Stacked Keys Podcast

This woman is a fabulous guest and you will tune in to hear her dreams and goals of entrepreneurship. She’s young, energetic and devoted to what she brings to her customers. Professionally Emily is someone who is a go getter and one who loves business and fashion. Personally, she is a people person and loves her family and friends. She is relationship driven. The business became a natural fit for this—at the time— Pure Barre instructor and Orangetheory Fitness coach and fashion connoisseur. You can order athletic wear, athleasure clothing and she has the inventory actually on hand— in stock. Have you ever had a lifelong dream and have seen it come to realty? That is exactly what Emily is living. Fashion and exercise are two passions of hers that have made this business the right place and the right time.We talk a bit about how Covid impacted her business and life in general. Be inspired. Hear her story of launching the business and how she started small and grew organically. There are fears, but Emily doesn’t have the same pressure you usually hear in business—find out her secrets. Emily always had a money mindset even as a child. There is a concept she puts into the company and it is profit first and she references that idea which includes savings goals. People she put in place to help the business work—like a virtual assistant and other free resources helped her create a community. Words of wisdom—if you put enough time into anything, you can learn to do it.shopstudiostyle.com is where you can find Emily online to start your shopping experience.Song “STOMP” used by permission of the artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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

Meet Sena Sharp as she is a delight to talk with on this episode. Immediately Sena identifies herself as a follower of Christ and says that aspect of who she is reflects everything else that can define her. She balances her career and being a mom beautifully. Sena’s career is one that doesn’t exactly end at five o’clock because she is a social worker involved in the lives of foster children — she trains, recruits and helps foster families. As a young mom she is learning the process and admits that sometimes the balance is hard. But she strongly says she’s committed to being present.Serving others sometimes hurts and causes sacrifice, but that is exactly what Sena finds herself being called to do. Making a difference in someone’s life is how she looks at her day and it brings satisfaction. As a parent, she’s felt that change of how she looks at her work and though she can empathize, it is hard to understand at the same time at how some of the behavior can happen. Her parenting advice is for mom’s is to enjoy their child and though the overwhelming feelings come, they can be put in perspective to know that it’s a privilege to build up your child and just value your kid. There are times that you can’t control your life and mom guilt can set in and that is when you embrace the concept that you can be a good enough mother — you don’t have to be perfect. We talk about vicarious trauma and having the support and ability to debrief and talk through aspects of the job that are difficult. That gives a healthy perspective to difficult work. She has advice for young women who haven’t met their spouse yet— that is to enjoy your singlehood and don’t waste time on those that don’t meet the criteria.Sena is focused and has much figured out and she is wiser than she might give herself credit for, but we discuss life’s seasons and that puts perspective in her goals and daily obligations.Tune in!Music “STOMP” is used by permission of the artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff.

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

You will find yourself smiling throughout this episode and feel like you’ve met your new best friend. Meet Zoe Soltanmmamedova and her dog Lola. Her determination and pathway is motivating. She decided in the 7th grade that she was coming to the United States and she set the path to met that goal. She’s had an interesting journey and says she’s the kid in the family who would get in trouble the most, but it made her a go getter and when Zoe went with her parent to head to the United States she had her parent’s blessing to explore life. Sometimes being away from family is hard, but she is living the best life. Zoe is involved in education and outreach in the community and she supports nutrition, health education and helps in low income areas to demonstrate how to eat healthy and not stress over it.In this episode you will hear Zoe describe her story of how she survived and how she found herself figuring out what she wanted to do with her life. She came with two suitcases to this country, but what she found was there was aways help and someone she could ask—but she is independent and figures much out on her own.With interests outside of work, Zoe finds that she can be more work/life balanced. She loves to cook, salsa dancing, working puzzles and taking care of her dog—Lola. Her nature is to be outgoing. Finding ways to keep busy and not sitting still have proved tough during pandemic, but she’s conquered it with a full agenda both professionally and personally.We talk about work ethic and styles and the mindset in that Zoe sees challenges as opportunities. We talk about mental health and the perspective she brings is that yes we need to be more willing to talk about mental health but not forced when you are on the service side.Tune in for an outstanding episode!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 episode features a lady who says she's constantly working at balance with life at home and work. The life shifts during pandemic impact her just like us all to find the clear boundaries for self-care and being intentional to be present. The conversation is enlightening and you’ll gather tips and thoughts to ponder.We speak of confidence and the fact that sometimes it comes later in life and a feeling of not belonging or questioning creeps into our mind of “Am I smart enough to be here?” — which can cripple. Meet Dr. Andrea Hunt —a first generation college graduate, a University Professor, a community volunteer and a mentor for many young adults. Anytime we move from one period of our life to the next is a time where transition can make us question and this professional working woman has found that seeking a mentor can be one of the most important tools to create perspective. Such a move proved solid for her as she set sights beyond what she knew. Andrea says that we are often the barrier for ourselves and having mentors can reaffirm that you do belong and can set the path.We talk of self care, mindset and mental health. This guests pinpoints that we must follow up with tools and resources and strategies and begin with normalizing a conversation. To be able to say that you are not okay at the moment in our classes or work places, Andrea says is key and then the work to be able to verbalize why can create the avenues to making the situation okay. Pandemic changed much for students and staff alike and having a context helps when all of the key transition points are occurring.In this episode we talk of opportunities to gain knowledge and skills in the environment where you are or where you can go. For Andrea, seeing students pour into communities and families as they work in centers, run grant projects or create curriculum to make families stronger is thrilling. She herself volunteers in many capacities from a court appointed role working for the child in foster situations to presenting early college education to high schoolers. Her love is to help young people navigate challenges. Through her work and bringing those examples to her students in the classroom, she helps ground them in the reality of working in the social sciences. It is hard and it can tug the heart.Andrea talks about how the pandemic caused some opportunities for partnerships and guests coming into the classroom from across the world via zoom. A perspective we don’t always think of. There are projects she is working on that are exciting— like career counseling and combining sociology and models for different student populations. You’ll hear her enthusiasm as she talks about first generation students both in college and what happens to these graduates after they step into the career world and take on leadership roles and the research that she has launched to study the topic.Andrea is authentic and invested in the lives of others. Travel and learning about other people is important and she has the opportunity to interact with the international students on her campus and served as a host family — which allows her own kids to learn and engage. We can learn from other’s experiences. 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

When you ask this guest who she is—without hesitation she says that she’s a mother who is learning martial arts— and both are one day at a time. This episode is a chance to meet Anya Turpin who is setting goals and meeting them head on. Funny story— she saw her facebook post and realized that she said she was going to learn boxing 10 years ago. Oh how she wishes she had responded at that time! Yet, this year during pandemic times she committed to be diligent in the sport and also to eat better, sleep better and stretch better.You’ll feel the emotion as she talks about what martial arts training is for her—the dual brain function of learning the steps and then allowing the creative to just flow achieves a balance. She steps out of her comfort zone to find a kind of growth that spills into every area of her life. At first Anya was an intimidated woman walking into a striking class—kind of like the dread and awkwardness of Jr. High PE class. Through the use of positively self-talks stating she will get better and will be successful—she does exactly that in her moves and positions. Sometimes when you verbalize self doubt, it then dissipates because it is normal to feel anxiety. On the subject of Jujitsu Anya says don’t wait…life isn’t perfect so push through and make yourself uncomfortable and eventually it won’t be uncomfortable. She says, “I feel stronger, braver and more aware.” Little things create the feel of empowerment at work or home for Anya.She watches her son do a lot of the moves and they come easy for him, but together they encourage and are cheerleaders for one another. Wanting to be the mom who motivates, she empowers his belief that he can do anything and he in turn looks at his mom and thinks she can do anything too. To her peers outside the gym, Anya is an advocate for martial arts because it is what other sports offer but encompasses more that may even save your life.We talk about her son and life experiencing sickness that punches every part of daily life. The ins and outs of navigating a sickness that no one can see— though kids are resilient and Anya sees where she’s had tremendous growth through the process of helping her son navigate. You’ll want to tune in to see how this mother, wife, professional and martial arts woman takes charge of who she wants to present to the world. Tune in!The song “STOMP” is used by permission of the artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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

Enjoy our final Relationship Panel 4 episode that is riveting as we discuss the depths of two individual people in a relationship nurturing from both sides. There are plans, dreams and how these guests thought it should be as each couple embarked on their marriages. There’s a lot of honesty and overall the guests say that the number of years they’ve invested in their marriages actually seem short in comparison to the actual years. As we talk through the idea of relationships, there is more than just a romantic twist because we interact with so many people on many levels.You’ll have the chance to hear from previously featured Stacked Keys Podcast guests Suzy Gandy who was featured on Episode 7, Bonnie Trulove who was a guest on Episode 38, April Cheek whom you met on Episode 16 and Haajar LaRoche who joined us on episodes 56 and 59 — all with their life stories, journeys, inspirations and wisdom. Their marriages range from 5 years to 25 years with their partners.We talk about trust, communication and what it takes to make a relationship work or to reach the point that they are convinced that it is worth the effort. We dive into what is a healthy relationship and decide that maybe it isn’t healthy to have an absence of conflict. Having conflict is a part of life—there will be trials in life, and it’s how you deal with it that can make a relationship even stronger. 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

Art changes the world everyday. Making a world of difference is the power of an artist— which comes with huge responsibility. This guest is creative and is a problem solver. Meet Bobbianne Stambaugh an incredibly talented female artist who takes discarded steel that has blemishes and gashes and works it into a gorgeous reframed piece of art that radiates beauty. Her message is two sided—Bobbieanne presents the truth that you can take trauma, hurts and the ugliness that may happen in life and she creates new aspects to reflect strength and survival. Bobbianne looks to help others overcome their trauma through expressions with these flowers that truly symbolize hope. She has a product that gives back through support and sales as she aligns with organizations and outlets who specialize in helping trauma victims. This guest takes us into her studio life as she’s learning mediums—it’s fascinating to hear her talk about the metals and the learning curve. She’s encompassed with a natural teacher mindset and it feels much like each topic spins into an even deeper conversation. Good artists push themselves and those who are working in the field are pushing to their next masterpiece. Bobbianne is well on the way. In this episode we talk about her balance and some days are just too busy to even get dressed, but she’s a make-a-plan type of person in the mix of husband, toddler, dogs and household. Her studio is where she can breathe life into her imagination.As a parent she encourages play and experience with sight, touch, sound, reading and learning outside the box. “Kids know who they are if you follow along with them and sneak in the knowledge —like cheese on the broccoli.” Tune in!The song “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

Simply SingleWe feature our 3rd relationship panel right around Valentines Day with a delightful group of ladies who are single. This is not a holiday that they particularly need because they buy flowers or food or work on self love any time…not on one date put on a calendar. Meet Becca Stackhouse, Jaide Williams, Zoe Soltanmammedova, and Lauren Brendle. We cover topics like building a relationship with yourself, how you treat yourself with figuring out what your very own interests are and how you love to be treated.These four ladies are all about finding “what I like about me and what I enjoy doing as I’m spending time by myself… and that might include Netflix and wine or making a music playlist or cooking, eating or exercising.” A common phrase throughout the evening centered around knowing their own worth.When asked how they arrived in such a healthy place the answers centered on a lot of therapy, developing coping strategies to handle what life throws and investing in places like gyms, dogs, and friendships. That is a big one right there—friends are important relationships and there doesn’t have to be romance or a constant search for “Mr. Right.” All four ladies said with strong emphasis that they discovered that they do enjoy being by themselves.Interpersonal relationships include so much more than couples and they talk about some of those and how to have healthy boundaries.During this episode we talk of some of the lessons of going through the pandemic alone and discoveries that they each made from living in places like New York City, Atlanta, middle Georgia and a small university town in Texas. Relationships span years, so these super women think that the value comes in how you see yourself—all by yourself—in friendships—in dating situations and as a friend functioning in your own love language. You are going to laugh and feel like you’ve spent time with a fabulous new friend. 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

I Am On A JourneyThis episode features a fabulous woman who shows her strength through love and loss and love again. Meet Wendy Rodrigue Magnus who will steal your heart and light your passion for the artwork of her late husband Louisiana American artist George Rodrigue and give a peek into the world of the blue dog for which he is famous in his career and life. He is also famous for his Cajun paintings. She is not intimidated to say that she is defined by her husband because she knows his life and art well and so she is happy to have that depth in her life. We also are blessed to meet Douglas Magnus who is Wendy’s husband today—and dear friend of George. She tells of the engagement ring he made that incorporates their lives in the most beautiful way. You will say that he is quite a compassionate man and it puts a smile on your face to hear her joy.Wendy gets increasingly personal by sharing some of her journal entries and the words that George gave her to know how she was going to go forward without him. She and her sister created and work in Life and Legacy Foundation and Tour. This is an amazing program to introduce youth and communities to art and phenomenal artists like George and Douglas. Wendy will take full original artwork into schools across the country to introduce the students to original paintings—even if it’s a million dollars worth of art for them to lay their eyes on— to light them up as they learn from tangible art. She says the discussions of a journey through a painting can go through loss, joy, grief, death, illness and life with the students as they all see different stories come out of the art.We get insight into their lives and how the two lived life and worked in George’s dream studio, worked in gallery and museum exhibitions and experienced creating such masterful art.Throughout the conversation we also get to meet Douglas, through Wendy’s eyes, who is a fabulous artist as well. He is a silversmith and designs the most exquisite pieces featuring turquoise from the famous Tiffany Cerrillos turquoise mine owned by Douglas.You’ll find that one centering point for Wendy is practicing yoga that truly gives her a daily lifeline to connect. Hear her story. She has known life crushing loss and learned that she could pull out of the most difficult situation imaginable. She is happy and blessed and fulfilled and is also defined by her own life.We talk about Wendy as a child in Fort Walton Beach, Florida and discover who she was as she grew up around art. In her childhood she knew she was so loved. In her adult life she has known and continues to know love of the deepest kind. May you feel that throughout this episode.Wendy is the author of the book Musings of An Artist’s Wife. Tune in and be sure to follow her!The song “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

This second Relationship Panel discussion draws you in and you will smile through much of the back and forth as the guests interact and cover some rather tough subjects. Women are strong, which is woven through their conversation. Meet Cookie Stoner, Kay Byrant and Millie Cosme who don’t know each other, but it is amazing to hear them talk as if they were soul sisters—encourage each other, understand each other and bond. We get incredibly real in this episode talking about young marriages and what it was like, losing a spouse and the cherished memories of growing a relationship and family, and enabling kids to make their own relationship choices. These women talk about how they made decisions and what they think in relationships with their own kids. The conversation takes us through different types and stages of relationships. The wisdom that comes from these women is huge and can completely open the doors for communication. May this spark the talks that we need to have of respect, understanding and fulfillment. We talk virginity, respect, happiness and that not speaking up is not the right move in a relationship.Pull up a chair and think through your relationships and how you are perceived and how you reach out and communicate outwardly.(Be sure to check the following episodes featuring each guest in this episode — Episode 48, Millie Cosme “Securing Our Future” —Episode 68, Cookie Stoner “Open and Authentic” — Episode 78, Kay Bryant “There’s Nothing I Hate About Myself”)Song “STOMP” is used with permission from artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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