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We’re jumping back into season 3 with the start of a NEW SERIES! This week I sat down and discussed REEL STRIKE APPAREL with small business owner David Robinson. You can find out more about the young entrepreneur and his business on all form of social media @reelstrikeoutdoors.

Bittersweet is a good word to describe what life has looked like for everyone this year. For me it feels like a good way to express most my post grad experience. But as much as I am inclined to focus on the negatives I know that I wouldn’t trade the heartbreak for anything... if it meant losing all the joy in between.

In this episode I don’t necessarily apologize for but do explain for the year long hiatus, and we dive into what a year of not knowing what to say taught me... starting with my use of staying busy as a completely non-healing bandaid. In this episode I give you my official permission to be more than one thing, and I talk about how staying busy might be our not so subtle cover up for our junk. This episode is candid and a little messy... you can tell I’m getting use to putting together episodes again... but I hope you’ll have the patience to stick with me and gleam something good from it.

It’s the start of season 2!!!!! Since graduating and joining the real world I have heard so many friends in “corporate jobs” ask “is what I’m doing even making an impact? Does it serve the kingdom?” I think many of us have the misconception that only “church jobs” or “non profit work” provide an outlet to serve one another and our community. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. So this week we explore the need for every vocation. Thanks for tuning in!

Whether you're an influencer with 1m followers, or a middle schooler with one best friend, you've probably experienced loneliness. For some it's been for only a moment, for others a season. This week I took the mic solo, to talk about my only struggles with feeling lonely in a crowd, and what I've learned we all need in seasons of loneliness. If you have any questions or prayer requests after this episode please shoot me a message at lifeofafirework@gmail.com, send me an audio message on Anchor, or DM me on the 'gram. (kaymay_23)

FAM! My oldest, funniest, and most genuine friend recorded this special bonus episode with me. In this episode Miranda Jean, or MJ teaches us about DIY gifts, and how sometimes celebrating a friend is way more about experiences than the objects themselves. This is one of my fav episodes to date, and half of that is because of who cohosted. Happy birthday Esteban! ;)

National Leader, and current college kid Landon Calderwood joins us this week to share about the importance of leadership for every community, and how often the most unseen leaders carry the biggest tasks.

For a bonus episode this week, Landon Calderwood interviews host, Kaylee Miller on organizing an completely her first fundraiser hike, and the community that got her there. If this episode has you more interested in what AHeinz57 Dog Rescue and Transport does, please visit their website or Facebook page for info on adoption and donation!

After talking about how singles can be intentional with the couples in their life, we turned the tables, and talked with newly married couple Kenzie and Nick Schwartz. Since getting married in September, The Schwartz’s have set a learned a lot and are continuing to learn, how to bless others as a couple, and keep each other in the loop.

THE CAST IS BACK! This Valentine’s Day and going forward, I am calling on all single people to be intentional with the couples in their life, and support their love story! My roomie, close friend, and confident Kimberly Bartlett joined me tonight, and “yayed and nayed” things she’s appreciated from her friend throughout her long term relationship.

In this fun, goofy, and slightly dysfunctional episode, a middle schooler, high schooler and college girl share their thoughts on the importance of goals just in time for the New Year! (Disclaimer: there is a place where it feels like there is content missing in the middle. There was a small recording problem, and an transitional phrase was accidentally cut.)

What we have going on in the next week, and over the new year!

One of my first professional mentors, (and also the woman I call when I have literally any career questions, no shame) came on the ‘cast this week to share with all of you. Gia Malik is only two years of college, and already runs concessions for Iowa State Athletics. In her position she professionally mentors a staff of 20-30 college students, and 1,000+ volunteers each athletic season. This week she paused between two athletic events, and spent a half hour sharing what’s she’s learned so far.

This week, my almost twin, Jenn Berg shares all about how we can purposeful and appreciate ourselves, others, and our purpose when life doesn’t feel pretty. So excited to invite you into this conversation amongst friends. Grab your favorite mug, snuggle into a blanket (or grab some homework to sit with college kids) and get ready to be poured into for an hour.

Today an old friend of mine and I sat down in his favorite study spot, and he shared some BIG WISDOM, over a cup of coffee. Often in college and right after, we get so caught up in building our future, that we forget we help build up someone else’s. Today one of the biggest hearted people I know, shared all about balancing leading a service fueled life, with big professional dreams.

Lute Olsen, Programs Director at Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp, came on the ‘cast to share about his experience of choosing to step out of this teaching career, and pursuing a passion and call he felt was on his life. He includes some practical things we can all do, when facing a transition or decision.

One of my newest (and coolest) friends, comes on the cast to share about how overcoming fear and stepping into places where we’re uncomfortable can grow us, seeking out ways to be intentional and care for people, and how it all comes together! We also talk a bit about seeing Jesus in all of that.

We all have stuff that gets us down, and some of us feel like we can’t share those things. In this episode I got to practice the vulnerability of sharing a couple of my “hidden hurts”, as well as the things I’ve started practicing to try and combat them. If after hearing this episode you feel like you need a friend, or have some clarifying questions feel free to email me lifeofafirework@gmail.com or DM me on insta @kaymay_23. Keep shining everyone!

Hi my name is Kaylee Michelle, and in this first episode together we’re going to explore my dream for this podcast as well, as our hope for the next one, and most importantly what the “The Life of a Firework” means to me, and for you.