Kickstart Your Week 11-18-24

Quick recap

The meeting began with casual conversations and introductions, followed by discussions on various national days and personal experiences. The main focus of the meeting was an interview with Jason Smith, a loan officer who shared his personal journey of overcoming PTSD and his experiences living homeless for six months, which he documented in a YouTube documentary. The conversation ended with a discussion on the importance of kindness and the impact of Jason's story on the team.

Next steps

Jason to continue maintaining contact with and supporting formerly homeless individuals featured in his film, particularly those working towards housing stability.

Nino to share the YouTube link for Jason's documentary "Miles of Kindness" with the Fairway team to increase awareness and support.

Fairway team to consider ways to leverage Jason's unique background and experiences in their marketing and community outreach efforts.

Summary

Rachel's Routine Check-Up and Meeting

Nino and Rachel had a brief conversation at the start of a meeting. Rachel was at the cardiologist for a routine check-up due to a previously discovered heart issue. She planned to listen to the meeting recording if she had to leave early. Nino was preparing to share a video but initially couldn't find it on his Zoom screen. Rachel put on earbuds to listen more clearly and humorously asked Nino not to say anything stressful, as she was taking her blood pressure.

Miles of Kindness Charity Interview

Rachel and Jason discuss their weekends before the interview. Jason had a fun weekend with his friend visiting from Seattle, attending a concert and his nephew's birthday party. Rachel has been busy helping take care of her granddaughter. Nino prepares to interview Jason about his charity Miles of Kindness and share a video trailer and photos of Jason's van full of supplies.

Appreciating the World Around Us

In the meeting, Beth shared a personal story about her mother's advice to look up and appreciate the world around them. She used the example of a unique artwork at the Gaylord in Texas, which many people overlooked. Jason and Nino agreed with Beth's point, with Jason sharing his own experience of his wife's habit of stopping to take pictures of interesting things. The conversation ended with Beth's late arrival causing some stress for Nino, and Rachel's participation from a doctor's appointment.

Patriotic Songs Evoke Emotional Response

Nino shares an emotional experience of playing patriotic songs at a church concert, where the audience stood up during the song "God Bless the USA" and veterans stood for their respective military branch songs during the "Armed Forces Salute." The moving display of patriotism brought Nino to tears. Jason expresses appreciation for the powerful song and Nino's experience.

Elevate Conference and Pistol's Poster

Nino opened the meeting, discussing the regular attendees and the absence of Pistol the previous week due to illness. He mentioned that Pistol should be joining the meeting today. Nino also shared that they had attended an event called the elevate conference and had prepared a poster for Pistol. The poster, signed by everyone, was a humorous way to replace Pistol's deflated balloons. The meeting also included greetings and casual conversations among the attendees, including Beth, Peter, Kristy, Cindy, Kimberly, Brittany, Admiral, Avril, and Tim.

Celebrating National Days and Drinks

Nino initiated the meeting by mentioning various national days, including National Princess Day, National Apple Cider Day, Latvia Independence Day, and Minnie Mouse's birthday. He encouraged everyone to honor these days by celebrating the respective themes. Later, Adam shared a personal preference for a caramel vodka mixed with apple cider, which he found to be a delicious drink. The conversation ended with Nino and Adam discussing the drink's appeal.

Kickoff Meeting With Enthusiastic Team

Nino initiated the meeting, expressing excitement about the day's agenda. Beth, the co-host, also expressed enthusiasm, promising an engaging session. The team discussed the presence of various members, including Charles, Sid, Alan, Clint, Admiral, Laurie, and Clara. Nino emphasized the importance of the meeting, stating that it was a platform for like-minded individuals to start the week positively. He also mentioned that Kathy was in Morocco and encouraged everyone to follow Bill Murphy's marathon journey, which was raising funds for Make-A-Wish.

Nino's Journey With PTSD and Homelessness

Nino, a paramedic, shared his personal struggles with PTSD and his decision to quit his job and live homeless for half a year to seek change, kindness, and faith. He aims to highlight the issues faced by others who are struggling and to demonstrate the kindness of others through his journey.

Introducing Jason Smith, Loan Officer

Nino introduced Jason Smith, a loan officer from the Phoenix market who has been with Fairway for four years and has served 52 families this year. Beth expressed her admiration for Jason's work and shared a quote from Tim Harder, emphasizing the importance of finding golden individuals like Jason. Jason was invited to share his background, life, and how he got into his current role. The conversation ended with Beth expressing her excitement for Jason to share his story with the team.

Overcoming PTSD and Homelessness Journey

Jason, a former firefighter and paramedic, shared his journey of overcoming PTSD and suicidal ideations after a major ambulance crash. He decided to quit his job and live homeless for six months, traveling across the US and documenting his experiences. He used hidden camera work to capture people's kindness and interviewed homeless individuals. Jason's documentary, which is available on YouTube, showcases his journey and the lives of those he met. He still maintains contact with some of the people featured in the film, including a man who recently secured his first apartment and another who is now off the streets and working towards buying a house. Beth and Nino were deeply moved by Jason's story and appreciated the insight it provided into human nature.