Who better to interview than my own niece, Amydell McClain Beardshall, mother of twins, Brooke and Bryce, on the challenges related to children growing up, heading off to college, and leaving mom and dad with an all too quiet empty nest. Our conversation will bring back memories for parents who have already experienced it and provide insight for those who will face this in the future. It is a difficult transition for parents (especially mothers!). Tune in to hear how Amydell survived it, found support, and is doing very well now. 

Jack Fingerhut grew up hearing his father's stories about surviving the Holocaust in Poland. Much later, these stories were recorded by the Shoah Foundation, which was established by Steven Spielberg after he produced and directed Schindler's List, a film that won seven Academy Awards in 1994.  In this episode of Tune In & Level Up, Jack describes the harsh conditions, losses, and terror his father and millions of others faced in Poland when it was occupied by Nazi Germany.  The story continues to include Poland's liberation from Germany and his parents' hard work and determination, which yielded a good life for them after they immigrated to America.

Together let's remember to be grateful for freedom and peace if we are fortunate enough to have it!  God bless you all!  

Tune in to hear Kim Rahir's story about being diagnosed with MS, then using every resource available to return to health and land at the best fitness level of her lifetime - NOW!  A former journalist, she pivoted to become a health coach and share her passions for strength training, wholesome nutrition, and healthy mindset with coaching clients. To learn more about her and her services, visit her website and social media: 

https://kimrahir.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-rahir/
https://www.facebook.com/kim.rahir/

Priya Tronsgard founded Edify Learning Spaces to offer help and resources to neurodivergent students and their families. Pairing a student with a perfectly matched, specialized tutor is her forte. Edify serves students who are gifted, dyslexic, autistic, have ASD, ADHD, Tourette's Syndrome, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, anxiety, or any other normal divergence.  Tune in to learn more about Edify and how this entrepreneur is making the world a better place!  Learn more about Edify Learning Spaces:  https://www.edifylearningspaces.com/.

My conversation with Lee Quarrie is a window into the creative industry she's involved with on the daily:  acting, directing, producing, writing, and teaching.  What's not to like about this big-hearted, spiritual, authentic human?  Take a listen!  I bet you, like me, are gonna' love her!

What a treat to have a conversation with Lindsey Kane Leaverton!  Her new book, Not Another Self-Help Book, was released on January 16, 2024!  It's edgy, fresh, funny, transparent, and so, so thought-provoking in a good way.  Order your copy on Amazon and send copies to all your special peeps!  Lindsey was a successful touring Christian singer-songwriter for six years, recorded multiple albums, and has written 150ish songs.  PLUS, there's more!!! She's an artist. The book includes not only her stories, wisdom, and humor -- every chapter includes an adult coloring book page and a link to one of her original songs. Tune in to meet Lindsey!

In this interview, Glenda reconnects with her children's former youth pastor, Chad Karger.  In the past twenty-five years, Chad has held senior pastoral roles at various churches in the Houston area, but in this episode, the spotlight is on his role as a Porter at Porter's Call, an organization home-based in Franklin, TN, just minutes from Nashville.  Learning about the "why" behind the variety of support services this organization offers to touring musicians and their spouses is guaranteed to enlighten and inspire anyone who loves music and the musicians who write and perform it.  Touring musicians and prospective contributors can learn more by visiting the Porter's Call website:  https://www.porterscall.com/.

What a treat to get to chat with Candice Morris, the beautiful daughter of dear friends, Bob and Jan Challenger!  All grown up with a husband and family of her own, in this episode Candice shares what makes her tick:  being a wife and mother, enjoying dream-come-true farm life, a recent meaningful business venture, and being present and accounted for in every aspect of faith and family for the people she loves with all her heart. Tune in for this heartwarming episode.  It will pull your heartstrings and might stir a desire to book her family's AirB&B, Dolly's Lodge, in a part of Tennessee where her family has loved making memories.

Highlights mentioned in the episode:
The Jeff Morris Team:  https://www.remax.com/real-estate-teams/the-jeff-morris-team-the-woodlands-tx/101936587
The Addice:  https://theaddice.com/
Dolly's Lodge:  https://www.dollyslodge.com/

What an interesting character! Kristi J. Warner loves doing hair in the Austin-based salon she shares with her best friend.  Described as a cool shop with a "Sweet Magnolias" vibe, she enjoys using her creativity to help people feel better about themselves. In the midst of the pandemic, she took the opportunity to earn a real estate license, and she's now a realtor as well as an in-demand hair stylist, and she loves both industries so much, she can't pick a favorite!

Tune in to learn more about this wonderful lady!  She's a busy mom and active in recovery as a dedicated Al-Anon member.  Her mission in life reveals a heart of gold!

https://kristijwarner.exprealty.com/
https://kristijwarner.glossgenius.com/

Charities Kristi  mentioned:
Table of Grace:  https://centraltexastableofgrace.org/
Lacey Hurley:  https://www.modernday.org/profile/laceyhurley/

Tune In to this chat with Donnie Lummus, an Alcohol Recovery Coach who offers his services through his coaching business, Luminous Path Recovery:  https://www.luminouspathrecovery.com/. 

With over 12 years of sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous, he shares his recovery journey and tells what it was like before sobriety, what happened, and what it's like now.  Generously, he shares his experience, strength, and hope with others through his coaching services as well as in AA.  This enlightening and transparent conversation will be of interest to anyone who has personal experience with problem drinking or other forms of addiction --  or you know/love someone who is suffering.  A friend in recovery introduced me to Donnie, and I'm proud to share his recovery services and story with Tune In & Level Up listeners.