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What happens when you reach the point in life when you could slow down—but you’re nowhere near finished?

In this special episode of Joy of the Hang, Sharon sits down with someone she knows better than almost anyone: her husband, entrepreneur Scott Stevenson.

Scott has spent his career building businesses, leading teams, taking risks, and turning ideas into reality. Now, rather than embracing the traditional idea of retirement, he’s doing what he calls rewiring—redirecting decades of experience, ambition, and relationships into something entirely new.

That next chapter is Sarasota Motor Club, a private automotive community built around far more than cars. Scott shares the vision behind the club, what it takes to bring an ambitious concept from idea to reality, and the leadership lessons he’s learned along the way.

Sharon and Scott also get candid about entrepreneurship: making decisions when there is no playbook, handling setbacks, knowing when to trust your instincts, and why successful people still need something meaningful to build toward.

This conversation isn’t really about retirement. It’s about relevance, purpose, and refusing to let age determine when your most interesting work is behind you.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why Scott believes in rewiring instead of retiring
• The leadership principles that have shaped his career
• What decades of entrepreneurship have taught him about risk and resilience
• The story and vision behind Sarasota Motor Club
• Why community and relationships matter more as we get older—not less
• What it means to build something because you’re passionate about it, not because you have to
• Why your next chapter may be more exciting than the one you just finished

If you’ve ever wondered, “What am I going to do with the next 20 years?”—this conversation may change the question entirely.

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What if the greatest benefit of joining a gym has nothing to do with your body?

In this episode of Joy of the Hang, Sharon Stevenson sits down with David Rafuse, founder of Blended Athletics and creator of Train With Us, to explore the powerful connection between fitness, mental health, community, and belonging.

While most people think of exercise as a way to improve physical health, David has witnessed something even more profound: people walking through the gym doors looking for fitness and leaving with confidence, friendships, accountability, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Together, Sharon and David discuss why loneliness has become one of the greatest public health challenges of our time, how meaningful relationships are built through consistency rather than convenience, and why showing up—whether in the gym or in life—is often the hardest and most important step.

If you've ever struggled to find your people, stay motivated, or build healthy habits that last, this conversation will remind you that real transformation rarely happens alone.

In This Episode:

• Why community is essential for long-term health and wellness
• How fitness creates confidence beyond the gym
• The surprising connection between exercise and mental health
• Why loneliness is affecting people of every age
• The role of accountability in creating lasting habits
• How consistency builds trust and meaningful relationships
• What it really means to belong

Whether you're looking to improve your health, strengthen your relationships, or simply feel more connected, this episode offers practical wisdom and an inspiring reminder that we are stronger together.

https://blendedathletics.com/

🎧 Listen now and discover why finding your community may be the healthiest decision you ever make.

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Human trafficking isn't something that only happens in foreign countries or in Hollywood movies. It's happening in neighborhoods across America, often hiding in plain sight.

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Joy of the Hang, Sharon Stevenson sits down with Monica Morton, one of the nation's leading experts on human trafficking, to uncover the truth behind one of the world's fastest-growing criminal enterprises.

Drawing from decades of investigative work and survivor advocacy, Monica explains how traffickers groom victims, who is most at risk, and why so many misconceptions prevent people from recognizing the warning signs. She also shares what every parent, grandparent, educator, and community member should know to help protect those they love.

This conversation is eye-opening, emotional, and ultimately hopeful. If you've ever believed, "It could never happen here," this episode may change your perspective forever.

In this episode, you'll learn:
• The biggest myths about human trafficking
• Who is most vulnerable—and why
• How traffickers use social media to groom victims
• Warning signs every family should recognize
• What to do (and what not to do) if you suspect someone is being trafficked
• How awareness can save lives

This isn't just another interview. It's information that could one day protect someone you love.

If this episode impacted you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Awareness is one of our most powerful tools in the fight against human trafficking.

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What happens when talent, timing, and purpose finally align?

In this episode of Joy of the Hang, I sit down with acclaimed jazz vocalist Barbara King to discuss her remarkable journey from singing in the choir at college to sharing the stage with legendary artists like Patti LaBelle, Kirk Franklin, and Kirk Whalum.

Barbara opens up about the courage it takes to pursue a creative calling, the lessons she's learned from decades in music, and why it's never too late to step fully into your purpose. We also discuss her acclaimed debut album, Perfect Timing, and how faith, perseverance, and authenticity have shaped her journey.

Whether you're a lover of jazz, an aspiring artist, or someone contemplating a new chapter in life, Barbara's story is a powerful reminder that our dreams don't have expiration dates.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

•  Barbara's journey into jazz and inspirational music 
•  The meaning behind her album Perfect Timing
•  Performing alongside legendary musicians 
•  How creativity and faith fuel resilience 
•  Reinvention and finding purpose later in life 
•  Why it's never too late to follow your dreams 
•  The role music plays in connection and healing 

Connect with Barbara King:
https://www.barbarakingjazz.com

Subscribe to Joy of the Hang for conversations that inspire connection, courage, and living with purpose.

#JoyOfTheHang #BarbaraKing #JazzSinger #JazzMusic #InspirationalMusic #WomenInMusic #Reinvention #MusicAndHealing #Purpose #FollowingYourDreams

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What makes a great conversation? Is it asking the right questions, truly listening, or simply being present?

In this episode of Joy of the Hang, I sit down with Julian Phillips, an Emmy-winning journalist whose career has spanned more than three decades in television news, including national roles at Fox News and a year serving as Deputy Commissioner of Public Information for the New York City Police Department.

After spending a lifetime telling other people's stories, Julian opens up about the power of meaningful conversation, the importance of curiosity, and why food often becomes the bridge that brings people together. We also explore what happens when we step away from the noise of our busy lives and rediscover the simple joy of human connection.

From breaking news and high-pressure communication to sharing meals and creating community, Julian's journey reminds us that our most meaningful moments often happen around a table and within authentic conversations.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

•  What makes someone a great storyteller 
•  Why curiosity is one of life's greatest gifts 
•  Lessons learned from decades in television journalism 
•  The role food plays in creating connection and community 
•  How meaningful conversations can change our relationships 
•  Why listening may be our most underrated skill 
•  Finding purpose and reinvention in a new chapter of life 

Subscribe to Joy of the Hang for conversations that inspire connection, curiosity, and a more meaningful life.

#JoyOfTheHang #JulianPhillips #Storytelling #Journalism #HumanConnection #Conversation #FoodCulture #Community #EmmyWinner #SocialWellness

Support the show

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 If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.

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What if aging isn't something that simply happens to us? What if we could influence how we age?

In this episode of Joy of the Hang, I sit down with Dr. Sandra Kaufmann, physician, researcher, and author of The Kaufmann Protocol, to explore the cutting-edge science of longevity and what it really means to age well.

Dr. Kaufmann explains why we age at the cellular level, the seven key mechanisms that drive aging, and how today's science may allow us to slow the process and improve both lifespan and healthspan.

We also discuss practical strategies for protecting your brain, preserving your energy, and making choices today that could significantly impact how you feel decades from now.

Whether you're 40, 60, or beyond, this conversation will challenge what you think you know about aging and leave you inspired to take charge of your future.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

•  Why we age at the cellular level 
•  The difference between lifespan and healthspan 
•  The seven drivers of aging 
•  How lifestyle choices influence longevity 
•  The role of supplements and emerging science 
•  What you can do today to age better tomorrow 
•  Why it's never too early—or too late—to invest in your future health 

Connect with Dr. Sandra Kaufmann:
https://kaufmannprotocol.com

Subscribe to Joy of the Hang for conversations that help you live with greater connection, purpose, and well-being.

#JoyOfTheHang #SandraKaufmann #Longevity #HealthyAging #Biohacking #TheKaufmannProtocol #AntiAging #Healthspan #Wellness #AgingWell #SocialWellness

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What if true healing isn't found in doing more, but in slowing down?

In this episode of Joy of the Hang, I sit down with Myra Maldonado, owner of Salt Caves & Spa, to explore the powerful connection between stress, wellness, and healing. We discuss why so many people are living in a constant state of overwhelm and how practices like salt therapy, mindfulness, and intentional self-care can help us reconnect with ourselves and others.

Myra shares her journey into the wellness industry, the science and benefits behind halotherapy (salt therapy), and why creating spaces for restoration and human connection may be one of the most important forms of medicine available today.

If you've been feeling exhausted, disconnected, or simply in need of a reset, this conversation is your invitation to pause, breathe, and prioritize your well-being.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

•  The hidden effects of chronic stress on the body 
•  What salt therapy is and how it works 
•  Why rest is essential for healing 
•  The connection between wellness and human connection 
•  Practical ways to create more peace and balance in everyday life 
•  Why self-care is not selfish—it's necessary 

Connect with Myra Maldonado:
https://thesaltcaveslwr.com/

Subscribe to Joy of the Hang for conversations that help you build connection, resilience, and a more meaningful life.

#JoyOfTheHang #MyraMaldonado #SaltTherapy #Wellness #SelfCare #StressRelief #MentalHealth #Healing #SocialWellness #Connection

Support the show

 Be sure to click the Follow button so you never miss an episode of Joy of the Hang! Join the conversation with us on Instagram @joyofthehang
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 If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.

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Tag someone who needs to hear this!  

Caitlin Croker did just that. Leaving behind her life in Maryland, she moved to Nashville, the city where artists go to shine. She's shared stages with legends and conquered iconic venues like the Bluebird Cafe.  

Caitlin’s journey is proof that courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s moving forward anyway. It's about finding your voice, taking risks, and building a life around your passion.  

Sometimes the biggest risk is not taking one at all.  

What dream have you been holding back on? 

Support the show

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What would happen if your phone rang tomorrow with news that someone you love had suddenly passed away?

No will. No instructions. No plan.

Just grief, confusion, and a lifetime of unanswered questions.

In this powerful episode of Joy of the Hang, Sharon sits down with entrepreneur, storyteller, and founder of HeirLight, Jermaine Ee, to explore one of the most important—and most avoided—conversations we'll ever have: what we leave behind.

After unexpectedly losing his mother, Jermaine found himself navigating the overwhelming emotional and logistical challenges that come when a loved one dies without a clear plan. That experience inspired him to create HeirLight, a platform designed to help families preserve memories, document wishes, and protect the people they love.

Together, Sharon and Jermaine discuss:

✔ Why most families avoid conversations about death and legacy
✔ The emotional burden of dying without a will or estate plan
✔ How to organize your affairs before a crisis occurs
✔ What truly matters when you're remembered by others
✔ The difference between inheritance and legacy
✔ How preserving stories, values, and memories can become your greatest gift
✔ Practical steps everyone can take today to protect their loved ones

This isn't just a conversation about estate planning.

It's a conversation about love, family, memory, and making sure the people you care about aren't left carrying unnecessary burdens during the hardest moments of their lives.

Whether you're 30 or 80, married or single, wealthy or not, this episode may be one of the most important hours you invest in your future—and your family's peace of mind.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

#EstatePlanning #LegacyPlanning #WillAndTrust #FamilyLegacy #EndOfLifePlanning #JoyOfTheHang #JermaineEe #HeirLight #PersonalLegacy #ProtectYourFamily

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At 21 years old, Christian "Boo" Boucousis was living his dream. After being selected for the Royal Australian Air Force's elite fighter pilot program, he was flying F/A-18 fighter jets and doing exactly what he had worked his entire life to achieve.

Then everything changed.

A diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis abruptly ended his military career, forcing him to walk away from the identity, purpose, and future he had spent years building. What followed was a journey through uncertainty, loss, reinvention, and ultimately, extraordinary growth.

In this powerful conversation, Boo shares what happens when life doesn't go according to plan—and how some of our greatest opportunities emerge from our most devastating setbacks.

Together, we explore:

✈️ What it feels like to lose a lifelong dream overnight

✈️ The emotional impact of having your identity stripped away

✈️ How to rebuild confidence when you're starting over

✈️ Why resilience is a skill anyone can learn

✈️ The surprising lessons fighter pilots use to navigate uncertainty

✈️ How to find purpose when life takes an unexpected turn

Whether you're facing a career change, a health challenge, a divorce, a loss, or simply wondering what's next, Boo's story is a reminder that your greatest chapter may begin after the one you never wanted to end.

Because sometimes the dream that falls apart is the very thing that makes room for the life you were meant to live.

#JoyOfTheHang #ChristianBooBoucousis #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #LifeAfterLoss #Reinvention #MentalStrength #Leadership #Purpose #Podcast

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 If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.