Beautiful Shifts

Holiday Episode - Traditions, Giving & Listener Submissions!

This week we asked for listener submissions of holiday traditions and stories of kindness/giving during this time of year to share. We read these and share some of our own, and about guests we've had on the podcast with charities to support. It was fun hearing what people had to share and chatting about holiday things! We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas week and a Happy New Year! 
 
Previous guests we've had on the podcast with charities we mention in today's episode:
NixonStrong Foundation - Non-Profit Kids Cancer, Childhood Cancer and on Instagram @nixonstrong
Non-Profit | The Giving Grinch | United States & on Facebook The Giving Grinch
Christmas for Cancer Families & on Instagram @christmasforcancerfamilies
Home - WARD Foundation (donwardfoundation.org) & on Facebook The Ward Foundation
 
Thank you for listening! 
 
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Lifelong Teacher Dedicates Retirement to Serving Refugees, and Ways to Help Refugee Community with DON WARD

Today we get to talk with the amazing Don Ward, a lifelong teacher who is now 82-years-old and has been serving the refugee community in Utah for over 15 years. Mr. Ward is everyone's favorite teacher! He taught AP U.S. History and Student Government at Jordan and Alta High Schools in Sandy, Utah, for 35 years (and was a teacher of Lindsay's!). He shares some background growing up in Texas, moving to Utah and becoming a teacher, retiring and being diagnosed with cancer, and while in remission 15 years ago becoming involved in helping Utah refugees. His involvement grew with the help of many former students and contacts, and eventually, the Ward Foundation was founded - a non-profit providing welcome, aid, relief and development for Utah's refugee community. Don shares what the Ward Foundation's efforts at Christmas and year-round entail, as well as some personal stories of refugees he has gotten to know and how his work with refugees has impacted his life.
 
We're so grateful Don made the time to come on our podcast and are so impressed with his desire to serve the community and all he has done and continues to do. Thank you so much Mr. Ward for sharing your experiences and for inspiring all of us! 
 
Find the Ward Foundation online at donwardfoundation.org where you can find ways to get involved with helping refugees. 
 
Find the Ward Foundation on Facebook here.
 
If you would like to get in contact with Don, find his personal Facebook page here where he coordinates many of the refugee efforts. 
 
Thank you for listening! 
 
Find & Follow Beautiful Shifts on Instagram @beautifulshifts_podcast and on Facebook here for updates on the show, guests, and more. 

The Giving Grinch Charity and Serving Community with Miss Utah Volunteer GENTRY ROSE

Gentry Rose is currently Miss Utah Volunteer, working toward her nursing degree, and involved in the non-profit charity her mom Sheena founded, The Giving Grinch, which gives to those in need at Christmastime and year-round. Gentry shares what led to becoming Miss Utah Volunteer, choosing to become a nurse, how a love for service was fostered in her life, and the heartwarming story of how Sheena started The Giving Grinch in 1996. We hear how Gentry and Sheena work together through The Giving Grinch to serve individuals in the community, ways to get involved with The Giving Grinch and thoughts on serving others. Gentry also founded a non-profit called Clean Bee where she raises funds to stock hygiene closets in our local schools. We loved getting to know Gentry and are so impressed with all she does to help others, and are excited for you to get to know her as well. 
 
Find The Giving Grinch on Instagram @thegivinggrinch and on Facebook HERE, and at www.thegivinggrinch.org
where you can find ways to support and get involved. 
 
Find Gentry on Instagram at her personal page @gentryraerose and at the Miss Utah Volunteer page @missutvol. 
 
Thank you so much Gentry for coming on Beautiful Shifts!
 
Find Beautiful Shifts on Instagram @beautifulshifts_podcast and on Facebook here. 
 
Thank you for listening! 

How Poetry Saved My Life: From L.A. Gang Member to Poetry Teacher with JORGE NUNEZ

Today we have a very special episode with Jorge Nunez. Jorge's story is unique, eye opening and incredibly inspiring. Jorge shares how he emigrated from Mexico to the U.S. at age two, was raised on the streets of L.A., fell into the gang life at a young age and what that was like. He wrote his first poem while serving time in a probation camp for boys. Poetry, and Street Poets, the non-profit organization that introduced him to poetry, became the lifeline that would see him through four years of state prison, followed by deportation to Mexico.
 
Jorge shares how he worked hard to create his new life in Mexico and to get his education, and how this all came in steps along the way. He now serves as a guest poet and teaching artist in Street Poet's virtual workshops from his home in Tijuana, as well as teaching in the same prison he served his sentence. Jorge is a proud father of four with an A.A. degree in Mechatronic Engineering from Universidad Technologia de Tijuana. He has a passion for writing, and a deep hunger for life. 
 
Jorge is as humble as his story is incredible, and we're so grateful he took the time to share his experiences with us. We were extremely moved by how he explains poetry has influenced his life, the many people who believed in him along the way, and his determination to create a beautiful life for himself. We can't wait for you to listen to his story! 
 
Thank you so much Jorge for sharing with us and coming on Beautiful Shifts! 
 
Find & follow Jorge on Instagram @sr.jnunez
 
Find Street Poets, the non-profit organization Jorge works with, @streetpoetsinc & streetpoetsinc.com.
 
Thank you for listening!
 
Find Beautiful Shifts on Instagram @beautifulshifts_podcast and on Facebook at Beautiful Shifts. 
 

Thoughts on Gratitude

Today we don't have a guest, it's just us sharing a few thoughts on gratitude! We also chat about some of our recent guests who have brough gratitude into their stories and some simple ideas of ways to incorporate gratitude into our lives. 
 
We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving week! Thank you for listening!
 
Find Beautiful Shifts on Instagram @beautifulshifts_podcast and on Facebook here 

Following Intuition Through Infertility, Faith Transition & Influencing with TERILYN ADAMS

TeriLyn joins us to share about her fertility journey as well as several other pivotal life transitions she's been through including faith transition and her career move from the corporate financial industry to blogging about running to becoming a fashion influencer. TeriLyn shares details about her journey with fertility that are helpful for anyone considering growing their family, for those who may be going through fertility struggles themselves, and for listeners to better understand what this challenge is like. We love the diversity of TeriLyn's story and her vulnerability as she shares about her life transitions through her 20s and 30s and the lessons she's learned along the way. TeriLyn is a longtime friend of Lindsay's and it was so fun catching up and hearing her valuable perspectives! 
 
TeriLyn grew up in Salt Lake City and now lives in North Carolina with her husband, Tommy, and their three-year-old son, Thomas. She is pregnant with their second child, due in January. She launched her first blog in 2004 and started A Foodie Stays Fit in 2009 to share her love of fitness and cooking and grew that website into one of the top resources for running content. Her brand has evolved over the years, and she recently rebranded to terilynadams.com with a heavier focus on fashion and beauty. TeriLyn shares realistic fashion finds and outfit inspiration to help make shopping easier. Her style is classic but playful (and comfortable!). She is also a skincare junkie and loves trying new makeup. 
 
Find TeriLyn on Instagram @terilynadams
 
Find Terilyn's website & blog at www.terilynadams.com
 
Sign up for TeriLyn's weekly Amazon Fashion Finds email here.
 
Thanks so much to TeriLyn for taking the time to come on Beautiful Shifts and sharing her story!
 
Thank you for listening! 
 
Find and follow Beautiful Shifts on Instagram @beautifulshifts_podcast and on Facebook for guest photos and descriptions, episode video clips and more. Thank you for your support! 

Finding Your Worth: Healing from Betrayal, Trauma & Murder of Husband with ASHLEE BOYSON

Ashlee is a speaker, teacher, victim advocate, writer and mother of seven. In today's episode Ashlee shares her story of the infidelity and murder of her husband in 2011, just months after giving birth to their fifth baby. She shares her healing journey, finding her voice, knowing her worth, and helping others. Ashlee has grown to love sharing her story and is an advocate for those who have experienced loss, grief, widowhood, murder and infidelity. 
 
Ashlee has had the unique experience of sharing her story on Dateline, Dr. Phil, American Monster, True Crime Daily, and several other investigative documentaries. We are honored she made time to come on our podcast and share her powerful story! Ashlee began the blog "The Moments We Stand" where she has shared her experiences and healing journey, which has reached millions of readers. She is also the author of the book series "The Moments We Stand." Ashlee has a passion for helping guide people of all ages after trauma and has created the following online courses currently available: Surviving Infidelity, The Light Within: A Guided Course for Widows, and Trauma Mama: Parenting the Hurt Child.
 
Ashlee is remarried to Scott Boyson and they have added to more kids to their full house, totaling seven kids. Ashlee is an amazing example of healing, helping others and incredible resilience, and we loved every minute of our conversation with her. Thank you so much Ashlee for coming on our podcast!
 
Find Ashlee's courses, blog, links to her books, her free eBook and more at themomentswestand.com. 
 
Find Ashlee on Instagram @themomentswestand. 
 
Thank you for listening!
 
Find Beautiful Shifts on Instagram @beautifulshifts_podcast and on Facebook - Beautiful Shifts. 

Living Abroad & Supporting Children through Faith Transitions with BRENDA SMART

Brenda Smart is a mother of four adult children, a grandmother, a social worker, and has been married to her husband for 44 years. In today's episode Brenda shares about living around the world and the challenges and benefits of experiencing diverse cultures while raising their family, as well as serving as a mission president couple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) in Puerto Rico when a hurricane and the pandemic hit. She then shares about how three of her four sons have chosen to step away from the LDS church and how she has learned to support them and others in religious, faith and life transitions. She shares how coming to this perspective was difficult at times and how she was able to come to a place of acceptance and love and make this mindset shift, the benefits this has brought to her relationships with her children and others, and advice for those in similar situations. 
 
We loved talking with Brenda and getting to experience her fun, loving, genuine personality and learn about her life experiences and valuable perspectives. Thank you so much Brenda for being on the podcast!
 
Brenda is on Instagram @b_smart.
 
Thank you for listening!
 
Find and follow Beautiful Shifts on Instagram @beautifulshifts_podcast and on Facebook (Beautiful Shifts) for guest photos and descriptions, episode video clips and more. Thank you for your support!  

Loosing Sibling to Cancer & Giving Back to Families Affected by Cancer with LEVI & JACKIE CULLEY

Today we are joined by Levi Culley and his mom Jackie Culley as Levi shares his perspective of what it was like having his older brother Riley diagnosed with cancer when he was a young teen. Levi shares his experience including spending time with his brother through his last days, lessons he learned, and valuable advice on what we can do to support others in similar situations.
 
Jackie was one of our first guests on our podcast (Season 1, episode 4) where she shares her touching and powerful story about Riley's battle with cancer and the charity Christmas for Cancer Families she runs in his memory. It is one of our most listened to episodes and we highly recommend listening and hearing her story. This year Levi has become very involved in Christmas For Cancer Families and in this episode they share about the upcoming gala being held to raise funds and how others can get involved. 
 
Find more information about the Gala and how to get involved and donate on Instagram @christmasforcancerfamilies and christmasforcancerfamilies.org. 
 
Levi is an entrepreneur and the owner of Invictus Floor Coatings and The PentHive Group. Find Levi on Instagram @l_e_v_i_c_u_l_l_e_y. 
Jackie is the owner of Jackie Culley Design and the Founder of Christmas for Cancer Families. Find Jackie on Instagram @jackieculley. 
 
Thanks so much to both Levi and Jackie for taking time to be on the podcast and sharing their experiences. 
 
Thank you for listening! 
 
Find Beautiful Shifts and follow the show on Instagram @beautifulshifts_podcast and on Facebook - Beautiful Shifts Podcast. 
 

Surviving a Spinal Injury & Knowing What You’re Made of with DAN & MICHELLE WADSWORTH

In August of 2022 Dan sustained a critical injury to his spine resulting in becoming paraplegic. In today's interview we have the opportunity to talk with Dan and his wife Michelle, who are also our close neighbors and friends, about what this experience has been like. Dan and Michelle share their experience from the day of the accident through recovery and adapting to this new normal from both of their perspectives. They share important life lessons they've gained along the way such as learning that we can adapt to almost any situation, growing stronger because of the mountains you've had to climb, and knowing what you're made of. 
 
Dan and Michelle have been married for 24 years and are parents of four children. They are inspiring individuals and a beautiful couple, and we know you'll love hearing their story and the insights they have to share. Thank you so much Dan and Michelle for coming on the podcast! 
 
You can reach out to Michelle through Instagram @michellehwadsworth or Facebook - Michelle Heaton Wadsworth. 
 
Thank you for listening!
 
Find Beautiful Shifts on Instagram @beautifulshifts_podcast and on Facebook - Beautiful Shifts Podcast.