No Straight Path

On this episode of No Straight Path, Ashley interviews civil rights attorney Antonio Ingram. Antonio serves as Assistant Counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. He is a graduate of Yale College and UC Berkeley School of Law. He served as a federal judicial law clerk for the honorable Ivan L. Lemelle in the Eastern District of Louisiana in New Orleans and for Chief Judge Roger L. Gregory for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia. He also completed a Fulbright Public Policy Fellowship in Malawi where he worked for the Malawian government and served in their Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Antonio shares his inspiring journey and how he became a civil rights attorney. Ashley and Antonio also delve into a number important topics, including faith, racial justice, authenticity, and joy. Tune in for another inspiring episode!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Antonio Ingram

Antonio Ingram on LinkedIn

NAACP Legal Defense Fund

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

Hubspot Podcast Network

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If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you! 

On this episode on of No Straight Path, Ashley interviews the talented actress, singer and producer, Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins. Ashley has appeared on several television series and she starred in the critically acclaimed Netflix Original Series, DEAR WHITE PEOPLE for four seasons. 

She is the host of Trials to Triumphs, which is an interview-style show in the Oprah Winfrey Network. Ashley’s personal and professional struggles, along with her gift for relating and connecting to people from all walks of life, allows Ashley and her notable guests to open up about the trials that led to their many triumphs. In these intimate and revealing conversations, Ashley and her guests unpack moments that remained hidden from the public as guests worked to become who they are today. After each episode, listeners will feel inspired and empowered to keep going, no matter where they are in life.

Ashley opens up about the trials and triumphs in her life and we delve into the power of storytelling. Tune into another inspiring episode!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins

Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins CAA

Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins on Instagram

Trials to Triumphs

Dear White People

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

Hubspot Podcast Network

Rate & Review:

If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you! 

Join us today for our live conversation at Podcast Movement with online business strategist, podcaster and speaker Steph Taylor. She helps business owners build profitable and sustainable online businesses that continue to grow even when they’re offline. She is also the host of Imperfect Action, a podcast where Steph uses her experience of building a million-dollar online business to help listeners as they navigate their journey. She provides mindset advice, actionable marketing tips and strategies to build a business that brings you more profit, more freedom and even more joy. Imperfect Action has over two million listeners, and Steph's work continues to inspire listeners all around the world.

We learn all about Steph's inspiring journey as she navigated a number of challenges to build a business she loves. We also talk about her podcasting journey and the purpose behind her work. Tune in for another great story with lots of lessons learned!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Steph Taylor

Imperfect Action

Podcast Movement

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

Hubspot Podcast Network

Rate & Review:

If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you! 

On today's episode of No Straight Path, Ashley interviews Henna Pryor, a highly sought after Workplace Performance Expert and an award-winning 2 time TEDx and global keynote speaker, author, and executive coach. Her clients call her their “secret weapon for impossible change,” an honor she wears proudly. She’s known for her science-backed approach to improving the performance, habits, and actions of hungry high achievers – in her fun, no-nonsense, no-jargon way – to move them from their first level of success to their next one. 

We cover Henna’s interesting career path and dig into the work she’s doing with her best-selling book, Good Awkward, which was endorsed by NFL Quarterback Russell Wilson, former HBR Editor Karen Dillon, and received the rare Kirkus Star for excellence in writing.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Henna Pryor

Good Awkward

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

Hubspot Podcast Network

Rate & Review:

If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you! 

On this episode of No Straight Path, Ashley shares her reflections on life and career to celebrate her 34th birthday! She shares some of the important lessons she's learned on her journey thus far. She covers mindset, envy, purpose, authenticity, and kindness. Her hope is that these lessons help you as you work to achieve your version of success. This is the second part of a two-part conversation. Thanks for listening! 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

HubSpot Podcast Network

We the Urban 

Glennon Doyle 

We Wear the Mask by Paul Lawerence Dunbar 

Achievement Network 

Michelle Odemwingue 

Balanced Black Girl 

Kindness Article 

Rate & Review:

If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you! 

On this episode of No Straight Path, Ashley shares her reflections on life and career to celebrate her 34th birthday! She shares some of the important lessons she's learned on her journey thus far. She covers mindset, envy, purpose, authenticity, and kindness. Her hope is that these lessons help you as you work to achieve your version of success. Don’t forget to tune in to part two next week. Thanks for listening! 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

HubSpot Podcast Network

Growth Mindset Article

Black Social

Rate & Review:

If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you! 

Welcome to Part 2 of our conversation with our special guest for the Halloween Season, author and psychiatrist, Justin Key. He recently published his debut book with HarperCollins called The World Wasn’t Ready For You. In his book, Justin expands and subverts the horror genre to expertly explore issues of race, class, prejudice, love, exclusion, loneliness, and what it means to be a person in the world while revealing the horrifying nature inherent in all of us. Marked by its exceptional imagination and profound emotional impact, it presents a fresh and unforgettable voice in the realm of fiction. He’s been perfecting his voice over the past 14 years, backed by a truly inspiring story. Justin is someone who inspires the idea that multi-hyphenate careers exist and you can follow more than one dream. In this two-part interview, Ashley flips the script and digs deep into the way Justin thinks, the inner workings of his mind (especially related to the horror genre), and how he achieved his wildest dreams. He also shares helpful advice for those pursuing a multi-hyphenate career.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Justin C. Key

Justin C. Key on X

Justin C. Key on Instagram

Justin C. Key on TikTok

The World Wasn’t Ready For You

Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

Hubspot Podcast Network

Rate & Review:

If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you! 

This episode of No Straight Path features a special guest for the Halloween Season, author and psychiatrist, Justin C. Key. He recently published his debut book with HarperCollins called The World Wasn’t Ready For You. In his book, Justin expands and subverts the horror genre to expertly explore issues of race, class, prejudice, love, exclusion, loneliness, and what it means to be a person in the world while revealing the horrifying nature inherent in all of us. Marked by its exceptional imagination and profound emotional impact, it presents a fresh and unforgettable voice in the realm of fiction. He’s been perfecting his voice over the past 16 years, backed by a truly inspiring story. Justin is someone who inspires the idea that multi-hyphenate careers exist and you can follow more than one dream. In this two-part interview, Ashley flips the script and digs deep into the way Justin thinks, the inner workings of his mind (especially related to the horror genre), how he comes up with his fascinating stories, and the story of his unwavering pursuit of a dream. Don’t forget to tune in to part two of Justin’s story, next week. Thanks for listening! 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Justin C. Key

Justin C. Key on X

Justin C. Key on Instagram

Justin C. Key on TikTok

The World Wasn’t Ready For You

Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

Hubspot Podcast Network

Rate & Review:

If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you! 

Switching careers can be a stressful and daunting prospect for anyone who is looking to make a vocational change, but it can also be a source of inspiration and a catalyst for growth and for finding your life’s purpose. Today’s guest, Isaiah Deporto-Plick is no stranger to change, as he’s jumped between various industries to finally land on a path that is truly aligned with his purpose. Aside from holding a BA Degree in political science, an MBA, and a Doctorate in Law, Isaiah is also the Co-Founder of Fuerza Ventures – a firm that provides support to new startup founders of color – and a Legal Counsel at SSM, a woman and minority-owned boutique law firm that offers big-law-quality services. We begin our conversation with a journey through Isaiah’s childhood, including the stroke and subsequent cerebral palsy diagnosis that changed his life from birth. Then, Isaiah explains what he learned from growing up with a chronic disease, an alcoholic father, and a very supportive mother, and how those lessons still apply to his life today. We discuss what gave him the confidence to make multiple career pivots, how his most rewarding career pivot led him to finding his north star, why he’s passionate about helping other people find their true north and everything he’s learned from having to overcome one particular business challenge. If you are nervous about making a pivot and would like to let go of the fear, and if you’re still searching for your north star, then today’s conversation with Isaiah Deporto-Plick is exactly what you need!  

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Isaiah Deporto-Plick on LinkedIn

Isaiah Deporto-Plick on X 

Investing with Isaiah

Set Up a Meeting with Isaiah 

Fuerza Ventures 

SSM

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

Hubspot Podcast Network

Rate & Review:

If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you! 

What if it only took five seconds of radical courage to change your life? That is the bold idea underpinning Natalie Franke’s new book, Gutsy: Learning to Live with Bold, Brave, and Boundless Courage. In today’s episode, we continue our thought-provoking conversation with Natalie, a bestselling author, community-builder, neuroscience nerd, and mama bear for small businesses. Join us as we get into the details of her new book by exploring the importance of vulnerability, the power of making mistakes, and how a moment of radical courage can remind you of how extraordinary you truly are. We unpack how sharing your fears can lighten your load, why failing is proof that you’re showing up, and how reframing your relationship with failure has the power to lead you to places that chasing perfection never could. Natalie also shares her advice for anyone looking to be more gutsy in their own lives and provides key insights to help you lean into your courage. Tuning in, you’ll hear her thoughts on how to live according to your core values and find out how to audit your inner circle and fill it with people who aren’t afraid to tell you the truth and hold you accountable. For part two of our riveting conversation with Natalie Franke, press play now!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Learning to Live with Courage with Natalie Franke (Part 1)

Natalie Franke

Natalie Franke on LinkedIn

Natalie Franke on Instagram

Natalie Franke on Facebook

Natalie Franke on YouTube

Natalie Franke on X

Independent Business Podcast

Flodesk

Flodesk on LinkedIn

Flodesk on X

Rising Tide Society

Gutsy: Learning to Live with Bold, Brave, and Boundless Courage

Built to Belong: Discovering the Power of Community Over Competition

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

Hubspot Podcast Network

Review No Straight Path on Apple Podcasts

Rate & Review:

If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!