I'm making slime with educator and founder Jayme Diehl to explore the remarkable evolution of Smart Diehl Academy. What began as a small tutoring center in 2023 has blossomed into a nonprofit private school serving over 70 students with flexible, hybrid programs and a nature-based curriculum right here in Mint Hill, NC and the surrounding area. Jayme shares candid reflections on the challenges of leadership, the joy of lifelong learning, and the creativity sparked by her students—including their entrepreneurial slime business!

Jayme an I chat about:

- The Academy’s growth from tutoring to nonprofit private school

- How flexible models support homeschool and hybrid learners

- The importance of delegation and building a supportive team

- Student-led innovation, like the slime business and enrichment classes

- Smart Fest 2026, the Academy’s annual fundraiser and family celebration

This episode is a celebration of courage, creativity, and community impact. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or entrepreneur, Jayme’s journey will leave you inspired to keep learning and keep building.

I'm checking in with nonprofit leader Deanna Terry to celebrate an incredible year of growth and impact at KeyStep, a non-profit dedicated to guiding foster youth toward independence.

The founder shares the success stories of the young people they serve—from graduating high school and earning their GEDs to starting college, landing better jobs, and attending therapy. We discuss why the community's support has been 'humbling' and personally healing for the founder, who didn't realize how much she still needed to heal from her own past experience.

We also dive into KeyStep's unique approach to support: their food and essentials pantry, located in Indian Trail, is not a giveaway. Instead, youth must commit to a Goal Plan—whether that's studying for a driver's license, attending therapy, or sending a picture of a meal they cooked. It's a system built on respect for their journey to independence.

In this episode, we discuss:

The importance of non-profits being specific about their needs to better serve the youth.

Successes in education, employment, and mental health (with five youth currently in therapy).

How the community stepped up to provide specific items—from laptops to Native brand body wash for sensitive skin.

How listeners can help meet their most urgent needs right now (toilet paper, snacks, and cleaning supplies).

I'm honored to be joined by Robert J. Wolf, author of the four-time award-winning biography, Not a Real Enemy: The True Story of a Hungarian Jewish Man's Fight for Freedom.

Robert shares the incredible true story of his father's life—a Hungarian Jewish man who became a four-time escape artist, miraculously surviving both the brutality of Nazi-occupied Hungary and the repressive Communist regime of 1956. This gripping biography is a testament to the human will to survive, the devastating trauma of war and political oppression, and the ultimate path to redemption.

Robert discusses the seven-year journey he took to convert his parents' autobiography into this vital book. We explore the powerful, urgent message this story holds for today's world, serving as a crucial tool in the ongoing fight against anti-Semitism and hatred.

In this episode, we discuss:

The true accounts of surviving two repressive 20th-century regimes.

How Robert's background as a Radiologist influenced his dedication to the 'preservation of life' in his writing.

The lasting impact of intergenerational trauma and the possibility of redemption.

Why his father's story is so relevant to the current global climate.

I'm with author Nkrumah Mensah for an inspiring conversation about turning personal challenges and big life changes into captivating fantasy fiction.

Nkrumah shares her deeply personal journey from being severely dyslexic and not reading as a child to becoming a published author, carrying on a family tradition of oral storytelling. She reveals how her passion project turned into a full book series, including her latest, Anne of Survivors.

We also discuss a major new chapter in her life: becoming an empty nester as her youngest graduates in May. Hear why she's ready to sell the house she's lived in for 17 years and is exploring a potential move to places like New Zealand or Japan.

In this episode:

*How her family, especially her "voracious reader" daughter, pushed her to publish her first novel.

*The writing process where her characters often take control and "totally trash" her plot lines.

*Why becoming a mother forced her to rewrite parts of her first book to be "kinder to the parents".

*The excitement and uncertainty of planning a move after 17 years in Greensboro.

What happens when you take the road less traveled in the Land of Oz?

Join me for a fascinating conversation with Carlos Perez, the author of the new book, THE OTHER ROAD. Carlos shares the inspiration behind his Young Adult novel, which explores the untold stories of Oz and answers the question: where did all those other roads from the start of the Yellow Brick Road go?

We dive into Carlos's unique background as a dedicated educator and talented musician, and how his diverse creative life fuels his imaginative writing. This episode is a must-listen for fans of The Wizard of Oz, Wicked, and anyone who believes the greatest adventures lie just beyond the familiar path.

In this episode, we discuss:

The moment of inspiration that led to the creation of The Other Road.

How his background as an educator and musician influences his storytelling.

The enduring legacy of The Wizard of Oz and its power to inspire new narratives.

Details on his upcoming nine-city book tour.

I'm joined by David Tunstall, CPA and head of The Tunstall Organization, and he is making finances approachable! David shares the incredible (and hilarious) origin story of how he named his business after a successful New York organization when he started in 2002!

What we discuss:

The Core Services: David breaks down the fundamentals of his work: taxes, bookkeeping, and payroll.

Going Deeper: Moving beyond the basics, David explains how he helps business owners use financial analysis—looking at P&L statements and balance sheets—to understand the drivers behind their revenue and make smart decisions.

Client Focus: While he primarily works with businesses (ideally over $1 million in revenue), he also provides personal tax preparation services for high-income W-2 earners.

Expertise: David is experienced and licensed to file taxes in all 50 states!

BONUS: We play the game, "Write Off or Rip Off"!

Jump into the chat and ask David your burning finance questions!

I am thrilled to welcome local entrepreneur, dog-lover and nonprofit founder, Jackie Adams, to the show!

Jackie recognized that shelters are at or over capacity nationwide. She developed a brilliant, innovative solution: a guest house where visitors can rent a room and, if they wish, learn about the full realities of dog fostering.

We discuss how her venture, which is the only one in the US offering dog fostering outreach and education in a guest house setting, creates an immersive learning space for the community to see firsthand "what it takes, the good, the bad, the ugly".

We also chat about her plan to go out to schools to promote shelter jobs and fostering to the next generation and her new children's book series based on the lessons kids can learn from foster dogs!

Joining me today is the powerhouse duo behind the book HEALTHY EATING ADVENTURE: Chef Nick Iula and Dr. Elizabeth George! This conversation is absolutely packed with life-changing information.

We dive into the science behind why a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle leads to amazing results—not just in cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes, but also in improving sleep, anxiety, and depression. Dr. Liz explains how the book reviews the Standard American Diet and why this lifestyle is "not just woo woo, this is real, this is how our body works".

And you have to hear Chef Nick's story: He dropped 80 pounds and reversed severe conditions like gout, acid reflux, and sleep apnea—all in the first few months. He credits this lifestyle with saving his life!

Join the chat and let us know what plant-based dish you are excited to try!

This chat with the incredibly talented Dennis Welch is one of those that warms your soul! If you haven't heard his album, Strong, you need to—it is one of the most personal and moving records I have ever heard.

Today, we're talking about his powerful approach to songwriting: he explains how he strives to 'say for people what they don't know how to say for themselves' and why his focus is on creating uplifting conversations, not chasing charts. You'll want to hear his take on what true success looks like for an artist.

Jump into the chat and let us know which song from Strong is your favorite! ❤️

I'm kicking off the week with a guest whose music is exactly what we all need: high-energy, positive, and genuinely motivational! He is the one and only Tony Saint Tone!

I am obsessed with his music and how good I feel when I listen to it. Today, Tony shares the fascinating origin of his sound. He reveals how he used to listen to classic motivational speakers like Zig Ziglar and Tony Robbins, and he decided to ask one question: "How can I get these messages into a song?".

We'll talk about that creative journey, the power of putting positive messages on repeat, and how you can use his music to keep your motivation high every single day.

Join the live stream and let us know your favorite motivational song! 👇