Welcome back to the Fully Stoked Podcast! I’m your host, Sarah Stokes, and today I’m sitting down with my friend Melinda Willison — founder of Upwelling Therapeutic Services.

Melinda spent 25 years as an educator before stepping into clinical counseling after seeing needs that couldn’t be met inside the school system alone. In this episode, we talk about:

• Why anxiety and performance pressure are showing up everywhere (especially in teens)

• Reactivity vs responsiveness and how emotional intelligence starts with your thoughts

• DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) and the concept of “Wise Mind” (balancing logic + emotion)

• Identity, self-talk, resilience, and practical tools that help people function better at home, work, and in leadership

• What therapy looks like for teens and families (confidentiality, parent involvement, and support options)

If this episode encouraged you, please like, subscribe, and share—and drop a comment to let us know what resonated.

• Website: https://upwellingtherapeuticservices.com

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 704-931-5612

• Instagram: @upwellingtherapeutic

Sarah Stokes | Sr. Mortgage Loan Advisor | NMLS #1743154 | 376205 | Coast2Coast Mortgage Lending

📩 [email protected]

📱 704-301-6040 & 828-772-4638

🔗 https://linktr.ee/sarahwhitleystokes

🔗 https://blinq.me/ndSaSgEp0Tmy

🔗 https://www.fullystokedhomoans.com

This episode is for educational and inspirational purposes only and does not constitute medical, mental health, or legal advice. Guest opinions are their own. If you need personal support, please consult a qualified professional.

#FullyStokedPodcast #MelindaWillison #UpwellingTherapeuticServices #Therapy #MentalHealth #EmotionalIntelligence #DBT #WiseMind #AnxietyRelief #TeenAnxiety #ParentingTeens #LeadershipDevelopment #SelfAwareness #Mindset #PersonalGrowth

Connect with Melinda Willison Connect with Sarah Stokes Disclaimer Hashtags

In this episode of the Fully Stoked Podcast, Sarah Stokes talks with Fernanda Brasileiro, founder of Filled Cups, about the loneliness epidemic, why making friends as an adult is harder than ever, and how real, in-person connection can change lives.

Fernanda shares her transition from a 23-year corporate career into entrepreneurship after being laid off, along with insights on people-pleasing, codependency, boundaries, leadership, emotional intelligence, and what real self-care actually looks like.

Guest – Fernanda Brasileiro (Filled Cups):
Website: https://filledcups.com
Instagram: @filled.cups
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 224-456-8984

Host – Sarah Stokes:
Sr. Mortgage Loan Advisor | Coast2Coast Mortgage Lending
NMLS #1743154 | Company NMLS #376205
[email protected]
704-301-6040 | 828-772-4638
https://linktr.ee/sarahwhitleystokes
www.fullystokedhomoans.com

Guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or her business. Sarah Stokes is a believer in Yeshua HaMashiach, and the Fully Stoked Podcast is intended to inspire, uplift, and encourage personal growth through thoughtful conversation.

In this episode of the Fully Stoked Podcast, Sarah Stokes sits down with Tina Wolfe, small business coach and clarity strategist behind Creative Business Solutions. They discuss how entrepreneurs can rediscover purpose and passion, lead through servant leadership, and apply emotional intelligence to build stronger relationships in business.

Tina shares practical and faith-centered insights on reconnecting with your “why,” understanding the difference between burnout and misalignment, and why women have a unique advantage in leadership because business is ultimately about people and relationships. You’ll also hear Tina’s concept of business upcycling—helping business owners take what feels stuck and rebuild it into something functional, intentional, and sustainable.

Keywords: purpose, passion, leadership, emotional intelligence, servant leadership, business coaching, women in business, entrepreneurship, burnout, community

Website: www.tinawolfe.comEmail: [email protected]Phone: 828-768-1526Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twcreativebusinesssolutions
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wolfemediacreative
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-wolfe-908b5815/

Sarah Stokes | Sr. Mortgage Loan Advisor
NMLS #1743154 | 376205 | Coast2Coast Mortgage Lending
[email protected]
704-301-6040 & 828-772-4638
https://linktr.ee/sarahwhitleystokes | https://blinq.me/ndSaSgEp0Tmy | www.fullystokedhomoans.com

Podcast Disclaimer: Guest opinions are their own and may not reflect the host’s views. Sarah affirms her faith in Yeshua HaMashiach, and each episode is intended to inspire, uplift, and encourage growth through respectful conversation.

In this episode of the Fully Stoked Podcast, Sarah Stokes and Cody sit down with Annah Marie Kirschbaum, owner of Shear & Shine Grooming Spa in Asheville, NC, for a heartfelt conversation about grit, entrepreneurship, mental health, and the incredible connection between humans and animals.

Annah shares her path from moving to Florida and working at Brevard Zoo to finding her calling in grooming—where calm, grounded energy and empathy are essential for helping dogs (and even cats) feel safe. She opens up about overcoming dyslexia, school struggles, and the mindset shift that helped her build a fulfilling life and a successful business—without a traditional roadmap.

This episode is for anyone who needs a reminder that your past does not define you—and that community, compassion, and perseverance can change everything.

Guest: Annah Marie Kirschbaum — Shear & Shine Grooming Spa (Asheville, NC)
📧 [email protected] | 📞 (828) 252-2593 | Facebook + Instagram

Host: Sarah Stokes — Sr. Mortgage Loan Advisor (Coast2Coast Mortgage Lending)
📧 [email protected] | 📞 704-301-6040 / 828-772-4638
🔗 https://linktr.ee/sarahwhitleystokes

Disclaimer:
Guest opinions are their own. This episode is for inspiration and education only and does not provide medical, mental health, financial, or legal advice. If you are in crisis or considering self-harm, please contact local emergency services or a qualified professional immediately.

If you are feeling suicidal, overwhelmed, or in crisis, you are not alone and help is available right now.
In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — free, confidential, and available 24/7.
If you are in immediate danger, please call 911 or your local emergency number.
If you are outside the U.S., reach out to your local crisis line or tell someone you trust and seek help immediately.

In this episode of the Fully Stoked Podcast, host Sarah Stokes sits down with Alyssa Hughes, founder and CEO of Barefoot Baby and Barefoot Baby Foundation, for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, faith, family, and creating a life you didn’t even know you needed.

Alyssa shares how she left Connecticut with her then-boyfriend (now husband) Matt, moved to North Carolina with no jobs lined up, and accidentally stumbled into a life of tiny house living, art, chickens, and country community that completely reshaped her future.

What started as a home décor and art business (Simply Palettes) out of a 5x7 apartment deck and borrowed garage eventually evolved into Barefoot Baby, a children’s clothing brand inspired by her adventurous daughter, Cameron, and a barefoot, outdoorsy childhood.

Through a leap into wholesale on Faire, Alyssa and Matt went from 0 stores in May to 500 stores by December, scaling from baby/toddler sizes to full children’s sizes and hitting $40,000/month in gross revenue. But with fast growth came stress, burnout, and the realization that the business built to honor her family was starting to hurt her family.

Alyssa opens up about:

• Moving from Connecticut to Carrboro and then to Marion, North Carolina, with no safety net

• How a stranger’s free garage, five acres, chickens, and a community garden changed everything

• Building an Etsy home décor business that wasn’t scalable — and why shipping heavy pallet art was brutal

• Pivoting into children’s clothing, sublimation printing, and finding product-market fit with Barefoot Baby

• Scaling from 0 to 500 wholesale accounts in 7 months on Faire

• Asking for help and finding Freddie at the Economic Development Commission and Mountain BizWorks

• Getting a manufacturing coach, moving out of the house, hiring staff, and opening a downtown production space

• Starting Barefoot Baby Foundation to “bring nature and family back to childhood” through memories, not merchandise

• Hosting family-friendly, free community events like a New Year’s Eve street party for kids and families

• How a very recent faith journey (only about 2.5 years as active Christians) reframed their business as ministry

• Seeing God’s hand retroactively in every “random” opportunity, connection, and open door

Alyssa’s story is a masterclass in saying yes, asking for help, and allowing God to repurpose your plans into something far bigger than you imagined — all while keeping family and community at the center.

Connect with Barefoot Baby & Barefoot Baby Foundation

Website:
👉 https://BarefootBabyClothing.com
👉https://www.barefootbabyfoundation.org Instagram:
👉 @barefootbabyclothing
👉 @barefootbabyfoundation
@thatbarefootfamily

Connect with your host, Sarah Stokes (Fully Stoked Podcast)

Sarah Stokes
Sr. Mortgage Loan Advisor
NMLS #1743154 | 376205
Coast2Coast Mortgage Lending

📩 Email: [email protected]
📱 Phone: 704-301-6040 | 828-772-4638
🔗 Link Hub: https://linktr.ee/sarahwhitleystokes
🔗 Digital Card: https://blinq.me/ndSaSgEp0Tmy
🔗 Mortgage Site: https://www.fullystokedhomeloans.com

Sarah helps people buy, refinance, and invest in real estate while staying aligned with their values and long-term goals.

#FullyStokedPodcast #BarefootBaby #BarefootBabyFoundation #WomenEntrepreneurs #FaithAndBusiness #ChristianEntrepreneur #SmallBusinessStory #FromZeroTo500 #WholesaleBusiness #KidsClothingBrand #NorthCarolinaBusiness #MarionNC #MountainBizWorks #EconomicDevelopment #FamilyBusiness #MomsInBusiness #WomenInLeadership #EntrepreneurJourney #NatureBasedChildhood #CommunityBuilding

The Fully Stoked Podcast features open conversations and a variety of viewpoints. Opinions shared by guests are their own. My goal is to encourage, inspire, and spark meaningful dialogue. I also want to honor my faith in Yeshua HaMashiach and acknowledge that not every guest shares the same beliefs. Thanks for listening and staying Fully Stoked.

In this episode of the Fully Stoked Podcast, host Sarah Stokes sits down with Samantha Ferree, MSN, FNP-BC, and Jessica Biggers from Revive Aesthetics & Wellness to talk about mindset, self-care, and what it takes to keep going when life or business feels heavy.

This episode covers:
• How to push through self-doubt
• Why low seasons often lead to breakthroughs
• Women supporting women in business
• The importance of wellness and mindset
• Entrepreneurship, growth, and community

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step — this episode is for you.

Eventbrite Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/two-year-anniversary-sip-see-tickets-1977502902414?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube:
👉 https://youtu.be/zqsA_RnokXw

🎙 Guests:
Samantha Ferree, MSN, FNP-BC
Jessica Biggers
📍 Revive Aesthetics & Wellness – Matthews & Monroe, NC

🌐 https://revivemenc.co
📲 Instagram: @revivemenc

🎙 Host:
Sarah Stokes
Senior Mortgage Loan Advisor | Fully Stoked Podcast
📩 [email protected]
📱 704-301-6040 & 828-772-4638

https://www.fullystokedhomeloans.com

⚠️ Disclaimer:
This episode is for educational and inspirational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the guests and do not constitute medical, financial, or professional advice.

Licensed general contractor and single mom Ada Esther Gil Jimenez shares her incredible journey from immigrating to the U.S. without speaking English to leading major commercial construction projects across Charlotte. She opens up about faith, financial discipline, networking, and breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry. A powerful story of resilience, entrepreneurship, and dreaming bigger than you ever believed possible.

Guest: AEGJ Construction | 704-444-0721 | [email protected]
Host: [email protected] | 704-301-6040 | IG: @sarahwhitleystokes | fullystokedhomeloans.com

🎙 Fully Stoked Podcast Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Fully Stoked Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect my personal beliefs or those of Coast2Coast Mortgage Lending.

I am a follower of Yeshua HaMashiach — the Messiah — and I believe in the power, love, and truth found in Him. My goal with this podcast is to foster genuine, thought-provoking conversations that inspire, uplift, and encourage growth, even when perspectives differ.

Each episode is shared in a spirit of curiosity, respect, and connection, with the hope that every listener walks away feeling more encouraged, more enlightened, and fully stoked.

Breast cancer survivor and natural products creator Sherena Timmons shares how God used her diagnosis to redirect her life, unlock creativity, and launch Natural for You by Sherena. She opens up about chemotherapy, healing, entrepreneurship, and the power of a teachable heart. An inspiring story of faith, resilience, and stepping boldly into purpose.

Guest: naturalforyoubysherena.com | IG: @Natural4UB | FB: Natural for You by Sherena | Email: [email protected]
Host: [email protected] | 704-301-6040 | IG: @sarahwhitleystokes | fullystokedhomeloans.com

The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Fully Stoked Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect my personal beliefs or those of my business.I am a follower of Yeshua HaMashiach — the Messiah, and I believe in the power, love, and truth found in Him. My goal with this podcast is to foster genuine, thought-provoking conversations that inspire, uplift, and encourage growth, even when perspectives differ.Each episode is shared in the spirit of curiosity, respect, and connection, with the hope that every listener walks away feeling a little more encouraged, enlightened, and fully stoked.

Author and speaker Ann Marie Cooper shares her testimony of overcoming trauma, restoring identity in Christ, and launching Warrior Princess: Crowned for Purpose. A deeply moving, faith-filled episode.
Guest: warriorprincesscrownedforpurpose.org | IG: @annmariecooperco
Host: [email protected] | IG: @sarahwhitleystokes

The views and opinions shared by my guests are their own and may not reflect my exact views on every topic. I am a follower of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah), and my heart is that every episode points you toward truth, hope, and healing. Please take what encourages you, test everything against Scripture, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth.

Shannon shares her journey from childhood chaos to creative entrepreneur, massage therapist, and lymphatic specialist. An inspiring conversation about resilience, neurodivergence, and healing through touch and art.
Guest: dreamspreestudio.com | IG: @dreamspreestudio
Host: [email protected] | IG: @sarahwhitleystokes

The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Fully Stoked Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect my personal beliefs or those of my business.

I am a follower of Yeshua HaMashiach (the Messiah), and my hope is that each episode—no matter the perspective—offers curiosity, respect, encouragement, and leaves you feeling just a little more fully stoked.