Truth and Double Daring

Growing up in a small Mississippi town, Dr. Sam saw the legacy of Jim Crow – from a restaurant that expected Black people to go through a back door to segregated homecoming courts and proms. In high school, on the road to becoming valedictorian, she was accused of a crime she didn't commit due to the melanin in her skin and the racism in her community. After a year the surreal nightmare ended. Charges were dropped; but Dr. Sam's heart had an icy chill over it. Her will triumphed, learning to feel the pain of racism thoroughly, and moving through the pain to find love in her heart for the beauty of humanity – in all the varied shades. Dr. Sam was the first in her family to graduate from college, and so to get a PhD was remarkable. Today, Dr. Sam Kline passion is to elevate life's trajectory by launching Black people and institutions higher through the preparation of hearts and minds in pursuit of the greater good. As a multifaceted diversity and multicultural expert, Dr. Sam consults schools to effectively connect with families and students by dealing with race and interlocking issues. By elevating their "Racialtude," they elevate the students' altitude. She intuitively and strategically supports educators and administrators to do the simultaneous personal and professional development necessary for successfully teaching diverse learners. Also in keeping with her commitments, she mentors Black women who desire to break out of limiting beliefs from familial, cultural, and societal influences, and ease into a self-defined womanhood.

Brian was one of those guests we wanted to talk to for many more hours. His humor, wisdom, and goodness radiated throughout our conversation. Brian referred to himself as having had been a "man's man", yet needing to learn the many qualities required to truly be a man. He spoke of developing empathy as an adult, which allowed him to look at the wounds of his past and of those who were in his life then with far greater emotional intelligence. This early history drove him to enter the field of psychology, to understand, and, thankfully, to develop empathy which is now a core trait and value of his. After a terrifying fear of water as a child, Brian called himself to learn to swim. He also learned to create a pattern of facing his fears rather than run from them. High level performance- in competitions, in life, and in business- became a personal motto, and one he uses in working with his clients as a High Performance Coach. The best coaches are not only those who have learned from their personal experience, but have transcended it. They have the skills and wisdom to teach and share what they have learned with the many others they work with. Brian is one of those coaches, hands down!

"The only person's opinion that matters in terms of what you can and cannot do is your own." As a young child Ruth was extremely competitive with an older brother. She learned through him the power of key performance, being her best and doing her best under any circumstances. She lived that philosophy until she entered college, where she spent far more time adjusting to the freedom and experiences she came to know. The consequence of her change was that she was told by her professors that she could not qualify for a master's degree because of poor grades. She was told instead that she should join the army – she did - and got her masters as well. Because her dad's mom died of breast cancer she decided also to get a PhD that combined disease and technology as a tool for healing. As she became a highly successful consultant for businesses, she recognized the need for high performance in herself and so many others. After going through a major loss, which resulted in weight gain, depression, even suicidal thoughts, she learned to reach out for support and now is there to support others at the crossroads of dark spaces and coming alive. Listen to her amazing story, her high performance attitude, and her unbound spirit and belief that wellness, leadership, and high performance can create a you that excels!

Speaking with Dr. Rana Awdish was an absolute delight. Her story of death, a shocking medical emergency, and the loss of her child was inspiring, heart-breaking, and one that fills you with admiration and insight. It is also one that transformed a doctor into a patient and back again in an entirely new form. The medical emergency transformed Rana's medical practice from that of simply seeing the MD's view to understanding the world of the patient and consequently changing her perspective of medicine, healing, and health care. As a woman creating a new and yet very old approach to care, Dr. Rana brings a wealth of experience, compassion, and understanding to the world of the female physician, as well as to the challenges of offering care with her heart and soul invested in her patients. For me, she personifies the best of where medical care can go.

Spending time with Sam Lamott is an experience to be appreciated. Sam speaks of his journey and finding his way to balance and functionality as an artist, podcaster, son, boyfriend, and dad. Dealing with the everyday challenges of life including depression and addiction recovery, Sam's focus on growth and creativity send a message of hope to his audience. Exploring his views on life provided an amazing journey into an artist mind that really has no need for traditional limiting beliefs. Sam has a solid message to share and to teach us all.

An hour with Wendy Taylor leaves you inspired, touched, and in awe. Just a few of her quotes from this session are:: "If you know it's time to take on a new challenge – take on that new challenge." "If you build it, they will come." "What you've done in this world is gone when you're gone, but what you do for others is going to remain as part of your legacy." Hearing such a touching story of a house fire that destroyed her home and killed all her well-loved animals, opens your heart to whatever is to follow in this powerful Podcast. This fire which led Wendy to leave her law practice and open her non-profit, rescuing abused and neglected farm animals is so touching you can feel the love and the joy of the animals all around you. Give yourself an animal and love filled hour with Wendy.

In this podcast you will see or hear social activism at its finest.  Roberto talks of the difficulties in creating much needed programs for at-risk kids. He brings STEM to a new level through the creativity of these kids while allowing them to develop leadership skills, through their position on the board, financials kills through their decision making to assess what projects to invest in and when. Learn about this alternative learning program, a non-profit Roberto founded, and hear his passion, compassion, and willingness to risk so these kids can learn. It is an amazing hour in which you will be inspired.

"Fear doesn't need to be the general – just an advisor" "Get on the other side of can't." "I have a 'no BS' policy." So much of today's Podcast was filled with insightful quotes that need to be written down. Brian King, a social worker turned coach, has developed his wisdom the old way, through experiences that teach many lessons if you are willing to learn. He was and still is. Brian's list of multiple disorders, has limited his body's ability and strength but they have also called him to live his life to the fullest possible level in so many ways. Brian fully owns his humanity and calls all of us to do the same. Give up illusions of perfection, demanding more from yourself or others than is possible and relish your ever-evolving humanity. With all his disorders including cancer as a teenager, fear, anger, and vulnerability are well-known yet rather than hide Brian asks us all to live authentically, own all of it, and without judgment respond with compassion to all of us walking this planet. Be inspired in listening to him!

"It's your job to wake up and choose happiness."

A journey into someone's life, recognizing the foundation for their career and their life purpose, is what today's podcast is about, and so much more. April Macie, a female comedian who has brought her humor to troops in countries around the globe, began her career very early as the one who brought humor into a home that desperately needed it. Recognizing the power of humor, it supported April in moving into a field where females are still not paid as well or fully recognized for the gifts they bring. A feminist stance, a gift of humor, and a willingness to constantly step out of her comfort zone all join to create an amazing woman to be admired. Listen to today's Podcast and smile as well as laugh with us.