Get Happy With J Podcast

I met Jarrell Turner by chance during a recent visit to Chicago.  Everything in life happens for a reason, including meeting this amazing young man.  He told me about his program for young at risk inner city children and my ears perked up.  Nothing excites me more than giving back to others.  I also wanted to know more about Jarrell's Chicago, not just the usual tourist version of which I am familiar, or the version that has been fed to us by the media.  As it turns out there is some truth in all our experiences of the culturally rich and complex city.  Jarrell's personal story has plenty of tragic elements, some of which you will hear in this podcast episode, but thankfully he came in contact with a few people along the way that made a difference in his life.  Now as a successful adult he has not only chosen to remain in his native city, but now gives back to young people with similar challenges as he had growing up. Please listen, then review, subscribe and share the podcast.

Join Jarrell and his Blueprint SAPT team at a special fundraising event on Saturday, June 30th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.  The event is being held at the Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church at 4100 King Drive, in Chicago.  If you can't make it but would still like to support this great endeavor, click on the links below to reach Jarrell directly.

https://www.instagram.com/theblueprintsapt/

https://www.facebook.com/The-Blue-Print-SAPT-2119066664995183/

This episode is the second half of my discussion with Lauren about postpartum depression.  In part one we defined the condition and described what it is like to experience it.  In this episode Lauren shares advice and tips on how to overcome postpartum depression.  As I stated in part one, because it is similar to clinical depression anyone can get something helpful from this discussion.  Please feel free to reach out and let us know what you think about this chat.  Help us grow this happy movement by giving the podcast a review, sending a comment, and by sharing the podcast.

https://www.facebook.com/gethappywithj/

https://gethappywithj.com/

Postpartum depression is real and goes largely under-diagnosed.  The official statistic from the CDC says between 11 to 20% of all new mothers suffer from postpartum depression.  My special guest this week believes the actual percentage is much higher.  You will get to hear her personal story of living through this condition.  It is rare to hear such a raw and honest depiction of postpartum depression and our guest will also explain why.  Since this form of depression mirrors general clinical depression in so many ways, this is a great podcast regardless as to whether you are, have ever been or plan to be pregnant.  Anyone, male or female, can learn something from this episode.  Please share and help spread the word about this happy movement. http://www.gethhappywithj.com

This podcast episode was recorded months ago, in late 2017.  I decided to hold onto this episode because it didn't fit the themes I was addressing for the kick-off of the podcast.  It is usually the goal to encourage and inform, while keeping it light.  Happiness is the over-arching theme of the podcast, hence the name, but we must not ignore the glaring problems that exist in our society.  Many of these problems can impede our journey to happiness as they weigh down our spirits.  Nothing is a bigger happy blocker than the insidiousness of racism.  We touched on the topic in another recent episode, but as we are exposed to more incidents of racial attacks on the news and on social media, it is a topic worth revisiting.  The challenge with racism is that while you must be aware of its presence and call it out when necessary, you must also not allow yourself to become bitter and dragged down by it.  These two phenomenal young men have managed to find the perfect balance of being "woke", but not discouraged.  They have a healthy attitude about bigotry and to learn how they do it, check out this episode.

Please let us know what you think.  Also, please download the contemporary gospel hit of this great group, Reloaded,  available on I-tunes and all other music services.  You won't be sorry!

Get Happy With J welcomes first time author James Shaw to talk about his book and life in general.  It was a free flowing chat that you should enjoy. Host and guest open up about challenges they faced in their lives and how they overcame them.  Please check the link below to purchase your copy of this inspiring memoir.  As always, please like, share and subscribe to the Get Happy With J podcast.

https://www.amazon.com/Life-Upside-Down-Inside-Out/dp/153560106X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526169181&sr=1-1&keywords=james+l+shaw

Everyone has a story.  You might not be able to guess what it is simply by looking at a person, but it's there.  If you talk to them long enough you might even hear it, and it might just surprise you.  That is exactly what happened when I sat down for my interview with Andre'ic Morris.  We didn't even get to the topic we were there to discuss until near the end of our chat.  It all began with me asking how he was doing.  He gave me such an exuberant response that I felt lead to inquire further.  He went on to tell me about the miracle of his existence.  He should have been dead with what he went through a few years ago during an unexpected medical crisis.  Not only did he survive when even his doctors counted him out, he is thriving and working toward fulfilling his dreams and goal each and every day.  He has a renewed excitement about life and loves to share his testimony. Take a listen now to this walking miracle and I dare you not to appreciate your life a little more.

This is a teaser ad for his upcoming film "Dark Secrets".  What to learn more?  Hit him up on his Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/manwitheplan?lst=574576621%3A525265558%3A1525563857

Several incidents of questionable policing and run-ins where citizens have been asked to leave business establishments beg the following question: Is it dangerous to be black right now in America?  It's hard to believe that such a question can be raised in 2018, but here we are.  In this podcast episode J talks to local attorney and civil rights activist, Don Jackson.  They dissect several of these incidents that have either gone viral on social media or gained national media attention.  Race is always an uncomfortable discussion to have, but listen with an open heart and mind and feel free to comment.

This episode of the Get Happy With J podcast features a panel discussion by three super fans of The Handmaid's Tale.  J and friends recap the award winning season one of the Hulu series and look excitedly toward what season two may bring.  All fans of the beloved novel of the same name by author Margaret Atwood will also love the series.  Season one pretty much follows the entire novel, but with even more detail.  The season and book end at the same place, which leaves all of us in anticipation for the next season which debuts April 25th.  We will all be starting from the same position, as all things will be new.  The teaser trailers are brimming with excitement and tension.  The countdown is on!  To catch up on past episodes, visit https://gethappywithj.com

Please remember to comment, share and subscribe!  Thank you for helping to spread the happy movement.

In this week's episode Jittaun reviews the first six months of the Get Happy With J podcast.  It's been a fun ride so far with some incredible guests.  Take a listen as Jittaun gives you personal insight on her guests and a look at future episodes.  We are still looking for volunteers to help manage the Get Happy With J social media pages.  Send us a message on the website or on our Facebook page if interested.  Come join team happy!  We hope you have enjoyed what you have heard so far.  If you have suggestions for guests or topics we should cover, let us know!  Perhaps you would like to chat with J for an episode yourself.  We would love to hear from you! Here's to another six months of all things happy!

Jessica Thomas is one of a record number of women who are running for political office all across the country.  Of the unprecedented numbers of those women, many like Jessica are first time candidates for any political office.  This means there is an excitement and ground swell of people taking their dinner table concerns out of the kitchen and into their communities.  What is bringing about this call to action?  Look no further than the current occupant of the White House.  With his chaotic leadership and divisive rhetoric, Trump is proving to be a motivator for many of these first time candidates.  It was a delight to talk to Jessica, fresh off her democratic primary win for Peoria County Auditor.  Since the recording of this interview, she has also won the battle against a proposed referendum that would have eliminated the position.  She still has a long way to go to win her seat against a strong republican candidate in November, but she has an enthusiastic base of support behind her.  The focus of our discussion was not just in her recent win, but in the deciding factors to run in the first place. I wanted to be able to talk to one of the amazing women who are a part of grass roots efforts to make change and she did not disappoint.