Many Hats

Gail Dukes talks about growth, history and the homemade jam that you have to eat

I’ve had a front row seat to this woman displaying her many gifts for the last 35 years – if you include the courtship period. I can tell you that Gail Alane Dukes has many talents. Organizational skills: She’s the head of hospitality at Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, and the librarian at Holy Cross Grade School. She’s a seamstress who can also knit, as anyone who owns one of her scarves can attest. However, when it comes to cooking, Gail has a gift. Gail is the owner of Social Butterfly Catering, a company that she’s owned for nearly 30 years. While COVID kept the world on lockdown, Gail displayed her brilliance when she went into the kitchen and began experimenting with making homemade jam. Those experiments led to the creation of Bread’s Best Friend Jam Company. Gail and I will talk about her journey on this episode of the Many Hats Podcast.

Eld. Carl J, Steen III talks faith, family and fitness

Regardless of where you fall in your fitness journey, it’s time to get up and move. However, many people don’t know where to start. Fortunately, our community is filled with fitness trainers who have the expertise and patience to meet you where you are, and it’s never too late. Whether you’re an athlete looking for that extra edge, someone taking those first tentative steps back into the gym or you want to learn a new sport, the guests that I will talk with over the next four weeks of the Many Hats Podcast all have a story to tell. My next guest, Eld. Carl J. Steen III, seeks to address the needs of the entire person, first as a preacher of the gospel and as a fitness trainer, who founded and own 3rd Gen Fitness. Eld. Carl J. Steen is a legendary name in the city of South Bend’s faith community. His grandfather pastored Saint’s Memorial Church of God in Christ. His father, Bishop Carl J. Steen II is currently the pastor, and CJ III is an ordained pastor there. CJ also seeks to minister to the natural body through his personal training business. For the Eld. Carl J. Steen III there is no separation between mind, body and soul. The married father of three with one on the way seeks to get every aspect of our lives in line. We will talk about it here on the next episode of the Many Hats Podcast.

Fitness Month: Working Out With Amber Thomas

Regardless of where you fall in your fitness journey, it’s time to get up and move. However, many people don’t know where to start. Fortunately, our community is filled with fitness trainers who have the expertise and patience to meet you where you are, and it’s never too late. Whether you’re an athlete looking for that extra edge, someone taking those first tentative steps back into the gym or you want to learn a new sport, the guests that I will talk with over the next four weeks of the Many Hats Podcast all have a story to tell. My first guest is Amber Thomas, owner of Amber’s Fitness Lab, located in the 1600 Block of South Miami Street in South Bend. The name of Amber’s business gives you a hint that she takes a scientific approach to fitness training that’s influenced by her years working in the health care field. Amber spent her life involved in sports, so she knows the connection between body and health. However, Amber also had to overcome internal challenges that could have stopped her from becoming a fitness training with a loyal following. We will hear about it on this episode of The Many Hats Podcast. Please welcome Amber Thomas.

DRAFT

DRAFT

Chloe Dukes talks about art, life and family

When I get together with my daughter, Chloe Dukes, the conversation is free flowing. One minute we can be laughing about an old memory or something we saw on the internet and the next we can be having a serious discussion about the great issues of the day. You will hear that on this episode of the Many Hats Podcast because Chloe is my guest. Why? Mainly because she will be at the Civil Rights Heritage Center on Friday to hold a gallery talk about her art exhibition “Growth and Truth” that has been on display since February. Secondly, the idea of me doing a podcast was hers, so she needed to come on here and help me create some content. For real though, Gail and I are so proud of her and we love her to life. Please welcome my first born child, Chloe Dukes, to the Many Hats Podcast.