In this heartfelt episode of Monique & Friends: Our Stories. Unscripted., Monique reconnects with her best friend from high school, Bridgette Rumph, after a decade apart. They reminisce about their formative years at Richland Northeast High School (Go, Cavaliers!), share stories of personal and professional growth, and reflect on the power of friendships that stand the test of time. Bridgette opens up about overcoming adversity, navigating life with resilience, and the importance of faith, family, and community. Plus, Monique answers a listener’s Ask Monique Anything question on what has kept her entrepreneurial spirit alive through the years.

00:00 – Reconnecting After a Decade
03:22 – Life Changes and Challenges
05:28 – The Importance of Friends, Family, and Service
10:09 – Overcoming Adversity and Finding Joy
13:33 – Mentoring the Next Generation
20:40 – Reflections on High School Life
24:33 – Navigating High School Transitions
25:49 – Reunion Reflections and Personal Growth
28:37 – Embracing Aging and Life Changes
32:37 – Celebrating Our Milestone Birthdays
36:46 – AMA: Ask Monique Anything and Wrap-Up

In this very first episode of Monique & Friends, Monique Hayward welcomes her childhood best friend, Kevin Noble, to take a nostalgic and insightful journey through their 40+ years of friendship. From meeting as “big city kids” at a summer camp in South Carolina to navigating life’s twists and turns, Monique and Kevin discuss being “blerds” before it was cool, finding new life in fitness and dance, embracing identity, and making bold moves. Plus, Monique introduces her new segment, "Ask Monique Anything (AMA)," where she answers a listener's question about how to professionals can stay relevant in a world where AI is increasingly becoming more capable and sophisticated.

Chapters

00:00 – Where It All Began: Summer Camp in South Carolina
06:19 – The Original "Blerds": Finding Friendship in Books & Music
08:49 – Big City Kids & Southern Cooking (Good & Bad!)
13:36 – How a Curve Ball Changed the Life Plan
19:50 – Opening Doors in NYC & Finding a New Path in Fitness
27:34 – Embracing Identity: Overcoming Fear & Owning Who You Are
32:13 – Plans for the Future: “Florida Man” & The Next Chapter
35:31 – AMA: Ask Monique Anything & Wrap-Up

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