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Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "I'll finally be at peace once everything settles down"? That elusive "someday" keeps us trapped in a cycle of postponing our peace while trying to control every outcome. 

Kory and Gen share how control is typically rooted in fear, while peace emerges from faith and trust. When we cling to controlling outcomes, we often create more chaos for ourselves and others. But when we surrender to what we cannot change, peace arrives more quickly than we might imagine.

Whether you're facing uncertainty, navigating relationships, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life's unpredictability, this episode offers practical wisdom for finding calm in chaos. Join Gen and Kory as they invite you to ask: "What's one area of my life where I can practice surrender and stillness right now?" The answer might lead you to the peace you've been seeking all along.

Look up, and let's elevate! 

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Have you ever wondered why certain situations trigger such strong emotional reactions in you? The answer often lies buried in past trauma that's resurfacing in unexpected ways.

Gen and Kory share their personal journeys, delving into the intricate connection between trauma and triggers. They bravely recount how their own past pain influenced their behaviors, relationships, and even parenting styles. Kory's story of healing from childhood bullying, which later became triggers in professional settings, and Gen's experience of her trauma imposing unnecessary limitations on her children, are both profoundly moving and relatable.

The hosts explore critical questions like: How do we differentiate between what's real in the present moment versus what's leftover from our past? What happens when we stop expecting others to understand or accommodate our triggers? And how might reframing our perspective on triggering situations lead to personal growth?

Whether you're grappling with your own triggers or supporting someone who is, this episode offers compassionate insights and practical tools for breaking free from the grip of trauma. Gen and Kory stress that while your trauma may have influenced you, it doesn't have to dictate your future. The episode equips you with actionable steps to transform your relationship with past pain.

Ready to take the first step towards healing and transform your relationship with past pain? Tune in now to this insightful episode.

Look up, and let's elevate. 

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What if teaching children about nutrition could be as vibrant and engaging as a rainbow? Dr. Jessica Miller transforms healthy eating education through her colorful children's book "Rico Eats a Rainbow," bringing her unique background as both educator and public health specialist to tackle childhood nutrition challenges.

Dr. Miller shares the heartwarming story behind her book's creation—initially designed as a personal gift for her nephew Rico before evolving into a powerful educational tool now used in schools nationwide. The genius of her approach lies in its positive framing: rather than demonizing certain foods, the book celebrates the colorful variety of nutritious options available to children. This strategy has earned enthusiastic endorsements from physicians who recognize its potential to address the alarming rise in childhood chronic conditions they witness daily.

As we discover during our conversation, "Rico Eats a Rainbow" does more than just teach nutrition facts—it empowers children by positioning them as knowledgeable guides who can teach their parents something new. The book cleverly models family conversations about food choices and introduces concepts like farmer's markets as accessible adventures rather than intimidating health mandates. Dr. Miller's careful attention to language—avoiding phrases like "bad foods" in favor of more balanced messaging—creates a judgment-free zone where families can learn together.

The impact of Dr. Miller's work extends beyond individual families, with teachers developing entire curriculum units around the book and pediatricians keeping copies in their offices to loan to patients. Now expanding into a series with forthcoming titles on physical activity and hand hygiene, Dr. Miller has found her calling in creating children's literature with strong public health messaging that resonates with readers of all ages. Whether you're a parent struggling with picky eaters, an educator seeking engaging health materials, or simply someone interested in creative approaches to public health challenges, this conversation offers valuable insights into how colorful storytelling can transform healthy habits.

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What if that moment required you to be more than okay? What if ordinary just wasn't enough?

This question frames a robust conversation about pushing beyond comfortable mediocrity into extraordinary territory. 

The distinction is subtle but profound: ordinary means meeting minimal requirements with no shock value, while extraordinary means exceeding expectations and making a lasting impact. 

For those hesitant to embrace the extraordinary, the hosts offer practical guidance: clarify your "why," dream exponentially bigger than feels comfortable, set progressively larger goals, tap into your unique strengths, find inspiring role models, and push through resistance by raising your standards. The simple shift from asking "what's good enough?" to "what's my best?" can fundamentally change your approach to challenges.

The episode concludes with a powerful mantra that encapsulates the extraordinary mindset: "If it's worth it, then it's worth my all." Whether applied to relationships, career opportunities, or personal dreams, this perspective transforms ordinary efforts into extraordinary results.

Ready to elevate your thinking and performance? Join us to discover how small shifts in preparation and mindset can yield remarkable outcomes in every area of your life.

Look up, and let's elevate!

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What are you missing out on while watching someone else's life? This question sparked an illuminating conversation about the distractions that pull us away from our true purpose and the power of intentionally choosing what deserves our attention.

The journey begins with Kory sharing a transformative moment during a recent band performance when equipment failure forced the musicians to rely solely on their raw talent. What could have been a disaster became a catalyst for growth, creating one of their most authentic and energizing performances. This experience perfectly illustrates how unexpected challenges can reconnect us with our core purpose when we remain open to the moment rather than fixated on distractions.

We dive deep into the concept of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and how it manifests in our lives.  What happens when we're so busy watching what everyone else is doing that we miss our own calling? Through personal stories and reflections, we explore the freedom that comes from embracing JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out) instead.

As you listen, we'd like to invite you to consider: What distractions might you intentionally miss out on this week? What could you say "yes" to instead? We would like to let you know that your purpose is worthy of protection, and your time is too valuable to trade for what merely distracts.

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What if we spent as much time celebrating life as we do trying to fix it? In this refreshing conversation, GentheBuilder and Kory explore the delicate balance between problem-solving and appreciation for what already exists.

Drawing from their recent experience creating a backyard sanctuary after years without one, they share how this ordinary accomplishment became extraordinary simply through a shift in perspective. Rather than focusing on the imperfections, they chose to celebrate having outdoor space to enjoy together after more than a decade.

Perhaps most powerful is the discussion around "celebrating the ordinary"—recognizing that what seems commonplace to us might be extraordinary to someone else. 

Join us for this meaningful exploration of how celebrating the ordinary can transform our everyday experiences. Subscribe to Take the Elevator for more conversations that elevate your perspective on life's journey.

Look up, and let's elevate! 

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What are you truly chasing in life, and is it leading you somewhere meaningful? We've all experienced that hamster-wheel feeling—constantly moving but never actually arriving anywhere. This conversation digs into the profound difference between mere motion and purposeful pursuit.

Sustainability emerges as a robust framework for evaluating what matters most. When Kory states that "sustainability equals life," it shifts our perspective on everything. We explore how pursuits that sustain us create opportunities for greater purpose, while those that plague us lead to collapse and torment.

The journey isn't always straightforward. We share personal stories about navigating both distracting detours (those that pull us off course) and divine detours (those that redirect us toward something better). 

Perhaps most valuable are the questions we explore: What matters to me now? What am I willing to let go of? Who am I becoming in this process? And crucially, is this pursuit truly mine or someone else's expectation? Your answers might revolutionize your direction.

Whether you're questioning your career path, relationships, or personal goals, this episode offers a compassionate but challenging framework to evaluate what you're really chasing and why. We invite you to pick just one thing this week to pursue with genuine intention, no matter how small.

Look up and let's elevate—every day.

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"What's it like to be on the other side of me?" 

This simple yet profound question has the power to transform your relationships, leadership effectiveness, and personal growth—if you're brave enough to ask it and humble enough to hear the answers.

In this deeply reflective conversation, Gen and Kory explore how the strengths we cherish about ourselves can come across to others in a completely different light. 

Through vulnerable personal stories, they demonstrate how blind spots don't make us weaker; they make us human.

Whether you're leading a team, building relationships, or simply wanting to understand yourself better, this episode offers practical ways to bridge the gap between your intentions and your impact. 

Accept our three-part challenge noted at the end of this episode -  Your growth—and your relationships—depend on it.

Look up, and let's elevate! 

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Have you ever considered that your mental and emotional space is valuable real estate? That the energy others bring into your life should come with a price tag?

This week, we dive deep into the powerful dynamics of energy exchange between people - examining how we give, take, and sometimes need to protect ourselves from the various energy types that affect us daily.

Kory  introduces his fascinating concept of "charging rent" for your mental space - asking what negative thoughts or people you're allowing to live in your mind without paying their dues. When someone consistently brings low or negative energy into your sphere, you have choices: maintain your higher energy until they either elevate to meet you or decide to leave, or create boundaries that protect your emotional wellbeing.

Perhaps most powerfully, we distinguish between happiness and joy - with Jen noting, "I choose joy over happy, because happy is very dependent on different things, whereas joyful you choose to be, no matter what." This perspective allows us to maintain positive energy regardless of external circumstances.

Join us for this illuminating exploration of how energy shapes our lives and relationships, and leave with practical strategies to protect your valuable mental space while still engaging authentically with the world around you.

Look up, and let's elevate! 

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Something different awaits you in this raw, unscripted conversation about navigating life during turbulent times. When global headlines overwhelm and social media feeds fill with disturbing images, how do we maintain our humanity, hope, and sanity?

Diving deep into the emotional impact of current events, we share personal reflections on witnessing others' suffering and finding balance in our responses. The conversation explores how faith serves as an anchor during times of uncertainty, while acknowledging that everyone must discover their own path to inner peace. Rather than presenting definitive answers, we offer vulnerability, sharing our own struggles with maintaining perspective and the evolution of our thinking.

The heart of our message emerges in the power of human connection: those precious moments of authentic interaction that remind us we're not alone. 

Consider this episode a gentle invitation to reflect on what grounds you during difficult times. Whether through prayer, meaningful conversation, or intentional presence with loved ones, we all need strategies to weather life's storms. 

Look up, and let's elevate!

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