(From 8 years of Prison to Lights, Camera, Action) The allure of power and money found Charles in prison. This Community Neighbor (non-Veteran) keeps it real and raw with no excuses about his incarceration. But his first acting audition will leave you with goosebumps.

Get over the hump every Wednesday with a new "Heartbeat in Relationship Conversation" episode. Join the Diversity Duo for all the feels and then ask yourself, “Do I judge a book by its cover...?” 

Charles D. Clark is anything but ordinary. He's articulate, intelligent, and charismatic. So how could such a gifted individual throw it all away to be a street goon? What was prison like inside his mind? Is he bitter or looked down upon now? What did he learn if anything? So much will be unpacked in this episode and the shocker, still there’s not enough time.

There was just enough time to render Dr. Loren and myself speechless if you can believe that’s possible. Charles has had a very successful career since his first audition and there are plenty of interviews with the famous actor of Empire, but what about the man? The prisoner? The family member? 

I assure you this actor's journey is far from traditional and his start unconventional. We've seen people turn from the streets to successful careers in film and television (U.S. Veteran Ice-T) and Danny Trejo (Community Neighbor/non-Veteran). So, what makes Charles's story stand out as opposed to just another rags to riches?

At times during this "Heartbeat in Relationship Conversation" I was inspired to feel my own journey back to the streets and Dr. Loren reflecting on his time behind bars. Oh, the places we'll go.

Hard time facts:

Most former prisoners experience difficulty finding a job after release. During the time spent in prison, many lose work skills and are given little opportunity to gain useful work experience. Moreover, the availability of job- training programs in prison has declined in recent years. www.urban.org

While any litigative or legislative efforts will take time, they are important mechanisms for making it illegal to discriminate against formerly incarcerated people. The state of being formerly incarcerated is one that is created by the law, so the law can and should be altered. https://belonging.berkeley.edu/ending-legal-bias-against-formerly-incarcerated-people#:~:text=While%20any%20litigative%20or%20legislative,can%20and%20should%20be%20altered.

(A kidney doesn't see race, politics, or gender) Lindsay is a U.S. Veteran who sees an ad and impulsively decides it's a great idea to give her healthy kidney to a stranger. This episode's mind-blowing plot twist is finding out who her recipient is.

Get over the hump every Wednesday with a new "Heartbeat in Relationship Conversation" episode. Join the Diversity Duo for all the feels and then ask yourself, “Do I judge a book by its cover...?” 

When you think "U.S. Veteran" what words come to mind? If you are a U.S. Veteran you may say "my brother or sister." If you are a military service member the words "next chapter" may be your thoughts. And ultimately, if you are a Community Neighbor (non-Veteran) a word, or phrase rather, "thank you for your service."

Others would say PTSD, homelessness, Vietnam, war, and of course the ringer, suicide. Rarely would you hear the words woman, life after the uniform, or in this episode's case a kidney donor?

Lindsay's story was so involved that we just couldn't stop learning about her fur babies, one being the beautiful big bottom Pearl, yes, I said the pig. Some of her adventures to come after kidney donation, literally summiting a mountain with her husband and some of her own volunteer and advocacy initiatives. In true "Heartbeat in Relationship Conversation," Dr. Loren and I had so much to ask in so little time! Therefore, the diversity duo will bring you part 2.

Facts about Kidney Donation:

Living donation does not change life expectancy and does not appear to increase the risk of kidney failure.  https://www.kidney.org/transplantation/livingdonors/what-expect-after-donation#:~:text=Living%20donation%20does%20not%20change,the%20risks%20involved%20in%20donation.

After one kidney is removed for donation, the remaining kidney undergoes a process known as “Compensatory Hypertrophy” i.e., it increases in size and takes over the function of the other kidney as well. The donor leads a normal life after donation.

https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-life-after-a-kidney-transplant/amp/

The more you know!

(Military service member  makes a bold move for self-care.) Christian is 25 years old and fast-tracking in the Navy. Career-wise he feels like he is the master of his own universe but inside he feels something is mastering him. Does he risk rejection?

Get over the hump every Wednesday with a new "Heartbeat in Relationship Conversation" episode. Join the Diversity Duo for all the feels and then ask yourself, “Do I judge a book by its cover...?” 

Being active duty in the military is a big responsibility 24/7. You rarely can get sick days, be late, call in to work, or quit your job. So, what do you do when, in your bones, you know that you need to regroup for self-care?

Mental health in this country… is there still a stigma attached? A stereotype to overcome. Can it hurt you if you are honest with your Chain of Command? Moreso, did it hurt this Navy Sailor and where is he now?

Here are some facts (https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Veterans-Active-Duty#:~:text=Nearly%201%20in%204%20active,the%20transition%20to%20civilian%20life.

Confidential counselors are available for service members and their families through Military One Source at 1-800-342-9647. 

Military personnel have always taken care of their physical health, but in today’s Armed Forces, mental health is equally essential to mission success. The military has changed many of its policies in recent years to encourage better mental health. The Department of Defense acknowledges that untreated mental health conditions pose a greater safety threat than mental health conditions for which you’re seeking treatment.

Military records show that talking to a doctor is a good career move. According to a 2006 study in Military Medicine, 97% of personnel who sought mental health treatment did not experience any negative career impact.

Throughout this episode, we will answer many of these questions, directly from the source.

(Superwoman or super tired?)

First discovered by (Grammy Winner) Gretchen Wilson. Now this country rocker is a military spouse, new mom, and touring artist. Does she manage it all or not? Just one of these things is a full-time job, right?

Get over the hump every Wednesday with a new "Heartbeat in Relationship Conversation" episode. Join the Diversity Duo for all the feels and then ask yourself, “Do I judge a book by its cover...?” 

Wow, to read the description seems surreal so I think it would be best if we approached this like eating an elephant, "one bite at a time."

First, who is Jessie G the touring artist? According to her bio:

Jessie’s heritage spans four generations of commercial fishermen. She says, "From an early stage, I was able to support my dream of pursuing music with the money I earned working as a baiter on our fishing boat or selling our fresh catch at the Farmer’s Market.”

Discovering the true art of songwriting under the watchful eye of Gretchen and her multi-talented friends and collaborators, Jessie realized the true depth of what she wanted to say.

With Jessie G signed as a Redneck Records artist, Gretchen Wilson now serves as co-writer, collaborator, producer, label head, tour mate, and friend.

Now for what Jessie the military spouse goes through married to a Green Beret (U.S. Army Special Forces):

How often do they deploy? Deployments can vary based on region and mission and last approximately six months. Soldiers may find themselves working in diverse situations such as an embassy or a little-known, isolated area. 

What can SF families endure? Of 369 United States Special Operations Command battle-injured fatalities (median age, 29 years; male, 98.6%), most were killed in action (89.4%), and more than half died from injuries sustained during mounted operations (52.3%). And the divorce rate? Nearly 80 percent of SF marriages end in divorce.

Lastly, we mentioned she’s a new mom, right? 

(This best selling author has an archetype for masculinity in the post-movement era) Eric believes that we need to stop talking about it and do something about it. Some would say masculinity is dead, toxic, or anti-feminine. Is it though?

Get over the hump every Wednesday with a new "Heartbeat In Relationship Conversation" episode.

Join the Diversity Duo for all the feels and

then ask yourself, “Do I judge a book by its  cover...?” 

In celebration of Pride Month, we have a great episode. Loren and I say to take "pride" in your masculinity no matter who you are attracted to.

Eric Rogell is the founder of “Mentor Wildfire,” who also has a popular podcast, bestselling author, and award-winning journalist who’s traveled the world writing for publications including Discovery.com, Men’s Fitness, and others. For more than 20 years, Eric has mentored and guided hundreds of ambitious people driven to accelerate their lives and careers. His next book, “Forging Greatness” will drop in July.

How much does sexuality or sexual preference have to do with masculinity? If you are homosexual, vulnerable, or transparent, does this make you less of a man? What is the balance or the compass of feminine and masculine energy or is there even one? These are some of the questions we'll answer in this episode. For some of you, the answers will be shocking. Also, Eric, an expert in understanding the masculine mind, didn't start the way you think. 

Also, hearing that a Samurai must be great at assembling flower arrangements as part of his training, wtf? I must say, ultimately that a lot of what I speculated on with men, more so masculinity, was confirmed. So what was confirmed?

Lastly, Eric’s latest project is the “Mentor Wildfire Mastermind” where executives, business owners, and team leaders meet monthly to amp up the power and effectiveness of mentoring initiatives in their companies. They discuss the latest strategies to make their programs more effective and impactful, attracting and retaining top talent, accelerating employee development, and creating what Eric calls an “equitable” corporate culture.

(Lyndsey, in her 30’s, does it all, even amid needing a double lung transplant.) Infection causing damage to one’s airway. Losing the ability to move air in and out. Ultimately, making it hard for oxygen to reach one’s vital organs. Sounds breathtaking, right?

Get over the hump every Wednesday with a new "Heartbeat in Relationship Conversation" episode. Join the Diversity Duo for all the feels, then ask yourself, “Do I judge a book by its cover...?” 

Her dis-ease is called bronchiectasis. Believe me, I don't know how to pronounce it either, but pronunciation is the least of her worries. If you got to the place where you had half the lung capacity of most people, what do you think your quality of your life would look like? How do you...Mom? Wife? Friend?...

Think of how hurtful the stereotypes could be when you eat like a horse, but you burn through so many calories that you look like you don't eat at all. Or perhaps, people whisper things like "eating disorder" or "drugs."

What is the point of it all? Why not just lay down in the bed and say f#%k it! Right? It's not like people would have that long to judge you, especially while needing two lungs.

This is just a snapshot of what we get to see through the lens of this amazing woman. Most people at critical mass would solely focus on themselves, but not her, nope!  Despite her quality-of-life condition she said, "let's do something about this for everyone dealing with it." What a journey in such a short period of time!

We’ll learn more about “One Breath At A Time” (OBAAT) in Part 1 of this 2-Part episode (Part 2 TBA). Explore the culture and philosophy of those who have no choice but to live this way and why Lyndsey is so determined to help.