In this episode of The SavvyCast, I share practical tips to help you prepare your home for surprise overnight guests without the stress. Whether you're a seasoned hostess or someone who likes to be prepared "just in case," these simple essentials will help you host your unexpected overnight guests with excellence!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• My personal stories of hosting unexpected guests

• Why having plenty of clean towels and washcloths is a must

• The best bathroom essentials to stock (including a bulk supply of Dove soap from Costco or Sam’s Club)

• Why having more pillows and blankets matters more than the amount of beds

• How to prepare sofa sleeping areas in a pinch

• Why keeping sound machines in guest areas is a good idea

• Stocking up on paper goods for easy clean-up

• Why milk (including almond milk) and cereal are a quick guest breakfast go-to

• Easy frozen food options to always have on hand that all ages enjoy

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In this episode, Jamie chats with Thomason Bryan Zoldock, founder of Winningly by Thomason, a consulting firm helping young women shine in pageants, sorority rush, interviews, and more. Thomason shares how she launched her business during the pandemic, her approach to personalized coaching, and stories from working with Miss America winners Madison Marsh and Abbie Stockard.

EPISODE AT A GLANCE:

• How Thomason founded Winningly by Thomason during the pandemic to specialize in pageant coaching
• How Zoom allows her to work with clients all over the U.S.
• A peek into her typical workday and client process for pageant coaching, Rush prep, and professional development
• Why her focus on interviews and resumes can make or break someone’s competition results
• How Rush has changed post-COVID and whether legacy status still matters
• Tips for learning how to “humbly brag” about your strengths
• How Thomason helps with job interviews, scholarship applications, and more
• The story behind Madison Marsh and Abbie Stockard’s rise to Miss America and what it was like to coach them

RESOURCES & LINKS:

• Visit her website
• Email: hello@winninglybythomason.com
• Follow on Instagram
• The Clothes Tree

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Melanie Shankle—New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and co-host of The Big Boo Cast—joins the podcast to discuss her latest book, Here Be Dragons: Treading the Deep Waters of Motherhood, Mean Girls, and Generational Trauma. Melanie shares her personal journey of navigating complex family dynamics, breaking generational cycles, and raising her daughter while fighting the “dragons” in life.

EPISODE AT A GLANCE:

• The meaning behind the title of her new book, “Here Be Dragons.”
• Melanie’s personal stories of dealing with mean girl dynamics during her daughter's high school years and recognizing patterns from her relationships with her own mother and grandmother.
• The steps she took to address and heal from past wounds and the importance of forgiveness, setting boundaries, and seeking wisdom through prayer.
• Valuable parenting insights into the challenges of raising teenagers and the impact of generational trauma on parenting styles.

RESOURCES & LINKS:

• Here Be Dragons by Melanie Shankle on Amazon
• The Big Boo Cast Podcast on Apple Podcasts
• Melanie's Previous Episode on The SavvyCast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
• On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle on Amazon

CONNECT WITH MELANIE:

• Instagram: @melanieshankle
• Website: The Big Mama Blog

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