This is part 2 of my conversation with Lou Koon, and as it turned out, was recorded AFTER we finished our original recording, which is now known as Part 1. I didn't stop recording as we continued conversing, and I think the conversation is worth sharing. But if you haven’t listened to part 1 yet, go listen to it! In this episode, Lou and I talk about facing the idea and action of suicide as a Christian. As Lou states, and I agree, we are body, mind, and spirit. And suicide forces us to think abo...
Nov 15, 2021•11 min
It was 2009 and his son had just suffered a tragic accident and had to be life-flighted to the hospital… among all the questions swirling through his mind, one of them was also how he would pay for all of this because he had no health insurance… because he recently found himself unemployed. Additionally, because the economy had crashed, there was little hope for him to find employment. And as he lay in his bed all alone that night, contemplating it all, he remembered his $1 million dollar life i...
Nov 01, 2021•24 min
***Special Feature*** If you want to change your life, Change your mind! This is the debut of the first Winning Minds podcast "theme" song! It's a synthesis of all the lives and conversations we've experienced so far. You will hear many of the themes discussed on the episodes. Enjoy the song, share the song, and go back and make sure you have not missed any episodes! "Winning Minds: Change Your Mind" Written and Produced by Fred LaValley Official Winning Minds Podcast Merch | Redbubble *Credit: ...
Oct 18, 2021•5 min
This is a simple reading of two versions of MLK Jr's essay, The Purpose of Education. Unfortunately, he never made this a speech or a sermon, so we do not have the privilege of hearing it in his own gifted and powerful voice. But he was more than a voice. He was far more than I could ever describe here. But I'll leave it at this: he was a man with a WINNING mind, and I believe the thoughts, questions and arguments you are about to hear are still very useful and relevant. Thank you for listening....
Oct 04, 2021•9 min
Rona Falls is part of a special group of people. This group is not exactly connected to one another directly, but they do form the backbone of whatever community they are in. What group is this? I’m talking about entrepreneurs, small business owners, franchisees. Rona was born and raised in the Philippines, moved to the US after marrying, and soon after her and her husband made the courageous leap into the world of business owners. In this episode we talk about life in the Philippines, school in...
Sep 15, 2021•31 min
Today’s guest is Andrew Davenport. First and foremost, he is a dad of two children. He also is an Army combat-veteran, a small business owner, and a George W Bush Presidential Scholar. In this episode he shares his journey through the military and into entrepreneurship, his desire to make an impact in his local community, and even his next endeavor: serving our military veterans. This episode is full of winning wisdom and experience that I believe will contribute to your next winning decision. I...
Sep 01, 2021•25 min
Today’s guest is a man who doesn’t believe in having bad days. He grew up facing many challenges and making his fair share of mistakes, but he has grown and overcome through his own WINNING decisions and with the help of not “role models,” but, as he calls them, REAL models. This man is Willie Mitchell. He has been winning and leading in his local community for more than 30 years, and has been serving on his city's Board Of Education since 1992. This episode is full of winning wisdom. Thank you ...
Aug 02, 2021•29 min
Charmaine Broughton is a wife, mother, and small-business owner. She moved to the US from Jamaica as an adult, and started cleaning houses soon after her 1st daughter was born… and today her company employs more than 30 people. In this episode she shares her journey, and one thing she said that I particularly appreciated was “If I’m growing, you should be growing,” Thanks for listening. I hope you enjoy it and that it contributes to your next winning decision. C&C Janitorial | Northeast Geor...
Jul 15, 2021•24 min
This is part 2 of our 2-part series with small-business owner (aka entrepreneur) Isaac Fuentes. He shares more of his story today. He tells how he always pushed himself to find a way, to make the most of his opportunities, to be responsible and not wait for something free… and to never quit. This is how he has truly achieved what is known as the “American dream”. But again, he wants to remind you, you must do business with God first. Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope you enjoy it, ...
Jul 01, 2021•24 min
This is part one of a two part series with Isaac Fuentes, a Mexican immigrant who became an entrepreneur. By many standards he is achieving the "American dream." In this episode he shares his story: his life, his mistakes, how work is fun and how alcohol almost ruined him. He also has some key advice for anyone wanting to start their own business. Thank you for listening to this episode. We hope you enjoy it, and that it contributes to your next winning decision. Stay tuned - Part 2 will be rele...
Jun 15, 2021•21 min
Our guest for this episode is Antonio Martin: business owner and entrepreneur. He shares his inspiring story of overcoming challenges and obstacles; of persevering and not quitting even when it’s hard; of choosing to be honest and ethical even when others aren’t... At the end of the conversation he shares some powerful words about being a black entrepreneur. Thank you for taking time to listen, I hope this helps and motivates you. Athens Professional Septic & Drain *Credit: intro track is "W...
May 17, 2021•26 min
I think I found a dynasty… seriously. I’m not talking about sports and which team is the next New England Patriots, or the Yankees or LA Lakers or something foolish like that… but a family dynasty. One of the definitions of dynasty is “a series of members of a family who are distinguished for their success, wealth, etc.” Today we have Jason Johnson – cousin of previous guest, Georgia Fay, and therefore nephew of another previous guest, Georgia’s father: Alvin Smith. If you haven’t heard their ep...
May 03, 2021•32 min
When someone you love passes away… its tragic. There’s no way to say it that isn’t painful. But its even more painful when that passing is sudden and unexpected. In today’s episode, Adam Parker shares his experience with grief, depression, anger… a vast array of emotions he worked through and dealt with after his father passed away suddenly from meningitis. If you are in a similar situation, I hope this message helps you heal. It probably won’t take away the pain, but it may help you recover. An...
Apr 15, 2021•30 min
Go get some exercise! Get some fresh air! Those are things we are told when we’re frustrated or are trying to figure something out…or we’re driving our family crazy locked inside the house. We’re told that because it’s been known to help. But it does more than that. Today, we’re joined by Stacey Cothren, an army veteran, mother, and a school counselor. She shares her own story, and how, challenging physical exercise actually makes us smarter and can help you change what you believe about yoursel...
Apr 01, 2021•25 min
Hate speech. Our society is increasingly vigilant and ruthless about eradicating it from every platform and conversation. However, what about the words you use and the things you say about YOURSELF to YOURSELF!?! Those words and ideas can be much more harmful and long-lasting than whatever anyone else tells you. In this episode, Rachel LaValley, shares her tormenting battles in her own mind about self-image and comparison, self-hate speech, and how she began WINNING those battles. Still fighting...
Mar 15, 2021•26 min
What would you tell the 17 year old you? Or maybe you’re only 17… what do you think will be important in your life in 10 years, and what can you do about it today? In this episode, Markel Smith – a young man from Athens, GA, tells us a little bit about his life – the rude awakening he got when he graduated high school, and how that unfortunate situation led him to create and develop a habit of work and improvement in his own life. Don’t sit there and accept everything that happens to you. Someti...
Mar 01, 2021•16 min
This is part two of an earlier conversation I had with Hurl Steward. He’s a man who has overcome a lot of adversity – some due to events beyond his control, and others that were self-inflicted. But he’s winning now! In this episode we discuss his life and mindset in order to win as a husband and father. I know there are a lot of problems in our world, and so much to be frustrated with, but let this be a reminder that you are surrounded by so many good and gifted people. And you never know, you j...
Feb 15, 2021•13 min
His parents didn’t speak English, didn’t know American culture or almost anything about this country when they immigrated to the US. Yet he goes on to graduate college with two degrees, get married, start a family… achieve the American Dream! This is Danny Delgado’s story, and he joins us on today’s episode to discuss something you may not expect – READING! Yes, the exciting world of literature! Don’t skip this episode. Don’t move on to the next one in your playlist. I know this is not everyone’...
Feb 01, 2021•33 min
This is part 2 of my conversation with Georgia Fay. If you haven’t heard part 1, you absolutely must go back and listen to it! In this episode we continue discussing what you and I allow into our lives. What food we consume, and what content we watch and listen to and how that affects our minds. In our first episode, Georgia refers to a certain “gift” in her life: her mother… who battled with her own mental health. And today she graciously shares with us, certainly from her personal experiences,...
Jan 15, 2021•17 min
IT'S 2021!!! Let's celebrate by deciding to make this a WINNING year! There's no one better to begin it with than Georgia Fay: co-owner of Mental Finesse, a mindset and life-coaching service she and her sister started almost two years ago. But this isn't about her business, it's about her life. Georgia's passion for mental health is deeply personal, is far more than an occupation, and goes way beyond academic concepts and impractical advice. This is part 1 of a 2 part series with her, so please ...
Jan 01, 2021•23 min
Dysfunction, violence, danger, drugs, tragedy, and instability in almost every area of life… …AND THAT WAS JUST DURING THE FIRST 12 YEARS OF HIS LIFE!! How does anyone rebound from that? How does someone not only just HOPE to make it out, but even beyond hoping, how does someone actually DO IT?!? All I can say is, buckle up, and get ready to listen to Jeremiah Sims tell you about his life… and how at 17 years of age he discovered there was a world bigger than the tragedy he was living in and how...
Dec 15, 2020•32 min
This is a special feature "presentation" but really can be considered part 3 of Alvin Smith's episodes (Make sure you listen to the first two. Did somebody say Trilogy!?). This episode is dedicated to his charity organization, Into-Africa , and the goal is that you would listen and realize you can change. Things in your life can change. Your LIFE can be BETTER if you are willing to think differently and put in the necessary work. Know Better. Do Better. Be Better. You'll hear a few audio clips w...
Dec 01, 2020•10 min
The goal of Winning Minds is to challenge the way we think, and to offer perhaps a new way of thinking which leads to better living. One of the key people who led me to start this podcast, although indirectly, was Alvin Smith. He was raised in Athens, GA and now is an associate pastor of Door Church in Tucson, AZ and is the Founder and Director of Into-Africa ministries. This episode is part 2 of my conversation with him, and as you listen, I believe you will be inspired to think, live and be be...
Nov 16, 2020•12 min
At 26 years of age, he and his wife moved to the poorest nation in the world: no running water, no electricity…in his own words, he describes it as “overwhelming poverty.” But what he and his wife started now reaches not only people all over Sierra Leone, but 14 other African nations, and can even be found in Europe. How does that happen? In this podcast, Alvin Smith speaks about how being creative and resilient can enable us to rise above poverty and improve ourselves and our communities. Thank...
Nov 02, 2020•13 min
" Where are the men? " This was the cry of Michael Thurmond as he stood before a crowd of a few hundred people in the sweltering sun of a June afternoon in Gainesville, GA. They all came to discuss and rally together to dedicate themselves to fixing, not the problems of the world, not the problems of America, but the problems within their own community. And when Mike began to speak, he spoke with passion from his own life experiences and convictions. In this episode, Pastor Mike takes up that sa...
Oct 15, 2020•21 min
In a society where we are more connected than ever… well, at least we thought we were until social distancing and quarantining showed us that we need more than 4G and 5G friends. We need real relationships. In this episode, I’m speaking with Isaac Owolabi – engineer, entrepreneur, husband, dad… friend… who has lived all over the US and not only “been there, done that, got the t-shirt”, but also still has real friends in those places. Thank you for listening to this podcast, and I hope it helps y...
Oct 01, 2020•28 min
It was a Wednesday night, 9 years ago that he found himself on the run from the law, lonely and broken… and that night, at 21 years of age, he chose to change. The man he tried to become since he was 17 was not the man he wanted to be anymore. In this episode, Joe Hernandez shares how the wrong idea and example of what a man is took him to a dark and dangerous place. But he has changed now and endeavors to help others WIN by embracing the truth and the challenge of what a man really is. Joe and ...
Sep 15, 2020•24 min
This is part 2 of the two-part series with Ashton Cheeks. In this episode Fred and Ashton dive into the lessons Ashton learned, and how he has changed the way he thinks about habits and discipline. He tells us how disciplined thinking is not emotional, and also by applying disciplined habits you can transform areas of yourself you are not confident in. You can follow Ashton on Instagram @ashton_develops and on Facebook at facebook.com/ashtoncheeks. *Credit: intro track is "Warriors" by Bizzle (G...
Sep 01, 2020•17 min
Meet Entre-believer, Ashton Cheeks: broken dreams didn’t break him, and tough luck didn’t leave him down on his luck thanks to his never-quit attitude. But just like he needed more than dreams, he needed more than attitude. Ashton is now WINNING because he’s learned the value of good habits and daily, practical discipline. In part 1 of this 2 part series, he tells us how life and his mentor taught him “You can have hallelujah, but you need ‘do-allujah’.” You can follow Ashton on Instagram @ashto...
Aug 18, 2020•13 min
This is part 2 of my conversation with Javy Gaona. If you haven’t heard part one, please go back and listen to it first so you can understand and appreciate all that Javy has to say here. In this episode we discuss more of his life, and particularly, the challenge of asking for help . If you think you need help, if you want help, I encourage you to ask for it, look for it, and do not stop until you find the help you need. Javy found it, and wants you to know – there is hope! Things can change! *...
Aug 03, 2020•15 min
