Rooted2Thrive:Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity | Writing Past The Pain

Season 5, Episode 41

Host: Rochelle Peterson-Ansari

Guest: Dr. Brian JohnsonOverview: 

In this episode of the Rooted2Thrive Podcast, Rochelle Peterson-Ansari sits down with Dr. Brian Johnson, pastor of Revival Tabernacle in Pennsylvania and author of nine books, including the acclaimed historical novels Send Judah First and Free Indeed. Together, they reflect on their 22 years of shared work in diversity and multicultural affairs, and explore the power of writing as a way to move beyond pain and preserve hidden stories of Black history. Dr. Johnson shares how his storytelling uncovers humanity within the legacy of slavery, emphasizing not only the struggles but also the resilience, faith, and victories of those who came before. This conversation highlights the role of faith, history, and storytelling in creating hope, healing, and justice across generations.

Topics Discussed:

• The hidden and often overlooked human stories within Black history

• Writing as a way to move past pain and reclaim narratives

• How slavery is remembered beyond violence and racism, focusing on resilience

• The influence of heritage, faith, and legacy on personal perspective

• Lessons from decades of diversity and multicultural work

Guest: 

Dr. Brian Johnson

Former Diversity Professional, Author and Pastor

Instagram: @dr.briancjohnson

LinkedIn: Brian C. JohnsonX: thereelbrian

Website: johnsonauthor.com 

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Overview

In this Rooted2Thrive Podcast episode, Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with guest Justin Green, Real Estate Investor, about the intersections of faith, finance, and fatherhood. Justin shares his personal journey of balancing his spiritual beliefs with the realities of financial responsibility, while also embracing the challenges and rewards of being a father. Their conversation highlights how faith can ground financial decisions, how money management influences family dynamics, and how fatherhood reshapes perspectives on leadership, legacy, and personal growth.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• The role of faith in shaping financial decisions and values.

• Lessons on money management, responsibility, and generational wealth.

• Challenges and opportunities in fatherhood, including balancing family and career.

• Building legacy and instilling values for future generations.

• Integrating spirituality, financial literacy, and parenting as interconnected aspects of life.

Guest Information:

Justin GreenOwner/CEO, Green Investment Group LLC

Social Media:

Instagram: @justinismycoach

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinjgreen/

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Overview

In this episode of the "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari is joined by Dr. Ranelli A. Williams, a CPA and profit strategist, to discuss financial stewardship as a direct path to empowerment and equity. Dr. Williams shares her personal and professional journey, emphasizing her passion for teaching financial literacy in marginalized communities and helping Christian professionals integrate faith with their finances. The conversation delves into the necessity of moving beyond basic money management to embrace a mindset of stewardship, which involves not just managing but multiplying resources to create generational wealth and a lasting legacy. Dr. Williams uses a personal health analogy to illustrate how overcoming fear and developing discipline are crucial for shifting one's financial story. She offers practical first steps for listeners, such as zero-based budgeting and leveraging life insurance as a powerful tool for sustainable wealth building.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Financial Stewardship and Faith 

• Empowerment Through Financial Literacy 

• Overcoming Fear and Negative "Money Stories" 

• Creating Generational Wealth and Legacy 

• Practical Strategies for Wealth Building 

• The Power of Mindset, Discipline, and Vision

Guest Information:

Ranelli WilliamsCPA, MBA, ERJ Services

➡️ Pre-Order Your Copy of WEALTHY Habits Here

Social Media:

Facebook : facebook.com/ranelli.williams 

Instagram : instagram.com/drranelliwilliams/ 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drranelliwilliams/ 

Youtube Channel : youtube.com/@drranelliwilliams

X: x.com/drranelli 

Website: ERJServices.com 

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Overview

In this episode of the "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with Kevin Covington, Assistant Director of Retention and Outreach at Villanova University, about the transformative power of education. Covington shares his personal journey into the field of education, which began with a passion for building character in student-athletes and evolved into a career focused on helping underrepresented students navigate higher education. The central theme is that education is a fundamental key to accessing more choices in life, from career paths and travel opportunities to an improved quality of life. Covington emphasizes the critical role of mentorship, recounting how a fellow student guided him as a first-generation collegian, and stresses that education fosters critical thinking, cultural competence, and the ability to challenge one's own limitations to achieve personal and generational growth.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Education as a tool for access and choice 

• The critical role of mentorship in success 

• Navigating college as a first-generation student 

• Improving quality of life through education 

• The link between education, travel, and cultural competence 

• The power of critical thinking and lifelong learning

  
  

Guest Information:

Kevin CovingtonAssistant Director, Retention & Outreach, Villanova University 

Social Media:

Instagram : @_KevinCovington

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-covington-m-s-m-5b23414

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Overview

In this episode of "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with Elissa Zylbershlag, an anti-bias educator and leadership coach, about the critical concept of self-awareness. Zylbershlag defines self-awareness using an analogy of "the mirror and the portrait": "the mirror" represents our private self-perception, including our values and intentions, while "the portrait" represents our public impact and how others perceive us. She shares personal and professional stories illustrating how understanding this distinction is vital for personal growth, effective leadership, and elevating humanity by aligning intent with impact. The conversation emphasizes that true self-awareness requires the courage to look at the "portrait" others have of you, even when it's difficult, and highlights practical ways for leaders to grow, such as seeking coaching and recognizing "alarm clock moments" that signal an opportunity for deeper insight.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Defining Self-Awareness: The Mirror & The Portrait 

• Aligning Intentions with Impact 

• Leadership Transformation Through Feedback 

• The Role of a Coach in Gaining Insight 

• "Alarm Clock Moments" for Growth 

Guest Information:

Elissa ZylbershlagOwner | Facilitator | Creator | Coach

Social Media:

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575085440139

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/workwiselabs/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissazylbershlag/

Website: www.workwiselabs.com

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Overview

In this episode of the "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with Maya Stewart, Chief of Strategy and Professional Learning at Lee Montessori PCS , about her journey as an educator and the "leadership trifecta": do the thing, say the thing, be yourself. Stewart shares her professional path from Arcadia University to becoming a school principal in Washington, D.C., emphasizing the importance of authentic leadership. She recounts a "season of self-betrayal" where not speaking her truth led to physical and emotional distress , contrasting it with a transformative experience where she directly but supportively confronted a teacher about his fear of Black students. The conversation highlights that creating inclusive and humane environments requires leaders to be courageous, model honesty, and prioritize their own well-being by setting firm boundaries to avoid burnout.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• The Leadership Trifecta 

• Authenticity vs. Self-Betrayal 

• Confronting Educator Bias 

• The Physical Toll of Withholding Truth 

• Setting Boundaries for Well-Being 

• Leadership Growth Through Coaching

  
  

Guest Information:

Maya StewartChief of Strategy and Professional Learning

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Overview

In this episode of "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari interviews author, educator, and her former student, Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, about the power of diverse literature as "love letters to our children." Reynoso-Morris shares that her journey as an author was inspired by her grandmother's storytelling and a desire to see her Dominican and Puerto Rican culture reflected in books, a reality she found lacking. She discusses how her books, such as "Platanos Are Love," are written to be both "mirrors" that allow Black and Brown children to see themselves and feel limitless, and "windows" that help adults and other children build empathy and cultural competence. The conversation also delves into the challenges within the publishing industry, where a lack of marketing and support for diverse authors creates a self-fulfilling prophecy of lower sales, reinforcing the need for authors like her to advocate for their work. Ultimately, both speakers emphasize that reading diverse stories year-round is crucial for developing anti-racist perspectives, understanding universal human themes, and preventing the repetition of historical injustices.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• The role of books as "mirrors" for representation and "windows" for empathy.

• Inspiration drawn from family, storytelling, and cultural heritage.

• Inequities and marketing challenges for diverse authors in publishing.

• Introducing complex social issues to young readers in a hopeful way.

• The importance of reading diverse books with universal themes year-round.

Guest Information:

Alyssa Reynoso-Morris

Author, Educator, and Mother

Social Media:

Instagram: @AReynosoMorris

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-reynoso-morris/

Website: www.alyssaauthor.com

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Overview

In this episode of the "Rooted2Thrive," host  Professor P (Rochelle Peterson-Ansari) speaks with Yolanda Booker, a mental health therapist and the founder of the nonprofit organization Grief Speaks. Drawing from the profound experience of losing her son to cancer, Booker introduces the often-overlooked stage of grief: insecurity, which arises from the significant life changes and identity shifts that accompany loss. She critiques traditional support groups for sometimes being exhausting and emphasizes her organization's focus on providing tangible coping skills and building a supportive community. Booker advocates for grievers to find personal, practical ways to cope—such as journaling, lighting a candle, or caring for plants—and to embrace vulnerability by articulating their needs. The overarching message is that grief is a continuous journey, and through intentionality, community, and self-compassion, it is possible to grow through the pain and find a meaningful "life after loss".

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Insecurity as an overlooked stage of grief 

• Navigating the identity crisis that follows a loss 

• The importance of community and tangible coping skills 

• Giving a voice to grief beyond emotion 

• Practical ways to support a grieving person 

• The role of vulnerability in the healing process

  
  

Guest Information:

Yolanda Booker

Mental Health Therapist, & President and Founder of Grief Speaks Non-profit Organization

Social Media:

Facebook : Yolanda Grief Speaks

Instagram : @GriefSpeaks1

Website: www.griefspeaks1.com

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Overview

In this episode of "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with Luca Poxon, Project Coordinator at Temple University and Philly Children's Movement, about the importance of integrating joy and justice-centered practices into education to combat dehumanizing systems. Poxon shares their personal journey, which began with witnessing educational inequities in high school and led to a focus on anti-racism in their studies and work. The conversation explores common challenges educators face, such as large class sizes, scripted curricula, and a lack of community support, which hinder the humanization of both students and teachers. As a practical solution, Poxon details the "Radical Morning Meeting," a framework developed by the Philly Children's Movement that intentionally centers student identity, joy, and justice, even within structural constraints. The dialogue emphasizes that sustainable change comes from long-term, community-based work and that starting small with self-reflection is a crucial first step for educators to foster more inclusive and affirming learning environments.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Countering Dehumanizing Practices in Schools 

• The Role of Joy and Justice in Education 

• Challenges in Anti-Racist Education 

• The "Radical Morning Meeting" Framework 

• Sustainable, Long-Term Community-Based Initiatives 

• The Importance of Educator Self-Reflection

  
  

Guest Information:

Luca PoxonProject Coordinator

Social Media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-poxon/

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Overview

In this episode of "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with poet, author, and cultural worker, J Mase III about the deep-seated connection between trans solidarity and racial justice. J Mase III argues that these movements are inseparable, tracing the historical erasure of trans and gender-nonconforming leaders in Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities back to colonialism in the 1500s. The conversation unpacks the numerous systemic barriers that prevent trans people, particularly Black and Brown trans individuals, from thriving, including discrimination in housing, employment, education, and healthcare, as well as over-policing. J Mase III asserts that anti-trans rhetoric and legislation ultimately harm all marginalized people, especially Black and Brown cisgender women, and calls for a solidarity that moves beyond low-bar victories like gender-neutral bathrooms toward more radical actions like supporting abolition, reparations, and the direct reallocation of resources.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Historical Trans Leadership Roles 

• Colonialism and Trans Erasure 

• Systemic Barriers to Survival 

• Anti-Trans Policies and Racial Impact 

• Actionable Steps for Radical Solidarity

  
  

Guest Information:

J Mase IIIPoet/Author/Cultural Worker

Social Media:

Instagram : @jmaseiii

Website: www.jmaseiii.com

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