Her Real Life

What’s The Word with Jenae Chiles

Part 2, a continuation of the conversation discussing the 2021 Olympics and the standards of which they are governed and how the public, athletes and spectators are viewing the “Games,” (both figuratively and physically)

What’s The Word is a raw conversation about current events, hot topics and candid conversations that I have with Jenae Chiles, a beautiful wordsmith in her own right. This month we talk about the Olympics, it’s standards, rules and the idea of our thoughts on what is truly an unfair advantage.  We jump into the controversies and interesting situations leading up to the 2021 Olympic Games.

JENAE CHILES

She can do it all; and I mean ALL THE THINGS! Jenae Chiles, a native of SC, is a well rounded person with a passion for encouraging people. Wife of Joshua Chiles who is Senior Pastor of  The Life Center in Abbeville, SC. and a mother of two young children. Her passion is writing, and she is the author of two published books, Imagination with No Limitations and Not Where You Left Me, a book she co-authored. A ghost writer, a hustler, and creator of the amazing “Word of The Week” videos on her social media, Jenae is also currently writing a third book. 

In 2021, Jenae officially started a blog site, Love Works Still, where she discusses important topics to encourage others to pursue love and betterment in life. Being a Montessori teacher, Jenae loves seeing the needs of others and helping them meet that need. Jenae tutors children and also homeschools her own. 

Jenae is a jack of all trades but her biggest title and greatest work is her family as a wife and mom.

Perspective

In this episode we talk about Jenae’s passions and her life. We also discuss the real issues and “games” that seem to be surrounding the Olympics as we get ready for the official Opening Ceremonies on July 23rd. We hit the topics of the banning of swim caps, track star Sha’Charri Richardson and marijuana as well as the transgender weightlifting athlete who is competing and our thoughts on what the Olympics deems as an “unfair advantage.” 

The perspective is personal and definitely real, but we had a great conversation. 

Website: www.loveworksstill,com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @LoveWorksStill and @iam_committed
FaceBook: @LoveWorksStill

Her Real Life, The Podcast

Creator and Host
Linette Colwell
*

Post Production Editor
Holly Harris, Torn Roof Entertainment

*

HRL Theme Sound
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What’s The Word with Jenae Chiles

Welcome to the NEWEST conversation on Her Real Life! 

What’s The Word is a raw conversation about current events, hot topics and candid conversations that I have with Jenae Chiles, a beautiful wordsmith in her own right. This month we talk about the Olympics, it’s standards, rules and the idea of our thoughts on what is truly an unfair advantage.  We jump into the controversies and interesting situations leading up to the 2021 Olympic Games.

JENAE CHILES

She can do it all; and I mean ALL THE THINGS! Jenae Chiles, a native of SC, is a well rounded person with a passion for encouraging people. Wife of Joshua Chiles who is Senior Pastor of  The Life Center in Abbeville, SC. and a mother of two young children. Her passion is writing, and she is the author of two published books, Imagination with No Limitations and Not Where You Left Me, a book she co-authored. A ghost writer, a hustler, and creator of the amazing “Word of The Week” videos on her social media, Jenae is also currently writing a third book. 

In 2021, Jenae officially started a blog site, Love Works Still, where she discusses important topics to encourage others to pursue love and betterment in life. Being a Montessori teacher, Jenae loves seeing the needs of others and helping them meet that need. Jenae tutors children and also homeschools her own. 

Jenae is a jack of all trades but her biggest title and greatest work is her family as a wife and mom.

Perspective

Episode 13, Part 1, of our discussion, we talk about Jenae’s passions and her life. We also discuss the real issues and “games” that seem to be surrounding the Olympics as we get ready for the official Opening Ceremonies on July 23rd. We hit the topics of the banning of swim caps, track star Sha’Charri Richardson and marijuana as well as the transgender weightlifting athlete who is competing and our thoughts on what the Olympics deems as an “unfair advantage.” 

The perspective is personal and definitely real, but we had a great conversation. 

Website: www.loveworksstill,com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @LoveWorksStill and @iam_committed
FaceBook: @LoveWorksStill

Her Real Life, The Podcast

Creator and Host
Linette Colwell
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Post Production Editor
Holly Harris, Torn Roof Entertainment

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HRL Theme Sound
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Just a good old Indiana Boy

Jackson Snelling, a 19 year old singer songwriter from Austin Indiana. A contestant on The 2021 American Idol and won "Video of the Year ", at the Josie Music Awards in Pigeon Forge TN,  He’s currently up for 5 Nominations this year at the JMA’s, and currently traveling across the country in support of Suicide Awareness prevention. Jackson wrote a song and made a video called "IF I ONLY KNEW " after a friend took his life at the age of 14. Jackson’s video has circulated around the world. When Jackson isn’t traveling you can find him performing in Louisville, KY and Southern Indiana. 

Our connection is interesting. We live in the same area, and both he and my daughter took lessons from the same beautiful teacher at a local music shop. It’s hard to believe that a kid who from little ol’ Austin Indiana, with all the events that occurred in his life could still smile and sing. You know people sing because they’re happy, and Jackson Snelling has SO much joy. We discussed his life, his legacy and all the things he wants to do. Jackson is an amazing old soul who has made the journey from the small town of Austin, Indiana all the way to the big screen; his life is full of countless opportunities. To hear his story and how he made his debut on the hit show American Idol is enlightening and encouraging to hear. I had so much fun talking about his hobbies, his family and how American Idol found him.

Big Things Coming

Be on the lookout for all of Jackson’s new music, videos and you never know…he just might be on American Idol again. Listen to the episode all the way to the end, I think you’ll find a very lovely surprise. This episode is about Jackson’s journey from losing his very dear Father, to keeping his family legacy of making music going by following his dream of being an artist. 

Her Real Life, The Podcast

Creator and Host
Linette Colwell
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Post Production Editor
Holly Harris, Torn Roof Entertainment

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HRL Theme Sound
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Can you imagine being a kid right now? In my conversations with my own preteen/teenage children as well as other adolescents and college age kids, and they are seriously struggling. I wish that I could drop my kids off into my childhood era so that they can understand how amazing regular summers and childhood really is. I wish they knew what it felt like to wake up in the summertime, get dressed and play outside until it got dark and the street lights came on…Kids will never understand the days of getting excited over school dances, going to football games, hanging out at the mall (although my parents never let me do that, sigh) and going to the skating rink on Friday nights. 

Life as we know it has been changed. It used to be technology, and now, it’s the isolation that has really changed a lot of things. Covid, the pandemic, the lack of in-person anything-it’s been an adventure; a lonely one at that. Who knows when normalcy will return? Whatever normalcy was/is. All I know is that there are a couple, maybe even three or more generations who are probably suffering more than we can ever know. That’s why I wanted to talk to Riley Winslow, my first interview with a Covid college kid.

Honors Student, Fall Homecoming Queen, elite volleyball player, beautiful, God-loving 19 year old girl. Riley. She is literally one of the sweetest kids I’ve met. I can’t be surprised because her parents are amazing people as well. Our connection, although fairly brief,  is through family, volleyball and God (not necessarily in that order,) but I’m certain we will be connected for a long time. She’s my people. During our conversation, we discussed the past year and a half of life with Covid for a high school senior, who turned into a college freshman. The ups and downs of that transition is usually overwhelming as it is, but throw in a pandemic and sports, isolation, illness…it is an absolute WHAMMY! 

Riley explains how she made it through her freshman year as a Marshal University student athlete. Even with her intelligence and drive, she admits the difficulty this past year has been doing almost everything through technology. Episode 11 is just the tip of the iceberg as to what our youth are dealing with right now. We talked about the generation who has been raised on technology become literally sick and tired of that very same technology that they have so loved. We talked all things hair, being bi-racial, Riley’s relationship with God and how Covid has made her realize how she has to be intentional in her friendships. We discussed volleyball and how athletes sometimes become consumed with their identity and sport. I loved Riley’s transparency and willingness to share her experience while away at college, 3 hours from home during a pandemic. Her perspective was enlightening, uplifting and raw.

Riley gave us a little slice of her real life, and for that I’m thankful.

Her Real Life, The Podcast

Creator and Host
Linette Colwell
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Post Production Editor

Holly Harris, Torn Roof Entertainment

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It’s not everyday that you get to meet a NCAA Division 1 athlete. It’s not everyday that you get to meet a NCAA Division 1 athlete National Champion. It’s not everyday that you get to meet a NCAA Division 1 athlete who is not only a National Champion, but also has a heart for Christ, a beautiful spirit, smile, great personality, as well as loving the next generation of athletes to the nth degree! Well, let me introduce you to the very person who IS all of those things. She is an incredible individual who truly represents the very best things in the sport of volleyball today.

Alli

She’s so much more than her sport. She’s so much more than her number and the university she represents. As I spoke with Alli, I learned that Alli Stumler is an amazing young lady who has such deep roots in Christ and her family. To watch her on the court, you see the passion she plays with and the contagious smile she blasts throughout the match. I immediately fell in love with her heart as we discussed life, God, her family and her journey to the University of Kentucky. I found that Alli, like all the rest of us, has had to navigate Covid, college, family, and the responsibility all of those things require. Being on campus of one of the premier universities in the country, during a pandemic, had it’s challenges, but this phenom helped to lead her team to a NCAA National Championship! 

To meet Alli is truly life changing and it’s very apparent that she has an absolute rock solid foundation. I can’t wait to meet her parents to say, “Job WELL DONE!” To hear how important her family is and the 40 acres that they all live on is an old school story in a new school life. It’s awesome. The connection she has with her family is one that many would love to have, not to mention need, especially in times of social media, pandemic and social stress that seems to surround us now. 

It was refreshing to know that God has such an integral part of her life. I was also shocked to hear how God played such a huge part of her decision to UK. For a large, public University, I was blown away at one of the main reasons (God centered) that helped seal the deal for Alli in making the leap to become a Kentucky Wildcat. I’m so excited to know her and even more excited that my daughter gets to know her, watch her play volleyball and a Christ-led life. 

Alli Stumler is a Champion..of life.

Stumler

She is number 17. A 6’1”, Outside Hitter for the volleyball team at the University of Kentucky, who has this electric smile and personality, on and off the court. A newly engaged, free spirited, beauty. She is a daughter, sister, amazing athlete and a mentor and role model to many. She made such an impression on me, that I will not only make the drive to watch her play, but OMG…I’m actually going to cheer for KENTUCKY?!? If you know me, you know how crazy that sounds..Alli Stumler has made a believer out of me (Go Cats! Lol) 

I met Alli Stumler in the lobby of KIVA. She smiled as each little girl waited on she signed posters and posed for pictures with each one. She’s a Kiva girl, who just won a National Championship, during a pandemic, no less,  with her volleyball team at the University of Kentucky. How she does it all with such joy was a mystery to me…until we spoke. Our interview was an amazing insight on who she is, what her why is and how she got it all done to achieve, arguably, one of the most coveted wins a college athlete desires- a National Championship! If you look at her career, her passion for Christ and work ethic, you won’t be surprised by her success. 

Alli Stumler is the real deal. 

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Her Real Life, The Podcast

Creator and Host
Linette Colwell
*

Post Production Editor
Holly Harris, Torn Roof Entertainment

*
HRL Theme Sound
Kingdrums

The Before

You can read all the books you want, take all the classes and watch all the videos. You can have your friends tell you stories, babysit, have younger siblings and be the best Auntie there is, but nothing prepares you for the birth of your own baby. Nothing prepares you for the emotions, the feelings, the inadequacies or loss of total control you experience when you hold your literal flesh and blood for the first time. From the moment your child opens their eyes and looks into yours, it’s a moment you never forget and it’s also a moment that terrifies you like none other. Outside of those feelings, no book, therapist, relative or friend prepares you for the moment you want to cry, feel overwhelmed or just don’t know what to do. When that moment happens and you hear the words, “ Oh, you’ll be fine! This will pass,” you immediately feel helpless and personally feel like you’re the only person to have ever felt that way. 

If you only knew…

Meet Kelsie Anderson. A young wife and mother of two beautiful babies, who like myself, experienced these feelings. Being a mother was something she loved, the unexplained feelings that came along with her new role, not so much. We discussed both of our experiences with postpartum. The dreaded, misunderstood word that haunts so many women, yet none of them share with anyone; some keep the struggle for their entire lives. We broke down what we went through and how painful it was. The situation was so painful for Kelsie that she contemplated suicide. Yes, suicide. No one talks about these things, and sometimes when they do, it’s too late. We opened up to share the journey of dealing with postpartum, diagnosed and undiagnosed, and how it affected our relationships, our everyday functioning and how we viewed what should have been the happiest time of our lives. The bravery Kelsie showed during our conversation was amazing. The bravery she has shown to push through and live for herself and her family is absolutely outstanding. 

These are the things no one shares or communicates regularly because it’s such a difficult journey to navigate. If I knew then what I know now about postpartum and the different affects it has on women, I would have been better equipped. I hope our conversation helps another young mother who is anxious and afraid to realize that she’s not alone and there’s help. 

The After

Postpartum Depression is simply defined as depression after the birth of a child. Postpartum means following childbirth. So many things follow childbirth, right?  It’s time we speak freely, speak honestly and we listen to those who do with open hearts and minds. You never know when a conversation expressed could be the very conversation that someone needs to have in order to live a productive life. Kelsie brought perspective and allowed me to also share my own struggle with postpartum in order to hopefully help another young mother be the best she can be without judgement. We’re all in this together and it’s time we realize that postpartum is a very real issue with many in their own real lives.  

Thank God there is an “after” for Kelsie. I thank God there was an “after” for me. Even though I didn’t speak of my struggle specifically, I had people who were placed in my life that helped me make it. For them, I am grateful. There have been others who have suffered in silence and didn’t make it. I struggled with it for at least two or three years. The goal of our conversation was to let people know that they don’t have to suffer alone, help is always available and to let them know each person can experience this in different ways. The most important part of this conversation is that there is an AFTER, and it’s so important to hang on until you get there.

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Her Real Life, The Podcast

*Creator and Host
Linette Colwell

*Post Production Editor
Holly Harris, Torn Roof Entertainment

*HRL Theme Sound
Kingdrums

She’s a beautiful soul. A thirty something pre-k teacher. An actress, model, author, mother…and a preacher’s wife. Sharece Gash is a friend of mine. Our connection is two fold. We are both part of the G-Dubb aka Gardner-Webb athletic family as well as the Grit, Grind and Muscle family. She’s my accountability partner on those days I don’t feel like getting up early and we are the queens of a “just finished an insane workout, are you alive?” selfie. She helped me get through those initial days of pushing through meal plans, waking up early and finishing the entire workout. There are no words to express how thankful I am for Sharece in my real life. She’s introduced me to Bible studies and a whole new set of ladies who keep support me on my health journey as well as my spiritual journey. Sharece is a praying woman, steeped in peace. Her voice is as calming as ANY sound machine. I’m so thankful we connected. Her story of being a pastor’s wife is interesting, because it isn’t what you think. 

Sometimes, we are placed in roles and situations that we aren’t always ready for and definitely not equipped.  I’m glad to know I wouldn’t be alone in not wanting to dive head first into the deep end of a traditional, southern Black church “First Lady” role, either! I remember seeing the First Lady and all the things she did and what all the people tried to do to get in good graces or to help. Now in 2021, with Covid and the virtual church experience, things are different. Actually, things before Covid were a whole lot different from the 90s and how the church operates and all the moving parts within it. 

In this episode we discussed Sharece and her childhood, her youth, as well as meeting and marrying her husband. She talked about wanting “NO PARTS” of being a pastor’s wife…but as we all know, God has a way of working things out for the good. In this episode, we take a look into the life of a beautiful woman and how she now navigates leading a church with her husband, that actually has a family connection. We discuss the roles of husband and wife in the home and how those roles have a unique twist in her household. We laughed and had an absolute ball during this episode. Sharece Gash, the preacher’s wife.

Sharece, and her husband Chris, the pastor, are the leaders of New Ellis Chapel in Shelby North Carolina. They have two beautiful children. You can join the services they have each week, Wednesday and Sunday mornings on FaceBook.

New Ellis Chapel: https://www.facebook.com/newellis.chapel.9

Sharece is also the co-author of the book, “Not Where You Left Me” 

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Her Real Life, The Podcast
Creator and Host 
Linette Colwell 

*

Post Production Editor
Holly Harris, Torn Roof Entertainment

*

HRL Theme Sound
Kingdrums

H.E.R. Motivation, Motivates Her

“‘LEARN WHO YOU ARE AND BE THAT,’ is a quote that strongly defines where I am in my life. As a believer in God, a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and entrepreneur, I have found my confidence in knowing who I am and standing firm in that place. It feels so freeing to be okay with being me, Arielle Jones. I have learned that no one can be a better me than me!” 
~Arielle Jones

Meet Her

“I stumbled upon the specific journey of finding myself during the COVID Pandemic in 2020. In order to put an end to the constant confusion and ongoing chaos in my mind about what I want to do, what I was created to do and just plainly put, WHO AM I? I prayed and promised to devote time to my Health, Empower myself and other ladies around me and to give myself time to Revitalize. Hence the birth of Motivate H.E.R. (24.7), a platform for women to consciously devote time to themselves. My husband Michael Jones also played a significant role in the conception of Motivate H.E.R. because he helped cultivate the platform of Motivate H.E.R. by encouraging and supporting me through my journey. I genuinely believe that empowered women empower women and if we change the way we think, we can change the world!”

Arielle has 10 + years of experience in retail property management. The most significant element of her 10 + year career has been building relationships with entrepreneurs. Those relationships also helped her tap into her curiosity of starting her own business as well as investing in others. Arielle Jones is a product of a HBCU, Clark Atlanta University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Arielle understands in life, you must find a way or make one (CAU MOTTO)! She is devoted to finding ways to empower women around the world and to encourage women to cherish who they are as well as the gifts and visions they will birth.

Life Changing

Knowing and speaking with Arielle Jones are two life changing events within themselves. She is an amazing woman and throughout my time of getting to know her better, I am thankful for the experience. In our one on one conversations, we discussed the faithfulness of God, health, wellness, camaraderie, transparency and purpose. We discussed the birth of Motivate H.E.R. and how it is growing and creating changes and ripple effects not only in my life, but lives of women all across the world. The reach of Motivate H.E.R. has made it all the way to Cairo! I personally know the changes this community made in my life and listening to our conversation will show you 1 out of a million reasons why you will want to get connected to Motivate H.E.R. and Arielle Jones. 

The Business

Motivate H.E.R. currently offers a variety of classes and opportunities to engage with their community and change your life. Email Arielle, follow Motivate H.E.R. on instagram and find your place in line for positive interaction and change. You are in for an absolute treat as we literally dive deep into Her Real Life.

Arielle Jones, Motivate H.E.R
Email: [email protected]
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/motivateh.e.r/

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Her Real Life, The Podcast
*
Creator and Host 
Linette Colwell 

*
Post Production Editor
Holly Harris, Torn Roof Entertainment

*
HRL Theme Sound
Kingdrums

To say life has made some drastic turns is an absolute understatement. Even before Covid and all the changes that bought to our lives and especially our kids, there was the enormous elephant in the room that we all love to hate at times and that is the giant we so lovingly call, Social Media. We all use social media for one reason or another, and for the most part, it’s harmless. Then, there are other times when it’s the absolute worst thing ever created. It’s in these moments that we as adults look at our usage and say, “…maybe I should cut back,” and we step back and evaluate how it makes us feel and we stop for a while. 

For our children who are growing up in this social media driven world, it isn’t so simple. For the ever evolving minds of the little people we love and care so much about, social media and the sense of acceptance and belonging it falsely gives to them, it creates a type of stress that they really don’t know how to handle. Having pre-teen and teenage kids in this social media day and age is definitely a task, especially having a daughter. These times can be brutal. 

Meet Passion, Purpose and Power

As a parent I do my best to expose my children to the good things of life and sometimes the good parts of the not so good things in life. As with everything in my life, when I find a good thing, I try to share it with everybody I know. Sports have always been a huge part of my life and when my children decided to become involved in sports, it made my heart smile. When we found Kiva for my daughter, it literally changed her little athletic life, and ours. The relationships and skill she’s developed have been incredible! I’m so thankful for our Kiva family. One of the first people I encountered at Kiva was Courtney Robison-Dixon. I will be forever grateful for our meeting. She was gracious and honest and at that moment, I knew I’d found the right place for my daughter to grow her passion for volleyball. I had no idea that Courtney was in the process of writing a book for young girls that would be a blessing and life changing read. 

Purpose

Author Courtney Robison-Dixon is a former Division 1 volleyball player at the University of Louisville who, for the past ten years, has coached girls ages 10-18, as one of the directors of Kentucky Indiana Volleyball Academy (KIVA)- one of the most prominent and prestigious clubs in the country. 

Passion

Courtney’s life mission is to help young women build the inner strength, confidence, and competence they need to live their lives in real time. Her relatable, supportive, life-changing advice will empower girls to realize that they are women of passion, with a purpose in life and the power to influence the world in a positive way. 

Power
Courtney is a powerhouse and she not only communicates, exude and shares her powerful influence, she leans on it help create the next generation of women for a better future. She’s my kind of people and in this episode we discuss the driving force behind this amazing book and the hopes of change that will come not only from every girl, but every adult who reads it. I can’t wait to share the book with my own volleyball team this summer! I’ve set up a Play Date for pre-teen girls to participate in a Virtual Summer Book Club to make sure as many girls in my area are able to read it. I couldn’t be more excited!!

The Connection
The book, Living in Real Time is available, right now, for purchase! 

Connect with Courtney here: 

 Courtney Robison-Dixon
www.courtneyrd.com
Instagram- @robisondixon21
Facebook- @courtneyrobisondixon 
Twitter-@robisondixon21 

*Her Real Life, The Podcast
Creator and Host,
Linette Colwell

*Post Production Editor
Holly Harris,
Torn Roof Entertainment

*HRL Theme Sound
Kingdrums

“First of all, I represent myself. Second of all, I represent my family...and then third of all, you know, my community.  Then fourth of all, the police department.  That’s the last thing I represent, because that’s just my job; that’s what pays my bills, and that’s what allows me to do what I do for my family. But, I tell people all the time, I’m a black man first. I’ve been a police officer for almost 19 years, but I’ve been a black man for 43...”

~Ty Hunt

Hunt

He’s my friend. We met as middle school kids who went to different middle schools, connected by athletics. Always, consistent in his personality and demeanor, he comes from a wonderful family and he’s made the transition of being a great son, to being a great husband and father, seamless. An East Carolina University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications Media Production who began his policing career in 2003 in the little town of Conover, North Carolina, Ty Hunt is a Patrolman for the City of Atlanta, since 2007, who is currently assigned to the airport. He’s a husband, father, friend, avid hunter, black man and a police officer. Ty Hunt is a Police Officer. A Police Officer during a time when it seems that racial tensions are higher than they have been since the 60’s. I can’t imagine being in his dichotomous position, but our conversation shares not only his viewpoints of the current situations in our country, but also his triumph in his career and longevity as a black man who just happens to be a Police Officer. 

Hunting For Himself

We discussed his passion for his family, his heritage and his heart for doing what’s right. I learned of his trek to Africa to find his roots and by finding out more of who he is, helps him to be not only a better family man and person as a whole, but it most definitely helps him be a better Police Officer. What I learned from Ty during our conversation, was that it seemed being steeped in self-awareness, foundational knowledge, great communication skills and a genuinely good conscious, Ty has been able to increase his ability to positively manage his career as an Officer. He’s just a good person and like those of us who question some of the choices of his fellow brothers in blue, he doesn’t understand either. 

Baggage Claim

I asked difficult questions and Ty was able to share his heart coming from a man who is a Police Officer that happens to be a 6’5” 270+ pound Black man...he gets looks, questions and misunderstanding from his culture as well as questions and stares from those who don’t look like him. We unpacked a lot of heavy baggage during our brief time together, but I believe that what you hear will be enlightening and encouraging. It’s good to know we have Officers like Ty out there in the world. I can only hope we see more of them stand up and come out more often. 

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Her Real Life, The Podcast
Creator and Host, Linette Colwell

Post Production Editor
Holly Harris, Torn Roof Entertainment

HRL Theme Sound
Kingdrums