1 00:00:01,590 --> 00:00:04,620 Speaker 1: Welcome to Hope for the Journey, the podcast for women 2 00:00:04,700 --> 00:00:08,880 Speaker 1: over 40 who are ready to rise, rebuild, and reclaim 3 00:00:08,900 --> 00:00:13,020 Speaker 1: their story. I'm your host, Monica, and each week you'll 4 00:00:13,060 --> 00:00:17,670 Speaker 1: hear real, raw, comeback stories from women who have walked 5 00:00:17,710 --> 00:00:20,650 Speaker 1: through the fire and found purpose on the other side. 6 00:00:21,390 --> 00:00:25,910 Speaker 1: If you're navigating change, chasing a dream, or simply searching 7 00:00:25,970 --> 00:00:29,340 Speaker 1: for your next step, you're not alone. This is your 8 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:34,040 Speaker 1: place for courage, community, and the reminder that it's never 9 00:00:34,100 --> 00:00:39,479 Speaker 1: too late to rewrite the ending. Welcome to Hope for 10 00:00:39,520 --> 00:00:43,480 Speaker 1: the Journey podcast, the podcast for women over 40. I'm 11 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:46,839 Speaker 1: Monica Schmelter, and I cannot wait for you to hear 12 00:00:46,909 --> 00:00:48,010 Speaker 1: from my guest today. 13 00:00:48,490 --> 00:00:49,330 Speaker 2: Gigi Butler. 14 00:00:49,430 --> 00:00:55,060 Speaker 1: Her story in life, she's had many trials, she's reinvented herself, 15 00:00:55,570 --> 00:00:59,110 Speaker 1: all kinds of entrepreneur type roles, and she's got something 16 00:00:59,230 --> 00:01:03,860 Speaker 1: brand new coming out. called In the Kitchen with Gigi. Gigi, 17 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:05,530 Speaker 1: so glad you could join me today. 18 00:01:05,860 --> 00:01:08,490 Speaker 2: Thank you for having me. What an honor. I was 19 00:01:08,630 --> 00:01:10,630 Speaker 2: on your other show and now I get to be 20 00:01:10,650 --> 00:01:13,350 Speaker 2: on this show. So thank you so much. It's so 21 00:01:13,390 --> 00:01:15,530 Speaker 2: great to be here. It's so great to have you. 22 00:01:15,569 --> 00:01:20,490 Speaker 1: I had you on Bridges and I so enjoyed our conversation, Gigi. 23 00:01:20,530 --> 00:01:23,900 Speaker 1: You know, um, This podcast is for women over 40. 24 00:01:23,900 --> 00:01:26,480 Speaker 1: And I think for most of us over 40, right, 25 00:01:26,500 --> 00:01:29,710 Speaker 1: we're looking for a space to share, to have community, 26 00:01:29,810 --> 00:01:32,830 Speaker 1: to cheer one another on. And that's really been so 27 00:01:32,890 --> 00:01:35,709 Speaker 1: much a part of your story. And really, even the 28 00:01:35,790 --> 00:01:38,810 Speaker 1: show In the Kitchen with Gigi, it's like, let's get 29 00:01:38,930 --> 00:01:42,120 Speaker 1: people talking. So tell me about how you came up 30 00:01:42,180 --> 00:01:43,020 Speaker 1: with this idea. 31 00:01:44,090 --> 00:01:49,890 Speaker 2: Well, I moved to Florida and I was going to write, 32 00:01:49,910 --> 00:01:52,030 Speaker 2: I have another book that's in the works, but I 33 00:01:52,070 --> 00:01:55,170 Speaker 2: was going to write a devotional book and all about 34 00:01:55,250 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 2: hospitality and coming to the table and how we don't 35 00:01:58,950 --> 00:02:01,740 Speaker 2: do that anymore. You know, soccer moms are running their 36 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:04,180 Speaker 2: kids here and there and here, but do we sit 37 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:08,260 Speaker 2: down to a meal together? Not very often. So I 38 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:11,220 Speaker 2: really feel like what is missing in this world and 39 00:02:11,260 --> 00:02:16,330 Speaker 2: it's hospitality and feeding people, coming around a table, and 40 00:02:16,570 --> 00:02:21,470 Speaker 2: just communing together. And so I wrote a devotional cookbook, 41 00:02:21,710 --> 00:02:25,630 Speaker 2: and it's 31 days, and it talks about the rocky 42 00:02:26,130 --> 00:02:29,820 Speaker 2: roads of our life as I'm making rocky road pie, 43 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:33,679 Speaker 2: or the black forest cheesecake bars as you're dragging yourself 44 00:02:33,700 --> 00:02:37,780 Speaker 2: through the black forest of life, and what scriptures that 45 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:41,020 Speaker 2: I use to get me through that. And then I thought, well, 46 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:44,280 Speaker 2: why does it have to be just a book? Why 47 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:47,780 Speaker 2: can't it be a TV show? So we came up 48 00:02:47,880 --> 00:02:50,209 Speaker 2: with an idea and it's called In the Kitchen with 49 00:02:50,230 --> 00:02:56,010 Speaker 2: Gigi and it's great ingredients, great inspiration. So the acronym 50 00:02:56,490 --> 00:03:02,580 Speaker 2: G-I-G-I and ingredients, great inspiration. And it's all about bold 51 00:03:02,700 --> 00:03:07,800 Speaker 2: faith coming together welcoming someone in your home and talking 52 00:03:07,860 --> 00:03:11,840 Speaker 2: about the vulnerability and the scary parts of life and 53 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:15,220 Speaker 2: your journey, all the while cooking their favorite meal with 54 00:03:15,260 --> 00:03:19,269 Speaker 2: the different stars that I have on. And it's authors 55 00:03:19,389 --> 00:03:23,490 Speaker 2: or musicians or writers or preachers. So it's a whole 56 00:03:23,590 --> 00:03:27,070 Speaker 2: different eclectic group, which I love. And it's all about 57 00:03:27,130 --> 00:03:30,870 Speaker 2: their hard journeys, their bold faith and their favorite food. 58 00:03:32,290 --> 00:03:36,480 Speaker 1: And I think, Gigi, that like you said, hospitality, just 59 00:03:36,540 --> 00:03:41,180 Speaker 1: getting people around a table is so hard. I've read 60 00:03:41,260 --> 00:03:44,760 Speaker 1: studies that even show children do better in school if 61 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:48,350 Speaker 1: their family has a meal at the table. And one 62 00:03:48,390 --> 00:03:50,130 Speaker 1: of the studies said it didn't even have to be 63 00:03:50,190 --> 00:03:52,990 Speaker 1: like a fancy meal, just even sandwiches. 64 00:03:53,110 --> 00:03:54,790 Speaker 2: It's just getting together. 65 00:03:54,900 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 1: And I think what you've done with this show is 66 00:03:57,240 --> 00:04:00,640 Speaker 1: that you've kind of pulled from all of your experiences. 67 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:04,060 Speaker 1: When I think back to Gigi's cupcakes and the franchises and, 68 00:04:04,700 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 1: you know, making beautiful cupcakes that people love. And so 69 00:04:07,660 --> 00:04:11,380 Speaker 1: you're bringing that cooking, that baking, all of that together 70 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:14,500 Speaker 1: to open up conversation. Tell me about some of the 71 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:17,180 Speaker 1: guests and maybe just a teaser of some of the 72 00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:18,900 Speaker 1: conversations that are happening. 73 00:04:19,300 --> 00:04:24,089 Speaker 2: Wonderful. Well, we have Zach and Williams and Danny Gokey 74 00:04:24,150 --> 00:04:27,630 Speaker 2: and people like John Rich and Pastor Alan Jackson and 75 00:04:27,650 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 2: Jodi Messina and Dr. Ming Wang and Brad Stein. I mean, 76 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 2: just completely different guests from comedians to authors, Karen Kingsbury, 77 00:04:38,060 --> 00:04:42,010 Speaker 2: all of these people with different experiences. And what I 78 00:04:42,110 --> 00:04:46,670 Speaker 2: learned is when you're with someone, maybe if it's just 79 00:04:46,730 --> 00:04:48,770 Speaker 2: a talk show, you're going to sit there in front 80 00:04:48,790 --> 00:04:51,050 Speaker 2: of an audience and you won't get very vulnerable or 81 00:04:51,470 --> 00:04:54,710 Speaker 2: really the hard times. But if you come into a 82 00:04:54,790 --> 00:04:58,349 Speaker 2: kitchen and you're cooking someone's favorite meal, it lets their 83 00:04:58,450 --> 00:05:02,130 Speaker 2: guard down. And the things that they have shared with 84 00:05:02,210 --> 00:05:05,980 Speaker 2: me has been so vulnerable, so authentic, and so real. 85 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:09,880 Speaker 2: I cannot wait for people to hear these stories. I 86 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:12,620 Speaker 2: would be cooking their favorite meal or we'd be doing 87 00:05:12,660 --> 00:05:16,420 Speaker 2: it together And they would share something and I would 88 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:19,000 Speaker 2: just start crying and I'd be, hey, I need to, 89 00:05:19,760 --> 00:05:21,400 Speaker 2: I need a break. I've got to get a Kleenex. 90 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:24,890 Speaker 2: Like it really touched me. So if it's going to 91 00:05:24,950 --> 00:05:29,710 Speaker 2: touch me and I learned something from every guest, I 92 00:05:29,870 --> 00:05:33,150 Speaker 2: know that it's going to reach out to those millions 93 00:05:33,190 --> 00:05:35,890 Speaker 2: of people that are going to be watching and say, hey, 94 00:05:36,290 --> 00:05:38,470 Speaker 2: if she could go through that or if she would 95 00:05:38,510 --> 00:05:42,310 Speaker 2: have that trial or she tried to kill herself and 96 00:05:42,670 --> 00:05:45,170 Speaker 2: and she bounced back, or whatever it is. I mean, 97 00:05:45,190 --> 00:05:50,980 Speaker 2: the stories are, I mean, they're very major. But if 98 00:05:51,460 --> 00:05:54,900 Speaker 2: people could see that and what they've gone through and 99 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:58,760 Speaker 2: how they've been more than conquerors through Christ, I think 100 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:01,940 Speaker 2: it's going to touch everybody. I know it is. 101 00:06:01,980 --> 00:06:05,130 Speaker 1: You know, that's part of the heart behind this podcast 102 00:06:05,190 --> 00:06:12,610 Speaker 1: is comeback stories, being able to reinvent yourself after maybe tragedy, divorce, finances, whatever, 103 00:06:12,670 --> 00:06:14,690 Speaker 1: we've all had something, Gigi. 104 00:06:14,790 --> 00:06:18,480 Speaker 2: And it's hard for us to talk about the hard parts. 105 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:22,039 Speaker 1: And pieces when we're like thinking about our image and 106 00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 1: when we're out with other people. 107 00:06:23,660 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 2: But like you said, when you're in. 108 00:06:25,660 --> 00:06:28,919 Speaker 1: A kitchen and you're making good food and it's somebody's 109 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:32,940 Speaker 1: favorite meal, there's an openness there that's not there at 110 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:36,830 Speaker 1: other times. And the diversity of the kinds of guests 111 00:06:36,870 --> 00:06:39,099 Speaker 1: that you're having I guess one of the things that 112 00:06:39,140 --> 00:06:42,310 Speaker 1: I think about Gigi is like, Jesus, look, his disciples 113 00:06:42,350 --> 00:06:47,230 Speaker 1: were all so diverse, so different, yet they all brought 114 00:06:47,370 --> 00:06:50,890 Speaker 1: something for all of us to learn about God from. 115 00:06:51,970 --> 00:06:55,600 Speaker 2: They brought something to the table, didn't they? They sure did. 116 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:56,000 Speaker 2: And they. 117 00:06:56,730 --> 00:07:00,440 Speaker 1: That's why there's fellowship around the table. There's something about 118 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:04,039 Speaker 1: the breaking of bread. And have you have you left 119 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:06,600 Speaker 1: cooking and baking like as long as you can remember? 120 00:07:06,620 --> 00:07:11,590 Speaker 2: I have. My my grandparents, my great great grandmother in 121 00:07:11,610 --> 00:07:14,370 Speaker 2: the turn of the century opened her first bakery in 122 00:07:14,470 --> 00:07:19,310 Speaker 2: Oklahoma called Beals Bakery. And so it's in my blood. 123 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:23,580 Speaker 2: My great grandmothers, my mothers, my aunts, everyone cooked. So 124 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:25,660 Speaker 2: at three or four or five years old, I was 125 00:07:26,080 --> 00:07:29,830 Speaker 2: sitting on a counter watching my aunt roll pie dough 126 00:07:30,030 --> 00:07:33,510 Speaker 2: or making a cobbler or making a cake. And I 127 00:07:33,650 --> 00:07:36,250 Speaker 2: never thought I'd be doing it for a living or 128 00:07:36,290 --> 00:07:37,650 Speaker 2: that I would love it so much because I was 129 00:07:37,710 --> 00:07:39,650 Speaker 2: always going to be a country music singer, right? That 130 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:42,810 Speaker 2: was me. Singer-songwriter. That was her big dream. That was right. 131 00:07:42,870 --> 00:07:46,980 Speaker 2: And Dolly Parton, we just lost her at seven years old. 132 00:07:47,060 --> 00:07:49,220 Speaker 2: I was listening to a Dolly Parton song. I'm like, Mom, 133 00:07:49,260 --> 00:07:51,960 Speaker 2: I'm going to Nashville. I'm going to be like Dolly Parton. 134 00:07:52,460 --> 00:07:55,300 Speaker 2: And she was so inspiring to me. And I never 135 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:58,360 Speaker 2: thought that I would be, all I wanted was to 136 00:07:58,420 --> 00:08:01,340 Speaker 2: do a singer-songwriter. I never thought that cooking, all the 137 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 2: while I'm learning this from my family and we're sitting 138 00:08:04,440 --> 00:08:07,490 Speaker 2: around a table and we're feasting together, I never thought 139 00:08:07,560 --> 00:08:10,570 Speaker 2: that this would be the wonderful thing of my life, 140 00:08:10,740 --> 00:08:12,700 Speaker 2: a blessing that God has given me. 141 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:16,580 Speaker 1: You know, it's interesting, Gigi, isn't it? 142 00:08:16,660 --> 00:08:19,000 Speaker 2: How we think we know and we have a plan 143 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:25,710 Speaker 2: for our life. And God's like, well, yes, but it's 144 00:08:25,750 --> 00:08:28,170 Speaker 2: going to be a little bit different than what you think. 145 00:08:28,690 --> 00:08:32,230 Speaker 2: But as long as you're open to Him, what I've learned, 146 00:08:32,290 --> 00:08:36,180 Speaker 2: I've had so many failures. I've so many devastating losses. 147 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:39,380 Speaker 2: on so many levels. And if people would want to 148 00:08:39,460 --> 00:08:41,459 Speaker 2: read all my losses, there's a lot of them in 149 00:08:41,540 --> 00:08:45,510 Speaker 2: this book called The Secret Ingredient, Recipes for Success in 150 00:08:45,550 --> 00:08:47,790 Speaker 2: Business and in Life. And this is out, you can 151 00:08:47,809 --> 00:08:50,890 Speaker 2: get it on Amazon or anything. But what I've learned 152 00:08:50,910 --> 00:08:55,200 Speaker 2: with all of my failures is which I thought were failures, 153 00:08:55,580 --> 00:08:59,380 Speaker 2: but really I was falling forward. And I was, I 154 00:08:59,540 --> 00:09:02,340 Speaker 2: kept remained, even though I was down in the dirt 155 00:09:02,440 --> 00:09:06,140 Speaker 2: and absolutely just devastated, lost all my money, whatever it 156 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:11,440 Speaker 2: was at that time, I remained open and I remained 157 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:14,350 Speaker 2: in my mindset. It is never too late to recreate. 158 00:09:15,500 --> 00:09:19,170 Speaker 2: So if I'm thinking, okay, Yes, I'm older. Yes, I'm 159 00:09:19,230 --> 00:09:22,050 Speaker 2: over 40. Yes, but it's never too late to recreate. 160 00:09:22,390 --> 00:09:25,790 Speaker 2: So God, I'm open to what you want for me. 161 00:09:25,809 --> 00:09:28,590 Speaker 2: And I don't think, I think people after they've had 162 00:09:28,610 --> 00:09:31,950 Speaker 2: a rejection, they're like, I'm done, God, I'm done. I'm done. 163 00:09:31,990 --> 00:09:35,670 Speaker 2: And God's like, eh, you're still here and you still 164 00:09:35,710 --> 00:09:38,970 Speaker 2: have a purpose, but you're shutting yourself off. So shame 165 00:09:39,070 --> 00:09:42,569 Speaker 2: on you. You're not doing God's will. Exactly. 166 00:09:42,650 --> 00:09:44,990 Speaker 1: And, you know, I love that you shared it's never 167 00:09:45,070 --> 00:09:49,179 Speaker 1: too late to recreate because I think... Sometimes inwardly, but 168 00:09:49,340 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 1: also in this culture, right? We hear that, well, once 169 00:09:52,140 --> 00:09:55,070 Speaker 1: you're over 40 or over 50, you can't start over. 170 00:09:55,450 --> 00:09:57,450 Speaker 1: But if someone goes out and they get your book, 171 00:09:57,490 --> 00:09:59,890 Speaker 1: The Secret Ingredient, you've started over many times. 172 00:10:00,980 --> 00:10:03,660 Speaker 2: Many times. You have embraced reinvention. 173 00:10:04,059 --> 00:10:07,540 Speaker 1: And I think you just offered us the most practical 174 00:10:07,620 --> 00:10:09,120 Speaker 1: and the key tip. 175 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:11,240 Speaker 2: Keep your heart open. 176 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:14,230 Speaker 1: I know rejection makes us, I know I feel that 177 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:15,750 Speaker 1: way when I get rejected, right? 178 00:10:15,850 --> 00:10:17,990 Speaker 2: I don't want to take another step. It's so sad. 179 00:10:18,010 --> 00:10:19,050 Speaker 2: It's so hard. 180 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:22,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, we weren't made for that. But if we'll 181 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:26,939 Speaker 1: let God write the story and keep our hearts pliable, 182 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 1: He will keep writing our story if we let Him. 183 00:10:31,820 --> 00:10:34,479 Speaker 2: Right, well, you have to give Him the pen, right? 184 00:10:35,140 --> 00:10:37,120 Speaker 2: If you're always taking the pen from Him and trying 185 00:10:37,140 --> 00:10:42,059 Speaker 2: to write, and you're like, God's like, um, hello, can 186 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:45,100 Speaker 2: I take the pen and write your story, please? But 187 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:48,240 Speaker 2: people are so afraid. And what I've learned, and I 188 00:10:48,280 --> 00:10:51,530 Speaker 2: speak all across the country to people on faith and 189 00:10:51,650 --> 00:10:55,330 Speaker 2: stepping out on faith. And what people ask me most is, 190 00:10:56,230 --> 00:10:59,370 Speaker 2: how can you do this? How can you fight this fear? 191 00:11:00,210 --> 00:11:04,380 Speaker 2: And what I tell them is that fear is the 192 00:11:04,500 --> 00:11:08,600 Speaker 2: number one stumbling block in the world for you not 193 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:13,020 Speaker 2: living up to your full potential. Because you're afraid to fail. 194 00:11:13,550 --> 00:11:17,600 Speaker 2: You're afraid to be embarrassed. I've never truly been afraid 195 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:21,000 Speaker 2: to be embarrassed. I don't care. I'll keep cleaning houses. 196 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:22,880 Speaker 2: I mean, it really doesn't matter to me. I just 197 00:11:22,950 --> 00:11:25,530 Speaker 2: want to keep going. And whatever it is, I'm going 198 00:11:25,550 --> 00:11:29,610 Speaker 2: to keep recreating. But people are so terrified of rejection 199 00:11:30,270 --> 00:11:33,080 Speaker 2: and a feeling of making people feel like, oh, I'm 200 00:11:33,140 --> 00:11:36,590 Speaker 2: not all that. But you have to get over yourself 201 00:11:36,790 --> 00:11:41,390 Speaker 2: because sometimes, no, you're not all that. And that's okay 202 00:11:41,830 --> 00:11:45,440 Speaker 2: because God knows who you are. So just open yourself up. 203 00:11:45,840 --> 00:11:46,700 Speaker 2: Keep moving forward. 204 00:11:47,790 --> 00:11:49,170 Speaker 1: And we've got to take a break here in just 205 00:11:49,210 --> 00:11:52,270 Speaker 1: a moment. You said something on your website that just 206 00:11:52,370 --> 00:11:54,530 Speaker 1: really goes right along with this. Like, we don't have 207 00:11:54,550 --> 00:11:55,860 Speaker 1: to be perfect because we're not. 208 00:11:55,890 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 2: No. Not original. Original. 209 00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:01,319 Speaker 1: Like ourselves. If we can just embrace that. So we've 210 00:12:01,340 --> 00:12:03,660 Speaker 1: got to take a quick break. Be right back after 211 00:12:03,700 --> 00:12:04,880 Speaker 1: a word from our sponsors. 212 00:12:06,140 --> 00:12:06,470 Speaker 2: Okay. 213 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:09,470 Speaker 1: Now, Gigi, we are talking about your new show. In 214 00:12:09,510 --> 00:12:15,520 Speaker 1: the Kitchen, Hospitality, Reinvention, all of these stories bringing people 215 00:12:15,900 --> 00:12:19,180 Speaker 1: to the table. So when does your show, when does 216 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:19,839 Speaker 1: it come out? 217 00:12:20,980 --> 00:12:25,609 Speaker 2: Well, it airs this Saturday, September 5th at 11 a.m. 218 00:12:25,770 --> 00:12:29,449 Speaker 2: Central Time. And I am just so excited. We have 219 00:12:29,450 --> 00:12:34,679 Speaker 2: 15 episodes ready and ready to go. And we're on CTN, 220 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:40,099 Speaker 2: but then we also air. go on Roku and Apple TV. 221 00:12:40,179 --> 00:12:42,900 Speaker 1: And there's many ways to watch it. Yeah, there are 222 00:12:43,059 --> 00:12:46,320 Speaker 1: all kinds of streaming platforms. If you have Roku, you 223 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:49,300 Speaker 1: can watch the live stream. People can really watch In 224 00:12:49,340 --> 00:12:52,100 Speaker 1: the Kitchen with Gigi all over the world, which is 225 00:12:52,220 --> 00:12:53,020 Speaker 1: so exciting. 226 00:12:53,059 --> 00:12:54,339 Speaker 2: And I'm excited. 227 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:57,320 Speaker 1: You know, I work at CTN. I'm excited to have 228 00:12:57,420 --> 00:13:01,209 Speaker 1: us have this show. Because, you know, it is wonderful 229 00:13:01,270 --> 00:13:03,270 Speaker 1: to have all of the preaching and all of that 230 00:13:03,330 --> 00:13:07,050 Speaker 1: going on. But this is something that also shares the gospel, 231 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:10,480 Speaker 1: but it's in a different way. It's in the kitchen. 232 00:13:10,500 --> 00:13:13,460 Speaker 1: And have you found that there's something about, you know, 233 00:13:13,620 --> 00:13:17,599 Speaker 1: in the kitchen that people are more receptive once you've 234 00:13:17,679 --> 00:13:19,479 Speaker 1: fed them or you're making something? 235 00:13:20,780 --> 00:13:23,840 Speaker 2: Absolutely. And the thing about it is, is this show... 236 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:26,300 Speaker 2: What it says on my website, by the way, it 237 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:31,000 Speaker 2: says life isn't about being perfect. Life is about being original. 238 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:33,979 Speaker 2: So you have to keep being original, not perfect. God 239 00:13:34,020 --> 00:13:37,059 Speaker 2: doesn't expect perfect. But what I really what was so 240 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:40,720 Speaker 2: original about this show is no one's doing it. Like 241 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:44,679 Speaker 2: there's talk shows. There's Christian shows. There's a lot of preaching. 242 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:49,480 Speaker 2: There's cooking shows. But there's not a show. which comes 243 00:13:49,559 --> 00:13:54,720 Speaker 2: together talking about vulnerability, authenticity, and bold faith while I'm 244 00:13:54,740 --> 00:13:58,260 Speaker 2: cooking their favorite meal. So I think when they come 245 00:13:58,280 --> 00:14:01,720 Speaker 2: into this beautiful house, it's like a farm house. It's 246 00:14:01,880 --> 00:14:05,219 Speaker 2: gorgeous in Franklin. We film in Franklin. And the lady 247 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:07,040 Speaker 2: who owns the house is probably one of the most 248 00:14:07,780 --> 00:14:10,910 Speaker 2: hospitable humans I've ever known. So you come into this 249 00:14:10,950 --> 00:14:13,650 Speaker 2: house and it's just the vibe is so cool already. 250 00:14:14,300 --> 00:14:18,189 Speaker 2: And then I personally bake and cook all of for 251 00:14:18,230 --> 00:14:21,110 Speaker 2: the craft service table because I really want it to 252 00:14:21,150 --> 00:14:23,770 Speaker 2: be special for people. So people walk in and there's 253 00:14:23,810 --> 00:14:26,790 Speaker 2: all this spread of food and quiches and breads and 254 00:14:27,170 --> 00:14:30,120 Speaker 2: all of this. And then we're like, okay, we got 255 00:14:30,130 --> 00:14:34,860 Speaker 2: your favorite meal ready. And they're like, they're so excited. 256 00:14:35,260 --> 00:14:38,220 Speaker 2: So we're cooking their favorite meal. They feel at home. 257 00:14:38,920 --> 00:14:42,900 Speaker 2: We have a great warm crew that we just love 258 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:47,230 Speaker 2: on everyone. And I know you know my producer and co-creator, 259 00:14:47,310 --> 00:14:50,890 Speaker 2: Sandra Lee. And so we just have this warm family 260 00:14:50,960 --> 00:14:55,700 Speaker 2: type of vibe. So people eat, we have a good time, 261 00:14:55,780 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 2: we talk about their life, and then we cook their 262 00:14:58,220 --> 00:15:01,560 Speaker 2: favorite meal. I mean, who else... Who doesn't want to 263 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:04,420 Speaker 2: see Zach Williams cooking his chicken piccata? 264 00:15:04,570 --> 00:15:06,170 Speaker 1: I do. I do, too. 265 00:15:06,190 --> 00:15:07,630 Speaker 2: He's adorable. 266 00:15:07,990 --> 00:15:12,229 Speaker 1: Yes, he is. And I love his music and would 267 00:15:12,310 --> 00:15:14,510 Speaker 1: love to hear more about his story. And I didn't 268 00:15:14,550 --> 00:15:17,130 Speaker 1: know that his favorite meal was chicken piccata, but I 269 00:15:17,170 --> 00:15:17,950 Speaker 1: like that, too. 270 00:15:18,030 --> 00:15:22,770 Speaker 2: Well, what people don't know is he's a chef. I 271 00:15:23,150 --> 00:15:27,220 Speaker 2: didn't know that. What? He's amazing. So what people don't 272 00:15:27,260 --> 00:15:29,320 Speaker 2: know is when he would go out on the road, 273 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:32,080 Speaker 2: he had a huge thing where he would cook for 274 00:15:32,200 --> 00:15:35,890 Speaker 2: all of his people and they would come, his meet 275 00:15:35,930 --> 00:15:39,170 Speaker 2: and greets, and they had special backstage. He would cook 276 00:15:39,210 --> 00:15:43,580 Speaker 2: for all of them. His love language is food. He 277 00:15:43,700 --> 00:15:46,380 Speaker 2: is the coolest. So and then we had Terrence K. 278 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:49,660 Speaker 2: Williams on and he has his own pancake mix and 279 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:53,630 Speaker 2: syrups and his love language is food. So it's just 280 00:15:53,970 --> 00:15:57,970 Speaker 2: so fun. I think everyone's love language is food. I mean, 281 00:15:58,030 --> 00:16:01,030 Speaker 2: who doesn't love food? So if you can make someone's 282 00:16:01,070 --> 00:16:05,090 Speaker 2: favorite meal, you're already 90% there. 283 00:16:05,110 --> 00:16:09,270 Speaker 1: I think also with the show In the Kitchen with 284 00:16:09,330 --> 00:16:14,580 Speaker 1: Gigi is we're so far away from this hospitality and 285 00:16:14,680 --> 00:16:18,240 Speaker 1: people eating around a table that it will ignite in 286 00:16:18,320 --> 00:16:23,979 Speaker 1: moms and dads and kids and people. Hey, we can 287 00:16:24,060 --> 00:16:28,040 Speaker 1: do that. We can make mom's favorite dinner. We can 288 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:32,610 Speaker 1: make dad's favorite dinner. We can, you know, of course, 289 00:16:32,750 --> 00:16:35,570 Speaker 1: we all have to do takeout food or go out 290 00:16:35,590 --> 00:16:37,990 Speaker 1: to eat once in a while. We understand that. But 291 00:16:38,690 --> 00:16:41,810 Speaker 1: we can have the best times in our own home 292 00:16:42,570 --> 00:16:45,490 Speaker 1: At our tables, cooking for the people that we love 293 00:16:45,870 --> 00:16:50,530 Speaker 1: and having conversations about what was school like today? What's 294 00:16:50,630 --> 00:16:55,920 Speaker 1: going well, right? What isn't going well? How can we 295 00:16:56,000 --> 00:17:00,800 Speaker 1: help as a family? I just think, like you said 296 00:17:00,840 --> 00:17:03,500 Speaker 1: in your devotional book that you're putting together that will 297 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:06,660 Speaker 1: be available soon, that's what we need. There's so much 298 00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:11,010 Speaker 1: coldness and divisiveness. We need a safe space. 299 00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:17,200 Speaker 2: Right. In this cold world, we need something homemade. We 300 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:20,290 Speaker 2: need something that we can sink our teeth into and 301 00:17:20,650 --> 00:17:25,030 Speaker 2: talk about our feelings around the table. My goodness, please, 302 00:17:25,410 --> 00:17:28,750 Speaker 2: let's get back to cooking for our families and being 303 00:17:28,810 --> 00:17:33,000 Speaker 2: the women of God and providing a soft place for 304 00:17:33,080 --> 00:17:36,459 Speaker 2: someone to come home to. That's not a bad thing. 305 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:39,220 Speaker 2: When you were thinking about all of the cruel things 306 00:17:39,260 --> 00:17:42,060 Speaker 2: going on right now with all of the trials and 307 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:46,330 Speaker 2: I won't even go there. What about being a kind mom? 308 00:17:47,130 --> 00:17:50,909 Speaker 2: Why not just be a good mom and say, I 309 00:17:50,990 --> 00:17:53,109 Speaker 2: love my kids. I'm going to cook for my kids. 310 00:17:53,369 --> 00:17:56,570 Speaker 2: I'm going to cook for my husband. And that is 311 00:17:56,630 --> 00:17:59,840 Speaker 2: a beautiful thing. And I think if we had more 312 00:17:59,880 --> 00:18:05,700 Speaker 2: of that and less of, well, my body, my rights, my, my, my. God. 313 00:18:06,320 --> 00:18:10,060 Speaker 2: And what about the softness that a woman should be? Yes. 314 00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:13,140 Speaker 2: Get in the kitchen and cook some food. Doesn't mean 315 00:18:13,160 --> 00:18:16,660 Speaker 2: you're less than. It means that you can create. Yes. 316 00:18:16,980 --> 00:18:20,600 Speaker 2: And it means that we care. It means that we care. 317 00:18:20,619 --> 00:18:24,100 Speaker 1: You know, I think, you know, I love to cook 318 00:18:24,260 --> 00:18:26,540 Speaker 1: and it doesn't have to be fancy food, but I 319 00:18:26,660 --> 00:18:29,400 Speaker 1: love to cook all different kinds of things. I love 320 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:32,379 Speaker 1: to feed people. And that's a part of, for me, 321 00:18:32,720 --> 00:18:36,369 Speaker 1: my femininity. And so for my husband, my adult son, 322 00:18:36,950 --> 00:18:40,550 Speaker 1: for guests, for other people, I want them to feel comfortable. 323 00:18:40,930 --> 00:18:43,210 Speaker 1: You know, you want your home to be like a 324 00:18:43,350 --> 00:18:47,570 Speaker 1: refuge from the outside world. And I think that that's 325 00:18:47,630 --> 00:18:50,620 Speaker 1: what you're looking to create, at least in part with 326 00:18:50,780 --> 00:18:54,240 Speaker 1: In the Kitchen with Gigi is like, Guys, let's come together, 327 00:18:54,420 --> 00:18:55,820 Speaker 1: all kinds of diverse people. 328 00:18:55,859 --> 00:18:58,580 Speaker 2: But what do we all need? Well, we all need Jesus, 329 00:18:58,619 --> 00:19:01,939 Speaker 2: but we also all need food to live, right? And love. Yes. 330 00:19:02,040 --> 00:19:03,750 Speaker 2: We need food, love, and Jesus. 331 00:19:04,190 --> 00:19:07,389 Speaker 1: Yes. And I think a lot of us maybe haven't 332 00:19:07,510 --> 00:19:09,889 Speaker 1: seen that example of what it could look like in 333 00:19:09,910 --> 00:19:10,550 Speaker 1: the kitchen. 334 00:19:10,570 --> 00:19:12,770 Speaker 2: That it's okay for a woman. 335 00:19:12,790 --> 00:19:15,879 Speaker 1: You don't have to feel less than because you're cooking 336 00:19:15,910 --> 00:19:20,240 Speaker 1: for people. That is the highest calling is to care 337 00:19:20,280 --> 00:19:21,080 Speaker 1: for your family. 338 00:19:21,410 --> 00:19:26,250 Speaker 2: It's a ministry. It's a ministry. It's a ministry. And 339 00:19:26,270 --> 00:19:29,760 Speaker 2: I think that women, well, I don't do that. Well, 340 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:35,119 Speaker 2: you could offer some chicken salad from Publix. Absolutely. And 341 00:19:35,140 --> 00:19:41,120 Speaker 2: some crackers. Do something. Yes. And I think, hopefully, we 342 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:44,410 Speaker 2: really want to take on this media mountain. Right? That's 343 00:19:44,550 --> 00:19:51,240 Speaker 2: really what we wanted. There's seven levels of media, government, schools, 344 00:19:51,280 --> 00:19:54,700 Speaker 2: you know, seven. Well, the media mountain and the arts 345 00:19:54,740 --> 00:19:59,430 Speaker 2: and entertainment mountain is just absolutely swarmed with darkness, right? 346 00:19:59,930 --> 00:20:03,900 Speaker 2: So if we feel light by cooking, and we can 347 00:20:03,980 --> 00:20:06,240 Speaker 2: get in this media mountain, and we can fight the 348 00:20:06,280 --> 00:20:10,060 Speaker 2: devil with a warm hospitality of learning how to make 349 00:20:10,480 --> 00:20:14,400 Speaker 2: chicken piccata or chocolate cake or whatever, then we're doing 350 00:20:14,460 --> 00:20:18,010 Speaker 2: our part. I'm doing my part. And I'm shining my light. 351 00:20:18,730 --> 00:20:21,050 Speaker 2: I can't be a Charlie Kirk. No one can be 352 00:20:21,070 --> 00:20:23,110 Speaker 2: a Charlie Kirk. It's almost coming up to a year 353 00:20:23,190 --> 00:20:26,070 Speaker 2: after his death. But what I can be and what 354 00:20:26,470 --> 00:20:29,810 Speaker 2: everyone can be is they can use their gifts and 355 00:20:30,090 --> 00:20:32,730 Speaker 2: They can shine their light in their little tiny spot 356 00:20:32,770 --> 00:20:35,890 Speaker 2: in their area and they can give back to what 357 00:20:35,950 --> 00:20:38,850 Speaker 2: God has given them because you can never out give God. 358 00:20:39,150 --> 00:20:41,690 Speaker 2: So if you shine your light and you give back 359 00:20:41,740 --> 00:20:45,580 Speaker 2: to whatever, well, I don't have that talent. Well, you 360 00:20:45,619 --> 00:20:48,619 Speaker 2: have some talent and you're hiding it under a bush. 361 00:20:49,320 --> 00:20:52,420 Speaker 2: Shame on you. Get it out from under that bush 362 00:20:52,460 --> 00:20:56,850 Speaker 2: and shine your light and do something with yourself. No, 363 00:20:56,910 --> 00:21:00,670 Speaker 2: you're good. You're good. This reminds me of a story. 364 00:21:00,730 --> 00:21:04,730 Speaker 1: There's this couple who is on CTN and they've been 365 00:21:04,770 --> 00:21:08,400 Speaker 1: on CTN for like 25 years. And they have quite 366 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:11,020 Speaker 1: a following of people that have watched them forever. And 367 00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:13,760 Speaker 1: one of the people that love their show, this is 368 00:21:13,820 --> 00:21:18,130 Speaker 1: what she does in her senior citizen apartment complex every 369 00:21:18,190 --> 00:21:20,890 Speaker 1: Saturday when the show comes on. She makes a pot 370 00:21:20,930 --> 00:21:23,929 Speaker 1: of coffee. She makes a made from scratch cake. And 371 00:21:23,990 --> 00:21:26,150 Speaker 1: she opens her door and says. 372 00:21:26,330 --> 00:21:29,560 Speaker 2: Come and eat cake and coffee. And let's watch Dr. 373 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:30,040 Speaker 2: and Mrs. 374 00:21:30,100 --> 00:21:34,480 Speaker 1: Neal because she loves their teaching. She understands. And people 375 00:21:34,520 --> 00:21:37,500 Speaker 1: have given their heart to Christ because she makes a 376 00:21:37,560 --> 00:21:39,320 Speaker 1: pot of coffee and a cake. 377 00:21:39,770 --> 00:21:43,570 Speaker 2: And invites people in. I love it. Yeah, it's wonderful. 378 00:21:44,030 --> 00:21:46,649 Speaker 1: I do have to ask you, and when you pitched 379 00:21:46,770 --> 00:21:49,580 Speaker 1: this show to the first few people, did you. 380 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:52,260 Speaker 2: Get any pushback or anybody tell you, oh, gee, gee, 381 00:21:52,280 --> 00:21:56,980 Speaker 2: that won't work? Well, yes. There's a lot of those. 382 00:21:57,340 --> 00:22:00,320 Speaker 2: And there also was a big network that I won't 383 00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:03,280 Speaker 2: mention that said, well, we'll take it and we will actually, 384 00:22:03,320 --> 00:22:06,340 Speaker 2: we'll sponsor you, we'll do it all. But let's not 385 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:11,070 Speaker 2: use Christ. Let's not talk about God. Let's just inspire 386 00:22:11,170 --> 00:22:15,520 Speaker 2: people without using, let's be politically correct. Let's not talk 387 00:22:15,560 --> 00:22:18,179 Speaker 2: about God and we'll take you on. I just want 388 00:22:18,220 --> 00:22:21,600 Speaker 2: you to inspire people. And I went home and I thought, 389 00:22:22,840 --> 00:22:25,920 Speaker 2: I'm just not there anymore. I, you know, I've had 390 00:22:26,060 --> 00:22:29,460 Speaker 2: ups and downs. I've been, you know, I don't have 391 00:22:29,540 --> 00:22:33,600 Speaker 2: to have, I don't want to be mainstream anymore. That's 392 00:22:33,660 --> 00:22:36,939 Speaker 2: not where my heart is anymore. I want to, I 393 00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:39,160 Speaker 2: want to talk about Jesus and I want to bring, 394 00:22:39,600 --> 00:22:42,570 Speaker 2: people to Jesus and the love of the Lord and 395 00:22:42,680 --> 00:22:46,770 Speaker 2: have love in this world. And inspiring people is one thing, 396 00:22:47,310 --> 00:22:51,109 Speaker 2: but then going the extra mile and saying, no, inspiring 397 00:22:51,190 --> 00:22:53,609 Speaker 2: is one, but you really need the love of Christ 398 00:22:53,690 --> 00:22:56,709 Speaker 2: in your life. So I told them no. Yeah, I 399 00:22:56,770 --> 00:22:58,989 Speaker 2: told them no. And they're like, well, you're not going 400 00:22:59,010 --> 00:23:01,109 Speaker 2: to get the piece of the pie is so small. 401 00:23:01,170 --> 00:23:03,830 Speaker 2: And I'm like, you know what? It's not about the 402 00:23:03,890 --> 00:23:06,410 Speaker 2: piece of the pie. It's about the quality of that piece. 403 00:23:06,950 --> 00:23:10,689 Speaker 2: So I'm about The quality of that piece of pie. 404 00:23:10,930 --> 00:23:13,210 Speaker 2: And that's where my heart is now. And it's all 405 00:23:13,270 --> 00:23:17,840 Speaker 2: about God's glory and God's kingdom. And just taking on 406 00:23:17,859 --> 00:23:21,240 Speaker 2: the media and arts and entertainment mountain that I can 407 00:23:21,280 --> 00:23:24,820 Speaker 2: take a bite out of and letting God do the rest. 408 00:23:25,340 --> 00:23:27,700 Speaker 1: Yes. And I think that even what you just said 409 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:31,490 Speaker 1: is a lesson in not compromising. You're talking about bold faith. 410 00:23:32,010 --> 00:23:34,730 Speaker 1: And for you, God has put this in your heart. 411 00:23:35,170 --> 00:23:37,990 Speaker 1: inspiring people is a wonderful thing, but you want to 412 00:23:38,050 --> 00:23:40,090 Speaker 1: do more than inspire people. You want to make a 413 00:23:40,109 --> 00:23:44,090 Speaker 1: difference today and for eternity. I could talk to you forever. 414 00:23:44,130 --> 00:23:46,790 Speaker 1: We're out of time, but Gigi, thank you so much. 415 00:23:46,869 --> 00:23:49,350 Speaker 1: Thank you so much. It's so nice to see you 416 00:23:49,430 --> 00:23:50,490 Speaker 1: and I will see you soon. 417 00:23:50,530 --> 00:23:54,590 Speaker 2: I can't wait to see you. September 5th at 11 a.m. 418 00:23:54,670 --> 00:23:56,790 Speaker 2: Central Time. That's awesome. 419 00:23:57,010 --> 00:23:59,670 Speaker 1: And you all, in the show notes for today, I 420 00:23:59,910 --> 00:24:04,030 Speaker 1: will put in Gigi's books, her website, the information about 421 00:24:04,050 --> 00:24:06,920 Speaker 1: the show, In the Kitchen with Gigi, so that you 422 00:24:06,960 --> 00:24:10,260 Speaker 1: can connect with her and learn all about what's going on. 423 00:24:10,660 --> 00:24:13,620 Speaker 1: I appreciate all of you listening. Again, this is Hope 424 00:24:13,640 --> 00:24:17,050 Speaker 1: for the Journey. the podcast for women over 40. And 425 00:24:17,130 --> 00:24:19,430 Speaker 1: one of our strong messages is that it is never 426 00:24:19,530 --> 00:24:22,120 Speaker 1: too late to start over or for God to give 427 00:24:22,160 --> 00:24:25,359 Speaker 1: you a brand new beginning. I will see you again 428 00:24:25,700 --> 00:24:28,290 Speaker 1: next week with more hope for the journey.