The Celebration

We’re joined today by the talented Ameerah Sanders, who spoke with me about her own struggle with depression, self-acceptance, and her journey to becoming a professional comedian.

I appreciate how Ameerah spoke openly and from the heart. While we did share a lot of laughs (especially since Ameerah is a hilarious comedian), we also took the conversation to some very deep and very real places. You’ll appreciate the insights and truths that Ameerah shares.

Ameerah Sanders is a standup comic, writer, and filmmaker based in Kansas City, MO. Her comedy comes from her post-9/11 Black Muslim background and her current post-college life. She hopes to connect with other people of color and serve as an example that the life of a Black woman is not inherently political. She's performed at the Hollywood and Kansas City Improv. She'll be at the Cream City comedy fest in Milwaukee, WI May 9-12th, and Art of Female Comedy Fest June 12th-13th.

tomearl.me/pgcr

Original Air Date: May 25, 2018

Art, Culture, and Dopeness. That’s this week’s episode with visual artist Marium Rana.

Oh, and we talked about Black Panther, AFI, Ramadan and fasting, racism, the impact of art, creativity, and courage, being yourself, and tons and tons of brilliant quotes from Marium.

We laughed A BUNCH and we even talked about the bald eagle American pride tattoo that I have.

Here’s just a snapshot of Marium’s awesome life:

Marium Rana is an American-born Pakistani visual artist, who works primarily in ink and aqueous media. She has curated numerous art exhibitions throughout the United States. She served as the design chair for TEDxFSU.

Be sure to do your patriotic duty and listen to this weeks’ FIRE episode with Marium Rana (say that last part super loud and like an MC bringing someone to the stage).

tomearl.me/acd

Original Air Date: May 18, 2018

Let’s say you were to ask Samar Owais to be your copywriter, and to sprinkle her magic on your email sequences. You’d need to be prepared to cut a check with a lot of zeros.

In other words, Samar is a seriously sought after copywriter who crafts emails that convert lurkers into customers – then into repeat customers, and finally into raving fans.

If you are an entrepreneur – from any industry – you need to be tapping into the full potential of your email list.

On this week’s episode, Samar really breaks down the ins and outs of writing email sequences. Whether we’re talking about a sales sequence, nurture sequence, abandoned cart sequence, whatever: if you’re sending it by email, she drops the gems on this one.

This episode is especially for the folks who are sick of staring at a blank screen when trying to craft an email. Plus, Samar gives you series of insights into the research you need to do before you even start writing your first email.

Samar’s insight is really meant to empower you with the tools you need, so you can ultimately work with clients and customers that excite you and allow you to raise your prices.

Now if you’re thinking, “wow Tom, I’m not sure I can do 60 minutes of geeking out about email copywriting.” Don’t worry. I got you.

Samar and I also discussed:

Entrepreneurial mindset
How to overcome challenges and adversity, especially when trying to pivot from one job to the next
Owning your identity, especially in the face of bias and/or discrimination
Activating your innate power
Communicating with passion, purpose, and clarity

All this to say: do yourself the favor of hitting play on this epic interview. Samar delivers serious value and offers some amazing insights.

Here we go.

You can get in touch with Samar from her website - https://samarowais.com/

Original Air Date: August 1, 2020

This week marks the beginning of Ramadan. For those observing, it is 30 days of fasting, reflection, prayer, and community.

There are many spiritual and health benefits to fasting. But sustaining from food and water aren't the only ways to fast.
On this episode, I invite you to consider joining me in fasting from these five things:

1. Comparison
2. Control
3. Social Media
4. Self-Doubt
5. Over-Achieving

For each of these, just picking 1 day a week or a month to fast, can have a positive impact on our lives. Consider it :).

Plus learn about the reasons why, tips for getting started, and enjoy some fun stories I share.
www.tomearl.me/ffym

This week we bring you our 13th episode of this series; a conversation with Crysta Tyus and London Jones.

Here is the background on this project:

In the last few months leading up to my daughter’s birth, I began a podcast project.

I had a few intentions with this project.

I wanted her to have a set of recordings that could serve as a time capsule of what life was like just as she was arriving. And for her to begin life already surrounded by a community who was invested in her.

In the end, I interviewed over 20 people for this project.

I began these recordings in the late summer of 2019.

Little did I know what was awaiting all of us just around the corner.

As I’ve been relistening to these recordings I have found deep meaning in each conversation, and I hope you will appreciate them too.

That is why we are starting the 2022 season of THE Celebration podcast by sharing a new edited edition of these interviews.

The series is entitled: Gifts For You.

It will span 13 episodes in total.

I hope you enjoy it.

Guest Information:

Crtsya IG: @crystatyus

London IG: @londonmarice

This week we bring you our 12th episode of this series; a conversation with Intisar Seraaj and Mitch del Monico.

Here is the background on this project:

In the last few months leading up to my daughter’s birth, I began a podcast project.

I had a few intentions with this project.

I wanted her to have a set of recordings that could serve as a time capsule of what life was like just as she was arriving. And for her to begin life already surrounded by a community who was invested in her.

In the end, I interviewed over 20 people for this project.

I began these recordings in the late summer of 2019.

Little did I know what was awaiting all of us just around the corner.

As I’ve been relistening to these recordings I have found deep meaning in each conversation, and I hope you will appreciate them too.

That is why we are starting the 2022 season of THE Celebration podcast by sharing a new edited edition of these interviews.

The series is entitled: Gifts For You.

It will span 13 episodes in total.

I hope you enjoy it.

Guest Information:

IG: byseraaj

https://www.mikkidel.com/

This week we bring you our 11th episode of this series; a conversation with Shelby Birch.
Here is the background on this project:

In the last few months leading up to my daughter’s birth, I began a podcast project.

I had a few intentions with this project.

I wanted her to have a set of recordings that could serve as a time capsule of what life was like just as she was arriving. And for her to begin life already surrounded by a community who was invested in her.

In the end, I interviewed over 20 people for this project.

I began these recordings in the late summer of 2019.

Little did I know what was awaiting all of us just around the corner.

As I’ve been relistening to these recordings I have found deep meaning in each conversation, and I hope you will appreciate them too.

That is why we are starting the 2022 season of THE Celebration podcast by sharing a newly edited edition of these interviews.

The series is entitled: Gifts For You.

It will span 13 episodes in total.

I hope you enjoy.

Guest Information:

IG: @shelbybirch

This week we bring you our 11th episode of this series; a conversation with Shelby Birch and Dr. Jeannine Gailey.

Here is the background on this project:

In the last few months leading up to my daughter’s birth, I began a podcast project.

I had a few intentions with this project.

I wanted her to have a set of recordings that could serve as a time capsule of what life was like just as she was arriving. And for her to begin life already surrounded by a community who was invested in her.

In the end, I interviewed over 20 people for this project.

I began these recordings in the late summer of 2019.

Little did I know what was awaiting all of us just around the corner.

As I’ve been relistening to these recordings I have found deep meaning in each conversation, and I hope you will appreciate them too.

That is why we are starting the 2022 season of THE Celebration podcast by sharing a new edited edition of these interviews.

The series is entitled: Gifts For You.

It will span 13 episodes in total.

I hope you enjoy it.

Guest Information:

IG: @shelbybirch

[email protected]

This week we bring you our 10th episode of this series; a conversation with Dr. Kikanza Nuri-Robins and Travis Ray.

Here is the background on this project:

In the last few months leading up to my daughter’s birth, I began a podcast project.

I had a few intentions with this project.

I wanted her to have a set of recordings that could serve as a time capsule of what life was like just as she was arriving. And for her to begin life already surrounded by a community who was invested in her.

In the end, I interviewed over 20 people for this project.

I began these recordings in the late summer of 2019.

Little did I know what was awaiting all of us just around the corner.

As I’ve been relistening to these recordings I have found deep meaning in each conversation, and I hope you will appreciate them too.

That is why we are starting the 2022 season of THE Celebration podcast by sharing a newly edited edition of these interviews.

The series is entitled: Gifts For You.

It will span 13 episodes in total.

I hope you enjoy it.

Guest Information:

https://kikanzanurirobins.com/books

IG: @travisaray

This week we bring you our 9th episode of this series; a conversation with Walter “Wally” B. Jennings and Irmina.

Here is the background on this project:

In the last few months leading up to my daughter’s birth, I began a podcast project.

I had a few intentions with this project.

I wanted her to have a set of recordings that could serve as a time capsule of what life was like just as she was arriving. And for her to begin life already surrounded by a community who was invested in her.

In the end, I interviewed over 20 people for this project.

I began these recordings in the late summer of 2019.

Little did I know what was awaiting all of us just around the corner.

As I’ve been relistening to these recordings I have found deep meaning in each conversation, and I hope you will appreciate them too.

That is why we are starting the 2022 season of THE Celebration podcast by sharing a new edited edition of these interviews.

The series is entitled: Gifts For You.

It will span 13 episodes in total.

I hope you enjoy.

Guest Information:

Wally: https://www.mouthofthemural.com/

Irmina IG: @irminathephoenix