On Pursuing

Frederick Douglass said that “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

There’s a young man in Albany, Georgia that I’ve been watching rise for about a year now. His name is King Randall and he lives up to his name. At the young age of 21, he is making moves in the black community that even his community doesn’t believe could be possible. He is building something that began as a dream in his own home to a fully functioning boarding school for young men, focusing on self-sufficiency, accountability, literacy, and marketable skills. In his community, in dire need of strong leadership, he is leading the way in building strong men and minds. They are currently working on outfitting their new physical building, developing the curriculum and reviewing applications to accept 400 students.

I am so grateful that he took the time to share his story, his vision and to speak with me on empowerment. King is the real deal and he is doing the hard work. I want to be more like King.

Show Notes & Links:

On Pursuing - On Empowerment - Episode 4 

Social Media for King 

Instagram 

Twitter 

School Website: The X for Boys 

If you'd like to connect with Ivey and continue the conversation, please feel free to connect on social media.

In my conversation today, I talk with a dear friend Liza Mills about pursuing motherhood. Liza has known since she was a little girl that she wanted to be a mother and when the time came she was faced with a few roadblocks something that women often face in pursuing motherhood and thankfully women are becoming more open about discussing these challenges. I am so thankful to Liza for sharing her story, for giving us some insight into what this journey looks like and some advice on engaging with women and helping support women who are experiencing a less direct path to motherhood.

Please note that this is two women’s personal experience and not the experience of all women. Women celebrate, grieve and make decisions about motherhood differently and what they choose to do is their decision with their family, alone. Let us be kind and appreciative to women with the bravery to share something so intimate.

I hope you feel blessed by this conversation and I hope you enjoy.

Show Notes & Links:

On Pursuing - On Motherhood - Episode 3 

Social Media for Liza

Instagram 

If you'd like to connect with Ivey and continue the conversation, please feel free to connect on social media.

FACT CHECK: 

Two important updates. 

- I reference a friend who's babies were born prematurely - they were born at 29 weeks NOT 23 weeks!

- I reference being a carrier for Cystic Fibrosis (CF). If two parents are carriers for CF there is a 25% chance that the baby could be born with CF ... NOT 75%!! I neglected to correct that stat in real time! Sorry, friends!! 

In my conversation today I speak with a friend and fellow creative, Allen Mask, on pursuing openness. We talk about his career navigating Wall Street and Silicon Valley maintaining sense of self and why he believes that is important. We also discuss listening and being open to God’s direction and how listening and saying yes has carved a unique path for Allen to lead him to where he is today. We cover a lot. This conversation is full of wisdom and I hope it guides and blesses you in some way.

Show Notes & Links:

On Pursuing - On Openness - Episode 2 

Allen's creative pursuits 

Allen Mask on Spotify and iTunes 

Social Media for Allen 

Instagram 

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

If you'd like to connect with Ivey and continue the conversation, please feel free to connect on social media.

In my conversation today I speak with a long time friend and athlete, Jen Keith, on pursuing endurance. In 2009, Jen and I were both introduced to triathlon and raced our first ever half-ironman triathlon in Wilmington North Carolina. We were two absolute goobers who had no idea what we were doing, but had willpower like none other to finish with our heads high. Jen is as competitive as they come and has gone on to compete in many different races and has even gone on to compete at in the World Championship ironman event in Kona Hawaii. She qualified again and plans to be back in Hawaii this fall to give Kona all she’s got. Thankfully, this race is televised. I can’t wait to watch her attack this brutal course. Endurance racing is humbling. Jen and I both agree that training for this sport has made us more inspired, disciplined and resilient human beings. I hope that this conversation both inspires and encourages you in whatever it is that you’re facing today.  

Show Notes & Links:

On Pursuing - On Endurance - Episode 1 

Social Media for Jen

Instagram 

Facebook

If you'd like to connect with Ivey and continue the conversation, please feel free to connect on social media.