Create Yourself: Imagery. Intimacy. Innovation.

In this episode, I sit down with business turnaround strategist and executive coach Judy McMurtry, who helped take a Delta operation from 19th to #1 in just six months and sustained top performance for years. We talk about why people must come before profit, the often-overlooked role of middle managers, building trust with employees, and why organizations need strong people and processes in place before embracing AI.

About Judy

Judy McMurtry, MBA, is a business turnaround strategist and executive coach who helps mid- to large-sized organizations and their leaders deliver rapid, measurable results. Creator of the Total Business Turnaround (TBT) Framework, she built her expertise in senior leadership roles at major airlines, including Northwest and Delta. She led the turnaround of Philadelphia International Airport, moving it from 19th of 21 to the #1-ranked airport operation for Delta Air Lines in just six months. Founder of JM Excel Consultant LLC, Judy is a Maxwell Leadership Certified Trainer, NSA member, BBB-accredited business owner, and SHRM-approved recertification provider for PDCs. On air, she shares practical ways to shape your image, build trust, and drive innovation.

Connect with Judy

Website: https://excelwithjudy.com/

Website: https://go.excelwithjudy.com/total-business-turnaround-page

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judy.mcmurtry.1/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-mcmurtry/

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Kendra Appling shared how she transformed her experience as a domestic violence survivor into a mission of advocacy and empowerment. We discussed the importance of education, survivor-centered support, and the resources offered through Awakening Voices. The conversation emphasized replacing judgment with compassion and helping survivors find safety, strength, and freedom. 

About Kendra:

“I am the Founder and Executive Director of Awaken Voices Domestic Violence Services, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to empowering survivors through support, education, and advocacy. I’m also a Certified Domestic Violence Advocate and a 16-year survivor of domestic violence, so this work is deeply personal; it’s not just work, it’s purpose. I understand firsthand the fear, barriers, and silence that survivors face, which allows me to connect with them through lived experience, compassion, and understanding.

Awaken Voices provides survivor-centered support, including safety and exit planning, resource navigation, support groups, community education, and empowerment-based training. Our goal is to help survivors rebuild confidence, restore self-worth, find their voices, and move from survival to empowerment.

What excites me most is seeing lives transformed. As we expand across Georgia through partnerships, outreach, and education, we are breaking cycles, restoring hope, raising awareness, and changing the way the story ends.”

Connect with Kendra:

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakenvoicesinc/

Linkedln:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/awakenvoices

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@awaken.voices.inc

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What happens when you walk boldly in your purpose? Today, we’ll hear from AlignHer founder Bisharah Shabazz for an empowering conversation about leadership, growth, and giving yourself and others a chance. Get ready to be inspired to live intentionally, empowered, and aligned. 

About Bisharah:

Bisharah Shabazz is the Founder and CEO of AlignHer Inc., a professional development firm specializing in coaching and mentoring for Black and brown women and young women. Her journey started early: at 15, she opened her own SnoBiz franchise, was named a national finalist for the Girls Going Places Scholarship, and was featured on the cover of Black Enterprise for Teens. Years later, in a corporate leadership role, Bisharah discovered her true calling: intentionally pouring into young Black and brown women professionally. That experience became the turning point that led her to found AlignHer, where she now helps women build professional readiness, confidence, and leadership skills at every stage of their journey. Based in Atlanta, Bisharah is driven by faith, authenticity, and a deep belief in the power of intentional growth.   

Connect with Bisharah:

Website: www.alignher.global  

Email: [email protected]

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Registered Nurse Janice Williams’ journey as a caregiving consultant and her work with family caregivers comes from a place of passion and personal experience, leading her to found Caregivers Respite and later pivot to JOW Consulting. Today we are emphasizing the importance of respite and proactive care planning, Janice’s unique services, the Women Who Care Bootcamp, and her must-have book, “Caregiving and Understanding Respite.” You’ll find today’s segment relevant, with great gems throughout for caring for yourself, not just others. 

Janice Williams is a Registered and Faith Community Nurse. This year she is celebrating her 30th year in nursing and 15th year working with Family Caregivers. She founded the non-profit Caregiver’s Respite in 2010-22, out of her own experience caring for her father. Janice is passionate about seeing family caregivers like herself succeed by becoming more informed and taking better care of themselves.

About Janice:

Author-Book: Caregiving and Understanding Respite:  Caregiving and Understanding Respite

• Published in 2 research articles, one on Caregiving and Communication, the other on Transitional  Care.

Business: JOW Consulting - Coaching, Care coordination, and Long -term care planning

Events: 

• Day of Respite ---- Break for a Family Caregiver
• Women Who Care Boot camp ----- Care planning Boot camp

Awards:

•  Lois Barnes Commitment to Respite Award 2024

Connect with Janice:

Website: Janice-Williams.com 

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

Facebook: Janice Williams RN

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“Sometimes, good things fall apart so that better things can fall together.”-Marilyn Monroe. In this episode, Breakthrough Expert Eddie Johnson offers a very thought-provoking conversation about leadership, resilience, embracing change, coaching, and the powerful life transitions that have shaped his journey. Learn more about what led to the writing of his book and how faith has continued to be his anchor. If you’ve been laid off, are ready to pivot, are experiencing a ‘what’s next’ moment in your personal or professional life, or know someone who is, lean into this conversation. 

About Eddie:

Eddie L. Johnson is a Breakthrough Expert who empowers professionals to overcome challenges, embrace new beginnings, and unlock their full potential. Centered on human connection, empathy, and positivity, Eddie equips clients with clear, actionable tools that turn setbacks into opportunities.

As a Career Strategist, Eddie supports professionals who are silently searching, recently laid off, and faith-driven professionals navigating high-stakes career transitions with clarity, confidence, positioning, and forward momentum. With a blend of practical strategies and tailored coaching, Eddie motivates professionals to take the next step, one focused move at a time, helping them to realize their next breakthrough is just one step away!

Connect with Eddie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddieljohnsone4/ 

Website: https://www.eddieljohnson.com/ 

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Dr. Sam March Clark’s insights around traditional and nontraditional health and wellness will inspire you to rethink how you’re truly caring for yourselves. We deeply discuss the high level of judgment and low level of consideration when it comes to women’s health and needs, her current virtual health practice, her unique and proprietary framework, and the book she authored that’s indeed changing lives. 

About Dr. March Clark:

Dr. Samantha March Clark is a Doctor of Chiropractic with 12 years in practice, a Health Performance & AI Strategist, and an NIH-affiliated researcher who helps high-performing leaders understand what their bodies are trying to tell them.

Her mission became deeply personal when she watched high performance destroy her father — and nearly followed him into the same fate herself. That experience didn’t just change her career; it became the foundation of everything she does today.

Through her proprietary Rmoniz® Framework, she helps high-achieving leaders — especially women navigating hormonal shifts, leadership pressure, and major life transitions — finally choose harmony over survival, instead of pushing themselves toward burnout.

She’s also the author of Harmonize Your Life: Finding Alignment From Within, and works with both individuals and organizations to bridge the gap between clinical insight and real-world performance.

Her message is simple but powerful: you are not broken or behind. You’re whole, healing, and becoming.

Connect with Dr. March Clark: 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drsamclark

Instagram: www.instagram.com/drsammarch

Order Your Book Here: https://www.rmonizliving.com/the-book-for-wellness-coaching

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There is power in the pivot, and it may cost your comfort. Dr. Hodges, however, isn’t afraid to explore and execute. This episode explores legacy, transition, community building, and a unique journey from news to education and her current space in healthcare. As the founder of Sister Soul Glow, you’ll learn about her intentionality around creating a platform to support Black Women and her unique, upcoming conference. Tune in and be sure to connect with her afterward!

About Dr. Hodges:

Dr. Tyler J. Hodges is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. She is passionate about cultivating a sense of belonging and connection for marginalized communities in the workplace and collaborating with partners to build cultures of equity. She has been an avid DEI practitioner and researcher in a variety of functional areas across institutions and organizations throughout the United States. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, karaoke, and leading with her women's empowerment organization, Sister Soul Glow.

Connect with Dr. Hodges:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-hodges-ed-d-7431a368/

Instagram: @sistersoulglow, @beingtylerj

Website: sistersoulglow.mystrikingly.com

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As founder and CEO of OHM (Open Heart Ministry) Publishing Co. since 1998, she is the epitome of what it means to do it yourself, and she does so with excellence. She shares about her podcast launch, “Cafe Talk”, business tools and resources, overcoming unhealthy relationships, and the distractions that almost derailed her destiny. And she even has an upcoming book signing event that includes yours truly! Dawn is a woman after God’s heart and thoughtful, meaningful insights. Tune in and be sure to connect with her afterward.

About Dawn:

Dawn Adams is a certified life/business coach with an Associate's in Social Work, a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Research Studies, as well as a Master’s degree in Business Administration. With nearly 30 years of experience, the author is a passionate writer with a creative and concise tone seeking to help people who are suffering from mental anguish due to childhood trauma and poor decision-making as adults.  Having won two International Impact Book Awards in 2025 for Art of Online Dating (Where do we go from here?) and Joyful Noise (Changing the lyrics of your past), she provides sound resolutions to inner conflicts, transitioning those in need from trauma to triumph one book at a time. She now lives on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, where she is focused on her books, speaking engagements, and Café Talk podcast. 

Connect with Dawn:

Website: www.booksbydawn.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-adams-833485201

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newgeorgiapeach/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawn.adams.177500

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dawn-n9x

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In this episode, Coach Jordan discusses his journey as founder and editor-in-chief of Entrepreneurs of Color Magazine. He candidly shares his transformative pivot in his branding, tying in his business and fitness coaching for youth and athletes, and how poetry and spoken word saved him. And, his book is a must-have for business owners and those aspiring! Listen and connect with him, just in time for his upcoming launches.

About Coach Nichols:

Coach Jordan Nichols, also known as Preech da GodBody, is an entrepreneur, media founder, author, and public speaker born in Pensacola, FL. His journey began with early entrepreneurship and expanded into entertainment and media in 2011 with his blog What’s The News?, laying the foundation for a career centered around storytelling, business, and community impact.

As a traveling spoken word artist, Jordan has performed across multiple states while building his brand and hosting community-driven events. In 2013, he founded Entrepreneurs of Color Magazine, which expanded into networking events and the “Let’s Talk Business” podcast.

He is also the author of the Amazon #1 Best-Seller, 100 Tools & Resources to Boost Your Brand.

Connect with Coach Nichols:

Calendly

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

TikTok

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Black women and workplace challenges. A daughter's suicide attempt. Historical context. Career advocacy. The Civil Rights movement. Restorative frameworks. Dr. Clara Denise West provides a data driven, transparent and transformative blueprint as well as the opportunity to hear her perspectives from a personal and professional experience lens. 

About Dr. West:

Dr. Clara Denise West is a systems engineer and author who applies rigorous analysis to decode institutional behavior and build protection frameworks. One of fewer than 3,000 Black women in U.S. history to earn a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering, she spent 27 years documenting systematic racism in federal STEM (NASA, U.S. Army) and testified before Congress, contributing to the No FEAR Act of 2002.

After her daughter's suicide attempt following relentless school bullying, Dr. West applied the same systems engineering approach to peer dynamics and institutional failure, creating Koko and Friends™—a comprehensive K-12 restorative SEL system.

Author of THE COLLISION: White Male Fragility Meets Black Female Resilience—Lessons Learned, Dr. West provides systems analysis of institutional power for Black women navigating hostile workspaces and restorative frameworks for children facing peer-driven harm. Same methodology. Different populations. One mission: protection when institutions fail.

Connect with Dr. West:

Personal Website: www.claradenisewestphd.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/clara-west-ph-d-794a20a/

Instagram: @dwest200

Facebook: facebook.com/denise.west.313

Book -THE COLLISION: www.thecollisionbook.com

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/189231312X

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-collision-clara-denise-west/1149700424

Independent Bookstores: https://www.strandbooks.com/the-collision-white-male-fragility-meets-black-female-resilience-lessons-learned-9781892313126.html

KOKO AND FRIENDS: www.kokoandfriends.com & www.kokoandfriendsfoundation.org

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