Tales From The Trails

Laura Zumdahl – Leading with Heart: Empowering Young Mothers and Communities

In this episode, we sit down with Laura Zumdahl, President & CEO of New Moms — a powerful social impact organization supporting young mothers as they build strong families and pursue economic mobility. Laura also leads Bright Endeavors, a social enterprise that creates paid transitional jobs for young women through candle-making. Laura shares her early journey into community service, what drew her to support young mothers and families, and what continues to inspire her to lead with compassion and vision. She discusses New Moms' evolving mission, the ripple effect of its work on families, and the role of social enterprises in creating opportunities. We dive into the heart of leadership in service-based organizations — from building community to inspiring others to get involved. Laura reflects on challenges, growth, mentorship, and hopes for the future of nonprofit leadership. If you've ever wondered how one person can make a lasting impact, this conversation is a testament to the power of heart-led leadership and community action. Laura's parting wisdom: "Just do 'One Thing' and we'll propel our communities forward." 👉 Learn more or support New Moms at newmoms.org.

John Potter – Mastering the Court and the Craft

In this episode, we explore the life and passions of John Potter, a dedicated tennis teacher and accomplished woodworker. With nearly five decades guiding students from their first swings to competitive college play, John has become a mentor both on and off the court. A USPTA Level 1 teaching professional, he is known for his focus on fundamentals, patience, and encouraging character development through the sport. John shares his journey into tennis teaching, his approach to helping beginners and advanced players alike, and memorable moments that highlight the impact he's had on students and the community. Beyond tennis, we dive into John's lifelong love of woodworking, from crafting practical furniture to intricate artistic pieces, and how the craft has shaped his sense of patience, creativity, and personal fulfillment. Throughout the conversation, John reflects on lessons learned, values instilled through teaching, and the quiet joys of life outside the court. If you've ever wondered how dedication, mentorship, and following your passions can shape a life, this episode is a masterclass in cultivating skill, character, and creativity. John's parting wisdom: "Find something you are passionate about and try making a living doing that, and if you can you'll be happy the rest of your life."

Tarot, Life Coaching, and Self-Discovery with Rachel Fiorentino

Join us for a fun and eye-opening adventure with Rachel Fiorentino — nurse, life coach, and Tarot reader — whose journey blends science, intuition, and self-discovery. In this episode, we explore how Rachel connects her nursing background with Tarot, uncovering the deeper meaning behind symbols, archetypes, and the famous Fool's Journey, and how Tarot can help us tune into and trust our intuition. Rachel shares how Tarot can be a tool for self-awareness, empowerment, intuition, and personal growth, while also weaving in her coaching practices and Law of Attraction work for a well-rounded approach to life. We also touch on Tarot's fascinating history, the myths and "Hollywood effect" surrounding it, and how beginners can start exploring their own intuition. Whether you're curious, skeptical, or simply love hearing about new perspectives, Rachel's story invites us to walk a trail of open-mindedness, reflection, and possibility. Rachel is available for in-person and remote readings, along with coaching offerings: https://www.bridgethegaptarot.com/

Karen Adjei | Following the Path of Christ

In this episode, our community will learn about the adventures in following Christ led by our beloved Culture Care Steward, Karen Adjei. With a bachelor's degree in history (Asian American Studies) and a master's degree in library & information science, Karen's journey has beautifully weaved together her love for art, librarianship, faith and a calling to serve across cultures. Tune in to perhaps learn something new or gain a new perspective on life. We first explore Karen's early love of history and storytelling, that includes her introduction to museums and their meaning. Her path led to a library internship where she discovered a passion for being in service of people. Then Karen shares a defining and spiritual moment in life during travels to South Africa which guided her growth of overcoming childhood difficulties, mental health challenges, and living with purpose. We also learn how working at the Smithsonian museums led to a-ha moment of how she can impact people's lives. Find out how intentionality and compassion can lead to making human connections and community. Next, Karen shares about her upcoming adventures and missionary work in Japan, following a path guided by God. Lessons are being learned in preparation for this journey and hear how she is being open to grow, including in compassion & love. Being open to allow life to unfold naturally, going with flow, is allowing Karen to learn life lessons and live a life of servitude, with her hope "to see the love of Christ spread beyond Japan's borders." We hit the homestretch along Karen's trails with some advice and wisdom gained from her own journey having faith in Jesus, having grace, facing demons of the past and being guided by God. Please join us as we learn the beautiful story of an Angel. . Karen is seeking donations for her journey to Japan and your generosity to support her can be done by going to karenseekingkingdom.mailchimpsites.com and sign up for her newsletter.

Phil Farquharson | Life Adventures

In this episode of Tales From The Trails, we explore the life adventures of my friend, Phil Farquharson. Having a penchant for fact-finding, and logging to memory, enables Phil to share valuable and fun stories. We first discuss Phil's experiences growing up in Wisconsin and life lessons learned. Then we talk about Phil's foray into geology studies from a life-changing summer when he had the experience of a lifetime to do field study work in the Grand Teton's. When the Air Force called during his college years, he chose to enlist and serve his country, putting college on hold. Phil's journey in the Air Force was nothing short of interesting, having been a nuclear weapon's expert. Experience which led to working at Boeing on the team who helped develop the first B2 Bomber. He later spent time as a software programmer before obtaining his Master's in Geology and rounding out his career in teaching. Having taught over 5,227 students, his legacy has left an ongoing impact. Tune in to learn where his 12,400 mile road trip led him and enjoy stories from his fun life of adventures. . Learn more about Phil's adventures and work in geology by visiting his pages: https://www.philfarq.com/ [https://www.philfarq.com/] https://geology-guy.com/ [https://geology-guy.com/]