Discovering The Dubs

In the wake of unthinkable tragedy, some people choose to build.

Dominique Gray is one of them. After losing a close friend in the 2015 Emanuel AME Church shooting, Dominique co-founded Race 4 Achievement, a nonprofit rooted in remembrance and driven by purpose. In this powerful episode, he shares how he transformed personal grief into a platform that empowers Black and underserved youth through mentorship, education, and opportunity.

Tune in as we explore what it means to honor a legacy, uplift a community, and create a lasting impact when the world says it can’t be done.

This is more than a story of loss—it’s a blueprint for resilience.

The 10th-anniversary #Race4Wanza is Saturday, April 26, 2025. To sign up and get more info, visit https://race4achievement.org/

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Founder and co-owner of one of the *hottest* spots in Charlotte- Khali Yoga Center- Lindsey Crisp transcends traditional perspectives in this heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation. 

We discuss how fortune favors the bold and how that belief carried Lindsey and her team through the opening of Khali on the cusp of a global pandemic. 

Lindsey shares wisdom garnered through decades of practicing one of the most ancient forms of embodied presence, including how to live with intention in your gifts and, of course, discover your purpose. 

I hope you enjoy this impactful, slightly woo-woo conversation. And if you're ever in the Charlotte area, you are able to experience the magic Lindsey and the other wonderful people at Khali Yoga Center have created.

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Harry Chandler is the co-owner and operator of Charlotte Running Company, overseeing its multiple locations and people across the Queen City. 

This conversation unpacks the keys to success in Harry's journey, from working at a 7-Eleven gas station to now engaging in public speaking events nationwide as one of only a handful of Black running store owners in the U.S.

We discuss his leaps of faith, the importance of taking initiative, and how a business's investment in the community is really an investment in itself. 

A proponent of advocacy, equity, and mentorship, Harry showcases the magic that can happen with an unwavering belief in oneself- and the goodness and abilities of others.

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In this episode, you’ll meet Claire Smallwood- an absolute delight of a human who co-founded SheJumps. This 501c3 organization empowers and supports women and girls to enjoy the outdoors through hosted events, educational clinics, and fundraising climbs.

We cover a wide range of topics from the budding origins of SheJumps to her studies of language in Senegal and her competitive success in free skiing

Claire shares How SheJumps transitioned from a website that profiled and showcased unsung women heroes in the outdoor industry to the life-changing organization it is today. 

During the building period, Claire earned her living as a private chef. And then came the pivot: creating a film that catapulted the nonprofit from a grassroots effort to a full-time gig for Claire & her co-founders, with the nonprofit experiencing a 200% growth in just one year.

Claire talks about imposter syndrome, building the right board for the foundation, and chasing a dream that would inevitably provide access to the beautiful backyards of the world to thousands of women and girls every year.

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This episode highlights the life-altering moment that John Micek, a journalist with decades of experience under his belt, pivoted from a successful position with a top performing news organization to leap into the unknown and become the lead editor of a non-profit news site, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. John shares insights into his service as a member of the fourth estate and how the winding, twisting road of life will often lead us to destinations we could have never anticipated. 

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After being unexpectedly fired from a sales job, Harold Hughes shares his story of taking a drastic life pivot- from overcoming adversity to executing calculated risks, and moving forward with a dream of entrepreneurship- and doing so without a plan B. Harold knew his startup idea was worth cashing in on and pursuing.  So, BandwagonFanClub, Inc. a secondary event ticket marketplace, was born. Since then, Harold has never looked back. Now, just a few years later, Bandwagon has upscaled to international heights, serving as a B2B identity infrastructure technology company- changing the game for personalized fan experiences all over the world. Prepare to be inspired, enlightened, and delighted by Harold's humble enthusiasm and contagious tenacity. 

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Roshanda shares her "leap of faith" journey to bet on herself and become her own boss- starting a new career path after decades in the news industry. As a visibility coach, consultant, international speaker and best-selling author, Ro drops encouragement and knowledge that can be applied to whatever stage of life or uncertainty you find yourself in. With some lessons in faith, entrepreneurship, and embracing your true calling, it's an episode that delivers a kick in the pants you didn't know you needed. 

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After practicing in an orthopedic trauma unit for several years, Heather Kreider, R.N., L.E., realized she wanted to offer even greater healing opportunities for those suffering in pain than what she could give within hospital walls. With the legalization of hemp in the 2018 Farm Bill, Heather and her husband, Nathan, jumped feet first into the fascinating, healing world of CBD. In this episode, Heather shares what the initial R&D stages for Hempfield Botanicals was like, the difference between hemp and marijuana, the functionings of our endocannabinoid systems, plant terpenes, and how, whatever your needs, there's probably a hemp for that! Light up your inner nerd and settle in for Heather's journey that you'll be sure to find as informative as it is inspiring! 

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The California-based co-founders of the multimillion dollar plant-based, whole-food supplement company, Amazing Grass, share their remarkable story of entrepreneurship in the face of the unknown. Nearly twenty years ago, the two co-workers ditched their desk jobs at a start-up tech company to break into the ruthless health and wellness- relentlessly sharing their truth that harvested wheat grass could change lives. We get into what those initial bootstrap days looked like, how they knew their idea would work, a few trial and errors, and what lies ahead for Amazing Grass. 

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Picking up where we left off with the incredible story of one of Methodical Coffee's co-founders, Will Shurtz. How a single text message became a chain reaction that would ultimately change the course of his life, this episode breaks down the evolution of Methodical Coffee, how the business has adapted amid explosive growth over the last several years, Will's role in sourcing the very best coffee from all around the world, and even a little hint as to what's next for Greenville's most beloved coffee shop. Plus, Will shares some lessons- both personal and business- he's learned along the way, in addition to his go-to coffee order when his taste buds are "off duty". You don't want to miss this! 

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