In this episode of Love, Business & Luggage, Monica and Clayton share how a curious college kid with a knack for fixing computers turned a help desk job into a 20-year tech career. Clayton opens up about his journey from troubleshooting floppy-disk disasters to leading teams in cybersecurity — and why stepping back from management was actually a move forward for his life.

You’ll hear how leadership lessons, career pivots, and a passion for problem-solving shaped his path from entry-level IT to high-tech success at AWS. Monica brings her signature (groan) humor and perspective on how that tech-savvy mindset keeps their family, business, and travels running smoothly.

Whether you’re thinking about breaking into tech, looking to redefine your career path, or just love a good behind-the-screens story, this episode is packed with insight, laughter, and a few “turn it off and back on again” moments.

Pack your sunscreen and sarcasm—Monica and Clayton are recording live from the stunning Moon Palace in Cancun! 🌴☀️

In this episode, they dive into what makes this resort so special (hint: there’s history), how life has changed since their first visit, and why Monica insists there’s a big difference between a vacation and a trip. They share how their kid has become a resort connoisseur, the eternal struggle between fun and rest, and whether you can really leave work behind.

It’s part travel diary, part business therapy, and 100% beach-vibe banter. Grab a margarita and join them—because sometimes the best business ideas happen poolside. 🍹

You’ve seen the posts, but now you’ll finally hear the real story. Monica and Clayton spill the behind-the-scenes details from Monica’s adventure on The Blox, the nation’s largest entrepreneurial competition.

From sleepless nights and new friendships to business lessons and reality show chaos, Monica shares what really happened, what she learned, and how it changed her outlook on success.

🎧 Listen now to Love, Business & Luggage, where relationships, careers, and adventures take off.

Don’t forget to get your 50% off at Rent the Runway:

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View the Blox recap here:

https://youtu.be/9Bm1K_L2NbA

One of us runs a busy healthcare clinic. The other lives in the digital cloud. On the surface, these worlds could not be more different. Look closer and you will find surprising overlaps in trust, problem solving, and even stress levels (hint: both require lots of coffee). In this episode, Monica and Clayton share the quirks, clashes, and unexpected lessons they have borrowed from each other’s careers. From HIPAA to cybersecurity, patient care to project deadlines, we explore how blending two very different perspectives can make life and business stronger.

Support this show, Rent the Runway:

https://www.renttherunway.com/shares/55b72e4c38b235bfe82d90d1a36a6d0bd955e6a0-payPerSwap-publicLink-1759091616026

Starting a business is tough. Starting a business while staying happily married? That’s a whole new level of adventure. In this episode of Love, Business & Luggage, Monica and Clayton open up about how Impact Family Wellness was born, the excitement (and nerves) of signing that first lease, and what it looks like to support each other without being in the trenches together every day.

From communication struggles and personality clashes (hello, Optimist Monica vs. Cautious Clayton) to finding balance between advice and gut instinct, they share the real stories behind building a business without breaking their relationship. You’ll hear how caution saved them from big risks, how openness created surprising wins, and what lessons they want other couples to know before mixing love and entrepreneurship.

Whether you’re a “couplepreneur,” thinking about launching something with your spouse, or just curious how two very different personalities can build both a business and a life together, this episode is full of honest takeaways and a few laughs along the way.

Support this podcast by visiting Thrive Market using our affiliate link: http://thrv.me/QmeqQa

Websites:

www.impactfamilywellness.com

www.dpcformula.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/impactfamilywellness/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfamilywellness/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamckitterick/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claytonsmith/

In our very first episode of Love, Business & Luggage, we pull back the curtain on who we are, how we met, and why starting a podcast together seemed like both a brilliant and questionable idea. Monica, a Family Nurse Practitioner, author, and business owner, teams up with Clayton, a cyber security specialist and MBA, to share the stories that inspired our mix of love, entrepreneurship, and global adventures.

You will hear how our careers and frequent travels connect to the podcast’s name, the moment we realized we could actually work together without killing each other, and the quirky items we never travel without. Expect candid conversations, lessons learned from business and life, and plenty of travel tales to fuel your wanderlust.

Support this podcast by visiting Thrive Market using our affiliate link: http://thrv.me/QmeqQa

Websites:

www.impactfamilywellness.com

www.dpcformula.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/impactfamilywellness/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfamilywellness/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamckitterick/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claytonsmith/