Take the Elevator
This podcast is purely about elevating people through individual life stories and experiences in the Elevator. In the Elevator, what's key is maybe changing your perspective; having self-actualization; embracing your purpose; and acting on it as we grow from one another. There is a whole different point of view when you look up to elevate.
Take the Elevator
395th Floor: Glimmers in Hard Times
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Something shifted for us in the last few months, and it isn’t a big dramatic breakthrough. It’s smaller than that, and more useful: we started noticing the glimmers. The little sparks that make you smile when the world feels heavy. So we leaned into them and talked through what’s been giving us hope, momentum, and a sense of control when so much feels out of control.
If you’re craving encouragement that feels grounded, not cheesy, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a glimmer, and leave a review so more people can find the ride.
Look up, and let's elevate!
The Fresh Patch Podcast - Where Good Pets Get It.Welcome to the Fresh Patch Podcast where we talk about everything, from dog...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts
Every day. Elevate. Every day. Elevate.
SPEAKER_01Every day.
SPEAKER_02Hey, it's Jen the Builder. And uh Corey. And we're on the elevator. So excited about being here. And man, Buddha, we are just creeping up to 400.
SPEAKER_00Yes, indeed. What'd you call me? I gave up your nickname. Oh my goodness.
SPEAKER_02I don't think I've ever done that on the elevator. That's how comfortable and cozy I am right now. Well, great. Whole world. People are probably going to play the back. Like, wait, what did you call it? What did she say?
SPEAKER_00I hope it was good and muffled so you couldn't hear it.
SPEAKER_02Right. It's so, it's so unusual. Um, that's the right word to be in our studio by ourselves today.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, we've had guests uh back to back to back. And as a matter of fact, we were supposed to have another guest, but he got sick and we had to postpone that guest. And this is a guest that I personally have some stake in. And I will explain as the days get closer so you'll understand a little bit more. Uh, I don't call a lot of people friend, but this is definitely one of my friends. So uh can't wait to get to that. But Jen, we did some different things this weekend, and I just wanted to talk about that just a little bit, if you don't mind. What what did you like about the poetry that we went to go and see?
SPEAKER_02Yes, so we went in Anaheim, it was what was in the Angel Review, LA LA Poets.
SPEAKER_01Right.
SPEAKER_02And what did I love about it? First of all, um, we were in Anaheim for something other than Disneyland. So I have to say that was great.
SPEAKER_00And the House of Blues, right?
SPEAKER_02Yes, the two things that we know, and Nam. See now that we're talking about it. So there are three things we do in Anaheim, guys: Disneyland, House of Blues, and Nam. This we went to the Untold Story, which is such a cool bookstore um owned by a lovely lady named Lizette, and we went there for the Angel City review. It was 10 years of poetry in LA, and we went to support someone we work with, Frank Mundo. Shout out to him. Let's go, Frank! Frank, and with Frank, there were three other poets.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Um, and they were just so different in their stylings, right? So the ambiance was cool, and to have people go up and share their poem in this book here, and then other work that they've been doing was really, really a treat.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so I'm going to give my slight breakdown because you walk into this bookstore that has a roll-up door. That was the first thing that we noticed. So you can see all the way inside the bookstore as you walk by, and then you get to the actual opening of the door, uh, that's uh hinged door. And as you walk through, it's more of a coffee shop, tea shop vibe with the seating and the arrangements and all the eclectic art and uh so forth and so on. And then there's there's in the far distance this very huge old school mirror, and right in front of that is a podium where these poets went up and showcased their LA review poems and then some of their own personal poems that they've written, and like Jen said, some of the stuff was just so impactful. I I really enjoyed um all of them, but there are those few that just really stick out, and I'm not gonna call any names except Frank Mundo because that's who I was there to see. And yes, Frank rocked the house, and he has a very unique uh translation on life. Let's just say it like that.
SPEAKER_02I like the way you said that. What I really enjoyed about Frank too is that he gave context as to what led him to write those poems.
SPEAKER_01Right.
SPEAKER_02So hearing the story of what the muse was and what inspired him is really cool.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Wanted uh put a plug out too. So again, we were at the Untold Story, which is a bookstore there, and they have a pantry. So they actually let go of the coffee shop, tea shop, part of the bookstore.
SPEAKER_01Right.
SPEAKER_02Um, realized that they wanted to use the space for food to give to the community. Right. So if you have any food or clothes to donate, we highly recommend to go there. They said they were really in need of lunch meets for kiddos' lunches and toddler-sized diapers.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_02So again, great, great opportunity to give.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and I'm gonna tell you guys about a couple of opportunities that Jen and I have come across. Uh, we ran and we went to a pop-up stand or pop-up farm where they have uh the like a farmer's market uh pop-up, and we met a another amazing gifted individual. And I don't even know how to describe this, but it's she has a bookstore on Wales. That's the way I would see it. And uh we're we're going, we're looking to partner with her really soon, and we'll give you some more details as the time comes close. Also, uh, that store, the Untold Story Bookstore, is another store we're gonna partner with and do a book signing and a book reading. And then I am proud and happy to announce, and if I had a crowd, uh Jen and I have secured another Barnes and Noble for June 20th. So please put that in your calendars. We will be there at one o'clock, and we will be going for about an hour with uh story time for the kids, along with signing books and shaking hands and kissing babies as President. No, I'm playing. We're not gonna be kissing anybody.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I know.
SPEAKER_00Uh, but we will definitely be reading our book, uh Kelly Kenga and signing books, and I'm working hard to get all of the books in Barnes and Noble, but right now that's the only one. Um however, I will have a treat for those that come because we'll be giving away some special prizes. That's fun, special gifts.
SPEAKER_02That's fun.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_02In hearing everything that you just talked about, Corey, or we just talked about this year, has just is three months gone.
SPEAKER_00Gone.
SPEAKER_02Quarter one, done.
SPEAKER_00Done.
SPEAKER_02Spring is here, and there's a lot to talk about that's happened in the last three months, but I just love that I'm following your lead today, and I'm gonna sit back and be open.
SPEAKER_00Well, that's funny you say that, Jen, because that's exactly what I'm gonna talk about. And the way I'm going to word this is that we've got the drop on the last three months. So we know what's been going on. We're very much aware, and I know I sound like I've just discovered something and I'm about to call something out. No, I'm not doing that. Uh, but we we got the drop on the last couple of months because I've noticed a few things, and I just wanted to bring that up and point it out and celebrate the good parts of it. You know, pause for just a second. We we've been dealing with a lot of heavy stuff, a lot of deep, emotional, very burdensome type of information with the war, with uh the protest, with ice, with all this craziness going on. And and you know, uh not that the last episode was was crazy, but it was heavy, and we just wanted to take a moment to lighten it up and and smile. And so, right now, if you could just join me with smiling, yeah, that's it. And and and so we can just take a moment to reflect on some of the good things. You know, one of the things I gotta drop on, Jen, love is back in style, and and I noticed that love had gone out of style. Like I was watching a lot of videos that had women talking about they didn't need men, they were good without men, um, they can you know do it all they're all by themselves, they're strong women. I've been noticing that women have been loving men and men have been loving women. Not only that, and I want to I want you to touch on this, but I've been noticing fathers loving their families and their wives and their children. Now I'm not saying that everyone and that nobody's alone and no one's going through some stuff, but what I am saying is that for the most part, love is back in style.
SPEAKER_02I love that love's back in style, and a lot of people don't know, Corey, that you are an advocate for fatherhood. Oh, yeah. That's something that you're super passionate about, and just the positioning and the place of men in families. And um, you know, we hear these phrases like deadbeat dad or you know, absent father. And and although that's true, I am glad to know that society is taking a turn in that instead of bashing men, hopefully we're lifting them up and encouraging them, right? So important.
SPEAKER_00Um let me say, let me be the first to say we need it.
SPEAKER_02Mm-hmm.
SPEAKER_00We need it.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, we do.
SPEAKER_00I mean, I'm sorry to jump in there and just cut you off, but when you when you talk about the nicknames and the bad names, as Jen said, Dead be dad, uh um sperm donor. Ay, ay, ay, ay, aye. These are words that cut to the the quick. And so um to see love back just makes my heart feel so light and fluttery.
[Ad] The Fresh Patch Podcast - Where Good Pets Get It.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. What what do you think that makes that shift happen?
SPEAKER_00I honestly think that when there's an absence of see, there wasn't a true absence of men when um when all these names were coming about. Um, there may have been an absence of emotion or an absence of feeling because men typically check out and they're they're trying to figure out what's happening, and so it may seem like they have zero emotion about the the sit the current situation, but what we're actually doing is just trying to figure out like what does this really mean and how does this look long term and um how do I get my positioning back? And so in that time frame, you have women saying, Wait, maybe I do need uh more than just myself. Wait, maybe you know, this whole relationship thing, and so obviously there's gonna be questions about you know partners and mates and stuff like that, not going down that street, not my fight, not my uh my battle. Uh I I I'm a married man with children, so that's all I can speak on.
SPEAKER_02I hear you, but yes, applause for that change. It's needed.
SPEAKER_00Yes, indeed.
SPEAKER_02All right, so we're talking about what we've got the drop on. Yeah, is that right?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, absolutely.
SPEAKER_02So I am I'm happy to say this. I think you and I, Corey, have the drop on what's working for us in our our health journey, speaking of January through March.
SPEAKER_00I like it.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I I feel good about where we're at, what we're doing. Um, we've opened up to explore other ways of doing this. We're not tied to, oh, we can only work out in the morning. It has to be here. And we were never doing things really after work because typically, oh, we're too tired, or you know, we we have other things to do. So we've changed our mindset there. And let me tell you, this has been a game changer for my husband. He you got an uh watch, an Apple Watch, and true to form, anything that tracks you like motivates you big time. So I think that's been a drop change.
SPEAKER_00So let me tell you my truth, because I I I don't know your truth, but my truth is that Jen one day just came up with this comprehensive plan to go on this journey, and I knew nothing about it. Now, I when I asked her where did all this come from, she did remind me that there was a moment during a vacation that she had got acquired some information from her brother, and so uh I do remember that conversation, but I didn't know how serious she had taken it. And so the next thing I know, Jen's doing what with this this uh eating plan called OMAD, which is one meal a day. And I'm like, I don't know how I feel about that.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, incorporating the intermittent fasting, the whole thing.
SPEAKER_00I like eating all day. Right.
SPEAKER_02I've never not eating and everyone's saying, you've got to eat five to six times a day, Jen. I don't know about one meal a day, right?
SPEAKER_00Right. And so um I'm watching the intermittent fasting, I'm watching um sometimes fasting for 36 hours, 24 hours, and I'm like, she's really moving the needle, and it's noticeable. And I notice before anybody because I'm watching closely, I'm watching your your um rest patterns, I'm watching your energy patterns, I'm watching all this stuff. So I had to get the drop on you before I can get the drop on anything else that's going on. And I'm seeing that it's working, and I'm like, I'm in, I'm all in. And so from that moment on, I decided whatever she's doing, I'm doing because it's working and makes sense. Jen's not the kind of person that puts herself through torturous situations. So uh if she's not complaining and she's happy, I love that. I'm in, and and so I joined in with you. And for you those of you listening, I joined in with her and it's been working and it feels good, and and I just think that uh this is what what's working for us for now, right? And so I'm gonna I'm gonna stick with it for as long as it's working, yeah.
SPEAKER_02And I checked in with my doctor, and you know, we're every I've got a green light on this, so it wasn't like, oh, I'm just gonna try this. Because if you look historically, in most cultures, especially in the east, um, the idea here is not breakfast as in morning, breakfast is when you break your fast.
SPEAKER_01Right.
SPEAKER_02And it's done like in this 12-hour window, 12 hours you rest, and then the 12 hours you're awake, and during that time you're awake, and active is when you eat, right? So um, so there's been that the drop is you know, just inviting more protein in our in our food and in our feasting time, and I like that word too. Yeah, it's not our our meal, it's our feast. So it's just been good, and we're we're active. And I'm gonna share this with you all. I don't mind at all. Um, I had a doctor's appointment, and my blood pressure has been the lowest it's been in years in over a decade. So that was cool. And then for those who know, like I uh the the weigh scale, the old school ones, right? They take you take the weight and it has the heavier weight on the bottom, you move it along the heavier you are, the more to the right it goes, and then you do the top weight.
SPEAKER_00Um so it has the hundred, 150.
SPEAKER_02I think it is 100, 150, then 200 or whatever it is. And um, when that big weight went on the 150, I was like, okay, for me, that is a huge deal, huge. I have not seen 100s in a long, long, long time. And you know what, Corey? The funny thing is, is the last time we went on a kick and our goals were just mine at least, were not um really thought of well. So that was in um 2000. I'm sorry, yeah.
SPEAKER_002016.
SPEAKER_022016. Yeah, and here we are 10 years later, um, gonna celebrate our 20-year anniversary this year. Woo woo! So yeah, I just say that humbly, like this has been with all the craziness and confusion going on in the world, it's nice to have peace in in it in parts of our world. Yeah, you know, and that we are in control of that. There are some things that uh we can say, nope, I want to make this change because this change makes sense.
SPEAKER_00Um, so there's that. Um, and and for those of you who are a little bit more on the spiritual side of things, um, I have a theory. And if I'm wrong, then I'm wrong. But if I'm right, then I may be onto something a little bit more deeper than most have thought of. I honestly feel like right now there's a lot of evil energy that's being focused in a lot of different places. So the things that typically get people off track, the energies that get people off of track, off their tracks, I think they're busy doing other things right now. And so it's easier for us to move the needle right now. So, what I'm challenging everyone to do is just to see if this is a a theory that could possibly be correct. Get focused on something, dial into something that you've been really wanting to dial in and see what the energy is like right now while all this other stuff is going on. You may find yourself able to move the needle a little bit further this time around than any other time. And let me know how you feel about that.
SPEAKER_02Challenge accepted. Speaking of challenge, may I? Yes. So, you know, guys, we talked about going to um the poetry night in Anaheim, and I'm not gonna die divulge any information, but speaking of challenges and trying the thing that you've been wanting to try and haven't, I am gonna um take my steps into poetry. It's something that I've just carried and it kind of makes sense, and I don't have time to explain it all, but I knew that there was something that wanted to come out and be expressed, and I had been playing in a few different things, but after being there, like I knew this was it. So there's a challenge I made for myself, and I'll tell you all about it later and maybe open it up to other people who want to join me.
SPEAKER_00Absolutely, Jen. I like that. I really like that because we are the kind of people that once we put things in the atmosphere, once we've spoken spoken them out, um we like to complete it, we like to do it and follow through. So that's amazing. I'm glad you shared that. Thank you so much.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. So another drop, do you have one?
SPEAKER_00Uh I'll wait till you to you uh let me think.
SPEAKER_02Um that that one I just shared was a really big one. I think it's one that's pretty much kind of consumed our minds.
SPEAKER_00So if you don't, I will jump in there. I don't I don't have a problem with that. So uh another thing we have the drop on uh is our so if you know us and you've listened to the podcast for any amount of time, you know that I I've been in a band and singing and playing and writing with with the band. Um the band is currently on hiatus just because uh the book has been doing so well and and just really moving in a books are doing very well, moving in a very positive direction. Um, but along with that, it's allowed Jen and I to spend more time together uh because of the books, which I can't let music go. Music is just something that's in my fiber, in my fabric. And with that being said, it's uh open, it's opened the door. It's allowed Jen and I to be more creative musically writing, playing, singing, and and putting out uh just some good energy, good vibes. We haven't started recording yet, but that's soon to come. So don't be surprised if you if you hear, you know, maybe a song or two from Jen and Corey. That that that's something that I've always wanted to do anyway. Just I didn't push it, but that that that's another really big drop that uh may be coming pretty soon here.
SPEAKER_02And if I may give a little bit of a backstory, this is a huge deal. Um for those who know my story, uh please bear with me. But years ago, I had surgery and um I had goites removed, thyroid removed, and although my vocal cords weren't damaged, they I don't know, they felt they weren't damaged, but something had changed. I don't know how to explain that. They were weakened, weakened, extremely weakened. And Because they were already weakened, I added to that because I didn't push to sing. I kind of was defeated actually. And honestly, guys, I didn't think I was going to sing again. Corey and I used to sing, and Corey just does beautiful harmony. I was learning harmony and I was just so bummed out. Um, this has been an answer to prayer to have a voice back and be able to sing with Corey again. And if you have a story where you like went without something and you thought you'd never get it back, and then you do, you know what this what I'm talking about. Um I am so grateful to have this back that there isn't anything I won't try with it. You know, that kind of way, like to have this means let's do it and let's just see where it goes. So I'm excited about that drop.
SPEAKER_00Absolutely. And I'm listening to you and I'm watching your body language, and what I see is that there's true joy there. There's true passion and emotion that you have about this. And I know that was a struggle for you. And guys, if you're listening to this, um, this is what taking the elevator is really about. It's it's really about elevating yourself to the next level and going somewhere that you've never been before, different levels, different floors, different understandings. So uh you're right where you're supposed to be. And thank you for joining us on this ride. Yes, thank you.
SPEAKER_02It's interesting that you say that, Corey, because like I said earlier, we're almost 400 episodes in. And when you do this type of work, it's just amazing how it comes back to you because this wasn't meant for us. It was meant to, especially during COVID, let's keep in touch with some people, let's be a voice during this time and give some familiarity and uplift during all of this. And to see it come back to us and elevate us and change our lives has been an unexpected gift. Yeah. Um, yeah, the elevator has been what it's supposed to be for others for us.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I mean, yeah, and and I hope one day we're able to sit and talk about how just how effective and how much the elevator has been so key in our lives, so uh monumental in our lives, especially with the during the time when it came. And I'm gonna just say it, you know, we were lost during COVID for a long time. So many things had happened, but I just want to dig in and tell that story so that everyone can really get an understanding of how this podcast came about and then not only that, but how it survived for this amount of time because this is probably the longest commitment that we've ever had outside of our marriage and raising kids, which is you know pretty big.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, it totally is. Yeah, it's a trip just thinking about all the years and all the experiences um through it. All the guests, yes, all the guests. Oh well, I don't want to speak out of turn. Let me let me just hold that. Okay, well, those are good drops.
SPEAKER_00Great drops.
SPEAKER_02Um I don't have any I don't have any.
SPEAKER_00That's a good place to kind of stop then.
SPEAKER_02I think so. I think so. Anyhow, um, the biggest thing right now on our hearts is we are very attuned with what's happening in the world. So we are in um prayer with you all, and of course, um always hoping that things turn out for the best. Um, because that's all we can do at this point. And then I love this too, Corey. You know, the CEO of the company we work for has just uh kind of played with the word glimmer quite a bit. And I remember that word was alive for me a couple of years ago. So glimmer is exactly what it sounds like. It's the things in life that sparkle or bring you joy or sprinkle a little bit of dust on you to, you know, make you feel good or bring you back to happy times. So um I think that's what we did today, just talk about the glimmers that are happening. Um, and I even now as I'm speaking, I have a huge smile because it's it's good to have good things that are happening in the middle or in the midst of everything else.
SPEAKER_00Absolutely. And before we go, just want to say this one more time. June 20th, come see us at Barnes and Noble in Corona.
SPEAKER_02June 20th, Barnes and Noble Corona. I can't wait. Um, it's gonna be here soon. Oh, yeah. It's gonna be here so soon. I know that we're hoping to be in a boutique and a couple things before then, but yeah, as of right now, that's the one gig we've got that we could share with you. Yeah, it's this solid. Oh, can I just share one thing? Um It's your podcast. Oh, yeah.
SPEAKER_00You can share whatever you want.
SPEAKER_02So we're speaking of glimmer, and this isn't gonna sound like a glimmer, but I have to tell you it is because it's a sign of the times that we're in. Um, we might have mentioned that Corey and I are letting go of our magic keys at Disney, and so those are gonna be up soon in um the month of April. Uh, and so we get to rediscover what we're gonna do with that time and that money. Um, but it's been fun two years, hasn't it, Corey?
SPEAKER_00It's been a ride.
SPEAKER_02I mean, I think with the last two years, I'm gonna say honestly, we've been there probably 70 times. Easy, easy, 70. Okay, it's time to let it go.
SPEAKER_00Well, yeah, it's time to let it go, but even more so, and I and I'm I want to share this. We got what we needed. Yeah, we're we were in a space, we are in a space of creativity, and what better place to go than to somewhere where the most creative people have existed for many, many years.
SPEAKER_02To be right there where imagination comes alive, right? So it's been great. Um, and I will be putting stuff on social media because along with letting go of magic keys, we are selling all our Disney stuff except Star Wars. Star Wars is staying in the body home, but we have a grip ton of Disney items. Some of them are very valuable, and some of them are more for fun, but more to come on that. Um, but other than that, that's the only drop. Promise, not sneaking any any more in.
SPEAKER_00Great.
SPEAKER_02Well, you know us that take the elevator. We say look up and let's elevate every day, elevate every day, elevate every day, elevate.
