Best She Did The Best She Could With What She Had Podcasts (2024)

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#115 Big Sis Advice: You Asked About Sex, Dating Apps and Living Your BEST Life! 26:30

3h ago26:30

26:30

A big sister tells it like it is based on her life experiences and doesn't sugar coat or shy away from the facts. In this episode, Jayna does just that. She's answering real questions from her BLE besties and she's not holding back! She may not know all the answers, but she'll happily share her opinion with your best interests at heart. Come join t…

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Women Inspiring Women- Education Was the Path to Freedom with Guest Author and Anthropologist, Dr. Faith Mitchell 28:44

5d ago28:44

28:44

Once Faith and I had a confirmed our record date and time, Dr. Mitchell wrote saying "coincidentally this is Juneteenth. What interesting alignment and a good opportunity to honor the ancestors who paved the way for so many of us today." And I couldn't have agreed more. Ophelia, My guest's mother and one of twelve children, was born in Chester Coun…

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#114 You'll Never BELIEVE What This Guy Did To Get Jayna's Attention! 34:40

3d ago34:40

34:40

It's the story Jayna's parents LOVE to tell when someone new comes over for dinner. An unbelievable tale of the time an online mystery man went to extremes to win their daughters affection. A story so wild, it's left the family shaking their heads for the past 23 years. No re-telling would be complete without hearing somebody say "I thought Jayna w…

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A Foundation Based in Love and Positivity with Guest Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Vaynersports, AJ Vaynerchuk 29:16

5d ago29:16

29:16

AJ is the youngest of three children. The eldest, Gary was born in Belarus and about three years old when the family emigrated to the United States. Tamara didn't have your typical childhood. She was born in the former Soviet Union. During turbulent times, when Tamara was a young girl, she lost many family members, including her mother at the age o…

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#113 Besties Talk Beauty Part 2: Makeup Tips From The Best In The Biz! 1:00:17

14d ago1:00:17

1:00:17

The houseparty’s still bumping and Jayna can’t WAIT to introduce you to two more of her special guests. Gurpreet (Lash Out Studio) and Sukhi (Princess Studios) are here to talk makeup and they’re not holding back! Listen in as each woman dishes on what it’s like being a makeup artist, their beauty product must haves and which ones they think are ov…

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“Her Affection Came with Strings Attached” with Guest Podcast Host, Author and Construction Coach, Elinor Moshe 31:52

12d ago31:52

31:52

Elinor is definitely driven professionally and personally. She's been studying, exploring and researching how or why she feels as though she had lost her true self, and now she's doing something about it. She's written several books, won many awards for her approach and understanding of bringing "the best of you" forward and getting the best payoff…

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#112 Besties Talk Beauty: Makeup Tips From The Best In The Biz! 52:55

21d ago52:55

52:55

Its a houseparty full of talented makeup artists, and you're invited! Last week, Jayna said she didn't see any women in her industry as competition- she wants everyone to win! In this episode, she's putting her money where her mouth is. To prove it, she shines the spotlight on some of Vancouvers most talented artists. Listen in as each woman dishes…

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She Fled Cuba For Her Children's Future with Guest Illustrator, Artist and Author Edel Rodriguez 33:02

21d ago33:02

33:02

I've attached many of the links below that will take you to Edel's artwork and designs. He's highly regarded and is recognized nationally and internationally for his works. His childhood and childhood memories lends itself to his creations today. He has gone back to Cuba a number of times to see his remaining family members and truly understands al…

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#111 Are You A Girls Girl?? ...Listen NOW To Find Out! 26:42

24d ago26:42

26:42

What 4 things do "Girls Girls" do differently? If you're curious, then listen up! This isn't just a hot new catch phrase on tiktok - its a way of living and it's so *VERY* B.L.E. Ever since Betty & Veronica, we've put the spotlight on cat fights. In this episode, Jayna shares some fun and relatable stories about what it looks like when female relat…

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Sobriety and Healing Begin with Forgiveness With Guest Sobriety Consultant Gina Kunadian 28:18

28d ago28:18

28:18

Linda, one of six siblings, left home at 17-18 years old. She had a terrible childhood with an verbally and emotionally abusive mother. She did eventually embrace her relationship with her mother and forgave her. My guest, Gina is convinced that she can help with ones sobriety. She's living proof that you can change your life and be healthy and hap…

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#110 What REALLY Happened In Vegas- The Worst Trip YET! 30:58

1M ago30:58

30:58

When Jayna invited her girls to join her for a last minute Vegas trip, she had NO IDEA it would end up like this! What in the WORLD would have our usually calm and collected host wanting to throw hands!? ...and on a BOUNCER, no less! This episode is a wild story of a girls trip gone wrong, but in true BLE fashion, it will leave you feeling inspired…

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Mom, Thank You for Never Giving Up Your Dreams With Guest Children's Book Author and Illustrator Bonnie Kelso 29:20

1M ago29:20

29:20

It was such a joy to speak with my guest, Bonnie Kelso. A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), she's been working in the arts her whole life and it seems to fit her perfectly. As an illustrator of kid's books, she loves sharing her adventures in the outdoors from around the world with her readers. Her books are fun, informational and b…

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#109 HBD BLE! Playing “Would You Rather?” On The Streets Of Las Vegas, Baby! 21:38

1M ago21:38

21:38

(Warning: Adult content!) It's BLE'S second birthday and we're celebrating by roaming the streets of Las Vegas and playing "Would you rather...?" with strangers! This episode is all about having a good time...and by the sounds of the rasp in Jayna's voice, she's been having a blast! Wait till you hear the answers when we ask men "Would you rather n…

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She Opened My Eyes To See The World With Guest Travel Writer and Photographer Jeremiah Gilbert 28:17

1M ago28:17

28:17

Jeremiah joined me to share stories of his mother, who in his mind was "a straight shooter," she told you exactly how and what she felt. She was a huge inspiration in his life and had hoped to take her on a special trip to Israel for her sixtieth birthday. He did eventually get to bring her with him but not exactly as they had imagined. At the same…

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#108 Are You At Your Limit Too? 4 Tips + A Guided Meditation For A Little Woo Woo! 27:59

2M ago27:59

27:59

Are you feeling stressed? Overworked? Overwhelmed? ....You're not alone! Unfortunately, running away to a deserted island with man butlers in speedos isn't always an option. That's why Jayna is sharing 4 of the things she does to keep her sh*t together amidst an overpacked schedule and minimal free time. If you find yourself struggling to find peac…

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She Put Her Foot Down With Guest Educator and Facilitator of Child Anxiety Support Dawn Friedman. Looking Back at S2E44. 27:48

2M ago27:48

27:48

My guest is a licensed professional clinical counselor in the state of Ohio. She has over 30 years experience working with children and parents. Friedman passionately emphasizes, "I love struggling moms, they're trying to heal generational trauma through their own parenting." Ms. Friedman also provides services through a membership program called c…

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#107 Bad Date Story: My High School Teacher! 21:29

2M ago21:29

21:29

Having a crush on one of your teachers is pretty common...but what about when your teacher has a crush on YOU? In this episode, Jayna gets asked out on a date by none other than Mr. Simpson- her highschool drama teacher! Never one to shy away from doing anything that could make a good story, she says yes and the rest is ...well...fabulous content f…

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Her Dream Was Bigger Than Her Pride with Guest Youth Development Consultant Shaun Banks. Looking Back @ S2E43 28:19

2M ago28:19

28:19

Sharon, Shaun's mom had 2 kids and was living in subsidized housing when she started her janitorial business in the CD, central district of Seattle, WA. People laughed and were critical of her because she was 'cleaning houses' but mother knew best. Lots of drugs and crime hit their neighborhood in the 1980's and she knew she had to make a living to…

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#106 The Girl Who Never Had A Bed Part 3: Now We’re HERE! 21:49

2M ago21:49

21:49

Get ready to feel all the warm and fuzzies! If you listened to episodes 103 + 104 then this one is a MUST! A heartwarming finale to the story that’s had everyone talking (and bawling!). Press play to hear how Arzo likes her new bedroom, what awkward things happen when Jayna’s parents come to visit (Did Jayna catch Arzo in the shower with a BOY?) an…

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“It’s Okay To Love Yourself” with Guest Australian Singer and Voice Actor Donna Burke 29:43

2M ago29:43

29:43

Donna Burke explains that her mum gave birth to seven children of which there are two sets of twins. Donna is the first born twin to a boy and the second set of twins was also boy/girl. She basically in the middle of the seven children. To add to Donna's many talents, she is also the long time English announcer on the Shinkansen bullet train, from …

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#105 Are You Turning Into Your Mother Too?! Special Guest: Jayna's Mom! 36:45

2M ago36:45

36:45

This week, our host finally sits down to talk with the woman one of our BLE besties called a "National Treasure". Never one to shy away from a chance to speak her piece, Jayna's mom, Wendy, sits down to the mic with her notebook FULL of thoughts. (It's almost like she'd been waiting for her chance to vent for the past 41 years!) Together, the mothe…

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A Single Mom and a Force of Nature with Guest Author Lorraine Duffy Merkl. LOOKING BACK AT S2E42 29:27

2M ago29:27

29:27

I wanted to give you an update on Lorraine's mom, since our original publication of the episode was in November, 2021. Lorraine's mom, Angelina, passed away in March 2023, at 100 years old. And Lorraine let me know that it was taking some time to adjust to not having her mom with her by her side. Lorraine took care of her mother for many, many year…

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#104 The Girl Who Never Had A Bed Part 2: Started From the Bottom 30:35

3M ago30:35

30:35

Was Jayna able to give Arzo the surprise of a lifetime or did she have to come up with another plan? This is the second half of an inspiring, heart warming story that you DO NOT want to miss! It's all about dreaming big, trusting Gods plan and the beauty that can come from choosing your own family. Jayna and Arzo have a very unique story...At 41, J…

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The Beatles, My Mom and Tourette Syndrome with Guest Musician and Composer Stephen DiJoseph 28:10

3M ago28:10

28:10

Speaking with Stephen was just such a delight. He's easy going, insightful, entertaining and talented. He clearly loves his kraft. He's an accomplished pianist, drummer, guitarist and vocalist. My guest studied jazz, pop and classical music genres. When Stephen was a young boy, he saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, and that was the beginning …

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#103 The Girl Who Never Had A Bed- Part 1 33:07

3M ago33:07

33:07

It's not often you meet a 16 year old who's never slept in a bed. Arzo has lived a very difficult life. 8 months ago, she needed a place to stay, so Jayna invited her into her home. As a temporary option, she offered her pull out couch, then learned that that's how Arzo had been sleeping her whole life. On a couch, in the living room. Now, Jayna's …

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The Value of a Mother's Premonition With Guest Author and Poet Anthony McDuffie Jr 28:28

3M ago28:28

28:28

It was an absolute pleasure to have this open conversation with Anthony about where his journey started as a young boy full of sadness, frustration resentment and despair and the miraculous transformation he has made as a young man. He had to learn some really tough lessons but to his credit, he feels that he had to go through everything that he di…

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#102 Are a Few Extra Pounds Stopping YOU? Come Along For A Boudoir Shoot! 38:16

3M ago38:16

38:16

“I’d love to, but first I need to lose 10 pounds.” We hear it all the time! If you’ve ever caught yourself putting your best life on hold for a mythical number on a scale then you’ll find this episode super relatable. This week, you’re coming along as Jayna does a super steamy boudoir photoshoot with the wonderful Jennifer Williams, despite feeling…

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Mothers Are The Culture Keepers with Guest Founder of Sovereign Eats, Moksha. Looking Back at S2E41 30:20

3M ago30:20

30:20

"Grenada is very traditional" says my guest, Moksha, who was born and raised on the island and now lives in the US. "A large portion of Grenadians still believe that 'little girls should be seen and not heard' and girls should concentrate on domestics and house keeping," continues my guest. Coincidentally, that 'saying' about little girls is an Eng…

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#101 Was This Threesome Sexy or Messy? You Decide! 38:32

3M ago38:32

38:32

WARNING: Adult Content! Has your partner ever told you they wanted a threesome? Maybe you want one but are afraid to ask? In this weeks episode, Jayna continues on her quest to find a #3 for the man who told her the secret to keeping him loyal was one menage a trois a year. Who would have thought finding someone to join in on their sexy time would …

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Don't Let Your Past Define You with Guest Serial Entrepreneur Kevin Jerome. Looking Back at S2E38 29:25

3M ago29:25

29:25

Today, Kevin Jerome is the proud owner of four companies, a far cry from what he thought his future would be when he was a teen. " A kid who grew up in a 2 bedroom apartment, living with 14 people, evicted twice as a teen," says Jerome, " I'm a true example of how you can turn your life around." At a young age, Kevin taught himself to read and even…

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#100 It’s A Party! Celebrating 100 With BLE’s Greatest Hits and Listener Picks! 46:13

4M ago46:13

46:13

Pop the Champagne!! In this episode, we’re celebrating 100 episodes of BLE and Jayna’s invited some of her besties to share what their favorite moments have been so far. She’s joined by Rikki, Tim and Arzo, as well as Sarah from the “For Better or For Worse Almost Killed Her” trilogy. It’s a star studded 43 minutes! If you’re an OG bestie, this wil…

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I Learned the Significance of Love, Resilience and Self-Reliance from my Mom with Guest Marketing Specialist Costas Schuler 30:59

4M ago30:59

30:59

Costas Schuler is a Graphic Designer/Marketing and Branding Specialist. He lives in the Fort Lauderdale area of Florida. You'll find links below to catch up on the latest from Costas. The thought of his mother finding out about the crazy stuff Costas was up to as a teen, kept him on the straight and narrow. He says, "she was the bad cop, dad was th…

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#99 Is it Wrong to Admit you REALLY Want to Win? What Happened With Jayna's Ambie Award Nomination?! 43:36

4M ago43:36

43:36

Come with Jayna to Los Angeles for her first ever “vlog style” episode…it’s a rollercoaster of emotions! Woohoo!! Big Lash Energy was nominated for an Ambie for "Best Relationship or Wellness Podcast" ...its a major honour! In fact, it's such a big deal, Jayna just had to bring you with her! For the first time ever, our host steps away from her scr…

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“She Taught Me About Determination, Perseverance and Unconditional Love” with Guest Author and Retired Professor Emeritus, Robert W. Norris 31:00

4M ago31:00

31:00

Kaye and her family traveled from to the Pacific Northwest and eventually settled in White Salmon, WA. In order for them to have food on the table and a roof over their head, they had to work hard. With all those mouths to feed and though at times there wasn't much to go around, they felt blessed because they had each other. Nothing could get in Ka…

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#98 The #1 Way To Tell He’s ACTUALLY Into You…and WTF Is Breadcrumbing? 17:14

4M ago17:14

17:14

Have you been a victim of breadcrumbing? If you’re not sure what it is, listen up! This form of manipulation is a serious time suck and can make dating super confusing. In this episode, we talk about how to tell if the guys DMing you are in it for the long haul or just an ego boost. Jayna shares the story of her very first crush (hey, Mehalee!), an…

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All Or Nothing with Guest Speaking Coach and Author David Thomas. Looking Back at S2E40. 28:23

4M ago28:23

28:23

He's not a professional comic but laughter comes easy for David Thomas. It's actually one field that he hasn't tried professionally, but would love to some day. Thomas is a Global Professional Speaker and a CEO Presentation Skills Coach. In case you haven't heard about his crazy memory abilities, he's also an International Grandmaster of Memory, br…

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#97 Ever Felt So Ugly You Could Cry?...So Have I. 18:20

4M ago18:20

18:20

Have you ever been disgusted by the reflection looking back at you? Are there days when you feel unworthy of love because you no longer feel cute? Are you giving yourself the “ick”? ...Us too! This week, Jayna gets real about what happened on a day when she couldn’t stand to look herself in the mirror. The episode features a heartfelt conversation,…

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“My Mother Always Told Me That I Could Do Absolutely Anything I Put My Mind To” with Guest Creator of "Storage Hunters" and "Do The Big Dream," Sean Kelly 29:30

4M ago29:30

29:30

My Guest says he "has absolutely no fear of rejection." and he wants you to understand that "you only have one life, don't let fear hold you back from living your life's potential." Sean Kelly has this magic of making you feel that anything is possible . He loves helping people achieve their dreams. That said, he's launched "Do the Big Dream." You …

1
#96 Client Nightmare Stories From Danessa Myricks + New Friends at The Makeup Show Atlanta! 1:00:32

4M ago1:00:32

1:00:32

You’re invited to come join Jayna and her two best friends, Rikki and Elsa, on an exciting trip to Atlanta! The ladies are on their way to The Makeup Show, to spread that “bad ass, big lash energy everywhere they go” and boy do they ever! Tune in to hear the great lengths they go through to gain new listeners, and make new friends. Jayna finally ge…

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With Unending Love and Support, Anything is Attainable with Guest Author and Childbirth Attorney Gina Mundy 28:33

5M ago28:33

28:33

"My parents pushed me to do my best," say Gina. "They had high expectations all the way." It didn't help Gina's cause that one of her teachers told her mother that "you could be an outstanding student if you tried." But in time the message paid off. Now a proud mother of three and a Childbirth Attorney, Gina works full time as did her mother. It's …

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#95 Jayna's Craziest Bridezilla Story....FINALLY! 27:41

5M ago27:41

27:41

Jayna risked her LIFE for a bride and this was how she repaid her! Have you ever seen a bridezilla out in the wild? Almost every day, someone asks our host ”Tell me a crazy bride story!”. After nearly 2 decades of working in weddings, it’s safe to say she’s got a good handful to choose from. Today, Jayna's FINALLY telling the one that takes the (we…

1
She Made Everyone Feel Special With Guest Bible Teacher and Podcast Host, Lyvita Brooks 26:35

5M ago26:35

26:35

Lyvita Brooks says her mission in life is "to help people get the clutter out of their lives so they can go and do what God calls them to do." Lyvita is an author, bible teacher, founder of "The Me Project" and host of the podcast "Hanging Out With Jesus." Lyvita credits her mother for inspiring her to write and love books. The book that my guest r…

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#94 The Ugly Side of Doing Hair + Makeup For Brides?…OH MY! 36:13

5M ago36:13

36:13

If you’ve ever considered being a bridal makeup artist, you might change your mind after hearing this! Our host has done hair and makeup almost exclusively for weddings for the past 2 decades and it’s safe to say, she’s seen it all! In this episode, Jayna's bypassing the typical complaints about her chosen career….like the long hours, lack of sleep…

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"She Gave us More Room to Grow and Discover and a Safe Place to Fail" With Guest Actor, Producer and Director, Russell Andrews 30:13

5M ago30:13

30:13

In addition to film and tv acting, Russell is passionate about theatre and stage acting. With over thirty years of experience, he's now written his first book titled, "Shoes," and it is a significant story because it mirrors his youth and his relationship with his mother. As one of the founding members and producing artistic director of "Stagewalke…

1
#93 Recovering from Divorce + Self Confidence: A Talk With THE Jennifer Williams! 39:38

5M ago39:38

39:38

Wouldn’t it be tragic if you went your entire life finding beauty in everyone else but you? In this very special episode, Jayna’s snuggled in bed with Jennifer Williams, one of North Americas top Boudoir Photographers. She’s spent over a decade helping women of all sizes feel comfortable in their own skin. Both ladies bare it all as they discuss th…

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Same Drive Different Generations with Guest Burnout Specialist and Neonatologist, Dr. Susan Landers. Looking Back at S2E37 28:54

5M ago28:54

28:54

Dr. Landers' mother completed her master's degree in library science and worked full time as a school librarian in the 1950's and 60's long before that was the norm for women/mothers. "My mother grew up on a farm, lived through the Great Depression and met my dad, a WWII veteran after the war," says Landers. "She was a natural born giver, always lo…

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#92 Family Can Break Your Heart Too?! ...Who knew! 25:00

5M ago25:00

25:00

Ever had someone you really cared about not love you back the way you hoped they would? That kind of rejection can shake you to your core and leave you wondering "what's wrong with me?". This week is Jayna's birthday so she's reflecting on the past year, the love she gained and a very surprising heartbreak. Listen as she offers a new perspective on…

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"It's Not My Story Anymore" With Guest Mystic and Intuitive Holistic Healer Jeannine Kim 28:13

5M ago28:13

28:13

Jeannine's biological mother got pregnant In her early 20's and was unwed. Her family sent her away for months to a facility in Evanston, IL, for single mothers until her baby was born, never to speak of the incident again. Though it was a closed adoption, eventually my guest was able to track down her biological mother. The unfortunate part of the…

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#91 Do NOT Travel to Mexico Without These 6 Tips on How to Have a Safe Trip! 34:45

6M ago34:45

34:45

Unsure of if you should plan a vacation or destination wedding in Mexico? Why not get some advice from someone who’s traveled extensively all over the country? Jayna has been going to Mexico since she was 13 and has visited dozens of times on her own as well. In this episode, our host spills the margarita from her hotel room in cabo san lucas…and i…

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A House Full of Kids, Laughter, Love and Faith with guest Father Jim Worth. Looking Back at S2E36 30:50

6M ago30:50

30:50

Father Jim can hardly contain himself when asked about his mother. "She was my biggest supporter, she's one of the main reasons I became a priest." Renea loved all her children equally, so she said on a regular basis, but Father Jim is convinced he was her favorite. The only sibling to attend college, Father Jim completed his undergraduate and 2 gr…

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