• Building Community Through Comedy With Jason Hedden
    Jan 13 2025
    In this episode, I’m beyond excited to sit down with the multi-talented Jason HeddenExecutive Director of Recruitment and Community Relations at Gulf Coast State College, theater professor turned comedy producer, and the creative mind behind Panama City Comedy. Jason shares how his journey from theater to comedy started by simply showing up at an open mic and evolved into a thriving comedy scene in Panama City.

    We talk about the importance of stepping into new opportunities, balancing creativity with family life, and how building community has been at the heart of everything he does. From teaching to performing to producing, Jason reminds us that we’re all capable of blending our passions and creating something meaningful.

    Episode Highlights:
    [02:00] Jason’s career journey
    [04:45] How a late-night open mic sparked a new creative path.
    [07:30] Building community through comedy
    [10:15] Recognizing and fostering potential in others.
    [13:00] Balancing passion projects and family life
    [17:20] The pressure of saying “yes” and learning to prioritize what matters.
    [21:00] The influence of Gulf Coast State College.
    [26:00] Theater training in producing successful comedy shows.
    [31:15] Building creative spaces in unexpected places.
    [36:00]Turning poetry into music and pushing past creative fears.
    [42:00] Finding peace through unplugging.
    [46:30] Jason’s advice for finding joy and purpose in life’s hard moments.

    Special Thanks:A big thank you to our amazing sponsors who make this podcast possible:
    Beachy Beach Real Estate: Call 850-233-4351

    Kittie Stewart, Dream Team Lending (Powered by Edge): Email Kittie.Stewart@edgehomefinance

    Bay Tax: Email team@bay.tax | Phone 720-310-0084

    Links and Resources:
    • Panama City Comedy: Follow on Facebook
    • Gulf Coast State College: Learn More
    • Emerald Coast Theatre Company: Explore Productions
    • Jason Hedden’s Work: Connect on Instagram
    Stay Connected:Let’s keep growing and glowing together! Follow me on social media @MyHappyAssLife, and subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or iHeartRadio so you never miss an episode.Be sweet, y’all! 💖 Presented By ADF Media
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    48 mins
  • Transforming Communities Through Creativity with Kevin Elliott
    Jan 6 2025
    Happy New Year! This week, I’m thrilled to sit down with Kevin, the co-owner of Wewa Films and co-founder of the Redfish Film Festival. Kevin’s story is one of creativity, reinvention, and building community through shared vision and purpose.Kevin shares his transformative story recounting his experience from running a childcare center to launching Wewa Films and eventually a film festival in the heart of downtown Panama City Florida. We talk about recognizing potential in others, the importance of granting permission in creativity, and the challenges and joys of being restless dreamers.

    Episode Highlights:
    [02:00] Kevin’s journey of reinvention.
    [06:30] The power of recognizing potential in others
    [10:15] Building businesses that reflect who you are.
    [12:00] Lessons learned from Hurricane Michael and rebuilding stronger.
    [15:45] The importance of community and giving others permission to shine.
    [19:00] Living a joy-filled, purpose-driven life at every stage.
    [22:30] Be restless, be bold, and always be up to something.
    [26:00] Hurricane Michael’s anniversary: Turning tragedy into a creative rebirth for Panama City.
    [30:00] Creating a "good people club": How to foster meaningful communities in life and work.
    [33:00] “Be up to something”: The best job description ever.
    [36:00] Giving others permission to shine: How leaders unlock the potential in their teams.
    [38:45] Finding happiness in meaning: Moving toward purposeful goals.
    [45:00] Kevin’s advice for finding joy in hard times and building a life of meaning.

    Special Thanks:A big shoutout to our wonderful sponsors who make this podcast possible:
    • Beachy Beach Real Estate: Call 850-233-4351
    • Kittie Taylor, Dream Team Mortgage: Email Kittie.Stewart@edgehomefinance
    • Bay Tax: Email team@bay.tax | Phone 720-310-0084
    Your support fuels these conversations and helps spread light and love.Links and Resources:
    • Kevin Elliott’s Work: Wewa Films
    • Redfish Film Festival: Learn More
    • Kevin’s Podcast: Watch or Listen Here
    Stay Connected: Let’s keep growing together! Follow me on social media @MyHappyAssLife, and subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or iHeartRadio. Don’t forget to leave a review and share this episode with someone who inspires you to dream big!

    Presented by ADF Media



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    52 mins
  • Your One Wild And Precious Life
    16 mins
  • Creating Holiday Peace Starts With You
    Dec 23 2024
    Hey, y’all! It’s just me today, coming to you live with some thoughts straight from the heart. The holiday season is here, and I want to share something that’s been a lifelong lesson: letting go of trying to change others and focusing on what we can control. Inspired by Mel Robbins’ new book Let Them, I reflect on the struggles and beauty of learning to let people be who they are—and letting ourselves be who we’re meant to be.I get honest with you about personal stories of addiction, heartbreak, and setting boundaries, and why this time of year can be especially hard for so many. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to fix anyone else. You just have to take care of you. Let’s chat about finding joy in the chaos, leaning into your God-given purpose, and making this holiday season—and the year ahead—one filled with peace and hope.

    Episode Highlights:
    [01:15] Why the holidays often bring family challenges.
    [03:00] Mel Robbins’ Let Them: A powerful tool for letting go.
    [05:10] Setting boundaries as a child: A personal story about my father’s alcoholism.
    [08:30] Lessons from addiction and recovery: Why change must come from within.
    [11:00] How to focus on your own spiritual well-being and transformation.
    [13:15] Embracing your uniqueness and imagination to live your purpose.
    [15:00] Final thoughts: Loving others without losing yourself.

    Special Thanks:
    • Beachy Beach Real Estate: Call 850-233-4351
    • Kittie Stewart, Dream Team Lending: Email Kittie.Stewart@edgehomefinance
    • Bay Tax: Email team@bay.tax | Phone (720) 310-0084
    They’re the reason I can keep showing up for you, week after week. Please send them some love and let them know how much we appreciate them.

    Links and Resources:
    • Mel Robbins' Let Them: Learn More
    • 12-Step Recovery Resources: Explore Support
    • Upcoming Events:
      • Vision Board Workshop at Beachy Beach Real Estate: January 10th (time TBD)
      • Speaking Event on January 16th in Destin—details coming soon!
    Stay Connected:Let’s keep growing and glowing together! Follow me on social media @MyHappyAssLife for updates, inspiration, and all the love. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or iHeartRadio, so you never miss an episode.

    Presented by ADF Media
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    16 mins
  • Embracing Music, Faith, and Community With Will Thompson
    Dec 16 2024
    What does living a life rooted in music, faith, and family mean? Today, I’m thrilled to share a heartfelt conversation with my dear friend, Will Thompson. Will is a talented musician and leader and a dedicated husband, father, and advocate for the arts in our community. We explore Will’s inspiring journey of growing up in a musical family, his love story with his wife, Lindsey, and his passion for making a difference through his nonprofit, Bay Youth Music Association.Will shares how his upbringing and faith have shaped his life and career, the importance of nurturing creativity in young people, and how he’s using his platform to support emerging artists. We also talk about the joys of family life, playing golf, and finding peace even in life’s challenges.

    Episode Highlights:
    [01:30] Introducing Will Thompson: musician, community leader, and family man
    [06:45] Growing up in a musical family and discovering his passion for music
    [12:00] Meeting Lindsey and their beautiful love story
    [19:15] How faith guides Will’s decisions and inspires his music
    [24:00] The mission of Bay Youth Music Association and supporting young artists
    [31:15] The Songwriters Festival: celebrating new music and creativity
    [39:00] Finding joy in family, golf, and quiet moments

    A Special Thanks:Heartfelt thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible:
    Beachy Beach Real Estate: Call 850-233-4351

    Kittie Stewart, Dream Team Lending:
    Email Kittie.Stewart@edgehomefinance

    Brian Yormack, Bay Tax:
    • Email: team@bay.tax
    • Phone: (720) 310-0084
    Links and Resources:Bay Youth Music Association: https://bayyouthmusic.org/
    Will Thompson Band: www.willthompsonmusic.com
    Panama City Songwriters Festival:www.pcsongwriters.com/


    Stay Connected:Follow me on social media @MyHappyAssLife, and visit MyHappyAssLife.com for updates, inspiration, and more. Let’s continue to grow together as we find joy in life’s ups and downs.Presented by ADF Media

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    38 mins
  • Healing Through Creative Recovery With Britt Matthews
    Dec 9 2024
    What does it mean to truly connect—with others and with yourself? Today, my daughter Britt Matthews and I are joining for an honest conversation about the challenges of connection, vulnerability, and self-discovery. We share our thoughts and experiences on people-pleasing, perfectionism, and the bravery it takes to craft your story.Britt shares her journey of working through codependency, recovering her creative spirit, and the transformative power of journaling and morning routines. We also explore insights from Brené Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection and how embracing authenticity, courage, and compassion can help us live wholeheartedly.

    Key Highlights:
    [01:00] Meet Britt Matthews: artist, writer, and my amazing daughter.
    [05:45] Why connection and intimacy can feel so scary.
    [10:30] People-pleasing, perfectionism, and learning healthy boundaries.
    [16:00] The power of creative recovery and rediscovering your flow.
    [25:15] Journaling, quiet time, and habits for mental wellness.
    [30:00] Finding joy in the hard times and owning your story.

    Heartfelt thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible:
    Beachy Beach Real Estate: Call 850-233-4351

    Kittie Stewart, Dream Team Lending: Email Kittie.Stewart@edgehomefinance

    Brian Yormack, Bay Tax
    Email: team@bay.tax
    Phone: (720) 310-0084

    Links and Resources:
    The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown: Get the Book

    Codependent No More by Melody Beattie: Get the Book

    Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way: Learn More

    Stay Connected:
    Follow Britt Matthews on social media:
    • Facebook: facebook.com/brittmatthewswriter
    • Instagram: instagram.com/brittmatthewswriter
    Britt’s Books:
    We are All Wild Flowers: https://bit.ly/41DtWsr

    Every Heart Has A Song: https://bit.ly/3BehtAt

    Follow me on social media @MyHappyAssLife, and visit MyHappyAssLife.com for updates, inspiration, and more. Let’s continue to grow together as we find joy in life’s ups and downs.Presented by ADF Media


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    47 mins
  • How To Show Up For Yourself In Grief
    Dec 2 2024
    Imagine the joy of welcoming a new baby into your life, followed by the heartbreak of an unexpected tragedy just days later. In this episode, I'm joined by Jessica Ayers—a singer, author, widow, and mom. Just three days after giving birth to their son, Jessica's husband Justin was tragically killed by a stray bullet. With courage and faith, Jessica worked through her grief to find light again. She also wrote a powerful book, Your Partner’s Dead… Now What? Your Life’s Not Over, But It’s Going to Suck for a While, which offers insight and comfort to anyone going through similar experiences. Her story is about love, faith, and healing, even during the hardest times.

    We talk about Jessica's learning to accept happiness and sadness. She shares how leaning on faith helped her when things got tough. We also discuss why it's so important to work on yourself to heal, even when it's complicated. It's not always easy, but Jessica's story shows us that God's grace is in our weakest times. Her wisdom can help anyone going through loss, finding hope in hard times, and feeling joy again.

    This episode is about believing that even in dark times, we can find beauty. It's about knowing that joy and grief can exist together and that with faith, we can honor the people we've lost while still choosing happiness for ourselves.

    Key Highlights:
    [00:45] Meet Jessica Ayers: singer, author, widow, and mom.
    [02:00] The tragedy that changed everything.
    [06:00] Learning that happiness and grief can coexist.
    [12:00] The healing power of movement and doing the work.
    [16:00] Codependency and leaning on the right people during grief.
    [25:00] Finding love again and honoring the past.

    A Special Thanks
    I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors for believing in the power of stories like Jessica's. Your support helps bring messages of hope, healing, and inspiration to so many:

    Beachy Beach Real Estate
    Phone: 850-233-4351

    Kittie Stewart, Dream Team Lending
    Email: Kittie.Stewart@edgehomefinance | Phone: 580-527-9020

    Links and Resources:
    Your Partner’s Dead…Now What? Your Life’s Not Over, But It’s Going to Suck for a While:
    https://www.amazon.com/Your-Partner-Dead-Now-What-ebook/dp/B0C2GT7NFF
    Codependent No More by Melody Beattie:
    https://bit.ly/4fJNfo5
    Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl:
    https://bit.ly/3Vc586N
    Stay Connected
    Follow Jessica Ayers on Instagram: @thesingingwidow
    Jessica’s Website: https://thesingingwidow.com/

    I’d love for us to keep this conversation going. Follow me on social media @MyHappyAssLife and check out MyHappyAssLife.com for updates, inspiration, and more. Let's walk this journey together, trusting in grace every step of the way.

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    36 mins
  • Don't Let Anyone Out Gratitude You
    Nov 26 2024
    This week, I’m sharing a quick yet powerful reminder about the life-changing power of gratitude. Inspired by a message from Andy Stanley, I talk about why gratitude is more than a feeling—it’s a transformative way of living. We’ll reflect on how choosing gratitude can bring joy, strengthen relationships, and help us navigate life’s challenges with grace.I also open up about a recent honor that didn’t go quite as planned and how I flipped the script to focus on the kindness and love surrounding me. This episode will leave you inspired to out-gratitude everyone you meet today!

    Episode Highlights:
    [00:45] The power of gratitude in adversity
    [04:00] Turning embarrassing moments into opportunities for gratitude
    [08:00] Out-gratitude others: A simple way to transform relationships

    Thank You to Our SponsorsA heartfelt thank you to our sponsors for their incredible support:
    • Beachy Beach Real Estate
      Phone: 850-233-4351

    • Brian Yormack, Bay Tax
      Email: team@bay.tax | Phone: (720) 310-0084

    • Kittie Stewart, Dream Team Lending
      Email: Kittie.Stewart@edgehomefinance | Phone: 580-527-9020
    Your belief in this podcast helps make it possible. Thank you!

    Links and Resources:
    Jesus Calling by Sarah Young:
    https://bit.ly/3CLho7O
    Your Move With Andy Stanley:

    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-move-with-andy-stanley-podcast/id211872550



    Stay ConnectedLet’s keep the gratitude flowing! Follow me on social media @MyHappyAssLife, and check out our website MyHappyAssLife.com for updates, inspiration, and more. Presented by ADF Media
    Show More Show Less
    12 mins