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"A LOT with Audra" is the podcast for women juggling big dreams and full lives. Each episode, host, Audra Dinell, Midwestern wife, mom and neurodivergent multi-six figure entrepreneur encourages women to embrace their many roles holistically by living a values-based life with confidence and joy. Through candid discussions, practical strategies and inspiring stories, this podcast is your guide to designing and achieving success without losing yourself in the process.
Ep48
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Introduction to Kennedy Rogers
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[00:00:00]
Audra Dinell: Today we have the pleasure to talk to Kennedy Rogers. So she is another speaker at the Thread, and we love her so much because she holds many roles. One of the things she does with us in our community at the thread is do work through her Clifton strengths. Coaching and facilitating license with Gallup.
So in her day job, she serves as the director of strengths leadership and Student Impact for student engagement and belonging Under the Division of Student Affairs at Wichita State University, kennedy leads with learner as a parent, professional, and individual [00:01:00] discovering every day what life holds. This talent often fuels her A DHD, and constantly provides the opportunity for new interests to arise, including wedding planning. On the side and trying many DIY projects that show up on TikTok.
She has learned through her strengths journey to leverage each of her talents to be effective and reach her goals. Achiever, woo and restorative help her to manage projects, time and responsibilities and positivity keeps her smiling along the way. There's a beautiful story that results from discovering our gifts and an energy of empowerment that emerges once we align and leverage them.
This is a hope that she holds for everyone engaging with her through strengths, to acknowledge and celebrate their strength story and use their talents to get what they want, all aspects of life and identity. Kennedy, welcome.
Kennedy Rogers: Thank you. Thanks for having me. You're so welcome.
Audra Dinell: You know, here's the thing I love when I'm reading your bio, the way you've weaved strengths [00:02:00] into that is awesome.
Thank you.
Understanding Clifton Strengths
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Audra Dinell: For those who are listening and they're like, I haven't heard of Gallup, Clifton StrengthsFinder. You just said a bunch of words. Achiever, woo, positivity. What are you even talking about?
Kennedy Rogers: Yeah, no, great question. So I love to start off that with saying, these are really your talents or the things that you do most naturally on a day-to-day basis in very.
Common language. So Gallup is the organization that hosts Clifton strengths and they do this assessment that you can learn what your talents are and then figure out how they might align with some of your personal professional goals.
Um, At Wichita State, I get to do that in an academic setting too. So it's a lot of fun and it kind of helps you determine these are things I'm good at, and it gives you a lot of resources to also figure out how can I leverage those. To again, just get kind of what you're looking for and what you want out of.
Outta this crazy thing called life.
Audra Dinell: Yeah.
Personal Journey with Clifton Strengths
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Audra Dinell: You know, I found this tool [00:03:00] when I was laid off early in my career. I had graduated from college and was on a path, and then that path shifted because the company shifted and it resulted in me being laid off. And so during that time I was about to get married and I was really just trying to take my time figure out, okay, I had this.
Plan for my life and that has been adjusted outside of my control. What do I do next? And so this is the tool I found and used and I will say. Learning from you. I know now just more and more and more about how I can actually apply this and how I do apply this in my daily life. But it's just been a tool that's been a staple in my life for, gosh, at least 15 years now.
Kennedy Rogers: Yeah, it's been around the, the good thing about. Clifton strengths is that it has been around for a long time.
Skepticism and Validation of Strengths
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Kennedy Rogers: So like personality tests, I think a lot of times people are a little skeptical. Mm-hmm. They're like, oh cool. And I'm a big fan of Buzzfeed, don't get me wrong. My color of my aura is purple, by the way.
And [00:04:00] my Harry Potter house is Raven Claw. So outside of those two inventories, I do feel like strengths is the one that I probably align with the most. So there's a lot of ones out there, and it's absolutely. I encourage people to be skeptical and kind of look at, okay, well these are my strengths and what does this actually mean for me, and why am I going to believe what these five words are, what this, what this inventory tells us?
And so Gallup has spent a lot of time validating the statistics behind it and, and so it's got a really high validity score, which is great.
Strengths in Action
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Kennedy Rogers: The other thing I really love about strengths in particular is that it doesn't necessarily put you in a box. It's not saying like, oh, you're good at this, so go do that.
It is. Based on your own self-reported information, you're good at these things. And so what do you wanna do with it now? Mm-hmm. And in a time of transition, such as when you experienced using strengths, there's so much empowerment that can come from that because it's asset based and it's not necessarily, oh, this is what I'm not good at, or this is what I shouldn't be doing,
we have to be aware of our weaknesses. [00:05:00] Sure. And our areas of growth 100%. However. I always tell my students on my road trip to life, I really want my strengths in the driver's seat and my areas of improvement and discomfort can come along, but they're not getting us there and they're not in charge of the snacks or the road trip soundtrack either.
Audra Dinell: Oh, I love that. I love that visual. You're a good storyteller. And I know this from your workshops, but I, that's what I was thinking when you were talking. I was thinking, okay, you and I both have positivity as one of our top five strengths. Of course, we're. We're all in on this. We're excited. We wanna live a strength-based life because that feels better to us.
Yeah. Than it's way more authentic, constantly trying to improve what we're weak at. Because there's gonna be so much there. Well, and the world is always gonna tell you that is true. And so to like have these and embrace them and have ways that you can utilize your top strengths.
Mm-hmm. It is just so empowering and it's the way, like, I wanna raise my kids. Mm-hmm. I'm a words of affirmation person, so I [00:06:00] love telling people what I think I they're good at or what I see in them, you know? Yeah. Because I'm like, that's just the way I wanna live. Right? Yeah. And also, I am a person who does love all the assessments, and I very specifically do just kind of pull what works for me for each of them, but strengths in particular.
It is one of my favorites because everyone already knows the words. Mm-hmm. We already know what positivity means. We already know what achiever means. You might not know what woo means, but it's very easy to guess what? What does woo mean? It means you really like to win others over, right? Yes. Isn't that the acronym?
Yes.
Kennedy Rogers: Yes. Okay. Yeah, and I love that, that national language of it all. Mm-hmm. Because it's used in. Multiple countries. So it's not just a, you know, it's a universal language, which is great. So it comes in different languages and it kind of helps the tone for the different cultural understandings around talent and strength and leadership.
And the reports and the resources are phenomenal. So you could really go into their [00:07:00] area and say like, oh, this is something I really wanna focus on, and how can I leverage my talent this way? So I love that it's more action based too, versus. Hey, here's a thing about you. Good luck with that.
Audra Dinell: Yes.
Yeah. Well, and like Enneagram is another one of my favorites, and it's very, in my opinion, internal and you know about your motivations. That's not just my opinion, that's what it's about. Sure. Yeah. But you have to be like. In that language. Right. You know, to understand what's going on. I've dapp like, oh, are you a seven?
Are you a, you know? Yes. Um, Whereas I, this, I think I was
Kennedy Rogers: like a tie in Enneagram and then my friend was like, oh, and you're a wing this. And I'm like, I need more information.
Audra Dinell: Yes. Whereas strengths, it's just, it's just obvious and easily applicable. Okay, so let's kind of move to that. We.
ADHD and Strengths
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Audra Dinell: Both have A DHD. Yes ma'am.
And you were one of my resources right off the bat when I was starting to get curious and looking at A DHD in children and really just trying to like understand this thing that had never come into my world before. So thank you [00:08:00] for being a resource for me. Of course, of course. I'll never forget that.
Tell me how. How does A DHD and your strengths, like what have you uncovered there for yourself?
Kennedy Rogers: Yes, great question. My A DHD journey has been fascinating, so I don't even really think that I knew I had it. Obviously I was a late diagnosis, which is really. More common I've heard than, than especially for women, right?
Mm-hmm. Where we manifest A DHD behavior and symptomology differently. So for a long time I'm just sitting here going like, well, I'm not good at this. And I would say like even as far back as to my elementary experiences, people are like, well, you're really like scattered and you're chatty and you're kind of goofy and there's all this, there were signs, right?
But then. You're also a kid. Mm-hmm. So it's really hard. And I think that was one of the things that, when my son got diagnosed with A DHD, he was a very obvious case is, is what I remember them saying. [00:09:00] Mm-hmm. And I started looking into it. My husband, he kind of had his experiences with it. And I remember taking both of my kids to, you know, as a, as a working mom, you try really hard to maximize time.
And I took both of my kids to their, like. Checkups. And then also I was like, and can you just squeeze me in? Like, I'm really good, but like, this is a day I have off school. They have off school. Like, And my doctor looked at me and she was like, I think you need to come back when it's just you, because I have some other things I wanna talk about.
And I was like, cool, thank you. That sounds great. Hopefully nothing's scary, right? She was like, no, no, no. So we talked a little bit more about, you know, A DHD and the sort of the symptomology that helps us diagnose it. And it was fascinating. She was like, I think you probably need to get formally diagnosed with this.
Mm-hmm. Because it would definitely shape things differently for you. So I would say long story short, that just having someone kind of explain to me that A DHD is chemical right. Or it's part of your brain and that neurodivergency is [00:10:00] not always a choice, right. Was really empowering. And that kinda started.
My asset-based approach to A DHD because for a long time I think the reflection of my symptoms was negative, not on purpose. Mm-hmm. Right? Like I have very loving people in my corner. Mm-hmm. And they're always, you know, trying to help me be the best that I can be. I had challenges that I didn't understand.
Mm-hmm. And fi, figuring out what that was was really helpful. And then being involved with strengths really helped me reframe some of my talents and, and kind of figure out how I use them proactively. And productively. So, woo. For example, I've, I'm someone who always talks to people, and I will, and I'm running late 99% of the time because of it.
I'm like, I got friends. I wanna say, Hey, I wanna see how you're doing. And people are very important to me. I want people to feel seen. I want them to know that if I'm talking with you, you have my undivided attention at that time. Mm-hmm. 'cause it is important and I would be late to class all of the [00:11:00] time.
Audra, I swear, I think I still have the record for the most tardies in a quarter at my high school. I can't confirm that and I don't know if I want to, but it was a lot and it was just 'cause I was chatting or trying to connect with people. So with my strength and my A DHD being easily distracted and very social.
It was either kind of like the force, right? I could use it for good or sometimes it would get me in trouble. Mm-hmm. And Gallup talks a lot about the balconies and basements or the helps and hinders of our talents because again, they can show up in a lot of different ways for us. So it was an interesting journey of reflection on how do my A DHD behaviors and symptoms.
Intersect with my talents and what I'm good at. Mm. And then the work became, now what do I do with it? And it's been really rewarding in that regard. I feel like I've learned a lot.
Audra Dinell: Well, and I'm like kind of going into like, oh, coach me mode, because I'm like, yes. I love how you said asset-based A DHD tendencies.[00:12:00]
Mm-hmm. And learning how the two, like the strengths and the A DHD intersect like that.
Balconies and Basements of Strengths
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Audra Dinell: is exciting to me because as you're talking about it, I wanna go into a little bit the balcony in the basement because that is true for any gift that we have. Mm-hmm. And what you're talking about here, and I'll say it in my words, let me know if it's accurate, is like the balcony is like, this is when my strength, my gift is shining.
Yes. As an A DH, ADHD, or I have high ideation. And so put me in a creative brainstorming meeting and. That's my jam. Yeah. I'm gonna get us as many ideas as you want. They're never ending. Mm-hmm. But the basement of that is that sometimes I can have so many ideas that we're on one path and another idea pops up and I follow it like a squirrel.
Yeah. And that's
Kennedy Rogers: so real. And when I think about that, a DHD piece of it that easily distractibility. Oh, I love a good [00:13:00] brainstorming session. Mm-hmm. But nine out of those 10 really great ideas, I've gotta make sure I'm focused to actually execute them.
Audra Dinell: Oh yeah. And so. I just love the balcony in the basement concept because I'm thinking of my strengths.
My top five strengths have always been, not always, they've fluctuated a little bit and you can talk about that if you'd like, but futuristic being a person who is just very future focused, this shows up in like my wiring when I do aptitude assessments. Mm-hmm. And the balcony of that is.
Yes, I can vision and forecast and plan. I'm very good at all of those things. Mm-hmm. The basement of that is sometimes when I need to check my email today. Right. That is a struggle because I'd rather be planning for next year. Right.
Kennedy Rogers: You get excited and, yeah. The other thing too, when you're. Thinking about, okay, what are my talents?
So if you haven't taken the inventory and people who are listening who are curious about how they can start thinking about their mannerisms from an asset based lens is what gives you [00:14:00] energy? Like what feeds you and what gets you excited about your day-to-day. And for you, I'm hearing that I love a good vision board.
Like I love to think about the possibility in the future, and that's rooted in strategic thinking. Mm-hmm. So that's just kind of how you absorb and process information and. How do we make sure that momentum carries you in those great directions? Right. As long as we're also aware, like you said too, being in the moment is hard and checking those emails.
'cause sometimes they're great emails. Sometimes they're not.
Audra Dinell: And emails. And emails.
Applying Strengths in Life and Work
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Audra Dinell: I, you know, I think a tool like this strengths finders, whether you have a DHD or whether you don't. Mm-hmm. I mean, just for anyone, it can help you understand where you might be best vocationally. Sure. That was one thing I know I was looking for back when I first found strengths finders is, okay, what's my next move?
And. You know, my top five had a lot of the same ones in common entrepreneurship showed up on almost all of mine. My current five are futuristic, activator, maximizer, positivity, and communication. [00:15:00] I love it. And so finding that common thread, I mean, it took me many, many years to try entrepreneurship and then fail and, try again with some success.
But. It is really helpful when you're lost. Mm-hmm. Yeah,
Kennedy Rogers: it is because too, I mean. It's data. And that's what I tell anyone I talk to about it because they're the skeptics, right? They're like, oh, I don't know if I wanna believe this. It seems all sunshine and rainbows and it's happy and it's like, yeah.
And there's nothing wrong with that. Sometimes it's okay to be happy, but that's my positivity. Yeah. Like really speaking. So like the basement of my positivity is. Positivity, excuse me, is yes. I also need to understand that too.
Understanding Individual Strengths
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Kennedy Rogers: Not everyone is gonna match the same energy, right? We, so talent is another filter right to the world around us and how we land in it, and what one person might see this way, another person sees very differently.
And when you're lost and you're trying to figure out like, what does the future hold for me? Starting with your strengths is a great way to at least get yourself in a good feel, [00:16:00] authentic approach to possibility because you have amazing gifts. Mm-hmm. And someone out there is really going to need them and the world is going to benefit from them.
So you just gotta figure out where that is. And then you're gonna say, oh, Kennedy, that's. The hard part.
Reflecting on Personal Strengths
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Kennedy Rogers: I'm like, well, yeah, and if you take some time and really think about your strengths and do some of that reflection work, you're going to see them even as far back as like I did when I was in kindergarten.
Mm-hmm. And. Every parent teacher conference since where they were like, well, she likes to talk a lot. Yeah, she's easily distracted. You're right. I have Woo. I like to win others over. I want you to be on my team. I want us to be good, but I also have learner and I love learning. I'm curious, so I'm gonna ask you a lot of questions, and those things are really helpful in my career.
They're helpful in my purpose and kind of what I want to do long term. I don't think I would've known that otherwise. Mm-hmm. So I think when you're lost and you're kind of figuring out who am I? Where do I wanna start? Self-reported data. Mm-hmm. Who are you? Who [00:17:00] do you say you are?
Audra Dinell: Well, it gives you words, like you said, maybe you weren't gonna be a, you were a person who was always curious and was always asking questions, but to give yourself that label.
Mm-hmm. If you accept it. And even just the word of learner. Yes. I mean, you work in higher ed, so it really just feels like your vocation right now mm-hmm. Is so suited towards your strength. Yeah.
The Journey to Higher Education
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Audra Dinell: So tell us a little bit about the path that got you where you are.
Kennedy Rogers: Yeah, great. I would love to. So, I, starting back in high school was probably your C average student. Mm-hmm. I loved learning, but I loved learning things I liked. Mm-hmm. So, and that's a very common. You know, behavior or tendency for attention deficit because mine is of the inattentive. You're not gonna see me bouncing physically off the walls.
Mm-hmm. However, mentally I'm everywhere. I'm curious about this, I wanna know about that. And so I was maybe intrigued at a surface level and sometimes that didn't suit me super well in general education [00:18:00] settings. And so I'd never, ever thought I was going to be working in higher education and the honor of shaping young minds because I was just like, oh, I'm wild.
I don't know.
Discovering Leadership and Passion
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Kennedy Rogers: And my mom sent me to this leadership camp. It was part of a youth program that was like, oh, youth leadership development and kind of figuring out what are leadership abilities and things like that. And that's really where my journey kind of kick started. Mm-hmm. So I got to be a part of this Kansas Youth Youth Leadership Academy for.
Honestly, my summer, after my sophomore year up through my college experience, I got to intern for them and do some practicum stuff. And that's where I figured out that hey, like leadership is not one size fits all. Like success is not this like one path that looks the same for every single person, even though we do our best to categorize it that way or try to fit into these molds.
And I really found my passion of development, self-discovery. Mm-hmm. And just kind of providing opportunities for people too. Do that in a safe way. Mm-hmm. That helps them feel positive or empowered [00:19:00] by it.
Transitioning to a Career in Education
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Kennedy Rogers: And so then fast forward, I worked for about four years in a sportswear company doing sales because my app to do tests would say all the time, like, you would be great in sales.
Audra Dinell: Yeah.
Kennedy Rogers: And you would be really successful because you're good at talking to people and you're. Positive personality, right? All the things that my top five say. And so I was like, well, my dad sold stuff like he was in food sales for a long time and I'll give it a try. And I was wildly successful. I had a great four and a half years there working with training and development sailing, cheerleading apparel and dance apparel was sportswear.
So it was fun and I loved it. And then I was like, I'm just not a hundred percent sure this is. It for me. I loved the training and development piece of it, but it always felt this push to go more towards education or just helping. By the time they got to me in the workforce, there were 18 to 20 year olds that were like, I just don't know who I am or what I want.
Like this is [00:20:00] my first real job. And I just felt this urge and this calling to be like, okay, well maybe a college environment is for me and maybe that's where I could work with students. Or individuals anywhere, just kind of figuring out what do you want, where are you going, and who are you? And you know, this is supposed to be the time that you're figuring all that out, but I don't know, just seemed like a good fit.
And then I got fortunate to get hired on here at Wichita State. So that's been my, my career path. And I would say education has been really rewarding for me. Mm-hmm. It's something that I still really love and I love getting to see students and work with them on their strengths journey, because they're all kind of figuring it out too.
And college is such a wild time. You're leaving what you knew mm-hmm. And who you were, and you're sort of starting a new identity in some ways, and. Kind of feeling the pressure to make these decisions about where you wanna go. And I think it's okay to take a moment and look at your strengths and think about, okay, I am good at these things, but that doesn't necessarily pigeonhole me here.
Yeah. I can do so many cool things with [00:21:00] that. And it's one of the programs that is actually what was scattered all over my area here is a path to purpose program for students who are undecided and they're like, I don't know where I wanna go. Cool. Let's look at some things. What do you like your vocation interests?
What are your values? Partnering with our career team and just, all right, let's get you there. Let's figure out what activities you need to sign up for or what classes might be interesting, or if there's majors or programs that are of interest to you because it does all kind of feed into your vocation.
Audra Dinell: You know, I wish something like that was available when I was a student because Yeah. I remember going to the college career office and they plucked me in marketing. Mm-hmm. And you know, I mean, I was a willing participant of it, but I didn't know what I wanted to do. Yeah. I have a. always also been just excited about learning what I wanna learn about, and I honestly don't retain as much of the rest.
Mm-hmm. My son will ask me, you know how kids are? Yes. They'll ask me a ton of wild things and I'm [00:22:00] like, dude, I dunno. I do not know. And they're like, well, did you not go through fourth grade? And I'm like, I did. But that just went, and it was a long time ago, it just got dumped. You know, because there's so many other things taken at my brain that I'm excited about.
Mm-hmm. I think.
Parenting with Intentionality
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Audra Dinell: Now when I look at, at my kids, you know, hearing you talk about you, you work in higher ed, you're, you're doing this purposeful work. I just get so excited hearing about your journey, and I think about how much freedom I have as a parent to not push for that 4.0 mm-hmm. Or allow the CS to be just.
Data. Yeah. Right. My, one of my sons is, I mean, both of my sons are very creative, and one of them right now is very into writing books and creating comics. And this has been going on for probably a year. I love
Kennedy Rogers: that. Yes. That Simon, Simon was super interested in that. Oh,
Audra Dinell: I love that. And so it's just like leaning into that.
And then if there's another area [00:23:00] that he's not super interested in, that being okay. I feel like when I was growing up, there was a lot of pressure maybe to be well-rounded. Mm-hmm. Like I was the cheerleading captain and student council and, and National Honor Society and played tennis and, you know, did I think I did graduate with a, 3.8 or something, like, I just felt pressure, this pressure to do it all.
Yeah. You know? Yeah. It's so real. And that is something that still stifles me. To this day of like, I don't have to do it all. Yeah. But it's like, I still feel that, you know? Mm-hmm. And just that gift I have as a parent now to learn through your experience and just to look at my kids and say, that's okay.
Kennedy Rogers: It's okay. It's okay. It's the hardest thing. I wish I was as good as it sounds like I am, or, you know what I mean?
Embracing Neurodiversity in Parenting
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Kennedy Rogers: Like, I, when I look at my kids, right, again, both of my kids also have a DHD symptomology and behaviors tendencies, right? It's hereditary. And. I'm sitting here and I'm like, okay, I have an opportunity to shape their experience around their behaviors and their [00:24:00] symptomology differently.
Mm-hmm. And it's so hard because it's not always as easy as that. You know, it's not always as easy as saying like, okay, it's okay if you don't want, wear these shoes and you want to completely mismatch and look like maybe you just climbed out of a dumpster. Mm-hmm. And also my social like anxiety around that is like, no, I'm not teaching them how to be a functioning member of society.
And so it is like this internal battle as a parent with A DHD watching your kiddos with A DHD and the societal expectations just lingering out there.
Audra Dinell: Yeah.
Kennedy Rogers: So I am learning from you. Like that's amazing to be able to have the wherewithal in those moments to be like, this is one of those things. Where it's like, we're gonna be okay.
Yeah, they're gonna wake up tomorrow or they're gonna go to school, they're gonna do these things and we're gonna be fine.
Audra Dinell: Yeah. And you know, I can relate to what you're saying and just thanks for reflecting that because I do think the words I use are, I'm not gonna [00:25:00] pick that battle.
Yes. Because I, that's not the hill for me. That's not the hill for me. Mm-hmm. And it's like the hardest part, I think is judgment from. Others, whether it be loved ones or perceived judgment from outsiders. I mean, you can't wear a shirt that says, I didn't pick that battle. I've got other battles that I'm picking.
I promise You've
Kennedy Rogers: seen those moms that have this sign as their kids are getting outta the carpooling that says they have coats, they just chose not to wear them. Yes. Like that's like, how do I put that on my forehead?
Audra Dinell: Yes. Or like what? Yes. My uhhuh. So it's like I don't struggle with that as much and sometimes I do laugh thinking, oh my gosh, I wonder what people think of this.
Kennedy Rogers: Right?
Audra Dinell: But it's like, that's not a driving for me at this point. It's not a driving force because I do see, like I am so intentional in parenting here and I am trying so much. This area and I am looking at these two unique children that I have been given and trying my best to help them, yes. Figure out what they're good at, what they [00:26:00] like what they could, the ways they could add value to the world and let the rest go.
Kennedy Rogers: Mm-hmm.
Audra Dinell: But. Just many people, don't they? They just want that more well-rounded citizen. Yeah. And I just have to let go of like, Ooh, that's your expectation and not mine. Would that be nice? Yeah. I mean, yes. I'm working with what I've got to give as a parent and I'm working with these two humans that I've been given and this is what we're doing.
Kennedy Rogers: Yeah. And I would say like the things that. I would say have been imparted to me some way or another. I wouldn't say this is like direct quotable advice, but I think lessons that I've really taken to heart similar to you is that intentionality in letting their personalities kind of shine and be just who they are.
And that's the strengths-based parenting approach, right? Mm-hmm. And there's a whole book about that. They've got resources about that too. And it kind of talks about, you know, there are people who don't fit the mold and they do amazing things. And if we. Stifle that. Right? Or if we start to put their light out so [00:27:00] soon, who knows what we could have prevented from arising or just really shining?
And I have to think about that in those same moments where I'm like, it's okay. You know? And natural consequences, right? Like
Audra Dinell: you don't wear a coat. You might be cold, right? You might be cold. Yeah. And that's
Kennedy Rogers: okay. You know, I'm just. We'll make sure we have a coat in the car and so it makes me also blend differently.
But I love that. Is that just that intentionality and that is, you know. Yeah. It's going to really support them and they're gonna feel authentic, and that's really important as a kid. Mm. It's really important as an adult. Yeah. I hope so. Right. To feel seen for who we are and also appreciated.
Audra Dinell: Yeah. You
Kennedy Rogers: know?
Audra Dinell: Yeah. Yeah. Oh, well, thank you so much for taking time to. Talk and share your journey. And I love the twists and turns our conversation took. This is such a great tool for anyone. Mm-hmm. But I love the A DHD Neurodivergency path. We went down and then of course, I feel like it always loops back to parenting.
Yes. Because when you're in the middle of it, it's like. Yeah. [00:28:00] Everything loops back to parenting. So
Kennedy Rogers: on.
The Impact of Strengths in Life
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Kennedy Rogers: I tell friends all the time, strengths really does show up in all aspects of your life. If you give it the space and you actually kind of tune into it, you know? Mm-hmm. It'll, It'll show up in your personal aspirations, how you live your life, make your decisions,
Audra Dinell: your calendar, how you
Kennedy Rogers: prioritize.
Yeah. Organize your life, but it shows up professionally in how you, you know, build your future and kind of think about all these great, exciting ventures that you wanna go on, but also, yeah. Parenting, academics, all of it. It's, they have a place there. And I also tell students, if you pay into your strengths, they will pay you back tenfold.
Kinda like a bank. If I had $5 to give you, I don't, because you know kids, but if each one of those dollars was a strength, you could choose to spend it right now and use it. You could leverage it, invest in it, and learn more about it. Or you could ignore it and then you're $5 less.
Audra Dinell: Yeah.
Kennedy Rogers: So they're just a tool that's available for you when you're ready.
Audra Dinell: I love that. Where can our listeners find you?
Kennedy Rogers: Yeah, so I'm on LinkedIn. You can definitely reach me there. I also am just on [00:29:00] the website, so, um, Wichita dot edu can search me and my contact information, information will come up there or hanging out with the awesome women at the thread. I'm so excited I get to hang out with you all coming up in December again, so yeah, hang around.
I know.
Audra Dinell: We love having you. Yeah.
Kennedy Rogers: Okay. Well thank you. Thank
Audra Dinell: you.