Trials to Triumphs host Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins welcomes award-winning actress Malinda Williams to the show for a powerful conversation about discernment. Malinda has appeared on a wide variety of beloved TV shows including Sister, Sister, Moesha and Soul Food. She has also turned in powerhouse performances in films such as The Wood, Accidental Love and First Sunday. Malinda explains why she's cautious about the roles she selects; how her willingness to follow God's clues led her to her iconic role as "Bird" on Soul Food; and the lessons she learned about standing still in the moment. Plus, she'll divulge how the phrase, "Ask, Seek, Knock" has allowed her needs to be met without conditions.

Emmy- and Tony-nominated and Grammy-winning actress Danielle Brooks opens up to Ashley about pushing through some of her darkest hours to find love, sisterhood and her purpose. She talks about the sacrifices that led to dream roles in HBO’s Peacemaker, Netflix’s Orange is the New Black and The Color Purple on Broadway. She also describes how she balances marriage and motherhood with the hectic career of a working actress. Danielle vividly recalls the “no” that led to her biggest blessing, and how that closed door prepared and positioned her for all the open doors that followed. She confides in Ashley that her big dreams have proven small compared to what God had planned for her.

Comedian and executive producer Robin Thede created HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show to surround herself with funny women. She explains to Ashley that making room in the entertainment industry is serious business.  After years ascending from the writers’ room to on-camera work, Robin says she realized that her work isn’t about making everyone happy, but about “elevating the art in some way that’s valuable.” Robin tells Ashley about her humble beginnings in Davenport, Iowa where she dreamed of making it on SNL. She also talks about a time when she “wasn't ready in my belief in myself.” She says that being patient with ourselves is the key to success.

Ashley sits down with Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter Estelle to talk about “the courage to lay it all down.” Estelle shares how losing her manager at a crucial time in her career led to a turning point. Like a rocket rising and watching the pieces fall away, she released harmful habits during this intense season of growth. Estelle says she steered herself out of her own way to make room for new experiences. She reveals what her parents’ rekindled romance taught her about time and growth, how she manifested a role on the animated series Steven Universe and why she checks in with herself to make sure she’s always pursuing quality projects. In this new season of life, Estelle is all about remaining intentional and moving with the divine order. Now armed with an attitude of abundance, she’s no longer “strengthening” her way through, but confidently turning things down to receive more.

Ashley has a heart-to-heart with her close friend and Dear White People costar Logan Browning about the places and people who made her. Logan, best known for playing Samantha White on the hit Netflix series, speaks candidly about the show’s cultural impact and what it taught her about colorism in the entertainment industry. She shares how she found the confidence to challenge the status quo and turn down roles that should go to darker-skinned actresses. Logan also opens up about her father’s battle with cancer, how it redefined  “strength” and “weakness” for her,  and how she came to finally see her mother as a whole person. 

Trials to Triumphs, host Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins has a soulful chat with acclaimed actress Sonequa Martin-Green. Sonequa starred as Sasha Williams on The Walking Dead and currently plays the main role of Captain Michael Burnham on Star Trek: Discovery. Sonequa opens up about losing both her parents within 24 hours of each other. She explains how she learned to accept that “grief stays with you, it’s just part of you from that point forward.” She describes how she now sees her parents through her children. Ashley and Sonequa also discuss the difficulties of juggling a full-time career and raising a family.

In this candid interview, Kelly Rowland gets real about questions she's never been asked. She describes the moment she knew she belonged on stage and reveals how her “tumultuous” relationship with her mother changed after she passed away. Kelly also speaks about her once estranged father, childhood trauma and the therapy that has helped her survive. She says her healed wounds have helped her teach her sons how to forgive others and themselves. Kelly describes what she calls “the gift of grace to oneself.” She also talks about the early days of Destiny’s Child and how she had an “unstoppable force” of belief and talent.

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