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In the latest episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, Johann Brun invites us into a thoughtful conversation about creativity, compassion, personal growth and the stories we tell ourselves. Based in London and connected to Ghana and Denmark through his family and upbringing, Johann reflects on a life shaped by fashion, art, relationships, spirituality and a willingness to look beneath the surface.

Johann describes creativity as something we can feel. For him, truly creative work carries the presence and essence of the person who made it. Whether he is looking at a garment, a painting or a simple object presented in an unexpected way, he is drawn to work that helps us see something familiar with fresh eyes. He recalls being deeply moved by a Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibition, where he sensed the artist’s anger, pain and presence in the paintings.

The conversation then turns to Johann’s understanding of what it means to be alive. He shares his belief that we are not entirely in control of our breathing or our heartbeat and that life is supported by a presence greater than ourselves. This perspective has encouraged him to question the mind’s constant desire for control, including the impulse to control other people and their choices.

Johann also speaks candidly about meditation and diving deeper. He meditates regularly to create space from his thoughts and regain balance. He introduces listeners to Byron Katie’s method, known as The Work, which involves writing down and questioning stressful thoughts. Through a powerful example involving a man going through a difficult divorce, Johann illustrates how our unresolved anger and resentment can affect the very people from whom we hope to receive love, respect and gratitude.

As a designer and creative force, Johann shares stories from his work with John Galliano and Vivienne Westwood. He explains how chance encounters, instinct and mentorship helped shape his path in fashion, even though he originally wanted to work in film. His experiences led him to establish influential creative spaces and labels, including a collaboration with Vivienne Westwood and the shop Site, where he supported emerging designers and introduced distinctive work to an international audience.

Johann discusses a recent design accomplishment that brings together historical dress, West African menswear, and modern tailoring. By adapting traditional Ghanaian and Nigerian royal influences into contemporary garments, he is creating clothing that feels culturally grounded and easy to wear in everyday life. His approach demonstrates how fashion can honor heritage while making room for innovation, movement and modern identity.

The episode closes with Johann’s reflections on Byron Katie’s insight that “no two people have ever met.” He explains that we often react not to the person in front of us, but to our thoughts and assumptions about that person. By writing down and questioning those thoughts, we may create more clarity, peace and openness in our relationships and within ourselves. It is a fitting conclusion to a conversation that encourages us to look more closely, live more consciously and choose compassion whenever we can.

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In this uplifting episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, Aderonke Bademosi Wilson welcomes Lisa Caughman, a cancer survivor, positive psychology practitioner, interfaith minister, author and passionate advocate for the healing power of play. 

Lisa reflects on her journey through childhood trauma, stage four colon cancer, COVID-19 and Hurricane Helene, sharing how each experience shaped her understanding of resilience, community, hope and intentional living.

Lisa introduces listeners to her “Let Us Play” philosophy, inspired by positive psychology and the belief that play is not frivolous or childish. For Lisa, play can be a source of joy, healing, connection and renewal. It may happen during a shared retreat, while singing with friends, while noticing wildlife in nature or simply by finding a spark of delight in an ordinary moment. 

She encourages listeners to become more conscious of these opportunities and to make room for laughter, joy and connection in everyday life.

A powerful part of the conversation centers on Lisa’s cancer survivor retreats. At one retreat, women who arrived as strangers left as lifelong friends after spending several days laughing, crying, singing, journaling, practicing yoga, sharing meals and rediscovering the freedom to play. One participant told Lisa that she had spent three days forgetting she had cancer, a reflection that affirmed Lisa’s belief in the restorative power of community and joy.

Lisa speaks candidly about her stage four colon cancer diagnosis in 2016 and the intentional practices that supported her healing journey. She describes walking on a treadmill while listening to music, using guided meditations, journaling, drawing angel oracle cards, eating well, listening to her body, drinking more water and prioritizing preventive health care. She also offers a heartfelt reminder about the importance of age-appropriate screenings, including colonoscopies.

The episode explores Lisa’s experience during Hurricane Helene, when her Western North Carolina community faced devastating damage, prolonged power outages, destroyed roads, flooding and the loss of homes and lives. Lisa describes how neighbors supported one another and how she continued serving her community through her work in school nutrition. Even amid extraordinary hardship, she and those around her found ways to care for one another, feed people and make lemonade out of lemons.

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This episode of ABWilson's Heart of the Matter features Lemi Ghariokwu, an artist, thinker and Pan-Africanist whose life and work have been guided by self-discovery, purpose and a deep commitment to African consciousness. 

Lemi reflects on what it means to be an iconoclast, explaining that he has never been one to follow the mainstream. Instead, he has lived independently, taught himself through observation and practice and stayed anchored by the belief that every person has a destiny and a role to play in the world.

Lemi shares the story of how his artistic journey intersected with Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s, beginning with a self-initiated daily drawing challenge in the 1970s that led to his first memorable Fela cover art. That moment opened the door to an enduring creative relationship, one that would become part of music and cultural history. 

Lemi also reflects on his early race consciousness, the influence of books and metaphysics and the conviction that Pan-Africanism is not just a philosophy but a way of life rooted in truth, identity and liberation.

The conversation also highlights Lemi’s generosity with younger creatives. He speaks warmly about mentoring emerging artists, sharing books, encouraging independent thinking and making space for young people to find their own voice. 

From his work with students and creatives to his ongoing embrace of new tools like AI and social media, Lemi shows that reinvention can coexist with principle. His episode is a reminder that purpose, courage and lifelong learning can shape art and legacy.

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In this episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, Kashonna Marrow shares a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about joy, calling, growth, and the power of self-awareness. She describes herself as happy, joyous, open, and approachable, and explains that joy, for her, is not dependent on outside circumstances but anchored in faith and cultivated through intention.

Kashonna reflects on the importance of staying open to change, people, and new opportunities, even when discomfort shows up. She speaks candidly about learning to lean into curiosity instead of shutting down, and about creating a sense of safety and trust for others through approachability, active listening, and genuine care. Her work as a speaker, coach, and training and development leader is rooted in helping people feel seen, heard, and supported.

The conversation also highlights Kashonna’s adventurous side, from skydiving and zip lining to her red belt in taekwondo, as well as her love of dreaming big and seeing what is possible. She shares how seeing her long-held dreams come to life has strengthened her faith and confidence, especially in her work and travels. These stories bring out her playful, determined spirit and her belief that life is meant to be fully lived.

A major theme of the episode is personal growth through challenge. Kashonna opens up about the lessons she learned through divorce, therapy, and faith, explaining how digging into the root causes of pain helped her change the fruit in her life. She speaks honestly about boundaries, forgiveness, and the need to stop carrying emotional weight that blocks peace, creativity, and progress.

Throughout the episode, Kashonna emphasizes that her business is about people, purpose, and impact. After 14 years in business, she continues to show up with commitment because she sees her work as a calling, not just a passion. Her reflections on self-care, harmony, seasons of life, and the importance of saying no offer listeners practical wisdom for staying grounded while serving others.

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Joanna Sell joins ABWilson Heart of the Matter for a warm and wide-ranging conversation about creativity, kindness, imagination and the many ways art can support well-being. 

Joanna describes herself as someone who deeply values creativity in everyday life, whether that means experimenting in the kitchen, engaging in creative tasks or  writing, where she says she truly flourishes. She also reflects on the close relationship between creativity and imagination, explaining that the creative process brings something new into the world while remaining rooted in what already exists.

A major theme in the conversation is Joanna’s belief that art has healing power and can help people understand one another across cultures. She shares how her background in art history, her interest in intercultural communication and her professional work all come together in projects designed to use art as a bridge for connection and reflection. 

Joanna also discusses her art-based cards inspired by the PERMA model, which she created to invite positive emotions, engagement and meaningful storytelling through visual art.

The episode also touches on Joanna’s roots in Poland, especially Krakow, a city she describes with deep affection and pride. She speaks about the challenge of discussing her own accomplishments, shaped in part by cultural values of humility and offers a thoughtful example of how success can be understood as helping dreams become reality rather than simply self-promotion. 

Joanna’s story shows how personal history, cultural context and creative practice can shape a life of purpose and contribution.

Listeners will also hear about Joanna’s commitment to experiential learning, relationship building and non-judgmental communication. She shares a memorable story about making an unexpected but important difference in a professional setting, as well as the lessons she learned after overcoming self-doubt around language and belonging early in her career. 

Throughout the episode, Joanna returns to the idea that creativity, when paired with kindness and openness, can transform individual lives and the way we connect in families, communities and across cultures.

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In this episode of ABWilson's Heart of the Matter, host Aderonke Bademosi Wilson speaks with Tara Salinas, an educator, mother,and fervent supporter who brings warmth, humor and practical wisdom to conversations about wellbeing, work and relationships. 

Tara shares how becoming a mother later in life reshaped her priorities and taught her to be more purposeful in her attention, and she reflects on the surprising joys and challenges of parenting a kind and curious 10 year old. She describes her journey to teaching, from an unexpected first class that sparked a love of mentoring to intentionally choosing a small university environment so she can know students by name and support them beyond course content. 

Tara explains her identity as a fervent supporter, the value she places on deep friendships and how small acts of recognition and kindness can create meaningful differences in other people's lives. 

She discusses practical strategies for resilience including movement classes that require no thinking, short naps, solo writing retreats for brain dumps and trying tapping and breath work to reset during stressful times. Tara and her colleague’s Psychology Today blog, The Problem With, translates social science research into accessible guidance, and she celebrates the satisfaction of reaching readers beyond academic journals. 

Looking ahead Tara will launch a new undergraduate course called Wellbeing Work and You that brings together research on happiness, resilience, relationships and workplace practices to give students practical toolkits for living well in their careers. 

The conversation closes with Tara’s invitation to treat people like people, to lean into causes and relationships that matter and to remember that even small gestures of recognition can ripple outward in powerful ways.

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In this episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, Dr. Julia Sen shares a deeply personal and inspiring story about how her passion for parenting support came full circle. What began as a childhood desire to help children eventually led her into psychology, infertility work and now a new chapter focused on creating community-centered support for parents. Julia opens up about her own fertility journey, living with PCOS, and how those experiences shaped both her compassion and her calling.

Julia describes herself as playful, fascinated and parenting-focused, and those words come through clearly throughout the conversation. She talks about the joy she finds in play, music, baseball, learning new creative skills and staying curious about life. 

She also shares why she stepped away from traditional psychology, explaining that she wanted more freedom to support parents in an accessible, global way through a membership-based community called Supported.

At the heart of the episode is Julia’s belief that children thrive when they feel understood. She introduces the Habit of Heart, a mini course built around secure attachment and three simple daily statements: “I’ve got you,” “You’re safe with me,” and “I believe in you.” Julia also offers her Be Fabulous practice, or BFAB, as a way for parents to regulate themselves in stressful moments by breathing, offering empathy, affirming safety, and believing in themselves and their children.

The conversation also explores how parents can break generational patterns and respond differently in challenging moments. Julia shares how she has worked to interrupt cycles of exhaustion, yelling, guilt and self-sacrifice by learning to pause, practice self-empathy, and respond with more intention. Her reflections are thoughtful, practical, and full of warmth, making this episode especially meaningful for parents who want to grow without perfectionism.

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In this episode of ABWilson Heart of the Matter, Sonia Dong shares a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about parenting, identity, healing and growth. Sonia is a writer, podcaster and speaker whose work centers on helping parents feel less alone and more connected as they navigate the evolving stages of raising children. 

She opens up about creating her podcast Raising the Next Gen after realizing that the parenting landscape changes dramatically as children grow older and that community and support are still needed just as much in the teen years as they are in the toddler years.

Sonia reflects on the idea that parents are the original influencers, explaining that children often learn more from what we model than from what we say. She speaks candidly about rediscovering her voice as a writer, including her Substack Next Gen Connection, her co-authored book contribution in Mamas Gotta Grow and her personal project of capturing 49 moments to remember in her 49th year. 

Sonia also shares how her signature talk, All About the Baby Steps, grew out of her belief that both children and parents need patience, practice and encouragement as they learn and grow together.

The conversation also explores a season of grief, strain and reinvention after the loss of a close friend and the collapse of a business she once poured herself into. Sonia describes how therapy, coaching, journaling and a shift in mindset helped her let go of old definitions of success and release the business with love, making space for a new chapter rooted in purpose, creativity, and service. She now channels that energy into her podcast, writing, speaking, workshops, a parent book and trail club and future possibilities including a TED stage.

Throughout the episode, Sonia’s warmth and wonder come through beautifully. She speaks about joy in the small things, from rainbows and birds to car washes and laughter and invites listeners to notice the beauty around them. 

Her story is a gentle reminder that growth can be slow, healing can be messy and meaningful change often begins with one small step.

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In this episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, host Aderonke Bademosi Wilson sits down with David Arguez, a Miami-based nutritionist and restaurant consultant whose work blends science, service and a deeply human approach to helping people and businesses thrive. 

David shares how adaptability, empathy and resilience shape his professional philosophy and the systems he has built to support individuals, families and restaurant partners. He explains how his work goes far beyond nutrition advice, offering a thoughtful framework that combines portion standardization, nutrition labeling and practical guidance designed to create better outcomes for  consumers and businesses.

David also opens up about his personal journey and the values that keep him grounded. He speaks candidly about learning to balance authority with approachability, the importance of working with experts and the role of self-care in sustaining long-term energy and focus. 

From martial arts and piano to travel, family and a commitment to lifelong learning, David reflects on the habits that help him stay well while serving others. His story is a reminder that meaningful health work is not just about numbers but about relationships, trust and respecting each person’s unique palate, pace and goals.

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In this episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, Torie Slaughter shares a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about optimism, curiosity, family, purpose and the power of showing up with grace. 

From the opening moments, Torie reflects on what it means to stay positive when life feels heavy, describing optimism as “trying to find the sunlight in the storm” and reminding listeners that perspective can shape how we move through difficult seasons. Her reflections are honest and grounded, offering a meaningful look at how she navigates stress, motherhood, work and personal growth.

Torie also opens up about the role communication has played in her life, from being described as talkative as a child to using conversation as a way to process emotions and make sense of the world. That natural curiosity is also what led her into doctoral study, where she is researching how Black women in DEI roles are advancing inclusion through everyday micro-strategies, even as organizations face backlash, budget cuts and shifting language around the work. 

Her scholarship is both timely and practical and it reflects her commitment to belonging, psychological safety and creating healthier workplace cultures.

The conversation also turns to Torie’s personal journey. She shares her experience growing up in Lynchburg, Virginia, studying abroad in England and eventually building a life there through education, family and opportunity. She speaks candidly about becoming a mother, celebrating one year of breastfeeding and finding strength in daily walks, fresh air and quiet moments with her son and husband. 

One of the most moving parts of the episode is her reflection on losing her father to alcoholism, a loss that reshaped how she sees health, grief and the importance of caring for one’s body and life with intention.

Torie’s story is also one of service and impact. She describes helping someone land a job through career coaching, using her HR background to offer resume support, interview prep and encouragement at a moment when that person was also caring for a family member. 

That experience affirmed her belief in using her gifts to help others and it points to the kind of future she envisions for herself through public speaking, writing and broader advocacy. 

Throughout the episode, Torie returns to a central theme: we do not always know what someone else is carrying and a little grace can go a long way.

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