Isn't It Lovely? Podcast

They’ve gone country! Dust off your boots and don the rhinestones to join Tracy and Rachel as they welcome country musician and philanthropist Trey Taylor to the show! Billed as the youngest African-American in country music history when he showed up on the Nashville scene at age 16, Trey shares how he fell in love with traditional country music (and its grande dame Dolly Parton) at the tender age of eight. This affinity led to the passion, discipline, and drive that resulted in a storybook ending of being signed to Dolly’s own producer by the time he was 16 years old. Trey explores the ways his signature style and faith in his dreams sustained him during years of bullying and misunderstanding, while emphasizing the importance of both respecting and entertaining an audience. Trey further explains how in the midst of a rigorous 300-show year upon graduating from high school he determined that 10 percent of his shows would be devoted to raising money for worthy causes, making philanthropy a cornerstone of his career. (Local listeners are invited to join Trey on Thursday, September 28, 2023 for An Intimate Evening with Trey Taylor to benefit anti-human trafficking organization Call to Freedom.) Trey and Rachel agree that sometimes you should meet your heroes, while Tracy and Trey celebrate the mash-up of culture and style and that all people really need are “three chords and the truth”.

Trey Taylor Website: http://www.treytaylormusic.com/

Trey Taylor Instagram: @treytaylorofficial

Trey Taylor Facebook: Trey Taylor Music

Intimate Evening with Trey Taylor Event (A Benefit for Call to Freedom)

https://calltofreedom.org/events/intimate-evening-with-trey-taylor/

Call to Freedom Website: https://calltofreedom.org/

Call to Freedom Instagram: @calltofreedomsd

Dolly Parton

Ronnie Milsap

Glen Campbell

Kenny Rogers

Johnny Cash

This episode is brought to you by Ignite Fitness Studio! Ignite is passionate about creating a space where everyone feels safe to bring their authentic selves, celebrating the beauty of diversity and believing that positive change must start from within! Check out Ignite at ignitefitness.studio or the MindBody App!

“These kids…we need to give them a voice…if we’re talking about empowering them, we’ve got to let them have a say so in it.”

In a first for the podcast, Isn’t it Lovely? literally races after Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire’s Bradyn Medrano (in a restaurant, wearing Kentucky Derby hats) to book him on the show to discuss his amazing work with area youth! Serving as the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire’s Teen and Outreach Director (as well as partnering with the Minnehaha County Regional Juvenile Detention Center), Bradyn shares the importance of building trust with youth through consistency, attention, and positive reinforcement. Drawing on his own experiences as a kid growing up with diverse talents and interests who didn’t fit a specific mold, as well as a lack of invested role models, Bradyn explores his calling to devote his life to recognizing youth needing resources and attention and equipping them to reach their fullest and brightest potential. Celebrating local partners such as GreatLIFE, Vanguard Hospitality, and local sports teams, this episode is a call to action to view all youth with a heart of compassion no matter what behaviors or context we may find them.

Episode Mentions:

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire Website: https://www.bgcsiouxempire.org/

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire Instagram: @bcgsiouxempire

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BGCSiouxEmpire

Bradyn Medrano Afterschool Professional Appreciation Week Spotlight

https://www.facebook.com/sdafterschoolnetwork/photos/a.157377198055067/1642961692829936/

Boys Town

https://www.boystown.org/Pages/default.aspx

GreatLIFE

https://joingreatlife.com/

Vanguard Hospitality

http://www.vanguardhospitality.com/#welcome

What Are You Loving:

Bradyn: Father’s Day with his daughter and seeing her smile; working out with his nephew and watching his confidence soar; seeing kids experiencing genuine joy and fun

Tracy: Electric Scooter for Kids

https://amzn.to/3YgoMPc

Rachel: YMCA Camp Leif Ericson

https://siouxfallsymca.org/camps/

This episode is brought to you by Ignite Fitness Studio! Ignite is passionate about creating a space where everyone feels safe to bring their authentic selves, celebrating the beauty of diversity and believing that positive change must start from within! Check out Ignite at ignitefitness.studio or the MindBody App!

CW: This episode contains sensitive subject matter, including conversation around intimacy and sexual health.

The content of this podcast episode is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have.

“The goal is to have a feeling of wholeness…it’s about mind, body, soul - just that overall sense of wellness. When we feel good about ourselves - sexually, lovingly - we can conquer the world.”

Rachel and Tracy are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Laurie Landeen for an enlightening conversation all about women’s intimacy and sexual health! Passionate about women’s health and wellness, Dr. Landeen shares what inspired her to pioneer Sanford Women’s intimacy clinic and reveals the ways intimacy isn’t solely about sexual intercourse. With candor and sensitivity, Dr. Landeen remains committed to compassionately removing barriers of shame and isolation to help her patients address concerns including decreased sexual desire, inability to orgasm, painful intercourse, and more in order to help them embrace physical, mental, and spiritual wholeness. Dr. Landeen and Tracy explore the importance of respectful, open communication about intimacy with children and adolescents in order to prevent misconceptions and create a strong foundation of self-esteem - including why saying “no” could be your best future “yes”; Rachel and Dr. Landeen acknowledge the importance of responding to vulnerability with safety, trust, education, and resources. Rachel is delighted to learn that Dr. Landeen has delivered over 5,000 babies, amounting to a medium-sized South Dakota town and Tracy reveals two of those babies were her own and credits Dr. Landeen for the gift of her family of five.

Episode Mentions:

Laurie Landeen, MD - Sanford Women’s

https://www.sanfordhealth.org/doctors/laurie-landeen

Molly Kuehl, DNP, APRN, CNP - Sanford Women’s

https://www.sanfordhealth.org/doctors/molly-kuehl

Sanford Women’s Intimacy Clinic

https://news.sanfordhealth.org/womens/sexual-health-intimacy-clinic/

MED Magazine: Ob/Gyn Laurie Landeen, MD: Breaking Down Barriers to Intimacy

https://www.midwestmedicaledition.com/articles/obgyn-laurie-landeen-md-breaking-down-barriers-to-intimacy

Let’s Talk About Intimacy by Lori Walsh, South Dakota Public Radio Interview

https://listen.sdpb.org/health/2019-07-03/lets-talk-about-intimacy

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/genitourinary-syndrome-of-menopause

International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH)

https://www.isswsh.org/

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret 2023 Movie

https://amzn.to/3PWbTaV

Judy Blume Essentials Boxed Set

https://amzn.to/3O0x6hc

Judy Blume Teen Collection Boxed Set

https://amzn.to/3NZANDO

What Are You Loving:

Dr. Laurie Landeen: her life with her husband and soulmate, Neal.

Rachel: Judy Blume Forever Documentary

Tracy: Daily Clean Food and Drink

It’s an unbeatable trifecta of energy, entrepreneurship, and encouragement as Tracy and Rachel welcome beloved local business owner and fitness instructor AshLeigh Cook to the podcast! AshLeigh shares how her lifelong love of physical activity led her to join a friend at the hot yoga classes that quite literally changed the trajectory of her life when the studio owner witnessed her passion and talent and urged her to pursue teacher training. AshLeigh explores the importance of physical activity and how it can be efficient and joyful, as well as the careful balance of celebrating health while changing the conversation around fitness culture to be more supportive and expansive, focused on general wellness and how a body feels versus how it looks. AshLeigh and Tracy outline the path to the creation of Ignite Fitness Studio during the height of a worldwide pandemic, while Rachel and AshLeigh discuss AshLeigh’s vision for a safe environment led by staff who nurture, empower, and serve the members well. Tracy confesses to a correlation between her most brilliant ideas and the endorphins resulting from yoga sculpt classes, while Rachel proposes AshLeigh produce and sell her own line of essential oils after the interview’s lighting round of questions skew heavily toward the cleanliness of the studio and the scent of its celebrated cold towels.

Episode Mentions:

AshLeigh’s Instagram: @ashbcook

Ignite’s Website: https://ignitefitness.studio/

Ignite’s Instagram: @ignitesiouxfalls605

Ignite’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IgniteSiouxFalls605/

Perler Beads

https://amzn.to/3XCm9H5

Third Place

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place

Snuggie/Wearable Blanket

https://amzn.to/435iMtx

What Are You Loving:

AshLeigh: Summer and the special moments she’s been having with people

Tracy: Collapsible Travel Cooler Bag

https://amzn.to/3NSr1EU

Rachel: Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

https://amzn.to/4384cBk

“I just want to be the one that says ‘yes, you can’…especially if it was a dream planted on your heart. It is a vision; it is God saying ‘you can do this!’”

Encouragement takes center stage this week as Rachel and Tracy welcome designer, entrepreneur, podcaster, and coach Rebekah Scott to the show! Appropriately christened The Encourager by her eponymous podcast, Rebekah brings her signature inspiration to the conversation, providing personal stories and practical tips for achieving balance and harmony between work and home, making dreams come true in the process. Rebekah explains the importance of time blocking and use of the 1% rule, while exploring the notion of seasons and taking the time to pause. Tracy and Rebekah discuss the value of writing one’s own obituary as a tool for setting and achieving goals; Rachel wonders if an empty chair at the table should be reserved for everyone’s favorite cheerleader, Bob Goff.

Episode Mentions:

Rebekah Scott’s Website: https://shoprsd.com/, designyourownpurse.com, 1948leather.com

Rebekah Scott’s Instagram: @shoprsd

Rebekah Scott’s Facebook: Rebekah Scott Designs

The Encourager Podcast

https://www.encouragerpodcast.com/

The Encourager Academy

https://www.encouragerpodcast.com/academy

Equipped to Execute by Rebekah Scott

https://www.encouragerpodcast.com/offers/L87vL8FY/checkout

Bob Goff

https://www.bobgoff.com/

Throne Publishing Group

https://thronepg.com/

Undistracted by Bob Goff

https://amzn.to/3NaDbrc

What Are You Loving:

Rebekah: It’s okay to just be in a season, such as winter, and enjoy it without revamping everything in our lives

Rachel: Daisy Jones and the Six Limited Series on Amazon Prime

https://amzn.to/3P9hb2n

"Daisy Jones and the Six" by Taylor Jenkins Reid

https://amzn.to/3N6ODnk

Tracy: Dakota Spirit Cheer Gym

https://dakotaspirit.com/

Riley Katz

Sioux Falls-based entrepreneur and philanthropist Matt Paulson joins Isn’t it Lovely? this week to explore the intersection of business, faith, and community! Tracy and Rachel take copious notes as Matt shares his thoughts on everything from pendulum shifts in the workforce and the onset of a content recession to post-secondary educational trends and the rise of AI. Matt reveals the ways his unexpected foray into a theological seminary degree influenced his leadership style and expounds upon the impact his faith has had on his personal integrity, as well as the ways he conducts business and invests in the community. Tracy gets the scoop on the empowering organization Startup Sioux Falls and divulges that she was once an audience member at the Jay Leno show and had a hilarious interaction with him (which Rachel tried in vain to find for the show notes, much to her chagrin); Rachel and Matt discuss the lasting joy of investing in projects that do good for people, versus the fleeting happiness of materialistic pursuits. The episode wraps up with the first unofficial meeting of the Brady Olson (beloved Brandon Valley High School teacher) Fan Club.

Episode Mentions:

Matt Paulson’s Website: https://www.mattpaulson.com/

Matt Paulson’s Instagram: @mattpaulsonofficial

Matt Paulson’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matthewpaulson/

Marketbeat’s Website: https://www.marketbeat.com/

Startup Sioux Falls

https://www.startupsiouxfalls.com/

Kairos University

https://kairos.edu/legacy-partners/sioux-falls-seminary/

Faith Baptist Fellowship

https://www.faithsf.com/

Dakota State University and MarketBeat Partner to Reimagine the Kirby Science Discovery Center’s Space & Technology Floor

https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/node/3568

What Are You Loving:

Matt: Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral by Ben Smith

https://amzn.to/43t0VOd

Succession TV Series

https://amzn.to/3C0JBE7

Rachel: Scout Tote Bags

https://amzn.to/43t0VOd

Tracy: Rebekah Scott Designs;

https://shoprsd.com/

Brandon Valley High School;

https://brandonvalley.k12.sd.us/bvhs/

Brady Olson (Brandon Valley HS teacher)

Rachel and Tracy are delighted to welcome Char Green-Maximo, South Dakota Urban Indian Health’s Grant Project Manager, to the podcast for a conversation all about connection and culture! Char shares her passion for creating and promoting safe communities that inspire physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness, as well as embracing and offering opportunities for healing and lifelong learning. She shares the importance of leaning into culture and connection as safeguards against unhealthy or risky behaviors, while celebrating the renewal of positive energy and refreshment of spirit that comes from consistent interactions with one another. Char also expands on the comprehensive care and services provided by South Dakota Urban Indian Health, including cultural activities. Rachel and Char discuss ways to show allyship and support for the Native community; Char and Tracy initiate a call to action for the creation of a resource hub for Indigenous people in Sioux Falls.

Episode Mentions:

Char Green-Maximo’s Instagram: @misschargreen

South Dakota Urban Indian Health Website: https://sduih.org/

South Dakota Urban Indian Health Instagram: @sduih.clinic

Sioux Falls Native American Day Parade

https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/sioux-falls/events/ethniccultural/sioux-falls-native-american-day-parade

Generation Red Road

https://www.genredroad.org/

National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

https://www.niwrc.org/restoration-magazine/february-2020/national-day-awareness-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-may

Ain Dah Yung Center

https://adycenter.org/

Isn’t it Lovely? Podcast Season 4 Episode 3: “Isn’t it Lovely to Live a Life of Service? Special Guest: Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum”

https://www.isitnotlovely.com/episodes/jonthum

Wynwood, Miami

What Are You Loving:

Char: Juicing

https://healthiersteps.com/10-amazing-benefits-of-juicing-raw-fruits-and-vegetables/

Tracy: Hoover CleanSlate Plus Carpet and Upholstery Spot Cleaner/Stain Remover

https://amzn.to/42wK104

Rachel: Ronning Library

https://www.siouxlandlib.org/

Isn’t it Lovely? is all about the Benjamins this week as moveHer Money founder Sarah Kurtenbach joins Rachel and Tracy to discuss her passion for teaching girls and young women all things finance! Sarah shares her own personal story of going from a broke college graduate with a $25 weekly grocery budget to a vice president of a Fortune 500 media company while still in her mid-20s. She examines the finer points of the quote “luck is where preparedness meets opportunity”, emphasizing the power of networking, follow-through, and openness to unique possibilities, and also reveals the pivotal moment she knew it was time to merge her passions for money and business to create online educational courses for girls and young women to learn about saving, investing, giving, credit cards, and more. Tracy and Sarah reminisce about stretching a budget utilizing 99-cent taco menus; Sarah and Rachel celebrate the way a true calling provides consistent energy. Everyone acknowledges the power of business clothing from Forever 21.

Episode Mentions:

Sarah Kurtenbach’s Website: https://www.moveher.money/

Sarah Kurtenbach’s Instagram: @sarahkurtenbach

moveHER Money’s Instagram: @movehermoney

Blinq Media acquisition

https://abcnews.go.com/Business/gannett-buys-social-media-ad-company-blinq-media/story?id=17053864

What Are You Loving:

Sarah: Sparkling water with apple cider vinegar; Embrace Church Esther Series

https://www.youtube.com/c/iamembrace

Rachel: ManDate Podcast with Ben Krush and Ryan Konz

https://www.instagram.com/mandatepod/?hl=en

Tracy: Ransom Church Adam and Eve: the Cost of a No Message

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbaKnjydfMw

Tracy and Rachel are thrilled to honor the changing seasons of spring and renewal by interviewing author Rebecca Mann Kelly! Rebecca’s new book Return to the Garden: Discovering God’s Original Design for Women offers a powerful invitation to all women to leave places where they are in bondage & captivity and be restored to their true identities. Part memoir, part call to action, Rebecca shares her personal experiences breaking free from damaging cycles of emotional abuse and people-pleasing to embrace the total freedom of being a beloved daughter of God. Encouraging a contextualization of modern misogyny, patriarchy, and feminism through the notion of the curse set forth in the Biblical book of Genesis, Rebecca reminds listeners that Jesus Himself offered a countercultural, radical form of love to both men and women. Rebecca and Tracy examine cycles of manipulation and control within unhealthy relationships; Rachel and Rebecca discuss with relief that God is not an angry authority figure waiting to punish, but rather a loving Creator who craves relationship with His children. All three women collectively lament Daylight Savings Time and the general lack of sleep that follows.

Episode Mentions:

Rebecca Mann Kelly’s Website: https://www.rebeccamannkelly.com/

Rebecca Mann Kelly’s Instagram: @rebecca4jesus

Rebecca Mann Kelly’s Facebook: Rebecca.Mann.Kelly

Return to the Garden: Discovering God's Original Design for Women by Rebecca Mann Kelly

https://amzn.to/3moUsTZ

Genesis 1-3 New International Version

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%201-3&version=NIV

Isaiah 61 New International Version

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2061&version=NIV

A Brief History of Misogyny: The World’s Oldest Prejudice by Jack Holland

https://amzn.to/3ZUhf7V

Ephesians 5 New International Version

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%205&version=NIV

Christine Caine’s Instagram: @christinecaine

Ephesians 6 New International Version

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%206&version=NIV

Sails by Pat Barrett

https://www.worshiptogether.com/songs/sails-pat-barrett/

What Are You Loving:

Rebecca: Family sleepovers

Tracy: Christine Caine Equip and Empower Podcast

https://christinecaine.com/content/podcast-updated-2021/gmgn94?permcode=gmgn94&site=true

Rachel: Look’s Market London Fog;

All My Knotted Up Life: a Memoir by Beth Moore

https://amzn.to/3ZVp8K8

Disclosure: We only recommend products we use, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that add no additional cost to you; we may earn a small commission.

This episode is brought to you by Ignite Fitness Studio! Ignite is passionate about creating a space where everyone feels safe to bring their authentic selves, celebrating the beauty of diversity and believing that positive change must start from within! Check out Ignite at ignitefitness.studio or the MindBody App!

It’s a celebration of leadership and local government as the Honorable Paul TenHaken takes a break from City Hall to join Tracy and Rachel for a behind-the-scenes honest take on what it is like to serve as the mayor of Sioux Falls, South Dakota! Paul speaks candidly about the rewards and challenges of this wholly unique role, as well as the values that drive his passions, including faith, fitness, mental health and wellness, and protecting the youth of Sioux Falls through collaborative programming. Tracy and Paul discuss the importance of spouses yielding to one another in marriage, while Paul and Rachel explore the balance between protecting family life while remaining accessible to constituents. Paul reveals the routines that center his identity and keep him grounded and celebrates the power of local government. Rachel ponders receiving daily coaching and encouragement calls from Paul’s amazing wife Jill; Tracy declares it’s time to make school board meetings cool again.

Episode Mentions:

Mayor Paul TenHaken’s Website: https://www.siouxfalls.org/council/members/p-tenhaken

Mayor Paul TenHaken’s Instagram: @paultenhaken

Mayor Paul TenHaken’s Facebook: Paul TenHaken

Midco Aquatic Center

https://www.midcoaquaticcenter.org/

YouVersion Bible App

https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/

Pigeon 605: At home, Paul and Jill TenHaken reflect on year that called for leadership

https://pigeon605.com/at-home-paul-and-jill-tenhaken-reflect-on-year-that-called-for-leadership/

Chick-fil-A Empire Place, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

https://www.chick-fil-a.com/locations/sd/empire-place-sd

Mayor’s Fitness Challenge

https://www.siouxfalls.org/100miles

Sioux 52 Mentoring Initiative

http://sioux52.org/

Isn’t it Lovely? Podcast Season 4 Episode 3: “Isn’t it Lovely to Live a Life of Service? Special Guest: Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum”

https://www.isitnotlovely.com/episodes/jonthum

What Are You Loving:

Paul: Netflix’s Physical: 100

Holy Moments: A Handbook for the Rest of Your Life by Matthew Kelly;

https://amzn.to/3YZ7swS

Indoor Bike Trainer

Tracy: Break Point docuseries on Netflix

Rachel: International Women’s Day 2023; Women’s History Month;

Bread Givers: A Novel by Anzia Yeziereska

https://amzn.to/3loMGsH

Disclosure: We only recommend products we use and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission.