Leading with Purpose Podcast

In this week’s episode, we are talking about the importance of positive self-talk with special guest Shanta Generally. It’s always easier to say bad things about ourselves than good. Why? Because if we say good things about ourselves, we kind of have to live up to them. If we tell ourselves that we will be successful, that means we have to put in the work to get there. But what if we fail?

I venture to ask, what if we don’t? What if we can speak positivity into existence? That’s what positive self-talk is all about, and Shante and I get deep into it as she shares her own story of how positive words she spoke into herself helped change her outlook.

About Shante

Shante Generally is the host of Authentic Talks 2.0, s podcast about authenticity.She is a Spiritual Mindset Coach, CEO of Authentic You Mindset, CEO of Aym Beyond The Physical Academy and Author of Jamm with Me, A Journey to Your Higher Self a 5 part book series

In this week’s episode we are talking kicking toxic jobs to the curb with Dr. Jasmine Escalera! Specifically, how identify when your work environment is toxic and strategies for exiting the right way. Dr. Jasmine shares her own story and how she now helps other women get out of spaces that are not created for them to thrive.

About Dr. Jasmine

Dr. Jasmine Escalera is a certified career and life coach with proven programs that help her clients focus on gaining clarity around their careers, beating self-doubt, and building confidence. As a coach, Jasmine integrates empowerment, success-focused mindset work, and strategy into a program that ensures her clients have both the belief systems and plan to take charge of their careers. Jasmine was voted one of the Top Job Search Experts to Follow on LinkedIn in 2021 by Jobscan and a Career Expert to Follow in 2021 by Brainz Magazine. Jasmine is also a TEDx speaker with the talk "Conquering Workplace Conformity as a Woman of Color," detailing her journey as a Latina in STEM. Jasmine was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and received her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Pace University and Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Yale. She has held high-level non-profit management positions, designing research programs that increase the quality of life and healthcare options for underserved populations.

In this week’s episode we are talking all things money! Specifically, how to gain financial freedom and build wealth. Our special guest Kamilah O’Brien shares her own story of financial freedom and provides some tips and advice on how you can do the same. We talk about debt, investing, retirement and the many tools available for everyone at all levels of their financial journey.

About Kamilah

Kamilah O'Brien is a Personal Financial Strategist and the founder of Focused Spender, a Personal Finance YouTube channel. She is also an Associate Director with a national accounting firm focused on Non-Profits and Education based organizations. Kamilah specializes in working with women who have succeeded professionally but are struggling with money to create a strategic plan to reduce their debt, increase their savings and leave a lasting financial legacy. Kamilah has a Bachelors degree in Communications from Boston University and a Masters in Public Administration specializing in General Finance from New York University.

Stay connected with Kamilah

In this week’s episode we are talking advocacy and civic duty with Shakya Cherry Donaldson, Executive Director of 1000 Women Strong. Shakya share with us her story of finding her purpose of being an advocate for the black community at an early age. She talks about her journey and how she founded 1000 Women Strong.

Shakya also shares some of 1K Women Strong’s upcoming campaigns including the push for the elimination student loan debt which disproportionally impacts Black Women. Check out a link to the campaign below.

In this week’s episode I talk about how to lead yourself through change. I share some personal reflections with you on some of the challenges that I’ve had in a season of change and how I was able to help myself through it.

One exercise that I constantly come back to is self-reflection. I have found that this can be one of the most successful ways to see what you are going through and find ways to move forward.

In this week’s episode we are talking with Dr. Brooks-Greaux about leading with power and presence.

Dr. Lisa touches on laying the foundation of trust, vulnerability, and understanding exactly what power is, how to use it, and how to recognize the power you possess.  There is more than 1 type of power. There are seven.

1.  Legitimate

2.  Reward

3.  Coercive

4.  Informational

5.  Expert

6.  Referent

7.  Connection

In this week’s episode, I talk about the importance of making connections for your professional growth. I share my own story of being an introvert and how in some ways it has hindered me from connecting with people. I also talk about how I have overcome my discomfort in putting myself out there and how forcing myself to step out of my shell has allowed me to build valuable and lasting professional relationships.

How do you connect with people and how have these connections helped you grow professionally?

In this week’s episode, I am having a conversation with a powerhouse woman, Vuyo Joboda. A South African media maven, is the CEO of the Vuyo Joboda Network, home of VN Streaming, a Globally Inspired, African Ignited TV, Broadcasting and Media Network. She is also founder of Young Bold Black Africa Awards for young black excellence of the African continent, a TEDx Resident guest on the TEDx Cape Town stage as a speaker, Moderator and MC, and author of “21” a book focused on purpose and the principles of living a purposeful life; among so many other things.

Our conversation focuses on following your calling to create an impact, and Vuyo is doing just that. Vuyo has been acknowledged by the South African President and Chairperson of the African Union Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, as one of South Africa's favorite authors and emerging leaders.

Her most recent endeavor is the VN Global Media and Entertainment Awards, a global initiative that celebrates the media and entertainment industry.

Our conversation is deep and rich with lessons learned on listening to your calling, persevering against the odds stacked against you, using your gifts, and creating the impact you were born to make.

Get Connected with Vuyo Joboda

In this episode I talk about finding balance between headwork and heartwork, why we need both, and how ignoring my heartwork sent me into a depression.

What are the lessons to be learned?

Headwork is your job, heartwork is your calling, if you can have both in one place at the same time, you’ve hit the jackpot of fulfillment.

Find your heartwork! Heartwork is what keeps you going, motivates you, and gives you fulfillment.

It’s okay if you don’t know what your heartwork is the moment you are ready to enter the workforce. Take your time to discover what it is.

Finding a balance between your headwork and heartwork can be a challenge. Learn how to hack your job, your life, whatever it is that you spend most of your time doing so that you can find joy and fulfillment in ever thing you do.

How are you finding balance between your headwork and your heartwork?

In today’s episode, we will be talking about unlocking abundance with special guest Brandi Ray.

Brandi Ray is a wife and a mother to two amazing children. She is an official court reporter by career and she is also a speaker and the author of Pursuing Purpose in a Profitable Way Prayer Journal.  Brandi is the owner and founder of Purpose Pursuer Preneur, LLC. an online self-development agency that empowers women of faith to discover their purpose, pursue their purpose, and live out their purpose in a profitable way. Brandi Ray has dedicated her life to helping women overcome their limiting beliefs while unlocking the abundance that God has planned for them.

She shares’ three ways to unlock abundance.

1. Write the vision
   
2. Do the extra
   
3. Take the steps
   

And so much more. She teaches us how to visualize our tomorrow.

Her favorite scripture captures it all.

Habakkuk 2: 2-3

2Then the Lord answered me and said:

“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.

What does abundance mean to you and how are you unlocking it?

You can connect with Brandi here

Website: brandiray.online
Instagram: @mrsray08

In this episode I talk about being your sister’s keeper, supporting our fellow sister’s of color as they climb the corporate ladder. I share a personal story as well as some tips and advice. Referencing the end of chapter 12 of my book “Our Leadership Journey: Shared Stories Lessons and Advice. I share the three lessons and advice I provide.

·  Lesson 1. Be to others who you would want someone to be for you. Show up for someone, and someone will show up for you.

·  Lesson 2. The only person you should be competing with is yourself. “Nothing that is for you can be taken from you.” -Unknown

·  Lesson 3. Being accountable for your sister helps you be accountable to yourself.

My advice…

There are too many people in the world who are against us, so we need to stop being against each other. Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t matter what you do, you will always have detractors. Sometimes those detractors will be your own sister. What you can do is choose not to be a detractor for anyone. Pay it forward, offer your support, lift as you climb, and help other women of color win the way that you are.

How are you being your sister’s keepter?

In this episode I talk about networks, specifically the value of your network which, is your social capital.

In this episode I talk about integrity. As black women, as Women of Color it is a constant battle to stay try to who we are and what we value, when at every turn we are told we need to change. I talk about a quote my mentor always says that has stayed with me that I believe speaks to what integrity is all about. 
My mentor says, “You should always do the right thing, not someone’s thing.”

It can be hard some timed to not do someone’s thing when it could mean a raise or a promotion, but if doing that things goes against who you are, against your values, is it the right thing.

I also quote the bible. Specifically, 1 Peter 3:13-17

In this episode we talk about how to overcome overwhelm which happens when the intensity of your feelings are greater than your ability to manage them. I talk about some of the things happening in my life that have made me feel overwhelmed in the past couple of weeks. I also share five general practices

1. Identify the source of your overwhelm.
   
2. Take time away.
   
3. Stop trying to be perfect.
   
4. Drop the ball sometimes.
   
5. Ask for help.
   

And, some of the practices that I use to help me from staying overwhelmed.

In this episode we are talking about the Devine Feminine with special guest Mrs. Keisha P. Shields. Keisha is the creator of She Will Not Be Silenced™. She specializes in how stigmas, stereotypes, grief and other people's opinions can keep high-achieving women from using their voice to build the legacy, success and wealth they actually want, on their terms. 

Keisha is the executive and leadership adviser that women turn to when they need to honor their divine feminine, find their voices in and out of the workplace and boardroom, break through the glass ceiling and turn their story into million-dollar messages. 

Keisha shows women how to finally let go of other people's expectations of what their life and career should be and how to show up authentically in every way, with zero apologies.

You can connect with Keisha on these platforms.

In this episode we explore what it means to be in flow. We’ve all heard and have probably said things like, I’m in flow right now, but what really is flow, how do we get into it? And why does it matter?

I do a deep dive breaking it down for you. I talk about how flow is achieved, the three primary distractions that keep you from getting into flow, and I leave you with a few suggestions for achieving flow.

n this episode we explore the concept of psychosocial well-being and how it impacts our ability to be successful in everything we do. We review Carol Ryff’s six components of psychosocial well-being, what they look like in practice, and how each impact our ability to make an impact in life and leadership.

In this first episode of the new season, I talk about mind trash. What is it, why we have it, and why we can get rid of it.  We identify the internal and external sources that contribute to mind trash and how to recognize them.

This season we are focusing on the inner work we need to do in order for us to show up for ourselves and those we lead in the most impactful way.

In this episode, I am talking with Christine Cariño founder of Conscious Thrive LLC. We are tackling culture and the multiple roles culture places on women and the impact is has on our paths to success. We talk about her experiences as an LGBTQ+, immigrant woman and her experiences at home and in the workplace and the impact is had on her growth journey.

Christine is the creator of “Living an Empowered life as an LGBTQ+” a workshop which she facilitated in partnership with LGBTQ+ organizations in Athens, Greece and Manila, Philippines.

She is also the creator of Course Impact through life brand (formerly Uncover your Life Brand) a five - week interactive virtual workshop that helps people create their signature impact so they can live a life of meaning, intention and joy.

Prior to becoming a personal and leadership transformation coach, Christine spent over eight years in corporate America as a Recruitment and Staffing strategist where she coached professionals throughout the hiring process and advised business leaders in Healthcare, IT, Finance and Nonprofit industries of staffing and retention strategies best fit within their organizational needs.

In this episode, we will be talking about fear. We will talk about what it is, how it holds us back, how we can move past it, and how we can kick it in the face! I’ll also be sharing some of my own fears and the work I am doing to overcome them, as well as some practical advice on how you identify your own fears, how those fears impact your decision making and what you can do to conquer them.

I make references to the following blog in this episode.

In This episode I am talking with Nicole Vick, a public health professional, educator, and a civic leader who has spent the last fifteen years providing tools and strategies to stakeholders, community-based organizations, students, and residents to improve health and prevent disease in some of Los Angeles County’s most underserved communities.

We discuss the importance of self-advocacy, and why we as women of color, black women in particular have challenges with doing so. We do a deep dive into code switching, facing microaggressions and how we have to still function despite larger societal issues affecting black people. Nicole also shares her experience with double consciousness and how it pushed her to take action.

Nicole is the author of “Pushing Through: Finding the Light in Every Lesson” she shares both the heartbreaking pain and the extraordinary triumphs that led her to advocacy and social justice work.

In this episode we will be talking about the Sojourner Syndrome or Superwoman Schema as it is better known. We follow the research of Dr. Cheryl L. Woods-Giscombé, RN, Assistant Professor at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and review her paper titled “Superwoman Schema: African American Women’s Views on Stress, Strength, and Health” published in the Qualitative Health Research Journal.

In this episode, guest cohost Tanya J. Miller and I talk about the realities of perceptions. We do a deep dive into the experiences of Black women in workforce and the constant battle of having to prove the stereotypes people have about us wrong. Tanya shares her experiences and we engage in conversation on how we can move past the false narratives created for us in order to create our own.

About Tanya

Tanya J. Miller is a certified life coach with over eighteen years of experience working with youth, young adults, and women throughout the community and in ministry to pursue purpose, passion, vision, and destiny. She is a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and ScrumMaster®. and the owner of Tanya J. Miller, LLC, where she is an accomplished author, motivational speaker, life coach, and leadership strategist.

Tanya is the author of 6 books

1. Mind Matters: Get Out of Your Head and Jump into Life!
2. Mind Matters: Get Your Mind Right Journal
3.  Things My Mama Said
4. Things My Mama Said Prayer Journal: Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This
5. ProVision: Purpose Validated Times Seven
6. ProJournal: Vision On Purpose.

Tanya is the author of Talking with Tanya, a blog that has been going strong for 13 years. It features daily motivation, inspiration, and encouragement for people, businesses, organizations, and leaders. Consistently focused on walking in purpose, vision, and destiny.

You can find and stay connected with Tanya on these platforms:

Shop TJMLLC - for shopping books and message merch:

In this episode, we explore the concept of Psychological Capital (PsyCap). Generally understood under the acronym HERO, PsyCap is an individual’s positive psychological state of development that is characterized by Hope, Efficacy, Resiliency, andOptimism

We deep dive into each of the PsyCap components to understand the importance of each and how they impact our ability to be successful in both our personal and professional lives and our ability to be effective leaders. In understanding PsyCap we take ownership of the development of our psychological resources.

In our first full episode, we take it back to the basics and discuss The Self.

I am a daughter, sister, wife, friend, mentor, HR executive, entrepreneur and life long learner who is passionate about helping women of color rise into positions of leadership and influence in their respective careers. It has always been  my dream to find a platform that will allow me to share my passions, knowledge, and purpose with the world. I’ve finally found it!

In this episode, I welcome you to the Leading with Purpose Podcast, give you some information on my background and provide a run down on the various topics I hope to tackle in this podcast.