Seeds of Sunshine - A mother-daughter podcast

Season 2, Episode 57

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa to find out what  Ken Gordon thinks about leaving a legacy behind and how to be a more intentional parent.

KEN J. GORDON, JR., or Pastor Ken, as he is known by his members, is a pastor, best-selling author, business executive, husband, father, and community leader whose entire life has been dedicated to the service of others. Pastor Ken, is a graduate of The Citadel – The Military College of South Carolina, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Law & Military Affairs. 

Pastor Ken, who is a Certified Chaplain, is the author of four award-winning books.  Pastor Ken and his wife, Leslie, have four adult children and one beautiful granddaughter. The couple lives in an empty nest in Charlotte, NC, with their Cockapoo.

On this Seeds of Sunshine episode:

• You will find out what it means to be an engaged father.
• Pastor Ken believes that it's important to be that crazy goofy dad that cracks terrible jokes that no one laughs. Additionally, he thinks that the real key is intentionality when it comes to being engaged with your children.
• What it means to have gone through a divorce as a pastor. 
• Pastor Ken has written children's books, such as The Ice Cream Dad, and plans on writing 12 different books on fatherhood. 
• Why Pastor Ken thinks it's important to plant seeds in our children that are going to blossom into the most beautiful flowers of love. 

To buy Pastor Ken Gordon's books, please visit his website, or go to Amazon and wherever books are sold. 

To connect with Pastor Ken Gordon, please follow him:
Ken Gordon (@dadsoffaith) • Instagram photos and videos
Facebook

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Season 2 - Episode 56

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa to learn about Guy Morris, our guest's quest toward excellence through education and hard work.

Retired from a 36-year leadership career with Fortune 100 software, high-tech, and global energy, Guy Morris has also been a published songwriter for Disney Records, a screenplay writer for Sojourn Entertainment, a patented inventor, a Coast Guard charter captain, a Professional Association of Diving Instructors diver & adventurer, and now, an author and publisher of intelligent, well-researched thrillers.

Since his 2021 debut as an indie author, Guy has released three pulse-pounding thrillers inspired by true stories, actual technologies, true global politics, and history.

Multiple Kirkus recommendations have compared his style to Dan Brown, Iris Johansen, or Robert Ludlum.

Guy's books have earned BookTrib’s Best 25 Favorite Books of 2021, Reader’s Favorite 2021 Gold Award, 2021 finalist for IAN Book of the Year, and semi-finalist for Cinematic Book.

On this Seeds of Sunshine episode:

• Guy tells the listeners about his enthralling experience of diving with sharks. 
• His hard work and a bit of luck getting accepted to college took his all the way to the top. 
• How Guy created a macroeconomic model that got him a job with IBM.
• Guy is an innovator and likes to anticipate trends. 
• Turned a successful thriller author compared to Dan Brown, Guy has dire predictions about the destructive powers of AI( artificial intelligence). 

To buy Guy Morris's books, go to wherever books are sold and to his website:
Thriller Books | Guy Morris Books

To connect with Guy Morris, please follow him:
(9) Facebook
Guy Morris (@authorguymorris) • Instagram photos and videos
(6) Guy Morris Books (@guymorrisbooks) / X (twitter.com)
Guy Morris Books - YouTube

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Season 2, Episode 55

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa to learn about Ahmard Vital's life philosophy in relation to football.
 
Ahmard Vital is a motivational consultant, international speaker, and author, who has empowered people globally with his inspirational guidance and tips for self-development. Ahmard provides his audiences with the tools needed to achieve personal success, utilize willpower and determination, and develop strategies that will allow people of all ages to achieve personal and professional excellence.

In 2011, Ahmard published Awaken the Baller Within, which was quickly labeled as the “athlete’s life manual” by some pundits in sports media. This book was taught in more than a dozen colleges and close to 50 athletic departments and sports camps. As a mental performance coach, Ahmard helped secure more than $6 million dollars in scholarship money and worked with athletes at the Division I level and the National Football League.

Ahmard's newest book, Now What, was released in January 2023. When Ahmard is not traveling, speaking, or writing, he works as a humanitarian and teen ministry leader, volunteering his time to inspire youth to envision their futures beyond their challenges and circumstances. He is also an avid reader and fitness coach, teaching cycling classes in North Houston.

On this Seeds of Sunshine episode:

• Ahmard discusses football as a metaphor for life.
• His favorite life lessons are connected to God, family, education, and football.
• Ahmard is a huge believer that if we keep showing up on the field of life, we will succeed. 
• He also believes that finding our community is crucial.
•  Ahmard points out the importance of waking up with a purpose for a purpose. 
• Service to others is the driver and the biggest motivator in life. 

To buy Ahmard Vital's books, please go to his website or Amazon. 

To connect with Ahmard Vital, please follow him:
(1) Facebook
Ahmard Vital (@ahmardvital) • Instagram photos and videos
(8) Ahmard Vital (@ahmardvital) / X (twitter.com)
Ahmard Vital - YouTube

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Season 2, Episode 54

Join your guests Carmen and Sophia Micsa to learn how Emily Hawgood balances her personal life and work with her elite trail running career.

Emily Hawgood was born and raised in Zimbabwe, Africa. A Professional trail runner for Adidas Terrex, Emily trains with her coach Paul Lind with Gauge 20 Running. Her strength coach is Pat McCurry with Idaho-A-Foot. Emily has a Masters of Science degree specializing in High Altitude Exercise Physiology, which she uses for her own journey. Emily also loves the group of athletes that she works with, because they help one another achieve their goals!

On this Seeds of Sunshine episode:

• Emily talks about her enchanting childhood in Zimbabwe and how grateful she is to explore our beautiful world.
• Having grown up on a large farm, Emily was first inspired to run by seeing her mom go out on runs around their farm. Emily's days on the farm started early, so she went to bed at 8 p.m., which serves her well as a professional trail runner.
• Emily believes running is a freeing sport and she loves that she can run in the mountains and not do triathlons anymore, as biking long hours on the roads was not that enjoyable. 
• Emily is also a coach, training others. She views her running as "her gateway to exploring the world." 
• Emily explains how athletes must adjust their training volume and intensity based on running and life stressors. 
• Balancing recovery and training is quintessential.
• Emily's advice to runners is to run 10 minutes less in order to make room for strength training to keep strong and stay injury free. 
• Emily's golden rule is the 10-day recovery after a big race. She believes in NOT rushing her recovery.
• Emily loves to add variety to her training, mixing in speed with long runs. To her, this feels magical.
• Her multigenerational advice regarding encouraging kids to run is for them to try as many sports as possible to see which one they like most. 
• Nutrition is something that Emily also takes quite seriously. She also loves desserts and thinks they have their place after a hard day.
• Her best advice regarding injuries is to focus on one's weakness and get stronger, which should involve mobility and core exercises a few times a week if not daily. 
• Emily is also a believer in yoga for recovery. 

 To connect with Emily Hawgood, please follow her:
Emily Hawgood (@emilyhawgood) • Instagram photos and videos
(4) Facebook

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Season 2, Episode 53

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa to learn lessons in confidence from author and confidence/self-worth expert Sharon Hughes.

Sharon Hughes is the 2X award-winning author of "The Girl In The Garage: 3 Steps to Letting Go Of Your Past" a faith-based book for breaking free from a lack of confidence, self-worth issues, and a painful past.  She's the founder of Confidence Academy, the host of Called to Confidence podcast, and a confidence and Self-worth expert.

Sharon is an excellent communicator that speaks in a "best friend over coffee" style that is easy to connect with.  When she's not encouraging others, or plotting her next book, you can find her gazing at a California sunset, petting every dog that crosses her path, and eating obscene amounts of popcorn.

On this Seeds of Sunshine episode:

• You will learn about the terrible things that happened to Sharon at 16 and how she overcame being suicidal.
• Sharon Hughes transformed her life and the life of others by creating three actionable steps.
• The superhero power of choice.
• Thinking for yourself rather than against yourself.
• Learning what's possible to elevate your life. 
• Difference between confidence and self-worth. 
• Lessons in forgiveness. 
• Sharon is a huge believer in having a strong community and a sense of connection to others. 

To buy Sharon's books, please visit her website, as well as on Amazon and wherever books are sold. 

To connect with Sharon on social media, please follow her:
Sharon | Confidence + Self-worth Expert (@sharonhughesofficial) • Instagram photos and videos
Sharon Hughes - CEO, Coach and Motivational Speaker - Launch Your Creativity | LinkedIn

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Season 2, Episode 52

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa to learn about storytelling, resilience, and yoga with author Michael Harris. 

Michael Harris is an author, coach, trainer, yoga teacher, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Endless Stages.   One of my specialties is helping anyone move from fear of speaking in front of others to powerfully sharing their message with any size group or audience.
He has owned (or partnered) in several successful yoga studios - and in his prior business coached other studio owners worldwide on attracting and enrolling new students - while increasing revenue and profits (over $40 million in sales).  Michael has helped certify about 7,000 yoga teachers.  As a teacher, his primary focus in class is to help the students calm their minds and increase awareness. 
 
 Although Michael will always teach yoga, his main goal today is to help others use podcasting, books, and speaking to get their message to the world.

Michael's favorite quote: “Never make a point without telling a story, and never tell a story, without making a point."  Ed Percival

On this Seeds of Sunshine episode:

• You will learn how to have open-heart conversations.
• Every story has meaning and importance.
• Learn how to get your message into the world.
• To become better public speakers we need to do two essential things: prepare and know our subject manner.  
• Michael had a debilitating skiing accident, which required 21 blood transfusions, but he learned to walk again and recovered.
• Although he had many hardships to overcome, Michael has been sober for 34 years. 
• Yoga has been his healing modality, which has allowed him to fully heal and climb mountains again.
• Michael believes that we all need to act on our AHA moments. 

To connect with Michael Harris and buy his books, please follow him:
Michael Harris⁤ (michaelbharris.com)
(2) Michael Harris (@MichaelB_Harris) / Twitter
Facebook

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Season 2, Episode 51

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa to learn valuable running and life coaching tips shared by two-time Olympian Kim Conley and her husband Drew Wartenburg.  

Kim Conley, a professional runner for Nike, is a two-time Track and Field Olympian in the 5000m and two-time national champion. She has represented the United States at eight international championships. Kim grew up in Santa Rosa, CA, and graduated from UC Davis in 2009 with a degree in Exercise Biology. She coaches runners of all levels from the mile to the marathon through her coaching company Next Best Run. In her free time outside of training and coaching, Kim enjoys reading, hiking, mountain biking, and exploring the beauty of Northern Arizona. 

 Drew Wartenburg is a former soccer player, who found running as an adult. He has coached runners at all levels, including national championships and Olympic hopefuls. Drew lives in Flagstaff, AZ with Kim and their dog Smokey.

On this Seeds of Sunshine episode:

• You will learn about the importance of consistency and years of hard work to become successful in life and sports. 
• For Kim, running is about being focused on the process. 
• For Drew, running is a sport we can do at our own pace. Running is also an excellent social lubricant. 
• Next Best Run is the running company that Kim and Drew launched together; they share some of their athletes' success stories.
• Just like in life, structuring realistic workouts that set up athletes for success is important for both Kim and Drew as coaches. 
• Listen to the full episode to find out what their two favorite speed workouts are. 
• Find out who is the cook in the family and why eating enough and high-quality carbs is important in improving performance. 

For running and coaching-related questions, please visit their website Next Best Run, or message them on social media.

To connect with Kim Conley, please check out her website, follow her on social media, and read her blog:
Kim Conley (kimfconley.com)
Facebook
Kim Conley (@kfconley) • Instagram photos and videos
Blog (kimfconley.com)
To connect with Drew, who is an excellent coach, training some of my runner friends, don't hesitate to get in touch with him on Drew Wartenburg (nextbestrun.com).
Drew Wartenburg (@drew_wartenburg) • Instagram photos and videos
Drew Wartenburg - Coach/Co-founder-Next Best Run - Next Best Run | LinkedIn

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Episode 50
 
 SEASON TWO COMING on July 12.  Stay tuned!
 
Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa to learn how Miriam Gunn, a therapist helps others live better and more fulfilling lives, as well as her daily hacks to stay productive and stick to good habits. 

Miriam Gunn has fostered growth in others since 1985 as a mentor, a licensed therapist, and a certified coach.  She is passionate about helping businesses and high performers reach their next level, so they then can add their influence to this amazing world we share. Miriam is unique in that she approaches business coaching from the vantage point that the issue with your business growth may be YOU. She comes at this from a therapy angle – looking at how she can help you recognize the ways you are self-sabotaging and how to reach your next level. She is passionate about sustainability and wants to see successful people adding their energies and resources toward helping our planet and its people. Her company, LeaveBetter.com is dedicated to helping you win in business AND life.

On this Seeds of Sunshine episode:

·        Miriam thinks some people lack success because they lose vision of the forest for the trees. 

·        Identifying where you want to go and where you are right now is important.

·        Miriam has specific tips on getting unstuck in life. 

·        One way to get unstuck is to surround yourself with people who are further along the way than you.

·        Learn how to navigate conflict better. 

·        Don’t listen to the voices in your head.

·        Inner conflict is not just self-talk; it comes from what a successful person is doing.

·        Action is everything – shift voices. 

·        The two important pieces of advice from The Atomic Habits: pair things with something you already do and remove friction by removing things that get in the way.

·        Why we should seek and capture little joys and joyful moments to boost our happiness. 

·        Invest in someone else and feel better. 

 To follow Miriam Gunn, please go to:

 LeaveBetter (@leavebetter) • Instagram photos and videos

 The Leave Better Podcast - YouTube

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Episode 49
 
 SEASON TWO COMING IN JULY! Stay tuned!
 
Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa to learn how to finish what you start with Tim Vandehey co-author of Swipe: The Science Behind Why We Don’t Finish What We Start  together with Tracy Maylett.

 Tim Vandehey is a New York Times bestselling ghostwriter and journalist of more than 60 books. Dr. Tracy Maylett is an author and an expert on organizational psychology and employee engagement. They have collaborated to write "Swipe: The Science Behind Why We Don't Finish What We Start," the first book to examine why so many of us fall short of our goals again and again or quit jobs before giving them a chance. Whether it's trying to get in shape, lose weight, write that first novel, save for retirement, or any important goal, most of us try over and over and keep failing. WHY? "Swipe" is the first book to answer that question. Tim and Tracy will share why "Swiping"—instinctively retreating from a goal when the pursuit gets too hard or uncomfortable—hurts us in our growth and our relationships, and how we can stop.

On this Seeds of Sunshine episode:

·       Swiping equates to quitting and how that impulse works.

·       Why swiping makes people become burdened with regret.

·       On average, people start and quit something five to six times. 

·       Quitting occurs for two reasons: faulty expectation and faulty motivation.

·       Why having a coach/mentor helps us finish what we start and keeps us from swiping.

·       Struggle is not bad when it helps us grow and make us more resilient.

·       What is quiet quitting? Tim says it is disengaging. 

·       Swiping vs. tapping out

·       Tapping out is escaping from a toxic situation and is not an impulse like swiping; it is intentional and positive. 

·       Swipe = regret. Tap out = no regret.

·       Motivation vs. expectation before starting a new goal/project. It’s important to identify the red flags. 

 To follow Tim Vandehey, please go to: 

 Swipe – The Science Behind Why We Don't Finish What We Start (swipethebook.com)

Facebook

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Episode 48

SEASON TWO COMING IN JULY! Stay tuned!

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa to learn about the five pillars of healing with Yan Huang, Singapore's cancer survivor, as well as how cancer at 23 changed the trajectory of her career and taught her to take the road less traveled.

Yan, the Pivotal Healer, is a long-term young adult cancer survivor living cancer-free in Singapore for the last 15 years.
As a certified women's integrative health coach, Qi movement teacher, energy healing practitioner, and serial entrepreneur, Yan elevates women above 30 to cultivate their own health resiliency, immunity, and self-love to flow more in their “rest-digest-manifest” state.
Yan is on a mission to educate, empower, and guide as many women cancer survivors above 30 to start truly healing from their cancer episodes, even way after the event has passed. 

On this Seeds of Sunshine episode:

• Yan discusses the fight vs. flight mode and why fighting cancer is not her preferred way to heal. 
• Yan explains why finding peace and serenity through yoga, meditation, and clean eating are the best ways to fight cancer and regain confidence and resilience. 
• Yan discusses her childhood in her country Singapore.
• Yan offers a few practical approaches to living more fulfilling and less stressful lives. 
• Also, learn why Yan thinks that we should buy more flowers for ourselves. 

To connect with Yan Huang, please follow her:
Yan | Pilates, Qi Moves & More | Instagram | Linktree
Yan | Cancer Women’s Health & Qi Movement (@therealyanhuang) | Instagram
Yan Huang (Writer, Co-Healer, Cancer Survivor) (@yanhuangwrites) / Twitter
Wellness with Yan - YouTube

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]