The James Inc Podcast

Host Ayané Watson introduces a new James Inc podcast series offering young parents inside looks at different careers, spotlighting upholstery with Tulsa Tech professor Mr. Griffin. Griffin shares his upbringing in Okmulgee, vocational training in high school, military service in Vietnam where he served in combat and received a Purple Heart, and how discipline from the military shaped his life. After working 10.5 years at Shell Oil, he pursued upholstery to gain stability and independence, earning training in home furnishings, automotive interiors, marine, and aircraft upholstery, starting his own business, and later teaching for decades at Oklahoma State Tech and then Tulsa Tech. He explains upholstery as a “dying art,” the value of hands-on instruction beyond YouTube, key skills like measurement, dexterity, and visualization, the importance of customization and quality, and how upholstery supports recycling and can provide a good living.

Certified trauma support specialist, and grief coach Kimberly Vaughn Daniels discusses her story as a teen mom. Daniels shares growing up as the oldest of four in a loving two-parent home, feeling sheltered before entering public high school at 14, and becoming a mother at 17. She reflects on the sadness and fear of telling her parents, the family impact, and the importance of fathers being engaged beyond providing. Daniels explains how she stayed in her high school, took only two weeks off after giving birth, and relied on trusted church childcare to continue her education. She recounts being treated unfairly as an unmarried mom during delivery in 1984, and explains why she volunteers at James Inc to help young parents, emphasizing that no one has to do it alone and that stories can keep changing with support and community.

Former Tulsa City Councilor Connie Dodson became a mother at 16 and expresses how it reshaped her goals, support systems, and education. Connie shares how family help and the Margaret Hudson program enabled her to stay on track and graduate, discusses recovering from an emergency C-section, and emphasizes postpartum depression awareness as a hormonal issue. She reflects on raising five children, maintaining individuality through creative pursuits, reading, and writing, and offers advice for young parents to build a trusted support team. Connie talks about co-parenting, boundaries, and today’s added challenges for kids due to phones and social media, including toxic relationships and domestic violence. She also announces her run for Tulsa school board District 4 and encourages lifelong learning and early dual-language exposure.

Crystal Scarborough, a former career coach and certified life coach now pursuing a master’s in therapy, to discuss her story as a young parent. Crystal shares becoming “parentified” around age eight while her nurse mother worked and stepfathers entered the home, and how losing childhood freedom contributed to overwhelm and anxiety in adulthood. She describes a rape-related abortion at 14, having her first child at 15, placing another child for adoption, and later having the son who is living. Crystal explains marrying at 16, later becoming a single mom after her husband’s death in 2004, and credits the Margaret Hudson program with education, counseling, daycare support, and helping her graduate early. She discusses stigma, the need for ongoing open conversations, and advises young parents to seek support, journal, pray, and get wise counsel with boundaries.

Colleen McCarty, a lifelong Tulsan, prosecutor-trained attorney, wife and mother, and founder of Oklahoma Appleseed (currently on leave while campaigning) who is running for Tulsa County District Attorney. McCarty shares her background from the Bama Company to law school as a young mom, her prosecution and policy experience, and her work growing Appleseed. She explains what a district attorney does, case timelines, and where the justice system is improving (alternative courts) versus failing (repeat violent offenders and a mental health competency crisis tied to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health). McCarty discusses the Oklahoma Survivors Act and one successful resentencing, advises young parents about boundaries and choosing relationships carefully, argues Tulsa is less safe than before, and emphasizes public safety, victim support, fairness, and transparency as her priorities.

Paula Marshall, CEO of Bama Companies and founder of the Paula Marshall Foundation, to discuss how becoming a teen mom at 19 shaped her life, leadership, and goals. Marshall shares a tumultuous upbringing marked by her father’s alcoholism, her early relationship struggles, domestic violence, and later a second marriage impacted by addiction and abuse. She explains how motherhood altered her education plans, how she balanced parenting with work and college, and why financial independence and education are key to escaping cycles of poverty and “spiritual poverty.” She emphasizes counseling, learning to set boundaries and say no as a parent, and advocating for supervised visitation when needed. Marshall also describes global travel experiences that changed her perspective on women’s rights and explains how a Ghana mission trip inspired her school-building foundation to combat child trafficking through education.

Former Oklahoma House District 71 Representative Amanda Swope, now Director of Tribal Policy and Partnerships for the City of Tulsa, to discuss being raised in a family impacted by a young parent and growing through related stigmas. Swope shares her upbringing in East Tulsa after her parents divorced, frequent school changes, and how her family relied on WIC, SNAP, Section 8, free and reduced lunch, tribal support, and GI Bill benefits. She explains how those experiences shaped her interest in social psychology, policy, and mediation, and describes how therapy helps her manage stress, build boundaries, and reframe family dynamics. The conversation also covers making politics more digestible, civic engagement, the idea that public offices should be accessible to all, and a need for a school for teen mothers with childcare in Tulsa.

In this episode of the James Inc. Podcast, host Ayane' Trout speaks with Mattece Mason, a prolific multi-hyphenate professional who shares her journey from young motherhood to managing multiple businesses, including Butterfly (A) Effect and Jewel's Place. Mattece discusses the vital role of childcare, the necessity of combining grassroots methods with modern techniques, and the importance of providing holistic support to families. Covering her 22-year experience in the industry, she highlights the challenges and rewards of childcare, emphasizing collaboration between parents and providers, and the critical need for systemic advocacy and integrity.

Join us for a compelling conversation with Dr. Ebony Johnson, a lifelong educator and transformational leader who shares her remarkable journey from North Tulsa to becoming a dedicated advocate for young lives in education. Dr. Johnson opens up about her initial aspirations of being a sports broadcaster and how her path shifted towards education, driven by her desire to make a meaningful impact. With an unexpected talent as a matchmaker, Dr. Johnson's narrative underscores the importance of reshaping perceptions of women, particularly Black women, in leadership roles. She discusses the challenges and triumphs within Tulsa Public Schools and the crucial need for accurate representation of their achievements.

We explore the essential support systems for expecting and parenting teens within Tulsa Public Schools through the Strong Tomorrows program. The evolution of these support initiatives, alongside the contributions of community organizations like James Inc., highlight the importance of mentorship and tailored educational pathways. Through personal stories and shared experiences, we emphasize the collective effort required to empower young parents, educate them about the socio-political landscape, and ensure their success.

Listen in as we tackle the critical issue of teacher compensation in Oklahoma, the implications of low salaries on teacher retention, and the urgent need for legislative action. We also discuss the resilience needed for first-generation college students to succeed, sharing effective study strategies and the concept of educational doulas. Our conversation touches on the alarming trend of preschool expulsions and the collaborative efforts to support families using small daycare centers. This episode is a testament to the power of community, perseverance, and authentic communication in fostering educational success and reform.

Carla's story blossoms as she narrates the shift from managing a local garden center to sprouting her own company, born from a health scare and a burning desire to be more available for her family. Listeners will harvest the fruits of Carla's wisdom as she details how she cultivated a business that not only aligns with her personal values but also contributes to the health and sustainability of her community. These shared experiences are packed with nutrients for thought, inspiring anyone looking to plant their own seeds of change in the business world.