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Stay A While

Stay A While

By: Tommi A. Vincent
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If food is a love language then this podcast is virtual soul food. Host Tommi A. Vincent is a NFL wife, chef, life-coach and domestic violence survivor who found her recipe for healing was through using food as medicine. Stay A While with those who hunger for connection as human beings, who have faced the impossible, and are still standing to tell their stories. Your presence is welcome. So take a seat at the table and make yourself at home. It’s time for some comfort food for your soul.Copyright Tommi A. Vincent Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Changing the Game: Elizabeth "Dillow" Jenkins on Building the Future of Women’s Football

    Changing the Game: Elizabeth "Dillow" Jenkins on Building the Future of Women’s Football
    Jun 17 2026
    Take a seat… and stay a while.

    Today's conversation is about vision, courage, and what happens when someone decides to build what they wish existed.

    I’m honored to welcome Elizabeth 'Dillow' Jenkins to Stay A While.

    As President and COO of the Women's National Football Conference, Dillow is leading a movement that is transforming the future of women’s sports.

    What began as a personal love for football became something much greater—a mission to create opportunities, equity, and professional pathways for women athletes who have long been overlooked.

    For decades, women have played football because they loved the game. They sacrificed their time, resources, and often their financial stability simply for the chance to compete. Dillow saw those barriers firsthand and made a bold decision: if the system didn't exist, she would help build it.

    Today, the WNFC is redefining what is possible in women’s tackle football by creating a league rooted in professionalism, visibility, sustainability, and a future where women can be paid to play.

    In our conversation, Dillow shares the moment passion became purpose, the leadership principles that guide her decisions, and her unwavering commitment to ensuring the next generation of girls understand their worth, power, and potential.

    This episode is for dreamers, builders, athletes, leaders, and anyone who has ever dared to create change instead of waiting for permission.

    In This Episode, We Explore:
    • How a love for football became a lifelong mission
    • Building a professional league for women athletes
    • Creating equity and opportunity in sports
    • Leadership lessons from growing a national organization
    • The importance of sustainability and long-term vision
    • What it takes to challenge systems and build new pathways
    • The future of women's tackle football
    • Why representation matters for the next generation
    About Our Guest Elizabeth 'Dillow' Jenkins is the President and COO of the Women's National Football Conference, one of the fastest-growing leagues in women's sports.

    Under her leadership, the WNFC has become a national platform advancing equity, professionalism, visibility, and economic opportunities for women athletes.

    Through initiatives such as Got Her Back, youth development programs, tackle football camps, and strategic partnerships, Dillow is helping create a future where girls and women can pursue football at the highest level while being recognized, respected, and compensated for their talents.

    Her work is changing the game—not only for athletes today, but for generations to come.

    This episode is for:
    • Women leaders and entrepreneurs building something meaningful
    • Athletes pursuing excellence in male-dominated spaces
    • Parents raising confident daughters
    • Change-makers committed to equity and opportunity
    • Anyone who has ever been told "that's not possible"
    🍽️ At the Table At Stay A While, we believe some of the most powerful leaders are the ones who create opportunities for others.

    Dillow reminds us that leadership isn't simply about breaking barriers.

    It's about building bridges.

    Her story is a powerful example of what can happen when passion meets purpose and vision meets action.

    Because every girl deserves the chance to see herself in the game—and believe she belongs there.


    Learn more about Women's National Football Conference HERE
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    28 mins
  • More Than a Meal: Jon Hooper on Leadership, Food Security, and Serving Community with Purpose

    More Than a Meal: Jon Hooper on Leadership, Food Security, and Serving Community with Purpose
    Jun 10 2026
    Take a seat… and stay a while. Some of the most powerful leaders are the ones who quietly show up, serve consistently, and invest in the people around them.

    In this inspiring episode of Stay A While, I sit down with Jon Hooper, Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Emeryville and Oakland, whose journey is a testament to the power of hard work, humility, and purpose-driven leadership.

    Jon's story began as a teenager washing dishes. Through perseverance, dedication, and a commitment to serving others, he worked his way through the business and ultimately became a Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator in the Bay Area.

    But for Jon, success has never been measured solely by sales, growth, or accolades.

    It's measured by impact.

    Throughout our conversation, we explore how food can be a catalyst for hope, dignity, and opportunity. Jon shares why food security has become a personal mission, how local businesses can play a critical role in strengthening communities, and why true leadership begins with serving others.

    We also discuss the importance of community partnerships, including Chick-fil-A's support of the Vincent Country Safe Zone in Oakland, where Jon and his team helped provide meals for students, teachers, and volunteers—demonstrating that meaningful change happens when organizations come together to meet both immediate and long-term needs.

    This episode is a powerful reminder that when people are nourished, communities flourish.

    In This Episode, We Explore:
    • Jon's journey from dishwasher to Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator
    • The leadership lessons learned through service
    • Why food security is essential to thriving communities
    • The role businesses can play in addressing local needs
    • Building trust and connection through community engagement
    • The importance of dignity, belonging, and meeting basic needs
    • Creating impact that extends beyond business success
    About Our Guest:
    Jon Hooper is the Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Emeryville and Oakland. His career with Chick-fil-A began as a teenager, where he learned the value of hard work, consistency, and service from the ground up. Today, Jon leads with a people-first philosophy, investing in his team members, customers, and the communities his restaurants serve. He is deeply committed to addressing food insecurity and creating opportunities for individuals and families to thrive. Through partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and community organizations, Jon continues to demonstrate how local leadership can create lasting impact.

    This episode is for:
    • Business leaders seeking to lead with purpose
    • Entrepreneurs committed to community impact
    • Nonprofit leaders and changemakers
    • Anyone passionate about food security and community development
    • Individuals who believe business can be a force for good
    🍽️ At the Table
    At Stay A While, we believe some of life's greatest lessons are found around the table. Jon reminds us that leadership is not about position—it's about service. His story demonstrates that when we invest in people, meet essential needs, and create opportunities for connection, we build stronger communities and brighter futures. Because sometimes the most meaningful work begins with something as simple—and as powerful—as a meal.
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    19 mins
  • Owning the Spotlight: Deonna Purrazzo on Discipline, Confidence, and Becoming The Virtuosa

    Owning the Spotlight: Deonna Purrazzo on Discipline, Confidence, and Becoming The Virtuosa
    Jun 3 2026
    Take a seat… and stay a while. In this dynamic episode of Stay A While, we welcome Deonna Purrazzo—world-class professional wrestler, champion, and one of the most respected technical performers in women’s sports entertainment.

    Known around the world as The Virtuosa, Deonna has built a career defined by discipline, precision, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Competing at the highest levels of professional wrestling, she has earned multiple championships and the respect of fans and peers alike through both her athleticism and authenticity.

    But this conversation goes beyond the ring. We talk about confidence, identity, longevity, reinvention, and what it takes to believe in yourself even when the spotlight feels heavy. Deonna opens up about pursuing greatness on her own terms, navigating pressure, and the mindset required to sustain success in a demanding industry.

    This episode is for anyone learning how to own their voice, trust their talent, and keep showing up with conviction.

    In This Episode, We Explore:
    • The discipline and mindset behind elite performance
    • Building confidence in highly competitive environments
    • Longevity, reinvention, and evolving through every season
    • Navigating pressure, criticism, and public expectations
    • The power of self-belief and staying authentic
    • What women in sports entertainment can teach us about leadership and resilience
    • Defining success on your own terms
    About Our Guest:
    Deonna Purrazzo is an internationally recognized professional wrestler known as The Virtuosa. Celebrated for her technical mastery and championship career, Deonna has competed across major wrestling organizations and established herself as one of the most skilled performers of her generation. Beyond athletics, she uses her platform to inspire confidence, perseverance, and self-belief—encouraging others to pursue excellence both personally and professionally.

    This episode is for:
    • Women navigating high-performance environments
    • Athletes, entrepreneurs, and creatives pursuing excellence
    • Anyone rebuilding confidence or redefining success
    • Leaders seeking resilience, discipline, and longevity
    • Fans of women’s sports and sports entertainment
    🍽️ At the Table:
    At Stay A While, we believe strength is built long before the world applauds it. Deonna reminds us that confidence isn’t about perfection—it’s about trusting who you are, continuing to evolve, and refusing to shrink in rooms you were meant to stand tall in. Her story is a powerful reminder that discipline creates freedom, resilience creates longevity, and authenticity creates legacy.

    📲 Stay Connected:
    • Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, resilience, identity, and legacy
    • Share this episode with someone pursuing greatness on their own terms
    • Join the conversation online and tag us while you listen or watch
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
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