The root of mental health stigma among Black people can be traced back to slavery. At that time, it was commonly thought enslaved people were not sophisticated enough to develop depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders. Good mental health consists of maintaining strong social connections and living a fulfilling and productive life while effectively coping with stress and making positive contributions to family, work and their community To maintain good mental health, many people turn to friends, family, the church and other community supports, especially when they are going through emotional difficulty. However, there may be times when these supports are not enough to maintain emotional wellness and seeing a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, is needed. Despite the need for some individuals to seek out professional mental health services, they are hesitant to approach the mental health system due to barriers such as stigma and distrust of the health care system.

The pocast host has a candid conversation Dr. Manya Boyd, President of BoydHR.  Dr. B as, she is affectionally known brings an illustrious career in Human Resources spanning nearly four decades.  She is a leader in the field. Dr. B began her journey as a Human Resources Professional.  She cultivated unparalleled expertise in labor and employee relations, setting the stage for her remarkable ascent in the industry.  She is a pioneering female entrepreneur. Dr. Boyd has not only navigated but also significantly contributed to the dynamic landscape of Human Resources.  How did she do it?  Hear her story of committment and passion, and how she managed to garner widespread recognition. In so, establishing her as a trailblazer and respected figure.  Be inspired by her journey.

Allyson Carter grew up in Southern California. Thirty miles east of Los Angeles and just 30 minutes from the beach or the mountains. She left this wonderful place for a career opportunity on the East Coast. Allyson showed up with no friends, no family and not a single winter coat. It was a great opportunity to figure out how to be productive in a new environment. After 10 years she had all the cold she could take and relocated to Texas during the pandemic. The move to Texas was also the end of single parent life as her son transitioned to college in another state. After years of struggle with student loans, credit cards and mortgage payments, she was finally living within her means and enjoying two dormant hobbies: motorcycle riding and scuba diving. Allyson attributes her success in life to planning and persistence…and, of course, a few blessings.  Hear her speak about her journey as a single parent, and becoming the women she desired to be.

According to data compiled by the Social Security Administration as of 2021:  A man reaching age 65 today can expect to live, on average, until age 84.3. A woman turning age 65 today can expect to live, on average, until age 86.6. About one out of every four 65-year-olds today will live past age 90. One out of 10 will live past age 95. Is this data the driving force behind the Late Life divorces? The host takes a deeper dive into what drives couples late in life to seek divorce.

Listen to the conversation I had with Vavi Solomon! An Intriguing, gifted, talent woman. Vavi is a Audio Visual Technician, a Tattooist, a Natural Hair and Loc stylist, and that is not all. Vavi studied Audio Production at the Los Angeles Film School and studied at the Watkins College of Art, Design and film.  She definitely made it happen in her life! The journey was not easy, breezy.  However, when you find your purpose, you are able to channel the positive energy to become who you truly are.

Approaching entrepreneurship broadly, it would seem like any small business owner can be considered an entrepreneur—and realistically, they can be. Typically, two major characteristics of entrepreneurship are risk-taking and forward-thinking. Risk-taking is the awareness that even though your business may not turn out the way you expect it to, you’re willing to try anyway. Often, this willingness comes from weighing the risks against the potential rewards. Forward-thinking is tied to innovation. Many times, entrepreneurship is fueled by the idea of creating a better future. This can come from a new product that changes the way people interact with the world; it can come from a new process that changes the way businesses interact with consumers; it can come from an improvement to the way a business operates within an established industry; or any other mechanism that can make business better. Entrepreneurship can be broken down into four different types that describe the organization or innovation driving the business. Four common types of entrepreneurship are small business, scalable start-up, large company, and social entrepreneurship. Forward thinking in 2024!

Lisa Weems is a Retired Navy Vet. She is passionate about helping to give voice to the voiceless.  A Minister of Sow a Prayer Ministries-a Discipleship/teaching ministry with a passion for deliverance and Missions formerly trained by Living Word Christian Center Bible College. She is an Co-Author of book “Made to Overcome.” Stories of people overcoming insurmountable health challenges. She is also a podcast host of Tables Parlay where she parlays conversations into inspiration. She is a two time breast cancer survivor and metastatic breast cancer Thriver. She does breast cancer advocacy work various organizations.  She is passionate about teaching about health and advocating for women on their breast cancer journey. She is Creator of RaphaSana Wellness- a wellness initiative educating all things health, wellness and fitness. She is graduate of Southern Illinois University with BS in Education and current Liberty University Graduate student. She is employed by Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Lisa Weems is a Retired Navy Vet. She is passionate about helping to give voice to the voiceless.  A Minister of Sow a Prayer Ministries-a Discipleship/teaching ministry with a passion for deliverance and Missions formerly trained by Living Word Christian Center Bible College. She is an Co-Author of book “Made to Overcome.” Stories of people overcoming insurmountable health challenges. She is also a podcast host of Tables Parlay where she parlays conversations into inspiration. She is a two time breast cancer survivor and metastatic breast cancer Thriver. She does breast cancer advocacy work various organizations.  She is passionate about teaching about health and advocating for women on their breast cancer journey. She is Creator of RaphaSana Wellness- a wellness initiative educating all things health, wellness and fitness. She is graduate of Southern Illinois University with BS in Education and current Liberty University Graduate student. She is employed by Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs.

An artist uses their imagination to create art. Easy you may say. Okay, so everyone that "makes" art in any capacity, are they an artist? I will take it a step further and say that, creating art is more than painting on a canvas, or sculpting, and that everyone has the ability to be creative! However, a true artist brings to life that which they have imagined, in a unique and beautiful way. Be inspired, hear how Tanya Duffie does it, one master piece at a time.

What does the LGBTQ+ community have to say about the new rules that will make it difficult for athletes like two-time Olympic champion Caster Semenya to compete? "Transgender women will no longer be allowed to compete in female track and field events regardless of their levels of testosterone." - World Athletics President Sebastian Coe 3/23/23.  Hear one voice, one perspective from my guest, Seren!

1TD DJ Gladney - White Sox "High A" ball player.  His class in the Minor League is the third-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States and Canada.  A talented young man, and that's NOT all!  He is also an up and coming musical artist known as 1TD DJ Gladney aka Big Red!  And yes, his music is out there.   A double hitter....baseball and music!

Google’s dictionary defines a singer-songwriter as “a person who sings and writes popular songs, especially professionally.” The term’s come to have a more specific meaning. What I understand it to mean is, artist who record as solo acts, who write their lyrics and tunes, and usually accompany themselves on piano, acoustic guitar, or auto sound.  I'm describing the unique and beautiful sound of ...Xar.  Her unique and beautiful sound is simply incredible.  A breath of fresh air for the music industry!

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. When fentanyl is abused or taken in an overdose, this opioid can quickly be fatal because it is so potent and people are not used to its effects. There is a significant risk that any illegal drug you buy on the streets, buy online, or that may be given to you is intentionally contaminated with fentanyl. Fentanyl is often consumed unknowingly by users of street drugs leading to death.  When it's used in combination with other central nervous system depressants like opioids, alcohol or benzodiazepines, the risk of overdose and death multiplies.

There’s nothing quite like the rush of connecting with a great new artist — especially ahead of the pack — but they’re not always easy to find. Music’s increasing DIY culture has left the market saturated with bands and soloists gunning for the big-time, making it that much more difficult for newcomers to breakout. Nonetheless, this young artist with a 90's influence, and soulful funk has broken onto the music scene and she is the one to watch. Get to know her own her way up!  This emerging artist has what it takes to make it, and she won’t take no for an answer. Whether you prefer R&B or EDM this dynamic artist is worth all of the downloads and then some!

Sean Vaughn Carter was a Behavioral Specialist/Psychiatric Technician, in the US Army and served a tour in Iraq.  And, he is also an entertainer, dancer, performer, and has traveled the world on one adventure after another! He is also writing a book that will be released later in 2023!  He gets very candid as he discusses being diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and he is living with it, one day at a time.  He sets the record straight about his life as a gay, black man and how he is true to himself and is living his life to the fullest!Sean Vaugh Carter is the modern image of an independent liberated, gay man. He is very straight forward and transparent about his diagnosis of bipolar disorder and how he copes and manages it. He is a professionally trained entertainer and commands the stage in any performance!

Realtors, also known as real estate agents, are licensed real estate professionals who can help you buy or sell a home. here are two types of realtors:  Listing agents represent home sellers. Buyer’s agents represent home buyers. Most agents work with sellers and buyers instead of working exclusively with one group. Occasionally, the same agent will represent both the buyer and seller — this is called dual agency. Once such realtor extraordinaire is Loreal Sangster servicing the amazing city of Chicago and surrounding areas!  Is it difficult to begin this journey?  How is it to be a young, African American, female embarking upon the great city of Chicago?  Hear her story of how she is making it happen!

Have you ever met a person whom you thought was nice and decent, but ended up being your enemy? Now imagine you have children with this same person, after it was too late to find out how evil a person can get get by a misunderstanding. This is a memoir of a man who had to escape from the mother of his children, in order to prevent violence! Instead she craved all of that drama, and created it into a series of revengeful acts, for leaving her dwelling! Her dwelling was like a work release program for inmates, not for a man, not for a husband, and not as a father.  Physical and emotional abuse suffered by a man is not uncommon.  It does go underreported and brushed under the rug.  Because "men can deal and cope with it." Not true.  Men are human also.

If young people/teens are exposed from 14 -19 years old to events to seek purpose, they will increasingly seek them out on their own until the end of their adolescence, giving them a higher likelihood of discovering their own sense of purpose.  There is one thing we often miss,  the importance of teaching teens to find and cultivate a purpose. Helping students to find their goal in life, their reason for doing the things they do, and their "end in itself" is just as important.

Meet Black Business Owner -KeKe Star!  She had an idea about doing her own line of waist trainers.  She did her homework and got it done!  10K followers on FB and IG she is doing her thang!"Y’all knew I was coming…but you just didn’t know how HARD!!! I have Waist trainers, full body shapers, K’Starr Shirts, K’Starr tummy control shorts, waist wraps, detox tea, Keke Starr owner of Keke Starr Get Snatched."  Boom!!!  - K. Starr

We’ve all seen what we think an empowered woman is.  She walks down the street or into a meeting, head held high, shoulders back, with a confidence in her walk that we often envy.  She just seems to know herself.  Nothing seems to shake her.Others remark about her strength and self-confidence but if you really think about it, what does she have that we admire?  What is it that she does or has that makes us see her as an empowered woman who seems to have everything under control?   The same way we want to have in our work, in our relationships and in ourselves? What is the opposite of a an empowered women?  A women largely devoid of the very traits and characteristic that we yearn.  Hmmm, in steps Transformational Coach, Motivational speaker, Resilience Coach, Wellness Coach, and a professional entrepreneur that has the answers.  Meet Latiqua Williams!