This is part 2 of our 3 hour interview with Jenny Woods - if you missed part 1 you’ll want to go back and listen it HERE - it gives backstory and explains how she became a part of the Mormon world.
This episode still deserves a trigger warning around sexual assault as it is discussed.
In part 2 we dive more into her and her husband Aaron getting married, having kids, moving around, and of course - eventually leaving the LDS church. This is a powerful and amazing story and I feel truly honored that she felt safe and comfortable enough to share via this interview. Part 1 is already a top 15 most listened to episode and it’s only been live for a week!
If you are Mormon and need help leaving the church you can visit QuitMormon.org
In this episode with Jenny, we talked about her nearly 20 years being a member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints (Mormonism). Her and her family became active members when she was around eight years old, and she went on to tell the whole story of what it was like in the church, what some of the ceremonies were, her young women’s program, and so much more. We do have to give a trigger warning as there are stories around her sexual assault and other things within that arena, as well as eating disorders. So this may be triggering to some, and we do ask that you’re cautious when listening with your children in the car. Her strength and vulnerability are truly admirable, and her story is not that of a victim, but of a woman stepping into her power, making decisions for herself, and changing the trajectory of her family. This is part one of a two part interview as we sat down and chatted for nearly 3 hours. But this is a story that needs to be told and if you’re someone who is in a religion that feels controlling or not aligned, this is your sign that there is hope and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
In this episode with Dana, we talked about how she went from being a wedding photographer for over 14 years with her husband, to moving to Sonora and opening a sweet gift and home goods shop. She bounced around from a couple different locations as she gradually outgrew her space, and now she calls downtown Sonora home. She’s right across from The Groovy Shack and has become a fast friend offering so much support and insight, giving encouragement along the way, and being incredibly transparent as a business owner. It was a true joy getting to chat with her, and to quite literally talk shop, while also diving in more to things she wish she knew before opening her boutique and other things like merchandising, holiday, and inventory. If you haven’t been in her shop yet you absolutely MUST!! And if you haven’t checked her out around Christmas time, you’re truly missing out… This year is gonna be even more next level!! IG: @nest_and_nook | Website: nestandnookhome.com
This episode was recorded at nine months postpartum with my first son while I was still working primarily freelance/for TGS just out of my home office. Things have obviously changed so much in the last 6+ months but this episode still rings true. If you’re at work from home mom or stay at home mom this one is for you… We’re all working even if the work looks little different for some! @thealexmorehouse
In this episode with Parisa of Café Planta, we talked about how she got into houseplants interior design, and how she was able to scale her business from being pop-ups to suddenly sharing a brick and mortar space with Wildbud. She originally started selling plants out of Local Collective which was the first retailer to sell her products! She talks about collaboration, uplifting other women business owners around you, having something outside of motherhood to fulfill you, and we covered so much more!!
If you want to hear the episode we did with Madilyn of Local Collective - click HERE
If you want to hear the episode we did with Cheyenne of Wildbud - click HERE
Follow support and shop with Cafe Planta!! @cafe_planta | cafeplanta.com
This episode is a little bit different from what we usually do, but we wanted to keep a super short and sweet episode available so we could chat affirmations and so it gives you a chance to slow down, repeat some of these things out loud and start rewiring your brain with positivity self-worth, and lots of other good things!
In this episode I sat down with Marin Soldano, who is the founder of Jonnie the Label in Angel’s Camp. We talked about her previous experience in retail and fashion and what inspired her to want to take the leap to start her own boutique. We talked about some of the challenges, some of the highs, and some of the things that you just don’t know until you take that jump and start something! We talked balancing business and raising babies, finding that flow, and setting an example for your family of what chasing your passion looks like. This was a fun and silly and inspiring conversation and she gave us the reminder that if something is pressing on your heart, even if you don’t quite understand why, you just have to DO IT. You won’t regret trying! Give her a follow and shop her incredible small biz @jonniethelabel
In this episode, I had my best friend Aryana on the podcast to talk all things, alteration, fashion, and design. With an extensive background in fashion, apparel and accessory design, we talked through her journey from high school through college into corporate America designing for some of the biggest brands that we know and love. Now that she’s moved to a smaller town, how she uses her skill set has obviously shifted so we talked through her now offering alterations, and how that brings a sustainable practice to an industry that tends to be fairly fast paced and not eco-conscious! IG: @thegrowthgoddess
In this episode, Alex came on for a little solo sesh to talk about the things that she’s learned after officially having The Groovy Shack shop open for three months. With an extensive background in retail, she shared some things that she was expecting, and some things that were a bit of a surprise to her now being the shop owner versus just an hourly employee. If you’re someone who’s been thinking about starting your very own physical location for your biz, this is for you. Maybe through this honest and candid conversation you can better prepare for the next phase of your small business! If you are wanting to take that jump from taking your online or small home business to something a little bit bigger, give this a listen! IG: @tgscollective + @thealexmorehouse
In this episode Brooke (one of the owners of Tallowme Moore), came on to talk about what exactly tallow is. Why their products stand out, quality control, knowing where your ingredients come from, shelf stability, growing their business through markets and retailers and so much more! This business has allowed these parents to he home with their daughter full time and to not miss any of those big moments - what a huge blessing! You can find them at markets all summer season, and locally you can shop their products at Local Collective! They’ll also be popping up at our Hotel Takeover April 26th from 1-5pm at The Sonora Inn! @tallowmemoore.co
After nearly a decade of professionally creating community, I wanted to come on and share tips and tricks and ways that I both created and found community. From Southern California to Northern California, in big cities and small, internationally, and close to home - this is a little inspiration (and maybe a little bit of homework) that will help you find your people. This speaks to those who want to BUILD and to those who want to JOIN! No matter where you fall on the scale, this episode will help empower you to find connection! Also here’s your reminder that TGS hosts 4+ events monthly which are great for connecting, growing, learning + tapping in! IG: @thealexmorehouse
In this episode with Joey, we sat down and talked about his music career which didn’t start until he was in college in his 20s. We talked about songwriting, the creative process, building a team, touring and so much more! If you live in the Tuolumne County area, odds are that you’ve heard him and his band perform live. Their performances are full of energy, full of laughter and often times will have a fiddler or two playing on top of somebody else’s shoulders as the whole entire venue dances around them! This was an inspiring episode and it truly was an honor having Joey swing by the shop at 7am for an interview before he and his crew drove to their next show that they were playing that evening. IG: @barjaybar
In this episode, I had my dear friend Chelsey on to talk about her wild health journey. Chelsey and I have known each other since we work together at Dayo when I was in high school and it has been such a joy watching her completely excel at her career as an amazing hairstylist. But during that time, she’s also battled seizures, breast, cancer, a stroke, and so much more… Which truly caused her to shift her priorities. Something that really stood out during this episode is that she said the next day is never promised. And that couldn’t be more true. Give this episode to listen, leave a comment, give Chelsey a follow and check out what her journey is looking like now, as she shifts into a new chapter of her life and career! IG: @hobbschelsey_hairstylist
In this conversationwith Miss Hazel, we talked about life is an eight-year-old, magic, friendship, and so much more. When I had her mom Tiffany on the podcast, a little bit after it aired she texted me and let me know that her 8 year old daughter Hazel really wanted to come on as a guest! She has a dream of being a YouTuber, creator, and veterinarian. So we decided that we had to make her dream come true! Hazel is the youngest guest that I’ve had on the podcast and also is high functioning autism, ADHD, high sensory, and dyslexic so we touched on some of those things in an abstract and conversational way. This girl was so brave (imagine going on a podcast at 8 years old???), and was an absolute rockstar. When I asked what we should know about 8 year olds she said they’re so much stronger than we think - and she absolutely proved that!! Please give this episode a listen and leave comments so we can show Hazel!
If you have spent a lot of time in downtown Sonora, odds are that you’ve run into Sydney. We’ve lovingly dubbed her the Mayor of Main Street and her story is absolutely incredible. When she was 11, she was in a biking accident while not wearing a helmet and hit a semi trailer, fell down a hill, and hit her head on a rock. She ended up being rushed to the hospital, life flighted out for intensive care and was in a coma for five months. The doctor said that if she woke up, she would likely have no quality of life and would be in a vegetative state, but she surpassed all of their expectations and woke up. She now is walking around having full conversations, writing poetry, has befriended so many people in the downtown area, and has created a life of independence and vibrance. She also said through her accident when she woke up, she had this knowing and profound connection to God. This is a heartwarming and inspiring story that you’ll need to listen to it to believe!
In this episode I sit down with Brittany Camara who explains her journey becoming a surrogate. She is currently 22 weeks pregnant with a sweet mamas baby, and she shared her heart and why she felt so passionately about helping families get the baby they so desperately want. As a mama of 2, wife, daughter, and person who has easy pregnancies and births (lucky duck!!!) she walks us through the process, her overall experience and so much more!! This is an amazing episode shedding light on something that alot of us only experience through movies, shows, or social media! To follow along on her journey request to follow at @brittanyannreina
*TW: miscarriage
For this episode I sat down with Morgan Rain - Executive Director of CalPride Sierras, which is a non-profit who creates resources, community gatherings, and so much more for not only the LGBTQ+ folks, but also anyone else who may need their help. You may have known this organization as LGBTQ Rural; and Morgan talked us through the change in name and about how CalPride overall is a much bigger organization, and that CalPride Sierras is under that umbrella serving Tuolumne, Calaveras, Mariposa, and Amador Counties! We talked the importance of creating safe spaces for our LGBTQ community, using proper pronouns and how it is statistically suicide prevention, and so much more!! This is a beautiful and empowering episode emphasizing the important of loving, representing, and respecting ALL of our community members. If you’re someone who may need some of their resources, please do not hesitate to reach out to Morgan, her team, or the organization in general. Their office in downtown Sonora is open Monday through Friday, and you can also reach out to them via social media handles or their website. Web: CalPride.org | IG: @calpridesierras
*We would also like to remind everyone that TGS is a safe space for ALL. We love you. You are important. You are welcome. You belong here just as you are 🏳️🌈
In this episode with Talia we talked about how a small crafting project turned into a side hustle… which then turned into a full time career!! You’re gonna love this story and how relatable her journey has been as a stay at home mama who still wanted to do something outside of raising little humans! Her family has supported her and encouraged her every step of the way - and now you can see her at almost every craft fair, pop up opportunity, and multiple small businesses (including TGS) have used her for tshirts, sweatshirts, mugs, bags and more! IG: @stay.pressd
In this episode I sat down with Kayla Eckstein whose the owner and creator of Cove Collective - a new salon in Downtown Sonora where she puts an emphasis on community, accepting people as they are, and creating education opportunities for not only the stylists in her salon, but for stylists anywhere who want to learn and grow and hone their skills. She talked about her creative journey, how she knew she wanted to do hair since she was 10, and so much more! If you’re a hairstylist just starting out or maybe you haven’t gone to cosmo yet but you know this is the field you want to get into - this episode is for you! IG: @covecollective.salon | @coloredbykayla
In the episode I had Joslyne Wrede, one of the co-owners of Black Bomb Entertainment, on the podcast to talk about their journey that lead to them opening a goth cafe and community gathering space in Downtown Sonora! We talked how Joslyn’s met her husband, metal music, nourishing foods, creating a space that was accepting and welcoming, hot sauce, merch, pop ups and more! This is a great peek into the mind of one of the creators of this unique and edgy spot in town! They’re blue zone certified, are trying to do things as sustainably as possible, and are making a real difference! IG: @blackbombentertainment | @joslynewrede
