The 3W Podcast: Stephanie Riffle - Part 2

Philanthropy feels big until you hear how it actually happens: a local decision, a monthly gift, a grill fired up after a storm. We sit down with Stephanie Riffle of United Federal Credit Union to trace how community power grows when autonomy meets purpose. Stephanie shares why UFCU treats Northwest Arkansas like home turf even with Michigan headquarters, how that flexibility unlocks smarter partnerships, and what she’s learned serving boards that center kids and families: Saving Grace, Boys & Girls Club of Benton County, Arkansas Children’s Auxiliary Northwest, and Champions for Kids.

You’ll hear the heart behind Saving Grace’s model for young women aging out of foster care — and why choosing not to take government funding keeps the mission nimble and focused. We dig into the quiet heroics of monthly giving, the storytelling spark of Butterflies & Blooms, and a collaboration-first mindset that feeds neighbors faster when disaster strikes.

Along the way, we get personal — twins launching into college and cosmetology, the sanity of early nights and tidy spaces, karaoke and comfort TV, and the restorative rituals of 30A beach trips. The thread through it all is practical generosity. If you’ve ever wondered whether $25 a month matters, this conversation will shift your math on impact.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who cares about kids and community, and leave a quick review to help others find these stories. Your small action might spark someone else’s first monthly gift.

Transcript

Welcome Back & Stephanie Reintroduced

SPEAKER_01 0:05

Hey everybody, welcome back to the 3W Podcast. So happy you all are here. Weach I hope you caught part one with my friend Stephanie. Stephanie, introduce yourself again.

SPEAKER_02 0:17

Hello, Stephanie Riffle with United Federal Credit. The United Federal Credit.

SPEAKER_01 0:22

United Federal Credit Union. We're gonna dive right in because you should have watched part one. So we're gonna dive right into part two. UFCU and Stephanie Riffle. Yes. And your like right arm, Kyle Hathaway. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 0:37

He's actually my left and my right arm.

SPEAKER_01 0:39

Ashley is my left and right as well. And I think I just kicked you under the table, and I'm so sorry. But um, and she's probably my oxygen too, which is probably the same for you.

SPEAKER_00 0:48

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 0:49

Um you all are on the scene at like 90% of the events, which is how I got to know you years ago.

SPEAKER_02 0:57

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 0:57

Let's talk about your passion for community.

SPEAKER_02 1:00

Oh gosh, huge, huge, huge. Um have I was raised.

SPEAKER_01 1:06

Right? Have you taken it with you at all the institutions you've been at?

SPEAKER_02 1:10

No.

SPEAKER_01 1:11

Ish, but you're the most empowered here?

SPEAKER_02 1:13

Because I'm most empowered here.

SPEAKER_01 1:15

Okay. That's why when I met you years ago, and then I just waved and hugged at you for all the years, and I'm like, why are we not partnering? This is kind of a no-brainer.

Local Autonomy at a National Credit Union

SPEAKER_02 1:24

It's uh when you know that this is what you can do, here's what you have to do, and here's how much you have to do, where can we make the most impact? Uh the other institutions, that was not an option. Okay. Yep. It was not an option. Um we are not, I mean, yes, we're local, but we're headquartered out of Michigan.

SPEAKER_01 1:48

Which is okay.

SPEAKER_02 1:49

However, we do our business as if we are headquartered out of Michigan.

SPEAKER_01 1:52

Um like you operate like 100%.

SPEAKER_02 1:54

Yes, 100%. So my decisions um it does come from Michigan on on what I'm allowed to do. Of course, but not who I'm allowed to spend it on. It is, Stephanie, that's your market. You know where you can be most beneficial. Um other places that I have worked, it was dictated by a headquarter.

SPEAKER_01 2:17

Right, a national platform.

SPEAKER_02 2:18

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 2:19

Right?

SPEAKER_02 2:19

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 2:20

So I feel like you sit on the board at Saving Grace at Boys and Girls Club.

SPEAKER_02 2:24

I do. Am I missing one? Uh uh a pleasure to serve on the board of Saving Grace, uh, Boys and Girls Club of Benton County.

SPEAKER_01 2:31

Benton County, you're right, sorry.

Board Service Focused on Kids

SPEAKER_02 2:32

Um Arkansas Children's Auxiliary for the hospital, um, and then uh champions for kids. Okay. So you can kind of see.

SPEAKER_01 2:40

That's definitely a common theme in there, little tiny humans. Yeah. Let's talk about saving grace.

SPEAKER_02 2:46

Oh gosh. Um you have a personal tie. I do, I do. I have a personal tie to saving grace. So uh for those that may not know, saving grace is a nonprofit uh for girls that have aged out and are homeless from the foster system. Very near and dear to my heart as I am adopted.

SPEAKER_00 3:04

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 3:05

And uh I by amazing people. By amazing Bill and Judy Sanders, my mom and dad, and I've lost my father. My father passed away 16 years ago. Um, but wonderful, wonderful people, and they are my mom and dad.

SPEAKER_01 3:17

They're your mom and dad.

Saving Grace: Mission and Personal Ties

SPEAKER_02 3:18

They are my parents, there's never been a there's never been a question at all. Um so saving grace strikes a chord with me because we call all of our girls Grace. That's how they that's how saving grace came about. Um that could have been me. I feel like saving grace is uh young lady.

SPEAKER_01 3:35

I don't know, 15, 17 years old?

SPEAKER_02 3:38

17.

SPEAKER_01 3:39

Okay, 17 years old. Have you how long have you known Becky?

SPEAKER_02 3:43

Five years.

SPEAKER_01 3:44

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 3:45

Five years.

SPEAKER_01 3:45

Okay. And her story of how she came to be. But okay, back on you. I just want to show the how long.

SPEAKER_02 3:52

Yeah, so saving Grace. Um love to uh how did you get involved with Saving Grace? My best friend Brandy Mallard.

SPEAKER_01 3:59

Okay, I've met the realtor. Yep. Yes, who weirdly enough. Y'all's story is like amazing. Yes. Like, oh, we lived here together and here together, and we were transferred here, not together, but together, and it's just wild. It's not like we just met in Northwest Arnold.

SPEAKER_02 4:17

No, we lived in Denver from Colorado. Yes, it's wild, interesting story. And um So was she involved with Saving Girls? She was involved with Saving Grace first as a mentor.

SPEAKER_01 4:27

Okay. And when it was at the convent, I assume. Okay.

SPEAKER_02 4:31

And as a mentor, she was asked to join the board, invited me to attend my very first butterflies and blooms.

SPEAKER_01 4:37

Oh, that's an event. Years old. That is that's a whole scene. It's a whole vibe.

Butterflies & Blooms: Storytelling Power

SPEAKER_02 4:42

It is um when you and as I had the pleasure of speaking in front of 1,500 people this year. Recently. Yes, as the as the MC of the event and sharing my story. Uh, it is um there's so many people that A didn't even know. I mean, close friends of mine that didn't even know. It's not like I go around saying I'm adopted. Yeah, I mean, it's just I'm a hu I've got mom and I've got a mom and dad. Right. Doesn't matter how was got how I got here.

SPEAKER_01 5:07

Right.

SPEAKER_02 5:07

But um, so saving grace definitely uh it's it's she and I both, it's um I'm so fortunate that she introduced me to that because she has got a heart bigger than anyone.

SPEAKER_01 5:20

It's wild, isn't it?

SPEAKER_02 5:22

It's her her heart for giving to them is just it's phenomenal. So that's why it's fun doing it with your bestie because you both get to share about it and get other people involved with it, which is what we want. You know, we it's a nonprofit. We need people to help support we need people to pray for the growth of that. We need folks out there to pray for the girls that are coming into um the program. And and gosh, we've it's just a one big happy family.

SPEAKER_01 5:50

Did you know what you were walking into in that first butterflies and blooms?

SPEAKER_02 5:53

I had no idea.

SPEAKER_01 5:54

Oh my goodness.

SPEAKER_02 5:55

Had no idea.

SPEAKER_01 5:56

It's so huge and to not know.

Funding Without Government Grants

SPEAKER_02 5:59

It is unbelievable. I mean, it is a one of the best luncheons, and you know that people don't pay. Yes, you're just invited. That's exactly right. You're invited just to come, and hopefully, it can be a ministry that you want to support. Um, you know, Saving Grace, our young ladies, we do not allow them to come in on any government assistance. Right. So therefore, we do not take any grants or any federal or state funding. So it's uh it's all us, and it is the wonderful people in this Northwest Arkansas community who help make it what it is today.

SPEAKER_01 6:39

The very first, I think I went to the first luncheon, it was at the old St. Mary's.

SPEAKER_02 6:43

Yes, it was. Yes, because Becky still talks about it.

SPEAKER_01 6:45

It is amazing.

SPEAKER_02 6:46

And I Becky and I um I love her, and has she has coined the phrase a Shiro? Becky is the Shiro. She is. I don't disagree with her. She she is uh the true Shiro in all of this. Um but I love her for her grit, her determination, um, and the fa and her faith.

Community Events, Collaboration, Not Competition

SPEAKER_01 7:07

Let's not forget that she has one of the funniest people. Have you heard the eyeglass story or the sunglass story or whatever it is? She is it's my favorite Becky Schaefer story.

SPEAKER_02 7:19

It is hilarious. And I can't, I love her husband. I mean, I'm just like their family. Everybody, yeah, and their whole team there. I can talk about everybody.

SPEAKER_01 7:27

They have a burn dance coming up. I'm sure I'll see you there.

SPEAKER_02 7:30

Uh November the 6th, our Uptown Hoe Down. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 7:34

Yeah, same night. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_02 7:36

The same night as um another fundraiser that I've double booked.

SPEAKER_01 7:41

This is my job to know this. And I'm like, Oh, okay. I'm like, yes, I know. That'll be on my November schedule. But I'm like, I know what's coming up, but I don't commit to dates because I don't ever use them.

SPEAKER_02 7:57

Stephanie commits because she forgets to double book everything on that. And I'm like, well, you know what? By gosh, we're gonna be there because when we commit to something federal credit union and myself, I'm all in. You are 100% in. Yeah. And then there's the boys and girls club.

SPEAKER_01 8:11

Boys and girls club.

SPEAKER_02 8:12

In Big County. Uh I uh serve as the vice president under uh the famous Drew Collum, who um I've learned.

SPEAKER_01 8:22

Drew is all things boys and girls club. I mean, when has he not been on that board? He's been on yes.

Individual Stewardship and Monthly Giving

SPEAKER_02 8:27

Well, he's his I'm supposed to take over in January. I'm a bit nervous. I don't blame you. Huge Oh my gosh. I'm like, how am I gonna do this? Um, but it's not just Drew who you know has made an impact on me, his wife Nancy. Um, a dear, wonderful, wonderful lady who I would not have probably met if it weren't for being on the board of the Boys and Girls Club. And that's how I know Eric from Hershey's, uh, who is now also on our board. It's we are so fortunate here in Northwest Arkansas with the with the vendors that we have and the support that they give us. But I I don't want people to get mixed vibes from things like that, thinking because, oh, well, you've got Walmart or you've got this. No, no, no, no.

SPEAKER_01 9:18

But that's how Central Arkansas looks at it.

SPEAKER_02 9:20

So they're like, oh, your streets are paved with gold. But it's not. They don't understand is everybody wants a piece of the pie. There are so many, just because I serve on these boards doesn't mean that they're that I don't support other organizations. Children's family advocacy love everything that they're doing out there. Um we do support them. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 9:41

You've got your hands, yes, ones that are meaningful to you.

SPEAKER_02 9:45

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 9:46

The credit union has their grill hands, and ones that are meaningful to them, a lot of overlap, but that doesn't mean that it's the end all be all.

SPEAKER_02 9:58

No. And it's it's you know, it's if someone else is gonna take care and support a nonprofit, we can too. It's not, and people have asked me that before. They're like, well, so and so's there, and I'm like, that's great. Okay, who cares? I mean, I will I remember with um when the tornadoes hit last May, and um Rogers School District had reached out about grilling, and I'm like, absolutely. Kyle and I were like, whatever we need to do, we're gonna do it. You know, I'm I'm I'm known for setting Kyle up for a lot of things. I'm like, oh yeah, sure, we'll do that. Kyle's like, did you really just book us a grilling event in August? Yes, I did.

SPEAKER_01 10:38

Yes, I did. That grill has been busy because I've seen the pictures lately.

Boys & Girls Club: Programs and Scholarships

SPEAKER_02 10:41

I'm like, that grill's been we love to do that. But I remember someone telling me, they're like, you know what? We also asked Arvest to be here too. And I'm like, Wait, fantastic. Yes. I need help. They're gonna need help. Yes. It's not about the competition. It was about helping the community. We're beating people, and I I I know for a fact Arvis felt the exact same way. They weren't like, well, we're not gonna come because you know. Oh my gosh, no. No. No. They jumped in, we helped out, you help each other, and that's what's nice about this community. But it also is in need of more um individual stewardship. Yes. On I think that with every organization that has it is probably every nonprofit is really looking to tap more into the consumer, I hate to but the family.

SPEAKER_00 11:34

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 11:34

And not necessarily a corporate. Regardless, no, we're not asking and saying we everyone can give a$10,000 donation or a$50,000 donation, but can you spare$37 a month? Right. Sure we can. Yes. Do you know how much I spent on Chinese takeout last night just for myself and Mallory's dinner?

SPEAKER_01 11:57

Well, over$50,000. It was$40. Okay, yeah. It's so expensive.

SPEAKER_02 12:00

Right, I'm like China Cafe is my favorite place to go. So, but if you think about in Seven Brew, my kids do this. I look at their checking account. Oh, there's nothing if Chick-fil-A, Chick-fil-A, Chick-fil-A, Chick-fil-A, Chick-fil-A.

SPEAKER_01 12:13

Seven brew, seven brew, seven brew. What's the other one? I'm like, my gosh, y'all are so caffeinated and chicken up. But that's that's what that generation does.

SPEAKER_02 12:22

They do. But also going in and letting them know, just sit back$25 a month. You may think your$25 isn't gonna make a difference. It's huge. It's huge. It's huge. Especially when it's every month. Uh-huh. And then when you set it up, you're gonna forget about it.

SPEAKER_01 12:39

Absolutely. And then you're good. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 12:40

So it's like a Netflix subscription. Yes. Yes. Everything. I don't bat an eye when my cell phone bill is drafted out of my account. It's the same thing every single month. I plan for it, it's good, right? So I I think that's back to the philanthropy and about giving back to the community and finding it with whatever is a passion for your heart. Um, it is a passion for my heart for uh the girls of grace, the the youth that we serve at the boys and girls club. These are not a, you know, boys and girls club's not a daycare. I mean, it's an after-school program. We are with the programs that we have within the Boys and Girls Club, Youth of the Year, for example. Um, we just made the announcement, our our current youth of the year, she's got a$5,000 scholarship. I mean, I know Unbelievable. It's unbelievable. Holden, um, Shakira, um Kay from the two years ago,$50,000 in scholarships.

SPEAKER_01 13:43

Well, a few years ago.

Children’s Hospital Northwest: Local Impact

SPEAKER_02 13:45

These are great kids who are are going to be pillars in our community and they're going to give back.

SPEAKER_01 13:52

Oh, they will absolutely pay it for it. It's one of the things. Well, we have the giant youth of the year.

SPEAKER_02 13:56

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 13:57

The national one a few years ago, right? Yes.

SPEAKER_02 13:59

Yeah. And Benton County, um, this year uh we had Benton County winner. She didn't win state, totally okay. She's a junior.

SPEAKER_00 14:07

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 14:08

You know, she's still got another year. Yes. We can hone any kind of skill that we need to. Absolutely. Um, but Kaylee uh won, of course, regional. She won state, uh, one in Dallas, and then she went to nationals.

SPEAKER_00 14:21

That's insane.

SPEAKER_02 14:22

In scholarship after scholarship after scholarship. So uh these are these are great kids that they most likely their parents are working um or unable to pick them up from school.

SPEAKER_01 14:34

And that is a full-time job.

SPEAKER_02 14:36

It is a full-time job. 100%. Especially when you deal with people on the drop-off line and they don't understand. I love those people. Uh huh. Yeah, me too. I would just want to let go. What in the world? What are you doing? Tuck and roll, baby. Tuck and roll.

SPEAKER_01 14:51

Slow roll. Come on, they can get in. You can pull into another lot and buckle them. Just keep it moving.

SPEAKER_02 14:58

I see it all the time. I see it all the time.

SPEAKER_01 15:00

It's so painful. But my mom is like, you, Casey, you gotta get a grip. And I'm like, you don't understand. No. And why at um one of the schools, one of my children goes to? We start the young side before we start the older side. And they're like, well, it takes longer because the car seats. And I'm like, but the older kids have activities. That's right. Let's move it. I know.

SPEAKER_02 15:21

You just gotta be hurried. Nobody. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 15:23

Oh.

SPEAKER_02 15:24

So Boys and Girls Club is great. And uh we we do a lot of great things in the schools within um Bitton County, of course. You know, it's not just Rogers and Bentonville, we're in Pea Ridge, Bella Vista. It's a far reach. It is, it's a far reach. Uh Arkansas Children's Auxiliary.

SPEAKER_01 15:42

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 15:42

Um, my why is I have healthy children.

SPEAKER_01 15:45

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 15:46

That's my why.

SPEAKER_01 15:47

Have you ever had to use children's services?

SPEAKER_02 15:49

We have.

SPEAKER_01 15:49

Have you? Absolutely. I was just on a call last week with uh my new contact at Children's in Little Rock, and he's like, Have you used us? I was like, I haven't. And I'm real thankful for that. Absolutely. But I'm so glad you're there.

Talent Recruitment and Healthcare Gaps

SPEAKER_02 16:01

And it's um it is first class facility, now of course, too, with our expansion that we are doing. Um it is needs to be known. All monies raised in Northwest Arkansas stays in Northwest Arkansas. It doesn't go to Little Rock, we're too totally different. That's why we're called children's uh Northwest, where they're children's Little Rock, right? And uh it's it's the new uh add-on edition. Uh we had a meeting last week. I wasn't able to go walk through the building, but you know, stood outside and saw the beautiful things. Right. Uh it's it is going to be fantastic, fantastic. And I don't know if people realize they fly surgeons up here daily from Little Rock. There's a lot of people.

SPEAKER_01 16:49

I don't think people realize that at all.

SPEAKER_02 16:51

They're they're looking. It's not that we're not looking for recruitment. I say we, I've no part of that.

SPEAKER_01 16:56

I know, but I love we.

SPEAKER_02 16:58

But it's, you know, they're looking for the talent. Um and it it takes time.

SPEAKER_01 17:04

It's so hard. Recruiting healthcare talent or providers is the it is so difficult. I mean, we're over, I'm probably gonna butcher it. No. And I'm gonna lie. And if Eric Pinalto at Mercy is listening to this, this is a really old number and he will just die laughing. But I feel like we're over 800. It's either 80 or 800. Huge difference. I understand that, but it starts with an eight and it has a zero. One of the two. One of the two. We are that many providers short for our population.

SPEAKER_02 17:38

Well, but think about it too. We want people that aren't looking for a job.

SPEAKER_01 17:42

I mean, fair.

SPEAKER_02 17:43

Right? Yes. And when to go out and find that talent, it takes time. It does. Um, not that people that apply are bad. I'm not saying that at all.

SPEAKER_01 17:53

Those are special skills though.

Champions for Kids and Literacy

SPEAKER_02 17:55

You know, you've got someone where they're great at what they're do and they're they're being taken care of. You're like, what can we do? What can we do to get you over here and lure you over here? And I know um they're, you know, they've got a great team at children's that takes care of all of that. Uh, but great fundraisers there, great fundraisers there. And the women that I have met, and men, we need more men involved in our um auxiliary. But the women that I have met are um just they're their own she rows.

SPEAKER_01 18:25

They are.

SPEAKER_02 18:26

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 18:26

You're not wrong.

SPEAKER_02 18:27

No, and uh champions for kids, Adelaide Schaefer.

SPEAKER_01 18:31

If you don't know Adelaide Schaefer, I've seen her in your ads before.

SPEAKER_02 18:34

You um you just do anything that she asks because her passion for kids and especially around reading um is infectious. So that's just that's that's kind of where Stephanie's little heart goes and what I am involved with, but it's also what the credit union is involved with too. It's our mission of uh people helping people.

SPEAKER_01 18:56

It is. I love y'all. I love y'all. Let's talk about Stephanie.

SPEAKER_02 19:00

Oh gosh. My favorite subject, not really.

SPEAKER_01 19:05

Okay. What is your favorite time of day?

SPEAKER_02 19:10

Nighttime.

SPEAKER_01 19:11

Are you a night owl?

SPEAKER_02 19:12

No.

SPEAKER_01 19:12

Oh, okay. No, I'm a morning person. Because I mean I can go to bed at 7 p.m.

SPEAKER_02 19:17

I go to bed about 8 p.m.

SPEAKER_01 19:20

That's almost not true because I see you at a fence and a thing.

SPEAKER_02 19:23

Well, then that's then uh it's really out of my norm. No, um, I would say the evening just when that rest to try to rest my mind and and get prepared for the next day.

SPEAKER_01 19:35

Are you ever peopled out?

unknown 19:37

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 19:37

It's okay to say I mean, yes.

SPEAKER_02 19:39

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 19:40

Or chat it out, small chat out. I'm like, I can't do it anymore. I can't either.

SPEAKER_02 19:44

And it's it's worse because I do that to my mom, I think the most. Uh we talk every day. Um my gosh. Yeah, we talk every day. My mom is 78, um, still works two full-time jobs. And um just but she's a widow and she she's keeping going, is what she's doing. Um, just to keep her mind occupied. Um but she's still in hot springs? Oh, yeah. Okay. She's a taste tester at Sam's Club. Oh, I would love that job. I'd love to eat. Is the because she'll say Steph, you'll never guess who I saw. Steph, you'll never guess who I ran into. I mean, that's where we're from. That's my hometown.

SPEAKER_01 20:24

My mom cuts everyone's name in half, too.

SPEAKER_02 20:27

Mine, oh, it's it's always Steph. Steph, guess who I ran into. Did you see it? Did you hear about so-and-so? And I'm like, No, mom. And um, she has also been employed at Oakland Racetrack for 45 years. Holy cow! My mom is um, she's a pretty, pretty neat lady. She's a pretty neat lady. She uh Wow Yeah, Oakland. There's three, there's two people ahead of her that's been there the longest that are, you know, still still still alive. Yeah, she's 45 years old.

SPEAKER_01 20:57

Wow.

SPEAKER_02 20:57

At Oakland. Yeah, she's a red coat now, so and she's in the fancy.

SPEAKER_01 21:01

I've never been there. I know. I know. I'm sorry. Oh my god. January will be 20 years.

SPEAKER_02 21:06

Viewers, we've got to get you. I'm making you go with me. We will go next year.

SPEAKER_01 21:10

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 21:10

I know it will. And I I I can we I can show you the racetrack and show you like the fun stuff to do at the track.

SPEAKER_00 21:16

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 21:16

Um, the red coat are like Usher's. Uh, but she sits in an elevator and she sits on a stool and she asks what floor you want to go to.

SPEAKER_01 21:25

Oh, I have visited those people, nothing.

SPEAKER_02 21:28

And she gets all boyfriends. She tells all the time, well, I had so-and-so flirting with me. Of course she did. Or um when Toby Keith, before Toby Keith passed, he has hor had horses that ran at Oakland, Reba McIntyre. So my mom ran the elevator that would go to the jockey club. Oh, wow. And would go also to where the jockeys floor was, you know, after their races. So she people She's seen it all. Oh, she in the stories. Oh, it's it's quite funny. But she is just, yeah. She's like me. She's a talker. She's gonna be friendly to anybody. She's gonna be a good one. Um she sits on a stool and pushes a button.

SPEAKER_01 22:05

This is so great.

Hidden Talents: Resale & Organization

SPEAKER_02 22:06

I I get text all the time from friends that'll get in the elevator and they're like, I got a picture with Judy. Oh, yeah, they think they're cool.

SPEAKER_01 22:12

Oh my gosh. I I want to know Judy. I'm gonna get to know Judy. Oh, hello. Getting a phone call. So sorry. What? What's one advice you wish you could give up? I have so many, sadly, even though all these things make up who we are.

SPEAKER_02 22:30

I have a lot. Um gosh, I would say um going to bed early. No, I I'm it it I I enjoy my sleep. What time do you get up? Probably more than anyone.

SPEAKER_00 22:44

I love it.

SPEAKER_02 22:45

Uh about 5 30.

SPEAKER_00 22:46

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 22:46

Yeah, probably about 5 30. Um a vice that I used to have, of course, I cut that uh 18 years ago, and that was smoking.

SPEAKER_01 22:55

Um because that's what bankers did.

SPEAKER_02 22:58

That that's what they did. And I wasn't a heavy smoker. I wasn't a heavy smoker at all. More of a social. Uh, but the moment. I only smoked when I drink.

SPEAKER_01 23:07

Yep. Yeah, that's what people used to say. Yes. When I was in college. Do you smoke? No.

SPEAKER_02 23:12

Only when I drink. Yes. Only when I drink only when. I uh but vice would um, gosh, I I started dry January, in January, uh, and survived that, um, still have survived that, uh, not necessarily dry, um, but definitely cut back a bit. Uh, but uh one vice is I'm extremely OCD. Are you? Ashley's diagnosed OCD. It so is so is one of my daughters. Okay.

SPEAKER_01 23:43

Um and it's much more than what people think. It's got it's very multifaceted.

SPEAKER_02 23:48

It is. I uh can't stand um any laundry piling up. I'm constantly doing laundry. Um my house is always presentable, uh, always. So if anybody were to say I'm coming over, I'm like, yep, you're fine. You can come over. All the time. Um, but also at times I have a knee-jerk reaction. I do work on that. My team, my my team reminds me of that all the time.

SPEAKER_01 24:13

Got things.

SPEAKER_02 24:14

Um, and it's just because I've got so many different things going on.

Pop Culture: Karaoke, TV, and Comfort Shows

SPEAKER_01 24:17

I totally agree. I completely agree. Yes, I I need things picked up before I go to bed. Me too. Yes, it sends my body. No dishes in the dishwasher, no? No. Oh my gosh. Let's just everything has place.

SPEAKER_02 24:30

Yes, it does. Oh, yes. My clothes are color coordinated.

SPEAKER_01 24:33

No, of course they are. I'm not surprised. Sweet or savory.

SPEAKER_02 24:40

Sweet. Sweet. More of a candy.

SPEAKER_01 24:43

Candy versus chocolate. Candy?

SPEAKER_02 24:45

Yes. Skittles. Skittles in the purple bag.

SPEAKER_01 24:49

The berry flavored. Yep.

SPEAKER_02 24:51

The only ones I'll eat.

SPEAKER_01 24:52

Have you had Skittles gummies?

SPEAKER_02 24:54

No. Oh, those are. No, I haven't tried those. Those are amazing. But I like Skittles. Yeah. Okay. Never would have pegged you for Skittles. Yeah. Taste of Randau.

SPEAKER_01 25:04

Hidden talent.

SPEAKER_02 25:07

Really good at selling clothes.

SPEAKER_01 25:10

Oh, you are all over Facebook selling. Do your kids have any clothes? Because you're always selling them.

SPEAKER_02 25:17

They are very well dressed. They're very well-dressed.

SPEAKER_01 25:21

You feel like you're like, and I can sell, take it off now.

SPEAKER_02 25:24

No, they um uh I do have some friends though that I do uh sell some of their things for them. Uh just because I have a huge platform. Um I had uh for probably about 10 years, maybe 10 years, I sold uh Matilda Jane clothing. Oh my that's all I dressed my girls.

SPEAKER_01 25:44

Which is what little girls wore.

SPEAKER_02 25:45

Yes, okay. And um now my children literally um and I have 18-year-old twin daughters that now they're like, did you really dress us like that?

SPEAKER_01 25:55

It was very Laura Angels-ish. I didn't, I don't have girls. But lots of ruffles and lots of ruffles, yes. Maybe some stuff like that. Crazy prints.

SPEAKER_02 26:03

Yes, yes. Uh but I had so many women friends because it was only a you know, you we were a group there was a select group that, you know, that purchased this. I don't want to say the word cult. Some people call it cult. But now their children are my children's age. So they I I know I can go and sell their stuff for half of or less of what I paid for it because it's still in excellent condition. So I I love I love to do that. There's something about a rush that gives that to me. Oh gosh, yes. Oh yeah. I love doing it. People like, hey, can you do this? And I do, I I enjoy it. I I definitely do it after hours. Of course. You know, try to do it on the weekends. Um, but yeah, and organization. I love to organize and clean.

unknown 26:58

Oh my gosh.

Sports Fandom and Sideline Energy

SPEAKER_02 26:59

Put me in your pantry. If it's unorganized, I'll have it knocked out. Love to do it. Love to clean, love to clean toilets, everything. You just you ask me to do it and I will do it. I say that at work, you know, it and people will I'm like, they're like, what is your job, Tyle? I'm like, anything that needs to be done.

SPEAKER_01 27:17

Like I always say I'm the senator. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 27:20

Anything. If if something happens, I'll go in there and I've I've unplugged a toilet before it's nothing's it's not beneath me to do that.

SPEAKER_01 27:26

I may have spoken at my oldest when he was in third grade. They had career day at school. And he's like, Will you come talk? And I was like, Okay. So I did, and I handed out the magazine, and they're like, What do you do? And I'm like, I do everything. Uh-huh. They're like, No, really, what do you do? And I was like, Everything. Everything. And I was like, I'm also the janitor, and this and that. And at the time it was a two-person show. Well, three, including Ashley, but just two owners. And so I had friends text me, they're like, um, so-and-so came home and said you're the janitor. I was like, it's not wrong.

SPEAKER_02 28:02

I did communicate. Jack of all, I I it's like that. People say, Well, I'm you know your name, and I'm like, I answered anything.

SPEAKER_01 28:09

Swiss Army Knife is one of my favorite favorite titles. Um, what's your go-to karaoke song?

SPEAKER_02 28:17

Oh.

SPEAKER_01 28:18

Do you have one?

SPEAKER_02 28:19

That is a great. I would say, um, oh gosh. I love music. Uh-huh. Um do you sing it loudly in the car? Oh, 100%. Like full-on concert, right? Full on. Okay. Full on. Um, I'm trying to think of I've done a Snoop song at a karaoke. I've done Baby Scot Back at karaoke.

SPEAKER_01 28:47

You're in my age. Uh-huh. So this used to be my favorite question when we had employees and interns. I'm like, what song is Snoop known for?

SPEAKER_02 28:58

Gin and Juice.

SPEAKER_01 28:59

Right. Not, you should ask your girls.

SPEAKER_02 29:02

Right. I'm going to. That's a good question.

SPEAKER_01 29:04

They won't answer.

SPEAKER_02 29:05

Because that's what I remember in salt and pepper.

SPEAKER_01 29:08

Uh-huh. Push it.

Twins Launching: College and Cosmetology

SPEAKER_02 29:09

I mean, yeah. Yeah. So it it's that kind of stuff. And I I still listen to some of that music. Uh way too often. Way too often. Way too often.

SPEAKER_01 29:19

Mine's vanilla ice. So vanilla ice. Ice ice baby. Ice and ice baby. Yeah.

unknown 29:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 29:24

I'll be singing that all the time. That's my that's my karaoke song. What TV show could you watch mindlessly?

SPEAKER_02 29:31

Like it could just be Law and Order SVU, Special Victims Unit, Olivia Benson.

SPEAKER_01 29:35

Oh, okay. That is a lot fluffier. I go to sleep to the Golden Girls. They're my four best friends every night.

SPEAKER_02 29:41

Love the Golden Girls. Uh, but I am I'm waiting for SVU to start back up for this fall. Really? Love SVU and just Special Victims Unit, right? Uh Olivia Benson. Uh huh. She is good. I'm a syndicated girl where I, you know, I have a lot of friends that'll be. Like Game of Thrones. No.

SPEAKER_01 30:02

Two period pieces.

SPEAKER_02 30:03

Yeah, it's very I I can't either. But I love like your Chicago, like Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD.

SPEAKER_01 30:11

You're right. I do love, I do love syndicated shows. And that's like that's what I like to do. Right.

SPEAKER_02 30:17

And believe it or not, um, I love reality like Big Brother.

SPEAKER_01 30:22

Oh, really?

SPEAKER_02 30:23

It's on tonight. I can't wait.

SPEAKER_01 30:25

Okay. That has a cult following.

SPEAKER_02 30:28

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 30:29

I do think brother people are nuts.

SPEAKER_02 30:31

But I don't get on like those chat pages. I that I do not do, but I just enjoy watching it because A, you're like, do they really act like that?

SPEAKER_01 30:38

It is kind of amazing. It's a break from remote.

SPEAKER_02 30:40

Do they really act like that?

SPEAKER_01 30:41

They really do. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 30:42

But that's I The Bachelor, I really never got into that.

SPEAKER_01 30:46

Oh, I watched that for in the beginning.

SPEAKER_02 30:47

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 30:48

But so, but that's I I do like I watch season one of Big Brother and season one of um Survivor, and then I'm like, I'm done. Yeah, then we're done. Yeah. But I I do love TV. I don't get to watch TV. I do too.

SPEAKER_02 30:59

You don't get to watch TV very often, but I love now I'll binge watch stuff on you know on an on Netflix or Hulu and stuff like that. But if I start on it, then I'm like, okay, I've got to get Bosch is something really good. It's on Prime. Oh.

SPEAKER_01 31:13

No, I don't know about.

SPEAKER_02 31:14

I had to, I had to. I'm not cool. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 31:16

Bosch at all. I just did a whole bunch.

SPEAKER_02 31:18

Really? You'll have time now that I've told you that. I cannot think of the actor's name, but it's phenomenal.

SPEAKER_01 31:24

Oh.

SPEAKER_02 31:25

I like that kind of stuff.

SPEAKER_01 31:26

All right. At 13, what did you want to be?

SPEAKER_02 31:31

Um sports analysis.

SPEAKER_01 31:33

At 13?

Weekends, Tailgates, and Early Dinners

SPEAKER_02 31:35

I wanted to either do radio or sports broadcasting.

SPEAKER_01 31:39

At 13. Wow. Why sports? That was not a movement back then. No at 13. We didn't have the Aaron Andrews to look up to.

SPEAKER_02 31:50

Oh gosh, no. No. I just I I I loved it. And I still do uh really, really enjoy sports.

SPEAKER_01 31:58

Do you have a fantasy team?

SPEAKER_02 31:59

I do not. I don't have time. That's why I say I'm like, I don't have time.

unknown 32:03

Huh.

SPEAKER_02 32:04

But a lot of my friends do, and I get all excited, you know. But I I I enjoy football, of course, is I think my favorite uh followed, I don't think I know football is my favorite, followed by basketball. Um, I like baseball. It's a little slow for me.

SPEAKER_01 32:20

It is. You kinda I mean, my oldest plays baseball and you have to like I think you gotta be in it for a while to appreciate it. You can't just be like, so hyped to go to a baseball game, right? Not yell.

SPEAKER_02 32:32

No, no. So I'm like, and I get very wound up. Uh I uh I enjoy movement showing my personality when I go to these games because I'm like get them!

SPEAKER_01 32:43

I'm not quiet.

SPEAKER_02 32:44

Oh, I'm not either. It's real I'm not at all. It's really unfortunate.

SPEAKER_01 32:49

Yes, but I love it that mom on the sidelines and one plays soccer, which is high intensity, and not quiet there, but and I feel like I'm a soccer expert now, and then baseball, I'm obviously an expert because we've been in that one longer, and I'm just not quiet.

SPEAKER_02 33:06

Yeah, my my girls um did volleyball and soccer. Um, and it was named And shear and shear Mallory, yes.

SPEAKER_01 33:18

I yes because that's its own psychotic for it.

SPEAKER_02 33:21

She was a chiller for it with well, Elmwood and then Rogers High School, and uh but Greer ran for a little bit because she's super tall. Um I mean super tall. Uh but uh uh her feet would just weren't for her. She's got she yeah. She has long limbs. She does have limbs. I'm not coordinated. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 33:42

And I was a gentleman.

SPEAKER_02 33:43

And she's for 14 years, so yeah, still have no idea. And she's she's she's not either. Love you.

SPEAKER_01 33:48

Yeah, I do yeah, so much. You're so cute. I love you. Love you long. They're 18 now, so I'm like, yes. They're starting off on the in the real world. Yes, they are. One's in U of A college, and one is in what do we call it's not called beauty school anymore, but I still call it beauty school. I do too.

SPEAKER_02 34:05

She is in cosmetology school. Cosmetology school.

SPEAKER_01 34:08

And what will we do with this cosmetology degree?

SPEAKER_02 34:11

She um is gonna focus on hair, but more so hair extensions.

SPEAKER_01 34:16

Oh, so great. Let hair extensions.

Travel Rituals: 30A Loyalty and Beach Rules

SPEAKER_02 34:18

And probably you get to be the guinea pig. I hope that she will let me.

SPEAKER_01 34:23

Oh, how great will that be? She should probably go into like lash extension.

SPEAKER_02 34:27

Oh, oh, I'm sure she she could learn all that. Is and I will we will support her as much as she wants to. Uh-huh. Um, but you know, I'm kind of I've been going to the same lady for probably 13 years.

SPEAKER_01 34:40

Yeah, I know, but I don't know if I can change. Well, it just it's just it's just a glow up in between your life.

SPEAKER_02 34:46

It is, there you go. That's right. That's right. They do enjoy she when we go to events, I have her curl my hair because this is terrible. And I'll be like, Mom, could we put some makeup on you? Because I literally, you know, putting on lipstick for me is a big deal.

SPEAKER_01 35:00

Um so But you love red lipstick like that. I love red lipstick.

SPEAKER_02 35:04

Yes. We can pull it off.

SPEAKER_01 35:05

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 35:05

We can pull it off.

SPEAKER_01 35:06

Is it the dark hair? Dark eyes.

SPEAKER_02 35:08

I think so. Okay. And mine, mine is naturally dark, now I do color it or it would be extremely gray.

SPEAKER_01 35:14

Oh, for sure. A tinsel? That's what I like to call that.

SPEAKER_02 35:17

And mine's getting pretty bad.

SPEAKER_01 35:18

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 35:19

Mine's getting mine, yeah. I think mine is too.

SPEAKER_01 35:21

Yeah. A little tinsel love. Never hurt anybody. Never. Never. Okay. I have just okay. I have one last question. What does a typical Friday night or weekend look like for you?

SPEAKER_02 35:42

Um Friday night. Typical week it's changed. It has because drastically changed.

SPEAKER_01 35:49

Your cheerleader is now an amazing hair human.

SPEAKER_02 35:52

Yes, there's not well being at home by myself as a single mom, now one of my daughters still lives with me while she's going to cosmetology school. Um, so I'm pretty much at home by myself. And uh the yes and no, yes and no. Uh, you know, routinely come home. I have a small dog, let the dog out, uh, and just try to relax and see what I'm gonna focus on and do. Um, I'd like to go and meet friends out, but here's a bad thing about me. This is something I wish I could change. Here's your vice. Here's here's my vice. I am an early person. As I said, I'm early to bed.

SPEAKER_01 36:34

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_02 36:34

So it's great, but my friends don't want to go eat at 5 30. They're like, can we meet at 7 30 and I'm like, I'm out.

SPEAKER_01 36:39

You're a senior citizen. I'm out. Louis' cafeteria.

SPEAKER_02 36:42

Can't do it. Can't do it. So, you know, if anybody were to want to go and grab something to eat at 7:30 or 8, nine times out of 10, I'm gonna be out. Because then, you know, but then you're like, oh my gosh, then I'm getting home and you go talk, and then it's 10:30 and you're exhausted. Especially on Friday. Now, Saturday may be different. Obviously, now with the weekends, it is football. It is let's go, let's go, tailgate. Um, super excited for the Notre Dame game next week. Yes. I um have coworkers coming in from Michigan because we have a we have a branch and South Bend.

SPEAKER_01 37:22

Oh, this is wonderful.

SPEAKER_02 37:24

So a lot of Notre So for folks coming in, they're Notre Dame fans, um, they'll they'll be extremely kind to the Razorback players in in our in our in our you know stadium, all of our fans, 100%. Um, but tailgate, um, go do something if it's not too crazy late. Uh Sundays, just you know, try to get things done. I do some meal planning. It's when I always go to Sam's on Sundays, get my rotisserie chicken. All the samples. All well, I don't usually I'm there in the mornings, I'm just like uh buzzing through. Buzzing through. Okay. Sam's and Aldi's.

SPEAKER_01 37:57

Oh, really?

unknown 37:59

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 37:59

Just have my little things on what I'm gonna do and um get get organized. Ready for the week. Ready for the week. Yeah, ready for the week. So that's awesome. But I don't I don't miss it's okay spending time at home.

SPEAKER_01 38:15

I love to stay at home. I uh my husband loves to be out.

Closing Gratitude & Sweet Snack Shoutout

SPEAKER_02 38:20

Yes, and I I I like both. Don't get me wrong. Do not get me wrong. Um, but there's just something nice and peaceful about just not really having to do anything.

SPEAKER_01 38:31

I've been I mean, we're getting ready and go into like hibernation season.

SPEAKER_02 38:35

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 38:35

I'm ready though, because I like event season in the fall and I'm like, I love me some sweats on a Friday evening.

SPEAKER_02 38:41

Me too. Or even go, I love to just go out and take a bike ride. Oh, like you know, we're like the only people that don't own a bike, but yeah. Well, that's a big deal. But I'm not talking, it's not some fancy thing. It's just even if I just want to, you know, peddle around um or just go walk my dog in the neighborhood.

SPEAKER_00 38:57

I do enjoy it.

SPEAKER_02 38:57

I enjoy being out, yes. Just sitting out, uh good bonfire. Agree. Can't wait. Agree.

SPEAKER_01 39:04

And I don't like it, but I do like stuff like that.

SPEAKER_02 39:06

I do too. I do too. I'm looking forward to that.

SPEAKER_01 39:09

Summer or winter?

SPEAKER_02 39:10

Ooh, summer.

SPEAKER_01 39:11

Okay, beach or mountains.

SPEAKER_02 39:13

Beach every day. Anybody that knows me will know if Stephanie doesn't go to 30A twice a year, there's something oh absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 39:25

Okay, we went to 30A for 10 years straight, and we haven't been in four.

SPEAKER_02 39:29

Oh gosh. We've been going for 16. The twins are 18.

SPEAKER_01 39:33

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 39:33

Um, so we've been going for 16 in the panhandle area, but then 30A for probably the last 10 as well. And um I'm creature of habit. I same I was for 10 years. Eat at the same place. If I don't get the smoked tuna dip from Red Bar at least twice that week, there's something wrong. Um, we go eat at the bay. It's one of my favorite places. It's like a, you know, it's a local place. Go eat at the bay. Um, Red Bar, Great and Seafood, um, Cowboy Kitchen. Yep. It is bang bang bang. I'm at the beach every morning by 9 a.m. I am enjoying an adult beverage by 10 a.m. I have a rule I will not open a nice cold beer until at least 10 a.m. Okay. And I'm usually off the beach by two. No kids. Go home, shower, because again, I'm early to eat. That's right, that's right. So and so you're not waiting. I've I've changed I've changed. Well, when I go, there's about eight of us usually. So you know when you go out, if you don't get somewhere you gotta get there.

SPEAKER_01 40:35

You're gonna take reservation.

SPEAKER_02 40:37

No, and you can go say, like, hey, let's go and look, we're gonna meet at Shades at 6 30. Well, that's great.

SPEAKER_01 40:41

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 40:42

But I'm telling you, Shades and Rosemary at 6 30, we're gonna wait till 7 30 to go and eat.

SPEAKER_01 40:46

And then I get hangry. Uh-huh. I get hangry too.

SPEAKER_02 40:48

And it's not good. And it's not good Yeah. It's not good. I'm a big fan of food. So yeah, so beach.

SPEAKER_01 40:54

I'm not a foodie, but I love to eat all the time.

SPEAKER_02 40:56

Love the mountains, don't get me wrong, but beach every day. Okay. Yeah, I'm not outdoorsy and mountain. Yep. I've seen one mountain, you've seen one. Sorry.

SPEAKER_01 41:05

Everyone's like, oh my gosh, you gotta go hike this or you gotta do that. I tried to get the family to go like do some parks this summer because I feel like we're supposed to experience to do that. And they we've got some great parks, great mountains. You know, like yeah. I was like, I think we're supposed to see these things. Right. And they all just looked at me like, yeah, try again. I was like, what about an RV trip?

SPEAKER_02 41:27

And they were like, Oh, I could do that.

SPEAKER_01 41:30

They they pulled back on me, so we uh we hit a new beach this summer. There you go. So I was like, okay, I'll try it.

SPEAKER_02 41:37

Is it Amelia Island?

SPEAKER_01 41:38

Oh, yes, yes.

SPEAKER_02 41:39

I've never been to Amelia Island. It's gonna be my next place.

SPEAKER_01 41:41

Yeah. We hit up Clearwater randomly. It was so easy.

SPEAKER_02 41:45

It is easy.

SPEAKER_01 41:46

It was so easy. Easy flight. Yes. And I hadn't flown to the beach since my kids were little, and that is life-changing. We do have a few.

SPEAKER_02 41:56

I'm doing it next year. I've already told the twins. Well, they're this this might have been my last summer, you know, going SS together. Um, so but I said up next year. I'm like, okay, we are flying because I'm done. They don't help on the driving, they're exhausted. You know, they've they've gone out, they've met some people. Yeah. And I'm like, uh-huh. Oh my goodness, we've got to do that.

SPEAKER_01 42:17

You're gonna pay for it, so they're still gonna go next year. That's true. That is very true. Yeah, they're not gonna pay for it themselves. They don't want to be a few. Oh, I need to take a friend each because that's what we do now. That's what you do now. Oh my gosh, this is great. Stephanie, thank you. Thank you.

SPEAKER_02 42:29

It was a pleasure, and I'm honored.

SPEAKER_01 42:31

I love that you added time for me.

SPEAKER_02 42:33

I'm just uh I'm thankful for our friendship. So thank you.

SPEAKER_01 42:35

I'm so thankful for our friendship. And you know what? I haven't seen you in forever. Well, I saw you like a few weeks ago for an event, but I hadn't seen you in forever because I wanted to leave you alone last semester of school because you I mean, twice the fun, right? Twins. Yes, they're both graduating and you needed to go feel all the fields. And then summer was like, get them ready for all the transitions. So I was like, I'm just gonna leave you alone until September. That was correct. I ran into you and I was like, Let's do this. Begged you to come hang out with me.

SPEAKER_02 43:04

Yeah, we appreciate it very much. I love y'all.

SPEAKER_01 43:06

I love working with you and I love seeing you and Kyle out and about.

SPEAKER_02 43:09

Ditto. He's my bud. Get ready.

SPEAKER_01 43:11

I love it. Thank you to Stephanie. Thank you to Hershey Salty Snacks, as always. All the amazing snacks, dots, home style pretzels, cinnamon, sugar. Have you tried them?

SPEAKER_02 43:21

Oh, phenomenal.

SPEAKER_01 43:23

Phenomenal.

SPEAKER_02 43:24

It's a dessert.

SPEAKER_01 43:25

It's amazing.

SPEAKER_02 43:26

There's your sweet.

SPEAKER_01 43:27

I know, right? It's great. Keep inspiring a culture of giving, and we'll see you next time. Bye.