Ten Minutes of Truth with Shawn A. Barksdale

Fight For Your Children, featuring Co-Parents Shawn A. Barksdale & Monique Barksdale.
🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Fight For Your Children

Featuring Co-Parents Shawn A. Barksdale & Monique Barksdale

What does it really mean to fight for your children?

In this eye-opening and heartfelt episode, co-parents Shawn and Monique Barksdale pull back the curtain on their journey navigating the school system with gifted, talented, and deeply curious children—children who weren’t automatically selected for gifted programs.

Instead of backing down, they leaned in—with purpose.

They talk candidly about how advocating for your child doesn’t mean confrontation. It means translation—of grades, behaviors, emotional intelligence, and untapped potential. It means pulling together character, academic performance, and parental presence to open doors that might otherwise remain closed.

They share how they keep their children engaged through gymnastics, baseball, martial arts, soccer, football, entrepreneurial programs, and travel. How they stoke curiosity with books, encourage responsibility through everyday tasks, and build empathy by teaching their children to see others—and serve others.

This episode is for every parent who’s ever felt unheard…

For every teacher who wonders how to reach “that” student…

And for every child whose brilliance doesn’t fit the test score.

You’ll walk away reminded:

🧠 Smart is more than a label.

🫶 Emotional intelligence matters.

💬 Advocacy doesn’t have to be aggressive—it can be graceful, clear, and powerful.

Because when we teach our children how to rise, they’ll reach back and lift others too.

🎙️ EPISODE: The Summary of The Opioid and Substance Use Series and August 31st Day of Hope Event Details with Shannon Rogers Simpson

Hosted by Shawn A. Barksdale | Featuring Shannon Rogers Simpson

We’ve reached the powerful conclusion of our Opioid and Substance Use Podcast Series, and this final episode brings it all together. Hosted by Shawn A. Barksdale, this conversation with Shannon Rogers Simpson—COPE Central Region Coordinator—reflects on the lessons learned, the voices elevated, and the hope rising across rural Virginia.

🎧 Catch up on the full series!

Every episode features real conversations with key people on the front lines of this crisis—advocates, recovery specialists, educators, and those with lived experience. It’s raw, real, and rooted in community healing.

🔗 Listen and share on ALL major podcast platforms

📲 Available on both Facebook pages:

Ten Minutes of Truth with Shawn A. Barksdale

Boots On The Ground

🎥 Video versions of every episode are posted on both Facebook pages as well!

📞 For more information, contact:

Shannon Rogers Simpson

COPE Central Region Coordinator

📱 (434) 476-2147

📧 [email protected]

🌐 Learn more at www.engaginghalifax.com

Let’s keep this important dialogue going. Please listen, watch, and share—because awareness is action, and your voice can help break the stigma and build solutions.

#TenMinutesOfTruth #BootsOnTheGround #OpioidAwareness #COPEProject #RuralRecovery #EngagingHalifax #ShawnABarksdale

Retired Judge, Joel C. Cunningham, Sr. SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA RESIDENTIAL RECOVERY CENTER EXPLAINED

🎙️ Bonus Segment Alert – A Message from Ryland Clark and Shawn A. Barksdale (Extended Version)

After conducting nearly a dozen powerful interviews, Shawn A. Barksdale saw a need—to give back. And what better way than to lend the Ten Minutes of Truth platform to someone already giving so much?

This bonus extended segment features Ryland Clark, Community Relations & Engagement Manager at Hitachi Energy in South Boston, VA. Hitachi’s impact reaches far beyond the COPE Project—it’s seen in their partnerships with local non-profits, fire departments, schools, and businesses across Halifax County. Their support is real, sustained, and often unseen.

In his role, Ryland has met hundreds of people, heard stories of pain, resilience, and need—many of which he admits he didn’t fully understand until stepping into this role. Being the bridge between a major company and a struggling community isn’t easy. It takes heart. It takes patience. And it takes action.

We know Ryland wishes he could help everyone, and though giving has structure and limits, his heart for this community is undeniable.

🙏 If you see Ryland Clark, take a moment to say hello. Better yet—tell him how you can help. Because community change isn’t a one-man job—it’s a shared mission.

Ten Minutes of Truth is proud to amplify Ryland’s voice and vision. Our podcast will now play a role in spreading his message and connecting more people to the resources and hope that already exist.

From Shawn A. Barksdale and the Ten Minutes of Truth team—thank you, Ryland, for what you do. Halifax County is better because of you.

🎧 Listen to the segment now on all major podcast platforms and on Facebook at Ten Minutes of Truth and Boots On The Ground.

#TenMinutesOfTruth #RylandClark #HitachiEnergy #HalifaxCounty #CommunityEngagement #FeedingHalifax #COPEProject #BootsOnTheGround #ShawnABarksdale #GiveBack #BetterTogether

Business with Purpose & Feeding Halifax: Featuring Ryland Clark of Hitachi Energy

 In our latest segment of Ten Minutes of Truth, we had the privilege of sitting down with Ryland Clark, Community Relations & Engagement Manager at Hitachi Energy, South Boston, VA, and a member of the Halifax County Industrial Development Board.

We had no idea just how deeply Ryland—and Hitachi as a whole—were touching lives across Halifax County. From supporting recovery and re-entry efforts to feeding food-insecure families through Feeding Halifax, their quiet but powerful impact runs deep.

In this short segment, Ryland shares what he’s learned from the Engaging Halifax Study and speaks to the vital role businesses can play in helping individuals rebuild their lives after substance use or incarceration. He also explains how the Industrial Development Board is creating job pathways for returning citizens, turning compassion into economic opportunity.

And here’s the thing: Ryland stayed an extra 30 minutes after our official interview—because there was more to say. More stories. More heart. More hope. Shawn felt it was too important to miss and recorded a second segment that will move you and challenge you to see the power of partnership.

Shawn shared, “This is exactly how Ten Minutes of Truth can stand beside leaders like Ryland and organizations like Hitachi—by lending our platform to help feed Halifax and support second chances.”

 Want to get involved? Reach out to Ryland Clark at Hitachi Energy or contact the Halifax County Industrial Development Board to see how your business can make a real impact.

 Listen to this short segment today on Ten Minutes of Truth with Shawn A. Barksdale, available on all major podcast platforms and on Facebook at Ten Minutes of Truth and Boots On The Ground.

Let’s stand together—for recovery, for second chances, and for a Halifax where no one is forgotten.

#TenMinutesOfTruth #RylandClark #HitachiEnergy #FeedingHalifax #HalifaxCounty #RecoveryAndReentry #CommunityLeadership #BootsOnTheGround #EngagingHalifax #BusinessWithHeart #SecondChances #PodcastWithPurpose

EPISODE: Virginia Tech Is Tackling the Opioid Epidemic with Evidence-Based Practices | Featuring: Shannon Rogers Simpson, VT Extension – Halifax County 

Topic: What Is Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Why It Matters

SEL, or Social Emotional Learning, is the process through which individuals—especially children and youth—learn how to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, maintain healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions. It’s not just for schools—these are life skills we all need to navigate trauma, conflict, grief, addiction, and daily challenges. 

That’s why Virginia Tech, through its Cooperative Extension arm, is prioritizing SEL in places like Halifax County—where the opioid crisis has deeply impacted families. VT is equipping educators, parents, and community members with free, research-backed tools; collecting real-time data to inform better programs; and building resilience from the ground up—not just treating symptoms, but shifting systems.

Shawn A. Barksdale credits his progress in community and reentry spaces to the one-on-one training and mentorship he’s received from Shannon Rogers Simpson. Her guidance in SEL, ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences), and Botvin Parenting skills has allowed Shawn to implement evidence-based programs in correctional institutions—building trust, capturing powerful data, and helping returning citizens gain the emotional tools they need to succeed. That impact is growing—and so is the COPE Project’s reach.

We know many of you won’t “like” or “share” this post—but you are reading. You are watching. And you are listening. Shawn’s podcast, Ten Minutes of Truth, is made for people like you: parents trying to hold it together, friends trying to understand addiction, families trying to heal. You don’t have to comment to be changed by what you hear—and that’s the real mission.

 To learn more or get involved, contact Shannon Rogers Simpson at the Halifax County VT Extension Office: (434) 476‑2147 or email [email protected]. Follow Ten Minutes of Truth with Shawn A. Barksdale—because your story, your healing, and your future matter.

EPISODE 9: Virginia Tech Is Tackling the Opioid Epidemic with Evidence-Based Practices | Featuring: Shannon Rogers Simpson, VT Extension – Halifax County 

Topic: What Is Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Why It Matters

SEL, or Social Emotional Learning, is the process through which individuals—especially children and youth—learn how to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, maintain healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions. It’s not just for schools—these are life skills we all need to navigate trauma, conflict, grief, addiction, and daily challenges. That’s why

Virginia Tech, through its Cooperative Extension arm, is prioritizing SEL in places like Halifax County—where the opioid crisis has deeply impacted families. VT is equipping educators, parents, and community members with free, research-backed tools; collecting real-time data to inform better programs; and building resilience from the ground up—not just treating symptoms, but shifting systems.

Shawn A. Barksdale credits his progress in community and reentry spaces to the one-on-one training and mentorship he’s received from

Shannon Rogers Simpson. Her guidance in SEL, ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences), and Botvin Parenting skills has allowed Shawn to implement evidence-based programs in correctional institutions—building trust, capturing powerful data, and helping returning citizens gain the emotional tools they need to succeed. That impact is growing—and so is the COPE Project’s reach.

We know many of you won’t “like” or “share” this post—but you are reading. You are watching. And you are listening. Shawn’s podcast, Ten Minutes of Truth, is made for people like you: parents trying to hold it together, friends trying to understand addiction, families trying to heal. You don’t have to comment to be changed by what you hear—and that’s the real mission.

 To learn more or get involved, contact Shannon Rogers Simpson at the Halifax County VT Extension Office: (434) 476‑2147 or email [email protected]. Follow Ten Minutes of Truth with Shawn A. Barksdale—because your story, your healing, and your future matter.

EPISODE 8: Why the COPE PROJECT Was Formed

 Featuring: Shannon Rogers Simpson, Halifax County VT Cooperative Extension Project Coordinator

1. What exactly is COPE, and why did VT choose their Cooperative Extension arm to run it?

Shannon Rogers Simpson (Halifax Co. VT CE):

“COPE” stands for Community Outreach and Prevention Education. It was created to support community well‑being through resilience-building, mental health awareness, and educational support. Shannon explains that VT chose the trusted Extension framework because it already has an established presence within local communities—like Halifax County—where residents know and rely on Extension agents for credible, non‑clinical guidance on health, safety, agriculture, youth services, and more. Leveraging that existing trust helps COPE reach deeper and faster.

2. What is the mission of COPE?

Shannon outlines the mission:

• Strengthen community resilience through education, awareness, and proactive prevention.
• Support mental health and well-being in rural areas where services may be limited.
• Build local capacity by training volunteers and partnering with schools, faith groups, and county agencies.
• Facilitate equitable access to resources, ensuring everyone has the support they need to thrive.

3. What programs does COPE offer?

Shannon highlighted several key initiatives underway in Halifax County and beyond:

• Peer Support Training: Equipping local volunteers, teachers, and community members with active listening skills and techniques for crisis de-escalation.
• Youth Resilience Workshops: School-based sessions covering stress management, healthy habits, and self-care.
• Community Resilience Events: Pop-up clinics and “COPE Fairs” that bring together mental health professionals, community organizations, and educational outreach in one space.
• Resource Hubs & Toolkits: Online directories curated by VT Extension offering toolkits, videos, and materials on topics like substance misuse, suicide prevention, stress relief, and parenting.
• Local Support Circles: Drop-in sessions hosted monthly—whether at the library, community center, or Extension office—designed to foster connection and reduce isolation.

Shawn’s Perspective:

“As a community leader and advocate, I’m seeing COPE rapidly build a culture of openness around mental health—breaking stigmas by integrating prevention work into everyday spaces

Shawn credits Shannon Rogers Simpson for personally guiding him through the COPE Project’s wide range of resources. Her one-on-one training in evidence-based models like Botvin LifeSkills, ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) education, and parenting interventions has equipped him to be extremely effective in community and institutional settings.

Because of that training, Shawn is now successfully implementing COPE-based programs inside correctional institutions, building trusted relationships, and collecting evidence-based data that is helping reshape how we support returning citizens. This effort is not only changing the narrative around incarceration and reentry—it’s expanding the COPE Project’s reach in powerful, measurable ways. Call to Action:

Want to support COPE in Halifax County? Reach out to Shannon at [email protected] or  434-476-2147. Whether you’re looking to host a resilience workshop, join peer support training, or volunteer at pop-up events—COPE welcomes youLet me know if you’d like this adapted into a Canva layout, flyer, or short video script!

🎙️ EPISODE: Fighting Back: with Kim Adams – “Community & Agency Responses”

We’re tackling the opioid crisis head-on in this powerful new episode featuring Kim Adams of Recovering Hands LLC.

💬 Kim shares how her organization is transforming lives through compassionate, faith-based recovery services—and what makes Recovering Hands stand out from the rest. From personal success stories to vital partnerships with local agencies, this episode sheds light on real solutions happening right here in Halifax County.

If you or someone you love is battling addiction—or if you want to support this life-saving work—don’t miss this episode.

📞 Learn how to connect with Recovering Hands and be part of the change.

🗣️ Presented by Shawn A. Barksdale & the Ten Minutes of Truth Podcast

#OpioidCrisis #SubstanceUseRecovery #RecoveringHands #CommunityHealing #HalifaxVA #TenMinutesOfTruth

🌟 Episode: Beneath the Surface – Halifax’s Opioid Crisis

Our guest is Retired Judge Joel Cunningham, who brings powerful insight into the impact and evolution of the opioid crisis in Halifax County—and the life-saving role of Halifax County Recovery Court.

We’re continuing our 10-part series—supported by Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University—spotlighting real people, real programs, and real solutions across the Commonwealth.

📌 In this episode, we explore:

• When and how the opioid epidemic first became visible in Halifax County

• The key contributors fueling this crisis locally

• How families, schools, and local businesses have been affected

• The mission and measurable impact of Recovery Court—and what success looks like

• What true recovery means for a participant, their loved ones, and the entire community

Judge Cunningham’s experience from the bench, and his deep compassion for those in recovery, offer a rare and honest look into both the challenges and the hope rooted in our local justice and treatment systems.

👉 Listen now to Episode: “Beneath the Surface – Halifax’s Opioid Crisis”

🎧 Available on all major podcast platforms.

📲 Share this with someone who needs to know they’re not alone. Help us shine a light on what’s working—and why recovery matters in every corner of our community.