The Illuminate Podcast

Melissa Jones, founder of the Girls Positivity Club joins me on the podcast today!!

Melissa grew up as an ordinary middle-class girl in Indiana who had loving and supportive parents. Over time, she lost her sense of self when she moved schools, when her dad was diagnosed with brain cancer, and when she stopped taking care of her body thereby losing any self-esteem and confidence she ever had in herself. 

It wasn’t until she joined a community of women looking to transform their lives that she finally began to transform hers and she started asking herself why there wasn’t a consistent voice in the community pouring into teaching girls positive habits and confidence techniques while joining them together to form this bigger sense of belonging. There were programs, but nothing that was consistently teaching young girls how to be proactive in confidence and self-worth before adulthood.  

Melissa created Girls Positivity Club where she works directly with girls through weekly virtual coaching groups and clubs teaching girls how to have positive habits in self-belief, confidence, and empowerment for themselves and in supporting other girls.  

This episode is hosted by Lindsey Hein.

What we talked about:

2:50- Introduction to what Girls Positivity Club is and what lead Melissa to start it

12:50- How she became so passionate about working with young girls as a mom of a 12 year old son

15:20- How Melissa started Girls Positivity Club after having the vision and how it has continued to grow

21:00- The mindset and strengths that she hopes the girls in her programs leave with and stories of girls that she has worked with

26:40- The importance of having an outside person teach your kids about positivity

31:25- The purpose that working with girls gives Melissa

32:10- The research that she has found about girls confidence throughout their life

35:10- Goals for Girls Positivity Club

37:15- Where to find out more information on Girls Positivity Club if you want to learn more

37:40- End of podcast questions

Connect with Melissa:

Girls Positivity Club

Girls Positivity Club on Instagram

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The post Episode 67: Melissa Jones – Girls Positivity Club appeared first on SandyBoy Productions.

Megan Myers is a fine artist and illustrator based in Bend, Oregon. She has her own art business, Megan Marie Myers Art, LLC. Her work is inspired by the outdoors and the connections that we have to both the outdoors and those around us. Megan hopes that her work serves as an entry point into people’s own imaginations and to think about their own relationships to nature, each other, and ourselves.

Before starting her own art business, Megan attended Seattle University and majored in Visual Arts. After graduation, she worked in art administration for a decade, including working for the world-renowned glass artist, Dale Chuhuly. Following that, she worked at Trader Joe’s in Portland, Oregon as a sign maker.

She has now worked with brands including Hydro Flask, Visit Bend, The Environmental Center, and so many more.

In this episode, Megan talked about taking the leap to start her own art business, her careers post college, what she hopes that people see when they look at her art, the joys that art brings her, her love for trail running and the outdoors, and so much more!

This episode is hosted by Emma Benner.

What we talked about:

3:40- The outdoors culture in Bend, Oregon

5:40- Introduction to Megan Myers

14:40- The importance of providing art opportunities in schools and for kids

16:55- Her career goals growing up and while in college

21:40- Her work in art administration for Dale Chihuly

27:05- Her work as a sign maker at Trader Joe’s in Portland

34:45- How her career at Trader Joe’s lead to her starting her own art business

37:05- The journey of launching her art business and some goals she has going forward

43:55- The process of hiring an employee in her business

47:55- Megan’s dream company/brand to work with

50:15- What she hopes that her art represents when people look at it

53:45- Where she pulls her inspiration from for her art

56:25- Her favorite outdoor activities to do in Bend, Oregon

1:00:10- What her typical day looks like with her own art business

1:05:35- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

The Creative Pep Talk Podcast

American Civil Liberties Union

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The post Episode 66: Megan Myers- Limitless Sense of Wonder appeared first on SandyBoy Productions.

Some heroes wear capes, but today’s guest on the show is a quiet, local hero who has used her role as an educator and community leader to serve others. Most recently she has been working tirelessly behind the scenes serving an immigrant population on the eastern shore of Maryland as they face the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s guest is Amanda Ensor, a 17-year educator, who has used the power of education and the connection of schools to improve the wellbeing of and empower families within her community.

This episode is full of inspiration and a reminder of the power of education. Amanda talks about how living overseas inspired her to go into teaching. We discuss how schools serve as a lifeline for many families, and the impact of COVID-19 on that lifeline. She humbly shares about the work she has been facilitating during the pandemic, including food and supply drives and keeping families supported and connected. You will also learn about great children’s literature! Amanda’s wisdom, compassion, and leadership will leave you feeling that the future is bright because of heroes like her supporting the community and teaching our youth.

This episode is hosted by Kristin Srour.

What we talked about:

2:30- Introduction to how Amanda Ensor and Kristin know each other

4:00- Why Amanda chose to be a teacher

6:30- Various places that Amanda lived while growing up

7:15- What she saw in the education systems in other countries that surprised her

8:20- Why Amanda thinks there is a different value placed on education in other countries

10:20- How to instill a feeling of excitement and value on education in our children in the United States

13:00- Her experience as a teacher

15:30- Top books that she recommends for a 4th grader

19:55- Her transition out of the classroom and what her new role as a Family Engagement Specialist is

36:00- How their school district handled food distribution to the community during COVID-19

45:30 – Advice that Amanda has for people that want to help their community in the current times

50:35- End of podcast questions

Show Notes:

The Real McCoy series 

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

The Mooncatcher Project

All American Boys By Jason Reynolds

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Yuri Williams is the founder of the nonprofit organization, A Future Superhero And Friends. Yuri started the nonprofit after his mom passed away from cancer in 2009 and in this episode, he shares all about what his mom taught him and the kind, compassionate and giving traits that she passed on to him. His nonprofit is really unique because it isn’t tied to just helping one group or community, he really strives to make an impact on the lives of many. This includes the elderly, children, veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness, kids in hospitals, individuals with disabilities, and so many more! Within his nonprofit, he has put together so many projects and events including blood drivers, movie nights, toy drives, feeding and clothing the homeless, and he even has visited all 50 states while doing a good deed in each state along the way.

Yuri is one of those people that gives everything he has, time, money, resources, and so much more to help others and make this world a better place. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Yuri and leave the conversation ready to do your own acts of kindness in your community as well!

This episode is hosted by Emma Benner.

What we talked about

2:50- Yuri’s childhood and what his mom taught him growing up

3:30: The impact that Yuri felt from losing his mother 

5:50- How he initially got involved with helping the homeless

10:30- Why he decided to start the nonprofit rather than continue to do what he was doing for people independently

12:55- How he decided on the name for the nonprofit

14:00- Why he is involved in helping so many different groups of people

16:00- How he fundraises for the nonprofit

16:55- Some of the projects that he has recently worked on

20:20- The work that he does as a correctional officer outside of running the nonprofit

21:40- Plans to work full time for his A Future Superhero nonprofit

22:05- Travelling to all 50 states to do good deeds in each state along the way

27:30- His goals for the nonprofit in the next 5 years

28:30- What he did to help others during COVID

32:15- End of podcast questions

Show Notes:

A Future Superhero and Friends on Instagram

A Future Superhero and Friends on Facebook

A Future Superhero and Friends on Twitter

A Future Superhero and Friends Website

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Casey Crouse and Trevor DeWitt are on the show today. Back in June they started a project called One Thousand One City and completed this September.

One Thousand One City started as a project aimed at connecting the city of Indianapolis by running 1000 miles through its neighborhoods in 100 days. The goal is to meet its citizens, listen to their stories, and share what they have to say.

When the world often seems too big and disconnected, sometimes the best thing a person can do is to set out on their own two feet and simply meet people where they are at.

At its core, OTOC is about taking on a difficult challenge in order to achieve growth towards a better sense of connectedness and understanding to those around us. Through OTOC, another project – New Shoe Day was formed and you’ll hear all about that and their vision for turning it into a non profit in this episode!

Casey is a passionate ultra runner,  passionate about movement, self-betterment, connecting to people and sharing personal stories of impact. Both Casey and Trevor work for Edge Mentoring  – an organization that pairs young professionals with community leaders, EDGE provides the space for whole-person development while connecting generations in meaningful mentoring relationships.

Trevor is the logistics guy and not only did he run every mile with Casey for this project but he mapped out much of it and made sure the planning was all figured out.

This is a Cross Over Episode- it is also being aired on I’ll Have Another with Lindsey Hein!

What we talked about: 

4:15- When they started One Thousand One City and what drove them to do this

5:15- Introduction to Trevor DeWitt

16:50- Introduction to Casey Crouse

19:50- Casey’s running history

28:18- What One Thousand One City is and why it got started

34:50- The purpose and mission behind One Thousand One City

43:15- What the next steps are for One Thousand One City and what New Shoe Day is

49:50- Fundraising money throughout the project and where the money went

52:05- Their plans for their New Shoe Day nonprofit

1:00:30- End of podcast questions

Show Notes:

One Thousand One City Website

Edge Mentoring

 Monumental Kids

We talked about A LOT of books – here they are:

Music to Check Out:

Maggie Rogers

Connect with Casey & Trevor:

One Thousand One City on Instagram

New Shoe Day on Instagram

Casey on Instagram

Trevor on Instagram

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Allyson Mitchell is the executive director of the Indiana Recycling Coalition. The Indiana Recycling Coalition is a nonprofit in the state of Indiana that was founded in 1989. They focus on the education and advocacy to inspire the Indiana community, businesses, institutions, and governments to encourage waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting. Their mission is “to strengthen the circular economy in Indiana through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting.”

In this episode, Allyson shares her path to becoming the executive director of the Indiana Recycling Coalition, some ways that you can improve your own recycling habits, how recycling impacts jobs, the economy, and the environment, and what the organization is currently working on.

This episode is hosted by Emma Benner.

What we talked about:

2:40- Introduction to Allyson Mitchell and what lead her to becoming the Executive Director at the Indiana Recycling Coalition

7:10- How her law degree benefits her work in the Indiana Recycling Coalition nonprofit organization

9:15- Current global events happening in the recycling industry that is causing the United States as well as local organizations (such as the IRC) to rethink and restructure how they recycle

13:50- The history of the Indiana Recycling Coalition

18:55- Creative ways to reduce your waste

22:50- The truth behind if and how items get recycled and how to maximize the chances of your items being recycled

33:15- How recycling can become contaminated and how to best clean your recyclables

36:50- How we can encourage people within our communities to recycle and what to say to someone that doesn’t believe that recycling works

40:05- Other things that recycling benefits beyond the environment

44:45- The obstacles that people face with recycling and what leads to people not recycling

49:45- What a day in the life looks like for Allyson as the executive director at the Indiana Recycling Coalition

52:40- How their organization is making structural and organizational changes to confront racism in the recycling community

58:45- End of podcast questions

Show Notes:

Indiana Recycling Coalition Website

Indiana Recycling Coalition on Facebook

Indiana Recycling Coalition on Instagram

Allyson’s Book Recommendation: White Fragility 

4Ocean

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AJ Wiley is a graphic designer and illustrator who specializes in outdoor work. AJ majored in graphic design at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. He recently launched a design brand, Kumawave, with his brother Justin. Through their brand they design and sell stickers and t-shirts that are focused around nature and the outdoors.

The Kumawave brand partners with environmental nonprofit organizations to take care of the outdoors. They choose a different environmental organization with the release of every collection. Most recently, they donated their proceeds from their California wildlife relief collection to reforestation efforts in California.

In this episode, AJ talks about the process of designing, the NFL “Nature Week” that he created, the fun that he has coming up with new marketing ideas for Tik Tok and other social media platforms, the backstory of starting a company with his brother, how he wants to give back to the environment and others through his brand, and so much more.

This episode is hosted by Emma Benner.

What we talked about:

2:00- Introduction to AJ Wiley

4:35- What he was doing before starting his design brand and how he started his brand

8:00- Brands that he is currently working with a designing for

10:35- How he started Kumawave and deciding to start the brand with his brother

13:20- How the brand has initiatives to help the environment

15:30- What NFL “Nature Week” is and how he came up with those ideas

22:10- What his days look like now that he launched his brand

24:00- How he separates work and life outside of work while owning a business

26:00- How he handles comparing himself to other brands and designers

29:30- The beginning of selling apparel and stickers and what it felt like to sell his first few

33:40- Companies that he dreams of designing for

34:40- What messages he hopes shine through his Kumawave brand

36:05- Goals of connecting with environmental organizations through the sales of his designs

37:10- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

Kumawave Website

Kumawave on Facebook

Kumawave on Instagram

AJ on Instagram

Book Recommendation: Contagious: Why Things Catch On

Young Life

Jonah DeBoer Design

NFL “Nature Week”

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Laura and Phil Wentworth are the Founders of a nonprofit called Lot 25. Phil is the Foundation Director has 15+ years of experience working in Belize, Phil is vested in the culture and community.

Laura serves on the Board of Directors and also has 15+ years of experience working in Belize. Twelve years of teaching experience, primarily in early childhood education. Laura served as a Head Start teacher and Administrator for five years before moving to Higher Education.

Lot 25  aims to provide opportunities for students in Belize who dream of continuing studies after primary school but are limited by financial and academic barriers.

What we talked about:

2:50- How Lindsey met Laura and Phil

4:55- Having a pilot’s license and how Phil initially got interested in that

8:50- How Laura and Phil met

11:30- What Lot 25 is and how it started

16:05- The sustainability of their nonprofit- Lot 25

21:00- How many students they are assisting in Belize with their nonprofit

24:15- What jobs and employment looks like in the community in Belize that they work in

28:25- Laura’s experience and career in education

34:35- What their student teachers do when they go over to Belize

37:15- How COVID changed their plans with the nonprofit and their experience of being in Belize when the shutdowns were happening

42:15- The meaning behind the name Lot 25

44:10- How they help each student financially

48:50- Where to find more information about Lot 25 and follow what they are doing

50:00- End of podcast questions

Show Notes: 

Lot 25 Website

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Michael and Tempa Kohler are the cofounders of the non-profit organization, Special Kneads and Treats in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Michael and Tempa have two kids, Bradley and Ashley. Their son, Bradley, was born with Fragile X Syndrome and when he was 22 years old and aging out of the county supported programs, they were trying to find a job for him. When they realized there weren’t many options, they started dreaming up starting a bakery that would employ adults with special needs. In 2014, they officially opened Special Kneads and Treats where they provide employment and training to adults with special needs. They sell sweet treats at their store front as well as cater for birthdays, weddings, baby showers, anniversaries, and other parties and celebrations. Additionally, they have a program called Cakes for Kiddos where they provide cakes to children, special needs individuals, and elderly who cannot afford a birthday cake.

Before co-founding Special Kneads and Treats, Michael worked in operations management. He also was the GAA Special Populations Assistant Director and Baseball Commissioner. Tempa previously baked and decorated cakes with The Bridal Kitchen and T.J.’s Sweets.

In the episode, Michael and Tempa talk about learning about Bradley’s diagnosis, the joys and challenges of having a child with special needs, starting Special Kneads and Treats, the behind the scenes of the organization, their goals for the organization going forward, why they think that everyone should employ people with special needs, and the challenges that they faced with the bakery during COVID.

This episode is hosted by Emma Benner.

What we talked about: 

2:50- Introduction to Michael and Tempa; what they did for work previously and what they are doing now

4:30- How Michael and Tempa met

5:10- Sharing about their two kids and talking about their son Bradley’s diagnosis of Fragile X Syndrome

8:50- Some of the challenges that they faced while raising a child with special needs

12:50- The biggest lessons that they have learned from parenting a child with special needs and being in the special needs community

14:40- How Special Kneads and Treats got started

23:05- Some of the people that helped and believed in them in starting Special Kneads and Treats

30:00- Their stance on employing adults with special needs and why they think that every company should too

36:10- Each of their roles in the organization

41:30- What a typical day at work looks like for each of them and for their employees

49:45- How COVID affected their bakery

57:05- How people can help and support their nonprofit organization

1:01:30- End of podcast questions

Show Notes:

Special Kneads and Treats, Inc. Website

Special Kneads and Treats on Facebook

Special Kneads and Treats on Twitter

Michael’s Book Recommendation: The Purpose Driven Life

Tempa’s Book Recommendation: Lord I Want to Know You

Southeast Gwinnett Food Cooperative

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Today’s guest is a warrior, sister, mother, wife, Cystic Fibrosis advocate, community builder, and a courageous inspiration to so many.  Jackie Bessette shares her beautiful and messy journey of being the spouse to someone with Cystic Fibrosis. In this episode, she walks through what it’s like to go through two double lung transplants, birthing her baby with her husband on FaceTime and not in the hospital room, what it’s like to “live with the disease” and be faced with challenging discussions around mortality, and how to make lots of plan Bs with grace, humor, and faith.  Jackie is vulnerable, real, hilarious, brave, and should be teaching a course on marriage.  She is light in this world and will inspire you with her courage and how she tackles life!

What we talked about:

2:30- Introduction to how Kristin and Jackie met

4:30- How Jackie met her husband

8:10- What Cystic Fibrosis is, her husband’s journey with Cystic Fibrosis and how it has impacted her life

19:30- The lung transplant process as her husband had two lung transplants

25:40- The strains on a relationship when going through a transplant

38:00- Different stages in his recovery from the lung transplant, their decision to get pregnant, and the journey of going through a second lung transplant

1:01:10- End of podcast questions

Show Notes:

Have A Little Faith in We

If Only You Know by Jamie Ivey

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

O’Connell Superdance

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The post Episode 58: Jackie Bessette – Embrace the Mess and Find the Beautiful appeared first on SandyBoy Productions.