A Frank Conversation: Recent Episodes
Frank Wiley/TEGNA
The struggle is real. America remains divided by familiar obstacles: race, religion, politics, income, and gender. Those topics touch us daily, but in some spaces, discussing them is off-limits. In our new podcast, A Frank Conversation, hosted by 10 Tampa Bay Brightside anchor Frank Wiley, we will take a deeper dive into our differences and our alikeness. We will have frank conversations with everyday people about what they’ve seen, and where they see us heading. Our talks will stretch your mind and compassion for the world we share. Our hope is that you walk away with a better understanding of each other. Our hope is that you will desire to be better. Let’s talk and heal together.
July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s goal is to raise awareness of the challenges that impact racial and ethnic minorities. Dr. Raquel Martin is a psychologist who is also a professor at Tennessee State University, who encourages mental wellness on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. “Therapy is not the only way to make mental health progress,” said Dr. Martin. “I focus on Black mental health because when I focus on everyone, I focus on no one. A lot of times, we do better with race-concordant relationships when clinicians look like us.” Dr. Martin said there aren’t many specialists in her line of work who are Black, making it difficult for some people to find the help they need.
We're talking about Black music on A Frank Conversation. There's never a moment that I'm not playing something from my favorite artitst. It doesn't really matter the genre: Jazz, Blues, R&B, Classic Soul, Rock and Country. All of it has roots in Black music. According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, in 1979 President Jimmy Carter designated June as a time to highlight the contributions of Black musicians. I sat down with music giants Karyn White, Gregory Williams and Jackiem Joyner to get an inside look at Black music and its impact.
This one took a group lift. The idea — give men fishing poles and encourage them to invite their kids to join. But, it's deeper than catching fish. The Bay Area program is called Fatherhood is MANdatory. It started about a year ago and is overseen by Jasen Glanton.
Maxine and Kenneth Reyes have been married for 26 years, and they've fought to make it work, despite multiple military deployments. Now retired from military service, both are now relationship coaches and have written a book titled "Happily Joint: The Secret to Relationship Resiliency."
The opioid overdose crisis is getting worse. Fentanyl, a drug that is 100 times more potent than morphine is the reason why. We had a Frank Conversation with investigative reporter Jennifer Titus about her trip to the U.S.-Mexico border to learn about what's being done to stop the drug from entering your neighborhood.
Joshua Rivera has survived Ewing's Sarcoma, and he's using his testimony to encourage others. Rivera helps Moffitt Cancer Center spread a message of hope through Miles for Moffitt. The push raises awareness and funds for cancer research.
What is cryptocurrency? October is National Cryptocurrency Month, and we’ve had A Frank Conversation with experts about how to invest in the technology. We also discussed how secure cryptocurrency is, and the jobs that could follow the technology.
Pro Football Hall of Fame member, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend, Derrick Brooks had A Frank Conversation with Brightside Anchor, Frank Wiley. Brooks discussed the importance of community service, his relationship with former Bucs head coach, Tony Dungy and Tom Brady. Brooks also talked about his emotions leading up to his Hall of Fame induction.
September is national suicide awareness month, and 10 Tampa Bay is having A Frank Conversation about growing wellness concerns. Founder and Clinical Director of Male Behavioral Health, and Center for Men and Boys, Jewel Woods, spoke about trauma has also been felt even more in the Black community. Woods also discussed suicide prevention. “Just the mere idea of a parent admitting that their child is suffering from depression, anxiety or trauma is something parents are the fastest to admit. Because then you have to what? Let somebody else talk to your child about problems? And imagine end up being about problems in your household. So, there’s a lot of shame and potential guilt that comes with that. Which ends up being part of the reason why black parents don’t even think to have their kids get the treatment that they need,” Woods said. Also, dial 988 if you need to speak with someone about your own struggles. The lifeline is open 24/7.
There is a shift in focus toward a skillset that could really help students. The hands-on learning is called STEAM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Former professional basketball player, Niesha Butler started a program called S.T.E.A.M. CHAMPS. Her curriculum offers camps to help kids gain interest in steam. “If they chose to go and be an engineer, an architect or whatever, I feel so comfortable that they will be a professional making a lot of money,” said Butler. Butler also discussed her career as a professional basketball player, her injuries and why a back up plan is necessary.
August is Black Business Month. It is an opportunity to highlight and support Black-owned businesses. 10 Tampa Bay had A Frank Conversation with a team of ladies who are entrepreneurs. The tandem invited students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to learn from them. Rebekah Ratliff and Ngozi Nnaji, cofounded a non-profit incubator, called HBCU IMPACT. Rebekah and Ngozi are helping students earn their insurance licenses.
Homeownership rates just surged the most they ever have in a year. But, Black homeownership rates are still lagging behind. Inflation and other barriers are hurting would-be homebuyers. We explore ways to make homebuying more equitable.
Brightside co-host Frank Wiley talks with Biologist Jessica Mailliez and Lisa Moore, president of Save Crystal River, about their work to protect Florida's manatees.
After finding out she was abandoned as an infant and noticing a "Baby Box" in South Africa, Monica Kelsey founded Safe Haven Baby Boxes to prevent babies from being illegally abandoned in the U.S. and giving moms in crisis an option to safely surrender their newborns.
A growing number of Black Americans are buying guns to protect themselves. For many, it's their first time purchasing a firearm.
Demands to stop violence keep getting overshadowed by more violence. In this episode, Frank talks with Clinical Psychologist Tyffani Dent about something known as vicarious racial trauma.
10 Investigates reporter Jenna Bourne joins "A Frank Conversation" host Frank Wiley to discuss her investigation into Ehab Ghoneim, a youth program volunteer at a Tampa mosque. Ghoneim made headlines when he was arrested last year, accused of drugging and sexually abusing boys. Jenna kept digging for the past 10 months. She uncovered there’s a lot more to the story: Leadership at the Islamic Society of the Tampa Bay Area was told in 2017 and again in 2020 about accusations that Ghoneim had inappropriate contact with boys in another state. The mosque let him keep volunteering with kids, anyway.
Award-winning journalist and 10 Investigates reporter Emerald Morrow joins host Frank Wiley for a special episode of the "A Frank Conversation" podcast. Together, they discuss the fentanyl crisis and its disproportionate impact on the Black community.
April is Minority Health Month, which is meant to highlight the importance of improving health outcomes for racial and minority populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Americans are often disadvantaged by their social or economic status, location or environment. As we end this month, Frank Wiley chats with health experts.
Longtime comedian Chris Gorges joins Brightside host Frank Wiley for a comic's take on Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars. Their conversation is introduced by Frank and reporter Miguel Octavio and followed by a chat about what was likely happening in the control room. For that behind-the-scenes analysis, former Price is Right announcer Rich Fields joins the podcast in a special post-conversation dialogue.
Soccer player Zak Worms offers insight into the challenges transgender athletes face and reacts to recent comments from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Tampa-based Project Dynamo co-founder Bryan Stern joins host Frank Wiley for a remote conversation from Ukraine. Learn more about Project Dynamo's efforts to evacuate people from Ukraine at 10TampaBay.com.
It’s been a week since a legacy wall was unveiled to honor Chloe Coney. You may know her as the founder of the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa. For 30 years, the nonprofit has fought poverty and supported families in East Tampa. Now, she's telling her story on the podcast. You’ll hear how she helped integrate Tampa Bay area schools and later became the first Black woman to be a probation officer in Hillsborough County.
We’ve talked about climate change from a structural standpoint, but what impact are temperatures having on one of our most vulnerable populations? Kenny Mendez, president/CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, and Brightside Meteorologist Grant Gilmore join Brightside co-host Frank Wiley to talk about the affects on people who struggle with asthma and allergies.
What is climate change? Also, why has the topic become taboo in some circles? Brightside Meteorologist Grant Gilmore and Florida State Climatologist David Zierden join host Frank Wiley to discuss.
Are you prepared to save someone's life? Tamisha Good runs Concierge Healthcare Training Services. Good says a personal experience with a loved one moved her to offer classes and teach people how to administer CPR. The medical professional breaks down her finance's personal struggle with heart trouble.
What is STEM or STEAM? Also, what's with the lack of women in the field? We discuss with an educator who is doing her part to change the face of science.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we approach life. Many of those changes have brought inconveniences, but there are reasons to remain thankful. Some of our previous guests shared their reasons for gratitude this holiday season. Prior guests in this episode include Tavis Myrick of Gentleman’s Quest, Inc., Kiva Williams of the Fun Foodie Mama Blog, educator and STEM advocate Laquita Bolden, and empowerment coach Stephanie Shephard. They join 10 Tampa Bay Brightside host Frank Wiley for 'A Frank Conversation' or, in this case, a series of them.
Storytelling at American Stage Theatre is gaining more perspective. One of Florida's oldest and most critically acclaimed professional theatre companies appointed Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj as its first BIPOC Producing Artistic Director and Resident Playwright.
Rajendra had A Frank Conversation about what's needed in theatre.
What are fibroids? Is it an ailment that runs in your family? How can you advocate for yourself? Did you know that Black women are impacted disproportionately by fibroids? This Frank Conversation will discuss treatment, signs, symptoms and the consequences of fibroids. We’ll also introduce you to the women behind The White Dress Project.
Dr. Ebony Butler is working to deconstruct the stigma that surrounds therapy. Online, she's known as Dr. Ebony Online, and she's simplifying treatment through her creation, My Therapy Cards. She says she took the questions she asked her clients in sessions and put them into a deck. She wanted people to feel like they were talking to a psychologist and doing real work by digging deep.
The rift between law enforcement and the communities police serve has been an ongoing repair job for everyone involved in the relationship. Where does healing begin, and how do we find it? A law enforcement veteran spoke candidly about what must happen.
Remember, there's no need to empty your pockets to make loved ones happy. Do the best you can and allow that to be enough. We have six steps to take to ensure your own happiness.
Medical professionals continue to struggle with their own health as they work to ensure their patients' wellness. Dr. Jabraan Pasha explains why some of his colleagues are considering a new profession. He attributes much of their frustration to misinformation on social media, which sometimes leads to people disregarding professional opinions.
Clinical psychotherapist Dr. Carleah East joins 10 Tampa Bay Brightside anchor Frank Wiley to talk about how to help deal with separation anxiety in children and adults. She discusses the role the pandemic has played in what we're seeing now.
Tavis Myrick, executive director of the Gentlemen’s Quest of Tampa Inc., talks with 10 Tampa Bay Brightside anchor Frank Wiley about the importance of mentoring young people. Myrick is working to create programs that remove excuses and barriers for youth, helping teens to become productive members of society.
We all know there are wins and also challenges when you're a dad. This week, Frank is joined by Jewel Woods, the founder and clinical director of Male Behavioral Health, an outpatient mental health practice.
Race is a social construct based on physical attributes. It's a human invention, not something scientific. And that invention created a hierarchy. In this episode, 10 Tampa Bay Brightside anchor Frank Wiley is joined by history teacher Larry Bowler and Donna Lowry, a communications consultant and award-winning journalist who works at the Poynter Institute. Together, they discuss historic and modern conversations about race.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Although abuse remains a problem every month of the year, we’re using the month to increase education about the topic. Dr. Carleah East has 'A Frank Conversation' about the signs of abuse in a loved one, the stages of grief and her own struggles with domestic violence.
You’ve grown in your professional life, but have you really made it to a comfortable destination? New opportunities present new challenges. But, for some African American individuals, their challenges are a familiar foe. This week on A Frank Conversation, Clinical Social Worker Jewel Woods explains how deep discouragement sometimes goes.
What is Black Boy Joy? Maybe you’ve seen the hashtag. New York Times Bestselling author, Kwame Mbalia said his latest book expands the conversation to a push for freedom for Black children.
“I just want them to be able to exist free of constraints, free of stigma, free of judgment. I want them to be children. Let our boys be boys and our girls be girls and our children be children,” said Mbalia.
Addiction recovery is a multistep process. Changes in routine can make it more difficult. The COVID-19 pandemic has been the change that has concerned recovery sponsors at Turning Point of Tampa. Some addicts have backslid into actively using substances. In this episode of A Frank Conversation, we discuss problems and solutions.
Violence around Tampa Bay has pushed two retired members of law enforcement, with more than 60 years of combined experience, to question what’s wrong with the communities they used to serve. The talk we had on A Frank Conversation involved what moves people in the wrong direction and what it will take to turn lives around.
This week on "A Frank Conversation," 10 Tampa Bay's Frank Wiley spoke with former NFL player Jerod Cherry about the pressure athletes face. He discussed Simone Biles as well as his own panic attacks. Jerod also talked about Tom Brady's Hall of Fame career, as they were both teammates in New England.
This is Part 2 of 10 Tampa Bay Brightside anchor Frank Wiley's conversation with Simeon Rice. Rice earned three Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl title with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This week, Simeon talks about his views on CTE, social justice and other tough topics.
Simeon Rice, who earned three Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl title with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, joins 10 Tampa Bay Brightside anchor Frank Wiley for a conversation about his life and football career. This is Part 1 of a two-part series.
Are you deserving of your success, or do you believe your opportunities belong to a better qualified person? Psychologist Lisa Orbe-Austin PhD joined us to discuss imposter syndrome. She never promised perfection but did offer what it would take for you to grow into the best, healthy version of yourself.
Darrell Daniels of Derrick Brooks Charities says relationships between police and the communities they serve need resuscitating. The community activist had 'A Frank Conversation' about trust issues, youth, safety and repairing broken lines of communication.
Are you familiar with toxic masculinity? We had A Frank Conversation with leadership coach Dr. Jeffery A.J. Johnson about the symptoms of the problem. Dr. Johnson told us how toxic masculinity impacts him and how he is teaching men to fully embrace themselves.
Are you listening to yourself? Do you need help dealing with the world? If so, where do you turn? These are all questions you may have asked yourself as you moved through life over the last year. On "A Frank Conversation," we talked to Carmela Hill and therapist Sierra Hillsman. Hill shared her struggles and her victories. Hillsman helped us put experiences into proper perspective.
Life looks and feels different for many of us because of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in our homes. How are couples defining roles, and what has helped the process along? Kari Goetz and her husband, Crawford Long, invite us inside their home.
Some children are seen as older than they are, and Dr. Carleah East said it happens often to Black children. Dr. East talked about the adultification of Black and Brown kids. She explains the symptoms of adultification and how she works to stop it from happening.
Misandry is defined as a hatred of men. Activist Christin Kane had a Frank Conversation about what she calls Black misandry. Kane explains the obstacles some Black men are facing, and who is instigating their issues.
United Way Suncoast is evolving, and CEO Jessica Muroff said the organization is renewing its focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. Muroff believes honesty will allow the United Way to better serve the community. She had A Frank Conversation about how the accountability starts with her: “I personally, for me understand my privilege, and the success and stability that I have for my family. That only galvanizes me even more to support others in our community. This is what I was born and created to do.”
Have you heard of the 4-percent problem? Listen now to 'A Frank Conversation' podcast! 10 Tampa Bay Brightside anchor Frank Wiley hosts Erika Buckley, M.A., C.D.P., associate director of leadership and diversity education at the University of Tampa, in a conversation about issues involving marginalized people in influential spaces and how the problem manifests itself in every walk of life.
10 Tampa Bay Brightside anchor Frank Wiley invites you to participate in what’s often discussed in his familiar spaces: barbershops, social media, phone talks with friends and family, and church. Subscribe as new talks are released weekly.
If you have suggestions, reach out via email fwiley@10tampabay.com, or Instagram @frankwileyjr.