This week we’re diving into a conversation that every parent, grandparent, and caregiver needs to hear. We sat down with Hayden Wooten, owner of Tiny Fins Survival Swim, to talk about the mission behind teaching our littlest swimmers life-saving skills.

Hayden shares her personal journey—from how she first discovered survival swim lessons to the moment she and her husband decided to take a leap of faith and launch Tiny Fins. What started as a passion rooted in powerful statistics and a desire to prevent childhood drowning has grown into a thriving program helping families across our community feel more confident and prepared around water.

In this episode, Hayden walks us through what survival swim training actually looks like, how instructors are trained, and what parents can expect when their child begins lessons. If you’ve ever seen videos of infants learning to float and wondered, Is that really safe? or Could my child do that?—we’re tackling those questions head-on and busting some common myths and fears along the way.

With May being Pool Safety Month, Hayden also shares practical, must-know tips for keeping kids safe around backyard pools and water this summer.

This conversation is equal parts inspiring, educational, and empowering—and it just might change the way you think about water safety forever.

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https://www.gershman.com/loan-officers/jack-langley/

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This week we sit down with Allie Haas, a physical therapist turned wellness entrepreneur and founder of Chasing Wellness, for a conversation that goes far beyond traditional healthcare.

Allie shares her journey from pursuing the career she always dreamed of to realizing there had to be more to health than what the traditional system allowed. After facing her own personal health challenges, she began rethinking what true wellness looks like—and that transformation ultimately led her to create a self-pay practice designed to treat the whole person, not just symptoms.

We talk about the realities of today’s healthcare coverage, why she chose a self-pay model, and the core things she helps every client understand when they feel stuck or can’t get to the root of their health issues. Allie also opens up about the leap into entrepreneurship, the lessons she’s learned while building her business, and the advice she would give anyone considering starting their own wellness venture.

If you’ve ever wondered what “real wellness” actually means—or felt like there must be a better path to feeling your best—this episode will inspire and challenge you in the best way.

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https://www.gershman.com/loan-officers/jack-langley/

https://gatozarks.com/

https://www.arvesthomeloan.com/jdressler.html

https://www.bigfootfunpark.com/

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https://chasingwellnesspt.com/

During a recent presentation to a local group, we were asked a question we’ve never heard before: “If you could wave a magic wand to improve the housing market, what would you tell it to do?”

First of all… we LOVE the idea of having a magic wand.

But the truth is, there’s no single fix for today’s housing market. It’s not a 417-land problem — it’s a nationwide puzzle made up of many moving pieces. In this episode, we break down the realistic changes that could help unlock inventory, restore confidence, and create a healthier market for both buyers and sellers.

We talk about:

• Why inventory shortages are affecting the entire country
• The real impact of interest rates and why stability matters more than ultra-low rates
• How outdated zoning and regulations affect new construction
• Why some investors are holding onto properties
• The conversations Realtors need to be having with sellers right now
• How everyday living costs influence the ability to buy a home

There may not be a magic wand, but there are real, practical shifts that could make a big difference.

And we want to know… if YOU had the wand, what would you change?

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https://www.gershman.com/loan-officers/jack-langley/

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https://www.arvesthomeloan.com/jdressler.html

https://www.bigfootfunpark.com/

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As we continue our focus on living well, this week we sit down with Sunni Nutt, owner of Essential Yoga Studio, to talk about taking leaps of faith, finding balance, and listening to the quiet nudge that says it’s time for something new.

Before stepping into entrepreneurship, Sunni spent years serving our community through nonprofit work at Harmony House and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. While that was her day job, yoga had long been a personal passion. When the opportunity unexpectedly arose to purchase the studio where she taught, she faced a big question: Should I do this? After thoughtful consideration, she chose to take the leap—and her life changed course.

In this episode, we talk about the benefits of yoga, why yoga truly is for everyone, and why you’re never too old to begin. Sunni shares the realities of owning a studio, the challenges she’s overcome, the inspiration that fuels her, and the leadership lessons she’s learned along the way.

This conversation is all about balance, harmony, honoring your limitations, and trusting your inner voice when it calls you toward a different path. It’s an inspiring reminder that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is say yes to the life we feel pulled toward. Check out Essential Yoga at https://essential-yoga.com/

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https://www.gershman.com/loan-officers/jack-langley/

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This week on Simply Authentic, we sit down with Jeff Schrag, entrepreneur, community champion, and the current Mayor of Springfield, Missouri. https://www.springfieldmo.gov/ After a pivotal experience serving on a city committee, Jeff made the decision to run for mayor just a year ago—and it’s been a fast-paced first year in office.

In this conversation, Mayor Schrag shares why hiring City Manager David Cameron has been one of the city’s most impactful moves and how City Council has rallied around five key priorities: operational excellence, public safety transformation, economic vitality, housing strategy, and development processes.

Fresh off a ballot defeat for the convention center proposal, Jeff reflects on lessons learned from extensive community listening ahead of the April election and why those conversations will continue moving forward. He also opens up about leadership, drawing from his experience as a business owner and volunteer—highlighting the power of listening, transparency, and staying solutions-focused.

With the upcoming Route 66 celebration on the horizon, the mayor shares his excitement for honoring Springfield’s progress while looking ahead to what’s next for the community. https://www.route66festivalsgf.com/

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This week’s episode is all about pet peeves — those little things that somehow feel like big things. Why does loud chewing feel personal? Why does “reply all” make our eye twitch? And why do the people we love and work with seem to trigger us the most?

We’re unpacking what pet peeves really are, why they get under our skin, and how our upbringing, values, stress levels, and expectations all play a role. Most importantly, we’re talking about how to navigate everyday annoyances in the workplace and at home without damaging relationships or losing your sense of humor.

This is a lighthearted, relatable conversation filled with real-life examples and practical takeaways — including when to let things go, when to speak up, and how to communicate small frustrations in a healthy, professional way.

If you live or work with humans, this episode is for you. 😄

https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyAuthenticPodcast

https://www.gershman.com/loan-officers/jack-langley/

https://gatozarks.com/

https://www.arvesthomeloan.com/jdressler.html

https://www.bigfootfunpark.com/

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https://simplyauthenticpod.com/

Nobody likes making mistakes—especially leaders. But what if the moments we get it wrong are actually the biggest opportunities to build trust, strengthen culture, and model real accountability?

In this episode, we’re talking about the leadership skill that separates good leaders from great ones: owning your mistakes. We explore why admitting missteps doesn’t weaken authority—it strengthens it—and how transparency creates psychological safety, faster problem-solving, and stronger teams.

We’ll share real-life examples, practical language leaders can use, and why the simple phrase “that’s on me” can transform the way your team communicates and grows.

Because leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being honest, human, and willing to learn out loud.

https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyAuthenticPodcast

https://www.gershman.com/loan-officers/jack-langley/

https://gatozarks.com/

https://www.arvesthomeloan.com/jdressler.html

https://www.bigfootfunpark.com/

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This week on the Simply Authentic Podcast, we’re cutting through the noise and clearing up the confusion around VA loans with Senior Loan Officer Jack Langley of Gershman Mortgage. If you’ve ever heard that VA loans are complicated, less competitive, or “too good to be true,” this episode is for you.

As a veteran himself, Jack’s journey into the world of VA loans is personal. After experiencing the homebuying process firsthand, he realized there had to be a better way to serve those who have served our country. That realization led him from underwriting into lending, where he’s made it his mission to truly understand VA loans inside and out.

In this episode, we break down the misconceptions that often surround VA loans and tackle the questions that both homebuyers and REALTORS® are asking. We dig into the details of VA funding fees—how they’re calculated and what impacts them—along with the reality that while VA loans don’t require a down payment, there are situations where putting money down can be a smart strategy.

We also cover some of the biggest advantages of VA loans, including the fact that there’s no monthly mortgage insurance, and unpack eligibility—what it really means and how some veterans may even have the ability to hold more than one VA loan at a time.

Whether you’re a veteran considering homeownership or a real estate professional looking to better serve your clients, this conversation is packed with clarity, insight, and practical takeaways you won’t want to miss.

https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyAuthenticPodcast

https://www.gershman.com/loan-officers/jack-langley/

https://gatozarks.com/

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https://simplyauthenticpod.com/