The SonRise Project

The SonRise Project creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces veteran speaker and master coach, Sylvia High. She’s an author, a healer and a specialist in transformation. In this episode, Sylvia talks about how to support teens and young adults in finding their purpose. While that alone can be a daunting task, she asks parents to reflect on when they discovered their own purpose. She says while some people know from an early age they want to be an artist, a singer or a doctor, for many that’s not the case. She says most people discover it, “Oh, this is my purpose. Or that is my purpose. Or I thought my purpose was here, but it's not after all.” She says if we're not careful, our purpose becomes looking for our purpose. To avoid that trap, Sylvia says we must shift our mindset and realize it’s not about discovering a thing that “we do,” it’s discovering “who we are meant to be.”

In this SonRise episode, creator Kelli Richardson Lawson and SonRise Executive Director Kelly Chapman lead an open discussion with parents about how to deal with ongoing challenges with their children. With honesty and compassion Kelli and Kelly draw on their own experiences and hard-won wisdom reminding everyone it’s possible to choose a self-empowering response to any situation. They emphasize one must tend to one’s own mental health to be available to others. They also encourage SonRise listeners to define boundaries, allowing children to experience the consequences of their actions rather than jumping into rescue. Above all, Kelli and Kelly urge parents to learn self-acceptance, self-love and to practice the art of forgiveness with self and others. Kelli says if we loved ourselves as much as we love our children how much better off everyone would be.

The SonRise Project creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces veteran speaker, Dr. Linda McGhee. She is a clinical psychologist with expertise in young adult and child psychology. In this episode, Dr. McGhee reflects on the devastating murder of George Floyd. She asks SonRise parents to share their feelings about raising Black boys and young men in America. She talks about the severe impact racial trauma is having on Black communities. She shares that people she knows are not sleeping, they're feeling anxious and depressed. However, she says even amidst the devastating effects of ongoing traumatic events, there are also signs of hope. She explains that more Black people are seeking help for mental health issues and more celebrities are coming forward to talk about mental wellness and the importance of getting therapy. She also says more young people are finding their voices, their strength and standing up for justice. She says everyone must look at the broader picture and advance their efforts in every direction.

The SonRise Project creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Beverly Kearney, also known as Coach Bev. Her gift for coaching has inspired individuals and groups to achieve their greatest successes. Recognized as one of the most successful coaches in NCAA history, Bev is honored as a sports legend in several halls of fame. In this episode, Bev coaches SonRise listeners through difficulties in navigating relationships with their children. She says we all have experiences that challenge us. She believes it is through those difficulties that we discover and define who we are. She says our greatest strength is not in being fearless, it’s having the courage to face and examine our fears and move beyond them. Bev shares with SonRise listeners her own fears and the wisdom she gleaned in facing multiple challenges raising her daughter, Imani. Bev says even though she was a positive person, she had a depressed child. Bev’s job is to motivate people, but she couldn’t motivate her child. She saw only how Imani’s struggles reflected on her as a parent. She says once she realized it wasn’t about her and removed herself from the equation, she was able to love and support Imani wherever she was on her journey.

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces master coach and CEO of Aiming High, Inc. Sylvia High. She’s also author of The Little Book of Big Questions: A Journey in Self-Discovery. In this episode, Sylvia talks about the pull to renew, restart and re-imagine our lives, especially in the wake of the pandemic. She asks SonRise listeners to consider what may be limiting or restricting them? When it comes to relationships with our children, she says it’s easy to feel constricted, confined and oppressed by their challenges such as anxiety, depression or addiction issues. She explains that we don’t have to let the struggle stop us and shares why it can become a catalyst. She says our biggest breakthroughs don’t come from the brilliant, amazing things we accomplish, but from our breakdowns. Sylvia explains breakdowns are where we truly discover ourselves: the character, strength and wisdom we didn't know we have. She says once we realize our true selves, we are on the path to creating a rich, fulfilling life.

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces therapist Dr. Julie Lopez. She is a speaker, clinician and the founder of Viva Partnership, a multi-cultural marketing company. She is also the author of a book on implicit memory, entitled: Live Empowered: Rewire your Brains Implicit Memory to Thrive in Business, Love and Life. In this episode, Dr. Lopez discusses how to help ourselves and our families heal from the effects of PTSD and trauma. Not just on the individual level but also on the collective. She also references Dr. Joy DeGruw’s ground-breaking work on the condition known as “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome” which is defined as the inherited legacy of genocide, trauma and familial displacement handed down generation after generation. She says the legacy of slavery can be felt in one’s everyday life, but in an unconscious way. Dr. Lopez urges listeners to look back at their family histories and the lives of their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. Dr. Lopez discusses what to look for and what one can do to heal.

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces veteran speaker, Sylvia High. Sylvia is a master life coach, founder and CEO of Aiming High, Inc. She’s an author as well as a development and training strategist with more than 30 years of success. In this episode, Sylvia talks about starting one’s life anew especially in the wake of the pandemic. She says we can turn pain into power and trauma into triumph. She believes when one is dealing with trauma especially with our children, we often turn that pain towards ourselves. She encourages parents that when challenges arise they should move into transformation. Sylvia says when we embrace transformation, we become empowered to shift what doesn’t align with what we desire or see for ourselves.

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces veteran speaker Sharon Green. Sharon is a life coach, founder of BloomTree Coaching and Consulting Services and is a mother of three young men. In this episode, Sharon discusses the legacy of intergenerational trauma in the Black community. She refers to Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, a condition that is a consequence of multigenerational oppression of Africans and their descendants resulting from centuries of slavery. Sharon talks about how parents can identify the trauma and where to find help to heal its effects within their own families. She encourages listeners to seek guidance from therapists, psychiatrists and elders in the community. She believes educating oneself about the issues also helps dispel guilt and shame. She says parents have a responsibility to do their homework and understand how systemic racism has affected the mental health not only of their children, but also themselves.

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces veteran speaker, Dr. Linda McGhee. Dr. McGhee is a clinical psychologist who specializes in young adult and child psychology. In this episode, she discusses the debilitating effects of trauma, including how it affects our bodies, minds and spirits. She defines trauma as an emotional response to an event in one’s life such as an accident, sexual assault or divorce. Dr. McGhee also suggests that the Covid pandemic is a devastating experience for everyone and is causing trauma around the world. She says when one experiences trauma the person is at risk for physical and mental health problems. She believes because most people don’t seek help to process trauma, the trauma burrows in causing a deep and lasting impact physically, emotionally and mentally. Dr. McGhee says trauma left unchecked can be deadly. She urges SonRise listeners to refrain from descending into a state of denial about their own trauma. Dr. McGhee discusses concrete steps on how to create a plan of self-care and how to seek some form of therapy.

The SonRise Project creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Emil Wilbekin. Emil is the founder of Native Son a platform created to inspire and empower Black gay men. Emil is also a multi-media executive, content creator, cultural critic and human rights activist. He is the former editor-in-chief of Giant and Editor-at-Large at Essence. He was the first openly gay Black man to run a major publication when he was appointed editor-in-chief of Vibe Magazine in 1998. In this episode, Emil shares with SonRise listeners his personal journey including the difficulties he experienced coming out to his parents. He describes the event as one of the darkest days of his life and initially did not feel seen, heard nor accepted. Nevertheless, Emil says after a lot of therapy and family negotiations, he found the confidence to be his authentic self and his parents learned to love and accept him as he is. Emil shares with SonRise listeners the importance of parents relating to their children with unconditional love and compassion. He also urges parents to learn to respect their children and indeed all people regardless of what their journey might look like.