Stacked Keys Podcast

To not be a victim is a motivator for guest Elisabethe Allen in her martial arts career. Replacing the vulnerability with an activity as constructive and amazing as martial arts brought her to where she is today. Faith and martial arts intertwine In Elisabethe’s life and for that she happy to share her experience and knowledge to empower others. Opening their school January 2018, Red Wolf School of Martial Arts is primarily a self defense focused program.Not to worry, you can find them in competition arenas too.When people don’t have the confidence to stand up for themselves they lack in life skills and MMA can address such feelings as it encompasses self discipline— it helps you be aware of yourself and your surroundings.The conversation went into kids with special needs like autism and Elisabethe’s passion to teach the skills to such individuals. People need MMA for many reasons— like it can help kids or young adults in building relationships with others and looking for the cues and emotions to learning to recognize dangerous situations. We talk about bullying and in learning to respect others and yourself. Don’t miss this episode. 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

Kristen Irions is an Auburn graduate who came to work at the Alabama Nature Center— a part of the Alabama Wildlife Federation located at Lanark in Millbrook, Alabama. This organization is the conservation education side where there is lots of hands-on, up-close views of nature and animals. She found her calling and impacts the wide-eyes and minds of kids every day who are stopping and paying attention to what is going on around them outside. As a kid, Kristen was in the city, but she still interacted with the nature around her. She fell in love with snakes at the age of 5 and developed that passion to know and see snakes. Listening to Kristen, you’ll feel the enthusiasm as she describes the activities of a scientist and how people can do some of the same activities at home that they conduct at the nature center. Kristen is head over heels in love with beekeeping and is learning the complexity of their social structure and the artificial setting that we’ve created to understand these insects—which is part of the fascination of the study. You can even buy honey that they harvest there! Kristen has some insights to share on work passion and on young women creating what they want out of life. 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

This conversation was super with two ladies who have teaching hearts, train and coach parents and teachers alike. Traditions are huge with these two as they raised their children and have made choices to be completely dedicated to the area where they live. Being in different life situations as kids gave them a guide for what they wanted in their lives. These ladies are at one of the largest pre-K systems in the state of Georgia and say that there might be a lot of work in the beginning, but the pay off is huge.Take a listen and you will leave discovering that Pre-K education is more than playing and taking a nap. How do you deal with feelings that you have to be safe and respectful? We know as adults what to do, but as three and four year olds it isn’t so easy. You can’t bite, throw things and kick and scream so what are some strategies you can use? These are a few of the skills that the two featured guests are teaching to teachers in a pre-K environment. We talk about calm down centers or replacement cards for strategies for teachers to use or friendship skills, problem solving and activities that parents can implement so that they don’t lose ground at home. They utilize educational grants and collaborations. The projects that these two launch into are contagious and their goals are met with so much enthusiasm. The Literacy Bus, HeadStart, PAWS, and so much more are on the agenda for this group. 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 the new year with a young women who is making moves in communications and marketing that bring attention to Alabama. Sarah Stahl is from Jackson county in Alabama…the largest caving community that you’d never imagine being in north Alabama! This young professional is absolutely one to hear and has ideas and energy that is contagious. You will be inspired as she started a couple businesses and learned from some tough mistakes, but she learned what a tight knit community can do in marketing. While we talked, Sarah is a part of the Chamber of Commerce and is incredibly innovative. She changed jobs since we got together for this conversation, but this entrepreneur is on top of economic feasibility and industry and is creative in major ways! Pull up a chair and listen and learn. Linking stories and pictures and getting the community going is how she drives her event coverage. Being part of a community is not always about selling, it is more of pooling the resources and growing together. Want to know about some specifics of marketing tools? Sarah has information of platforms and how she utilizes them. You will want to follow Sarah and find out what she’s doing now!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

Auburn University graduate Dr Kim Ousley joins Stacked Keys Podcast — you might know her as The House Call Vet or a surgeon at Eastmont Animal Clinic in Montgomery, Alabama or on stage in a seminar training through Practice Enhancement Services. She shares how she found a way to balance and incorporate responsibility to her kids to create the way to keep all of her plates spinning. There are parallels between her career experiences and raising her girls—task completion, work fulfillment and ethic and sacrifice.No day as a veterinarian is a typical planned day—some days are just not for the weak hearted. When coaching young students she makes sure they realize that it is rarely about a day with puppies and kittens and loving on animals. There are long hours, tough decisions and a huge learning library that you dive into. Surgery found Dr. Ousley and she finds that the key is never becoming complacent and always staying on her toes. Particular and mindful are attributes she tries to dig into every day and she’s big on communication with both the animal and people. What and how the animal will respond as well as teaching staff to read patients make the whole experience smoother. Pets are a forerunner part of families and that makes a difference in the approach to preventative care and having better quality of life. Dr. Ousley knew she wanted to be a vet since she was 6 years old— she loves the animal and human bond. The key to success is a combination of work ethic and goals.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

How can I be true to science and remain interesting is one of the questions that UGA Extension Agent Mary Beth Hornbeck asks herself as she prepares and presents a program to any of her varied audiences—we are a research based organization and bring programming to the public. She talks about the changing needs of people today ranging from populations at the library to the senior citizen homes she works with throughout her calendar. We talk about adjusting with the times by looking at a number of resources to help people know what to do from nutrition and health to shopping habits. Showing people how simple nutrition can be is a top goal— Mary Beth thinks If I can make this on my card table, then you can make this at home. Having fun makes healthy eating easy and eating by color takes away the fear and pre-set notions…and who says you have to eat it with a fork? Tune in to hear how Mary Beth learns how to overcome fear and be insightful and embrace loneliness. Check some of her favorite authors too—Lisa Genova and Rachel Held Evans—for women with perspective.Love how she talks about not taking it all on at once, but to do a really good job.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

Traci works in the childbirth world to help others-- she came into this profession through her own experiences, but she points out that one has to figure out their own load and process those feelings before helping others in a different arena. This is about doula —which is a person who provides emotional and physical support to you during your pregnancy and childbirth. Traci speaks to keeping your power and how one can learn that both for themselves in instructing and to teach that to clients. If you have questions—this is a wonderful place to start! The basis to be mindful is in keeping perspective and confidence and maintaining your importance and such encouragement is really for us all in that we all have something to bring to the table. She’s a teacher and a coach and a life encourager who puts forth mindfulness. We talk about opinions and keeping them in check when people download to you. We talk about Traci through her adoption story, which happened close post Roe vs Wade. You’ll hear a bit about that and how her life path happened as she answers some of those questions—she’s passionate about everything that she takes on in life from raising kids, providing their educations and directions and creating learning environments in her daily job. 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

Denise Spradley bought the farm and is the owner of Fritz Farm in Cordele, Georgia. This 23 acres is sprawled out in a pecan orchard and is a special events venue. She loves the stories of people and bringing their special moments to the farm to celebrate as they enjoy being in the outdoors walking the orchard and experiencing her slice of life—she really was a city girl but took this adventure on and is at peace. How does one change their life completely? You jump in. Denise brings people together to enjoy the farm and create new memories. It is a breathtaking place and to know that a woman on her own is reinventing herself and has a special super power that can change the world.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

Teacher and Author Janie Steindorf is featured on this episode of Stacked Keys Podcast. She wastes no time diving into life callings and living actively and daily a faith in Christ that she owns. Janie is in the classroom and shares experiences she’s gathered—she’s learned to listen. One method for growth she’s implemented is to plant yourself in different experiences, learn and disciple. We talk about boundaries and being sure that she takes care of herself and be able to give her best. An overarching theme in the conversation is that “there’s grace for that”—her spirituality influences her choices and her outward pushes. There’s talk of international travels and how she learned to accept and respect cultures. As Janie launched her teaching career, she saw the need for a book that taught skills in one book and she put her heart in Montgomery that takes the old into new and the people in places to make history. Tune in for an uplifting glimpse into her world.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

Melissa Warnke settled in her job as the Director of Communications at the Alabama State Bar Association a bit longer since we recorded and It’s exciting to introduce her to you. She continues involvement with a broad spectrum of tools to impact her audience/members. Follow experiences and open yourself to opportunities is premium advice that she shares. As a young professional and mom, balancing life is a challenge but finding community and connecting to people is key. Melissa reflects on experiences that are built on top of each other to build a network that has launched a fulfilling career. Melissa talks about shopping experiences from her retail expertise and how it is changing and how it can personalize—sometimes through social media or popup venues. Storytelling—sharing the real heartbeat of the industry in which you are working brings value. She a part of professional organizations like the Public Relations Council of Alabama, Junior League and more.Song “STOMP” used by permission of Donica Knight and Jim Huff

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