Moxie From a Kid’s Perspective: Lessons from Harriet Tubman, Halloween, and Handling Anger

I’m so excited to share something a little different with you today. For this special episode of Hello Moxie, I invited my incredible daughter, Charlotte, to join me. I’m always learning from her, and I thought you all might appreciate her unique perspective, too. At just nine years old, Charlotte has a wisdom and insight that constantly amazes me.

We talked about so many things – from historical figures and creativity to problem-solving and managing those big, overwhelming emotions we all feel. It’s a conversation that I think will resonate with listeners of all ages. 

Lessons from a Hero: Why Harriet Tubman Matters

One of the first things I wanted to ask Charlotte about was her own role models. Hello Moxie is all about celebrating the women who paved the way for us, and I was curious to hear who inspired her. Without hesitation, she said Harriet Tubman.

“(I) really admire Harriet Tubman, the way that she, even though she was scared, kept pushing through and she believed in God.” – Charlotte

It’s so powerful to hear a nine-year-old speak with such admiration for a woman who faced unimaginable adversity. Charlotte gets it. She understands that even when you’re scared, you can still be brave.

We talked about Harriet Tubman’s incredible courage, her unwavering faith, and her determination to not only escape slavery herself but to go back and help others find their freedom. She had empathy for others, knowing that even though it was a dangerous journey, she knew she had to do it to save the other people and for them to know what it feels like to be free.

It’s a reminder that having a higher purpose, a vision for a better future, can give us the strength to overcome even the toughest obstacles. She had a higher vision of what she wanted for her life and her future. And that was what helped her pull her forward. It was her higher vision. And that higher purpose doesn’t always have to be grandiose; it can be as simple as wanting justice and freedom for yourself and those around you.

Solving Problems, Kid-Style: A Simple Framework That Works

As a business owner, I’m constantly facing challenges and trying to find the best solutions. It can be overwhelming, to say the least! So, I asked Charlotte for her advice. Turns out, she has a brilliant (and surprisingly simple) framework for tackling problems that she learned at school:

“First you have to state the problem… and then you have to think of the solutions and then you have to choose which solution is best for you and everyone and which one do you think will be better for the business.” – Charlotte

I love the simplicity of this approach! First, identify the problem clearly. Then, brainstorm multiple solutions, think what would happen if this happened, and then think of the future of what would happen. Would it be better or would it be worse or would it still be the same? Finally, commit to a decision.

Sometimes the most effective strategies are the ones that are the most straightforward. It’s not about overcomplicating things; it’s about clearly identifying the issue, exploring your options, and making a choice with confidence.

Finding Joy in Creativity: Painting and the Freedom to Imagine

One of the things I admire most about Charlotte is her creativity. She’s an amazing painter, and she approaches her art with such joy and freedom. I wanted to know what she loves so much about painting.

“Well, in painting, there’s not the exact path you have to follow. You just make it up as you go… it’s more fun making it up as you go and using a picture in your mind, it makes it more fun and creative.” – Charlotte

It’s all about trusting yourself to come up with your own ideas and doing what you enjoy on your own. There’s no pressure to be perfect, no need to follow a set of rules. It’s a space where she can explore her imagination and bring her unique vision to life.

It’s a great reminder for all of us to embrace our own creativity, to find activities that allow us to express ourselves freely and without judgment.

A Costume with a Twist: Halloween Fun and Wordplay

Of course, we had to talk about Halloween! Charlotte was super excited about her costume last  year, and it’s a brilliant mix of creativity and clever wordplay: A fridge, fruit, and boxing gloves!

She explained that she’s going to be “fruit punch” – fruit in a fridge with boxing gloves. It’s quirky, it’s funny, and it’s 100% Charlotte. Life is more fun when you’re willing to embrace your unique sense of humor and let your personality shine.

Advice for Young Women (and All of Us): Stories, Emotions, and Self-Care

Finally, I asked Charlotte what advice she would give to other girls and women. Her answer was so simple, so profound, and so incredibly important:

“Really, it’s just thinking of those amazing stories that just keep you going when you’re sad… you can think of them. like the people that help you when you’re sad, it really keeps you going in your life. if you’re really disappointed or you’re really angry or sad, if you could maybe just think of a happy story or think of one of your favorite stories, it’ll get you off your thing of being angry.” – Charlotte

It’s about having stories you can call on to ground you, to inspire you, and to remind you of your own strength. But beyond that, it’s about learning to recognize and manage your emotions.

Whether it’s thinking about a story, taking a walk in nature, or looking at photos of loved ones, find the things that help you calm down, center yourself, and remember that you are not alone.

Problems Are Good!

Charlotte has a great outlook on problems, which is especially important for me to remember as a business leader.

“But problems are good because they help you along the way. If there were no problems then it would be like you would never learn from it.” – Charlotte

And she’s right. Without the issues that arise in life we wouldn’t have opportunities to learn from it. This is why I love the episode!

Key Takeaways

This conversation with Charlotte was such a joy for me. I hope you found it as inspiring as I did. Here are a few key takeaways:

• Embrace your inner Harriet Tubman: Be brave, have faith, and help others along the way.
• Keep it simple: Problem-solving doesn’t have to be complicated.
• Unleash your creativity: Find activities that allow you to express yourself freely.
• Remember your stories: Call on them when you need strength, comfort, or inspiration.
• It’s okay to be angry: Acknowledge it and cope with it
• Problems are good!: Know that it is a learning opportunity.

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