Being Whole with Dr. Cassandra LeClair

Today, we welcome Melodie Graves to the podcast!

Here are a few takeaways from today’s episode:

A few thoughts as I look back on this episode:

-There are so many things that bring you down in life, especially if you suffer with depression. You have to set healthy boundaries to truly create the change you need in your life to move forward.

– Racial battle fatigue and mental fatigue are real. Know that you are worthy and important enough to take care of yourself in order to help other people. Knowing your worth is something we need to work on every day. You have to have the inner voice that says no matter the day, no matter the situation or circumstance, you are worthy.

– When you have a vision and no one else sees that vision, you have to keep pushing because you know that your vision is going to benefit everyone.

-At the end of the day, it comes down to you saving yourself and coming up out of the darkness. Love yourself first because once you have a strong relationship with yourself, everyone else in your life that supports you is like icing on the cake.

– What happened to George Floyd sparked so much fire to fight for justice with black lives in America. Look outside and lead with passion to cultivate change. Coming together and healing TOGETHER is what comes after you love yourself first because you’ve cleared the mental space to take on the next level.

– We can all go and thank someone who inspired us. Telling them about the transformation that they helped contribute to is one of the biggest compliments you can give someone.

– Validating other people’s feeling is the first step of the conversation that may be uncomfortable. Put yourself in their situation and strive to reflect in a way that you’re confident that you handled it as a respectful person.

– How are you nurturing yourself every day? Find little ways, even if it’s just putting positive affirmations on sticky notes through your home, to lift yourself up , pour love into yourself and give yourself grace.

Connect with Dr. Cassandra LeClair on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/drcassandraleclair

Melodie on Instagram

@MelodieGraves40

Melodie’s TEDx talk

Melodie Graves earned her Associate’s Degree from Amarillo College and her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

from West Texas A&M University, both in Communication. Melodie has worked in higher education for more than

13 years because she truly feels that the only way to grow is to be educated. In 2010, Melodie then started at

Amarillo College and over the years has gone from advising to in August of 2019 Melodie being named the

Associate Director of Academic Advising at Amarillo College. At AC Melodie also serves at the Chair of the Diversity

Team, and a member of the Anti-Racism Taskforce. Additionally, Melodie was selected to be part of the

Presidential Leadership Institute 2017-2018 and she is a trained Donna Beegle Poverty Coach. Melodie is also the

Foster Care Liaison and the Justice Involved Advocate for the College.

In the community Melodie stays extremely busy serving on 9 different boards. She is the 2 nd Vice President of the

Amarillo Branch NAACP, the President of North Heights Advisory Association, and was selected to the Board of

Directors for Opportunity School. Melodie also serves on the Board for the Leaders Readers Network and a board

member for the Friends of the Library. Melodie is the President of the Amarillo United Citizen’s Forum Board,

serves on the Rezoning Committee for the North Heights Neighborhood Plan, and a member of Junior League

Amarillo/Canyon. Melodie will be part of the 2021/2022 Leadership Amarillo/Canyon and serves on the United

Way Amarillo/Canyon Diversity Committee. Recently, Melodie traveled to Texas State University where she gave

Today, we welcome Melodie Graves to the podcast!

Here are a few takeaways from today’s episode:

A few thoughts as I look back on this episode:

-There are so many things that bring you down in life, especially if you suffer with depression. You have to set healthy boundaries to truly create the change you need in your life to move forward.

– Racial battle fatigue and mental fatigue are real. Know that you are worthy and important enough to take care of yourself in order to help other people. Knowing your worth is something we need to work on every day. You have to have the inner voice that says no matter the day, no matter the situation or circumstance, you are worthy.

– When you have a vision and no one else sees that vision, you have to keep pushing because you know that your vision is going to benefit everyone.

-At the end of the day, it comes down to you saving yourself and coming up out of the darkness. Love yourself first because once you have a strong relationship with yourself, everyone else in your life that supports you is like icing on the cake.

– What happened to George Floyd sparked so much fire to fight for justice with black lives in America. Look outside and lead with passion to cultivate change. Coming together and healing TOGETHER is what comes after you love yourself first because you’ve cleared the mental space to take on the next level.

– We can all go and thank someone who inspired us. Telling them about the transformation that they helped contribute to is one of the biggest compliments you can give someone.

– Validating other people’s feeling is the first step of the conversation that may be uncomfortable. Put yourself in their situation and strive to reflect in a way that you’re confident that you handled it as a respectful person.

– How are you nurturing yourself every day? Find little ways, even if it’s just putting positive affirmations on sticky notes through your home, to lift yourself up , pour love into yourself and give yourself grace.

Connect with Dr. Cassandra LeClair on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/drcassandraleclair

Melodie on Instagram

@MelodieGraves40

Melodie’s TEDx talk

Melodie Graves earned her Associate’s Degree from Amarillo College and her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

from West Texas A&M University, both in Communication. Melodie has worked in higher education for more than

13 years because she truly feels that the only way to grow is to be educated. In 2010, Melodie then started at

Amarillo College and over the years has gone from advising to in August of 2019 Melodie being named the

Associate Director of Academic Advising at Amarillo College. At AC Melodie also serves at the Chair of the Diversity

Team, and a member of the Anti-Racism Taskforce. Additionally, Melodie was selected to be part of the

Presidential Leadership Institute 2017-2018 and she is a trained Donna Beegle Poverty Coach. Melodie is also the

Foster Care Liaison and the Justice Involved Advocate for the College.

In the community Melodie stays extremely busy serving on 9 different boards. She is the 2 nd Vice President of the

Amarillo Branch NAACP, the President of North Heights Advisory Association, and was selected to the Board of

Directors for Opportunity School. Melodie also serves on the Board for the Leaders Readers Network and a board

member for the Friends of the Library. Melodie is the President of the Amarillo United Citizen’s Forum Board,

serves on the Rezoning Committee for the North Heights Neighborhood Plan, and a member of Junior League

Amarillo/Canyon. Melodie will be part of the 2021/2022 Leadership Amarillo/Canyon and serves on the United

Way Amarillo/Canyon Diversity Committee. Recently, Melodie traveled to Texas State University where she gave

About Dr. Patrick LeClair

Dr. LeClair’s research at the moment focuses on electrical transport in novel magnetic heterostructures (“spin electronics”), superconductivity, and electron tunneling phenomena. Dr. LeClair is currently building up a shared laboratory for electrical, magnetic, and optical characterization of novel materials and devices down to ultra-low temperatures (less than 400mK) and high magnetic fields (greater than 7T).

He is the author of over 25 publications and co-author of two patents.

Dr. LeClair received his PhD in physics (cum laude) from the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands in 2002. From 2002-2005, he was a post-doctoral researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory. He joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy at The University of Alabama in 2005.

Patrick R. LeClair

Follow Dr. Cassandra LeClair on Instagram for more inspiration! www.instagram.com/drcassandraleclair

About Dr. Patrick LeClair

Dr. LeClair’s research at the moment focuses on electrical transport in novel magnetic heterostructures (“spin electronics”), superconductivity, and electron tunneling phenomena. Dr. LeClair is currently building up a shared laboratory for electrical, magnetic, and optical characterization of novel materials and devices down to ultra-low temperatures (less than 400mK) and high magnetic fields (greater than 7T).

He is the author of over 25 publications and co-author of two patents.

Dr. LeClair received his PhD in physics (cum laude) from the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands in 2002. From 2002-2005, he was a post-doctoral researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory. He joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy at The University of Alabama in 2005.

Patrick R. LeClair

Follow Dr. Cassandra LeClair on Instagram for more inspiration! www.instagram.com/drcassandraleclair

Today, we welcome Sacred Thomas to the podcast. He’s truly an inspiration as an example of having your eye on the prize (your dream) while also being curious as to how exactly it all works out.

All social media:

@sacredthomas

Website: Sacredshot.com

A few takeaways

– As Sacred said in today’s episode, “If time or money were no object, what would I be doing?” Ask yourself this OFTEN and be open to what this leads to!

-Although the process may take a few dips and loops on the way to finding your purpose, when pieces finally click, everything feels really easy. You’re going to have to fail a few times to get to the next step. Know that you don’t quite have the mindset that you need to get to the next level yet. Keep trying and hold the vision close!

-Never stop dreaming. Always be curious of how you can turn your passion into money. If you’re interested in learning how to do something (for example: growing your social media), there is most likely an online course or a YouTube video to give you the tools that you need to kick everything off.

-Working to find your passion and purpose excites you and refuels you to keep repeating the cycle.

-When you don’t give yourself any other option, then it really fuels you to figure it out and make it happen.

-Your success isn’t directly tied to money. Stay strong in your morals and your “Why” and when you’re living in alignment in your business and life, that’s where the true sweet spot of success is.

Today, we welcome Sacred Thomas to the podcast. He’s truly an inspiration as an example of having your eye on the prize (your dream) while also being curious as to how exactly it all works out.

All social media:

@sacredthomas

Website: Sacredshot.com

A few takeaways

– As Sacred said in today’s episode, “If time or money were no object, what would I be doing?” Ask yourself this OFTEN and be open to what this leads to!

-Although the process may take a few dips and loops on the way to finding your purpose, when pieces finally click, everything feels really easy. You’re going to have to fail a few times to get to the next step. Know that you don’t quite have the mindset that you need to get to the next level yet. Keep trying and hold the vision close!

-Never stop dreaming. Always be curious of how you can turn your passion into money. If you’re interested in learning how to do something (for example: growing your social media), there is most likely an online course or a YouTube video to give you the tools that you need to kick everything off.

-Working to find your passion and purpose excites you and refuels you to keep repeating the cycle.

-When you don’t give yourself any other option, then it really fuels you to figure it out and make it happen.

-Your success isn’t directly tied to money. Stay strong in your morals and your “Why” and when you’re living in alignment in your business and life, that’s where the true sweet spot of success is.

Jen Reynolds is the founder of Pink Warrior Advocates, a breast cancer nonprofit that gives back to our local community of Warriors. After having been diagnosed with breast cancer, Jen felt it was important to ensure no one ever battled their diagnosis alone. She believes in living a beautiful life despite her stage iv diagnosis. Jen love to travel, loves adventure, loves meeting new people, but most importantly, she loves to live with purpose. PWA is her purpose and she hopes to encourage and inspire others to share their struggles, to live as if tomorrow doesn’t exist, and to find hope and joy in every single day.

Takeaways-

Breast cancer is not just found in older women, younger women even in their 20’s are being diagnosed with this as well.

Sisterhood pays off in so many ways and really is a beautiful thing to support others and feel supported when you need it most.

When you come from a place of service and passion, it can be the lifeline that helps you feel motivated to wake up every day.

 Keeping an optimistic mindset is allowing yourself to go down that dark hole and feel the feelings but also giving yourself the privilege of looking at the positives of how your life has changed since your diagnosis.

Going through a journey like this can truly open up so many magical moments that you feel appreciative for on a whole new level as if with new lenses.

Make the most memories with the time that you have. Being able to look back and see all the happy moments is such a gift to you and those around you!

Doing the energetic work of becoming really self aware of how you’re responding to things around you and maintaining a positive mindset is not easy. But it pays off for you each and every day that you are able to step back and not let the little things ruin your day. 

We are all terminal. No one is going to get out of this alive. Let’s not leave things left unsaid or leave things left undone. Choosing how we spend each moment and where we share our energy can make life so much more enjoyable.

If you’re buying things that are to support something, make sure you do your research and be confident in the organization you are supporting.

Breast cancer changes someone at so many levels. Grieving who they were prior to their diagnosis and loving the person they are today is one of the most loving things you can do for them.

You get to do live a life of joy as well, you just have to choose to. Don’t stop making plans. Those plans help you to continually have something to look forward to.

CLOSING-

You can find more info at www.pinkwarrioradvocates.org , and if you’re in the New Braunfels area, watch for the pink flamingos in the area to raise money. Flocking someone’s yard is a great way to honor someone who is a warrior or survivor and feel free to reach out as the pink flamingo flocking will be happening during the entire month of October.

Bras for a cause on the 14th- live auction will be online

Follow the Facebook page to learn of upcoming events that you can get involved in!

Want to send a kit to someone who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer? Apply to send them a kit via the website! This is available nationwide!

Jen Reynolds is the founder of Pink Warrior Advocates, a breast cancer nonprofit that gives back to our local community of Warriors. After having been diagnosed with breast cancer, Jen felt it was important to ensure no one ever battled their diagnosis alone. She believes in living a beautiful life despite her stage iv diagnosis. Jen love to travel, loves adventure, loves meeting new people, but most importantly, she loves to live with purpose. PWA is her purpose and she hopes to encourage and inspire others to share their struggles, to live as if tomorrow doesn’t exist, and to find hope and joy in every single day.

Takeaways-

Breast cancer is not just found in older women, younger women even in their 20’s are being diagnosed with this as well.

Sisterhood pays off in so many ways and really is a beautiful thing to support others and feel supported when you need it most.

When you come from a place of service and passion, it can be the lifeline that helps you feel motivated to wake up every day.

 Keeping an optimistic mindset is allowing yourself to go down that dark hole and feel the feelings but also giving yourself the privilege of looking at the positives of how your life has changed since your diagnosis.

Going through a journey like this can truly open up so many magical moments that you feel appreciative for on a whole new level as if with new lenses.

Make the most memories with the time that you have. Being able to look back and see all the happy moments is such a gift to you and those around you!

Doing the energetic work of becoming really self aware of how you’re responding to things around you and maintaining a positive mindset is not easy. But it pays off for you each and every day that you are able to step back and not let the little things ruin your day. 

We are all terminal. No one is going to get out of this alive. Let’s not leave things left unsaid or leave things left undone. Choosing how we spend each moment and where we share our energy can make life so much more enjoyable.

If you’re buying things that are to support something, make sure you do your research and be confident in the organization you are supporting.

Breast cancer changes someone at so many levels. Grieving who they were prior to their diagnosis and loving the person they are today is one of the most loving things you can do for them.

You get to do live a life of joy as well, you just have to choose to. Don’t stop making plans. Those plans help you to continually have something to look forward to.

CLOSING-

You can find more info at www.pinkwarrioradvocates.org , and if you’re in the New Braunfels area, watch for the pink flamingos in the area to raise money. Flocking someone’s yard is a great way to honor someone who is a warrior or survivor and feel free to reach out as the pink flamingo flocking will be happening during the entire month of October.

Bras for a cause on the 14th- live auction will be online

Follow the Facebook page to learn of upcoming events that you can get involved in!

Want to send a kit to someone who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer? Apply to send them a kit via the website! This is available nationwide!

As a social justice + antiracism educator, Qy’Darrius McEachern has committed himself to researching and educating people on the systemic oppressions impacting us every single day through an antiracist lens. Qy’Darrius is the founder of McEachernSpeaks, which specializes in providing an IMPACTFUL experience through consultations, workshops, + conversations aimed at leading organizations to analyze unjust systems and create equitable spaces.

Takeaways-

We all have gifts to share with the world and if you find yourself doing similar work to Q, it’s important to be asking for adequate compensation! Your knowledge carries so much value to those you serve, so honoring yourself is how you live in alignment.

Growth is uncomfortable. Being anti racist in a society that has been created around racist structures and policies is uncomfortable. It’s so impactful to spark these conversations to learn to live the message that black living matters while black people are still living and breathing on the earth today.

Being a true ally to support and advocate change is the key for us all to live comfortably together in this world.

Rest is radical. How are you stepping back from things and creating an energetic and emotional boundary around things that may be triggering to you? Disconnecting from these things are so important to be the best you for those around you and the mission of moving forward and creating true change.

Social media can be toxic if you’re not intentional with how and where you share your voice about social justice and other hugely important topics. It’s one thing to post about something, but what are you doing behind the scenes to create positive change or making efforts to unlearn?

Change doesn’t always come in one conversation. Keep having conversations to create change because if we are not actively advocating and supporting anti racist change, then we are supporting the racist culture by non involvement or silence.

We can listen and learn forever, but it’s time to take action and create change!

Be intentional with having an accountability partner to ground you to remind you to do things regularly to do things that keep you whole, whether that is breath work or music or exercise.

WHERE TO FOLLOW Q AND LEARN MORE:

www.mceachernspeaks.com | https://www.instagram.com/mceachernspeaks/

 

 

As a social justice + antiracism educator, Qy’Darrius McEachern has committed himself to researching and educating people on the systemic oppressions impacting us every single day through an antiracist lens. Qy’Darrius is the founder of McEachernSpeaks, which specializes in providing an IMPACTFUL experience through consultations, workshops, + conversations aimed at leading organizations to analyze unjust systems and create equitable spaces.

Takeaways-

We all have gifts to share with the world and if you find yourself doing similar work to Q, it’s important to be asking for adequate compensation! Your knowledge carries so much value to those you serve, so honoring yourself is how you live in alignment.

Growth is uncomfortable. Being anti racist in a society that has been created around racist structures and policies is uncomfortable. It’s so impactful to spark these conversations to learn to live the message that black living matters while black people are still living and breathing on the earth today.

Being a true ally to support and advocate change is the key for us all to live comfortably together in this world.

Rest is radical. How are you stepping back from things and creating an energetic and emotional boundary around things that may be triggering to you? Disconnecting from these things are so important to be the best you for those around you and the mission of moving forward and creating true change.

Social media can be toxic if you’re not intentional with how and where you share your voice about social justice and other hugely important topics. It’s one thing to post about something, but what are you doing behind the scenes to create positive change or making efforts to unlearn?

Change doesn’t always come in one conversation. Keep having conversations to create change because if we are not actively advocating and supporting anti racist change, then we are supporting the racist culture by non involvement or silence.

We can listen and learn forever, but it’s time to take action and create change!

Be intentional with having an accountability partner to ground you to remind you to do things regularly to do things that keep you whole, whether that is breath work or music or exercise.

WHERE TO FOLLOW Q AND LEARN MORE:

www.mceachernspeaks.com | https://www.instagram.com/mceachernspeaks/