Southern Soul - Live Stream

In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Gaskins, a remarkable individual who has not only survived multiple sclerosis (MS) but has also become a leading advocate for the use of cannabis in autoimmune care. Join us as we delve into her inspiring journey and explore the profound impact of cannabis on autoimmune conditions.

Episode Highlights:

1. Overcoming Burnout and Embracing Change

Quotes

• "Cannabis has been a game-changer for so many people with autoimmune conditions." - Jennifer Gaskins

Dr. Rachel Knox, a black doctor, is spotlighted for her work in running a cannabis institute that certifies patients and educates them about the endocannabinoid system and the body's natural ability to utilize cannabis. Jennifer recommends essential reading materials for understanding medical marijuana dosing and usage, including "Cannabis Pharmacy," "The Women's Guide to Cannabis," and "Cannabis High Tea."

Connect with Jennifer Gaskins

• https://www.southernsoulthursdays.com/guests/jennifer-gaskins/

About with Southern Soul Livestream - Live Episode Podcast

Witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting, Soul Thursdays is the program that you’ll invite friends over to watch every week, where you’ll learn about fascinating speakers and get to share in exciting experiences.

Build a Community Following with Podcasting - from concept to creation, we'll explore the essentials of crafting compelling content and building an engaged audience.

Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or a newbie, you'll find valuable insights in this episode. Tune in and get ready to amplify your voice in the podcasting sphere! 🚀 #Podcasting101 #SoulThursdays #AmplifyYourVoice

Side Gig Saturdays is your ticket to unlocking new skills, nurturing your side gig, and revitalizing your entrepreneurial passion.

Discover how Side Gig Saturdays can empower you in this engaging podcast episode. Don't miss it! 🚀🎙️#SideGigSaturdays #SoulThursdays #Empowerment

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Overview

In this illuminating episode, host our host engages in a profound conversation with Calvin Lawrence, the author of "Hidden in White Sight," as they delve into the intricate world of artificial intelligence and its impact on racial equity. Together, they explore the hidden biases lurking within AI systems and discuss the crucial journey from awareness to action.

The episode begins with a poignant discussion about racial bias in technology and how AI, once considered a mere concept, has become an integral part of our lives, influencing decisions that can significantly affect individuals.

The conversation progresses to dissect the notion of bias in AI, differentiating between intentional racism and systemic bias. This distinction proves vital in unraveling the complexities of AI's hidden biases.

Calvin Lawrence concludes with his vision for the future, underlining the importance of sustained awareness about AI's hidden biases. He remains committed to being a vocal advocate for responsible AI and intentional

Quotes

• AI is no longer just technology; it's a set of business applications that impact our day-to-day lives." - Calvin Lawrence 

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Connect with Calvin Lawrence

• Website | Linkedin | Instagram

About with Soul Thursdays - LIVE Episode Podcast: Witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting, Soul Thursdays is the program that you’ll invite friends over to watch every week, where you’ll learn about fascinating speakers and get to share in exciting experiences.

Build a Community Following with our Podcasting Coaching  - from concept to creation, we'll explore the essentials of crafting compelling content and building an engaged audience. Get ready to amplify your voice in the podcasting sphere! 🚀 #PodcastWorkshop #AmplifyYourVoice

Side Gig Saturdays is your ticket to unlocking new skills, nurturing your side gig, and revitalizing your entrepreneurial passion. Discover how Side Gig Saturdays can empower you in this engaging podcast episode. Don't miss it! 🚀🎙️ #SideGigSaturdays #SoulThursdays 

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• Buy us  A Coffee - Support our Community-drive Exploratory Journalism

The episode explores Lynne's coined phrases, including "50 and Fed Up," "Career Deceleration," and "Flow from Frustration to Freedom." These phrases encapsulate the mid-career professional's journey, where individuals may feel stuck, frustrated, or uncertain about their career trajectories.

Lynne provides practical steps for mid-career professionals to realign their paths and rediscover their purpose. She emphasizes the importance of dreaming and dabbling in one's passions, suggesting that individuals give themselves permission to explore their interests. Additionally, Lynne encourages leveraging social media and curating online communities that align with one's aspirations.

Quotes

• "Burnout isn't just about exhaustion; it's about not recognizing who you are."- Lynne Stokes, MBA

Connect with @SoulThursdays

• Website | Facebook Instagram | Twitter | TikTok

Flow from Frustration to Freedom with Lynne Stokes, MBA

• Facebook | Website | Instagram

About with Soul Thursdays - LIVE Episode Podcast: Witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting, Soul Thursdays is the program that you’ll invite friends over to watch every week, where you’ll learn about fascinating speakers and get to share in exciting experiences.

Build a Community Following with our Podcasting Coaching  - from concept to creation, we'll explore the essentials of crafting compelling content and building an engaged audience. Get ready to amplify your voice in the podcasting sphere! 🚀 #PodcastWorkshop #AmplifyYourVoice

Side Gig Saturdays is your ticket to unlocking new skills, nurturing your side gig, and revitalizing your entrepreneurial passion. Discover how Side Gig Saturdays can empower you in this engaging podcast episode. Don't miss it! 🚀🎙️ #SideGigSaturdays #SoulThursdays 

Support - Soul Thursdays

• Buy us  A Coffee - Support our Community-drive Exploratory Journalism

In the podcast, Dr. Carrie Rosario stands out as a strong advocate for overall well-being. Alongside Counseling Psychologist Tatyana Smith, Dr. Rosario engages in a dynamic conversation that puts her expertise at the forefront. Her thoughtful insights highlight critical themes of resilience, reflection, and renewal, resonating deeply with the audience. She underscores the value of safe spaces for exploring experiences, vulnerability, and personal growth.

Tatyana Smith draws from her research to explore the experiences of cisgender heterosexual Black men who have faced childhood sexual abuse. She discusses the challenges these men confront in building healthy relationships and self-identity, shedding light on coping strategies and available resources for healing.

Together, the speakers highlight the importance of recognizing the diversity within identity and offering tailored support for growth and renewal. The episode serves as a potent reminder that healing and resilience can be achieved through self-reflection, openness, and cultural sensitivity.

Quotes

• "Every step towards healing matters, regardless of its size. Each moment of self-awareness, self-care, and self-acceptance contributes to the journey of resilience, reflection, and renewal."- Dr. Carrie Rosario

Connect with @SoulThursdays

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Speaker Info

• Tatyana Smith, Counseling Psychology PhD Student

About with Soul Thursdays - Live Episode Podcast

Witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting, Soul Thursdays is the program that you’ll invite friends over to watch every week, where you’ll learn about fascinating speakers and get to share in exciting experiences.

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In this episode, we dive into the heart of mother-daughter relationships with the remarkable Dr. Monica Moore, MD. Join us as we explore healing mother wound with Girls Growing Gracefully—a platform dedicated to strengthening the bond between mothers and daughters.

Dr. Moore guides us through empowerment, the value of shared experiences, and the art of nurturing resilience. From fostering authentic connections to managing stress and anxiety, this episode unveils the secrets to fostering lifelong relationships.

Tune in to discover how Girls Growing Gracefully empowers not only the present but also the future generations to come. Get ready for an inspiring journey of growth, connection, and lasting memories. strategies that will shape the destiny of the Black community. The revolution starts now!

Quotes

• "Empowering mothers and daughters to live their lives unapologetically is at the heart of Girls Growing Gracefully. It's about equipping them with the knowledge to learn, do more, and see more." - Dr. Monica Moore, MD

Connect with @SoulThursdays

• Website | Facebook Instagram | Twitter | TikTok

Speaker Info

Dr. Monica Moore, MD 

• @drmonicacares 

About with Southern Soul Livestream - Live Episode Podcast

Witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting, Soul Thursdays is the program that you’ll invite friends over to watch every week, where you’ll learn about fascinating speakers and get to share in exciting experiences.

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Join us on an inspiring Soul Thursday episode as host D-Rich engages in a captivating conversation with Theresa Cummings, founder and CEO of Cummings Consulting & Management, LLC, alongside the incredible Dr. Ashlie Booth, MD, from Healing Beyond the Stethoscope Primary Care. Together, they unveil the secrets to manifesting career success like never before.

In the words of Theresa Cummings, "Difference matters, and when we prioritize people, the numbers will naturally follow. It's crucial to focus on embracing diversity and inclusivity." Prepare to be enthralled as she shares her profound insights into the power of collaboration and allyship, reminding us all that unity propels us toward greatness.

Dr. Ashlie Booth, on the other hand, faced her own set of challenges as the sole Black individual in her immediate environment, both on campus and within her Biology major. Despite the discouragement she encountered, her unwavering determination fueled her pursuit of a lifelong dream—to become a doctor. Resisting the well-intentioned suggestions to explore alternative paths like business, Dr. Booth fearlessly blazed her own trail. And today, she proudly owns and operates her clinic, Beyond the Stethoscope Primary Care where she is able to provide a unique approach to health and medicine by centering her practice on building genuine connections with patients and empowering them to make health decisions that seamlessly align with their real lives. 

Diversity gaps can be disheartening, but the most unexpected allies can emerge if you maintain an open mind and unwavering determination. Refuse to let anyone dictate your capabilities. Stay laser-focused on your ultimate goals, and seek out mentors who will elevate and support you on your journey.

Quotes

• “My leadership style is such that I'm very collaborative and from my upbringing, I was able to transfer that into the corporate world and be a little bit more successful from going through a whole lot of that mess.” (4:32-4:46 | Theresa)

• “You cannot act as if you're in corporate in running your own business. You have three roles, doing the business itself, being the visionary of the business, and managing the business.” (20:23-20:35 | Theresa)

• “What I continue to do is teach people that difference matters. And we focus on the people, the numbers are going to come, but you have to focus on all people.” (25:51-26:01 | Theresa)

• “Life affects your health, so I have to be able to put all of that together to make sure you are totally well.” (44:24-44:30 | Dr. Booth)

• “Treatment plans look beautiful on paper, but if a patient is not following it, then what sense does it make?” (46:46-46:53 | Dr. Booth)

Links

Connect with Theresa Cummings

• Website - https://www.cummingscm.com/

Follow Dr. Ashlie A. Booth MD

• Linktree - https://linktr.ee/DrAshlieABoothMD

About with Southern Soul Livestream - Live Episode Podcast

Witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting, Soul Thursdays is the program that you’ll invite friends over to watch every week, where you’ll learn about fascinating speakers and get to share in exciting experiences. 

Support - Community Exploratory Journalism -  Buy us  A Coffee! 

• Learn - Register Free Training - Getting Started in BIPOC Podcasting Workshop

Connect with SoulThursdays

• Website | Facebook  Instagram | Twitter | TikTok

Buckle up for an exciting and enlightening episode as host D-Rich engages in a dynamic conversation with the remarkable Rev. Lakesha Womack, Rev. JerQuentin Sutton, Rev. Carline Brown, and Dr. Chelece Brown. Together, they unveil groundbreaking strategies aimed at transforming the future of Black churches.

Gone are the days when the church solely served as a social hub for the Black community. Rev. Lakesha Womack passionately asserts that the true essence lies in theological engagement—helping individuals grapple with real-life issues. It's not about superficial changes like logos or fancy effects, but rather about empowering people to navigate the adversities they face, both spiritually and practically.

To usher in a brighter future, Black churches must evolve beyond traditional norms. By shining a light on mental health, social justice, and financial literacy, church leaders can become beacons of support for their congregations. It's time to address spiritual abuse, collaborate with faith-based organizations, and uplift entrepreneurial endeavors within the community. Together, these efforts will guide the Black community toward diversity, justice, and economic empowerment.

Get ready for an empowering journey as these visionary leaders illuminate the path toward a more inclusive and equitable future for Black churches. Tune in to discover the transformative strategies that will shape the destiny of the Black community. The revolution starts now!

Quotes

• “It's not about getting a logo or taking the altar out of the church or turning off the lights and bringing in fog machines. It's about, how do you really help people wrestle theologically with the issues that they're dealing with.” (11:25-11:37 | Rev. Womack) 

• “The solution is talking about trauma within the church, because there's a lot of trauma, especially with churches in urban communities.” (14:50-14:56 | Dr. Brown)

• “When the church is able to forgive someone who has strayed, it helps us to understand reconciliation and solidarity with the poor and the oppressed.” (30:04-30:16 | Rev. Sutton) 

• “A lot of people say, ‘I'm a Christian’. But, when they say they're a Christian, what I've come to realize through therapy is that they may not have a relationship with Jesus.” (36:01-36:14 | Rev. Brown)

Links

• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carline-brown/

Rev. JerQuentin Sutton

• WRSU 88.7 FM Sundays 6 to 8pm Eastern - https://radio.rutgers.edu/schedule/

Rev. Lakesha Womack

• Website - https://www.blackseednetwork.com/about

Dr. Chelece Brown

• Website - https://www.chelecebrown.com/

Witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting, Soul Thursdays is the program that you’ll invite friends over to watch every week, where you’ll learn about fascinating speakers and get to share in exciting experiences. 

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Prohibition of cannabis has been about bad science, racism, propaganda, and violence, “ says Arti Finn, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, APDS.  In this episode, host D-Rich leads a fascinating exploration of the intricate world of legalized cannabis and the political and social landscape that surrounds it. 

Our panel of guests share experiences about their presence in the industry, including the challenges they have confronted and solutions they have implemented. During a discussion on the topic of incarceration and the prison system, we delve into the massive role that prisons play in treatment for substance abuse and mental health, the many issues with private correctional institutions, and life after incarceration. And the panel guests emphasize the need for a cultural shift toward more effective solutions, backed by data and results.

Quotes

• “I think there's an opportunity for the industry to have an outsized word on criminal justice reform by saying taxes that are redirected from cannabis sales should be put into correctional education. States don't have enough money dedicated to that. Less than 17% of the folks that are incarcerated get any access to programming. So if you want to actually start to regulate the industry, control where the money goes.” (25:35 - 25:59 | Arti)

• “We criminalized things that should not have been criminalized, including cannabis consumption. And we did it on bad science. We did it using racism, we did it using propaganda, we did it using violence. And we're continuing to use that violence by putting people in cages for using something that is relatively harmless.” (38:22 - 38:44 | Maggie)

• “We miss the fact that the American prison system and jail system is the largest mental health institution we have in the country. There are more mentally ill people in our prisons and jails than there are in all the state psychiatric institutions combined. Also, people who are under the influence of drugs, well, jails are now the largest detoxification facilities in the country. 100 times more people are detoxed in jail than are detoxed in detox centers in the community or in hospital emergency rooms.” (43:58 - 44:36| Andy)

• “Talk to your state legislatures, your governor, anyone who's in policy making and really advocate for changing corrections from a place of warehousing to a place of true rehabilitation. And when you start to raise the pressure on government, they step up.” (1:04:19 - 1:04:39 | Arti)

Connect with our guests:

• Maggie Kinsella - https://coyotecannabisco.com/

About with Southern Soul Livestream - Live Episode Podcast

Witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting, Soul Thursdays is the program that you’ll invite friends over to watch every week, where you’ll learn about fascinating speakers and get to share in exciting experiences. 

Support - Community Exploratory Journalism -  Buy us  A Coffee! 

• Learn - Register Free Training - Getting Started in BIPOC Podcasting Workshop

Connect with SoulThursdays

• Website | Facebook  Instagram | Twitter | TikTok

“Race can be a very positive thing, but it can also be something that can promote a lot of stress against children. And we want to make sure that children are prepared,” explains Dr. Stephanie Irby Coard, clinical psychologist, professor, and founder and President of Kindred Behavioral Research. Talking to children about difficult topics like anxiety, depression, and racism can be intimidating and stressful for parents, especially parents of color who are having to navigate racism themselves. Today, Dr. Stephanie joins host D-Rich along with Tavara Franklin, CEO and founder of Healing Grounds Therapy and Wellness Center, to discuss how to have fearless conversations with children about important topics that are often viewed as taboo like race and anxiety.

Racial ethnic socialization is all about preparing children of color to deal with racism. It is critical that parents teach conflict resolution and problem solving skills to their children with regard to navigating racism. Otherwise, children may respond by being reactive, which could lead to bigger issues since Black children will often face much harsher consequences for being reactive than their white peers. It’s never too early to start talking about race and instilling positive messages so that children can be more resilient when facing nasty remarks about their skin tone or their hair later on in life. 

When it comes to having difficult conversations with children, the best thing a parent can do is to remove the stigma around talking about these topics. If children think a topic is taboo, they might not feel comfortable discussing it, and might even start to think something is wrong with them for having a hard time navigating their emotions. 

Quotes

• “Racial ethnic socialization is the process by which we talk to, transmit messages about, expose our children to, meaning around race.” (6:30-6:42 | Dr. Stephanie)

• “Resilience is incredibly important. And I think that racial socialization is actually a mechanism by which we can help our children to be even more resilient.” (15:00-15:11 | Dr. Stephanie)

• “Race can be a very positive thing, but it can also be something that can promote a lot of stress against children. And we want to make sure that children are prepared.” (24:19-24:30 | Dr. Stephanie)

• “Anxiety is a normal emotion. It is a natural emotion, everybody experiences anxiety.” (49:12-49:21 | Tavara) 

• “With mindfulness, it helps us to be able to ground ourselves to identify what is most important at this moment.” (54:22-54:30 | Tavara)

Links

Connect with Dr. Stephanie Irby Coard:

Professor Page - https://hhs.uncg.edu/hdf/people/coard-stephanie-irby/

Kindred Behavior Website - http://www.kindredbehavior.com/team-member/dr-stephanie-irby-coard/

Connect with Tavara Franklin, LPC, CAMS:

Website https://healinggroundstherapy.com/hgt-team/

Tavara's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tavarafranklin/

Witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting, Soul Thursdays is the program that you’ll invite friends over to watch every week, where you’ll learn about fascinating speakers and get to share in exciting experiences. 

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Connect with SoulThursdays

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“I realized the crazy ridiculous impact that sharing our stories and being vulnerable could have on letting other people share their stories and be okay with getting treatment,” explains Dr. Rhonda Mattox, MD. There is incredible power in advocacy and creating cultures centered around support. Today, Dr. Rhonda joins host D-Rich along with Dr. Jenny Vazquez-Newsum, Ed.D., to talk about advocacy, destigmatizing mental illness, and the untapped leadership potential of marginalized people.

Growing up, Dr. Jenny rarely if ever saw anyone in a leadership role that looked like her. As a multiracial woman, she found that the books on leadership were primarily written from the perspective of white men. This inspired her to write a book of her own and found an organization that centers marginalized perspectives. Although she struggled at first with imposter syndrome, she ultimately realized that the issue is systemic and not due to any deficit of her own. 

Dr. Rhonda grew up with similar experiences, deciding to become a doctor after being inspired by a strong, Black woman who asked not what she wanted to be when she grew up, but who she wanted to help. While pursuing her degree for psychiatry, Dr. Rhonda realized that she was still holding onto many of the stigmas around mental illness that she had grown up with. She could not recognize her own depression, because her mother had taught her that Black people cannot be depressed. When she managed to push past the stigma and share her story anyway, she found immense power in being vulnerable. 

There is a lot of untapped power in speaking up and advocating for yourself. As a leader, you have the opportunity to shatter the stigmas and break down the barriers that hold marginalized perspectives back. 

Quotes

• “We tend to kind of define being a leader as this far off destination, and then we lose out on the opportunity to lead right here and now.” (24:55-25:04 | Dr. Jenny)

• “I grew up hearing from my mother, in a southern town, Black people don't have the luxury of being depressed. Black people can't call into work, you’ve got to get up and go.” (37:37-37:47 | Dr. Rhonda)

• “Don't you pour water on anybody's dreams. Be the person who kneels down and looks in the little girl or the little boy's eyes and see them and tell them they can do it.” (1:14:38-1:14:48 | Dr. Rhonda) 

Links

Connect with Dr. Jenny Vazquez-Newsum, Ed.D.:

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

Book: Untapped Leadership: Harnessing the Power of Underrepresented Leaders - https://www.amazon.com/Untapped-Leadership-Harnessing-Underrepresented-Leaders/dp/1633889165

Connect with Andre Smith:

Website: https://www.chosn.io/getmygoals

Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrechosn

Connect with Dr. Rhonda Mattox, MD:

Website:https://drrhondamattox.me/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rhonda-mattox-physician-and-consultant-66175011/

About with Southern Soul Livestream - Live Episode Podcast

Witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting, Soul Thursdays is the program that you’ll invite friends over to watch every week, where you’ll learn about fascinating speakers and get to share in exciting experiences. 

Support - Community Exploratory Journalism -  Buy us  A Coffee! 

• Learn - Register Free Training - Getting Started in BIPOC Podcasting Workshop

Connect with SoulThursdays

Website | Facebook  Instagram | Twitter | TikTok