A Conscious Blend w/Simdamotivator: Recent Episodes
Simdamotivator
A Conscious Blend is virtual space where life happenings have been carefully curated and blended together, for the curious mind. Join me, as I converse with individuals who are navigating life on their own terms and with their own special mix.
It was definitely a privilege to wrap up season 2 of this podcast, with Jonathan Archie. During this conversation, Jonathan gives honest insight about his journey through the fashion industry, finance, and faith-based ministry work. Everyone has a story, and I'm happy Jonathan was willing to share his. Listen in, as Mr. Archie shares the positive turn his life has taken, since letting God lead, as well as how he is using that positivity to help others.
If you'd like to know more about Jonathan's work, you can check his website at wisewithwealth.org. You can also email him at jonathandavidarchie@gmail.com.
As always fam, it has been a pleasure to share with you the conversations of Season 2. I look forward to sharing even more conversations in the future.
Stay tuned for the Summer Series.
Until then, stay conscious.
Straight collab this week, as I share the mic with my homeboy from wayyyyyy back in the day, Rob, and his better half, Susan. They took time out of their busy schedules to talk with me about "Marriage in the Time of Quarantine," as they lived their first year of husband and wife during the pandemic. I also appreciated their candid conversation surrounding their purpose in getting married, spending quality time together and apart, and preparing for the newest member of their family. As professionals that work with people during some of the lowest and highest points in their lives, Rob & Susan as shared some tips relating to mental health and taking care of yourself. Rob and I grew up together, so it is a pleasure for me to not only chop it up with him and Susan in this setting, but to do ministry work in real life. Check out FLOW on IG and FB at flow.ministries. Until next week fam, stay conscious.
If you look up hustler in the dictionary, you may or may not find my picture. However, you will DEFINITELY see a picture of Chastidee Davis-Wright, my guest for this episode. Chastidee is a Bronx-bred, St. Kitts native, California resident who does many things, and does them well. She's a creative and visionary, who loves to see her tribe prosper and grow.
Please listen in, as Chas and I talk about life, love, her real 9-5, and her babies - Sisters in Solidarity, Haus Helen and apple.wind.palm. How they started and where they are going. It was definitely a privilege to spend some time in conversation with Chas. She dropped some gems that I'm sure will speak to your heart, the way they spoke to mine. Let me also whisper and tell you, she's a really dope writer, as well.
If you'd like to know more about Chastidee's various businesses you can check out Haus Helen on FB or IG (bookings will be available in the summer); apple.wind.palm launched on April 30, so please head to www.applewindpalm.com or apple.wind.palm on IG to support.
Until next week fam, stay conscious.
Every now and then I come across a really dope person, to add to my circle of dope influencers. Today, I'm sharing with you a dope person from Texas, by way of South Carolina, by way of Brooklyn - Akeem B. Why is Akeem so dope? Well he's been named one of San Antonio's 40 under 40. He's also the founder of Essence Prep Charter School, which is slated to be opened in Fall 2022. He drops bars without flinching and speaks with confidence. His demeanor is pleasant, yet you know he is about his business.
As you listen to our conversation, you will hear about the "corridor of shame" (look it up, you need to know this), how to own the space you reside in, and being your true self in all situations. Akeem truly drops some gems in this episode, and I hope you learn something and can apply it to your life.
If you'd like to learn more about Akeem and support Essence Prep, the website is essenceprepsa.org.
Until next week fam, stay conscious.
Do you know what a sommelier is? What they do for a living? Do you only drink wine because that's the popular thing right now?
Well, whether you drink wine or not, you need to check out this episode. If you do drink, grab a glass of something tasty and then press play.
On this episode of A Conscious Blend podcast, I keep it raw, sweet and informative, with my friend Kesana a.k.a BlackVinoSociety. She is currently studying to be a sommelier a.k.a wine wizard, and she definitely dropped some knowledge on me, including what pairs best with oxtail. Wine drinking is definitely about more than taste, but the experience and the culture it has created. At the end of this episode, I hope you not only know how to better pair your wine and food, but you also understand the importance of cultural diversity and representation in all fields.
If you'd like to know more about wine and follow her journey, you can find Kesana on IG at blackvinosociety.
Until next week, stay conscious.
Yo fam, this is probably THE MOST Bronx episode to date. My boy, Ira Sponsible passed through and we got to talking about life in the Bronx, him growing up as a young Black man in the Bronx and the woes of going shoe shopping with your dad. (You have to listen, to know more.) Speaking of shoes, Ira is one of my fellow sneakerheads, so we definitely chopped it up a bit about fly kicks and the relevance of Js to certain individuals. Of course, we also talked about adult stuff, like managing finances, careers and living a life of love, with the one you love.
It is always good to have my people stop by the Blend, and this conversation shows why. I hope you enjoy listening in and can take away a gem or two.
Until next week fam, stay conscious.
This week's episode features my long-time friend and fellow fighter against educational inequality - Crystal Schloss-Allen. Crystal and I met back in grad school at Hunter College. Our interdisciplinary degree in Urban Affairs opened us up to the world of education policy, where our hearts reside. In this conversation we GO IN, on the current state of education in the US, what we can do to help our kiddos during the confusing time, and the role of charter schools (or the lack thereof). We also talk about manish water and cold boiled dumplings, but you have to listen to get the context.
In creating the perfect blend, Crystal also shares with me her love for Sci-fi and the connection between White Supremacy and Star Wars. Or is it Star Trek??? Listen in and you'll know the answer.
As always, I hope this conversation peaks your interest and gets your mind to blend things a little bit more.
Until next week, stay conscious.
How many of you ever had the chance to work remotely, in a different country? Due to Covid, my home girl Milah got the approval from her job, packed her bags, said "deuces" to NYC and "hello" to Antigua, for remote working Caribbean-style.
Join us in this conversation, as we talk about the effects of Covid on Caribbean islands, travel adventures and learning to live your best and most authentic life.
Typical of Digicel (one of the main communication companies in the Caribbean), it decided our interview time wasn't prime time for it to provide steady wi-fi, so the conversation is a bit choppy at certain points. However, I think that's a perfect model of life "back home." When things not working out right, kiss yu teeth and gwaan wit it.
I hope you enjoy this conversation and as always, stay conscious.
This episode, I had the awesome pleasure of speaking with my friend, Diel - singer, musician, writer, music extraordinaire. If you know the name Diel, something related to music will definitely accompany that memory. Listen in as we talk about his love of music, the critics, the triumphs, but most importantly - following your heart and passions. I hope this Blend leaves you inspired and desiring to do and be more in life.
If you want to learn more about Diel and stay up-to-date with his musical endeavors, you can follow him on IG at "dielmusic" or subcribe to his Youtube channel - Diel.
Until next week, blend consciously.
Family first...Always!
Today's episode features my cousin, Justin aka Williams J. Silver, who lives across the waters, in England. Justin is a Head Teacher, author and entrepreneur. Listen in, as we talk about building a business, creating generational wealth, family and getting over writer's block. It's always a good time when I get together with family, and this time is no different.
You can find Justin on IG at WJSilver. His book "Destination or Destiny" is available on Amazon.
Enjoy and stay conscious.
We are back at it, for another episode. This time I am kicking back and for real, for real chopping it up with my brother from another mother, Don P. aka Don Vito aka Donavan. We spent a good chunk of this episode getting into it about education and ways to uplift our own communities. However, you can't be with Don and not talk about music, which we definitely do! Listen in, and I hope you enjoy this episode of A Conscious Blend.
If you'd like to hear music from Don Vito, click here for his SoundCloud. Also, catch him on IG at donavanjp.
Hey fam, welcome back for Season 2!
I'm so happy to open this season with long-time friend, Lovener Walcott-Wightman - singer, businesswoman, wife and mommy.
Listen in as we discuss family, life and what it means to be an independent woman "living her best life." Lovener shares her struggles, victories, and drops gems that has me grabbing a pen.
I hope you enjoy listening to this episode, as much as I enjoyed experiencing it.
Join me for the last episode of 2020, and for season 1 of this podcast, as I talk with my cousin Keysha Davis. Keysha is a writer, content editor and lover of good books, movies and television shows. Listen in as we discuss Grown by Tiffany Jackson, Bridgerton by Shonda Rhimes, race and racism in America and the UK, but most importantly, me losing my black card for having never seen Coming to America, amongst others.
As always, I hope you enjoy.
If you are into books and education, this episode is for you!!
I met Deondra in November 2019 at Book Nerd Fest aka the annual NCTE conference. Since then our love for books and kids have helped us developed a cool friendship.
Deondra is a Reading Specialist in her home state of Kentucky, a Pharmacy Tech and a genuinely dope person. Listen in, as we talk about some of our favorite books and authors, and the current state of our school system.
Totally not done on purpose, but I got the chance to talk with Will AFTER the results of the 2020 presidential election. We got into politics, talked about a few books (White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo, Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi and Stamped the Remix by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds), college access, what it means to be an anti-racist in these divided United States, but mostly importantly, family and Dr. Destructo.
You know I do my best to keep the conversation candid, and I hope this episode comes through for you.
It's always a good time when friends get together....
It was over 15 years ago that Dee and I met in the freshman dorm of Northern Caribbean University and we've been friends ever since. We've come a long way since then and it was great to catch up with her on this episode of A Conscious Blend. Join us as we talk about implicit biases, eco-friendly wedding planning and placing locks on bathroom doors.
For your wedding and event planning needs, you can find Dieulita at One Leaf Events on social media platforms.
I truly enjoyed this conversation with my childhood friend, Leanna Jordan-Pierre a.k.a. Mrs. Island Breeze. Leanna is a lawyer by day and a chef...during all other hours. She was not only a contestant on Guy's Grocery Games, but also won the top prize! Listen in, as we talk about food, family, life and the 100 other hats that Leanna wears.
You can find Mrs. Island Breeze's recipes at mrsislandbreeze.com or on social media at Mrs. Island Breeze.
Join me for another intriguing conversation with my friend, Dr. Anderson "Dash" Smith, author, educator, dad and literary Superman. Anderson is a first generation doctoral recipient, who finds comfort in reading and writing and sharing that passion with others. He is a facilitator with Rehabilitation Through the Arts, an organization that works with incarcerated individuals to use various art forms as self-expression. He's also a part of a virtual book club, has a mystery book in the works along with some scholarly articles.
If you dare, check out his first book "Half Past Sex."
Listen in, as I talk with long-time friends, Nelton and Simone Johnson, about running a business, raising a family, surviving COVID and...broccoli!!
Nelton and Simone own and operate Blue Ember Group, in Mandeville, Jamaica. Their services range from graphic design, marketing, advertising, decor to construction. You can find them on all social media platforms, as well as on their website - www.blueemberja.com.
On this episode of A Conscious Blend podcast, I talk basketball, fashion and college with entrepreneur, Sha-neek Roper, owner of RichNSwift apparel. In addition to his clothing line, Mr. RichNSwift is a senior Posse scholar at Wheaton College, where he is studying business and serves as a mentor to other minority students.
Join me for another great conversation, and check out Sha-neek's clothing line at https://www.richnswift.nyc/.
On this episode, I chop it up with my long time friend, recording artist and writer Chris J. Listen in, as we talk about music, food and patent leather shoes. Featured on this episode are Chris J's songs "His Pain" from his mixtape No Pressure, and his newer single "Rocks at Your Window."
Chris J's new music drops Oct. 9, on all major platforms. In the meantime, check him out his current EP "In 2 Deep."
Join me for my introductory episode, as I discuss a blend of law, WAP and Humanitarian work with Noelle Green, Esq.
Welcome to our space. Listen for a brief introduction to my broadcast and what you can look forward to hearing on "A Conscious Blend" podcast.