Thinking That Matters with Elizabeth Mahusay

In this episode, I had an incredible conversation with Bryan Driscoll, author of The Goodness Game. Bryan, a Pittsburgh native and father of three, shared his inspiring journey from a troubled youth to a successful entrepreneur and advocate for small acts of kindness. While he owns a digital marketing company that generates leads for real estate investors, his true passion lies in making a differe...

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I have the privilege to sit down with a friend and management consultant, Christina N Nwachukwu. Christina shares her journey of immigrating to the United States from South Sudan at the age of 10, describing the significant cultural adjustments she faced.    Our conversation delves into Christina's rich background, her career in management consulting, and...

Today, I had the pleasure of sitting down with my husband, Fred Mahusay, also known as the "Fred of FredShots Photography." In this episode, Fred shares his unique upbringing, balancing traditional Filipino culture with mainstream American life, and how that shaped his perspective.   He recounted a pivotal moment from his childhood when his father introduced him to photography through a Polaroid c...

In today's episode, I had the joy of chatting with my friend and fellow podcast host, Kylie Cross. Kylie, a stay-at-home mom turned entrepreneur and life coach, shared her inspiring journey of transformation. From feeling stuck and trapped in her role as a stay-at-home mom to embracing her purpose and identity, Kylie’s story is a testament to the power of re-choosing your path.   Through her coach...

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I had the pleasure of speaking with Luke Gajary, a fellow Leadership McKinney classmate and a dynamic professional in the field of digital marketing and communications. Luke currently works at the McKinney Economic Development Corporation, where he handles all things digital marketing, social media, email campaigns, and advertising.   Luke shared his journ...

Welcome back to another episode of Thinking That Matters! Today I have the privilege of introducing you to Wanda Johnson, the District Truancy Liaison for McKinney ISD. Wanda’s story is one of resilience, faith, and determination, and I’m so excited for you to hear it.   From her childhood in Gary, Indiana, to a career in Fortune 500 companies, and ultimately to her impactful role in McKinney ISD,...

Meet the trailblazers! I am thrilled to share our latest podcast episode featuring two incredible guests who are making waves in male-dominated industries.   In this episode, I had the pleasure of hosting two remarkable guests: Deputy Chief Ana Navarro and Taylor Shead, founder and CEO of Stimuli. Both women have carved out impressive careers in male-dominated fields, and their stories are filled...

I'm excited to share our latest episode of Thinking That Matters, where I had the pleasure of speaking with my friend and colleague, Dietrich Willke, to explore the fascinating intersections of psychology, personal development, and the power of neurolinguistic programming (NLP).   Dietrich shares his incredible journey from Germany to Brazil and then to the United States, where he earned four bach...

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I had the pleasure of speaking with D’Anna Paty, client relationship manager at Valliance Bank in McKinney. D’Anna shared her inspiring journey of starting her banking career at just 18 to provide for her daughter, Emma, and how her passion for building relationships and giving back to the community has shaped her life and career.   D’Anna opened up about...

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I had the pleasure of speaking with Marzella Tyson, CEO of Meals on Wheels Collin County. She shared her inspiring journey and the organization's mission to fight hunger and isolation among seniors. Founded in 1976, Meals on Wheels now serves over half a million meals annually, addressing both hunger and the critical issue of isolation, especially in the w...

I’m thrilled to share our latest podcast episode featuring a truly inspiring guest, Keyanta Gaddy, the Development Director at Life Path Systems. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of developmental disabilities and the incredible work being done to support individuals and families facing these challenges.    Keyanta provides an in-depth look at the services Life Path Systems offers, incl...

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I’m thrilled to welcome back my dear friend, Rita Townsend. Rita is a passionate Mary Kay sales director, who has spent the last 15 years helping others discover the beauty of skincare and self-care. From her early days as a U.S. Marine working on avionic electronics to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the beauty industry, Rita’s journey is nothing sh...

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I had the pleasure of welcoming back my friend Samm Adel, who first joined us for an inspiring conversation in episode 66. Sam is a dynamic director of sales at the Hampton Dallas Allen and a valued team member at Aimbridge Hospitality, the largest hospitality management company in the U.S. Beyond her professional role, she is a devoted mom, wife, and Chri...

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I’m joined by my inspiring friend and fellow coach, Francine Ivey. As the CEO and founder of Consumed Coaching, Francine brings a powerful message for Christian men and women looking to transform their skills and passions into a purposeful, thriving coaching business. Join us as we dive deep into Francine’s personal journey and her mission to help others d...

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I had the pleasure of speaking with Derrick Tarver, a McKinney native whose inspiring journey highlights the power of stepping out of comfort zones and challenging limiting beliefs.    Derrick is the founder of Collin County Chaos, a nonprofit youth sports organization that offers affordable and structured athletic opportunities to children who might not o...

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I had a great conversation with my longtime friend and community advocate, David Garcia. David, a McKinney native, is not only a successful entrepreneur running a roofing company and a marketing agency, but he's also the founder of Boomerang Cares Foundation, a nonprofit helping families in Collin County through tough times.    David’s passion for giving b...

Today, I’m thrilled to share our latest podcast episode featuring the incredible Theo Ammons. Theo is a seasoned leader with a wealth of experience in leadership and people development. He is a passionate leader and expert in people development.    In this episode, we dive deep into the essence of true leadership and how to effectively develop people. Theo emphasizes the importance of understandin...

In this episode of "Thinking That Matters," I am thrilled to welcome my friend and fellow Leadership McKinney Class of 2025 member, Cheneda Samuel. Together, we explore Cheneda's remarkable journey from a curious latchkey kid in Baltimore to a leader in the nonprofit sector, serving the community through her work at One Heart McKinney.   At One Heart McKinney, Cheneda plays a pivotal role in helpi...

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I had the pleasure of welcoming my friend and guest, Alison Jenkins, a partner at Riskwell, a real estate and commercial investor-focused insurance brokerage based in McKinney. Alison shared her journey from the corporate world to joining her husband, James, in their family business, highlighting the importance of knowing where you're going and why. Throug...

In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I'm sitting down with Rudy Frederico, a franchise consultant and broker, for a second time. Rudy brings a wealth of knowledge from his years helping people find the right business fit through franchising. We talk about what it takes to make that leap, the kind of thinking that’s crucial for success, and why understanding your emotional motivation can make...

Is your marketing budget really just money down the drain?   Today on Thinking That Matters, we’re joined by Amber Gaige, the dynamic owner of Far Beyond Marketing. As a seventh-generation McKinney native and third-generation entrepreneur, Amber brings invaluable experience to the table, especially for small businesses and tradespeople.   In this episode, Amber opens up about her entrepreneurial r...

  Welcome to a special episode of Thinking That Matters!    Whether this is the first time you’re joining me or you’ve been part of this journey for the last few years! I’m excited to share a milestone that’s close to my heart—a dream realized. In this episode, I’m reflecting on the powerful principles that helped me achieve best-seller status for my book, Pick Your Path.   First, we dive into the...

What would you do if you realized you’d hit the ceiling of your potential in your home country?   Welcome back to another episode of Thinking That Matters! I’m truly excited to introduce you to someone extraordinary today—Patricia Pimentel, a woman who dared to dream beyond the limitations placed on her and embodies the essence of resilience, faith, and transformation.   Patricia’s life began in C...

Welcome to another insightful episode of Thinking That Matters. Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to someone who has not only been a professional acquaintance but also a longtime friend, Lisa Hammett.   Lisa is a powerhouse- a certified Positive Intelligence (PQ) coach, a mental fitness expert, a transformational speaker, and an author of a bestseller that’s changing lives.  In this episode, Li...

In today’s episode, I want to take you back to a moment when the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the unexpected challenges was the closure of barbershops and hair salons, leaving my husband Fred’s flat top in need of a haircut.   Now, if you know anything about a flat top, you know it’s got to be precise, and we were weeks into lockdown, and his hair was looking rough. But the...