Planet Noun Podcast

Welcome to Planet Noun where it’s all about the People, Places, Things and Ideas that teach us, prompt us to make a difference and do more with what life presents.

Meet today’s guest, Romus Simpson. He always has a funny tale of everyday life to share, and has been a vivid storyteller since I’ve known him. I don’t even remember the year we first crossed paths, but it was through my cousins at their parent’s house—many years before they both passed on.

Years later, we ended up in a long conversation after my aunt’s memorial and became pals.

This prolific poet reminded me that I asked him to come on the show for National Poetry Month earlier this year.

A short time later, the world CHANGED with COVID-19 and worldwide stay at home orders and lockdowns. We still don’t know what it’ll look like when things get back to “normal.”

But finally Romus and I got to chat virtually — right in time to bid adieu to this year’s commemoration of the poetic form.

Romus Simpson…right here on Planet Noun.

There’s a quote that says — move boldly in the direction of your dreams. I love that one, but sometimes we all need….wait…let me speak for myself….I need a nudge to get me moving in the direction of those dreams, aspirations, and goals written in all those notebooks around the house. Is this you? Do you know someone like this?

“What I do is I accelerate your success. That’s the funny thing about coaching. When you work with me, you’re fundamentally getting a force multiplier,” Dr. David Arrington said during this episode.

David is COO of Arrington Coaching and author of the book “Promotable: How to Demonstrate Your Value, Highlight Your Potential & Land Your Next Promotion.”

Take a listen to his story, and learn the path to writing "Promotable."

We talk about a bunch of things…from the book, to the role his family plays in the business, lessons learned along his life and business journeys, and lessons he hopes his children glean from his experiences.

Well, let’s get to it with Dr. David Arrington of Arrington Coaching — right here on Planet Noun.

Read more at https://planetnoun.com

A virus has thrown the world upside down…

My sister Lea joined me just to verbally sort through some of our thoughts about this COVID-19 pandemic. I’m still processing a heck of a lot that 2020 has dropped on the world’s doorstep.

We're in this together...

Today's guest on Planet Noun—Jay Herriott of The 25th Project, an organization dedicated to helping the homeless on the 25th of each month—and beyond.

We met through my job, a former co-worker recommended him to me as a source for story ideas. I’ve interviewed him for work stories a couple of times, and wanted to talk a bit more with him, so I called him up for Planet Noun.

But HOW did his organization get started?

That’s pretty simple. It started with one meal from one restaurant—and a bit of sharing.

A note about this episode: We caught up in a restaurant in Maryland, so there’s some background ambience.

Take a listen to Planet Noun—and Jay Herriott, founder of The 25th Project.

Check out the 25th Project’s website and Facebook page, and links to some other items Jay mentioned during this episode at https://PlanetNoun.com.

Thanks for listening!

So…who ARE you?

I can’t help but think of Alice in Wonderland—the Disney movie…and the caterpillar with the hookah…asking Alice this question while blowing smokey designs in her face.

No smoke here…but the question remains the same.

Who ARE YOU?

What are you here to do?

What’s your gift?

No, I’m not talking about something you got for a birthday or holiday—if you celebrate those.

I’m talking about something that’s special about YOU…something that you were BORN with—that no one else can do just like you.

I’m not talking about a skill like playing an music instrument.

I’m not talking about talents either…but gifts.

But what’s the difference, you ask? That’s what today’s guest on Planet Noun is discussing in this episode. Fredrick Bussey also wrote a book about it.

So let’s get right into it…he’s a dad…a speaker and entrepreneur…founder of marketing and branding consultancy IconStatus…his work? Helping brands and individuals to convey their stories with more power.

More from Fredrick Bussey author of the book “Breaking Orbit: Rip Out of the Regular by Unearthing the Power Within" on Planet Noun.

So my sister and I met up for Essence Fest during the summer…it was the event’s 25th anniversary. And we had a BALL! We mainly went there this year for the music and the marketplace that showcased all of these black-owned and produced products.

While meandering through one aisle, a gentleman approached us and started talking to us about our skin. We were both satisfied with our current products but wanted to learn more about this brand. Then he introduced us to the product line creator—who is today’s guest on Planet Noun.

We tried a moisturizer on our hands and were impressed with how our skin felt: Supple-soft, and no heavy scent. Another plus for us.

Now sis and I are loving Three Notes Skincare!

But how did this business get started?

Simple…It started with an issue that needed a solution.

Take a listen to Tanzania Crew—founder of Three Notes Skincare—on Planet Noun https://planetnoun.com

Welcome to Planet Noun where it’s all about the People, Places, Things and Ideas that teach us, prompt us to make a difference and do more with what life presents.

Life can abound with various challenges, but it’s up to us to take that stuff and make it into something better.

There are some folks in this universe who, despite challenges, imagine how they’d like life to look. Then they plan and move boldly in the direction of those dreams.

My next guest is one of those beautiful humans.

Deia Davis-Williams and I go way back to college. We’ve been connected on social media, but and saw each other in person for the first time in YEARS in New Orleans as Essence Fest was wrapping up. It was the first time at Essence Fest for either of us. Shoutout to Essence for such an awesome, affirming event!

Deia is a publicist…and founder of ExquisteM Public Relations. She’s also in law school and is very specific about her goals and the impact she wants to have in the African-American community.

Take a listen to this driven sister’s story…On Planet Noun.

Read more at https://planetnoun.com

It's always exciting when a new episode drops…this one is no exception. It’s the second of two collaboration episodes with Liliana and Tamara of Barely Bougie Mamas—a podcast that was released during the summer.

If you haven’t heard last week’s episode, take a listen after you get through with this one.

So Barely Bougie Mamas is a podcast featuring Liliana and Tamara—two moms who grew up in poverty—but have crafted lives for themselves and their kids that are totally different from their own upbringings…and all of the funnies and concerns that stem from those differences.

My sister Lea and I joined them at Liliana’s home in Southern California for some ki-ki-ing and questions.

Last week, we talked about some of their experiences growing up vs. how their kids are growing up.

And this week, Liliana, Tamara, My sister Lea and I talk about something Le-Le and I know…being single, childless aunties….And the role all aunties play in the family fabric. Whether they’re linked by bloodlines or play aunties that are for real-real with their care, concern and involvement.

Topics and timecodes:

03:13—Dealing with annoying comments like “You’re not married? You don’t have kids? And you’re HAPPY?” (Answer: Hell to the yes! Contented, single and childless women do exist, they’re real people)

08:55—Aunties to O.P.K.-Other People’s Kids

10:19—The Sister-in-Law Co-Parent (Tamara says don’t skip your visitations) & the Auntie Posse

14:15—Unmarried Aunties, do you realize your importance (and not just for babysitting)?

17:30—Liliana’s experience as a single, childless auntie

21:28—The fun auntie

24:10—Deadbeat godmamas

29:32—An auntie’s listening ear

35:05—Forging the relationship with a potential auntie in your life

I’m always excited when a new episode comes out…this one is no exception. It’s one of two back-to-back collaboration episodes we’re dropping today and next Thursday. Planet Noun’s first collaboration ever—and it’s with Liliana and Tamara of Barely Bougie Mamas—a podcast that was released during the summer..

A capsule-sized explanation of their show—it’s about two moms who grew up in poverty—but have crafted lives for themselves and their kids that are totally different from their own upbringings…and all of the funnies and concerns that stem from those differences.

My sister Lea and I joined them at Liliana’s home in Southern California for some kiki-ing and questions.

A little background…Tamara and I met the afternoon this was recorded…But she’s listened to some Planet Noun episodes, and I’ve listened to Barely Bougie Mamas shows.

Liliana and I grew up together. My sis and I have known her for years. Matter of fact, we go so far back, I don’t remember WHEN we met. My mom says it was at church when we were wee children who were sat in the class for babies, toddlers and under fivers. We used to sit next to each other and suck our thumbs, mom said.

That’s enough intro! There’s cussing in this episode. You’ve been warned…now listen in!

1:32 — How Tamara and Liliana met, then learned they had things in common

20:22—Dealing with bullies

21:03—Snitching then and now

30:09—Street sense

41:55—Whose kids are more bougie? Tear-jerking experiences with their children

51:13—What to expect from Barely Bougie Mamas podcast

More on PlanetNoun.com

Sometimes romantic relationships suck.

Especially when they run off the rails...whether it be from growing differences between relatants or if someone just up and decides they don’t want you anymore, but they don’t bother to tell you about it.

Basically—when someone ghosts you.

Today’s guest experienced ghosting...she was the ghostee—if you will. Old boy turned her loose, but didn’t verbally communicate that to her—and wouldn’t communicate with her as she tried to get to the bottom of things.

So Lenina Mortimer wrote a book about it—to help someone else along the ghastly breakup recovery path.

Take a listen to Lenina Mortimer, author of the book “I Ain’t Thinking About You…The 8 Step Guide to Finally Letting Him Go Using the Breakup Funeral Method.”

Let’s get this mourning in motion…On Planet Noun.

Read more at https://planetnoun.com