First Lady & Friends

Latest Episodes:

National Governor's Association and 'Disagree Better' with Gov. Spencer Cox Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

In this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Gov. Spencer Cox to talk about some life updates, their recent trip to Atlantic City, NJ for the National Governor's Association where the governor was elected chair of the NGA, and the importance of building bipartisan relationships with other governors throughout the country.

Then we talk about the 2023-2024 NGA Chair's Initiative, Disagree Better, an initiative that will address being better about disagreeing with each other and polarization through public debates, service projects, public service announcements, and other various efforts.

Lastly, we dive into what we've been reading recently.

Related Links:

Disagree Better: https://www.nga.org/disagree-better/

Them: Why We Hate Each Other-and How to Heal by Ben Sass

A Time to Build by Yuval Levin

Love Your Enemies by Arthur C. Brooks

How America Got Mean by David Brooks

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Sharon Eubank on the need for humanitarian aid and service in our communities Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

In this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Sharon Eubank (Director of Humanitarian Services for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) to talk about what she learned from teaching English as a second language in Japan after graduating from BYU, her passion for service and helping others, and the different types of humanitarian aid that she has been a part of throughout her career.

We also dive into some of the service opportunities that are available to Utah, why volunteering has become so important for the state, and how humanitarian aid has helped build stronger communities.

Related links:

Just Serve: https://www.justserve.org/

Show Up: https://www.showuputah.org/

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Katie Donoviel on improving English language skills with the English Skills Learning Center Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

In this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Katie Donoviel (Executive Director of the English Skills Learning Center) to talk about why becoming a teacher was such an important goal of hers growing up, how she was introduced to the English Skills Learning Center and the English language learning programs that the ESLC provides for low-income adult immigrants and refugees.

We also dive into how trauma can often impact meaningful learning, some of the issues that immigrant and refugee populations will experience while trying to learn a new language, and the need to be aware of triggers that might create a negative atmosphere for learning.

Lastly, we talk about some of the success stories that have been made possible thanks to the ESLC and some unexpected moments that Katie has experienced while working in the profession.

Related Links:

English Skills Learning Center: https://www.eslcenter.org/

Show Up: https://www.showuputah.org/

Show Up For Teachers: https://www.showupforteachers.org/

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Stephen LeFevre on World Trade Center Utah's impact throughout the state Jul 21, 2023

Show notes

In this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Stephen LeFevre (Chief of Staff, Director of Strategic and Foreign Affairs with World Trade Center Utah) to talk about his passion for international affairs, his experience with attending graduate school in New York City during COVID, and WTC Utah's impact on the state.

We also talk about WTC Utah's focus on making Utah a prominent state globally, how trade missions help Utah businesses grow, and what we can learn from international relations during a trade mission.

Related Links:

WTC Utah: https://www.wtcutah.com/

Show Up: https://www.showuputah.org/

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Trade mission recap, 2023 Special Olympics World Games, and TED Talks with Kirsten Rappleye and Sarah Allred Jun 29, 2023

Show notes

In this week's episode, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Kirsten Rappleye (Director of First Lady’s Initiatives) and Sarah Allred (Deputy Director of First Lady's Initiatives) to talk about the First Lady's recent trade mission to Europe, attending the opening ceremonies for the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, and what our TED Talks would be if we were to give one.

We also talk about this year's Governor's Mansion Artist Awards, a few of our favorite recent service opportunities, and celebrating Bryce Canyon National Park's 100th birthday.

Lastly, we preview our upcoming second annual Show Up For Teachers Conference on July 19, 2023, at the Mountain America Expo Center, the latest regarding the National Governor's Association, and what we've been reading lately.

Related links:

Show Up: https://www.showuputah.org/

Special Olympics: https://www.specialolympics.org/

2023 Show Up for Teacher Conference: https://www.showupforteachers.org/event/742b0a6b-f9cc-4a75-ad86-135e3f15ed85/summary

Show Up for Teachers: https://www.showupforteachers.org/

PBS Utah - Art Elevated: https://www.pbsutah.org/pbs-utah-productions/series/art-elevated-the-governors-mansion-artist-series/

Bryce Canyon: https://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm

Utah Foster Care: https://utahfostercare.org/

Show Up for Serving: https://www.showuputah.org/service

From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks: https://arthurbrooks.com/from-strength-to-strength#:~:text=From%20Strength%20to%20Strength%20is,is%20well%20within%20our%20reach.

Horse by Geraldine Brooks: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/59109077

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60194162

Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Fight for Justice by Bill Browder: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/22609522

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58065033

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor: https://www.mrjamesnestor.com/breath-book

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Dehenna Davison shares how Levelling Up aims to create equal opportunities throughout the UK Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Dehenna Davison (MP for Bishop Auckland & Levelling Up Minister) to talk about learning proper work ethic from her father at an early age in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, how the sudden passing of her father shaped her formative years, and becoming one of the youngest female Members of Parliament (MPs) at twenty-six years old.

We also dive into the dangers of social media organically producing political echo chambers, how Levelling Up is focused on creating opportunities for everyone across the UK, and the need for more youth who are interested in politics to help make positive change.

Then we talk about various ways we can have healthy disagreements to better understand one another and the toll that social media can have on the mental health of our youth.

You can also learn about the amazing work that the World Trade Center Utah is doing to elevate Utah’s global status and international engagement below.

Related Links:

Dehenna's social links: Twitter, Facebook

Levelling Up: https://levellingup.campaign.gov.uk/

World Trade Center Utah: https://www.wtcutah.com/

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Julie Castle on how Best Friends is changing the future for pets in shelters Jun 08, 2023

Show notes

Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Julie Castle (CEO, Best Friends Animal Society) to talk about how rural Utah naturally embodies Utahns with an entrepreneurial spirit and the moment she decided she was going to give up her career in law and politics to move to Kanab and work for Best Friends.

Julie shares what her jobs were while working for Best Friends during her early years there, how Best Friends' is leading the "no-kill" movement, and why Michael Vick's dogfighting operation became a monumental moment in the history of Best Friends.

Then we dive into Best Friends' goal of nationwide no-kill shelters by 2025.

Related Links:

Best Friends Animal Society: https://bestfriends.org/

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Pam Hayes and Jay Francis on reducing bullying with Stand 4 Kind Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Pam Hayes (Founder, Stand 4 Kind) and Jay Francis (Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Miller Family Philanthropy) to talk about how Stand 4 Kind is tackling bullying in schools throughout the state, some of the programs involved within the curriculum, and the impact that cyberbullying and social media is having on our students.

Then we talk about how the data on bullying is consistently shifting how Stand 4 Kind approaches individual programs and different ways we can teach our children to be more empathetic and compassionate.

Related Links:

Stand 4 Kind: https://stand4kind.com/

Stand 4 Kind Mobile App: https://forms.monday.com/forms/39c909638e848eec1e73eaac97ef9fca?r=use1

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Showing up for foster care with Liz Rivera and Deborah Lindner on the Fostering Conversations podcast May 25, 2023

Show notes

Utah's First Lady Abby Cox and Utah Governor Spencer Cox join Liz Rivera (Director of Education) and Deborah Lindner (Director of Communications) with Utah Foster Care on the Fostering Conversations podcast this week to talk about all things Utah foster care.

We've heard from countless foster families, teens and children about what the state of Utah can do to Show Up for Foster Care and in this week's episode we talk about some of our goals for improving the lives of children and families in the coming months.

Related Links:

Show Up: https://www.showuputah.org/

Utah Foster Care: https://utahfostercare.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Fostering Conversations podcast: https://utahfostercare.org/fostering-conversations-podcast/

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Advertising for a better world with Steve Wright May 18, 2023

Show notes

Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is joined by Steve Wright (Vice President at Boncom) to talk about finding his passion for advertising at an early age, how he adapted to moving from Canada to Springville, Utah as a sixteen year old, and what he learned from moving to New York City after graduating from Brigham Young University.

We also talk about Boncom's drive for advertising that focuses on making a positive impact throughout the state, how the advertising and marketing landscape has evolved in the digital era, and some of our favorite books that we've been reading.

Related Links:

Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13425592-devil-in-the-grove

Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/123857637

Green Lights: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52838315-greenlights

Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story: https://www.goodreads.com/cs/book/show/61065813

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