There are movies we watch… and then there are stories that stay with us. For more than two decades, audiences have laughed with them, argued about them, rooted for them, and maybe even seen pieces of themselves in them. The friendships, the romance, the ambition, the mistakes, and the complicated, beautiful work of growing up and growing older. From the original film to television and now into a brand-new chapter, our next guest has continued to invite us into one of the most enduring friend groups in modern storytelling. Filmmaker, writer, and director Malcolm D. Lee joins us today to talk about bringing The Best Man universe into a new season of life through his latest book—catching up with these beloved characters as they navigate midlife, relationships, change, and what comes after happily ever after.

Today we’re talking about food, culture, community, and a creative new way to experience Atlanta. Two sisters have turned a love for storytelling and dining into something interactive and intentional. Their company, Clues & Culture, takes guests on a self-guided culinary journey through Atlanta neighborhoods, using curated clues to lead people to Black-owned restaurants and hidden gems across the city. It’s part food experience, part cultural exploration, and part celebration of community connection.

Imagine walking away from a marriage with less than twenty dollars in your pocket and somehow finding the courage to rebuild not just your finances, but your entire identity. My guest today did exactly that. Lainika E. Johnson turned one of the lowest moments of her life into the foundation for a thriving business in an industry where few expected her to succeed. Today, she’s recognized as a leader in sustainability and waste reduction, proving that setbacks do not have to define your future. This is a conversation about resilience, reinvention, purpose, and power. Lainika E. Johnson, is founder of Eco in the City, sustainability expert, entrepreneur, and a powerful example of what can happen when resilience meets purpose. Her story reminds us that sometimes the most difficult chapters of our lives become the very foundation for our greatest growth. You can learn more about her work and mission online at Eco in the City.

It’s a decision that takes just minutes, but has the power to save and transform lives for years to come. Across Georgia, thousands of people are waiting for a second chance, for healing, for hope. And that hope often begins with a simple “yes” to organ, tissue, and eye donation. But for many, questions remain. What does it really mean to be a donor? Who does it help? And why is the need so urgent right now? Today we’re joined by two leaders on the front lines of this life-saving work: Dr. Clark Kensinger with the Piedmont Transplant Institute and Hope Weed of LifeLink of Georgia. Together, they’ll help us understand the impact of donation, the milestone anniversary of a groundbreaking donor care unit here in Atlanta, and what each of us can do to make a difference.

Sometimes the most powerful stories begin with a simple question: Who are you, and where have you been? For journalist Melanie D.G. Kaplan, that question came after adopting her beagle, Hammy a gentle dog who had spent nearly four years inside a research laboratory. What started as curiosity about one dog’s past quickly opened the door to a much larger and more complicated world one where millions of animals are still used each year in research, testing, and education.

In her book, Lab Dog: A Beagle and His Human Investigate the Surprising World of Animal Research, Kaplan takes us behind laboratory doors, introducing us to the people on all sides of this issue researchers, activists, veterinarians, and lawmakers while also piecing together the story of Hammy himself. It’s part investigation… part love story… and ultimately, a thoughtful look at the relationship between humans and the animals we both cherish and rely on.

It’s decision season for thousands of students and families across our community. The acceptance letters are in… the choices are narrowing… and now comes the question that can feel just as overwhelming as getting in—how do we pay for college? For many families, the process is filled with emotion, pressure, and uncertainty. Do you choose the dream school? The affordable one? And is there a way to do both—without taking on a lifetime of debt? On today's show we’re talking about a smarter path forward—one that blends strategy, purpose, and financial reality. My guest is Shellee Howard, Founder and CEO of College Ready, an award-winning college admissions and financial strategist who has helped families earn more than 80 million dollars in scholarships.

A growing number of Americans are turning to artificial intelligence for health advice some for convenience, others because they feel they have no better option. But a new national poll reveals many are relying on these tools without ever seeking professional care. Today, we’re talking with board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Teejay Tripp about the promise, the risks, and what you need to know to protect your mental health in an increasingly digital world. As helpful as technology can be, our mental health is still deeply human and it deserves care that goes beyond an algorithm. If you’re struggling, don’t stop at the screen. Reach out, talk to someone, and take that next step toward real support.

There are some stories that entertain and then there are stories that ask something of us.

What happens when faith is tested by unimaginable loss? When identity is reshaped by survival? And when two communities each marked by deep historical pain find connection in the most unexpected way? Today, we’re talking about a novel that lives in those questions. The Last Dekrepitzer by Howard Langer. This is a story about loss—but also about what we rebuild through faith, through love, through music, and through one another. The Last Dekrepitzer reminds us that even across cultures, histories, and unimaginable pain, there is still the possibility of connection and maybe even healing.

Think back for a moment to middle school that in-between space where you’re trying to figure out who you are, where you belong, and why it can sometimes feel like everyone else got a guidebook you didn’t. For many of us, those feelings don’t just disappear—they grow up with us. My guest has taken those tender, awkward, and deeply human moments and turned them into something both funny and profoundly relatable. Sara Amini is an actress, voice artist, and now author of Mixed Feelings, a semi-autobiographical graphic memoir that explores identity, friendship, family, and what it means to live between cultures—and sometimes between worlds. And while this story is told through the eyes of a young girl, its message speaks to all of us.

You know, some of the most powerful leadership training in this country didn’t happen in a boardroom… it happened in the Black church. From leading choirs to organizing communities, from speaking in front of a congregation to learning how to bring people together — generations of leaders have been shaped in those spaces, often long before they ever held a formal title.

Well, my guest today has written a fascinating new book that explores exactly that idea. It’s called Call and Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church, and it looks at how culture, faith, and community have quietly prepared so many people to lead in every area of life. I’m joined now by author and leadership expert L. Michelle Smith.