WHOA That's Good Podcast - The Beauty of Flaws and Imperfections

Episode Date: February 13, 2019

Sadie welcomes Caitlin Crosby to the podcast. Caitlin is an actress, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and founder of The Giving Keys. They discuss the beauty of flaws and imperfections, and how those can lead to your unique calling and vision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So I don't know if everyone's heard something that the liver isnal team is so excited about right now. We started last year the LO box and you may be thinking what in the world is in an LO box? Well the LO box is just the liver isnal Bible study box and it has everything that you need to equip you to lead a Bible study right where you're at in your own home. We have everything from the actual Bible study itself that I wrote on both confidence to recipes for what to cook for your girls. We also have fun activities and so many more things that partners have sent in. And so if you are interested at all and being a leader,

go to liverjohn.com and look into the LO box. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, What's up fam welcome to the world that's good podcast okay today I am super super super excited I know I see that every week but this time it's just really special because this girl has started something that has really made it impact on my life and moved me in several different ways I'm sure you've actually probably seen me do YouTube videos on giving keys and I posted about them but today we we're actually gonna get to talk to Caitlin Cosby who's behind it all. So Caitlin, welcome to the podcast. Hello.

Yes, we're so excited to have you seriously. It just means a lot that you're given as some of your time and your advice. And so with that being said, we'll jump right into the question of all questions of this podcast. And it's what's the best piece of advice that you've ever been given. Oh, I love that so much.

So it would definitely be that to take all of your so-called flaws and imperfections, those are all the things that make you you. And maybe sometimes you would feel insecure about those things because it's not quote unquote perfect or maybe you're comparing yourself to other people, but those are the most incredible precious, perfect things about you that makes you one of a kind and special and those are the things those quote those so-called flaws and imperfections that make you are calling and your vision and what you're supposed to do here on this earth So special and you can do something that other people can't do that. No one else can do. Yeah So you're the only you that's ever gonna be here So although yeah, so basically all those flaws and imperfections like own those things and embrace those things

and try to change your perspective to love those things, because perfect is boring. Like there's so many people that fit in this perfect box, but like, you know, I mean, yeah, it's boring. Like all the things, like uniqueness is cool and interesting. And, you know, those are the things that start revolutions and start movements or something that's a little like off that hasn't been around yet. Yeah, well that's so good. I just want to see that like in big bold letters, perfect

is boring. And that's so good because like I think one of the biggest things that our generation, not even just our generation, but kind of just in the world that we live in, we struggle with comparison. And with that, it creates this image that everybody's trying to obtain. And it's like, man, if everybody would just start to just happen to the creation that they are, it would be an absolutely exciting.

And like every day would be like, man, what's today gonna bring? What's today gonna come up with? Instead of this, like, everybody going down the same pattern in the sense. And I mean, you've done that beautifully. Seriously, that's an amazing piece of advice. And how old are you? Oh, I'm kind of old.

I mean, I still feel like I literally feel like I'm probably 24 or 27, but I'm actually 36. You're 30's. Is not old, are you crazy? That's actually hilarious. See, I've fallen on Instagram, I really would have thought you were like 25,

but hey, that is, you are so beautiful. 36, that is young, you're crazy. But I just, I say it to say, like, it's so inspiring because I feel like everybody you're a junior and even older really, but especially younger, they need to hear that, that they've embraced your flaws and I think that every thing that makes you original, that has gotten you to where you are at 36, I think the reason I wanted to know your age is because it shows where that's taken you on that path because what you've done and created is something

that the world hadn't yet seen. And that's what happens when you tap into the part of you that nobody else has. And so I would love for you to tell the story on just maybe how the giving key got started and what that just how it was birthed because it's incredible. For sure. So before I did the giving keys, I grew up doing some acting and some music and so I was touring a bunch and I had a...my first album was called...this was in 2008, so this was like 10 years ago and I had an album called Flos and I remember I came

home from an audition one day for acting and I just felt like so torn apart and just like insecure and all the things that we sometimes feel. And I remember I wrote the whole song in one sitting and I just cried and the whole song came out. But it was like such a good, you know, I was just thinking about how no matter what, like all my different imperfections, like with all my flaws, like God still loves me. And those are the things that make me unique and special. And I had another song called Imperfect, is the new perfect.

And so I was really into this topic. So I'm a merchandise stand where you sell, where you sell your CDs and T-shirts and key chains and all that kind of stuff. I had like all everything said, love your flaws on it. And so I started a website with the actress, Bree Larson, who's gonna be the new Captain Marvel coming out. She won the Academy Award last year for Best Actress. And so we started, loveyourflaws.com and with a Z,

and went around into thousands of pictures of people holding up signs and said, like, my acne is hot, my cellulite is sexy and like my cancels are cool. And like my scar saved my life or my chemo fried here is beautiful and I got so obsessed with the subject. So then I was in New York passing through on tour and the hotel key was an actual real big key.

And I thought it was cool. So I put around my necklace and when I was at a locksmith one day, I get getting keys made like you do at a locksmith. And I was like, oh, do you have a letter by any chance? Can you engrave? Love your flaws on this key. And so he's like, okay, weirdo. And then so that I saw all these other used old keys on the side that were like he was going to throw away

or something, I was like, oh, can I buy those from you? And you also engrave, hope love, faith, dream, believe, fearless, let go, fearless let go. Wow. On those like how would you charge these? We was like, I'll do eight dollars each. So it was $3. No, no, it was like $5 per key

and then $3 to engrave it or vice versa. And then I went to bead stores and bought chains and I started making jewelry and bought wire cutters and this and that. And then I started selling them on tour. My music tour and then they started selling out more than my CDs. Oh my gosh.

So I was like, cookie. Well, thanks for coming to the show. And by these freaking key necklaces. But I knew people were really resonating with the words. So little by little came up with this pay-off forward concept, like pass it on. Like get your word that you need in your life. Whatever you're going to get a word that you can embrace, you know, and really hold on to as your daily reminder to get you through whatever you're

going through, like, you know, whatever your statement is. And then, but then it's not just about us, right? It's not just about you, it's not just about us, so it's about, you know, there's so many people going to hard things too, so it kind of trains you to pass it on to like keep your eyes open to someone else who you think needs it more than you. And then so I would tell people like pass it on to someone who you feel, you know, who's going through a hard time needs it more

than you and then tell them to pass it on. So then people started writing me the story. So I was like, I should make a website, made a website, and then I was like, okay, these aren't like changing people's lives. This is crazy. Like I want them on the end to go to charity. So then I was like, okay, these are changing people's lives. This is crazy. Like I want them on the way and go to charity. So then I met this young homeless couple in their early 20s

and they lived in the dumpster in a cardboard box and they were so sweet. And I wasn't thinking about the giving keys at all and I just took them to dinner this one night. And then I had my aha moment and I was like, wait, you're in the missing link to the giving keys. Do you guys want to be my business partners? And they said yes.

So that's kind of how it started. And then now they, yeah, it's crazy. And then they saved up enough money. And I just like hustled like crazy to get them into stores. And then they saved up enough money and they got their own apartment from the dumpster. And then now we've been able to employ over 100 people that are trying to transition out of homelessness.

Okay, that is so quiet, I didn't even know that part. That's awesome. Yeah. Wow. Okay, I like love this all even more now. I know, I know. That's because it's so cool because you could never plan all that out.

Like, no way, but it was cool. Oh yeah. Oh, no, you're like, oh, wait, that's cool. That makes sense, yeah, people love it. Okay, we're going with it. It's all on the way. Oh wait, that's cool. That makes sense. Yeah, people love it. Okay, we're going with it. And like I love the posture of like, I don't know, it's just like how flexible you are. It's just like a roll with it.

And it turned out to be the most beautiful thing. That's awesome. Let's see. You know what's interesting is that like, I love that you even said that like the out flexible you were like, like, and I, that is cool that you said that, but like, just to be real with everybody, like, you know, sometimes there's certain dreams or things that you want in your life,

and sometimes like, it's maybe not meant to be, or like, maybe it's not, what God has for you, or whatever, maybe it's not, you know, what you're, you know, cold to, or whatever, verbi's not, you know, what you're, you know, called to or whatever, verbiage feels right to you. And I think it was more about like, yeah, okay, like this definitely wasn't the plan. Like I didn't think this would be my life,

but this is, you know, the doors, like keep opening here, and but the doors keep closing over here. And it wasn't easy, like it wasn't, you know, pain free or disappointment free. Like, I mean, I remember times where, like I would like ball my eyes out and I was just like, oh my gosh, like I, like,

like my dreams aren't happening, you know, or whatever. But I think like now, looking back in hindsight, it's such a blessing because, I mean, I really all I ever wanted to do with when I, when I was doing acting and music was to help people. Like, I always wanted to write songs. They would help people and I always, you know, even when I was doing acting, like,

I remember I'd be on set and I was like, always like, you know, helping all the actors, whatever they're going through and they're like doing drugs backstage and in their trailers and I'm like, in their brain over them. I was like, I think I I always wanted to do that. It just doesn't, so now I am doing it, but it's just a different,

just in a different box than I thought. Which is like, it's great because it's very humbling. Like, we're not in control of so many things that we think, we think we can, you know, work really hard and make this happen, which sometimes you can, but then sometimes it's really just not, you know, meant to be and something else is. Wow, that's so cool. It's really cool to hear, because all of this goes like your first piece of advice, which

was like embrace those things that kind of make you different, that embrace the things that are your flaws or maybe the things that you struggle with, but also the things that just make you you and I think to look at your story and think like something like acting and singing it something that so many people pursue But what you were able to do is kind of tap into that uniqueness of oh really this is what I love to do But I really love to help people and so yeah Taken the uniqueness of who you are and loving to help people with the gift of acting and singing and being able to write and Then seeing what that created that's what makes it so new and beautiful and it's like I feel like that could inspire

Every single person who's listening because look at the thing that you love to do in your life Maybe it's something that's common that a lot of people like to do now like tap into the uniqueness of why you're doing what you're doing because if you can tap into Why you're doing what you're doing you can create a lot more than just the typical maybe Position or maybe it was for the success or whatever. It's actually gonna be for for the world to become a better place You know, yeah, that's just so cool. I am like so inspired. I going to say how I would vamping up what you're saying. I love so much what you said. And also thinking about how cool the symbolism is of how just like us and our uniqueness and imperfections, like just like keys, like at the beginning, it kind of tied into the love

and your flaws. I was like, pick a key. Like these keys are old and used and have flaws on them or imperfect. Like they have stories attached to them. And so get one that reminds you that you're one of a kind just like this key. And I think, so there's like that symbolism to like remind you that it's okay to be different.

And it's such a great conversation starter. Like what is that key? Like what is the story behind it? Like blah, blah, blah. So that's really cool because it really like produces human connection with each other. But then another thing I think like back to the original question advice like

Some of the things that sometimes I had felt and even still do sometimes I feel insecure about like oh, I'm not like this perfect like business Business put like I didn't go to business school and you know, I don't know how to be a boss I don't know how to do this or, or I don't know how to do this or that, or whatever, like, again, another imperfection, but like, because I am so kind of like creative and emotional, like being creative sometimes comes with being emotional. And like, but that came up with the concept of giving keys.

But it's like, so I was able to take the good with the bad. Like, I'm great. Like, I have to turn my, switch my perspective from like, okay, yeah, maybe I'm not this like, perfect collared shirt boss, boss person that went to like, Stanford Business School, but like maybe someone that went there and took social entrepreneur classes

like wouldn't have come up with the giving keys because they don't, they're not as emotional as I am. That's so emotional. But like I feel other people's pain so much and which is like why I probably came up with like You like you have a bleeding heart. I have a bleeding heart. You have bleeding heart Oh, let me give you my key like and let's make that a thing But like if you went to business school and got perfect straight

It is probably you wouldn't come up with that because you're not very emotional I don't know that so good. I feel I can relate to that so much because I've always been like I I can relate to that so much because I've always been like, I love stories and all the tele stories and I can be a dramatic storyteller, which always was something that was just kind of funny, but now to speak and inspire people, I tell Bible stories super dramatically and super, because I genuinely love it. And then you think, man, you know what, that actually worked. I didn't get to go to Bible school,

but something that God gave me, which was to be a storyteller, it's working. And like for you, it might be emotional and you might be creative, but man, look what it created and look what came out of that. So that's so awesome. I love how like, you know what I've talked about, like the world going in a certain way

and it's like a negative direction, but also the world's going in such a positive direction in the sense that people there's so many people preaching like be who you are and there's also such an openness and like a welcoming to whatever you create and whatever happens and like yeah girl the giving keys have like taken the world I can't even tell you how many keys I've given away in other countries. Like, I'm thinking right now, I've given one in Mazova, I remember giving one in Uganda, I gave one in Dominican. And so it's just so cool. Oh my god.

Yes, it's so cool. Oh my god. It's so cool. It's so cool. I remember every face I gave one to and I mean literally so many in America, but it's so cool because you just think about that. I remember the key I gave to each person because it was something that at the time I was going through and then gave it to them. I got a translated a translate and I've seen one of them since and she had her key on.

I mean, it's literally impacting the world. And that's what happens whenever you tap into the uniqueness and own who you are. And so I'm just like, I'm so inspired by you. I am so excited that you got to share that with everybody because I feel like so many people probably love the giving key. They probably have a given key on their neck right now, but they don't even know the inspiration and all the things behind it. And so my hope for everybody is that they would tap

into those things that make you unique. And also that you would get a given key. Go get your word and think about it. Actually, like do the steps that Caitlin's talking about, like what actually matters to you. What does it actually means to you to put a word on your life and then bless somebody else in it. Because I'm telling you it has changed so many people's lives. It goes so much further than just a key with a word. And so thank you, Caitlin, for sharing the backstory and your heart and all the advice that you gave.

You are really amazing. Oh, ditto. Thank you so much for helping us spread the word and helping us. And homelessness because, honestly, the more products we sell, the more jobs we can create, and the more people we can try to get off the street So it's really because you you and like people like you that are buying them that we're able to do it So it's really thank y'all That's so good. Seriously so so cool. Well, you're awesome girl. Thank you so so much

You too talk to you soon. Bye. Okay. Bye Bye. Okay. Bye. Alright, y'all. You know what time it is. Time to call Mama. So we're going to call Mama with our best piece of advice and our worst piece of advice. Let's see what she has to say.

Hey girlie, what's up? Hey Mama, nothing much, what are you doing? I'm headed to Fiesta First Newty. Fiesta Nutrition Center. That's a little plug. Oh, that's awesome. Okay, well are you ready to answer some woe that's good, woe that's bad, advice? I'm ready.

Okay, here's the first piece of advice. I am like, totally not cool with with but we'll see what you think Leaders don't have bad days That's like everybody has those days Everybody has those days. I really make some say. But really, that's not even just bad advice. I was just like, oh, I was actually thinking that, but I wasn't gonna go perch on to sing it,

cause yeah, you know. Cause remember that time me and my friends bought in the house and we heard you in your room singing Miley Cyrus the Climb while watching the Miley Cyrus movie and we never let you live it down. I remember that. I thought I was on the line. Oh my gosh. Okay yeah that's not

even just bad advice. It's just a lie. Anybody tells you they've never had a bad day then I just don't know. I actually heard a leader say recently something like I never make a break a promise to myself and I was like I mean that's to say that you never break a promise. I'm like I broke a promise to myself this morning when I said I was like, I mean, that's the say that you never break a conscious. I'm like, I broke a promise myself this morning when I said I was gonna wake up at like 6.30 and I woke up at 8. Say that like, like you, we do, we let ourselves down, we don't, we have bad days, we have days when we're just like in a funk and we got to get ourselves out of it. And that's true for everybody. Leaders, everybody.

Yeah, everybody said they're not going to eat the whole bag of popcorn, and the next thing they know it's all gone. It happens. That's right. That's right. All right, next piece of advice. I think this is really good.

It says, chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice. That's a good one. I like it. You got to think about it for a minute, but like, do the work, and then you, if you do the work and then you get the benefit from the work, then you're getting to enjoy the benefits of the work. Yeah. You're a good advice.

That's good. Things that come from hard work actually appreciate them more and you enjoy them more. Yeah. I agree. That's a good one. Okay, now I actually just need your advice on a personal thing for me. So I've been thinking every time I listen to the podcast, you know how people have sound effects and sometimes it's so funny, but nothing's so funny. Yeah, she did one. Okay.

We can't really make it all this thing or something. That would be so cool, it would say so good. Whoa, that's good. Can we please? Okay, I'm actually asking you that mom about actually also asking, alright, it's listening. What do you think if we had somebody in the background

like a butt-wing press that said, whoa, that's good and whose voice should it be? Are we thinking like Morgan Freeman? Or are we thinking like a Will Robertson because one's a little easier to get? I mean, if you can get Morgan Freeman, go for it, but you know, if not, there are other options. Oh my gosh.

Or you could make it a contest. We're like like take up the send in or where that's good That would be so good That's what you're gonna use Yes, okay everybody you heard it on this conversation with me on mom everybody send in your best Whoa, that's good sound effect and we'll see what we go with Mom this I think that this phone called God is Places. Higher Spaces, higher Places, let's go. I'm free, I'm sorry.

All right, love you here. Love you, baby. Bye. Bye. Hey, yo, all right. So who out there has not heard of that fit fun? If you don't already know what it is, it's a seasonal box and it is absolutely amazing.

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Thanks so much for listening to the world, that's good podcast. We got a lot of good nuggets today. Don't forget to follow me on all the social media platforms I'm on. Instagram, I'm at legit Sadie Rob, Twitter, Sadie Rob, and follow our live original Instagram. Also, I'm Sadie Robertson on Facebook. Head over to liveoriginal.com and subscribe to this podcast. And while you're there, you can see the tour dates that I'm coming to a city near you. Don't forget please leave comments in the iTunes section and leave reviews. This podcast is

produced by Steve Strauss and Peter Hartzel so huge shout out to them and I thank you to my L.O. team. You guys are the best. We love y'all and we appreciate you listening. I'll see you all soon! you