Etch The Edges

Social Security is regarded by many as our national safety net. We all pay into the system if we work. This is supposed to be guaranteed income for every employed American once we retire. However, if we unfortunately become disabled we are supposed to be able to take advantage of the safety net the Social Security program is supposed to provide. However, woe to any American if they truly have a need. The system as it stands is built to deny those who apply for disability. Social Security Disability denies the claims of the vast majority of those who apply. This begs the question … what is the truth about Social Security? With our guest, expert Spencer Bishins we dive into this topic and uncover harrowing truths that are lost on almost all Americans. This is powerful material that rests in the very foundations of America. Let’s etch some etches.

America is more divided than ever. The elevation of innovation in technology, once thought to be the great unifier has only served to be our greatest divider. It has created immense echo chambers in which far too many of us thrive on a menu of rhetoric of confirmation bias. We stand on the precipice of change, but what change will it be? Our guest on this episode is Marc Wendt and he has a vision for a tomorrow that incorporates all our perspectives. Believe it or not it is finding reason through the elevation of technology. It is Hope, Innovation, and Love. Join us as we unpack this powerful conversation on the edge. Let’s etch some edges.

This episode is all about learning how to leverage SEO techniques to drive more traffic to your website. Our special guest for this episode is Brandon Leibowitz. He provides us with a wealth of knowledge on just what it takes to drive traffic to your website. Without question this is critical information that you must have if you’re to succeed online in this continuously evolving web-driven interconnected world. Join us and listen in as Brandon etches the edges on optimization.

The truth is discovered through the narrative. It’s the stories that we share, the telling of our lives and experiences. Nate brings the heat and the truth to our platform with Edges etched aggressively using passion and tenacity. A man who is not afraid to call bullshit what it is, bullshit. And that is real shit. The journey towards truth regarding the black experience through the perspective of a white man is a powerful idea, a thought formed into action that needs to be shared, understood, internalized, and replicated. Nate is doing incredible work, truly work that must be done. We lean in deep on this one and truly take it to the real.  Grab a moment and etch the edges with us.

Excuse me, what are you doing in this space? A question Sharyl often receives as someone firmly standing in the space of diversity proponent. Her life experiences and environment informed her decisions and shaped her actions. Sharyl grew up as one of the few white kids in her neighborhood. Seeing the bad things that to her friends and neighbors is the root of the story. Hear and truly listen as she shares the details from the edges. Living a life as a white person who saw so much inequality and the powerful lack of equity not only elevated her perspectives as a human being, it transformed her into a champion for the cause of change. Walking such a rode in life and even love is no easy thing. Still, her choice is to walk it like she talks it. She has dedicated her life to helping others learn to live and thrive in a diverse world. Listen to Sharyl as she Etches The Edges.

Bob makes a statement that speaks to making a difference. He says he’s a white male American and he is among the safest human beings on the planet. A powerful truth in perspective. On Etch The Edges we always talk about being an aspiring critical thinker and leaning deep into discomfort to have the conversations that need having, to advocate for the people and positions that need support, doing the real work of building a society that is truly good for all of us, not just some of us. Realizing the American ideal is all about being equal, about realizing equity. The American ideal is not about authoritarianism, espousing divides while at the same time accusing others of doing the dividing. America is not about elevating the basket of deplorables. We can and must say that because it is the truth. The deplorables descended upon the capital on January 6th and tried their very best to turn our nation into a banana republic, at the behest of a narcissistic moron. This is simply the unfortunate truth. Bob clearly is stepping up to do the right thing, realizing our ideal. Listen in as he etches the edges.

We can’t show you the accent in this episode’s title but just understand if you’re in Atlanta you can call him Pete Marin. In Gwinnett County it’s Pedro Marin. Listen to the episode and get the inflection. It is a joy to lean in and work on pronouncing his name as it was given to him. Why do we say this? We say it because it is part of the story, it is us getting familiar, comfortable and trusting, it is us doing the work of closing the divides and standing on common ground. It’s us being the best of America. This is the work. Listen in as Pedro Etches the Edges on this episode of being one of the first Latino’s to serve in the Georgia State Legislature. Hear his stories on building bridges that serve the people, and doing the work necessary to ensure all Americans get to realize the full breadth of opportunities America provides, while at the same time staying committed to forging a path to true freedom. Let’s Etch some Edges.

The question is always appropriate for any given candidate that is running for office. However, as the electorate we’re often far too busy, or too lazy, to actually answer the question. It’s a critical thinker’s question and if a person would fully embrace the gift of American Freedom then it must be answered for each and every election, for each candidate on your ballot. That’s the work. On this episode we get to speak with one of our favorite people. Yes, we’re biased and we freely admit it. Ruwa Romman is running for Georgia State House District 97. She represents what’s best in America. But don’t take our word for it. Listen, as she Etches The Edges on why voting is so important and why we say voting for Ruwa Romman to represent District 97 in the great state of Georgia is a vote for America.

We state it plainly because it needs to be said. Mike Ford is running for Congress in Georgia’s 9th District.  It ain’t easy. He’s a Democrat running in a GOP bastion of the state. Over 78 percent of the electorate voted for Donald Trump. He’s got his work cut out for him. However, as ever the point is to tell the stories, understand the facts, and do the hard things, work to close the divide. Now more than ever it is so critically important. The courage of Congresswoman Liz Cheney points the way. Be willing to take a stand. Take a moment and listen as we Etch the Edges with Mike on why it is so important that we do all the things we advocate for on this program. We have to UNITE THE BLUE, unite the Democrats and get people to be rational in the midst of this crisis. Make no mistake it is a crisis. If we want to keep America this is the work. Make reason a blinding beacon that burns in common sense and burns out mendacity. Make your vote matter. Listen, and I think you just might find out why WE LIKE MIKE for Georgia’s 9th District.

Being focused on local elections is a requirement. That’s the opinion of us here on Etch The Edges. For us our local official is Kirkland Carden, Gwinnett County Commissioner for District 1. On this episode we talk about his journey and his focus on local politics; how he got engaged and what spurred him to seek office. Listen as he shares how and why he became hyper-focused, as he says, on local politics. It does matter, and it is critical. We have stated as much many times on this podcast. Everyone wants to live in a community that is safe, comfortable, efficiently run, and prosperous. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people don’t have this option, this luxury, and that is the point. You can’t even begin to chart a path to such an environment in a given community unless the people get engaged. As the saying goes, “All politics is local.” Give us a listen and let’s etch the edges.

Who is Keybo Taylor? The Sheriff of Gwinnett County is without question a man on a mission. He lives a life of purpose and he says with emphasis that “Failure is never final.” The Sheriff makes it clear that his perspective mandates that we practice life. The journey is important. Why and how things happen are critical. There is the perception of Law Enforcement and there is the work that gives rise to the facts. Sheriff Taylor is taking the time with us to Etch The Edges and talk about the issues that are so very important. He openly talks about the atrocities, the breakdowns, and the work that needs to take place to make things better. He and his department are in the community in a way that matters. In the practice of life he fully believes in finding a path and mapping out a better way. It’s an open and honest conversation, a powerful conversation about the facts. Take a moment, take some time, enjoy us and Etch The Edges with Gwinnett’s own Sheriff Keybo Taylor.

In his new book Finding Washington, Richard Raines takes us on a look back at America’s first founding father and his virtues. He shares with us how through the benefit of the perspective his book provides we can leverage those virtues to navigate our way through what many consider to be the most difficult times in our nation’s history. As ever Etch The Edges is about working away the edges in order to clear what’s keeping us from coming together. With the right work we can close the gap. On this episode we discuss how things have become so difficult and so charged. We talk about how we see each other across the divide and how it is the labels, and tribal mentality that makes it so difficult for us to see each other as we truly are. We are without question all human beings, and in this country we are all Americans. How do we move away from seeing each other as the other, and see each other as us? Let’s Etch the Edges with Richard and get some insight on how his book helps us do just that. Let’s learn how to do the right thing.

Brenden Kumarasamy is a communications expert and the founder of MasterTalk, how to become a master communicator. Where one may at first consider what he does only applicable to corporate environments and high-dollar situations, all one need do is think about the chaos of our daily lives as individuals trying to thrive in our social settings and we realize that the power of better communication applies to all of us, at all levels. He teaches us how to overcome our fears, and just talk to each other, truly talk to each other, which as so many of us often forget requires that we truly listen to each other. Listen in as we Etch The Edges with Brenden and learn how he came upon this field and became such an expert. How he honed his skill into helping others. And now, why he is taking the time to make sure the gifts he provides can be utilized by anyone, not just big business.

Jason Butler’s mission is to help others flourish.  He helps leaders realize the power of compassion and how it can open doors to greater opportunity and prosperity. In fact, his message to us all is to realize that compassion is the new SUPER POWER! He also thoroughly believes in the power of diversity and how it can truly help us close the gaps between us, all the gaps, not just color but modes of thinking, different dimensions of diversity. This is truly important for leaders in business and those in the heart of our communities. What he provides most certainly is needed. I don’t think anyone would readily say that America has enough compassion. In fact, it’s quite plain that we don’t have enough compassion. Jason’s work is most certainly needed. He also is Vice President of the Wake County (Raleigh NC) chapter of the Progressive Democrats. Take a moment and listen in as we Etch The Edges on compassion and diversity and why just now it is so very important.

A CPA by day and a conservative blogger and podcaster by night, Josh Lewis is on a mission. He’s Saving Elephants.  Josh presents as an aspiring critical thinker, which we love on this show. He’s an intellectual that voraciously consumes knowledge in order to seek and find higher levels of understanding. He is the thinking man’s, thinking man, thought and exposition filtered and clarified through the prism of his perspective. Listen to our conversation as he leans into what he says he does, reading a ton of stuff written by old white guys with the intent to understand it, figure out how it informs our present, and perhaps help us create a better future. For Josh, he holds fast to the sentiment of conserving good things and sharing these good things for the prosperity of everyone. Conservatism, and what it is, is not a readily, easily defined thing, same for liberalism. Hear him when says Conservatives in America have a goal of preserving American Liberalism. That is a mouthful of a statement for lay conservative and liberals. Check this powerful episode out. Let’s Etch some Edges. Oh, and when I say matriarchy, know I meant monarchy. Edged my word there.

On Etch The Edges we always remind ourselves and our listeners that the work is talking, conversations, leaning in even when it is most uncomfortable, to etch away at the parts of us that keep us from coming together, from serving in order to make our world better. And if you choose to lead, lead as a servant of the people, not the kind of person that would lord over the people. It is our pleasure to bring to you on this episode Ryan Cox, servant of the people who now seeks to serve as a leader.  He is the founder of Gwinnett Chatt, an outreach organization that partners with public and private organizations to provide opportunity and ensure that the people of Gwinnett continue to thrive. Now, Ryan is running for State Representative of Georgia District 111. Listen in as we etch the edges on Ryan’s personal journey that led him to this moment.

Being a Judge is one of the most important jobs in our society.  A judge must walk a fine line that is charged with complications and challenges to push the human soul to the limit … if you are truly doing the job right. This is no trite thing and cannot be dismissed. On this episode of Etch The Edges we have a conversation with Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Angela Duncan to talk about how as a judge you must maintain your humanity, not dismiss it, adhere to the law, because that is what is required, but always see and meet people where they are. In order to do the work of administering justice one cannot be blind, as so many assume by looking at the statue of Lady Justice and her Scales of Justice. The law must be applied as the law is written but as the arbiter of the law Judge Duncan cannot lose sight of fairness, opportunity and of course justice for all equally, no matter who you are, how you present yourself, or where you are from. To be clear, it’s not easy being the judge, but it is a job she has leaned deep into with the mindset of a servant, as it is a job for the people. Listen in, learn, and enjoy a conversation as we etch the edges with Judge Duncan.

When you walk a path of service your way of life becomes consumed by the commitment, or so we have often observed. On Etch The Edges we take the time to hear people in their own words, share their own stories, and when it comes to people running for office we listen for the commitment, to see if they are on the path, if service is truly a way of life. BT Parker has worked hard, put in the time, and made it her purpose to serve. She has taken the time and done the work of extending herself throughout the environs of this county, to get engaged, to see the who and the what of the details of our county and where she can best contribute in order to better serve the people. With an effervescence that sparks positivity she says it best in her own words, “BT PARKER … BE SURE TO MAKE HER!” Listen in as she etches the edges on getting engaged and fixing the inefficiencies.

There is no question we have a social dilemma. Hands and eyes remain fixed on devices worldwide, absorbing snippets of information voraciously. There are any facets to the dilemma that need to be addressed. Our guest on this episode is Peter Zaborszky, serial entrepreneur and founder of RealTalk.com, the social platform for the center and center-right conservative. However, don’t let the labels lock your perspective. As with us all his history, his life story, informs his perspective. However, the label, which he is not overly fond of, do not prevent him from being an aspiring critical thinker. He seeks to enhance the conversation and provide a medium for people who feel they are being ignored. Now, there are many who will say those who claim they are being ignored taking up the majority of the space in any echo chamber, but again we must be reminded that with all things in life, it is truly about perspective. Peter has decided to lean in and address a need, moving away from the megalithic social media platforms, carving a space for others. Whether or not that space is for you is not the question. The question is will you be aspiring and etch the edges on the topic, the supposition, and the challenges our platforms provide. Give us a listen.

A critical thinker’s plan to methodically re-engage the Georgia Department of Labor on the job of labor. That is truly the thing to do. It is a task that requires immediate tactical engagement that builds to a strategic plan which will do the necessary work of enabling the workers of Georgia at all levels. If Georgia is to become the best state in the nation for business, then it stands to reason that we should be the first state in the nation to truly realize that what’s best for business can and must include what is best for labor. With critical consideration and due perspective we can realize that these two objectives are not mutually exclusive. Nadia Surrency is aware of this and she has a plan. She states it’s a “new day,” for a “new leader,” to lead the Labor Commissioner role. Sit down and take some time to etch some edges with us. Listen to the conversation and learn how Nadia plans to bring her considerable skills and versatility to the role and how she will effectively chart a course for Georgia labor into the 21st careers of tomorrow.

As an advocate of perspective and the lifelong pursuit of knowledge we find it refreshing to encounter people who take the time to consider, question, stop and think. Now, in that thinking we may not all arrive at the same conclusion, but we aspiring critical thinkers know the journey to the conclusion is always worthwhile, and perhaps in that journey we may find we have something in common. Joshua Longbrook is a person who upon a time stopped, took stock, and decided to think deeply on who he was and how he would move forward through life. On this episode of Etch The Edges we take a brief journey with Joshua and consider critically how history, economics, behavior, and science-fiction, all come together to tell the story of how we are, who we are, and perhaps with sincere consideration and pursuit of deep understanding, just who we might become. Take a moment and listen as we etch the edges with Joshua.

On this episode of Etch The Edges we talk with Kelly Kautz who is running as the non-partisan candidate in the Gwinnett County Board of Education election. Listen as she clarifies her perspective and discusses why she thinks the non-partisan approach is the right approach when it comes to school policy. She has pledged to bring her knowledge to the Board in order to do the hard work of leaning in deep and finding common ground among the divisions that right now threaten to poison our progress and hurt our community. She makes it clear that she will focus on removing the pork, getting the bacon out of the way and creating efficiencies in the bureaucracy, leveraging her skills and experience to meet the needs of a changing community. As we etch the edges on the conversation pay particular attention to how she will commit to listening, truly hearing the perspectives, and learning what needs to be addressed before recommending any action. She says effective evaluation of the current state of the system is necessary, if it hasn’t been done already. Give us a listen and let’s etch some edges.

Dr. Adrienne Simmons is running to serve on the Gwinnett County Board of Education as the representative of District 4. At this point everyone should know that in 2022 the fate of the country goes right through local School Boards and in particular Gwinnett County, Georgia. Everyone should know that fear tactics have pushed CRT as the next political wedge issue in order to garner votes and retain or gain power. Etch the Edges is always about facts and truth, so we must say that this new Republican tactic to divide communities and win elections is rearing its ugliness and fear mongering in Gwinnett County just as it is doing across the country. Listen as we etch the edges with Dr. Simmons, and as we always do with our guests, lean in and have an everyday conversation like everyday people. Adrienne makes it clear that doing the work on the school board requires that we listen to everyone, include everyone, get knee to knee at the table and stop with the nonsense, such as a CRT distraction, and get with the real, such as TLC, her approach to the issues. Listen as she focuses our conversation on Teachers, Learners, and Community. It’s a vital conversation that informs more than just the election for the School Board, but speaks to how we should view every election this year, focusing on what matters, focusing on what’s real.

Tony Sellers has watched intently and critically and decided that he must do something. As he watches the direction many in our county are choosing to take he has grown ever more concerned. He sees us on a precipice and Etch The Edges cannot help but agree with him. Book banning is without equivocation NOT THE WAY! Tony has decided to throw in and run for a seat on the Gwinnett County Board of Education. He’s taught in Gwinnett Public Schools for 18 years and truly believes in putting students first. It is time to focus on the work of meeting the needs of all our communities. Listen to his story as we Etch The Edges.

On this episode of Etch The Edges we welcome back Gwinnett County Solicitor General Brian Whiteside to talk about the challenges in Gwinnett County and how he has chosen to lean in deep and face them. As the first Black Solicitor General of Gwinnett there is a story to the man that absolutely must be shared. He comes from a family of tradition and service. He has stood staunchly against those who choose to do wrong and has spent a lifetime in service to others. In his own words he calls what some call arrogance, confidence. How he does this, pushes hard with confidence, is something he does for the entire community and seeks to model for the generations that come after. He sees his role in government as a servant-protector who has been chosen by the people to operate as a servant-leader. For the people his father used to say point the rescue boat towards the sea, not the land, because precious seconds matter. Listen to his story and get a good understanding of his perspective as we etch the edges on this episode. Brian Whiteside has much to say and sharp edges to etch. Join us and listen and see how he does it.

It’s always easy to make assumptions about people. It’s part of simply being human. However, we know the real work requires gaining some understanding and moving beyond the simple assumptions we make at first glance. This is important as we live out our daily lives and becomes even more important when we decide to choose who will lead us. The state of our understanding of government and how much we truly value how we are governed and who governs us, is clearly evident at every election. We don’t do a good job as a rule, just one opinion. Antonio Cortez Hicks clearly understands this and he has decided to do something about it. A popular saying is when you see something say something, or do something. Antonio has done both. He is clearly the kind of person we want to have engaged in our community, whether he does serve as an elected official, or doesn’t.  All of us should see him and hear him as he etches edges, stands up and stands out. He serves as an example not just for making an effort to run for office, but making an effort on anything that truly matters. As a mogul once said, “Don’t talk about it. Be about it!” Let’s etch the edges.

The state of Georgia is right in the middle of the evolving conflict that is the American political divide. The divide is ever widening even as many of us seek to close it. There are those running for office who take advantage of this divide to gain or retain power. Then there are those who have decided to step up to do what’s right for all of us, not just some of us, those who seek to close the divide and govern with courage, empathy, inclusion, and real-world solutions. We like to call them aspiring statesmen. One such aspiring statesman or stateswoman is Nicole Horn. We invite her back on the show to share with us again her point and purpose, why the need to elevate the profile of the Georgia Department of Labor is now more important than ever before.  And, how she would do the necessary work required as Georgia Labor Commissioner to fix what’s gone so very wrong. Listen to her, and let’s etch the edges.

When a person decides to run for office we should always give them some grace and thank them for deciding to do what is never an easy thing. If they’re doing it for the reason they should be doing it they have earned our consideration. We should give them some grace and assume positive intent. We should consider that the person running for the position sees a need in our community and is deciding to step up and step out, to do the work that needs doing in order to maintain our community, or more often than not uplift it and make it better. On this episode of Etch The Edges we get to have an everyday conversation with Lisamarie Bristol about her campaign, why she has decided to step up and step out, and why it has become so challenging. With honesty and candor she talks about the missteps, her position as a Democrat, not a Republican, and why it is important to talk to all the people, not just some of the people, even those with whom we don’t agree. The exercise of voting is all about knowing and finding understanding in order to elect someone that can and will personally address our concerns. The position of Solicitor General is important to the county and to you as a constituent. Listen to Lisamarie as she etches the edges and get the knowledge we know you need in order to make an informed decision.

Things are changing, for the better. Yes, it may not seem that way when we’re bowed, but we are ever unbroken, and things do get better, step by step, even after taking two steps back. We remain committed to three steps forward. Understand that when someone named Ruwa Romman, an immigrant Muslim from Jordan of Palestinian descent can run for office as a representative of Americans it is truly the realization of the American Ideal. Ruwa Romman is walking talking representation of the American ideal and it was here in Georgia that she found her purpose. She has decided to stand and run in a time when the fear and intolerance of a changing demographic has people violating rules and eroding the very democratic process they have developed. The cognitive dissonance is deafening but as Ruwa states and etches edges it just calls us to stand all the more. The franchise must be exercised and she has committed herself to ensuring that we all do so. Ruwa Romman is running for office. Give Ruwa a listen and hear how she etches the edges.

As we close out Black History Month, Black Heritage Month is my preference, we want to take a moment to highlight the achievements of Captain Hugh Nathaniel Mulzac. The assumption is that you do not know who this man is. So, we take a moment to hear from his granddaughter, Karen Mulzac Watkins of the Gwinnett County Board of Education representing District I. She tells the story of her grandfather and the challenges he faced as a Black man in the United States Merchant Marine. He was a man of great intelligence and character. He had integrity. He also believed in the American ideal, a belief that could be hard to maintain in the face of racism. However, he had grit, and he held his own line as well as his own counsel. He would choose the time of his elevation only if the opportunity was right. And this he did do, despite how long it took. Captain Mulzac is an American profile in courage and his story bears listening to today more than ever. Give Karen a moment and let her etch the edges on her family history, which is Black history, which is without equivocation, American history.

JT is first generation American and as so many others represents what is best in Gwinnett County, represents what is best about Georgia, and in his daily walk represents what could be the best of a future America, an American that is coming no matter what we do, but how well we allow it to come forth is the question.  JT etches the edges with us and talk about the very serious critical issues that face us as a district, county, state and nation. Health care, education, libraries, how often have we stated that reading is fundamental, investing in our future. These issues are important now just as much as they have always been and they serve as a foundation for the preservation and expansion of the American dream. JT Wu is running for office, to be an aspiring statesman. Hit the play button and etch the edges with us as we talk to JT. And when you’re done check out his platform at jtwuforgeorgia.com and learn what he plans to do in order to preserve and expand the American Dream.

In this episode we continue the conversation we started in Part 1 – Breaking Shackles. We hear from Akbar Stout, a man like any other, an American that grew up on the dream that was supposed to account for all Americans. However, for Akbar the dream didn’t take. He was a Black kid growing up in a two-parent household, decency and positivity surrounded him. Unfortunately, just like it is for any American ethnicity, be you White, Latinx, or Asian the cracks in the culture push through. What is ugly, evil and pervasive in the poorest neighborhoods be the urban or rural still creep into suburbia or middle class urbania, and it is there Akbar was exposed, lured by the illicit. We find in his message the true cost of not imparting a critical thinking framework to our youth, being able to discern and dismiss the insatiable evil of fool’s gold, the petty prettiness of crime. Akbar fell into the trap by choice, and his payment would be prison, punishment for the life he lived. However, while inside he was afforded an opportunity to share his story, and that sharing continues still even as he is free to breathe the open air. The work continues. Take a moment, listen and let’s etch the edges.

On this episode we welcome back Bernard Mills, a man who embraced the criminal lifestyle as an opportunity to live and thrive, and become something better. Let that statement settle for a moment. Our world as it is structured for far too many of us offers crime as a worthwhile opportunity at a better life. Remember, perspective matters. We also bring on Ronnie Long, a man tried and convicted for a crime he didn’t commit. Yes, we’ve seen this story before, all over television and the movies, and we hear about it as real life. Real people suffer. But the drama is a story, one that many of us say just is, sorry, life is hard. That, is not the way. On this episode we hear the stories of Bernard and Ronnie and we dive deep into the humanity of these men, to see them as human beings, and realize in the hearing of the stories, that second chances are worthwhile, for Ronnie a first chance and a shift in how the system works. No one should be convicted for a crime they did not commit. We all know this. However, we have to lean in and not treat it just another something we hear on the news. If you think a 2nd and 1st chance for those consigned to hell but want nothing more than to live righteously I the right thing to do, then do more than listen, etch an edge and act. Let’s listen.

In this age of division it is absolutely imperative the we figure out how to talk to each and not at each other. It is absolutely critical that we figure out how to do the mandate of this podcast and the project, bridge the ideological divide and come together. It is essential that we learn to internalize and understand perspective, value it for what it brings, toss it into the crucible of conflict, and figure out answers for the challenges we face that we can all live with, together. Our guest on this episode, Jerry Fu is all about conflict resolution. He lives to do just this type of activity and that is why we’re so glad to have him on this episode of Etch The Edges. As we learn about his work of conflict resolution we get some insight into who he is, how he arrived at his calling, and the challenges he faced through the prism of diversity, dealing with stereotypes. Join us for this uplifting discussion as we continue our journey into 2022, and work to close the divides between us all for the greater good. Let’s Etch The Edges.

It’s 2022 and the mission and mindset continues. We have to lean into discomfort, lean into the things that are necessary. There are elections this year. Voting rights are truly under attack. No matter your perspective we have to understand that the debate is on the table, and the concern is generations long, a charged road to be sure. WE ARE IN THE GAME OF THRONES, and life is far more precious than seeking to live the metaphor of the dramatized. Insurrection and and secession cannot be up for consideration. That is not American and that has nothing to do with freedom. Additionally, CRT is looming large and threatening to overwhelm our critical conversations, which to be sure is a tragedy as the actual emergency is not that it is looming, but that it is being seen as a threat instead of what it is, a systemic approach to realizing the truth of the American ideal, an academic approach to uncovering our shared American truth. There is all this and more. So, let’s lean into discomfort. Let’s think critically. Let’s talk. Let’s share stories. Let’s get familiar, find comfort, and develop some trust. And let’s do all this while we work the work of getting into some Good Trouble.

From Burbank California we Etch The Edges with multimedia artist and entrepreneur Sebastian Schug. No matter where you are in your life journey it bears listening to Sebastian and hearing how he has carved out a life for himself around his passions, the things he enjoys doing. In this world it is as it has always been for the majority of us living on this planet. We must earn our daily bread working for someone else. And to be sure even as you work for yourself you are beholden to receiving a check from someone. However the crux of the matter is finding space for yourself, your true self, if such a space is what you need and can be found.

In my book Critical Success: The 2 Rules of 3 I talk about the third principle of 3POP, The Three Principles of Prosperity, which is Entrepreneurship. If it is for you, then let it be for you, embrace it, engage in executing the plan that will fulfill it, this objective of earning your daily bread at your own enterprise. Let’s etch the edges with Sebastian and figure out how he does it.

Oh, and you have to listen to some of these stories! They are OFF THE CHAIN!

The work on Etch The Edges is sharing the stories, realizing the truth in all of us and sharing it, no matter what perspectives we may have. It is the hallmark of the critical thinker to seek and understand the other side. However, in order to do this you must have the right tools, the best tools. On this episode we etch the edges with Scott Miller, best-selling author, career coach, and host of the world’s largest weekly leadership podcast, On Leadership with Scott Miller. In his latest book Master Mentors we meet 30 amazing and transformative minds that provide us with the right tools, the best tools. This was a real boon, so listen in and enjoy the conversation as we etch some edges and learn from a few Master Mentors.

Landing in the mighty metro ATL. Let’s say it as it is despite the desire of a minority to divide us one from the other, Commissioner Fosque made her home in Gwinnett County. We are all part of the metro Atlanta area and many of us are proud of this.

Gwinnett is what America looks like and what it should be.

This is the culmination of generations of work. She very much highlights the foundation and foresight of the founders of this county and their ability to look generatios ahead. She respects what came before. She looks with inclusion and equity to where we sincerely believe we want to be. She sees a community in our county where everyone thrives. That is her personal mandate and that is her commitment. We are superior in our approach and how we execute.

She speaks and embodies the Gwinnett Standard.

She says, all any of us needs is an opportunity. This is the work! This is the way! Your language, your ethnicity, your origins, we are welcoming, and that feeds our standard.

The point of serving in office is all about meeting the needs of the people and being willing to do what is required to ensure those you represent are served effectively. On this episode of Etch the Edges we speak with Lilburn City Councilwoman Yoon-Mi Hampton. Lilburn is a city in Gwinnett County Georgia. It is diverse, inclusive, and growing. As such it is changing in many ways, ways that require change in representation. How this change takes shape and who steps up is critically important. Listen and learn Yoon-Mi’s story, her challenges in life, and why she may be exactly what Lilburn needs, a stateswoman that is perhaps the very best person the citizens of Lilburn could have elected to office. Let’s Etch The Edges.

On this episode we say some of you may know Donna McLeod, but we ask that you take a moment to really get to know Donna McLeod. A servant leader who made her way to America from the Caribbean by way of Canada. With a strong understanding of American freedom and liberty, she had to pass the test, she did the citizens work of engaging in the process of governing. She understood the assignment. This is the responsibility of every American citizen, one we take far too lightly. However, Donna did not take this duty lightly at all. She understood the need to engage. She understood the need to educate and fight for much needed equity within the confines of American freedom and liberty. Under the big tent of the Democratic Party she stepped up and out front, to serve as a State Representative, answering the call of her constituency, to represent them not as a politician, but as a stateswoman. Listen to her story and understand why she serves. Get to know Donna Mcleod the person, behind Donna Mcleod the stateswoman. Let’s Etch The Edges

Support her non-profit CANI – Community Action  Network Initiatives here: https://caniinc.org/

Rosa Steele is a child of the South. She has seen what we have been and she knows what we can become. She has passion for the work of the community and likes to stay in the details of politics. She has made Loganville her home and like others she found this tranquil city slow and inviting, not too far from what was happening but not too close. However, as with so many other areas progress came to Loganville. Growth was at every corner and when she and others asked the City Council to do something about a traffic light at a busy intersection their requests fell on def ears. And so, she felt the call. Hear Rosa’s story and find out how a person who wanted to represent Loganville in all its diversity was met with the subtlety of the old south, a wall of no admittance thrust in her face with not even a smile, just an understanding that she was not allowed. Etch the edges with us and find out how she broke through that wall, and stands now ready to challenge the remnants of the old, and stand as a representative of what’s best for all of Loganville, whether they like her or not.

On this episode of Etch The Edges we have a conversation with Sophie Gibson. She hails from Jamaica to Norcross by way of New York and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. And in one of the most diverse cities in one of the most diverse counties in the state of Georgia she not only embraces multiculturalism and champions diversity she is born of diversity, lives her life and made a family in diversity, and now seeks to ensure that diversity remains at the forefront of the conversation. Her objective? She wants to make sure everyone has a voice, a seat at the table. As a self-made woman, entrepreneur, business-owner, and job creator she sees what she brings to the table of opportunity as essential to providing a chair for others who would emulate her success. Listen as she shares her story. Let’s Etch The Edges.

Norcross City Councilman Matt Myers is our guest on this episode of Etch The Edges.  Who is he and why is he serving? A self-declared kid from South Carolina, who is still just a kid, though the aches and pains he says he feels tells him otherwise. He has no patience for the heated fire of partisan politics, but rather spends his energy on listening, learning, collaborating, and building together, for the good of all the people who put him in office. He is an aspiring Statesman and on this episode he takes the time to tell us what he’s about and why, for the time he is in this position, which according to his own words is only long enough as necessary to achieve objectives set before him by the will of the people. Then, he will pass the responsibility to someone else  qualified to take the reigns of the power he now holds. This is what he does, and what he will do. He serves. Listen, and hear him Etch The Edges.

Patty Durand is running for office, the office she’s seeking to attain? Georgia Public Service Commissioner. Why is she running for this position?  Because as she looks at the work the Commission is doing she sees action, or lack thereof, gone horribly wrong; cronyism and misappropriation. In this episode Patty in measured tones gives us insight, painful insight into the bureaucratic machinations of a commission that allows a company to run its nuclear power project at a hundred percent over budget with no regard for the citizens of Georgia who are paying the bill.  This really is not the way. Patty wants to lower our energy bills, ensure climate justice, reign in corporate waste at Plant Vogtle, invest in renewable energy and create green jobs. She wants to represent the people with what can only be called equity. Listen as she makes the case and etches the edges.

On this episode of Etch The Edges we have Gwinnett County Solicitor General Brian Whiteside share with us his story. Where he’s from, his journey to Gwinnett County, and how he has become a one man engine of justice and firsts, for the marginalized and disenfranchised. It’s about Justice for the people. Always forward. A proud Purdue Boilermaker who made it happen on and off the field. A career of service. A breaker of rules that do harm. A maker of rules that defend and elevate. A motivator to others to join together in a coalition of change for justice and equity. Give us a listen and together let’s Etch The Edges.

On this episode of Etch The Edges we have Gwinnett County School Board members Dr. Tarece Johnson and Vice Chair Karen Watkins. They have answered the call to represent the people in their respective districts on the School Board, responding to a cry for help from children and their parents who have been and to a degree still are marginalized. In the finest American fashion living up to the American ideal they were called, ran, and won office. This is our way. However, the response? For their service they have been attacked, bullied, antagonized. There are those who say they do all this because they are concerned parents. They do all this because they want to protect their children, and by extension the children of color as well, the undercurrent clearly translated as stay in your place, do as you’re told, the truth is what we tell you because you’re too ignorant and will turn our schools and our community into a negro dominated ghetto cesspool, and by the way Dr. King is on our side. You PEOPLE just don’t get it. Yes, this is the message of a Right turning a hard radical right with an unwillingness to even consider the other side. Well, on this episode we give these two women called to circumstance the opportunity to share their truth, share their experience, share their perspective, and hopefully humanize them. By humanizing them hopefully we will dissuade those that are hurling invective and supporting the guys who follow these two women and park outside their homes with ill intent. These outstanding women are human beings, just like all of us, and here we will give them grace, and let them speak, in the hopes that those others will etch off their rough edges and do the same. We all want to do right by our children, all our children, and we can only do that right, if we stand together on common ground. Let’s etch some edges.

Our special guest on this episode of Etch The Edges is entrepreneur and philanthropist Maceo Brown, owner of System 5 Electronics. Continuing our conversations on Black Excellence, Maceo shares his wisdom with us on what it takes to realize and fulfill what if you truly seek to find, you can achieve. It’s something I like to call Critical Success. Maceo shares with us how we can apply critical and innovative thinking, creativity, steadfastness, and just plain good ‘ole guts in battling the barriers that hold us back, that hold us down. Those American born barriers of racism and the hateful intractable, those people who live and breathe to deny all of us the American dream, and in so doing in many respects deny themselves by being un-American. He shares with us how he conducted his battle and achieved his Critical Success, realizing the best of America, that so-named Dream. And finally, he shares with us how he is looking back to pay it forward with Maceo’s Kids. It’s a powerful conversation. Give us a listen and Etch The Edges.

On this episode at the Edge we have a deep and enlightening conversation with Dan Obarski. It is always enlightening to hear about how our fellow human beings do what they must in order to survive, grow and thrive. As a man who came from pain Dan found his way, lived at the edge, worked hard and played hard, abusing himself in the process. Falling through life he eventually fell into darkness. Self-abuse and avoiding responsibility can only last for so long, no matter who you are. As fate intervened Dan found himself literally under the water line, staring at death, and deciding death was a better offer. It was at this, his lowest moment that he experienced what could only be called a miracle. He met himself anew, with powerful purpose, and rose a changed man. Listen intently to his story. You will be moved. Let’s Etch The Edges.

Emerging excellence from the Caribbean, powerful positivity in community, parents rooted in poverty, but with love and community leaving poverty behind, building a foundation to push for the dream of America in New York, to a school with an eighty percent graduation failure rate, but that failure pushed back and locked out by the strength, power, the love of community, to drive forward towards excellence, a hundred and four human lights of brilliance that propelled Wade to success, to the full realization of America. This, is the way. This is who Wade Anthony is. A powerful story of American excellence indeed. A story that he wants to leverage to lead Dacula forward, preserving what is best in this thriving inclusive community, maintaining its standards as well as its affordability, for all families that seek to make Dacula their home.

On this episode of Etch The Edges Dave Mibrandt shares with us how he leans deep into discomfort to have the hard conversations. He does this for his students and models the kind of behavior we strongly support at the Edge. As we all know the last few years have torn our country apart, friends against friends, families against families. it is truly worth taking the time to listen to how Dave engages in a Brave Space and does what he can to bring people together. It’s a lesson from which we all must learn, if we are to close our divides in all the ways that matter. This is the work. Listen as we Etch The Edges with Dave.