Annual tradition, honest conversation. Each July 4th I return to Frederick Douglass’ 1852 address to check the pulse of American freedom. In this replay runback I share a partial reading of the speech’s most searing passages—followed by my own reflections 📤When have you felt both pride and discomfort on the 4th? Share your story via voice note, DM, or tag @HighlyVisiblePod—I may feature your perspective in next year’s runback: https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur 📚Resources Mentione...
Jul 03, 2025•24 min•Ep. 99
What happens when joy feels like a luxury you didn’t earn? In this powerful conversation with life coach and facilitator Ashmi Patel, we explore the quiet ache of perfectionism, inherited guilt, and the radical practice of feeling good—on purpose. Ashmi shares how growing up as the daughter of immigrants shaped her relationship to joy, rest, and self-worth. From late-diagnosed ADHD to healing through creativity and coaching, she invites us to rethink the stories we’ve been told about what we des...
Jun 29, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 98
What if fitness wasn’t about chasing numbers—but about reclaiming joy in your body? In this episode of Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood, I’m joined by Brandon Howard, a personal trainer, health coach, and founder of Howard Power Fitness. Together, we explore what it means to feel at home in your body—regardless of weight, appearance, or arbitrary milestones. Brandon shares how years in the fitness industry taught him that most people don’t just want muscle—they want to feel better, mo...
Jun 19, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 97
What if joy isn’t something we chase, but something we return to? In this season's opening episode of our new theme, On Joy, I reflect on what it means to slow down, pay attention, and remember joy—not the loud or curated kind, but the quiet, complex, deeply human kind. Through personal reflection, spiritual tension, generational memory, and a whole lot of pondering, this video essay sets the tone for a season-long exploration of joy in all its forms—emotional, embodied, resistant, communal, and...
Jun 12, 2025•20 min•Ep. 96
What’s good y’all! It’s your boy, Jonathan Dumas. I’m dropping in with a quick check-in for my Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood fam. We’ve been cooking behind the scenes, and I’m excited to announce that WE COMIN BACK! New Seaon, On Joy, is dropping next month! This new season is all about exploring the real, messy, sacred places where joy shows up—in our minds, our bodies, our communities, and even in the mundane moments of everyday life. In this short solo episode, I’m sharing: – Wh...
Apr 25, 2025•4 min•Ep. 95
Authenticity isn’t about oversharing or performing—it’s about practicing your values daily. And in this episode, we’re getting real about what it means to truly show up, reject the performance trap, and redefine success on our own terms. I’m joined by Alawna Ozoka—certified life & leadership coach, bestselling author of Awareness Put Me On, and all-around truth teller. We dive into: ✅ Finding contentment in a chaotic world 🌍 ✅ Why rest is resistance—especially in a world that glorifies hust...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 94
How do you choose yourself in a world that asks you to sacrifice your essence? In this soulful and empowering episode of Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood, Jonathan sits down with Candice, a Dream Doula, to explore what it means to embrace your authenticity, navigate societal pressures, and birth your dreams into reality. From the challenges of being a multi-passionate creator to redefining time and success, this conversation dives deep into the art of self-alignment. Candice shares he...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 93
In this heartfelt episode of Highly Visible & a Little Misunderstood, Jonathan Dumas welcomes author and creative Jocelyn Chung to discuss her newly released children's book, When Love Is More Than Words. Together, they journey through themes of storytelling, generational love, and finding authentic voices amid personal growth. Jocelyn shares the origins of her book, revealing how it began as a deeply personal poem and evolved into a testament of family care and unspoken love. The conversati...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 92
In this soul-nourishing episode of Highly Visible & a Little Misunderstood, host Jonathan Dumas welcomes back Aizaiah Yong, a practical theologian, educator, and writer known for his profound insights on leadership and community. As they dive deep into the essence of authenticity, they explore its many layers—from personal journeys marked by multicultural heritage to the theological and philosophical dimensions of living a true life. Aizaiah opens up about his family roots, being raised in a...
Nov 07, 2024•59 min•Ep. 91
In this engaging podcast episode, host Jonathan Dumas is joined by his long-time friend and political science enthusiast, Gustavo, to dissect the critical stakes of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The episode dives into debates about the economy, immigration, democracy, and more, contrasting the platforms of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. The conversation highlights the importance of political participation, the impact of policy differences, and the potentia...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 89
📧 Want a FREE sticker? Join our email list After a long break, Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood is back with a brand-new series, Performing Authenticity. In this first episode, host Jonathan Dumas sits down with authenticity coach Betty Chan to dive into a deep and hilarious conversation about what it truly means to be “authentic” in a world full of pressure to conform. Is it possible to be our real selves, or are we always “performing”? 🤔 Jonathan and Betty don’t hold back as they ...
Nov 07, 2024•56 min•Ep. 88
On this special, unscripted episode of Highly Visible & a Little Misunderstood, Jonathan Dumas reflects on the sobering aftermath of the election, expressing raw emotions and exploring the reality of communal responsibility, identity, and hope in challenging times. With guest Isaiah Young, a practical theologian, they delve into the meaning of community, the impact of institutions, and how we remain true to ourselves amid societal upheaval. Jonathan’s heartfelt words remind us of the importa...
Nov 07, 2024•11 min•Ep. 90
Your boy Jonathan is back and giving us all the updates! After a brief hiatus (we know y’all missed him), Jonathan is dropping some big news – he’s making the jump back to corporate America! 🎉 Tune in to hear all about his job search journey, the highs, the lows, and why he’s ready for a new challenge after years as a solopreneur. But that’s not all! Jonathan is spilling the tea on the latest happenings with the show, including the launch of the podcast on YouTube 📺. Subscribe to the channel a...
Oct 03, 2024•7 min•Ep. 87
Jonathan and guest, Betty Chan, an authenticity coach, discuss various topics including their experiences as entrepreneurs, issues of burnout, and the importance of taking regular rest. Betty shares her belief in 'gentle leadership' and the value of allowing oneself the freedom to simply exist, such as her concept of 'potato days' - where one intentionally does nothing to reset and recharge. The conversation also delves into understanding the importance of acknowledging and giving voice to inner...
Jan 04, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 86
In this episode, Jonathan engages in a deep and emotional conversation with Brieanna Lightfoot Smith, the founder of Brands by Brie . Throughout their conversation, Brianna pulls from her personal experiences, including navigating miscarriages while balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, and the role of faith in her life and business. She seeks to encourage listeners that their current struggles are not the end, and that they should embrace patience and purpose on their journey. She stresses...
Dec 19, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 85
Jonathan continues the series 'Entrepreneuring While B(IPOC)lack'. He engages in a vibrant discussion with Jerry Fu, a career coach for Asian men and leaders. The conversation touches on various themes including coping with job insecurities, pivoting career paths, establishing a coaching business, the challenge of managing a full-time job alongside a side hustle, the importance of integrity and honesty in relationships and business, and the essence of balancing personal life with entrepreneurial...
Dec 15, 2023•53 min•Ep. 84
In this episode, Jonathan connects with the creative force that is Crystal Pope, a stylist, strategist, and personal vibe catcher who infuses the worlds of fashion, social media, and wellness to create a unique brand. From enlightening discussions on the realities of being an entrepreneur of color, the significance of values in their work, to how their identity plays a role in entrepreneurship - you're in for an hour packed with candid conversations on what it means to chase your own vision whil...
Dec 12, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 83
Dive into an insightful conversation about racial identity, bridging the opportunity gap, entrepreneurship among BIPOC, and the issues and initiatives concerning foster care alumni and transracial adoptees. Listen to our host, Jonathan Dumas share personal experiences and learn about Grace Yung Foster's groundbreaking project, the Inclusion Initiative. This podcast episode deeply explores the nuances of living between cultures, struggling for equity, and the importance of lived experiences in sh...
Dec 07, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 82
Join host Jonathan Dumas in intriguing discussions with Olanike A. Mensah, founder of Mosaic Consulting. They share experiences of being Black entrepreneurs, emphasizing the value of their identities in shaping their businesses and fostering inclusivity in workplaces. Olanike reveals her expertise in advising equity strategies, providing services like audits and coaching tailored to clients' needs. She also looks forward to launching a program for equity leaders in organizations, aiming to insti...
Nov 30, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 81
In this episode, host Jonathan Dumas engages in a stimulating conversation with fellow career coach and business owner, Ashmi Patel. They share their experiences with ADHD, higher education, and the radical shift to entrepreneurship. Ashmi highlights the importance of self-compassion, reframing failure, and resisting capitalist pressures. She offers insights into her coaching philosophy and how she utilizes creativity to promote personal growth. They both reflect on how aligning their careers wi...
Nov 23, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 80
In this engaging conversation, Alyson Kaneshiro, shares her journey in becoming an entrepreneur, driven by her passion for education and a dissatisfaction with traditional systems. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing individual learning differences and implementing a tailored approach to education. Alyson champions the use of universal design within an equity lens in education. Shedding light on her own journey of understanding her identity, she emphasizes the necessity for inclusivity,...
Nov 21, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 79
In this episode, Theon Freeman, a dynamic entrepreneur with various roles such as an event producer, strategist, wedding officiant, and a deacon, speaks about his experience in venturing into entrepreneurship. With diverse experiences from tech startups to community work at the Center for Social Innovation, Theon shares his journey through highs and lows, and the importance of community, culture, and connection in shaping his path. He discusses the significance of leaning into discomfort, embrac...
Nov 09, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 78
We back! New theme exploring entrepreneurship through the lens of BIPOC folks from all walks of life. The High Visible story of the week touches on recent political events regarding Israel and Palestine, providing some key definitions and underscoring his call for accountability. Then, Jonathan kicks the new theme off by exploring the his own challenges and joys of being an entrepreneur. With a background of his own experiences, Dumas criticizes celebrity entrepreneur culture and highlights the ...
Nov 09, 2023•19 min•Ep. 77
🎙️ Join us on this special episode as we delve into a timeless piece of American history, Frederick Douglass's powerful speech, "What, to the slave, is the 4th of July?" 🗣️ In this thought-provoking episode, I'll read the eloquent words of Frederick Douglass as he passionately challenges the celebration of Independence Day during a time of slavery and sit with the unsurprising fact that his words still resonate today. Don't miss out on this enlightening podcast - hit that play button and join ...
Jul 05, 2023•22 min•Ep. 75
Join me in an empowering conversation with Austin Walker, a remarkable guest who shares his personal journey of redefining black masculinity and its relationship with wellness. Gain inspiration to break free from societal expectations and discover your own path. Explore diverse outlets for wellness and expand your reference for personal growth. Challenge norms, embrace empowerment, and redefine what black masculinity means for you. Tune in to unlock the transformative power of ownership and self...
Jun 08, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 74
Join me in this empowering episode as we sit down with Elijah Seay to discuss our personal journeys of defying societal stereotypes of black masculinity. In this candid conversation, we explore the freedom and empowerment that comes with embracing our authentic selves and choosing how we present ourselves to the world. Through engaging dialogue and heartfelt discussions, we aim to create a warm and positive energy that leaves listeners feeling seen, heard, and understood. Tune in as we embark on...
May 26, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 73
This week I sit down with, Patrick Sutton, we delve into the layers of masculinity and challenge societal norms as the basis for our understanding of what it means to be a man. We specifically explore black masculinity and how it can often be overshadowed by external expectations. By focusing on the "hows" rather than the "whats", we aim to develop a deeper understanding and mutual respect for a neutral standard of what black masculinity truly looks like. Join us as we navigate this complex topi...
May 11, 2023•53 min•Ep. 72
I sit down with Highly Visible's inaugural intern, Reggie Hall, to talk about his intersectional identities of being a Black masculine man. Reggie shared vulnerably about his growth in understanding gender and why humans can learn a lot from animals when it comes to breaking down stereotypes. We close out our conversation with a story that forever shaped his view of the world and his Black skin. Hint: it involves a gas station, torn meniscus, and a tow truck. Please support my family’s GoFundMe ...
Apr 15, 2023•49 min•Ep. 70
Introduction to our opening theme exploring the nuance and complexity of Black Masculinity. Over the next few weeks, we will be discussing what it means to be masculine; what it means to be Black and masculine; and, how we step into our full humanity and experience the full range of emotions and being. Hope yall join in on the convo! Show LInks: Senators supported by NRA and how many gun deaths per state Demand your representative give back or donate NRA contributions Please support my family’s ...
Apr 07, 2023•22 min•Ep. 69
We are back, yall! New name. New Logo. Same dope af convos. Check out our trailer to get the scoop on all the changes and what to expect from us from here on out. The first official episode of the new season drops on April 6th. Be sure to hit that subscribe button, so you don't miss it. Let us know what you think of all the new stuff!! Shoutout @tylermisha for the dope new artwork 🎨 Shoutout @chrisscarr for the dope new track 🎶 Shoutout our intern, Reggie, for all of his work behind the scenes...
Mar 30, 2023•5 min
