Stacked Keys Podcast

If you are a young mom, listen to this podcast—and if you are not in that category, listen because it can shed light on how someone may feel that is right in front of you. This guest is a mom who handles life a day at the time. Meet Brittany Jones. We talk about being a mom and all of the differences and methods to raising her girls that she has figured out on her own. You’ll hear us discuss intuitive parenting and what that looks like on a day to day basis in helping and showing a child how to try again and again in how to communicate. Her career in social work and then becoming a stay at home mom showed her that communication is the biggest foundation in finding a middle ground with a child and navigating with appropriate responses. Leaning into the feelings and experiences make it possible to be calm and make progress. Mom guilt can be a drowning feeling and overcoming that takes huge and consistent steps.Mental health is where Brittany’s heart is as she has dealt with situations in her own family and with aspects of her own of depression and anxiety. Our conversation is very open and Brittany tells us some of what shaped her and contributed to her experiences. She talks about “mom guilt” and the devastating affects, but how she did turn to therapy and work through that period of her life. Being a new mom…making a family of four work and then the pandemic hit made matters worse for her trying to make goals for the day and stay out of the funks.As young parents, Brittany and husband Taylor have had to figure out how to parent together and how to coordinate life. Parenthood has made the two of them more selfless. The spontaneous aspects of life have taken a back seat but yet they have ended up with a better life than she could have imagined. When Brittany struggled with postpartum, she was encouraged to seek professional help and she felt fortunate to have her spouse as a huge supporter. In this episode you’ll hear her perspective of what a spouse should do to help or how to look for warning signs when extra help might be needed.We talk about covid and how that impacted being at home with young children and the stressors of little ones being out of routine and not being able to burn out their energy. Many listeners can relate to what it is like to try to do the best you can being completely out of your element. The fear and being focused on home altered normal and the effects can be longer lasting and for Brittany having an active lifestyle with a routine can prove helpful. This episode speaks into mental health…to speak up and speak out. Find someone in your corner that provides a safe space and don’t be afraid to take the first step.Music “STOMP” is used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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

The Whole World Is Like A Small TownThere are two — and maybe more— sides to this guest. Her desire to be a writer came long before she says that she had skill. This episode introduces you to Minnie Lamberth. She is a talented copy writer who recalls a clear path of how she got where she is professionally. Writing puns and oddities laid the groundwork for her to be an advertising copywriter and then she moved through communications in professional settings. Her community of people created the network for her to boldly go out on her own.We talk about what Minnie does when she hits fatigue or a wall where she can’t get her work done. With much practice she created tricks in her trade to give her tools to get her along the path to produce and she says that one should take small steps to help overcome procrastination or resistance. Her work in the advertising and marketing world is where she works for others and her personal agenda doesn’t come into play in that arena. Her job is to listen and produce a written piece that meets the requirements of her client. Personally, she brings everything she believes in and her energies go toward novel writing. You’ll be fascinated to hear her describe her characters and some of the issues of the town and its people.There was no map for Minnie to follow to go where she wanted to go, so she tried different formats to get her ideas out and finally she poured everything she’s learned through life and put it into stories that resonate with her readers and followers. You’ll settle in to learn so much about Minnie and how she grew up in a small town in Alabama—there was an identity of having a reputation that precedes you in a community.Minnie is a published author and has had book signing events where it's fun to read selections and figure out how she wants to talk about her work. We discuss her ups and downs and what it’s like as an entrepreneur as she’s learned to go with the flow a bit better. She draws on her christian faith and has a community of people who are on her side who pull for her. Minnie is encouraging as she talks about her calling for the career of being a writer and what it is like to be vulnerable to other’s opinions. Being in a creative field it is important to be able to tolerate some people not liking what you do.As you listen to this podcast, you will capture the sense that Minnie is a giver and one who pays attention to those around her— she encourages that trait to build your community. She can say in her life and world that she has gotten where she wanted to be and writing the stories of what comes next is where she loves finding a different kind of magic. Minnie says “Even disappointments can lead somewhere good.” Tune in!Music “STOMP” is used by permission from artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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

She’s a mom, wife and boss. She is an entrepreneur and family is her number one. Joining the podcast is Jen Roberts. She and husband Andy run a few businesses from martial arts to a moving company. We talk about what it is like to open a business in completely different categories and work together as a husband/wife team. She says Andy is the field guy and she handles the inside, but if you know them…you know that they are in it together. They jumped without hesitation and learned as they went — without looking back. Working as a team is not hard for the two of them. Being a mom of three brought challenges and Jen is very open with her struggles and her own anxieties—her philosophy and theme is to say how it is and move forward. Martial arts is a natural for them and they’ve plugged into the community in Auburn to teach in preschools, camps, and special programming. They are teaching martial arts on their own terms with Andy as a black belt and Jen with her experience makes them quite suited. We talk about working with kids and why martial arts matters with a format of love and respect and learning good manners. They teach some self defense moves that are good for any age.Exercise has always been a part of Jen’s life as she grew up in the world of dancing but when she turned 21, she got a cancer diagnosis and that turned her to looking seriously as a deep need to take care of herself through a journey to be fit and nutritionally balanced. She planned all the activities she wanted to try after giving birth to her oldest child—and checked them off. Jen felt empowered learning kickboxing and being in a gym. She began to teach dancing and where she is today is exactly where she wants to be—teaching kids to love what she loves. Jen is an encourager for moms as she teaches because being a good mom is not about perfection or that it is easy and though she doesn’t ever want to lose her patience, it is all about love. So she wants parents to get it that kids in these programs aren’t there to be a professional athlete—take a step back and realize that your kid doesn’t have to be the best. “Set boundaries and ground rules but let your child have fun and learn how to integrate into programs and learn the social cues.”We talk about pregnancy and exercise and listening to your body to do what your body allows you to do. This lady models her health behavior for her children and includes them in her workouts where they can come and go in her home gym for kickboxing and weight training. Jen can go back to how she was raised and remember her mother doing similar patterns and she thinks that impact can be important. Jen is intentional in her day to day. She expresses how precious time can be through sharing the story of her sister suffering a stroke. That event makes her even more intentional today. Tune in!Music “STOMP” used by permission of artists Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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

She’s a confessed nutrition geek. Meet Hannah Wilson and you instantly want to absorb some of the information she has gathered and processed to apply to food and people. As a child she watched her dad as he wrestled with Type II Diabetes and she herself struggled with eating disorders, but she knew in Jr. High School that she wanted to help people and to do that on the platform of nutrition. We talk about how you meet people where they are and the aspects of nutritional eating to be healthy and find something sustainable. We talk about the tendencies of type A personalities and how difficult that can make the process of caring for your body in a kind way.She’s headed to Minnesota to teach graduates and undergraduates in the field of nutrition— this inspires and makes Hannah excited to help students figure out their pathway in the field so close to her heart. There’s a blend of old school and new thought that she is ready to approach. Her leadership style is to listen to the room, gather input and meet the challenges. Have you ever thought about how our understanding of nutrition has changed? There is a trend toward the anti-diet movement and coping with the constant threat of not enjoying life and having an unhealthy approach to food. The fad diets are not new, nor are the “deprive thyself” for a while approaches. Hannah is interested in how health can be achieved while weight loss and nutrition work together. As Hannah is watching research and how dietitians address the changes of being traditionally trained to the ideas that weight matters BUT there may be other factors that are beneficial and incorporate a balanced approach to realistic diet changes. Her goal is to be a part of that bridge to bringing balance. The biggest love for Hannah outside of her work is for dogs and the connection she gets with them. You also might spot Hannah skydiving when she finds time and money…that’s her daring side. We talk about what confidence levels she has as a foundation to work hard and enjoy life to the fullest. With a strong work ethic, she sees a spring board into being independent and finding healthy relationships with food and with people. Sky diving, getting her PHD and moving across the country come naturally as opportunities because she embraces a confidence to achieve.This podcast is a fabulous conversation that gives chance to talk to a young professional who came through the homeschool movement and landed in upper academics. Hannah’s perspective is that she is able to figure out what she wants and needs as she digs into her career choice of study. She was prepared as she waded through the waters of undergraduate and graduate programs.Being a young adult is hard and Hannah discusses some of the loneliness and being true to herself. Working through being by yourself can take you back to the roots and foundation set early on — Hannah leans into her faith and believes in the plan that changes can ultimately make you recognize who you are as your own person. A key topic that Hannah talks of is that of perfectionism and how she deals with it a situation at a time and how she works through that a bit. Tune in!

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

Meet Jenna Rosenzweig who is an average mom and wife who tries to be her most authentic self all of the time. Her typical day is filled with a normal work day in an office with typical hours and then she is a part of her husband’s gym. 10th Planet Savannah. We talk about her role in the gym and what it’s like to support a spouse who’s a professional athlete. They have the philosophy that they will get through whatever together. A lot of communication. Jenna also practices jiujitsu and sees it as a part of her life that has affect on other aspects of her life—she talks of how the sport has grown with more women joining in and having a voice on the mat to be sure your needs are met. We discuss who would like the sport and some of the many resins people join. She dives in about life and getting ready for a baby to join their family. Her desire is to be the decision maker (with husband Quentin) of how they both birth and parent their daughter and not gather too much outside advice and fall prey to all the social media pressures. They work together as a team and work to keep balance as they go from moving to a new area of Georgia and opening a new business and figuring out the process of parenthood.Jenna credits her husband, Quentin of how she can handle life and bring herself grace and level out in how she approaches life. They balance. Quentin is their planner and Jenna is wanting to continue how she was raised with the idea to let their daughter experience finding her own interests and have parental encouragement. We talk about being a part of groups and making the choice of who you circle around you for support. You will learn a bit about gym life, opening a business and relationships.Tune in!Music “STOMP” is used by permission of artists Donica Knight and Jim Huff

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

Meet Ruth Ann Taylor Long. She knew early in her teen years that she was headed toward the design world—she just didn’t know where she’d land. Owner of Taylored Spaces, a Raleigh, NC, based kitchen and bath design build studio, specializing in creating cabinetry-filled spaces. She say any space you can imagine filled with cabinetry is how she serves her clients. Ruth Ann is able to trace her work ethic right back to her father and grandfather both through their examples and what they required of her and that serves her well in business. Becoming an entrepreneur was not too much of a stretch in the hours you have to put in because she often found herself working nights when she was working for someone else because she treated the work as she would want to be treated. Ruth Ann has travelled some difficult days in the health aspects of her life. She’s been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and sought treatments to improve function and slow the progression of the disease. We talk about MS and how it affects Ruth Ann and her choice of stem cell transplant and how she went about getting help. She’s candid and open, so listeners have a chance to truly learn her experience. She got real lessons from the boulders in the road that she had to figure out what to do with and keep going. She has been quite proactive addressing her issues and has not missed a beat in her day to day. To listen to Ruth Ann, you hear a woman who takes control of her life.Tune in!Song used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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

Meet Kat Paraskevopoulos who encompasses both energy and direction. She began Kat Health Fittness and Eyiar Retreats, which curates remarkable retreats in Greece that leave you in an unforgettable state of bliss.Though she says she’s a bit on a rollercoaster as she has stepped out on her own, life is meant to be enjoyed and you can find and maintain that in how you treat your body holistically. She practices what she preaches to cope with stress and getting control of the various aspects of life. We talk of the missteps and the good and the bad in identifying the counter balance of negative and positive—letting the negative emotions flow through and not get stuck. Whether you are looking at a physical, soul or medical journey, all start within. In this episode we dive into conversation to explore the idea that we believe we are capable to find the answers.Professionally Kat recently entered the world of entrepreneurs with her company and no longer does the 9 to 5. Holistic wellness and ditch the mindset that food controls everything, she leads her clients to live life in the here and now. She’s always been a science girl and interested in health and nutrition and helping people. Her wellness journey led her to create the retreats in Greece and foster work life balance and wellness in the work place.As a water baby, she loves the sea and is connected to the ocean air. She can conjure up a vision of that pure, clean ocean breeze. Kat can be summed up as one of the most authentic people you will meet. Her direction for her company is to be connected to what she wants to do and be for herself. She dreamed of becoming a business owner and yet she kept putting it off and then the pandemic hit. That time created moments where she felt lonely and yet experienced reflective time and so she decided to take control of how to do her work and when that work would happen. Being in wellness was in line with how people needed to be supported. She’s experienced the fears and self doubt and her moment came to be decisive. We talk about the coping of change and how to balance kids, home life, commuting and all the multi layers to find coping tools and the ability to build in how to encourage self care. We talk about childhood and what elements we bring from that stage right into adulthood and see what serves us. Ever think about perfectionism not being the best practice? We dive into how you find grace for yourself and Kat says that having a therapist or coach is a great way to start and have someone hold the space for you to work on yourself and mindset. Also she subscribes to routine that allows her to connect with nature and realize that there is a lot that is bigger than her and to work for the internal voice that connects mind, body and spirit.Kat’s clients are varied in their needs, for example she may work two to three months to help with accountability and setting goals and habits to get mental freedom around food and exercise or she may work in a professional setting with mindset tools. You can expect to feel somewhat side by side to establish the foundation to identify the pillars that set life and the behaviors that are lived out. Get ready to pack your bags to go to Greece with Kat to retreat on location in community for different experiences like yoga, journaling, adventure, play— all for a cultural authentic and immersive experience. She is about pulling you from the go, go, go mentality and help you truly relax and focus on self.Find Kat at eyiaretreats.comMusic "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 episode features Tori Applegate and without a doubt she is inspirational. Uncover the secrets to how she has gotten to the place where she is today. Throughout this conversation you’ll discover that she continues working and growing her life plan. We talk business entrepreneur mindset, jiujutsu as a woman and a competitor, marriage as a young adult and the give and take in that aspect of life and so much more. She doesn’t like labeling herself or putting herself in a box— an obvious understatement — as she has multiple projects going on simultaneously. Her career and life in general is a nod for women because Tori takes moments and goes directly into the middle to progress the path. Tori doesn’t see life as a sprint, but rather lifelong learning. As a hairstylist in a salon in the Atlanta area she talks about wanting that career as a teenager and how she sees daily interaction with her clients on a deep level. “You see and deal with people’s fragility and during the pandemic that surfaced more because as you care about your clients, it’s hard to watch the people shift and have some miserable moments.” She sees that post-pandemic is finding that individuals are putting more into their self care and finding ways to make life improvements. Herself included.One passion for Tori and her husband is jiujitsu — they train out of 10th Planet Atlanta. Starting more than 8 years ago Tori began to train and compete. She’s now a brown belt. Women have come into the sport strong and we talk of some of her competition experiences and of the obstacles for women. It’s especially interesting to hear her “work” philosophy combine in her “gym” philosophy and how the two can use similar lessons. Because you hear this often if you are ever on the mats for martial arts, one can badly suck in a jiujitsu move and finally two years later, perfect it. So it is the never giving up that sharpens you. You’ll get the chance to hear us discuss her reason to start an apparel company and her passion to support other young women who are working out their own dreams. Athletic gear has been an open market and the designs Tori saw available didn’t meet how she wanted to feel while wearing it — like the quality, colors or how it functioned for female needs— so she started Everlegendary, This apparel company is her online baby. Tori pours some of her philosophy into this brand and she says it is nice to see women striving to get what they want in life.We talk about ‘learning” mistakes and how they apply in how one needs to be patient and to the approach to business. “Being successful fast can be as tough to deal with as slow success.” Keep tuning in as we talk about her approach in learning in everything you do as you look at and embrace life as a journey. Tori tries to fill every space and we talk about her quarantine time and what she does to future plan. We zero in on mental breaks and her thoughts on lifting up and not grinding down—bringing more positivity. This goes into deeper parts of how we think in our approach religion, mindset, reactions and interacting with people. Tune in on all the podcast platforms.Song "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

Meet Siri Hoffman. The practice of self reflection and self care started as a teenager for Siri. She’s always been sensitive and takes everything to heart. Having a sense of body awareness as an athlete is important and she continues that today. Siri noticed early on that the mind and body connection was tremendous and as a teenager she got an "aha moment" to appreciate the integration of mind, body and soul. We talk about the natural reflexes of breathing and how fear, and stress enter in and create that shallow breathing of fight or flight. Incorporating yoga into younger age groups is powerful. Siri defines herself in so many ways that you'll be intrigued throughout the podcast and want to know more.In conversation, we hear about life as a competitive Alpine Ski racer—-there is not a day that she can recall that skiing was not a part of her life. She started skiing at the age of 2! With a healthy respect for the individual sport and the team aspect. “I competed against my best friends, and we loved each other fiercely.” There are so many lessons to sports from ownership and accountability and communication and understanding the human body and what it meant to the care of it.Siri pulls many qualities into her life that started in sports with the grit, tenacity, communication and what it felt like to dream and compete. Setting the bar can be a blessing and a curse. She wants to challenge those she’s in business with or talking to about parenting to challenge themselves to put forth their absolute best and to be empowered.Siri went to a boarding school and she shares insights of that culture and the deep rooted friendships and the relationships of coaches and other formative relationships.Siri is a loyal person and the expectations she has on herself are those she has on others—relationships grow and change and are seasons. There are so many nuggets of wisdom she brings in talking about the fluid nature and dynamics of relationships. Expectations, integrity and empathy because sometimes you have to look at the ego and the heart and the beautiful dance and awareness of friendship. We asked how Siri protects her heart she replies that she honors and is her own best advocate. It is easy to confuse that others are responsible for our own happiness. So what’s in your toolkit? Empower yourself. We discuss intuitive parenting and circling back to awareness and a deep listen. To give a moment before pausing and reacting. The word “pause” is one of Siri’s favorites.Tune in! Song "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 episode covers some ground about work, family, health and how you approach it all. Meet Deborah Rogers and listen to how she navigates. She had seen diabetes in her mom and did not want to walk down that same road. She took her life in her hands and has worked to be a fit competitor. She makes a powerful statement in that her food problem is not her family’s problem and she made the switch from “I can’t have a particular food” to “I don’t want it.” She says that many people take heredity and use that as their destiny, but really it is our culture. She says it’s how we grew up in celebrating through food. She talks about goals and her role in the family. We talk about raising kids and how they see how we are living and the choices we make and the good, You have to find your tribe who live and have the same mindset as you—to treasure the friendship and the support. Finding the small group that support your goals is part of self care and sometimes it is way underrated for wives and moms.Everyone has a rockbottom moment and everyone has a lightbulb moment. When you realize that it is not your destiny and that you can do anything you want—you are responsible for you. Learn and do. Deborah realized this, self care is very unselfish. Being a 32 year old obese mom doesn’t give the best to her family and when she realized that, her life changed and she focused on balance to be better for herself and her family. Time management is a huge factor in how you can have everything you want in your life.We also touch on miscarriage and the hurt and devastation of that life event. Deborah lost an unexpected pregnancy and we talk about the hurt and grief of the couple as they experience that roller coaster of emotion. As women we do what we have to do and the realty is we need conversation of some of the devastating situations we live through.This fabulous woman is driven and passionate about what she believes and knows is right. She’s loyal and sticks by family and friends no matter what. Deborah Rogers has been on a journey for a very long time and we dive in deep from weight loss to talk about life working from home, how you juggle being a mom and finding time to do the things that you personally need to do to get through life. We talk about Deborah’s life changing decisions to live her best life. Get excited— you’ll learn so much and fall in love with this lady! Tune in!!!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