A Minnesota-born artist and author, Jodi Hills now lives, loves and creates in the south of France. Jodi started writing and painting when she was five years old. No matter what she was feeling, she would go into her room and put it down on paper. As Jodi says, “I guess it's not just what I do. It's who I am! C'est moi!” A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Jodi went into advertising for her first job. She wondered: if she could write about something she didn’t care about, like toilet paper, what would it be like to write about something she really DID care about? The first show she ever had was at an art fair with a few framed originals, a few prints, and some cards. It was surprising to her when she sold the original paintings, but the pure joy came from the woman who bought a single card – a single card that cost one dollar. Jodi believes, no matter the budget every person should have the same opportunity to buy a piece of art that moves them. From originals, to prints, to cards, to home goods, to coffee table books, Jodi Hills makes something for everyone. Every word or piece of art is an expression of what she experiences or sees in the world: it’s all personal. After a gallery show in Chicago, she accidentally fell in love with a French man; then, got married on purpose and moved to the south of France.

In this episode, we not only hear more details of her love story, but we learn what motivates and inspires Jodi. We learn about her daily routine, and the importance of saying “yes”.

Our Non Profit Spotlight is Mezin-Koats Colon Cancer Research

THANK YOU! With over 20,000 listeners: we are so excited to look back over the last 3 years and celebrate all of the incredible individuals we have had the opportunity to learn from, share in, and bring into our community. Each guest brings out a little piece of the puzzle of life to make our days better!

We are so thankful for all the YES! We are so thankful for listeners and followers! We sincerely apologize for any names we have butchered, but we so appreciate ALL of you more than words will ever express.

We not only have a new episode for all of you, but we also have a new TV show series for you to become obsessed with! 

Ella Engström, is an Interior Designer and Professional Organizer based in Sweden. With over 30 years of experience in retail as a concept developer, retail merchandiser, and space planning manager, Ella started her own company, Engsroom. Ella has now taken her passion to new heights on TV show, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. Based on Margareta Magnusson's bestselling book comes a series, narrated by Amy Poehler, where eight heroes are given a chance to organize their homes, lives and relationships before life is over. With her expertise, Ella was head-hunted to America to work alongside the other “Death Cleaners” to help these individuals speak honestly about death, and declutter by keeping the things that are the most meaningful so as not to burden those when they are no longer here. 

In this episode, we learn more about Ella’s personal story, how the TV show came to be, and the important aspects involved in de-cluttering your life. Ella shares how she lives her daily life, and how she is proud to be a plus size role model for women. 

Our Non Profit Spotlight: Not Today Cancer

Natalie Bushaw is truly one-of-a-kind. She is full of life, love, compassion, and energy. Her philosophy: as long as I can put lipstick on and take a shower, I can accomplish anything. In her personal life, Natalie is married to her high school sweetheart of 34 years, and Mom to 20-year-old twin boys Owen and Logan.  In her professional life, Natalie is the Vice President of Public Relations and Corporate Communications for Life Time. Over the past 11 years there, she has been able to help people live healthier, happier lives by using communications to inform, inspire and engage team members and members. Natalie also serves as the Chair of Life Time’s affinity group WELL (Women Empowering Leadership at Life Time). 

In this episode, Natalie shares the story of her monochorionic monoamniotic twin journey, and the more than a year of life combined in a hospital her son, Logan has faced, along with more than 100 procedures including two heart transplants and illnesses. As a result of her family’s experiences, Natalie became an ambassador for helping families whose kids have complex, congenital health issues and improving patient and family-centered care. Today, she's working with other parents, hospital leaders and change makers as chairperson of the Parent Family Advisory Council at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. She also serves as a 10-year committee member and chair of the annual FashionFest fundraising event to benefit the hospital. She volunteers for CaringBridge and the American Heart Association. Together with her family, they’re building Logan Loves, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit dedicated to bringing joy and healing to kids and families in the hospital.

This episode is filled with so much love and inspiration. We discuss the importance of life, time, and fitness: the three things, Bahram Akradi, founder of Life Time, considers the pillars of life.

Our Non Profit Spotlight is Logan Loves

What started as amazing underwear made for the woman on the go, under the name Irely (pronounced eye-r-lee), was rebranded in 2014 to Urban Undercover. Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, Sairey is a traveler at heart. Passionate about encouraging experiences and adventures, Urban Undercover designs versatile and timeless everyday essentials made to take you anywhere your journey goes. With an emphasis on sustainability and smarter manufacturing processes, functionality, performance and style, the designs are effortless essentials for the modern woman that are meant to be worn in a variety of situations for travel, everyday, and on-the-go. As women, we are constantly on the move between work, travel, children, etc, Urban Undercover provides ease of packing and confidence in what you're wearing. 

In this episode, we discuss:

Reasons the various fabrics were chosen (eco-friendly)- How the underwear can fold into itself for easy packing (knowing clean from dirty) - The leak resistant underwear made specific for women - The infamous “toweltopper” and its many uses both at home and during travel -
The highs and lows of running a small retail clothing business

Urban Undercover is a company every woman should check out. The mission is women: get out and explore the world.

Our Non Profit Spotlight(s): Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Breastcancer.org, Living Beyond Breast Cancer

Lori La Bey created Alzheimer’s Speaks, an educational, advocacy, and media outlet. La Bey was shocked at the lack of resources, products, tools, services, and educational support available to families and professionals when her mother was diagnosed with Alzhemier’s. She left her career of 25 years, as a Residential Realtor and became committed to making a difference in shifting dementia care from crisis to comfort around the world. Her goal is to be inclusive of all voices and educate people with the true stories of what is happening within dementia. She has been recognized by Oprah and Maria Shriver for her work. She offers a variety of free resources to educate, empower, connect, and decrease stigmas; helping families and professionals live graciously alongside dementia.

Our Non Profit Spotlight is Dementia Together

This episode answers some of the most common questions and topics we receive from you as listeners. Katie Harms talks about functionality and space planning in your home. Are you in a place where your home needs a refresh? You’re moving? You’re nesting for a new child? You may find some of Katie’s tips very helpful before you make any big decisions. Don’t forget to check those expiration dates in your pantry! Lisa Rubin talks about the essentials of a professional headshot - the do’s and don’ts, which extends into every day of life of dress length, boots, color combinations, jeans, belts, and how to avoid the “it’s on sale, I should have it” thought process of retail therapy. There is something for everyone in this podcast. 

Coming soon!

A little bit of Ana Cláudia Rosa puts things in perspective. Ana is a 52-year-old Radiologist at the VA Healthcare System and Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota. Ana was originally Board Certified in Radiology in 1999, in Brazil, then moved to the United States for love (2008), where she re-certified as an American Board Certified Radiologist (2015), and then lost the love of her life to colon cancer (2016).

Advocating, educating, and healing others has always been innately part of Ana. In 2020, Ana found a new passion in bringing awareness to reporting visceral fat on imaging studies, the importance of follow up MRIs, and how to reverse visceral fat to optimize your health. Did you know that having high amounts of visceral fat could lead to diabetes, dementia, cancer, or other chronic diseases? This podcast is about self love, how to move forward in the face of tragedy or hurdles, and how to optimize your own health.

Our Non Profit Spotlight is Minnesota Colorectal Research Foundation

Debbie Rudoy, the founder of Goldie Tees, is best known for “the perfect t-shirt that nobody else can find”. Her career in the apparel industry started back in 1985 in New York, and led her down a path finding herself on a coffee date where all things aligned to launch what is now Goldie Tees. Named after her mother, Goldie Lewinter, Goldie Tees launched in 2016 and is 100% designed in New York and produced in Peru. As Debbie says: “I will find the right t-shirt: I don’t care if you’re a skinny mini, petite or an XXL, I can get you into our product. There is something for everyone.”
In this episode we learn: the story of how Goldie Tees came to be, the sustainability of Goldie Tees and that impact relative to general retailers, what else is coming from Goldie Tees in the coming seasons. You will leave searching for goldietees.com.

Our Non Profit Spotlight is The Retreat

Carolyn Wheeler, CEO and co-founder of Vella Bioscience and Lily Garfield, board member at Vella and founder of Cos Bar, join us today to teach us A LOT about sexcare for women.

Vella Bioscience products are all based in science! Carolyn, graduate from Harvard, was recently listed by Inc. magazine as a top female founder. She is passionate about pushing science toward addressing the unmet needs that are specific to women's bodies and their sexual fulfillment. Any woman who is listening will benefit from this episode whether you have a sexual partner or not: instead of buying something that makes you look sexy to another person, buy something that makes you feel sexy to yourself. As Lily Garfield, candidly and confidently shares, “you do get fireworks [using this product]”. Enjoy this episode for yourself and share it with your girlfriends - here’s to women everywhere!

Our Non-Profit Spotlight is Take Control Initiative