The Brown Sugar Café Podcast

Terrance P. Elmore talks with Theo Brown-Tuyishimire, an identity and edification coach and children’s book author, about growing up in Rwanda, navigating identity and belonging after moving to the U.S., and finding the courage to use his voice. Theo also shares how his experiences with stuttering and his inner child inspired his book, When My Words Get Stuck.

Connect with Theo:

https://www.whenmywordsgetstuck.com/

https://www.instagram.com/whenmywordsgetstuck/

https://www.instagram.com/theo.edified_03/

https://www.instagram.com/edifycurls/

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Terrance P. Elmore delivers a powerful, deeply personal reminder that the people who seem strongest are often the ones carrying the heaviest load - and why that matters even more during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Mental Health Awareness Month.

Terrance opens with urgent calls to action around mammograms, domestic violence resources, and the importance of noticing the people around you before a crisis hits. From there, he pulls back the curtain on a recent Mental Health Hour event with Dr. Ro Schmidt and Genuine Friends, where the conversation turns to teen suicide, elder suicide, warning signs, and the hard truth that sometimes there are no obvious signs at all.

You’ll hear Terrance break down why casual “How are you?” checks are not enough, how caregivers and “strong friends” can quietly disappear under the weight of responsibility, and why checking in on older adults matters more than most people realize. He also shares a moving poem, “Hold On to Hope,” a message for anyone feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or unseen.

You’ll discover:

• Why people who carry everyone else often need support the most
• What makes a real check-in different from a throwaway greeting
• Why talking to a trusted person may not be enough, and when to seek professional help
• How free mental health resources may already be available through your job or insurance
• Why elder isolation and purpose matter in conversations about mental health
• How hope, community, and one honest conversation can change the direction of someone’s day

This episode is for anyone who has been the strong one, loves a strong one, or needs a reminder that no one is meant to do life alone. If you need encouragement, or if you might be the person someone else needs to hear from today, this conversation meets you right where you are.Hold on to hope. Check on your people. #KeepPushingForward.

Event Link: 7th Annual Mental Health Hour w/ Genuine Friends

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Autographed copies of Pain Is Not Our Only Paintbrush and my other books: Home | The Brown Sugar Café (square.site)

Amazon: Amazon.com: Terrance P. Elmore: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Connect with me on these other platforms:

Facebook: The Brown Sugar Café | Facebook

Instagram: 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏. 𝐄𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 ✍🏾🎙 (@thebrownsugarcafe) • Instagram photos and videos

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YouTube: The Brown Sugar Café - YouTube

Twitter: Terrance P. Elmore ✍🏾🎙 (@TheBrwnSgrCafe) / Twitter

Clubhouse: Terrance P. Elmore - Clubhouse

My Barbecue Pages:

Instagram: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (Terrance P. Elmore) (@tdubb.bbq)⁠

TikTok: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (@tdubb.bbq) | TikTok⁠

YouTube: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ - YouTube⁠

Pass the Remote!: Pass The Remote! Podcast Series – Apple Podcasts 

The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast:⁠⁠ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Apple Podcasts⁠

Terrance P. Elmore reflects on mistaking someone’s behavior for laziness before realizing it may have been tied to financial hardship. He shares how that experience changed his perspective and encourages listeners to be slower to judge, more aware of hidden struggles, and generous with kindness.

Signup for my monthly newsletter: ⁠The Common Flame | Terrance P. Elmore | Substack⁠

Autographed copies of Pain Is Not Our Only Paintbrush and my other books: Home | The Brown Sugar Café (square.site)

Amazon: Amazon.com: Terrance P. Elmore: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Connect with me on these other platforms:

Facebook: The Brown Sugar Café | Facebook

Instagram: 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏. 𝐄𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 ✍🏾🎙 (@thebrownsugarcafe) • Instagram photos and videos

LinkedIn: Terrance P. Elmore | LinkedIn

YouTube: The Brown Sugar Café - YouTube

Twitter: Terrance P. Elmore ✍🏾🎙 (@TheBrwnSgrCafe) / Twitter

Clubhouse: Terrance P. Elmore - Clubhouse

My Barbecue Pages:

Instagram: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (Terrance P. Elmore) (@tdubb.bbq)⁠

TikTok: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (@tdubb.bbq) | TikTok⁠

YouTube: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ - YouTube⁠

Pass the Remote!: Pass The Remote! Podcast Series – Apple Podcasts 

The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast:⁠⁠ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Apple Podcasts⁠

Jeremiah Stricklin joins Terrance P. Elmore for a funny, heartfelt conversation about songwriting, memoir, and turning life’s awkward moments into art. They discuss his band with his wife Erin, Oh Jeremiah; the song “Rust,” Jeremiah’s book Jones County Ghost Stories, and how honest storytelling can connect with audiences; online and off.

Conntect with Jeremiah:

www.ohjeremiah.com

Signup for my monthly newsletter: ⁠The Common Flame | Terrance P. Elmore | Substack⁠

Autographed copies of Pain Is Not Our Only Paintbrush and my other books: Home | The Brown Sugar Café (square.site)

Amazon: Amazon.com: Terrance P. Elmore: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Connect with me on these other platforms:

Facebook: The Brown Sugar Café | Facebook

Instagram: 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏. 𝐄𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 ✍🏾🎙 (@thebrownsugarcafe) • Instagram photos and videos

LinkedIn: Terrance P. Elmore | LinkedIn

YouTube: The Brown Sugar Café - YouTube

Twitter: Terrance P. Elmore ✍🏾🎙 (@TheBrwnSgrCafe) / Twitter

Clubhouse: Terrance P. Elmore - Clubhouse

My Barbecue Pages:

Instagram: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (Terrance P. Elmore) (@tdubb.bbq)⁠

TikTok: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (@tdubb.bbq) | TikTok⁠

YouTube: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ - YouTube⁠

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Alyssa Michelle Stewart joins Terrance for a wide-ranging conversation about poetry, songwriting, performance, photography, and the family and cultural roots that shaped her creative life. She shares how storytelling shows up across her work, why poetry and songs feel different in her process, and how she approaches teaching, performing, and staying open to inspiration.

We discuss how she moved from family traditions and childhood media into writing and music, what it means to create with seasonal awareness, and why supporting local artists matters. Alyssa also reflects on vulnerability, candid photography, and the idea that you are every age you have ever been.

Connect with Alyssa:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alyssummichelle/

Bandcamp - https://localhoney.bandcamp.com/album/slight-foxing

Signup for my monthly newsletter: ⁠The Common Flame | Terrance P. Elmore | Substack⁠

Autographed copies of Pain Is Not Our Only Paintbrush and my other books: Home | The Brown Sugar Café (square.site)

Amazon: Amazon.com: Terrance P. Elmore: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Connect with me on these other platforms:

Facebook: The Brown Sugar Café | Facebook

Instagram: 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏. 𝐄𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 ✍🏾🎙 (@thebrownsugarcafe) • Instagram photos and videos

LinkedIn: Terrance P. Elmore | LinkedIn

YouTube: The Brown Sugar Café - YouTube

Twitter: Terrance P. Elmore ✍🏾🎙 (@TheBrwnSgrCafe) / Twitter

Clubhouse: Terrance P. Elmore - Clubhouse

My Barbecue Pages:

Instagram: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (Terrance P. Elmore) (@tdubb.bbq)⁠

TikTok: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (@tdubb.bbq) | TikTok⁠

YouTube: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ - YouTube⁠

Pass the Remote!: Pass The Remote! Podcast Series – Apple Podcasts 

The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast:⁠⁠ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Apple Podcasts⁠

This solo episode from Terrance P. Elmore builds on the previous discussion about goals by making a simple case: the people already around you may be the ones who can help you move faster, think better, and solve problems sooner. Terrance uses a real work situation to show how quickly relationships change when someone suddenly needs your help, then turns that into a broader reminder about valuing the people in your everyday life.

We discuss why conversations matter more than status, why help can come from unexpected places, and why you should be just as willing to support others as you are to ask for support.

Signup for my monthly newsletter: ⁠The Common Flame | Terrance P. Elmore | Substack⁠

Autographed copies of Pain Is Not Our Only Paintbrush and my other books: Home | The Brown Sugar Café (square.site)

Amazon: Amazon.com: Terrance P. Elmore: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Connect with me on these other platforms:

Facebook: The Brown Sugar Café | Facebook

Instagram: 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏. 𝐄𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 ✍🏾🎙 (@thebrownsugarcafe) • Instagram photos and videos

LinkedIn: Terrance P. Elmore | LinkedIn

YouTube: The Brown Sugar Café - YouTube

Twitter: Terrance P. Elmore ✍🏾🎙 (@TheBrwnSgrCafe) / Twitter

Clubhouse: Terrance P. Elmore - Clubhouse

My Barbecue Pages:

Instagram: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (Terrance P. Elmore) (@tdubb.bbq)⁠

TikTok: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (@tdubb.bbq) | TikTok⁠

YouTube: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ - YouTube⁠

Pass the Remote!: Pass The Remote! Podcast Series – Apple Podcasts 

The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast:⁠⁠ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Apple Podcasts⁠

EPISODE DESCRIPTION - Ready to publish

Season 6 opens with a wake-up call for anyone who has been sitting on a goal too long: stop pausing, stop overthinking, and get back in the game. Terrance P. Elmore kicks off the Brown Sugar Cafe Podcast with a deeply personal check-in on his own writing, his new novel, and the self-sabotage that can hide inside “good” distractions.

He traces the journey from blog poems to podcast host to six full seasons, but this premiere is really about what happens when momentum slips - and how to rebuild it. If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll start again next week, next month, or “when things calm down,” this episode will hit home fast.

You’ll hear Terrance break down:

why positive distractions can still pull you away from the main thing

how to tell the difference between a pause and a permanent stop

why accountability changes everything, from public deadlines to private discipline

when it’s time to level up your current goals instead of coasting

how to restart a project when the strategy no longer fits

Terrance also shares what’s coming this season, including more poets, more original poetry, and a renewed commitment to the show’s mission: poetry meets conversation, and love over hate, one episode at a time.

This is an honest, motivating reset for creators, dreamers, and anyone who knows they are capable of more than they’ve been giving themselves lately. Perfect for the moment you need to stop making excuses and start moving again.

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Autographed copies of Pain Is Not Our Only Paintbrush and my other books: Home | The Brown Sugar Café (square.site)

Amazon: Amazon.com: Terrance P. Elmore: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Connect with me on these other platforms:

Facebook: The Brown Sugar Café | Facebook

Instagram: 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏. 𝐄𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 ✍🏾🎙 (@thebrownsugarcafe) • Instagram photos and videos

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Twitter: Terrance P. Elmore ✍🏾🎙 (@TheBrwnSgrCafe) / Twitter

Clubhouse: Terrance P. Elmore - Clubhouse

My Barbecue Pages:

Instagram: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (Terrance P. Elmore) (@tdubb.bbq)⁠

TikTok: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (@tdubb.bbq) | TikTok⁠

YouTube: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ - YouTube⁠

Pass the Remote!: Pass The Remote! Podcast Series – Apple Podcasts 

The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast:⁠⁠ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Apple Podcasts⁠

Season 6 Premiere will be dropping on 8/81/26!

Signup for my monthly newsletter: ⁠The Common Flame | Terrance P. Elmore | Substack⁠

Autographed copies of Pain Is Not Our Only Paintbrush and my other books: Home | The Brown Sugar Café (square.site)

Amazon: Amazon.com: Terrance P. Elmore: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Connect with me on these other platforms:

Facebook: The Brown Sugar Café | Facebook

Instagram: 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏. 𝐄𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 ✍🏾🎙 (@thebrownsugarcafe) • Instagram photos and videos

LinkedIn: Terrance P. Elmore | LinkedIn

YouTube: The Brown Sugar Café - YouTube

Twitter: Terrance P. Elmore ✍🏾🎙 (@TheBrwnSgrCafe) / Twitter

Clubhouse: Terrance P. Elmore - Clubhouse

My Barbecue Pages:

Instagram: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (Terrance P. Elmore) (@tdubb.bbq)⁠

TikTok: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (@tdubb.bbq) | TikTok⁠

YouTube: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ - YouTube⁠

Pass the Remote!: Pass The Remote! Podcast Series – Apple Podcasts 

The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast:⁠⁠ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Apple Podcasts⁠

We've made it to the end of the season! In this episode I give a recap as I get ready to celebrate National Poetry Month.

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Autographed copies of Pain Is Not Our Only Paintbrush and my other books: Home | The Brown Sugar Café (square.site)

Amazon: Amazon.com: Terrance P. Elmore: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Connect with me on these other platforms:

Facebook: The Brown Sugar Café | Facebook

Instagram: 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏. 𝐄𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 ✍🏾🎙 (@thebrownsugarcafe) • Instagram photos and videos

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Twitter: Terrance P. Elmore ✍🏾🎙 (@TheBrwnSgrCafe) / Twitter

Clubhouse: Terrance P. Elmore - Clubhouse

My Barbecue Pages:

Instagram: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (Terrance P. Elmore) (@tdubb.bbq)⁠

TikTok: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (@tdubb.bbq) | TikTok⁠

YouTube: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ - YouTube⁠

Pass the Remote!: Pass The Remote! Podcast Series – Apple Podcasts 

The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast:⁠⁠ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Apple Podcasts⁠

In this inspiring interview, poet and librettist Tifara Brown shares her journey into Afrofuturism, the creation of her opera 'Lalo Vavi,' and the transformative power of poetry for healing and community. Discover how her work bridges history, culture, and imagination to shape future narratives.

Connect with Tifara:

Webstite - https://www.tifarabrown.com/

TEDx Video: https://youtu.be/1c7Ib4gcBlY?si=Y4UAtfamEH4vBHEt

Spoken Word Video: https://youtu.be/5uwThxL22SU?si=dQYk8qrheGfE0IZz

Signup for my monthly newsletter: ⁠The Common Flame | Terrance P. Elmore | Substack⁠

Autographed copies of Pain Is Not Our Only Paintbrush and my other books: Home | The Brown Sugar Café (square.site)

Amazon: Amazon.com: Terrance P. Elmore: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Connect with me on these other platforms:

Facebook: The Brown Sugar Café | Facebook

Instagram: 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏. 𝐄𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 ✍🏾🎙 (@thebrownsugarcafe) • Instagram photos and videos

LinkedIn: Terrance P. Elmore | LinkedIn

YouTube: The Brown Sugar Café - YouTube

Twitter: Terrance P. Elmore ✍🏾🎙 (@TheBrwnSgrCafe) / Twitter

Clubhouse: Terrance P. Elmore - Clubhouse

My Barbecue Pages:

Instagram: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (Terrance P. Elmore) (@tdubb.bbq)⁠

TikTok: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ (@tdubb.bbq) | TikTok⁠

YouTube: ⁠T-Dubb BBQ - YouTube⁠

Pass the Remote!: Pass The Remote! Podcast Series – Apple Podcasts 

The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast:⁠⁠ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Apple Podcasts⁠