You know that little heart explosion feeling you get when you see something and you are so inspired you gasp? That was my experience when I saw Nicole Thomsen's Facebook post for a hat she created that was inspired by her grandmother. It took my breath away! The post was about the woman who inspired the hat. I hadn't see the hat yet but I loved the picture of her grandmother, Elle Rotza, so elegant and timeless with an air of complete self confidence; the story Nicole told of how her grandmother would let her mix a "baby pink" drink for herself when they spent time together with a wink not to tell her mom. My heart instantly went to how special those memories must be. Then I saw the hat... it was exactly what I would expect it to be! The embellishments were so colorful and well put together with beautiful fabric pieces, gold chains, smokin' hot playing card, a feather and more. I could go on and on about the hats Nicole designs, they make my heart smile. I instantly wanted to invite her into the podcast studio so I could get a glimpse into her creative process. We had such a great time chatting about creativity, storytelling and doing what you love. You can find Mad Mag's & Hatter Company on IG @mad.mags.co and in person at Rae of Sunshine 110 S Fannin Ave in Denison Texas. https://www.instagram.com/mad.mags.co/   https://www.raeofsunshinecollective.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wendy-acosta5/message

I am a badass... Who knew? Certainly not me. I often feel supremely under qualified to own a business, much less three! I was feeling overwhelmed by the blessings I have been given and the fear of not living up to the responsibility of sharing these blessings with others. That is why the intention I set for myself this year is to seek (and hopefully find) Clarity. This spring I had the opportunity to attend a Soul Business Retreat for creative female entrepreneurs. Going into the retreat, I was preparing myself to receive the clarity I needed to decide which business to let go of in service of the other. I felt heartbroken, but saw no other way. Having had this opportunity to surround myself with other creative women, all seeking a soul nourishing way to do business, was nourishing to my soul. The clarity, wisdom and vulnerability shared by these women and the hosts, Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Kempton, went beyond inspiring. I came to understand that because of who I am and the experience I have, I am supremely qualified to own my businesses, in all their forms. They are not separate entities, each one vying for my attention, but are actually extensions of who I am that I get to share with others. The BIG TAKE AWAY for me was that life is not a balancing act, it is a harmony with occasional dissonance thrown in to keep things interesting. https://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/ https://bethkempton.com/retreat/ https://www.kellyraeroberts.com/retreats/soulbusinessretreat/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wendy-acosta5/message

"When you face the essential pain of not being perfect then the earned reward is authenticity, feeling whole and being genuine." Wow, when Bill shared this nugget before we had even gotten started, I knew this would be a great conversation.   Bill Mory is a friend of mine for a reason, he is genuine in his concern for the mental health of our community. His Wellness Co-Op is just a stone's throw from The Desk & Easel so we see each other on a regular basis and I always learn something when I spend time with Bill so it was a "no brainer" that he would be a great guest on If You Only Knew. Bill has created a center for wholistic mental health and wellbeing by including several modalities of treatment provided by a team of skilled therapists. The Wellness Co-Op is different from a shared practice in that the therapists of the Co-Op work together to create a healing center where clients learn to identify what isn't working, gain the tools and skills needed to implement the necessary changes to make progress on their journey to a healthy life. The collaborative atmosphere allows for the therapists to learn from each other as well. So it is a win/win/win situation because the clients, therapists and our community benefit from the healing work being done at The Wellness Co-Op. I find that the brain is a fascinating subject, when you couple that with Bill's accessible way of explaining things, I could have talked with him all day. You will feel the same way as you listen.  As promised, here are links to just some of the mental healthcare that is available in our community: Bill Mory, Ed.S., LPC, LMFT Director of Relational Health at EBT The Wellness Co-Op 211 North Fannin Denison, TX 75020 903-624-3960 [email protected] Tanya Brown-Davis, MS, LPC The Wellness Co-Op 211 North Fannin Denison, TX 75020 469-525-2498 Email: [email protected] Janet Karam Certified Master Hypnotist - Texoma Hypnosis The Wellness Co-Op 211 North Fannin Denison, TX 75020 903-821-3183 Janice Wade RAH Wellness The Wellness Co-Op 211 North Fannin Denison, TX 75020 Andrea Mory Human Resources Administrator (HR-Spec V) Gainesville Campus Desk: 940-665-0701  ext 362 Cell: 940-284-6724 Fax: 940-665-3571 Email: [email protected] “Take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space” Jill Bolte Taylor, My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey Texas Juvenile Justice Department Gainesville State School 1379 FM 678, Gainesville, TX 75240 TJJD IRC Hotline: (866) 477-8354 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wendy-acosta5/message

"We're gonna be fruit farmers!"... Of all the people we know, Robert and Jennifer Stubbs are the only people who could say that to us and it not be surprising.  We've know each other for almost 20 years, we've raised our kids together, grown up as adults in church together, become somewhat empty nesters together, basically we've done life together. On this episode of If You Only Knew, Jennifer and I talk about the latest journey life is taking her family on in Costa Rica.  She shares the push and pull of following opportunities while adjusting to living in a new country, learning a new language and new way of life. It is so exciting to get just a glimpse into where the LORD is leading her and the positive impact it will have on her and other women also pursuing their passion.  Jennifer shares what she learned about how Pelicans fish that is a beautiful example of how we can experience life.   --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wendy-acosta5/message

On this episode my friend, Stacy Rake of Diamond Insurance Group, joins me to talk about the life saving work that is being done at The Child and Family Guidance Center.  Stacy and I both serve on the Board, I am the current President and Stacy is the immediate Past President, so we hear the "Why" stories. Why people sought help, Why the therapists feel called into this difficult field, Why the Center is vital to the health of our community. Both Stacy and I have a positive history with therapy in our personal lives so we believe in the work to be done. It is so good to be in a healthy place in our lives where we can look back on our mental health journeys with clarity and humor, we've earned it!  If you want to learn more about The Child and Family Guidance Center and how you can support mental health in our community through sponsorship of The Starfish Benefit Gala, visit https://cfgcenter.org/ If you or someone you know is in need of help finding your way out of trauma and onto a safer, healthier path please know you are not alone. There are resources in our community that are eager to help. I've included links to some of those resources below. https://cfgcenter.org/ https://www.tcog.com/ https://tmcbehavioralhealth.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TheWellnessCoOpWI/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wendy-acosta5/message

On this episode of If You Only Knew I am joined in the studio by my sweet friend, Delia McMillan. Delia and I met years ago at church and instantly clicked. I remember one Sunday we completely missed Sunday School because we fell into such a deep conversation sitting on a bench outside the choir suite. Delia is a great storyteller, so I wasn’t surprised when she came to me a couple of years ago looking for a space to work on a book that the Lord was calling her to write. I was intrigued by the working title “There are Beautiful Dolls in Western Auto” and couldn’t wait to hear what this book would be about. Delia said it was a memoir. Having learned some of her testimony over the years and experienced her love for the Lord and for other people I knew it was going to be impactful. I’d wanted to have Delia on my podcast since the beginning, she was hesitant, but when we met for coffee recently, she shared a small excerpt of a spoken word piece she had written. She needed to get it recorded and I seized the opportunity to invite her into my podcast studio to record the spoken word and, if she felt comfortable, to talk with her about the journey she has been on with her memoir. As always Delia and I had a great conversation, and I am excited for you to listen in. Thank you, Delia, for trusting me with the story of your journey. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wendy-acosta5/message

On this episode I invite my friend Alli DesHotels into the studio to help me share the backstory to how I found myself a Coworking Business Owner.  Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that the heart of man, or in this case woman, plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.  Boy is this true in my life!  It was never in my plan to become a female entrepreneur, even as I type these words, it does not seem real.  Looking back I can clearly see God's hand on my many "learning opportunities" but I never imagined it would lead to me becoming a business owner. And then to have it all go up in flames, that was a lot to face, but it had a clarifying effect on me and what I wanted and for that I am grateful.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wendy-acosta5/message

I don't know about you but, I felt like 2021 was coming AT me!! Thank the LORD it was all good things related to moving into our new location and growing my business and regular life things but it was more than I could handle gracefully. I do not want to go through 2022 feeling the chaos of just keeping up again.  That is why I invited Staci Wright, owner of CEO Essentials, into the studio to share with us one tool from each of the elements of her Mind Body Soul Mastery Course that we can use to gain clarity while navigating the peaks and valleys of living life. If our foundation is strong we can build our life in a sustainable way and not be triggered to react when a response is needed. For more information on Human Design and the courses Staci offers, please visit her site https://www.ceoessentials.net/courses --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wendy-acosta5/message

Michelle tells us all about her Castle on the Coast retreat for women in business.  How she was inspired to create a safe space for these women to not only recharge but to regain focus in their lives so they can do all and be all that their purpose calls them to. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wendy-acosta5/message

On this episode of If You Only Knew I welcome Staci Wright, founder of CEO Essentials into the studio.  Staci and I have a great conversation about how we have to intentionally set aside our fears in order to move forward on the path that is laid before us. She shares how a supportive group of girlfriends meeting regularly turned into a business that is helping female entrepreneurs find joy and fulfillment in growing their businesses.  You really hear Staci's heart for the holistic approach she uses in building a community of female entrepreneurs who seek more confidence, clarity and connection in life. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wendy-acosta5/message