Episode 1: Jan Barker
Jan Barker, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, shares her experiences from the leadership viewpoint of our organization. Jan has over 20 years of experience in the CEO role, previously serving Girl Scouts Glowing Embers Council. In our inaugural episode, Jan paints a picture of Girl Scouts and how we create girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
In this episode, you will learn:
– The fifteen empirically-supported outcomes of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience
– Stories of girls and the ways in which Girl Scouting has changed their lives
– The magical moments that girls need and how we create them
– The benefits of experiencing the girl-only environment
Tune in to hear Jan’s take on all things Girl Scouts!
Episode 2: Susan Monroe
“It’s not cookies, crafts, and camping anymore.” Susan Monroe, owner and President of Three Chairs Company, speaks with us about her experience in Girl Scouts and how it shaped her to be the woman she is today.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
– How her mother’s passion for camping inspired her own love for the outdoors
– How Girl Scouts contributed to her business sense
– Why Girl Scouts, as a girl-led program, is crucial and relevant today
Listen now to hear the inspirational story of Susan and her Girl Scout Experience.
Episode 3 – Sara Reedy
Sara Reedy is the Area Manager for Holt, Michigan; in this volunteer role, she provides support to leaders throughout her community. She is also a troop leader for both of her daughter’s troops.
In this podcast, you’ll learn:
– The importance of keeping things girl led
– The excitement her Daises experienced while camping
– How Girl Scouting showed her the importance of self-care
– The ways in which anyone can make a profound impact on the girls in our world
Tune in to learn about the magic of Girl Scouting, from the volunteer perspective!
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Episode 4 – Miranda Goodison
Miranda Goodison is a junior in high school AND a sophomore in college, with a head start on her career – a career she discovered in Girl Scouting!
In this episode, you’ll learn:
– How girls can shape their own individual Girl Scout experiences as Juliettes
– How Miranda found and began her career because of a Girl Scout field trip
– How Miranda is promoting STEM learning opportunities in her community while completing the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting
– Miranda’s perspective on why all girls should make Girl Scouting a priority in their lives.
Tune in for all this and more!
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Episode 5 – Ellie Mrak
Ellie Mrak is a junior in high school who is changing the world one small (and some large) act at a time. Throughout her Girl Scout experience, she has exhibited a passion for giving back to her community, and has plans in the works to impact the nation at large.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
– Ellie’s experience in a multi-generational Girl Scout family and the values she’s learned as a result
– The ease and importance of giving back in small and large ways
– The project she’s working on to build a national monument in Washington, D.C.
– How Girl Scouts showed Ellie that she can change the world
Listen now to hear this motivated and inspirational girl tell her story!
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Episode 6 – Josh Gettig
Josh Gettig, a business owner in the Kalamazoo Region, joins this episode to share his perspective as a dad to two Girl Scouts, a husband to a Girl Scout leader, and a member of GSHOM’s Board of Trustees.
In this episode, you will hear:
– Josh’s experience at our annual Girl Scout Cookie Bake-Off
– The transformation that he has seen in his wife and daughters while being involved in Girl Scouts
– How his daughter held his wife accountable to Girl Scout principles while on vacation
– Why Girl Scouts is so important for girls today
Listen for these and even more stories from Josh’s point of view!
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Episode 7 – Samantha McKenzie
Samantha McKenzie is a Girl Scout alumna who is the President and CEO of Hidden Harvest Food Bank in Saginaw, Michigan, an organization dedicated to alleviating hunger and eliminating food waste in the region.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
– How Hidden Harvest uses resources wisely and makes the world a better place
– Samantha’s Girl Scout experience that provided her first experience with grant writing, and taught her the power of the pen
– How Girl Scout values have been integrated into her family life
Listen to the episode today to hear how this Girl Scout Alum is changing the world!
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Episode 8 – Kimberly Carter
Kimberly Carter, B. S., M.A.Ed., Ed.S., is the superintendent of Battle Creek Public Schools, as well as a Girl Scout alumna. In this episode, she describes how being involved in Girl Scouts while being raised in a single-parent household was a game-changer for her, allowing her opportunities that she may not have otherwise experienced due to her cirucmstances.
In this episode, Kim will share:
– Her passion for helping children have access to quality education and experiential learning opportunities
– The importance of sowing seeds of success in the lives of children, as people have done for you
– How Girl Scouts built resilience in her and showed her that there is power within her to make the world a better place
Tune in to hear Kim’s stories of Girl Scouting changing her life!
Episode 9 – Liberty Torrence
Liberty Torrence is a Girl Scout alum, a mom to two Girl Scouts, and a troop leader for both of her daughters’ troops. She has a unique perspective on Girl Scouting since she gets to see the Girl Scout Leadership Experience in action for two different age groups at once, watching her daughters progress through the program while developing lifelong friendships and sharing life-changing experiences.
In this episode, Liberty shares:
– The GS memories she has from her childhood that inspired her to provide the same opportunities for her daughters
– How being involved in Girl Scouts as a volunteer has strengthened the relationships she has with both of her daughters
– A story about the time her girls found courage and confidence through rock-climbing
– Her perspective on how Girl Scouts has evolved to meet the changing needs of girls today
– The most rewarding aspects of being a Girl Scout leader
Tune in to hear Liberty’s take on Girl Scouting!
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Episode 10 – Paula Stott
Paula Stott is a troop leader for her daughter’s Junior Troop based in Bath, Michigan. The troop is a troop that is very active, especially in terms of community service. Paula is a lifelong Girl Scout, having been involved as a girl, and with each of her daughters over the last nearly three decades.
In this episode, Paula shares:
– How Girl Scouts became a part of who she is
– Her experience progressing through multiple volunteer roles
– The behavior system her troop uses to help girls hold themselves and other accountable
– How her troop told their elected officials that bullying others, even in adulthood, is not acceptable
– The goods drive the troop conducted to give back to troops overseas
Tune in to hear all about Paula’s experiences and how Girl Scouts has made a difference in her life.
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Episode 11 – Sheri Jones
Sheri Jones, news anchor for the CBS-affiliate WLNS in Lansing, is a Girl Scout Alumna who has established herself as a trustworthy and decorated professional, as well as a dedicated philanthropist who deeply values giving back. Sheri, an alumna of Michigan State University, was recently inducted into the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and was also honored with the Athena Award from the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, the South Lansing Community Service Person of the Year, and the Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. This is just a small glimpse at the recognitions that Sheri has earned for the work she has done for her community.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
• Sheri’s journey to being the first female on the crime beat and her extremely successful Crime Stoppers segment
• Her dedication to service over self and giving back to the community that she loves
• The importance of setting goals and a “sky’s the limit” mentality
Listen to hear first hand from Sheri about why Girl Scouts is crucial for girls today, as well as for our communities at large.
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Episode 12 – Amanda Harsh
Amanda Harsh is a Gold Award Girl Scout who became a Leader for her daughter’s troop before becoming the Area Manager for Heart of Lenawee. Amanda is passionate about Girl Scouts and has made great strides as the Area Manager.
In this episode, you will learn:
• How the Heart of Lenawee area successfully brings people together, adding another layer to the Girl Scout Experience
• Amanda’s perspective on how leaders learn, experiment, and grow alongside the girls
• What it’s like to lead a troop with multiple levels in it
Tune in to hear all of this and so much more!
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