Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Banks.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was pregnant with my oldest child (2018), I became very aware of how consuming motherhood could be. I watched other moms, as well as empty nesters, lose their sense of identity. Because of this, I aggressively pursued my passions to maintain my sense of self.
After the birth of my second child (2020), I started a podcast called A is for Adversity. I name each episode using a letter of the alphabet. When I finish the alphabet, I start a new season with a new topic. The overarching theme of my podcast is how challenges shape and refine our character. The content for my first podcast season came from a book of inspirational quotes I’ve compiled over the years. From there, it followed whatever I was interested in at the time: Storytelling, Empowerment, Relationships, and finally my current season–Community.
I’ve become especially interested in community and have learned that social interaction does not necessarily equal connection. This season, in addition to the podcast, I have been networking within my community of Daybreak and have created an online community full of busy mom’s seeking to maintain their identity; it’s called The Sunshine Community.
Within The Sunshine Community, members have access each month to the following:
A – Attend an Event (these switch between virtual and in-person in the Salt Lake/Utah County area)
B – Bring a question, need, or uplifting thought to the GroupMe chat app.
C – Check Your Mail. I send a fun letter each month to their physical mailbox.
I also teach preschool in my home, and thoroughly enjoy it, but see that more as my “day job” with my podcast being my passion project.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been the smoothest road, but the moment I switched my thoughts from, “I want to make a lot of money doing something I love” to “I just want to help people”, it became a lot easier. The fire within that made it a passion project, to begin with, was reignited.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love gathering people together to create magical moments. I host many themed parties throughout the year, my favorite being a fall “Pumpkin Potluck”. In the future, I would love to own and run an event center–both so I can use it to host event gatherings, and so other people can rent it for use. Many event centers that I see now are for weddings/high-caliber parties, and the cost to rent reflects that. I’d love to create a space for everyday gatherings.
As I mentioned earlier, I am also a preschool teacher. I have acquired many interactive learning manipulatives and kid-friendly supplies. Incorporating these resources into a daycare in conjunction with the event center would allow busy moms to get away and cultivate their identity while having a safe, affordable place for their children to be while they attend events.
The more I’m able to find women who are seeking a sense of community or are wanting to maintain their identity, the more I’ll be able to gather all of us when I do have a brick-and-mortar event center.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I’d love to invite people to support me by listening to my podcast! On average, people listen to about eight podcasts at a time, I’d love to be part of their lineup. I speak to others through my podcast and I love to hear back from listeners in my Facebook group and Instagram page. Both can be found by typing in A is for Adversity. I welcome feedback on episodes, post interactive content, and share other parts of my life.
I recently created a website: aisforadversity.com, where listeners can also get in touch with me, as well as apply to be a guest on the show, read lists of items I’ve compiled, and see the latest on what’s happening over at A is for Adversity.
In my efforts to create a community, I’d also invite anyone interested to join The Sunshine Community! Members will grow with and belong to a close-knit community (both online and in person) that rallies around, supports, and connects as they navigate this crazy thing called life. More details can be found at aisforadversity.com/boost.
Pricing:
- Sunshine Community Membership Fee: Reduced from $14.99 to $9.99/month!
- Podcast Listening: Free wherever you get your podcasts.
Contact Info:
- Website: aisforadversity.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aisforadversity
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/592864362575991
Image Credits
Kimberly Garrison and Amber Giles
