It is not what it seems.

During this season, perhaps some of you have felt mental and emotional uncertainty and unrest. It seems that everything that could be shaken is shaking, where noise, angry noise, appears to be drowning out laughter and love.

I am describing what I felt from an adult perspective, someone who has known challenge, loss, and fear. And somehow, with the help of faith, time, and supportive friends, I recovered and healed. I was blessed.

But what about the children, the next generations? How do we love them through this season of storms to the other side?  How do we listen beyond their words and hear their needs? Just because they can connect and share with the world instantly doesn’t mean they are doing it any better.

This week, Frankly Speaking with Tyra G presents a compilation of courageous conversations by teens about teens who live in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They authentically discuss addiction, perfection, fear, race, phones, and teen life in general. They discover that the places they visit to make themselves feel better don’t always have the desired effect. Finally, they talk heart to heart and spirit to spirit. They offer sage advice to one another and their parents.

Renowned Karmic astrologer Dora Jones passionately asserts that each of us enters this life with a unique promise, a special gift, a driving passion, and a profound heartfelt desire. 

Your promise is your sacred commitment—what you are destined to master in this lifetime. It embodies the challenge of overcoming, resolving, or healing specific aspects of your consciousness. As you navigate the journey of life, you hold the power to fulfill this promise. How you respond to the experiences that come your way plays a pivotal role in whether you honor or break the commitment you have made to yourself. 

Your gift is the treasure you bring to the world, serving as a cornerstone for your self-determination and self-actualization. This gift encompasses your unique talents and abilities—the exceptional ways you contribute that only you can offer. The impact of your gift is amplified by how you choose to express and share these natural talents with others. 

Passion fuels your pursuits and ignites sheer joy within you—those activities that make you feel truly alive, meaningful, and worthy. Embrace your promise, share your gift, and pursue your passions with fervor; you have the potential to not only transform your own life but also to inspire and uplift those around you.

Meet Dr. Susan H. Regisford, MD, DSS, who stepped away from medicine in 2020 to pursue her calling and to wake a dream. Take a listen, learn something, and share!

Throughout my experiences in education, writing, inspiring others, hosting international talks, managing a business, and facing life’s challenges, I constantly find myself asking the critical question: What about the children? What time is it on their clock of well-being and achievement? After all, we are all invested in the outcome through legacy.

Legacy is our interconnection across time, encompassing both the need for those who have come before us and the responsibility to those who will come after us. We must recognize that the world isn’t connected merely by molecules; it is connected through stories, traditions, memories, hopes, and dreams. Knowing the hopes, dreams, and concerns of the next generations serves as a kind of report card on how we are doing as a society.

My guest this week will provide us with a snapshot of how we are faring and how he perceives the world we have given him. Meet Nyliek Brooks, a member of Generation Z, the generation that is reaching adulthood in the early 21st century. This generation is often described as the first social generation to have grown up with access to the internet and portable digital technology from a young age. Members of Generation Z have been referred to as “digital natives.”

Take a listen. Learn things and be inspired. Then share!

Renowned Karmic astrologer Dora Jones passionately asserts that each of us enters this life with a unique promise, a special gift, a driving passion, and a profound heartfelt desire.

 Your promise is your sacred commitment—what you are destined to master in this lifetime. It embodies the challenge of overcoming, resolving, or healing specific aspects of your consciousness. As you navigate the journey of life, you hold the power to fulfill this promise. How you respond to the experiences that come your way plays a pivotal role in whether you honor or break the commitment you have made to yourself.

Your gift is the treasure you bring to the world, serving as a cornerstone for your self-determination and self-actualization. This gift encompasses your unique talents and abilities—the exceptional ways you contribute that only you can offer. The impact of your gift is amplified by how you choose to express and share these natural talents with others.

 Passion fuels your pursuits and ignites sheer joy within you—those activities that make you feel truly alive, meaningful, and worthy. Embrace your promise, share your gift, and pursue your passions with fervor; you have the potential to not only transform your own life but also to inspire and uplift those around you.

Everyone has a story, and in fact, each person is a story. Our stories evolve as part of a journey rather than a destination; they are a process, not just an event. We grow emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically throughout this journey. It is only when we look back and reflect that we can truly understand our paths.

This week, we take a look at the life journey of one intelligent, evolving, and creative individual. Patric Gregory McCoy has learned that life works in his favor because he understands that everything he manifests outwardly is a result of who he has become inwardly.

Patric was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 20, 1946. He graduated as class valedictorian from Englewood High School in Chicago in 1964. He earned his B.A. in chemistry from the University of Chicago in 1969. In 1972, McCoy became the chief chemist for the Air Pollution Control Department in Gary, Indiana, while also taking part-time graduate courses. He received his M.A. in environmental science from Governors State University in 1979. McCoy retired from the EPA in 2006 after serving for ten years as a national expert on air pollution control measures for the petroleum refining industry.

Currently, Patric is deeply engaged in his passion for art, which was nurtured in his childhood home in Chicago, filled with art and books. His art collection features over one thousand pieces, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, collages, and assemblages of African-American art. In 2003, he co-founded Diasporal Rhythms, a not-for-profit arts organization that promotes the collection of artworks by living artists of African descent. He is dedicated to mentoring the next generations, encouraging them to live in the present moment, embrace their mistakes, and recognize their intrinsic worth. His favorite quote is, “Stop Trying, Just Do!”

The highlight of this episode is Patric’s exceptional storytelling style. Get comfortable, learn, and be inspired. Don’t forget to share and subscribe!

 “Millennials represent one of the most thrilling and formidable generations since the baby boomers ignited a social revolution. Rather than seeking to overthrow the Establishment, they are simply coming of age in a landscape that lacks one. The Industrial Revolution equipped individuals with the power to relocate to cities, launch businesses, educate themselves, and organize in new ways. Now, the information revolution has taken that empowerment to another level, providing the tools for individuals to challenge large institutions: hackers confronting corporations, bloggers rivaling newspapers, terrorists standing against nation-states, YouTube creators taking on major studios, and app developers disrupting entire industries. Millennials no longer rely on traditional structures for support, which can understandably create apprehension among those accustomed to the status quo.

In her March 2018 blog, Lindsey Pollack sheds light on her insights into the multigenerational workplace, emphasizing the misconceptions many hold about millennials. Regrettably, a lot of this narrative is steeped in negative stereotypes rather than grounded in reality.

Join us by clicking below to engage in a conversation that will help you break down these misleading millennial clichés. Meet Sherrita Watkins—a millennial manager and an exceptional storyteller. You won’t want to miss this enlightening discussion!” Share!

I find myself increasingly troubled by the state of our nation and the legacy we are creating for future generations. What will the future hold for them?

Consider the young girl navigating the treacherous waters of middle school, desperately seeking a way to escape the hurtful messages she encounters on social media. Think of the young man consumed by violent video games, losing touch with reality. Picture the parents who see their child as lazy and disconnected, unaware that these behaviors could be symptoms of deeper struggles like depression. Envision the overwhelmed teacher, unable to connect with her students amid the chaos of a crowded classroom, each child with unique needs and talents.

Now, imagine being the catalyst that transforms the life of a young person who feels marginalized and misunderstood. If you could help rewrite the negative narratives they believe about themselves, what actions would you take?

At the Frankly Speaking Table, we’ve welcomed passionate guests who have shared their insights and dedication to empowering young people who have been overlooked or discarded. This week, I am excited to introduce a remarkable guest who provides a fresh perspective on this critical issue. Dr. Suzanne Le Menestrel is a developmental psychologist and a visionary leader dedicated to designing and enhancing programs that benefit children, youth, and families.

Prepare to be inspired as Dr. Le Menestrel sheds light on the challenges our next generation faces, drawing on the latest behavioral and psychological research. She will specifically debunk common myths surrounding bullying, offering clarity on a topic that affects so many.

Don’t miss the opportunity to engage in this critical conversation. Click below.

WHAT IF your family has fallen out of balance as you were navigating life, and crisis was your new rhythm?  WHAT IF you and your family are experiencing food insecurity or a lack of clothing and shelter? WHAT IF you are an expectant mother considering adoption for your baby and need both medical care and guidance in the decision-making process and placement? WHAT IF you are a New American or a refugee in need of assistance to learn English, apply for citizenship, or housing?

WHERE CAN YOU GO? WHAT CAN YOU DO?

The Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington (CCDA) is a non-profit social service agency that provides support in these situations. CCDA operates in a perpetual response mode, serving the poor, the lonely, and the vulnerable in 21 counties of Northern Virginia. They continually transform the lives they serve positively.

Join in my conversation with President and Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Carattini to be inspired, and learn things.

During the pandemic, HOME transformed into a multifaceted space, serving as classrooms, daycares, science labs, offices, churches, gyms, and even makeshift hospitals—all at once. What once felt like a sufficient and spacious physical environment now seemed inadequate.

Nursing homes became barriers to physical expressions of love and served as a measure of how effectively our country was managing the pandemic.

The powerlessness experienced during this time sparked concerns about the future of housing, the economy, education, work environments, and healthcare. New vocabulary emerged to describe the unknown, including terms like “back to normal,” “new normal,” “essential workers,” “remote,” “hybrid,” “telehealth,” “pre-existing conditions,” and “Zoom.”

Generational definitions and dependencies were deeply shaken. The second-largest generation, consisting of 73 million Baby Boomers, reflected on how they could preserve their independence, maintain connections, travel for leisure, enjoy hobbies, stay fit, access important information, and receive necessary healthcare.

If you are a Baby Boomer or have a loved one who is, this edition of Frankly Speaking Moments of Mindfulness is invaluable. Gale Morgan, Senior Vice President of Sales for The Mather, guides us through meaningful solutions to these questions and more. The conversation uncovers innovative and creative ways for Boomers and their loved ones to redefine HOME positively.

Generational definitions and dependencies were deeply shaken. The second-largest generation, consisting of 73 million Baby Boomers, reflected on how they could preserve their independence, maintain connections, travel for leisure, enjoy hobbies, stay fit, access important information, and receive necessary healthcare.

Click below to listen, learn something new, and then share.

Many parents want their children to embrace ideas such as cooperation, kindness, or honesty, but these may be the most challenging concepts for them to convey. In a flicker, youngsters spot a lecture coming and are quick to retreat mentally, leaving behind a black expression that nearly every parent recognizes with a sigh.

Fortunately, parents already have a strategy “in their backyard ” to deliver these messages to ready and open ears. I invite you to rediscover a secret weapon you have always had—and youngsters have always responded to—the Story.

Remember being a child? Everything was alive. Everything had a heart and soul, and books had pictures. Every adult is a former eight-year-old, wide open with yearning and possibility, understanding exactly how troubled the adults around you are, even if they think they are hiding it from you, almost unbearably alert to the wonders and dangers all at once. That is the reason you should listen to this conversation with Kate DiCamillo, even if you have never heard of her vast body of books, beloved by teachers, parents, and former children who grew up reading her. [1]

Take a listen, remember, be inspired, and share.

[1] https://onbeing.org/programs/kate-dicamillo-for-the-eight-year-old-in-you/

[1] https://storiestogrowby.org/the-power-of-storytelling-stories-hold-magic-and-values-for-dren/