Episodes

  • Amber Taggart Gets Real About Organization

    Amber Taggart Gets Real About Organization
    Nov 27 2023
    Misty Van Hooser interviews Amber Taggart, founder of The Organizer Chicks, on this week's episode of NWABRX's spotlight series, "My Story, Your Story, Our Story." They discuss Amber's journey to founding the organizing business, including how she discovered her talent for organization as a child to compensate for her poor memory. Amber explains that the iconic bright yellow chick car originated from wanting a friendly, approachable image to put people at ease about organizing help. Now the company has over 17 organizers and branches in multiple states.

    Amber describes how she teaches clients to relate to their physical environment and maintain organization long-term, using principles like the "two minute rule" to tackle small clutter tasks right away. She gives behind-the-scenes insight into keeping her own home with 4 kids organized through routines, ownership of zones, and age-appropriate expectations. Misty and Amber also talk about how Amber's unconventional background, like working in her dad's slaughterhouse, gave her grit and humility to take on any challenge in business. Amber shares her favorite and least favorite clients - the willing vs unwilling to do the decluttering work necessary for change. In addition to homes and offices, the Organizer Chicks also help with time management, wardrobe styling, and more.

    Watch episode 2 here: https://youtu.be/rmiCBgWLHXs
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    36 mins
  • Becky's Story of Trauma Triumph and Saving Grace

    Becky's Story of Trauma Triumph and Saving Grace
    Nov 27 2023
    Get ready to be moved by Becky Shaffer’s profound journey from childhood trauma to empowering foster youth with her nonprofit Saving Grace. In this powerful premiere episode of My Story, Your Story, Our Story, host Misty Van Hooser sits down with Becky to courageously share her inspirational story.

    Born in rural Arkansas, Becky endured a violent and unstable childhood marred by extreme poverty, neglect, and physical abuse at the hands of her mentally ill mother. Removed from the home at 12, she bounced between foster families and children’s homes, even facing sexual abuse by those meant to protect her.

    Despite the turmoil, Becky excelled academically and found solace in her faith. At 17, she chose to return to the foster care system for a chance at a better future. When she aged out, Becky attended a Christian college in Texas but quickly spiraled as she lacked basic life skills and fell back into survival mode.

    At 18, married and unexpectedly pregnant, Becky had to rapidly transition into adulthood. Over the next 18 years as a stay-at-home mom, she and her husband fostered teen girls. But Becky agonized watching each leave the system and replicate her struggles.

    In 2006, inspired to empower foster youth aging out, Becky founded Saving Grace. The nonprofit provides housing, education, counseling, job training and more to set girls up to thrive independently. Saving Grace operates a working farm that teaches life skills and gives the girls hands-on responsibility.

    Becky’s childhood taught her the power of shared stories. At Saving Grace, the girls’ identities stay private but they can choose when to share their journeys. Becky explains how each story empowers the next girl. Despite unimaginable adversity, her nonprofit improves futures for forgotten young women. Experience Becky’s raw and moving story as she recounts the trauma and triumphs that shaped her purpose. Hear an intimate look at the grit required to overcome abuses but also the grace that heals. Becky is the epitome of resilience, using her painful past to drive change. Get ready to be inspired!
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    42 mins
  • The Healing Power of Love

    The Healing Power of Love
    Nov 27 2023
    Host, Misty Van Hooser, dedicates this deeply personal episode to her beloved grandmother Ruth. She recounts her traumatic childhood with drug-addicted, negligent parents, finding refuge in church at age 5. At 8, after moving to Florida, she met Ruth and Dick, who became like grandparents by giving her rides, feeding her, and spending weekends together. They filled voids in each other's lives; the speaker gained the loving family she desperately needed, while they found the granddaughter they'd long wanted.

    She cherishes memories of feeling true love from Ruth and Dick, who were married 65 years and were kindness itself. Their beautiful marriage set an example for healthy relationships that inspires her today as a divorced mom. The speaker credits her grandparents, especially Ruth, for saving her life and setting her on a positive path when she easily could have faced homelessness, trafficking, and addiction. She strives to exude the unconditional love Ruth gave so freely. The host concludes by reading a promise to carry forward that love to her own three daughters and others.
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    20 mins