Tallahassee

Meet Tiffany Underwood: Authentic Creative Expression

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Getting to know a person who comes across as both genuine and genial is exciting. Getting to know a strong and sensible woman is even more exciting. Tiffany Underwood is one person I sincerely enjoyed spending time with recently. Here are some of the highlights of our talk.

How do you earn a living?

I am a part-time merchandiser for American Greetings. I clean and restock the card and gift displays in several retail locations. Sometimes I get to help people find the perfect card they are seeking. The job is enjoyable and is the way I survive and get to eat. But there is so much more that defines who I am.

My life is like a canopy road.

Would you care to elaborate?

I am a wife to a wonderful man who is a 911 operator. I am a mother to an awesome daughter who is a math whiz in the seventh grade. I have tons of hobbies and one very strong passion.

Could you please explain your passion to the readers?

Theatre and acting has always been my passion, my fun, my creativity. What I bring into a role is the creative expression of both having fun and telling the hard stories. I have a good technique for memorizing lines. It thrills me to give a voice to the stories of strong women. I have done theatre and short films. Some female actors I love are Kate Winslet, Meryl Streep, and Helen Mirren. In my acting and in my real life, I am always authentic.

And what about those hobbies?

I like to cook. I make a fettuccine sauce from scratch that is delicious. While I’m not a crafty person as such, I do really appreciate beautiful pottery and ceramics.  I love to read, listen to music, walk through a peaceful cemetery, and spend time at the beach. Oh, and I love photography, especially taking pictures at sunset.

Could you share thoughts about Tallahassee and travel?

I was born and raised in Tallahassee. It is full of history and nature galore. It has canopy roads and friendly people. It is where I took a ride on a hot air balloon on my 16th birthday. Also, it is close to other fascinating Florida places like Wakulla Springs and St. Marks. As far as travel, I’ve been to Texas and Hawaii.  An anniversary cruise to St. Thomas was fun and unforgettable. A place I wish to visit one day is Ireland.

Live by your own code.

What makes you an exuberant person?

I am comfortable in my own skin. I am able to live in the moment. I am loyal, imaginative, and I respect the beliefs of others. My life is like the canopy roads, mostly great with occasional thorns and bumps.

Do you have a message for the world?

Yes, live your life for you without the worry of what other people think. Live by your own code.

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Dang y’all! Tiffany Underwood is likeable and adorable. Her body of work has included everything from the delightful comedy Calendar Girls to the short drama Viola. She has a healthy zest for life and a happy way of being her best self. 

You are invited to leave your comment. Tiffany and I are both eager to hear from you.

Meet Cathy Schroeder: For Clarity and the Greater Good

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She believes in keeping her ideas clear and simple. She believes in the principles of altruism and commitment to the greater good for all people. She believes in the value of humility and kindness. She does acts of goodness for strangers without taking credit or seeking attention. She is the type of person who can restore our collective faith in humanity.

I generate clear and simple messages.

Could you tell me about your job and how you feel about it?

       My job in communications is to make things easier to understand. That encourages people to take action and create change. I love learning new things and then generating clear and simple messages that anyone can grasp.

What are some of your biggest strengths?

       I consciously align myself, both personally and professionally, with people and projects that are clearly for the greater good. Smart people from fields like politics, education, or the water industry explain their goals and I help to achieve those goals. I am quick-thinking, articulate, and sincere.

What do you enjoy most about Tallahassee?

       The unique canopy roads and gentle hills make this area special. The amount of government here insulates us from many challenges faced by other Florida cities. There is a wonderful small-town feeling, yet the people are educated and very well informed.

What travel destinations interest you?

       I would love to return to Vienna, Austria. It has remarkable food, culture, and architecture. I am also fascinated by the Pitcairn Islands in the south Pacific. It would be so educational to immerse yourself into their culture.  I’m not much for boating so that makes for a hard decision. I do like the inflatable banana boat rides that you find at popular beaches. Oh, and the most fun thing I ever did was a Jeep tour in Arizona. The mountains were really rough. It was fun but I would get so nervous that there were times I just couldn’t stop laughing.

What types of hobbies and passions do you prefer?

       I like cooking lots of good foods. Cooking seems very instinctual to me. I mentor a young boy who is quite good in math. That really feeds my soul. I read a wide variety of book genres and lately have enjoyed historical fictions. Of course, I love simply spending time with my husband and daughter.

Love & Justice Always Find A Way!

What makes you an exuberant person?

       I am optimistic, engaging, and empathetic. I explain things in a clear way and consider how my words impact my audience.

What is your message to the world?

       My message is quite simple; love and justice always find a way.

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Dang y’all, didn’t you just love this article? If so, please be KIND enough to leave your positive comments. Thank you.

Meet Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey

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Seriousness Fused with Fun

As I walked into the elevator at City Hall, I was both nervous and excited in anticipation of my first meeting with the mayor. Would he be pompous or subdued? Would he be phony or inept? It turns out that he is none of those things! In fact, we chatted so comfortably in his office. I felt honored. I felt proud. I felt patriotic. John Dailey is a good man who has a strong commitment to the great future of Tallahassee.

What is a clear and simple way to explain your job?

       My job as Mayor is to be sure that our municipal services are doing all we can to improve the quality of life for all residents of Florida’s state capital.

How do you feel about your job?

       It is very rewarding to truly be able to help solve the problems and concerns of citizens. Every day is completely different and has a mix of seriousness and fun. I appreciate those I work with and the wide variety of local people that I am privileged to meet. I am aware of my own deficiencies and my great team is always ready and willing to assist.  

I listen with unconditional respect.

How do you handle the difficult parts of your position?

       I listen to all people with unconditional respect. I know that respect can move mountains and bring about transformational change.  

How do you feel about Tallahassee?

       I grew up here and really love it. I attended FSU and love Seminoles football. Tallahassee is unique and fun and has so much natural beauty.   It is the seventh largest municipality in Florida, yet still has an excellent small-town charm. It is a great place for education and also a premiere retirement destination.

Could you say a little about other travel destinations you have seen or would like to see?

        I have had great times in London and in Costa Rica. I have backpacked across Ethiopia and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Eventually I hope to travel to all seven continents.

Are you passionate about any particular activities or hobbies?

       Food, art, and music are important to me because they fuel the mind, body, and spirit. My wife is from Louisiana and has introduced me to lots of great Cajun food. For physical activity I like hiking or playing squash. Reading helps me to relax. I also love to play Legos with my two sons.

Mayor John Dailey and writer Angela Dowdy

What makes you an exuberant person?

       I have a good philosophy of life. It is crucial to pay serious attention to the important things. It is even more necessary to stay upbeat and positive. And it is absolutely essential to have fun.

Do you have any message that the world needs to hear?

       Yes! Let’s all take a deep breath, stay calm, and smile. These are unusual times, but we are all going to make it through this together.

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Mayor John Dailey of Tallahassee is everything a man should be. He loves his family, his job, his town, and his constituents.  He knows how to mix seriousness and fun. He is very approachable. He knows how to make a positive and lasting impression.

MEET CHUCHA BARBER (life of abundance)

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Sophisticated, stunning, classy, and confident… only begin to describe Chucha Barber. This incredible baby boomer with business acumen is the president of Chucha Barber Productions.   She has won numerous awards and recognition for her talents as a producer.  As I visited in her home recently, she spoke with deep passion about her job and so much more.

Could you tell me about what you do for a living?

       I’m a storyteller. My production company turns ideas into documentaries, videos, programs, and podcasts. We learn about significant topics and amazing people, then create ways to inform the public. I love the opportunity to capture a vision and help people understand. It can be some deeply poignant and painful truth or a topic much more lighthearted and humorous.

Which topics have really touched your heart?

       While each one is memorable, a few are important on a deeper level. One was regarding the Miami Grand Prix and another was the truth about oysters and their impact on the environment.  We also worked with Lauren’s Kids Foundation to shed light on various forms of child abuse. My most personal project is still in the works. It is about my father. He was the first Latin-American editor at the Miami Herald and had unique interactions with Fidel Castro.

How do you unwind and relieve stress when not working?

       Finding the right balance between work, nutrition, exercise, and rest is the key. I love to cook and to garden. Or enjoy quiet time with nature. Food, art, and music are all dear to me.

Could you say a bit more about that?

       I’ve loved music since my youth. Later I served as a museum director and came to appreciate art. Every piece in my home has a wonderful story to go with it. Now food made with loving hands is beautiful, no matter how simple or complex. A loaf of bread is a feast for the senses. Shredded hearts of palm from the Amazon rainforest is one of the most delicious and memorable dishes ever.

I have a lot of gratitude, which is why I continue to live a life of abundance.

What’s the most fun thing you’ve ever done?

       Marry my husband! He’s my best friend and we have a huge crazy family of many shades and colors. We are a big happy variety and lucky to all love each other.

How do you feel about Tallahassee and about travel?

       This part of northern Florida is beautiful because of all the canopy roads, springs, and trails. Everything grows well in the soil here, flowers, vegetables, herbs, and orchards. I’m grateful to have traveled many places. I look forward to going back to Los Angeles and also plan to some day visit Norway.

Any advice on how people should treat one another?

       People need to maintain respect and a sense of humor in order to promote healthy dialogue. We all need to focus on the present instead of the past. We just need to learn how to listen to one another.

What makes you an exuberant person?

       It comes back to my high energy and finding a balance in all I do. I have a lot of gratitude, which is why I continue to live a life of abundance. There are always reasons to be joyful.

What would you like to say to the world?

       The most important human organ is the heart, which allows us to love others. Some people focus too much on the skin and color. Choose to be fully alive as long as your heart is beating. If we love all people and choose to listen to the heart beats of others the world will truly be a much better place.

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Dang y’all!  Chucha Barber has so many great stories and great life lessons to share. Here’s hoping we all listen to others as we find that balance in our own lives.

Please leave your comments on what you loved best about this interview.

Meet Felina Martin

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A leader who thrives on innovation and opportunity.

This very versatile and energetic lady has served tirelessly for the past two years as Executive Director of INIE (Institute for Nonprofit Innovation and Excellence). Somehow, she still finds the time for family, friends, and an amazing array of hobbies. She speaks with clarity and conviction about how we should confront challenges and do the required work in order to make the world what we want.

Felina Martin Exec. Dir. of INIE in Tallahassee, FL

Felina, please explain your work at INIE.

       I work with charitable organizations to help them succeed in helping others. Through education, advocacy, direct communication, and lots of virtual meetings, I sometimes save them from closing their doors. It is so rewarding and inspiring to connect innovators with each other and to watch them succeed.

What do you like the most about Tallahassee?

       The natural beauty here is so evident at every turn. It is in parks, trails, trees, and landscapes. There is a wonderful Southern charm among the locals and the college students add another great dimension to the environment.

Take the opportunity to travel when it is safe again.

What are some of your thoughts on travel?

       Two of the best places I’ve been were the cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa. A place that I really hope to visit in the future is Egypt. I would encourage people to take the opportunity to travel (after the pandemic) when it is safe again.

What is the most fun thing you have done lately?

       I’ve been taking flying lessons and recently flew a plane around the St. Augustine area for forty-five minutes. The young flying instructor really helped make it so much fun.

Can you share a little about your passions and hobbies?

       The most relaxing things for me are meditation, yoga, or a great comedy show that makes me just fall out laughing. I’m eclectic regarding art and creativity; I write poetry, sew, draw, and create with polymer clay. I can also appreciate the artistry of a pretty pizza or a beautiful plating of vanilla bean ice cream.

What makes you an exuberant person?

       Opportunity! Taking the opportunity to create new things. Or the opportunity to really listen as my son shares his dreams with me. Or the opportunity to respect myself and renew my energy with a long drive and some fresh air.

Do you have a message for the world?

       Yes! Live your life to the fullest. That is your opportunity to leave your mark and make a difference.

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Dang y’all, don’t you just want to give her a big hug? Felina is certainly a captivating conversationalist. I hope y’all were inspired enough to look for new opportunities to be innovative.  Please be kind by sharing your thoughts with me.

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