In Her Power: How Jaime Mowers Transformed Tragedy into Triumph

Arnold Stricker
00:00:00

How do you turn the unthinkable into the unstoppable? We're going to find out more on St. Louis in tune today. Welcome to St.

Louis in tune, and thank you for joining us for fresh perspectives on issues and events with experts, community leaders and everyday people who are driving change and making an impact that shapes our society and world. I'm Arnold Stricker, along with Mark Langston.

Mark Langston
00:00:35

I think I fall into the everyday people category.

Arnold Stricker
00:00:39

You and me both. You and me both. But we have been community leaders. And I would also say, until they kicked us to the curb, we've dustered ourselves off.

And you would be an expert in some governmental affairs?

Mark Langston
00:00:53

Some of them, yes.

Arnold Stricker
00:00:54

And I would be an expert in some educational kinds of things. Just some of them. And we got kicked to the curb.

Mark Langston
00:00:59

I know. And education always, I've said, the pillar of our communities, it really. It's where the rubber meets the road.

Arnold Stricker
00:01:06

That's right.

Mark Langston
00:01:07

And I think we had a governor once who's, who was on a school board for years, the one that died in the airplane.

Arnold Stricker
00:01:13

Mel Carnahan.

Mark Langston
00:01:13

Mel Carnahan was. And I remember him saying, yes, he was. He said, that is really what he did as a school board member, not getting. They don't get paid as a mayor.

I got paid. It wasn't much, but I got paid. But he said that was the most thankless job he's ever done. But the most important job that he's.

Arnold Stricker
00:01:35

Ever done, it is.

Mark Langston
00:01:36

And he was governor. He was sitting governor when he said that. Yeah.

Arnold Stricker
00:01:39

Very true.

Mark Langston
00:01:39

Yeah. All right. Sorry.

Arnold Stricker
00:01:41

Very true.

Mark Langston
00:01:42

I just take these.

Arnold Stricker
00:01:44

Those are important aspects of why we do this show, because it's informing people about things that have happened in the past that are currently going on. And hopefully that will give us insight into how to deal with future kinds of things, like this. Return to civility.

Mark Langston
00:01:59

Oh, good.

Arnold Stricker
00:02:00

When you pull out a pack of gum or mints, offer one to the folks around you. If you give away all of them so none are left, that's even better.

Mark Langston
00:02:10

Wow. Is that because they have bad breath? Are you just doing. It could be nice.

Arnold Stricker
00:02:15

It could be. And I've always seen where some people will, they'll do their little mint by themselves and then stick it back in their pocket, like real fast.

I'm not going to offer you.

Mark Langston
00:02:22

No, no, they're mine.

Arnold Stricker
00:02:24

No, I don't like those.

Mark Langston
00:02:25

They're all mine.

Arnold Stricker
00:02:25

Winto greens.

Mark Langston
00:02:26

They're all mine.

Arnold Stricker
00:02:28

I don't like those winter greens.

Mark Langston
00:02:29

Oh, whatever. I know. It's so good to see you, actually. And we have a wonderful guest. I can't wait to get to our guests.

Arnold Stricker
00:02:37

We have a great guest today, as always.

Mark Langston
00:02:39

And can I ask something, though? You park in a garage, don't you?

Arnold Stricker
00:02:43

I do, yeah.

Mark Langston
00:02:44

See? He's a hoity toity guy.

Arnold Stricker
00:02:46

No, it's just. It's part of the gig.

Mark Langston
00:02:48

So we're recording this in the middle of October. I won't even tell you the year, but I had to scrape my windshield today to leave.

Arnold Stricker
00:02:59

You wouldn't know this morning?

Mark Langston
00:03:00

Yes. You wouldn't know anything about that, I'm sure. Yes. I had to scrape frost off of my windshield. Today in the middle of October? What is going on?

Arnold Stricker
00:03:08

No kidding.

Mark Langston
00:03:09

Global warming.

Arnold Stricker
00:03:11

We have a heating garage.

Mark Langston
00:03:12

Global cooling. Okay, I'm done now. I just had to get that out of my system. Okay. Okay.

Arnold Stricker
00:03:21

You're done then? Okay.

Mark Langston
00:03:22

Yeah, I've cooked.

Arnold Stricker
00:03:22

Okay. All right. Our guest is Jaime Mowers. She's a Webster Groves native.

She graduated from Southwest Missouri State University, now Missouri State University, and worked as a reporter for the Rolla Daily News, the Springfield News Leader, and the Sullivan Journal. She became a reporter for the Webster Kirkwood Times and is now the owner and editor in chief of the Times, and that occurred in September of 2020.

She's the founder of Buzzing Love, a kindness project founded in memory of her dad, Gary. And we're going to talk to her about her, what I would call her chapter in the book, in her power, in her wisdom.

It's a woman's guide to overcoming challenges and growing into your power. And it's compiled by Rebecca now and doctor Marty. Casey, good to see you. Jamie, welcome back.

Jaime Mowers
00:04:11

Thank you so much for having me.

Arnold Stricker
00:04:14

How did this all kind of occur? How did you get this chapter in the book that's entitled a legacy of Love, turning the unthinkable into the unstoppable.

Jamie Mowers
00:04:26

So I was. I'm very excited and very honored to be part of this incredible book.

And the whole reason that I is because Rebecca, now one of the authors who compiled the book, as you said, with Marty Casey, Rebecca extended me an invite to write a chapter. There's 23 authors in the book, so I am one of the ones who. I am honored to have a chapter.

And every single woman in this book has an incredibly powerful story to tell. Hence the title. In her power, in her wisdom.

And I love being part of this book so much because like I said, the little pearls, the wisdom, just all of us sharing our experiences, our trauma, our healing, our overcoming, just. It's come together in this book, which is now an international bestseller, we're very excited about that.

This has been a really incredible experience and opportunity, I think, not only for me, but for everyone who is a part of this book.

And we are so excited to put this out into the world and share it with other incredible women, because I've always said as a journalist that everyone has a story. Everyone. Whether you're in a book, whether you're in. In the newspaper, it doesn't matter. Every single person has a story.

And I think what everyone who picks up this book will find is that they can see themselves in one of these stories.

Arnold Stricker
00:06:13

So how does a book like this become an international bestseller? It's only been on the market, on the bookshelf for what, a month and a half?

Jamie Mowers
00:06:20

Yes. So we are so excited about achieving that international bestseller status. And that comes from the support of everyone who we know. Who we don't know.

The digital launch is what captured, like, pre order. Yes, the digital launch. So, like, generating the excitement about it.

And then, like I said, it goes on Amazon first, the digital launch campaign, and then. So we reached. We've reached a lot of people already so far, obviously.

Mark Langston
00:06:54

Right?

Arnold Stricker
00:06:55

Yeah. So a lot of these authors, some people may know locally some of the stories. There's a soldier story by Phyllis Williams. I read that one.

The power to heal, turning setbacks into success, a journey of resilience and discovery. And maybe this would be a question for Rebecca or Marty, and we've had Rebecca on before, but why is a book like this needed and especially now?

Mark Langston
00:07:18

Good question. I would say.

Jamie Mowers
00:07:20

Yes, that is a great question. I think a book like this is needed now, anytime, really. But I think especially now just in, we all face so many challenges, women especially.

I think it's important for us to come together. I think it's important for women to support each other. Women empower women. More importantly, empowered women empower other women. Right.

So like I said, it's important for us, us to see each other in these stories. It's important for us to support each other.

It's important for us to share our stories not only with each other, but then, like I said, larger audiences, because it makes reading these stories, I think, will make other women or whoever reads the book, feel less alone in their struggles, their challenges and their pain.

Arnold Stricker
00:08:25

So let's tease this out a little bit. The most difficult thing you ever faced, even under less tragic circumstances, was what.

Jamie Mowers
00:08:36

Was losing my dad and mark.

Arnold Stricker
00:08:40

And I know that story. And just a little disclaimer, I grew up with Jamie's father and my parents knew Jamie's grandparents and her dad and her aunt.

I've known for a long time.

Mark Langston
00:08:55

Right?

Arnold Stricker
00:08:56

Yes.

Mark Langston
00:08:57

And the bees.

Arnold Stricker
00:08:59

Yeah, we're going to get to the bees. We won't forget the bees.

Mark Langston
00:09:02

Okay. Okay.

Arnold Stricker
00:09:03

That's not. And that's b e e s. It's for buzzing. Love, folks. We'll get to that. Describe that you talk about.

I was consumed by pain, panic, post traumatic stress disorder, depression, disbelief, and layer upon layer of grief and trauma. And I ask you these questions because there's somebody out there who has not worked through some of those things you're describing.

Jamie Mowers
00:09:28

Yes. So my chapter is about losing my dad in the most horrific way.

He was killed on June 29, 2014, ripped from our lives by gun violence by another family member. And the chapter revisits that deep grief and pain and disbelief and anxiety that surrounded. That consumed my life.

And it was so overpowering, it was so consuming, it was so terrifying that I really didn't think I could survive it. I truly just did not think that kind of pain was survivable. And even if it was, more importantly, even if it was, I didn't want to be in it.

Why would I want. Why would I want to do that? I did not think I could endure that kind of pain. I loved my dad so much, so much, so fiercely. I just.

I couldn't imagine doing this life without him. And I didn't want to. I did not want to. But here we are sitting ten years later, ten years later, which is crazy. I can't believe I survived it.

And not only that, there has been so much joyous alongside the pain that I never would have thought was possible.

And so for me to be able to sit here today and also in the book, share the pain, but also the hope and the joy and the resilience that is part of my life and is part of my story. That's what I want people to hold onto. Right, right.

And I think that most all the authors, I think all of us who are part of the book, like I said, we want to share that. We want to share our struggles so that other people know, wow, you know, I can. Whatever you are facing, I promise you that you can do it.

You can do it. And you are not alone in that pain. Pain and trauma and grief feel so isolating.

And when it's so painful, you think that no one else can understand how that feels. And to some extent, pain is very individualized. Right. Pain, trauma, grief. It's very individualized, but it's also universal.

So we can all relate to each other on some level of that kind of pain. But by the flip side, again, we can also relate to love, joy, hope, resilience. All of that is universal, too, sharing both sides of the coin.

Because if somebody else thinks, wow, if this woman or that woman can get through what they went through, then I can overcome my challenge.

Mark Langston
00:12:51

Jamie, I agree so much with that. The trauma. I've lost both of my parents.

And as sad as that is to read and see what you've gone through and what other folks have gone through, similar to that, I sit there and go, I don't think I could go through it. Your strength and how you manage to find your way through the dark forest, it's enlightening, it's uplifting, and it gives me hope.

I'm going, boy, I thought I had it bad. And then you can really relate to that.

Jamie Mowers
00:13:25

I really appreciate that. And I just want to be really quick to point out that I would not have gotten through this alone.

The only reason that I am here today, literally the only reason I'm still in front of you today, is the love and the strength and the kindness and the compassion of my husband, my mom, my best friends, and an entire army of love that surrounded me. And we'll get to buzzing love soon.

But, yes, so it's, you know, and that's why I really want to, you know, I tried to, like I said, just impress upon other people that they are not alone. We are not alone.

Mark Langston
00:14:13

It helps. It really does help.

Very uplifting, very helpful just to see, just again, to see the struggle and to see that you made it through, that there is hope. And having that support system, as you said, is just so important.

Arnold Stricker
00:14:30

This is Arnold Stricker with Mark Langston of St. Luce in tomb. We are talking to Jamie Mowers about her chapter in the book, in her power, in her wisdom.

And the chapter is a legacy of love, turning the unthinkable into the unstoppable. You mentioned in your chapter, Jamie, and we've talked about grief, but you say, I've learned that grief and pain never go away, but they evolve.

And you also say that your greatest lesson your dad taught you was never, never, never give up. Imitating Winston Churchill there. How did your grief and pain evolve? And talk a little bit about that from your personal perspective.

Jamie Mowers
00:15:07

Sure.

I like to talk about that because when you're in the early moments, stages, months, years, even the early years of your pain and trauma and grief, part of what is so terrifying, or at least it was to me is that I thought it was never going to be different. Like, I thought it was always going.

Arnold Stricker
00:15:41

To be the same.

Jamie Mowers
00:15:42

Yes. I thought it was. I thought that was my life.

Arnold Stricker
00:15:46

Like the same intensity.

Jamie Mowers
00:15:48

Yes, the same intensity.

Arnold Stricker
00:15:49

Okay.

Jamie Mowers
00:15:49

Yes. Yes. And I. And that was part of the reason it was so terrifying. And. And that is why I thought also, I'm never going to survive this.

And even if I can, I don't want to. I don't want to be in this kind of pain. It's just not survivable, is what I had, is what I thought.

But then as time goes on, and time is not, I don't believe time is a healer, per se.

But as you continue to work very hard to find the healing and everybody does that in different ways, your grief and pain, or at least mine, I found that it actually, it does change and it does evolve. And the intensity is what I think, at least for me, has changed. That is what I learned, changes. And that. That also makes it survivable.

So there are definitely. There are a lot of times, even now, ten years out, where I jump back to that intensity, right?

Like it seems like it was yesterday and I'm back in that place. And that is very hard. And that is very. It feels traumatizing.

I go through those periods, I know that I don't live there anymore in that same intensity. And so. So it's different. The intensity ebbs and flows around certain occasions, certain times of the year, but then it recedes.

The tide goes in and out, as they say. And I have found that to be very true. And one thing that I do mention this in the chapter to that end, the intensity does change.

My best friend in the very early, it had only been a couple months after my dad was killed. And I was. We were upstairs, we were in my bedroom. I was having a panic attack. I was just in so much pain.

And I thought, and that is one of the times I thought, I'm never going to get out of this. I'm never going to. This is what my life is going to be now. What is the point of all this stuff? Missed my dad so much. There was just so much going on.

Of course, we were dealing with his killer from prison. It was. I cannot. I cannot. It was hell on earth. I cannot even describe how painful that was.

But she looked at me and said, she said, I know you can't really hang on to this right now. I know you can't necessarily grasp the full extent of what I'm about to say, but if you can just hear me. That would be good.

And what she said was, she said, it will not always be this way.

Mark Langston
00:19:02

Hard to believe, isn't it?

Jamie Mowers
00:19:04

It is.

Mark Langston
00:19:05

When they say that you go, no.

Jamie Mowers
00:19:07

I was like, no. I was like, I don't. Yeah. I was like, I don't believe you.

Mark Langston
00:19:12

But, yeah, I'm hopeful.

Jamie Mowers
00:19:14

But here's the thing. I knew that I could believe her because she was my best friend. She had also lost her dad just a few years prior to that.

I was also very close with her dad. So because she was my best friend, because she had also already lost her dad, I knew that I just had to believe her. Right?

I was like, I wasn't there, but I knew that I could believe her, and I knew I had to. I was just like, I need to suspend my disbelief that I can't get through this, if that makes sense.

And to my dad's point of never, never, never give up, I basically started to take the approach of, I promised dad I couldn't give up. I promised my husband and my two Pomeranians, foxy and bear, that I would not give up. Yeah. And it's true.

Foxy helped save my life, you know, because I look at my husband, I look at those two little faces, and I'm like, okay, there is reason to live. There is reason to go on. And so I was just like, yeah, promise daddy wouldn't give up. So. Guess I have to keep going until this kills me. I mean.

I mean, I say it flippantly, but that approach helped me.

Mark Langston
00:20:33

Right.

Arnold Stricker
00:20:34

And you had been through, I believe, the marathon and the iron woman competition, which is preparing. Yeah. You're preparing someone for just this physical endurance that is beyond belief.

But then on the marathon where your dad runs with you, what, the last 6 miles in street shoes?

Jamie Mowers
00:20:53

Yes. Jeans. Jeans and some. Probably a $10 pair of tennis shoes. Mine, too.

Arnold Stricker
00:21:01

But he wasn't. I'm sure he wasn't running every day. I'm gonna take on 6 miles on the last leg of this marathon with Jane.

That, to me, from when I read this and knowing you and knowing your dad is that supported you, that gave you impetus ahead, all before this whole incident happened to help you achieve and overcome.

Jamie Mowers
00:21:22

Yes. I had that memory so vividly, I was struggling to finish the last part of a marathon.

This actually happened just two months before he would be killed in my own house. So I had that. I just had that with me. And the last 6 miles of that marathon. Yeah. He just sees me. He's there to cheer, like jeans, whatever.

Hadn't run in years. And then he's just, okay, we're gonna do this. He's chanting marine corps cheers all the way to the end.

And we ran to the finish, our arms up high, and we were just talking that whole last 6 miles.

Arnold Stricker
00:21:59

There's a grace photograph of this, too.

Jamie Mowers
00:22:01

There is. We talked about how Berengaris never give up, no matter what. And so, like I said, so then after he was killed, I'm like, okay. I just.

I promised him I would never give up. I just have to keep.

I was convinced, like I said, that I would not survive this, but because I had made that promise to my dad and my husband and foxy and Barbara that I would not give up, I was like, I will keep going until this just. I thought I would die of a broken heart. I literally thought my heart would shatter. I would have a heart attack, something like that.

Because the pain and the panic, I did not think that was survivable. But I promised them that I would keep going no matter what. And I did. And, oh, my God, I'm so glad.

Arnold Stricker
00:22:52

And we'll find out. We're going to take a break.

We'll find out exactly what was that unstoppable thing that she transformed all of this grief and pain into, which is now a worldwide phenomenon. This is Arnold Stricker with Mark Langston of St. Luce entombed. We'll be right back. Don't buzz off. This is Arnold Stricker of St.

Louis in tune on behalf of the Dred Scott Heritage foundation. In 1857, the Dred Scott decision was a major legal event and catalyst that contributed to the Civil War.

The decision declared that Dred Scott could not be free because he was not a citizen.

The 14th Amendment, also called the Dred Scott Amendment, granted citizenship to all born or naturalized here in our country and was intended to overturn the US Supreme Court decision on July 9, 1868.

The Dred Scott Heritage foundation is requesting a commemorative stamp to be issued from the US Postal Service to recognize and remember the heritage of this amendment by issuing a stamp with the likeness of the man Dred Scott. But we need your support and the support of, of thousands of people who would like to see this happen.

To achieve this goal, we ask you to download, sign, and share the one page petition with others. To find the petition, please go to dredscottlives.org and click on the Dred Scott petition Drive on the right side of the page.

On behalf of Dred Scott Heritage foundation, this has been Arnold Stricker of St. Louis in tune the United States has a strong tradition of welcoming newcomers and refugees.

The welcome Corps is a new service opportunity for Americans inspired to welcome those seeking freedom and safety, and, in turn, help strengthen their own communities. Welcome Corps is a public private partnership that is inspired by what Americans represent to so many around the world, a beacon of hope and refuge.

All it takes is a helping hand. Are you ready to learn more, contact the International Institute of St. Louis@info.org. or call 314-773-9090 that's info.org or call 314-773-9090.

Mark Langston
00:25:12

Is that you on the piano?

Arnold Stricker
00:25:13

That's me on the Hammond b three right there.

Mark Langston
00:25:15

Oh, a Hammond b three. There you go.

Arnold Stricker
00:25:18

Welcome back to St. Louis, in tune with Arnold Stricker and Mark Langston.

We're talking to Jamie Mowers, editor owner of the Webster Kirkwood Times and the founder at Buzzing Love. But she's in here talking about her chapter in the book, in her power, in her wisdom.

That chapter is called a legacy of love, turning the unthinkable into the unstoppable.

Mark Langston
00:25:38

International bestseller.

Arnold Stricker
00:25:40

International bestseller. Number one bestseller. International, yes.

Compiled by Rebecca now and doctor Marty Casey, Jamie, the folks, if you missed the first half of the interview, you can go to stlintune.com and check that on the podcast.

Now we're going to shift to where all of this wave of dark foam coming from the tsunami, and you're standing there looking at that 50 foot wave coming, and you're on the beach, and then all of a sudden, this wall goes up, it protects you, and you turn that sucker into a calm sea through a group called Buzzing Love. Now talk about that origin and how that has just caught fire all over the world.

Jamie Mowers
00:26:25

Thank you so much again for having me. And, yes, so buzzing love became a way to honor my dad. And I want to be very clear. I did not start this.

This is the amazingness and the kindness of all of my best friends who, on the first, they got together on the first anniversary of my dad death. So June 29, the first year, they knew that would be a very tough day, be a very tough day for my family.

And I had, somewhere along the line I had mentioned, like, maybe on that day I could do something nice for somebody or just. Just do something to share dad's love, just pay that forward kind of thing. And then I guess one of them just hooked onto that and really ran with it.

So they had set up this whole secret Facebook group and just invited friends, invited everybody they knew and they invited people. And so it basically the group just asked whoever was in that group to very simply just practice an act of kindness.

And it would be, this is our way to honor my Jamie's dad, whether you knew him or whether you didn't, just because it's awesome to spread love and kindness, and you can also give someone else hope that way. So the day comes, that first day comes, that first anniversary, I wake up.

I'm dreading it, and I wake up, and it's just like, all over social media, everything is lighting up. And just people in all across the country, there were people in other parts of the world, because everybody knows somebody somewhere, right?

My friends came up with the hashtag buzzing love for Gary B. His last name, my maiden name, baronyai. So it was Gary B. And then we love to exchange fun. My dad and I love to exchange fun bumble bee gifts.

So they took the bee and be for the hashtag, which has since just been shortened to buzzing love. And so that, because, again, this is universal, right? So we want buzzing love to be for everyone. And it's just about.

Yes, it began as a way to honor my dad and spread his love and light and laughter with the world. But buzzing love can be anytime, any day, anywhere.

Because those little glimmers, the glimmers, the glimmers of kindness that people show one another. That literally could be the thing, the little tiniest thing.

That's no big deal to you, maybe, but that could be what saves someone on a very hard day. And I know because it saved me.

Arnold Stricker
00:29:25

Buzzinglove.org buzzinglove.org folks, if you want more information on that, so give us some examples of what was done on that first anniversary and then what continues to be done, not only on the anniversary date, but all the time now.

Jamie Mowers
00:29:43

Sure, it's just very simply, it's just, it's the simplest acts of kindness. It's people leaving extra quarters at the car wash.

I remember for the first day, for the first one, someone taped dollars to a vending machine in their building. Just like, extra, here, have an extra snack on me.

People have also donated to causes that are close to the first anniversary of my dad's heart, which was like toys for tots, the marines. But it's, you know, paying for the next person in line or just even just some people get caught up in the, what am I gonna do?

Or, like, I don't know what to do.

Even just making a conscious effort to smile at people or actually interact with people in a meaningful way, like when you're at the gas stash gas station or grocery store or whatever, look around, get out of your phone. Look at the people in front of you, behind you. Maybe if they have a cart full of groceries and you have one item, maybe let them go first.

Just even by paying attention, even by paying more attention, I think we can be kinder. And just even, like I said, just noticing someone smiling at them say, has.

Arnold Stricker
00:30:59

Kindness gone away due to technology and due to work in our own little worlds and so we don't want to mix it up with other people. And I'll throw this in there. And because of politics, I wouldn't say.

Jamie Mowers
00:31:13

Kindness has gone away because taking a holiday. Yeah, because buzzing love and so many other things. But, I mean, buzzing love is proof. I see it.

You know, every day that there are, there is kindness every day. If you look for it and if you be a part of that, like, you can't just. We can't just sit by and let someone else do that.

I think in general, it's easy to feel like, yes, kindness is maybe on the downside, but I don't believe that, I guess, because I just think we have to work harder at being part of the kindness and opening our eyes to see it. I mean, there's kind people everywhere, and I think that's just what, like I said, we should try to focus on and try a little harder.

And it's a challenge for me, too. I mean, I work in a very stressful industry.

I have a lot of bad days, and I'm not always, you know, there are a lot of days I walk away from the office going, man, I can do better. And I try, you know, but I. So it's just, like I said, it's a challenge.

But I think if we're aware of it and like I said, and we all think about it a little bit more and make that just, like I said, conscious effort to pay attention to the people around us and like I said, create those little personal interactions. It might, like I said, it might not be anything to you or whatever, and you go on about your day and the other person does, too.

But if you made that one little spark, that one little connection or your morning coffee, you know, in the morning, then it's okay. Like, that was really nice.

Mark Langston
00:33:04

Yeah. You never know, do you?

Jamie Mowers
00:33:05

No, you never know.

Mark Langston
00:33:07

That's the never knowing that little smile or that thank you or open a door, whatever it is, is going to really make all the difference. Yes, it's crazy to say that seems so simple, doesn't it?

Jamie Mowers
00:33:19

But it's so true. It's so true.

Arnold Stricker
00:33:23

You never know where people are in their lives or what they're going through at any given moment, and something in the wrong way can send them down the wrong path. Or really, my words debilitate them in a more increased manner, or you can lift them up.

And when you were talking about that, you were talking about, be a part of that. Be a part of that.

And I would say that even if you're not doing that for someone else, if you're doing it for yourself, it's like picking up a piece of trash on the sidewalk outside or doing something where somebody else may see that and they go, oh, wow. So it's. You're not doing it to get something back. You're doing it to enhance yourself and others around you.

Jamie Mowers
00:34:06

Yes, yes, yes. And one thing. One thing. Yes.

I was gathering my thoughts, but to that extent, too, one thing I have talked about on buzzing love before is, to your point of, even if you're not necessarily doing it for somebody else, like you said, somebody might see you do something in this. Oh, yeah, I should do that. Or, yeah, I'm gonna do that next time I see a piece of trash. But also kind of to ourselves, I think. And this is.

Mark Langston
00:34:38

There's a good one.

Jamie Mowers
00:34:39

Yes, yes, yes.

And this kind of also, I think, you know, plays into just the book a little bit in terms of, I think women can especially be very, very hard on ourselves.

Arnold Stricker
00:34:53

But that. Why, for the male audience. Why is that?

Jamie Mowers
00:34:57

Why is that? Well, you're the males in the room.

Mark Langston
00:35:00

I know. How have you. I know. They've been.

Jamie Mowers
00:35:03

It's. It's just in our nature, I think. Yes. I think it's in our nature.

Mark Langston
00:35:07

I think it is.

Jamie Mowers
00:35:08

I think it's in our nature. It's obviously part of our culture where women have always been expected to be the end all the. Be all the. Everything.

Mark Langston
00:35:17

The doers that you can't vote yet.

Jamie Mowers
00:35:19

Right.

Mark Langston
00:35:22

It's true.

Jamie Mowers
00:35:22

Like, yeah.

Arnold Stricker
00:35:23

Make sure dinners on the table.

Mark Langston
00:35:25

Oh, yeah.

Jamie Mowers
00:35:25

Yes, yes.

Mark Langston
00:35:27

I know. I'm just. I don't know how we ever got there in the first place.

Jamie Mowers
00:35:30

Thank you.

Mark Langston
00:35:30

It's like, how did this ever happen in the first place?

Jamie Mowers
00:35:33

Yes. So I think we're very hard on ourselves, and I think this plays out in our circles. It certainly does.

Like, in my circle, friends, we get together, coffee, we're talking about all this stuff, what you got going on, what you're going through, what's happening, what's hard. And it's. It never fails. It's just we are always being so hard on ourselves, and then it's what we all try. We're all like.

But I tell my friend, like, I. It's like we're able to lift each other up so much, but we also need to not be beating ourselves down. Like, the encouragement.

You've heard this before, but it's true. Like, the encouragement, the advice, the ra.

The cheerleading that you give to your friends, it's okay to get to be kind to yourself, because also, I think when you are trying to be kind to yourself, then that's going to reflect what you put back out on the world. And one of the women's. One of the chapters, you know, is so great.

I mean, all the chapters are so great, but one of the chapters in particular talks about, you know, you cannot. The holy. You cannot pour from an empty cup. You just can't. You know, you can't. You can. And most. And a lot of us do it for a very long time, but you.

You will reach the point that you can't do it anymore, and then that's when you need to start coming back to yourself a little bit, because, like I said, when you do that, then you really can start, like I said, empowering the other women. Not just women, but everyone around you, you know, the people in your life.

Mark Langston
00:37:11

Wow.

Arnold Stricker
00:37:12

So, the reception of the book in your chapter, both of them together, has been very good. You've done some book signings and book review kinds of things.

Mark Langston
00:37:23

Oh, I want to go to a book sign.

Jamie Mowers
00:37:24

Yes.

Mark Langston
00:37:24

I love.

Jamie Mowers
00:37:25

Yes, please come to our book signings. So, the next one that we're gonna have is on November 1 in Sunset Hills, and we'll have.

I'll have more information on that soon, but we're gonna be having several, because, like I said, a few of us might make it to one, and then some other authors make it to the next one. And, yes, it's been so much fun. I never thought I would be signing a book, that I was part of a chapter, and, yeah, so it's been really.

It's been really fun, and we hope to see you.

Mark Langston
00:37:58

How do we find out, though, about where these book signings are?

Jamie Mowers
00:38:02

So, basically, I would just say if the easiest way is people can contact me or Marty, Casey, or Rebecca, now you can find I'm easily accessible. Webster Kirkwood. Times buzzing. Love. Just my personal pages and. And everything like that. So we don't have.

Like I said, a lot of them are still in the works, but there will definitely be more in, certainly the Webster Kirkwood and several other areas coming up, especially with the holidays.

Mark Langston
00:38:32

Right. So, yes, the holidays is coming to.

Jamie Mowers
00:38:34

It makes a good gift.

Mark Langston
00:38:35

I was gonna say that. I think it would be a wonderful gift.

Jamie Mowers
00:38:39

Yes. Especially for the woman in your life.

Mark Langston
00:38:41

Are all of the authors in there? Are they from the St. Louis area or are they from around the area?

Jamie Mowers
00:38:46

Yes, we are all authors who are from the St. Louis area. Greater St. Louis area, which I think is really neat, because, like I said, this is about the women who are here.

But also, I think the fact that the book has made international bestseller just speaks to how universal these stories are.

Mark Langston
00:39:13

I cannot imagine how they picked the ladies, the women, to contribute to the book.

Jamie Mowers
00:39:21

I know they had a very difficult job. I'm sure.

Mark Langston
00:39:25

I would bet. Because. How many total are there in there? 20?

Jamie Mowers
00:39:28

23.

Mark Langston
00:39:29

23. That's a lot of stories.

Jamie Mowers
00:39:31

It is. And they're all so powerful.

Mark Langston
00:39:34

Was there a lot of restrictions on your chapter? Like, it couldn't be any longer than.

Jamie Mowers
00:39:40

Oh, yes. I was gonna say there were no restrictions in terms of what we could write about.

I mean, we could write about absolutely anything we wanted and how we wanted to do it and how we wanted to tell our story was solely ours, which. There's a lot of power in that. Right. But they cannot be over 1500 words. And for anyone who knows me knows, that was no easy feat. I had so much.

I had so much that I wanted to put in there. But I think most people feel like that what you're getting is the revised, condensed version.

But, yeah, no, we were able to tell our stories in whatever way we. We saw fit.

Mark Langston
00:40:26

I know, out of those, all the stories in the bay, have you read them all?

Jamie Mowers
00:40:30

Oh, yes. Yes.

Mark Langston
00:40:31

Are there any that really jump out other than yours?

Jamie Mowers
00:40:36

Yes, there is. They're all so incredible that I hate to single one out.

Mark Langston
00:40:40

I'm sure. Yeah, there's got. Yeah.

Jamie Mowers
00:40:42

But I will say the one that I have related to the most is by a woman who lost her 13 year old to suicide. So that. But she's done an amazing, incredible thing. That is, she now has a foundation in honor of her daughter, and she works.

She's done incredible, amazing work. But I resonated with that one, obviously, because of the. There were some similarities. And I just.

Again, like, I'm telling you guys that every woman will see themselves in this book, and that's true for me as well. Like, I see myself in her story and vice versa.

Mark Langston
00:41:24

There's so many different emotions in this book, aren't there?

Jamie Mowers
00:41:28

Yes, so many. All the. All of the emotions, the whole.

Arnold Stricker
00:41:32

And I think the biggest rainbow of emotions is that there is hope through. I don't want to say out of. Because sometimes you just work your way through situations.

Jamie Mowers
00:41:42

Through. Yes.

Arnold Stricker
00:41:44

And your situation was one that resonated because both Mark and I have known you for a while. And the other situations, I'm sure, are they. It's just like looking at a diamond. This book is.

You look at a different facet of the diamond, you get a different perspective on somebody else's pain and grief and how they've worked through it and how they've actually moved it and put it into a positive direction. And that's what I think we all want to do. We don't want to live in isolation, because isolation cannot be good at all. It just feeds that pain.

It feeds that grief in a negative manner.

Mark Langston
00:42:21

I like the concept of being able to go to a chapter and just. It's all there.

Jamie Mowers
00:42:26

Yes.

Mark Langston
00:42:27

And then I can put it down and go to the next chapter later on or something like that.

Arnold Stricker
00:42:31

And they're like four or five pages. So it's not like it's a dissertation on somebody's situation. It's short vignettes, how people have worked through their things.

Mark Langston
00:42:41

Yeah.

Jamie Mowers
00:42:41

Yes. Our own version of chicken soup for the soul.

Mark Langston
00:42:45

There you go. There you go. Good way to put it.

Jamie Mowers
00:42:49

That's what I think of them. Right? You guys remember all those. Just the short stories, so. Yeah.

Arnold Stricker
00:42:55

It is so buzzing love, folks. Buzzinglove.org. you can catch some more information about that. Some of the stories. You can get some love bracelets and you can get the book.

Where can you get the book?

Jamie Mowers
00:43:07

Yes. All you need to do is contact me. I would love if. Yes. If you purchase directly from me. Like I said, you can.

Contact info is on the buzzing Love website. You can also always find me at the Webster Kirkwood Times.

Arnold Stricker
00:43:20

And we'll have her contact information on the podcast.

Jamie Mowers
00:43:24

We'll make it easy.

Mark Langston
00:43:25

Wow. It's so good to see you.

Jamie Mowers
00:43:28

It's good to be here.

Mark Langston
00:43:29

I don't know if we're at the end or not, but it's great to see Jamie.

Jamie Mowers
00:43:32

Thank you, guys.

Arnold Stricker
00:43:33

We appreciate you coming in.

Mark Langston
00:43:34

She's worked so hard with that newspaper, too.

Jamie Mowers
00:43:37

Thank you.

Mark Langston
00:43:39

You brought that newspaper back. People really understand. It was going out. It was gone.

Arnold Stricker
00:43:44

You resurrected, wasn't it?

Jamie Mowers
00:43:45

Yes. But again, you guys are very kind. But it wasn't just me. It takes a our. Oh, sure, it takes our army, but.

Mark Langston
00:43:52

It takes a leader, too, to be in there, Jamie.

Jamie Mowers
00:43:57

But it's everyone on our team and my co owners, Randy Dralingis and Kent Tencher. Phenomenal. And the team that we have, like I said, that surrounds us, every, everybody is just phenomenal. So that's why we're, that's why we're here.

And the support of the communities is also just out standing.

Mark Langston
00:44:16

And I hope people understand how special it is because there's not a lot of communities, are there?

Jamie Mowers
00:44:21

No, it's dying, unfortunately. It's a dying breed. But yeah, the country, every community really should have a newspaper.

Mark Langston
00:44:31

I agree total, wholeheartedly.

Jamie Mowers
00:44:33

Yes.

Arnold Stricker
00:44:34

St. Louis Post Dispatch has difficulties even printing their paper locally.

Mark Langston
00:44:38

Yeah, they're going to Columbia or something like that.

Arnold Stricker
00:44:40

To have a large newspaper, city newspaper like that struggling. And to see how a community newspaper is really thriving.

Mark Langston
00:44:47

Yeah.

Arnold Stricker
00:44:47

But it's a great maybe sends us back to where we should be.

Mark Langston
00:44:50

I always grab it everywhere I go. Every time I'm in emos for sure.

Arnold Stricker
00:44:55

I'm grabbing shameless plug.

Mark Langston
00:44:57

Oh, yeah.

Jamie Mowers
00:44:58

Yes.

Arnold Stricker
00:44:59

Thanks for coming in again.

Jamie Mowers
00:45:00

Thank you guys so much for having me. I'm so grateful.

Mark Langston
00:45:04

It's always our pleasure.

Arnold Stricker
00:45:05

Mark, do you have any days of the day?

Mark Langston
00:45:06

Let's see. Today is International Credit Union Day. Are you a credit union member?

Arnold Stricker
00:45:12

I am.

Mark Langston
00:45:13

Are you? I am too. Okay. National Pasta day is today.

Arnold Stricker
00:45:17

Oh boy. What kind?

Mark Langston
00:45:21

Any kind of italian pasta that you want. It's fine. Conflict resolution day.

Arnold Stricker
00:45:26

Oh, that should be every day.

Mark Langston
00:45:27

Yeah. I'm glad we have that today for you and I. Let's see. Get smart about credit day. So many days.

Did you know there were so many days available in international shakeout Day. Let me shake out.

Arnold Stricker
00:45:45

Not shake down, shake out.

Mark Langston
00:45:47

National edge day. Do you like edgy music? Yeah. Like rock and roll edgy music. This is the day for. I know these are not too good.

Arnold Stricker
00:45:57

Crazy rock music.

Mark Langston
00:45:57

I know you're crazy anyway, but let's see. I know there's a couple of more. National chocolate cupcake day.

Arnold Stricker
00:46:04

Oh, yeah.

Mark Langston
00:46:05

Yeah.

Arnold Stricker
00:46:05

Go for that.

Mark Langston
00:46:06

Now you're talking.

Arnold Stricker
00:46:07

Yeah.

Mark Langston
00:46:07

Healthcare aid day. Oh my goodness. Tell me about healthcare. This is what, Jamie, this is what your congress is doing.

They're voting on this stuff instead of National Alaska Day. There you go. National Necktie Day. When was the last time you wore a necktie?

Arnold Stricker
00:46:26

I actually do not remember. I had to wear one for so long. I even got rid of my suits.

Mark Langston
00:46:32

Really?

Arnold Stricker
00:46:32

I did.

Mark Langston
00:46:33

Did you?

Arnold Stricker
00:46:34

Yes.

Mark Langston
00:46:34

What are they gonna bury you in? I'm kidding.

Arnold Stricker
00:46:37

Just have to get one.

Mark Langston
00:46:39

They're gonna go out and buy you a suit to bury you.

Arnold Stricker
00:46:41

Yeah, I guess so.

Mark Langston
00:46:42

This is all very dark, Mark.

Arnold Stricker
00:46:45

Here's our word for the day.

Mark Langston
00:46:46

Oh, good. It's about time.

Arnold Stricker
00:46:48

And many of you have probably used this. It's tootle.

Mark Langston
00:46:52

Tootle.

Arnold Stricker
00:46:53

To move or proceed in a leisurely way. You heard of tootling around?

Mark Langston
00:46:57

Yes.

Arnold Stricker
00:46:57

What are you tootling around there for? Yeah, I've used that for some of the kids when I was prince.

Mark Langston
00:47:02

Have you?

Arnold Stricker
00:47:04

Get to work there.

Mark Langston
00:47:05

You're a toodler.

Arnold Stricker
00:47:05

You're a toodler.

Mark Langston
00:47:06

Tootle I.

Arnold Stricker
00:47:07

And here's another one. Do you know what a millionaire is? A millionaire?

Mark Langston
00:47:11

A nil yeonnaire.

Arnold Stricker
00:47:12

It's a person with little or no money.

Jamie Mowers
00:47:14

I was just gonna say I have nothing. That's what it feels like it would mean.

Arnold Stricker
00:47:19

You're right.

Jamie Mowers
00:47:19

Nothing.

Arnold Stricker
00:47:20

And some common advice is to avoid conversations at work. Just always walk with a purpose in a toilet plunger.

Mark Langston
00:47:28

Oh, my. Wait. Okay. Whoa. That's pretty bad.

Arnold Stricker
00:47:34

What if a volkswagen. What if Volkswagen brought back the beetle as an electric car? They called it the lightning bug.

Mark Langston
00:47:42

No, don't let him do this. You're closer to him. Hit him.

Jamie Mowers
00:47:47

I'm sorry.

Arnold Stricker
00:47:50

I mentioned to the trainer that I was surprised how winded I was by the exercise, and he said this was just a tour of the gym. And we know Kleenex. Kleenex is a brand name. It's not tissues or whatever. Nose tissues or whatever these are. Velcro is also a brand name.

And the company launched campaigns to encourage people to stop using quote unquote Velcro as a generic term. The correct name for the product is actually hook and loop, believe it or not. Yeah, I agree with that.

Mark Langston
00:48:22

Yeah. And it was invented from a guy that got those little burrs on his. Did you know that?

Arnold Stricker
00:48:27

Yeah.

Mark Langston
00:48:27

And he died a pulper because he never patented it.

Arnold Stricker
00:48:30

Yeah.

Mark Langston
00:48:31

Died a pulp. It had no money. I know. What is that about a millionaire?

Arnold Stricker
00:48:35

Maybe. So. Maybe some people remember the baseball player named John Cruck.

He played for the Philadelphia Phillies, but a senior citizen saw him smoking a cigarette after a game and said, that's horrible to see a professional athlete like you smoking. He said, I'm not an athlete, lady. I'm a baseball player.

Mark Langston
00:48:57

Your time is so short, you don't.

Arnold Stricker
00:48:59

Get a body of mine overnight. It takes years of moderate neglect and bacon.

Mark Langston
00:49:07

Thank you very much.

Arnold Stricker
00:49:09

There you go. There you go. And then there are. I'll leave it with this. There are some.

1 minute you're fun and young, and the next minute the new hires at work are the same age as your kids.

Mark Langston
00:49:22

I remember when I was the youngest at work. I remember that.

Arnold Stricker
00:49:27

Yeah. They said, are you hiring teenagers to be a principal?

Mark Langston
00:49:30

Nope. No.

Arnold Stricker
00:49:34

Okay, folks, take a bow. That's all for this hour. We appreciate you listening. If you've enjoyed this episode, you can listen to additional shows@stlintune.com.

consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, podchaser or your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to grow. I want to thank Bob Berthisel for our theme music.

Our guest, Jamie Mowers and coach co host, Mark Langston. We thank you for being a part of our community of curious minds, folks. St.

Louis in tune is a production of Motif Media Group and the us radio network. Remember to keep seeking, keep learning, walk worthy, and let your light shine. For St. Luce in tune, I'm Arnold Stricker.