Verbally Effective

Certified personal trainer, Sherika Holmes, is my guest for episode 84. With over eight years of professional experience, Sherika has carved her very own lane in the fitness culture industry. She recently opened her very own studio offering classes such as trap boxing, cardio twerk, weight training, hip-hop step aerobics and much more.

We begin the pod with Sherika playing basketball at Raleigh-Egypt High School and then going to UT Martin. Unfortunately, her hoop dreams fell apart after suffering a repeat injury to her leg. During this time, Sherika developed a love for fitness and gained a mentor who helped shaped her career. She entered the world of professional bodybuilding and became a bikini fitness competitor. Take a listen as Sherika walks us through the preparation, strict diets and misconceptions about bikini fitness. Lastly, this beauty shares with the audience her intense love for her clients in addition to where she is taking her Bombshell brand into the future.

My guest for episode 83 is the founder and CEO of Unapologetic Record Label, James Dukes aka IMAKEMADBEATS. Raised by a single father in Orange Mound, James knew at a very young age that he was different. He later moved to New York where he sharpened his skills as a sound engineer at the legendary Quad Studios working with music industry stars like Ludacris, Solange Knowles, and Busta Rhymes. After returning to Memphis, James developed the enigmatic, faceless persona IMAKEMADBEATS and started his music label Unapologetic to include a record label, video production company, event coordination, and clothing line. On this episode, you will learn about his talented roster, his ideas on the Memphis art/music/culture scene and his own experience with battling depression and anxiety. Performing this past February as a TedEx speaker, find out what secrets he had to set free in order to start his Unapologetic Movement.

EPISODE LXXXII | "SO CHIC" w/ COURTNEY MCNEAL by Ena Esco

I've met my share of radio personalities over the years but no one quite like Stan Bell. Since day one he's been a class act and standout professional. Although his journey began many years ago in North Memphis, he has come full circle in many areas of his life. His very first bite of the broadcasting bug started as a WDIA teenage reporter while attending Northside at the age of 16. Years later he was affectionately known as "SB Superstar Bell" on the airwaves at UT Martin. But his dream came true in 1986 on Mother's Day when he cracked the mic at his beloved K97FM. It was there where he etched his trademark feature with the "Roll Call." Nowadays, you can find Stan during the "drive-time" from 2p-7p on V101.1FM and nightly on 1070 WDIA. Take a listen to episode 81 with the legendary Stan Bell to find out what happened in between these wonderful milestones.

EPISODE LXXX | "AN EXPRESSIVE SOUL" w/ ELLE PERRY by Ena Esco

EPISODE LXXIX | "SHE IS PAC" w/ IZZY MOORE by Ena Esco

Jared "Jay B" Boyd is a multimedia journalist, hip-hop artist, humorist and on-air personality. Currently writing for the Daily Memphian, Jared has covered a vast amount of topics that have and will continue to enlighten us. But today he is telling us HIS story which begins growing up in Parkway Village. He shares his start in media that may surprise you, his time at Ole Miss as DJ Bizzle, his days in Mobile, AL and his extensive vinyl collection. Although Jared represents the millennial culture, he is definitely an old soul who has an intense passion for the arts. We talk in detail about how the art scene in Memphis has developed in addition to some of his musical influences. After listening, you'll definitely know the meaning behind TOOZDY. Enjoy!

EPISODE LXXVII | "HOT GIRL SUMMER" w/ DJ ZETTA by Ena Esco

Episode 76 was lit with writer, host and stand up comedian Basial. He's been in the comedy game for only 2 years but has officially made his mark. Known for his witty, sarcastic and rude humor, Basial has been booked and busy! He is the creator of the amazing and uncensored showcase "The Rated R Comedy Show" series. Take a listen as he keeps Ena laughing while discussing an array of topics. One of the things I love the most is that he’s unapologetically himself letting his light shine as an openly gay man getting to the bag in this comedy business.

Working in the media business as a black female is not for the faint at heart. However, my guest for episode 75, Janeen Gordon, handles it with the utmost style and grace. This Central HS and University of Memphis graduate has been able to be successful on both radio and television platforms over the last 20 plus years all while battling several health issues. Janeen shares the moment she received word of her breast cancer diagnosis and how as women we often neglect ourselves. We also discuss her recent engagement, the current climate of women in media and her new show that everyone is talking about "Bluff City Life."