Shows
Wedding Planner Society PodcastThe Standard for Diverse CelebrationsIn this episode, Krisy Thomas, Senior Educator with The CWP Society, is joined by Rima Shaw, Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, for a conversation that goes straight at one of the most uncomfortable moments in our industry — that jolt of panic when a couple asks you to lead a culturally rich, multi-day celebration you don't fully understand.Together, they unpack what true preparation really looks like: before the inquiry call, before the proposal, and long before the wedding day. They dig into the difference between curiosity and genuine cultural fluency, why "figuring it out as you go...
2026-03-0235 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastDiscovering What Was Possible Through CertificationCertified Wedding Planner, Industry Advancement Director, and Director of Student Organizations, Ashley Babbit, joins CWP Society's Senior Educator, Krisy Thomas for this episode. What if the right credential didn't just polish your bio—but changed how you see your future? We sit down with Ashley to unpack how structured training, community, and ongoing education turn hesitant beginners into confident pros. From moving to a new market with zero contacts to landing roles that play to her strengths, Ashley shows how certification can be the spark that opens doors you didn't know to knock on.We walk through th...
2026-02-0223 min
Top Redner-Tipps aus den USAKeynote-DNA entschlüsselt: Die sechs Elemente des Speaker-Erfolgs
Vom Kundenservice zur Bühnenpräsenz: Laurie Guests Erfolgsrezept
In dieser Episode spricht Gastgeber Kenneth Kinney mit Laurie Guest, CSP, CPAE, einer renommierten Keynote-Speakerin und Hall-of-Fame-Mitglied.Laurie teilt ihre Erfahrungen und Strategien, wie sie Prinzipien exzellenten Kundenservices aus ihrer früheren Tätigkeit in der Unternehmenswelt auf ihr Speaking-Business überträgt, um nachhaltigen Erfolg zu erzielen.
Schnelligkeit und Reaktionsfähigkeit: Der Turbo für Kundenbindung
Laurie betont die Bedeutung von Geschwindigkeit und proaktiver Kommunikation im Umgang mit Kunden und Veranstaltungsplanern.Schnelle Reaktionen und klare Kommunikation können den Unterschied ausmachen, wenn es darum geht, Auf...
2026-01-0721 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastThe Year-End Financial Reset: Closing Out 2025 StrongReady to stop playing catch-up and start leading your business with clarity? We're closing out 2025 with finance expert and Master Certified Wedding Planner Matt Mitchell to help you run a clean, confident year-end reset.Together we walk through the exact steps to reconcile your accounts, fix messy categories, and review your numbers with curiosity instead of criticism—so you can see what truly worked, where money leaked, and how to design a profitable 2026 you'll actually enjoy living.We dig into a practical financial debrief: which services were profitable versus just popular, how to assess expenses by...
2025-12-0432 min
Mind Over MurderNEW: Colonial Parkway Killer Linked to Laurie Ann Powell Murder (Part 2)Join "Mind Over Murder" co-hosts Bill Thomas and Kristin Dilley in a new episode as the Virginia State Police break the news that Colonial Parkway Killer Alan Wade Wilmer, Sr. is linked via DNA to the 1988 rape and murder of Gloucester, Virginia resident Laurie Ann Powell. This Part 2 of our series on the news about Wilmer, a confirmed serial killer responsible for at least four deaths. WY Dailyhttps://wydaily.com/latest/2025/11/14/deceased-colonial-parkway-murders-suspect-linked-to-1988-death-of-gloucester-county-teen/American Detective TV series: Colonial Parkway Murders:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp3rNRZnL0EWa...
2025-11-1946 minMind Over MurderNEW: Colonial Parkway Killer Linked to Laurie Ann Powell Murder (Part 1)Join "Mind Over Murder" co-hosts Bill Thomas and Kristin Dilley in a new episode as the Virginia State Police break the news that Colonial Parkway Killer Alan Wade Wilmer, Sr. is linked via DNA to the 1988 rape and murder of Gloucester, Virginia resident Laurie Ann Powell. This Part 1 of our series on the news about Wilmer, a confirmed serial killer responsible for at least four deaths. WY Dailyhttps://wydaily.com/latest/2025/11/14/deceased-colonial-parkway-murders-suspect-linked-to-1988-death-of-gloucester-county-teen/American Detective TV series: Colonial Parkway Murders:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp3rNRZnL0EW...
2025-11-1646 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastBeyond the Surface: What It Really Takes to Plan South Asian CelebrationsJoin Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, and Certified Wedding Planner & Certified Wedding Planner & Certified Educator, Rima Shah, as they dismantle the dangerous assumption that South Asian weddings are just "bigger centerpieces on a longer timeline."This is a masterclass in what multi-day celebrations actually demand: extended vendor access, hospitality infrastructure most venues ignore, and contracts built for sacred ceremony sequences—not just "out by midnight" clauses.You'll hear:The real-time breakdown of an ambitious decor installation gone sideways—and the exact triage protocol that saved the dayNon-negotiable venue requirements most team...
2025-11-1029 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastThe Relationship That Changes Everything: Your Wedding Planner BestieWhat if the secret to thriving in wedding planning isn't just about serving clients—it's about finding your people?In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on one of the most powerful (and underrated) relationships in the wedding industry: the planner-to-planner friendship that actually saves your business—and your sanity.Joining the COO of the CWP Society, Krisy Thomas, are Certified Wedding Planners Hailey Beard and Amanda Borrero, who met at CWP Society Certification conference, and built something rare: a genuine alliance where they assist on each other's weddings, exchange honest feedback, and serve as ea...
2025-11-0329 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastDecoding Venue Roles: Who Really Does What (And Why It Matters)Not all "venue coordinators" are created equal—and assuming they are can derail your entire event. In this episode, COO Krisy Thomas sits down with Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator Nikki Rodgers to pull back the curtain on how venue teams actually operate, so you can stop guessing and start collaborating with confidence.Nikki breaks down the four core roles you're likely to encounter—from the owner who sold the date to the banquet captain directing service—and explains how responsibilities shift between contract signing and day-of execution. Through real-world examples, you'll discover why assumptions cause...
2025-10-3019 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastFrom Assumptions To Alignment: How Planners Thrive With Church TeamsWedding days inside a church can feel like navigating a maze of policies, people, and expectations, and many planners carry battle scars from these sacred spaces. In this episode, Master Certified Wedding Planner & Certified Educator, Emma Cockerham joins Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, to unpack why church venues often feel more challenging and how to transform tension into trust through intentional communication and genuine respect.From first contact to final blessing, Emma maps out a calm, proven approach that honors sacred spaces while protecting timelines, budgets, and your couple's vision. We start with the real...
2025-10-2321 min
Parlons SymbolesAnubis et la symbolique du bestiaire égyptien avec l'égyptologue Laurie MadiotDans cet épisode du podcast Les Voix de Callianthus nous plongeons au cœur du panthéon égyptien en compagnie d’une égyptologue passionnée : Laurie Madiot.Ensemble, nous explorons la manière dont les anciens Égyptiens concevaient leurs dieux, et comment l’animalité servait de langage pour exprimer les forces invisibles du monde.Comment fonctionne le panthéon égyptien ? Est-il hiérarchisé, organisé par fonctions ou par territoires ? Nous découvrons une conception du divin multiple, fluide, et souvent locale, où chaque dieu incarne une puissance spécifique du monde.La figure animal...
2025-10-2057 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastBeyond Timelines: The Real Work Behind Multi-Family Wedding PlanningWeddings with rich traditions don’t just need timelines—they need translators. In this episode, Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, Rima Shah joins CWP Society COO, Krisy Thomas to unpack the real work behind South Asian weddings: navigating multiple families, aligning expectations across generations, and setting boundaries that protect joy without steamrolling culture. From the first consultation to the final site visit, we share scripts, policies, and small shifts in language that build trust with parents and elders who may be new to professional planning.Rima walks us through the moments where things commonly go sideways—delega...
2025-10-1330 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastThe Blueprint for Wedding Planning: Education Meets ExperienceTired of hearing “just get experience” as if that’s a strategy? On this episode, we dig into why that advice often backfires, eroding vendor trust, anchoring fees at unsustainable levels, and putting couples at risk on a day with no do‑overs.Crystal Dailey, Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, joins Krisy Thomas to show a better path—one that blends hands-on learning with real education. Together, they explore how standards, structure, and certification transform instincts into consistent results, protect fair pricing, and restore respect for professional planning across venues and vendor teams.Throughout...
2025-10-0927 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastChoosing the Right Wedding Planner Mentor + Celebrating 50 Years of Laurie HartwellEver wonder why some planners seem to leap ahead while others grind for years? We unpack the real advantage behind the scenes: a mentor who listens, challenges, and opens doors. From first weddings full of unknowns to high-stakes productions, we walk through the qualities that separate a true guide from a loud voice—proven experience, integrity, generosity with knowledge, strong listening, access to opportunity, and the emotional intelligence to navigate family dynamics and vendor teams with grace.We also draw a clear line between healthy guidance and harmful patterns. If your “mentor” shuts down ideas, never replies, nitpic...
2025-09-3016 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastEmpathy Meets Expertise: The Emotional Side of Wedding PlanningWedding planning is an emotional rollercoaster for couples, and behind every seating chart and floral arrangement lies a complex web of feelings that skilled planners must navigate with grace and understanding. Riley Snider, Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, joins Krisy Thomas to explore how wedding professionals can serve as the steady emotional anchor their clients truly need.This conversation uncovers the hidden emotional undercurrents of wedding planning; from navigating family dynamics like divorced parents who can’t sit together, to financial anxieties that persist regardless of budget, to the profound grief felt when loved ones are ab...
2025-09-2921 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastWhen Trust Matters Most: Leadership Lessons from South Asian Wedding PlanningNavigating the magnificent scale of South Asian weddings demands more than standard planning approaches—it requires masterful team leadership. In this compelling episode, Certified Wedding Planner and Educator Rima Shah of Big Guava Events joins Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, to share battle-tested strategies for building, preparing, and leading teams through multi-day celebrations with hundreds of guests.Rima reveals why finding the right team members is her first priority, seeking out Certified Wedding Planners whose foundation of knowledge provides an essential "security blanket" when executing complex events. She emphasizes matching team size to wedding scale, no...
2025-09-2534 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastMore Than a Vendor: Becoming a Venue’s Trusted PlannerEver wondered what venue coordinators really think when wedding planners walk through their doors? In this eye-opening conversation, Nikki Rodgers, Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, joins Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, to pull back the curtain on both sides of the planning experience.With over a decade of experience managing venues, sometimes coordinating up to six events in a single day, Nikki transitioned into wedding planning with a perspective few others possess. She reveals the behind-the-scenes realities of venue management, including the relief coordinators feel when they can trust a planner to handle...
2025-09-2225 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastEducation + Relationships: The Winning Formula for Wedding PlannersWhat truly separates thriving wedding planners from those who struggle to build sustainable businesses?In this candid conversation, Master Certified Wedding Planners & Certified Educators, Aisha Garnett and Crystal Dailey join Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, to reveal the powerful synergy between education and relationships that has transformed their careers.Aisha reflects on her early days, when she charged just $300 for an entire wedding before pursuing certification, a decision that connected her with mentors who reshaped her professional trajectory. Crystal shares how her educational foundation gave her the confidence to cultivate industry relationships that...
2025-09-1150 min
Cut The Tie | Own Your Success“Soft Skills Win Every Time”—How Laurie Jane Roth Helps Invisible Candidates Get HiredSend us a textCut The Tie Podcast with Laurie Jane RothWhat happens when talented professionals keep getting passed over despite great résumés? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich talks with Laurie Jane Roth, founder of The Inside Game and a 25-year IT recruiting veteran. Laurie reveals the real reasons candidates fail interviews, why soft skills outweigh technical skills, and how she helps mid-career executives stop feeling invisible and start landing offers.About Laurie Jane Roth:Laurie Jane Roth built her ca...
2025-09-0922 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastSacred Partnerships: How Wedding Planners and Church Coordinators Can Work TogetherThe relationship between wedding planners and church coordinators has long been marked by tension, misunderstandings, and at times, outright conflict. But what if there’s a better way forward?In this episode, Emma Cockerham, Certified Educator and Master Certified Wedding Planner, joins Krisy Thomas, COO of The CWP Society, for a candid conversation on transforming these often-strained relationships into true partnerships.Emma shares her personal journey through church wedding burnout in 2019, when a series of difficult experiences left her both professionally and spiritually discouraged. Instead of walking away, she leaned into education and a new ap...
2025-09-0524 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastTrust Over Transactions: Why Ethical Vendor Relationships MatterCertified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, Amanda Borrero, joins CWP Society COO, Krisy Thomas, for an unfiltered conversation about one of the wedding industry’s most debated practices: kickbacks.Together, they unpack what kickbacks really are, why they’ve become so ingrained in the wedding world, and the ethical dilemmas they create for planners and couples alike. From “pay-to-play” venue lists to referral fees passed quietly between vendors, this discussion explores how these arrangements can limit choices, raise costs, and compromise trust.But the episode doesn’t stop there, it also offers a look at what ethic...
2025-09-0423 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastInclusive Celebrations: Planning Weddings for Physically Limited GuestsHave you ever considered what it’s like for a guest with mobility challenges to navigate a wedding day? From uneven outdoor paths to inaccessible restrooms, the obstacles they face might surprise you.In this powerful conversation, Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, leads a discussion with Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator Brianne Ackerland to shine a light on an often-overlooked aspect of wedding planning: accessibility and inclusion for guests with physical limitations.As planners, we’re trained to perfect timelines, create stunning designs, and deliver unforgettable moments—but what about ensuring every...
2025-08-2823 min
All Things BusinessEp 4.3 Laurie HolbrookLaurie Holbrook is a seasoned professional with over 13 years in the watch industry. Prior to that, she built a successful career as a private jeweler and a dancer/dance instructor. Happily married with two accomplished adult children, Laurie enjoys spending her free time walking outdoors, traveling, wine tasting, and collecting art!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/all-things-business--6228342/support.
2025-08-2115 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastThe Power of Partnership: When Venue Coordinators and Planners CollaborateKrisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, sits down with Master Certified Planner and Certified Educator Nikki Rodgers, who brings 22 years of experience on both sides of the aisle, for an eye-opening episode that tackles one of the wedding industry’s most common confusions: the difference between venue coordinators and wedding planners.When couples hear "your venue comes with a coordinator," they often assume this person will handle all wedding day logistics and details. This common misconception doesn't just affect couples—even seasoned wedding professionals sometimes perpetuate this misunderstanding, leaving crucial gaps in wedding day management....
2025-08-1931 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastWhy the Best Wedding Planners Never Stop Being StudentsWhat separates thriving wedding planners from those who struggle? In this candid conversation, Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, Crystal Dailey, joins Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, to reveal the transformative power of education in building a sustainable wedding planning business.Crystal shares a refreshingly honest account of how recognizing her own shortcomings became the catalyst for her educational journey. "Failing," she admits without hesitation, drove her to seek knowledge that would elevate her service. This self-awareness stands in stark contrast to planners who let ego prevent them from acknowledging areas for improvement.
2025-08-1130 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastMoney Talks: The Mid-Year Financial Checkup Every Wedding Planner NeedsTaking a mid-year financial pulse check of your wedding business isn't just smart—it’s transformative.In this episode, Matt Mitchell of The Event Ledger joins CWP Society COO, Krisy Thomas, for a powerful conversation on why summer (yes, even in August!) is still the perfect time to assess your business finances. There’s enough time left in the year to make meaningful shifts, and those changes can set you up for a stronger finish.Wedding planners are pros at organizing everyone else’s special day, but our own business finances? They often get left behind i...
2025-08-0524 min
This Organized Life: Decluttering Tips for Moms, Entrepreneurs and Professional OrganizersBest of This Organized Life: Procrastination and The Enneagram with Brittany Thomas | Ep 451All summer long, we’re bringing back some of our most-loved episodes from the This Organized Life archives—because let’s be honest, good conversations deserve a second (or third) listen.Joining me today is Brittany Thomas. Brittany is a certified Enneagram coach and educator. She is also the founder of the popular Instagram account @eneagramexplained.Today’s topic is all about PROCRASTINATION. During our conversation Brittany opens up about her own struggles with procrastination as an Enneagram 1 (the perfectionist).We talk about clutter and organization in her home as a parent of 5 kids ranging in age from...
2025-07-311h 11
Wedding Planner Society PodcastEvery Altar is Different: Navigating Religious Wedding Protocols with RespectMaster Certified Wedding Planner, Certified Wedding Planner, and Certified Educator Emma Cockerham teams up with CWP Society COO, Krisy Thomas, to transform how you approach religious ceremonies.This eye‑opening conversation with Emma, reveals why wedding planners must move beyond the dangerous habit of generalizing religious traditions.When planning church weddings, the difference between success and disaster often lies in your preparation. Emma shares her decade of experience navigating everything from Protestant ceremonies to Hindu Sikh weddings, offering candid insights about approaching each religious tradition with appropriate reverence. The relationship between wedding planners and...
2025-06-2426 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastBeyond Business Cards: The Ethics That Bind Us TogetherKindness, clear communication, and mutual respect aren't just nice-to-haves in the wedding industry—they're the essential building blocks for creating seamless wedding experiences. Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, and Owner of For the Love of Events, Amanda Borrero, joins CWP Society COO, Krisy Thomas, as she shares powerful insights on navigating vendor relationships with professionalism and grace.Ever wondered why some wedding days flow effortlessly while others feel tense? The difference often lies in how wedding professionals interact with one another. Amanda reveals how "killing them with kindness" transformed challenging vendor situations into collaborative partnerships, including a re...
2025-06-1743 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastBudgeting with Heart: Creating Financial Confidence for Wedding ClientsMoney conversations may not feel romantic, but they're the foundation of every successful wedding celebration. In this illuminating episode, Master Certified Wedding Planner & Certified Educator, Riley Snider joins CWP Society COO, Krisy Thomas Thomas to transform how wedding professionals approach the often-challenging topic of budgeting with clients.The difference between couples who feel empowered during planning versus those who feel stressed often comes down to budget clarity. Riley shares her proven framework for conducting comprehensive budget meetings that create financial confidence while honoring what matters most to each unique couple. You'll discover how to identify and explain...
2025-06-1035 min
The P-I-G: Stories of Life, Love, Loss & LegacyCharting the Course: A Father’s Legacy of Loss, Love, & Living WellWhat does it mean to rebuild your life after unimaginable loss—and to keep choosing love, again and again?In this powerful first installment of a two-part series, we sit down with our father: a Navy veteran, retired physician, and quiet hero who has lived through more heartbreak than most could imagine. He opens up about losing his 17-year-old daughter Laurie in a tragic accident, adopting the two of us (at ages 11 and 18), supporting our mom Marsha through multiple cancer journeys and the conclusion of her legacy project (The Boxes), and the courageous decision to op...
2025-06-051h 41
Wedding Planner Society PodcastAre You Ready to Scale? Hard Financial Truths Every Wedding Pro Should KnowMaster Certified Wedding Planner, Certified Educator and Co-Founder of The Event Ledger, Matt Mitchell joins the CWP Society's COO, Krisy Thomas for this episode of the Wedding Planner Pro Files to talk about a topic that’s often glamorized but rarely unpacked with honesty—scaling your wedding planning business. Together, they dive deep into what sustainable growth really looks like, and why it’s not always about doing more, but doing better.The wedding industry buzzes constantly with talk about scaling, but few stop to ask whether your business is truly ready for growth...
2025-05-2044 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastCultural Celebrations: Navigating the Art of South Asian WeddingsFrom helping her mother with wedding henna applications as a child to becoming a Certified Wedding Planner, Certified Educator, and the proud Owner of Big Guava Events, Rima Shah’s journey reflects the vibrant evolution of cultural celebrations in America. In this episode, Rima joins host Krisy Thomas for a rich and insightful conversation exploring the dynamic, intricate world of South Asian weddings.Rima reveals how these multi-day festivities require meticulous attention to detail—navigating religious ceremonies, family traditions, and personal touches that reflect couples' bicultural identities. She candidly shares how proper education transformed her approach, giving her...
2025-05-1338 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastBeyond Experience: How Education Transforms Wedding Planning BusinessesIn this episode, Vice President of the CWP Society and Co-Host, Krisy Thomas sits down with Crystal Dailey, owner of Empower Weddings, and a Master Certified Wedding Planner whose journey proves the transformative power of education in building a thriving wedding business.Crystal's journey from event planner to Master Certified Wedding Planner reveals the transformative power of education in building a thriving wedding business. Her candid confession about initially trying to learn by simply shadowing other planners resonates with many who've walked a similar path – discovering that observation alone can't provide the comprehensive foundation needed fo...
2025-04-0133 min
S.T.R.O.L.L.S.T.R.O.L.L. - S01E06 - Laurie SingerWe're taking our latest S.T.R.O.L.L. with Laurie Singer. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist based in California. Laurie shares her story and her expertise when it comes to anxiety and ADHD and how her background as a remarkable endurance athlete has helped shape her journey throughout the years, which included her own personal tragedy back in 1987. Laurie is the author of the book "You're Not Crazy: Living with Anxiety, Obsessions and Fetishes". Laurie, who was inducted into the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame back in 2017, also tells...
2025-04-0136 min