In this episode of When It Rains, we sit down with a social media influencer whose journey began simply for fun, but quickly grew into a thriving, purpose-driven platform. What started as casual content creation during the uncertainty of the 2020 pandemic became a powerful outlet for connection, creativity, and community.  Guided by intention rather than trends, our guest shares how she made conscious decisions about the type of content she would create content rooted in ethics, authenticity, and accountability. With women and Black communities at the center, she discusses the responsibility that comes with influence and why integrity matters more than algorithms or viral moments.  This conversation explores how the pandemic shifted perspectives, opened doors for digital storytelling, and allowed creators to show up fully as themselves. Our guest reflects on balancing growth with values, staying aligned with her purpose, and thriving without compromising who she is or who she serves.  Influence With Intention is a powerful reminder that real impact happens when influence is used thoughtfully, joyfully, and with care for the communities watching and listening.

In this powerful episode of When It Rains, Martine sits down with the CEO and founder of Lake & Prosper, an apparel brand rooted in inspirational messages and devoted to honoring the beauty, resilience, and culture of Black people. The founder shares the deeply personal journey behind the brand’s creation—one shaped by loss, love, and clarity of purpose.

After the passing of his mother, his world shifted. Through grief came a renewed vision, and Lake & Prosper was born as a tribute not only to her legacy .  He opens up about channeling pain into purpose, building a brand that speaks life, and using fashion as a form of affirmation for the culture.  This episode explores entrepreneurship, healing, and the transformative power of vision. Listeners will walk away inspired by his story, encouraged by his resilience, and reminded that even through the rain, purpose can prosper.  Visit www.lakeandprosper.com and enter discount code-LAKE10 and purchase your merchandise today. 

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, I sit down with Karen Canion, for an intimate conversation about the purpose and healing power of forgiveness. Together, we explore what it truly means to release people not through confrontation or closure, but through the quiet, personal act of forgiveness that often happens without the other person ever knowing.  Karen shares her transformative journey of letting go of long-held pain, resentment, and disappointment. She opens up about the moment she realized she was carrying weight that wasn’t hers to hold, and how choosing forgiveness set her free emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. She discusses the surprising peace that comes from releasing people who may never apologize, may never acknowledge the hurt, and may never even realize they’ve been forgiven. Throughout the episode, we dive into the liberating truth that forgiveness is not about the other person, it’s about reclaiming your joy, restoring your power, and closing emotional chapters that no longer serve your life’s purpose.

Listeners will walk away encouraged to examine their own “unreleased baggage,” consider who they may need to quietly forgive, and embrace forgiveness as a profound act of self-love and personal freedom.

In this heartfelt and candid episode, I sit down with my favorite high school English teacher; the one who nurtured my love for words and first inspired me to consider a career in education, even though life ultimately led me down a different path. Her influence has remained a constant thread, shaping how I communicate, advocate, and show up for others.

Together, we reflect on the moments in her classroom that left a lasting imprint, the power of teachers to recognize potential before students recognize it in themselves, and the ways those early lessons still guide me today. We also discuss the evolving landscape of education and the challenges teachers face now more than ever.

This conversation is a tribute to every educator who pours into their students without always knowing the long-term impact, reminding us that the lessons they teach continue to live on in the lives they touch.

In this powerful episode of When It Rains, I sit down with a remarkable community leader who proves that even without a traditional father figure, success and purpose can still be built, one choice at a time. Growing up in low-income housing, my guest turned adversity into ambition, using his experiences to inspire and guide the next generation.

Now a quiet force behind the success of many, he’s devoted his life to mentoring young people through the community recreation center  teaching them that even without a blueprint, you can still build something lasting, meaningful, and strong.

Join me for an honest and heartfelt conversation about resilience, leadership, and the power of giving back.

In this inspiring episode of When It Rains, our guest opens up about the moment a self-breast exam changed everything. From navigating the medical world and learning to advocate for herself, to experiencing a love that only intensified during treatment, her journey is one of faith, strength, and transformation. Now thriving and  living life on the other side of cancer, she uses her voice,  sometimes quietly, sometimes boldly, to inspire and empower others. Tune in to hear her story of resilience, hope, and what it truly means to thrive after the storm.

In this powerful episode of When It Rains, I sit down with a former college wide receiver and rapid rising actor , whose journey is a true testament to resilience, reinvention, and purpose. Once celebrated for his speed and playmaking ability on the football field, his dreams were suddenly interrupted by a injury during practice-an injury that impacted his football career.  But this setback became a setup.  Refusing to be defined by disappointment, he turned his pain into fuel and discovered a new passion—acting. Today, he is an emerging television and film star with inspiring screen presence and drive. His journey includes a breakout role in Disney’s heartfelt sports drama Safety, where his own story as a former athlete brought authenticity to the screen.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, I  sit down with, Ian L. Haddock,  a true trailblazer from Houston, Texas; Founder and Executive Director of The Normal Anomaly. With raw honesty and unwavering courage, he opens up about his childhood, the moment he shared his truth with his family, and the life-changing experience of becoming unhoused as a teenager.

Through it all, he emerged not only as a survivor but as a visionary. Today, he leads a nonprofit dedicated to amplifying Black queer voices and shifting narratives around identity, equity, and resilience. Tune in as we explore how one person’s truth can become a lifeline for others — and how living authentically can create space for liberation, community, and impact.

Tune in for a very transparent and heartfelt conversation with a remarkable woman who wears many hats.; wife, mom, sister, daughter, friend, and collegiate coach. In this powerful episode, she opens up about how a routine mammogram unexpectedly led to the discovery of breast cancer. With honesty and grace, she shares her emotional journey from diagnosis to resilience, the lessons learned along the way, and how faith, family, and determination have carried her through. This episode is a reminder of the importance of early detection, self-advocacy, and the strength found in vulnerability.

In this inspiring episode of When It Rains, I speak with a remarkable college student whose story embodies courage, passion, and purpose. Once a patient undergoing surgery for spinal scoliosis, she now walks confidently toward a future in nursing — determined to give others the same care that changed her life. As one of the faces of Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, she uses her platform to inspire others living with medical challenges, all while pursuing her first love — dance. Her story reminds us that healing isn’t just physical; it’s a journey of faith, resilience, and finding beauty in every step.