The Stability of a Kitchen Table: On Trauma and the Power of a Hug

In this episode of Manager Memo, we chat with Matt Stafford, the founder of Vincent James Mentoring. Matt shares a deeply personal journey of overcoming a traumatic childhood, substance abuse, and illiteracy to build a community outreach program focused on providing stability and "the embrace of family" to those in need.

"The moment you speak to me or any of my staff... you are family. And we'll give you what we have to help you in any way shape or form." — Matt Stafford

Along the way we discuss adoption and the impact of losing a father and surviving family tragedy (1:30), definition of family (3:00), servant leadership and emotional availability (3:45), learning to read and write at age 28 (6:30), 7 deaths in 6 years (7:45), emotional vulnerability in men (11:30), "Earl" and the clean house (15:15), and a five-year vision for the Vincent James Mentoring (18:30).

Matt is "old school" and encourages anyone in need of help—or those looking to partner with the organization—to reach out directly @ Phone: 262-720-8961

· Location: Waukesha, Wisconsin area

· Online: Reach out @ Vincent James Mentoring website.

We are proud to partner with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit providing scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Donate via PayPal/Venmo: @LukeLeaders1248. Visit: www.lukeleaders1248.com

Credits

Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Featured tracks: "Lowriders" and "Beautiful Rainy Day."

Amos Balongo is a keynote speaker and communication coach who empowers senior leaders to master their verbal skills. In this conversation, he explains how managers can break through their own leadership "lids" to foster an environment where teams thrive.

Along the way we discuss $500 and a suitcase (2:15), the importance of stories (6:45), situational leadership (14:30), don't disappoint the leader (18:000, Inside vs. Outside Communication (22:45), Camp Ohana – giving hope (29:45), and exposure to Aviation opportunities (33:45) .

Looking to motivate, inspire and transform? Reach out to Amos @ Amos Balongo.org

Learn more about Balongo's charity @ Camp Ohana.

Listen to Africa's First @ Ukulele Orchestra.

We are proud to partner with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit providing scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Donate via PayPal/Venmo: @LukeLeaders1248. Visit: www.lukeleaders1248.com

Credits

Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Featured tracks: "Lowriders" and "Beautiful Rainy Day."

What happens when a bartender discovers a knack for numbers and becomes a leading "Sales Tax Lady"? In this episode, we sit down with Holly Hoffman, the founder of SalesTaxLady.com, to discuss the high stakes of sales tax and the strategic power of accurate data. Holly shares her journey from a bar in Central Wisconsin to state tax auditing—explaining why sales tax isn't just a yearly chore, but a daily necessity for business health.

Holly Hoffman is an independent sales tax consultant with over 20 years of accounting experience. Formerly an auditor for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, she now specializes in helping businesses navigate complex state regulations. She currently serves as the Committee Chair for the Wisconsin Institute of CPAs Taxation Committee.

Along the way we discuss Bartender to Auditor (3:15), Accounting Opportunities (4:00), Sales Tax (7:45), Fraud Alerts (16:00), Accurate Data (20:30), and filling the Sales Tax Education Gap (26:30).

Looking to audit-proof your business? Reach out to Holly @ SalesTaxLady.com

We are proud to partner with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit providing scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Donate via PayPal/Venmo: @LukeLeaders1248. Visit: www.lukeleaders1248.com

Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Featured tracks: "Lowriders" and "Beautiful Rainy Day."

What happens when a Hollywood filmmaker turns into a corporate strategist and then a "FaithTech" pioneer? In this episode, we sit down with Preston Zeller, the founder of PsalmLog, to discuss the intersection of faith, technology, and intentional spiritual growth. Preston shares the deeply personal story behind his app—born from the loss of his brother—and explains why he believes AI isn't a threat to the church, but a tool for deeper community.

Preston Zeller is a corporate strategist and the founder of Zellerhaus and PsalmLog. He is also the creator of the award-winning documentary, The Art of Grieving, which chronicles his year-long journey of painting every day to process the death of his brother.

Faith Guided (2:15), Romans 8:28 (5:30), FaithTech (9:15), Measuring Spiritual Growth (11:00), Biblical Clarity (20:00), Jesus and AI (22:45), Revelation (29:30), a Bad Spoon (31:00), and the Art of Grieving (33:15).

Reach out to Preston @ Zellerhaus

Looking to track your spiritual growth? Access @ Psalmlog.com

We are proud to partner with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit providing scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Donate via PayPal/Venmo: @LukeLeaders1248. Visit: www.lukeleaders1248.com

Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Featured tracks: "Lowriders" and "Beautiful Rainy Day."

Forrest K. Derr is a Fractional System integrator who helps founders fire themselves out of a job.

Along the way we discuss Billiards at Univ of Delaware (2:30), A Lot of Little Knobs (5:00), Tracking the Moving Parts (8:30), EOS (11:15), Core Values (15:00), Start with a Plan (21:15) and the Fixers and Founders podcast (23:00).

Interested in a Fractional COO, reach Forrest @ Derr Consulting

This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com.

Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

Jermaine Ee is a serial entrepreneur and renaissance man. His current project is HierLight a smart phone app that creates a Will in 27 minutes. Enjoy this broad and interesting conversation with Jermaine, a man wise beyond his years.

Along the way we discuss – Toy Making (1:15), USC, Snap Chat and Banner Ads (3:30), Political Advisor (5:00), Over Qualified (6:30), Malaysian Culture (7:45), the Medici Family (12:45), the Birthplace of the Buddha (13:30), Fear of Running out of Money (20:30), the Invisible Inheritance (31:00), Thoughts on Grit (35:15), and Thoughts on Time (41:15).

Interested in creating a Will in a simple chat? Check this app @HeirLight

This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com.

Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

Joe Bockerstette is a former consulting partner at Price Waterhouse Cooper and a seasoned leader in supply chain transformation. Currently a partner at Business Enterprise Mapping (BEM), Joe helps companies untangle complex workflows and build sustainable systems for growth.

Along the way we discuss – Working for UPS (3:30), The Pressure of Big Four Consulting (5:30), Angel Investors (6:45), $20 Million Heartbreak (8:55), The Origin of Business Mapping (10:00), Red Clouds and Quick Wins (11:15), Why Leaders Misunderstand Process (14:00), The "SAW" Workshop (17:45), Measuring Effectiveness vs. Efficiency (19:00), Right Process = Great Deliverable (24:15) and Amy and "I've Got This" National Down Syndrome Society (25:30).

Interested in streamlining your business processes? Visit Joe at Business Enterprise Mapping

Watch Amy Bockerstette's "I've Got This" moment with Gary Woodland at the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open.

This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com.

Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

Azdean Elmoustaquim is a world citizen and Founder of Destinations Morocco.

Along the way we discuss – From Marrakech to Houston (1:30), is Morocco Safe? (4:00), About Morocco (7:30), Berber Languages (10:30), Personalized trips (12:30), Business Tips (14:45), Lightning Round (18:00), Azdean's Memo (20:30), What to Wear (22:00), the Donkey Refuge Tour (26:45), and scheduling your trip (29:00).

Dreaming of experiencing Morocco's Magic, reach out @Destinations Morocco

Azdean's podcast is found @ Destination Morocco

This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com.

Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.