The Great Noticing

Sisters MaryAnn Means-Dufrene and Emily McAnelly return to the mic after a long pause, diving into an open conversation about where they’ve been, how they’ve grown, and what’s next for The Great Noticing . From motherhood to mental health, discipline to body image, they unpack the layers of life with their signature honesty and warmth. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:00 Reconnecting Afte...

 Meet our guest, Jordan Rolfe Stimpson  She is a Fort Worth-based attorney, partner at Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP, and a seasoned advocate in both criminal and civil law. With a career that began in journalism and a passion for public service, Jordan brings a multidimensional view to balancing motherhood, law, and leadership. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 01:05 W...

Meet our guest, Leah M. King.  She’s the President of the JPS Foundation, where she leads transformational fundraising efforts to support public healthcare in Tarrant County. Formerly CEO of United Way of Tarrant County, Leah is also an elected official, serving as president of the board of directors at the Tarrant Regional Water District. Her leadership spans nonprofit strategy, civic engage...

 Meet our guests, Melissa and Jamey Ice Melissa Ice is the founder and Executive Director of The Net , a nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors of sex trafficking. She also co-founded The Worthy Co. , a social enterprise providing job training and employment for trafficking survivors. Her leadership has earned her recognition as one of Fort Worth Inc.'s 400 Most Influential People. Jamey...

 Sisters MaryAnn Means-Dufrene and Emily McAnelly, share their unfiltered review of their recent Disney cruise adventure. From overcrowded pools to overpriced princess makeovers, they unpack the highs, lows, and unexpected life lessons discovered along the way. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:28 Welcome and Introduction 00:40 Reflecting on the Disney Cruise Experience 03:13 The Ugly...

Meet our guest, Rose Bradshaw With a 35-year career spanning North Texas, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco, Rose Bradshaw has helped philanthropists, corporations, and foundations maximize their impact. As President and CEO of the North Texas Community Foundation, she leads initiatives to strengthen communities through strategic giving and investment. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 01:...

Meet Dr. Carly Buxton, the founder of Parentswarm, a startup connecting parents to expert support. She also teaches business at the University of Richmond and writes across multiple genres, including historical fiction and children's books. Her work highlights the power of nuanced thinking and embracing a multifaceted life. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:...

Meet Myong Chong, a skincare pioneer and healer. As the founder and owner of Hanna Isul™ Skin Therapy, Myong has spent over 30 years redefining skincare through her innovative, holistic approach. Her groundbreaking products, including U.S.-patented formulas, focus on true skin transformation—going beyond surface-level beauty to deeper healing and rejuvenation. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn...

Sarah Elliott Webb, founder of Webb CFO, knows firsthand the challenges of running a business while balancing family life. As a financial expert and entrepreneur, she shares how business owners can navigate uncertainty, build financial literacy, and avoid burnout by making small but impactful shifts in their habits. In this episode, Sarah opens up about the pressures business owners face, especial...

Summary  In this engaging conversation, Ashton Theiss, founder of the Ashton Agency, shares her journey of building a successful real estate brokerage from the ground up. She reflects on the challenges faced during the pandemic, the importance of creating a unique company culture, and her commitment to quality service in an industry often criticized for its lack of standards. Ashton discusses...

Summary In this conversation, Brent Beasley discusses the current state of education in Fort Worth, Texas, emphasizing the importance of accurately perceiving the realities of academic performance among students. He highlights the challenges faced by public schools, the impact of funding and school choice, and the critical role of early childhood education in shaping future academic success. Brent...

Summary  In this episode of The Great Noticing, hosts MaryAnn Means-Dufrene and Emily McAnelly welcome banking executive Martin Noto. With nearly four decades of experience, Martin shares insights into the evolving banking landscape, the impact of regulations, and the recent Silicon Valley Bank crisis. He discusses the challenges of hiring in the banking sector, generational differences in wo...

Summary In this conversation, MaryAnn Means-Dufrene and Emily McAnelly discuss the transformative impact of the Fort Worth Report, a nonprofit news organization, on local journalism. Chris Cobler and Sonya Wierzowiecki share insights on the shift from traditional for-profit journalism to a community-focused nonprofit model, emphasizing trust, transparency, and solutions-oriented reporting. They hi...

Summary In this conversation, Kayla shares her journey from Corsicana, Texas, to becoming a key player in the development of the Hotel Drover and the revitalization of the Fort Worth Stockyards. She discusses her early career, the challenges of community engagement, and the importance of building a passionate culture within her team. The conversation highlights the impact of their work on the loca...

Summary In this engaging conversation, MaryAnn and Emily welcome Gayle Goodman Lynch, a serial entrepreneur and executive coach, to discuss the profound impact of self-love on personal and professional success. Gayle shares her journey of overcoming limiting beliefs, navigating adversity, and the importance of self-compassion in transforming relationships. The discussion highlights how our experie...

Summary In this episode of The Great Noticing Podcast, hosts MaryAnn and Emily welcome speech language pathologists Kim Dillon and Mary Brezik. They discuss the multifaceted roles of speech language pathologists, their personal experiences that led them to fill gaps in services, and the importance of collaboration in therapy. The conversation also touches on the challenges modern parents face, the...

Summary In this episode of The Great Noticing, MaryAnn Means-Dufrene speaks with Jay McCall, senior principal at Rainwater Charitable Foundation, about the current state of education in Fort Worth and Tarrant County. They discuss the challenges facing the education system, the importance of community involvement, and the need for strategic planning and resource allocation. Jay emphasizes the role...

Summary In this episode of The Great Noticing, MaryAnn and Emily are joined by Jessica Essel and Susan Miller, co-presidents of M2G Ventures, for a deep conversation on the importance of self-care and intentional living in a demanding world. They explore the need to listen to your body and recognize when it’s time to take a step back, reset, and recharge. Together, they dive into the challenges of...

Summary Annette Landeros, CEO of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, discusses her work in workforce development and economic mobility. She shares her surprise at discovering that 90% of the people they help are Spanish speakers, highlighting the importance of being a trusted resource in the community. Annette also talks about her experience as an entrepreneur and the challenges and rewar...

Summary  In this episode, MaryAnn, Emily, and Eric explore themes of acceptance, the balance between reality and aspirations, and how acceptance can inspire change. They discuss managing personal and professional responsibilities, parenting challenges, and the pressure to always strive for success. The conversation emphasizes setting boundaries, consistent rules, and validating children’s emo...

Summary Robert Sturns, the director of economic development for the city of Fort Worth, shares his journey and insights on disappointment, acceptance, and maintaining motivation. He emphasizes the importance of giving oneself grace and understanding, as well as seeking support from friends and family. Robert also discusses the power of art in transformation and the need to carve out time for creat...

Summary Kelly Ann Doherty shares her journey of authenticity and the importance of tapping into core strengths and competencies. She discusses the impact of embracing authenticity and how it can unlock creativity and foster trust in organizations. Kelly also talks about her experience with IVF and how it inspired her to create benefits for families in her organization. She emphasizes the need to c...

Summary In this conversation, MaryAnn Means-Dufrene interviews Brooke Goggans and Susan Medina, the founders of The Collaborative. They discuss their backgrounds, the work they do in the community, and the inspiration behind founding their organization. They also talk about the importance of collaboration and supporting each other as women leaders. The conversation touches on topics such as work-l...

Summary  In this conversation, MaryAnn and Emily interview Sarah Watson, a New York-based executive coach. They discuss the concept of difficult behavior in founders and how Sarah approaches it with a focus on finding the intelligence and potential in those behaviors. They explore the difference between enabling behaviors and working at a deeper level to tap into a person's life force. Sarah...

 Summary  In this conversation, Mayor Maddie Parker discusses the current political climate and the polarization in the country. She emphasizes the importance of finding common ground and consensus building at the local level. The conversation also touches on the challenges of balancing personal and professional life, the need for vulnerability in leadership, and the importance of civic...