Perennial Pen (What Matters Most): A Silver Maple Strategies Podcast with Nate Birt

In this episode, I visit with Nerma from Puerto Rico about entrepreneurship, motherhood, resilience, and the courage it takes to build a life that reflects what matters most to each of us.

Nerma shares how becoming a mother led her to pursue entrepreneurship--not as a glamorous escape, but as a practical way to create flexibility, stability, and dignity for her family. Along the way, she learned hard lessons about leadership, mistakes, team building, and the responsibility of helping others pursue their dreams.

What strikes me most about this conversation is Nerma's deep conviction that we already carry many of the tools we need. Her mother taught her resilience through hardship. A college professor reminded her to look inside of herself for everything she needed to be successful. And now, through her work with entrepreneurs, Nerma helps others see a path forward for themselves, their families, and their communities.

We also talk about life in Puerto Rico (and what outsiders often misunderstanda about it), the richness of family culture, and how to reframe your definition of success by focusing on the quality of your life and the happiness you are building, rather than on someone else's standards.

In this episode, we explore:

• How motherhood shaped Nerma's path into entrepreneurship
• Why mistakes are part of growth, not proof of failure
• The responsibility of leading a team with humility and care
• What Puerto Rico can teach us about family, place, and belonging
• How parents can know if their efforts in raising their children are paying off
• Why true success begins with knowing what makes you and your loved ones happy

Reflection question: What definition of success are you living by right now—and is it truly your own? Learn more about Nerma:

Connect with Nerma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nermaalbertorio/

Visit Nerma's website: https://nermaalbertorio.com/ Call to action:If you or someone you know has a meaningful, life-affirming story to share on Perennial Pen, email Nate at [email protected].

In this episode, I talk with Jay, a Washington state-based Vietnam War veteran, longtime benefit auctioneer, entrepreneur, and comedian whose life has been shaped by gratitude, endurance, and the healing power of laughter.

Jay shares the sobering lesson he learned as a young helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War: Every day is a gift, and none of us knows how much time we have. That experience has stayed with him ever since, and it eventually shaped the way he approached work, family, risk, service, and humor.

We also talk about the unexpected school fundraising meeting that changed the direction of his career. What began as a simple effort to help his son's choir travel overseas became the start of a decades-long calling: helping nonprofits raise money with purpose, structure, and joy.

What struck me most is how Jay connects courage and laughter. Whether he's talking about war, entrepreneurship, fundraising, or performing comedy for older adults, Jay always to a series of simple truths: Life is short, fear is real, and some of the best things in life are around the corner if we're only willing to let go.

In this episode, we explore:

• The life-changing lesson Jay learned as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam

• Why gratitude can become a way of living, not just a feeling

• How one school fundraiser became a turning point in Jay's career

• What it means to "let go of the side of the pool" when fear is holding us back

• Why humor helps people focus, connect, and feel alive

• The importance of telling people what they mean to us while we still can

Sincere thanks to Lee Williams for producing this and every episode of Perennial Pen (What Matters Most).

Find Jay online:

Boomer Comedian on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boomercomedian

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-fiske-0966a/

MaestroSoft bio: https://www.maestrosoft.com/jay-fiske

Reflection question: Who is one person in your life you'd want to thank, encourage, or honor if you knew tomorrow wasn't guaranteed? (Bonus: Get going and say that thing to them - right now!)

Call to action: If you or someone you know has a meaningful, life-affirming story to share on Perennial Pen, email me at [email protected]. I reply to every message personally, and I'm always looking for amazing guests and stories to feature.

Until next time, listen for what matters most.

What happens when a childhood dream waits quietly for decades—and then finally gets its chance?

In this episode, I talk with Mace from Missouri about writing, history, friendship, and the long road between wanting to do something meaningful as an author and finally beginning the journey. Mace grew up on a small farm in northeast Kansas, spent much of his career telling the stories of farm families and rural America, and later turned a sixth-grade dream of becoming an author into a new chapter of life after 60.

We talk about the spark behind his historical fiction, the real-life people and places that inspired his books, and why stories from the past still have something to teach us today. Along the way, Mace shares a remarkable moment at a cemetery, the importance of friendship in shaping his work, and the simple but difficult truth that getting started is often the hardest part.

In this episode, we explore:

• The childhood dreams we carry with us for years
• Why getting started can be the hardest step
• How history helps us understand conviction, friendship, and human struggle
• The role of rural life and farm families in Mace's storytelling
• Why good characters sometimes begin to "tell" a writer where the story should go
• The power of friendship to support the work we are called to do

Reflection question: What is something you've wanted to do since childhood that might still be waiting for your attention?

If you or someone you know has a meaningful, life-affirming story to share on Perennial Pen, email me at [email protected]. I reply to every message personally!

Mace Thornton's author site: https://www.macethornton.com/

The Ghosts of Gumbo Flats https://www.macethornton.com/the-ghosts-of-gumbo-flats Freedman Kansas farmer Moses embarks on a dangerous journey to rescue his wife and children torn from him by slavery in this historical fiction novel about buried truths, loss, and loyalty set in the period after the Civil War.

Jawbone Holler https://www.macethornton.com/jawbone-holler A historical fiction novel that follows Perry Adams' difficult arrival in Kansas Territory, including the harsh frontier, conflict around slavery, and the dream of building a farm and family.

West Bottoms https://www.macethornton.com/west-bottoms This a Depression-era Kansas City novel co-authored by Mace Thornton and Rogers Brazier features railroads, industry, crime, forged bonds, and corruption set in the city's bustling West Bottoms district.

What happens when a long-awaited mountain getaway turns into a 12-hour rescue in a snowstorm?

In the first-ever episode of Perennial Pen: What Matters Most, I sit down with Brandy from South Carolina, whose family hiking trip to Mount LeConte in Tennessee became a harrowing test of endurance, trust, and vulnerability.

After a peaceful weekend away from her role as a nonprofit CEO, Brandy suffered a serious leg injury on the way down the mountain. With a winter storm moving in, no reliable cell service, and miles of steep trail ahead, she and her husband had to keep moving while strangers, hikers, volunteers, park staff, and rescue workers stepped in to help.

But for me, one of the most poignant parts of Brandy's story is the moment someone asked her, "Why will you not accept our help?"

That question stayed with her, and in this episode, Brandy reflects on the strength it takes to ask for help, the vulnerability required to receive it, and the surprising goodness of strangers.

Listen for a story about endurance, human kindness, leadership, vulnerability, and the small acts of courage that remind us what matters most in life.

In this episode, we explore:

• How an unplugged mountain weekend became an unexpected crisis
• Why asking for help can feel so difficult, even when we clearly need it
• The power of strangers who are willing to stop, notice, and serve
• What vulnerability can teach us about leadership, family, friendship, and community
• How small goals can help us move through overwhelming situations
• How honest conversation can remind us we're not alone

Reflection question: What's one area of your life where you could really use some help -- but you're afraid to ask for it?

If you or someone you know has a meaningful, life-affirming story to share on Perennial Pen, email me at [email protected]. I reply to every message personally, and I'd be thrilled to feature your story!

Until next time, listen for what matters most.

Hello and welcome to Perennial Pen (What Matters Most). Perennial Pen is a family-friendly podcast about memory, meaning, legacy, and the conversations that shape us.

This podcast is hosted by me - hi, I'm Nate Birt, an author, journalist and co-founder of Perennial Pen with my wife, Dr. Julie Birt. Each episode explores what people almost lost, learned too late, preserved on purpose, or wish their families had talked about sooner. Or, whatever else might be on their mind that can teach us all something about how to live better.

Through warm guest conversations, thoughtful reflection, and practical prompts, this show is designed to help you name what matters most in your life before time, illness, or distance makes it harder. You'll hear stories about family, identity, love, regret, purpose, faith, keepsakes, and the ordinary moments that made us who we are.

If you love eavesdropping on conversations at your favorite corner cafe - you know, when people drop their guard and just get real - you've come to the right place. Because I'm dedicated to helping YOU live with greater intention in your every day life. This show offers guests an opportunity to reflect on the biggest and most meaningful moments of lives. And then we'll reflect together and identify one next step you can take - something we've learned from that very special guest - to create greater purpose and meaning in your own life. AND --- richer relationships with the people around you, especially your besties - family, friends, mentors.

And hey, one more thing. IF you know someone in your life whose character - the way they show up and live life - really inspires you, email me at [email protected]. Again that's [email protected].

I'm actively recruiting guests to come on the show, and I'd love to sit down and have a conversation with them. With their permission, of course!

Stick around - we'll be back with our first full episode very soon.

Take care, and talk soon.