Today's chat is a little reflection on last year's conference, looking forward to next year's event, and a lot of gratitude to all of YOU!

Jodi has often been described as a leader with a big heart who lives with integrity and always finds ways to help others rise. In 2021, Jodi left her corporate job managing a law firm of 21 years to dive into guiding others through teaching meditation and mindfulness. She became a certified Meditation & Mindfulness Instructor through the McLean Meditation Institute, and is now the owner and founder of Big Heart Meditation and Mindfulness, LLC.

Compassion, love and kindness have been instrumental keys in Jodi’s success, and with her meditation and mindfulness teaching, she’s created a ripple of peace in the Midwest. She’s worked with college students on a weekly basis with in-person guided meditation for five semesters. She’s guided hundreds of college students in group meditations during their Freshman Seminar Series every year and has merged her collegiate coaching experience of 12 years, with her meditation and mindfulness teaching to enhance their mindset for athletes in performance/game. This includes hosting weekly recordings and group sessions with collegiate athletic teams.

Jodi is a wife, mother, sister, mentor, manager, daughter, coach, colleague and friend. You will find she is probably a lot like you! She was living a beyond busy life and was always doing…never really being in the moment. That all changed in 2016 when she attended a meditation workshop! She went on a path of self-discovery and self-love!

Social Media Handles

Insight Timer @Jodi Stepanek

Instagram @jodibigheartmm

Facebook @bigheartMM

LinkedIn @jodi-stepanek-7443271a4

This episode was recorded on Friday... I can confidently say the anxiety has increased in the best way!

Briana Smallwood is a Mother-Hustler, Goal Digger, and lover of life. As a Corporate Leader by day, Small Business Advisor by night, Mama 24/7, Board Chairman in between, and Junior Achievement Volunteer Teacher; Briana's value of People is sprinkled in many spaces. She was once introduced at a speaking engagement as “The Fairy Godmother of Cedar Rapids” and while she giggled at first, she now takes pride in that reference.

Briana began a life transformation by default 3-4 years ago, and it was at that time that these many roles took a backseat to her number one title: Mama. While still healing, growing and evolving, Briana’s personal mission has morphed into being dedicated to teaching her daughters early, all of the things she learned late.

Instagram: @ms.ladybri

facebook: @brinansmallwood444

Linkedin: @brianasmallwood

Jen English is a disruptive homeschool momma of 6 kids. She's an entrepreneur in her soul, and is owner of The Play Cafe and Wapsi Weddings & Events, among other small side ventures that help keep her entertained. Her favorite thing to do is help people find purpose in their life.

Right now, Jen's main focus is to guide her own kids on finding their purpose in life before they become stressed, overworked, and confused adults. She's doing this through an unconventional homeschooling model known as unschooling.

As an adult with ADHD, a former Single-Mom, and recovering Alcoholic - Jen’s struggles have always been a glaring part of her journey. She truly believes that your kids are WHY you do something, not a reason you can’t.

Jen believes that you are put here on earth for a reason and it's your job to explore all the world has to offer to find out why.

Social Media Handles

Instagram @theenglishmuffins8

Facebook @crplaycafe

LinkedIn @jen-english-1537b485

Websites

thejenlife.com

Crplaycafe.com

wapsiweddings.com

Today's episode will give you some insight to what started the You Academy - a nine month business academy for women entrepreneurs.

Learn more here: https://www.youconferences.com/youacademy

As the Regional Manager for Community 1st Credit Union, Kristina is passionate about creating strong and empowered leaders. Active in the community and her organization, she promotes and supports leadership training, encourages others to have a voice, and provides the necessary tools for women to develop their own leadership styles. She enjoys helping others to embrace their strengths and encourages them to utilize their strengths to build success. In addition to being a small business owner,

Kristina proudly sits on the board of the Executive Leadership Team of the American Heart Association Heart Ball and the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) Revolving Loan Fund committee for Linn County. Kristina is also an Advisory Board member for Kirkwood Community College Financial Services. A self-described disrupter, she uses humor and quick wit to provide out-of-the-box ideas and solutions.

With 25 years in the financial industry and over 35 years of management, Kristina looks for ways to challenge the status quo and influences ways to make the world a better place. Kristina and her husband Jon, have a three-time Regional Emmy Award-winning daughter and 2 spoiled dogs. In the summer, she can be found living her best life at her campground with her family.

Amber is the owner of Salveo, Cedar Rapids premier self-care studio. She practices massage therapy and is also a physique coach. She has a passion for helping others relieve pain and discomfort in their bodies as well as reach their full potential with their bodies.

Find her over on Facebook @salveocr

Email performancetherapeutics.cr@gmail.com

Website https://www.salveocr.com/