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Diana Gladney helps entrepreneurs get past the fear of making videos so they can share their expertise with the global audience who needs it.A Tale Worth Telling When I first started writing this blog post about Diana Gladney, I focused on three pivotal experiences in her life: Growing up in an entrepreneurial home where she helped run her mother's business. Surviving a health crisis that almost took her life and forced her to think beyond "punching a clock" for work. Having a business coach who pushed her to get "way outside" of her comfort zone and create videos. Those details are essential to understanding how Diana got where she is today professionally. But the words felt uninspired until I realized that Diana didn't come on this podcast to merely tell a tale. Her time is more precious than that, and her purpose is more significant. So is yours. A Story Worth Sharing As a YouTube and video marketing strategist and consultant, Diana helps entrepreneurs simplify the video creation process so they can reach the global audience who needs their expertise. Simply put, she says, "I get the tech out of the way so people can get to the sharing-the-message part."If you watch her videos, you will also see that she encourages creators to make good enough videos--"lean into the mistakes"--so they can share content more often and avoid chasing perfection. Diana explains, "If you're creating content around something you love or enjoy...we don't care about the photography and filmmaking stuff."The audience comes to connect with you, learn, and sometimes engage with other audience members too. That's called community, and video is at the core. Getting mired in making flawless videos wastes your time and withholds information from people who seek your knowledge and insight. Neither delay is acceptable to a woman who nearly died. "When you get a second opportunity to live, you don't waste it," she says.Diana, now a prolific content creator who has published over a thousand videos, gives this example of the importance of sharing your message. In 2020, the year now defined by worldwide lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she received an email from a pastor in Africa. He reached out and said, "Because of your videos, my ministry survived. We were able to help so many more people."Diana continues, "You always hope that you help people, or you hope that people get value out of what you're doing... Of all the things, that [email] showed me, I am doing what I'm created to be doing."Mentioned in this Interview @DianaGladney on Instagram @DianaGladney Video Simplified on YouTube DianaGladney Website ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

When Nicole Adair felt prompted to turn off Netflix, she got out a book to read instead. Now she's written two of her own. Turning Off the Noise When her local women's organization leaders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Stake Relief Society) asked members to replace one thing in their lives with something better, Nicole Adair knew she should give up Netflix. But she didn't want to. She "needed" the entertainment service to help her stay awake during seemingly endless nights caring for a newborn. Then her reluctance to give up the vice bothered her more than turning off the device.Nicole recalls, "I kept having this feeling, and then I was disturbed by how much I didn't want to [turn off Netflix]...So I decided for 30 days to not watch any TV." "I'm not saying that TV is bad or that Netflix is bad. I think the Lord was trying to communicate to me that I needed some quiet time. I needed some space to hear Him because He had something to tell me that was really important," she adds. Accepting the REAL Challenge Up with her wee one in the wee hours of the night, when she usually "zoned out" watching television, Nicole picked up a book instead.Though she had always loved to read, this stay-at-home mother of three had gotten out of the habit for two reasons. First, the busyness of caring for little kids left her no time to sink into a book. Second, when she did get a chance to read, she would get so engrossed in the story that she didn't want to put the book down. So to avoid the frustrating starts and stops, Nicole quit reading entirely.That is until she started a Netflix fast during late-night feedings.And here is where this tale takes an unexpected turn.In the quiet of the night, with a book and a baby in her hands, Nicole suddenly understood that she needed to do more than just read other people's stories. She felt prompted to start writing some of her own. Then, almost as shocking and immediate, characters nudged their way into her thoughts along with plot lines, settings, and dialogue. Unable to quash the developing novel, Nicole rose to what turned into an even more significant challenge--becoming a writer.Listen to this interview to hear the rest of the story and learn how Nicole (now the author of two teen novels) found time to write, why she felt inspired to share her journey on social media, and how taking this leap of faith led to divinely inspired collaborations and several other unexpected blessings. ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

When Kaitlen Polatis got the idea to build a mobile flower truck, she wanted to bring joy more than she cared about making money. Now she does both. "It's Not About the Money" Kaitlen Polatis couldn't stop thinking about creating a mobile flower truck. With three little kids, she didn't have time to start a business, but she couldn't shake the urgency to do it anyway. When her husband Ryan asked about the financial feasibility, she responded, "It's not about the money." So then, what is it about?Fun. Initially. That's what Kaitlin thought.She remembers, "We were just coming through 2020. What a year. I thought that this would bring so much joy."So Ryan agreed, and the couple started scouring the Internet for a truck they could afford and convert into a traveling storefront without much effort. When they found a 1953 Chevy a few miles from their home, the couple couldn't believe their luck. Kaitlen's dad and his friend took over from there--welding a structure into the truck's bed to hold a canopy and all the gear needed to transport and sell fresh flowers on the go.Next stop. Flowers.Kaitlen has to get up at 5 o'clock to drive to a wholesale flower market in Las Vegas, where she buys fresh flowers to sell by the stem. Her dad often rolls out of bed early to accompany her on the trip. His involvement in this labor of love turned into an unexpected blessing.She fondly shares, "[My dad] is in his 70s, and he's just this darling old man. It's been on my mind a lot lately that a blessing that's come from doing this [business] is the time I've spent with him because of this truck. He had a little bit of a health scare, and I'm really close with my dad. So I just kept thinking how grateful I am that I get to spend all this extra time with him because of this. We would be spending time together regardless, but it's just different."And let's not forget Ryan and his question about the numbers. Now, just a short time later, Billie (the truck's name) and her blooms are turning a profit. Thanks to modern technology, Desert Daisy Flower Truck brings in a steady income from subscription services, pop-up markets, farmer's markets, workshops, social media sightings, delivery services, and more.But the money is still not Kaitlen's primary focus. To her, the best part of the business is that the truck brings joy. She says, "It is so much work. When I first started, I thought it would be fun. It is a lot of fun but also so much work. It's way more work than I anticipated, especially when you're juggling family life... Then we're out with the truck, and it's like, 'Oh, that was so fun.'"This busy mother of three will never know exactly why she felt prompted to start this business when she did. But, had she waited, the opportunity may have passed, the truck may have been gone, and her dad may not have been able to be as involved. This story is an excellent reminder that God's promptings to act are seldom convenient and often for purposes beyond what we can see. The numbers are important, of course, but a loving Heavenly Father can make anything work when we follow his (business) plan. And that is so much fun. ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

Shawna Edwards didn't want to share her music publicly. But her dad wouldn't let it go. Now millions of people enjoy her faith-based songs. "Have You Done Anything With That Song?" Shawna Edwards never intended to share her music with the general public, but her dad wouldn't stop pushing her to do so. After hearing "Do You Have Room?", a song Shawna had written for a family Christmas gathering, he told her to "do something with that song." Eventually, she printed out a nice set of sheet music to appease him. That wasn't enough. He wanted her to do more. Even after he passed away, she could hear his voice saying, "Have you done anything with that song?"So she got brave.She submitted the piece to a songwriting competition for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And won! But when a public performance of the song went awry, Shawna came home defeated, vowing never to be so vulnerable again.However, the prompting to "do more with the song" wouldn't go away.This time, with her husband's encouragement, she created a music video for "Do You Have Room?" and published it on YouTube. People loved it. Praise for the video and requests for the sheet music came pouring in, but criticism rained down as well when viewers told Shawna that she couldn't use copyrighted imagery without permission. Embarrassed by her naivete, she removed the music video from YouTube, thus angering people who wanted to show it at their upcoming Christmas events. Again, Shawna felt defeated.She recalls, "This was not a good start. I made a ton of mistakes like that, but what kept me going was the fact that people liked that song. I had all kinds of people tell me how the song had inspired them to make more room for Jesus that day."Listen to this interview to hear how Shawna overcame the early pitfalls in her songwriting career, the advice she has for other creators, and how her faith increased as she kept doing the things that made her feel vulnerable--despite those early defeats.Mentioned in this Interview Shawn Edwards YouTube Channel Shawna Edward's Website Do You Have Room? / Sheet Music The Miracle (Recomposed) Risen Restored  ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

Getting Thrown a Curve Ball For 20 years, Susan Koelliker's life went according to plan. She married her high school sweetheart, had a house full of active kids, and worked alongside her husband in their fast-paced dental practice. They made a great team until life threw the family a curve ball--a cancer diagnosis that changed everything.Shortly after his 40th birthday, David Koelliker discovered he had a brain tumor and a significantly shortened lifespan. Determined to go down swinging, the family decided to make the most of whatever time they had left together. Susan recalls, "When you face death, you learn to really live. That is what happened to our family. All of a sudden, someday was right now. You can't say, 'Oh, someday, we're going to do this,' or 'One day, we want to do this.' All of a sudden, it's like, 'if this is what we want to do, we're doing it now.'"And so they did. The Koelliker family took trips, wrote a book, started businesses, and more. While healthy, David participated in his children's activities, coached their teams, led scout campouts, attended dance recitals, and savored many family moments. Among the ideas that couldn't wait for "someday" was the invention of a soft-core leather baseball that helps kids learn how to love the game of baseball without the fear of getting hit or hurt.Listen to this interview to learn how Kore Baseball Products started, how the family rallied together to build the business, and what Susan has planned for the company. Though not how she expected her life to unfold, this entrepreneurial woman has a playbook full of ideas for the future. Mentioned in this Interview KORE Baseball Products Brigham Young University Executive MBA program Sugar House Community Council Everyone Needs a Brain Tumor  Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

Before becoming a journalist, Stacey Carruth started a lengthy investigation into her own career--only she didn't see it that way at the time. She only saw failure.After serving a mission as a young adult, Stacey returned to college at Brigham Young University. Though she had started her post-secondary education as a science major ("to prove she was smart"), her thoughts changed while on her mission. She recalls, "I discovered a whole new area of life that sparked me and sparked my interest. I loved learning languages. I loved talking to people. I loved learning about the culture and what causes people to make the decisions they do or live the way they do."This change of heart led Stacey to change her major to Latin American studies. A campus event called "The Hunger Banquet" prompted her to lean further into helping people in developing countries.But practicality won out. Nervous about being in college for so long and needing to make money, Stacey switched her major back to clinical laboratory science so she could graduate as soon as possible.After graduation, she worked in a lab for a year before quitting to be home with her kids. Of the job, she said, "It served its purpose. It helped us get my husband through college. It paid the bills, but I only did it for a year because it was just so boring."  Longing for a Career As a new mom, Stacey loved being with her children but discovered she didn't love the homemaker lifestyle all that much. And though she felt guilty for wanting to work outside the home, she still longed for a career. But at the time, Stacey couldn't find a job that inspired her enough to justify disrupting the family arrangement or paying for childcare. So she spent the next several years experimenting--enrolling in various degree programs, starting projects, writing a blog, researching, and more--all to find purpose beyond life as a stay-at-home mom.  To be clear, Stacey valued the time spent with her kids. But with every passing year, she felt a little more lost in her faith and out of touch with the job market. She remembers lamenting to a friend, "I'm so proud of how I've spent the last 12 years. I have no regrets. I built an amazing marriage brick by brick with blood, sweat, and tears. I have amazing children, and I worked so hard to get rid of cultural and old habits from my upbringing, build a good relationship with them, and raise good children. I've tried to do wonderful things with my faith journey and in my faith community. I'm so proud of what I've done, but none of that shows up on a resume. That's a blank resume." Ironically, that gap on her resume plus the unseen career attempts would one day be the perfect "lack of experience" necessary for Stacey to become a sought-after journalist with a much-needed fresh perspective. And though she didn't know it then, her career launch could not have come at a better time. It's a good story. Have a listen. Mentioned in this Interview Mother Musings Solutions Journalism Network Trusting News ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

Sister Michelle Amos had just started to flourish in the empty-nest phase of her career when she got called to serve a mission instead. Having been a NASA Engineer at Kennedy Space Center for 30 years, Sister Michelle Amos is passionate about her career. But it's not the most important thing in her life. Instead, she prioritizes God and Family (in that order) above her work. Sister Michelle Amos and a colleague at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Here are some of the ways she has shown allegiance to those priorities over the years: Engaging in Service. Despite working full-time, Sister Amos never turned down a church calling or an opportunity to serve in the community. She served as the Relief Society President, Young Women President, Stake Young Women President, Cubmaster, and more at church. She did plenty of outreach at schools for NASA and led community events in Orlando as well. Carefully Choosing Projects. When colleagues pushed for bigger and better opportunities at work, Sister Amos stood down, determined to be available to her children as much as possible. She went to the office early so she could leave in time to pick the kids up from school and rarely worked on projects that required overtime. Waiting to Further Her Education. Though she wanted to obtain a master's degree, Sister Amos delayed post-graduate studies until the kids were older and a little more self-sufficient. She recalls, "I was a mother, I had small children, so I had to wait until my children were in high school or out of the home to take on management training or get my master's degree. I remember sitting at the table with my kids; we were all doing homework." Partnering with Her Husband. President John Amos encouraged Sister Amos to apply for the job at NASA. He supported her desire to work after the kids came along as well. She says, "President Amos has always been supportive of my career as an engineer. ... President worked locally in the city, so he could be there if there were emergencies at school. We knew our positions. We were able to plan if there were school activities or school events." In addition to those daily choices, this successful engineer also had to make big decisions too. When the kids went off to college, Sister Amos finally got the chance to further her career and take on more significant opportunities. In November of 2018, she got selected to join a flagship project as a Systems Engineer for the Mars 2020 Rover--a role she relished and temporarily moved to California to fulfill. Then just as the team prepared for the launch, Sister Amos and her husband got called to serve as mission leaders for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Once again, Sister Amos sublimated her career aspirations to put God first in her life. In this interview, you'll learn how she made the decision, what it cost her, and the unexpected blessings her obedience brought. Plus, as amazing as her career at NASA was, you'll hear why Sister Amos believes it was simply preparation for the higher calling she now holds. It's a good story. Have a listen. ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

Jamilla King, founder of @AnothaDIYProject, shares how she transformed her life and now she transforms spaces for a living.BEHIND THE SCENES WITH JAMILLA KING Having built a social media presence of 60+K followers in just over a year, Jamilla King of @AnothaDIYProject may seem like an overnight success. And in some ways, she is. A couple of months ago, only 2K people followed her Instagram account. But focusing on the audience alone is like admiring the paint on the wall without acknowledging the effort required to prep the surface or build the intricate panel work it covers. The numbers aren't the whole story. So what is the story? How did Jamilla go from a single bathroom design in March of 2021 to a schedule full of clients and thousands of followers a year later? You'll have to listen to the full episode to find out, but here are a few of the highlights: She quit her job. No kidding. With a newly issued real estate license and $50 in her bank account, Jamilla leaned into a heartfelt prayer. Then she typed up a resignation letter and walked. She refused to go back. It took six months before Jamilla closed her first real estate deal. That's some 180 days without a paycheck. To survive, she hustled and borrowed and even humbled herself to ask for help. When people questioned her decision to quit her job before she had a stable client base, she replied, "I didn't come this far to just go back." And she never did. She posted her progress. Growing up, Jamilla loved interior design. But without many African American women in the business or an understanding of how the industry works, she pursued other career options. After leaving her job to become a realtor, she redesigned her bathroom. She created an Instagram account to post progress pictures, and people noticed. She pivoted. After seeing Jamilla's work on Instagram, a few friends asked her to do projects in their homes. Another friend suggested she charge and start doing work for other people. With some resistance, Jamilla finally said, "Okay, fine." She praised God. With a modest social media following and a small roster of paying clients, Jamilla posted a video expressing gratitude for the life she now leads. It was a simple post showing her work, thanking God for the gifts she's been given, and appreciation for the ability to do what she loves for a living. The post went viral. Now, @AnotherDIYProject has several thousand followers, and Jamilla has more work than she can handle. Those are the highlights.  Listen to the full podcast to hear the behind-the-scenes moments that made this business happen. Of course, followers are fabulous, and going viral is mind-blowing. But success is never actually overnight. The heart of this story is Jamilla's decision to align with God and have the courage to follow His guidance day by day when things didn't look so Instagram-perfect. It's a good story. Have a listen. ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

Learn the moves that took Debbie Thompson (@TomDesignShop) from selling jewelry in art markets to launching a successful online business that supports her family and helps people preserve memories. The Most Important Lesson Learned When I book a guest on the Faithful Career Moves podcast, I have specific questions in mind. In this case, I wanted to know how Debbie Thompson became one of Etsy's top jewelry sellers. I wanted to know how she built the business, how long it took to make a profit, and how her life changed. (Of course, I also wanted to know how she saw the Lord's hands in the process.) So, that's how the interview started. But when we finished talking, the thoughts that lingered in my mind had nothing to do with the nuts and bolts of the business. Instead, I reflected more on the emotional side of this journey. The success of Tom Design Shop belies the mental and emotional challenges Debbie overcame to create it. Like the engraving needle touching metal for the first time, this interview only scratches the surface of the past 16 years. Still, I promise it's long enough to leave a mark. Here are just a few of the lessons that have stayed with me: Be Flexible. Debbie didn't set out to be a jewelry designer. She planned to sell photography at an art market and only made earrings as a backup plan. When customers bought the earrings instead of the prints, Debbie bought more beads and made more baubles. That is the first of many times this entrepreneur adjusted her business to meet demand and circumstances. Be Partners. When Tom Design Shop became profitable, Debbie's husband quit his job, set aside his career aspirations, and went to work for her. (He started out making bangles.) When they needed to move the business from their home to a commercial space, the Thompsons created alternating schedules so they could both care for the company and their kids. Be Creative. After having a baby, Debbie found herself lost in new motherhood, living in a new area, away from her support system, and suffering from undiagnosed postpartum depression. Making jewelry and starting an online business helped her rebound. The same thing happened when she delivered her second baby, only worse. Creating new designs somehow pulled her through again. Be Thankful. In Debbie's words, "There are things that happen just at the right time that shouldn't have happened. I think, 'Oh, my gosh, that was an answer to my prayer.' I'm constantly asking, asking, asking. I think it's also so important to thank, thank, thank, because just like your kids constantly asking for something, it gets hard. It gets draining on you. After I recognize and see the hand of God, I'm so thankful, and I thank Him." Though Debbie struggled with each transition in her life, the inspiration to keep making and selling jewelry played a significant role in her healing. That blessing alone would have been worth building the business. But as the success of Tom Design shows, God's plans are always bigger and better than we can imagine for ourselves. Since we can't see what he has in store, all we can do is follow each prompting received and trust that He's working in the background for our benefit. That is the lesson I never want to forget. Listen to the interview to learn more. ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

When her husband lost his job, this stay-at-home mother of four decided SHE could go back to work--only to discover that the tech industry had moved well-beyond her skillset.When Cathleen Poulsen’s husband got laid off from work, she lovingly waited for him to find another job. As time without a paycheck wore on, however, her patience wore out. In the midst of increased frustration and rising anxiety, she got an unexpected answer to her earnest prayer for help: YOU have skills. Taking the hint, she dusted off her computer science degree from 1995 and watched a few online videos to re-engage with the technology she had mastered in her pre-mom days. Then figuring she had "nothing to lose," Cathleen applied for a software development position at Family Search, a nonprofit genealogical organization run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The hiring process seemed promising until she got to the interview. It didn't go so well. Cathleen recalls, "It was a technical interview. It was me and eight engineers who were sitting there just throwing all these technical questions at me." After the meeting, the hiring manager kindly took Cathleen aside and said that her skills were not where they needed to be to fill the software development position. Then, to her surprise, he offered her an internship instead.  Thrilled with the outcome and grateful for an opportunity to update her expertise, Cathleen still had to prove herself--a challenge she did not take lightly. An Unexpected Blessing Because she hadn't worked in the tech industry for several years, Cathleen got quickly overwhelmed with how much had changed. She shares, "The first two weeks at the internship, I think that I cried every day on the way home from work. I came into it confident because I didn't know any better, but I realized how much I needed to learn." She had to overcome hurdles at home too. "When I was done I still needed to make dinner and then I still needed to help with homework. Then I still needed to get people to bed. Then I still needed to try to do some learning so that I didn't appear so dumb the next day," she laments. But Cathleen did not give up. She devised a plan at work to ensure she never asked the same question twice which increased her confidence. Her husband took on the after-school activities at home, and they held family councils with the kids to discuss more ways they could all work together. With time, Cathleen settled into her work and the family settled into a new routine. When the internship ended, Family Search offered her a full-time position as a Quality Assurance Engineer. She happily accepted the job. But wait, there's more (blessings) In this interview, Cathleen shares the many ways in which her family has been blessed by this experience. Spoiler alert: she loves her job, her husband got an opportunity to be more intentional with his career, and the kids became more independent. She saw the hand of God in the transition and recognized He had been guiding her towards a career reboot the entire time she'd been out of the workforce. Listen to the interview to learn more. ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

Allie Zeyer put down the paintbrush to support her husband’s career and start a family. After a loss, she picked it back up to find herself.The Fine Art of Mixing Here’s what I know about mixing paint.  Whether you buy a gallon of latex paint at the hardware store or a bunch of acrylics at the craft store, to get the exact color you want for a project, you’ll likely have to blend a few colors together. At Lowe’s or The Home Depot, a machine can do that for you by adding precisely measured tints to a base color.  At Hobby Lobby, you will have to eyeball the options yourself and pick a couple that might work when swirled together with a paintbrush. In both cases, you’ll probably have to experiment with the mix a bit to get the look you want. Even then, you may need to make additional adjustments when you see how the paint dries or the color is affected by the surface it's on or the light in the room. In short, it's a process. The Fine Art of Mothering As a professional artist, Allie Zeyer has to mix, experiment, and adjust all the time, but not just on the palette. She does the same in her personal life, continually finding ways to blend career aspirations with her cherished role as a wife and mother. In this interview, Allie shares her early dream of becoming an artist, how she shelved the work to provide for her family, and the heartache that drove her to return to the studio earlier than expected. She additionally explains some of the lessons learned along the way. For example, she found that she has to compartmentalize her life meaning she cannot paint and parent simultaneously without getting frustrated or compromising the outcomes. She has to pace herself, sometimes skipping events or saying ‘no’ to gallery opportunities. And she needs help. Her husband, who encourages her to keep mixing both worlds, often takes the kids out of the house on Saturdays so Allie can have dedicated time alone.  In short, it’s a process. But as Allie explains, “there’s been nothing but positive rewards from this” including some fun family trips, bonding with dad, and the kids finding scenes or barns they think mom should paint. She additionally says that pursuing this passion and developing her talent makes her feel good which, in turn, makes her a better mom. So even though the family has had to make adjustments, everyone is happier on the whole. In short, for Ally and her family, it's a process that's working just fine. Mentioned in this Interview Allie Zeyer's Website Allie Zeyer's Instagram Wilcox Gallery in Jackson, WY Relics Gallery in Holladay, Utah Jeffery R. Pugh, artist who inspires Allie  ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

The Unfolding of Roxanne Granata's Career There's always a backstory. People who have found the career they were born to do seldom explain their journeys as calculated moves. Most often, their unfolding stories read like dramatic novels full of dashed hopes, conquered hardships, and seemingly arbitrary happenings. Only when they get to the end of their tales do we see the miracles in the making--how random jobs taught necessary skills, rejections redirected paths, mentors arrived at perfect times, experiences sparked interests, and so forth. Roxanne Granata's journey is the same, but there are two ways to tell the story. Backstory One: Professional Success The first option is an essay on professional development. Roxanne is a woman who wanted to earn money while being home with her kids. She also wanted to overcome a lifelong fear of talking in front of people. Little did she know that signing up to be a paid crafter would help her do both plus prepare her for an eventual transition to author, podcaster, and public speaker. Her career success sits at the intersection of passion, purpose, and place. (See episode 6 with Jeffery Thompson). It's a good read that has all of the elements I seek in choosing guests for my show. Backstory Two: Personal Triumph The second way to tell the story, however, is a personal memoir that is hard to hear--for me anyway. After 17 years of marriage, Roxanne discovered that her husband had a secret. He had been hiding a longtime addiction. News like this splits your brain into equal parts clarity and confusion. There is clarity in finally understanding the chasm in your relationship and having an explanation for odd events and behaviors that happened over the years. But there is also confusion in trying to sort through the details of what you have been told (or found out), gauge the impact on your family, understand your role in the addiction, face an uncertain future, and more. When the secret comes out, you learn everything you need to know and literally nothing all at the same time. And that's where Roxanne found herself. Thrown into counseling, recovery programs, and re=commitment to her marriage PLUS panic, skyrocketing anxiety, and a desperate need for truth. The constant chaos shattered her emotional state until one day she found herself in a closet holding a pair of scissors. In this podcast episode, Roxanne shares what happened that day plus a series of plot twists that deepened her relationship with God, helped her heal from the trauma of betrayal, and gave her a way to help others do the same. This is the message she shares through her book, podcast, retreats, and speaking engagements. THIS is the backstory that needs to be told. Mentioned in this Interview Roxanne Granata on Instagram Roxanne Granata's Website Cutting Ties Book  Choose In Podcast ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

Why Being a Fun Mom Matters As a self-proclaimed, "fun mom" and the founder of GoBeFun, Amy Kroff prioritizes creating. experiences that bring her family together. Whether she’s setting up a bingo hall in her kitchen (complete with a microphone, bingo cage, and ink daubers) or issuing a challenge that requires nothing more than a blanket, this mother of seven is always looking for simple, inexpensive ways to create laughter and silliness across a broad range of age groups. On Instagram, her home might look like it’s all fun and games, but the intention behind this frivolity is much more serious. In Amy’s words, “I value the family unit and I want families to grow together…so many problems can be solved if families just enjoyed being together.”  But it can’t be forced. Forced Family Fun Amy learned early on that forcing fun on her family did not work. She recalls, “In year’s past, I said, ‘No. I put a lot of effort into this. We’re going to have fun and you’re going to like it.’”  Though well-meaning, that approach netted pushback and tears—the exact opposite type of family interaction she wanted. Undeterred and certain that the rewards would be worth the effort, Amy adjusted her expectations and learned how to offer the good times without requiring participation or wearing herself out. This patience and consistency paid off. From drawing a reluctant teenager out of isolation to having long distance belly-laughs with a young adult child who no longer lives at home, Amy’s intentional experiences are creating memories and building family connections. Learn How to Be a Fun Mom Having seen the benefits in her own home, Amy started a business to teach other moms how to be “a little bit more fun.” Through social media, a free newsletter, an online “Fun Mom Certification” course, and a few other products and services in the works, this energetic lady with a quirky sense of humor and a brain that her sisters say does not work like others, is on a mission to bring wholesome recreation and family togetherness to the masses. But if that doesn’t happen--"if there is no empire"--she will be just as happy knowing that her own family grew closer together in the process. Listen to the interview to learn more about how GoBeFun got started, what Amy envisions for the business, and to hear her signature, “Fun Mom Monday” intro. It's good stuff. ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

When the family business failed and her father passed away, Jennifer Hilton left the industry she loved to lessen the pain. Now she's back. All her life, Jennifer Hilton wanted to be a businesswoman. While other girls dressed up like princesses, she walked around in her mom's heels carrying a briefcase fashioned out of a McDonald's Happy Meal carton. While other kids listened to fairytales and bedtime stories at night, she listened to her dad read Human Resources (HR) manuals instead. She loved it. So when her dad opened an employment agency during her teenage years, she went to work in the family business. Jennifer remembers, "I worked in the employment agency. I did everything from answering phones and cleaning toilets to interviewing people for different positions,  whether it was day laborers or executives. It was the whole gamut of people." Had the business succeeded, Jennifer eventually would have taken over the company and achieved her ideal of being a successful businesswoman at a very young age. Instead, she found herself out of a dream job and working part-time as a seasonal recruiter for a toy company. Not long after that, her dad passed away. In the midst of her disappointment, loss, and grief, Jennifer left the employment industry to lessen the pain. But it didn't work. Instead she found herself in the middle of what might appear to be a series of unfortunate employment events. But as you will hear in this interview, there are no wrong turns, and with God, there are no "wasted opportunities" either. Because with each job she accepted and later left or lost, Jennifer inched closer and closer to realizing that most businesses simply do not know how to hire. Which then led to the realization that her experiences uniquely qualified her to be able to fix this problem. And that is the day Jennifer Hilton became a successful businesswoman in her own right. Jennifer is now an accomplished recruiter who helps startups and small businesses get amazing employees by teaching proven and effective recruiting, hiring and onboarding practices. In this interview, she shares some of that knowledge plus tips for people who are returning to the workforce after taking time off to be home with children. ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

FEELING "TOO COMFORTABLE" AS A STAY-AT-HOME MOMAfter being an all-in, stay-at-home mom who home-schooled her kids, coached their sports teams, volunteered at church, cooked and cleaned and did all the things an involved mother of four would do, Anne Nelson found herself out of a job when her youngest decided to attend public school. At a time when many women would have dropped into a recliner and taken a well-deserved nap, Anne decided she needed something else to do. She said, "I was feeling quite comfortable being a stay-at-home mom with not a lot of responsibilities. My kids were raised and three of them were already through college." Without any students to teach, Anne decided to go back to being a student herself. With a goal to simply explore the possibility of finishing the nursing degree she had started 25 years prior, Anne went to see a counselor at the local community college. To her surprise, the counselor said Anne had all of the prerequisites necessary to apply for nursing school immediately. So she did.  Anne got accepted into the nursing program only to encounter another career delay--a three-and-a-half year waiting list. But she didn't let that stop her. In this interview, Anne shares the many starts and stops she had en route to landing exactly where God needed her to be--in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) at a local hospital. FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE AS A NURSING STUDENT Now at age 57, Anne says becoming a nurse was the hardest thing she's ever done and she credits her family for giving her the support needed to finish, even when the process got difficult. Anne recalls, "It really was a full immersion, it was hard, especially hard on my husband who was so used to having me available all the time. There were a few times partway through it that I would have to say, 'I would stop doing this today. I will call them today. I will say, 'I need to drop out today if that's what you want.'"  But she didn't drop out. They kept going. "They prayed through it," Anne explained. FEELING AT HOME AS A NICU NURSE As a NICU nurse, Anne is now helping other families through some of the most profound moments of their lives. In the joyous deliveries that go as planned and the heartbreaking deliveries that don't, Anne has the skills necessary to help when she can and the faith necessary to pray for comfort when she can't. Anne is acting as the Lord's hands in such critical moments and it seems obvious to me that He guided her there for that purpose. What You'll Learn in this Episode How Anne Nelson worked her way through a grueling nursing program The starts and stops that forced her to pivot in unexpected ways A leap of faith she had to take in her career Blessing she could not see for herself in taking this journey Most Importantly: how she has seen the Lord’s hand in her career ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

How the CliftonStrengths Assessment can help you identify your God-given talents and learn how to apply them to your vocation (and all areas of your life) to more fully reach your potential.MEET ARNIE ALLRED While working in career services for then LDS Business College (now named Ensign College), Arnie Allred and his colleges were looking for a tool they could use to help students excel in job interviews. They selected the CliftonStrengths Assessment because they saw that the test results gave students a vocabulary they could use in everyday conversations (e.g. "I have a talent for building relationships"), validation for their strengths, and guidance on how to aim those strengths towards the goals they want to achieve. If that sounds too aspirational, listen to this interview as Arnie shares stories about the power of combining your individual strengths with others as well as coupling your own strengths together through something called "theme dynamics." The results are remarkable, but admittedly, hard to believe until you go through the process yourself. When I first took the Strengths assessment, I first tossed the results aside thinking they were just too obvious.  But that's the point. As Arnie says, "Everybody is incredibly talented. The sad thing is that lots of people don't see just how much value they can bring to the table. People don't recognize it because they say, 'That's just me.' They don't see the things they naturally do well as a talent." So let that sink in and listen to this interview to learn more about how important it is to KNOW what you're good at so you can "name it, claim it, and aim it" towards the things you want to achieve in this life. TAKE THE CLIFTONSTRENGTHS ASSESSMENT If you want to take the CliftonStrengths Assessment so you too can get the vocabulary and validation you need to achieve your career goals, sign up for strengths coaching here at Faithful Career Moves. If you're at BYU, then go see Arnie and his team instead. He's been doing this longer than me. :)What You'll Learn in this Episode What the CliftonStrengths Assessment is How your Strengths results can be utilized and compensated for A leap of faith Arnie had to take in his career A blessing he could not see for himself in taking this journey Most Importantly: How he has seen the Lord’s hand in his career Mentioned in this Interview Brigham Young University (BYU) Career Services The CliftonStrengths Assessment Ensign College (formerly LDS Business College) ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

When Jodi Chowen got offered a prestigious position at a top university, she had a big decision to make. Learn how she counseled with her family to decide.HAVING A JOB VS A CAREER There's a big difference between working part-time jobs to SUPPORT the family and embarking on a full-time career that may IMPACT the family. That's what Jodi Chowen discovered when the "job" she took in higher education led to additional opportunities she wanted to pursue. Only when she got offered a prestigious position at a top university did she realize she had to make a choice. Up until that point, Jodi juggled a variety of part-time jobs including a successful real estate gig while also being an at-home, highly-involved mother of five children. When her husband accepted a job in Hawaii, the family moved to the islands. But knowing that she would have to build her real estate business all over again--with a new license, new clients, and a geographic area that could take her up to an hour away from home--gave Jodi pause. She said, "I had this moment in my life where I asked, 'So am I a realtor? Is that who I am? Is that what I do?'" Not convinced, Jodi explored other options and eventually took a position as a part-time academic advisor at Brigham Young University in Hawaii simply because the job fit her schedule and it was close to home. Little did Jodi know, she had just stepped onto the first rung of a career ladder that would one day change everything for her family and bring fulfillment she didn't know she needed. HOLDING FAMILY COUNCILS In this episode, Jodi tells how her career unfolded and the steps she had to take to get where she is now. But it's important to know that those steps did not come without sacrifices for her and for everyone in the family. Some changes were as routine as not being home when the kids got out of school or not being able to fix her daughter's hair for a big performance. Other changes found the family living apart for 11 months so Jodi could start a new position without prematurely pulling her older kids out of school. To make big decisions and to ease the transitions, however, the Chowen family followed a pattern of prayer, seeking personal revelation, and holding family councils. Jodi explains, "When making a decision, the kids need to understand why and a family council approach helps. That way everybody is on board and you can talk through things when it doesn't go well." And guess what? It didn't go well all of the time. Listen to this episode to learn more about: Jodi's journey The moment she realized she was "having a career" How she handles the mom-guilt often associated with pursing a career in addition to being a mom. It's good stuff. ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

Camille Cazier of Cherish Your Space shares how to become a professional organizer and why understanding a client’s underlying emotional issues is more important than just clearing clutter.About Camille Cazier, Professional OrganizerThough she graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Family Studies, Camille Cazier, discovered professional organizing as a career option during her last semester in college. Now she is the founder of Cherish Your Space where she helps clients clear the clutter in their homes and take charge of their lives. As a professional organizer, Camille obviously helps people edit their physical space--everything from big projects like getting an entire kitchen organized to small projects like organizing a single bathroom drawer--but the most important work she does is often emotional. She explains, "Many of my clients have gone through a life-changing experience, whether it's becoming a parent for the first time, losing a loved one, or getting divorced. There are a lot of emotions behind their mess. We have to figure out why it's happening and then how to fix it." So, she can't just go into the house and start moving things around. Camille says a good organizer has to be sensitive and remember "this isn't your stuff." To build trust with clients, organizers have to be aware that clients feel vulnerable when they open their homes, their drawers, their emotions, and their mess to someone else. Listen to this episode to learn more about: How Camille became a professional organizer Certifications she earned Groups she joined The unexpected blessings she found in starting this business while going through a life transition of her own. Camille Cazier has spent over 500 hours helping people find greater peace, clarity and control through organization. She completed The Whole Package Organizing training course for professional organizers and is a member of the Utah Professional Organizers community where she also serves on their board. You can learn more on her website at: CherishYourSpace.com. ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

To become a successful life coach, Heidi Benjaminsen got serious about her certification and her business—the latter being the most important. Learn how she plans to make a six-figure salary in less than three years. WHAT IS A LIFE COACH? Though I am a fan of the life coach process--having benefitted from consulting a life coach myself--I wanted to learn more about life coaching as a career. Specifically, I wanted to know if anybody besides Jody and Brooke are making money in this business. And, if so, how new life coaches find their place in an industry that is becoming heavily populated. To this end, my friend and recently certified life coach, Cassie Anderson, introduced me to her mentor, Heidi Benjaminsen. Heidi has been a life coach for a little over two years and she is most definitely making money. In this interview, she shares her journey to becoming a life coach as well as the steps she's taking to become successful in her business too. ABOUT HEIDI BENJAMINSEN Heidi Benjaminsen is a certified life coach who helps women lose weight and gain confidence. As a mother of three teenagers and having lost over 70 pounds herself more than a decade ago, she now helps women uncover the confidence that has always been within them. She hosts a weekly podcast called Hi, This is Heidi, and has a free Facebook group called Lose Weight and Gain Confidence. MAKING MONEY AS A LIFE COACH Before talking to Heidi, I had been waffling on something. Though I have helped hundreds of people find dream jobs, start businesses, prep for interviews, and more, I only decided to call myself a "career coach" because I needed a title for my Instagram business account. In doing so, I felt a little like an imposter. This is new feeling for me. I generally own what I do and feel confident in my career moves, but creating this business has been a leap of faith like no other. To level up my business and to feel better about my qualifications, I started toying with the idea of getting certified as a career coach. But I lost my enthusiasm when I saw the price of the program. Then my interview with Heidi happened. In the interview, I asked Heidi how she made the jump from helping friends for free to charging clients handsomely for her services. She responded: "Women that are willing to invest the money in themselves, the transformation that they make is just amazing. It's just beautiful because it's coming from a place where they realize, I am worth improving and I am worth investing in. It's been wonderful to see that." Heidi's answer hit me square. I haven't made an investment in myself since college. But after hearing Heidi's empowering words, I moved to action. I signed up for the career coach certification course I really wanted to take. And though I am still a little anxious about the cost Heidi's words remind me that making an investment in myself will help me to require the same of others. What You'll Learn in this Episode How Heidi makes money as a life coach Why she believes it's important to invest in yourself Most Importantly: How she has seen the Lord’s hand in my career ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves

If you struggle with “aspirational shame” or simply want to better align your career and family goals, then listen to this interview with a woman who knows how you feel. About Julie de Azevedo Hanks, PhD, LCSW Julie de Azevedo Hanks, PhD, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist with nearly 30 years experience providing a safe place for healing conversations that educate and empower women to prioritize their dreams, revolutionize their families, and personalize their faith. She is an assistant professor of social work at Utah Valley University, the founder and director of Wasatch Family Therapy, an outpatient therapy clinic, and the author of The Burnout Cure and The Assertiveness Guide for Women.  Dr. Hanks is a local and national media contributor, a private practice consultant, and an award-winning performing songwriter. Dr. Hanks is the host of Ask Dr. Julie Hanks podcast and creator of online courses helping women navigate motherhood, relationships, and faith. A native Californian, Hanks currently lives with her family in Sandy, UT.  For additional resources visit DrJulieHanks.com or connect with @drjuliehanks on social media. LISTEN AND LEARN Time and time again, stay-at-home moms have come to me and said, "I have to go back to work, but I have no skills." Most feel nervous and scared. Some are mad at the circumstances of being forced out of the home after spending a lifetime creating it, and others desperately want to embark on a career but feel guilty about their desires. Though I offer to coach them, I rarely sit in the space of acknowledgement because I am so excited to help them see how much they have to offer. I rarely sit there because I know once we talk, they will see for themselves that they've been working on their career without even knowing it. I rarely sit there because I want these ladies to feel better faster. That's my mistake. Again. When I asked Dr. Hanks how she would respond to the statements I hear from stay-at-home moms, she didn't rush to solutions. She acknowledged that change is hard. Life doesn't always turn out as planned and it's important to grieve the loss. She talked of partnership parenting and building a support system. And she shared her own journey of learning to rely on personal revelation to overcome what she calls "aspirational shame." Her responses are empathetic and empowering. So, please. If you are upset that you have to go back to work, are afraid to go back to work, or WANT to go back to work and think you shouldn't feel that way, listen to this episode with Dr. Julie Hanks. In less than 30 minutes, you'll feel heard, energized, and empowered. And not to rush you, but I think you'll also feel better. ~~~~~Visit FaithfulCareerMoves.com and learn the secret to finding the career you were born to do. Follow us: Instagram @FaithfulCareerMoves Facebook @FaithfulCareerMoves