Send us a text

What happens when a loyal, almost-daily customer walks away from their favorite spot for good? In this episode of Holly's Highlights podcast, we dive into a real-life story of how one soda shop lost a guest in just 10 days - and the powerful business lessons you can learn from their mistakes.

Discover the hidden costs of poor customer service, the data behind why guest experience matters, and the simple yet overlooked strategies that can turn casual buyers into loyal fans. From staff training to guest hospitality, honoring promotions, and empowering employees—you’ll hear practical steps that can transform your business culture and customer retention rates.

You’ll also hear wisdom from leaders like Jeff Bezos, Maya Angelou, and Harvard Business Review, plus actionable insights you can apply today to keep customers coming back and raving about your business.

Whether you’re a business owner, team leader, or simply passionate about customer experience, this episode will inspire you to serve with excellence, create unforgettable guest journeys, and avoid the costly pitfalls that push customers away.

Listen in and learn how to:

• Improve customer retention with simple strategies
• Train and empower employees to solve problems fast
• Deliver consistent, memorable guest experiences
• Turn negative interactions into opportunities for loyalty
• Build a reputation that grows your business organically

Because in today’s competitive world, every interaction counts—and the way you treat people becomes your legacy.

Support the show

Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

Send us a text

In this episode, I invite you to join me in a space of reflection and grief as we remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and process a heartbreaking loss —the assassination of Charlie Kirk at a local Utah college campus, just yesterday. This episode isn’t about politics or debate; it’s about real pain, raw emotions, and the challenge of holding onto faith when the world feels broken.

Together, we walk through the weight of shock, anger, fear, and sadness that tragedies bring, and explore how God meets us in those moments of deepest brokenness. I share comforting scriptures that have carried me—and countless others—through grief, and wisdom from voices who have faced unimaginable darkness yet found hope.

This episode offers gentle encouragement for those wrestling with spiritual confusion and pain, reminding us that grief takes time, presence matters more than perfect words, and hope anchored in God’s love is real and unshakable. You’ll hear five practical ways to turn pain into purpose today—from honest prayer to sharing your story—and a heartfelt reminder that even when the world shakes, God holds us steady.

Whether you’re remembering the lives lost on 9/11, grappling with the tragedy unfolding yesterday, or simply seeking peace in a turbulent world, this episode offers a sanctuary of compassion, faith, and hope. You’re not alone.

Support the show

Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

Send us a text

Setting boundaries isn't about being rude or selfish—it's about protecting your peace and improving your relationships. Research shows people who set clear boundaries are not only happier but 53% more productive, while 60% of us feel stressed because we lack them.

• Boundaries are gates (not walls) that allow you to control what and who gets access to your time and energy
• Even Jesus set boundaries—if he could say no, we can too
• "No" is a complete sentence that doesn't require explanation or apology
• Reframe boundaries as acts of love that protect both parties from resentment
• Use the "pause rule" before committing to requests to give yourself time to decide
• Try the three-part boundary script: state it clearly, offer an alternative if desired, end kindly
• Start with small boundaries and build up your "boundary muscle" over time
• Leverage technology to support your boundaries (Do Not Disturb mode, calendar blocking)
• Guilt is a sign you're unlearning people-pleasing, not doing something wrong
• Every "no" frees up space for your best "yes"

This week, write down three areas where you're feeling drained, choose one boundary to practice, and tell a friend to help keep you accountable. For more resources, check out Season 1, Episode 9 on avoiding burnout as well as the book "Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend.

Support the show

Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

Send us a text

Have you ever tried to help someone, only to be met with that tone? You know the one — the subtle dig, the dismissive glance, the air of superiority that makes you pause and wonder:
“Wait… did they just talk down to me?”

In today’s episode of Holly’s Highlights, we’re unpacking a powerful truth:

👉 What if offense is more than hurt feelings — what if it’s an opportunity for growth?

You’ll learn:
💡 Why your brain processes offense like physical pain
💡 The two core emotional needs offense threatens
💡 How to reframe your interpretation using biblical truth & psychological insight
💡 5 practical steps to turn offense into strength
💡 Why pausing before reacting can protect your peace — and your purpose

With wisdom from Scripture (Proverbs 19:11, Ecclesiastes 7:21), insights from therapy models, and a vulnerable real-life story, Holly walks you through how to go from wounded to wise — from reactive to resilient.

✨ Whether you’re a parent, leader, friend, or faith-driven encourager — this episode will help you:

✔️ Guard your identity
✔️ Respond with grace instead of gossip
✔️ Reclaim your power when someone else’s tone tries to steal it

🔔 If this episode hit home:
✅ Subscribe so you never miss a moment of encouragement
📝 Leave a review — it helps more women find hope and strength
📲 Share this episode with a friend who’s navigating hurt or misunderstanding
📚 Grab Holly’s book “Face-Lift: Embracing Hope Through Heartache” — available on Amazon & local bookstores

💬 Join the conversation:
Have you ever felt dismissed or talked down to when trying to help? How did you handle it — and what did it teach you?
DM Holly on Instagram or tag @hollyshighlights with your takeaway from today’s episode!

Next Week: 🎧 “How to Set Boundaries Without Guilt — A Practical Guide for People-Pleasers” 💪

🌟 And remember:
You is smart. You is kind. You is important.
And you are strong — even when it stings.

Support the show

Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

Send us a text

Ever felt that irresistible urge to correct someone? That burning need to prove you're right? You're not alone. In this revealing episode, I share how an unexpected encounter with wildlife laws during a Caribbean cruise reminded me of a powerful leadership lesson: sometimes the wisest choice is simply not to argue.

While celebrating my daughter's graduation with a perfect vacation, my daughter, her bestie, her bestie's mom, and me eagerly anticipated holding sloths and playing with monkeys in Honduras. When our cruise ship head waiter casually mentioned our inability to interact with these animals, my first instinct was disbelief and a desire to prove him wrong, but I settled for thinking I must have misunderstood him. The next day in port, I discovered he was absolutely right – and I was reminded a valuable lesson about humility, influence, and the energy we waste on unnecessary arguments.

Through this experience, I explore three critical leadership principles that can transform both professional and personal relationships. First, embracing curiosity over certainty opens doors that rigid conviction closes. Second, preserving relationships matters more than winning points in most situations. And finally, timing is everything – not every comment requires an immediate response. I share practical strategies including the "pause before you pounce" technique, replacing statements with questions, and exercises to build your "let it go" muscle.

Whether you're leading a team, navigating family dynamics, or simply trying to have more productive conversations, these insights will help you choose your battles wisely. As the penguins in Madagascar wisely advise: "Smile and wave, boys, smile and wave." Leadership isn't about being right in every moment – it's about being effective.

Subscribe, share with someone who might benefit, and join me at www.hollycurby.com to continue our conversation beyond the podcast.

Support the show

Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

Send us a text

Leadership integrity isn't optional – it's the heartbeat of organizational culture. When a CEO's personal choices make headlines at a Coldplay concert, it reveals a troubling truth: character failures at the top send ripples throughout entire companies.

The evidence speaks volumes. Studies show 80% of employees believe leadership behavior (not words) defines cultural norms, while companies with engaged employees perform up to 202% better than those without. As scripture reminds us, "the student is not above the teacher" – your actions as a leader become the blueprint others follow.

Great leaders shape positive cultures through five key practices: walking in transparency by owning mistakes, protecting healthy boundaries in workplace relationships, leading by example rather than exception, addressing toxic behavior swiftly regardless of performance, and for those of faith, inviting spiritual discernment into decision-making. Each practice creates psychological safety that drives innovation and engagement.

When leaders inevitably stumble, restoration must be the focus. This means honest acknowledgment without spin, protecting those impacted, inviting genuine accountability (not just PR fixes), and starting fresh with authentic humility. Remember - culture isn't just an HR slogan. It's the foundation of trust, retention, and organizational health.

Whether you lead a major corporation, a small team, or simply influence others through your daily interactions, your character creates someone's workplace environment tomorrow. The small integrity choices you make today ripple outward in ways you may never fully see. Let's commit to leading in the light, recognizing that who we are ultimately matters more than what we say.

Support the show

Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

Send us a text

What does true freedom really mean beyond fireworks, parades, and patriotic speeches? In this powerful episode of Real Freedom, we go beyond the red, white, and blue to explore the deeper meaning of freedom—through the lens of faith, personal liberty, and spiritual transformation.

Join us as we unpack how faith intersects with freedom, challenge cultural norms around Independence Day, and uncover what it means to live freely in today’s world—not just as citizens, but as people of purpose.

Whether you’re wrestling with political tension, seeking spiritual clarity, or simply wondering how to reclaim your personal liberty in a noisy world, this episode is a must-listen.

Subscribe and share with someone who’s searching for real freedom—beyond just July 4th.

Support the show

Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

Send us a text

Mid-year can feel like a weird in-between—goals set in January are distant memories, and summer's supposed lightness often gets lost in the chaos of daily life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, drained, or stuck in the swirl of “what now?”—this episode is your breath of fresh air.

In this power-packed conversation, Holly Curby shares 5 transformative habits that take just 7 seconds or less—backed by neuroscience and grounded in Scripture. These tiny, intentional actions can reset your mindset, lower stress, and bring peace—right in the middle of the mess.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why mid-year burnout is real—and what to do about it
• The power of micro-habits to rewire your brain
• How faith and neuroscience intersect in daily transformation
• Simple shifts you can do in the car, at the sink, or in a moment of overwhelm
• Scriptures that support small beginnings and daily renewal

The 5 Tiny Shifts:

1. The Breath & Bless Shift
   Take a deep breath and thank God for the moment. This calms your nervous system and grounds you spiritually.
2. The Compliment Shift
   Speak kindness—to someone else or yourself. It changes your brain and your relationships.
3. The Gratitude Shift
   Spot one thing you’re thankful for and say it aloud. Gratitude literally rewires your mind.
4. The “What Matters” Shift
   Ask: What actually matters right now? This clears out mental clutter and brings clarity.
5. The Name It & Release It Shift
   Identify your emotion—then release it in prayer. As Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your cares on the Lord…”

These aren’t productivity hacks. They’re quiet, sacred choices that create real, lasting change. Whether you're deep in a meltdown or simply feeling "meh" halfway through the year, these tools are designed to help you re-root in peace, purpose, and presence.

• Romans 12:2 – "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
• Zechariah 4:10 – "Do not despise these small beginnings…"
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – "Give thanks in all circumstances…"
• Psalm 46:10 – "Be still and know that I am God."
• Galatians 6:9 – "Do not grow weary in doing good…"

Know someone in the messy middle of their year? Share this episode with them—your share might be their shift.

Tag @hollycurby on Instagram and let us know which shift made a difference in your day.
Subscribe + review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to support the show and help more listeners find it.

Support the show

Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.