Episodes

How does one cultivate hope after multiple traumatic experiences? Marlene McConnell shares her personal story with me on her journey back to self, and practical steps to healing. All the way from Cape Town, South Africa she's my guest for this episode of Conversations with Nicole. Marlene is an author, speaker, podcast host, self-love teacher, and trauma survivor. I believe you'll find her story truly inspiring and relatable. She believes that trauma recovery is accessible to everyone and starts...

It's a new chapter for former South Carolina Representative Gary Simrill of Rock Hill, South Carolina. After 30 years in office, he retired from the legislature and is now at Winthrop University serving his hometown in a new way as special assistant to the president for community engagement. Gary was first elected to the SC House of Representatives in 1993. He was also the first Republican elected from Rock Hill. In Part One, he takes a look back at his three decades of service at the State Hous...

It's a new chapter for former South Carolina Representative Gary Simrill of Rock Hill, South Carolina. After 30 years in office, he retired from the legislature and is now at Winthrop University serving his hometown in a new way as special assistant to the president for community engagement. Gary was first elected to the SC House of Representatives in 1993. He was also the first Republican elected from Rock Hill. In Part One, he takes a look back at his three decades of service at the State Hous...

Cyril Prabhu is the founder of Proverbs226. He began the organization in 2012. The goal of Proverbs226 is to provide children with proper education and the tools to mend their relationship with their parent and/or parents who've been incarcerated. "Proverbs226 creates the positive momentum in a child's life that opens doors, allows healings, and drives change. Our volunteers, mentors, and involved parents are at the core of this momentum. Our process and programs provide the necessary support an...

Cyril Prabhu is the founder of Proverbs226. He began the organization in 2012. The goal of Proverbs226 is to provide children with proper education and the tools to mend their relationship with their parent and/or parents who've been incarcerated. "Proverbs226 creates the positive momentum in a child's life that opens doors, allows healings, and drives change. Our volunteers, mentors, and involved parents are at the core of this momentum. Our process and programs provide the necessary support an...

This Conversations with Nicole is so important! Please listen to Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver and Retired Army Major General Jim Coggin. Like many communities, Georgetown County, South Carolina is facing an opioid and fentanyl crisis. Georgetown County Sheriff Carte Weaver is hosting two forums that will explore the problem as it exists right now, with real numbers, and an in-depth look at local addiction. The Sheriff’s Community Forums are on October 11 at Pawleys Island Community ...

The world needs more laughter and that's what Brian Blanton delivers. Brian is a comedian. He's from Mullins, South Carolina. He performs in various comedy clubs across the southeast, but often you'll find him at the Comedy Cabana Comedy Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I hope you enjoy today's Conversations with Nicole featuring Brian and highlighting the world of comedy. He certainly made my day better and brighter!!! To learn more about Brian visit the thegrandstrandedcomedytour.com, on ...

Talk about Girl Power! Betsy Campbell is the owner of Campbell Accounting Solutions in Florence, South Carolina. The firm celebrates its 40th Anniversary in 2023. Her staff is all female and Betsy says, "we set ourselves apart from other folks by being more hands-on with clients and having a more casual office feel." What makes Betsy so proud of her business is that her father started it in 1983. He passed away in 2004 from pancreatic cancer. Now she works hard to continue what he started. Betsy...

Conversations with Nicole is going international! I love this lady's outlook on life! Chiquitta Pendergrass Rouse says, "True transformation can only happen when the mind, body, and soul are aligned in a way that empowers you to be your absolute best self." Chiquitta, affectionately known as Chi, is my first international guest! She is a native of Kingstree, South Carolina, but now resides in Doha, Qatar. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology at Fayetteville State University an...

Moms need support too!! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 44 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder. While the journey is challenging for these children, it's equally as difficult to know how to parent a child with autism. Thankfully, there is support for mothers who need help in their parenting journey. It's the sisterhood of Not Your Average Autism Mom. My guest for this Conversations with Nicole is Shannon Urquiola, the owner and found...

You are about to meet one of the most talented individuals I've ever had the honor of interviewing and sharing her story. Shannon Currie is the creator and owner of Brush and Broom in Mullins, South Carolina. She and her husband, Mike, bring old pieces of furniture back to life with their ability to build and paint. Shannon says, "We Make Furniture Art --- Bring us your old, boring furniture, and we will transform it into art!" She says, "Nothing makes us feel better than to see our clients' fac...

Get ready for the 13th Annual Joedance Film Festival, August 4 - 6, 2022 in Uptown Charlotte’s Fourth Ward neighborhood. The festival is hosted by The Charlotte Ballet Center for Dance. It honors the memory of Joe Restaino to raise funds for rare pediatric cancer research and clinical trials at Levine Children’s in Charlotte, North Carolina. Diane Restaino, President of the Joedance Film Festival, is my guest for this episode of Conversations with Nicole. She shares the history of the festival a...

Welcome to Part Two of my Conversations with Nicole with Tim Guin, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer for USA Truck. We'll call Part Two, "The Will and the Way." Tim shares his personal story of triumph, perseverance, and success. He had a difficult childhood but did not let those circumstances define him. Instead, he chose to rise above and lead a productive and meaningful life with God at the helm. Tim's story is inspiring. I'm blessed to call him and his wife, Sherri, my friend. For this reason...

Thank a Trucker! Imagine what life would be like if we didn't have truck drivers. Truck drivers are essential to our lives and all industries delivering food, supplies, goods, materials, and much more. This episode of Conversations with Nicole, among other things, brings awareness to the importance of truck drivers and the sacrifices they make for us. My guest is Tim Guin, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer for USA Truck in Van Buren, Arkansas. Tim's transportation career started with Swift Transp...

Hoarding! You've probably seen the TV shows about hoarders and the crews that go in and clean up the mess. That's just one of many life's messes and accidents that Spaulding Decon tackles. It's the company that helps you with the effects of an accident, death, property damage, or hoarding. Matt Nizzi owns Spaulding Decon in Charleston and Beaufort, South Carolina. Spaulding Decon has been in business since 2005. I hope you find this Conversations with Nicole about emergency cleaning, home restor...

The Global Leadership Summit has been described as an opportunity to promote faith-based leadership growth in the community. It's sponsored by the Global Leadership Network. The GLN says it's "a community of curious, growth-minded, change-driven people committed to developing their leadership skills to maximize their influence for the purpose of igniting positive transformation wherever they live and work." The Global Leadership Summit is Thursday and Friday, August 4-5, 2022. The event is broad...

It's a family edition of Conversations with Nicole! Meet Rockland Road! Yes, Rockland Road is a street just outside Nashville where numerous hit records from all genres have been recorded. But it's also the name of a family band featuring six musicians who share the same last name, Martin. Rockland Road represents four generations of musical heritage. They're all vocalists and play 23 different instruments. WOW! Paul and Jamie Martin began singing together in 2010 with their four children: March...

Everyone has a story, and I love sharing them on Conversations with Nicole. My guest today is Jessica Lowery, Owner, and Founder of The Power of Elderberries. I believe you'll find her story as to how she started her business interesting and relatable. I also believe if you're in search of more natural ways to stay healthy, then you'll appreciate learning about the power of elderberry syrup. Elderberries are said to help ease allergies, calm inflammation, and support the immune system. Jessica u...

"How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time," said Morgan Freeman. This is exactly what Niah Joye of Bennettsville, South Carolina is doing. She's changing the world with acts of kindness. Niah was inspired to help support the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault by setting up a lemonade stand. Through her efforts, she's raised more than $1,000 for the Pee Dee Coalition. Her grandmother is Sharon Woodham, the Parent Program Director, for the Pee Dee Coaliti...

Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime. WBTW News 13 and the American Red Cross are hosting an upcoming blood drive on Thursday, June 9th, from 11 am until 7 pm at Healthfinders at Coastal Grand Mall in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Magnolia Mall in Florence, South Carolina. All blood types are needed. All presenting donors will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice! Meg Heath with the American Red Cross...

Imagine the training, strength, preparation, perseverance, and dedication it takes to cycle from Astoria, Oregon, to York Town, Virginia, My guest for this episode of Conversations with Nicole will do just that on June 5th to raise support to send ten impoverished students in Belize to school this fall. Rev. Marshall Nord is racing in the TransAmerica Bike Race. Marshall is an ultra-bike cyclist. He is also the Chief Communications Officer at PathLight International. www.pathlight.org. PathLight...

It's a fashion edition of Conversations with Nicole! My guest is Patty Jones. She's the Owner of Centro Shoes in Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, South Carolina. It's a locally owned women's shoe and clothing boutique. Their flagship store is located on Reed Street in the Market Common district of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Their newest store is located in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, on Ocean Highway across from The Fresh Market. I love shopping at Centro Shoes! Not only do they have grea...

Have you ever considered Colon Hydrotherapy? What about V-Steam? These alternative health treatments have been in existence for a very long time. Even actress Gwyneth Paltrow believes V-Steam is beneficial. We'll talk about these alternative health treatments and others offered at Cleansing Waters Colonics in Fort Mill, South Carolina in this episode of Conversations with Nicole. Denise Reynolds is the owner of Cleansing Waters Colonics and she's my guest. I hope you find our conversation inform...

This Conversations with Nicole is "going to the dogs" and I'm happy about that! My long-time friend, Sam Rogers, is my guest for this episode. He's the force behind the Grateful Dog Festival in Florence County, South Carolina. It began in 2011 as a birthday party for Jerry Garcia, former lead singer of the Grateful Dead. Sam tells me as he planned this event, the tremendous outpour of community support led him to turn the party into a fundraiser for the Florence Area Humane Society. The festival...