Podcast Episodes

 I love God. I love people, and I love our U.S. military. This is the episode that shares who I am, the motivation behind this podcast, and how much I'm confident it will enrich your life and inspire you into action. Although the idea for the Discovering W.I.S.E. podcast happened within an afternoon, what you hear today took time. This episode will take you through that timeline. It will introduce you to my family, my passions, and me. Welcome to the Discovering W.I.S.E. Podcast!

 Shannon Foreman had it all. A six-figure career, two kids, a husband, a nice home, nice car, and...she was miserable. Out of this came an idea for a different way to help people plan for their future. An idea her company shot down. So, Shannon walked away and did it on her own. Today you'll hear her story, live her journey, and maybe walk away feeling inspired to approach life in a different way. Learn more about Shannon: www.ForeThoughtPlanning.com 

 Are your customers raving about you on social media? Share their great stories to help turn potential customers into loyal ones. Louise Thaxton is the Director of the American Warrior Initiative and a Regional Manager for the Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. Today Louise gives you steps to bring out the warrior in you! Have a purpose, believe it's possible, and have a plan, are 3 of the 7 elements of becoming something that’s inside all of us… a warrior. To learn more about Fairway's American Warrior Initiative: Website: www.AmericanWarriorInitiative.com 

  Danni Starr is on a different journey. The glitz and glamour of media are gone and she couldn't be happier. She has an incredible perspective on life, and today she shares her definition of excellence, how she survived trauma, and how she has moved on from her lucrative career in radio.  Her book is called Empathy and Eyebrows https://www.amazon.com/Empathy-Eyebrows-Survivalists-Reviving-Soul-Crushing-ebook/dp/B07WMXD86J/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=empathy+and+eyebrows&qid=1595276410&sr=8-1 

  My friend, Tera Eng, is a Regional Director for the Office of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity for Kaiser Permanente. If there's one word that defines Tera, it's integrity. Integrity from the way she leads her team to the way she lives her life. Today you'll hear excellence as defined by Tera, along with the greatest piece of advice you can pass along to your children. Reach out to Tera: www.linkedin.com/in/teraeng/  

  Samantha Steer's early experience with her parent’s divorce shaped her future. Samantha is a Financial Advisor, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), and Co-Founder of Strategic Divorce Planning at Vesta. She's a leader who believes the key to growth is a never-ending search for knowledge. To learn more about Samantha, contact her at: SSteer@VestaDivorce.com 

   You will never see Jessica Kinsella's twins without matching outfits. It's just too cute. Because of that, her new business started as a solution to a personal problem -- find a new home for clothing her twins outgrew. But Jessica didn't stop there. She also created a community to help moms with their most common parenting problems, as well as a page for entrepreneurial moms to get support and answers.Connect with Jessica www.SameSameKids.com 

 Hailey Warner is the founder of the Warner Group at Keller Williams Premiere, a successful real estate agency that doesn't cold call or door knock. It's all about relationships! And what has she done to deepen her personal and business relationships? That lesson is one I hope will benefit your life. Her personal path is an example for us all.To learn more about Haley, head here https://www.facebook.com/HaileyWarnerRealtor/ 

   Today, I want just the two of us to sit down and chat about competition, being a beginner, and steps to overcoming. It's really an important conversation about setting and achieving goals, and I have a few questions that will help you define what you want and how to get it. As always, I would love your feedback. Head here: https://discoveringwise.com/  

   Today I am talking to one of the first women in the mortgage industry. Karen Deis faced the kind of pushback you might expect from a male-dominated business in the 1970s, but she stood her ground, held her head high, and is now an advocate for women on the mortgage travel circuit. To learn more about women mortgage speakers, head here: https://mortgagewomenspeakers.com/ 

    Liza Lomax tackles the thing women lose at such a young age -- confidence. Her life is dedicated to helping women find their worth, find who they are, and find their authenticity. She creates mindset shifts to help reframe all those destructive beliefs and behaviors. To reach out to Liza, head here: https://www.lizalomax.com/  

 Rebecca Olson helps women go after their biggest career dreams while still feeling like confident and amazing moms. Today you will find out what principles drive Rebecca and give her the confidence needed to help guide so many women to success. Enjoy! To learn more about Rebecca Olson Coaching, head here:http://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ 

 Leslie Lee is making a huge impact in the aesthetic industry. She is a Master Creator, RN, beauty guru, and entrepreneur who runs her life and business by being honest with her patients about their needs, which results in some tough conversations. This "recovering control freak" offers courses to become an aesthetic entrepreneur here:https://www.aestheticcreator.com/ 

 Karen Vaughn emerged on the national stage after her son, Navy Seal Aaron Carson Vaughn, was killed in Afghanistan. She is a powerful voice for those still fighting for freedom, and for a better, stronger, and more resilient America. Today you will learn what courage really means and why facing your fears is the only way you grow. Learn more about Karen here: https://officialkarenvaughn.com/  

 Barbara Blatz-Stone spent 20-years in the fashion industry before heading back to school to earn an MA degree in Positive Organizational Psychology. Today you will learn how to protect your positivity, and align your values to reach your true potential.To connect with Barbara, head here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-blatz-stone-ma-acc-1906007/Instagram/Twitter: @barbbstone 

 If I were to use one word to describe Christy Solar, it would be tenacious. Christy is a woman that has fought drug addiction, 3 strokes, and a flood that nearly wiped her out. This journey has led to a discovery that she shares on today's podcast. A discovery that I hope will help someone looking for answers in their own life.Reach out to Christy here: https://www.fairwayindependentmc.com/Christy-C-Solar 

 Life was almost a storybook for Krista Reynolds. This entrepreneur's business was booming and her life was perfect with a great husband and an amazing family. Then the phone call. Find out how Krista's cancer diagnosis has altered her view of excellence and her appreciation for life. It's all on today's podcast. Follow Krista's journey: http://www.kristareynolds.com/ 

 Cindy Grossman is the Executive Director of Kids' Turn San Diego, a non-profit helping kids through the stress of family separation. Today Cindy shares what drives her, how she defines excellence, and how doing the hard things is the only way you grow. Learn more and help Kids Turn San Diego: https://kidsturnsd.org  

  Sherri Anderson is the CEO of Fairway Cares, an internal non-profit of Fairway Independent Mortgage. Today we are going to talk about purpose and mission, the challenges of divorce, heading back into the workforce, and how God is so faithful in ways you may not notice (like in a half-marathon!). To reach out and say hi to Sherri, head here https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherri-anderson-2b8124bb 

 As a first-time mom at 16, Carrie Guarrero struggled with comments from other people that were uncomfortable and judgemental. She battled that by pretending to be a person she wasn't prepared to be, an uber-mature go-getter. On the inside, she was still struggling, and unless she discovered her true self, she would always feel discomfort. Today you will hear how Carrie started the process of healing and how anyone can do the same. 

Beata Bukowski's mission is to help vulnerable veterans that have lost their will to live. A mission born out of the pain of losing her husband, an army veteran, to suicide. Today you will learn how Beata manages her mission along with a vital exercise she does every single day that helps her stay focused and thankful. To learn more about Beata's mission, head here: https://afsp.org/ 

   LaToya Burrell is the Dean of Graduate Education at North Central University and author of "Be Bold: How to Prepare Your Heart and Mind for Racial Reconciliation." Today we talk about how you can't lead unless you truly understand yourself. Living, Loving, and Leading needs to touch every aspect of your life. Enjoy today's episode.

Learn more about LaToya and her book here: https://www.theboldlatoyaburrell.com/

   Gratitude used to just be incorporated into a 30-day challenge for Carrie Guarrero. Now, it's a 12-month practice. Gratitude is not easy. We are human, after all. But Carrie has tips on how to get started, her single most important tool for practicing gratitude, and ways to show gratitude that have nothing to do with money.

   Heidi Pavelka was a prominent figure in the modeling industry before pursuing a career as a loan officer. But it's her story of survival that brings her to the podcast today. If you are trapped in an abusive relationship, you need Heidi's voice. Today you will learn how the cycle of abuse continues and how to find a way out. To get in touch with Heidi, head here: https://www.executivemortgagebrokers.com/heidi/

 This week, as we wrap up 2020 and enter a new tomorrow, we are asking you to dig deep and challenge yourself to construct a life plan. But where do you begin? Carrie Guarrero has three questions, that if answered honestly, will set you on course to deeper relationships and a better YOU in 2021 

 Happy New Year! We have finally put 2020 behind us, and there are plenty of things we are eager to leave behind. One of those things I'm hoping you change is the ability to forgive yourself for the personal mistakes you’ve made in your past.  Yes, today we are talking about forgiving yourself in 5 steps. It's important as we start a fresh new year. 

  Do you know what it means to have a personal leadership team that is intentional? This episode talks about the importance of having a personal leadership team, how to define them, and how they can help you in specific areas you want to improve. Plus, four steps to get started right now!

  Think about a time that felt catastrophic at the moment. You felt terrible about where you were at only to find out that this was the path you were meant to follow. Carrie Guarrero shares her own story along with 3 lessons she learned along the way.

 Life was almost a storybook for Krista Reynolds. This entrepreneur's business was booming and her life was perfect with a great husband and an amazing family. Then the phone call. Find out how Krista's cancer diagnosis has altered her view of excellence and her appreciation for life. It's all on today's podcast. Follow Krista's journey: http://www.kristareynolds.com/ 

  In today’s episode, Carrie shares the most painful loss of her life. In life's most tragic moments, though, character is built, and a path is forged that brings an unlikely feeling of gratefulness. Listen to how Carrie's life changed after that tragic day and how she thanks God for allowing her to help others in such deep pain.

Today's podcast is about finding character during life's biggest challenges.  You can do it.

 Tammy Oluvic and her husband founded an organization that serves two purposes - save horses, and provide therapeutic relief for active-duty military, veterans, first responders, and their families. If you would like to support Saddles in Service, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, head here: https://saddlesinservice.org/  

 Noelle Nielsen was a successful real estate agent selling multimillion-dollar homes, wearing high heels, and sharing her journey on social media. At the height of it all, a new calling emerged. A calling that told her to pack up everything and buy a farm. A farm...to raise goats. Noelle guides you through her story, a story that includes discovery about what true blessings really mean. Follow Noelle's journey on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/noelletheminnesotan 

    Today we are going to talk about your seasons of change. We are going to talk about those seasons along with judgment and personal change. I'm also going to pass along how to find peace and comfort in the midst of challenging times. Thank you for joining me on Discovering W.I.S.E. Women In Search of Excellence! 

Michelle Bonahoom is CEO and Founder of VisionOne Performance, and the author of Unstoppable: 7 Simple Steps to Get Unstuck, Make the Big Change, and Unlock Your Potential. Today we are going to talk about how to get "unstuck," and in Michelle's case, even in the face of personal tragedy.

Order Unstuck: https://www.amazon.com/Unstoppable-Simple-Unstuck-Change-Potential-ebook/dp/B0827H1S3W

    This week I sit down with Melissa Llarena, the CEO and Founder of Career Outcomes Matter. She empowers professionals to rediscover what makes them unique to land their dream job. Not only do we touch on that, but we also dive deep into her move from the east coast of the U.S. to Australia! Could handle what she went though? Melissa has a special site for Discovering W.I.S.E. listeners: https://www.melissallarena.com/wise/ 

 In this episode, Carrie talks about the need to listen. To quiet down your mind and ask more questions. It's a discipline. Carrie has suggestions to free yourself of the burden of always being right and open yourself to conversation. Communication that will expand your perspective and grow your relationships. 

 Laura Palmer is a mortgage loan officer in Texas and sits down with me today to talk about overcoming adversity and finding the joy within each challenge, big or small. To reach out to Laura, head here: https://www.facebook.com/laurapalmerlmt

Keep up with Laura's journey through her blog here: https://gracebeginshere.wordpress.com/?page_id=6

I am so grateful for this time with Holly Mattson on Discovering W.I.S.E. this week. Holly is a mom of twins, and widow of a husband that lost his battle with addiction. Today we are going to talk about breaking down barriers, how perfection isn't really reality, and how faking it may prevent you from getting the help that you need.