The Process Podcast

Preston shares his story of overcoming complacency growing up in Lincoln, NE, overcoming failure, and talks about his book - Define Your Value.

Ky'Eisha discusses what it was like to grow up in Miami, Fl in an abusive home. She also discusses her college experiences, her transition from PWI to HBCU for gradate school, and why see chose to purse a career in law.

Brandon Allen discusses what it was like to grow up in Portsmouth, VA without his mother, his college experiences attending Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, and also his experiences of pursing his PhD at Purdue University.

Artis discusses his life experiences of growing up in Miami, FL, living the street life, going to prison, and going to college once he was released. Artis also discusses what it was like to find his purpose in prison and for God to place a calling on his life to be a mentor and public speaker.

Shawanna discusses her experience of serving 16 years in prison due to killing her boyfriend at 15 years old. She also discusses the challenges of being raised by the system, being reacclimated to life outside of prison, and maturing into the woman and entrepreneur she is today.

Tajh Boyd discusses his recruiting process during high school, why he chose Clemson University, his football career at Clemson University, his transition from college to the NFL, and life after football.

Jeffery discusses the struggles associate with growing up without a father in Miami, FL - Liberty City, his college experiences playing football for Bethune-Cookman University, and his journey of pursuing his dream career without pay. From college WR to NFL scout.

This week on The Process, we're joined by Tia Coleman, a Jacksonville, Florida native whose journey is a powerful reminder that your past doesn't have to define your future—and that one person willing to believe in you can change the trajectory of your life.

Growing up on the west side of Jacksonville, Tia describes herself as a teenager who often found herself in trouble. Suspensions, fights, and a reputation that followed her made the transition to college more difficult than she expected, with former teachers and administrators refusing to write recommendation letters. But instead of allowing those setbacks to become her identity, she made the decision to rewrite her story.

Throughout our conversation, Tia reflects on the mentors who challenged her to see more in herself, particularly the Black business owner who gave her first job and taught her that a good name is more valuable than temporary popularity. We discuss the importance of protecting your reputation, surrounding yourself with people who raise your standards, and learning that confidence isn't something you're born with—it's something you build through discipline, accountability, and intentional choices.

Tia also shares how becoming a young mother unexpectedly reshaped her priorities, why she chose a different path from many of her peers, and how those decisions prepared her for opportunities she never imagined. Today, she's using her own platform through Tia vs. Fancy Cash to encourage young women to embrace confidence, pursue purpose, and believe that transformation is always possible.

If you've ever felt like your mistakes have become your identity, this conversation is a reminder that your reputation isn't determined by your worst season—it's built one decision at a time. Sometimes, the greatest transformation begins when someone sees your potential before you do.

This week on The Process, we're joined by D. N. Martin, whose story is a powerful reminder that the people who shape us don't always leave us early—they often leave us with everything we need to keep going.

Raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, D. N. Martin reflects on growing up in a close-knit Black community where neighbors looked after one another and family extended well beyond the walls of a single home. As the daughter of a hardworking single mother, she witnessed both the beauty and the burden of resilience. She watched her mother carefully budget every dollar, set goals around the kitchen table, and work tirelessly to create opportunities for her children, even when the odds were stacked against her.

When her mother was diagnosed with HIV and later passed away from AIDS during D. N. Martin's teenage years, life changed overnight. Yet even in the midst of unimaginable loss, D. N. Martin continued leading as class president, serving as dance captain, pursuing scholarships, and refusing to allow grief to define her future. Throughout our conversation, she shares how her mother's example of discipline, faith, sacrifice, and perseverance became the blueprint she still follows today.

We also discuss the challenges of navigating college as a first-generation professional, the journey to law school, and what it means to advocate for others after spending your own life overcoming adversity. D. N. Martin reminds us that purpose isn't something we stumble upon—it's often built on the shoulders of people who believed in us long before we believed in ourselves.

If you've ever wondered whether the sacrifices made by those who came before you still matter, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that love, courage, and example have a way of outliving even the people who gave them.

Blaze Carter discusses his community activism, the struggles of coping with the tragic loss of his son - King Carter, growing up in Miami, Florida (Liberty City), and straddling the fence and dodging the street life.