Stacked Keys Podcast

This episode features Amy Roth Biggs who is a professional musician and a children’s book author— a genuinely talented lady. With a houseful of boys she started writing a funny tongue and cheek book teaching manners. She moved into writing a nutrition book for kids to encourage eating fruits and vegetables. Amy wrote Captain Kale and the Superfoods with colorful and strong images that fight junk food. Going into schools and other organizations helps Amy spread the nutrition message on platforms that can create change. The art in her books is created by her and she reached in deep and just starting creating.Life hasn’t been a fairy tale for Amy, but she has one of the happiest dispositions that she immediately conveys. As she shares some of her struggles and dreams…we get to hear how she and her husband met.There is a bit of advice that Amy offers to every listener and that is to get off of media and be creative and try something new. Reading is key at every age and she strives to introduce kids to words that might be unfamiliar. We talk about publishing and Amy gives a bit of the process to write and publish your own book. Tune in for the fabulous episode!

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

Imagine a life filled with music, writing, reading and teaching. That’s the life of Abby McGinn who joins this episode of Stacked Keys Podcast. It’s not hard to figure out that Abby is an encourager both in her classroom for her students as they grow creatively and socially and for her family and friends. This conversation helps center on interests and talents like Abby’s stage performance and her gift of music—she connects people in ways where words can’t. Mental health is a subject that touches Abby’s heart and she discusses times of her own struggles. Life experiences can be full of stress and a bit of great advice that Abby shares for listeners is to encourage those who find themselves in a dark place and make sure to check in on “our people.” It’s easy to recede in and pull away, so don’t let that happen.Abby spends a lot of her day in the classroom with kids who don’t belong to her. A word to parents is one to embrace communicating with your partner because kids take notice when parents are having a rough time and it impacts their day. Kids can be wonderful, enthusiastic, silly and bright—try to remember that and how you felt as a kid —that automatically can improve your parenting. Tune in for more of this fabulous conversation.

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

This episode features an authentic, creative and talented lady who has spent time figuring out who she is in many arenas. Life has not been particularly easy, but she stands up — meet Rhonda “Cookie” Stoner and feel her energy immediately as she lives her life and her truth. She’s a writer, a social advocate, a TV star and web show host, a wedding officiate, an assistant in her husband’s law office and a wife and mother. Are you tired yet? The energy and determination is bountiful. Cookie takes us through some of the events in her life that have proved to be struggles, but yet she rises to the top. Cookie believes that people who “get you” will “get you” no matter what you attempt. Her gift is that she is a connector to so many types of people and never does she take someone’s worth for granted. Cookie didn’t map her own kid’s life out or have preconceived notions of what her kids should become and with that, she’s able to let them evolve into the good solid people they are in adulthood. Don’t be surprised if Cookie and husband Allen dance or sing and just show that fun is not hard to embrace—often on their back porch. We cover topics that are sometimes made to be issues and it’s refreshing to hear Cookie’s heart. Meditation is one way Cookie resets and she works hard at recovery. Tune in!Song used by permission “STOMP” written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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

Roll With the PunchesShe’s strong and a teacher, but not your neighborhood school. Meet Hannah (Russell) Wedemeyer-Rix who lived the last four years in China. Sports is where she finds her comfort and she led a girls team (who were new to the game) straight to victory, but never say never when it comes to what you will or will not do. We talk about the pandemic from her perspective of being abroad. Here are you choices….sit in self pity or get out there and meet people. Listening to Hannah is humbling to know that she blended into a culture far from home.She shares how she learned to be understanding and patient and discovered ways to function being miles away from her own family to blend with others creating a tight knit community. Her challenge to others is to reach for the opportunities and don’t be afraid to try something new—even if that means failure. Tune in!The music “STOMP” is used by permission from songwriter Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff.

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

This guest gives one hundred percent with her heart no matter what she’s doing in her career or personal life. Meet Katherine Meyer who says she landed in her career by luck, but honestly she prepared for every encounter and opportunity by learning and making herself available.Our conversation winds through her post college experience in the Peace Corp serving in Zambia helping tell stories through repetition to current day working in human resources helping employees understand and maximize their benefits.Katherine grew up in a Buddhist home with what she calls a Buddhist way of life — looking for only the good in life and truly implementing daily discipline — with Catholic influences as well. As a young person, education and stretching her borders came naturally and that aspect of her life continues today. With biking as a passion, she’s working to create and maintain bike trails in her free time while encouraging people to embrace healthy lifestyles with exercise and stopping bad habits.To find balance, exercise is Katherine’s source as a triathlete and she competes in Ironman challenges. We talk about how her schedule and this regimen works for her and not against her accomplishments. Her family unit joins together and there are some specific tips in that area she shares.With dreams of helping women in refugee camps that are fairly established who have something to offer like up-cycling, making fragrances, soaps or coffee for example. She thinks through teaching how to establish your business, how do get a return and how to maintain that business in the name of helping others can improve the lives of those in such camps with so little. This episode is loaded with fascinating conversation, so tune in!Music "STOMP" used by permission written by Donica Knight Holdman and

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

This episode is one featuring a young lady who came to the United States as a foreign college student and returned to life and career in her island home. New baby, work, Covid, and hurricane season make for one interesting life for this guest. Welcome Paige Gibson! Imagine having to make a storm plan for your family on an island and both parents are in service industries…that’s how they met too.We talk about being the wife of a police officer and what fears go along with that part of life that they experience. We talk about the honor and respect of wearing the uniform and how proud a spouse can be of what the other is giving back to the community.Many levels of worry can hit right now in current times, but being a germophobe might be a welcomed trait during the Covid crisis. Paige says take the precautions and leave it in God’s hands.The process of growing up taught Paige to adapt—it’s good to plan, but the back up needs a back up. There is a lot to new mothering and we talk about the emotions of highs and lows and guilt feelings and mothering in general.Stay grounded and never forget what you were taught comes through loud and clear. You will certainly enjoy the perspective this guest brings to your podcast listen. Tune in!Song Used by Permission “STOMP” written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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

Join in this episode to journey with lifelong learner Quebe Bradford in what pushed her to change her lifestyle, influence those around her and put an amazingly unique restaurant in the heart of Montgomery, Alabama called Plant Bae. Their slogan is “Very vegan, very good.” Go test it out! Hear the pivotable moments that drove Quebe to take control of her body and begin to listen to what type of foods a healthy body craved. She gathered her skills from education and in the kitchen to set into motion striving for a plant based health plan. Quebe shares that motherhood drove changes and presented challenges for her to bring her best. You’re in for not only a treat for the palette, but an opportunity to create a personal challenge that every listener can relate to on some level. Service beyond self is an attribute that this lady fosters and you will gather the excitement she shares in an area food program created with employees of Plant Bae to serve a senior population to introduce amazing and healthy food options. The journey continues for Quebe as she balances in her roles as a restauranteur, educator, author, friend, wife and mom. Tune in!

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

This episode is one that covers a host of topics from listening to God's call to practical parenting to everything in between. Meet Erin Acat. You will love hearing the heart of a true leader who has helped many find their path in mission work and serves along side organizations in Peru. You'll get a peek into meeting and marrying the love of her life Jose Acat (many of us know him as PePe)...very far from home! Tune in with the link below or go to where you get your favorite podcast listens.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 is featuring a spectacular lady who grew up on St. Simons Island taking pictures and loving diverse wild life, but her surreal life did not prepare her for the world as she became an adult. Meet Virginia Linch who makes her home in Georgia. Working one or two jobs at a time for the last 45 years led to exploring careers that range from working with animals to working in the legal field. Embracing her community and being a part of it incorporated a love for photography, animals, people and the law to come together and create a passionate life. What’s your Childs first word? Her son said “ageratum.” He wanted to go out and see the whimsical flower because it was full of lizards and birds and butterflies. Much encouraged by his mother.With typical southern gardens, she had the moment of learning the relationship between specific plants and butterflies. You’ll hear her passions grow as she talks about butterflies and her project of Butterflies and Blooms in the Briar Patch located in Eatonton, a little over an hour from Atlanta, Georgia. There is so much wisdom from Virginia that you’ll throughly enjoy this episode. We learn a lot about pollinators. Tune in!

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

Work ethic is a huge component for today’s guest. With a world of culture as her base, meet Halsa Jasmine Cosme and be inspired to reach for the stars just like her with hard work and moving forward. She credits her mom for the lessons where she taught the family the simple things in life of being giving, respectful and treating others like you want to be treated. Learning who she truly is required Halsa to step to the side and learn who she is as a grown woman. Music and performance have always been a part of her life and she’s developed that passion.You’ll hear on this episode about how we, as women, tend to beat ourselves up and not look at the blessings we have … but Halsa has determined that it’s okay to find your path and build your own foundation. Her perspective on mental health is refreshing of how one can deal with anxiety and talk about hurts, pains and past to build a different kind of you.When we get on the subject of her brother, MMA Fighter Amun “Moon” Cosme, she tells of some of the obstacles he’s faced and describes him as a “beast” and sums it up with the thought that he is nothing short of -- remarkable in terms of his willpower, respect and love. Get to the grind! Tune in!Song “STOMP” is used by permission written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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