Remodel Your Life

Finally! Finally! a book that represents what working in the trades and non-traditional careers REALLY looks like!  Listen to the amazing Chris Crisman (Award winning photographer) about his new book that beautifully blends memoir and imagery of women that are pushing the boundaries forward for work.   From an oyster farmer to a blacksmith, from a jet pilot to a butcher, from a woodworker to the first woman engineer at Ford Motor Company.  You will not be disappointed!    His ability to capture the joy and pride in their work is spot on and the stories and memoir of their journeys REALLY capture the struggle and triumph of us all.  So if you want to see yourself in his pictures, buy this book!  If you want to read about 55 women who have stood up and spoken out in their careers and communities, and have moved mountains...this will inspire you deeply. Women's Work: Stories from pioneering women shaping our workforce,  Hardcover, full color-$35 on amazon @crismanphoto @simonbooks @chmetaldesign @theabingdonco w

Want to learn how to make the most elaborate and gorgeous windows, cabinets, custom door and shutters?  Then listen in to this weeks' guest Katie "Bell" Williams from @hammerandbell! Check out her IG feed and then listen to her talk about how she got into the trades (from behind a computer)....to work in a shop that builds incredible woodworking projects.  She has a made tremendous progress in just a few short years and does gorgeous work.  Think HUGE arches, many variety of arches, and so much more.  She is a delight and brings so much as a woman to the world of woodworking.   She is the future!  

Stay tuned for the after party where Katie and I get personal and talk about our white privilege and as white women in the woodworking trades.  She shares her experience going to protests and how it might not be what you think.   A longtime advocate for civil rights and living in the south gives her a unique perspective on this subject and I'm here to listen and learn...I hope you will join me. I am announcing my Girls + Women in the Trades Scholarship Fund which starts in Fall 2020.   I will be giving $25,000 a year to help a girl get training or attend classes and some women in the trades improve their shops or get additional training.  Stay Tuned!

This week I'm bringing back Kae Whitaker + Sharing the Mic!  It's about to get uncomfortable as she shares what the death of George Floyd has meant to her and her family.  This is not an interview but rather a conversation that needs to be had for this country to make some real changes.  I really hope everyone listens with an open heart and hears the power of her pain and story.  She is a friend of the show and we support her journey as a mom, wife and businesswoman.   "It all starts in the home...change the atmosphere of your own home and change the world"  @kaewhitaker Please read the post on June 3 about her husband and sons.

Join me today as we talk to the incredible Sarah Watlington who manages the furniture projects at the Offerman Wood Shop.  And If you didn't know, the hilarious and talented Nick Offerman from Parks and Rec (and hundreds of other amazing movies...) is an AVID woodworker for many, many years.  And legit as sh**  His passion for woodcraft and support of women in the trades is wonderful.  And we have one of those amazing women with us today.   Her skill and kindness is wonderful to see.  Join in as she shares her journey to the Offerman Wood Shop and her love of woodcraft.  And stay til the end to find out why the "Owl" is her spirit animal! Resources mentioned in the show: Sarah Watlington @sarah_watlington Krenov School of Woodworking Fort Bragg @thekrenovschool Laura Mays woodworker @laurabmays Offerman WoodShop @offermanwoodshop Impractical Cabinetmaker Festool Domino Christopher Schwartz: Anarchists Toolchest And for fun, my favorite episode where Nick makes his own canoe (for real, he did in his shop) :)

What does it take to create a healthy physical and mental life? As many of us have struggled to stay in shape and keep our spirits up during COVID, I have the perfect inspiration to do just that today!   Heather Gunn is a powerhouse and has transformed her business overnight to teach fitness online.   Her strength is building connection between women and offering them a REAL and authentic way to feel good in our bodies.  I just know you will be inspired by her spirit and how she turned a thriving storefront business since 2004 in NYC into an online business in just a few days.   She's also offering a FREE women's circle and FREE online access to classes for all healthcare workers so listen and take your health to the the next level! @grassrootsfitnessproject More info and show notes: http://remodelyourlifepodcast.com/40  

Join me today as we loop back to the fabulous Mary Mary, a woodcarver I interviewed in Episode 7.  She has continued to teach and share her love of wood carving and now has a LIVESTREAM! Offered M-F on twitch tv, you can watch her skills in action everyday at 1 pm EST.  Listen in to how she created this new way to connect to her students and share other MASTER carvers from around the world.  We also talk about her successful FREE membership site of 7,000 fellow carvers and her paid membership that has over 400 videos to teach the beginner to the advanced. @marymaywoodcarving Youtube: join over 30,000 people as she teaches you step by step how to carve. twitch.tv/marymaywoodcarver chipping away: buy your first tool set! https://www.chippingaway.com/shop/hand-woodcarving-tools-accessories/mary-may-carving-tool-sets/mary-may-beginner-woodcarver-set/  

Listen to hear how 84 Lumber is changing the lumber industry and  creating modern women empowerment within the construction industry!  Privately held and owned by Maggie Hardy Knox, 84 Lumber is pioneering modern management in a traditionally old-school industry.  With many women in top leadership roles and always looking for new innovative ways to work, they are a role model of modern business for women in construction.  One of their incredible women in management, Amy Smiley is here with me today to talk about the company and just how much she loves working there.  Find out about the amazing opportunities for work at 84 Lumber and why you will want to buy your lumber there! @84Lumber Sponsored by Stiletto Titanium Hammer- Get ONE today and support the show with this small but powerful tool just for women! More info and show notes: http://remodelyourlifepodcast.com/38

In this current COVID crisis that is affecting so many of us around the world I want to continue to share inspiring and elevating stories to get us all through.  I want to introduce you to the inspiring Elnaz Sarraf, CEO and founder of the award winning Roybi Robot-the worlds first ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered robot for children and STEM skills!  She is as humble as she is smart, take a listen to how she is changing the world for language and learning for children. >Named TIME magazine's Best Inventions of 2019 >CNBC Upstart 100 LIST >Fast Company's 2019 World Changing ideas >Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 >@elnaz_sarraf We talk about how she raised $4.2 million dollars to fund her company, how she came up with the idea after being raised as a woman in Iran and witnessed the limited opportunities for children and the amazing future of STEM education in the future.  You will not want to miss it! Sponsored by Stiletto Titanium Hammer- Get ONE today and support the show with this small but powerful t

To celebrate International Women's Month we decided to bring you a sweet and savory surprise for this next series.   In light of the difficult times we are all experiencing around the country, it's even more important to stay steady and safe and not let fear overwhelm us.  So let me introduce you to the lovely Amy Chenoweth.  Her beautiful spirit for her family and farm is a testament to what is at stake in the gorgeous Sonoma valley in California.   Listen to Part #2 to hear how Amy became a winemaker herself, continues to grow her family business and is creating new and exciting wine experiences for millennials!  @chenowethwines Let's continue to support these ladies who have worked so hard to build their farms, winemaking businesses and their families.  I hope it adds a bit of joy and happiness in your day as you take care of your own families! Amy is in the "wine countrywomen" book on sale now and includes some wonderful food pairings and appetizers for parties.  So grab a glass of vino and enjoy the ride

To celebrate International Women's Month we decided to bring you a sweet and savory surprise for this next series.   In light of the difficult times we are all experiencing around the country, it's even more important to stay steady and safe and not let fear overwhelm us.  So let me introduce you to the lovely Amy Chenoweth.  Her beautiful spirit for her family and farm is a testament to what is at stake in the gorgeous Sonoma valley in California.   Listen to Part #1 of her story to learn how she and her husband first met and how she transitioned her dream of being a teacher into building a very successful grape farm supplying a large amount of the best grapes in the wine region of Sonoma, California and her eventual goal of being a winemaker herself. @chenowethwines Let's continue to support these ladies who have worked so hard to build their farms, winemaking businesses and their families.  I hope it adds a bit of joy and happiness in your day as you take care of your own families! Amy is in the "wine coun

To celebrate International Women's Month we decided to bring you a sweet and savory surprise for this next series.   So we're continuing our series with the incredible Alanna Hanson!  Listen to learn how she and her family built a successful "grape" vodka distillery and how she turned her love of film making into DIY marketing for her family business in the Sonoma Valley. You will be learn about their 4+ year struggle to build a tasting room and how they are combining their love of all things local and farm raised into their future vodka pairings.  Partnering with local farms like @cowgirlcreamery, @hogislandoysterco, @rusticbakery, @tomalesfarmsteadcreamery to create amazing classes and food pairings around vodka cocktails.   If you want to learn how vodka is actually made? and what terms like "mouth feel" and "copper reflux" is, you will know why I love this vodka! Her love for her brothers and family business shines through and provides a great example of a modern family business that is both creative, ins

To celebrate International Women's Month we decided to bring you a sweet and savory surprise for this next series.  You won't want to miss it!  This episode kicks it off with the amazing Michelle Mandro who is the author of wine country women and includes some incredible women who operate wineries in the Napa and Sonoma valley.  Listen in to how she went from being a tv anchor and reporter to becoming an author and how she brought all these amazing winemakers together.  The book is on sale now and includes some wonderful food pairings and appetizers for parties.  So grab a glass of vino and enjoy the ride!   @winecountryandwomen https://winecountrywomen.com/merchandise/ https://winecountrywomen.com/events/ Sponsored by Stiletto Titanium Hammer- Get ONE today and support the show with this small but powerful tool just for women! More info and show notes: http://remodelyourlifepodcast.com/33  

Listen to the amazing finale of Shannon Morgan, who built a successful career in the glass blowing industry by creating long lasting relationships and giving back!  You will learn how she created The Pumpkin Patch at the Morton Arboretum in Illinois that serves 10,000 visitors a day!  All her hard work paid off and she now hosts this incredible annual event for 9 years strong with numerous other talented and high profile glass blowers in the industry.  You won't want to miss it! And if you want to take a class from her, you won't be disappointed, you will be learning from the best! Featuring: @kitpaulson @baigelmanglass @draperjeremie @girlgaffer57 @glassybaby @michaelamisstudio Sponsored by Stiletto Titanium Hammer- Get ONE today and support the show with this small but powerful tool just for women! More info and show notes: http://remodelyourlifepodcast.com/32

I thought I would bring in an expert today....my mom who has fallen in love with a very famous glass blower...#Chihuly.  Over a 20 year period my mom, Mary LeVasseur has seen numerous examples of the amazing variety of Dale Chihuly.  And most recently she saw his incredible glass museum and gardens in Seattle, Washington.   Listen to why she feels art is important and how it can influence your life.  Thanks for stopping by the show mom! @chihulystudio http://www.chihuly.com Sponsored by Stiletto Titanium Hammer- Get ONE today and support the show with this small but powerful tool just for women! More info and show notes: http://remodelyourlifepodcast.com/31  

We are back with the continuation of our story with Shannon Morgan and pick up with how she became the queen of glass blowing at the Renaissance Faire for 15 years! A huge accomplishment and made some serious money to boot.  Her years of generosity and relationships with other vendors really paid off and she created a thriving business.  Listen to hear how she did it and how she turned that into her most profitable show yet! Sponsored by Stiletto Titanium Hammer- Get ONE today and support the show with this small but powerful tool just for women! More info and show notes: http://remodelyourlifepodcast.com/30  

I'm so happy to get back to our "glass blowing" series with our newest guest and teacher!  Listen to how Kathryn started out in ceramics but switched to the amazing world of glass and how she's building her skills while also sharing her love of teaching with new students.  Along the way she has created an incredible IG account that curates all the best glass artists so check it out @glassybitch Next week we return to the beginning of our story with Shannon Morgan and pick up with how she became the queen of glass blowing at the Renaissance Faire, you won't want to miss it! @nrcglasscenter #gas2019 @glassartsociety  @atlastarrs cover art credit: @andypaikoglass, "glass bell jars" Portland, OR Sponsored by Stiletto Titanium Hammer- Get ONE today and support the show with this small but powerful tool just for women! More info and show notes: http://remodelyourlifepodcast.com/29  

If you want to hear the "real inside scoop" behind the wildly successful IG account (TWOIG), then listen to its' founder and dynamo...Amanda Giuliano!   Her passion and purpose for bringing women into the trades is gonna set you on fire! not kidding :)   And don't let her pretty face fool you...she worked her way up in the trades starting at age 16 and has continued to add to her toolbelt year after year.   Listen to her origin story, why she felt compelled to create TWOIG for other women and how she built a successful kitchen design business! Hold onto your seat...she has BIG things on the horizon for TWOIG and you don't want to miss her plans for this industry! @trades_women_of_ig @giulianodesigns @builders.of.insta Sponsored by Stiletto Titanium Hammer- Get ONE today and support the show with this small but powerful tool just for women!

Learn how Natasha built a successful carpentry business from the ground up and how she is sharing the message with all kinds of women in the trades at the upcoming IBS (International Builders Show) in Vegas Jan 21, 2020!   She's the "real deal" girls and builds some amazing structures in Canada and is an ambassador for the hugely successful IG acct Tradeswomen of Instagram (TWOIG).   @trades_women_of_ig and @naturalcarpentry and @builders.of.insta Sponsored by Stiletto Titanium Hammer- Get ONE today and support the show with this small but powerful tool just for women!