DunnWise Consulting

07/31/2026

On Saturday morning, our Toastmasters theme was Small Wins, Big Achievements.

My answer surprised a few people: "Getting laid off. Twice."

The first layoff brought us back to Tennessee. The second one led me to start DunnWise Business Consulting. Neither felt like a win at the time.

The day before, I'd been stung by a wasp.

Oddly enough, that tiny event reminded me of the same lesson. Sometimes we don't see the purpose until much later.

That's what this week's blog is about.

Last Friday, I was stung by a wasp.I was taking advantage of a beautiful day and decided to mow the lawn before the incoming storms rolled in.As I made my way along the fence, I noticed a couple of wasps but didn’t think anything about it. I hadn’t noticed any nests on the eaves and paid no atte...

07/31/2026

"There were no more trap doors in my bottom."

That's one of the most memorable lines I've heard on the podcast.

When Kristina Pollard shared those words, she wasn't talking about giving up. She was describing the moment she realized she couldn't keep running from the life she was living.

Her story is about addiction, but it's also about something much bigger. It's about facing the truth, asking for help, and discovering that rock bottom doesn't have to be the end of the story.

In this episode of DunnWise Perspectives, Kristina shares her remarkable journey from addiction and shame to hope and healing.

🎧 Listen to "You Can't Outrun Yourself with Kristina Pollard."

https://www.dunnwise.com/podcast/episode/2393e823/you-cant-outrun-yourself-with-kristina-pollard

I'd love to hear what resonates with you.

The podcast is available on my website or wherever you like to listen.

07/17/2026

"Whiskey Is Just the Excuse."

That may be my favorite line from this conversation with Tiny Irwin.

When I first invited Tiny to be on DunnWise Perspectives Podcast, I thought we'd spend most of our time talking about leadership and entrepreneurship. We certainly did. We explored how growing up with very little shaped his work ethic, why empathy transformed a 95-year-old company, and what it really takes to earn trust as a leader.

But what surprised me most was learning that everything Tiny does today is driven by a much deeper purpose.

His mission is to combat the epidemic of isolation and loneliness.

Whether he's coaching business owners or hosting whiskey events, his goal isn't selling a product. It's creating intentional spaces where people slow down, have meaningful conversations, and remember they aren't alone.
If you've ever felt isolated in your leadership, your career, or your personal life, I think you'll find encouragement in this conversation.

Tiny also shares the story behind the Southern Whiskey Society, returning August 8 at The Factory at Franklin. More than a whiskey event, it's a carefully curated experience featuring chef pairings, nearly 50 distilleries, and opportunities to build genuine relationships. If you're in Middle
Tennessee, it's worth checking out.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here 👇 or watch it on YouTube: https://www.dunnwise.com/podcast/episode/327bb3dc/whiskey-is-just-the-excuse-with-tiny-irwin

Have you ever experienced a conversation that changed your life? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.

07/16/2026

I should have been celebrating.

On Saturday, I gave a keynote speech that received wonderful feedback.

On Monday, I submitted the first draft of my book after two years of writing, rewriting, and wondering if I would ever get there.

Instead of celebrating, I replayed everything I thought I'd done wrong.

One forgotten word.

One brief pause.

One thing I wished I'd done differently.

It's amazing how quickly our minds can overlook hundreds of things that went right in favor of the one thing that didn't.

This week reminded me that happiness isn't always about changing our circumstances. Sometimes it's about changing what we choose to notice.
That lesson inspired this week's blog.

I'd love to know...what has your mind been choosing to notice lately?

I should have been celebrating.On Saturday, I delivered a keynote speech that received wonderful feedback. On Monday, I submitted the first draft of my book after two years of writing, rewriting, and wondering if I would ever get there.I should have been toasting with a glass of champagne.Instead, I...

07/10/2026

The Lists We Need to Throw Away

We all make lists. They can have tremendous value. They keep us organized, help us remember what to do, and make sure we don't forget the groceries for dinner.

But sometimes we make lists that deserve to be thrown away.
These lists focus on the wrong things. They include superficial items that seem crucial at the time, but they can lead us in a direction we later regret.

When relationship coach Danielle Lee Darling joined me on my latest episode of DunnWise Perspectives Podcast, we talked about relationships, patterns, and the lists we create for ourselves. The conversation made me reflect on a few lists I've been carrying around for years—and whether they still deserve a place in my life.

The blog isn't just about relationships. It's about recognizing when our assumptions no longer serve us and having the courage to rewrite the list.

I'd love for you to read it, and I'd be interested to know:

What "list" have you had to throw away?

We all make lists. They can have tremendous value. They keep us organized, help us remember what to do, and make sure we don't forget the groceries for dinner.But sometimes we make lists that deserve to be thrown away.These lists focus on the wrong things. They include superficial items that seem cr...

07/03/2026

What if we've been looking for the wrong things?

When I met my husband nearly 30 years ago, I threw away the checklist I had created for my "perfect" partner. Looking back, I realized the things I thought mattered most really didn't.

In my latest episode of DunnWise Perspectives Podcast, relationship coach Danielle Lee Darling and I explore why communication, vulnerability, and self-awareness may be far more important than the superficial qualities we often chase. We also discuss why healthy relationships sometimes feel less like butterflies and more like peace.

Whether you're single, married, or simply interested in understanding yourself better, I think you'll find something worth reflecting on in this conversation.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. What quality has mattered most in your closest relationships?

🎙️ Listen here:

What if healthy relationships feel less like butterflies and more l...

06/25/2026

What does brave really look like?

Not the absence of fear. A clear-eyed choice to move forward anyway.

I had the privilege of sitting down with my friend 🌺 Bonnie Marquez ~ MBA for a recent episode of DunnWise Perspectives Podcast. Her son Peyton has been fighting since age six. When faced with a risky gene therapy — knowing a child had recently died from the same procedure — Peyton's answer was simple: "I know what my life is gonna be like if I don't."

That's resilience at its core.

Read the full story and listen to the episode at the link below. And if you're in Middle Tennessee, mark your calendar for August 29. The Barrels of Strength gala is back, and it's one night you won't want to miss.

A few years ago, a glass of wine and a Facebook post led me to a friendship I never expected. My realtor in California saw a photo I'd posted from a winery near our new home in Tennessee and realized she was building a house nearby. That small coincidence grew into a community: a group of women, all...

06/19/2026

🌺 Bonnie Marquez is an incredible person.

She is an executive, a friend, a wife, and a mom who has dedicated years of her life to helping families affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

When her son Peyton was diagnosed with Duchenne at age six, Bonnie and her family were faced with unimaginable challenges. Rather than allowing the diagnosis to define their lives, they chose to become advocates, fundraisers, and champions for research that is changing lives and creating hope for families around the world.

In this week's episode of DunnWise Perspectives, Bonnie shares Peyton's story, the reality of living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and how Peyton's Project is making a difference for boys and families facing this devastating disease.

I hope you'll listen, learn more about Duchenne, and consider supporting Peyton's Project and the Barrels of Strength Gala on August 29.

🎙️ Peyton's Project: One Family's Fight for a Cure is available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

Peyton's adventure up Half Dome

06/18/2026

When was the last time someone went out of their way for you?

Not holding a door. Not a compliment.

Really out of their way.

I've been thinking about what that costs, and what it's worth to the person on the receiving end. Turns out, a lot more than we assume.

This week I wrote about random acts of kindness, the ones we remember decades later, and two moments that reminded me why it matters to keep giving.

👇 Read this week's blog

When was the last time you did or received a random act of kindness?I'm not talking about holding the door for someone or complimenting an outfit.I'm talking about going out of your way to do something that costs you time, energy, money, or all the above. Paying for the coffee for the car behind you...

06/11/2026

At 14 years old, Adrienne Slaughter was diagnosed with bone cancer. Two weeks later, her leg was amputated.

Years later, she told me that the birthday she celebrated in the hospital after losing her leg was the best birthday of her life.

I've thought about that statement a lot.

Most of us would focus on what was lost. Adrienne focused on what remained—the friends who visited, the flowers that filled her room, the support surrounding her, and the future she still believed was possible.

Her story reminded me that optimism isn't pretending bad things don't happen.

It's choosing where to place your attention after they do.

In this week's blog, I share what Adrienne taught me about resilience, gratitude, and the choice we all have when life doesn't go according to plan.

☀️ The Sun Behind the Clouds

What helps you keep going when the clouds roll in?

I was 14 years old when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She lost her battle on April 29, 1981.What I didn't know at the time was that another 14-year-old girl was fighting her own cancer battle hundreds of miles away. Adrienne Slaughter was in Atlanta. I was in Michigan. We had never met...