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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From Miss Alabama to Real Estate: Jessica Gilmore on Faith, Family, & Career

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Tanya Foster: Her New Clothing Line & Best Style Advice for Women

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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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A Favorite Foodie Friend (And Author): Sophie Hudson

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From Bookstore Owner to Author: Annie B. Jones on Owning The Bookshelf & Her New Book

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RATE & REVIEW:

One of the best ways to support Family Savvy & The SavvyCast is by leaving a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Thank you for your support!

Jamie Tarence sits down with her niece-in-law, Annie B. Jones—author, podcaster, and owner of The Bookshelf in Thomasville, GA—to talk about her small business, her new book, and finding beauty in an ordinary life. Annie shares her journey from bookstore owner to first-time author, the heart behind her newly-released book Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put, and how she's learned to stay rooted and content in a fast-paced world.

EPISODE AT A GLANCE:

• How Annie became the owner of The Bookshelf 13 years ago and how it has grown to serve readers across the nation

• The Bookshelf’s book subscriptions, podcast, events, and gift ideas for kids

• What the writing process looked like—writing a book proposal, working with literary agent and Creative Director Jonathan Merritt, and choosing a meaningful title

• What inspired the title Ordinary Time and how it reflects her message of finding beauty in everyday life

BOOKS & AUTHORS MENTIONED:

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
• Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
• Children's books:

• • Sandra Boynton books

  • Giraffes Can’t Dance

  • Goodnight Moon

  • Each Peach Pear Plum

  • It Looked Like Spilt Milk

  • Pat the Bunny

  • Guess How Much I Love You

  • Paddington stories

• Annie’s favorite authors:
  • Marilynne Robinson
  • Elizabeth Strout
  • Anne Patchett’s nonfiction books
  • Lyndsay Rush’s poetry

RESOURCES & LINKS:

• Annie’s Podcast: From the Front Porch

• Buy Annie’s Book Ordinary Time from The Bookshelf or Amazon (available on Kindle & audiobook)

• The Bookshelf Subscriptions

• Annie’s Website

• Join Annie’s Patreon Book Club

• Reader Retreat | Be sure to subscribe to their newsletter for retreat updates!

• Book Tour & Virtual Event (May 8)

Let’s Talk: The Bookshelf Thomasville with Annie B. Jones

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How to Become a Writer and Publish a Book with Jonathan Merritt

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In this solo episode, I share my personal morning wellness routine—including how I use protein, creatine, collagen, and more to support energy, muscle health, and skin from the inside out. I also share my go-to coffee routine, favorite supplements, and tips for hitting your morning protein goals before a workout.

If you’re a midlife woman looking for practical ways to nourish your body, support your joints and skin, and boost your energy—this episode is for you!

Resources & Links:

• Starbucks Blonde Espresso Pods

• • Nespresso Original Line Pods at Target

  • Nespresso Vertuo Pods at Target

• Whole Body Collagen by Designs for Health on Amazon

• Designs for Health Creatine on Amazon

• Peachie Spoon Vanilla Protein Powder - Use code FAMILYSAVVY at checkout for a special discount on your order.

• AG1 - Tap this link and you’ll save $20 on your first subscription of AG1. Plus, you’ll get 5 FREE travel packs and a bottle of Vitamin D (a $76 value).

• ARMRA Colostrum - Use code JAMIET15 at checkout for 15% off your first order.

• Benefiber at Target

• Everyday Dose - My code SAVVY gets you up to 45% off on your first order.

Liked this Episode? Check These Out!

What I Eat in a Day to Hit my Protein/Fiber Goals

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10 Healthy Habits with the Highest ROI with Ellie Hiller

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Jamie sits down with Jessica Procter Gilmore—Miss Alabama 2017 and Miss America Top 7 finalist—to talk about her journey through pageantry, behind-the-scenes details of Miss Alabama, and how she brings purpose and service into her work as a top realtor, wife, and mom. From food insecurity advocacy to faith-filled motherhood, Jessica’s story is one of grace, wisdom, and intentional living.

• How Jessica entered her first pageant with no experience—and how she eventually went on to win Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen and Miss Alabama 2017

• What it was like to compete at Miss America and meet celebrity judges like Jordin Sparks and Thomas Rhett

• A behind-the-scenes look at the responsibilities and realities of being Miss Alabama

• How Jessica’s platform, “Step Up to the Plate,” helped fight food insecurity across Alabama

• The struggles she faced in pageantry and how her faith became her anchor

• Her love story: Meeting her husband at Church of the Highlands

• What her life looks like today as a wife, mom, and realtor, and how pageantry helped shape who she is today

Resources & Links:

• Single, Dating, Engaged, Married by Ben Stuart

• The Awe of God by John Bevere

• Follow Jessica on Instagram

• Connect with Jessica on Facebook

• Visit Her Website

From Wheelchair to Walking: A Miraculous Healing Story

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Living Your Best Life Beyond 60 with Ally Phillips

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In this episode, Jamie sits down with Bevelyn Williams—co-leader of At Well Ministries—for a powerful testimony of faith, redemption, and purpose.

Bevelyn shares how God transformed her life from a painful past marked by abuse and three abortions into a bold calling as a pro-life advocate. She opens up about her time in prison, how she mentored women behind bars, and the incredible moment she learned—through a news broadcast—that she had been pardoned by President Trump.

Note: This episode includes mature themes (abuse, abortion, drugs, incarceration) and political content as part of Bevelyn’s personal testimony. This episode is not meant to divide, but to share a journey that is uniquely Bevelyn’s. Her views are her own, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to listen with open hearts and minds.

• Bevelyn’s early life: Growing up with instability, abuse, and heartbreak

• A painful past: The emotional and spiritual impact of three abortions

• True ministry: True ministry begins when we stop judging and start seeing others through God’s eyes, offering grace and truth with a heart of compassion.

• Purpose from pain: Becoming a passionate pro-life advocate

• Life in Prison: What was daily life like, the struggles Bevelyn faced, & how she made an impact on other women during her incarceration

• The moment of release: Watching Trump sign her release on TV & reuniting with her husband and daughter

• Learn more about At the Well Ministries: atwellministries.org

• Hear more of her story on the Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey podcast.

• Read more about Bevelyn.

• Heather Payne’s Abortion Story & Ministry to Other Women

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• Ministering to Women Experiencing Unplanned Pregnancies with Kaycee Maddux

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Want glowing, youthful skin without breaking the bank? Join Jamie as she chats with Linda Webb from DRMTLGY, the skincare brand making professional-grade products affordable for everyone. They dive into must-have products, ingredient science, and expert tips to help you build a routine that truly works for you and your skin.

• The DRMTLGY Story – How they made high-quality skincare affordable

• Jamie’s Must-Have Products – Her top picks for cleansers, serums, and treatments

• Why SPF & Vitamin C Are Essential – How to use them for maximum results

• Skincare Science 101 – How ingredients work & what makes DRMTLGY stand out from other brands

• Building a Routine That Works – Essentials vs. luxury add-ons & avoiding skin irritation

• Shop DRMTLGY Products - Use code FAMILYSAVVY20 for a special discount!

• Follow DRMTLGY on Facebook and Instagram
  
  

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow along for more episodes, friends!

• My Mommy Makeover: Why I Did It & How It Turned Out

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• The Power of EVOO: Unlocking the Health & Beauty Benefits with Kosterina

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