In this deeply personal episode, Erin opens up about losing her sister Shanin in 2017 and how grief has shaped her life in ways she never expected. Together, Erin and Jaymes explore what no one tells you about how your brain responds to loss, why grief isn’t linear, and the well-meaning things people say that can unintentionally cause more pain.This conversation isn’t about “fixing” grief—it’s about understanding it, sitting with it, and learning how to show up for ourselves and others with more compassion. Whether you’re navigating loss yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers honesty, empathy, and a reminder that you’re not alone.Join Erin and Jaymes Lackey for our hyper-positive regional podcast highlighting local individuals in Northern California who have a Heart of Gold.Link to Mel Robbin's episode: https://youtu.be/uSZy6Ww3e6A?si=RJYOPzmAI-ZTZApN

Link to Kate Bowler's Book: https://katebowler.com/books/everything-happens-for-a-reason-and-other-lies-ive-loved/

Episode 11 💛

Jaymes and Erin talk all things Christmas movies! We share what our favorites are, what we are watching this holiday season, and even discuss what we think the moral of A Christmas Carole is.... and it's not what you think!

Join us today for a hyper-positive podcast that highlights individuals, businesses and organizations in Butte County!

Check out our website: www.heartsofgoldmedia.comCheck out Erin's website: www.erinlackey.com

Grab your Santa hat, pour yourself way too much peppermint cocoa, and join Erin and Jaymes for a holiday episode that is… well… delightfully unhinged.

In this episode, we launch into a heated-but-loving debate over real vs. fake Christmas trees (one smells amazing, the other doesn’t shed needles like a cat in July). We also talk about many of our holiday traditions including the best cinnamon roll we've ever eaten. And of course, no festive conversation would be complete without discussing the most controversial cinematic mystery of our time: the Polar Express humanoid animations that live somewhere between “holiday magic” and “please don’t blink at me like that.”

If you’re craving festive chaos, local love, and enough laughter to shake like a bowl full of jelly—this episode is your holiday home.

Join Erin and Jaymes Lackey for our hyper-positive regional podcast highlighting local individuals in Northern California who have a Heart of Gold.

This week on the Hearts of Gold Podcast, Erin and Jaymes sit down with Greg Blake, Superintendent of Chico Unified School District and a 34-year educator whose career has spanned nearly every role in the field—teacher, coach, principal, director of maintenance, superintendent/principal, and now district superintendent.

Greg shares his Golden Beginnings in education, the path that brought him along the Yellow Brick Road to the Chico community, and the moments that continue to inspire his service to students, families, and staff.

He also opens up about the lessons learned over three decades in public schools, the joys and challenges of leadership, and how he keeps perspective by embracing one of his greatest passions: all things Disney.

From favorite local Hidden Gems to rapid-fire fun in the Gold Rush Round, this episode is full of heart, wisdom, and a little bit of magic. Greg leaves listeners with a powerful Golden Nugget of Wisdom about investing in people and leading with purpose—on campus and beyond.

Read more about Chico Unified School District: https://www.chicousd.org

Join Erin and Jaymes Lackey for our hyper-positive regional podcast highlighting local individuals in Northern California who have a Heart of Gold.

💛 Episode 8: This week on Hearts of Gold, Erin and Jaymes sit down with artist, educator and small business owner Forest Wong, whose creative spirit and dedication to young musicians and artists have made a lasting impact in Butte County. Forest shares her journey as a visual artist, the path that led her to call Oroville home after going to college at Columbia University, and the inspiration behind co-founding the North Valley InTune Music Foundation—a nonprofit that brings music performance and music education opportunities to local youth as well as her most current project, Union Coffee Club.In this heartfelt conversation, Forest opens up about the joys and challenges of community-focused creative work, the local gems that keep her rooted, and the lessons she’s learned while nurturing both art and music in the region. As always, the Gold Rush Round brings out fun surprises, and Forest’s Golden Nugget of Wisdom offers encouragement for anyone looking to use their gifts to uplift others.Follow Forest’s artwork on Instagram at @forestwongart.Check out In-Tune Music Foundation: https://www.facebook.com/nvintune/Follow Union Coffee Club: https://unioncoffeeclub.comJoin Erin and Jaymes Lackey for our hyper-positive regional podcast highlighting local individuals in Northern California who have a Heart of Gold.

Episode 7 💛 This week’s episode is proudly sponsored by The Deming Initiative, helping leaders and organizations shine their brightest right here in Northern California.At The Deming Initiative, growth begins with people. Based in Chico, California, they specialize in organizational development, leadership training, conflict resolution, and mediation services, helping businesses, nonprofits, and community groups thrive.With more than 30 years of experience in leadership and organizational development, and as a 21-year veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Marines—owner Brian E. Deming brings unmatched dedication, discipline, and heart to every partnership.Whether you’re strengthening your team, resolving conflict, or preparing your next generation of leaders, The Deming Initiative is here to help you build clarity, trust, success and is an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau!Visit TheDemingInitiative.com to learn moreThis week on Hearts of Gold, Erin and Jaymes Lackey chat with Erica Schield, co-owner of Freeze-Ums LLC, a family-run business in Oroville that’s transforming everyday snacks into extraordinary freeze-dried creations. Alongside her husband Josh and daughter Heather, Erica has built a company rooted in creativity, community, and quality.As an accredited member and ambassador for the Better Business Bureau, Erica takes pride in running her business with integrity and heart—proving that doing good and doing well can go hand in hand. In this uplifting conversation, she shares the story behind Freeze-Ums, the science and fun of freeze-drying, and the golden lessons learned from entrepreneurship and family teamwork.From unexpected challenges to sweet successes, this episode is full of inspiration!🔗 www.freezeums.com📸 @FreezeUmsLLC (Facebook & Instagram)🤩 Accredited business with the Better Business Bureau🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your shows!✨ Join Erin and Jaymes Lackey for our hyper-positive regional podcast highlighting local individuals in Northern California who have a Heart of Gold.

In this trashy episode, Erin and Jaymes Lackey chat with Amy Jernigan, a wife, mom, Rotarian, and self-proclaimed “trashy friend” whose passion for people and the community shines through everything she does. As a long-time employee at Recology, Amy turns her love of service into action by helping communities across Northern California rethink waste, embrace sustainability, and build connections rooted in care.Amy shares her personal journey to Butte County and the meaningful lessons she’s learned along the way, from balancing family and community life to finding purpose in unexpected places. With her signature humor and humility, she reminds listeners that real change starts close to home and that there’s beauty and value in the things (and people) others might overlook.This heartfelt conversation is filled with warmth, laughter, and genuine inspiration — a perfect reminder that when we lead with compassion, we all leave the world a little brighter.Join Erin and Jaymes Lackey for our hyper-positive regional podcast highlighting local individuals in Northern California who have a Heart of Gold.

💛 Episode 5: This week on Hearts of Gold, Erin and Jaymes sit down with Bill Harrington, an inspiring educational leader from Northern California who serves as Principal of Poplar Avenue Elementary and Director of Climate, Communications, and Culture for the Thermalito Union Elementary School District.Bill shares his Golden Beginnings in education and the journey that led him down the Yellow Brick Road to leadership—where his passion for staff support, student growth, and cultivating positive school communities truly shines.From navigating challenges in the classroom to celebrating everyday victories, Bill opens up about what fuels his work, the lessons learned along the way, and his heartfelt advice for anyone striving to make a difference in their community.You’ll also catch a few fun local insights in our Gold Rush Round and hear Bill’s Golden Nugget of Wisdom for educators and leaders alike.✨ Join Erin and Jaymes Lackey for our hyper-positive regional podcast highlighting local individuals in Northern California who have a Heart of Gold.