Why She Refused to Play Small—And You Should Too. | Ep. 2 COH | Valerie Hope cover art

Why She Refused to Play Small—And You Should Too. | Ep. 2 COH | Valerie Hope

Why She Refused to Play Small—And You Should Too. | Ep. 2 COH | Valerie Hope

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 Welcome to Circle of Hope, my podcast where I explore how powerful human connections can ignite purpose, partnership, and community transformation. In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Janet Morrison Lane, Executive Director of the Vickery Meadows Youth Development Foundation.We reflect on the moment we met, the spark that started it all, and how it’s evolved into years of collaboration, mentoring, and meaningful impact. Our story is rooted in volunteering, vulnerability, and deep friendship—and I’m so grateful to share it with you.Watch this if you’ve ever asked yourself:How do I build authentic relationships that last?Can volunteering really shape my career?What role does vulnerability play in friendship and leadership?How can I turn service into a source of growth and connection?What does it mean to show up consistently—for others and myself?Episode Highlights 0:00 – Welcome and meet Janet Morrison Lane 2:45 – How we met in 2018 (Thanks to Patty!) 8:15 – The first spark: volunteering with Eagle Scholars 14:00 – Creating “Raise Your Voice” and the power of public speaking 18:45 – From strangers to soul-level friends 24:20 – Circle of Influence: coaching, collaborating, and kindred spirits 32:00 – Friendship and growth through walks, talks, and coffee chats 42:00 – Volunteering as a lab for leadership 48:40 – Janet’s journey to Executive Director 58:00 – Listening as leadership 1:05:00 – “Sit down and get to know the guest.” 1:12:40 – Reflecting on the value of showing up 1:21:00 – Final words and enduring connectionQuotes to Remember “It always starts with connection.” – Valerie Hope “Sit down and get to know the guest.” – Janet Morrison Lane “You were my kindred spirit. I knew that.” “Volunteering became the way I got my first paid gig.” “We didn’t just work together. We grew together.”What You’ll Learn This isn’t just an episode—it’s a living lesson in servant leadership, friendship evolution, and community-building. Janet and I share how intentional outreach and meaningful service created a ripple effect that’s impacted hundreds of students. You’ll walk away with:Insights into long-term, intentional relationshipsHow persistence fuels friendshipStories from the Eagle Scholars programThe power of collaboration between nonprofits and volunteersWhy every act of service is a growth opportunityStay ConnectedGuest: Janet Morrison LaneInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/drjmo410/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-morrison-lane/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/drjmoYoutube:https://www.youtube.com/@janetmorrisonHost: Valerie HopeWebsite:https://www.valeriehope.comInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/valeriehope/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriehope/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ValerieVHopeYoutube:https://www.youtube.com/@ConnecttoJoyBe Part of the Conversation What part of this episode moved you the most? Have you ever volunteered and felt transformed? Share your story in the comments. Know someone who needs to hear this? Forward the video and invite them into the Circle of Hope.#CircleOfHopePodcast #ValerieHope #JanetMorrisonLane #NonprofitLeadership #VolunteeringMatters #WomenInLeadership
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