celebration

Taking Time For Self-Love (Special Guest: Sadiya Sassine)

Welcome to episode 2 of this 4 part “Taking Time For…” series featuring my great friend Sadiya Sassine!

Sadiya is a return guest and someone I have been friends with for more than a decade now.

So it is packed full of reflections, stories and wonderful moments that you won’t hear in any of my other podcasts.

This week’s episode is: Taking Time For Self-Love.

You can tell Sadiya how awesome she is on IG.

I hope you enjoy!

P.S.

Want to learn how to write your stories & tell your stories? Then consider joining our brave, messy, awkward, and loving community here.

Taking Time For Friendship (Special Guest: Sadiya Sassine)

I am so excited to introduce to you the next series of episodes.

This one is entitled, “Taking time for ______.”

And our special guest is none other than my great friend Sadiya Sassine!

Sadiya is a return guest and someone I have been friends with for more than a decade now.

So it is packed full of reflections, stories, and wonderful moments that you won’t hear in any of my other podcasts.

This week’s episode is: Taking Time For Friendship.

You can tell Sadiya how awesome she is on IG.

I hope you enjoy!

P.S.

Want to learn how to write your stories & tell your stories? Then consider joining our brave, messy, awkward, and loving community here.

Intermission #2

Welcome to another Celebration Intermission.

Stretch.

Pause.

And let’s take a collective breath together.

Here we go.

P.S.

Want to learn how to write your stories & tell your stories? Then consider joining our brave, messy, awkward, and loving community here.

Intermission #1

Welcome to a Celebration Intermission.

Kick your shoes off.

Relax.

And let’s take a collective breath together.

Here we go.

P.S.

Want to learn how to write your stories & tell your stories? Then consider joining our brave, messy, awkward, and loving community here.

Bravery is Everything With Kendra Reed

Original Air Date: September 30, 2019

Today’s guest is Kendra Reed of the "Kenny Hearts Life" brand. She’s an ambassador for happiness, self-care, and teaching others to "Heart" their life: all of which we talk about. We also talk about movement, blogging, and the courage it takes to break out of being ‘stuck’ (Kendra shares some personal experiences that she has with this).

Two and a half years ago, she started her journey of self discovery and happiness and has never looked back. In that time, she left a non-beneficial long term relationship, moved from her small hometown in Mississippi to Dallas, and began traveling for the first time, freelance writing, and learning to heal old mindsets.

Kendra’s goal is to empower others, especially women of color, to pursue inner peace, step away from toxic mindsets, and live a full and happy life. 

Join her on Instagram @kennyheartslifeblog, or visit her website.

tomearl.me/kr

Copywriting, Mindfulness, and Courage With Jo Mckee

Original Air Date: October 12, 2020

Communication is a top-shelf skill that every entrepreneur must master. 

If you have an important mission, movement, product, or business, the ability to connect with your audience is vital. 

Verbal and nonverbal communication is absolutely essential. 

But what is often overlooked is copywriting.  

Copywriting, and the ability to move people with your words, is so crucial.  

Are you with me? 

Because if so, we’re in luck. 

This week’s guest, Jo McKee, is both a phenomenal teacher of copy and a master copywriter herself. 

Jo Mckee is the founder of McKee Creative, a marketing agency with a mission to connect clients with their customers. Jo has also just released Copywriting for Profit – the hands-on system to train agency team members as in-house copywriters.

Throughout the interview, Jo shares with us templates, tools, and strategies you can use to write with persuasion and authenticity. 

Most importantly, Jo shares with us how to write in a way that centers your audience as the heroes of the story rather than yourself.

This episode is about more than just the written word. 

We also go all in on the importance of mindset, courage, and emotional intelligence. 

I am always eager to learn how accomplished entrepreneurs move through challenges, cope with stress, and continue to perform at the highest level. 

Jo offers advice on all of this and more. 

I’m telling you, this episode is packed with holistic insights and action steps you can take right now. 

tomearl.me/jm

Doulas & Advocacy for Black Maternal Health With Deej, Iman Seraaj, and Nicky Dawkins

Original Air Date: February 15, 2021

“We need to have an honest conversation on Black Maternal Health and the disparities in healthcare that threaten Black Women’s lives.”

This is the core conversation that takes place on this week’s episode.

This week’s episode is a panel discussion, where I am joined by 3 professional doulas - Iman Seraaj, Nicky Dawkins, and Deej.

Iman Seraaj is a trained full-spectrum doula passionate about VBACs, breastfeeding, birthrights education, orgasmic birthing, postpartum and prenatal care. With over 12 years of doula and birth advocacy experience; she founded FullCircle Doula Services in 2014.

Nicky Dawkins is a holistic Full-Spectrum Doula and Feminine Health Coach. She is also the founder of Werk it Moms — a mom-driven, soon-to-be charity organization — that focuses on providing educational workshops, products, and a safe space for moms in need to connect. 

Deej is a mother of three little boys, a wife, doula, childbirth educator, and breastfeeding specialist. Deej also owns a brand that focuses on educating women on their birthrights and all things from pregnancy to postpartum called The Nurtured Baby. 

During this episode, we have an honest and real conversation on how Black women in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of death related to pregnancy or childbirth - irrespective of income or education level. 

Iman, Nicky, and Deej provide candid and professional insights into the cause of these health disparities and share solutions we can implement. 

They also provide questions, advice, and tactics Black Women can use when they are having to engage with a racist medical system and provider. 

We also have an open conversation on infertility, miscarriages, and loss. 

I highly encourage that everyone listens to this episode and to the important conversation that Iman, Nicky, and Deej shared with us. 

I am grateful to my guests for the energy, brilliance, and generosity that they brought to this week's episode.

This is an issue that all of us must address.  

I hope you will listen to this episode and take action.

Here’s how you can connect with this week’s guest: 

Iman - https://www.instagram.com/imanseraajfc/

Nicky - https://www.instagram.com/thankyounicky/

Deej -  https://www.instagram.com/the.nurturedbaby/

tomearl.me/doula

Moving Beyond Fear and Embracing your Experience with Nurjahan Boulden

Original Air Date: May 13, 2019

What fear have you been carrying that you are ready to set down? 

 What would it look like to move beyond fear and embrace your experiences?  

This week’s episode provides a bold and courageous reflection on these questions. 

My guest, Nurjahan Boulden, was 21 years old when she was shot with an assault rifle in an attack that killed the man next to her.

That one night changed the trajectory of her life. 

Even as she moved on to become a teacher and mother of three, PTSD and complications from the bullet wound continually threatened her future. 

13 years later, she is now recognized as America’s leading coach for survivors of gun violence who are ready to Feel Safe Again™. 

Fear has been a companion of mine during 2020. I have a feeling I am not alone in this. 

Rather than numbing myself or hiding from it, I have made it a goal to confront, get to know, and investigate my fears. 

A significant part of that journey is listening to the stories, wisdom and reflections from others who are on that same path. 

This episode with Nurjahan is one that I listen to often when I need a reminder of the inner-power that I, and all of us, possess.

For the astute listener keeping track at home, you’ll note that this episode originally aired May 13, 2019. 

As I was re-listening to it this week, I knew that the messages and insights Nurjahan shares could really serve a lot of us at this very moment. 

Even if you distinctly remember listening to this episode when it first aired, I passionately urge you to give it a re-listen. 

The experiences you have gained over the past 1.5 years will allow you to gain new gifts as you re-listen. 

Trust me. 

Do yourself this favor of hitting play. 

Thank you, Nurjahan, for sharing such a vulnerable, authentic, and empowering interview.

tomearl.me/nb

On Being Strong, Smart, & Bold With Niki Kelly

Original Air Date: January 10, 2020

Niki Kelly is the Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Bay County and is someone whom I respect and admire so much. Our talk together was a great opportunity to learn from a professional who has been on every side of the nonprofit world - from direct service, fundraising, leadership to the Executive Director role.  

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the challenges facing nonprofit leaders and nonprofits and we discuss what it takes to run a successful business that is inclusive, value-driven, responsive but also business-oriented.  

Niki shares key insights about issues that our community is facing and the evolving world of non-profit work as well as the importance of advocacy and looking at the work differently to improve program delivery. 

Niki’s education includes a Bachelor's degree in Criminology with a minor in Psychology and a Masters in Management both from the University of South Florida. She spent 12 years working in community mental health and addiction services followed by more than 10 years in refugee and immigrant services.  

Niki Kelly relocated to Panama City Beach in the spring of 2014 and joined the leadership team at Girls Inc. shortly thereafter.  Since then, she has led Girls Inc. on an aggressive growth plan expanding services to more girls in Bay County and putting the organization on a solid footing that enabled them to persevere following the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018.  For her response to the hurricane, Niki was awarded the Humanitarian of the Year award by the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce, and the Outstanding Community Leadership Award by the Girls Inc. national organization.

I bet you are going to love this episode even if you aren't in the nonprofit world because you will hear thoughtful advice on how to run your own business in an ethical and inclusive way.

tomearl.me/

Ethical Propaganda With Curt Maly

Original Air Date: August 22, 2020

Picture this: 35 of the world’s leading digital marketers step into a room together. 

Each person in that room had successfully run a million dollar launch and is a legend in the marketing, social media, and media buying arena. 

A challenge is presented to this motley crew of marketers: 

Over the next 48 hours, each person is tasked with coming up with a new mind-blowing marketing strategy.

At the end of the 48 hours, everyone will vote on the best strategy. 

The time starts now. Go. 

This is a true story.  

Today’s guest, Curt Maly, was one of the 35 people in that room. 

And at the end of the weekend, he was the one who walked away with the championship belt. 

The marketing system he developed that weekend has since been honed, tested and perfected, and has become Curt’s legendary BELT Method. 

I hope I’ve set the stage for the epicness that is this interview. 

Yes, Curt dropped some serious high level gems on all things marketing, sales, social media, and getting your message across in a crowded digital space – but we also went deep on the importance of mindset, how to overcome adversity, and how to pick yourself up when your entire world crumbles. 

We didn’t just talk about vague ways to artificially fire yourself up. Nah. Curt got tactical and offered practical ways to elevate yourself to peak performance – and how to actually enjoy the process.

At the heart of our time together, though, was something specific: ethical propaganda.

For all of us out here trying to make a difference in the world, whether it's as an activist, coach, nonprofit, or thought leader: you’ve got to hear Curt go all in on the tenets and tactics of ethical propaganda. 

It will be a game changer for you, your organization, your business, and/or your movement. 

I’m serious. This will change your entire outlook, strategy, and therefore your results as well. 

Hit play on this one and then send me your favorite part. 

If you’d like to learn more about Curt and his Belt method program, head to thebelt.live/celebration 

tomearl.me/cma