May 14, 2023 • 25 mins
In this episode of Coffee Chat with Amber & Lisa, we discuss what it takes to make or break it when we walk into our purpose. Enjoy your Saturday morning goodness and meet our special guest, Jacquelyn "Jackie" Marushka.
A true trailblazer, Jackie's journey has taken her from working days as an administrative assistant for an independent film company and working nights as a YMCA janitor to becoming the youngest vice president of Public Relations and Communications in Sony/Provident Music, involving over 40 recording artists across five record labels, publishing, film, and managing internal and external communication.
Jackie is the founder and CEO of the first Latina-owned PR and Branding agency in the country, gospel, and Americana arenas. Marushka Media specializes in music, film, television, and live events. Dedicated to living a life of gratitude and possibility, Jackie is driven by a passion for helping others.
Thank you for taking the time to like, subscribe, share, and comment. Visit leadingladies.life to find out more. Also, follow @leadingladieslife on social. Amber & Lisa are authors of the multi-award-winning book, Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success, which dives into the power of community and empowering women of faith to rise up and make a difference, using our gifts and faith to shine brightly in the world. Watch the Facebook Live edition on our YouTube Channel @coffeechatladies .
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Unknown (00:10):
Would you be surprised to know that some of the most
successful women of our timeface challenges just like you
and I do. Hi, I'm Amber. And I'mLisa. We're authors of the book
leading ladies, discover yourgod brown strategy for success.
We invite you to join us in anhonest, messy bun conversation
(00:30):
about the things we'd ratherkeep hidden in our lives. Some
of those things can keep us frommoving forward in purpose. So
grab a cup of somethingdelicious, kick off your shoes
and hang out with us for thenext 30 minutes.
Good morning, everyone. I am sothankful we're here on Mother's
(00:56):
Day weekend with our greatfriend Jackie Mariska. We're
about to embark the finalmarathon stretch to the
publishing of the book. And it'sjust been incredible. Lisa, do
you have any big plans forMother's Day weekend? You know,
my family tends to be a littlesecretive with these things. I'm
(01:21):
sure I've been told it includesdinner or night. I am sure it
includes food and all of mychildren and grandchildren which
is really special. So that's theplan in the meantime today I'm
just going to work and act likeit's just a typical day even
though I know surprises might behappening some surprises. love
(01:42):
surprises that Jackie yourmother is probably watching. I
hope she is I don't like hername is Evelyn and Amber and
Lisa Happy Mother's Day weekend.
I also heard that all next weekis is now called mother's
appreciation week so y'all justmax that out and soak it up.
(02:09):
squeeze every ounce of goodnessout of next week. I have a gift
right in front of me thatprobably it didn't last enough
through the weekend but thesemight tiramisu macarons from my
good friend at Sweet Dreamsbakery. I ordered a dozen of
these and probably I'm going toconsume them myself.
You gifted yourself have you sayto a love it have to give a gift
(02:34):
to the dogs give a gift to youJackie? No but in spirit they
want me to go out and buy myselfsome flowers and maybe a spa day
at least that's what I'mthinking but really happy mom's
day to you and to my mama Evelynall and my sister Kristen who's
a great for Mama and and sayingthat everyone out there who's
(02:54):
ufer Mama, y'all make it a greatweekend to this belongs to you
also buy yourself a gift fromyour dog.
Your cat or your cat or yourdribbles whatever or Amber's
your reptiles.
I've got a dear friend in Devoneau de and she has an entire
(03:14):
farm of horses, donkeys. I mean,I just went to Ireland with a
group that she brought. And thereason I went is she said two
words. She said DonkeySanctuary, and we went and
visited a dog sanctuary inIreland. So I'll end it there
but happy. Happy Mother's Day.
to have you with us. Jackie, Iknow that. I've known you for
many years. And I have heardnothing but great stuff about
(03:37):
you for a long, long time. And Iam just excited that I finally
get to see you on Zoom meetingsand chit chat with you. It was
an honor to help work on thisbook and have you be a part of
it. We're thrilled to death.
Jackie is one of those friendsthat you're like I can't believe
(04:01):
this woman is my friend. It'sincredible. This woman was the
youngest vice president ofpublicity for Sony Providence
music and she is one of the mostelegant spokespeople in
Nashville and nationwide. She isan elegant spokesperson for all
(04:25):
her clients which have includedlet me say Lana Del Rey
worked alongside a lot of reallygreat people on different teams.
So I'm thankful you've been inthe biz for a long time I've
known Jackie over 20 years youwouldn't know that from her
beautiful skin and Young Miss.
She is the CEO and founder ofMariska media, a publicity
(04:48):
company that was founded at herdining room table. And that is
incredible and it speaks thesalt
She is in the marketplace whereshe works not only for her
excellence in what she does, butalso for her, I would say an
(05:14):
angel to the publicity world.
And she's been our angel forthis project. I am so excited. I
can't believe the book is in CCMmagazine online. And the heart
that this woman has isindescribable. That's what I
would say. So Jackie, I, I justlove you love your story. And
(05:35):
she's a person of humble roots.
So she probably wouldn't saythese things about herself. She
is on the publicity team for theAcademy Awards, girls. And she
has walked me a red carpet inher beautiful gowns. But I think
the most beautiful gown you wearis your heart. So Jackie, kind
(05:59):
of get it kind of get a feel orwhat made you branch out into
the publicity world? Was thissomething that was always on
your heart, because I know youhad very small beginnings. So
tell us about the beginnings andhow that bridged over to
(06:21):
publicity when I was a kid. Ifell in love with light. I grew
up in New Mexico, in New Mexico,you've got a clear blue skies
just about every day, you've gotthose really nice summer rains
in the afternoon, the shadows ofthe clouds on the ground through
that beautiful light. It justfascinated me and every time
it's like looking at something,when you turn it a certain way
(06:42):
in the light, it shinesdifferently. Your perspective is
different. And I thought oh mygosh, I knew from a kid that
perspective. And storytelling issomething that I wanted to do. I
didn't know how. But sometimes,you know, God let you figure out
the how as you go along. Mygrandfather was my hero. He had
the very first Texaco station in100 miles. He and my grandma
(07:03):
Sylvia saved for years to opentheir little franchise, they had
a general store, and a fruitstand and pigs and a farm. This
was all that they scrapped forbuying acre by acre by acre at a
time, he was called the mayor ofthe larvae, which is my little
town I grew up in and everyoneloved him. He invested in so
(07:25):
many people, he and my grandmaboth, and they never said a word
to anybody. It's just what youdid. So by example, I learned
generosity, kindness, and loveand just keep your mouth closed
about it. Not everybody needs toknow what's happening, and that
kind of thing. And I justthought my mother and father
also they had the work ethic, Idon't know that ever saw my
(07:45):
parents doing less than one job,like they had no job. But they
were working on the farm, theybuilt their own house. And my
mother, Happy Mother's Dayagain, she started as an
elementary school teacher, whenshe and my father got married,
she quit school, so my dad couldgo to school. And he graduated,
he went into the Navy on the GIBill. Then my mom went to
(08:09):
school, she finished. And everytime there was an opportunity
for her to apply for a grant ora scholarship, she was working
to go get an additional degree,she would do it she earned two
master's degrees andcertificates in Business
Administration and things likethat. So I asked her once, why
do you keep doing this and shesaid, Jackie, education is
(08:31):
everything that she's going tobe mad at me for telling this
story. But if you can cleantoilets, and you can write, you
will probably always have a job,you know, educate yourself our
card. So those are the twothings that stick in my mind is
it's a work ethic, it isaccessing education and learning
as much as you can. Utilizingthat and then sharing it. I have
(08:52):
to say, on so many levels. Wedon't really think that someone
who has had the success thatyou've had, we don't always
attach the humble beginnings.
What strikes me is Jackie, yourfamily sounds an awful lot like
mine. They work very hard to getwhat they have. They took every
advantage of the moments thatwere given them, no matter what
(09:13):
that looked like, mom put dadthrough school, you know, that
is real life. That is where welearn the foundations of success
doing what it takes in themoment. That's something that we
often forget when we see peoplewho appear to be successful at
the top of their game, whateverthat looks like. We often think
(09:34):
they're superhuman, or they musthave gotten an extra dose of
something from God that wedidn't get. And the reality is,
is we all come from a verysimilar place just maybe
different privileges based uponwhere we society. We still have
to learn to work hard. Yes,still have to make the most of
(09:54):
every moment. Yes, a lot of fun.
He's not you're still a toiletcleaner.
I know where you're going withthis. Do you want to go into
that? As part of the chapter inin the leading lady's book
that's out May 23, the BTSbehind the scenes that you
(10:16):
wanted to know or didn'tactually want to know it's in
there.
Just a little bit.
What has kept you?
Servant hearted while getting towalk the red carpet? Oh my gosh,
it's it's the example ofhumility from my grandparents
(10:36):
and my mother. I didn't actuallyanswer your question about how I
got into this. But it is thatstorytelling thread that ended
me up here kind of by accident.
But that humility, I remember mymother saying, and I'm not
saying oh, hey, look at me. I'mso humble. But I think there's
arrogance. And then there's ahealthy sense, I am thankful, I
am blessed. I am going to runwith the gifts God gave me and
(10:57):
thank you God for every gift.
Every morning, I wake up and Ipray all the things I'm grateful
for. And I prayto become undefendable.
If somebody offends you, whatdoes that mean? That means
you've put yourself above thatperson, and oh, they offended
me. If somebody can offend you,there's something going on in
(11:18):
your heart that you need to workon. And I pray that every day
I'm like, Oh, don't humble me. Idon't want that. Like, keep me
in check so that I don't get offmy path and seek first the
kingdom of God. Because in thatevery whisper, I just want to
know that every step I'm taking,is God led. Because if you just
(11:38):
focus on that, and you're reallylistening, you don't have to
think about anything else. Itjust happens. That oversimplify,
I just know, I love it. I knowthat I love it. Well, that's
beautiful. It is profound. Whenwe think of it that way.
Get up every day. Ask God tohelp you not be offended.
(11:59):
Because when you are offended,it usually means you're placing
yourself above the person thatoffends you. I don't think I've
ever had anybody put it thatway. And that is going to be a
lesson I want to take away. Iwant to take away and keep it
with me. Yes. Maybe not so easyto bite off, and she won the DMZ
(12:20):
to start applying. I think liveon offended. You need to put
that up on a billboard in frontof in front of our mirrors every
day. Right? How many times do weget offended in our day? If
we're brushed aside or peopledon't say hello to us, or people
(12:40):
don't acknowledge us or peopleand we can be offended in the
coffee shop because the baristadidn't look at us and take our
order on time. We live in asociety where we are offended
easily. I think that women if wereally want to shine, we just
need to live in that and I am soWow. You just need to write a
(13:00):
book just about living offended.
My grandma would wake up 430They were early birds. I think
that's where I get it from Ilove a good sunrise. I love a
bad sunrise.
But you know any any? She wouldwake up she'd have the bacon go
in. She have the eggs go andshove the sausage and the
percolator coffee? And I don'tknow, did your grandparents ever
(13:23):
have that? Coffee? Can a greasesitting on the case so good.
It does. I thought this has beenhere for five years, Grandma,
you really don't keep that she'slike don't touch it. I enter a
little Spanish accent. I lovedit so much. But my grandpa would
sit down and he would pray. Andhe would do this forehead, mouth
(13:47):
and heart. And I'd ask him likegrandpa, because they were
Catholic and say why did you dothat? And he goes for God to
cover your mind your words andyour heart. That what that is
like think good, say good and dogood. And really see see the
best in people? I thinkeverything that I've ever
learned came from those momentsat the Texaco station.
(14:10):
Oh my goodness, it makes methink too. I mean, Jackie, you
are a believer Christ is at thecenter of all you do you give
Him all the honor for thesethings in your life. What is it
like to take that experienceinto the workplace where not
everybody has the same beliefsystem that you have
(14:33):
you that if you lead withkindness, and, and I also feel
like I had somebody the otherday tell me you know, we don't
know if you'd get this becauseof your faith. Well, I brought
up the Colossians Colossians Ithink it's 327 came to mind and
that is working to the Lord notlike you're working for men. So
(14:53):
everything I do is gotta be forhim first and then. I mean, I
don't want to mess anything up.
But if I give it tohim, somehow it filters through,
and all the things land awaythat they're supposed to, for
that scenario for that moment.
Now, sometimes I will be removedfrom something or some will be
(15:14):
removed from my life. And in theend, it always just becomes a
blessing. I look back and go,Oh, that's why that happened.
But in the moment, I was like,oh, man, did I do something
wrong. And I just I've learnedby looking back, just, you know,
follow, follow your gut, stayprayed up, stay prayed up, and
(15:35):
do your work thoroughly, likefigure out, poke the holes in
the things bring your bestrecommendations. And then a
client, whether it's a recordlabel, or an artist, or an
author or a producer of a film,they will either take your
recommendation or they won't,but you can only give which are
filled with, right. So if you'refilled with all the things that
(15:58):
are going to guide you in theright path, and I just occurred
to the Holy Spirit for this oneis, is that that comes out just
as it's supposed to, I neverreally think about the things, I
don't overthink things anymore.
I used to and when I used to, ohmy gosh, the stuff that would
happen was just like, Oh, I waslike, I wish I could redo this
and redo this and redo this, butnow it's just and maybe two,
(16:19):
it's a little bit of experienceand learning from burning your
hand on the hot stove a coupleof times, that'll do it for you.
That'll do it for ya. So, youknow, being prepared, being
filled with the right, the rightspirit, the right intentions,
doing good, and looking for thepositive and all the things but
also discernment, learning howto step away from things that
(16:41):
just do not work. If you get aprideful attitude about why I'm
gonna make this work. Even if itkills me, that's probably not
going to be the best outcome forall involved because your pride
is leading. There's a guy namedWayne Dyer, who coined a phrase
that is edging God out and it'sego go rears itself up, think
about it, you're edging God out,you're putting yourself in front
(17:03):
of where you really should beled by, or who you should be led
by. So I know that's a long andmaybe sort of out there answer
for how do you bring it to theboardroom, I follow my gut and
lean on experience and studyhard and try to walk into every
meeting as prepared as possible,whether it means having read the
(17:24):
book that you're working on,having listened to the full
album, that you're working on,all those things, just show up,
show up, ready, ready to dogreat work. I was just thanking
God, that we have voices, likeyou author our book. And it's
just constant confirmation. Imean, we want to multiply the
(17:45):
Jackie spirit, we want tomultiply, because that's the
spirit and the heart of God.
It's how he wants us to be Hewants us to look at ourselves
and see the goodness that he'sputting inside ourselves. He
wants us to shine.
(18:06):
Because we're helping light eachother's plates. And that's the
kind of person Jackie is. And Imight have to like get tissues,
ladies.
I did not forget tissues. I justwant to say that it's God, it's
just God in any one of us cantake our eyes off the ball. And
it's not me. It's him. Andthat's that's where that is. I
(18:29):
think the hard part is when weare just floating through life
on the day. And we're bumping upagainst all of the people that
we bump up against whether it'sfamily members, spouses,
children, or whether it'sworkplace, that whether it's
community service, our churches,we tend to get so busy with all
(18:51):
of the buzz that we stopped tolook at ourselves carefully. And
I think one of the keys toactually being the kind of
person that you seem to radiate,Jackie is to say, I want to
reflect what Jesus is I want toreflect these good things, these
(19:12):
good attributes, I want to getrid of self, I want to become
more of him and less of me. Andsometimes we don't realize
actually, these deepconversations that we can have
as women, where we can talkabout these things are part of
that process. We just get sobusy. We get busy with the buzz
and all the to do and we stophaving these kinds of
(19:36):
conversations to keep usaccountable. And to keep us on
track where we want to be whereGod's designed us to be. We
weren't meant to go through lifeand not be able to find this
type of community in the bodyand there's an intentionality to
it also where busyness can be anidol. Lots of things can become
(19:58):
an idol and we don't look atthat that way, because it's not
been framed that way for usbefore. But busy is an idle, I
had this kind of come to Jesuswith myself. And I thought, I'm
going to just change itstopping. All the distractions
are stopping today. This was acouple of years ago, and I got
up early in the morning, Istarted getting up and I just
started purposefully spendingtime with God and purposefully
(20:19):
doing my workouts purposelypurposefully eating right, like
all the things to take care of,or into my health, my mental
well, being all those things,finding my weaknesses and asking
for guidance. And then justwhere do I spend my time, God,
where, where? Where do youwhat's next? Not for me, like,
Oh, where do you want me to go?
(20:42):
But how do I serve? How do Ishow up? What's next? I know
that we were talking about thisin our early conversation and
kind of God brought my mind. Youknow, Jackie's on the red
carpet, she has some of the mostbeautiful dresses that I've
seen. And God kind of put thepicture in my mind. He's like,
(21:05):
you're always on the red carpet.
We're always ladies on the redcarpet showing up. The red
carpet is His love, His graceand His sacrifice poured out for
us. And how are we going to showup on that carpet? It doesn't
matter if we have our PJs on. Itdoesn't matter if we have our
(21:26):
hair nicely coiffed or themakeup it actually means our
you, our you can positionyourself on the carpet. How are
you going to show up? Are yougoing to accept the invitation
to show up? I think that'sessential out is just wanting us
to show up, just show up. Andhe's wanting to shine through us
(21:52):
our designer, not Vera Wang. ButGod comes the creator of the
universe. And I tell you what,he makes the best designs, best
designs. And the price tag onthat is priceless. Jackie, do
you have any closing thoughtsthat you would like to share as
(22:12):
we get to the end of ourpodcast? First of all, how did
this time go by so fast? BecauseAmber, you've taught me a lot
about writing, editing and, andyour whole approach to things is
about being intentional. Andthat's a lesson for me and I
look up to you. And I thank youfor that. And and Lisa, same for
you, you have such a beautifulvoice and such a great heart to
(22:35):
serve others. And here you arebehind the scenes, teaching
others to use their voice in themost beautiful way. So I just I
wanted to point back to y'allbecause that matters. That is so
important. And I respect peopleso much for what you give, and
just how you show love on a dayto day basis. Even the littlest
things, your texts, your emails,your encouragement, just
(22:57):
beautiful. And in this book,this brainstorm you had to bring
this book of encouragement tolife for a lot of women out
there who may not know that theycan. And we're all here, all the
ladies in this book are here tosay that that you can and we're
here with you. We're going torally around you stand together,
lift you up and and encourageyou to your best and God's best.
(23:19):
I love it. When God gave me thevision of the platform of this
book. He says, Ladies, I wantyou to use what you have to
invite other ladies to take thestage with you. Maybe other
people who wouldn't have thevoice who wouldn't be seen. God
sees you. He hears you. He lovesyou. You have something to give
(23:45):
you. No matter what adversity hewants to take everything of muck
that's in your life. He wantsall that goodness of the muck to
come to the top and to shine onthe carpet. Regardless, though
matter where your carpet is.
(24:05):
Yeah, were laid. I don't know Ishould I should put a red carpet
in my bathroom.
The red clean toilet world.
You know it's funny becauseyou're saying that and I picture
myself walking down the aisle atKroger. Wherever there's music
in a grocery store at Target.
I'm going to be dancing. I usedto be embarrassed by that but
(24:28):
now I'm just like you know what?
I am not going to letembarrassment or ego steal my
joy. So if you see me dance inin Kroger or target and just I
invite you to dance with me.
Exactly my dance party rightthere in the letter your red
carpet at the Kroger. I can't beon KC superstar. I'm going to be
(24:52):
singingloud and proud. That's right,
exactly. Lisa, do you have somefinal how
was keeping the course I do. Ifyou haven't gone to our website
leading ladies dot life we wouldlove to have you join us there,
visit take a look around. We'vegot all sorts of coolness going
on. If you haven't signed up tobe a VIP, please do so get that
(25:15):
free download from MikaylaWeaver. We want you to have this
free download. I believewholeheartedly God will use it
in your life as well. We loveyou guys. And for those of you
out there celebrating Mother'sDay, we pray God's blessing upon
you and your relationships withthose you nurture. And we just
(25:35):
want to say thank you forjoining us and like dogs are
saying Happy Mother's Day to allthe mothers out there. Right
now.
Would you be surprised to know that some of the most
successful women of our timeface challenges just like you
and I do. Hi, I'm Amber. And I'mLisa. We're authors of the book
leading ladies, discover yourgod brown strategy for success.
We invite you to join us in anhonest, messy bun conversation
(00:30):
about the things we'd ratherkeep hidden in our lives. Some
of those things can keep us frommoving forward in purpose. So
grab a cup of somethingdelicious, kick off your shoes
and hang out with us for thenext 30 minutes.
Good morning, everyone. I am sothankful we're here on Mother's
(00:56):
Day weekend with our greatfriend Jackie Mariska. We're
about to embark the finalmarathon stretch to the
publishing of the book. And it'sjust been incredible. Lisa, do
you have any big plans forMother's Day weekend? You know,
my family tends to be a littlesecretive with these things. I'm
(01:21):
sure I've been told it includesdinner or night. I am sure it
includes food and all of mychildren and grandchildren which
is really special. So that's theplan in the meantime today I'm
just going to work and act likeit's just a typical day even
though I know surprises might behappening some surprises. love
(01:42):
surprises that Jackie yourmother is probably watching. I
hope she is I don't like hername is Evelyn and Amber and
Lisa Happy Mother's Day weekend.
I also heard that all next weekis is now called mother's
appreciation week so y'all justmax that out and soak it up.
(02:09):
squeeze every ounce of goodnessout of next week. I have a gift
right in front of me thatprobably it didn't last enough
through the weekend but thesemight tiramisu macarons from my
good friend at Sweet Dreamsbakery. I ordered a dozen of
these and probably I'm going toconsume them myself.
You gifted yourself have you sayto a love it have to give a gift
(02:34):
to the dogs give a gift to youJackie? No but in spirit they
want me to go out and buy myselfsome flowers and maybe a spa day
at least that's what I'mthinking but really happy mom's
day to you and to my mama Evelynall and my sister Kristen who's
a great for Mama and and sayingthat everyone out there who's
(02:54):
ufer Mama, y'all make it a greatweekend to this belongs to you
also buy yourself a gift fromyour dog.
Your cat or your cat or yourdribbles whatever or Amber's
your reptiles.
I've got a dear friend in Devoneau de and she has an entire
(03:14):
farm of horses, donkeys. I mean,I just went to Ireland with a
group that she brought. And thereason I went is she said two
words. She said DonkeySanctuary, and we went and
visited a dog sanctuary inIreland. So I'll end it there
but happy. Happy Mother's Day.
to have you with us. Jackie, Iknow that. I've known you for
many years. And I have heardnothing but great stuff about
(03:37):
you for a long, long time. And Iam just excited that I finally
get to see you on Zoom meetingsand chit chat with you. It was
an honor to help work on thisbook and have you be a part of
it. We're thrilled to death.
Jackie is one of those friendsthat you're like I can't believe
(04:01):
this woman is my friend. It'sincredible. This woman was the
youngest vice president ofpublicity for Sony Providence
music and she is one of the mostelegant spokespeople in
Nashville and nationwide. She isan elegant spokesperson for all
(04:25):
her clients which have includedlet me say Lana Del Rey
worked alongside a lot of reallygreat people on different teams.
So I'm thankful you've been inthe biz for a long time I've
known Jackie over 20 years youwouldn't know that from her
beautiful skin and Young Miss.
She is the CEO and founder ofMariska media, a publicity
(04:48):
company that was founded at herdining room table. And that is
incredible and it speaks thesalt
She is in the marketplace whereshe works not only for her
excellence in what she does, butalso for her, I would say an
(05:14):
angel to the publicity world.
And she's been our angel forthis project. I am so excited. I
can't believe the book is in CCMmagazine online. And the heart
that this woman has isindescribable. That's what I
would say. So Jackie, I, I justlove you love your story. And
(05:35):
she's a person of humble roots.
So she probably wouldn't saythese things about herself. She
is on the publicity team for theAcademy Awards, girls. And she
has walked me a red carpet inher beautiful gowns. But I think
the most beautiful gown you wearis your heart. So Jackie, kind
(05:59):
of get it kind of get a feel orwhat made you branch out into
the publicity world? Was thissomething that was always on
your heart, because I know youhad very small beginnings. So
tell us about the beginnings andhow that bridged over to
(06:21):
publicity when I was a kid. Ifell in love with light. I grew
up in New Mexico, in New Mexico,you've got a clear blue skies
just about every day, you've gotthose really nice summer rains
in the afternoon, the shadows ofthe clouds on the ground through
that beautiful light. It justfascinated me and every time
it's like looking at something,when you turn it a certain way
(06:42):
in the light, it shinesdifferently. Your perspective is
different. And I thought oh mygosh, I knew from a kid that
perspective. And storytelling issomething that I wanted to do. I
didn't know how. But sometimes,you know, God let you figure out
the how as you go along. Mygrandfather was my hero. He had
the very first Texaco station in100 miles. He and my grandma
(07:03):
Sylvia saved for years to opentheir little franchise, they had
a general store, and a fruitstand and pigs and a farm. This
was all that they scrapped forbuying acre by acre by acre at a
time, he was called the mayor ofthe larvae, which is my little
town I grew up in and everyoneloved him. He invested in so
(07:25):
many people, he and my grandmaboth, and they never said a word
to anybody. It's just what youdid. So by example, I learned
generosity, kindness, and loveand just keep your mouth closed
about it. Not everybody needs toknow what's happening, and that
kind of thing. And I justthought my mother and father
also they had the work ethic, Idon't know that ever saw my
(07:45):
parents doing less than one job,like they had no job. But they
were working on the farm, theybuilt their own house. And my
mother, Happy Mother's Dayagain, she started as an
elementary school teacher, whenshe and my father got married,
she quit school, so my dad couldgo to school. And he graduated,
he went into the Navy on the GIBill. Then my mom went to
(08:09):
school, she finished. And everytime there was an opportunity
for her to apply for a grant ora scholarship, she was working
to go get an additional degree,she would do it she earned two
master's degrees andcertificates in Business
Administration and things likethat. So I asked her once, why
do you keep doing this and shesaid, Jackie, education is
(08:31):
everything that she's going tobe mad at me for telling this
story. But if you can cleantoilets, and you can write, you
will probably always have a job,you know, educate yourself our
card. So those are the twothings that stick in my mind is
it's a work ethic, it isaccessing education and learning
as much as you can. Utilizingthat and then sharing it. I have
(08:52):
to say, on so many levels. Wedon't really think that someone
who has had the success thatyou've had, we don't always
attach the humble beginnings.
What strikes me is Jackie, yourfamily sounds an awful lot like
mine. They work very hard to getwhat they have. They took every
advantage of the moments thatwere given them, no matter what
(09:13):
that looked like, mom put dadthrough school, you know, that
is real life. That is where welearn the foundations of success
doing what it takes in themoment. That's something that we
often forget when we see peoplewho appear to be successful at
the top of their game, whateverthat looks like. We often think
(09:34):
they're superhuman, or they musthave gotten an extra dose of
something from God that wedidn't get. And the reality is,
is we all come from a verysimilar place just maybe
different privileges based uponwhere we society. We still have
to learn to work hard. Yes,still have to make the most of
(09:54):
every moment. Yes, a lot of fun.
He's not you're still a toiletcleaner.
I know where you're going withthis. Do you want to go into
that? As part of the chapter inin the leading lady's book
that's out May 23, the BTSbehind the scenes that you
(10:16):
wanted to know or didn'tactually want to know it's in
there.
Just a little bit.
What has kept you?
Servant hearted while getting towalk the red carpet? Oh my gosh,
it's it's the example ofhumility from my grandparents
(10:36):
and my mother. I didn't actuallyanswer your question about how I
got into this. But it is thatstorytelling thread that ended
me up here kind of by accident.
But that humility, I remember mymother saying, and I'm not
saying oh, hey, look at me. I'mso humble. But I think there's
arrogance. And then there's ahealthy sense, I am thankful, I
am blessed. I am going to runwith the gifts God gave me and
(10:57):
thank you God for every gift.
Every morning, I wake up and Ipray all the things I'm grateful
for. And I prayto become undefendable.
If somebody offends you, whatdoes that mean? That means
you've put yourself above thatperson, and oh, they offended
me. If somebody can offend you,there's something going on in
(11:18):
your heart that you need to workon. And I pray that every day
I'm like, Oh, don't humble me. Idon't want that. Like, keep me
in check so that I don't get offmy path and seek first the
kingdom of God. Because in thatevery whisper, I just want to
know that every step I'm taking,is God led. Because if you just
(11:38):
focus on that, and you're reallylistening, you don't have to
think about anything else. Itjust happens. That oversimplify,
I just know, I love it. I knowthat I love it. Well, that's
beautiful. It is profound. Whenwe think of it that way.
Get up every day. Ask God tohelp you not be offended.
(11:59):
Because when you are offended,it usually means you're placing
yourself above the person thatoffends you. I don't think I've
ever had anybody put it thatway. And that is going to be a
lesson I want to take away. Iwant to take away and keep it
with me. Yes. Maybe not so easyto bite off, and she won the DMZ
(12:20):
to start applying. I think liveon offended. You need to put
that up on a billboard in frontof in front of our mirrors every
day. Right? How many times do weget offended in our day? If
we're brushed aside or peopledon't say hello to us, or people
(12:40):
don't acknowledge us or peopleand we can be offended in the
coffee shop because the baristadidn't look at us and take our
order on time. We live in asociety where we are offended
easily. I think that women if wereally want to shine, we just
need to live in that and I am soWow. You just need to write a
(13:00):
book just about living offended.
My grandma would wake up 430They were early birds. I think
that's where I get it from Ilove a good sunrise. I love a
bad sunrise.
But you know any any? She wouldwake up she'd have the bacon go
in. She have the eggs go andshove the sausage and the
percolator coffee? And I don'tknow, did your grandparents ever
(13:23):
have that? Coffee? Can a greasesitting on the case so good.
It does. I thought this has beenhere for five years, Grandma,
you really don't keep that she'slike don't touch it. I enter a
little Spanish accent. I lovedit so much. But my grandpa would
sit down and he would pray. Andhe would do this forehead, mouth
(13:47):
and heart. And I'd ask him likegrandpa, because they were
Catholic and say why did you dothat? And he goes for God to
cover your mind your words andyour heart. That what that is
like think good, say good and dogood. And really see see the
best in people? I thinkeverything that I've ever
learned came from those momentsat the Texaco station.
(14:10):
Oh my goodness, it makes methink too. I mean, Jackie, you
are a believer Christ is at thecenter of all you do you give
Him all the honor for thesethings in your life. What is it
like to take that experienceinto the workplace where not
everybody has the same beliefsystem that you have
(14:33):
you that if you lead withkindness, and, and I also feel
like I had somebody the otherday tell me you know, we don't
know if you'd get this becauseof your faith. Well, I brought
up the Colossians Colossians Ithink it's 327 came to mind and
that is working to the Lord notlike you're working for men. So
(14:53):
everything I do is gotta be forhim first and then. I mean, I
don't want to mess anything up.
But if I give it tohim, somehow it filters through,
and all the things land awaythat they're supposed to, for
that scenario for that moment.
Now, sometimes I will be removedfrom something or some will be
(15:14):
removed from my life. And in theend, it always just becomes a
blessing. I look back and go,Oh, that's why that happened.
But in the moment, I was like,oh, man, did I do something
wrong. And I just I've learnedby looking back, just, you know,
follow, follow your gut, stayprayed up, stay prayed up, and
(15:35):
do your work thoroughly, likefigure out, poke the holes in
the things bring your bestrecommendations. And then a
client, whether it's a recordlabel, or an artist, or an
author or a producer of a film,they will either take your
recommendation or they won't,but you can only give which are
filled with, right. So if you'refilled with all the things that
(15:58):
are going to guide you in theright path, and I just occurred
to the Holy Spirit for this oneis, is that that comes out just
as it's supposed to, I neverreally think about the things, I
don't overthink things anymore.
I used to and when I used to, ohmy gosh, the stuff that would
happen was just like, Oh, I waslike, I wish I could redo this
and redo this and redo this, butnow it's just and maybe two,
(16:19):
it's a little bit of experienceand learning from burning your
hand on the hot stove a coupleof times, that'll do it for you.
That'll do it for ya. So, youknow, being prepared, being
filled with the right, the rightspirit, the right intentions,
doing good, and looking for thepositive and all the things but
also discernment, learning howto step away from things that
(16:41):
just do not work. If you get aprideful attitude about why I'm
gonna make this work. Even if itkills me, that's probably not
going to be the best outcome forall involved because your pride
is leading. There's a guy namedWayne Dyer, who coined a phrase
that is edging God out and it'sego go rears itself up, think
about it, you're edging God out,you're putting yourself in front
(17:03):
of where you really should beled by, or who you should be led
by. So I know that's a long andmaybe sort of out there answer
for how do you bring it to theboardroom, I follow my gut and
lean on experience and studyhard and try to walk into every
meeting as prepared as possible,whether it means having read the
(17:24):
book that you're working on,having listened to the full
album, that you're working on,all those things, just show up,
show up, ready, ready to dogreat work. I was just thanking
God, that we have voices, likeyou author our book. And it's
just constant confirmation. Imean, we want to multiply the
(17:45):
Jackie spirit, we want tomultiply, because that's the
spirit and the heart of God.
It's how he wants us to be Hewants us to look at ourselves
and see the goodness that he'sputting inside ourselves. He
wants us to shine.
(18:06):
Because we're helping light eachother's plates. And that's the
kind of person Jackie is. And Imight have to like get tissues,
ladies.
I did not forget tissues. I justwant to say that it's God, it's
just God in any one of us cantake our eyes off the ball. And
it's not me. It's him. Andthat's that's where that is. I
(18:29):
think the hard part is when weare just floating through life
on the day. And we're bumping upagainst all of the people that
we bump up against whether it'sfamily members, spouses,
children, or whether it'sworkplace, that whether it's
community service, our churches,we tend to get so busy with all
(18:51):
of the buzz that we stopped tolook at ourselves carefully. And
I think one of the keys toactually being the kind of
person that you seem to radiate,Jackie is to say, I want to
reflect what Jesus is I want toreflect these good things, these
(19:12):
good attributes, I want to getrid of self, I want to become
more of him and less of me. Andsometimes we don't realize
actually, these deepconversations that we can have
as women, where we can talkabout these things are part of
that process. We just get sobusy. We get busy with the buzz
and all the to do and we stophaving these kinds of
(19:36):
conversations to keep usaccountable. And to keep us on
track where we want to be whereGod's designed us to be. We
weren't meant to go through lifeand not be able to find this
type of community in the bodyand there's an intentionality to
it also where busyness can be anidol. Lots of things can become
(19:58):
an idol and we don't look atthat that way, because it's not
been framed that way for usbefore. But busy is an idle, I
had this kind of come to Jesuswith myself. And I thought, I'm
going to just change itstopping. All the distractions
are stopping today. This was acouple of years ago, and I got
up early in the morning, Istarted getting up and I just
started purposefully spendingtime with God and purposefully
(20:19):
doing my workouts purposelypurposefully eating right, like
all the things to take care of,or into my health, my mental
well, being all those things,finding my weaknesses and asking
for guidance. And then justwhere do I spend my time, God,
where, where? Where do youwhat's next? Not for me, like,
Oh, where do you want me to go?
(20:42):
But how do I serve? How do Ishow up? What's next? I know
that we were talking about thisin our early conversation and
kind of God brought my mind. Youknow, Jackie's on the red
carpet, she has some of the mostbeautiful dresses that I've
seen. And God kind of put thepicture in my mind. He's like,
(21:05):
you're always on the red carpet.
We're always ladies on the redcarpet showing up. The red
carpet is His love, His graceand His sacrifice poured out for
us. And how are we going to showup on that carpet? It doesn't
matter if we have our PJs on. Itdoesn't matter if we have our
(21:26):
hair nicely coiffed or themakeup it actually means our
you, our you can positionyourself on the carpet. How are
you going to show up? Are yougoing to accept the invitation
to show up? I think that'sessential out is just wanting us
to show up, just show up. Andhe's wanting to shine through us
(21:52):
our designer, not Vera Wang. ButGod comes the creator of the
universe. And I tell you what,he makes the best designs, best
designs. And the price tag onthat is priceless. Jackie, do
you have any closing thoughtsthat you would like to share as
(22:12):
we get to the end of ourpodcast? First of all, how did
this time go by so fast? BecauseAmber, you've taught me a lot
about writing, editing and, andyour whole approach to things is
about being intentional. Andthat's a lesson for me and I
look up to you. And I thank youfor that. And and Lisa, same for
you, you have such a beautifulvoice and such a great heart to
(22:35):
serve others. And here you arebehind the scenes, teaching
others to use their voice in themost beautiful way. So I just I
wanted to point back to y'allbecause that matters. That is so
important. And I respect peopleso much for what you give, and
just how you show love on a dayto day basis. Even the littlest
things, your texts, your emails,your encouragement, just
(22:57):
beautiful. And in this book,this brainstorm you had to bring
this book of encouragement tolife for a lot of women out
there who may not know that theycan. And we're all here, all the
ladies in this book are here tosay that that you can and we're
here with you. We're going torally around you stand together,
lift you up and and encourageyou to your best and God's best.
(23:19):
I love it. When God gave me thevision of the platform of this
book. He says, Ladies, I wantyou to use what you have to
invite other ladies to take thestage with you. Maybe other
people who wouldn't have thevoice who wouldn't be seen. God
sees you. He hears you. He lovesyou. You have something to give
(23:45):
you. No matter what adversity hewants to take everything of muck
that's in your life. He wantsall that goodness of the muck to
come to the top and to shine onthe carpet. Regardless, though
matter where your carpet is.
(24:05):
Yeah, were laid. I don't know Ishould I should put a red carpet
in my bathroom.
The red clean toilet world.
You know it's funny becauseyou're saying that and I picture
myself walking down the aisle atKroger. Wherever there's music
in a grocery store at Target.
I'm going to be dancing. I usedto be embarrassed by that but
(24:28):
now I'm just like you know what?
I am not going to letembarrassment or ego steal my
joy. So if you see me dance inin Kroger or target and just I
invite you to dance with me.
Exactly my dance party rightthere in the letter your red
carpet at the Kroger. I can't beon KC superstar. I'm going to be
(24:52):
singingloud and proud. That's right,
exactly. Lisa, do you have somefinal how
was keeping the course I do. Ifyou haven't gone to our website
leading ladies dot life we wouldlove to have you join us there,
visit take a look around. We'vegot all sorts of coolness going
on. If you haven't signed up tobe a VIP, please do so get that
(25:15):
free download from MikaylaWeaver. We want you to have this
free download. I believewholeheartedly God will use it
in your life as well. We loveyou guys. And for those of you
out there celebrating Mother'sDay, we pray God's blessing upon
you and your relationships withthose you nurture. And we just
(25:35):
want to say thank you forjoining us and like dogs are
saying Happy Mother's Day to allthe mothers out there. Right
now.
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