Stacked Keys Podcast

Episode 40 — Betty McManus — The “Me” Is A Small Part of the WorldYou are in for a treat. My mom — Betty McManus— joins the podcast on this episode and my wish is that you feel pulled in and are transported to your own life and memories. Don’t ever say that you won’t do something because you never know what life will give to you. She developed the attitude of being connected to what is happening in her part of the world in whatever comes her way. In her later years, she brought her leadership skills to impact the place she came to call home. She’s been a teacher and a pastor’s wife and a mom to six. Early on she grew up on a farm and that was the beginning of her creativity sparking as she learned to play with whatever was around. I can remember as a kid that some of these abilities were passed to me as well to help imagination grow. There are hilarious stories—how she ditched some peas she had to shell—and the fact that she didn’t get in trouble blows me away.Betty filled her life with activities that include writing, painting, planning events, growing roses, designing cards, making porcelain pieces to name a few. We talked about her dreams—she wanted to write for The Progressive Farmer (Southern Living) but her world took a different route. Did I mention she's turning 95 this year? Her experience is that the Lord called her husband first to the ministry and then the Lord helped her to support him anyway she could, pleasantly. With that she learned to manage her time, efforts and strengths. Together the two of them embraced some of the unusual and they were ready to take on the world. In our chat, Betty offers pointers to young moms that can help one to be intentional and to be flexible. 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

Showing Up In A Room and Say What You’re ThinkingThis conversation is incredible and has such depth with Ashley White that you’ll be immediately pulled into the life of a young adult who’s working in Nashville to establish herself. Look into her world as she made connections. Ashley is a song writer and has been she was a kid. She tells us about producing her songs and being messy while she is getting where she wants to through the songs. She says that she wonders if sometimes the ideas and things that we fall in love with we are younger and more innocent are not just dreams but that they are promises and plans from God. We talk about being in social media as she works in that world for clients and we talk about how you are communicating and balance. Some clarity comes in learning to believe in herself. Ashley has toured and has found that music is a bridge—it has a way of connecting us all—literally, physically and scientifically as our heartbeats get in rhythm when we hear music. We talk about the venerability of songwriting and the process. You will hear some of her journaling and thoughts of how she uses that technique. This is a special episode that will open your mind to a creative and true artist. We talk about enneagrams — a concept that you will want to investigate. Evidently enneagrams go back to childhood wounds and we get a bit down that road with Ashley. An interesting view that Ashley has is with mentors and community. She owns up to the idea that she wants the input and trusts it. 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

Episode 38- Bonnie Trulove, Sometimes It Just Takes A SmileThis episode features Bonnie Trulove from Montgomery, Alabama who is an amazing mom, friend and an advocate for autism and special need abilities. You’ll hear some of her journey in this episode. She has three children that she and husband Tim have raised with passion and compassion. Believing in independence and having her kids step up to personal responsibility when they hit the teen years created an open dialogue that continues—she truly enjoys her adult kids. Bonnie says a "smile" is sometimes just what a mom who has a special needs kid or say "hi" and acknowledge their child. Those gestures can mean so much.Bonnie's broad background in education, counseling and experience prepared her for exactly what she needed to help equip her kids with life skills. You’ll hear her talk about the abilities of her son Jack and some of the challenges and opportunities on the horizon. 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

The fairly new newly wed has a life that includes being a wife and coach/teacher. Hannah joins this episode and talks about her love for sports and now coaching. She has blazed the trail and has advice to youngsters…don’t quit. Letting one person bring you down is not the way to a championship. She’s a winner and has been named Coach of the Year for her county. You will laugh when she talks about learning on the job. Being a coach gives a platform to talk and listen while building a relationship. Hannah says that conversation should not stop with her, rather she is a starting point. We talk about Hannah having difficulty in learning and the struggles she conquered. Celebrate the small things in life. There are times to get out of your head and just do what you need to do at the moment. Sports can build teamwork, help you learn not to quit and to figure out how to ask for help, tap into discipline, learn respect…sometimes you learn in sports through immediate consequence but the principles become ingrained. You will miss 100 percent of the shots that you don’t take. 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

Culture tells us to be more, buy more and make more money. In this conversation I discuss with Brittany Bethea the idea that these cultural standards are not our identity or what makes us valuable. This young professional is living a life that blends work and motherhood. She’s had what she calls the perfect career job and has struggled to find her balance. As a pharmacist she has navigated roles that landed her at Auburn University in a teaching capacity.You will throughly enjoy Brittany as she’s the guest in this episode and you’ll hear how she explored how she makes her career, marriage and family in the order that make her happy. She’s an achiever. She loves to study, to learn and has learned that being Superwoman is not what you think. Learning to say no is okay and the advice she offers has come through living and setting boundaries that stick and that she began in her youth. Brittany shares much that she has learned about herself. We talk about counseling and how that can be an incredibly useful. We cover some dynamics in marriage, being a spouse of a minister and the two people who influenced Brittany most in her life. Being enough and enough in Christ is where Brittany found herself. 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

This Alabama girl is the perfect match. Lauren Kendrick works for a company based out of Sydney, Australia and is servicing customers with a technical know-how but also with an understanding of the customer journey. Lauren talks about the ideas of “imposter syndrome” of a career—where you fear that maybe your job is too wonderful and you don’t belong there but she encourages one to take their unique skill set and match that to the job. Growing up in a medical family Lauren thought that would be the route she’d take, but she chased another avenue to serve people and to make an impact. This happened in ways that she couldn’t imagine as she set out in her career. You don’t usually think of software as being one of personal connections, but her approach makes it a task to service the customer and rally them around the product. Lauren’s advice to both younger and older individuals is to surround yourself with cheerleaders— but make sure that those people whom you select are truthful to you so that they give constructive advice to help you pivot into the purposes of this world. Lauren found that in her faith and looking inward to examine herself that she could find the direction in her career and her relationship choices.Push to be your best and then run with it was the advice coming out of her dad and the support from her mom. She is finding fulfillment in her role, enjoyment in her life, and can sustain herself in this career. Know your value and your worth and be confident are guidelines Lauren stands by and says that is what defines the approach in life and career. She got the “just ask” technique down because often that is all is takes to get further down the road to pursue what you are after in this life. Tune in to learn more about empathy as a team player.Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff

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

Desiray Emerton is our guest on Stacked Keys Podcast and she does not waste one minute of a day. Learning is life to Desiray and you’ll gain insight through many of her ventures. Faith and spirituality is important to her. Being in the Air Force provided experiences and honed the skills of interpersonal relationships of bridging people of different cultures and backgrounds— learning to work with people helps you to get the job done. The parenting advice she gives is incredibly valuable teaching open mindness and accepting people where and who they are. Her mom was her inspiration and her mentor — she should her faith and taught her to work hard and provide. Desiray has a bend toward teaching and she directs that toward learning about the life and culture of Native Americans through original documentation sources. Look on the inside to know a person. To be a leader, you create leaders. Tune in!Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff.

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

Start by believing. Katie Rumsey is a sexual assault nurse in Georgia and we sat down for a conversation that is eye opening and one that covers topics that we all should be aware of. One in four girls and one in six boys are victims of sexual abuse. She is able to service families and be active in the community and into the schools to educate and inform—especially in the middle school. Advice to parents—start by believing your children if they tell you that they have been sexually assaulted. Another warning is how parents teach their children about their bodies and the words they use. Katie is concerned that children and adults alike are healthy as a whole using some of the support services to help them get there. Self care is important when working in this industry and putting faces with the stories is really tough some times. At The Gateway Center, there are so many opportunities to volunteer or donate goods and be supportive of organizations just like this. We talk all about growing up in a big family and what shaped Katie. Sometimes we are afraid to set boundaries and they truly need to be set and talked about so that you are leading by example. Tune in.Song used by permission “Stomp” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff

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

Meet Lauren Brendle who is living her life in New York City! Every day is interesting and different for her and adjusting to life in the city versus back in the south. She is a research and data girl, but has come up with some creative job options. This conversation is one that winds through mental health, good self care and social structure of a young adult in the big city. Lauren is a fan of music and in her research of mental health she’s been involved incorporating music and mental health through a playlist service that focuses on how music affects emotions to meet someone where they may be…like if they are expecting anxiety, happiness, depression or sadness. She talks about how our bodies are in tuned. This girls reads and backs up a lot of those thoughts that you may have had as well. Over coming fears is what Lauren has found to be interesting in moving with the city and learning her boundaries. Being and individual is important, but so is finding like mindedness. Her advice to her younger self is spot on for us all…Tune in!Song used by permission”Stomp” written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff

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

There are people who have come along side and helped you become the person that you are today and this episode is one that is worth sharing because this mother/daughter duo are amazing. They are my tribe! Lara Ables is in the school system in Sanford North Carolina and works with students to help them in dual enrollment. She’s married to a police officer and army reservist, so we know the sacrifices she makes on the home front. High schoolers are her calling and she is passionate to help them arrange their building blocks. Lara is a mom of two and she helped me raise my three! Her mom, Theresa Howard joined us in the conversation and what life experience she brings! From Army wife, to pastor’s wife — this lady is making huge contributions to her community. We talk about education, children, parenting and grandparenting, and reminisce just a little. Tune in!Song “STOMP” Used by Permission written by Donica Knight and Jim Huff

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