The Smile Project

This podcast journey has been filled with excitement, anxiety, and most of all inspiration. I want to thank all the women who have joined me this season. Your voices go out for eternity! For now, I'm leaving the podcast to be still. Perhaps there is a season 2 on the horizon, and maybe not. Either way, I hope you find your true joy!

We continue our conversation this week with Sarah Gayler, the first female head men's basketball coach in NAIA history. The Brescia University Bearcats are lucky to have Sarah and we continue to learn about how they are growing together as a family and giving back to the community all while keeping Christ at the center of all they do.

Our guest this week is the first ever female head men's basketball coach in NAIA history. Sarah Gayler has always had a passion for basketball and is breaking barriers to pursue it. Join us on this journey as we learn more about how Sarah has accomplished this amazing feat.

This episode's guest, Ginny Hardesty, is creating a movement in Owensboro, KY. Join us as we learn more about Ginny, her Silent Book Club, and her store, Displaced Pages.

Join us for the second part of this amazing journey with Heidi Todd as we learn more about her experience with a devastating house fire.

Our guest for the next two episodes has a truly inspiring story. From a house fire and loss, to a thriving family and relationships, Heidi Todd has counted on God every step of the way. Join us on this remarkable journey.

Welcome back to our episode featuring Blake Templeton! Let's learn more about her journey!

What a joy it was to sit down with Blake Templeton! She is a woman of faith, a devoted wife, and a mom of three. Her story is truly amazing. Join us as we learn about her struggles with addiction and how that led her down a road to helping those with addiction.

Welcome back to our conversation with Marilyn Rhoads as we learn more about Grace Marriage and what Marilyn and her husband are up to!

Brad & Marilyn Rhoads spent the first year of their marriage sad, isolated and frustrated. But God intervened and helped them build a marriage beyond their imagination. Realizing that 72% of churches lack any substantive marriage ministries, they formed Grace Marriage to bridge the gap. Join me as we learn more about Marilyn and her journey!

Welcome back to the second part of our podcast with Jennifer Keller: entrepreneur, mother, wife, and woman of faith. Join us on this journey to discover our real selves!

Jennifer Keller is a Jane-of-all-trades; mother, wife, entrepreneur, woman of faith, you name it, she can do it. Check out this episode and learn more about this can-do woman!

In Part 2 of this episode we learn more about Amanda's MS diagnosis and hear the rest of her story. From starting a successfull business to raising 5 children, Amanda doesn't let anything hold her back. She is truly an inspiration!

Join me in welcoming Amanda Powell to the podcast! Her story is truly inspiring and this episode runs through all of the emotions. Amanda has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a diabling disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. But this has not stopped her from having a large family and successful business. Join us on this journey to find our true selves!

Who knew we could learn so much from a couple dogs and a few fish? Like the animals in this episode, sometimes we want life to be just right. Most of the time that's not what life hands to us, so we adjust. We develop and love on ourselves. Every day we have the opportunity to keep adjusting. Join me on my journey to find my true self!

Amy Burgan is a local elementary education teacher turned entrepreneur. After getting her bachelor's degree and master's degree Amy taught in public schools for nearly 10 years. In her time in the classroom she began to grow fond of a couple subjects in particular and decided to start a business around them. Join us as we learn more about Amy and her business, Art Lab Owensboro!

I LOVE a good dual-purpose workout. My favorite is running and getting a good tan at the same time. Recently I was reintroduced to yoga and was surprised by what I found while slowly and methodically I performed these poses. Join me as I journey to find my true self!

Welcome back with our guest Ashley Webb. We get to hear some of her favorite recipes to cook and a fun end-of-cooking-camp tradition for the kids.

Ashley is the proud owner of THREE businesses! Joys Cooking Classes offers fun and educational cooking classes and private events for children, teens, and adults. Joy-Full Meal Prep offers delicious and nutritious meals that are portioned for you and ready to heat and eat. Lastly, Joy-Full Java Juice serves your favorite coffee with a smile. Join us as we learn more about Ashley.

We wrap up our powerful and fun conversation with, now, Brooklyn Johnson. Congratulations again on the wedding! Listen to what Brooklyn has to say about finding your true self.

This week I'm joined by special guest and fellow podcaster, Brooklyn (Maple) Johnson. Her podcast, A Couple of Sassholes, takes a deep dive into murder cases in a light and fun way. More importantly, they also use their platform to caution women and help prevent crimes against women. Brooklyn is such a delight, newly married, and excited about life! Join us for part one as we dive into her journey!

I recently attended a women's conference hosted by friend of the podcast, Dr. Laura Murphy. The title of this conference was Joy Comes in the Morning. What I didn't expect was to have my thinking turned upside down and inside out. Stories of great struggle were shared with us and a message of hope that joy does come in the morning. Join me on this journey to finding our true selves!

Pam was born and raised in Owensboro and attended Western High School (first through sixth grade), Foust Jr. High School and Owensboro High School, where she was on the first Girls Track team, winning a state championship in her senior year. As an entrepreneur, Pam owned her own salon for over 30 years, along with Tastefully Yours catering service for over 20 years. Pam was the first African-American to hold the office of President of the Kentucky AmVets Ladies Auxiliary for the state of Kentucky. On her first bid for a seat on the Owensboro Board of Commissioners in 2010, she garnered the most votes in the primary and general elections, making her the first female to hold the office of Mayor Pro Tem. She went on to serve an additional four terms and is currently serving her sixth term as a City Commissioner. Currently she is running to become the first female and African-American mayor of the city of Owensboro. Join me in welcoming her as we learn about her journey.

We have had some AMAZING guests on the podcast these past few months. I took some time to listen back through the episodes and gathered the best nuggets I could find. In this episode I've compiled those nuggets into a recap of 2024 so far this year. Join me as we continue to grow!

Kelsey embarked on her entrepreneurial journey at the young age of 23. Her path into the world of real estate began with a casual conversation at the gym with a friend. This chat would lead to a life-changing decision. Fast forward nearly a decade, and she now owns multiple businesses that are intricately connected with the world of real estate. Among these ventures includes "The Bluegrass Barbie" AirBnB in Owensboro, Kentucky. She's not only a successful entrepreneur but also a coach, hosting masterminds to help others level up their skills and businesses. Recently, she created a Facebook group that has rapidly grown into a vibrant community called "Leading Ladies - Women Who Wow." This group is a place for women to connect, learn, support, engage, and evolve together. I hope you enjoy this bright and beautiful woman!

I recently heard Russell Hoyt, CEO of the the Hoyt Foundation, speak on the memory of his father and brother, Dick and Rick. If you've not heard this story I encourage you to look it up. It is so inspiring. It got me thinking about the hard things that I've done. The physical, mental, emotional challenges I have overcome. Join me as we journey through changing our limiting beliefs!

Perspective is a funny thing. Just one little change in the way we look at things can make or break your day. As you journey through life, which wolf are you choosing to feed? The positive or the negative?

Angel grew up a dance and pangeant girl and discovered a love for sports. She is a graduate of KWC and has worked for both the city and county school systems. Her passion lies in serving the community of Owensboro and Daviess County. Angel is the founder and Executive Director of My Sister's Keeper, a shelter in Owensboro for women and children.

We recently had to overcome so many obstacles on a snowy adventure. It seemed like everywhere we went there was failure. Strap on your snow boots, chain up your tires, and join me on this adventure!

Laura Murphy is an educator, writer, and mom of five who loves sharing stories about overcoming obstacles. She teaches future educators at Kentucky Wesleyan College, serves as the Instructional Coach at College View Middle School and recently published a book—"Inside Out, Upside Down" about responding to grief. In her spare time, she enjoys running and working out or assisting with her husband’s video and photography projects at Chosen Creations. Her favorite scripture comes from Galatians 6:9–“Do not lose heart when doing good for in due season you will reap a harvest if you don’t give up.”

Close your eyes and imagine you are speaking to your 6 year old self. Would you deny them of their dreams, hopes, and desires? Hopefully not! Positive self talk can be very powerful!

Elaine Martin owns Pigtails & Cowlicks Kids Consignment Sale with locations in Owensboro, KY and Evansville, IN. She is an Enneagram 7 and views life with extreme positivity and adventure. Elaine also needs to rewash clothes because they sit in the washer too long, whispers too loudly, and is fearful of taking her car in for an oil change. To top it all off, she's the proud champion of one very rare Guiness World Record!

If you knew you only had 38 minutes to live, what would you say and who would you say it to? Why wait until then?

Amy Gilmore, owner of Gramps Coffee & Donuts, tells her story of stay-at-home-mom to small business owner, how she connects with other women business owners and her focus on self-care, despite a 3am wake up!

I recently had a death in the family and noticed that death makes you think about life. We work so hard to build up our lives but often we don't think about building our legacy. How will you be remembered?

Alicia, President of GodSmile Ministry, shares her journey from recovery to working mom, full time straight-A student, and president of a nonprofit. Her positivity and prayerful attitude will encourage you to take the first step to your own dreams.

Often in life we are faced with the option to sink or swim. Do I give up and sink or do I push on and swim? As I journey through this stage of my life, I'm reminded of my sink or swim moments. Whether it's athletic events or starting your own business, always strive to keep swimming.

Please welcome my friend, Jamie Jit, to the show. Jamie is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Mosaic Counseling. In this episode, Jamie shares the struggles she sees many women facing and the best coping strategies she recommends. She shares her own story of being a working mom, homeschool mom, wife in ministry, and all the other hats she wears.

Each new year I create a vision for the year, drawing inspiration from Jon Gordon's book "One Word." This one word motivates me, drives me, and inspires me throughout the year to be a better person. Journey with me as I decide my one word for 2024.

Have you ever looked in the mirror or at a photo of yourself and all you notice are the blemishes? Then you spiral into trying to be someone you aren't! Join me on my journey as I learn to love all of myself.

Most of the time people mean well, but every now and then a phrase can be uttered that will cut to your core. Words have power and meaning and we have to be careful with that. Join my journey as I try to focus on the positive words in life.

In my search for true joy I'm realizing I'm a pleaser and sometimes make myself a victim to get the truth from someone. The key here is to keep naming them, keep seeing them. Join me on my journey!

I seem to always sit around and wait for the good things to happen instead of being okay with contentment. Seeking perfection can lead down a slippery slope. Listen as I journey towards contentment in life.

Sometimes I catch myself practicing negative self-talk. That's a boundary I need to set in my own life and make sure that self-talk is positive. Listen to some ways that have helped me implement that positive self-talk

We hit the ground running in this episode with the four biggest takeaways from my journey. This episode is best listened to right after Episode 1 - My Journey. Find your true joy this week!

The holiday season is upon us and if you're anything like me, you take on way too much! In this episode you'll learn what NOT to do with deviled eggs as well as how to make the holiday season memorable for everyone.

"I began with the end in mind." Here it is! My journey in a brief podcast. As you learn more about me, and yourself, you'll find that empathy, kindness, and honesty are the way to go.

Come with me on a journey...my journey. From wasted college days to dental school and family, this is who I am. These are all my successes and struggles. Join me on this journey as we find our true joy together!