In part two of Vernā's conversation with Kevin Shird, the discussion turns to life after incarceration and the often-overlooked challenges of rebuilding a life once a prison sentence has ended.

Drawing from personal experience and years of advocacy, Kevin shares what he has learned about post-incarceration syndrome, the psychological and emotional impact of long-term incarceration, and the barriers many people face as they attempt to reintegrate into their families, workplaces, and communities.

Together, Vernā and Kevin explore the stigma that continues to follow people long after they have served their time, examining how labels, assumptions, and systemic obstacles can limit opportunities for healing and growth. Their conversation highlights the importance of dignity, belonging, and support in helping people successfully navigate reentry.

Kevin also reflects on his work as an author, discussing the inspiration behind his books and how storytelling has become a powerful tool for education, advocacy, and transformation.

With candor and compassion Kevin offers a compelling vision of what becomes possible when we move beyond punishment and invest in healing, restoration, and second chances.

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For more information on Vernā, visit her website: www.vernamyers.com

For more information on Kevin Shird and A Life For A Life Foundation, visit: https://alifeforalifefoundation.org/

To Learn About Kevin's Book, A Life For A Life: Poor Choices and Unresolved Trauma Is Killing America: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216809326-a-life-for-a-life

In this special in-studio episode of Sundays with Vernā, Vernā sits down with author, educator, and social justice advocate Kevin Shird for a deeply personal conversation about trauma, choice, incarceration, and transformation.

Kevin shares his journey from growing up in poverty in Baltimore to becoming involved in the underground drug economy at a young age, a path that ultimately led to more than a decade in federal prison. With honesty and remarkable clarity, he reflects on the series of choices, circumstances, and unresolved trauma that shaped his early life and the lessons that emerged from living through its consequences.

Together, Vernā and Kevin explore the language we use around incarceration, the realities of prison life, and what it means to hold space for both accountability and humanity. Their conversation moves beyond labels and stereotypes to examine how identity is formed, challenged, and rebuilt.

Kevin also opens up about the practices that helped him survive incarceration: education, fitness, mentorship, and a commitment to reimagining who he could become. Along the way, he offers powerful insights about transferable skills, community, and the psychological shift required to believe in a different future.

With vulnerability, wisdom, and hard-earned perspective, this first part of their conversation challenges us to think differently about trauma, redemption, and what becomes possible when people are given the opportunity and support to transform.

This is part one of a two-part conversation.

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For more information on Vernā, visit her website: www.vernamyers.com

For more information on Kevin Shird and A Life For A Life Foundation, visit: https://alifeforalifefoundation.org/

To Learn About Kevin's Book, A Life For A Life: Poor Choices and Unresolved Trauma Is Killing America: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216809326-a-life-for-a-life

In this special mailbag episode of Sundays with Vernā, Vernā sits down with questions straight from her listeners, opening up a warm, honest conversation about transitions and transformations, the changes we plan for and the ones that catch us off guard.

How to you not lose yourself during transition? What are the right conditions for transformation to happen? From career pivots and relationship changes to those quieter inner evolutions, she reflects on how we can meet uncertainty with a little more curiosity and a lot more self-compassion.

Whether you're in the middle of a big life change or simply sensing that something new is unfolding, Vernā invites you to embrace the process and stay open to what's possible.

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For more information on Vernā visit her website: www.vernamyers.com

In this thought-provoking episode of Sundays with Vernā, Susanne Goldstein joins the conversation to examine what shifts when women lead from a place of alignment, integrity, and true power.

Rooted in her work and the foundation of Lead Like a Woman, Goldstein introduces a new way of approaching leadership that moves beyond burnout, constant striving, and outdated frameworks that were never built to support women.

Vernā and Susanne explore the inner transformation that makes this shift possible, from reconnecting with feminine wisdom and intuition to challenging the learned behaviors that often shape how women navigate leadership spaces.

Their conversation invites a different understanding of leadership, one grounded not in pressure or performance, but in presence, self-trust, and embodied confidence. It's a shift that has the potential to influence not just individual leaders, but the cultures and systems they're a part of. With depth, clarity, and compassion, this episode offers a reimagined vision of leadership, one where women are no longer conforming, but creating new possibilities.

Vernā encourages us to imagine a future where feminine leadership is not marginalized, but recognized as essential to meaningful and lasting change.

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For more information on Vernā, visit her website: www.vernamyers.com

To learn about Susanne and Lead Like A Woman: www.susannegoldstein.com

Can DEI withstand the attack it's under? Imagine a future where inclusion not only survives but thrives, overcoming every obstacle and restoring balance to our workplaces.

Vernā is joined for a very special episode by NY congressional candidate James Felton Keith (JFK), CEO of Inclusion Score. In this prerecorded conversation, they dive into why DEI is not going anywhere.

We explore the financial and legal risks companies face when they fail to prioritize inclusion, from rising insurance premiums to Title VII compliance pitfalls. Hear why avoiding DEI could cost more than you think, both ethically and economically.

To JFK, inclusion is integral to the broader mission of promoting a human-centric economy and ideology.

JFK unveiled groundbreaking ideas for a reimagined economy, one where individuals are truly valued for their labor and the data used to market goods to them.

He highlights the systemic imbalance in value distribution, emphasizing how workers, particularly from diverse communities, are often denied fair compensation for their contributions.

Vernā and JFK's hopeful and pioneering ideas bring a fresh perspective that will inspire you!

This episode provides a roadmap for a better world, outlining the action steps to achieve it and explaining why DEI will stand the test of time.

Join us for this compelling discussion and subscribe to ensure you never miss an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Visit Vernā Myers' Website here: Vernā Myers' Website

To learn more about James Felton Keith: James Felton Keith For Congress

Think about the three people closest to you in your professional orbit....

If you were truly honest with yourself, how much do you really trust them?

Trust is in short supply, and workplace silence is on the rise... a challenge that poses significant risks for organizations at a time when we need it the most.

Vernā sits down with workplace culture luminary, Minda Harts, to explore the transformative power of trust and compassion in the workplace.

Work culture is evolving rapidly, and these two experts reveal how trust drives innovation, strengthens teamwork, and maximizes profit in this dynamic shift.

Minda's groundbreaking "Seven Trust Languages" framework, featured in her latest book Talk to Me Nice, stands out in the discussion, offering clear and actionable steps to foster trust in today's complex social landscape.

Together, they share valuable insights and heartfelt humor as they explore the universal need for human connection and collaboration. This episode is not to be missed!

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For more information on Vernā, visit her website: www.vernamyers.com

For more information on Minda Harts and to purchase her new book, Talk to Me Nice, visit: www.mindaharts.com

What does it mean to truly belong, to feel seen, and to build a community where every thread of identity is honored? As a society, we often pride ourselves on progress, yet the persistent barriers to truly inclusive spaces reveal that we may be further behind in embracing equity and belonging than we'd like to admit.

Join Vernā Myers for an extraordinary conversation with Prasanna (Pras) Ranganathan, a South Asian, queer, disabled consultant, filmmaker, ex-lawyer, and tireless advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Pras has spent his 18-year career in tech, law, entertainment, and human rights dismantling barriers and fostering genuine inclusion. He challenges us to reflect on the distinctions between disability, accessibility, and inclusion while shedding light on the problematic ways society often conceptualizes disability.

With his remarkable gift for communication and teaching, Pras eloquently unpacks what many of us misunderstand about disability, allyship, and how to cultivate inclusivity in today's social climate.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone striving to co-create a future where every individual is celebrated for their uniqueness, and collective collaboration drives the betterment of all.

Listen now, and join us in creating a world where everyone belongs.

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode to keep the conversation going!

Visit Vernā's Website for more information, bookings, and online inclusion training courses: www.vernamyers.com

Visit Prasanna's Website here to learn more about him, his work, and how to collaborate with him:

www.prasannaranganathan.com

In this powerful episode of Sundays with Vernā, rising political star Deja Foxx shares her remarkable journey from a challenging childhood marked by homelessness and a single mother's struggle with addiction to launching a groundbreaking congressional campaign to become the youngest woman in Congress. At just 25 years old, Foxx is running to be the first Gen Z woman elected to Congress in Arizona's 7th District. She brings a unique perspective shaped by her experiences with impoverishment, limited access to healthcare, and the critical importance of reproductive rights. The conversation delves into her inspirational path, including her work on Kamala Harris's presidential campaign, her approach to leadership, and her urgent message about the need for young people to actively create political change. Her captivating energy and storytelling make her the messenger we need right now. With raw authenticity and unwavering determination, she articulates a vision of representative democracy that centers the experiences of those most often overlooked by traditional political systems. Vernā invites us to peer into the future and see the young people who thoughtfully and passionately nurture our hopes and progress. To learn more about Vernā Myers and get connected: www.vernamyers.com To learn more about Deja Foxx: www.dejafoxx.com

In this powerful episode of Sundays with Vernā, New York Times bestselling author Charles Duhigg reveals the hidden dynamics that can make or break workplace communication. Drawing from his latest book "Super Communicators," Duhigg unpacks the critical skills leaders and employees need to break through organizational silence and create meaningful dialogue.

Discover how workplace conversations are actually composed of three distinct types - practical, emotional, and social - and learn why misunderstanding these can lead to toxic communication breakdowns. Duhigg provides practical strategies for:

• Asking "deep questions" that reveal genuine understanding
• Creating psychological safety in difficult conversations
• Listening beyond words to truly hear your colleagues
• Navigating sensitive topics without creating further division

Whether you're a manager seeking to build a more connected team or an employee wanting to improve workplace relationships, this episode offers transformative insights into how communication can either fracture or fortify organizational culture.

Key Takeaways:

• Why most workplace communication fails
• Techniques to have more authentic conversations
• How to create trust in a divided workplace
• Practical communication skills that build stronger teams

A must-listen for anyone committed to creating more human, understanding workplaces in our increasingly complex professional landscape.

To connect with Vernā:

Verna Myers | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree www.vernamyers.com

To connect with Charles:

Charles Duhigg – Bestselling Author & Speaker

HBCUs receive just $1 for every $100 in endowment funds that predominantly white institutions enjoy. Now, under increased budget cuts, legislative challenges, and attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, their survival is being tested more than ever.

Join us for a compelling conversation with Morehouse College President David A. Thomas as he shares with Vernā a powerful blueprint for defending and uplifting Historically Black Colleges and Universities against the anti-DEI onsalught of the new Trump era.

He explains why this issue goes beyond funding. It's an attack on civil rights. Discover how HBCUs foster racial equity, drive economic mobility, and shape future leaders, making them a prime target for an administration intent on dismantling our collective steps toward a just and civil society.

Learn about the real-world impact these institutions have on students, communities, and local economies, and find out why your advocacy and action matter. With optimism and clarity, President Thomas shines a light on the path forward, encouraging allies to invest, educate, and empower.

Don't miss this inspiring discussion about the enduring power of HBCUs in shaping a more just and equitable world.

For resources, updates, online DEI trainings, or bookings visit Vernā's Website: www.vernamyers.com

Get connected with Vernā: Verna Myers | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

Watch video episodes of Sundays With Verna on YouTube: Vernā Myers - YouTube