Interior Motives

On this episode Che'lyn has a conversation with Dr. Carlton and Mrs. Danielle Byrd. This dynamic couple whom are both HBCU grads/alumnus of Oakwood University discuss their personal /professional journey, the joys, challenges, and demands  of ministry,  navigating trauma, healing through insurmountable emotional pain/grief and loss, while still cultivating a healthy marriage/family life.

Dr. Carlton and Mrs. Danielle Byrd have been happily married for the past 23 years. They met at Oakwood University in Huntsville, AL nearly 30 years ago, where both matriculated and graduated – Dr. Byrd with degrees in Theology and Business Management and Danielle with a degree in Biology. Dr. Byrd’s ministerial career began in 1994 and he has pastored in the States of Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, and Georgia. During this period, he also furthered his education with a Master of Business Administration degree from Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN and a Master of Divinity degree and Doctor of Ministry degree from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI.

Currently, the Byrds, whom also have thee daughters, reside in Huntsville, AL where Dr. Byrd serves as Senior Pastor of the Oakwood University Church and Speaker/Director of the Breath of Life Television Ministry. Danielle, his wife and life partner in ministry, is also fully immersed in ministry and serves as the Field Services Director for Breath of Life. Their global ministry has taken them far and wide and resulted in over 20,000 individuals surrendering their lives to Jesus and being baptized. 

Contact Dr. Carlton P. Byrd : [email protected]

Oakwood University Church: oucsda.org

breathoflife.tv     breathoflife.tv/broadcast/

Book: Gone by Carlton P. Byrd Breath of Life Ministries

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Thank you listeners for your ongoing support!

On this episode Che'lyn has a conversation her childhood friend Janel Jones Merritt.  Janel unpacks her 32 year personal/professional journey and evolution as a multi-faceted women in leadership. She reflects on the power of authentic sisterhood through the complexities and transitions of life; including careers, motherhood, relationships and grief/loss.  

Janel is a proud HBCU alumnus and graduate of Howard University. There she studied and earned  a  BA degree in Business Administration/Marketing.  She is also  a multi-talented creative,  whom has had an extensive musical career as a vocalist and music conductor.. Janel has collaborated and worked with notable musical artists such as Patti Labelle, The Winans, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Denise Graves, Donnie McClurkin, Wintley Phipps and  her beloved friend Richard Smallwood. She has also served as a musical conductor and minister with ensembles/choirs for her illustrious sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.

After graduating, Janel maintained a 17-year career at Canon.  She is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Digidoc, Inc. Public Sector Solutions Group (PS2G), which is a world class technical consulting firm. She is an advocate for young women in STEM and is active in a multitude of civic organizations/endeavors that focus on mentorship and leadership. 

Contact me at [email protected] 

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In this episode Che'lyn has a conversation  with Kofi Robinson about his personal and professional journey in becoming a fitness/wellness expert and entrepreneur.  Kofi shares best practices and insights for holistic wellness and the fundamental principles to cultivate a fitness routine. Mr. Kofi Robinson is a Certified Personal Trainer, Holistic Lifestyle Coach and CEO and Founder of Koficore Fitness-Training Studio. Kofi is a proud HBCU alumnus and has degrees in Kinesiology,  Business Administration from Oakwood University. He has  a multitude of speciality certifications including BOSU Master Trainer, Strength/Conditioning/Functional/Core training, nutritional analysis  and over 20 years of experience in the areas of fitness, health and wellness. Kofi’s training philosophy emphasizes holistic wellness from the food you eat, to the way you move and your lifestyle habits. Kofi takes great pleasure and responsibility in especially teaching how foundational and imperative functional core training are in supporting all movement, thus enhancing one’s quality of life.

Connect with Kofi Robinson:: koficore.com     

Instagram: (@koficore)

Facebook: koficorefitness

Kofi's Book Recommendations:  

Eat, Move and Be Healthy by Paul Chek     

Breathe by James Nestor    

Fungus Link by Doug Kaufman

Connect with me at [email protected] 

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On this episode Che'lyn has a  candid conversation with  Dr. Marco Clark., a proud HBCU alumnus and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.,  regarding his personal and professional journey and evolution into manhood.  Dr. Clark discusses the obstacles he faced and the defining moments of his formative years that changed the trajectory for his life.  Dr.. Clark is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Richard Wright Public Charter School for Journalism and Media Arts located in Washington D.C. In addition to  his work as the Founder and CEO, he is an author, nationally acclaimed speaker, and  the Chairman of "Man on the Block", an organization focused on providing safe passage for students to and from school. Dr. Clark is an advocate and for various youth groups, civic organizations and other non-profit organizations focused on  social change and restoring trust in public school education. Dr. Clark has been featured in  Jet magazine, The Huffington Post and The New York Times recounting his struggles with reading as a youth and using his platform to advocate for educational reform, fight against world illiteracy and social/economic/systemic issues that impact marginalized communities.

Books: Parents Where Are You? The Kids Are Out of Control by Dr. Marco Clark

Connect with Dr. Marco Clark: richardwrightpcs.org

Twitter: (@DrMarcoClark)    Linkedin: drmarcoclark

To ask questions or share comments, connect with me : [email protected]

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On this episode Che'lyn has a conversation with media scholar,  Dr. Beretta E. Smith-Shomade regarding her personal, academic and professional journey and the evolution  and complexities of Black images in  television/media.  Dr. Smith-Shomade earned her Ph.D  from UCLA, however is also a proud HBCU graduate of Clark-Atlanta University. Dr. Smith-Shomade is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Film and Media Studies at Emory University. Over many years and currently her research explores aesthetic, representational, production and industrial aspects of Black television engagement. She is the author of two books within this framework: Shaded Lives: African American Women and Television (Rutgers 2002) and Pimpin Ain't Easy ;Selling Black Entertainment(Routledge 2007) Her most recent monograph is an edited anthology, Watching While Black: Centering the Television of Black Audiences (Rutgers 2013)- a 2013 Choice Outstanding Academic Title. Beyond this work Dr. Smith-Shomade has published journals and anthologies on Black filmic representations, cable television, and Black spirituality. She is currently completing a monograph on the confluence of spirituality, people of the African Diaspora and media entitled Aw, the Devil with Hem Untied! The Black Mediated Sacred and editing a new edition of Watching While Black for Rutgers. Dr. Smith-Shomade's books can be accessed on Amazon or via Rutgers.

For additional questions or comments, please contact me: [email protected] 

Remember to rate, review and subscribe. Thank you so much listeners for your support and Happy 2021!!!

On this episode Che'lyn continues to have a transparent conversation with these accomplished young Black women  from diversified backgrounds regarding the challenges of making authentic connections in this current dating landscape that is greatly impacted by social media,  and various virtual dating platforms. We continue to explore how cultural/familial expectations and spiritual values/beliefs inform their decisions regarding sexuality, dating norms, marriage/commitment  and abstinence. This topic is very nuanced and complex and the opinions voiced by these young ladies are a reflection of their personal values, beliefs,  constructs and life experiences. 

Resources: National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 800 799-7233 (SAFE)   TheHotline.org

Books: 

ShouldI I Stay Or Should I Go: Surviving a Relationship with A Narcissist by Dr. Ramani Durvasula

The Verbally Abusive Relationship by Patricia Evans

The New Codependency by Melody Beattie

Safe People by Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

Queenology by R.C. Blakes , JR

Searching for a therapist in your area: psychologytoday.com One of my phenomenal guest , Ren Foster is the podcast host of The Vent, where she explores socially relevant, poignant topics with artistic, innovative approach, can be accessed on Apple, Spotify, etc. Check It Out!!!

Thank you listeners for you continued support. Please remember to rate, review and subscribe. Please send questions or suggestions for future episodes to email: [email protected]

Happy Holidays Beautiful People, be well and be blessed.

On this episode Che'lyn continues to have a candid conversation with these accomplished young  Black women from diversified backgrounds regarding the challenges of creating authentic connections in this current dating landscape that is greatly impacted by social media and various virtual dating platforms. We continue to explore how societal/cultural expectations, family/race and spiritual values inform decisions, ideas and norms of behavior as it relates to dating and committed relationships/marriage. This topic is very nuanced and complex and the insights shared by these young women are  based on their individual life experiences. Stay tuned for part 3 next Thursday December 24, 2020.  Thank you again listeners for your  continued support.  Remember to rate, review and subscribe.

Please send me an email with questions and/or dating dilemma's related to Millennial Dating Culture at [email protected]

Happy Holidays, be well and be blessed.

On this episode Che’lyn has a conversation with Jamella Stroud. Jamella is a 200 Registered Yoga Teacher(RYT) , fitness coach and Founder/ CEO of Sacred Body Fitness. Jamella shares her personal struggles in overcoming , abuse/trauma, an eating disorder and codependency issues. Jamella recounts with great courage what it took for her to commit to doing the introspective internal work necessary to create holistic healing and mind, body and spirit alignment. Contact Jamella for classes and consultation at bit.ly/Sacredbodyfit or on Facebook:Sacred Bodies with Jamella. Book: Cleansing the Sanctuary of the Heart by David and Beverly Sedlacek Contact me: [email protected] Remember to rate, review and subscribe and thank you for listening. Be well and be blessed.

On this episode Che’lyn has a candid, transparent conversation with a group of accomplished Black women from diversified backgrounds of the Millennial generation, regarding their perspectives, insights and challenges regarding the nuances of the social media driven millennial dating culture. We explore how societal expectations, family/ race, spiritual values and cultural norms inform decisions, ideas and frames of reference with regards to dating and committed relationships. This topic is very complex and these young women are sharing insights based on their personal experiences. NPR. org. “ Millennials Have Inherited The Black Marriage Gap”. Stay tuned for Part Two. on December 17, 2020. For more information and or contact me at : [email protected] Remember to rate, review and subscribe. Thank you so much listeners for your support. Be well and be blessed.

In this episode Che'lyn  touches base before the holidays and shares brief commentary on current books she is reading via Audible and offers a Reading Rave to Sonya Renee Taylor, the author of The Body is Not an Apology.  Che'lyn  also shares thoughts on utilizing  emotional triggers as a path to personal reckoning. She shares insights on a recent Red Table Talk featuring  the critically acclaimed Actor Will Smith and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ramani, where they unpack his 30 year estrangement from former  costar of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Juilliard trained actress/ dancer Janet Hubert. 

Thank you listeners for your support. Stay tuned for next week's episode on Millennial Dating Culture. 

Connect with me: [email protected]  Remember to rate, review and subscribe.

Current books I am listening to via Audible:

Everybody's Got Something by Robin Roberts

The Meaning of Mariah Carey by Mariah Carey

Grit by Angela Duckworth

A Promised Land by Barack Obama