Simply Authentic Podcast

Join us this week as we sit down with Angela Crawford, a courageous individual, who embarked on a profound journey in search of answers and solutions to infertility. Angela shares her deeply personal story of hope, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of answers amidst the challenges of infertility.In this candid conversation, Angela takes us through the highs and lows of her experience, offering invaluable insights into the emotional and physical toll of infertility, as well as the strength found in community and support. Her journey is not just about overcoming obstacles but also about advocating for awareness and understanding in a journey that affects so many.Tune in as Angela Crawford shares her inspiring journey of navigating infertility, offering wisdom, encouragement, and a beacon of hope for listeners facing similar challenges.If you or someone you know is looking for support for their own infertility journey, please visit https://resolve.org/.

Join us on our latest episode as we delve into the intricacies of holistic wellness with guest Teresa Meally, Nurse Practitioner and owner of Total Health and Wellness. In this enlightening conversation, we explore the transformative realm of hormone replacement therapy, metabolic health optimization, and the significance of supplements in achieving overall well-being. Teresa brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, drawing from her extensive background in integrative health practices. As the proprietor of Total Health and Wellness, Teresa is deeply committed to empowering individuals on their journey to optimal health through personalized approaches that address the root causes of imbalance.Throughout the episode, Teresa shares invaluable insights into the benefits of hormone replacement therapy, shedding light on its potential to restore vitality and equilibrium. From understanding the role of hormones in regulating essential bodily functions to navigating the complexities of hormone imbalances, Teresa offers guidance that is both informative and empowering. Our discussion extends to the realm of metabolic health, where Teresa provides expert guidance on cultivating metabolic resilience and fostering sustainable wellness habits. Finally, we delve into supplements as a complementary tool in supporting overall health and vitality. Don’t miss this one!https://teresamealytotalhealthandwellness.com/https://www.facebook.com/teresamealytotalhealthandwellness

We’re so excited to celebrate our first anniversary as podcasters! To commemorate the occasion, we asked avid listener, Jami Dresseler, to come in and interview us. Now as interviewees, we answer questions about how we got started, what we’ve learned through the process, most popular guests, topics we’d like to explore and a host of other things. One thing for sure, we are never short on words and it was fun to sit on the other side of the table. We want to thank all of our listeners for staying with us and tuning in each week to learn, grow and provide a sense of community. As always, we’re interested in what you have to say and what you would like to hear. We make a plea in this episode for you to reach out to us if you know someone who would be great as a guest. Or, if there is a topic you’d like to learn more about. We’re here for you! We also want to thank our guests that have trusted us with their stories so that it might help others. Finally, we must thank the people that make it all possible. Jordan, Kate and Jack at Gershman mortgage providing the studio and all their expertise on filming and production. Emma Mullings for her editing skills. And Whitney Shoffner for always telling us exactly how she feels! We can’t wait to bring you new episodes in the future so listen in weekly!

We’re back to continue the conversation we started in Episode 54 about the importance of effective communication. As the third pillar of our pillars of peak performance, we feel it may be the key to success in all areas of your life. Pillar one was Customer Experience. You can’t provide exceptional customer service if you don’t effectively communicate. Pillar two was time management and organization. It’s hard to be a good manager of your time and be organized if you don’t have good communication skills. The topic of communication is so broad we had to make it a 2 part conversation. In this episode, we are covering the 5 C’s of communication and why each is important. The 5 C’s are: be clear, be concise, be compelling and confident, be curious and be compassionate. Each of these are vital and we take the time to break them down, give examples and practical applications. In today’s world of move fast, immediate gratification and communication by emoji, it’s more important than ever to listen (an important facet of communication), ask questions and convey your thoughts effectively. Don’t forget the importance of non-verbal communication. Make sure your actions and body language match what your words are saying. We hope that by applying the 5 C’s you will find greater success in your communications.https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/09/10/the-five-cs-of-effective-communication/?sh=347668b420c8

We’re back with a new bonus episode of In The Neighborhood. We spent part of a day exploring Ozark and Nixa. Starting at The Workshop on the Finley Farms property, we enjoyed a glass of tea and did some podcast planning. If you haven’t visited The Workshop, you absolutely should. It’s calming, inviting atmosphere creates a great space to work, visit with a friend or colleague or simply enjoy your favorite cup of Joe. It was a beautiful day so we decided to explore the gardens, walk down by the river, cross the bridge and see the chapel. There is so much attention to detail on this property and it is a working farm supplying fresh produce for the restaurants on site. We left Finley Farms and traveled South thru the Ozark town square that boasts a recent facelift and street scaping. Several eateries, boutiques, offices and event spaces can be found here. Centering it all is the Christian County Courthouse. Just West of the square is one of our favorites, Spring Creek Tea Room. Get there early to get your name on the list and always order dessert first! From there we drove further South to check out a new neighborhood going in South of the Walmart Super Center. There are several areas of new construction going up all around Christian County. We decided to head over to Nixa from here and had lunch at the Reeds Spring Pizza Co. A staple in the Reed Springs area, they are new to Nixa. The food is fabulous and the menu is extensive. You must check it out. Since Summer is coming on, we’d be remiss not to mention all the outdoor patios for you to enjoy in the area. 4 By 4 Brewing, 14 Mill Market and Vineyard market all have great patios and live music. Take a trip to Christian County soon and see all you’ve been missing!https://thevineyardmarket.com/https://reedsspringpizzaco.com/https://www.14millmarket.com/https://finleyfarmsmo.com/https://www.4by4brewingcompany.com/https://www.facebook.com/springcreektearoom/

On this episode we are joined by Kristen Hazeltine, President and CEO of Show Me Christian County. If you have lived in the area for any length of time you know that for years Christian County has ranked among the fastest growing counties in the state. With growth comes both opportunity and challenge. Show Me Christian County was founded in 2017 to meet the growing needs and represent the interests of the seven municipalities that make up the county; Billions, Clever, Fremont Hills, Highlandville, Nixa, Ozark, Sparta and the Village of Saddlesbrooke. Their primary responsibility is to advance economic development. Kristen talks about some big wins for the communities she serves. She also talks about the challenges of housing shortages, infrastructure inequities, etc. Krisen was on the Springfield Chamber’s community visit to NWA so we continue our discussion about regionalism from her point of view. She was at the table early on when the conversation started about LORE. She and her organization understands that when one wins we all win. Listen in to hear about all the greatness happening in CC.https://showmeccmo.com/

Meet Erin Danastaio with the Hatch Foundation. The Hatch Foundation is a family foundation grounded in community. After the Darr family sold their various businesses in 2019, the family sat down to figure out how to give back to the community that had supported them for over 50 years. Hatch has four pillars of focus: the arts, outdoors, entrepreneurship and community involvement. Some of their projects include Celebrate Springfield, working with Boys and Girls Club to help educate kids on the outdoors, the Springfield Art Museum, Sculpture Walking Tour and so much more. At Biz 417, Erin and Dean Thompson with City Utilities and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, unveiled the latest effort in regionalism. Leaders for Regional Evolvement (LORE) was created after the recent Chamber visit to Northwest Arkansas. Leaders on the trip came back inspired by what NWA had been able to accomplish with their regional branding. NWA has quickly become a hot spot for tech, the arts and outdoor enthusiasts. The general consensus among those attending was, “if NWA can do it, we can do it”. After a few lackluster attempts at regionalism via the public sector, LORE is mostly privately led. This provides a way to be more nimble and react quicker to input. They are currently in conversations with many large, privately owned companies and individuals to ask for their support. The feeling is that the timing is right and if we don’t figure out the regionalism piece we are going to get left behind. This is the second piece of our focus on economic development. Even if you don’t know anything about economic development or regionalism, you will find value in the conversation in understanding more about our community and the efforts to improve it. https://www.hatchsgf.org/abouthttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100059867231918

When you think of City Utilities you probably think of your lights, power, water and sewer. You might be surprised to learn that is only one piece of the CU puzzle. In this episode's conversation with CU CEO Gary Gibson, you’ll learn just how vast CU’s footprint is. Since 1945 CU has been our utilities provider but they see themselves in a much bigger role. The CU mission statement is: Advance the quality of life in our community through innovation, engagement and stewardship. The word “utility” is nowhere to be found in either their vision or mission statement. They see themselves as a community champion and advocate. City Utilities is raising the bar on economic development in our area. They are looking at extraordinary plans and vision for the Springfield Lake facility and grounds, creating more recreation with trails and water activities at Fellow’s Lake and working with community partners like the Chamber of Commerce. In their strategic plan, they list the core values and guiding principles of Safety, Integrity, Customer Service, Inclusion, Leadership and Respect. These core values are practices used every day, in everything they do to serve our community. Also in this episode, you’ll hear about Gary’s journey from intern to top dog and hear a little of his perspective on leadership. This episode is packed with great info and hopefully, you’ll learn something you didn’t know about CU and our community.cityutilities.nethttps://www.facebook.com/cityutilities.net

When you hear the term “economic development” what does that conjure up in your mind? For most people, the concept is broad and a little foreign. Many people think it doesn’t affect them or it’s someone else’s concern. Well, in this episode, we hope to enlighten you on why you should care and why it matters. Throughout the month of May we are going to be focused on growth and regionalism in the 417. This all started when we attended the Think Summit back in March. As REALTORS, we’re obviously interested in what is being done to create jobs and opportunities so that people want to relocate or stay here and buy housing. But, even if you’re not in a business sector where staying on top of these things is important, it should be important to you as a citizen. The vitality of our communities across SW Missouri depends on growth, jobs, education and progress. Starting with this episode we hope to break down this big topic to make it more palatable even if you don’t have the first clue about the topic. We will follow this up with interviews over the next 3 weeks with individuals who are on the forefront. Their approaches will vary but their main goals are all the same. We hope this sparks some curiosity and perhaps gives you some ideas on how to become more engaged or involved if you want to be.

In this episode we continue our series on how to achieve peak performance in business. Today we are tackling the topic of communication. It is so important and there is so much to communicate, it is going to take us 2 episodes to cover it all. If you are a leader in any capacity, your ability to communicate effectively is a difference maker in terms of the level of success your team will be able to achieve. We cover the different types of communication, verbal, non-verbal and written. We hit on the importance of all of these. The non-verbal communication (body language) that you are giving to your team could be sending the wrong message. Check yourself, your tone, your attitude and the way you carry yourself around your team. Aside from the internal communication you have with your team and the culture that you create based on that communication, you also have external communication to the clients you serve, the vendors you do business with, etc. It’s important that your internal message gets conveyed to the end user. The word communication sometimes gets confused with speaking or talking when the most important part of communication is listening. If you listen to all the above forms of communication that you are receiving from your team, clients, vendors, end users, it will tell you if you are hitting the mark or if there is work to do.

Heather Malachowski, Managing Partner, Interior Designer with Decorating Dens is in the house to talk about trends for 2024. Not all designers work the same and there are certainly some misconceptions about interior design. Heather talks about their process at Decorating Dens. They will help with small projects all the way up to helping with every detail on new builds. Because they don’t work on an hourly fee, they are more cost effective for the smaller budgets. Just need a rug, they can help. Need help with window coverings, they can do that too. Flooring, yep, got you covered. (pun intended) They do mostly residential but will also do light commercial work. Want to know what the trends are for 2024? Is gray still the go to in neutrals? What about painted cabinets, are those still in? What about wallpaper? You’ll have to listen to our delightful and colorful conversation with Heather to find out. https://nshivers.decoratingden.com/https://www.facebook.com/[email protected]

It’s a lovely Friday morning and we decided to venture down to the Galloway area. For the purposes of this podcast, which may or may not coincide with the city’s boundaries of Galloway, we toured from the first block North of Battlefield to where Lone Pine ends to the South. We started at Kingdom Coffee which has become one of our favorite meeting spots. There was a chill in the air so hot tea and coffee hit the spot. They have a super cute patio we had hoped to enjoy but it wasn’t quite warm enough. From there we walked down to Finnic Apparel. This is quickly becoming one of our favorite boutiques. Go see Lindsey and her team! They just celebrated their 1 year anniversary. One of our other fav’s is next door but unfortunately, it was a little early for wine. Cellar and Plate opens at 4:00 so we had to circle back to that later. We were running a little short on time and had some planning to do so we headed straight to lunch at The Rock. They have a yummy seasonal salad on the menu that we both had to try. If you haven’t been there yet you need to check it out. Their cauliflower crust pizzas are fantastic but if you’re looking for something a little healthier you have to try their Fit Bowls. Other spots we wanted to give a shout out to, Bambinos, Pine (gift store and boutique), Black Lab Coffee, 4x4 Brewing, Great Escapes Brewery and Galloway Grill. All of this running alongside the trail with Sequiota Park in the middle. Drive, walk or bike your way along Lone Pine to check out all of these unique businesses.

Spring is here and we’re giving a market update. NAR has been reporting that new builds are up so that tells us that builders are gaining confidence in the market nationally. It’s no secret that demand for housing is still extremely high. Here locally, we provide recent stats on how the market is changing. In certain price ranges, we are still getting multiple offers and homes are going under contract within days. However, the average days on market in our tri-county area is up to 30 days. Interest rates are becoming more tolerable for consumers which is fueling the high demand. At first, the interest soaring to over 8% was a shock for would be buyers. Now that they have flattened and even come down some, buyers are back in the market. High demand + low inventory = prices staying high. Basic supply and demand. As we enter the spring market our advice to sellers is get your house on the market early. Don’t miss out by waiting too long. We provide some basic tips on staging, curb appeal and pricing right for the current market. Be sure to listen to the end as we provide some shocking statistics on how much money sellers leave on the table by not hiring a professional. Don’t go it alone! Be informed and achieve your real estate goals!

Back by popular demand, it’s a new conversation with the Back Porch Hens! And, if that wasn’t enough to get excited about, it’s our 50th episode! We’re celebrating, deliberating, conversating and laughing out loud in this episode. Wait til you hear what was on the hens minds this time. When we have gal pals Sandi Zwingle and Callie Linville in the studio you just never know what might come up. Menopause probably, functional medicine maybe, friendships for sure, appreciating the matrich absolutely! Don’t worry, you’re not alone. That’s the message we want you to take away from this episode. 4 different women with 4 different perspectives and experiences, you’re sure to identify with one of us. Grab your favorite glass of wine or put on your favorite walking shoes and spend the next few minutes with the hens. We won’t disappoint!

Achieving optimum performance doesn’t just happen. It takes hard work, determination and perseverance. As business owners, we have developed cultures that embrace certain areas of focus that have led to success. We started with what we feel is the most critical pillar of any successful business; the customer experience. We covered that in episode 44. In this episode, we are tackling Pillar two and that is time management and organization. We’ve heard it said time and time again, I wish I just had more TIME! Well, we can help give you back some time with these “simple” steps. There are 6 keys to time management that we break down for you. 1) Prioritization 2) Effective Scheduling 3) Delegate Tasks 4) Effective Use of Tech and Tools 5) Eliminate Distractions 6) Practice Self Discipline and Develop Good Habits. If that’s not enough, we’ve got some quick hit tips as well. Learn to say no. Don’t procrastinate. Commit to the task. Want more?? Just listen in because we’ve got all kinds of goodness packed into this one.

Strong schools are the foundation of any community.  As REALTORS and community leaders, we were interested to learn more about what goes on inside our schools.  We took a day and participated in the Principal for a Day program at Springfield Public Schools.  It was an amazing, eye opening experience.   Things are drastically different from when we were in elementary and middle school.  We left that day with lots of questions about leadership, building culture and what it takes to run the largest public school system in the state.  So, we invited the Superintendent of Schools Dr. Grenita Lathan and Board of Education president Danielle Kincaid to join us for a conversation.  In this episode you’ll hear how education is changing, the different opportunities available to students at SPS and the collaborations available between community and school.  Whether or not you have children in school, you’ll want to listen in to get the perspectives of these two thought leaders.  What does the future hold and what changes might be coming?  You’ll have to listen to find out.

 Statistics show that by the end of Feb only 8% of us are still on track with our goals.  So here we are in mid March and that number may be even less.  Why is that?  There are several contributing factors that we’re digging into today.   “Goals that don’t align with your values or genuine desires are nearly impossible to sustain over time.” Rachel Yeaman, Buffini Co.  This is likely the number one reason we fall off the wagon on the way to achieving our goals.  We need to take a hard look at the why behind our goals.  Is it societal pressure?  Is it outside influences like social media?  Or is our ego taking over when deciding our goals?  Our goals may be out of alignment with who we really are, they are inauthentic.  A Forbes Health article cited a recent survey of Americans regarding their goals.  The top 5 goals on the list were 1) Improved fitness 2) Improved finances 3) Improved mental health 4) Lose weight 5) Improve diet.  All great goals to have.  If they are yours, perhaps being more specific and setting a deadline to achieve them would be helpful.  If you are among the 8% still on track with your goals, congratulations!  If you’re among the 92%, today is a new day.  It doesn’t have to be New Year’s Day or Sunday or any other day of the week for you to get started.  Just re-commit and get back to it.  When we check in at the end of ‘24, we want to hear that those stats are reversed.  We know you can do it!  You just have to recalibrate, make sure those goals align with your values and believe that you can achieve!

Did you set fitness goals at the beginning of the year?  How’s that going?  If you’ve faltered, don’t get discouraged.  We’ve all been there.  Today is a new day so take a step to get back to those goals.  In this episode we have a great conversation with personal trainer Justin White.  We understand that going to a gym or starting anything new can be intimidating.  We try to break it down for you to get you started.  AYB strives to be open and welcoming to all but especially to those first timers.  They also approach fitness in a holistic way.  Nutrition and fitness go hand and hand when it comes to being your most healthy self.  You are going to be challenged to reach your goals if you only do one or the other.  So they try to set you up with a nutritionist and advise you on what workout routine would be best.  Trainer Justin says when starting any workout routine 1) Keep it Simple and 2) Do it Consistently. If the gym is just not for you, that’s ok.  Take a 10 minute walk.  Get some dumbbells and some resistance bands. Just like that you’ve got a home gym!  Want more tips?  We’ve got them for you.  Listen in and start your fitness journey today!https://achievingyourbest.net/

Unpacking the topic of mental health is daunting.  However, it’s so important for us to continue to destigmatize and understand it better.  We’re only scratching the surface in this week’s episode with certified therapist and owner of Healthy Roots Counseling, Katie Gerwel.  Therapy is not just for the wealthy or someone with severe mental issues, really, therapy is for everyone.  Since 2020 there has been a rise in people suffering from anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide.  Just talking to a third party with an unbiased opinion could be all you need.  A counselor can help determine if weekly sessions will help or recommend other resources if they feel your situation warrants it.  Here are a few steps you can take on your own to improve your mood and overall well being.  Get a good night’s sleepPut down your screens at least 1 hour before bedBe active.  Get some form of exercise every dayGet outside.  Be one with natureTake a look at your habits.  What are you consuming in your diet, what you watch and listen to?Human ConnectionFinally, if you or someone you love is experiencing a mental health crisis, say something!24/7 Crisis line in SW MO - [email protected] Roots Counselinghttps://www.healthyrootscounseling.com

Achieving optimum performance doesn’t just happen.  It takes hard work, determination and perseverance.  As business owners, we have developed cultures that embrace certain areas of focus that have led to success.  We will be sharing these “pillars” with you over the course of 4 episodes.  This is the first installment of our Pillars of Peak Performance series.  The first pillar is providing an exceptional customer experience.  Sustaining a commission only, service based business starts with developing relationships.  In order to develop these lasting relationships, you must be client focused and provide a customer experience that is second to none.  But what does that mean?  A lot of companies say they are great at customer service but what is the measure of that?  In this episode we take a deep dive into perspectives of service.  What is the expectation?  What does it mean to go above the line of expectation?  We will provide you with our list of 8 keys to build client loyalty and ensure repeat and referral business. They’ve worked for us and they can work for you too.  

Happy Valentine’s Day!  We wanted to focus on love being that it is the day to celebrate love.  Is there really love at first sight?  What keeps love alive?   What are the keys to getting a marriage strong?  What about when life sends you a curveball that shakes your faith and foundation?  Meet Tim and Tracy Prater. They met while in college and married only 7 months later.  Nearly 30 years later they are still very much in love and a great example of love and resilience.  Staying connected, clear communication and faith have held them together through the worst of times.  In March of 2021, Tracy was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer.  Having had no symptoms, this diagnosis came as a total shock.  She was told because she was young and otherwise in good health, chemotherapy and surgery should take care of it.  But 45 days after surgery, they found 4 new tumors and was told she would have to endure chemo for the rest of her life.  In the face of adversity, their faith in God and each other has become even more solidified.  This is a story you don’t want to miss.  You will laugh a bit, cry a bit and be reminded about the power of love and faith.  

Meet Austin Elliot, partner and operations director, Locke and Stache.  As a student at MSU, Austin was not unlike any other college student.  His interests were varied so he changed majors several times but eventually ended up with an education in film production/videography.  He had always had a camera in his hand and was creative by nature.  He took that hobby and with the help of 2 other partners, they created a business that produces film, music videos, ad campaigns, etc right here in Springfield.  Sure, upon graduation these three could have taken their talents to LA or NYC, but they loved the Springfield area and saw opportunity here.  Austin talks about the thriving collective of creatives staying in the Springfield market where the overhead is lower, cost of living is lower and there is less hustle so you can actually enjoy life.  They are considered a premier film production company and have worked on lots of national campaigns.  They also have a heart for giving back and being a responsible community partner.  They are striving to build a bigger community of creatives in our area. Austin says students just need to be aware and have knowledge that the creative community already exists here.  What they want to do creatively might be achievable here, just as easily as moving to a larger market.  Austin’s story is one of forging your own path.  Taking your hobbies and passions and turning them into a profession. He talks about entrepreneurship, community building and going for a dream.  https://www.lockeandstache.com\

Achieving Your Best co-owner and registered dietician Cassie Dimmick joins us for a discussion about nutrition and exercise. Trying to unravel the mystery of nutrition and labels can be daunting. That’s why we wanted to bring in an expert to help explain the latest, science based information. Do you ever wonder why some “diets” just don’t work for you? Or why even though you exercise daily you can’t shed those last few pounds? Are you doing just one or the other and expecting results? Genetics, body type/shape, exercise and nutrition must all be considered in your plan for better overall wellness. It’s important that you set goals that are attainable based on all the factors. We discuss how to grocery shop, what to look for and some specifics about reading labels. Overly processed foods should be avoided and that includes some of those protein powders we think are good for us. What are healthy snacks? Are those protein bars that are all the rage truly good for you? Hint, better watch the sugar and sodium content in those bars. What’s the healthiest diet to follow? Try a Mediterranean diet with lots of veggies, fish and olive oil. Whew! It’s all so much, right?!? Here’s the thing to remember. Just take one small step like taking a daily walk or filling your plate with half veggies and half protein. The most important thing is that you start taking steps today to lead you to a better, healthier YOU! https://achievingyourbest.net@aybspringfield

How did you feel when you woke up this morning? Were you excited for the day? Do you feel challenged on a regular basis? Are you working towards something bigger? If the answers to these questions are no, maybe it’s time to start asking some new questions. In this episode we’re challenging you to start dreaming again. As children we had wild imaginations. We spent our days dreaming of what we wanted to do when we grew up. However, somewhere along the way we stopped all that dreaming because we had to make choices. We started making a living, going to school, starting a family, etc. Maybe someone told us our dream was too big so we stopped aspiring to achieve it. Let’s hit rewind and start channeling our inner child. No matter your age or where you are in life, it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. The answers to the questions we ask in the beginning should be yes, yes and yes! If they aren’t, what can you do today to make them a yes? Everyone deserves to find what lights them up, what challenges them and makes them feel whole. If you don’t have it now, go out and get it! Take small steps everyday to get you there and never let someone tell you your dream is not possible!

Lori Robertson, Speaker and Owner of SpeakHer Coach, was the one who identified the potential in this podcast coming together. Uncovering the strengths in others is just one of her superpowers. After 10 years producing and emceeing a major traveling event, Women of Faith and a short stint with another major event, Lori found herself trying to figure out her next adventure. She decided to start helping others, especially women, find their voice and tell their stories. Having been on a big stage addressing crowds of 6000+ she absolutely understands the “jitters” speakers get. She talks through some of her proven techniques that you can employ in any anxiety provoking situation. Effective communication skills are important regardless of your job or position. In working with women Lori has discovered a consistent theme, women undervalue themselves. It’s important that we all find our voice and communicate our thoughts effectively. Listen to this episode to hear some simple, actionable steps you take to shake the jitters and be your own communication superhero. [email protected]://speakhercoach.com/

We’ve talked about year end reflection and setting goals for the new year. Now, we want to address what some of our goals are. We start out sharing a few personal goals that we each have. Then we’ll talk about podcast goals. Since both of us share a goal to become more fit, we have invited a nutritionist to join us as well as a personal trainer. Look for those episodes to air in late Jan and early March. We discuss the other guests we have coming up and how we are being intentional about who we invite. We’ve studied the analytics to see what listeners seem to be the most interested in and we’re bringing in more experts in those areas. Another event/retreat is in the planning stages. More details to follow. Finally, in this episode, we’ll take it back to what we know best and talk a little real estate. What will 2024 look like with regard to Interest rates, inventory and consumer confidence. We’re working towards being our best selves in 2024. We hope you are too!

Here we go! A new year is upon us. Some of you might be thinking about how to pay off all that holiday spending. Others might be thinking about tax season and how to prepare. There are lots of things on our mind as a new year starts and we’re here to help answer some of those financial questions with Paula Dougherty, owner of Ameriprise Financial Achieve Private Wealth. In this episode we explore all things financial including saving, planning, organizing and paths to building wealth. You’ll learn practical solutions and tips to become a BOSS at planning your financial future. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a financial guru or have a master’s degree to understand what we’re talking about. We break it down into easy steps for you to follow. Take control now and succeed!https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/team/achieve-private-wealth@pauladougherty

As 2023 comes to a close, we take a look back on how much we’ve accomplished since a cold Friday morning in January. The discussion to start a podcast started in January and we were up and running by June. In this episode, we discuss the process, the ups and downs, highs and lows. 35 episodes in and several more recorded to kick off 2024. We take a look back at our favorite episodes, talk about the inspiration and knowledge we’ve gained from our guests. We also review our first event held in Oct for our most faithful listeners. We discuss plans for the future and our commitment to go bigger and better in the coming year. Join us for this fun year in review!

Full of Christmas cheer that is! Christmas is right around the corner which means many of you are scrambling for last minute gift ideas and looking for some things to entertain out-of-town guests. We’ve got you covered on all fronts in this episode. We explore the debate between physical gift giving and experience gifts. In a recent poll, our listeners said overwhelmingly that they prefer experience gifts. That could mean anything from dinner and a movie to a trip somewhere. We have some other ideas that are somewhere middle of the road. We’ve also got some ideas for those hard to shop for people on your list. We also talk about Christmas light displays around Springfield and beyond. Let us be your go to for all things holiday this year. https://www.springfieldparks.org/https://bigcedar.com/top-of-the-rock/https://shop.bombas.com/

What do you want to achieve in 2024? In 5 years or 10 years? Do you write them down? Are they where you can see them daily? Whether your dreams and goals are big or small, there are a few simple techniques that can help you achieve whatever it is you want to achieve. Angie and Tonya share with you their techniques and habits for effective goal setting. They share several ideas that you can easily implement to get started. Whether you have a “dream board”, write them on a chalkboard or simply have them in an app on your phone it’s important that you WRITE THEM DOWN. Maybe even share some of them with an accountability buddy that will cheer you on! Regardless, your goals should be S.M.A.R.T. (smart, measurable, achievable, relevant, timely) Believe in yourself and what you can accomplish! Dream Big in 2024!!!

There’s nothing better than sitting on the “back porch”with your besties talking about life. In this episode, we invited a couple of our friends to come into the studio for a chat. The conversation takes on a life of it’s own as we discuss family dynamics, traditions, heritage, jobs and goals for the new year. There’s a lot of laughter, a few tears and it’s just the beginning. We plan to do a Back Porch Hens session once a quarter. We hope that you are surrounded by the types of friends that you can truly connect with and discuss any topic. John Maxwell says “90% of the people just get in line. Only 10% are thinkers”. Surround yourself with the 10%! [email protected]@yahoo.com

In this episode we discuss the difference between Grateful and Thankful. And, yes, there is a difference. Gratitude is a deep seeded, emotional swell. Thankful is more transactional. You are Grateful for the opportunities in your life. You are thankful for someone bringing you a coffee. We’ll also introduce you to the term “toxic gratitude”. We’ll walk you through examples of toxic gratitude so that you can start to recognize those in your own life. Be intentional with gratitude. Do you have a gratitude practice? We give some tips on starting a gratitude practice whether it’s journaling, praying or simply setting aside time to repeat the things you are grateful for. We’ve got some science for you. Having a gratitude practice can help relieve stress, improve sleep, aid in digestion and help boost your self esteem. By focusing on your tail winds (benefits) it can help with your attitude and approach to life. We wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving spent enjoying time with friends and family and focused on what you are truly grateful for!Shout out to Tim at The Derby Deli inside Brown Derby WinecenterMel Robbins https://www.melrobbins.com/podcast

Planning for the new year is vitally important for any business. We decided to do a “corporate retreat” to Bentonville to do our planning for 2024. Bentonville is less than 2 hours away and a beautiful drive. Most people refer to the area as Northwest Arkansas because it’s hard to distinguish the city limits of Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville. It’s a wonderful area with lots of outdoor activities as well as shopping and dining. We opted to stay in Bentonville close to the square in an Air BNB. We’ll describe in this episode how we explored the downtown coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques. We’ll also tell you about our short visit to Crystal Bridges and how much growth there is around that museum. We spent about 24 hours there and didn’t even scratch the surface of what you can find. AND, we really did get a lot of work and planning done. So you’ll have to stay tuned for what’s coming next.

Life is hard, messy, confused, wonderful and joyous. Sometimes it’s all of those things at the same time. Our goal is to talk about it all, authentically. This week we discuss a couple of major life events that we just experienced. We discuss the details, planning, anticipation and all the emotion surrounding weddings. If you’re planning a wedding in the near future this episode is one you don’t want to miss because you’ll get some great tips and pointers. Plus, you’ll hear about the outcome from a Mother’s perspective. Sometimes in life you get an opportunity to say yes to something that is outside your comfort zone but something you’ve always said you would do. What happens when you face down your fear? How can you grow and become a more complete human by taking that leap? We’ll tell you about something that happened recently and some tips on how to overcome those fears and enjoy the moment. Maybe you’ll be able to relate to one or both of these stories. We hope there are some nuggets of inspiration and realistic tips to help you through your next big life event. Enjoy the perfectly, imperfect thing we call life!

Our guest for this episode is Chief Warrant Officer 4 Clifford W. Bauman. Clifford is a 34 year Army veteran. During his time in the service he was stationed near the Pentagon and was there on 9/11. He rushed in to find survivors but wasn’t able to save anyone. That led to depression which eventually led to his attempt to take his own life. In this episode Cliff talks candidly about the aftermath of 9/11 and how close he was to actually being in the Pentagon when the plane hit. His mental health began to deteriorate soon after and he no longer wanted to live. His failed suicide attempt and the counciling he received afterward, made him realize he could help others. Now he is a motivational speaker and speaks frequently to those currently enlisted and veterans about mental health. He hosts a podcast called The Mental Health Warrior and has written a book by the same title. This story is poignant, real and heartbreaking for all those that suffer from mental illness. In honor of our veterans, we wanted to do our part to acknowledge the struggles that haunt them. We owe a great debt to those that are serving, have served and those that paid the ultimate sacrifice. We are grateful!www.cliffordbauman.com

Our industry is currently under attack and we can’t take it. There is a lawsuit currently under way in Kansas City with the National Association of REALTORS as the named defendant along with a few large franchise companies. The suit alleges that NAR and others, through the Multi-List Service, have created a marketplace that is unfair. They say that practices have led to set pricing which means commission rates are too high and buyer brokers are being paid too much. We vehemently disagree and so do the defendants. We discuss all the things REALTORS do for both buyers and sellers in the transaction. We detail how the MLS works exactly the opposite of what the plaintiffs allege. It creates open, fair marketplaces. It allows all listings to have equal opportunity for all REALTORS to see the home. There is no set commission in our local area. As members of the National Association of REALTORS, we adhere to a code of ethics that is at the core of who we are and what we do. Tune in to hear us discuss all things REALTOR Value and how we feel like we’ve been slapped in the face with these accusations. https://www.nar.realtor/competition-in-real-estate

Anne Roderique-Jones is originally from the Springfield area. Now living in New York city, Anne has worked as an editor, writer and journalist. Among other things, she is currently the writer and host of the podcast, Ozarks True Crime. Season 1 of the podcast focused on the Missing Three. She and her production team came back to the Ozarks to dig into what happened back in June of 1992. They interviewed police, potential suspects and the victim’s families to try to shed new light on a mystery that has plagued the Ozarks for over 30 years. In season 2, she covered the Feeney Murders. She tells the story of a gruesome crime that left Cheryl Sweeney and her 2 children murdered and her husband on trial for those murders. Season 3 is in production at this time. Listen in as Anne tells how this type of journalism and investigating into crime can take it’s toll on the ones doing the research and reporting. She is certified in trauma reporting for this reason. Her hope is that, by shedding new light on these stories, some new information will come forward. https://www.anneroderiquejones.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ozarks-true-crime/id1567108417https://open.spotify.com/show/0hFJ7copfJDrwNUoaQZyGw

Recorded live on location at the Greater Springfield Board of REALTORS Celebrating Women in Real Estate event. Angie and Tonya Co-Hosted the event and asked attendees to write down their take-aways from the day which they share on this episode. It was an amazing day of speakers, networking and learning. The theme of the day was “building community, tribe and sisterhood. Sara Forhetz kicked off the day with a lively and inspiring message. We heard from a panel representing Cycle Connect 417 on how an idea about building a cycling community became a reality in 417 land. The keynote was delivered by Terri Tucker who challenged us to think bigger and protect our pack. You didn’t have to attend the event to enjoy this episode. Just kick back and listen to the many take-aways from the day that might inspire you as well.

We decided to spend a short afternoon on C Street to see what we’d been missing. Boy, were we surprised at all the options, especially food options. So many eclectic choices, it makes it hard to pick a place to start. Keeping in mind that one of us is gluten free, we opted to start with lunch at Cafe Basilico. They have a separate gluten free menu which made one of us ecstatic! Both meals were wonderful and we would highly recommend. From there we walked the 3 block stretch of restaurants, boutiques, businesses and coffee shops. We stopped in at Ms. Gilmore’s Tea Room and ogled the delectable delights available there. It was so hard to choose but in the end we both got something to take home that was delicious! We then went next door to Chabom’s Tea and Spices. They have an amazing variety of loose leaf teas, tea pots and every spice imaginable. All in all it was a great day on C Street. We can’t wait to go back and think you should check it out as well!

Billy Dove, better known as the 417Foodist, has become a local celebrity in 4 short years. What started as a hobby has offered him so many opportunities that he never would have dreamed of. A love of food and wanting to shine a spotlight on local restaurateurs was what drove him to start his brand. He wanted to showcase the great culinary options available not just in Springfield but throughout 417 land. Understanding that what drives these restaurateurs is the love they put into every dish and knowing that most of them don’t have a big marketing budget, he wanted to do his part to share his dining experiences with his community. He isn’t a food critic. He doesn’t have any formal marketing training. But, in 4 years he has built his brand as a side hustle. He has a full time job by day but by night and on the weekends he’s 417Foodist and you never know where he’ll show up next. His thoughts on building a brand, stay consistent, engage on social media and follow those that are doing what you want to do. What does the future hold for the 417Foodist? Who knows? He’s staying open to the possibilities.Follow 417Foodist on Facebook and Instagram

Transforming business culture is what Terri Tucker thrives at. This author, speaker, coach, trainer and facilitator likes to describe herself as a thought leader. From a career in broadcasting to marketing director for Silver Dollar City to owner of Tucker Resources, Terri has always strived to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction. Her focus on helping leaders create core values and culture in their organizations has taken them from mediocre to award winning. In her latest book, Iron Wolf, she explains why building a culture is easy, sustaining it is the difficult part. You can have all the great systems and structure in the world but it’s the culture, an organization’s people, that make the difference. She says, “you know if a culture lives by watching the actions of their people”.Iron Wolf: Creating an Exceptional Culture of Engagement and Responsibility. Available on Amazonhttps://tucker-resources.com

20 real estate agents die every year while on the job while many others are assaulted. Most people don’t realize that real estate professionals are highly targeted by criminals. Because we meet people in vacant houses, often attend open houses alone and meet people we don’t know as a course of our business, our safety is at risk daily. In 2015, Arkansas REALTOR Beverly Carter was killed while showing a house. There was an outcry for safety training at the national level all the way down to the local level. From this, September became REALTOR Safety month. Joining us on this episode is St Louis REALTOR, Safety Trainer and former police officer Janet Judd. She shares with us some simple ways to keep you and your family safe as you go about your daily lives. In the second segment, we tell real life stories from local agents and how they avoided near disasters. Tune in to hear this valuable information. It’s great advice whether you’re a REALTOR or not. Stay safe out there!

Fall Festival FunLocal fall festivals are in full swing. If you missed Cider Days or the Seymour Apple Fest, don’t despair. There are plenty of festivals left to enjoy. In this episode, we have a conversation with Shelly Treece with the Historic River District in Ozark. She talks about the planning and preparation that goes into hosting a major event like Oktoberfest on the Square. She’ll explain all that they have planned for this year’s event. We’ll also catch you up on some other local festivals and additional events coming up. Fall is in the air! Time to get out and enjoy some of these family friendly events and support local.

The Zestimate is a dependable way to price my home. I will get dollar for dollar back on the improvements I make. My neighbor down the street got x so I should get x. I’m going to sell on my own because I can save money. I can’t buy a house because I don’t have 20% down. WHAT??? No! No! No! All of the above are common myths about real estate. In this episode we do our best to debunk these and other misconceptions about real estate. Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling now or just want to be better informed, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Labor Day typically spells the end of summer. The cool fall days are just around the corner. It’s a great time to get out and explore our local trails. In this episode, we are joined by Mary Kromney, Executive Director of Ozarks Greenways. There are 200+ miles in this planned system of multi use trails. There has been a huge surge in interest in walkability and connecting communities. Hear Mary talk about the expansion that is planned and what it takes to make that all come together. If you haven’t checked out the website, you need to. It is very user friendly, with lots of maps and details about all the trails. https://ozarkgreenways.org

Our conversation continues regarding challenging markets and how to adapt. The recession of 2007 was not the first and certainly will not be the last. Some say we are currently in a mild recession. Recession or not, we know the market has changed. In this episode, we’ll take you back to the recession of the 80’s. We’ll discuss the challenges that one family faced and how they had to find new work in a new area. Then we’re joined by banking veteran Jack Langley of Gershman Mortgage. Jack will discuss the market today and the experience he has had in challenging markets. There is always a way to do business if you are willing to adapt, pivot and stay focused.

Finding the motivation and the inspiration to move forward through adversity can be challenging. Some rise to the occasion while others falter and lose faith. Why is that? What’s the differentiator? It’s probably a combination of things: attitude, focus, determination, a will to survive and thrive. Maybe it comes down to people. Not wanting to let others down. Knowing others are counting on you can be a powerful motivator. As a leader, when the obstacles are affecting the entire team as well as the clients you serve, it can be overwhelming. In the world of real estate, one of the most challenging times in recent history was the recession that started in 2007. In this episode, you’ll hear one person’s perspective of that recession and what it took to come out on the other side. And don’t miss the bonus episode as our conversation continues and we discuss adapting in challenging markets.

Entrepreneurs are a different breed. They usually start with a vision, a dream of what could be. They understand the inherent risks but forge forward with faith and a belief that anything is possible. This husband and wife duo are the epitome of entrepreneurship! Having traveled and experienced the food hall concept, they realized they wanted to bring that experience to the Ozarks. Being part of the Nixa community for some time, they recognized the need for a community building business. They wanted a gathering place, not only for the residents of Nixa but also something that would appeal to patrons from around the area. This unique business model offers small restaurants a way to test their menu and offerings without the cost of a full blown brick and mortar. This gives the patron lots of options for dining under one roof. Add to that fun family activities and one of the best patios around and we think they’ve got a winning concept. LIsten in to hear all the wonderful things they have going on as well as some sage advice for all you wanna be entrepreneurs out there.

On a steamy Friday afternoon we headed to the Roundtree neighborhood in Springfield. We specifically wanted to check out the intersection of Cherry and Pickwick. If you haven’t been there, this mixed use area is quaint and eclectic with a variety of options for visitors. We started off with a late lunch at Tea Bar and Bites and ended with a cold beverage at Tie and Timber Brewery. In addition to several restaurant options, you’ll find Ellecor Designs, Pickwick Underground Framing and neighborhood newcomer, Culture Flock. Some of the best patios in town can be found in this area. Throw in some live music and it’s definitely the place to be!

Don’t add to your loved ones' grieving process by not having your estate planned out! Attorney Danielle Kincaid, Partner at The Elder Law Group, gives practical advice for everyone 18-118. In this episode Danielle discusses everything from Power of Attorney to thorough estate planning. Estate planning is not one and done. As your assets change over time, so does the need for updating your plan. Get all the need to know on this topic right here. Also, listen to the very end to hear how Danielle enjoys giving back to her community and spends her down time climbing tall mountains. Contact Danielle at [email protected] website www.theelderlawgroup.comThe choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements.