The Fresh Fruit Project: Recent Episodes
Drew Hunt
We’re meant for a life of GROWTH, PURPOSE and PEACE. And while the day-to-day grind can leave us believing just the opposite, it doesn’t have to be that way.
The Fresh Fruit Project is a movement that will fire you up to break through barriers and make the most of the gifts you've been given by not only building confidence in yourself but the God who created you.
Join host, Drew Hunt, for tangible tools and encouragement that energizes your growth, faith and potential to walk out this life journey with all you were called for.
We put a lot of pressure on the NEW year.
But it's about more than a short term resolution or the pressure of rapid fire goal crushing before the year changes.
In this episode we're diving into ways to live a lifestyle of purpose that reaches far past the calendar.
We have the ability to make an impact in the world from where we are now.
So we’re wrapping this series up by shifting our focus to the future and asking how do we live a lifestyle of purpose?
Even when you know what you’ve been called to, the journey doesn’t come without bumps, challenges and what if's.
The unknown is where faith is built but that faith comes from doing the work.
But nothing gets in the way of that more than these two things: fear and comparison.
So we’re coming after both as we continue our series Who Do You Think You Are?
I'm so thrilled to have entrepreneur, musician, worship leader, creative and my friend LA Rockmorejoin me for this conversation as we dig into using faith to rebuild our mindset and breaking off the stronghold of fear, comparison and self doubt to truly move forward in our God-given mission.
We’re able to contribute our best when we know two things about ourselves: 1.) who we are and 2.) what we were put on this planet to do.
And nothing gets in the way of that more than these two things: fear and comparison.
And we’re about to come after both as we continue our series Who Do You Think You Are?
I'm so thrilled to have entrepreneur, musician, worship leader, creative and my friend LA Rockmorejoin me for this conversation as we dig into using faith to rebuild our mindset and breaking off the stronghold of fear, comparison and self doubt to truly move forward in our God-given mission.
We're able to contribute our best when we know two things about ourselves: 1.) who we are and 2.) what we were put on this planet to do.
But so often we don’t get there because of the stuff in our past holding us back.
Healing happens when our honesty meets God’s compassion. Which means we cannot heal what we refuse to feel.
And if we took a minute to get real honest with ourselves, there’s probably a little healing that needs to happen with words that were spoken and labels put on us at some point in our lives.
Because words spoken to us help generate our thoughts…and our thoughts become our beliefs and decisions.
So in this second episode of this series Who Do You Think You Are, we're understanding the power of words and using them to break strongholds so we can deal with yesterday and create transformation for tomorrow.
We are most fulfilled and become the best leaders when we know two things about ourselves: 1.) who we are and 2.) what we were created to do.
And to figure that out, it's helpful to take an inventory of where we've been and get real about where we are so we can create a future shaped with purpose.
This episode kicks off Fresh Fruit's series Who Do You Think Are: stepping into self awareness, where we learn to validate our past and who we've become so far.
To help with this conversation is my friend, fellow curious creative and co-creator of Pastor's Wives Tell All, Jenna Allen.
And as leaders, one of the most important questions we can ask is “Am I still growing?”
We must be committed to DAILY growth ourselves so this episode is about 3 major caps that can limit or put a lid on our growth as leaders and tolls for how to work through them.
**Resources Mentioned:
Personality /Gifts Assessments:**
Truity
Sparketypes
Spiritual Gifts Assessment
I have the pleasure of hanging out with Mimi Striplin, you may know her as the creator of The Tiny Tassel, an apparel + accessories brand inspired by the color and lifestyle of her hometown, Charleston, SC.
If you follow along with Mimi on social media, you know her shop isn’t just a slice of pure joy, but also a space dedicated to elevating local artisans, particularly black women owned businesses.
Mimi is a true artist herself as well as entrepreneur who turned a hobby into a thriving business and today we’re chatting about how she’s harnessed her creative advantages and is encouraging the same in women around her.
She looked at you funny, his tone was short, that friend didn't show up even though they RSVP'd...
There are so many opportunities in our world to get offended.
But how often do we need to fall for it?
Is it important to always be right?
What happens when the other person thinks they're right, too?
We were created for a life of spiritual freedom that’s rooted in joy, love and peace. And living with an unoffended heart doesn't mean we ignore every hurt that comes our way. But instead, we've cultivated a heart that doesn't allow for bitterness to take over.
Being offended has almost become something we celebrate. It comes at a heavy price though-and that price is stolen peace, joy and light in our lives.
So this episode is all about digging into practices and mindset shifts to help transform our hearts and stop keeping score with others so we can live in freedom from daily offense.
How we see success determines how likely we are to go after our goals and dreams.
So in this episode, we're breaking off these negative labels about success that have held us back and defining the idea through a mindset that's life-giving and wrapped in purpose.
This episode is about something that really matters as leaders and goal setters: setting our personal foundation. We need to create habits of intention, and moving our body every day, even in simple ways, is directly tied to so many of the other goals we have in our lives and how to turn our small steps into the big progress that moves us forward.
And that’s why I'm so pumped to have my friend and wellness coach Laura Pound, founder of the wellness brand, Foundation, come hang out for this conversation.
No matter what goal you’re going after, it’s about connecting spirit, soul and body through good habits and healthy mindsets to create lasting impact.
Where does it come from? How do we get more of it? Are some just born with it?
It's something every great leaders needs...but confidence alone isn't what stirs hearts and creates lasting impact.
In this episode we're breaking down why confidence + humility is a recipe for great leadership and how we can cultivate that in our every day lives.
Resources mentioned:
Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger
8 Paradoxes of Great Leadership by Tim Elmore
Faith Forward Future by Chad Veach
Mindset by Dr. Carol Deweck
Join The Fresh Fruit Project for weekly devotions, inspiration and upcoming party plans you don't want to miss by subscribing to the newsletter at: thefreshfruitproject.com
Find us on the socials @thefreshfruitproject
We are bombarded with success stories from those who have crossed the finish line of their goal or dream, which is great!
But what about the stories from the STARTING LINE? What happens when the applause stops before we've made progress and we start believing the answer is to quit?
We're diving into the TRUTH of STARTING and 3 tools to keep you running on mission.
You don't have to stand at the starting line alone, friend! So pull up a chair and let's chat it out.
Resources mentioned:
Start With Why by Simon Sinek
Start by Jon Acuff
Join The Fresh Fruit Project for weekly devotions, inspiration and upcoming party plans you don't want to miss by subscribing to the newsletter at: thefreshfruitproject.com
Find us on the socials @thefreshfruitproject
This one is a DAILY GAME CHANGER
Here's the deal fam, our day to day lives today require way more of us than we were created to manage. But what if we can unsubscribe from the chaos?
So here's a Mascot Martha Pineapple approved tool for you that I've used for years to manage overwhelm and anxiety, especially during daily transitions...turns out it also helps us decompress by creating more space for joy, peace, love + FUN (um, yes, please!)
And the best part: it can be done anywhere in just 60 seconds.
OK, how many times have you had a dream or vision tugging your heart but have no clue where to start because it feels so far from where your feet are?
Most of us have. That TUGGING is our destiny calling; the work we've been put here for...so how do we get from HERE to THERE?
God speaks to us through dreams and visions and to help me with this conversation, I’m honored to have the great Mayo Sowell joining us.
Mayo's journey began as a star athlete, playing football for Auburn University, then the Buffalo Bills in the NFL where he thought the pinnacle of his career would land.
But a surprising plot twist has led Mayo into a unique brand of ministry where he is currently planting a church and growing a faith movement in Atlanta, GA, known as LIIV Atlanta.
This episode is packed with so much-we rif on everything from how creativity fits anywhere, what to do with a vision, comfort zones and how to connect the dots of our purpose.
We're not just walking away with some great leadership nuggets here, this is a message of HOPE that is sure to leave you feeling more encouraged than you came.
So go ahead and hit PLAY ;)
XXX
The Fresh Fruit Project is BACK, y'all-and with extra pep in our step because Martha Pineapple’s rollin’ in hot with a re-FRESH-ed vision (see what we did there? HA.).
Good stuff is going down! Come and see...
So this episode is short and sweet-you know how much we talk about being present and working from a healthy place around here. So as we’re approaching the end of summer, The Fresh Fruit Project will take a short break to finish up the summer-and encourage you to do the same.
Take a break where you can, recharge, reset and enjoy this slightly slower time of year.
The FFP will be right back with new episodes in mid August.
The mid year check in is a good way to stay on top of goal progress…AND it can also stir up lots of anxiety over the undone items and leave us feeling behind or even stuck, questioning if we're doing enough.
Here are 3 questions to ask not just for mid-year but any time we may be feeling stuck that realign us with the bigger picture of why we're taking the action we are and keep us moving FORWARD in who we're becoming along the way.
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Connect with The Fresh Fruit Project
@thefreshfruitproject
thefreshfruitproject.com
Ambition doesn't have to be an all or nothing game. Holistic nurse, writer, wellness artist and coach Tracie Braylock shares her recipe for helping clients reach their goals while enjoying and being present in the process through self awareness and channeling our ambition into a healthier pace of grace.
We also chat about unlocking creativity, why and how her multifaceted, multipassionate career evolved, out of the box ways we find inspiration and relaxation…and more.
Also, be sure to connect on Instagram with Tracie’s daily doses of inspiration: @traciebraylock
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Connect with The Fresh Fruit Project
@thefreshfruitproject
thefreshfruitproject.com
There’s a version of rest we don’t talk about much but we can’t afford to overlook: soul rest.
Yep, our mind and spirit need rest just like our bodies but in a hustle based culture, it’s harder to do.
So we’re breaking down what soul rest is, why we need it and strategies for making it part of our living routine instead of standard burnout mode.
Referenced in this episode:
Episode number 12: What does success mean to you?
Episode 14: An Ultimate Guide to Daily Peace with Kirsten Watson
Book: Sis Take a Breath by Kirsten Watson
Book: Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen
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Connect with The Fresh Fruit Project
@thefreshfruitproject
thefreshfruitproject.com
Fact: this life path wasn’t meant to be linear.
Also true: we’re allowed to shift, pivot, explore, ask questions, change our minds and in the words of my friend my friend Elizabeth Cook , say yes and figure it out along the way.
A wife, mom of two little ones, entrepreneur and curious creative, Elizabeth’s not just a dream thinker, she’s a dream doer whounderstands we don’t need all the answers to take action. And that’s why I’m so thrilled to be chatting with her in this episode.
Elizabeth is a cheerleader for women, especially those in business and an example of what happens when you BELIEVE in what’s possible and go for it.
But there's way more to her than what she's accomplished in the business world.
Our conversation is packed with so much--like the self awareness that comes from the unexpected career paths, engaging your community, working-parent life, how to put action behind our own dreams and more.
This show is all about giving you tools and offering a glimpse of what’s possible so you can go make your unique impact in the world.
And after meeting Elizabeth, I believe you’re going to find your curiosity stirred up and ready to jump into YOUR next step.
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Connect with The Fresh Fruit Project
@thefreshfruitproject
thefreshfruitproject.com
This one is for the days when you want to quit...and why you absolutely must KEEP MOVING FORWARD.
If the director yelled cut tomorrow and the movie that is your life was over, would you be happy with how it ended?
…or is there more still to tell? More to still create?
What is that?
The time is now, friend.
No more holding back.
Evaluate what you want, evaluate why then decide what you’re going to do about it.
ALRIGHT…YOU RREADY? Let’s go...
Do you think there's ever been a people with more FOMO than our generation?
That’s why I’m so grateful for humans like the great Kirsten Watson, who we get to learn from in this episode.
Kirsten is the CEO of a family of nine, executive editor of MomLife Today plus co-founder of the One More foundation and Why or Why Not with the Watsons podcast, which she co-founded with her husband, retired NFL player Benjamin Watson-so she knows a thing or two about managing wild seasons.
And she’s just dropped a beautiful new book, “Sis, Take a Breath: Encouragement for the woman who wants to live and love well (but secretly just wants to take a nap).
If there was ever a manifesto for peace, this is it!
This is not one of those “do more to like yourself more” books. Instead it’s how to be encouraged where you are and flourish THERE first, because that place is sacred and it matters.
Kirsten really has dedicated her career to encouraging women and teaching them how to thrive in the midst of chaos.
And I can’t think of a better time to share this kind of message with you than right now-so jump in where you love to catch your favorite podcasts.
Join The Fresh Fruit Project community on all the social channels at @thefreshfruitproject
or thefreshfruitproject.com
Do you believe you’re creative?
Not artistic-creative.
The answer is YES!
In the height of the pandemic creative entrepreneurs Christina Jones and Joe Stitt, along with two friends and collaborative partners Des and Mark, saw the pressure on creative industries to pivot quickly within their businesses AND rise to the challenge of helping their clients do the same.
Their response: a community to support the wellbeing of their fellow creatives as well as encourage the creativity in all, Creatives are Essential. Because they truly believe in the power of creativity and how it can lift the world.
This episode we chat about why it’s vital we recognize the creativity in us all and give ourselves space to grow it, how to get going on your dream with what you have, the immediate momentum of deciding to start, the power of writing down our visions, cutting out distractions and even a little rif on NFTs.
This crew is too much fun and I can’t wait for you to listen.
Join in wherever you love to catch your favorite podcasts.
We're well acquainted with culture’s definition of winning: hustle + grind, steamroll others, burn the candle at both ends, always in a rush, so busy, more is always better...
But how has it been serving us?
What if we decided we're writing our own script for success?
What if we started a movement?
The idea of Heart over Hustle is a BIG topic at The Fresh Fruit Project, one that's at the core of our mission to cultivate a well lived life of impact and purpose through joy, love, peace and FUN!
Because our culture of constant striving to keep up is playing games with our health, our quality of life is up for grabs and most of all, our next generation is watching and learning, we have to ask ourselves: what is driving us and WHY?
What if we started a movement that reimagined hustle culture into a wholehearted version that looked more something like this:
ambition + love + service = freedom, peace + purpose
Isn’t that what we’re all ultimately after?
What if we flip the script on defining success? Celebrate serving others from our imperfections, learning from failures, living wholeheartedly and FULLY alive?
Sometimes we get to our destination faster when we walk instead of run. So join me now for this conversation on the idea of HEART Over Hustle.
Ok fam-we unpack so much in this episode...we're diving into the gift of self awareness and knowing your worth with my friend and women's leadership expert, wife and mom, Crystal Warr.
As Crystal reminds us, when we've done the work of understanding who God created us to be and how much we're loved, we grow in our capacity to unconditionally love, serve others, build community over competition and ultimately step into the purpose we were created for.
We chat about everything from moving past comparison and finding good community to our favorite personality assessments, how to put our gifts to work and why therapy is the best gift we can give ourselves.
So come hang out and after you do I hope you walk away feeling hopeful, seen and most of all loved.
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Some examples of personality and gift assessments discussed in this episode:
Spark Types: https://sparketype.com
Enneagram: https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test
Spiritual Gifts Assessment: https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/women-leadership-spiritual-gifts-growth-service
We’re so quick to let imposter syndrome, comparison and self doubt stamp out our dreams.
But what about letting courage, confidence, self worth in?
Today's the day we finally do that!
We get to make the choice to move forward and in this episode you'll find 6 ways to stay focused against our negative self talk, what happens when we push past self doubt and what to do instead of FIGHTING AGAINST comparison.
Be sure to subscribe and review the show wherever you catch your favorite podcasts
and come hang with The Fresh Fruit community on all the social channels @thefreshfruitproject
Ok...this is one is PACKED with SO MUCH GOOD STUFF!
The Fresh Fruit Project is all about celebrating and spotlighting people using their gifts, talents AND experiences to make an impact in the world and today’s guest is definitely doing that…
Today we’re talking about the necessity of embracing our stories and challenges and how opening our arms to where we’ve been can actually propel us forward AND how we can use that to serve others.
So that’s why I’m so pumped to be hanging out with writer, speaker, community builder, wife + mom Alyssa Adkins, who is using her beautiful and honest story of sobriety to help women find freedom by embracing THEIR STORIES…
Many of us believe that if we’ve ever struggled with anything tough whether that’s addiction, health challenges, bad financial decisions…that our potential has passed.
It’s actually the opposite though. Our challenges make us fully human. Recognizing them sets us free from the weight and distraction of any shame, fear or doubt that we've carried around.
And it's in that FREEDOM we develop compassion and empathy, allowing us to become better parents, friends, more effective leaders.
We’re chatting about the necessity that is self awareness, how to own our stories, ditch shame, find freedom by getting in community and more.
When we honor where we've been, we can start to celebrate and own who we were called to become.
Follow Alyssa Adkins:
https://www.freedtoflourish.com
https://www.thisthorn.com
Also-have you subscribed to The Fresh Fruit Project?
Be sure to hop over wherever you're listening and do that NOW so you have a little reminder to come hang out every week.
Also, when you rate and review, that helps others who may find value here get connected.
What does PURPOSE mean to you?
We all want to know we’re making our time here count, right?
So many of us are in search of the answers to these questions so I'm sharing a lightbulb moment I had this week about our purpose that often gets overlooked
They say it's all about the journey and in this episode we're honoring and exploring where our purpose fits, remembering we can take some of the pressure off our need to have it all figured out and learn to walk more confidently at a pace of grace.
When your calling starts calling you, will make yourself available to answer?
And just as importantly, are you willing to roll with what comes next?
I have the privilege of hanging out with Danielle Coke today, who you may know as Oh Happy Dani (IYKYK), to chat about just that. Her journey as a social justice illustrator and educator has helped spark a movement of encouraging equality and she’s on a mission of using her artwork to encourage faith, inspire justice, action and guide us through loving our neighbors well.
Danielle is also a podcast host of For the Ultimate Good, a social justice advocate, entrepreneur and an all around light in this world.
Her illustration business took off and evolved significantly in the summer of 2020 when our much needed social justice movement was heating up so today we’re talking about how your calling and business evolves and the importance of embracing that beautiful journey.
Get ready to have you heart and mind stirred 'cause this is a good-packed with so many of Danielle's nuggets of wisdom on everything from social equity, faith, Enneagram mashups to creativity, brand values and what to do when Target calls.
Today we’re chatting about a topic many of us were told growing up not to discuss in public: money and finances. With so many living paycheck to paycheck and the student loan get crisis on the rise, I'm pumped to chat with my friend and financial planner Jacinta Ingersoll DeVoes all about cultivating a healthy mindset around our finances and creating a few good habits to make that happen. So whether you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, operator, run a household, just graduated college, this matters for all of us.
Carrying around the weight that comes from being maxed out with debt is not how we were created to live. So hopefully this conversation makes you think, encourages you to ask questions and start exploring different habits you can create, whether it’s in your business or personally and understand wherever you’ve been isn’t where you have to stay.
This week’s episode is a little unique from our usual flow because I felt nudged to share some thoughts that have been on my heart a few days-and at The Fresh Fruit Project we're all about following the things tugging at our heart, right?
The word flourish has been following me around lately and as we head into Easter I've been thinking about what it actually means to flourish.
That it's what we're ultimately meant to do. It's what God intended for us as His kids, it's why we have the Easter season but so many times life's circumstances and experiences can muddy up that belief.
So when this time of year rolls around, we see and hear words like "Holy Week" and "He is risen" but may not have ever felt comfortable with getting close enough to understand. Or maybe we've been told we're not worthy of it.
Which is why we're breaking that idea wide open in this mini solo episode, chatting about what Holy Week, why it's the ultimate party ANY and EVERYONE is invited to and what it means to FLOURISH! Yay!
You were hand made by love, with a purpose, to flourish, friend. And I hope these words serve as a reminder why.
Today I'm chatting with commercial brand photographer Misty Webb about how she began a career in education but made a pivot into the corporate world, then eventually turned a life-long hobby into a full time, thriving creative business. So many of us have a dream or long time passion weighing on our hearts but think the time has passed to make it happen, we don't have the right experience or that we need permission.
Also in this episode we chat about attracting clients, boundaries with work when it comes to family, why you should start before you're ready, lessons learned in entrepreneurship as well as faith and choosing to look for joy every day.
Misty's story is a refreshing reminder that it's NEVER too late to start what matters and the only thing needed to get going is BELIEVE we're capable and worthy of creating change.
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Welcome to the Fresh Fruit Project, your weekly dose of encouragement to shake you up, set you free and go all in on activating your purpose and potential for a life of impact.
What's one of the biggest reasons you haven't started that passion project yet?
Asking for a friend...
Whether it’s a side business, writing that book or starting the non-profit that’s been on your heart, probably one of the biggest hurdles we see is not having enough time.
In this episode we'll break down the some of the top time saving tips to make the most of your day's minutes and some important mindset habits to help move your ideas into action WITHOUT all that grind yourself into the ground stuff.
So grab your favorite latte, pull up a chair and get ready because there's some good stuff coming at ya...
How do you decide which business, passion project or niche to focus on when you’re a multipassionate entrepreneur or creative?
In today's episode I'm talking with floral designer + content creator Leah Coleman of Ribbons + Blooms about exactly that PLUS the mindset for moving past imposter syndrome, cultivating your creativity, why your gifts and talents must be shared with the world and more!
Leah's spirit is even brighter than her delicious floral creations-you don't want to miss this one.
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freshfruitproject
Client management software mentioned: HoneyBook; get 20% off your first year at: http://share.honeybook.com/drew59834
We’re all put here with purpose and the world becomes a better place with every human who steps into theirs.
Are you still on the journey of uncovering yours? This episode is the start of a bigger conversation about WHY growing in our purpose matters.