458 - A Story About Bridging Faith and Mental Health w/ Stephanie Almond
Welcome to Episode 458 of Your Morning Drive.
In this episode of Your Morning Drive, host Logan Lewis welcomes Stephanie Almond, the founder of the Never Alone Foundation. They discuss Refined Lives, Never Alone Foundation, emotional hygiene, overcoming one's past, balancing family and work & much more.
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Transcript
Logan Lewis (00:01.795)
Hello everybody. Welcome back to another episode of your morning drive. I am the host with the most Logan Lewis coming at you from the fireworks studio in Marietta, Georgia. Shout out to fireworks for having us today. They offer a creative coworking space that's dedicated to uplifting their local community. And if you like the sound of that, if you're an entrepreneur, if you're working from home for your nine to five, or if you're
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Let's go ahead and get on into it. My guest today, Fran, good stuff here today, guys. This is long anticipated. My guest today is a devoted wife, mother, and passionate advocate for mental and spiritual wellness. She's the founder of Refined Lives, a Christ-centered coaching and counseling practice, and the visionary behind the Never Alone Foundation, a nonprofit
Logan Lewis (02:22.963)
making mental health support more accessible. As a Bible counselor, board certified advanced Christian life coach and master mental health life coach, she combines professional enterprise, sorry, professional expertise with deep faith and I guess enterprise with deep faith to help others heal and reclaim their God given identity. She's also the author of Divine Worth, a book guiding readers to rediscover their true value through God's truth. Please welcome
My new friend, Stephanie Almond. thank you for that introduction. Wasn't that a fire introduction? It's like, wow. Look at you go, man. I always tell the guests this and the people listening are probably tired of hearing me say it, but I tell everybody this is that I don't do a ton of background research into the guests. course, I make sure you're not a serial killer. I don't say that.
I really don't dig into your story and what you do that much because I want to learn genuinely with the listener as they're listening as we're recording. Yeah. So I want to like be able to ask you genuine questions rather than it's sounding, me about a time that you, you know, I don't want it to be like that. I want it to be more engaging and more natural. So, I love that as you're listening, listing off stuff, I was like,
Did I do all that already? Like, what in the world? That's me. I won't lie to you, Stephanie. I kind of tackle all of those intros. You know, I ask you to give me a bio about yourself, and then I ask my good, good friend and personal assistant, ChadGPT, to summarize it and make it sound dope and kind of like, you know, combine a bunch of the things and take out some of the fluff and all those things.
And sometimes there was one time that it got a small detail wrong. guess it like combined a bio I was doing with like somebody else that I had asked it to, and it combines and they were like, I didn't do that. And so I'm like, oh, so in a while I read things with like, I glance up at you to make sure I'm saying all the right things. But yeah, shouts to chat GPT for making that bio said awesome. I mean, regardless of chat GPT does it or not, you've got a hell of a resume.
Logan Lewis (04:41.9)
Yeah. surprised. I mean, given my background, um, I'm like, man, I have accomplished a lot and tomorrow's my birthday. So yes, I'll be 34. Yeah. Yeah. You don't keep up. believe I'm 34. You're just like, all right, I'm You have a big party for turning 30 and then you're just like, all right, downhill from there. Back pain from here.
Thank you for your time, Stephanie. I'm so excited that you're here. I feel like we know a ton of people. Yes. feel like we're buddies with a bunch of mutuals like our good friend, the one and only Big Rich Brock. He's amazing. The iconic Big Rich Brock. Yes, he just did a show for us for our foundation. was looking out for you. I'm so sorry. I wanted to go so bad, but it just didn't line up.
next time I will be there. Okay, I'll hold you to it. We're having a comedy and dinner. I mean, a murder mystery dinner. Oh, so that's gonna be fun. When? Check out October at the VFW post. So, okay, out details for that. I will be looking out for details from that. This will come out a little, a little after that probably because I recorded so freaking many of these. Well, amazing. That's awesome. It's kind of a bummer to have to tell people that that episode's, hey, by the way, this will come out.
at Thanksgiving and they're just like, Thanksgiving. I'm like, yeah. But think about it this way. You get so excited because we're here together today. And then in two months, you're going to be like, my God, yes, this was fun. So you get to relive it with me and the rest of the world. But yeah, Big Rich, love him, shouts to him. He told me I need to talk to you. Another mutual friend, Whitney.
Yes. One and only. I love her. She's the best. She's amazing. We're cooking up something too. And by the time that this comes out, we would have already done the thing. So stay tuned for that. can't wait And her putting our heads together to do something kind of fun. So we're excited. I'm excited. Yeah. I'll tell you. I'll have to tell you about it off mic. Off record. Okay. So I get the inside scoop. You will get the inside scoop. This will come out after it happens. So we're doing a live show. Okay. And her together. And we're gonna
Logan Lewis (06:54.997)
do kind of like a fun format like this, only we're gonna invite guests up live to do like maybe 20, 25 minutes of conversation. And then we're gonna, and then we'll move on to another guest and we'll maybe do two or three guests and then banter between me and her. And I think it'll be really fun. We're gonna try to partner with some nonprofits to try to raise some money for them. So maybe we'll be talking to you about that. Did you know she was my second podcast I ever been on. Really? Yeah. Who was your first?
Roseanne with Mind Shift Thrive. Okay. Yep. Yep. And is this your third? Fourth. Fourth? Yes, I was on a summit. Wow. Well, I'm not sure that would be considered a podcast. It's more of like teaching, but. Hey, you're there. I there. I showed up. So yeah, can't wait to do that. else do you know? Who else do know? Matt and Buffy, Pain, I've not asked that before. Okay.
did recently come into contact with Buffy and scheduled her for the podcast. Yeah, she definitely needed to I'm super excited for that one. Whitney was like, need to get her. And I was like, okay, I'll try. And then she like coincidentally, by I guess the grace of God, she added me on LinkedIn coincidentally. And I was like, boom, look at that. Look at the Lord. In there. Yep. So I sent her a DM immediately. It probably came off a little creepy, but I was just like, hey, everybody in my life has been telling me that I need to get in contact with you. I love it. Yeah, they're amazing. They are.
Yeah, I can't wait to learn more. So Stephanie, tell me about yourself. So born and raised, where are you from? Parents, siblings, give me kind of your little origin story. All right. Yeah, so was born and raised here in Georgia. I grew up in Mariana. Then we moved to Pauldron County when I was in middle school. Given a back story, I didn't have much of parents, which launched me forward to why I do what I do now.
but so my dad was in prison since I was 18. He got out when I was 18. met him finally. Then my mom did drugs. She chased men, in and out of my life. My, me and my brother had to raise ourselves. my grandparents, they raised us. but they weren't like the cookie cutter. I mean, they weren't like the sit on the lap, you know, we love you. They were definitely rough and lots of
Logan Lewis (09:12.623)
And the details in there, I won't get to that, but so it was pretty rough past. and so I was always told I was never going to mount up to anything. And with my personality, I'm like, I'm going to show you. Yeah. Yeah. I'm not going to end up like my parents, you know? And so, you know, I got married at 18. I knew that guy at once since I was 15, we moved to Texas. He was in the army.
Yep. Lived in Texas. I used to tattoo in Pierce. You don't say. Yeah. I believe it or not. I have 12 tattoos. Really? Yeah. I've seen like a couple of them. Yeah. I see one here. Your ankle. Yeah. My dad did that with a CD player when he got out with a CD player. So it was like a Joe house tattoo. I'm not sure. Wow. Okay. Got some right there. Some on my shoulder and back, my neck and
behind the ear and everything. Yes, I'm tatted up. You hide it very well. I don't know if you intend on that, but you do hide it very well. You know, the, where the mullet where it's like party or business in the back. like, you know, I come off businessy, but then like when people meet me, like just on an off day, like today was a casual day at the beginning when I was telling you. So like, I'm like bumming it. And so people are like,
You do what you do. You know, some people can be judgmental or like, you know, not really knowing. crazy how far we've come with that. Like, yeah, the whole tattoo and piercing thing. I won't lie. Some piercings still kind of freak me out when you see certain people the way they've done. They've gone balls to the walls with it. But like the tattoo thing, like I remember, like when my mom got her first tattoo, when she was well into her 40s at this point, like she was afraid that her parents were going to judge her.
And I was just like, mom, it's a tattoo. She was like, yeah, but like back when grandma and grandpa were growing up, if you got a tattoo, you were trashy. You were a skate or a drug addict. Yeah. Are you in jail or in prison? So she was like, in their time, was so much. It was so different. Yeah. And as a kid, I was like, whoa, I had no idea. Because, you know, growing up in the 21st century, that's the only thing I've ever noticed, people having tattoos. Right. One thing I said to somebody the other day, though, is I was like, I can't wait to see like this generation as like
Logan Lewis (11:35.049)
Old people because they're going to be the first generation that has like elderly people with tattoos. I just can't wait to see that. What does that look like? know, it going to get like shrinking? Yeah, I'm just picturing the old ladies with like the arms just droops. But there's like a tattoo of SpongeBob or something. I was like, what the hell are you thinking back then? But.
Okay, wow. So what a past. mean, so you and your brother had to, are you the oldest? No, I'm the youngest. Okay. So you and brother raised yourselves. He helped take care of you when you were younger. Yes. Yeah. Wow. How far apart were you guys in age? We are 15 months apart. wow. So very tight. Yes. Yeah. And still tied to the stay? For the most part, he kind of went on a path of addiction and I chose not to. Sorry to hear that.
It's okay. He's in recovery and he's doing very, well. And so I'm very proud of him. Shouts to him. Yes. is. Shout out to him. And he's actually, when he gets fully recovered and gets out, he is going to join our nonprofit and really just start helping people give back. So I'm super excited. there's anybody that knows how to help out in that kind of work, it's the people that have been there and done it themselves. Yes. So that's killer. Good for him. Yes. What about mom and dad?
Mom's doing good. She's been recovered for eight years now. Good for mom. Let's freaking go. mom! Yes, very proud of her. She helps me. If she didn't watch my kids, I wouldn't be able to do half the things I do. So kudos to her. Dad, unfortunately, still not in the life, but we tried it out and he still wanted to party. We partied together when I was younger.
You know, in the teens and then at that time you were just like, this is cool. Yeah, this is amazing. Yeah. I'm going to tattoo by on blah, blah, blah, you know. but then after a certain age, I'm like, okay, you know, you're supposed to be the parent. Let's grow up now. Yeah. Understood. Sorry about that. But, but thanks for sharing that with me. yeah, but it led to where I'm at today. You know, if I didn't go through the things that I went through, I wouldn't be who I am today. So you wouldn't be here. Exactly. So
Logan Lewis (13:47.08)
Kind of walk me through that. Okay, so you know, you meet the guy, your husband, he's my way, my ex husband or my husband now. To us. So there is divorce. I'm just kidding. So okay, so army, Texas, live in Texas for a few years. And then how'd you get back to Georgia? Yeah, so I had my son, we had our son together.
We moved back to Georgia. He was getting medically discharged. We moved back to Georgia, had my son here and his mom just kept. At that time, I believed in a higher power, but we just never really went to church. She was like a devoted Christian and she's like, don't need to go to church. You need to change your life around. Still close to her to this day. Absolutely love her. She's in my book.
you know, with part of my testimony. She definitely prayed, you know, for our lives to change. And so, you know, I was scared to become a parent when I found out I was pregnant just because of how I was raised. And I didn't know what self-love was. I didn't know how love myself. Obviously, me and my ex-husband got a divorce. And so I just didn't know. We didn't know what true healthy love was. I was scared to become a mom and
When I walked inside the doors of that church, I felt this overwhelming feeling of just pure love. And it was just, everything was going to be okay. Everything was going to be okay. And then from that day, I dedicated my life to Christ, got baptized and just started serving the Lord with my whole entire heart. Wow. Yeah. It's crazy how it happens that way. And then, you know, of course me and my ex-husband got divorced, you know, a year or two later. I just, I'm not going to get into detail of that.
But know, life happened, we got divorced. And then I really went on a self discovery of just finding out who I really am because I didn't really know who I was growing up. I was told I was never going to mount up to anything. I was just, you know, getting spoken into negatively, just going in all different directions of just trying to find myself in all the wrong places, partying. You know, thankfully I never got addicted to drugs, but you know, I did, you know, party a little bit. And, and so I'm like, who am I?
Logan Lewis (16:10.097)
Like, who the crap am I? You know? And so, like, I just started discovering who I was and now I'm just dedicating my life to Christ and wanting to help people know who they are in Christ. Wow. Okay, so where are you age-wise when this, when divorce happens and you're kind of starting to rediscover yourself?
I think we, let's see, I had my son at 21, I turning 21, two, three. I think we got divorced when I was like 24. So you're still at a great age of like self-discovery. Like you're still really young and you have that opportunity to reinvent yourself as if, you know, some people go and get divorced at 50 and they're just like, well, now I'm on the back half of my life. Like, either I'm not going to ever re-find myself or re-find another person.
but you're still so young and you're in that age bracket where people are finding out who they are anyway. So it just kind of worked out in that way. Yeah, I never actually look at it like that. It's not like you're in your mid to late 30s getting divorced because by that time some people, I hope, know who they are. Right. But you're still at that age bracket at that time that
It's no different than everyone else. Yeah. So that's cool. Yeah, that is super cool. So where along the lines did current husband come into the current only husband only not current and soon to be. Let's see. We've been married for seven years, been together eight years now. So I think we met when I was I stuck at math, so don't get me.
numbers either for me. Anyway, so we've been married for seven years. I've been together total eight years. And now I have five kids. Five children. Five. Mom of five. Yes. Wow. God has a sense of humor. That's one of the things that I omitted from my bio. It says like devoted wife, mother of five, but I was like, what if it's not five? So I just skipped over the five. Like what if chat GBT messed up? Five. So I just skipped over five.
Logan Lewis (18:27.545)
Good one point for chat because I was scared for a second that it was five kids You don't really hear that much anymore. Yeah, I mean both of my parents grew up in families of Five and six kids. Mm-hmm to make better matters worse Do you name all your kids with the same first letter because my grandparents did that both sides? So now I'm already confused with my kids
So we're a blended family. So I have two 13 year olds, my son and my stepdaughter. We are fostering, but now have primary custody of an eight year old. Then I have my five year old and a four year old. Wow. Yes. Where did the foster situation come into play? So that is a very unique story. Okay. It is my husband's ex wife, but not his. Okay. So. from a previous marriage of her or a previous relationship of hers.
And then her and your husband were together and then now you and your husband are obviously together and that kid came with you or with him. So, were already, they're getting, they're married. She cheated on him and then, she was also pregnant with the boy. And then, as they're getting divorced, she's
going through a lot. That's why we have primary custody. And, and so we just took him in that way. He wouldn't end up in foster care. Hold on. My brain just had a aha moment. Is, is this boy the
What am I trying to ask? Brother? I'm just going to ask it. No, I'm just going to ask it and if it sucks, I'll edit it out. Okay. Is he the child of the woman, his ex-wife? Was that the cheated on situation? Yeah. he's not even raising the child that was given to his ex-wife through infidelity. hell.
Logan Lewis (20:40.074)
I break into the right place. Wow, that's powerful. Yeah. That's huge of you guys. Yeah. I I know it's not the child's choice what family he's born into. So it's not like it, you know, there's any fault or blame on him. But man, that's powerful stuff. Yeah, especially, you know, my husband because, you know, she cheated on me. This is the literal product of that. Yeah. Wow. That's huge of you guys. I love that. That's so cool. Thanks.
Sometimes I'm like, well, with all these kids at home, I'm like, no, I'm just kidding. Yeah. What if we left this one in the shopping cart? Definitely left in the shopping cart a couple of times. I know if by accident or on purpose, but I, it was always the disappointed look of like, oh, he found us. like, we didn't fast enough.
For real. When you get lost in the supermarket as a kid, that's a scarring experience. I still think about it today. Yeah. I got lost at white water. My mom, like, she turned around and she said, I just disappeared. Are you my real mom? For real. Are you just some lady that found me? Yeah. Wow. That's insane. Okay. So at what point, because I didn't even know this reading the bio, I was surprised. I knew that you're involved with.
the Never Alone Foundation, but I had no idea about Refined Lives. What's Refined Lives? How did that start? Yeah, so that's my private practice. I'm a biblical counselor and a life coach. And so I specialize in youth just because of how I was raised and from a broken family. I just really want to pour into kids and be their mentor, be their guide of letting them know your past doesn't define you, your family situation doesn't define you.
Who you are in Christ is what defines you and just really give them the tools that they need to, know, like school, they don't educate kids properly. You know, they just get told like, you need to memorize this. need this. You need this. Sit still, be quiet. But kids need to learn critical thinking. Kids need to learn. I almost say it's like our hygiene. We need to have emotional hygiene. Sure. And I use this story at some of our workshops for the nonprofit.
Logan Lewis (23:01.506)
The boy that we're fostering when he was probably like four, you know, we got him when he was three and he's been with us for five, six years now. And well, I keep saying foster, but we have primary custody of him now. But when he was like four, he had earwax coming out of his ear and my husband was like cutting his hair and everything. And I'm like, boy, don't you like clean your ears out? And he was like, Miss Stephanie, I was never taught that.
And it was just like a profound moment for me. It's like we gotta teach our kids, you know, hygiene. We need to teach our kids emotional hygiene as well. Basic life skills. Yes, basic life skills. human skills. Life, just how to operate as a person. Yeah. Wow. And it's great that you guys are doing that because I feel like there's a problem and you probably see this a lot. There's a problem in these younger generations where everyone has this victim mentality and like everyone's like,
Oh, my situation is the definition of me. Like I'll never be better because my parent that does not have to be true. That is. And I am proof of that. Yes. Because I could have ended up on the streets being a hooker, you know, doing whatever, shooting up drugs. But like I did not want that to be my reality. I did not want that to be my life. Yeah.
You can, are, I am of course believe in a higher power, but I do fundamentally believe that you are in control of your destiny and you have every opportunity to not let that life suck you in. And I actually have someone you should meet, I need to write this down. I just did an episode with somebody a couple of weeks back and she has a very similar story to yours and now she has this whole creative agency called like the Creative Christian Collective or something.
Like does all helps like other Christian entrepreneurs, you know, take advantage of their skill sets and just rise in power, I guess. I don't know. Rise in happiness, maybe. I don't know. I'm losing my words, but you two would would cook up some good stuff together. So maybe I'll have to. Yeah, I her episode comes out next week. Next week of us recording this. But yeah, I have to send you that so that you can listen because her stories.
Logan Lewis (25:18.322)
very similar to yours. Just in terms of like how you guys were raised and like mom chasing boys and falling into addiction and stuff like that. So it's a very, very small world. It happens to a lot of people, unfortunately, and it doesn't. And I was lucky to not grow up in an environment like that. And I never realized until I met other people and like, like had conversations like these that like, I'm the minority. A lot of people had really, really rough upbringings.
I'm lucky to say I didn't, but it's sad. It's really sad. I was just about to say it's very sad because it should be the opposite. People need to grow up in a marriage home, you know, with both mom and dad. And now it's blended, broken. One or both parents are not there. And it's very sad. It is sad. but you can.
Take control of your life and make sure that there are better days ahead. And that actually kind of leads me into a transition I want to make real quick, Stephanie. I want to tell you and the other people listening about one of my good friends of the podcast. Can tell you about them? They're called Good Days. Canned cocktails. Guys, Good Days is a partner of your morning drive. They've been partners with me and the podcast for
Close to two years now, they're a local Marietta company. They make great drinks for you to consume year round. They might look like pool drinks, but they're a great drink to have, whether it's Christmas time or Valentine's Day or the middle of the summer, like it is right now. So check out Good Days, they're local company. Go to their website, you can check out where they're sold near you. This is a gin and lime flavor. They've also got a whiskey sour, vodka cranberry and a vodka lime flavor. There's something for everybody.
So go and check them out. Again, local company. They're great friends of mine. Tell them that Logan sent you and maybe they'll throw some good days at you. We love to support local and Good Day supports us so we support them. Shout out to Good Days. Go to their website, drinkgooddays.com. Find out where they are sold near you and of course you must be 21 years of age to purchase and consume. Okay, so we've got Refined Lives.
Logan Lewis (27:33.566)
And so I said in the intro and you said it there again that you're a certified like Bible counselor. That's the term that you used, right? Yes. What does that mean? But also, is that like a certification you have to go through and get from like an organization or a church or how does that work? Yeah, so it's definitely different than state license. I didn't want to go that route because I do want to teach and bring up Jesus because oftentimes
There's a lot of red tape and I'll see any and everybody, but I want people to know when they come to me, you know, it's going to be scripture based and I'm going to, I'm going to bring up Jesus. Like, cause oftentimes when they're licensed, the person has to bring up Jesus. So when people come to me, then they know like, no matter what it's going to be biblically based. And so, yeah, so I went to seminary school, Luther Rice College and seminary also, like university, AACC. I have probably over like,
300 hours of just like credentialing and education. Yeah. Plus I just love learning. You know, I had to drop out when I was in 10th grade, so I never got to graduate. so never finished high school. No. Whoa. Yeah. That's so cool. Yeah. mean, at the time it probably wasn't, but look at you now. Wow. Okay. Continue. Yes. And so like I just,
I think a lot of people don't like school because they have to get told what to learn. And so I love learning just what I love to do. And so maybe that's it, but I just love learning and just getting a lot of knowledge because people can't take away your knowledge. so, yeah, so like probably like 250 to 300 hours of education. Wow. So then would you would you throw yourself in the category of like a
I'm going use this word very, very sparingly, but because it's not mentioned in the intro that I read, but would you consider yourself a therapist? No. More of a coach? Yeah. Because I know there could be a distinct difference. Yeah, biblical counselor and life coach. Okay. Yeah. Okay. But not therapist. People aren't coming to you for therapeutic reasons. Yeah, very deep. Thanks. the things that you do help them.
Logan Lewis (30:00.137)
coach out their life on, like you said, you tackle it from a Christ perspective. That's how you angle your advice, your coaching, your program, whatever. It's all Christ focused. Right. And, you know, we, I meet people where they are. So like, even if we touch just a little bit, like on their like past, you know, just to help them like uncover some backstory and everything. But we don't go like deep into like,
EMDR, know, like deep therapy tools. Really, I just like to get their past and give them the tools to keep watching them forward. Hmm. Very cool. Yeah. Very cool. And then you're involved with the Never Alone Foundation, which did you start this? Does your husband start this? My husband and I both started both together. Yes. And you started this obviously because you're passionate about mental health. Yes.
Am I mixing this up with another organization or are you guys, do you guys do a lot of stuff with like first responders and veterans and stuff? Or is that Buffy? That's Matt and Buffy. Yeah. But we have done, we've partnered together. So do you guys just kind of tackle mental health and, and those kinds of subject as a whole, not just like the veteran and first responder? So we don't just single, um, like art. Yeah. Like what you're just saying is like a whole,
You don't have like a niche per se. Okay. Yes. It's like we are partnered with the VFW post. We do workshops with them. You know, we had the comedy and dinner. We're doing our murder mystery dinner. We actually have a workshop coming up with them. But yeah, we, we partner with churches. We really want to bridge the gap between church and mental health because oftentimes the church is the frontline to a lot of things, natural disaster.
homelessness, food banks, clothes, you know, everything. And when people turn to the church about mental wellness, you know, they can get over-spiritualized, like, you sure you're not praying enough? Are you sure you believe in God? That's not what you want to hear when you're going through it. Exactly. Because, you know, as someone, even if they aren't Christian, it's like we all struggle. And that doesn't mean I love God any less. Maybe, you know, I have chemical imbalance. Maybe I'm just having an off day.
Logan Lewis (32:20.925)
tons and tons of things. And so, you know, it's really educating the church of not over-spiritualizing it, just, um, you know, educating them to know more about mental wellness and that everything's not sinful. Why do you think, I mean, this might be a dumb question, but why do you think
The church doesn't.
know how to ask. You mentioned that people, they turn to churches for a lot of things, but they don't always look to a church for mental health assistance because of the fact that they might get, for lack of a better way of saying it, too god-y or too Christian-y about it or too spiritual. Do you think that's the main reason why people don't turn to the church for that kind of support?
be a reason, also, you know, pastors and people go to pastors for counseling, but it's not obviously like licensed counselors or anything, but the pastors can only do so much and then they have burnout. And so, you know, if people aren't educated enough about mental wellness, having the tools that they need, then it can turn to, well, just make sure you read your devotion, which is great. Everyone, you know, like you need to get the word in, but you know, like, hey,
How about try not to believe every negative thought that comes to your mind and give them tools and practices to work on that. Because, you know, we all learn bad habits along the way of life. so unlearning bad habits takes time. And so creating new habits takes time and working with someone in that instead of just saying, Hey, just, you know, go pray or go read this. You know, yeah, it's like, yeah.
Logan Lewis (34:12.797)
I see where you're coming from. that's great. I love that you guys are doing that kind of work. And the more that you are able to partner with churches and other organizations like that, the more it might open church's eyes and be like, well, if we tackle it from this perspective, then maybe people would be more accepting of what we're doing. And then in turn might to get to know Jesus and Christ and Jesus and Christ, Jesus and God.
as a result of the help the church gives rather than them not imposing, rather than shoving that down your throat when you're in the time of need that you don't necessarily need to hear all of that. It help, but it's nothing like going to somebody and saying, I really need help. And they're just like, you should listen to this thing or read this thing. you're just like...
That's not what I need right now. Right. Or if like someone's hungry, you're not like, all right, you need to read James chapter two, this verse. Just hungry. Give me some food. Yeah. Give them a sandwich. Open the door for conversation or relationship. And then it can lead into something, hopefully, you know, like don't just, you know, yeah, yeah, don't get in their face about it. So what are some, since you guys are running this, this nonprofit,
What are some misconceptions that people often assume about the nonprofit life or maybe would assume that an organization like yours does or doesn't do and you're just like, actually, that's not true. there, are there things that you guys come across here and there that you're just like, actually, that's not what we do or that's not how we operate? I don't think we've came across anything as of yet. know we're only two years old.
So, this is crazy because I feel like you guys are respected so much based on just social media and like, you know, word of mouth from other people. I just feel like, like when I said like that, this was like long anticipated, like I would have just, if you, if I hadn't, you hadn't told me that I would have assumed assumed you guys have been doing this ever since you guys met, right? Like you guys just have that reputation. So
Logan Lewis (36:26.14)
I mean, God's opening up doors and things are happening. So as we're still developing, we don't really have any like misconceptions. Maybe just that, you know, we need money. Like nonprofits do need money to operate. You know, thing about nonprofits is that they're not profiting, so they need money to operate.
And nobody's getting paid. Like this is more of a ministry for us. So like nobody's getting paid. Like literally all the proceeds go to providing funding for people that can't afford counseling services. Your husband do not pay yourself from this. No, wow. No, eventually we do want to pay other people, you know, like for administrative work and social media and everything to take the load off my plate. but yeah, no, this has always just been a ministry for us. And cause you know, people just
Like I said earlier, they don't really have the tools that they need. so I, you know, we just want to give back and really help people, just learn how to be emotionally healthy. Yeah, I love that. That's, that's a good mindset to have. And it's, it's really important, especially today in this age of like, in social media and just everyone always being online and on their phones and in their heads about everything. It's, it's a, it's a service that's needed, more often than not.
Yeah. Especially, you know, cause I'm a mom of five have my business, the nonprofit. And so, you know, life can get very busy and not to mention how the heck do do it? Not to mention. like me and my husband just got on a kick of waking up at three 30 in the morning to get to the gym at four to go workout on top of that. Um, were serial killers. But
you get it done right away. Yeah. And then you have the whole morning. Right. The whole day. Yes. Really the morning because they always say like working in the morning. Well, first of all, working out in morning, they say is like really good for you. But like also like getting stuff done in that like couple hours before other people are awake. Yes. It's so helpful. It is. Because I've been debating doing the same thing like getting up dumbass early like five o'clock in the morning. Yeah. Have a couple hours of just crunch time.
Logan Lewis (38:51.002)
And it really is a game changer. wouldn't say 3 30 in the morning because we are a little crazy doing that. Do you guys, did I see your store? Do you go to burn? So I go to burn bootcamp also. So I leave my husband from planet fitness and then I go to burn bootcamp. So you're doubling up. Stephanie is double doping on the gym. Wow. My wife is on my butt to try to get me to join burn. You should.
Logan Lewis (39:20.406)
Look, once you get there, some of the days are going to suck. Don't go on a con date. No, don't do that. My wife is there right now. But you'll absolutely love it. You're going to hate it while you're doing it. But then you're like, man, I feel so good. It releases all the happy. Did you know working out is the number one antidepressant medicine? I did not know that. But now that I do, I definitely need to go.
No, but by the time this comes out, hopefully I'm in two, three months into my gym journey. Yes. Because I just need to get in shape. It's I've fired all the freaking time and my energy levels are so low. It's going to change it. You're absolutely going to love it. You will love doing it. And then like you were saying earlier, like the early bird gets the worm, you know? And so I know with me, because I got to wake up my kids at 6 30 to get all of them ready for school. And so I can go work out.
Then I even have like 30 minutes for my devotional time. And then, you know, I may knock out some, couple of emails and I'm already like set for the day. Right. All right. Let's do this. I've done all this stuff and it's only sick. You know, um, it allows you to be, it started to keep cutting you off, but it allows you to be able to keep, it allows you to be able to take that time to be with your kids and help them get ready for their day. Cause then once you see them off, you're like, all right, now they're out of my hair for five, six hours. Now I can continue. Yeah.
Huh. Now when like seven or eight o'clock kids, I am in my bed. Really? Yeah. I am tired. Do you go to bed? Yes. Wow. And then what time do you get up? 3.30. Where have you been this whole story?
Logan Lewis (41:11.834)
You're in bed. You wow. So you kick butt from three to seven and then you get in bed and sleep till three. And then you wake up, get them from school or help them get situated, get home. then you wait, wait, wait. Did I miss something? Okay. As seven or eight at night, not morning. Oh my God.
that you kick ass from you kick butt from from from 4am to 7am and you go to bed for eight hours and then I was I was trying I was like I was like so when the hell do you run your business like how do you make money your husband just kicking butt he is the breadwinner but what's he do
He is an electrician. He's been in his business for 22 years. this something that he does self-employed? So his uncle, he passed away eight years ago, nine years ago. I wasn't able to meet him, but he took over the industrial side. that. Love that. Shouts to uncle and shouts to husband. that's awesome.
So he's doing that stuff and he's the breadwinner, like you said. So it's giving you the chance to grow your business and have you two together doing the nonprofit. So that's really cool. Yeah. Very fun. Yeah, it's fun. You know what else is fun guys? Swag. Swag is fun. yeah. No, I'm not talking about Justin Bieber's new album swag. I'm talking about how important it is. And I'm sure you know this as a nonprofit owner, as a business owner, you know how important it is.
to have good swag for your business. It's crucial because you want your logo out there on cool cups or cool pens or hats or whatever. It's important to have that stuff. If you guys are looking for that stuff, I've got a guy. I've got a connection. name, well, the company's name is called Branded and Devoted Designs. They're a local company. Again, Your Morning Drive supports local. They're local company based out of the great city of U Harley.
Logan Lewis (43:25.203)
and they do hats, t-shirts, tumblers, golf tees, golf balls, books, notebooks, pens, the whole nine. They can put your logo on anything, phone cases, literally anything. When I first met them, I was like, what can't you put my logo on? And he was like, I don't really know. He could probably tattoo one on you, and I know that goes up your alley. if you're trying to level up your swag game, everybody knows how important that is. If you're trying to level that up, go to their website.
get in contact with them, brandedanddevoteddesigns.com. Let them know that you know me or that you heard about them through the podcast and they'll hook you up with 10 % off. So it's a win-win. Upgrade that company swag. If you're due for a t-shirt refresh, try someone new and support local and support branded and devoted designs. We appreciate them very much. They supply all of the merch that your morning drive has done that he's made countless notebooks for me for note taking and
pens and just everything they they coasters literally the whole nine yards they they do it for your morning drive so I want them to be able to do it for you to check them out let them know that I sent you and get that 10 % off yeah I'm definitely gonna have to hit them up because we need more swag well I will happily connect you to after we're done today thank you yeah great people and just easy to work with and fair on
pricing and just they're great. I love them. So having them partner with your morning drive was just a given. It was just like, duh, these people make great merch for me. They should be able to make it for everybody I meet. Yeah. So and there's nothing I love more than seeing my friends win. So I had a brain fart, but man, that stinks. Brain fart. I hate when that happens. What was I going to say? I don't know.
Yeah. And then you go down like a rabbit hole of like, Oh crap. And I'm impressed always when people are like, Oh yeah. I'm just like, man, they're able to reel it back in. When I forget something, it's out there in the ether. If I come, if it comes back to me, it's going to come back to me at like 2 AM. be like, I remember what he's going to say. And my wife said, go back to bed. And I'm just like, okay. Or you can wake up and go work out at that time.
Logan Lewis (45:42.679)
Two o'clock is only an hour and a half away from your husband or getting up to go to the gym. I'm so glad that I know that you don't go to bed at 7 a.m. and then wake up at 3 p.m. I was like, wow, what a nocturnal thing. I mean, it makes kind of sense. You go to sleep while the kids are at school. I couldn't do that. You are. So you are in bed early. Yeah.
this. You're going home, you're spending time with kids, getting dinner, and you're going to bed. Yeah, thankfully my husband's taking care of dinner tonight, but yeah, just getting them laid down in bed and then I am going to go to bed myself. Yeah, yeah. I to go to bed last night at eight o'clock. Did not work out for me because my wife's a teacher in Cobb County, so she had her first day of school yesterday. And so she was like, I am going to bed at seven o'clock. And I was like, I'll join you.
And I had the most trouble falling asleep. Yeah. It wasn't great, well, kudos to your wife being a teacher. That's hard work. Yeah. I mean, I, you know, deal with youth as my clients, but having, you know, like 28 students per one adult. Yeah. Luckily this year she's got a, parapro teachers assistant. I don't know what the official term is, but I've heard those two names tossed around, so I'm going to use those.
Luckily she's got help this year, but still so tired. Yeah. Like I was talking to her on the way to this and she was like, yeah, tonight's going to be a do dinner on your own tonight because you got your podcast. I'm going to the gym and I'm going to bed. And I was like, understood. Understood. So for, so I assume then your main source of income is the, is your, your, your business, not the nonprofit, but, refined lives, lives. Yes. I, I, I made the joke earlier and I,
kind of want an answer. How do you do it all? How do you have the time? How do you have the time to do this business for yourself? Be a mom of five kids, be a wife and a friend to all of your friends. And then plus you guys are doing this non pro. mean, how do you guys do it? So it's very hard and that's where like mental health comes in. It's not easy. I promise you. I get asked that question all the time. Like how do I do it? But
Logan Lewis (48:05.494)
Really, I give myself grace because I think we live in this world of we need to be perfect all the time. We need to do this. If we feel tired, if we just don't want to show up somewhere, we beat ourselves up or we don't want to let people down. It's unfortunate. We're in like people pleasing modes or we're trying to keep up with the Joneses. And that's really like I was telling you, self discovery. Like I know who I am. I need to be comfortable, you know, within myself that way.
I'm not trying to people please. I'm not trying to be someone I'm not. So, you know, if I'm tired some days, hey, you know, I told people I'm a little tired. Sorry, I'm not bringing so much energy, but you know, this is, this is what it is. And so just being truthful and honest, giving self grace, time management is very, very important. You know, I, with my temperament and personality, I suck at time management, but I've gotten a lot better.
I'm the visionary fun. like to, you know, just goof off and everything. My husband's the more like structure and analytical and detail oriented. And so like we really helped like balance each other out and just being intentional with time. And each season of life is just different, you know, like now all of our kids are in school. And so that gives a little more time for me to focus on work during the day that I can accomplish and be intentional with that.
And you know, like so each people, each individuals have different seasons of life and just giving yourself grace in that. You know, some people may be empty nesters, so they have lots of free time or if they're trying to, you know, have a side business. So just knowing where you are in each season of life and giving yourself grace, just knowing how to navigate that is, is really important. So I think to answer the question, I'm not sure if I really answer the question, is just grace and be intentional with time. so intentionality is
My kids come first and then everything else comes second. Yeah. And that's why I went, that's why I love that can create my own business, create my own hours because you know, I want to be that room mom. You know, I want my kids to join sports. I don't want everything to be about me, you know? So I want them to be able to live life and have the life that I didn't have one. Not that we spoil our kids, but you know, we are a disciplinary. We're not the gentle parenting. know, every, every parent wants to give their kid what they didn't have.
Logan Lewis (50:32.263)
Right. So I mean, you're doing that. And being there, you know, showing up, not being the... It's half the job right there. Yes. And you know, there's even parents that are maybe still married and are there physically, but emotionally and mentally they're checked out either because there's like scrolling on their phone, which I can do that sometimes. I'm not knocking anybody or just really just being, you know, checked out and not being fully present, you know.
giving people attention that they need. And so I'm just trying to be very mindful of giving my kids the correct proper attention that they need and helping them grow into hopefully mature adults. That makes total sense. Kind of on the time management piece of things, I want to start asking everybody this, so you're going to be the first. Yes. Is there a tool or a program or a software or something that
you use to run your business, whether it's day to day or every week or you use it, I don't know, however often, that you simply could not do your business without? No. Really? My brain. Wow. I envy you because anytime I get served like an ad on Instagram that's just like, you should use this scheduling tool. I'm like, ooh, and then I sign up for a free trial and I forget about it.
That's it's the worst because anytime I see a new software, I'm like, Ooh, let me see that. Yeah. Let me change my entire system. Accounting software. just changed my entire accounting software because I was bored. If you ask my husband that he's more of the tech software detailed me. I'm old school paperback. like I saw your notebook when you, when you came in. Yes. I like my phone is the most technical thing that I have as far as like software.
My husband, he would totally give you probably like five different answers. yeah. Yeah. I'll bet. So tell me about your book. Yes, I got it with me. It's called Divine Worth. Divine Worth. Look at that. A biblical workbook for understanding self-worth, transforming the mind and walking tall in Christ. So this year is a little bit about like my testimony, how I grew up and then also some just reflective questions, exercises of
Logan Lewis (52:48.475)
Like I was saying earlier, not believing every negative thoughts, distorted views, and just really digging deep within yourself of knowing like who you are, knowing your strengths and weaknesses. Because when people are self-aware, you can conquer anything. When you know your strengths, when you know your weaknesses, when you know your triggers, it really just takes a load off of yourself and your environment and situation because you know how to kind of, I wouldn't say better respond, but
you can respond more in a healthy way. Sure. You know, makes total sense. Absolutely. And then what do you have in? What's that green bag over there? So this is for you. It's nothing like fancy or major, but this is, this is just from the nonprofit has some wristbands about mental wellness or business card. I'm a bookmark. I'm not sure if you're a reader. I am a reader. love that. In fact, I have for the past, like,
six months been like, I need a bookmark. I'm tired of doing the dog ear. Rich Rock. Because I never called it dog ear. I never knew about that until I saw his stand up show. he's just like, remember dog ear in the Sears catalog? Yeah. Or the JC Penne catalog. Penne. Shout out to you, Rich. But this is lovely. Thank you for this. I love this. I love I love swag. I love paraphernalia.
which fits because that coffee cup right there is yours as well. So now if you're in coffee or a tea or whatever drinker, you can throw it in your morning drive and there's a sticker and a business card in there too. look at gifts for everybody. Gifts all the way around. love that. I love this pin that's in there too. this a, which? No, we're not brand. I said, I need to get more branding. We, that's a, just a mental wellness. May is mental health month. I love this. This is awesome. I can't wait to wear this.
And so I do need, need to get your, the guy that you're just saying that does the swag and everything. Cause we need to buy some more like for pins and shirts and all that. Yeah. For sure. Get you as contact, but this is, this is really cool. Thank you for this. love this. And yeah, the coffee cup and that white envelope underneath is yours as well. You can look at that later as well. So look at that. Look at this gifts all around. I'm going to tell you.
Logan Lewis (55:08.89)
about one more friend Stephanie of the podcast and then we are going to wrap here in a second. But if you're looking to elevate your business or brand online, I just told you about branded and devoted designs. They help you in the physical space. But if you're looking to level it up online, Hammerhead Creations can be your friend. Hammerhead Creations, offer top tier marketing services like social media, website design,
Google optimization and general marketing consulting. They also love podcasts like me. So if you are trying to start a show of your own, if you're, if you have a show and you're just tired of doing all the admin work associated with it, because all my podcasters know there's a ton of backend work that goes into this. So if you're tired of doing that stuff, ask Hammerhead Creations for help and they got you go to their website, hammerheadcreations.com to discover how you can take your business or podcast to the next level.
and then you too can swim with the big sharks. Stephanie. Yes. There comes a time in every conversation I have where I ask my guest a collection of questions that has nothing really to do with anything we just talked about. We just talked about your upbringing, your career, your nonprofit, your kids, all of those things. But now I'm going to get to know you as Stephanie. All right. I'm a little nervous. They're very first date like questions, very surface level stuff.
There's a deep ones in there, for the most part, they're just fun. What is your favorite movie?
Pride and Prejudice. Ooh, good one. Yeah. Good choice. I like it. What was your first job ever? First time you collected a paycheck? So I used to chop wood with my brother at a landscaping place. Really? Yes. Yeah. He was 15. I was 14. I was like under the table, but you know, I still get money from them. You know, not like I didn't use like an axe.
Logan Lewis (57:10.513)
I was what picture I was like, this little 14 year old girl is like, yeah!
Logan Lewis (57:17.201)
I did try and it didn't work out but they had you know Yes, yeah, so I did that's also insanely 14 year old but I mean hey it probably What would your walkout song be oh I do is win win win no matter what there you go perfect
Gonna be sure to jot that down. You'll know what that means at some point You get to organize a music festival who are your three headliners? Goo Goo dolls. Okay. I absolutely love them into it Dashboard confessional and
I can't think of a third one right now.
Logan Lewis (58:19.087)
My mind's going blank. That's okay. Goo Goo Dolls is a great, I don't know the other band, but Goo Goo Dolls is, I support it. So my husband and my kids just bought us me tickets for Mother's Day and we went a couple of weeks ago. First concert ever been, you know, I went to. What? Yes. First concert ever? Well, I went to like Winter Jam, which is like a Christian. So I'm not sure if that's gonna, people are like, that's not a concert. So anyways, Goo Goo Dolls, I'm like.
My husband and kids bought me the 7th Road tickets right there. I was like in love, amazing. It was amazing. Wow. I love that for you. That's sick. I was in heaven. We talked a little bit about self-love. On a day that you're not working, which is few and far between because if you're not working, you're a mom still, but on days that you have time to take care of you, how do you do that? Definitely working out. I like to either go to burn, shout out to burn boot camp.
or go hiking and then really doing absolutely nothing. I like it. like my self care days too. Just nothing. Yeah. Quiet. Yeah. On the couch. Yes. In hand. Yeah. Just. So just imagine having five kids in your house, constant noise, 24 seven and then nothing. Quiet. Wow. I have zero kids and
thinking about the fight, it's then kind of freaks me out a little bit. they're worth every noise sometimes until they're not. Yeah, they're worth it until they suck. Yeah. And then they need to go away. What is a piece of advice or a quote that really sticks out to you that you kind of live through every day?
Hmm.
Logan Lewis (01:00:12.131)
No, I have a lot of good ones. Most of mine are like scripture. Hit me.
physically, I went up my weights at burn boot camp. I can't defend myself. have an empty can of good days. Man. You know how when you're like, you have a brain fart, what you're just saying? My, my mind is going empty on that. Cool. What's your biggest fear?
Probably very tight spaces. You think so? Yeah. Does this room freak you out? No, no. One person told me before that the room kind of freaked them out. Really? How small it was. No, this isn't that small. Okay, good. But like pitch dark. Yeah. Like super. Yes. Like I can't move. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I hate that too. So you're not alone there. And then lastly, Stephanie, your main motivator, your main drive, your.
What gets you up in the morning? What is your morning drive? My family. Love that. So Stephanie, tell the people who you are, how to find you, how to get in touch with what you do. All of things advertised, Refined Lives. That's the name, right? Yeah, Refined Lives. Refined Lives. You were looking at me blank and I was like, oh no.
Advertise that advertise the nonprofit tell people events how to follow all of the things So I am Stephanie Almond. My husband and I founded never alone foundation. I have my private practice refined lives LLC You can find us on Facebook never alone foundation or refine lives You we have a website We also have Instagram
Logan Lewis (01:02:06.734)
You can purchase my book on Amazon or through me personally. I make more money that way. Yeah, you can find everything on on social media or our website. Do you want me to like spill out my website because it's pretty long. I will put the link to the website in the description of the episode so that you guys can just scroll down and click it if you're interested in any of the things that we talked about.
Stephanie, the hype was real. Thank you for doing this with me. Thank you. Make sure you to follow us because we have lots of workshops. It's free workshops, lots of fundraisers. Most of our money comes from fundraising. So we definitely, like I said, we don't get paid. Everything's free for the community, but we do provide mental health services for people that can't afford counseling services. So fundraising and people just donating and sponsoring us.
is really how we can give back to the community. So make sure you follow us, please. Love that. Yeah. We'll make sure to throw all the relevant things in the description so that you can follow and tune in and look at all of the things that Stephanie and her husband and her family has to offer for you and the community. Thank you for doing this with me. I loved this. The time to get to know you was great. I can't wait to see you in public inevitably at some point because we know so many freaking people. I will absolutely be at your next event.
I'll hold you to that. will, unless I'm out of town, but I will absolutely be there if I'm in town. But either way, thank you for your time, Stephanie. I appreciate it. Thanks. Guys, again, her stuff's in the description right below it though will be my information if you need to get in touch with me. If you want to follow me along, if you want to get in touch with Hammerhead Creations or Good Days or Branded and Devoted Designs, any of those you can. Thank you to them. Shout out to them. Shout out to Fireworks for having us.
and we will see you guys next time.