What do you stand for? What are your values? What does it mean to be self-aware? What makes you come alive? What amazing lessons are we potentially missing from our first jobs? This is one of those interviews that speaks to the heart of passion, curiosity, and deep reflections around humility, communication, sustainability, and not putting 'band aids on broken legs' when it comes to systems. Listen, share, and send her a congratulations on the success of her own podcast, Shift with Elena Agar!

About Elena:

Elena Agaragimova is a global talent development expert, speaker, and Co-Founder of Shiftwell.ai—a human-centered performance and wellbeing platform. With over 15 years of experience spanning higher education, corporate learning, and entrepreneurship, Elena helps individuals and organizations unlock growth through practical, neuroscience-backed strategies. She’s passionate about building high-performing, soul-centered workplaces and preparing the next generation for the future of work.

Outside of her professional work, Elena is deeply committed to mentoring and giving back—particularly in helping students and early-career professionals navigate their journeys with confidence and purpose. Whether facilitating a leadership workshop, designing end-to-end talent strategies, or speaking on the future of work, Elena’s mission is clear: to empower people and organizations to perform at their peak—without sacrificing the soul of their work.

Connect with Elena:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elenaagaragimova  

Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN7PD6QC/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk 

Today's episode takes us over to London for an engaging understanding of why everyone truly does need an Elsa! You'll learn how a 5 month contract, work ethic and the confidence to network transitioned from a successful career in the arts (specifically dance and jazz) to maintaining a credentialed business with certified programming for business leadership. She is an advisor, mentor, finance expert who's training other business advisors. Most recently awarded by King Charles III, she continues to provide entrepreneurs with a tangible blueprint for funding access goals and the mindset skills needed to pursue, establish, and maintain success. 

About Elsa:

Elsa Caleb Ltd was founded in 1997 and incorporated in 2000, inspired by Elsa Caleb’s passion for helping individuals build sustainable businesses, particularly in underserved communities. With over 30 years of experience in strategic business development, financial consulting, and mentoring, Elsa supports SMEs, charities, and social enterprises in securing funding and strengthening financial sustainability. She has contracts with Old Oak Park Royal Development Corporation, a Mayoral Development,  offering expert guidance in funding and organisational development. Elsa delivers training and mentoring through the Diocese of Westminster’s SEED programme and leads CPD-accredited mentoring for women in business. As a director of the West London Chamber of Commerce, she champions international trade and co-signed an MoU with the Black Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta. In May 2025, Elsa was honoured at Buckingham Palace by King Charles III for her contributions to skills and education. Her work continues to empower entrepreneurs through strategic insight, funding access, and impactful partnerships.

Connect with Elsa:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elsa-caleb-481150/  

Instagram: Elsa.Caleb  

Website: https://elsacaleb.co.uk/

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"Create a life you don't need a vacation from." "Give yourself permission to grow." "Luxury is a mindset." These are just some of the gems you'll hear from licensed Professional Counselor and Owner of Luxury Life Counseling, Lanota Fludd. Creating a luxury experience for her clients is her top priority, ensuring they are in a safe space to thrive and showing them there is a possibility for something greater. What you feed yourself is important, and we deserve a life of abundance. Tune in to learn more about acquiring and maintaining mental wellness and the impactful services she has for youth, adults, and couples!

About Lanota:

Lanota is a dual master level clinician. She received a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Maryland System in 2012. She received an M.Ed. in 2017 from Liberty University. Lanota is a licensed professional counselor who, for the last several years, has worked in the field, serving in several roles, from therapist to enrollment.  

Lanota has spoken for the Fulton County School District, The Nurses Association of Georgia, The City of Atlanta, The Gathering Spot, and several nonprofits. Lanota also serves as Vice President of Guide My Heart, a non-profit organization here in Georgia, and on the board of Beautiful Butterflies Inc., based in Maryland.

Education

· Bachelor of Arts (Sociology), University of South Carolina

· Master of Public Administration, University of Baltimore

· Master of Education, Liberty University

 Licensure, Certifications, and Professional Affiliations

· Licensed Professional Counselor, Georgia

· Nationally Board Certified Counselor

· Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor

Connect with Lanota:

Website: www.luxurylifecounseling.com

Facebook & Instagram: Luxury Life Counseling

LinkedIn: Lanota Fludd

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You cannot help but be drawn to the infectious spirit of Leshundra Robinson. A mission-driven leader, prayer warrior, cheerleader, and encourager, her passion for young people and helping organizational teams to thrive is both proven and undeniable. Listen in as she has taken her skills and gifts and entered into a market she had no plans of exploring-author! Her grandson's fear of thunder has created an entire movement around facing fears, overcoming obstacles, active listening, and more. Get ready to have your confidence boosted and gain tools and resources that can be implemented at all ages, in business and in life.

About Leshundra:

Leshundra Robinson never imagined she’d become an author. As a nonprofit consultant with a heart for youth, writing began as a personal outlet and grew into a powerful way to uplift others. With over two decades of experience in fundraising, development, and mentoring, she creates books that nurture emotional wellness, confidence, and courage in children and teens.

She is the founder of Groundwork and Co., a consulting initiative supporting grassroots organizations, and the author of The Abundance Altar and When the Sky Talks. Her work is rooted in love, lived experience, and a deep commitment to helping others thrive.

When she’s not writing or mentoring, she’s spending time with her grandson, her greatest inspiration. Her mission is simple: help others see their worth, walk boldly, and write their own powerful stories. 

Connect with Leshundra:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leshundrarobinson

Author's Site: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0FKVMP5BP?ingress=0&visitId=51c88679-4402-4996-966d-2a995dc2daee&ccs_id=0327fea5-963c-49ca-ba86-1f4145217502

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Your business should not become a job that you own. Draw the line behind you. As the Founder of DS Bellinger Consulting with over 40 years of expertise and wisdom, Dr. Smith Bellinger overdelivers a powerful and candid journey that is a must-hear for your personal and professional endeavors. Learn why confidence is currency, how you can "ask DSB" your most burning sales question, stop leaving money on the table and discover why she's one of the most sought after speakers and consultants to date. Get registered for The Sales Confidence Catalyst Program, a 90-day experience designed to help business owners simplify their sales process and achieve consistent 10–20K months. 

About Dr. Bellinger:

Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger is the voice you call when your business conversations aren’t converted into revenue. As a sales strategist, award-winning speaker, and author, she helps entrepreneurs and professionals simplify the sales process, strengthen their confidence, and communicate their value with clarity and purpose. Through her firm, DS Bellinger Consulting, Dr. Donna has worked with organizations in finance, law, education, and professional services to build consistent revenue and develop leaders who know how to sell with integrity. Her latest book, “Sales Is Not About Wait & See: Do You Want to Get Paid Now or Eventually?”, challenges the myths around selling and reminds readers that service and success go hand in hand. She believes sales isn’t about pressure, it’s about purpose, people, and progress.

Connect with Dr. Bellinger:

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.askdsb.com 
Instagram: @dsbellingerconsulting 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnasmithbellinger/ 

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Choosing health and peace over a paycheck attached to a toxic work environment, Oriana Holmes has fully leaned into what it means to transition, transform, and thrive. This dynamic woman has been an empowering and innovative leader who has effectively marketed her capabilities since high school. Learn how she’s integrating her advocacy experience, physicality as a martial arts black belt, and a unique business framework to inform and inspire. Here’s to choosing yourself and learning how to live an empowered life with the proper tools and resources to help you thrive.

About Oriana:

Oriana Holmes is a Memphis native and a graduate of the University of Memphis. As an expert on domestic violence and an expert witness, she brings over a decade of hands-on experience supporting survivors and equipping professionals across legal, academic, and advocacy sectors. She is also a speaker, author, and the founder and CEO of To Rise Advocacy and Consulting (TRAC), LLC, a dynamic company dedicated to empowering individuals, institutions, and communities to rise above violence, trauma, and bias. Through her “Empowered and In Control©” framework, she delivers engaging keynotes, transformative workshops, and practical training sessions. Oriana is dedicated to transforming community responses to domestic violence. Her passion is clear: To empower individuals impacted by or at risk for domestic abuse, as well as the professionals who support them, through education, collaboration, and access to resources that promote safety, healing, and long-term resilience.

She serves on the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence State Leadership Team, leads as Board President of the Memphis & Shelby County Domestic & Sexual Violence Council, holds a black belt in Krav Maga, and instructs self-defense.

Connect with Oriana:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoriana-holmes/

Website: www.toriseac.com

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Affectionately known as "the Godmother of HR", Delmar Johnson gets real about her rise, fall, and rise again, using tangible skills, gifts, and life lessons to become one of the most sought-after advising experts to date. Already a published author, her latest book, Get Off the Pew, is a delightful journey of self-reflection, self-discovery, and self-awareness to get out of our own way in business and in life. She's no fairy godmother! She's real, authentic, and shares guidance to implement immediately.

About Delmar: 

Delmar Johnson is a dynamic speaker, author, and people operations advisor who equips leaders and growing businesses to thrive. As the Founder of HR Brain for Hire™ and Delmar Unlimited™, she helps organizations strengthen leadership, refine processes, and cultivate people-first cultures while minimizing risk. With 25+ years of experience across corporate giants, startups, and scaling enterprises, Delmar is a trusted strategist known for blending practical HR expertise with humanity-centered insights. 

Her story is one of resilience—navigating layoffs, entrepreneurship, and life transitions with grit and purpose. That lived experience infuses her talks with authenticity and actionable strategies audiences can immediately apply. An award-winning entrepreneur and Amazon Best-Selling Author, Delmar has been featured in Black Enterprise, Success Magazine, and Voyage ATL. She has shared the stage with Matthew Knowles, Marcus Lemonis, Marshawn Evans-Daniels, and Dr. Cindy Trimm, leaving audiences inspired to lead boldly, build stronger teams, and unlock their full potential.

Connect with Delmar: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delmarjohnson1/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/delmarunlimited

From the age of 5 through 21, this young lady experienced unimaginable trauma. From molestation to abandonment issues, Tamaira Walker describes herself as a rebellious alcoholic in her teens who later experienced domestic violence and the divine revelation that brought her an unspeakable peace & joy that she uses in her advocacy work and cleaning business. At 28, she is unshakeable, unstoppable, rooted in faith, and the epitome of purpose after pain. She has tools and knowledge for all of us, and if you're a single mom, she has a special message just for you. 

About Tamaira: 

“My name is Tamaira Walker, and I’m from Memphis, TN. I am a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, molestation, and attempted suicide, but God has blessed me, and I am here today to tell you all my story. I have been an advocate since 2020. I went through my violent situation in 2019. One of the hardest things I realized after leaving was that I did not love myself. I allowed someone to mistreat me because I thought that was love, but it’s not. Love is 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8. Love is God. I hope that survivors, victims, and anyone in the world can hear my story and know that God is real and that there’s life after pain."

Connect with Tamaira:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamaira.walker 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamaira-walker-676304349/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamairanotia

Email: [email protected] 

Presence over perfection, embracing seasons, talent acquisitions, and talking through the double glass ceiling. Foluke Houston-Gaddis, a solution-finder with two global brands, candidly talks about what it means to surrender, accept the assignment, operate in faith, and measure success-the right way. It's an interview filled with gems for your personal and professional journey that you can implement immediately.

About Foluke:

Foluke Houston-Gaddis is a passionate advocate for action, equity, and impact across faith, community, and corporate spaces. She is the SheEO of AffirmMePlease, a bold Christian apparel and lifestyle brand encouraging people to live with confidence, faith, and purpose. Through her consulting firm, P3 Human Capital Solutions, she helps organizations design people-centered strategies that honor equity, inclusion, and authentic leadership.

By day, Foluke leads innovative recruitment strategies that attract and empower the next generation of skilled talent in the corporate space. In each space, she leads innovative recruitment strategies that attract and empower the next generation of skilled talent. Across each platform, her mission is the same: to affirm voices, shift systems, and build spaces where people can thrive. Whether through apparel that speaks life, consulting that drives change, or corporate leadership that opens doors, Foluke’s work reflects her unwavering belief that advocacy and faith can ignite transformation.

Connect with Foluke:

Website: P3 Human Capital Solutions: https://www.p3hcs.org/

Website: AffirmMePlease: https://www.affirmmeplease.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/affirmmeplease

FB:  https://www.facebook.com/affirmmeplease

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@affirmmeplease

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@affirmmeplease

Support the show

Presence over perfection, embracing seasons, talent acquisitions, and talking through the double glass ceiling. Foluke Houston-Gaddis, a solution-finder with two global brands, candidly talks about what it means to surrender, accept the assignment, operate in faith, and measure success-the right way. It's an interview filled with gems for your personal and professional journey that you can implement immediately.

About Foluke:

Foluke Houston-Gaddis is a passionate advocate for action, equity, and impact across faith, community, and corporate spaces. She is the SheEO of AffirmMePlease, a bold Christian apparel and lifestyle brand encouraging people to live with confidence, faith, and purpose. Through her consulting firm, P3 Human Capital Solutions, she helps organizations design people-centered strategies that honor equity, inclusion, and authentic leadership.

By day, Foluke serves as Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at Trane Technologies, where she leads innovative recruitment strategies that attract and empower the next generation of skilled talent. Across each platform, her mission is the same: to affirm voices, shift systems, and build spaces where people can thrive. Whether through apparel that speaks life, consulting that drives change, or corporate leadership that opens doors, Foluke’s work reflects her unwavering belief that advocacy and faith can ignite transformation.

Connect with Foluke:

Website: P3 Human Capital Solutions: https://www.p3hcs.org/

Website: AffirmMePlease: https://www.affirmmeplease.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/affirmmeplease

FB:  https://www.facebook.com/affirmmeplease

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@affirmmeplease

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@affirmmeplease