In this episode I speak with the CEO of Kissed by a Bee Organics, Akilah Scott-Amos about herbalism, rootwork, urban farming and how she's using the earth and nature's gifts to help others heal. Akilah comes from generations of rootworkers and sharecroppers; she learned most of her knowledge about the healing powers of plants via her Grandmother (LeDora) and Father (William). Born and raised as a vegetarian, most of her meals were made from scratch and grown right on the family property. Many pl...
Jan 03, 2025•33 min
In this episode, psychologist Dr. Obari Cartman and I discuss the day-to-day challenges Black men face, the social conditioning that leads to mental health struggles and why so many Black men won't seek help. Dr. Cartman is a father, son, brother, uncle, thinker, writer, therapist, photographer, drummer, and grassroots mental health advocate. He is a Chicago native, where his cultural and educational foundations were cultivated by several African-centered institutions. He received his undergradu...
Dec 13, 2024•37 min
In part two of my exploration of the spiritual practice of Hoodoo, I interview Baba Rah, who is an experienced conjure oil maker, Hoodoo practitioner and IFA initiate. He breaks down the history of conjure oils, their purpose, how they are used and more. Conjure oils are ritual oils been blessed with herbs and intention that can be used to bless, anoint, heal, curse, bring in money, love etc. Baba Rah can be reached via email at: theelracollective@gmail.com and on Instagram @theelracollective...
Dec 07, 2024•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, I got a chance to speak with Hoodoo practitioner and business owner Lisa Jones, who owns Memphis Conjure Supply in Memphis, Tennessee. She breaks down this CLOSED spiritual practice developed by enslaved Africans, how she began practicing, how African Americans can utilize Hoodoo today, her feature on the STARZ network and more... Memphis Conjure - Memphis Conjure Supply...
Nov 22, 2024•49 min
In this episode, Dr. Norma Reyes and I discuss manifestation, connecting to your ancestral roots and how to go about changing your mindset to create the life of your dreams. Dr. Reyes is a first-generation Mexican American who has overcome generational trauma and poverty cycles. She first began her journey in reconnecting with her spiritual roots in 2019. Since then, Dr. Reyes has enjoyed helping Latinas and women of color rediscover their spiritual roots, embrace their ancestral wisdom, and m...
Nov 08, 2024•45 min
In this episode I speak with the founder of Flower Girls Meet, Vanessa Flowers about the importance of building community, finding your tribe and connecting with people with are aligned with your personal values and purpose. Flower Girls Meet cultivates space for authentic conversations about work, mental health, and wellness while empowering women with meaningful connections and the awareness that we aren’t alone in our struggles. By teaming up with mental health and wellness experts who teach ...
Oct 25, 2024•33 min
In this episode, Inez and I discuss the importance of networking, how to do it the right way and adding value to our business relationships. Inez Woody is a highly skilled writer, copywriter, and Sr. Network Administrator with over 20 years of expertise in technology. Throughout her career, she has excelled in creating compelling content that boosts brand visibility, fuels business growth, and shapes communication strategies for many businesses. Inez's mastery of language, persuasive writing abi...
Aug 02, 2024•40 min
In this episode, we explore narcissistic personality disorder, what it is and how to navigate/heal, (whether you are in a platonic or romantic relationship). We also discuss how parents can identify early traits in their children to get them treatment. Dr. Natalie Jones, PsyD is a Therapist and coach in narcissistic abuse recovery, expert witness, corporate consultant, writer & speaker. Dr. Natalie Jones PsyD, LPCC® Therapy for narcissistic abuse recovery. (drnataliejones.com)...
Jul 19, 2024•33 min
In this episode, the mother of Hadiya Pendleton who was slain in 2013 at the age of 15 by men firing at who they thought were rival gang members joins me to discuss the Party 4 Peace event she throws every year in honor of her daughter's life, forgiveness and how she's rebuilding herself after loss. Hadiyas Promise – We Envision a World of hope And change (hadiyaspromisechi.org)
May 31, 2024•27 min
In this episode comedian, poet, community servant and founder of The Sandwich Ministry and Griselda Negrow, M'Reld Green joins me to discuss how she balances family all while having multiple irons in the fire and the importance of using ALL of your gifts and talents before it's too late. The Sandwich Ministry is a 501c3 that assists children in underserved areas in Chicago with food and other necessities. Griselda Negrow is a cannibis-lifestyle brand designed to give good vibes to those who deal...
Apr 29, 2024•27 min
In this episode, "Kookie" Daniels shares what she's learned in her decade plus of experience as an entrepreneur. She talks about how all of her ventures (from teaching dance to business consulting) and the failures along the way, have molded her into the woman she is today. Kookie's Dance Den (kookiesdanceden.com) teaseuniversity - Link in Bio & Creator Tools | Beacons Business Coaching | Kookie Daniels (itsbusinessupstairs.com)...
Apr 19, 2024•30 min
In this episode, the owners of the Black, family-owned bookstore "Da Book Joint" in Chicago's Washington Park neighborhood talk about the ups and downs of trying to keep their business thriving on the South Side of the city. And how (after almost throwing in the towel), the community rallied around them to provide support. Chicago's African American Book Source | Da Book Joint
Apr 05, 2024•22 min
In this episode I discuss the so-called “setbacks” that led me to my latest opportunity.
Mar 29, 2024•16 min
In this episode, Dr. Kisha discusses how her passion for identifying and assisting victims of sex trafficking led her to start her own non-profit and how her mother's drug addiction played a role in her life path. Dr. Roberts-Tabb has created and implemented programs, mentored young ladies, and has been instrumental in bringing awareness to the Juvenile Probation Department around gender responsive issues including, alarming rates of HIV and AIDS among African-American women and girl, LGBTQ supp...
Mar 15, 2024•43 min
In this episode I detail my journey into becoming an Usui Reiki Practitioner.
Mar 10, 2024•6 min
In this five-minute guided meditation, the focus is on healing and restoration. Camille Smith is a wellness and mindfulness content creator who seeks to inspire women to love themselves inside and out. She is currently working on her meditation teacher training certification and enjoys yoga in her free time. The Wellness in Creativity with Camille – The Cirri...
Mar 01, 2024•7 min
In this episode, Psychotherapist Denisha Smith walks me through the practice of somatic experiencing therapy and how she implements it into her sessions to assist her patients with releasing trauma. Denisha is a highly sought-after holistic therapist, minister, workshop presenter, and clinical supervisor who is called to help adult survivors of trauma move from surviving to thriving. She has been extensively trained in Somatic Experiencing ™(SE), which is a trauma modality that supports the gent...
Feb 23, 2024•27 min
In this episode, the founder of Chicago Black Restaurant Week, Lauran Smith discusses how she's been working for nine years to grow the brand to what it is today, her love of food, how she deals with nay-sayers and more... CBRW always falls on the 2nd week in February. Because back in 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson established "Negro History Week" as a way to celebrate the achievements of the Black Community. In an effort to honor the legacy of such a great man, Chicago BLACK Restaurant Week launch...
Feb 16, 2024•37 min
In this episode, Shonya Williams a.k.a. Chef Royce discusses her journey through decades of cooking and her struggles with her new restaurant Soul Prime before food critic Keith Lee showed up and changed her life. Soul Prime Restaurant uplifts the community while celebrating the uniqueness of African American culture. Their elevated soul food menu is associated with excellence and the authenticity of the ancestors. Soul Prime Chicago...
Feb 09, 2024•45 min
In this episode, Teharah J. Smith (a.k.a. Teharah J.) discusses her childhood, battles with mental health and seeking therapy, how she's healing her inner child by working with youth and creating a makeup line that gives back. Teharah J. Smith is an actress, producer and entrepreneur, mental health advocate/certified Mental Health first aider and owner and creator of "Power by Teharah J." Her makeup line connects colors with psychology and a portion of the proceeds assist women with getting ment...
Feb 02, 2024•36 min
In this episode, Jeannette and I discuss our love of travel, the impact it has had on our lives and why we've turned our passions for wanderlust into businesses. She also details her healing process after the loss of her beloved father in 2021. Jeannette Ceja is an award-winning bilingual travel journalist, television host, travel advisor, and global public speaker. Over the past ten years, she has interviewed countless celebrities, athletes, and travel experts, including Samantha Brown, Rick St...
Jan 19, 2024•38 min
In the first full episode of 2024, Tamar Manasseh details her childhood growing up on the South Side of Chicago, her love of community, how her ancestors assist in her activist work and the road to finally becoming an ordained rabbi. MASK (ontheblock.org)
Jan 12, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 16
As we kick off 2024, here are some thoughts on my personal shadow work journey. The aim of this podcast in 2024 will be to encourage more healing and self reflection.
Jan 05, 2024•5 min
I've put together clips of my favorite episodes this year for listeners. From conversations with a psychic medium to the Executive Director of a Chicago non-profit, these were some of my favorite CEO conversations because of how insightful and candid they were. Make sure you go back to hear the FULL episodes with each guest featured and subscribe!
Dec 29, 2023•28 min
In this episode, Joe details his journey from telecommunications tech to professional DJ and how his leap of faith into the craft has paved the way for opportunities to build almost 23 other businesses and secure contracts with some well-known corporate clients like Carnival Cruises and the Chicago Cubs. About | Soca King of the Sea (jblendz.com)
Dec 15, 2023•54 min
In this episode, LaKeisha and I discuss the importance of providing young women with safe spaces and the freedom show up as their authentic selves, how adults should set the tone and how her non-profit is seeing to it that Black girls use media to push back against "respectability politics". La'Keisha Gray-Sewell is a new media relations and strategic communications consultant by trade, and a girls advocate by life assignment. An internationally recognized urban girls advocate, a media literacy ...
Dec 08, 2023•45 min
In this episode, media maven Michelle Mekky details her journey of starting what is now a seven-figure business with no money and no business plan after being let go from her 9 to 5. She also discusses how she persevered through ovarian cancer and wants to bring awareness so that more women are able catch the disease in the early stages. Michelle got her start in television news, spending over a decade as a senior producer and news writer for Fox-TV in Chicago. She transitioned from journalism t...
Dec 01, 2023•39 min
In this episode, award-winning publicist Briahna Gatlin talks about how she created a name for herself by becoming one of the first publicists in the city of Chicago with a sole focus on hip-hop and urban culture. Over the span of her nearly twenty-year career, she has grown her business to now include big named brands, musical artists across all genres, and festivals known around the world. swankpublishing.com Her notable clients include Zenni Eyewear, Earn Your Leisure, DropBox, The Chicago Bu...
Nov 24, 2023•42 min
In this episode, the co-owners of Upscale CBD talk about starting a family-owned business geared toward adding a holistic approach to pain relief by using hemp CBD. UPSCALE is an innovative, Chicago, Illinois based health, wellness, and personal care products company with a secondary operation located in North Carolina. Their vision is to illustrate and showcase the dynamic, restorative advantages of hemp derived products. Upscale CBD (shopupscalecbd.com)
Nov 17, 2023•34 min
In this episode, Anthony Waller who's the CEO of Catering Out The Box discusses leaving his 9 to 5 as a top sales executive to running his own successful corporate catering business and the trials he's endured along the way. Catering Out The Box is a Chicago business established in 2003 that does full-service catering for dining venues and events. Healthy & Affordable Chicago Catering - Catering Out The Box
Nov 10, 2023•41 min
