Whiskey & Wisdom

Helping Those in Your Community with Emmy Gibson

October 26, 2022 Emmy Gibson Episode 38
Whiskey & Wisdom
Helping Those in Your Community with Emmy Gibson
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Show Notes Transcript

Emmy Gibson comes on the podcast this week to discuss her new role in Communities in Schools. Her impact in the community earned herself the Cape Fear 40 Under 40 award. We also talk about how you can help your community and even a little impact make a huge difference. Emmy and Chris even discuss their favorite Bath & Body Works fragrance.

This week's Whiskey: Uncle Nearest 1884
Uncle Nearest 1884 is the proud legacy of the Godfather of Tennessee Whiskey, Nearest Green. Each small batch comes from barrels chosen by our founders and each blend is curated by 5th generation Green descendant, Master Blender, Victoria Eady Butler. Victoria’s signature can be found on the back of every bottle of Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey.

How to find Emmy:
@emmyegibson
Communities in Schools: @cis_capefear
 

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How to find us:
Whiskey & Wisdom: @whiskey.and.wisdom
Chris Kellum: @ctkellum
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Tyler Yaw: @tyler_yaw_
LinkedIn: Tyler Yaw

Welcome back everybody. This week I do have my amazing co-host, Tylee, Y'all. Hello everybody. And a friend who was a blast from the past, Miss Emmy Gibson. Woo woo. Hey everyone. Emmy was just awarded the, was it Star News? The Star News in the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. She's a 40 under 40 recipient. I, funny enough, we actually had another one of those recipients on here at while ago, Connor Barth. Oh, great. Mm-hmm. That's awesome. Mm-hmm. So I saw him just a few weeks ago at the ceremony. Yeah. Oh, that's awesome. Yeah. I didn't realize that was a thing. Like, I know, like I've seen the, the big boy, like the Forbes 30 under 30 and some of the creators I follow have won that, like Val Ray and Aid Shot and I'm like, Hey, I am so depressed. I think the 40 or 40 is pretty new to Wilmington. I wanna say it's only been like four years. Okay. Okay. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And one of my, another guy I know will have him on here. He won, He was on 40, under 40 a couple years ago too. Oh, great. So I think it's a great accomplishment. Thanks. And we'll go into that and figuring out what you did to earn that award. Okay. Yeah. Even if you think you might not have deserved it, but I think you did. It's been really humbling and exciting and motivating for sure. See But to go off that, we're going to talk about the whiskey we're drinking. Yes. Which is nice because other than last week in being gifted, this is our first whiskey that we're getting back to the normal way of life after a 75 Hard Yes. So is it good that I missed out on that then? I mean, we had a few drinks, like Free Spirits was actually a decent non-alcoholic one. And there were some interesting beers we tried but it was not the best of times. They got a great selection in here, y'all. I wish you could see it. The non-alcoholic selection has not gotten to the point of like, No, let's do this yet. Oh yeah. No, y'all are too, Y'all are too fresh for that. We don't need to stepping into that quite yet. the non-alcoholic beers aren't too bad right now though. Yeah, they have, they have stepped up their, their game when it comes to that. Awesome. It's always good to have an option. Yes. So this week we brought on to do Uncle Nearest 1884. And I did this as like an inside joke because way back in the day, me and Amy used to work at Bath and Body Works and she was always picking on me. And, and I have to remember it the other way around. I mean, I pick on everybody. So I was gonna say, if you weren't picking on someone, Chris, I don't believe it. Right. Then that means he doesn't like you. It's know situations Yeah. But as an inside joke, I've pulled this out for but Uncle Nearest, if you guys that know is actually a black owned distillery it's origin comes from the real cool dude, Nathan, Nathaniel Green. Mm-hmm. Who supposedly taught Jack Daniels how to brew his whiskey Distill. Yeah. He was the, is supposedly the first Black master distiller. Yep. Excellent. He was a pastor and an ex-slave, so I was like, Dang. And him and Jack Daniels were bestest of friends and. Kind of helped each other out, kind of get to where they were and everything. So it was a really cool dynamic, especially back in that day. Yeah, absolutely. What a great story. I'm excited I get to try this one with y'all. Yeah. And so this new one, it's a blend, a blended whiskey, like most of our stuff. Mm-hmm. But it's blended in chosen by his great, great great-granddaughter. Maybe there's a, I might take out a great, I'm not really sure, but she's a fifth generation from the green family, so, and she's just won so many awards and this collection has won a lot. I think this one is a seven year, I think you're right. Sit. So it'll be really cool. Very different. Cheers. Cheers. Chairs, tears. Oh yeah. Oh, that's really good. Oh, I love that. Sweet. Having another sip. That is good. I'll quite honest. So I was, The Starling shout out to them across the street from us. And they had the, what was it, the 18 64, 18 something. What's this one? The 50 is the black label. So yeah, there's the black label one. It has a black label on it. I think I like this one more than that one. And it's supposed to be the, the cheaper bottle that we have, the 1880. Oh, so win-win. Exactly. So if you can get yourself a cheaper bottle, I still suggest to taste it over there too, just because it has a very unique taste, but this one's a lot sweeter and I like that. Kind of finished. So you had the 56, That's what it was. So this one, they come up with the name space off different things. 1884 was supposedly like the last year that he was like full on distilling before he just said peace out and retired. Wow. Sweet. So that's where the name came from. Okay. There is a, and it's a consider a small batch. There is another option that is near impossible to get as well, which is like an 11 year weight. Oh my gosh. Wow. Not actually a weight, but it's 11 year resting in barrels. Okay. That's like the 1820, I think. Well, which I would assume is like a year that he was born. I haven't seen that one yet. So I would say I haven't even seen that. Appreciating this history lesson. Yeah. Thanks y'all. That's what I'm here for. bringing the history, whiskey and wisdom. Yes. So let's get some more history from Miss Emmy. Okay. Tell us a little about yourself. All right. Hey everyone. My name's Emmy Gibson. Not born here, but raised here. I was just telling Tyler that I moved here when I was six and have been here ever since. Let's see, So I started my career. At Bath and Body Works. I dunno. Is that what I, I mean, I wanted to give a shout out to us. Yes. So that's how I first met Chris. Yeah. I worked there for about three years. Actually I wanted, I was thinking about that, Chris. I had a really fond memory that of you at Bath and Body Works where it was before I even met you. You, I think you would've deployed. Oh, yes. And I had been hearing about Chris, Oh, he's so great, this, that, this Chris. And I'm like, Well, I'm excited to eventually meet him. And you, it was around Christmas time. I presume that you sent like a group, or excuse me, a box of scarves Yes. To all the staff. And I felt so just giddy and happy that I was, we hadn't even met, but I got a scarf, I hadn't thought about it in years, but I was, but in preparation for this, I, that kind of came back to the forefront of my mind and I just so thoughtful. That's a little bit about Chris and how thoughtful he is. They also sent me a box of like, Bath and Body works like wallflowers, which was whew. Amazing because I slept. Building with like 11 dudes, and guys don't smell the best. So like, especially in the desert. No. So I plugged that thing in and people, like all of my like senior enlisted people were like, Thank you so much. It smells so much better in here, That's awesome. Oh, but I do have to give Bath and Body Works a shout out though, because obviously that's how we met. Yeah. But it did instill a lot of confidence in me to be able to speak to different people and different walks alive. So I do feel like that was a career starter in a lot of ways. I then worked at the rape crisis Center of Coastal Horizons where I was a victim advocate and a prevention educator. So there I got to work with victims of sexual violence and help them help them throughout their process of healing, whether it's connecting them to therapy or helping them process or go through the process of working with law enforcement. I also was on call, so I would do a lot of hospital response where I would support victims of sexual violence if they were getting a rape kit done. And like I said, a prevention educator. I loved that part as well where I got to go to a lot of middle school classes and teach about relationships and boundaries and flirting versus harassment. I liked that piece where I was supporting victims, but also trying to prevent victims in the first place. Then after a few years there, I worked at Easter Seals U CCP and worked in their childcare division, and I worked as a child placement coordinator. So I worked with foster children and teens and the amazing foster parents. After a little bit of time there, I then moved to communities and schools of Cape Fear, where for about four and a half years I coordinated the Baby Steps program, where I supported young parents, mostly young moms and their little ones anywhere from in utero to about. Four, five years old, and most recently I have taken on a new position with Communities and Schools as the Healthy Opportunities pilot project manager. It's all such a mouthful, but I got it out. I'm so proud. Yes. So that is a a Medicaid funded program with the hopes of supporting high needs, Medicaid beneficiaries and in the social determinants of health. So it's, it's a pilot program. There's a lot of bumps in the road, but the hope is that we can show wow, if we help people on the before issues arise, then not only are we helping individuals and communities, but we're also saving ourselves a hell of a lot of money on the, on the back end as well. This? Yeah. Can you go a little bit more about what Communities and Schools is? Yeah. Cause it sounds like they do a lot with diff with the different programs that you've been a part of. You nailed it. They're very different. There's a lot going on So Communities and Schools is actually a national nonprofit. We are communities and schools of Cape Fear, so our affiliate serves New Hanover and Pender County. So most of what communities and schools does is put what we call a student support specialist in a school. And those student support specialists are reporting that school every day. They are supporting those students and that staff. But yes, there's community programs like the Young Parent Program, Baby Steps that I previously coordinated. We are running teen court too, which is incredible program. We've got after school programs, we've got summer school programs. Wow. And we're only getting bigger and better. Yeah. It's been a great organization to work with. So how long have you been with them for, For coming on five years. Oh, wow. Total. Yeah. Yeah. Cool. She's been doing the work. I've been doing the work. It makes sense. How do you I'm, I'm tired, but I'm happy. makes sense. How you got to 40 under 40 more. Oh, I appreciate it. I appreciate It's been, it's been real. I think, you know, it's all the sweet comments that I've been getting from family and friends has meant a lot, but especially the young moms that I've worked with over the years. Yeah. When they reach out and have sent me a, you know, a text message. Oh my gosh. I'm so proud of you. That's, that's what brings me to tears. Yeah. Really, really awesome. That's really neat. So one of the things I love about you is that, Oh, well, we love you. Oh many things besides calling you. Emery. that is my government name. I will answer to it. You guys is that you are not like when I first met you, I looked at her and I was like, Mm, this is going be a rich, stuck up little brat. I've been called worse. I'm tea But like, it's one of those things like when you meet some people and everyone in their head, they have an assumption. Like some people are like, Oh yeah, this is a big black guy. He's probably meet and like I saw when I first met Emmy, Mind you, this was almost 10 years ago. Mm-hmm. No, it was, it was about 10 years ago when I met her. That was my, I was like, Oh yeah, she's, she's working at Bath and Body Works cuz she's bored And then getting to know her, like she's one of those people that has taken the opportunities and has chosen to learn. Oh. So like so many people are like, Oh yeah. You know, I, I went to school to get an art degree just because I wanted, I had to have it. But she's taken that her degree and actually put it to use. Yeah. Oh, I didn't know I was gonna cry today. that's you say thanks. Thanks. I just love that you've become such an advocate for so many people who might not have an advocate in other circumstances or might not have someone who would be the proper advocate. Oh, wow. It's an honor. I, I can't imagine doing anything else with my life and supporting people. The, the resiliency that I see in the families that I work with, I, I can't, I can't put into words there, I don't have the language to eloquently put that into words. How did everything come, come to fruition for you? So like, what was the inception of deciding like, you know what, this is what I'm gonna do with my life? Kind of where, where did that start? Why'd you decide to go to school for what you went for? Yeah. And kind of that God. I mean, I always grew up knowing I wanted to be in a position to help people. Youngest. When I was the youngest, I remember being, I wanted to be a teacher. And I think that was because of my age. That was, that was my way of helping. I, that's what I knew as a career field to help people. And then I like changed, Oh no, maybe I wanna be a therapist. And then I kind of landed in the middle. Yeah. Of that, I have a specific, or I grew rather a specific passion around high school age, early college of working with victims of specifically sexual violence. Yeah. And that's what led me to the rape crisis center. And certainly in the jobs that I've held since then, I'm still working with victims who have experienced or victims of sexual violence. It's hard to really pinpoint it. It just has always felt right to help. I've, I feel so fortunate that I've been given so much in life that I can't imagine not sharing what I have with others. This is a little bit off topic, but kind of I'm all about it kind of makes sense. Yeah. But so since I moved to Wilmington, I realized what a big crisis it was for sex trafficking and the the victims of rape and abuse and everything. Mm-hmm. And it's be, it's become like a passion of mine to do, to want to do something about it. So. Excellent. We need more men. Welcome. So that's part of my question. Mm-hmm. is, so I've seen non-profits, like Operation Underground Railroad mm-hmm. and everything that they've done. Kind of really just going after like the perpetrator, so mm-hmm. So my question is, as a male, what's something that we can do to provide extra help in the community for that? Because I feel like I probably can't give the same type of support that you can as a woman to another woman. Okay. Right. Yeah, that's a great question. I would say as a male, you need to help hold other males accountable. Sure. And not fear a little bit of conflict. Mm-hmm. if you see another male with kind of questionable, be questionable behavior, say something to him. Yeah. Because he's more likely listened to you, more likely to listen to you than he is to a woman, unfortunately. So use your voice and, and get comfortable with the uncomfortable. I like it. Yeah. We talked about that before too. We do I know we were just saying that if it's a taboo topic, we like to talk about it more, Right. So it doesn't become so taboo. I mean, there's some topics like there's a reason there taboo. But I think you're right. Asking those questions to get someone to answer, like, why do you believe that? Mm-hmm. like me and my wife were like going back and forth and laughing cuz of all the, the craziness that Kanye has been doing lately. Oh gosh. Yeah. Or something. Well, he's buying parlor now. I just saw that this morning too. But before that he was like, you know, like people going into these conversations of like reparations or like, was slavery right? Or like systemic racism. And some people were like, That's bullshit. I'm like, eh, but is it, I'm like, there's a reason why some people don't go certain places. Mm-hmm. Oh, absolutely. And why is that? Because they feel a certain way, right? Why do you not see a young, blonde, white girl walking through the hood? Oh, well, you'll see me walking through the hood, You know, they got a street named after me in Creekwood. Well, I'm teasing but there is a street in Creekwood named Emery, and yes, I've gotten my picture underneath it. Love it. Oh yes, I know, I know. I was telling one of the young families that I work with that is a resident of Creekwood she was having another baby. I was like, So you're gonna name her Emery? Are you gonna hand her after me? She goes, I cannot name my baby after our street in Creek One. I'm like, Right, Fair, fair. You're right, you're right. I get it, Oh, I love that. But just but putting that out there is like, why you don't ask these questions because people feel uncomfortable. Yeah. And like, why, why do you feel uncomfortable? Mm-hmm. like we were, me and Emily were talking like, I was joking with my friend the other day. I'm like, You know, I don't run in my neighborhood in a black hoodie. She's like, You're silly. I'm like, No, it's happened once. I said that to my wife. Oh, oh, oh. That said, you're silly for Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And I was like, Mm, If it happened once, it could happen again. Yeah. And it happened more than once. Oh yeah. Just as a rule of thumb, I suggest no matter who you are, don't run in the middle of the night in a black hoodie, Fair enough. Fair enough. But we should all have the right to run in the middle of the woods in a black hoodie. in the middle of the night. I mean, I live in a neighborhood that's very dark though. Mm-hmm. We have lights through the neighborhood, and then once I go into an out street, it's like pitch black. Okay. And I can see just fine because like, there's enough like moonlight coming out and my like, I see nothing I was like, Yeah. So if you saw me running at you, you'd be like, Oh, nope. Not a good idea. So we joke about that. But I, I do like to ask those silly questions, but they're not silly. I know, but like, they're silly because it f. They shouldn't be. Right. I feel you. They shouldn't be silly, but they in a tab. Okay, I got you. I got you. Yeah. It's kinda, it kinda goes back to like the whole comedy thing where if you can make something that's serious funny, it makes it easier to talk about. Absolutely. So no matter which way you bring it up to talk about as long ass being talked about, I think it's a good thing. I agree. I, I always have a random question. I'm ready. Oh, I love it. Rowing. 20 minutes in, there's gonna be multiple random questions. Oh, bring it up. I'd almost ra I'd almost rather. All right. Okay. So no, I'm not gonna ask that one. Uh, we'll We'll go back to it. Oh yeah. Come back. I'm curious, so in your, your new title. Which is Healthy Opportunities Pilot Project Manager. Okay. Do they have to add the pilot part of it? It, I know I, I questioned it too, but because it's a pilot program, we do, it's not, this is not an established program. This is all new with Medicaid. So they, we do gotta add it. Ah, interesting. Yeah. Okay. So when it becomes established and like, hopefully we can drop the pilot. Yeah. Okay. Mm-hmm. makes it a little bit easier. Yeah. But the acronym is hop. Oh. Oh, that is fun. So, but the hop, the p in the hop could also be the project part. Okay. Right now it's, it's technically, I guess you could spell it, h o p p, Hop Dealing with O P P. That's what I was thinking. I was thinking of ppp, like go to the bathroom, but, Alright. That's, that's what I mean. You do work with kids more than That's fair. And I have had to go to the bathroom twice before we even got started. It's so ridiculous. But in the new position, how did you get there? What was the transition? Cuz you were. Yeah, I it was a new position with within Communities and Schools of Cape Fear. They told us during staff meeting that they were going to be looking for applicants. And I was like, You know what? This is an opportunity for growth and change, and I need it. I need, I need it, and I deserve a little growth in change. And so I applied and they brought me in and they're like, All right, you wanna do this Oh, what you're offering it to me right now? Ok. Um, And I took it and it, it's been bittersweet. I have loved running the Young Parent program with Communities in Schools. But I was hoping that me taking on this new position would also be an example to the young families that I work with. That, Hey, I want you to grow and change even when it's scary, even when it's uncomfortable. There's so many people who don't take that step. Mm-hmm. they're like, Oh, hey, you know, I'm comfortable. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. That's pretty much why I stayed at most of my jobs for at least like five. Oh, I get it. Yeah. I was at Bath by Works technically for five years, cuz I had that deployment here. I was like, eh, well yeah. Then I didn't wanna leave and then I didn't love the new manager, so Oh, you either, huh? That was so much, you know, I learned, so after three years there I was still making under$8 an hour and I learned that the holiday staff that they hired that I was helping train was making more than me. So that's when I said, I gotta go. Yeah. I'll worry. Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, that was, So we worked at Bath and Body Works back, so I started the year they increased the minimum wage, which tells you how long ago this was So when I first started, I think I was making like six 50 an hour. I left, went to basic training, and as I was gone, that's when they implemented like the pay raises And I came in, I was like, Oh, you know, I'm making, making an over seven 50. I'm never grooving, But I was, and then we did the time came back and then I definitely remember that year where all these kids were getting, like, people were being hired. And there's so much drama because I'm like, why are they hired so much higher? And it shows, even nowadays, I've seen it in businesses where they're like, Hey, we'll hire the new people and pay them more. Mm-hmm. and not help the, the people at the bottom. Mm-hmm. I'm like, But the reason you're here is cuz the people at the bottom got you here. You should be giving them a raise also. Mm-hmm. And yeah, I almost left for that reason, but I just stopped showing up to work. I have to give it to myself. I did write a little, like, I'm giving a two weeks notice thing. I, I tried to be professional about it. You were nice about it. I tried. I don't, It was my, my letter was a little scathing though, I have to say. That's a touch. Chris, what was your favorite scent about the body works? Ooh, I was literally just thinking about this Uhhuh because randomly somebody, there's a new fragrance that came out and I was like, This reminds me of something. Ah. And my brain made up a name for it and I couldn't find it. I was like, Nope, nope. I literally spent like three days trying to go through the internet and find this forever sunshine. Forever sunshine. Was that a seasonal one? Or would come back every, Yeah, I think so. Is that how it's released in Bath and Body Works? Like they teach you about like sense names? Oh, do they? Yes and no So like they have the, the core, which they sure are all year right. And then they do release like a seasonal like Butterfly flower came out in the springtime and then Forever Sunshine. I loved cuz I'm like, this smells like Wilmington. And in my head like, I gotta smell that one again. That's cute that they, the reason they change and come up with so many senses because smell like your Ola factory senses brings so many different memories for different people. And every time I smelled it, I'm like, Yes, this reminds me of. August, September at the beach, like it's hot, but it's warm. Mm-hmm. and not like I'm dying. Kind of hot. Like it just had a nice scent to it. So when they rolled these out to you guys, Wow. I was really selling it. Right? Wow. Oh, I could, I know. I could go back and go. I know, I know. Are they saying like, Hey, this is the, this is the scent and this is what you're gonna smell from the scent and this is how you sell it somewhat. Yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely. Okay. Do have you, have you been in Bath of Body work? Right, Tyler? It's been years. It's and, and years. And years. So you couldn't necessarily tell me like if you had a favorite scent from there. No. So my son I was telling you about, Yes. He's literally allergic to life, unfortunately. Poor buddy. So really? Aw. So we we're not even allowed to light candles in our house. Oh, that's tough. Okay. So, but he's worth it. Exactly. No question. And, and we can diffuse the essential oils. Okay. That was, He's okay with that. Good. It's fine. That's less of a hazard too, honestly. Yeah. True. He's not gonna knock it over and like catch the carpet on fire. That's awesome. So many people plugged in, which essential oils house on fire? They have, they have a wallflower and they, at one point you had the ability to rotate, like it could rotate 90 degrees. Oh, okay. You could plug it into a sideways outlet. Oh yes. So many people would come in and complain that their thing ran out in like 20, 30 days. And I'm like, how is this happening? Like this diffuser is set for 90 days. Like it shouldn't take that long. Turn it upside down. Oh no. just straight poured out. Dummies. No, I didn't say that. Edit that out. No. Like people are just stupid. Like common sense to me says, why would I put something that points straight down, like, and it's a liquid form, right? Mm-hmm. But yeah. Okay. I stick with it. Dummies. Yeah. Right. We don't edit anything. This podcast But yes, they, when they released'em to us, they gave us, they would give you a pamphlet that says, these are top notes, mid notes, just like with whiskey that you can kind of like go, we to bring it back and, and know what makes the most sense. Like this is, this is a top fragrance in this, like your bottom intro is like the core that runs through a lot of them. Gotcha. So people will come back and if at one point we worked in the time where they discontinued a shit ton of stuff. and they're like, Here's a, here's a sheet that's like this big, you know, half size of paper. Mm-hmm. that was like, if they like this, give them this. Gotcha. Cuz this is a continue go to this. Like, they, they would connect you because they had similar fragrances. But that's how I, I learned things so quickly is cuz I look at it, I'm like, Bath Body Works released a new fragrance like every two months. Mm-hmm. And we had to like, smell it, read about it, learn it. And then they gave us a little free sample every once in a while. Nice. Did I need it? No. Good gifts. Yes. Yeah. Oh absolutely. Great Ladies, love Chris All right, we're gonna go, go for full circle real quick. Cause I was thinking about something in your, in your new position here. So since it is a pilot position mm-hmm. what are some of the goals and aspirations you have for kind of leading that program to where you think it needs to go? I. Okay. So the hope with this new program is, well, first I'll get to supervise mm-hmm. individuals to actually implement this program. Right. So out of, there's four domains to the healthy opportunities pilot project food, housing, transportation, and interpersonal violence slash toxic stress. Hmm. Yeah. So the goal here is hey, people need, in order to live a healthy. People need more than just going to the doctor Sure. They need safe and affordable housing. People need healthy food options. People need transportation to get to and from work and their daycares and their kids' school and the playground in the grocery store. And people maybe need some extra skills around interpersonal violence and toxic stress. So the goal is to really support individuals and families in our community that may need a little extra assistance in those four domains to make them healthy individuals, create healthy families, create healthy communities, and then therefore create a healthier world. That's, that's the goal. I mean, truly. And, and to save money on the back end, like I mentioned earlier. Right, right. Yeah. Yeah. If we can help people be healthy now, then ideally they'll be healthy later and we don't have to put as much money and interventions in and later in life. Yeah. That's a huge undertaking. Oh yeah. there's a lot of people involved in this. It's certainly not just me. Oh, no, no, no, no, no. I am a small, small piece. Absolutely. So are you working with like wave and everything as well too? Just bring everything together? Cause with the affordable housing, I know I'm going to, just so you know, Luke Odell, I'm coming after you soon to come on the podcast. He was one of the 40 under forties as well. Yeah. Yeah. So that was another reason too. But I know one of his big things that I always see his picture next to is affordable housing. Mm-hmm. So just I can, I can see the big pieces that come together just for those things individually. So when you said all four of them together. Yes. I'm like, Oh wow. That is massive. Massive. And those are, those four domains are somewhat considered the social determinants of health. Mm. Okay. That makes sense. So the, the healthy parts is that like working with Downtown being like a food desert? Like is that part of it too? Absolutely, yes. Okay. So unfortunately a lot of, some of the downtown neighborhoods maybe our section eight neighborhoods or low income neighborhoods a lot of those families don't have cars. Right. And so in order to, they're not getting to the grocery store, They're getting maybe to the closest like Dollar General mm-hmm. and that's where a lot of their food is coming from. Yeah. Obviously the food that is at the Dollar General is not very sustainable to You're right. Yeah. Yeah. Not very nutrient, but absolutely. Food desert. That's definitely a buzzword. Yes. Yeah. I was thinking about that the other day cuz like me and my wife, I don't know how we started it, but like anytime we drove past and saw a, saw a Dollar General, like, like punch buggy, I'd like snap her for it. Jennifer. I'd do that too. Yes. Because there's just so many. Yeah. Mm-hmm. And I'm like, why is there a DG instead of a grocery store? And it's because. Starting a grocery store is so much harder, right? Mm-hmm. And like your profits on a grocery store are so much slimmer versus Dollar General, which is a big business. They can make profit on stuff. Like, I've seen the coupon TX where the Girls's like, Oh, well they gave me 10. Do like something stupid like that. Mm-hmm. But I wish that it would become more sustainable for someone to like New York City. They have shops, they have bodegas everywhere. Why? Because someone was able to put up a little shop and they didn't really care. But like Wilmington doesn't have No, And we have a few like small markets in bodegas, but they're expensive. Mm-hmm. you know, I mean, even I'm like, Oh God, I can't really afford this, you know, And I've got a solid job. Mm-hmm. so to certainly not a lot of these families. Yeah. Which, Although I do have to give a shout out to Frankie's Outdoor Market, Saturdays nine to one. They operate over near High Wire. Is that Princess Street? Yeah. Mm-hmm. And also I have to give a shout out to the FE down east, right? They are a non-profit that has a mobile market that goes to a lot of low income neighborhoods. But even if you're not in a low income neighborhood, go check them out, follow their schedule and they do a dollar for dollar match if you have Snapper EBT cards a lot of great produce, even meats and stuff. So it's definitely somebody to support. So we got, we have some options. We're not, we're not totally outta luck but we need more. We need more. Yeah. We had Robert Collins on a few weeks ago. Yes. Who worked very closely with feas down east as well too. Yes. He's a very cool guy. See, Wilmington is a, is a small town. Mm. That was the one thing ever since like the second year I lived here, I've always said Wilmington is the largest small town Yes. That I've ever heard of. Absolutely. It's a small town, but we're saturated and we're only getting more saturated. Right. I mean, you could legitimately do like the, the seven points, like Kevin Bacon things Oh yeah. with like two. Yeah, exactly. Totally. But Wilmington, I think I could, I personally could get to everybody. Within three people, I'm sure. No question. Yeah. Yeah. So one of the big things with just my family in general, my extended family is the health portion of it. So what's a few of the ways that you're trying, trying to, You said like I don't wanna use the term again because it's like a, a buzzword, but like a food desert Uhhuh, Right? Like to. So with this healthy opportunities pilot mm-hmm. that's one way to hopefully combat it. For those that qualify. They will be able to receive money to be able to get maybe bus passes or Uber vouchers to be able to get to the grocery store. Okay. For example. But other than that, there's unfortunately not a lot of resources out there. Yeah. And I don't necessarily have the answers, I'll be honest. I want to, but I'm not one to lie if I don't have the answer. No, we appreciate that. Yeah. And I'll be honest there have been definitely times where I have taken families to the grocery store, or just last week I took a young mother that was previously on my caseload that I still love and support, took her to go pick up her glasses. She didn't have transportation to go pick up glasses. Oh, wow. You know, and that's what I'm hoping that this new pilot project can start to help out with. Oh, that's cool. I mean, Wilmington has a horrible transportation structure. Yeah. Mm-hmm. like in general, like I love the city. I will probably only leave if I'm required to for upward mobility, but it like, I feel like it grows too quickly. Mm-hmm. And there was no way to add in, like there's spots where there should be sidewalks. Right. And I'm like, why is there a sidewalk for the front of this one house and then I don't see it again for like three blocks. Absolutely. And I'm like, you guys, like the county will take their, pull their jurisdiction and be like, Oh, hey, we want to put a highway through here, but they're not gonna do it to take up, you know? Mm-hmm. six yards of like people's property around the front to make the city more accessible. Mm-hmm. Right? Like, I feel like if the city, like with your program. I know you'll, you do your best but like if we, if we could make the city more accessible, So give people more opportunities, sidewalks, ways to, to walk from place to place or bike pass. Yes. I mean, but downtown Wilmington is just a, anything south of like Car Avenue. Mm-hmm. is just a legit jungle. You're totally right, Chris. Yeah. It was actually, sidewalks were something that we talked about heavily in my community health major in college, well, I can't remember what class it was, but the lack of sidewalks in Wilmington and I was something that I wouldn't have put together as being an issue. Yeah. Until it was put in front of me. Oh yeah. That is an issue. We need sidewalks, trees too, y'all. I, that is interesting. But it's, there's, there's not, and I'm, there's not enough trees in our low income communities. I could see that. It is. And the trees that are there are little and short and stubby. And I, in just recent years, I've realized, Trees are really important. Mm-hmm. Yeah. They need, we need'em for fresh air. We need'em for shade, we need'em for privacy. We need'em for beauty. Yeah. And a lot of our low income neighborhoods and, and our friends and brothers and sisters that live in these neighborhoods are not, they don't have trees. Yeah. Yeah. It's crazy. Have, this is a little off topic, but but it kinda makes sense, That's, I love that. That's, that's how my brain works, honestly. Did you go to c w? I did, yes. So have, have you seen the CIA building? No. So it's literally right next to cookout. Oh, okay. In that same little parking lot. Okay. Like close to, So I passed it probably bajillion times, not realizing times. Never knew what it. So there's a program in there, it's called 1 million Cups. Okay. And what they do is they have people come in from different parts of the community and they come in and they kind of do their little spiel about what they're doing. It's a lot of entrepreneurs, but a lot of people from the community in different aspects too. And so one, I think that would be a good thing for you to go to. Absolutely. Thanks for letting me know. This is why we gotta network. We can learn about these things. Great. Okay. And two, the reason why I thought about to bring it up is the one question they ask at the very end of all of those is it's not necessarily a place for entrepreneurs to go to like SEL their products, but to ask what the community can do for them. So that's why there's other community aspects and people other than entrepreneurs that go in there. So my question to you with that very long intro to it, is what can the community do to help your program? Mm. So in your spiel, I was what came to my mind is being person-centered. Okay. And knowing that there not one size fits all. Mm-hmm. which I know is the harder answer, but that's how we actually get positive outcomes when we work to tailor a plan to support a person or a family to what their specific needs are. Mm-hmm. it's not, you know sorry, I'm forgetting the, the language around it. It's not a one size fits all. Right. That's a tough one. I mean, cause it's not a straightforward answer, that's the problem. Right. You know, but how the community can support. to listen. Yeah. Instead of being like a voice for the voiceless, pass the mic Right. And listen to what individuals need and trust that they're an expert in their own lives and mm-hmm. take a hint from that and let them tell you what they need and support that and recognize when you are at a place where you have privilege over somebody else. Those, those are two very important things that I I subscribe to a lot to. Awesome. Because I can tell that about you. So, Yeah. So one is I believe that people know what they need for themselves. Yep. More than what anyone else knows. Absolutely. What they need for themselves. Yep. And two, that community and being a citizen, not necessarily a citizen of a government, but a citizen of a community is what's most important. Well said. So being able to like what you said too, and I really appreciate you taking that time to. I think youth might have thought that you were stumbling over your words, but it's not because it's a hard, it's a hard conversation is to have, right? Like, like you enjoy. it. It's not a one size fits all. And that's what a lot of people want these days. Is that big like hatchet, like, oh, maybe if we throw enough money at this, right? And if we have this can fix one person that throws enough money at it, we'll fix it. Yeah. But like everyone has to realize like, hey, you gotta look inside yourself and like what can you do individually to help that one person? Cuz if you have the means to help one person and everyone did that, to help that one individual, Absolutely. It would be so much more helping one person, one person can create a huge ripple effect. Absolutely. Yeah. So don't sell yourself short if you happen to think that you're just helping one person and chances are you're actually helping a lot more people, right? Yeah. No, so I appreciate that. So thank you. Thanks. No, it's so funny. I was, so, part of the reason why I was so nervous to come and speak today is cuz I have so much passion and I feel like I've got a good bit of knowledge, but I worry that I'm not going to speak about it eloquently and do the, these topics justice. So I appreciate your positive feedback, No, certainly. Yes. And the other thing too is no matter how. Intelligent. You are on a topic no matter who you are. Having a microphone, it always makes a difference when I'm sitting in front of your face. Absolutely. So funny. But like we said too, I mean, we're not, everybody is their own expert in their own lives, so I'm not gonna pretend to be an expert on other people's lives, that's for sure. Right. No, I think it's, it's great that you, unlike me, who just, I just say shit and everyone, everyone I know is like, Chris, you were bullshitting out your ass. And sometimes I am, but a lot of time I think through things so quickly I can come up with an answer. But I love that you actually took the time to like, think through. Oh, thanks. Instead of just being like, Oh, well you should do this. Well, well, that, that might not have been the right answer. I like, I like that you actually paused and you were like, Let's think about this. What would make the most sense? I, I think what, what you're saying too, and I'm just thinking back just because we're heading into an election cycle Mm. Is when you think Medicaid, you think government, and then like when you did your introduction and when Chris told me about you, I was like, Oh, government program. Mm-hmm. but not really mm-hmm. Nonprofits. And so, Yeah. So nonprofits I think do much better than government programs just because they have that the same type of pathway forward as most people need to accomplish something. And so with that being said too, I was saying like, Oh, government project, government employee. And so when you're not giving the political answer that you had like already that the pr like firm for the county gave to you, I was like, Oh, a real life person. This is awesome. This is amazing. I was like, Let's support this. Yes. Aw. Thanks for saying that. No I'd laugh because like you're talking about government, but in my head I see it from my point of view in like the re the retail space where like brands give me information and it's like the most dry statement I've ever seen. And I'm like, how am I supposed to make someone believe this? Why does it, I always loved getting those scripts. You wanna make it personable. Yeah. It's like why does it take this long to get this watch? Well sir, this brand takes pride in their collection and they take this much time to produce it and it, and they only produce this many watches in a year and people are like, Really? That's what this script said. I'm like, I can't tell you what I don't know. Like if I knew if I could. My, the way I work is like if I went to a facility and saw them go click, click, click, and knock out while I'm sitting there four watches in a day, I'm gonna like, Mm, why is it taking this long for me to get watches? But I haven't done that, so I can't, I only, And people hate it because I've become so like, straight shooting. Like when people ask me a question, they're like, Hey, did you do this? No, I did not do that. I did this. I'm like, That's just how I have to, I, I've shifted, especially during Covid, cuz people are, are so, they're roundabout on everything. And assuming so much shit. I'm like, No. Everything I tell you, unless I'm like completely unknowledgeable about the situation, has an actual backing to it. Mm-hmm. And I'm gonna tell you straightforward. Do I look pretty Yes. Yes. to me. No. What to somebody? You're funny. I'm only going to clip the part where you said do I look pretty? Yes. And I'm taking your yes out of it. That's fine. I get it. Do what's gonna be good for the show. Oh, I love it. So, alright, I got one for you. How do you find Will Smith in the snow? Oh gosh, I know this. I'm not gonna answer that. You follow the Fresh Prince? Okay. You were scared. Oh goodness. Go to one. That's how I know me. Is that appropriate for me to repeat that joke? Yeah. Okay. It, me and Tyler literally are on, like we, I joke with my wife cuz we were on separate sides of TikTok. Like that clock app is, I didn't realize there were so many. It's just like people's lives, like you could be sitting right next to somebody and even your, like the visuals that you see are two very different things. And I tell people all the time at work, I'm like, there's three sides to every story. And they hate me because I'm always nice to both people until I hear both sides of the story and then I figure out the truth. But TikTok, I send Tyler enough stuff and he sends me enough that I'm like, I know we've seen some of the same shit. Yeah. It's funny too with TikTok, because my TikTok will change if I'm next to you or if I'm next, like the next person at my work or if I'm next to Jennifer, because I can't tell you. I'm sorry, go off track here. No, I'm totally down. But I can't tell you how many times when Jennifer's in the room where I've been around her for a long time, that I'm on breastfeeding. TikTok? Yes. I'm so glad that we haven't had to take it to sip. Every time you guys have said TikTok in this podcast so far, you can go, we'll, we'll say, we'll, we'll start now. Can I say, I'll admit I don't have a TikTok. Lucky you. I know. So I have one. I don't post anything. Yeah, that would be, If I got a TikTok, that would be how I handle it. Yeah, but I, but I watch enough, you know, I'm on Instagram, I see it through there. My sister and my longtime best friend send me the ticks I need to see. So I, I feel okay. I, Emily hates it cuz I send her like if I'm, cuz we have different work schedules and I'll just pull it up and not pay attention and be on TikTok. And she, the other day was like, so I haven't looked in a while and I think you've sent me 114 Like, shit, I didn't realize I was on there. And then you get caught when you don't. I'm. Back to my boyfriend, qui. I'll send him little Instagram videos and this pitch will then send me the same one that I sent him. Like, clearly he didn't look at it. Yes. Jennifer did that to me yesterday. I was so mad. Oh, but that's, that's the thing about social media nowadays is like we, we talked about this other week is like, hey, you know, when you're doing 75 hard, usually, like you put extra shit down and you focus more on what you're doing. Mm-hmm. Which was a great thing, but still, there's so much, so many times where we are focused on our things. Yeah. That we don't look at other people's stuff. Yeah. Oh, hey, you sent me this. And I'm like, Emily responded to something and I'm like, I sent, I, I heard that TikTok and I'm like, I sent that to you three weeks ago. I remember hearing that one. Yeah. She's like, Yeah, I'm sorry honey. I don't care. Since we're on social media, Right now. Do you have a beat reel yet? No. I'm not even sure what that is. it sounds a little familiar if Max shooting didn't know what that was until like three weeks ago. It's a very new social media type of thing. It's, it's kind of interesting where you'll get a update randomly on your phone. It says, Alright, you have two minutes to take a picture of anything around you. So it's meant to take out the glam of social media. Wait, did they have an SNL skit about Yes. That, yes. Okay. I thought that was for an SNL skit. It's a real thing. Yes. And TikTok has started doing that now. Oh really? Oh, I did notice that. Yeah. I randomly was like, Hey, you have two minutes to go live and I. I'm not going live. I haven't posted anything on here ever. Why do you think I'm gonna do this? Wow. Okay. Yeah, it's interesting. There's not many people that are on it right now cause it's like brand, brand new Uhhuh. But it's interesting too because you don't see the glam version of people's lives. Like you see someone reading a book or like looking at their cat in bed or like, I appreciate that. Yeah, it's really interesting. You get to see like actually inside of someone's real life. I just wouldn't wanna be so connected to my phone that I have to close something in the next two minutes though. But I appreciate the can do real part. You can do it later. It just says like, Hey, so and so posted this like 59 minutes late. Oh. Calls you out. So they had enough time to pull a little makeup on their hair? Yes. Okay. Yeah, it was like, just so you know, they made sure they were in a beautiful location before they moved. This one Wait, who's your? Your friend that sends you ttx. Oh, her name is Lindsay. Right. I've known her since elementary school, but we really bonded since high school. Okay. She's a therapist. I It makes sense. Yeah. Right. That we were drawn to each other Yeah. On our youth. I thought you were gonna say, Oh. Oh no, I don't. This feels bad. I feel bad now. No, I was, so when we worked at Bath and Body Works, there was a crew, like in most places, they have a huge turnover. Yeah. All the time. The year that we like worked together officially at Bath was like, no one left because our manager was just that good that she elevated everybody. And I She promoted a district then? Oh, yes. She, yeah, she did. That was an understatement. No, they, they took her, our store was like, they do it in letter volumes and she took our store from like a low letter to like, The step below the top that this area has, and they're like, All right, so you need to move and run this store. She up, she upgraded that store. Then they moved her to a district manager, and then they moved her to another district. I don't actually know what she does anymore. She's a mom. Yeah. Has a pig. Oh yeah, she does have a pig. Wow. It's a house pig. I mean, deserts, like, like raise like a dog. Yeah, that's, I heard they're very clean animals. Yeah. Mm-hmm. I mean, they live in mud. I mean, Well, the only reason why they get in mud is so they can stay cool. So if you're, You've got ac, ac, right? Yeah. I don't need it. Everyone's like, Oh, it's, they're dirty. I'm like, Nah, they're just trying to cool down. They're just, They don't have like the hair in the system that we do to like sweat. Yeah. If I couldn't sweat, I'd roll in mud too. Yeah. You're right though. We had, we had a core group that really, really enjoyed each other, even outside of work. Oh, I have to give you a shout out too. I just remembered. I remember our little core group Yes. Was going out downtown after work one day we would planned it. I think I was doing, I was supposed to do the closing shift. Mm-hmm. but I wanted enough time to like do my hair and do my makeup and get cute to go downtown. And so you were sweet enough to switch your shift with me so I could take the morning shift and have enough time to doll myself up. So, thank you Chris. Yes. Because I mean, I'm, This was back when I had no hair so I could literally just show up. I didn't go out. And by the body Works was one of the great jobs that when you left, you actually smelled better than when you walked in Yes. Good point. Like I could go to a club and not have to put. Cologne or anything crazy. They're like, What'd you put on? I'm like, Nothing. I just walked out the store All the girls are probably like, Oh my gosh. You smell like Carolina butterflies. Yes. Oh, at least it wasn't Sweet P So Sweet P my favorite in middle school, but I'm not even surprised I, Right. I mean, but of course all the white girls love sweet tea in middle school, you know? Yes. There was another one, at least you didn't say dark amethyst. Oh yeah, that, No, it's a good one Too. Warm vanilla sugar. Now that we're back on favorites, that was, that probably still is my favorite. Although warm vanilla sugar to me is like an old white lady. That's what I am now. Anyway, That's fitting it. It is. I mean, there, it's just, You're also supposed to agree with that. Well say like, it's just funny cause like certain smells you, I just, like I said, I associate with certain things. Yeah, yeah. Gosh. Those are some good days. Mm-hmm. Well now that I look down, we ran up on our time extremely fast. Wow. Great. Yeah. Already an hour, right? Oh wow. This has been so comfortable and great. I was so nervous. My stomach was hurting and everything. Glad we were able to make it more comfortable. Please thank y'all. But you said you listened to a few episodes. Yes. So we do have a famous question at the end of all of our episodes now, and if you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be? I knew it was coming to, Hey girl, live in the moment. Stop stressing about things that may or may not happen in the future, cuz you're missing out on the right now. I feel like I missed out on a lot of opportunities cause I felt like I needed to conserve my energy for the potential. Yeah. I haven't totally figured that out yet in my adulthood, but I'm getting a lot better. Yeah. Therapy helps y'all go to therapy, even if you're like, things are good. Still go to therapy. Mm-hmm. because you want to prevent things from getting bad. So just to, I'm so glad I could plug therapy real quick. Yes. No, just to piggyback off of that real quick too though. Yeah. Is one of the things I've always, when I was in Pennsylvania, I always surrounded myself by certain people and everything so I could grow and everything. Right. And people that are always better than me. Excellent. And so I had an opportunity to get back up with that same group a couple years ago. Oh, fun. And when I was talking to'em and everything, the one thing that all of them had in common is they all went to therapy. Ah. And I was like, Oh, this is weird. Because I came from the like, it's like, Oh, you go to therapy when there's something wrong. Right. And just listening to them, they're like, No, it's really nice to sit down with someone that's just, that's literally paid to listen to whatever you want to talk about. Mm-hmm. and there nothing needs to be wrong. And just to be able to just like, let loose and talk about what did you need to talk about. Absolutely. Consider it like wellness checks, You know, at this point I go to therapy. once a month. I have a little notes section in my phone where as things come up between sessions and I'm like, Oh gosh, why did I feel that way about that? Or mm-hmm. why did I get my feelings hurt over something like that? I'll write it down and so I can remember to bring it up in therapy. Yeah. Psychology today.com. That's a great place to start. Mm-hmm. if you're like, where do, Okay, cool. I'm interested in therapy. Where do I find somebody? If you go to that website, you can type in your location your insurance, and it gives you a whole profile of therapists in your area. Oh wow. You can kind of, It's a great way to honestly judge a book by its cover too. Yeah. I have my therapist I found cuz she had a blue streak in her hair and her picture and I was like, Yeah, that's who I wanna go too. that's, I love it. And it's interesting too because like our, where we're located in the cargo district actually is two therapists. Yeah. I noticed that in here. Which you wouldn't expect, but it's really cool cause they, they cater to specific clientele. Mm-hmm. like you don't, Yes, everyone needs to go to therapy, but. Just like with everything, there's not one answer. Mm-hmm. for everybody. So figure out who works and what works the best for you. Yeah, and we brought on Palmer too, to talk about men's mental health and he was talking about the same thing too. Okay. I gotta listen to that episode. Great. Yeah, definitely Palmer Grigsby, he's wonderful. He's been on the podcast multiple, multiple times now. But yeah, he's a cool guy. And he was talking about the same thing. I was like, Hey, you like find someone that meshes with you. Like look at exactly what you said. Like almost judging a book by its cover for sure. Totally. But like, I think I told her that too. I chose you cuz of the blue streak. Yeah. Oh. But yeah, just knowing that like, hey, this person focuses on these things. Like yes, that might make more sense. And that's the great thing about that website, psychology data.com is you can put in specific issues maybe that you're, that you're struggling with, that you wanna speak about and you know, be brought up a list of therapists that specialize in that specific issue. Yeah, that's great. Yeah. I just wanna say thank you. Thanks y'all. I'm so honored. Yeah, thanks so much for going on. Appreciate it. Great. Thanks. I just, I just felt like switching my voice up for that cuz when Emmy started this one I was like, you have that voice like back in the day when they're like, Hey, you have that phone call Voice Thank you for calling this radio station But yeah, thank you everybody for listening to the podcast. It was a blast having you Emmy. Thanks y'all. Thanks for making me feel so comfortable. Yeah. Thank you. And we enjoyed the Uncle Nearest. Yes, it was very good. I'm almost done, surprisingly better than what I expected. Yeah, very good. I mean, we've tried quite a few alcohols since we started this, so I just don't know what to expect anymore. Yeah. When we go to try something that's fun. I like that. But it's great. Yeah. Like I didn't expect to like the hollerer head at all cuz it has, it's infused with bananas and I was like, that's just his gimicky. That was, Wait, that was the HP fame? Grayson's? No, that was Chris's. That was yours. Okay. Okay. Okay. Cause you were like, I'm bananas. My life is bananas. That whole Yes. Yeah. Yes. Awesome. So Emmy, do you have anything on social media or anything? No, I do not want anybody following me on social media. No. I mean I'm on Facebook and on Instagram, but where can they go to support? Oh, okay. So probably Communities and Schools of Cape Fear. The website is cis cape fear.org. There's lots of fundraisers and if you just wanna throw some money, you can do that on the website. I'm also on the Board of Yoga Village, which is a local non-profit that brings trauma informed yoga to low income and underserved communities. Interesting. They're fantastic. They do Yoga vi, excuse me. They do. Yo on the battleship about eight times a year, about four times in the spring and about four times in the fall. So we're finishing up our last one tomorrow actually. But another fantastic non-profit that I'm associated with that I highly suggest you all look up and support. Oh, that's cool. See, So we'll have them plugged in the show notes. Yeah. So definitely check them out. Yeah. Thanks. Y'all download, listen because Spotify is horrible with keeping track of stuff. Definitely hit the download button. Yes. When you're on wifi and download this episode. And all previous episodes definitely makes us look nice. And you know, subscribe, please. We would love it. Helps us out. And if you wanna leave us a review, we would love that as well. Five outta five, Is it five stars, right? Yeah. Okay. Amy, me just left this one. Yep. Thank you. Thanks y'all See you. All right, so you're all in the next one. Thanks everyone. Bye Cheer. Cheers.

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