Pockets of Knowledge

In this warm, practical conversation, host Desiree Stanley sits down with Gail—speaker, author, and founder of Single Moms Empowered—who has spent nearly two decades turning her hardest season into lasting support for women navigating single motherhood.Gail shares how she returned to college with three little kids and started writing because she realized other women needed the same kind of stories that had carried her through. What began as weekend retreats to give single moms a break evolved into something more permanent when she noticed a pattern: the women who were thriving had some form of education or skill, while those barely scraping by had neither the training nor the time to get it. That insight led her to found Single Moms Empowered in 2007, a nonprofit that helps single mothers earn two-year degrees or certifications in fields with real employment waiting.Throughout the episode, Gail offers clear-eyed, compassionate advice for single mothers and those who want to support them. She talks about the power of routines and calendars, and combating loneliness without running to the wrong places. She encourages awareness without judgment, practical support, and understanding that the viewpoint you have toward a mom makes all the difference. Whether you're a single mom looking for encouragement and practical tools, someone who wants to support the single mothers in your life, or anyone navigating a season that wasn't part of the plan, this conversation offers both hope and actionable wisdom.Bio:Gail Showalter had it all — three children, a family business, a dream home, a boat, and a promising future. Then came the other woman, and everything changed.As a newly single mom, Gail leaned into inspirational stories that fueled her through the hardest season of her life. She returned to college with three little kids in tow, published her first piece, Baby Steps, and eventually moved in an entirely different direction, becoming a Braille teacher. For sixteen years, she navigated single motherhood firsthand.Trained as a personality specialist in 2000, Gail began coaching women and discovered that understanding personalities is essential to parenting and life. What started as simply wanting to give single moms a break grew into something much bigger. In 2007, she founded Single Moms Empowered, a nonprofit supporting single mothers earning a degree that leads to employment. She's still at it.Gail eventually remarried and is now not only a mother but a grandmother. In southeast Texas, she's known as the "Old Bird with Feathers of Wisdom for Women and a Soft Spot for Single Moms." Her book, Living, Learning, Loving, published by Morgan James Publishing, is available on Barnes & Noble and wherever books are sold.She counts herself a fortunate woman, remarried and still passionate about single mothers.Connect with Gail:WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInYouTubeResources: https://www.singlemomsempowered.org/The  Jeremiah ProgramBucknerBooks mentioned:Living, Learning, Loving: Lessons of Insight and Encouragement on the Path of Motherhood by Gail Cawley ShowalterWired That Way Florence & Marita Littauerhttps://amzn.to/3Ot02TuEnneagram Made Easy: Explore the Nine Personality Types of the Enneagram by Deborah Threadgill EgertonThe Adversity Advantage: Turning Everyday Struggles into Everyday Greatness by Erik WeihenmayerPodcasts mentioned: Bent Not Broken with Deborah Griffiths——— If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired and empowered!Contact me through my website, PocketsofKnowledge.com, or find me on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening!———This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Please note that individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

What if that restless feeling inside you isn't a crisis—but an awakening? In this warm conversation, host Desiree Stanley sits down with Sarah Andreas—artist, author, and reinvention guide—who helps women navigate the in-between space of who they've been and who they're becoming, especially in midlife and major life transitions.  Throughout the episode, Sarah explains how our bodies know our truth before our minds do—that tightness in your chest, tingling in your arms, the feeling of being a butterfly stuck in a cocoon. She encourages writing down 27 things you want to do before your 80th birthday (because it forces you to think beyond the standard list), creating mantras for who you're becoming (not who you are now), and holding your plans with an open palm instead of a closed fist so the universe can show you possibilities you never imagined. Sarah challenges the idea of "learning to be content" when you feel restless. She explains that you don't need to be content—you need to be fulfilled and happy. When you ignore that feeling that there's more for you and keep pushing it down, that's when midlife becomes a crisis instead of a gradual, curious evolution. She also addresses the small daily betrayals we commit against ourselves—saying yes when we mean no, letting others take the time we blocked for ourselves, staying silent about our big dreams—and why these erode our self-trust over time. Whether you're feeling restless in something that looks good from the outside, sensing it's time for change but unsure what that means, or ready to stop betraying yourself every day, this conversation offers both permission and practical tools for stepping into who you're becoming.Bio:Sarah Andreas is an artist, author, and reinvention guide who works with women navigating identity transitions, especially in midlife and major life shifts. Her work is rooted in the belief that reinvention is not a crisis or failure, but a natural awakening that happens when a woman outgrows the life she has been living.  After years in leadership and academia, Sarah experienced her own quiet turning point, realizing that success and responsibility can mask a deeper sense of misalignment. That awakening led her back to art, where creativity became a tool for clarity, self-trust, and identity change. This work became the foundation for her book, Step Into the Ether, and the Reinvention Studio, an online space supporting women who are in the in-between phase of becoming.  Connect with Sarah:Email: [email protected]:https://sarahandreas.com/collections/books-for-becoming-stories-reflections-and-truths-for-women-in-transitionBooks mentioned:Beauty from Chaos by Sarah Andreas - https://sarahandreas.com/products/beauty-from-chaosStep into the Ether by Sarah Andreas - https://sarahandreas.com/products/step-into-the-ether Be Your Future Self Now by  Dr. Benjamin Hardy - Bookshophttps://amzn.to/4moyZVC10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less by Dan Sullivan and Dr Benjamin Hardy - Bookshophttps://amzn.to/3QwTT9c

What if the answer to doing more good in the world isn't doing more—but strategically subtracting what drains you? In this thoughtful conversation, host Desiree Stanley sits down with Nell 3D—keynote speaker and leadership advisor known for her "loving dagger of truth"—who helps high-performing, purpose-driven leaders reclaim their energy without abandoning their impact.Nell shares her journey from nonprofit work in Palestine to a literal wake-up call: a head-on collision that happened because she was too distracted, doing too much. She walked away physically unharmed but with a life-changing realization—no matter how aligned or purposeful you are, if you're doing too much, it's dangerous to yourself and everyone around you.She introduces her 3D framework for true success: ME (wellbeing), WE (relationships), and WORLD (impact)—all three must be served simultaneously. Then she explains systematic subtraction: not the four-hour work week or rigid boundaries, but an aspirational, relational approach for people who love their work and want to keep making an impact.Nell teaches Stop, Drop, and Roll—stopping to ask "how's it really going?", dropping something experimental (like that meeting where you don't speak), and rolling out the insights by connecting the dots on energy and impact. She challenges hustle culture with systems thinking, shares horse wisdom about starting with the least possible effort, and offers one immediate subtraction: unhelpful thinking (all those post-meeting thoughts wondering if you said too much).Whether you're a helper on the edge of burnout, a leader doing important work who's overwhelmed, or someone who needs permission to stop piling on, this conversation offers both urgent truth and practical tools for reclaiming your energy.Bio:Nell is a keynote speaker and leadership advisor who helps high-performing, purpose-driven leaders subtract what drains them so they can lead with clarity, alignment, and impact. Her work draws on two decades across humanitarian leadership, academia, global consulting, and entrepreneurial ventures — from refugee camps to boardrooms, from research labs to ranches.She is the creator of Lead in 3D, a framework that helps leaders align ME (wellbeing), WE (team performance), and WORLD (meaningful impact). Known for her “loving dagger of truth,” Nell blends rigorous insight with grounded humanity, helping leaders reclaim their energy, their agency, and the work they actually want to be doing.Her insights have been featured in Forbes, and at Fortune 100 companies, industry-leading organizations, world class universities, and high-impact not-for-profit and public sector organizations worldwide.Connect with Nell:EmailWebsiteInstagramLinkedInYouTubeSubstackSubstack Guest PassResources:https://nell3d.kit.com/to-dont-listhttps://nell3d.kit.com/stopdroprollBooks:Moral Injuries When Good Conscience Suffers in a World of Hurt by Michael Valdovinos - Bookshop.orghttps://amzn.to/4vdjlAwUncompete Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success by Ruchika T. Malhotra - Bookshop.orghttps://amzn.to/4tmaxGIAntifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb - Bookshop.orghttps://amzn.to/47DS6FmPodcasts:On Being with Krista TippettThe Garrison Institute

Sometimes the doors we think are closed are just leading us toward a bigger arena of possibilities we haven't seen yet. In this thoughtful conversation, host Desiree Stanley sits down with Carlee Wolfe—strategist and coach with 20+ years leading talent and transformation at brands like Under Armour, Hyatt Hotels, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee—who helps people navigate career challenges with clarity instead of urgency.Carlee shares her journey of falling into work she loves while acknowledging the doors that closed along the way. She reframes networking as "connecting to learn"—expanding your limited options by getting curious about what others are doing. For introverts, she offers gentler entry points: start with a neighbor doing something interesting, or find groups that match where you are.She gets practical about AI—not as something to fear, but to get curious about and build skills in, because we're all using it whether we've opted in or not. She explains why staying "at least on pace" matters for long-term career growth and encourages using AI itself to start learning.Carlee shares insights from coaching Paralympic athletes, including the powerful advocacy question: "Is it accessible?" She explains how the same principles apply to careers—making the box bigger so more people can play, rather than fighting to fit into small spaces. She introduces the Three C's (Curiosity, Clarity, Confidence) as both a planning tool and diagnostic when you're stuck.Whether you're facing career uncertainty, feeling overwhelmed by change, or looking for permission to explore what's possible, this conversation offers compassion and practical tools for moving forward.Bio:Carlee Wolfe is a strategist, connector, and coach helping people and organizations thrive through change. With 20+ years of leading talent, culture, and transformation across global brands like Under Armour, Hyatt Hotels, Apollo Education Group, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, she specializes in turning strategy into behavior that sticks.Beyond corporate work, she coaches athletes (including Paralympic hopefuls) and serves on nonprofit boards shaping workforce development and recreation. She believes transformation and career growth don’t have to be complicated - she bring stories, strategies, and tools that help people move forward with purpose. Her work is practical, reflective, and focused on forward motion – helping people move with clarity rather than urgency.She holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) and is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC).Connect with Carlee:Website: https://aceandarrowconsulting.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleeawolfe/Books mentioned:Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9781455586660https://amzn.to/3NLfwBTPodcasts mentioned: 10% Happier with Dan Harris - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-happier-with-dan-harris/id1087147821 Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/armchair-expert-with-dax-shepard/id1345682353———Enjoy this Podcast? If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired and empowered!Questions? Contact me through my website, www.PocketsofKnowledge.com, or find me on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening!———This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Please note that individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

In this transformative conversation, host Desiree Stanley sits down with Lynn M. Bunch, intuitive educator and founder of the Center for Intuitive Education, who has spent nearly 30 years demystifying intuition and teaching people how to trust their inner wisdom without apology.Lynn shares how she built her life's work around making intuition tangible and accessible—not woo-woo or untouchable, but a normalized tool for navigating life's challenges. She introduces the ID Blueprint™, a framework she developed over decades that functions like "the PhD of your own consciousness"—a roadmap covering six core life areas (relationship, wisdom, support, time, health, and finance) that helps you identify your bottom lines, understand your emotional patterns, and stay aligned with who you truly are.Throughout the episode, Lynn gets real about emotional regulation and why most people make their emotions wrong instead of using them as information. She shares why the things you don't confront will become confrontations later. She also tackles the hard truth most people aren't ready to hear: you're responsible for how you navigate everything that happens to you—even the worst things.Lynn opens up about her own journey through cancer, childhood trauma, and life's wounds, explaining the crucial difference between speaking from a wound versus speaking from a scar. And she challenges the victim mindset with fierce compassion, reminding us that our spirit is always bigger than our human circumstances.Whether you're feeling stuck, ignoring your gut instincts, struggling with emotional patterns you can't name, or ready to stop giving your power away to people and circumstances, this conversation offers both permission and a practical path forward. Bio:Lynn M. Bunch is an intuitive educator, spiritual guide, and transformation expert with over 25 years of experience helping individuals connect with their inner wisdom to create lasting change. Through her unique ID Blueprint™ curriculum and one-on-one coaching, Lynn empowers her clients to break free from emotional blocks, align their energy, and manifest their desires with clarity and confidence.   Lynn’s bold, direct approach has helped thousands worldwide overcome emotional obstacles and create real-world results. Whether through private sessions, group events, or her ID Blueprint™ certification program, Lynn offers practical tools and intuitive guidance to help individuals transform their lives, heal emotional wounds, and unlock their full potential.   Known for her no-nonsense teaching style, Lynn is passionate about helping others embrace their intuition as a powerful tool for personal empowerment. She believes everyone has the ability to live a life of purpose and alignment, and she is dedicated to helping her clients achieve that through clear action steps and intuitive insights.   With a mission to help people take responsibility for manifesting their desires, Lynn’s approach blends emotional healing with intuitive practices to create a harmonious, empowered life.  Connect with Lynn:WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInYouTubeResouces:Intuitive Insights Event———Enjoy this Podcast? If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired and empowered!Questions? Contact me through my website, www.PocketsofKnowledge.com, or find me on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening!———This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Please note that individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.This is not intended to treat any medical condition. I am not a medical doctor and do not offer any professional health or medical advice. If you are suffering from any medical conditions, please seek help from a qualified health professional.