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What does it really take to build a TEDx event and why does it matter?

In this special behind-the-scenes episode, I’m joined by my co-license holder Suzette Neff as we pull back the curtain on TEDxHandleyBlvd Women and look ahead to our upcoming 2026 event.

We share what we learned while attending the TED Next Conference in Atlanta, including powerful insights about storytelling, leadership, and the responsibility that comes with holding a TEDx license. We talk honestly about growth, challenges, and the intentional choices that shape an event designed to encourage conversations and ideas worth spreading in the community.

This conversation is part reflection, part vision-casting, and fully rooted in community. If you’ve ever wondered how ideas take shape, how leadership evolves, or what’s next for TEDxHandleyBlvd Women this episode is for you.

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In this episode of Keeping It Real with Sharon, I sit down with Andy Gail, CEO of United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley, for an inspiring conversation about the power of collaboration and community care.

Andy shares the heart behind the United Way’s mission, walking us through the many programs they support and the grants they offer to help strengthen our region. We talk about how local nonprofits don’t work in silos, but instead come together through the United Way to create real, lasting impact for individuals and families across our community.

What makes this conversation especially meaningful is Andy’s long-standing commitment to the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Long before stepping into his role as CEO, he carried a deep passion for service and truly understands that when organizations work together, everyone benefits.

This episode is a reminder that strong communities aren’t built alone, they’re built through partnership, compassion, and people who genuinely care. A must-listen for anyone who loves this area and wants to better understand how collaboration is shaping a brighter future for all.

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In this episode of Keeping It Real with Sharon, I’m joined by two amazing women—Sarah Abderrazzaq and Stephanie Ryall—for a fun, heart-filling conversation all about family holiday traditions.

Listen as we stroll down memory lane and share the traditions we grew up with, the ones that shaped our childhoods, and the little moments that still make our hearts glow today. From cherished rituals passed down through generations to the new customs we’ve blended into our own families, this episode is all about how traditions evolve as we do.

You’ll hear stories of honoring our roots, combining backgrounds, and creating fresh traditions that feel meaningful as adults, along with plenty of laughs and “me too!” moments.

If you love the magic of the holidays, the nostalgia of family memories, and the joy of building something new, this episode will make you feel right at home.

Grab a cozy drink, settle in, and celebrate the season with us. Let’s get moving into the holidays—together.