almost iconic

In part two of Almost Iconic’s interview with Darla, Lyndsay and Sophie hear how she ran No Fear Here Productions, mentoring about 60 interns, developing quarterly short films, and creating high-quality actor reel footage. Darla discusses production timelines and highlights her 27-minute film The Final Hour, noting collaborators who later moved into major careers. She shares how she left Atlanta and chose her husband over the demanding film lifestyle, then returned to Savannah, worked as a script supervisor on The Little Mermaid, and refocused on photography. Darla explains her headshot and modeling-photo process—consultations, questionnaires, wardrobe planning, on-set direction, and light, authentic editing—plus real estate services with drone work. She opens up about caring for her mother and husband, his Alzheimer’s diagnosis journey, available respite care, and her self-care practices, and defines “taking action in the almost” as taking risks before feeling fully ready.00:00 Part Two Intro00:13 Intern Film Program01:05 Actor Reels Solution01:58 Shooting Time Reality02:15 The Final Hour Success03:16 Belief And Impact04:38 Spiritual Awakening05:11 Leaving Atlanta Behind06:59 Back In Savannah Films08:09 Choosing Marriage First09:35 Photography Mission Headshots10:42 Headshot Process Breakdown14:43 Real Estate And Drone Work15:35 Daughter Helps And Editing16:11 Authenticity Over AI17:08 Light Retouching Philosophy17:50 Dream Photo Shoot19:19 Photographer Confidence20:08 Caregiving Reality Check21:52 Diagnosis Journey24:20 Coping And Self Care25:23 Family Motivation27:27 Love And Family Values29:33 Almost Iconic Mindset31:46 Prayer And Sendoff

In part one of Darla’s interview on Almost Iconic, Lyndsay and Sophie introduce Darla, who shares her passion for authentic photography and her love for family. Darla recounts being diagnosed with ADD at 30 alongside her 10-year-old daughter, how Ritalin changed her life, and her career path from sales to working for a frozen drink company before cashing in her 401(k) to open smoothie shops at Fort Stewart and Hunter. After closing the businesses due to the Iraq War, her daughter encouraged her to pursue photography, leading Darla to open a Savannah studio, build a reputation with models, and land major work through Hotlanta Fashion Week, prompting a move to Atlanta and work with Atlanta Modeling Academy. She later expanded into film, founding No Fear Here Productions, learning multiple set roles, and mentoring over 60 interns. 00:00 Welcome to Almost Iconic00:45 Meet Darla the Photographer02:11 ADD Diagnosis Turning Point03:45 Beach Sales to Smoothies05:45 Losing the Shops Finding Purpose06:37 Building a Savannah Studio07:46 Atlanta Fashion Week Breakthrough09:33 Moving to Atlanta Modeling Work11:49 From Photos to Film Production13:10 Fearless Roots and Caregiving14:38 Learning the Film Industry15:09 Intern Program and Wrap Up

Lyndsay and Sophie celebrate surpassing 20 episodes and discuss how life can feel heavier as you get older, emphasizing vulnerability without oversharing. They focus on learning contentment when circumstances disappoint, sparked by Sophie’s stress over condensation damage in their home and insurance refusing coverage after years of praying for a house. They reflect on how desired blessings like marriage, children, careers, or money can also bring grief, and stress that joy and peace can’t be rooted in circumstances but in the Lord. Reading from James 1, they talk about persevering through trials, asking God for wisdom without doubting, and being steady rather than “tossed by the wind.” They warn about cultivating sinful mindsets like hate, reference a murder trial example, encourage being quick to listen and slow to anger, note a recording interruption, and close with prayer and encouragement.

00:00 Welcome Back Milestone

00:34 Life Feels Heavy

01:52 When Prayers Bring Stress

03:51 Grass Is Greener Trap

06:22 Trials Don't Mean Mistakes

08:03 Ebenezer Reminder

10:20 James On Perseverance

13:48 Desire Sin And Death

15:37 Quick To Listen Practice

17:50 Tech Glitch And Wrap

18:41 Prayer And Sendoff

In part two of Lyndsay and Sophie’s interview with Jordan Watts, Jordan shares what she’s learned from her daughter Ada’s NICU journey, including realizing she isn’t alone, discovering her own strength, and holding onto hope for life beyond the hospital. She explains what has supported her most—community and school support through meals and cash gifts, a fundraising golf tournament for Ada’s future therapies, help from Holcomb Ministries, and family assistance that allows brief breaks—while noting the importance of programs for families without support. Jordan also describes what’s not helpful, like overwhelming visit requests and constant demands for updates, emphasizing boundaries and privacy. She outlines how the NICU stay has affected work, leave, and housing, including Ronald McDonald House and a Homes for Healing apartment, and shares ways others can give back and follow their journey via Instagram and “All For Ada.”00:00 Part Two Intro00:29 Not Alone in NICU02:27 Community Support Systems06:16 What Not to Do08:44 Work Leave and Logistics13:26 Housing Help and Ronald McDonald16:25 Giving Back and Hope18:40 When We Go Home19:55 Follow the Journey20:58 Prayer and Sendoff22:38 Final Thanks and Subscribe

Jordan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordangwatts_/

Resources:

https://www.holcombministries.org/

https://ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org

In this episode of Almost Iconic, Lyndsay and Sophie interview first-time mom Jordan Watts, whose daughter Ada was born at 25 weeks and one day and has spent nearly a year in the NICU with her first birthday approaching on October 9. Jordan shares how her pregnancy shifted after a 23-week scan revealed cervical shortening, leading to a diagnosis of incompetent cervix and a rapid labor experience. She discusses the need for better routine cervical monitoring in pregnancy and the impact of hearing other mothers’ similar stories. Jordan updates listeners on Ada’s progress—from 1 lb 5 oz to over 17 lbs—while detailing ongoing respiratory needs, a trach and ventilation, multiple birth defects discovered at birth, and the emotional toll of the NICU “rollercoaster.” She also explains why she began sharing their journey on Instagram and how it helps other families feel less alone, with part two coming next week.

00:00 Welcome And Meet Jordan

00:56 Ada’s Early Arrival

03:08 Labor Day Story

06:03 Incompetent Cervix Explained

11:15 Life On The NICU Rollercoaster

13:07 Ada’s Conditions And Milestones

15:02 Sharing The Journey Online

17:35 Husband’s Take And Boundaries

19:36 Part One Wrap Up

In this brief episode, Lyndsay and Sophie explain that their scheduled interview was postponed because the guest's daughter wasn't feeling well. Rather than forcing content just to maintain their schedule, they chose to be intentional and authentic with their audience. They express gratitude for their listeners' weekly support and encourage viewers to suggest future guests or topics, whether business owners or people who have overcome significant trials. The hosts emphasize that their podcast, Almost Iconic, is about taking action even when you can't see the full picture. They promise to return next week with the rescheduled interview and close with a heartfelt prayer, thanking God for bringing them together and asking for encouragement and strength for their community throughout the week.00:00 Interview Rescheduled Update00:30 Being Intentional with Content00:51 Gratitude for Listeners01:31 Guest Recommendations Welcome01:41 Almost Iconic Purpose02:21 Wrapping Up This Week02:34 Closing Prayer03:18 Final Thanks and Goodbye

Lyndsay and Sophie celebrate Sophie’s birthday while joking about repeatedly changing podcast locations in Sophie’s home to avoid kids, dogs, and distractions, including a leopard gecko named Dartel. After a planned interview guest cancels due to illness, Lyndsay interviews Sophie with rapid-fire “this or that” and favorites questions, then shifts into reflections on aging, expectations, and how the past year taught Sophie surrender, empathy, and the importance of recognizing what others may be carrying privately. Sophie shares what she dislikes about society’s obsession with beauty, what she’d do with $10,000 in 24 hours (save a dying oak tree), a chaotic high school prank, and what gives her the “ick.” She says she wants more peace this next year and hopes listeners feel seen, loved, and not alone, then Lyndsay prays over Sophie, the podcast, and viewers.

00:00 Birthday Kickoff

00:32 Finding the Perfect Set

01:07 Zoo House Chaos

02:02 Interview Plans Change

03:53 Rapid Fire This or That

04:49 Favorites

:24 Life at This Age

07:45 Lessons From a Hard Year

09:49 Beauty Culture Pushback

11:42 Feeling Enough

12:12 Spending 10K Fast

13:51 Chaotic Impulse Story

15:46 Instant Ick Confessions

18:35 More Peace Next Year

19:30 You Are Not Alone

22:31 Birthday Gratitude

24:11 Prayer And Sendoff

Lyndsay and Sophie record this Almost Iconic episode over Zoom because schedules and illness kept them from meeting in person, and they share excitement about an upcoming road trip for their makeup company where they’ll encourage and connect with others. They talk about seasons when life feels heavy or discouraging, sometimes with clear causes and sometimes not, and discuss spiritual battles, the need to surrender burdens to God daily, and the power found in prayer and the name of Jesus. They reflect on God providing “strength for today,” not worrying about tomorrow, and how suffering can draw people closer to the Lord. They also discuss how hormones, exhaustion, and blood sugar can magnify emotions, frustrations with getting help, and encouraging listeners that they aren’t alone, ending with a prayer.

00:00 Zooming In Today

00:34 Busy Seasons and Routines

01:22 Road Trip and Encouragement

01:49 When Life Feels Heavy

03:08 Spiritual Battles and the Enemy

04:47 Daily Surrender and Prayer

08:02 Strength for Today

10:01 Anxiety and Avoiding Tomorrow

12:01 Suffering Can Be Holy

15:22 Control Versus Trusting God

19:00 Hormones Exhaustion and Reality

23:16 You Are Not Alone

24:25 Write and Speak

26:04 Prayer and Closing

27:29 Subscribe and Farewell

Lyndsay and Sophie interview their longtime friend Lauren Young, a mom of three and retired Coast Guard spouse, about her book Set the Table, a monthly family dinner devotional created to help busy families slow down, be intentional in faith, and invite the Holy Spirit into everyday life. Lauren shares how a meaningful first dinner softened her husband’s heart during a faith crisis, how her event-planning background shaped practical ideas for making the table feel set apart, and how writing the book deepened her own relationship with God regardless of sales. She also discusses her Holy Spirit Moment Journal for recording and revisiting moments when God feels present, recounts a providential encounter at a bank that confirmed her call to write, and describes a recent focus on worship and humility as a potential next devotional. They close with Lauren answering what it means to take action in the almost and a prayer.

00:00 Meet Lauren Young

00:58 Friendship Backstory

01:58 Introducing Set the Table

02:50 Holy Spirit Dinner Idea

04:25 Making Dinner Special

05:01 Scripture Led Writing

07:47 Why She Wrote It

09:17 Writing Roots and Family

11:19 Helping Kids Experience God

13:20 Companion Journal Teaser

14:02 Revisiting Spirit Moments

14:42 Noticing God Daily

15:30 Obedience Brings More

15:57 Remembering Answered Prayers

17:14 Bank Encounter Confirmation

20:18 Provision Through Surrender

21:45 Next Devotional on Worship

24:32 Taking Action in Almost

26:52 Prayer and Farewell

Get Lauren's Book Here:

https://a.co/d/0h3E8MDU

Lyndsay and Sophie return to the Almost Iconic pod, talk about recording separately on Zoom, and share candid updates about stressful, unexpected home issues and expenses, including mold repairs and water intrusion concerns with insurance and deductibles. They discuss the mental weight of “more month than money,” the temptation of keeping up with the Joneses, and how worry about tomorrow clashes with Scripture, especially Philippians 4’s call to present requests to God with thanksgiving. They share stories of specific financial provision, including prayed-for $5,000 checks and a $250 gift after singing at a funeral, emphasizing that God’s provision isn’t based on deserving it. They encourage gratitude, surrender, and community, tease a possible budgeting part two (and a potential guest), and end with prayer.00:00 Welcome Back00:13 No Makeup Update00:42 Mic And Zoom Recap01:59 Today’s Topics02:37 Unexpected Home Costs04:53 Trust Over Anxiety07:07 Gratitude In Stress13:55 Provision Stories21:32 Keeping Up Pressure23:38 Budgeting Tips Tease25:56 Community And Prayer27:10 Closing Thanks