Stacked Keys Podcast

Sometimes life hands you some tasks where the community you’ve built matters. Career takes a sidetrack when it comes to raising a family and this guest finds that to be true. Meet Ann Carney as we talk about her life and how she approaches the drastic ends of a scale. She shares experiences that changed the course of her life that may be just what you need to hear. We dive into the discussion of health and having a premature baby to incorporating an adoption to where the ideal plans come to a hard stop. She is transparent of the foundations of her faith that have come from some of the storms she has come through. Look through the eyes of a mom and the raw emotions and processes that she travels through to get to where she lands. Ann says that they handle issues as they come up, and of course there’s mom worries, but the two kids are hers and she can’t imagine them not in her life. Opinions are out there that she doesn’t understand, but she’s not out there to change people’s hearts. Tune In!The song “STOMP” is used by permission of Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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

This is an in depth discussion with a woman who grew up in an environment that impacted her life through some tough times as she grew up in the Nuwaubian Nation of Moors community—a cult led by Dwight “Malachi” York. On this episode Haajar La Roche joins us as we talk in-depth of her experiences being a part of the inside of this far reaching community and going back to some of her earliest memories as she’s worked through them as a very successful adult. We talk in this episode all about the idea that she didn’t have the time to address emotion while she was in the midst of the community lifestyle, but she looked at life as moving along to the next step. Now, as an older individual, she equates her life to the peeling of an onion to expose every single layer. Picture a person who always wore the masks of normalcy to hide behind and go through life, but today she can set those masks aside and be true to herself. She encourages individuals to have confidence to be completely who you are and to be open in your conversations — especially with your children so they aren’t misled. Haajar takes lessons of her childhood and puts them into a new environment where she is today. We talk about the stories she’s recalled and experiences that she thought of as innocent at the time. This episode is an opportunity to talk openly with someone about their own stories who experienced a lifestyle that could seem confusing over the years with the beliefs and philosophies of this group changing to include Islamic, Hebrew, ancient Egyptian, Yamasee Indian, aliens and various other cultures and religions. This discussion is eye opening and one that reveals the love and commitment of a family and the determination to speak boldly. You can look more into the story of  “Doc” who is serving 135 years in federal prison on child molestation and racketeering charges, but Haajar is sharing her experiences and what she knows to be true. Tune in.

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

Embrace Creativity and Pursue Your PassionWe work in boundaries and that holds true for the entrepreneur young mom who is on today’s podcast. Lauren Gray offers some practical insight into working in a job and life that is her passion.She’s got some work at home tips and they include setting aside time that you are working as well as the space. Humans thrive in routine, so try to keep some of that clear. As creatives it is hard to find your self worth, but it is important to evaluate how you operate and look for clients who appreciate your style and understand your value. Her advice is that you stick to who you are and answer the questions of what do you enjoy and what you plan to do in your business. Funnel it down and do what you love and find your true place. Lauren speaks to the parents of young children who are balancing life. As a photographer you share intimate times with those you photograph and that brings in a lot of emotion. Tune in!Song “STOMP” used by permission of Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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

Make a difference in your part of the world.Titles don’t make this lady who she is as you’ll quickly learn in this episode. Dr. Debbie Murray is an amazingly energetic person. She is a giver—in her career she felt lucky to be in positions to be able to give back. Being good in something and being passionate about it are different elements and she definitely found places to put her skills in the world of extension services and in her family life. Social justice, serving all people and focusing on the needs of the community rank high on her list for job satisfaction. Advice? Follow your passions and be willing to change as you develop your skill set. She was a freshman in high school before someone told her that she was smart and that moment…that encouragement…changed her. We talk about situational leadership and so much more concerning career, family and life in general. You will love meeting Debbie and feel challenged to live life fully to make a difference. Her perspective solidifies her faith in the future as she interacted with students on two of our nation’s campuses — the University of Georgia (UGA) and the University of Kentucky (UK) — the bright young people are diverse in thought, degrees and have a willingness to do for others.Song "STOMP" used by permission of Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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

Do you use your experiences to shape your today? Our guest is described as a go hard and you’ll be inspired by the commitments she makes. Giving 100 percent is her leadership style as she’s worked her way up in her career at The Ritz. Meet Haajar LaRoche. This episode focuses on a lady who is impacting at her workplace and is somewhere in the middle of it all as a strong and capable woman who functions as a team player. She leads in school, work and in family life as she assumes the role of being in charge and she flourishes in the midst of a group setting. We learn a little bit about her upbringing as she lived in a community that she describes as a bubble— that impacted her life during a period that she lived within an Arabic Muslim group — she learned English as an 8 year old and she’s applied her own choices as an adult as to what she applies to her parenting and living life positively. She’s tied into the community service aspect and we get to hear about Habitat for Humanity, pollinators butterfly garden, The Ritz 360 program that produces service to the community and a high school mentoring program. Her advice…be involved and give back — you will be stunned by some of our conversation and you will be inspired to check your own talents to see where you can play it forward.Song "STOMP" used by permission Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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

Joy in the OrdinaryShe’s a college student and a wedding photographer. This entrepreneur is wide open and ready to share with us some of the challenges and exciting opportunities that have been open to her. Grace Cobb dives into the world of travel, story telling through photos and just having a camera with her. We talk about the emotions and how far she’s come today in growth professionally and through her creative lens. One word of advice to brides…timing. Think about timing of what you want and what will be happening. Being a college student and still having a business bought its’ own challenges. You’re going to love meeting Grace and perhaps find yourself inspired to pull your own creativity to the light. You’ll want to hear her discussion of friendships and what a girl really is striving for. Tune In!Song "STOMP" used by permission from Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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

In middle Georgia there is beauty from diversification. Meet Zoe Kakou, she’s an open-minded educator who has much perspective with all ages. From the time she was four years old she excelled in the arts. Today, part of who Zoe is happens with students as she teaches Spanish for middle and high school kids in the school system in middle Georgia and also serves as a tutor at Nurturing Minds. You will feel the energy in this podcast and the dedication Zoe brings to the table. She takes pleasure in learning and shares that passion— she likes to take her psychology degree and apply that at the root of her learning how to help people best and seeing in that capacity is what wakes her up in the morning. We talk about learning styles and how she is innovative to reach the student and their needs. We talk about what happens in her school by having administration thinking out of the box …from meal delivery to how they reach the kids in the learning hat needs to be happening to creating a laundry program to help reduce bullying. Breaking cultural barriers is the most important claim Zoe takes as she works with students, sitting in a bubble is just no good. Zoe has an array of passions herself — as a fan of Mixed Martial Arts, she has perspective on what one should be saying or doing when offering support and encouragement to an athlete in that arena. We talk about trauma and what some of her middle school students have to face and how she has to approach challenges. Tune In!Check out an educationsl resource Zoe believes in that can be helpful for anybody with kids … https://www.ixl.com/

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

When you meet this guest you’ll never guess that she ever had a struggle in her entire life. She is practical and positive. Meet Jennifer Best. She’s been through quite a bit and has landed solidly on her feet. One might say that Jennifer operates in a no "BS" frame of mind, which probably seeps into all aspects of her life. This creative, hands on kind of mom is an inspiration. We talk about life and discipline and creative passions that she’s embarked on — even entrepreneurship.Jennifer worked through some serious medical issues and not having what she wanted and when she wanted it motivated her to devote to education and hobbies while she held out for God’s “Best”— Her smile is huge and warming and she’s engaging as a mom, a friend and a nurse and she gladly embraces that she’s a southern girl. Two years into baby number two is when she says that she and husband Brandon switched from survival mode. This episode is a time you’ll enjoy getting to know someone that you might think is “Super Woman” by the time this episode finishes.Jennifer says that communication is key and finding great resources along with a solid support system is incredibly important. Ever think about the fact that everything you do is intentional? It’s just a matter of what are your intentions…from what you cook to how you interact with your children. This guest has a love language of being organized.As long as everyone is fed, clothed and alive at the end of the day, then she calls it a success. Jennifer takes the opportunities when her kids ask questions and they explore. What’s missing in our society according to Jennifer? Grace. Tune in for a fabulous chat with today’s guest.Song “STOMP” used by permission and written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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

This is an award winning author and international speaker who classifies herself as a social justice warrior who’s out to touch lives and impact people. I am thrilled to introduce you to Samra Zafar, our guest on this episode. Her difficult journey as a child bride and domestic abuse survivor pushed her hard to get control of her own life and her drive to get an incredible education brought her into the life she has today. We talk about her fears, her drive and passion for life today. With all she is involved in she finds time for herself and for her family. Always an envelope pusher and questioning all of life— from having a girl’s cricket ball team when she wasn’t even allowed to play outside to her way of dress and calling people out. Samra faces her fears…skydiving and scuba diving because being terrified does not stop her. Her first book is the best seller, "A Good Wife: Escaping the Life I Never Chose" and you won’t put it down!We talk about the monsters and mother guilt so many of us experience and then what mother support looks like. The conversation is amazing and you’ll come away with much insight into not only the life of Samra, but your own life too. She believes that emotional safety is what being there for someone really is. Tune in!Song "STOMP" used by permission and written by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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

There are times in your life that you get to start and go whatever direction you choose. Today’s guest is on the front row to college students working at the University of North Alabama in Baptist Campus Ministry. Karla Burdette is on this episode and you will enjoy hearing her perspective. She brings experience as a listening ear and is an encourager as she tells students to find their spot and grow. This conversation was recorded many months ago and way before the pandemic, so much of the programming details and campus information has changed and may not ever be the same, so stay tuned to UNA to know what they end up doing when school resumes. Karla has a grasp on her stories and this is a great time to pull up a chair as there is so much in this interview that you will be able to apply in life. Be sure to tune in! Song "STOMP" used by permission by Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff

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