What does financial freedom mean to you? For Jamila Souffrant it meant ditching her 1.5 hour commute to work for a life that gave her far more flexibility. To get there Jamila and her husband aggressively saved $169,000 in two years with the goal of retiring by 40. Jamila shared her experiences in a blog, which turned into the popular Journey To Launch Podcast. In this episode Jamila explains her financial strategy, why retiring at 40 is no longer the goal and more lessons from her new book, “Your Journey to Financial Freedom.”

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Jamila’s Website https://jamilasouffrant.com/
"Your Journey To Financial Freedom" https://yourjourneytofinancialfreedom.com/

In this episode of The Next Best Thing, host Aundrea Cline-Thomas shares her personal experiences and reflections on stillness and healing. Aundrea explains the consequences of overworking that forced her to prioritize creating space for rest. The unexpected impact was a burst of creativity. Aundrea also reflects on her anti hustle and bustle approach to the holiday season! Tune in for inspiring insights and a reminder that your “NEXT” is always within reach.

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Candi Carter had an award winning television career. She was a Senior producer of The Oprah Show and went on to be the show runner at The View and The Tamron Hall Show. After three decades in television she decided is was time for her NEXT.

In this episode we discuss the importance of saying 'yes' to opportunities, exploring the world outside our comfort zones, and how to use your skills more strategically in business. Listen as Candi shares her experiences navigating a career transition in her 50’s, taking calculated risks, the importance of networking, and how she’s creating opportunities for special needs teens through her foundation called "We've Got Friends.”

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More on Candi Carter:
We’ve Got Friends: https://www.wgfnj.org/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/candicartertv/

Candi Carter is an Emmy award-winning Executive Producer who recently joined the e-commerce production company, Knocking, as the Chief Content Officer. Prior to joining Knocking, she worked in development with the ABC Entertainment Group. Carter joined The Tamron Hall Show as Executive Producer and Showrunner in March 2020, one week before New York shut down for COVID. Under Carter’s supervision, Tamron Hall received three nominations for the 2021 Daytime Emmys in addition to an NAACP nomination. Prior to joining Tamron Hall, Carter served as Executive Producer of the iconic daytime TV show, The View, for five seasons. During her tenure, The View was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame and won an Emmy Award in 2020 for “Best Informative Talk Show.”

How are you…. really? Are you in survival mode and don’t even know it? What does wellness even look like?

On this episode we’re joined by Dr. Thema Bryant, the 2023 president of the American Psychological Association, minister and author of “Homecoming: Overcoming Fear and Trauma to Reclaim Your Whole Authentic Self.”

We discuss the rewards of authenticity and how certain characteristics that culture celebrates may actually be harmful to our health. Plus, we'll explore how healing can change the game in relationships and what men can do on their journey. Be prepared to challenge traditional beliefs and redefine your path of purpose and abundance.

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More on Dr. Thema:

Website: https://drthema.com/
Get “Homecoming:” https://www.amazon.com/Homecoming-Overcome-Trauma-Reclaim-Authentic/dp/059341831X
The Homecoming Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHomecomingPodcastwithDrThem

Dr. Thema Bryant is the 2023 president of the American Psychological Association, the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology with more than 120,000 members (apa.org).

Dr. Thema Bryant completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Duke University and her post-doctoral training at Harvard Medical Center’s Victims of Violence Program. Upon graduating, she became the Coordinator of the Princeton University SHARE Program, which provides intervention and prevention programming to combat sexual assault, sexual harassment, and harassment based on sexual orientation. She is currently a tenured professor of psychology in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University, where she directs the Culture and Trauma Research Laboratory. Her clinical and research interests center on interpersonal trauma and the societal trauma of oppression.

Today, we welcome “Killer pitchmaster,” author, and entrepreneur Precious Williams. She breaks down the art of the perfect pitch, from teaching us how to position ourselves effectively in business, to sharing tips on networking, tailoring pitches, and leaving a lasting impression on audiences.

But don't let Precious' success fool you. She's faced homelessness and personal struggles, yet she used these challenges as stepping stones, pitching her way to television appearances and global speaking engagements. Precious is joining us today to share her tips about the power of the pitch and how you wield it to navigate through your own challenges.

Don't forget to subscribe, share the podcast, and check out the links to Precious' resources!

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About Precious Williams:
Website: https://perfectpitchgroup.com/

International Speaker. Best-Selling Author. Corporate Sales Trainer. #KillerPitchMaster With 28 years as an international professional speaker and corporate trainer, she has methods to empower her clients to secure millions in pitch competition winnings, secure lucrative speaking engagements, and have helped countless Fortune 500 companies outperform their competition.

From the poverty-stricken streets of St. Louis, Missouri, to the global stage of influence, Precious L. Williams’ story of transformation is nothing less than iconic.

From pulling Howard University and its hospital out of a financial deficit, to increasing graduation rates, and attracting highly sought after faculty, University President Dr. Wayne Frederick decided to retire in September 2023 after a decade of service. In this episode Dr. Frederick explains his strategy for leading the University through a storm, building buy-in along the way, managing corporate interest that faded after 2020 and how the Black community can harness and profit from its collective power.

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Subscribe to “Next Nuggets,” a newsletter with more insight and resources: https://thenextbestthingact.com/

More on Dr. Frederick:
https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/dr-wayne-i-frederick-retire-17th-president-howard-university-june-2024

Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick was the 17th president of Howard University and is currently the President Emeritus of Howard University and the distinguished Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery at the Howard University College of Medicine. He is also a practicing cancer surgeon at Howard University Hospital, where he continues to consult patients and perform surgeries. Dr. Frederick is a true son of Howard, matriculating to the University at age 16 as a B.S./M.D. dual degree student. He completed both degrees within six years, earning his Bachelor of Science and medical degrees by age 22.

Following his post-doctoral research and surgical oncology fellowships at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Frederick began his academic career as associate director of the Cancer Center at the University of Connecticut. He would later earn a Master of Business Administration from the Howard University School of Business in 2011.

Today, he continues to operate and lecture second-year medical students and surgical residents of Howard University School of Medicine. In June 2023, the University’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved the naming of the Wayne A. I. Frederick Undergraduate Library in honor of his years of service. He retired as president on September 1, 2023.

Andre Iguodala joined The Next Best Thing podcast just days after announcing his retirement from the NBA after 19 seasons. Get ready for a deep dive into the mind of a champion as Andre shares his insights on success, leadership, being present, and his passion for investing in the tech space. From the basketball court to the boardroom, Andre discusses the importance of building a winning culture and how the next generation of athletes can make a meaningful impact. So grab your headphones and get ready to be inspired and motivated by the wisdom and experiences of a four-time NBA Champion.

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Episode Log:

00:04:06 Responses to Andre’s retirement announcement
00:06:46 Giving Andre his flowers
00:10:41 The difficulties of being the 6th man and how it paid off
00:14:17 Would Andre consider coaching
00:18:45 Andre’s VC fund
00:24:23 What Andre looks for in startups
00:26:29 How athletes should navigate NIL
00:31:05 How Andre prioritizes being a present father
00:33:37 ACT Up segment: Rapid Fire Questions

It’s not what you say, it’s what they hear! Our non verbal communication truly determines how others may perceive us. Yet it’s a skill so many overlook.

From helping lawyers choose a fair jury, to helping leaders in the C-Suite with their executive presence in this episode sales and body language expert Linda Clemons breaks down the key practices that will give you an edge in fostering deeper connections that will take your life and career to the next level.

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Join The Next Best Thing community: https://instagram.com/thenextbestthingact?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

About Linda Clemons:

Website: https://lindaclemons.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lindaclemons?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
E-book https://lindaclemonsebooks.com

Linda Clemons from Indianapolis, Indiana, is the CEO of Sisterpreneur® Inc, which educates and empowers female entrepreneurs. She is an award-winning, record-setting sales producer. As body language expert trained and certified in Analytic Interviewing and Statement Analysis™ (a process used to detect deception) has made Linda one of the top global sales trainers, assisting her clients in generating over two billion in sales. Linda welcomes the opportunity to train and motivate your team.

Are you hiding something? Does the secret keep you from connecting with others? Does the fear about being judged keep you from showing up as your true authentic self?

For years the answer was yes for Philadelphia anchor and reporter Aziza Shuler. That was until she boldly told her story on the evening news about her alopecia diagnosis and traumatic childhood. Aziza took off her wig and so much weight that came with it, and is now exploring a new season of freedom!

CBS Philadelphia Story: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Aziza+Shuler

This is the story behind the story. This episode is not about hair. It’s about our lived experiences, what we internalize and how trauma can turn into triumph!

About Aziza Shuler:

CBS 3: https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/personality/aziza-shuler/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/azizashuler?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/azizashuler

Aziza Shuler is an Emmy award-winning journalist. She truly believes everyone has a story, and she's most passionate about giving a voice to the underdogs, forgotten, and overlooked people in our communities.

Aziza is known for her character-driven enterprise reporting. She has a varied background covering everything from local/breaking news, education, sports, arts & culture, and health. In 2022, Aziza was tapped to fill-in as Spectrum Network's Capitol Hill political correspondent. She spent several months following the war in Ukraine, President Joe Biden's first State of the Union address, and the president's nomination of the first Black woman to the SCOTUS, Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Aziza began her career in Yuma, Ariz. It was in Yuma where she learned the power of humanizing the news. It's where she won her first Emmy® for her team's work detailing the reality of immigration at the Southern border during the Trump Administration. It's no small feat to get so much accomplished while surviving the triple digit temperatures and remaining vegan in a beautiful city full of delicious Mexican food.

Aziza attributes her grit and confidence as a journalist to her upbringing in Washington, D.C., and overcoming a childhood in the foster care system. She says her invaluable life experiences inspired her to become a role model and mentor to the youth. Aziza attended UCLA, and graduated with a B.S. degree in Communications from St. John's University in New York City.

The light is finally shining at the end of what seemed like and endless dark tunnel, but is it here to stay? Learn more about how host Aundrea Cline-Thomas is transitioning into her NEXT with recent projects, new revelations, what she’s implementing from conversations with past podcast guests, and her message to you!

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Join our community: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbestthingact/

Luminary: https://www.weareluminary.com/home
Stephanie Perry’s episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJPHUblf-7U&t=2305s
L’Oreal Thompson Payton’s episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iK00Y2BVo4