EP 020 feat. Aubrey Shaffner

[Host, Pastry Professional, Educator]

Baltimore, MD

Aubrey dives deep into Emotional Intelligence; explaining where emotions come from, how they affect the brain and body, and impact the decision-making process. This episode is meant to be a resource to help you better understand why emotions matter to the development of your Emotional Intelligence, affect your mental health, and support your growth as a successful leader.

EPISODE OUTLINE

[00:00:00] What to expect this episode

[00:04:25] How to build a strong and resilient mindset

[00:06:00] Mindset shift suggestion #1

[00:11:00] Mindset shift suggestion #2

[00:17:00] Mindset shift suggestion #3

[00:19:00] Takeaway exercises for real life

RESOURCES

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WHERE TO FIND US

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Aubrey Shaffner on Instagram

EP 019 feat. John-Henry Strong, LGPC

Baltimore, MD

After a close personal experience with grief, John-Henry shares how he found fulfillment in grief counseling, as well as a career he could be passionate about.

EPISODE OUTLINE

[00:01:14] Getting to Know Our Guest

[00:06:17] How It All Started

[00:10:15] Resiliency and Dealing with Grief

[00:17:51] Building Better

[00:26:20] Social Media, AI, and Technology

[00:33:07] Controlling What You Can and Letting Go of What You Can’t

[00:36:47] Biological, Psychological, Sociological, and Cultural Context Matters

[00:40:13] Accessing Mental Health Counseling, Treatment, and Care

[00:45:34] Rapid Fire Time

RESOURCES

Experience Camps

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EP 018 feat. Meg Puglisi

[504 Facilitator, Pastry Professional, Scuba Enthusiast]

Baltimore, MD

Meg Puglisi shares her “topsy-turvy” career journey from Pastry Professional to 504 Facilitator. Through trial and error, Meg has learned that sometimes what you think is going to be the dream, turns out to not be what you’re looking for. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out and that’s okay!

By embracing the unexpected and finding joy in the freedom, in her experience at least, you can find more happiness than you had ever imagined. It takes work, support, self-acceptance, and usually a little bit of therapy, but by doing the work you wind up resilient as hell and happier than before, and after all, isn’t that the dream?

EPISODE OUTLINE

[00:00:24] Terrible bumper stickers

[00:07:05] How did she get here?

[00:14:00] Learning to teach

[00:25:38] Knowing where your skills lie

[00:33:00] PSA: go to therapy

[00:45:02] Nobody knows anything at 18 years old

[00:56:57] Closing Q&A

RESOURCES

Meg Puglisi’s Cupcake Enterprise on Instagram

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WHERE TO FIND US

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Aubrey Shaffner on Instagram

EP 017 feat. Pastry Chef Dru Tevis

[Corporate Pastry Chef for SoDel Concepts]

Rehoboth, Delaware

Chef Dru shares his story of unexpectedly coming across a new passion and capitalizing on that to build a career he had never imagined. By following this path, Dru has spread the joy he found as a Pastry Chef not only with those who enjoy his food but also with all the teams he has been a part of, creating a ripple effect in each community he works in.

EPISODE OUTLINE

[00:01:42] A Bit About Dru

[00:08:51] More Knowledge is Better Knowledge

[00:16:17] Being Connected Through Pastry

[00:24:46] Why Such an Emphasis on Collaboration?

[00:35:36] Rapid Fire Q&A with a twist

RESOURCES

French Culinary Institute

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WHERE TO FIND US

Dru Tevis on Instagram

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Aubrey Shaffner on Instagram

EP 016 feat. Chef Sarah Knight

[Chef, Butcher, Educator, Activist]

California

Chef Sarah explores the profound link between life and death through her work in butchery & education. She shares how finding whimsy in the kitchen & embracing the full cycle of raising, slaughtering & honoring an animal, leads to a more ethical, connected & joyful existence.

EPISODE OUTLINE

New Kitchen Culture

(00:03:27 - 00:08:22)
Sarah details her transformative teaching style, which rejects traditional kitchen hierarchy. By allowing students to express individuality and contribute to meal planning, she has rediscovered her own passion and "whimsy" for cooking in a collaborative, low-stakes environment.

The Butcher's Process

(00:23:20 - 00:28:44)
This section focuses on Sarah's hands-on work with slaughter. She describes the emotional weight and beauty of holding an animal's life force in her hands, arguing that close involvement fosters a deeper appreciation for the meat we consume and the lives that provide it.

Participating in the Cycle

(00:40:11 - 00:45:28)
The discussion broadens to how everyone can engage with life cycles. Sarah shares how students participate at their own comfort level, and Aubrey suggests small, accessible actions (like composting) that help rebuild a conscious, respectful relationship with our food and planet.

RESOURCES

Jackson Hole Buffalo Meat Company

Plant intelligence

[Episode] Elyse: Be More Connected

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Sarah Knight on Instagram

Golden Approach Instagram

Aubrey Shaffner on Instagram

EP 015 feat. Chef Sarah Knight

[Chef, Butcher, Educator,]

California

Chef Sarah shares her journey from high-pressure hotel kitchens to managing a sustainable college farm. She reveals how disillusionment with food waste & industrial sourcing led her to regenerative agriculture, butchery & a community built on trust, labor & reconnecting with the land.

EPISODE OUTLINE

The Breaking Point

(00:03:36 - 00:09:00)
Sarah describes her rising career as an executive sous chef, which culminated in a moment of crisis. She details the profound disconnect & waste she witnessed, such as using $2,300 of snapper purely for decoration, which forced her to reevaluate her values & purpose.

The Pivot

(00:09:00 - 00:17:51)
Driven by a need for authenticity, Sarah left her career to begin a livestock farming apprenticeship. She recounts the stark transition during the 2020 lockdown, trading a windowless kitchen for 300 acres & rediscovering her connection to the land, animal welfare, & sustainable food systems.

A New Model

(00:22:00 - 00:29:07)
Sarah introduces Deep Springs College, where she now works. She explains its unique pillars of academics, labor, & student self-governance; highlighting how this micro-community proves the capabilities of youth & offers a blueprint for a more intentional & sustainable way of living.

RESOURCES

Deep Springs College

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Sarah Knight on Instagram

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EP 013 feat. Be More Connected

Elyse Preston [Coach, Consultant, Community Builder]

Baltimore MD

As a lover of the natural world, Aubrey had to share this bonus mini-sode to highlight the passage of the autumn equinox, a time of reflection, gratitude, and harvesting the fruits of our labors (both literally and metaphorically). She and Elyse discuss the beauty of synchronizing one’s modern life with various phases in nature such as solstices, equinoxes, and moon cycles, and how doing so can be a tangible reminder to slow down and take care in a world that is all too often go-go-go.

EPISODE OUTLINE

[00:01:07] What is the autumn equinox?

[00:04:40] Following natural cycles

[00:07:27] Phasing in the Moon

[00:11:53] Buh-bye Virgo season and hello Libra season

[00:13:24] The Sun, Moon, and stars, all aligned for reflection

RESOURCES

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WHERE TO FIND US

Elyse Preston on Instagram

Be More Connected

Information and Registration for The Growth Collective

Golden Approach Instagram

Aubrey Shaffner on Instagram

EP 013 feat. Be More Connected

Elyse Preston [Coach, Consultant, Community Builder]

Baltimore MD

Elyse shares her journey from policy & nonprofit burnout to becoming a coach, consultant, & community builder. Her work centers on helping others reconnect with their soul's essence & individual creative gifts so they can share them with the world in joyful, sustainable ways. She discusses uniting the spiritual & political, healing through community, & reframing service so it doesn't require self-sacrifice.

EPISODE OUTLINE

From External Noise to Internal Wisdom

(00:14:00 - 00:19:00)
Elyse outlines the initial steps of her journey, which involved turning down the volume on people-pleasing and perfectionism and turning up the volume on intuition. She encourages listeners to notice where their energy feels depleted versus fulfilled.

The Alchemy of Group Work

(00:23:00 - 00:40:00)
Elyse breaks down the three core components of healing in a group setting. She explains how being "seen" provides presence, being "witnessed" involves deep listening, and being "mirrored" offers reflective feedback, creating a rich, nourishing environment for growth.

The Reframe: Service Does Not Require Self-Sacrifice

(00:32:00 - 00:35:00)
A central theme of Elyse's work is challenging the narrative that helping others means neglecting oneself. She introduces a powerful reframe: if you care for your community, you are part of that community and deserve the same care and boundaries.

RESOURCES

Adrienne Maree Brown

Lama Rod Owens

Reverend Angel Kyoto Williams

[Episode] Aubrey & Molly: Dandelion Salon & Apothecary

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Elyse Preston on Instagram

Be More Connected

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EP 010 feat. Dandelion Salon & Apothecary

Aubrey Schneider & Molly Mummert Chalmus [Co-owners, Hair Stylists]

Baltimore, MD

Aubrey & Molly, co-owners of Dandelion Hair Studio & Apothecary, share how they built a thriving, inclusive salon by carefully cultivating every detail—from client experience & sustainability, to community & a supportive partnership. They reveal the intentionality behind their brand.

EPISODE OUTLINE

Laying the Groundwork

(00:05:00 - 00:13:54)
Aubrey & Molly trace their origin story from a bridal side business to their own salon. Explaining how they built their business on a solid foundation, emphasizing the importance of taking their time, saving money, & using the help of business coaches to fully realize their brand vision.

Inclusivity & Experience

(00:15:22 - 00:25:14)
This section explores the three pillars that define Dandelion: a steadfast commitment to serving all hair types, a luxurious & communicative client experience, & an industry-leading sustainability practice that minimizes their environmental footprint.

Growing Together

(00:32:30 - 00:37:54)
The discussion turns to the future, focusing on their careful & systematic approach to preserving their culture, & how their complementary strengths & deep friendship allow them to navigate the immense challenges of entrepreneurship.

RESOURCES

Green Circles Salon

Young Living Essential Oils

[Episode] Amber: And 4 Dessert

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EP 011 feat. Pastry Chef Amber Croom

Owner [And 4 Dessert] Co-owner [Beye Beignets]

Baltimore, MD

In this episode, we will delve into the world of Pastry Chef Chef Amber Croom. Get ready to discover the person behind the delicious creations as we explore her journey and inspirations. We will also take a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to run a successful business, discover valuable insights on how to identify and seize opportunities, build confidence, and cultivate a strong support network. We discuss the significance of recognizing our own achievements, no matter how small, and the role of social media in promoting and growing a business. Together, we encourage you to dream big in your own endeavors. Get ready to be inspired and empowered as we embark on this enlightening journey with Chef Amber Croom and And 4 Dessert.

EPISODE OUTLINE

[00:00:00] What to expect this episode[00:03:00]Getting to know Chef Amber

[00:013:45] Getting to know And 4 Dessert; the behind the scenes of having a business

[00:15:25] Support the show/Chefs Cause of Choice

[00:16:30] How to choose opportunities/Building confidence

[00:22:10] How to find support and resources

[00:29:43] Learning to give ourselves credit; Start small

[00:32:50] Social media and business

[00:38:15] Partnership with Bookshop.org

[00:38:46] Defining success; Dreaming big

[00:46:41] Closing

RESOURCES

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BONUS

Since airing Amber is now also the co-owner of Beye Beignets! Check them out!

Beye Beignets online

Beye Beignets on Instagram

WHERE TO FIND US

And 4 Dessert online

And 4 Dessert on Instagram

Amber Croom on Instagram

Golden Approach Instagram

Aubrey Shaffner on Instagram