Stacked Keys Podcast

Have you ever pondered the transformative power of sports? This week, we journey alongside Jamie Gilbertson, a stay-at-home mom turned Jiu Jitsu enthusiast, and her inspiring story of resilience and empowerment through sport. Her candid conversation about motherhood, the life-altering impact of her son, and the incredible lessons learned on and off the Jiu Jitsu mat, offers a refreshing and uplifting perspective on life, self-defense, and personal growth.

Jamie skilfully weaves her life experiences into relatable stories, shedding light on how her father’s influence helped her shape an organized life and foster intentionality—an essential trait she believes to be beneficial on and off the mat. Moreover, her passion doesn't stop at personal growth, having developed a unique women's self-defense system, Jamie aims to pass on her knowledge, empowering other women to stand up and feel safe. Her candid discussions about mental health and overcoming obstacles are relatable, inspiring, and a testament to her resilience. 

The episode takes an exciting turn as Jamie delves into her personal growth and self-discovery journey in Jiu Jitsu. From encounters with vulnerability to coping strategies for fear and anxiety, Jamie demonstrates how sport can serve as a catalyst for empowerment. With her experiences of training under the supportive guidance of Tara White and Erin Quillen, Jamie emphasizes the need for a stronger voice for women in sports. This episode is a must for anyone seeking a captivating narrative on personal growth, resilience, and empowerment.

Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to truly prioritize your needs and well-being? Meet our guest, Norel Austin, a customer success manager by profession and an advocate for self-care. Norel shares her personal and emotional journey of rediscovering herself after her mother's death, and the strength she found in her darkest moments. She opens up about the power of saying 'yes' to her needs and how this personal evolution turned into a movement inspiring others to do the same.

Join us as we explore 'The Yes Crowd', a spirited community of women who consciously put their well-being first. Hear how Norel encourages small changes that lead to significant shifts in mindset, such as crafting a joy list or even revamping a room. We delve into the importance of acknowledging small joyful moments and the transformative effect of clearing both mental and physical clutter. The conversation evolves as we discuss the necessity of setting boundaries and nurturing a supportive network of friends and family.

In the final part of our conversation, Norel illuminates how to find balance between our wants and needs, underlining the importance of listening to both your head and your heart. We dive into the power of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care, and how it underpins our overall well-being. Hear how Norel's 24-hour superpower of empowering women worldwide to say yes for themselves has played a critical role in her journey towards setting healthy boundaries for her own needs. This episode serves as a call to action to prioritize yourself and rediscover the joy in the everyday.

Follow on instagram - theyescrowd and go get signed up to join and get a FREE mini Journal! www.theyescrowd.com  Use this code  SAYYESKEYS23 for savings in the store  and it expires 12/31/23.

Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

Ever feel like you're navigating through life's challenges alone? If so, our recent sit-down with Kelly Morson might just be the empowering dose of relatability you need. A force to be reckoned with, Kelly serves as a beacon for anyone juggling life's many roles, especially those of us who've had to overcome personal and professional hurdles.

Kelly doesn't shy away from discussing her journey to success, even when it meant breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field. She also shares the struggles she faced as a pregnant woman in the workplace and the impact of having to make life-altering decisions at a tender age. We delve deeper into the intriguing world of behavior and motivation, particularly in dealing with special needs individuals. Kelly unlocks practical tips to reinforce positive behavior and motivate ourselves into breaking free from detrimental habits. We also explore ways for young moms to overcome isolation, stay motivated amidst setbacks, and strike a balance between career, children, and personal life.

Finally, we tackle the power of self-belief, perseverance, and authenticity in the quest for our dreams. Kelly's personal experiences provide valuable insights on conquering self-doubt and pushing past fears that hinder our progress. We reflect on the thrill of adventure, the serenity of simplicity, and the role of validation in overcoming insecurities. This episode is not just a listen, it's an exploration into personal and professional growth filled with inspiration and practical advice. So whether you're gearing up for a major life change, seeking motivation, or simply in need of a good conversation, this episode is sure to inspire.

Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

Could your health challenges be a result of hormonal imbalances or gut dysfunction? Carolyn Kelk, a respected health and wellness expert, unravels these mysteries in our enlightening conversation. Her journey from a competitive swimmer to owning a private practice that emphasizes a holistic approach to health showcases her dedication and knowledge in the field. 

This episode offers practical insights from Carolyn, such as how crucial it is to understand our body's signals and act accordingly, and how the right nutrition and fitness regimen can support athletes' performance and overall wellbeing. Carolyn also highlights the role of technology in nutrition, and the importance of staying vigilant about the information we consume in the health and wellness space. Her empowering approach to helping clients take control of their health, including setting professional boundaries and achieving work-life balance, is truly inspirational. 

We delve deeper into the realm of hormone therapy and nutrition, and the potential of these treatments in achieving optimal health. Carolyn also emphasizes the significance of getting sunlight first thing in the morning, eating before drinking caffeine, and limiting blue light exposure, thus supporting a healthy sleep/wake cycle. Her advice on tuning into our intuition and listening to our bodies is a crucial takeaway. Ultimately, this episode is a goldmine for anyone interested in health, wellness, and nutrition and wants to take control of their wellness journey. Tune in and benefit from Carolyn's expertise today!

Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

Stacked Keys Podcast highlights women who are making a difference in various aspects of life, whether it's in their careers, family life, or hobbies. Celebrating their stories and showcasing their journeys undoubtedly provides motivation and encouragement to you, our audience. Women from various backgrounds, professions, and life experiences have joined us since day one and it’s fantastic. Having a diverse range of guests makes Stacked Keys podcast more interesting and relatable. As the listener, you begin to understand their achievements, challenges, and unique qualities. 

We ask insightful questions and create engaging conversations.There is a focus on storytelling. Our guests share their personal journeys, challenges they've overcome, and lessons they've learned. This helps listeners connect with the guests on a deeper level as we talk about their passions, motivations, and experiences. We ask open-ended questions that encourage our featured guests to share their insights and advice enjoyable listening experience.

Stacked Keys Podcast utilizes social media platforms, personal networks, and any relevant online communities to promote the show. You’ll see that we create eye-catching visuals and we share behind-the-scenes content to connect.

You’re encouraged to interact with us by leaving comments, reviews, and questions. We continuously look for ways to improve our content and engage you, our audience.
 Showcasing women who make a difference is not only empowering, but also valuable in today's world 

Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

This guest uses all of her education and experience to bring a vision to small communities and highlight the work and talent that happens in many areas that might get overlooked.  Leaders in small communities wear many hats and put out tremendous efforts and we on this podcast get insight into her sharing and acknowledging such talent. 
Meet Dr. Kuanita Murphy who created the Rural Leader 40 under 40 that includes Georgia, Florida and Alabama.  She works on a shoestring budget and truly shines a light on individuals who have done foundational work in their communities. Kuanita put her efforts into finding the unsung hero and bringing them to the forefront. She also works with Randolph Family Connection where she has a chance to be involved throughout her own community. She gravitates to helping and being a leader/worker.

Kuanita networks and knows what happens in small communities and that helps her showcase and highlight the unsung hero. Your individual contribution matters and her mission is to let people know that element as they work daily. Networking is critical and a skillset that is developed through practice and sometimes stepping out in faith beyond your own comfort zone.

We talk about how she works her heart of service and what she had to learn was to get to a place of what she could do and what she had to let God do. She balances that daily she is doing her best, so she lives with no regrets. We talk about how overwhelming and heart wrenching such work and seeing disparities can become day in and day out.

Her goal is to make things better than when she got there. Uplifting others, inspiring others and helping them see their potential. She has plenty of avenues in which to do exactly that.

We talk about how she was raised and the golden rule of do unto others and the community of a village in growing up -- knowing that others are involved in life. She’s been involved in leadership and been both a mentor and receiver. One of her biggest lessons is that she learned is that you learn by doing. 

We talk about being your authentic self and the amount of training and skill and the journey of self discovery of being an authentic leader with what one is called to do. We discuss hurdles and working daily to not be going the right direction and the questions that come as you question yourself. Faith comes into play for her and she talks about not having all the answers, but having faith and trust that you are going the right path.

You’ll hear about work balance and life. Advice? Stop and be quiet and be able to come back to self. Adventures include something new and learning and that revives Kuanita. She challenges you in this podcast to network and connect with people and with it come full circle.

You can find information on the 40 Under 40 Rural leaders ruralleadermag.com

Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

Have you ever dreamed of stepping out from everything you know and going on an exploring adventure? Tune into this conversation to get an inside peek at a couple who hit the road. This guest consistently finds herself in support roles and just now she’s starting to make sure that she’s not just reflection of everyone else, but rather she’s coming into her own dreams.  Meet Karen Noltner as she’s figuring out ways to express herself. She says the time came time to focus on what actually might bring her joy in addition to helping other people. 

The last two years, she and her husband, John Noltner — who’s Founder and Executive Director of A Peace of My Mind — travelled in an RV and then downsized to a small van. Life became so simplified because all the other distractions were gone. They were super intentional about being outside more and she became more focused. Many of the things that she thought were so defining and important, she learned were not priorities and she learned to focus on change in pivoting and realizing for the most part —unless it's truly catastrophic— It's not a big deal. Karen has embraced and learned to just laugh and enjoy it because it is change and change is inevitable. She says that the last two years have been so freeing— to just kind of strip everything away and just focus on the current moments. Karen told herself, “I need a home base. I need a place for the kids come home to I need a place that I know is our stuff. And I think I just reached a point where it became so clear to me that I was not able to move forward in figuring out what I want to do in this next chapter of my life without taking this path.”

We talk about her husband’s career of freelance photography and then the project he took on to have conversations across the country and her role once again as a helper. She shares some of her adventures and thoughts.

Through all of her experiences Karen says she’s not super afraid to make a decision anymore. It is something like a joke within her immediate family that she didn't like making decisions because she felt like whatever decision she made that she had to live with for the rest of her life. That is the past.

 We talk about strengths and her life philosophy of moving forward, embracing where you are, and not to wish things away — even in the hard. It's taking that next step probably that builds strength if you just keep going. Karen grew up with the focus to be kind and to help others as she says that her parents lived with such a mindset and that was a theme. She shared that with her own children as well.

You can follow Karen’s blog thejoyinbetween.net and on instagram and facebook. Her husband John can be found at A Peace of My Mind on social media platforms and his website apomm.net

Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

She was a corporate girl for a super, super long time as an accountant who did all the math, all the numbers — even though she hated it. Meet Brandy Blackford who jumped into a creative business of wedding planning out of corporate life. She took her talents into being a small business owner living her dreams. She’s a wife, mom and genuinely one who looks out for others every day. She follows the trails for weddings and couples to take ideas and thoughts with the money to make it all work together and give someone a flawless event. She is able to see the big picture using all the little pieces and create memories.

We talk about the details of her industry, the changes of what is happening in choices of such a big event and how couples are presenting their wedding dreams and how it all comes together.

There’s more to Brandy and we dig deep into who Brandy is as a mom and a woman who definitely has impact in her community. She says she is a listening ear and can sometimes be the place for a vent.

Brandy is a firm believer in the rising tide philosophy of community over competition, and a rising tide raises all boats. There are more people getting married than there are event industry professionals. “We can't do everything that there is to do. We cannot take on every couple that is getting married even if they could afford us or wanted us. And we all approach our couples and our clients and our philosophy differently,” says Brandy and that means it’s a chance to become who you want to represent which is a thread throughout the conversation.

We talk about self worth and that you have to feel inside that you are worth something other than a dollar amount, but she’s happy to help anybody calculate how much they should be charging for their service because it truly is just math, and her thought is that you just need to sit there and plug some numbers into a spreadsheet, and it'll tell you how much you should charge.

Stop the fear and make your brain accept — it involves head and heart. There are so many gems in this episode from parenting thoughts, education, fear, mentors and community. Tune in!!

A few topics include—

• The shift from couple-focused to family-focused weddings.
• The stress of planning vs relationship stress.
• Keeping a couple focused on the future.
• Listening with your heart and listening with your head.
• How do you set business boundaries?
• How to make a marriage work?
• Teaching empathy to kids.
• How do you figure out your worth?
• The fear bug in small business. 
• Homeschooling makes you a better listener. 
• The importance of having a list of tasks.
• Taking a break when you need it.

Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

This is a super fantastic episode that dives into the mind of business owner Courtney Bowman.

We laugh and go in deep into some of her thoughts and her vulnerabilities. She is inspiring and honest as she talks about her process and her people who surround in her day-to-day. There is a lot of promoting your neighbor in the Raleigh area and she speaks of her awe about that.  We discuss stress, entrepreneurship and the weight of being in charge and carrying your own business. There are so many aspects to running a business and many hats one has to wear. We talk cheese—her likes and dislikes. We talk about being a mom— “becoming a parent becomes a clear line between wants and needs.” She owns Raleigh Cheesy in Raleigh, NC. We recorded this some time ago and since that time they’ve had some store changes and some emotional roller coasters — you can catch the updates on her instagram and other mediums. 

She talks about her babies… her daughter and Raleigh Cheesy.  The cconversation shows the strengh of a woman business owner who is passionate about her business, product, customers and employees.
Tune in for insights to our conversation centered on questions to include...
Courtney’s background and introduction.
How did you get started in teaching? 
Where do you get your vision? Where do you lack vision? 
How to be a good leader.
How to find people who have similar passions? 
Stress is a big indicator of our identity.
What does it mean to be unfair? 
What do you see coming in your career?
What attracts you to the Triangle? 
The importance of believing in your business. 

Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff