Stacked Keys Podcast: Recent Episodes
Stacked Keys Podcast
The idea to talk to women who are out there living and making a difference is where the Stacked Keys Podcast was born. There are women who make a difference, but never make a wave while paddling through life. Immediately I can think of a dozen or more who impacted me, but I want more. I want to talk to those I don't know and I want to share with an audience that might need the inspiration to find their own beat.
This podcast is to feature women who are impressive in the work world-- or in raising a family -- or who have hobbies that can make us all be encouraged. Want to hear what makes these women passionate and get up in the morning or what they wish they had known earlier in life? Grab your keys and STOMP to your own drum.
In this inspiring episode of Stacked Keys Podcast, we sit down with Lila Smadja-Cruz, a trailblazing woman in the world of jiu jitsu. From her early start in Muay Thai to becoming a pioneering female competitor in Eddie Bravo's 10th Planet jiu jitsu system, Lila shares her insightful journey. Encouraged by a fellow female practitioner, Dawna Gonzalez, Lila immerses herself in jiu jitsu -- a decision that reshapes her life. This episode covers Lila's transition to jiu jitsu, her competitive successes, including her experiences in EBI tournaments and a memorable trip to Japan with an all-female team. Lila discusses overcoming challenges, including dealing with anxiety and the importance of mental health. Additionally, Lila is able to shed light on the empowering aspects of jiu jitsu for women, highlighting her involvement in women's self-defense programs and the creation of 'Femvasion,' a seminar weekend dedicated to connecting and uplifting women in the sport.
Dreams don't just materialize; they are forged through relentless action and unwavering belief in oneself. Lila discusses the power of self-love and the continuous quest for personal growth and she extends an invitation to her world, where every challenge is met front on and every triumph is a shared joy. She learns from everything. Tune in for an episode that's more than just a martial arts narrative; it's about strength, unity, and the relentless pursuit of dreams with determination and a lot of self-compassion. You'll hear us discuss her passion, determination, and the spirit of overcoming challenges that are not just about martial arts but about life, growth, and breaking barriers.
Beyond competitions, Lila's narrative takes a deeper dive into the development of women's self-defense programs alongside Dawna. The inception of these programs stems from a genuine desire to make jiu jitsu accessible and beneficial for women, emphasizing self-defense and building confidence on and off the mats. They've created a bridge for women to transition smoothly into regular jiu jitsu classes, fostering a more inclusive environment.
One of the most impactful aspects of this episode is Lila's openness about her mental health journey. The temporary shutdown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for Lila to confront and address her anxiety head-on. Her candid discussion about the struggles and the road to recovery offers a poignant reminder of the importance of mental well-being.
Lila and her husband, Erik Cruz, who is a cornerstone in her journey, embody the essence of partnership in life and on the mats. Their story is a testament to the complexities and rewards of navigating relationships within the competitive and demanding environment of martial arts.
We touch on the broader impact of jiu jitsu on personal development, resilience, and confronting life's challenges. Lila's journey is not just about her accomplishments in the sport but also about leadership, mentoring others, and creating spaces where women can thrive and find their strength.
To stay connected with Lila and follow her ongoing projects and insights into jiu jitsu, follow her on Instagram @lilasmadja and check out @10PlanetPasadena and @10pwomen. These platforms offer a glimpse into Lila's world, her contributions to the sport, and her ongoing efforts to inspire and uplift the jiu jitsu community.
Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
When world champion grappler and martial artist Bre Stikk joined the podcast , she brought with her a story that is as impactful as her presence in the ring. With two black belts and a heart set on empowering women and fighting against sex trafficking, Bre opens up about her journey towards becoming a beacon of strength and hope. Her tale is not just about the glory of competition, but also about the courage it takes to embrace a cause that extends far beyond the mat.
Throughout the episode, we tackle some heavy hitters, from the harsh realities of healthcare to finding balance in the relentless pursuit of dreams. Bre brings to the table a raw and honest take on the mental fortitude required to not just survive, but to thrive in the face of adversity. We share insights on building resilience and staying true to one's moral compass amidst life's curveballs, a conversation that resonates with anyone striving for personal growth while facing challenges head on.
As we wrap up, Bre's infectious energy takes center stage, leaving listeners with a sense of empowerment and the urge to carve their own paths. The stories of her seminars, where she plants seeds of possibility in the minds of women, are a testament to the potential each of us holds. Bre's journey is a reminder that while our dreams and the road to independence might be loaded with anxiety and setbacks, with the right mindset, we can stomp to our own drum and grasp the keys to unlock our deepest desires and aspirations.
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In the latest episode of our podcast, we have the pleasure of introducing Andrea Slay, a multifaceted individual whose life is as rich and diverse as the gardens she cultivates. Andrea's journey is a remarkable story of integrating her passions for environmental science and floristry with the demands of family life. It's a narrative that resonates with many who strive to balance professional ambitions with personal commitments, and it serves as a testament to the possibility of harmonizing various aspects of one's life.
Andrea Slay's role as an environmental scientist in a predominantly male field exemplifies her ability to break barriers and excel in her career. Her work as a hazardous waste inspector is not just about compliance with rules and regulations; it's also about ensuring that industries operate with environmental safety in mind. This aspect of her job is particularly relevant in today's world, where sustainability and environmental protection are of utmost importance. Andrea's insights into responsible industrial practices provide a refreshing perspective, countering the common narrative that large corporations often overlook environmental concerns.
The episode also delves into Andrea's personal life, where her deep roots in family values shine through. Her dedication to her role as a mother and wife is interwoven with her professional endeavors. The podcast reveals the artistry and science behind her flower farming activities, from the meticulous care of seedlings to the joy of witnessing them bloom. It's a craft that requires patience, knowledge, and a deep understanding of the natural world, which Andrea clearly possesses. The discussion of her transition from amateur to professional florist unfolds the creativity and precision involved in creating the perfect bouquet for life's special moments.
Furthermore, the episode touches on the concept of strength in its various forms—physical, emotional, and spiritual. Andrea's resilience against the challenges of entrepreneurship in creative and agricultural realms highlights her inner fortitude. The conversation also reflects on the importance of maintaining a sense of groundedness through hobbies like reading and embracing literature and faith during difficult times.Introducing a remarkable guest, Andrea Slay. Her unwavering passion and dedication to her crafts immediately catches attention.
Tune in!
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Have you ever imagined turning the page on your current career to pursue a simmering passion? Elizabeth Cummings did just that, trading in epidemiology for the heat of the kitchen as a personal chef. In our enriching conversation, she serves up her story, blending the art of cooking with the essence of family life, and shares insights on finding that perfect balance. Her tale isn't just about culinary delights; it's a recipe for living authentically and embracing the courage to follow your dreams while dishing out love, one plate at a time.
From the nervous first steps of a career shift to the satisfaction of a well-seasoned dish, this episode is a feast for the soul. We chat about the excitement that comes from cooking with seasonal ingredients and the confidence that builds with every challenge faced in and out of the kitchen. It's not just about the food—it's about the people, the memories made, and the growth that happens when we step out of our comfort zones. Elizabeth's journey underscores the importance of mentors, and how the right guidance can turn a flicker of interest into a blazing passion.
Finally, we wrap it up by simmering down into life's grander themes—dreams of flying, the power of apology, and the adventures that local dining can bring. Elizabeth shares anecdotes that resonate well beyond the kitchen, discussing the importance of service, trying new things, and the invaluable lessons they offer. It's a reminder that whether you're contemplating a culinary enterprise or just striving for balance, it's essential to march to the beat of your own drum and live with authenticity. Join us for this heartwarming episode that's sure to feed more than just your stomach—it's here to nourish your spirit.
Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
From the disciplined ranks of the Marines to the spotlight of the MMA and jiu-jitsu arenas, Liz Carmouche's journey is as riveting as it is inspiring. Our latest conversation with this combat sports trailblazer reveals the sheer tenacity required to pivot from military precision to the unpredictable thrills of professional fighting. As Liz unpacks her initial hesitation and eventual embrace of the sport, she shares the pivotal moments that shaped her career, including overcoming the weight difference in her first fight and discovering the strategic depth of martial arts. It's not just a story of physical prowess but also one of profound personal growth, resonating with anyone who admires the relentless evolution of a dedicated athlete.
Liz's narrative extends beyond the ring, touching on the mental chess that underscores martial arts and its parallel to life's strategic complexities. We cover the necessity of having an extensive repertoire of techniques and the importance of a disciplined routine while also embracing the growth that comes from new challenges. As a spouse and parent, Liz's pursuit of balance amidst the demands of a professional career in martial arts offers a powerful testament to the universal quest for harmony. Join us for a compelling episode that explores not just the intricacies of martial arts but the enduring lessons of adaptability and balance that apply to us all.
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When Tracey Guidry, a beacon of hope in the Heart of Alabama Food Bank, shares her journey from math whiz to nonprofit maven, you can't help but feel the warmth of inspiration wrap around you. Prepare to explore Tracey's heartfelt struggles and victories, witnessing the transformation of her nurturing instinct into a force for change, touching lives in ways that resonate well beyond the walls of her organization.
Join us for an intimate conversation that traverses the complex tapestry of human experiences, from the pangs of food insecurity shadowing our communities to the personal battles with self-worth and body image. Tracey's narrative is a testament to the power of mentorship, the value of smiling, and the often overlooked strength it takes to navigate life's turbulent waters while preserving one's inner peace. Her stories remind us all of the profound difference one person can make, be it in a child's life or within the broader strokes of societal challenges.
This episode isn't just about the lessons learned; it's a call to action, an invitation to each listener to become a part of the solution. We cap off our time with a playful thought experiment about the superpowers we yearn for, yet it's Tracey's real-life superpower—her unwavering commitment to the well-being of others—that truly captivates and challenges us. So, lean in, listen, and let Tracey Guidry's passion for service ignite your own desire to uplift and empower those around you.
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Have you ever marveled at the resilience and grace of those who master both the art of beauty and the discipline of combat? Rene Gamet is a hair and makeup artist with a twist – she's also a 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu black belt, and she's here to share her extraordinary journey with us. She has taken real life situations and worked hard to be where she is today. Imagine stepping behind the curtain of the beauty industry, where trends are as fleeting as they are demanding, and then stepping onto the mat where every grapple and hold teaches resilience and strength. Rene offers us a rare glimpse into these two divergent worlds and how they've sculpted her into the powerhouse she is today.
Striking a balance between professional pressure and personal growth, Rene's experiences range from calming jittery brides before their "I do's" to harnessing the confidence earned through martial arts to overcome her own fear of judgment. Through her, we learn the value of preparation in both arenas, and how marrying the intensity of kickboxing with the intricacies of hairstyling can lead to a captivating evolution of self. Rene's narrative weaves through the delicate dance of teaching jiu-jitsu, the empowerment of women on the mat, and the humbling journey from novice to black belt instructor.
As we wrap up, Rene shares her philosophies on life which are as refreshing. She dispels the idea that balance is easy, but she has chosen to be authentic to herself as an individual and as a mom. She dissects the notion of success, peeling back the layers to reveal a longing for simplicity and the true richness that comes from peace and joy. On a lighter note, she muses about a fantastical superpower that perfectly complements her mission – to sprinkle an instant uplift of peace and happiness onto others. Catch Rene's vibrant energy and inspiring tales on social media, where she shines and offers a touch of whimsy in a world that too often forgets to smile.
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As the dawn breaks and most of the world is still nestled in their beds, Bethany Davis from WSFA 12 News is already lighting up the airwaves, navigating the demands of a career in the media while also keeping the home fires burning. Our conversation with her pulls back the curtain on this high wire act of juggling parenting and professionalism, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the real-life challenges faced by those we often only see through the lens of a camera. Bethany walks us through the tightrope she walks between early morning newscasts and nurturing her ten-year-old, sharing the systems she's devised to ensure his independence and safety, and the occasional pang of 'mom guilt' that shadows even the most seasoned of working parents.
From the legislature's corridors to her own living room, Bethany's tales are a testament to the unexpected ways in which professional exigencies can foster personal growth. She recounts the solitary months covering the legislature, revealing a landscape of relentless dynamics and the potent connections she's made through her role. By taking us along her journey of reporting stories that are as enriching as they are demanding, Bethany spotlights the profound empathy and deeper understanding of the human condition that comes with the job. These experiences have not only shaped Bethany's worldview but have also added an invaluable dimension to the tapestry of her family life, allowing for moments of introspection and the discovery of joy in the little things.
Wrapping up our session, we chuckle over the whimsical wish for supernatural abilities to beat the procrastination beast and be everywhere at once—a sentiment many can relate to in our non-stop world. Our heart-to-heart with Bethany is more than just an exchange of anecdotes; it's an affirmation of the resilience required to thrive at the crossroads of public service and personal fulfillment. Her story is a compelling reminder to cherish the journey, embrace the lessons learned along the way, and to always keep sight of what truly matters—be it breaking the next big story or breaking bread with family.
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Have you ever reached a crossroads, feeling the pull of your passions but shackled by the fear of the unknown? Kirsten Wild stands as an emblem of transformation, gracefully navigating the terrains of rock climbing and the philosophy of yoga. Her inspiring odyssey from a yogi to an entrepreneurial spirit embodies the essence of living a purpose-driven life. Kirsten’s candid revelations about overcoming personal challenges, including a partner’s addiction, illuminate the potent life lessons drawn from the eight limbs of yoga and the art of mindfulness.
Imagine harnessing the courage to follow your intuition, to leap into a nomadic lifestyle under the stars, and to start a business amidst the wilderness of the western United States. Through Kirsten's experiences, we uncover the intricacies of balancing heart and mind, fear and desire. Her narrative is a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and the wisdom in embracing our emotional nature. As she shares her unique approach to teaching yoga, focusing on personalized practices, we are reminded of the power of creating connections – with ourselves, our students, and the world around us.
This conversation isn't just about flexibility on the yoga mat; it's about the flexibility in our daily lives and the significance of self-forgiveness. Kirsten's personal routines and the harmony she strikes between rock climbing, yoga, and work serve as an ode to the beauty of adaptable living. Delving into her philosophy on finding the right yoga teacher and the accessibility of yoga, she offers a gentle nudge to take those small, transformative steps toward self-care. Join us for a heart-to-heart with Kirsten Wild that transcends mere conversation and becomes a guiding light on the path to personal growth.
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In today's episode, we're joined by an extraordinary 11-year-old horse rider and pianist named Brantley Barrett. Brantley shares her remarkable journey of balancing her two passions: horse riding and piano playing, all while excelling in her homeschooling education.
We dive into Brantley's love for horse riding, particularly her experiences in barrel racing and pole bending. She eloquently explains the intricacies of pole bending and how she first got involved in horse riding and rodeo competitions through the guidance of family friends and local rodeo events.
Brantley opens up about the fears and challenges she faces while riding horses, emphasizing the importance of trust in her equine companions and the safety precautions she takes to ensure a positive riding experience.
We also get a glimpse into Brantley's typical day, which includes homeschooling sessions, horse riding practice, and cozy family movie nights where they enjoy discussing the themes and life lessons from their favorite movies like "The Lord of the Rings" series and "Star Wars."
As Brantley dreams of becoming a horse trainer in the future, she shares her insights on the virtues of mentorship, leadership, and the life lessons learned through her experiences with horses. She reflects on the delicate balance between logic and emotion, the importance of positive self-talk, and the empathy she feels towards her beloved horses. She encourages herself and sometimes she reminds herself that she's made in the image of God and she trys not to be self conscious.
Brantley discusses the importance of time management as she juggles her various interests and responsibilities, highlighting the significance of making mindful choices about how to spend her time and the value of engaging in meaningful activities. You'll some insight on competiton and we talk about temper--it's humbling to hear her talk about self control.
The episode also explores Brantley's views on overcoming fear, building trust, and staying true to oneself in the face of challenges. She shares personal stories of perseverance and the satisfaction that comes from hard work and dedication. She talks about her relationship to God and her relationship with family makes her feel rich.
Brantley's aspirations to become a horse trainer are deeply rooted in her respect for animals and her commitment to humane training methods. Her insights on leadership, mentorship, and maintaining a healthy self-image offer valuable lessons for listeners of all ages.
Join us as we delve into Brantley's inspiring journey filled with passion, determination, and a profound love for horses and music.
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As we peel back the layers of educational leadership, Stephanie Emmons stands out as a beacon of dedication and insight. Her role as assistant superintendent in Scott County Schools, Kentucky, along with the unwavering support she provides for her team of 19 principals, is balance between professional rigor and deep-seated family values that she totally loves. Stephanie's narrative weaves through the complexities of overseeing 18 schools, each with their unique challenges, and sheds light on the delicate balance of autonomy and guidance she maintains.
Venture with us through the transformative tales of schools risen from the ashes under Stephanie's watchful eye. Witness the metamorphosis of a once-struggling high school climbing its way to the top 50 in the state, a testament to the tenacity and strategic vision of its leaders. The stories shared reveal the critical nature of relationship-building, fostering positive cultures, and the thoughtful celebration of achievements in the realms of education. Stephanie's approach to leadership not only champions academic excellence but also cherishes the human element at the heart of educational success.
Amidst the backdrop of Stephanie's professional chronicles, we also explore the intricate dance of managing career aspirations alongside family time. She opens up about the competitive drive that fuels her resilience, addresses the stark realities of educational inequities, and recounts the adaptive leadership required during unprecedented challenges like the pandemic. Stephanie's journey is a poignant reminder of the power of support systems, the art of setting boundaries, and the profound impact that seizing growth opportunities can have on both personal and professional landscapes. Join us for this heartfelt reflection on gratitude and the pursuit of excellence in the ever-evolving world of educational leadership.
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Have you ever wondered what it takes to craft a truly unforgettable guest experience in the short-term rental market? Steph Weber, a maestro in branding and marketing, joins us to share her wisdom and journey from the fashion industry to revolutionizing destination real estate with The Weber Co and Hosted by the Webers. Together, we unpack the intricacies of leadership, discussing how a clear vision, mission, and values are paramount, and why embracing collaboration and feedback propels businesses forward.
Navigating the fine line between personal growth and the demands of entrepreneurship can feel like walking a tightrope, especially when family life joins the circus. I open up about parenting philosophies that encourage children's independence, while also wrestling with maintaining our own identities through life's seismic shifts. The episode provides a candid look at the art of juggling these roles, finding solidarity in the shared experiences of feeling lost, and celebrating the transformative power of change.
Relationships and personal growth are the heartbeats of our journey, and in this episode, we explore how they shape us. From the contrasting styles of hospitality across different regions to the profound importance of a supportive network during life's tumultuous rides, this conversation is a treasure trove of insights. Prepare to be moved by our stories of entrepreneurship, parenthood, and the occasional fear of success, all wrapped up with a heartfelt reflection on the power of gratitude. Join us for a conversation that's as enlightening as it is heartwarming, and don't forget to catch the Stacked Keys podcast for stories that resonate with the trials and triumphs of everyday life.
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Ever find solace in the pages of a compelling book or wrestled with emotions through a soulful writing session? That's what we discover and explore with our guest, Stephanie Affinito, a passionate educator, and self-proclaimed "bookologist" from upstate New York. She shares a deeply personal narrative about her relationship with books, and how they became a lifeline during her challenging teenage years. This episode is a testament to the transformative power of reading and writing, and Stephanie's unique heart rating system for books offers a fresh lens through which we can engage with literature.
As we journey through the world of books, we uncover their potential to heal, inspire, and serve as powerful tools for personal growth. We delve into the importance of diverse voices in literature and the impact of daily reading and writing on our emotional, social, and cognitive well-being. Stephanie, with her infectious zeal, opens a treasure trove of recommendations for books and journal prompts that can guide individuals through life's challenges. This episode will leave you with a renewed appreciation for literature and its role in our lives.
Amidst this bookish adventure, we don't shy away from the harsh realities educators face in our evolving educational landscape, especially in the post-COVID era. Stephanie lays bare the struggles and frustrations around literacy instruction in the digital age. But despair not, for we conclude on an optimistic note, shining a spotlight on resources and strategies to support struggling readers and foster a love for reading. So, buckle in and get ready for an enlightening journey that underscores the magic of reading and the profound importance of literacy.
You can find Stephanie on instagram @afffinitolit or her website alitlife.com
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Ever wonder what it's like to be a woman of color in a male-dominated field? Tune in to hear the empowering journey of our guest Monique Lee, an active duty JAG attorney for the United States Air Force. Monique is not just a lawyer but she is a mother, a wife, and a trailblazer who refused to let discrimination stand in her way. From changing her first name to dealing with bias against her natural hair, she never backed down. Instead, she used these experiences to foster diversity and create change in the workplace.
Monique's story doesn't end there. She offers a captivating insight into her personal life and how she strikes a balance between being a dedicated professional and an involved parent. Experience the joy of 'Family Fridays', her favorite family activity, and get a sneak peek into her son's budding interest in science. She also candidly discusses the struggles she faces with self-confidence and how her supportive partner helps her overcome them. This episode celebrates the triumphs and tackles the challenges of womanhood, motherhood, and selfhood.
But there's more. Monique also shares her experiences with race, identity, and personal growth. She offers invaluable wisdom on standing up against bias, the fear of not being successful, and the importance of leaving a better world for future generations. Round off this thought-provoking journey with a discussion on Monique's inspiring online presence and her message of resilience in the face of adversity. So, are you ready to be enlightened, inspired, and challenged? If so, this episode is just for you!
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Ever wondered how faith could guide and provide strength through the challenging journey of parenting, homeschooling, or even adopting children? Dawn Baggett, a lawyer turned homeschooling mom and post-adoption coach, joins us to share her remarkable story of change, growth, and resilience, powered by her strong belief. Dawn opens up about her life transitions and how she navigated the complexities and challenges of her various roles.
Deep dive into the world of parenting and homeschooling as Dawn imparts valuable insights on striking a balance between roles and responsibilities, leaning on the power of prayer, and the importance of seeking guidance. Experience the raw emotions and the highs and lows of parenting a child with extreme behaviors. Dawn walks us through how trust in the Holy Spirit eased her journey and provided her with the wisdom to handle challenging situations with grace.
In the last part of our enlightening conversation, Dawn takes us through her journey as an adoptive mom. She speaks candidly about the trials and tribulations of raising money for adoption expenses and the dire need for proper resources for parents of children with extreme behaviors. Listen in as she narrates her struggle and ultimate victory over the fear of flying. Embark on this inspiring journey with us, and let Dawn's powerful story of faith, resilience, and growth guide you through your own life pathways.
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Have you ever wondered how it feels to face adversities head-on, overcome them and emerge stronger than ever? We've had the absolute pleasure to sit down with the remarkable Quan Buckhannon, a chemist whose journey is a testament to the power of self-motivation, courage and resolve. Quan walks us through how the untimely loss of her brother galvanized her resolve to value time, stay goal-focused and how it led her to develop an analytical skill set that eventually set her on the path to her current career in chemistry.
In the second part of our conversation, Quan shares her experiences in the male-dominated world of JiuJitsu. We explore the concept of fairness from various perspectives and discover how Kwan uses her passion for the sport as a source of motivation. Her unique approach of adopting a different attitude to stay committed to her gym routine, and her efforts to mentor others when she can, serve as a powerful reminder that with the right mindset, we can overcome any obstacle life throws at us.
As we wrap up our illuminating conversation, Quan takes us on a journey through her love for adventures, her travel stories, and her plans for road trips. We delve into her perspectives on self-trust, navigate the challenges of single life and career transitions, and emphasize the importance of self-knowledge and individual identity within relationships. We also explore the intriguing concept of invisibility, the joy of inward exploration, and the power of direct conversations. Quan's wisdom and experiences provide a wealth of insights for anyone in pursuit of personal and professional growth. Tune in to listen to this riveting conversation and get inspired to conquer your own life's challenges.
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Prepare to be inspired as we share the incredible journey of LaVerne Toombs. From her humble upbringing to her tenure as a political operative, grant writer, and fundraiser, LaVerne's story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and hard work. She talks about her struggle with low self-esteem, how she transformed it into a powerful tool to advocate for women and children, and the role of her mother and mentors in shaping her resilient character.
Dive deep into LaVerne’s personal life as she discusses the challenges she faced in balancing her thriving career with her personal life. She reveals how her role as a public servant took a toll on her life, leading to two divorces, and how she learned to prioritize self-care. Her story of reinventing herself and adjusting to a slower-paced life underscores the importance of finding time for oneself and one's families, no matter the career path.
In an emotional climax, LaVerne sheds light on systemic racism and the divisive nature of politics. She stresses the importance of forgiveness and understanding our differences. Her proudest moments include meeting the first Black President of the United States. LaVerne envisions a world without color bias, sharing her inspiring trip to Montgomery, Selma, and Tennessee, and her dream to use a 24-hour superpower to create a more equitable society. This conversation will not just touch your heart but will also inspire you to think deeply about our society and the changes needed for a better tomorrow.
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Out of a love for stories and a dream to create a welcoming space for fellow bookworms, Diane Castro, the owner of Sweet Home Books, took the courageous leap to open her own bookstore, despite having no prior experience in the industry. Let her take you behind the scenes of her incredible journey, from taking an online course to learn the ropes of owning a bookstore, to the overwhelming support she received from her community. Dive into a world where historical fiction, fantasy, and escapist titles reign supreme and self-help books take a backseat to meaningful conversations and relationship building.
But what happens when the influx of customers becomes overwhelming, or when the store experiences slow days? Diane gives us an honest account of navigating these challenges, and the delicate art of finding balance in running her bookstore. She shares how intentional daily actions have helped her maintain that balance, and the lessons she's learned about scaling up or scaling back to avoid customer burnout. She also emphasises the crucial role of mentors and the importance of trust, not just in business, but in life.
Beyond her role as a bookstore owner, Diane Castro is also a mom to young adults. Hear her wisdom on parenting, where granting freedom, admitting mistakes, and being vulnerable play a major role in building strong relationships. She also shares her unique approach to empowering women, and how she navigates difficult political situations as an introverted people person. Join us in this heartwarming conversation and take a peek into the world of independent bookstores, the passionate communities that surround them, and the inspiring woman at the helm of it all.
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Have you ever pondered the transformative power of sports? This week, we journey alongside Jamie Gilbertson, a stay-at-home mom turned Jiu Jitsu enthusiast, and her inspiring story of resilience and empowerment through sport. Her candid conversation about motherhood, the life-altering impact of her son, and the incredible lessons learned on and off the Jiu Jitsu mat, offers a refreshing and uplifting perspective on life, self-defense, and personal growth.
Jamie skilfully weaves her life experiences into relatable stories, shedding light on how her father’s influence helped her shape an organized life and foster intentionality—an essential trait she believes to be beneficial on and off the mat. Moreover, her passion doesn't stop at personal growth, having developed a unique women's self-defense system, Jamie aims to pass on her knowledge, empowering other women to stand up and feel safe. Her candid discussions about mental health and overcoming obstacles are relatable, inspiring, and a testament to her resilience.
The episode takes an exciting turn as Jamie delves into her personal growth and self-discovery journey in Jiu Jitsu. From encounters with vulnerability to coping strategies for fear and anxiety, Jamie demonstrates how sport can serve as a catalyst for empowerment. With her experiences of training under the supportive guidance of Tara White and Erin Quillen, Jamie emphasizes the need for a stronger voice for women in sports. This episode is a must for anyone seeking a captivating narrative on personal growth, resilience, and empowerment.
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Have you ever imagined what it would be like to truly prioritize your needs and well-being? Meet our guest, Norel Austin, a customer success manager by profession and an advocate for self-care. Norel shares her personal and emotional journey of rediscovering herself after her mother's death, and the strength she found in her darkest moments. She opens up about the power of saying 'yes' to her needs and how this personal evolution turned into a movement inspiring others to do the same.
Join us as we explore the 'Yes Crowd', a spirited community of women who consciously put their well-being first. Hear how Norel encourages small changes that lead to significant shifts in mindset, such as crafting a joy list or even revamping a room. We delve into the importance of acknowledging small joyful moments and the transformative effect of clearing both mental and physical clutter. The conversation evolves as we discuss the necessity of setting boundaries and nurturing a supportive network of friends and family.
In the final part of our conversation, Norel illuminates how to find balance between our wants and needs, underlining the importance of listening to both your head and your heart. We dive into the power of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care, and how it underpins our overall well-being. Hear how Norel's 24-hour superpower of empowering women worldwide to say yes for themselves has played a critical role in her journey towards setting healthy boundaries for her own needs. This episode serves as a call to action to prioritize yourself and rediscover the joy in the everyday.
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Ever feel like you're navigating through life's challenges alone? If so, our recent sit-down with Kelly Morson might just be the empowering dose of relatability you need. A force to be reckoned with, Kelly serves as a beacon for anyone juggling life's many roles, especially those of us who've had to overcome personal and professional hurdles.
Kelly doesn't shy away from discussing her journey to success, even when it meant breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field. She also shares the struggles she faced as a pregnant woman in the workplace and the impact of having to make life-altering decisions at a tender age. We delve deeper into the intriguing world of behavior and motivation, particularly in dealing with special needs individuals. Kelly unlocks practical tips to reinforce positive behavior and motivate ourselves into breaking free from detrimental habits. We also explore ways for young moms to overcome isolation, stay motivated amidst setbacks, and strike a balance between career, children, and personal life.
Finally, we tackle the power of self-belief, perseverance, and authenticity in the quest for our dreams. Kelly's personal experiences provide valuable insights on conquering self-doubt and pushing past fears that hinder our progress. We reflect on the thrill of adventure, the serenity of simplicity, and the role of validation in overcoming insecurities. This episode is not just a listen, it's an exploration into personal and professional growth filled with inspiration and practical advice. So whether you're gearing up for a major life change, seeking motivation, or simply in need of a good conversation, this episode is sure to inspire.
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Could your health challenges be a result of hormonal imbalances or gut dysfunction? Carolyn Kelk, a respected health and wellness expert, unravels these mysteries in our enlightening conversation. Her journey from a competitive swimmer to owning a private practice that emphasizes a holistic approach to health showcases her dedication and knowledge in the field.
This episode offers practical insights from Carolyn, such as how crucial it is to understand our body's signals and act accordingly, and how the right nutrition and fitness regimen can support athletes' performance and overall wellbeing. Carolyn also highlights the role of technology in nutrition, and the importance of staying vigilant about the information we consume in the health and wellness space. Her empowering approach to helping clients take control of their health, including setting professional boundaries and achieving work-life balance, is truly inspirational.
We delve deeper into the realm of hormone therapy and nutrition, and the potential of these treatments in achieving optimal health. Carolyn also emphasizes the significance of getting sunlight first thing in the morning, eating before drinking caffeine, and limiting blue light exposure, thus supporting a healthy sleep/wake cycle. Her advice on tuning into our intuition and listening to our bodies is a crucial takeaway. Ultimately, this episode is a goldmine for anyone interested in health, wellness, and nutrition and wants to take control of their wellness journey. Tune in and benefit from Carolyn's expertise today!
Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Stacked Keys Podcast highlights women who are making a difference in various aspects of life, whether it's in their careers, family life, or hobbies. Celebrating their stories and showcasing their journeys undoubtedly provides motivation and encouragement to you, our audience. Women from various backgrounds, professions, and life experiences have joined us since day one and it’s fantastic. Having a diverse range of guests makes Stacked Keys podcast more interesting and relatable. As the listener, you begin to understand their achievements, challenges, and unique qualities.
We ask insightful questions and create engaging conversations.There is a focus on storytelling. Our guests share their personal journeys, challenges they've overcome, and lessons they've learned. This helps listeners connect with the guests on a deeper level as we talk about their passions, motivations, and experiences. We ask open-ended questions that encourage our featured guests to share their insights and advice enjoyable listening experience.
Stacked Keys Podcast utilizes social media platforms, personal networks, and any relevant online communities to promote the show. You’ll see that we create eye-catching visuals and we share behind-the-scenes content to connect.
You’re encouraged to interact with us by leaving comments, reviews, and questions. We continuously look for ways to improve our content and engage you, our audience.
Showcasing women who make a difference is not only empowering, but also valuable in today's world
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She’s on a quest to change conversations that have shamed a lot of women. Meet Heather Stark. She owns a company called Grace and Grit and she focuses on women who created ripples that have changed so much for women. We talk about being born "being enough" and ridding the shields and armors that come from society and to live an authentic life. She thought she was broken and when analyzed why she felt that way, it came down to driving forces from the beauty culture. In middle school she started self harm because she thought she wasn’t pretty enough to start middle school. She has been able to make it through that experience and turn it into something she could give to other girls. She wrote a book called “Her Story” which is insightful and calls for us to see beauty milestones as conversations to be be had and not expectations, rather opinions. She looks at the origins of thoughts and expectations that came to women, parents and girls through our culture.
Heather believes that there has to be conversations. But one conversation that is startling is where the ideals fall in and are created of what we are not.
You’ll hear a deep discussion of anorexia nervosa and Heather’s walk with that disease. People in her life whom she trusted and who had impact are important to her even today. She truly opens up to discuss what she deals with every day of her life. There is much to take in and think on throughout this episode. Please listen! Learning to be okay on the journey is a part of the journey.
You’ll hear us talk about relationships and giving each other space and be active in the rises and falls of the relationship. We talk about life wishes and tools to learn more of yourself. Tune in!
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This guest uses all of her education and experience to bring a vision to small communities and highlight the work and talent that happens in many areas that might get overlooked. Leaders in small communities wear many hats and put out tremendous efforts and we on this podcast get insight into her sharing and acknowledging such talent.
Meet Dr. Kuanita Murphy who created the Rural Leader 40 under 40 that includes Georgia, Florida and Alabama. She works on a shoestring budget and truly shines a light on individuals who have done foundational work in their communities. Kuanita put her efforts into finding the unsung hero and bringing them to the forefront. She also works with Randolph Family Connection where she has a chance to be involved throughout her own community. She gravitates to helping and being a leader/worker.
Kuanita networks and knows what happens in small communities and that helps her showcase and highlight the unsung hero. Your individual contribution matters and her mission is to let people know that element as they work daily. Networking is critical and a skillset that is developed through practice and sometimes stepping out in faith beyond your own comfort zone.
We talk about how she works her heart of service and what she had to learn was to get to a place of what she could do and what she had to let God do. She balances that daily she is doing her best, so she lives with no regrets. We talk about how overwhelming and heart wrenching such work and seeing disparities can become day in and day out.
Her goal is to make things better than when she got there. Uplifting others, inspiring others and helping them see their potential. She has plenty of avenues in which to do exactly that.
We talk about how she was raised and the golden rule of do unto others and the community of a village in growing up -- knowing that others are involved in life. She’s been involved in leadership and been both a mentor and receiver. One of her biggest lessons is that she learned is that you learn by doing.
We talk about being your authentic self and the amount of training and skill and the journey of self discovery of being an authentic leader with what one is called to do. We discuss hurdles and working daily to not be going the right direction and the questions that come as you question yourself. Faith comes into play for her and she talks about not having all the answers, but having faith and trust that you are going the right path.
You’ll hear about work balance and life. Advice? Stop and be quiet and be able to come back to self. Adventures include something new and learning and that revives Kuanita. She challenges you in this podcast to network and connect with people and with it come full circle.
You can find information on the 40 Under 40 Rural leaders ruralleadermag.com
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Have you ever dreamed of stepping out from everything you know and going on an exploring adventure? Tune into this conversation to get an inside peek at a couple who hit the road. This guest consistently finds herself in support roles and just now she’s starting to make sure that she’s not just reflection of everyone else, but rather she’s coming into her own dreams. Meet Karen Noltner as she’s figuring out ways to express herself. She says the time came time to focus on what actually might bring her joy in addition to helping other people.
The last two years, she and her husband, John Noltner — who’s Founder and Executive Director of A Peace of My Mind — travelled in an RV and then downsized to a small van. Life became so simplified because all the other distractions were gone. They were super intentional about being outside more and she became more focused. Many of the things that she thought were so defining and important, she learned were not priorities and she learned to focus on change in pivoting and realizing for the most part —unless it's truly catastrophic— It's not a big deal. Karen has embraced and learned to just laugh and enjoy it because it is change and change is inevitable. She says that the last two years have been so freeing— to just kind of strip everything away and just focus on the current moments. Karen told herself, “I need a home base. I need a place for the kids come home to I need a place that I know is our stuff. And I think I just reached a point where it became so clear to me that I was not able to move forward in figuring out what I want to do in this next chapter of my life without taking this path.”
We talk about her husband’s career of freelance photography and then the project he took on to have conversations across the country and her role once again as a helper. She shares some of her adventures and thoughts.
Through all of her experiences Karen says she’s not super afraid to make a decision anymore. It is something like a joke within her immediate family that she didn't like making decisions because she felt like whatever decision she made that she had to live with for the rest of her life. That is the past.
We talk about strengths and her life philosophy of moving forward, embracing where you are, and not to wish things away — even in the hard. It's taking that next step probably that builds strength if you just keep going. Karen grew up with the focus to be kind and to help others as she says that her parents lived with such a mindset and that was a theme. She shared that with her own children as well.
You can follow Karen’s blog thejoyinbetween.net and on instagram and facebook. Her husband John can be found at A Peace of My Mind on social media platforms and his website apomm.net
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She was a corporate girl for a super, super long time as an accountant who did all the math, all the numbers — even though she hated it. Meet Brandy Blackford who jumped into a creative business of wedding planning out of corporate life. She took her talents into being a small business owner living her dreams. She’s a wife, mom and genuinely one who looks out for others every day. She follows the trails for weddings and couples to take ideas and thoughts with the money to make it all work together and give someone a flawless event. She is able to see the big picture using all the little pieces and create memories.
We talk about the details of her industry, the changes of what is happening in choices of such a big event and how couples are presenting their wedding dreams and how it all comes together.
There’s more to Brandy and we dig deep into who Brandy is as a mom and a woman who definitely has impact in her community. She says she is a listening ear and can sometimes be the place for a vent.
Brandy is a firm believer in the rising tide philosophy of community over competition, and a rising tide raises all boats. There are more people getting married than there are event industry professionals. “We can't do everything that there is to do. We cannot take on every couple that is getting married even if they could afford us or wanted us. And we all approach our couples and our clients and our philosophy differently,” says Brandy and that means it’s a chance to become who you want to represent which is a thread throughout the conversation.
We talk about self worth and that you have to feel inside that you are worth something other than a dollar amount, but she’s happy to help anybody calculate how much they should be charging for their service because it truly is just math, and her thought is that you just need to sit there and plug some numbers into a spreadsheet, and it'll tell you how much you should charge.
Stop the fear and make your brain accept — it involves head and heart. There are so many gems in this episode from parenting thoughts, education, fear, mentors and community. Tune in!!
A few topics include—
- The shift from couple-focused to family-focused weddings.
- The stress of planning vs relationship stress.
- Keeping a couple focused on the future.
- Listening with your heart and listening with your head.
- How do you set business boundaries?
- How to make a marriage work?
- Teaching empathy to kids.
- How do you figure out your worth?
- The fear bug in small business.
- Homeschooling makes you a better listener.
- The importance of having a list of tasks.
- Taking a break when you need it.
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This is a super fantastic episode that dives into the mind of business owner Courtney Bowman.
We laugh and go in deep into some of her thoughts and her vulnerabilities. She is inspiring and honest as she talks about her process and her people who surround in her day-to-day. There is a lot of promoting your neighbor in the Raleigh area and she speaks of her awe about that. We discuss stress, entrepreneurship and the weight of being in charge and carrying your own business. There are so many aspects to running a business and many hats one has to wear. We talk cheese—her likes and dislikes. We talk about being a mom— “becoming a parent becomes a clear line between wants and needs.” She owns Raleigh Cheesy in Raleigh, NC. We recorded this some time ago and since that time they’ve had some store changes and some emotional roller coasters — you can catch the updates on her instagram and other mediums.
She talks about her babies… her daughter and Raleigh Cheesy. The cconversation shows the strengh of a woman business owner who is passionate about her business, product, customers and employees.
Tune in for insights to our conversation centered on questions to include...
Courtney’s background and introduction.
How did you get started in teaching?
Where do you get your vision? Where do you lack vision?
How to be a good leader.
How to find people who have similar passions?
Stress is a big indicator of our identity.
What does it mean to be unfair?
What do you see coming in your career?
What attracts you to the Triangle?
The importance of believing in your business.
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One Shot At Everything
She tries to build community around her and she’s interested in the comings and goings and soaking up the local aspects. Professionally she’s in higher education and has many stages to that aspect of her life. Meet Lacy Babich. We talk of the changes in higher education and thinking through some of what we all see in colleges and the new wave of how students are learning to the shift of how we actually teach. Her advice to a student looking at advance learning is to look at the goal and teaching and think toward the end game — focus on what you want to do in five years. She believes in meeting the student’s actual goals and treating them as a person and not a number or dollar sign makes a better outcome for all.
Lacy has moved a lot and has enjoyed a wild journey. She has a military life background.
We talk about travel and the impact it has on her life—any opportunity to travel, she takes it. Have you ever thought how simply traveling to a new community can rejuvenate or step further away to get a shift in absorbing other cultures and gain a broader perspective. Taking the opportunities to travel whenever she can is always underlying in what makes up her life and she 100 percent says that the outlets she has from everyday life rely on travel. Travel provides the little joys of handling this life.
We talk about how you travel and how you choose your travel partners so that you don’t just focus on going from point to point, but enjoying absorbing what’s going on around you at the moment. A schedule on a vacation changes the whole meaning of a break for Lacy as she prefers not to over plan.
Lacy has lived abroad and learned to find her comfort in the coming and going and accomplishing the daily tasks —and what it is like to live with family so far away. She talks about some points of what it’s like to be in the Air Force and helping others to learn cope and handle the distances and staying in the loops so you can feel somewhat involved.
Loving the water at a young age gave the opportunity to develop skills as a competitive swimmer and that helped her get organized and keep a schedule. She found her own discipline that helped her to attend college with scholarships. After that sport, Lacy found herself into beginning competition for IronMan—she likes the structure of training and schedule out how she moves.
You’ll hear talk about her dissertation for her doctoral degree and she’s deep diving in one incident of original documents and investigating an aspect of the Civil War. She treats life by figuring out puzzles and digging to find answers.
Role models and mentors played important parts for Lacy and Lacy talks about how she learned to be tactful, but yet get answers by just asking questions. She applies her experiences to make situations easier for those in similar situations as herself.
Finances can be a huge issue when you are living outside of the US and figuring out the tips and tricks are super important to be financially aware. It is staggering what one may take for granted.
This episode also gives a little insight as a couple and how they openly communicate and set their goals together. They deal with the hard conversations and work on establishing end goals and functioning as a team is super important to Lacy.
Life Can Be Short, I Don’t Want to Waste It.
Tune in! Music “STOMP” used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
It’s always interesting to talk with ladies as they reflect on who they are and how others see them. Always a communicator and one who finds her love of people and their stories is what immediately comes to mind to introduce this guest. She has the talent to zero in on the positives of focusing on the passion of people and on how they want to tell their stories in creating their own brands. She likes to think of herself as a collector of stories.
Meet Chellie Phillips. She is a communicator and writer. Currently she’s authored three books … the first is a self help motivational book with a personal reflection on various aspects of life, the second book is about helping people with careers get where they envision that they want to be in a career… and the third will be out this year and focuses on building a human centered culture, in the workplace—that we put people first.
Chellie is involved in personal coaching where she helps people create their own brands and learn how to talk about themselves in a way that they can actually highlight the parts that they want people to know. We talk about story telling and journalism.
You’ll hear her refer to “her tribe” several times because she can’t imagine where she’d be without those very important people surrounding her. Chellie says, “I am incredibly blessed with the people that have been in my life, the ones that have encouraged me to take some chances to step out of there. Maybe, you know, they may have been thinking in their mind. Oh, she's lost her mind. She's crazy. But let's let her try and see what's going to happen.”
We talk about growing forward and what it takes to get to your goals and methods to put in place. As a female, she has learned how to come across as knowledgable and present that she has something of value to add. We discuss what women can bring to the table and making the most of the opportunities that are put in front of each one of us every single day. Chellie comes back in her work roles to put women in places as she has a chance. She encourages that we take the time to grow each other and to celebrate each other.
In this episode we talk all about coaching, life’s hard knocks and being prepared to relay your story and protect your boundaries. We talk about her circle of people and the idea that she took on a 1/2 marathon and had to set goals and how to accomplish something way out of her comfort zone. She makes you laugh, think about your own set of circumstances and offers a challenge.
Tune in!
Some topic highlights include questions like these--
What did you think of yourself as a kid?
The importance of telling your own story.
The most uncomfortable part of personal branding.
The importance of having a tribe.
Taking time to enjoy and celebrate your accomplishments.
Were you an organized kid?
How to communicate your needs.
Protecting your boundaries.
How did you know you’re ready to leave?
What does it mean to grow great?
The impact of having a great mentor.
Coaching is listening and empowering women.
Beating the impossible by beating the impossible.
You got this, you can do this.
What she’s most proud of.
When in doubt delete it.
How to get noticed and get hired.
Building a value culture in the workplace.
The power of human-centered culture.
Advice for people who are considering a career change.
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This episode features two business women who are coming in contact with women everyday who are looking to improve how they feel and how they look each day. If you visit their business website, the tagline slogan is “We Relax Your Soul, Refresh your Mind & Renew Your Sparkle.”
Meet Pamela Laviolette and Whitney Williams who both work with AMS Studios, the River Region’s premier MedSpa —the place to go to experience a quiet, true spa atmosphere.
These two ladies are spectacular in their careers and in so many other areas of life. You’ll hear their passion in advice like this life insight and advice from Pamela, “I would say don't feel bad about what you choose to prioritize, and what's important to you, no matter what it is, if it's something personal, if it's family, if it's work, if it's what you feel like your calling is, or is, you know, your ultimate, don't apologize for it. Find balance, you know, and everything. But ultimately, what calls you is, is what calls you it. It is you.” Whitney follows with this wisdom, “I would say slow down, take a look around, take a minute to savor the moment that you're in right now. Appreciate it, even though sometimes it seems stressful and crazy and chaotic, because it won't come again, and you will miss it. You will miss it very much one day. So just take it all in.”
Pamela and Whitney introduce themselves and talk about their character traits. 0:00
Pamela talks about the importance of self-love and self-worth. 3:58
The 30s are hard for many women. 9:31
The importance of relationships in the business world. 14:14
What are the medical aspects of what they offer? 19:25
How social media is changing the skincare industry. 24:53
How do you create boundaries?28:49
Pamela’s goal is to have her kids not feel like they’re on their own. 33:26
How to get back to your boundaries in your life. 38:45
Pamela’s advice to those in her age group and others 42:32
Tune In!!
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Meet Christina Tatum on this episode. She is caring and helps people through the most difficult moments as she helps to care for their loved ones. She is a giver and has seen a lot of the toughest emotions play out right in front of her. You will learn from this episode and maybe see yourself in the conversation. She feels tremendous responsibility in her career and yet she says that she is exactly where she wants to be and doing what she wants to as well. You can find her at Premier Care - An Assisted Living Community. Follow them on facebook.
This conversation inspires both in options for the older population and in seeing the leadership style of someone as involved as Christina and her team. Tune in!
Christina’s personal and professional background. 0:00
The hardest part of working with dementia patients and families. 1:35
How do you encourage people not to lay blame on one another within the family? 8:30
Being an administrator over assisted living. 11:30
What’s your leadership style? 17:14
Why you need to listen to your employees -.20:03
What’s the scariest thing you’ve done? 26:42
The older you get, the clearer your mind becomes. 31:16
Dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s. 33:48
Why is it that we’re willing to distraction and diversion with a toddler and not with an elderly? 39:36
Where’s the literature to help people with dementia? 42:16
How do you know when you’re losing abilities? 48:09
Learn as you go with dementia. 51:08
What is the biggest sign of dementia in your home? 57:39
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Meet Laura Longmire. She’s a mom and an entrepreneur who went into a business to help women feel more confident to handle all of their roles efficiently. “it's so funny. Now we've got people we have people who come help us clean our houses or even you know, minimalist coaches who come and help us pare down all of the stuff in our house. We have people to deliver groceries or even send us boxes of groceries with the meal planned out. And yet, figuring out having somebody help us figure out what to wear seems to be like a bridge too far for a lot of women”, says Laura. And “How you present yourself, sends them a message before you ever get to open your mouth.”
There’s much in this episode for every listener. Tune in!
How she defines who she is in every interaction. 1:59
What drew you into this profession? 6:33
“The longer I’m with my husband, the more confident I am.”. 11:27
What is business casual? What is loungewear? 17:58
Why you have to pick someone who will be honest. 22:44
Are you a rules girl or do you put rules in place in specific areas of your life 28:38
Being rich can mean a lot of different things. 33:33
If you don’t dive in and get it figured out pretty quickly, you’re going to be treading water. 39:42
Laura’s advice for new moms. 46:07
What is your lifestyle? What do you need? 51:09
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done? 56:23
Laura’s message to men: say the nice things to the women in your life. 1:01:44
The conversation is full of gems that are precious and encouragement for the soul. Laura says, " I tell women especially that it's it's never too late to love who you are and how you look. And the right time to do it is now the time to boost your confidence is now the time to go get that job that promotion or that man, whatever it is. Wear the thing you love, find what you love and wear it with confidence and see what changes in your life." Stomp to your own drum!
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Amanda Curran is outgoing, outspoken and she says she’s bit loud and a bit sassy— yet professional. In getting a glimpse of her through this interview she is pure delight with confidence and direction both personally and professionally. She’s authentic. You might know her from her online presence as a meteorologist for WSFA TV if you are in the Montgomery, Alabama market. She’s always loved weather, always had a fascination with clouds and always had an inherent want for knowledge. What a brilliant career path she's taken. She also chose this line of work to be of service to her community.
Even though she comes across very much in control and brilliant, she says she definitely doesn’t have it all together. Amanda says, “For me, I mean, the crazy thing about meteorology and weather in general, it's science, but it's not an exact science. And I don't think it ever will be an exact science. We call some events textbook, it's exactly how the atmosphere should interact with these elements and these ingredients. The forecast is rarely textbook, this is exactly what should happen. So I think that's part of the exciting thing is you're always learning and it's always different. It's never something that you can master. I have my degree and an understanding of what's going to happen, there are plenty of times when Mother Nature throws a curveball that nobody sees not me, or the meteorologists I work with at the station, other competing stations, National Weather Service offices, national government organizations, we could all be on the same page about the forecast. Mother nature puts a little spin to it. And it's like, wow, that just reminds you how fascinating and interesting weather is and how we have absolutely no control over any of that.”
Amanda has confidence in herself and that was developed through life experiences that her mom coached her through. “My mom tells the story when I came home and I said, I hate myself. She picked me up quickly and brought me in the bathroom to look in a mirror and repeat— I like myself, I love myself.” That helped Amanda learn to dig deep and get encouragement from within. We talk of confidence and putting on the happy face and doing her job to the best of her ability. We discuss living life as a single young woman and finding friends and areas of life to be fulfilled. We talk dogs—her love for dogs and her special fur baby, #Tanner
Amanda lives by budgeting and shopping in her ability to be classic in her styles and frugal. She lets us in on some tips, “I’m naturally a really frugal person, I've always been good at saving money. You don't have to spend a million dollars to look like a million dollars. There's always a promo code, there's always a coupon, and you can always find it somewhere for cheaper.”
Amanda discusses core values like trust. “My big thing about trust, and this is more on like a personal side versus a professional side, my big thing is that I give everyone the benefit of the doubt until you give me a reason to not trust you, I think that we all have good in us.
We talk about friends and her philosophy of having the right people is super important. Her thought us that relationships are for a reason or for a season and that's okay. She says, “sometimes I think they're there to teach you something. Sometimes they're there to help you grow and sometimes you don't know what that reason or season is until after it's done. But I think surrounding yourself with people who make you happy—and this is kind of a selfish thing to say, but like, if I'm going to give you my time and energy, I'm hoping that you're also bringing value to my life, because having a one sided relationship is not good for anybody involved. So if I'm giving -- I want to be given to. I think you should be able to give in relationships.”
Tune in for more!
Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Many qualities encompass this episode’s guest. Start with her outlook to have fun, smile, laugh and love. Personally and professionally she’s inquisitive, enjoys helping people, has a passion for hard work ethic, is family oriented and loves all things marketing. Meet Nona King, a career coach for professionals looking to jumpstart or pivot in their careers. She specializes in career development, personal branding, and making high-impact connections by uncovering untapped potential and providing the connections to help professionals reimagine their careers and possibilities in life. In the last year, she’s helped her clients increase their average pay by over $40K, while landing roles they love, at companies that align with their values and goals where they can be their full authentic selves. Nona is helping people identify their skill set so that they are marketable for whatever they do next.We discuss how Nona is sure to fill her own cup with joy so that she is able to reach others with enthusiasm and authenticity. She grew up driven and accomplishing her goals which included her education. She majored in music at Vanderbilt and then got an MBA— then she found herself without a job. That set her course to begin discovering areas she wanted to focus on and how in to close gaps in either her experience or her network. You hear her pathway and some of the hurdles. Giving real life examples, she walks us through her encounter with management after she had her first child and the direction her career took. We talk about networking and the reality of what networking is — building relationships. Nona encourages the mindset to meet people and ask questions and learn about them and let them know you because people who know you will advocate for you when you are not in the room.“Get outside of your comfort zone and be confident in yourself as you get to know people who are different from you” is advice she offers young adults and the more seasoned.We talk relationships and what she sees that she and her husband are doing right — supporting each other and letting each guide their own methods of how to accomplish work tasks. They communicate joys and challenges, have the difficult conversations and talk situations through. She encourages couples to listen and not to always be thinking of your next answer, but to listen with your heart. Collecting friends and mentors help her to guide life and her business. Her siblings are also a source she can lean on. Life for Nona is truly is about family and her kids and helping others.Entrepreneurship is a favorite topic and in coaching her clients she may ask “what attracted them to the opportunity they are approaching and what gap can only they fill?” Her advice to the entrepreneur is to identify the gaps you might have, close those gaps and have a plan.Nona is very intentional and she’s paying attention to the small and large details that bring her joy and grow her business. She puts pen to paper and she sets personal goals like eating right and working out simply because it is important. Incorporated in her life are aspects to create what it takes to achieve the next level— prayer everyday…it’s in her calendar, walking and getting outside and working her business plan. All of these actions keep her intentional and accountable.She gives you tools in her coaching business. "I’m teaching them how to fish."https://careercatalystgrp.com/ follow her on Instagram https://instagram.com/careercatalystgroup?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ= Tune in!Music used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim HuffMusic "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
We talk relationships, life, fostering healthy families and how complicated that life can be on the day to day. See things from a different lens and navigate through the bumps.Meet Marty Witzel. She’s spiritually led and someone who cares deeply about the relationships around her. Deciding to be really intentional in relationships and her job as a therapist is a natural mix. Her background was teaching in education and as a military family, they moved a good bit. She launched back into her education and found herself in the field of counseling.Marty says that she and Joel were always really intentional about their marriage and so from the beginning they established kids or no kids, that they were a family, and that having a really strong marriage was key to even having a family and then raising children.She wishes she had known more. “Oh, I just think there's lots of areas where mothering and parenting is so hard and so challenging, which is okay, because there are moments in my practice where I'm able to just say, hey, I didn't get it. All right? I really didn't. I missed the mark in some areas, which, yeah, probably just communication or sexuality and talking to my kids about sex probably could have done that better. Way better. Yeah, just navigating sort of the teenage years wasn't horrible, but it was hard. And I think to be in this season, too, now of adult parenting, which is its own unique part of the journey that I didn't anticipate. It's just really unique because we're all adults now, and so still being a mom and still caring for my kids, but they're in their own committed relationships.”We talk in this episode about work and life and how you find some balance. We discuss how therapy should not be the last resort. “The statistic is that couples don't come into therapy until, like, six years after their problem. Marty’s encouragement would be this — “that you don't have to be in a place kind of in crisis by the time you're in crisis. What happens is that patterns are so instilled in how we're communicating, where we're trying to resolve conflict and then hurts build up. And then the more hurts that I have to help process through and undo makes my work really complicated.” This isn't a quick this isn't going to be a quick fix. Like, I guess my advice would be, man, if you find yourself at all uncertain and you are either asking people around you or you've read a book or about communicating and you're still in some of that, like, we're not really still quite resolving it. My encouragement would be to see somebody, because then it could be just maybe we do four or five sessions together and we're able to fix it when it's a much smaller problem than years of hurt and people get pushed away and then betrayal.”This conversation has many elements that you will find hitting at different levels because of life experiences. We talk about peace and how to navigate that and at the end of the day you have to lay your head down at night. We talk about the hard stories and compassion fatigue and managing the tenderness and not taking too much emotionally on. Marty talks about her perfect day—what is your perfect day?Tune in!!!Marty can be reached at North Family Counseling, Colorado Springs, Colorado.Music used by permission from artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim HuffMusic "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Be a Leader and Not A Boss This episode was suppose to be a panel, but it turned into a conversation with only Emi Miller and we talk all about women opportunities and so much more. This is a fabulous podcast with sensitive subjects revolving around loss and other aspects of this sport. This was recorded much earlier than the posting and Emi has experienced many milestones since we had this conversation. We talk about leadership and being one who walks the walk as well as talking the talk. Emi believes in not being a victim and she self examines constantly. She prioritizes her time and is looking to move to the next level in personal training. We talk of cutting weight and what training looks like. Seminars are something that jiu-jitsu people are involved in and Emi thinks they are like extra credit and key to what you can gain to be well rounded. When Emi answered the question of why jiu-jitsu, she had insight that jiu-jitsu is a tangible way to see transformation of yourself. Through work and repetition you can see this thing go from point A to point B. She says this is exactly the way she wants to live her life. In doing this art, Emi says she can look at a lot of life objectively. There are always moments in this sport that make you even more humble and that translate in your whole life. Emi shares some of her insight of her lifestyle of going back to square one. The advice she offered newbies is to figure out if this is what you want to do and keep showing up. Tune in!! The earlier podcast with Emi is episode 134 https://open.spotify.com/episode/3KZzJHnIneXPugd5C235Ed?si=a5ff40eb15dd4a0e
Music "STOMP" used by permission of artists Doncia Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
These guests for this panel have all been on the podcast and you’ll want to hear their stories. A theme that rang through this conversation is that within this sport you face the fight or flight instincts and face your fears— when you see you can push through and the techniques kick in, you develop. Everyone has their own journey. Join Tori Stackhouse 10th Planet Scottsdale, Blue Belt @torrance31 from Episode 125 Laura Kent 10th Planet Bethlehem, 10th Planet Allentown, Purple Belt @lauralies10p from Episode 94 Lindsey McCaghren 10th Planet Decatur, Black Belt @lindseymccaghren from Episode 121 Destiney Word 10th Planet Austin, Brown Belt @prettylightsbjj from Episode 126 Molly Rogers Port City JiuJitsu, Positive Balance, Emerald Coast JiuJitsu, Blue Belt @rogersjiujitsu_ from Episode 77 Natasha Collazos @thenatashacollazos from Episode 118
Six ladies. Six perspectives. Six personalities. Several different parts of the country.
Key Topics: Topic 1 How does confidence come, when and what is it like with different training partners? Topic 2 Rolling with the guys. Topic 3 How do you know the trust level and what’s the approach you use? Go with faith! Topic 4 Trust in competition and the harsh reality. Topic 5 The most rewarding aspect of jiujutsu for these women ranges from fitness to mental wellness to travel to community. Topic 6 Mentoring was and can be difficult Topic 7 The statements about jiujitsu that these ladies share ranges from it is not as scary as it looks to giving yourself space to grow to how you feel in the sport. Topic 8 Do you find yourself a little judgey about other women? Topic 9 What about ego? Everybody’s got a little bit, but it is a humbling sport. Topic 10 Mindset and self talk factors can be a struggle and finding the encouragement and trying to tone it down Topic 11 What in the last year would these ladies change?
Call To Action:
You may waffle between confident and unconfident, yet the longer you stick with it, the more respect you get to grow and develop. When jujitsu is a part of your life then it is still there no matter what circumstances look like at the moment.
The Definition of GRIT This is the second panel podcast that we’ve hosted We introduce these four women focused on how jujitsu changed their lives and more. In this episode you meet
Sabrina Kelley @s_a_kelley - School psychologist, teacher and co-owner at The Vault and involved in the business end of her world. Find her @vault_bjj She's a host for Sub-out Domestic Violence
Mandy Eakin @aklmandy co-owner of 10th Planet Perry gym in Perry, Georgia. Find her @10thPlanetPerry. She is involved in the gym operations as well as kids programs and camps.
Maria Schweitzer @riiiiischweitzzz owner/artist of Rubber Bones rash guards @rubberbonesrashguards. Involved at 10th Planet Long Island.
Lauren Sears @laurensears10p is a pediatric and generic physical therapy assistant and a jujitsu competitor @linktr.ee/Laurensears10p She works with women and encouraging them to join the sport. She trains at 10th Planet Austin.
Four ladies. Four perspectives. Four personalities. Four different parts of the country.
Key Topics: Topic 1 How does jujitsu impact your life? Topic 2 How does community come together? Topic 3 How do you bring out the best in your rolling partners? Topic 4 Relating jujitsu to real life. Topic 5 Do you have any mindset tricks? Topic 6 What subject in the gym is your pet peeve? Topic 7 Less is more applied to jujitsu Topic 8 How would you use jujitsu to impact the world?
Call To Action: Don’t let anything hold you back to be your best self.
Panel Discussion 1 — Jujitsu is a Microcosm of Life
Brown Belt Tori Applegate is at 10th Planet Atlanta, owner of jujitsu clothing company for women, and realtor. Find her @torisellsgeorgia @10thplanetatlanta Black Belt Dawna Gonzales came up in 10th Planet with Eddie Bravo and is an instructor at 10th Planet South Bay, created a Women’s Self Defense Course and Coaching program Find her @dawnagonzales10p and @10PWSD Brown Belt Elizabeth Allen owns Red Wolf Marshall Arts Opelika, Alabama Find her @redwolfsma2019 Anna Cononge is at 10th Planet Atlanta. Find her @10thplanetatlanta @annacononge @annabananabjj
These ladies say that you learn how powerful your body is and how it can be used in this sport to be a badass. Why jujitsu is a question we address right out of the gate and nothing is more empowering than jujitsu according to these ladies. Empowering and fun. The most thrilling aspect these ladies say they witness is that the next generation is going to have female coaches that you can look up to — that thrills these ladies. Through talk and laughter the women on this panel ultimately want Dawna’s secret to looking so amazing…and she tells us that “it is choking young dudes.” This panel drops so many gems from their life lessons and absolutely puts some challenges to create your own wins. Be friends with yourself is a golden piece of advice.
Four ladies. Four perspectives. Four personalities. Several different parts of the country.
Key Topics: Topic 1 Why do you enjoy and stay in jujitsu? Topic 2 Women’s stories bring them to martial arts? Topic 3 Some women feel like you’re rude if you say no… Topic 4 The responsibility of being a woman leader. Topic 5 Women creating businesses out of jujitsu… Topic 6 What frustrates and satisfies you in jujitsu? Topic 7 Taking control of a class. Topic 8 Inner dialogue and self talk. Topic 9 Life off the mat and outside of the gym—being accountable
Be sure to hear the episodes with the featured ladies -- Tori Applegate (episode 103), Anna Cononge (episode 92), Elisabeth Allen (episode 30, & Dawna Gonzales (episode 119)
Call To Action: You are worthy, you are capable, you are strong. Changing one mind at a time.
"STOMP" music used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This guest is full of life, passion and energy. Meet Katelyn Nicdao who describes herself as a sweet person, but also one who’s aggressive in training her martial arts. She has a fire within that embraces the idea of self talk and being a winner. She loves what she does and tries to have a balance. She started out as a figure skater which is both independent and competitive and then she found herself in some instances where she was bullied which led her down the path to find a way to empower herself through joining the high school wrestling team. It wasn’t so much that she was looking for an outlet for aggression—but to find a team. She had a moment of feeling her world crashing in on her as she was involved in a situation that humiliated her and was her worse nightmare. Katelyn shares the dark moments and how she navigated.
Through injuries and pushing to make herself better, Katelyn found ways to grow personally. She fights for those who can’t. According to Katelyn, when people don’t speak out when there is bullying and sexual harassment — it becomes confusing where one can turn when a situation arises. You’ll hear her recount her story and sort the details of her experiences. She was vulnerable and unsure of situations she found herself. Today Katelyn is on the path to excellence and becoming a winner. She pushing martial arts today because it helps one to read the room, how to defend to get out of a situation and adds emotional courage. The way Katelyn introduces discipline into her life gives her power.
Encouraging words from Katelyn are throughout this episode as she finds her own grounding and her spiritual side and where she finds her own path. She would tell her 15 year old self that she is strong and resilient. Don’t be afraid of the unknown and understand that you won’t know if you like to do something if you never try. Tune in!
Song “STOMP” is used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Meet Kuline Wendling. She’s a take charge and go getter kind of person. Professionally, she’s a pharmacist and personally, she is a caring and giving person — the two blend beautifully. Her foundation is what enables her to handle the most difficult of days. Her perspective is that everything happens for a reason and the choice one has to make is whether you learn from it or not. Having faith in general and her family are her grounding points. Listen to her story of strong women in her life, including the women she meets on the jujitsu mat. She shares her heart, emotions and the struggles and expectations she set for her life.
Music "STOMP" used by permission of song artists Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Meet Michelle Lopez whose love for jiujitsu is evident as she sees it as a gift that she could give her kids, other women and offer empowerment. Today she finds herself managing a gym where her son instructs and she is a brown belt herself. She came in the early days and we talk about the level of commitment that it takes to lead the life she has chosen. Michelle is proud of the fact that she can participate in activities as she chooses, but she admits that there are days you just cry in the shower. We talk about her reset, which comes from nature and hiking and how she works to stay on the mat. Her life revolves around the gym and we talk about how you avoid burnout, but being surrounded by the passion that makes it a thrill. Michelle shares her career, her gym life and the hurdles that she faces. She pushes for more as a woman and to figure out her own individual goals. Personal growth, business growth and family growth are all pieces to her puzzle. When we talk about her sport of jiujitsu … she goes for a shoulder crunch and into an arm bar as her game move—the energy she brings into the gym is to bring in good energy and realize that it’s body dependent of how you feel and what is physically happening. We talk about how to stay in the game—picking who and how you roll. We chat about her life and the directions she took as a young parent and how she figured out some of the aspects to get where she has landed. There is vulnerability here that you will appreciate as she shares aspects that might help you if you feel like you are drowning often by putting family first. “Everyday is trying in our relationships with a spouse and raising kids —and if you can remember that you’re on the same team, it helps. You’ve got to have self confidence, but if your chosen person can build you up by reminding you that they chose you then you’re ahead of the game. Your kids see a united front and they follow.” We talk about women defense using jujitsu and Michelle got certified under Dawna Gonzales, Women’s Self Defense Coach from 10th Planet San Diego to help women be confident and to advocate for themselves. Being in a family driven community makes this important. She’s driven to bring that energy and fire to build women’s confidence and awareness. This process was empowering for Michelle and she talks about the strength and bond that happens as Dawna speaks to your soul. Tune in to hear Michelle’s method for learning of touching and doing and being in the mix of it to learn both on and off the mat. How lucky she feels to be doing what she is doing every single day. You can follow her on Instagram @10p_noginana and @10psanantonio women’s squad
Song “STOMP” used by permission of the artists Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Recorded this episode earlier this year so there have been updates and new accomplishments for this guest. Be sure to catch her social media to follow her @laurensears10p -- Meet this professional athlete in the world of jiujitsu and peek into her world of competing and her profession in physical therapy. Lauren Sears is a pleasure to get to know. Helping people is where Lauren knew she’d land as a corner stone in her life. She likes her athletics and she enjoys people in all aspects of life. She says she found her niche in pursuing her career as she had to recover her own body to fix her drive to compete. "Finding your community within the sport is what keeps you coming and finding that component is what keeps you going…it feels like family." Lauren has faced difficult situations and found herself both on and off the mat. She’s been working on what she does pre-competition and she’s discovered how she replenishes her energy levels. Lauren likes self expression and she talks about 10th Planet as a place where there is room for individuality. We discuss being a woman in this sport and her perception of how she gets her voice heard and what her coaching style is—the fundamental principles and concepts. She’s got years left in the sport and so she pushes to get as far up in the sport as she can. There is balance as Lauren works in physical therapy for her career and she has goals to get her deeper in that professional world, but for now she focuses on her jiujitsu competition and creates a schedule to give her the most preparation. Tune in!
Music "STOMP" used by artist permission Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Meet Emi Miller in studio today who’s one amazing lady. She works in the jiujitsu community and is an advocate for women in the sport. She dove in head first and made it a part of her life. Professionally she teaches and competes at a pro level. We talk about the differences of teaching and competing. “Those who teach, learn twice.” She is into teaching the what, when and why of the sport. She says that jiujitsu is a catalyst for transformation and she thinks that is up to you as to what that is in the discipline. We talk about time and how to be able to train and have money for that and create a balanced life. We talk about being a personal trainer and becoming certified to give her backing for her journey. Emi is accountable for her path and she believes there are many core pieces to show up and be responsible. She lives by a day planner to be organized and being accountable to herself and bringing in her best. Meditation is a grounding for her — family and her jiujitsu family and friends fill her life. She says that she’d tell her 18 year old self to get ready to face adversity. You will want to hear Emi talk about her most difficult moment of losing her fiancé and the devastation of that time, but yet what she demanded from herself. In honoring his memory, she got back out living and competing. His team at 10th Planet Bethlehem offered her great support. We talk what maybe we should do for people who are facing such a huge loss…it is showing up for that person. Emi also discusses her relationship and the sacrifices and joys of supporting one another. We slide right into what she is doing in her entrepreneur led world. You’ll her her discuss the various business opportunities from Twist and Tap to Mixed Martial Arts Mavins. Emi likes to create something out of nothing. Mentors have proved important for Emi and what she’s discovered through them as well as her preparedness to become a mentor. Ever thought of egos and their impact on you? We dive a little into those in a gym and how men train with you as a woman and how they work together on the mat. The second you stop listening and learning then you stop growing is how Emi keeps her own ego in check. We talk about relationships and the elements that she saw that made her relationship work…we talk communication to be understood, to voice your needs and to hear those of others. You will be fascinated by her insight to the self talk and applying positive framing. There is plenty in this episode for everyone. Tune in!
Song “STOMP” used by permission of artists Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This guest is strong in her faith in God and the center of her story is that she is a believer who has God involved in every aspect of her life and the opportunities she embraces. She grew up moving quite a bit and that impacted so much of who she became. Meet Leisa Lee. She is a wife, mom, grandmother and an educator. One of her phrases to her kids is “don’t get too wrapped up in your disappointments.” There is power in that statement. She got interested in education, specifically special education and began to prepare for her future. We talk about her life teaching where her children went to school where she taught and then came the day that they graduated--truly leaving her with a gap. We talk about empty nest and her struggle of processing what was next for her and the advice she can pass on to those who might be feeling similar feelings as the milestones are celebrated. Leisa went into special education—she says it is the sweetest punctuation to her career. She works with young adults to become more independent and be life ready as she helps connect them to their high school population. We talk about the timing when she decided to go back to work and how the transition and how to let some of the perfection go as everybody pulls together. Her husband Scott, helped her let her superwoman tendencies go and set a good example at the sae time. She talks about real parenting and discipline and the being a parent who was very much involved in her kid's school life too. Young parents are going to want to hear about some of the choices her family made to eliminate some of the drama. Kids are living without margins and that is something she felt that she could provide. "You can’t discipline or motivate multiple kids the same way." As Leisa experienced empty nest, she says that looking for grateful and thankful for what she sees their kids doing solves much of the longing because that is exactly what she prayed for as a young parent. Her advice is to find the good and find the chances to be together and celebrate. Listening to Leisa talk about her youngest daughter going to school in New York and stepping back and letting her 22 year old daughter leave Alabama and go to school so far away drops some jewels. It is a step of letting go and to live in faith and not hold her child back. We discuss living in margins in this episode. To find the space to do what you need and find rest along the path. Leisa is extremely compassionate and that permeates her existence daily. You’ll hear the framework she functioned in within her job. She paused the standards and looked at what needed to come out of her students and looked at how she satisfies the state and teaches the people in her room. They worked on a continuum and made a list of what the special education students need. She spends precious time teaching money skills, laundry skills, shopping skills, cooking skills and so much more. Leisa was met with great success and you will hear fabulous stories of the systems she’s created with variety, movement and adult interaction. You’ll be so impressed by the examples of what is happening through programming and extra efforts in the self contained classrooms. It is encouraging to hear the abilities of these students who are trained properly. In this episode we talk about burnout when it is hard to be passionate and fully invested in a career that involves so much service and one on one people interaction. In times of burnout, Leisa says that it is key to rest.
The song “STOMP” is used by permission of artist Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Live Life to be Happy This is an exciting episode where we get to introduce you to Becca Stackhouse Morson. Becca serves as the scheduler for Stacked Keys Podcast and she does a spectacular job building the relationships with our guests. Becca says she is blunt, honest and upfront—which means that you know what you are getting —every time with her. In her professional world she is an educator and introduces us to the world of Extension services. She works as a Family and Consumer Science Agent in Georgia. Her skills and talents plug into the community partners to serve her community in a friendly environment. We talk about the projects that are close to her heart and those include relationship programming where she gets to begin with middle school kids and talk about ways to handle themselves and be successful in relationships. She works in chronic disease with a program to work toward preventing diabetes and she’s thrilled to watch how people can change their lives through more healthy eating and exercise. Another program Becca works with is financial education and she zeros in on learning and understanding your paycheck stub and knowing how it impacts. She works with teens to learn to budget and create solid financial skills. You can catch her teaching lifeguarding, CPR, ServSafe programing, processing tax returns through VITA and so much more. Her education and childhood played a key role in how she prepared for her life in general. We talk about chronic diseases and in particular Crohns — Becca was diagnosed with this invisible disease after a couple of years searching for answers when she was 18 years old. She gives great insight and over the years and she has learned a thing or two. She speaks up for herself and prepares for herself — a skill she says one has to grow and develop. Having a close friend helped her forge the changes she had to make while in college, away from home. Our conversation goes into discipline and where Becca started her own path to self discipline. From being a young athlete to handling her equipment, to managing her education plan through home schooling, Becca learned how to put the life together how she wanted it. An interesting path of conversation is that of being handed the short end of the stick and figuring out how to handle the rough days. Becca talks about her Jiu Jitsu journey and when she decided this was a sport she wanted to embark on—her brother Isaac was a major influence. She also talks about some of the life smacks that put her on this journey. People from all kinds of places were on the mats in Vegas and she saw women involved in ground work and that sold her. She began her journey. She has found this outlet to be exactly what she needs and is found in the 10th Planet system. She’s heading for certification in self defense Jiu Jitsu and will incorporate that into her regime. The conversation includes talk of relationships and how she knew she found “the one” and connected and leaned into how to become a couple. There are turning points and she talks from her perspective of deciding how she lives. Becca has always been an entrepreneur and started her own business with Pampered Chef at age 14. From that moment, she forged ahead to earn her way. She talks about challenges and successes. Becca has passions that include travel, photography and lighthouses. You’ll hear her talk about those stories and be inspired. She likes looking through a camera lens and catch what is happening because she can see it. She says that her Jiu Jitsu was easier to learn because she photographs tournaments and sees where the hand is going and where the next move is coming. Tune In!
Contact professionally for programming etc to rebeccca.stackhouse@uga.edu andd her personal instagram is becca_stack_morson Tune In!
The song “STOMP” is used by permission of artist Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Animals don’t punch a time clock and that is one of the aspects that make working in this field a calling and not just a job. Meet Terry Peacock who is a refuge manager with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and she’s been in management most of her career years. As an 8 year old she wanted to run a place for animals and that is exactly what she grew up to focus her career. Over time, women have asserted themselves and stood their ground in this particular field because they were capable and educated and can do their jobs protecting wild places and wildlife for the future. Terry is involved in everything that happens on the refuge. She has a passion for what she does. She shares her leadership style methods which are to never ask her employees to do something that she is not willing to do herself. When we talk about a typical day — there is no such thing as typical. Her fire officers are in the field, her biology crews are working with salamanders, the turtle projects need attention and the wolf relocation project has workers on it as well. Many plates spin in this office. Terry sees her job is to get the resources so that her people can meet the demands of their jobs and complete tasks. It is a decision making job ranging from taking care of buildings and may spin straight into working with the plans to save an endangered species. The amount of knowledge she has to hold is incredible. Be sure you tune in to hear her favorite projects. She says the salamander and the wolf programs are close to her heart. A lot of endangered species are important because they have human consequences. Everything in our world ties back to nature. We talk about fire and habitats. She explains some of the mindset of southeast prescribed fires over the thoughts out west where there are not controlled burns. The habitat gets too thick and impacts the animals negatively. There is plenty of education that goes into a day in the life — educating other professionals , educating students, educating the public and industries and providing information to impact policy. When we discuss work ethic, her upbringing influenced who she is today. She believes in working and getting the job done and done well. Terry was raised on a farm as an only child which meant the chores fell to her everyday. In her career, her problem isn’t motivating her staff, but telling them to slow down. She’s figured out that it is a passion— a lot of free time is spent doing exactly what you are getting paid for. She finds work life balance because her family enjoys the outdoors. Her church family and leadership opportunities take precedence over anything in Terry’s life and that keeps her grounded.
Tune in!!
“STOMP” used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Growing up in an entrepreneur business life with her parents, she learned early on to smile, be happy and bring in a ray of sunshine. Today this guest is running a women’s program at Tect Center in Eastman, Georgia— which is a gym focusing on MMA and jujitsu through Jimmy Barnett— Taylor Windley found her group of people and she loves her job and life. Meet Taylor. You’ll immediately hear her encouragement and confidence. We talk about having a voice on the mat and loosing the intimidation one can have when going in to train in jujitsu. She got advice while in the jiujitsu community to overcome her insecurities, become a good leader and increase her own game. She realized that how she felt would spill over into her students and she wanted to bring the best forward. Taylor has a heart for women who have experienced domestic violence to give them power that she too found — with personal connection— that leads her to be comfortable in her own skin and presents opportunities to share her skills. According to Taylor, jujitsu is empowering in that you can use skills you learn that can protect you—you don’t have to worry or look over your shoulder, it can make you be more comfortable in day to day living. We talk about relationships and working together with your partner like she and Jimmy do every day. Learning to put away on the shelf some issue while they work -- yet sometimes they take it to the mat. She jokingly says that it is terrific couples therapy. When we talk of their specific gym feel, Taylor says that it is “slow is steady, steady is smooth, smooth is fast” as people just try to blast through life. She says they focus on technique. You will find sayings to encourage on the walls throughout the gym. Life lessons are sprinkled throughout the programs they hold on every level. Taylor is fascinating as she talks about the benefits of the stable and steady aspect of gym life. Team building and coordination are elements that translate off of the mats. You’ll hear Taylor talk about challenges that affected her that she thinks of as learning experiences which landed her in places to share or give to others. She would tell her younger self that "she is worth more than the situations you put yourself in." Great advice and encouragement. Taylor is a reader and can recommend both serious business reading and reading for pleasure. On the business side she and partner Jimmy are reading like Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark Winters that explores the visionary and the integrator in business and the roles they play. You then might see Taylor pick up a mystery and lose herself in some fiction writing. Tune in!
Music “STOMP” used by permission of artist Donica Knight Hoidman and Jim Huff
Two questions she constantly has is what will they catch and what might break next. That means the work day brings challenges from every direction. This career requires a lot of thinking on your feet. She is in and out ports going out sea for research. This episode is a fantastic look into the life of a lady who’s career actually impacts most of us. Meet Katy McGinnis who is a marine biologist and is involved in fish studies and so much more — plankton tours, mammals tours, bird sightings as they come in to eat a catch, and so much that creates so much excitement in her current job, It’s hard being gone 180 days, but you figure out how to cope and loving her job makes it all much more bearable. Can’t wait for you to meet Katy McGinnis. In this episode you’ll hear about how she builds community and the most fun adventures and the most terrifying! You will catch her enthusiasm. Katy has learned the skill set to fix things herself. She has lots of responsibilities and her career can seem like the dream job. There are moments where she has worked harder than others. She’s seen the sun rise in amazing settings and lightning storms that are a light show up close. She has a great relationship with her family and enjoys spending time with them. The opportunities on a ship give her variety frorm day to day. We talk about professionalism and how you react and what it is like to hold your own as a female. Katy shares her passion and how she has her career planned and how she loves to travel, but at the same time settled. She’s grounded with family, her dogs and she has a great day in general. Katy’s hobbies often include what she is doing in her work too. She makes earrings, fish prints and works out. When on the ship, she has to do the elliptical or she can’t get in the 10,000 steps. Her advice is that you should find a job that you are passionate about and that science is fun. Get involved in projects that are in your local area. Tune in!
Song "STOMP" is used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Meet Mary Barron. She is passionate about life and she’s involved bringing on a competitive nature. She is down-to-earth, welcoming and loves connecting with people. Her career as an occupational therapist can be difficult to bring enough comfort and confidence to truly impact, but she brings herself to the job as she works in home health and special needs. There are many opportunities where she can connect. There are some things she can’t fix and those situations can keep her up at night and make her cry in the shower. She wants to advocate and be their hero, but at the same time it has taught her to find boundaries. We talk about being a person who can set boundaries and where Mary wants to be sure that she doesn’t over-correct and become icy and jaded. In her overall life she’s found that she gets comfortable fast and fails to see warning signs…a work in progress, she calls it. Listening to her explain how she functions in life and in her chosen career, sport, and life with so much blending and working together one could say that everything combines to make her the person she is today. We talk about her jiujitsu path that began in 2018…a month before she turned 30. She says that the sports brought her back to who she was in organized sports. She is a life long athlete and the aspects she was missing included the need to compete. Experiencing competition in a new way brings joy and satisfaction…Mary use to punish herself in a very unhealthy ways, sometimes physically hurting herself and with a mindset of intensity of perfectionism. She tells us some of those instances. Mary has always demanded from herself and appreciated pats on the back, but her own expectations were higher than anyone else could possibly set for her. That approach was across the board in her life and not just athletics. Now, she competes and is controlling how it affects her and applies tools she’s learned from the mat and in therapy — like giving grace and learning to accept defeat and not let it define her person. You will lean into this episode because Mary is open and vulnerable in her conversation as we talk about the process of the sport and how it applies to her life and how she talks to herself. She realizes her limitations and where she actively manages her thought patterns — that in itself is newfound strength. We talk about her process to compete and manage her energy levels. She is in tuned to herself and has done a lot of work to get there. We zero in on a discussion about therapy and the idea to embrace mental wellbeing and growing in areas to improve from the talking points to not drop the ball. Mary talks so easily about the process of the idea to have freedom and we talk about simply observing thoughts that gave her freedom to reach a goal and to apply what she has learned to excite and fuel what she can apply to her sport and to her life. It is refreshing to hear Mary’s openness and to know that she is willing to share so much of who she is and address what so many may indeed be feeling. "If you don’t set goals, then you can’t meet them and that can be a pattern of self sabotage. Accept and revel in your accomplishments." Tune in!
Music "STOMP" used by persmission of Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Having to answer a lot of the questions that I ask guests can be difficult, but I did it! We meant to air this actually on my birthday, but life happened and I stopped podcasting for a minute. With Becca and Seth’s wedding pending and my 97 year old mother passing away four days prior to the wedding, I stopped. I celebrated and I mourned and tried to reset. So here we are back! I am thrilled that Seth is now officially a part of the family and the wedding was over the top in what the two kids wanted, but seeing their friends come together makes me want to explore more of the dynamics that make it happen. I have some fantastic friends in Teresa, Lyn, Jennifer and Dawn. A sister I treasure in Margaret. Children who make my world work through Isaac, Becca and Tori. Kids who joined our family through marriage in Kim and Seth who quickly become us. and my spouse, Tom who carries more than he should have to as I sort out this crazy life. and all of the kids who have come into our lives making it so much better! THEY ALL THREW A 60th birthday party right in the middle of this wedding!
This was fun. March 24th is my birthday and I get to share with you an interview conducted by my future son-in-law, Seth Morson. I am a roll up the sleeve kind of worker and person. We sat down and chatted a bit as he set out to introduce me to you. We talk family structure and what we did within our family. Seth noted how different our kids are from one another and how we support each one as an individual. We talk about our family and who we present ourselves to be as we add to our framework. Seth says that we soak in people and we gather people as we meet them. We love people and love helping them figure out who they are meant to be. We talk about change and Covid and the emotions and responsibilities and how to deal with internet, family, work and careers. We explore how we live intentionally. We talk about parenting, what it was like to juggle a career and relying on friends and parenting together in community-- building your own community and what you need at different times. There is a chance to dive into career and the advertising industry and talking about the mediums that we operate in and having Isaac work with me. Being an asset in the industry is a fascinating part of our conversation. We dive into relationships and how that affects personally and professionally. We talk about the Stackhouse work ethic and what it is like to accept love, care and the giving process. Know who you host is…Amy Stackhouse and the Stackhouse family gives light according to Seth and for that we are very grateful. As a people connector, the common denominator is that people are not alone. People need to feel loved and that they are contributing. We impact the world as we live life with honesty and straight forwardness.
This guest sits in her head a lot and looks at her perspective on the world around her and how she interacts with it. In the headspace to work on herself and grow, she finds she can keep climbing and celebrate the wins and continue forward. She wouldn’t describe herself as extraverted, but she has learned that she loves good energy and surrounds herself with people who are fuse lighters. Meet Destiney Word. She went to college to be a high school Ag teacher, but she found that traditional path is not what she expected out of life. She wanted to connect with people and change their lifestyles, so she went into the fitness and the exercise community. When we talk about how she was introduced to martial arts —she showed up to get a make up credit in PE Class in college and it took off from there. She didn’t want to dabble in jujitsu and the more committed she’s become, the more she’s fallen in love with it. For Destiney it is a physical and mental challenge and a lifestyle. Teaching has made her a better student. When you teach she says, “you have to know it well enough to look at it backwards to know what they are doing right and wrong.” We talk about methods and techniques and the detail orientation of jujitsu and how one can notice the detail. Her move? She loves arm bars and reverse ranges…and biceps slicers. One move is more drawing because of style and size. She trusts her own abilities. You build your confidence because when you train with bigger guys, you are having to rely on technique. We talk about the level of respect that you see in the ranking. There is more knowledge and trying to understand how to connect the dots to make a big picture. You learn to struggle with yourself and your own abilities. As you keep coming back— then you end up learning. There is a mutual level of respect for all players but only you can make yourself better. How much you consistently train is a direct reflection. We talk about injuries of the sport and you see that you might not have the strength or dexterity to do something the typical or traditional ways. So find a way. That appears to be Destiney’s way—to look deep within and evaluate all of the pieces to create her pathway. It’s not if you get hurt in her sport, it’s when and how bad. We talk about the responsibility, limitations and ego. We talk about the amount of confidence that goes into this sport and the maturing process and being around the game long enough to be very sportsman. The table can shift and you will be forcefully humbled. Speaking about women in the sport and what it is like to train consistently is also a topic in this episode. Guys can train with you and make you better and there is a range of how the guys do interact. Destiney says “bring it on.” There can be a toxic vibe at times, but there are “mat enforcers” that will keep the environment in check. She tells her ladies not to avoid training with the big dude because from a self defense standpoint, that is what the reality will be in a defending situation. Destiney says there is a lot of self defense in the jujitsu. As an instructor she likes to see the ladies grow their confidence and opinions of themselves. Those who are grown women and are fearful and have had a traumatic incident and start training and then you see the light come back in their eyes is rewarding. Having the opportunity to see kids in her program is also rewarding as she is watching kids grow and transform within the sport and in their lives in general. There is an uplifting of female fighters. We talk about cage fighting and Destiney says there is nothing more intense and satisfying for her to know she did that and survived it. When asked what does she think of as unfair—her response is gender inequality. She works hard and wants to work in creating the dreams and goals for herself and others. Tune in!
Song “STOMP” used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
“Life is hard and sometimes you got to sweet talk it or sometimes you have to just buck up and do.” Meet Tori Stackhouse who introduces herself as a hard worker who works tasks to the best of her ability. She’s an adrenaline junky and finds ways to challenge herself. She is an outdoors person and always has been. Repelling off of a cliff, diving or anything to get her blood flowing. She scuba dives, hikes, repels and travels all while meeting nature and wildlife. She is a preparer and puts those key elements she learned from hanging out with scouts— learning to be prepared. We talk about her most exhilarating experiences and that was in Alaska for her to meet an amazing bear. We talk about her most heart stopping experience and that was when her sister had a close call when she missed a jump over a waterfall drop. The people Tori hands out with on trails and such are very trained and certified in medical rescue calls—knowing what to do and knowing something going wrong can always happen. We go down the road of why Tori is certified in so many ways from lifeguarding, scuba diving, stress and rescue. She has the theme to her life that she wants to be able to help herself and others. She wants to be overly prepared and she went to get her EMT so she could—once again— help people. This podcast peeks into a young adult as she went to Auburn and got into her passion of Wildlife and Forestry at Auburn University. She learned out in the field so much because she paid attention and stepped up for opportunities. She fell in love with bats and studies that centered on them. The internships Tori experienced are fascinating and she shares some stories. With a need to protect wildlife, she went on to get her masters in homeland security and she started working in intelligence combining law enforcement and wildlife. We talk about the sacrifices she makes and quickly she says it is time. The experiences are great but she was studying or working when others were playing. That continues to be the case. You hear about her move to Arizonia and what life is like as a young adult making it all work. There are tips of money management, getting hobbies underway and figuring out life on your own. Tori embraces where she is —she finds comfort in her stepping stones and focusing on herself. There are many aspects to Tori’s life and she shares some of her strategy. One commitment she made was to find mentors and she learned at a very young age to learn to communicate with people in positions. She believes that you look to people who are in the fields or jobs that she had an interest. Those people invest in her and push her. She has insight into athletics and why she has that as an outlet today. There was a tough spot she found herself in with a knee injury and having to have surgery. She’d say that nothing in life is handed to you and working hard is part of the thrill. Tune in for this episode!
The song “STOMP” is used by permission of song artists Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff.
Focus on the Season
Lawren Johnson is conflicted because she wears many hats… but as she has gotten older, she has stopped trying to fulfill the roles that are not who and what she wants to be. She is a wife, a mom, a dancer and entrepreneur. She loves aging and getting into the aspects of personal and mental growth. Stripping off other’s opinions and finding her own way is the most freeing feeling.
We talk about relationships and how she communicates everyday, all day walking through life with her partner. There are methods to creating the life that you want and she has a few techniques to share.
We venture into church, faith and how Lawren had to review and change what faith and who she is and what God has to say in untraditional ways. As a new mom, she was trying to figure out how to start a career that involves some of her talents she’d developed over the years. She started a preschool dance class and she saw how many sniffles and colds the kids experienced. Having a need for childcare and being in her family remained a stop priority.
You’ll get to hear about her business of YoungLiving and she approached and became one who used them herself. Her story of a gradual change within herself and her family made her dive right in to find the science behind them. It is a lifestyle for her family. We talk about seeing what is truly in the product and how others use it. It is a very real discussion of the process.
Children are each different and you’ll hear her heart as she talks about her children’s needs and how she seeks to figure out what each personality needs and wants to grow. Making huge decisions and advocating for them. We talk of dance as an art and what it’s like to grow up with that gift and how you can use that to benefit the world.
As Lawren shares her story, we get to hear of her education process and the foundation laid for her. With firm thoughts on social media, we discuss unplugging. Raising children and goals toward being who she wants to be.
As a planner, it is sometimes difficult to enjoy each step of the way. Our conversation centers around genuine life and Lawren attracts people who live that exact same way.
Lawren’s contact information is lawren130@gmail.com
Song "STOMP" used by persmission of song writer artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
A stay at home mom, full time student in environmental management—also holding a degree in safety— and a veteran are a few of the labels this guest sports. Meet Janette Snedecor. She’s a gym junkie and body building competitor. If you’ve ever wondered what a day in the life may look like then this is a fabulous conversation you’ll love. There can be some mind games that can happen in her sport and we talk of those and about body image. She says you get “prep googles" and you can’t see what other people see as it becomes a constant pursuit. “You know you spent time cutting weight that isn’t healthy and you have to watch for eating disorders.” But the satisfaction is huge. Janette gives us a look into the bodybuilding world and competition. Nutrition is a huge aspect of her life and she is a baking enthusiast, so we talk about the sweet spot of balance. Finding time for what Janette calls her nerdy side— to play video games —actually played a dual role in her life to connect her to her boyfriend, now husband, while they were stationed in different locations. Once you start talking to Janette you find that all of her activities serve a purpose in her life. For instance the lifting weights was an activity that she and her husband started together and she found a passion that led her into the competition world where she competes in bikini. We talk about what it’s like to be overseas with your kids with the aspects and lifestyle you have adjust to. Navigating the school system and figuring out the options can bring tremendous anxiety. Moving and restarting allows you to both recreate and to have new experiences. Janette’s philosophy is that you live once and she wants to enjoy what she is doing. In one place too long creates an itch so trying new experiences allows that change or new feeling to surface and she does focus on herself some. Making a long distance relationship was what kept her running to the gym. It has become a me time and one that avoided conflict. Being a body builder takes a lot of time and you have to be congnesent of your priorities and if you are capable to separate the responsibilities of family and the draw to work on yourself— she says “you’re golden”. She loves old school gyms and her goals include opening a gym when they retire We talk relationship and how you figure out how not to stress the relationship or the family. Most parents instill specific characteristics in their children that set their values and life tone—Janette says that confidence, nutrition, and the idea to look at mommy and understand that it’s okay to be scared and still do or perform is important as she raises her daughters. Finding a balance comes through being scheduled and disciplined, as well as listening to your partner for cues when you need to change how you present or react. You’ll hear how she is intentional in approaching life. We discuss how she’s grounded and that Janette turns to her mom for advice and mentoring and her spouse. You can follow her instagram @janettesnedecor
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Music “STOMP” is used by permission from the artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
When you want to do something, you have to make sacrifices. Jiujitsu Is a huge part of her life where she learned confidence that no one can take away. She is in the gym to work. Work and gym are her priorities. Meet Daya Smith who is a part of 10th Planet Decatur in Decatur, Alabama. In this episode we talk about the aspects of her life that she is passionate about and a time where she found herself in a relationship that caused her to step away from much of her identity. Ever think about the boulders you continue to find in your own pathway? We dive into that topic and come up with a discussion which Daya explains as a panic and difficult on the mat. When she gets in a tough situation, she finds that she gets worn out and holds her breath which makes her next moves impossible. We talk about how she is working to control and overcome panic and where Daya returns to regain her grounding. We talk about relationships —those that are toxic and those that are healthy. Daya talks of her relationship where communications is key and the different elements she and her partner bring to their relationship as individuals. This is a podcast episode that explores jujitsu from one who is talented and is going through the ranks. We explore the mental and physical aspects of her sport. It is astounding that bullying is as prevalent as it appears to be and being bullied is what walked Daya into the gym for the first time. Her parents wanted her to be able to take care of herself—she learned that words don’t matter and through jiujitsu her confidence was boosted. This young lady is giving and compassionate, but can be extremely competitive and focused. Daya wants to be known for being “Daya” not someone’s girlfriend or daughter and to be known for being great at her sport. Having the community and the family feeling of the gym are truly important to her. Daya has plans and believes in herself and what she is doing day in and day out.
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Song “STOMP” is used by the permission of the artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
She can come across strong and can be all business, but is unapologetic to run a tight ship. Meet Lindsey McCaghren who owns 10th Planet Decatur with husband Brandon in Decatur, Alabama. There is a community within the gym and she wants their members to feel comfortable and cared for and to have open communication. As a math teacher Lindsey picked up a lot of her teaching skills from the classroom that she translates on the mat. She figured out that there are foundations to lay down before you begin teaching any kind of concept. You have to be assertive if you want to get anything across to others. Lindsey is amongst an elite class…the third black belt woman in Alabama and the 5th in the 10th Planet System. It is not easy to land there without a lot of dedication and tenacity. Lindsey possess both. She started in MMA years ago to find something to incorporate getting healthy and working as a couple. As the couple conquered one aspect and sets of goals, they sought out more. We talk about her journey and what she felt like she had to prove. It’s interesting to hear her perspective and what she felt like she needed and what she must do in order to make her love it. Lindsey didn’t want to walk around scared and had the desire to provide her children with real tools and ability to know that they could take care of themselves confidently in any situation where they felt threatened. There is continual learning, but not being completely immersed through living, breathing, reading, watching informational and training like Brandon was, they grow at a different pace. With that said she notes the years let her take to the leadership and respect for Brandon to be her coach. There’s balance between being spouse and working together. In this episode of the podcast we talk about the difficulty to figure out where she stands as a woman in this sport because the measuring stick in practice is hard to have a true gauge. So for Lindsey, she has a constant conversation with herself to evaluate her own game and as well as feeling her true age and how she functions on the mat. But then there is a new day and her satisfaction is just being better than the day before. Lindsey discusses her experiences of teaching and how she learns best. Her method is —“show me how to do, then as the teacher she watches and makes sure parts and pressure are in place, then answers questions and then let the student go to learn through practice. “ There’s a bit of mind games you have to play because grappling is fast and people are good at different parts of it and so in her head she can handle other black belts in her class and not be overly intimidated—“surely they can learn one thing from me,” she says. As Lindsey looks back at her father’s parenting particularly, she sees that he was leading her to be independent. She wants her kids to have the same skills to be on that path as well. You’ll hear Lindsey’s take on parenting in this sport and her philosophy to allow her kids to learn enough to be able to defend themselves and have exposure to the sport that occupies both she and her husband. We talk about business and how the roles work. Tune In!!
Song “STOMP” used by the artist’s permission Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff.
She’s a free spirit and wasn’t made to work in a cubicle. Meet entrepreneur Taegan Crim who started a company that provides a space for entertainment via a converted school bus. Her company is called BoHo Bus Events out of Birmingham, Alabama. Her slogan is that “We Bring the arty to You.” You will find her tenacity impressive and you get to walk through some of the process of their bus renovation and how she forged her career path out of college. The BoHo is her style and she’s ready to share. Coming back to Alabama from California Taegan brought her marketing background and launched her business. She found her market by putting the concept out there and the parties range from kids to senior adults. The coolest aspect about the whole idea is that she’s not stuck in one group or one style. She drives the bus some, but has the help of family to get her there. Her drive and mission statement is to be able to have an event for anyone so they can feel special and celebrated and have an event that is tailored to them. We talk about what it’s like to spend money and how to be organized. She says her personality is to be organized but she learned as she was growing up and watching her dad. She has a good support group around her. Learning from others and knowing when to ask for help is key. She has grown in the way to learn to work together. Taegan shares stories of how they roll and she shares one of the panic moments that happened in the first events and setting up. You will enjoy her energy and be inspired to follow your own dreams. We do talk about obstacles in life—nerves— and how she recognizes and deals with judgement. Watching people do amazing things with their life and not comparing yourself is a struggle and being an entrepreneur can make you question. For now she is growing and being consistent. We also talk about her personal life and dating an athlete who has his own limelight. They’ve dated long distance and have learned a bit how to balance. Her advice to young women is to follow who you are and take leaps of faith and within reason take risks. DOn’t define success by a monetary number.
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Song “STOMP” is used by permission of the artists Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Her alter ego is Wonder Woman. The strong and amazing persona that this warrior woman brings is a benefit. Women self defense and empowerment is the main focus for the guest today and that is her pathway into what her mission is today. She holds space for women who are in a vulnerable spot in their lives and she becomes the energy to help them though whatever they are experiencing. Meet Dawna Gonzales. She is a coach and a black belt in the jujitsu world. She explains that this sport reflects what you are going through.This is an outlet for her. She believes if everyone would find something that would feed their soul and make them be present, it would change the world. Her story of how she got into the sport through the door of boxing is one of just saying yes and being ready to challenge herself to the next level. We talk about Dawna’s path and it takes its own life. She says grappling comes in handy and she encourages you to get punched in the face at least once and realize that you aren’t made of porcelain and to realize that you can do so much more than you can imagine. She plants seeds to show you what you’re capable of…this is a language and you have to take classes and become fluent. She certifies coaches under her who can facilitate women self defense seminars and teaches the coaches her style and her seminar formats and how she markets herself—and teaches them how to teach. She works with gyms and domestic violence shelters. Follow along and you may find a place for you to get involved. We talk about all the aspects of Dawna’s life and how she balances her career and that of her husband to keep a great vibe within their marriage. She’s passionate to do her job and that fills her with love and energy. Tune in for a dip into her life and you are guaranteed to think about your own life. Tune In!
Song "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Creativity, movement, singing and dancing are ingrained in this guest and such attributes feel as if they have always been a part of her. Natasha Collazos is our guest for the first episode of 2022. We talked when she was in the midst of some international travel and what an indepth conversation we had together! You’ll be drawn in to the exciting life she leads and the travel she’s incorporated into her life. We talk about Covid and how that impacted her thought process…but she says the best perspective is being with those you care about the most. She teaches Thai massage and Thai yoga and her partner, Charles Harriott teaches Jujitsu … much international and with BJJ Globetrotters. They get to travel together and launch a life they love. She’s a risk taker. You don’t have to be confined in a box and she says fear should not stop people from living. We learn about Thai massage—energy lines and marma points -- to help sustain the flow of energy throughout your body. She compares it to a subway system of the body with the choices and junctures. We get to dive into how her career shaped and the opportunities opened. She sees purpose in what she does. Helping others acheive body awareness can truly help connect body and one’s emotional self and that can lead to making impactful life decisions. We talk about coming into jiujitsu with a partner who is a black belt. How that feels on and off the mat. She never saw it as an intimidation factor, but Natasha puts more pressure on herself to forget she is new and learning. She says the journey is like a phoenix …where you break it down and build it back—time and time again. She started this path as her own journey and not for anyone else. The belts and her own journey make her tear up because of all the work she puts in as a whole. Natasha is a believer in self care. She focuses on the person in front of her in massage business, but that isn’t focusing on herself and that is important too to check in with herself—from water intake, to rest, exercise, tea time to journaling. She takes stock and has a list of what she wants in life and is doing it for herself. We talk about gym loyalty and learning from across the board and the opportunities involved in travel. You bring something naturally to the table and there is an exchange with those with whom you train. A constant that Natasha deals with is having boundaries both to respectfully honor them and to set them. She’s a giver and checking in with herself realizing how to set those boundaries takes extra work. Defining softness and being able to offer when appropriate and being mindful is okay to depend on one another. Tune in!
Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
She loves the outdoors and essentially lives outside. Meet Winter Thorington who is a senior at Auburn University and is at the Forestry Wildlife Management school. She talks about her education and the way Covid has impacted some of her experiences. As she looked at her education, she needed to decide her direction to be one that would encompass her love to be outside and be able to have access to her horses. We talk about the challenges and the opportunities and even the aspects and considerations of going into a male dominated career. Winter is the only girl in the Forestry program and was the only female in her internship, but she says if you love doing the hard work, then what’s to be intimidated by? If you love it, then you will do it—no problem. Winter tells us about her love of horses starting in childhood and she got hooked from there and never got rid of the bug. The life lessons you can gain from that type of responsibility are priceless. She tells us about the humility that working with a horse can bring when you have to make tough decisions to put your horse over winning a show. The no days off are huge and involves early rise and feeding and checking and training the horse daily. Winter is on an equestrian team at school and we get a little insight into that discipline. Knowing how expensive horses can be and making a living with them is not the easiest life and that helped Winter decide that her career won’t be horses—they remain her hobby. Winter teaches lessons to offset her expenses and you have to work hard to keep it going. Tune in for this fantastic podcast episode!
“STOMP” Music is used by permission from the artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Maria Schweitzer is a graphic artist, designer, storyteller and martial artist. She has a masters in fine art and she found herself into comics where she eventually landed in the genre of visual narratives. Today she draws comics and started a business called Rubber Bones— which is where she can display her amazing art, on rash-guards. We talk about that thrill of seeing her art on display on the mat in significant tournaments and on talented athletes. She develops stories and pulled drawing and writing together to find her career. Maria says that sometimes you don’t have to say much, you can show it. Her masters in fine art project took her down a road of a developing a character in who Maria saw herself…with two paths and learning to know how to own it. Her life was pulling together an artist and an athlete. She also explores the idea of life moving and changing. Just because you miss one opportunity, the dream itself is not gone, it may be just a different path. We explore the labels and social validation and how you can become who you are and accept that. We talk about how life cycles and how she gets into the creative zone and what projects she faces. Initially, Maria did an undergraduate degree project that focused on drawing movement and that is where she first took an interest in jujitsu. She started training the sport because in her opinion, her drawing was falling flat. As she got deeper into jujitsu she developed the idea to start a business she calls Rubber Bones that allows her to integrate her personality with loud and bright colors and fun designs on clothing used in the sport. It began by illustrating a horror comic for a friend who was putting on a tournament. With that idea, Maria saw she could create her own line and sell it. She saw she could bring other parts of herself to her world of jujitsu. It’s interesting to hear her talk about her decision process in working with her product functionally. You can trust her because she wears her product and competes in it too. You’ll hear discussion about her navigating and figuring out what can and can’t be controlled— which leads her toward trust. Giving people the information and not assuming saves time and money in her work. We talk about some mistakes and successes and lessons learned. As far as her future, she envisions what she wants and then tries to make that happen. Sports helped her learn that the outcome is determined by the work you’ve put in and she applies that principle today to put the little rungs in the ladder. We talk jujitsu and what it’s like to be female—as well as the in the art of jujitsu and the intimidation factors that one may face. This conversation is one that opens up the dreams and possibilities as one grows and follows her dreams. Tune in!
STOMP is used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Strength and conditioning coach, as well as jiujitsu athlete describes this guest’s daily professional life, but she encompasses those same passions into her personal world. Meet Kiaya Jackson who can easily be described as a go getter and goal setter. After her school days she started looking for a fit that offered a mix of organized sports and personal athleticism where you push yourself to meet personal standards. She wanted to participate as a team and have comradery. She found jiujitsu but at first was not impressed. Time, money and the gym atmosphere were stumbling blocks she experienced as she began her search. However, it was an instant fit when she walked into 10th Planet Decatur. The big family atmosphere and connecting with athletes who were there for the same reasons makes the time spent at the gym fulfilling on many levels. We talk about intimidation and how that can be a part of the athlete’s mindset, but she was the girl playing with the guys in her childhood days— so she really never felt that or paid attention to it much. Kiaya recalls the big hair and bows tossed about and perhaps torn tights when she came in from playing rough—so she’s always held her own. A big topic for her is that of trust and who you trust— from those you train with to trusting the coaches and the whole environment. You’ll hear what it’s like on the mat and her moves and how she handles the "punch choke” from Coach Brandon Mccaghren and how he brings on signature moves. This line of conversation leads us to talk about the fun and respect the athletes have on the mat. Kiaya’s pathway in her career that changed from engineering to where she is today is enlightening and encouraging to young women following their dreams. Living your passions and not knowing what is coming next is part of her appeal. You’ll hear us as we talk about her strong confidence and where it comes from and that she wasn’t always so sure of herself. She talks about her daily routines and the discipline she implements to keep her anxiety at a distance and her determination focused. “When you decide to do something the nontraditional way and navigate your own set path, you have to stay on your course.” As far as her work, she is a believer that strength and conditioning is the way to prevent injury and Kiaya’s knowledge is up there with being able to help and create a balance. She always believed that she needed a purpose and that has evolved into serving other people. Kiaya found what she loves in athletics and is able to make it her career while having impact. Success has much to do with being satisfied and she is a much happier person with goals to be the best in her competition and in gathering knowledge to relate to others. She had to figure out what success meant. She wants to dominate at the highest level. She’s a performer and she puts on a show.
Maegan Schwindling joins the podcast and describes herself simply as a Jesus follower, wife, mom and she finds herself in business seats along the way. Having the alignment of who she is allows her to find balance. She knows the world of parenting hard core with three kids and making some decisions that are not necessarily where all of her peers find themselves. When she and husband TC find their family flow, it means that they have to embrace the natural movements and get through periods of time knowing that rest and reset is coming. We talk about stress and how you look at the day. We talk about family and adoption and how you create a loving and equal evironment for everyone under one roof...a lot of that attitude comes through allowing each individual to be an individual. It’s a fabulous conversation and talk about how to manage the day and the activities that drive the kids. As women, we may try to fit into a box and it took her 10-plus years to figure out what her family’s boundaries needed to be in order for her to lay her head down at night and say…"it’s okay." Accepting how you are wired and not sitting idle is a great place to be and we certainly discuss how the pandemic impacts that dynamic. We talk about career and that everyday for her is completely different—which is how she thrives. She’s a problem solver and for her that gives her the thrill and she opened her world beyond her hometown to incorporate travel and a job with a start-up company. By stopping her need to set specific goals to crack by every age and time slot, she was open to the opportunities as life changes. Maegan talks about mommy guilt and how badly she didn’t want to stress her kids out by her talking as a working mother-- how she worked so hard to not let her kids feel like she worked. She is committed to be available for their events and activities and to all and grow them, but now letting them see her work and both appreciate and pattern her work ethic is important and it shifted for her—though she still tries not to let them feel her stress. Her family now see the working mom and the healthy spot as well as the opportunities that come with her position. You’ll pick up gems from Maegan from how she parents and the dynamics of raising three--even chat about the carpool pickup conversations that she entertains even if they throw her off from a schedule she’d previously set. Do you have a group of women around you or couples? Maegan talks about the vulnerability to find friends and how that can change everything. It is work and risk, but getting deep relationships is worth the intentional work that it takes to find friends who can go through life’s seasons. In this episode we discuss adoption and her first tip is to be sure that you and your spouse are on the same page. There are practical observations that she shares that are useful for all to hear. She talks about the self work and how beautiful the journey is when you do the hard work. Tune In!!
Music “STOMP” is used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This 4th year educator is in high school teaching science. Meet Jessica Young from Georgia who teaches forensic science to seniors and environmental science to 9th graders. This professional balances being a wife and mom to include a life of teaching in the classroom. She takes all of her roles seriously and looks for methods to make the real world meet the academics. She has the scope of learners and that requires her switching gears a bit during the day. We talk about what exactly she teaches and how her courses can launch career choices for the seniors she is teaching. She feels satisfaction when something introduced to them begins to open doors for opportunity. TV shows create a CSI affect Jessica explains and that has impact on how someone looks at crime and therefor can create how they may function on a jury in a courtroom one day. That could affect us all. Educators are able to create excitement and Jessica realizes that her students who are picking electives are choosing to be in her class and she meets their expectations to learn beyond the book. She’s learning as she goes and looks to her veteran teachers to help her solve some of the obstacles in the classroom. We talk about her last year during covid in teaching an anatomy class and she was able to implement something she learned at a conference about introducing technology in the classroom. Off she went to work a 3-d printer into her classroom—which she found that her school actually already had and were waiting for someone too take hold and learn it. Jessica stepped up. e-Nable the Future is what lit her fire — The e-NABLE Community is an amazing group of individuals from all over the world who are using their 3D printers to create free 3D printed hands and arms for those in need of an upper limb assistive device. According to their website, “The e-NABLE Community is made up of teachers, students, engineers, scientists, medical professionals, tinkerers, designers, parents, children, scout troops, artists, philanthropists, dreamers, coders, makers and every day people who just want to make a difference and help to “Give The World A Helping Hand.” Jessica started the process and she walks us through it on this episode. Two of her students stepped up to get involved and see the project through. You’ll hear about the delivery of the hand to the child selected. Her students were a part of the project from the beginning and delivered the final product to a local child. We talk about the future, the cost and what all is required. They have continued to be able to be of service and are getting the community involved. She also got the chance to get a group of students in the Extended Learning in Crisp County to join in learning for future projects. Coffee, prayers and having a great support system at home and having mentors all make up how she can handle all that is on her plate. Jessica's compassion comes partly from how she’s growing herself and it spills over to her students. The methods it takes to get material into the minds of her students she has changed up some of how she handles how she hands out work—a lot of students are working after school sometimes to put food on the table at home. Jessica is a super influence and when we talk about how to protect her own heart, she says that’s a tough one. She’s seen some of the greatest things and sometimes the worst. Tune in!
Music "STOMP" used by artist permission Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Episode 112 What Motivates
This episode features a mom and business owner who implements business lessons in every aspect of her life. Meet Mandy Eakin. She and husband Stephen have regularly worked together to make life happen and help them both rise to the top and reach their goals. They opened 10th Planet Perry in Perry, Georgia — a martial arts gym — which is Stephen’s passion and is a major part of both of their lives. They have switched roles along the way of who makes the most money and who is stepping up supporting the children at home. They have a nice ying to yang she says and have respect for what each partner needs to get where they want to ultimately land. Mandy learned the ins and outs of martial arts as a spouse and she knows that drive where fighters and martial arts practitioners across the board who find that passion may let everything else go to meet that need. It too is a balance they have found. If you don’t have a real passion or outlet of your own, you might not realize the commitment one is willing to make. Mandy gets it and has also trained in jiujitsu with Stephen and had to look hard to find her own time. Their son is on the mat too as he tries other sports activities as well. They get the pulls of parenting. In balancing daily and owning a gym she says with a laugh that they are still looking for that perfect balance. Working for yourself and starting a business from scratch can be tough and demanding to create your own drive to accomplish tasks. We talk some of those challenges, but Mandy says that they have to carve out time for themselves specifically and to be structured with the use of a calendar. Including the kids in that process to where they even ask about the calendar — making it core to the family. She says it is like step goals that you can measure and the rewards are great. Mandy grew up on a farm and much of her work ethic started there. There was little time to travel and the thought of the business came first. She has a love for travel and they incorporate that into their lives today. Sometimes it includes taking the kids, even on business, and sometimes it is a focus on just she and her husband. You’ll hear how they intentionally grow a sense and spirit of giving and sharing with others. She says a principle for both of their lives is to share from their overflowing cup. In being open and honest with their kids, when there are teaching moments she takes advantage of to teach lessons within society and daily living. Their parenting style is to give as much information as their kids can process and that helps grow compassion. In the program of their gym they have kids classes and they use a buddy system to be sure no one is left behind or confused—this gives the kids a chance to learn those small extra social cues to help someone else. In this episode we talk about the idea of introducing experiences to your children. Slowing down and just experiencing life going nowhere fast can give tremendous depth to parenting. Choosing to turn off technology and experiencing different. There is a lot to cover in this episode that you will treasure. Tune in!!!!
Music “STOMP” is used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Get ready to feel deeply listening to this episode as our guest definitely stomps to her own drum. Meet Madeline Schulle who opens her life up on this episode and shares some of her most vulnerable self with you. This wife, mom, birth educator and birth doula, professional nanny and a gestational surrogate is amazing in her life direction and how she handles balancing it all. Madeline and her husband got married and within five months they found themselves pregnant and getting ready to be parents sooner than they had planned. Pregnant and not finished with her college education created a massive shift in their thinking. While they loved it and wouldn’t change it today, there was a bit of panic. They found marriage counseling early in their years because they pretty quickly decided they didn’t know what they were doing in marriage so they found fabulous counseling that gave them practical skills for communication. She talks about the Gottman Institute which utilizes research to provide resources of what is helpful in a marriage and to point out some of the ineffective tools that might be pulled in any relationship. This laid groundwork for their marriage, their parenting and then of how they would cope for a health condition called alopecia areata that Madeline found herself diagnosed to deal with day in and day out. This condition has resulted in total hair loss for Madeline. We discuss how you go through conflict and knowing how to get support and how to communicate through vulnerability. You will be changed to hear her story of compassion and love. Madeline’s perspective on family is that you take care of one another—that comes from her being raised in a military family often finding themselves far away from extended family and they learned how to enjoy each other’s company well. They learned how to pull up roots and move efficiently and how to make friends quickly. She credits that time of learning as where and how she began to care deeply for people and she translates that today into her career choices. Becoming a doula, which is a professional labor partner who helps to provide physical and emotional support to the birthing parents, set in as a passion after her first child was born in a natural birthing process. Today she educates, leads and provides emotional and physical support in the birthing process during that monumental event for families. To become a surrogate seemed like a natural progression for Madeline as she looks to care for a couple to help them to have a baby. This life changing decision is an amazing gift that we discuss both the process and how she feels in her heart for the parents and the child. This process requires strength, selflessness and commitment of monumental proportions. Her journey through her hair loss and seeing the things she has mourned—but didn’t realize that she would — like the wind blowing through her hair or even running a brush through her hair create a message for her to vocalize. Through her tears her story is moving and makes opening this world to understand for others compelling. Madeline takes what she’s dealt with and creates a path for growing compassion for others and opening a world for connecting. Saying that she is incredibly blessed and in all of the unique situations she encounters give her a way to normalize some of the topics and issues that hold stigma. Madeline tells her story because she wants people to know that hair loss is not a reflection of anything on you—morally or in any other way. Another message we cover rather completely is that Madeline believes that loving your job makes you a better spouse and a better mom. Not waiting on one part fo life to fill up so you can embrace the next is a theme woven through for this lady. Madeline says she is a whole person made of many pieces and that is where she continues to grow and have purpose. Tune in!
Music “STOMP” used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
If you are a young mom, listen to this podcast—and if you are not in that category, listen because it can shed light on how someone may feel that is right in front of you. This guest is a mom who handles life a day at the time. Meet Brittany Jones. We talk about being a mom and all of the differences and methods to raising her girls that she has figured out on her own. You’ll hear us discuss intuitive parenting and what that looks like on a day to day basis in helping and showing a child how to try again and again in how to communicate. Her career in social work and then becoming a stay at home mom showed her that communication is the biggest foundation in finding a middle ground with a child and navigating with appropriate responses. Leaning into the feelings and experiences make it possible to be calm and make progress. Mom guilt can be a drowning feeling and overcoming that takes huge and consistent steps.
Mental health is where Brittany’s heart is as she has dealt with situations in her own family and with aspects of her own of depression and anxiety. Our conversation is very open and Brittany tells us some of what shaped her and contributed to her experiences. She talks about “mom guilt” and the devastating affects, but how she did turn to therapy and work through that period of her life. Being a new mom…making a family of four work and then the pandemic hit made matters worse for her trying to make goals for the day and stay out of the funks.
As young parents, Brittany and husband Taylor have had to figure out how to parent together and how to coordinate life. Parenthood has made the two of them more selfless. The spontaneous aspects of life have taken a back seat but yet they have ended up with a better life than she could have imagined. When Brittany struggled with postpartum, she was encouraged to seek professional help and she felt fortunate to have her spouse as a huge supporter. In this episode you’ll hear her perspective of what a spouse should do to help or how to look for warning signs when extra help might be needed.
We talk about covid and how that impacted being at home with young children and the stressors of little ones being out of routine and not being able to burn out their energy. Many listeners can relate to what it is like to try to do the best you can being completely out of your element. The fear and being focused on home altered normal and the effects can be longer lasting and for Brittany having an active lifestyle with a routine can prove helpful.
This episode speaks into mental health…to speak up and speak out. Find someone in your corner that provides a safe space and don’t be afraid to take the first step.
Music “STOMP” is used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
The Whole World Is Like A Small Town
There are two — and maybe more— sides to this guest. Her desire to be a writer came long before she says that she had skill. This episode introduces you to Minnie Lamberth. She is a talented copy writer who recalls a clear path of how she got where she is professionally. Writing puns and oddities laid the groundwork for her to be an advertising copywriter and then she moved through communications in professional settings. Her community of people created the network for her to boldly go out on her own. We talk about what Minnie does when she hits fatigue or a wall where she can’t get her work done. With much practice she created tricks in her trade to give her tools to get her along the path to produce and she says that one should take small steps to help overcome procrastination or resistance. Her work in the advertising and marketing world is where she works for others and her personal agenda doesn’t come into play in that arena. Her job is to listen and produce a written piece that meets the requirements of her client. Personally, she brings everything she believes in and her energies go toward novel writing. You’ll be fascinated to hear her describe her characters and some of the issues of the town and its people. There was no map for Minnie to follow to go where she wanted to go, so she tried different formats to get her ideas out and finally she poured everything she’s learned through life and put it into stories that resonate with her readers and followers. You’ll settle in to learn so much about Minnie and how she grew up in a small town in Alabama—there was an identity of having a reputation that precedes you in a community. Minnie is a published author and has had book signing events where it's fun to read selections and figure out how she wants to talk about her work. We discuss her ups and downs and what it’s like as an entrepreneur as she’s learned to go with the flow a bit better. She draws on her christian faith and has a community of people who are on her side who pull for her. Minnie is encouraging as she talks about her calling for the career of being a writer and what it is like to be vulnerable to other’s opinions. Being in a creative field it is important to be able to tolerate some people not liking what you do. As you listen to this podcast, you will capture the sense that Minnie is a giver and one who pays attention to those around her— she encourages that trait to build your community. She can say in her life and world that she has gotten where she wanted to be and writing the stories of what comes next is where she loves finding a different kind of magic. Minnie says “Even disappointments can lead somewhere good.” Tune in!
Music “STOMP” is used by permission from artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
She’s a mom, wife and boss. She is an entrepreneur and family is her number one. Joining the podcast is Jen Roberts. She and husband Andy run a few businesses from martial arts to a moving company. We talk about what it is like to open a business in completely different categories and work together as a husband/wife team. She says Andy is the field guy and she handles the inside, but if you know them…you know that they are in it together. They jumped without hesitation and learned as they went — without looking back. Working as a team is not hard for the two of them. Being a mom of three brought challenges and Jen is very open with her struggles and her own anxieties—her philosophy and theme is to say how it is and move forward. Martial arts is a natural for them and they’ve plugged into the community in Auburn to teach in preschools, camps, and special programming. They are teaching martial arts on their own terms with Andy as a black belt and Jen with her experience makes them quite suited. We talk about working with kids and why martial arts matters with a format of love and respect and learning good manners. They teach some self defense moves that are good for any age. Exercise has always been a part of Jen’s life as she grew up in the world of dancing but when she turned 21, she got a cancer diagnosis and that turned her to looking seriously as a deep need to take care of herself through a journey to be fit and nutritionally balanced. She planned all the activities she wanted to try after giving birth to her oldest child—and checked them off. Jen felt empowered learning kickboxing and being in a gym. She began to teach dancing and where she is today is exactly where she wants to be—teaching kids to love what she loves. Jen is an encourager for moms as she teaches because being a good mom is not about perfection or that it is easy and though she doesn’t ever want to lose her patience, it is all about love. So she wants parents to get it that kids in these programs aren’t there to be a professional athlete—take a step back and realize that your kid doesn’t have to be the best. “Set boundaries and ground rules but let your child have fun and learn how to integrate into programs and learn the social cues.” We talk about pregnancy and exercise and listening to your body to do what your body allows you to do. This lady models her health behavior for her children and includes them in her workouts where they can come and go in her home gym for kickboxing and weight training. Jen can go back to how she was raised and remember her mother doing similar patterns and she thinks that impact can be important. Jen is intentional in her day to day. She expresses how precious time can be through sharing the story of her sister suffering a stroke. That event makes her even more intentional today.
Tune in!
Music “STOMP” used by permission of artists Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
She’s a confessed nutrition geek. Meet Hannah Wilson and you instantly want to absorb some of the information she has gathered and processed to apply to food and people. As a child she watched her dad as he wrestled with Type II Diabetes and she herself struggled with eating disorders, but she knew in Jr. High School that she wanted to help people and to do that on the platform of nutrition. We talk about how you meet people where they are and the aspects of nutritional eating to be healthy and find something sustainable. We talk about the tendencies of type A personalities and how difficult that can make the process of caring for your body in a kind way. She’s headed to Minnesota to teach graduates and undergraduates in the field of nutrition— this inspires and makes Hannah excited to help students figure out their pathway in the field so close to her heart. There’s a blend of old school and new thought that she is ready to approach. Her leadership style is to listen to the room, gather input and meet the challenges. Have you ever thought about how our understanding of nutrition has changed? There is a trend toward the anti-diet movement and coping with the constant threat of not enjoying life and having an unhealthy approach to food. The fad diets are not new, nor are the “deprive thyself” for a while approaches. Hannah is interested in how health can be achieved while weight loss and nutrition work together. As Hannah is watching research and how dietitians address the changes of being traditionally trained to the ideas that weight matters BUT there may be other factors that are beneficial and incorporate a balanced approach to realistic diet changes. Her goal is to be a part of that bridge to bringing balance. The biggest love for Hannah outside of her work is for dogs and the connection she gets with them. You also might spot Hannah skydiving when she finds time and money…that’s her daring side. We talk about what confidence levels she has as a foundation to work hard and enjoy life to the fullest. With a strong work ethic, she sees a spring board into being independent and finding healthy relationships with food and with people. Sky diving, getting her PHD and moving across the country come naturally as opportunities because she embraces a confidence to achieve. This podcast is a fabulous conversation that gives chance to talk to a young professional who came through the homeschool movement and landed in upper academics. Hannah’s perspective is that she is able to figure out what she wants and needs as she digs into her career choice of study. She was prepared as she waded through the waters of undergraduate and graduate programs. Being a young adult is hard and Hannah discusses some of the loneliness and being true to herself. Working through being by yourself can take you back to the roots and foundation set early on — Hannah leans into her faith and believes in the plan that changes can ultimately make you recognize who you are as your own person. A key topic that Hannah talks of is that of perfectionism and how she deals with it a situation at a time and how she works through that a bit. Tune in!
Meet Jenna Rosenzweig who is an average mom and wife who tries to be her most authentic self all of the time. Her typical day is filled with a normal work day in an office with typical hours and then she is a part of her husband’s gym. 10th Planet Savannah. We talk about her role in the gym and what it’s like to support a spouse who’s a professional athlete. They have the philosophy that they will get through whatever together. A lot of communication. Jenna also practices jiujitsu and sees it as a part of her life that has affect on other aspects of her life—she talks of how the sport has grown with more women joining in and having a voice on the mat to be sure your needs are met. We discuss who would like the sport and some of the many resins people join. She dives in about life and getting ready for a baby to join their family. Her desire is to be the decision maker (with husband Quentin) of how they both birth and parent their daughter and not gather too much outside advice and fall prey to all the social media pressures. They work together as a team and work to keep balance as they go from moving to a new area of Georgia and opening a new business and figuring out the process of parenthood. Jenna credits her husband, Quentin of how she can handle life and bring herself grace and level out in how she approaches life. They balance. Quentin is their planner and Jenna is wanting to continue how she was raised with the idea to let their daughter experience finding her own interests and have parental encouragement. We talk about being a part of groups and making the choice of who you circle around you for support. You will learn a bit about gym life, opening a business and relationships. Tune in!
Music “STOMP” is used by permission of artists Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Meet Ruth Ann Taylor Long. She knew early in her teen years that she was headed toward the design world—she just didn’t know where she’d land. Owner of Taylored Spaces, a Raleigh, NC, based kitchen and bath design build studio, specializing in creating cabinetry-filled spaces. She say any space you can imagine filled with cabinetry is how she serves her clients. Ruth Ann is able to trace her work ethic right back to her father and grandfather both through their examples and what they required of her and that serves her well in business. Becoming an entrepreneur was not too much of a stretch in the hours you have to put in because she often found herself working nights when she was working for someone else because she treated the work as she would want to be treated. Ruth Ann has travelled some difficult days in the health aspects of her life. She’s been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and sought treatments to improve function and slow the progression of the disease. We talk about MS and how it affects Ruth Ann and her choice of stem cell transplant and how she went about getting help. She’s candid and open, so listeners have a chance to truly learn her experience. She got real lessons from the boulders in the road that she had to figure out what to do with and keep going. She has been quite proactive addressing her issues and has not missed a beat in her day to day. To listen to Ruth Ann, you hear a woman who takes control of her life. Tune in!
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Meet Kat Paraskevopoulos who encompasses both energy and direction. She began Kat Health Fittness and Eyiar Retreats, which curates remarkable retreats in Greece that leave you in an unforgettable state of bliss. Though she says she’s a bit on a rollercoaster as she has stepped out on her own, life is meant to be enjoyed and you can find and maintain that in how you treat your body holistically. She practices what she preaches to cope with stress and getting control of the various aspects of life. We talk of the missteps and the good and the bad in identifying the counter balance of negative and positive—letting the negative emotions flow through and not get stuck. Whether you are looking at a physical, soul or medical journey, all start within. In this episode we dive into conversation to explore the idea that we believe we are capable to find the answers. Professionally Kat recently entered the world of entrepreneurs with her company and no longer does the 9 to 5. Holistic wellness and ditch the mindset that food controls everything, she leads her clients to live life in the here and now. She’s always been a science girl and interested in health and nutrition and helping people. Her wellness journey led her to create the retreats in Greece and foster work life balance and wellness in the work place.
As a water baby, she loves the sea and is connected to the ocean air. She can conjure up a vision of that pure, clean ocean breeze. Kat can be summed up as one of the most authentic people you will meet. Her direction for her company is to be connected to what she wants to do and be for herself. She dreamed of becoming a business owner and yet she kept putting it off and then the pandemic hit. That time created moments where she felt lonely and yet experienced reflective time and so she decided to take control of how to do her work and when that work would happen.
Being in wellness was in line with how people needed to be supported. She’s experienced the fears and self doubt and her moment came to be decisive. We talk about the coping of change and how to balance kids, home life, commuting and all the multi layers to find coping tools and the ability to build in how to encourage self care. We talk about childhood and what elements we bring from that stage right into adulthood and see what serves us.
Ever think about perfectionism not being the best practice? We dive into how you find grace for yourself and Kat says that having a therapist or coach is a great way to start and have someone hold the space for you to work on yourself and mindset. Also she subscribes to routine that allows her to connect with nature and realize that there is a lot that is bigger than her and to work for the internal voice that connects mind, body and spirit.
Kat’s clients are varied in their needs, for example she may work two to three months to help with accountability and setting goals and habits to get mental freedom around food and exercise or she may work in a professional setting with mindset tools. You can expect to feel somewhat side by side to establish the foundation to identify the pillars that set life and the behaviors that are lived out.
Get ready to pack your bags to go to Greece with Kat to retreat on location in community for different experiences like yoga, journaling, adventure, play— all for a cultural authentic and immersive experience. She is about pulling you from the go, go, go mentality and help you truly relax and focus on self. Find Kat at eyiaretreats.com
Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This episode features Tori Applegate and without a doubt she is inspirational. Uncover the secrets to how she has gotten to the place where she is today. Throughout this conversation you’ll discover that she continues working and growing her life plan. We talk business entrepreneur mindset, jiujutsu as a woman and a competitor, marriage as a young adult and the give and take in that aspect of life and so much more. She doesn’t like labeling herself or putting herself in a box— an obvious understatement — as she has multiple projects going on simultaneously. Her career and life in general is a nod for women because Tori takes moments and goes directly into the middle to progress the path. Tori doesn’t see life as a sprint, but rather lifelong learning. As a hairstylist in a salon in the Atlanta area she talks about wanting that career as a teenager and how she sees daily interaction with her clients on a deep level. “You see and deal with people’s fragility and during the pandemic that surfaced more because as you care about your clients, it’s hard to watch the people shift and have some miserable moments.” She sees that post-pandemic is finding that individuals are putting more into their self care and finding ways to make life improvements. Herself included. One passion for Tori and her husband is jiujitsu — they train out of 10th Planet Atlanta. Starting more than 8 years ago Tori began to train and compete. She’s now a brown belt. Women have come into the sport strong and we talk of some of her competition experiences and of the obstacles for women. It’s especially interesting to hear her “work” philosophy combine in her “gym” philosophy and how the two can use similar lessons. Because you hear this often if you are ever on the mats for martial arts, one can badly suck in a jiujitsu move and finally two years later, perfect it. So it is the never giving up that sharpens you. You’ll get the chance to hear us discuss her reason to start an apparel company and her passion to support other young women who are working out their own dreams. Athletic gear has been an open market and the designs Tori saw available didn’t meet how she wanted to feel while wearing it — like the quality, colors or how it functioned for female needs— so she started Everlegendary, This apparel company is her online baby. Tori pours some of her philosophy into this brand and she says it is nice to see women striving to get what they want in life. We talk about ‘learning” mistakes and how they apply in how one needs to be patient and to the approach to business. “Being successful fast can be as tough to deal with as slow success.” Keep tuning in as we talk about her approach in learning in everything you do as you look at and embrace life as a journey. Tori tries to fill every space and we talk about her quarantine time and what she does to future plan. We zero in on mental breaks and her thoughts on lifting up and not grinding down—bringing more positivity. This goes into deeper parts of how we think in our approach religion, mindset, reactions and interacting with people. Tune in on all the podcast platforms.
Song "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Meet Siri Hoffman. The practice of self reflection and self care started as a teenager for Siri. She’s always been sensitive and takes everything to heart. Having a sense of body awareness as an athlete is important and she continues that today. Siri noticed early on that the mind and body connection was tremendous and as a teenager she got an "aha moment" to appreciate the integration of mind, body and soul. We talk about the natural reflexes of breathing and how fear, and stress enter in and create that shallow breathing of fight or flight. Incorporating yoga into younger age groups is powerful. Siri defines herself in so many ways that you'll be intrigued throughout the podcast and want to know more. In conversation, we hear about life as a competitive Alpine Ski racer—-there is not a day that she can recall that skiing was not a part of her life. She started skiing at the age of 2! With a healthy respect for the individual sport and the team aspect. “I competed against my best friends, and we loved each other fiercely.” There are so many lessons to sports from ownership and accountability and communication and understanding the human body and what it meant to the care of it. Siri pulls many qualities into her life that started in sports with the grit, tenacity, communication and what it felt like to dream and compete. Setting the bar can be a blessing and a curse. She wants to challenge those she’s in business with or talking to about parenting to challenge themselves to put forth their absolute best and to be empowered. Siri went to a boarding school and she shares insights of that culture and the deep rooted friendships and the relationships of coaches and other formative relationships. Siri is a loyal person and the expectations she has on herself are those she has on others—relationships grow and change and are seasons. There are so many nuggets of wisdom she brings in talking about the fluid nature and dynamics of relationships. Expectations, integrity and empathy because sometimes you have to look at the ego and the heart and the beautiful dance and awareness of friendship. We asked how Siri protects her heart she replies that she honors and is her own best advocate. It is easy to confuse that others are responsible for our own happiness. So what’s in your toolkit? Empower yourself. We discuss intuitive parenting and circling back to awareness and a deep listen. To give a moment before pausing and reacting. The word “pause” is one of Siri’s favorites. Tune in!
Song "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This episode covers some ground about work, family, health and how you approach it all. Meet Deborah Rogers and listen to how she navigates. She had seen diabetes in her mom and did not want to walk down that same road. She took her life in her hands and has worked to be a fit competitor. She makes a powerful statement in that her food problem is not her family’s problem and she made the switch from “I can’t have a particular food” to “I don’t want it.” She says that many people take heredity and use that as their destiny, but really it is our culture. She says it’s how we grew up in celebrating through food. She talks about goals and her role in the family. We talk about raising kids and how they see how we are living and the choices we make and the good, You have to find your tribe who live and have the same mindset as you—to treasure the friendship and the support. Finding the small group that support your goals is part of self care and sometimes it is way underrated for wives and moms. Everyone has a rockbottom moment and everyone has a lightbulb moment. When you realize that it is not your destiny and that you can do anything you want—you are responsible for you. Learn and do. Deborah realized this, self care is very unselfish. Being a 32 year old obese mom doesn’t give the best to her family and when she realized that, her life changed and she focused on balance to be better for herself and her family. Time management is a huge factor in how you can have everything you want in your life. We also touch on miscarriage and the hurt and devastation of that life event. Deborah lost an unexpected pregnancy and we talk about the hurt and grief of the couple as they experience that roller coaster of emotion. As women we do what we have to do and the realty is we need conversation of some of the devastating situations we live through. This fabulous woman is driven and passionate about what she believes and knows is right. She’s loyal and sticks by family and friends no matter what. Deborah Rogers has been on a journey for a very long time and we dive in deep from weight loss to talk about life working from home, how you juggle being a mom and finding time to do the things that you personally need to do to get through life. We talk about Deborah’s life changing decisions to live her best life. Get excited— you’ll learn so much and fall in love with this lady! Tune in!!!
Music “STOMP” used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Can you imagine leaving where you are raised and blaze a completely new trail? Meet Emily Kazungu. She is a fabulously interesting person and you are in for a treat as she immediately resonates her passion to make a difference in this world. Emily is from Kenya and came to America as an international student. We talk about the process and how she managed—as well as a little insight into the VISA process. We talk of some of the culture shocks she experienced from Southern accents and what she knew from TV shows. Every day for her is a new discovery. We get into where Emily is today and what her plans are for the future. It will open your eyes— As a young adult woman, Emily is in Kenya right now and she is continuing to grow herself personally and professionally. This episode stretches what we know and what we are familiar with day in and day out. I didn’t edit some of my own heartbreak that Emily and I talk about her leaving the US and her disappointment and the difficult period. She prepared herself for anything to happen as she knew the opportunities would not be the same. She never approached her life as being braze—she is curious and has a need and desire to learn. There are life lessons and characteristics that Emily gained in her family. Her advice to international students is to embrace the unknown and the experiences that are coming your way. This young professional is a true believer in herself and says that not worrying about what others think of her allows her to go forward and embrace the moments right in front of her with trust. Emily has videos on her YouTube Channel which she created for a space of information and laughs. Go follow her there. Tune in for this episode!
Music “STOMP” is used by permission of the artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This episode is a special Mother’s Day conversation with me the host, Amy Stackhouse and my three kids Isaac, Becca and Tori. This goes all through being a mom and having kids. We talk about the opportunities on both sides and the impact. Being a mom is not the easiest job, but it is fulfilling. There is grace and there is growth. I hope you enjoy and get insight on who we are and even more, look at who you are. Moms are essential. Moms are involved in way more than they get credit for each and every day. This was fun for me and a bit insightful. My goal as a mom was and is to be present. Tune in!
Music “STOMP” is used by permission of artists Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Jen Garrett is in the studio for this episode and you will hear of her transformation from the corporate world being a leader in that domain and now she’s transitioned into — a life of an entrepreneur. Her experience brings so many levels and people groups. She brands athletes and she definitely works with an array of people that includes professional athletes and she is an acclaimed author. Jen wrote a book called Move the Ball and she parallels the world of how and athlete works and how those skills translate. You can also hear her podcast called Move the Ball. The notion of constant development and the team aspect to come together for a common objective is true on and off of the field. There are important insights she offers on the subject to beat out the competition. You are in for a treat to glean her direct steps that you can actually implement today making yourself better than you were before. We talk about the specifics of managing your own brand because of all of the available platforms. If you want to know more about the process of becoming an author, Jen shares some of that effort she put forth and how she as a first time book writer listened to the input of her editor. As you settle in for this episode, you will hear the truly involved path that Jen took — she holds seven academic degrees! Her advice is to take advantage of opportunities that you may have presented to you. She loves learning and with this she becomes a more valuable resource. Jen addresses mindset and how that can dictate your day — “make sure you show up, suit up and move the ball.” We dive into why she’s doing what she’s doing and how it happened that she stopped and assessed where she was heading in this life and decided to jump toward her career. There are a few pillars that Jen sites that set the foundation for her path. Learning, pushing, being a bit stubborn, plus having a personal drive have all created the mix for her success. One more topic that we covered was a bit of parenting and her philosophy of how to put a recipe together for kids to thrive. Jen creates a balance by planning her priorities and being intentional. Tune in!
Song “STOMP” used by permission of the artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Valerie Oliver is an educator and she is a part of Oliver Farms. Family makes her tick. We learn about what it was like for her to jump into a business world and she’s become a person who is passionate about all things local and investing into people and she's extremely community oriented. We will learn what Oliver Farms is and how the business evolved into what you see today bith on location and online. We even get a bit of insight of the oil press process. They started at Oliver Farms with Sunflowers and cold press oils. Fresh out of the ground. They seem to press every seed they can get their hands on and maintan super strick rules to keep the process and consumers safe. At first it was an education for themselves and then teaching others. Today there are over 100 acres of sunflowers -- and yes you can go take photos there. They work with local sources to get their seeds and maintain a very homegrown feel. Valerie talks about her biggest challenge being — time— and taking on the new opportunities. Time gets her spread thin to keep it all going. You’ll hear about business, education, family, being a wife and mom. Her days start early every day. In this episode we talk about work ethic and how she learned in her childhood to what she pushes everyday. One word of encouragement is that each day is a new beginning and you can’t worry about what doesn’t work one day. There is a new start tomorrow. Don’t allow yourself to get overwhelmed. This discussion will make you want to up your oil game and appreciate the beautiful flavors.
Having a core that is separate from your career gives you an agility that allows you to take chances with confidence. Meet Dr. Amber Paulk in this episode who is a young professional in the academic world. She is a first generation college graduate and she says she had a great deal on her shoulders to show she could do and that she could pay her way. That gave her the grit and focus to take on every single task—she says she never felt like she could take her foot off of the gas. Her world was filled with mentors and opportunities to stay focused and not squander. People believed, encouraged and supported her along the way. Meeting a challenge for Amber was fun. She fell in love with teaching and that is a significant part of her career. We talk about what it was like to be a first generation college student and the idea that she didn’t have time to whine and be frustrated and disappointed. That level of resilience enabled her to figure life out—she called it her secret weapon that allowed her not to get stuck. Amber speaks to how you focus on your own unique and individual talents and zero in on your strengths and how you level those on your life. What are you doing right? What are you doing well? You’ll glean a look into positive side of life and how she mentors using that tactic. You’ll hear Amber talk about her passion project to help STEM to get into rural high schools to give a lift for STEM to get into these schools and help these graduates to find their path to college—she wants to be a part of the solution to get these students to college and help guide them through a system of support to help them persist and give a feeling of belonging. She touches on healthy boundaries and how important that is in helping provide the tools. Tune in for this episode to hear parenting and family skills that she and her husband implement to create their family dynamics and the process to see how they spend their time. There is a balance and sometimes in life you have to do things you don’t want to do—her advice comes naturally because it is incorporated in how she actually lives. She recommends a book called 365 Conversations which gives them intentional conversations for 3 years in their family. Connect daily. Join us.
The music “STOMP” is used by permission of the artists Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Where this guest comes from originally you are not an individual— you are one of many. Meet Sami who is definitely her own person. She is from Vietnam and makes her home Atlanta Georgia where she opened a tea shop. People are generally interested in other cultures and what they can take from them. Sami came to the United States to get her masters degree from a University in a small north Alabama town. We get to talk about what it is like to figure out what you believe and how that comes together as you sort out the facts of life. She found her identity and sorted through mounds of information to figure out what is true. This woman is strong and determined. We talk about her leadership style and that is for her to call out the best in people—she’s humble in saying that being a leader means that the responsibility of a team falls on her in the managerial roles—she likes the idea of people doing their best, together. Her upbeat nature comes through. Her advice to herself is that one should read more and write more. The more you invest in yourself, the better.
Music “STOMP” used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Today’s podcast features two women who are in the jujitsu world, but it’s more than a pastime hobby because they are trailblazers. Taking the chance to use their resources to bring others into a position to help a cause is why we have met and why we bring the conversation to you. Meet Laura Kent and Sabrina Kelley. The cause is empowering women and offering support to a local organization in their community that addresses the needs of those involved in domestic abuse situations. Domestic abuse is an ongoing pattern of controlling behaviors used to physically, emotionally, sexually, and psychologically exert power over a current or former intimate partner or family member. Empowering victims of abuse and domestic violence prevention are core to the mission and accomplishments of The Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County (DAP). Annually, thousands of victims of abuse and their children are supported through the 24/7 hotline, emergency safe shelter, counseling and legal advocacy. Though this organization is the one these ladies chose to benefit from this event, the awareness and need throughout the country is huge. Laura and Sabrina came up with the idea to host “Sub Out Domestic Violence” … a non-profit jiu jitsu event created by women, for women, and to benefit women. The response to become involved was tremendous and the card filled up quickly. This is likely to become a repeat event. Get to know these ladies as Laura is active on the competition scene and has been involved in the sport for years. She saw it helped her deal with issues in her life. She is an encourager and created open mats for women only — which rock in terms of participation! Her experience puts her in connection with those who are committed to the sport. Sabrina came onto the mat a bit later in life even though she had been around the sport through her husband. But when she found herself in a vulnerable situation and felt fear, she wasn’t sure her strength was enough. She wanted to be more in control of what life may hand. Sabrina is a mom of two and she sees how this sport can translate into the confidence of how they handle themselves as well—and training as a family at a gym they own is a plus to spending time together. As a school psychologist she sees so many situations that tug your heart and you’ll hear what led her to this idea to create “Sub Out Domestic Violence” . We talk about overall how jujutsu helps center life and how important it is to be in an environment where you feel comfortable to come in and learn Have you ever thought about what you spend your time doing and how that can lead into something bigger and have impact in other people’s lives? Here’s your chance. Tune in for this episode and get involved.
The song “STOMP” used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This guest does not live a life of regret. Meet a jack of all trades who has raised three independent and very successful young ladies. This episode features our host’s cousin, Sonya Deese Farrell. There’s a little reminiscing and you’ll hear that this lady— who was the youngest of our pack— had more knowhow than the rest of us about horses and we found out the hard way. A mom, horse farm owner, wife and friend, you’ll be in awe of Sonya and will be amazed at her life as she graciously impacts so many.
Sonya had a great life growing up and she felt her parents were always interested in everything she attempted to do. As a child she had an imaginary black horse named Midnight who ran along side the car everywhere she went. The day came when her parents bought her a real horse and from that moment on she has owned at least one horse and developed that passion and even shared it with one of her daughters who fell in love with the massive animals too. In this episode we deal with some terrifically hard topics that are truly personal. Sonya talks about mental health issues that have slammed their family up close and personal. She’s married to an amazing man, Brian and he deals with PTSD from experiences in his military career. In their family, it is not unusual for them to address a situation head on and figure out what they can do— together. They also have a tremendous christian faith.
Horses have always been a part of Sonya’s life and she seems to be getting more and more serious about the gentle giants. She noticed that her husband could work through his PTSD by spending time with his horse. This family doesn’t believe in keeping a good thing to themselves and they started a horse camp for grooming and riding for kids — some who had needs including PTSD. Making connections between the person and the animal there is trust and Sonya says that it is really about the horse understanding us. They recently moved to snow country and bought another horse farm and this one has a racetrack.
We talk about war and being a christian and how she and her spouse brought the discussion to the forefront. We talk about what it’s like to be a military wife and having an immediate deployment and we talk about marriage and how they adjusted their blended family. Sonya opens up about suicide attempts and how that came crashing into their world and she shares advice on how we should check on our people.
If you need advice on attitude, Sonya puts life in perspective and how she stops stressing over the situations that arise and focuses only on what she has control over. This episode is packed full and you’ll be inspired to get moving.
Song “Stomp” used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This is an episode that is an honor as this young extroverted woman is influencing her circle and beyond by embracing the sport of jujitsu. We go elementary in talking about the sport so we can all learn a bit. Her personality is enthusiastic and she can make a room light up. Meet Anna Cononge who describes herself as an average hard working corporate woman by day and a badass by night. In the work world she said that it’s who you know that gets you in the door, but how you work that keeps you on the job and helps you progress. She works in IT and has worked from home since the pandemic. Jujitsu is her motivation to get her work done. She wants to train every day and her friends are there doing the same grind and that’s how she wants to end her day. She tries to make sure she gets everything done and using that self motivation helps to keep her on task. Anna’s at 10th Planet Atlanta and prefers grappling because she hates getting punched in the face. She got in this sport because wrestling was something she wanted but her mom wouldn’t let her sign up in high school…but she watched in high school and then when her body builder father passed away, she wanted to do something physical that she could dedicate to him. Every time she competes, it is a tribute to her dad. Jujitsu is more than a sport. It is humbling and your ego gets checks immediately. She rolls with guys who are way bigger than she is and that is not always the most popular move when you submit them. You create bonds within your gym and throughout the community. Leadership, responsibility, and mental strength all develop on the mat. As a competitor you grow because there are times it feels like you aren’t improving. It could be easy to quit, but as you keep going you want to be that better person. Leadership skills develop and improve as you’re representing yourself, your team, your coach and your lineage. You have to show good sportsmanship and be a role model for the lower belts. In a fight camp you have to be there. It is balanced. Anna does get intimidated when she’s competing against some of those big names that you’ll hear her say and probably recognize—but it is a real opportunity. Change in the sport creates developing interests and that can give you an aspect to set yourself apart. We get some inside emotions of an event and the mind games that are played on you and those you play yourself. There is travel and expense and gear that all deepen the commitment. Hear as we talk about times that could end her career and she describes some huge life moments. In this episode Anna shares a story of a tremendous win where her performance and technical ability along with her execution came through as well as the fact that she had everyone in her corner. But she walks away with more—it’s about the team—doing what you are trained to do and being a part of something bigger than you as an individual. Have you thought of you diet and how you self care? Athletes tend to pay attention to their body recovery and Anna addresses that for herself. We talk about injuries and how shifting her diet helps. She takes care of her body so that she can function in this sport as long as she can. Her biggest challenge is how she may transition into a role where she can train more and also finding her identity outside of jujutsu. This athlete questions what would life be without the sport and who would she be without it. There is much to gain from this discussion and you’ll be inspired. Tune in!
Song “STOMP” used by permission from artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff.
Meet Lori Korthals who’s a young mother of three who describes herself as a mom of three including a child with autism, is in her doctoral program, and she works in brain development where her passion centers around human development and child and family relationships. She teaches Zumba a little on the side and simply has a love for life. Lori works in the extension program in Iowa and serves her community in child development with varied focus. You’ll be fascinated as we talk about the perspective of brain development. Did you know that the brain doesn’t stop growing until we are 25 years old? We discuss new moms and advice to talk to their baby and communicating through touching your baby and settle down with all of the gadgets—focus on the simple. Lori shares her own personal story of her path with her autistic daughter and how she navigated brain development and temperament that they have with her and celebrating the differences. The how’s and whys that we parents parent each of our children differently matters. In this podcast you’ll hear Lori describe how she balances not just her career, but how she balanced her knowledge in childhood development and needing to navigate. Lori realizes how much her professional knowledge helped her and that spurs her to share with others. In this episode Lori talks of how she armored up to protect the whole family. We are all different and we all have special needs and need help in various ways at various times. Many times Lori shares special needs as one’s temperament—her perspective is fascinating. Research on parenting can coexist in actively raising kids and you can infuse your own reality. There are many pieces that come into play. Her advice is that parent’s don’t need to beat themselves up if a research based best practices doesn’t work for them individually — then move on and work on your own experience. Want to know what the research says happened to families during the pandemic? Parents needed some solid foundation to parent on and that is what Lori shares. Try this — Stop, breath and talk creating a foundation depth.
Do more than survive. Don’t wallow. Thrive.
Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This woman is a fabulous guest and you will tune in to hear her dreams and goals of entrepreneurship. She’s young, energetic and devoted to what she brings to her customers. Professionally Emily is someone who is a go getter and one who loves business and fashion. Personally, she is a people person and loves her family and friends. She is relationship driven. The business became a natural fit for this—at the time— Pure Barre instructor and Orangetheory Fitness coach and fashion connoisseur. You can order athletic wear, athleasure clothing and she has the inventory actually on hand— in stock. Have you ever had a lifelong dream and have seen it come to realty? That is exactly what Emily is living. Fashion and exercise are two passions of hers that have made this business the right place and the right time. We talk a bit about how Covid impacted her business and life in general. Be inspired. Hear her story of launching the business and how she started small and grew organically. There are fears, but Emily doesn’t have the same pressure you usually hear in business—find out her secrets. Emily always had a money mindset even as a child. There is a concept she puts into the company and it is profit first and she references that idea which includes savings goals. People she put in place to help the business work—like a virtual assistant and other free resources helped her create a community. Words of wisdom—if you put enough time into anything, you can learn to do it.
shopstudiostyle.com is where you can find Emily online to start your shopping experience.
Song “STOMP” used by permission of the artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Meet Sena Sharp as she is a delight to talk with on this episode. Immediately Sena identifies herself as a follower of Christ and says that aspect of who she is reflects everything else that can define her. She balances her career and being a mom beautifully. Sena’s career is one that doesn’t exactly end at five o’clock because she is a social worker involved in the lives of foster children — she trains, recruits and helps foster families. As a young mom she is learning the process and admits that sometimes the balance is hard. But she strongly says she’s committed to being present. Serving others sometimes hurts and causes sacrifice, but that is exactly what Sena finds herself being called to do. Making a difference in someone’s life is how she looks at her day and it brings satisfaction. As a parent, she’s felt that change of how she looks at her work and though she can empathize, it is hard to understand at the same time at how some of the behavior can happen. Her parenting advice is for mom’s is to enjoy their child and though the overwhelming feelings come, they can be put in perspective to know that it’s a privilege to build up your child and just value your kid. There are times that you can’t control your life and mom guilt can set in and that is when you embrace the concept that you can be a good enough mother — you don’t have to be perfect. We talk about vicarious trauma and having the support and ability to debrief and talk through aspects of the job that are difficult. That gives a healthy perspective to difficult work. She has advice for young women who haven’t met their spouse yet— that is to enjoy your singlehood and don’t waste time on those that don’t meet the criteria. Sena is focused and has much figured out and she is wiser than she might give herself credit for, but we discuss life’s seasons and that puts perspective in her goals and daily obligations.
Tune in!
Music “STOMP” is used by permission of the artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff.
You will find yourself smiling throughout this episode and feel like you’ve met your new best friend. Meet Zoe Soltanmmamedova and her dog Lola. Her determination and pathway is motivating. She decided in the 7th grade that she was coming to the United States and she set the path to met that goal. She’s had an interesting journey and says she’s the kid in the family who would get in trouble the most, but it made her a go getter and when Zoe went with her parent to head to the United States she had her parent’s blessing to explore life. Sometimes being away from family is hard, but she is living the best life. Zoe is involved in education and outreach in the community and she supports nutrition, health education and helps in low income areas to demonstrate how to eat healthy and not stress over it.
In this episode you will hear Zoe describe her story of how she survived and how she found herself figuring out what she wanted to do with her life. She came with two suitcases to this country, but what she found was there was aways help and someone she could ask—but she is independent and figures much out on her own.
With interests outside of work, Zoe finds that she can be more work/life balanced. She loves to cook, salsa dancing, working puzzles and taking care of her dog—Lola. Her nature is to be outgoing. Finding ways to keep busy and not sitting still have proved tough during pandemic, but she’s conquered it with a full agenda both professionally and personally.
We talk about work ethic and styles and the mindset in that Zoe sees challenges as opportunities. We talk about mental health and the perspective she brings is that yes we need to be more willing to talk about mental health but not forced when you are on the service side. Tune in for an outstanding episode!
Music “STOMP” used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This episode features a lady who says she's constantly working at balance with life at home and work. The life shifts during pandemic impact her just like us all to find the clear boundaries for self-care and being intentional to be present. The conversation is enlightening and you’ll gather tips and thoughts to ponder. We speak of confidence and the fact that sometimes it comes later in life and a feeling of not belonging or questioning creeps into our mind of “Am I smart enough to be here?” — which can cripple. Meet Dr. Andrea Hunt —a first generation college graduate, a University Professor, a community volunteer and a mentor for many young adults. Anytime we move from one period of our life to the next is a time where transition can make us question and this professional working woman has found that seeking a mentor can be one of the most important tools to create perspective. Such a move proved solid for her as she set sights beyond what she knew. Andrea says that we are often the barrier for ourselves and having mentors can reaffirm that you do belong and can set the path. We talk of self care, mindset and mental health. This guests pinpoints that we must follow up with tools and resources and strategies and begin with normalizing a conversation. To be able to say that you are not okay at the moment in our classes or work places, Andrea says is key and then the work to be able to verbalize why can create the avenues to making the situation okay. Pandemic changed much for students and staff alike and having a context helps when all of the key transition points are occurring. In this episode we talk of opportunities to gain knowledge and skills in the environment where you are or where you can go. For Andrea, seeing students pour into communities and families as they work in centers, run grant projects or create curriculum to make families stronger is thrilling. She herself volunteers in many capacities from a court appointed role working for the child in foster situations to presenting early college education to high schoolers. Her love is to help young people navigate challenges. Through her work and bringing those examples to her students in the classroom, she helps ground them in the reality of working in the social sciences. It is hard and it can tug the heart. Andrea talks about how the pandemic caused some opportunities for partnerships and guests coming into the classroom from across the world via zoom. A perspective we don’t always think of. There are projects she is working on that are exciting— like career counseling and combining sociology and models for different student populations. You’ll hear her enthusiasm as she talks about first generation students both in college and what happens to these graduates after they step into the career world and take on leadership roles and the research that she has launched to study the topic. Andrea is authentic and invested in the lives of others. Travel and learning about other people is important and she has the opportunity to interact with the international students on her campus and served as a host family — which allows her own kids to learn and engage. We can learn from other’s experiences. Tune in!
Music “STOMP” used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
When you ask this guest who she is—without hesitation she says that she’s a mother who is learning martial arts— and both are one day at a time. This episode is a chance to meet Anya Turpin who is setting goals and meeting them head on. Funny story— she saw her facebook post and realized that she said she was going to learn boxing 10 years ago. Oh how she wishes she had responded at that time! Yet, this year during pandemic times she committed to be diligent in the sport and also to eat better, sleep better and stretch better.
You’ll feel the emotion as she talks about what martial arts training is for her—the dual brain function of learning the steps and then allowing the creative to just flow achieves a balance. She steps out of her comfort zone to find a kind of growth that spills into every area of her life. At first Anya was an intimidated woman walking into a striking class—kind of like the dread and awkwardness of Jr. High PE class. Through the use of positively self-talks stating she will get better and will be successful—she does exactly that in her moves and positions. Sometimes when you verbalize self doubt, it then dissipates because it is normal to feel anxiety. On the subject of Jujitsu Anya says don’t wait…life isn’t perfect so push through and make yourself uncomfortable and eventually it won’t be uncomfortable. She says, “I feel stronger, braver and more aware.” Little things create the feel of empowerment at work or home for Anya.
She watches her son do a lot of the moves and they come easy for him, but together they encourage and are cheerleaders for one another. Wanting to be the mom who motivates, she empowers his belief that he can do anything and he in turn looks at his mom and thinks she can do anything too. To her peers outside the gym, Anya is an advocate for martial arts because it is what other sports offer but encompasses more that may even save your life.
We talk about her son and life experiencing sickness that punches every part of daily life. The ins and outs of navigating a sickness that no one can see— though kids are resilient and Anya sees where she’s had tremendous growth through the process of helping her son navigate. You’ll want to tune in to see how this mother, wife, professional and martial arts woman takes charge of who she wants to present to the world. Tune in!
The song “STOMP” is used by permission of the artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Enjoy our final Relationship Panel 4 episode that is riveting as we discuss the depths of two individual people in a relationship nurturing from both sides. There are plans, dreams and how these guests thought it should be as each couple embarked on their marriages. There’s a lot of honesty and overall the guests say that the number of years they’ve invested in their marriages actually seem short in comparison to the actual years. As we talk through the idea of relationships, there is more than just a romantic twist because we interact with so many people on many levels. You’ll have the chance to hear from previously featured Stacked Keys Podcast guests Suzy Gandy who was featured on Episode 7, Bonnie Trulove who was a guest on Episode 38, April Cheek whom you met on Episode 16 and Haajar LaRoche who joined us on episodes 56 and 59 — all with their life stories, journeys, inspirations and wisdom. Their marriages range from 5 years to 25 years with their partners. We talk about trust, communication and what it takes to make a relationship work or to reach the point that they are convinced that it is worth the effort. We dive into what is a healthy relationship and decide that maybe it isn’t healthy to have an absence of conflict. Having conflict is a part of life—there will be trials in life, and it’s how you deal with it that can make a relationship even stronger. Tune in!
Song “STOMP” used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Art changes the world everyday. Making a world of difference is the power of an artist— which comes with huge responsibility. This guest is creative and is a problem solver. Meet Bobbianne Stambaugh an incredibly talented female artist who takes discarded steel that has blemishes and gashes and works it into a gorgeous reframed piece of art that radiates beauty. Her message is two sided—Bobbieanne presents the truth that you can take trauma, hurts and the ugliness that may happen in life and she creates new aspects to reflect strength and survival. Bobbianne looks to help others overcome their trauma through expressions with these flowers that truly symbolize hope. She has a product that gives back through support and sales as she aligns with organizations and outlets who specialize in helping trauma victims. This guest takes us into her studio life as she’s learning mediums—it’s fascinating to hear her talk about the metals and the learning curve. She’s encompassed with a natural teacher mindset and it feels much like each topic spins into an even deeper conversation. Good artists push themselves and those who are working in the field are pushing to their next masterpiece. Bobbianne is well on the way. In this episode we talk about her balance and some days are just too busy to even get dressed, but she’s a make-a-plan type of person in the mix of husband, toddler, dogs and household. Her studio is where she can breathe life into her imagination. As a parent she encourages play and experience with sight, touch, sound, reading and learning outside the box. “Kids know who they are if you follow along with them and sneak in the knowledge —like cheese on the broccoli.” Tune in!
The song “STOMP” is used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Simply Single We feature our 3rd relationship panel right around Valentines Day with a delightful group of ladies who are single. This is not a holiday that they particularly need because they buy flowers or food or work on self love any time…not on one date put on a calendar. Meet Becca Stackhouse, Jaide Williams, Zoe Soltanmammedova, and Lauren Brendle. We cover topics like building a relationship with yourself, how you treat yourself with figuring out what your very own interests are and how you love to be treated. These four ladies are all about finding “what I like about me and what I enjoy doing as I’m spending time by myself… and that might include Netflix and wine or making a music playlist or cooking, eating or exercising.” A common phrase throughout the evening centered around knowing their own worth. When asked how they arrived in such a healthy place the answers centered on a lot of therapy, developing coping strategies to handle what life throws and investing in places like gyms, dogs, and friendships. That is a big one right there—friends are important relationships and there doesn’t have to be romance or a constant search for “Mr. Right.” All four ladies said with strong emphasis that they discovered that they do enjoy being by themselves. Interpersonal relationships include so much more than couples and they talk about some of those and how to have healthy boundaries. During this episode we talk of some of the lessons of going through the pandemic alone and discoveries that they each made from living in places like New York City, Atlanta, middle Georgia and a small university town in Texas. Relationships span years, so these super women think that the value comes in how you see yourself—all by yourself—in friendships—in dating situations and as a friend functioning in your own love language. You are going to laugh and feel like you’ve spent time with a fabulous new friend. Tune in!
Song “STOMP” used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
I Am On A Journey This episode features a fabulous woman who shows her strength through love and loss and love again. Meet Wendy Rodrigue Magnus who will steal your heart and light your passion for the artwork of her late husband Louisiana American artist George Rodrigue and give a peek into the world of the blue dog for which he is famous in his career and life. He is also famous for his Cajun paintings. She is not intimidated to say that she is defined by her husband because she knows his life and art well and so she is happy to have that depth in her life. We also are blessed to meet Douglas Magnus who is Wendy’s husband today—and dear friend of George. She tells of the engagement ring he made that incorporates their lives in the most beautiful way. You will say that he is quite a compassionate man and it puts a smile on your face to hear her joy. Wendy gets increasingly personal by sharing some of her journal entries and the words that George gave her to know how she was going to go forward without him. She and her sister created and work in Life and Legacy Foundation and Tour. This is an amazing program to introduce youth and communities to art and phenomenal artists like George and Douglas. Wendy will take full original artwork into schools across the country to introduce the students to original paintings—even if it’s a million dollars worth of art for them to lay their eyes on— to light them up as they learn from tangible art. She says the discussions of a journey through a painting can go through loss, joy, grief, death, illness and life with the students as they all see different stories come out of the art. We get insight into their lives and how the two lived life and worked in George’s dream studio, worked in gallery and museum exhibitions and experienced creating such masterful art.Throughout the conversation we also get to meet Douglas, through Wendy’s eyes, who is a fabulous artist as well. He is a silversmith and designs the most exquisite pieces featuring turquoise from the famous Tiffany Cerrillos turquoise mine owned by Douglas. You’ll find that one centering point for Wendy is practicing yoga that truly gives her a daily lifeline to connect. Hear her story. She has known life crushing loss and learned that she could pull out of the most difficult situation imaginable. She is happy and blessed and fulfilled and is also defined by her own life. We talk about Wendy as a child in Fort Walton Beach, Florida and discover who she was as she grew up around art. In her childhood she knew she was so loved. In her adult life she has known and continues to know love of the deepest kind. May you feel that throughout this episode. Wendy is the author of the book Musings of An Artist’s Wife. Tune in and be sure to follow her!
The song “STOMP” is used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This second Relationship Panel discussion draws you in and you will smile through much of the back and forth as the guests interact and cover some rather tough subjects. Women are strong, which is woven through their conversation. Meet Cookie Stoner, Kay Byrant and Millie Cosme who don’t know each other, but it is amazing to hear them talk as if they were soul sisters—encourage each other, understand each other and bond. We get incredibly real in this episode talking about young marriages and what it was like, losing a spouse and the cherished memories of growing a relationship and family, and enabling kids to make their own relationship choices. These women talk about how they made decisions and what they think in relationships with their own kids. The conversation takes us through different types and stages of relationships. The wisdom that comes from these women is huge and can completely open the doors for communication. May this spark the talks that we need to have of respect, understanding and fulfillment. We talk virginity, respect, happiness and that not speaking up is not the right move in a relationship.
Pull up a chair and think through your relationships and how you are perceived and how you reach out and communicate outwardly.
(Be sure to check the following episodes featuring each guest in this episode — Episode 48, Millie Cosme “Securing Our Future” —Episode 68, Cookie Stoner “Open and Authentic” — Episode 78, Kay Bryant “There’s Nothing I Hate About Myself”)
Song “STOMP” is used with permission from artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Organizational projects can be artistic. For this guest, she sees the building process as creative. A tough bossy broad who swears a lot is how this guest describes herself. She brings a level of communication to her clients and jokes that she is actually a mediator. She’s a quick study and if she’s interested in it, then she learns it throughly. This entrepreneur is functioning in what is typically thought of as a man’s world. Meet Judy Gates who says women can bring a level of communication to her industry that is something more like a concierge level of service with what is a huge life purchase. She and her husband own the company and they create a rewarding and positive experiences specifically geared toward their customer and their unique needs. It is obvious that they are a different kind of building company because they provide education and assistance throughout the whole process. Days never go like she plans — everyone needs something all of the time and that means no two days are exactly the same. Judy is a professional problem solver…from what tile you use or what paint color looks right. Follow through in Judy’s business is everything and you being able to do what you promise, is the foundation to business. Judy works in nonprofits in giving back to the community. Hearing Judy talk about some of the nonprofit projects she has aligned herself with definitely show a compassionate side. In all this she has had to learn how to balance and not overwork even with a flexible schedule. There have to be imposed boundaries on what can or can’t be done in a day. She has some tricks in how to control clients and how she communicates as she is a big believer in expectation management. Being goal oriented and teaching the follow through are lessons Judy took seriously in raising her daughter. We talk about the importance of a trade. Tune in and get inspired!
Music “STOMP” is used by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Relationship Panel One—It’s Not Just About You
Let’s talk love languages and how relationships run the gamut from romantic relationships to relationships in the work place to students in the classroom and even relationships with art. There are plenty of levels to relationships that involve communication and understanding individual perspectives and needs. Our panel discusses the beliefs that relationships should be mutual, an equal playing field and they should improve the lives of those involved. This one specific word touches everything in life with many aspects and when you understand then you are more equipped to convey your love and appreciation. Relationships are connections. The guests on this panel discussion have been guests on the podcast before and bring vast life experience to the table—Traci Weafer is a doula creating strong bonds with those families she helps. (Episode 24) Zoe Kakou is an educator to the core (Episode 54) and Ann Carney (Episode 60) is in the midst of parenting young boys and works in marketing The idea of the love languages is that each person wants love in their relationships expressed a particular way and author Gary Chapman coined the phrase 5 Love Languages and dove into expressing how to be equipped to build a foundation to explore. The various categories are— Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. Each individual has at least one language that they prefer above the other… and this is where it gets interesting. Tune in!
The music “STOMP” is used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Meet Kay Bryant — a mom, a wife, a professional translator and a practitioner of jiujitsu. Kay was a stay at home mom until recently when the roles changed and her husband retired from the military and came home to be a house husband. She then became the main source of income. We talk about the role reversal and the stress that comes along with switching places, but also finding the chance to realize how valuable the other person was all along. Kay experienced anxiety and depression and through counseling she learned it was okay to take time for herself. Music and a spiritual conference led her into figuring out that there was more to life and she deserved to figure it out for herself and the good of her family. Life skills developed tenacity for Kay. She noticed positive changes when she became intentional and put actual work into it. Exercising and eating healthy were caught by her example to her family With a heart for mothers, Kay’s message is simple. Moms need to know how beautiful that they are and to leave what society says about a mom behind. Kay is the first to tell you that you’ve got to take care of your mind. It was a process and she realized she was a really good mom, but she was not healthy mentally. There was weight gain and the house environment became dark and she soon realized she was affecting children. Seeing that something was lacking, she worked on her mind and climbed out of the darkness. Through music she found that being different is good. Her culture doesn’t embrace differences, so her accepting herself for who she is and being different were huge steps. Little things become the big things when you don’t give up Jiujitsu is the beast and Kays says that the feeling of being physically and mentally strong is empowering and she won’t let anyone toss her around. Being in a small city she sometimes encounters racial prejudice, but she no longer feels victimized by what people say to her. In this episode we talk about kids and the jiujitsu sport and how one of her own children handles bullies after being in martial arts. This sport is not for the faint at heart. Jiujitsi is a battle within and is constantly poking your ego. Not everyday is a success in jiujitsu—you are actually defeated by someone
Life skills developed tenacity for Kay. She noticed positive changes when she became intentional and put actual work into it. Exercising and eating healthy were caught by her example to her family With a heart for mothers, Kay’s message is simple. Moms need to know how beautiful that they are and to leave what society says about a mom behind. We talk about her calendar and how she manages her time hour by hour using this calendar method. It’s called "The 5 Second Journal: The Best Daily Journal and Fastest Way to Slow Down, Power Up, and Get Sh*t Done" https://www.amazon.com/dp/168261722X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_pbocGbQGVFBRQ Tune in for a powerful podcast episode.
Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donna Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
For years Molly was a ballet dancer, but at 14 years old she switched sports and Molly Rogers fell in love with a sport that’s male dominated and one that takes a mindset to not let a practice or a competition break you. It can be tough, but she presents tougher and is ready to win a competition with an arm bar or guillotine. Every single day Molly can be found on a Jiujitsu mat. When she first started, it was for the aspect of self defense and she advanced quickly — with good kicks. Jiujitsu is a humbling sport according to Molly, she says it will break your ego. We talk mental health in this episode and Molly shares some aspects of coping with anxiety and how that creeps onto the mat. “Don’t let day one or day five intimidate or defeat you,” is a bit of advice that she shares. If her head’s not in the fight, then she can’t win it. But Molly wins because of her mindset and how she speaks positivity like “You’ve done this, you’ll be okay.” We dive into some of her experience and strategy and we talk dating, women in the sport she admires and some of her favorite gear. Molly encourages parents to look into this sport for their kids. She sees patience and self control begin to form in the kids she teaches and thinks it translates back to home. It’s good physical exercise and the environment is a healthy place for kids. Molly's dedication and talent are taking her places and she is someone to watch. Tune in!
The song “STOMP” is used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This episode features Kim Thomas who is a seasoned Lifestyle blogger and photographer out of Tennessee. She covers fashion, style, beauty tips and she inspires people as she connects. Her blog is called KPFusion and it is indeed a blend of ideas, concepts, products and life that has spanned a decade. We talk of life path numbers, astrology and blogging in a way that lets you peek into her life. Being a blogger is work, but when it reflects the life you actually live, then Kim says that it shares your experiences as you go about your regular day. Knowing your audience is imperative. Kim shares the story of her brother’s heart transplant and how that drew her family closer together. You’ll hear her talk of job loss and the process to climb back after she hit a financial bottom. Mindset is another topic in this conversation because Kim believes that you can set that and prepare for what might happen in life through the comings and goings of a day. Tune In!
Song “STOMP” used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Meet Ines Beltran who is -- today -- the woman she wanted to be 20 years ago. She’s mature, patient, understanding of situations and calmer then she use to be. She is happy and she got there through decisions that gave her opportunities to work with the community and to help others. She’s an educator and that means she helps others find their best life. Tap into a day in the life of Ines and you’ll be sure to walk away inspired. This guest gives insight into what life is like to one who came to America and pursued a new life and she now helps one discover the tools to function within the system and learn the different cultures and issues within the family. With a long career that incorporates a bilingual aspect — with population in Georgia changing — she finds herself even more busy. Communication and love are the key elements Ines points out in the classes she teaches on family life and in her own daily life and being involved with rules helps to navigate your teenagers. Checking in and talking can sometimes get the answers in parenting. We discuss what it’s like to balance a schedule and put restrictions in place with all of the easy access to constant outside pressures. There were some cultural shocks Ines experienced coming to America that puzzled her early years. She believes that everyone can and should go for a college education to grow and achieve. When it comes to a professional bit of advice, Ines encourages finding a mentor. With her mentor, Ines had the opportunity to have someone grab her by the hand and navigate—life is hard enough, but having someone telling you in your ear do this or advice on that, it makes it easier. We talk about trust, open communication and dive into marriage and what life was like coming to a new country and depending solely on your spouse. Concerns that stay with Ines include immigration and expressing that moving to a new country is hard because of the language, the culture, the way you move around, the way you dress and so much more. People would do well to think about how hard it is for people to come and blend into the culture. Her advice is to be supportive and understanding as many people come into this country because they have no choice because of a bad situation. Educating ourselves about what is happening in the world can help us to understand the person, the situation and what and why something is happening. Ines is an amazing resource.
Song "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
A professional career, married and new mom makes for a busy life for this episode’s guest. Meet Wendy Parliament. We talk about her balance of work and being a new mom. Wendy has wrestled at times with mom guilt, but when it creeps into her mind she can look at the time she dedicates to her family and the messages to grow and follow your dreams and passions that she wants to convey to her daughter and all is good. Her philosophy is to put your mind in motion and do what you want to do in your life. The perfect sentiment lies in the idea to not allow yourself to be confined to a box and go after whatever drives you. Wendy is an engineer — a male dominated field — she finds herself in situations that make her either the “first” or in a small group to unify and she goes head strong to meet the goals she sets. Her day-in-the-life varies, but she is responsible for 120-plus personnel in their safety and the job supervision. Her typical day is anything but typical and is always too much to accomplish in a day and that’s where prioritization comes into play…have to do, nice to do or shove it off the day is a format Wendy embraces. She has a great leadership style that involves her team by asking questions and solving problems group style. There are so many people who can provide feedback or knowledge and she sees it as her job is to leverage that experience. When we talk about life struggles, Wendy considers herself blessed and she looks for opportunities. Her attitude is one that she says where it’s important to not see mistakes as such, but to learn whatever lesson that is in the moment. Upfront conversations and being aware is key in her marriage as she pursues a stressful career. Wendy is married to a man who works in the electric industry and we dive a little into what it is like to know the dangers of that career. There is always an aspect of worry, but if you are assured that your spouse, according to Wendy, is not the one to shrug off and cut corners then it is easier to settle your concerns. Being able to say that I’m the reason that you don’t take short cuts is an important conversation have with your spouse. Wendy tries to give back and volunteer throughout high school and college and now in her career with Exxon. She encourages young girls to get interested in science and math and engage in activities that grow the passion. Tune in to this episode.
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Meet an inspiring lady who accomplishes much in her day and authored a book —Fear No Distance— to share her story that you can redefine yourself many times throughout life. Labeling yourself in just one way can be a danger zone in life because if that label gets taken away, then you are left with nothing. We get deep into the emotions of an athlete in this episode. Wife, entrepreneur, and athlete makes a busy day at the start. Meet Danielle (Dani) Grabol. This episode is the perfect inspiration to get moving as we end one year and head toward another. The world changed for Dani, both personally and professionally, and we dive into the emotions of the day to day. She’s in a business that helps older adults to live more independently and this year proved a challenge. If you have an older parent in your life, you’ll find interest as we talk about the geriatrics field and some of the motivations. Dani took her own health, not just how she looked externally, rather she thought of her work and people who have taken care of themselves and that’s when she had a major shift on what she wanted her life to look like. When Dani began she wasn’t confident enough to go to a gym, but she’s worked her way into triathlons and she pushes to the next limit. Motivated and driven—pushing and competing with herself. Reframing how she saw food, Dani began to see the relationship between food and how she felt helped her break through the barrier of deprivation. As an athlete, she is fueling her body with food as she puts good things in her body and expects it to perform. The focus is on balance. Want to figure out how you will age? You can look at your parents and see what the likelihood of your health will become. There is a lot in life that we can’t control, but you can control what you put into your body. We might not have eating disorders but we might have disordered eating. As an athlete, Dani is the first female to participate in the Epic Five. The race is five days, five islands of Hawaii and five full iron-distance triathlons. 12 miles of swimming, 560 miles of biking and 131 miles of running over five days. There have been more races and she shares the thought process and training regimen and priorities.
Committed to the Kyle Pease Foundation, Dani serves on their board of directors. Kyle Pease Foundation was founded in 2011 by brothers Kyle & Brent Pease after they completed their first triathlon. Kyle says that there are no excuses and he uses his life to accelerate other people and we can all do so much. How we frame situations is in our control. Tune in to this episode.
Meet Jaide….she’s an international college student studying in the United States with a whole range of emotions and amazing talents. Jaide is from the Bahamas. She deals with the whole nine yards explaining life, cultures, foods, race and what goes on in the life of a young student with goals set in motion. We learn a little about civil engineering and her thought process for her life plan which she says is based on faith, trusting in God and working hard. We talk about life’s expectations, how humbling much of life can be and the foundation that started as a very young child for her. Jaide says that her story comes through a lot of tears, work and frustrations. Obviously she is not the same girl today that she was five years ago. She’s getting closer to meeting her goals and making sure she has accountability friendships. Siblings, relationships and what makes the tough bonding okay — where do the emotions come from—love, hate, jealousy? We talk about those dynamics and the personalities of the roles that siblings play. We talk about dating and the standards and expectations. You’ll hear about the traditions Jaide grew up with that aren’t too different from what so many experience. Jaide advices to learn in the moment, that doesn’t mean not to plan, but don’t get caught up in the plan — without being reckless.
Meet Ashley Altman — an amazing mom of two and a professional in the mental healthcare world where she passionately believes that recovery is achievable. Both she and her husband set career goals coming out of school for jobs that you could immediately see a difference in helping someone. That challenge she meets everyday. Advice to keeping your work passion kindled is to remember why you are in your career and have friends within your field. She finds herself constantly in the mode of educating and looking at situations from different angles. Her balance of family and career sometimes spill into one another and she creates the dynamic for her kids to see that a mom can have a career that she’s passionate about and serve others while having family as a priority. Ashley bridged the two aspects of her career as a nurse practitioner and CEO of the Lee Side Wellness. In this episode you’ll relate to some of the issues of the pandemic and how it has affected many facets of our mental wellbeing. We discuss levels of trauma, how labels can affect an individual, communication, aspects of marriage and looking at tough times in general. You will certainly connect with Ashley and she’s bound to touch on a thought that has run through your mind. Tune in!
Song "STOMP" used by permission from Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This episode features Amy Roth Biggs who is a professional musician and a children’s book author— a genuinely talented lady. With a houseful of boys she started writing a funny tongue and cheek book teaching manners. She moved into writing a nutrition book for kids to encourage eating fruits and vegetables. Amy wrote Captain Kale and the Superfoods with colorful and strong images that fight junk food. Going into schools and other organizations helps Amy spread the nutrition message on platforms that can create change. The art in her books is created by her and she reached in deep and just starting creating. Life hasn’t been a fairy tale for Amy, but she has one of the happiest dispositions that she immediately conveys. As she shares some of her struggles and dreams…we get to hear how she and her husband met. There is a bit of advice that Amy offers to every listener and that is to get off of media and be creative and try something new. Reading is key at every age and she strives to introduce kids to words that might be unfamiliar. We talk about publishing and Amy gives a bit of the process to write and publish your own book. Tune in for the fabulous episode!
Imagine a life filled with music, writing, reading and teaching. That’s the life of Abby McGinn who joins this episode of Stacked Keys Podcast. It’s not hard to figure out that Abby is an encourager both in her classroom for her students as they grow creatively and socially and for her family and friends. This conversation helps center on interests and talents like Abby’s stage performance and her gift of music—she connects people in ways where words can’t. Mental health is a subject that touches Abby’s heart and she discusses times of her own struggles. Life experiences can be full of stress and a bit of great advice that Abby shares for listeners is to encourage those who find themselves in a dark place and make sure to check in on “our people.” It’s easy to recede in and pull away, so don’t let that happen. Abby spends a lot of her day in the classroom with kids who don’t belong to her. A word to parents is one to embrace communicating with your partner because kids take notice when parents are having a rough time and it impacts their day. Kids can be wonderful, enthusiastic, silly and bright—try to remember that and how you felt as a kid —that automatically can improve your parenting. Tune in for more of this fabulous conversation.
This episode features an authentic, creative and talented lady who has spent time figuring out who she is in many arenas. Life has not been particularly easy, but she stands up — meet Rhonda “Cookie” Stoner and feel her energy immediately as she lives her life and her truth. She’s a writer, a social advocate, a TV star and web show host, a wedding officiate, an assistant in her husband’s law office and a wife and mother. Are you tired yet? The energy and determination is bountiful. Cookie takes us through some of the events in her life that have proved to be struggles, but yet she rises to the top. Cookie believes that people who “get you” will “get you” no matter what you attempt. Her gift is that she is a connector to so many types of people and never does she take someone’s worth for granted. Cookie didn’t map her own kid’s life out or have preconceived notions of what her kids should become and with that, she’s able to let them evolve into the good solid people they are in adulthood. Don’t be surprised if Cookie and husband Allen dance or sing and just show that fun is not hard to embrace—often on their back porch. We cover topics that are sometimes made to be issues and it’s refreshing to hear Cookie’s heart. Meditation is one way Cookie resets and she works hard at recovery. Tune in!
Song used by permission “STOMP” written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Roll With the Punches
She’s strong and a teacher, but not your neighborhood school. Meet Hannah (Russell) Wedemeyer-Rix who lived the last four years in China. Sports is where she finds her comfort and she led a girls team (who were new to the game) straight to victory, but never say never when it comes to what you will or will not do. We talk about the pandemic from her perspective of being abroad. Here are you choices….sit in self pity or get out there and meet people. Listening to Hannah is humbling to know that she blended into a culture far from home. She shares how she learned to be understanding and patient and discovered ways to function being miles away from her own family to blend with others creating a tight knit community. Her challenge to others is to reach for the opportunities and don’t be afraid to try something new—even if that means failure. Tune in!
The music “STOMP” is used by permission from songwriter Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff.
This guest gives one hundred percent with her heart no matter what she’s doing in her career or personal life. Meet Katherine Meyer who says she landed in her career by luck, but honestly she prepared for every encounter and opportunity by learning and making herself available. Our conversation winds through her post college experience in the Peace Corp serving in Zambia helping tell stories through repetition to current day working in human resources helping employees understand and maximize their benefits. Katherine grew up in a Buddhist home with what she calls a Buddhist way of life — looking for only the good in life and truly implementing daily discipline — with Catholic influences as well. As a young person, education and stretching her borders came naturally and that aspect of her life continues today. With biking as a passion, she’s working to create and maintain bike trails in her free time while encouraging people to embrace healthy lifestyles with exercise and stopping bad habits. To find balance, exercise is Katherine’s source as a triathlete and she competes in Ironman challenges. We talk about how her schedule and this regimen works for her and not against her accomplishments. Her family unit joins together and there are some specific tips in that area she shares. With dreams of helping women in refugee camps that are fairly established who have something to offer like up-cycling, making fragrances, soaps or coffee for example. She thinks through teaching how to establish your business, how do get a return and how to maintain that business in the name of helping others can improve the lives of those in such camps with so little. This episode is loaded with fascinating conversation, so tune in!
Music "STOMP" used by permission written by Donica Knight Holdman and
This episode is one featuring a young lady who came to the United States as a foreign college student and returned to life and career in her island home. New baby, work, Covid, and hurricane season make for one interesting life for this guest. Welcome Paige Gibson! Imagine having to make a storm plan for your family on an island and both parents are in service industries…that’s how they met too. We talk about being the wife of a police officer and what fears go along with that part of life that they experience. We talk about the honor and respect of wearing the uniform and how proud a spouse can be of what the other is giving back to the community. Many levels of worry can hit right now in current times, but being a germophobe might be a welcomed trait during the Covid crisis. Paige says take the precautions and leave it in God’s hands. The process of growing up taught Paige to adapt—it’s good to plan, but the back up needs a back up. There is a lot to new mothering and we talk about the emotions of highs and lows and guilt feelings and mothering in general. Stay grounded and never forget what you were taught comes through loud and clear. You will certainly enjoy the perspective this guest brings to your podcast listen. Tune in!
Song Used by Permission “STOMP” written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Join in this episode to journey with lifelong learner Quebe Bradford in what pushed her to change her lifestyle, influence those around her and put an amazingly unique restaurant in the heart of Montgomery, Alabama called Plant Bae. Their slogan is “Very vegan, very good.” Go test it out! Hear the pivotable moments that drove Quebe to take control of her body and begin to listen to what type of foods a healthy body craved. She gathered her skills from education and in the kitchen to set into motion striving for a plant based health plan. Quebe shares that motherhood drove changes and presented challenges for her to bring her best. You’re in for not only a treat for the palette, but an opportunity to create a personal challenge that every listener can relate to on some level. Service beyond self is an attribute that this lady fosters and you will gather the excitement she shares in an area food program created with employees of Plant Bae to serve a senior population to introduce amazing and healthy food options. The journey continues for Quebe as she balances in her roles as a restauranteur, educator, author, friend, wife and mom. Tune in!
This episode is one that covers a host of topics from listening to God's call to practical parenting to everything in between. Meet Erin Acat. You will love hearing the heart of a true leader who has helped many find their path in mission work and serves along side organizations in Peru. You'll get a peek into meeting and marrying the love of her life Jose Acat (many of us know him as PePe)...very far from home! Tune in with the link below or go to where you get your favorite podcast listens.
Song "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This episode is featuring a spectacular lady who grew up on St. Simons Island taking pictures and loving diverse wild life, but her surreal life did not prepare her for the world as she became an adult. Meet Virginia Linch who makes her home in Georgia. Working one or two jobs at a time for the last 45 years led to exploring careers that range from working with animals to working in the legal field. Embracing her community and being a part of it incorporated a love for photography, animals, people and the law to come together and create a passionate life. What’s your Childs first word? Her son said “ageratum.” He wanted to go out and see the whimsical flower because it was full of lizards and birds and butterflies. Much encouraged by his mother. With typical southern gardens, she had the moment of learning the relationship between specific plants and butterflies. You’ll hear her passions grow as she talks about butterflies and her project of Butterflies and Blooms in the Briar Patch located in Eatonton, a little over an hour from Atlanta, Georgia. There is so much wisdom from Virginia that you’ll throughly enjoy this episode. We learn a lot about pollinators. Tune in!
Work ethic is a huge component for today’s guest. With a world of culture as her base, meet Halsa Jasmine Cosme and be inspired to reach for the stars just like her with hard work and moving forward. She credits her mom for the lessons where she taught the family the simple things in life of being giving, respectful and treating others like you want to be treated. Learning who she truly is required Halsa to step to the side and learn who she is as a grown woman. Music and performance have always been a part of her life and she’s developed that passion. You’ll hear on this episode about how we, as women, tend to beat ourselves up and not look at the blessings we have … but Halsa has determined that it’s okay to find your path and build your own foundation. Her perspective on mental health is refreshing of how one can deal with anxiety and talk about hurts, pains and past to build a different kind of you. When we get on the subject of her brother, MMA Fighter Amun “Moon” Cosme, she tells of some of the obstacles he’s faced and describes him as a “beast” and sums it up with the thought that he is nothing short of -- remarkable in terms of his willpower, respect and love. Get to the grind! Tune in!
Song “STOMP” is used by permission written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Sometimes life hands you some tasks where the community you’ve built matters. Career takes a sidetrack when it comes to raising a family and this guest finds that to be true. Meet Ann Carney as we talk about her life and how she approaches the drastic ends of a scale. She shares experiences that changed the course of her life that may be just what you need to hear. We dive into the discussion of health and having a premature baby to incorporating an adoption to where the ideal plans come to a hard stop. She is transparent of the foundations of her faith that have come from some of the storms she has come through. Look through the eyes of a mom and the raw emotions and processes that she travels through to get to where she lands. Ann says that they handle issues as they come up, and of course there’s mom worries, but the two kids are hers and she can’t imagine them not in her life. Opinions are out there that she doesn’t understand, but she’s not out there to change people’s hearts. Tune In!
The song “STOMP” is used by permission of Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This is an in depth discussion with a woman who grew up in an environment that impacted her life through some tough times as she grew up in the Nuwaubian Nation of Moors community—a cult led by Dwight “Malachi” York. On this episode Haajar La Roche joins us as we talk in-depth of her experiences being a part of the inside of this far reaching community and going back to some of her earliest memories as she’s worked through them as a very successful adult. We talk in this episode all about the idea that she didn’t have the time to address emotion while she was in the midst of the community lifestyle, but she looked at life as moving along to the next step. Now, as an older individual, she equates her life to the peeling of an onion to expose every single layer. Picture a person who always wore the masks of normalcy to hide behind and go through life, but today she can set those masks aside and be true to herself. She encourages individuals to have confidence to be completely who you are and to be open in your conversations — especially with your children so they aren’t misled. Haajar takes lessons of her childhood and puts them into a new environment where she is today. We talk about the stories she’s recalled and experiences that she thought of as innocent at the time. This episode is an opportunity to talk openly with someone about their own stories who experienced a lifestyle that could seem confusing over the years with the beliefs and philosophies of this group changing to include Islamic, Hebrew, ancient Egyptian, Yamasee Indian, aliens and various other cultures and religions. This discussion is eye opening and one that reveals the love and commitment of a family and the determination to speak boldly. You can look more into the story of “Doc” who is serving 135 years in federal prison on child molestation and racketeering charges, but Haajar is sharing her experiences and what she knows to be true. Tune in.
Embrace Creativity and Pursue Your Passion
We work in boundaries and that holds true for the entrepreneur young mom who is on today’s podcast. Lauren Gray offers some practical insight into working in a job and life that is her passion.She’s got some work at home tips and they include setting aside time that you are working as well as the space. Humans thrive in routine, so try to keep some of that clear. As creatives it is hard to find your self worth, but it is important to evaluate how you operate and look for clients who appreciate your style and understand your value. Her advice is that you stick to who you are and answer the questions of what do you enjoy and what you plan to do in your business. Funnel it down and do what you love and find your true place. Lauren speaks to the parents of young children who are balancing life. As a photographer you share intimate times with those you photograph and that brings in a lot of emotion. Tune in!
Song “STOMP” used by permission of Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Make a difference in your part of the world. Titles don’t make this lady who she is as you’ll quickly learn in this episode. Dr. Debbie Murray is an amazingly energetic person. She is a giver—in her career she felt lucky to be in positions to be able to give back. Being good in something and being passionate about it are different elements and she definitely found places to put her skills in the world of extension services and in her family life. Social justice, serving all people and focusing on the needs of the community rank high on her list for job satisfaction. Advice? Follow your passions and be willing to change as you develop your skill set. She was a freshman in high school before someone told her that she was smart and that moment…that encouragement…changed her. We talk about situational leadership and so much more concerning career, family and life in general. You will love meeting Debbie and feel challenged to live life fully to make a difference. Her perspective solidifies her faith in the future as she interacted with students on two of our nation’s campuses — the University of Georgia (UGA) and the University of Kentucky (UK) — the bright young people are diverse in thought, degrees and have a willingness to do for others.
Song "STOMP" used by permission of Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Do you use your experiences to shape your today? Our guest is described as a go hard and you’ll be inspired by the commitments she makes. Giving 100 percent is her leadership style as she’s worked her way up in her career at The Ritz. Meet Haajar LaRoche. This episode focuses on a lady who is impacting at her workplace and is somewhere in the middle of it all as a strong and capable woman who functions as a team player. She leads in school, work and in family life as she assumes the role of being in charge and she flourishes in the midst of a group setting. We learn a little bit about her upbringing as she lived in a community that she describes as a bubble— that impacted her life during a period that she lived within an Arabic Muslim group — she learned English as an 8 year old and she’s applied her own choices as an adult as to what she applies to her parenting and living life positively. She’s tied into the community service aspect and we get to hear about Habitat for Humanity, pollinators butterfly garden, The Ritz 360 program that produces service to the community and a high school mentoring program. Her advice…be involved and give back — you will be stunned by some of our conversation and you will be inspired to check your own talents to see where you can play it forward.
Song "STOMP" used by permission Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Joy in the Ordinary She’s a college student and a wedding photographer. This entrepreneur is wide open and ready to share with us some of the challenges and exciting opportunities that have been open to her. Grace Cobb dives into the world of travel, story telling through photos and just having a camera with her. We talk about the emotions and how far she’s come today in growth professionally and through her creative lens. One word of advice to brides…timing. Think about timing of what you want and what will be happening. Being a college student and still having a business bought its’ own challenges. You’re going to love meeting Grace and perhaps find yourself inspired to pull your own creativity to the light. You’ll want to hear her discussion of friendships and what a girl really is striving for. Tune In!
Song "STOMP" used by permission from Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
In middle Georgia there is beauty from diversification. Meet Zoe Kakou, she’s an open-minded educator who has much perspective with all ages. From the time she was four years old she excelled in the arts. Today, part of who Zoe is happens with students as she teaches Spanish for middle and high school kids in the school system in middle Georgia and also serves as a tutor at Nurturing Minds. You will feel the energy in this podcast and the dedication Zoe brings to the table. She takes pleasure in learning and shares that passion— she likes to take her psychology degree and apply that at the root of her learning how to help people best and seeing in that capacity is what wakes her up in the morning. We talk about learning styles and how she is innovative to reach the student and their needs. We talk about what happens in her school by having administration thinking out of the box …from meal delivery to how they reach the kids in the learning hat needs to be happening to creating a laundry program to help reduce bullying. Breaking cultural barriers is the most important claim Zoe takes as she works with students, sitting in a bubble is just no good. Zoe has an array of passions herself — as a fan of Mixed Martial Arts, she has perspective on what one should be saying or doing when offering support and encouragement to an athlete in that arena. We talk about trauma and what some of her middle school students have to face and how she has to approach challenges. Tune In!
Check out an educationsl resource Zoe believes in that can be helpful for anybody with kids … https://www.ixl.com/
When you meet this guest you’ll never guess that she ever had a struggle in her entire life. She is practical and positive. Meet Jennifer Best. She’s been through quite a bit and has landed solidly on her feet. One might say that Jennifer operates in a no "BS" frame of mind, which probably seeps into all aspects of her life. This creative, hands on kind of mom is an inspiration. We talk about life and discipline and creative passions that she’s embarked on — even entrepreneurship.
Jennifer worked through some serious medical issues and not having what she wanted and when she wanted it motivated her to devote to education and hobbies while she held out for God’s “Best”— Her smile is huge and warming and she’s engaging as a mom, a friend and a nurse and she gladly embraces that she’s a southern girl. Two years into baby number two is when she says that she and husband Brandon switched from survival mode. This episode is a time you’ll enjoy getting to know someone that you might think is “Super Woman” by the time this episode finishes.
Jennifer says that communication is key and finding great resources along with a solid support system is incredibly important. Ever think about the fact that everything you do is intentional? It’s just a matter of what are your intentions…from what you cook to how you interact with your children. This guest has a love language of being organized.
As long as everyone is fed, clothed and alive at the end of the day, then she calls it a success. Jennifer takes the opportunities when her kids ask questions and they explore. What’s missing in our society according to Jennifer? Grace.
Tune in for a fabulous chat with today’s guest.
Song “STOMP” used by permission and written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This is an award winning author and international speaker who classifies herself as a social justice warrior who’s out to touch lives and impact people. I am thrilled to introduce you to Samra Zafar, our guest on this episode. Her difficult journey as a child bride and domestic abuse survivor pushed her hard to get control of her own life and her drive to get an incredible education brought her into the life she has today. We talk about her fears, her drive and passion for life today. With all she is involved in she finds time for herself and for her family. Always an envelope pusher and questioning all of life— from having a girl’s cricket ball team when she wasn’t even allowed to play outside to her way of dress and calling people out. Samra faces her fears…skydiving and scuba diving because being terrified does not stop her. Her first book is the best seller, "A Good Wife: Escaping the Life I Never Chose" and you won’t put it down! We talk about the monsters and mother guilt so many of us experience and then what mother support looks like. The conversation is amazing and you’ll come away with much insight into not only the life of Samra, but your own life too. She believes that emotional safety is what being there for someone really is. Tune in!
Song "STOMP" used by permission and written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
There are times in your life that you get to start and go whatever direction you choose. Today’s guest is on the front row to college students working at the University of North Alabama in Baptist Campus Ministry. Karla Burdette is on this episode and you will enjoy hearing her perspective. She brings experience as a listening ear and is an encourager as she tells students to find their spot and grow. This conversation was recorded many months ago and way before the pandemic, so much of the programming details and campus information has changed and may not ever be the same, so stay tuned to UNA to know what they end up doing when school resumes. Karla has a grasp on her stories and this is a great time to pull up a chair as there is so much in this interview that you will be able to apply in life. Be sure to tune in!
Song "STOMP" used by permission by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This episode is the 50th!!!! To celebrate Stacked Keys Podcast, we are bringing you into a family interview. Becca and Tori Stackhouse are taking the interview seat and turning it on the host, Amy Stackhouse. You’ll hear stories and get the low down on the threads that hold the family together. Talk of career paths, faith, family and fun are throughout this interview. Join in!
Music "STOMP" used by permission from Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Though this is posting during the pandemic, it was recorded much earlier. One of the guests is in the nursing field and so we honor her and those who continue to provide healthcare to us daily. This episode is one that brings much insight and wisdom to the podcast. Carol Huber and Amy Huber Ziebart join us with stories of their careers, their family and interacting in community. Carol is a retired teacher who gave to her students more than just the lessons of the classroom and we talk about meeting former students and getting that affirmation that makes you know it is all worth it. She has raised three children, one of whom is developmentally delayed and Carol shares insights of the challenges, opportunities and blessings. Amy is a nurse and talks openly about her passion and desire to be at the important moments in the lives of her patients. With peeks into motherhood and how juggling home and work…and a bit of reminiscing with host Amy Stackhouse…you’ll be sure to crack a smile The memories of one young girl as she babysat can still bring laughter. There’s heart to this family and the ideas of “can do” run deep. An update from the time of recording is that Amy did go back and hit the books to get her masters and so she studies elbow to elbow with her boys...even moreso since they are home early due to school closing during the pandemic. Tune in!
Song used by permission "STOMP" written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This episode is terrific insight to education and the idea of learning from preschool to adulthood. Millie Cosme is about community and education and she is committed to how to change up learning so that you don’t see someone fall through the cracks. What a perfect time to have this discussion! She created Nurturing Minds Tutorial in Milledgeville, Georgia which is an organization that is very much a part of the community as they tutor, work alongside the school system and hold learning camps. Mille shares some parenting insights and talks of her son, Amun Cosme sharing of his entrepreneurial spirit and what the sport of Mixed Martial Arts has created for him. She has tremendous excitement that spills over and you will be inspired by some of her concepts of fundamentals of building from the bottom up. Securing our future one mind at a time is the motto and even in the toughest times, they do not lose sight of that desire.
Song used by permission "STOMP" written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
The opportunity to tap into the world of a mom is a joy and treasure. Angela Davidson is a mom of three with a balanced family, work and life load that she handles incredibly smoothly. She is an intentional parent and unapologetically sets boundaries for her sons. Listen in as she talks about parenting decisions and choices that she and husband Stuart have set forth in raising their family. We dive into many topics that range from raising the kids, to their adoption road— to what it’s like to be in the public eye. There are many obstacles for kids these days and one of her concerns is that if adults have trouble managing social media, how can teens manage it any better? The word “No” is not something she’s afraid of saying to her kids. They are an amazingly open family in their talks with their sons and that is something to take away and know that you may not be alone. Angela is a sports mom and can relate to those demands that come along with that territory and she learns a little flexibility on that front. You’ll find it fascinating to hear how this family figures out the opportunities to emphasize the kid’s interests and talents.
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by DOnica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
What do you want? That is the question this guest dives into in order to even begin to embrace her day. This episode is a fantastic view into the life of a full time realtor who is an amazing asset for people as they make some of the biggest decisions of their lives with a front row seat. Terra Jorgensen is on this episode and she balances career, family and community and creates self motivation to keep going. She is a goal setter and one who works hard to find a connection with her clients and the key is that they become much like family. You’ll hear her talk about the curve balls and her motivation for what she does. Terra talks about her family and can share some of the mom tips that keep her connected and in tune. Listen to hear the big challenge she is gearing up for as the graduation gift to one of her sons and let it grab your heart.
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This episode features Donica Knight Holdman who is one amazing lady. Music always came first for her and she missed events and relationships because of that choice. Yet, the dreams she’s seen come true are tremendous gifts. She’s a songwriter and singer who’s the artist featured on Stacked Keys Podcast “Stomp” intro and exit music. This tune talks about having a pocket full of dreams and you can see how such words could come out of Donica because she lives her dreams. You will laugh out loud at some of the experiences she shares. Donica wrote this tune with Jim Huff -- he and the song hold a piece of her heart. Life has taught Donica a lot about people and connected her through the experiences she’s had—we talk about how consuming social media can be when you’re an artist, but how it can also impact another person for good. Today, Donica is a flight attendant and is married to a pilot — she loves what life is handing her right now. You’ll hear an independence in Donica that is encouraging and you’ll want to keep up with her as she soars through life—you just might be on a flight of hers one day. Tune in!
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Love One International is a nonprofit that serves as a rehabilitation center in Uganda. They are working with children who are sick in some way and they pivot to get the medical care needed for the area in which they work and get the children on their feet with their family. Suzanne Mayernick founded the company and got involved when their family’s heart got pricked in Uganda- then they met their adopted daughter JosieLove. Join Suzanne and daughter Grace Hackett in this fabulous conversation of learning their story and going forward to figure out what life looks like blending it all together. This family is active in making a difference. A venture that has impacted their family in bringing the message that there is so much more outside of our little bubble is a message that resonates. Getting the medical care and the love a child deserves was the drive for Suzanne. The need is huge, but Suzanne has a common sense approach to focus on the need at the moment and the one who is in front of her in the present moment. The compassion and passion comes from a place of all involvement in their family, but the focus comes through that God has planned it all out before them. Grace says that being big communicators keeps the levels of taking care of one another at a point of grace when the chaos of family and business abounds. Get ready for some real talk about the choices that these ladies have made to chart a path.
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff.
Brenda Cantrell is joining us in the north Alabama shopping mecca where we’re surrounded by treasures and amazing bargains. This featured guest is a people connector and truly authentic. Nearly a million people a year pass through the location where we’re podcasting for this amazing episode. Have you wondered where the ultimate lost piece of baggage goes? It just might be in Scottsboro, Alabama. This year is a festive 50th year for Unclaimed Baggage and the plans are rolling out to make a national splash. Brenda is spinning lots of plates while she’s centered in her current role doing what she considers to be the best job in the world as the brand ambassador. He r organization has some progressive methods in training their team members to create an experience for each person who walks through their doors— no matter what role the employee plays. There are some fabulous business practices like “owning the drive home” that she shares with us. For an all inclusive experience, schedule some time to go by this tourist location. Brenda’s parents raised her to go and fulfill her dreams and she’s done the same for her children. Advice she offers to youth — probably to anyone no matter their age — don’t write off an opportunity because you think that you are too big for a position. We talk about family balance how personality can actually lend itself to not having balance. Listen to laugh and get excited about a road trip coming your way. Tune in!
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Jenna Rhodes headed down the path of biology and along the way fell in love with education. Today, she is right where she wants to be making a difference in the life of a child. She loves and feeds off of people to get more energy to make her best contributions. Quickly Jenna learned that the medical field was not her calling when she passed out in the surgical room and that moment changed her studies. Today she brings neuroscience to the classroom and her goal is to help teachers be empowered through self-efficacy — that means that she’s working with teachers in Georgia to look at performances with task-specific self confidence through theories of motivation and various learning situations. Jenna is wired to get a lot done and find balance in her family. She's a product of the Crisp County School system and her goal in giving back is to impact her community and help those affected by generational poverty and be one to help give a fair chance. There are many subjects we bounce through, but we dive into a discussion of executive functioning skills and setting goals based on rational reasons verses impulse. Listen to where she is and how she puts life in perspective of small town community in helping people. Tune in!
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Episode 41 — Marjorie Stackhouse, Find Community As You Build A Family
There are so many activities that defined this sweet lady, but more than anything her faith sustains her. This episode features my husband’s mom — Marjorie Stackhouse or Mama Stack as we know her. She is 93 years old and is full of wisdom. Before any of the boys came on the scene, Marjorie was crowned “The Green Bean Queen” in her little community. Listen up as she talks about her boys and how they have turned out as great adults with many lessons from their dad. We get to hear of Tom’s dating life before I arrived in his heart! One hobby that all know her for is square dancing — there were nights that she and husband Cecil square danced for hours — they were in a group for 25 years and her dancing continued to just a few years ago when she cut a rug at grandson Sean’s wedding. Music is a part of her life and has been for years as she sang in the church choirs, played the piano and organ and even took voice as a young girl. We talk about her favorite plant that bloomed once a year where you had to get up even in the middle of the night so that you could catch it. Her words of encouragment centered on making sure that you focus on other people. Tune in!
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Episode 40 — Betty McManus — The “Me” Is A Small Part of the World
You are in for a treat. My mom — Betty McManus— joins the podcast on this episode and my wish is that you feel pulled in and are transported to your own life and memories. Don’t ever say that you won’t do something because you never know what life will give to you. She developed the attitude of being connected to what is happening in her part of the world in whatever comes her way. In her later years, she brought her leadership skills to impact the place she came to call home. She’s been a teacher and a pastor’s wife and a mom to six. Early on she grew up on a farm and that was the beginning of her creativity sparking as she learned to play with whatever was around. I can remember as a kid that some of these abilities were passed to me as well to help imagination grow. There are hilarious stories—how she ditched some peas she had to shell—and the fact that she didn’t get in trouble blows me away. Betty filled her life with activities that include writing, painting, planning events, growing roses, designing cards, making porcelain pieces to name a few. We talked about her dreams—she wanted to write for The Progressive Farmer (Southern Living) but her world took a different route. Did I mention she's turning 95 this year? Her experience is that the Lord called her husband first to the ministry and then the Lord helped her to support him anyway she could, pleasantly. With that she learned to manage her time, efforts and strengths. Together the two of them embraced some of the unusual and they were ready to take on the world. In our chat, Betty offers pointers to young moms that can help one to be intentional and to be flexible. Tune in!
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Showing Up In A Room and Say What You’re Thinking
This conversation is incredible and has such depth with Ashley White that you’ll be immediately pulled into the life of a young adult who’s working in Nashville to establish herself. Look into her world as she made connections. Ashley is a song writer and has been she was a kid. She tells us about producing her songs and being messy while she is getting where she wants to through the songs. She says that she wonders if sometimes the ideas and things that we fall in love with we are younger and more innocent are not just dreams but that they are promises and plans from God. We talk about being in social media as she works in that world for clients and we talk about how you are communicating and balance. Some clarity comes in learning to believe in herself. Ashley has toured and has found that music is a bridge—it has a way of connecting us all—literally, physically and scientifically as our heartbeats get in rhythm when we hear music. We talk about the venerability of songwriting and the process. You will hear some of her journaling and thoughts of how she uses that technique. This is a special episode that will open your mind to a creative and true artist. We talk about enneagrams — a concept that you will want to investigate. Evidently enneagrams go back to childhood wounds and we get a bit down that road with Ashley. An interesting view that Ashley has is with mentors and community. She owns up to the idea that she wants the input and trusts it. Tune in!
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Episode 38- Bonnie Trulove, Sometimes It Just Takes A Smile
This episode features Bonnie Trulove from Montgomery, Alabama who is an amazing mom, friend and an advocate for autism and special need abilities. You’ll hear some of her journey in this episode. She has three children that she and husband Tim have raised with passion and compassion. Believing in independence and having her kids step up to personal responsibility when they hit the teen years created an open dialogue that continues—she truly enjoys her adult kids. Bonnie says a "smile" is sometimes just what a mom who has a special needs kid or say "hi" and acknowledge their child. Those gestures can mean so much. Bonnie's broad background in education, counseling and experience prepared her for exactly what she needed to help equip her kids with life skills. You’ll hear her talk about the abilities of her son Jack and some of the challenges and opportunities on the horizon. Tune in!
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
The fairly new newly wed has a life that includes being a wife and coach/teacher. Hannah joins this episode and talks about her love for sports and now coaching. She has blazed the trail and has advice to youngsters…don’t quit. Letting one person bring you down is not the way to a championship. She’s a winner and has been named Coach of the Year for her county. You will laugh when she talks about learning on the job. Being a coach gives a platform to talk and listen while building a relationship. Hannah says that conversation should not stop with her, rather she is a starting point. We talk about Hannah having difficulty in learning and the struggles she conquered. Celebrate the small things in life. There are times to get out of your head and just do what you need to do at the moment. Sports can build teamwork, help you learn not to quit and to figure out how to ask for help, tap into discipline, learn respect…sometimes you learn in sports through immediate consequence but the principles become ingrained. You will miss 100 percent of the shots that you don’t take. Tune in.
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Culture tells us to be more, buy more and make more money. In this conversation I discuss with Brittany Bethea the idea that these cultural standards are not our identity or what makes us valuable. This young professional is living a life that blends work and motherhood. She’s had what she calls the perfect career job and has struggled to find her balance. As a pharmacist she has navigated roles that landed her at Auburn University in a teaching capacity. You will throughly enjoy Brittany as she’s the guest in this episode and you’ll hear how she explored how she makes her career, marriage and family in the order that make her happy. She’s an achiever. She loves to study, to learn and has learned that being Superwoman is not what you think. Learning to say no is okay and the advice she offers has come through living and setting boundaries that stick and that she began in her youth. Brittany shares much that she has learned about herself. We talk about counseling and how that can be an incredibly useful. We cover some dynamics in marriage, being a spouse of a minister and the two people who influenced Brittany most in her life. Being enough and enough in Christ is where Brittany found herself. Tune in!
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
This Alabama girl is the perfect match. Lauren Kendrick works for a company based out of Sydney, Australia and is servicing customers with a technical know-how but also with an understanding of the customer journey. Lauren talks about the ideas of “imposter syndrome” of a career—where you fear that maybe your job is too wonderful and you don’t belong there but she encourages one to take their unique skill set and match that to the job. Growing up in a medical family Lauren thought that would be the route she’d take, but she chased another avenue to serve people and to make an impact. This happened in ways that she couldn’t imagine as she set out in her career. You don’t usually think of software as being one of personal connections, but her approach makes it a task to service the customer and rally them around the product. Lauren’s advice to both younger and older individuals is to surround yourself with cheerleaders— but make sure that those people whom you select are truthful to you so that they give constructive advice to help you pivot into the purposes of this world. Lauren found that in her faith and looking inward to examine herself that she could find the direction in her career and her relationship choices. Push to be your best and then run with it was the advice coming out of her dad and the support from her mom. She is finding fulfillment in her role, enjoyment in her life, and can sustain herself in this career. Know your value and your worth and be confident are guidelines Lauren stands by and says that is what defines the approach in life and career. She got the “just ask” technique down because often that is all is takes to get further down the road to pursue what you are after in this life. Tune in to learn more about empathy as a team player.
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Desiray Emerton is our guest on Stacked Keys Podcast and she does not waste one minute of a day. Learning is life to Desiray and you’ll gain insight through many of her ventures. Faith and spirituality is important to her. Being in the Air Force provided experiences and honed the skills of interpersonal relationships of bridging people of different cultures and backgrounds— learning to work with people helps you to get the job done. The parenting advice she gives is incredibly valuable teaching open mindness and accepting people where and who they are. Her mom was her inspiration and her mentor — she should her faith and taught her to work hard and provide. Desiray has a bend toward teaching and she directs that toward learning about the life and culture of Native Americans through original documentation sources. Look on the inside to know a person. To be a leader, you create leaders. Tune in!
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff.
Start by believing. Katie Rumsey is a sexual assault nurse in Georgia and we sat down for a conversation that is eye opening and one that covers topics that we all should be aware of. One in four girls and one in six boys are victims of sexual abuse. She is able to service families and be active in the community and into the schools to educate and inform—especially in the middle school. Advice to parents—start by believing your children if they tell you that they have been sexually assaulted. Another warning is how parents teach their children about their bodies and the words they use. Katie is concerned that children and adults alike are healthy as a whole using some of the support services to help them get there. Self care is important when working in this industry and putting faces with the stories is really tough some times. At The Gateway Center, there are so many opportunities to volunteer or donate goods and be supportive of organizations just like this. We talk all about growing up in a big family and what shaped Katie. Sometimes we are afraid to set boundaries and they truly need to be set and talked about so that you are leading by example. Tune in.
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Meet Lauren Brendle who is living her life in New York City! Every day is interesting and different for her and adjusting to life in the city versus back in the south. She is a research and data girl, but has come up with some creative job options. This conversation is one that winds through mental health, good self care and social structure of a young adult in the big city. Lauren is a fan of music and in her research of mental health she’s been involved incorporating music and mental health through a playlist service that focuses on how music affects emotions to meet someone where they may be…like if they are expecting anxiety, happiness, depression or sadness. She talks about how our bodies are in tuned. This girls reads and backs up a lot of those thoughts that you may have had as well. Over coming fears is what Lauren has found to be interesting in moving with the city and learning her boundaries. Being and individual is important, but so is finding like mindedness. Her advice to her younger self is spot on for us all…Tune in!
Song used by permission”Stomp” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
There are people who have come along side and helped you become the person that you are today and this episode is one that is worth sharing because this mother/daughter duo are amazing. They are my tribe! Lara Ables is in the school system in Sanford North Carolina and works with students to help them in dual enrollment. She’s married to a police officer and army reservist, so we know the sacrifices she makes on the home front. High schoolers are her calling and she is passionate to help them arrange their building blocks. Lara is a mom of two and she helped me raise my three! Her mom, Theresa Howard joined us in the conversation and what life experience she brings! From Army wife, to pastor’s wife — this lady is making huge contributions to her community. We talk about education, children, parenting and grandparenting, and reminisce just a little. Tune in!
Song “STOMP” Used by Permission written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
To not be a victim is a motivator for guest Elisabethe Allen in her martial arts career. Replacing the vulnerability with an activity as constructive and amazing as martial arts brought her to where she is today. Faith and martial arts intertwine In Elisabethe’s life and for that she happy to share her experience and knowledge to empower others. Opening their school January 2018, Red Wolf School of Martial Arts is primarily a self defense focused program. Not to worry, you can find them in competition arenas too. When people don’t have the confidence to stand up for themselves they lack in life skills and MMA can address such feelings as it encompasses self discipline— it helps you be aware of yourself and your surroundings. The conversation went into kids with special needs like autism and Elisabethe’s passion to teach the skills to such individuals. People need MMA for many reasons— like it can help kids or young adults in building relationships with others and looking for the cues and emotions to learning to recognize dangerous situations. We talk about bullying and in learning to respect others and yourself. Don’t miss this episode.
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Kristen Irions is an Auburn graduate who came to work at the Alabama Nature Center— a part of the Alabama Wildlife Federation located at Lanark in Millbrook, Alabama. This organization is the conservation education side where there is lots of hands-on, up-close views of nature and animals. She found her calling and impacts the wide-eyes and minds of kids every day who are stopping and paying attention to what is going on around them outside. As a kid, Kristen was in the city, but she still interacted with the nature around her. She fell in love with snakes at the age of 5 and developed that passion to know and see snakes. Listening to Kristen, you’ll feel the enthusiasm as she describes the activities of a scientist and how people can do some of the same activities at home that they conduct at the nature center. Kristen is head over heels in love with beekeeping and is learning the complexity of their social structure and the artificial setting that we’ve created to understand these insects—which is part of the fascination of the study. You can even buy honey that they harvest there! Kristen has some insights to share on work passion and on young women creating what they want out of life.
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
This conversation was super with two ladies who have teaching hearts, train and coach parents and teachers alike. Traditions are huge with these two as they raised their children and have made choices to be completely dedicated to the area where they live. Being in different life situations as kids gave them a guide for what they wanted in their lives. These ladies are at one of the largest pre-K systems in the state of Georgia and say that there might be a lot of work in the beginning, but the pay off is huge. Take a listen and you will leave discovering that Pre-K education is more than playing and taking a nap. How do you deal with feelings that you have to be safe and respectful? We know as adults what to do, but as three and four year olds it isn’t so easy. You can’t bite, throw things and kick and scream so what are some strategies you can use? These are a few of the skills that the two featured guests are teaching to teachers in a pre-K environment. We talk about calm down centers or replacement cards for strategies for teachers to use or friendship skills, problem solving and activities that parents can implement so that they don’t lose ground at home. They utilize educational grants and collaborations. The projects that these two launch into are contagious and their goals are met with so much enthusiasm. The Literacy Bus, HeadStart, PAWS, and so much more are on the agenda for this group. Tune in!
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Start the new year with a young women who is making moves in communications and marketing that bring attention to Alabama. Sarah Stahl is from Jackson county in Alabama…the largest caving community that you’d never imagine being in north Alabama! This young professional is absolutely one to hear and has ideas and energy that is contagious. You will be inspired as she started a couple businesses and learned from some tough mistakes, but she learned what a tight knit community can do in marketing. While we talked, Sarah is a part of the Chamber of Commerce and is incredibly innovative. She changed jobs since we got together for this conversation, but this entrepreneur is on top of economic feasibility and industry and is creative in major ways! Pull up a chair and listen and learn. Linking stories and pictures and getting the community going is how she drives her event coverage. Being part of a community is not always about selling, it is more of pooling the resources and growing together. Want to know about some specifics of marketing tools? Sarah has information of platforms and how she utilizes them. You will want to follow Sarah and find out what she’s doing now!
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Auburn University graduate Dr Kim Ousley joins Stacked Keys Podcast — you might know her as The House Call Vet or a surgeon at Eastmont Animal Clinic in Montgomery, Alabama or on stage in a seminar training through Practice Enhancement Services. She shares how she found a way to balance and incorporate responsibility to her kids to create the way to keep all of her plates spinning. There are parallels between her career experiences and raising her girls—task completion, work fulfillment and ethic and sacrifice. No day as a veterinarian is a typical planned day—some days are just not for the weak hearted. When coaching young students she makes sure they realize that it is rarely about a day with puppies and kittens and loving on animals. There are long hours, tough decisions and a huge learning library that you dive into. Surgery found Dr. Ousley and she finds that the key is never becoming complacent and always staying on her toes. Particular and mindful are attributes she tries to dig into every day and she’s big on communication with both the animal and people. What and how the animal will respond as well as teaching staff to read patients make the whole experience smoother. Pets are a forerunner part of families and that makes a difference in the approach to preventative care and having better quality of life. Dr. Ousley knew she wanted to be a vet since she was 6 years old— she loves the animal and human bond. The key to success is a combination of work ethic and goals.
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
How can I be true to science and remain interesting is one of the questions that UGA Extension Agent Mary Beth Hornbeck asks herself as she prepares and presents a program to any of her varied audiences—we are a research based organization and bring programming to the public. She talks about the changing needs of people today ranging from populations at the library to the senior citizen homes she works with throughout her calendar. We talk about adjusting with the times by looking at a number of resources to help people know what to do from nutrition and health to shopping habits. Showing people how simple nutrition can be is a top goal— Mary Beth thinks If I can make this on my card table, then you can make this at home. Having fun makes healthy eating easy and eating by color takes away the fear and pre-set notions…and who says you have to eat it with a fork? Tune in to hear how Mary Beth learns how to overcome fear and be insightful and embrace loneliness. Check some of her favorite authors too—Lisa Genova and Rachel Held Evans—for women with perspective. Love how she talks about not taking it all on at once, but to do a really good job.
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Traci works in the childbirth world to help others-- she came into this profession through her own experiences, but she points out that one has to figure out their own load and process those feelings before helping others in a different arena. This is about doula —which is a person who provides emotional and physical support to you during your pregnancy and childbirth. Traci speaks to keeping your power and how one can learn that both for themselves in instructing and to teach that to clients. If you have questions—this is a wonderful place to start! The basis to be mindful is in keeping perspective and confidence and maintaining your importance and such encouragement is really for us all in that we all have something to bring to the table. She’s a teacher and a coach and a life encourager who puts forth mindfulness. We talk about opinions and keeping them in check when people download to you. We talk about Traci through her adoption story, which happened close post Roe vs Wade. You’ll hear a bit about that and how her life path happened as she answers some of those questions—she’s passionate about everything that she takes on in life from raising kids, providing their educations and directions and creating learning environments in her daily job. Tune in!
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Denise Spradley bought the farm and is the owner of Fritz Farm in Cordele, Georgia. This 23 acres is sprawled out in a pecan orchard and is a special events venue. She loves the stories of people and bringing their special moments to the farm to celebrate as they enjoy being in the outdoors walking the orchard and experiencing her slice of life—she really was a city girl but took this adventure on and is at peace. How does one change their life completely? You jump in. Denise brings people together to enjoy the farm and create new memories. It is a breathtaking place and to know that a woman on her own is reinventing herself and has a special super power that can change the world.
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Teacher and Author Janie Steindorf is featured on this episode of Stacked Keys Podcast. She wastes no time diving into life callings and living actively and daily a faith in Christ that she owns. Janie is in the classroom and shares experiences she’s gathered—she’s learned to listen. One method for growth she’s implemented is to plant yourself in different experiences, learn and disciple. We talk about boundaries and being sure that she takes care of herself and be able to give her best. An overarching theme in the conversation is that “there’s grace for that”—her spirituality influences her choices and her outward pushes. There’s talk of international travels and how she learned to accept and respect cultures. As Janie launched her teaching career, she saw the need for a book that taught skills in one book and she put her heart in Montgomery that takes the old into new and the people in places to make history. Tune in for an uplifting glimpse into her world.
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Melissa Warnke settled in her job as the Director of Communications at the Alabama State Bar Association a bit longer since we recorded and It’s exciting to introduce her to you. She continues involvement with a broad spectrum of tools to impact her audience/members. Follow experiences and open yourself to opportunities is premium advice that she shares. As a young professional and mom, balancing life is a challenge but finding community and connecting to people is key. Melissa reflects on experiences that are built on top of each other to build a network that has launched a fulfilling career. Melissa talks about shopping experiences from her retail expertise and how it is changing and how it can personalize—sometimes through social media or popup venues. Storytelling—sharing the real heartbeat of the industry in which you are working brings value. She a part of professional organizations like the Public Relations Council of Alabama, Junior League and more.
Song “STOMP” used by permission of Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Eloise Stewart of Eloise Design Company is spot on with figuring out the life and career challenges both for herself and for others and creating a creative space for others. The decision to begin her business started with helping people, but she first reached out to others to help her start out and she looked toward honest mentors. School was a struggle for her but she worked hard to memorize or study to make things click and that helped her become the entrepreneur she is today and makes her a better teacher with bite size learning steps. Eloise says her biggest strength are the people put in her path who she collaborates and partners with who teach and stretch her and give her opportunities. Her team divides work and they spend time monthly to brainstorm and get the plans set with everyone contributing both for their own company and the clients they serve. Books that impress Eloise include Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger. Marketing is relational for both individuals and businesses—need to stop comparing themselves to others.
Song used by permission “STOMP” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Laura Bethea joins us on Stacked Keys Podcast to share insights on business, personal growth, raising kids and marriage. She’s an Alabama native and is launching her life in small town USA…not a temporary community for them. She started out in film and graphic design and when she landed in Florence it’s been a path. Laura is candid and I think lets you inside to feel the fears, frustrations and growth. Laura has lost a job and created three business launches. We go into ennagrams—Laura is a 7—she’s creative, sharp mind and fast brain BUT doesn’t get caught up in the is this good enough. To her younger self she says that you can serve your family from a place of fullness. Tune in!
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by DOnica Knight and Jim Huff
Being a female leader in the food industry is hard and she shares a frustrating experience where she didn't get treated the same as male counterparts. Kala says she’s stubborn, sassy and a hard worker and knowing her own personalty is one way for her to know how and why she acts under pressure and it makes her a better employer and employee. Kala, a culinary/business graduate from the University of North Alabama, is in the culinary world serving up dishes that perhaps your Grandmother created. Kayla grew up playing competitive sports and says that helped her in the culinary industry. She says that you don’t get to quit and you have to work hard —just like it is on a sport team. You can find both Kayla and her husband in the kitchen when they aren’t working—they switch off who’s cooking when. When she talks about marriage, she and her spouse have the thought that each partner is giving 100 percent in the relationship, not 50/50. Hard work pays off in the relationship world and in the work world. Life is mentally and physically hard, but somehow they manage with an awesome work team. This couple spends a week of their vacation in Hawaii — from the beach, to the rainforest, to the mountains — what a romantic place to spend with that someone special. With the Hawaiian influence, she taught herself to play the ukulele.
We talk about her thoughts of education, personalty types and so much more! Join us and subscribe!
Song used by permission "Stomp" by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Our guest on this episode is Monica Mitchell who’s the Main Street director in Cordele, Georgia. She explained the Main Street marketing concept and shares some of the downtown love—the heart of soul of the town. There are an average of 85 trains a day that go through Cordele —the locals say it sounds like money when those trains go through the community. There are only two other diamond tracks in the state of Georgia and one is in Cordele, Georgia. So much happening in this little community! Rural communities sometimes lose the young people, but through educating the public of what is happening in the area both the appreciation and love can grow. Monica shares insights of the importance of mentoring and what it’s like to raise a family in rural America.
Song used by permission "Stomp" by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Welcome to Stacked Keys Podcast I’m your host Amy Stackhouse
A podcast to feature women who are impressive in the work world-- or in raising a family -- or who have hobbies that can make us all be encouraged. Want to hear what makes these women passionate and get up in the morning or what they wish they had known earlier in life? Grab your keys and STOMP to your own drum. April Cheek has so much to share about real estate, adoption, family, married life and more. Want to know if you love a house? Imagine it at Christmas or holiday time. Adoption? Wow there are tons of aspects to consider. April encourages preconceived notions to stop. She hammers through some tough topics that every single person needs to hear. It’s a chance for pulling back the layers and examine. Motherhood can turn life upside down…so take it a day at the time. People pleaser? That’s a tough nut to crack. Share your heart and realize that people have options on everything and being a voice is very hard…and it’s okay. This conversation sure opened some moments to shed light in areas, so tune in and share away! Make sure you catch her husband who's a guest on this week @thedailystack
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff.
Connie Bainbridge is on the podcast and you will be exhausted hearing what goes into her day! But at the same time you'll be inspired by her passion for the communities where she’s plugged in— the right blend lands someone to spend their dollars to come to a community. She’s been involved in economic development for many years and that means she knows a lot of people. It is relationships, relationships, relationships and Connie is out to make a community better and fulfill what she calls her purpose and worthy work. She definitely has a servant's heart. She is a lifelong learner! Tune in!
Song used by permission: "Stomp" written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff.
Lynn was in a very male dominated career path when she entered management and she knocked it out of the park! She’s got success in life and can tell you that there’s one thing that you just can’t buy and that is time. Meet Lynn Tucker Kyle. We dive into conversation and cover some of the corner stones of our lives and she gives some wine buying and drinking tips that help to educate. Lynn and host Amy are long time friends—Lynn was actually Amy’s boss years ago and she had standards for customer service that she instilled in her employees daily—listening to a customer and helping them discover what they need is a skill. The conversation covers aspects of customer service, hard work, social interaction skills and friendship that stand the test of time. Traveling with Lynn gives her companions the non-touristy side of travel where finding the smaller and the unique aspects of a city is where the beauty lives. Her mantra is that everything she does in life is an experience and she entered the travel industry so she could teach people to learn how to travel on domestic and international trips so they can create memories. We laughed about the boxes we try to check as parents—sometimes you can’t claim credit for things your kids do right, but we want to! Biggest advice Lynn has for parents is to build communication so there’s an open line of communication long before teenage years. Don’t always be the talker, be a listener too. We talk about her son Trevor’s children’s book called “The Button Eyed Bear” and the impact of that story.
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff.
Golden Radish Awards are the chance to showcase. To shine light on the efforts of those in school districts across Georgia who are getting local grown produce on the plates of students and who are integrating creative techniques to teach the process of farm to school — where the food starts and all of the different aspects to get it to the plate. Much of the education is incorporated through hands on activity and covers state academic standards The Award is presented by the Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Department of Public Health, the UGA Cooperative Extension, and Georgia Organics. Winning LEAs are recognized by the leaders of these five groups every October. 90 Georgia school districts with outstanding Farm to School accomplishments were recognized at the 2019 Golden Radish Awards.
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff.
Marie and Pat are amazing women who've experienced some of life’s ups and downs and are living life fully. They are beautiful independent women. Marie lived in Germany during wartime as a child and shares some of her experiences with us. She also embraces adventure and continues to travel to exciting destinations. Pat is independent and determined even as a young child. At 14, Pat came down with Polio and says that maybe it was a blessing as it changed her whole life. Both ladies worked a variety of jobs that are fascinating as they raised their children. Before you finish listening, you will feel encouraged to seize the moment and see the opportunities as they come your way. These two were precious. My take away was to not ever stop living. The conversation was fun and I see that relationships and memories build a lifetime.
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff.
A lot happens in this episode with Stella Williams Bailey of Be A Star With Stella! Talk about success and an advocate for women! This lady is honored across Georgia for her impact. She coaches individuals to be their best self as they find the confidence to meet their goals and she challenges us all throughout this conversation as it winds from finding your purpose and direction to bringing awareness of individuals with special needs—and practical ways to show support. Tune in because I KNOW you’ll enjoy meeting Stella as much as I did!
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Mandi Fortner Is an amazing lady and a business owner— State Farm Insurance in Millbrook, Alabama. She started her agency from scratch and is conscientious to take care of her employees and customers. She works with her husband, Josh and they have found that they do have to draw the lines between business and home life. Being involved in community she knows the benefits to have a heart to serve others, build centers of influence so that you can form the deep and meaningful aspects of life. Mandi tries to keep balance to family and work and community service. There are several aspects of Mandi’s life that intentional and describes herself as a “nerd” — she loves to read and learn! We cover topics from business, a rhythm of rest, priorities and even blending in a date night in there with husband, Josh. They opened their world through hosting an exchange student and she saw elements in her life that helped her be who she is today. Tune in for this week’s episode.
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
This episode is a fabulous conversation with Angie Ellis who is the Ellis Brothers Pecan family—you may know them as We’re Nuts. Angie worked in the financial industry for 30 years and found her place at the table in industries and organizations that are predominately male dominated and she rocked making impact in the community, in schools and industry. They have a 4th generation working with pecans through her son joining the company where they grow, process and put incredible flavors on pecans and sell them all over the world. Learning about the branding process and how they market is tremendous in the relationships they build in places outside the United States. She talks about the health and nutrition aspects of the pecan and how exports help that market. She looks in the long run and the pecan industry as they are diversifying their markets and looking at other countries. Angie is involved in traveling and marketing the products. The stories she tells — like the set up shop in New York to introduce the pecan with its nutrition value and pulling growers together with one voice and she says the pecan industry has to educate. Work isn’t all that defines Angie, she says “everything we do is not what defines us and who we really are.” Having inner confidence is important. We also talked about family and positive messages for moms and kids alike. She would tell her kids when they were snow skiing that if they weren’t falling going down the mountain then they weren’t skiing to their potential. Tune in and subscribe!
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Kate Stackhouse is the guest on this episode and you are in for a treat. She is a teacher in Siler City, North Carolina. They have opportunities in their school system that include a dual language program, which exposes kids to so many different cultures and they graduate with a bilingual degree. Kate is a believer in kids being read to and continuing that habit. Want a gifted child? Read to them, talk to them, spend time to them and have dinner together. She gears her classes to meet the kids where they are and talks about differentiation classrooms … that means the teacher delivers lessons at varying levels of difficulty based on the ability of each student. Advice to young ladies is that they need to do what they want to and not let a relationship determine where you go.
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
This episode features Suzy Stewart Gandy. What a go getter she is and seems to have more than 24 hours in a day!! She has been a part of the YMCA Camps for years and she left Alabama and went to North Carolina. Know people who seem like they’ve been a leader basically their whole life? That is Suzy She believes that kids can be creative and says that kids want to be responsible and independent. She loves being the person that kids can come to when they need a little extra help one-on-one. A big take away? Parents, kids need to know how to swim. Suzy also talks about peer pressures and advice is that one should take initiative and get things done that you see need to be done.
Song used by permission "STOMP" written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff.
Kimberly Mershon is flying high as a pilot these days…that’s after she put her dreams on hold. She graduated from the aviation program at Auburn University years ago and got busy with life Kimberly is active in her community and in her role as wife and mom of three adult boys. She’s now a Certified Flight Instructor, and Instrument Rated Commercial Pilot AS/MEL. The words “give me a reason to fly” are the words Kimberly is living by these days as she just started teaching in Montgomery, Alabama. These wise words “Believe in yourself, pursue your dreams, and never let your dreams die” are the theme of Kimberly’s life. She gives back to her community and is a leader.
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Robin Gray is former teacher of 24 years so the insight she has on youth today is insightful. She’s a part of the Peach Park family in Clanton Alabama which is known up and down the highway throughout Alabama. A definite spot on the tourist trail. Turning a fruit stand into a tourist attraction is, in part, what earned the Gray family, owners and operators of Peach Park the Bronze Alabama Retailer of the Year Award in the Annual Sales $1 Million to $5 Million category. Robin gives us a bit of background on this fabulous property and some of the plans they have coming up. She's a mom of boys who are hard working right along side of the family. As a talented buyer for the gift shop, she is always listening to customers like she recently added a focus for pet lovers. Robin is involved in the Marketing and Merchandising and is the Social Media Manager at Peach Park. Don’t cross her, she was the high school archery coach and has quite an aim.
Song used by permission "Stomp" written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Sherry Evans is an amazing woman! She’s married and has a super career serving others. From her military service to where she is today. She’s a mom of a college age son and a true asset to her community. She serves as the director of the Crisp County Community Council. They are part of Family Connection, an initiative making measurable improvements for children and families in Georgia. You can hear her heart in this podcast and learn about some of the ways that the community where she serves supports the vision for all children to be healthy, primed for school, and succeed when they get there; that all families are stable, self-sufficient, and productive; and that every community is vibrant, robust, and thriving. Sherry has also jumped back into her education to become an Art Therapist and works at The Gateway Center to incorporate art into helping victims of sexual assault and their families. It’s a creative method of expression used as a therapeutic technique and it is fascinating
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Miriam Edwards is so energetic and has a passion for art that is contagious. She is the executive director of the Crisp County Arts Alliance whose focus is to be a part of the development and growth of cultural activities through art education, promoting local artists and having super creative programs and special events for the public. She teaches arts and crafts to kids and is involved in the Empire theater to pull artists into opportunities for set design and more. She’s passionate and encouraging for people making art by just getting started—she’s an art advocate across Georgia and impacts her community through various events including hosting classes and weekly story time for toddlers that impacts both children and parents/caregivers.
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Lauren French Barnette is co-owner of Empire Dance and Performing Arts in Cordele, Georgia. She is enthusiastic and strives for excellence in every aspect of her career in working with staff, students and families. Lauren is a wife and mom, as well as a busy instructor. She graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and returned home to give back to her community. The ideals she holds are found in the mission statement of the studio to develop actors/dancers/vocalists/pianists and make them not only experienced at their craft, but also give them the confidence and skills needed to go to college and pursue any degree. She strives to enrich by inspiring the lives of the audience and community off-stage by opening their minds and hearts to the culture and wonder of the arts. Lauren also connects in the community both on and off-stage so the community will become more united. Overall, the theater helps relationships develop, minds to open, and hearts to unite in a common place where you can enjoy clean family fun, while introducing performing arts to a community. This episode is full of inspiration!
Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff
Beth Roper Stewart is an author and a truly talented lady who gives to her community, family and career. She’s been inside a class room and has insights of how children interact and how they learn. Beth is a wife to Scott, Momma to Walker and Worth, and step Mom to Cameron and Claire. She taught music to preschool and elementary children for over 20 years. Beth is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She and her family live in Montgomery, Alabama. Her catch phrase is “I’m not weird, I’m wonderful” as she talks about adoption and finding your place. Beth began writing her adoption story and is quickly becoming an established writer. Her characters are beautifully drawn and share life experiences that teach lessons along the way. This episode is loaded with fun-ness!
Song used by Permission "Stomp" Written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff