234th Floor: Beginning a New Chapter

Curious about how a simple idea evolved into a flourishing podcast? Join us as we reflect on three transformative years of "Take the Elevator," where we’ve elevated everyday topics to bring positivity and insight into your lives. Gen and Kory
candidly discuss their recent musings about either branching out with a new podcast or wrapping up "Take the Elevator" to create "The Fuzzy Furry Forest." Instead of choosing one path, they ingeniously merge both concepts, crafting a unique blend that continues to uplift and entertain. Discover the creative process behind "The Fuzzy Furry Forest" and its ability to captivate both children and adults alike.

We dive into themes of emotional intelligence, diversity, and creativity in our writing. By choosing animals as characters, we avoid biases based on physical attributes and instead connect with readers on deeper personality traits. Gen and Kory explore how their diverse strengths as co-authors amplify their storytelling, drawing parallels to the importance of varied perspectives in professional settings. The discussion underscores the invaluable contributions every voice can make, fostering innovation and inclusivity in both our narratives and workplaces.

The conversation doesn't stop there. We explore the significance of diversity and inclusivity within nonprofit organizations and educational settings. Through the "Fuzzy Furry Forest" book series, we highlight how diverse experiences enhance relatability and inclusivity in stories and real-life scenarios. Gen and Kory share personal anecdotes that illustrate the powerful impact of feeling respected, valued, and supported. The concept of belonging is central to our dialogue, demonstrating how emotional connections, safety, and community contribute to personal growth and fulfillment. Tune in to learn how nurturing diversity, inclusion, and belonging can help you thrive in all aspects of life.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:15

hey, it's jen the builder and cory, and welcome everyone to take the elevator, indeed. And so here at take the elevator you know we're a podcast, man, cory, it's been over three years for sure and it's a place where we elevate everyday topics to bring positivity into our lives and the lives of people listening absolutely and what a great deal of positivity we have had over the course of the three years that we've been on the air and recording this podcast has been incredible actually.

Speaker 2: 0:52

And I jump in there like that, jim, because I really wanted to spotlight a couple of things about our podcast and our podcasting. We have had the opportunity to meet many people, had the opportunity to meet many people. We've also had an opportunity to have conversations and topics about so many different things and been able to just dive really, really deep on some things and then just have a lot of fun and keep it very surface light and laugh a whole lot, which is pretty unique in this day and age, because they typically want you in a box to where you're going to have a conversation about one particular thing and then you're going to continue to have that same conversation over and over and over again, just on in the same vein. So I'm privileged to be on this podcast with you being able to do what we. What it is is that we do.

Speaker 1: 1:43

Me too, and what I've really observed in going back in time is man the power of dialogue right, so we can have a podcast and it can be a very tailored, highly organized, word for word type environment, which is something that we have not done. So I'm really excited because, as people may know, we've taken a few weeks off to regroup and rethink, and you know, it's like structure yeah, it's time for those things and we were actually going to add another podcast, or even sunset.

Speaker 1: 2:22

Take the elevator and then go into all things the fuzzy furry forest, which we're going to talk about. But you know what, corey, it just lines up both things together so wonderfully. So we want to keep take the elevator podcast and have a series on the fuzzy furry forest.

Speaker 2: 2:40

Yes.

Speaker 1: 2:41

And so I know, corey, this is a special topic that's really close to your heart, because it's your series. You started it, I mean, I was a part of the conversation and, uh, the coaching throughout, but this is your baby, so what is? We're just gonna jump in there, is that okay? Yeah, absolutely so. The concept, yeah, of the fuzzy furry forest, which is quite a mouthful right. Um, talk to us about how the concept lines up with who we are as elevators.

Speaker 2: 3:17

So I'm going to talk about that, definitely, but I definitely wanted to jump in there and say that, you know, this is a labor of love from multiple levels, from multiple people, and, although Jen downplays herself in this process, don't ever think that this was going to happen without her help and her assistance and even, at times, her guidance. You know, even though the majority of the storyline, the first storyline, came from my brain, there was a lot of direction given, there was a lot of understanding that was bestowed upon me so that I could funnel these thoughts in the right direction. You know, a lot of times when we're doing something and this is key because a lot of times people think you know, oh, if you think of it, then it's all your idea, it's all your plan, it's all your this or whatever it is but the honest truth, the body is like whoever's in the room with you offering these ideas and suggestions. They need just as much credit as well, because they're giving something that you didn't have or wouldn't have had at the end of that uh project. So I just wanted to give jen her flowers for the amount of thank you, creativity and activity that she's put into this.

Speaker 2: 4:37

But back to the question, which is you know pretty much where did this come from and how did this come about and what is? What is it about? Um, the fuzzy furry forest is, like she said, just this incredible series that was bestowed upon me, and I gotta, I gotta, say this you know that that name was birthed between jen and myself as well. So, again, there's not. That wouldn't have been here if she hadn't been a part of this.

Speaker 2: 5:17

So this started off as a one book, one off type of deal. Forest could be a community, how there could be multiple characters within the Fuzzy Furry Forest and how their stories are not only relatable to children, but we can see some of us as adults in some of these characters, because what you find out when you're writing is that you're writing from multiple points of view, and it's almost impossible not to attach some of your own personal feelings and some of your own personal experiences into these characters and into these stories. Although they're really designed to drive children and help children make good decisions, it's not like we don't face those same things every day too.

Speaker 1: 6:07

So, yeah, yeah, we see that all the time with child development, the things that work for children and learning is the same are the same things that are brought forward in adult learning, right? I? I really appreciate the journey of the fuzzy furry forest because, let's be real, it would be great to say, oh yeah, when we did the original design the fuzzy furry forest because, let's be real, it would be great to say, oh yeah, when we did the original design, the fuzzy furry forest was supposed to represent this.

Speaker 1: 6:29

Therefore, out came ruffles right but to your point, ruffles was a book that you wrote and it was going to be the book, right. And what we realized and this is what I just love about life, right, you do the one thing and it just opens up into other things. So when we read ruffles and man, that that was the best time of my life.

Speaker 1: 6:52

One of the best times is reading at the community resource centers yeah throughout, um, the inland empire partnered with inland empire health plan, which I think is the most amazing health plan by the way out there, um, um. So it was really cool to plug into the kids. But then, corey, here comes this concept of oh, my goodness, this is what the fuzzy, furry force means. And for me, after reading it and doing the work that I love, um, for me it's that I'm going to use this word it's a magical place. It's that place where inclusivity and belonging are the norm right, and diversity is celebrated every day. And that's, for me, how I would define the forest.

Speaker 2: 7:39

Right and just to give a little bit of background on me and my thought process and my imagination. I came from a very bullied background, a very traumatizing childhood, where there was a lot of racism, there was a lot of bullying, there was a lot of and that was right here in the Inland Empire as well.

Speaker 2: 8:04

Yeah, there was a lot of, and that was right here in the Inland Empire as well. Yeah, there was a lot of gang violence. Now, I wasn't involved in the gang violence and I wasn't the bully, but I experienced that bullying. I also experienced seeing violent acts happening around me. Growing up, I was fortunate enough to not be a part of the gang culture, so it allowed me to escape from those type of uh situations and those ordeals that were happening around me on a regular basis, like there. And when I say this, you know, looking from this standpoint now, we don't know what gang violence is, but we but we are literally talking about a drive-by shooting at least two to three times a week. That was happening, that was normal.

Speaker 1: 8:54

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 8:55

And then we're talking about somebody being gunned down two to three times a week. That was normal. This lifestyle that people were actively participating in was about violence, and it just was heart wrenching and overwhelming at times. So you needed to escape and your imagination was one of those places that you could go to to just get away from all the everyday activities.

Speaker 1: 9:21

So this was your safe haven that you had created Absolutely, I mean.

Speaker 2: 9:24

Your reality was your safe haven that you had created Absolutely.

Speaker 1: 9:25

I mean, your reality was I'm in the middle of violence, I am in a place where it's low income type families, type neighborhoods, education is kind of you know you're just getting by. Yeah, and so you've written this series called the fuzzy Forest and you've let us in this place, and so for me that adds more meaning. Right, this is a place that you created as a child, in the middle of a society, of a community where it wasn't safe. Right, and so that speaks to me is psychological safety. And see, this is where we're going, where it becomes a children's book but then very relatable to the world we live in. If you've done any kind of studying or reading on psychological safety, this is huge. Yeah, like organization shut down because there is no safety. So what do we mean by psychological safety?

Speaker 1: 10:25

Um, when I say that, I mean that people or creatures in the fuzzy furry forest are able to be seen, heard, they're able to share their ideas, their concerns, ask the questions, say, oh, I think you know this isn't working, let's try it this way. And cory mean, you see that totally in the first book. Oh, yeah, and I know we're. We don't have it on the outline to talk about ruffles. I definitely want to save that for later, but it just speaks to authenticity, harmony, acceptance, getting it wrong and figuring it out anyways Right, which is the important thing in community getting it wrong and figuring it out anyways right, which is the important thing in community.

Speaker 2: 11:09

Yeah, man, you're talking my language now, so I'm getting excited and I'm trying to. You know, hold myself back a little bit. You know, those are the things that really excite me when you talk about any community, whether it be in a book world or the real world, where people are heard and the entire sentence is heard, the entire statement is heard. You're not able to just say two or three words and someone's cutting you off and talking over you and telling their side of the story.

Speaker 1: 11:39

Or they've got a hidden agenda right, or they have a hidden agenda.

Speaker 2: 11:42

A healthy community listens to each other because it helps the community yes, not hurts it to be heard, and so, yeah, that's, that's the uh background of that, of these stories and these storylines is that, um, every creature is heard, every creature can talk, every creature has a feeling and and uh emotions that are attached to these feelings. But there's no hidden agenda, because there's no money involved, there's no property to be shared or taken or given, and you learn this valuable lesson in the first book, and then it evolves as we get into the second and third book, and so I just, I just again I'm busting at the seams, yeah it's pretty.

Speaker 1: 12:30

It's pretty cool because not only does it promote emotional intelligence where, ladies and gents, it doesn't matter where you work, it's so needed, it will never be the outdated thing. Let me say that again it will never be more important than IQ, like it's just been proven time and time again that we have to learn how to regulate our emotions and understand that they're happening for a real reason, and that this is about relationship management, right? So I love what you're saying, gorgie. You said all the different creatures, so the word that just flashes in my mind, of course, is diversity, absolutely, and so let's talk about diversity in the book and then let's bring it into other areas of our lives so I I purposely wrote this book, or these uh books, this book series with animals, because I wanted people to connect with personality types and not colors, shapes, sizes, height, pretty ugly.

Speaker 2: 13:39

I didn't want people to attach themselves, have biases.

Speaker 2: 13:43

Right, right, yeah, people to attach themselves, have biases, right, right, yeah, so if you're attaching yourself to a characteristic or or a personality type, um, it's solely based on who you are as an individual, however diverse or however different you may be, because a bear looks different from a cow, or a lion or an alligator, which is is, you know, all these different animals from the fuzzy furry forest that you're able to interact with as you're reading these books, and so that was the highlight of my. That was at the top of my important list. What's important to me?

Speaker 1: 14:22

I need complete diversity I love the tip that you're giving out there to anyone who's aspiring to be a creative, especially in the work of writing, right?

Speaker 2: 14:33

so your must-haves like these are the things that I definitely want to get across as far as messaging right and and don't get me wrong, you know someone can write a book and use people and yeah, shape sizes, colors and all that kind of stuff. But that wasn't my agenda, that wasn't my goal, that wasn't what I was trying to do and I feel like I've honestly accomplished, uh, accomplished that in the way that I've written these uh and I keep saying I uh, because it's hard to say that I didn't write the first one I can honestly say we wrote the next two and that part really gives me joy and I can't wait till we get into that part of it. But in my mind I'm focusing mainly on the Ruffles aspect and the Fuzzy 41st series.

Speaker 1: 15:26

That's right. Yeah, we'll talk more about how, organically, it turned out to be a partnership in the writing world. Organically, it turned out to be a partnership in the writing world, but, yeah, so when we think about diversity, there's even diversity in you and I as creators, right, the way we process, the way we bring things forward. You're so good at big picture and the different perspectives, and I get into the details of a story. One could say it becomes one track minded. But that's my power. My power and my strength is it's in the details. I love the details of anything, right? So, um, it's been cool.

Speaker 1: 16:07

So, when you think of diversity in that setting, I also think of what diversity would look like in a workplace setting, because you know that's my jam too is what's happening in the workplace. What are we fostering in the environment that each of us go to every day? And you know we hear this all the time we spend more time at work than we do at home or in our personal relationships and friendships, right? So diversity is very important. So, corey, when you think diversity in the workplace, you know we talked about, oh yeah, differences in gender, age, education, professional experience right, I also like that. It also includes a wider range of perspectives and ideas, and so what it does is it fosters innovation and creativity. And that's why I say, without the spaces at work or in education, and you develop this place of silence, which is not a good thing, right?

Speaker 2: 17:10

Because some people believe, oh, no one ever got fired for being silent, and what a sad thought oh yeah, that really that kind of stings in a way, because you're just okay with sitting in the background and not saying anything at all and whatever happens to you happens to you and and that's in many different environments that's at school, that's at work, that's at home, it that's in friendships.

Speaker 1: 17:34

You're just kind of being blown wherever the wind blows you to and so I think of the book right, your first book and I thought, man, all those characters in the first book had a lot to say. Oh man, they all had voices and everyone was speaking on it.

Speaker 2: 17:48

You know, and I thought to, maybe you're giving too much voice to too many different characters, but at the end of the day, that's what life is typically about People really want to be heard.

Speaker 2: 18:04

Even if they're not saying anything. That makes a lot of sense to everybody else. It just feels good to be heard and you think about a child or a baby. They don't have the words to say so. They cry or they moan or coo and sometimes laugh because they want to be heard. Who doesn't want to be heard at some point in time? That's right.

Speaker 1: 18:32

Yeah, that's right, it's who we are. So then I think about okay, diversity in a nonprofit organization, which is Corey. We've been together for a while now, and you and I have been involved in nonprofit almost since the beginning of our relationship.

Speaker 1: 18:49

Yeah, so what I love about diversity in those spaces is that it encompasses socioeconomic backgrounds, um, people with different physical abilities, and then lived experiences are so huge and I really see this in the fuzzy furry forest. It's the lived experiences of all these different creatures which, in turn, enhances the community or the organization's ability to connect with and serve diverse populations, because if you're not diverse and you're not welcoming that in your organization, there's a disconnect when this is what you're supposed to be offering to communities that are diverse.

Speaker 2: 19:30

Right, right, yeah, absolutely, and I'm thinking as you, and, and I I'm thinking as you're talking, and I probably shouldn't be doing that. I should just be strictly listening here in the moment. Yeah, but the thing that's happening is that I'm realizing with this diverse group of people in life, in this diverse group of of characters in the book, they're pulling from their past, they're pulling from their future, they're pulling from their present, and isn't that what we do as individuals? We're constantly pulling from one place or another to figure out how to make it work better or how to make it work for ourselves, to figure out how to make it work better or how to make it work for ourselves. And I think this is something that people are really going to enjoy about the Fuzzy Furry Forest series is that you get these real-time life experiences that's happening to these characters that you can definitely say I feel like that sometimes.

Speaker 1: 20:31

Yeah, it's so relatable, so relatable, which in turn brings me to this. It's so relatable, so relatable, which in turn brings me to this. It's so relatable that it's very inclusive. So what I mean by inclusivity here is where individuals and you see it in the book feel respected and valued and supported, regardless of their differences, right? So you start to think what does this look like in real life? First of all, if y'all haven't read Ruffles, please get the book, because we're going to be diving deep into the series. We're going to have different visitors. Come If you're interested in giving us your critique in a podcast, in this podcast, oh my gosh, we're so welcome to it. And I'm going to say, because we'd be hypocritical to say that if you disagree or if you have any conflicting questions or comments regarding the book, we welcome that, because this is how we learn, right? And so I think that's important that people can work through conflict can I give an example though?

Speaker 2: 21:36

please do so um, I had uh two people that, and when I say people, I mean professionals okay that read the the same book different times.

Speaker 2: 21:47

They don't know each other, and one of them said this is this book is amazing. I really, really love this book. However, this is what I'm taking away and they gave me three or four points that they thought weren't so great about the book. And then the second person said not my jam, not my cup of tea. As a matter of fact, I think this is this way, and I'm not giving suggestions on how to critique me, so that's why I'm not telling you exactly what was said. Less than two weeks later, I went and read in front of a group of I believe, 35, 40 kids, and these 40 kids said best thing they've ever heard in their lives. So it doesn't matter what anyone says, you know it's going to be what it's going to be.

Speaker 1: 22:36

Yeah, and at Genco sound company, we've always said if it's about one life, as long as it touches one person, we know the power of the ripple effect, right? And so, I mean, it's never our goal to say we want 100% of everyone to be on board and get it. And that's again, diversity. There's different types of books, different types of curriculum that hopefully speak to you. At least one of them, right? It may not be this one, and so we welcome those spaces here. So, um, back to inclusivity, because we're really trying to bring the fuzzy furry forest out into the community. That is the big picture, big picture, and so we're hoping that we can partner with people who who get it? Yeah, who get it either. You get it, you it's okay, right? So it's so important to have inclusion in school. Number one, I think, of inclusive classrooms that really accommodate students with disabilities.

Speaker 1: 23:42

Yeah, I hear that Right Loud and clear. That's a big one. And even in adult setting, man, we miss that when we set up for a professional development workshop. We don't always have the table where a wheelchair could just be seated right there comfortably, or, you know, hearing devices that support your ability to really be engaged in the workshop and hear what's going on. And then in school, just having multicultural curriculums that reflect diverse histories and perspectives so you just hit on a very I know.

Speaker 2: 24:18

I know I did when I said it, I was like oh, I said it yeah um, so that's a very hot talking point for me, because I'm not handicapped by any stretch of the imagination, but I live in a world where I acknowledge everyone, and so when I see a person in a wheelchair will up to a door and it doesn't have an automatic door opener, or when I see what you just said someone will up to a table and they have to compromise themselves in a way to sit at that table.

Speaker 2: 24:57

It's it's very heart wrenching to know that. I've been on this earth for 50 years and, and so if anybody has seen this situation, you would know we have to accommodate, we have to make way for all people to be able to join the table that's the best way to put it. So to be at the table, you know, and so I just really wanted to pause there, because I love for everybody to be at the table, because you're going to have a voice there too.

Speaker 1: 25:33

Yeah, and when those voices are shared, that's when the power happens. Right, corey, you had spoken earlier about bullying in school, so this is also inclusivity, and educational institutions, the anti-bullying policies and programs.

Speaker 2: 25:49

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 25:49

Right to promote acceptance and understanding. We see that going into colleges and universities and what those support groups look like, and then the different events and celebrations they have that surround various cultures, various identities, various backgrounds. So in the workplace setting, you know, we've got the training for employees around inclusivity. There's different groups that we know as ERGs. That takes place. The flexible work policies to accommodate different needs. I love this and it doesn't get spoken a lot about. We have women who are coming back from having their beautiful babies and they have needs for nursing, and so what is your organization look like to support these different needs, right? So I'm so proud when we're able to say, oh, wow, we just found out. The other day, someone I worked with realized oh, there's more than one room here for nursing, there's actually two, right. So it's just having those spaces.

Speaker 2: 26:51

Oh, there's multiple rooms.

Speaker 1: 26:52

Well, in the center, okay, yeah, yeah, probably shouldn't have said what the building's called, but either way. And then for nonprofit organizations especially which again is our passion is the inclusive hiring practices, because you need a diverse workforce.

Speaker 2: 27:08

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 27:09

You just got to have, and that includes diversity in leadership, upper leadership, right what that looks like? Programs and initiatives that are really addressing the needs of marginalized communities. Can you tell that I love this topic?

Speaker 2: 27:25

Yeah, I really can and and but. I'm glad, though, Jen, and the reason why I am because you know when you've. Again, I go back to the amount of podcasting we've done. I go back to the amount of topics that we've had and some of the topics we we've jumped from here to there, to there to here, and now we're in a vein that not only is very passionate for both of us, but something that we're going to be involved in for quite some time, and so if we're able to deliver this excitement and this joy that we have for this, I think the listener will definitely jump on or definitely jump off. That's right, and it's okay. If you have to jump off, there's no hard feelings, and I'm not like, oh man, why would you? You know, no, it's not for everyone, but for those of us that it is, for we're about to have a great time.

Speaker 1: 28:19

Yeah, yes, because, corey, this is the last piece that I want to touch on and you're just opening things up so wonderfully for the next topic. Um, it's belonging, right? So everybody, by the way, needs that space for belonging and, yes, I hope that you hear the passion and the love that cory and I have for all these things and, um, it's a calling. You know, it has been in our lives and so, to see it come out in the way we love children and are in our playfulness and creativity, it's like, wow, really, did all of this just connect right? So belonging is actually a step further, or it's as elevated, I believe, outside of inclusivity. Cause, here's the deal you can have policy right and policy is great. It protects people, it gives people guidelines, but when it's put into practice, okay, that's what speaks to me, because it's a little bit of a pet peeve of mine when people bring up policy but you don't see it witnessed as practice as a way of being, yeah, so belonging is that it's so.

Speaker 1: 29:33

It refers to the emotional and psychological sense of being accepted, valued and connected.

Speaker 2: 29:40

It goes beyond policy right, it's just in the environment, like the fuzzy furry forest, where everyone, individuals, feel they're an integral, integral part of the group so I want to tell a quick story about uh, belonging and how once I felt like I belonged to something and I knew this is where I really want to be, I was about 17, 18 years old and I went to my first music class.

Speaker 2: 30:14

But it wasn't a class at school, it was a class outside of school, in a I don't even know what kind of setting this was, but it was writers, musicians, and I hadn't said that I'm a writer, musician, yet I hadn't. Those words had never come from my mouth.

Speaker 1: 30:32

That wasn't something you professed as an identity yet, right, okay.

Speaker 2: 30:35

Although I was writing and I was doing some form of music or singing, I, just like I said, I never said it and so, being a part of this class of about 35 to 75 people the numbers fluctuated from week to week, but I was like it's a big difference yeah, it definitely fucked.

Speaker 2: 30:55

I mean because sometimes people didn't want to be a part of it and so they moved on. But this particular night, the instructor said uh, we as artists. And I was thinking who is he talking about? I'm not one of them, I don't know what he's. An artist draws or writes or, you know, creates. And so he continued to talk and he said it again we as artists have to do this and do that, and we have to express ourselves. Because when you're an artist, as we are and I was like, oh my, so I had to have this conversation with him after the class I said you know you. You keep referring to us as artists. He said no, no, no, I'm not referring to you as an art. You are an artist. Yes, we all are artists. And and you as a musician, you as a, as a writer, you as an artist and I felt like I belong here, I I'm never leaving this you know I mean so yeah, it's important to belong and when you feel that connection to belong, it changes the whole game for you it does.

Speaker 1: 32:05

And beautiful story. I have a story, too that came to my mind, but I want to just really highlight the key aspects of belonging here that you beautifully described. So there's an emotional connection, right where you feel a deep sense of connection and acceptance. Oh, that's so important for people to feel accepted within the group. And then the other element is safety and comfort, so you can express yourself without fear of exclusion, of discrimination or judgment. That is such a huge piece of belonging. And then knowing that your presence and contributions are genuinely appreciated and they make a difference. So, and then the last one is community and relationships. So you're building these meaningful relationships with your instructor and other people, because now you're like I'm an artist, people see me, people value me. I'm not pretending to be, I've been accepted.

Speaker 2: 33:11

Yes, yes, and that's the important part, because when you, when I, as I walked through the door at my home and my, my mother and father looked at me and said where have you been?

Speaker 1: 33:21

I've, I've been in class with, with the other with the other artists, because I'm an artist as well, and they're like uh, what's happening now?

Speaker 2: 33:31

I was being transformed into the artist that I was always meant to be.

Speaker 1: 33:35

That's what's happening and again I'm blown away because that is a real story that happened in the midst of where you grew up and how you grew up, right, yeah, and how in the middle of that came this. I love that For me, belonging really happened. So I grew up in a private school and there were a lot of well-to-do kids and I was one of those kids who were on a tuition assistance program, kind of had to work through it. I carpooled Most kids there had their own cars or people driving them and I worked up the street to make extra money. So that was me. But I tell you what Corey and I know some kids can be mean, but I tell you what.

Speaker 1: 34:29

Corey and I know some kids can be mean and I was so blessed to be accepted by the group of kids regardless, like my friends would come and help me in the kitchen. They'd drive me to school. Their parents accepted me for who I was and actually appreciated the fact that here I am, at 16 years old, working my way through to get this education with their kids.

Speaker 2: 34:55

Right right.

Speaker 1: 34:56

So it felt good. It felt good, you know, asb officer. Captain of the pep club. So what happened there is because I felt safe. I was able to contribute and make a difference and share things. In fact, and I don't know, this could have changed. My high school is shut down now, but I was responsible for the one group that raised the most money for that school. Money for that school, uh and so and it was doing a uh I represented the philippines with a booth that was made out of straw, so it looked very indicative of my country right, and we have the food.

Speaker 1: 35:42

And the food was amazing because you know filipinos know how to get down with the cooking, and so all that to say when you're in that space of belonging. Imagine, Corey, if you weren't accepted.

Speaker 2: 35:55

I'm imagining it all right now.

Speaker 1: 36:07

But for you if you weren't accepted. At that time, I it again and again and keep putting into you and filling you with that.

Speaker 2: 36:16

Well, it's important because it teaches you how to have a functioning ecosystem and how to have it balanced, and how to have it balanced, opposed to how we've all been a part of something that wasn't balanced or the swamp had overgrown and it's, you know, flies and all kind of you know dead foliage all over the place We've had, we've all experienced that. But when the ecosystem is balanced and operating properly, it's like, oh, this feels good and that's what we've experienced with that. So, and I love that, we can talk about the good part of that balance, opposed to always having to talk about the bad part about it.

Speaker 1: 36:57

That's right, and you bring up a good point too, because we want to make sure here that, even though at Take the Elevator, we are about elevating and bringing positivity into our lives, it doesn't mean that we pull back from conflict. In fact, we're all about the conflict we understand in the disagreements and the power if you can get through it, that's the thing. Right Is getting through it. So this isn't the fuzzy furry type of positivity. It's the fuzzy furry type of community in which trust is built, based on honest conversation and, again, you can agree to disagree, and in a healthy community, that's how it should be and we come together with all voices heard on how to move forward. What's the next step? How do we continue to be? How do we continue to be? How do we continue to grow and develop? Right, yeah?

Speaker 1: 37:53

So all of this, you guys, is in the Fuzzy Furry Forest. Welcome to it. I mean, come on, come on. I promise you it is going to blow your mind, expand the possibilities, and you're just going to please. I hope you stay here with us and I hope that you invite people to join us. We do have a website and it's oh, it's a new one for us too, because I wanted to say it's called the fuzzyfurryforestcom but I can't remember if there's a the in front's just fuzzy furry forest dot com okay, thank you.

Speaker 1: 38:36

So it's fuzzy furry forest dot com and we're building it and you're gonna see it, and thanks for growing with us. And and, oh my gosh, let's give a shout out to a good friend of ours and I don't know Cora, if you want to say her name, but, man, you talk about how much we honor and cherish feedback.

Speaker 2: 38:54

Cora, she gave you like a one pager of here's where you can improve your website, so I have this wonderful woman that has been man I don't even know how to describe this A gift from above, definitely a gift, definitely someone that has a different kind of heart when it comes to giving and sharing. Her name is Senya and basically she has transformed the website, along with other aspects, and there's so much that I'm going to be introducing about what she's done. I don't want to, I don't want to underdo it just yet.

Speaker 1: 39:38

Yeah, no yeah. We've got so many episodes lined up for this, but either way, man, what is our hope for you today is that, if you haven't been introduced to things like psychological safety, diversity, inclusion and, most of all, belonging like, we hope that we've planted some seeds and that where you work, where you go to school, where your kids go to school, those things are being nurtured, sun is being shined on it, it's being watered. You know what? At the end of the day, if it's not, it is our duty, our own personal duty, to get what we need in this life yes and fill us with that knowledge and build community for that support.

Speaker 1: 40:19

so consider, cory and I support to these things in your life, because we want to see you flourish and grow and be in the fuzzy furry forest. Yeah, absolutely All right. Well, when we have our next episode, we're going to continue on this beautiful path and just start to open it up. So have a wonderful day. And you know us to take the elevator. We say look up and let's elevate every day, elevate every day, elevate every day.