Momentum Now

After two years of unforgettable conversations, career-changing insights, and deeply personal stories, Momentum Now reaches its final chapter. But this isn’t just an ending — it’s a celebration of impact, legacy, and the community we’ve built together.

In this powerful and emotional finale, co-hosts Bob Brooks and Karen McFarlane are joined by three foundational voices behind MVP (Momentum & Value for People of Color):

Together, they reflect on:

The origin story of MVP: how a personal trauma sparked a movement

What it meant to mentor, coach, and support 145+ young professionals of color

Favorite guests and lessons that still resonate today — from career pivots and conflict management to radical optimism and leadership rooted in character

Why this podcast will live on, even as the organization closes its doors

And the most important takeaway: the momentum doesn't stop here

You’ll hear behind-the-scenes moments, heartfelt thank-yous, and real talk about starting something from scratch, making an impact, and figuring it out as you go.

If you’ve ever been unsure about your path, felt the pressure to succeed, or needed to hear someone say “your journey doesn’t have to be a straight line” — this episode is for you.

🛠️ Mike Metcalf (NASCAR) – on building diverse teams and thinking in seasons

00:00 – Intro & welcome

This podcast was never just about interviews — it was about access, inspiration, and building a platform where professionals of color could speak freely, teach boldly, and lead authentically.

🫶🏾 To our guests, mentors, volunteers, and most of all — our listeners:

While MVP may be closing its doors, the Momentum Now podcast will continue to live on for future listeners, learners, and leaders.

🎧 Listen anytime:

📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube:

In this episode of Momentum Now, co-hosts Karen McFarlane and Bob Brooks sit down with leadership coach, educator, and author Craig DeLarge to explore what it truly means to “work wisely.” Drawing from The Wise Working Handbook and his decades of experience across business, psychology, and digital mental health, Craig breaks down how young professionals can find purpose, manage burnout, and build real self-awareness early in their careers. He shares practical tools for navigating emotional overwhelm, training your attention, and developing the clarity needed to make intentional career moves.

Craig also opens up about redefining success, building community, and learning to trust your path even when it feels unclear. From journaling methods to health pillars to the importance of service and legacy, this conversation is full of grounded, actionable insights for rising professionals looking to grow with intention. Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply ready for the next level, this episode will give you the mindset and strategies to work—and live—more wisely.

00:00 – Intro & Meet Craig DeLarge

In this inspiring episode of Momentum Now, we sit down with Matt Sakdalan, founder of PARE — a golf apparel brand that blends Filipino culture, streetwear, and inclusivity to redefine what golf fashion can look and feel like.

Matt shares how his love for sneaker culture and golf evolved into a purpose-driven brand, the challenges of launching as a first-time entrepreneur, and why community, culture, and just getting started matter more than perfection. Whether you’re into fashion, entrepreneurship, or just want to break the mold, this episode is for you!

⛳ Golf was the starting point. PARE became the movement.

🕐 Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Matt Sakdalan: Founder of PARE

In this empowering episode of Momentum Now, hosts Bob Brooks and Karen McFarlane sit down with Candice Jackson Long — award-winning marketing strategist, global speaker, and founder of CJL Consulting Group.

Candice shares her powerful journey from corporate layoffs to launching a purpose-driven consulting firm that helps visionaries and underrepresented founders align branding, business, and faith.

She opens up about listening to divine prompts, overcoming self-doubt, and learning that no one escapes the process on the road to success. From managing the mindset shifts of entrepreneurship to building generational wealth and curating what your mind consumes, this episode is a masterclass in faith-fueled resilience and strategy.

Whether you’re exploring your next career move or dreaming of starting your own business, Candice’s story will remind you to “look back at your receipts” and trust that every step—win or loss—is preparing you for impact.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to:

Transform your purpose into a profitable brand.

Skill-stack your way to freedom and growth.

Navigate layoffs, self-doubt, and the unknown with faith and confidence.

Build income-generating assets and create generational wealth.

Timestamps:

01:10 — From Side Hustle to CEO

04:30 — Faith, Timing, and Trusting the Process

07:30 — The Power of Receipts

11:00 — Mindset & Morning Routine

16:30 — Wealth Building 101

20:50 — Advice for Young Professionals

24:45 — Lessons From Failure

26:30 — Rejection Is Redirection

30:50 — Finding Your Purpose & Building Your Brand

35:00 — Turning Passion Into Profit

41:00 — Rapid Fire: Quick Wisdom

45:00 — Closing Reflections

In this game-changing episode of Momentum Now, we sit down with cultural strategist and marketing exec Javier Farfan to talk legacy, leadership, and leveling up. From working at Microsoft and Pepsi to shaping narratives at the NFL, Javier has done it all—and he's still pushing the culture forward.

He unpacks how his upbringing in Harlem, his experience as a Latino creative, and his love for music, tech, and education all collided to build a career on his own terms. This episode is for anyone chasing purpose, building community, and rewriting the rules of success.

In this episode of Momentum Now, we sit down with Charlotte Castillo, Managing Director of Poderistas and former global brand executive at ViacomCBS, to explore what it truly means to “figure it out” — in life, in leadership, and in legacy-building.

Charlotte shares her journey from helping her immigrant mom negotiate bills at 10 years old to leading billion-dollar global franchises like SpongeBob and Dora the Explorer. With honesty and warmth, she opens up about navigating corporate reorgs, advocating for herself, and staying grounded in authenticity — even in rooms that weren’t built with her in mind.

This conversation is packed with career gems for young professionals navigating uncertainty, self-doubt, and professional growth.

Turning fear into action and inexperience into opportunity

Building a personal brand that opens doors (without the cringe)

How to find — and become — the right advocate

Learning to lead with authenticity in high-stakes spaces

Why “you will face hard things — and you will get through”

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

📄 Episode Description

Ian shares insights on

This episode is a must for young professionals navigating school, internships, and the early stages of career growth. Whether you’re figuring out what’s next or trying to grow without burning out, Ian’s story will give you clarity, encouragement, and strategy.

In this powerful episode of Momentum Now, Samina Bari—biopharma leader, twin mom, and author of I Can, I Will & I Did—shares her incredible journey of defying cultural expectations, navigating personal trauma, and rising to the top of a male-dominated industry.

Samina opens up about what it really takes to build a life on your own terms: persistence, self-belief, and choosing to be fueled by love—not anger. From breaking barriers in leadership to transforming pain into purpose, her story is a blueprint for anyone looking to rise above their circumstances and create lasting impact.

This episode is a must-listen for young professionals ready to own their power, rewrite their narrative, and break limits—boldly and unapologetically.

Pick up a copy of Samina's book here: I Can, I Will, & I Did

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – 5:30 | Introduction & Early Career

5:30 – 15:00 | Breaking Cultural Expectations

15:00 – 25:00 | Leadership & Resilience in Pharma

25:00 – 35:00 | Using Empathy & Power Effectively

35:00 – 42:00 | The Power of Love & Healing

42:00 – 46:30 | Rapid Fire & Final Reflections

In this powerful episode of Momentum Now, co-hosts Bob Brooks and Karen McFarlane sit down with Kishane Davis, a senior biotech leader and leadership coach, to explore his extraordinary career journey. 🌟

Kishane shares how he transitioned from a clinical occupational therapy background to a thriving career in pharmaceutical sales and leadership, fueled by resilience, mentorship, and a relentless drive to diversify his skill set. Raised in a Jamaican household where education, hard work, and entrepreneurship were core values, Kishane reflects on how those early lessons shaped his personal and professional growth.

Listeners will learn:

The importance of embracing discomfort to unlock new opportunities

Why building authentic relationships can change the trajectory of your career

How mentorship and consistency helped him break into competitive industries

Real-world strategies for navigating career transitions and standing out in today’s market

How to create a personal brand rooted in confidence, integrity, and resilience

Kishane’s story is a masterclass in how young professionals of color can move from surviving to thriving, one bold step at a time. 🔥

🎧 Listen and subscribe:

Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/5qy1R6AnexTiZRyDWFlbCv

Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/momentum-now/id1749694194

YouTube: youtube.com/@mvpoc9565

🌟 Learn more about MVP:

Website: mvpoc.org

Instagram: @mvpoc

Facebook: facebook.com/mvpoc2020

LinkedIn: Momentum and Value for People of Color (MVP)

Our co-hosts, Bob Brooks and Karen McFarlane, sit down with Dr. Juan Rios—a powerhouse in mental health, trauma-informed care, and inclusive leadership. As Chair of Social Work at Seton Hall University and founder of Rios & Associates, Dr. Rios brings not only a stacked list of credentials but a deeply personal story of resilience, purpose, and authenticity.

In this episode, Dr. Rios opens up about surviving foster care, living with survivor’s guilt, and the “toxic hustle” that fueled his early success. He unpacks how mindfulness, vulnerability, and finding your tribe are key to thriving in both your career and your personal healing.