A friend encouraged me to share the story of how I met my sisters, Ashley and Chelsea. Yes, I have a sister named Ashley, isn’t life fun?! Tune in for the details! This is a story of adoption and a Thanksgiving miracle. It’s a wild story, so buckle up buttercup! What I hope you take from this is how beautiful life is, with all its surprises, which often appear in our darkest moments. Family is a fascinating study, as is the nature-nurture dynamic. Family can mean all manner of things but, at the end of the day, family is simply who we choose to Love. And oh, if we are so lucky, Unconditional Love, now that is something special indeed.

I mentioned a book that helped me sort through being an adopted kid. That book is Twenty Things Adopted Children Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew by Sherrie Eldridge. It was pivotal in my journey. Please share it with someone it might help. https://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Things-Adopted-Adoptive-Parents/dp/044050838X#:~:text=%22Birthdays%20may%20be%20difficult%20for,afraid%20you%20will%20abandon%20me.%22

If you’re into happiness–I mean, who isn’t?! But cultivating happiness is an art, taught by my friend Dr. Ellen Wong. With Ellen’s support, I shared this story. Vulnerability hangover, no doubt, but only with friends’ support can we do the real work! Find Ellen here, she’s amazing! https://drellenwong.com/

Connect with me on Instagram @kickashlife, via email at ash@kickashlife.com, or on my blog – subscribe and I’ll send a love note (or a rant) to your inbox every Sunday https://kickashlife.substack.com/

Bill Davenport is an entrepreneur and veteran who operates multiple farmers’ markets in the Florida panhandle. Bill is a rare blend of confidence and humility, a self-described servant leader. He serves the community and supports the vendors. Listen in to hear how a farmers market comes together, but this is so much more—it is a conversation about small business ownership, defining the mission, leadership, fear, failure, and moving forward. There is so much wisdom here.

We talked about two of my friends who launched product businesses from farmers’ markets. Do check out their products! The best dog treats ever from veteran business owner Steve at 30A Barks https://30abarks.com/ and gorgeous CBD skin care and wellness tinctures from Suzie at https://www.cbdfountain.com/

I mentioned two related episodes, Episode 2 with Carrie Honnaker https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kickashlife-podcast/id1675861631?i=1000604946000 and Episode 12 with Sarah Griffith https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kickashlife-podcast/id1675861631?i=1000621494573

Connect with Bill on Instagram @anchored_market_ventures and at www.anchoredmarketventures.com – this is so wholesome and community based, a beautiful reminder to shop local!

Connect with me on Instagram @kickashlife, via email at ash@kickashlife.com, or on my blog – subscribe and I’ll send a love note (or a rant) to your inbox every Sunday https://kickashlife.substack.com/ Here’s the Overthinking article I mentioned at the end of the podcast https://open.substack.com/pub/kickashlife/p/overthinking?r=2ihucv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Conflict. We all experiences it. In business and in life. After 20 years doing conflict for a living – an attorney representing companies in legal battles – I have a formula for getting some perspective, some clarity in the midst of conflict. I share my Take a Beat formula here: Breathe, Evaluate, Assess, and then Talk. I hope it helps you navigate the tough moments. With Love.

There are two amazing folks whom I mentioned at the start of the podcast. Here is their information: Teresa McCloy, author of Do What Matters, may be found at www.therealifeprocess.com and on Instagram @teresa.mccloy; Alex Street, story and speaking coach, may be found at www.alexstreet.ca and on Instagram @streetsays.

Connect with me on Instagram @kickashlife, via email at ash@kickashlife.com, or on my blog – subscribe and I’ll send a love note (or a rant) to your inbox every Sunday https://kickashlife.substack.com/