First Lady & Friends
125 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 33 ratingsJoin Utah’s First Lady Abby Cox and her friends for timely and candid conversations with fascinating people with unique perspectives in an effort to unite us all through our common humanity. Each week, Abby dives into discussions on topics ranging from education to motherhood to mental health and beyond.
Abby is an outspoken advocate for “getting proximate” with people who have different viewpoints, and using her platform as Utah’s First Lady to combat the empathy crisis our country is facing.
Come along with us as we journey to bring courage, compassion and connection back into our homes and communities... and have a lot of fun along the way! THANK YOU for being our friend.
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Episodes
J.W. Davies on unified sports and further education for high school graduates with intellectual disabilities
February 16, 2023 07:00 - 44 minutes - 19.7 MBJ.W. Davies (Co-Founder & Tax Partner of Davies + Allen) joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about finding success in business throughout the state, the moment he learned that his newborn son, Tate, was diagnosed with Down Syndrome, and the importance that unified sports has had on so many athletes with intellectual disabilities. We also talk about how the inclusion of unified sports in the education system can have a massive impact on the social growth of a stud...
Encouraging diversity, equity and human rights with the MLK Commission
January 12, 2023 16:58 - 49 minutes - 21.6 MBMembers of the Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission join Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and to talk about the commission's goals of advocating for and supporting underserved communities throughout the state of Utah. We also discuss how the murder of George Floyd was a tipping point in society that has led to countless moments of self-reflection and exploratory conversations within our communities to bring us clos...
A Christmas anniversary/reunion with the friends!
December 22, 2022 07:00 - 53 minutes - 23.6 MBUtah Governor Spencer Cox, Owen Fuller (CEO at Marq), Kirsten Rappleye (Director of First Lady's initiatives), and Jon Cox (Principal at Utah Public Affairs) join Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to reminisce about Spencer and Abby's first time meeting each other, what dating in a small town looked like, and what all of the friends have been up to since the last time we got together. Then we dive into all things Utah Jazz including the surprises of the season so far and Wil...
Heather Vanboerum on finding forgiveness following an accident that would leave her a double amputee
December 08, 2022 22:59 - 49 minutes - 21.6 MBHeather Vanboerum joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about her passion for being outside and enjoying nature with her family, as well as the accident that took place in a Costco parking lot that would ultimately leave her on the verge of death and a double amputee. Heather also opens up about forgiveness helped her move forward throughout her journey, her physical and mental approach towards recovering from the accident, and immersing herself into the amputee co...
Jeremy Cunningham on positive mentors, finding his career stride, and raising awareness for Alzheimer's disease
December 01, 2022 16:13 - 45 minutes - 19.8 MBJeremy Cunningham (Public Policy Director with the Alzheimer’s Association, Utah Chapter) joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about how the growth in technology has made an impact on the mental health of our youth, moving to Utah with nothing to his name, and the impact that his grandparents had on his life growing up. We also dive into his background in marketing and public relations, the impact that positive mentors can have on your career, and how Jeremy's car...
Elizabeth Petterson on being a "lived experience expert" and getting involved in foster care
November 17, 2022 07:00 - 47 minutes - 21 MBElizabeth Petterson joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about growing up in Minnesota with a single-parent household, building resilience and independence through the foster care system, and learning to be a child once she was adopted out of the system by her aunt and uncle. Then we dive into our recent trip to Washington D.C. to speak with the Department of Human Services about some of the experiences with foster care in the state of Utah and to advocate for th...
Kara Bachman shares how USU's food pantry is helping fight against food insecurity
November 11, 2022 07:00 - 47 minutes - 20.9 MBKara Bachman (Food Security Program Coordinator for the Student Nutrition Access Center (SNAC) at Utah State University) joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about the experiences growing up that inspired her to pursue nutrition, food security, and social justice. We also talk about some of the main factors contributing to a rise in USU's food pantry usage, how local food pantries contribute to the student population, and other services that are available to comba...
Matilyn Mortensen on the evolving state of journalism
November 10, 2022 07:00 - 38 minutes - 16.7 MBMatilyn Mortensen (Writer for @UUtah Communications & Host of "This is Not a Back-up Plan Podcast") joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about struggling to admit that pursuing journalism could be an achievable goal for herself, how journalism has evolved over the past couple of years, and where traditional media helps bridge together communities. Then we talk about Matilyn's decision to use her journalism background to create, "This is Not a Back-up Plan Podcast"...
Creating an inclusive high school culture through unified sports with Alizabeth Fonnesbeck, Bracken Hertzler, and Steven Hadfield
November 03, 2022 06:00 - 1 hour - 38.4 MBIn this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Bracken Hertzler, Steven Hadfield, and Alizabeth Fonnesbeck, who are Mountain Crest High School students, to talk about their decisions to start getting involved in unified sports, some of their fondest experiences that they've had through unified sports, and how unified sports has helped create a more inclusive atmosphere throughout the school. We also talk about some of the mental health challenges that h...
Dustin Smith on developing socially responsible athletes that can make a difference
October 27, 2022 16:26 - 34 minutes - 15 MBIn this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Dustin Smith (Founder and President of Especially for Athletes) to talk about the inspiration behind creating E4A, the need to develop socially responsible athletes who can make a difference in the lives of others, and understanding the impact that social media can have on our teenagers. We also dive into various ways to target high school culture to promote positive change, the inspiration that comes from ...
Effecting societal change for child sexual abuse with Kacie Malouf and Dr. Susan Madsen
October 20, 2022 06:00 - 51 minutes - 22.7 MBIn this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Dr. Susan Madsen (Founder and Director, Utah Women & Leadership Project and Inaugural Karen Haight Huntsman Endowed Professor of Leadership) and Kacie Malouf (Malouf Foundation Chair) to talk about the upcoming symposium, "Effecting Societal Change for Child Sexual Abuse", on October 26th that Saprea will host. We also talk about how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can have a dramatic impact on how our...
Miss America 2022, Emma Broyles, talks about her passion for Unified Sports and becoming Miss America
October 04, 2022 00:41 - 39 minutes - 17.3 MBIn this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Emma Broyles (Miss America 2022) to talk about growing up in Anchorage, AL, how her close bond with her older brother Brendan, who has Down syndrome, helped drive her passion for creating deep connections through Unified Sports based on inclusion and empathy, and different ways that we can make Special Olympics even better. Emma also opens up about being the first Korean-American & Alaskan to become Miss Am...
Unified Sports in Utah, Showing Up for our Teachers, and Care Communities in foster care with Kirsten and Sarah
September 01, 2022 06:00 - 45 minutes - 19.8 MBIn this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Kirsten Rappleye (Director of First Lady’s Initiatives) and Sarah Allred (Deputy Director of First Lady's Initiatives) to recap some of the latest updates in our lives including a couple of visits to the emergency room, our favorite unified sports events that we've been to this year, and some of the upcoming unified sports events that are coming up. Then we recap this year's Show Up For Teachers Conference,...
Brittney Cummins on teacher salaries, lasting effects from the pandemic, and preparing graduates for the world
August 25, 2022 06:00 - 51 minutes - 22.9 MBUtah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Brittney Cummins (Senior Advisor for Education to Governor Cox) to talk about Brittney's childhood growing up in England, what inspired her to pursue education, as well as some of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of being an educator. We also dive into the need to come together as teachers and parents to help create the best learning environment for the student, some of the best ways to get involved with your local edu...
Karin Brown shares how we can come together and better serve our communities in Utah
August 18, 2022 06:00 - 35 minutes - 15.6 MBUtah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Karin Brown (@The.AwesomeProject on Instagram) to talk about Karin's work with raising awareness of weekly volunteer/service opportunities within the state, how communities are hungry to help others following the peak of the pandemic, and why service projects to provide students with school supplies and backpacks is essential for preparing them for the upcoming school year. We also talk about the potential pitfalls associated wi...
Marni Allred talks about the library's influence on a student's learning journey
August 11, 2022 06:00 - 1 hour - 26.8 MBUtah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Marianna “Marni” Allred (Media Specialist for Robert Frost Elementary) to talk about Marni's passion for reading while living on a 50-acre farm, some of Marni's favorite childhood books and authors growing up that helped her imagination flourish, and some of the trends that Marni is seeing when it comes to children adapting to an ever-evolving way to consume literature. We also dive into the support staff shortage that many scho...
Higher education, Utah's housing market, and addressing domestic violence with Neil Abercrombie
August 05, 2022 06:00 - 43 minutes - 19.2 MBUtah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Neil Abercrombie (Senior Advisor for Legislative Affairs & Policy) who talks about how growing up in Aberdeen, Idaho helped introduced him to the idea of community, why he's so passionate about Utah State University and his time there, as well as his decision to pursue working with Governor Cox's administration. We also talk about some of the issues that many students graduating today are experiencing, how technology has made an...
Principal Milton Collins on creating powerful human connections at Lincoln Elementary
July 21, 2022 06:00 - 49 minutes - 22 MBUtah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Milton Collins (Principal - Lincoln Elementary School) to talk about Milton's upbringing in Charleston, Mississippi, getting recruited to play college basketball at Rust College, and some life-changing lessons that he learned from his late mother throughout the years. Milton also shares the story of earning his first job in education as a third-grade teacher in Illinois, finding his passion for teaching, and the meeting that got...
Alexa Lou Olson on receiving the MVE award and empowering students through inclusion
July 07, 2022 06:00 - 51 minutes - 22.8 MBUtah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Alexa Lou Olson (Teacher at Bountiful High School) to talk about Alexa's passion for education, how feeling excluded in PE growing up led her to pursue an education in kinesiology, and the people in her life who helped her find success during her collegiate years. We also dive into Alexa being honored as a Utah Jazz "Most Valuable Educator" through Instructure, the impact that an educator can have on a student's ability and pass...
Dr. Anthony Godfrey on setting up Jordan School District educators and students for success
June 30, 2022 06:00 - 49 minutes - 21.9 MBUtah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Dr. Anthony Godfrey (12th superintendent of Jordan School District) to talk about Dr. Godfrey's passion for education, the benefits of the dual immersion program within the state, and why recent emergencies have led to the rise of virtual learning. We also talk about how the past year has been such a difficult year for our educators, what we can do in the state to help ease the stress and support teacher wellness, and our upcomi...
Advocating for survivors of sexual exploitation with Elizabeth Smart
June 23, 2022 12:16 - 49 minutes - 21.8 MBUtah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Elizabeth Smart (Advocate & Founder of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation) to talk about Elizabeth's foundation, her work in prevention, recovery, and advocacy for the end of victimization of sexual assault and abuse, and joining the Malouf Foundation to make a bigger impact in the world of prevention and advocacy. Elizabeth also opens up about how the support she received throughout the years following her abduction has helped her ...
More than just a drink with Swig Founder — Nicole Tanner
June 09, 2022 06:00 - 48 minutes - 21.3 MBIn this week's episode of First Lady and Friends, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Nicole Tanner (Founder of Swig) to talk about how growing up on a farm in Teton Valley, Idaho, helped her develop the skills to be effective in the restaurant business, how Nicole and her husband found the inspiration for Swig, and why you need to trust your heart if you feel that you have a great idea for a business. We also dive into the reality of starting your own business wi...
Roots is redefining what a healthy and productive education can be with Tyler Bastian and Dan Caffee
June 02, 2022 06:00 - 46 minutes - 20.2 MBIn this week's episode of First Lady and Friends, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Tyler Bastian (Principal/Director and Founder of Roots Charter High School) and Dan Caffee (Governing Board Chair of Roots Charter High School) to talk about the inspiration behind Roots Charter High School, Utah's first farm-based charter high school, the moment they realized that the farm could become a transformational pillar in the community, and why Roots is introducing a new...
Recapping our “Show Up” Initiatives from the past year with Kirsten Rappleye
May 19, 2022 06:00 - 51 minutes - 22.8 MBIn this week's episode of First Lady and Friends, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, speaks with Kirsten Rappleye (Director of the First Lady’s Initiatives) to recap the past year of the First Lady's “Show Up” Initiatives, building deep connections with communities in need throughout Utah, and how "Care Communities" can make a significant impact in the foster care community. We also dive into the fantastic unified sports events that we've participated in the past year, the up...
Nikki MacKay & Amanda Walker help bring awareness to foster care in Utah
May 12, 2022 06:00 - 53 minutes - 23.7 MBMay is National Foster Care Awareness Month and in this week's episode, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Nikki MacKay (Director of Retention Services) & Amanda Walker (Brand & Marketing Manager) with Utah Foster Care to talk about what influenced them to work in foster care, some of the challenges that they face on any given day, and the various considerations that determine whether a child should be removed from a home. Then we talk about the need to identify ...
Lisa Clark on her passion for improv, The Lisa Show, and remembering her late husband — Chris Clark
April 21, 2022 06:00 - 52 minutes - 23.4 MBUtah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Chris Yadon (Executive Director) and Lisa Clark (The Lisa Show podcast, writer, actor, producer) to talk about what inspired her to pursue improv comedy, the origins of Studio C and Divine Comedy at BYU, and how she met her late husband, Chris, at BYU. Then Lisa opens up about how becoming a parent helped bring structure to following her passions for long-form improvisation, the success of Once I Was a Beehive, and empowering pa...
Chris Yadon and Betsy Kanorawski on raising awareness around child sexual abuse
April 14, 2022 15:49 - 47 minutes - 21.1 MBApril is Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention month and in today's episode, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Chris Yadon (Executive Director) and Betsy Kanorawski (Chief Program Officer) from Saprea to talk about their Utah roots, the origins of Saprea, and different ways that we can all fight against child sexual abuse. We also dive into the importance of empowering parents to learn and proactively apply research-based best practices that can re...
Mike and Liz Mower on bridging Utah communities through faith and service
April 07, 2022 06:00 - 48 minutes - 21.7 MBIn this week's episode of First Lady and Friends, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Mike Mower (Senior Advisor of Community Outreach and Intergovernmental Relations) and Liz Mower (Community Activist) to talk about the beginnings of their relationship, what life was like raising a blended family, and some great tips when it comes to blending families together. Then we dive into their work with the local refugee communities in the state, some of the amazing oppor...
SUU Interim President Mindy Benson on the necessity of investing in our youth
April 01, 2022 06:00 - 47 minutes - 20.9 MBUtah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Mindy Benson (Interim President of Southern Utah University) to talk about growing up in Cedar City, the ways her family's legacy is intertwined with SUU, and how planning high-profile events helped her prepare for her current position at SUU. We also dive into the various ways that SUU is addressing students' mental health, how digital personas and relationships are impacting real-life social engagement between students, and di...
Liz Owens on how YWCA Utah is helping heal and empower Utahns
March 24, 2022 06:00 - 53 minutes - 23.9 MBUtah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Liz Owens (CEO of YWCA Utah) to talk about her childhood growing up in Provo, UT as a young girl of color, how she's used many of the lessons she learned in her childhood to help guide the work she's doing today, and the events that led her to pursue an education and career that emphasized human rights. Liz also opens up about promoting awareness surrounding women's issues and equality in Essex, England, the differences within t...
Irina Pierpont and Owen Fuller talk about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and how Utahns can help
March 17, 2022 06:00 - 53 minutes - 23.6 MBUtah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Irina Pierpont to talk about what her childhood looked like growing up in Ukraine, the events that led her family to migrate out of Donbas, Ukraine, and the devastating reality of the Ukrainian people fighting the Russian army. Then we are joined by Owen Fuller (CEO - Lucidpress) to talk about his history with the Czech Republic region, various ways that Utahns are showing up to help raise awareness and support for the Ukrainian...
Rebecca Ford on the impact of the Mr. and Miss Super Amazing Pageant in Toole
March 10, 2022 07:00 - 43 minutes - 19.9 MBIn this week's episode of First Lady and Friends, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Rebecca Ford (Severe Special Education Teacher & Department Head at Tooele High School) to talk about her passion for teaching and her inspiration to become a special education teacher. Then we dive into where the idea for the Mr. and Miss Super Amazing Pageant originated, the impact that it has had on the Tooele community, and how we can learn from the pageant to bring Utah clos...
Bettina Smith Edmondson on becoming the first black person to sit on the Layton City Council
February 24, 2022 07:00 - 36 minutes - 15.9 MBIn this week's episode of First Lady and Friends, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Bettina Smith Edmondson (Layton City Councilwoman) to talk about growing up in Layton, UT, how faith and education helped her create a bond with other children in the area, and her parents' experience moving to Layton from Mississippi during the 1960s. Then we dive into the need to recognize and celebrate black history outside of Black History Month, how Bettina's experience goin...
Michelle Suzuki and Melinda Lewis on some of the struggles that teachers are going through right now
February 17, 2022 07:00 - 53 minutes - 23.8 MBIn this week's episode of First Lady and Friends, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Michelle Suzuki (SVP Marketing of Instructure) to talk about some of the hardships that many teachers in Utah have had to overcome during the pandemic, how we can help ease some of the stress for our teachers, and some of the ways that Instructure is honoring teachers throughout the state. We are also joined by Melinda Lewis (6th-grade Teacher with Sand Springs Elementary) who s...
Amanda Millerberg and Sarah Allred unveil the 123 Challenge and #ShowUpForService
February 10, 2022 07:00 - 44 minutes - 19.5 MBIn this week's episode of First Lady and Friends, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Amanda Millerberg and Sarah Allred to talk about the launch of the Show Up service committee, how it has highlighted and pushed forward various acts of service within the state, and Utah's passion for charitable giving and volunteerism. Then we dive into the goal of accomplishing one million acts of service in 2022, the importance of communities banding together through hardship,...
Rich Christiansen opens up about uncovering a family secret
February 03, 2022 07:00 - 50 minutes - 22.7 MBIn this week's episode of First Lady and Friends, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Rich Christiansen (Owner & Founder of Hoodoo Holdings, Author of The Zig Zag Principle, and Founder of Legado Family) to talk about his childhood growing up in Beaver, UT, his amazing father John Christiansen, and how his father's approval guided many decisions in his life. Rich also dives into the moment he and his brothers uncovered a family secret, his parent's journey with ar...
Surprise birthday pod featuring Governor Cox!
January 27, 2022 07:00 - 48 minutes - 21.7 MBIn this week's episode of First Lady and Friends, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Utah Governor, Spencer Cox, to celebrate the First Lady's birthday! We dive into some of Abby's favorite things to do for her birthday, what birthdays used to look like when she was growing up, and what her ideal birthday present is. Then Abby and Spencer talk about their first date, falling in love, and where Abby would like to live if they didn't live in Utah. They also dive i...
Pat Jones talks about the need to elevate women in all aspects of life
January 13, 2022 07:00 - 49 minutes - 21.8 MBIn this week's episode of First Lady and Friends, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Pat Jones (CEO of Women's Leadership Institute, Co-founder and owner of Dan Jones & Associates, and former Utah senator) to talk about understanding the need for equality at a very young age, the impact that sports can have on business, and how her entrepreneurship helped her succeed during college. Pat also opens up about her experience with market research, how it led her to ru...
Reunion show with all of the old friends to talk about crypto, new favorite restaurants, and the Utah Jazz!
December 16, 2021 07:00 - 32 minutes - 14.2 MBIn this week's episode, we've got a reunion episode with all of the old "Cox and Friends" friends! Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox is joined by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Jon Cox, Owen Fuller, Kirsten Rappleye, and Spencer Ryan Hall to talk about what everyone has been up to since the pandemic started, NFTs and crypto, our latest favorite restaurant spots, and former Boston Celtics' president of basketball operations, Danny Ainge, joining the Utah Jazz as alternate governor and ...
The Christkindlmarkt in Utah, helping our incoming refugees, and how you can support foster care in Utah
December 02, 2021 19:21 - 49 minutes - 22 MBIn this week's episode of First Lady and Friends, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is joined by Allyson Chard (Founder of Christkindlmarkt) and Katie Graham (Director of St. Martin's Project) to talk about the great holiday spirit that Christkindlmarkt brings to Utah, the originations of St. Martin's Day, and why you should stop by the market this holiday season. Then we talk with Amy Dott Harmer (Executive Director of Utah Refugee Connection) to talk about how Utah Refuge...
Lynda Horne shares some amazing facts about the Utah Governor's Mansion
November 26, 2021 07:00 - 47 minutes - 21.1 MBIn this week's episode of First Lady and Friends, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, speaks with Lynda Horne (Utah Governor's Mansion Manager) to talk about her roots in education, how it prepared her for the current position as mansion manager, and the history of the mansion. We also dive into some of the different ways that the mansion has been a hub of service throughout the state's history, how a Christmas tree fire changed the mansion forever, and some of the modern ren...
Show Up initiative updates with Kirsten Rappleye
November 18, 2021 07:00 - 32 minutes - 14.3 MBIn this week's episode of First Lady and Friends, Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, speaks with Kirsten Rappleye (Director of the First Lady’s Initiatives) to talk about the latest updates with positive work in foster care throughout the state, celebrating families within the community, and the 'Foster Friendly' app that helps provide an opportunity for businesses to give discounts or free services to foster families. Then we dive into some of the amazing news and events fr...
Nell Bright shares memories of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) in WWII
November 11, 2021 07:00 - 47 minutes - 21.3 MBIn this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Nell Bright (WWII veteran and member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots [WASPs]) to talk about living in west Texas during the depression, her first flying experience when she was 8-years-old, and receiving her wings from the Army Air Corps that including being classified as an officer, all the while still being considered a civilian. Then we dive into what some of Nell's missions consisted of during WWII...
Ashley Smith on the Utah Jazz, dance's impact on the youth, and making positive change in Utah
November 04, 2021 06:00 - 43 minutes - 19.5 MBIn this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Ashley Smith (studio owner and director of SMASH Dance Academy) to talk about meeting her husband, Ryan Smith (executive chairman and co-founder of Qualtrics and Utah Jazz owner), their love and passion for Utah, and how the Utah Jazz fandom helps unify the entire state. Then Ashley opens up about her love for dance, her decision to open a dance studio, and how dance has been and can be an outlet for so man...
Growing up in southern Utah with Elder and Sister Holland
October 28, 2021 06:00 - 26 minutes - 12.2 MBIn this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and Sister Patricia Holland to talk about the impact that southern Utah has had on their family's history, growing up with positive leaders in their families, and the impact that it had on their own lives throughout the years. We also dive into the symbolism behind southern Utah's ruggedness during its early years, the values that we learned because of it, and why mentorship is so c...
Luna Banuri on developing connections in Utah through the Utah Civic Muslim League and aiding our refugee communities
October 22, 2021 06:00 - 56 minutes - 25.4 MBIn this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Luna Banuri (Executive Director - Utah Muslim Civic League) to talk about growing up in Pakistan, how her family structure growing up helped her explore her own identity, and her decision to move to the United States with her husband. Then Luna dives into her work with Utah Muslim Civic League, how the pandemic highlighted a lot of issues surrounding our community resources and economic outreach within the ...
Amanda Covington on the importance of opportunity and saying yes in life
October 14, 2021 06:00 - 55 minutes - 24.7 MBIn this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Amanda Covington (Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Larry H. Miller Group) to talk about some of the greatest moments of her career up to this point, the importance of championing women, and how she was introduced to Gail Miller by being open and saying yes to opportunities. Then Amanda talks about the Women's Leadership Institute of Utah, some of the series' they provide for women, and how her relationshi...
Kristin Andrus on how philanthropy plays a major role in her life and the drive to help others
October 07, 2021 06:00 - 45 minutes - 20.3 MBIn this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Kristin Andrus (Philanthropist, Activism, Service, Period Campaign) to talk about meeting her husband, Jeremy, how her love for swimming helped instill her impressive work ethic, and her strategy when it comes to balancing their children's hobbies and sports. Then we talk about the hurdles that Kristin and Jeremy had to overcome during their earlier years working with Skullcandy, the family's decision to bu...
Dr. Lexie Kite on why we need to redefine how we envision beauty
September 30, 2021 06:00 - 48 minutes - 21.6 MBIn this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Dr. Lexie Kite (Co-author of More Than a Body: Your Body Is an Instrument, Not an Ornament) to talk about how the media has distorted our vision of what beauty is, why it's important to understand how you feel about your body right at this moment in order to build steps towards resilience, and how to cope with shame. Then Dr. Kite dives into why you need to believe that you are more than your body, in what ...
Renae Ingles on growing up in Australia, playing professional Netball at 15, and raising awareness for ASD
September 23, 2021 06:00 - 41 minutes - 18.4 MBIn this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Renae Ingles to talk about Renae's childhood in Australia, becoming a professional Netball player at 15 years old, and meeting her husband, Joe Ingles. Then Renae opens up about the moment their son, Jacob was diagnosed with autism in 2019 and the amazing work that the Ingles have done to raise awareness for ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) both here in the states and in Australia. To learn more about the ...