In this final four-part series with my dad, we focused on raising queer kids of color. My dad revealed some secrets he's never shared. Expressing them out loud provided some healing not only for my dad but also myself. 

More importantly, this episodeallowed to look inward and notice certain patterns whether good or bad. When you look reflect on your life, what previous experiences that you had no part in shaping helped you to be here? 

 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messyroots.substack.com

This is part 3 of a 4-part series. I sat down with my dad in this series to discuss fatherhood, leadership, and queer identity. June is the month for Pride and Father's Day. 

In par 3, my dad and I discuss my upbringing. We engage in conversation around raising a queer child and how you expose your child to many experiences so that they can grow to be their own self. Also, my dad shares advice on when we face adversity and how to overcome those challenges. I don't want to share too much. I think many parents will learn a lot from this episode. 

I hope you enjoy part 3!

Also, head over to our free Messy Roots App to share your thoughts with other leaders and coaching in our organization. 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messyroots.substack.com

This is part 2 of a 4-part series. I sat down with my dad in this series to discuss fatherhood, leadership, and queer identity. June is the month for Pride and Father's Day. 

Part 2 is all about experiences! I believe that experiences are the greatest teachers. Our perspectives and stories shift when we engage with something or expose ourselves to stories and people. This is why I love to travel! Of course, traveling leisurely is fun, but also engaging in experiences is what I love to do best. My dad takes on a trip back and time to experience his story. 

I hope you enjoy part 2!

Also, head over to our free Messy Roots App to share your thoughts with other leaders and coaching in our organization. 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messyroots.substack.com

This is part 1 of a 4-part series. I sat down with my dad in this series to discuss fatherhood, leadership, and queer identity. June is the month for Pride and Father's Day. 

Part 1 is all about taking in the stories of our ancestors and loved ones. What is the journey before us to be where we are today? The Birth of The Hustle helps us answer some of those challenging questions that we may be thinking about. As leaders and coaches, we should always be connecting our stories to the work that we are doing to impact communities. 

I hope you enjoy part 1!

Also, head over to our free Messy Roots App to share your thoughts with other leaders and coaching in our organization. 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messyroots.substack.com

I listened to the Seattle Seahawks Coach, Pete Carroll, on the Adam Grant podcast discuss how to push through adversity and discomfort. He specifically focused on being fired as a coach. Rather than choosing to be disappointed, he used it as a point of strength and to his advantage. Today he is known as one of the best coaches of all time. Pete Carroll used that chip on his shoulder to go beyond himself. He became extraordinary, a topic that I discussed last week. 

 

What is the chip on your shoulder, and how do you use it to your advantage? 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messyroots.substack.com

We are celebrating the first anniversary of Messy Roots! What does it mean for you to maximize your purpose and potential? It’s time for us to be extraordinary, and will it take for us to get there?  We have to tap into something greater than us! We can’t allow ourselves to get in the way and must take the next step regardless of our fear. What were you created to do? 

 

Who will benefit from you taking that first step into achieving your dreams? 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messyroots.substack.com

What is something that you would consider to be a pain point? Pain points include being stuck in a role, lacking creative energy, losing a friend/loved one, or not fitting in with the crowd. We are often more stuck with a pain point than we like to admit. Pain points can feel like a thorn in our side; no matter how hard you try to remove it, it's still there. 

On this episode of the Messy Roots podcast, I'm sharing how we can redirect our energy to use the thorn rather than pick at it. 

The thorn is a tool that helps you see things differently than others. We can use it. 

 

 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messyroots.substack.com

Last week it rained like cats and dogs! I was over it, but I heard through the grapevine that some of you found it relaxing. You released yourself from the pressure of doing. Cheers to you, but I, on the other hand, was not having it! Rain for one or even two days is cool, but the whole week is a total wash (pun intended). I took the dog out on yet another morning of torrential downpours (the worst part about having a dog), and for some reason, this rainy day became a magical mindful moment.

While standing under a tree waiting for the dog to take care of business, I looked up and marveled over the beauty of mother nature. This tree, with countless branches, was carefully constructed to hold clouds of green leaves. A few glistening raindrops rolled off the leaves and down my forehead like stars falling from the sky. My edges got a little wet, but I didn't mind. The tree's soul swallowed me, and I entered a different world.

I was simply grateful for this short mindful moment. 

Send the rain.  

Growth is happening here.  

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messyroots.substack.com

Happy May! We are counting down the days until Messy Roots' first anniversary! On May 21st, we embarked on a journey to provide more leadership and coaching support for men of color! In just a little over a year, we have been able to impact leaders worldwide! I had to believe I was being called to do this work. Though I had no idea what I was doing at times, I continued to walk the path, scared and often confused. If I'm honest, I still get that way, but I have accepted it as part of the journey. 

 

Maybe you are being called to coach. If that's you, I offer three coaching programs to help you along your journey to impact the world. Click here to browse our options at Messy Roots. 

Regardless of your interest in coaching, we all need to find a space to reevaluate our calling and stay on the path toward greatness. Listen to this episode of the Messy Roots podcast to hear how I stayed on the path even when I found it scary sometimes. 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messyroots.substack.com

Habari Gani is a tool that I keep in my leadership toolbelt. I bring it wherever I go. The phrase means, "What good news do you bring?" At the end of team meetings, folks share their good news. They can share something professional or personal. In the past, team members have shared engagements, announced they are expecting a child, and job promotions. It has also been a time to hold grief and care for the heart. I never force anyone to share good news if they don't have it. Instead, they can use the space to sit with their feelings. After a team member has sat with their emotions, they often return to share their good news. I believe in providing space for team members to be whole. The majority of our time in a day is spent on work. It would be horrible for someone to hide their authentic self for that length of time. 

On this episode of the Messy Roots podcast, you will hear our participants from the Roots Retreat share their Habari Gani. Listen to all of the goodness they are taking back to their communities. I also want you to listen to how the experience helped to change them. We must work on ourselves and love ourselves before doing the same for others. 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit messyroots.substack.com