Caring Causes - Sunshine Society

A design rooted in love, family and Southern roots, Sunshine Society's newest print, “Lil Pickle” ($68), is a heartfelt tribute to Lilian Smart, who tragically passed away at just 8 years old from a brain-eating amoeba in Louisiana. Based in Louisiana, Sunshine Society was inspired to bring this deeply personal story to life, honoring a young girl whose memory continues to live on through the people who loved her.

Sunshine Society is a thoughtfully designed sleepwear and lifestyle brand known for its playful prints and elevated matching pajama sets for women and children. The brand is carried by leading retailers including Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s and Wolf & Badger.

Created in honor of Lilian, affectionately nicknamed “Lil Pickle,” the print began as a personal sketch by her cousin, Sarah Katherine Lewis. Wanting to find a special way to celebrate Lilian’s life and preserve a piece of her spirit, Sarah created an original design inspired by the nickname that held so much meaning to their family. When Sunshine Society learned about the story behind the illustration, the brand was inspired to bring Sarah’s vision to life, transforming a deeply personal tribute into a print that could be shared with others.

The Lil Pickle print is available in both children's and women's pajama sets, allowing families to wear and celebrate a design with a story rooted in love, family and remembrance. Even more meaningfully, 25% of proceeds from the collection will benefit Love for Lillian extending Lilian’s legacy beyond the people who knew and loved her.

Sunshine Society is available at sunshinesociety.com, Bloomingdales.com, WolfandBadger.com, and Nordstrom.com.










About Sunshine Society

Sunshine Society is a female-founded lifestyle brand created by best friends Lexie Polito and Alli Sims. Inspired by the belief that joy can be found in everyday moments, the brand creates thoughtfully designed loungewear, sleepwear, accessories, and lifestyle products featuring exclusive hand-drawn prints and elevated fabrics. Today, Sunshine Society is carried in more than 300 stores nationwide, including Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.

Tech Tidbits - Holiday Tech with Trisha Hershberger

Tech and gaming expert Trisha Hershberger is here to help make your holiday shopping smarter and more exciting. From the hottest innovations to the latest in gaming and entertainment, Trisha will offer a look at what’s capturing everyone’s attention this season. Whether you’re shopping for family, friends, or the tech enthusiast who has it all, Trisha will help you discover what’s worth checking out this holiday season!

Sponsor DailyLounge.com

 

BIO: Trisha Hershberger is a TV Host and two-time Streamy award-winning content creator specializing in tech, gaming, and fandom entertainment. Her passion for gaming, tech and all things ‘geek’ is why she's been selected to host for iconic brands such as Nintendo, Google, Dell, Twitch, Intel, and Mattel and has been seen on such seminal networks as Amazon, Disney XD, MTV, Discovery, and many more. In addition to hosting, she's been a household name on fan favorite online networks such as SourceFed, Nerdist/Geek Sundry, Fandom and more. She brings over two decades worth of experience in the industry to all projects developed by her own production company, providing services like writing, producing, social media consulting, brand partnerships, and live events. 

Book Nook - John the Lion Goes to the Moon

I recently had a chance to see an e-copy of John the Lion Goes to the Moon

, written by Clayton Craddock and illustrated by Nathalie Kranich. In this 28-page picture book for ages 3–7, John and Daddy go to the Moon, meet unexpected friends, find helping hands and face a storm that tests their courage. 

The story began as bedtime stories made up by Clayton. It's a cute, imaginative world that is heartwarming and fun. It's also a great example of seeing diverse characters in books, which I always appreciate, because every child should be able to see themselves reflected in some of the books they read, and every child should also be able to read books that reflect the diversity in our world.

You can buy the book at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Music Minute - Maddie Font: Drive Me Around

Photo Credit: Marisa Taylor

Maddie Font, the voice of CMA Award-winning and 13x nominated multi-Platinum selling duo Maddie & Tae with over 1 billion streams, marks the beginning of her solo career with the release of her debut EP, Drive Me Around, out now. Produced by Jonathan Singleton and Chip Matthews, the collection features four tracks all co-written by Font. After a career filled with milestones, Font isn't starting over, but instead embracing the opportunity to show audiences who she is today.

"Stepping into this new chapter on my own has been equal parts exciting and scary, but the love and encouragement I've felt along the way has meant more than I could ever put into words,” said Font. “I'm so grateful for the friends, family and every single one of you who have cheered me on and made this new beginning feel a little less scary and a whole lot sweeter.”

LISTEN: DRIVE ME AROUND

WATCH: “ALL THE RED IN CALIFORNIA”

The release of Drive Me Around marks an exciting new chapter for Font as she embraces a new era as a solo artist while remaining true to the storytelling fans have loved for years. To keep up with Font's announcements, visit maddiefont.com and follow her on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

ABOUT MADDIE FONT:
After more than 15 years growing up in country music as one half of multi-Platinum duo Maddie & Tae, Maddie Font is stepping forward on her own and bringing the audience that grew up alongside her into this bold new era. Her first solo EP release, Drive Me Around, is more than a new collection of songs; it's the beginning of a deeply personal new chapter, pairing the lead voice and storytelling fans have loved for years, produced by Jonathan Singleton and Chip Matthews. After a career filled with milestones, Font isn't starting over, but instead getting the chance to show audiences who she is now.

Money Makers - Best Cities to Start a Career After College

 For recent college graduates, landing a first professional job can be a frustrating catch-22: employers want experience, but candidates need someone to give them an opportunity to gain it. At the same time, employers face crowded applicant pools and the challenge of identifying promising candidates from résumés alone.

VUEniq, a new video-first talent discovery platform, is launching with a mission to help candidates stand out and employers find stronger matches. VUEniq gives job seekers another way to introduce themselves through 60-second video introductions. Rather than relying exclusively on a written résumé, candidates can present themselves directly and give employers another perspective when evaluating talent.

To bring attention to the challenges facing early-career job seekers, the company has also identified its 50 best U.S. metropolitan areas to consider for starting a professional career in 2027, highlighting markets with a combination of professional opportunities, employer diversity and the potential to build a career while managing the cost of living.

]“Getting that first job is one of the biggest hurdles in building a career. Employers want to see experience, but Graduates want to be viewed for their potential, not limited by their experience,” said Portia Van Drisse, founder and CEO of VUEniq. “We want to help people communicate their strengths and potential in a more personal way, while helping employers discover candidates they might otherwise overlook.”

A Different Way to Discover Talent
Traditional hiring often relies heavily on résumés, credentials and application forms. While those tools provide useful information, they may not fully communicate a candidate’s personality, communication skills, motivation or potential.

VUEniq includes several features designed to support talent discovery:
• 60-second video introductions: Candidates can introduce themselves, share their interests and strengths, and provide employers with a more personal view of who they are.
• Explore Talent: Employers can discover candidates through a video-first experience designed to make talent easier to explore.
• Talent Tracks: The platform helps organize talent discovery around relevant areas of interest and potential career opportunities.
• Internal talent visibility: Employers can use the platform to help surface talent within their own organizations, giving employees greater visibility and helping companies identify potential matches for internal opportunities.

VUEniq is designed to give both candidates and employers another way to approach talent discovery, particularly when a person's potential may not be fully reflected in a traditional résumé.

VUEniq's Top 10 Cities to Start a Career After College in 2027
1. Columbus, Ohio: A diverse economy spanning healthcare, finance, insurance, education, logistics and technology gives graduates several potential career paths.
2. Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina: Technology, healthcare, life sciences, research and business services create opportunities across a range of professional fields.
3. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas: A large business ecosystem spanning corporate headquarters, finance, healthcare, logistics and technology offers a broad range of potential employers.
4. Atlanta, Georgia: Opportunities in logistics, finance, healthcare, media, technology and corporate operations give graduates multiple industries to explore.
5. Charlotte, North Carolina: Financial services anchor a market that also offers opportunities in healthcare, energy, logistics and corporate operations.
6. Indianapolis, Indiana: Healthcare, life sciences, insurance, logistics and manufacturing provide a range of professional opportunities in a market with a comparatively manageable cost structure.
7. Houston, Texas: Energy, healthcare, engineering, logistics, manufacturing and professional services offer routes into a variety of careers.
8. Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida: Healthcare, financial services, technology and business operations create several potential paths into professional employment.
9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Healthcare, robotics, engineering, technology, universities and financial services offer opportunities across established and emerging industries.
10. Nashville, Tennessee: Healthcare, corporate services, logistics and other professional sectors create opportunities for graduates with a range of backgrounds.

The ranking also includes markets such as Birmingham, Alabama; Phoenix, Arizona; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Austin, Texas; and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, which offer their own combinations of professional opportunities and economic trade-offs.

VUEniq emphasizes that there is no single best city for every graduate. A market that is attractive for a biotechnology graduate may look different for someone pursuing finance, engineering, marketing or cybersecurity. Housing costs, likely starting pay, qualifications and the types of employers in a person's field all matter.

The complete VUEniq Top 50 ranking and city-by-city explanations is HERE

Helping Candidates Show More Than a Résumé

The ranking reflects a broader issue in the transition from education to employment: candidates need opportunities to demonstrate their abilities, while employers need better ways to recognize potential.

VUEniq offers free access for job seekers, students and employees. Employers can receive 60 days of free early access to the platform.
To learn more, visit https://vueniqtalent.com.

About VUEniq

VUEniq is transforming talent discovery by giving employers something they've never truly had before: a direct view of the person behind the resume. Through video-first profiles and talent discovery technology, VUEniq helps organizations evaluate talent more completely while giving candidates a platform to showcase their communication, potential, and unique value before the interview ever begins.

For more information, visit https://vueniqtalent.com.

Music Minute - Trey Calloway: Honky Tonk Generation

 Award-winning singer-songwriter Trey Calloway is excited to announce the release of his new EP, Honkytonk Generation, available today! Boasting six songs in total, Calloway recently set the tone for the project with lead single “Left Hand,” which earned a spot on Spotify’s Country Hits 2026 playlist and helped push his streaming numbers to over five million.

Honkytonk Generation marks an exciting new chapter in Calloway’s music, created alongside producer and co-writer Phil O’Donnell. With more than two decades in the music business, O’Donnell has penned No. 1 hits for George Strait, Blake Shelton and Montgomery Gentry, while also working with Cody Johnson, Chris Janson, Craig Morgan, Clay Walker, Aaron Watson and Craig Campbell. His experience and appreciation for traditional country music bring a fresh perspective to Calloway’s latest project.

To purchase/stream: treycallowaymusic.lnk.to/V18Y5C

To keep up with all things Trey Calloway, visit his website and follow his entire schedule on Bands In Town, 

About Trey Calloway:
North Carolina-grown and Nashville-based, Trey Calloway grew up singing in church and was a seasoned performer by the age of ten. Although southern and contemporary gospel were his first musical loves, as a teen, Trey developed a deep understanding and passion for the rocking, boot-stomping storytelling of '90s country legends and has been writing and performing country music ever since. Trey has opened shows for Joe Diffie, Tracy Lawrence, McBride & The Ride, Pat Green, Edwin McCain, and Craig Campbell, and has played for audiences at the Charlotte Speed Street NASCAR Festival, the House of Blues, Billy Bob's Texas, and the Tennessee State Fair Opry Stage. Since mid-2023, Calloway has won Songwriter of the Year at the Texas Country Music Awards, had a music video featured on CMT, been picked up by Spotify editorial playlists, and has over five million streams. For more information, visit treycallowaymusic.com.
 

Music Minute - Celeste Marie Wilson: Christmas at Home

Rising Texas singer-songwriter Celeste Marie Wilson is welcoming the holiday season with the release of her new EP, Christmas At Home, available now! The three-song collection features her take on three beloved Christmas classics, bringing a little holiday spirit and familiar seasonal favorites to listeners. The EP includes “Winter Wonderland,” which premiered with Center Stage Magazine, “Away In A Manger,” premiered by GodTube, and “Jingle Bells,” premiered by The Hollywood Times.

With Christmas At Home, Wilson puts her own touch on these timeless songs, celebrating the music and traditions that make the holiday season special. The EP is a perfect addition to holiday playlists and a chance for listeners to enjoy three familiar favorites through her musical style.

To purchase/stream: CMWilson.lnk.to/ChristmasAtHomePR 


For more information, visit celestemariewilsonmusic.com.

More about Celeste Marie Wilson:
Celeste Marie Wilson is a Texas country and Americana singer-songwriter carrying on a family legacy of poets, painters, and musicians. Inspired by the timeless artistry of Patsy Cline, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Bonnie Raitt, she crafts what she calls "whiskey in a teacup" songs, blending heartfelt storytelling with quiet strength and undeniable grit. Produced by Jim Reilley, Wilson records under her own imprint, Little Dipper Record Company, distributed by Select-O-Hits. A 2026 Women Songwriters Hall of Fame ambassador and International Songwriting Competition semifinalist, Wilson continues to earn recognition for her authentic songwriting and distinctive voice. Her debut album, Southern American Princess, is out now.

Music Minute - Allie Colleen: Embers

 Country artist Allie Colleen confronts the heartbreak of holding on in “Embers,” a song that captures the anguish of watching a partner fall out of love while fearing a future without them. Through vivid imagery and vulnerable lyrics, Colleen explores longing, regret, and the fear of healing without someone who still means everything, offering compassion to listeners who haven't yet found the strength to walk away.

“Embers” is available for Pre-Save HERE.

With haunting honesty and unfiltered emotion, "Embers" captures the devastating realization of watching someone you love slowly fall out of love with you. Through deeply personal lyrics and powerful imagery, Colleen explores the desperation, self-doubt, and heartbreak of holding on to a relationship already slipping away. The song’s fiery metaphor paints a vivid picture of love's destruction, where the pain of letting go feels as overwhelming as the love itself. Raw, intimate, and unapologetically honest, the song lays bare the heartbreak of accepting that sometimes love alone isn't enough to keep two people together.

About Allie Colleen:
Allie Colleen is a country artist, singer, and songwriter whose impeccably strong voice, rooted in timeless tradition yet fresh with modern influence, has made her one of today’s most compelling independent acts. Known for silencing a room with heartfelt stories of love and heartbreak, and for penning witty, relatable lyrics that connect deeply with audiences, she is quickly earning recognition as one of country music’s breakout stars. She has accumulated 11.9 million total streams across platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. She has been named an “Artist to Watch” by People Country, Holler, Wide Open Country, Nashville Music Guide, Country Evolution, and more. Allie has also been highlighted as Artist of the Week on Bobby Bones’ Top 30 Countdown, featured on Apple Music Country’s Best New Songs, and celebrated by outlets including Nash News, Music Mayhem, and Country Thang Daily. The Morning Hangover spotlighted her duet with Lee Brice, “While We’re Still Friends,” as one of the day’s hottest releases, further fueling her momentum. With more than 250K followers across social platforms and accolades spanning playlists, radio, and national press, Allie Colleen continues to cement her reputation as a fearless songwriter and powerhouse vocalist destined for stardom. 

Music Minute - Johnny Owens: Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy

Country music artist Johnny Owens is set to bring a dose of classic Bakersfield cheer to the holiday season with the release of his new festive single, a cover of the timeless holiday classic "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy," arriving on all major streaming platforms today. The single was premiered digitally by American Country Network and featured by GodTube, My Kind Of Country with Scott Wikle, and Steve Harmon on West Wood One’s Country Gold.

Originally co-written and recorded by his father, country music legend Buck Owens, and his longtime guitarist Don Rich in 1965, "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy" tells the lighthearted, humorous story of a child sneaking downstairs on Christmas Eve only to realize that Old Saint Nick looks suspiciously familiar. The original single famously peaked at No. 2 on Billboard's Christmas singles chart. Now, exactly 20 years since his father's passing in 2006, Johnny Owens steps up to the microphone to deliver a fresh yet historically faithful rendition that preserves the raw energy, driving rhythm, and signature twang of the historic Bakersfield Sound.

"Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy" is available for download and streaming worldwide HERE

“I’m excited to release my version of “Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy,” shares Owens. “It’s always been a special song to me, not only because my dad wrote and recorded it, but because it’s become such a fun part of his Christmas legacy. Getting to put my own touch on it while honoring Dad and the original was something I really wanted to do. I hope it brings back some great memories for longtime fans and becomes part of Christmas for a whole new generation.” 

The release follows on the heels of Johnny's widely praised late-2026 singles, "Act Naturally" and "Together Again," which have served as powerful previews for his forthcoming full-length tribute compilation album. The 10-track collection is designed to celebrate Buck’s extraordinary career while introducing a new generation of listeners to traditional, unfiltered country storytelling.

Fans can expect to hear the holiday track alongside timeless Buck Owens staples, Merle Haggard classics, and behind-the-scenes stories on Johnny Owens' current tour, "Johnny Owens and the Bakersfield Sound," which is actively extending dates into 2027.

 

For more information on Johnny Owens, visit johnnyowensmusic.com.

About Johnny Owens
Johnny Owens carries forward one of country music's most celebrated legacies as the youngest son of Country Music Hall of Famer Buck Owens. Raised alongside the creation of the legendary Buckaroos and surrounded by some of country music's greatest artists, Johnny developed an authentic appreciation for the Bakersfield Sound that can only come from living its history. After spending years supporting his father's career, Johnny stepped into the spotlight to honor Buck's legacy through his own performances, captivating audiences with a voice that recalls the timeless sound of classic country. Performing everywhere from the Buck Owens Crystal Palace to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Johnny continues to celebrate the music that defined a generation. As author and Bakersfield Sound historian Robert E. Price wrote, "Johnny Owens is as close in tone and appearance to his Buckness as any that walk the earth today."

Music Minute - Tommy John Ehman: Without You

 

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Listen closely to Tommy John Ehman’s new single and you’ll notice something unusual. The words “Without You” don’t show up in a single verse or chorus. They arrive only in the final moments, after the story has been told. The Davidson, Saskatchewan country singer and songwriter has the aching breakup ballad out now. It’s the lead single from his upcoming album ‘#1 on Jupiter.’

“The title only enters into the lyrics at the very end of the song, after ‘most’ of the story has been told,” Ehman says. “I always felt that saving the title until the very end gave it much more impact on the listener and really gave it the sentiment it deserved. You rarely see this in songwriting, so I figured, why not try to be a little different. And I really do think it works.”

Most of the lyrics have stayed true to his original draft, with one crucial change in the second line. “I had originally written ‘Life is a video game; you lose when you play’ which I thought was pretty cool. But...as time went by that line became ‘Love is a gambler’s game; you lose when you play.’ Now that was the line the song needed to really hit home,” Ehman says. “Love is absolutely a ‘Gamble’ when you step into a relationship. Somehow, you just know when you’ve hit the mark on a lyric!”

For all its sadness, he hopes “Without You” lands as a comfort. “Everyone has been through some kind of heartbreak or lost love and have had to deal with the sadness and sorrow that occurs,” Ehman says. “So, in one way or another I hope the listeners find something in this song that they can relate to and find comfort in the lyrics and music.” And just like the song itself, he’s saved the most important words for the very end.