTES
I read somewhere that the only people you don't have a lot of choice about is your neighbors and your birth family. Those are usually the most intentional people God put into your life to love.
I’ve always had a passion for gathering people.
Service of community, while we’re serving other people, it refills us back.
Everyone needs community to some extent.
CONNECT:
https://www.momcollective.com/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest this week is Chanel Dokun, an author, life planner, and relationship expert trained in marriage and family therapy. Through her speaking and coaching, women get clarity on their life purpose so they can unlock their potential and build a life they love.
In addition to working with clients one-on-one, Chanel is the co-founder of Healthy Minds NYC, a thriving group therapy practice in Manhattan. Prior to her work in mental healthcare and coaching, she worked in publishing at Hearst Magazines.
Her first book, Life Starts Now: How to Create the Life You’ve Been Waiting For, releases Fall 2022.
2:48 – Chanel 101
- She loves drinking honey lavender lattes, volunteering with local entrepreneur organizations, and spending time with her family.
- When she’s not working, she splits her time between New York City and Atlanta with her psychiatrist husband and son.
9:51 – Finding life purpose
- People take themselves too seriously, and we put too much pressure on ourselves to figure everything out.
- There’s more joy, uncertainty and discovery when you take the pressure off yourself.
- Three questions to ask yourself: Who am I? Where am I headed? How am I going to get there?
12:47 – Living from the outside in
- People are intent on living from the outside in. We have so many voices. We are so connected, and it feels like we are pressured to conform to a particular way of living.
- We take on other people’s voices as their own.
- Women, in particular, are looking at external reference points. We need to shift from that place that often leads to us getting things we don’t want or aren’t satisfying.
22:02 – Standing in your own identity
- Chanel nearly drowned in shallow water as a child and finally figured out she could stand up and save herself.
- In women’s lives, they often feel like they’re drowning and failing in life even though from the outside everything seems good.
- You need to stand in your own identity
37:32 – Reclaim your morning
- Do a morning dump and figure out what’s plaguing you. Then have a clean slate to start your day.
- We tend to pile everybody else’s needs and expectations on ourselves.
41:35 – Get to know you
- Strangest pet peeve? When people text her.
- Memorable or impactful experience? Taking her son to see her book in a bookstore.
FEATURED QUOTES
Who am I? What do I do well? What are my gifts? Where am I going with my life, and how am I going to get there?
People take themselves too seriously.
People are intent on living from the outside in. We have so many voices. We are so connected, and it feels like we are pressured to conform to a particular way of living.
CONNECT:
https://chaneldokun.com/
https://chaneldokun.com/lifestartsnow
About Chanel:
Chanel Dokun is the author of Life Starts Now: How to Create the Life You've Been Waiting For. She is a certified Life Planner and Relationship Expert trained in Marriage and Family Therapy. Chanel specializes in helping women step into their life’s true calling through her Women of Consequence life planning organization. Prior to running her own business and co-founding a therapy practice, called Healthy Minds NYC, she worked in publishing at Hearst Magazines. She now splits her time between New York City and Atlanta with her psychiatrist husband and son. Chanel's writing and contributions have appeared in publications such as the New York Times, Real Simple, Woman's Day, Essence, Moneyish, Christianity Today, and Relevant Magazine.
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest this week is Liz Bell Young, a writer, experience designer and mother of three in Cincinnati.
Author of the memoir, “In the Wide Country of Love” and creator of the Anthropologie-distributed Haven Magazine, Liz is an MFA graduate of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and The University of Cincinnati.
She is a contributing author for The Magnolia Journal, Artifact Uprising, Darling Magazine, HERE Magazine, and Procter & Gamble.
Liz’s upcoming book on building havens is represented by Punchline Agency.
4:41 – Liz 101 * Liz loves 3 dimensional creative experiences and is a full-time freelancer. * She drives a van, is very tall and her kids have a turtle. * Despite her different interests, she could never shake the desire that she wanted to be a writer. * She has a masters in fine arts and creative writing.
10:34 – Creating experiences * As a child, she enjoyed creating little worlds and experiences. * Getting to combine writing with experiential work has been so energizing to Liz. * Liz and her friends designed a camping experience for women.
21:40 – Writing for church * Liz became a senior writer at her church and training alongside the church’s designers. * When they worked together, their work was so much better. * She wrote printed materials, scripts, immersive prayer services.
24:41 – Haven magazine * Liz wanted to make something concrete and tangible that could be sold on a shelf.
35:08 – Success stories * Liz doesn’t see things as black and white – successes and failures. * When something goes wrong or she doesn’t get what she wants, she figured she’d get it the next time. * You need to celebrate people, even if they get what you want.
49:28 – Taking off the pressure * Try to take the pressure off yourself. * Liz has been considering the idea of hospitality with what you have. * Love people in simple and thoughtful ways.
53:40 – Get to know you * Strangest pet peeve? Water on public bathroom sinks. * Favorite TV show as a kid? Felicity
FEATURED QUOTES I could never shake this desire that I really wanted to be a writer.
Getting to combine writing with experiential work has been so energizing to me.
Writing can help heal people.
Love people in simple and thoughtful ways.
CONNECT:
https://www.lizbellyoung.com/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest this week is Jen Smith, a personal finance expert and author of the Amazon best-selling book The No-Spend Challenge Guide.
Jen and her husband paid off $78,000 of debt in less than two years making well under 6-figures. She talks about it on her blog, Modern Frugality, and as the co-host of the Frugal Friends Podcast.
3:07 – Jen 101 * Jen’s podcast teaches people how to spend. * She believes people can live a life they love with the money they already have.
9:48 – Money mindsets * We think that money is just numbers on a screen when you check your account balance or dollars in a wallet, but it’s only a means to get the things you want. * Money touches everything in your life that you care about.
19:30 – Pivotal moments * There are pivotal moments in your life where you can choose to be challenged, but it will provide a lot of growth.
21:58 – Dealing with debt * Paying off debt is like going on a diet. You try to go extreme and lose it fast, and then a week in you aren’t doing it anymore. * The radical middle is making small changes with large impact.
32:41 – Less friction * The less friction and barriers there are to paying for something, the more people pay, on average, according to studies.
39:53 – Post debt hangover * After paying off debt, it can be hard to get over the shame of how you previously spent money. * You can always choose a different path.
51:17 – Get to know you * Her splurge item? CrossFit * Something we’d never guess about her? She doesn’t like celery.
FEATURED QUOTES When I was able to identify what a money mindset really is, I was able to start identifying what I thought about money.
We think that money is just numbers on a screen when you check your account balance or dollars in a wallet, but it’s only a means to get the things you want.
Money touches everything in your life that you care about.
https://www.modernfrugality.com/author/jensmith/page/5/
https://www.frugalfriendspodcast.com/about/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest this week is Selina Ho, founder & CEO of Recloseted, a company that is working to transform the harmful fashion industry. She learned she had to do her part after learning the devastating truths behind garments.
Selina gathered a team of all-stars — from sourcing experts to material scientists – and leveraged her own business experience working at startups and Fortune 500s to help amazing slow fashion clients.
When she’s not working, Selina loves to hike and snowboard, meditate/do yoga, or cook a new recipe.
3:57 – Selina 101
- Recloseted is the first one-stop consulting agency for sustainable fashion.
- The company helps launch and scale sustainable brands and make existing companies more sustainable.
- She wore a polyester shirt at work and broke out in a rash. That led her down a rabbit hole of what’s in clothing.
7:39 – What she has learned
- A lot of synthetic materials are made out of oil.
- Cotton uses so much water.
- Selina was shocked by the treatment of garment workers.
15:42 – How she helps companies
- Recloseted works with companies to determine budget, resources and goals.
- Many of the owners are creative, passionate people who need business knowledge.
21:07 – Bumps along the way
- There are trials and tribulations and rough patches, but you need to keep going.
- You haven’t failed until you stop.
25:13 – Leveling up
- At every level of business, you become a better version of yourself. You keep leveling up.
- A big thing has been realizing and learning how to lose control. When it’s your business, you really like to hold on tight.
- You need to trust other people to do good work, and you need to empower them.
30:43 – Future proofing your business
- Sustainability is not a nice-to-have. It’s a must-have.
- Make sure your finance and business is sustainable and in order.
39:20 – Recloseted Radio
- Selina talks more about this topic on her podcast, Recloseted Radio
41:24 – Get to know you
- Favorite meal? Poke bowl
- Something we’d never guess about her? She’s very outdoorsy
FEATURED QUOTES
For me, a big thing has been just realizing and learning how to lose control. When it’s your business, you really like to hold on tight.
You need to trust other people to do good work, and you need to empower them.
At some point, you need to not be the smartest person in the room.
https://www.recloseted.com/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest this week is Katelyn Beaty, an editorial director for Brazos Press. She loves words and believes they can change the world. Katelyn is a Midwest native living in New York City and has written for The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and The New York Times on topics such as politics, gender, and theology.
She is cohost of the Saved by the City podcast and previously served as print managing editor at Christianity Today. She’s the author of Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church and A Woman's Place: A Christian Vision for Your Calling in the Office, the Home, and the World.
2:48 – Katelyn 101 * Katelyn’s an oldest child and an INFJ/Enneagram 3w4. * She was excited to head to Italy to spend some time with girlfriends.
7:10 – Passion for writing * She loved reading the newspaper as a child and learning what was happening around the world. * Katelyn was the kind of student who enjoyed writing papers in high school and college.
10:00 – College newspaper * In college, Katelyn loved writing op-eds in the college newspaper. Students came up to her and said they appreciated her articulating what they had been thinking.
20:30 – Celebrities for Jesus book * It’s not a light, breezy topic, but it’s hopeful. * Don’t center ministries on one charismatic individual. * Spiritual leaders need accountability, especially those with big platforms.
45:10 – Forgiveness * You need to make things right when things are broken. * Restitution is important when you have done wrong. * Avoid apologies that sound like PR statements, and sit out longer than you think you need to.
1:03:29 – Get to know you * Weirdest pet peeve? Standing on a moving walkway
FEATURED QUOTES I enjoy helping authors steward their message well.
I was the kind of student who, in high school and college, enjoyed writing papers.
The bigger your platform, the more accountability you need.
CONNECT:
https://www.katelynbeaty.com/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest this week is one of my best friends in the world, Sharon Hodde Miller. Sharon is an author, co-pastor at Bright City Church in North Carolina, and she teaches about faith, culture, and the Bible. She is a wife, mom to three kids, and lover of all things Disney.
5:09 – Sharon 201 * This is Sharon’s second time on the show. * She has spent the past two years pastoring her church during a pandemic and homeschooling her kids.
8:23 – The Cost of Control book * Sharon’s latest book, The Cost of Control, is about why we crave control, the anxiety it gives us and the real power God promises. * Sharon turned inward and realized she was having big control issues at home with her kids and shouldn't be homeschooling them.
17:50 – Overwhelming information * Every time we open our phones to check social media or the news, we are being overwhelmed with information.
24:05 – Constant access to media * There’s constant negativity on social media, and that makes some people feel a level of control. * We have lost the ability to disagree with each other, and it is costing us our mental health.
37:15 – Coping with loss of control * When we lose control in one area of our life, we often exert control over other areas. * Some people cope with stress by cleaning. * God doesn’t give us control, but He does give us agency.
41:14 – Anxiety and red flags * Anxiety is a big red flag, and your body can tell you a lot about how you’re feeling. * Some people clench their jaw, for example. * You need to name your problem accurately. Don't rush past it. * You are feeling anxious because you are ingesting news all the time.
59:24 – Words of wisdom * Control is something we all struggle with. We know we should surrender and trust God instead of ourselves.
1:02:08 – Get to know you * Career change? Work at Disney World * Guilty pleasure? Disney podcasts
FEATURED QUOTES It costs us whenever we try to have control, and this isn’t an “if,” it’s a “when.”
God doesn’t give us control, but he does give us agency.
You are feeling anxious because you are ingesting news all the time.
Honor the limitations of your soul and have boundaries around that.
Control is something we all struggle with. We know we should surrender and trust God instead of ourselves.
CONNECT: https://sheworships.com/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
Today’s show is an extremely requested episode. My husband, John, is a financial advisor and is here to answer all your money questions. Many of you have emailed and DMed me asking for this episode, so let’s jump into it.
3:11 – Why take financial advice from John? * John is a financial advisor and owns a media company, Third Wheel Media. * He migrated from journalism to interviewing financial advisors. He decided to do the job himself.
5:45 – John’s financial lessons * Both of John’s grandfathers were good with money but in different ways. * One grandfather was good at earning money by selling candy for a living. He was also a good investor. * His other grandfather was good at not spending money. He didn’t make much money but he was a good saver and sent his kids to college.
8:39 – John’s first house * John bought his first house at age 25 and put 20% down.
11:20 – Question: How to budget on one income and make decisions jointly? * This is more of a marriage question. All of the money that comes into the household is joint money, no matter who earned it. * With second marriages, spouses often maintain separate financial lives.
19:36 – Question: Do we have an allowance? * Yes, we each have our own spending money each month. * And yes, we have a monthly budget. * If you have a blow money spending category, you can buy whatever you want.
27:05 – Question: Should kids get an allowance, tithe, etc.? * Our son is 6½, so he doesn’t understand as much about money. Our daughter, who’s older, understands more. * We have kids’ piggy banks – spend (80%), share (10%) and save (10%).
35:15 – Question: What is a good dollar amount for retirement? * No offense, but this is a pointless question because it’s impossible to answer. * John has clients who retired with $175,000 in retirement savings. Most people would say that’s not enough, but they don’t spend much and are happy that way. * John also has clients who aren’t getting much of a Social Security benefit. They have almost $2 million in savings, but they spend a lot each month.
42:38 – Question: Where do I start when living paycheck to paycheck? * People in this boat are often so stressed that they can’t get out of their own way. * There is a path out of debt, but it won’t happen overnight. * Define your priorities (rent, car payment, food, etc.) and increase income.
52:12 – Question: Are you comfortable talking about money with family and friends? * We’ve made money this thing you can’t talk about in our culture, but it isn’t like that in other cultures. * It drives John crazy that families don’t talk about money, and children don’t know the financial situation of their aging parents. * Why can’t we have these generational conversations about money?
56:01 – Question: Should I do a 529 or IRA for kids? * Do a 529 for kids. A Roth IRA is not the best use of this money.
58:14 – Question: How do you save for a vacation when there are other priorities? * You don’t have to spend a bunch of money on a vacation. It can be simple. * If money is that tight, the vacation probably isn’t a priority.
1:04:08 – Question: What to do if my finances feel out of control? * If you’re in financial despair, you don’t have a good command of your numbers. * Find out what you spend on groceries and miscellaneous expenses. * Spend a couple months and look at every expense.
FEATURED QUOTES There’s always a way out (of debt). The question is, how disciplined and motivated are you to make it happen? – John
If you are in a marriage or partnership … it has to be a mindset shift where this is our money, and not his money and her money. – Molly
This is why you need a financial advisor. We can figure this stuff out with you and determine what your life looks like and how much money you need. – John
Why can’t we have these generational conversations about money? – John
CONNECT:
https://rosewoodwealthmanagement.com/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest today is Michelle Fortin, an award winning broadcast journalist, speaker, comedian, and actress. Her energetic personality and quick wit keep audiences entertained and encouraged.
She routinely emcees events and conferences, and gives keynote addresses on motherhood, relationships, and faith. She's made numerous TV appearances on shows like Good Morning America, TODAY, The List, and Inside Edition.
In 2019, PHOENIX Magazine named her among the "Great 48" – a list of the Valley's Most Influential People.
As the brunette-half of the popular comedic duo, Leeann & Michelle, you may recognize Michelle from viral parodies and comedic sketches, which have accrued 40 million views.
4:43 – Michelle 101 * Michelle lives in Arizona with her husband and two kids. * She started her career as an anchor, reporter and producer. Her dream was to be Katie Couric. * After talking with her former college professor, she became an adjunct professor in communications and got interested in improv.
15:12 – Improv shows * Michelle travels the country doing improv and speaking.
22:30 – Reset the rhythm year * Michelle did nothing for a year, calling it her “reset the rhythm year.” * She did not work and turned down social invitations. * She cooked new meals, played with her kids and slowed down. * It was tough for her because she is a high capacity person who is much better busy than bored.
31:39 – Finding your community * Michelle and her family try to get together with friends often and in an informal way. * She pursues friendships, which can be tough to do as an adult.
41:01 – The best comedy * Jerry Seinfeld once said the best comedy is when you lean your head back, laughig and say, “That’s so true.”
44:54 – Top Knot Comedy * Michelle and Leeann want to bring joy and respite to people through their comedy. * Michelle shares funny memes each week for different enneagrams.
50:07 – Finding humor * Comedians love to find humor where you don’t expect to find humor.
1:04 – Get to know you * Strangest pet peeve? The sound of people clipping their fingernails. * Who would she do a comedy show with? Me, Molly Stillman!
FEATURED QUOTES It doesn’t matter what your job is .., improv is for everybody.
I’m a high capacity person. I’m much better busy than bored.
Comedians love to find humor where you don’t expect to find humor.
CONNECT:
- https://punchlineagency.com/michelle-fortin
- https://www.youtube.com/c/LeeannMichellefunny/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest today is Josh Block, president of Block Imaging, a second generation family business in Lansing, Mich., specializing in refurbished imaging equipment, parts, engineering service and mobile solutions.
A few areas Josh focuses heavily on are: fostering a culture where people thrive and in turn serve and bring value to the healthcare community; inviting people into investing in a worthy mission and writing an uncommon story; and challenging, encouraging, and equipping people to become more capable than they would have ever imagined.
Aside from work, Josh enjoys being a husband and dad, playing golf, traveling, and playing the guitar.
5:11 – Josh 101 * He turned 40 last September and feels like he has transitioned to the second half of life. * Josh has 165 team members in Lansing and spread around the world.
10:55 – Thrust into leadership * Josh experienced forced humility when he was thrust into a leadership position. * He knew nothing about their Japan operation. * He had to come in and ask for help and be humble. * In Josh’s experience, running a large business is easier than a small business.
16:07 – Company culture * Treat others as you’d like to be treated. Eventually, treat others as they’d like to be treated. * The three Ts his company lives by – make thoughtful decisions, be transparent and be together.
23:48 – Helping other companies * Common things others companies struggle with are keeping info private, bosses making decisions all on their own and not being thoughtful.
35:40 – Working on a book * Josh is working on a book about leadership and creating a “people matter” culture.
44:06 – Get to know you * Favorite TV show as a kid? Saved by the Bell and Fresh Prince of Bel Air * Favorite meal? Qdoba or Chipotle burrito bowl
FEATURED QUOTES I think running a large business has some things that are easier than running a small business.
We believe that people matter more than anything.
https://www.blockimaging.com/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest today is Marcy Gregg, an abstract oil painter, author, speaker and survivor. Her life changed forever in 1990 at age 30 after a serious complication arose during the birth of her third child, leaving her in a coma with little hope to survive.
Marcy miraculously woke up days later, only to believe she was 17 years old. Much of her memory was gone and she was left with the daunting task of rebuilding her identity in a life she did not recognize.
Marcy was determined to make the most of her second chance at life and eventually found herself picking up a paintbrush. In sharing her life story on various stages and in living rooms across the nation, Marcy seeks to inspire others by finding beauty in the abstract, both in life and art.
Her book, Blank Canvas, was published on May 24.
4:28 – Marcy 101 * She is a professional artist, mother of three, grandmother of four and one on the way. * Marcy lives in Charlotte, and her paintings are on display across the country.
5:15 – In a coma * After Marcy had her third baby, she fell into a coma. Doctors told her husband that if she woke up, she likely wouldn’t be the same. * She finally woke up and believed she was 17 years old.
12:38 – Gifts from God * Even though she lost years of memories, she was able to remember her husband from when they were teenagers. * When Marcy’s three kids came to visit her in the hospital and she held them, she knew they were hers.
16:30 – Praying for memories * Marcy prayed for God to return her memories. Her body was healed but her mind wasn’t. * She got angry at God and turned to alcohol. She drank to forget what she couldn’t remember.
24:50 – Walk of honesty * Beginning her walk of honesty, Marcy told her family about her drinking problem. * She woke up one morning and had a desire to paint.
27:58 – Her painting journey * Marcy had no memory of taking painting in college. She became an artist in residence and painted in a studio. * A passion for color and oil painting grew within her. * Although what happened to her has been difficult, Marcy believes God is the master artist of her life.
36:35 – Blank Canvas * People asked Marcy to write a book about her life, but she never felt called to do it. * A friend had a dream that Marcy was supposed to write this book.
40:29 – Get to know you * Favorite meal? Grilled salmon and broccoli * Art influence? It comes naturally
FEATURED QUOTES I knew I had to let go and trust Him no matter what.
I really surrendered my will to God’s will.
I began to really trust God with the no-matter-what’s.
I drank to forget what I couldn’t remember.
CONNECT:
- https://www.marcygreggart.com/
- https://www.marcygreggart.com/memoir
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest today is Paige Allen, a pastor, a speaker and writer. She’s passionate about opening doors for others to have “a-ha” moments in scripture. Paige is known for her sometimes-hilarious yet vulnerable storytelling that disarms in order for truth to settle in hearts.
Paige grew up as a pastor’s kid, and although she thought she would try and stay away from vocational ministry, she’s now served on the same church staff wearing multiple hats for more than 17 years.
Currently, Paige serves as executive pastor at Church on the Rock in Lubbock, Texas, where she preaches often, leads the staff, gives oversight to global missions and The New Legacy Home for Women.
She also leads a thriving women’s ministry and co-hosts the Bloom Talks podcast, where unknown but remarkable women tell their stories of God’s faithfulness.
5:03 – Paige 101 * She lives in the Texas panhandle with her husband and two daughters, 12 and 10. * Her father started the church where Paige works now.
8:25 – Power of naming * There is power in giving names to things. * People often live up to their names. * Names are powerful, because they speak identity over us.
17:14 – Upcoming book * Paige is working on a book that will come out in 2023. * She is fascinated by stories of women in the Bible whose names we don’t know.
25:23 – Women in ministry * When Paige was 14, she felt called to preach and share God with others. * A man she knew told her she was a woman and would be better as a counselor. * Paige put her dreams of preaching on the backburner but still had the dream inside her.
38:30 – Using her gifts * Paige uses her gifts to glorify God and serve Him. * There is power in seeing someone who looks like you do something you love. * Find out what doors are open for you and focus on those. * When you get to know people’s stories, you feel connected to them.
46:54 – Get to know you * Favorite meal? Mexican food * Something we’d never guess about her? She cross-stitches
FEATURED QUOTES You don’t have to have a massive Instagram following or be on a stage or whatever. Jesus sees you.
Jesus shines a spotlight on you, and he cares about all of those things that are precious to our heart.
I love learning from the experts, but I also love learning from the people right next to us.
CONNECT:
http://www.paigeallen.net/
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest today is Cody Foster, the co-founder of Advisors Excel in Topeka, Kan. His company has a mission of helping good financial advisors become great business owners so they can help people enjoy an amazing retirement.
Since they were founded in 2005, they’ve grown from three founders to about 800 employees, making them one of the largest employers in Topeka. They’ve been named a great place to work for four years.
5:10 – Cody 101 * Advisors Excel sits between financial advisors and insurance and investment companies they access products through. * Cody dreamed of working with a professional sports team. But in college, his grandma declared bankruptcy on a business. He wanted to learn more about money and financial services.
7:20 – How does Advisors Excel work? * It’s the simplest business model, but hard to explain. * Advisors Excel represents about 50 different insurance companies, like Nationwide, etc. Financial advisors go through Cody’s company to work with the insurance companies.
13:53 – Healthy paranoia * Cody has a healthy paranoia, knowing that he has to keep growing and developing. * As the leader, you have to be the most committed to your personal growth and development.
20:50 – Lessons learned about money * If you inherit money but haven’t done things to develop as a person, you will struggle. * You need to grow into a person who can handle major responsibilities. * Cody didn’t grow up with a lot of money, so he is able to be content no matter how much money he has.
26:44 – Being generous * Financially successful people tend to be more generous. * Instead of talking about being generous, show people how to do it.
38:47 – Employees and strangers * Cody read a book about Andrew Carnegie, who did not treat his workers well but was very generous with strangers. * It blows Cody’s mind when bosses treat strangers better than their employees.
50:46 – College visits * Cody was struck by how college visits with his son were so different. Some colleges took extra care to make potential students feel special. * That can translate to your business.
56:30 – Jones Project * Josh Jones was a close friend of Cody’s and a key team member. He struggled with mental health issues and took his life last year. * On June 1, the Jones Project launched to help more people.
1:03:00 – Get to know you * Has he ever been nervous to interview anyone? Yes, President Bush * Favorite TV show as a kid? Andy Griffith Show
FEATURED QUOTES In my ideal, dream world, nobody would know who I am. I’m actually a lot more of an introvert than an extrovert.
I have been able to model generosity in action and inspire other people.
I wish we told more stories about the companies and the people that are super generous, because they outweigh those that are not.
As the leader, you have to be the most committed to your personal growth and development.
The happiest people tend to be the most generous people.
CONNECT:
- https://www.advisorsexcel.com/?rel=Logo
- https://twitter.com/codygfoster
Thank you to our partners of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to thank our other partner of the show and that’s Tradlands. Tradlands is an INCREDIBLE sustainable fashion brand that believes in clothing that you can live in NOW and love forever. Clothing that not only makes you feel like your best self, but also fits in a way that flatters. Their gorgeous dresses, pants, tops, and more are designed to move with you throughout your busy days. Their Nico dress is my dress in a love language —not only does it have sleeves, but also POCKETS and you know how I feel about dresses with pockets. I love how comfortable and stylish each piece - and they come in colors like classic neutrals or vibrant hues. One of the things I love most about Tradlands is their focus on sustainability and creating small batch clothing that lasts… they never over produce what they make and focus on only the highest quality materials. And you know how much I love supporting small businesses, too. Check them out at https://tradlands.com/businesswithpurpose and use the code MOLLY20 for 20% off!
My guest today is Terra Mattson, a licensed marriage and family therapist who has helped thousands of women, couples, and families at every stage of their journeys over the past two decades. She is also the visionary leader of a one-of-a-kind trauma-informed women’s conference that addresses issues women face in the church today.
Terra and her husband, Jeff, are the founders of Courageous Girls and the counseling and organizational development firm Living Wholehearted. Making their home just outside Portland, Ore., they are raising their two daughters to live courageously, rooted in grace.
5:09 – Terra 101 * Terra wears a lot of hats, and it can sound overwhelming, but she doesn’t do it all of it at the same time. * Trauma informed counseling has been a passion of hers.
7:06 – Relationships * Terra loves people and relationships, and people suggested she be a counselor. * She loves helping leadership and doing ministry.
8:52 – Trauma impacts leadership * There is a core issue with leaders not doing the work. Most high capacity leaders have past trauma. * Trauma can impact the brain and shape leadership.
15:20 – Leaders in the home * Terra worked with her daughters to teach them about the world and their bodies. She wanted to be their mentor and teacher. * She now coaches other moms to help their daughters.
24:28 – Being tough * Terra’s father taught her to be tough and not cry. * She grew up with a mental toughness, but she had no clue how to operate as a human with normal emotions. That caused problems as she got older.
31:15 – Helping children regulate emotions * To help your children regulate their emotions, use a play therapy technique called ACT – Acknowledge the emotions, Communicate the limit and Target the alternative. * Teach your kids healthy ways to deal with emotions, not to ignore their emotions.
46:50 – Pursue your daughter’s heart * Take time to intentionally pursue your daughter’s heart. * Let your daughters know you are a trusted and safe source.
51:12 – Get to know you * Favorite TV show growing up? The Cosby Show * Other career? Flip houses and interior design
FEATURED QUOTES Teach your kids – someone sees my emotions, and they’re OK.
We define leaders as – if you have a following, you are a leader. And those kids are following us. So how we lead really matters.
I grew up with a mental toughness, but I had no clue how to operate as a human with my normal emotions.
Teach your kids healthy ways to deal with emotions, not to ignore their emotions.
CONNECT:
- https://terramattson.com/
- https://www.cpguides.org/
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guests today are David Ashcraft and Dr. Rob Skacel, the authors of a new book, What Was I Thinking? How to Make Better Decisions So You Can Live and Lead with Confidence.
In this new book, David, the pastor of a large and influential church, and Rob, a licensed psychologist and executive coach, encourage readers to embrace risk and to live their lives to the fullest potential, in order to both run and finish the race with no regrets.
David is Senior Pastor of LCBC (Lives Changed By Christ) Church in Manheim, Pa. Under his leadership, LCBC has grown from one location with a weekly attendance of 150 people and a staff of one to 18 locations across the state of Pennsylvania and a combined average weekly attendance of more than 20,000 and a staff of more than 280.
Rob began his career in clinical psychology before transitioning to a business psychology specialization. He served in senior leadership positions, in the areas of quality improvement and organizational development, in the private sector and later at LCBC Church.
3:37 – David 101 * David has been pastor at LCBC for 31 years. He and his wife have two children and two grandchildren.
5:19 – Rob 101 * Rob applies psychology to a business setting. He helps business leaders lead more effectively.
7:12 – Why they wrote this book * About three or four years ago, David had dinner with a mentor and it was an amazing experience. He then found out the man was accused of inappropriate behavior. * David wanted to help people make wise decisions.
12:00 – Why does inappropriate behavior happen? * We all have blind spots, and it’s perplexing when we see people we respect make wrong decisions. * Any risk-based decision comes with four propositions of risk – desire, opportunity, power and expectations.
14:00 – Small decisions become big * Some decisions we make involve risk. Certain decisions, like having an affair or being sexually inappropriate, don’t usually happen overnight. * Decisions that are small over time tend to become big and we just instinctively react.
17:09 – Entitlement issues * Some people make decisions based on their gut or feelings and they feel entitled to certain things. * Slow down and have a thoughtful process in your decision. Don’t just go with your gut and what seems right in the moment.
23:22 – How to make better decisions * When we’re struggling with something, we have to go right there to God and ask Him to show us things in ourselves that we need to see. * Ask people to come into your life to help you improve.
31:50 – How David stays vulnerable * David pastors a huge church. He tries to stay vulnerable, but he has to be careful who he shares things with. * David’s wife and children are good accountability partners for each other.
36:59 – Creatures of God * As you grow as believers, there are ups and downs. You’ll never truly arrive. * In the midst of success, remember you are a creature of God and fully reliant on God.
39:44 – Speaking the truth in love * If you see someone heading down a bad path, it can be difficult to talk to them about it. * It’s worth speaking up, but do it in love.
45:45 – Truthful feedback * If all the feedback you get is critical, your relationship won’t go very far. * You need to offer positive, truthful feedback that shows you care.
53:25 – Get to know you * David’s favorite TV show growing up? Leave it to Beaver * Rob’s favorite dinner? Steak * David’s dream he has yet to achieve? Traveling to new places * Rob’s favorite music? Thomas Rhett’s Slow Down Summer
FEATURED QUOTES Any risk-based decision comes with four propositions of risk – desire, opportunity, power and expectations. – Rob
Moral failures don’t happen overnight. It starts gradually. – David
Slow down and have a thoughtful process in your decision. Don’t just go with your gut and what seems right in the moment. – Rob
When we’re struggling with something, we have to go right there to God and ask Him to show us things in ourselves that we need to see. – Rob
CONNECT:
https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/products/what-was-i-thinking-2/
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest today is Noell Jett, the creative force behind the popular Jett Set Farmhouse, which you may have seen on Instagram and TikTok.
Noell shares the unbelievable story behind her beautiful 3,700-square foot custom farmhouse in Florida – built by hand and savvy influencer marketing – and the key strategies she learned while overcoming a difficult past.
Since her husband Daniel is a contractor and she has a love for all things home, it is no surprise they dreamed of building their own home since they met. It took them eight years of planning and searching to get their home just right for them and their four – soon to be five – children.
In her new book, In From the Ground Up: Building a Dream House---and a Beautiful Life---through Grit and Grace, Noell shares the inside story behind their farmhouse and delivers a compelling vision for people who want to discover how to overcome their pasts and achieve their own dreams.
4:37 – Noell 101 * Her Jett Set Farmhouse story started four years ago, but no one saw all the hard work they put in the years before. * Their life goal was to build a house and grow their social media platform.
8:37 – A sheltered childhood * Noell grew up in southwest Missouri in a poverty-stricken part of the country. * She grew up in what she calls a religious cult and was sheltered from the outside world. * The only taste Noell had of the outside world was at her grandmother’s house, where she read Better Homes and Gardens magazines.
14:13 – An intentional mother * Noell is an intentional mother to her kids and her kids’ friends. The friends often confide in her because she is available and supportive.
16:39 – Personal responsibility * She encourages her kids to follow their values and live a life of personal responsibility.
20:58 – A new relationship with God * Noell hit rock bottom after a divorce. * After meeting her now husband and his family, she had a new relationship with God and felt like God still loved her.
26:05 – Noelle’s life story * From the Ground Up tells Noell’s life story through the building of her house and the lessons she has learned.
31:24 – Patience in house building * They didn’t plan on framing the house themselves, but her husband wanted it done perfectly. Noell had to be patient as the process moved very slowly.
34:04 – Hopes for her book readers * Noell wants her readers to know they can accomplish more than they ever dreamed.
36:56 – Get to know you * Guilty pleasure? Maldon sea salt * Favorite book recently? The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
FEATURED QUOTES Sometimes we have these dreams and these aspirations that we look toward, but we don’t really know the gravity of what we could accomplish.
One day you may look up and be like, “Wow, not only did I accomplish what I wanted to accomplish. I’ve accomplished so much more than I ever dreamed possible.”
God is love, and He is goodness … and He loves us just the way we are.
CONNECT:
https://jettsetfarmhouse.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Ground-Up-House-Beautiful-Life-through/dp/1400230306
About Noell Jett:
Noell Jett is the creative force behind the popular Jett Set Farmhouse, where she and her husband Daniel, along with their four children, share their lives, DIY tips, cleaning and organization hacks, recipes, homeschooling advice, and their home building journey with their millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram. In her debut book, FROM THE GROUND UP: BUILDING A DREAM HOUSE —AND A BEAUTIFUL LIFE— THROUGH GRIT AND GRACE, Noell tells her incredible life story of growing up in an impoverished family with extremist religious beliefs, breaking free from the shackles of her past and building a life that she loves. The book shares the story of how she and her husband Daniel built their dream house with their own hands - and with the help of savvy social media marketing.
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest today is Bobby Gruenewald. He is a Pastor and Innovation Leader at Life.Church, a multisite church based in Oklahoma. He is also the founder of the YouVersion Bible App and a former entrepreneur, making and selling two multi-million dollar online companies.
5:47 – Bobby 101 * His focus is stewarding YouVersion. * His background is eclectic, and he started as a Christian rapper in high school. He also studied finance.
9:01 – Writing rap songs * Bobby wrote a rap song, and it resonated. He went around the country and had albums of rap songs and concerts.
11:20 – Car dealership * In college, Bobby worked at a car dealership and was bored, so he listened in to people’s conversations. * He offered to build a website for the company, even though he didn’t know how.
16:47 – Trying new things * Bobby is not afraid to try things and admit when they fail, because that’s part of the process. But he always wants to learn from failures.
25:07 – Why YouVersion? * Why did Bobby name the Bible app YouVersion? It was the best name he came up with one day. * He wanted his app to relate to people and their lives.
33:18 – Bible app and Covid * Bible app reading increased during Covid. * People were searching “fear” and “anxiety” in the app. * It’s become a commonplace assumption that people don’t read the Bible anymore, but that’s not true.
39:50 – Bible app for kids * It’s s important for kids to gain an understanding of the Bible, and the kids app makes it fun and interactive.
56:00 – Growing his team * Bobby is aggressively trying to grow his team. They have 115 full-time people who work on it with 30 open positions.
58:25 – Get to know you * Guilty pleasure? Skinny Cow ice cream bars * Best concert he has attended? Hillsong conference in Australia
FEATURED QUOTES The Bible is still the most read book, the most engaged book, the most purchased book of all books.
There wasn’t anything around me that really modeled an entrepreneur, so I never really thought about it as a career path.
I had an investor before I even had an idea
We’re not afraid to try things and admit that they fail.
ABOUT BOBBY:
Bobby Gruenewald is the founder of the YouVersion Bible App, the number one installed Bible app. He also serves as Pastor, Innovation Leader at Life.Church. As one of the leading voices in the Church on innovation and the use of technology, Gruenewald has been featured in The New York Times, TechCrunch, CNN, and more. Prior to joining the Life.Church team in 2001, he started and sold two technology companies as well as served in advisory capacities for various startups and venture capital funds. Gruenewald and his wife, Melissa, live in Edmond, Oklahoma with their four children.
CONNECT:
- http://www.youversion.com
- https://www.instagram.com/bobbygwald/
- https://www.facebook.com/bobbygwald
- https://twitter.com/bobbygwald
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
Oh my goodness, it’s EPISODE 300!!! I can’t believe we have made it to 300 episodes! Normally, each week I sit down with an incredible entrepreneur, business owner, community leader, activist, author or speaker, and I find out their story and how they are using their gifts to change the world.
But today is a big deal. I started this podcast in summer 2016, nearly six years ago. I never believed I would have made it this far. In honor of episode 300, I am answering listener questions, my husband joins as a special guest, we go over the top 10 most popular episodes and we honor a previous guest who has passed away.
5:42 – Question about ethical fashion * Natasha asks: “When I was first learning about ethical fashion and what it means at the ripe age of 29 … I was telling my stepmom of its importance and how most garment workers aren’t paid a living wage from fast fashion companies. I mentioned I was going to stop shopping at those companies, and she said to me, ‘But don’t those people needs jobs, too?’ I was a bit flabbergasted and to this day don’t have a one sentence response. How would you answer that?”
9:52 – Two unaired episodes * Mary asks: “Have you ever not aired a conversation?” * Yes, there are two episodes that have never aired, and I explain why in the podcast.
13:16 – Coolest experience * Carly asks: “What’s one of the coolest things you’ve been able to do because of this podcast?”
14:55 – Favorite Australian food * Sarah Ann asks: “What is your favorite Australian food?” * Shout out to Sarah Ann, because she is one of the most encouraging listeners and even sent me a care package.
16:46 – Message from Sarah Ann * “Thank you, Molly, for letting us into your family life and being the big sister that I never had.”
17:19 – Thank you, MamaSuds * MamaSuds has been a wonderful partner to work with. If you’ve listened to this show, you know how much I love MamaSuds.
19:01 – Welcome, John! * My husband John joins us for this part of the podcast, and he is my most requested guest.
23:25 – What does John love most about my job? * Christy asks John: “What do you love most about Molly’s job or what she does for a living?” * John shares a funny story about jury duty and how he panicked when asked about my job.
26:10 – Favorite part of homesteading * Cheryl Dunn asks: “What is your favorite part of homesteading?” * Survival is not the answer, but there is a lot that we love.
27:51 – How to get finances in order * Maria J. asks: “I know your husband is a financial advisor … I feel really overwhelmed with where to start with getting my overall finances in order. Where do I begin? Financial Peace? Total Money Makeover? Or should I just look somewhere else?
29:54 – John’s favorite interviews * Kelly R. asks John: “Do you have an interview that Molly has done that sticks out to you as one of your personal favorites?”
31:31 – Best marriage advice * Bethany M. asks: “What is the best piece of marriage advice that someone has given you? And what is the best piece of marriage advice you would give someone else?” * John doesn’t think people give good marriage advice.
32:57 – How is Molly different? * Tara L. asks: “How is Molly the most different today than when you first married her?
34:35 – Honoring a former guest * Eric Erdman was a guest in April 2020 on episode 191 and passed away a few months later. He had cancer and started an organization called Give a Child a Voice.
35:45 – Top 10 most popular episodes * 10 – Episode 100 – My and John’s episode * 9 – Episode 153 – Kevin Fredericks, KevOnStage * 8 – Episode 263 – Christy Wright * 7 – Episode 211 – Mary Marantz * 6 – Episode 205 – Daniel Grothe * 5 – Episode 165 – Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado * 4 – Episode 158 – Jennifer Allwood * 3 – Episode 71 – Devan and Morgan Kline * 2 – Episode 135 – Kat Eckles * 1 – Episode 137 – Rebecca Smith
FEATURED QUOTES I am just overwhelmed right now, thinking about this episode and what it means. – Molly
My goal each and every week is to just serve you with this show and to encourage you. – Molly
I like knowing how to butcher chickens. Two years ago, I didn’t know how to butcher a chicken. – John
Know what you’re spending and know how much you’re bringing in. Spend a couple months just tracking your expenses. – John
I feel like people don’t necessarily give great marriage advice. – John
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is the incredible Whitney English. She believes that anyone can live a beautiful life. She believes that gratitude is the birth place of joy, that people matter, that love is the answer and that if you’re real, you can’t be ugly.
Whitney has bootstrapped two businesses to seven figures, has a degree in interior design, has studied management at Parson’s in New York City and has had her work featured in O Magazine, the Wall Street Journal and the Today Show.
Her new book, A More Beautiful Life: A Simple Five-Step Approach to Living Balanced Goals with HEART, was just released and it is incredible.
4:29 – Whitney 101 * Whitney moved to Dallas to start her career as an interior designer, and then 9/11 happened and the job market dried up. * She moved back home with her parents and started her own business. * Later, she created a planner and it took off. People loved it.
12:10 – Rock bottom * Years ago, when Whitney was struggling with her business and her marriage, she wanted out and realized she was at rock bottom. * She found out there are some beautiful things at rock bottom and it has a firm foundation.
15:35 – Avoiding pain * Whitney is an enneagram 7, which means she tries to avoid pain. One way she avoids pain is by chasing ideas.
17:40 – Self-discipline * There’s only one way to build self-discipline in your life. Practice doing the things you don’t want to do.
20:11 – Pursuing needs * What if we just pursued our needs as our goals, and then let the wants kind of happen? * When Whitney had a bad day recently, she decided to take a walk, drink water and eat a salad to reset herself.
30:44 – Neglecting needs * Whitney noticed that she was neglecting her own needs and had to work on liking herself.
43:14 – Unique gifts * You’re not using your gifts to the best of your ability if you haven’t taken care of all the other not-fun needs first.
47:08 – Get to know you * Guilty pleasure? Fancy cocktails, beer or wine * If she had to do another job? Something with textile design
FEATURED QUOTES I’m not using my gifts to the best of my ability if I haven’t taken care of all these other not fun needs first.
I found out there are some beautiful things at rock bottom. It is a firm foundation.
One way I can avoid pain is by chasing ideas.
There’s only one way to build self-discipline in your life. Practice doing the things you don’t want to do.
What if we just pursued our needs as our goals, and then let the wants kind of happen?
CONNECT:
https://whitneyenglish.com/
ABOUT WHITNEY ENGLISH:
Whitney English believes that anyone can live a beautiful life. She believes that gratitude is the birthplace of joy, that people matter, that love is the answer, that if you're real you can't be ugly, that everyone is creative and some of us have forgotten, and that it's worth trying to be a better version of yourself today than you were yesterday. If you're more into technical details, she has boot-strapped two businesses to seven figures, has a degree in interior design, has studied management at Parsons in New York City, and has had her work featured in O magazine and The Wall Street Journal and on the Today show. She was featured as one of Country Living's Women Entrepreneurs in 2008. One of her favorite dreams come true, though, is her husband, David, and their three children. She nightly dreams of a perfectly organized office.
My guest this week is Dr. John Delony, a bestselling author, mental health expert, and host of The Dr. John Delony Show. He has two PhDs and more than two decades of experience in counseling, crisis response, and higher education.
John's goal is to help people navigate tough decisions, improve their relationships, and believe they are worthy of being well. He has a new book out, “Own Your Past, Change Your Future.”
3:34 – John 101 * John’s a husband, father of two, has chickens and dogs and lives in the country. * He has worked in mental health and higher education as a dean of students. * A few years ago, he joined Dave Ramsey’s team.
4:43 – Let’s talk about chickens * John and I both have chickens at our houses. John loves having a surplus of eggs, but he doesn’t know a lot about chickens. * His wife tells him, “You don’t know what you’re doing.”
11:15 – Goodwill Hunting * John changed his major to psychology after watching Goodwill Hunting. * Growing up, he watched his father work as a hostage negotiator and help people when others ran away.
15:50 – Own Your Past, Change Your Future * John was all over the place when he was younger, trying to outrun his problems. He didn’t have a picture of what “enough” looked like. * He lived with low-level depression and anxiety, and he just thought that was how life was. * In his book, John is not talking at you. He’s talking with you, because he has been there.
26:53 – Transformational times * When he got in the car and drove to see a friend for help, that was a turning point in his life. * True connection comes from people who show up in your life.
35:00 – The dangers of loneliness * Suicide, addiction and other problems are after effects of the pandemic. * Loneliness can kill people.
41:25 – How to find community * All relationships are a risk, and you’re worth the risk. * Keep working on your relationships.
53:28 – Get to know you * Best concert he’s attended? Pantera and White Zombie * If he had to change careers? Anything that can make people’s lives more joyful and peaceful
FEATURED QUOTES Everybody grab a machete. We’re carving a new path.
Netflix knows me better than any of my friends. It tells me, “Hey, don’t get up. I have the next movie for you, and you’re going to like it.”
I’m out to reclaim life, and I want to bring as many people along with me as I can.
CONNECT:
Buy John's Book!
- Johndelony.com
https://www.youtube.com/c/JohnDelony/
https://www.facebook.com/JohnDelony
https://www.instagram.com/johndelony/
https://twitter.com/johndelony
About Dr. John Delony:
Dr. John Delony is a national bestselling author, mental health and wellness expert and host of The Dr. John Delony Show. He holds two PhDs – one in Counselor Education and Supervision and another in Higher Education Administration. Before joining Ramsey Solutions, John spent two decades working as a senior leader at multiple universities, a professor and researcher, and crisis responder. Now as a Ramsey Personality, he teaches people how to reclaim their lives from the madness of the modern world.
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Liz Brunner, the CEO and founder of Brunner Communications and best-selling author of Dare to Own You: Taking Your Authenticity and Dreams Into Your Next Chapter.
Liz is sought by high-profile people and organizations to build meaningful reputations and powerful brand identities within their markets. She is also a frequent speaker at corporate conventions.
In 2020, Liz launched her podcast, Live Your Best Life with Liz Brunner, where she shares stories of recreation. All of her guests have taken their life experiences, the good and the bad, the successes and even the failures, and used that knowledge to not only create their “next chapters,” but to inspire others as well.
Liz also founded the Brunner Academy of online learning in 2020, with a goal to provide access to high quality speaker training. Her flagship masters public speaking course, How to be a Rock Star Public Speaker, has received high praise.
5:40 – Liz 101 * Liz is a classically trainer singer, former journalist and now an entrepreneur and best-selling author. * She wants to continue teaching, motivating and inspiring people to live their best lives and find their authentic lives.
8:31 – From teacher to journalist * No knowledge or experience is ever wasted, even if it wasn’t what you planned to do. * When Liz was a teacher and a journalist, she was telling stories. There is a connection between different jobs.
13:20 – Why journalism? * When she taught high school music, Liz thought there was something more she should do, but she wasn’t sure what it was. * She thought about being an architect or psychologist. She heard about informational interviews, so she called up TV stations and asked for a job.
17:50 – Chasing perfection * Sometimes being imperfect is more perfect, because you’re being your best authentic self.
20:57 – Living her purpose * Liz has interviewed presidents and other important people, but the work she’s doing now is more fulfilling. * She has found her purpose and what she is meant to do in this world.
28:08 – A mosaic identity * Liz calls herself a “mosaic” because she is a blend of many different nationalities. * She was bullied at times because of her ethnicity.
40:36 – What’s next? * Liz has added new courses to her online learning academy.
42:37 – Get to know you * Who was she most nervous to interview? President Obama * Guilty pleasure? Chocolate candy and cupcakes
FEATURED QUOTES
I want to continue to teach. I want to continue to motivate. I want to continue to inspire people to live their best life, whatever that is.
Sometimes being imperfect is more perfect, because you’re being your best authentic self.
I am doing my purpose and what I was meant to do in this world.
CONNECT:
- https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Own-You-Authenticity-Chapter-ebook/dp/B09JN6QKFN
- https://lizbrunner.com/
- https://www.brunneracademy.com/
About Liz Brunner:
Best-selling author, Executive Communications Coach, Motivational Speaker, Podcast Host, and Emmy award-winning journalist. Liz Brunner’s television career spanned 28 years and featured many memorable highlights. Along with co-anchoring the #1 rated 6pm newscast at ABC-TV, WCVB NewsCenter 5 in Boston, she conducted exclusive one-on-one interviews with prominent figures ranging from professional athletes to global political leaders including President Barack Obama as well as cultural icons such as Oprah Winfrey.
In 2013, Liz excitedly embarked upon her next chapter, becoming the CEO and Founder of Brunner Communications and launched BrunnerAcademy.com in 2020. Both are dedicated to helping people find their authentic voice, tell their story and lead with presence. Liz is also the host of the Live Your Best Life with Liz Brunner podcast, on which she guides her guests to share their stories of self-discovery and re-creation. Listeners around the world join in on the journey, garnering inspiration from the wisdom shared. Dare to Own You: Taking Your Authenticity and Dreams into Your Next Chapter is her first book.
A classically trained vocal performer and former high school music educator, Liz holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music. She has performed with the Boston Pops and at professional sporting events for teams including the Boston Celtics, the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots, among others.
- Connect with Liz Brunner on:
- Instagram @lizbrunner
- Facebook @OfficialLizBrunner
- Twitter @LizBrunner
- Official site LizBrunner.com
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Garrett Underwood, Founder/Executive Director of Seed House Project, a live-work home for at-risk youth. He is also the owner of Malachi Clothing, a well-known Christian Clothing company in Southern California.
Garrett oversees all programs within the Seed House Project. His goal is to reinvent the transition for youth to adulthood using technology and new innovative ideas to create change within the homelessness in LA.
He has now housed more than 100 people, and he has created hope for each person who walks through his home.
3:10 – Garrett 101 * He started with a clothing company and gave hygiene packages to homeless people. * His heart expanded and he wanted to do more to help homeless people.
4:39 – The fixer * When Garrett sees a problem, he wants to try to fix it. * He moved into a trailer for six months with no running water and got to see what other people experienced, like loneliness and embarrassment.
8:55 – Homeless issue * Garrett visited skid row when he was 20, and he previously visited homeless shelters. * He has always loved kids, and especially wanted to help them.
12:55 – Common threads * Garrett started seeing common threads of things that made it difficult for people to improve their lives. * His definition of homelessness is not the absence of a home or a building. His definition of homelessness is the absence of hope.
19:36 – Finding your purpose * Garrett tries to convince people they have talent and purpose in this world. * People need to have powerful experiences that change and expand their worldview.
23:37 – Myths about homelessness * Not every homeless person is an addict.
28:48 – Seed House * Seed House is a live-work space for at-risk youth. * They offer wrap around services, such as credit building and instant employment.
31:15 – Five-step roadmap * The roadmap is a snapshot of the 90-day course. * Everyone has a story, and you are an expert about your own life.
35:39 – Get to know you * Guilty pleasure? Painting and sculpture * What makes him laugh? His niece.
FEATURED QUOTES
My definition of homelessness is not the absence of a home, a building. I think the definition of homelessness is the absence of hope.
I’m a fixer. When I see a problem, I want to try to fix it.
Not every homeless person is an addict.
CONNECT:
- https://seedhouseproject.org/
- https://storychanger.ck.page/798575d5e7
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
About Garrett Underwood:
Garrett Underwood is currently the Executive Director of Seed House Project, a Live/Work home or at-risk youth. His position entails overseeing daily operations, meeting financial quota, and most importantly managing all programs within the organization. Some of the programs consist of; Self actualization development, Business or Non - Profit Execution plan, Credit building, Financial literacy and Emotional Intelligence Development.
Mr. Underwood received his Masters at Azusa Pacific for Organizational Behavior &
Development. Previously before attending Azusa he started a Faith- Based Clothing Company called Malachi Clothing. The business model was “ buy one give one” for every purchase a hygiene kit was given away to someone in need, In return the customer would receive a free prayer bracelet with the name of the person that received the care package. The company partners with over 50 shelters & group homes across Los Angeles, and gave over ten thousand care packages a year. Unfortunately the demands of recourse increased and care packages wasn't enough to fulfill the need, which lead Mr. Underwood to make a major shift in his career.
In 2016 Mr. Underwood decided to dive deeper in the homeless crisis in Los Angeles. He
volunteered at all the major organizations within Los Angeles, The Dream Center, My Friends Place and PATH ( People Assisting The Homeless) to name a few. Two years later Mr. Underwood became the lead Coordinator for the Homeless Outreach for all over the Los
Angeles Country as well as the Program Manager at PATH. He also took on as the lead site counselor at Covenant house, the leading housing program for homeless youth in Los Angeles.
During his experience he began to see a common thread within the many different issues within the homeless crises in Los Angeles. He noticed lack of affordable housing was a big issue but he also took note of the physiology of hope. Those that had something to look forward to, whether a job, school or family 90% of them either obtained or maintained their housing.
This static led Mr. Underwood developed an employment program that created purpose.
Working with the shelters he previously partnered with, he conducted workshops around storytelling and the impact one story can have. The participants would have the opportunity to share their story within the jewelry they created. The jewelry was then distributed to stores across LA, therefore sharing their story to hundreds of people. This created purpose and employment. Within the first year Mr. Underwood was able to employ over 98 individuals. The one other issue he couldn't solve was affordable housing. He decided to donate his home and move into a trailer to meet the need in whatever way he could. He was able to house 16 people at a time.
Three years later Mr. Underwood has now housed over a 100 people and created hope for each person that walks through his home. He has perfected the art of finding one's purpose with extensive assessment tools and a curriculum to how you can turn your purpose into a program to serve others.
My guest this week is my dear friend and incredible human being, Mary Marantz. Mary grew up in a trailer in rural West Virginia. The first of her immediate family to go to college, she went on to earn a master’s degree in moral philosophy and a law degree from Yale.
After turning down six-figure-salary law firm offers in London and New York and starting a photography business with her husband, Justin—where they were later named one of the prestigious Profoto Legends of Light—they have since gone on to build a successful online education platform for thousands of creative entrepreneurs worldwide.
She is the bestselling author of Dirt (Revell, 2020), which was a finalist for the 2020 ECPA Memoir of the Year, and Slow Growth Equals Strong Roots (Revell, 2022). Mary is the host of the highly ranked podcast The Mary Marantz Show, which debuted in the iTunes Top 200, and her work has been featured on CNN, MSN, Business Insider, Bustle, Thrive Global, Southern Living, Hallmark Home & Family, and more.
Mary and Justin live in an 1880s fixer-upper by the sea in New Haven, Connecticut, with their two very fluffy golden retrievers, Goodspeed and Atticus.
6:09 – Mary 201 * Mary is a return guest to the show, so she gets to give the Mary 201. * She is busy creating the work she was created to do and trying to be obedient to the work God asked her to do.
9:12 – Slow Growth Equals Strong Roots * Mary released her latest book, Slow Growth Equals Strong Roots. * This mantra has been the story of her life, because she was often overlooked.
14:02 – Growing roots * When you experience frustration and feel like you’re making no progress, just know that you are growing strong roots.
20:33 – Pruning vines in your life * I shared a personal story with Mary about my struggles and pruning vines in my life, and it gives her chills.
28:49 – The fruit of hard work * Push through the struggles and hard times, and you will enjoy the fruit of your hard work.
33:33 – Trenches and mountaintops * Mary wrote her latest book from the trenches, not the mountaintop. * We’re all chasing other people. We all want approval.
45:34 – Wanting more * What if success is where all the trouble begins? * If you have all you want, why do you want more? * You’re probably walking around something you’ve prayed for your whole life.
1:00 – Get to know you * Guilty pleasure? Yellowstone and true crime episodes * New career? Interior design
FEATURED QUOTES If we choose to be a tree, we not only get to grow up to these dizzying heights over the long haul, but we actually get to last for generations.
We don't get to walk among the giants if we’re not willing to take our time.
This book was written from the trenches, not the mountaintop.
We’re all chasing other people. We all want approval.
CONNECT: http://www.marymarantz.com
https://www.amazon.com/Slow-Growth-Equals-Strong-Roots/dp/0800738462
http://achieverquiz.com/
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is my dear friend Stephanie Edwards, the founder of Jubilee Trading Company, an ethical trade brand that blends traditional Moroccan leather working with modern trends to create elevated goods that elevate lives.
Jubilee partners with a small group of artisans in one rural community to create opportunity and impact that ripples out to the surrounding area.
Stephanie started her journey of wanting to make high quality pieces to serve her customers while being a busy mom working from home. While she did not have much control over her day while wrangling two kids under two, she did have control over what went on her walls; and when her space was serene and inspiring, her day felt that way, too.
She had a deep desire for items she sold to have a bigger purpose than being beautiful and inspiring; she wanted to impact others.
6:01 – Stephanie 101 * She grew up on a multi-generational farm, and she spent her summers working on the farm driving tractors. * Although she was never given an allowance, she always worked and tracked her hours to get paid. * Stephanie wanted to be a journalist, traveling and telling stories. But she realized it was the people on the ground making the most difference.
14:50 – Starting a business * Stephanie’s parents didn’t have a college fund for her. They helped her start a corn maze and pumpkin patch business so she could work and pay her way through college.
22:33 – Dreaming of an artisan business * She always dreamed of having an artisan business focused on sustainability. * Stephanie realized she could build something for herself slowly and not lose a lot of money.
25:19 – Tedx talk * Stephanie gave a Tedx talk about the power consumers have with their purchases. * Small-scale businesses and entrepreneurship can really make a difference, not just the big companies.
33:02 – Biggest challenges * Aside from the pandemic, the biggest challenge Stephanie has faced is working with people across the world who speak different languages.
39:38 – Going to Morocco * Stephanie loves to travel, but going to Morocco to meet people she had been working with was a dream come true.
42:08 – What’s on the horizon? * She’s launching a new summer collection, and she’s working with an interior designer to fill holes in their product offerings. * They’re launching pillows, among other new items.
44:06 – Get to know you * Guilty pleasure? Quiet time and watching Ted Lasso * Business she would start? A greenhouse
FEATURED QUOTES I can build something for myself and not like really lose a lot of money by making a mistake if you start slow.
Now we know what stores want, because we’ve got some obvious best sellers.
I’m excited to be really intentional and start channeling some good business mindsets.
CONNECT: * https://jubileetradingco.com/ * Highland Ridge Decor * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f78IE59RtWk
About Stephanie:
Stephanie grew up on a farm in rural Estill Springs, TN. Little did she know that the entrepreneurial spirit of her family ruined her for any traditional career path. After studying Journalism and Art at the University of Tennessee, she moved to another tiny town, Leoma, TN, where she lives with her husband and two kids and runs her handmade business online. What began as a freelance graphic design business evolved into two e-commerce brands, Highland Ridge Decor and Jubilee Trading Co. As a handmade business owner, she loves advocating for conscious consumerism.
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Jessica Jackley, an entrepreneur, investor, and speaker. Her work over the last decade has focused on financial inclusion, the sharing economy, and social justice. Currently, she is the founder of Alltruists, offering at-home, kid-friendly volunteer projects for families, and a cofounder and General Partner at Untapped Capital.
She is best known as a cofounder of Kiva, the world's first crowdfunding site for microenterprises. Most recently, Jessica served as Chief Impact Officer at Aspiration, GP at SparkLabs Global Ventures, and an investor, advisor, and former Venture Partner with the Collaborative Fund.
Additionally, Jessica teaches Social Entrepreneurship at the Marshall School of Business at USC, and was previously a Visiting Practitioner at Stanford’s Center for Philanthropy and Civil Society.
2:56 – Jessica 101 * Jessica is a mom of four and has had a number of entrepreneurial adventures in her life.
6:12 – Being a giver * She felt called to be helpful in the world and wanted to wake up every day and be a giver. * Her goal has been to learn how to move people and resources to the most good.
13:49 – Who do you want to serve? * Aspiring entrepreneurs should ask themselves: Who do you want to serve? What do you want to offer them? How will you fund that? * You need to know what you want to prioritize in your business and how profitable you can be and want to be.
18:39 – Inspiration for Kiva * She learned about microfinance and the power of listening very carefully to the people you want to serve. * Observe and listen, and you can suggest how things might change.
25:55 – Alltruists * Jessica wanted to use the ease of a subscription box and mash it up with a cool volunteer experience. * How do you talk to your kids about homeless people, war and scary stuff? Alltruists can help parents give kids truthful but not terrifying answers.
37:09 – Volunteer economy * Every year in the U.S., 90% of the people say they want to volunteer, but only about a quarter of people get around to doing so. * People want to participate in something bigger than themselves.
39:44 – Get to know you * Guilty pleasure? She doesn’t do guilt, but her indulgence is reading her husband’s book early. * Most listened to music? The Beatles
FEATURED QUOTES Absolutely, you can make a really positive impact and have a sustainable/profitable organization.
I felt really called to try to be helpful in the world.
I felt pretty clear on the reality that my job was to wake up every day, be grateful for my life and go try to be a giver.
https://alltruists.com/
ABOUT JESSICA JACKLEY:
Jessica Jackley is an entrepreneur, investor, professor, and speaker who has spent her career focused on social justice. In an effort to find meaningful ways to inspire her own childrens’ curiosity, empathy, and passion for social and environmental impact, she most recently founded Alltruists, at-home, kid-friendly volunteer projects for families.
She is best known as a co-founder of Kiva, the world's first crowdfunding site for microenterprises that has facilitated over $1.5B in loans worldwide. Jessica recently served as Walt Disney Imagineering's first Entrepreneur in Residence and serves on several nonprofit boards including Habitat for Humanity, advises numerous start-ups, and is an advisory board member of Investcorp Strategic Capital Group. Additionally, Jessica teaches Social Entrepreneurship at the Marshall School of Business at USC, and was previously a Visiting Practitioner at Stanford’s Center for Philanthropy and Civil Society.
Jessica’s work has been widely recognized. Honors include The Economist’s No Boundaries Innovation Award, Fast Company’s Most Influential Women in Tech, Silicon Valley Forum’s Visionary Award, the Pasteur Institute’s Common Congress Award, finalist for the TIME 100 Most Influential People list, and more.
She holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, a certificate in Global Leadership and Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, a BA in Philosophy and Political Science from Bucknell University, and honorary PhDs from Centenary College and Quinnipiac University. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Her first book, CLAY WATER BRICK: Finding Inspiration from Entrepreneurs Who Do the Most with the Least was published in June 2015 (Penguin Random House).
Jessica lives in Los Angeles with her husband, author Reza Aslan, and their four young children.
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Heather Adams, a boy mom, communications expert and CEO of Choice Media & Communications, a leading communications firm dedicated to providing clients in the entertainment and lifestyle space with quality communications services.
Choice helps brands, influencers, and authors grow their business and influence by leveraging their unparalleled relationships and crafting smart, personalized communication and brand strategies that demand attention and deliver results.
4:37 – Heather 101 * She grew up outside Atlanta, in Marietta, with an idyllic family. * In high school, her yearbook advisor told her she had a gift for storytelling. So in college she studied communications and magazines.
11:25 – Layoffs * Heather was leading a publicity team at a company, but the recession happened, and she was laid off. * Her husband looked at her and said don’t take your next step out of fear. * Another company brought her on as a consultant, and she made double the money. She eventually started her own company.
22:40 – Passion for mentorship * High school teachers believed in Heather and encouraged her to study communications. * Her mission now is to mentor college women. * There is so much power in linking arms with women and setting a wider table and allowing every seat to be occupied by a woman instead of fighting against each other for one.
29:20 – Supporting women * Heather used to hustle to be the best, but she learned that other women’s’ success does not diminish her own opportunity. * As a young girl, people told Heather she was bossy and needed to be quiet. But her parents celebrated her assertiveness.
37:20 – Mentoring * If you are looking for a mentor, don’t downplay virtual mentors. If you don’t know someone personally, you can follow them on social media, read their books, listen to their podcasts, etc. * Find someone you know who has an exceptional talent, and ask to learn from them, even if it’s not work related.
46:26 – What’s next? * Heather has a conference for busy, working women. She’s also working on her podcast, Make Me Known.
52:00 – Get to know you * Guilty pleasures? Real Housewives, a face steamer and Trader Joe’s peanut butter cups * Favorite book genre? Thrilled mysteries
FEATURED QUOTES
There is so much power in linking arms with women and setting a wider table and allowing every seat to be occupied by a woman instead of us fighting against each other for one.
I feel like that’s my mission field, serving college women.
https://www.choicemediacommunications.com/
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Scott Erickson, an artist, author, performance speaker, and creative curate who mixes autobiography, mythology, and aesthetics to create art and moments that speak to our deepest experiences.
He is the writer and performer of two one-man shows. Wrestling with his own professional burnout and clinical depression, “We Are Not Troubled Guests” is a performance story-telling piece in which he navigates the surprising gift of an existential crisis.
His current show, "Say Yes: A Liturgy of Not Giving Up On Yourself,” juxtaposes story-teaching, participation, humor, and image curation as Scott walks us through the very personal and universal conversation about the death of a dream and the overwhelming voice of Giving Up in our lives.
He is the co-author of Prayer: Forty Days of Practice and May It Be So, and the author of Honest Advent.
4:20 – Scott 101 * He’s a vocational artist, which means he’s an image-maker, an author and a performance artist. * Scott spends a lot of time listening and thinking and chooses his projects carefully.
7:34 – Saying no * Sometimes you have to say no to projects or work to focus on what’s really important. * But some people don’t know what to do with more free time because they were so used to working all the time.
27:26 – Who are we? * Every conversation ends up eventually hitting on, “Who are we? Why are we here?” * The journey that we’re on is that we’re working for identity and then we work from identity. * You know what happens when you make a lot of money and you’re still miserable? You spend that money on trying to medicate your misery.
35:39 – Live performances * His show runs an hour and 45 minutes, which flies by. * Scott asked himself: Can a performance change someone’s life, and how do you create that?
53:58 – What do you want to feel? * If you don’t experience sorrow, you won’t experience the depth of joy. * Scott uses a death practice to determine what’s important to him and what might regret.
1:19:21 – Get to know you * Guilty pleasure? Tony’s chocolate * What makes him laugh? TikTok video of cats
FEATURED QUOTES I think our dreams are really about being the kind of person who can buy that thing, have that object, go on that vacation.
I spend a lot of time listening and thinking.
Every conversation ends up eventually hitting on, “Who are we? Why are we here?”
You know what happens when you make a lot of money and you’re still miserable? You spend that money on trying to medicate your misery.
Say yes to the gift of your incarnation.
CONNECT:
https://www.scottericksonart.com/
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
Hey everyone! It’s episode 290, so that means it’s time for another solo show featuring me. Every 10 episodes I do a solo show or feature an extra special guest, like my husband.
Can you believe I have come out with a new episode every single Wednesday since I started this show in summer 2016? If you count the bonus episodes, I’ve done, it’s probably more than 300 shows.
If you’re new here, welcome! If you’re a returning listener, thank you so much for your support.
Today’s show is all about being more sustainable and living with less. I’m sharing 25 simple tips for living with less and living more sustainably.
4:05 – Crunchy-lite * I’m not a hippy tree-hugger, but I like to think of myself as crunchy-lite. * I can’t fit all my trash in a mason jar, but I think we produce way too much waste. * We dispose of our stuff without thinking about the impact that that stuff has on the environment.
5:26 – Dandora dump * A few years ago I went to Kenya and got to visit the Dandora dump, the largest landfill in east Africa. * It was one of the most horrifying things I have ever seen. Tons of trash, including brand new shirts with logos of the losing Super Bowl team, were dumped there.
25 simple tips for living with less and living more sustainably 9:10 – Reusable straws
10:32 – Reusable water bottle, coffee tumbler
11:15 – Zero-waste or refillable bath products
12:52 – Refillable soaps and house cleaners
14:31 – Recycling bin in the bathroom
15:04 – Reusable grocery bags
16:19 – Reusable produce bags
16:57 – Local produce boxes or farmer’s markets
17:35 – Reusable beeswax plastic wrap
18:33 – Reusable snack bags and lunch containers
19:36 – Cloth napkins
20:44 – Handkerchiefs
21:20 – Reusable muslin face cloths
22:16 – Washable makeup remover cloth
22:59 – Menstrual cup
23:52 – Cloth diapers
24:48 – Roll-free toilet paper or bidets
26:09 – Rechargeable batteries
26:15 – Shop consignment
26:38 – Repair clothing
27:47 – Sustainable toys
28:14 – Go paperless
28:37 – Unsubscribe from mailing lists
29:05 – Borrow books from the library
FEATURED QUOTES You truly have absolutely no idea the kind of impact you have on my life and this community. It means so much to me.
I’m not like a hippy tree-hugger, but I like to think of myself as crunchy-lite.
We dispose of our stuff without thinking about the impact that that stuff has on the environment.
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Bethany McDaniel, founder of Primally Pure, which creates natural skin care products using real ingredients derived from nature for maximum purity and potency.
Founder, farmer's wife, mama bear, matcha lover and bath taker, Bethany is the heartbeat and hard work behind the brand. When her family spontaneously started a beyond organic livestock farm in Southern California called Primal Pastures, she discovered the power of eating real food and her eyes were opened to a new world of wellness.
Bethany subsequently purged her bathroom cabinets of toxic conventional skincare products and began formulating her own replacements with pure, simple ingredients.
4:20 – Bethany 101 * Bethany started her business in 2015 and started experimenting with natural skincare products that wouldn’t irritate her skin. * She had irritated, acne-prone skin issues growing up.
7:19 – Researching her beauty routine * She was exposed to the world of natural health through her husband and his family. They focused on eating whole foods, not processed foods, and it opened her eyes. * Eating better increased her energy and made her healthier. It made her wonder about her skincare and cleaning products. * Just because something is sold on the shelf at the supermarket or the drug store doesn’t mean that it’s safe, and in fact most of the ingredients in these products have never been tested.
13:23 – Where she started * Using trial and error, she tested a lot of deodorant recipes. * She started out mixing coconut oil and baking soda for deodorant and began adding other ingredients, such as beeswax and shea butter.
20:26 – The farm * Bethany’s family started a farm and began with raising chickens. * They watched YouTube videos and all chipped in with farm chores.
27:23 – Overcoming analysis paralysis * If you’re not ready to dive into clean brands, there are still things you can do at home, such as DIY recipes. * You can make DIY deodorant, cleansing oil, dry shampoo, etc. using ingredients you already have in your home.
31:24 – Challenging times * Growing a team and managing people has been a challenge, especially because she had never managed anyone before. * Ask yourself: Can I afford to learn this or should I bring someone on to do this work?
36:10 – Clean product imposters * Natural beauty has become trendy, and a lot of companies use sneaky marketing to make their product sound natural. * Watch out for products that say “all-natural,” “made with shea butter” or “made with coconut oil,” for example. * Look at the ingredient list, especially the first five ingredients.
41:05 – What’s next? * This year, they’re focused on hiring more people for the team and new sun care products for a 2023 launch.
45:09 – Get to know you * Favorite Primally Pure product? Deodorant and cleansing oil * Guilty pleasure? Bridgerton books
FEATURED QUOTES
We’re always just encouraging people to go at whatever pace feels good to them. Every little change that is implemented is making a difference.
There’s no rush to detoxify everything all at once.
Just because something is sold on the shelf at the supermarket or the drug store doesn’t mean that it’s safe.
Ultimately, we are a company that cares about the health of our community and the people that we serve.
CONNECT:
- https://primallypure.com/ - Use code STILLBEINGMOLLY for 10% off
ABOUT BETHANY MCDANIEL:
Having used all sorts of harsh prescription creams and pills to treat her acne as a teenager and young adult (and dealing with red, raw, irritated skin as a result), Bethany McDaniel was blown away by the effects she eventually experienced after ditching the harsh chemicals and replacing them with simple and natural ingredients. Bethany’s journey inspired her to start Primally Pure (with an initial $250 order for ingredients + supplies) to help others experience the benefits of using clean products. In addition to spending time at the PP Workshop and Spa envisioning new product ideas, Bethany is passionate about all things faith, clean living and biohacking. She loves sharing the knowledge she has gained with others - as well as taking regular getaways with her family to reset and refresh. Bethany is the Founder of Primally Pure and lives in Southern California with her husband and two daughters.
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Tyler Merritt, creator of the viral video, “Before You Call the Cops.” As a 6'2" dreadlocked black man, Tyler knows what it feels like to be stereotyped as threatening, which can have dangerous consequences. But he also knows that proximity to people who are different from ourselves can be a cure for racism.
Tyler has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel and Sports Illustrated and has been profiled in the New York Times. The viral video's main point—the more you know someone, the more empathy, understanding, and compassion you have for that person—is the springboard for his new book.
In his book, I Take My Coffee Black, Tyler tells hilarious stories from his own life as a black man in America. Throughout his stories, he also seamlessly weaves in lessons about privilege, the legacy of lynching and sharecropping and why you don't cross black mamas. He teaches readers about the history of encoded racism that still undergirds our society today.
5:07 – Tyler 101 * He describes himself as an actor, author, activist and encourager – not necessarily in that order. * He has had all kinds of friends over the years – gay, straight, black, white, Christian, Muslim, etc. * He wanted to create content to connect people with love, laughter and creativity.
11:32 – Before You Call the Cops * Tyler created the video because it was on his heart. It’s 3 minutes of him talking about himself. He didn’t think anyone would want to watch it. * He sent the video to his friend, Lisa. She texted back, “This feels holy.” * Tyler wants people to know, “Your story matters. Your words matter. You are significantly created to be you.
20:34 – Super Bowl halftime show * Tyler jokes he would have died if hologram Tupac performed at the Super Bowl halftime show.
26:52 – Proximity to different people * Proximity to people who aren’t like you can help stop racism. * Tyler uses humor throughout his book, while also sneaking in historic moments in black life.
34:30 – Not being caged * Tyler didn’t write the book for Christians. He didn’t want to feel like he was caged while writing the book. * When writing a book, write what is you. Write what is true. * He wasn’t concerned about sales. He wanted to be true to himself.
38:37 – More diversity in churches * Don’t just ask black people to come to your church. Make sure you hire black people to be on the leadership team and staff. * Black churches are the social justice committee every Sunday morning. When George Floyd was murdered, black churches talked about it.
41:20 – The beauty of others * Go to an environment where there are people that are different than you and just exist for a little while. Your kids will begin to pick up on the beauty of other individuals.
44:34 – Get to know you * Guilty pleasure? Yellowstone TV show * Dream career? Being a teacher
FEATURED QUOTES By the end of the book, you have proximity to me that the next time you see a 6’2” man with dreadlocks walking down the street, you begin to wonder, what is this man’s story?
I am an actor, author, activist, and also known as an encourager.
I began dreaming about doing something significant in the world as a young, young kid.
If I had known that over 100 million people were going to see this video, I would have put a shirt on.
Your story matters. Your words matter. You are significantly created to be you.
Go to an environment where there are people that are different than you and just exist for a little while. Your kids will begin to pick up on the beauty of other individuals.
LINKS! * https://www.instagram.com/thetylermerrittproject/?hl=en * https://www.worthypublishing.com/titles/tyler-merritt/i-take-my-coffee-black/9781546029410/ * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGu_xGBekpo
ABOUT TYLER MERRITT:
Tyler Merritt is a Nashville-based actor, activist, cancer survivor, founder of The Tyler Merritt Project, and author of "I TAKE MY COFFEE BLACK: REFLECTIONS ON TUPAC, MUSICAL THEATER, FAITH AND BEING BLACK IN AMERICA." Over the course of his career, Tyler has gained recognition through notable acting projects including "Kevin Probably Saves The World," "Outer Banks," and "The Outsider," as well as serving as the face of the worldwide teaching curriculum for The Gospel Project for Kids. Most recently, Tyler Merritt made headlines with his 2018 viral video "Before You Call The Cops," which has been viewed by over 60 million people worldwide and appeared on Jimmy Kimmel, MSNBC, and the New York Times. As a 6’2'' dreadlocked Black man living in America, where racial injustices continue to plague our society, Tyler has emerged as a steadfast activist in the face of racism.
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Anthony O'Neal, a #1 national bestselling author who has helped more than 250,000 people set out on a path toward a debt-free life. He has reached more than 15 million people in 15 different countries through his podcast, The Table, where he keeps it real, relevant and relatable.
2:42 – Anthony 101 * He is passionate about teaching people how to get out of debt and build wealth, especially single people. * Growing up, he never had conversations about money with his family. It was all about school and church. * At age 19, he was homeless, deeply in debt and considering suicide * He changed his life and decided to help others
8:59 – Start with a foundation * No matter where you are in life, lay down a foundation for your finances. * Ask yourself: What do you desire, and how will you get there? * Have a vision for your life and a vision for your money.
14:12 – Make a plan for your income * Anthony has met people making a million dollars a year who live paycheck to paycheck. * He has also met teachers who make $50,000 a year and have $2 to $3 million in investments.
19:58 – Speaking to singles * He launched a community for single people. He doesn’t want to rush single people to get married. * For 8 weeks, you have direct access to Anthony and a course that digs in deep on how to become successful.
27:53 – Rock bottom moment * Anthony once bathed with dawn dish soap and water in the back of his car. It was a low point in his life. * One day, his bank account was in the negative. Anthony realized he and his friends had nice cars and looked like they had money, but they were broke.
34:15 – Common mindsets * Many people think debt is normal. Anthony refuses to believe that. He wants his clients to have freedom and options. * Many people have credit cards. Some can pay off their balances every week, but most people don’t.
36:43 – Get to know you * Guilty pleasure? Drag racing, driving 150 mph * What makes him laugh the most? Bad Boys movie
FEATURED QUOTES Does your vision for your life and your vision for your money align together?
It’s not – do you have a six-figure job? It’s not – do you make a million dollars a year? It’s not how much that you have. It’s what’s the vision?
My heart and passion is to share my heart, to share my story.
You can have your dream life, your dream house, your dream car, your dream lady, your dream man, your dream kids without racking up debt.
Financial freedom gives you options.
I want to have money, not just look like money.
CONNECT: https://anthonyoneal.com/
About Anthony O’Neal A #1 national bestselling author, Anthony O'Neal has helped over 250,000 people set out on a path towards a debt-free life with his chart-topping book Debt-Free Degree. He’s reached over 15 million people in 15 different countries through his podcast “The Table” where he always keeps it real, relevant, and relatable.
Apart from teaching others how to obtain mental, spiritual and financial freedom, Anthony's mission is to help singles maximize their single season with both intention and grace. When he's not interviewing experts and thought-leaders on his popular Youtube channel, you can find Anthony golfing or on an adventure with his beautiful all-black German Shepherd, Rhaven.
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is the popular Instagram poet and artist Morgan Harper Nichols. She has created her life’s work around the stories of others.
In 2017, Morgan started a project where she invites people to submit their stories to her website. From there, she creates art as a response to their stories and sends it to them before sharing the work publicly. All stories and names are kept private.
The fruit of this project is shared daily around social media, in publications, and various creative collaborations and installations.
3:26 – Morgan 101 * Morgan lives in Arizona and is an artist and writer. She has moved around the country trying to figure out her life. * She was constantly broke and exhausted in her 20s.
6:55 – Childhood confidence * Morgan loves learning from kids. She has a 2-year-old and constantly learns from him. * She encourages people to tap into childhood confidence and joy.
14:08 – Painting with words * Morgan remembers growing up and feeling conflicted. She saw people who were great public speakers. * She was drawn to storytelling and connecting with people, but she didn’t feel like she had the skillset to do that. * Now she paints with words.
20:38 – Natural storytellers * We are natural storytellers. Give yourself grace, and you can find your own path.
24:00 – Expressing gratitude * Morgan’s art and poetry is her way of expressing gratitude. * If you’re feeling frustrated and low self worth, go and respond to someone and just say thank you. Thank you for liking this post, for leaving this comment, etc.
30:55 – Peace is a Practice book * The struggle of her ancestors and the struggles of the world inform her poetry. * Small practices, like making art, help create room to breathe in life.
36:06 – Peace in the midst of pain * We get to these points in our life where we suddenly become aware that, oh wait, I have options. There’s a way I can choose to look at this.
48:28 – Get to know you * Biggest guilty pleasure? Donuts * What makes her laugh? TikTok
FEATURED QUOTES A lot of what I share comes from that place of me trying to nurture how I’ve been uniquely created amidst all of those inner critics.
Lean into those simple things that end up being empowering.
If you’re feeling frustrated and low self worth, go and respond to someone and just say thank you.
We get to these points in our life where we suddenly become aware that, oh wait, I have options. There’s a way I can choose to look at this.
CONNECT:
https://morganharpernichols.com/
https://morganharpernichols.com/peaceisapractice
ABOUT MORGAN HARPER NICHOLS: Popular Instagram poet and artist Morgan Harper Nichols has created her life’s work around the stories of others. Morgan’s popular Instagram feed (@morganharpernichols) has garnered a loyal online community of over two million, and she is the author of "All Along You Were Blooming", a book of poems and art she created in response to the personal stories submitted by her friends and followers. She also hosts a podcast, The Morgan Harper Nichols Show, where she shares daily reflections on finding meaning and peace in life and work. Morgan has also performed as a vocalist on several GRAMMY-nominated projects and written for various artists, including a Billboard #1 single performed by her sister, Jamie-Grace. Morgan’s iconic Instagram art has inspired millions and landed her brand partnerships with Anthropologie, Coach, Adobe, Vogue Singapore, Aerie, Target, Starbucks, Kind Bar, GAP, Splendid, John Paul Mitchell, and more. Morgan is often on the road creating, teaching, and performing, in hopes of spreading her unique inspirational message and inviting others into her creative process. Morgan currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband and son. Her latest book, Peace is a Practice: An Invitation to Breathe Deep and Find a New Rhythm for Life, will be available nationwide February 15, 2022.
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Steve White, president and special counsel to the CEO of Comcast. He just released his newest book, Uncompromising: How an Unwavering Commitment to Your Why Leads to an Impactful Life and a Lasting Legacy.
Steve grew up as the son of a fiercely determined and hard-working single mother. His book explores the defining – often heart-wrenching – moments on his path from the housing projects to president of Comcast West and how he positively made a difference in his life and for those around him.
He hopes that his readers will reflect on the book’s seven pathways and seek out ways to make a difference for others.
2:53 – Steve 101 * He was the perfect candidate to be a victim, to not be a contributor to society. He lived in housing projects with his single mother and three brothers. * His mom was determined that her sons would have a better life than she did.
8:14 – Learning from his mother * Our job is to find out why we were placed on this earth. His mother’s job was to raise four boys to help change the world.
17:31 – Serving others * Steve discovered if he was going to have any kind of success, he had to serve others. * He learned why he was placed on earth through adversity
22:28 – Paying it forward * Steve’s story shows that the American dream is real, and he wants to pay it forward. * Ask yourself: Why were you placed on this earth?
31:33 – How faith has guided Steve * Steve gave himself to the Lord in a small Indianapolis Baptist church. * He has waivered in his faith over the years, but he knows the success he has had in life has come from the Lord.
37:33 – Finding your purpose * The key is to find moments when you can be quiet, by yourself, and reflect on the question of finding your purpose. * What are you good at? What would you do for free because you love it so much?
42:05 – Uncompromising book * When you find your purpose, that is what you’re uncompromising. There will be naysayers. You just stay focused on your purpose. * Have a life of impact. Challenge yourself to identify your fight and stay focused on it.
45:44 – Get to know you * Favorite movie? Godfather I and II * Book he’s reading? Bible and daily devotional
FEATURED QUOTES You die twice. You die the day that they put you in the grave. The second time and the final time is the last time someone mentions your name.
My vision, and everyone’s vision, should be, long after we’re gone people are still mentioning our name, because that is a life of legacy. That is a life well lived.
I was the perfect candidate to be a victim, to not be a contributor to society.
Why were you placed on this earth?
CONNECT:
https://www.stevewhitespeaks.com/book/
https://www.stevewhitespeaks.com/
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guests this week is Marci Zaroff, who coined and trademarked the term "ECOfashion" in 1995. She is an ECOlifestyle entrepreneur and educator who believes that millennials are driving the rapidly growing movement for sustainable and ethical fashion.
Marci has been instrumental in driving authenticity, environmental leadership and social justice worldwide for nearly three decades. With a degree from the Haas Business School at UC Berkeley, Marci co-founded a thriving health and environmental educational center in 1990 with an organic café, AVEDA concept salon, and national magazine.
Now known as The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, it is the largest professional health coach certification program in the world.
4:53 – Marci 101 * She began a path to conscious products when it was still new. * When you start to understand how food is energy and how agriculture affects people and products. * She started thinking, “What about fashion?”
7:53 – Appealing to people aesthetically * First and foremost, appeal to people aesthetically. In food, it has to taste good. In beauty, it has to smell good and work. In fashion, it has to look good and be quality. * Once you get that what you put in your body matters, you start to realize that oh, I have a relationship with the actual ingredients that go into me?
18:16 – Ecofashion * When people hear “ecofashion” they have a very specific image in their heads. * Marci calls it the crunchy, frumpy, boxy, beige and boring viewpoint. * People often ask her, “Can you smoke it after you wear it?”
27:11 – Marci’s book * Marci’s book is ECOrenaissance: A Lifestyle Guide for Cocreating a Stylish, Sexy, and Sustainable World * Don’t go home and throw everything away. It’s about slowly integrating this mindset of oh, I can be part of the solution versus part of the problem just by making different choices?
34:14 – This is too expensive. This is too hard. * What is her response to people who say, “This is too expensive. This is too hard”? It was the same argument when organic and natural food came out. People called it “whole paycheck.” It’s a supply and demand thing, not because it’s organic.
42:26 – Prince Charles * She worked with Prince Charles in the early 2000s to help connect the consumer with organic agriculture. People don’t realize how passionate he is about organic agriculture.
45:43 – Get to know you * Her guilty pleasure? Steam, massages and chocolate * Favorite ethical fashion brand? Stella McCartney and many others
FEATURED QUOTES First and foremost, appeal to people aesthetically. In food, it has to taste good. In beauty, it has to smell good and work. In fashion, it has to look good and be quality.
Once you get that what you put in your body matters, you start to realize that oh, I have a relationship with the actual ingredients that go into me?
Don’t go home and throw everything away. It’s about slowly integrating this mindset of oh, I can be part of the solution versus part of the problem just by making different choices?
I don’t think people realize how passionate Prince Charles is about organic agriculture.
ABOUT MARCI ZAROFF:
Since coining the term “ECOfashion" in 1995, Marci Zaroff has spent several decades driving positive change through business. She has been planting seeds of consciousness globally; as a serial ecopreneur, (Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Under the Canopy, Good Catch Foods, and Beyond Brands) keynote speaker, mentor, innovator and advisor. The seeds have now taken root, with ECOfashionCorp, her GreenHouse of brands that includes YES AND–contemporary, GOTS-certified sustainable apparel; Farm to Home—GOTS-certified bed and bath available on QVC; Seed to Style—GOTS-certified, size inclusive apparel, available on QVC; and MetaWear—a B2B turnkey sustainable fashion manufacturing solution that is the engine behind all her brands. Marci’s leadership in transforming the industry from within— building innovative and transparent supply chains, spearheading sustainable fashion retail launches, and serving on an array of non-profit boards, has solidified her position as an organic authority and expert trailblazer. In fact, Marci was a key driver in defining the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) as well as the world’s first Fair Trade textile certification with Fair Trade, USA. She shares her expertise in a regular column in Women’s Wear Daily, “The Outside View.” Marci is a Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute and is the author of “ECOrenaissance: a Lifestyle Guide for Cocreating a Stylish, Sexy & Sustainable World."
CONNECT:
- https://marcizaroff.com/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/marci-zaroff-b5990a3
- https://www.amazon.com/ECOrenaissance-Lifestyle-Cocreating-Stylish-Sustainable/dp/1501123564
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guests this week are Kara Livingston and Nicole Boynton, founders of Hand Me Up, which sells pre-loved capsule clothes for kids.
From high school friends going through each other’s closets for outfits to wear to the next party to mom life friends going through their kids’ closets to keep their growing kids clothed, they have been friends through many ages and stages of life, navigating high school, college, married life and now motherhood.
They started blogging, podcasting and making planners as the duo Simply Whole Moms. They talked to a lot of mothers, and one thing they discovered is the power of moms to completely change the world.
3:30 – Kara 101 * Her favorite thing is being a mom to her kids, 6 and 5. * She started Hand Me Up with her best friend. * After working in corporate America, she decided she didn’t want to do that job anymore. She wanted to be a stay-at-home mom but also do some kind of work.
7:03 – Nicole 101 * She and Kara met I high school and have been friends for 20 years. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two girls, 6 and 8. * She decided to be a stay-at-home mom, and Kara urged her to blog about ethical fashion.
9:56 – Hand Me Up * They send out a capsule bag of kids’ clothes that have been worn before. If the parent sends back some of their kids’ clothes, they’ll get $10 off their next bag.
11:01 – The idea * Their original concept was doing something similar to the company Stitch Fix. * They take clothes that aren’t up to par and turn them into dolls, headbands, etc. and they donate some clothes.
12:27 – Logistics * They talked to a lot of moms, especially those who were entrepreneurial, to get feedback about their idea. * Moms gave them free clothes to help start their business. * The clothes come in, and they sort them. They also donate to teen moms.
15:38 – What they learned * They learned that people weren’t ordering clothes for young babies. First-time moms with young kids are pickier about what clothes their babies wear, and they also are gifted a lot of clothes.
29:20 – The sustainable journey * Start small when trying to create a sustainable lifestyle. Try starting with kids clothes.
33:54 – Difficult to change * Kara’s hardest habit to change is shopping at Target. * Nicole struggles to buy her kids’ clothes second hand, even though that’s what she does for a business. She also loves shopping at Target.
47:08 – Get to know you * Favorite kids’ clothing brands? Hanna Andersson * Example of true generosity? Emotional generosity is nice when someone will sit with you.
FEATURED QUOTES Moms are so generous. Moms are just awesome. They just give us their clothes. – Kara
There are so many big, big things happening. – Nicole
I am in the phase where I am mostly just consuming second-hand clothes and bags. – Kara
I think people really have a desire to give their stuff somewhere intentional. I think people are starting to realize that dropping it at Goodwill is not that. – Kara
CONNECT WITH HAND ME UP: * https://handmeupshop.com/
About Kara & Nicole: From high school friends going through each other’s closets for outfits to wear to the next party to mom life friends going through their kids’ closets to keep their growing kids clothed. We’ve been friends through many ages and stages of life, navigating high school, college, married life and now motherhood.
We started blogging, podcasting and making planners as the duo Simply Whole Moms. We talked to a lot of mothers, and one thing we discovered is the power of moms to completely change the world. Somewhere along the journey this idea hit us, and we knew we could make an impact.
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Thomas Vozzo, CEO of Homeboy Industries, the largest and most successful gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world.
Tom has served as the first-ever CEO of the nonprofit since 2012. He has led the organization forward, bringing his business expertise and vision to implement a strategic and mission driven development plan for the organization that has resulted in growth all around.
He has cultivated Homeboy’s portfolio of job-training businesses (e.g., Homeboy Bakery, Homegirl Café, and Homeboy Silkscreen & Embroidery) and increased revenues from Homeboy Industries’ enterprises in order to decrease the organization’s reliance on donations and government funding, as the organization receives less than 5% of annual funding from any government resources.
Most recently, he has helmed Homeboy Industries’ acquisition of Isidore Electronics Recycling, rebranding the full service, certified B Corporation as “Homeboy Recycling,” and establishing a new job creation stream that supports the organization’s comprehensive, free rehabilitative services. The venture marks the first of its kind in the electronic waste industry where a for-profit entity is leveraged to both provide jobs and generate revenue for a not-for-profit organization.
4:18 – Thomas 101 * Homeboy is based in Los Angeles and helps gang members change their lives. * He wants to help people heal. * Before Homeboy, Thomas was in the corporate world and ran a $1.8 billion business. His values didn’t line up with the corporate world.
9:01 – Running businesses * He came in and used business techniques to improve certain areas. But Homeboy changed him as well. * Homeboy is a chance for people to get a job. They give people a lot of latitude. * They need to teach people how to work.
13:53 – 10,000 people a year * They’re first and foremost a human services agency. * 10,000 people come through Homeboy’s doors every year to get some type of service and help. * They help take tattoos off people’s faces for free since it hinders them getting jobs.
16:09 – How Homeboy has change Thomas * Thomas came to Homeboy wanting to help, but he had the hubris of a company executive. * There really are two Americas – the America that Thomas and most of us live in … and then the plight of the really poor, the demonized.
22:22 – Poverty in America * Poverty is America has not changed much * People aren’t in gangs because they want to be in there. It’s because it’s ingrained in them from a young age.
28:15 – Clients became managers * More than half of Homeboy’s management team members are former clients.
32:53 – Homegirls * Thomas tells the story of a client who was friendly and polite but had a hard life. She had health issues and debt and turned to prostitution to make money.
44:04 – What Thomas has learned * When he talks with people, he tries to find out what’s behind their frustration, anger and pain.
46:50 – Get to know you * Favorite meal at Homegirl Café – Carne Asada tacos with hot sauce * What actor should play him in movie? Steve Carrell * Most played music? Bruce Springsteen and classical music
FEATURED QUOTES We need to teach people how to work along the way.
We’re first and foremost a human services agency. Ten thousand people come through Homeboy’s doors every year to get some type of service and help.
There really are two Americas – the America that I live in … and then the plight of the really poor, the demonized.
CONNECT: * https://homeboyindustries.org/ * https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456X
ABOUT THOMAS VOZZO: Thomas Vozzo left a lucrative career in corporate America convinced there had to be a better way to define success. In 2012, Vozzo became the first-ever CEO of Homeboy Industries, the largest and most successful gang intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world.
Each year, thousands of former gang members from across Los Angeles enter the doors of Homeboy Industries seeking hope and the tools to make positive change. They are welcomed into a community of kinship, love, and exquisite mutuality, alongside access to the needed support services to ensure their own success—including case management, tattoo removal, anger management training, mental health services, parenting classes and more. The overarching goal is to support individuals as they work to heal from their complex trauma and help them see hope in their futures and the importance of their contributions to their families and communities.
Vozzo led the nonprofit organization forward, bringing his business expertise and vision to implement a strategic and mission-driven plan that doubled the organization’s size and impact. He has cultivated Homeboy’s portfolio of social enterprise job-training businesses (including Homeboy Bakery, Homegirl Café and Homebody Electronic Recycling), and increased revenues from Homeboy Industries’ social enterprises while only having less than 5% of the organization's funds come from government sources.
Vozzo’s journey goes from billion-dollar revenues—his last corporate role was as CEO of the $1.8 billion ARAMARK Uniform and Career Apparel Group—to a voluntary, unpaid CEO of a nonprofit built on compassion, kinship, empathy and social justice. Along the way, he has learned hard-earned insights from motivational and sometimes heartbreaking stories of former gang members determined to break the cycles of incarceration and violence of their own lives.
In Vozzo’s first book, The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life, he gives readers practical ways to address some of our most vexing social issues and provides a new path for personal and business leadership.
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Olowo-n'djo Tchala. Born in the village of Kaboli, Togo, West Africa near the border of Benin, Olowo-n’djo grew up sharing an 8’x10’ room with seven siblings and his mother.
Although they did not always have enough, his mother, Ina, instilled in him the importance of kindness and generosity by always sharing what they could. Unable to afford school fees, Olowo-n’djo dropped out of school in the sixth grade to help support his family.
After meeting his wife he founded Alaffia in 2003. In 2004, armed with his understanding of the value of indigenous West African resources and sustainable business ideologies, he launched Alaffia's first collective. Alaffia continues to redefine the natural products industry through its values of beauty, equality and empowerment.
Alaffia handcrafts award-winning clean, green beauty and grooming products and is a social enterprise on a mission to invest in a more equitable future.
4:25 – My personal testimonial * I’m such a huge fan of Alaffia. My son Amos, who is almost 6, had horrible eczema as a child. We tried everything. Somebody recommended Alaffia to me, and I became a believer. * It was safe and smelled amazing. It was a lifesaver.
6:09 - Olowo-n’djo 101 * He sees Alaffia as everybody’s brand, not just his. He feels honored to do something that he believes in.
10:43 – Meeting his wife * Olowo-n’djo’s wife, Rose, studied chemistry and is from Washington state. * He decided to follow her because, “You have to follow the one that touches your heart.”
14:38 – Meaning of Alaffia * Alaffia means peace and health. His beauty brand represents a social movement, not just a business.
18:55 – How his business sprouted * Olowo-n’djo’s mother instilled a sense of responsibility in him. He wanted to be a subway engineer at one point to help find clean water.
21:20 – Fair trade model * Alaffia has gone above the idea of the “fair trade” model. He is setting a standard for other companies.
24:36 – Funding births * Olowo-n’djo has funded over 6,500 births.
29:24 – Women’s issues * I am so grateful to Olowo-n’djo for talking about important topics, like women’s’ maternal health. * Women often have to advocate for themselves, so it’s nice to see a man advocating for us.
33:53 – Biggest challenge * The biggest challenge he faces depends on the day. The challenges are continuous, and there are incredible difficulties.
37:09 – His products * Alaffia makes a lot of bath products, but they also make creams for moisturizing the skin.
41:29 – Get to know you * Who would play him in a movie? He would play himself. * Who would play his mom in a movie? His aunt
FEATURED QUOTES
I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for us. We have so much to offer the world.
I get to do something that I deeply and profoundly believe in, really deep in my heart and my soul.
CONNECT:
https://www.alaffia.com/
About Olowo-n'djo Tchala:
Olowo-n’djo Tchala, founder and CEO of Alaffia, was born and raised in the village of Kaboli, Togo, Africa located in the Central region near the border of Benin. Growing up, he shared an 8’ x 10’ room with his mother and seven siblings. Olowo-n’djo’s mother taught him the importance of kindness and generosity and by the age of five, Olowo-n’djo was working on the family farm to help support his family. After meeting Prairie Rose Hyde, who was serving in the Peace Corps at the time, he came to the United States and worked his way through school, eventually graduating from the University of California, Davis with a degree in organizational theory. Shortly before graduation, Olowo-n’djo and Rose felt they had the responsibility to fight the injustices that existed in West Africa. They founded Alaffia, which handcrafts award-winning clean and fair trade beauty and grooming care. The organization advances gender equality and alleviates poverty through the fair trade of indigenous African resources such as unrefined shea butter, African black soap, coconut oil and neem extract.
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’m so excited about this episode. Can you believe that it’s episode 280? I’m already thinking about what I’m going to do for episode 300. I’ve been doing this podcast for nearly 5½ years, which is crazy.
Today’s show is about 22 ways you can be happier in 2022. This list is a chance for you to think about things and see if there are areas that you might want to improve, grow or change in 2022.
4:46 – Learn to laugh at yourself 5:19 – Put your phone away 5:52 – Learn something new 6:45 – Go outside 7:53 – Declutter your stuff 8:32 – Make mistakes and acknowledge it 9:00 – Pick your battles 10:11 – Serve others 10:48 – Eat tacos or burritos 11:00 – Text and call your friends 11:36 – Call your family 11:47 – Forgive someone 12:48 – Try a lo-dough ($) month this year 13:38 – Face a fear 14:09 – Learn to accept a compliment 14:42 – Perform random acts of kindness regularly 15:17 – Take a trip 15:33 – Exercise 16:26 – Turn off social media and news media 17:05 – Create a gratitude list 17:28 – Pray 18:02 – Dig into God’s word Ok, now that you’ve read my list, what would you add to it? I want you to know I’m praying for you, and I’m truly grateful for you. You’ve had a massive impact on my life. It is so meaningful anytime you listen to my show and share it.
19:55 – Interview with my kids, Lilly and Amos * The funniest animals on the farm are the guineas and baby goats, which jump like maniacs. * If we could add any animals to the farm, it would be cows, horses, and peacocks. * If you want to be happier in 2022, you should skateboard, take a walk, get outside and come see our baby goats. * Follow our mom on Instagram and you can see 3,000 videos of our baby goats. * We saw the baby goats being born, and all the moms there were like, “I feel ya, girl. I feel ya!”
FEATURED QUOTES
The Creator God gave us this beautiful creation, the earth and the sun and the sky ... Just get outside. It can do so much for your emotional and mental health.
This list is a chance for you to think about things and see if there are areas that you might want to improve, grow or change in 2022.
Learn to laugh at yourself. People who take themselves way too seriously tend to have a tougher time rolling with the punches.
Put your phone away. No, seriously. Put it away.
For me, learning more about the Lord and his nature has been life changing, perspective shifting and one of the most impactful things in my life.
Thank you to our partner of the show!
Are you looking to clean up your household cleaning products this year? MamaSuds would like to help! The best way is to simply start with one product. Every time you run out of a specific cleaning product, replace it with a non-toxic one. Another tip, purchase a product that has multiple uses. The MamaSuds Collection has many multiple use products (castile soap or the toilet bombs are just a few!). Their blog has lots of great tips and a castile soap recipe that you can print and make a lot of your own effective cleaners! Give them a try at www.mamasuds.com and don't forget to use the coupon code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Joy Eggerichs Reed, author of Get to the Publishing Punchline, released in June. She is also the founder of Punchline Agency and has been a speaker over the past decade.
Between 2005 and 2015, Joy worked as Conference Director for her parents Love and Respect marriage conferences. She later created the Love and Respect Now website and The Illumination Project small group study as resources for her generation on the topic of singleness, dating and marriage. In 2014, Christianity Today named Joy one of 33 leaders under the age of 33 shaping the next generation.
Over the course of the last decade of creating content and speaking, Joy has discovered a love for learning through interviewing. She enjoys hosting events, interviewing speakers and mediating dialogues.
She has taken several years of improv comedy classes to help her listen, add levity, and let the conversation and event unfold in a unique way. She enjoys helping others communicate on camera, be themselves on stage and develop talks and presentations.
3:45 – Joy 101 * Joy grew up as a pastor’s daughter and watched her father speak on stage. She loved being on stage and watching people talk, but she often felt dumb and out of her lane. * She thought about going into fashion but decided it wasn’t for her.
10:11 – Living in Paris * Joy and her husband Matt have been living in Paris, France since 2017 and have two children, Millie and Emerson.
15:08 – Improv comedy * She took improv classes for five years and loved SNL, especially when she was in high school. * When you get into an improv community, it’s kind of like a family.
25:59 – Good comedians * Try using “yes, and” instead of “no, but” in conversations to move it along in a positive way. * One of the things that she noticed about really good comedians is that they’re noticers. They notice every single, little detail.
33:11 – Reel challenge * Joy and Molly are doing Reel challenges on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXWEO8MIgCG/)
43:20 – Writing a book * She wanted to help kids in the foster system and encourage them to write. * People sometimes feel really lonely in the writing process and it can be overwhelming, so she wanted to create something to help writers.
53:47 – Get to know you * Best concert she’s attended? Coldplay and Harry Connick Jr. * Do audio books count as reading? Yes!
FEATURED QUOTES When you get into an improv community, it’s kind of like a family.
One of the things that I noticed about really good comedians is that they’re noticers. They just notice every single, little detail.
People sometimes feel really lonely in the writing process and it can be overwhelming.
CONNECT WITH JOY:
- https://punchlineagency.com/
- https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Bernard-Baguette-Silly-Discover/dp/1955051046
- https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXWEO8MIgCG/
Thank you to our partner of the show:
MamaSuds helps label-reading moms create a safe and nontoxic home for their family by creating synthetic free household cleaners. And one of those cleaner is MamaSuds
Fine Linen Soap- which is the best thing since Sliced Bread.
Wash your high-quality sheets, linens, delicates, and organic fabrics with a Fine Linen Soap to keep them looking newer and softer longer.
Use 3-4 capfuls for high-efficiency machines on delicate cycle, 4-6 capfuls for regular machines on delicate cycle.
Head over to MamaSuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guests this week are Nancy Zeffman and Eileen Willett, co-founders of Cucumber Clothing. Their brand offers luxury, cooling, sustainable clothing and nightwear for women.
After meeting at school gates 20 years ago, they became friends and started Cucumber four years ago. They wanted create clothes for busy women who wanted luxurious, everyday clothes without having to wear sky-high heels and uncomfortable garments.
Their simple, multifunctional designs slip perfectly into every woman’s wardrobe, and the ultra-modern performance fabrics mean the clothes move with you, not against you and always feel beautifully soft against the skin.
4:41 – Nancy 101 * Nancy is from London and started her career in advertising. She took some time off to be a mom and do some charity work before starting Cucumber. * She also mentors small businesses and gives talks about female entrepreneurship.
5:57 – Eileen 101 * Eileen is Japanese-Canadian and was born in Vancouver. She moved to England for several decades and started a family. * She loves mentoring women and helping them with mid-life pivoting. * Eileen and Nancy also love to exercise.
9:32 – How Cucumber started * They wore workout gear a lot and wanted to replicate the comfortable feeling in something that you could wear all day. * Their company is all about sustainable, comfortable fabrics. * Making anything leaves a carbon footprint, but they try to do it in the lightest way possible, in a way they feel proud of.
12:09 – Fabric-led fashion * It’s a fabric-led fashion brand. * You can wear Cucumber clothes to bed, to work, to the club, anywhere.
17:20 – Customer feedback * They launched with six nightwear clothes, and they branched out after customer feedback. * Some people said the clothing was great for breastfeeding moms.
19:00 – Researching fabrics * You can work with agents who work with mills that make fabrics or you can approach mills directly to get samples of their fabrics. * Their fabric feels like cotton and is lightweight but doesn’t absorb sweat.
24:47 – Preloved section * Some pieces are pRELOVD returns and are clearly labeled as such. Others are end of line, new or unused/never made production samples.
33:52 – How to get started * If you want to start a business, just start. At some point, you just have to go for it. * Having a co-founder is a fantastic thing, because it allows you some flexibility.
38:07 – Get to know Nancy and Eileen * Nancy’s favorite thing about being a Londoner? She loves being a city girl * Eileen’s most versatile clothing piece? Her Cucumber strappy top
FEATURED QUOTES We wanted a business we could feel proud of. – Nancy
Making anything leaves a carbon footprint, but it’s trying to do it in the lightest way possible, in a way that we feel proud of. – Nancy
Our clothes look really lovely, and you can dress them up, you can dress them down. You can wear them to bed. You can wear them out clubbing, if you want to. – Eileen
CONNECT https://www.cucumberclothing.com/ Discount code: purpose15
ABOUT NANCY AND EILEEN:
Co-founder at Cucumber Clothing, Nancy is a born and bred Londoner. She began her career in advertising, working at Saatchi and Saatchi on some major blue-chip clients and FMCG brands. Following this she worked for several years in the charitable sector before co-founding Cucumber Clothing, a fabric led fashion brand. Chosen as one of small business Britain’s #ialso2020 celebrating top female entrepreneurial talent, Nancy is also a speaker on female entrepreneurship and slow fashion. She also mentors start-up businesses and co-hosts round table events on a variety of female facing subjects.
Born in Vancouver to Japanese parents, Eileen trained in fashion in Paris and San Francisco before settling in London to work at Nicole Farhi where she was instrumental in growing the menswear brand. She founded and ran her successful bespoke accessories brand before launching Cucumber Clothing with her Co-founder Nancy Zeffman in 2017 making ‘luxurious clothing for everyday’, using ultra-soft technical fabrics. Shortlisted for the 2020 Asian Woman of Achievement Awards, Eileen is a speaker on female entrepreneurship/slow fashion and co-hosts i:Entrepreneur’s weekly Wednesday Lives series of interviews featuring entrepreneurs from a diverse background.
Thank you to our partner of the show:
MamaSuds helps label-reading moms create a safe and nontoxic home for their family by creating synthetic free household cleaners. And one of those cleaner is MamaSuds
Fine Linen Soap- which is the best thing since Sliced Bread.
Wash your high-quality sheets, linens, delicates, and organic fabrics with a Fine Linen Soap to keep them looking newer and softer longer.
Use 3-4 capfuls for high-efficiency machines on delicate cycle, 4-6 capfuls for regular machines on delicate cycle.
Head over to MamaSuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Bethaney Wilkinson, a facilitator, author, and champion of race-conscious leadership. She has dedicated more than a decade to exploring the intersections of community, racial justice, and social change—specifically in the organizational context.
In her work with business and non-profits, she co-designs and facilitates learning and culture-shaping experiences for teams. As part of her work in diversity and cultural change, Bethaney is an invited speaker at major conferences and top global companies.
She is host of the popular podcast, The Diversity Gap, and is the founder of The Diversity Gap Community, an online learning platform for leaders seeking to pair their good intentions for diversity with true cultural change.
9:29 – Bethaney 101 * She is a facilitator and racial justice educator who helps teams be more supportive of diverse groups of people.
10:14 – What led to her passion? * She ended up doing the work after trying to support people in her community. * She wanted to fill the gaps and help people work together.
12:41 – Challenges organizations faced * One of the biggest challenge was many leaders go-to action was let me diversify my team and board. * That intention was positive, but they weren’t asking If their culture supported diversity.
14:38 – Media hype versus real change * If you’re not experiencing the harmful effects of racism, it is very easy to turn it on and off. * Think of it like an iceberg. What you see is diversity, and most people stop there. Below the water is where actual transformation and reconciliation happens.
19:53 – Creating culture change * Culture is the stories we tell ourselves – who is the victim and who is the hero? * Focus on values, the ways you behave and what you prioritize.
26:03 – Fear of making mistakes * You will say the wrong thing, and you will do the wrong thing. After you get over that hump, the real work is being willing to receive feedback.
31:15 – Receive feedback * A good lesson for any leader is to be able to receive feedback.
37:22 – Get to know you * Best concert she’s ever attended? Rising Appalachia
FEATURED QUOTES Do you want to do the hard work it takes to maintain that relationship?
How are we willing to change to adapt to actually serve people who we’re not practiced at serving?
If you’re not experiencing the harmful effects of racism, it is very easy to turn it on and off.
You will say the wrong thing, and you will do the wrong thing. After you get over that hump, the real work is being willing to receive feedback.
CONNECT WITH BETHANEY:
https://www.bethaneywilkinson.com/
About Bethaney Wilkinson:
Bethaney is a writer, leader, and social entrepreneur who has dedicated more than a decade to exploring the intersections of community, racial justice, and social change. Bethaney began her career as co-founder of Atlanta Harvest, a high-production development farm on a mission to create jobs and strengthen economies in disadvantaged communities. She then founded G.Race Dialogues, a faith and community-based initiative designed to support individuals and organizations pursuing racial reconciliation. Bethaney expanded her research and broadened her reach after joining the team at Plywood People, a non-profit in Atlanta leading a community of startups doing good. As part of her work in diversity and cultural change, Bethaney is an invited speaker at major conferences and top global companies. She is host of the popular podcast, The Diversity Gap, and is the founder of The Diversity Gap Academy, an online learning platform for leaders seeking to pair their good intentions for diversity with true cultural change.
Thank you to our partner of the show:
MamaSuds helps label-reading moms create a safe and nontoxic home for their family by creating synthetic free household cleaners. And one of those cleaner is MamaSuds
Fine Linen Soap- which is the best thing since Sliced Bread.
Wash your high-quality sheets, linens, delicates, and organic fabrics with a Fine Linen Soap to keep them looking newer and softer longer.
Use 3-4 capfuls for high-efficiency machines on delicate cycle, 4-6 capfuls for regular machines on delicate cycle.
Head over to MamaSuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guests this week are Michelle Myers and Somer Phoebus, the founders of She Works His Way. Their organization counteracts culture’s way with a gospel-centered approach to work and womanhood. They also believe that community is greater than content and that women’s priorities should be Christ, home and work, in that order.
What started as a Google Hangout with four friends has now grow into a global ministry that reaches thousands of women daily.
5:55 – Somer 101 * Somer lives in Annapolis and is a pastor’s wife. From a young age, she enjoyed working and had an entrepreneurial spirit. She has two daughters, 19 and 21.
9:07 – Michelle 101 * Michelle despises birds (☺) and lives in Asheville. She is also a pastor’s daughter who married a pastor. She has three kids, the oldest is 10, and the youngest is 5. * She quit her job and went to seminary. She wanted to learn more about ministry and find out what God wanted her to do with her life.
12:47 – She Works His Way * It’s a discipleship community for working women to encourage and equip them to stop compartmentalizing their faith. * When you’re in your purpose, everything, all the hard, it has purpose.
15:12 – Mixing faith with profit * This can be done well or poorly. It depends on what your motives are. It’s one thing to put your faith on your company website. It’s another to live it out. * If you make decisions based on what you think other people’s perceptions of you are going to be, you’re going to struggle for the rest of your life. * If you’re called to put faith on your billboard, put it on there.
25:35 – Achieving balance * When we try to achieve balance, we try to be everything that God has called us to be and then everything that the world expects us to be. But it’s not balance, it’s bondage. * Women often feel like they’re on a hamster wheel on a tightrope.
37:44 – Drowning in information * The first place they send women is to the local church, because community is so important. * We’re desperate to be inspired and get motivation, and we are drowning in information. * They suggest informational fasts for women to take a break from consuming so much information.
52:09 – Analysis paralysis * If you feel overwhelmed, try these three simple steps:
+ Do a weekly brain dump on a sheet of paper
+ Categorize your brain dump by home, career, big projects
+ Schedule it on your calendar
FEATURED QUOTES If you make decisions based on what you think other people’s perceptions of you are going to be, you’re going to struggle for the rest of your life. – Somer
If you’re called to put faith on your billboard, put it on there. – Somer
When you’re in your purpose, everything, all the hard, it has purpose. – Somer
What is your view of God, and who are you? – Somer
What are you called to? What is God asking of you? And then you step in obedience to whatever that is. – Somer
CONNECT:
https://sheworkshisway.com/
https://sheworkshisway.com/book/
Michelle Myers had no idea what started as a Google hangout at 5am with three friends would one day result in the title of "founder" of she works His way. But here we are, six years later, with thousands of women gathered for the same reason we started: How can I glorify God, honor my family, and serve others at work? Basically, her happy place is encouraging + equipping working women to live for the glory of God and the good of others. Home will always be her favorite place to be, with her husband, James, and their three children, Noah (9), Cole (6) and Shea (3).
Somer is a lead communicator + managing partner at she works HIS way. She spent the first half of her career building the businesses of others and the second half building and selling a few businesses of her own. She is also the creator of Productivity Academy + the owner of Somer Phoebus Consulting, where she coaches other working women and female entrepreneurs in the areas of productivity, leadership, brick and mortar business, and scaling for growth -- all while keeping their priorities in line: faith, then family, then business. Somer is married to Kent, a pastor at Redemption Church in Annapolis, MD, and mom to their two lovely daughters, Kennedi (19) and Ava Liz (17).
Thank you to our partner of the show:
MamaSuds helps label-reading moms create a safe and nontoxic home for their family by creating synthetic free household cleaners. And one of those cleaner is MamaSuds
Fine Linen Soap- which is the best thing since Sliced Bread.
Wash your high-quality sheets, linens, delicates, and organic fabrics with a Fine Linen Soap to keep them looking newer and softer longer.
Use 3-4 capfuls for high-efficiency machines on delicate cycle, 4-6 capfuls for regular machines on delicate cycle.
Head over to MamaSuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Ken Coleman, the #1 national bestselling author of The Proximity Principle and nationally syndicated host of The Ken Coleman Show.
Pulling from his own personal struggles, missed opportunities and career successes, Ken helps people discover what they were born to do and provides practical steps to make their dream job a reality.
The Ken Coleman Show is a caller-driven career show that helps listeners who are stuck in a job they hate or searching for something more out of their career. His latest book, From Paycheck to Purpose, was released in November.
4:02 – Ken 101 * Being a husband and father is Ken’s priority in life, but his career is not far behind.
5:25 – How he got here * Ken is a pastor’s kid, and his dad told him he was created to do something with his life. * There was a glaring need that he grew up with – that he had to figure out what God’s will for his life is. * He wanted to be a politician with a background in business and leadership. He eventually lost his passion for that kind of work.
15:06 – From Paycheck to Purpose * When you feel lost or stuck in your life and career, it feels all consuming. Ken discovered he had a passion for broadcasting and communication. * He began working for Ramsey Solutions and helping people through his show. * He finally realized if he wanted to drive transformation in people’s lives, he needed to give them a clear path.
28:16 – Finding meaningful work * The pandemic created a great resignation as people sought meaning in their lives and careers. * People were forced to face their mortality and the preciousness of life. They began asking themselves what they want to do with their lives.
41:15 – Words of wisdom * What does Ken say to people who hate their job and feel stuck? Focus on facts, not feelings. Figure out what skills you have acquired and what knowledge you have gained. * You can build on the skills you have, no matter your age. * You will sabotage yourself if you keep looking back at your past jobs. Keeping looking up at the mountaintop of your dreams.
45:13 – Get to know you * His most played song? Elevation Worship’s Wait on You * Who would play him in a movie? Jason Sudeikis * True generosity he has witnessed? Dave Ramsey gave away more than $1 million
FEATURED QUOTES What do I want to do with the rest of my life? What other changes do I want to make? Life’s too short to just go get a paycheck.
There was a glaring need that I grew up with. I gotta figure out what God’s will for my life is.
If you’re driving transformation, people need a clear path.
- LINKS:
- https://www.ramseysolutions.com/ken-coleman
- https://www.ramseysolutions.com/store/books/from-paycheck-to-purpose-by-ken-coleman
ABOUT KEN COLEMAN:
Ken Coleman is America’s Career Coach, the nationally syndicated radio host of The Ken Coleman Show and No. 1 bestselling author. He has been featured in Forbes, appeared on Fox News, Fox Business Network, and the Rachel Ray Show. Since 2014, he has served at Ramsey Solutions, where he offers expert advice to help thousands of people every day discover what they were meant to do and how to land their dream job. Follow Ken on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube or at kencoleman.com.
Thank you to our partner of the show:
MamaSuds helps label-reading moms create a safe and nontoxic home for their family by creating synthetic free household cleaners. And one of those cleaner is MamaSuds
Fine Linen Soap- which is the best thing since Sliced Bread.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Wash your high-quality sheets, linens, delicates, and organic fabrics with a Fine Linen Soap to keep them looking newer and softer longer. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Use 3-4 capfuls for high-efficiency machines on delicate cycle, 4-6 capfuls for regular machines on delicate cycle.
Head over to MamaSuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Allison Trowbridge, founder and CEO of Copper, a disruptive social platform that connects book enthusiasts and readers directly with authors. Copper offers a unique, subscription-based model for authors and a community for like-minded individuals.
Copper offers everything from a customized bookshelf, discussion guides, audio hosting, and so much more. It takes the reading experience to a whole new level.
Allison is also an accomplished author in her own right. She published her book, “Twenty-Two: Letters to a Young Woman Searching for Meaning,” back in 2017 with Harper Collins while completing her MBA at Oxford’s Business School.
5:27 – Allison 101 * She had a very wild, winding journey before creating Copper. She comes from the non-profit world and anti-trafficking and ethical companies. * What she’s building now is the company that she wished had existed when she was launching her own book.
7:07 – Ethical brands * Allison started as a volunteer for an anti-trafficking organization, Not For Sale, while she was in college and was then hired to work there.
14:18 – How she published her first book * She published “Twenty-Two” through Harper Collins. She wrote the book after feeling like there was no guidance or leadership for that season of her life. * How do you handle careers and friendships and relationships? She wanted a mentor for those life experiences. * When she feels like she really need something and it doesn’t exist, she asks herself: “How do I help create it for those who are coming up behind me?”
21:27 – What is Copper? * When she published her book, she realized she loved the publishing industry but realized there wasn’t a lot of technology or innovation going on in the industry. * She wanted a way to build a base of readers without doing a dance on Instagram to get followers.
28:11 – Her dreams for Copper * Within five years, she wants to build the LinkedIn of the book world. * A major goal is to help underserved and underrepresented voices get discovered and amplified and find their audience. * She also wants to help audiences find each other.
32:00 – Get to know you * Favorite genre? Business books and cozy mysteries * Does she ever not finish books? All the time.
FEATURED QUOTES I became really passionate about publishing and books as really a driver for social change and greater impact.
Books can transform lives, quite literally.
What I’m building now is the company that I wished had existed when I was launching my own book.
When I feel like I really, really need something and it doesn’t exist, I’m like, how do I help create it for those who are coming up behind me?
CONNECT:
https://copperbooks.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Two-Letters-Young-Searching-Meaning/dp/0718078160
ABOUT ALLISON TROWBRIDGE:
Allison Trowbridge is the founder and CEO of Copper, a disruptive social platform that connects book enthusiasts and readers directly with authors. As the publishing landscape continues to lean into book clubs and social media as the cornerstone of a book launch marketing campaign, Copper streamlines the process, offering a unique subscription-based model for authors, and a community of like-minded individuals who want to engage with the authors they love and other voracious readers. Offering features like a customized bookshelf, discussion guides, audio hosting, and more, Copper takes the reading experience to a new level. Allison is also the host of impact podcast, "Real Good Company" with Caitlin Crosby, founder & CEO of The Giving Keys where the two discuss and interview luminaries doing great things. An accomplished author in her own right, Allison published her book, “Twenty-Two: Letters to a Young Woman Searching for Meaning” in 2017 with HarperCollins while completing her MBA at Oxford’s Said Business School. Prior to her work in the publishing industry, Allison worked within the global anti-slavery movement, leading marketing, fundraising, and international campaigns.
My guest this week is Heather Maio-Smith, an award-winning interactive storytelling pioneer and technology visionary who brings more than a decade of storytelling leadership to her brand new company, StoryFile.
In 2010 Heather was creating an exhibit on intergenerational testimony with Holocaust survivors. She created a 3D prototype and formed a partnership to secure in-depth interviews interactively.
Heather had always intended that once the survivors were filmed, that anyone should be able to tell their story and save it for future generations. In 2017, StoryFile was created as an automatic, cloud-based platform that would bring the power of conversational video into everyone’s hands.
3:03 – Heather 101 * She became an expert in intergenerational testimony and had great conversations with older people. * She wanted everyone to be able to tell their story so future generations could actually talk to them and have a conversation.
6:46 – How does StoryFile work? * She didn’t know if her idea would work. They built a system that was completely automated and online. * You record yourself answering a bunch of questions about your life. You can choose from 1,600 questions.
13:02 – Answers for future generations * There’s no reason nowadays that you can’t have in-depth conversations with people you love. * Do a StoryFile for a future generation you’ll never meet. * Some people think it’s a bit egotistic to do, but it’s not. It’s a gift to future generations.
19:05 – Tell your story * It’s one thing to write down your story or do an audio recording of yourself, but you miss the non-verbal communication. * The video element allows you to see the essence of the person. * Every generation has gone through really difficult things, but it’s what you learn from it and can pass along.
27:27 – How to start StoryFile * Go to StoryFile.com and pick how many questions you want to do. You can pick individual questions or by topic and start recording.
28:27 – Get to know you * Best concert she ever attended? Madonna in a small venue
FEATURED QUOTES We wanted everyone to be able to tell their story this way so future generations could actually talk to them and have a conversation.
If my kids could have the ability to talk to my grandfather, that would be amazing. Because then they would understand me and maybe understand themselves a little more.
It’s one thing to write down your story or do an audio recording of yourself, but you miss the non-verbal communication.
CONNECT:
https://storyfile.com/
ABOUT HEATHER MAIO-SMITH:
Heather Maio-Smith is an award-winning interactive storytelling pioneer and technology visionary who brings over a decade of immersive storytelling leadership to StoryFile.
In 2010, Heather developed the first 3D interactive conversation with Holocaust Survivor Rose Schindler through her creative agency Conscience Display. At the time, she was creating physical video installations at the United Nations, USC, and in Havana, Cuba, but she understood that the future of storytelling lay at the intersection of digital media and ‘natural conversation’ and decided to create it.
Heather developed a strategic partnership with two global entities with competencies in visual media and technology - USC Shoah Foundation and the Institute for Creative Technologies. The partnership she led has resulted in the development of a new medium - natural conversation video.
Through Heather’s leadership, immersive interactive natural conversation video has gone from being a concept to a reality, combining hi-fidelity multi-scopic video with voice commands to deliver commercial grade natural conversation with an individual, whether it’s a life-sized video or on your mobile device, replicating the emotional experience of having a conversation with a person. She developed and pioneered Dimensions in Testimony, a program to interview Holocaust Survivors in volumetric interactive video without that survivor actually being present. Dimensions in Testimony won both the People’s Choice Award and the Jury Prize at Sheffield Doc Fest in 2016. She produced and led the project before moving on to found and lead StoryFile.
As a leader in content based technology, she has spoken about Natural Conversation at Microsoft (2017), US Holocaust Museum (2017), Dartmouth College (2018), FoST (2018), SXSW (2019), SXSW (2019), The LA Times Festival of Books (2019), M.I.T. (2020), and AI Summit (2020). Heather’s work has been featured in Fast Company, NBC’s The Today Show, The New Yorker, Reuters and BBC. She was also featured on 60 Minutes in 2020.
Instagram:
@storyfile
Website:
www.storyfile.com
My guest this week is Daniel Grothe, associate senior pastor at New Life Church in Colorado Springs. He is the author of Chasing Wisdom and The Power of Place: Choosing Stability in a Rootless Age.
He is a two-time Grammy-nominated musician. He and his wife Lisa live on a hobby farm with their three children. You may remember Daniel. He was on my podcast in 2020, episode 205, and he is one of my favorite interviews of all time. He’s hilarious, kind and wise.
4:40 – Farm updates * The resident elk herd is moving through right now. They just harvested their 20th cow and sent out another 2,000 pounds of beef. * Life is full on Quiet Waters Ranch.
13:45 – The Power of Place: Choosing Stability in a Rootless Age * We live in a divorce culture. It’s easy to be done and leave. We live in a place of impermanence, where everything is replaceable. * Many people run from little annoyances and idiosyncrasies. But if we submit to where we are, God can make something of us.
22:37 – An age of wanderlust * We live in a society of great cultural and social dislocation. We are living in an age of wanderlust. * We have the deepest pockets of any society in history and maybe the loosest roots.
27:42 – Place, worship and people * National Geographic did a study called the blue zones, pockets of centenarians who lived over 100 years old. They ate a lot of fish, walked a lot, stayed in the same place most of their lives, had a place of worship and had long-term friendships. * Place, worship and people matter to longevity.
35:32 – The art of place making * If you’re not in a threatening environment and are having just run of the mill problems, practice the power of place. People are the great purifiers. * Make where you live wonderful, beautiful, life giving and rich. * The art of place making – have you created a little nest, a little area where you can be human?
38:46 – Come home to family * Do your work, go get your money and come on home to your people where you’re safe. * Life is complex and people are going to frustrate us at work, but come home and feel peace. * There is a depth of riches to be found in friendship.
43:21 – Sacred canopy of church * Church can be a sacred canopy to provide joy, safety and protection. * Submit to your local church
44:25 – Community * What are you doing to make your community better?
52:07 – Stay in place * You have all that you need right where you are.
55:33 – Get to know you * Best concert he’s ever been to? Boyz II Men * What actor should play him? Jim Carrey
FEATURED QUOTES The art of place making – have you created a little nest, a little area where you can be human?
If we submit to where we are, God can make something of us.
We live in a society of great cultural and social dislocation. We are living in an age of wanderlust.
There is a depth of riches to be found in friendship.
CONNECT:
https://danielgrothe.com/
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER OF THE SHOW:
MamaSuds helps label-reading moms create a safe and nontoxic home for their family by creating synthetic free household cleaners. And one of those cleaner is MamaSuds
Fine Linen Soap- which is the best thing since [Pumpkin] - Sliced -Bread
Wash your high-quality sheets, linens, delicates, and organic fabrics with a Fine Linen Soap to keep them looking newer and softer longer.
Use 3-4 capfuls for high-efficiency machines on delicate cycle, 4-6 capfuls for regular machines on delicate cycle.
Head over to MamaSuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Grant Trahant. He is the founder of Causeartist, a global community of conscious consumers, social entrepreneurs, business leaders, and the individuals who support them, who believe social enterprise can positively impact the world.
Causeartist’s founder, Grant Trahant, grew up in New Orleans, where he was introduced to social issues at an early age. He became fascinated by the idea that businesses could solve societal challenges — skipping over the need for political intervention.
He began seeking out social entrepreneurs to learn more about what they were doing and how he could be involved, and uncovered a bustling world of enterprises determined to make the world better through business.
Today, Causeartist has told the stories of hundreds of brands and business leaders to people in more than 200 countries. Grant operates Causeartist with a growing team of media experts, writers, and editors, all of whom are passionate about improving systems and lives through the power of social enterprise.
4:42 – Grant 101 * He created Causeartist 8 years old to showcase ethical and sustainable alternatives. * As the years go by, consumers want to understand more about what they buy.
11:55 – From the beginning * Bridget Hilton, founder of LSTN Headphones, is a good example of someone Grant has known from the beginning and watched her growth. * You don’t have to be doing $5 million in revenue to make an impact and have a good business.
16:09 – How to become successful * There is so much technology to develop something that could scale really well with just you. * The barrier to entry is to start your own thing. You can scale ecommerce very quickly. * Don’t start too big with too many products. What do you want to see in the market that doesn’t exist? * Don’t make it complicated. The best brands and companies Grant has seen have started with one product.
22:23 – Hurdles * Passion always helps, especially if you love what you do. The bad times come and go. * Little wins mean the world and can help you keep going.
30:19 – Life-changing stories * Grant’s friend Trinity is one of the most inspirational people he knows. Trinity grew up in the slums of Uganda and was living on the streets. He was saved by a group and given a laptop. Technology changed his life.
35:59 – Job creation vs. career creation * How do we create careers instead of just jobs?
38:28 – Get to know you * Most played playlist? Lo-fi music – no words and very chill acoustics * Something we would never guess about him? He’s massively double jointed
FEATURED QUOTES One product can turn into an entire business.
As the years go by, consumers want to understand more about what they buy.
You don’t have to be doing $5 million in revenue to make an impact and have a good business.
Don’t make it complicated. The best brands and companies I’ve seen have started with one product.
CONNECT WITH GRANT: * https://causeartist.com/
ABOUT GRANT TRAHANT: 👋 Grant is the founder of Causeartist, one of the most influential impact business platforms in the world. Since 2013, Causeartist has been read in over 200 countries. Grant has personally interviewed over 650 impact entrepreneurs from around the world, highlighting innovations in ethical fashion, climate change, ethical technology, impact investing, and sustainable travel. (Also recently launched www.impactinvestor.io)
👋 Grant is also a professional Web Designer and Developer, specializing in building e-commerce solutions for startups, modernizing platforms and donation funnels for nonprofits and NGOs. Grant also consults with startups and businesses on how to create a media brand within their companies infrastructure to drive new customer acquisition and customer retention through content marketing and high quality SEO content.
👋 Grant is also a proud partner and advisor to Charity Charge. The Charity Charge Mastercard is the only credit card program created specifically for nonprofits and is now benefiting over 1,000 organizations across the country.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER OF THE SHOW:
MamaSuds helps label-reading moms create a safe and nontoxic home for their family by creating synthetic free household cleaners. And one of those cleaner is MamaSuds
Fine Linen Soap- which is the best thing since [Pumpkin] - Sliced -Bread
Wash your high-quality sheets, linens, delicates, and organic fabrics with a Fine Linen Soap to keep them looking newer and softer longer.
Use 3-4 capfuls for high-efficiency machines on delicate cycle, 4-6 capfuls for regular machines on delicate cycle.
Head over to MamaSuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
It’s episode 270 of this podcast, which means it’s time for another solo episode where I talk about what’s on my mind. Today’s topic is money and 20 ways you can become a financially responsible adult. You don’t have to do all 20 to be responsible, but these tips can be helpful.
I used to have a series on my blog called “Molly’s Money.” I’m not Dave Ramsey, but getting out of debt was a big part of my story. I know that when your personal finances are out of whack, it throws everything out of whack.
In the past 10 to 14 years, I’ve learned a lot along the way. Where I am now in my financial journey is totally different from years ago. I’m married to a financial advisor, who has taught me a lot.
One of the most common reasons marriages end is over finances. My hope and encouragement is that I can impart some wisdom and share some things I’ve learned along the way.
In no particular order, let’s jump into the tips:
6:48 – Live within your means * Live on less than you make. Don’t max out credit cards. Have extra money at the end of the month. * We live in a culture that is constantly creating this desire to spend and buy.
8:54 – Know how to budget * It’s surprising how many people don’t have a monthly budget. I didn’t do this well early on in my debt-free journey. * To this day, my husband and I have a shared monthly budget.
11:12 – Save for emergencies * You need to have 3 to 6 months of expenses set aside for an emergency. * Your heat pump goes out, you break a leg – no matter what it is, you need this money. * My husband and I decided to increase our emergency fund since we live on the farm now.
14:01 – Save for the future * The future is unpredictable, so you need to save for the future. * Maybe it’s a Roth IRA or 401k. If you are young, just imagine how much money you could save.
15:08 – Pay your bills on time * Pay them on time – all of them! I’m speaking from experience.
15:35 – Check your credit report * Check this yearly. Make sure there’s nothing wonky on there. * You may be a victim of identity theft, and you might not know.
19:14 – Learn how to shop for insurance * Health insurance and auto insurances are not the only ones you need. You also need life insurance. * Life is fleeting. You need to protect your family.
21:33 – Control your spending habits * Are you an impulse buyer? What’s your spending style? * Find out what your style is and how to control it.
22:28 – Get debt under control * If you’re in debt, try to tackle it and get out. * It’s going to be hard, but you can do it.
25:11 – Give, give, give * I was in debt, but I felt called to start tithing to my church. * My mindset changed when I began to think of money as a gift and I was to be a good steward.
28:44 – Start buying smart * You need to be shopping around and know what you’re paying for. * Don’t buy a new car. Buy a barely used one for a better price.
30:04 – Get a job * Get a job, any job. This is the best time in history to get a job. * At one point in my debt-free journey, I was working four jobs.
33:07 – Know about your job’s benefits * Does your job offer any benefits? Talk with your boss and see what you can negotiate if they don’t offer what you want.
34:23 – Learn to read fine print * If you’re signing your name, you better be sure you’re reading the fine print.
35:06 – Learn about your taxes * Taxes aren’t fun. Nobody likes them. But know the difference between feeral, satte and local. * Know how much is being withheld from your paycheck.
36:52 – Know what you need to do to buy a house * What do you need to do to qualify to buy a house? * What is PMI? What does your real estate market look like?
38:33 – Know what is needed to qualify for a mortgage * Learn about escrow, PMI and other things you need to know about mortgages.
39:02 – Learn about everyday financial services * What fees are you paying for things? * Know the ins and out of your accounts.
40:26 – Don’t borrow money from family or friends * It gets awkward and creates tension. * There are exceptions to this, but in general, don’t do this.
42:05 – Be an eager student * Be a constant learner. There are a lot of things that have changed over the years with how we handle finances.
FEATURED QUOTES When you give, it shifts your entire mindset on money.
I’m not Dave Ramsey, but getting out of debt was a big part of my story. I’m married to a financial advisor.
When your personal finances are out of whack, it throws everything out of whack. You feel stressed.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER OF THE SHOW:
MamaSuds helps label-reading moms create a safe and nontoxic home for their family by creating synthetic free household cleaners. And one of those cleaner is MamaSuds
Fine Linen Soap- which is the best thing since [Pumpkin] - Sliced -Bread
Wash your high-quality sheets, linens, delicates, and organic fabrics with a Fine Linen Soap to keep them looking newer and softer longer.
Use 3-4 capfuls for high-efficiency machines on delicate cycle, 4-6 capfuls for regular machines on delicate cycle.
Head over to MamaSuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Teneshia Jackson Warner. She founded EGAMI Group in 2007 and has accumulated more than a decade of experience in multicultural marketing, project management and inspirational life coaching.
As CEO, Teneshia has led the agency from a dream concept to a thriving multi-million dollar business, delivering award-winning work for major brands, such as Procter & Gamble, Verizon Wireless, Dasani, Rosa Regale, General Motors, Target, KFC, Major League Baseball, Delta and more.
In 2012, Teneshia released her first book, Profit With Purpose: A Marketers Guide to Deliver Purpose-Driven Campaigns to Multicultural Audiences, which earned rave reviews as the first-of-its-kind to be focused on multicultural, purpose-driven marketing.
Teneshia is the recipient of a number of career awards, including the coveted Black Enterprise Rising Star Award, Black Enterprises Forty Under 40, AdColor MVP and The Network Journals Forty Under 40 Award. She’s also been featured in Entrepreneur magazine, Essence magazine and Black Enterprise, along with guest appearances on ABC News and The Steve Harvey Show for her entrepreneurial and purpose-inspired successes.
3:28 – Teneshia 101 * She is headquartered in New York and is a creative at heart. * Beyond being a CEO, Teneshia says she is definitely a dreamer and believes in the impossible. She loves setting her own path and even being called crazy sometimes. * She is passionate about inspiring other dreamers.
4:59 – What sets EGAMI apart? * Proctor and Gamble is a long-standing client, and they created a campaign to celebrate black beauty. * Her team helps companies understand their brand purpose.
9:59 – Helping people fulfill their dreams * Her dreamers’ boot camp is a four-phase approach. * Teneshia wanted to create a system that other people could follow to create their own success and follow their dreams. * Phase 1 is identifying the dream and putting people through exercises to figure out where they get their best ideas. For some people, it’s in nature.
17:30 – From Idea-land to reality * Ask yourself what you need to do in the next 12 months to make your dream come true. What about the next 90 days? * It needs to be measurable and attainable.
23:42 – Learning from obstacles * Tapping into your dream warrior within is key if you’re going to be on a dream journey for a long time. * You need to fight the dream giants who will be in your way. * Obstacles come. Are you willing to fight?
30:15 – Her next dream * Teneshia wants to expand EGAMI group and its footprint and impact in the world. * She wants to help dreamers globally and give them action-oriented plans. * Personally, she would like to put health and wellbeing at the forefront of her life.
35:08 – Get to know you * What’s on her most played playlist? Some song by Prince * Fictional character she wants to meet in real life? Sarah Jessica Parker from Sex and the City
FEATURED QUOTES I realized I chose a career path based on earning potential with little to no regard for passion or purpose.
I made myself a promise that I want to design a life where purpose and passion leads, and I want to see where it takes me.
Beyond that title of CEO, I am definitely a dreamer.
CONNECT:
https://egamigroup.com/
ABOUT TENESHIA: Teneshia is the founder and CEO of one of the nation's most successful multicultural marketing and communications firms, EGAMI Group. Her book, The Big Stretch: 90 Days to Expand Your Dreams, Crush Your Goals, and Create Your Own Success, is a soul-searching, life-transforming, 12-week boot camp that reveals how to get from where you are to where you dream to be – in life and in business.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER OF THE SHOW:
MamaSuds helps label-reading moms create a safe and nontoxic home for their family by creating synthetic free household cleaners. And one of those cleaner is MamaSuds
Fine Linen Soap- which is the best thing since [Pumpkin] - Sliced -Bread
Wash your high-quality sheets, linens, delicates, and organic fabrics with a Fine Linen Soap to keep them looking newer and softer longer.
Use 3-4 capfuls for high-efficiency machines on delicate cycle, 4-6 capfuls for regular machines on delicate cycle.
Head over to MamaSuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Stephen Scoggins, an award-winning entrepreneur who helps people discover who they are, why they are here and what to do about it. Stephen uses the pain of his past and the lessons he’s learned along the way to help people discover themselves.
Growing up, life was really difficult for Stephen. When he was just 22, he found himself homeless and on the verge of suicide. During that season, a mentor gave him a second chance opportunity.
From there, Stephen launched a multi-million dollar construction company and has gone on to launch several other successful businesses ranging from real estate to thought leadership with top line revenue over $100 million.
Stephen is dedicated to the relentless pursuit of giving others the same gift of freedom he received by offering a practical and empowering education to those looking for a second chance to level up, catapult forward and make their dreams a reality.
4:28 – Stephen 101 * He’s a serial entrepreneur in the Raleigh, N.C. area. He has written books and is a speaker and life-change agent. * He wants to help people master their life.
5:20 – Seven businesses * He owns seven business, including in construction, real estate, thought leadership and live event series.
6:20 – Massive life changes * The old Stephen wouldn’t have thought the new Stephen was possible. * At age 13, he asked God, “Please let me be the one to break the family curse.” He felt led to make that request.
20:30 – The power of mentors * As Stephen began doing public speaking, one of the number one questions he got was “Can you mentor me?” * He couldn’t say yes to everyone, but he told them that “Mentors are all around you.”
30:37 – Laws of legacy * The top 1% on average have 8 to 12 mastery level ways of doing things. Only 26% give that to someone else. * Everyone is searching for purpose, but you need to serve the person you used to be.
34:13 – Am I doing enough? * Stephen wondered if he was doing enough to help others or if he was too focused on himself. * The question is: What lives are you impacting along the way? * We all struggle with pride. Focus on being genuine and leaning on God.
42:38 – Self discipline * The best advice for self-discipline is: Start small, win big. * Make a list of things that are distracting you and what you need help with. Learn as much as you can and put together an action plan.
56:30 – Get to know you * Most played song? Gladiator * Fictional character he’d want to meet? Wolverine
FEATURED QUOTES Never has it been easier in our lives to have direct access to thought leadership.
The secret to one’s amplification and/or success, no matter what that means to you, is simply nothing more than the way you think, because it controls the way you behave.
I want to help people master their life.
CONNECT WITH STEPHEN:
https://stephenscoggins.com/
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER:
MamaSuds helps label-reading moms create a safe and nontoxic home for their family by creating synthetic free household cleaners. And one of those cleaner is MamaSuds
Fine Linen Soap- which is the best thing since [Pumpkin] - Sliced -Bread ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Wash your high-quality sheets, linens, delicates, and organic fabrics with a Fine Linen Soap to keep them looking newer and softer longer.
Use 3-4 capfuls for high-efficiency machines on delicate cycle, 4-6 capfuls for regular machines on delicate cycle.
Head over to MamaSuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
She is the author of Burn, which details her story of ingenuity, determination, and luck. Spanning three decades, from 1991 when she arrived at Washington’s Dulles Airport, to today, Mei’s story is one of stunning success. She built a multi-million-dollar company, met and counseled thousands of entrepreneurs and business people, and even advised the President of the United States Barack Obama on the topic of job creation.
Mei successfully negotiated the sale of Chesapeake Bay Candle to Newell Brands in 2017, a conglomerate with a $14 billion portfolio of consumer goods. She is now focused on helping women-owned consumer product companies grow and prosper with the Yes She May product platform.
4:40 – Mei 101 * Mei grew up in China and was one of two daughters. Her parents told them they could do anything boys could do. * At age 12, she enrolled in a foreign language middle school, and that was a big turning point for her. * It allowed her a chance to find out what it would be like to be a diplomat.
11:50 – Making candles * Mei’s dad found out she was making candles and was very confused. He said, “What does a candle do?” * If you’re afraid to start something new, Mei says, “You have to roll up your sleeves and find whatever it takes to get started.”
21:50 – Billion-dollar industry * Candles are a billion-dollar industry. They speak to her audience and are popular, especially around Christmas. * People didn’t burn her candles in the beginning because they were too decorative and pretty. So, she realized she wanted people to burn them so they would buy more.
27:22 – Do it better * We need to ask ourselves how to do things better and get more women involved in the supply chain and manufacturing.
36:13 – Yes She May * Mei wants to connect consumers with brands that are owned by women * They searched around the world for designers and brands in beauty, fashion and wellness.
41:52 – Women-owned businesses * Mei says very few women-owned businesses make more than $250,000 a year. That can make it hard to get your products in Target, Macys or other large stores.
44:51 – Burn book * Her book is about preservation and the immigrant story. * You can never abandon where you came from. * Your story could inspire other people.
50:14 – Get to know you * Who would play Mei in a movie? Reese Witherspoon * Hidden or unusual talents? She has great comedic timing and instinct * Best vacation? Sardinia boat trip
FEATURED QUOTES The pandemic also made me realize that we are really all connected.
It sounds dazzling just to think, as a student, as a diplomat, how does she end up making candles? My dad was very confused.
You have to roll up your sleeves and find whatever it takes to get started.
CONNECT WITH MEI:
- https://www.meixu.com/
- https://yesshemay.com/
ABOUT MEI XU:
Mei Xu, a Chinese American entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of two global companies, Yes She May and Chesapeake Bay Candle® and author of Burn which details her journey from China to starting and growing a multi-million-dollar business in the U.S. In June 2020, Mei created the e-commerce platform, Yes She May (www.YesSheMay.com) to help women-owned brands reach a larger audience and scale. Her team aims to provide consumers a curated collection of thoughtful, high quality products made by talented women vendors from around the world.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS:
Ready to ditch the bleach forever but can't find a bleach alternative that actually works? You've got to meet this Extra Strength Oxygen Powder by MamaSuds. It launches July 15th and I've had the chance to try it out early and I love it so much! It really tackles the dirt and odor in our clothes. And as usual there are multiple uses for this new product. Not only is it a laundry booster and stain remover, but it's a great scouring agent on any non-porous surface. If you head to their website and sign up for their email list you'll get an email with an early bird special coupon when oxygen powder launches PLUS use discount code MOLLY and get an EXTRA 15% off! www.mamasuds.com
Speaking of stories behind brands that change the world, I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off!
My guest this week is Emily Bernath, a rape survivor, sexual assault victim advocate, author and speaker. She just released her newest book, Broken Lenses Volume 2: Seeing Others’ Value in a World of Division.
She has spoken to hundreds of people belonging to various faiths, age groups, and nations, and has taken the message of her first book, Broken Lenses: Identifying Your Truth in a World of Lies, to book stores across the nation.
Emily has a passion for reaching out to women and guiding them to living out an identity rooted in truth. After being a rape survivor, Emily found her life quickly turn away from having everything she thought she wanted and towards feelings of both hopelessness and worthlessness.
It was during that time, and being open about her experience, that it became apparent to her just how many other people experience those same feelings and so easily allow things that aren’t true about them define them.
3:59 – Emily 101 * Emily never dreamed of being an author, but it was something God placed on her path. * She struggled with reading as a child and hated reading. She preferred chemistry and math in school and liked the challenge.
7:06 – Turning to God * Emily grew up in church but never had a deeper meaning to her life. She lived the typical college party life. * She was raped at the end of her second year of college. Emily was angry, turned to God and said, “What the heck?”
12:30 – Lies she told herself * One of the biggest lies Emily told herself was that her body was tainted by the rape. * She felt worthless, taken advantage of and not like herself anymore. She wanted God to show her how her body was still a temple.
18:00 – Seeing people as God sees us * When we see others as God sees us, it unites us. When we see people as the world sees us, it can tear people apart.
21:15 – Seek to understand * When people share polarized opinions, they shut themselves off to listening and learning. * Seek to understand, not be understood.
23:43 – Listen to survivors * Abuse of any kind has a spiritual impact. * Faith means complete trust in God, but a lot of abuse is caused by someone you trust.
29:22 – Seasons of healing * Emily’s healing journey was a multi-step process. She’s still finding freedom in new areas. * Sharing her story in writing was an act of surrender, because now anyone can read what happened to her. * She has gone through seasons of healing.
32:57 – Advice for assault survivors * You are worth being helped. You’re not a burden. * Don’t assume that people won’t help you. There are so many resources out there.
36:25 – Get to know you * Guilty pleasure? Chicken wings * What she’d do differently if no one judged her? Nothing. Maybe shave her head.
FEATURED QUOTES Once I was able to see myself for the truth and for how God sees me, the enemy has no power over that.
You just can’t overcome God’s truth.
The truth will set you free. And that’s really what I want for people is to be free from the lies and the condemnation of this world, and there’s a lot of it.
CONNECT WITH EMILY:
http://emilybernathauthor.com/
ABOUT EMILY:
Emily Bernath, a rape survivor, is a sexual assault victim advocate, author, and speaker.
Her first published book was Broken Lenses: Identifying Your Truths in a World of Lies (Morgan James Publishing, 2019). Bernath’s newest book is Broken Lenses, Volume 2: Seeing Others’ Value in a World of Division (Morgan James Publishing, June, 2021).
Bernath, who completed a 40-hour Sexual Assault Counselor Training course provided by UCASA, serves as an active board member with the non-profit, Reveal to Heal International. She offers support, counseling, and advocacy for sexual assault victims. She has participated in, and spoken at, numerous events and fundraisers in support of such victims with The Rape Recovery Center and The Walk of No Shame.
She attends a non-denominational church, K2 the Church, and has a passion for reaching out to women and guiding them to living out an identity rooted in truth. She has spoken to and shared this passion with hundreds of people belonging to various faiths. She serves as a mentor to the next generation in youth ministry and speaks at numerous events in the Salt Lake Valley. She has also shared her passions through humanitarian work in eSwatini, Africa.
Bernath earned her Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Utah, David Eccles School of Business, in 2016. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Toledo in 2014.
She resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more information, please consult: www.emilybernathauthor.com.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS:
Ready to ditch the bleach forever but can't find a bleach alternative that actually works? You've got to meet this Extra Strength Oxygen Powder by MamaSuds. It launches July 15th and I've had the chance to try it out early and I love it so much! It really tackles the dirt and odor in our clothes. And as usual there are multiple uses for this new product. Not only is it a laundry booster and stain remover, but it's a great scouring agent on any non-porous surface. If you head to their website and sign up for their email list you'll get an email with an early bird special coupon when oxygen powder launches PLUS use discount code MOLLY and get an EXTRA 15% off! www.mamasuds.com
Speaking of stories behind brands that change the world, I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off!
My guest this week is Warwick Fairfax, a leadership adviser who helps people uncover their unique path to effective leadership through the learning power of story and an enlightening path of self-discovery.
Growing up in a prominent family-owned media business in Australia that he eventually led – and lost – Warwick has both witnessed and experienced the challenges of high-pressure, high-impact leadership.
After losing the 150-year-old family business, Warwick examined not only his own shortcomings and losses, but also life principles and lessons he learned from family members that came before him and some of history’s greatest leaders.
5:07 – Warwick 101 * Warwick’s brand, Crucible Leadership, is about getting past setbacks and failures to lead a life of significance dedicated to serving others. * He grew up in a very wealthy, privileged background in Australia. His family owned a 150-year-old massive media business. * He spent many years trying to live up to his family’s expectations.
9:16 – Company’s ideals * Warwick’s family felt like the business had strayed from its ideals. * Money, influence and prestige changed people’s perspectives, and there was fighting among the family.
12:30 – Company goes south * After Warwick took over the family business, the company went south. As a reserved person who doesn’t like the limelight, it was a nightmare for him to deal with and very brutal.
15:03 – How he rebounded * Warwick was fortunate that he came to America and married his wife. He realized God loves him unconditionally and he is more than his mistakes. * He was never attracted to money, and it’s not vitally important to him. * He and his wife had kids in the 1990s, and his background was irrelevant to his children.
20:45 – Finding his identity * It took years for Warwick to find his identity and purpose. * You have to stop comparing yourself to others. Warwick does his best work, but he is not defined by what he does.
25:38 – Crucible Leadership * Your worst day does not define you. Sometimes your mission in life comes out of a crucible.
28:26 – Life is about evolving * He tells his children that life has a habit of evolving, and you need to make the best choice you can at the time. * Trust the process and trust yourself.
34:16 – Get to know you * Favorite TV show growing up? Skippy the bush kangaroo * Favorite meal? Artichokes and cheesecake
FEATURED QUOTES
Your self-esteem isn’t about how good a meal you cooked or how perfect your house is or how successful your business is.
I’m not somebody that’s ever been attracted by money. I’m not against it, but it’s not something that’s vitally important to me.
I try and do my level best at whatever I do, but yet, I’m not defined by what I do.
I’m trying to wean my self-esteem off of success and achievements.
CONNECT WITH WARWICK FAIRFAX:
- https://crucibleleadership.com/
ABOUT WARWICK FAIRFAX:
Warwick Fairfax is the founder of Crucible Leadership, a philosophical and practical breakthrough in turning business and personal failures into the fuel for igniting a life of significance. He has been hailed by Forbes as offering “compelling insights for anyone who would like to wake up feeling inspired by their work, but doesn’t” … insights rooted not in a checklist of glib to-do’s but in his own experience at the epicenter of one of the most spectacular business failures in the history of his home nation of Australia.
Fairfax was only 26 when, as the fifth-generation heir to a media empire bearing his family name, he led — and lost — a multibillion-dollar public takeover bid. The result? The company founded by his great-great grandfather slipped from family control after 150 years, leaving him to examine not only his own shortcomings and losses, but also his life’s principles and the lessons he learned from family members who came before him and some of history’s greatest leaders. It has been by shaping these insights as a leadership adviser that Fairfax has enabled others to learn from what he describes as their own “crucible experiences” and emerge to lead a life rooted in who they are. His journey has opened a door for men and women from all walks of life to not only bounce back from failure, but to become the leaders they were born to be.
Fairfax is the author of Crucible Leadership: Embrace Your Trials to Lead a Life of Significance (Mount Tabor Media, 2021). In the book discusses for the first time his thoughts and actions in launching the John Fairfax Ltd. takeover and explains what he learned about himself from that devastating failure — who he was and was not, what his unique design, purpose, passions and vision really were.
He shares insights from his experience and interviews other leaders who have leveraged their crucible moments to live and lead with significance on the podcast BEYOND THE CRUCIBLE, available through all major podcasting channels.
Fairfax holds an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University and earned his MBA from Harvard Business School. He is an International Coach Federation (ICF) certified executive coach. He is an Elder at Bay Area Community Church.
He lives in Annapolis, Maryland, with his wife, Gale. They have three children who are in the process of developing their own unique paths to lives of significance.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS:
Ready to ditch the bleach forever but can't find a bleach alternative that actually works? You've got to meet this Extra Strength Oxygen Powder by MamaSuds. It launches July 15th and I've had the chance to try it out early and I love it so much! It really tackles the dirt and odor in our clothes. And as usual there are multiple uses for this new product. Not only is it a laundry booster and stain remover, but it's a great scouring agent on any non-porous surface. If you head to their website and sign up for their email list you'll get an email with an early bird special coupon when oxygen powder launches PLUS use discount code MOLLY and get an EXTRA 15% off! www.mamasuds.com
Speaking of stories behind brands that change the world, I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off!
My guest this week is Holly Christine Hayes, founder and CEO of Sanctuary Project, a survivor-run nonprofit social enterprise in Austin, Texas, employing and empowering women who’ve survived lives of trafficking, violence, and addiction.
As a survivor herself, Holly knows the path to recovery can be long and rocky. Her vision and leadership create a safe space for other survivors to grow in practical skills, unleash their creativity, embrace their femininity, and heal their hearts – all in community with other survivors.
Holly is an award-winning author, podcaster and coveted women's ministry and business leadership speaker. She and her husband, Jeff, enjoy life on a hobby farm, with their chickens, goats, cows, dogs, and the newest addition to the farm, their daughter Havana, who they welcomed two years ago.
6:15 – Holly 101 * Holly was a trafficking survivor and now spends her days focusing on redemption and telling her story. * Her trafficking lasted a few months, but she has had a rich life since. Although she was trafficked, that’s no who she is. * She now has a jewelry line and helps other women.
10:32 – Glorifying difficult stories * Society often glorifies difficult stories and gruesome details. We should focus on how people became respectable members of society and turned their lives around. * The pornography of pain is a real thing.
16:36 – A rad life * The rad life Holly has today didn’t come overnight. She now has freedom in Christ and fought hard for it. * If you’re in a tough journey, be patient with yourself. You’ll experience failures and successes. It’s important to have those life experiences.
21:59 – Helping women * Holly helps women with therapeutic tools and Biblical tools. * Many of the women struggle with self-hatred and self-esteem issues. Holly surrounds them with positive feedback and beautiful things.
25:28 – Starting a non-profit * Holly started her career as a shoe shiner and then worked in real estate and fashion before starting her non-profit.
31:38 – Challenges in business * Holly never expected her business to be as successful as it is. She found a much larger market for it than she imagined. * Doors have swung wide open, and it’s an interesting problem to have. * Her biggest challenge is accepting help and giving up some control.
48:42 – On the horizon * Holly is excited to have some new products coming out for the holidays. * She has an expanded stain glass collection coming.
49:31 – Get to know you * Why start a farm? She lived in Paris before moving to Austin and was used to cheaper prices for goat cheese. She and her husband joked about getting a goat. Long story short, she now has goats but never milks them.
FEATURED QUOTES
Because my internal world is well, my external world is well as well. I can make decisions for myself and set boundaries for myself to keep that world well.
I want survivors, I want women to feel so empowered that they are not their past. They are not their story.
Yes, I was trafficked, but that’s not the entirety of my story or who I am.
This rad life I have today didn’t come overnight.
CONNECT WITH HOLLY
- https://www.hollychristinehayes.com/
ABOUT HOLLY CHRISTINE HAYES:
Holly is a survivor of human trafficking, abuse, and addiction. When she hit rock bottom, she found herself homeless and crying out on the floor of a public bathroom. Now she is the Founder/CEO of a company helping other women break out of the dark cycle. Sanctuary Project is a survivor-run nonprofit jewelry enterprise, based in Austin, that provides meaningful employment and job training to women who have survived trafficking, violence and addiction. Holly is now a wife, mom author and speaker.
Holly Christine Hayes is Founder + CEO of Sanctuary Project, a survivor-run nonprofit social enterprise employing and empowering women who’ve survived lives of trafficking, violence and addiction in Austin, Texas. Holly is a survivor of human trafficking, abuse, and addiction. When she hit rock bottom, she found herself homeless and crying out on the floor of a public bathroom. Her vision and leadership create a safe space for other survivors to grow in practical skills, unleash their creativity, embrace their femininity, and heal their hearts – all in community with other survivors.
Holly is passionate about sharing her vulnerable journey of healing. She speaks in jails, recovery communities and conferences all over the globe. She and her husband, Jeff, enjoy life on a hobby farm and vineyard outside of Austin, with their chickens, goats, cows, dogs and one-year-old daughter Havana.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS:
Ready to ditch the bleach forever but can't find a bleach alternative that actually works? You've got to meet this Extra Strength Oxygen Powder by MamaSuds. It launches July 15th and I've had the chance to try it out early and I love it so much! It really tackles the dirt and odor in our clothes. And as usual there are multiple uses for this new product. Not only is it a laundry booster and stain remover, but it's a great scouring agent on any non-porous surface. If you head to their website and sign up for their email list you'll get an email with an early bird special coupon when oxygen powder launches PLUS use discount code MOLLY and get an EXTRA 15% off! www.mamasuds.com
Speaking of stories behind brands that change the world, I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off!
My guest this week is Christy Wright, a #1 national best-selling author, personal development expert and host of The Christy Wright Show. Since 2009, she has worked at Ramsey Solutions. Her new book, Take Back Your Time: The Guilt-Free Guide to Life Balance, is being released Sept. 14. It’s a guilt-free guide to life balance.
3:50 – Christy 101 * For the past 10 years, Christy has helped women start small businesses. She has been expanding beyond business and helping people in personal development. * She’s also a mom to three kids – 6, 4 and 1.
6:45 – Entrepreneurship * Christy was raised by a single mom who was an entrepreneur, and Christy started her own businesses. * An influx of people started online businesses, but they didn’t have any business background, so Christy began helping them. * Eventually, she wanted to teach about more than just business.
13:20 – Work-life balance * In 11 years of being a public speaker, the number one question she’s asked is about work-life balance. * She began trying to find solutions to the work-life balance question people asked. * What we really need is different than what we think we need.
19:03 – A different definition * Christy says she defines balance in the book but says it’s not a warm, fuzzy thing. * It’s about doing the right things at the right time. She defines the path to balance.
21:32 – Root causes of imbalance * Four things keep us from doing the right things at the right time – doing too many things, not doing enough things, doing the wrong things, and not doing the right things.
25:33 – Losing yourself * You don’t lose yourself overnight. It’s a little at a time. Life gets busy. You’ve got kids who need snacks. * Ask yourself: What is important to you? This can differ depending on the season you’re in. * Christy wants to help people get their time back and get back to who they are in the process.
34:59 – The path to balance * Step 1: Figure out what matters * Step 2: Stop doing what doesn’t matter * Step 3: Create a calendar that reflects what matters * Step 4: Protect what matters * Step 5: Be present for what matters
41:35 – Feel like you’re failing? * Women often say they feel like they’re failing, but they’re not, they’re just always focused on the place where they’re not.
47:19 – Dangerous messages * There are two somewhat dangerous messages out there. One, in the faith world, is the dangerous message of submission. Two, in the personal development world, is the dangerous message that women should focus only on themselves.
52:17 – Get to know you * Her hype song? Anything by Black Eyed Peas * Unusual talent? She can say the alphabet backwards
FEATURED QUOTES
What if balance isn’t something you do, what if it’s something you create?
I wrote the book I needed.
I started having a desire to teach on more than just business.
You don’t lose yourself overnight. It’s a little at a time. Life gets busy. You’ve got kids who need snacks.
I want to help people get their time back and get back to who they are in the process.
LINKS:
- https://www.ramseysolutions.com/christy-wright
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS:
Ready to ditch the bleach forever but can't find a bleach alternative that actually works? You've got to meet this Extra Strength Oxygen Powder by MamaSuds. It launches July 15th and I've had the chance to try it out early and I love it so much! It really tackles the dirt and odor in our clothes. And as usual there are multiple uses for this new product. Not only is it a laundry booster and stain remover, but it's a great scouring agent on any non-porous surface. If you head to their website and sign up for their email list you'll get an email with an early bird special coupon when oxygen powder launches PLUS use discount code MOLLY and get an EXTRA 15% off! www.mamasuds.com
Speaking of stories behind brands that change the world, I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off!
My guest this week is Wes Hurt, a father of two boys, a serial entrepreneur and a person in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. His love of business coupled with the desire to use his experiences and gifts for the greatest good resulted in the birth of CLEAN Cause.
Wes created an Organic Sparkling Yerba Mate beverage as an alternative and organic caffeine source. Based in Austin, his business supports addiction recovery with 50% of net profits funding sober living scholarships.
4:43 – Wes 101 * Wes began experimenting with drugs and alcohol in high school. Over the next 20 years, his addiction grew. * He went to six rehabs and one psych ward. He had a daily addiction to opiates and was popping 30 to 35 pills a day and added crack on top of that.
11:15 – The root cause * People shared their addiction stories with Wes, and he realized how big the problem was. * Society often focuses on the leaves of a tree versus the roots. The root cause of addiction is more important to understand. * Addiction is just a flavor of affliction. We’ve all got something. We all use something to fix it, to cope or to medicate or to heal.
18:15 – CLEAN Cause * Wes says entrepreneurship chose him, he didn’t choose it. * He enjoyed starting businesses and had an inherent desire to make businesses better. * Within months of getting sober, he had a flicker of inspiration to use his story to help others.
32:03 – Company with a mission * His Organic Sparkling Yerba Mate beverage has low- and no-calorie options. * His company provides scholarships to people who need help.
39:07 – Why a sparkling beverage? * Wes loves caffeine, so he wanted to create a sparkling beverage. * He wanted a drink that didn’t make him feel like crap.
41:57 – What’s next? * He wants to further develop his non-profit, the CLEAN Cause Foundation. * Wes is talking with a few big celebrities about promoting the brand.
47:58 – Get to know you * Who would play Wes in a movie about his life? He doesn’t know, maybe Dax Shepard. * His favorite meal? Pepperoni pizza
FEATURED QUOTES Addiction is just my flavor of affliction. That’s it. We’ve all got something. We all use something to fix it, to cope or to medicate or to heal.
What I believe is society often focuses on the leaves of a tree versus the roots.
We have a spine. We’re bold. We’re not looking for handouts.
SHOP NOW: https://cleancause.com/discount/PURPOSE (Use code PURPOSE for 30% off your first order!)
ABOUT CLEAN CAUSE: Clean Cause is on a mission to support individuals in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction by donating 50% of profits to fund sober living scholarships. Coined “CLEAN Kickstarts,” these are intended to bridge the critical gap between rehab & reintegration. The CLEAN Cause product line consists of 9 amazing tasting, USDA organic certified, sparkling yerba maté beverages that come in low & zero calorie options. Each 16-ounce can is packed with 160mgs of organic caffeine to power your everyday passions all the while supporting individuals recovering from alcohol & drug addiction. CLEAN Cause’s 40 plus employees are dedicated to building a brand that empowers consumers to leverage their purchases that ultimately support individuals in recovery from alcohol & drug addiction.
ABOUT WES HURT: Wes is a father of two boys, a serial entrepreneur, and a person in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. His love of business coupled with the desire to use his experiences and gifts for the greatest good resulted in the birth of CLEAN Cause. Based in Austin, Texas, CLEAN's innovative business model supports addiction recovery with 50% of net profits funding sober living scholarships. Being an avid consumer of caffeine, he created a product that he knew would fill a need he had in his everyday life - an amazing tasting organic sparkling yerba mate with low sugar & 160mg of naturally sourced caffeine per can. Since then, CLEAN Cause has granted over 2,170 sober living scholarships representing more than $1,085,000.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS:
Ready to ditch the bleach forever but can't find a bleach alternative that actually works? You've got to meet this Extra Strength Oxygen Powder by MamaSuds. It launches July 15th and I've had the chance to try it out early and I love it so much! It really tackles the dirt and odor in our clothes. And as usual there are multiple uses for this new product. Not only is it a laundry booster and stain remover, but it's a great scouring agent on any non-porous surface. If you head to their website and sign up for their email list you'll get an email with an early bird special coupon when oxygen powder launches PLUS use discount code MOLLY and get an EXTRA 15% off! www.mamasuds.com
Speaking of stories behind brands that change the world, I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off!
My guest today is Justin Kendrick, the lead pastor of Vox Church, which he founded in 2011 with a small group of friends on the doorstep of Yale University. Since then, Vox has grown to multiple locations across New England. Justin’s newest book, “Bury Your Ordinary: Practical Habits of a Heart Fully Alive,” walks you through seven different habits to live the life that you were created to live.
3:30 – Justin 101 * Justin is 38 and lives in the northeast. He grew up in a typical home and had an encounter with God as a teenager that changed his life. * His dad dragged him to an urban, inner city church, and it was the first time he heard about God’s grace. The whole direction of his life changed. * In 2008-09, he and his wife dreamed about starting a church. Vox Church turns 10 this September.
10:11 – Bury Your Ordinary * Justin heard the voice of the Holy Spirit in his heart. * You need to ask yourself what your plan is for spiritual growth. It’s growth in love, and that can seem ambiguous. * It’s not how many Bible verses you know. It’s about habits. Justin’s book helps people grow in their love for God.
20:40 – Spend time with God * You need to spend time alone with God regularly. Try spending the first hour alone with Him. * Jesus is not at the center for a lot of us, and we need to keep him there. * You don’t do these habits so God likes you more. You do them so you can learn to love God more.
30:40 – Most difficult habit * Habit 6, a weekly Sabbath, was the most difficult. Everybody in Justin’s area walks, talks, drives and moves fast. Taking a break to pause and pray felt very unnatural. * That time to rest is so important for your soul. There are seasons for harvest, and there are seasons for rest.
43:05 – The idea of grace * No matter what religion you practice, grace is so important. * God deeply loves you. Don’t obey God to be accepted. You are fully accepted, so that should make you want to obey God.
46:54 – Get to know you * What would Justin want to win an Olympic medal in? Basketball * Best vacation ever? Mexico with his wife
FEATURED QUOTES
We had always seen church as a profoundly boring and irrelevant part of the culture of New England. So we started dreaming about what it would look like to start a church for our friends.
I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit in my heart.
If you don't have a plan for spiritual growth, it really won’t grow.
LINKS:
- https://voxchurch.org/home
- https://amzn.to/2Yf27YD
About Justin Kendrick:
Justin Kendrick is the lead pastor of Vox Church, which he founded in 2011 with a small group of friends on the doorstep of Yale University. Since then, Vox has grown to multiple locations across New England. The dream of Vox Church is to see the least-churched region of the U.S. become the most spiritually vibrant place on earth. Justin and his wife live outside New Haven, Connecticut with their four children.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS:
Ready to ditch the bleach forever but can't find a bleach alternative that actually works? You've got to meet this Extra Strength Oxygen Powder by MamaSuds. It launches July 15th and I've had the chance to try it out early and I love it so much! It really tackles the dirt and odor in our clothes. And as usual there are multiple uses for this new product. Not only is it a laundry booster and stain remover, but it's a great scouring agent on any non-porous surface. If you head to their website and sign up for their email list you'll get an email with an early bird special coupon when oxygen powder launches PLUS use discount code MOLLY and get an EXTRA 15% off! www.mamasuds.com
Speaking of stories behind brands that change the world, I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off!
Today we have a special guest, Emily Grey of The Flourish Market. She is one of my nearest and dearest friends and was one of the first guests on this show. Today she’s sharing her expertise in wholesaling and how to thrive with your business, even during a pandemic.
If you are a brand owner, this is your episode. If you are a consumer, I think you might be fascinated by our discussion. Today we’re talking about how to get started wholesaling and why it matters.
8:38 – From fashion truck to brick and mortar * Five years ago, Emily had a fashion truck. She was a one-woman show, packing the orders and shipping. * She now has a team of 16 and has scaled her business with no loans. * When the pandemic hit, she closed her shop and leaned into her investment banking background. She stepped up as a retail consultant.
13:17 – Changing retail landscape * There’s a lot of bad advice on the Internet, for businesses especially. * The biggest thing that’s changed in the retail landscape is they are only asking themselves one question – Will this sell?
17:23 – Smaller, smarter buying decisions * Retailers are now making smaller, smarter and more frequent purchases and ordering every 3 to 4 weeks instead of every 3 to 4 months. * If you’re already wholesaling, lower your opening order to $150 instead of $500 to $1,000.
20:42 – Ship quickly and use online shopping * Businesses are now ordering first from brands that can ship quickly. * Online shopping and curbside deliveries are more popular than ever. * Make your pictures better than ever. Consumers associate the nicety of your product with the nicety of your images.
25:40 – Shopping values * Consumers are focusing on shopping their values when it comes to themselves and when they’re gifting. * Made in the USA, black-owned, female-owned and ethically made are just some of the things people look for when shopping.
31:49 – Product innovation * Retailers want to discover something new and are looking for innovation. * Do 4 to 6 mini collection launches per year instead of just fall and spring.
41:41 – Pitch mistakes to avoid * Reach out to businesses and pitch them. But there are some mistakes to avoid. Don’t copy and paste mass messages. Don’t make it about you, your brand and your brand story. It should be about the retailer.
1:03:33 – Full circle moment * Emily has been successful by surrounding herself with women and coaches who support her. It matters who you spend your time with and who you give your ear to. * There is an absolute need to be around people who say, “I believe in you.”
FEATURED QUOTES I think it matters who you spend your time with and who you give your ear to. – Emily
That is an absolute need to be around people who say, “I believe in you.” – Emily
Consumers associate the nicety of your product with the nicety of your images. – Emily
I’m known for an inspirational kick in the pants. – Emily
LINKS * https://emilygreyco.com/ * https://www.theflourishmarket.com/ * https://thewholesaleway.com/businesswithpurpose
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS:
Ready to ditch the bleach forever but can't find a bleach alternative that actually works? You've got to meet this Extra Strength Oxygen Powder by MamaSuds. It launches July 15th and I've had the chance to try it out early and I love it so much! It really tackles the dirt and odor in our clothes. And as usual there are multiple uses for this new product. Not only is it a laundry booster and stain remover, but it's a great scouring agent on any non-porous surface. If you head to their website and sign up for their email list you'll get an email with an early bird special coupon when oxygen powder launches PLUS use discount code MOLLY and get an EXTRA 15% off! www.mamasuds.com
Speaking of stories behind brands that change the world, I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off!
My guest today is Adeyinka “Yinka” Adegbenle. She is a former financial services professional turned author, excellence strategist and excellence coach. Her goal and life’s purpose is to equip leaders with transformational habits and systems of excellence.
Yinka believes that excellence is choosing to rise above average or mediocrity. She is releasing a book, Joab: King David’s Top General. It’s all about leadership, personal development and character building.
4:07 – Yinka 101 * Yinka moved to the U.S. from England in 2001 so she could go to graduate school. She had a dream job lined up with one of the largest investment banks in the world. * In 2009, during the Great Recession, her role was eliminated. She was pregnant with her second child and jobless. * Her doctor worried about her pregnancy and the amount of anxiety and stress she was under. * Yinka discovered self-development and living a life of excellence. She learned the habits of excellence.
8:51 – Habits of excellence * Finances were a huge part of her learning. She wanted to be a better steward of her resources. * She worked on discipline. If she said she was going to do something, she did it.
12:37 – Discipline * Time management was the toughest part for Yinka. She was not good at managing her time initially.
14:46 – Time to rest * You have to be intentional about time to rest. Yinka takes retreats by herself so she can recalibrate and recharge. * It’s going to be hard for you to show up as the best version of yourself if you’re hustling all the time.
19:33 – Joab: King David’s Top General * Joab is one of Yinka’s favorite leaders of all time. * Personal development is key, and you need to take care of yourself in private so you can be better in public.
26:10 – Goals for her book * Leadership is weighty and comes with huge influence. As a leader, you need to do the work so you have the right traits.
29:54 – On the horizon * She wants to help clients become better in their personal lives and businesses. She also plans to write another book.
31:38 – Get to know you * Something you’d never guess about her? She’s an avid baker. * Signature dish? Banana bread * Best vacation? Hawaii
FEATURED QUOTES We’re not chasing perfection. It’s knowing who you are and then just determining that while you’re on this planet … I’m going to do my best to show up as my best version daily. – Yinka
It was during that journey that I found my calling and got clarity in life. – Yinka
It’s habits that make up who you are. – Yinka
It’s going to be hard for you to show up as the best version of yourself if you’re hustling all the time. – Yinka
CONNECT: * Website * LinkedIn * Instagram * Facebook * Yinka's book "Joab, King David's Top General: Essential Lessons on Character"
ABOUT YINKA: Adeyinka Adegbenle MBA, PMI-PMP, is a former financial services professional turned Author, Excellence Strategist and Excellence Coach, and mother of 3. Her goal and life's purpose are to equip leaders with transformational habits and systems of excellence. Adeyinka has spent years gaining mastery on habits and systems of excellence that continue to yield outstanding results for her. She now teaches these systems and habits to her clients and various organizations.
Yinka’s recently released book "JOAB, KING DAVID'S TOP GENERAL" speaks about leadership, personal development, and character building.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS:
Ready to ditch the bleach forever but can't find a bleach alternative that actually works? You've got to meet this Extra Strength Oxygen Powder by MamaSuds. It launches July 15th and I've had the chance to try it out early and I love it so much! It really tackles the dirt and odor in our clothes. And as usual there are multiple uses for this new product. Not only is it a laundry booster and stain remover, but it's a great scouring agent on any non-porous surface. If you head to their website and sign up for their email list you'll get an email with an early bird special coupon when oxygen powder launches PLUS use discount code MOLLY and get an EXTRA 15% off! www.mamasuds.com
Speaking of stories behind brands that change the world, I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off!
My guest today is Sharon McMahon, of Sharon Says So. She’s a former high school government and law teacher who earned her reputation as America’s government teacher amidst the historic 2020 proceedings for her viral efforts on Instagram to educate the general public on political misinformation.
Through a simple mission to share non-partisan information about democracy, Sharon has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers online, affectionately called the “Governerds,” who look to her for truth and logic in a society plagued by bias and conspiracy.
4:55 – Sharon 101 * Her goal is to give people education so they can make their own educated opinions and not have a viewpoint shoved down their throat. * She also has fun and doesn’t take herself very seriously.
6:09 – Entrepreneurial background * She did door-to-door sales as a child and sold Girl Scouts cookies. * She also created her own bookmarks and sold them to neighbors when she was 10 years old and made $50 in one weekend.
9:15 – Career path * Sharon went to college to be a teacher but thought about going into the medical profession. She eventually determined she was destined to be a teacher.
12:22 – Businesses and Instagram * Her career path is bizarre and was not a straight-line trajectory. She got really into knitting and people started asking her for custom knitting projects, but it wasn’t profitable. * A customer asked her to dye some yarn, and she realized that dyeing yarn was more profitable than knitting. * She grew her hand-dyeing business into one of the largest studios in the world and eventually sold the business to one of her employees. * She started taking pictures of knitting patterns and projects, and people started asking her to take their pictures. She then became a photographer and eventually started Sharon Says So.
20:18 – Hot topics in a nonpartisan way * That skill of not taking a position and providing fact-based information is something she developed in the classroom. * She found that the more you argue with somebody about their opinions, the more deeply they begin to hold them.
23:10 – Opinions based on emotion * Most of our opinions do not exist because somebody has rationally examined all the facts and then made a determination. We mostly make a determination and then find facts to support our opinion.
28:29 – Rapid growth and challenges * Sharon Says So has had such rapid growth, and she constantly feel like she’s not doing enough or helping enough people. * The amount of hate she gets is miniscule compared to the kindness people show her.
38:03 – A common bond * Sharon and I have something in common – we each have a parent, my mother and her father, who were Vietnam veterans and died from Agent Orange exposure.
45:20 – Generosity * She has raised millions of dollars for eliminating medical debt and helping people in need. * Her dream has been to be rich like Oprah or Ellen and give away money to help people without a second thought.
57:35 – Get to know you * Favorite non-living president not for political reasons? James Madison because he was fascinating and John Adams for his intelligence and principle. * Favorite whale? Humpbacks
FEATURED QUOTES
Most of our opinions do not exist because somebody has rationally examined all the facts and then made a determination. We mostly make a determination and then find facts to support our opinion. – Sharon
My goal is to give you education so that you can make your own educated opinions and not have a viewpoint shoved down your throat. – Sharon
That skill of not taking a position and providing fact-based information is some-thing I developed in the classroom. – Sharon
The more you argue with somebody about their opinions, the more deeply they begin to hold them. – Sharon
CONNECT WITH SHARON:
- https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/
- https://www.instagram.com/sharonsaysso/
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS:
Ready to ditch the bleach forever but can't find a bleach alternative that actually works? You've got to meet this Extra Strength Oxygen Powder by MamaSuds. It launches July 15th and I've had the chance to try it out early and I love it so much! It really tackles the dirt and odor in our clothes. And as usual there are multiple uses for this new product. Not only is it a laundry booster and stain remover, but it's a great scouring agent on any non-porous surface. If you head to their website and sign up for their email list you'll get an email with an early bird special coupon when oxygen powder launches PLUS use discount code MOLLY and get an EXTRA 15% off! www.mamasuds.com
Speaking of stories behind brands that change the world, I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off!
My guest today is Ashley Opliger, president and executive director of Bridget’s Cradles, a nonprofit ministry dedicated to providing comfort, hope and healing to families grieving the loss of a baby in Heaven. They have donated cradles to more than 1,100 hospitals in all 50 states.
Ashley lost her daughter, Bridget, during pregnancy. Ashley’s mother knit a blanket for Bridget and made it into a knitted cradle. That was the start of Bridget’s Cradles.
This discussion is very personal to me, because I have had the horrific experience of losing babies, my sons Elijah and Malachi, during pregnancy.
5:21 – Ashley 101 * Ashley lives in Wichita, Kan., with her husband, Matt. They have three children, their daughter Bridget in Heaven, and their two sons who are 4 years old and 6 months old. * Her life right now is a mix of motherhood and ministry. * She had a subchorionic hemorrhage while pregnant with her daughter Bridget and was on bed rest for 11 weeks before losing her daughter.
10:50 – Deep grief * Ashley was dealing with deep grief when she came home from the hospital. She fell to her knees in Bridget’s nursery and asked God why she had to lose her daughter. * She surrendered her grief to God, and she has seen God redeem her grief so she can help others.
17:54 – Cradles * Nurses saw the knitted cradle Ashley had for her daughter. They said it would be nice to have those for other babies who pass. * Ashley created Bridget’s Cradles. Nurses say the cradles are unique and special gifts to give grieving families.
25:16 – Nurses * Once the cradles are shipped to hospitals, nurses are responsible for giving them to families. * Nurses are the hands and feet of the cradles.
32:25 – Volunteers can knit cradles * You can volunteer to knit cradles. They will send patterns, dimensions, yarn type and colors. * The cradles are shipped to Bridget’s Cradles, and they add lace, ribbon and charms. Every cradle has a cross on the foot.
40:09 – Cradles are for everyone * A few hospitals have said no to the cradles because of the religious connection and the crosses on the foot of the cradles. * Families can choose to remove crosses from the cradles. The cradles are for everyone.
46:49 – Get to know you * Guilty pleasure? Dark chocolate * What she’s reading? Mama Bear Apologetics
FEATURED QUOTES
There’s nothing wrong or weak about going to counseling. I think it’s a sign of strength to be able to go in and have someone help process that grief. – Ashley
“My life right now is a mix of motherhood and ministry.” – Ashley
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OR LINKS THAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN POST
https://www.bridgetscradles.com/
About Ashley Opliger:
Ashley Opliger is the President and Executive Director of Bridget’s Cradles 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Wichita, Kansas. Bridget’s Cradles donates cradles to over 1,090 hospitals in all 50 states and comforts over 26,000 bereaved families a year. She is the host of the Cradled in Hope podcast and the leader of Hope Gatherings support groups.
Ashley is married to Matt and they have three children: Bridget (in Heaven), and two sons. She is a fully-devoted follower of Christ who desires to share the hope of Jesus and Heaven with families grieving the loss of a baby.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS:
Ready to ditch the bleach forever but can't find a bleach alternative that actually works? You've got to meet this Extra Strength Oxygen Powder by MamaSuds. It launches July 15th and I've had the chance to try it out early and I love it so much! It really tackles the dirt and odor in our clothes. And as usual there are multiple uses for this new product. Not only is it a laundry booster and stain remover, but it's a great scouring agent on any non-porous surface. If you head to their website and sign up for their email list you'll get an email with an early bird special coupon when oxygen powder launches PLUS use discount code MOLLY and get an EXTRA 15% off! www.mamasuds.com
Speaking of stories behind brands that change the world, I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off!
My guest today is Haley Jaeger, founder and designer of Atonement Design. Haley has been a designer since she was a child and is a dear friend of mine.
Whether it was clothing, jewelry, or decor, Haley was engulfed in creativity. As her skills evolved, she gravitated towards pairing an artistic eye with partnerships with talented artisans across the globe, and the concept for Atonement Design was born.
3:43 – Haley 101 * She’s a northern California girl and lives in wine country. She and her husband are very passionate about sustainability. * She has an online boutique.
6:01 – Her journey to sustainability * Haley says she was naïve in high school and thought it would be easy to have a boutique that focused on fair trade and artisan made items. * She fell in love with the concept of fair trade and enjoyed partnering with artisans. * Designing clothes and jewelry has always been her creative outlet and helped her after her dad died.
11:04 – Atonement Design * Haley was trying to figure out what direction she wanted to go and thought about being a full-time missionary or working in ministry. * She felt like the Lord was encouraging her to be a light to people in the design industry. * While reading the Bible, the word “atonement” kept coming up, so she decided to name her company after that.
17:01 – Growing her company * She started making jewelry and selling it to friends, but she wanted to grow even more. * Education, delegating and therapy have been crucial to her success.
25:20 – Pivoting in a pandemic * Despite the pandemic, Haley has been able to grow her business online, and she learned how to market to her customers. * She started selling her jewelry in a Facebook group and hired her first assistant to help pack orders.
30:49 – Get to know you * Favorite song to sing? Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” * Favorite meal? Gyro tacos
FEATURED QUOTES I think that’s how my business has grown – is just going to counseling and figuring out my stuff and figuring out all the barriers. – Haley
How I’ve grown has just been little steps. – Haley
I was doing a lot of in-person events and not as many online sales. When COVID shut things down … I had to do all online and discovered that I do have customers there.
CONNECT:
https://atonementdesign.com/
ABOUT HALEY:
Haley Jaeger is the founder and designer of the socially conscious lifestyle brand, Atonement Design. She has been a designer since she was a child- whether it was clothing, jewelry, or decor, she was engulfed in creativity. As her skills evolved, she gravitated towards pairing an artistic eye with partnerships with talented artisans across the globe, and the concept for Atonement Design was born.
After receiving her B.S. in Business Management with a focus on non-profit organizations and entrepreneurship, she worked in sales, marketing, and accounting before taking the leap into full-time entrepreneurship and focusing fully on Atonement Design in 2020
Haley loves bulldogs, french fries, and crafts. When she's not working, you can usually find her wine tasting around her Sonoma County home, playing cribbage with her husband at their favorite brewery, or at game night with her girlfriends.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS:
Ready to ditch the bleach forever but can't find a bleach alternative that actually works? You've got to meet this Extra Strength Oxygen Powder by MamaSuds. It launches July 15th and I've had the chance to try it out early and I love it so much! It really tackles the dirt and odor in our clothes. And as usual there are multiple uses for this new product. Not only is it a laundry booster and stain remover, but it's a great scouring agent on any non-porous surface. If you head to their website and sign up for their email list you'll get an email with an early bird special coupon when oxygen powder launches PLUS use discount code MOLLY and get an EXTRA 15% off! www.mamasuds.com
Speaking of stories behind brands that change the world, I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off!
My guest today is Toni Collier, founder of Broken Crayons Still Color, an international women’s ministry that helps women process brokenness and get to hope. She serves alongside her husband, Sam, who is the pastor of Hillsong Atlanta.
4:55 – Toni 101 * Toni wakes up every morning and thinks, “Lord, don’t let me mess this up, because I’m crazy.” * She grew up in a tough environment as a child, with a verbally abusive dad and a mother who was sick. She lost her virginity at 13 and began drinking and doing drugs.
11:30 – Unhealthy survival tactics * In counseling, Toni wondered why she ran to so many things that were unhealthy when she was younger. * A counselor told her that young people try their best to survive but they don’t always have the best strategy.
20:02 – The double life * Some people’s lives look great on social media, but it’s not great on the inside. * Toni lived a double life for 25 years. She was a cheerleader, got good grades and was involved in extracurricular activities. But she would sneak out of her house to meet her boyfriend and eventually slept with different guys.
25:26 – Broken Crayons Still Color * Toni tells the story of picking her daughter up from school and buying her a box of crayons. Her daughter colored with them so hard that they broke, and it led to a breakthrough in Toni’s own life and how she dealt with difficulties in her life.
30:00 – Scars that stay with us * Toni’s mistakes will always be with her. They are scars that are healed and sealed and still present. It brings up anxiety, concern and worry. * God never promised us a life of perfection. He will be with us in the imperfection.
47:31 – Overcomer: Defeating Anxiety and Abuse * You can pre-order her book now, Overcomer: Defeating Anxiety and Abuse. It will be available Aug. 23.
49:20 – Get to know you * If she could win a medal in any sport? Power walking * Best vacation? Costa Rica * Song she could listen to over and over? Britney Spears’ Hit me baby one more time
FEATURED QUOTES
I literally wake up every morning and I’m like, “Lord, don’t let me mess this up, because I’m crazy.” – Toni
The double life, in my personal opinion, is the difference between a fan and a follower of Jesus. – Toni
Stay passionate. Find a way. – Toni
LINKS
- https://brkncrayons.com/
- https://tonijcollier.com/
ABOUT TONI:
Toni Collier is the founder of an international women’s ministry called Broken Crayons Still Color, which helps women process through brokenness and get to hope. She serves alongside her husband Sam who is the Lead Pastor of Hillsong Atlanta. She is a speaker, host, and consultant that has helped organizations with creative marketing, leadership, student ministry, and strategic planning. Toni is teaching people all over the globe that you can be broken and worthy and unqualified and still called to do great things. She doesn’t want you to just face your demons, she wants you to quash the illusion of your brokenness so you can live the most colorful life possible, on and off stage.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS:
Ready to ditch the bleach forever but can't find a bleach alternative that actually works? You've got to meet this Extra Strength Oxygen Powder by MamaSuds. It launches July 15th and I've had the chance to try it out early and I love it so much! It really tackles the dirt and odor in our clothes. And as usual there are multiple uses for this new product. Not only is it a laundry booster and stain remover, but it's a great scouring agent on any non-porous surface. If you head to their website and sign up for their email list you'll get an email with an early bird special coupon when oxygen powder launches PLUS use discount code MOLLY and get an EXTRA 15% off! www.mamasuds.com
Speaking of stories behind brands that change the world, I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off!
My guest today is Julie Colombino-Billingham, founder of Deux Mains, which means “two hands,” a Haitian-owned and operated business that handcrafts high-quality footwear, handbags and accessories. 97% of all raw materials are repurposed or sourced locally on the island and manufactured in their 100% solar-powered factory. Use code MOLLY to get 15% off from DeuxMains at Deuxmains.com!
5:28 – Julie 101 * She was a professional ballet dancer and worked for Cirque USA. She is also a trained disaster responder. She got a full-time job at the United Way and wanted to respond to the Haiti earthquake.
9:10 – Going to Haiti * Julie landed in Haiti 10 days after the earthquake and said the destruction was like nothing she had ever seen before. * She remembers more of what she smelled and heard versus what she saw. * Julie met a woman at a tent camp, and the woman said she didn’t want bottles of water – she wanted a job.
10:46 – The beginning of Deux Mains * After a month in Haiti, Julie came back to Florida, sold her house, quit her job at the United Way and went back to Haiti two weeks later with $7,000. * They raised money and started an education and job training program.
21:49 – New jobs * They have a beautiful factory that is all solar powered. Their goal is to create 300 new jobs in the next three years. * People wanted recycled fashion, but they didn’t want it to look recycled.
33:34 – The business today * The business has 40 employees and was able to continue during Covid. They got some government contracts. * They had to change their business model and now do more direct to consumer sales.
35:30 – Expanding product line * They didn’t want to waste anything, so they started making earrings out of leather scraps. * Customers started asking for specific products, including a laptop sleeve. * They are working on a woman’s wallet.
FEATURED QUOTES
“A woman I met in a tent camp said she didn’t want any bottles of water – she wanted a job.”
“I get to be the proud voice of many people who have made us what we are today.”
“It’s a gift anytime we get feedback – good or bad – because we’re still learning.”
CONNECT:
https://deuxmains.com/ - use code MOLLY for 15% off
ABOUT JULIE:
To sustainably fight poverty in Haiti, Julie Colombino-Billingham created a business that provides great, dignified jobs. Deux Mains is a Haitian owned and operated business that handcrafts high-quality, footwear, handbags and accessories. 97% of all raw materials are repurposed or sourced locally on the island, and manufactured in our solar powered factory.
In a country where 85% of the population does not have access to the formal jobs and only 1% of the population is University educated, Colombino designed a model using the best practices of the nonprofit and for profit sectors. She incubated a nonprofit arm of the business called REBUILD globally that provides revolutionary education and paid job training programs to the most vulnerable. Every program graduate is then guaranteed a dignified, living wage job at Deux Mains.
Under Colombino’s leadership, the past 10 years has been a dramatic evolution from earthquake recovery to a sustainable and eco-friendly business that was quickly propelled into the world of ethical fashion. Just a few of the partnerships deux mains has created include: United Nations, Kenneth Cole, Eileen Fisher, USAID and the Clinton Foundation to fight poverty and strengthen families in Haiti and provide customers a fashion accessory brand they can be proud to wear.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER:
Ready to ditch the bleach forever but can't find a bleach alternative that actually works? You've got to meet this Extra Strength Oxygen Powder by MamaSuds. It launches July 15th and I've had the chance to try it out early and I love it so much! It really tackles the dirt and odor in our clothes. And as usual there are multiple uses for this new product. Not only is it a laundry booster and stain remover, but it's a great scouring agent on any non-porous surface. If you head to their website and sign up for their email list you'll get an email with an early bird special coupon when oxygen powder launches PLUS use discount code MOLLY and get an EXTRA 15% off! www.mamasuds.com
My guest today is Dane Baker, founder and CEO of EcoCart, which makes fighting climate change simple, cost effective and accessible for everyone.
EcoCart has two products, a Shopify app that merchants can install in their online stores and give their customers the opportunity to make their orders carbon neutral and a Google Chrome extension that calculates and offsets the carbon footprint of your online shopping orders at no cost to you.
4:32 – Dane 101 * He started EcoCart with a simple mission in mind: to make the fight against climate change easy, affordable and accessible so that everyone can do their part.
6:32 – What is EcoCart? * They enable a consumer to offset or mitigate the carbon footprint of their e-commerce orders through environmental projects.
10:26 – Entrepreneurial spirit * Dane has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and sold avocados door-to-door in fourth grade. * He thinks entrepreneurship is a great vehicle for change in the world. The environment has always been the most pressing issue in his mind, and it’s a really tough problem to solve.
12:43 – Early stages of his business * Dane became more obsessed with the idea over time and couldn’t stop thinking about it. He wanted to test his hypothesis and see if the business worked. * People seemed interested in Dane’s idea, so he got to work building his idea.
18:00 – What he’s learned * Color, fonts and other visuals are so important to his business and consumer psychology.
23:50 – Is it really free? * If you install the browser extension and shop online, Dane’s company gets a commission from brand partners they work with. They use that money to buy certified carbon offsets or donate to earth-saving projects.
27:52 – What has surprised him * The thing that surprised him most is the percentage of customers that click the box at checkout. On average, it’s 28%.
33:00 – Get to know you * What would he like to win a medal for? A triathlon. * Best vacation? Cancun with his family.
FEATURED QUOTES We started EcoCart with a simple mission in mind: to make the fight against climate change easy, affordable and accessible so that everyone can do their part.
I think I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit about me.
The environment has always been the most pressing issue in my mind, and it’s a really tough problem to solve.
CONNECT:
https://ecocart.io/
ABOUT DANE BAKER:
Dane Baker is the Founder & CEO of EcoCart, which makes fighting climate change simple, cost-effective, and accessible for everyone. EcoCart has two products: a Shopify app that merchants can install into their online stores to give their customers the opportunity to make their orders carbon neutral, and a Chrome extension that calculates and offsets the carbon footprint of your online shopping orders at no cost to you. Previously, Dane has set out to make the world a better place through entrepreneurial ventures such as limiting materialistic consumption and waste with a peer-to-peer rental marketplace and providing gig-economy workers the wages and benefits they deserve with a first-of-its-kind gig economy employment platform.
Thank you to our partners of the show: Ready to ditch the bleach forever but can't find a bleach alternative that actually works? You've got to meet this Extra Strength Oxygen Powder by MamaSuds. It launches July 15th and I've had the chance to try it out early and (INSERT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH IT). And as usual there are multiple uses for this new product. Not only is it a laundry booster and stain remover, but it's a great scouring agent on any non-porous surface. If you head to their website and sign up for their email list you'll get an email with an early bird special coupon when oxygen powder launches PLUS use discount code MOLLY and get an EXTRA 15% off! www.mamasuds.com.
I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com. Use code MOLLY for 15% off!
My guest today is Ferzan Jaeger, the founder of Olive & Loom. Her mission is to bring her customers traditional, old world goods with a fresh, modern aesthetic.
Raised in Istanbul and settled in the U.S., Ferzan’s passion is exploring new ways to bring these two cultures together. She loves to surround herself with simple treasures that remind her of family, history, her favorite foods, and the vibrant Mediterranean lifestyle.
After having kids, she has become even more interested in raising them in a multicultural environment and teaching them her family traditions.
4:45 – Ferzan 101 * She has a very quantitative side to her. She loves science and math but is also very creative. * While working at NASA, she discovered a more creative, entrepreneurial side to herself.
8:30 – Growing up in Istanbul * She felt like life events took over her destiny. She wanted to find out what she liked besides math and science.
12:15 – Finding herself in her 30s * Farzan felt like she started finding herself in her 30s. * She wanted to do her own thing and be an entrepreneur. * She settled into a routine and realized that nothing mind blowing was happening for her to quiet the noise of wanting to be an entrepreneur.
17:12 – Olive & Loom * Ferzan wanted to do something on her own and was struggling with homesickness. She couldn’t find any Turkish products. * She started her company with Turkish towels and olive oil soaps. It started getting traction, but not as much as she wanted. * She eventually left NASA to focus on her business.
25:32 –A different approach * Many women think they can do more, but she underestimated how difficult it would be to run two brands. * It’s important people know it’s not a charity brand.
27:46 – Misconceptions * Some people have misconceptions about working with the refugee community. * Even though they have accents, we all think the same.
32:43 – Get to know you * What sport would she want to win a medal in? Tennis * What she misses most about Turkey? The food
FEATURED QUOTES “This desire to do something for myself and use a more creative side of me grew and grew and grew.” – Ferzan
“Do you just stay somewhere, dreaming of some other aspect of a life, or do I just go follow my dreams?” – Ferzan
“It’s like these life events kind of take over your destiny in a way.” – Ferzan
CONNECT:
https://www.oliveandloom.com/
Thank you to our partners of the show: It’s time for a SPRING CLEAN REFRESH! Let’s get that home sparkling, the safe way with MamaSuds!
Castile soap is the superhero of soaps, it really does it all- from the windows to the walls! It’s truly the only soap you need. What can you do with MamaSuds Castile Soap? Clean the floors, scrub the counters, bathtubs and tile, clean the baseboards, the windows and the blinds, you can even use it to clean the carpets! Grab a gallon of MamaSuds Castile Soap and start tackling all of your Spring Cleaning to-do’s at www.mamasuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com. Use code MOLLY for 15% off!
My guest today is Dilan Dane, CEO of System2, the first relationship based, technology accelerated fitness brand that prioritizes longevity over quick fix exercise fads. He grew up in Sri Lanka, and his family’s income was less than $20 a month.
Through the kindness and generosity of others, Dilan was able to move to the U.S. at 20 and received a scholarship and financial aid to attend MIT, where he studied computer science and physics. It was not always easy because he barely spoke English and struggled with social anxiety. He was completely overwhelmed and felt physically and mentally exhausted.
After passing out during a final exam, a professor offered Dilan the chance to take the exam again if he sought help immediately for his depression. Dilan eventually learned about fitness and therapy, which changed his life. That led him to found System2.
3:58 – Dilan 101 * He lives in San Francisco and runs a fitness/tech startup company. He wants to bring a team of coaches to every human. * Growing up in Sri Lanka, his dad was a police officer and his mom was a housewife. * Dilan was always good in school and was encouraged to apply to U.S. universities.
11:48 – Dilan’s childhood * He had a very complicated relationship with his father. His father was a good man who wanted to provide for his family, but he struggled to do that and had problems with alcohol and anger issues. * He craved his father’s love the most and wanted his father to see him. * His father was so proud that Dilan was top of his class, and that became Dilan’s identity. He craved that recognition and love.
18:45 – An angelic professor * An angelic professor made a huge impact on Dilan’s life. He noticed that Dilan did well in class but failed finals and encouraged Dilan to meet with a therapist. * The therapist encouraged Dilan to exercise, and the habit stuck.
30:59 – Fitness world * What really helps with mental health is changing your core set of habits, including moving your body, Dilan says.
34:50 – System2 * Besides fitness, Dilan is also passionate about artificial intelligence. Due to recent advancements, he thought there might be a way to take personal training and make it scalable. * It would give trainers multiple eyes, so they can see their clients when they work out in person, at home or on the road.
40:25 – How System2 works * People do better when they’re not struggling alone. System2 gives people a coach, trainer and friend who helps people move forward in their journey. * People pay $99 a month and get a custom program.
49:36 – Get to know you * Most unusual talent? Trusting people very quickly. * Something important he doesn't talk about a lot? Spending more time with his aging parents. * Who would play him in a movie? Jake Gyllenhaal
FEATURED QUOTES “Having the opportunity to learn from incredible people in their respective fields, that was very inspired.”
“There’s a running joke in Silicon Valley that all the startup founders have daddy issues.”
“MIT is a very intense and hard place to survive at. Not everyone survives that place, but I did.”
“I feel like a lot of us have, in some way, this angelic person show up in your life, and it might be for just like a moment, but that really makes a big difference in your life.”
“I sometimes think all problems are problems of loneliness.”
CONNECT:
- https://getsystem2.com/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/dilandane/
Thank you to our partners of the show: It’s time for a SPRING CLEAN REFRESH! Let’s get that home sparkling, the safe way with MamaSuds!
Castile soap is the superhero of soaps, it really does it all- from the windows to the walls! It’s truly the only soap you need. What can you do with MamaSuds Castile Soap? Clean the floors, scrub the counters, bathtubs and tile, clean the baseboards, the windows and the blinds, you can even use it to clean the carpets! Grab a gallon of MamaSuds Castile Soap and start tackling all of your Spring Cleaning to-do’s at www.mamasuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com. Use code MOLLY for 15% off!
Wow! It’s episode 250. Can you believe it? It’s astonishing to me that I recorded episodes 1-8 in the summer of 2016 and am still doing this five years later.
This week’s episode is a solo one, and I’m answering your questions about shopping second hand on Facebook Marketplace. I get so many questions about this. Shopping second hand is one of the most ethical ways to shop, and I’ve often shared my passion about it. Today, I’m sharing my favorite shopping tips with you.
2:26 – A love for Facebook Marketplace * When we moved to the farm, I sold a lot of our stuff on Facebook Marketplace. But I bought a ton of stuff, too. * Probably, easily, three quarters of the things in our new home are from Facebook Marketplace.
6:59 – Before you search * Make sure you set your filters – location radius, mileage and local pickup. * I almost never, ever, ever shop for anything that’s going to be shipped to me.
8:21 – Mileage and location * For me, for most items, I’m not willing to drive more than 20 to 25 miles. If it’s a larger ticket item, I might expand the area or look around where my family lives so they can pick it up. * Set your radius and mileage on your mobile phone’s Facebook app versus the desktop version. I can be more precise in the mobile app.
9:48 – Searching * Try different search terms. If you search rocking chairs, people list it different ways – wood rockers, rocking chairs, front porch chairs, etc.
11:08 – Save, save, save * When you click on a listing, you can save an item. Use it very liberally. It tells Facebook it’s the kind of thing you’re looking for. It also helps to check back on an item and see if it’s still for sale. If it’s been several days or weeks, you can negotiate a lower price.
12:24 – Select “notify me” * You can select “notify me.” This lets you know if a new listing fitting your criteria comes up. It’s not perfect and can sometimes be delayed.
13:00 – Ready to buy * You might have to fight to get a hot ticket item if it’s priced well or free. * If you see something you like, message the person quickly and write a personal message.
15:24 – Can you negotiate? * Yes and no, but if it’s a hot ticket item listed for less than 24 hours, I typically offer full price. * If it’s been listed for several days or a week, I’ll try to negotiate.
17:09 – Don’t ghost people * There is nothing more annoying when someone ghosts you. It’s very frustrating. Don’t do this.
18:14 – The most important tip * You have to be patient. If you are looking for something, and you need it right away, Facebook Marketplace is probably not going to be the best place to search.
FEATURED QUOTES “Shopping second hand is keeping things out of landfills and giving things a second life, or a third life, or a fourth life.”
“In the last year or so, I have developed a bit of – I don’t want to say addiction, because that sounds really negative – a love for shopping on Facebook Marketplace.”
“How to shop second hand on Facebook Marketplace – I’m giving you my tips of how I snag really amazing deals.”
“Most people on Facebook Marketplace want their stuff gone.”
“If you are looking for something, and you need it right away, Facebook Marketplace is probably not going to be the best place to search.”
Thank you to our partners of the show: It’s time for a SPRING CLEAN REFRESH! Let’s get that home sparkling, the safe way with MamaSuds!
Castile soap is the superhero of soaps, it really does it all- from the windows to the walls! It’s truly the only soap you need. What can you do with MamaSuds Castile Soap? Clean the floors, scrub the counters, bathtubs and tile, clean the baseboards, the windows and the blinds, you can even use it to clean the carpets! Grab a gallon of MamaSuds Castile Soap and start tackling all of your Spring Cleaning to-do’s at www.mamasuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com. Use code MOLLY for 15% off!
My guest this week is Ingrid Carney, founder and CEO of Ingrid and Isabel. She spent six years at three of the top five global advertising agencies before migrating to Silicon Valley startups. But it was her own personal experience with pregnancy that inspired her greatest business success.
After struggling with what to wear, she thought of a simple problem solver to keep her pants up as her belly grew. This helped her get more life out of her own clothes. Her invention, the Bellaband, became wildly popular. Her maternity retail sales brand is the now the largest in the U.S.
4:29 – Ingrid 101 * Ingrid is married and has two daughters. She was pregnant with her oldest daughter, Isabel, when she got the idea to create the Bellaband. They live in San Francisco.
5:29 – Favorite place she has lived * She lived in Italy, and it will always hold a special place in her heart.
7:45 – Entrepreneurial spirit * Ingrid doesn’t remember having an entrepreneurial spirit when she was younger, but she found a letter she wrote to her grandmother about wanting to run a business. * She never set out to own a company, employ people or be a CEO. She only wanted to help other women.
10:28 – Career path * Before starting her company, she worked in advertising and marketing and leaned into the creative side of herself. She loved talking to people and asking questions about products and services. * She then worked for startups in Silicon Valley and worked alongside engineers. It helped her hone her skills of helping people and marketing to different audiences.
15:53 – Pregnancy problem turned inspiration * Ingrid found that control top pantyhose were not flattering, so she folded them down. It softened the line at her waist and smoothed things out. * When she was pregnant, she started problem solving when her pants didn’t fit correctly. She wrapped an Ace bandage around her waist, but it didn’t work. Then she put a tube top over her pants, and it worked.
24:05 – Sustainability * Ingrid invests a lot into sustainability and wants to educate her consumers. She supports domestic and international production when done correctly.
33:44 – Selling like hotcakes * She took baby steps and measured risks and asked mom friends to test her Bellaband samples and give her feedback. * Her Bellabands started selling like hotcakes, and it took her less than three years to become a seven-figure business.
46:01 – Get to know you * What childhood movie she can’t get out of her mind? Close Encounters of the Third Kind * Song she has to sing along to? A Mariah Carey song with high notes, and Chainsmokers songs
FEATURED QUOTES
“Every company needs its superpower, whatever it is. For some people, it’s fabric.” – Ingrid
“I took a break, I had a baby, I went through post-partum depression, came up for air and was like, ‘Let’s do this.’” – Ingrid
“We slowly went out and started to expand when we had validation from the market.” – Ingrid
CONNECT:
https://www.ingridandisabel.com/
About Ingrid Carney: Ingrid spent years in advertising, but it was her own personal experience with pregnancy that inspired her greatest business success. Struggling with what to wear, she thought of a simple problem-solver to keep her pants up when her pregnant belly grows, suggesting she NOT buy maternity so soon, but get more life out of her own clothes. Nearly twenty years and twelve patents later, Ingrid’s widely popular invention (the Bellaband®) evolved into the maternity apparel company Ingrid & Isabel, which is now the largest maternity retail-sales brand in the US.
About the Brand, Ingrid & Isabel:
In 2003, the Bellaband® hit the shelves as the first pregnancy belly band on the market. Today, that single invention has grown into a national company offering a full-range of maternity essentials sold in specialty stores across the country, as well as major retailers like Nordstrom, Amazon, Bloomingdale’s, Gap and more. In 2017, the brand launched their sister line, Isabel Maternity by Ingrid & Isabel, which is available at more than 1,800 Target stores nationwide. From belly to baby, the brand’s got your back - they try everything they make on actual pregnant women, tailoring the fits to real bodies of all sizes at every stage of pregnancy and postpartum. The brand source’s the highest-quality fabrics with the softest feel and stretch, and only work with WRAP-certified factories, ensuring humane and ethical conditions during production. Ingrid & Isabel is indeed a brand for Moms by Moms.
Thank you to our partners of the show: It’s time for a SPRING CLEAN REFRESH! Let’s get that home sparkling, the safe way with MamaSuds!
Castile soap is the superhero of soaps, it really does it all- from the windows to the walls! It’s truly the only soap you need. What can you do with MamaSuds Castile Soap? Clean the floors, scrub the counters, bathtubs and tile, clean the baseboards, the windows and the blinds, you can even use it to clean the carpets! Grab a gallon of MamaSuds Castile Soap and start tackling all of your Spring Cleaning to-do’s at www.mamasuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com. Use code MOLLY for 15% off!
My guest this week is Kristi Soomer, founder and CEO of Encircled, a line of innovative, sustainable and versatile women’s wear based in Toronto. She wanted to help women do more with less in their wardrobes. She launched her online store in 2012 and now has a studio in Toronto.
5:58 – Kristi 101 * The brand started as a travel clothing line. Kristi came from a corporate career and never went to fashion school, but she wanted to make comfortable, stylish clothes.
7:41 – The beginning * She was packing for a yoga retreat in Costa Rica and didn’t know what to pack. She liked the concept of a piece of clothing that could be versatile and used many different ways. * She used a versatile scarf she had and improved it until she created her own prototype.
12:16 – Creating a brand * She started with a product instead of a brand and developed a brand that wrapped around her product. * She named her company Encircled because it made her think of her circle scarf.
14:51 – Ethical fashion * Kristi was ahead of the curve when it came to sustainable fashion, but some people didn’t understand why it mattered. * She says authenticity and integrity are really important to her, so she became curious about sustainable fashion and human rights in the fashion supply chain.
19:18 – Progress over perfection * Kristi says it’s impossible to shop perfectly, but you can find better brands, better fabrics and better options. Try to take incremental, small steps. * People expect her to be perfect and they criticize what she drives, but there’s a lot of grey area in sustainability. * She believes in progress over perfection.
29:23 – Turning point in her business * It was a hard decision to quit her career, and her family didn’t support her desire to be an entrepreneur. * She started seeing growth in the business in 2015. She began hiring people to help her, and she plans to have 20 employees this year.
35:50 – On the horizon * She started a podcast, is doing interviews and started an email marketing course and goal setting course. She wants to help female entrepreneurs level up. * She wants to keep creating comfy, dressy clothes and expand product development and find new fabrics.
39:35 – Get to know you * Favorite meal? Hamburgers * Song she has to sing? Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”
FEATURED QUOTES “Authenticity and integrity are really important to me.” – Kristi
“I became very curious and very interested in human rights in the fashion supply chain.” – Kristi
“There are very few women who ever surpass the million-dollar mark in revenue. We passed that in 2015 and continue to grow, and I want more women to be able to do that.” – Kristi
CONNECT WITH KRISTI: * https://www.kristisoomer.com/ * https://www.encircled.ca/
ABOUT KRISTI: Kristi is the founder and CEO of Encircled. A line of innovative, sustainable and versatile womenswear based in Toronto and retailed exclusively online. A former management consultant who virtually lived in airports, Kristi started Encircled with the dream of helping women do more with less in their wardrobes. Frustrated with the lack of versatile and stylish travel clothing, she started designing it. With no fashion background and little capital, she launched her online store in 2012. Today, Encircled has a beautiful studio in the Junction Triangle area of Toronto, a team of 12, and makes all of its clothing within 35km of their studio.
Encircled has been featured in publications like FASHION magazine, NOW Magazine, The Globe and Mail, and Apartment Therapy. Encircled is also a certified B Corporation, and winner of the StartUp 50 Fastest Growing companies in Canada in 2018. In 2018, Kristi was named to the Clean50, a list honouring the top contributors to clean capitalism and positive environmental impact through business in Canada. Kristi holds a degree in Finance from the University of Western Ontario, and an MBA from Queen’s University. Learn more about Encircled at: www.encircled.ca.
Thank you to our partners of the show: It’s time for a SPRING CLEAN REFRESH! Let’s get that home sparkling, the safe way with MamaSuds!
Castile soap is the superhero of soaps, it really does it all- from the windows to the walls! It’s truly the only soap you need. What can you do with MamaSuds Castile Soap? Clean the floors, scrub the counters, bathtubs and tile, clean the baseboards, the windows and the blinds, you can even use it to clean the carpets! Grab a gallon of MamaSuds Castile Soap and start tackling all of your Spring Cleaning to-do’s at www.mamasuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com.
My guest this week is Fisayo Che, a mother of three and founder of apparel brand Elisamama. She created the brand after a long search for quality kids’ clothing that was fun and functional and used colors like her Nigerian roots. Every piece of her clothing is made in Nigeria, and she wants to provide jobs and skills training for people there.
3:31 – Fisayo 101 * Elisamama is founded with a commitment to promote joy and to make a difference. * She wants to provide an economic opportunity for her artisans.
5:38 – Where does her joy come from? * There’s a saying that Nigerians are the happiest people. They don’t take life as seriously, and they are thankful to have a home and be happy.
7:42 – Moving to the U.S. * She was born in Europe and traveled elsewhere, so she didn’t have a cultural shock when she moved to the U.S.
10:03 – Finding stylish kids’ clothes * People think FIsayo has a deep love for fashion, but that’s not the case. Fashion, for Fisayo, is more about utility. * There has been a huge shift to neutrals in the past few years, but Fisayo prefers more colorful clothes with more personality.
15:27 – Talent is equally distributed, opportunity is not * We have to keep reminding ourselves that talent is equally distributed but opportunity is not. * She noticed that quality was not a priority in the sewing world in Nigeria.
22:40 – Tipping point * Fisayo felt responsibility for the lives of her team members and felt pressure for her company to be successful. * It’s an intense motivation to keep her business going.
27:02 – Developing her team * Technology has been one of her company’s biggest blessings, especially as she develops her team.
30:29 – On the horizon * Fisayo wants to pick up additional retail accounts and keep the ship afloat.
35:40 – Get to know you * Something you’d never guess about Fisayo? She wrestled in high school.
FEATURED QUOTES “Elisamama is my brand that is founded with a commitment to promote joy and to make a difference.” – Fisayo
“We design and we produce really fun, vibrant, exciting, joyful clothing using African-inspired prints.” – Fisayo
ABOUT FISAYO CHE:
Fisayo Che, a mother of three, is the founder of apparel brand Elisamama. Fisayo established the brand after a long search for quality kids’ clothing that was not only fun and functional but also reflects a bold use of color, emblematic of Fisayo’s Nigerian roots.
The Elisamama brand’s joyful, easy-to-wear and stylish clothing is made with African-inspired wax print fabrics. Every piece is handmade in Nigeria by a team of local artisans.
While the core business of Elisamama is providing quality clothing that promote joy, the heart of the business mission is to provide jobs and skills training for Nigerian artisans, with the purpose of providing them a pathway towards economic empowerment and improved quality of life.
Thank you to our partners of the show: It’s time for a SPRING CLEAN REFRESH! Let’s get that home sparkling, the safe way with MamaSuds!
Castile soap is the superhero of soaps, it really does it all- from the windows to the walls! It’s truly the only soap you need. What can you do with MamaSuds Castile Soap? Clean the floors, scrub the counters, bathtubs and tile, clean the baseboards, the windows and the blinds, you can even use it to clean the carpets! Grab a gallon of MamaSuds Castile Soap and start tackling all of your Spring Cleaning to-do’s at www.mamasuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com.
My guest this week is Megan Hyatt Miller. She is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Michael Hyatt & Company and the co-host of the popular business podcast, Lead to Win. She is also Michael’s oldest daughter.
As the architect of Michael Hyatt & Company’s standout culture, she is committed to helping her team win at work and succeed at life, while also delivering phenomenal results to their customers.
Under her leadership, Michael Hyatt & Company was named as one of Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces for 2020, which ranks the top companies in America for their employee engagement.
When she’s not taking the company to new heights, she’s fully present at home with her husband Joel and five kids in Franklin, Tenn.
4:55 – Megan 101
- Her dad started the performance coaching business in 2011, and she joined in 2012.
- Megan thought she wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, but she was going stir crazy and decided to join her dad in the business.
8:18 – The double win
- This concept of the double win comes out of her dad’s and her personal experience. Her dad was a workaholic and hit a wall in his 40s.
- They wrote a book to explain how they make succeeding at work and in life possible.
11:27 – Work-life balance
- Women are always asked about work-life balance, but men rarely are.
- Men have been conditioned that it’s not OK to bring their personal life into work.
14:20 – Negotiating as a couple
- Men and women should be co-CEOs of the family and create equal distribution of labor.
- You need to establish your non-negotiables in three categories – self-care, relational priorities and professional results
28:03 – Hustle culture
- Women have been sold this lie that we can do it all if only we’re somehow smart enough or good enough, and it just leaves us feeling crummy.
44:12 – Get to know you
- Guilty pleasure? Magazines and Netflix alone in my bedroom
FEATURED QUOTES
“This concept of the double win comes out of my dad’s and my personal experience.” – Megan
“Men have been conditioned that it’s not OK to bring their personal life into work.” – Megan
“Women have been sold this lie that we can do it all if only we’re somehow smart enough or good enough, and it just leaves us feeling crummy.” – Megan
LINKS:
- https://michaelhyatt.com/author/meganmiller/
- https://www.amazon.com/Win-Work-Succeed-Life-Principles/dp/0801094690
Thank you to our partners of the show:
It’s time for a SPRING CLEAN REFRESH! Let’s get that home sparkling, the safe way with MamaSuds!
Castile soap is the superhero of soaps, it really does it all- from the windows to the walls! It’s truly the only soap you need. What can you do with MamaSuds Castile Soap? Clean the floors, scrub the counters, bathtubs and tile, clean the baseboards, the windows and the blinds, you can even use it to clean the carpets! Grab a gallon of MamaSuds Castile Soap and start tackling all of your Spring Cleaning to-do’s at www.mamasuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
I’d like to introduce you to Deux Mains. In French, Deux Mains means two hands. Why ‘two-hands’? Because everything they create is made by trained artisans who use their two hands to make their life better while crafting beautiful products.
Truly, this is a company that set out to change lives and make a positive impact in the world. It started when the founder, Julie, wanted to create dignified jobs in Haiti, a place she was growing to love, and that was exploding with creativity. She wanted to share this talent with the world.
Julie set up an educational program to train people with artisan skills and then went on to build a factory that operates on 100% solar energy. Deux Mains now employs more than 40 artisans that handcraft premium leather goods, jewelry and sandals. Their lives are forever changed by their craft.
What’s also cool is their products incorporate an eco-friendly twist, working with responsibly sourced materials and repurposed inner-tube and tires in their designs.
When you buy from Deux Mains, you get to be part of a movement that is making a difference in the world, while adding an incredibly well-made piece to your closet that supports conscious living!
You can discover their products online at deuxmains.com.
My guest this week is Jennifer Dukes Lee. She lives on a 5th generation Lee family farm in Iowa, where she and her husband are raising crops, pigs and two beautiful humans. She writes books, she loves queso and enjoys singing loudly. Once upon a time she didn’t believe in Jesus, and now He is her CEO.
She just released her latest book, Growing Slow: Lessons on Un-hurrying Your Heart from an Accidental Farm Girl.
4:14 – Jennifer 101 * She lives in northwest Iowa. Her husband’s great, great, great grandparents had the original farm. * She is a farm wife, even though she never imagined being in that role.
7:40 – Growing fast and slowing down * Jennifer is an over achiever, and her personality makes her want to grow things fast. * She left her newspaper job to be on the farm with her family. * Even though she was in the more peaceful setting of a farm, she kept working hard and was told by a doctor that she was stressed out and “had a hurried heart.” * She has since adopted a new way of living.
14:57 – A growing slow year * Jennifer began studying her farmland and how seeds grow to find out why some things grow faster and others slower and how seasons affect the farm.
26:50 – Soil of your heart * Jennifer says you should take time every day to examine the soil of your heart. Come to God with your hands open and ask him to take some of your burdens or worries. * Go through your seasons of life with open hands.
32:52 – Practices to slow down * To slow yourself down, there are little things you can do, like not checking your phone at stoplights. Also, don’t multitask. Uni-tasking is better and you have more focus.
36:50 – Remember, reflect, return * Jennifer asks me to remember, reflect and return. I also share my struggle with not being as far ahead as I planned.
4:30 – Get to know you * Her hype song? Chumbawumba “I Get Knocked Down” * Favorite TV show growing up? Three’s Company
FEATURED QUOTES
“I’m a farm wife, and I didn’t expect to be in this life.” – Jennifer
“You can be busy and still go about it with a peacefulness in your heart.” – Jennifer
“Take time every day to examine the soil of your heart.” – Jennifer
CONNECT:
https://jenniferdukeslee.com/
ABOUT JENNIFER:
Jennifer Dukes Lee lives on the fifth-generation Lee family farm in Iowa, where she and her husband are raising crops, pigs, and two beautiful humans. She writes books, loves queso, and enjoys singing too loudly to songs with great harmony. Once upon a time, she didn't believe in Jesus; now he's her CEO. Find Jennifer at JenniferDukesLee.com and on Instagram at @JenniferDukesLee.
My guest this week is Richard Lui. As a veteran journalist, he has spent more than 30 years in television, film, technology and business. He previously worked with CNN Worldwide and is currently at MSNBC. He is the first Asian American man to anchor a daily national cable news program. He just released his first Book, “Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness.”
5:17 – Richard 101 * Richard says he has lived a life of zigging and zagging. He has worked in many different fields, including small business, technology, Fortune 500 and journalism.
7:16 – What led him to journalism? * He says his family encouraged him to be open to life, which is why he has worked in several different jobs.
11:03 – Selfishness pandemic * Richard’s goal was to create an anti-self-help book. He says the idea that we are living through a selfish pandemic is real. * He wanted to dig into the topic in an approachable way without being too heady.
16:42 – Generous people are happier and live longer * Gratitude is the healthy cousin of selflessness. It’s giving, it's vulnerable. * When you send a gratitude letter to someone, you get a personal benefit by thinking of others. * Studies show you’ll live longer, look better, be happier. * One chapter in Richard’s book is called “Goodness is Gorgeous,” because you look better when you are generous.
27:30 – Reminding himself about selflessness * Even though he wrote a book about selflessness, Richard sometimes has to remind himself to practice what he writes about.
32:54 – Stories that stick with him * In Ferguson, Mo., a man’s store was looted every night, but he still opened every morning. Richard asked the man why he continued opening the store, and the man said he kept opening for his customers because they needed him.
36:05 – What’s on the horizon? * Richard wants to do a project about caregiving and look at organizational selflessness.
38:07 – Get to know Richard * What child’s movie scarred him? Christmas Story * Something you would never guess about him? He has a bunny
FEATURED QUOTES
“Who knows what’s next? … Anything’s possible.” – Richard
“Our goal was to create an anti-self-help book.” – Richard
“Gratitude is the healthy cousin of selflessness. It’s giving, it's vulnerable.” – Richard
https://richardlui.com/
About Richard Lui:
Veteran journalist Richard Lui has more than 30 years in television, film, technology and business. Currently at MSNBC and previously with CNN Worldwide, he is the first Asian American man to anchor a daily national cable news program, and a team Emmy and Peabody winner. In addition to journalism, Richard’s 15-year business career involves a fintech patent and launching six tech brands over three business cycles. He has lived, worked, and volunteered on every continent. Richard is a Celebrity Champion for the Alzheimer’s Association, Caregiving Champion for AARP and Caregiving Ambassador for BrightFocus Foundation. His first book, Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness, releases in March 2021.
Thank you to our partner of the show:
It’s time for a SPRING CLEAN REFRESH! Let’s get that home sparkling, the safe way with MamaSuds!
Castile soap is the superhero of soaps, it really does it all- from the windows to the walls! It’s truly the only soap you need. What can you do with MamaSuds Castile Soap? Clean the floors, scrub the counters, bathtubs and tile, clean the baseboards, the windows and the blinds, you can even use it to clean the carpets! Grab a gallon of MamaSuds Castile Soap and start tackling all of your Spring Cleaning to-do’s at www.mamasuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Richard Lui. As a veteran journalist, he has spent more than 30 years in television, film, technology and business. He previously worked with CNN Worldwide and is currently at MSNBC. He is the first Asian American man to anchor a daily national cable news program. He just released his first Book, “Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness.”
5:17 – Richard 101 * Richard says he has lived a life of zigging and zagging. He has worked in many different fields, including small business, technology, Fortune 500 and journalism.
7:16 – What led him to journalism? * He says his family encouraged him to be open to life, which is why he has worked in several different jobs.
11:03 – Selfishness pandemic * Richard’s goal was to create an anti-self-help book. He says the idea that we are living through a selfish pandemic is real. * He wanted to dig into the topic in an approachable way without being too heady.
16:42 – Generous people are happier and live longer * Gratitude is the healthy cousin of selflessness. It’s giving, it's vulnerable. * When you send a gratitude letter to someone, you get a personal benefit by thinking of others. * Studies show you’ll live longer, look better, be happier. * One chapter in Richard’s book is called “Goodness is Gorgeous,” because you look better when you are generous.
27:30 – Reminding himself about selflessness * Even though he wrote a book about selflessness, Richard sometimes has to remind himself to practice what he writes about.
32:54 – Stories that stick with him * In Ferguson, Mo., a man’s store was looted every night, but he still opened every morning. Richard asked the man why he continued opening the store, and the man said he kept opening for his customers because they needed him.
36:05 – What’s on the horizon? * Richard wants to do a project about caregiving and look at organizational selflessness.
38:07 – Get to know Richard * What child’s movie scarred him? Christmas Story * Something you would never guess about him? He has a bunny
FEATURED QUOTES
“Who knows what’s next? … Anything’s possible.” – Richard
“Our goal was to create an anti-self-help book.” – Richard
“Gratitude is the healthy cousin of selflessness. It’s giving, it's vulnerable.” – Richard
https://richardlui.com/
About Richard Lui:
Veteran journalist Richard Lui has more than 30 years in television, film, technology and business. Currently at MSNBC and previously with CNN Worldwide, he is the first Asian American man to anchor a daily national cable news program, and a team Emmy and Peabody winner. In addition to journalism, Richard’s 15-year business career involves a fintech patent and launching six tech brands over three business cycles. He has lived, worked, and volunteered on every continent. Richard is a Celebrity Champion for the Alzheimer’s Association, Caregiving Champion for AARP and Caregiving Ambassador for BrightFocus Foundation. His first book, Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness, releases in March 2021.
Thank you to our partner of the show:
It’s time for a SPRING CLEAN REFRESH! Let’s get that home sparkling, the safe way with MamaSuds!
Castile soap is the superhero of soaps, it really does it all- from the windows to the walls! It’s truly the only soap you need. What can you do with MamaSuds Castile Soap? Clean the floors, scrub the counters, bathtubs and tile, clean the baseboards, the windows and the blinds, you can even use it to clean the carpets! Grab a gallon of MamaSuds Castile Soap and start tackling all of your Spring Cleaning to-do’s at www.mamasuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
Creating a Digital Heirloom | Business with Purpose Podcast EP 243: Ashley Kenny, Heirloom My guest this week is Ashley Kenny, the CEO and founder of Heirloom, a startup company founded in 2020 that allows you to send video cards to friends and loved ones. As a journalist, she spent 15 years traveling the world and making groundbreaking documentaries. She lives in Washington D.C. with her husband and two children.
4:06 – Ashley 101 * She fell in love with long-form documentary making and worked for National Geographic and other outlets. * Now she is the CEO and founder of Heirloom, which she launched with her brother.
9:09 – Tapping into her passion * Ashley is a storyteller who has worked in different mediums. She loves asking questions and investigating.
17:12 – A need for community and connection * Ashley called her grandma last spring and noticed she seemed down and not like her usual happy self. She was in lockdown during Covid and missing her family. * She mailed her grandmother a video of her children to cheer her up, and she wanted to do the same for other people, especially seniors who don’t have access to computers or phones. * Ashley’s brother helped her with the technology.
29:03 – Different kinds of videos people send * People have sent many different kinds of videos – graduations, birth announcements, ultrasounds, gender reveals, birthday tributes
36:52 – A powerful message * Send videos to people who have impacted your life, and let them know how much you care. * It could be a really powerful opportunity to send a message to somebody in your life that has really had an impact on you, and maybe you haven’t really told them.
38:12 – Get to know you * First thing she does when she gets home from a long trip? She gets a cup of fresh water from her tap. * Favorite food? Fried rice
FEATURED QUOTES “I’ve always been super curious about people’s backgrounds, about what makes somebody who they are, about where they’re from.” – Ashley
“I was a huge snoop growing up as a child … I had to see everything.” – Ashley
“This is a way to connect people when they can’t be together.” – Ashley
“We’re hoping this is an heirloom, a keepsake, something people will hold onto for years to come.” – Ashley
TRY HEIRLOOM - use code MOLLY10 for $10 off! https://sendheirloom.com/
My guest this week is Jenny Nuccio. She’s a dear friend of mine and founder and CEO of Imani Collective, a social enterprise and holistic women’s empowerment program in Kenya, committed to breaking generational poverty.
9:44 – Jenny 101 * Most people know her as the founder of Imani Collective. She is married and has three children. * Jenny has some cool projects coming up, but she can’t share what they are just yet. She hasn’t even told her parents about the projects yet. * She has been in Kenya for the last decade of her life and plans to stay there.
14:14 – Swahili * She speaks Swahili, but she’s much better at understanding it.
19:23 – What led her to Kenya * She saw a church bulletin about going to Kenya. There was a peace that resonated in her soul, and she realized she needed to be on that trip. * She kept coming back to Kenya and doing what she calls “radically listening.”
27:50 – Doing it all * Jenny says she gets asked all the time how she does so much, but she says no one is doing it all. * She believes God is using her as a vessel to help others.
38:14 – Pivoting her business * Jenny does a lot of custom orders and creates beautiful products, but she has made some changes to her business during the pandemic. * She wanted to be an e-commerce business, so she started leaning into it. She also wanted to diversify her line more.
44:39 – Getting her EdD * She’s getting her doctorate. She partially wants it for credibility, because she wants to be taken more seriously. She felt annoyed after meeting with mostly white men at investment meetings and being treated like a little girl.
51:58 – Get to know you * Favorite TV show when she was younger? Friends * Something people would never guess about her? She didn’t travel outside the country until she was 18
FEATURED QUOTES “I have some really exciting projects happening this year that I can’t even share with you guys. Just be looking out for that … Not even my parents know. That’s how behind-the-scenes it is.” – Jenny
“There was just this peace that resonated in my soul, and it was like, ‘You need to be on this trip (to Kenya).’” – Jenny
“I did go on a mission trip, but not with the mentality or intention of like, ‘I’m coming to serve and I’m coming to make things better.’ It came of like, ‘I’m coming to learn and grow and see what else is out there in these beautiful cultures.’” – Jenny
“I’ve always just said, ‘God used me as a vessel. I’m just a vessel for this.’” – Jenny
CONNECT:
https://imanicollective.com/
About Jenny Nuccio:
Jenny is the Founder and CEO of Imani Collective — a social enterprise + holistic women’s empowerment program in Mombasa, Kenya committed to breaking the generational poverty. Having lived as an integral part of her Kenyan community since 2013, she is committed to the collaborative advancement of equitable opportunity for the friends she works with every day, as well as for marginalized populations world-wide.
She also is the Co-Founder of the School of Ethical Impact and brings a unique intersection of both classroom + real-world social entrepreneurship expertise. But this is only part of her identity: Most days you can find her laughing with her kiddos, wondering the streets of Mombasa, or simply enjoying a great cup of Kenyan coffee. She wears many hats, but some of her favorites are being a wife and mother of three who is passionate about spreading joy and helping inspire women from all walks of life to pursue their dreams and step into their true potential.
Thank you to our partner of the show:
It’s time for a SPRING CLEAN REFRESH! Let’s get that home sparkling, the safe way with MamaSuds!
Castile soap is the superhero of soaps, it really does it all- from the windows to the walls! It’s truly the only soap you need. What can you do with MamaSuds Castile Soap? Clean the floors, scrub the counters, bathtubs and tile, clean the baseboards, the windows and the blinds, you can even use it to clean the carpets! Grab a gallon of MamaSuds Castile Soap and start tackling all of your Spring Cleaning to-do’s at www.mamasuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest this week is Adisyn Pyles, co-founder and CEO of Freeleaf, an international social enterprise making beautiful products while providing employment and holistic care to at-risk, abused and exploited women.
2:29 – Adisyn 101 * She moved to China in 2011 and started Freeleaf in 2016. She knew she was passionate about women’s empowerment and poverty alleviation.
6:30 – Starting Freeleaf * Adisyn didn’t want to start a business and she had no business experience, but she knew she wanted to serve vulnerable women. * She wanted to highlight traditional art and design as part of her business.
10:11 – How her products have evolved * She started with home décor and wanted to create something unique, brighter and statement pieces.
13:11 – What has surprised Adisyn * There have been so many surprises along the way, including how difficult the job is at times and how tough it is to develop a product. She’s also surprised by the community they’ve development at the company.
15:53 – What she loves about China * Although she's an introvert, she loves the pace, energy and opportunity in China. There’s such fast movement.
17:25 – Leaving China * Adisyn and her family decided to leave China when Covid hit last year. They expected to be in the U.S. for a couple weeks until the pandemic was over, but it has taken longer.
26:23 – The core of her business * During Covid, Adisyn has had to focus on the core of her business and the core of her family and let go of larger expectations, hopes and pressures.
29:42 – Her staff in China * Adisyn has kept in touch with her staff in China, but it has been challenging. They have faced a lot of the same problems working women in the U.S. face, including finding childcare during a pandemic.
34:08 – On the horizon * Adisyn wants to develop new products, but the process has been taking a long time. She wants to create more home décor products.
37:30 – Get to know you * Child’s movie that scarred her for life? Bambi, The Lion King * Favorite Chinese dish? Spicy shrimp
FEATURED QUOTES
“I knew I was passionate about women’s empowerment and poverty alleviation.” – Adisyn
LINKS:
https://www.freeleafltd.com/
https://www.instagram.com/_adisyn/
https://www.instagram.com/freeleafltd/
About Adisyn Pyles:
Adisyn Pyles is the co-founder & CEO of Freeleaf, an international social enterprise making beautiful products while providing employment and holistic care to at-risk, abused, and exploited women. Combining her passions for women’s rights, collective freedom, and finding beauty amidst chaos, Adisyn co-founded Freeleaf alongside JiaYi Lan in 2016.
With an MA in International Community Development, a tenacity for excellence, and a commitment to sustainability, Adisyn has led the Freeleaf brand through considerable growth—employing over 20 women in the last few years, being recognized by the Kerring Foundation as one of the top 5 social enterprises in China, and being highlighted as a female founder by the Spanx Red Backpack Brigade.
Adisyn and her family have had a wild year, being displaced from their home in China by COVID since January and welcoming their second son in October. They are currently living in Austin, TX waiting out the pandemic and eagerly looking forward to returning to their lives and work in Asia.
Happy Episode 240, everyone! Normally, each week I interview a nonprofit director, community leader or person who is trying to make an impact. But it is time for a solo episode, so my special guest this week is my husband, John.
2:21 – One of my most popular episodes * My last solo show, episode 230, was one of my most popular episodes. I told the story about us buying a farm. I got an influx of questions from people wanting to know more.
4:10 – Did we always want a farm? * John always wanted land. He grew up on a large piece of property and was frustrated as a kid that his family couldn’t have chickens because of the neighborhood HOA. * John has been pretty tight with money most of his life, but he believes it prepared him for our big move to the farm.
8:54 – The transition from land to farm * We decided to turn our land into a farm because we wanted to be more self-sufficient and self-sustainable.
10:30 – Animals and things we’ll grow * We’ll start with chickens. Maybe turkeys later this year and bees. Next year, goats and maybe a pig. I want a horse, but John is not interested in them because it sounds like a money pit. We’ve talked about donkeys.
13:42 – What we want to grow * Corn, okra, tomatoes, cantaloupe, cucumbers, watermelons and fruit trees – nothing too exotic. We have a ton of walnut trees. If you have walnut recipes, send them our way.
16:55 – Will farming be our new job? * No, it will not be our main job. Part of the goal is to reduce our expenses and create some independence and sustainability. * We want to have some revenue associated with the farm. That is a goal we are working towards. We also want to bless people with the food we grow.
18:55 – Do we have a name for the farm? * We don’t have any farm names yet. Send us suggestions – hello@stillbeingmolly.com
19:42 – John’s vision for the farm * John enjoys doing physical work and wants our kids to enjoy being outdoors and living sustainably.
FEATURED QUOTES “We officially moved into the farm last week, and it still honestly feels really surreal.” – Molly
“I’ve been pretty tight with money most of my life.” – John
“My house is worth 75 times my car value, and it’s not cause it’s a million-dollar house. It’s because I have a 2007 Tundra that I bought 11 years ago.” – John
“We want God to just use this place to bless others however He sees fit.” – Molly
Thank you to our partner of the show:
It’s time for a SPRING CLEAN REFRESH! Let’s get that home sparkling, the safe way with MamaSuds!
Castile soap is the superhero of soaps, it really does it all- from the windows to the walls! It’s truly the only soap you need. What can you do with MamaSuds Castile Soap? Clean the floors, scrub the counters, bathtubs and tile, clean the baseboards, the windows and the blinds, you can even use it to clean the carpets! Grab a gallon of MamaSuds Castile Soap and start tackling all of your Spring Cleaning to-do’s at www.mamasuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
My guest today is Veronica Villanueva, who discovered her “why” in life after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2016. Through her work as a wellness expert, she aims to inspire others through a holistic lifestyle built on a commitment to self-growth and good nutrition.
She is a trained chef and health coach based in Los Angeles and the co-founder of Alive Well Thrive, a cannabis line aimed at creating the highest quality cannabis products to help others live their healthiest lives. This is an area I don’t know much about, but I want this to be a place where we can be curious and ask questions.
2:24 – Veronica 101 * “I’m very excited to say I am alive despite doctors telling me I had less than 6 months to live in September 2016,” said Veronica. * She was told she wouldn’t make it to 50 years old. She’s now 53 and credits her survival to studying integrative medicine.
4:45 – What her life was like before cancer * Before her cancer diagnosis, people would have assumed Veronica had a perfect life. She was a super mom with three beautiful, smart children. * She protected her kids from reality and sheltered them with a bubble of perfection. But on the inside she was an anxious mother. * She was raised to believe that she should stay home with her children, which she did, but she wanted more in her life.
8:42 – What led to her lung cancer diagnosis? * Veronica was going through a divorce, but she and her husband agreed to wait until their kids were in college. The divorce became ugly, and it was a shock to her system. * She didn’t eat, didn’t sleep and ate tootsie rolls and drank coffee. * She started having back pain, and that was the first sign of lung cancer.
14:18 – Loving herself * Veronica knew she would beat the cancer and live. The diagnosis opened her eyes to how she was living. She finally felt like she mattered, and she decided to prioritize herself. * “I live a life right now where I come first all the time, and that’s not being narcissistic. That’s not being egotistical. It’s honoring myself. I’m rarely depleted. I’m always replenished,” said Veronica.
18:16 – Detoxing her body * Veronica detoxed her body with good food and her environment by choosing which people she wanted to be around, what she read, etc. * “I really cleaned my life from the inside out,” said Veronica. “There’s not bad fat in my life.”
20:21 – Her businesses * She has VeronicaVillanueva.com, which is where she coaches people and helps them become healthy. * She also has Alive Well Thrive, which has medicinal cannabis for people with cancer.
25:00 – Why cannabis? * Veronica’s company uses cannabis for medicinal purposes, not for vaping. * It helps shrink and eradicate tumors, especially at high doses. It can also help with nausea and loss of appetite.
35:30 – Her faith * Veronica’s faith has played a huge role in her recovery. She doesn’t believe she got cancer because she did something bad, and she doesn’t believe in karma.
41:25 – Get to know you * Her favorite meal – Carrot ginger soup and lentil soup * People think she’s an extrovert, but she prefers to be home * Cooking and music make her happy
FEATURED QUOTES
“I’m very excited to say I am alive despite doctors telling me I had less than 6 months to live.” – Veronica
“I learned to love myself and to give myself all the care and love that I am so amazing at for other people.” – Veronica
“I live a life right now where I come first all the time, and that’s not being narcissistic. That’s not being egotistical. It’s honoring myself. I’m rarely depleted. I’m always replenished.” – Veronica
“I really cleaned my life from the inside out.” – Veronica
- http://veronicavillanueva.com/
- https://alivewellthrive.com/
About Veronica:
Veronica Villanueva discovered her "why" after being diagnosed with stage IV cancer in 2016. Through her work as a wellness expert, Veronica aims to inspire others to embrace a holistic lifestyle built on a commitment to self-growth and good nutrition. Veronica is a trained Le Cordon Bleu chef and a Health Coach with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and she has a degree in International Relations from UC Berkeley. Veronica is currently based in Los Angeles, CA and is the Co-Founder of Alive Well Thrive, a cannabis line aimed at creating the highest quality cannabis products around to help other live their fullest and healthiest lives yet.
Thank you to our partner of the show:
It’s time for a SPRING CLEAN REFRESH! Let’s get that home sparkling, the safe way with MamaSuds!
Castile soap is the superhero of soaps, it really does it all- from the windows to the walls! It’s truly the only soap you need. What can you do with MamaSuds Castile Soap? Clean the floors, scrub the counters, bathtubs and tile, clean the baseboards, the windows and the blinds, you can even use it to clean the carpets! Grab a gallon of MamaSuds Castile Soap and start tackling all of your Spring Cleaning to-do’s at www.mamasuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
We are going to face tragedy in our lives. It’s a guarantee. It seems unfair and we have questions about why bad things happen. But as a person of faith, I know what Jesus said – in this world we will have trouble, but take heart because he has overcome the world. We don't have to let tragedy define us.
My guest today took an unimaginable, world-shattering tragedy and used it for good. Amy Downs is the CEO of Allegiance Credit Union, formerly known as the Federal Employees Credit Union, which lost more than half of its employees in the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995.
In the years since the bombing, Amy became a mother, lost more than 200 pounds, competed in an Ironman Triathlon, got her MBA and became CEO of the same credit union that was bombed.
4:17 – Amy Downs 101 * Amy is 53 years old. She has a side hustle as a book writer and speaker. She loves riding her bike and adventure. * Surviving the Oklahoma City Bombing changed her life in a lot of ways.
6:20 – Big hair and lack of purpose * In 1989, Amy had big, amazing hair. She says it was the only thing she had going for her at the time. She dropped out of college and was floundering, not knowing what to do with her life. * She took a job as a teller at the credit union in Oklahoma City.
9:35 – April 19, 1995 * On April 19, 1995, Amy was sitting at her desk on the third floor when the bomb went off. * She was screaming “Jesus help me!” but she didn’t recognize the sound of her own voice. She fell three floors and was buried under 10 feet of rubble. Then, all the noise stopped. * She was lying there, not knowing if she was dead or alive.
14:40 – Buried alive * “I’m buried alive,” said Amy. “All I can do is think about, I’m getting ready to die at 28 years old, and I’m realizing, I’ve actually never lived. I’ve never lived with purpose.” * She was buried for more than 6 hours.
19:57 – Desperate to live * Amy’s rescuers talked about whether they needed to amputate her leg to get her out of the rubble. She told them to do what they needed to do to get her out. She was desperate to live. * She remembers looking up at the sky, taking a breath of fresh air after being rescued.
25:15 – Changing her life * She wanted to be a different person, but she had so much physical and emotional trauma that she didn’t know what to do. But she didn’t let go of that belief. * First, she began praying every day.
34:19 – Hope is a Verb * Amy wrote a book, “Hope is a Verb.” It was a 10-year project. She wanted to figure out how to help people.
41:43 – Coping with PTSD * Amy still struggles with PTSD. She gets nervous if she’s in a crowded space with a lot of people. She also struggles when April comes around each year.
50:20 – Get to know you * What kids’ movie scarred her? Wizard of Oz monkeys * Something you’d never guess about her? She was a DJ on a radio station
FEATURED QUOTES “It was like I had this incredible come to Jesus meeting that I haven’t been able to shake for the rest of my life.” – Amy
“There is a purpose for you. I don’t care what it is, what business it is that you’re doing. There is a purpose for you.” – Amy
“All of a sudden, everything went dark. I could hear people screaming all around me.” – Amy
“I’m buried alive … All I can do is think about, I’m getting ready to die at 28 years old, and I’m realizing, I’ve actually never lived. I’ve never lived with purpose.” – Amy
CONNECT:
- https://amydowns.org/
- https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Verb-Journey-Impossible-Transformation/dp/1734645407
Thank you to our partner of the show:
It’s time for a SPRING CLEAN REFRESH! Let’s get that home sparkling, the safe way with MamaSuds!
Castile soap is the superhero of soaps, it really does it all- from the windows to the walls! It’s truly the only soap you need. What can you do with MamaSuds Castile Soap? Clean the floors, scrub the counters, bathtubs and tile, clean the baseboards, the windows and the blinds, you can even use it to clean the carpets! Grab a gallon of MamaSuds Castile Soap and start tackling all of your Spring Cleaning to-do’s at www.mamasuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
One of my favorite verses of scripture is 1 Peter 4:10, which says: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
I really believe that we were all given a gift to use to help, serve and bless others. I think serving, teaching and nurturing children is one of the best gifts. It takes a special person to be able to work in the life of a child, especially with children who are neurodivergent or neurodiverse.
My guest today is Brittni Winslow, a dear friend of mine who lives in Durham, N.C. She is an occupational therapist and executive director of Emerge Pediatric Therapy in North Carolina. She helps create confident kids through customized therapy.
6:46 – Brittni 101
- Brittni is married and has three daughters. She is an occupational therapist and always wanted to open her own business.
8:17 – How is occupational therapy different from physical therapy?
- Brittni works on functional skills for kids, such as play, caring for themselves, sitting at the dinner table, etc. Physical therapy is working on strengthening or rehabilitating.
9:17 – What makes Emerge so different?
- Brittni wants Emerge to be different from other occupational therapy providers. A big part of that is working with the kids and educating the parents, teachers and community partners.
- “We want to make sure everyone is on the same page and everyone is educated on how to best work with this child,” said Brittni.
- “I truly believe that no kid is intentionally trying to be bad. There are some ways that their system might be wired that makes it really hard for them,” said Brittni.
14:07 – Generational changes in helping children
- Brittni says she’ll often hear parents say, “I dealt with this [issue] as a kid.”
- Kids are sometimes misjudged as being lazy, disinterested or having behavioral problems. But really, there are some underlying issues that could easily be addressed.
16:48 – Removing the stigma
- "It’s not that how these kids are wired is wrong. It’s just a different wiring,” said Brittni.
- You need to uncover what will work best for kids.
20:51 – Has Brittni’s job affected how she parents her own kids?
- She’s always taking one hat off and putting another hat on. She tries to use her tools to help her own children.
- Even though Brittni has helped hundreds of kids, it can be hard to help her own children. But, having kids has helped her be a better OT and help other parents.
26:35 – How Covid has impacted her business
- Brittni has worked on compassion fatigue with her therapists to make sure they are OK.
31:10 – Sensory night at the Durham Bulls
- They partnered with the Durham Bulls baseball team and did a sensory night for kids. Some parents said it was the first baseball game they ever took their child to.
36:20 – Get to know you
- Song she has to sing? Any song from the Trolls soundtrack
- Who has influenced her the most? Her grandfather
- Favorite meal? Angus Barn steak and salad
FEATURED QUOTES
“We want to make sure everyone is on the same page and everyone is educated on how to best work with this child.” – Brittni
“I truly believe that no kid is intentionally trying to be bad. There are some ways that their system might be wired that makes it really hard for them.” – Brittni
"It’s not that how these kids are wired is wrong. It’s just a different wiring.” – Brittni
https://www.emergepediatrictherapy.com/
Think back to when you were a kid. Do you remember your flip-flops falling off and scraping your feet along the concrete? Guess what? Kids still have this problem.
My guest today took his own footwear problem and decided to actually do something about it. Carter Waugh, 11, is the founder of Critts, a customizable flip-flop clog hybrid designed for running, jumping and climbing. His dad, Ryan, also joins us for the interview.
2:53 – Carter 101 * He loves lacrosse, skateboarding, golf, tennis, sometimes basketball, and, of course, designing shoes. * Carter was on a family vacation in the Caribbean. He wasn’t happy with his flip-flops or Crocs and asked his dad, Ryan, if he could design his own shoe, called a Flip Critt. * His dad told him to create a business plan.
5:30 – Ryan’s reaction * Ryan was amazed by his son’s business plan and drawing and his emotional intelligence
9:50 – How Carter designed the Flip Critt * Carter didn’t realize how time consuming and difficult it would be to design a shoe * He met with a Los Angeles shoe consultant, who helped with the process, and then met with manufacturing consultants in China
19:02 – What Carter has learned * At first, Carter thought, “Wham, bam, I’m done.” But the shoe-making process took longer than he realized. * “At first I was just like, ‘It’s a cool idea. I might not be able to do it. I mean, I’m like 8. Who makes a shoe when they’re 8?’ But once I got into it, I started liking shoes. I started liking them a lot.” * Besides learning a lot about shoes, he has also learned a lot about doing interviews and talking with adults.
23:18 – What Carter’s parents have learned * Ryan said he has learned more from his son than his son has learned from him. * He says his son is a special human who sees the good in everybody and everything around him. * Carter’s initial mission statement was: “To spread happiness, safety and security to all critters.”
26:22 – Carter’s methods * Carter’s approach to life is refreshing and fascinating, according to his dad. * He wants the business to be simple so people can enjoy his shoes.
32:02 – Critts Cares * Carter has created Critts Cares. Every time someone buys a pair of Critts shoes, $2 goes back to his old elementary school.
33:45 – Get to know Carter * What song hypes him up? Lil Nas X, Holiday * What actor should play him? Someone with orange hair, obviously
FEATURED QUOTES
“This was a real life thing, organically, that came out of the mind of an 8-year-old that was like, ‘Wow!’” – Ryan
“After a while, like two years, I finally perfected it to what I have today. And now I’m selling it and hearing tons of feedback on it … and a lot of people love it.” – Carter
“At first I was just like, ‘It’s a cool idea. I might not be able to do it. I mean, I’m like 8. Who makes a shoe when they’re 8?’ But once I got into it, I started liking shoes. I started liking them a lot.” – Carter
LINKS:
https://critts.com/
ABOUT CARTER:
Founder, visionary and overall goofball is a talented 11 year old named Carter “Critt” Waugh. He is a very active leader with an active imagination. He loves sports and is a talented lacrosse attackman. He loves his friends, his family and basically he loves anything that gets him dirty and sweaty. He has been the perfect test subject for his creation.
Every parent knows one of the scariest times is when your child gets sick. But when a child is hospitalized or diagnosed with a rare or serious illness, it affects everything. It can be really scary for children who are struggling.
My guest today is taking her personal pain with her own child’s sickness and bringing joy to sick kids all around the country. Shalini Samtani is the founder of Open The Joy and the Spread the Joy Foundation.
4:29 – Shalini 101 * Spread the Joy Foundation delivers activity kits to children at their hospital bedside. She started making the kits on her kitchen table with her mother three years ago. Last year, she sent 5,000 to 6,000 kits to more than 100 hospitals across the country. * Open the Joy is a for-profit company that makes toys focused on well-being and emotional intelligence in kids, such as a love and forgiveness box, anger management box, etc. * Shalini got the idea after being in a hospital room with her daughter and trying to Google ways to entertain her and keep her positive.
6:42 – Difficult news * Shalini’s daughter was diagnosed with a rare disease that caused her body to react differently to sickness.
10:15 – Finding her purpose * Shalini never imagined she would design kids’ toys. She describes the experience as finding her purpose. Giving back to sick kids is what drives her.
16:38 – How to buy the toys * Toys are sold on Open the Joy’s website and Amazon. They have launched a new emotional intelligence line of toys, including a love and forgiveness box, anger management box and a kindness mission box.
19:24 – “You heal by healing others.” * “While the world is focusing on making kids smarter, our focus is to make them kinder,” said Shalini
25:35 – Spreading like wildfire * Shalini has been amazed at how quickly her business grew. She says it has spread like wildfire.
27:22 – How her kids view the hospital now * Her daughter doesn't have any memories of being in the hospital. She now associates the hospital as a place where you get a joy box, because of Shalini’s business. * Her daughter and son think the hospital is a place where you do nice things for people.
38:05 – Get to know Shalini * What brings her joy? Snuggles * What song she loves to sing? Yellow by Coldplay
FEATURED QUOTES
“I never believed in my wildest dream that’s what I was going to do – to design a toy collection.” – Shalini
“I’ve always been kind of like one of those souls, finding my purpose.” – Shalini
“The give back – that’s what drives me more than anything.” – Shalini
“We want it to be fun and engaging, but we also want it to be nutritional for their souls and for the development of their minds.” – Shalini
“While the world is focusing on making kids smarter, our focus is to make them kinder.” – Shalini
“You heal by healing others.” – Shalini
“I never really understood why this little project grew like wildfire … I feel like I watch miracles.” – Shalini
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
https://www.openthejoy.com/
https://www.spreadthejoy.org/
Shalini Samtani has a diverse background in Law, Real Estate and Design. However, her true passion lies in brining joy to sick kids. She is the founder of Open The Joy® a truly unique toy company that focuses on building emotional intelligence in kids; and the Spread The Joy Foundation® a registered non-profit that delivers free activity kits to hospitalized children at their bedside. Since its launch in 2019, Open the Joy has won several industry awards including Best New Products for Kids 2019 at NY Now, New Kids on the Block award at Toy Fair 2020, and Best New Manufacturers award at Toy Fest West 2020. Shalini Samtani’s leadership and the truly unique nature of her business has been awarded recognition by the Tory Burch Foundation 2020, as one of the top 50 female entrepreneurs selected nationwide.
Did you know there are more than 400,000 children in the U.S. who are in the foster care system? The average age of a child in foster care is 8 years old, and there are more boys than girls. There are so many kids who need a home, support and love.
My guest today is Allie Roth, president and founder of With Love, which aims to help foster families change the lives of children ages 0-6 by providing resources that nurture dignity, hope and community.
2:42 – Allie Roth 101 * Allie is married with two children and has always loved kids. She was a teacher and learned about some of the needs in the community. * She doesn’t say “foster kids.” She says “kids in foster care.” * She created her nonprofit in the Portland area.
7:18 – Misconceptions about foster care * In Oregon, about 1 in 100 kids are in foster care, which is double the national average. It is not normal. On any given day, there are around 7,000 kids. * Part of the reason is the opiate crisis and housing instability
13:28 – Misconceptions about kids in foster care * No kid goes into foster care through a fault of their own. * Kids need a loving place to land while their parents are in rehab or have other issues. * 60% of the kids in foster care come from neglect.
17:15 – Fulfilling needs * They have volunteers who shop for the kids so the kids feel seen and known. They gather car seats, bottles, shoes and other basics. * After 90 days, foster parents can reach out and ask for more supplies.
21:53 – How did Allie begin With Love? * Beginning a nonprofit is really hard. Allie talked with other nonprofits to find out how they did it. * She focused on volunteering, and found a lot of retired people who wanted to help.
27:27 – Connecting with other organizations * Allie gets calls and emails all the time about working with other organizations. She is very active on social media and has met a lot of people through that. * Eventually, she wants to do replication seminars so people can learn about foster care 101.
36:17 – Ways people can support Allie’s work * Intentionality is key. Instead of just dropping your stuff off at a donation center, ask yourself, “Who can I bless with what I have?” * Allie believes in transparency and shares how her organization is doing in an annual report and on social media.
43:11 – How her kids have adapted to being foster family * Having kids is a huge asset. For Allie’s family, she brings in kids who are younger than her children. * They don’t have a placement all the time, so her kids get excited when a new child comes to stay.
46:27 – Get to know Allie * Her guilty pleasure? People Magazine * Song she has to sing? Panic at the Disco’s “Hey Look Ma, I Made It”
FEATURED QUOTES
“In Oregon, there are about 1 in 100 kids in foster care. That number is double the national average, so that is not normal.” – Allie
“On any given day [in Oregon], there are around 7,000 kids in foster care, ages o to 18.” – Allie
“Volunteers are the heartbeat of what we do.” – Allie
“Who can I really bless with what I have? That’s being intentional.” – Allie
CONNECT:
- https://www.withloveoregon.org/
- https://www.withloveoregon.org/allie-roth
About Allie Roth: Allie Roth is the President and Founder of With Love, which is a non-profit organization working to support foster families in Portland, Oregon. For Allie, With Love is more than an organization with a cause, it’s a must-have movement. Since 2013, she has brought love and dignity to the forefront of foster care, changing the lives of thousands of families and kids in the community.
I’m an avid reader, and one of my favorite things to do with my kids is to read to them. A few years ago, I realized it was easy to find books where my kids could see themselves in the story. But I began to take that for granted and wanted to include more diverse literature.
My guest today is Sailaja Joshi, CEO of Mango and Marigold Press. She has built a company dedicated to this very idea, that books need more diversity.
3:56 – Sailaja 101 * Mango and Marigold Press is an independent publishing house that shares sweet and savory stories of the south Asian experience. * Sailaja is a mom, wife, passionate runner and excited about disrupting the publishing space.
7:05 – Her personal experience * The idea of Mango and Marigold started during Sailaja’s first pregnancy. She wanted a library themed baby shower. She was looking for books that represented her culture, history and heritage. What she found was really disappointing. * Some of the books she found were culturally inaccurate or insensitive. * She decided to do something about it. She had an entrepreneurial spirit but knew nothing about publishing.
11:39 – How she started her business * She tried writing books, and it didn’t work. So she asked a friend with a background in children’s literature for help. * “I think it’s really important for children to be able to see themselves and children to see others having these great moments of joy, and that’s what our books do,” said Sailaja
16:41 – What she’s learned after publishing 20 books * A big piece she learned is how the books are healing, not for children, but for parents * “I think for so many parents, these books are things that they were just dying for in their youth and didn't have,” said Sailaja
19:55 – Feedback * The books resonate because they are great stories and are empowering. Sailaja says it’s a wonderful feeling.
27:03 – Her favorite book * Each book has a special meaning and a deep place in her heart. * “I love stories that just celebrate black and brown joy. Those need to take up all the space on the bookshelf,” said Sailaja.
33:32 – Get to know Sailaja * Her favorite song to sing – Destiny’s Child Bootylicious * Her favorite meal – pizza * Favorite TV show – 80s and 90s children’s shows
FEATURED QUOTES “I’m really excited about bridging the accessibility gap in children’s literature and beyond.” – Sailaja
“I was looking for books that represented my culture, my history, my heritage, and what I found was really disappointing.” – Sailaja
“I think it’s really important for children to be able to see themselves and children to see others having these great moments of joy, and that’s what our books do.” – Sailaja
“I think for so many parents, these books are things that they were just dying for in their youth and didn't have.” – Sailaja
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OR LINKS
- https://mangoandmarigoldpress.com/
- https://mangoandmarigoldpress.com/pages/sailaja-joshi
About Sailaja Joshi: Sailaja N. Joshi is a design thinker, intersectional feminist, mother to two, a bibliophile, an entrepreneur, lover of bold, modern design, diversity activist, and an aspiring dog owner.
A Massachusetts native, Sailaja grew up a voracious reader. From Leo the Lop to Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Amelia Bedelia, she loved every book she read. If you were to ask her today what her favorite book is, she'd likely say either the Harry Potter series OR The Tao of Pooh. It really depends on the day.
She has always been interested in exploring multicultural generations and loves using those skills in new and exciting ways as the CEO and founder of Mango & Marigold Press. Mango & Marigold Press is an award-winning independent publishing house that shares the sweet and savory stories of the South Asian experience. Founded in 2014, the company has produced fourteen books across four different product categories and been featured on The Today Show, Us Weekly, People Magazine, the New York Times, the Washington Post and so much more.
In 2019, the company unveiled its #1001DiverseBooks initiative. With this program, Sailaja has committed to raising the funds to donate 1001 new, diverse books to literacy nonprofits bridging the accessibility gap within literature for children and teams. Community members can sponsor books for just $10 and through this program ensure that everyone has access to high quality, diverse literature. The company launched the initiative with its 14th book Finding Om and reached their goal of raising funds for 1001 books in just five short days. The company's mission has expanded to not only bridge the diversity gap in literature for children and teens but also improve the accessibility of diverse books in underserved communities.
Her ambition is to have Mango & Marigold Press be an active participant in the field of multicultural literature, moving forward with the belief that we need diverse literature for all in a diverse world. The company recently expanded its collection to include both young adult and middle grade books (to be published in 2021!) When she's not working to change the face of publishing, she can be found hanging with her two adorable children at the park or at circus class (really, that's a thing).
Thank you to our partner of the show, MamaSuds!
How much time do you spend reading labels? A lot right? MamaSuds would like to help you take the stress of research out of your life with their truly safe, non-toxic household cleaning collection. They have everything you need to keep your family and your home clean and safe. If you've seen my Instagram Stories, you know I love their laundry soap! The best part is that they use plants and minerals to make their products- NOTHING SYNTHETIC. The head mama at MamaSuds is Michelle Smith and she has spent a crazy amount of time tracking down exceptional ingredients so they are not only safe for you and your family but sustainable for the planet. MamaSuds wants to inspire you to live a smart, healthy and sustainable life that brings you joy and peace of mind. Try them out at www.mamasuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
If you went to public school or played sports growing up in the U.S., you remember fundraisers – the wrapping paper, popcorn, catalogues, etc. We all have these memories.
Fundraisers are important to help organizations raise money, but what if we changed the way that we fundraise? What if we made an impact not only for the organizations that we’re raising money for but also the people making the things we are selling?
My guest today is Carol Fassino who created Fair Trade Caravans, which provides transparent information about products’ origins, stories behind the artisans and farmers and how the products are priced.
3:14 – Meet Carol Fassino * Carol came from a structured world, including public schools and working in the electronics industry. She worked in the corporate world until a few years ago. * She never wanted to climb the corporate ladder and had a lucky opportunity to reevaluate what she wanted to do with the second half of her career. She wanted to make a difference. * She decided fair trade fundraising was the way to go.
11:15 – How Carol started her company * She explored how to start the company online instead of visiting schools one by one. * “It is so hard to get past the initial 10 people that love your idea, that are related to you, that are friends with you. You go out there, and you think everyone is going to embrace that idea, and they don’t,” said Carol.
16:14 – Response and feedback * The feedback and response to Carol’s business have been great, and her business has grown.
23:25 – A lasting impact * It starts with us as adults to teach children how products are made and teach them about fair trade. * “We’re trying to make fair trade a global mission through empowering a caring community of doers,” said Carol.
25:17 – How do the fundraisers work? * People can set up their fundraiser online with all the products they want, including their logo and how much they want to raise. * Carol sends the school a check for 25% of the product sale. * The challenge we’ve had is getting the word out and promoting the fundraisers.
27:55 – A diverse product line * Carol has a diverse product line, including home decor, jewelry, coffee, tea, etc. * Carol sells products between $15 and $40.
31:37 – Get to know Carol * Carol is a big reader and reads the newspaper every morning. She also likes lighter fiction and historical fiction. * Her favorite song – Total Eclipse of the Heart * Her favorite meal – something with a lot of flavor
FEATURED QUOTES
“It is so hard to get past the initial 10 people that love your idea, that are related to you, that are friends with you. You go out there, and you think everyone is going to embrace that idea, and they don’t.” – Carol
“We’re trying to make fair trade a global mission through empowering a caring community of doers.” – Carol
https://www.fairtradecaravans.com/
We all know that coffee is one of the most popular beverages. I fully admit I am in the minority for not being a coffee drinker. But I can’t deny how much coffee culture has an influence on our communities, our country and our world. There are so many people involved in the supply chain.
My guests today are Brian Holland and Britt Mooney of Phoenix Roasters in Atlanta. They wanted to take their passion for coffee and for people and make a difference. They are two of the most incredible people.
3:50 – “You haven’t had our coffee” * I don’t like coffee, but Brian and Britt say they can convert me. * “We convert the 70% of people who want to love coffee into coffee lovers,” said Brian.
8:08 – Britt and Brian 101 * Brian is founding pastor of Phoenix Community, a church planning network. He was a church youth pastor for 20 years. In 2008 they started Phoenix Roasters because they ran out of money as a church. * Britt grew up in the church. He was drawn to teach overseas with his wife, and they were missionaries. When God called him back to the U.S., he wanted to live as a missionary in his own country. He wanted to work with Brian and describes the coffee business as living the dream.
13:35 – Say Yes. How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight * Britt wrote a book, Say Yes. How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight. It tells their story and asks readers: What has God called you to do? * People always want to know where they are going and how they are going to get there. But you need to trust God.
18:30 – Say yes and be blessed * We’re told if we say yes, we’ll be blessed. In their business, they try to help the kinds of people that Jesus would have helped.
23:16 – Figuring out the next steps * A guy on their leadership team kept saying, “What if we’re a marketplace church?” It’s an international model. They wanted to do coffee shops. * Brian asked God what He wanted him to do. He heard God say, “It’s not in the shop. It’s in the bean.”
28:43 – The roaster story * They realized there’s no money in repackaging somebody else’s coffee beans. * “We realized we needed a better business model, and we’re going to have to learn to roast our own coffee,” said Brian. “But none of us knew how to roast.”
35:02 – Coffee that matters * Mother Theresa once asked a man, “What do you do that matters?” * You want to have purpose and meaning in your life. God led them into ways for their coffee to matter.
46:00 – What is on the horizon? * They have plans to be aggressive, and they want to help the micro farmers who are getting swallowed up by big corporations.
53:10 – Get to know you * Strangest pet peeve – Brian can’t stand hard swallowers * Something we would never guess – Britt used to have long hair and was in a heavy metal Christian band
FEATURED QUOTES
- “We always say around here, we’re blessed and highly caffeinated.” - Brian
- “We convert the 70% of people who want to love coffee into coffee lovers.” – Brian
- “In 2008 we started Phoenix Roasters because we ran out of money as a church.” – Brian
- “We realized we needed a better business model, and we’re going to have to learn to roast our own coffee. But none of us knew how to roast.” – Brian
LINKS
- https://phoenixroasters.coffee/
- https://www.amazon.com/Say-Yes-God-Sized-Dreams-Flight/dp/156309410X
Thank you to our partner of the show, MamaSuds!
How much time do you spend reading labels? A lot right? MamaSuds would like to help you take the stress of research out of your life with their truly safe, non-toxic household cleaning collection. They have everything you need to keep your family and your home clean and safe. If you've seen my Instagram Stories, you know I love their laundry soap! The best part is that they use plants and minerals to make their products- NOTHING SYNTHETIC. The head mama at MamaSuds is Michelle Smith and she has spent a crazy amount of time tracking down exceptional ingredients so they are not only safe for you and your family but sustainable for the planet. MamaSuds wants to inspire you to live a smart, healthy and sustainable life that brings you joy and peace of mind. Try them out at www.mamasuds.com and use code MOLLY for 15% off your order!
The other day I was having a conversation with a friend, and I realized I’ve been doing this podcast for 4½ years. A couple years ago, around episode 100, I introduced solo shows every 10 episodes. So, here we are – episode 230. Today’s episode is about something personal to me.
0:39 – We bought a farm! * If you follow me on Instagram or read my blog, Still Being Molly, you know that my family and I recently bought a farm. I know that for a lot of people, people are probably thinking, “What? This is random!” * It’s something we’ve been dreaming and praying about for a really long time. Today, I’m going to tell you the story about how it all happened.
4:11 – The lowest point in my life * In fall 2010 I was at arguably the lowest point of my life. I was tens of thousands in credit card debt. I didn’t know many people where I lived and worked a bunch of jobs. I didn’t know the Lord. I was struggling with broken relationships. * In late 2010, I started dating my now husband, John, started attending church with him and was saved.
6:06 – Talking about hopes and dreams * John and I began talking about our dream of owning a farm. When we got engaged, we dreamed about what our life would look like. One of the things we talked about regularly was buying land, building a house and being more self-sustainable. * I was working hard to pay off my debt.
8:37 – Serious conversations about money * As a young married couple, John and I had a lot of conversations about money. John didn’t struggle with money, but I did, so we wanted to have clear communication. We have a joint budget and track every dollar that comes in and goes out. * We started to put money away for a big expense down the road like land or a house.
11:00 – Our little garden * We started with a garden in our backyard, and it started with one little garden bed, and it was a giant fail. I had this dream of having this massive garden. * The only food we were able to grow was cucumbers, and they took over and grew through the fence. * As the years went on, we got better at gardening. After five years, we had a truly, truly successful garden.
13:32 – Getting aggressive about savings * About two to three years ago, we really started being very aggressive in our savings towards land. We hustled and we worked really hard. * At the end of 2019, we began to realize this could become a reality sooner rather than later. We began looking at land and had many contracts fall through.
18:20 – Pursuing houses on land * We finally decided to pursue houses on land instead of building a house. We looked at upwards of 15 houses and put in offers but kept getting rejected or outbid. * John came home one night frustrated about the home-buying process. We had been praying. Later that night, three hours later, a house came on the market. We both looked at it, we looked at each other and said, “I think this is it.” * We went to see the house that weekend and finally got the house.
21:52 – A dream come true * We aren’t living there yet. We are doing renovations, but we are just so, so thankful. It is a dream come true. In a lot of ways I still feel like I’m dreaming. * I share this whole story because, for nearly a decade, this was something that John and I had talked about and dreamed about and prayed about and saved for. I want to encourage you, if you have a dream, make little steps each day. * We want to be able to serve others with this home.
FEATURED QUOTES
“My family and I recently bought a farm … People are probably thinking, ‘What? This is random!’ … It’s something that we have been dreaming about and praying about for a really long time.”
“A house came on the market … We both looked at it, we looked at each other and I said, ‘I think this is it.’”
“We are just so, so thankful. It is a dream come true.”
“I share this whole story because, for nearly a decade, this was something that John and I had talked about and dreamed about and prayed about and saved for.”
“We want to be able to serve others with this home.”
I think we can all agree that education is important. My guest today is passionate about making higher education accessible and giving opportunities to incredibly bright students in Africa for development and education around the world.
1:13 – Dr. Lydiah Kemunto Bosire’s background * Dr. Bosire is the founder and CEO of 8B Education Investments, a financial and education technology platform specialized in lending to African students to attend world-class global universities.
5:48 – Meet Dr. Bosire * The “B” in 8B stands for billion. They want to find out what Africa needs to do in order to compete, innovate and thrive in a world of 8 billion people.
8:51 – What led Dr. Bosire to do this work * She was born in western Kenya and went to United World Colleges. She found that international spaces in business and other sectors were not inclusive, and she wanted to see more people like her in those spaces.
14:40 – Breaking down barriers and expanding opportunities * Dr, Bosire realized she needed more people like herself in power to help others. Her sole purpose is to address the key bottleneck, which is the financing. * If financing was as available for African students as it is available to a Chinese student or Indian student or a Singaporean student, a lot more African students would be in universities.
24:41 – Narrative matters * Our words matter. How we tell stories matter. Because those things begin to get imprinted in our minds, in our culture, in our society.
32:10 – Charity vs. education investment * It doesn’t have to be either or. It doesn’t have to be charity or education investment. It can be both. * “You’re saying to somebody, ‘I see this potential in you. I see this talent in you, and I’m investing in your education for a greater purpose.” – Molly
37:45 – Not enough innovation in nonprofit * There’s not enough innovation in the nonprofit space. Business can be used for good, like a nonprofit. * Overall, most nonprofits don’t innovate because they just don’t have to. But businesses have to innovate.
48:03 – Get to know you questions * Who has influenced Dr. Bosire the most? Oprah * What song she has to sing along with? Frozen ballads * Favorite dinner – Kale and avocado * First thing she does when she gets home? Hug those close to her
FEATURED QUOTES “That’s the business that I am in now, of making opportunity.” – Dr. Bosire
“If we had financing as available for African students as it is available to a Chinese student or Indian student or a Singaporean student, we would have a lot more African students in universities.” – Dr. Bosire
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OR LINKS
- https://africaglobaleducation.com/
- https://twitter.com/8B_AfricaEdu
About Dr. Lydiah Kemunto Bosire Dr. Lydiah Kemunto Bosire is the Founder and CEO of 8B Education Investments, a financial and education technology platform specialized in lending to African students to attend world-class global universities and supporting them to succeed. 8B is on a mission to strengthen Africa’s human capital by equipping the continent’s future leaders and ecosystem builders to innovate, compete, and thrive in the knowledge economy of the 21st century.
A Kenyan national, Lydiah brings to the field of innovative finance her personal experience, and over eighteen years working on issues of international politics, development, and human rights.
Prior to founding 8B, Lydiah worked at the United Nations, the World Bank, and leading global NGOs. Most recently, she served as lead for the UN-World Bank Partnership at the Department of Political Affairs of the UN Secretariat. While completing her studies at the University of Oxford, Lydiah co-founded Oxford Transitional Justice Research.
Lydiah was a pioneer of the global youth movement around HIV/AIDS. She co-founded the YouthForce advocacy platform used at all international HIV/AIDS conferences since, and served as a founding board member of the non-profit Keep a Child Alive.
Lydiah currently serves on the board at WorldQuant University, and is a member of the UWC Atlantic College Advisory Council. She publishes and speaks on a wide range of topics, including on the role of innovative finance in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN and the World Bank in conflict-affected states, and the role of world-class human capital in African development.
Lydiah completed her doctorate (D.Phil) in Politics at the University of Oxford. She also holds a Master of Science from Oxford, where she attended as a Clarendon Scholar. She received an undergraduate degree with honors in Government and a Master of Public Administration at Cornell University.
Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
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The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
I remember my journey of becoming debt free. I read so many books about how to take control of your money and how to budget. There are a lot of financial resources out there, but there’s not much about why you handle money the way you do.
My guest today is Rachel Cruze, and she is trying to tackle that very issue. Rachel is a two-time No. 1 best-selling author, financial expert and host of The Rachel Cruze Show. Her new book is Know Yourself, Know Your Money: Discover WHY you handle money the way you do, and WHAT to do about it!
3:42 – Rachel Cruze 101 * Rachel is an author and speaker and loves talking about anything involving money and personal finance. She is the daughter of financial expert Dave Ramsey. * She became interested in public speaking when she was 15 and realized it was a gift she wanted to share.
6:16 – Being Dave Ramsey’s kid * Rachel jokes that people think she had mutual fund birthday parties and summer budget camps growing up. But her mom and dad taught her a lot about money. They filed for bankruptcy the year she was born. * She learned how to handle money emotionally, spiritually and tactically. But the conversations with her parents were never obsessive or legalistic. Her parents let her make mistakes so she and her siblings could learn to handle money.
9:38 – What she learned from her parents * Rachel watched her parents become successful with money and be outrageous givers. She has been impressed with the private ways they are generous, without any fanfare.
11:20 – My childhood and financial past * When times get tough, some turn to alcohol or drugs. As I explain to Rachel, I turned to spending money and used it as a coping mechanism. I was $36,000 in credit card debt in 2008 and became debt free in 2012.
15:28 – Know Yourself, Know Your Money * Money is so emotional. There is so much guilt and shame around this topic. Your net worth starts to become your self worth, and you start to believe: “This is who I am.” Breaking that cycle is so powerful.
18:46 – The psychology behind money * To understand why you handle money the way you do, you have to go back to the way you grew up. * There are four money classrooms people fall into: anxious, unstable, unaware and secure
25:17 – How to begin changing bad money habits * You have to have an element of hope. Getting out of debt requires a lot of sacrifice, so you have to know why you’re doing it.
27:12 – Adapting to change * Doing a budget is not fun, but once it becomes a part of your life you can’t imagine not having it there. It takes a shock to the system to change.
29:41 – Get to know Rachel * What does Rachel do when she wants to treat herself? She doesn’t need a designer bag. She loves spa days, pedicures and pampering. * Her favorite song to jam out to? “I’m Proud to Be an American” * Her favorite meal? Pepperoni and banana pepper pizza
FEATURED QUOTES
“Your net worth starts to become your self worth, and you start to believe: ‘This is who I am.’ To break that cycle is so powerful.” - Rachel
“To understand how you handle money today, you have to go back to your childhood.” - Rachel
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
https://www.rachelcruze.com/
https://www.rachelcruze.com/store/product/know-yourself-know-your-money-book
Here we are, it’s the end of 2020, and this year has been bananas. There have been beautiful things but also a lot of really difficult things, and I wanted to end the year in kind of a unique way. I have shared openly on this show over the last few years about how my faith is the foundation of all that I am and how it has influenced my life and changed me in so many ways. In the last few years, I have read through the Bible in one year. In 2020, I finished my third reading of the bible in a year, cover to cover, chronologically. It’s been formative and life changing. If you’ve never read the Bible, please don’t click away. I’m sharing this episode from my heart about something I really believe is life changing. My guest this week is Tara-Leigh Cobble. She is the creator and host of the Bible Recap Podcast and the author of the book, The Bible Recap. She founded D-Group, an international network of weekly discipleship and accountability groups, and she hosts a daily radio show called The God Shot. She hails from Dallas, TX by way of Eastern TN, and I’ve had the privilege of hearing her voice every day as I read the Bible throughout the year. The Bible Recap has greatly impacted my life and I wanted to learn more about Tara and her the work behind The Bible Recap.
6:00 - The Tara-Leigh 101 * Tara-Leigh wasn’t always someone who read the Bible. She might have told you she loved it, but she hadn’t read it. She knew it was true, but she didn’t know what it said. Cleary, that has all changed and along with writing The Bible Recap and hosting Bible Recap Podcast, she also founded D-Group, which stands for Discipleship Group. it is a weekly Bible study and discipleship group that meets in homes and churches and online and does deep dives into books of the Bible and topics of theology. * She started D-Group the same year she started reading through the Bible because she needed and wanted to talk to people about what she was reading. She started learning about so much she never knew growing up in the church and wanted to talk about it. * Tara-Leigh was working in ministry and not even reading through the Bible yet. She spent her days talking to people about and singing about the God of the Bible but had not read all of his word. One day, a friend asked if she’s ready the whole Bible. She’d been a student of the word, but still hadn’t read the Bible in its entirety. * Her friend recommended she read the whole thing (even the genealogies). She was told it would take 12 minutes a day to read it in a year. Surprisingly, the commitment was not the hard part. It was what she was seeing when she was reading it. * She had not yet encountered a lot of these things about the Lord and realized she’d taken things out of context, was not understanding things rightly, and was reading it as if looking into a mirror looking back at herself instead of holding a lens to see the living God and who He is. * Tara-Leigh’s friend encouraged her to stick with reading through the Bible and challenged her to look for God and His character. It was a huge awakening for her to read through the Bible chronologically the first time, but even more so the second time when she started looking for God instead of how he could make all her dreams come true.
15:38 – Through the Bible in a Year * Tara-Leigh has read through the Bible 14 times now. Even on read 14, she’s learning new things and seeing some things for the first time. She recently recorded a podcast episode on God’s intervening in our lives. A few days later while she was praying, she felt like God was telling her, “I don’t intervene.” She measured it against scripture to see if it was really from the Lord. * She looked through Hebrews to see if the word intervene shows up anywhere. It doesn’t. She looked through the Greek and Aramaic translations and the word “intervene” is nowhere in the Bible. She looked up the word in the dictionary. To intervene, you have to be outside of a situation and insert yourself into it, and God is not outside of any situation. Tara-Leigh had to go back and edit that podcast episode. 😉 * Some resources that have been the most impactful for Tara-Leigh in her study and The Bible Recap have been sermons by pastors who teach exegetically (line by line, word by word), and John Piper’s database with all scripture he’s taught. You can look up specific topics and verses. It’s especially great if you’re an auditory learner. It helped Tara learn how to study scripture and understand it ways she never had before. John Piper also has a tool called “Look at the Book” that Tara-Leigh recommends. * Once she learned how to study the Bible, the Faith Life Study Bible (free online resource) and a Greek/Hebrew lexicon have been helpful tools as well.
23:25 – Living, Breathing Love Letter * Tara-Leigh has been able to maintain her passion for reading the Bible even when working on The Bible Recap for work. As she began, she realized she wasn’t interested in separating what she was doing for work from her personal relationship with reading the Bible. * She found so much joy in reading for her study and it turned into a heart of worship and arched her heart back to God. When you really start learning about God, the God in the scriptures, you want to share that with others. * Learning about the God in the scriptures ignites a hunger in us to continue to seek the spirit of God. If you think reading the bible in a year is daunting, The Bible Recap breaks the process down in a way where the reading is a daily, comforting habit instead of an overwhelming obstacle.
30:31 – Chronologically * The Bible is not actually laid out chronologically but more like a library. There’s a history section, a law section, poetry section, and so on. It is helpful for organization but not necessarily for getting to know a person. Our aim in reading the Bible, especially as Christians is getting to know God’s character and finding out who He is; the story of God rescuing His people. * When we start at the beginning and go through the story of God rescuing His people, we can understand the entire story and fall in love with the lead character. There are parts of what God does that are not going to look good if we only see them out of context. * When we treat out Bibles like a magic 8 ball, it doesn’t help us know God. We have the gift of diving into the Bible and going straight to God to see what He has to say. It might not always be the quickest and easiest route, but if we focus on getting to know God, the answers we are seeking will actually start to come to us from our knowledge of who God is. * The Bible Recap partners with The Bible Project to provide even more resources on each book of the bible with the day’s reading, discussion, and The Bible Recap podcast to help support you and remove every obstacle in the way of people reading scripture with a clear path through. There’s something for each learning style! * There also tools and weekly and daily discussions to help readers learn how to study the bible.
40:43 – The Bible Recap in 2021 * New features to The Bible Recap include a daily study guide with 5-6 questions a day and weekly discussion guide for groups of people to use together that are about 10 questions a week. There’s something for every style of learning between the individual guides, group guides, book, and podcast! * There’s also another podcast resource called “The Bible Kneecap” which is a daily prayer podcast to respond to what you’re learning about in the Bible. It will help you practice prayer and grow in your prayer life.
Join The Bible Recap * If you’d like to join The Bible Recap, email hello@stillbeingmolly.com! * Remember that you don’t have to start on January 1st and it’s OK if you get behind! * You can download the You Version Bible App for free and when you email hello@stillbeingmolly.com, you can join me and I’ll send you an invite to my Bible Recap group! Join us, we’ll do it together!
48:10 - Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out fun facts about Tara-Leigh like what her favorite book of the Bible is (it may change from time to time), what song she has to sing along with when she hears it, and one of her biggest goals in life which ties into what it means to her to run a business with purpose.
12:16 – “I was reading scripture backwards. I was reading it as if looking into a mirror like it was about me, and not a lens to see the living God and who He is. That was the hard part. That I thought, ‘Uh oh, God’s not who I thought he was, He’s not here to serve me.’ “
12:59 – “A lot of people will walk away from faith when they go through something hard, when they hit a trial...and they walk away from God because of the hardship in their life…but I was about to walk away from God because of what I saw in the Bible.”
19:25 “God is not outside of any situation. He is actively involved and engaged in every story...God shows up and he acts on behalf of his people.”
25:03 – “I was finding so much joy in what I was learning in my study that it turned into a heart of worship. It arched by heart back in praise to Him.”
Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com.
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
The word for 2020 has been PIVOT. Especially when it comes to sustaining a business during an economy in the middle of a global pandemic. My guest today is living this idea of pivoting out. Her story about launching a business at the beginning of a pandemic and them completely pivoting is incredibly inspiring and you are going to love this conversation. Marissa Goldstein is a proud mother of two sets of twins. Yes, you heard that right – two sets of twins. She’s also the CEO of the leading sustainable travel accessory brand Rafi Nova. As an avid traveler, Marissa founded Rafi Nova to encourage families to travel while creating meaningful connections with global communities. While the pandemic shifted her company’s production to face masks, it expanded the company’s ability to connect and protect communities and support social causes committed to inclusivity. Under Marissa’s leadership, Rafi Nova will have donated more than 150,000 masks to organizations in need and workers on the front lines by the end of the year. This was such an incredible conversation and Marissa is such a leader in this area. Grab a warm, cozy, festive drink and Join me as I chat with Marissa.
4:42 - The Marissa 101 * Marissa is the co-founder and CEO of Rafi Nova. Rafi Nova is a social enterprise on a mission to create great products that meet the ever-changing needs of families and communities, and serves to connect, inspire, and encourage others to get out there and go. She and her husband are parents to TWO sets of twins. * Marissa’s family lives life on the go (or certainly before the pandemic). For the last 3-4 years, they spent half the year living in Vietnam, and the other half living right outside of Boston, MA. * After Marissa finished her MBA in 2015, she joined her husband working at his manufacturing business helping consumer products companies in the US make products overseas in Vietnam. They’ve always had a wanderlust, and quickly fell in love with Southeast Asia on an around the world trip. * They settled in Vietnam, creating their own supply chain and amazing community of friends. Their niche was bags, backpacks, duffel bags, luggage, etc. Every weekend they traveled to other Southeast Asia countries to meet with different ethnic women and tribes. * In Northern Vietnam four years ago, they met women trying to sell their trinkets with a colorful textile wrapped around then. They discovered the women’s stories as well as the story behind the artform that has been passed down from generation to generation. It started to disappear because of technology and younger generations choosing different career paths in cities. * Marissa and her husband wanted to find a way to use that textile traditional art form and put them on meaningful products in the US while also supporting the women, telling their stories, and preserving the art form. They started their own brand, Rafi Nova, which is named after their two sets of twins. They goal was to create useful products and accessories that people can wear when they’re on the go. * All of the Rafi Nova products use upcycled textiles that have a story. Marissa and her husband spent a year building the company in Vietnam and came back to Boston to officially start the company. It was right as Covid-19 started spreading in the US, before anyone knew what was coming. They launched the day after the product arrived on February 16th and two weeks later received their town’s stay-at-home orders before Rafi Nova even had a shot at thriving. * They knew they needed to put their factory to good use to help during the pandemic as well as keep their factory opening as product orders began plummeting. It was actually their four-year-old who suggested they start making masks. In Vietnam, people wear masks every day because of the air pollution, which gave Marissa and her family a unique perspective on masks that most Americans don’t have. * They know what it takes to make a comfortable, safe, and effective mask. They called up their factory and decided they were going to make 10,000 makes to donate to front-line workers. Word caught on quickly and people were asking if Rafi Nova would sell the masks for their own personal use. It was in March, when there was a lot of dialogue about masks but nowhere to buy them. * They put the masks on their website, and 24 hours later they’d done over $25,000 in sales with a gratitude for the opportunity and the need for a plan to fulfill the orders! Since that day, Rafi Nova has sold over 2 million masks, and donated over 125,000 masks and have more than 30 employees in a 7500 sq ft fulfillment center. * Marissa credits her experience as a mom of two twins for preparing her for this endeavor.
19:22 – Empowering Artisans Through Partnership * After discovering the traditional handicrafts in Northern Vietnam, Rafi Nova wanted to find a way to connect with local communities and communities around the world. They would stay in the communities in a very different environment than what they were used to and believe that exploring these differences is a beautiful part of life. * They found that we all have commonalities. Marissa saw that the communities in Vietnam had children whose parents wanted them to thrive, just like Marissa wanted for her children. They were able to connect through their roles as mothers. Even through language barriers, the language of motherhood rose up to connect them. * Rafi Nova fell in love with the traditional art form and after learning more about the tribes who made them, they wanted to bring the art to the US, not to profit of the artisans, but to tell the story of the textiles and purchase them at fair trade rates to help families profit and preserve the art in various forms.
22:07 – Seeking Adventure (in 2020 and beyond). * Rafi Nova has a vision to connect the global community of families to seek adventure. 2020 was a heck of a year, and it also gave Rafi Nova an opportunity to begin. They sold a lot of masks and created a loyal customer base while also giving back during a tumultuous time in our history, fulfilling their core values. * While masks are not the product they intended to sell originally, they are a part of Rafi Nova’s story and fit their mission to connect people, keep them safe, and giving back to the community. In 2021, they want Rafi Nova to be a lifestyle brand destination of ethically-sourced products that encourage families to get out, connect, and give back. * Even though adventure looks different in 2020, it is still relevant to Rafi Nova’s mission, just with an evolved definition. Most of us have an ideal vision of adventure that involves hoping on a plane and exploring a place we’ve never been to. These days, it could be a family bike ride, RV trip, a camping trip, or just a walk exploring the woods behind your house together. Adventure can also mean finding new and better systems for you and your family to slow down and spend more quality time together. * Rafi Nova will continue to sell masks and are also adding a new line of products to accompany us on our new adventures and journeys.
24:37 – The Ethical Piece * Marissa was raised with a sense of community and giving back. It’s so important to know where our products come from, how it’s made, and who made it. When finishing her MBA, Marissa was the cofounder of a solar startup based in India creating solar energy machines that provided fans, cell phone charging and light to rural communities. * Rafi Nova spends time in their factories with the factory owners every day. They are like second family and it has been eye opening to have the opportunity to join communities in understanding the lifecycle of a product. There are so many pieces of the production line and every step holds the story of a person.
27:42 – Connecting * You can find more about Rafi Nova at www.rafinova.com and on all the social channels. If you want to follow Marissa and her family’s adventures, follow @twinsonthegox2 on Instagram!
28:13 – Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out what song Marissa has to sing along to when it comes on the radio, a person who has influenced her the most, what she would eat if she had to eat the same meal every night for the rest of her life, her favorite TV show to watch growing up, and of course, stay tuned to hear what it means to Marissa to run a business with purpose.
14:41 - “We started this pivot out of a sense of service, not out of a sense of business.”
15:42 - “I think my experience as a mom to two sets of twins or even a set of twins prepared us for this. We always go into life being flexible and being open-minded and knowing things are not going to come as they seem and that you need to pivot in a lot of your everyday life.”
24:08 – “Adventures have new meanings these days.”
24:23 – In 2021, while we will still be selling masks, we are coming out with a line of amazing products that we’re working so hard on that can accompany you on these new adventures and these new journeys.
Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com.
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
Marriage is beautiful. It’s hard, but it’s beautiful. Work can be beautiful. Hard, but beautiful. When you combine marriage and work, those things can be beautiful, but they can also be really, really hard. My guests today recently completed the largest research study on working married couples in the US, and spent the last few years interviewing couples who want to stay in love, change the world, and raise a happy family. Jeff and Andrew Shinabarger. Jeff is the co-author of Love or Work: Is it Possible to Change the World, Stay in Love, and Raise a Family. He’s also the founder of Plywood People, a nonprofit in Atlanta leading a community of startups doing good. His work has been featured in Forbes Inc., CNN, USA Weekend, and Huffington Post. He’s mentored over 600 startups and created the largest social entrepreneurship event in the South called “Plywood Presents.” His wife, Andre Shinabarger is an adventurer who loves seeing the world. She was born in Boliva, and she has a deep passion for building community with marginalized people groups. She works at Grady Memorial Hospital as a physician’s assistant and is an adjunct professor for Emory University as well as an advisor to Plywood People, host of the Love or Work Podcast, and coauthor of the Love or Work book along with her husband, Jeff. These two are incredible and I’ve long admired their work through Plywood People and Plywood Presents. It was such a joy to have them on the show. You’re going to get so much out of this conversation whether you’re married or single. This episode is for everyone.
6:41 – The Jeff and Andre 101 * Andre was born in Bolivia and Spanish is her first language. She is a physician’s assistant at Grady Health System where she and her colleagues take care of underserved communities. She and Jeff met in college, have been married for 18 years, and have two children who are 10 and 8 years-old. * Jeff leads an organization called Plywood People, a nonprofit that leads a community of startups doing good. He loves getting involved in these projects to help pass on his wisdom, lessons from mistakes, and help people grow their dream projects. * Early on, Jeff and Andre stared a project called “Gift Card Giver.” They would collect unused gift cards and give them to people in need. People started sending their gift cards from all over the nation. Because of that, people started connecting Jeff with other people with ideas. They gave away a few hundred thousand dollars in gift cards, and people started recognizing Jeff and asking him how to help them get their ideas off the ground. * The name Plywood People came after Jeff and Andrew traveled extensively doing various relief work. He always saw Plywood as a short-term fix to a long-term problem, and people giving their lives to continue raising up a place and making it better.
11:48 – Love or Work? * The Book Love or Work came out of a long personal journey of working with people who are starting their own business. Unfortunately, they often also saw a lot of relationships falling apart because of those startup businesses efforts. It’s hard to maintain and nurture relationships when so much of an entrepreneur’s time is taken up by stress and trying to get a new project off the ground. * Often business mentoring sessions would also turn into therapy sessions with clients emotional over their stressed relationships or lack of free time to spend with their partners. They saw such a big need in the community that they started to research how many people were feeling that struggle. They wanted to know if it was really possible to do it all or is that just an idealistic notion? Jeff and Andrew started interviewing people and asking more questions. * The book is especially timely during this pandemic we’re experiencing in 2020. With many couples now working at home and in close proximity, many are struggling to adjust to this adjustment in their increased time together at home. Virtual school, kids, and general stress adds even more pressure on relationships.
14:54 – Podcasts and Pandemics * Jeff and Andre also have a Love or Work Podcast in addition to the book. They help couples focus on their marriage with resources that help people have not only a great marriage, but also a great career and family, all at the same time. It is possible! * They hosted over 100 couples on their podcast and did a research project where they surveyed 1500 working couples! They wanted a broad perspective backed up by data. * Andre personally didn’t think she wanted kids because she didn’t think she could move up in a career if she had kids too. 83% of couples say that working has made them better parents. The proof is in the data. We really don’t have to choose. We can both work and be good parents. * Women and men feel guilt being away from their kids while they are working, but you can let go a of a lot of that guilt. Jeff cares a lot about Andre’s purpose and while it is not perfect, many couples reported that they desire that support in their relationships. It should be a marriage issue, not a career issue. It’s not a topic that is brought up in marriage books, but if a partner doesn’t value the other’s purpose, they don’t value their partner. * Women are coming out of the workforce 4x more than men right now. They are bearing a lot of the burden during the pandemic to both work and care for their children. * Just because we’re home more now doesn’t mean we’re connecting. Both the Love or Work book and podcast helps people connect heart-wise and get deeper into issues of work, love, and kids. It has work couples can do together at the end of the book as well. When was the last time you invested in resources to help you with your relationship? We invest in so much, but this important aspect of our lives together is too often an exception to that.
30:15 – Love and Work Through the Years * A desire for passion and fulfilment in work has started to develop in the last few decades in our society: A real deep desire for passion and purpose in what we do for our careers, and that is only going to continue. More families are likely to include to people with deep passion for their work. The question is how to maintain partner relationships, relationships with the children in the family, and how everyone stays healthy in that. * 95% of participants in Jeff and Andre’s study believed it’s possible to say in love, change the world, and raise a happy family. However, they’re all exhausted trying to do it. No one goes to counseling, they don’t exercise, they don’t take vacations. It’s not worth it to “have it all” if you’re having it all in an unhealthy state. Jeff and Andre talk about practical ways to have it all in a way that’s healthy. * This increased time at home has also spurred difficult and important conversations and given couples time to reflect on their relationship and make sure they’re both willing to stay on the same team long term. It’s a hard but vital question. Counseling and opening the conversation for feedback to trusted friends is vital.
37:42 – Strong Marriages * If we change the world and lose our family, we lose. Sometimes we have to say no to work and prioritize our kids. You can change your family set up if it is no longer working for you. It’s your family and marriage, and you can adjust together and edit accordingly. Don’t force something that isn’t working for you and your family just because you said you’d do it. It will help you grow together rather than grow apart. * A finding from their research that genuinely surprised Andrew is that only 8% of couples surveyed have ever gotten counseling. Even if counseling feels scary, even talking to someone close to you who may be further along in their journey or buying a book to help can set couples on a better path simply because they are investing in something for their relationship. * Only 31% of couples have a shared calendar. This also surprised Jeff and Andre. Especially if you have kids, a shared calendar can save a lot of relationships from frustration, miscommunication, and fights. * 59% of people surveyed do now use their vacation time! Taking time to step away to be together is a privilege that families should take advantage of if they have it! There are so many forms of different intimacy that can emerge while on vacation! * Jeff and Andre learned from their sex therapist friend about the 4, 4, 4 principle. It’s an idea that each person needs for hours of induvial time a week, and couples need 4 hours of time together every week. Away time invigorates us when we actually come back together to spend time with each other. It should of course be intentional time, not just watching Netflix together.
Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out some fun get-to-know-you things about Jeff and Andre! Things like which of their pet peeves are the strangest, if they had to eat the same meal for dinner every night for the rest of their life, what song they have to sing when it comes on the radio, their favorite TV shows growing up. Be sure you hear what it means to Jeff and Andre to run a business with purpose!
Memorable Quotes 13:21 – “When you look at some of the historical leaders that we count as heroes, most of them had pretty rough family lives; Somebody took a hit because they pursued this heroic thing.”
17:46 – “That is a core issue that should be a marriage issue. I’ve never read in a marriage book that you should be in support of your partner’s purpose. That’s not been a topic brought up in any marriage book before. If I don’t value her purpose, I don’t value her.”
23:12 – “The reason why so many women take pride in their work is because they want to paint a picture for their daughters that is a new path forward. A lot of the men connected to this women in committed relationships want the same thing. They want their daughters to see a different image of what their mother is. ”
27:08 - “It’s important that kids see a bigger world view. Whatever you do, it’s important for kids to see that it’s outside of this immediate safe bubble of home, because there are hurting people, and there are bigger needs, and it’s a bigger world out there.”
40:08 – “If we change the world and lose our family, we lose.”
About Jeff and Andre Shinabarger: Jeff Shinabarger is the co-author of "Love or Work: Is it possible to change the world, stay in love, and raise a family?" and founder of Plywood People, a non-profit in Atlanta leading a community of startups doing good. His work has been featured by Forbes, Inc., CNN, USA Weekend and Huffington Post. He is the co-founder of Q, mentored over 600 start-ups and created the largest social entrepreneur event in the South called Plywood Presents.
André Shinabarger is an adventurer who loves seeing the world. Born in Bolivia, she has a deep passion for building community with marginalized people groups. She works for Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta as a Physician Assistant and is an adjunct professor for Emory University. She is an Advisor to Plywood People, host of the Love or Work Podcast and co-author of the Love or Work book alongside her husband Jeff.
Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com.
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
There’s a lot of talk about what kindness really looks like these days. Don’t get me wrong, I am someone who is deeply passionate about kindness. True kindness. One of my most important goals as a parent is to raise kind and compassionate kids because it matters. Kindness can also be fleeting. When we take it for granted, the kindness that we think we are spreading around is just very surface-level or even in some cases, harmful. What does real, true, deep kindness really look like? My guest today is on a mission to call all of us to action to exhibit deep kindness. Houston Kraft is a speaker, author, and kindness advocate who has spoken at over 600 schools or events internationally. In 2016, he co-founded Character Strong, curriculum and trainings that help teach social and emotional skills. To date, they’ve worked with over 2500 schools globally, serving over 2 million students. In 2019, his face was actually featured of Lays BBQ chip bags as someone who helps spread smiles. This year, his first book, Deep Kindess was released. Deep Kindness is a call to action beckoning us to a deeper understanding of kindness. It calls readers to move past that surface-level “confetti” kindness marked by cutsie phrases and empty gestures. Instead, Kraft reveals that deep kindness is an ever-growing skillset, rooted in empathy, perspective, courage, and forgiveness. Featuring a 30-act starter plan, journal prompts, and practical exercises, Deep Kindness dives into the types of kindness the world needs most today, taking an honest look at the gap between our belief in kindness and our ability to practice it well. Houston’s hero is his mom, and his best life lesson is to “hug like you mean it” (adjusted safely for Covid-19 of course)! I had the best conversation with Houston. He is really funny and has incredible insights about what kindness looks like today.
6:02 - The Houston 101 * Houston is blessed with having parents who have always supported any idea he’s wanted to pursue. He was really passionate about soccer growing up but broke his ankle his freshman year of high school. In lieu of playing soccer, he was invited to participate in his high school’s production of the musical “Once Upon A Mattress.” While honored, Houston has to inform his theatre teacher that he couldn’t sing! They found place for Houston in the musical as the character of a mute king. * He fell in love with the story-telling and collaborative process of theatre. Houston continued with theatre all the way through college and took a year off to determine whether he wanted to pursue acting or some form of leadership. He got connected with a speaker who spoke about leadership, compassion, and kindness in schools. He realized it was what he wanted to do too and started speaking at events after college. He absolutely loved being on stage and sharing stories. * So much of his own personal story was shaped by stories shared with him in high school around leadership, paradigm shifts, and what it meant to show up for the world in meaningful ways. Houston spoke for 7 years at 600 schools or organizations all over the country. In 2016, he met with a hero of his named John Narlen. Houston wanted to see what John thought about replicating their speaking services for administrators and educational systems to teach empathy, compassion, and social and emotional skills that indicate success and fulfilment in life. * The program now works with over 2500 schools and reaches about 25 million kids! Houston also just published his first book that came on in September of 2020 called Deep Kindness. It includes all Houston has learned about kindness and compassion over the past decade.
11:11 – Impacting the Next Generation with Deep Kindness * Houston founded Character Strong and works to equip kids with the skills to think of others before themselves, and it’s an important skill to start teaching early to instill people with lifelong empathy and compassion that inspires others around them as well. * Houston has found that kids are really impacted by what they think their leaders and culture think about them. We are too focused on achievement over kindness and happiness, and our kids are aware of it. * We are missing the mark. What we measure matters. What we ask young people to show us proof of matters. We are not allocating enough time toward selflessness and compassion. Anxiety and narcissism have increased, and the biggest barriers to empathy are fear, anxiety, and narcissism. * Dr. Ross Green tells us that kids do well when they can. Kids want to please the adults in the world around them. The only reason they wouldn’t is lagging skills and unsolved problems. We need to recognize that they need tools to handle the issues in front of them. There may also be things in their life out of their control that they don’t know how to deal with that cause big feelings to be taken out in other areas of their life. * It’s been a tough year, and the pandemic and the political season have made it even tougher for adults to be kind to one another. How are we to expect our children to be kind when we’re not doing it? There’s a double standard. Character Strong recognizes that being in the business of school culture change means first and foremost being in the business of adult behavior change.
29:03 – What Gets In the Way * Recognizing the obstacles to creating a kinder world helps us narrow the gap between our intentions and reality. Deep Kindness challenges readers to address questions like this. It’s not light and fluffy and takes a little diving to find what we need to move the cultural needle forward. * The three categories that can get in our way are incompetence, insecurity, and inconvenience. If we don’t know how to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, we will treat them as a label instead of a person. With insecurity, most of the things we do in life says “I love you” or “please love me.” Those fears can drive disconnection. * It’s important to practice kindness. It’s not something that is as easy or simple as we sometimes paint it to be as a society. We are also often too busy to devote our time to that practice. What we give our time to is what we value. * We can’t control society or the people around us, but we can choose our reactions and how we interact with the world, and that can be a powerful modeling for others. * Deep empathetic kindness requires listening, sacrificing, and discipline. Conditional kindness is just being nice when it’s convenient for us. We must allocate consistent practice of kindness. If we don’t have that discipline day in and day out, we are doing kindness, not being kind. * We have to be careful of doing more harm than good, which is what can easily happen if we are doing kindness to feel good instead of truly serving others with an awareness of what they need as opposed to what we want to give to them.
46:14 – Character Strong * Character Strong has Pre-K through twelfth grade curriculum for schools and works with individual schools as well as school districts. Teachers, administrators, parents, and community members can reach out to see how Character Strong can work with them! * If you’d like to take a deeper dive into kindness, be sure to also check out Deep Kindness for conversations about kindness, a journal with 30 days of practical actions, and all the places where you can purchase the book!
48:15 – Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out what song Houston has to sing along with when it comes on, what he most looks forward to when he gets home from traveling, what he would eat for dinner if he had to eat the same thing every night for the rest of his life, his favorite movie to watch growing up, who has influenced him most other than his parents. Listen for Houston’s answer to what it means to him to run a business with purpose! You won’t want to miss that one.
Memorable Quotes 18:55 – “We look at the world and sometimes we get frustrated with younger generations wondering why they are not more kind. We have to self-reflect to ask what culture we have created that they feel like these are the metrics of success that they have to live into. What we say is important and what we make to be important are two different things.”
22:45 – “When it comes to school culture change, we are first and foremost in the business of adult behavior change.”
24:20 – “Kids do well when they can.” – Dr. Ross Green, Child Psychologist
25:52 – “I think about the filters with which I can experience the world…if I can provide a couple of layers between me and that person, if I can offer that small veil of what that person is missing or the unsolved problem in their life, it gives me that moment of distance to treat them with compassion.”
33:31 – “I think one of the most damaging narratives to kindness is that it’s free…being kind requires a profound amount of empathy, discomfort, and forgiveness, even if it’s inconvenient to me…the biggest preventer of compassion is just that we are busy all the time.”
41:47 - “Without listening, we lose the empathy side of kindness.”
ABOUT HOUSTON KRAFT: Houston is a speaker, author, and kindness advocate who has spoken at over 600 schools or events internationally. In 2016, he co-founded CharacterStrong - curriculum and trainings that help teach social and emotional skills. To date, they have worked with over 2500 schools globally serving over 2 million students. In 2019, his face was featured on Lays BBQ chip bags as someone who helps "spread smiles.” In 2020, his first book, Deep Kindness (Simon & Schuster, Tiller Press) was released. His mom is his hero and her best life lesson is to “hug like you mean it.” Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com.
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
I know I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating: I am so excited about the next generation of young people who are coming up in the world and how they are so motivated and determined to make the world a better place. They seem to be starting at a younger and younger age. Just this year, I’ve had quite a few teenagers on the show who are just doing absolutely incredible things in the world. Today’s guest is not different, and she’s going to knock your socks off. My guest this week is Isha Uppalapati, the founder of A Girl’s Frontier, a 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on helping young girls find and harness their leadership potential while providing them with the opportunities to do so. She is also the author of Her Toolbox: Learning to Be A Female Leader with Advice from Women in Power, a compilation of advice from women leaders. Isha is a high school senior (can you believe that?!) in Marietta, GA. She is doing more by the age of 18, than I think I’ve done in 35 years of life! Isha is incredibly motivating and encouraging, and you are going to love this conversation.
5:19 - The Isha 101 * Isha is the founder of A Girl’s Frontier, a nonprofit that helps young girls fulfil their aspirations and helps them with their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs. She’s also the author of Her Toolbox: Learning to Be A Female Leader with Advice from Women in Power. This was all before she became a senior in high school! * The idea for A Girl’s Frontier started with some of Isha’s hobbies. She’s always loved making things or putting things together. She’s always had the support of her parents, and would put together doll houses with her dad, or write her own little books and even make her own binding for them. * Her family and friends who gave her so much love and support gave her the confidence from a very young age that she could be whatever she wants to be and do whatever she wants to do. Even when she told her support system that she wanted to be a race car driver, they believed she would do it if she said she wanted to. * Isha created A Girl’s Frontier to provide the same opportunities she had to girls everywhere. The organization helps fund education for girls around the world, including Honduras and India, connecting them to mentors who can help guide them to be who they want to be. * They’ve been holding broken iPad drives. It provides books to young girls in the local community as well as iPads, which has been especially crucial during the pandemic with so many schools having to convert to virtual classrooms. * When visiting India, Isha met a young girl who shared her dreams of becoming a doctor with Isha. The girl’s family was extremely poor, and Isha was moved by the girl’s lofty goals and determination. Her parents were not able to afford secondary education, and the realization that this young girl did not have the same opportunity to go to any college she chose, like Isha did, was both a jarring and life-altering moment. * Isha knew there were so many brilliant, passionate people in the world who just have doors shut in their faces because of money and lack of opportunity. That moment fueled Isha to do what she’s doing now: ensuring more young girls have equal opportunities to pursue their talents and gifts.
11:39 – A Book and Nonprofit Before the Age of 18 * Isha also credits her strong support system with helping her start A Girl’s Frontier. She started researching how to start a 501c3 and started working on her business filing and making the nonprofit official. * In Honduras, A Girl’s Frontier works with a group of girls who’ve been rescued from human trafficking and other traumatic situations. Isha simply just started asking people for financial support and material donations, and both started flooding in. * So many women are enthusiastic to share with A Girl’s Frontier, understanding their own privileges and opportunities, and desiring to pull other young women up alongside them. * Isha has also learned a lot from these incredible women leaders while writing, researching, and interviewing for her book, Her Toolbox: Learning to Be A Female Leader with Advice from Women in Power. Every single women she met emphasized the importance of mentors. Isha knew they were important but really began to understand their impact while writing her book. * Mentors not only help you with your struggles, but share their own to help you learn from their failures. She also learned that it’s important to learn how to fail. It’s especially difficult for high schoolers like Isha, trying to pass tests and get good grades to get into college!
17:21 – Women in the Driver’s Seat * Isha wants young girls to know that they have the power to be in control of their dreams, lives, and futures. That can look like asking for help, advocating and/or standing up for yourself, and digging in and working hard and continuing to try even when things are difficult, instead of making excuses. * Sign up for online seminars, talk to college admissions counselors, ask people who’ve been to college for their advice. All it is is taking control of the situation you are in and making the best of it. * Isha is applying to college and may decide this Fall or Spring where she’ll go! She is even applying to international schools. She’s working hard to keep her options open.
22:27 – A Girl’s (Future) Frontier * Isha knows her generation if capable of just about anything they put their mind to. Her hope for her generation is that they follow their own dreams and what they want more than generations before them. They have so much access to the world and opportunity through connection and technology, and she wants them to make the most of it. * With more opportunity, there’s also more room for them to do more good in the world. * Isha is looking toward the future but also staying grounded and taking things one day at a time. She wants to continue with A Girl’s Frontier throughout college and settle in a new area to expand her outreach. She’s also debating another book!
25:12 – Supporting A Girl’s Frontier * Head to A Girl’s Frontier to learn more about supporting the organization and all of their programs. You can also find Her Toolbox on Amazon, which is linked at the top of this post in the intro! * You can find A Girl’s Frontier on Instagram (@agirlsfrontier) and Facebook to stay connected!
25:54 – Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out some fun facts about Isha like what song she has to sing along with the second she hears it, what person in her life has influenced her the most, her favorite TV show to watch growing up, what she would eat for dinner if she could only have the same thing every night, her most unusual talent, and of course stay tuned for her answer to what it means to her to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes 7:13 – “They supported me so much through anything I wanted to do, and then I came to this realization that a lot of people don’t have this amazing support system that I have. This vast support system of people telling me I can be whatever I want to be, and showing me that I can and encouraging me that I can.”
15:15 – “You have to learn to fail. You will never do well on every single thing in your life. If you did, it just means that you’re not challenging yourself enough.”
Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com.
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
I think we can all agree that creating a culture of integrity in our workplaces in important. We want to be able to trust the people we work for and work with. We want to know that the company we are representing as an employee or as an owner is one that people can trust; that the brand has a certain amount of ethics behind it. That doesn’t just have to be regarding just manufacturing, but the fact that a company strives to have integrity on the whole. My guest today is creating and leading a revolution of ethical companies that hold integrity as a top priority. Rob Chesnut if the former Chief Ethics Officer for Air B&B, and the author of the new book, Intentional Integrity: How Smart Companies Can Lead An Ethical Revolution. Rob is a graduate of Harvard Law School and The University of Virginia. He worked for 14 years with the US Justice Department, where he prosecuted bank robberies, kidnapping, murder, and espionage cases. He joined eBay in 1999 as the company’s third lawyer where he led eBay’s North American legal team and later founded its Trust and Safety Team. Rob subsequently spent six years as the general counsel and first attorney and digital education leader, Chegg, where he helped take the company public in 2013. He joined Air B&B as general counsel in 2016, where he grew the legal team from 30 to over 150 legal professionals in 20 offices around the world. His team led initiatives to promote home sharing and address regulatory issues with local governments and landlords around the world. As Chief Ethics Officer, Rob developed a popular interactive employee program, Integrity Belongs Here, to help drive ethics throughout the company. He lives in San Francisco, and his website is intentionalintegrity.com. I will tell you that this was a fansicnating conversation. Rob has so much experience and knowledge and is the type of person I’d love to sit down with for dinner and ask 7 million questions. I asked him about half of those here today. 😉 You are going to absolutely love this conversation with Rob Chesnut!
5:58 - The Rob 101 * Rob is an author, tech general counsel, and has been a federal prosecutor. He enjoys the idea of variety and being tough to label! He started his career as a lawyer in Virginia. After some time in that role, he felt like he was presiding over a lot of negativity. He started to feel pulled to do something positive and uplifting. He believes business has the power to transform the world in a positive way, even more than government, which is often pulled apart by partisan politics. * Rob started looking for companies doing good things in the world. While working as a prosecutor in northern Virginia, he received calls from other prosecutors wanting records about a company called America Online (AOL). (This is when you still received a disk and needed dial up for the internet). 😉 It struck Rob that the internet may have staying power, and he started using a few sights like eBay. * Most companies at that time did not need (or didn’t think they needed) a federal prosecutor, but Rob contacted eBay regarding the potential problems they might run into with illegal items, fraud, regulations, and more. eBay called Rob back the next day. He was asked to start eBay’s “Trust and Safety” department and Rob grew the team to more than 2,000 employees who helped maintain order and prevented fraud on the site. * Later in his career Rob moved onto Chegg and then Air B&B. Air B&B is in the Trust business. There need to be rules and order so that people can connect over their common interests. That has been a theme throughout Rob’s career.
9:00 - Intentional Integrity * While Rob was the general counsel at Air B&B, it really struck him that the world was changing. Everywhere he turned, Rob saw companies in trouble and being called out for bad behavior. At that time, the level of feedback and public criticism was really something new. People want leaders and companies to step up. * Rob sat down with Air B&B founder, Brian Chesky to talk about how to drive integrity into the culture of a company. They had no idea how to start, but both agreed they needed to try it. They started developing a program that encouraged Air B&B employees to treat each other with integrity, and the employees truly embraced the program. * Rob’s wife, who works in publishing started (strongly) encouraging him to write a book about it. No one else was doing it at the time and she knew it was important for the world. Rob, however, was not at all interested in writing a book. Rob’s wife convinced him by offering to find a co-writer and a major publisher. * Rob thought he had all the knowledge on the subject, but the more he engaged with the writing process, the more he realized he still had a lot to learn. Rob discovered the writing was really a journey of knowledge. The book is called Intentional Integrity: How Smart Companies Can Lead An Ethical Revolution. It includes a wide range of perspectives from well-known artists and industry professionals.
13:19 – A Major Shift * The Internet and social media have truly changed how we interact with brands and organizations. We seem to be on the cusp of an ethical revolution. Up until even just a few years ago, most companies operated under a mantra of “shareholder value.” Anything was ok as long as it increases shareholder value. * Shareholder value worked for a few decades, but parts of it did not work. It did increase short-term focus but may have hurt the planet in the long run, used slave labor in other parts of the world, and not offered employees health benefits. The world started to realize the mantra was also causing problems and was no longer working. * Shareholder value is now being rejected as the way companies should operate. It’s been replaced with stakeholder principles. Now companies need to operate with the best interest of all of its stakeholders. Air B&B must consider not only its investors, but their employees, guests, hosts, and the communities where it operates. Companies are beginning to realize they have a broader obligation to do good in the world. * The key is to think about it holistically across all stakeholders. It should not be all about profit, but profit is important for companies to be able to fulfill their purpose. When a company is perceived to be operating ethically with its business model, with the way that it treats people, it actually outperforms the market and outperforms competitors. It’s not a tradeoff. It gives companies that operate this way a wind in their back. It helps them operate and be more successful as a business. * Employees are holding their own companies accountable and customers are jumping in as well. They both care about where their money is going. If they feel a company is not ethical, they’ll move their money elsewhere and they’ll share on social media to spread the word about unethical practices. Government will jump in too if they see consumers feeling this way.
23:51 - Leveraging the “6 Cs” * Rob talks about leveraging the 6 Cs to foster and manage a culture of integrity at work. The first is for “CEO.” You can talk about integrity all you want, but your CEO has to be following that and setting an example. All things are possible if the CEO is on board. * The second C is for a “Code of Conduct.” Having a Code of Conduct isn’t enough. Any company can do that and follow compliance rules. It must be intentionally created with values that reflect what the company is about, and clearly communicated and followed with appropriate channels for feedback and transparency. * The third C is to “Communicate Your Code.” It’s important to proactively prepare and have the message communicated from the top. Consequences are necessary for when rules are violated. Rules must apply to everyone, from the bottom to the top. There must be a clear reporting structure with fair consequences. * Stay tuned to hear more about the 6 Cs and intriguing examples of how they relate to human behavior!
49:05 - Getting To Know Our Guest * Find out what song Rob has to sing along to when he hears it, someone who has really impacted him with the way he approaches business, what his favorite TV show was growing up, and more! Be sure to stay tuned to hear Rob’s answer to our all important question of what it means to him to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes 8:45 - “I think that’s been a theme throughout my career. Trying to promote good in people and promote human connections through providing a little bit of structure and order to enable the best behavior.”
10:37 – “Where you work is such a reflection of who you are. The brands of the companies where you work become your brands...I think we all want to be proud of where we work. We want to feel as though we are a part of something that is doing good in the world.”
16:20 – “The world started to realize that ‘shareholder value’ mantra was causing a lot of ethical corner to be cut, and it wasn’t working. Not that shareholders aren’t important, but why should shareholder thing be the only thing that matters?”
17:35 – “Why shouldn’t a company also be thinking about what’s good for the broader communities where it operates? And I think that part of this revolution is an understanding that we need companies to think and act differently, and I’m glad that companies are embracing this new idea of stakeholder principle.
18:51 – “You need a purpose as a company. Profit is not purpose. I think you need a ‘North Star’ to kind of guide your actions. I think you have to be solving a problem in the world or doing something good for the world. I actually think profit is critical. Profit is what funds your ability to accomplish your purpose.”
~19:45 - When a company is perceived to be operating ethically with its business model, with the way that it treats people, it actually outperforms the market and outperforms competitors. It’s not a tradeoff. It gives companies that operate this way a wind in their back. It helps them operate and be more successful as a business.”
~23:45 – “You can’t operate as a 20th century company in the 21st century.”
Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com.
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
Welcome to the 2020 Business with Purpose Podcast Holiday Gift Guide Extravaganza!
I’m so happy to have my cohost Em Sexton from The Flourish Market with me today! This is our 5th year doing this, and when we recorded at this time last year, I don’t think any of us could have predicted what was in store for us for 2020. We hope this year’s Gift Guide brings you some energy and joy for a calm and simple Holiday season. We’ll feature some fun and unique gifts for you to shop. Be sure to go to stillbeingmolly.com/blog where you can find this episode’s show notes with all of the Gift Guide details, links, and coupon codes, as well as The Business with Purpose Instagram page (Instagram.com/stillbeingmolly)). I’ll have an entire highlight dedicated to the Gift Guide so you can referenced everything in one location. For now, sit back, relax, grab a cup of your favorite cozy beverage, and enjoy with us! We’ll be answering your questions, bringing back the trivia game (you can do it, Em!), and shopping together with purpose!
The Business With Purpose Podcast would not have been able to make it through 2020 without our amazing partners of the show: The Lemonade Boutique, Simple Switch, GOEX Apparel, and Ammas Uma.
5:53 – Question #1 from Molly to Em: If 2020 were a Christmas ornament, what would that Christmas ornament be?
- Em: First we have to acknowledge that we hold the heavy, hard, unimaginable situation we’ve experienced worldwide because of the level of this pandemic. We have grieved as a team at The Flourish Market for the people behind our products. At the same time, joy, laughter, and rest are signs of resistance against horrible things happening in the world.
- I have two ideas for ornaments for 2020. One would have all the new things we sell at The Flourish Market in 2020 like masks, branded toilet paper, and cross stitch kits! The second would be the PIVOT COUCH from Friends! The word of the year for business owners has been pivot. Shoutout to all you pivoting in 2020!
8:50 – First Feature: GOEX Apparel!
- GOEX Apparel is an incredible company that cuts and sews their items in Haiti and screen print them in Kansas City. They have an eco-friendly, low carbon footprint, and even provide custom tees like the Business with Purpose podcast “Do Something Good with Purpose on Purpose” tee!
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- Ladies Red Cardigan – Comes in 5 colors and is your perfect basic, everyday, long cardigan with pockets!
- Holiday Deer Sweatshirt – Comes in adult and youth sizes!
Business With Purpose Podcast listeners gets 20% off with the code “podcast20”! You can also check out goexapparel.com/mollystillman to see my curated collection of my favorite items from GOEX!
11:39 – Question #2 for Molly from Em: What is a new holiday tradition?
- Molly’s family has been doing a Sunday night family movie night. They watch movies that they have not seen together. The first weekend in November, they started watching holiday movies. Molly’s kids just saw HOME ALONE FOR THE FIRST TIME! They loved it and laughed so much! 😊
- This year maybe it’s ok to go ahead and put up your Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. Rules are out the window and we encourage you to go ahead and get festive if you want to!
13:55 – Our next feature is from Freeleaf: This company provides employment, wholistic care, and sustainability to at risk, exploited, and abused women. Their tagline is “For a world where women are knot for sale.” All of their products have knots in them somewhere to remind us that women are not for sale. We are also featuring two of their items:
- Infinity and Pippa Wall Hangings: They are perfect for putting on a gallery wall with framed prints and for those who love home décor, especially since many of us are home more often these days!
- Harmony Tassel Hoop Earrings: These rose gold hoops with deep purple knotted tassels are the perfect stocking stuffers!
We have another coupon code for you! Use “purpose15” for 15% off at Free Leaf!
17:32 – Here’s our first TRIVIA QUESTION for Em! In the song Frosty the Snowman, what made Frosty come to life?
18:53 – A trivia question for Molly: What is your worst decoration or decorating story?
21:37: Our next company is Simple Switch
- Simple Switch is your ethical version of Amazon. Right off the bat, we have a 20% off coupon code good for ANYTHING ON THE SITE! Use code “purchasewithpurpose”
- Simple Switch is also offering free shipping for orders over $200.00!
- There are a few very unique items here that you might normally go to Amazon to find, but can find ethically-sourced instead here on Simple Switch like fully engravable wood items at all different price points: Money clips, customized items, an engravable flash, all made from genuine cherry and beautiful.
- Ethical wine and chocolate! There is a variety pack you can customize for yourself and they come in CANS! You can pair that with Molly’s favorite chocolate, Alter Eco Chocolate. They are great gifts to drop off your friend’s porches, order in bulk, and/or stick in someone’s stocking!
26:14 – Next Trivia Question! How many reindeer are featured in the poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas?
27:32 – The Lemonade Boutique’s mission is to work with companies working with women who take life’s lemons and made lemonade. She carries so many gifts for everyone on your list.
- This year we’re featuring a unique item called Tea Drops. They dissolve in hot water and your tea is ready to drink in just a few minutes! They are ethically sourced and wrapped in eco-friendly packaging without any added preservatives. They’re also made in the US! Em’s favorite flavor is the Chai Spice. They’re also great for tea on the go in a travel mug!
- The other product is their Quilling Christmas cards. Quilling is an ancient Japanese art form where strips of paper are turned into decorative art. These quilling cards are made in Vietnam by artisans who are hearing impaired. These are beautiful for both sending a note of encouragement and throw in a gift card for some cash for a self-care coffee or tea break!
- Molly’s favorite products from The Lemonade Boutique are the earrings for young girls! How cute?!
Your coupon code for The Lemonade Boutique is “holiday15” for 15% off! You can also get free shipping on orders of $29 or more!
32:53: It doesn’t feel like the holidays until…
- Hear about what moments make both Em and Molly feel like it’s officially the holidays.
36:29 – Azizi Life
- They have been featured on the show before, and Em has actually had the opportunity to travel to Rwanda with Azizi Life!
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- We are highlighting their Sutton Woven Storage Basket. Not only are they great for storing pillows, toys, blankets, and more, they’re also gorgeous with handmade tassels and come in different sizes for unique décor in your home!
- Hand-Carved Lela Long Handle Measuring Spoon Set: These are unique, hand carved wooden spoons featuring uniquely made handles that are long enough to be stored in a utensil holder with your other wooden spoons.
Use code “mollychristmas2020” for 10% from now until December 31st
41:01 – Beza Threads work with women coming out of human trafficking and prostitution. Their products are stunning hand made leather goods and I cannot say enough good things about them! They have a ton of leather goods, but we are going to feature a few for you today:
- Mini Tote: Comes in three colors. It’s a great bag for wearing over the shoulder or cross body. You’ll carry it forever!
- Double Clutch Cross Body: This bag is at such a great price point and is a great sidekick for carrying your keys and phone and all the things you need for errands around town!
Use code “molly15” for 15% off!
44:05 – Time for another question: What is something people love about Christmas that Molly and Em just aren’t into? (don’t “@” us)!
50:23 – Sela Designs sells earrings and other jewelry that will set you apart from the crowd while still being on trend.
- 100% of profits are donated to several organizations that fight human trafficking like Mercy House and IJM (International Justice Mission).
- Use code “purpose10” for 10% off! Be sure to check out the earring studs Sela sells that are great for girls with newly pierced ears! And be sure to stay tuned just in case something special comes along for the holiday season! 😉
54:52 – Amma’s Umma has special ties to the Business With Purpose Podcast. Amma’s Umma founder, Chelsea used my Ethical Brand Directory to find brands for starting Amma’s Umma. Go to shopwithmolly.com for a special deal! Today we are featuring some of the new products:
- Riverside Open Cardi: It has beautiful stripes and is a great weight to throw on between fall and winter.
- Hand Knit Beanie: Perfect gift for your friends in cold-weather clients. Hand-knit and made in the USA.
- Use coupon code “mollyholidays” as many times as you’d like for 20% off through the end of December! Amma’s Umma has donated over $22,000 to adoptions, and $75,000 has been sent to artisans, and all that is in addition to providing ethically sourced products. Amma’s Umma is a great gift for your friends who’ve adopted or have a heart for adoption.
57:57 – Trivia! Let’s go EM! In the TV special, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” what are the three words that best describe the Grinch?
1:00:15 – What food items are Em and Molly most looking forward to this holiday season?
1:04:19 - ABLE ABLE started by selling scarves from Ethiopia. You can hear more about their story on this previous episode with Barrett Ward.
- Today we are highlighting ABLE’s leather goods. They are made in Ethiopia and they invest in local leaders and buy from small businesses in Ethiopia.
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- Rachel Utility Bag – this bag has three main sections and pockets all over the inside! This is the link to send to people who are buying your Christmas gifts!
- The Debre Wallet – these also fly off the shelves at The Flourish Market! It’s a modern wallet that comes in three colors of leather. It will last you forever and is a great, classic look for a wallet!
- ABLE also sells jewelry made by domestic violence survivors. The women get to work alongside each other and it raises up a community of strong, empowered women.
- ABLE is a great ethical gift option for the people in your life who love brands like J.Crew and Madewell.
- ABLE doesn’t do coupon codes very often, but you’re getting “mollys20” for 20% off (and listen in for a special surprise regarding this code)! Thank you ABLE!
1:10:21– HOT OFF THE PRESS is Elsa Jewelry – They are a BRAND NEW ethical jewelry company that is launching in December. They may not be full launched yet by the time you read this. They emailed me recently and I was so blown away by their products that I wanted to share them with you NOW! I don’t have the coupon code yet but stay tuned for it!
- “Elsa is the newest ethical jewelry brand on a mission to make 50% of the world’s entrepreneurs’ women. Elsa was born not far from the sea in a small town in Portugal. Each piece is touched by hand and heart and is shaped by women seeking to make something so much more than ornamental. Simple, soulful jewelry. Elsa’s first collection of four designs were intentionally made to fit your every day wardrobe and are perfect for layering.”
- These will be made of 14 ct gold and handmade in Portugal!
1:13:34 – Rapid Fires Questions with both Molly and Em!
1:16:38 – This brand is not new to the podcast. I’ve had their founder, Amy Blair on the podcast, and has been featured on this gift guide every single year. They are Batik Boutique. Everything is handmade and hand-painted using traditional artist techniques. The gifts we are featuring this year are for men! Men can be hard to shop for so we hope you find some items here to help!
- Men’s Boxer + Shave Set – comes in a gift box with hand-painted Batik Boxers, shave cream from Italy, and brissel brush.
- Men’s Long-Sleeved Dress Shirts – straight fit, hand-painted cotton button ups with hints of pattern. Snag these for your men and their Zoom calls!
- Baking Sets – Baking sets for adults and kids. Each comes with an apron, whisk, cookie cutter, and cookie recipe! Gifting made so easy!
- Use code “molly10” for 10% off
1:19:44 – ONE MORE TRIVIA QUESTION: What famous Christmas movie did our beloved Catherine O’Hara star in?
1:21:01 - The Flourish Market – Our very own Em tells us more about the gift section that has exploded, especially during 2020. It’s amazing to think how much The Flourish Market has transformed since the first pop up truck!
- There are some unique items we want to tell you about:
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- 0% alcohol mixers for delicious mocktails!
- Giftsets!
- Be sure to check out the $20 and under gift section for accessible gift shopping HERE!
- Representative Memory Games and Jumbo Puzzles
- Vegan and Gluten-Free Baking Kits!
- Shower Steamers
- Use the code “molly” at check out for any orders over $75 or over and Em is throwing in two packages of shower steamers and an “I Will Choose to Flourish” print.
When we choose to flourish it should make a path for others to flourish as well. Every dollar you spend is a vote and I want you to think about your daily and holiday ballot box. Don’t feel the burden about how you’re shopping right now but enjoy the experience of shopping ethically in the way you choose the opportunity to realize the power of where you choose to spend your money. You will decide what brands and nonprofits make it through this time we are in in this pandemic and beyond. That’s not a burden, but an exciting opportunity! Your power and impact is real! Thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s keep making opportunities for others to flourish!
Thank you to all of the incredible brands that have been featured here today! We love these companies and would not have them on here if we did not absolutely love buying from them. Please join us in supporting them. Go to stillbeingmolly.com/blog and stillbeingmolly.com/podcast. Thank you so much Em for being my cohost toady. I had a blast!
“It’s never been more important to use our platforms and our influence for good.”
Thank you to all of my listeners who’ve been joining us for this gift guide through the last five years for all your support! If you’re new here, welcome! Hit the subscribe button and that will be the best Christmas present for me! Leave a review and tell me what else you’d like to hear!
Whatever you’re celebrating, I hope it’s the best ever even in the midst of 2020! Cheers!
One of the reasons I started this podcast was to provide a medium to share stories that matter around topics that matter, and to hopefully bring on guests that challenge you, encourage you, inspire you; Maybe to make you think of things in a way you haven’t previously. 2020 has been an exceptionally difficult year between a pandemic, elections, and everything surrounding the topic of race. I am so excited about today’s guest because he is someone who has had an impact on me. I pray our conversation is one that impacts you too. This conversation is challenging, encouraging, funny, and heart-wrenching. I know you are going to walk away feeling inspired. My guest this week is Corey Paul Davis, more widely known as Corey Paul. Corey is a Houston-based rapper, creator, and entrepreneur. Throughout his life, he as overcome several incredible adversities including drug addiction in his family and witnessing his mother shot by his father at the age of seven years old. Eventually he completed high school and served his community as a firefighter, where he won the Ann Sullivan award for heart and courage. He has a heart for kids who grew up in similar situations to him and started a nonprofit program for youth in the juvenile detention centers of Houston in hopes of providing them mentorship and resources. They successfully graduated over 100 teens from their Hope program and built foundational relationships with the youth in their community. Music has always been a passion of his and an outlet for his pain and thoughts. Corey started his first media company in 2011, and eventually became a full-time creative entrepreneur. Through music, he was able to amass more than 6 million streams, performed international shows, and built a strong social media presence. He has released three studio albums, two of which made it on the Billboard charts! As a young business owner, Corey quickly learned how little he knew about money management due to his lack of exposure growing up in the marginalized, low-income community. That experience started his financial literacy quest, which would ultimately lead to his desire to start The Literacy Kings Podcast. For over 10 years, he has worked to build his platform as a trusted voice for creatives, entrepreneurs, social justice, and faith. He still believes that this is only the beginning. He is married to his high school sweetheart and they have a beautiful two-year-old daughter. Join me as I sit down to hear more from Corey about the ways God has woven his path so far, and Corey believes God has in store!
12:37 - The Corey 101 * Corey was born in Houston, TX in a low-income neighborhood called South Park. Unfortunately, the neighborhood has a 30% high school drop out rate. Corey’s mother kept the family together. His father became a drug addict, and over time it got worse and worse. Corey started witnessing verbal and physical abuse. * His father could not overcome his addiction and passed away when Corey was just 9 years old. Corey tried to find his way and became immersed in street culture and rapper. When he was just 12, he knew he wanted to rap. He started experimenting with codeine and soda. All he and his friends wanted to do was party. * When Corey was 16, he met a Christian girl and at the same time, one of his best friends got saved and started talking to Corey about church. When he was 17, Corey became saved and started changing his rapping to contextualize the gospel with Hip Hop. * Corey started putting out albums that made it to Billboard and started touring. Music was the seed for Corey’s other passions and ministries. Corey was also served as a Houston firefighter! He met a firefighter when he was 16, and that firefighter told Corey he loved his job. It struck Corey that someone said they loved their job when so many people talk about hating their jobs. * Corey always admired firefighters because they he saw them as very community-oriented, which is something his community very much needed growing up: mentors, rays of light, people to look up to. When he was younger, Corey was more focused on rapping and partying. As Corey started to fall in love, he realized he needed to make money to take care of his spouse, so he applied to be a firefighter. * At the same time, Corey’s music was doing well and started to take off. The firefighter schedule allowed him flexibility in his schedule to keep going with his music career at the same time. God granted Corey so many amazing experiences with both passions, and as a firefighter, he literally witnessed people coming back to life.
22:00 – A Change in the Rap Game * When Corey started changing his rapping to match his faith, many people were encouraged by it. Some were not convinced; those who’d been along before and after he became a Christian. Corey had always been in search of a way to help his people. He was inspired by a line in a rap song, Big Picture that says “this been goin’ on too long to get even” speaking about systematic oppression. * When Corey’s pastor explained that Jesus already came and fixed things. It was about worshipping the Creator, not the created. It was super intriguing to Corey. It was never about leaving his peers or telling them to straighten up. Corey knew he could bring the promise of the Gospel back to them. * Corey never tried to force his new beliefs down anyone’s throat but did bring the Gospel back into his regular life. When he started having a Bible study in his house, his mom would listen in and one day, dedicated her life to Jesus too. * Jesus helps us along our path and sends people to sharpen us (iron sharpens iron) while ALSO showing us in scripture that it it’s ok and that we are called to go out and be among the mess in the world as well.
29:24 – A Perfect Segue * Corey encourages us to be open to experiences we have not lived, breathed, walked. It is the foundation of his next story. Corey is from a neighborhood that is low-income, systematically oppressed, undeserved areas. When a person grows up in one of these areas, there is a certain way they learn to receive people and information. * Corey is from South Park, George Floyd grew up in Third Ward, a similar neighborhood as Corey’s in Houston. Corey’s church was in Third Ward, and they wanted to connect with the people there. It’s just not as simple as going in and connecting though. People have been taken advantage of so much that trust is very hard. * Corey knew they had to find a person of peace. Someone who is respected and loved with similar ideas and beliefs. Big Floyd (George Floyd) was that person. He was the connector. Big Floyd came to a concert that Corey’s church put on where they provided food and school supplies to give back to the community. * Big Floyd came to the concert and connected with Corey and complimented them for trying to give back. Corey and Big Floyd connected and became friends. Big Floyd told Corey about his neighborhood and the people and said, “If it’s about God business, it’s my business.” Big Floyd said he’d spread the word to the community and the word Corey’s church was trying to do in the community. * Big Floyd really started spreading the word about church events and helped run baptisms, church ceremonies, and community events. The things Corey and Big Floyd both went through growing up where they did give them a voice for others. Their pasts give them voices for other young boys to listen to them and change their lives. * Corey knew people would try to bring up Big Floyd’s past and use it against him, but Corey knew the 180 Big Floyd did in his life and witnessed Big Floyd facilitating baptisms in the hood, changing young lives, and advocating against drugs and gun violence. * After Floyd’s death, it was important to Corey for people to know more about Floyd and that he was so much more than what can be Googled about him. It’s also important that we continue to spark change for racial justice and equality. It’s not a magic solution, it’s a marathon, a continuous work that is on our shoulders.
43:10 – Faithful Hearers of the Word * We have a long way to go on the fight for civil rights. The changes we’ve seen in civil rights have only just happened in the last 50 years and it has taken slow, steady progress, and we still have a long way to go. * We must be faithful hearers of the word. You can read the Bible from a self-centered perspective, knowing you should forgive your enemies but not recognizing that you could be an enemy that someone else needs to forgive. * In James, the Bible tells us of forgetful doers of the Word, not hearers of the Word; a person who looks in the mirror, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. Our perspective matters, and when it’s selfish, it’s not biblical. We are called to fight for the least of these, and our brothers and sisters who are not different from us. Jesus did not come for one type of person. * There is a difference between being not racist and being anti-racist. It’s important for white middle class America to bear the beautiful burden of actively using their privilege to fight racism and for being anti-racist. Corey believes it’s his beautiful burden to build a bridge in his neighborhoods in a progressive and united way. It can’t be an “us” vs. “them” progression. It has to be a united front. * It is important to know that we will mess up. We can’t cancel people for making mistakes. We must humble ourselves to link arms and hike these mountains together. We will stumble and need to be there for each other to pick one another up again. We must work through our emotions together and move forward together.
1:00:00 – Seeking Understanding: Tune in to hear Molly and Corey discuss important ways to create safe places to approach difficult conversations with care and productivity. At 1:05, hear more about how to keep these lines of communication open with the young people in your life.
1:08:26 – Literacy Kings * Corey became an independent musician after leaving a label with an album that made it to #16 on the Billboard charts. Now he works on a podcast called Literacy Kings with JaMorcus Trayham. The podcast breaks down popular financial books in culturally relative ways, contextualizing the material and using examples that are relatable to people from low-income, underserved areas. * Many of the valuable financial education materials require you to have some knowledge of the terms from the start. Culturally, it’s hard to think about buying stock or getting an LLC and building a business from the ground up if you’re struggling just to pay your bills. * Corey and JaMorcus share the mental, physical, emotionally experiences and barriers that affect people who may have never been introduced to these financial terms and contextualize them in relatable ways. * The goal of the podcast is to transform it into a network that invites more voices to speak on financial topics, and to curate topics to any group of people that has been marginalized.
1:16:31 - Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out what song Corey has to sing along with when it comes on, the first thing he does when he gets home from a long trip, and what artists have influenced him the most. Be sure to stay tuned to hear what it means to Corey to run a business with purpose!
Memorable Quotes 21:05 – “As a believer, it shows you how powerful that we are in Him. Death to life is a real thing…he enables us here on Earth to work through Him in order to really cause true change.”
38:03 – “You will never be able to truly understand it until you lean in and listen to the voices that he (George Floyd) served.”
42: 17- “The chant, ‘We want justice and we want it now.’ I get it. I get the chant…but it’s not practical… ‘We want justice. We want it over time, continuously’ is more accurate.”
45:23 – “It’s just recognizing the magnitude of something in order to better equip ourselves for a lasting solution.”
57:33 – “It’s recognizing a very clear advantage and disadvantage and then leaning in and saying: Do I have something I can offer in this situation?”
Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com.
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
Sex trafficking is a $99 billion industry, and human trafficking in its total is a $150 billion industry. The statistics around human trafficking can feel incredibly overwhelming and at times it can feel like there is just no way that we could ever make a real change in this industry. A denim company is striving to make a dent and a real difference in fighting human trafficking. My guest this week is the incredible James Bartle, founder and CEO of Outland Denim. Outland Denim started as a means to provide stable employment and income opportunity to women who would otherwise be vulnerable to human trafficking. But James didn’t stop there. He innovated on industry standards to create an incredible line of jeans with a minimal footprint. This was an absolutely phenomenal conversation. James has been a highly requested guest this year, and I was really honored to have him on the show. We touch on some important topics and you’ll see what I mean when I say that I could have talked to him for hours!
4:32 - The James 101 * James is the CEO and founder of Outland Denim, which has been in the marketplace for about four years now. They’ve spent the last six years developing their business model to impact people around the world and right environmental and social injustices. James knew in order to truly accomplish this, he needed to be impacted first. * James was first introduced to what human trafficking is while seeing the movie Taken. The film mentioned in text that human trafficking happens in the real world, and it really affected James. Over the next few years, James and his wife started researching more about the issue. James had a chance to travel with a rescue agency through Southeast Asia and witnessed a life-changing and heart-breaking situation where someone was selling a young girl. * James thought of his young nieces and now his own daughters. He was horrified that any human has to be sold for their own survival, family’s survival or are stolen and held captive. They knew it was an economic problem and if they wanted to solve it, they needed to come up with something that addressed the economic system and/or situation that was making them vulnerable. * It is important to recognized that human trafficking is very nuanced and complex. It can’t be summarized in one movie. For James it was a very gradual learning experience. He wished he could go fix the problem immediately but realized it would be much more complicated than that. * James realized that it wasn’t until they could address the roots of the problem and systemic issues that they could really start to help people out of trafficking. They knew they needed to equip people to make their own decisions to change on their own through education and opportunity.
12:19 - Change Can Come from Us * Sometimes there is a disconnect approaching Human Trafficking from a business standpoint when a portion of profits go toward a cause. James and Outland Denim began early-on by melding with another industry: the ethical fashion industry. At the root of the fashion industry is trafficking. James chose to merge the two things by fighting trafficking while building a sustainable fashion brand. * James learned early on in his education about trafficking that nearly 80% of people that come through rescue programs often end up in a worse position later down the road because there’s no way for them to move forward with a plan or new life. * Before Outland Denim, James never gave the health of the environment a second thought, but once he was able to link environmental degradation to social injustice. He realized that his worldview as a Christian should also include a responsibility to protect the planet and that doing so also helps protect marginalized people groups.
16:10 - The People and the Planet * Outland Denim understands that you can’t care for people without the planet or the planet without the people: they are very much connected. They decided to try to use industry to challenge the environmental degradation of the planet by the fashion industry while also impacting not only the lives of marginalized people groups all over the world, but even the sales associate and the brand’s stakeholders. * James sees denim as the ultimate product for changing the world. It’s one of the most unsustainable and damaging fabrics in fashion. The chemicals, water, and energy used is massive. * Denim can also hold a nostalgic comfort in our psyches. James compares it to music. It can conjure memories and emotions. Everyone has their favorite pair of jeans that they never want to throw out that can transport them to another time or distant memory. The goal is to remove the environmental damage and keep the positive impact. Outland Denim even prints messages of thanks in the jean pockets from the women makers who made that pair of jeans. * If ethical brands are not thinking about making a product that customers want, it’s just a “pity purchase.” It doesn’t empower the artisan who made the product. When a product has consumer demand, you sell more product and are able to employ more people. * We can’t push people into the change, but we can inspire them to want to be a part of the movement. More Christians can lead the way in supporting ethical fashion. If we are called to love our neighbors more than ourselves and deny ourselves and follow Jesus, we can invite others to be a part of a bigger story like Jesus does for us.
34:39 – Global Brand * Outland Denim had a successful launch in Australia, and then James’ wife told him about WWD (Apparel and Retail CEO) Summit happening in New York (about 5 years ago). There was no mention of sustainability in the presentations he heard. It was all about finding cheaper production in another country and how other markets were doing. It was disheartening for James to witness where the fashion industry was then, about five years ago. * James sat next to a man and the two got to discussing what James did for a living. The man grabbed a handful of James’ jeans and told him, “Tell all your investors they’re about to lose all their money!” The man’s wife, embarrassed by her husband’s actions, invited James to lunch and they stayed in touch after the Summit. * It turns out the man was a distributor in Canada, and he invited James to come visit to show him the jeans. He took a big risk and put James in front three of the biggest retailers in Canada. They gave him 20 minutes, looked at the product, heard the pitch and an hour and a half later, everyone is crying and wanting to know how to help. * The next day, another retailer came with a family member who was extremely passionate about sustainability and that retailer, Harry Rosen, Inc., still supports Outland Denim to this day. They’ve helped evolve the brand, the product, and bring relevance to their customer. * Not long after that, Outland Denim signed a contract with David Jones, one of the biggest retailers in Australia. And shortly after that, Megan Markle visited Australia, WEARING OUTLAND DENIM JEANS! The media went crazy and James had to jump on a plane for TV appearances. She really opened the brand up to the world and because of the attention, Outland Denim was able to hire 46 new seamstresses! * That lead to more exposure to other retailers and right before Covid-19 hit, Outland Denim launched with the new Nordstrom store in New York City! Many retailers really do want to be a part of creating change now and are supportive of brands that do. To support the brand, it is important for purchases to go through retailers, and is generally sustainable well into the future.
43:05 - Tune in to hear how Outland Denim has been affected by Covid-19 and the creative ways they are working toward the future. Find out how we can turn the word “consumerism” into a positive phrase and solve global issues that the government isn’t able to solve.
46:54 - Getting to Know Our Guest * Enjoy hearing some fun facts about what James’ favorite movie was when he was growing up, his guilty pleasure, some common misconceptions about Australians and Americans, and of all of his pet peeves, which is the strangest, and more! You’ve got to tune in to the end to hear from James what it means to him to run a business with purpose!
Memorable Quotes: 9:54: “If we really want to create change, we’ve got to change people’s hearts in countries like ours ad well as countries that we work in. We’ve got to be able to create opportunity that gives everybody, people in developing and poor nations, the same opportunities we have to be educated, have health care, save (money), and live with their families. Just the basic stuff.”
11:46 “It is incredibly powerful when you put the power back in the hands of the people to make the change themselves: you give them what they need to be successful at it and everything changes.”
32:02 – I hope that’s a legacy about the brand, that it would have a small part to play in motivating our staff that “You’re not a victim, but you’re somebody that has so much to offer in your community and in the world.” If we all look for that opportunity and use it, we’re going to create massive impact.
Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com.
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
Our words matter. Especially as a business owner, an entrepreneur, as a creative. Our words really matter. Words are often how we can fundamentally ensure the success or even failure of a business. How we use words to market our businesses or communicate our message often becomes an afterthought and can cause unintended harm when it comes to how our business comes across to our customers or potential customers. My guest today is using her gift of words to help businesses have the biggest impact. Kaitlin Senter is a social media manager turned conversion copywriter and brand strategist who is obsessed with pairing social impact and targeted messaging to create industry-changing content. She’s made it her mission to teach all that she knows about cause-marketing and sales-messaging to help businesses create deeply rooted impact that drives results with connective content. I was fascinated by this conversation with Kaitlin. I was a creative writing major in college and I naturally love words. It was so impactful to hear from Kaitlin about how we use words to market our business.
4:56 - The Kaitlin 101 * Kaitlin’s journey to where she is today as a conversion copywriter and brand strategist began on an untraditional path. Kaitlin started as a virtual assistant, and more in more during that time, people started asking her for help with social media. * Kaitlin became a social media manager but realized the actual issue most people were having using social media centered around their messaging. At the time, Kaitlin wasn’t even aware of what copywriting was! * She dove into education and became a copywriter! Once she homed in on those skills, Kaitlin started learning about cost-marketing and the unique niche it has become. Social entrepreneurship is on the rise and people are starting to realize how much power they have as consumers. They want to spend their money with brands who are doing things the right way. * Often there are brands that provide beautiful products at the right price point, but their message is not getting to those who would most want to know about it. That’s where conversion copyeditors like Kaitlin come in. * There is a delicate balance for ethical brands in communicating their mission and still making a profit. Kaitlin works with brands to lead with that mission without compromising sales. Since so many ethical brands are great at focusing on their mission, Kaitlin often starts her focus working with them on business strategies. * Kaitlin helps brands determine why people want to shop with them outside of the mission. What are the problems that a brand is solving for people outside of the mission?
9:50 – Products Pique Interest, Words Make Sales * Often there are brands who look like they are super successful because the aesthetic of their brand is beautiful. Many people think that if they have something beautiful, it will sell itself, but it’s not true. The beauty of a product primes people and pique their interest, but the words behind them are what makes sales. * Kaitlin realized she had a gift for turning words into an experience for people when working as a social media manager when critiquing her client’s social media marketing. She thought about what she would want to read and examples of when she’d seen it done well. What feelings do the words bring up, what thoughts do they bring up, what is the world going to look if everyone could shop this way? * One of the brands that does this well is called Known Supply. When Kaitlin buys a t-shirt from them, instead of feeling guilt for making a purchase, she feels good knowing it goes toward providing a good job to an artisan and that she is not making a fast fashion purchase. It’s not about giving out information, it’s taking a shopper on a journey. * It’s important that messages are genuine as well. People know when a brand is being disingenuous. Every business can be a cause-based business. Producing a great product that connects followers to the maker of the product or a story behind it creates brand loyalty with referrals and high quality, loyal brand ambassadors.
21:12 – Social Media Hiatus * Would you believe that Kaitlin recently took 6 months off of social media?! As someone who runs an online business, it was certainly a revolutionary act! It helped her get clear about what kind of messaging people want to see that makes them feel refreshed instead of tired or uninterested. * Without outside thoughts, opinions, and noise, Kaitlin was able to find clarity in what she wants for her own unique message. * It’s so easy for us to get caught up in the world of social marketing as small business owners. If there is a feeling of anxiety around it, it’s time to take a break. There is a way to find a health balance between being connected and taking time for ourselves offline. It’s about creating real, meaningful connection online, rather than feeling pressure and/or anxiety to keep up with everything happening online.
25:27 – Help with Writing! * If you are feeling overwhelmed with the idea of getting your copy in order, Kaitlin suggests beign mindful of who you’re writing to and why what you have to say matters to them. * It’s going to take a lot of thought and time, but if you don’t know these answers, you will start to feel stuck or could be tempted to simply copy the methods of others. That is when you start contributing to the noise of the internet instead of sending out messages that matter. * It’s also important to “name your customer.” Go on a deep dive about who you think this person is who would want to know about your brand, who would want to buy from you. Write to that person! * Kaitlin uses the “Jobs to Be Done” framework. You can Google it to learn more, but it’s basically teaches you how a product connects to the better version of the customer; the person the customer wants to be. It’s how they imagine their life after they have a certain product. It’s less about the task, but the emotional feelings a product produces; the “true job” of what your customer wants to accomplish.
30:12 - Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out what Kaitlin’s not-so-guilty pleasure is, what she’s reading right now, her favorite show to watch when she was growing up, and what it means to Kaitlin to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes: 5:58 - “I think this cost-marketing niche is really unique because it’s on the rise and I think more and more consumers are worried about what their dollars are voting for.”
6:16 – “I think there’s this fine line that you have to walk between keeping your life on and making sales, but also educating in a way that doesn’t alienate those on the fringes of the cause who are just learning and they don’t want to feel bad for past decisions they’ve made or for not knowing about sustainable fashion or ethical ways or farming, but also in a way that still makes sales without feeling disingenuous.”
9:26 – “That’s what we really have to focus on: You meet the need of the customer and that mission where they connect, that intersection between mission and meeting the needs of the customer.”
18:46 – “Connection is one of the biggest components of successful marketing.”
About Kaitlin Senter:
Kaitlin is a social media manager turned Conversion Copywriter & Brand Strategist obsessed with pairing social impact & targeted messaging to create industry changing content. She has made it her mission to teach all she knows about cause-marketing & sales messaging to help businesses create deeply-rooted impact that drives results through connective content. Connect with Kaitlin: * strikingconversation.com * https://www.instagram.com/kaitsenter/
Thank you to our partners of the show:
Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com.
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
I realize that it is a cliché to say this at this point, but I am just going to say it: 2020 has been a year! There has been this tension of trying to get through the year while also trying to focus on our goals while also dealing with what is happening around us in our culture while also taking care of our families. It is a lot. There are many well-intentioned, encouraging messages that are preached at us, especially women. Things like “you are enough”, “you can do it”, and “you can pull yourself up by your bootstraps.” Those are well-intentioned, but in the end, often leave us feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. My guest today is trying to restructure that narrative with a counternarrative that helps women understand how to overcome adversity and live with confidence. Alli Worthington is known for her straight-talking encouragement and practical tools that help women reach their dreams in business and in life. She’s a business coach and the co-founder of Called Creatives, where she coaches writers and speakers. She is also the author of The Year of Living Happy, Fierce Faith, Breaking Busy, and her most recent book, Standing Strong: A Woman’s Guide to Overcoming Adversity and Living with Confidence. Alli is also a well-known speaker and host of the popular podcast, The Alli Worthington Show. I’ve been a big fan of Alli for a long time. It was such a treat to have her on the show today, especially at such a time as this.
ABOUT ALLI WORTHINGTON:
Alli Worthington is known for her straight-talking encouragement and practical tools that help women reach their dreams in business and life. She’s a business coach and co-founder of Called Creatives, where she coaches writers and speakers. Author of The Year of Living Happy, Fierce Faith, and Breaking Busy, Alli is a well-known speaker and host of the popular podcast, The Alli Worthington Show. Her no-nonsense, guilt-free take on business, family, and balance have led to appearances on TODAY and Good Morning America. Alli lives with her husband, Mark, and their five sons outside of Nashville with the only golden retriever who refuses to retrieve.
CONNECT WITH ALLI:
- Instagram: @AlliWorthington
- Twitter: @Alli
- Facebook: @Its.Alli.Worthington
- Website: AlliWorthington.com
- Podcast: The Alli Worthington Show
Thank you to our partners of the show:
Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com.
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
One of the things that really sets fair-trade businesses apart is how they are often led by the artisans themselves. Fair trade in many ways can really turn a traditional business model on its head. This time and time again prove to be an incredibly transformative process in the lives of everyone that the business is impacting. My guests this week are Christi Whitekettle, Tom McGregor, and Jeannine Umutoniwase, the founders of Azizi Life, a fair-trade organization dedicated to partnering with skilled Rwandan artisans in their vision to lift their families from poverty. Since 2008, they have cultivated partnerships with more than 500 artisans. Azizi Life serves as a bridge linking artisans, designers, and global customers to offer high-quality, ethically sourced goods for life and gifting. As a not-for-profit organization, Azizi Life is dedicated to the well-being of their artisan partners and their families. In addition to opening economic opportunity through fair trade, Azizi Life invests in a range of community impact projects. Their Rwandan-led team facilitates adult literacy classes and offers other resources for personal, spiritual, and economic growth. I was so thankful for the gift of technology to be able to connect with Christi, Tom, and Jeannine in Rwanda. They are an incredible team. I loved learning more about their story and the inspiring impact they are having on communities.
5:12 - The Azizi 101 * Azizi Life was started under the auspices of a different nonprofit known as Food for the Hungry that supported education, health, and small business support. Through those relationships, the founders of Azizi life made connections with artisan cooperatives and noticed that artisan’s neighbors were buying their products but were only ready to pay a fraction of what the product might be worth in other markets. * Artisans were scraping by with some income from farming, but still not enough to cover their basic needs like healthcare, clothing and shoes, and school fees for their children. Cooperatives were organized with leadership and skills to make things. * Azizi Life realized they could be a bridge across the gap to give artisans a fair wage and become connected to people who would love and pay for their products. Artisans could work toward their own vision toward a better future for their families through their crafts. * Azizi Life aimed to register as an independent business, separate from the Food for the Hungry nonprofit. They wanted the work of Azizi Life in Rwanda to be handed over to the local community. It was their vision to begin the business with that intent. They came in with a development background, looking to eventually put themselves out of work and be able to hand over easily. * Christi Whitekettle, Tom McGregor, and Jeannine Umutoniwase joined us for this episode about Azizi Life. Jeannine is the Azizi Life Chief Executive Officer, and lives in Rwanda. She joined Azizi Life in 2008 after working as a housekeeper for the Food for the Hungry guest house. That is when she met Christi and helped with Christi’s accommodations and helped Christi as a translator. She was also teaching Tom Kinyarwanda at the time. * When the social enterprise of Azizi Life started, the team thought Jeannine would be a great fit to join the team and help foster relationships between the enterprise and local communities.
14:51 – Azizi Life Beginnings * Azizi Life is incredibly special to Tom, but he was sure to let us know that Jeannine is very humble about her role and title as CEO! Tom’s background is as a commercial insurance broker. He became a successful account executive doing commercial insurance for relatively large businesses. He was about to turn 30 and had that feeling that many of us have experienced or can relate to of, “There has to be more than life, this can’t be my purpose.” * Tom started looking for different opportunities. He knew he wanted to look for work overseas after an experience working with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) through Mercy Ships when he was 18. He started in Togo and sailed to South Africa. When he turned 30 and started having a crisis about what he wanted to do next, he took his business acumen and love for Africa and started researching and praying. * Tom found a position with Food for the Hungry, Rwanda to work with a team of Rwandans doing small business training in the rural communities on basic accounting, marketing, etc. Oh, and it was an unpaid position. Tom did some fundraising in January and was on a plan to Rwanda by August. Once in Rwanda, the job was not quite what Tom had read about, mostly because Tom’s new boss did not think there was enough money in the rural community so support a non-agricultural business. * Tom’s boss asked him to go around to all the people who had tried to start a business to see how they were doing. A few were ok, but many people had been trained in arts and crafts with the belief that they could farm in the morning, make baskets in the afternoon, ship the baskets out of the country, and make plenty of money. All of that was working, except for there being a big or strong market in the West for the baskets. * The artisans were seeing benefits from their business as far as interpersonal relationships, but there was no cash coming in. Azizi Life had the idea to buy the crafts from the artisans and sell them in profitable markets to return money to the artisans to spend money back in the local businesses where they live. * Before she found her way to Azizi Life, Christi was working in recreation bringing activities, creativity, light, and love to seniors. She came to a crossroads where her knowledge of the need and pain in the world moved her to think about how to faithfully respond to those realities. Christi’s desire to respond and her knowledge of sociology and crafting led her to the work of wholistic development, serving and understanding people in an integrated way. * Christi came to work with Food for the Hungry on a similar volunteer program as Tom, trying to figure out what her future would look like. When an opportunity fell through 9 months in, she fell into a slump with no practical way to be engaged in serving people. Everything changed in a moment at church where she felt extremely uncomfortable physically, spiritually, and socially. She thought to herself that she could just go help Tom with whatever he needed to do his job with Azizi Life. The next morning, Tom approached Christi with the same idea. Christi was able to use her creative skills in a business position with Azizi Life in Rwanda.
31:12 –Azizi Life Today and the Long-Term Vision * Azizi Life started with three people and one desk. Today they have a team of 23 permanent staff, 12 temporary staff, a big office with three locations in Rwanda, and over 500 artisan partners in Rwanda. Tom wanted to clarify that since Jeannine became CEO, Azizi Life has doubled in size. 😉 * There are several different parts of Azizi Life: Azizi Life Rwanda, Azizi Life US, and their nonprofit and impact work in Rwanda. In the US, it is a nonprofit that handles distribution and fundraising with a push for increasing sales to 10x what Azizi Life was selling two years ago. * In Rwanda, there are three main projects: the making of the crafts, educational tours where people can visit Rwanda to learn from artisans in their communities, and work through a sister organization called Beautiful Creations that help support local beekeepers! Eventually, Azizi Life wants to keep adding on social enterprises to provide employment opportunities in local villages with the intent to turn them over to the communities. * Any money made by the three social enterprises is funneled into a Rwandan nonprofit that runs impact projects that will help communities overcome barriers so that they can thrive. Programs include things like adult literacy programs and loans for systems that save money in the long run like water filters, fuel efficient stoves, solar lamps and more. * Azizi Life focuses on wholeness as an individual and breaks that down into physical, social, and spiritual wholeness. They offer Bible studies and Bible distributions.
40:51 – Getting to Know Our Guests * Find out what Christi’s guilty (or not so guilty) pleasure is, what Jeannine likes to do for fun, and what meal Tom would eat for dinner if he had to eat the same meal every night for the rest of his life. Hear more from Jeannine what it means to her to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes 6:52 - “We realized that if we could a bridge across the gap…the artisans could work toward their own vision for a better future for their families and use their craft to those ends.”-Christi
14:22 – The artisans really value this work. Every moment when they are creating a product, they think about where we came from, what we are aiming (for), and they make sure that whoever will buy the product will be very happy about it and also they think about how it can impact their families.” -Jeannine
36:26 – “We’re really keen that people buy the products because they’re beautiful with the bonus that they make an impact, as opposed to a “pity” buy.”
38:49 – “Every business we look to start, we look at whether it’s going to be beneficial to the community and to the rural community and that will bring something to God’s kingdom there.”
Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com.
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world. It actually makes up 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions, drying up water sources, polluting rivers, streams, and oceans. More than 85% of all textiles go into the dump each year. There are many incredible fashion brands that are tackling this issue head on by creating fashionable, sustainable, and zero waste products that are making a big impact. My guest this week is Paola Masperi, the founder of Mayamiko, an ethical, sustainable, and zero-waste fashion and lifestyle brand on a mission to champion a more responsible approach to shopping. Using slow and traditional craftsmanship techniques, Mayamiko works with global artisans from Malawi to Milan to create trans-seasonal women’s clothing, accessories, and homeware collections. With a zero-waste policy, the brand utilizes pre-consumer waste and reclaims materials where possible, including cotton deadstock from reclaimed silk alongside locally sourced artisanal fabric from Malawi, geo-TS certified organic cotton and linen. Paolo is also the founder of the Mayamiko Trust, which helps Mayamikan get up and running with training schemes and microfinance projects which provide funding and teach basic financial and business planning skills. The trust then connects the trainees to fantastic ethical and sustainable fashion brands and designers. This creates links to markets where they can trade their products as high-value items according to fair-trade principles. I loved this conversation with Paola and I learned so much from her!
5:48 - The Paola 101 * Paola was born in Milan, Italy and grew up there in a big family with strong, independent women and men who supported them. She moved to England to finish her studies and early in her career, traveled to Germany and then a number of African countries for work in the early 2000s. * Through her work in Africa, the seeds of Mayamiko were planted and began to grow. Her worked in Africa focused on using digital innovation to support education across developing countries. Through that work, she became very passionate about the potential of the places and people she met, and the friendships she developed through her work. * Paola grew up seeing two sides of her family working day jobs while also working on social engagement projects. Her dad opened the first cinema in the town which became a safe place for the youth of the town who may have otherwise been affected by the growing drug problem in the community. It became a place to learn about culture and diversity while also creating a safe community gathering space. * Growing up with family who worked hard on both their careers and passions influenced Paola with confidence that she could work a day job while also pursuing passion projects and traveling the world. * In the late 80s and 90s, there was not a lot of diversity in Milan, but when Paola moved to London, she worked for an educational company working on software to teach language. Each year on the project, Paola wanted to do a little more to bring education to more places and more people. She made a suggestion to the company’s leadership to see if they could apply language solutions to a broader global context. * The company started working with governments across African countries to see if their technology could support bringing primary education to those countries as well. Paola spent the majority of her time working in Malawi and Uganda. It was a formative experience that taught her how much she had to learn from what was going on around her, even if just by listening. Whenever Paola lands in an African airport, it feels like home to her.
14:42 – Mayamiko * The heart of Mayamiko came from a friendship with a woman Paola worked with on one of her language projects. The two started thinking about what else they could do to help empower women. They understood more than anything else that women needed choices. They agreed access to choices came from access to education and finance. * In 2008, they started the Mayamiko Trust to provide those choices to women through vocational training and access to fair wages, both which would continue to open women to more and more opportunities and choices. * The Mayamiko Trust allows women to make their own choices about what skills they want and need, letting them make choices about what they are trained on and what to do with those skills after training. They can either stay with Mayamiko in an apprenticeship and go on to be employed by Mayamiko, or take out a microfinance grant to set up their own business. * Some of the women went out on their own and others set up group co-ops together. Mayamiko is now 12 years old, and nothing has changed in that approach to give women those choices. Mayamiko also wanted to offer sustainable income opportunities to women, so they started the Mayamiko label, setting up their own brand to create a long-lasting employment opportunity and to not be dependent on donations. Now they have a self-sustaining model that creates jobs. * The first few years Mayamiko experimented with accessories and bags to test the concepts. It was 2012, and there were not many conversations happening around ethical or sustainable fashion. It was still very niche. They realized direct to consumer resonated most, and customers loved knowing the stories behind their products and knowing that the artisans making them were being treated well and compensated fairly. * In 2015, Mayamiko launched a small women’s wear capsule and has been slowly broadening the quality of those projects and telling their stories to create products people love for a long time, both for their aesthetic quality, and the story behind them as well. * More often than not, the root of global poverty comes from lack of economic opportunity. Both charities and business have a role in tackling global poverty. Mayamiko would not be where they are today if they’d not started their charity first. Risk is inherent to business, and Paola was clear she did not want to risk any of the money meant for charity initiatives with the Mayamiko Trust. That was the motivation behind separating the charity and the business. * Mayamiko comes from the Chewa language spoken in Malawi used for both boys and girls that means “Praise” or “Thanksgiving.” Along with having a beautiful meaning, it is also the name of a child that Paola worked with and so it has a special personal meaning to her as well.
27:27 – Not the Great Equalizer * Covid-19 has affected people disproportionately, and statistically it’s reversing a lot of progress that had been made for people rising out of global poverty in all parts of the world. While we’re all experiencing it at the same time, our experiences with it are going to vary greatly. * For many artisans around the world, whether or not they are getting paid is a matter of life and death. Paola was acutely aware of Covid-19 a bit earlier because of her family in Italy. When the UK started to enter lockdown, the training academy in Mayamiko in Malawi had to shut down and people were sent home. For people in Malawi there started to be a question of whether to social distance or earn a living, and working from home looks very different in different places around the world. * Day to day life is conducted in big cities with bustling markets and crowded public transportation is needed to do business in the cities. It’s not possible to social distance in some places in the world. The responses to Covid-19 really need to be localized. * For Mayamiko, they knew prevention was the most important answer. The government did well closing borders, shutting down airports, and monitoring people who came into the country from other parts of the world. They also realized they could space out sewing machines within their facility and give everyone hand sanitizer and masks. But the reality is that to get to work, people had to use crowded public transportation options. * Mayamiko decided to come up with their own plan to allow employees to work from home. While they love making clothing, it was much more important to make masks for the community. Mayamiko employees work from home while wearing masks, and Mayamiko provides a system to bring supplies to artisans at home and collect them when they are finished. * Mayamiko has done their best to make the most of a difficult time. Luckily, they’ve worked hard and been able to keep everyone healthy and employed while also giving back to the community!
39:45 – Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out what Paola’s favorite TV show was growing up, what her biggest guilty pleasures are, what she’s reading right now, and of course, what it means to Paola to run a business with purpose!
Memorable Quotes 13:07 – “One of the things that I learned very quickly is that I knew nothing…very quickly I realized I could put all my past knowledge to one side and have a listening attitude to everything that was happening around me.”
16:39 – “We were very clear from the beginning that we were not going to make choices on behalf of women, we were just going to equip them with the skills that they told us they wanted and needed, and then it was entirely up to them what choices they made with those skills and those tools.”
23:43 – “At the time, the choice was the charity and the charity’s funds should be safeguarded to do charity work, the business should be allowed to take reasonable risk as a business would, and therefore it makes sense to separate the two. The two still have an agreement that any money that the business made, it goes back into the charity.”
About Paola Masperi: Paola Masperi is the founder of pioneering women empowerment charity Mayamiko Trust and lifestyle brand Mayamiko The Label, which has sold to over 40 countries and counts Meghan Markle as a fan. With a background in International Development and Digital Innovation, Paola has a a passion for crafts, traditions and the stories they tell about the people behind the product, their relationship with each other and their natural environment, which she attributes to growing up in Italy surrounded by a strong culture of traditions, combined with a strong sense of curiosity about the future. She started Mayamiko Trust after working on several projects with women across a number of African countries, and the Label followed a few years later as a way to create dignified, creative and sustainable employment for women. The label now works with women’s initiatives across different countries such as Malawi, where the main hub is located, SriLanka, Peru, Afghanistan and Italy. An award winner for sustainability leadership, alongside Stella McCartney, Raeburn, Bottletops and others, Paola is always searching for collaborative ways to create responsibly, and ensure that her work has a positive impact along the entire supply chain by actively protecting the environment and creating safe, sustainable and creative jobs for women, as well as remaining leaders in innovation and sustainability. Paola is passionate about meaningful storytelling, and has a keen interest in the ‘future of work’, exploring opportunities and challenges posed by automation and the impact on human relationships with each other and our planetary environment. Connect with Paola Masperi & Mayamiko: * https://www.mayamiko.com/ * https://twitter.com/Mayamiko_ * https://www.facebook.com/MayamikoTheLabel * https://uk.pinterest.com/mayamiko/ * https://www.instagram.com/mayamikodesigned/ * https://www.instagram.com/paola_ohlala/?hl=en
Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com.
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
Every business owner will tell you that entrepreneurship is hard and it takes time. Rarely do you find a “silver bullet” or the thing that leads to your “overnight success.” Most overnight successes are really 5, 10, 30, 50 years in the making. Nothing happens overnight, especially in the fashion industry. My guest today has spent the last 15 years growing an incredible ethical fashion brand that is changing lives, and changing trends. Belinda Kazanci is the founder of Bel Kazan, and ethical women’s wear brand made with modern women in mind: Empowered, adventurous, independent spirits. Belinda started Bel Kazan after a life-changing journey to Bali, Indonesia. From the delicate flower offerings that lined the streets to their vibrant textiles and joyful spirits, she felt an unparalleled sense of inspiration among the people of Bali. It was then that Belinda decided to uproot her life in Los Angeles, determined to make her vision of a socially and environmentally responsible apparel line real. I can’t wait to share Belinda with the Business with Purpose listeners!
3:52 - The Belinda 101 * Belinda Kazanci is the owner and designer of the brand Bel Kazan, that specializes in women’s clothing made from original prints in Bali and uses sustainable and environmental practices. The goal is that the Bel Kazan garments have minimal impact on the environment. * Belinda and Bel Kazan have been in business for 15 + years now! They built their own factory in Bali from the ground up and have been training women and men from villages in skilled training like sewing, quality control, and more. They’ve been slowly growing their business through this skills training program. * Belinda has been a singer and songwriter all of her life. She has always been doing music, and she felt like her only other creative outlet was through fashion. Her family comes from the textile business in Istanbul, which is also where Belinda was born. Much like music, she’s been around textiles her whole life. * Textiles and creative expression through clothing has always been an interest of Belinda’s, but she never thought it would take off into a career. In 2005, she took a course with the Landmark Forum where she met a woman who spoke about her business in Bali. She and Belinda connected after the talk and that’s how Belinda was introduced to the manager she has now. * After their initial conversation, Belinda booked trip to Bali within two weeks! She fell in love with the people, the culture, the textiles, and she started sewing her own designs with help from local women along the way. Slowly, it turned into an independent business with its own factory! * And before all of this, Belinda was already a singer-songwriter who grew up playing jazz flute, singing in choirs, and was even in a band called The Echo Cell, and played all over Los Angeles for many years! She’s also written and created albums as well as worked on a few TV show and written songs for film. * All of Belinda’s grandparents were in the textile business. They sold and purchased textiles, and both of her grandmothers were also seamstresses who made beautiful clothes for her and her mom growing up. Her parents own a dry cleaning and alterations business. It taught Belinda about how style, how care for fabric as well as production and purchasing.
11:18 – It’s Going to Be Successful * The timing of the Landmark Course aligned with where Belinda was in her life, and she left feeling like anything was possible. She was ready for a change, and she fell in love with Bali. She was like a sponge, learning about the culture and getting to know people around her. She really felt a warm welcome from the people there. * She also started falling in love with culture, textile, and colors. Belinda wanted to find a way to bring two worlds together while modernizing the textiles but also keeping their cultural feel. * The plan was never an intentional move toward big production. Everything started very small scale, and even with their own factory now, is still relatively small. * Belinda uses what she calls a “lean production model” which means each order is “cut to order.” When an order is placed, the garment is then cut, sewn, made, and shipped. Having their own factory allows Bel Kazan the luxury of not having to meet minimum order requirements. * Reducing waste has always been a value of Bel Kazan, but they also now look at what fabrics are sustainable, garment wearability, their impact on the environment, and more. All garment cuttings are upcycled and donated to villages that need baby and kids clothing.
22:33 – 15 Years, Humble Beginnings, Calculated Risk * There’s a statistic that most business fail within the first 18 months. Belinda is now 15 years in with Bel Kazan. I mentioned that things start small with Bel Kazan, but go all the way back to the beginning and it started even more humbly with no investments and $1,500 that was borrowed, and run in a garage while Belinda continued working full time. * Slow strategic growth and minimizing spending helped Belinda and Bel Kazan get off the ground, as does continued awareness of the budget and spending carefully and conservatively, minimizing costs as much as possible. * Taking risks and putting Bel Kazan out there has also truly paid off for Belinda. She’d always dreamed of having Bel Kazan garments in Anthropologie, so she had an artist in Bali paint a picture of the Anthropologie window with Bel Kazan dresses in the window. She shipped it to Anthropologie’s buying office with samples of each dress. * A year later, an Anthropologie representative contacted her to tell her that Anthropologie saw one of her pieces and a partnership formed. The store loves Bel Kazan prints and does a lot of exclusive pieces with them. It’s been a great partnership with new projects starting regularly. A face mask partnership is on the way now! * It’s a great start to see a big fashion corporate company partnering with a sustainable brand. All the money made from masks with go toward helping Bel Kazan sewers and keeping them employed during Covid-19!
30:51 – Working Vision * Belinda would love to see her prints in stores like HomeGoods. So many people compliment Bel Kazan prints (which are all created by Bel Kazan and copyrighted!) and ask for them on pillows and baby clothes.
32:07 – Getting to Know Our Guest * Get to know some fun things about Belinda like who she’d choose to sit next to on a 13-hour flight to Bali, which of her pet peeves is the strangest, how she’d prove she’s from the future if she could time travel 400 years into the past, and of course, what it means to Belinda to run a business with purpose!
Memorable Quotes: 8:21 - “Well it’s a process, and even though I think one is writing a song and the other one is designing a garment, the process is very similar. There are different types of steps, but it’s all about details and they all kind of work together.”
19:04 - “What we can now do is, maybe (if) we have some fabric left over, we can rework that fabric into a new style so it’s not just wasted.”
About Belinda Kazanci and BEL KAZAN: ORIGINS
Behind every collection is designer Belinda Kazanci, who started BEL KAZAN after a life-changing journey to Bali, Indonesia. From the delicate flower offerings that lined the streets to their vibrant textiles and joyful spirits, she felt an unparalleled sense of inspiration among the Balinese people. It was then that Belinda decided to uproot her life in Los Angeles, determined to make her vision of a socially and environmentally-responsible apparel line real.
Today her time is split between the BEL KAZAN production facility in Bali and her studio in Los Angeles. She is committed to giving back to the culture and people that gave her a renewed sense of purpose.
APPROACH
BEL KAZAN womenswear is made with modern women in mind: empowered, adventurous, independent spirits. Inspiration is taken from around the globe to create bold prints and effortless silhouettes that easily take wearers from day to night, and quickly become wardrobe staples. Every BEL KAZAN garment is crafted in our personally-constructed factory in Bali, using traditional techniques for an authentic, timeless feel. Learn more about our design process, fabric choices, and the art of creating each print by hand.
CONNECT HERE: * https://www.belkazan.com/pages/about * https://www.facebook.com/belkazan * https://instagram.com/belkazan * https://twitter.com/belkazan * https://www.pinterest.com/belkazan/
Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com.
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
When you were a kid, did you ever think about being an entrepreneur? For the women listening, what about you? Do you remember seeing examples of women in the workplace or starting and running large companies? My guest today realized there was a market for reaching, teaching and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs: young girls. Brian Weisfeld has helped build a number of well known, billion dollar companies like IMAX and Coupons.com. He is also the founder and chief squad officer of The StartUp Squad, an initiative dedicated to helping girls reach their potential and follow their dreams, whatever their passion is. Brian lives in Silicon Valley with his wife and two daughters, and you can find out more information about him at BrianWeisfeld.com and https://www.thestartupsquad.com/
4:26 - The Brian 101 * Brian started and co-authored The Startup Squad to inspire girls to start their first businesses and start to think like an entrepreneur, with the thought that girls with an entrepreneurial mindset will be more successful in life, regardless of the path they choose. * Brian grew up on Long Island, and spent four years in Ann Arbor, Michigan for undergrad, and lived and worked in New York City for most of his career, helping entrepreneurs and founders scale their businesses. * In the early 1990s, the was part of a three-person team that bought IMAX when it was just being played in museums for educational purposes. His team realized that people were walking out of those theatres blown away by the experience. They saw beyond museums and thought about what might happen if comic book characters and action-packed movies were shown in IMAX. * About 13 years ago, Brian moved from New York City to Silicon Valley to work at this chief operating officer of Coupons.com. After helping grow and scale that business, he wondered what company he might grow and scale next. * At the time, Brian’s oldest daughter was 8-years-old, and he watched her sell Girl Scout Cookies and charity bake sales with enthusiasm, but no knowledge of how to successfully market and sell a product (something as simple as telling them that the proceeds from the sales would go to charity). * One Sunday morning while reading with his daughters, Brian was troubled by the marketing geared toward girls. It all talked down to girls, instead of lifting them up. In that moment, he decided to create a novel series to encourage girls to interest in entrepreneurship. * Brian spent four years learning how to write and literally bought “Writing Children’s Books for Dummies.” It was four years of a crash course in writing with classes, self-educating, and hiring editors. He was eventually able to sign a three-book deal with Macmillan. The first two books in The Startup Squad series has been released, and the third will be released in May of 2021.
8:59 – A Pivot * Brian has always been interested in business and how things work. It’s safe to say entrepreneurship has been in his background, too. He was always interested in learning and he was fascinated by the success stories of people who built businesses from nothing. * In undergrad, he studied business and had plans for law school. It was just what everyone did. He realized while it would have been a good education on how to think, it wouldn’t give him the same knowledge that working for lawyers, accountants, and people in business would. After working for some time, he realized he wanted to build a company, which is what led him to the IMAX team. * The first book is about four girls in 6th grade and their class is going on a field trip and needing to raise money for the trip. Each team must run a lemonade stand, and whichever team raises the most money gets special VIP perks on the trip. The girls have to figure out how to work together, and the narrative is light on business, and heavy on the social side, which appeals to girls in that age range. * Each book gives lessons on business in the back of the book. There is a nonfiction section that refers to the story narrative with definitions of business terms and practical startup business tips. The back of each book also features an interview with a real-life girl entrepreneur. There is a contest each summer giving girls the opportunity to possibly be featured.
14:25 – The Startup Squad * Brian new he wanted his books to be fiction, even though nonfiction would have been much easier to write! The thinking was never that every girl should grow up to be an entrepreneur, but that girls become comfortable with risk and failure and seeing them as opportunities instead of problems. * Brian knew a girl who picked up a nonfiction book about starting a business already had the “business bug,” but he wanted to do fiction to appeal to a wider audience. He knew a “story first” approach would get through more than a nonfiction educational book. * The Startup Squad is “girl targeted but boy inclusive.” The book is for boys too! It’s just as important for boys to read about girls being entrepreneurs as it is for girls! The reality is there are not as many examples of female entrepreneurs and business is modeled for boys much more that it is for girls. * Brian advises kids who are selling items to benefit a charity to not set a price, but just tell people what charity the proceeds go to, and people often give more than the price of the item the kids are selling.
23:36 – The World Through My Daughter's Eyes * When seeing what reading materials was available to his daughters made Brian want there to be more of a balance and more empowering material. All he was finding for them was books about princesses and fairy tales. * Fairy tales can be great for imagination but may not have the same impact as stories of women who have endeavored toward their own business goals. Not ever book needs a lesson, but it hit Brian that there was no balance of both options. * Brian notices a lot more by hearing the experiences of his daughters. Something as simple as soccer cleat selections in the store were communicating to his oldest daughter that she can’t have things she likes – like the turquoise cleats because they only come in boy’s shoe sizes. * Brian wanted to see more role models for his girls that show them they can do whatever they want. When a message starts to be repeated over and over again, it becomes ingrained. Brian set out to make sure his daughters and other girls could find the empowering messages too.
30:40 – The Startup Squad Parts Two and Three * The second book in the series features Harriett, one of the four girls from the first book. She’s in a rock band with her brothers and the girls take over merchandising for the band. The lessons focus on negotiation, customer service, pricing, and the differences between revenue and profit. It’s introduced in a tangible, relatable and age-appropriate message vetted by children entrepreneurship experts.
- The third book that comes out in May features the story of Didi, who is very artistic and starts creating wedding calligraphy for someone who is getting married. The party planner gets sick, so The Startup Squad comes together to take care of putting the wedding together for the couple. It focuses on girls discovering finding their passions and what they enjoy doing in business.
35:22 – Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out what Brian would eat if he had to eat the same meal for dinner every night for the rest of his life, what his favorite TV show was growing up,
I am so excited to share The Startup Squad with you! Thank you, Brian, for creating a better balance of resources for empowering and encouraging young girls in entrepreneurship. You can find more about The Startup Squad series HERE and check to see if an independent, local bookstore carries the first book, The Startup Squad, and Face the Music. You can also find the books from Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble, Book A Million, and Bookshop. Be sure to mark your calendars for the release of the third book, Party Problems, on May 4th,2021!
Memorable Quotes 8:26 – “This was going to be different from anything I’ve ever done before. This was going to be harder, I was going to fail, I was taking a lot of risk…I had to get comfortable with failing more than I had in a long time.”
15:15 – “The thinking here is not that every girl should grow up to be an entrepreneur, but that girls who run that first lemonade stand and get comfortable with risk and failure and see opportunities instead of problems, they’re going to be more successful in life if they have that skillset…”
16:10 – The way The Startup series works is that it’s a novel. It’s been described as The Babysitters Club meets Lean In.”
19:50 – “Seeing the world through my daughters’ eyes has really changed the way I view things.”
About Brian Weisfeld: Brian Weisfeld has helped build a number of well-known billion-dollar companies including IMAX Corporation and Coupons.com. He is the Founder and Chief Squad Officer of The Startup Squad, an initiative dedicated to helping girls reach their potential and follow their dreams, whatever their passions. Brian lives in Silicon Valley with his wife and two daughters. You can check out thestartupsquad.com for more info.
Praise for The Startup Squad "An inspiring story about entrepreneurial girls."—Ann M. Martin, author of the Baby-Sitters Club series
"The Startup Squad encourages girls to dream big, work hard, and rely on each other to make good things happen. It teaches them how to succeed—and reminds all of us that girls mean business!"—Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and founder of LeanIn.Org and OptionB.Org
“A great read that is fast-paced, fun, and empowering. The Startup Squad comes complete with a treasure trove of tips for starting a business.” —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal-winning author of The One and Only Ivan
About The Startup Squad: Girls mean business in Brian Weisfeld and Nicole C. Kear's Face the Music, the second novel in The Startup Squad series about friendship and entrepreneurship, featuring how-to business tips and a profile of a real-life girl CEO in every book!
Harriet’s brothers’ band, the Radical Skinks, are hoping to enter a local battle of the bands. Winning could get them on a reality TV show! But low funds have left them without the right equipment.
The Startup Squad jumps into action! Harriet, Resa, Didi, and Amelia quickly pull together to sell T-shirts to raise money for the band. It’s a great plan, until everything starts to go wrong. From ruined T-shirts, to musicians with stage fright, and money mishaps, these tasks aren’t easy. The Startup Squad will have to focus on each member’s strengths and act like a team in order to get their business back into the groove.
About Mary Marantz: Mary grew up in a single-wide trailer in rural West Virginia. The first of her immediate family to go to college, she went on to earn a law degree from the nation's top-ranked law school, Yale. After ditching six-figure-salary law firm offers in London and New York, she started a business with her husband, Justin. Together they have built a successful online education platform for creative entrepreneurs. She is also the host of the highly ranked and popular podcast The Mary Marantz Show. Just YESTERDAY, Mary released her first book, "Dirt: Growing Strong Roots in What Makes the Broken Beautiful,". She lives in an 1880s fixer-upper by the sea in New Haven, Connecticut, with her husband, Justin and their two very fluffy golden retrievers, Goodspeed and Atticus.
Connect with Mary Marantz: * https://marymarantz.com/ * https://www.instagram.com/marymarantz/ * https://www.facebook.com/groups/marymarantzshow/ * https://marymarantz.com/themarymarantzshow
Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com.
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
How to Get Started Shopping Ethically | Business with Purpose Podcast EP 210 Click a timestamp below to be taken to the exact spot in the episode...
One of the most common questions I get asked on a regular basis is “How do I get started shopping ethically?” It is easily the most common question I get asked. Today I wanted to answer that question. Normally each week I interview someone like an entrepreneur, CEO, non-profit director, community leader, or just an incredible person who is trying to make a positive impact, not only with their personal life, but also with their career. My goal is to show you that no matter what you do for a living, you can make an impact wherever you are. But this week is episode 210 which means it’s time for another solo episode, and I have some questions that many of you submitted that I will be answering today!
2:52 - Why is it important to shop ethically? * We’re not just talking about shopping ethically because it’s cool or trendy, it’s because it really does make a difference. * Not only are you providing actual wages, skills, and safe options to real people, you’re telling other companies that these things matter, that money talks.
4:44 – Do I need to get rid of all my stuff? * No! Don’t feel like you have to get rid of everything you’ve bought previously that isn’t ethical. If you want to “Marie Kondo” your stuff, I have talked about ways you can ethically dispose of the things that may no longer “spark joy” for you.
+ You can find that information on Episode 130
5:27 – Which category is “most effective?” Is there a particular item that has a better or bigger impact than others? For example, should I start with ethical denim vs. ethical jewelry? * There are a few ways to look at this. At the end of the day, it’s more about intentional, little by little choices and understanding what your morals or your values add up to. If you’re somebody who wants to shop ethically and you’re also environmentally conscious, ethical denim may be a great place for you to start. * When I started shopping ethical brands, it was also important for me to look for companies making a difference in the area of human trafficking. I started with companies working directly to combat human trafficking by supporting human trafficking overcomers. * You have to figure out what is an area that you really care about, or a topic you want to really tackle. * Another place to start is taking a look at what products you already purchase in greater quantities. Start with that product. If you love shoes, you can start by changing out which types of shoes you buy and the companies you by shoes from. It could be beauty, or skincare, or jewelry, not only for the environment, but for clean ingredients as well.
8:20 – Shopping Ethically on a budget * I have another podcast episode on this exact topic, Episode 120, which is all about tips for shopping ethically on a budget. The short answer is YES! You can shop ethically on a budget. Shopping second-hand is arguably the most ethical way to shop and it’s really affordable. Check out Episode 120 for a more in-depth look at this and 6 tips for shopping ethically on a budget.
8:59 – How do I know that a brand is really ethical? How do I know they’re not just “greenwashing?” * Would you believe I have another episode about that? Episode 110 also goes into this topic of how to tell if a brand is truly ethical. * When in doubt, always contact the company. Reach out and ask specific questions like whether or not they have a 3rd party auditor, where they manufacture, what kinds of auditing they do of their factories, whether they work with certified organic material, if they monitor where they source their materials from, how they check their supply chains, etc. * There are very specific questions you can ask companies. If they can’t give you a definitive answer, there may be reasons for a little bit of a red flag. * There are brands that green wash and lie about these things, but you can do your due diligence to not shop with them. We will make mistakes along the way, but this is about progress, not perfection. Little by little, these choices really do add up.
10:39 – How do I get my family or husband on board? * This question came up a lot! My husband and I have talked about this on the podcast. I have so many conversations with him about shopping ethically that he understands that I am passionate about it, though he may not be as passionate about is as I am. * He also has very different buying habits than I do and only shops for himself once, maybe twice a year at the most. He buys something and wears it until it is hanging on by a thread. That’s an ethical way to shop too. * There are areas he’s also changing his own buying habits. He’ll check with me when he needs to purchase something. Just recently he needed some new gym socks and asked me if I knew of an ethical company where he could purchase his new gym socks. Turns out those are now his favorite gym socks and he wants to order from that company all the time now. * Having a conversation and communication is key. Understand that there are times when husbands might just not be on board and it might take time. * I also watched the Netflix documentary called “The True Cost” with my husband, which opened up an opportunity for us to have a conversation around these topics as well. * I talk about this stuff with my kids all the time. My daughter is 7 and my son is 4. My son doesn’t really understand yet, but my daughter does. Now she’ll ask me if a company is ethical and she can understand and discuss it with me to an extent. * There are age appropriate ways to have these conversations with these kids and explain why we care about the planet and other people. You can explain that there are children their age that have to work in factories to make toys and that kids their age shouldn’t have to do that. It’s a great way to open a conversation about ways we can advocate for those children.
15:52 - How do have these conversations with my teenagers? * Since I don’t have teenagers (yet), I reached out to a friend of mine who has a teenager who is the type of young woman I hope my daughter grows up to be like. I asked her mom how she got Emma on board with this. * Her teenager’s nature is to want to make sure that no one is hurt. It steers her away from wanting anything not ethically made. It’s important for other parents to find out what their teens care about. Emma cares about dogs and small children, so it upsets her to hear that children are working instead of going to school. She hates bullying, so they talk about how trafficking and the unethical treatment of people is related to bullying. * It’s about finding what your teen cares about and help them see how it might relate to unethical practices in business.
17:25 – Is it ethical to wait to shop an ethical company only when they run sales? * There’s likely a variety of opinions on this but in general I would say no. Brands (especially ethical brands) that run sales typically do so to clear out previous seasons or older products to make room for new products. * The majority of the businesses I know that run sales run them very intentionally so that there is still a way for them to pay artisans. When they have excess inventory, they’ve already paid the artisans in full, but simply need to clear the shop to make way for new product. * Sales can also be a gateway for people who want to shop ethically, but don’t have the opportunity to do so when items are full price.
19:31 – How long did it take you to transition to shopping ethically? * I started this process back in 2011 and bit by bit, slowly started to change my buying habits. It’s not something I overhauled overnight and became an expert in. I’m constantly learning, changing, and adjusting. It’s become a process. * You don’t have to change everything or learn everything overnight. It really can be a little by little intentional process each day.
20:37 - Do you always shop ethically for everything? * The answer is, of course not. I’m sure there are people who do, but to shop ethically 100% of the time would be very difficult. I’d love to get there one day. * If I can’t buy it from an ethical company, I’ll try to buy it second hand. If I can’t buy it from an ethical company or second hand, I’ll try to find a local small business to buy from. * I also try to choose the lesser of the two evils if I can’t find it ethically, second hand, or from a local small business. I love Target, and they’ve actually made big strides in partnering with IJM (International Justice Mission) to help illuminate labor traffic and have started supplying from ethical brands like their fair trade denim line. * Sometimes there may not be an ethical option. My daughter is obsessed with Barbie this year. I was able to find some items second hand. I felt OK knowing that whatever Barbie brand items we buy for her will be well-loved and used for years and years to come until we pass it along to another family to use. * My goal is not to judge other peoples choices, but decide which ones are the right fit for me and for my family and share the information so that others can make the right choices for their family.
22:47 – Additional Resources * You can follow my journal toward ethical shopping on my blog and social media:
+ You can find me on all social media networks: @stillbeingmolly and @businesswithpurposepodcast
+ You can find more episodes on these topics at my website stillbeingmolly.com as well as my Ethical Brand Directory.
+ You can also join my Purpose with Purpose Facebook Group to continue learning more about shopping more ethically and intentionally.
Memorable Quotes 3:44 - “When you buy from a company like a fair-trade company or a small business, you really are making an actual difference…one small purchase might be worth 10 hours of dignified work.”
7:10 - “I think that for you, you have to figure out what is an area that you really care about? What is a topic that you really want to tackle?”
10:28 – “Will we make mistakes? Yes. But this is about grace, not perfection. Progress not perfection. Little by little, these choices really do add up.”
18:31 - “The majority of the businesses that I know that run sales, run them very intentionally and so it really is an opportunity for them to pay their artisans…at the end of the day, the artisan is still getting paid their full wage…”
Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com.
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
After 2 years of global impact, Simple Switch is raising money to grow the company and make ethical shopping our new normal. You can learn more about that campaign at IGG.me/simple-switch
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
All of us have something in our lives that we might feel embarrassed by, or something that has happened to us that gives us a feeling of shame or something in our past that is holding us back. There are times where these negative thoughts come into our head and we feel like we’re not worthy enough or capable; maybe that we’re not even worth loving. My guest today is an incredible woman of faith who is trying to change that narrative to let women know that they are so worth loving. My guest this week is Eryn Eddy, the founder of So Worth Loving, a lifestyle clothing brand bridging the gap between not talking about self-worth and talking about it. Eryn began her clothing brand as a refuge. She needed to be present with other people’s stories before she could be truly present with her own. “Divorce broke me” said Eryn. “My heart had to be shattered in order to see the hole that God wanted to fill all along. I resisted accepting or believing that God could love me so recklessly and beautifully. The enemy watches our vulnerabilities and uses his findings against us, but God always brings beauty back in.” Eryn is releasing her debut book in January 2021, and she is the cohost of the new podcast, God Hears Her, which launched back in May. The podcast is for Christian women seeking friends to come alongside them in the hurts, joys, and struggles of the everyday. This conversation was so refreshing. There is an air and spirit about Eryn that is just filled with joy and peace, and I felt in so many ways that it was for me, but I know it was for so many of you listening too.
4:34 - The Eryn 101 * Eryn comes from a line of self-starting entrepreneurs. Her parents manufactured furniture for 45 years, and Eryn now owns a clothing company and lifestyle brand called So Worth Loving. So Worth Loving bridges the gap between not talking about struggles of identity and self-worth and talking about it. Eryn started So Worth Loving a little over 9 years ago with no intention of starting a company. * Eryn did not go to college and had no idea what she wanted to do with her career. She started working in ministry for an organization called Orange working her way up from no experience. While at Orange, the owner asked Eryn what she wanted to do with her life. Eryn thought she’d found her path working at Orange but when asked again about what she wanted to do, she couldn’t come up with an answer. * Eryn realized that for a lot of her life she’d just been reactionary and never thought too far beyond whatever her circumstances were at any given time. After considering her boss’ question some more, Eryn thought he wanted to pursue music and dove in headfirst. * Jumping full speed ahead into a passion you’re excited about often makes us vulnerable to other people questioning your ability to do it. Eryn saw a good amount of success with her music finding its way to commercials and TV shows. Everything happened quickly. In that time, Eryn wanted to create something to support the people who supported her music. * Eryn felt that the people who loved her music were more like friends than family. They were not admiring her art from the outside, but they were actually making it happen. Eryn decided to create t-shirts for free and get this – they included her HOME ADDRESS! * Luckily no one showed up at Eryn’s house, but they did sent her their t-shirts to her to spray paint and send back to them. Many included letters with stories of why they struggled with self-worth and wrestle with believing they are worth of love. It was then that Eryn realized this was about so much more than just her music.
10:10 – An Important Conversation * We all struggle with self-worth at one time or another, but our society is not well-equipped to face and discuss it. Part of Eryn’s story includes her divorce while she was building and growing So Worth Loving. * When Eryn started So Worth Loving and began hearing other people’s stories, she noticed after her divorce that she had not been paying attention to her own story. She was carrying the weight of what other people had been going through and was not as present in her own life. * As So Worth Loving grew, the company was shipping to all 50 states and did everything in- house, and Eryn started experiencing burnout. It wasn’t until her divorce that she started to realize she’d been trying to find her self-worth in the wrong places. * The hardships of shame and the divisions that can come with divorce left Eryn questioning whether she was enough and if she was worth to be loved again. At that time, Eryn decided to take about a year and a half off from So Worth Loving so spend time on herself and work for another organization. * Historically, the church has not been great with responding to divorce or people who experience divorce. Divorce has a stigma and we’re uncomfortable with it because we don’t talk about it and don’t know how to talk about it. Stigmas are divisive. Eryn experienced a lot of divisive questions from people in the church during and after her divorce. * Eryn decided that it was not up to her to fight her battles, it was God who she would let fight her battles, including the misrepresentation of who God is through wrong comments from people in the church. That didn’t mean it was easy, but God did fight Eryn’s battles and it strengthened her relationship with God.
18:33 – Encouragement if you are in the midst of a marriage crisis 20:41 –Book Resources: How To Survive the Loss of a Love and Option B, and The Soul of Shame 21:50 – To friends and family members of someone who is going through a divorce and some ways to love someone going through a divorce. 29:49 – So Worth Loving & God Hears Her * Eryn’s book launches in January of 2021 and it’s called So Worth Loving: How Discovering Your True Value Changes Everything. It’s a formal journal where Eryn shares about her wrestling with who God is, her questions, mistakes, and journey to understanding her value. You can preorder wherever books are sold! * Eryn also launched a podcast in May called God Hears Her and cohosts the show with Elisa Morgan. The two share personal stories of hope and encouragement. True freedom comes from sharing our journeys and knowing we’re not alone. Be sure to subscribe!
36:28 – Hear more about So Worth Loving, how it has evolved through the last 9 years and what the organization is doing today. They also provide valuable and helpful resources on their So Worth Living page.
38:01 – Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out about one of Eryn’s unusual talents, who she’d most like to sit next to on a 16-hour flight, what her hype song would be, who she’d choose to play her in a movie about her life, and what it means to her to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes 12:09 – “When I went through my divorce, I had to go through a dismantling to see where I found my self-worth. I was finding it in my finances, I was finding it in the growth of my business, I was finding it being in a relationship, I was finding it in the communities I was around, I was finding it in the network that I had.”
12:31- “Anybody who’s listening has experienced divorce, they know that it is a death and the person is still there. You lose friends, you get a Scarlett letter immediately, especially in the Christian community, there’s a lot of shame, and people pick sides. And so all of that definitely played a part in my wrestling with ‘Am I enough? Am I worthy to love? Am I worth to be loved again?’ “
17:32 – “At the end of the day, I knew the Lord would fight it and He did and I am so glad because it was an opportunity for me to develop a deeper intimacy with Him.”
20:35 – “You are worthy to be taken care of.”
Eryn is the founder and CEO of So Worth Loving, a lifestyle clothing brand. Since starting in 2011, she’s grown her company to include customers in all fifty states and in thirty countries, and the company is still going strong. She and her work have been featured on CNN and MSNBC, as well as Southern Living and Atlanta Magazine. This creative enjoys oil painting and singing, and she’s even had her music featured on MTV and VH1. Eryn is also an author and a speaker, and she calls Atlanta home. Connect with Eryn Eddy: * https://www.eryneddy.com/ * https://www.eryneddy.com/soworthloving * https://www.facebook.com/iamErynEddy/ * https://twitter.com/ErynEddy * http://instagram.com/eryneddy * https://soworthloving.com/ * http://instagram.com/soworthloving * http://facebook.com/soworthloving * http://twitter.com/soworthloving
Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com.
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
After 2 years of global impact, Simple Switch is raising money to grow the company and make ethical shopping our new normal. You can learn more about that campaign at IGG.me/simple-switch
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
There’s a lot of debate these days around the topic of masks…no, I’m not talking about Covid masks right now, I’m talking about the proverbial masks that a lot of us put on. Maybe we are putting on a mask that says that we think we’re perfect or our life hasn’t been hard, or maybe we’re hiding things in our past. Those masks can be so dangerous, but when we begin to remove those masks to reveal the deep layers of truth within us, that’s when we really come alive. My guest this week is Ashley Abercrombie, a writer, speaker, and author of the book Rise of the Truth Teller: Own Your Story, Tell It Like It Is, and Live with Holy Gumption. She’s also the cohost of the hilarious and helpful podcast, Why, Tho? and can be found basically wherever there is a coffee or a cheese board. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two sons. I had the absolute best conversation with Ashley. When I met her, I knew she was my kind of person. With no further ado, join me to hear more about Ashley and her mission.
6:00 – The Ashley Abercrombie 101 * Ashley is an author, speaker, and podcaster. When she was 21, she moved from the small town of Eden, North Carolina to Los Angeles where she met her husband and they had their first baby. Four years ago, they moved to Manhattan and had their second baby. Not long after, they realized how much they missed their home in California and decided it was time to move back to their beloved community there. * Ashley has been writing since she was her little girl. Her best-selling author and chart-topping podcast were not overnight successes. Ashley has been writing since she was a little girl; hers has been a journey of 20 + years spent writing on lunch breaks, early in the morning, and late at night because she simply loves expressing herself through the written word. * Writing has been a way for Ashley to process her own pain and serve the community around her. In her early 20s she became distracted from that calling and experienced a lot of pain, but was able to process it, recover, find her voice, and pursue writing and speaking full time. * It took a long time for Ashley to understand how to put on her own oxygen mask first but take off her “performance” and “strong” mask to realize she couldn’t be strong all the time, every day. * Especially in the Christian sphere, we can act like we need to show up with everything clean and tidy and that we can’t have messy stories, which is obviously a lie from the pit of hell.
11:36 – A Deep Wound, A Lifeline * Growing up, Ashley and her brother spent a lot of time with their grandparents and great aunt while their parents worked. Ashley went to church with her great aunt every Sunday morning and brought flowers for the alter and opened the library for the pastor and church members. For Ashley, it represented a place where she could find respite and quiet from the noise of school and the hustle and bustle of trying to figure out everyday family life. * When she was 16, Ashley decided to walk away from the faith community because as a teenager, she was struggling to relate to an older church crowd. At 21, while living in Los Angeles, Ashley came back to the church in one of her most broken moments. She found a community where she was loved and not judged. * So many people grow up in the church but walk away from it at a young age, wrestling with their faith and what church looks like as an adult. We can absolutely be constantly wrestling with God and asking hard questions. * There is so much shame around difficult conversations. Often the church makes judgements or avoids these conversations all together. The silence of shame became unbearable for Ashley and becoming more an more isolated worry what people would think about her but knowing she couldn’t tackle her struggles on her own. * She started asking God where He was. One day she took a drive around Raleigh, NC and it started to storm. She started shouting at God and as she did, she felt flooded by the love the Holy Spirit had for her. She’d never experienced anything like it before, especially since she thought she had to have everything right before she could be loved by God. * It was the first time she admitted to herself that she couldn’t hold things together, and certainly not on her own. It’s when she started to take the mask off and stopped caring what people thought about her.
21:30 – Leading with Story * Recover communities lead with stories. The first thing you hear when you go to a meeting is other people’s stories. They also helped Ashley realize the things from her childhood that affected her as an adult. * Ashley leads with stories in her book, the way she learned in recovery. It’s connective and teaches us that we’re not perfect. We don’t have to wear masks all the time, performing for each other. * For the first time in her life, Ashley started to read the Bible and listen to sermons. She realized in the church she was fed a “victory narrative,” but when she took time to examine the lives of people in the Bible, she realized their lives were very hard and began to identify with the imperfection she was finally learning about. * The Bible makes room for ALL people from all walks on life on all different journeys. Ashley realized she could finally stop trying to be perfect all the time because victories never came from easy times in the Bible. God uses imperfect, flawed people with imperfect, flawed stories. * These biblical stories were literally the foundation of our faith and God’s plan! The more we own the dark parts of the story, the more healing it is for others who have parts of their stories they feel shame over. * It’s easy for our shame to creep back in even in the midst of owning our stories in their entirety. God doesn’t lead us with shame or guilt or holding our past over our heads. We may have to reconcile our pasts, but you can identify that shame is not from God. It is not how we would speak to ourselves or anyone we love. * We’re often expected in our cultures and societies to stay inside certain boundaries and stay in our little boxes. If we branch out from this, we’re told to get back in line. This is especially true for women in our culture. The reality of integrity is a deep commitment to being who we are, even when we’re working toward improving our lives.
32:47 – Consequences * We can made mistakes and find freedom in forgiveness and repentance, but there may still be consequences to our actions. Even when David repents and has been forgiven, God tells him he will still have to face the consequences of what he did. * When we’re brave enough to take off our masks and make mistakes and try again and do our best and be honest with our story, we give others the courage to do the same. We are supposed to value people as made in the image of God. It creates community here on earth as God designed it when we drop our performance narratives and allow our real stories to come through.
37:30 – Faith and Justice * Ashley is passionate about social justice, fighting human-trafficking, and initiatives against mass incarceration. There’s a huge relationship between faith and justice and for many people in the world right now, they are waking up to it for the first time. * Justice is the heart of God and goes hand to hand with righteousness in scripture. There is never a way we can hate our neighbor but say we love God. We can’t divorce our love of God from love of neighbor. * When Ashley really started listening to people’s stories, she finally started to understand how unjust our systems are. God invites us to learn His ways in a relationship with Him that includes humanity. We must hold people and systems accountable to right damages and injustice that they create, which includes letting them feel the consequences of those actions. * God has a lot to say about injustice, over 300 scriptures as a matter of fact. We are to create righteous communities and connections, valuing all people in God’s image.
51:06 – A Prayer * As we navigate the rest of the 2020, Ashley’s prayer for the world and for herself is that this would be a time for us to lean into what the Spirit says.
54:00 - Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out what Ashley’s professional athlete hype song would be, how she’d prove she’s from the future if she could time travel, what she thinks we’ll be nostalgic for in 40 years, and a few of her guilty pleasures. Be sure to stay tuned to find out what it means to Ashley to run a business with purpose.
(So Many) Memorable Quotes 10:26 “I believe that I have a voice and that it’s important that I use it. I believe that about every person, no matter our sphere of influence. I believe that God has created us so uniquely to speak and that we live in this very wild world that is looking for hope and looking for grace and looking for more nuance than our news narratives and social media narratives allow us to have.”
10:59 “I didn’t know how to let people in I didn’t know how to say, ‘I have needs too,’ and I just thought I could always be the fixer or the advisor, the one people came to, the strong one…you realize that falls apart at some point. I’m not strong all the time.”
11:19 “I had to go on a real journey of taking off my mask and getting real and stop pretending and performing and learn how to be in real relationship with people. We can be loved even though we’re broken.”
14:58 - “I’m still unlearning some of the things [in the church] that are cultural and not biblical. Even though I’ve been hurt in the church, and I think if you’re human you have and the church is not perfect (it has imperfect people in it), overall I really do love that gathering and the corporate worship, and being together.”
15:27 - “For me in some ways the church has been a deep wound, but it’s also been a lifeline.”
22:27 – “I have come to a place where I value so much more, integrity over image.”
23:32 “I really began to identify, and I began to allow myself to be imperfect because that is all I saw in the scripture … imperfection.”
“The bible is so diverse and rich. It makes room for people. It makes room for people of all colors, all shapes, all sizes, all backgrounds, and I just began to cultivate a life that did that too.”
35:59 – “When you meet a free person, you feel free to speak…when you see a brave person stand up against injustice, it makes you feel brave. It makes you feel like there’s a normal person doing the right thing, so I can be a normal person doing the right thing instead of pretending this thing doesn’t exist.”
“Our courage gives others courage. Our vulnerability allows space for vulnerability for others. Our love for humanity cultivates diversity, equity, opportunities for people to be together and I think that’s really what we’re here for.”
39:23 – “Justice is just not a trend. It’s the very heart of God. Justice and righteousness are present together in scripture.”
About Ashley Abercrombie: Ashley is a speaker and writer, whose work has been featured in various magazines and digital outlets, including Darling, OprahMag.com, Relevant, and Grit and Virtue. She is the author of Rise of the Truth Teller: Own Your Story, Tell it Like it is, and Live with Holy Gumption, and her YouVersion devotional, Finding God in the Hard Places, has been completed by over 250,000 people. Ashley is the co-host, alongside Tiffany Bluhm, of the hilarious and helpful podcast — Why Tho.
For more than 15 years, she has worked in non-profit spaces, leading faith-based initiatives, serving as a prison chaplain and pastor, and speaking at conferences, churches, and events. Ashley has an unrelenting passion for justice, particularly anti-human trafficking and mass incarceration initiatives, and serves as the Executive Board Chair of Treasures, a non-profit that reaches and supports women in the sex industry, and victims of sexual exploitation. Ashley and her husband, Cody officiate a lot of weddings, leading couples through premarital counseling, and are developing a curriculum and course to help people prepare for marriage.
Born and raised in the Southeast of America, Ashley has called Los Angeles and Manhattan home, so she’s got a little southern, east coast, west coast twang. Ashley currently resides in Los Angeles, raising two boys by the pool, with her husband and beloved Nespresso machine.
Connect with Ashley: * https://www.ashabercrombie.org/ * https://www.instagram.com/ashabercrombie/ * https://www.facebook.com/ashleyabercrombienyc * https://twitter.com/AshAbercrombie * https://www.pinterest.com/ashabercrombie/
Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY for the month of August. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details.
GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com. (Clocked at :26)
Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org
Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking.
Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout!
After 2 years of global impact, Simple Switch is raising money to grow the company and make ethical shopping our new normal. You can learn more about that campaign at IGG.me/simple-switch
The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
How the Enneagram is a Tool with Purpose | Business with Purpose Podcast EP 207: Ian Morgan Cron Ever since I was a little kid, I remember being fascinated by personality quizzes. I remember being in elementary school and taking my first Myers Briggs test, and just learning how my friends scored so differently on so many things. It was really a point where I learned that we are all so different with how we view the world and interact with the world. A few years ago, I discovered the Enneagram, I just loved the way that this particular personality tool really helped ignite a better understanding within myself of how I view the world and how my friends and family view the world. Well get ready ya’ll, because today, I’ve got THE Enneagram guy on the show. Ian Morgan Cron is a best-selling author, psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, Episcopal priest, and the host of the popular podcast, TYPOLOGY. His books include the novel, Chasing Francis, the spiritual memoir, Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me, and the Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery. Know for his transparency, humor, and depth of insight into the inner workings of the human heart and mind, Ian uses the Enneagram personality typing system as a tool to help leaders cultivate self-awareness and emotional wisdom. He is a sought-after speaker, thinker, and advisor to a growing roster of clients such as The Discovery Channel, Ramsey Solutions, Michael Hyatt Company, Warner Bros., among others. He and his wife Ann have three kids and live in Nashville, TN. I was so honored to have Ian on the show! I’m a huge Enneagram nerd, and have followed his work for quite some time. You’re going to love this conversation! Join me to hear more about Ian and his journey of cultivating self-knowledge that is equipping so many people with the tools to understand themselves and interact well with the world and the people in it.
5:04 – The Ian 101 * Ian has been married to Ann for 31 years and they have three adult children and he’s also dad to two of the most perfect dogs in the world, Percy and Pipp. 😊 * When people ask Ian what he does, he says he has a portfolio life. He does a little bit of everything as a writer, speaker, trained psychotherapist, trained spiritual director, Episcopal priest, and a double award-winning songwriter! * When Ian really started giving into his career he had such a variety of interests and thought he was vocationally confused because he wanted to do so many things. He realized all of his interests led back to one ultimate goal of helping people better understand themselves, their spirituality, the world, and the people around them. * So many of us can relate to Ian’s feelings of questioning our purpose, our careers, our interests, our relationships, and how they all intertwine and interact. * Ian first came across the Enneagram in 1992 while on a Catholic retreat monastery in Colorado and came across the monastery’s library where he found a book by Richard Roar on the Enneagram. At the time he was getting a master’s in psychology. He sat down and started reading where in the world this book had been in all his studies. It was practical psychology mixed with spirituality, and Ian thought it was a great tool. * At the time Ian was busy with school and a young family, but the Enneagram was always in the back of his mind as something he wanted to pursue further. About 8 years ago, Ian decided he really wanted to throw himself into it and try to figure it out, especially because people were starting to talk about it more. He knew it could really help people since there are not a lot of books on the Enneagram that are not 500-pages long and overwhelming with information.
9:23 - Door to the Enneagram * Ian wanted to find a way to bring the Enneagram to people in a way that would help them, but not overwhelm them. Ian now has so many tools to help bring the Enneagram to a wider audience through many platforms like his podcast, TYPOLOGY and his book, Road Back To You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery. * Even as someone who has delved into the Enneagram, Ian can see that there is much more to life than the Enneagram and other sources of self-knowledge. Many people in their excitement to learn more about themselves nearly become obsessed with the Enneagram. Ian understands it as just one of many helpful tools to obtaining better self-awareness. * It’s important that when studying the Enneagram, that we realize that within each of the 9 types, there is an infinite variety of expressions of that type. No two people with the same type look identical. That may be part of the reason so many people are drawn to the Ennegram: it doesn’t put people in boxes with a set “type.”
13:54 – Enneagram in Business * The Enneagram is gaining steam in the business world. Many corporations and non-profits are using it in their management and the way they are leading their teams. In the professional and workplace environment, Ian helps teams learn their types. They can begin to understand that their coworkers see the world differently and may be motivated by different things. * The biggest mistakes leaders can make is to assume their way of seeing the world is what’s normal. That puts them in jeopardy of seeing the ideas of others as wrong. When leaders and teams learn there are 9 “normals,” it reduces conflict, improves collaboration, detoxifies cultures, improves retention and engagement and so on. It removes inefficiencies caused by personality differences.
17:38 – Enneagram in Unprecedented Times * The Enneagram can be helpful as we collectively experience a global pandemic as well. We all experience and process this collective trauma differently. Using the Enneagram can help us support each other better during this time. * Ian just completed a series on the Enneagram and stress, which is really about the Enneagram and stress in the time of Covid-19. * Each type is going to have its own challenge and opportunities during this time. If you know your type well, you can cut the challenges off before they take over into reactivity and build on your strengths so you can love the people in your world that may not be handling this time as well. * Knowing ourselves can help us to not judge how others are reacting to the coronavirus, and even prevent us for being too hard on ourselves in the way we are reacting as well. It helps us cultivate a healthy practice of compassion. * Ian defines suffering as not being able to feel at home, ever. It’s a dis-ease and it’s important to remember we all experience it. It can arouse compassion and get yourself out of your own ego.
28:27 – Enneagram Stereotypes * As the Enneagram has become more popular, you see it a lot in social media in the form of memes. It actually drives Ian crazy that there are Enneagram memes because it risks the very useful tool into stereotypes. Especially when it’s used to market products. * It trivializes the Enneagram. It’s a powerful system to help people grow spiritually and psychologically and it can be dangerous territory when people who haven’t spent years studying it suddenly think they’re experts on it. It took Ian 5 years to understand the Enneagram. * Ian talks about the differences between a stereotype and a type. A stereotype is a generalization about a whole group of people that by virtue of its generality, it inaccurate. Typing understands that in any subset, there is an infinite variety of expressions of those people, they’re individuals all having individual lives.
34:22 – Enneagram and Mental Health * When you have mental health conditions that are life-interrupting, the Enneagram becomes less helpful because there are too many other complications in the mix. * The Enneagram is not meant to measure a personality with a level of science required for mental health categories and medical conditions.
35:50 – Children and the Enneagram * Ian warns parents not to try to “type” their children, especially when they’re younger. If your child takes an interest in it, you can find age-appropriate reading for them to learn more. The teenage years is a better time for kids to start learning about what type they might identify with. * It can be world-changing for teenagers to gently explore the Enneagram, especially when they’re navigating complicated social worlds during adolescence. * Tune in at 38:02 for important discussion and warnings about the damage that can happen when you try to type children at a young age.
38:50 – A Vision for the Enneagram * Ian wants to see the Enneagram start to help people appreciate and celebrate difference, especially in the cultural climates we live in now. It could reduce “us vs. them” mentalities that we are often caught in as a society and in interpersonal relationships like marriages, friendships, workspaces, etc. * You can take the IEQ9 assessment HERE for the most accurate and in-depth enneagram report available. * Ian is putting together 9 live online trainings for each Enneagram number and has a lot of plans for more helpful tools in the future.
42:00 – Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out some fun facts about Ian like what of his pet peeves are the strangest, what meal he would have for dinner if he could only the same thing every night for the rest of his life, what his favorite TV shows were growing up, something that no one would ever guess about him, and what song he’d choose to be his hype song. You’ll definitely want to stay tuned to hear what it means to Ian to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes 6:19 - “It dawned on me one day that everything that I did, all of those different streams met up in the same pool of interests which was helping people have a deeper conversation about who they are, who God is, why they’re here, what does their suffering mean, what does their joy mean. Just helping people accompany me on the journey of asking and trying to answer questions of ultimate importance.”
10:47- “I think we have to remember that the Enneagram is not the end all or be all of psychology or spirituality. It’s just one of very many useful tools.”
21:22 – “If you know your weaknesses, you can move through the world with more wisdom and say to yourself, ‘This is not a good place to be, I need to do this and avoid that so I can live in a good state of equilibrium.’ “
24:20 – “One thing you can know for certain about every human being is that they’re suffering, and they are experiencing that suffering all the time. It can arouse and awaken compassion for others and it can get yourself out of your own ego’s obsession with itself.”
About Ian Morgan Cron: IAN MORGAN CRON is a bestselling author, psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, Episcopal priest, and the host of the popular podcast,Typology. His books include the novel Chasing Francis, the spiritual memoir Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me, and The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery. Known for his transparency, humor and depth of insight into the inner workings of the human heart and mind, Ian uses the Enneagram personality-typing system as a tool to help leaders cultivate self-awareness and emotional wisdom. He is a sought-after speaker, thinker and advisor to a growing roster of clients such as the Discovery Channel, Ramsey Solutions, Michael Hyatt Company, Warner Brothers Music, OCLC, among others. He and his wife, Anne, have three children and live in Nashville, Tennessee.
Connect with Ian
Social:
- @ianmorgancron
- @typologypodcast
- YouTube: https://youtube.com/imcron
Websites:
- https://ianmorgancron.com
- https://typologypodcast.com
Projects:
- Enneagram Made Simple online course: https://businessmadesimple.com/enneagram-made-simple-ian
- iEQ9 Enneagram Assessment – https://ianmorgancron.com/assessment
- Typology Podcast – https://typologypodcast.com
- Book: The Road Back to You
I want you to think back to a time early on in your life when you were a child or teenager. Think about an adult in your life who made an impact on you then, who spoke into your life and encouraged you. It could be a parent, coach, teacher, or guidance counselor. Who is an adult in your life that made a positive impact on you; the person you know helped make you who you are today? The reality is that there are children who grow up in our country and around the world who don’t have an adult who speaks into their life like that. My guest today had someone like that in his life, and his in now changing the lives of thousands of young people by paying it forward. Michael Arterberry is the executive director of Youth Voices Center, Inc. and the creator of The Power of Peace program. Michael began his tenure working with youth by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Iona College. In founding YVC in 2008, Michael drew heavily on his own understanding and empathy for the pressures and difficulties of the teenager years and his own experiences growing up in poverty. Michael has worked with thousands of teens in a range of settings over the past 24 years as a social worker and counselor. As a teenager, Michael himself was fortunate to receive guidance from positive adult role models who helped him over come adversities and set high expectations for his future. Michael recently released his book, “Be Encouraged!!!: 250 Days of Motivation and Encouragement and this time it’s FREE! He’s also launched his new course called “The Shake the Dirt Experience.” You can find the free book, along with the Shake the Dirt experience course information at shakethedirtexperience.com. I have to tell you: I loved my time with Michael. I was in awe of his story, his relatability, and his encouragement. You may want to listen to this one more than once. With no further ado, please enjoy my conversation with Michael!
3:36 - The Michael 101
- To introduce people to his story, Michael often tells a story about a farmer and a donkey that correlates to who he is and what he does. The donkey is one of the farmer’s favorite farm animals because after working all day, he lets the donkey come back to the house to play with the farmer’s kids and then releases him back onto the farm for the night. This is the normal routine they have each night.
- One night after the farmer brings releases the donkey back out onto the farm after playing with the kids, the donkey wanders around at night and falls into an empty water well. The donkey is stuck and cries for help. When the farmer calls for the donkey the next morning, but he never appears, the farmer starts looking for the donkey. He finally hears the donkey’s calls and finds him in the well.
- The farmer brings 6 friends to help get the donkey out of the well. One of his friends suggests pulling the donkey out with a rope. They miss the donkey over and over until they throw the rope on the donkey’s hind legs and start pulling the donkey up the well. Halfway up, they realize the donkey is too heavy, so they lower him back to the bottom of the well.
- The farmer has to make a grim decision because he can’t feed him the food his family eats, but he’s like a pet, so he certainly can’t starve him. One of the farmer’s hot-headed friends suggests the farmer shoot the donkey. Of course, the farmer can’t do that. A more reasonable friend says “You don’t want your kids to fall into the well, so we’re going to have to bury him.” The farmer realized he’d have to sacrifice the donkey to make sure his kids were safe.
- The farmer and his friends all get shovels and start shoveling the dirt. Every time the dirt hit the donkey, the donkey would scream and cause the farmer distress. This continued: dirt was shoveled, the donkey would scream. Dirt was shoveled, the donkey would scream…until the screaming stopped. The next think you know, you can see half the donkey’s body, then you can see the entire donkey, then the donkey walks right out of the well.
- Every time the dirt would hit the donkey’s back, the donkey would shake it off and step on it. He took every scoop of dirt that was meant to kill him to to save his life.
- Michael is the donkey and he describes these things in his life as the “dirt”: He grew up in a home with a raging, alcoholic father. It created an environment where Michael never had a day of peace. Michael’s parents both worked full time, but his father’s money went to drinking, and his mother’s housekeeping salary went to taking care of her kids. There was a lot of love, but not much financial stability.
- His home was dysfunctional, but so were most of the homes in his neighborhood. Michael describes his peers raising each other, but with false systems of dysfunction instead of trying to move forward and get out of it. On top of all, there was also a lot of crime in his community.
- Michael was able to grow up in that environment, yet not allow any of those negative things to seep in. He refused to let it mold him into a profile of the kind of person expected to come from those experiences.
8:50 - The Master Encourager
- Michael wants to see people “shake their dirt” the way he was able to. God has given him an ability to make sense of the experiences of young people who are going through what Michael went through. He works on youth development with Power of Peace, his nonprofit, Youth Voices Center, and reaches adults through public speaking about his life.
- The turning point for Michael, when he realized he wasn’t going to let the dirt bury him really didn’t happen until he started pursing his career. When he was young, Michael’s mom tried to offset chaos in their household was to introduce Michael to sports. At 8 years old, she started him in soccer then basketball, baseball, and football.
- When Michael graduated from high school, he had opportunities to play any of those four sports but chose football because it was his favorite. He was able to live in the craziness happening in his home but create a traditional household from the resources he found outside of it. His coaches became father figures, his teammates like siblings, and the accolades that often come from parents came instead from the people who loved watching Michael play football.
- The chaos in Michael’s home became normal to him and just didn’t affect him. Once he became a Christian, and started his work, Michael really started understanding how things happen for a reason, and that God can use his life’s experiences to make positive impacts.
15:18 - Youth Voices Center
- Michael started Youth Voices Center in 2008. Michael went to college to study social work and mixed his academics with his life story and really started to have an impact in his career. However, he was given curriculums from agencies that wouldn’t work. He would get in trouble when the curriculums didn’t work out, so he decide to make his own curriculums.
- While working for a nonprofit, Michael created a curriculum called Power of Peace designed from his own ideas and experiences and programs he had studied in the past two create a two-day program for high school students.
- The nonprofit started paying him a salary for the program, but his boss showed him how much money was coming into the agency. It was nowhere near what little Michael was being paid. She took him to a lunch to meet a philanthropist to make a good impression to make more money.
- When it was Michael’s turn to talk, he had notes under the table to speak on all the accolades the program had accumulated. Right before he spoke, he tore up his notes and threw them on the restaurant floor. Instead he told the philanthropist, “Don’t worry about your money, because the person I’m most accountable to is God.”
- The body language reactions around the table ranged from anger to shock. The lawyer laughed hysterically. Michael just waited. Little did he know, he’d stepped out on faith in front of a devoted Christian with a lot of money. She would meet Michael for breakfast to fellowship. Each time, she’d bring well-known Christian with her as well.
- Finally Michael got up the gumption to ask her for money for his program, not the agency. She gave him half to talk on the road, and said she’d leave half with the agency to they would not be displeased. Michael still wanted the full amount, so he kept meeting with her secretly. She did her own research and when she realized it was his program, he sold Michael he could have the full amount.
- In 2008, Michael stepped out on his own and had the freedom to offer his programs to schools for FREE! FREE!!!!!!
21:13 – Fruits of Michael’s Labor
- Michael says the “special sauce” of his program is when he quiets his spirit and lets the Holy Spirit do the work. Sometimes he’ll be speaking and it’s almost like he’s having an out-of-body experience with the words that come out.
- Michael calls any kids who go through his program his surrogate kids. He has two biological children, but all the children in the program are like his own as well.
- One of the kids in his program came from a family where four generations never experienced a single high school graduate. Michael started working with her and became her accountability partner. There were times she wanted to give up, and it was a long road of hard work, but she became the first of four generations to earn her high school diploma. It’s what Michael wants for all his kids who come from that cycle.
- Tune in at 24:49 to hear a serious and powerful story about one of Michael’s kids who grew up in the foster care system and broke the cycle, going on to earn his master’s in business administration after going through Michael’s program (as a warning, the first part of this story may be difficult for some to listen to).
- Words are powerful. As the book of James tells us, there is life and death in the tongue. Words can build up, or they can break down. Mentors speaking positive words over someone absolutely changes lives. For Michael, it’s a mentality about creating a culture to raise oneself to a higher level to prevent circumstances from becoming our standard or our expectation.
- Michael’s programs create community and culture between kids that might not typically have opportunities to interact. His program creates empathy and brings kids together so that they can hear each other and understand each other, and it’s so powerful.
- All too often we can talk ourselves out of things that can change everything for us. For example, when attending a conference, you could strike up a new friendship on the way to the conference before you even get there, and it could change the entire course of your life. That’s why Michael says, “the change is in the show up.”
42:10 - Getting to Know Our Guest
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Join me as I learn some fun facts about Michael like what he would eat if he had to eat the same thing for dinner every night, who he’d choose to narrate his life, his favorite TV show to watch growing up, and a dream he’s yet to achieve. Be sure to listen to Michael’s answer to what it means to him to run a business with purpose.
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You can find more about Michael’s book and programs here: shakethedirtexperience.com
- You can find Michael’s wife, Rachel’s book “God Was Holding My Hand” here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6647636.Rachel_Arterberry
Memorable Quotes
13:02- “It was really an earthshattering moment when I was studying in the word and it talked about how the enemy peeks into your future and when he sees what you’re about to get from God, he can’t stop it, but he can get in your path. When I look back over my story, he peeked into my future and saw the impact I was going to have on the world, and tried to take me out.”
“I think survival and being resilient speaks to anybody in the world.”
19:23 “When she said she would give it (the money) to me, I was going to back out because I was afraid…the executive director looked at me and said, “What would your kids say if they ever knew that you had this opportunity and you passed it up?”
24:00 - “Poverty is not only financial, but people who grow up in poverty end up having a poverty mentality…always feeling like someone owes you something.”
25:52 – “It warmed my heart that I had spoke into this boy’s life and he felt like my words were powerful enough that he made sure he shared them with his peers.”
29:21 – “It created a culture in me of trying to raise myself to a higher level which prevented me from using my life and its situation as being a baseline.”
32:38 – “The change is in the show up.”
33:58 – “Sometimes the fear of not coming prevents them from being able to go over the hurdle. So just show up. Walk into the room.”
34:52 – “Fear is paralyzing, so if you allow fear to control your life, you never move. So move!”
41:13- “When you commune with him regularly as deep as I do, life is not easy, but I don’t have to do much to hear his voice. I’m being prompted as the day goes, so it’s not often that I get lost.”
About Michael Arterberry: Michael Arterberry is the Executive Director of Youth Voices Center, Inc. and the creator of the Power of Peace Program.
Michael began his tenure working with youth by obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Iona College.
In founding YVC in 2008, Michael drew heavily on his understanding and empathy for the pressures and difficulties of the teenage years. In addition to his own experiences growing up in poverty, Michael has worked with thousands of teens in a range of settings over the past 24 years as a social worker and counselor. As a teenager, Michael was fortunate to receive guidance from positive adult role models who helped him to overcome adversities and set high expectations for his future.
Grateful for the role these mentors played in his own development, Michael decided to dedicate his professional life to helping teenagers navigate the difficult adolescent years.
Michael decided to form YVC while working on the Alternative to Violence Project (AVP) in Green Haven Correctional Facility. Serving as a counselor in AVP, Michael was impressed by the progress of inmates who entered the program with plenty of hesitation and resistance and left the program raving about how much it transformed their perception of themselves and others. Realizing the power of this type of experiential program, Michael founded YVC and launched the Power of Peace program to transform the lives of youth.
In 2010, Michael was selected out of hundreds of nominees to receive a USA Network Characters Unite Award, given to individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to combating prejudice and discrimination while increasing tolerance and acceptance within their community.
In 2014, he was the recipient of the 100 Men of Color Award for leadership in education, government, mentorship, entrepreneurial success and community service.
And most recently, he was awarded the EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD from Y-COP, the Youth Community Outreach Program in Mt. Vernon at the First Annual Dinner Dance on September 29th, 2016.
To learn more about Michael and how he encourages others, please visit his Blog and Subscribe for updates. Michael is also the subject of his wife’s first religion based, spirituality book, “God Was Holding My Hand,” in which Rachel Arterberry chronicles his journey of coming to know the Lord. Spanning from his tumultuous childhood, to a college football injury that turned into spinal cord surgery, Michael becomes self aware that God was holding his hand each step of the way. For more information on the book, please click here.
www.michaelarterberry.com and www.youthvoicescenter.org
What to do you when your life gets hard? Where do you turn? What’s your immediate reaction when pain, suffering, or challenge comes your way? Think honestly about what your answers to those questions might be. Everyone’s answers are likely to be different, especially if you’re approaching suffering, pain, or grief from the worldview of a Christian or not. If you’re listening right now and don’t personally identify as a believer, please don’t stop listening. Today’s episode might just be for you. My guest this week is Daniel Grothe, the teaching pastor at the influential New Life Church in Colorado Springs, CO, and the author of Chasing Wisdom: The Lifelong Pursuit of Living Well. Daniel’s book draws upon his 10-year apprenticeship with Eugene Peterson, who translated The Message translation of the Bible. Daniel and his wife Lisa live on a small hobby farm outside of Colorado Springs with their three children, Lillian, Wilson, and Wakely. You’re going to love my chat with Daniel. This episode will go down as one of my top favorites, so jump right in and join me as Daniel shares about his life and the early challenges he went through early in his career at New Life Church.
6:59 - The Daniel 101 * Daniel is originally from Tulsa Oklahoma, the son of two pastors, he grew up in church and has traveled the world as a musician recording on albums with bands like Gungor. * He was in church all the time, and Daniel knew early on he was meant to work in the church too. Shortly after college, he married Lisa, and 12 days later they drove to Colorado Springs to start work at New Life Church. * Daniels parents never made him feel that church was the “family business” that he had to be a part of. They invited their children into their lives, teaching them their interests and bringing them along on adventures. * Many pastor’s kids resent the church because they sense that their parents were disinterested in their lives or that God is ripping their parents away from them. Daniel’s parents did do that and Daniel encourages parents to consider whether they may be giving their kids a reason to stay away from Jesus and the church.
12:09 – A Hard Ministerial Road * Daniel has been with New Life Church for 15 years, but the road hasn’t always been easy there. The church was prospering when Daniel and Lisa arrived. The senior pastor was the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, and New Life was essentially the talking head for the evangelical church. * Two years after Daniel’s journey at New Life Church began, the bottom fell out. The senior pastor of the church was caught in a scandal, and the church went from riding high to scandal and also discovering the church was $26 million in debt as the US economy was tanking. The church had to fire 44 people overnight and had to look for a new pastor. * As things finally started to turn for the better and the staff started trusting a new pastor, the church was attacked on a Sunday morning by a gunman firing an assault rifle through the children’s area of the church. Two teenagers were killed in the parking lot of the church and the shooter committed suicide.
15:29 – The Message * Daniel was only 25, and he and his wife had just had their first child. On his day off, Daniel went shopping in a local Goodwill, and found a book on the shelf called “The Contemplative Pastor” by Eugene H. Peterson. Daniel recognized Eugene as the person who translated The Message translation of the Bible. * Daniel read the book in one day. It grabbed his imagination and Daniel decided to write to Eugene to ask if he could spend a day with him. Eugene responded! He told Daniel that he’d be willing to spend a day with him…after Daniel writes a three-page paper on “what is church and a three page paper on what is pastor to see if we even have enough common ground to begin a conversation. * Eugene put Daniel through the gauntlet in response to the papers Daniel wrote as requested. At the end of that letter response, Eugene said, “If you think we have enough common ground after these letters, then I’d be happy to have you. I just don’t want to be a touristy visit.” * That started a 10-year long back and forth with Eugene and Daniel. Eugene challenged Daniel, made him read and write, asked questions, listened, and pastored. Daniel told Eugene in one of his last visits that Eugene changed his life with three words: Not so fast. Eugene knew what he was building in Daniel by making Daniel work for it and fight for it. * Eugene was not famous until well after completing The Message translation. He faithfully served the same congregation of 300 people for 30 years. As soon as he translates a bible, celebrities started calling. Had that happened when Eugene was younger, it would have crushed him, but the Lord knew that after decades of obscurity, he could trust Eugene with becoming available to the world. * The people we stand to learn the most from are the ones that will never make it on the front page of a newspaper. Daniel describes them as Saints who have been tested in the fields of obscurity.
30:25 – Chasing Wisdom * Daniel’s book, Chasing Wisdom: The Lifelong Pursuit of Living Well draws upon his 10-year apprenticeship with Eugene and Daniel’s journey as a pastor. * Daniel wants people to know that there are wise sages and elders (like Eugene was for him) who can help you think through an appropriate response to life. They are hidden in plain sight. They won’t chase you down, but if you look for them, they’ll help put you on the right track.
36:04 – Leading Your Own Family * Daniel and his wife Lisa recognize that their children are the greatest gift that God has given them and that they will return those gifts they will release to the world after 18 years. * As parents, we are to protect our children, but our jobs are also to invite them into the way life works with all its complexities, to shepherd them and help them develop nuance and abilities to think through life logically. Daniel tells his kids stories and then ask them what they would do in that scenario. * If we can’t manage our own families, what business do we have trying to manage God’s house? We need to start at home and do our best there first.
41:38 – Getting To Know Our Guest * Daniel shares his recommendations of a favorite books with “wisdom from the old libraries,” his unusual talents, his pet peeves, and what his walk up song would be. I ask Daniel the question I ask all my guests, “What does it mean to you to run a business with purpose?” Be sure to stay tuned for his answer, it will be encouraging to you, no matter where you are in your business or chasing after your purpose.
Memorable Quotes 10:10 - “That’s one of the great things that parents can make sure they’re thinking about: Are you giving your kids a reason to stiff-arm Jesus or the church?”
19:23 – “We think that if any kind of trouble washes ashore in our life, that this Jesus thing is a scam or our faith is weak…but a theology of suffering matters.”
28:14 – “I jokingly say that it only took Eugene (Peterson) 65 years to be an overnight success.”
28:51 – “When I look at Eugene, to me, he’s a provocation for living slowly and faithfully and letting God do what he wants to do over the course of decades.”
34:00 – “The Saints in obscurity who have been tested in the fields of obscurity and their lives have stood the test of time: Those are the people you should chase. Those are the people you should apprenticeship yourself to because they’re not looking for the wrong things. They’ve got all the unholy ambition out of them and if you’ll come close and ask good questions, if you’ll dignify them and honor them, and then just wait to listen, they’ll give you wisdom that it took them 87 years to gain. So ask!
39:18- “My job is to invite him into how life works and shepherd him along the way…so recognizing that these are our greatest gifts and our greatest gift to the world and trying our best not to give our ‘leftovers’ to our most important people.
About Daniel Grothe: Daniel Grothe is the Teaching Pastor at the influential New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Daniel and his wife, Lisa, live on a small hobby farm outside of Colorado Springs with their three children: Lillian, Wilson, and Wakley. To learn more, visit DanielGrothe.com and connect with him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Grothe is also the author of the book Chasing Wisdom: The Lifelong Pursuit of Living Well [Thomas Nelson, April 2020]. Drawing upon scripture and his own 10-year apprenticeship with Eugene Peterson, Grothe has been featured in Christian Post, Christian News Journal and Crosswalk showing us how to get wisdom for ourselves by examining what the Bible has to say about it and by providing practical steps for acquiring it, including learning to ask for help, living quietly, and above all, seeking those who are themselves wise.
A few months ago, I heard about this show called The Chosen. It depicts the life of Jesus and the disciples in a unique way, taking a look at Jesus’ life, and how the disciples became disciples. When I first heard about it, I was skeptical, but I gave it a try. After the second episode, I was hooked! Not only have I watched the entire season once, I’ve actually watched it though three times now. When I fell in love with the show, I started to do more research on it. Not only is it a unique show in and of itself, it’s also the first series that is the #1 crowd-funded media project in history. It even has its own app! As I began to dive deeper, I learned more about the company producing the show, VidAngel. The show is directed by Dallas Jenkins, the son of Jerry Jenkins, who wrote the Left Behind series. I wanted to know more about VidAngel and why this platform wanted to produce a show about Jesus in such a unique way. My guest this week is Neal Harmon. Neal is the CEO and cofounder of VidAngel, a streaming service that allows parents to skip objectionable content in entertainment using groundbreaking technology. VidAngel has been highly profiled for The Chosen, and its other incredible family-based content like Dry Bar Comedy. VidAngel recently made headlines by offer all of its streaming content for free during the Covid-19 pandemic, provided that people agree to social distancing of course. My conversation with Neal was incredible and refreshing He was very transparent about the story of VidAngel as it experiences growing pains and lessons many young companies experience. You’re going to love this conversation with Neal, so let’s dive in!
4:30 - The Neal 101 * Neal grew up in Idaho working on dairy farms and even tried to start his own cattle business at one point, but as he got older and learned more about the world, he started working with web businesses. After experiencing a spectacular failure right out of college, he started a company called OraBrush, a tongue cleaner that got rid of bad breath. * OraBrush went from zero sales to global distribution in just a few years, thanks to YouTube marketing. Later a company reached out to Neal and his brother, cofounders of OraBrush, to help them market Poo~Pourri! * The Poo~Pourri ad campaign was so successful that it turned Neal and his brother into an ad agency. Shortly after that, they started VidAngel, which is something Neal and his three brothers wanted to create for their own families. * Neal’s favorite movie is Cinderella Man. The movie portrays people having character, even in their darkest moments, but the movie has a coach who has a foul mouth. Neal wanted his young kids to be able to see the story, but didn’t want them hearing or repeating those words in their home. * VidAngel allows you to take popular movies and TV shows, and skip over content you don’t find appropriate for your own home. It’s like a pre-programmed remote. * Neal and his brothers had a bigger vision for VidAngel, too. They wanted to have a bigger impact on media and on the world. They knew that if they found the people who valued protecting their families by using technology to skip over specific content, that they would also have a group of people they could also distribute content in a manner that would be a better fit than what Hollywood provides.
10:53 - A Broken Feedback Loop * The creators in Hollywood love to see who wins the awards each year, but it seems they are essentially making movies for each other. About three fourths of the revenue in the box office comes from the family friendly movie, but half the titles coming out of Hollywood are rated R. VidAngel is bridging the gap to give creators a feedback loop. If audiences are skipping over certain scenes, creators can learn how to adjust the content that is affecting their market. It allows them to listen to their market, rather than their peers. * When there is immediate feedback, there is acknowledgement of an issue and something productive can be done with that information. Since big studios own the distribution channels, they can also fill those with what they chose. VidAngel’s feedback loop helps create a voice for those without access to big distribution channels.
14:10 – Resistance, Controversy, Transparency, Growth * During the summer of 2016, VidAngel faced a lawsuit with The Walt Disney Company. It was a shock to VidAngel because before they started their service, they actually wrote The Walt Disney Company in good faith and transparency, telling them about the service, giving them information on the users they’d tested it with, and asked for their feedback. They shared their own reasoning for why they thought what they were doing was ok, but also gave The Walt Disney Company an opportunity to let them know if they thought anything being done was unlawful. * VidAngel heard no response from The Walt Disney Company until a year later when families were already enjoying what VidAngel was providing. VidAngel asked their customers if they’d be interested in investing in VidAngel to start growing the next phase of the company, and their customers said they’d put in over 60 million dollars to help it grow. Two weeks later, The Walt Disney Company sued VidAngel. * It’s been a long, difficult journey and a lot of time spent in depositions. After the lawsuit started, VidAngel reached out to their customers asking if they wanted to take it to the Supreme Court if they were willing to invest $5 million into the company. They invested $10 million in 5 days. Because of that, VidAngel has been able to improve their product and fight the legal battle. * VidAngel doesn’t know what will happen now in the midst of this process. They are trusting that they have been called to work to help families through their services and will continue moving forward in faith as they wait for the outcome and experience the process.
20:00 – The Chosen * The Chosen is VidAngel’s first scripted original series. It will be a multi-season series based on the gospels and the life of Jesus from the perspective of the disciples. The first season is out with 8 episodes. The Chosen is the highest grossing crowdfunded media project of all time. * VidAngel’s first original series is called Dry Bar Comedy, which has over a billion views per year. It’s a stand-up comedy series (with clean humor). When Dry Bar started out performing all the other studios in the digital space, VidAngel learned that the data from people’s skip choices can create a bigger market when the comedians improve their content based on the consumer feedback loop. * VidAngel decided they wanted to do a real TV series next, and after a friend of Neal’s introduced them to a short film by Dallas Jenkins, Neal’s brother Jeffrey pitched an idea to do something similar on the life of Jesus. Neal wasn’t interested at first, but after watching Dallas Jenkin’s short film on the birth of Christ, everything changed. Neal knew then and there he wanted to get behind a project like this on VidAngel. * VidAngel has a lot more exciting these coming. The Chosen has awakened in a lot of people the desire to change media. They want to hear stories from the bible that are well written with a high level of video production, imagery, and storytelling. They want to see the ability for both reverence, humanity, and light-heartedness in the portrayal of Jesus. It was important to Dallas to find someone to play Jesus (Jonathan Roumie) who was slightly unexpected, unique, and genuine, rather than a famous Hollywood actor. * In The Chosen, you get much more insight into each individual’s story and what their lives were like before Jesus and then their individual relationships with Jesus. The stories are plausible, relatable, and do not conflict with scripture. There is a biblical committee and those working on the show have educational backgrounds in biblical studies and have taken trips to Israel to study. Their goal is to stay true to the Bible.
44:15 – Find out how the cast and crew are dealing with COVID-19 and what’s on the horizon for The Chosen. You can watch The Chosen on VidAngel (and skip parts that your children may not be ready for or that might be scary). You can also download the app The Chosen app. Either option allows you to watch for free!
46:12 - Getting to Know Our Guest Find out what meal Neal would eat if he had to eat the same thing for dinner every night for the rest of his life, a dream of his he’s yet to achieve, his favorite TV show when he was growing up, and of course, what it means to Neal to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes 13:50 - “The beautiful thing about the internet is that it provides an opportunity for those of us who don’t have a have a voice in the big distribution channels to have a voice for ourselves and create content for ourselves.”
25:20 – “I think the reason that The Chosen has so much of a good spirit about it is because I think a lot of the people making it, and the distributor who’s getting behind it, are going through similar trials and facing similar situations in modern society as what the disciples faced back then.”
38:18 – “The goal of the scriptures and The Chosen is to lead us to understanding who He (Jesus) was and that He redeems us. If we don’t get there or if we get off the mark or too caught up in how good the actors are or how famous the show becomes, then we’ve missed the mark. As soon as it takes us into the scriptures and gets us into a relationship with Christ, then it will have been a successful project.”
39:58 – “This project is just about telling the stories of Jesus in a way that we can all relate to to and can hopefully lead people of all faiths, and people who don’t have faith, to our Redeemer.”
Connect with Neal Harmon and Watch The Chosen: * https://www.vidangel.com/ * https://twitter.com/nealsharmon * https://www.facebook.com/VidAngel/ * https://www.pinterest.com/vidangelnews/ * https://twitter.com/VidAngel/ * https://www.instagram.com/vidangel/ * https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen/ * https://thechosenmerch.com/ * https://twitter.com/thechosentv * https://www.facebook.com/InsideTheChosen/ * https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBXOFnNTULFaAnj24PAeblg * https://www.instagram.com/thechosentvseries/
ABOUT NEAL HARMON, CEO, VIDANGEL How can parents make entertainment good for their homes? Neal is the CEO and co-founder of VidAngel, a streaming service that allows parents to skip objectionable content in entertainment using ground breaking technology. VidAngel has been highly-profiled for The Chosen, its original series about Jesus and the #1 crowdfunded media project in history, and its other incredible family-based content like Dry Bar Comedy. VidAngel recently made headlines by offering all of its streaming content free during the COVID-19 pandemic, provided people agree to social distancing of course.
As a mom, I can’t help but look at my kids and think about the kind of world that they are growing up in. I feel an immense sense of responsibility to teach them to be good humans and citizens who are kind, generous, and thoughtful justice-seekers. There are times when we the world feels crazy and when I see amazing young people working to improve it, it gives me hope. My guests today are going to inspire you to feel like the next generation is changing the world. This week on the podcast I’m talking to the incredible all girl, pop rock band, Girl Pow-R. The group consists of incredibly talented girls ages 11-17 years-old who create and sing original music, play cover songs, and dance. They have six original songs and debuted their first album last summer. The group is based in Toronto, but its members are all across Ontario from Windsor to Niagara Falls to Collingwood to Oshhawa. Girl Pow-R’s sound is rooted in pop rock with the goal of inspiring others to be their best through their music and lyrics. All too often, young people are influenced by the thoughts and life experiences of singers and musicians who are in their late teens and twenties. Girl Pow-R believes it’s time to give young people alternatives to these messages. In addition to their passion for music, each girl also has a social cause that they represent like advocating for better education for girls around the world, ending youth homelessness, Give Peace a Chance, mental health support and awareness, and all of us taking better care of ourselves through the food that we eat. Girl Pow-R is Juno nominated (like the Canadian Grammy’s) for album of the year in the children’s category, making them the first ever group of young people to be nominated in the children’s category gor album of the year. I loved having these amazing girls on the show! Be sure to stay until the end of the show because I will be including their hit songs, This Is Us, and Never Let Go.
Girl Pow-R 101 * Girl Pow-R is based in the Greater Toronto area (like Drake😉). They play their own instruments, sing, and perform at local events. The group started over three years ago when their now manager, Dawn Van Dam, set out to start a girl band that would inspire the world. * Dawn found the first band members through an online audition where each girl sang a song they liked. From there, Dawn selected members based on who would best represent the name Girl Pow-R. * Today on the podcast we have members Aashika, Prajeet, Chloe Rae, Kalista, and Chloe. Each has a unique contribution to the group. * Aashika is 12 and comes up with a lot of group ideas and sings lower harmonies. * Rajesh is 13, and her unique contribution is her sense of humor and electric guitar playing. * Chloe Rae is 12 and she also sings with a lower voice. She’s one of the newer members, having joined in the last few months! * Emma is 14 and has been singing from a very young age. Her unique contribution is playing piano chords and her knowledge of technology. (She helps Dawn with that too)! * Kalista is 16 and has been in the group since it started. She has learned how to play three instruments since joining the band. She loves helping new members learn songs and choreography. * Chloe is 12 and has been in the group for two years and has learned a lot of new dances and vocal skills. She can also hit very low notes like Ashika and Kalista!
14:05 – Empowering Songs That Are Fun to Listen to * Girl Pow-R songs have positive messages about empowerment for all types of people. Their hope to inspire others. Their song This is Us highlights each of their social causes. * The group uses their music videos and social media to further amplify awareness and support around the causes they care about. Each girl has her own cause that she focuses on. * 16:20 – Tune in to hear more about each girl’s social cause.
21:00 – Original Songwriting * Girl Pow-R covers songs when they perform but they also write their own original songs. They break into smaller groups to determine what subjects they want to cover in their songs and start brainstorming with sticky notes in their dance studio. The mirrors are usually covered with ideas. * Girl Pow-R songwriting in a collaborative effort where each girl has a chance to speak about something that is important to her. Then their producer gives them a beat to work from and a guide melody to get the timing and order of the song just right. Everyone has a chance to add their own input within the group. * The girls have found that their mutual love of music and like-minded hopes to help change the world helps them work well together.
23:12 – Touring Fun! * Girl Pow-R joined the Boys of Summer Tour in Washington, Boston, and New York. One of the craziest memories they have is going to the wrong hotel that was an hour away from the hotel they were supposed to be in! * During another Summer tour, they group was in a rural area in Ontario. In the middle of their set, there was a huge rainstorm with thunder and lightning. The girls had to stop the show for a few minutes while tents started blowing away!
25:49 – JUNO Awards Nomination * The JUNO Awards is like the Grammy’s in the US. Girl Pow-R was nominated for best album, which means, for the first time ever in the JUNO Awards, kids were nominated for an award! * No matter the results, the recognition is a huge accomplishment for Girl Pow-R. Their hard work and touring is starting to really pay off in people listening and their causes being heard!
27:51- Big Girl Pow-R Dreams * The group wants to open for one of their favorite artists. They love the Spice Girls, Avril Lavigne, and Alessia Cara. They hope to be the opener for the Spice Girls if they go on a reunion tour. * Alessia Cara is also young and advocates for similar issues like kindness and loving yourself. Girl Pow-R got to meet Alessia recently, and she loved their music and ideas.
30:18 – Get to know a little more about each of the girls in Girl Pow-R! 37:15 – Getting To Know Our Guests * Find out who each girl would pick to play them in a movie, what music they like to listen to get hyped up, what books and movies they like, and of course the best part…hear from each girl about what it means to them to run a business with purpose (48:50).
Memorable Quotes: 49:18 - “It’s really cool to know that we’re inspiring young adults to never give up and to always believe in yourself.”
50:29 - “Music influences so many other people. It feels so good knowing you can just make someone’s day by playing music and singing and dancing and doing what I love and helping other people at the same time.”
You can listen to two Girl Pow-R songs right here on the podcast by checking out these time stamps: 52:04 – “This Is Us”
55:17 - “Never Let Go”
You can follow Girl Pow-R where they hang out on social media and listen to their songs by following the links below! * Website: https://www.girl-pow-r.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girl_pow_r/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GirlPowRMusic * Twitter: https://twitter.com/Girl_Pow_R * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoEcpYSxfY3QKm_3M0W9wdg * Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/girlpowrmusic/boards/
There’s something to be said for getting out and experiencing the world - going and visiting different countries and learning more about other cultures and communities. The more that we can expand our horizons, the more we can learn to appreciate the beauty of this world we live in and see other people through God’s eyes. Today’s guest shares how her experience of living in six different countries has shaped who she is today and why she started her business. Deanna Cook is a global change maker and development professional with extensive international experience in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. Her latest project, LIYA Collective, is a sustainable accessory brand of minimalist pieces ethically made around the world. She loves yoga, travel, spending time outdoors with her puppies, and all things conscious living. My conversation with Deanna was such a breath of fresh air. She encouraged and inspired me in so many ways, and I know you’re going to love learning more about how her life and business.
2:11 - The Deanna 101 * Deanna has always been interested in the world around her and learning about other countries and languages. When she was a kid, she told people she wanted to be a lawyer for the United Nations because she wanted to help people all around the world. * When she went to university, she studied international business in an interdisciplinary program where she also learned French and Spanish as well as studying aboard in Spain. After she graduated, she interned with a small nonprofit in Canada that helped woman artisan groups around the world learn about entrepreneurship. * When the internship was over, Deanna moved to Taiwan and taught English for a few years. She even learned Mandarin, but knew she wanted to get back into the nonprofit space. She moved to Tanzania and worked as a marketing and fundraising coordinator for a small grassroots nonprofit that worked in the local community to support children and families affected by HIV/AIDs and poverty. * Deanna also worked with small, sustainable businesses in the community including a school program with the nonprofit and some larger-scale environmental initiatives. At the same time, she also experienced transformation in her personal life that caused her to examine her purchasing habits and consumption and how that all ties into a bigger global picture. * Her experiences in Tanzania shaped the way Deanna wanted to live and the brands she wanted to support. After working for so long with nonprofits and schools, she started exploring how business could be used to affect change in the world. * Around that time, Deanna was offered an amazing opportunity to work on an international development project in Thailand. At the end of 2018, she left Tanzania and moved to Bangkok to work with USAID on a project on education and employability in STEM fields. * In her free time, she also learned about traditional Thai handicrafts and textiles. This was the beginning of connecting the pieces that had shaped her life so far: sustainable business, ethical products, and global supply chains. She started to meet with production partners to co-create products she wanted to see in her own life. * When her USAID contract finished in mid-2019, Deanna moved to Costa Rica with her partner who’d started a teaching job there. Deanna continued working on the business that would later become LIYA Collective. In April 2020, preorders for LIYA Collective were launched for their first collection, sustainably made, minimalist Thai silk scarves.
8:54 – Shaped by Your Surroundings * Living aboard in many different places has helped Deanna recognize the effects of the second-hand supply chain industry. Our rapid consumption in America greatly impacts small businesses owners in other places. Deanna tries to look at things in more of a global context now. * There are many conversations around waste and fast fashion, but many people don’t consciously realize where things go when they are thrown away. It’s easy to forget this when waste is very out of sight, out of mind in our country. * Deanna’s experiences traveling and living abroad have framed the way she takes care of what she already owns and how she disposes of things that may no longer serve her. She considers whether she can hold on to things to reuse them, repurpose, or re-wear them. She tries to buy locally from small businesses where she is rather than ordering from Amazon and having it sent to her. * Conscious consumerism doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy things. It’s saying to be aware of how you buy and the way you dispose of things.
18:22 – Launching LIYA Collective * Deanna carefully considered whether to launch during Covid-19. The biggest reason for deciding to continue forward with the launch was based on the fact that their production partners in Thailand were counting on the order that had been in preparation for an entire year. * Deanna knew postponing or canceling the launch would have left the partners in the supply chain without a significant income they’d been counting on for so long. * LIYA Collective launched a simple collection of one design in three neutral colors. Deanna worked with the partners to decide the right weave, silk, and colors of the scarf. The goal is to create an accessory you can invest in that won’t go out of style and can be worn for years to come in many different ways. * In the future, Deanna is interested in warmer textiles, hats, and handbags. Her big dreams also include expanding partnerships to more countries.
27:50 - Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out which country is Deanna’s favorite of the ones she’s visited, whether she has any “usual” talents, something that’s important to that she doesn’t get to talk about often, and her answer to what it means to her to run a business with purpose (pssst, spoiler alert, you don’t have to be perfect to do it).
Memorable Quotes * 10:51 - “When you live in other cultures, you’re going to make mistakes, you’re not going to know what’s happening a lot of the time, you might not understand the language right away. I think that’s a beautiful thing to be able to listen and to learn from others, and to come with an open mind. * 16:00 – “It’s not a black and white thing and I am far from perfect…it’s being conscious about what is coming into your life, how you’re taking care of what’s already there, and what happens after it leaves your home.” * 17:49 – “I want customers to really love what they’re buying, to erally take care of it and invest in pieces that they’re going to treasure.” * 26:37 - “I think this is a turning point where we can reimagine what global partnerships might look like, even if we have to do more work remotely.”
About Deanna Cook: Deanna Cook is an experienced marketing and communications professional with a diverse history in the social impact and sustainability sectors. Originally from Canada, she’s spent the better part of the past decade living around the globe, working on a wide variety of projects from the World Cleanup Day environmental campaign in Tanzania to multi-million dollar USAID initiatives in education and employability in Thailand. As a freelancer, Deanna has had the opportunity to work with a number of local, national, and international changemakers and organizations, including SheWorks!, CIVICUS, Gradian Health Systems, Personify, and Earthing. She also founded an ethical fashion accessory brand, LIYA Collective, and is passionate about emerging movements in wellness, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and tech. In the digital marketing realm, Deanna particularly specializes in the verticals of social media, email marketing, and strategic communications, with the goal of helping organizations streamline their messaging and thus amplify their impact.
Connect with Deanna Cook & LIYA Collective: * http://liyacollective.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/liyacollective * https://www.pinterest.com/liyacollective/ * https://www.instagram.com/liyacollective/
There is nothing more encouraging to me than seeing young people making a difference and pursing entrepreneurship; being the change-makers. They push me to do more and be better. My guest today is an incredibly inspiring young leader named Miracle Olatunji. Miracle is an entrepreneur, international speaker, and the author of the book, “Purpose: How to Live and Lead with Impact.” In high school (yes, high school), she founded OpportuniMe, an education startup that connects high school youth to summer experiential-learning opportunities for passion, career, and self-discovery. Miracle is absolutely that. She is an incredibly inspiring young leader and you’re going to love my conversation with her today!
2:27 - The Miracle 101
- Miracle’s story starts before she was born. The fact that Miracle is alive today is exactly why she got her name. When Miracle’s mother was pregnant, she started having premature contractions and doctors told her that the changes of her baby surviving prematurely were pretty much non-existent. Despite that grim statement, Miracle was born full-term and healthy.
- Her path to entrepreneurship started in a program called The Diamond Challenge, a entrepreneurship contest for high school students. Miracle decided to try it out and pitched an idea with her friends. That experience gave her the confidence to never limit herself based on her age, gender, or anything else.
- Through the Diamond Challenge, Miracle started her first organization, OpportuniMe. OpportuniMe helps people realize and reach their full potential through connection to opportunities and resources to explore different career paths and connect with other young people. Miracle’s first book “Purpose” was published in the summer of 2019.
4:25 – The Diamond Challenge
- The Diamond Challenge that Miracle participated in is a competition run through the University of Delaware but is specifically for high school students. The program gives students access to video courses about entrepreneurship and the process of turning an idea into reality. There are two tracks to the competition, the business side and the social enterprise side.
- Various colleges, high schools, and churches all over the world host “pitch sites.” Students can also pitch their ideas virtually.
- Miracle participated in the follow up event after the Diamond Challenge. While in her first year at the follow-up event, she was inspired by the closing keynote speaker who said that one of the key parts of entrepreneurship is solving problems.
- When she returned to school in the fall and talked about her experience with the Diamond Challenge, she realized how many of her peers didn’t know about the opportunities out there for them or that these programs existed.
- Miracle learned that your passion must be cultivated. It doesn’t fall from the sky and into your lap. She knew her peers simply didn’t have the same access to opportunities that open the doors to interests and passions.
9:05 – OpportuniMe
- Miracle started OpportuniMe when she was just 17 years old. Since then the biggest lesson she’s learned is the power of her mindset. She didn’t know a lot in the beginning. She had to work on herself push through the fear of rejection when starting things she’d never done before.
- She realized that if you don’t ask for anything, you don’t even have the opportunity for a “yes”, “no”, or “not right now.”
- Miracle is realizing now in college, that many college students are experiencing the same feelings of trying to discover what they are passionate about and that they are also trying to find purpose. She has extended the mission beyond high school students to also include people who are going to be entering the workforce soon, are entering it now, or have been in it for a few years.
15:37 – Purpose: How to Live and Lead with Impact
- At the start of the new year in 2018, Miracle made a vision board. She researched about visualizations and how things become more real in our minds when we are able to see a picture of it first.
- One of the things on Miracle’s vision board was a quote, “Write a book, change the world.” She had always had the desire to write a book, but it seemed overwhelming and she didn’t think it was possible. She decided to stay dedicated to achieving it anyway.
- In a community called “NextGen Summit”, Miracle joined a webinar about writing a book. She sent the instructor an email introducing herself and talking about her goal to write a book. The next week they spoke on the phone and Miracle enrolled in the program and stared writing her book!
- The program is based around a community of aspiring book authors supporting other aspiring book authors. Each cohort releases their books on the same day. Miracle was inspired to write her book based on her own personal experiences and aspiring leaders from all different walks of life.
- Purpose seems very abstract, but Miracle wanted to break that down to help people realize that it can be simplified to personal reflection on your values and what makes you come alive.
- You can find Purpose: How to Live and Lead with Impact on Amazon.
20:12 - On the Horizon
- As you know by now, Miracle really wants to help create opportunities for others. This summer to (especially now to help offset the effects of Covid-19 on college internships), she’s hiring college students with skills in social media, content marketing, and more. She wants to help students build their skills, learn new ones, and get compensated for their time.
- In the future, Miracle also plans to participate in more campaigns like Barbie’s #rolemodels #youcanbeanything campaign to inspire people around the world that they have potential that shouldn’t be limited by any aspect of their identity.
23:00 – Getting to Know Our Guest
- Learn about Miracle’s unusual talent, what her “walk up/hype” song would be, what makes her feel most alive, who she’d pick to play her in a movie, and what she’s learning about herself during Covid-19. Be sure to stay tuned to hear what it means to Miracle to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes
- 3:43 - “I realized that I shouldn’t limit myself based on age or gender or anything. I should see myself as someone who is able to make a difference in the world because I truly believe that every single person on this planet has a purpose and s unique impact that they can make on the world.”
- 7:17 – “These programs create a way to explore, and you can’t know if you’re passionate about something unless you try it.”
- 7:40 - “The thing about passion…is that it takes exploration and trying different things. It would be nice if our passion just fell into our lap, but we have to do the work to figure out what makes us come alive.”
- 10:52 – “It’s important to not reject yourself before you give anybody the opportunity to give you a yes or no.”
- 22:25 “You have unlimited potential. You shouldn’t limit yourself based on any aspect of your identity.”
About Miracle Olatunji: Miracle Olatunji is a student at Northeastern University, entrepreneur, public speaker, and author of Purpose: How To Live and Lead With Impact . She is the founder OpportuniMe, an award-winning social enterprise which helps the next generation of leaders to realize their potential and make an impact in their work and in the world. At Northeastern, Miracle is a business and finance major with a passion for entrepreneurship, technology, social impact, health & wellness, fashion, and innovation. She’s been honored as one of The Tempest Magazine's ‘40 Women To Watch Who Are Changing The World’, a Young Futurist and Game-changer by The Root Magazine , and she was selected as a Young Global Leadership Scholar.Her work has also been featured in Forbes, Thrive Global, Technical.ly, BostInno, The CEO Library, ReadWrite, The Female Lead, and other publications. Miracle is also building Her Wallet Media, a new platform for women and girls to gain knowledge and resources on the topics of building their "net worth, network, and self worth" through content, community, and coaching. She was honored as an EXTRAOrdinary Woman by Boston.gov during the International Women’s Day Celebration at City Hall. Miracle was recently part of Barbie's #YouCanBeAnything #MoreRoleModels campaign aimed at closing the dream gap and inspiring women and girls around the world. She was also part of Melinda Gates and the Harvard Business Review ’s ‘Equality Can’t Wait’ campaign.
Social Media & Links * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miracleolatunji/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miracleolatunji * Twitter: https://twitter.com/mirolatunji * Speaking: https://www.apbspeakers.com/speaker/miracle-olatunji/ * Book: https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-How-Live-Lead-Impact/dp/1641372664/
It’s Episode 200, and today’s guest is the one and only John Stillman, my husband! I knew for this episode I’d have to invite my special guest back to the show. His first appearance was Episode 100, and since my listeners loved it, I thought it was about time I brought him back for another interview! It’s hard to believe we are here at 200 episodes. It was a different time when I launched this show in the summer of 2016. I certainly didn’t think then about being at episode 200. We have some fun things planned including listener-submitted questions, a review of the top 10 episodes, and more!
4:31 – Kicking things off with the first user-submitted question which is actually a question that many of you asked: “What have things been like for us over the past few months?” * We’re both self-employed. John has a financial advising business and media company and went from working in an office to working from home with me! * During quarantine 2020, we’ve developed some habits and routines that John enjoys very much, especially getting Chipotle for lunch every Monday. We don’t know what we were doing on Saturdays before Covid-19, but we’ve finished a number of house projects that have been waiting for us to complete them and enjoyed leisurely prepared breakfasts and slow mornings. * Since I’m working at home and home-schooling, implementing true rest on the weekends became important too, which led us to examine our Sabbath and really for the first time, intentionally carve out a time for rest on the weekends. * John’s weeknight habits have changed too. He’s much less inclined to do any work on his laptop in the evenings, compared to when he was working all day in the office. He’s been more disciplined in keeping his workday confined to regular business hours because he’s already home all day. We both feel much more efficient, too. * It’s been really nice to be home together. When John started returning to the office for half days, it was actually much harder than either of us thought it was going to be! * The biggest adjustment for me has been recording podcasts at home. I usually go to the recording studio, but moving all of that into well, basically my closet, has been a big transition.
10:19 – User Submitted Questions, Let’s Dive into the Q&A! 10:40 – Question One: “What is your favorite quality about the other person?”
12:57 – Question Two: “John, you have edited nearly all of Molly’s podcasts episodes. Which one, or which ones have stood out to you. Do you have any particularly favorite interviews?”
14:12 – Question Three: “How do you build your business as a woman without losing your marriage?”
21:03 – We’re going to take a quick break from questions to recap the top 10 episodes of the first 200 of the Business With Purpose podcast! These are the most popular episodes based on the highest number of downloads + a few honorable mentions of my personal favorites:
21: 30, #10 –Episode 129: Chris Solt, Executive Director at Fair Trade Federation
21:47, #9 – Episode 149: Llenay Ferretti, Ten Thousand Villages & Bhava World Project
22:04, #8 – Episode 100: The 100th Episode Spectacular with Guest – My Husband!
22:22, #7 – Episode 110: How To Know If A Brand Is Ethical
22:41, #6 – Episode 139: Mark Choyt, Reflective Jewelry
24:04, #5 – Episode 136: Fair Trade Federation Conference Recap
24:26, #4 Episode 130: Solo Episode, So You Just Marie-Kondo’D Your Life? What to Do with All Those Things That Don’t Spark Joy
25:37, #3 Episode 137: Rebecca Smith, Better Life Bags
26:20, #2 Episode 135: Kat Eckles, Founder of Clean Juice
26:38, #1 Episode 71: Devan Kline & Morgan Kline, Founders of Burn Boot Camp
27:25, Honorable Mentions: These are some of my all-time favorites in no particular order:
27:36 Episode 165, Santiago, “Jimmy” Mellado, Compassion International President & CEO
28:03 – Episode 115, Antonio T. Smith Jr., From Living In A Dumpster to Self-Made Millionaire
28:32 – Episode 101: Barrett Ward, Founder & CEO of ABLE
28:59 – Episode 155: Sharon Hodde Miller, Author, Speaker, Theologian
29:34 – Episode 124: Leon Lee, Founder of Flying Cloud Productions, Producer of “Letters From Masanjia”
29:41 – Episode 153: Comedian Kevin Fredericks, Aka @kevonstage
30:56 – Back to your questions! The first one is for John: “Do you ever feel like a #instagramhusband ?
35:13 – “Do you have any first steps or resources for couples to get on the same page financially before marriage?”
37:49 – “Do you think couples should combine their finances?”
40:43 – “Where do you see the other person in 10 years”
41:53 – I loved that someone asked us the question I ask all my guests: “What does it mean to you to run a business with purpose?”
46:40 – My answer to “What does it mean to you to run a business with purpose?”
Thank you for the support that all of you have given me. I truly would not be doing this if not for you being on this journey with me. For those who’ve left comments, I appreciate it so much! If you want to leave a review, it is much appreciated and helps me know how the show is helping you. Subscribing and sharing is also incredibly helpful. Thank you for being a part of this community and learning more about doing something with purpose, on purpose with me!
If you’re not a member of the “Purchase with Purpose” Facebook group, it’s a great place to ask questions and learn more about fair trade and ethical fashion.
Here’s to 200 episodes and here’s to you! Thank you for your questions and thank you John for joining me!
Over the last couple years, I’ve been on a slow but steady journey of becoming somebody who is less wasteful. I may not get to the point of being able to fit all my trash from the month into a mason jar, but I have been making slow, intentional choices to reduce and use less waste. Along this journey, there have been certain items that have made me wonder, “Could there be a zero waste option for this?” Especially for bathroom products like Q tips and tissues. There have not been many options on the market…until today! My guest this week is Isabel Aagaard, founder of Last Object, a Danish design trio who have chosen to tackle some of the least sexy objects out there like cotton swabs and disposable tissues. They are addressing the problem of single-use items and looking past the highly visible culprits like plastic bottles and straws. Last Swab is the reusable alternative to cotton swabs, which replace the need for the 1.5 billion single-use Q tips produced daily, only to be thrown out after one use. Last Tissue saves 2 liters of water per tissue and has become wildly popular on Kickstarter. Prior to founding Last Object, Isabel designed the first reusable chemotherapy bag to reduce waste in the medical industry, and it is now being used all over Denmark. I was fascinated with this conversation with Isabel and know you’re going to love learning about these unique designs that’s changing the world!
4:22 - The Isabel 101
- Isabel was born and raised in the beautiful city of Copenhagen, Denmark. She has an IT background and obtained a master’s degree in collaborative design. That background brought her to where she is today, along with her passion for the environment and startups.
- All of Isabel’s focus combines sustainability with collaborative design efforts. She loves exploring how to create and make things that are usable in collaboration with the people who will be using them.
- Isabel’s worlds meet at the intersection of anthropology and collaboration and is referred to as Co-design. It’s a field that’s grown in the last few years and has started to spread through other countries.
- As an example, when working for hospitals, instead of looking at patients and creating a design solution for them, Isabel creates tools to help patients design their own solutions. It takes people, interactions, and their abilities into account, instead of being a designer who decides what they think is best for the design.
8:29 – Last Object
- Last Object’s mission is to create an alternative to single-use items. They started with Last Swab and Last Tissue as the first two products.
- There are three designers (one of whom is Isabel’s brother). When Isabel was working in design for hospitals, the idea for starting a sustainable design business started over lunch one day with her brother and a designer named Cole.
- In doing various research on the contributing facts to pollution with single-use items, they found that Q tips were one of the 10 biggest contributors to waste on the planet. They also knew they wanted to tackle issues that have not been tackled already (like alternatives to plastic straws). They also wanted to look at single-use items that are frequently used, so that cutting down of those products would make a huge impact.
- Last Object starts the design process by thinking of the simplest way to recreate a reusable product. It has to be something you would know how to use just by looking at the design.
- There are many iterations that happen before a final product comes to fruition. The team continues prototyping, using different forms, scaling up, scaling down, and testing with 3D printing, and experimenting with paint palettes.
- Last Object debuted in April 2019. The initial reactions in the marketplace started about 50/50 on social media. Some loved it, others thought it was gross, but the most important thing that happened was people were talking about it.
16:40 - Speaking of Questions, “How Does it Work?”
- Last Swab is made of a durable core plastic, and the ends are made of TPE, which is a plastic that has a similar feeling to silicon. The tips are melded together to be sure they don’t come apart. Each swab also comes with its own carrying case that keeps it hygienic to carry with you or store in your bathroom.
- One swab is a version for cleaning your ears with a textured surface to help clean. Another version if for makeup application with a soft, pointed end to use for detail or removing excess makeup. Both swabs can be washed easily with soap and water.
- Last Tissue is sort of like a modern-day handkerchief. It’s six small handkerchiefs in a hypoallergenic box. Isabel describes it as if a handkerchief and a tissue box had a baby. That way you can keep your handkerchief in a hygienic place instead of stuffing it into your pocket.
- Environmentally, the swab and tissues help cut down on waste.
21:17 – Collaborative Design for the Future
- Last Object is looking at some more complicated design processes for future products that replace single-use products, but plan on staying on the bathroom objects side of design.
- Toilet paper isn’t at the top of their next design plans, but it’s still on the list! It’s just more of the “holy grail” of design. Isabel says if they figure out the toilet paper design, they can go ahead and retire.
23:07 – Get Your Hands On Last Swab or Last Tissue!
- Last Object has a system of testing and love to try out everything they make. When they launched their Last Swab, they did so on Kickstarter. They have a website where they sell their products but always release them on a crowd funding site first.
- Last Tissue just finished a campaign on Indiegogo and will launch on the website soon. You can enter your email address to be informed when they’re in stock.
- The next brand new product launch is planned for the end of this summer, so stay tuned!
25:00 – Reducing Waste in the Medical Industry
- When Isabel was in design school, her department was contacted by the local hospital asking if there were any designers interested in helping find a solution to create reusable chemotherapy bags in order to be able to allow patients to receive chemotherapy at home.
- It started as a school group project with four other co-designers, and when Isabel’s group completed their design, two of the members went out to figure out how to actually produce it. It took about a year, but they were able to get the bags produced and all the hospitals have since bought into the reusable chemotherapy bag!
- You can find Last Object and follow their work on Instagram (@lastswab and @lastobject) where they’re always updating about new products.
27:11 – Getting to Know Our Guest
- Find out what Isabel is learning about herself during Covid-19, who she’d most like to sit next to on a 16-hour flight and why, what she would do differently if she knew no one was judging her, what she’s reading right now, and the question I ask all my guests, “What does it mean to you to run a business with purpose?”
Memorable Quotes:
13:27 - “We wanted to tell you what the product is doing by just design. That’s why we want to refer to how it looks or how the single-use item looks.”
16:00 - “It actually created a conversation, and that’s exactly what you want when you’re designing something. You want people to question it.”
20:52- “We wanted to take the convenient, modern side of the tissue pack and then really incorporate making it into something that could actually be good for the environment.”
22:12 - “I can tell you that we’re going to stay in the bathroom area because that’s a really fun area to be in. We’re gonna make some more ‘ew’ products.”
As a business owner, often one of our biggest pain points are taxes and accounting. My guest today is especially passionate about helping social entrepreneurs tackle this aspect of their business in a purposeful way. Jessica Mah is the founder and CEO of inDinero and loves helping entrepreneurs run better businesses. She has grown the company from zero to over 250 employees and has been featured in the Forbes & Inc “30 Under 30 list.” Jessica left high school at age 15 to attend Bard College at Simon’s Rock, studied computer science at UC Berkeley, went through Y Combinator, and is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). I loved talking with Jessica! She is brilliant and can take concepts like taxes and accounting, do them with passion and purpose, and even make others excited about them! Join me for this inspiring conversation with Jessica Mah.
2:17 - The Jess 101 * Jess Mah is the founder and CEO of a company called inDinero. inDinero does accounting and taxes for small businesses with the idea that there’s a better way to deliver a more delightful accounting experience for business owners through technology and automation. * Jess found a way to create sustainable and ethical finance for businesses working on social issues. * B Corps are certified purpose-driven organizations, but it is an extremely difficult process to be certified. It can take years to prepare for, and Jess and her team help their customers who have purpose-driven businesses make a greater impact right away rather than getting bogged down in years of certification processes.
6:07 – Purpose-Driven Organizations in a Time of Crisis. * During this unprecedented time of a global pandemic, the work of inDinero can help businesses tackle the difficult questions that may initially arise like “How will we pay our rent”, or “How do we deal with payroll when our employees are not working?” * Once that painful part has been addressed and tackled, the next steps are finding ways to recalibrate and innovate for a “new normal.” * It can be hard to see the other side of the hard times or the breakthrough that can come from a challenging season in our businesses or personal lives. * Jess is using that mission-driven motivation from both her personal and professional life to rally with other organizations (like c19coalition.org) and raise working capital to provide PPE for hospitals and other businesses.
13:39 – Prioritizing Profit, People, and Planet * Jess had an epiphany while attending a CEO summit series. She initially got into accounting because she believed it could be turned around from something that’s typically boring to something that’s sexy. She wanted to help companies feel like they’re doing something impactful for business and the world at large. * While speaking with a very successful global business owner at the summit series, Jess told him that she loves her business and would like for it to be more helpful and impactful. * The conversation helped Jess consider how doubling or tripling a company’s bottom line, helping them manage their giving program, and lending to other non-profit organizations could allow them to do more good overall.
17:15 – Purpose Along the Way * Jess’ first goal was to make an entrepreneur’s life better because accounting and financial management is so painful for entrepreneurs. What she found over the years was that it didn’t feel as impactful as she thought it could and knew she could help business impact scale up to 80-90%. * So many entrepreneurs are or have been in Jess’ shoes where they start making a profit and realize they want to be able to do good as well. * That process is challenging because once they’ve started growing profit, they don’t have as strong of a cultural pull to make a difference. The products being sold may not be directly tied to impact. * Jess started being more candid and open conversations with other businesses wanting to make impact, which helped create a more powerful change through collaboration. * In the next 10 years, Jess thinks there will be an even greater shift to a triple-bottom line of planet, people, and profit. Not only does she think it’s possible, she thinks it will actually be front and center of most organizations. * Collaborating with various leaders and businesses on the C19 Coalition has created so much opportunity for a more collective community. Working together has multiplied the amount of good. * Accounting may not directly change the world, but inDinero can help their customers utilize their assets for greater impact.
27:41 – Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out Jess is learning about herself during Covid-19, what her guilty pleasure is, what she would do differently if she knew no one was judging her, what she’s reading right now, and of course, what it means to Jess to run a business with purpose!
CONNECT WITH JESS AND INDINERO: * If you would like to connect with Jess and her team to talk about the good work you’re trying to do, you can email ceo@indinero.com * https://www.indinero.com/ * https://twitter.com/indinero * https://www.linkedin.com/company/indinero * https://www.facebook.com/inDinerocom
Memorable Quotes: * 5:56 - “Doing this helps a CEO be more focused and probably be more successful than if they were just directly focused on only profit and making money.” * 7:40 – “As Covid-19 became a problem, I told our employees that this is their chance to be the essential, front line workers but in the business world. You have doctors and nurses helping patients, and in our case, businesses are our patients.” * 11:31 - “I think it’s a two-part problem. On one hand, we do have to deal with the onslaught of problems …that’s the most painful part, but once you get through that, then you can start having these conversations around how we really maximize this and see it as an opportunity.”
ABOUT JESSICA MAH: As Founder and CEO of inDinero, Jess loves helping entrepreneurs run better businesses. She has grown the company from zero to over 250 employees and has been featured in the Forbes and Inc 30 Under 30 Lists. Jessica left high school at age 15 to attend Bard College at Simon's Rock, studied computer science at U.C. Berkeley, went through Y Combinator, and is a member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO).
Her passions and hobbies include mentoring up-and-coming entrepreneurs, DJ’ing at night clubs, and flying airplanes. She’s also been extremely active with C19Coalition which is helping bring millions of N95 masks and other medical supplies to hospitals.
Leave a comment below with something you learned from this episode.
I am so excited to welcome Keenya Kelly to the show this week. Keenya is an incredible, powerhouse entrepreneur. We connected a few months ago and I knew I wanted to have her on the show. We had such an incredible conversation and I know you're going to be encouraged and inspired!
ABOUT KEENYA KELLY: As an accomplished business executive, teacher and inspirational speaker, Keenya Kelly found her voice by writing & speaking about understanding your God-given purpose and living up to your fullest potential. She captures her audiences by conveying powerful lessons of overcoming fear, self-doubt, & divorce to creating successful six-figure businesses.
Keenya believes that when you identify with who you are at the core of your being, begin a journey of overcoming obstacles and self-doubt, you can achieve absolute greatness.
Keenya Kelly leaves audiences with a sense of empowerment and a call to action that encourages them to reach their full potential. She believes that everyone is equipped; people can do and become anything they put their minds to despite their starting points. Keenya has helped countless individuals and entrepreneurs realize how to finish strong. Her proven strategies will show you how you can be NEXT!
BOOK: Before you quit your job With the rise of social media entrepreneurship at an all-time high, the rise of making irrational life-changing decisions such as quitting your job is as well.
We believe that there comes a time in your career where you have to choose the next stage for you, however, that change can be calculated, full of wisdom and not irrational spontaneity.
Before You Quit Your Job is a step by step guide for individuals that desire to build businesses while working full-time on their jobs. It teaches you all of the ways to train yourself, your mind and those around you, how to adjust to the new life you are embarking upon, while building a sustainable, profitable business.
Keenya's Podcast: Life and Business with Keenya Kelly Facebook Show: The Keenya Kelly Morning Show Connect with Keenya: * https://www.instagram.com/keenya_kelly/ * https://www.facebook.com/keenyakelly * https://twitter.com/keenyakelly * https://www.keenyakelly.com/ * https://www.youtube.com/keenyakelly
I am honored to welcome to the show Marissa Williams, Shiquita Hyman, and Tiffany Moon - all amazing content creators and also founders of "Our Shades of Influence." Our Shades of Influence is a group of three diverse women within the influencer community. Their goal as influencers is to inspire, educate, and empower people of all shades, shapes, and sizes. They strive to improve the visible shortage of partnerships between businesses and influencers/bloggers of color. As women of color, they will partner with businesses to represent their brands with integrity while helping to tap into the buying power of the minority market, because there is beauty in color.
One of the things I love about hosting this podcast, Business with Purpose, is the fact that I get the privilege of having the opportunity to have important conversations that will challenge, encourage, convict, and inspire you. I want to have conversations that educate you (and me!) to know better and to do better.
I've had a lot of important conversations on this podcast about racism, but honestly, probably none more important than this conversation we had right here.
This episode is a bonus episode that is outside of my normal weekly content for the show... but I pray that you take the time to sit and really LISTEN to this week's episode and my conversation with Marissa, Shiquita, and Tiffany. I pray that this conversation would be one that would give you space to learn and grow in your anti-racism journey... and equip you with steps to move forward to take ACTION. Because I believe when we are living lives of purpose, that includes taking action where it's needed most.
Contact Shiquita Hyman:
- Ig: https://instagram.com/unconventionalsouthernbelle
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/unconventionalsouthernbelle/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/ShiquitaHyman
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Unconventional_Southern_Belle/
Contact Marissa Williams:
- https://www.shabbychiccheap.com/
- https://twitter.com/ShabbyChicCheap
- https://www.instagram.com/shabbychiccheap
- https://www.facebook.com/shabbychiccheap
- https://www.pinterest.com/shabbychiccheap
Contact Tiffany Moon:
- http://thenorthernbelleofthesouth.com/
- https://twitter.com/tiffturnermoon
- https://instagram.com/thenorthernbelleofthesouth
- https://pinterest.com/thenorthernbelleofthesouth
- https://www.snapchat.com/add/redlipredbottom
When people ask me where I want to be when I’m 80-years-old, one of the first answers I always give is something to the effect of, “Holding hands and still madly in love with my husband, John.” I am so passionate about marriage and the amazing gift that it is. Today’s episode is for both married and single people. There really is something for everyone in this episode. I understand that marriage can be a sensitive topic for some who’ve maybe been divorced, in harmful marriages, grew up as a child of divorced parents, or maybe you long to be married. I want you to know that you are loved, and I hope this episode is encouraging to you. My guest today has spent the majority of his life using his ministry to bless and encourage couples and families. Dr. Randy Schroder is a licensed marriage therapist, pastor, and retired professor of pastoral counseling who has a lifetime of expertise in marriage both professionally and personally. For three decades he has helped well over 1,000 couples establish the simple habits that are essential for developing a fulfilling and gratifying marriage. I actually just finished reading Dr. Schroder’s book, Simple Habits for Marital Happiness. We had such a great conversation and I hope you enjoy this episode and are blessed by it!
7:58 - The Randy 101 * Randy and his wife have been married for 45 years. They have two married sons and six grandchildren. Randy has helped individuals, couples, and marriage have satisfying lives with over 60,000 hours of counseling. Randy plans on continuing helping people until he’s 90! * Randy’s wife encouraged him to write a book to give couples skills and tools to work on their marriages together. His book is called Simple Habits for Marital Happiness. * His counseling practiced opened in 1990, and as he helped more and more people, he also started to learn from couples what skills, behaviors, words and tools make for a happy marriage. * The divorce rate is roughly 50% and Randy says that of couples who are married, about 70% are not happy. Randy was discouraged by those odds and that was another reason he decided to write a book to give couples the simple knowledge needed to work on marriage.
14:28 – Intentionality * Intention is the first step to healthy, happy relationship. A lot of couples don’t recognize the importance of never taking your spouse or your marriage for granted. The number one goal is to overcome complacency. * Motivation alone is not sufficient; couples have to be equipped with knowledge. This means understanding how to communicate, apologize, forgive, manage finances, staying in love after the honeymoon, guarding your relationship, disagreeing, and more. * You can’t change your spouse, but you can change how you react and handle situations. It’s impossible to change someone else but continuing to grow and adapt together will lead to more understanding. * It’s important to work on your marriage as a couple, but it’s equally important that each individual in the marriage continues to work on their own growth as well. Complacency is the biggest threat to any marriage. * It’s ok to communicate with your spouse about what you need! If it’s comfort you seek from your spouse, figure out for yourself how you want to be comforted, and then ask for that directly from your partner.
26:22 – Grieving Together, Differently * It’s important to talk about times when you’re grieving and how to communicate that and walk through it together, even when it may be happening in different ways. * Expectations affect everything in a marriage. Making our expectations known clearly and directly can bond couples together in powerful ways. * Your spouse cannot read your mind, but it’s a very common expectation that people have of their spouses!
30:27 – The Success Stories * In his former work as a pastor and now a counselor, Randy’s greatest joy is hearing the success stories of the people he’s helped. There have been couples on the brink of divorce who come back and work to find a happy marriage after being equipped with knowledge. * Simple Habits for Marital Happiness helps people have direction on how to have a satisfying relationship. If someone asks you to drive without your GPS or without a map, you may get there but it may take weeks or months for you to get there because you don’t know where you’re going. * It’s not hard to give up when you’re frustrated instead of equipped. Specific skills are needed for all areas of marriage, and for that matter, all areas of dealing with life in general. * Many couples will come to see Randy before there is trouble because they want to be equipped so that down the road, their marriage is stronger and ready to handle anything they might go through in the future of the relationship.
38:24 – Struggle During the Coronavirus * The number of people filing for divorce has gone up over the past few months since the start of stay-at-home ordinances around the country. Couples can focus on improving their relationship by 1% per week, work on having healthy disagreements. * Randy says to go slow and to do things in the home now to help. Lighten the mood by watching comedy at home together, schedule phone counseling sessions, and alternate doing fun activities like games, going for walks together, and having an at-home date nights. * John and I had a putt putt date night where John set up a course in our house with a frisbee as the putting hole and obstacles just like a real putt putt course!
43:00 – We Need to Talk * Conflict and difficult discussions are never fun or easy. Randy reminds us not to approach the start to a conversation “We need to talk”, but instead with “I need your help.” This humbles the other person and eases the tension and wall that goes up with “We need to talk.” * It’s important for every couple to realize that happy marriages have disagreements, what they don’t have are arguments, fights, and conflicts. We don’t want to go to war in our marriages, but we do want to respect each other’s differing opinion and find a solution to that differing opinion. * Randy has “terrific twos” that help save marriages. When you stay inside the “9s”, you have healthy discussions after 9:00 in the morning, or before 9:00 at night. We need to have energy to find the solution to differing opinions. The second “terrific two” is to always sit down when you talk. Standing is an intimidating posture, and it’s easier to escalate into yelling when you’re standing.
52:57 - Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out what Randy is learning about himself and his marriage during Covid-19, what his ideal date night with his wife would be, and after 45 years of marriage, what his favorite thing is about marriage, and which of his pet peeves in the strangest. Stay tuned to hear what is means to Randy to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes: Everyone wants a happy marriage. No marriage is going to be happy 100% of the time, but the goal is to have a consistently happy marriage.
It’s important for every couple to realize that happy marriages have disagreements, what they don’t have are arguments, fights, and conflicts. We don’t want to go to war in our marriages, but we do want to respect each other’s differing opinion and find a solution to that differing opinion.
CONNECT WITH RANDY * https://www.drrandyschroeder.com/ * Simple Habits for Marital Happiness Book * https://twitter.com/Dr_Randy_S
ABOUT DR. RANDY SCHROEDER Dr. Randy Schroeder was born and raised in Austin, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Concordia University Chicago, and received a Master’s of Education in Administration from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He also earned a Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana and holds a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Chicago Theological Seminary.
For the first eight years of his professional career, he was a Lutheran high school teacher, an assistant principal, athletic director, and varsity football and basketball coach winning two conference football championships. After eight successful years as an educator, he felt called to serve the Lord as a Pastor and left teaching to prepare for the pastoral ministry at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.
After graduating in 1986, the seminary administration asked him to become a Professor of Pastoral Counseling, Vice President of Student Personnel Services, and Dean of Students. As a Professor of Pastoral Counseling, it was an absolute joy for Dr. Schroeder to teach pastors how to counsel individuals, marriages, and families in their future churches. For 25 years he taught a number of classes in marriage counseling, premarital counseling, family counseling, crisis counseling, and general pastoral care classes.
In 2010, he retired as Professor of Pastoral Counseling at Concordia Theological Seminary. After being an educator for 33 years, he strongly desired to serve God and others as a full-time Christian counselor in order to help individuals, marriages, and families with the practical Simple Habits that can make a profound difference in relationships and achieving a rewarding life.
Dr. Schroeder has committed his life to encouraging and motivating others to have fulfilling lives and healthy relationships. He firmly believes that an absence of knowledge, not a lack of desire, is what holds people back from accomplishing their personal and relationship goals. He is fervently devoted to sharing with others the practical wisdom and Simple Habits that produce meaningful relationships.
He is a marriage expert, parenting specialist, pastor, speaker, author, and retired professor. Dr. Schroeder has spoken to numerous church groups, conferences, and businesses, providing practical tips and inspiration on marriage, parenting, and various life challenges.
He wrote a FAMILY COUNSELOR column for the Lutheran Witness magazine for 15 years; spoke to the Indiana Section of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on the Simple Habits for Marital Happiness; addressed thousands of couples on how to have a happy marriage; and made presentations to thousands of parents providing skills and tools for effective parenting.
Dr. Schroeder continues to write, speak, and have a successful counseling practice because he is passionate about helping individuals, couples, and families enjoy satisfying personal lives and rewarding relationships. He is a well-known relationship speaker and very popular presenter on the topic of marriage, parenting, communication, and more. Audiences enjoy his influential style of encouraging and guiding individuals, couples, and parents to have a fulfilling life. He still has numerous life goals, including two future books, Simple Habits for Effective Parenting and Simple Habits for a Satisfying Life.
Dr. Schroeder and his wife, Ginny, have been happily married for forty-five years and have two married sons, along with six grandchildren. Randy and Ginny love nurturing their grandchildren and moved from Fort Wayne to the Indianapolis area to accomplish that goal. Traveling is something they really enjoy because they like meeting new people and experiencing different cultures.
If we want to have a productive and honest conversation about what it’s going to take to end human trafficking, we’ve got to start thinking about what to do on the front end. How do we keep people from falling into the trap of human trafficking in the first place? One of the biggest factors in that prevention means providing jobs, education, and sustainable economic opportunities. This is how we end human trafficking. My guest today started a social enterprise that is caring for women escaping human trafficking and exploitation in East Asia. Jenny McGee is the founder and director of Starfish Project. Jenny started her work by visiting brothels every week and building relationships with the women and girls who worked there. She found that many of them had either been tricked into working in these places, or they came from incredibly desperate circumstances. Most had very little education, and many could not read and write. Jenny started Starfish project to provide alternative employment and educational opportunities for these women and girls. Starfish project started with five women working around a kitchen table and has grown to employ over 150 women! Today, Starfish Project has two women’s’ and children’s’ shelters and reaches thousands of women every year through their outreach programs. One hundred percent of their profits are reinvested in their social mission to restore hope to exploited women and girls. Without further ado, join me for this great conversation with Jenny.
4:03 - The Jenny 101 * Eighteen years ago, Jenny moved to Asia after studying abroad there and falling in love with East Asia, specifically. * She started learning the language and building a life there with her husband and three children. She started to notice a lot of young women working on the streets and brothels. One of Jenny’s friends wanted to start reaching out to the women and girls and reached out to Jenny for help translating. * As Jenny started to get to know the women and girls better, she was surprised that many were coming in from poor villages in the countryside and looking for work in the city. A lot of them were sending money back to their village for their brothers to be able to go to school. Most were there for economic reasons and didn’t want to be there doing that kind of work. * Building those connections and relationships was the foundation for Starfish Project. It allowed Jenny to begin to find educational and safe employment opportunities for the women. They started with just five women working around a kitchen table and it grew from there. * Starfish Project is a social enterprise jewelry company that cares for women who are escaping human trafficking and gives them opportunities to experience freedom, establish independence, and develop careers. There are teams that go into the brothels each week to visit the women working in the shops there.
7:40 – Experience Freedom, Establish Independence, and Develop Careers. * Starfish Project builds relationships in person and even through social media apps. They offer the option of a way out through employment and women and children’s shelters. They also provide benefits, retirement, and career development. They try to employ women coming out of human trafficking and exploitation throughout all levels of the company from graphic designers, artisans, photographers, accountants, and more. * If the women want to continue working at Starfish Project they can, but they can also take the skills they’ve developed to new opportunities in self-employment or jobs with other companies. * Working at Starfish also gives women a chance to be a part of a team and build community. Those first coming into the program can see the potential for their future in women who’ve worked there a little longer and developed their skills. * Starfish Project is one of the few organizations in the area that has very few women going back to work in the brothels. Part of that is that because newer women in program, even if they’re just starting with very simple skills, can see someone with their same background who’s made it as a photographer, accountant, graphic designer, etc.
13:48 - Indiana to East Asia * Jenny initially came to East Asia as a part of a semester abroad program with Bethel College in Indiana. She fell in love with East Asia (a very different city than it is today). She’s not exactly sure what it is that made her love it so much, and she truly feels that being there was a calling on her heart. * Jenny and her family live in a migrant village so that they can share life with the people they felt were their community. Jenny’s kids go to an international school with kids from all over the world as well. They experience life in a mix of cultures.
19:03 -Adapting and Innovating During a Global Pandemic * Since they’re in Asia, Starfish Project dealt with Covid-19 early on and in a sense, are now in round two of the pandemic. The women in the program went home during the Spring festival time (imagine it being like going home at Christmas time). They were spread out all over the country and when it was time to return, it was hard for many of them to travel back to the city. * Starfish Project also had to turn away orders because they couldn’t get raw materials for a while and couldn’t fill orders for about two months. As soon as they started to see the light at the end of the tunnel, Covid-19 hit the United States hard. Now they are seeing the sales side more impacted. * Day to day life in East Asia during Covid-10 started with a lot of strict regulations. Jenny had to do a full 14-day quarantine, complete with a sign placed on her door stating the household could not go outside for 14 days. All the neighborhoods are blocked off and getting into your own neighborhood requires a card. That affects Starfish Project’s outreach, as they can’t go into other neighborhoods where women are working in the brothels. * There are even small brothels in Jenny’s neighborhood, so they’ve been trying to deliver care packages to the women there. Some of the women locked themselves in with bike locks to try and stay safe. Their bosses cut off their electricity and heat to save money. * Unfortunately, even brothels being shutdown leaves women vulnerable because they have no income and it’s harder to communicate with the outside world and places like Starfish Project that can them begin to find a way out.
25:26 Faith and Hope in Uncertain Times and Through to the Future * Jenny’s faith and the faith of her team has brought togetherness and hope. It’s really opened everyone’s eyes to how little control they have over things. * Spending time studying God’s Word and focusing on things that bring hope has helped Jenny and the teams during this difficult season. * As Starfish Project looks toward both the immediate future and further down the road, they’ve focused on growing their business and sales to be able to help more people. They want to grow the business side to create as many job opportunities and escapes from the brothels as possible. * To accomplish that growth, they’re looking at business partnerships that will get products in front of more people and take the business side as far as it can go.
28:22 - Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out what Jenny has learned about herself during Covid-19, what her hype song would be, what she thinks people will be nostalgic for in forty years, and of course, what it means to Jenny to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes 10:10 - It’s always hard to see people you’ve poured into move on, but I think it’s also about opening space and opening doors for other women then to learn new skills as well.
13:11 – I think from day one, even if they start on a production line doing very simple tasks in the beginning, they can see the potential for their future. I think that also does a lot to bring them hope as well.
About Jenny McGee: Jenny McGee is the Founder and Director of Starfish Project, a social enterprise that cares for women escaping human trafficking and exploitation in East Asia. Jenny started her work by visiting brothels every week and building relationships with the women and girls who worked there. She found that many of them had either been tricked into working in these places or they came from incredibly desperate circumstances. Most had very little education and many could not read and write. So Jenny began Starfish Project to provide alternative employment and educational opportunities for these women and girls. Starfish Project began with five women working around a kitchen table and has grown to employ over 150 women since its beginnings. Today Starfish Project has two women and children's shelters and reaches thousands of women every year through their outreach programs. 100% of their profits are reinvested into their social mission to restore hope to exploited women and girls. Jenny moved to East Asia over 18 years ago and continues to live there today with her husband and three children.
Connect with Starfish Project: * https://starfishproject.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/StarfishProjAsia/ * https://www.instagram.com/starfish_project/ * https://twitter.com/starfishproj * https://www.pinterest.com/starfishproject * https://www.linkedin.com/company/starfish-project * https://www.youtube.com/user/starfishprojectinc
Have you ever thought about the story you are telling with the things you bring into your home? Have you ever thought about what your décor style says about you? I love seeing how different people’s home décor or personal style says so much about their personality, culture, history, where they’ve traveled, and what they hold near and dear to them. My guest today has combined her passion for travel, culture, and fair trade into a thriving business that is helping others tell their stories in a beautiful way. Latoya Tucciarone is the founder and owner of Sustainable Home Goods. Latoya started Sustainable Home Goods in 2017 because she truly believes that one of the best ways to end world poverty is through trade, not aid. Prior to starting Sustainable, she worked for fair-trade jewelry company, Noonday Collection (which is no stranger to this podcast)! During her time with Noonday, Latoya noticed a rise in ethical shopping for jewelry and clothing, but very few fair-trade options for the home. She saw a niche and she wanted to fill it. Sustainable Home Goods can be found online and at Ponce City Market in Atlanta, GA. Latoya graduated from Elon University (just down the road from me!), started a successful photography business, and has traveled all over the world. She’s also raising four amazing kids with her husband Andrew. I loved this conversation with Latoya. We could have talked all day. Sit back, relax, and join me for this great conversation!
3:52 - The Latoya 101 * Latoya and her husband are beautifully busy in Atlanta, GA with their four children, ages 4, 7, 10, and 11. Latoya grew up in southern California, which fostered her love of being connected to people from all different cultures. * In college Latoya had a chance to study abroad and live in South Africa for a month. That’s when she first fell in love with people groups and really realized her love for the world and for traveling. Between Latoya’s travel and her husband Andrew’s travel for his production company, the two have seen more than 50 countries! * Her experiences traveling also grew her heart for recognizing the need to engage vulnerable communities through fair trade in a sustainable way. That means collaborating with them through trade, not just charity. * Latoya’s family facilitated cultural experiences without leaving the house, whether through music available for the kids to listen to, or art prominently displayed throughout the house.
8:30 – Trade Not Aid * Populations that are already vulnerable are even more so during a crisis like the one we’re in now with the global Coronavirus pandemic. There are so many systemic issues that still have to change to protect vulnerable communities when things are good! * Latoya and Andrew took their kids to Guatemala last July so that they could meet the artisans and understand the process, love, and tradition that goes into handmade items. The kids don’t think of the artisans as receiving charity, they see them as talented partners.
Talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not. -Leila Janah
- Latoya’s focus is to find talented people and partner with them so that there is an opportunity for their unique, handcrafted work to be seen, celebrated, and purchased! Sustainable Home Goods works hard to create a story-driven experience to show people how each piece was made.
- Pieces can be even more treasured knowing that people have the honor of bringing a unique, special item into their home.
21:56 - Between Two Tensions * Latoya credits her experience with Noonday Collection as the first time she really understood how business can be used for good. * She loved working with jewelry and Noonday Collection, but she was drawn to home décor and creating a warm and inviting space and filling homes for stories. When she surveyed the retail landscape, she noticed there weren’t as many options for purchasing ethically for the home like there were for purchasing ethical fashion. * Latoya knew she wanted to create a space for people to shop safely, knowing there was no exploitation behind the pieces they purchased. She started slowly with basic e-commerce for a year and a half, followed by a few pop ups shops and markets. Seeing people pick up products in their hands and connect with a story made Latoya quickly realize that it was time to open a brick and mortar. * She knew there was only one place she wanted to be. She called the Ponce City Market in Atlanta, Georgia. The location in “the Hollywood of the South” allows Sustainable Home Goods to foster even more meaningful conversations with regular people, celebrities, and scientists about breaking poverty and violence cycles with jobs, sustainable income, and trade. * When people visit the store from other countries, they comment about feeling right at home. Latoya is well on her way toward a goal of Sustainable Home Goods becoming “the Whole foods of ethical shopping.” * Sustainable Home Goods is very mindful about what they bring into the store, and everything is carefully hand-picked and curated. Latoya wants to create a special place for people to shop for modern items while still honoring traditional techniques.
36:23 – The Experience of a Black Woman in Fair Trade * In the past year or two, Latoya has seen more black women engaging in the fair-trade industry. Latoya has had strangers at conferences comment on her looks or even touch her hair! * People also go out of their way to acknowledge her presence. It stands out to Latoya that there are so few black women in the industry that when they arrive, everyone notices. It can feel a bit uncomfortable and lonely to say the least. * Knowingly or unknowingly, the industry treads a fine line of perpetuating the image of the white savior and white people centering themselves. * When traveling, it’s also hard to witness people in other cultures acknowledging a purchase from a white person as having “made it”, equating that metric to success. It’s not the measure of their worth, and it can be a heartbreaking to see. * Latoya and Noonday Collections worked on ways to shift the narrative to use ethnic models and do photoshoots on location where artisans live. It’s important for artisans to see their own people wearing and using their creations. * Seeing people reconnecting to their own heritage through the artisan items is very encouraging and special, especially knowing that connection can also support the artisans around the world who share that same heritage. * The more businesses that follow ethical business practices, the more people are seeing that it’s just a good way to do business, no matter your race. As the industry grows, Latoya’s hope is that we will organically see diversity in the industry grow as well. * You can have good intentions, but if your impact is negative, it’s important to recognize it and change. When we know better, we do better (Maya Angelo). * It’s most important to be in real relationship with people different from us. That’s the best way to learn how to be mindful about how we treat each other, rather than coming in with preconceived notions from something we’ve read in a book. * Being in close relationship is disarming. Being open with each other is the way we were created to live.
56:11 – Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out what Latoya is learning about herself during Covid-19 (oooh, it’s good stuff), her most unusual talents, who she would choose to play her in a movie about her life, what makes her feel most alive, and of course, what it means to her to run a business with purpose.
#carbsandgrace
Memorable Quotes 18:00 - There are brilliant artists coming out of Africa and telling their story. You just never hear about modern art coming out of Africa. So how do we change that narrative?
22:52 - You’re kind of left with those two tensions ... This is a way to live in that love of culture while also being able to engage in ending the poverty and suffering that you’re seeing.
42:20 - We can be connected to our heritage and our people through fair trade and purchasing items that are helping our brothers and sisters all over the world…That’s the narrative that I’m working on: be connected to who you are and your heritage.
50:45 - Be mindful of being culturally respectful, but in the context of relationship. I think sometimes people want to skip over the relational part and just be able to say what they want to say and do what they think is best. There’s some work to be done. Just love someone who’s different than you.
51:27 - Relationships are just so, so important. Before you get on twitter and start spouting about something, or get on Facebook and spouting about something, or putting a sign in your yard, just stop and say, ‘Am I loving and am I in relationship with people who are different than me?’ And if not, then that’s your first step. Go and love and be with people who are different.
ABOUT LATOYA TUCCIARONE: LaToya Tucciarone is the Founder and Owner of SustainAble Home Goods. She started SustainAble in 2017 because She truly believes that one of the best ways to end world poverty is through trade not aid.
Previous to starting SustainAble, She worked for fair trade jewelry company Noonday Collection. Getting to work with that amazing company really set her on this journey. During her time time with Noonday, she noticed a rise in ethical shopping for jewelry and clothing but very few fair trade options for the home. She saw a niche and wanted to fill it. SustainAble Home Goods can be found at Ponce City Market in Atlanta, Georgia.
LaToya is a graduate of Elon University, started a successful photography business, has traveled all over the world and somewhere along the line is raising 4 absolutely amazing kids with her husband Andrew.
Connect with SustainAble Home Goods: * https://yoursustainablehome.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/sustainablehomegoods/ * https://www.instagram.com/sustainablehomegoods/
Thank you to our sponsor of this week's episode: Hopewriters*
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Anyone who has ever started a business knows that entrepreneurship is hard. Starting a business takes courage. Starting a business takes conviction, perseverance, grit and tenacity. It is not for the faint of heart and often the occasion arises where you may need to change something to keep your business going. In our current time right now, pivoting is what a lot of businesses are finding themselves in a position to do. My guest today is an entrepreneur who has a lot of experience with exactly that. Lauren Peterson is the founder and CEO of Travel Patterns, a travel-inspired social impact brand that envisions a world where every woman understands her unique value, is connected to her own story, and is empowered to boldly pursue her daring life adventure while enabling others to do the same. I had so much fun having Lauren on the show and she’s actually the first guest I’ve interviewed from home during Covid-19. Lauren has so many wise insights regarding how businesses can adapt and pivot during this time. Join me for this encouraging conversation with Lauren!
3:35 – The Lauren Peterson 101 * Lauren is the founder of Travel Patterns, an ethically made travel and home accessory brand that partners with weaving cooperatives in different countries to provide products through a sustainable marketplace. * Lauren studied interior design and practiced the profession for a decade before jumping full time into working on Travel Patterns. She even had a unique job working with the Army Corps of Engineers as an interior designer! * Her entrepreneurial journey started in college when she knew she wanted to start her own company. After graduating, she knew God was calling her to a career in interior design, but He was not calling her to a TYPICAL career in interior design. * When she graduated in 2008 as the economy crashed, Lauren realized very quickly that her career options would be limited. She was living in Chicago at the time and decided she would need to move home to continue to pursue career opportunities, though there were none. * She never would have moved home or taken a government job working with the Army Corps of Engineers if not for the economic circumstances at the time. She felt God calling her to something she never expected for herself. * Lauren worked with the Army Corps of Engineers for 10 years in Alabama and left her job there a year and a half ago. Halfway through her work with the Army she was able to further foster her love of global textiles with global travel for her job. * All of her projects were outside of the US, and it fostered an understanding for how business could positively impact other communities. When she traveled, she learned more about communities with their own unique textiles and crafts. She would bring handmade products home that everyone wanted to learn more about. * Over time, the lightbulb went off that she could build a business that supported the artisan groups she was able to interact with and provide a sustainable livelihood through business partnership. In 2014, Lauren started her company and rebranded it to become Travel Patterns in 2016.
16:23 – Pivoting in 2020 * So many different business entities whether small businesses, large corporations, fair-trade businesses, restaurants, and ethical businesses are having to pivot and problem solve during this global pandemic. * Lauren is no stranger to pivoting. She built her business while working full time. At the time she was just purchasing products from different artisan groups overseas and reselling the products. It was a sustainable relationship, but she quickly realized it wasn’t scalable. The inventory was always hit or miss. * Lauren knew that in order to have true, sustainable partnership for her cooperatives, they needed to be designing their own products. She rebranded the company for a fresh start and refocused on one cooperative in Guatemala, designing their first original collection. Soon they launched with a small product line of travel accessories like pouches, zip bags, and laundry bags. * From 2017-2018, Lauren and her husband started planning for her to leave her full-time job to focus solely on Travel Patterns. During that time, they looked at adding future product lines and adding new partnerships. She is now in the middle of adding a home goods line (in the middle of a global crisis). * Lauren has learned a lot from her cooperatives about moving forward in a time of crisis. Many of their communities are accustomed to adversity on a basis level and are equipped to work through overcoming these kinds of situations. * Most of the raw materials for the products made for the cooperatives are made in people’s homes and later taken to a workshop to be made into a finished product. The difficulty during a pandemic is not getting the parts and pieces for handmade goods, but finishing the product to send it. * Now Travel Patterns is brainstorming what can be handstitched together rather than relying on the larger equipment in the workshops. They are focusing more on simpler products and brainstorming a whole new line of products that are easier to make. * Lauren has turned to her partners for ideas on how to continue working safely, understanding how their needs have changed, and helping the already vulnerable communities they live in.
30:04 – Pause for Clarity * Lauren felt behind in responding to the crisis, but truly what was needed was time to reach out to her partners and understand their creative options. It took a few weeks to gauge the impact on a broad scale. * We are talking about pivoting, but especially right at the beginning of the crisis, Travel Patterns had to stop in their tracks altogether. They had inventory coming in for a launch that isn’t happening now, so working and communicating closely with their partners was the most important thing as the world changed rapidly. * Taking the time to calibrate in the beginning has set the company and its partners up with strong plans for the new normal of the planet. The new plan may not include a new collection launch, and instead requires taking things day by day and asking what is most important for the partners. * God’s timing is not our own, and this time of waiting can be a very rich growing experience where we can learn even more to trust God when our plans seemingly go off the rails.
35:03 - Travel Patterns * For any sale on Guatemalan collections, 50% of the profits will be donated to get vital food and supplies into the Guatemalan communities in remote areas where people are not able to take public transport into town to buy the food and supplies they need. * The Travel Patterns Philippines Collection is available on pre-order, and products will ship mid-May to end of May with discounted pricing. The collection includes two pillows, clutches, and weekender bags. Those funds will of course go back into the Philippines partnership.
- Find Travel Patterns on:
- Instagram - @shoptravelpatterns
- Web: www.shoptravelpattners.com
38:10 - Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out what Lauren is learning about herself during Covid-19, what part of a kid’s movie scarred her, what she would do differently if no one was watching her, and of course, what it means to Lauren to run her business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes 7:00 – “Even though I question and kick and scream a lot in my selfish ways about my own plans for my life, I am able to recognize the path He’s put before me and I’m thankful for that, even though I love to control other situations.”
“Many of the more impoverished communities and the cooperatives that a lot of ethically made companies are partnered with are so used to adversity on a basic level of having to really work through a crisis. Many of these cooperatives live this every single day. They’ve been built on crisis and trying to overcome these situations, so for me, I’m actually looking more to my cooperatives to say, ‘What are good ways to move forward?’ “
How often do you hear the term superfoods these days? I hear health and fitness gurus talking about it all the time and my local grocery store even has a dedicated aisle just for superfoods! My guest today was really intrigued by this Superfood phenomenon. She wanted to know how these superfoods affect our bodies and how the growing of the foods affects farmers. Ann Shin is an award-winning director and producer known for beautiful, compelling documentary films, series, and innovative, interactive projects. Hers films and series have aired all over numerous networks including HBO, ABC, HGTV, and Discovery, just to name a few. Her latest documentary, The Superfood Chain, follows Ann as she meets farming families in Bolivia, Ethiopia, Philippines, and more who are affected by the Superfood industry. This was a fascinating conversation and I know you’re going to enjoy learning from Ann too.
The Ann 101 * Ann is a writer and documentary film maker who made her start at CBC radio. She has loved both writing and stories all her life and started her career doing radio documentaries. * Ann loved working in the studio using clips to create stories with soundscapes. It wasn’t long before she realized she wanted to work on long form documentaries. * Growing up on a mushroom farm in Langley, BC, Ann learned a lot about vegetable gardening. She lives in Toronto now and having a smaller patch of land got her curious about where we are getting our foods these days. It started her journey toward making The Superfood Chain, a documentary about superfoods from around the world. * Ann’s experience with documentary subjects is vast. She has also covered stories about two war vets from the Iran, Iraq War called My Enemy, My Brother that was nominated for an Emmy and short-listed for an Oscar! She has also covered North Korean defectors escaping North Korea through China in a piece called The Defector. * Ann has always loved expression through visual arts and made the transition from radio producer to TV producer, gradually pitching her own stories. * At that time Ann also started working for production companies on documentary series. She directed a documentary for the National Film Board called Western Eyes about cosmetic surgery among Asian populations. * Soon Ann was also directing as a freelancer on a range of lifestyle and documentary series. Many in the industry find the lifestyle series a grind because it’s so repetitive, but it helped Ann gain a lot of the directing experience she would need to go out on her on in the future.
8:45 – The Superfood Chain * Like many of us, Ann enjoys shopping for healthy and whole foods, especially after learning more about where our food comes and growing a small garden with her daughter. * When out shopping, she started to notice that every month there was a new superfood and marketing to go along with it. She started to wonder why suddenly superfoods were being introduced and promoted. She also wanted to understand the impact it had on farmers growing superfoods. * Most superfoods are age-old crops grown on a small scale, and Ann questioned how the growth footprint may have changed as superfoods seemed to be exploding on a much larger (and popular) scale. * When she served her children a dinner made with a superfood, they would ask where it’s from. Ann realized she couldn’t tell her kids the cultural significance of the food and only that they were eating it because it’s healthy. She started researching superfoods grown in other countries and how they get to our dinner plates. * In popular culture, superfoods are known as healthy foods that help combat diseases and are super rich with nutrients and antioxidants to help us stay healthy. * In many cases, Ann learned that these descriptors were just a big marketing tactic. As she researched more, she realized it was leading consumers to believe that superfoods are somehow better than the other nutrient-rich foods they have always had access to. We don’t necessarily need extra nutrients in North America where we have easy access to all the nutrients we need already. * The hype around superfoods can lead people to think that they need to buy superfoods to be healthy when in fact there are tons of (non-superfood) foods around us that are very nutritional.
16:46 - A Shift * We’ve seen a huge shift in the food industry in the last 10-15 years toward more organic, whole, and non-GMO food, and people are questioning where their food comes from more. * Ann and her daughters took a trip to Boliva to learn how quinoa is grown. They learned that as demand for quinoa skyrocketed in North America, farmers in Boliva initially became wealthy, but quinoa soon became too expensive for local Bolivians to purchase. * There was a big disruption in the sustainability of quinoa. When larger farms in Boliva and other parts of the world became successful, the quinoa prices dropped and the farmers who were initially successful started turning their farms back to grow potatoes because they made more money growing potatoes than quinoa. * Global production caused farms that were initially successful to struggle to stay in business once quinoa prices fell.
21:13 – Our Buying Power * There is a ripple effect with our buying decisions. It’s worth buying a fair-trade food products that you’ve researched because legitimate fair-trade organizations can lobby for land rights and help farmers get the equipment they need to keep their businesses going. * We can also support the farmers near us. There are a lot of great nutritional options around us, and the closer the food is to us, the lower the footprint and the more meaningful the purchase. * We can be mindful about how we shop in the grocery store and doing so can positively impact farmers that are near us and far away too.
You can find The Superfood Chain HERE. It’s also available on Amazon Prime, Google Play, Voodoo, and Tubi. Fathomfilm.ca has more of Ann’s documentaries streaming as well!
30:45 - Getting to Know Our Guest Find out Ann’s strangest pet peeve, what she thinks we will be nostalgic for in forty years, and of course the question I ask all my guests! Stay tuned to hear Ann’s answer to what it means to her to run a business with purpose!
Memorable Quotes: ~5:42 - “When something just sticks when me and I come back to it again and again, I find I want to delve into it further and I start to develop and research a documentary around it.”
~11:10 – “I realized I was really divorced from one, where the food was coming from, but also how it’s prepared. There was no cultural significance to the food that I was feeding the kids.”
14:53 - “The hype around superfoods can be a bit misleading. People might think they need to buy the superfood to be healthy but in fact, no. There are extra nutrients in these foods, but there’s tons of foods around us that are very nutritional.”
About Ann Shin: Ann is an award-winning Director and Producer known for beautiful, compelling documentary films, series and innovative interactive projects. Her films and series have aired on CBC, TVO, HBO, ABC, CBC The Documentary Channel, Discovery Channel, HGTV, History Channel, SLICE. Her latest film, My Enemy, My Brother won Grand Jury Prize at SDAIFF , the short version was shortlisted for a 2016 Academy Award, and nominated for an Emmy.
Connect with Ann Shin: * https://thesuperfoodchain.com/ * https://tubitv.com/movies/500408/the_superfood_chain * https://www.facebook.com/thesuperfoodchain/ * https://twitter.com/FathomFilm * https://www.instagram.com/thesuperfoodchain/
My guest this week is Eric Erdman, the founder of the Give a Child a Voice Foundation. When Eric learned he had advanced brain cancer in July of 2016 at the age of 16, he had no idea all the ways his life would change. He faced medical procedures including both brain surgery and eye surgery, and lost hearing as well as sight in one of his eyes. Yet the fear and grueling procedures are not what Eric remembers most about the months after he was diagnosed with Anaplastic Grade III Ependymoma. He remembers the voluntary kindness friends, families, neighbors, and even strangers who helped him find his voice, to share his story and speak out. The coming together of so many different people, all with the same goal of showing support, transformed his perspective on life and inspired him to pay it forward. Today, after four brain surgeries, three rounds of radiation, a round of chemo, and complications, Eric is more excited than ever to continue to help other struggling kids find their voice through his foundation, Give a Child a Voice. While some children battle critical pediatric illness, others face challenges such as bullying and abuse in their schools and homes. In addition to the immediate harm it causes, these difficult experiences can cause long-term emotional suffering. Eric dreams that other kids who experience difficult situations receive the same kindness he received at one of the most vulnerable times of his life. He started Give a Child a Voice to engage the community and get children the help they need so positive change is possible. His dream and movement have become a reality thanks to the work being done through his foundation. I was so beyond inspired by my conversation with Eric. This young man is making the most of his time to inspire and encourage kids who’ve experienced bullying and so much more. I know you are going to be encouraged by him too, so without further ado, please enjoy my conversation with Eric!
3:32 - The Eric 101 * Eric started Give a Child a Voice after he was diagnosed with cancer. His foundation helps children who have dealt with or are dealing with bullying, abuse, and life-threatening illness. Give a Child a Voice strives to emphasize the importance of children being able to speak up about their experiences. * For many years, Eric did not speak up about being physically and mentally abused and bullied. It took him three years before he felt safe enough to talk about it to just his mom. He told her when he was 16 years old, at the same time as his diagnosis. * He was diagnosed with stage three anaplastic ependymoma brain tumor. It is a very rare brain cancer and only 200 kids and about 52 adolescents are diagnosed each year. Eric is now stage four and has been through four brain surgeries, three rounds of radiation (61 sessions) at the highest dose. * In August of 2019, he was given six months to live. Eric says he knows his body and how it reacts to so many surgeries and treatments. He’s been accustomed to medical procedures his whole life and says cancer has given him the ability to help others. * Eric says he wouldn’t change anything because his experience is helping kids through similar experiences. Often people receive bleak diagnoses and prognoses by feeling sorry for themselves and being negative. Eric chose the opposite. He intentionally decided to take the positive, happy route to help his family and to focus to live in the moments he has now.
14:55 – A Strong Advocate * Eric has always been happy, but his diagnosis brought out his personality. He is much more extroverted now and he has become such a strong advocate for children who are victims of abuse, having been bullied himself. * Eric realized through his own experience with bullying that confronting a bully isn’t always straightforward. Kids who are bullies may be getting abused at home because of their home environment. * Eric encourages those who’ve been bullied to speak up about what they’re going through at that moment, not only to protect themselves but also to help the kid that is doing the bullying. Speaking up is the first step. Once you speak up, something can be done to help everyone in the situation. It helps so many kids, not just the kid who is speaking up.
23:40 - Empowering Others * Eric knows he would not have started a foundation to help others if not for his cancer. He wanted to take all the negative things he had been through and turn it around to use it for something good for other kids and teens. We can use our own life experiences to amplify the voice of others. * If you would like to learn more about Give a Child a Voice, you can find more on the website and on Facebook. You can find a video about Eric’s story that was filmed at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. * When Give a Child a Voice is also looking at ways for people to get involved in volunteer opportunities. * Reach out to Eric if you’d like to become involved with Give a Child A Voice. He would love to hear from you directly, and the contact form goes directly to his personal email address.
29:24: Getting to Know Our Guest * You’ll love hearing Eric’s fun and light-hearted answers to what his hype song would be, what his most unusual talent is, what makes him feel the most alive, and who he’d choose to play him in a movie about his life. Be sure to stay tuned to hear Eric’s heartfelt answer to what it means to him to run a business with purpose.
CONNECT WITH ERIC ERDMAN: * https://www.giveachildavoice.us/ * http://www.facebook.com/giveachildavoice * https://twitter.com/giveachildavoic * https://www.linkedin.com/company/giveachildavoice/ * https://www.instagram.com/giveachildavoice/
Memorable Quotes: “I wouldn’t change anything because I know now what I went through to help a kid in their own shoes if they have the same problems.”
“My mom hates me saying this but to me it’s true. I have to thank cancer because by far it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“I am fine with dying because the thing is, I’ve found something I love. I’m at my happiest, I have a foundation, I have an amazing family. I came to terms with it because I’m at peace with everything.”
About Eric Erdman When 16-year-old Eric Erdman learned he had advanced brain cancer in July 2016, he had no idea all the ways his life would change. He faced medical procedures, including both brain surgery and eye surgery, he lost hearing as well as sight in one of his eyes. However, the fear and grueling procedures aren’t what Eric remembers most about the months after he was diagnosed with Anaplastic Grade III Ependymoma.
He remembers the voluntary kindness of friends, families, neighbors, and even strangers showed him and how it helped him find his voice, to share his story and speak out. The coming together of so many different people, all with the same goal of showing support, transformed his perspective on life, and inspired him to pay it forward.
Today, after four brain surgeries, three rounds of radiation, and one round of chemo, as Eric battles complications, he’s more excited than ever to continue to help other struggling kids find their voice through his foundation - Give a Child a Voice.
While some children battle critical pediatric illness, others face challenges such as bullying and abuse in their schools and homes. In addition to the immediate harm it causes, these difficult experiences can cause long-term emotional suffering. Eric dreams that other kids who experience difficult situations receive the same kindness he received at one of the most vulnerable times of his life. He started his foundation, "Give a Child a Voice," to engage the community and get children and teens the help they need, so positive change is possible. His dream and movement have become a reality, thanks to work being done through his foundation.
It’s Episode 190, which means it’s time for another solo episode! When I was thinking about what I wanted to do for this episode, I was talking to my husband about how surreal this time is that we’re in right now while we’re social distancing all over the world. I’ve been taking social media Sabbaths on the weekends from Friday night until Monday morning, and it has been so good for my soul. Limiting my news intake has been life-giving for my mental health and my family’s mental health. I realize that there is a privilege to be able to do that, and it may not be the reality for so many people, so I want to be very intentional about using it to bring glory God and to uplift others. While I realize we could have whole podcast series about to support people during this time, I am in a unique position to speak to you about the specific challenges these brands are facing and highlighting ways to collectively support them. While I will be speaking on topics that require a certain amount of monetary investment, I also realize that money is tight for a lot of people right now, and I’ve also included ways to support that are completely free.
5:01 - It might feel like you can wait to support these small businesses when things get back to normal. But truly, right now is the time to support these businesses so that they are still here and thriving when we make it through this season. Just a few of the things that they’re facing right now are that all conferences, expos, markets, and speaking engagements have been canceled or postponed. That means these ethical businesses are experiencing less exposure and fewer sales. Small shops are closed, so wholesale has come to a halt, and trips to visit artisan partners have been canceled, which means there are no new products to offer or promote. Additionally, artisan partners have had to cut back on production, but the businesses here are still trying to pay them so that they can continue to eat and provide for their families.
6:25 - There’s such a hard balance for feeling guilty for trying to sale products, but that’s exactly what they rely on in order to continue supporting their artisan partners. The entire country of India, and many don’t have money in savings or credit cards to continue buying food and supplies for their most basic needs. It’s a life or death situation for so many people, completely unrelated to the fear of catching the virus.
7:42 - There is hope, especially when we come together to support each other and continue to make big change happen to help these businesses not only continue in this season, but continue to thrive in this season.
7:56 - I’m going to start by sharing six ways you can support ethical, fair trade, and small businesses during COVID-19 that are completely free: 1. Follow them on social media 2. Engage with their content. Every engagement is the opportunity to get more eyes on their products that are changing the world:
1. Sign up for their newsletter
2. Like their posts
3. Comment on their posts
4. Share their posts
- If you already own products from a small, fair trade, or ethical business that you love, post pictures of yourself using or wearing those products and tag them online. Think of a friend who might also like that product and might have the funds to buy it right now.
- Recommend small businesses, ethical, or fair-trade businesses to friends when they’re looking for suggestions for certain things.
- Get involved with Fashion Revolution Week (happening this week)! Fashion Revolution Week 2020 is from April 20th – April 26th. You can go to http://fashionrevolution.org/to learn more. You’ll hear conversations from people all over the world about who makes our clothes, how to help the ethical fashion industry, how to stop things like fast fashion, environmental sustainability and more. You can also get involved with Fashion Revolution throughout the year!
- Be patient. Patience is key, as is grace. There’s a lot that’s delayed with backorder delays, shipping delays, and shipping pauses. Everyone is experiencing these challenges, so please give businesses some grace and understanding, they’re doing their best to fulfill orders and there is so much that is out of their control.
11:32 - If you have the means to purchase products to support ethical fashion, fair trade, and small businesses, be thoughtful about it. * Is this item that you want or need something you can buy from a small or ethical business right now? Even Amazon is behind, so being able to wait a few more days for something from a small, ethical business makes a huge difference.
As an example, do you need shampoo? Instead of going to Target, Walmart, or Ulta, try getting it from Missio Hair, Be Pure Beauty, or Plane Products.
What about household products or toilet paper? You can check out a hilariously named company called Who Gives A Crap, or talk to Rachel at Simple Switch who was on the podcast just a few weeks ago!
Need some new shoes or a handbag? There’s The Root Collective, Malia Deigns, Seeko Designs, or ABLE!
If you need gifts, The Flourish Market has fantastic $30 gift bundles for anyone you need a gift for: kids, Mother’s Day, teachers, friends, etc.
13:11 – You can also reach out to some of your favorite brands to see what they have in stock. Buying what’s already in stock helps them sell current inventory.
13:30 – Gift Cards: If it’s a company you know you love to buy from, but they may not have something that you want right now, buy a gift cards. Not all businesses are receiving small business loans or stimulus packages.
14:17 - Shop small and local as much as you can during this season because every single sale means the world to them. Even if it’s just $10.00. It could mean a day’s wage for an artisan overseas or an hour for a worker in the US. Your purchases really do make an impact.
15:13 - As a small business owner, there are ways I’d appreciate your free support as well! You can share this podcast, rating and reviewing it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, is a free way to support me at this time. Since I’m a Sseko Fellow, you can also shop with me at Sseko Designs! Every email, comment, review, likes, shares are each so special to me. Your support and this community mean more than I could ever put in words.
16:22 - Please reach out if there is something specifically that I can be in prayer about for you. If you’re a business or organization that has a specific need, I’d love to help connect you with so many communities that would love to rally around you at this time. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. I want to love and support you at this time too.
17:13 - I know each week I usually sign off by saying, “Go do something good with purpose on purpose”, and I still want you to do that, but I’m going to borrow a line from my sweet friend Chidimma Ozor who has been signing off her social media posts with the following: “Stay well, wash your hands, and may we take care of ourselves and one another.”
Memorable Quotes 5:21 - “Right now is the time, if you’re able to, to support these businesses.”
7:42 - ”There is hope, especially when we come together to support each other and continue to make big change happen to help these businesses not only continue in this season, but continue to thrive in this season.”
6:30 - “There’s this extremely difficult balance between feeling guilty for trying to sell products, but also recognizing that it’s important that they do their best to continue supporting their artisans partners during this time.”
My conversation this week could not have come at a better time. I want to continue to bring encouraging and inspiring content to you during these unprecedented times. We are meant to live in community, and while we are social distancing right now, it can feel strange as many of us are wondering how we will communicate with our friends, family, and coworkers in new ways. If you’re married, your marriage could feel strained because you and your spouse are in closer proximity with each other all the time. It’s important to be focusing on those relationships and what matters most while we’re navigating this new and uncharted way of staying connected. My guest this week is Nicole Zasowski, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, writer, and speaker. She lives in a small town just outside New York City with her husband Jimmy and her two sons. With the vulnerability of your closest friends, and the wisdom of your most trusted resource, Nicole reveals her own story of how challenges such as unwanted transition, multiple miscarriages, and crippling anxiety gave her empty hands to receive everything she had been looking for in the presence and person of Jesus Christ. She’s also the author of the new book, From Lost to Found: Giving Up What You Think You Want for What Will Set You Free. I loved this conversation and listening back to it over the last week or so has really ministered to my heart, and I know it will to you too.
5:36 - The Nicole 101 * Nicole is a Marriage and Family Therapist who has a private practice in Connecticut, and is also on staff with an organization called The Hideaway Experience, a marriage intensive that works with four to five couples for four days. * Nicole just published her first book, From Lost to Found, that weaves her personal story with her professional therapy experience and faith journey. It wasn’t until she started writing the book that she realized she’d been missing out on the freedom she helped her clients find. * Nicole specializes in working with couples and sees individual clients of all ages. She is careful to hear their stories in the context of the family people grew up in or the systems they’re a part of currently. * She studied abroad her entire sophomore year of college, living with 50 other college students and a faculty family from her school in one house. The experience fostered many unique conversations with young people asking, “Who am I?”, and “What is my purpose in life?” * Nicole has always enjoyed one-on-one, deep conversations with people and her classmates turned to her as “the house therapist.” She became someone whom many classmates trusted with their struggles. * The faculty member who went with the students happened to be the head of the psychology department at Nicole’s college. She took Nicole out for coffee at the end of the year and asked Nicole “Are you sure you don’t want to be a therapist?” It became clear to Nicole right away that it was exactly what she wanted to do. * After that, Nicole changed all her courses and went straight into a graduate program in Marriage and Family Therapy after completing her undergraduate degree. * Nicole admits that therapy is a challenging fit for her personality type. She struggles with performance and wants to know that she can conquer a given task. But often therapy is messy, often with no clear-cut answers. That’s what tethers her to the hope of Christ and His strength.
12:03 – Counseling, Transitions, and Maintenance * Nicole and her husband experienced a big transition when they moved from California to Connecticut, where Nicole built a successful private practice. * For her own marriage, Nicole’s attitude is that everyone is learning and growing. While she’s learned a lot in school and through her clients, it’s an entirely different thing to apply those lessons to her own relationships. She recognizes that as soon as she loses touch with the fact that she needs to learn and grow too is when she’s in trouble. * Nicole’s husband is familiar with the model of therapy she uses, called Restoration Therapy, and they work on their relationship together; they use the same model Nicole uses for her clients. * Many people view therapy as something to start when things are hard. The more we can de-stigmatize counseling and marriage counseling, the more people will realize that grief is much more manageable when it’s something we add to our lives as a regular habit. * For many, starting counseling feels like admitting that there’s a problem, but that doesn’t have to be the case. It helps anyone in any type of relationship navigate communication so that you’re not suddenly blindsided by a problem in your most important relationships or in your own personal growth.
22:51 – The Tapestry from Loss * In her book, Nicole shares about a season of life where she experienced much change and loss, including having five miscarriages. She believes wholeheartedly that God is not the author of our suffering but loves us too much to waste our suffering. * Nicole was left empty-handed from her experience, and it took idols away that she’d relied on for too long to feel safe and secure. It was very painful, losing five precious babies, being unsure of where her identity came from and what would make her feel safe. She learned that “only empty hands are open.” * Nicole’s open hands were ready to receive a totally different picture of who God really is. It allowed for a deeper intimacy between Nicole and God that has transformed loss and change into different and new blessings. It isn’t calling tragedy good. The Bible makes a clear distinction between something good and something being worked for good. * God does not want to punish us with suffering. Our world is broken, and God’s word says we will have trouble. He also says He’s overcome that trouble. Our hope is not in what God can do for us but in us; that he will not waste any of it, but use it to bring us closer to Him. * We have a choice to run away from God or draw close to Him. We all have different ways of running, and Nicole’s was to perform for God. She thought she could show Him that she’d learned her lesson, but that is exactly what kept her from being honest with God and asking Him what He had for her in her pain. * God wants us to invite Him into our feelings and the places we’ve been taught to keep closed off. Through our pain, we can get to know God’s character. The Bible lets us see the ways Jesus grieved during his time on Earth, even when He knew the reason for it, or that the outcome would eventually be victorious. * God came into our full human experience and gave us the gift of being allowed to grieve. We see in Jesus’ moments of grief that He turns to God. Even when Jesus knew he’d bring Lazarus back from death, He still paused to grieve the pain of loss. * The way of empathy for others is not bearing the responsibility of fixing their grief, but rather sitting with them while they experience it.
43:25 - Getting to Know Our Guest * Learn some funny and interesting things about Nicole like what part of a kid’s movie has completely scarred her, what one thing she’d do differently if she knew no one would judge her, and something we’d never guess about her. Stay tuned to hear what it means to Nicole to run a business with purpose.
You can order Nicole’s new book from her website and on Amazon! Connect with Nicole here: * https://www.nicolezasowski.com/ * http://www.instagram.com/nicolezasowski * http://www.instagram.com/nicolezasowski
Memorable Quotes: 6:51 - “I did not realize that I was personally missing out on the freedom that I was so passionate about helping my clients find for many years, and it wasn’t until I confronted my own painful season that I realized that I actually had not been practicing any of the things that I encourage my clients to practice.”
19:52 - “I’m more human than therapist. I’m not sitting here with perfection and nothing to work on myself. We are all in this journey together, and if I can use what I’ve learned through my training and my work with couples to help you along, just know that I need that too in my own life.”
24:26 – “What He did through a season of a log of change and a lot of loss in my life, was took my hands off of false securities that were promising way more than they could deliver but had always ‘worked’ for me in terms of feeling valued and safe.”
25:45 - “Would I have preferred to carry on with my comfortable way of living in my false and small idea of who God was and with the relationship I had with Him at the time? I thought was really good, but what I know now is so much more of His character, and there’s such a deeper intimacy between the two of us, and that has been the biggest gift to me.”
If you are brand new in your journey of shopping ethically, or if you’ve been shopping ethically for a while, one of the most common frustrations I hear from people is that there’s not one central place to find all the things they need to buy. They don’t want to have to scour the internet and go to ten different websites to find all of their ethically made products. My guest today is trying to solve that exact problem. Rachel Kois is the founder and CEO of Simple Switch. Three years ago, Rachel was a business consultant for entrepreneurs in the poorest parts of South Africa. She was so impressed by what they created and learned so much from them. Rachel also understood the privilege she held, and when she came back from her trip, she knew she wanted to use her everyday choices to empower those with fewer resources. She found it was actually a very difficult thing to do. The hours it took to research company ethics, labor laws, and environmentally sustainable impact did not fit into her busy life and schedule. She wanted to make a positive impact, but she felt exhausted every step of the way. This gave Rachel the idea to start Simple Switch to help people like her, people like you, and people like me find easier ways to spend our money on products that help us vote for the kind of world we want to live in. The companies that Simple Switch has partnered with have committed to improving livelihoods, protecting the beautiful Earth that we live on, and empowering people to change their future; our future. Rachel firmly believes that even if one person uses Simple Switch, it would be worth the work of creating and sustaining the company. Simple Switch really is a one stop shop for finding ethically made, simple products that you use in your everyday life. I loved my chat with Rachel, and I know you’re going to be inspired by her too!
3:25 - The Rachel 101 * Rachel is a young entrepreneur living between Denver and Boulder, Colorado. She grew up in Colorado with the mountains as her playground, and the outdoors are a big part of her life. She majored in both Business and Theatre Performance. Her theatre background has helped her take care of herself, express herself, and connect with people while starting Simple Switch. * Rachel loves traveling and just finished visiting her 28th country! Her travels have been both personal trips, mission trips, and now, business trips to meet with Simple Switch partners. * Rachel has had a heart for learning about other cultures from a young age. She learned a lot about both entrepreneurship and the world outside of the US from her parents who owned a real estate company and were friends with pastors in Nigeria. * When Rachel graduated, she thought she wanted to go into counseling but choose business instead as a safeguard. She was surprised with how much she fell in love with business, specifically, business as an opportunity to do good in the world. * She had a chance to intern in South Africa and do business consulting there. When she came home, she wanted to use her everyday choices to help support people like the clients she’d worked with in Africa. She recognized that they were incredible businesspeople but didn’t have the same access to market as we do here in the US. This is where Rachel’s idea for Simple Switch took root.
5:58 - Simple Switch * Simple Switch is an online marketplace for “positive impact purchasing.” They carry over 3,000 products from home goods to jewelry, and even toilet paper! The company started out of the desire to help people make simple changes in their purchasing decisions in order to support ethical businesses. * Rachel saw that Amazon had such convenient ways to purchase with their “One-Click” buy feature, but ethical companies were so much harder to find, requiring hours or research, difficult payment, and long shipping times. Simple Switch was started to create an easier, more convenient place for people to find ethically made products without so much hassle. * The biggest challenge for Simple Switch has been changing customer perception. Often this kind of shopping is still viewed as a niche for things you don’t need every day and will only money on if your motivation is making a positive impact. Rachel realized there are so many day-to-day items out there that are sustainably made. * In our society, we’ve had it drilled into our brains that these story brands for the “feed good” factor. Simple Switch is trying to change the narrative that people can switch to ethically made brands for typical shopping needs. * Owners of big brands don’t have personal relationships with the people who make their products. It really makes us all more interconnected when we can say who made our clothes and know a little bit about that person’s life and story. Consumer stories are just as powerful too. Simple Switch is always hearing about how someone’s entire perspective can change when they realize how their small decisions can have a huge global impact. * Connections between consumers and impact partners create empowerment for artisans because they know that consumers value what they make, and it grows their confidence in both their skills and the quality of their handiwork. * When impact partners create safer, environmentally friendly products that are not contributing harm to people or communities, our society can start to value those products as more highly desired than wasteful, fast fashion or environmentally harmful company practices.
15:24 – Launching an Ethically Led Business in 2020 * Would you believe that Simple Switch officially launched in 2020? Rachel had the idea for Simple Switch five years ago, and spent a year abroad doing World Race , which allowed her to visit 11 countries in 11 months and absorb cultural context behind some of the companies Simple Switch is working with now. Traveling with younger people also gave Rachel a way to plug into a focus group of consumers. * When she returned home during the Fall of 2017, Rachel thought she needed to find a technical cofounder, thinking she couldn’t do it herself. Although the learning curve has been steep, Rachel has found her way through the technical side of the business. * 2017 was a year of realizing that this is a company Rachel can run. She spent time bringing on partners and testing their infrastructure and making sure it was secure before launching to the public in 2018. * Now that they’ve had a year under their belt, Simple Switch has had some big growth with partnerships that have helped spread the word about the company and get more ads to a wider audience. * All partners hold their inventory and orders come to Simple Switch. They then send the orders to their partners, and orders are shipped from there. Warehouses can have issues with ethical treatments of workers and environmentally wasteful practices, so the drop-ship model also helps Simple Switch with their ethical mission.
23:22 - On the Horizon * Rachel’s biggest goal right now is to get Simple Switch’s name out there. She doesn’t want anyone else to feel the way she did as a conscious consumer when she was looking for ethical brands for hours. She wants people to be able to find these brands in one place, quickly. * Four trillion dollars will be spent on online shopping in 2020. Rachel’s motivation for getting word out about Simple Switch is to get just one tenth of a percent of that ($4 billion) spent on ethical business. That would go toward Simple Switch projects like reforesting and carbon sequestration in rural Africa or helping women coming out of sexual trafficking. * Ethical business terms are more mainstream now than they were even just five years ago. Now that we’re hearing the terms, people are still a little confused about what it means. Rachel thinks we have a great opportunity right now to take advantage of people’s awareness as they discover their desire to make better ethical and environmental decisions, and that it’s actually achievable.
26:52- Getting to Know Our Guest * Learn a few fun facts about Rachel like what her guilty pleasures are, what she’s reading right now, the longest flight she’s ever been on in all her travels and who’d she’d want to be sitting next to on that flight, and of course, what it means to her to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes 6:59: “I really believe that every dollar you spend is a vote for the future you want. I think actual voting is very important, and second to that, I think that the way we spend our money is extremely important in creating that future.”
10:34 – “That’s why we’re called Simple Switch. We really don’t want to encourage you to buy more things, that’s not the goal. It’s things that you’re already going to be buying, we want you to switch that to these impactful companies.”
12:41 – “For me it’s really exciting that it also makes people really interconnected, so it’s not just about the economic empowerment, but if someone just knows who made their clothes or home goods, it’s a fun way to feel connected to someone either around the world or here in the United States.”
15:52 – “I was able to just try to be a good listener and hear what kind of impact needed to be made there. It shifted my perspective on what Simple Switch needed to be.”
24:20 – "Four trillion dollars is going to be spent on online shopping in 2020, just in the US. If we put one tenth of a percent of that toward ethical shopping, it would be $4 billion dollars. And I think about my incredible partners and the work they’re doing. That would go toward projects like reforestation and carbon sequestration in rural Africa where it really is affecting people’s livelihoods that the soil has been so depleted. Things like women who are coming out of sexual trafficking, and we have women both in Nepal and Bolivia who are working on products for Simple Switch. Really big systemic changes that four billion dollars put towards those projects, that’s very real change. My motivation behind getting our word out is that kind of thing where if we’re able to make this shift, it’s a game changer.”
ABOUT RACHEL: Rachel Kois is the Founder and CEO of Simple Switch (simpleswitch.org) an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. She believes fiercely that our everyday shopping can change the world, so she started Simple Switch to make sure there is a solid option for conscious consumers that matches the convenience of modern online shopping. She’s made friends in 28 countries and grew up with the beautiful Colorado mountains as her playground, so taking care of our planet and the people on it are very important to her.
Connect with Rachel: * https://www.simpleswitch.org/ * https://www.facebook.com/simpleswitch.org/ * https://www.instagram.com/simple.switch/ * https://www.pinterest.com/simpleswitch/ * https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lvWd2qux1-H-5gVEZSVVQ
My guest this week is Sasibai Kimis, the founder and director of Earth Heir. Sasi founded Earth Heir in 2013 as a social business focusing on luxury craftsmanship and showcasing the skills and traditions of craftspeople. She has a background in investment banking, private equity, nonprofit development agencies, mining, finance, sustainable development, corporate responsibility and microfinance. She’s also lived in eight countries and four continents. She is so passionate about environmental sustainability, eco-tech, and traveling. It was so cool using technology to speak with Sasi across the world where she lives in Malaysia. Join me to hear more about how Sasi is using her faith and knowledge to run a business with purpose.
6:50 - The Sasi 101 * Sasi was born in Malaysia, but her grandfather came to Malaysia from India. Sasi spent time in the US, UK, West Africa, and Europe when studying abroad. When she was almost 30-years-old, Sasi decided to return home to Malaysia. * In the summers, Sasi would return to India. It was so different from what she was accustomed to, and she was struck by how much poverty she saw there. In Malaysia, most basic needs were met, unlike what she saw in India. From a young age, she gained an understanding that there are many worlds out there that she had no idea about. * The idea grew for Sasi that people who are poor need money, and she should work to earn a lot of money to donate to people in need. She worked at a bank and made great money, but quickly became disillusioned when the people around her didn’t care about what was happening in the world. Most of them were only focused on making more and more money for themselves. * Sasi quit her job when she realized that while money is a means to an end, its focus should be supporting people who are going to go out and make a difference. Sasi wanted to better understand why poverty exists, so she studied environment and development, gender, microfinance, and more in graduate school. * Sasi also worked in Ghana for two years with the UN and an NGO. She saw the NGO doing a lot of good work, but funding started to be cut as the country became more developed. She and her colleagues questioned how their work supporting orphans of the HIV/AIDs crisis would be able to continue without proper funding. * Sasi thought of a way to both make money and continue to do good, so that they didn’t have to rely on the donations or grants that had started to wane. It was the seed of social entrepreneurship in her life.
12:30 – The Wake Up Call * When she returned to Malaysia, Sasi started working in finance again. One night on her way home, she fell asleep at the wheel. Luckily, she didn’t crash, but it was a wake-up call for her. She told God that she didn’t want to die for a job. If she died tomorrow, she wanted to know that her life meant something and that she could leave a legacy that she was proud of. * Sasi’s focus until that point had been about building up a shiny CV. She decided to take some time off so that she could figure out how to give God the best of herself; as much as she had given to her career and education. She quit her job and joined Youth with a Mission in Hawaii, learning about the bible and building her relationship with God. * When her teamed moved from Hawaii to Cambodia, they started work teaching English and building houses. Sasi met many families who were struggling; mothers who’d lost children to traffickers and children who’d been rescued from trafficking. * Sasi decided to support those families by purchasing from weavers and selling their products to her family. She also met with an impact investor, Dr. Kim Tan, a few months later. Dr. Tan told Sasi that if she really wanted to help the women, it couldn’t just be her side gig. It had to be her full-time business. * She was nowhere near ready to start her own business but asked God to help her use her skills and passions in a business capacity to help the local women. Soon after, she started Earth Heir. The name comes from Genesis 2:15, when God tells Adam to be a good steward of what God has given him. * As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of the environment, animals, people. Sasi believes that Christians should be at the forefront of ecological conservation. The Earth Heir logo includes a fern from Ghana. The fern’s name translates to “God with us.” * Sasi’s dad was both her biggest supporter and biggest critic. At first, he was disappointed that she’d quit her job with all of her education and skills. In the beginning, she was selling scarves, and he felt like she might be wasting her talent. After six or seven years of running Earth Heir, the company is successful at standing up for conscious consumption, safe factory conditions, and how to do good through business. * Earth Heir (20:03) is an artisan-focused social enterprise that works with refugees and indigenous tribes and rural women to make ethical fashion. * Some people and businesses are beginning to realize that “business as usual” should be business as a force for good. We still have a long way to go, but there’s also been so much progress made toward this change. (You can hear more about this on Episode 170 where Molly shares how her belief in God fuels her passion for how Christians can be at the forefront of the ethical fashion).
26:27 – Led by God * Sasi’s mom was raised in a Christian family in India, and her dad was raised in a Hindu family. When her parents got married, her dad professed his faith in Christ. Sasi grew up in a traditional Christian home but admits her motivation for church attendance was meeting cute boys. * When Sasi was 17, she was born again and felt the Holy Spirit in her life. She was going through a difficult time after living an independent life away at school, and then coming home to live with her parents. She was even suicidal at one point. She prayed that God would take her. It was during this time that she felt God’s presence in an unexplainable, very tangible way, and everything changed. * She realized God is more real than anything she knew. When she felt that for herself and started her new journey as a Christian, her decisions became led by God, not just her own idea of what she thought she wanted and needed in life.
33:33 – Where to find Earth Heir * Physical Studio: https://earthheir.com/pages/studio * Earth Heir’s website is earthair.com * Instagram: @earthheir * Facebook: Earth Heir * You can also contact Earth Heir by email through any of these channels (hello@earthheir.com) and Google the name Earth Heir to read more articles and watch videos about their work!
35:27 – Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out what food Sasi would eat if she could only eat one thing for the rest of her life, something you’d never guess about her, and something that’s important to her but she rarely gets to talk about. Sasi’s answer to what it means to her to run a business with purpose will inspire you no matter what season of life you’re in.
Memorable Quotes: 8:30 - “I think early on I became introduced to this idea hat the world is not what I see and what I know, and that there’s another world, and many different worlds out there that I have no idea about.”
9:20 - “The little that I thought that I have is a luxury to so many people.”
13:17 - “As much as I grew up as a Christian, I accepted Christ as my Savior, I was really living my life to build a great CV.”
13:42 – “For the first time in my life I actually thought, ‘Why is it that I don’t give to God the best of myself the way that I do to my career and education?’ “
19:44 ‘It shouldn’t be that we do business as usual, make a lot of money and just donate that money, we should seek to change how we do business itself.”
25:03 “It’s something that we can’t pretend to do, but not be applying those things in everyday decisions that we make, in our beliefs and how we vote.”
Did anyone ever leave you a note in your lunch box when you were a kid? If you’re a parent, do you ever write an encouraging note in your kid’s lunch box? Would you ever think that a lunch box note could change your life or someone else’s? For my guest today, that’s exactly what happened. Kristi Hayes is the founder of Be Strong Story Family and host of the Be Love podcast, a company that was inspired by a lunch box note that her husband wrote to her son. The note said, “Be strong, protect the weak, love everyone.” Kristi is hilarious and so inspiring. I love the way she and her family live out this mantra that came from a lunch box note. I had the opportunity to be on Kristi’s Be Love podcast (episode 45). It was such a blast to have Kristi on my show, so join me to learn more about how one little action can change the course of your life and change lives!
2:23 - The Kristi 101 * Kristi lives in Denver with her husband and two kids. She’s always had an entrepreneur’s heart, but her background is in youth ministry. * Kristi’s husband was in the secret service, and while her family was living in DC, Kristi worked in politics on Capitol Hill and press advance for the White House. After DC, the family moved back to Oklahoma City and Kristi went back into youth ministry. * About four years ago, Kristi and her family started a company called Be Strong Story. One day Kristi’s son started having trouble with a friend on the playground. Her husband put a message in his lunch box that said “Be Strong, Protect the Weak, Love Everyone.” * Kristi wanted her family to live out the message in their family and now the share that message through apparel, family coaching, and a children’s book. Be Strong Story also has a podcast called Be Love podcast that shares stories of people loving each other well. * When Kristi started her career in politics, she didn’t know anyone nor what she was getting into but learned as much as she could along the way. One day in a meeting Kristi froze right before she was called on to speak about an amendment. One of her coworkers buzzed her Blackberry to tell her exactly what she needed to say. It’s a great reminder to Kristi that even in a competitive environment, people can give with no agenda. * Moving so often and living in places like DC, Oklahoma, St. Louis, and Colorado taught Kristi and her family so much about making community wherever life took them
17:14 – Be Strong * The impact of Be Strong is about teaching our kids (and ourselves) to be who we are created to be. She wants to prepare her kids, other kids, and adults that negative words or gossip to not define them. * All of us are weak. Usually those who appear weak are actually the strongest. At some point, any of us in life will be weak. It’s ok to be weak and ask for help, and when we are the ones able to bring light to others, it’s our job to step up for those who need a little help. * Be Strong encourages us to keep an eye out for those who need help. We especially need to keep an eye out for those who are a little harder to love. * There is a Be Strong Families group that serves every month together. Families that work toward a mission together to live their values form a very special bond with each other and grow as individuals too. * When we sit with others and hear their stories, it removes our judgements and preconceived notions and we see the humanity in someone who is more similar to us than they are different. * When you strengthen a family unit, entire communities are made stronger as well. * Often children don’t care about the things that adults notice. Kids often teach us as much or more when we’re serving with them than we teach them. Kids don’t have the same biases as adults, and don’t care when someone else acts different or looks different or had a very different life.
28:44 - Serving Right Where You Are * Everyone has their own talents that can be used to serve others. You don’t even need a grand plan, and often you don’t even know what someone else needs. * Be Strong asks people what they need instead of making their own plan or agenda to help. Helping is easy, and you can get involved even if you don’t live near Be Strong. * Each month, Be Strong has a Family Coaching Network that helps teach different topics like communication, love languages, building a family mission, how to serve in your own home, serving with your kids when they’re little and more! * There’s also an online community you can join to network and get connected to other like-minded people in your area who also want to help.
31:09 - Getting To Know Our Guest * Find out what trends Kristi thinks people might be nostalgic for in 40 years, how she’d prove she’s from the future if she could travel back in time, what her walk up/hype song would be, and of course, what it means to Kristi to run a business with purpose!
Memorable quotes: 19:01: “There’s a phrase I say everyday to my kids as we fist pump out the door and it’s “Eyes Wide, Light Shine.”
21:30: “People are seeing the benefit of building relationship with those who are different than them and those who have different life experiences.”
28:08: “The more that we interact with those who are different than us who might be struggling, and we hear their story and we learn that they are like us in so many ways, that is when we have this open-hand approach.”
28:23: “I love giving the opportunities to families, young and old, to serve one another together.”
America used value community, purpose, and fairness. But now it kind of feels like virtually every decision is based on what will make the most money. My guest today has a dream, a vision that this is changing. He has created a manifesto for a more generous world. Yancey Strickler is the cofounder and former CEO of Kickstarter, the mission-driven, global public-benefit company that helped pioneer crowdsourcing. He is also the author of the recently released book, “This Could Be Our Future: A Manifesto for a More Generous World.” I’ve been a big fan of Yancey’s work for quite some time and am so excited to have him on the show today. Join me as I learn more about Yancey and his inspiring manifesto!
2:08 - The Yancey 101 * Yancey grew up on a farm in southwest Virginia. He didn’t have neighbors and farm-life forced him to be a bit more creative. He dreamt of being a writer and reading and writing is how he kept himself busy and entertained on the farm. * He studied writing in college and after graduating, moved to New York City where he worked as a music journalist. While reviewing records and writing about musicians, he became friends with Perry Chin, the creator of crowdfunding. * Together, Yancey, Perry Chin, and Charles Adler created and launched Kickstarter, which has since introduced crowdfunding to the world and generated more than $4 billion to creative projects. Along the way, Kickstarter also became a public benefit corporation. * The three founders put a lot of effort into governing Kickstarter according to the values that felt most true to them. In Yancey’s last four years at the company, he also served as CEO. * Two years ago, Yancey left Kickstarter to write his first book called “This Could Be Our Future: A Manifesto for a More Generous World.” It explores what our role models for success are and the optimistic direction families, work, and companies can take to evolve toward generosity. * Yancey’s father was a musician who sold waterbeds to make a living for the family. Yancey has an artistic side from his father’s country and bluegrass interests and also grew up in a church that taught him about responsibility and caring for others. He loved listening to Indy Rock and Punk growing up, which also inspired a message about being true to your community.
10:45 – A Community Start at a Restaurant called “Diner” * Yancey and Perry met in Brooklyn at a nice restaurant called “Diner.” They spent a lot of time bonding over a shared love of good eateries and basketball. One day Perry shared his idea for Kickstarter, but Yancey wasn’t a fan of the idea at first. * Perry’s pitch reminded Yancey of a reality show like American Idol, but Perry assured Yancey that the idea was more about highlighting sub-cultures that don’t fit in to the mainstream, allowing those people to share ideas more widely. * Yancey had no dreams of being an entrepreneur and felt very anxious about stepping over the line between business and creativity. It was a stretch far beyond his comfort zone. * Once Yancey was fully on board and Kickstarter was launched into the marketplace, he was surprised to see that not only small passion projects idea were on board, but so were people with million-dollar idea projects. It was a real shift in the level of activity and responsibility of Kickstarter. * The beauty is that it’s a platform for anyone to add their ideas. It is perpetually renewable for this reason. * The hope is that Kickstarter remains a place where anyone can indulge their ideas rather than forgetting them or giving up. It’s for anyone young or old to keep their creative muscle flexing throughout their lifetime.
23:16 - A Generosity Manifesto * Yancey’s book This Could Be Our Future: A Manifesto for a More Generous World explores both how our communities once valued togetherness, purpose, and fairness, and how in business, most decisions are made based on what’s going to make the most money. * Some business owners are going outside of the current societal norm to not only run a business, but also make a positive impact on their communities and cultures. Can society get back to a place where that is more of the norm? * The idea for Yancey’s book started when he was giving a talk for Kickstarter around the time that the company was becoming a public benefit company. They were changing expectations and accountability to not only maximize shareholder value, but also produce a positive benefit to society. * As he started looking around at peer companies, he noticed that everyone seemed to be operating around an ideal that whatever will produce the greatest economic growth is by default the correct choice. * Yancey started to explore debating clear economic decisions that could be predicted and the downsides of what’s less profitable. The ideas that make the most money often win, and the “everything else” that we feel emotionally but don’t actually have a concrete plan for just falls to the wayside. * He tried to imagine a CEO who didn’t have to choose between values and profits. Yancey is exploring a different way about thinking of “self-interests.” There is more involved than just what’s the best for a person or for a company right now. There’s also legacy, what’s best for families, friends, coworkers, and the choices that create a life well-lived when we get to the end of it. * Self-interests should also include the “Future Us”: our children and the communities left after we’re gone. Yancey hopes to reframe our values…the ones we know objectively exist but are difficult to us to rationalize or talk about when we’re too focused on the bottom line.
28:16 - Bentoism * Yancey calls this new rationale and loving framework “Bentoism.” Think of companies that can perceive both the future “us” and the present “us”. Some examples are Chick-fil-a, who gives employees one day off a week or Patagonia, who is working to take care of the Earth that will be left to our children. * Yancey’s book teaches both businesses and people how to create value in multiple ways, not just financially. * When we have an abundance mentality, our self-interest is confident and secure enough to know there is enough for everyone, and we are called to be greater than just our financial successes. * Success can also be measured in the transparency companies share with the world and the trust that is built with customers and consumers. We can bring our personal values into the work we do, even on a collective or large business scale. * Yancey has made his own “Bento boxes” that help him make decisions. There are values for each box that highlight “Now Me”, “Future Me”, “Now Us”, “Future Us.” Each Bento has a yes or no question. When he is invited to speak at company events, he looks to his Bento and questions whether accepting the gig will align with the values and goals for each box. * Yancey’s “Future Me” box carefully considers not selling out. When he can see the ways doing a talk could fulfill his purpose, it’s from a self-coherent choice. It’s a structured way of understanding for certain whether it’s the right thing for you to do in regard to your values. * The word “bento” comes from a Japanese word meaning convenience. A bento box is a food container with four compartments and a lid that can hold a variety of dishes to create a balanced meal. It also honors a Japanese diet philosophy that says the goal of a meal is to be 80% full so that you’re still hungry for tomorrow. Bentoism is the same idea for our values and our choices. The four boxes are “Now Me”, “Future Me”, “Now Us”, and “Future Us.” It’s a compass to stay true to who you are and what you care about. It focuses your energy each day, week, or month when making decisions. It’s a mix of now and the future, and a mix of you and other people you care about. * You can learn more about Bentoism and build your own boxes at http://bentoism.org/ You can also connect with other people making boxes!
47:45 - Getting To Know Our Guest * Find out some fun things about Yancey like something we’d never guess about him, what makes him feel most alive, his favorite TV show to watch growing up (you’re gonna laugh), what movie scared him when he was a kid, and of course, what it means to Yancey to run a business with purpose!
Memorable Quotes: 6: 51: “I liked Indy Rock and Punk that had a strong ethos of don’t sell out and being true to your community. You don’t get big to then exit out of your community. The right thing to do is lift up your community with you.”
“I just had a lot of role models that were sort of about lifting up others. That’s what success is. Success is having the opportunity to do that and then doing it.”
“There’s been a funny challenge and strength I’ve always had in my life of not quite fitting in anywhere. That is a source of a lot of pain and then there are others ways in which being an entrepreneur, or writer, or thinker that it’s very positive to be on your own because then you you have the opportunity to bring other people with you.”
16:11 - The idea for success with Kickstarter is that the person who has an idea that they’re thinking about, that rather than tossing that idea away and not indulging their creative or entrepreneurial side, then instead, this is the place where they give it a shot and don’t let that part of them die.
16:45 - “Can Kickstarter be the place where it’s easier to try than to not try?”
28:55 “There are other ways of creating value that are not financially oriented and that I think display a lot more creativity and are what make other people stand out in the world.
About Yancey Strickler: Yancey Strickler is a writer and entrepreneur. He is the cofounder and former CEO of Kickstarter, author of This Could Be Our Future: A Manifesto for a More Generous World, and the creator of Bentoism. Yancey has been recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People. He cofounded the artist resource The Creative Independent and the record label eMusic Selects. He’s spoken at the Museum of Modern Art, Sundance and Tribeca Film Festivals, Web Summit, MIT, and events around the globe. Yancey grew up in Clover Hollow, Virginia, and began his career as a music critic in New York City.
Please tell me I’m not the only one who loves the movie Clueless?! Now, I realize how ridiculous of a movie it is, but in a “I love how ridiculous this movie is” kind of way, right? It is what began my love affair for Jeep Wranglers, and I longed for Cher Horowitz’s infamous closet with the computerized system that dressed her every day. My guest today was not in the movie Clueless, but she did create an App called Cladwell that is basically the 2020 version of Cher’s closet dressing system. Erin Flynn is the CEO of Cladwell, a personal styling app that transforms your closet into one where you love and wear everything you own and makes getting dressed easy every morning with daily outfit recommendations. It does so much more than that, and you’ll hear how when you tune in and listen to how Erin is making a positive impact with her career. Cladwell has been featured on Good Morning America, and even did a partnership with Marie Kondo! Cladwell isn’t Erin’s first startup, and she has so many startup stories to tell. Listen now to hear about my love of the Cladwell App and Erin’s vision for creating personal style with ease.
3:30 – The Erin 101 * Erin grew up in Indiana and received a full ride scholarship to play Division II Basketball in Memphis, TN. She played for all four years of college, and very soon after graduating, got married, moved to Pennsylvania, started a new job, and got a dog! * This was 2009, the economy was tanking, and Erin could not find a viable job in marketing. She tried for three months to work no-pay internships and as her frustration and grew and her bank account dwindled, Erin decided it was time to take control of her career and her future. * Erin started a fashion blog when influencer marketing was just taking off. Erin grew her blog into a small business, working with brands and attending fashion week. Erin noticed a disconnect in communication between brands and bloggers even though it was clear the two markets desired to work together. * Erin’s first startup was a business called Canopy. She transitioned her blog into an influencer network and jumped into her first startup experience. She continued to work at it for three years, but it was difficult for consumers to understand this new world of influencer marketing. In 2011, she closed the startup and she and her husband moved back to the Midwest. * Erin soon took a job with EW Scripps. EW Scripps owns over 35 television stations over the country. Erin was able to work in an entrepreneurial role there and learned more about starting something new within a company. * As Erin felt a desire to get back into the startup world, she also had some angst about it, knowing first-hand the risks, sacrifices, and inevitable failures involved.. She decided to meet with the founder of a company similar to Cladwell, but for men. Erin thought she would try her hand at taking that market to women, and from there Cladwell was born.
8:08 – What Am I Going to Wear Today? * When Cladwell first started, it was a platform for men to solve their personal shopping needs, a way to help them figure out what to buy next for their wardrobe. Erin came on board in 2015 when their products were changing and talks about expanding the market to women had just begun. * Cladwell became interested in a capsule wardrobe, specifically helping women love and wear every piece of clothing in their closet. Erin’s personal experienced gave more shape to the idea because she’d wake up every morning, open her closet, and have no idea what to wear. * Erin didn’t understand how it was possible to “not have anything to wear” when she owned 450 pieces of clothing. She had too many clothes but was still completely unsatisfied with the clothing she already had. She didn’t understand how she’d gotten to that point. * Cladwell wanted to approaching personal style with capsule wardrobes to help women become more content with their clothing choices and less overwhelmed with continual shopping and overcrowded closets. * The app was developed two and a half years ago to help women with an easy getting ready experience. It helps transform closets over 30, 60, 90 days, etc., to help you narrow down what you actually love and wear most often. * The app also helps you declutter, hone-in on your personal style, and shop smarter while inspiring new and creative outfit combinations so that you can continue to wear what you already own in new ways. Cladwell helps you become mindful and thoughtful about what you truly love, which helps reveal your own personal style. * Capsule wardrobes also help those who want to shop ethically and reduce waste!
15:16 - Declutter Without Overwhelm * You don’t have to add every single piece of clothing you own to the app. You can add your favorite 10 items to start. Cladwell will match that to the 17,000 items they already have in their database. You can also take a photo of your own items and add them to your app. * Holding onto things can keep us stuck in the past after we’ve gone through big life experiences and transitions. It can feel like a fresh start to walk into a space that represents how you look and feel in the present as well as how you want to approach the future. * A lot of emotional baggage can be held onto in our closets whether because of fear, nostalgia, or a little of both. * We are also constantly bombarded with messages to buy more. We shop way too fast and feel pressure to continue acquiring new things. * We’re already wearing 20% of what’s in our closets and fall into cycles of thinking we need to start over from scratch when we no longer love our closets. We are tempted to buy more pieces thinking we’ll like something new more that what we already have.
22:33 - Shop Your Own Closet * Right before the 1980s, Americans only bought 12 new items per year on average. Today, we are buying 68 items per year. * Cladwell offers encouragement to shop what you already have with daily outfit suggestions and recommendations of what to add to your closet to help you create a greater number of outfits with fewer pieces of clothing. * Since the app helps you feel like you have a brand-new wardrobe with what you already own, you can be more intentional with your choices when you shop. * When you start to narrow down the items you wear most, your personal style starts to appear. It also makes styling and getting ready in the morning a much more simple and enjoyable process. * You can also build different capsules for different occasions. This is especially helpful for travel because you can determine 5-7 items to pack that will allow you to combine pieces to create enough looks for 14 days. * Sometimes we even shop when we’re bored. Creating capsules and exploring your closet through the Cladwell app can help you stay creative and interested in what you have so it’s literally as if you get to go shopping, but without spending money or adding clutter to your life. * Cladwell even has a social media feature to follow other people for ideas, inspiration, and community. You can even cultivate your own style by looking at your friend’s outfits! The app will give you suggestions from your closet based on what your friend is wearing.
34:56 - On the Cladwell Horizon * In August, Erin and her husband bought the company. Originally Cladwell was an investor-backed, fast-growth tech startup. They still want to grow, but more importantly, they want to stay loyal to their brand roots and share the mission that people’s clothes and closets matter. * The app will be redesigned with a new look and feel this summer. Cladwell is also working on an app for Android phones that they hope to launch soon.
37:24 – Getting to Know Our Guest * Tune in as Erin’s answers fun questions like what her hype song would be, what style she thinks people will be nostalgic for in 40 years, and more! Most importantly, hear from Erin about what it means to her to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes: 9:42 – “Not being satisfied with my closet kept me on this perpetual cycle of continually shopping, which actually only made the problem worse. “
11:11 – “It’s a personal styling app that transforms your closet into one you’ll love. We make getting dressed easy every morning with daily outfit recommendations using the clothes in your closet.”
11:51 – “Most people only wear 20% of their closet and hold on to 80% of clutter.”
16:48 – “If you know what you like and you know who you are, you can make so many better decisions. I really believe the closet is representative of your head. If you have a messy closet, you may have a messy head. From there you can really transform the rest of your life.”
About Erin Flynn: Erin is the CEO of Cladwell, a personal styling app that transforms your closet into one where you love and wear everything you own and makes getting dressed easy every morning with daily outfit recommendations. Cladwell's been featured on Good Morning America and even done a partnership with Marie Kondo. This is not her first startup and as a self-proclaimed reluctant entrepreneur, she has many startup stories to tell. Erin and her husband Colin reside in Cincinnati with 1 super Irish sounding kid (Rooney) and a very formal puggle named Mr. Pug.
People who see something that they want done and do are the people who create impactful change in their community. They leave a legacy by acting rather than sitting around and talking about it. I admire people who step out of their comfort zones and into the uncomfortable and unfamiliar to make things happen. My guest today is the epitome of a “doer.” She saw an opportunity to partner with others and brought that opportunity to fruition to make real, lasting change. Emily Connell Umanzor is the founder of Solo Hope. Solo Hope began in 2012 after Emily heard women in rural Honduras describe the challenges they face every day to overcome poverty. Solo Hope works with more than 10 women and two co-ops to create designs for the home and body. It was so exciting that Emily was able to join me in-person for this interview the day she returned to the States. It was a joy to connect in person, and I know you’re going to love hearing our chat! Join me to find out how Solo Hope empowers women and fosters opportunities for a safe and successful future.
3:24 - The Emily 101 * Emily is from the southern United States but found herself in love with the country of Honduras. The seed was planted on Emily’s 10th birthday. She woke up with a feeling that the Lord was telling her to go to China. At 16, she had an opportunity to go to Honduras. When she arrived, she immediately felt right at home. * After learning about the culture and women in Honduras who were trying to raise their children with very little support and no job opportunities, her dream for Solo Hope came alive. * Because she witnessed a lot of men who were absent from their children’s lives, Emily never thought she’d marry a Honduran man. In 2016, she hit it off with a driver she contracted with to transport her teams. They’d met before but during one particular trip, they couldn’t stop looking at each other. * Emilee knew God gave her the word “Home” for 2016. While she kept saying it meant finding a home in God, she knew God also meant a home in marriage. Emilee and Ever were married in Honduras within that same year! * Emilee’s husband Ever doesn’t speak English, and it has given her children an opportunity to learn another language and culture at an early age. It’s such a beautiful picture of God’s creation.
12:32 – Solo Hope * God pulled on Emilee’s heart and showed her that women in Honduras needed jobs. She witnessed Honduran women receiving some aid, but once it was gone, they were right back in a vulnerable position again. * Emilee met with a Honduran woman named Dilcia in 2012 and created rough sketches of bracelet ideas. Dilcia had the skills to make the designs, but she didn’t have a market. Dilcia took Emilee’s designs and brought them to life. * Dilcia asked her best friend Maribel if she wanted to help make bracelets, and that’s how Solo Hope began. Emilee’s biggest privilege is being able to work with the women face-to-face and get to know them as friends too. * In 2013, Emilee quit her full-time job and moved to Honduras for four months to help work on a product line that could also be offered in the United States. * There were three artisans in 2013, and Solo Hope continued to add to the group as need or interest arose. They’re currently working with 10 artisans now and the women have really taken ownership of their work. When they need help, they look for other women in their community who need a job. * Solo Hope is more than just a business with a purpose. It’s a family too, and taking care of each other goes both ways. Emilee can confide in the women and the women can confide in Emilee. They pray for each other and regularly experience life together.
19:23 – Traditional Honduran Arts * The weaving, hand-looming, and leather crafting is all traditional to the area of La Esperanza, Honduras. The artisan partnerships are all relationship based so that traditional skills are recognized and connected to a viable market. * Solo Hope products tell a story and the women work hard to create pieces that will last a long time, a timeless work of art that customers can enjoy for many years. * Products are mainly sold here in the US. Solo Hope is working hard to continue growing sales stateside to ensure that supporting women in Honduras stays strong. * Life in Honduras is a bit like stepping back in time in some ways. The roads are rough, the water sometimes gets shut off, but the best difference between living in Honduras and the United States is that people slow down to visit with each other for hours without feeling like any time is being wasted. * Social connections are much more about relationship and taking a lot of time to be with each other in person, no matter what work needs to be done.Neighbors do not feel inconvenienced with helping or stopping life to bring someone in like a family member.
32:15 – How We See Success * Solo Hope wants to grow while balancing how they measure success. When things have been hard, it’s easy to wonder how the work can continue. God specifically called Emilee and Solo Hope women to lead their communities, and successful metrics are not only about sales goals. * When Emilee has felt like things are failing, God shows her that the community and women have experienced so much growth, despite any struggles with the business. * Almost all Solo Hope artisans have been impacted by alcoholism in some way. One woman shared with Emilee that her husband can be violent when he drinks, but now she is strong enough to stand up to her husband and for herself. * Solo Hope focuses on the fact that this means they’ve already succeeded. Emilee is also ready to tackle sales goals! Big things are in store for 2020, so be sure to check out Solo Hope and the work of their talented artisans!
34:43 - Getting to Know Our Guest * Emilee shares what her “walk up” song would be, her strangest pet peeve, her favorite Honduran meal, and another important topic that Emilee is very passionate about. Stay tuned to hear Emilee’s poignant answer to what it means to her to run a business with purpose.
ABOUT EMILEE: Emilee Connell-Umanzor started SoloHope in 2012 after listening to women in rural Honduras describe the challenges they face every day to overcome poverty. Today SoloHope works with 10+ women as well as 2 additional co-ops to create designs for home + body starting conversations that matter. Emilee and her family live full time in Honduras. It's a somewhat unconventional life that feels normal, most of the time. Emilee is a South Georgia girl who loves a good baleada in Honduras but definitely misses Chick-fil-A too! CONNECT WITH EMILEE: * https://www.solohope.org/ * https://twitter.com/solohopeorg * https://www.facebook.com/solohopeorg * https://www.instagram.com/solohopeorg/
By the year 2050, it’s estimated that there will be as much plastic in the ocean as there are fish. The industrial fishing industry actually generates a staggering 10% of this waste in the form of abandoned fish nets and fishing gear, approximately 640,000 tons each year. It’s estimated that 46% of the plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch comes from fishing gear alone. Luckily, I’m talking to someone today who is tackling the problem of ocean plastic in a really unique way. Hannah Tomita is the founder and designer of Kaira Active. Kaira Active makes all of their products out of recycled fishnets and fishing gear! Hannah grew up in Hawaii and moved to California for college. After stumbling into her passion for fashion while a senior, she decided to sew her own swimwear to avoid spending hundreds of dollars on a swimsuit from a store. She taught herself how to make her own swimsuits by watching YouTube videos and reading articles online. After building a portfolio of her work, Hannah landed a job as an assistant designer at a swimwear consultancy where she worked with several high-profile international brands. I love hearing people who use their unique passions to solve problems in really unique ways, and I can’t wait for you to hear how Hannah is making a difference for the environment with her business.
5:20 - The Hannah 101 * Growing up in Hawaii, Hannah visited the ocean at least a couple times a week. Experiences in nature were very accessible, and she spent her childhood exploring the island of Oahu. * Hannah studied industrial design in college at Arizona State University. Hannah started sewing swimsuits and learned how to make designs from patterns and online tutorials. * It was sharing her designs online that ultimately led Hannah to her first job as an assistant fashion designer at a consultancy. She worked with big clients like Urban Outfitters, Tommy Bahama, True Religion and more. * Hannah immersed herself in fashion and while she loved it, she quickly realized that the industry was riddled with fast fashion and little to no concern for sustainability. No one was diving deep into thinking through designs and materials used. * A few years after working in the fashion industry, Hannah realized the need for companies that thought through how their practices would affect the world. That’s when she started Kaira Active. * When she was a student, Hannah loved designer swimwear, but couldn’t afford designer swimsuits on a college student budget. Missing the beach while studying in Arizona and not being able to afford the swimsuits she liked led her to start playing around with sewing her own swimwear.
8:40 – Kaira Active * What began as a curiosity and hobby turned into a unique fashion brand that recycles industrial fishing nets and turns them into functional, beautiful active wear. * Sadly, there are a lot of ways these nets end up polluting the ocean. Sometimes fisherman will illegally dump their nets to avoid getting caught. In other situations, nets are lost due to bad weather or getting snagged. There’s currently no good system in place to regulate the situation. * When Hannah first started working at the swimwear consultancy, a vendor came in from Italy selling fabric made out of recycled fish nets. At the time, sustainability wasn’t being paid attention to very much, but seeing the fabric made Hannah excited about merging her love of nature and her very active lifestyle. * Hannah was also looking for a way to get the most out of her activewear. Her fitness and outdoor hobbies are eclectic, and she wanted a way to use one outfit for both the yoga studio and surfing.
16:26 – Fishing Nets to Fabrics to Clothing * Kaira Active partners with a nonprofit organization called Healthy Seas that sends divers to pull nets out of the ocean. Since industrial fishing nets are made of Nylon, the nets are taken to a facility and chemically regenerated back into their pure form of Nylon and made into ECONYL. * ECONYL is the technology that forms the Nylon into a thread which is then sewn in with Spandex to make fabric for Kaira Active clothing. You can learn more about the stages of the process here: https://kairaactive.com/pages/protecting-the-ocean * The majority of the fishing nets are collected from the North Sea, Adriatic Sea, and Mediterranean Sea where there are many shipwrecks. * Fun fact: Since 2013, the Healthy Seas initiative has recovered 453 tons of fishing nets from the ocean – that’s the weight of 3 blue whales! * Kaira Active is also committed to reducing their waste, energy, emission, and water consumption. They partner only with manufactures that focus on sustainability, their electricity is derived from renewable sources, and they have adopted a water system aimed at reducing polluting agents before it is sent to the municipal water treatment plant. There’s more and you can learn about their reduction of harm HERE. * Kaira’s dad believed in her vision and encouraged her to go for it. He invested 2 bitcoins right before bitcoin took off. Hannah’s bitcoin appreciated and allowed Hannah to get her idea off the ground with development, design, and a Kickstarter campaign video.
24:00 – Multifunctional and Sustainable Simplicity * Kaira Active’s mission going forward is to reduce the amount of clothing in the world while giving customers a multifunctional piece that they can use for multiple activities. * All of Kaira Active’s tops are reversible, so you get multiple looks from one garment! * Instead of buying active wear from a big box store with lower quality materials, consumers can invest in a higher quality item that will last longer while reducing waste! * In additional to the sustainable qualities of Kaira Active’s garments as well as their good business practices, a portion of their profits go back to the Healthy Seas organization. * Kaira Active ships responsibly by reducing plastic and packaging materials. They use 100% recycled paper and reusable 100% recycled poly mailers.
26:43 - Getting To Know Our Guest * Learn about Hannah’s guilty pleasure, who she’d most like to sit next to on a 10-hour flight, what she’s reading right now, and of course, what it means to her to run a business with purpose!
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You can find out more about the process of making fabric from fish nets at both Healthy Seas and Kaira Active.
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Kaira Active
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kairaactive/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kairaactive/
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Healthy Seas
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthyseas/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthyseas/
CONNECT WITH HANNAH: * https://kairaactive.com/
I am a sucker for a beautiful love story. Celebrating two people coming together in holy matrimony is a beautiful display of love and an amazing way to see different family traditions come together. My guest today has a vision and passion for bringing to life the beauty and diversity of multicultural and multiethnic weddings through stunning portraiture. Petronella Lugemwa is an international wedding and marriage proposal photographer and speaker who specializes in helping multicultural couples celebrate their love in a modern way. Petronella believes that what makes you different makes you beautiful. I had such a great time chatting with Petronella and hearing about her passion for highlighting love through cultural traditions. Sit back, relax, and enjoy hearing about Petronella’s travels and her stories of love from all over the world!
3:15 - The Petronella 101 * Petronella Lugemwa is the creative director and owner at Petronella Photography, a New York based international wedding and marriage proposal photography studio. She’s also a podcast host and uses her Instagram platform to share multicultural stories that help people learn more about each other and feel more connected. * In addition to being an extremely talented and skillful photographer, her niche and her story makes her very unique in the wedding photography industry. She’s very passionate about bringing different cultures to life through photography. * Petronella was born in Uganda and raised in Alabama. When she was born, the dictator Idi Amin was President of Uganda and it was a very unstable and dangerous time in the country’s history. Even on the night she was born, there were many bombs in the city and her parents knew they had to get out and find better opportunities for their young family. * When she was six months old, Petronella’s family moved to Kenya and continued to travel until they found better opportunities. Petronella grew up in Zimbabwe and when her dad found an amazing opportunity to persue his PhD in America. * When she was 10 years old, she arrived in Birmingham, Alabama with her mom, sister, and two suitcases. As her family started figuring out life in America, Petronella’s parents knew they wanted to be sure their kids received a good education and enrolled Petronella in private school. * There weren’t a lot of people who looked like Petronella at her school or in Birmingham. As a kid who really wanted to fit in, Petronella learned to hide certain parts of herself in order to assimilate and fit in. * Petronella received both engineering and business degrees and entered the corporate world. It wasn’t until well after that journey that she realized she’d been hiding a lot of her background and culture that makes her unique.
13:42 – A Wedding in Mexico * Petronella felt some pressure to enter a stable, “parent-approved” profession when she considered her career, but photography has always been a way for her to share her mind and heart. * One of Petronella’s coworkers saw some of her photography and asked Petronella to come to Mexico to photograph her wedding. After that first wedding was published, Petronella quickly discovered a side of herself she wanted to explore more and slowly transitioned out of corporate America. She knew she had to find a way to make photography a career. * Petronella received a blessing in disguise when she was laid off from her job. It gave her the permission she needed to fully focus on her photography business. * Attending Lara Casey’s Making Things Happen Conference is where Petronella’s “pivot” began. Seeing someone else share her story of following a spark to something new made Petronella realize she wasn’t alone in her feelings of wanting to make a big change. * These experiences allow Petronella to guide people through big life changes like blending two different family cultures into a wedding day as a new family begins a new life through marriage.
22:00 - Celebrating Cultures Through Love * When we talk about something being “multicultural,”, it is to mean any situation where a person has to navigate two or more worlds on a daily basis whether interracial, biracial, interfaith, and/or being an immigrant. * Petronella works closely with her clients to help them decide which parts of their culture and family details they actually want to incorporate and celebrate on their wedding day. * Often tension can arise for multicultural cultures when their families also want them to incorporate family traditions and blending older traditions into a modern wedding. Petronella’s life experiences help her clients navigate the many familial and cultural aspects of blending two families and two cultures on a wedding day.
32:43 - Getting To Know Our Guest * Find out what trend Petronella thinks we’ll be embarrassed by in 10 years, what her “walk up” song would be, something that’s really important to her that she doesn’t get to talk about often, and who would play her in a movie. Be sure to stick around to hear the question I ask all my guests, “What does it mean to you to run a business with purpose?”
ABOUT PETRONELLA Petronella Lugemwa is an international wedding and marriage proposal photographer and speaker based out of the New York area who specializes in helping multicultural couples celebrate their love in a modern way and believes that what makes you different makes your beautiful. She photographed the November 2018 cover of Rangefinder Magazine and was named 1 of 30 Rising Stars in wedding photography worldwide in 2018. Petronella Photography has been featured in Essence, Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot, New York Magazine Weddings and MunaLuchi Bride. Memorable Quotes 13:25 - I think sometimes we have an idea when we hear about a culture of what to expect, but I think it’s important to ask that person:” How do you relate to that and what matters to you? ”
8:31 - “Your wedding is one of those days where all your worlds intersect and what an awesome opportunity to really let these different parts of your world shine.”
38:59 - “My goal is to help make people feel more connected because it it’s something I struggled with when I was younger.”
CONNECT WITH PETRONELLA: * https://bypetronella.com/ * https://www.instagram.com/petronellaphotography/ * https://www.facebook.com/PetronellaPhotography/
[Rough Transcript of this week's episode] Welcome to Business with Purpose - I am your host, Molly Stillman of stillbeingmolly.com and this show is all about bringing you the stories behind the brands, companies, and small businesses that are changing the world. Each week I interview an entrepreneur, a CEO, non-profit director, community leader, or just all-around amazing person who is trying to make a positive impact not only through their personal life, but also with their career. My goal is to show you that no matter what you do for a living, you can make an impact right where you are… This is episode 180 which means it is time for another SOLO episode!
I love connecting with you in a little bit of a different way during these solo episodes to either answer a burning question that you have, talking about a timely topic, or educating you on something that I think might be helpful… So this week, I am doing a little combination of answering a frequently asked question and doing a little education.
One question I have received often is, “There are so many buzzwords and phrases thrown around like “ethical fashion” “fair trade” “conscious consumerism” “social enterprise” etc….. WHAT DO THEY ALL MEAN? What is the difference?
So today, I am going to be like your own personal Webster’s Dictionary: ethical edition and share some of the terminologies with you that you might hear on this podcast or out in the world and what it is they mean!
A couple of things I wanted to share with you before we go over the terms and definitions…
After over 3.5 years of doing this podcast, I continue to be blown away by your encouragement and support. I know I can talk all day about this show, but I wanted you the listener to hear from FELLOW LISTENERS on which episode is THEIR favorite and why they love the show… so here are a few:
[TUNE IN TO LISTEN TO THE LISTENER TESTIMONIALS!]
What Does "Conscious Consumerism Mean?" and More... All your ethical terminologies explained! Conscious consumerism
Conscious consumerism is a way of saying that we are able to retain the awareness of our purchasing power no matter what is going on in the world around us. ... The conscious consumer is one that seeks out ways to make positive decisions on what they buy, and solutions to the negative impacts caused by consumerism.
Fair trade vs. fairtrade
When used as "fair trade," as two words rather than one, this refers to the general movement advocating for trade on fair terms for the environment and people involved. However, the largest and most globally recognized fair trade organization is Fairtrade International, the umbrella organization of the international system that our partner Fairtrade America belongs to.
Listen to episode Episode 139 with Marc Choyt - right around the 31:50 mark we talk briefly about this!
Ethically made / ethical fashion
Ethical fashion is an umbrella term that includes fashion design, production, retail, and purchasing. The exact definition is vague but overall ethical fashion is understood to indicate an active approach to creating goods that positively impact the environment and the lives of those making them, reducing poverty through non-exploitative (fair pay, good conditions) employment. In reality, it’s virtually impossible for a brand creating new products from new materials to ever be completely ethical as it just does not positively impact the environment. It is, however, a good reference point for brands to have in an attempt to better their production practices.
Zero wasteZero Waste is a set of principles focused on waste prevention that encourages the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are reused.
Social enterprise
A social enterprise is an organization that applies commercial strategies to maximize improvements in financial, social and environmental well-being—this may include maximizing social impact alongside profits for co-owners.
Slow fashion
As you would expect, slow fashion is the opposite of fast fashion. It’s about rejecting consumeristic impulses and embracing a slower, more mindful model of consumerism. While this doesn’t eradicate shopping entirely, it refers to only buying things you actually need and items of quality that will last.
Circular fashion
Circular fashion refers to the entire lifecycle of a product and centers on a circle of create, use, recycle, rather than create, use, dispose. It looks at products beyond their original function and timespan and focuses on how their materials can be consistently utilized and repurposed. Circular fashion takes in to consideration everything including the design, sourcing, transportation, storage, marketing, sale and disposal of the product.
Closed loop
In fashion it means that all new clothes are made from preexisting clothes and textiles, The Guardian explains. Once an item has fulfilled its use, it can be broken down through an environmentally sound process and turned back into yarn/fabric and then recycled into another garment. This forms a “closed loop” in that an item would have an eternal life cycle and therefore eliminate waste.
Cruelty free
Cruelty-free means that companies did not test ingredients or products on animals during the production phase. Cruelty-free, therefore, also means that no animals were killed or harmed anywhere in the world during production. Items that meet this standard normally carry a heart symbol. Cruelty-free does not mean, however, that animal ingredients are avoided.
Eco friendly
Eco-friendly, like sustainability, is an all encompassing term that takes many factors into account. “Eco” is short for ecology, the study of interaction between organisms and the environment. Therefore, eco-friendly is about minimizing anything that would negatively affect that balance.
Fast fashion
Fast fashion is the term used to describe clothing that is produced quickly and cheaply. Brands and retailers that engage in fast fashion often create products based on seasonal trends directly inspired by the runway. Fast fashion brands are generally associated with overproduction, low retail prices, mass waste, poor working conditions, and negative environmental impact.
FSC certified
If an item is FSC-certified it means that the fabric is made from tree fibers that come from sustainable sources in that they do not originate from endangered or ancient forests. TENCEL and MONOCEL products, for example, are often made from FSC certified eucalyptus and bamboo.
Living wage
Paying someone a living wage is to pay workers from all aspects of the production process a fair salary so they are not trapped in poverty. A living wage varies greatly from country to country and that is also taken into consideration.
Organic
Standards differ as to what “organic” means from country to country but generally speaking, organic fashion refers to the materials used and how they’re grown. Basically this means that the materials are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), sewage sludge, ionizing radiation, or other chemicals.
Social responsibility
Social responsibility means that a company adheres to a business framework that values people and the planet as well as profit. It’s about benefiting local communities and their environment. Unfortunately, brands claiming social responsibility can’t always be taken at face value. This term is often used in greenwashing.
WRAP certified
Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), formerly Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization dedicated to promoting safe, lawful, humane and ethical manufacturing around the world through certification and education. The WRAP certification program mainly focuses on the apparel, footwear and sewn products sectors.
Certified B CorpB Corporation certification is a private certification issued to for-profit companies by B Lab, a global nonprofit organization with offices in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and a partnership in Latin America with Sistema B. To be granted and to preserve certification, companies must receive a minimum score on an online assessment for "social and environmental performance."
Okay! That’s it! I hope this was helpful to you! And remember, if you have ANY questions at all, you can email me - hello@stillbeingmolly.com or find me on social media - @stillbeingmolly or @businesswithpurposepodcast. And if you share the show on social media, you can use the hashtag, #businesswithpurposepodcast.
Be sure to head on over to iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Radio Public, or wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure you are SUBSCRIBED to the show. Clicking that subscribe button helps ensure that you NEVER miss a new episode of the podcast! And while you are there, would you mind taking a moment to leave a review of the show? Leaving a review of the show helps me to know what you are liking and how this show is personally impacting you.
This show is edited by my amazing husband and “executive producer" John Stillman and the music is by Marc Killian of Third Wheel Media.
Thank you SO much for listening and go do something good with purpose on purpose!
My guest this week is Liz Bohannon, the CEO and founder of Sseko Designs, a fair trade, socially conscious fashion brand that is providing dignified jobs in developing nations around the world. Sseko Designs also gives university scholarships to the brightest, young female leaders in East Africa. This is actually Liz’s second time on the show! You can hear our first conversation all the way back at episode #28 in March of 2017! Over the years, Liz and I have become dear friends and it was so great having her back on the show! Join me to hear about Sseko Designs, Liz’s first book Beginners Pluck, and how Liz has lived a life of purpose, passion, and impact.
4:53 – The Liz 201 (A Business Model Change) * Liz has been running her ethical fashion brand, Sseko Designs for ten years. Three years ago, the organization experienced a fundamental shift as a company when they decided to shut down their wholesale channel. * They knew they were creating change for women all over the world with fair wages, education, and strong communities, but recognized that they were not fostering the same community on the retail side of their business yet. * When Sseko started 10 years ago, the term “social enterprise” didn’t exist. Sseko started to wonder if they could take the “business of good” and put it into the hands of regular, everyday consumers. * They launched Sseko Fellows, a social selling model to put products in the hands of women to sell Sseko products. It was a very small-scale beginning, but taught Sseko how to build a better model for women to earn a legitimate income. Liz knew that there were more women who also wanted to dream big to help women who also want to build their own businesses. * Sseko Fellows evolved into a social enterprise with teams that create full-time, fair-waged jobs for a year for artisans across the globe as well as university scholarships for the brightest female scholars in East Africa. * When people are provided dignified, fair-wage opportunity, they are far less likely to be trafficked into an illegal labor market. Often those who fall victim to these crimes are answering fake job ads, desperate to get out of poverty and unaware that it’s a trap until it’s too late. * When basic needs are met through safe jobs, the cycle of evil and abuse can be stopped.
15:49 – A Woman Connected to Her Purpose * While there are so many volunteer and non-profit causes that help make the world better, Liz and her team also recognized that women have more time and energy to contribute without burning out when they are equipped with a competitive salary and business resources. * If the way a woman contributes to her passion and purpose also generates an income, you free her to focus on social change work while making sure her childcare needs, bills, mortgage payments, car payments, groceries, etc. are not going to be a burden. * Something really magical happens when we know that there are others who want to show up and cheer for us. That is the atmosphere Sseko strives to create. * When people, particularly women, start new endeavors, the world often sits and waits for them to fail. Sseko women are encouraged to dream big with support from a like-minded sisterhood that helps set them up for success! * In the last few years, the Sseko community both in the United States Fellows Program and the Scholarship and Business programs in Africa have fostered a global family of women supporting women and championing each other through community, not competition. * If you don’t find community and make an impact, Sseko will fully refund your starter kit investment, which is only $150 for $400 worth of product. Working with Sseko not only brings financial freedom, enjoyable work, and finding a purpose, but the most common response from Sseko women about what they get out of the program is that they’ve found genuine female friendships to help in hard times and celebrate in the good.
29:48 – Become a Sseko Fellow If you are interested in learning more, you too can join me as a Sseko Fellow! All you have to do is go to https://ssekodesigns.com/mollystillman and click the “Join Now” link at the top menu bar!
32:05 – Fun Bonus: You should probably all check out Liz’s cooking show with her two-year-old son, Theo on Instagram (@lizbohannon)
33:05 - Beginner's Pluck: Build Your Life of Purpose and Impact Now * Liz just wrote her first book called Beginner’s Pluck. I read it in a day and a half. It’s not your typical book on business, it’s much better. This is the book you’ll want to help you truly grow right where you are rather than just hearing feel good mantras. * Finding your passion isn’t a magical, one-time moment. Your life matters and you can make a difference, but it doesn’t just happen naturally for anyone. * Liz shares new ways of thinking about things that leaves people relieved and removes the pressure around achievement and shifts it to waking up to one’s own voice. * It’s a model of tapping into people’s lives and meaning rather than their fears and emotions for short-term bursts of engagement. * We can combine our faith with action and work. When you put in the work, God will bless that work. * It applies to goal setting and risk taking as well. Complacency and fear-driven desires for safety to keep from looking ridiculous or taking risks that are too big removes the opportunity for God to show up and do things we couldn’t dream up on our own. * If we’re always playing it safe and our primary concern is survival, we limit our potential. If you spend all your time dodging failure, you’ll never chase after the “what if” dreams. * Don’t forget that failure is a necessary and unavoidable process. That experience leads you to the moment when your dream finally “clicks.” * If you’re stuck in overwhelm, this book is for you. Your dream is within your grasp right where you are, whether in the good or the messy. * Liz has hopes that leaders will subscribe to this way of thinking to help their teams, employees, clients, etc. There is even a prison using Beginner’s Pluck to turn lives around! * You’ve got to start. Even if it’s an ugly start. You don’t get to evolve until you put yourself out there for the first time. An immature and over-inflated sense of ego happens we think we’ll automatically be successful right out of the gate.
55:55 - Getting To Know Our Guest * Find out what stunt Liz pulled off after her talk at the Global Leader’s Summit. At 1:07:52 to learn walk Liz would choose as her “walk up song,” what she thinks we’ll be nostalgic for in forty years, her favorite lipstick color right now (because it’s so much fun) and of course, what it means to Liz to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes: 15:51 - “A woman on a mission who is connected to her purpose, who is connected to her passion, can literally change the world.”
28:22 “We are going to be a community of women who are collectively ambitious. You do not have to worry about too much or dreaming too big. You get to be surrounded by people who say: ‘This is how I can support you.’ “
38:03 - “Once you have peace and an understanding of what it actually looks like to build a life of purpose, passion, and impact, that actually propels you forward.”
55:14 – “Me messing up doesn’t mean I’m broken; it doesn’t mean I’m not the right person for the job. It means that I’m trying to do something that is difficult.”
“You only have the opportunity to fail when you choose to do something that is a little bit out of your reach.”
“We started to wonder if Sseko could be a company that pioneers this idea of democratizing social entrepreneurship and business for good.”
Connect with Sseko Designs: * https://www.instagram.com/ssekodesigns/ * https://ssekodesigns.com/mollystillman * https://www.facebook.com/ssekodesigns * http://www.instagram.com/lizbohannon
About Liz: Liz Forkin Bohannon is the founder of Sseko Designs and the author the book Beginner’s Pluck: Build your life of purpose, passion and impact now.
Sseko Designs is an ethical fashion brand that works to educate and empower women. By providing employment and educational opportunities, Sseko enables women to continue their education and become leaders in their country.
Liz graduated from the University of Missouri with a Master’s degree in Journalism. In 2008, she moved to Uganda where she met an incredible group of talented young women who were struggling to finance their higher education.
After traveling the country by motorcycle to find raw materials and learn how to produce footwear by hand, Liz hired three young women and started Sseko Designs. Since then, Sseko Designs has grown from three women making sandals together under a mango tree, to an international fashion brand that provides employment, educational opportunities and entrepreneurial training to hundreds of women in East Africa and across the globe.
Using her unlikely story of a journalist-gone-shoe-maker, Liz shares her passion for social enterprise, conscious consumerism, social justice, creative leadership and gender-equality.
Liz and the Sseko story has been featured in dozens of publications including: Vogue Magazine, Redbook Magazine, O Magazine, Inc, Fortune and others. Sseko has appeared on national broadcasts including ABC’s Shark Tank and Good Morning America.
Among other notable honors, Liz was recently named a top three Transformation Leader by John Maxwell and Bloomberg Businessweek named Sseko as a top social enterprise. Forbes named Liz one of the top 20 public speakers in the U.S. Liz’s powerful, disarmingly authentic and witty voice captivates and inspires her audience.
She now splits her time between Uganda and Portland, Oregon, where she and her husband Ben run Sseko Designs and raise their two young sons.
Thank you our sponsor for this episode of the Business with Purpose Podcast: noissue!* noissue. is the online platform for designing and ordering custom, sustainable packaging for your business or brand. With low minimum order quantities, worldwide delivery in three weeks or less (for free!!!), and a team of designers ready to help, noissue is making customized packaging accessible for businesses of all shapes and sizes. You can use the promo code purpose15* for 15% off your first order!
Can you guess which country in the world is the largest exporter of tea? Did you guess Kenya? That’s right, Kenya provides for tea drinkers all around the world from black tea to green tea, and now a new delicious purple tea that has more antioxidants than any other type of tea and has only 40% of the caffeine. Unfortunately, a large part of the tea industry is using exploitative labor on their farms. My guest this week is trying to change that. Paul Bain is the “Tea Captain” of JusTea. JusTea is a company that represents family tea partnership with small scale Kenyan tea farmers. Paul has traveled from Vancouver to Kenya every year for the past seven years. Aside from Canada, Kenya is the country Paul has spent the most time in. In many ways, it’s become home to him as he works directly with small scale farmers and living with them on the tea gardens, processing tea together. Paul is passionate about connecting you back to the farmer who made your cup of tea possible. Join me as I hear more from Paul about the ways that small scale tea farms are changing lives and communities in Kenya.
4:09 – The Paul 101 * JusTea is a family business with Paul, his wife Sally, and their three-year-old daughter, Cleo. They started JusTea in 2012, not long after Paul graduated from university with a focus on East African Studies and International Development. * Paul had spent time in Uganda doing charity work as well, and after talking to his family about the needs the witnessed for projects on the ground, he wanted to find a way to raise awareness and create more impact on the ground. * There wasn’t enough money raised for the projects that local Ugandans were trying to help with in their communities. Paul went back to Uganda in 2012 to try to find partners to help up a social enterprise. Their intention was to focus on trade rather than aid and to create sustainable wages. * Their first partnership was with tea farmers, and Paul and his team learned all about the ins and outs, the joys and struggles of working on a tea farm. After researching for about a year and a few trial runs, JusTea was born in 2014.
6:53 – The Largest Exporter of Tea in the World * While Kenya is relatively new as a tea growing country, as a former British colony, the country has a huge demand for tea exports to the UK. Tea farming has been passed down from generation to generation, and there are now over half a million small scale tea farmers. * Tea is also a regular part of Kenyan culture. When you visit a Kenyan household, you’ll always be greeted with a cup of hot Chai. The country has become a powerhouse in the industry is just 100 years. They also have the perfect conditions for growing tea: the farms are chemical and pesticide free and they’re right on the equator at a high elevation. * Even though Kenya is the largest exporter of black tea, no one really knows about it because the story of the farmers in Kenya isn’t told. JusTea is trying to change that to present a whole-leaf, flavorful cup of tea directly from farmers who have sustainable employment and stories that are known.
11:14 – Partnering with Farmers * Larger, well-known tea brands have cut corners to down grade the product. Both farmers and the environment can be hurt when big corporations want to obtain their tea as cheaply as possible. * When researching the Tea Act in Kenya, Paul quickly discovered it’s not set up to benefit the small-scale farmer. Massive factories and corporations are the ones allowed to produce the tea. It was actually illegal for farmers to pick the tea and make it into a finished product. JusTea worried they might even be shut down at the very beginning of their business. * JusTea was able to present to the county governor and Tea Board of Kenya about the quality of their tea and their goals to tell the Kenyan story and put Kenya on the map. Farmers loved the plan because they were earning more without having to go through brokers, distribution houses, tea shops, etc. * Kenya actually changed their Tea Act to make it legal for farmers to set up a cottage industry license to set up a tea producing factory on their own farm or in a cooperative. * Kenya and Kenyan farmers face an uphill battle for independence as a former British colony. Whether farmers own their own few acres of farms or are tea pickers working for larger corporations, there is little opportunity for people to leave the industry. They have their basic needs met but have no way out of the cycle. * Farmers only earn a portion of the amount of pay for tea leaves that they drop off at the factory. They typically receive a bonus at the time of year when school fees are due, but when there is an oversupply of tea, they receive very little bonus or no bonus at all.
19:00 – Shifting from Trade, Not Aid * JusTea realized that farmers were not able to sustain their families as tea pickers or small-scale farmers. JusTea set up the first small-scale farmer owned farms with loans and training on how to make their own tea. Farmers pick the tea and process it themselves and JusTea buys it directly from them as a finished product and farmers earn more that way. * JusTea is creating awareness at the same time as they’re creating demand, so there’s still a long way to go. Most of the world still doesn’t know that Kenya is the largest exporter of black tea, so JusTea is focusing on Purple Tea to draw attention to Kenyan tea.
Purple Tea! * Purple Tea is completely delicious and completely unique to Kenya. The purple pigmentation you see in Purple Tea and in foods like cabbage, eggplant, etc., is created by an antioxidant called anthocyanin. Purple Tea also has the lowest amount of caffeine out of all the different types of tea. * JusTea is the first company to bring this healthy Purple Tea to North America and have won numerous awards for it already. * Purple Tea is also helping JusTea’s mission of helping connect farmers to consumers by introducing the farmers on the packaging of Purple Tea tins. Even the wooden scoops included in the tins employ carvers in Kenya! * Paul is also a professional Tea Taster. Technically, a Tea Sommelier. What a job! He’s tasting JusTeas Kenyan teas at least once a week. They’re constantly doing tea cupping (tea tasting) and even offer small classes for local businesses to learn more. All you need to know about tea tasting is whether you like the taste or not.
The Exciting World of Tea! * Tea is the second most widely consumer beverage after water in the world. When Paul hears that someone doesn’t like tea, he thinks they just haven’t tried very much of it. He loves helping people explore the wide variety of flavors and health benefits of high-quality tea. * If you’d like to explore tea on your own, Paul recommends you take a friend to a tea shop or tearoom and ask to smell the different teas they have. If you a tea smells good to you, you’ll probably like the taste as well. Follow your nose and find your own tea adventure! * Paul recommends adding a little milk and sugar to your tea. If you’re trying to cut back on caffeine, Paul recommends a Black Tea Breakfast Blend or Earl Grey. They still have caffeine but won’t have the crash that comes with coffee thanks to an ingredient called allithiamine that balances out caffeine. You won’t get the jitters either. Black teas also hold milk and sugar well. * In Kenya, tea is prepared by boiling a pot of water and add 1/3 tea, 1/3 milk, and 1/3 sugar. It’s traditionally a sweet, milky treat in Kenya. Paul also likes to drink it pure with nothing added. JusTea isn’t a tea bag tea, they are whole-leaf ingredients. There are many teas that are sweet enough on their own without milk and sugar. You typically only add milk and sugar to tea that is intense and strong on its own. * It’s also fun to experiment by adding honey or almond milk or steaming milk and making tea lattes! There’s no wrong way to do it, it’s such an eclectic and creative beverage!
35:15 - Getting To Know Our Guest Find out what most influenced Paul to what he’s doing today with JusTea. At 38:16, check out Paul’s answer to some light-hearted get-to-know you questions like “What is something I’d never guess about you?”, “What makes you feel most alive?”, “ and of course the question I ask all my guests, “What does it mean to you to run a business with purpose?”.
Are you ready to try that PURPLE TEA?! I know I am! Paul is even giving you a discount code! * Use Molly15 for 15% off at https://justea.com/ * You can also find JusTea on Amazon! * Here are the other ways you can CONNECT with JusTea!
Memorable Quotes: 8:43 – “We want to present a whole-leaf quality cup of tea with incredible flavors that are fresh and farmer direct, and creating sustainable employment for farmers and allowing the tea drinker to know who made the cup of tea possible.”
17:45 “How the industry is currently set up for these small scale farmers is that they (farmers) suffer when the corporation that’s selling the tea doesn’t find new markets.”
19:45 - “We’re creating awareness at the same time as we’re creating demand for this product since no one really knows about Kenyan tea, even though they are the largest exporter of black tea.”
24:55 - “I take pictures of the farmers and add their profiles to the Purple Tea tins. When we bring some extras back to Kenya and extras to give to their friends they get so excited and say “I’m a celebrity!”
ABOUT PAUL BAIN: Paul Bain is the Tea Captain at JusTea, the first farmer-direct tea partnership between Kenya and Canada. Born and raised in Vancouver, Paul is passionate to connect tea drinkers with the small-scale farmer who made their cup possible. JusTea’s healthy new Purple Tea won the top food and beverage award in BC in 2018: Gold Medal for “Product of the Year”.
The food system in America has changed so much in the last 30-40 years. Organic and non-GMO are terms that have become popular more recently, and we’re much more aware about the importance of clean ingredients and real, whole foods. Let’s be honest though: life is moving much faster today than it was even just 10 years ago. It’s still important for families to have convenient options when it comes to making meals. My guest today has infused his passion for entrepreneurship, organic and clean ingredients in foods with convenience. Adnan Durrani has created a revolutionary company that is popping up in grocery stores around the country. Adnan is the founder and CEO of American Halal Co, which wholly owns its flagship brand, Saffron Road. As a long-time social entrepreneur, Adnan was searching for a social enterprise that would bring people together over delicious, convenient, and healthy food. The evidence of his dream is now in grocery stores like Sprouts, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Whole Foods and more. You can find Saffron Road meals just about everywhere now! I was so honored to have Adnan on the show today. His lifetime of experience in the food and beverage industry and his pioneering in so many areas of innovation was fascinating. Join me as I hear more of Adnan’s fascinating story.
3:53 - The Adnan 101 * Adnan journey into the food and beverage industry might not be quite what you’d think at first. He actually started on Wall Street for many years. During the original stock market crash of 1987, he went from doing well to having an epiphany that the “immediate gratification” business was no longer for him. * Adan decided the “delayed gratification” business would be a much better fit for him, i.e. becoming a venture capitalist or entrepreneur. Soon after leaving Wall Street, he started a company called Vermont Pure Spring Water. * He had an idyllic view of the entrepreneur life, but really didn’t know what he was getting into at first. It was a much harder way to earn a living than he initially realized. * As difficult as starting that first company was, his was one of the first bottled water companies to have strong environmental values around it. They gave a lot of money back to the state of Vermont by partnering with a nonprofit to take care of the bridges and spring waters in Vermont. It eventually became the second largest bottled water company in the Northeast. * Many people discouraged Adnan from going after several of the industries he was interested in, including bottled water and yogurt. They thought Americans drank soda and kids would never eat yogurt. Both concepts were shot down by many successful business tycoons. Where others were short-sighted, Adnan watched trends in Europe and saw a market to improve lives and people’s heath amid water quality issues and foods with too much gelatin instead of healthy cultures. * After that, Adnan was introduced to a man named through his venture capital company (Condor Ventures Inc.) named Gary Herzberg. Gary introduced Adnan to a group called Social Venture Network. Adnan was able to meet amazing entrepreneurs through the network of like-minded people who were trying to better humanity by creating businesses with a triple bottom line and socially responsible methods to give back to communities. * Adnan learned that being socially responsible can be a for-profit motive. Twenty years ago, Adnan and his network were ahead of the game, pioneering how businesses can be operate while being compassionate and giving back to all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
11:40 - The Natural and Organic Shift * When Adnan entered the natural and organic industry, it was only a $200-300 million-dollar industry. It’s not a $50 billion-dollar industry in the United States alone. * When mentoring other entrepreneurs, Adnan reminds them to be a bit of a rebel, but with a cause. Be sure to fight conventional wisdom but also take a deep dive into knowledge and research. He focused on shifts in lifestyles, the problems cropping up with antibiotics in the food system, strong studies on the effects organic and clean food was having on long-term health, and more. * Adnan also saw the consumer demand start to take off for organic food. Many farms were hesitating to switch because of they would lose a lot of money initially switching the farms and becoming compliant for organic products. Once they saw the opportunity in the long game, the industry started to pick up and consumers had more organic options available to them. * Adnan started to see opposing trends with Halal Foods customers between the European Halal consumer and the American Halal consumer. In the United States, there are 4-8 million Muslims who tend to be much more educated than the average American. Adnan recognized the buying power of this demographic and realized no one else was appealing to that market. * Many wondered in the beginning why Adnan was focused on millennials and not baby boomers. He recognized that millennial brand loyalty was much stronger and that it spread quickly through millennial tribes on social media. * Millennials have a lot of buying power and are willing to pay more for brands that are transparent and socially responsible.
18:42 – Saffron Road * Saffron Road is a natural, organic platform brand. They feature frozen, organic and natural entrees that are antibiotic free. All their beef and lamb are grass-fed. They were the first non-GMO verified frozen entrée in the world and first certified humanely raised entrée in the world. All the farms that supply Saffron Road have to go through grueling audits that ensure they are treating the animals with proper animal welfare. Everything that they do is also third-party certified. * They also feature shelf stable foods that include simmer sauces and shelf-stable meals. The packaging features low-carbon footprint materials that is non-GMO verified and quick. * The third segment of Saffron Road are their snack options. Right now, they’re the national leader in chickpea snacks out of about six other companies because they feature non-GMO, healthy label, organic snacks that are higher in protein than fat. * There is so much division and polarization between people nations these days, that Saffron Road’s mission is even stronger. They hope to bring different values and cultures together while celebrating both the aspects that make them unique, and the beauty of the melting pot when they mix and meld throughout different communities. * There’s power in what happens around the dinner table or when you gather together with all different people and share a hearty meal. Food naturally brings people together. Fusing delicious multicultural food together within fellowship is a powerful entity. * The food culture at Saffron Road emotionally connects with consumers with viral advocacy and extends beyond specific products. It’s more about the tribal affinity of distrusting large organizations that are not authentic. * Businesses have the capability to be a change agent and influencer for good. Adnan and his team recognize their power and responsibility to influence and takes that very seriously and participate in many campaigns to give back to charitable organizations. They focus on causes that bring people together in solidary for compassion and justice and champion the commonality of various cultures.
32:04 – A Renaissance in the Food Business * 43% of the growth of the $800 billion-dollar food and beverage industry is coming from small companies like Saffron Road. Even just ten years ago, the big-name companies were controlling the grocery store shelves. * Consumers are more demanding and enlightened due to the information technology age. It’s a renaissance in the food business. * There is so much more opportunity now than there’s ever been for venture firms to invest in this segment of appealing to values around the food system. For the first time, growth is coming from smaller startups that are chipping away at major market shares of big companies. * When millennials started having families, the game truly started to change. They’d learned the truth about food safety and wanted to be sure their families are not exposed to harsh chemicals and unhealthy ingredients. They care about what they are eating, what their kids are eating, the products they use in their homes, and instilling those same critical values in their children. * There are more choices for all consumers to be selective. It’s all the more reason for businesses to be transparent. Saffron Road refers to it as a “journey to better.” It’s better for the environment, farmers, animals, and consumers, and most of all, better tasting.
Check out 39:48 to hear the trends Adnan is predicting for next year and the next five to ten years in the US food industry and how to be sure you’re educated on what is truly healthy in the market now and in the future.
45:15 - Getting to Know Our Guest: Find out what led Adnan to where he is today, when the social good component came in for him, as well as fun facts about Adnan (50:49) like which Saffron Road product he’d eat every single day for the rest of his life, a dream he’s yet to achieve, what his walk up song would be, and more! You’ve got to stay tuned to hear the question I ask all my guests: What does it mean to you to run a business with purpose?
Memorable Quotes: ~9:10 “In the early days we were really being pioneers trying to set a new trail for how businesses can operate and at the same time be compassionate, giving back to all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
“I learned a lot about how you can connect social responsibility with a profit motive for business and have a very sustainable enterprise, as well as enhanced brand value.”
~22:00 “If I could create a brand that brought together different cultures, faiths and ethnicities to champion the wonderfulness of all the different tenant and values that those cultures brought; I knew it would be a mission for me.”
“It was about creating a company or responsible brand on a mission of collective progress, not only for the betterment of humanity, but to inspire, connect, and respect different global citizens through a shared love of world cuisines.”
~24:45 “The food culture at Saffron Road emotionally connects with consumers with viral advocacy and extends beyond specific products. It’s more about the tribal affinity of distrusting large organizations that are not authentic.”
32:50 - Fun facts: “43% of the growth of the $800 billion-dollar food and beverage industry is coming from small companies like Saffron Road.”
About: Adnan Durrani Saffron Road is the culmination of Founder Adnan Durrani’s life’s work. As a long-time social entrepreneur, Adnan was searching for a social enterprise that could bring people together.
The natural food pioneer envisioned a halal food brand that also embodied ethical consumerism: organic ingredients with no GMOs, no artificial ingredients, and no antibiotics. A brand that celebrated world cuisine, ethnic diversity and cultural harmony.
He named it Saffron Road, inspired by the Silk Road, the legendary caravan route that connected the cultures of the ancient world.
Today as CEO, Adnan leads us on the Journey to Better. With a mission to restore the “spiritual sacredness to food.”
Mr. Durrani is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the American Halal Co. Inc., which wholly owns its flagship brand Saffron Road. Mr. Durrani has been a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist for almost three decades, as President of Condor Ventures, Inc., a venture firm devoted to strategic investing in natural food companies. Saffron Road was the first halal product to be sold nationally in all Whole Foods stores and can now be found at 20,000 other retail food stores in the USA. Whole Foods, the #7 ranked US food retailer with over $16 billion in sales, has noted Saffron Road as being the most successful new brand launch in their frozen shelf nationally in recent history. Adnan’s entrepreneurial ventures have resulted in a successful track record of scaling and growing niche beverage and natural food product lines into mainstream branded companies. Mr. Durrani founded Vermont Pure in 1991. Today, Vermont Pure/Crystal Rock is the 2nd largest bottled water company in the Northeast U.S. and was acquired by Cott Beverages, COT/NYSE. Mr. Durrani and Condor Ventures were also financial partners in Stonyfield Farms, Inc. He was also a principal of Delicious Brands, Inc., which he scaled, with the financial backing of Carl Icahn, to become the 5th largest cookie brand in the U.S. He also served on the Board, and was Finance Chairman, of Social Venture Network. He has been recognized by BBMG and SVN as one of the entrepreneurs who engineered “20 Ideas That Changed The Way The World Does Business”. The select list of these inductees include: Ben Cohen (Ben & Jerry’s), Gary Hirshberg (Stonyfield Farms), Muhammad Yunus (Nobel Peace Prize, Grameen Bank), and Steve Case (AOL).
Mr. Durrani is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Visitors of the Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Sciences of Columbia University, where he is also ex-chairman of the Entrepreneurial Advisory Board. Mr. Durrani received an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering and economics from Columbia University. Mr. Durrani also serves on the Board of Directors of Maple Hill Creamery, LLC, the leading national organic grass-fed yogurt brand in the US.
About Saffron Road: https://saffronroad.com/who-we-are/ Saffron Road brand is a leading brand in the natural and organic food industry, offering a wide range of products from frozen entrées to plant-based protein snacks. All Saffron Road Products are Halal-certified by IFANCA and are available in nearly 25,000 retail locations in the U.S. and Canada. SaffronRoad is a socially responsible brand on a mission of collective progress for the betterment of humanity, by inspiring, connecting and respecting global citizens through a shared love of ethical World Cuisines. With Saffron Road, explore international cuisines that combine bold flavors from around the world with high quality, wholesome ingredients which are better for the environment, better for the farmers, better for the animals, better for your health, and most all better tasting. Saffron Road. Journey to Better®.**
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Thank you our sponsor for this episode of the Business with Purpose Podcast: noissue!* noissue. is the online platform for designing and ordering custom, sustainable packaging for your business or brand. With low minimum order quantities, worldwide delivery in three weeks or less (for free!!!), and a team of designers ready to help, noissue is making customized packaging accessible for businesses of all shapes and sizes. You can use the promo code purpose15* for 15% off your first order!
It’s hard to fight the false narrative that working harder, making more money, and acquiring more stuff will bring happiness and fulfillment. My guest today is here to debunk that myth and help us discovery what’s truly most important to us. Get ready, because Meredith McDaniel is going to share her incredible wisdom about what we are truly searching for as humans. Meredith is a licensed professional counselor and owner of her own private practice, Milk and Honey Counselling. She is a graduate of the Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and has served on staff with Young Life and worked as the lead counselor for Inheritance of Hope. She has a new book coming out next week on January 21st, 2020 called In Want + Plenty: Waking Up to God’s Provision In a Land of Longing. I highly recommend you preorder it right away. I’ve already had the chance to read it, and it is simply incredible. Meredith says that she feels called to sit with and listen to the stories of women and men, helping them discover who they are and experience life more fully. She enjoys entering into the quiet places of people’s lives in a safe setting to offer hope and help others taste of the Land of Milk and Honey. It was so refreshing, encouraging, and challenging to speak with Meredith today. Join me for this serene moment with Meredith McDaniel.
3:07 – The Meredith 101
- Meredith is a licensed counselor who also went to seminary. She completed her Master of Christian Counseling program at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. She studied core bible classes, but her main focus was integrating Christianity and Psychology.
- It’s so important for the Church to care not only for people’s spiritual lives, but for people’s mental health as well.
- About half of Meredith’s clients in her private practice are walking with the Christian faith and half of them are not. Her goal is to provide a safe space for people to process their lives. She doesn’t approach sessions from an evangelical mindset, but questions like “Who Am I?”, “Why Am I Here?”, and “What Is My Purpose?” often come up naturally in sessions with people who don’t identify as Christians.
- Meredith has been encouraged that the stigma with mental health has started to wane. There are far more organizations speaking about anxiety and depression, and more conversations are happening on podcasts and social media.
- In the near future, Meredith will work with a local school to provide counseling onsite so that students don’t have to worry about missing as much school to get to appointments.
10:08 – A Universal Feeling: Purpose & Meaning
- There’s a common story that brings us all together: We all want meaning and purpose in our lives no matter what our beliefs and backgrounds. Meredith calls it a yearning. Some feel it deeper than others, but we all feel it to some degree.
- Meredith began to notice a pattern that no matter what season of life people are in, many different people feel as if their lives are unraveling and they’ve lost sight of their purpose. Many people feel stuck in that space and don’t feel like they can pull themselves out of it.
- The key seems to be finding movement and seeing our lives in a new way while being at peace with knowing there are a lot of factors out of our control. This is what gave Meredith the ideas for much what she wrote for In Want & Plenty: In Want + Plenty: Waking Up to God's Provision in a Land of Longing.
13:40 - The Exodus Provision
- Meredith compares our modern lives to biblical characters who wandered in the wilderness for years. Our mouths are dry, and our stomachs are rumbling, and we are wandering.
- Think about it this way: We wake up, we scroll through our phones, our minds are running with to do lists, we don’t stop to breathe, stretch or sweat, and we have trouble connecting to each other in a real way. If you take a closer look, we can relate to the people in the story of Exodus and other parts of the bible.
- Meredith talks about the idea of “manna” both in her book and often on social media. If you’re not familiar with that term, the Hebrew translation is literally, “What Is It?” The dictionary definition from biblical context is “the substance miraculously supplied as food to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16).” Meredith summarizes the feeling of a “manna moment” to be a moment where God has provided for her in a way that she was surprised by that she didn’t quite fully understand.
- Sometimes “manna moments” come in the form of things we may not like or prefer. We may not know why certain things happen, but we can surrender and trust that God has the big picture that we can’t see.
- We want what we want, and we want it right now, but if we can unearth the manna that is in every single corner of our lives, it completely changes our view and we start recognizing it.
21:13 – How to Hunt for Manna
- In her book, Meredith equips readers to look for manna in their lives. The number one way to do this is slowing down. Our world is too fast and we don’t have the time or space to absorb what’s happening beneath the surface in our lives.
- Slowing down could look different from person to person. What does it look like to you to make space and prioritize certain things in your life?
- For Meredith, one thing that helps her slow down is music. To sit and listen to a song and absorb it can help you recognize things in your own heart and soul before going back into the world to do what you’re called to do.
- Anything that helps calm our systems will help us fight anxiety and/or depression. Movement, exercise, and time in nature can also help our systems calm. Eating well and being aware of what we put in our minds and bodies helps greatly. All these things inspire us for the work we are meant to do. We have to take care of our whole being – our mental well-being as well as our physical well-being.
- Prayer, actively slowing down to nourish our spiritual lives, and patience prepares us to recognize manna moments when they’re fulfilled. If life is a marathon, how are we fueling our bodies, minds, and souls?
- If we try to look at all the things we need and want to do, we become overwhelmed. It’s important for people to realize it’s ok if they can’t do it all. We can rely on God, on others, on counseling. It’s important to remember the long game. It’s a lifelong journey and it’s ok to slow down and relinquish some control.
33:48 – It’s Not All on Our Shoulders
- It can feel daunting to look back at your life. Most of us don’t want to sit with feelings from the past or even the present. We only want to look forward. It can be painful to do the work of looking back. That’s when we can lean on our communities, friends, and family members we trust.
- Sometimes that community includes a therapist or spiritual director who is willing to make a space for you to process your life.
- In the story of Exodus in the Bible, the Israelites found their voice in desperation. There are so many examples of them crying to God in desperation. God still wants us to cry out to him.
- It’s easy in our modern lives to think we have to pretend that we have it all together and hide our feelings from others and even from God. That’s what keeps a lot of us separated from God and from the people we’re blessed to have in our lives.
- When we can’t manage things on our own, it’s ok to ask for help and focus on healing. Both God and our communities want us to ask for help. We can surrender and trust God, even when it feels like our prayers and not being answered.
21:43 - We’ve got to slow down. Our world is so fast-paced and the content we have at our fingertips and in our ears at any point is crowding out the space we have to hear, see, and listen, and absorb what is happening beneath the surface.”
22:30 “I think it’s really important that we have time where we are just processing our story from the beginning of our life to wherever we are now…”
32:30 - “It’s more of a mystery, this whole life thing. It’s a case by case basis based on our own personality and who and how we were made to be. If we’re disconnected than the one who made us, it makes sense that we would be walking around feeling a little bit disoriented…”
33:00 - “I am part of a greater story. I get to play a role and it’s a gift and an honor to get to play a small role in the grander, rescue narrative, but I am not the main character and that is relieving and very freeing to me to get to lean in to it from that perspective.”
42:30 – “My prayer is that people would start to hunt for the manna: When they’re holding that ache of both (what they) want and experiencing the abundance of the plenty, that they would be able to see the manna in both.”
Meredith’s book In Want + Plenty: Waking Up to God’s Provision In a Land of Longing comes out January 21st, 2020. You can find it at basically all the book places (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.) as well as Meredith’s website. You can preorder it now! There are even extra goodies that come with preorder including a song with lyrics, a beautiful print, and access to early chapters. All you have to do is go HERE and enter your order number to claim your extras. They will arrive to your inbox on January 21st.
44:41 - Getting to Know Our Guest
Find out what rejuvenates Meredith (she hasn’t shared this with many people!), her favorite TV to watch growing up, what she’s reading, and something that’s really important to her but she never gets a chance to talk about. Be sure to stay tuned for Meredith’s answer to the question I ask all my guests: “What Does it Mean to You to Run a Business with Purpose?”
Thank you our sponsor for this episode of the Business with Purpose Podcast: noissue!* noissue. is the online platform for designing and ordering custom, sustainable packaging for your business or brand. With low minimum order quantities, worldwide delivery in three weeks or less (for free!!!), and a team of designers ready to help, noissue is making customized packaging accessible for businesses of all shapes and sizes. You can use the promo code purpose15* for 15% off your first order!
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Today I asked all the questions I know you want the answers to about writing a book, or more specifically, working with a ghost writer! My guest this week is Joshua Lisec. Joshua is the world’s ONLY award-winning, celebrity-recommended, #1 International Bestselling, certified professional ghostwriter. Wow! He’s the founder of The Entrepreneur’s Wordsmith, LLC as well as a contributor to Forbes, a TedEx speaker, and a two-time published novelist. He’s taken his gift of writing and used it create change, impacting so many people. I was so fascinated by today’s conversation and I know you’re going to love learning more about Joshua and his ghostwriting skills!
2:31 - The Joshua 101 * You heard a little of Joshua’s accolades in the introduction. Not only is he a wildly successful ghostwriter, he’s also been personally recommended by celebrities for ghostwriting. They’ve also endorsed his books! His books have sold tens of thousands of copies a month after the book’s release! * California State University (Long Beach) is the only academically sponsored ghostwriting training program in the world. Only about 50 people have completed this course by not only completing the degree, but also demonstrating professional proficiency as a ghostwriter. Joshua is the first and only person in Ohio to complete the program. * As a kid, Joshua loved reading The Chronicles of Narnia series and The Space Trilogy, both by C.S. Lewis. He was so inspired that he decided he wanted to become a novelist. At just 20 years old, Joshua had a two-book deal with an independent publishing house of Washington, D.C. Around this time, he also started a freelance writing business. * As he’s began promoting his novels, some of his clients told him they loved his writing and novels. They didn’t want to write a novel, but they did want to share their stories with Joshua’s help. * Joshua didn’t even know what ghostwriting was at the time! He learned a bit more and agreed to help. 40 books later, and he’s still helping people tell their stories.
8:29 – How Does Ghostwriting Work? * There are many people who want to get their stories out, but don’t know exactly what to say or are inhibited by their own self-criticism or self-censorship. It can even happen to people who’ve already written a book or self-published. * Just as entrepreneurs desire to work on their business and not in their business, authors desire to work on their book, not in their book. Their time and energy is better focused on the impact they want their book to have rather than agonizing over style and grammar as well. * In order for a Joshua to understand what’s going on in a person’s head, he starts with a free manuscript strategy session. To start, this helps answer whether a person should be writing a book at all. If the answer is yes, the next step is to figure out what that person’s future readers want. A ghostwriter literally helps an author figure out what the book should be about if there’s a good idea there. * This first step is an iterative process that goes on for about a month, and the goal is to figure out what the book will cover, what it will deliver, and how it will transform the readers it’s intended for. For several months, the writer and ghostwriter will work on one chapter each week for several months. * Everything written is in the voice of the author. Often a ghostwriter is better at pulling out what an author is trying to say if they are the best version of themselves, the uncensored version. It’s not just what they want to say, it’s the best possible version of what they want to say. * Once a rough manuscript is ready, Joshua helps edit line-by-line, chapter-by-chapter in The Chicago Manual of Style. They style considerations are what separates a self-published book apart from a book on a bestseller list.
15:37 – The Jay Conrad Levinson Rule * Jay Conrad Levinson wrote the International bestseller, Guerilla Marketing. It was the first book of its kind to help small business with low or no cost advertising. When asked how much money the book made him, Levinson said it was about 10 million dollars. The royalties over 30 years only paid about $30,000, but the book opened a door to consulting, speaking, products, services, upsells, masterminds, etc., that accounted for the remaining 9.9 million dollars. * Following the Jay Conrad Levinson rule where people can gain from further resources that accompany your book after they’ve read it is the only way to see a big return on investment in the process of writing a book.
24:00 – Could Your Book Sell If You Didn’t Market It? * Have you ever thought about writing a book? Would you have ever thought you need to know about SEO when coming up with your book title? Joshua also equips authors with resources (like Publisher Rocket) to know how to title your book. It literally tells you what book titles are profitable and which ones are not profitable.
33:23 – Live Ghostwriting and More * Joshua also helps people who are interested in writing a book on their own. You can write your own book, but Joshua consults on how to structure material and then reviews the work you’ve done or the changes you’ve made. It’s almost like a live ghostwriting experience. * Joshua has a similar program for publishing by setting up an independent publishing business for you, going through all the traditional processes of a normal printing press AND it comes in audiobook form too!
Memorable Quotes: 10:20: “Authors want to work on their book, not in their book. Your job, your effort, your energy as the author should really goes toward the impact you want your book to have, that high level goal of the book, rather than whether an adverb goes here or here in the sentence.”
20:42: “Just like steppingstones across a creek, you want the stones to be there before you start walking.”
39:28: Getting To Know Our Guest Find out what Joshua would eat if he had to eat the same thing for dinner every night for the rest of his life, a dream that he’s yet to achieve, and most importantly, what it means to him to run a business with purpose.
ABOUT JOSHUA LISEC: Every day Joshua Lisec helps authors manifest the mission behind their voice. Joshua is the world's only award-winning, celebrity-recommended #1 international bestselling Certified Professional Ghostwriter. He is also a Forbes Contributor ghostwriter, a TEDx speaker, and a two-time published novelist. Since 2011, he has ghostwritten forty books for everyone from household names with millions of followers to small town preachers who want to share their testimony.
CONNECT WITH JOSHUA: * https://entrepreneurswordsmith.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/entrepreneurswordsmith/ * https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshualisec/ * https://www.instagram.com/joshualisec/
Thank you our sponsor for this episode of the Business with Purpose Podcast: noissue!* noissue. is the online platform for designing and ordering custom, sustainable packaging for your business or brand. With low minimum order quantities, worldwide delivery in three weeks or less (for free!!!), and a team of designers ready to help, noissue is making customized packaging accessible for businesses of all shapes and sizes. You can use the promo code purpose15* for 15% off your first order!
We can often overlook the gravity of the situation that Jesus’ mother Mary faced when she suddenly became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. It was scandalous! She was a teenager, engaged to Joseph, facing gossip and shame from her community. One of her relatives, Elizabeth, believed Mary and took her in. Inspired by Elizabeth, Amy Brewer took this same idea of taking in and supporting women when they need it the most and started an entire organization to make a difference. Amy is the founder of Elizabeth’s Voice, a nonprofit on mission to provide dignified jobs to women and empower them to give back to their communities in Uganda and Lebanon. Join me as I hear from Amy about how supporting women changes the world.
2:24 - The Amy 101 * Amy went to college with a plan to become a nurse. She specifically wanted to become a nurse who helped women in developing nations. Her plan unfolded from wanting to be a doctor, and then a nurse. In the end, she became a midwife! * She worked in a midwife clinic in South Sudan in a place with little to no electricity and limited supplies. It was very difficult, but she knew it was meant to do that for a long time. * In 2013, Amy’s team was scheduled to fly home for the Christmas holiday. At the same time, fighting broke out again in South Sudan. Amy always thought she’d return to Sudan, but God had other plans for her. * In 2016, Amy had an opportunity to help a friend re-open a clinic in Mozambique that had been closed due to lack of funds. Both experiences in the Sudan and Mozambique clinics taught Amy that the only difference between her and the women she met in the clinics was opportunity. * When her work with the clinics was complete, she couldn’t stop thinking about the women she’d served. She knew more than anything that what they needed were jobs, so Amy started two artisan groups for women in Uganda and one in Lebanon for Iraqi and Syrian refugees.
7:04 – God Encounter at a Backpacker’s Hotel * Amy stayed at a hotel where a Ugandan woman was selling products to tourists. She knew the moment she saw the woman that she was supposed to work with her. This woman also told Amy that several months before they met, she saw Amy’s face in her dream. * This Ugandan woman was trying to employ single moms and widows in her community, even though she herself was also living in poverty while a single mom and widow. * Amy’s new Ugandan friend was only selling a few items a day. She and Amy decided to become business partners in 2016 and now have 28 full-time employees. * In Lebanon, they partner with a missionary who has a Women’s Center for Iraqi and Syrian refugees to receive food packages and bible studies. They also work to find the women jobs they can to supplement their family’s income or help single mother’s make ends meet.
11:07 –The “She Was Hired” Story * In the Bible, when Mary finds out she’s pregnant with Jesus, Elizabeth takes her in and cares for her and encourages her (Luke 1:56). Elizabeth’s Voice is built on the idea of women helping women and being there when women need the most support. * The “She Was Hired” story is the story of a young woman from a small village in Uganda. Even though Amy and Elizabeth’s Choice received this woman’s permission to share her story, they chose to keep her identity anonymous to reiterate that her story does not define her. * Amy’s business partner in Uganda is Eveline, and she’s known in the community as a warm, caring women. She is called the Ugandan words meaning “Born Again.” One day while Evelin she was walking down the road, she came across a very young woman who was crying on the side of the road. * The woman told Eveline that she was an orphan who didn’t have the opportunity to finish school and no way to make money. She was also trying to take care of her brother. Often in Uganda, women have to resort to prostitution as the only option to make ends meet. * After Eveline heard her story, she made sure this didn’t happen and brought this young woman into the family of Elizabeth’s Voice. She was hired that day and is still the first person to show up to work every day. Eveline taught her to sew and make paper beads but sewing is her favorite job. Now she can make a living in a safe environment doing a job she enjoys.
18:56 - Elizabeth’s Voice Speaks to the Future * The main goal of Elizabeth’s Voice is sustainable work for the women who are a part of the organization. They also started a hospital visiting program where the ladies sit with people and pray and also bring basic supplies to the hospital like soaps, tea, laundry detergent, toothpaste, bibles, etc. * Some of the women from a smaller village recently found a group of 12 vulnerable children who needed their school fees paid. They raised money to pay for the fees and volunteered to take care of the kids on school breaks and make sure their basic needs are met. * The vision of the women in Elizabeth’s Voice in both Lebanon and Uganda is to recognize the biggest needs in their communities and work to fill those first. * Donations to Elizabeth’s Choice go to things like the hospital visits and school fees. They also sell products and those sales go toward making future product orders and sustaining the business side of things. * Recently they started a fair-trade subscription box which will be more sustainable in providing funds. They’d also like to expand their product line to support more and more local artisans in their respective communities, continuing to provide work and creating a bridge between the consumer and artisans.
You can find Elizabeth’s Voice here. To find out more about their Hope Mail subscription box, go to ElizabethsVoice.org/hopemail It’s $14.99 a month and offers an affordable option for those who want to support artisan made products that support women.
You can also follow Elizabeth’s Voice on Facebook and Instagram (@elizabethsvoice)
24:24 - Getting to Know Our Guest Find out Amy’s guilty pleasure, who she’d most like to sit next to on a 10-hour flight and why, what she’s reading, and of course, what it means to Amy to run a business with purpose (you’re going to love her answer)!
22:53 - Memorable Quote: “I just saw a greater and bigger need. My mindset went from “Oh, I can go over there and be their nurse” to “Oh, I can go over there and hire them and give them a job and their children can become nurses or doctors or lawyers, or whatever they chose to be.”
CONNECT WITH AMY AND ELIZABETH'S VOICE: * https://www.elizabethsvoice.org/about * https://www.facebook.com/voiceelizabeth/ * https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsvoice/
Thank you our sponsor for this episode of the Business with Purpose Podcast: noissue!* noissue. is the online platform for designing and ordering custom, sustainable packaging for your business or brand. With low minimum order quantities, worldwide delivery in three weeks or less (for free!!!), and a team of designers ready to help, noissue is making customized packaging accessible for businesses of all shapes and sizes. You can use the promo code purpose15* for 15% off your first order!
More show notes to come!
Connect with Camille and Hueman Group Media: * https://www.huemangroupmedia.com/ * Podcasts: https://www.huemangroupmedia.com/shows * https://twitter.com/camlaurente * https://twitter.com/hueman_media * https://www.instagram.com/sincerelyhueman/
ABOUT CAMILLE: Camille is the CEO and Co-Founder of Hueman Group Media, a company that inspires people to do good through the power of audio storytelling. HGM partners with thought leaders, brands and organizations to create riveting audio content. From innovations in generosity to advancing gender equality, HGM's award-winning podcasts inspire people to do good through the power of audio storytelling. We've worked with amazing partners including SAP, UN Women, Fairygodboss, Global People's Summit to name a few.
Camille is the creator, producer and co-host of Sincerely, Hueman, a narrative podcast featuring the vivid lives of humans people should know, and their stories of doing good in the modern age. The show tells the remarkable tales of advocates, philanthropists and everyday people who have changed the lives of strangers and communities around the world.
She is also the co-producer of The Fix with Michelle King, a podcast hosted by leading global gender expert and UN Women's Head of Strategy for Innovations Michelle King. The Fix shares stories of women and men who are taking action and innovating to advance equality in the workplace and beyond. Featured guests include Arianna Huffington, Zoe Saldana, Abby Wambach, Gina Rodriguez, Iceland Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Justin Baldoni and so much more!
Camille finished her master’s program at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) where she specialized in technology, media, advocacy and communications.
Prior to moving to New York City to pursue her second post-graduate degree, Camille worked at Baker McKenzie as a corporate and commercial lawyer for top tech and Fortune 500 companies.
Thank you our sponsor for this episode of the Business with Purpose Podcast: noissue!* noissue. is the online platform for designing and ordering custom, sustainable packaging for your business or brand. With low minimum order quantities, worldwide delivery in three weeks or less (for free!!!), and a team of designers ready to help, noissue is making customized packaging accessible for businesses of all shapes and sizes. You can use the promo code purpose15* for 15% off your first order!
Well, friends…the day is here. Chipotle Mexican Grill is on the Business with Purpose Podcast, and I cannot contain my excitement! If you know me at all, you know I’d take meeting for burritos over meeting for coffee any day. And of course, we’d get chips and guac too! Not only am I a fan of Chipotle’s food, I also love their mission and purpose. The care about sustainability and use real, clean ingredients while supporting local farms worldwide. Join me as I hear more about this from Chipotle’s Director of Sustainability, Caitlin Liebert. She’s responsible for creating and implementing the company’s sustainability vision and strategy in more than 2,500 restaurants all over the world. We’re not just talking material waste reduction; this also means tackling energy management, water stewardship, and more! Hit that play button to hear more about Caitlin’s beginnings with Chipotle and the initiatives she’s led to take Chipotle to the next level!
4:45 - The Caitlin 101 * Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Caitlin is a Cleveland sports fan like me! Go Browns! She always wanted to attend Dartmouth College and when she didn’t get in after an early-decision application process, she decided to make the most out of a start fresh at a university she knew nothing about. She had a great four years at The University of New Hampshire and after graduating, moved back to Cleveland with a plan to pursue sports marketing. * Caitlin was recruited straight out of college to work in sports marketing with the PGA Tour. She knew immediately that it wasn’t the right job for her. A few weeks later, her mom told her that she’d seen a marketing position at Chipotle in Cleveland. * Even though Caitlin had no interest in working in the food industry and was still set on the sports marketing industry, she applied after some encouragement from her mom. * Chipotle flew Caitlin out for a day-long interview at a regional office in D.C. By the end of the day, it was clear that Chipotle was the right company for her. The rest is history and Caitlin has worked for Chipotle for the past thirteen years!
8:25- Starting Sustainability * Caitlin eventually moved to Boston and helped open up the New England market. After three years, she had an opportunity to start the Sustainability Department. She moved to Denver for nine years before moving to Orange County, CA when the company relocated. * Chipotle has a mission to cultivate a better world, and Caitlin’ and her team’s job is to help fulfill that promise on the environmental side of that mission. * The Sustainability Department is responsible for waste, energy, and water while also cultivating a better world in the way Chipotle grows and raises food, supporting the next generation of farmers, and even benefits they offer employees. * Caitlin and her team also write the Chipotle Sustainability Report that is published every two years. They set “aggressive industry-leading but attainable goals” to continue improving the way they approach food, animals, people, and the environment.
10:29 - Setting the Standard * Chipotle has been a unique leader by setting the standard for the way similar restaurants approach sustainability and health. In 2015, Chipotle announced that they were going completely non-GMO. * Steve Ells founded Chipotle in 1993 with a vision to drive sales with flavor. He began to learn about how animals are raised, and that the quality of an animal’s life impacts the way the meat tastes. The idea of food with integrity started early. * Food with integrity has grown to changing how people eat fast food. From that foundation, Chipotle can continue to make strides in cultivating a better world. * A clear vision and the ability to make a positive impact in the community attracts the best talent; people who are passionate about their work. * Chipotle also partners with local food supply chains to source ingredients from local farmers. It’s incredibly impactful when a large corporation is passionate about offering local, organic ingredients, and animal welfare meat at an affordable price point. The accessibility of the quality of food that Chipotle offers is very unique. * Younger generations seem to be embracing the idea of both delicious good and sustainability. You don’t have to choose between good food and supporting something positive; Chipotle is providing both!
18:48 – Defining and Achieving Sustainability * Sustainability does not currently have a precise definition; it can mean different things to different people and various industries. One of Chipotle’s biggest goals has been to divert half of their waste by 2020. * One of the biggest challenges in sustainability is that disposable waste is a component of the restaurant industry. Many customers want to take their leftovers home or order “to go.” Chipotle is working on sustainability by considering where disposable waste comes from, how it’s used in the restaurant and where it ends up. It’s a huge challenge but the mentality at Chipotle is innovative and creative solutions that have never been done before. * Multiple times a year, Chipotle actually audits their waste (all of it) to determine what percentage is cutlery, straws, gloves, etc. They found that their biggest waste comes from plastic gloves employees use to prepare food. While they’re working on a straw-less lid and compostable straw options, they knew the biggest priority was finding a solution for gloves. * They looked to see if anything else in their restaurant was made out of the same plastic material as the gloves, which lead them to realize their next biggest waste were plastic trash bags. * Chipotle asked the makers of the gloves and the trash bags if they could use those materials over again. Chipotle innovated the first-ever circular economy system where their used gloves are incorporate back into the trash bags used in their restaurants. * Chipotle took it one step further to try and bring other industries and companies on board to do the same thing!
28:09 – Advocating Their Values * Chipotle works hard to ensure their efforts are not just “greenwashing” (using misleading information about how a company's products to make people believe they are more environmentally sound when they’re really not). * The challenge is so massive to improve the sustainability of the planet and Chipotle wants to work together with other companies to help achieve that. * We also need a shift at the consumer level for businesses to also take more responsibility for their outputs. * Regulation is currently increasing around waste, and hopefully that will continue with government mandating and business responsibility. * If we’re more aware of what we have and taking care of what we have, we can use and reuse and waste less. * If you can understand where what you buy comes from and the impact it has, the consumer level of awareness and passion to make good change will shift.
36:05 – Find out how Chipotle’s new CEO, Brian Niccol (from Taco Bell!) has dramatically increased Chipotle’s stock prices. Tune in to hear more about how this change has affected Chipotle’s drive toward sustainability. 43:04 - Getting to Know Our Guest Find out something you’d never guess about Caitlin (hint: she’s got an amazing project on deck), her favorite thing to order on the Chipotle menu, and what it means to her to run a business with purpose (you’ll want to hear what she thinks about the power you have as a consumer).
30:47 – Sustainability in the Next Decade * Caitlin hopes to see a shift from a disposable economy to a reusable economy. We need drastic changes to continue maintaining the planet as we know it. * Brands without purpose will not fare as well as brands with purpose. I think that it will become more and more obvious
Memorable Quotes: 13:21: “Food for us is the gateway by which we can help really make incredibly positive impact, not just in the communities that we operate which are many, but also in our supply network.”
29:21: “I’m working in one little corner of the world and while it is a massive (challenge) we can all work together to help improve the sustainability of the world.”
31:34: “I think brands without purpose will not fare as well as brands with purpose. I think that it will become more and more obvious that we all need to do our part to work together to help solve the tremendous challenge of climate change and sustainability as a whole.”
About Caitlin Leibert - Director of Sustainability, Chipotle Mexican Grill As Head of Sustainability for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Caitlin is responsible for creating and implementing the company’s sustainability vision and strategy in more than 2,500 restaurants worldwide. From waste reduction, to energy management, to water stewardship, Caitlin works to minimize Chipotle’s impact as a company and plays a key role in developing new practices. She also serves as Executive Director of the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, Chipotle’s 501(c)3. Caitlin started her career at Chipotle in 2007 as a marketing strategist in northern Ohio and later went on to oversee marketing in New England before moving to Denver, Colorado in 2011 to start Chipotle’s sustainability department. Caitlin received her BA in journalism from the University of New Hampshire where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She then went on to earn her Masters in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge in the UK in 2016. She was appointed to a two year term on the Mayor’s Sustainability Advisory Council for the City of Denver. She currently resides in Orange County, California.
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Thank you our sponsor for this episode of the Business with Purpose Podcast: noissue!* noissue. is the online platform for designing and ordering custom, sustainable packaging for your business or brand. With low minimum order quantities, worldwide delivery in three weeks or less (for free!!!), and a team of designers ready to help, noissue is making customized packaging accessible for businesses of all shapes and sizes. You can use the promo code purpose15* for 15% off your first order!
My guest today took his love of food and faith one step further to start a business that impacts his community on a greater scale. Lawrence Yoo is the owner of Sushioki, a local sushi burrito restaurant in Durham, North Carolina. Sushioki is a restaurant with so much purpose and passion for people and the local community. Not only do they focus on sustainable, fresh, healthy ingredients, they also hire immigrants and refugees coming from vulnerable situations. No matter where you’re listening from today, I know you’ll be inspired by the work of Lawrence and his team to bring opportunities for families to build their lives in a new place. Join me as I sit down to chat with Lawrence, and if you’re local to Durham, get ready to run, not walk to Sushioki!
4:07 - The Lawrence 101 * Lawrence has been around entrepreneurship his entire life. His father has owned a sandwich shop, construction company, market and restaurant. He’s the first-born son of a first-born son in an immigrant family and there was always a lot of pressure on him to succeed. * In high school Lawrence’s life was radically changed when he first heard the gospel and ever since, this life has been driven by the call God put on his life. * Lawrence had a desire to see new things come to life and see the community lifted up. About five years ago, he became a pastor and planted a church called Waypoint church. In the same year, he and his wife Gina had a baby and started Mebane Pediatric Dentistry. * You don’t have to have lots of special skills, education, or success to be faithful in the call God has put on your life. You only have to be obedient. That is the key to contentment. * Lawrence uses the entrepreneurial heart God has given him to better the community around him and believes the local church is called to look out for the welfare of the community to the glory of God. * One day the idea just came upon Lawrence to start a restaurant. He immediately found an elder in the church named Jeff Carter and shared his vision. Lawrence thought Jeff and his family would be a great team to start a restaurant with, even though Jeff already had a career in Pharmacy.
8:45 - Sushioki for the People * Being on the board of World Relief and Samaritan’s Health, Lawrence recognized that the biggest needs for refugees are sustainable, flexible jobs that pay a living wage. * Often refugee families come here with four or more children. Buses and public transpiration are difficult to navigate, affordable childcare is hard to find, children get sick, and school schedules fluctuate. * Lawrence wanted to build a company that would understand these difficulties of caring for a family in a new place; a company full of understanding, grace, and assistance while providing a sustainable, living wage. * While Lawrence recognized that restaurant industry can be tough, he thought it was the best entry point to help workers learn new skills in America. A twist on a traditional Korean sushi roll called Kimbop gave Lawrence an idea to create large, hand-held sushi rolls. * Jeff and Lawrence moved forward with their idea and brought on Jeff’s son Joey who had a lot of restaurant-management experience. * When they first began, they employed mostly refugees, but as the number of refugees coming to America has decreased, Sushioki has also hired immigrant and local families in vulnerable situations.
11:43 – An Opportunity to Provide For Their Own * Most refugee families don’t plan on coming to America. They don’t want to leave their homes, but are forced to leave due to persecution, genocide, war, violence, etc. * When they arrive, they are so far away from home where they don’t know anyone or the language. It’s a terrifying experience. * When it comes to refugees, It’s not an us an them situation. We would all hope and pray that if we ever found ourselves in a situation where we had to up and leave our home at a moment’s notice and travel to an unknown place where we don’t speak the language, that we would be welcomed with open arms; that people we find along the way and upon arrival would be willing to give us a chance and a little help. * This is what it means to be a neighbor. Jesus said the most important commandment is to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. * Sustainable, flexible employment allows people the opportunity to self-support and provide for their families while they build a new life.
18:25 – Challenges and Surprises * Lawrence is an ultimate optimist. If he had a theme song, it would be “Everything is Awesome” from The Leggo Movie. Tempering expectations has been difficult and while things have gone well, there is a delicate balance of running a business, using better ingredients, paying people well, being well-staffed, and treating people well. * This has forced Lawrence and his team to be longer sighted rather than short-minded. They believe that building a business this way is better in the long run. * Success usually doesn’t happen overnight, even though it often looks that way. Treating people well and using quality ingredients builds trust and loyalty if you’re patient enough to stick with your mission. * If you want to be excellent as an entrepreneur, be prepared to spend more money initially to do it well, knowing you’ll reap the benefits of that strong foundation in the end. Be prepared and know what to expect, and then prepare for a little bit more.
26:19 - Molly’s Menu Favorites * The RD Yoo - Poke marinated tuna, lettuce, pickled red onion, pickled ginger, cucumber wasabi sauce. They take the full tuna loin and filet it themselves instead of using leftover ground pieces of tuna.
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Veggie Bender (vegan and gluten-free) - Mushrooms, lettuce, charred cabbage, shredded carrots, pickled red onion, green onion jam.
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Oh My Gashi Bowl - Chicken katsu, lettuce, pickled cucumber, kimchi slaw, gochujang sauce. In bowl form you can get it on a bed of rice or greens or a half and half! This one is named after Jeff Carter! His grandkids call him “Gah,” hence the “Oh My Gahshi.”
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Bull City Bulgogi (GF) is John’s favorite –Korean beef BBQ (marinated overnight), kimchi slaw, pickled daikon, boom sauce. If you don’t know, you need to know about boom sauce and G sauce.
I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry. If you live in Durham, you can find out more about Sushioki here. They’re open Monday-Saturday, 11am-8pm. If you just want to come visit for the day, Sushioki is a destination spot!
You can find out more about Lawrence and his work with World Relief and Samaritan’s Health by visiting Waypoint Church’s website. or the Sushioki website.
35:20 - Getting to Know Our Guest Find out what Lawrence is reading (which also includes a nerdy guilty pleasure), what his walk up song would be (and some debate over the correct lyrics), a dream he’s yet to achieve, and of course, what it means to Lawrence to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes: ~34:19: “We do the same things over and over again when it comes to social care but when it comes to business, we’re so innovative. Let’s do both and start being creative with how we’re helping the community.”
“How can we be intentional about thinking differently about how we serve the community?”
About Lawrence: Lawrence Yoo has been lead pastor of Waypoint Church since it started in 2014. He and his wife, Jina, are raising two cute children, Josiah and Hudson. Lawrence, a Florida native, received his Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, and attended the University of Florida for his undergraduate degree (Go Gators!). Lawrence desires to see this world changed from a “dog eat dog” world to a “doggie dog world” (click here to read about what this means) through the ministry of the local and global church. He has a passion for business as mission and has partnered with one of the elders at Waypoint to start Sushioki (click here to learn more), a sushi burrito restaurant whose mission is to make good food and hire refugees at a living wage. He is equally happy playing basketball as he is singing along to Hamilton.
Thank you our sponsor for this episode of the Business with Purpose Podcast: noissue!* noissue. is the online platform for designing and ordering custom, sustainable packaging for your business or brand. With low minimum order quantities, worldwide delivery in three weeks or less (for free!!!), and a team of designers ready to help, noissue is making customized packaging accessible for businesses of all shapes and sizes. You can use the promo code purpose15* for 15% off your first order!
I didn’t really grow up in the church. My walk with God as a kid included being friends with a Christian in elementary school until she broke up with me because I wasn’t “Christian” enough for her, a brief stint as the lead singer of a Christian worship band in middle school called Doubting Thomas - they needed a singer and I could sing so I fit the bill, and going to Catholic mass on Christmas and Easter…. needless to say, I did not truly understand the gospel until my mid 20s.
I came to Christ after years and years of pushing Him away and even at times denying His entire existence. I thought I could do life on my own… I was so confident that I didn’t need Him and that no matter what life threw at me, I could handle it. I AM AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN. All the women who independent, throw your hands up at me!
But I got to a point where the burden I was carrying was way too much… the load too heavy. For a long time I bought into that lie that “God will never give you more than you can handle” and if I’m being honest, it wasn’t until the last two years or so that I realized that cliche is a bold faced lie. God will absolutely give you more than you can handle. But He will never give you more than HE can handle.
I’m often asked about my faith and my story and today’s episode isn’t my testimony but it is a little different… today I’m sharing just a little bit about how my faith impacts my passion for ethical fashion and purchasing with purpose.
5:13 - A little background on the fast fashion industry and its connection to modern day slavery and human trafficking * April 24, 2013. The Rana Plaza in Dhaka, Bangladesh collapsed. 1,134 people killed. 2,500 injured. More than half of the victims were women and children. The Rana Plaza complexed house garment factories for some of the world’s most prominent fashion brands. It is the deadliest garment factory tragedy in history.
7:15 - We plan an active role in the fight against human trafficking 8:23 - Here's where my faith and my passion for ethical and fair trade shopping intersect 11:15 - How God brought hope and restoration to my life Thank you our sponsor for this episode of the Business with Purpose Podcast: noissue!* noissue. is the online platform for designing and ordering custom, sustainable packaging for your business or brand. With low minimum order quantities, worldwide delivery in three weeks or less (for free!!!), and a team of designers ready to help, noissue is making customized packaging accessible for businesses of all shapes and sizes. You can use the promo code purpose15* for 15% off your first order!
The 2019 Ethical Gift Guide is HERE! This is the most anticipated podcast episode (and post!) each year because not only do we have great gift ideas for almost everyone on your list, but also, my co-host, Em Sexton, founder of The Flourish Market joins me. We laugh! We talk gifts! We do trivia! Tell Christmas stories! Answer listener questions! It's so much fun.
Enjoy this year's ethical gift guide...
Thank you our sponsor for this episode of the Business with Purpose Podcast: noissue!* noissue. is the online platform for designing and ordering custom, sustainable packaging for your business or brand. With low minimum order quantities, worldwide delivery in three weeks or less (for free!!!), and a team of designers ready to help, noissue is making customized packaging accessible for businesses of all shapes and sizes. You can use the promo code purpose15* for 15% off your first order!
WOMEN'S ETHICAL GIFTS! 1. ENCIRCLED The Dressy Sweatpant - The Dressy Sweatpant is easy to dress up or down because of the modern design and luxurious fabric that’s comfortable, breathable and sustainable. This fancy sweatpant features a tapered leg with ruching at the ankle. Chic enough for the office and casual enough for weekends. The must-have pant for all seasons. Knit, dyed and sewn in Toronto! Use code "stillbeingmolly" for free shipping until January 8th, 2020.
2. POPPY ROW WEEKEND CAPSULE - Poppy Row is an ethically made, environmentally friendly clothing brand for women sized 2-28. Their fabric is made from Eucalyptus, which means it’s naturally cooling + wicks your body sweat! SO comfy and amazing. The Weekender Capsule… 3 pieces - shirt, pants, skirt… all can be worn interchangeably! Use code MollyHoliday19 (15% off through Dec 25).
3. Ten Thousand Villages Eco-Leather Convertible Tote (Black) – This amazing bag can be used 3 different ways. It can be used liked a tote, a fold over clutch, or even as a trendy asymmetrical handbag. It is handmade in India by a group that seeks to develop economic self-sufficiency for a vulnerable segment of society through traditional handcrafting skills. CRC provides marketing, design, finance and exporting assistance to a large number of artisan groups across India. Use CODE: stillbeingmolly25 for 25% off one regularly priced item.
4. Daria Day - Gemstone Jewelry - Beautiful and contemporary, Daria Day jewelry is ethically sourced and exquisitely handcrafted. They are deeply committed to elevating the lives of the artisans who create each piece. They create wearable and functional art for people looking for style and authenticity of the materials used, believing in the healing and connecting power behind each gemstone. Daria Day works with a group of local miners to source our gemstones and silver. They are closely affiliated with the Rupani Foundation, an NGO that has created a rigorous testing process and ensures our gemstones are of the highest quality. Daria Day works with 50 – 60 artisans from three collectives living in remote mountain communities in Gilgit Baltistan in Northern Pakistan. While their artisans live in largely isolated and economically disadvantaged communities, each one has their own story to tell and they are working hard to create a prosperous life. Use code MOLLY15 for a 15% off discount!
5. World Finds - gorgeous jewelry made out of recycled Kantha fabric! Perfect for the colorful person in your life. WorldFinds mission is to empower women through fair trade. Their jewelry and accessories create work for over 700 artisans in vulnerable communities in India. These thoughtful designs and sustainable practices bring change to the lives of the artisans, provide a bright future for their children, and strengthen their communities. They’re a { mostly } women-powered brand that began in 2001. We design all of our items in-house, and love to work collaboratively - both here at our office in the states as well as with our amazing artisans halfway around the world. Use code GG15 for 15% off!
MEN'S ETHICAL GIFTS! Brave Soles - They sell bags, accessories, sandals made out of recycled TIRES! (both mens and womens!) But one of their most innovative and incredibly creative lines is their Aircraft Collection! Their Aircraft upcycled leather collection is made from 100% upcycled plane seat leather and inner tubes. Beautiful, soft and with a lifetime of stories to tell, this collection is available for a limited time. The Pierre Upcycled leather wallet would be a great gift for a man in your life! They also have passport covers, card holders, etc. I have to also mention the Heather leather envelope clutch if you’re loving the upcycled aircraft collection! Use code EthicalTuesday20 at checkout!
Sseko Designs Men's Collection - I talk about Sseko all the time! The men's collection is so amazing - wallets, leather belts, an amazing briefcase, and weekender duffel bag all in gorgeous oiled chocolate. Fair trade. Ethically made. Classic pieces! SHOP HERE >> ssekodesigns.com/mollystillman
Right to Shower Head to Toe Bath and Body Products - This is such an amazing company that is providing access to mobile showers for people experiencing homelessness. My favorite is the Dignity body wash - charcoal and cotton blossom. Smells SO GOOD! It's vegan. Clean! Head to toe body wash! Available on Amazon and at most Whole Foods stores! They believe the access to cleanliness is a fundamental human right. With each purchase, you’re helping Right to Shower turn ordinary trucks and buses into mobile showers for people living on the streets. Shop here.
ETHICAL GIFTS FOR TEACHERS / CO-WORKERS / FRIENDS! Fair Trade Winds has gifts for just about everyone on your list! SERIOUSLY! Love this store. They have gifts for men, women, kids, coworkers… I have a gorgeous striped tee from Fair Trade Winds that is SO soft and so versatile. Can you ever have too many striped shirts? We don’t think so, especially when they’re made of soft organic cotton! Meet the ‘Billie,’ an over sized tee that will make a great new addition to your stripe collection. What’s great about Fair Trade Winds too is that you can shop by “cause” - for example, eco-friendly, gifts that fight human trafficking, etc. https://www.fairtradewinds.net/ Use code MollyFTW for 10% off.
The Flourish Market - Another one of my favorite shops where you can get something for just about everyone on your list! Seriously... home decor, jewelry, bags, books, so much! http://www.theflourishmarket.com/ Use code "stillbeingmolly" for free shipping!
Batik Boutique - This is one of my favorite fair trade brands. Hear their story on my podcast interview with Amy Blair. I love their gorgeous placemats, coasters, snack bags - many REVERSIBLE designs! These pieces are handmade by artisans in Malaysia using traditional hand-printing techniques. https://www.thebatikboutique.com/ Use code Molly20 for 20% off.
Solo Hope - Brand started by my friend Emilee - SoloHope works with incredibly talented artisans in Honduras. These nesting Set Baskets are super cute, super functional for ALL the things! Perfect for holding pencils and pens or your favorite plant or BOTH (since there's two in the set!) Each item is handcrafted in Honduras. These gorgeous baskets are made from pine needles + thread and the handles are genuine leather. Use code MOLLY15 for 15% off entire purchase.
KID'S ETHICAL GIFTS! ZUTANO Organic Cotton Pajamas! My kids have these pajamas and they are SO soft, GOTS certified organic cotton. My kids LOVE them! They come in a variety of colors, prints, and sizes for kids. You could do matching or coordinating jammies! What kid doesn't love comfy jammies? Use code STILLBEINGMOLLY20 for 20% off.
For Purpose Kids is a social good brand inspiring the next generation of global citizens by teaching kindness and doing good as a way of life. Our Subscription of Toolkits includes curated books and fun, interactive activities around helping people, animals and the environment. Each Toolkit focuses on a special cause and our activity guides use multi-cultural characters to help your kids connect to the world around them. With touch points built into each toolkit, you’re not only promoting goodness, you’re making a habit of it. For every Toolkit purchased, 5 meals will be donated to kids at the Sunaayy Foundation, an organization in New Delhi India, that provides basic education, nourishment and support for underprivileged children ages 3-12 in makeshift, outdoor classrooms. Use code ETHICALMOLLY15 for 15% off.
The Flourish Market Kid’s Gifts - The Flourish Market has brought on some AMAZING gifts for kids lately. Books like The Girl who Ran, ethical (and clean!) nail polish for little girls, and the cutest baby gown and hats - all products with a purpose! Use code stillbeingmolly for free shipping.
So many options for everyone on your list! Hope you love this year's gift guide! Which gift is your favorite? A HUGE thank you to Em Sexton for being my amazing co-host and a huge thank you to my husband for being my amazing executive producer.
About Amy Ahiga, Founder of Grain of Rice Project: Amy Ahiga is a wife, mother, former art teacher, and the co-founder of Grain of Rice Project, an organization that seeks to empower Kenyans through educational and training initiatives in Jesus' name. Amy is passionate about ensuring children from marginalized and underprivileged parts of society in Kenya have access to quality education. She is currently in the process of starting a school in Nanyuki, Kenya. Amy divides her time between Kenya and Valparaiso, Indiana, where she resides with her husband and 1-year old son.
The Kibera slum is the largest urban slum in Africa. Recent estimates show that over 235,000 people live in the single square-mile area that makes up Kibera. Other sources suggest the total Kibera population may be as high as a half a million to well over a million people depending on which slums are included in defining Kibera. Life in Kibera is beyond challenging. Men, women, and children live in simple shacks made of sticks, mud, and tin. There’s no running water, sewage runs rampant, and most people survive on less than $1 a day. Children born in the slum of Kibera are at such a high risk of continuing the cycle of extreme poverty. Access to something as simple and basic as education can mean the difference between life and death. My guest today is doing her part to tip the scale and make a difference in the lives of kids in Kibera. Amy Ahiga is the cofounder of Grain of Rice Project, an organization that seeks to empower Kenyans through educational and training initiatives in Jesus’ name. Amy is passionate about insuring that children from marginalized and underprivileged parts of society in Kenya have access to quality education. She’s also in the process of starting a school in Nanyuki, Kenya. I actually met Amy at the Fair Trade Federation Conference last Spring and knew right away I wanted to have her on the show. I’m so excited to share this conversation with you and can’t wait for you to hear more about Amy and Grain of Rice’s work in Kibera!
3:00 - The Amy 101
- Amy grew up in Indiana and began her career as a teacher there. After two years, she decided to quit her job and move to Kenya. It was a big change and a lot of people didn’t understand why she was doing it.
- She lived with a Kenyan family for about eight months which really helped her learn about the culture on an authentic level. When Amy came back to the US, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do next, so she went back to teaching and visited Kenya on Summer breaks.
- Amy brought her sister along on her second trip, and the two decided they wanted to get involved in a long-term situation to provide support and opportunities for Kenyan communities.
- Amy and her sister started Grain of Rice Project to empower people living in Kibera with artisan training, business training, life skills, and the ability to run their own businesses. They also work with kids to help them find opportunities for education and spiritual teaching, art classes, and more.
- Amy is also married to a Kenyan and she and her husband have a one-year-old son. Kenya is woven into Amy and her beautiful family’s story.
7:39 – Why Kenya?
- Amy was actually hesitant to go to Kenya the first time after she quit teaching in the States. Even after she became involved in kid’s programs, she thought she’d only make a one-time trip to Kenya.
- Once Amy saw the beautiful culture as well as the needs in the country, she became connected to the Kenyan people and continued to go back.
- God uses the very things we think are not in our plan. When we step out on faith in situations we didn’t want to do or that we’re uncomfortable with, it’s incredible how God blesses us.
11:12 - A Local Team
- The staff of Grain of Rice Project is entirely Kenyan. It’s very important to have local people on the ground running things since they are the leaders in the community.
- True change comes when those who best understand the needs of the area are running the daily operations.
- This is an important thing to remember when working in developing nations. It’s a beautiful picture of how God created us to work in community and respect each other’s cultures, empowering one another with a hand up rather than a handout.
- Amy recalls having a great idea to teach locals how to make beads. When she brought the supplies in, a local woman pulled jewelry out of her bag to show Amy that they already knew how to make the products but didn’t know how to sell them. It was just the humble reminder Amy needed to see her blind spot and understand the actual needs of the community.
17:35 - The Largest Slum in East Africa
- To tackle a problem as big as poverty, we have to see the root of the need. It starts with education and access to sustainable economic opportunities. Grain of Rice Project tackles both.
- It can be overwhelming to think about how to help ease poverty in a slum of over 1 million people. It’s hard work and it’s not a quick fix, but just like the name Grain of Rice, small acts add up over time to make a difference.
- One of the biggest challenges in Kenyan education is that the system is set up to reward children who are good at memorizing. It celebrates children with high tests scores.
- Kenya sees the need and is trying to change the education system to make it more competency based. The challenge is that teachers don’t have enough training or resources, so there is resistance to implementing the change in their own classrooms.
- Grain of Rice Project wants to equip teachers with simple practices like classroom management training, arts and STEM education, and making reading fun and exciting.
25:35 – A Blended Family
- Amy shares about Kenyan and American culture and what it’s like to be part of a bi-cultural and bi-racial family.
- Kenyan culture is relationship-based and focuses on community and slowing down. There is a village mentality that everyone works together for the greater good.
- Parents in Kenya are very intrigued when Amy reads to her young son who cannot read yet. The curiosity has been a great way to start conversations and an opportunity to learn about each other’s respective cultures.
- Mealtime slows down too! Kenyans take their time with schedules and often stop what they’re doing to create hospitable and relational experiences.
33:43 – Building a School
- Grain of Rice Project is working toward building a school in Nanyuki, Kenya. There are a lot of different tribes in the area, and it still struggles with a history of tribe-based discrimination. The vision for the school is to see a body of students made different tribes coming together to promote unity and hands-on learning.
- It takes a village to complete such a big vision, and you can get involved at grainofriceproject.org . You’ll also find updates on the progress of the project as it breaks ground in early 2020.
37:37 – Getting to Know Our Guest
- Find out what song Amy would chose as her “walk-up” song, her perspective on wisdom and growing older, what new book she just ordered, and what it means to her to run a business with purpose!
Memorable Quotes:
~9:00 - “Once you’re there and you see the really amazing, positive things about the culture, you also see the need and the joy despite the need, I think it’s really hard to turn a blind eye to some of the things you’ve seen after you’ve been there.”
~10:45 - “I think it’s in those uncomfortable moments that we really do grow and we kind of learn who we were made to be.”
A woman who has become a victim of human trafficking loses many things. One of those things is the vital feeling of self-worth. There’s a lot to be said about the impact of a lack of self-worth on a woman’s overall physical, spiritual, and emotional health. Sometimes, even the smallest gestures of assistance and kindness can help a woman on her journey to speak the truth that she is fearfully and wonderfully made. My guest this week is Lorin Van Zandt, the founder of Missio Hair, a hair-product company that uses beauty to restore hope and fight human trafficking. I met Lorin at a human trafficking education event in North Carolina and I fell in love with Lorin, the Missio mission and the Missio products. Join me as I hear from Lorin about how she combined her interest in hair care with her desire to end human trafficking. Lorin was so generous to offer a coupon code to Business With A Purpose Podcast listeners. Use code MOLLY20 for 20% off your purchase from Missio Hair.
4:16 - The Lorin 101 * Lorin is a mom of two and has been married to her husband Kyle for 13 years. Lorin’s career started as an elementary school teacher, but she knew deep down that she really wanted to be a hair stylist. * Lorin went after her dream and started cosmetology school while working full time as a teacher. * There is a very unique opportunity for relationship that exists between a stylist and a client when getting a haircut. The walls come down and you get to know someone quickly. Lorin saw the time she spent with clients as a time to get to know them and to encourage them. * Lorin realized just getting a haircut could change someone’s day. She knew she could take that opportunity to people who needed it more: women in transition from homelessness and drug rehab centers. She eventually started working with victims of human trafficking as well. * While partnering with a nonprofit ministry in Southern California, Lorin was encouraged to use her gifts to serve others in creative ways. One day Lorin received a call asking if she could help a woman who had chunks of hair ripped out by her abuser.
9:50 - Missio Hair’s Beginning * Lorin arranged for this woman to come to a salon that was closed on a Sunday. Just one other staff member was present in order to create a safe, peaceful atmosphere. * The transformation after her haircut was incredible. She went from having no confidence to holding her head up and blossoming instantly after her haircut. She jumped up and down, smiled, laughed and loved the way she looked. * The experience made Lorin realize she wanted to do something to help other women out of similar situations and encourage them on their new journeys as much as possible. * There is so much power in treating a fellow human with dignity and kindness. Missio Hair has learned after working with so many survivors that a simple hair cut can help someone feel normal and safe again. * Lorin and Missio also work to educate other stylists and salons on simple tips for care services, how to look out for signs on human trafficking, and resources for getting help.
17:32 - The Missio Launch * Lorin and her husband Kyle had the idea to start a nonprofit to continue helping those healing from human trafficking. They soon met with a mentor who encouraged them to create a product to sell that supported the mission. * After moving back to North Carolina, Lorin and Kyle realized that pursing a product line would open tremendous opportunity for impact. They put together a plan and started sharing it. * Eventually an investor approached them to help the business get off the ground. Of course, all of this took off as Lorin and Kyle were busy parenting a three-month-old. * They started learning the ins and outs about launching a product. Two years ago, Missio was launched despite their busy schedules and inexperience in creating a new product from scratch.
22:07 – Education and Resources * While Lorin was working as a hair stylist she became very concerned about one of her regular clients who came in with bruises, slurred speech, and stories that raised a lot of red flags for Lorin. Even with her training, Lorin was unsure of what to do to help. * Thanks to partnerships with organizations in the area, Lorin became educated on the steps to take to find help for woman to get themselves out of dangerous situations. * Lorin quickly learned that rather than a dramatic intervention by a swat team or local authorities, the most important way to help a woman out of a bad situation was to be a safe place for them to reach out for help. * Lorin gave her client a phone number to call. Lorin realized that if this is happening all over the world, she had to get involved to give more people resources to help. * You have the tools to help someone, whether educating yourself on red flags or arming yourself with something as simple as a phone number and connecting someone to resources. You can’t force someone to get help, but you can open a door and let them to decide if they want to walk through it. * Missio Hair’s team provides free education in salons, online, trade shows, and cosmology schools to equip others in the beauty industry to call in to report a situation or equip a victim with tools for help.
31:33 - Missio Products * With such a big goal and mission, Lorin knew the Missio brand and products needed to be something that people want to purchase. Lorin met with manufacturers in person to discuss design, aesthetics, ingredients, and what she wanted to products to do. * Lorin received samples of products in the research and development phase where she got to tweak things and test fragrances with friends, family, clients and community members. The research and testing process often takes up to a year and Lorin doesn’t move forward with a product launch until she’s fully confident in a product’s ability to sell out. * Each product contains the highest quality ingredients including coconut oil and fragrances like bergamot, citrus, pineapple, and coralily that are proven to be uplifting to the senses.
Missio products have made their way into the world and even been featured by Real Simple Magazine, Pop Sugar, and various subscription boxes! At least 30% of profits goes toward fighting human trafficking in three different ways: Education, service, and giving. For more information about these initiatives and why Missio believes in them, click here!
43:14 - Getting To Know Our Guest * Find out what Lorin would pick if she could have any superpower, her answer to a “would you rather”, something that she never gets a chance to talk about, and of course what it means to her to run a business with purpose! Remember to use code MOLLY20 for 20% off your purchase from Missio Hair. Thank you Lorin!
ABOUT LORIN VAN ZANDT:
Lorin Van Zandt is a hair stylist, educator, entrepreneur, and advocate for women, all while being a teammate to her husband, Kyle, and a mommy to two little girls. When she was fifteen-years-old, Lorin began doing hair and quickly became passionate about beauty. She soon realized that beauty could be used to help people in need, and she began giving haircuts to the homeless and those in drug rehab centers. Recognizing the potential for this passion and profession to be a platform for good, she enrolled in cosmetology school in the evenings after long days of teaching 4th graders.
In 2013, she had the opportunity to work with victims of human trafficking for the first time. Many had just been rescued and were taken to safe places, and Lorin would to go meet them in secure locations. She gave manicures, pedicures and haircuts to women who didn’t believe they had worth after years of being forced into sex, sold and used as if they were nothing. However, something as simple as a haircut led to something so big. These women began to believe something new about themselves. It was in those moments that the vision for MISSIO was born.
In June of 2017, they launched MISSIO, which is a hair product company that exists to use beauty to restore hope and fight human trafficking. They have created stylist-designed and salon-tested hair products that serve as a vehicle to educate salons in victim identification, serve women at-risk and in recovery, and give to non-profit partners. Their double-bottom-line approach is an innovative and effective way the reach customers who want their purchases to matter while unlocking the potential of the beauty industry to directly fight human trafficking.
A graduate from UNC Chapel Hill, Lorin taught 4th grade for five years and has been a professional hair stylist since 2010.
Memorable Quotes: ~19:22 – “We decided that having a business with a purpose, pursing a product company could actually open up tremendous opportunity for impact.”
~10:40- “I realized in that moment that she was starting to believe something new about herself.”
~21:38: "I think when people have these dreams or desires you think it will happen overnight, but the reality is that our entire lives have been leading up to this in so many different ways; our experiences over years have led into this.”
~47:55 “To know that we’ve created a very tangible, easy way for a consumer to feel like a part of a solution, to know that something is making that much of a difference is so exciting.”
I love pictures and taking pictures, but I really enjoy being in them if my loved ones are in them with me as well. I take so many pictures with my kids and family because photos capture time, memories, heart, and love. Pictures are powerful. My guest today realized she could use her gift of photography to give back and create memories for people in need. Kylee Maughn is the founder of Kylee Ann Studios and the Kylee Ann Passion Project, photographing people in need, pro bono. I’m so inspired by the work that Kylee does, and I think you will be too. Join me as I learn more about the legacy, impact, and priceless connections she’s making by providing visual memories to people who need them the most!
7:02 - The Kylee 101 * Kylee started photography about eight and a half years ago. At that time, it was just a one woman show. Her fiancé (now husband) knew she wanted to become a photographer so one year for Valentine’s day, he sold his Xbox to buy Kylee her first professional camera (Aww)! * Initially she just took photos of her family and friends, but gradually people started hiring her. When she had her first child a few years later, she shifted her photography to a full-fledged business, jumping in with both feet. * Kylee has come a long way from those humble beginnings. These days she has a full associate team, commercial and branding photography, a marketing assistant, an editor, and more. They shoot 75 weddings a year and Kylee is also a speaker and photography educator hosting online and in-person workshops. * As Kylee’s business grew bigger and bigger, she received terrible news that her young cousin had been diagnosed with cancer. Kylee’s family asked her if she would photograph her cousin’s journey as she battled with the illness. * The best part of this story is that Kylee had the honor of photographing her cousin ringing the cancer-free bell as she left the hospital after her last treatment.
13:49 – The Best and the Worst Moments * Photographing the best and worst moments in people’s lives taught Kylee that there are a lot of reasons people need photographs. Her family would not have had those crucial moments of their lives documented if not for Kylee’s photography. She recognized that her family (and many other families) can’t afford to hire a photographer and don’t necessarily think to capture their own powerful stories. * A few months after her cousin was cancer free, a friend’s sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. Kylee felt moved to ask her if she wanted any photos of her journey. Would you believe that this woman had been praying for someone who could take photos of her after her diagnosis? They did a huge fancy photoshoot with a designer gown on the day she shaved off her hair. * On a day that is often touted as the most difficult of someone’s cancer journey, this woman told Kylee that she’d never felt more beautiful. That was the beginning of the Kylee Ann Passion Project.
17:37 - Kylee Ann Passion Project * You can nominate anyone with a financial or physical need to receive a free photo session with Kylee Ann Studios. She has photographed funerals, miraculous recoveries, and life-changing moments that continue to drive her to pursue her purpose of serving those in need. * Sometimes Kylee is taking photos for families that will be their last family photos. Sometimes they are nervous, but often Kylee is often contacted later by families that tell her that they’re so relieved to have them if they ever want to look at them. These photos provide outlets for healing and continue the stories of people families have lost, or the triumph of victory over a difficult path. * It’s a vulnerable feeling to walk into the rooms without happy endings. Kylee takes comfort in the fact that the camera can actually connect her to people, even in the worst moments. Kylee’s unique service to offer this kind of help aids in the coping and healing of those grieving. It also helps Kylee cope with being a witness to tough moments. * Kylee is always up for a passion project and if someone contacts her, she’ll do it. Her new idea is to focus heavily on one passion project a week for six weeks during the giving and holiday seasons.
31:42 - Getting to Know Our Guest: Find out what trend Kylee’s embracing now that might embarrass her in 10 years, what her “walk up” song would be, her strangest pet peeve, and of course, what it means to her to run a business with purpose.
- Memorable Quote: “There’s a lot of people out there who are struggling physically, emotionally, and financially, and their stories are really important and should be shared.”
Connect with Kylee:
- https://kyleeannphotography.com/passion-project/
- http://instagram.com/kyleeannstudios
- https://kyleeannphotography.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/kyleeannphoto
Wherever you are, you have an opportunity to serve. My “life verse” is 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” When we meet the calling on our life right where we are, powerful and life-changing waves are set in motion. My guest on the Business with Purpose Podcast today is Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado, and I can’t wait for you to hear how the waves of his experiences growing up in seven different countries and being an Olympic athlete lead to fulfilling a calling to serve the church and become the President and CEO of Compassion International.
Compassion International is one of the oldest, largest, and most reputable Christian Humanitarian Aid Child Sponsorship organizations in the world. Their mission is dedicated to the long-term development of children living in poverty. If you’ve ever considered sponsoring a child through Compassion International, today is your day! Jimmy and I will talk more about sponsorship during the show, but you can also go to compassioninternational.com/molly for more information.
5:26 - The Jimmy 101 * Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado was born in El Salvador and grew up in seven different countries due to his Jimmy's father’s career in development building roads, powerhouses, and dams in developing countries. The faith of his parent’s created stability while they moved around different parts of the world. * Jimmy’s mother grew up in Mexico and her parents were migrant farmers. Jimmy’s mom didn’t realize she was poor because she grew up with joy and dignity, as well as a heart for the poor. * Jimmy’s father joined the US army at 18-years-old and served in the Korean War for three years. After Jimmy’s parents got married, his family traveled around the world for his father’s various engineering jobs. * Both of Jimmy’s parents served the poor in their roles, whether with his father’s engineering projects bringing electricity to people who’d never had it before, or his mother educating her children to care for the less fortunate. * Jimmy’s travel and love of athletics grew into a fascination with the Olympic games and their power to bring people and nations together. He went to college in the US and competed in several colligate sports, but he dreamed of competing in the Olympics. In 1987 he received a letter from his birth country of El Salvador asking if he would compete for them in the Pan American games. * The next year, Jimmy went on to train for the Olympics during a civil war and ended up competing in in the 1988 Olympics as the only male track and field competitor from El Salvador.
15:14 – You Can Call Me Jimmy * Before Jimmy left El Salvador to come back to the United States, the President of the El Salvador Olympic committee told him that most of their athletes leave for the US or Europe and never come back. * For a few decades, Jimmy was more focused on being successful in the US and forgot about the world he came from for a long time. * During a church meeting, his pastor reminded the staff of the lack of diversity in leadership and in their congregation. Jimmy spoke up about his heritage, but his colleagues associated him with being an American rather than his Hispanic heritage. It forced Jimmy to ask why he was running away from his identity, heritage, and culture. * Jimmy helped start Spanish services at that same church, which kickstarted his journey toward leading at Compassion International.
22:48 - Revival in a country, Redemption in a calling * Compassion had its start in Soul, Korea, where Jimmy competed in the 1988 Olympics. The country experienced a huge revival right after the end of the Korean War. * Jimmy was invited to a church to be prayed over before his competitions, and he heard the stories of revival. He wanted to be a part of a movement like it to start serving the church. * After Jimmy finished business school in the US, he made a career out of serving local churches but mostly worked in the well-resourced world. It wasn’t until many years later that he felt the call to serve churches in areas of poverty. * When the baton was literally passed to Jimmy in a ceremony to become the new leader of Compassion International, his mom couldn’t get any words out, so she simply hugged her son and told him in Spanish, “We’ll talk later.” * Jimmy’s mother’s experience of coming from poverty was fully redeemed in seeing her son coming back to serve the developing world.
29:03 – The Roots of Compassion International * The revival in Korea started in the North. As the Korean War began, many believers fled the North and went South. When the country was split into North and South Korea, South Korea was ravished by the war with poverty, orphans, and no economy. * Various countries came together to help South Korea get back on its feet. An evangelist named Everett Swanson went to preach to the troops in South Korea. * Swanson noticed how many orphans there were, and so many of them were freezing to death in the rough winter without any resources. When he went back home, he had a vision to help the orphans of the war. * In 1952, a man in Swanson’s church signed a $2,000 check, praying for God to show him who he should give it to. When he heard what Swanson was doing, he donated it to the efforts to help war orphans. That was the start of Compassion International.
37:15 - Releasing Children from Poverty * Jimmy became the CEO of Compassion International in 2012. He’d been friends with the former president, Wes for many years before Jimmy’s evolvement. * Wes let Jimmy know that he felt God might be calling Jimmy to succeed him, but Jimmy thought the job should go to someone with more experience, but Wes reassured him they were looking for someone who was already serving the church. * Serving the church in the well-resourced world prepared Jimmy for serving the world he grew up in. He didn’t have to abandon his calling; he just moved his calling to a different part of the world. * Compassion is now in 25 countries around the world. They partner with local churches to help local people. This helps eliminate the “white savior” mentality that can come from Western influence. * In the 7,500 churches in the program, 100,000 workers, (about 15 per church) serve 250-300 kids per project. These are the people living in the communities who know what the community needs. The children are served holistically in their physical needs, cognitive, socio-emotional and spiritual development. * As children move through the program, they also have opportunities in higher education, and vocational, entrepreneurship, and ministry training. Many children go on to become leaders in the communities they grew up in and now sponsor children through Compassion.
51:13 - How to Start Sponsoring A Child with Compassion International Today: 1. Go to compassion.com/molly 2. Look for Molly's face ☺ and the button that says “Sponsor A Child” with my quote below it. 3. From there, you can search by country, age, birthday, and children who have been waiting the longest for a sponsor. 4. Fill out your information (it’s a 100% tax deductible donation). 5. You’re now coming alongside a child to be a part of their transformation
I would love to see my listeners come together to become Compassion sponsors so that more children are released from poverty in Jesus’ name. I KNOW we can do this!
53:15 -The Story of Two Lines * It took 56 years to reach the first million children. * Then it took 11 years to reach the 2 millionth child served. * There has been huge growth in the last 11 years but compared to the number of children living in poverty today, the number is one billion children. * This means Compassion is still only serving 0.2% of the need. * There’s such need out there for children’s lives to be transformed, even in our modern world. With Compassion they can be transformed right within their own neighborhood. * One billion may seem like a lot, but as far as we know there are about 600 million people following Jesus who truly want to respond to the call to end poverty. Within the church, we have the capacity to serve the one billion in need, but we all have to play our part. * By connecting children in the well-resourced world with children in the under-resourced world (especially when they share the same name) we not only fight poverty, but the effects of plenty too. * There are so many tools now to connect with your sponsor child through letter writing, the Compassion app, and even trips to visit your sponsor child. You can change a child’s life on less than $40.00 a month. It’s a drop in the bucket for most of us.
Click HERE to join me in sponsoring a child with Compassion International today! 1:01:06 - Be sure to listen to what it means to Jimmy to run a business with purpose! Memorable Quotes from this episode: 19:05: “Having grown up in the developing world, lived more as an adult in the developed world and serving the well-resourced church, I think God has brought me here to be a bridge between the under-resourced world and the well-resourced world. That’s at the center of my call now. To link those two worlds better so we can heal each other on both sides.”
22:23 “God totally took that disappointment and wrapped my calling around it and then he took my failure athletically of getting inured over and over again and said “No I don’t want you to compete for the US, I want to bring you home and compete for the country of your birth.”
22:52 “In 1988 when I competed in the Olympic games in Soul, South Korea, I went for an athletic experience and I came home with a calling to serve the church.”
ABOUT Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado, Compassion International President and CEO Compassion International’s President and Chief Executive Officer Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado has a deep love and passion for the beauty and potential of local churches fulfilling their Jesus-given mandate to redeem and restore this world for His name’s sake. Born in El Salvador and raised in seven different countries, Jimmy has experienced firsthand the powerful impact thriving local churches can have on their communities, especially in under-resourced environments. Compassion’s church-based approach to delivering a holistic child development program resonates with Jimmy at a deep level.
Prior to joining Compassion in June of 2013, Jimmy was president of the Willow Creek Association (WCA) — a global ministry completely dedicated to helping local churches thrive. During his 20-year tenure leading the WCA, worldwide ministry income grew from $2 million to more than $20 million and membership grew from 860 churches to over 7,000 churches.
Beginning in 1995, Jimmy was instrumental in launching and hosting The Global Leadership Summit. The Summit is an annual not-for-profit event created to address the dire need for excellent leadership training in local churches and other people-centered organizations around the world. One of its highest values has been an insatiable desire to learn from many of the world’s top leaders and most gifted communicators. The Summit shares leadership insights from a variety of voices and disciplines — from corporate CEOs, heads of state, leaders in academia, leaders within the church, and leaders from the not-for-profit sector. By the time Jimmy completed his last Summit in 2013, the event spanned 100 countries and reached an audience of 170,000 attendees with this valuable training.
Jimmy’s educational background includes graduating cum laude with a mechanical engineering degree from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, and a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School.
He is also an accomplished athlete. In college, Jimmy was a member of the 1983 NCAA Division I Indoor & Outdoor National Championship team at SMU where he competed in the decathlon and held the school record. After college, Jimmy went on to place 4th at the 1987 Pan American Games and 26th in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, competing for his birth country, El Salvador. He has continued to stay engaged with the sport he loves by serving as a volunteer track and field coach.
Jimmy married his wife Leanne in 1986. They have three grown children and three grandchildren.
Connect with Santiago "Jimmy" Mellado and Compassion International online: * http://compassion.com/molly * https://www.facebook.com/compassionintl * https://instagram.com/compassion * https://twitter.com/compassion * https://pinterest.com/compassion/ * https://www.youtube.com/user/CompassionIntl * https://twitter.com/jimmellado * https://www.facebook.com/mellado.santiago/
Kids can change us just by being themselves. When we give them opportunities to find solutions to problems, their innovative imaginations are amazing. The results create a world-changing ripple effect. My guest this week is Alison Storm. Alison saw an opportunity to provide clean water to communities in India by partnering with the savviest business owners, kids. Alison founded Crowd Sourcing Kids to bring kids together to fully fund a well-drilling project in India, changing lives forever! When children join forces to help with Crowd Sourcing Kids, babies will live, girls will be educated, and people will stay healthy. I’m so excited to hear more from Allison, and I know you’re going to love it too!
4:08 - The Alison 101 * After graduating from a Journalism program in college, Alison learned of a very unique contest in her hometown. She lived in a car with five other people for a chance to win the car. Shortly after the contest she became a local celebrity and started putting her Journalism training to work at a local news station. * Her career led her to a CBS affiliate in Greenville, South Carolina but after having to cover too many heart-breaking stories she decided she had to find a way out. * Alison soon began freelance writing for major magazines. After her son was born she received an offer to work in morning radio for a Christian radio station and decided to take a chance and try it out. * The show was the first of its kind in Christian radio: A television show for radio, streamed live and made available to watch later as well. * Joy was thrilled at the opportunity to work on more uplifting stories with a TV/Radio format, and recently celebrated her five-year anniversary of working at His Radio!
9:24 - World Water Crisis * While working for His Radio, Joy started learning about the global water crisis (people world-wide lacking access to clean water, and water scarcity for certain communities in the world). * She became involved in water missions and one of her first fundraisers involved riding Vesper scooters around North and South Carolina. * Progress is made when people stand up and say, “we can do something.” Everyone has the power to make a small change that inspires a collective wave of change. God has equipped us to do good work, take action, and make change. * During worship on Sunday, an idea popped into Alison’s head to involve children in helping ease the world water crisis.
14:06 – The Origin of Crowd Sourcing Kids * Alison first worked with an organization called “Set Free” that drills wells in Liberia, Sierra Leon, and India. Alison made the tough choice to go to India when her son was very young, and it changed her life. * Set Free also rescues children from slavery. Alison spent time with a pastor who risks his life to save children from slavery. Witnessing young children working in mines changed Alison’s life forever and showed her a new purpose for her work. * Crowd Sourcing Kids helps rescued kids learn new skills in safe working conditions. Children in America sell elephants handmade by children in India to raise funds to build wells in local villages in India. * The crowd sourcing idea means 50 kids come together to fund a well in India. It’s also a learning opportunity to show kids they can make a difference.
22:09 - Train Up A Child * Crowd Sourcing Kids started on World Water Day in 2018 and are on the 5th well of the program. Now thousands of people have clean water, and it’s all because of kids. * Kids of all ages participate, and traditions continue as the children grow up. Kids learn valuable lessons about generosity and kindness at a young age. * Compassion, responsibility, and a sense of significance kills entitlement. Kids need to feel like they have the power to make meaningful contributions and knowledge that helps them learn to appreciate their blessings.
43:43 - Getting To Know Our Guest Find out what Alison’s “Walk Up Song” would be, who she’d pick to play her in a movie, her biggest pet peeve, and what TV show she recently made an appearance on! And of course, stay tuned to hear what it means to her to run a business with purpose.
Memorable quotes: * ~49:17 - “Running a business with purpose means realizing just how blessed you are and being able to then turn around and take those blessings and use them in a way to help others. * ~49:32 – “That’s really the heart of Crowd Sourcing Kids. I just want kids to realize how blessed they are growing up where they’re growing up.” * ~49:41 - “No matter what you’re facing, you’ve been given so much and there’s a purpose for that, there’s a reason. You’re that bridge to those who don’t have as much.”
His Radio airs across the Carolinas and coastal Georgia. You can hear Alison on Hisradio.com or download the His Radio app. It’s also streamed on Roku, Apple TV, and Alexa (request His Morning Crew)! You can find Alison on Instagram at @alistorm
Learn more about Crowd Sourcing Kids HERE. What if Business with Purpose Podcast kids could pitch in and build a well from this episode?! That would be AMAZING! Boxes also come with tools to help teach your kids about the world water crisis.
- LINKS: https://setfreealliance.org/
- http://www.CrowdsourcingKids.com
ABOUT ALISON STORM: Alison Storm was born, raised and educated in the land of corn and pigs (Iowa) but now happily calls the south home. An Iowa State University journalism graduate, Alison began her career as a television reporter working in newsrooms around the country. These days, on top of being a part of HIS Morning Crew with Rob and Jim, Alison serves as the features editor of Belle magazine and facilitates Financial Peace University at her church. In 2018 she founded Crowdsourcing Kids, an organization that taps into the entrepreneurial spirits of young people to fund wells in India and support children rescued from slavery.
Alison loves to explore and her most powerful journeys have been to Liberia, West Africa and Andhra Pradesh, India to drill wells and share the Gospel in remote villages with Set Free. Alison and her husband Tim have two beautiful children, Sammy and Fanny.
Studies show that 98% of domestic violence victims also experience financial abuse and stay in abusive relationships due to financial insecurity. Today’s guest is Joy McBrien and her ethical jewelry brand Fair Anita creates financial opportunities for women around the world. Their artisans partners carefully design and create every product by hand, and Fair Anita also gives them the resources for economic self-sufficiency. Along with that, Fair Anita also maintains strong ethical standards in the production chain, working conditions, living wages, and full transparency of business practices. Join me as I speak with Joy about the journey of Fair Anita, and the life-changing mission to help women feel safe, valued, and respected, no matter where they live.
3:58 - The Joy 101
- Joy started Fair Anita when she was just 24-years-old to help combat the issues with sexual violence that she’d experienced in her own life. After a lot of research, it became clear to her that financial insecurity is the main reason women stay in abusive partnerships.
- She also knew early on that she wanted her organization to help tackle the problems that can be found in consumerism and the exploitation of women in consumer supply chains.
- Starting her first jewelry company at age 15 gave Joy a knowledge of jewelry design that helped her connect to artisans and the ways they incorporate their own culture into designs.
- While living in Peru, Joy witnessed horrible factory conditions and became passionate about knowing where her purchases came from and the working conditions of the people making those products.
- Joy knew there were already many big names in the fair trade world but realized an opportunity to make fair trade products that were more personalized, accessible, and affordable.
8:55 - Developing Fair Anita
- As she traveled the world, Joy built a network of women doing incredible work and reached back out to them when she started Fair Anita. They worked together to incorporate artisan’s traditional skills into updated designs for US markets.
- Joy was very intentional to make sure Fair Anita offered fair trade goods with accessible price points. She believes ethical fashion is only truly ethical if it is affordable and accessible to more than one subset of people.
- Fair Anita artisans are still paid two to three times the living wage where they’re located. Volume of sales rather than higher-priced items makes this possible.
- The demand is being driven by Millennials and recent a Forbes article shows that 73% of Millennials are likely to purchase a mission-based product if they’re given a comparable alternative in price and design.
- Brands will have to adapt to this demand and start focusing more of their supply chains on ethical practices. This helps create a fair trade market that is accessible to average consumers as well.
- Smaller brands also get a chance to shine and push the market to meet higher fair trade standards.
17:20 - Sustainable Options and Ethical Storytelling
- Moving forward, Fair Anita wants to continue helping larger organizations improve by creating sustainable options for their customers.
- Joy will also be turning her focus to international women’s rights and bringing suppliers back into direct conversations about supply chains.
- One of the biggest parts of Fair Anita’s mission is making sure artisans give consent for their stories to be shared. Artisans should be the ones deciding whether or not to share about their lives, which also means managing consumer’s expectations to hear them.
- When people do decide to share their story, it’s important to create safe spaces where they can share rather than have other people repeating their stories.
32:37 - Getting To Know Our Guest
- Find out who Joy would most like to sit next to on a 10-hour flight, her guilty pleasure, what books she’s reading, and of course, what it means to run a business with purpose.
ABOUT JOY Joy McBrien is a global learner who is passionate about creating opportunities for women and girls. She is the Founder and CEO of Fair Anita, a social enterprise that strives to build a more inclusive economy for women by providing economic opportunity and dignified jobs through beautiful fair trade jewelry and accessories. She has worked with thousands of women around the world, using her empathetic nature to understand circumstances and develop creative solutions, including having built a battered women’s shelter in Peru and working at a girl-focused middle school in St. Paul. Joy has been recognized for her leadership in this space, giving a TEDx talk and receiving awards including: Top Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans 2015, Open Hands Initiative Fellow 2016, Minnesota Business Magazine’s 35 Entrepreneurs Under 35, CauseArtist's 35 Entrepreneurs to Watch, and the Real Power 50 Award. Joy is a member of the Global Shapers Community, and has spoken on women's issues at various events with the World Economic Forum, including the Annual Meeting of New Champions (aka Summer Davos) and the Sustainable Development Impact Summit. Beyond acting on her passions for women's rights and ethical supply chains, Joy spends much of her time traveling, working with young people, and performing as a professional dancer.
Connect with Joy:
- https://fairanita.com/
- http://www.instagram.com/fair.anita
- http://www.facebook.com/shopfairanita
- http://www.twitter.com/fair_anita
You can tell a lot about a person by the way they dress or style something. Fashion is an art form of self-expression. But just because fashion is enjoyable doesn’t mean that we should allow it to harm others or our planet. My guest this week is Lela Orr. That’s right, Lela Orr from the most recent season of Project Runway! Join me to hear how Lela is making a positive impact with fashion through her eco-luxury clothing brand Farrah. You’ll also hear some behind the scenes about Project Runway and how Lela came to design something for the one, the only, Beyoncé!
2:29 – The Lela 101 * Lela grew up in Dallas, Texas and Monroe, Louisiana. She is an ethically conscious vegetarian with a passion for zero waste. * Lela’s mom and grandmother were her muses for fashion. Not only was her grandmother’s style transformative in leading Lela to design, she also learned from both women about the value of reusing and repurposing old clothing. * The roots of Lela’s brand, Ferrah, sprouted when Lela was in college and learned about the Rana Plaza garment factory collapse in Bangladesh in 2013. She knew then that the fashion industry is too creative and forward-thinking to allow the neglect of the people who make our clothes. She knew the industry could and should do better. * Lela wanted her brand to be high-end and luxury, but as sustainable as possible. She repurposed all of the scraps from her designs and worked with zero-waste patterning. * She believes more brands need to define what being “green” and sustainable means to them. For Lela and Farrah, zero-waste is the core of the brand. It takes longer, but it also forces greater creativity while reducing waste at the same time.
13:55 – Project Runway * Lela grew up a huge fan of the TV show Project Runway and was inspired early on by the show and the success of contestants like Christian Siriano. * When the show moved to Bravo TV to cast for a new season, Lela submitted her information with gentle encouragement from a good friend. The show kept contacting her and eventually she landed a spot as a contestant! * Lela was encouraged that her season of the show had more sustainably-minded designers and contestants compared to seasons in the past.
16:40 – Fixing Fashion Damage * Lela began learning more about microplastics that pollute our water when we wash synthetic fibers in our laundry and only works with natural fibers and dies. * Other brands like H&M are working to be more sustainable in their fashion chain with initiatives that allow people to bring their clothes (any brand) to be repurposed in exchange for a discount off their purchase. * People want to know the stories behind their clothes, and Ferrah doesn’t want their customers to have to rebuy them a year down the road. That’s why Ferrah uses the best materials and offers them at a higher price point.
23:00 – Eco-Luxury * Lela coined the term eco-luxury with her mentor when she realized there were many brands that were luxury and eco-friendly, but not many with the combination of the two. * Eco-luxury is environmentally friendly but made with luxury textiles for gowns and statement-making occasion wear. At the same time, Ferrah falls under the category of minimalism with pieces that are easy to throw on but make you feel glamourous.
25:11 – Designing For Beyoncé * Beyoncé’s team is all about finding and working with emerging designers, and while Lela was working as a design apprentice for Charles Harbison who was hired Beyoncé’s team to create a few custom pieces for Beyoncé to wear to upcoming events. * Lela worked with Harbison to source fabric and design details to create a red custom jumpsuit that Beyoncé ended up wearing to a huge televised event. * Farrah’s first celebrity client piece will premiere in January, so be sure to stay tuned to see what it is and who it’s for!
29:54 – Getting To Know Our Guest * Hear what Lela’s favorite TV show was growing up, her guilty pleasure, behind the scenes of life on a reality show, and what she would do differently if no one was watching. Of course, you’ve got to stay tuned to hear what it means to Lela to run a business with purpose!
Marianna Sachse is the founder of Jackalo, an industry-changing line of durable, organic children’s clothes. That in and of itself is awesome, but Marianna and Jackalo take their purpose one step further by accepting all of their used clothes back to be repaired and resold or responsibility recycled. Jackalo’s innovation is reducing the environmental impact of the children’s apparel sector and I can’t wait for you to hear Marianna’s story and how Jackalo came to be!
2:16 – The Marianna 101 * Marianna founded Jackalo, a line of durable and sustainable playwear for kids ages 4 to 14. Before starting Jackalo in July of 2018, Marianna already had a career in public health as well as many years of experience working in social change. * Originally from Washington D.C., four years she moved to The Netherlands for her husband’s job. She knew she wanted to get an idea of the ground at that time focusing on the durability of children’s clothes. * When she noticed that her oldest son’s clothes weren’t lasting very long, she started researching more durable clothing brands, but very few of them met her standards on ethics and environmentalism. She saw an opportunity to do it better and decided to start pursuing her idea of her own clothing line. * More specifically, she noticed that her mom friends who had kids who were more sensitive needed durable clothing that still felt good to the touch. * Living in The Netherlands proved a great location to build the foundation of her company. She lives near hubs of the fashion industry and fabric production.
7:04 – Where Do You Begin? * Trial and error seem to be a theme when starting a business from scratch, and Marianna’s story is no different. She started with a fabric trade show in Paris and walked the floors with her business card just talking to vendors. * Most of the vendors were not prepared to help a startup business in a sustainable way because they were looking to sell more fabric than a startup would need. Marianna quickly learned that it wasn’t the right path. * Instead, Marianna joined an online group called Startup Fashion and found a mentor named Dana Fried, who has helped many successful fashion companies and helped Marianna carve her own path to a sustainable clothing business and while proving to partners that her business would grow. * Marianna did her own fabric sourcing in order to have more control over quality and sustainability. When she researched a little deeper, she often found environmental certifications for fabric companies lacking with the tougher fabrics. * Marianna found a mill in Germany that works with sustainable producers to raise cotton at the highest level of organic certification while also using solar energy and taking smaller fabric orders. * Since Marianna knows how to sew, knit, draw, etc., Marianna initially hired a freelancer for the first garment and then studied taught herself how to do technical flat designs.
15:18 – Purpose and Healing * When Marianna’s son was just four months old, her mother was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and began palliative care. * In the middle of her mother’s illness, Marianna found out she was pregnant with her second son, and a month-in-a-half into the pregnancy she found out she was in the early stages of a “molar pregnancy.” * In a season of loss, community with women who understand is a powerful thing. Once Marianna told her story, she realized it was important not only for her to share for her own healing, but the healing of others as well. * No matter what kind of loss you experience, you don’t get over grief, you move on with it. It’s important to experience grief together while understanding we all experience it differently. * This journey of grief taught Marianna about the need to nurture her creative side. It made her realize how central creativity is to her identity and decided to set aside time and space for creating every day.
32:16 – The Future of Jackalo * Marianna's goal with Jackalo is to find ways to reuse as much as possible for as long as possible. * Her research has shown that there are plenty of sustainable, durable clothes to reuse with Infants and toddlers, but the market is lacking in the same kinds of clothes for older kids. * Jackalo aims to sell clothes that are so well made that they will last through a hand-me down phase AND the second-hand market. * Jackalo’s trade program allows families to send back their used Jackalo clothing to be washed, repaired, and resold. Marianna is now starting to receive hand me downs back that only need to be washed and will upcycle any of those that cannot be resold. * Keeping second-hand clothes in the US is also an important way to reduce the waste we send to places that don’t want it and where it disrupts the local economy.
38:18 – Getting To Know Our Guest * Find out what Marianna’s favorite TV show when she was a kid, what cheesy song she has memorized, what she’s reading, and of course what it means to her to run a business with purpose.
Connect with Marianna Marianna Sachse is the founder of the triple bottom line enterprise https://hellojackalo.com/—an industry-changing line of durable and organic children’s clothes that accepts all of the used clothes back to be repaired and resold or responsibly recycled, thus reducing reducing the environmental impact of the children’s apparel sector. Prior to launching Jackalo, Marianna spent nearly twenty years helping individuals and communities improve their health and wellbeing. She worked with and for such noted organizations as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Whitman Walker Clinic, the Aspen Institute, and the Federal Reserve Board.
- Hello Jackalo
- https://www.facebook.com/hellojackalo/
- https://twitter.com/hellojackalo
- https://pinterest.com/hellojackalo/
- https://www.instagram.com/hellojackalo/
Happy Birthday, Business with Purpose Podcast! You are three years old, and this one’s for you! It’s time to take a look back and celebrate over 160 episodes and all the fun we’ve had along the way! In this solo show, I’ll be reflecting on the incredible stories about people who are changing the world in both their personal lives and their careers. I never would have dreamed we’d still be here three years later telling these stories to inspire thousands of you all over the world to pursue a life of purpose and passion, impacting the world around you on a greater scale. I’ll be answering your questions, and even bringing my husband on for a segment! Sit back, relax, and enjoy as we celebrate three years of the Business with Purpose Podcast!
2:48 – Lessons from the Pros 1. Don’t Wait, Just Start!
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Every. single. guest. on my show has wishes they’d started sooner. Whatever it is you want to do, don’t wait for it to be perfect. Put in the hard work but start right where you are.
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Don’t Quit
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Success happens to those who keep showing up, especially when the going gets tough. It’s hard, but as long as there if work left to be done, you have to keep going!
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Ask for Help (So that You Can Keep Going)
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We are created to live in community, and you can’t go at it alone. Ask friends and family for support and hire employees for the places that are pain points.
6:18 – Which ones of these do you struggle with? Let me know in the comments on social media, send me an email. I’d love to have your feedback! 6:43 – Your Questions! 7:22 - Question One: “How have you seen the impact of fair trade and ethical brands grow over the past three years?” 9:26 - Question Two: “If your business ended today, what would you want to pursue?” 11:17 – Question Two: “How do you find speaking engagements? Do you have an agent? How do you do that?” 14:27 – Question Three: “How well do Amos and Lilly really get along?” 16:27 – “Have you ever gotten a negative comment about shopping ethically, and how did you respond?” 18:48 – “What does your typical day look like? Typical week?” Thank you for your questions!
23:34 – My husband, John Stillman Joins Me to Answer More Questions 27:28- How often do you get away without the kids? 30:00 – What is your favorite date night this year? 31:48 – As you’ve edited Molly’s show over the last three years, what is something you’ve learned that maybe you didn’t expect you’d learn? 34:47 – Your wife is really passionate about shopping ethically. Are you as passionate, or are you passionate because she is, and do you have any advice as I try to get my husband on board? Thank you so much for joining me for this 3rd *Birthday Celebration of the Business With Purpose Podcast! I’d love it if you’d share this episode on social media and tag me @StillBeingMolly and @BusinessWithPurpose podcast with the hashtag #businesswithpurposepodcast*
Let me know which of the 160 + episodes are your favorite so far! Let us know on social media, tag us, share it, and leave us a little birthday present in the form of subscribing and leaving us a review. This lets us me know what you’re liking and how the show is personally impacting you!
Happy 3rd Birthday, Business With Purpose Podcast! Thank you for all of your support along the way! I couldn’t do it without you! Here’s to many more episodes and celebrations along the way! Now, go do something good, with purpose, on purpose.
Wen King is the founder of the Fair Trade brand, Rover + Kin. I first met Wen at the Fair Trade Federation Conference after stumbling upon her table at the expo. Her gorgeous fair trade clothing literally stopped me in my tracks. Wen has combined her incredible eye for design with a passion for supporting artisans and their stories. Join me as I hear from Wen about living in Northern India, building a Fair Trade small business from the ground up, and taking her business one step further to explore education, health care, microfinance, and more.
4:50 - The Wen 101 * After college, Wen was faced with the question of whether to go to graduate school or find an entry level job. Instead, she decided to flip the script by moving to India. She started her first business and lived in India for more than eight years. * Wen sourced local handmade goods for her café, and found herself drawn to both the traditional craft and artisan stories behind the products she sold. * When she and her husband moved back to the US, Wen knew she wanted to bring those crafts back with her, and she and her husband opened their first store in Berkley, CA. * Rover + Kin started by growing a business to support as many artisans in India as possible. * It’s important to Wen to understand the process of creating traditional textiles in India, as well the time and attention necessary to create a hand-made article of clothing.
10:44 – From Cafe to Clothing * The name Rover + Kin came from Wen being the “Rover” who goes place to place visiting artisans or “Kin”. * Sustainability on both sides is very important to Wen. Rover + Kin artisans are paid around 35% higher than the average wage of the industry in India, receive access to full healthcare, educational resources for their children, community microfinancing, and capacity-building initiatives. * Wen creates simple, timeless designs knowing that they will remain popular despite trends that come and go. * Rover + Kin clothing is made in woman-owned and managed co-op in West Bengal, India. The co-op has been around for 34 years, long before Fair Trade became popular in the West. * Wen and the women work closely together to create a mutually understanding of the process of making sustainable, fair trade clothing.
28:43 – Telling The Stories * Wen would like to work with nonprofit partners on the ground in India to grow the story-telling side of her business to share more artisan stories with the world.
Getting To Know Our Guest * Find out who Wen would choose to sit next to her on a 10-hour flight, what she would do if she knew no one was judging her, what she’s reading right now, and of course, what it means for her to run a business with purpose.
ABOUT Wen-Yan King Wen is the founder of Rover & Kin, a fair trade fashion brand that incorporates modern design with traditional artisan techniques. Wen was born in Taiwan and raised in Minnesota. But curiosity of the world got the better of her so she spent most of her 20s backpacking around the world. Wen eventually settled in northern India where she lived and ran her first business for nearly a decade. During her time in India, she fell in love with the craftsmanship of artisan made and witnessed first hand the impact of fair trade. Since then, she has been a proactive advocate for fair trade as one of the most effective methods of sustainable development. Wen is currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area and is also the co-owner of Koraa, a fair trade brick and mortar based in Berkeley, California.
Connect with Rover & Kin * http://roverandkin.com * https://www.facebook.com/roverandkin * https://instagram.com/roverandkin
Memorable Quotes: 12:53 “I was always very attracted to the idea of fair trade because it’s not a charity, it’s not a handout. It’s a sustainable business model that works for both sides.”
13:00 – “It was always really important to me that it wasn’t a handout. The artisans are proud of what they do, and they grow alongside us. It’s a mutually beneficial business partnership.”
15:06 – “You can see how through these resources and all these benefits of fair trade, that families are actually able to get out of the cycle of poverty and do incredible things with their lives.”
Successful entrepreneurs make running a business look smooth. It’s easy to see the success, but rare to see the behind the scenes of the hard work, failure, fatigue, baby steps it took to make it. Jennifer Allwood is a dynamic business coach and host of The Jennifer Allwood Show podcast. Jennifer helps creative women build their social media and turn their passions into lucrative online businesses. She fosters an online community of over half a million people and coaches over 2,000 women monthly on how to find their tribe and grow their business online. You’ll be encouraged by my chat with Jennifer as we discuss the time early on in business when you’re giving it all you’ve got for the sake of your dream.
5:08 - The Jennifer 101 * Jennifer coaches creative entrepreneurs from makers to designers, bloggers, artists, bakers, and more how to grow and monetize their social media channels. * Twenty years ago, her life looked much different in a regimented business world of software development, but she would spend her free time working side jobs in interior design and painting. * After she was laid off, she saw an opportunity to take her side business full time. Being laid off made Jennifer realize she didn’t want to go back to a cubicle. * Jennifer literally started knocking on the doors of interior designers to expand her painting business and left the corporate world forever in the year 2000. * When she was pregnant with her first son, she hired her first employee and landed a huge interior design job in a mansion. It wasn’t long before her business took off. It also wasn’t long before she realized she was hustling too hard for there not to be more money coming in.
14:16 - Clients Anywhere * Jennifer asked herself why she wasn’t making more when the stress was high and she was working hard. She gradually grew a Facebook following, and knew that following would be interested in how she did things. * She had the idea to teach her interior design techniques through online videos. It wasn’t long before she sold $100,000 of videos sold in a year (before it was even a thing)! * The “ah ha!” moment came when Jennifer realized she could extend her reach beyond her own town by teaching to anyone online, anywhere. * She doubled down on social media and grew a following 350,000 people on Facebook, as well as large audiences on Pinterest and Instagram. * She encountered a lot of business owners who had large followings online but were not yet making any money from it. She began teaching others how to build their social media and use it to make money for their business.
39:50 - Blessings In Disguise * Jennifer felt a calling to bless others through her experiences, but it happened over a long period of time. She takes each day one at time and trusts that there’s a reason God only gives her small glimpses of the future to protect her from overwhelm. * If she’d not been laid off from her software job, Jennifer may have stayed in a cubicle and office environment for ever. Sometimes what seems like a roadblock ends up being the exact thing to get us where we’re supposed to be. * Jennifer’s online business grew enough to allow her husband to quit his corporate job and work with her full time. Their “full time” schedule is four days a week from 9am-3pm. Now she has the time to focus on her family and is actually grateful for being laid off. * Success in Jennifer’s business has also meant pursuing things that do not come naturally to her. She continues to equip other creative women with the skills to get out of their comfort zones. * In the same way that successful people spoke truth into Jennifer’s life, her work is to do the same for others. She focuses on doing the next right thing for those she can influence, even if it means tackling public speaking or tackling her first book.
45:54 - Getting to Know Our Guest * Find out what things Jennifer does every day that she wishes were automated, her guilty pleasure, what books and podcasts she’s listening to, and of course, what it means to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quote (45:12):
“It changed something in me, and I feel a deep responsibility that if I can do that for a few other people, it can change something in them and then it can change a part of their world.”
Meet Jennifer Jennifer Allwood is a wife, mother, dynamic business coach, and host of The Jennifer Allwood Show podcast. She has been a business owner for over 18 years, getting her start with decorative and faux painting, and has turned that into a booming empire.
Today she coaches creative entrepreneurs in turning their crafts and hobbies into profitable businesses. Jennifer’s casual, girl-next-door decorating style has brought her a social media following of over half a million people and a thriving online business academy for creative entrepreneurs.
Through her social media following, Jennifer encourages home owners to decorate and paint their homes to be a space they love. Through her monthly coaching group, The Creators’ Inner Circle, Jennifer encourages and teaches business owners to grow their platforms and run a profitable business, and through her course , The Creators’ Roadmap, Jennifer takes her students on a deep dive into implementing multiple revenue streams and monetizing their platform.
Jennifer is especially excited about her upcoming Equipped Conference, through which she will empower attendees to craft a God-focused business that’s also profitable. The Equipped Conference will feature a rockstar lineup of faith-filled speakers who will arm attendees spiritually, mentally, and emotionally to succeed in business.
Connect with Jennifer * https://jenniferallwood.com/ * https://facebook.com/themagicbrushinc * https://www.instagram.com/jenniferallwood * https://www.pinterest.com/jenallwood * https://www.twitter.com/jenallwood
At a young age, brothers Bradford and Bryan Manning were diagnosed with an eye disease that causes blindness over time. They’ve used their circumstances to help work toward a cure for blindness through the sales of their ultra-soft designer clothing line. Their vigilance for details carries over into the quality of their products, and you’ll love hearing the coincidental story of how the idea for their brand came about. Join me as I learn more about the inspiring Bradford and Bryan Manning.
3:08 - The Brad and Bryan 101 * Brad and Bryan were diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease when they were each seven years old. Stargardt’s is a genetic disease that typically destroys center vision. * The idea for the Two Blind Brothers business started to form after Brad and Bryan shopped in the same store now knowing until after they’d left that they’d purchased the same shirt based on how it felt to the touch. * Touch is a sense that’s critical to those with vision impairments. Brad and Bryan started talking about focusing on the sense of touch to develop their clothing brand. * One hundred percent of the proceeds from Two Blind Brothers is donated to organizations that fight diseases like Stargardt’s and other forms of vision impairment.
7:55 - It’s A Community * The goal was never a successful business, but a pure passion to help the community and raise funds for research. * The brand was driven by people who wanted to support the cause, rather than just shop for an item of clothing. * After learning that man with a retinal eye disease who’d never met another person with an eye disease found an online community through Two Blind Brothers, a huge paradigm shift occurred in the business. It became about fostering hope for the community that the brothers deeply care about.
15:42 - Shop Blind Holiday * Brad and Bryan created a video on social media about how those who are vision-impaired rely on trust to get around in the world. * During the holiday season, Two Blind Brothers then ran a campaign called “Shop Blind”, and pulled all the images from their website and products and added the question “Will You Shop Blind?” * The Shop Blind experiment gave customers an option to pick from different price points, but they were not able to see what was being selected for them. * Not only did the Shop Blind experiment raise money for retinal research, it also raised awareness to the experience of those who face obstacles due to vision impairment. * Building trust builds your ability to connect and be social. When you can’t see, you automatically put yourself out there to become closer to others much faster.
38:41 - Getting To Know Our Guests * You’ll think Brad and Bryan are even more impressive as you hear what they’d pick as their pump-up songs, the things no one would ever guess about them, and more. Of course, stay tuned to hear what it means to Brad and Bryan to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Moments * “We started with the full intention that this would empower folks who have a vision impairment or relate to facing challenges and making a social impact.” * “Everyone in the world has their issue. It doesn’t make you better.” * “There really is no growth without friction. You’re never going to really unlock your potential, creativity, assertiveness, resourcefulness unless you’re put in a position to challenge those things.”
Meet Your Guests, Co-Founders, Two Blind Brothers Bradford and Bryan Manning are curing blindness! At a young age, both brothers were affected with Stargardt disease, a form of macular degeneration that destroys central vision over time. To fight back, they left their former careers in finance to start Two Blind Brothers. Within 1 year, they propelled the small charitable clothing company into one of the fastest growing brands in the country with endorsements from Ellen DeGeneres, Ashton Kutcher, Richard Branson, NBC Nightly News, and many others.
Their luxury clothing project is focused on quality, comfort, and "sense of touch". The clothing is produced by a team of blind and visually-impaired workers in Dallas, Texas. Two Blind Brothers donates 100% of its profits to researchers and the Foundation Fighting Blindness to find cures for blindness. The funds from Two Blind Brothers are driving life-changing treatments that are already being used in patients such as “Voretigene Neparvovec”, a gene therapy developed by Spark Therapeutics.
The brothers are evangelists for charitable and social enterprises. They were recently nominated to the Facebook Small Business Council for their use of social media to empower others and consult on branding, story-telling, corporate responsibility, and sustainable fashion. The brothers have also participated in various public speaking engagements, most notably two TEDx talks since founding the company.
Originally from Charlottesville, Virginia, both brothers graduated from the University of Virginia. Bradford received a degree in finance and Bryan a degree in statistics. Prior to launching Two Blind Brothers in 2016, Bradford worked in investment management and Bryan worked in data sales. They currently live together in New York City.
Are you an entrepreneur? While the startup, paperwork, and hustle is never easy, often the hardest part is asking to be paid what we’re worth. My guest this week is Brandi Riley, and she’s tackling this issue head on. Brandi is a blogger at Mama Knows It All and founder of Courage To Earn, an online community for creative female entrepreneurs. Brandi is a thought-leader and powerhouse in the content-creation industry. She is using her knowledge, skills, and passion to inspire women to pursue their creative purpose and get paid for it. Join me as I talk with Brandi about going after your worth in both business and life.
3:31 - Brandi 101 * Brandi started blogging when her daughter was almost a year old. She had no idea she could earn an income doing it, she was just looking for a way to get her feelings out. * Once she joined a few Yahoo blog pages, she realized she could earn an income from blogging. * After working for a number of years in social media, marketing, and freelance, the one thing that stood out in all of her experience was that women were not talking about money. * Brandi started Courage to Earn as a challenge to digital content creators to help them figure out ways to earn more money. * Shortly after her mother-in-law passed away, Brandi realized her mother-in-law could have left her stressful, low-paying job to pursue her talents as a seamstress if she’d had someone to help her begin.
8:15 - The “How To” * Courage To Earn is a place where women are empowered to learn. Brandi strives to help women with the emotions that are tied to asking to be paid what you’re worth. * The Courage to Earn community holds women accountable to each other without the ugliness that can be associated with internet communities. * Consistent transparency is a pillar of Courage To Earn. Not only does that mean that the community talks about opportunities, they share all the details that come with each opportunity. * Brandi also has a team of women supporting her to help make sure that the Courage to Earn community prioritizes collaboration over competition and abundance over scarcity. * Being aware of our mindset helps us determine what’s for us and how we can celebrate both our own victories as well as the success of others.
14:47 - Recognizing Your Worth Is A Process * While working a full-time job that was her passion, Brandi couldn’t afford to pay rent, bills, and childcare. While her boss gave her a raise after she asked for one, it was troubling that he didn’t understand why she needed it. * Recognizing your worth is a process that doesn’t happen overnight. It became clear to Brandi through a series of events over time that she had to be the person looking out for financial health. * Even if we don’t get what we want, we can learn to ask for it regardless of what we think the result will be. It’s not always cut and dry, but we can also grow our negotiating skills over time. * It’s more productive to understand why a certain issue makes us uncomfortable, rather than being upset by the person involved with the situation. * You can still be upbeat and positive while asking for what you’re worth. Talk about what you think you want so that the you’ve presented an opening for your needs to be considered. * Moving forward, Courage To Earn is focusing on global impact by creating opportunities for more women to find jobs, hiring more women for digital support positions, and holding more in-person meetups for women to cultivate their relationships. Ultimately, Courage to Earn will be a go-to resource for women to learn.
41:38 - Getting To Know Our Guest * Hear Brandi’s thoughts on recent trends, what song she’d choose as her theme song, her biggest pet peeve, and more. You’ll love hearing the details of what it means to Brandi to run a business with purpose.
Memorable Quotes: * (19:28) “I realized I can be happy in my work, and still get paid what I’m worth.” * (19:53) “They weren’t looking to just throw money at me because I was such a great person. That’s when it became clear to me that I had to be the person to look out for myself financially.”
Sharon Hodde Miller is an author, speaker and church planter who is passionate about cultivating the gifts of women through ministry. In addition to leading Bright City Church in Durham, NC with her husband Ike, she has released two books: Why Life is Better When it’s Not about You (2017), and Nice: Why We Love to Be Liked and How God Calls Us to More (2019). Join me to hear Sharon’s wisdom about the power of our words, speaking with bold conviction, and how we can change our “nice” habits into substantive kindness.
4:30 - The Sharon 101 * Sharon decided to pursue a doctoral degree in Educational Studies to find out what motivates women to go to seminary when so few women are in seminary. * After working in ministry from some time, Sharon realized that women build platforms from their stories. Sharon felt that the best way to be a good steward of her platform was to pursue formal theology education and training. * After finishing seminary at Duke Divinity School, where the gender breakdown was fairly even, she pursued a PhD from Trinity Evangelical Divinity school, where there were far fewer women. * Sharon made it her mission to figure out what was working for women who were already studying to earn a Master of Divinity degree. * Most of Sharon’s research came from STEM fields, and the common thread for both women in STEM and the ministry field was that someone identified their passions and encouraged them to think about pursing them.
12:51 - Your Words Have Power * It doesn’t matter if you yourself are in a place of visible leadership, we all have the life-changing ability to encourage others to step into their God-ordained gifts. * We know words are powerful because we are made in the image of God, and God SPOKE creation into existence. God can use our journey, no matter how big or small. * It’s freeing to know that we don’t have to handle everything on our own. God will never give us more than HE can handle.
17:31 - On Being A Nice Christian Girl * It can be rewarding to be the “nice Christian girl.” Sharon recognized quickly that she earned a lot of praise this way, but started questioning whether she was honoring Jesus, or seeking the good feelings for herself. * She noticed this question creeping back up again as she became involved in ministry. She sees it now when she feels the Holy Spirit prompting her to write about something difficult or controversial. * People love hearing about spiritual discussions that help them through their private life, but many people don’t like controversial topics pertaining to what Jesus speaks about in the bible. * Sharon’s most recent book NICE came to be when she started examining these questions centered around the nice Christian girl image that looks like the real thing but is motivated by something else. * Jesus talks about knowing a tree by its fruit. It’s important to know the bad fruits of niceness. We also have to be careful not to reward people for the same bad fruits.
24:00 - How God Calls Us To More * If we excuse bad behavior in leaders because they are nice to us, we’re not loving the people under their leadership well. * There can be pushback when you speak about God’s heart, but that’s what we should be talking about. It’s a natural overflow of loving Jesus and wanting to serve him. * We have to be careful in these moments not to be angry or self-righteous. God calls those to correct the people who listen to us without becoming sanctimonious. * It’s important to understand the difference between being nice and being kind. Kindness has conviction, niceness does not. Niceness will appease or shatter and is replaced by cynicism.
47:19 - Getting To Know Our Guest * Find out something about Sharon that you’d never guess about her, her guilty (or not-so-guilty) pleasure, and what books she’s reading right now. Be sure to stay tuned to hear Sharon’s wise words about what it means to her to run a business with purpose. * Website: https://sheworships.com/ * Book: Nice: Why We Love To Be Liked And How God Calls Us To More * Free of Me
Kisha Mays is a Successful Serial Entrepreneur, Visionary Global Business Development Strategist, Best Selling Author, Angel Investor, and Philanthropist. Her primary focus is on helping to develop 1,000,000 Fearless Female Entrepreneurs generating a minimum of $1,000,000+ in annual revenue. Turning them into unicorn global businesses through the Just Fearless Angel Fund which is a fund exclusively for female founded companies. She pays it forward by supporting non-profits worldwide that specifically support & empower women and girls.
Kisha and her team are developing strategic partnerships for 2019 and beyond to take this international business and brand to an explosive level bringing Just Fearless from behind the scenes to the forefront. In 2019 they are launching HERstory Connections for Women in Business, Women in Creatives, and Women in Literary to help them increase their revenue and help us reach our 1,000,000 goal mentioned above. She and her team are excited for the abundance of opportunities, expansion, and partnerships to be announced very soon. She has been featured in the Business Insider, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and Forbesto name a few. The Just Fearless team has worked with Pepsi, GE, and Home Depot to name a few.
Kisha released her Best Selling book “From Failure to Fearless: Still Completely Flawed BUT Thriving Fearlessly” to rave reviews. Most successful people only talk about the good parts of their journey. In her book, “From Failure to Fearless,” Kisha details her many, some very public, failures and how she overcame them in a transparent and vulnerable way. Based on the many positive reviews readers can relate to this from both a personal & business perspective.
Her major influences are Madam C. J. Walker, Oprah Winfrey, Sara Blakely, Malala Yousafzai, Nelson Mandela, and Richard Branson, for their fearlessness, exceptional courage, drive and ambition, willingness to go after what they desire & believe in all while setting the standard and breaking through any and all ceilings. Even with all the success she has achieved, Kisha still feels like she is only getting started. Based on her early success at a young age and her drive and ambition, her future and continued success is undoubtedly going to leave a major mark in history.
She is Just Fearless and Building Her Global Just Fearless Empire!
Laughter is the best medicine, and Kevin Fredericks (KevOnStage) is here to talk about how humor can heal and bring us together. Kevin does it all. He has nearly 5 million followers and 140 million views on YouTube. He’s a fast-rising entertainer who’s already sold out a 50 city self-produced tour, written and produced several TV shows and movies, and grown All Def Digital from 300,000 fans to nearly 10 million fans. Join me in laughter for this fun show with KevOnStage.
3:45 - The Kev 101 * Kev’s first comedy show was a church talent show while in high school, and during college, he and his brother transitioned to creating plays. After some local success, Tyler Perry’s booking agent came to see one of the plays. They thought it was their big break, until they realized it would still cost $300,000 for them to produce their own play. * Kev’s kids were young at that time, so the family decided to quit doing plays and focus on raising their children. With the rising success of YouTube stars, Kev suggested they put some funny sketches online to try and grow their notoriety and then travel to promote their plays. * After their videos gained immediate viral success, Kev and his team transitioned primarily to feature video content for social media. * Kev quickly started his own channel, quit his job and added a stand-up routine to his repertoire. Making funny videos on the internet has played a huge role in Kevin’s career success. * Kev and his family moved to Los Angeles where he worked in the TV industry, and has since gained vast experience with editing, directing, and digital media. The majority of his work now consists of producing content for YouTube, podcasts, and his stand-up routine.
13:45 – Relatable Unites * We are drawn together by our shared human experiences, and that is even more powerful when mixed with humor. * While Kev is a comedian who is a Christian, he is not a Christian comedian. He makes jokes about himself, his family, his experiences, music, married life, the audience, Bobby Caldwell, etc. to reach more people and more audiences who are not all Christians. * Kev wants to use his platform to show that you can have a good life with God. Often his fans find a good message in his jokes and relate that feeling to getting back to church. * When Kev feels like his comedy isn’t going over well with the audience, instead of introducing shock value to his material, he’ll go back to jokes he knows go over well. In the early days, he’d just leave early. “It’s totally ok to get off the stage if you are not doing your job, which is to make people laugh.”
26:18 - Sharing is Caring * The world wide web has allowed Kev success by building a dedicated audience online. It’s much easier to do 30 minutes of standup when the audience already knows you and likes you. * Kev was already well-versed in stand up before his online career took off, so audiences were able to witness a well-oiled comedy machine once Kev started going viral. * With all the negativity you can find in social media or the daily news, Kev has used his social media presence as a platform for influencing people in a positive way. * Kev’s ultimate goal is to produce long-form content independently for himself as well as for other creators.
31:59 - Comedy Tour and What’s Next * Kev is traveling with his Real Comedians of Social Media Tour with Tony Baker, TM, and Doughboy. * On the major cities tour stops, Kev and his wife also record their podcast with the live audiences before the comedy lineup begins. * As the lines between TV and social media are blurred, Kev is seeing continued success in opportunities outside of the traditional Hollywood route. * Kev has a new show on Facebook Watch called Kev on Everything where he learns new skills, completely unscripted. He also plans on adding other forms of entertainment (like music!) into his stand-up shows. * One of the greatest things about being creative and sharing creativity in the age of social media is that that the opportunities to spread your ideas have no physical boundaries.
38:11 - Getting to Know Our Guest * Listen to hear who Kev names as his favorite comedians and biggest influences, what song he has to sing along with anytime it comes on, and a recent joke that was a complete flop. Most importantly, you’ll hear what it means to Kev to run a business with purpose.
Have you ever had an idea so big that it feels impossible, too scary, too out of reach? If you have a calling that overwhelms you, join us to hear how Jeremy Cowart’s career has tackled all those questions and more. Jeremy has accomplished many wonderful callings including work as a humanitarian photographer, artist, author, and founder of The Purpose Hotel! We’ll discover the impact of Jeremy’s work and the mighty power behind the simple act of asking.
3:05 - The Jeremy 101 * Jeremy Cowart is a man of many ideas and many callings. He’s an artist, photographer, humanitarian, fine art creator, public speaker, painter, and founder of Help Portrait and The Purpose Hotel. * Knowing how much Jeremy has accomplished would make you think it’s always been that way, but school did not come easily to Jeremy. He struggled thinking he’d never amount to much and thought his grades reflected his value as a human being. * In junior high, Jeremy fell in love with the arts and his parents encouraged him to pursue graphic design as a more stable career path. * In college, Jeremy jumped head first into graphic design and even worked for an ad agency after college. In 2001, Jeremy left the advertising world to pursue his own design agency and has worked for himself ever since.
7:47 - Follow Your Purpose * While working on a photography job, Jeremy found himself walking through The Standard (hotel) in LA. As he walked by the rooms, the thought randomly popped into his head that each room could tell a story. * Every aspect of a hotel stay reminded Jeremy of a cause that helps people. Each room could sponsor a specific child, keys could be linked to The Giving Keys, the art could come from humanitarian artists, the soap could come from Thistle Farms, and so on. * Like many of us with big dreams or entrepreneurship visions, Jeremy spent a lot of time in fear of the grand scale of his idea. On a flight over NYC, the visual of thousands of skyscrapers lead Jeremy to ask “Why can’t that be me?” * It’s a great lesson for all of us: If God calls us to something specific, all we are required is to trust that next small step put before us.
12:44 - For People, By People * Since The Purpose Hotel idea revolves around helping other people, crowd funding seemed fitting to help get the idea off the ground. * While over 4,700 people contributed to the first Kickstarter campaign for the hotel, the original campaign fell well short of the $2 million goal. * What looked like an initial setback proved once again a lesson in trusting things to line up in just the right way. With a second Kickstarter set at $350,000, the next campaign raised around $750,000. * When we hit a roadblock on the path to a big dream, instead of letting what looks like failure hinder us, we can recognize it as a setup rather than a setback.
17:03 – The Orchestrated Details * Speaking of setbacks, another one popped up when the first plans for the hotel’s location fell through. * The next day at the annual Help Portrait event, Santa Claus (no joke!) surprised Jeremy with a Christmas miracle and offered him land to build The Purpose Hotel right next to the brand new Nashville Convention Center. * A chance meeting with Horst Schultze of THE Ritz Carlton did not initially go well, but at the last minute, Jeremy asked if he could show Schultze the full presentation. A 10-minute meeting turned into three hours of conversation and a big offer from Schultze. * When things feel like they just won’t work out, God is orchestrating something bigger and better that we don’t always know about right away. * The Purpose Hotel plans to break ground next year and open in 2022. The long-term hope is to continue building hotels all over the world as a beacon of light helping humanity.
30:25 - I’m Possible. * Jeremy’s new book is called “I’m Possible.” It’s Jeremy’s story of turning “I can’t do this” to the reminder of “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Hear Jeremy tell us about how that change allowed him to bear witness to more orchestrated moments, including stories of healing from Rwanda in his “Voices of Reconciliation.”
42:38 - Getting To Know Our Guest Jeremy has been all over the world, so I’m sure you’re curious to know where he’d go if he had to move somewhere outside of the US! You’ll also learn who he’d pick to narrate a movie about his life, what book has influenced him the most, and which 1900s era he’d travel back in time to visit and why! Most importantly, Jeremy shares with us what it means to run a business with purpose (you don’t want to miss hearing what it means for him to be creative)!
JEREMY COWART BIO: Named the “Most Influential Photographer on the Internet” by Huffington Post, Forbes and Yahoo in 2014, Jeremy Cowart is an award-winning photographer, artist, and entrepreneur whose mission in life is to "explore the intersection of creativity and empathy." Jeremy has published four books and is a sought-after speaker, having presented at TEDx, the United Nations and creative conferences across the country.
His latest endeavor is The Purpose Hotel, a planned global for-profit hotel chain designed to fuel the work of not-for-profit organizations. He’s the founder of a global photography movement, Help-Portrait, a mobile social networking app called OKDOTHIS, and an online teaching platform, See University. He lives in Nashville, TN, with his wife and four children, two of whom they recently adopted from Haiti.
Today’s Purpose:
You don’t have to be in the public sector or start your own charity to make a difference in the world. You can make a huge impact with business! It’s possible to be in both the corporate world and non-profit world and lead the way in social responsibility. Today’s guest is Kate Hayes, who oversees Echoing Green’s “Ecosystem Programming’ to find, fund and support early-stage global leaders who have incredible ideas to change the world.
2:24 - The Kate 101 * During college, Kate studied neuroscience and was interested in knowing how change happens. While working in Boston, she stumbled upon a mobile healthcare clinic that was started by an Echoing Green fellow. * Kate’s career made a sharp turn from medicine to the non-profit sector, digging deep into understanding nonprofits and the role of the private sector in supporting them. * In her first role with Echoing Green, Kate connected business leaders to their purpose and helped them understand their mission, connecting them to the social change ecosystem. * In her new role as Director of Ecosystems, Kate helps connect nonprofits across the globe to help make an even greater impact.
5:15 - What Exactly Does Echoing Green Do? * Echoing Green is named after a poem by William Blake about making the world a better place. * The fellowship program is the backbone of Echoing Green. It provides enough seed funding for organization founders to get started and helps with a portfolio management structure for clear planning and developing a strong business acumen. * Echoing Green creates community by connecting social entrepreneurs with each other for collaboration and support in the first few years of their organizations and beyond. * A big priority is determining how to access to capital whether philanthropic or investment and connecting leaders to a broader community who cares about similar issues. * A lot of businesses think you have to do something drastic like start a business or nonprofit based on a social cause. However, businesses can get involved, even if they’re not a charity or nonprofit.
10: 31 - Where Do We Start? * There are so many people who want to make a difference in the world, whatever their career path, and Echoing Green helps them figure out exactly how they can do that while remaining in the private sector. * For those ready to dive in, Echoing Green helps people identify what issues matter to them, and sends them on a domestic site visit to understand first hand how change is happening on the ground. * For those who are overwhelmed with the endless possibilities of affecting social change, Echoing Green helps them connect with what they care most about and matches that to their skillsets. * It’s ok to just take baby steps on your own while also bringing people to your team to help you implement those steps. Outside support is what really helps us thrive in our efforts to be involved in social change.
20: 30 - Diversity in Leadership * Kate was part of a group of governance practitioners where it was communicated that board diversity was not only not priority, but not important. She saw an opportunity and became very passionate about communicating need for diversity in leadership. * This has to start with organizations defining what diversity means in relation to their cause, whether age diversity, racial diversity, or all of the above and more. * Boards need a shared understanding of the impact that diversity can have on creating effective change in communities. Boards need to look outside of their circles to find as broad a pool of leaders as possible. * There may be major fundraising implications for Boards that don’t take diversity seriously. * Once you’ve achieved a more diverse board, it’s as equally important to create trust, inclusivity, and equality. It’s about having in intention in everything you do, admitting mistakes, and getting uncomfortable.
35: 59 - Getting To Know Our Guest * Find out what Kate is grateful for, what she would do differently when no one’s watching, something you’d never guess about her, and what books she’s reading (Moms, take note)!
Memorable Moment: Article on diversity on boards: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/a_roadmap_to_better_boards
Website: https://www.echoinggreen.org/about-echoing-green
Meet Your Guest: Kate Hayes serves as Echoing Green’s Director for their Catalyze Ecosystem programming. She oversees several programs at Echoing Green, including Direct Impact, an innovative board leadership program designed to prepare the next generation of board members and transform nonprofit boards. She also manages Echoing Green’s alumni programs, ecosystem building and place-based strategy work, and internal program operations. She leads retreats, workshops, and immersive site visits focused on leadership development, purpose, strategic governance, philanthropy, and social entrepreneurship. Prior to joining Echoing Green, she worked as Director of Evaluation and Program Impact in the national office of Minds Matter. Kate currently sits on the Executive Committee at the Northfield Mount Hermon School, where she serves as Vice President of the Alumni Council. Kate has written for the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Forbes, and across the web about issues related to leadership, purpose, social entrepreneurship, and nonprofit boards. She holds a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience from Northeastern University.
We create so much waste. We don’t recycle enough, and we throw out tons of textile waste every year with no thought of the impact it has on our planet.
In 2017, I visited the largest landfill in East Africa, the Dandora dump in Kenya. It was a horrifying and life-changing experience that made me think twice about my habits. We are to be good stewards of the Earth God gave us, so let’s explore little changes in our habits that can collectively make a massive difference.
Here are 31 ways you can live more sustainability and reduce your negative impact on the environment by creating less waste:
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Use reusable straws: You can find glass and metal reusable straws on Amazon. When asked if you want one at a restaurant, you can tell them know, and keep one handy at home, in the car, and in your bag
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Bring a fork and knife with you to restaurants that use plastic cutlery. You can purchase ones for carrying while you’re traveling or just out to eat.
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Switch to reusable water bottles, coffee mugs, and/or drink tumblers. You can travel with them and fill them at water fountains.
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Coffee lovers: Switch to a French Press or pour overs.
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Tea lovers: Switch to loose-leaf tea instead of using tea bags.
For more on reducing waste from coffee and tea use: https://www.treehugger.com/htgg/how-to-go-green-coffee-tea.html
- Switch to reusable, zero-waste bath products from companies like Plaine Products. They’ll send the you the product and when you’re done, you mail it back to be refilled and used again. Here’s my review of their products.
Follow this link Stillbeingmolly.com/plaineproducts and use the code “Molly” for 20% off. Click here for more on my interview with Plaine Products founder, Lindsey Mccoy.
- Use refillable soaps and household cleaners through brands like Fillaree or Mama Suds. Fillaree is based in Durham, NC, and if you’re local, you can visit one of their refilling stations in the area. Fillaree also sells compostable sponges.
Michelle of Mama Suds has also been on the podcast, and sells a concentrated household cleaner that you can refill along with a lot of other refillables: https://www.mamasuds.com/
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Put a recycling bin or bag in your bathroom for bath products and walk it to the main recycling bin when it’s full.
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Reusable grocery bags: It’s easy to forget them, so create a space for them in the trunk of your car and be sure to immediately put them back when you’re finished using them.
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Reusable produce bags greatly cut down on plastic use! They come in different sizes and are washable. Keep them in your car with the reusable grocery bags so they’re always at the ready.
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Get your produce from the farmers market, local produce stands, or join a local CSA. This reduces both your carbon and plastic footprint.
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Buy in bulk: Shop for staple ingredients like nuts, lentils, and spices in bulk. Remember to bring a reusable bag or mason jar when shopping bulk items. You can keep them in your trunk with the produce and grocery bags.
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Switch to reusable plastic wrap. Beeswax Wrap is works just like plastic wrap, is biodegradable, and is washable and usable up to 100 times.
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Reusable snack bags and lunch containers reduce plastic waste in daily lunches and work well for travel.
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Switch to cloth napkins. This is also a great way to use textile waste that can’t be donated or thrifted.
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Use reusable kitchen towels or rags to cut down on paper towel waste.
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Switch from tissues to handkerchiefs.
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Switch out cotton balls or rounds for reusable muslin cloths. They’re great for removing makeup and nail polish.
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Purchase a makeup removal cloth like the Endure Lash Eye Cloth, which only uses water to remove 99% of your makeup.
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For the ladies: Use a menstrual cup instead of tampons.
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Another one for the ladies: Instead of a pad, check out “momma cloth.” In addition to reducing waste, they’re more comfortable, save money, and don’t contain harmful chemicals!
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Switch to cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers. Check out a recent blog post for what I learned after 5 years of using cloth diapers: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/03/19/cloth-diapering-basics-101/
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Who Gives A Crap? is a toilet paper company with the best name ever. Their products are made out of recyclable materials, and they donate 50% of their profits to help build toilets for those in need.
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Rechargeable batteries are an easy way to save money and the planet!
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Consign or trade old clothes: Check out podcast Episode 130 to about hear ways you can sustainably get rid clothing in your closet.
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Before you throw something out, be sure to ask these questions:
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Can I repair it?
- If I can’t repair it, is there another use for it?
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How can I sustainably can I dispose of it?
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Buy toys more sustainably. Can you buy them used? Can you buy a version that’s not plastic? Can you buy a wooden version? And while you’re thinking about that, check out Green Toys, made from recyclable plastics.
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Go paperless. Contact any businesses you receive a bill from and ask to go paperless. This cuts down on jump mail, and saves them money too, so they should be happy to oblige.
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Unsubscribe from unwanted magazines or catalogues from Catalogue Choice and DMA Choice.
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Borrow books from the library for the kids AND for yourself! Tip: Keep a book bin by the door as a reminder to return library books and avoid late charges.
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Compost! It can feel overwhelming, but there are services to help. Compost Now is currently in a few cities in North Carolina, Charleston, SC, and Atlanta, GA. Not only will they guide you through how to compost, they’ll also pick up your bin and exchange it for a new one. You can also request the compost and they’ll deliver it to you. Go to http://stillbeingmolly.com/compostnow for a two-week trial.
No need to feel overwhelmed: Pick a few tips to implement and start reducing your impact. You can add more as you go, and you’ll like save money along the way.
Have you tried any of these ways to reduce waste? Are you going to? Let me know what you learned or what you want to implement next!
Do you realize how much power you have as a consumer? I’m serious. There’s that famous quote that I use all the time which is “You vote every single day by the way you spend your money.” and over the last couple of years, I’ve found that this is truer than ever… your beliefs drive how you purchase goods and services and companies that don’t adhere to your personal values or beliefs, more often than not, don’t get your money. And money talks. But… that doesn’t mean that you just buy a product SIMPLY because you believe in the values behind it… there’s a whole lot more to it and it’s something that my guest today has spent nearly 20 years working to study...
5:10 - The Llenay 101 * Llenay’s Ferretti’s success as a fashion designer gave her a robust knowledge of international sourcing as well as access to iconic industry mentors. It also paved the way for her future in fair-trade. * Fair-trade found Llenay after she met women basket weavers on a 2001 volunteer trip to Uganda with 10,000 Villages. * Llenay’s skills in pattern, color, and textile helped the women reimagine their beautiful patterns for capturing market. * After working as the Executive Director for 10,000 Villages, Llenay started her own organization in 2007 called Bahavana World Project. Bahavana World Project brings technical skills and services to women’s organizations in the developing world. * In 2016, Llenay joined the 10,000 Villages board and is currently the acting CEO while the organization searches for a permanent CEO.
10:05 - Our Purchases Are Powerful * When people have access to growth and fairly paid work, their lives can change significantly by giving them the tools to sustain themselves. * Consumers have the power to shape the market in the ways they chose to invest their dollars. This is as true in the fashion industry as it is in fair-trade, and purchasing decisions affect everyone in the global community. * These days, consumers are much more aware of the impact they have on the global community with conscious and ethical participation in fair-trade purchases. * Consumers who are not involved in fair-trade purchases sometimes ask: “Isn’t that job better than no job?” This idea does not apply to vulnerable communities working in unsafe conditions for unfair wages. Working for fair wages eliminates the vulnerability of being stuck in a cycle of exploitation. * Control should be in the hands of both the maker and the buyer. 10,000 Villages gives interest advances and pays artists in full for products, creating a risk-free financial environment where artists don’t have to wait an unreasonable amount of time to be paid.
20:40 - The Demand For Transparency * All businesses need to be transparent, and consumers should know how workers are treated and how they are paid. * The April 24th, 2013 Rana Plaza Complex Disaster in Bangladesh started a global demand for transparency and for workers to be treated with dignity and respect. A campaign was started by the Fashion Revolution organization that asked companies “Who made my clothes?” instead of “Where were my clothes made?” * 10,000 Villages has used a model of transparency from day one. Having the artisan tell their stories for 70 years has built sustainability and trust with both artisans and consumers. * The addition of fair-trade practices by large fashion brands like J.Crew, Athleta (Gap), Target, etc., has created more accountability in the industry: In the past, companies would simply pass off stories of artisans as checking the fair-trade box, but if it’s not well made, on trend, and functional, it’s just creates a one-time pity purchase. * Fair-trade organizations work toward proving that women are being educated, children are going to school, people’s medical needs are being fulfilled, housing is available, and college education is accessible. Transparency should reveal an equal respect in a trading relationship, and build a long-term commitment between makers and markets.
32:40 - Connecting Makers To Markets * The mission of 10,000 Villages is to link makers to markets through fair-trade, sustainable, long-term relationships. A personal connection in every step of the transaction is key. * The voice of the consumer matters; you actually can shop your values! * 10,000 Villages refreshed their brand by inviting the consumer into maker stories even more. Now the goal is to establish a value chain that communicates everything from maker to the market, encouraging the consumer to join the movement. * Industries need to base their practices on consumer needs in order to keep up with a changing market. * Women around the world want the same things for their children and their communities. Llenay’s inspiration moving forward is to be able to demonstrate her values not only through her career, but also as a consumer.
48:23 - Getting to Know Our Guest: Find out Llenay’s Fav TV Shows (think old school Saturday mornings), recent kitchen successes, and what’s on her reading list.
47:34 - New Question Time! Llenay answers it first: “What Does It Mean To You To Run A Business With Purpose?”
“It means to have my personal values and my outward expression in the world aligned and it means that I am living my personal best life and hopefully helping others by doing that.”
5:58 A Memorable Moment Meet Your Guest: As the founder and CEO of Bhavana World Project, since 2007, Llenay has worked to bridge the gap between fair trade artisans and U.S. companies to create successful and sustainable market access through partnerships within the public and private sectors. She has consulted for East Africa Trade Hub; focusing on business development and training programs for more than 200 fair trade groups in Asia and Africa.
Llenay has also been working with Ten Thousand Villages for many years, as the Executive Director, a national board member, and now, as the organization’s Acting CEO. As a global maker-to-market movement, Ten Thousand Villages connects artisans in developing countries with conscious shoppers in the U.S. offering ethically sourced gifts, home wares and fashion accessories crafted by hand. Every product generates sustainable income — and impact — for 20,000 makers in 30 countries who earn a fair, living wage in safe working conditions.
Through her leadership at Ten Thousand Villages and Bhavana World Project, Llenay has more than twenty years of experience in international business development, product design, business management, and fair trade standards and certification.
“I believe that by providing artisans with the tools to grow their businesses creates the driving force behind projects in developing economies. This has been the driving force behind the development of Ten Thousand Villages and Bhavana World Project. Working with each of the artisan groups that I have had the privilege to connect with has shown me that equality in development can affect both individual and collective transformation, which has direct impact on artisan processes, product outcomes, and their market sustainability.”
Llenay’s educational background includes an Executive Masters of International Service from American University in Washington D.C. and certifications in USAID Economic Evaluation Basics, USAID Monitoring and Evaluation, and USAID M&E Fundamentals from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. As well as a Bachelor in Fine Arts from Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, PA. And from 2015-2017, she served on the United States Trade Representative Advisory Committee on Africa, a Presidential appointment during the Obama Administration.
RESOURCES:
- Ten Thousand Villages: https://www.tenthousandvillages.com/
- Bhavana World Project Website: https://bhavanaworldproject.com/
- Fashion Revolution (Who Made My Clothes?): https://www.fashionrevolution.org/tag/who-made-my-clothes/
- April 24, 2013 - Rana Plaza Complex Garment Factory Disaster: (International Labour Organization website): https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/geip/WCMS_614394/lang--en/index.htm
You know very well by now my intense passion and heart for ending human trafficking. This is an issue that when I first REALLY learned about it in 2011, I could no longer sit back and ignore it… it’s an issue I quickly dove into learning as much as I could about it. It’s an issue that affects women, men, and children of all ages, races, socio-economic statuses, genders, religions, cultures… it happens in every state in the United States and every country around the world. It’s a massive issue… but when we let the fact that something like human trafficking is such a massive issue cloud our vision and keep us from DOING anything about it… that’s when we have to sit back and realize that we CAN do something… we have to start SOMEWHERE.
3:00 - The Bridget 101 * Bridget and Don Brewster discovered, AIM, Agape International Missions while Bridget’s husband Don was the Executive Pastor of a church in Northern California. * On a 10-day trip to Cambodia with AIM, it became obvious that the country was still suffering from the effects of the civil war. They witnessed extreme poverty and broken families. A longing for kindness and hearing about the hope of the Lord was evident all around them. * Two weeks after returning home to the US, Bridget and Don saw a news special about children being sold into trafficking. It was happening just outside Cambodia’s capital of Phnom Penh near the areas Bridget and Don had visited on their prior trip. * Having not heard anything about the problem until they’d returned home, Bridget and Don reached out to the founders of the church planting arm of AIM and returned to Cambodia to learn more about the problem. * Many organizations were forced to stop rescues due to lack of resources and safe places for survivors to experience restoration. At this point, many children ended back on the streets, in brothels, or in jail.
5:28 – Prevention, Rescue, Restoration, Reintegration * Bridget and Don sold their home in the US and moved to Cambodia to help Agape set up a restoration home where trafficking survivors could begin the healing process and prepare for the future. * After just three months, their facilities were at capacity, but step-by-step, God revealed resources to help them manage the needs of survivors. * For Agape, it’s based on four pillars of prevention, rescue, restoration, and reintegration. * Agape checks in with each survivor once a month when they have entered the reintegration pillar. Only 5% of girls in the Agape program go back to their former lives. * Christ is at the center of Agape’s mission. Unconditional love, community, and employment with a living wage (for both a survivor and her family) allows them to return to a new life with honor and dignity.
8:20 – Restoration * Rescuing is not as simple as finding trafficking victims and getting them out. There must also be trauma-informed approach tailored to each individual’s needs. * Children of many different religions or no religion come to Agape. While they do not have to become Christians, they are taught about the hope of Christ and who Christ created them to be. * Agape knew that Jesus needed to move into the Svay Pak community, a large hub of trafficking in Southeast Asia. Agape planted a church there and reached out to help the men in the community learn about their identity in Christ.
- The school, church, transition home, and clinic have served as preventative tools to help keep kids safe from trafficking risks. Agape just opened a new school facility where the children learn together instead of being spread out in different buildings.
11:33 – Changing Hearts One At A Time * Agape creates stability and assurance by providing a living wage through three employment centers where daily devotions, family-style meals, benefits, and child-care are provided. * The community was resistant to Agape’s presence in the beginning, but the creation of sustainable jobs and the building of intentional relationships helped with the trust needed to implement true change. * Much of Cambodia lost the traditional family structure during the time of the Khmer Rouge. Agape works to restore families through parenting classes and teaching about the ways God reveres children.
18:45 – But What Can I Do? * You don’t have to leave town to fight human trafficking. Start by being aware of the problem. Bridget recommends several documentaries including: Nefarious, The Pink Room (this one is about Agape International Missions), and CNN’s Every Day in Cambodia. * Be aware of what trafficking looks like and get involved in local community organizations that support the welfare and education of children. * Support Women: Find Molly’s lists of places to shop that support not only survivors of trafficking, but companies that also provide sustainable economic opportunity to vulnerable areas. * Help organizations that provide mentoring, shelter, and resources to girls who age out of the foster care system when they turn 18. * Prevention is key: Homeless children are especially vulnerable to trafficking, and it happens in your own backyard. Become a foster parent, volunteer in schools and teen centers. You can even support the local PTA system, regardless of whether or not you have kids.
27:34 – What’s Next For Agape International Missions? * Agape and its partners are constantly at capacity. Their goal is to build another transition home to relieve some of the existing homes that are already full. * Job creation is key: Agape hopes to build 12 more employment centers within the next 7 years to employ 1,000 more girls. * Agape also hopes to increase marketing efforts to grow sales and launch a unique brand for AIM. With their Three Strands Brand, they are featuring the 22 Bracelet (a bracelet that represents one girl trafficked being one too many, and one day in trafficking being too long). You can hear more about the compelling story behind the 22 Bracelet in Bridget’s interview.
Meet Your Guest: Bridget Brewster:
After learning about the issue of sex trafficking in Cambodia in 2005, Don and Bridget Brewster sold their home, Don gave up his position as Executive Pastor of Adventure Christian Church in Roseville, CA, and they moved to Cambodia to lead Agape International Missions (AIM). AIM is a non-profit organization that is stopping the cycle of exploitation in Cambodia by preventing trafficking and rescuing, restoring, and reintegrating survivors.
The Brewsters have spearheaded AIM’s efforts to fight trafficking through AIM Restoration Home, a community center, the Lord’s Gym, a community church, transitional homes, employment centers, an accredited elementary school, and their own SWAT Rescue Team.
Their leadership has led to over 1,000 survivors rescued, over 800 survivors restored and reintegrated, and thousands of girls prevented from being trafficked.
- Plastic Free Cambodia: https://plasticfreecambodia.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plasticfreecambodia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlasticFreeJulyCambodia
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarah_e_rhodes
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/plasticfreecambodia
Additional Resources:
- Agape International Missions (AIM) Website: https://agapewebsite.org/
- AIM Apparel Shop: https://theaimshop.com/
- 3 Strands Brand: https://3strandsshop.com/
From Still Being Molly
- 57+ Brands To Buy From That Are Fighting To End Human Trafficking: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2018/01/29/57-brands-fighting-human-trafficking/
Documentaries
- The Pink Room (Agape International Missions): https://agapewebsite.org/pinkroom/
- Nefarious: Merchant of Souls – A Documentary on The Global Sex Trade: http://nefariousdocumentary.com/
- You can learn more about CNN’s Everyday In Cambodia and how to watch it, here:
- http://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2013/12/world/cambodia-child-sex-trade/index.html
In 1950, the world’s population of 2.5 billion produced just over 1.5 million tons of plastic. Today, with a global population of more than 7 billion people, we product over 320 million tons of plastic… and it’s estimated that this number is set to DOUBLE by the year 2034. And every single day, approximately 8 million pieces of plastic pollution finds its way into our oceans. 8. million. pieces. Every. Single. Day.
My guest today is doing her part to impact this issue in a big way...
1:57 – The Sarah 101 * Growing up Adelaide, Australia, Sarah knew from a very young age that she wanted to work in tourism and travel the world. While in graduate school, she discovered a specific passion for sustainability and ecotourism. * Sarah took a slight career detour for a few years as a digital marketer for the Tourism Industry. In 2012, she realized was no longer pursuing her dreams of working on sustainability and ecotourism. * After searching out those dreams in Australia, she started to broaden her search to Southeast Asia where tourism was an emerging market with opportunities to implement sustainability. * Sarah’s search took her through Thailand, Cambodia, and even Laos. While in Cambodia, she met the founder of ConCERT (Connecting Communities, Environment & Responsible Tourism). The experience made such an impact on Sarah that she decided to move from Australia to Cambodia in late 2014 to learn more from ConCERT.
5:00 - Plastic Free July * Just before she left Australia, Sarah experienced her first “Plastic Free July” challenge. The experience shaped her ideals around minimizing single-use plastic in daily life. * Sarah introduced the challenge to the Siem Reap community in 2015 as a side-project in addition to her full-time job. * A local training restaurant called Haven asked Sarah to speak to their staff about why plastic pollution is something we should all be worried about. * 18 months ago, Sarah left her job to devote all of her work to Plastic Free Cambodia. She now runs local workshops and online programs to help Cambodian businesses remove plastic from their operations.
9:29 – Baby Steps * Sarah learned from the experiences of reducing her own plastic use to teach others how to eliminate plastic from their own daily routines. The first phrases she learned in the Cambodian language of Khmer was “I don’t want a plastic bag”, and “I don’t want a plastic straw.” * The reactions she received from communicating these ideas to the community helped her teach locals the same techniques. * Most of the time, all we need to do to be understood is speak about where we’re coming from and describe what we want.
10:45 – Getting Rid of Plastic * The passion Cambodian people have for learning helped Sarah spark a community desire to start to implementing changes in the local markets. * Cambodians are resourceful: Sarah didn’t have to do the work for them, she simply gave them the education to get started. * The sheer nature of the tourism industry has caused its operations to revolve around reliance on single-use plastics. * A huge part of the problem with recycling in developing nations is that the infrastructure isn’t available to handle recyclables locally, so materials are often shipped off to other countries in Southeast Asia.
20:00 - Incremental Change * Local markets are the best place to start implementing small changes toward avoiding small plastics. * There is a much greater awareness these days with Cambodians about the dangers of plastic use, and the conversation has shifted to a place where there is opportunity to work on daily behavior and changing old habits. * This year, Sarah wants to spend more time launching programs that can be accessible in areas like Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and other local regions. * We can make change by focusing on our own unique path and the topics we’re most passionate about.
25:20 Plastic Free Tips: * Sarah shares her own personal shopping techniques to cut back on single-use plastics. * The most difficult thing lately for Sarah in the plastic free challenges has been dealing with the way milk is packaged around the world. * Sarah has been trying her hand at making her own milks including Soy and Oat milk. * Since individual sugar packets are often lined with plastic to keep out humidity, an easy workaround is carrying your own small jar of sugar with you in your bag.
29:55 - Getting To Know Our Guest: Find out what Sarah is most grateful for, the fictional place she would visit if given the chance, healthy social media habits, and the magical place she wants everyone to visit at least once.
10:35 A Memorable Moment "Have a conversation. Use your words to describe what you want, and when people understand where you’re coming from, then they’re going to be more than happy to oblige most of the time.” - Sarah Rhodes
Meet Your Guest: Sarah Rhodes has worked in the hospitality and tourism industry throughout her career and has a Masters in Tourism Management where she developed a keen interest in sustainable tourism. Following 4 years working for the South Australian Tourism in online marketing management and project management roles, she undertook training via the Climate Leadership Corps, lead by Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States. After completing this training Sarah moved to Siem Reap, Cambodia where she worked primarily with the NGO sector and responsible tourism practices, during which time Plastic Free Cambodia was formed. Specializing in consulting to businesses and delivering educational workshops on the topic of plastic reduction and other environmental issues. Sarah now also consults to other countries around Southeast Asia thanks to the knowledge she has derived from her experiences and growing knowledge of climate change and plastic pollution issues in the region.
- Plastic Free Cambodia: https://plasticfreecambodia.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plasticfreecambodia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlasticFreeJulyCambodia
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarah_e_rhodes
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/plasticfreecambodia
Additional Resources:
- ConCERT (Connecting Communities, Environment, & Responsible Tourism: http://concertcambodia.org/
- More on Plastic Free July Challenge: https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/
- Angkor Wat is the temple Sarah mentions that everyone should get to visit.
Do you have an item or two (or seven) in your closet that you’ve held on to for a long time and you’re not sure why? It doesn’t fit or it’s out of style but it holds some type of significant meaning to you… whether we realize it or not… a lot of our identity, personal history, and even sometimes our self-esteem can have a significant connection to what’s hanging in our closet… we hold onto things that maybe… just maybe we should let go of.
3:50 – The Essense 101
- As a child, Essense wanted to rebel against being dressed in the same outfits as her sister. Once she found her first job in retail she took full advantage of her 30% employee discount and she began to cultivate her own style.
- In college, Essense started to define and explore her own style, but worried people would only know her for clothing. She wanted to be known for her personality as well.
- Today, Essense fully embraces her personal style as a way to show others who she is.
- While working as a paralegal, Essense’s style would attract attention from her coworkers who requested help with shopping on lunch breaks.
- Sometimes the best way to start is by jumping in the deep end: Essense changed her Instagram profile to say “Paralegal by day, personal stylist by night” before she ever had her first client.
9:32 – More Than Just Hangers and Shoeboxes
- Essense realized her skills could help others when her first closet organization client found healing in cleaning out a closet after a hot water heater disaster and a dramatic weight loss journey.
- So many of us look for control in the midst of loss and life-altering events. Often when we feel out of control, we spend our time and energy controlling our belongings or letting them control us.
- Closets are a metaphor for the things in our lives that we keep hidden. When we clean out our homes, we are forced to face the things we’ve been holding onto.
- Essense helps transform lives by cleaning up the literal and figurative mess in people’s lives and provides structure to help her clients overcome personal obstacles.
18:40 – God and The Door in the Dining Room
- Essense has a close relationship to her mother and believes there’s a very specific reason she didn’t leave home until she was 25.
- Through a shared dream, Essense finds confirmation of where her mom is now and where her mom will be eternally. (This part will give you chills – the good kind).
26:04 – Legacy Through Faith
- Essense’s mom left a beautiful legacy of faith, and Essense honors her mom’s legacy by giving glory back to God with every step of her career.
- After finding her mom’s old business cards, Essense carries on her mom’s boutique with D.E.F.Y. Fashion and a unique take on camo jackets.
29: 47- Winning the Super Bowl
- Without any connection to the NFL, Essense’s jackets show up at the Super Bowl two years in a row.
- You can attract the market you want with clientele who understand the value of what you have to offer.
- “They could wear anything, but they chose to honor my work at a legendary moment.”
- Our outer appearance can be a reflection of how we feel on the inside, and Essense gives glory to God by reminding others to celebrate what makes their story unique.
Corretta Scott King was quoted as saying "The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." Sometimes, when we think about community, we focus solely on our neighbors. Yes, we should be participants in our community, but we should also think about community in a broader sense. Consider our online community, our ancestral community, and those with whom we share a nationality. Today's guest is Haitian American Vanessa Fleury, the founder and director of Carl's Village.She's taken the idea of impacting her community to the next level by starting a nonprofit.
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/06/12/business-purpose-podcast-vanessa-fleury/
How do you approach tragedy? What do you do when the bad things come in life? How do you handle pain, sorrow, and sadness? Today's guest used a period of suffering to make herself better, give herself strength to carry on, and inspire others to do the same. Nancy Solari is the founder, creator, and host of Living Full Out. She wants to encourage you to overcome disappointments and strive for your goals. This is her unique story.
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/06/05/business-with-purpose-podcast-ep-144-nancy-solari/
This episode is for the guys. When it comes to fashion and style, what's your perspective? Do you have a personal style, or do you go through the motions each morning. Additionally, what do you think of ethical fashion? Do you think it only applies to women, or does it resonate with you. Let's be honest, in the ethical fashion realm, the voices are primarily female. On today's episode, we'll hear from one of the men on the frontlines in the ethical fashion industry. Garik Himebaugh is the Chief Stylist and founder at Eco-Stylist. He joins us to help you revamp your style while shopping with a purpose.
Things You Don't Want To Miss: 3:09 - The Garik 101 * Eco-Stylist is a marketplace for ethically and sustainably-made men's clothes. Garik shares how his journey into this space began with his first foray into men's fashion. * Garik's girlfriend suggested he wasn't well-dressed, and he began to see that fashion enabled him to represent his best self. * His dream was to be an entrepreneur. Specifically, he wanted to be a social entrepreneur. Garik moved to Iowa three years ago, and he planned to open a business at the same time. During this time, a summer in Boston sparked his passion for ethical fashion.
8:20 - A Background In Conflict Resolution * Garik studied Conflict Analysis & Resolution at George Mason University. His major started on a whim, but soon it turned into an eagerness to turn his degree into a career. However, Garik explains the difficulty of finding a competitive job in D.C. * Garik took a job in finance, but he never forgot his dream to pursue peace studies and social justice. * In business school, Garik read the stories of companies like TOMS Shoes and Warby Parker. He decided he wanted to leverage his degree to first start a business and later pursue social entrepreneurialism.
13:26 - Why Not Start Today? * So many people desire to make change, yet they're hindered by the phrase, "When I get to X place in life, I'll be able to do Y." They feel they need to take care of themselves before they can begin to make a difference for others. In reality, it might be possible for you to jump in and start doing what you want to do NOW. * You can do anything with purpose. Garik explains how his work as a stylist gives him a platform to advocate for those in need.
18:36 - A Misconception Of Generosity * There's this misconception that wealthy people are the most generous. Not to take away from the work of the wealthy, but the middle class is exceptionally generous. Everyday people give their time, money, and talents to fight for change.
22:20 - Speaking The Language Of Men * Not to generalize, but most men aren't that into fashion. Garik shares his journey into fashion and he developed his own personal style. * So many voices in the men's fashion space are part of what Garik refers to as "bro culture." Garik wanted to find his own voice in the space. He wanted to be genuine.
29:38 - Little Changes Lead To Large Impacts * Diversity is important in the ethical fashion space. However, Garik explains not all views are necessarily healthy. Sometimes, voices in the ethical space can be hostile, but we need to be united as we advocate for change. * It's difficult to go all-in in the ethical space. It's important to recognize what steps you can take to become more socially conscious without beating yourself up over what you can't do. * There's nothing wrong with shopping, but it's important to be conscious as you shop. Don't be an impulse buyer. Consider what you're supporting with your purchases. * Lots of little changes by lots of people can be hugely impactful. The issues can feel overwhelming, and change doesn't happen overnight. Advocate for small changes.
34:50 - Bridging The Gap For Men * Garik explains his process for getting guys into fashion. For most men, the jump into fashion isn't a natural one. Eco-Stylist has an online shop, and they also have a styling service that helps you to find a wardrobe to match your personality. * Eco-Stylist can even suggest specific ethically-sourced items and help you know where to find them.
Getting To Know Our Guest: * 40:17 - Garik shares with us how he'd survive in an elevator, his favorite tv shows as a child, and a challenge for us to try rock climbing.
A Memorable Moment: "Lots of little changes by lots of people can be hugely impactful." - Garik Himebaugh
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/05/29/business-purpose-podcast-garik-himebaugh-eco-stylist/
In the last year, I've been open in sharing about my faith journey and it's impact on my life. Through grief, my faith has been stretched and grown, and through scripture, my faith has been transformed. However, memorizing scripture can be a challenge. Meet Vera Schmitz, the founder of Dwell. Dwell is a membership service that helps people to connect with God through scripture verse memory. On today's podcast, we'll examine how Dwell profoundly changed the way I view scripture and scripture memorization.
Things You Don't Want To Miss: 4:17 - The Vera 101 * Vera spent most of her life training as an athlete. In middle school, she fell in love with track and field. She trained in pole vault, and she attributes her faith in God to keeping her rooted along the journey. * Scripture kept Vera focused and in tune with God as she competed. She found scripture memorization to be a helpful tool, and as her competition got bigger, she turned to those verses to deepen her faith. * Vera trained to become a part of the U.S. Olympic team and compete in pole vault. When she didn't make the team, she prayed God would show her the next steps, and the idea for Dwell was born. * She wanted to share her unique technique for scripture memorization to connect people with God. * Vera explains her passion for pole vaulting and reminisces about watching Stacy Dragila at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Her hero won gold, and Vera was hooked.
12:56 - Rooted In Faith * Vera grew up in a Christian home. The youngest of five, her oldest sister shared the Gospel with Vera after becoming a Christian in college. She challenged Vera to accept Christ. * She remembers the parable in Matthew about the power of having faith even as small as a mustard seed. God took her mustard seed of faith and grew in her a need for Him.
"Truly I tell you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed ,you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." - Matthew 17:20
26:28 - God's Love Letter To Us * God's word is His love letter to us. Memorizing scripture puts God's word on our hearts and protects us when we encounter suffering. * When troubles arise, cling to scripture. * Memorizing scripture gives us life and enables us to stockpile the truth in our lives.
29:30 - A Test Of Faith * Vera shares some of the experiences that tested her faith. Sports are filled with highs and lows, and as the competition becomes a grind, it's easy to give into the doubts in your head. Scripture helped Vera to combat those doubts. * An injury brought Vera's career to an end 13 days before the Olympic trials. God's word strengthened her. She was reminded that He is our ultimate prize.
35:33 - A Different Plan * We're quick to make our plans, but God often has something different for us. We need to surrender our story to His. * Vera explains her hope for people to know God through her business. * Dwell launched in December of 2017. Amidst the launch, Vera and her husband adopted a son.
40:44 - More About Dwell * Dwell has a plan for individuals as well as a family package. You can use Dwell to learn scripture together with your friends and family. * Use your Dwell tattoos as a talking point. Vera explains how Dwell verses open up opportunities for conversations about faith with friends and coworkers. * Dwell is a family operation. Vera's sister is a pastor's wife, and she writes Dwell's content. Vera is in charge of the design, and her aunt serves as a consultant.
Getting To Know Our Guest: * 43:43 - Vera shares her love for tacos and sushi, her verbatim memory of the 8 Mile soundtrack, her vast appreciation for Harry Potter, and much more.
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/05/22/business-with-purpose-podcast-142-vera-schmitz-dwell/
It's no secret we live in a time of heightened social tension. There are issues all around us we're inundated with through the media and around the dinner table. It's overwhelming to consider how we should address issues including racism, foster care reform, recidivism rates, and healthcare. Today's guest is tackling these issues with a unique kind of ammunition: human-centered design. Durell Coleman is the founder of DC Design, a social impact design firm that uses human-centered design to fix some of the world's greatest challenges.
Things You Don't Want To Miss: 3:00 - The Durell 101 * Durell starts with his childhood and shares of his upbringing in Texas. * His passion for design goes all the way back. He told his mom he wanted to be an inventor at the age of eight, and he made grand plans to own his own company. * Durell's brother was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer when Durell was nine. His brother fought the disease for five long years, and he even played varsity soccer and graduated high school. However, he passed away at the age of 19. * Durell's brother's battle with cancer challenged him to evolve his dream. He wanted to create, and he wanted to do so in a way that improved quality of life for others. He wanted to give people a chance for success.
7:00 - A New Perspective * Durrell reflects on how his perspective changed upon the death of his brother. * The common mantra is "Life is short. Live it up." Durell used that phrase as an opportunity to live with purpose.
9:00 - Lessons From Failure * As humans, we're able to see our highs after going through lows. In short, we learn from our failures. * Durell's first company designed renewable energy sources in the developing world. The plan made sense, but he lacked funding, and the vision was compromised. Durell began designing low-cost wind turbines for homeowners in America, and unfortunately, there wasn't a need for that particular solution. He drew strength from his failure, and he studied it as well. As he started DC Design, those lessons became valuable pieces of insight. * Immersion is a great tool for learning. Durell emphasizes his working class background forced him to design by necessity. He knew there was no alternative solution if he couldn't build or learn something himself.
16:24 - Explaining DC Design * DC Design is a social impact strategy and design consultancy. They help people on the front lines of addressing social impact. From criminal justice to foster care, DC Design wants to help world changers deliver on their mission. * The goal is to utilize the process of human-centered design. DC Design wants to understand the needs of people who live through a particular challenge. Going straight to the source helps organizations to shape the process for change.
19:10 - What Is A Design Thinking Impact Retreat? * The goal is to connect with the souls of other people and build them up. DC Design wants people to know they matter and can only be brought down if they allow themselves to be. * Design Thinking Impact Retreats are focused on helping people who want to impact the world. They teach effective strategies that help alleviate suffering. * Social impact innovators attend these retreats. They're the ones who see the news at night and want to effect change.
24:48 - A Unique Approach To Social Justice * It's the Average Joe who effects change, and we're all impacted by social issues. We're all in it together as we're trying to make change happen. * Durell's journey began when his first company failed. He'd been focused on his work in other countries. However, he realized many social issues affect us right here in the U.S. He wanted to design ways to fight for social justice, address poverty, fight wildfires, and champion prison reform right here "at home." Durell realized the need to equip the people and organizations on the frontlines of these issues. * We're not equipped to fight every issue, and DC Design wants to help individuals realize which specific issues they're called to champion. He also wants to learn from the experiences of those in need, and use their insight to design change. The most effective strategies for change come from within.
31:52 - A Notion Of Privilege * The notion of privilege exists in many forms. Your education, background, and physical appearance can all leave you with privilege. Remember the Spiderman quote, "With great power comes great responsibility." How are we using our privilege to call out injustice and fight for restoration? * Justice and redemption go together. We're quick to judge yet slow to forgive. We need to create a space for restoration. Rather than wanting people to suffer, we should focus on giving people the opportunity for rehabilitation.
42:30 - How To Learn More * Sign up for the DC Design newsletter. * Attend an Impact Retreat. * Send your high school students to a Design The Future workshop.
Getting To Know Our Guest: * 45:16- Durell shares with us his favorite desserts, his dumbest injury, and a song he could listen to on repeat.
A Memorable Moment: "We learn about issues when we start having conversations with people about what they're going through."
- Durell Coleman
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/05/15/business-with-purpose-podcast-ep-141-durell-coleman-dc-design/
In the last year, big brands like Nike, Athleta, and J.Crew have entered the fair trade industry. It's a big win for the fair trade movement, but it leaves small business owners with daunting challengers. Mom-and-pop shops are no match for companies like Target. No longer is it enough to market the story of your artisans and expect to generate revenue. If you want to compete, you must put your customer first. In my keynote address at the Fair Trade Federation Conference in Austin, I challenged business owners to reconsider how they position their organizations in the fair trade space. This is what I had to say...
Things You Don't Want To Miss: A Crazy Dream * 1:17 - In the next 25 years, I want the term fair trade to cease to exist. I want ethically-made products to become so much the norm that the term "fair trade" is no longer needed.
The Power Of Persistence * 1:45 - When I was about eight and 1/2 years old, I took it upon myself to look out for the other children in my neighborhood. Our neighborhood didn't have any sidewalks, so I decided to petition the town council for safer streets and the implementation of sidewalks. As you might imagine, nothing happened. In six months, we still had no sidewalks, so I began to write the town council, asking for change. Finally, after two and 1/2 years of calling, writing letters, and begging for change, we finally got the sidewalks. While this is a cute story, it's an important illustration for the power of persistence. If we want to see change, we must be persistent.
Life Lessons From Kenya * 7:34 - In 2011, I visited the Kazuri Bead Factory on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. It was my first exposure to the fair trade movement, and if you're not familiar with them, their goal is to provide employment opportunities for disadvantaged members of Kenyan society. This trip put in me a desire to learn more about the movement, and I soon jumped all-in on fair trade. I wanted to do my part fo effect change for those living in poverty around the world.
The Challenges Facing Fair Trade Businesses * 9:10 - Fair trade businesses are changing lives, and striving to make ethical business practices a standard around the world. However, the jump to fair trade isn't without its challenges. One day, fair trade will become a seemingly standard operating procedure, and cause marketing will slowly begin to lose its power as consumers come to expect ethical practices as the norm. * 9:52 - Fast fashion brands Madewell and J. Crew recently launched Fairtrade certified denim lines. Athleta is now a certified B Corporation, and Nike has an entire department dedicated to sustainability and ethical practices. The industry of business is wising up, and that will affect small businesses who operate on fair trade principles. Small businesses will lose their competitive edge to monoliths like Target as it seeks to enter the fair trade space.
A Unique Perspective * 13:10 - I'm a fair trade customer, and I love ethical fashion. I've also worked alongside small business owners as they seek to stay alive and use their revenue to serve their local communities as well as men and women in poverty around the world. As a blogger, I've interviewed hundreds of fair trade business owners who seek to thrive as entrepreneurs, and I hope my perspective will challenge you to consider how to run your business with purpose.
Change Your Messaging * 15:35 - If you want to survive in the next era of ethical business, change your message. Put the onus on your customer first, your product second, and your artisans' stories third. Disclaimer: We're not telling you to neglect your artisans, nor are we suggesting you hide their stories. Of course we want to tell the stories of those who make your product. However, the message of fair trade for years has focused around the artisans, and in reality, it's the customers who can be the heroes of the story. Customers purchase products, and their purchases keep your business alive and lift your artisans out of poverty. * 16:55 - The Root Collective is a great example of a company that's shifted it's messaging. They realized their customers wanted to be noticed in their shoes, so they began focusing on developing a rock-star product that would solve a problem for the customer. Now, their customers get noticed, and in turn, they share the story of The Root Collective. Focus on meeting a need for your consumer, and in turn, they'll get behind your cause.
Shift Your Brand Perspective * 19:26 - Consider your branding. Does your branding blow people away? Do you impress people when they visit your website? If you want to compete with Nike, you've got to brand yourself. Ask yourself, "other than fair trade, what's your competitive edge?" * 21:36- Tribe Alive is an ethical fashion brand that's killing it these days, and their branding is SHARP. In fact, it's so sharp that J. Crew and Madewell approached them. Now those companies are selling Tribe Alive products. Tribe Alive's branding speaks for itself. It's messaging is focused on the customer, and it leads people to a conversation about the work they're doing.
Develop Your Marketing Strategy * 22:47 - Are you using social media as a tool to create a community of brand evangelists, or are you using social media as a megaphone to announce new products and sales? Too many people are taking the "social" aspect from social media. People want to belong; they want to connect. A brand that connects people will thrive. * 23:54 - Elegantees uses its platform to share sneak peaks of upcoming products while connecting users. It brings users into the company, and gives women an opportunity to become brand evangelists. Invite your community into your business, and market to them by speaking directly with them.
Start Small * 27:24 - Don't be afraid to change. Take one element from this talk, and use it to shape your business. Implement it in the next 24 hours, and set yourself up for success in the next 25 years.
A Memorable Moment: "When it comes to the marketing of your business, your customer is your hero. Always. You're the guide. The customer is your hero."
- Molly Stillman
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/05/08/business-purpose-podcast-fair-trade-federation-conference-keynote-address/
Ethical issues surrounding the jewelry industry are often vague and misunderstood. Movies like Blood Diamond examine these problems, but we need to go deeper to fully understand the ethical issues surrounding gold and diamond purchases. Marc Choyt is the president of Reflective Jewelry. He joins us to answer all of your questions on ethical jewelry and show you how your jewelry purchases impact lives around the world.
Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest * 1:25 - Marc Choyt is the president of Reflective Jewelry, the first and only Fairtrade certified gold jewelry in the United States. He initiated the first ethical jewelry blog in 2006 which eventually evolved into Fair Jewelry Action, a human rights and environmental justice network.
The Marc 101 * 3:20 - Marc's wife was a self-taught jeweler. In 1995, he started driving around the country and trying to sell her handiwork. At the time, he was also funding ecological preservation, and an epiphany in his preservation efforts gave him new awareness to the ecological harm brought about by gold mining in other areas of the world. He wants the sourcing of his material to match the symbolism behind his jewelry.
A Lack Of Information * 6:20 - The average consumer doesn't know much about the sourcing of gold and gemstones. We've heard about conflict diamonds, but that's about it. Marc explains the narrowness of the definition given to conflict diamonds. * 9:10 - In the 80s and 90s, millions of people were killed in wars funded by diamonds. However, nobody has been held accountable for the decisions to fund those wars. * 10:25 - Marc explains the issues surrounding the term "conflict free."
Where Are Gold And Diamonds Sourced? * 13:09 - Marc explains the difference in large and small-scale mining. Basically, 80 percent of the gold supply chain comes from large-scale mining operations. However, small-scale mining operations involve 90 percent of gold labor, and small-scale mining operations are often dangerous and exploitive. * 16:36 - Gold comes from veins running under the earth as well as on the surface. It runs in all kinds of situations. * 17:39 - Diamonds aren't as widely concentrated as gold. Diamond resources tend to come from Canada, Russia, and South Africa.
Asking Questions Leads To Change * 20:08 - "Mine Your Own Gemstone" shops are prevalent tourist locations, especially in the mountains of North Carolina. The idea is you get a bucket of dirt, and you sift through the mud to look for stones. These businesses claim these stones are locally sourced, and many times they are. However, you need to know where your materials are coming from. Asking questions leads to change.
Question Your Jewelers * 23:08 - Different mining operations involve different levels of toxicity. Some operations are relatively harmless, but others involve dangerous levels of mercury. * 24:00 - Ask your jewelers where their resources are coming from. The term "conflict free" is misleading, and it only scratches the surface of the issues surrounding gold and diamond mining. * 26:45 - We need to focus our energy on change that impacts the small-scale miner. Certain purchases don't actually make a difference, and we need to focus on impacting the lives of small-scale miners.
Fair Trade Versus Fairtrade * 31:50 - "Fair Trade" refers to the broader movement where organizations source products from artisan communities. The idea is that your business or organization is directly connected to the community, and therefore, your customers' purchases directly impact the lives of those who are making them. * 33:09 - The term "Fairtrade" is trademarked by an organization out of Bonn, Germany. It's called Fairtrade International, and the organization conducts audits and provides certifications to small-scale gold mining operations. The organization ensures companies are upheld to a high standard of ethical practices. * 34:52 - If you're a jeweler working with metals and gems, you need to begin the process of determining where your source material is being produced.
The Problem With Purchasing Lab Created Diamonds * 38:00 - The lab created diamond industry is up-and-coming. Millennials especially like them because they typically cost a fraction of the price of dug diamonds. However, buying lab created diamonds doesn't address the issues associated with small-scale diamond producers.
Start Small * 45:30 - Whenever we talk about shopping ethically, listeners tend to get overwhelmed. After all, it's a tricky task to totally overhaul your lifestyle and buying habits. Remember, change starts with baby steps. You don't have to completely revamp your wardrobe overnight. Instead, slowly change your buying habits. Find one ethically-made product you like, and start there. Think of it like a diet. You don't get in shape overnight. It takes time, and you have to be patient as you're going through the process.
A Change Of Heart * 49:00 - The process of pursuing social justice starts with aligning your heartfelt values with economic decisions. It's not always easy to do that, and it requires you ask questions along the way.
A Memorable Moment: "This process is about aligning our heartfelt values with our economic decisions."
- Marc Choyt
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link:
The minutia associated with owning a small business can be excruciating. Especially if you run a non-profit, you're probably more interested in your passion than you are managing day-to-day activity. Today's guest is Stephanie Skryzowski, the founder and CEO of 100 Degrees Consulting. As an expert in management and finance, she equips motivated organizations to execute their vision while managing organizational operations.
Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest * 1:40 - Stephanie Skryzowski is the founder and CEO of 100 Degrees Consulting. 100 Degrees Consulting helps purpose-driven leaders better understand and use their financials to make smart decisions for their organizations, so that they can do more and serve more.
The Stephanie 101 * 5:03- Stephanie just new she was going to become a lawyer. She'd read every John Grisham book, and she majored in Political Science. After college, she even lined up a job at a massive law firm in New York City. However, she quickly realized she was in the wrong place. * 7:16 - One of Stephanie's jobs at the law firm was working alongside an organization in Afghanistan. Something about that organization drew her in, and she eventually took a position with them as an operations coordinator. * 8:20 - On a trip to Afghanistan, she had a lightbulb moment that changed her career trajectory. Her knack for numbers led her down a path that eventually culminated in her starting 100 Degrees Consulting. She wanted to enable nonprofits to achieve their vision while becoming more organizationally sound.
A Need For Help * 13:00 - Many business owners have a strong vision, but they lack the support necessary to keep their lights on day in and day out. Small business owners and nonprofit directors often need organizational help to maintain the day-to-day flow of activity.
A Fear Of Money * 16:30 - Money is complicated, and people like to avoid complicated things. Stephanie explains why a fear of numbers tends to keep leaders from becoming organizationally sound.
Hire Where It Hurts * 18:00 - Perhaps you've heard the saying, "Do what you do best, and hire the rest." Don't feel like a failure simply because an area of your business is outside of your comfort zone. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You can't do it all, and it takes a team to accomplish your vision.
Taking It To The Next Level * 21:38 - Stephanie shares her niche for helping organizations on an aggressive growth trajectory who lack the ability to take their business to the next level on their own. She's able to answer key questions that add value and help organizations to achieve their goals.
A Cognitive Disconnect * 25:55 - There's often a disconnect in a nonprofit's goals and it's ability to achieve them. So many organizations have great strategic plans, but they lack the ability to execute them. You have to align your budget with your growth plan.
Tangible Takeaways * 29:36 - The word budget is excruciating to hear, but if you're starting an organization, your budget is a valuable tool. * 31:50 - Manage your cash flow. Map out when your cash is coming in, and when it's going out.
Getting To Know Our Guest: * 35:11 - Stephanie shares her love for Dave Matthews and urges you to try whacky foods that might put you outside of your comfort zone.
A Memorable Moment: "At the end of the day, we only have 24 hours to make an impact. The only way to grow exponentially is to bring in outside help."
- Stephanie Skryzowski
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/04/24/podcast-stephanie-skryzowski-100-degrees-consulting/
We often hear on the news how we're a divided nation. Tensions run high as political, racial, and cultural divisions lead to hate, prejudice, and fear. Amidst the turmoil, one woman in an under-resourced community in Detroit, Michigan is taking small steps toward creating meaningful, cross-cultural relationships and bridging the divide. Rebecca Smith is the founder of Better Life Bags, a company that seeks to provide economic opportunities for women who might otherwise face barriers to employment. This is her story.
Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest. * 1:20 - Rebecca Smith is the founder of Better Life Bags. Better Life Bags is a custom handbag company located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan. Every bag is hand-sewn by a woman from their under-resourced community. Your purchase gives these women the opportunity to excel at a skill and provide for their families. Click the video below to learn more of Rebecca's story.
The Rebecca 101. * 10:30 Better Life Bags will celebrate its tenth birthday this summer, and it really started as a hobby. In the summer of 2009, Rebecca was in the final months of her first pregnancy, and she was bored. She decided to make her own diaper bags, and at the behest of her friends, she decided to try selling them on Etsy. Around the same time, she decided to send a portion of her proceeds as a micro-loan to low income entrepreneurs overseas.
- 14:00 Her family moved to an under-resourced, ethnically diverse community in Detroit, Michigan. She needed help scaling her business, and she hired a Yemeni neighbor to help her keep up with the work. The two quickly developed a close relationship, and in a lightbulb moment, Rebecca realized she could use her business to provide economic opportunities to other women in the neighborhood.
A Higher Purpose. * 20:35 - Rebecca is currently in the process of writing a book that tells the story of her journey. She's been reminded throughout the project that God is looking out for us, and that He leads us as we take small steps of obedience in faith.
Lessons From The Old Testament. * 22:13 - In the Old Testament of the Bible, we're constantly reminded of God's plan for His people. He's constantly leading the Israelites despite their shortcomings. Even amidst their fear, He offers protection as He leads them toward the Promised Land in order to accomplish His purposes for them. We're reminded of how difficult it can be to trust God amidst difficult times. However, as we look back over time, we begin to see His bigger plan. Sometimes, we simply need to follow him, one step at a time.
Making Cross-Cultural Connections. * 25:44 - It can be difficult to start relationships with people who are different from us. Rebecca shares how God used the story of Jonah to call her to love her local community. She shares how her neighborhood in Hamtramck, Michigan enabled her to develop relationships and bridge the cultural divide Americans often face.
An Update On Better Life Bags. * 37:00 - Better Life Bags has greatly evolved through the years. They currently employ about 15 women, and Rebecca shares how God has challenged her to consider what it means to do His will. She saw the business grow immensely through its first seven years, and now as growth has leveled out, she's asking herself whether she can trust God's plan through a period of slow growth. She wants to follow His plan, and trust Him with the results, even if it means losing sales.
Getting To Know Our Guest: * 45:34 - Rebecca shares her love for sweets, her aptitude for long-distance road trips, and her longing to return to the 1950s.
A Memorable Moment: "It's about taking small steps and trusting God has good plans for us. We don't have to wear ourselves out because He has the plan. We just have to walk it."
- Rebecca Smith
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/04/17/business-purpose-podcast-rebecca-smith-better-life-bags/
Join me for a special edition of the podcast as we feature exciting moments from the Fair Trade Federation Conference in Austin, Texas. I'll recap my favorite stories, brands, and personalities from the week.
Things You Don't Want To Miss: Llenay Ferretti, Acting CEO Of Ten Thousand Villages. * 2:41- Llenay Ferretti has been involved in fair trade for years. She gave a presentation outlining the research surrounding consumer markets as well as the information gap between the consumer's understanding of fair trade and what they value.
Reshaping The Story. * 3:28 - Llenay discuses Ten Thousand Villages' efforts to bring its mission into the modern age. They created the Maker to Market Movement, and they now encourage consumers to connect to ten thousand villages around the world.
Liz Bohannon, Founder Of Sseko Designs. * 5:00 - Liz Bohannon encourages us to use design thinking to build better businesses and in turn, a better world.
The Myth Of Preparation. * 5:56 - The idea that we can perfectly design a product is a myth. Every solution we have is simply a stepping stone to a more relevant, more robust solution. If you want to improve your ideas, get them out into the marketplace.
Working With Influencer Marketing. * 8:50 - Kirsten Dickerson, founder of Raven + Lily, hosted a panel on partnering with influencers who will leverage their status for the good of your fair trade brand. The panel spoke on finding the right influencer for your brand and how to find influencers who are more relational with their followers.
Catching Up With Shannon Riesenfeld. * 12:22 - Shannon Riesenfeld is the founder of Mango + Main. Her company works with artisans in Rwanda, Haiti, and Peru to develop and distribute their products around the U.S. We caught up to discuss her journey into the world of fair trade and her recent jump into the Fair Trade Federation.
Alice Grau, Global Mamas. * 18:24 - Global Mamas seeks to create prosperity for African women and their families by selling their beautifully hand-crafted jewelry, apparel, and soaps. Alice Grau is the organization's creative marketing director, and she shared Global Mamas' mission to create prosperity and enable their producers to buy a car, build their own home, and educate their children.
Charlie Brandes, Equal Exchange * 23:55 - Equal Exchange is a producer of fair trade coffee, chocolate, and tea. Charlie Brandes works in their sales department. He spoke about Equal Exchange's goal of connecting consumers with the farmers who grow their food and the challenges or partnering with big box stores.
Lucia's Imports. * 28:28 - Lucia's Imports is a wholesale business that sells handmade imports from Guatemala. They design jewelry, ceramics, purses, and other products as they seek to preserve Mayan culture.
Marita Miller, Pebblechild. * 30:58 - Pebblechild is a fair trade organization that makes baby products while providing opportunities for employment to women in Bangladesh. It wants to enable women to work while continuing to care for their own children. Pebblechild works with about 12,000 women and keeps them from working in hazardous inner city factories.
The Grain Of Rice Project. * 34:28 - The Grain Of Rice Project is a non-profit ministry, which seeks to empower Kenyan people with the love of Christ by helping them become self-sufficient through employment, education, and skills training. It works within one of the largest slums in Kenya, generating income for locals by selling handmade jewelry, accessories, housewares, and decorations.
Rover And Kin. * 37:34 - Rover & Kin is a newly-minted fair trade fashion company. All of its clothing comes from a small, women's cooperative in West Bengal, and it centers its style around minimalist designs.
Mayamam Weavers. * 40:55 -Mayamam Weavers is a brand I've often talked about. Mayamam Weavers make beautiful handwoven textiles, and they seek to preserve Mayan culture while empowering women from a small cooperative in Cajolá, Guatemala.
Katie Schmidt, Passion Lilie. * 45:15 - Passion Lilie is a fair trade clothing line that utilizes artisanal fabrics manufactured in India. Katie Schmidt is the founder, and she leveraged her background in fashion, sewing, and textile design to provide fair wages and employment opportunities to women in India.
Joy McBrien, Fair Anita. * 47:57 - Fair Anita is a beautiful line of ethical jewelry and accessories. Fair Anita seeks to make ethical brands more affordable. Joy McBrien is the founder and CEO, and she wants to appeal to the average consumer. She wants to feature designs that fit into your everyday closet.
Campbell Plowden, Center For Amazon Community Ecology. * 50:57 - Campbell Plowden is the executive director of the Center for Amazon Community Ecology. He started the organization in an effort to help people make a living in the rainforest without cutting it down. The organization works with 15 communities as they develop and market innovative fair trade handicrafts and essential oils.
A Snippet From My Talk. * 54:22 - I was honored to be featured as a plenary speaker at the Fair Trade Federation Conference. I wanted to inspire fair trade warriors to continue to innovate as the Fair Trade Federation turns 25. My hope is that fair trade will one day become business as usual.
Jessica Honegger, Noonday Collection. * 1:00:43 - Jessica Honegger is the founder and CEO of Noonday Collection. She encouraged fair trade warriors at the conference to continue striving toward their vision of eradicating poverty and promoting fair trade principles in industries worldwide.
A Memorable Moment: "I hope to see the term fair trade cease to exist in the next 25 years. Fair trade values need to become the norm."
- Molly Stillman
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/04/10/business-purpose-podcast-fair-trade-federation-conference-recap/
It seems like out of nowhere, eating healthy has suddenly become trendy. People like to talk about eating Organic and Non-GMO foods. It's funny because our grandparents and ancestors did this for years, yet somehow, it's come onto the scene as this trendy, new concept. Regardless, our guest today wanted to make clean, healthy food more accessible. Join us as we speak with Kat Eckles, the founder of Clean Juice.
Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest. * 1:08 - Kat Eckles is the founder of Clean Juice. It's the only USDA certified organic juice bar in the country. She joins us to discuss how her homemade smoothies and juices inspired the idea of opening a juice bar in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Kat 101. * 2:30 - Kat is a mom of five, and she wants to create a healthy home for her children. As a young mom, she researched healthy foods, looking for ways to make green smoothies a bit tastier. She quickly discovered you could disguise the taste of spinach in a smoothie by adding a banana and some blueberries. What started as a way to make nutritious meals for her children became a business when she and her husband decided it was time for a career change. They moved to Charlotte and started Clean Juice in 2014.
Origins Of Clean Juice. * 6:45 - Kat lived in suburban Pennsylvania, and while she enjoyed making smoothies and juices at home, she realized there weren't many healthy options for the general public. Most play dates ended at fast food jaunts, and she wanted to create healthier options for other families.
Turning A Hobby Into A Business. * 8:30 - Kat attributes much of her success to her faith. She believes God provided her family with the right opportunity at the right time. She also credits her husband and his business acumen. The two of them worked together leveraging their savings in order to get the credit off the ground. They tried to keep things simple as they got started. The fruit came from Costco, and the staff came from local churches and youth groups.
Rooted In Faith. * 12:19 - Clean Juice puts faith at the forefront of its business. Scripture decorates cups, bowls, and other branded materials. Kat says she committed her family to faith when she moved back to North Carolina. She saw how God was able to hold her family together, and she wants to incorporate that into her business.
Expanding The Business. * 16:40 - As soon as Clean Juice opened its doors, customers wanted to know where they could find others. They'd always wanted to open 10 Clean Juice franchises in Charlotte, and they quickly decided other communities needed access to healthy food as well. Today, Clean Juice has 56 stores in thirteen states. They hope to be in more than twenty states by the end of 2019.
Partnering With Burn. * 21:49 - Clean Juice shares a unique partnership with Burn Boot Camp, which also started near Charlotte, North Carolina. Both businesses care about health and wellness, and they regularly collaborate and share business ideas.
Since When Did Healthy Eating Become A Trend? * 23:55 - When did eating fruits and vegetables become a trend? They've always been good for our bodies, so it's hard to imagine healthy eating becoming a "one hit wonder." While it might not be realistic to only drink clean juices and smoothies, a fast or juice cleanse can work wonders for your body as you seek to create a healthy lifestyle and prevent various diseases.
Defining The New Vision. * 32:41 - In Charlotte, there's tremendous income gap between underprivileged and wealthier families. Certain families don't have access to healthy foods, and Clean Juice wants to shift that paradigm. The new foundation will work to create opportunities for kids in schools to eat healthy at home.
Getting To Know Our Guest: * 36:24 - Kat shares everything from her favorite acai bowl to what she's most grateful for today.
A Memorable Moment: "God always brings beauty from the ashes. We want an opportunity to share Jesus' love and show what an impact He's had on our lives and what he can do for others."
- Kat Eckles
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/04/03/business-purpose-podcast-kat-eckles-clean-juice/
Maybe you want to get into ethical fashion, but you're not sure where to start. Meet Amy Ann Cadwell, the Co-Founder and CEO of The Good Trade. The Good Trade is a digital media and lifestyle brand publication that covers sustainable fashion. Amy Ann joins us to tell her story and share with you how your purchases can truly work toward alleviating poverty and suffering for marginalized communities.
Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest. * 1:19 - Amy Ann Cadwell is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Good Trade. She founded The Good Trade in Los Angeles in 2014. It's a digital media and lifestyle brand publication that covers sustainable fashion and lifestyle.
The Amy Ann 101. * 2:45 - Amy Ann first pursued social change as an academic interest. She studied development economics and along the way became interested in micro-finance and entrepreneurship as sustainable solutions for poverty alleviation. As a result, she received her master's degree in social entrepreneurship. During this time, Amy Ann watched the Netflix documentary, The True Cost. It showed her the dark underbelly of fast fashion, and it convicted her to leverage her graduate work toward solving labor issues and promoting sustainability in the fashion industry. She subsequently founded The Good Trade in 2014.
The Power Of One. * 8:13 - You might be thinking, "I'm just one person. Does it really matter where I shop?" We need to combat that mentality because the truth is, you do have an impact on change. As consumers, we're collectively capable of making huge shifts in global, economic power, and it starts with one. As consumers, we must question the status quo and support companies that align with our values. Consider what you're bringing into your home.
Do Your Purchases Serve A Purpose? * 12:40 - No, we're not asking you to become a minimalist. However, we would encourage you think about whether you're purchasing with a purpose. We have a skewed idea of how many things we need in our lives to live comfortably, and our purchases can have detrimental impacts upon those who created those items. Ironically, the more stuff you have, the less satisfaction you'll probably receive out of a particular item.
Something To Write About. * 14:45 - Amy Ann always had a desire to write and create. She leveraged that interest for her passion for sustainable development. She and her husband started a blog about popular local businesses as a hobby while she was in graduate school. When she moved to Los Angeles, they sold the publication, and she decided to start over with a new digital publication centered around her work.
Transforming A Passion Project Into A Publication. * 20:00 - The Good Trade began as a side hustle. It was a full year before Amy Ann began thinking of it as a serious business, but she soon began seeing the momentum behind her content. She wanted to dedicate more attention to sustainable fashion, so she developed a studio of writers toward the cause as she and her husband built the organization.
How To Get Started. * 22:18 - If you've never read The Good Trade, take the baby step of subscribing to their newsletter. It's released daily, and it's a place to get some of The Good Trade's best content. The Good Trade covers everything from fashion and beauty to lifestyle and travel. It's become a community of women looking to make an impact.
A Lightbulb Moment. * 25:00 - Amy Ann was first convicted The True Cost. Now, as she receives reader feedback, she's constantly reminded of the millions of people who care on an individual level about sustainable fashion. She sees how individuals can join together as a collective and become a powerful impetus for change.
Getting To Know Our Guest: * 30:18 - We quiz Amy Ann on her unusual talents, spirit animals, and favorite cheesy songs. We'll also travel back in time for a visit with America's favorite roommates.
A Memorable Moment: As consumers we have a responsibility to question the status quo and support companies and lifestyle decisions that align with our own personal values."
- Amy Ann Cadwell
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/03/27/business-purpose-podcast-amy-ann-cadwell-good-trade/
At ten years old, most of us were exploring the outdoors, riding bikes, and maybe playing with dolls or legos. However, today's guest was busy growing his family's business; Perkins Orchard. Join us as we interview Donovan Alexander Watson about the importance of buying local, supporting local farmers, and connecting the community with farm fresh produce.
Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest. * 00:42 - Donovan Alexander "Alex" Watson is the owner and CEO of Perkins Orchard. It's a family business he took over when he was just ten years old. Perkins Orchard is that largest and oldest fruit stand in Durham, North Carolina. Alex transformed his grandfather's fruit stand into a full-fledged business. He's here to share his story.
The Alex 101. * 4:08 - Alex's grandfather started Perkins Orchard started as a roadside produce market in 1970. However, his grandfather also pastored the Apex First Baptist Church, and around 2004, he started a divinity school within the church. The fruit stand proved to be too much work, and Alex's grandfather had almost closed it down when Alex stepped in to run the business. At the time, Alex was 10 years old, and he handled everything from inventory and finances to customer service. Fast forward to 2013; Alex tore down the original fruit stand and expanded it to a three-acre operation.
Painting A Picture. * 6:34 - Perkins orchard sits just off of Barbee Road in South Durham, North Carolina. As you turn off the main road, a gravel driveway gives way to a sprawling three-acre outdoor market. They work with three hundred farmers in twelve states, and they're about to begin their 49th season in business.
Keeping Others In Business. * 9:50 - Perkins Orchard works to keep other family farms in business. Alex began writing checks to producers when he was 15, and as Perkins Orchard expanded, their producers were able to buy more land, grow more crops, and provide for their families. Many of these farmers are local to North Carolina. They also contract with Chiquita, Del Monte, Welch's, and Sunkist. Their goal is to support local farmers while also providing customers with produce that isn't native to our state.
The Perkins Orchard Story. * 14:48 - Alex's grandfather started Perkins Orchard 49 years ago. At the time, there were several neighbors who operated various produce stands off of Barbee Road. It was a suburban area of Durham, and many folks sold produce out of their front yards. Perkins Orchard started with just a couple of tomato boxes. It was never meant to be more than a hobby. It was a respite from the stress that came with being a pastor, and Alex was blessed to transform it into a business.
Hitting The Road. * 22:32 - In addition to running the business, Alex is constantly on the road picking up produce. Many of the pickups happen in Raleigh, but you'll often hear of Alex hitting the road for South Carolina or Florida to bring in fresh produce. He says the thrill of waking up before dawn to meet his farmers runs in his blood.
Lessons From The Orchard. * 25:18 - Alex finds there's a certain camaraderie in his relationships. He relies on his farmers to take care of his customers and provide them with a high-quality product.
Connecting With The Community. * 33:30 - Alex makes it his mission to impact the community with his business. He seeks to educate people on why it's important to buy locally, he partners directly with farmers, and he makes it his goal to provide produce that's superior to other grocery store products. Perkins Orchard even hosts other local vendors and tries to connect with the community via community events. One year, he made artificial snow and invited the community to come out for hot chocolate and football. He says it's his way of building relationships with others.
A Fun Fact About Alex. * 39:00 - He dreams about becoming a meteorologist. He shares his passion for tracking snow as well as his high school hobby of sending out weather reports.
The Vision For Perkins Orchard. * 40:26 - Alex is currently immersed in several small projects including expanding the parking lot for customers and adding plum trees by the business' 50th season. His long-term goal is to open a brick-and-mortar farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Durham that features local meats and produce.
Getting To Know Our Guest: * 42:23 - Alex shares his little-known love for Katy Perry, and unpacks how he might survive solely off of watermelon from his fruit stand. He expresses his desire to glean wisdom from former President Barack Obama.
A Memorable Moment: "I'm grateful for the life I've been brought up in, for the family who has raised me, and for the resources I've been provided with in life to create my own path."
- Donovan Alexander Watson
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/03/20/business-purpose-podcast-donovan-alexander-watson-perkins-orchard/
We often contemplate the origins of our clothes and shoes, but purchasing with purpose even includes notepads, sticky notes, pens, and paper. Jillian Ryan is the founder of the Marie Mae Company. She joins us to discuss the tremendous social impact you can have by purchasing items as simple as office supplies.
Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest. * 00:54 - Jillian Ryan is the Founder and Creator of the Marie Mae Company. Her company provides invaluable business training for entrepreneurs around the world. By purchasing Marie Mae's office supply products, you're contributing to the education of students at the Marie Mae Business School.
The Jillian 101. * 8:30 - Jane grew up in Texas where she graduated from Texas A&M. She ended up working in Washington D.C. for ten years with an international business consulting firm. She was a political risk consultant, and she helped businesses overseas to navigate the nuances and risks associated with business in an emerging market.
A Change In Direction. * 9:46 - While helping big businesses operate in Africa, she witnessed these enterprises wanting work with small, local businesses, only to reach a dead end as local entrepreneurs lacked the necessary skills and resources to partner together. She decided to discover the means and training necessary to run a business in rural Africa. It started as a side project, and her goal was to provide a business bootcamp for local entrepreneurs. However, she needed funding, and selling office supplies was a way to pay for the project.
How Marie Mae Works. * 12:00 - Basically, for each product you buy, Marie Mae provides one hour of training for a local entrepreneur. It started as a side project, and quickly grew into a full-scale operation.
A Big Break. * 13:52 - The next year FabFitFun approached Jillian about providing them with 250,000 boxes of stationary. Suddenly, Jillian was scrambling to figure out how to scale her business.
What Does Marie Mae Sell? * 18:04 - Their main focus is practical and professional gifts. They produce notebooks, stationary, and artisan-made goods, and they work a lot with corporate businesses, and of course, their products are ethically-sourced. Marie Mae even has their own quarterly subscription box.
How Does The Training Work? * 21:20 - Jillian worked with so many high-powered bankers, lawyers, etc...and so many of them wanted to volunteer. Jillian wanted to provide local entrepreneurs in Africa with business training, and she saw an opportunity to enable her corporate partners to share their expertise. Thus was born the Marie Mae Business School, and business professionals train entrepreneurs with the skills needed to run a successful business.
Humble Beginnings. * 30:04 - Jillian reflects on the early days of Marie Mae and shares strategies and products that just didn't work. Oddly enough, some of her flops turned out to be best-sellers later. Remember, business is about perseverance.
Practical Lessons. * 41:30 - Jillian seeks to equip her entrepreneurs with practical skills. General business concepts will only take you so far, so Marie Mae seeks to contextualize their lessons for their audience. Jillian shares how she was able to train a sewing cooperative in Rwanda.
Getting To Know Our Guest: * 45:05 - Jillian shares her desire to learn Spanish and travel through space to the fantastical locations featured in Interstellar.
A Memorable Moment: "It's the power of perseverance. It's one of the things I try to drive home. People might be smarter than you. People might have come from a better background, but you can always win in a perseverance game."
- Jillian Ryan
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/03/13/business-purpose-podcast-jillian-ryan-marie-mae-company/
Charity doesn't end poverty. Jobs do. Resources and money give you freedom; the give you dignity. Charity is important, but work is empowering. Jane Mosbacher Morris joins us to discuss how job access could end global poverty.
Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest. * 1:22 - Jane Mosbacher Morris is Founder and CEO of TO THE MARKET. She's also the author of the newly released book, Buy The Change You Want To See. TO THE MARKET connects consumers and businesses to ethically made products from around the world. It partners with businesses that offer a safe work environment for women who have been exploited in the sex trade or who are vulnerable to human trafficking.
The Jane 101. * 3:29 - Jane shares her belief that every person has a purpose as well as her passion for promoting the dignity of work. Her career started in the U.S. Department Of State, and she spent a lot of time around people who lacked control over their own destiny. She wanted to create opportunity for these individuals, and she discusses how the private sector was the best way to do that.
Looking For Opportunities. * 7:00 -Working for the Department Of State and the McCain Institute provided Jane with several unique glimpses into life in the developing world. She found opportunities to create value in the market.
Starting TO THE MARKET. * 12:06 - The vision was to connect talented makers around the world who are overlooked and vulnerable with consumers fueled by tremendous buying power. Jane shares the beginnings and discusses how TO THE MARKET built supply chains with organizations that employed individuals in an ethical way. She wanted to change the manufacturing paradigm.
Money Leads To Choices. * 16:01 - It's not about becoming rich. Money is simply a tool, but it allows you to achieve financial freedom, and it can lends itself to creating resources. Financial aid clearly plays an important role in global development. However, once people's basic needs are met, people prefer to have the ability to earn their own way. When you're constantly receiving, you don't really have the ability to make your own choices.
Growth Is Slow. * 20:23 - There's been a lot of talk surrounding the need to purchase ethically, but behavioral change takes time. Jane shares how she discovered the importance of continuing to pursue people who say they want to shift their buying habits.
Highlighting Jane's New Book. * 25:46 - Buy The Change You Want To See debuted at the end of January. It promotes the idea that as buyers, we have purchasing power. If we harness that purchasing power, we can positively impact the lives of others.
How Your Purchases Impact Others. * 28:20 - We discuss how our purchasing power can affect the lives of trafficking survivors and others living in poverty. Customer loyalty has kept Mom and Pop shops open for years. If you commit to buying locally, and supporting these businesses, your purchases enable business owners to stay open, generate revenue, and impact the lives of others with their hires .
Getting To Know Our Guest: * 33:24 - We take a moment to get to know Jane and discover her go-to song at a Karaoke night. She'll also share her memories of watching America's favorite family as a kid.
A Memorable Moment: "These amazing men and women don't want charity. The want opportunity. They want access to resources. They want money, so that they can make their own choices for their family."
-Molly Stillman
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/03/06/business-purpose-podcast-jane-mosbacher-morris-to-the-market/
The Marie Kondo craze has swept the nation with her new show on Netflix, Tidying Up With Marie Kondo. A good purge can be cathartic, but what will become of your things that don't "spark joy?" Give your clean-up a purpose, and consider how you'll develop new habits amidst your clutter-free lifestyle.
Things You Don't Want To Miss: Who Is Marie Kondo? * 00:00 - Okay, most of you are familiar with Marie Kondo. Perhaps you've even tried tidying up, but in case you've missed the craze, Marie Kondo is a Japanese organizational consultant. She's got her own show on Netflix, and she helps people to declutter their homes while sparking joy in their lives along the way. She wrote a New York Times Best Seller, and she's even appeared on Ellen.
A Few Statistics On Your Clothes. * 2:23 -According to the EPA, Greenpeace, The New York Times, and a few other resources, more than 15 million tons of used textile waste is generated each year in the United States. In other words, we throw away a lot of clothes in this country. However, only 2.62 million tons were recycled, and 3.14 million tons were combusted for energy recovery. The rest was shipped off to the landfill. An even crazier statistic, the average American throws away approximately 80 pounds of used clothes each year. Synthetic clothing takes multiple lifetimes to decompose, but you could reduce your carbon footprint by recycling your clothes.
We Need To Steward Our Resources. * 4:55 -Look, I'm not your average John Lennon hippie of the tree hugging variety, but I believe it's important to take care of our planet. As a Christian, I believe we need to cherish the things God has given us. He's directed us to steward our time, our wealth, and our resources.
When Your Clothes Don't Spark Joy... * 6:04 - The KonMari method would have us dispose of any clothes that don't spark joy in our lives, but this generates a problem. Of course it's a good idea to tidy up your home, but you need to consider where you're tossing your undesirables. Statistics show ninety percent of the time, you're tossing your clothes in the trash or shipping them off to Goodwill. After that, it's "out of sight, out of mind," and all the while, thrift shops and landfills are beginning to overflow. Instead of haphazardly dumping our old Beanie Babies and grandma's scratchy old sweater, we should carefully consider how we choose to retire those items.
What Should We Do With Our Stuff? * 7:28 - We've broken your stuff down into a few categories. Let's start with your clothes. I'm of the opinion when you toss your old clothes, you shouldn't immediately head out to the thrift shop. If an item is still in decent condition, sell it, or consign it first. Use services like thredUP, Poshmark, Relovv, And We Evolve, Schoola, and SilkRoll. You could also check out local buy-sell pages on websites like Facebook. People who buy your clothes will value them more, and they will give your clothing a longer lifespan. In other words, selling your clothes helps them to avoid rotting in a dump somewhere.
Your Donations Are Being Dumped. * 10:05 - In 2017, I went on my third trip to Kenya, and I got to visit the Dandora Dump. It's the largest landfill in East Africa, and it's basically a sea of waste. In that waste site, there were hundreds if not thousands of people scavenging. It's a well-known fact the majority of the clothing we "donate" gets shipped off to developing countries, and these countries get overwhelmed. There's nothing wrong with donating your clothes, but it's far more effective to try to sell them first.
Donate With A Purpose. * 12:02 - If you can't sell your clothes, donate them to a specific organization that can use your clothes. These organizations can make sure your items don't go to waste.
What To Do When You Can't Sell Or Donate. * 14:24 - If you have items you can't sell or donate, recycle them. Almost one hundred percent of textiles can be recycled. Turn your old t-shirts into quilts, dish rags, car-washing rags, napkins, and other useful items. Take your textiles to the textile recycling center. Yes, those exist. Here in Durham, you can drop your old clothes off at drop centers around town.
What To Do With Old Furniture And Home Goods. * 15:51- Of course, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are great options for your old furniture. However, Habitat For Humanity is a great, overlooked resource. In several cities, they even have a store where they will resell your items. There's also an online shop called Chairish where you can buy and sell used pieces. Even if your furniture no longer sparks joy for you, it could spark joy for someone else.
Paper Is Recyclable. * 17:53 - Obviously, any type of old paper is recyclable. Don't throw it in the trash. Recycle it. Donate your old books to local schools and libraries, and if you have memorabilia, you might be able to donate it to a local museum. There's even an option for your random stuff. In Durham, we have a shop called The Scrap Exchange. They'll put your old knick knacks to good use.
Change Your Habits. * 20:35 - Once you've finally disposed of your old stuff, change your buying habits. Don't just purge for the sake of purging. Otherwise, you'll accumulate more stuff. When you consider buying something, ask yourself whether it's really worth the purchase. This might sound like a simple thought process, but it's an important one. Don't leave Target wondering where your $100 went. Rid yourself of impulse purchases, and steward your resources. Be intentional about your purchases, and you will begin to spark joy in your life.
A Memorable Moment: "As a Christian, I feel a very strong calling to be a good steward of the thing God has given us, and if God has given us this planet to take care of, then we need to be good stewards of those resources." - Molly Stillman
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link:https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/02/27/business-purpose-podcast-what-to-do-with-things-dont-spark-joy/
The Fair Trade Federation is an association that works to elevate and strengthen fair trade partners in the United States and Canada. It's a key partner in the global fair trade movement. On this edition of the podcast, we catch up with the organization's executive director, Chris Solt.
Things You Don't Want To Miss: Come To The Fair Trade Federation Conference! * 1:20 - I'm going to be speaking at the Fair Trade Federation Conference in Austin, Texas in March. If you live in the area, you need to come check it out. There will be all sorts of speakers, fair trade organizations showing their wares, breakout sessions, and much more. For more information, visit fairtradefederation.org.
The Chris 101. * 3:45 -Chris takes us all the way back to the beginning and shares the story of his upbringing in Vermont and Ohio. Chris' father was a band director, and he grew up learning to play the drums, bass, guitar, piano, and many other instruments. He was even in a band, and he just knew he'd become a musician. He chose to skip college and become a recording engineer while working in Border's in Cleveland. In 1999, Chris became a father and attended college. His degree in Social Science landed him in a Ten Thousand Villages store, and it ultimately changed his path completely.
Following A Different Path. * 8:04 -Chris took a job with a company called Ten Thousand Villages. It's a nonprofit that markets fair trade artisan products to alleviate poverty around the world. While there, Chris learned how commerce and retail could be leveraged to impact lives and boost local economies.
Becoming The Executive Director At The Fair Trade Federation. * 10:58 - A friend connected with Chris and led him down the path toward working with the Fair Trade Federation where he now serves as their executive director.
How Do We Find Our Calling? * 12:38 - Maybe you grew up wanting to be a teacher or a doctor, so you went to school and turned your passions into a profession. However, maybe your path hasn't been as clear. Chris shares how his life experiences in his twenties led him toward his calling later in life.
What Is The Fair Trade Federation? * 14:10 - The fair trade industry consists of more than coffee, tea, and chocolate. There are all sorts of businesses involved, and the Fair Trade Federation is a trade association that seeks to strengthen and promote these organizations. Their mission is to build equitable and sustainable trading partnerships and create opportunities to alleviate poverty. The Fair Trade Federation works with all sorts of wholesalers, retailers, nonprofits, and faith communities. These organizations seek to promote justice and provide opportunities for laborers all over the world to find dignity in their work while sustaining their livelihood.
How The Fair Trade Federation Operates. * 19:50 - The federation operates under principles of transparency and accountability for the purposes of creating opportunities, promoting fair trade, ensuring fair wages, and developing safe working conditions for laborers. They also fight for the rights of children, cultivate environmental stewardship and respect cultural identity. These seem like high standards, but the organization seeks to guarantee the products being sold by federation members haven't come at the cost of someone's health or dignity. The Fair Trade Federation wants its members to put fair trade in the very DNA of how they operate.
How The Fair Trade Federation Operates. * 23:50 - The Fair Trade Federation works with all sorts of marginalized communities. They want to alleviate poverty and suffering, and they want to be a resource for those trapped in modern-day slavery.
A Story From Nepal. * 26:16 - Chris shares the story of a trip to India and Nepal in 2008. While there he partnered alongside an organization called New Sadle which works exclusively with victims of leprosy. These victims are seen as outcasts in their villages and are even considered to be cursed.
Consider Your Purchases. * 27:08 - Walk through Walmart and consider a $1.99 t-shirt. While that graphic tee might be harmless to you, there's a real possibility it was put together by an indentured servant on the other side of the world. We must consider where our money is going.
Chris Explains The Difference Between The Fair Trade Federation And The World Fair Trade Organization. * 30:30 - In short, the Fair Trade Federation is based in the United States in Canada while the World Fair Trade Organization is worldwide.
A Difficult Question. * 34:49 - Can something be ethical and not be fair trade? While this is a challenging concept to consider, the answer is absolutely. The Fair Trade Federation sets a high bar for its retailers, and not every well-meaning company qualifies. The fair trade movement is a spectrum, and while the term "fair trade" can get nebulous, any movement toward becoming fair trade is to be applauded. The simple step of adding transparency to a business can change lives.
Fair Trade Is A Learning Process. * 41:22 - You don't change the world overnight, and you don't change your behavior overnight. It takes time to educate yourself about what it means to support fair trade and ethically made goods. It's easy to be discouraged, but take heart. The small steps you're taking really do impact lives.
Chris Shares More Details About The Fair Trade Federation Conference. * 45:57 - This conference runs March 26-28th in Austin Texas. It's the 25th anniversary of the federation. While it's a professional conference, it's a great opportunity to learn about the fair trade industry, and the expo portion of the conference is open to the public.
Getting To Know Our Guest: * 52:20 - We take a moment to get to know Chris a little bit better by quizzing him on his favorite tv shows, meals, and guilty pleasures.
A Memorable Moment: "When it began to click for me, I realized there is no piece of jewelry, there is no pair of shoes, there is no t- shirt that is worth someone else's life being treated as not worthy just so I can buy that item." - Molly Stillman
To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/02/20/business-purpose-podcast-chris-solt-fair-trade-federation/
I do not have a green thumb. The past few years, I’ve tried to start a garden in my backyard and it almost always ends up overrun with weeds, or one year all of my cucumbers ended up just eating everything else in my garden. I had no less than 50 cucumbers that year, and then the next year I wasn’t able to grow anything, then the next year I tried to grow things with plants, and maybe had a couple of jalapeños. But for the most part, every year, my garden has turned into a big flop. I really wish I could garden, I really want to learn how to garden. So, this year we’re going to try again, we’re going to do some raised beds, planted some fruit trees, got some blueberry bushes that maybe will give us some blueberries. We’ve got a blackberry bush, we’re trying. My guest today, took the idea of a garden in her backyard, and decided she no longer wanted to just feed her family, she wanted to feed her entire community on the south side of Chicago. What was once a small idea that she had, is now a full fledged dream that she is pursuing. FOLLOWING OPEN DOORS After the death of Natasha’s sister, she learned not to take life for granted. She started to explore areas where she could use her passions to serve other people and boy did her idea explode. Molly and Natasha discuss the miracles that happen when you follow open doors. Her community garden has not only opened doors in her own life, but opened the doors of people in the community, allowing them to come together, get to know one another, and support each other in times of need and celebration. STARTING A COMMUNITY GARDEN From starting a small community garden, to collaborating with other non-profits in Chicago to buy a plot of land that has sustained much of the community, Natasha’s vision has grown beyond what she imagined. Their unique design allows for the community to come together and request certain foods, sparking an interest that they’re hoping will lead to classes, teaching others how to grow and sustain their own food. About Natasha Nicholes, Founder of House of Nicholes: Natasha C. Nicholes is a serious maker. To be a serious maker, you need the ability to see things not as they are but as what they can be. Not only that, you need the skills to make that vision into reality. That is Natasha’s super power. Where others saw an abandoned lot on the Southside of Chicago, Natasha saw a community garden overflowing with greens, fresh food for her neighbors, and chickens. Because of Natasha’s community leadership and hard work, the We Sow We Grow Community Garden allied with local stores, won features on the Harry show and in the Chicago Tribune, and was a 2017 Iris Award Nominee for the Best Philanthropic Work of the Year. Not only does Natasha grow food, she grows humans. She made four bold and brilliant children with her husband – and even made two of them at the same time. She even homeschools. But when she was researching online to find families like hers, she didn’t find any voices of African Americans represented. So of course, she created her own space at www.housefulofnicholes.com. Through her blog, Natasha forged partnerships with companies and organizations such as Kia,Samsung, General Mills, Dream Kids, and Habitat for Humanity. She spoke at conferences such as Blogalicious,BlogHer, National Box Tops University, and various Illinois Farm Bureau summits. She is the Travel Editor at Mom 2.0 Summit and was a cast member for the Chicago 2017 Listen to Your Mother Show. And if that isn’t enough, there’s more. Sewing. Knitting. Canning. Preserving. Building. Growing. Sowing. Natasha can do all these things. She is a serious maker. CONNECT WITH NATASHA
- Website: www.housefulofnicholes.com
- Facebook: House of Nicholes
- Instagram: @houseofnicholes
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Let’s pretend for a second that you have a dream of starting an ethical fashion brand. You want to start this brand, you know the designs in your head, you have a clear vision for it, but you have no idea where to start when it comes to the manufacturing component. You look online, you do some Google searches, and you find factories literally all over the world, and you have no idea if they’re ethical or not, you have no idea what these factories might look like, you have no idea what the process is like. What if there was a way to make it easier for people want to manufacture their clothes ethically? What if there was a way that you could know for sure that these factories are vetted, they’re legit, they’re clean, they’re ethical, workers are working in clean, and safe conditions. What if there was a way you could have all of that taken care of you. My guest this week is Jessica Kelly, the founder of Thr3efold. It is a platform to help you build your ethical, and sustainable fashion brand. EXPERIENCING SYSTEMIC POVERTY After years working in the corporate fashion industry, a mission trip to Africa opened Jessica’s eyes to the way that populations around the world were struggling. She knew she had to do something, and wanted to use her passion for the clothing industry to make a difference. After must trial and error, she realized the great need for a company like Thr3efold. BRANDS MAKING A DIFFERENCE Jessica was on a mission to make a difference. Upon visiting India, and some of the largest clothing manufacturers in the area, many of her stereotypes about mass production were challenged. Molly and Jessica discuss the ways that major clothing retailers like H&M and Target are actually making great strides to change the standards of production. SOURCING ETHICAL MANUFACTURING Jessica discusses the mission of Thr3efold, providing ethical sourcing and manufacturing options for new brands, with hopes to change the industry standard and even provide alternative options for well-established brands. Their online community provides great support to entrepreneurs in need of relationship, which Jessica shares is one of the most important necessities she’s found in owning her own business. About Jessica Kelly, Founder & President of Thr3efold; Jessica cut her teeth in fashion by paying her dues in PR, schlepping 50 pound gowns across Manhattan to Condé Nast and working backstage at NYFW for top brands like Alexander Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Tory Burch and Tommy Hilfiger. As her career grew, she worked with over 300 brands on a daily basis preparing them for wholesale market, and she began to understand how the overarching industry worked and the many pain points all brands face. It was around this time that she went on a life changing trip to Africa where she encountered severe social injustice but simultaneously the power of sustainable employment and knew she had to start a business that provided that opportunity to people in need around the world. After much brainstorming and an extensive research and development trip to India it became clear what was needed was an easier way for fashion brands to find the trustworthy, ethical factories in order to increase supply chain standards, improve transparency, and positively impact people and planet around the world. CONNECT WITH SOMYA
- Facebook: Thr3efold
- Pinterest: Thr3efold
- Instagram: @thr3efold
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Our lives are filled with defining moments. Tragedy shakes us, suffering changes us, but it’s how we take tragedy, and how we learn from suffering that determines the next phase or trajectory of our lives. We can choose to use that suffering as an excuse, and become bitter, and disheartened, and withdraw from the world, or we can use it to grow. We can use it to make ourselves better, to make others better, to leave our communities and families better than we found them. My guest today, at the age of 26, nearly died from someone trying to kill her. She could’ve used that experience and let it defeat her, but instead she used it as fuel to impact the next generation for good. A CULTURE OF COMPETITIVENESS Somya and Molly dive right in and discuss how our current culture is one of competitiveness. They discuss various events in history, politics, and religion which have contributed to the society we live in now, one that starts even at the very bottom, educating our children through an elitist system, to the very top, displaying competitiveness in governments around the globe. BREAKING THE CYCLE Molly shares how even on her visit to a local restaurant, she always makes a point to acknowledge and get to know every person she comes in contact with. The two discuss how the simple act of being kind, having conversations (even the awkward ones), can lead to change. Somya share her belief that all human beings just want to be seen, and understood, and if we can all work together to address and relieve each others fears, the world could be headed for a much brighter future. IMPACTING THE NEXT GENERATION Somya’s life passion is education children in a way that will change the world. Her many initiatives surrounding youth education are structured to disrupt the current education system, by providing new research, and facts countercultural to what most children are reading in their history books. Her dream is to see children achieve the same level and quality education no matter where they are born, or what economic bracket they fall under. Influencing what and how children learn from a young age has the power to change our economy, our ecosystem, our society, and the world. About Somya Munjal, Founder & President of Youthful Savings, CPA for the People, and Audacious Endeavours; Somya Munjal is a social entrepreneur whose work focuses on youth education and economic empowerment. As an advocate for the creation of a fair economy based on conscious transacting, education reform and resource redistribution, Somya believes that poverty can be eradicated through equal opportunity and economic and entrepreneurial education. To contribute to the alleviation of these issues, each of Somya’s social enterprises provide economic education, financial planning and resources to build socially conscious businesses. By empowering people in these ways, each project also fosters fiscal and monetary policy reform. Somya is the Co-Founder of Youthful Savings, Managing Partner of CPA for the People, LLP and the Creative Director of Audacious Endeavors. She is also the author of the newly released book, Audacious Endeavors: 8 Steps to Social Consciousness that will Spark Your Inner Fire (Third Edition). She is a member of solution-based, action-oriented organizations dedicated to resolving socio-economic issues, such as the Los Angeles World Affairs Council and the Southern California Mediation Association. Somya is a Certified Public Accountant, FINRA Licensed Financial Advisor, and is Certified in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Mediation, Arbitration and Negotiation. CONNECT WITH SOMYA
- Facebook: Audacious Endeavors Book
- Twitter: Somya Munjal
- Twitter: Learning Marketplace
- Facebook: Youthful Savings
- YouTube: Youthful Savings
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There is a cliche saying that says, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” I know we hear it all the time, but really, have you ever thought about the priceless value of an image? I don’t like to think that I have regrets in life, but there is one regret that I have. To be honest with you, it sticks me with every day, and that is that I have very few photos of my mother and I together, in my teenage years. I have looked and looked, and there are little to no picture of just my mother and I in the few years before she died, and I hate that. It’s one of the reasons that I take so many pictures of my kids and it’s one of the reasons that I say, “sorry, not sorry,” when I ask people to take pictures of me and my kids together. Pictures are so valuable when you’ve lost someone that you love, because it’s the only physical thing that you have to remember them by, where you can see them, and feel the emotion behind that image. Today’s guest realized the value of an image in the most unimaginable way possible. THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE OF SKYLAR Ashley shares the inspiration behind the start of Love Not Lost, the life of her daughter Skylar. At around 2 months, Skylar was diagnosed with SMA, a disease that she was told would take her daughter’s life before the age of 1 year old. Thanks to an SMA researcher, the Jones’ family had 21 months with their daughter. After her passing, photographs were what helped Ashley through the grieving process, and so she wanted to provide that same resource for those approaching the loss of a loved one. CAPTURING THE LIVES OF OTHERS Love Not Lost was brought to life on November 19, 2015, what would’ve been Skylar’s 4th Birthday. Ashley asked her friends and family to come together support her vision for providing photography to families approaching a loss, so that they’d have memories to cherish long after their loved one had passed. LOVING OTHERS DURING HARD TIMES Molly and Ashley discuss how difficult it can be to approach a friend or family member who has lost a loved one, and what you can do to love them where they are. Love Not Lost provides incredible resources for those looking to support their loved ones through hard times. About Ashley Jones Founder of Love Not Lost; After losing her daughter to a terminal condition, Ashley developed a new perspective on success, life, and love. Her passion for helping others, her photography skills, and her own personal experience through grief and loss, led her to create Love Not Lost. The driving question she asks daily is "How can we love people better?" She is constantly working on new initiatives and resources for Love Not Lost to answer that question as well as loving her husband, family, friends, and community better in her personal life. She loves speaking to companies, conferences, and groups about grief, love, and making the most of the time we have. CONNECT WITH ASHLEY
- Website: https://lovenotlost.org/
- Instagram: @lovenotlostorg
- Facebook: Love Not Lost Org
- email: ashley@lovenotlost.org
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If I’m being honest, I don’t even know how to introduce today’s episode. Back in the Fall, my husband and I had the opportunity to screen a documentary called Letter from Masanjia, and I’ll get into the details of the documentary, and we’ll be talking about it throughout this episode. But, after I saw that documentary, it affected me in ways I can’t even begin to explain. I knew that I wanted to have the producer of that documentary on this episode, and so I reached out to him, and I asked him to come on the show, and he obliged. Today’s episode is tough. It is engaging, challenging, emotional, it’s raw, but my prayer is that it will impact you. My guest is Leon Lee, the founder of Flying Cloud Productions and producer of the documentary, Letter from Masanjia. BECOMING A SELF-TAUGHT DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER Leon’s first documentary, Human Harvest, was inspired by the accusations of Chinese Organ Harvesting, not too far from his hometown in China. Alongside a team of Canadian researchers, he took 8 years to create the film. It has now been viewed by millions, broadcast in more than 25 countries, and received the 74th Annual Peabody Award for Documentary. THE GLOBAL IMPACT OF LEON’S FILMS While creating the films were not easy, took years of research, and faced much opposition, Leon pressed on for all those affected by the tragedies he was documenting. After the release of his first film, governments around the world began to recognize the serious implications of China’s organ harvesting, even banning certain travelers from traveling to China for organ implantation. LETTER FROM MASANJIA In 2012, an Oregon woman found a cry for help in her K-mart box from a man held prisoner and tortured in Chinese labor camps. Through Leon’s connections, he was able to find the man, Sun Yi, and expose the horrific acts still happening in China today. About Leon Lee, Flying Cloud Productions; Award-winning Canadian filmmaker Leon Lee founded Flying Cloud Productions to share intriguing stories about modern-day China that help shine a light on human rights issues. Their debut film Human Harvest, a documentary about China’s illegal organ trade, was broadcast in over 25 countries and was the recipient of numerous accolades including the illustrious Peabody Award. Their recent feature documentary Letter from Masanjia premiered at Hot Docs 2018 and is currently playing in theatres and scooping awards at festivals worldwide. Their aim is to create an impact by bringing true stories to life in unforgettable ways, sparking vital discussion on topics of international importance. CONNECT WITH LEON LEE
- Website: http://flyingcloud.ca
- Watch Letter from Masanjia: https://www.letterfrommasanjia.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/flyingcloudprod
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flyingcloudproductions/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCssAXAQ9lZYSX8htVgi5lPg
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Spotify * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
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The average american woman is a size 14/16. I’m a size 14, so I’m pretty average, but I will say that ever since having kids, I have noticed how much the fashion industry does not cater to average women like me, and women who are above a size 14. One of my biggest challenges as an ethical fashion advocate has been to find clothing that is ethically made and size inclusive. And I get it, ethical fashion businesses a lot of the times are small and they have to make smart business decisions and it’s hard to cater to everyone. But, let’s be honest, there are a lot of women who are being cut out of the ethical fashion industry because ethical fashion brands don’t make clothing that fits them, and fits them well. Last year, after so many of you and so much of my community on social media asked me over and over again, ‘Molly where can I find ethically made plus-sized clothing?’ I went on a hunt, and one of the amazing plus size ethical fashion brands that I found, happens to be my guest today. FROM SOCIAL WORKER TO FASHION ENTREPRENEUR Mary Alice spent the bulk of her adult career as a social worker in Philadelphia. It wasn’t until after she became a mother and began to progress in her career, that she realized she couldn’t find the clothing that she wanted, in her size. So, she started to sew her own clothing. After recognizing the real need in the fashion industry for ethically made clothing that fit all sizes, she decided to take a leap in growing sewing her own clothing into sewing clothing for others, which is how Alice Alexander was born. CREATING A BRAND FOR ALL WOMEN Mary Alice discusses her deep intentionality behind everything she creates at Alice Alexander. From the clothing itself to the content created using inclusive models, her brand truly stands for making everyone feel loved and included and it is evident through everything she does. Her goal is to create clothing that can seamlessly fit into any woman’s wardrobe. FINDING BODY POSITIVITY Molly and Mary Alice discuss finding body positivity, learning to love themselves, and what it looks like to create and raise a generation of women who value their bodies. Mary Alice found support in many online groups of women who were loving their bodies just the way they are, and Molly expresses her joy to show her own daughter how strong and loved she is.About Mary Alice Duff, Founder of Alice Alexander; Mary Alice Duff is owner of Alice Alexander, a size-inclusive, ethically-made women’s apparel startup based in Philadelphia with both an online and brick and mortar presence. Started in September 2017, Alice Alexander offers bold, yet accessible pieces to the modern-day woman in sustainable fabrics and inclusive sizes, ranging from 0-28. Prior to launching her own business, Mary Alice was a nonprofit executive and social worker with dual degrees in social work and law and social policy. Frustrated with the lack of high quality clothing in her size and growing increasingly aware of the negative environmental and human impacts the fashion industry was creating, Mary Alice started sewing her own clothes, consciously building a self-made wardrobe piece by piece. Realizing there was a business in her new sewing hobby, Duff enrolled in fashion design school at Philadelphia’s MADE Institute, where she balanced taking classes and working full-time. In May of 2017, Duff left a successful career in the nonprofit sector to launch Alice Alexander. In June 2018, with the crowdfunded launch of their second collection, Alice Alexander opened a brick and mortar location and combined production studio in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. To learn more visit us on the web, follow us on Instagram, check out our online store or stop by our location at 4056 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia PA. CONNECT WITH MARY ALICE
- Website: www.alicealexander.co
- Instagram: @alicealexanderco
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/alicealexanderco
- email: hello@alicealexander.co
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I love meeting people who see a need and they fill it. They see an area that they can specialize in or an area that is underserved in this world and they just do it. They don’t make excuses, they don’t come up with reasons why it won’t work, they just go for it. They find solutions, not excuses. They make a way instead of just saying that it can’t be done. My guest today saw a need to elevate the voices of social impact companies and decided to fill it. My guest this week is Kassia Binkowski, the founder of One K Creative, a full-service studio that works to tell a story for companies and social impact brands that have a social change component. A CIRCUITOUS ROUTE Kassia grew up in a huge and supportive family in the midwest. She had traveled a lot domestically as a child, but not much internationally. When she had the opportunity to travel to East Africa, her eyes were thrown wide open to the reality of poverty. This was her first exposure to social injustice on a personal, intimate level, and it led her to delving into the world of public health. Kassia wanted to look at the community systems and the social systems that were influencing health outcomes. She got her Master’s in Public Health and spent years working with the maternal a child health space. When she and her husband decided to move from Seattle, Washington (the Public Health mecca of the United States) to Boulder, Colorado (where they knew they wanted to be and raise a family, but a public health desert), Kassia knew she had to get creative. She was hired as a communications director for a non-profit that was doing education work in Guatemala. Kassia had never done communications and marketing on a professional level, but the non-profit trusted her cultural knowledge and background so much that the door opened for her. She loved the work she was doing! Kassia flourished and began getting inquiries from other organizations about her design work. She began to realize that there was space for a studio that exclusively focused on social impact organizations. THE VISION One K Creative was born as a result. One K Creative works with clients who have a social or environmental mission, regardless of whether they are for-profit, non-profit, social-responsibility, etc. It simply has to be a cause that their team cares about. One K Creative produces the content that drives these organization’s audiences towards action. While they started out primarily doing writing and graphic design, their services have now expanded to include photography and film. They originally were called One Thousand Design - a nod to the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Kassia always wanted to build a creative studio that was bigger than herself, and she has wildly succeeded. COMMUNITY BUILDING Maybe it is a photo or an audio-clip in an email. Maybe it is a film that gives you a glance at production in a completely different country. Finding connection--that is exactly what Kassia and One K Creative find so motivating. They seek to help audiences empathize with a cause whether or not they have had a direct connection to it. It is both a challenge and One K Creative’s storytelling sweet spot. About Kassia, founder of One K Creative: Kassia Binkowski grew up in Madison, WI and traveled her way around the world to Boulder, CO which she now calls home. Nestled against the Rocky Mountains, Kassia supports innovative organizations from Colorado to Kathmandu tell stories of social change. Kassia is an eternal optimist, backroad wanderer, and founder of One K Creative. CONNECT WITH KASSIA
- Website: http://onekcreative.com/
- Facebook: /onekcreative
- Instagram: @onekcreative
- Email: info@onethousanddesign.com
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Spotify * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
There is an ongoing refugee crisis in our country and in our world. Millions of men, women, and children are making the incredibly difficult and impossible journey to a country they don’t know, with a language they don’t speak, to seek refuge and a better life for themselves and their families. The stories are heartbreaking, yet there are glimmers of hope in the darkness. Often these families come and we think that they need our charity. But what they really need is an opportunity--a chance. Charity doesn’t change lives in families, business does. A job does. Sustainable employment does. My guest this week is Stephanie Giddens, founder of Vickery Trading Co.--a children’s clothing company with a bigger mission--to equip refugee women with long-term success through vocational training, personal development, and fair wages. This is an absolutely incredible conversation about a topic that I’m incredibly passionate about, and I know that you’re going to be encouraged. AN UNCONVENTIONAL PATH Stephanie graduated college with a community health degree and went on to get her master’s degree in theology. She now works for a fashion company. While this may not seem like your typical career path, the pieces fit perfectly together for Stephanie. Her fashion company is not like most, and she spends her days working with refugees--allowing her to draw on her community health knowledge. Vickery Trading Co. is a non-profit social business that equips refugee women for long-term success through vocational training, personal development, and fair wages. They hire refugee women, train them to sew at a professional level, and they produce clothing (mostly for little girls). This unique company spends an hour of each and every day assisting their partner refugees with personal development and cultural assimilation through English as a second-language, handwriting, and typing classes. This allows the refugees that they work with to become valuable, employable residents of the United States. SEWING AS AN OPPORTUNITY Stephanie decided to use sewing as a teachable skill and a tool to help these refugee women assimilate. It is a uniquely social skill in that it allows for community and relationship-building. These women are all sitting in a room together working and learning, which helps them build both trust and English skills. The company was built upon this foundation. In terms of product, Stephanie saw a lot of companies making jewelry and handbags, and not as many folks doing clothes--especially children’s clothes. Stephanie saw a hole in the social business arena for people who want to do good when dressing their children. From that point of choosing their niche, Vickery Trading Co. moved on to running focus groups for mothers, allowing the team to develop their product ideas even further. A HEART FOR HELPING Stephanie’s first experience with the refugee community came when she was dropping off a donation box and was invited into a woman’s home. The woman told her that what she needed and wanted the most was a stable job. While the culture gap can be challenging, Stephanie has long had a heart for helping refugees. She has found the refugee populations she works with to be incredibly hard-working and industrious--always wanting to do their absolute best to create a better life for themselves and their families. At our very cores, despite our differences, Stephanie believes that we are all similarly humans with the capacity to form relationships and love one another. About Stephanie Giddens, Founder & President of Vickery Trading Co.: In the summer of 2000, Stephanie met poverty face-to-face in the slums of Calcutta. She will never forget the eyes of children whose daily reality was far different from hers. She returned to the U.S. confused and guilt-ridden about the luxuries she had but never appreciated. In 2008, she took her first trip to East Africa. While wandering through a market in Kampala, Uganda, she bought a handmade paper necklace from a local artisan. In the artisan’s eyes, Stephanie saw something different than what she’d seen in Calcutta. The woman’s physical circumstances weren’t any better, but Stephanie’s purchasing her handiwork allowed dignity in a way that charity never could. In 2011, Stephanie helped to develop a project that partnered businesswomen in Dallas with like-minded women in Rwanda. She raised money for leadership training and microfinance lending to launch Rwandan businesses. Many thrived. Later in 2011, she was confronted and horrified by the proliferation of human exploitation, so she organized a panel to address human trafficking. Stephanie recognized again what she’d seen in Uganda – the unbelievable redemption and freedom that dignified work affords the human soul. In the last five years, she’s studied social business and learned how work empowers the vulnerable. Stephanie and her husband seriously looked for social business opportunities in East Africa. Their plans to move to Rwanda in the summer 2013 fell through at the last minute – heartbreaking to the two of them and many who supported them. They found themselves settling back into Dallas and though their plans changed, they knew they’d still been called to help. Their church began to engage refugees that lived in a neighborhood near their home called Vickery Meadows. Stephanie realized that she didn’t need a passport, or to live 8 time zones ahead to empower the vulnerable. She decided that if she couldn’t go to Rwanda, she would help women right there in Dallas. CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE
- Website: https://vickerytrading.org/
- Facebook: /vickerytradingcompany
- Instagram: @vickerytradingcompany
- Email: Vickery Trading Company
Special thanks to Cultivate What Matters for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Visit http://www.stillbeingmolly.com/cultivate to shop! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Spotify * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
It is episode #120 of the Business with Purpose Podcast: “How to Shop Ethically on a Budget.” A couple of episodes ago, actually at episode #110, I started introducing my solo episodes. Now every ten episodes, you get an episode with just me, on topics requested by you! So if you have a topic that you would like me to talk about, you can email me at molly@stillbeingmolly.com, you can find me on social media at Still Being Molly, or we have lots of awesome conversations in my Purchase with Purpose Facebook Group. By the way, if you are not already in that group, it is so much fun. We ask lots of great questions, there’s a lot of great discussion, and you get to give me feedback on podcast episodes like this one! Today I’ve got six tips for you on How to Shop Ethically on a Budget. I want to make this really easy, really quick, and really simple, because this is one of those things that I get asked about all the time. People say to me all the time, “Molly, shopping ethically is expensive, it’s too difficult!” and it doesn’t have to be. TIP #1: SHOP SECOND-HAND This is the most affordable and arguably the most ethical way to shop. Whether it’s thrifting, consigning, or shopping by sell pages--when you are shopping second-hand, what you are doing is you are actually purchasing clothing that is already in the “ecosystem,” so to speak. You are not further contributing to the demand for clothing to be produced, because you are buying clothing that already exists--it has already been purchased by somebody else, and it’s already out there. Also, a lot of great non-profits run thrift stores and consignment shops, so you might be supporting a local business--keeping money in your local economy--as well. Shopping second-hand is super, super ethical, and it’s also the most affordable, because when you’re buying something second-hand, you are not paying retail prices! This is a great way to purchase items you need, whether it’s clothing, shoes, accessories, or home decor. You can shop some of the more mainstream brands that you already know and love, and you’ll get a discount off of that retail price. Take a look at my favorite online and in-person resources below! My Favorite Online Resources
- ThredUp - A platform that allows you to browse through brands, sizes, styles, and categories.
- Poshmark - An app-based platform that allow you to search through brands, sizes, styles, and categories. You can buy directly from another person and even sell your own clothes!
- ReLove - A platform for shopping higher-end second-hand items.
- SilkRoll - A platform that operates similarly to a points-based system, where you send in designer items to earn points that allow you to shop for other designer items. This one costs no money other than their membership fee!
- And We Evolve - A second-hand style subscription box.
- Style For It - For my plus size ladies, this is a plus-size online resource!
- Facebook Marketplace - A great way to buy and sell used items in your local area.
- Facebook Buy/Sell Groups & Pages - Most areas have local buy/sell groups and pages on Facebook. Search for yours today!
My Favorite In-Person Resources
- Clothes Mentor
- Once Upon a Child
- Plato’s Closet
TIP #2: BUY LESS, BUT BUY BETTER The fashion industry has you convinced that you need to buy new clothes--every week, every month, all the time. That is not how life should really be! Back in the days of our parents and grandparents, the average American only had 15 to 20 items of clothing in their entire wardrobe. Now, these days, we go through that in a month! Buying less, but buying better will help to save you money in the long-term. Rather than going to a cheap, fast-fashion store like H&M, Forever 21, or Old Navy--where new clothes are coming out weekly, where they’re not as well-made, where they fall apart after a few washes and so you just end up having to replace them--save that money, and instead of buying an $8 shirt 12 times per year, spend $50 on one shirt that is going to last you much, much longer. Where you spent $96 through the year on clothing that just wound up falling apart, instead purchase one or two shirts that will last you several years. Some of my favorite brands that I purchase from produce clothing that lasts me for years, because of the intention and the quality of the product. When you buy less but buy better, you will save money in the long-run. It can be really hard to shift our mentality that way, but it is so important. TIP #3: SAVE This one may seem really simple, but so often we forget about saving. Yes, we save for retirement, we save for a home, we save for all these different things--but why not save for an investment piece that you really want and that you know is going to last you a long time? When you save up for an item, you value it more and you are less likely to go through the cycle of buying an item, using it once, and then tossing it! TIP #4: GET TO KNOW YOUR MORE AFFORDABLE ETHICAL BRANDS I know that some of the pricier brands are not in everybody’s budget, so I love to share my favorite affordable ethical brands!
- Elegantees - Elegantees makes the most amazing tops, dresses, skirts, and even men’s and children’s clothing! Use the code “STILLBEINGMOLLY” for 15% off and free shipping.
- Grace and Lace - Grace and Lace carries affordable, trendy, adorable, and ethically-made items that support orphanages in India. I love their jeans, sweaters, scarves, and boot cuffs! Look for their sales and BOGO deals.
- PACT - PACT is great for your basics like undies, undershirts, and socks. Their amazing, comfortable apparel is all-organic at an affordable price point. They also run amazing sales!
- The Flourish Market - The Flourish Market exists to empower women, not only abroad, but also here in the United States. They make sure to carry on-trend items at every price point, for women on different types of budgets. Use the code “STILLBEINGMOLLY” for free shipping!
- Primary - Primary makes brightly-colored, quality, well-made, affordable basics for kids. Kids can be kids in these clothes, and play without the worry of tears!
TIP #5: SHOP SALES July and after-Christmas are the best times to shop ethical brands, as they are transitioning seasons and having SALES. This is the time when they are really trying to clear out their inventory. The Flourish Market always runs a huge sale twice a year, once after Christmas and once in July, with thousands of items 50% off. Save that Christmas money and shop ethically on a budget while things are on sale! Pro Tip: Browse my ethical brand directory and use any applicable coupon codes (I update them regularly). If you are an ethical brand and would like to create a discount code for Still Being Molly, please reach out to me! TIP #6: IF ALL ELSE FAILS, ASK YOURSELF IF YOU ARE GOING TO WEAR THE ITEM 30 TIMES I call this the 30-Wears Rule. I never purchase an item unless I know that I am going to wear it 30 times. This helps to keep you accountable when you’re shopping, so you aren’t just shopping for the sake of shopping and impulse-purchasing. I hope this was helpful and would love to hear your feedback! CONNECT WITH ME
- Purchase with Purpose Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
- Still Being Molly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stillbeingmolly/
- Still Being Molly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stillbeingmolly/
Special thanks to Cultivate What Matters for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Visit http://www.stillbeingmolly.com/cultivate to shop! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Spotify * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole, that was said by photographer Roger Karris. Maybe you are, or aren’t a dog person. I’m a dog person. We have two dogs at home, Tater who is a pitbull cattle dog mix, and Audrey Hepburn who is a cavalier king charles spaniel. I will let you all figure out which one was my husbands when we got married. Whether or not you’re a dog person, there’s pretty much no denying that dogs hold a special place in our lives and in society. I remember when I was in high school, I got really sick and spent a few weeks in the hospital. The best day of the week was when the therapy dog came by. I never wanted those moments to end. Dogs can bring so much to a family, a person, a community. They protect, they nurture, they cuddle, they play, they heal, they are a gift. Our guest today, Marshall Morris, had a passion for helping dogs and humans, and found a way to have an impact on both. ON LEARNING TO BUILD A BUSINESS THAT GIVES BACK After his Army career, Marshall was seeking more purpose in his career. He found himself jumping from job to job, before everything fell into place. He soon found himself building businesses that surrounded that allowed him to combine his love for dogs, and his servant heart for veterans. The community spoke, and his business listened, ensuring that each product gave back to the communities they serve, as they continued to grow. iHeart Dogs not only donates toys to shelters, but gives back to provide veterans with services they may need. DEALING WITH PHASES IN BUSINESS Through scaling multiple businesses, Marshall has learned the various ways to get through hurdles in business. Whether you’re in a niche business, or gaining a community of family, Marshall walks through the ways to persevere in business, and learn from the feedback of your community. THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF PETS Marshall dives into the proven benefits of not only veterans having dogs, and pets in general, but as human beings the benefits that we reap interacting with dogs. Their emotional connection is proven through science but also in the way that human beings as a species cherish their pets as family. Every day new research is being done as to the real effects of war, but also the real treatments that could improve the quality of life of veterans. About Marshall Morris. Marshall is a serial internet entrepreneur and an Army Veteran who sold his first online company at the age of 28 for over 7 figures. Since then he has been actively involved in scaling profitable 7 and 8 figure internet based businesses that focus on high quality products and services that give back to humanity in a measurable way. His current company iHeartDogs.com has funded over 10 million meals to shelter dogs, donated over 140,000 toys to animals awaiting their forever homes in shelters and funded over $250,000 dollars to provide Veterans with service and companion animals. CONNECT WITH Marshall
- Website: iHeart Dogs
- Facebook: iHeart Dogs
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iheartdogscom/
Special thanks to Cultivate What Matters for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Visit http://www.stillbeingmolly.com/cultivate to shop! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Spotify * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
Were you ever one of those kids who always felt like your parents were forcing you to do something? Maybe your parents made you go to church or they made you take piano or they made you learn Spanish or whatever… it was something that was important to THEM and they, in turn, wanted it to be important to you, too. Maybe for years you did whatever it was begrudgingly… as a teenager you would kind of roll your eyes but you did it anyway… but then, suddenly, as an adult.. there’s that lightbulb moment where you realize that all those years of your parents encouraging you to do something all of a sudden becomes something that you care about and it becomes something you want to do on your own. Suddenly… no one is forcing you… you’re doing it because you care.
My guest this week is Jennifer Lunsford with Rahab’s Rope, a non-profit and jewelry brand that is giving hope to women and children who have been, or are at-risk of being, exploited by human trafficking. As you know, this is an issue that is near and dear to my heart, so I was really excited to have Jennifer on the show. GOD’S TIMING Jennifer first got involved with Rahab’s Rope through her mother. Jennifer had always been around missions, but after spending her childhood being dragged overseas and to church, she wanted to do her own thing and pave her own path in life. She got her bachelor’s degree in psychology and thought that was the route she was going to take. She got married to someone she had known for many years, and they had two children. When she decided she wanted to get her master’s degree in psychology, she choose start her first semester online. That was the time that she realized something was off. She realized psychology was not what she was supposed to do. Feeling empty and unfulfilled, she prayed for an answer to what exactly she was supposed to spend her life doing. It was at this time, that she asked her mother if there were any full-time positions with Rahab’s Rope. Incredibly, someone had just put in their two-week notice, that very day. The business was starting to grow and they needed more help. She never imagined that working with her family business would be her life’s calling, but she found it was exactly what God had been preparing her to do. A PRAYER, A PASTOR, AN ANSWER Rahab’s Rope began when Jennifer’s parents took a trip to India to visit some friends who had gone to India to work full-time at an orphanage. Jennifer’s mother had traveled the entire world but felt she was being called to India. Two years later, Jennifer’s mother and father planned another trip to India, this time to see what it would look like if she was involved in missions there. Jennifer came along this time, and her family met with an Indian pastor. They discovered that a woman from the red lights district had been praying with this pastor for help and for hope, and that Jennifer’s mother was the answer to those prayers. Jennifer’s family learned about the issues facing this community and realized that none of the women wanted a hand-out, they wanted somebody to teach them a trade. They, above all else, just wanted hope and opportunity. Her parents decided to do more than just fundraise. They elected to educate so that these women could go back to their community and make a positive change. THE BUSINESS MODEL: DUAL RUNGS Rahab’s Rope has grown so much over the years. They are a 501c3 non-profit, but they also sell gorgeous products--through retail sales, wholesale, and host parties. On one rung of the business, Rahab’s Rope combats human trafficking, and on the other side, they sell goods, which helps to provide economic empowerment for the women they work with. Rahab’s Rope has 5 women’s centers in India where their beautiful work takes place. In these centers, they provide basic education, vocational training, and even housing. It is in these centers that the products are crafted. Rahab’s Rope wants to teach these women a trade, but their goal is not to employ them indefinitely. They seek to provide the women with the tools and opportunities that they need to go back into their community and share hope. About Jennifer: Jennifer Lunsford is a native of Hall County and married Alex Lunsford a native of Habersham County. They have 2 sons, Forrester and Fletcher and reside in Clarkesville. Jennifer received her BA in Psychology from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Jennifer is a member of the Habersham Chamber of Commerce and the coordinator for the Chambers Young Professional Group, she is on the Board for Prevent Child Abuse Habersham and Co-President for the PTCO Clarkesville Elementary. Jennifer mother, Vicki Moore is the founder of Rahab’s Rope and Jennifer is the Director of Sales for Rahab’s Rope. She oversees the organizations sales for wholesale and host parties along with the stores. Jennifer has traveled to India to personally work with the women and children Rahab’s Rope serves. Connect with Rahab's Rope:
- Rahab’s Rope
- https://www.instagram.com/rahabsrope/
- https://www.facebook.com/rahabsropeindia/
Special thanks to Cultivate What Matters for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Visit http://www.stillbeingmolly.com/cultivate to shop! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Spotify * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
Did you know that there are literally hundreds, thousands of toxic chemicals that you are being exposed to on a daily basis? I really hate being the bearer of bad news, but in everything from air fresheners to cosmetics to bath and body products to cleaning products, there are so many chemicals we are exposing ourselves to, often without even knowing it. Our cleaning products are some of the worst offenders. From phthalates to triclosans to parabens and sulfates to ammonia and... words of chemicals I literally cannot pronounce. When we are exposed to these chemicals, they cause everything from hormone disruption to respiratory issues. They’re irritating to the skin, and at worst, they are cancer-causing. So many of these ingredients are unregulated and are causing incredible harm to people. My guest today saw this serious issue and wanted to do something about it herself. My guest this week is Michelle Smith, the founder and CEO of MamaSuds--an all-natural, safe, non-toxic, environmentally-conscious household cleaning products brand. I discovered MamaSuds this year and have personally fallen in love with their products. I knew I had to have Michelle come on the show so I could hear her story of how she started this phenomenal company. Hey, P.S. you can use the code SBM15 for 15% off your purchase from Mama Suds.
WHAT IS THIS MADE OF?
Michelle started her career as a teacher, but realized as she began having children that she wanted to do something else with her life (through she didn’t immediately know what). She did know that, despite not being very artistic, she always loved making new things. Then, one day during her pregnancy with her second daughter, she noticed a small bottle of baby soap lying on its side on the dresser. It had leaked. She went to wipe it off, and to her astonishment, the dresser’s finish came off with it. This sparked the question in her head: “What in the world is this made out of?” It was that question that changed her whole life.
MORE THAN A HOBBY
Michelle began doing research and realized that this “soap” she was using on her family, was not really soap at all. After much searching, she finally found an actual soap that she could use on her family safely. This new Castile soap could be used for so many different purposes--from bath time, to washing the bathroom, to washing the floors and walls. Michelle decided to make her own. She and her husband loved the first batch, and just kept on making it. From there, she began making laundry detergents, skincare products, cleaners, and more. Her husband suggested she try selling her goods, and they set up a site--starting a small hobby that grew into a full-fledged business that allowed her to leave her full-time job as a teacher.
A BIG SCARE
Things took a terrifying turn when Michelle received a phone call informing her that her husband had collapsed. When she joined him at the hospital, they learned a large mass had been discovered in his brain. The timing was even more terrifying considering she had just left her full-time teaching job. Amazingly, everything turned out wonderfully. The mass turned out not to be cancerous, and they count themselves to be extremely lucky. However, it was a huge wake-up call that she needed to make this business profitable so if anything ever did happen, they would be okay. Their health became their top priority, and her passion for her business was turned up a notch. She began networking, emailing, and teaching herself how to do everything necessary to run a business--turning it into the successful, sustainable company it is today.
About Michelle Smith, Founder & CEO of MamaSuds:
Researching and learning is at the core of Michelle's soul and after learning about the ingredients in products she used on her family and home, Michelle taught herself how to make liquid soap. This new addiction turned into formulating a laundry soap that would clean her daughter's cloth diapers. Friends, family, and co-workers enjoyed her soaps so much her husband built her a website and kept encouraging her to make it a business. Officially opening in January 2012, Michelle spent the next year and a half working full time as a teacher and making/selling her products in her spare time. After a life-altering health scare with her husband, who had a large brain tumor removed in August 2013, Michelle decided to stay home with her family and concentrate on MamaSuds; something that made her happy and fulfilled. This is when MamaSuds really started gaining traction. Michelle created lines of products that had simple ingredients that were safe and made from scratch in small batches. Today MamaSuds has been sold to customers in all 50 states, and over 9 countries.
CONNECT WITH MICHELLE
- Website: www.MamaSuds.com - use code SBM15 for 15% off
- Facebook: /mamasuds
- Twitter: @mamasuds
- Instagram: @mamasudsllc
- Email: info@MamaSuds.com
Special thanks to Cultivate What Matters for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Visit http://www.stillbeingmolly.com/cultivate to shop! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Spotify * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
Visit http://stillbeingmolly.com/giftguide to get all the shownotes and details on all the products and coupon codes mentioned in the episode!
Thank you to Cultivate What Matters for sponsoring this episode. Thank you to Emily Sexton of The Flourish Market for being my co-host!
When I open up an episode, my goal is to give you a personal connection--some type of fact or interesting tidbit--that is kind of a general statement, but is loosely or directly related to the upcoming conversation. But this week, as I sat down to work on the post-production for this episode, there was not a phrase or a catchy saying or a fact (or anything like that), that could really put into perspective the conversation that I had with my guest today. No fancy intro or statement of facts, could possibly give you any real indication as to what today’s episode is about. So I’m doing things a little differently, and we’re just going to dive right in. My guest this week is Antonio T. Smith, Jr.. He is a self-made millionaire who started off as a 6-year-old homeless kid, living in a dumpster, and is now a celebrity business advisor, running several multi-million dollar businesses. You heard that right. He’s a self-made millionaire, who was homeless, as a six-year-old, living in a dumpster. Antonio is also the business advisor to Les Brown, the Les Brown. Antonio an entrepreneur, he’s a business consultant, a 3-time best-selling author, and has 4 top-ranked podcasts in the top 30 on iTunes and is also ranked in the top on podomatic. Antonio travels the country helping celebrities and businesses develop multi-million dollar companies using the system that took him years to master. Not only that, he has given away hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of information and product because he genuinely desires to help others grow personally and financially.
A TOUGH BEGINNING + A DUMPSTER
Antonio grew up in a difficult situation, to say the least. His parents did the very best with what they had. However, when Antonio was 6-years-old, they became addicted to the drugs that plagued their urban projects neighborhood. One year later, in 1987, his parents were no longer able to keep him--legally or financially. They gave Antonio up with good intentions but each situation proved more toxic than the last. He started suffering--wondering who would love him if his own parents didn’t love him. This is where his story really began. He found a dumpster outside of a paper company, which became his home from ages 6 to 14. He put himself through school by forging his mother’s signature, subsisting on four bags of chips per day and a public water fountain. Despite failing twice due to lack of resources and support, he kept going back. Antonio became a powerful prose and poetry speaker, recognized state-wide. This qualified him for every single school in Texas, but he decided to enlist in the army instead. His testing for the army came back off-the-charts, with his IQ coming in at 134. Antonio was told he would be a spy for the US Army.
ADJUSTING TO CIVILIAN LIFE
Antonio spent 95% of his 4-year military career in the field. After returning home, he had a very difficult time returning to civilian life. After many psychotherapy sessions, he asked himself what he knew how to do well, and two things came to mind: he knew how to program people in the masses (through marketing and public relations) and he knew how to speak. He thus started a lot of businesses to keep himself speaking, and now does marketing and public relations all over the world.
INCORPORATING CULTURE & FAMILY INTO BUSINESS
Today, Antonio helps celebrities understand how to make money in the digital age. First, by finding their “congregation”--people who have an important thing in common. Second, by finding their congregation’s attention, following that attention, and then jumping in front of it. Last, by converting their energy into income. Antonio also started the ATS Business University, which is his pride and joy. He takes lower-class to middle-class people, wherever they are, and he teaches them how to become millionaires. The university does 9 trainings a week--from business, to marketing, to sales, to cold-calls. He helps these individuals grow their companies and has created 8 millionaires so far. Antonio believes that abundance is meant to be shared, and he is a shining example of how exactly to do that.
About Antonio T. Smith, Jr.:
Antonio T. Smith, Jr. is the C.E.O. of The ATS JR Companies, a top personal development and training company that offers people from small business owners, to managers, to entrepreneurs, to stay-at-home moms, and college students reliable, high-quality resources through coaching, motivational speaking, and free and paid resources, and the active CEO of The ATS JR Business University, a university developed to guide you through broke to profitable.
In the early 2000’s, after identifying “the internet” as a land-grab opportunity, Antonio studied and master the trade of Business to build his businesses and moving to help other businesses in dying markets revive themselves.
During his growth season and learning and mastering the art of Business, he started several podcasts to share his wealth of knowledge to help others master the art of business. These podcasts include Brick By Brick, The Secret to Success, Overcoming Low Self Esteem and his most recent and quickly growing podcast, Awareness TV.
Not only has Antonio leveraged content creation and the rise of social media for his personal brand, but it was the seed which would become the pillar to his now 10-year path to adding value and sharing his wealth of knowledge of business through The ATS JR Companies and the ATS Business University.
Outside of being the CEO of his own companies, Antonio is a highly sought after public speaker, a 3-time Amazon Bestselling Author, as well as a prolific Business Advisor with clients that range from Les Brown to Chase Bank and several other major companies.
Antonio is currently the subject of the Plant Better Vlog, an online documentary series highlighting what it’s like to be a young CEO and public figure in today’s world, as well the host of The Plant Better Mindset Calls, a weekly call to give his audience the tools needed to better themselves, and host of Awareness TV, a show exposes the untruths that have kept society unaware, blind and oblivious to what is going on around them. Combining metaphysics, science, theology, history and alternative science, Rediscover our world through a new awakening.
In addition to ATS Business University, The ATS JR Companies also houses ATS Publishing, a new publishing company started to benefit the writer and allow them to make a true profit on their dreams. In addition to running The ATS JR Companies, Antonio also has Kode Inc. Tech, a graphic and website design company, ATS Media and several other companies that add value to the lives of the over 500,000 followers world wide that believe in what Antonio T. Smith Jr does.
Antonio is also the COO and Director of Business Development and Operations of the Les Brown University, Business Advisor for the NAACP, Missouri City Chapter, and Business Advisor for the Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce.
Antonio T. Smith, Jr. was born on the island of Galveston, TX. At the age of six, Antonio had to overcame abandonment, homelessness, brokenness and living in a dumpster until the age of 14. Antonio’s childhood help build him to become the person that he is today because he had to teach himself the same “Plant Better” Principles that he teaches us today.
CONNECT WITH ANTONIO
- Website: ATS Jr. Companies
- Facebook: Antonio T. Smith Jr.
- Email: info@theatsjr.com
Special thanks to Cultivate What Matters for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Visit http://www.stillbeingmolly.com/cultivate to shop! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Spotify * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars* to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review.
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Whether we realize it or not, our culture, our background, our upbringing, our childhood, the way we have lived our life up until this point, influences how we make choices on a daily basis. Maybe we realize it--or not, maybe it is conscious--or not, but those things that we have experienced in our life, they impact the decisions that we make today, and tomorrow, and going forward. I love when I connect with a business that has used their culture, or their family, or something in their belief system, to influence how they run their business. I love hearing inspiration from stories of generations past, that have helped to influence decision making, or design, or branding, or intentionality, or even something just as simple as the name of a business. I love how those factors play into how a business moves forward. Today, my guest took her passion for art, and culture, and fashion, and a great pair of shoes, and she created something incredible. My guest this week is Bebe Mehr, the founder of Cult of Coquette, a vegan and cruelty-free ethical shoe brand that creates gorgeous, designer-like shoes for women. Bebe was so much fun to chat with and it really was just like sitting down and chatting with a best girlfriend about life, work, and so much more. TWO PASSIONS, ONE PATH Bebe’s father is an entrepreneur and her mother is an artist, so she has always had equal parts business and design in her. She always had a sense of fashion and dreamed of one day working for Versace when she was a kid. At the same time, Bebe also always had an interest in business--as a child she would make and sell things on the side of the street. She even had her own cash register! She always knew that she wanted to marry these two passions and go into a field related to both fashion and business. Eventually, she went to the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied fashion merchandising. She lasted two winters in New York before the cold weather steered her back to warmer parts of the country. This led her to opening a boutique in Arizona. She ran the boutique for 8 years, and then moved back to LA (where she was born) to start her line of vegan, cruelty-free footwear: Cult of Coquette. OPERATING BY A MORAL COMPASS Often, the definition of “ethical” can be very blurry. Vegan goods can be made of cruelty-free materials, while still being hard on the planet or people who made them. Bebe has been building her company by following her moral compass. She tries to do as much good as she can, but simultaneously recognizes that making these changes is a process. As a relatively new company, they are still learning and making improvements all of the time. A perfect example can be seen in their new factory, which in contrast to their first, is fully female-owned. Bebe also works to employ women whenever she can because she believes that women working together is important. INCORPORATING CULTURE & FAMILY INTO BUSINESS Bebe has always drawn from her Persian culture and what her family has taught her. Honesty and her strong moral compass are two things that she attributes to her father--a selfless man who always stops to help others. She also seeks to honor the women who have inspired her--family members, celebrities, and even historical figures--by naming her shoes after them. Bebe hopes this will lead her customers to look into these inspiring women’s legacies. The name of her business, Cult of Coquette, is tied to her passion for French culture, which is largely entwined with her own Persian culture. Coquette means a flirty, sexy woman--a strong woman--and this word choice is a testament to the strong women who have inspired Bebe along the way. About Bebe Mehr, Founder of Cult of Coquette: By combining designs that are fashion forward with materials that are cruelty free, Cult of Coquette is filling the void in a market that provides few options for the growing number of women who are both socially conscious and stylish. Started in late 2013 by Bebe Mehr, Cult of Coquette was born out her frustrations in finding the perfect Louboutin style pumps in animal friendly materials. She found that either the design was wrong or the quality was poor, or what she calls “unintentionally vegan”. Having just launched the second collection in August, Cult of Coquette has built a strong “cult” following through social media and among vegan celebs. The third collection is already in the early stages of design, and will be launched before the end of the year! Use the code “PURPOSE” for 20% off at http://www.cultofcoquette.com/! CONNECT WITH BEBE MEHR
- Website: http://www.cultofcoquette.com/ - Use promo code PURPOSE for 20% off!
- Instagram: @cultofcoquette
- Facebook: Cult of Coquette
- Twitter: @cultofcoquette
- Pinterest: Cult of Coquette
- Youtube: Cult of Coquette
- Email: CultofCoquette@gmail.com
Special thanks to Cultivate What Matters for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Visit http://www.stillbeingmolly.com/cultivate to shop! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Spotify * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
Global poverty is at the root of so many things. So many things. From hunger, to the orphan crisis, to human trafficking, to drug trafficking, to homelessness, to disease and HIV/AIDS - global poverty is at the root. Reducing or even eliminating global poverty is the key to reducing and eliminating so much hurt and pain in the world. But this issue is so complicated, as most issues are. But it is one that is incredibly important. My guest today left a life of comfort and security, working in the area of technology startups, to pursue a deeper calling. My guest this week is Ann Mei Chang, the Executive Director of Lean Impact at the Lean Startup Company and author of the book Lean Startup that will be released soon! Previously, she was the Chief Innovation Officer USAID and Mercy Corps, and served the U.S. Department of State as Senior Advisor for Women in Technology in the office of Global Women’s Issues. Prior to her pivot to the public sector, Ann Mei had more than 20 years experience as a technology executive at leading companies such as, you know, Google and Apple. Heard of them? This was such an incredible and interesting conversation and I learned so much from it! SILICON VALLEY & A QUEST FOR DEEPER MEANING From early on, Ann Mei was fascinated by computers. When they first came out when she was 12-years-old, she taught herself how to program and went she went to college in California, she studied computer science. Her career for the first 23 years after college was in Silicon Valley in the tech industry working for both big and small companies, and having a lot of fun with it. At the same time, she always felt a yearning to do something more meaningful. Ann Mei donated and volunteered, but her work was very consuming at there were limits to how much she was able to do on the side. She was inspired by the idea of spending the first half of her career in Silicon Valley and the second half of her career in the public or social sector - trying to find some way to do some good in the world. It was in her early 40’s during her time at Google that she decided to make that shift. Ann Mei decided to take a leave of absence from Google and she ended up going to the State Department through a fellowship program. She calls it her “custom Masters in Public Policy.” Rather than going back to school and spending her time in the classroom, she learned by doing. AT THE ROOT OF IT ALL: GLOBAL POVERTY Ann Mei realized during her time at the State Department that Global Poverty was at the root of the majority of the issues she cared about. She firmly believes that talent is evenly distributed and opportunity is not - that many of the ills in the world arise because people do not have better options. The good news is that we have made dramatic progress in global poverty - the number of people in extreme poverty has been cut almost in half. The bad news is that where poverty remains, it is becoming even more entrenched. LOVING EVERY SECOND Michelle went back to school to focus on communications and public relations. As an extroverted and analytical individual, she excelled and fell in love with the industry. Upon graduating, she worked at a major PR firm and spent time in the nonprofit world. She began searching for what kind of business she could create where she could do what she loved, while escaping the 9-5 work life. It was during a midnight breastfeeding session that, while on Instagram, she first stumbled upon the world of business coaching. She was incredibly inspired by this concept, and pulled on all of her past experiences in deciding what the business would look like. Today, Brandmerry is a business that is all about branding and business mentoring. Michelle works with female entrepreneurs at every stage of the business, from coming up with the idea and launching, to running and scaling it successfully--and she loves every second of it. About Ann Mei Chang, Executive Director at Lean Impact: Ann Mei Chang is a leading advocate for social innovation and author of LEAN IMPACT: How to Innovate for Radically Greater Social Good (Wiley, Oct. 30, 2018). As Chief Innovation Officer at USAID, Ann Mei served as the first Executive Director of the US Global Development Lab, engaging the best practices for innovation from Silicon Valley to accelerate the impact and scale of solutions to the world’s most intractable challenges. She was previously the Chief Innovation Officer at Mercy Corps and served the US Department of State as Senior Advisor for Women and Technology in the Secretary's Office of Global Women’s Issues. Prior to her pivot to the public and social sector, Ann Mei was a seasoned technology executive, with more than 20 years’ experience at such leading companies as Google, Apple, and Intuit, as well as at a range of startups. As Senior Engineering Director at Google, she led worldwide engineering for mobile applications and services, delivering 20x growth to $1 billion in annual revenues in just three years. Ann Mei currently serves on the boards of BRAC USA and IREX, is a nonresident fellow at the Brookings Institution, and is a visiting fellow at the Center for Global Development. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Stanford University, is a member of the Aspen Institute’s Henry Crown Fellows’ class of 2011, and was recognized as one of the “Women In the World: 125 Women of Impact” by Newsweek/The Daily Beast in 2013. Ann Mei is a keynote speaker who has been featured at TEDx MidAtlantic, SxSW, Social Good Summit, SOCAP, and Lean Startup Week, as well as numerous nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies. CONNECT WITH ANN MEI
- Lean Impact: https://leanstartup.co/social-good/
- Lean Impact Book: https://www.annmei.com/
- https://amzn.to/2qjUjAw
- Facebook: Lean Startup Co.
- Contact: Lean Startup Co.
- Linkedin: Lean Startup Co.
- Twitter: @leanstartup
Special thanks to Cultivate What Matters for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Visit http://www.stillbeingmolly.com/cultivate to shop! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Spotify * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
We know life is short. We say life is short but, do we really believe it? Do we live that out? Do we make the most of every single day? You know, that cliché? For many of us, we go through the motions--we go through the daily grind of life, not realizing what’s happening. Then, when all of a sudden we are struck with a tragedy or hardship, we’re reminded of the preciousness of life. Those moments are often when we stop to take inventory of our lives and we decide if we’re going to pursue that dream, or go for that goal, or spend more meaningful time with our friends and family. Whatever it is, my guest today took her own experience with loss and used it as fuel, to go after her dream. My guest this week is Michelle Knight, the founder of Brandmerry, a branding and business consulting business that she started after a tragic loss she experienced. WANDERING Michelle has always been a super driven person. She was graduated second in her class and considered herself a perfectionist. It therefore threw her friends and family for a loop when she decided not to go to college, and instead to move to California to join a performing arts group. She subsequently traveled the world, and the combination of these “wandering” experiences opened her up to tons of possibilities aside from the routine of college and a 9-5 job. TRAGIC LOSS, TRANSFORMATION & THE MEANING OF IT ALL Tragically, her life changed nearly overnight when her younger brother was diagnosed with cancer. She moved home and stayed with her family for about a year-and-a-half while her brother battled this terrible disease. 9 years ago, her brother passed away. She realized from this tragedy that our time is incredibly limited. Michelle began looking at what she loved, who she wanted to be around, and who it was that she truly wanted to be. She subsequently got married, went into public relations/communications, and began a family. Right after her baby was born, she decided to go all-in on creating a career that she loved. She became an entrepreneur. LOVING EVERY SECOND Michelle went back to school to focus on communications and public relations. As an extroverted and analytical individual, she excelled and fell in love with the industry. Upon graduating, she worked at a major PR firm and spent time in the nonprofit world. She began searching for what kind of business she could create where she could do what she loved, while escaping the 9-5 work life. It was during a midnight breastfeeding session that, while on Instagram, she first stumbled upon the world of business coaching. She was incredibly inspired by this concept, and pulled on all of her past experiences in deciding what the business would look like. Today, Brandmerry is a business that is all about branding and business mentoring. Michelle works with female entrepreneurs at every stage of the business, from coming up with the idea and launching, to running and scaling it successfully--and she loves every second of it. About Michelle Knight, Founder of Brandmerry: Michelle Knight is a mother, wife, world traveler and storyteller. She is also a Branding and Business Mentor and the founder of Brandmerry.com and The Free to Be Podcast. She works with female entrepreneurs to create an authentic, captivating and money-making brand through the power of story. Michelle supports women at various stages of their business who share one common goal - creating an authentic brand that allows them to show up as they are, build a loyal community and experience time, financial and location freedom as a result of their work. In just 9 months, Michelle launched her freedom-based business and left her 9 to 5, while raising a new baby. Just one year into her coaching business, Michelle created a 6-figure business and thriving community of women ready to share their story. Now she spends her time supporting women to achieve time, financial and location freedom while traveling the world with her little family of three and exploring life with her son. CONNECT WITH Michelle
- Website: https://www.brandmerry.com/
- Instagram: @brandmerrycoaching
- Facebook: Brandmerry
- Email: brandmerry@brandmerry.com
- Youtube: Brandmerry
- Pinterest: Michelle Knight | Branding & Business Coach
- The Free to Be Podcast: http://brandmerry.com/podcast
- Roadmap to Freedom: http://brandmerry.com/freedom
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
We love rags-to-riches Cinderella stories. They inspire us. Personally, I love learning about people. I mean really learning about them. What makes them tick? What drives them? What fuels their fire? What’s their why? What’s their reason for doing what they do? How do they work so hard to get where they are? Are they an actual overnight success or are they an overnight success that actually took like 10-15-25-35 years of hard work to become an overnight success? Have they left behind a faster-paced, all-about-profit lifestyle to pursue a dream that impacts the world in a positive way? That’s what I love to hear about, and today’s guest is the epitome of that. My guest this week is Susan Correa, the founder of art & eden--a remarkable, organic kids clothing line that is made responsibly. It’s eco-friendly, ethically-made, and affordable. Susan’s passion for what she does and her backstory for how she got started and how she overcame incredible odds had me, honestly, nearly in tears. This is an incredible episode, friend, and I cannot wait for you to hear it. MORE THAN A CAREER - A CALLING Throughout Susan’s journey, she has had the joy of living out more than just a career. She has been able to live out her calling. She got her start in fashion, but began looking for deeper meaning in her life--searching for a way to bring in more purpose. She was deeply moved by the work of her friends and family who worked in impact, and she began questioning whether success should be measured monetarily, or by the amount of good a person does in their life. All of this questioning culminated when she was introduced to a school in Bangalore through a blog post. This school was nestled in a densely-populated slum district. The school served a hot, nutritious meal to the children, and for most of the kids, it was the only meal they would eat all day. Within 23 days of reading this blog post, Susan had signed all of the papers with Hope Foundation India. She was there to launch and support that meal program, and for every garment that was sold in one of their businesses, one meal was given out. Susan and her team helped provide nearly 200,000 meals. August 18, 2014, Susan went into the school fired-up to make a difference for the kids, but the day ended with her life changing. She recognized the power of business to be used as a force for good. She began to wonder how we could move from business being transactional to transformative. AN ORIGIN STORY - The “Art” and The “Eden” Fashion is a $2.4 trillion industry. It touches every human’s life. When you think of fashion, you think of beauty and perfection. Susan conducted her whole career loving every moment she experienced in the business of fashion, but never once stopping to think at what cost this beauty was coming at and what burden it was placing on the earth. The whole journey started from a book was ready on her way to India--Linchpin by Seth Godin. This book wanted people to use art in a way that asks nothing in return. She began to wonder what was best for the world in the business of fashion? ‘Art’ is thus where art & eden’s journey began. ‘Eden,’ then is a reflection of Susan’s quest to leave the world as a sustainable place that our children can enjoy and thrive in. ‘Art’ is where she started, and ‘Eden’ is the intended destination. ICE CREAM & WHAT IS BEST FOR THE WORLD: FROM SEED TO SHELF Susan spent the first two years immersed in documents and research papers and libraries, trying to understand the impact of fashion from seed to shelf. She wanted to understand how we choose the seeds to grow our crops to make the fabric, how we treat the farmers that harvest them, how we dye the fabric, and how we care for the communities we work in. She tried to look at business wholistically--not just looking product, but also at purpose. Susan became enamored with Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream and how they do business in the world. She decided to reach out to the CEO on Linkedin and explained what she was trying to do. She was so surprised when he got back to her! He made time to see her in person and walked her through the story. It was a beautiful unfolding of a business model that cares for everyone and everything along the product’s process. Susan was incredibly inspired and committed herself to slowing down--focusing on building a better business with art & eden, and she has succeeded wildly. About Susan Correa, Founder of Art & Eden:
There are two ways to tell my story. One: This is a story about a startup. It’s about using business for good. It’s about revolutionizing the fashion industry. It’s about an underdog, a woman of color founding and pioneering ways forward. It’s about a business built in response to urgent social and environmental crises. Two: This is a story about radical internal change. It’s about deeply personal transformation that could not be contained to the personal. It’s about culturally indoctrinated world views shattering open and an irrevocable commitment to multi-directional change: from the personal to the systemic, from the wiring within the self to the wiring in our cities, our corporations, our world. The thing is, whichever way I introduce it, half the story goes missing. That’s what makes it so hard to fit into a quick pitch. Because in truth, there is only one way to tell the art & eden story: explaining the inextricability of what we do with who we are. art & eden was born out of a personal breakthrough, my slow yet sudden awakening from my life as an entrepreneur with 20+ years of global experience in corporate fashion. I convicted myself guilty of spending decades ‘turning a blind eye’ to the environmental and worker abuse rampant in the apparel industry. The speed at which I operated in order to bring the latest fashions cheapest to market left me no time to truly care. Sure I felt badly about the pollution, waste, low wages and poor worker treatment in the industry, but with profit as my sole purpose, everything else seemed like a distraction. I rationalized: ‘The problems are interwoven into the system. They’re too big for me to solve.’ I hoped somebody else would do something about these issues. I focused solely on my goal of maximizing profits. It wasn’t until visiting a school in rural India to help feed undernourished children—a small give-back program I began at one of my past companies—that I had a complete collapse of perspective. Those children, combined with two formative books about entrepreneurship and art, unlocked something in my mind and heart that changed me forever. From that day forward, I realized that changing the world started with changing myself. A better world could only start with a better me—there was no waiting for someone else to fix the problems. I was that somebody I hoped for, well able and fully capable of doing something that mattered. I could not simply return to business as usual and pretend that everything was okay. I had to find a better way forward. I decided to exit my executive positions in the two multimillion dollar businesses I was running. It was time to reimagine a new way forward. Leaving two existing multi million businesses, was the biggest risk of my professional career. I am the sole breadwinner for my family. My two kids were nearing college and tuition loomed ahead. I saw the stress weighing on my immensely supportive husband. I knew I was putting everything—and everyone—on the line. But I also knew I could no longer participate in an industry that valued profit at the cost of people and the planet. Yes I was I was told that this was impossible. Yes I was told that I was crazy. Yes I was told that there was no place for an Indian woman in the business of American fashion. All of this only made me more determined to discover the alternate possibilities, and there was only one way to learn them - I had to lean in! What is possible? This question is the seed of art & eden. Every aspect of who and what we are has sprouted in response to this seeking. After two years of research, serendipitous connections and a whole lot of heart, art & eden launched in January 2017. art & eden is a sustainable and decidedly unconventional children’s fashion brand. We take “be the change you want to see in the world” to a new level. We believe that business can be used as a force for good, that our process and profits have the power to serve the needs of local and global communities. We take a holistic approach to sustainability, including every touch point from process to product to consumer and beyond. All our clothes are made with sustainable fabrics—organic cotton and upcycled or recycled polyester—certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard. We prohibit toxic chemicals and dyes still commonly used in the fast fashion industry. We seek out and partner with mission-aligned factories similarly spearheading their own social initiatives. We strive for a cradle-to-cradle operation, where what we make can be re-used, recycled or can decompose. We ship in biodegradable polybags and use recycled cardboard for our e-commerce packaging. Within our company, we utilize practices that invest in and empower people throughout our supply chain, whether farmer or office employee. We believe in building each other up so that we can do the same with our earth. We ask difficult, rigorous questions and aren’t afraid of difficult, un-pretty answers. We want to make something better, to leave our children a planet that we are proud of, one they can breathe and thrive in. We understand this requires humility, un-learning and a lot of pivoting to figure out what works. In addition to our internal processes, we have local and global giveback programs that serve under-resourced children. In Newark, NJ, we partner with the Camden Street School to run a yearlong mentorship program that fosters inner authority, community resilience and leadership amongst middle schoolers. Globally, we work with the HOPE WORLDWIDE. We committed to delivering one million essential vitamins and 7,000 doses of Albendazole to undernourished children throughout Central America and in Tijuana, Mexico, and we’ve come through on our promise. We go to these places ourselves. We are the work. Whether it’s in how we treat one another, how we make our clothes, how we serve our children or how we support our customers. We believe change is possible. We believe in better ways. We believe in education, transparency, awareness and the power of good choices. I hope that you believe in us and find our story worth sharing.
CONNECT WITH SUSAN
- Website: https://www.artandeden.com/
- Instagram: @artandeden
- Facebook: Art & Eden
- Pinterest: Art & Eden
- Twitter: @artandeden
- Youtube: Art & Eden
- LinkedIn: Art & Eden
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
April 24, 2013. That’s the day that the Rana Plaza Building in Bangladesh collapsed. 1,138 people died and another 2,500 were injured. It was the fourth-largest industrial disaster in history. There were actually five garment factories in the Rana Plaza--all manufacturing clothing for big, global brands, and the victims were mostly young women. The thing is, is that the fashion industry is actually the second-largest global industry after oil. People and the environment are suffering as a result of the way that fashion is made, sourced, and consumed. So back in the ‘40s and ‘50s and ‘60s, back when our parents, or our grandparents, or maybe you listening--when you were growing up, you owned maybe 20 to 30 articles of clothing. There were 4 seasons of clothing: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Brands that were manufacturing (and 98% of clothing was made here in the United States at that time) were coming out with new things once a season. Well sometime in the ‘90s, let’s say early to mid ‘90s, that began to change. Over time, brands started coming out with 52 seasons of clothing. Yes, that is new clothing every single week. When you think about it, when you go from 4 seasons of clothing to 52 seasons of clothing, obviously the amount of clothing that is being produced every year, is a whole lot more than it used to be. Then on January 1, 1994, NAFTA, or the North American Free Trade Agreement, came into effect, and that basically began an outflux (if you will) of production of our clothing leaving the United States. So it kind of reversed, where as 98% of our clothing was made here in the United States, it flipped and now about 90-98% of our clothing is now made overseas. I’m not going to get political, I’m not going to go too much into the whether I think NAFTA was good or bad or anything like that, but, these are just facts. These are just facts about our clothing production and how it’s impacted people and the environment. Because let’s think about it, the way our society is now, we want fast, cheap fashion. And that comes at a price. That comes at a price of the people who make it, and the environment that it’s made in. This week is a little different. This is something that I am introducing to the podcast: Solo Episodes! This week your host and guest is, me. No, I’m not going to be weird and interview myself. After my 100th episode, I got a lot of questions. As a result, every 10 episodes I will be doing a solo episode: content you really want to hear and things you really want to know. For this first episode, I wanted to answer the most common questions I get from bloggers and readers: Why I started shopping ethically? Why I think shopping ethically is important? And how do I make the choice to purchase from a brand (how can I tell if a brand is ethical or not)? A GATEWAY TO ETHICAL FASHION In 2011, I took my first trip to Kenya for a missions trip. As an activity, the group I was with stopped at the Kazuri Bead Factory for a tour. It was here that I was able to see firsthand what stable employment could do for a community and for a person. This group works to hire primarily single mothers--a group that really struggles, everywhere, but even more so in the developing word. It was really eye-opening for me. I started to think more about where the things I bought were made, so I started to do research. I had heard the term “fair trade” before but had only thought of it in the context of coffee or tea--not in terms of anything else. That was the catalyst that got me interested in ethical fashion. MY CONSCIOUS CHECKLIST -Are they a member of the Fair Trade Federation? The Fair Trade Federation has a set of standards and requirements that their member companies must meet. You can pretty much guarantee that if they are a member, this is a company you want to buy from. -Are they a Certified B Corporation? These are socially conscious, social good organizations that have, again, met a set of standards and requirements. -Do they have their Global Organic Textile Standard certification? This means that their fabric is composed of at least 70% organic fibers. -Do they market themselves as an ethical brand? Here, you have to use your judgement! Some smaller ethical brands choose not to be members of these groups or receive these certifications because of the fees involved. One great example is Elegantees. At the smaller level, these businesses will take the expense they would be putting towards these memberships and certifications, and they’ll invest it back into their business and their makers. -Are they a small business? I love to support small businesses! It helps lift up local employees and economies. -Are they manufactured in the USA? This doesn’t necessarily mean that they are an ethical company, but it is a good indicator. Look at their costs and how they are marketing themselves! -Do they state anywhere on their website about their manufacturing company? Is this something that they are proud of? I don’t fault companies that don’t meet this qualification. It may not be something they want to market front and center, even if it is something that is important to themselves as a brand. ASK: WHO MADE MY CLOTHES? If you can’t find these qualifications anywhere on their website - email them! You can find out for yourself if your favorites companies are ethical by reaching out to them directly to find out about their manufacturing processes. What measures are they taking to make sure that their workers are treated fairly and like human beings? Here is the link to the blog post I wrote with the Letter to Lilly Pulitzer that I mentioned in the podcast.
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
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We all love a deal. You know what I’m talking about. When you walk into a store, and you see something on sale, and you’re like “It’s only $4.50! Yes! What a deal!” Or if you’re in a thrift shop and you find a designer handbag, or a pair of designer shoes for like, $3.00, you think you won the lottery. We get a thrill out of a deal. It’s that hit of adrenaline. It’s exciting. But for others, maybe the idea of second-hand shopping is overwhelming and taxing. Maybe you just like the idea of it, but actually doing it? Not so much. My guest today took her passion for finding a deal, and made it into a sustainable business. Liz Funk is the co-founder of And We Evolve, a subscription box styling service for shopping high-quality, second-hand clothing. ANSWERING A NEED WITH EXISTING RESOURCES: A FLASHBULB IDEA Liz loves a phrase that her co-founder coined: “The world does not need another dress.” She was inspired by the book “Overdressed” and recognized that every woman has clothes in her closet that she doesn’t wear, but at the same time, also would like to freshen-up her wardrobe. It was then that she became what she calls a “want-trepreneur”--she found herself waiting to feel ready and waiting to have the idea for her business crystalized. Liz moved to Philadelphia from New York City and took a visual design class where she shared her idea. In this class, Liz met her co-founder and business partner, Alisha. She finally felt she had the support system she needed to launch their venture--And We Evolve. THE SUBSCRIPTION BOX MODEL Liz and Alisha recognized that there were plenty of second-hand clothing websites, and there were subscription boxes, but there were no existing second-hand clothing subscription boxes. They decided to close the gap. Liz asked her network to share their gently-used clothing and was overwhelmed by the response. Today, And We Evolve still operates on the donation model. This allows women to have an alternate option to dropping their clothes off at Goodwill--ultimately a pit stop on their clothing’s journey to a landfill. Liz and Alisha work to salvage and repair pieces that are in need of some love, and reuse them to their full potential. A DREAM JOB, AN ARTFORM If Liz had to choose one word to describe her job, it would be “FUN!” If she had to decide what to do with a free Saturday, this would be it. Her job allows her to help women to approach their wardrobe as a design challenge--not anonymous things bought, but a collection that is curated. She believes that there should be a relationship with every item in your wardrobe. As And We Evolve grows, the company strives to pour as much intimate attention into each box as they have since the very beginning, ensuring that those relationships happen. About Liz Funk, Co-Founder of And We Evolve: Liz Funk is the co-founder of And We Evolve, a style club and subscription box service for secondhand clothing in like-new condition. She lives in Philadelphia, PA-- a city that is great for growing companies, with its low rents for big warehouse lofts and tight-knit startup scene. Before launching And We Evolve, she wrote about entrepreneurship, business, and women's issues for publications like Fast Company, the Washington Post, USA Today, Newsday, and the Economist. CONNECT WITH SYDNEY
- Website: And We Evolve
- Instagram: @andweevolveco
- Facebook: And We Evolve
- Pinterest: @andweeevolveco
- Email: hello@andweevolve.com
- LinkedIn: And We Evolve | Liz Funk
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
When you hear the term “ethical,” what does it mean to you? When I ask different people, different people give me different definitions. I think everyone’s idea of “ethical company” may mean something different, like maybe how they treat animals, or the materials they use and how it impacts the planet, or maybe it’s about how they treat the people that work for them. I think that the definition of “ethical” is ever-changing and ever-evolving, and I think that’s a good thing! My guest this week is Sydney Sherman, the founder of Faire--an online marketplace that connects conscious consumers with ethical brands and artisans. I loved hearing Sydney’s story and I can’t wait for you to dive in with us. HEARTSTRINGS, TRAVEL, AND A BRIGHT IDEA Sydney had always wanted to travel (she has now been to over 40 countries!), and simultaneously had always felt her heartstrings pulled by impoverished individuals. It was during an around-the-world trip that she really felt herself come into her own and become who she is today. She was so interested in learning about other cultures and meeting people from the countries she visited. Of all the places she toured, it was India that struck her most. The level of poverty was incredibly disturbing to her. It was so pervasive and unlike any poverty she had ever seen. At the same time, she saw so many beautiful crafts. It struck her that there must be a more sustainable way to eradicate extreme poverty. She knew then that she wanted to use business as the tool to uplift these impoverished individuals and help them take back their own destinies. After tossing around a lot of ideas, Sydney settled on the idea of creating an ethical marketplace. WHAT ETHICAL MEANS TO ME: WRITE IT DOWN AND THEN SHARE IT Safe working conditions, fair wages, and environmentally sustainable: that is how Sydney defines the term “ethical.” While coming up with her business plan after crafting her definition of “ethical,” she realized the difficulty and enormity of the task at hand. She decided to write everything down, and then share it. Every individual that she spoke with helped shape her business plan, and helped increase her confidence--something that is so crucial for new entrepreneurs. THE TARGET APPROACH: NOT ABOUT PERFECTION Sydney believes that the key to becoming ethically-minded--both as a business and as a person--is not about perfection, it is about trying your best, committing, and starting small. These are the changes that count, and becoming “ethical” does not have to be a complete transformation overnight. The way to bring people into the “ethical” fold is to be compassionate, rather than judgemental. We are all on the same team as long as we are supportive and caring about one another. The definition of ethical will continue to evolve and change, and that is a good thing. She plans to help individuals achieve this by expanding their offerings on their website, allowing customers to purchase everything from toothpaste to homewares. About Sydney Sherman, Founder of Faire: Before starting Faire, Sydney built and ran a small business that linked administrative assistants with local start-ups, nonprofits and other clients in the Austin, Texas area. Before that, Sydney worked for a small advertising company, and ran Monty & Joie, a dress company she started in college. Sydney has volunteered doing environmental/wildlife conservation in Cambodia, and throughout Texas, with organizations like Refugee Services of Texas. She also mentors high school girls through ChickTech, an Austin non-profit dedicated to retaining women in the technology workforce and increasing the number of women and girls pursuing technology-based careers. Sydney earned her BS in Advertising and Business Foundations at UT-Austin, and studied Media and Global Change at the Salzburg Academy in Austria. She earned her MBA from the Acton School of Business. CONNECT WITH SYDNEY
- Website: https://faire.shop/
- Instagram: @faire.shop
- Facebook: Faire
- Twitter: @faire_shop
- LinkedIn: Faire | Sydney Sherman
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
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I talk all the time about the importance of having a “why” in your business. Having a “why” is that foundation that every business owner should build their business upon. Simply because, when the rough patches come (which they will) and when the business gets hard (which it will), having a strong “why” behind what you do helps push past those challenges. A lot of businesses can struggle with this, or maybe, the “why” gets lost in the “what”--the “what they are doing.” But today’s guest is helping businesses, and people, get back to their “why,” so that they can do better at doing their “what.”
My guest this week is Ryan McCarty, the co-founder of Culture of Good, a program that teaches other businesses to increase employee engagement, by encouraging employees to bring their souls to work. But let me tell you, Culture of Good is about so much more, and I can’t possibly sum it up in just a blurb, so you’re going to have to listen to the show.
FINDING MEANING IN TRAGEDY
Ryan’s story has a very tragic beginning. As a child, he was faced with the reality of how broken our world is. His mother was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, while his father--a Vietnam veteran--was a heroin addict. When Ryan was six years old, his mother committed suicide. Following that tragedy, his father got clean, re-married, and found sanctuary in his faith. Ryan began to discover that a lot of purpose came from the pain he had experienced as a young child. From that point forward, he was led to church and doing meaningful work. His family was always giving back and doing good--from collecting food and clothes for the needy, to volunteering their time. He felt this was his full-time purpose, and he went into ministry. Ryan became a pastor and worked to tie his life into the notion that you can find a sense of meaning behind your life, and leverage your work in that way. He knew what he wanted to do with his life, and threw his entire life into that space.
BUSINESS WITH PURPOSE
Ryan’s philosophy is that we find meaning in our own lives when we do good for others. While his career began with ministry, he now finds himself in the corporate world--in the “Business with Purpose” sector. It all began one day, when Ryan was giving a sermon on the importance of finding your “why.” Unbenounced to him, a very important businessman was in the audience. He came up to Ryan afterwards and said that he wanted to learn more, because he felt that his employees needed to know their “why”. They sat down over chips and salsa and talked about this man’s exponentially-growing business. One of the large risks of a growing business is that you lose what made you special when you started: culture. This businessman wanted to give his employees a sense of purpose, so his company could rediscover its culture. During their conversation, Ryan surprised himself, by asking the businessman to hire him to help his employees connect to their “why,” and Culture of Good was born.
BRING YOUR SOUL TO WORK: WHAT IS YOUR ‘WHY’?
Ryan was looking for a way to connect employees on an emotional level, so he began working with what he knew best: giving back. He sought to create an emotional disruption in the workplace. It needed to be more than a typical corporate day of service, it needed to be driven into the DNA of the business: the culture. His experience with this first company was incredibly successful. It was results-based and had a huge return on investment. Ryan wanted to replicate this success with other companies, and wrote a book with the aim of creating a replicable structure for this “culture of good.” Ryan wants companies to encourage employees to bring their souls to work--their “why’s”. He has launched an incredible number of tools for companies, with the aim of helping them reshape and redefine their company’s culture--into a culture of good.
About Ryan McCarty, Co-Founder of Culture of Good:
Ryan McCarty is an author, speaker, storyteller and the co-founder of Culture of Good, Inc.
His book, Build A Culture of Good, teaches companies how to unleash results by letting their employees bring their souls to work. Ryan’s work has been featured in Huffington Post, Inc.com, People, Forbes and more. He is also featured on podcasts regularly for his profound message on operating your business and living your life with a soul.
With more than 20 years of leadership experience in full-time ministry and nonprofit work, Ryan helps guide for-profit companies how to lead their businesses with a meaningful “why.” He has experienced that with the right attitude and passion, businesses can be profitable and have a purpose.
Ryan believes every leader and employee can leverage their daily work to discover their life calling by building their own culture of good and making the world a better place.
CONNECT WITH RYAN
- Website: http://cultureofgood.com/
- Instagram: @cultureofgood
- Facebook: Culture of Good
- Twitter: @cultureofgood
- LinkedIn: Culture of Good | Ryan McCarty
- Youtube: Culture of Good
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
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Tap Send.
A common thread I’ve discovered through interviewing so many social entrepreneurs is that they worked at a particular field that isn’t inherently social conscious and they realized, something had to be done to change it or make it better. They weren’t just going to sit back and say, “Oh that’s a terrible problem, someone should really do something about that.” So, more often than not, they left that job to do something and be a part of the solution. My guest this week is Mary Sue Papale, the founder of Ashbury Skies. Mary’s upbringing and career background have greatly influenced the way she runs her business today and she has now developed a brand new shoe called the Bendy Shoe. It’s an athleisure shoe that is adorable, but it is completely ethical from start to finish. All the materials, the people that make the shoes - everything from start to finish is completely ethical. She shares all about her story today and I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation. A COG IN THE WHEEL Mary Sue Papale got her beginnings working for a fast fashion company - first in manufacturing and then on the buying side of things. She felt like she was a cog in the wheel of fast fashion, even in a time before the faults of fast fashion were truly realized. During her time working for this fast fashion company, she visited a tannery making kidskin leather. She was lead into the back of the tannery building, where she saw a small pond. She noticed that the pond was purple. They were dumping waste into a pond behind the building, and her employer went so far as to laugh about the situation. Mary Sue knew that she needed to be a part of the solution. MADE TO ORDER Mary Sue decided she no longer wanted to be a part of fast fashion. She had a sinking spell about the kind of work she was doing, and how unsustainable it was. She decided to step aside, even without an alternate plan in place. After much thought, she created Ashbury Skies - a small online shoe store for independent shoe designers. Most of her goods were made to order, rather than made in mass quantities. She sought to take part in the changing tides of ecommerce - taking advantage of the fact that a beautiful online shoe store could compete with larger retailers. AMERICAN SOURCING FOR A MODERN SHOE She eventually sought out to find a shoe that was great-looking, comfortable, flexible, and could be made in the US. In the last year she has been working incredibly hard on a major project - The Bendy Shoe - a shoe with a conscious. The Bendy Shoe is entirely ethically crafted in Los Angeles. Ashbury Skies wants their company to be authentic, and to be real. They are keeping production right in their backyard, making it kinder and gentler on the planet. About Mary Sue Papale, Founder of Ashbury Skies: Mary Sue is co-founder of Ashbury Skies and the Bendy: A shoe with a conscience. Prior to this she held senior management positions in Footwear and Accessories in buying and production for Esprit, Red Envelope and Bebe. Her fascinating story is about how unknowingly she played a part in the explosion of fast fashion and mass consumerism, as we know it today. After finally reconciling that she was a cog in the wheel for these reckless business practices, she stepped aside and launched her own shoe business in 2011. Ashbury Skies is a unique curated assortment of shoes for small independent designers. Most recently she created a modern comfort shoe, made in California, that is launching this summer. She now invites women to join in the revolution of rethinking fast fashion. CONNECT WITH SABRINA
- Website: https://www.ashburyskies.com/
- Instagram: @ashburyskies
- Facebook: Ashbury Skies
- Twitter: @ashburyskies
- LinkedIn: Ashbury Skies | Mary Sue Papale
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
I love cultural history. I love it. I soak up details and facts and information about the history of different cultures anytime I can. I listen to podcasts, I read blogs, watch documentaries, and when I meet someone from a different culture--especially if they are a seasoned person, if you know what I mean--I ask questions. Or if I meet an older person, from my own culture--I ask questions. I think that’s why I loved volunteering in a nursing home when I was in college. I love hearing stories and details about people’s lives, especially when it comes to their culture. Now this is especially true when it comes to food. Every culture, every family, has that recipe, or that dish, or that particular food that has been passed down for generations. You know exactly what I am talking about. There’s been a movement recently, of younger generations wanting to make sure that the trades and tricks and techniques and such from different cultures are being carried on or passed down. There’s even a whole Youtube channel now, of Italian grandmas sharing their signature pasta recipes because their grandchildren don’t want the techniques to get lost.Now today’s guest is not only carrying on the traditions of her family and her culture, but she is doing it in such a way that it is impacting the next generation to come, in a way you’d never imagine. My guest this week is Cecilia Polanco, the founder of local Durham food truck, So Good Pupusas, and its non-profit partner, Pupusas for Education. Now, if you’re not local to the Raleigh/Durham area, you are probably wondering, why would I bring on a local food truck owner onto the show? While Cecilia’s story of how she went from a university scholar to the owner of a food truck with a mission is absolutely incredible. I told her this during our interview, that I want to be her when I grow up--and I’m older than her so--without further ado, onto my chat with Cecilia. What is a Pupusa? They are the staple Salvadorian food--a thick tortilla with stuffing on the inside--often eaten on special occasions. For Cecilia, they represent nostalgia and connection to home. They are a way to keep Salvadorian culture alive through culinary tradition. A Family Affair Cecilia is part of a very special family community in Durham, North Carolina. She credits the success of her business to this network, and is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to spend so much time with her mother through her work--learning and sharing these family recipes. EDUCATION AND INSPIRATION Her senior year of high school, Cecilia applied for college and scholarships. She took part in a program for students of color at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and wound up receiving a full, hugely prestigious scholarship. At school, she started to hear a different narrative surrounding herself--one that was positive and uplifting. This was a stark contrast to the mixed messaging she received throughout her grade school education. She adored her heritage-speaker Spanish classes, and was especially enthralled with seeing a Latina at the head of the classroom. Her Spanish professor became a huge source of inspiration, and she learned to believe in her own wonderful capabilities. BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS IN THE KITCHEN The idea of starting a food truck began as a family joke between sisters. However, when Cecilia began dreaming of creating a scholarship fund (to allow students her age to experience the same opportunities she was afforded during her college career) this joke took on an incredible life of its own. So Good Pupusas was launched as a means to an end, but it became so much more than that. It became a way to connect with her culture, family, and culinary traditions that have been passed down for generations. About Cecilia Polanco, Founder of So Good Pupusas: Born in Los Angeles, California to Salvadoran immigrant parents, raised in Durham, NC along with her three older sisters, Cecilia is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she was a Morehead-Cain Scholars and a Global Gap Year Fellow through the Campus Y. She started So Good Pupusas with her family while she was in undergrad in 2015 and the non-profit Pupusas for Education in 2016. She majored in Global Studies with a minor in Geography, received a Business Essentials certificate from Kenan Flagler, and is currently working on a certificate in Non-Profit Management from UNC. She believes business can be a force for good and that pupusas can change the world. CONNECT WITH SABRINA
- Website: http://www.sogoodpupusas.com/
- Instagram: @sogoodpupusas
- Facebook: So Good Pupusas
- Twitter: So Good Pupusas
- LinkedIn: So Good Pupusas | Cecilia Polanco
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
You may be one type of person. You may be the type of person who, you are currently working in a job and you have that side hustle that you really enjoy, but it just kind of supplements whatever you do for a living right now, and you’re happy where you are. Or, you might be the person who is currently working a job and you have that side hustle, but you have a bigger dream, and you are pushing towards that bigger dream, and you just want that bigger dream to come true, and you are just paralyze. Maybe it’s by fear, or by second guessing your talents or yourself, and you’re just not quite there yet. You’re not quite at the point where you feel like you can take that leap, to pursue that dream full time. At what point do you think you’ll be ready? At what point do you feel like, ‘yes, this is the time, this is the day that I’m going to take my dream full-time, I’m going to turn my side hustle, into my main hustle,’? My guest this week is Kelly Parker Smith. She is the Founder of Hello World Paper Company. She is a rubber stamp designer, and manufacturer, who lives just outside of St. Louis in Belleville, Illinois with her husband, three boys, and rescue kitten Katniss. She has grown her shop, Hello World Paper Company, with the idea that great products become even better when paired with top notch customer service, a little surprise and delight, and of course the perfect packaging. But here’s why I loved Kelly’s story so much: she had a dream, and she set out with a goal to build a school with Pencils of Promise, a school through her business. Today we’re going to dive into her business, and her purpose behind her business, which is building this school and providing education for other kids. ON GIVING BACK FROM THE BEGINNING From Kelly’s own wedding gifts, to her very first client’s charity of choice, giving back has been a foundation of Kelly’s business from the very beginning. However, it was her career as a teacher that truly sparked her love for providing education to all children. Hello Paper Company has pledged to build a school with Pencils of Promise, donating a percentage of profits every month. ON BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR FULL TIME Kelly talks the difficulties of balancing a full time career, while having such a passion for her side hustle. Taking a leap of faith in making her business full-time allowed her to make more time for her family, while also making an impact. However, becoming an entrepreneur did not come without sacrifice, hard work, and a lot of faith in the vision for her company. ON CREATING QUALITY OF LIFE Sometimes it’s worth sacrificing a higher paying salary to have better quality of life. Kelly talks the importance of examining your happiness and well-being to decide if your career path is truly benefitting you. Investing in others to bring onto your team, others who may do certain tasks better than yourself, not only frees up space in your day, but also in your mind. ON BUILDING A SCHOOL WITH PENCILS OF PROMISE Pencils of Promise is an organization that builds, and staffs schools, in third world countries. Hello World Paper Company has pledged to raise $35,000 to build and staff a full school. Kelly talks about her passion for Pencils of Promise and how children in these countries are craving the education that we often take for granted. About Kelly Smith, Founder of Purpose Generation: Kelly Parker Smith is a rubber stamp designer and manufacturer living just outside St. Louis in Belleville, IL with her husband, her three boys and their rescue kitten Katniss. You can also find Kelly co-hosting the Creative Biz Rebellion podcast where she and Caroline Hull show other product based business owners how to build, maintain, and grow a profitable product based business through their podcast and online courses. Kelly has been interviewed on The Strategy Hour, All Up In Your Lady Business, Positively Creative and more. Hello World Paper Co products have been featured in Town & Country, Southern Weddings, and Saint Louis Magazine. CONNECT WITH KELLY
- Website: https://www.helloworldpaperco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helloworldpaperco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helloworldpaperco/
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/helloworldpaper/
- Podcast: https://www.creativebizrebellion.com
- Courses: http://www.creativerebelbase.com
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
The term millennial gets a bad rap these days. Millennials are thought to be entitled, lazy, self-serving, wasteful, but here’s the thing, let’s be honest: those types of people exist in every generation, ever. That is not a new trait that’s unique to the millennial generation. In fact, the more I learn from and speak with people in the millennial generation, the more I’m finding the opposite to be the case. Millennials care about their impact, millennials want to buck the status quo, and rally for change, and improve their communities, and be active and involved in the process. They are do-ers, they’re the next generation, and it’s time that we start partnering with them to make stuff happen. But interestingly enough, some of our cultures most iconic brands and companies have zero clue how to interact with, or market to millennials. When it comes to millennials, they are out of touch. My guest today saw an opportunity to fix that. Alexandra Douwes is the founder of Purpose Generation, a millennial strategy and insights company, that helps large iconic brands better understand and engage the next generation of consumers and talent. This is one of the most unique companies I’ve ever had on the show, and I loved, loved, loved everything about this conversation. I wanted to let you know that there is something we talk about in the show that Alexandra is launching next month, and we have a unique coupon code and opportunity for you to participate in it. ON THE IMPACT OF MILLENNIALS The importance of researching the consumer trends of millennials is really vital for businesses in the modern age. On top of this, really understanding the fact that millennials are searching for deeper meaning in their everyday, from their work, to their purchases, this sets the trend for companies to implement meaning and impact into their business models. ON FINDING PURPOSE Wouldn’t it be incredible, at 24 or 25, to have a clear map of your passions and aspirations, that can then lead you in your life direction? Alexandra talks about the concept behind The Purpose Playbook, a collection of resources, content, and inspiration to help millennials live on purpose. SCALING IMPACT Sometimes making true impact requires both a mental and physical shift. Beginning to invest in making a difference at a younger age has proven the millennial generation to have a leg up on impact, allowing them to be the perfect consumer market to educate businesses on how to follow suit. About Alexandra Douwes, Founder of Purpose Generation: Alexandra is the cofounder of Purpose Generation and Purpose Playbook, two companies committed to discovering the "why" behind people and businesses. Purpose Generation is a millennial insights and strategy firm that helps iconic brands better understand and engage the next generation of consumers and talent. In her role as Head of Strategy & Operations, she helps the old guard navigate a new world of on-demand technologies, innovative work environments, triple bottom lines, portfolio careers and fostering intrapreneurship. Purpose Playbook is a digital destination for inspirational content and tactical resources to help people live more purposeful, purpose-filled lives. CONNECT WITH ALEXANDRA
- Website: http://www.purposeplaybook.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purpose_playbook/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepurposeplaybook
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/purposeplaybook/
For the Purpose Playbook, use the coupon code "MOLLY" for 25% off the Find Your Purpose Course.
- Find Your Purpose by Purpose Playbook is an 11-module course that offers you a roadmap to living a more purposeful, purpose-filled life. Whether you feel stuck and uninspired, or are simply struggling to choose where to invest your time and energy, this course will help you identify what matters most and how to build a life around that.
- Head to www.findyourpurposecourse.com for more information.
- The course will open for pre-enrollment on August 21st and course materials will become available on September 10th. Enrollment closes on September 14th. If you use the coupon code before September 10th, you can take advantage of early bird pricing which is an ADDITIONAL discount (just $59 total).
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
For years, the downtown area of Harrisonburg, Virginia had an eyesore that its residents had to drive past each and every day. It was a run down, bright pink pornography shop in disrepair. It was a place of hurt and pain and despair. It was a place of so much darkness. It was a place that once closed down, no one thought anything good could ever come of that building. The residents of Harrisonburg thought this old, worn down pornography shop would always be an ugly worthless building taking up space. But today, that’s not the case! Someone saw something in that broken building that no one else saw: hope and healing. My guest this week is Sabrina Dorman-Andrew, the founder of New Creation, a Harrisonburg, Virginia-based nonprofit counteracting human trafficking through education, awareness, design, and hope of Christ. I laughed and I cried in this episode! In fact, the story of New Creation is one the the most powerful stories of redemption I have ever heard. You guys, I’m not kidding - this is a powerful, powerful episode. New Creation also has an incredible online store where you can shop from dozens of brands that are fighting human trafficking. Sabrina gave you guys an exclusive coupon code that is MOLLY for 20% off your purchase now through the end of September. Go to newcreationva.org to shop! This was such an amazing episode and I hope my talk with Sabrina impacts you as much as it impacted me! A GOD STORY Starting a business leads to many challenges and one of the first challenges Sabrina faced was legitimizing New Creations. As her brand grew, selling jewelry out of her dining room just wasn’t going to cut it any more. But when Sabrina picked an old pornography shop for the location of her non profit, she faced a whole new set challenges, including figuring out how to pay for this old building. Sabrina and I chat about the her call from God to buy this old pornography store and her amazing community that helped make it happen. BECOMING VIRGINIA’S CHIP & JOANNA GAINES Turning the abandoned pornography shop into the beautiful space that it is now took a lot of persistence and hard work. What was supposed to be a 6 to 8 week project turned into a 14 month project and created many high and low moments. Turning the space from something dark and oppressive into something light and good was no small feat, and I talk with Sabrina about what it took to renovate the building into something wonderful. THE NEXT STEP New Creation turned 5 years old this spring and they’ve worked with 40 groups that combat human trafficking or are involved in the cause of stopping human trafficking. Human trafficking is an overwhelming and daunting issue and Sabrina is continuing to focus of creating an atmosphere where people can feel like they can join in and do something. Sabrina and I talk about educating students about domestic sex trafficking and why she wants to expand New Creation’s online presence. About Sabrina Dorman-Andrew, Founder of New Creation: Sabrina hails from the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Her passion for fighting human trafficking quickly developed after volunteering stateside with The Zion Project, and she made it her mission to learn about this issue on a local and global scale. In 2012, she and her husband, Steven had the vision of New Creation. To date they have partnered with over 40 organizations to help create jobs and empower those vulnerable to and rescued from sex trafficking. She believes we are all called to eradicating modern day slavery, so she continues to develop concepts that will invite others to join in and make a lasting impact. When not working you will find her spending time with her husband + their children, drinking coffee, thrifting, or snuggling with one of her beloved cats… Nehemiah, Willow, and Oliver. CONNECT WITH SABRINA
- Website: http://newcreationva.org use code MOLLY for 20% off
- Instagram: @newcreationva | @sabrina.dorman.andrew
- Facebook: New Creation | Sabrina Dorman-Andrew
- Pinterest: New Creation VA
- Youtube: Sabrina Dorman-Andrew
- LinkedIn: Sabrina Dorman-Andrew
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
It’s a fact - when the unemployment rate is high, the first people to be hit are women and children. Whether it’s in a developing nation or here in the United States, women and children are the first ones affected by any type of unemployment. I have talked about this before, but when a woman is provided a job in a developing nation, she invests about 80-90% of her income back into her community. When a man in a developing nation is provided a job, he only invests about 30-40% back into his community. The fact is, giving a woman a job changes lives! My guest this week is Barrett Ward, founder and CEO of ABLE. ABLE is an incredible fashion and accessory company that I’ve been a fan of for years and to finally hear the origin story behind this company I love so much was such a joy for me! ABLE is paving the way for other purpose-filled brands to step up their game and continue to impact lives in incredible ways. I also wanted to let you know the team at ABLE was so generous to give you an exclusive coupon code for 20% off your purchase from ABLE by using the code MOLLY. Go to stillbeingmolly.com/able to shop. This was a really fun conversation and I just loved my time with Barrett, and I know you will too! THE CALL TO ETHIOPIA Life after just getting married can be hard, and Barrett and his wife Rachel decided to make it just a little bit harder. When Rachel got a job offer in Ethiopia, the couple packed up their things and went over to Ethiopia. Moving to a foreign country took a lot of adjusting but eventually Ethiopia became a place that they loved. Barrett talks about his libtime in Ethiopia and how this time led him to the idea for ABLE. THOSE WHO HAVE OVERCOME When Barrett thought about expanding in the early days of ABLE, he realized he couldn’t just help one group of women, he had to help many. By making a mission to create jobs for women who have overcome, Barrett was able to turn ABLE into the company we know today. On top of that, ABLE allows women to invest back into their communities in Ethiopia, Peru, and Mexico. Barrett and I chat about combating poverty and a woman’s impact on her community. ACCOUNTABLE One of the biggest things Barrett strives to do is making sure that ABLE can prove the impact it’s making. As a social impact business, Barrett recognizes he has a responsibility to measure his work and prove the impact ABLE is making. Because he aims to be as transparent as possible, this led Barrett to create the new program accountABLE. Barrett and I talk about starting accountABLE and how they hope to make an impact in the future. About Barrett Ward, Founder and CEO of ABLE: Leading a fashion lifestyle brand might be an unlikely role for someone self-described as “not a fashion guy,” but that’s exactly where ABLE founder and CEO Barrett Ward finds himself. As the visionary behind the rapidly growing Nashville-based company disrupting the fashion industry with a social conscience, Ward was inspired to start ABLE with the mission of creating sustainable business opportunities for women. While living in Ethiopia, Ward and wife Rachel saw firsthand how extreme poverty forced many young women to make difficult choices for money. They wanted to give women the chance to earn a living with dignity. In 2010, they began ABLE by employing women who had overcome the sex industry to make handmade scarves. ABLE has since grown into a lifestyle brand carrying beautiful leather bags, jewelry, denim, apparel, and shoes with a primary focus on empowering disadvantaged women. Now, the company employs more than 300 women in Ethiopia, Peru, Mexico, and Nashville – home of ABLE’s Headquarters and Flagship store. As fans of ABLE’s classic styles grow, Ward ensures he and his team always remember why ABLE was founded: to provide opportunities to women who have overcome some of life’s most challenging obstacles. CONNECT WITH BARRETT
- Website: https://www.livefashionable.com
- Instagram: @livefashionable | @barrettward
- Twitter: @livefashionable
- Facebook: fashionABLE | Barrett Ward
- Pinterest: ABLE
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
Alright guys…. I’m shaking things up this week for the 100th episode extravaganza! My executive producer, also known as my husband John, is here to help me co-host and we’re talking about basically everything you could imagine. Getting to this 100th episode has been such a journey and to celebrate this milestone, we’re showing you John and Molly like you’ve never seen us before! Like I said, we talked about almost everything under the sun. We get personal, talking about how we met and answering questions from friends and listeners alike, and we talk all things professional, going over common themes found in the previous 99 episodes and John gives his advice on how to get out and stay out of debt. We are also sharing the top 10 episodes from the first 99! You’ll also find out how John picks the infamous sound effects that you hear at the end of every show! We had a lot of laughs doing this episode, so I hope you have as much fun listening to it as we did recording it. I’m so proud of these 100 episodes and I’m excited for the next 100 episodes to come, so buckle up and help us celebrate the 100th episode of Business with Purpose!
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
One of the things I talk about a lot is the fact that there are a lot of layers to the ethical and fair trade fashion world. It’s not just about pretty, handmade clothes. There are so many complex issues that really hide beneath the surface, or sometimes maybe they’re brought to the surface. Everything from the orphan crisis to human trafficking to child and slave labor, all those types of things really are there hiding beneath the surface and it’s time that we talk about those issues so that people can understand why ethical and fair trade fashion is so important and why it’s important to be purchasing from companies and brands that you know the practices behind the things that they make. And it’s time, in my opinion, that we talk about those things and we bring them to the surface and we make it not scary anymore to have difficult conversations! My guest this week is Carly Burson, the founder of Tribe Alive. Tribe Alive is one of my favorite ethical fashion brands. They employ and empower artisans in 6 countries around the world and they are the epitome of a brand that’s changing communities, countries, and people’s lives. This was such a fun conversation and we talk about just about everything. I know you’re going to love it! WHEN ORPHANS AREN’T REALLY ORPHANS The inspiration behind Tribe Alive came from the adoption of of Carly’s daughter when Carly and her husband went to Ethiopia to finalize the adoption. Carly had no idea just how life-changing this trip would be. After spending time in their daughter’s orphanage, she realized that many of these orphans weren’t actually orphans at all. Carly and I chat about parents not given the choice or the chance to raise their kids and how this trip inspired her to make a change in her professional life. TEACH A PERSON TO FISH Carly knew from the very beginning that Tribe Alive wasn’t going to be based of a give-back model. While charity is important, many people don’t realize how charity can hurt a community. Carly never wanted to give anything away, she wanted to create opportunity for people to earn for themselves and stand on their own two feet. Carly and I talk about helping others live successfully and why Africa is fed up with the West’s hand-me-downs. ETHICAL NOT EXCLUSIVE Joining the ethical and fair trade fashion can be very intimidating. Many people established in this community often take the ‘all or nothing’ view, which honestly isn’t realistic for most people and sometimes even makes me feel like a little bit of an outsider. At the end of the day, it’s important to recognize that there is right and wrong, but that it should be all or nothing. Carly and I discuss the importance of being accepting and accessible and how to make changes over time. About Carly Burson, Founder of Tribe Alive: Carly Burson is the founder and CEO of lifestyle brand Tribe Alive. The name Tribe Alive came from her ambition to build more than just a company but rather her desire to build a movement. When Carly Burson began her adoption journey, she knew that becoming a mother would profoundly impact her life. She never imagined that it would alter the course of her life’s work. Although adoption presents an opportunity to support an individual child, Carly was struck by the desire to address the core issue of child relinquishment on a global scale: namely, the economic insecurity facing women in the developing world. Tribe Alive was born from Carly’s decision to utilize her years of experience in the fashion industry as a platform to alleviate poverty among people in the developing world. Carly believes that ethical fashion has the power to change lives, and it is her hope that Tribe Alive's artisans will be empowered with the means to care for their families. Carly has been interviewed and featured by Darling Magazine, The Good Trade, The Bump, and Pop Sugar to name a few and is admired nationally and internationally for her work and inspiring story. Carly lives in Fort Worth, Texas with her husband Kyle, 7 year old daughter Elie, 18 year old daughter Pricila, 3 year old granddaughter Flory, and four-legged soulmate, Remy Dog. “I loved the challenge of competing with brands that cause poverty through their production while our platform alleviates it. It’s our way of exposing the fact that you do not need to compromise the human factor of business in order to succeed.” - Carly Burson CONNECT WITH CARLY:
- Website: https://tribealive.com
- Instagram: @tribealive | @carlyrburson
- Twitter: @tribealive
- Facebook: Tribe Alive | Carly Burson
- Pinterest: Tribe Alive
- LinkedIn: Carly Burson
- Poshmark: Tribe Alive
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
I believe in my heart of hearts that everyone, yes, everyone, is born with a gift. Now, I don’t know what your gift may be, but you, listening right now, you have a gift that was given to you at birth. Maybe you can sing, or dance, or you love to organize, or you really love spreadsheets (that’s my husband), or you love to cook. Maybe you’re good at math. Maybe you’re a good writer, or you love to fix things and you just have a knack for it. Maybe you’re artistic. Whatever it is, you have it! One of the things I love to see is when people take that gift that they were given (or passion or hobby), and they say “I’m going to find a way to use this gift to help somebody else.” That is when your gift becomes a gift to someone else! My guest this week is Nathan Thomas, the founder and executive director of All We Are. All We Are blossomed out of a personal initiative of Nathan’s in 2009 after working in the New ABC Divine Boarding School in Kampala, Uganda. He is so passionate about empowering young leaders around the world and working to help people realize their potential. This was a really fun conversation; he actually got to join me live in the studio and I loved, loved, loved my time with Nathan. I know you will, too! AVOCADO TOAST & CHANGING THE WORLD Nathan and I have many things in common, including a love of avocado toast and a passion to change the world. Nathan uses this passion to make a difference in Uganda by empowering communities in a multitude of ways. From computers to clean water to women’s empowerment to a goal to electrify 50 schools by 2025, Nathan and his All We Are team hopes to tackle problems big and small to help the communities he considers family. THE POWER OF MONEY From natural disasters to health and financial crises, there is always a way for people to get involved and make a difference. Sometimes, though, people’s help can actually not be helpful at all. For example, often times after a natural disaster, people donate stuff rather than money because it feels more personal. Nathan and I talk about how giving clothes and other things is great, but not when people don’t have a use for the stuff or don’t have a place to put these things. Sometimes, the best way to help is just to donate your money. THE LEARNING CURVE Whenever you start a business or an organization or whatever it may be, the first few years are so key in learning what works for you and what doesn’t, and Nathan knows this well. These days, Nathan doesn’t ship anything out to Uganda, he buys everything locally. However, this wasn’t the case at the start of All We Are. As Nathan and I talk about the growth of All We Are, you’ll find out why Nathan chooses to skip the shipping. About Nathan Thomas, Founder & Executive Director of All We Are: Nathan is the Founder and Executive Director of All We Are. AWA blossomed out of a personal initiative started in 2009 after working with the New ABC Divine Boarding School in Kampala, Uganda. Nathan graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2015 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and now works as a Resident Engineer for Leoni Wiring Systems in Raleigh, North Carolina. Nathan is passionate about empowering young leaders and works to help people realize their potential. Nathan has served as President of the Rotary Club of Raleigh Midtown as well as Strategic Advisor for the 91Four project. CONNECT WITH NATHAN:
- Website: https://allweare.org
- Instagram: @awanonprofit
- Twitter: @awanonprofit
- Facebook: All We Are
- Youtube: All We Are
- LinkedIn: Nathan Thomas
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
Some of you may or may not know this, but I am a former comedian! I performed improvisational and sketch comedy for almost 15 years and I loved it. While I’m no longer on stage a couple nights a week, I still love the art of improv comedy and used so many of the skills I gained doing improv in my everyday life: in my work, all the things. Yup, despite what you may realize, the foundational principles of improv are some of the most effective principles for doing life and business! My guest this week is Travis Thomas, the founder of Live Yes And!, which helps businesses and athletes and people apply the cornerstone improv mindset “YES, And!” This mindset focuses on life-transforming collaboration that results in greater profits, but more importantly a more engaged creative, innovative team. This was such a fun episode for me to do and I cannot wait for you to hear it! THE BASICS OF LIVE YES, AND! Travis has impacted thousands of people by teaching them improv skills that they can apply to everyday life. By working in many different areas over the years, Travis knows that it doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, it’s all about building up life and relationships to grow creativity and collaboration. Travis and I talk about experiencing empathy, passion, and collaboration in his workshops and the importance of building trust and respect. NO MISTAKES IN IMPROV It is so easy to let what we think is a mistake determine our happiness or if we succeeded or failed. However, there are no mistakes in improv. Nothing is a mistake because you’re making up your own reality, and this can be applied to real life! Rather than looking at something as a mistake, and instead looking at something as making the best with what we have, life becomes so much better. Travis and I discuss how mistakes are just jumping off points and unexpected gifts. UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT One of the best things about improv is the unconditional support you get from your teammates, and the same can be said for business as well. Once you create and build up that trust, creativity and collaboration come naturally and you can start to take risks that you didn’t feel like you could before. Travis and I talk about the importance of this support and what prevents something good from becoming something great. About Travis Thomas, Founder of Live Yes And!: After 20 years of performing hundreds of improv comedy shows across the country, Travis Thomas has learned that the same principles that apply to improv comedy also apply to business, mental, and leadership skills. As an author, speaker, coach, improv comedian, and the Founder of Live Yes And!, Travis has been helping businesses and athletes apply the cornerstone improv mindset - “YES And!” - to succeed in life and business for the last 10 years. In the world of improvisation, “YES, And” means accepting whatever is being given to you, and then responding and building on that reality. Most of us live life in denial – saying “no” to reality. This leads to a life unfulfilled and lived in fear. Living “YES, And” is about accepting and embracing everything that is happening – even the bad stuff! Why? Because good or bad, the only way to move forward is by facing it and moving through it. As a professional public speaker and coach, Travis has trained thousands of people and dozens of organizations like the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, University of Georgia Football, US Soccer, Gatorade, PepsiCo., and Under Armour on the principles of improvisation and how developing a “YES, And” mindset will help create an engaged, creative, collaborative, and healthier life and workplace. CONNECT WITH TRAVIS:
- Website: http://liveyesand.com
- Instagram: @liveyesand
- Twitter: @LiveYesAnd
- Facebook: Live Yes, And
- LinkedIn: Travis Thomas
- Youtube: Travis Thomas
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
With today’s news cycles, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the troubles going on in our world. Where do we even start? How do we even scratch the surface of helping? What do we do? What can one person do to make a difference in some of the world’s biggest problems? It does not have to be complicated. It doesn’t have to be hard. You can make a difference! You can make a change! This isn’t just some fluffy, woo-woo talk, you really can make an impact. My guest this week is Kristi Porter, the founder of Signify. Kristi helps small nonprofits and for-profits with a social mission get noticed and grow through effective marketing and communications, She also teaches solopreneurs and small businesses how to incorporate philanthropy and giving strategies so they can leverage their resources and influence to make a positive impact. Today’s conversation is absolutely incredible; Kristi and I personally tackle some pretty tough issues: human trafficking, racism, religion, our faith. It’s a lot, but it’s oh so good! You’re going to love it! INSPIRATION IS ALL AROUND YOU When Kristi felt the call to be more involved and make an impact, searching for jobs on the internet just didn’t cut it. She knew she wanted to be heavily involved, whether it was through one big organizations or many small organizations. When Kristi realized that many owners of small businesses needed help in the marketing and communications department, she knew she had found a way to make her mark. Kristi and I talk about how the biggest inspirations can come from the little things in your life. ANTI-TRAFFICKING Kristi and I are similar in many ways, including our passion for preventing human trafficking. Kristi had always had been drawn to the issues of slavery because of the history of slavery in the Bible and around the time of Abraham Lincoln, but had no idea that people today were facing these hardships as well. Kristi and I talk about how our independence led to our involvement in the anti-trafficking movement. CHRISTIANITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE Lucky for me, Kristi was comfortable to get a little uncomfortable and we were able to talk about christians’ role in social justice. These days, christians and the christian church tend to take a backseat when it comes to the social justice movement and they should be doing better! Looking at the Bible, Jesus stood for social justice and was meeting the needs of those who needed help most, something that christians should be striving to do also. Kristi and I discuss why we think the church is struggling in the social justice movement. About Kristi Porter, Founder of Signify: Kristi Porter believes in using her skills, talents, and influence to do good wherever she can. As a self-described #wordnerd, she is often assisting small nonprofits and for-profits with a social mission in their marketing and communications efforts, primarily through copywriting and marketing strategy consulting. Kristi also teaches solopreneurs and small businesses how to incorporate philanthropy and giving strategies so they can actively participate in the issues they care about too. She believes that cause-focused organizations are the future of business, and when they succeed, we all win. CONNECT WITH KRISTI:
- Website: https://www.signify.solutions
- Instagram: @kporter9876
- Twitter: @signifysolution
- Facebook: Signify Solutions
- Pinterest: WeSignify
- LinkedIn: Kristi Porter
- Facebook Group: Signifiers
LINKS FROM THE SHOW:
- Freebies Link: http://bit.ly/signifylisten
- Candy Shop Movie
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
The entertainment industry is a tough industry. We hear all the time about entertainment industry professionals, actors, directors, musicians, producers, et cetera, who get burned out. They suffer from depression, struggle with hurting relationships, and so much more. But sometimes the entertainment industry can also connect people to doing good in a way they wouldn’t be able to do otherwise. So many of those people end up doing incredible, philanthropic work around the world! Today’s guest took his experience in the entertainment industry and actually left it to revolutionize the way philanthropy could be done. My guest this week is Liron Artzi, the founder and CEO of Utopi, a new platform that revolutionizes philanthropy, elevates live-streaming Blockchain technology, and integrates influencers and user generated content to transform our planet. Liron was an incredible guest, and make sure you listen till the end when he tells me about how he almost became the lead singer of one of the biggest rock bands of our generation! It’s a crazy story and I know this is a conversation you’ll love! THE AGE OF TRUST Liron recognized a need for a creative environment where Millennials and Gen Zers could be rewarded for their work and make an impact at the same time. Utopi utilizes Blockchain, which allows creators to use smart contracts, a digital contract that makes it easy to track exchanges. By making information concrete and unalterable, this platform is creating a sense of trust that wasn’t there before. Liron and I chat about the age of trust and why this sense of security and efficiency is so important. RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME Everybody has a story, and Liron is no exception. With one of the most unique backgrounds I’ve ever come across, Liron will blow your mind with all his different experiences. From movie roles to publishing a magazine to singing in a rock band, his experiences built on each other to give Liron the knowledge and tools he needed to create a platform like Utopi. Liron explains his belief that everything happens for a reason. UTOPI IN PRACTICE With his mom working for non-profits for many years, creating change and making an impact has always been a priority for Liron. His passion for entertainment projects that educate and motivate led him to create a platform that merges letting creators help themselves with the want to help humanity. Liron and I talk about giving kids a unique platform to help others that wasn’t available before and how Utopi is used in everyday life. About Liron Artzi, Founder and CEO of Utopi Liron Artzi is the Founder and CEO of Utopi. He has years of experience in media, entertainment, film and television. He has 20 years of experience working in all aspects of the entertainment industry. Liron's role in business development, corporate sponsorship and consulting allowed him to interact and work with major international brands. As Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing for Milestone Media Group, Liron Artzi launched and distributed the Warner Brothers DVD box collection set across Asia. He also sold the first English language picture to the Chinese market. As Vice President of London International Television in New York City, he produced and financed the Business Profile Series for CNBC, working with the CEOs of ING, Fortis Investments, Ford, Coca-Cola, Getty Museum, Umbro, Adidas-Salomon, and Nike. CONNECT WITH LIRON:
- Utopi Website
- Instagram: @artzilove
- Twitter: @utopi_io
- Facebook: Liron Artzi | Utopi
- LinkedIn: Liron Artzi
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
With today’s social media world and our abundance of information that’s thrown our way, we can very easily get discouraged about the world around us. Sometimes we feel like there’s so much hurt and sadness in the world, and we get overwhelmed, we feel like the apocalypse is nigh. But the truth is, it’s just not true. Yes, there are bad things in the world, but there’s also so much good, and there’s so much room for good! There are so many people and businesses changing and impacting lives, and sometimes the space between a person’s success or failure when it comes to doing good is just a matter of support or education or access to the right resources. The fact is, we cannot change the world on our own. We were made to do it in community. My guest this week is Kathleen Kelly Janus, an award-winning social entrepreneur, author, and lecturer at Stanford University. As an expert on philanthropy, millennial engagement, and scaling early-stage organizations, her work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Stanford Social Innovation Review, TechCrunch, and the San Francisco Chronicle. She is the co-founder of Spark, the largest network of millennial donors in the world. Based in the heart of Silicon Valley, her book Social Startup Success features best practices for early-stage, nonprofit organizations based on a 5 year research project interviewing hundreds of top-performing social entrepreneurs. Kathleen is one of those people that I instantly felt smarter just by talking with her. But in all seriousness, her passion is infectious and I loved my chat with Kathleen, and I know you will too!
RISE OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP More and more companies these days are developing social impact programs, and for good reason. According to Kathleen, 85% of millennials ask about a company’s social impact program before taking a job, which is changing the role of business in the social sphere. Kathleen explains why she believes that soon all entrepreneurship will be in pursuit of the greater good.
GETTING KIDS INVOLVED From an early age, both Kathleen and I were raised on the idea of helping others, which has driven us to instill the same values in our own kiddos. Children understand so much more than we give them credit for, and explaining the realities of the ways other people live is so important in kids’ growth. Kathleen and I talk about how philanthropy plays a role in our own kids’ lives.
SHARING THE STORY At so many fundraising events, I see too much focus on raising money for a cause and not enough focus on the cause itself. Kathleen brings up the idea that in order to to build a movement, an organization must be able to tell a story. Organizations so often fail in this area, skipping the details or leaving out the passions and the personal connections are a part of the cause. The organizations who focus on the community and tell a good story are always the best organizations.
About Kathleen Kelly Janus, Co-founder of Spark and Author of Social Startup Success: Kathleen Kelly Janus is an award-winning social entrepreneur, author and lecturer at Stanford University. As an expert on philanthropy, millennial engagement and scaling early stage organizations, her work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Stanford Social Innovation Review, TechCrunch and the San Francisco Chronicle. She is the co-founder of Spark, the largest network of millennial donors in the world. Based in the heart of the Silicon Valley, her forthcoming book, Social Startup Success, features best practices for early stage nonprofit organizations based on a five-year research project interviewing hundreds of top-performing social entrepreneurs. About Social Startup Success: What Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus is calling an “important catalyst for training the next generation of social entrepreneurs on how to change the world,” Social Startup Success: How the Best Nonprofits Launch, Scale Up and Make a Difference, by Stanford lecturer and Spark Co-Founder Kathleen Kelly Janus, is a guidebook for how to achieve breakthrough impact in the nonprofit sector. For the past five years, Janus has traveled the country visiting the founders, leadership teams, and funders of dozens social entrepreneurs, both newcomers and veterans in the field, including the leaders of Teach for America, City Year, DonorsChoose and charity:water. The book features her findings, detailing best practices for testing ideas, measuring impact, funding experimentation, leading collectively and storytelling with purpose. Social Startup Success is a social entrepreneurship’s essential playbook; the first definitive guide to solving the problem of nonprofit scale. CONNECT WITH KATHLEEN:
- Spark Website
- Kathleen’s Website
- Social Startup Success
- Twitter: @kkellyjanus
- Facebook: Kathleen Kelly Janus
- LinkedIn: Kathleen Kelly Janus
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
I’m always amazed when I meet someone who has taken a trial, struggle, hardship, or some adversity in their life and used it to change and impact their community or the world. So often, when tough stuff happens to us or when life hands us a really huge, massive lemon, we use that to sit and throw ourselves a pity party. But when we flip that on its head and instead use that hardship for good, it’s amazing what we can accomplish! My guests on the Business with Purpose podcast this week are Ben & Laura Harrison, founders of Jonas Paul Eyewear, a children’s eyewear company focusing on creative, fashion-forward eyewear for kids. Their brand was inspired by their son Jonas after he was born with a rare eye disease. As they were on the hunt looking for stylish eyewear for their son, they noticed the limited options and decided to create their own brand of eyewear that inspires confidence in children. Through their pain and suffering, they have impacted thousands of children. They were blessed to be only a few hours away from some of the best eye care in the world that has helped provide Jonas with some sight. In return, they have turned their blessing into helping kids in undeveloped countries in the need of sight. With each purchase, they help provide sight to children in need. For being a little over 4 years old, they have impacted over 30,000 kids around the world. This is an incredible conversation I know you’re going to love! [click_to_tweet tweet="“I felt like there was a gap in the market for more stylish glasses that kids actually got excited about wearing and that was my long-term mission, was to make glasses cool.” @jonaspaulframes" quote="“I felt like there was a gap in the market for more stylish glasses that kids actually got excited about wearing and that was my long-term mission, was to make glasses cool.” @jonaspaulframes"] CONFIDENCE THROUGH STYLE Many people need glasses to see, yet there is such a lack of stylish glasses, especially for kids. As Ben and Laura began to search for glasses for Jonas, Ben was reminded of his own struggles with glasses when he was a kid. The stigma around glasses paired with an unstylish pair of children’s glasses can create many bullying opportunities, something Ben and Laura hope to change through Jonas Paul Eyewear. We talk about making glasses cool and how a little confidence can change a life. [click_to_tweet tweet="“When you create a really empowering, exciting brand and also have that impact piece, kids get really excited about it and I love the thought of them walking into school the first day with their glasses and they’re so excited about it.' @jonaspaulframes" quote="“When you create a really empowering, exciting brand and also have that impact piece, kids get really excited about it and I love the thought of them walking into school the first day with their glasses and they’re so excited about it.' @jonaspaulframes"] PREVENTING AND PROVIDING Part of what makes Jonas Paul Eyewear special is their give-back component. Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable childhood blindness and through their Buy Sight, Give Sight program, Ben and Laura donate Vitamin A supplements to prevent childhood blindness in the developing world. They also donate their own glasses to various ministries and school programs to provide sight to those in need. Ben and Laura explain why they choose to give back and the importance of something as small as Vitamin A. STARTING FROM SCRATCH When Ben and Laura started their life together, they never thought they would have started a business like Jonas Paul Eyewear. Going from wedding photographers to creating medical devices was a huge jump for the couple that took a lot of hard work and trial and error. Ben, Laura, and I talk about the process of starting Jonas Paul Eyewear and why being open to change is so important. About Ben & Laura Harrison, Founders of Jonas Paul Eyewear: Jonas Paul Eyewear was founded by Ben and Laura Harrison and inspired by the birth of their son, Jonas Paul. Jonas was born with a rare disorder, Peter’s Anomaly, that caused opacified corneas and glaucoma. Despite being blind at birth, Jonas Paul now has low vision thanks to 21 surgeries and the dedication of his loving parents. As Ben and Laura searched for fashionable eyeglasses for their son, they grew increasingly frustrated at the limited options for children. The Harrisons decided to leave their careers to launch Jonas Paul Eyewear with the mission of helping children feel beautiful in their glasses and providing sight to children in need with every purchase. Since its founding in 2013, the company has been featured on NBC Nightly News and NBC Today Show, The Wall Street Journal, and Huffington Post. Jonas Paul Eyewear has garnered numerous awards for its social responsibility and design. Jonas Paul’s refined, sophisticated look empowers children to feel confident and parents to be socially responsible with their eyewear purchases. The Harrison's are thankful that they have been given the opportunity to make a broad social impact while, at the same time, helping kids all over the world look incredibly dapper. CONNECT WITH BEN & LAURA:
- Jonas Paul Eyewear Website
- Buy Sight, Give Sight Program
- Jonas Paul Eyewear NBC News Feature
- Instagram: @jonaspauleyewear
- Twitter: @jonaspaulframes
- Facebook: Jonas Paul Eyewear
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
Today’s episode is a little different than usual, and I loved it. I know that I have a lot of listeners who are not entrepreneurs. You’re in the corporate world, or you’re a student, or you’re an employee, or you’re in a job that you just cannot stand and you’re looking to change jobs or find a job where you can serve on a team that utilizes your gifts. You’re looking for a job with purpose and meaning and you just don’t know where to start. Well, we’ve got you covered today! My guest this week is Mac Prichard, founder and president of Prichard Communications and Mac’s List. Mac is the proud owner of two registered B Corporations and he is so passionate about helping others find their dream job that allows them to make a sustainable living while doing good in the world. Today’s episode has something for literally everyone in it and I know you’re going to love it! B CORPS BROKEN DOWN Benefit Corporations, or B Corps, are huge in the ethical world, but many people don’t know the significance of this type of business. With over 2,500 B Corps across the world, these businesses aren’t just trying to make a profit, they are used to better the community and the environment. Mac breaks down what it takes to become a B Corp and how these businesses manage the triple bottom line. THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET So many people who are unemployed or feel stuck in a job are looking to pursue something that has meaning and purpose. Yet, it can be very difficult to find a job to fulfill these needs just by looking through job boards. Most great positions are never advertised and are found only in the hidden job market through word of mouth. Mac and I discuss why some people struggle to find jobs in the hidden job market and how you can learn to find them. BUILDING CONNECTIONS Creating relationships is key in all aspects of life, but so many dread the thought of networking. However, people’s idea of being successful at networking events is often very different than how to actually be successful at networking events. Mac and I chat about playing up your strengths to make networking more bearable and the importance of authentic conversation, listening, and asking questions when building connections. About Mac Prichard, founder and president of Prichard Communications and Mac’s List: Mac Prichard is the founder and publisher of Mac’s List, an online community for people looking for rewarding, creative, and meaningful work. More than 80,000 people a month visit the site, which includes a job board, a blog, and coursed about the nuts and bolts of job hunting and career management. A leading career expert, Mac helps people who are looking for a job during all of life’s transitions: millennials getting a first job, midlife professionals switching sectors, parents getting back to work after raising a family, or baby boomers who want to change careers. Mac is proud to own two registered B-Corp companies, which use the power of markets to solve social and environmental problems. He is the author of Land Your Dream Job Anywhere and hosts the weekly podcast, Find Your Dream Job. CONNECT WITH MAC
- Mac’s List Website
- Prichard Communications Website
- Instagram: @macs_list
- Twitter: @mac_prichard | @macs_list
- Facebook: Mac Prichard | Mac’s List
- LinkedIn: Mac’s List
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
One of the things I love most about ethical and fair trade fashion is telling the stories behind the companies that make these beautiful things. That’s basically why I started this podcast, so you could hear the stories behind the brands doing these amazing things! But what I love even more is when I’m out somewhere and someone says “Oh I love that gorgeous necklace” or “That shirt is incredible, where did you get it?” and I get to tell the story behind the gorgeous piece. But it’s not like they knew that piece was made by artisans or is changing the world somehow. They just knew it was beautiful and wanted to know where I got it, but the fact that it has a story behind it means that much more. My guest on the Business with Purpose podcast this week is Manish Gupta, founder of Matr Boomie, a fair trade brand that produces some of the most beautiful jewelry and hand-crafted goods that works with INCREDIBLY talented artisans in India. I have been a big fan of Matr Boomie for quite some time and was honored to hear Manish’s story and hear about how they got started. This is such a great conversation and you’re going to learn so much! EMPOWERING ARTISANS When ethical brands try to sell products, it is easy to make the products too much about the story of the artisans and not the art itself. Manish and I discuss how he lets the products lead while still empowering the artisans behind the products. By viewing the artisans as partners and not as a charity, Manish avoids “pity sales” and lets the amazingly beautiful products speak for themselves. FAIR-TRADE CERTIFIED In today’s world, the term “fair trade” is thrown around quite often while few companies are actually fair-trade certified. It is so much harder for craft products to be certified due to the complex nature of supply chains. However, some businesses are Fair Trade Certified by the Fair Trade Federation, meaning they follow ethical practices. Manish explains the intense review companies like his own have to go through to become certified and the principles they have to follow. POWER OF CONSUMERS As consumers in the US, we are so far away from where many products are being made and it is easy to say we don’t know the processes and ignore the problem. Manish and I discuss how consumers need to take ownership about what they’re buying in this day and age. Consumers make a huge impact and can make brands more conscious just by asking them how products are made. A change in consumers’ spending habits will force businesses to pay attention and make a change. About Manish Gupta, Founder of Matr Boomie: On a trip back to his native India after years living in the United States, Manish Gupta was struck anew by the extreme material poverty of his homeland. With deep respect for the rich culture and potential of rural Indians, he began asking questions. After hundreds of conversations and even more glasses of tea, Manish realized that he had a role to play — that he could bridge these two seemingly disparate worlds. He started partnering with grassroots organizations to transform unskilled women and men into master artisans. He personally ensured that the materials were safe for people and kind to the land. With the help of his mother and sister, Manish established a team in India to guarantee clear, efficient communications and high-quality production. He gathered a team in Austin, Texas, to design collections that entice Westerners while honoring the culture, craft and capacity of Indian artisans. And along the way, he married a beautiful, inspiring Indian designer, Ruchi, who quickly became his partner in life, love and business. Nearly a decade later, the little company run out of Manish and Ruchi’s Austin apartment has grown into a leading fair trade wholesaler and innovator in ethical, sustainable business. CONNECT WITH MANISH:
- Matr Boomie Website
- Matr Boomie Blog
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matrboomie/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/matrboomie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MatrBoomie/
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fairtraders
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
Figuring out what to make for dinner each week can be so stressful, especially with work, and kids, and life. That time of day can be MISERABLE, and takes everything out of you just to get food on the table. A few years ago, my friends and I actually started a monthly Freezer Meal Party, where we gather and we cook freezer meals, and then we swap them. So, we have easy meals ready to go throughout the week or month. This has been such a lifesaver for me and my friends, and honestly it’s become such a joy to just gather with them each month. Getting to talk about freezer meals, and community, and the importance of the dinner table on the podcast, well this was an episode I couldn’t wait to do!
ON THIS WEEK'S BUSINESS WITH PURPOSE PODCAST EPISODE My guest on the Business with Purpose podcast this week is Polly Conner, the co-author of The Thriving Home blog, and From Freezer to Table, the freezer meal cookbook. I have been following Polly for quite some time, and I was so excited to do this interview. We have the BEST time chatting, and clearly could be best friends in real life, and I really just loved hearing her heart behind the blog, and the cookbook, and we even talking about internet trolls. Also, be sure to head on over to my Instagram, as we’ll be giving away a copy of From Freezer to Table. We laughed, we cried, we talked about all the things, so we hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did!
BALANCE Balancing motherhood, working, and taking care of the family can be exhausting at times. In this episode, Polly and I discuss what real balance looks like and how to most women, this can be an unspoken battle. Balancing the kids and cooking dinner can make 4pm-7pm the real STRUGGLE. Polly’s Freezer Meals approach allows mothers to, “free your time, be more present, and be more hands on. Be available for your people.”
FRIENDSHIPS AND THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY The need for real, honest friendships is so necessary throughout many stages of life. Being new to motherhood, and coming out of working a full-time job can leave women feeling lonely. When life gets demanding, it’s important to be intentional in creating space for community. Gathering around the table is not just important in our own families, but with friends and other loved ones who can be each other’s support system in times of need.
VULNERABILITY Being a blogger, author, or even just person on the internet often exposes us to much criticism (we’ve all dealt with the trolls,) but also allows us to really make an impact with our words. Polly and I discuss what writing, blogging, and the community we’ve built online means to us, and how privileged we feel to have a platform to be vulnerable and real with our audience.
About Polly Conner, Co-Author of From Freezer to Table: Polly is a wife and mother of three little ones. She refers to herself as a “high-tech grandma,” because she enjoys the typical hobbies of a grandma - crafting, sewing, knitting, baking, and slipper-wearing - but have the skills of techie. As a woman constantly in a state of nesting, Polly has grown to love being at home and finding ways to be resourceful. A few years ago, Polly and her friend Rachel, came together to start a blog with the mission of helping families to thrive. Together, they recently authored From Freeze to Table as a resource for busy mothers to be efficient in their homes, community, and lives, while still valuing the importance of time at the dinner table. CONNECT WITH POLLY: * Thriving Home Website * Use code MollyPolly1982 for 50% off Table Talk Cards from their store * From Freeze to Table Freezer Meal Cookbook * https://www.facebook.com/thrivinghomeblog/ * https://www.instagram.com/thrivinghome/ * https://www.pinterest.com/polly827401/
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week’s Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let’s continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I’d love it if you left a review* on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes* * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? 1. 1. Launch Apple’s Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter “Business with Purpose“ 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send*.
Have you ever spent time cleaning out your closet, and you take all of your valuable clothes that you spent good money on, and you haul that stuff to your local consignment store or like Plato’s Closet or Clothes Mentor and you are excited for how much money they’re going to give you… and then suddenly the wind has been taken out of your sails when they want to offer you like $3 for your $180 J.Crew blazer? Or $5 for that $250 Coach bag? Yeah, I’ve experienced that a time or 12… well, what if there was a way to clean out your closet AND get what the items are actually worth… AND also get new stuff sent right to your doorstep???
My guests on the Business with Purpose podcast this week are Janet Wu and Erin Wold, the founders of Silkroll… a GENIUS startup that is essentially a fashion exchange program for high end clothing and accessories… Really… I was so excited for this interview and I’m so pumped about what Silkroll is doing (you can tell how excited I am throughout the interview! HAHA!)... Enjoy this episode!
About Janet Wu & Erin Wold of Silkroll: SilkRoll was founded by Janet Wu, who spent 10 years developing her style and taste in fashion while working around the world as an investment banker. Her lucrative career allowed her to create the closet of her dreams, but left her always wanting more… With a wealth of financial knowledge, Janet took a risk and became the CFO of a cleantech startup and eventually moved to San Francisco where her entire high-end wardrobe became obsolete. Every day she looked at the fashion she loved but no longer wore and was unsatisfied with the options to purge this valuable collection. She contemplated, ”how can I keep the value of this fashion and share it with someone who would appreciate my style?” On the 4th of July, 2015, Janet shared her idea with Erin Wold. Erin always dreamed of owning this kind of fashion but with an abundance of student loan debt her ability to invest in high-quality fashion was limited. By this time, Erin had already spent 4 years in operations at a startup that was in skyrocket growth mode, so she knew her expertise in scaling operations was as valuable as this idea, she became Janet’s co-founder. As they began building SilkRoll, friends connected them to a renowned photographer, San Francisco’s Best of the Best: Gavin Farrington. His tech background, professional edge, and passion for automation & perfection make SilkRoll’s products appear so desirable online that customers can realize the real value that their style deserves!
CONNECT WITH SILKROLL:
- Silkroll Website
- https://www.facebook.com/silkroll
- https://www.instagram.com/silkroll
- https://twitter.com/SilkRollSF
- https://www.pinterest.com/silkroll
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
Have you ever thought that you’re at a place in your life where it’s too late to start over? Sometimes I feel like we get to a certain age (an age that doesn’t actually really exist) and we think that we are stuck doing what we are doing forever. We think that if we aren’t successful doing something by age…. let’s day 28! Then we are STUCK. It’s never too late. I mean, Morgan Freeman was 52 when he got his first leading role in a movie… and now we see Morgan Freeman do everything! Vera Wang decided she wanted to be a designer… at age 40! Ray Kroc didn’t open his first McDonald’s until after he turned 50. This just goes to show it is NEVER too late to pursue something you believe in…
My guest this week is Steven Wallace, author of OBRONI AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and founder of Omanhene Cocoa Bean Company, the first beyond fair trade, “single-origin” chocolate in Ghana. I LOVED chatting with Steven because, let’s be honest, I love chocolate, and also because this is an area that I honestly do not know a lot about and I was so eager and ready to learn from Steven’s experiences… You’re going to LOVE this one…
About Steven: Steven Wallace, Founder/President of The Omanhene Cocoa Bean Company. Omanhene is the first company to sustain exports of premium chocolate manufactured entirely in Africa. Omanhene is credited with producing the world’s first single-origin chocolate bar in 1994 and with creating an entirely new chocolate category (dark milk chocolate). Omanhene’s entrepreneurial accomplishments and path-breaking business model have been recognized by President Jimmy Carter, former ambassador Shirley Temple Black and the United Nations Global Compact. He was selected as one of the inaugural TED Fellows in 2007. He is a featured subject in the book, “Food Heroes” by Georgia Pellegrini and features prominently in the book “Chocolate Nations” by Orla Ryan. He is the author of “Obroni and the Chocolate Factory: An Unlikely Story of Globalization and Ghana’s First Gourmet Chocolate Bar” (2017, Skyhorse Publishing). Wallace first came to the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana as a high school foreign exchange student during the summer of 1978. (He lived with a traditional Ghanaian family, which consisted of a host father and his three wives and 21 children.) He founded Omanhene at the age of 29. Wallace often speaks on economic development, cross-cultural issues and the challenges of starting a gourmet food business in Africa. He delivered a TEDx talk in Accra and has served as a guest panelist at the US State Department sponsored African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum in Accra, Ghana. Wallace frequently speaks at public events and universities including Brown, Princeton, The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, The University of Michigan Graduate School of Business and Northwestern University. Wallace is a founding partner in NuMedika, a patient-centric telemedicine platform specifically designed for the African continent. Previously, Wallace worked in broadcasting in the newsroom of WMAL-AM 63, a networkowned radio station in Washington, DC and then as an attorney with the boutique tax law firm of Silverstein & Mullens in Washington, DC. He later served as the vice-president of Midstates Sportswear. He served as vice-chair of the board of directors of AFS-USA, Inc. and on the board of trustees of AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc. the largest volunteer student exchange organization in the world. AFS has been instrumental in the US State Department’s YES program bringing young people from countries with Muslim populations to the US to spend a year with a US family and attend a US high school. Wallace holds a bachelor’s degree in History magna cum laude (Phi Beta Kappa) from Brown University and a juris doctor degree from the University of Chicago Law School. Mr. Wallace is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He lives in Whitefish Bay, WI. For more information, see www.omanhene.com.
Connect with Steven:
- https://www.omanhene.com/
- https://twitter.com/OmanheneChoc
- https://www.facebook.com/OmanheneIsMadeFromTheBestCocoaInTheWorldPeriod/
- Buy Steven's Book
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
There are a lot of misconceptions around the topic of human trafficking. So many people think it happens in other countries or it happens only to people living in poor conditions or that it looks like a guy in a big white van zooming in and snatching people off the streets. While that may be a tiny, tiny bit true… and I mean, a VERY TINY BIT true… human trafficking in reality looks very different. The fact is, is can and DOES happen right here in our own backyards… to kids - both boys and girls - we interact with every single day.
My guest this week is Anna Ptak… Today’s episode is a little different than usual… Anna is an overcomer of sex trafficking. She is taking her story and sharing it with others as a part of the fight to end this horrific reality for so many around the world and in our own communities. I am in awe of her. Anna joined me live in the studio and our conversation was tough and deep and rich and fun and so many things. It’s going to inspire you.
About Anna:
Anna Ptak is currently an international keynote speaker as well as an Overcomer and policy consultant in the movement to end Human Trafficking. Anna has conducted speaking tours in both New York and California. Anna’s story has been published internationally in editorials such as Asian Geographic and The Examiner. Anna was recently featured on the national talk show The Doctors and Univision’s Primer Impacto. In 2015, Anna showcased her ethical fashion collection during NYFW with garments made by Overcomers of sex trafficking in Nepal. Anna guest lectured at the University of Malta on Child Trafficking Law and has trained numerous governmental agencies and law enforcement on human trafficking. Anna lobbied for anti-human trafficking bills at the Virginia General Assembly and assisted in arguing, drafting bills concerning Human Trafficking including the Safe Harbor Law in NC. Anna also served as the guest speaker for many organizations such as for The National Center on Sexual Exploitation and Shared Hope International. Anna has assisted in writing both national and international policy. Anna has a large focus on establishing the link between pornography and sex trafficking. In her spare time, Anna loves spending time with her husband, and their adorable puppy, Liam Alexander.
Connect with Anna:
- http://www.facebook.com/mrsannaptak
- http://twitter.com/mrsannaptak
- http://instagram.com/mrsannaptak
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
Whether you want to admit it or not, you have fears. We all do. Maybe its a fear of bees or being chased in an alley by a masked man (okay, so those are my fears), or maybe it’s a fear of failure… or maybe it’s a fear or public speaking or getting rejected. Or maybe it’s a larger fear like being in fire or a plane crash… The thing is, we can’t let those fears take hold of our lives. We can’t let those fears dictate how we operate or how we interact with others… sometimes we have to take control of our fears and show those fears who’s boss. And I don’t want to start this off making you sad or feel uneasy… but let’s just say, for a moment, one of your worst fears came true? What if? What would you do? Honestly? How would you react? Would you let the fear consume you, or would you fight back? Would you push the fear out? Would you tell the fear to shove it and stick it where the sun don’t shine? Would you use that fear to fuel you to do something greater than you could have ever imagined? Would you use that fear to impact - or even SAVE - the lives of others?
My guest this week is Dave Sanderson… Today’s conversation is going to blow. you. away. Dave is an inspirational survivor, author and former head of security for THE Tony Robbins. His thoughts on leadership, business & survival have made him an internationally sought-out speaker. But, when US Airways Flight 1549, or “The Miracle on the Hudson,” went into the Hudson River on January 15, 2009, Dave Sanderson knew he was exactly where he was supposed to be. The last passenger off the back of the plane on that fateful day, he was largely responsible for the well-being and safety of others, risking his own life in frigid water to help other passengers off the plane. Dave shares his story with you today and it is absolutely incredible. This is honestly one of my favorite episodes to date and you are going to love it.
About Dave: Dave Sanderson is the President of his firm, Dave Sanderson Enterprises based out of Charlotte, NC. On January 15, 2009, Dave was the last passenger off the plane that crashed into the Hudson River, best known as “The Miracle on the Hudson” and was largely responsible for making sure so many others made it out safely. In addition to speaking and training, Dave conducts workshops, is a much sought-after podcast celebrity an author with his best-selling book titled “Moments Matter”, hosts his own radio show on Contact Talk Radio and C-Suite Radio called “Moments Matter with Dave Sanderson” and his daily flash briefing on Amazon Alexa titled, “Dave Sanderson: DECLASSIFIED.” He shares the 12 resources he and others employed that day and how you can use them to not only survive but grow and thrive in your life as a co- contributor with Dominique Wilkins, Don Barden, Brittany Tucker and Steve Nedvidek at the Leadership Mindset Series, the first and only servant leadership coaching program designed to help business leaders around the world to build a happier, more-productive business with a better bottom line. He and his wife, Terri, reside in Charlotte, NC. They have four children, Chelsey, Colleen, Courtney and Chance. Connect with Dave:
- https://davesandersonspeaks.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/DaveSandersonSpeaks
- https://twitter.com/DaveSanderson2
- https://www.instagram.com/davesandersonspeaks/
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Count Me In podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
I remember when John and I were planning our wedding... it literally feels like yesterday. We were on a pretty tight budget, and we were doing almost everything ourselves… And while the details of the wedding day, the florals, the pictures, the dress, the music… It was all important... But the thing I really looked forward to the most was the marriage. Preparing for our marriage was the most important thing to me… My guest on the podcast this week is Adrienne Rolon, the founder of Hearts Content Events and Design Studio. Adrienne is a dear friend of mine and I have wanted to have her on the show for months and I am so excited to introduce her to you today. Adrienne is an incredible wedding and event planner… But what I love most about her is her passion for marriage. Her story is incredible and I know you will absolutely love her!
Connect with Adrienne: * https://heartscontentevents.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/heartscontentevents/ * https://www.instagram.com/heartscontentevents/ * https://twitter.com/hceventsdesign
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Count Me In podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
Did you know that nearly 703 million people around the world are blind… simply due to lack of access to glasses. That’s 703 million people who are blind but that blindness could have been easily prevented if one person, or a group of people stepped in and helped. Well…my guest today is doing just that..
My guest this week is Dr. Travis Zigler, the founder of Eye Love, an eye wellness company with a mission to end preventable blindness. Along with his wife, Jenna, they continue to work part time in optometry and build Eye Love with the goal of eventually opening free clinics in the US and abroad. This was an INCREDIBLE conversation and I can’t wait for you to hear it!
About Dr. Travis Zigler:
Dr. Travis Zigler graduated in 2010 from The Ohio State University College of Optometry with Magna Cum Laude honors. He is the founder of Eye Love, https://eyelovethesun.com, whose mission is to end preventable blindness. Dr. Travis and his wife, Dr. Jenna Zigler, use the profits from Eye Love to fund free and low cost clinics in Jamaica. They also started a charity called the Eye Love Cares Foundation, https://eyelovecares.org, which provides exams, glasses and sunglasses for those in need, free education, and scholarships for students that align with their mission. Previously, Dr. Travis and Dr. Jenna owned two optometry practices, which they sold in 2017 to focus on their online efforts. Dr. Travis enjoys traveling to Jamaica, training for marathons, and playing the ukulele while he drinks his morning coffee (French press... mmmm).
Travis's favorite quote: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” - Ghandi
Company’s long-term mission/vision
A portion of profits from Eye Love sales is donated to the Eye Love Cares Foundation and funds are then used to provide glasses, sunglasses, and eye exams for those who cannot afford to obtain proper eyecare. In the future, the Foundation will be used to fund permanent free and low cost clinics in both the US and Jamaica, and it is our goal to also provide optometry scholarships for students who have an interest in eyecare mission work.
LINKS
- Eye Love: https://eyelovethesun.com/
- Eye Love Cares Foundation: https://eyelovecares.org
- Eye Love’s Vision Vision / Mission: https://eyelovethesun.com/pages/2019-vivid-vision-for-eye-love
- Eye Love Shop: https://eyelovethesun.com/collections/all
Eye Love on Amazon
- Sunglasses: https://amzn.to/2HoChFd
- Blue Blockers: https://amzn.to/2IFgVm5
- Dry Eye Products: https://amzn.to/2EBqTmo
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Count Me In podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
There are SO many people (me included), that love to travel. I know I have a list of about 100 places I’d love to see in my lifetime… but there are so many factors that can hold us back from actually getting on a plane and going somewhere. You know, things like time, money, and JOBS. Those pesky jobs keeping us from being a jetsetter… it’s as though we have to pick one or the other. A job or travel… But what if you could do BOTH? What if you could travel and see the world, AND make a positive social impact, while also working?
My guest this week is Ann Davis, the founder and CEO of Venture With Impact - a coworking program that engages professionals on a 4-week-skills-based volunteering program ABROAD while working remotely for their jobs, allowing them to develop professionally, rediscover purpose, and in the process, provide a positive social impact.
ABOUT ANN: After surviving cancer and subsequently traveling to over 40 countries in her 20’s, Ann found her most valuable and fulfilling travel experiences to be the instances when she stayed in one place, and worked with the local population – forming relationships and learning about their culture in the process. At the same time, she saw friends and colleagues struggle between the desire to maintain careers that provide financial security and the desire to travel and work for the social good. Life is too short not to have it all, so she founded Venture with Impact with the dream that working professionals could share in these same experiences while still working from their jobs.
Prior to founding Venture with Impact, she worked for 4 years as a teacher in the New Orleans and New York school systems, initially through Teach for America. Additionally, at the age of 18, she founded Swim for Success, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free swimming lessons and water safety skills to New Orleans Youth.
CONNECT WITH VENTURE WITH IMPACT:
- https://www.venturewithimpact.org/
- https://www.facebook.com/venturewithimpact
- https://twitter.com/Venture_Impact
- https://www.instagram.com/venturewithimpact
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Count Me In podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
At some point in our lives, we all experience a feeling of loneliness. It’s a natural human experience and for some, the struggle is worse than others… but it can be a struggle nonetheless. And loneliness doesn’t discriminate based upon age… but I’d venture to say that for kids and teens today, the feeling of loneliness can be crippling. I know for me, I struggled with feeling lonely a lot growing up. I was bullied in elementary and middle school and I never felt like I fit in. There were days where I’d wake up and I wouldn’t want to go to school… I’d fake sick hoping I could avoid the lunch cafeteria for another day. I just felt lost and I didn’t know what to do… I eventually learned ways to cope with that feeling and make a solid group of friends, but those years were so hard. have you ever felt that way? Was this something you ever struggled with? How did you handle it? Did you go with the motions or do you decide to take matters in to your own hands?
My guest this week isShane Feldman, the founder and CEO of Count Me In, the largest youth-run organization in the world that has impacted over 10 million youth in over 100 countries. The organization inspires youth to be positive change agents in their community, and aims to transform the way teens see themselves in connection to the world through volunteerism, community, and mentorship. With Shane at the helm, Count Me In is a global leader in immersive and practical student leadership training and community building, and Shane now travels the globe sharing his story and inspiring corporate and educational audiences to create an inclusive culture of connection. Shane is currently on the A&E docuseries “Undercover High” and has been featured on the Hallmark Channel, CBS, Fox, Yahoo, and the Huffington Post. I loved my time with him and I know you will love this episode!
About Shane: Shane Feldman is an internationally recognized youth empowerment expert, motivational speaker, producer, and social entrepreneur. As Founder and CEO of Count Me In, Shane is the creative strategist and visionary behind the world’s largest youth-run organization that has impacted over 10-million youth in over 100 countries. Shane appears in the new docuseries “Undercover High”, premiering on A&E this fall. The eye-opening television series takes a first-hand look at the inner-workings of the universal American experience of life in public high school. The groundbreaking series sent Shane back to high school, embedded as a teenager, to uncover what life is really like for a public high school student today. As a child of divorce, Shane was constantly moving with his mom, lacked consistent male role models, experienced relentless bullying, and felt socially isolated. He had moved upwards of eight times before entering high school. After moving to yet another brand new city, Shane was rejected by his first choice school, and entered 9th grade desperate for a positive experience, but instead felt lost and invisible. With the help of a very committed guidance counselor, Shane became active in local clubs, theater and volunteerism. Getting involved turned Shane’s life around, and inspired him to launch a school project to help his peers find their passion through community involvement. What started as a small project remarkably went viral, and has since evolved into the global phenomenon known as Count Me In. Born out of Shane’s own challenges and experiences, Count Me In inspires youth to be positive change agents in their community. With Shane at the helm, Count Me In is a global leader in immersive and practical student leadership training, and community building. Over the past decade, the organization has inspired tens of thousands of youth-led volunteer projects, equating to over 100-million hours of community service worldwide, worth $2.4 billion. Once socially isolated, Shane is now a renowned youth advocate committed to energizing those who feel lost or disenfranchised as he once did. As an expert on the power of positivity and human potential, Shane travels the globe sharing his story, inspiring corporate and educational audiences to create an inclusive culture of connection, and helping them uncover their value and potential. Shane has consulted for Microsoft, the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), GEAR UP, the International Student Leadership Conference, and Pencils of Promise. He has appeared on national media, was recognized by The United Nations Youth Assembly and the President’s volunteer initiative, Serve.Gov, and was named on Youth In Motion’s 20 Under 20 list. Connect with Shane and Count Me In:
- http://shanefeldman.com/
- https://www.cmimovement.com/
- https://twitter.com/shanefeldman
- https://www.facebook.com/shanefeldmanofficial
- https://www.instagram.com/shane_feldman/
- The 3-Minute Video Every Student Needs to See: https://youtu.be/BpMq7Q54cwI
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
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Each one of us has a gift. Whether you know it or not, and whether you want to believe it or not, I believe deep down that every single person on this earth was given a gift by our Creator… and how we use those gifts to serve others can really impact not only, well, other people, but also ourselves. As adults, I believe the way we use our gifts can also impact the next generation - we can show them what being a good steward of those gifts really looks like. And truthfully, I am continuously inspired by the next generation - I’m learning from THEM - amazing and incredible kids that are using their gifts to give back and really, TRULY make the world a better place.
My guests this week are Sydney Guerrette and Deirdre Catlett - a mother / daughter team who recently started Be the Change Youth Initiative - an organization dedicated to getting kids of all ages involved in serving and giving back to their community. This is such a great conversation and you’re going to learn so much SO much from them!
Deirdre Catlett: As Operations Manager for Be The Change Youth Initiative, Deirdre collaborates with artisan groups and fair trade wholesale providers, as well as designers for Be The Change merchandise. She also works closely with non-profit partners in an effort to best serve and share their work around the world. But, her most important role is wife and mom to Sydney and her three younger siblings: Brayden, Piper, and Holden. She's also finishing up her Master of Biblical and Theological degree at Dallas Theological Seminary.
Sydney Guerrette: As founder of Be The Change Youth Initiative, Sydney spends most of her time speaking to youth about the importance of using their gifts and talents to help other kids around the world. She is a singer/songwriter, and loves to use those gifts to tell the stories of others. Sydney is a 16-year-old homeschooled senior with a heart for missions and a true love for people.
Connect with Be the Change Youth Initiative:
- https://www.bethechangeyi.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/bethechangeyi/
- https://www.instagram.com/bethechangeyi/
- https://twitter.com/bethechangeyi
- Listen to Sydney's Music On Spotify
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
In today’s world, it can be really overwhelming when we see so much hurt and pain around the world. There are humanitarian crises all over the world that are horrific… whether it’s the Syrian crisis, the Rohingya refugee Crisis in Myanmar, or the Central African Republic crisis… we get to the point where we feel bombarded by these stories of pain and suffering around the world and we just want to help. We want to do SOMETHING, anything, to make a difference. And more often than not, the easiest thing for us to do is donate money, but, let’s be honest… donating money can be tough because we don’t know if the money we are donating is ACTUALLY making a difference… we can’t tell if the money we are sending to a particular organization is going to actually be USED to HELP people… what if there was a way for you to know exactly which organizations are doing the best work and the most efficient work and making the biggest impact so you know EXACTLY where to give your money?
My guest this week is Katherine Davies, the founder and CEO of IGUACU - the world’s first independent investigative platform that researches the nonprofits, charities, and organizations that are doing the BEST and most efficient work on the ground among the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Iguacu does the world FOR YOU and helps you to know exactly how and where to donate to make the biggest impact. This is such a great conversation and you’re going to learn so much!
Connect with Iguacu:
- https://weareiguacu.org
- https://www.facebook.com/weareiguacu/
- https://twitter.com/weareiguacu
- https://www.instagram.com/weareiguacu/
About Katherine:
Katherine Davies is the CEO and Founder of iguacu, (igwah-soo!), a nonprofit, independent investigator, that identifies highly effective charities overseas where the needs are critical. iguacu addresses the frustration people feel when they want to help people caught up in serious humanitarian crises such as Syria or Haiti. It can be difficult and time consuming to know which charity to support. There is nothing else like iguacu. On behalf of the public, iguacu is able to identify exceptional charities thanks to its unique intelligence network of more than 950 experts. Close to what is happening on the ground, the network speaks in confidence to the iguacu team, speaking freely about which charities are highly effective and which are not and why. They also update the team on the changing dynamics of each crisis.
The team and network at iguacu are dedicated to ensuring that donating effectively to where the needs are great is quick and effortless. As iguacu is also a 501(c)(3), many American donors rely on iguacu for their overseas giving, with a monthly donation to where the need is great. They welcome iguacu’s expert curation, monthly impact updates and annual donation statement. iguacu enables busy donors to include in their giving the effective support of the world’s most vulnerable people.
Katherine has more than 25 years' experience working in charities and INGOs, international banking, policy research, strategic communications, campaign management and the media. Prior to completing her MSc in International Relations at the London School of Economics, she was a newspaper journalist and a researcher at the Parliament of Australia.
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
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What if you had the next, world-changing, business idea? Your business could change the trajectory of someone’s life or impact the way people interact or have an impact on the environment or give people access to clean drinking water or create urban farming and give people more access to affordable, real food? But, the reality for you is, you don’t have the resources to implement the idea. Maybe it’s the money, or the support, or the technology… you know the idea is gold, and you know you can do it, but you just don’t have what you need to actually get it done. What if there was someone, or even a GROUP of people, who would come alongside you to help you change the world?
My guest this week is Kate Goodall, the co-founder and CEO of Halcyon House, one of the worlds premier and honestly, most unique business incubator I’ve ever come across. What they are doing to cultivate entrepreneurs from around the world in the social good space is AMAZING. And, if you’ve ever wondered what diving in shipwrecks and running a business have in common, then you’re going to LOVE this episode.
ABOUT KATE:
KATE GOODALL is the Co-Founder and CEO of Halcyon, a non-profit dedicated to solving 21st century problems by providing space and access to emerging leaders in social entrepreneurship and the arts. Goodall continues to grow Halcyon’s offerings in 2018 with By The People, an international arts and innovation festival in partnership with the Smithsonian and numerous organizations throughout DC. In 2016, Goodall helped establish WE Capital, a consortium of leading businesswomen investing in and supporting women and women-led companies. Goodall has served as juror at national and international social entrepreneurship competitions, was listed as one of the Washington Business Journal’s Power 100 and 40 Under 40, Washingtonian’s 2017 Tech Titans, and Techweek 100 DC’s Talent Cultivators.
CONNECT WITH KATE AND HALCYON HOUSE:
- http://halcyonhouse.org/
- https://www.facebook.com/halcyoninspires/
- https://twitter.com/HalcyonInspires
- https://www.instagram.com/halcyon_inspires/
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
For years, there’s been this strange distaste for business. People kept thinking business was bad and business owners were greedy and money grubbers. But the truth is, business is and can be a HUGE force for good. Business can change lives, communities, and countries. Business isn’t the enemy… business can change the world.
My guests this week are Nick Barigye and Greg Urquhart of Karisimbi Business Partners. What Nick and Greg are doing at Karisimbi Business Partners is incredibly unique and their approach to helping entrepreneurs in Rwanda is amazing. I know you’re going to love this conversation!
CONNECT WITH KARISIMBI BUSINESS PARTNERS:
- http://karisimbipartners.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarisimbiPartners
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/karisimbiprtnrs
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1146432/
About Greg Urquhart:
Greg brings 25 years of sales, strategy and management experience, working in international settings and across a number of vertical markets, including six years working in East and Southern Africa. His experience ranges from the Fortune 100 to startups, including Karisimbi Partners and its investee companies, and his role as VP of Partners Sales & Alliances for Xamarin Inc., a hyper growth San Francisco based startup focused on mobile technology (acquired by Microsoft in 2015). Greg has held a variety of senior roles for over 16 years with Microsoft, in the US and Europe. Results-oriented by nature, Greg has a passion for management excellence and people development, believing sound business planning and operational excellence are the keys to success.
About Nick Barigye:
Nick brings extensive strategic, operating and general management experience to Karisimbi Partners. He has served as CFO of the largest juice and dairy processor, CEO of the largest soy processor and COO of one of the largest locally owned road construction companies in Rwanda. He has filled interim General Manager and various other roles for a number of companies ranging from commercial printing to building products manufacturing. Nick is a self-starter with deep entrepreneurial, operational, financial, and business development expertise. He has extensive experience in financial analysis, financial management and investment analysis.
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
Giving. What does that word mean to you when you hear it? Does it mean someone who is giving with their time, giving with their talents, giving with their money, a giver of gifts... what does it mean? For years, I was the most reluctant to give with my money. It wasn’t until I was at my absolute brokest, if that’s even a way to describe it… that I realized that giving of my money, in addition to giving of my time and talents and those things, was actually the most valuable and important thing I could do. When I pretty much had nothing to give, giving became the most valuable things that changed for the better. Do you ever think of giving financially as something that could be sacrificial and life-changing for not only the person that you’re giving to… But also yourself?
My guest this week is Ashleigh Becker, founder of Sela Designs. We talk about her incredibly unique business model where she literally gives 100% of her profits away, we talk about her passion for adoption, and so much more. You’re going to love it.
CONNECT WITH ASHLEIGH AND SELA DESIGNS:
- http://bit.ly/2EWhUQE (Use code "SBMOLLYFREESHIP" for free shipping
- https://www.instagram.com/seladesigns/
- https://www.facebook.com/SelaDesigns/
Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
There’s a really difficult conversation that happens often in the ethical and fair trade space… and it’s a conversation around respect and getting rid of that savior complex when it comes to sharing the stories of artisans and men and women in vulnerable situations. It’s a fine line to walk. The stories of these beautiful people are important and they should be heard… but they should never be exploited for sales or personal gain. Seeing these artisans for the PEOPLE that they are - the HUMANS they are - and how they deserve respect and dignity… in ALL situations. It’s not about going in as the rich American “saving them from their plight” - it’s about empowering them and lifting them up to share their talents and skills with the world.
My guest on the Business with Purpose Podcast this week is Abby Alley, the founder of Zuri Collection. Abby and I had such an amazing conversation and we tackled everything from discussing how we should be sharing the stories of artisans to what it really looks like to humble ourselves and LISTEN. This is an episode you are NOT going to want to miss a second of!
ABOUT ABBY:
Abby is the founder of Zuri Collection, a business that seeks to create opportunity for artisans in East Africa to grow their business by having access to a global marketplace and fair wages. It all started back in 2014 when I (Abby) went to teach primary school in Arusha, Tanzania. Seeing firsthand how difficult it is for many Tanzanians to find a job that paid enough to support their families, I knew I wanted to do something to get involved. As a career teacher, I thought about starting a school, but after learning more about the power of fair trade, helping people grow their businesses became a passion. The wheels started turning and I began to dream about what it would look like to partner with artisan entrepreneurs in Tanzania and in other parts of East Africa.
Zuri Collection was launched in October, 2016, and it has been an amazing first year! My hope is to continue to develop a brand where women who love fashion can find quality, ethically-made, and unique pieces. Currently we carry collections of handcrafted bags, baskets, and jewelry.
I love that God made all of us different, yet the same. He gave us all unique talents and diverse cultures, but all of us are made in His image and have a desire to have work and for purpose. Zuri is a place where we see the beauty of God through the stories of women around the world. Our pieces represent those stories. When you wear or purchase Zuri, you are wearing and displaying a beautiful story.
CONNECT WITH ZURI COLLECTION:
- https://www.zuricollection.com/ (Use coupon code "stillbeingmolly" for 15% off)
- https://www.facebook.com/zuricollectionshop/
- https://www.instagram.com/zuricollection_/
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
I remember the first time I consciously wanted to quit. I was 7 and I had a big school science fair project I was working on. I was so excited about my project idea (I was talking about different kinds of rocks because, you know, that’s what 7 year olds do, or something). And really, I just wanted to talk about the pretty rocks that I had gotten on a recent trip to the gift shop at Luray Caverns in Luray, Virginia. I thought they were pretty and sparkly and I wanted to talk about them in my science fair project. I thought this would be so easy and I’d breeze through this project. But when it came time to actually do the work and look BEYOND the pretty, sparkly rocks, and really learn and be able to explain the difference between sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks… the project suddenly got hard for my 7 year old self and suddenly it wasn’t as exciting as before. I wanted to switch to a difference science fair project topic… but my parents wouldn’t let me. They said NOPE, this is the topic you picked, and you will commit to it and you will do a great job. They didn’t help me with the project, but they supported me, they encouraged me, and they guided me along the way. And in the end, my project was awesome and I got an O for outstanding.
Now what exactly does this have to do with business? Well, so often early on in our lives as entrepreneurs, we get excited about the pretty, sparkly aspects of business. We have a big idea we think will be an instant success and an instant hit and we go full steam ahead until BAM. We hit a wall. And business gets hard. And bills come up, or a snag in our plans happens, or someone tells us no. And so we want to quit. or give up. or change ideas or businesses. But let’s be honest, successful business owners we see today never quit. They didn’t give up. They kept going. They pushed through. They got support and encouragement from those closest to them… and now they’re on the other side… that’s what a good entrepreneur does. They keep showing up every single day, even when it’s really, REALLY hard.
My guest this week is Hannah Davis, the founder of BANGS shoes. BANGS means “help” in Mandarin, and Hannah wanted to create a solution to help others while also creating an amazing, stylish, and functional shoe. Hannah started this company at such a young age and has worked so hard over the past 7 years. Her story in amazing and will inspire you to push through and work HARD to achieve your goals!
ABOUT HANNAH:
At 22 years old Hannah Davis founded BANGS Shoes, an everyday adventure footwear company, to help start businesses around the world. Davis graduated college the year after the housing market crashed and signed a contract to teach English in China for 1 year. In China she discovered unique shoes worn by workers and farmers. With no business, marketing or design training Davis launched BANGS, a name coming from the Chinese character for the word "help". To to date BANGS Shoes has helped invest in 1000 entrepreneurs in 65 countries. We're up ten times over the past three years, only selling online. Our Marketing is driven by 100% organic social media fueled by 2,400 highly passionate Ambassadors. Building a brand like BANGS Shoes would not have been possible even 10 years ago. You can contact Hannah via IG @hannahdavis.
CONNECT WITH BANGS SHOES:
- https://www.bangsshoes.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/BANGSshoes
- https://twitter.com/bangsshoes
- https://www.pinterest.com/bangsshoes/
- https://www.instagram.com/bangsshoes/
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClaW9jMH95KrRK-QH-SD83Q
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
It is estimated that there are nearly 150 million orphans worldwide. There’s a worldwide orphan crisis… maybe you’ve heard or maybe you haven’t. But it’s a crisis and it’s not getting better. one of the harsh realities of the orphan crisis is that many children, are not actually orphans… but their parents have had to surrender them or give them up because they simply cannot afford to care for them. Adoption is beautiful and adoption is amazing, but adoption is just one solution to the orphan crisis. One of the greatest things we can do is PREVENT kids from becoming orphans in the first place. What if one of the ways we could prevent orphans was just to change the way WE shop? What if we empowered men and women worldwide with jobs that pay fair and living wages so they can care for their children?
My guests on the Business with Purpose podcast this week are Angela Lan and Kara Menning, the founders of Beautiful Uprising, an ethical fashion truck and online boutique based out of Salt Lake City, Utah! You know my dear friend Emily Sexton with The Flourish Market? Well, Angela and Kara have a fun connection to her that you will love hearing about. Kara and Angela and amazing and I know you’ll enjoy this episode!
About Kara Menning:
Kara's education on ethical purchasing started many years ago but only after bringing two of her children home from Haiti in 2013 did it turn into more than a “should.” In visiting the beautiful country of Haiti, she realized that what the developing world needs more of is dignified work, and that sustainable work leads to orphan prevention. Kara is a wee bit obsessed with fashion and a thoroughly exhausted mother of six. She's wife to Mitch who encourages her crazy and only sometimes regrets it, and she's also a nurse practitioner who likes to challenge the status quo. Loves of hers include watching her kiddos turn into humans who can have intelligent conversations, connecting all the unique and amazing people in her life, and music of all kinds.
About Angela Lan:
Several years ago, via friends and an article, she was introduced to the practice of fair trade. Ever since learning more about it and more about the working and life conditions of women and families in poverty both in the US and abroad, it has led to her asking, “other than posting articles on social media that has convicted me, what can I tangibly do?” Beautiful Uprising has been and is one of her vehicles to educate herself as well as a pursuit of spreading awareness to others. Angela studied International Business at Pepperdine University and then worked in Finance with a large defense contractor for about 11 years. She is mama to her sweet girl ("P"), a food and drink enthusiast, and a sentimental hoarder. She loves sitting with a friend over a meal, going to food markets of all kinds, and being provided toilet seat covers in public restrooms.
Connect with Beautiful Uprising:
-
- https://shopbeautifuluprising.com/
- https://twitter.com/beautifuluprise
- https://www.pinterest.com/beautifuluprising/
- https://www.instagram.com/beautifuluprising/
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
Have you ever had a dream as a child, or heck, even as an adult, and you had your mind set on that dream? How you thought life was going to certainly take you in one direction, and then an event, or a trip, or an experience completely shifts everything for you and you realize that the thing you thought you were supposed to do is now no longer the thing you thought you were supposed to do? I mean, for me, I spent nearly my entire life first quarter of my life DREAMING of being on Saturday Night Live. It was all I ever wanted to do was make people laugh for a living… and then life took a turn. And my life looks so different than what I thought it would originally look like… but for that, I’m thankful. And I’m now, in so many ways, living a life that is so much richer and fuller thant I could have ever anticipated. I’m thankful for the twists life took me on and the redirection I took… because for that, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Have you ever been in that situation? Have you ever felt like that? Well, it’s not all that uncommon… Has that life twist and turn impacted the lives of OTHERS?
My guest this week is Luc Berlin, the founder of Miigle+, a platform dedicated to making ethical shopping easier for the consumer and connecting consumers to ethical and sustainable brands. Luc has an incredible story and I know you will LOVE him! So without further ado, on to the episode with Luc!
About Luc:
Luc Berlin is a Social Entrepreneur, Marketing Executive and currently the Founder and CEO of Miigle+, a social impact technology company on a mission to turn 100% of consumerism into a force for social good by helping people discover sustainable brands and shop more ethically. Prior to founding Miigle, Luc spent the past 10 years leading digital marketing initiatives and revenue growth for B2B and B2C companies in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, including Shopzilla, LegalZoom.com, CrownPeak and HackerRank. Luc studied Biochemistry at UCLA and holds a Bachelors of Science in Management and MBA in Global Business, both from Pepperdine University.
About Miigle+
Miigle+ is a social impact technology company on a mission to turn consumerism into cause-sumerism. Our AI-enabled e-commerce platform makes it easier for ethically conscious consumers to discover, shop and support products from socially conscious and environmentally friendly brands.
Connect with Miigle+:
- http://miigle.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/miiglers/
- https://twitter.com/miiglers
- https://instagram.com/miiglers
- http://instagram.com/lucberlin/
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
Did you know that only about 1 in FIVE plastic bottles are ever recycled? And that it can take between 400 and 1,000 years to decompose. It’s actually estimated that humans are purchasing one million plastic bottles… PER MINUTE. Let that sink in. One million bottles PER MINUTE globally. And with 91% of those bottles never being recycled… that’s a lot of plastic that’s going to just end up in landfills, streams, creeks, and the ocean. I’m not trying to sound like some crazy tree hugger, but that’s a pretty alarming number. So what if each of us, made at least ONE simple, small change in 2018 to reduce the amount of plastic we are using and consuming? What if there was a company that was out there that could help you along the way?
My guest this week is Lindsay McCoy, founder of Plaine Products, a clean and zero waste bath and body company! They’re doing so much to positively impact the environment and you will love hearing all about them… You can use the coupon code MOLLY for 20% off at checkout to give Plaine Products a try!
About Lindsey:
Lindsey McCoy has a master’s degree in nonprofit management and spent the last 10 years working on environmental education in the Bahamas, islands full of single-use plastic. She and her sister co-founded a company, Plaine Products, that offers shampoo, conditioner and body wash and lotion in aluminum bottles that can be returned, refilled and reused. She is currently on the Board of the Friends School of Wilmington and the Plastic Ocean Project.
Connect with Lindsey and Plaine Products:
- https://www.plaineproducts.com/ref/83/ (use coupon code "MOLLY" at checkout for 20% off)
- https://www.facebook.com/plaineproducts/
- https://www.pinterest.com/plaineproducts/
- https://twitter.com/PlaineProducts
- https://www.instagram.com/plaineproducts/
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
For years, I hated my body. I’d look in the mirror and I’d notice every flaw. Every roll, every stretch mark, every bit of cellulite… I’d say, “I can’t run” or “I’m not strong” or “I have no upper body strength” or “I’m so out of shape.” I never thought I’d ever enjoy working out. I told myself I’m never going to be one of “those” fitness people. At the end of 2016, I was in a very low place mentally. I was coming off of suffering from pretty severe postpartum depression, I felt terrible, and I needed to make a change. At the beginning of 2017, I made the decision to not let myself come up with excuses any longer. The key here was… I made the decision. I said no more. I’d heard of this place called Burn Boot Camp, so in March, I said enough is enough and I signed up to try this thing called “Burn” out. And if you follow me on social media or read my blog, you know that my life has been forever changed by that decision. A friend of mine from Burn said this and I could not agree more: It’s probably the fourth best decision I’ve ever made… after following Jesus, marrying my husband, having my kids, comes joining Burn Boot Camp. It’s not just a great workout, Burn Boot Camp is so much more than that. It’s difficult to put into words, but today, we’re going to try.
My guests on the podcast this week are Devan and Morgan Kline, the founders of Burn Boot Camp. Their incredible story of how Burn Boot Camp came to be will absolutely blow you away. From having their first class in a parking lot to having over 300 awarded locations nationwide… You are going to love this conversation.
ABOUT DEVAN AND MORGAN:
October 15, 1987 is when our Founder, Devan Kline, was brought into this world. Devan was brought up in Battle Creek, Michigan in a low-end neighborhood. Devan’s mother and father were both victims of each other's domestic violence and would often trickle down to Devan and his siblings. Throughout his career with the SF Giants organization and at Central Mich. Uni. Devan developed this passion for fitness. Devan and Morgan have appeared on television and magazines hundreds of times in dozens of different markets setting the example for the future trainers that would partner with their brand. Their mission is to influence women to put themselves first and lead them to adopt a lifestyle that breeds confidence, creates REAL change, and ultimately changes the way their family lives their lives. They now have over 100 locations open and over 300 awarded since becoming a franchise just over 28 months ago.
Morgan Kline, Co-Founder & CFO of the Burn Boot Camp Franchise, grew up in Battle Creek, MI and graduated from Western Michigan University with a BSBA and focus on Food Marketing. While growing up Morgan was raised believing that in order to be successful you had to climb the corporate ladder. Therefore, Morgan worked for the Kellogg Company right out of college and gained a lot of great experiences but quickly learned that her passion was not in that industry, but that helping others reach their health and fitness goals was where she belonged!
In 2013 Morgan joined forces with her husband Devan and together built one of the nation’s best fitness programs! Burn Boot Camp has not only given Morgan the platform to share her passion for healthy living but has also given her the confidence to achieve what she ever thought was possible for herself. As a mother to a beautiful daughter Cameron and son on the way, Morgan can relate to a lot of women and moms’ out there that often put themselves last in order to make sure everyone around them is taken care of. Having a place like Burn Boot Camp allows women to feel confident, empowered, motivated, and stronger than ever!
CONNECT WITH DEVAN KLINE, MORGAN KLINE, & BURN BOOT CAMP:
- https://burnbootcamp.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/BurnBootCamp
- https://www.facebook.com/burnbootcampsouthdurham/ (the Facebook page for my location!)
- https://www.instagram.com/burnbootcamp/
- https://twitter.com/BurnBootcamp
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHUhA3C3vgTnyXHtAfsivgw
- https://www.instagram.com/devan.kline/
- https://www.instagram.com/morgan.a.kline/
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
People like to ask me when and how I got started talking about ethical and sustainable fashion. It’s definitely been a process for me over the years and I don’t claim to know it all or be perfect by any means. When I really started learning about the ins and outs of the fashion industry and how harmful it is and how WE are just contributing to it... I knew I had to do something. I knew I had to do my part. Because, believe it or not, one person can make a difference. The ripple effect we all have on each other can make an impact.
My guest this week is April Auger Perrin, the founder of All Awear, a website dedicated to connecting consumers with the ethical fashion industry! You know this is a topic that I love and I can talk about for hours on end. This was a great chat and I know you’ll love it!
ABOUT APRIL:
April Auger Perrin began her professional career at the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia as the Director of Programs and also served in a similar position at the statewide executive leadership program, Lead Virginia. In her work with political and organizational leaders, she recognized the importance of personal branding and public perception. Using her background in public relations, fashion, and her knowledge of perception and image management, April has delivered numerous presentations on the impact of personal brand and image management.
She intensified her research and skills by becoming an ICF certified coach. Additionally, she was trained as a personal stylist under the tutelage of Stacy London of the “What Not to Wear” TV show. A few of the organizations that April has had the privilege of working with are: CFA Institute, University of Virginia, Junior League of Charlottesville, State Farm Insurance Companies, and Merrill Lynch.
April has a Masters Degree in Non-Profit Studies from the University of Richmond, where she wrote her thesis on fashion-related social entrepreneurship. In June 2017, she launched All Awear as a culmination of her work in fashion, styling, and the nonprofit sector. All Awear is a website designed to inspire and connect consumers to ethical fashion brands as well as educating them on the importance of conscious consumerism. Travel and volunteering with her husband are two of the ways she enjoys her free time.
CONNECT WITH APRIL:
- http://allawear.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/allawear/
- https://www.instagram.com/all_awear/
- https://www.pinterest.com/ALL_AWEAR/
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
I love being a mom. It’s one of the most difficult and rewarding and all the things jobs I’ve ever had in my life. I’m simultaneously a nurse, a cook, a cleaner, a bedtime singer, a teacher, a caregiver, an errand runner, a boo boo kisser, you know… basically every job on earth rolled into one. But if I’m honest, sometimes being a mom is a really lonely job. I so badly want to connect with other moms, but it can feel like other moms are just going to judge me. Those “mommy wars” are real and hard and I don’t understand why they exist, but they do. Having a supportive community to just CONNECT with other moms is so needed and important and vital. We cannot and SHOULD NOT do life alone.
My guest this week is Sara Moore, the founder of Project Mother, a collaborative enterprise of moms striving to encourage and support one another while ALSO fostering ethical commerce. This is a RICH conversation guys. Ohhhhh, our conversation was so amazing and I there were times when I laughed and cried and felt so many emotions. You are going to love it.
Connect with Sara:
- http://projectmother.co/
- https://www.instagram.com/projectmotherco/
- https://www.facebook.com/projectmotherco/
- https://www.pinterest.com/projectmotherco/
TODAY'S BUSINESS WITH PURPOSE PODCAST EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: * CAUSEBOX - use code "MOLLY" for $15 off your first box!
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
I can pretty much guarantee that any business owner will tell you that running a business is hard. Unless you went to business school, there are so many details and unique facets about running a business that it’s honestly kind of hard to be prepared for. And many business owners are really just creatives and when they get to the nuts and bolts part of business, it can be overwhelming! But, one of the best characteristics of a good business owner is understanding when and HOW to get help. It’s important to realize what your strengths are and what your weaknesses are… and it’s important to reach out and say, “I can’t do all of this alone.” Maybe sometimes that means hiring someone to help you or bringing on a business partner who understands the other side of things, or maybe that’s even learning from someone else.
My guest this week is Jacquie Moesel, the founder of Moesel clothing - an ethical kid’s clothing line. But, why I had Jacquie on the show this week is to talk about the apprenticeship she did this year through Purse and Clutch. This was a really unique and fun conversation and I loved learning from her! I know you will, too!
About Jacquie:
Jacquie Moesel is the Co-founder and Creative Director of Moesel, a children’s clothing line designed by Jacquie in Austin, Texas and produced by a small batch manufacturer and women’s collective in Lima, Peru. Drawing on her lifetime of love for fashion and a professional career in social services and policy work, Jacquie and her good, good friend of 18 years, Franklin Gutierrez, started Moesel with the goal to provide high quality and stylish clothing for kids through a model that would help support production and economic opportunity for skilled artisans in Peru. Through close collaboration with the team in Lima, the first collection of Moesel launched in August 2017.
Connect with Jacquie and Moesel Clothing:
- https://moeselclothing.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/moeselclothing/
- https://www.instagram.com/moeselclothing/
TODAY'S BUSINESS WITH PURPOSE PODCAST EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: * CAUSEBOX - use code "MOLLY" for $15 off your first box!
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
One of the reasons I spend so much time talking about fair trade goods and ethical fashion is not just because I think they’re nice products or pretty things or they’re unique - sure - those things are all well and good… but the fact of the matter is… I care about the people and the stories behind the products I buy. Fair trade is not about charity. It’s not about a hand out. It’s not about having pity on someone. Fair trade is about empowerment, giving someone opportunity and a sustainable income and way of living. It’s about treating people like HUMANS. It’s understanding that fathers and mothers around the world want the same things for their kids that we do… they want to provide for their families. They want to support themselves. Men and women in developing nations don’t want your charity. They want you to buy their stuff.
My guest this week is David Atlas the founder of Marquet Fair Trade - a fair trade brand working with artisan partners in Asia… I have shared this brand on my blog and social media before and I have absolutely fallen in love with their beautiful jewelry and accessories. But most of all, I’ve fallen in love with their mission! You are going to LOVE this conversation and hearing David’s crazy story as to how Marquet got started!
About David:
David Atlas graduated cum laude from the Rutgers University School of Engineering in 2004 before embarking on a backpacking, trekking and motorbike trip through Australia, New Zealand, and South East Asia. It was here on this trip David first experienced the incredibly welcoming culture of rural South East Asia life and the breathtaking natural beauty of the region. After a few years working as an engineer and math tutor in NY, David was determined to return to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia to start a sustainable business that would also empower artisans in rural areas with access to the global market. For David, the best part of running Marquet, is when he gets to spend time on the ground in Asia, working on product development with artisans, and he gets to hear their laughter and see their smiles. Happiness is contagious!
Connect with Marquet Fair Trade:
- https://marquetfairtrade.com/
- https://twitter.com/Marquet_Fair
- https://www.facebook.com/marquetfairtrade/
- https://www.instagram.com/marquetfairtrade/
TODAY'S BUSINESS WITH PURPOSE PODCAST EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: * CAUSEBOX - use code "MOLLY" for $15 off your first box!
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
A common question I hear these days is, “How do I turn my PASSION into a career?” There’s a lot of talk about PASSION. Everyone has a passion. We all have passions. But is it POSSIBLE to turn that passion into a full time income? Is it possible to not spend every day going through the motions, but to wake up every day looking FORWARD to getting to work? Can we do work that both fuels our passion while also making a profit? Yes, I truly believe the answer is YES.
My guest this week is Marisa Flacks, the founder of RISE Creative. Marisa has actually become a dear friend of mine over the past 7 months or so, and I have come to really love and admire her. Her branding agency that specializes in working with businesses in the ethical and sustainable space is amazing and Marisa is so knowledgable and honestly SO wise beyond her years. You are going to ADORE her.
About Marisa:
Marisa is the Ethical Brand Strategist behind RISE Creative. A Cultural Anthropologist and corporate fashion drop-out, Marisa started RISE Creative to serve ethical brands, social enterprises, and small businesses through creative storytelling. Outside of her work, she enjoys exploring health & wellness, all the podcasts, pretending to be the next Joanna Gaines, and hanging with her puppy in the Queen City, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Connect with Marisa: * https://www.risecreativeco.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/risecreativeco * https://www.instagram.com/risecreativeco/ * https://twitter.com/risecreativeco
TODAY'S BUSINESS WITH PURPOSE PODCAST EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: * CAUSEBOX - use code "MOLLY" for $15 off your first box! * Sevenly - use code MOLLY10 for 10% off your purchase during the month of November.
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
To many people, a dress symbolizes things like fragility, weakness, inequality, outdated dress code rules, societal pressures, gender roles… There was a time when a woman would be literally scoffed at for wearing anything OTHER than a dress. And for centuries, women have fought to press on and buck trends and fight stereotypes, and obviously a woman wearing pants or wearing shorts isn’t thought of as anything crazy or remarkable today… but could a woman wearing a dress actually change the world? Could the “dress” be reclaimed into a symbol of power and freedom and purpose? We think so…
My guest this week is Blythe Hill, the founder of DRESSEMBER, an international movement of women and men who are raising money to fight to end human trafficking. I wanted to hear Blythe’s story and learn about how she got this incredibly amazing movement started and I LOVED our conversation! I am actually participating in Dressember this year and I am pledging to wear a dress every day during the month of December… Yes, even if it is freezing out. I would be so honored and grateful if you’d consider donating to my Dressember fundraiser! My goal is $6,300 and that would fund the rescue operation of one woman, man, or child who is trapped in the bondage of modern day slavery. Your donation is 100% tax deductible and you can donate HERE. I hope you love this episode as much as I do!
ABOUT BLYTHE:
Blythe Hill is the CEO and Founder of the Dressember Foundation, an anti-trafficking nonprofit organization that engages women and men in the fight to end modern-day slavery. Through their annual campaign, thousands of people across six continents commit to wearing dresses or bow ties for the month of December as a way to bring awareness and raise funding for anti-trafficking work. In four years, Dressember advocates have raised over $3MM USD. Originally hailing from Seattle, Blythe now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their puppy, Friday. She loves a good red wine, a good cheese, and a good pun.
CONNECT WITH BLYTHE AND DRESSEMBER:
- https://dressember.org
- http://www.facebook.com/officialdressember
- http://instagram.com/dressember
- https://twitter.com/Dressember
- https://www.pinterest.com/dressember/
- https://www.instagram.com/blythehill/
TODAY'S BUSINESS WITH PURPOSE PODCAST EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: * CAUSEBOX - use code "MOLLY" for $15 off your first box! * Sevenly - use code MOLLY10 for 10% off your purchase during the month of November.
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
We can all agree to two truths.... Life is beautiful and life is also tough. We all spend time trying to figure out what our purpose is or what we are supposed to do or what job we were meant for. We work hard, we do our best... and then life happens. Maybe it’s a broken relationship, a financial crisis, a death of a loved one, a divorce, or getting fired from a job... and we get into this mindset that life is awful and all these bad things are happening TO us... but have you ever thought that maybe these things are happening FOR us?
My guest this week is Shaniqua Cousins... Shaniqua is an author and inspirational speaker... let me tell you... our conversation is one of my favorites and she really challenged me to think differently and live differently. We talk about relationships, business, life, death, and race... we cover it all! I even share some really personal things about my own experiences with my mother's death that I haven't shared with many people before. It was a powerful conversation and I know you’re going to be changed by this episode.
Connect with Shaniqua:
- http://www.shaniquacousins.com/
- https://twitter.com/CousinsSL
- https://www.instagram.com/shaniqualcousins/
- https://www.facebook.com/ShaniqualCousins/
About Shaniqua: For over two decades Shaniqua Cousins has been a leader and inspiration to many. Speaking, training and writing are amongst the several skills gained during her military career with the United States Navy and post-secondary education. Shaniqua served as a United States Navy Sailor for eight and one half years. She quickly distinguished herself as a superb leader, mentor, outstanding manager, and one truly concerned for the betterment of fellow sailors and civilian employees alike. She provided advisory services to senior management to facilitate workforce development and analysis and ensured the achievement of strategic management of human capital and accountability goals within her department. Her meritorious service stemmed from October 1997 to April 2006. Demonstrating diligence and extraordinary professionalism, Shaniqua led sailors and civilians to meet increased demands imposed by senior officials. Shaniqua's distinctive accomplishments, unrelenting perseverance, and steadfast devotion to duty reflected great credit upon her and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. She continues to serve her country as a proud member of the Federal Civilian Service. As with her military career, Shaniqua has quickly become a respected leader, outstanding manager, and mentor. As a speaker on numerous topics ranging from purposeful living, enjoying life, goal achievement, and self-improvement, Shaniqua has developed unique and insightful concepts that provide practical solutions for application to everyday life. To date she self-published & authored Life, Experiences, Preparation, and Purpose; Co-Authored My Name is Mommy, Stories of Motherhood and the Lessons it Taught; Founded Shaniqua Cousins World Group LLC; created the ShaniquaCousins.com website, launched an international Newsletter, and produce and host the international Seek Purpose, Live Dreams TV web series. Additionally, Shaniqua continues to serve as a guest speaker during numerous conferences, meetings, and social gatherings. Shaniqua has been interviewed by both television and radio personalities across the country, allowing her to share her message of purposeful living to thousands. Through the use of her website, company, publications, lectures, television & radio interviews, and social media, Shaniqua is undoubtedly becoming an influential pioneer of the arts for her generation and for those to follow.
TODAY'S BUSINESS PODCAST EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: * CAUSEBOX - use code "MOLLY" for $15 off your first box! * Sevenly - use code MOLLY10 for 10% off your purchase during the month of November.
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the business podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
To say I am excited about today's post and BONUS Business with Purpose podcast episode is a bit of an understatement. I AM SO EXCITED. This has been in the works for awhile and was SUCH a fun project to put together.
I knew I wanted to do an ultimate ethical holiday gift guide together this year and I also knew I wanted to incorporate it into the podcast. I ALSO knew that I wanted my dear friend Emily Sexton, the founder of The Flourish Market, to co-host it with me. So, we created a seriously amazing gift guide (with ethical and fair trade gifts for EVERYONE on your list), and then we recorded one of the most fun podcast episodes ever.
We have music, and sound effects, and segments where we talk about everything from awkward gifts we've received to our favorite Christmas movies to me busting out some Robert Earl Keen. Therefore yeah, you need to listen to it.
Today's episode is JAM PACKED, but I want to help you out, too. I have listed below ALL of the products (plus a few bonus products) mentioned in the episode, along with ALL links AND exclusive coupon codes. Save you all the money!
Feel free to write down your favorites as you listen to the episode, but I will also have ALL the links below and on my blog - stillbeingmolly.com!
I also have to give a huge shout out to the sponsors of today's show, CAUSEBOX and Sevenly! Use coupon code "MOLLY" for $15 off your 1st CAUSEBOX box and use coupon code "MOLLY10" for 10% off your purchase from Sevenly.
Business with Purpose Podcast Bonus Episode 63: The Ultimate Ethical Holiday Gift Guide Ethical Gifts Under $50 Milk & Honey Market "Jetsetter Bracelet" - Use coupon code "stillbeingmolly" for 10% off your entire order
Rapha House "Nary" Joy Clutch - Use coupon code "MOLLY15" for 15% off your entire order
Sela Designs Jewelry - Use coupon code "MOLLYHOLIDAY2017" for 15% off your entire order
Ten Thousand Villages "Merry and Bright Garland" - Use coupon code "stillbeingmolly25" for 25% off 1 regularly priced item online, plus free shipping for orders over $75!
Sevenly "Cause Art" Tees & Accessories - Use coupon code "MOLLY10" for 10% off your entire order
Ethical Gifts For Him The Flourish Market "Chai Spiced Soap" - Use coupon code "stillbeingmolly" for free shipping (plus a WHOLE LOT OF free gifts with purchase)
Grounds and Hounds Coffee
One Hope Wine
The Flourish Market "Swell" Traveler Tumbler - Use coupon code "stillbeingmolly" for free shipping (plus a WHOLE LOT OF free gifts with purchase)
Sevenly Tees and Accessories - Use coupon code "MOLLY10" for 10% off
BONUS NOT MENTIONED IN EPISODE: CAUSEBOX now has an EXCLUSIVE and limited edition MEN'S BOX!!! This would make a great ethical gift for him! Use coupon code "MOLLY" for $15 off your box!
Ethical Gifts For Her CAUSEBOX Subscription - Use coupon code "MOLLY" for $15 off
Milk & Honey Market "Emery" Necklace - Use coupon code "stillbeingmolly" for 10% off your entire order
Hope Made in the World High Neck Pullover
Rapha House "Joly" Joy Bag - Use coupon code "MOLLY15" for 15% off your entire order
The Flourish Market Blanket Scarf - Use coupon code "stillbeingmolly" for free shipping (plus a WHOLE LOT OF free gifts with purchase)
Vibrant Hope Boutique Jewelry & Accessories - Use coupon code "THANKS25" for 25% off November 24th - 28th or "GIVING20" for 20% off December 1st - 20th.
Ethical Gifts For Kids L is for Learning Subscription Box - Use coupon code "Holiday2017" for $5 off
Vibrant Hope Boutique Stuffed Elephant - Use coupon code "THANKS25" for 25% off November 24th - 28th or "GIVING20" for 20% off December 1st - 20th.
The Flourish Market Bitsies Jewelry Kit - Use coupon code "stillbeingmolly" for free shipping (plus a WHOLE LOT OF free gifts with purchase)
Krochet Kids Polar Bear Beanie
The Flourish Market Bib & Burp Cloth Set - Use coupon code "stillbeingmolly" for free shipping (plus a WHOLE LOT OF free gifts with purchase)
The Flourish Market Shine On Necklace & Kid's Mini Bracelet - Use coupon code "stillbeingmolly" for free shipping (plus a WHOLE LOT OF free gifts with purchase)
Ethical Gifts For Anyone / Hostess Gifts / Hard to Shop For GlobeIn Artisan Box (or shop the GlobeIn shop!) - Use coupon code MOLLY for $10 off
Ten Thousand Villages Tree Topper - Use coupon code "stillbeingmolly25" for 25% off any 1 regularly priced item online
Ten Thousand Villages Bright Day Hamper (my favorite!) - Use coupon code "stillbeingmolly25" for 25% off any 1 regularly priced item online
Sevenly Tees and Accessories - Use coupon code "MOLLY10" for 10% off
CAUSEBOX Subscription - Use coupon code "MOLLY" for $15 off
Batik Boutique Home Goods - Use coupon code "MOLLY20" for 20% off during the month of November
Malia Designs Bags & Accessories - Use coupon code "MOLLY25" for 25% off your entire order
Vibrant Hope Boutique Pouches - Use coupon code "THANKS25" for 25% off November 24th - 28th or "GIVING20" for 20% off December 1st - 20th.
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! I hope you loved this episode as much as we loved putting it together! Find us on social media and leave us some love and let us know your favorite part of the episode. Use hashtag #businesswithpurposepodcast and tag me @stillbeingmolly and Emily @theflourishmarket!
There are two types of people… people who say and people who do. I’ve spent a good portion of my life trying to be someone who does… not just someone who says. Let’s be honest, this isn’t always easy. When we see a problem in the world, it can be really easy to say, “gosh, someone should really do something about that.” It’s a whole lot more difficult to actually be the one to say, “Maybe that someone is me…” Is there something in your life or in your world that is heavy on your heart? Is there an issue you’re passionate about? A calling you feel on your life? Have you been talking about doing something for a long time but you haven’t actually taken the steps to DO it? Maybe today’s the day you take that first step to, well… actually do it.
My guest this week is Lia Valerio, the founder of MALIA DESIGNS, a fair trade handbag and accessory brand that is employing disadvantaged people in Cambodia and also directly impacting the anti-human trafficking movement. I love Lia and I love this company and I can’t wait for you to hear her story…
About Lia Valerio:
Lia Valerio is the Founder and President of Malia Designs, a socially responsible fair trade brand that designs and sells handbags and accessories. Malia’s products are handcrafted in Cambodia and every purchase helps to fight Human Trafficking. While traveling through SE Asia, after serving in the Peace Corps in the South Pacific, Lia fell in love with the kind and generous people of Cambodia and its rich and beautiful culture. During her initial trip to the region in 2000, she purchased many textiles and was also introduced to several fair trade organizations that worked with marginalized populations to expand their access to sustainable income. In 2005, Malia Designs was formed to increase economic opportunity for women in Cambodia and to support organizations that fight Human Trafficking. Lia continues to be inspired by the artisans she works with and deeply appreciative of the opportunity to make a positive impact through Malia. Lia lives in Evanston, IL (just outside of Chicago) and is happily married and the mother of two beautiful children.
Connect with Malia Designs:
- http://www.maliadesigns.com/ - use code "MOLLY25" for 25% off your order!
- https://www.facebook.com/carrythecause
- https://twitter.com/maliadesigns
- https://www.pinterest.com/maliadesigns/
- https://www.instagram.com/maliadesignsfairtrade/
TODAY'S BUSINESS PODCAST EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: * CAUSEBOX - use code "MOLLY" for $15 off your first box! * Sevenly - use code MOLLY10 for 10% off your purchase during the month of November.
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the business podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
I think every business owner at some point has thought to themselves, “Am I an entrepreneur, or am I just unemployed?”
My guest this week is Jen Lewis, the founder of Purse and Clutch! Jen is so hilarious and we had the BEST conversation. She shared some of her real struggles when it came to starting an ethical fashion business and what those early days looked like for her - but she also shared why working in this space matters and why she is passionate about it and lifting up OTHER ethical business owners… I know you are going to LOVE Jen… Enjoy this week's episode!
About Jen (from Jen): As far back as I can remember, I've wanted to spend my time focusing on long-term, sustainable solutions for men & women living in poverty in developing countries with limited opportunities. I am drawn to the beauty of international cultures & want to help in the fight against the systems that keep people in poverty generation after generation. From summers spent in Mexico & Bolivia to longer stints in Guatemala & Honduras, I've seen the need for sustainable job opportunities first hand.
Purse and Clutch was started to connect talented artisans with a market here in the States. I was amazed to learn about how these jobs were transforming the lives of the men & women making the handbags & realized since I was based in the States I could help facilitate that connection to help grow their organization's reach. We have the privilege of working directly with artisan groups in Ethiopia & in Guatemala, designing beautiful textiles & styles that are meant to stand the test of time.
Connect with Jen and Purse and Clutch:
- https://www.purseandclutch.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/purseandclutch
- https://twitter.com/purseandclutch
- https://www.pinterest.com/purseandclutch/
- https://www.instagram.com/purseandclutch/
TODAY'S BUSINESS PODCAST EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: Sevenly - use code MOLLY10 for 10% off your purchase during the month of November. Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the business podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
There are people that come into our lives and completely change us. Maybe it’s a teacher or a coach who really believe in us and encourage us in ways others haven’t. Or maybe it’s a friendship… a friendship that starts under unusual circumstances or in a place you’d least expect… but that friend becomes someone who changes your life. That friend teaches you something about the world around you and teaches you something about yourself. That friend challenges you to do something radical… not in like that “party hard” way… but like, the world-changing, community building, life-altering way. Maybe it’s just that friend you can have real conversations with - that you can speak life and truth to… Can you think of that friend? Now, what if that friend didn’t even speak your native language?
My guest this week is Amy Blair, the founder of Batik Boutique! After moving to Malaysia in 2007, Amy befriended a single mother who helped to teach Amy the language and through their friendship, conversations, and the opening of doors, Amy began Batik Boutique… a business with a vision to provide sustainable income opportunities for women and artisans in Malaysia. I loved my conversation with Amy and I know you will too! Enjoy this episode!
Amy: Amy Blair is the Founder and CEO of Batik Boutique, an award winning social enterprise based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Amy has lived in Malaysia for 10 years with her husband and now 3 kids. Amy started Batik Boutique as a response to a gap in the local tourism market and the story of trying to help a local friend who was a single mother trying to make ends meet, and who happened to own a sewing machine.
Batik Boutique uses hand-dyed Malaysian textiles to impact the community by:
- Producing Hand-dyed Textiles: Incorporating textiles hand-dyed by local artisans
- Empowering Artisans: Training women in life and job skills that lead to income generation
- Benefitting the Community: Contributing to the practical needs of those around them and giving a portion of proceeds directly to artisan needs
To date, there are over 150 artisans including batik producers and seamstresses trained. Amy saw the struggle of women, especially mothers, who did not have sustainable work opportunities, and she started a sewing training centre located in government subsidized housing to offer employment women in marginalized communities.
Amy leads her Batik Boutique team in corporate projects with companies like Volvo, BP, and Starbucks Malaysia supping customized corporate gifts. She worked to establish an international partnership with a US fashion label, establishing Batik Boutique the Malaysian artisan group. She was selected as “Top 50 Expatriates You Should Know” by the Expatriate Lifestyle magazine and was selected as Texas A&M University’s “Top 12 Under 12” Alumni for her contribution to empowering artisans globally.
Her life motto is: “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” ~John Wesley, Theologian
You can purchase Batik Boutique products online and all products are available for shipping directly from the US. Use coupon code MOLLY20 for 20% off your purchase throughout the month of November.
Connect with Amy and Batik Boutique:
- https://www.thebatikboutique.com/ (use coupon code "MOLLY20" for 20% off)
- https://twitter.com/batikboutique
- https://www.facebook.com/thebatikboutique
- https://www.pinterest.com/batik_boutique/
- https://www.instagram.com/thebatikboutique/
TODAY'S BUSINESS PODCAST EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: Sevenly - Use the coupon code "MOLLY10" for 10% off now through the end of November. Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the business podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
"If we can't be FOR each other, then we are not confident in who WE are and all we are confident in is questioning our success." -Jamie Ivey.
To say I was honored to interview Jamie Ivey for this week's episode of the Business with Purpose podcast is an understatement. I have listened to Jamie's podcast, The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey for years. The way that she is able to connect with her guests and really minister to her listeners is such a gift. She has used her platform of podcasting, blogging, and social media to inspire hundreds of thousands of people.
The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey consistently ranks as one of the top 20 podcasts in the spirituality and religion category and was even nominated for a Podcasters Association award this year. Jamie and I talked about everything from her brief career in radio (and how she won an American-Idol-like casting call to land the job), to why being vulnerable and transparent with each other and others only makes us stronger, and how we, as women, should be FOR each other, cheering each other on, lifting one another up, encouraging each other, and celebrating each other's successes.
We also talked about how there was a point in time when her career was thriving, but her family was suffering, and how she made the hard decision at the time to step away from a thriving career... but how God had a bigger and better plan for her life. You are going to be so encouraged and blessed by my conversation with Jamie! Be sure to leave her some love and let her know how this episode impacted you!
Jamie Ivey's Favorites Right Now:
- Z Supply Joggers
- UWOOD Watches
- Kopari Beauty
About Jamie:
Jamie Ivey is a podcaster, writer, and speaker from Austin, Texas. She is the proud mama to four kids and the wife to Aaron, worship pastor of The Austin Stone Community Church. Jamie loves to encourage women to passionately follow Jesus through whatever stage of life. She does this through writing and her weekly podcast, The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey. Jamie's debut book "If You Only Knew: My Unlikely, Unavoidable Story of Becoming Free," releases January 2018.
Connect with Jamie Ivey:
- http://jamieivey.com/
- PODCAST: http://jamieivey.com/itunes
- https://www.instagram.com/jamieivey/
- https://www.pinterest.com/jamieivey/
- https://www.facebook.com/JamieIvey5678
- https://twitter.com/jamie_ivey
TODAY'S BUSINESS PODCAST EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: GlobeIn - Visit GlobeIn.com/box and use the coupon code "MOLLY" for $10 off your premium subscription!
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the business podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
Imagine a situation in which you are literally in the middle of the Gobi desert (AKA: the middle-of-nowhere OF the middle-of-nowhere) and you are carrying two million dollars in cold hard cash. Seems crazy, right? Not too crazy for Matt Scanlan and his business partner Diederik. To be honest, Matt's story of how he ended up in Mongolia, stuck in the middle of the Gobi desert with a group of strangers (who didn't speak English) for a MONTH, getting to know them, learning their lifestyle, and ultimately, how he ended up starting the fairest, most sustainable Mongolian cashmere clothing company in the WORLD, is probably one of the craziest and coolest stories I've ever heard in my life. He's an AMAZING story teller, his Mongolian cashmere company is so cool, but most of all, I love his vision for impacting nomadic herders in Mongolia while also disrupting the entire cashmere industry in a positive way. I don't want to ruin it for you, but trust me... you are going to want to listen to this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast. I think my mouth was dropped almost the entire time I was talking with Matt!
ABOUT Matt Scanlan, CEO and Co-Founder of* Naadam***
With a background in venture capital, Matt Scanlan co-founded Naadam with his business partner Diederik Rijsemus by traveling into Mongolia’s Gobi Desert and purchasing 40 tons of Mongolian cashmere with $3M cash packed in plastic bags. They realized that by partnering directly with Mongolia’s herdering communities Naadam could secure the world's finest materials at a fair price, and pass that savings to their customers, avoiding the astronomical mark-ups that are commonplace in the cashmere industry. The end result was a supply chain that constantly reinvested in itself.
CONNECT WITH MATT AND NAADAM:
- https://naadam.co/
- https://twitter.com/naadamcashmere
- https://www.instagram.com/naadam.co/
- https://www.facebook.com/naadamcashmere/
- https://www.instagram.com/matthewscanlan/
TODAY'S BUSINESS PODCAST EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: GlobeIn - Visit GlobeIn.com/box and use the coupon code "MOLLY" for $10 off your premium subscription!
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the business podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
Picture this: I am a year out of college and I'm having a full-blown panic attack on the floor of my room because I suddenly realize that I'm $36,000 in consumer credit card debt. I realized the gravity of the financial mistakes I'd made and I was embarrassed, ashamed, and I had no idea what to do. Over the next few years, I had to work hard (so hard) to get myself out of the financial mess I'd gotten myself into... and today, I'm thankful that my husband and I remain debt free and we are diligent to be good stewards of our finances.
Bola Sokunbi, the founder and creator of Clever Girl Finance, has made it her mission to empower women to be in control of their finances. Growing up in Nigeria, she saw how many women were completely unaware of the family finances... her father and mother taught her important lessons on saving, giving, and spending and she has since taken those lessons and created a business to help others. She even saved $100,000 in CASH her first three years out of college. I loved my conversation with Bola and I know you are going to be BLOWN away by her story.
Bola also has a podcast and I was a guest on that podcast just last week! You can hear more of my financial testimony by listening here...
ABOUT BOLA:
Bola is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), finance expert, writer, business strategist, social media influencer and founder of Clever Girl Finance, a platform that empowers and educates women to make the best financial decisions for their current and future selves and to pursue their dreams of financial independence in order to live life on their own terms.
CONNECT WITH BOLA:
- http://www.clevergirlfinance.com/
- PODCAST: The Clever Girls Know Podcast - http://www.clevergirlfinance.com/podcast/
- https://www.facebook.com/clevergirlfinance/
- https://twitter.com/CleverGirlCGF
- https://www.pinterest.com/CleverGirlCGF/
- http://instagram.com/clevergirlfinance
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXpAvdmdMHiwVtG9R05qFig
TODAY'S EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: GlobeIn - Visit GlobeIn.com/box and use the coupon code "MOLLY" for $10 off your premium subscription!
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
It's been reported that there are nearly 40 million slaves in the world today. There are more slaves today than during the entire 400 years of the trans-atlantic slave trade. When we say the word "slaves" we are talking about men, women, and children who are caught up in the horrors of human trafficking. It's a harsh reality. And it can feel overwhelming when we read / hear / see the facts and figures. And while it might seem crazy... something CAN be done about it.
Wendy Dailey and Michelle Bridgeman of International Sanctuary and PURPOSE Jewelry are my guests this week and they are doing whatever they can to impact the lives of women affected by human trafficking all over the world. This episode is powerful and gives us HOPE that when we take action, change really can happen.
ABOUT WENDY DAILEY - CO-FOUNDER: Originally a Northern California native, Wendy grew up with an appreciation for culture. Her love for diverse cultures and passion for justice leads her desire to grow the organization to a global level. Though she never thought she would dabble in business, since her background is in education, Wendy thoroughly appreciates the opportunities International Sanctuary has given her. Wendy's crusade to see survivors of all nations given the opportunities to successfully progress into their future is what motivates and helps her build the organization on a daily basis.
ABOUT MICHELLE BRIDGEMAN - HEAD OF DISTRIBUTION
After graduating from Cal State Long Beach, Michelle started working in marketing for a travel company. Her surroundings helped to ignite her passion to see the rest of the world. Soon after she decided to take a year off to join a missions trip called The World Race to 11 different countries! Michelle first heard about iSanctuary while in India on a human trafficking awareness trip throughout Southeast Asia. After becoming aware of the immense injustice, she felt compelled to somehow get involved. She discovered iSanctuary had an office in Orange County and started volunteering as the Social Media Coordinator. This led to being hired on full time!
CONNECT WITH PURPOSE JEWELRY & INTERNATIONAL SANCTUARY: * PURPOSE Jewelry (Use this link for 30% off your purchase) * https://www.facebook.com/isanctuary/ * https://instagram.com/purposejewelry * https://www.pinterest.com/purposejewelry/ * https://www.youtube.com/user/iSanctuaryorg * http://www.isanctuary.org/ * https://www.instagram.com/isanctuary/
TODAY'S EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: GlobeIn - Visit GlobeIn.com/box and use the code "MOLLY" for $10 off your premium subscription!
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
What do you think of when you hear the term "fast fashion"? When I first heard it, I had zero clue what it meant. By definition, "the term “fast fashion” refers to a phenomenon in the fashion industry whereby production processes are expedited in order to get new trends to the market as quickly and cheaply as possible. As a result of this trend, the tradition of introducing new fashion lines on a seasonal basis is being challenged. Today, it is not uncommon for fast-fashion retailers to introduce new products multiple times in a single week." (source)
The thing is, retailers want to create a "demand" and consumers want to buy things as quickly and cheaply as possible. However, this hurts not only the environment, but it hurts the people behind the products. Even if you don't "pay" for something by getting it super cheap, someone somewhere else does.
Saloni Shrestha is the founder and head designer for AGAATI, a luxury, high fashion, high quality, sustainable fashion brand. She's worked with major brands like Oscar De La Renta and Zac Posen... but she quickly learned there was a lot about the fashion industry she didn't love... so she set out to create something herself. AGAATI is an amazing brand creating beautiful clothing that is kind to the environment and the artisans who make it. You will LOVE Saloni and you will LOVE this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast.
ABOUT SALONI: Saloni Shrestha, Co-founder & Head Designer, AGAATI California
Saloni Shrestha is a womenswear designer with over 7 years of experience specializing in designing ready-to-wear womens designs that are narratives of nature, culture and people. Saloni is a fashion design graduate from Parsons, The New School where she was trained in couture and read-to-wear garment construction. Her knowledge was further enhanced by training at reputed fashion houses such as Oscar De La Renta, Diane Von Furstenberg, Zac Posen and Naeem Khan.
Saloni’s first design career began with founding of a bold yet wearable womenswear brand SALONI RATHOR, in Singapore. Prior to design, she had a successful marketing career, leading regional teams in Asia. She also holds an MBA with specialization in Marketing.
Saloni’s experience spans across design development and execution, garment construction, textile design and zero waste philosophy design. Most recently, Saloni moved from New York to California and launched AGAATI - a sustainable, contemporary womenswear brand. AGAATI is accessible luxury, bold and eclectic clothing line that offers design focused garments, committed to working with artisans around the world, using natural fibres and creating a positive impact from its business practices. Read all about the brand and its designs on www.agaati.com. Green is the way forward!
Connect with Saloni and AGAATI: * https://agaati.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/AGAATI.California/ * https://twitter.com/AGAATI1 * https://www.pinterest.com/AGAATICAL * https://instagram.com/agaati.california
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!) * Subscribe on iTunes * Subscribe on Google Play * Subscribe on Radio Public * Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
*Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?* 1. Launch Apple's Podcast app. 2. Tap the Search tab. 3. Enter "Business with Purpose" 4. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. 5. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. 6. Tap the Reviews tab. 7. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. 8. Enter your iTunes password to login. 9. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. 10. Enter title text and content to leave a review. 11. Tap Send**.
FACT. In the Los Angeles area alone, 10 metric tons of plastic fragments are carried into the Pacific Ocean every day. The average American throws away 185 pounds of plastic every year. It can take anywhere from 500-1,000 years for plastic to degrade. Instead of saying "Oh man, those statistics are staggering... someone should really do something about that...", Hamilton Perkins, the founder and president of Hamilton Perkins collection actually decided to DO something about that. They create amazing, stylish, and functional designer bags from recycled plastic bottles and repurposed billboard vinyl. Hamilton and I had the BEST conversation... (spoiler alert: my husband said this is his favorite episode to date... and that's saying something!!) You will definitely learn something and be inspired by our conversation!
ABOUT HAMILTON PERKINS:
Hamilton Perkins is the founder and President of Hamilton Perkins Collection, an e-commerce retailer, offering designer travel bags at an affordable price, while holding the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
Hamilton Perkins Collection has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, The Washington Post, and Money Magazine. Hamilton Perkins Collection has hosted trunk shows at Bloomingdale’s and was the winner of the 2016 Virginia Velocity Tour business pitch competition hosted by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Prior to starting Hamilton Perkins Collection, Hamilton was an Investment Advisor at Merrill Lynch and, earlier, worked as an Analyst at Bank of America.
He has also served in a leadership capacity with various non-profit organizations and has been recognized for his volunteer work and service hours assisting low-income populations.
Hamilton is also a contributing blogger for The Huffington Post. He is a graduate of Old Dominion University with a degree in Business Administration and he earned his M.B.A. from William and Mary.
CONNECT WITH HAMILTON PERKINS:
- https://hamiltonperkins.com/ (use coupon code PURPOSE for $10 off!)
- https://www.facebook.com/HAMILTONPERKINS
- https://twitter.com/HamiltonPerkins
- https://www.pinterest.com/hamiltonperkins/
- https://www.instagram.com/hamiltonperkins/
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!)**
- Subscribe on iTunes**
- Subscribe on Google Play
- Subscribe on Radio Public
- Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
**Want to know how to leave a review of the Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?
- Launch Apple's Podcast app.
- Tap the Search tab.
- Enter "Business with Purpose"
- Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right.
- Tap the Blue album art for the podcast.
- Tap the Reviews tab.
- Tap Write a Review at the bottom.
- Enter your iTunes password to login.
- Tap the Stars to leave a rating.
- Enter title text and content to leave a review.
- Tap Send.
"Duty is ours. Results are Gods." -John Quincy Adams
That quote also happens to be the mantra for Jim Van Eerden, co-founder of Sevenly. Jim has been a serial entrepreneur for most of his life... he's worked in the entertainment industry as an executive producer on major films, he's worked in brand management working for major organizations like the Olympic national committee, the World Cup, and Pepsi. He has worked alongside media powerhouses like Mia Hamm and Serena Williams. And he co-founded Sevenly in 2011 with a desire to change the way consumers felt connected to the causes they cared about.
We also had an important conversation surrounding the controversy that Sevenly experienced a couple of years ago. They have since recovered and have done a great job of rebuilding the brand, but Jim very candidly discusses what happened and how they took an unconventional approach to repairing the damage.
Jim is also a strong man of faith and a believer in family. He and his wife Rachel have 11 children, including a son they adopted from Ecuador who was, quite literally, found naked in a trash bag as an infant.
Jim's business savvy is strong, his faith runs deep, and he has a passion for business unlike any other person I have had the pleasure of meeting in my life. Jim's belief is that people are looking for an opportunity to standup and fight for the beautiful, the good, and the true. People are passionate about being, not barking. People want to do, not yell and fight.
This conversation is one that is going to inspire so many to take action.
ABOUT JIM:
Jim Van Eerden is a serial entrepreneur with a heart for serving others. He co-founded Sevenly in 2011, outfitting world changers in new “cause art” every week, benefitting multiple causes, all under the same mission, “because people matter.” Besides being an intelligent businessman, he is also the loving father of eleven children, and on the foundational teams of many other businesses, non-profits, and charities.
CONNECT WITH JIM AND SEVENLY:
- https://www.sevenly.org/
- https://twitter.com/sevenly
- https://instagram.com/sevenly
- https://facebook.com/sevenly.org
- https://pinterest.com/sevenly
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/
Subscribe to the podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!)**
- Subscribe on iTunes**
- Subscribe on Stitcher
- Subscribe on Google Play
- Subscribe on Pocket Casts
- Subscribe on Android
- Subscribe on Overcast
- Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
- Subscribe on Player.fm
**Want to know how to leave a review of the Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?
- Launch Apple's Podcast app.
- Tap the Search tab.
- Enter "Business with Purpose"
- Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right.
- Tap the Blue album art for the podcast.
- Tap the Reviews tab.
- Tap Write a Review at the bottom.
- Enter your iTunes password to login.
- Tap the Stars to leave a rating.
- Enter title text and content to leave a review.
- Tap Send.
ABOUT ASHLEIGH: Ashleigh Maynor is the founder of inTENtional U, LLC, small business coaching firm and blog. Ashleigh uses her creativity, humor and honest delivery to transform individuals from existing day to day, to living a more authentic life. Ashleigh has a deep passion and need to coach others on how to solve a problem, develop a sense of accomplishment and create a better quality of life. That is why inTENtional U focuses on 3 areas that she’s discovered have become a theme many of her clients consistently seek counseling and guidance for; Career, Love and Life. Ashleigh offers individual coaching, trainings, workshops, e-courses, speaking engagements and blog posts that are meant to not only edify and inspire her audience, but also provide them with the resources, support, strategies and the empowerment to pursue their passions, fulfill their God-given purpose and live a more intentional life. Ashleigh enjoys spontaneity, salsa dancing, golfing, traveling, and repurposing old furniture into new masterpieces. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. as well as her church. Ashleigh received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor and her Master’s degree in Counseling from Oakland University. She is Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Michigan where her personal focus has been on Career Counseling & Development as well as Couples & Family Counseling. As a coach she has a passion for helping others live intentionally by giving them the tools needed to cultivate healthy relationships, discover their career passions, and move past barriers that prevent them from activating their authentic self. CONNECT WITH ASHLEIGH:
- http://www.facebook.com/inTENtionalU
- http://twitter.com/intentional_u
- http://instagram.com/intentional_u/
- http://pinterest.com/theintentionalu
- http://www.theintentionalu.com/
Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review on iTunes!)**
- Subscribe on iTunes**
- Subscribe on Stitcher
- Subscribe on Google Play
- Subscribe on Pocket Casts
- Subscribe on Android
- Subscribe on Overcast
- Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed
- Subscribe on Player.fm
**Want to know how to leave a review of the Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad?
- Launch Apple's Podcast app.
- Tap the Search tab.
- Enter "Business with Purpose"
- Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right.
- Tap the Blue album art for the podcast.
- Tap the Reviews tab.
- Tap Write a Review at the bottom.
- Enter your iTunes password to login.
- Tap the Stars to leave a rating.
- Enter title text and content to leave a review.
- Tap Send.
About Kelsey – from Kelsey: I’m Kelsey, mother of three, thirty years old, redeemed, army wife vet , owner and founder of Elegance Restored, women’s boutique on a mission. With a longing strongly set in our hearts to care for the discarded of the world my husband and I felt somewhat crippled when we were ... Read More about EP 51: Kelsey Pitney, Founder of Elegance Restored
About Holly (from Holly): My calling is to empower people to be all God created them to be. This starts with my five children and my husband of over 29 years. I am a visionary, a church planter, pastor’s wife, speaker, and Missional Entrepreneur. Whether it’s ministering to the hurting, starting Trades of Hope, mentoring ... Read More about EP 50: Holly Wehde, Owner & CEO of Trades of Hope
You are in for an incredible treat with this week’s episode of the Business with Purpose podcast. My guest is Yomi Abiola – a speaker, activist, and journalist. She is a former supermodel who has modeled for Maybelline and even graced the pages of Elle and Vogue. She left modeling to pursue a degree in ... Read More about EP 49: Yomi Abiola – Model, Journalist, Speaker, and Activist
About Miara: A “maven” is a trusted professional who seeks to pass her knowledge on to others. Miara Shaw, also known as Maven Miara, uses her witty, yet direct style of speaking and coaching to lead and motivate audiences to understand they are CPR – Capable, Prepared and Ready™. Miara’s corporate career spans more than ... Read More about EP 48: Miara Shaw, Maven, Personal Development Coach, & Speaker
“Doing good for others doesn’t mean doing less for yourself.” -Renyung Ho Oh, you guys, this episode. Not only was it awesome because Renyung is literally on the other side of the world in Singapore (which we talked A LOT about Singapore and now I want to go there!), but also because Renyung has such an amazing ... Read More about EP 47: Renyung Ho, co-founder of MATTER Prints
About Adam: Adam Muncy is the 26 year old founder of the Hounds, Ltd. His background in fashion, economics and Inner City missions blended to create a vision for a menswear social enterprise. His convictions hold true through his supply chain as well. Connect with The Hounds: http://www.thehoundsltd.com/ http://instagram.com/thehoundsltd https://twitter.com/thehoundsltd https://www.facebook.com/thehoundsltd/ https://www.innercityimpact.org/ Join my Purchase ... Read More about EP 46: Adam Muncy, Founder of The Hounds, Ltd. on social entrepreneurship, impacting our inner cities, and making a real, lasting difference
About Cassidy: Cassidy Perry fights human trafficking by founding The Arise Box, an ethical subscription box that benefits survivors. She also manages and teaches social media to small businesses and churches. To relax, Cassidy attempts to be graceful on aerial silks and trapeze, reads, or hangs out with her three-legged dog. To join Cassidy in ... Read More about EP 45: Cassidy Perry, Founder of The Arise Box
This week’s episode of the Business with Purpose podcast had me laughing, tearing up, thinking, and so much more. Ike + Tash of Ike + Tash photography are a husband and wife photography team out of Tacoma, Washington. Their heart for the Lord, their heart for their family, their heart for their clients, their heart ... Read More about EP 44: Ike + Tash Photography on running a business as a couple, seeing the bigger picture, and what makes them unique
Fair warning, you’re going to want to keep the tissues handy for this week’s episode of the Business with Purpose podcast. My guest is Nikki Huebner, the founder of EndureLash – an all natural, hypoallergenic, organic makeup removing cloth… but the thing is, this is so much more than an amazing product (especially for women ... Read More about EP 43: Nikki Huebner, Founder of EndureLash on Loss, Overcoming Tragedy, and Giving Back
Y’all. This week’s episode of the Business with Purpose podcast is going to blow. you. away. If you are looking for a podcast that is going to challenge you, encourage you, push you to think outside of your comfort zone, and maybe even at times make you feel a bit uncomfortable (in an AWESOME way), ... Read More about EP 42: Monique Melton – Author, Speaker, & Relationship Coach on Purposeful Relationships, Faith, Compassion, & Race Reconciliation
On this week’s episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, I’m chatting with Tim Scott, the co-founder of Mitscoots Outfitters – an Austin, Texas based clothing company that has a heart and mission to outfit AND employ individuals transitioning out of homelessness. Their approach to the one-for-one model is so unique and I love how Tim ... Read More about EP 41: Tim Scott, Co-Founder of Mitscoots Outfitters
About Natalie: Natalie Franke Hayes is an entrepreneur, mobilization marketer, community builder, and neuroscience nerd. As one of the Founders of the Rising Tide Society and the Head of Community at HoneyBook, she leads tens of thousands of creatives and small business owners while fostering a spirit of community over competition. She lives in San ... Read More about EP 40: Natalie Franke Hayes, Co-Founder of the Rising Tide Society
This week’s episode of the Business with Purpose podcast is such a fun one. My guest this week is Suzy VanDyke, a world-renowned wedding photographer along with her husband Lukas, and now the co-founder of Wild & Free Supply Co., a leather goods company working with artisans in Honduras. Suzy and her husband (along with their infant ... Read More about EP 39: Suzy VanDyke, Photographer & Co-Founder of Wild & Free Supply Co.
About Kilee: Kilee Nickels is a mother, a blogger and small business owner. She and her husband are busy raising four boys between the ages of 8 and 18 months as well as running their growing business Nickel & Suede. Three years ago the couple launched their line of life changing lightweight leather earrings and ... Read More about EP 38: Kilee Nickels, Founder of Nickel & Suede
On this week’s episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, my guest is Lara Casey Isaacson. Lara is the author of Make it Happen and Cultivate (releasing in June 2017!), she is a speaker, the founder of the Cultivate What Matters shop (and the creator of the PowerSheets goal setting planner), and she is also the publisher of ... Read More about EP 37: Lara Casey Isaacson, Author, Founder of Cultivate What Matters, and Publisher of Southern Weddings Magazine
On this week’s episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, my guest is Cullen Schwarz, the co-founder of DoneGood – an app for your phone and browser extension for your computer that makes shopping ethically online SO MUCH EASIER. Cullen had such an awesome story of sharing his passion for ethical fashion, fair trade goods, ... Read More about EP 36: Cullen Schwarz, co-founder of DoneGood
For the past few years, I have wished and wished and wished that there was a service that was like Stitch Fix, but for ethically made clothing only. wearwell is the answer to that hope, prayer, and wish. On this week’s episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, I have Erin Houston, who is the ... Read More about EP 35: Erin Houston, Co-Founder of wearwell
On this week’s episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, I am sitting down with Sarah Barnett, founder of International Blessings. Sarah’s story is incredible – from growing up on a farm to becoming a world traveler to going on the World Race (11 months, 11 countries), and founding an incredible business that empowers artisans ... Read More about EP 34: Sarah Barnett, Founder of International Blessings
On this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, I am sitting down with Rebecca Gardner, founder of Hands Producing Hope, a brand that provides the economic, educational, and spiritual resources necessary to empower remote communities to rise above poverty. It was awesome hearing Rebecca’s story about how her passion for ethically made goods began and ... Read More about EP 33. Rebecca Gardner, Founder of Hands Producing Hope
On this week’s episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, I am sitting down with Amy Bardi, founder and executive director of Clothed in Hope. Founded in 2011, Clothed in Hope is a 501(c)(3) international nonprofit organization that provides life-skills education, empowerment, and economic opportunity to vulnerable women in Zambia, Africa. Operating in the Ng’ombe ... Read More about EP. 32: Amy Bardi, Founder of Clothed in Hope
On this episode the Business with Purpose podcast, I am sitting down with Jolie Gray, the founder of The Purpose Box, and ethical and purposeful subscription box. Jolie started this box as a way to reach people and share the love of the Lord and share purposeful companies with people. Jolie was such a sweetheart and I ... Read More about EP. 31: Jolie Gray, Founder of The Purpose Box
On this week’s episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, I am chatting with Rachel Allene Heckman of Rachel Allene. Rachel is a shop owner, educator, encourager, and creative stylist. Her heart is so evident in everything she does. We had such an honest, real, and genuine conversation and we really started peeling away the ... Read More about EP. 30: Rachel Allene Heckman of Rachel Allene Shop
On this week’s episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, I am sitting down with Laura Blank, senior advisor for public relations for World Vision. We are chatting about her passion for World Vision (and how she got into working for World Vision), the Global 6K for water and ending the world water crisis, and ... Read More about EP. 29: World Vision and the Global Water Crisis with Laura Blank
On this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, I am HONORED to be chatting with Liz Forkin Bohannon, founder of Sseko Designs. I have admired Sseko and Liz for years and love what they are doing to change the landscape of the ethical fashion world. We talk about everything from our personal hopes and dreams to ... Read More about EP. 28: Liz Bohannon, Founder of Sseko Designs
On this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, I wanted to bring my friend Cayley Pater back to the show to talk about Darzah, an ethical fashion brand that is an off-shoot of Child’s Cup Full (which I’ve told you guys a lot about!) Darzah employs women artisans in the West Bank and their ... Read More about EP. 27: Cayley Pater – Darzah
On this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, I am sitting down with Jess Freeman, founder of Jess Creatives. Jess is one of those people that I instantly connected with. We shared what it looks like to leave a legacy (a lesson we both learned from our mothers), what it looks like to serve ... Read More about EP. 26: Jess Freeman – Jess Creatives
On this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, I am sitting down with Liza Moiseeva, founder of GlobeIn, an ethical subscription box and online marketplace. Liza came to the United States from Moscow, Russia initially to swim at the collegiate level. She fell in love with the country and found a passion for making ... Read More about EP. 25: Liza Moiseeva – GlobeIn
On this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, I am sitting down with one of my nearest and dearest friends, Abbi Tenaglia, founder and director of Transforming Hope Ministries – an anti-human trafficking organization located right here in the central North Carolina area. Thursday, February 23rd is “End it Day” or the day to ... Read More about EP. 24 – Let’s Talk About Human Trafficking with Abbi Tenaglia of Transforming Hope Ministries
In this episode of the Business with Purpose Podcast, I am sitting down with Katherine Hanson, founder and CEO of ModaBaby – American made, high quality clothing for babies and toddlers. Katherine’s story is so inspiring in that she fought through unspeakable hardships as a kid to persevere and pursue her dreams. She has a ... Read More about EP. 23: Katherine Hanson – ModaBaby
On this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, I am sitting down with Taylor Thompson, founder of Day22 Boutique and A Kind Journey. Taylor has an amazing passion and heart for ethical fashion and making the world a better place. She’s incredibly driven (she even created her own major in college!!), she’s hardworking, and she’s ... Read More about EP. 22: Taylor Thompson – Day22 Boutique + A Kind Journey
On this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, I am sitting down with Emily Betzler of Bought Beautifully, an online shop that curates ethically made goods from all around the world. Emily has an amazing story of coming to faith and growing a passion for purchasing with purpose. She passion for the Lord, for ... Read More about EP. 21: Emily Betzler – Bought Beautifully
On this episode of the Business with Purpose Podcast, I am sitting down with Jessica Honegger, founder and co-ceo of Noonday Collection, one of the largest ethical fashion and fair trade jewelry brands in the world. Noonday Collection works to empower men and women in vulnerable communities all across the globe by providing sustainable opportunities ... Read More about EP 20: Jessica Honegger – Noonday Collection
On this episode of the Business with Purpose Podcast, I am sitting down with Katie Crocombe, a professional life coach and founder of Flourish and Co. After overcoming a dark time in her personal life, Katie felt lead and drawn to encouraging women to flourish and pursue a greater purpose. Katie has an amazing heart, a powerful testimony, and she ... Read More about EP 19: Katie Crocombe – Flourish + Co.
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, I am sitting down with the sweet Carrie Grace McQuaid (best known online as Carrie Grace), spreader of joy and kindness and founder of The Kindness Box. We talk about everything from how kindness can truly change the world to the things that have had the biggest impact on our ... Read More about EP 18: Carrie Grace McQuaid – The Kindness Box
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, Molly sits down with Zane Wilemon, founder of Ubuntu Made. My conversation with Zane was AWESOME. We talked about everything from his one-way-ticket purchase to Kenya after college, to being a biology major who taught French to Kenyans, to being a priest, to finding our own personal faith ... Read More about EP. 17: Zane Wilemon – Ubuntu Made
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, Molly sits down with Katelyn James of Katelyn James Photography. Katelyn is a little bit of a different guest in that she doesn’t sell a physical product like an ethically made t-shirt or bag… rather, she is a wedding photographer who produces beautiful images that last a lifetime. But ... Read More about EP. 16: Katelyn James of Katelyn James Photography
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, Molly sits down with Eric Henry, president of TS Designs. TS Designs is a small, manual screen printing operation located in North Carolina. We talked about everything from the effect that NAFTA had on American business to his passion for the Carolinas to purchasing with purpose and more. Eric ... Read More about EP 15: Eric Henry – TS Designs
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, Molly sits down with Megan Brosterman, co-founder and CFO of Victoria Road, an amazing ethical fashion brand that is doing some really cool stuff to buck the trend of fast fashion! I absolutely LOVE Megan and felt like I could just sit down and chat with her for hours. ... Read More about EP 14: Megan Brosterman – Victoria Road
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, Molly sits down with Matt Richardson, co-founder of CAUSEBOX, an ethical quarterly-subscription box that is curated with items from some of the most amazing cause-based brands. Matt was a BLAST to talk to… we talked about everything from purchasing with purpose to his stint hitchhiking around the world. You ... Read More about EP 13: Matt Richardson – CAUSEBOX
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, Molly sits down with Jamie Laslo, co-founder of Ornaments 4 Orphans, a non-profit organization with a vision to give opportunity to artisans, vulnerable children and their communities across the globe through the sale of handmade, fair trade Christmas ornaments and other products. Jamie was SO much fun to talk ... Read More about EP 12: Jamie Laslo – Ornaments 4 Orphans
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, Molly sits down with Julie Hulstein, Founder and CEO of Vi Bella Jewelry, an ethical jewelry brand that employs and empowers artisans in Haiti, Mexico, and the United States. Julie’s story is an unconventional one as she never intended to start a jewerly company… she was once a music ... Read More about EP 11: Julie Hulstein – Vi Bella Jewelry
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, Molly sits down with Katie Martinez, founder of Elegantees, an ethical clothing brand with a mission to provide hope to overcomers of sex trafficking in Nepal. A positive source of income that reinforces independence, a healthy self-image, and confidence restores lives one elegant tee at a time… Connect ... Read More about EP 10: Katie Martinez – Elegantees
Click here to tune in to Part ONE of my interview with Kristen and Maureen. This is part TWO of my episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, in which I sit down with Kristen Welch and Maureen Kaderi of Mercy House. Kristen is a blogger and author… she blogs at We are THAT Family and has ... Read More about EP 9 Part 2: Kristen Welch (WeAreTHATFamily.com) & Maureen Kaderi – Mercy House Global
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, I had the UNBELIEVABLE privilege and honor to sit down with Kristen Welch and Maureen Kaderi of Mercy House. Kristen is a blogger and author… she blogs at We are THAT Family and has written Rhinestone Jesus and Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World. Maureen Kaderi is the ... Read More about EP 9 Part 1: Kristen Welch (WeAreTHATFamily.com) & Maureen Kaderi – Mercy House Global
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, Molly sits down with Shannon Whitehead of Factory45, an online accelerator prorgram that helps aspiring entrepreneurs launch clothing companies that are sustainably and ethically made in the USA! Brands that Mentioned in the podcast: Vetta Project Repat Opportunity Threads (listen to my podcast with Molly Hemstreet of Opportunity Threads here!) ... Read More about EP 8: Shannon Whitehead – Factory45
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, Molly sits down with Molly Hemstreet, owner of Opportunity Threads, a worker-owned, cut and sew textile plant based in the foothills of Western North Carolina. They focus on sustainable production for entrepreneurs and mid-sized companies. I was so inspired by Molly and absolutely LOVED my time with her! A few of ... Read More about EP 7: Molly Hemstreet – Opportunity Threads
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, Molly sits down with Suzette Munson of Love41. Love41 is a luxury leather goods company where 100% (yes, 100 percent!) of the profits benefit women in Rwanda. Additionally, the factories where they produce their goods are changing the lives of the people that make them. This is seriously a ... Read More about EP 6: Suzette Munson – Love41
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, Molly sits down with Cayley Pater of Child’s Cup Full, a non-profit social enterprise with a mission to create lasting economic opportunities for refugee and low-income communities in the West Bank. At their artisan center, they train and employ talented women artisans to make beautifully handcrafted educational children’s toys and other ... Read More about EP 5: Cayley Pater – Child’s Cup Full
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, Molly sits down with Erin Littleton of The Mighty River Project, a non-profit organization working to empower women and preserve families in Uganda. They work with amazingly talented artisans in Jinja who make magazine bead jewelry, banana fiber baskets, and other textiles. Connect with The Mighty River Project online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMightyRiverProject/ Instagram: ... Read More about EP 4: Erin Littleton – The Mighty River Project
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, Molly sits down with Bethany Tran of The Root Collective, an ethical shoe and apparel brand with a mission to “Create a Culture of Kindness” around the world. Connect with Bethany & The Root Collective online: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ihearttrc Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethanyltran Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRootCollective/ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/therootcollective Instagram: http://instagram.com/bethanyltran Subscribe to the podcast: Subscribe on iTunes ... Read More about EP 3: Bethany Tran – The Root Collective
In this episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, Molly sits down with Emily Sexton of The Flourish Market, an ethical boutique and fashion truck with a mission to spread dignity across the globe. Connect with Em & The Flourish Market online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theflourishmarket/ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/theflourishmarket Instagram: http://instagram.com/em__grey Subscribe to the podcast: Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe ... Read More about EP 2: Emily Sexton – The Flourish Market
In the inaugural episode of the Business with Purpose podcast, Molly sits down with April Manring of Be Pure Beauty, an ethical, eco-conscious, and clean beauty shop with a mission to love people and love the planet. Connect with Be Pure Beauty online: Twitter: https://twitter.com/BePureBeauty Facebook: https://facebook.com/bepurebeautync Instagram: https://instagram.com/be.pure.beauty Subscribe to the podcast: Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google Play ... Read More about EP 1: April Manring – Be Pure Beauty
Want to know what the Business with Purpose podcast is all about? This preview episode gives you a little bit of the background behind the podcast and what to expect in the episodes to come. Subscribe to the podcast: Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Pocket Casts Subscribe on Android Subscribe ... Read More about PREVIEW: What is the “Business with Purpose” podcast?