Verbally Effective

In this episode, we sit down with Tennessee State Representative Gloria Johnson, who has dedicated her life to fighting for justice and standing up for those left out or left behind. A special education teacher for 27 years, Gloria became fed up with elected officials attacking the rights of public school students and teachers. As a member of the “Tennessee Three,” she demanded that Republican politicians in Nashville stop the nonsense and pass gun safety laws to prevent future shootings. Now, Gloria is running for U.S. Senate with a mission to shift power back to working and middle-class families. She is committed to lowering costs for Tennessee families, expanding access to affordable healthcare, protecting reproductive freedom, passing common-sense gun safety measures, and increasing funding for public schools. Tune in as we discuss her journey, her vision for Tennessee, and why she’s ready to bring real change to Washington.

Cecily Wilborn, an Arkansas native and Full Sail University Music Production graduate, has quickly risen in the music scene with her self-produced hit single "Southern Man," which garnered over 4 million streams worldwide in its first year. As an independent artist under JayWil Entertainment, Cecily has performed alongside notable artists like King George and West Love, captivating audiences at venues such as BB King’s in Memphis, the Essence Festival, The Apollo, and the FedEx Forum. Her music is a unique blend of Blues, RnB, Country, Pop, Gospel, and Southern influences, reflecting her roots and versatility.

Cecily recently released her new album, *Kuntry Gurl Playlist,* featuring tracks like "Party" and "Red Cup Blues," in partnership with OneRPM. Growing up in the small town of Marianna, Arkansas, with a population of about 3,500, Cecily, a Preacher's Kid, comes from a musically gifted family. In this episode, she shares the challenges of navigating the music industry, particularly working with her husband as her manager, and reflects on the personal and professional shifts she has faced, including the loss of her brother Cecil during the launch of her new album. Enjoy the soulful sounds and stories of Cecily Wilborn.

Meet Racheal Shantel from Collierville, TN—an inspiring force in urban development and community empowerment. With two bachelor’s degrees in Interior Design and Commercial Construction Management, a master’s in Urban and Regional Planning, and founder of Mane Up Memphis, Racheal is dedicated to uplifting Memphis through financial literacy, education, and community engagement. She's also a content creator, culture influencer, fitness enthusiast, and motivational speaker. Tune in as we explore her journey, passion for change, and her pursuit of a PhD in Urban Affairs in 2025.

Join me for episode 295 as I sit down with East Memphis native Cameron Hill, also known as Cam The Artist. This extraordinary young talent has created stunning pieces of art using grey, red, and purple as his primary colors. Cam shares how a pivotal moment of violence pushed him to pursue his artistry seriously. His work has garnered admiration in Memphis and beyond. Tune in to discover Cam's vision for Memphis, hear incredible stories of his viral art moments, and learn about his upcoming participation in the Cooper Young Festival and Paint Memphis 2024. Don't miss this inspiring episode!

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Kenneth Muhammad, a former inmate turned advocate for restorative justice in the Mid-South. Kenneth shares his transformative journey from incarceration to becoming a key figure in the movement for justice reform. Discover how his experiences have shaped his mission to promote healing, accountability, and positive change within the community. Join us for an inspiring conversation about redemption, resilience, and the power of restorative practices to create a more just and equitable society. Don’t miss this eye-opening episode!

She's your favorite songwriter's favorite songwriter! Grammy Award-winning songwriter Crystal Nicole joins me for episode 293. With over 20 years of experience, Crystal has penned chart-topping hits for Beyoncé, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Janet Jackson, JLo, Jennifer Hudson, Camila Cabello, Chris Brown, Monica, Lecrae, and many more. Now, she's stepping into the spotlight with her single, "Won't Stop," featuring Christian Hip Hop sensation Lecrae.

Tune in as we explore Crystal's journey, starting with a pivotal opportunity from Jermaine Dupri that opened countless doors in the industry. Discover her songwriting process and hear about unique experiences with some of your favorite artists. We also discuss the impact of AI and streaming in the music business and the intricacies of songwriter credits. Crystal shares valuable advice for aspiring songwriters and reveals how she's seamlessly transitioned into the gospel music realm.

Warren Patten Jr. is a leadership coach, award-winning author and speaker for TEDx Orangemound. In 2022, he started Patten Entertrainment with a focus on leadership skills, profit productivity, people culture, and employee retention. Mr. Patten is also the author of "Father Knowts: Being A Better Father On Purpose" and 2X Award-Winning children’s book titled "Can We Go Out And Play?"

Warren will be one of eleven speakers at the Inaugural TEDx Orange Mound Event in Memphis, TN on Saturday, June 22nd. Take a listen as Warren takes us on a journey detailing his upbringing, love for music and vision for the future.

Anthony Sain is the host of the Anthony Sain Show with Bluff City Media as well was the founder of Asylum Media Group - an organization created to provide mentorship to young up and coming journalists and content creators. He is a father and an advocate for the youth of the city of Memphis.

Tune in to hear Anthony's journey in addition to plenty of sports talk. With the WNBA at the tip of everyone's tongues you know we had to chime in on the latest updates.

Whitehaven native, Brandy J. Flynn, is a licensed therapist, officiant and cancer survivor. She is a luminary committed to empowering our communities to be resilient and transparent as it relates to mental health. Featured in numerous media outlets, Brandy has been in the counseling field for over two decades and has a growing private practice which includes conducting therapy, training for corporations, speaking engagements, and media correspondence. Take a listen as we touch on sorority and fraternity members denouncing their organizations, hot takes from the WNBA and a hilarious segment of "R&B Finish the line..."

North Memphis native, Simone Santana, known to many as Simone the Mastermind or YellaBizBae, is a multifaceted individual with diverse talents and expertise including operations specialist, marketing strategist, author, podcaster and speaker. Simone provides creators and solopreneurs with a simplified understanding of digital marketing strategies that are essential for online growth. Take a listen as she dives into a few client success stories, her new podcast "Dear God, Lettuce Pray," in addition to her passion for the cannabis world.