What do you do when life keeps handing you one challenge after another? For Brittany Chance, the answer has been to keep fighting, trust God, and look for the positive—even when circumstances seem overwhelming. In this deeply personal conversation, Brittany shares the extraordinary journey of raising four boys while navigating serious medical challenges, including two sons facing life-threatening illnesses, a premature birth, and her own unexpected diagnosis with a potentially dangerous blood-clotting condition. Brittany opens up about the six weeks she spent in the hospital with her son Jack after meningitis led to brain swelling and a massive blood clot, and how refusing to give up helped get him the care he needed. She also shares how Jack's medical journey ultimately led to genetic testing that revealed Brittany had the same clotting genes—and a potentially life-threatening blockage that she never knew she had. Along the way, she talks about her youngest son's premature birth, her father's battle with early-onset Alzheimer's, and the role her husband, family, friends, and community have played through every difficult season. Through it all, Brittany's faith remains at the center of her story. She talks about learning to turn to God immediately in moments of crisis, becoming more resilient through adversity, setting boundaries as a parent, making time for her marriage, and finding ways to keep moving forward when life doesn't go according to plan. Her story is a powerful reminder that we may not be able to choose our circumstances, but we can choose how we respond to them. Quote of the Episode "Never stop fighting. Just never give up, because God gave you that gut instinct, that inner fire within you to just fight." -Brittany Chance Guest Links None Topics Covered Motherhood | Parenting | Faith | Resilience | Raising boys | Medical challenges | Family | Marriage | Early-onset Alzheimer's | Advocacy | Hope | Overcoming adversity | Self-care | Pilates Connect Visit our website: amykeyspodcast.com Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/amykeyspodcast Have a story to share? Email: amykeyspodcast@gmail.com If you enjoy Just a Thought with Amy Keys, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves inspiring stories about family, history, travel, and personal growth.

What if living a healthier, more fulfilling life isn't about doing more—but about doing less, slowing down, and being more intentional about the choices we make? In this episode, Amy sits down with Tina Beard of Home Sweet Homespun to explore natural living, sustainability, and the simple practices that have shaped the way Tina approaches food, family, work, and everyday life. Tina shares how growing up in Maine and becoming a mother led her down a path of learning about natural ingredients, gardening, herbal remedies, homemade soap, seasonal foods, and sustainable living. She explains why she makes her own soap without synthetic fragrances or colors, the renewed interest in tallow, what raising chickens has taught her about food production, and why she believes small, practical changes are more sustainable than trying to completely overhaul your life overnight. The conversation also goes beyond food and products to explore something many of us struggle with: how to slow down in a culture that constantly tells us to keep going. Tina shares her approach to setting boundaries, protecting quiet time, improving sleep, using herbs as part of her daily routine, and noticing the small moments of beauty that we often miss when we're rushing through life. Whether you're interested in natural living or simply looking for ways to simplify and make more intentional choices, this conversation offers practical ideas and a refreshing reminder that you don't have to do everything perfectly. Quote of the Episode "If you can find one thing that in a slow moment makes you happy, that's all that you need. And then you can handle the hard stuff." -Tina Beard Guest Links Home Sweet Homespun - https://homespunsoaps.com Topics Covered Natural living | Sustainability | Homemade soap | Tallow | Gardening | Chickens | Seasonal living | Herbs | Natural skincare | Self-care | Boundaries | Sleep | Simplifying | Mindful living Connect Visit our website: amykeyspodcast.com Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/amykeyspodcast Have a story to share? Email: amykeyspodcast@gmail.com If you enjoy Just a Thought with Amy Keys, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves inspiring stories about family, history, travel, and personal growth.

Mahjong is having a moment—and if you haven't played yet, Paula Brown and Melissa Taylor are here to explain why so many people are getting hooked. In this fun and lively episode, Amy sits down with the women who taught her how to play American Mahjong to talk about the history of the game, how it works, and what makes it so much more than a game of tiles, strategy, and luck. Paula and Melissa share how they discovered Mahjong, why they became teachers, and what makes learning the game less intimidating than it may first appear. They explain the basics of the card, the Charleston, strategy, skill and luck, and some of the terminology and etiquette that can make Mahjong seem complicated to newcomers. They also share their advice for anyone who is curious about learning to play. But the real story may be what happens around the table. The three friends talk about the friendships, fellowship, laughter, mental focus, and sense of community that Mahjong can create. From open play and tournaments to family games and beautifully designed tiles, this conversation explores why Mahjong is attracting players of all ages and why Paula and Melissa believe the game is here to stay. Whether you've been playing for years, are thinking about taking your first lesson, or have simply wondered what all the Mahjong fuss is about, this episode might just convince you to pull up a chair and play a hand. Quote of the Episode "I swear I'm happier after I've played.” -Amy Keys Guest Links Truffle Pig – Mahjong classes and more: https://shoptrufflepig.com/ Mahjong Ya’ll email – mahjongyall@gmail.com Topics Covered Mahjong | American Mahjong | Mahjong strategy | Learning Mahjong | Mahjong history | Skill and luck | Mahjong etiquette | Friendship | Fellowship | Brain health | Community | Hobbies Connect Visit our website: amykeyspodcast.com Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/amykeyspodcast Have a story to share? Email: amykeyspodcast@gmail.com If you enjoy Just a Thought with Amy Keys, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves inspiring stories about family, history, travel, and personal growth.

Finding the right care for a loved one is one of the most emotional and overwhelming decisions a family can face. In this episode, Amy sits down with Heather Bryant, founder of Trua Mid-South, to discuss how her family's heartbreaking experiences caring for both her special needs brother and her father inspired her to leave a successful corporate career and create a business dedicated to helping families navigate senior living options. Heather shares the personal journey that became her "why", explains the hidden signs that a loved one may no longer be safe living alone, and offers practical advice for starting difficult conversations about assisted living. Together, Amy and Heather explore common misconceptions about senior care, the importance of finding the right community—not just any community—and how the right environment can improve safety, independence, and quality of life. She also explains how Trua Mid-South helps families find the right senior living community by matching a loved one's unique needs with communities best equipped to meet them. Whether you're currently caring for aging parents, helping a loved one navigate the next stage of life, or simply planning ahead, this conversation offers compassionate guidance, practical advice, and reassurance that you don't have to navigate the journey alone. Quote of the Episode "I just had this nagging sensation that I need to do more, I need to give back, I need to help others get through this process because it's so overwhelming and isolating." –Heather Bryant Guest Links Trua Mid-South: https://truacares.com/trua-midsouth/ Topics Covered Senior living | Assisted living | Memory care | Aging parents | Family caregiving | Alzheimer's | Caregiver support | Memphis | Trua Mid-South Connect Visit our website: amykeyspodcast.com Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/amykeyspodcast Have a story to share? Email: amykeyspodcast@gmail.com If you enjoy Just a Thought with Amy Keys, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves inspiring stories about family, history, travel, and personal growth.

Social media keeps us connected like never before—but is it bringing us closer together or quietly pulling us apart? In this episode, Amy is joined once again by friends Kelly Henderson and Karyn Whittington for an honest, funny, and thought-provoking conversation about the role social media and texting play in our everyday lives. From the positive impact of networking, fundraising, and staying connected during life's biggest moments to the challenges of comparison, political posts, keyboard courage, and the pressure to always be available, the three friends explore both sides of our digital world. They also share practical insights on texting etiquette, AI-generated content, online privacy, and why it's so easy to misunderstand someone's tone through a screen. Packed with personal stories, nostalgic memories of life before smartphones, and plenty of laughs during a rapid-fire round, this episode is a reminder that while technology is an incredible tool, real relationships still thrive best through kindness, grace, and genuine human connection. Sometimes the healthiest thing we can do is put the phone down, look up, and be fully present with the people around us. Quote of the Episode "Look up from your phones and say hi to your friends. They want to see your sweet faces." -Amy Keys Guest Links None Topics Covered Social media | Texting | AI | Online privacy | Digital wellness | Human connection | Communication | Digital etiquette | Relationships Connect Visit our website: amykeyspodcast.com Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/amykeyspodcast Have a story to share? Email: amykeyspodcast@gmail.com If you enjoy Just a Thought with Amy Keys, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves inspiring stories about family, history, travel, and personal growth.

Finding hope in the middle of life's greatest challenges isn't easy, but Chuck and Cindy Brantley have spent nearly two decades doing just that. In this episode, they share the remarkable story of Chuck's sudden illness at just 29 years old, the months-long journey that led to a life-saving heart transplant, and the years that followed—including a kidney transplant, kidney cancer, vision loss, and countless other unexpected obstacles. Rather than allowing hardship to define them, Chuck and Cindy have chosen faith, teamwork, humor, and gratitude. They reflect on the emotional highs and lows of waiting for organ transplants, the importance of staying positive through uncertainty, and how their marriage has been strengthened by facing every challenge together. Their story is a powerful reminder that resilience isn't about pretending life is easy - it's about refusing to let difficult circumstances have the final word. Amy also shares the deeply personal story of a childhood friend whose decision to become an organ donor saved five lives, reinforcing the life-changing impact of organ donation. Whether you're facing a health crisis, supporting someone you love, or simply looking for encouragement, this conversation is a moving reminder that hope, faith, and perseverance can carry us through even life's most difficult seasons. Quote of the Episode "Panicking or freaking out helps nothing. You are in survival mode, and you do what you have to do to survive. And you do it together." – Cindy Brantley Guest Links None Topics Covered Organ donation | Heart transplant | Kidney transplant | Resilience | Faith | Marriage | Caregiving | Family | Chronic illness | Positive mindset | Teamwork Connect Visit our website: amykeyspodcast.com Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/amykeyspodcast Have a story to share? Email: amykeyspodcast@gmail.com If you enjoy Just a Thought with Amy Keys, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves inspiring stories about family, history, travel, and personal growth.

What happens when life doesn't unfold the way you expected? In this inspiring episode, Amy sits down with her longtime friend Mandi Anderson to share the remarkable story of her son, Rémy, who was born with one of the most severe forms of bilateral cleft lip and palate. Mandi candidly discusses the emotional journey from receiving the diagnosis during pregnancy to navigating countless surgeries, therapies, and everyday challenges. Along the way, she offers an honest look at the strength required to advocate for a child with medical needs while celebrating every milestone—from Rémy saying "Mama" for the first time to growing into a kind, magnetic young man who inspires everyone he meets. The conversation also highlights Rémy 's Ranch , Mandi's handmade ornament business that helps support families facing similar journeys. More than a story about medical challenges, this episode is a reminder that kindness, resilience, and compassion can transform even the hardest circumstances into opportunities to serve others and give hope. Quote of the Episode "This journey teaches you patience you never knew you needed to have, but it also teaches you a different kind of strength in being a mom." Guest Links Email - remysranch@gmail.com Rémy 's Ranch Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/245918432740815/ Connect If you know someone who has a story, mission, or message, reach out at amykeyspodcast@gmail.com . Your voice deserves to be heard! If you enjoy Just a Thought with Amy Keys , be sure to follow, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves inspiring stories about family, history, travel, and personal growth. Follow us on Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/amykeyspodcast

What makes a friendship last a lifetime? In this heartfelt episode, Amy is joined by two of her closest friends, Kelly Henderson and Karyn Whittington, for an honest conversation about the beauty, complexity, and purpose of friendship. Together, they explore how friendships evolve through different seasons of life, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who make you better, and why no one friend is meant to meet every need. Amy introduces her "U-shaped friendship" philosophy—leaving room for new people to enter your life—and a memorable "Gobstopper" analogy that illustrates the different layers of friendships, from lifelong ride-or-die friends to the people who enrich our lives in everyday moments. The conversation also dives into navigating conflict, setting healthy boundaries, dealing with friendship breakups, the impact of social media, and learning to appreciate friends who think differently than we do. Through personal stories, laughter, and vulnerability, Amy, Kelly, and Karyn remind us that meaningful friendships require grace, honesty, intentionality, and prayer. The episode closes with a simple but powerful challenge: reach out to a friend this week. Whether it's a text, coffee, lunch, a walk, or simply letting someone know you're thinking of them, small acts of intentional connection can create lasting impact. Quote of the Episode "The first rule of friendship is to be a friend." Guest Links None Connect If you know someone who has a story, mission, or message, reach out at amykeyspodcast@gmail.com. Your voice deserves to be heard! If you enjoy Just a Thought with Amy Keys, be sure to follow, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves inspiring stories about family, history, travel, and personal growth.

Travel isn't just about checking destinations off a list - it's about creating memories that last a lifetime. In this episode, Amy sits down with Christy and Richie Willard of Willard Travel Company to talk about how their passion for exploring the world turned into helping others experience unforgettable vacations. The conversation is filled with practical travel advice, including airport strategies, hotel safety tips, must-pack travel essentials, passport recommendations, and ways to avoid common travel headaches. Amy also shares some of her own memorable travel stories—from snorkeling in the Florida Keys and hiking in Colorado to her quirky hotel room routines and favorite vacation traditions. Richie offers a heartfelt reminder to "go do the thing," inspired by a conversation he overheard in a coffee shop. It's a powerful message about making memories while you can and investing in experiences that you'll treasure long after the trip is over. Whether you're planning your next vacation, dreaming about a bucket-list destination, or simply love hearing great travel stories, this episode is packed with inspiration, laughter, and practical advice to help you travel with confidence. Quote of the Episode "Go do the thing. Five years from now you won't remember what you spent—you'll remember the experience." Guest Links Willard Travel Company – https://trips.willardtravelco.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WillardTravelCompany/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/willardtravelco Connect If you know someone who has a story, mission, or message, reach out at amykeyspodcast@gmail.com . Your voice deserves to be heard! If you enjoy Just a Thought with Amy Keys , be sure to follow, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves inspiring stories about family, history, travel, and personal growth.

What started as a goal to run an international marathon became something much more meaningful. In this episode, Amy sits down with father and son Frank and Harmon Colvett to share the story of traveling to Normandy, France, to compete in the D-Day Landings Marathon. The conversation goes far beyond running. Frank and Harmon reflect on spending 36 uninterrupted hours together exploring the historic D-Day beaches, visiting landmarks from Band of Brothers , and creating memories that neither of them will ever forget. Along the way, they discuss resilience, family, history, and the value of simply spending meaningful time together. Amy also catches up with Harmon about his upcoming medical school journey, his experience as an EMT, his debut book, his upcoming wedding, and the passion that drives his career goals. Whether you're a runner, history enthusiast, parent, or someone who enjoys stories about perseverance and family, this episode is packed with inspiration and plenty of laughs. Quote of the Episode "It was so frighteningly cool to sit there on a beach where, eighty-two years and one day before, the most monumental gamble in American twentieth-century history had happened." Guest Links Book - Waves and Leaves: Quantum Mechanics from a Biomedical Engineer - https://a.co/d/0iTEblrp Frank Colvett, John Quinn Real Estate - https://www.johnquinnrealestate.com/agents/frank-colvett/ Connect If you know someone who has a story, mission, or message,reach out at amykeyspodcast@gmail.com . Your voice deserves to be heard! If you enjoy Just a Thought with Amy Keys , be sure to follow, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves inspiring stories about family, history, travel, and personal growth.

In this episode, Amy Keys shares her journey of starting a podcast, the challenges and surprises along the way, and her vision for inspiring and connecting with others through storytelling. If you know someone who has a story, mission, or message, reach out at amykeyspodcast@gmail.com – your voice deserves to be heard!

In this episode, Amy Keys interviews Kat from Kat's Sourdough to explore her inspiring journey from porch baker to successful business owner. They discuss the power of word-of-mouth marketing, the art of sourdough baking, and the importance of community and health in food and fitness. Links: https://katsourdoughandjuice.com/ https://silverbullfitness.com/ https://www.facebook.com/marketingevolution.jalb If you know someone who has a story, mission, or message,reach out at amykeyspodcast@gmail.com – your voice deserves to be heard!

Welcome to Just A thought with Amy Keys! Here you will be inspired, informed, and entertained about a wide variety of topics with special guests. Amy lives outside of Memphis, Tennessee. She is married and has two sons and a wonderful daughter in law. Amy is a business owner, enjoys being involved in the community, and loves good conversation and bringing people together. This podcast came to be from nudges from friends when Amy would write heartfelt social media posts. She has often been told she ‘has a way with words’ or ‘keeps it real and interesting’. She had the podcast on hold for one reason after another until her husband gave her the equipment for Christmas. No turning back now. Here we are! Here you will get to listen to casual conversations. These podcasts will be fun, entertaining, lively, sad, informative, random, and real! You will never know what topic is on deck here.