Highly Favored

This episode dives deep into the world of Claire Cain, a prolific author whose stories blend strength, vulnerability, and the unwavering spirit of military life. Whether you're a romance lover or just curious about the powerful stories behind the pages, Claire’s journey, her purpose, and her heart come alive right here.In this episode:Claire Cain shares how her literary criticism background shaped her writing styleThe inspiration behind her focus on military romance and its real-life impactThe importance of found family, resilience, and authenticity in her charactersHow her stories aim to showcase strength without brokenness, reflecting real relationshipsThe emotional power of her scenes that sometimes move even her to tearsInsights into her daily routine as an indie author juggling life, family, and marketingThe connection of her stories to supporting nonprofits and empowering women veteransThe significance of escape, hope, and joy through the genre of romanceTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction: Why Claire Cain’s stories matter02:15 - Claire’s background in literary criticism & transition into romance04:51 - The spark: Military romance as a joyful escape07:12 - Balancing authenticity with storytelling: Military life in fiction09:34 - Evoking real characters: The importance of research and experience12:14 - Why writing about hope and resilience is vital amid heaviness15:05 - The power of romance as an emotional refuge16:31 - A day in the life of Claire: Creativity and self-care in motion20:00 - Marketing, managing authorpreneurship, and the challenge of self-promotion26:09 - Common misconceptions about military relationships and how Claire addresses them30:33 - Crafting emotionally impactful scenes and favorite characters43:23 - The role of resilience in her characters and personal life46:28 - An emotional scene that unexpectedly moved Claire to tears49:18 - The joy of her readers’ connections and moments of “pinch me”54:42 - How she ends her podcast episodes: Red and green lights of life55:03 - The importance of outdoor air, hydration, and embracing vulnerability56:30 - Farewell and excited anticipation for the upcoming event in UtahJoin us this Sunday, April 26 in Ogden, Utah at The Romantics Archive! Dive into the veterans’ experience, celebrate love, and support women veterans through our special event. Don’t miss your chance to meet Claire in person, grab signed copies, and embrace the power of romance to transform and uplift!

This episode is a heartfelt journey through the transformative year of Jaimee Beard, Miss Utah for America Strong 2025. She opens up about the raw, real moments of competition, personal growth, and the profound impact of staying true to herself. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to be perfect or wondered how to keep your integrity in the spotlight, this is your story.In this episode:Jaimee shares her emotional experience of winning and her genuine support for fellow queensThe incredible power of being authentic and approachable as a pageant queenHow pageantry became a tool for healing, purpose, and spiritual connectionThe importance of supporting others and building community beyond competitionInsights on mental health, autoimmune awareness, and redefining successThe lessons learned from navigating social media authenticallyThe significance of impact over numbers and storytelling over perfectionHer final message: being true to yourself and loving othersDance for LifeDivine Choreography - Spiritual InspirationAutoimmune Awareness MonthInstagramFacebookLinkedInTimestamps:00:00 - Welcome & introduction to Jaimee’s heartfelt journey02:32 - Supporting each other in pageantry and beyond03:44 - Personal trials & letting sisterhood uplift you04:51 - Recognizing growth and embracing authenticity06:01 - Connecting with others as "the people’s queen"07:25 - Inspirational stories of queens influencing others09:02 - Overcoming self-doubt and personal darkness10:24 - How pageantry strengthened her confidence11:05 - Spiritual guidance and divine choreography in life12:31 - Representing Utah & the significance of faith13:11 - The role of divine timing & trusting the process14:07 - Jaimee’s journey into pageantry & proving herself15:37 - Reflection on personal growth & coming home to herself17:31 - Supporting women in their journey & celebrating sister queens18:33 - Overcoming insecurities & supporting others' growth19:15 - Building genuine friendships & community through pageantry20:35 - The importance of showing up & supporting others21:00 - Facing the temptation to quit & persevering through grief22:42 - The unexpected rewards of hardship & spiritual moments23:10 - The impact of speaking out & sharing light in dark moments26:33 - How our words can heal & inspire in future generations28:26 - The power of influence, no matter the size of your audience30:45 - Embracing vulnerability & changing perspectives on success32:38 - Redefining what it means to fully embody your role34:05 - The significance of feeling confident in your gown & state of mind36:34 - Wearing the gown that reflects your authentic self38:38 - Final walk & the emotional significance of growth & transition40:16 - The meaning behind her crown & journey of self-discovery43:45 - How the title gave purpose during difficult times45:51 - Addressing misconceptions about pageant queens & health49:54 - Moving past societal expectations & embracing health & self-love50:59 - Surprising lessons from her reign & unique organizational dynamics54:41 - The importance of sisterhood & community in pageantry57:21 - Learning from other women & the beauty of shared experiences60:06 - Navigating social media, advocacy, and vulnerability66:11 - The value of authentic engagement & impact over stats68:39 - The true power of influencing even one person69:28 - Final message: living true & authentic in every step72:53 - Jaimee’s green & red lights: support, doing the work, and healing76:48 - Closing words: inspiring others to rise & lead with loveResources & Links:Connect with Jaimee Beard:This episode reminds us—your voice, your authenticity, your love—are what truly make the impact. Your story is powerful. Your light is needed. Be bold, be real, and keep shining!

Most women’s stories hold power — but what happens when you turn trauma into a voice that changes lives? Sheri Murray’s journey from deep trauma to fierce advocacy will shatter your limits and ignite your courage. She’s a survivor, a pageant queen, and an unstoppable force of transformation—and now, she’s here to tell YOU it’s never too late to rewrite your story.This episode dives into Sheri’s raw and inspiring truth: surviving years of betrayal, battling legal battles, and choosing to use her pain as fuel for purpose. You’ll discover how she turned her darkest moments into a platform that helps others find their voice and break free from trauma. Her story isn’t just a testament to resilience — it’s a call to action. If you’ve ever felt silenced, afraid, or stuck, this is your wake-up call.We break down her powerful "Trauma to Grace" mission, how pageantry became her tool for healing, and the unconventional strength of women lifting women. Sheri shares how she pushes beyond insecurities—whether it’s the size of her dress, self-doubt, or societal expectations—and why embracing the scary is the only way to grow. You'll learn how to face your own fears, challenge limiting beliefs, and step boldly into the life you deserve.Why does this matter? Because in a world that often keeps women small, Sheri’s story is a revolution. It’s about empowerment, community, and rewriting the narrative. This isn’t just an episode for pageant lovers—it’s for anyone yearning to rise above, claim their power, and live out loud.Get ready for a bold, unfiltered dose of inspiration—because your story matters. If you’re ready to say yes to your own transformation, this episode is your sign. Hit play and let Sheri show you how to turn trauma into grace and fears into fierce freedom. You won’t want to miss this.

Get ready to feel inspired, empowered, and uplifted! In this episode, Amy Winder shares her heartfelt story of stepping into the pageant world for the first time, her powerful platform advocating for women’s health, and the bold steps she's taking to make a difference. This is a call to all women to embrace their unique beauty, voice, and purpose — because your story matters.Amy’s journey into her first pageant and her spontaneous leap of faithThe power of creating a custom gown and owning your uniquenessHer powerful platform advocating for women’s medical research and healingOvercoming fears around swimsuit prep and embracing confidence at any sizeThe sisterhood and support culture that makes Utah pageantry extraordinaryFun behind-the-scenes of bedazzling dinosaur heads and sparkly costumesPractical tips on turning challenges into growth opportunitiesInsights on advocating for health and breaking through stereotypesAmy’s personal mission to bring relief and research to women in needHeartwarming stories about family, resilience, and shining in your authenticity00:00 - Meet Amy: First-time pageant contestant with a powerful passion for women’s health02:41 - Amy’s bold "yes" that launched her pageant journey and love for spontaneity04:36 - Favorite parts of competing—costumes, costumes, costumes!05:44 - Building her own gown from scratch—turning creativity into confidence07:23 - How showing up in sparkle and glam boosts women’s self-esteem08:27 - The entertainment and sisterhood aspect of Utah pageantry09:41 - Facing fears in swimsuits—body positivity and mental strength11:02 - Making stage confidence a family affair—kids bedazzling and cheering12:18 - Breaking stereotypes—pageants as platforms for advocacy and change13:29 - Supporting each other—Utah’s deep sisterhood in competition15:22 - The joy of designing and creating your own dress—personal expression19:45 - Amy’s platform: Fighting for women’s medical research and support22:06 - The importance of listening, advocating, and breaking down medical dismissals23:54 - Combining her passions: pet therapy and community service26:49 - The need for greater empathy in healthcare—women’s pain as real and valid29:31 - Creative solutions like animal therapy for pain management30:08 - Advocating for women through action, education, and community31:32 - The true spirit of modern pageantry—passion, purpose, and power34:40 - Small things bringing joy—motherhood, self-care, and embracing authenticity37:04 - How pageants create lifelong memories and confidence for women and their families38:40 - Kids’ excitement about the journey—families supporting women’s dreams39:29 - The “lights” segment—green for love, advocacy, and sparkle; red for societal norms and grime45:48 - Lessons from pageantry: Investing fully leads to growth and transformation50:49 - The unstoppable power of women choosing to go all in—your life, your platformAmy Winder on InstagramHer Foundation - Supporting research for pregnancy conditionsPanda Express Fundraisers - Partnering for medical research funding

Summary In this engaging podcast episode, Kimberly Chatto and Ashton Pankratz explore the themes of friendship, women's ministry, prayer, and personal growth through the lens of their experiences. They discuss the importance of supportive friendships, the impact of women's ministry in fostering community, and the power of prayer in their lives. Additionally, they share insights from Kimberly's pageant experiences, highlighting the emotional challenges and triumphs that come with competition. The conversation emphasizes the significance of building connections, celebrating each other's successes, and navigating life's challenges together. In this engaging conversation, Kimberly Chatto and Ashtin Pankratz delve into the multifaceted experience of pageantry, discussing the challenges and triumphs of competing, the importance of body positivity, and the significance of community and friendship. They also explore the complexities of dating and relationships, including the pitfalls of matchmaking services, while emphasizing the need for self-acceptance and personal growth. The discussion is rich with insights on navigating life as a single mother, the pressures of societal beauty standards, and the joy of forming meaningful connections.   Keywords friendship, women's ministry, prayer, pageants, personal growth, community, support, faith, empowerment, Christian women, pageantry, self-confidence, body positivity, community, dating, matchmaking, relationships, personal growth, motherhood, friendship Takeaways Friendship is a strong support system. Engaging in women's ministry can foster community. Prayer is a powerful tool in faith. Pageants can be emotionally challenging but rewarding. Building friendships in adulthood is important. Community helps in personal growth and faith. Comparison can be a struggle in competitive environments. Support from friends is crucial during challenging times. Intentionality in prayer can lead to personal transformation. Celebrating others' successes is vital in friendships. The pageant experience is both challenging and rewarding. Body positivity is crucial in competitive environments. Community and friendship play a vital role in personal growth. Dating can be complicated, especially for single parents. Matchmaking services may not always be reliable or professional. Self-acceptance is essential for mental health and confidence. Women should feel empowered to embrace their bodies. Pageants can foster incredible friendships and networking opportunities. It's important to be intentional about forming connections. Life experiences shape our perspectives on dating and relationships. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Friendship Dynamics 02:48 Bug Encounters and Friendship Support 05:56 Women’s Ministry and Community Building 10:03 Empowerment Through Ministry and Personal Growth 20:03 The Power of Prayer and Spiritual Warfare 28:26 The Power of Prayer 34:05 Creating a War Binder 39:13 Intentionality in Prayer 44:56 Community and Friendship in Faith 48:13 Pageant Experiences and Personal Growth 55:41 Navigating the Pageant Experience 01:00:21 Body Positivity and Self-Confidence in Pageantry 01:05:00 The Challenges of Dress Shopping 01:10:52 The Importance of Community and Friendship 01:15:47 The Joys and Opportunities of Pageantry 01:20:05 Dating and Matchmaking Adventures 01:22:36 The Matchmaking Experience 01:28:11 Reflections on Dating Preferences 01:30:23 Navigating Dating in Your 30s 01:33:07 The Role of Intentionality in Dating 01:38:40 Conversations on Kindness and Relationships 01:45:39 Finding Joy in Motherhood 01:47:53 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

Re-released episode! Crystal is a dear friend of Kim's and while working together, Kim came to realize that Crystal is also a Christian. Through their friendship Kim realized how incredibly powerful Crystal's testimony is and could be to so many. The Highly Favored Team is so incredibly excited to have her on today's episode. Crystal discusses many challenging topics such as abuse and overcoming incredible adversity. Her resiliency will inspire you and she also shares about strength found in communities such as Christian-based organizations like Celebrate Recovery. https://celebraterecovery.com/  

As we wrap up the pageant series, we are excited to welcome Ashlee Stratton, Mrs. Spanish Fork, with this episode releasing the day before the Mrs. Utah America/n and Miss Utah for America Strong pageant. Ashlee's platform, "Frozen to Forward," discusses actionable steps to reaching your goals and it is the perfect head space leading into the pageant.

Today's episode is dual hosted by Kim and Mrs. Vineyard, Aubin Palmer. As both women prepare to compete is the Mrs. Utah America/n and Miss Utah for America Strong pageants, they discuss empowerment and standing tall together as they overcome insecurities and grow as they go after their goals.

Michelle Jones, Mrs. Herriman, shares her pageant experience as she competes in the 2025 Mrs. Utah America and Mrs. Utah American pageant. She has a passion in advocacy against child abuse and believes in using her voice to inspire others to overcome their abuse. "Be Brave, This is not your ending...it's theirs. Yours has yet to come!"

Today's episode highlights one of the amazing women competing in the 2025 Mrs. Utah America and Mrs. Utah American pageant, Portia Blanchard. As Mrs. Maple Mountain, her platform, You are Worth Living For, shares the same title as her internationally-selling book as she advocates for making the most of your life and seeing yourself in the best light. As a mother of seven, Portia also shares the experience of going through a pageant through the perspective of her children.

Can you believe that the 2025 Mrs. Utah America, Mrs. Utah American, and Miss Utah for America Strong Pageant is in 11 Days? I am thrilled to interview Mrs. Utah America, Chelsi Rasmussen, as we dive into advocacy work, her pageant experience, the influence being a title holder and Queen has on her daughters, and the sisterhood found in pageantry.

After a two week break, we are excited to welcome Ashtin Pankratz to the podcast! Ashtin is a military spouse, Christian, and shares with the Highly Favored listeners her experiences with neurodivergence and getting diagnosed as an adult. She also promotes healthcare advocacy with a diagnosis of mold exposure with her brain and her journey through symptom treatment. Plus fun hyper fixations like the amazingness that is Costco.

Vanessa is a military spouse and Christian mother who started homeschooling her children as a calling from God. With humor and humility, Vanessa shares her experiences - the good, the challenges, and the misconceptions that accompany homeschooling. Vanessa is a great friend of the show host's and one of the top reasons Kim brought her on the wad not only is Vanessa hilarious and so personable, but the Jones family taught her so much about homeschooling and really opened her perspective on it. Even if you're not a Christian, this episode will share a lot on deciding to homeschool.

Join us as we interview the lovely and talented Miss Nebo Valley, Jaimee Beard, as she shares her platform, Dance with a Purpose. Jaimee has an absolute heart of gold and through this journey saw a need within the dance communities of California following the destruction created by the wildfires. Through her efforts, she raised awareness for the need of donated dance supplies and collected them throughout the state of Utah to bring to Los Angeles. Jaimee shares the impact of her faith and the importance of dance in her life and lives of her students as she makes a difference in her community through her passions. 

We are so excite to have Charlotte on the podcast to speak on her immense pageant experience, being an adoption advocate, her career as a professional chef, and her platform of celebrating neurodiversity. As someone who also dabbles in "neurospiciness," our host Kim Chatto loved the discussions from this interview and how we can better advocate for one another.

Episode 14 features Mrs. Utah County, Clarissa Thomas with her platform, Build it Beautiful. She is strong, bold, and committed to helping women build their best lives as leaders. She presents everyday tools for everyday leaders for everyday life. We had the best conversations as she shared her unconventional pageant journey and how beneficial the experience in competing in pageants can be. Our favorite takeaway is being empowered to break down the thing you've built or to continue building. 

Episode 13 with Miss Bountiful, Kimberly Wirfs, covers her platform of being prepared for the unexpected. She has developed an emergency preparedness binder so that you are ready regardless of what life throws at you. Her bubbly personality and fun demeanor make this episode a blast to listen to and we know you will enjoy everything she has to share. We cover everything from being a military spouse, the passing of her husband and becoming a widow, owning her own business, and even dating as a single mom.

Episode 12 continues the pageant series featuring Mrs. Daybreak, Amanda McCombs. We cover so much in this episode and many of the topics are heavy such as single parenthood, societal expectations, faith and religion, stalking, losing a loved one, grief, and recovering from live-changing illnesses. Despite this, Amanda is so incredibly resilient, fun, and such a light.

Episode 11 was recorded after a longgg day of driving after doing a custody swap of my kids back to their dad after Christmas break. If you saw my National Parks video, it’s like a mini documentary of the complex emotions you run through over a seven hour drive back home without the two people who mean the most to you in this earthly life. If you ever wanted to gain some perspective on what that is like and how hard it is - this is the episode. The only way to get past it is to go through it. For those navigating co-parenting and single parenthood, I see you and you’re doing a great job. 

Ashley Butler, Mrs. Mountain Ridge, discusses how experiences with abuse became the motivating factors to be a chain-breaker and to change her perspective on life. Going through therapy helped to become the foundational premise for her platform and to inspire others. Ashley is also our first guest on the podcast who is a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and we navigate conversations on faith and different backgrounds, which was such a fun opportunity being new to the state of Utah.

Abbey's platform and ministry, Not Yet My Daughter, provides Biblically-based hope for those experiencing infertility, miscarriage and baby loss. Through her platform, and as she competes in the Mrs. Utah America and Mrs. Utah American pageant system, she has created and distributed "Hesed" kits that are self-care kits for women who are navigating challenging experiences. We also dive into her Christian walk as a Masters of Divinity student We're thrilled to have Abbey on the podcast to share her resiliency story and bring hope to others in our celebration of Faith.

Kaylyn is a southern girl through-and-through, hailing from Alabama and now has several Utah pageants under her belt. We think you are going to love her charming self in Episode 8. As a military spouse, Christian, and nurse her platform, Reclaimed, is an opportunity for her to share how to navigate intimate conversations with the goal of strengthening relationships. #WarEagle

Episode 7 kicks off the special pageant series leading up to Miss Utah for America Strong, Mrs. Utah America, and Mrs. Utah American 2025 with podcast host Kim Chatto sharing about why she is doing a pageant as a 35-year-old single mom. Kim dives into insecurities, showing up confident, moving into a new community and calling it home after serving in the military, and the beauty of competing for yourself, surrounded by incredible women. Special Note from Kim: I give shout-outs to Punchy Blonde, Fiiz, Hydrojug, Liz Tomforde's "Mile High," The Lovebound Library Bookstore, and all of my amazing donors. If you would like sponsor me or donate, please reach out! @highlyfavored_official and @kim_chatto

We are back with Part 2 where Emily continues to share from her military experiences, but this time under the lens of navigating service as a woman, approaching mental health resources, community, rising above toxic leadership, and taking care of yourself. We leave you with the message that you deserve to be here!

Part 1 - Emily Barielle reflects on her experiences serving in the military as an Air Force Officer. Emily brings up how she navigated starting her career as a nuclear combat crew commander and then transitioned to maintenance. She also shares on the leaders who greatly impacted her and her leadership style through lessons learned, especially through the 2014 missiles investigation. Stay tuned for Part 2 where we discuss experiences serving in the military as women.

As ones who wrestle with Faith in real ways as we actively navigate pursuing a relationship with Christ, Katy shares her journey as a Christian going through a divorce in a small town. She is a force of nature and an incredible representation of faith during unexpected trials. Episode 5 dives into the importance of that foundation of faith, and not on a reliance on ourselves.

Relationships can impact how we think, respond to other people, grow, heal, and they have the capabilities of leaving a lifelong impression. If you could talk to an ex who had a tremendous impact on your life, good or bad, what would you say? If you've listened to the start of the podcast, you may be familiar with my two "main character" relationships that came out of Korea. One was chaotic and the other was super healthy. Well listeners, we're here to get vulnerable so bringing the chaotic relationship onto the pod. Excited to welcome my ex-boyfriend, Sean, to discuss overcoming challenges, what went wrong in our relationship, dating culture and how we've hopefully matured, and how we navigate life as tremendously imperfect Christians. 

Women-dominated corporate and professional environments are incredibly inspiring to career-driven individuals but today the Highly Favored Podcast also talks about their unique challenges and the accompanying professional stressors, all while navigating personal goals like trying to find the love of your life. The Highly Favored Podcast is thrilled to welcome Stacey Yun, an incredibly driven South Korean professional and Kim Chatto's best-friend, to today's episode to talk all things about work dynamics in highly competitive, women-dominated career fields and the joys of navigating dating and its every confusing terminology, all while trying to meet personal and professional goals in your 30s. 

Podcast host Kim Chatto has a major issue with surface-level rhetoric when fed to Christians. She dives into how "bare minimum" is not the fruit-of-the-spirit and what diving into a deep, personally connected relationship with God should be like. We're seeking that Bread of Life, not just cake for spontaneous consumption...and Kim loves cake so there's that.

In a special Christmas Eve Bonus Episode, podcast host Kim Chatto welcomes her son William as the first guest and biggest supporter. As an 8-year-old military brat, William shares his experiences but also his extensive interest in geopolitics with nuclear capabilities (yes, you heard that correctly), his knowledge of Godzilla, and how he believes nuclear testing created Sponge Bob Squarepants lore.

Join podcast host, Kim Chatto, as she reflects on her dating journey as a single woman in her 30s, the Stockdale Paradox with balancing realism and optimism, her running an hour late for a date because she had to buy meat, and leaning into her faith through difficult times.

Opening trailer for Season 1: Pray not Prey of the Highly Favored Podcast