Succeeding Over All Roadblocks Lifecast: Recent Episodes
Kesha R. Whitaker
Do you find yourself often learning lessons the hard way? Instead of running into roadblocks on your journey, you can SOAR. Succeeding Over All Roadblocks is a lifecast about vibrating higher in every area of your life. Join Kesha Whitaker, entrepreneur, and transformational speaker as she shares personal experiences and has revealing conversations with Olympic athletes, influencers, community and political leaders who are SOARing and giving advice on how to overcome unthinkable challenges.
In this episode I get a chance to catch up with actor and stand-up comedian Henry Coleman. His credits include a number of TV appearances including BET’s Comic View and Season 7 of HBO’s Def Jam Comedy. A 20-plus year veteran in the entertainment industry, Henry may often mingle with legendary comedians, but is still that guy I met in high school.
We reminiscence about our high school days, the time he called up Tiffany Haddish and let me speak with her, the sacrifices he made to chase his dreams, and how it impacted his relationship with his children.
Explicit Content
Connect with Henry
Facebook: Henry Coleman
Twitter: @comichenry
Instagram: @henry.coleman.773
YouTube: Henry Coleman
Connect with SOAR Lifecast
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
When faced with one of life’s storms, how do you handle it? Serial entrepreneur, certified life and business coach Lynn Whitney drops gems on how to keep your cup full and cope with any challenge - especially those that attack your peace of mind. We talked about recognizing the signs of when you need to seek professional help, how she balances life, overcame loss and health challenges while maintaining a six-figure business.
Connect with Lynn Whitney
Facebook: @iamlynnwhitneyInstagram: @iamlynnwhitney | @masteringei
Website: www.lynnwhitney.com
Podcast: @lemonsintopinklemonadeWebsite: www.pinklemonadetour.com
Connect with SOAR Lifecast
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
When used correctly, the power of intention can set you up for great success. In this solo episode, I dive into how intention works, how to set intentions, and how being strategically intentional landed me conversations with NBA General Managers, including a phone call from the legendary Los Angeles Laker Jerry West.
Let's talk intention setting online too! Connect with me on social media.
Connect with SOAR Lifecast
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
Justin Brazil endured more than 60 surgeries after being set on fire by a bully at the age of 10. His life had been one of pain and sadness, but he transformed that pain into triumph, becoming a Navy Veteran and international motivational speaker. He tells the story of that traumatic day, what happened when he came face-to-face with his attacker as an adult and his path to forgiveness.
Connect with Justin:
Instagram: @jbrazil901
Facebook: Justin Brazil
Connect with SOAR Lifecast
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
Former pro tennis player Jennifer Migan is uber-talented and accomplished, yet struggled with self-sabotaging behaviors. The writer and public speaking coach is also the host of The Players Lounge Podcast. We had a very candid conversation about the ways we have let self-sabotage creep into our lives, how to stop it and start living in our full potential.
Connect with Jennifer
Instagram: @jennifer_migan | @theplayersloungepodcast
Podcast: The Players Lounge
Website: www.thespeechouse.co
Connect with SOAR Lifecast
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
Drs. Sonya and Yvonne Johnson are two educators using their gifts to help their students learn about all of the contributions of African-Americans that surround them everyday. The sisters co-authored a children's book, The Ride of Pride, highlighting African-American inventors. Yvonne later authored the novel Manifested Dreams.
We talked about the importance of the two books and the sometimes challenging journey they took to follow their dreams.
Connect with Sonya and Yvonne
Facebook: Ride of Pride | Manifested Dreams
Instagram: @rideofpride | @manifested_dreams
Website: www.rideofpride1.com
Connect with SOAR Lifecast
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
Actress and author Karyn Parsons, star of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air kicks off Season 2 and Black History Month. We had a conversation about the cultural significance of the ground-breaking show, an unexpected roadblock she faced after the show ended, and how she is shining a light on unsung heroes in Black history.
Note: This is not the norm, but I want to acknowledge that the audio quality on my end sounds a little distant, but Ms. Parsons' is fine and the message is too great not to share.
The extended video interview is available on YouTube.
Many thanks to episode sponsor Goodness Gracious Luxe Cookies! Get your cookie fix at GGLUXECOOKIES.COM.
Connect with Karyn Parsons and Sweet Blackberry
Instagram: @karynparsons | @swtblackberry
Website: www.sweetblackberry.org
Connect with SOAR Lifecast
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @prototype10 | @soarlifecast
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
This is a real talk conversation with my sister circle about dating, careers, debunking myths about black women, true sisterhood and the life challenges we've SOARed over. Plus, we talk about being childless vs. childfree in our 30s and 40s.
Part 3 is all about living Childless vs. Childfree
Watch the full episode on YouTube
Be sure to subscribe!
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
This is a real talk conversation with my sister circle about dating, careers, debunking myths about black women, true sisterhood and the life challenges we've SOARed over. Plus, we talk about being childless vs. childfree in our 30s and 40s.
Part 2 is all about Overcoming Roadblocks and a Sister Circle Moment.
Watch the full episode on YouTube
Be sure to subscribe!
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
Let's toast to season one with the SOAR Lifecast Virtual Happy Hour: Single Ladies Edition!
This is a real talk conversation with my sister circle about dating, careers, debunking myths about black women, true sisterhood and the life challenges we've SOARed over. Plus, we talk about being childless vs. childfree in our 30s and 40s.
Part 1 is all about Dating and Careers.
Watch the full episode on YouTube
Be sure to subscribe!
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
Zen goddess Dorian Spears is a community leader, advocate and thought leader in the non-profit world. She is a self-described empath, who practices and teaches the art of self-care, setting boundaries, and breaking generational curses. Dorian shares her story and ways you can find peace in the midst of the pandemic.
Mentioned in this episode:
Shine mobile app - Daily self-care rituals
Connect with Dorian Spears
Instagram: @dorian_901
LinkedIn
Connect with SOAR Lifecast
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
New Jersey Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds Jackson joined me to talk about the events that turned her into a community advocate and led to her becoming a rising political star in the state legislature.
Covered in this episode:
- The story that made her run for elected office
- How to become an advocate for your community
- The significance of Black women as a voting bloc
- How to hold elected officials accountable
- How to support the best candidates
Contact Asw. Verlina Reynolds Jackson
Website
Support her campaign
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
Taking stock of the highs and lows of 2020 and finding ways to be grateful through it all.
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
What could have been fatal for me was actually the wake up call I needed to make my dreams happen. In this solo episode, I open up about an accident that inevitably led me to the Olympics and beyond.
Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 5
Episode 9
Romans 12:17-21
Connect with SOAR Lifecast
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
Brand strategist extraordinaire Dana James Mwangi is this week's guest. Dana is the founder and co-partner of Cheers Creative, a globally recognized brand strategy, web and graphic design agency that takes its clients into the stratosphere!
She has presented on some of the largest stages, is called on frequently as a thought leader and has been featured in countless publications including Forbes, Essence, and top tier industry magazines. She also has one of the top selling website themes on the market.
Recently, this busy wife and mom of three was hand picked by Google as a Digital Coach for Memphis, Tennessee, where she is teaching courses to help Black and Latinx entrepreneurs automate and scale their businesses.
She opened up about every area of her life and shared ways we can reinvent and brand our TRUE selves at any age!
Mentioned in this episode:
Marisa Peer
Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey
Harlem's Fashion Row
The Lip Bar
Missy Russell Beauty
Connect with Dana James Mwangi
Instagram: @cheerscreative & @danajamesmwangi
Twitter: @cheerscreative & @danajamesmwangi
Web: www.cheerscreative.com | www.danajamesmwangi.com
Connect with SOAR Lifecast
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
Award-winning journalist Kontji Anthony is on the podcast to talk about her fascinating career in television, the qualities of inner beauty, and how she is facing a particular roadblock in her life.
Kontji is a main co-anchor at WMC-TV Action News 5 in Memphis, Tennessee. Over the past 15 years, she has come into the homes of millions and has more than two decades of combined experience anchoring, reporting, producing and writing for network news television stations across America.
Kontji has aired reports on the Today Show, conducted interviews for the E! News Network, performed live on CNN, and appears as a guest announcer on regional radio.
During the episode, we take you inside one of our "brunch" conversations where we swap stories, and she opens up for the first time publicly about the disappointment and grief she felt after a devastating loss.
Connect with Kontji
Facebook: @Kontji
Twitter: @Kontji
Instagram: @Kontji
LinkedIn
Web: www.kontji.com
Connect with the SOAR Lifecast on:
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Available on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, YouTube and Libsyn
Email me at soarlifecast@gmail.com
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
To close out Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Carolyn Hardy joins me to share how she beat breast cancer, along with pearls of wisdom about life and business. As President/CEO of Chism Hardy Investments and Henderson Worldwide Investments, she is an author, serial entrepreneur and a woman of many firsts.
She broke into the all-boys club at J.M. Smucker, moving up the ranks to become the first African-American woman plant manager and later was the first African-American female Vice President at Coors. She took it to the next level when she purchased Hardy Bottling, making her the first African-American woman to own a major brewery. In this episode, I find out what drives her, where her strength and courage comes from, and how she broke through in male-dominated industries.
Connect with Carolyn Hardy
Instagram: @carolynchismhardy
LinkedIn: Carolyn Hardy
Web: www.carolynchismhardy.com
Book: Look Up: Five Principles for Intentional Leadership
Connect with the SOAR Lifecast on:
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Available on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, YouTube and Libsyn
Email me at soarlifecast@gmail.com
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
Election Day is fast approaching and so much is at stake for the nation. We must take a seat at the table whether it is running for office, casting our vote, supporting candidates, or being an advocate on issues that matter.
Joining me is Mike Bland, the National Director of Leaders of Color (LOC). LOC is a program that prepares black and brown leaders across the country for public office with extensive training and support. Its vision is of a nation where Black and Latino communities are represented by elected officials who not only look like them but are tireless advocates for quality education.
Mike shares his experiences growing up around politics, working on historic campaigns, running for city council in New Jersey at the age of 22, and drops gems on what’s going in these political streets.
Connect with Mike Bland
Twitter: @politico_bland
Web: Leaders of Color
Connect with the SOAR Lifecast on:
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, YouTube and Libsyn
Email me at soarlifecast@gmail.com
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
Celebrity chef, blogger and healthy budgetnista Almetria Turner joins me to share how she broke an unhealthy cycle with food and obesity to lose 177 pounds naturally through lifestyle and fitness changes. She began to inspire and help others, becoming an international influencer, author and brand ambassador. Almetria has maintained the weight loss for nearly 10 years and is the founder of Fit and Finally Free, a lifestyle, fitness and weight management company that provides personal training, along with lifestyle and wellness coaching.
She has been featured on "The Today Show," in Women's Running Magazine, Redbook Magazine, TBN, Yahoo Health, The Huffington Post, The Daily Mail UK, CNN, and was even a finalist in Nashville during the nationwide search for Season Nine of Masterchef.
Connect with Chef Almetria Turner
Facebook: Fit and Finally Free
Twitter: @fitandfinallyfree
Instagram: @fitandfinallyfree
Web: fitandfinallyfree.com
Connect with the SOAR Lifecast on:
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, YouTube and Libsyn
Email me at soarlifecast@gmail.com
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
Professional indoor volleyball legend Danielle Scott is a 5-time Olympian and 2-time silver medalist who is also a survivor of domestic assault. She was hospitalized for stab wounds suffered while defending her sister Stefanie, who was allegedly murdered by her husband of 14 years. He went on the run and was found and arrested 36 days later.
Danielle is an advocate against domestic violence and talks about her experience, how she maintains a positive outlook, what she's been up to since retiring from pro volleyball, and balancing life as a single mom.
Connect with Danielle Scott
Twitter: @dscottarruda
Instagram: @danielle02scott
Web: www.daniellescottvolleyball.com
Connect with the SOAR Lifecast on:
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Available on: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, YouTube and Libsyn
Email me at soarlifecast@gmail.com
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
Words matter. Sometimes it's what you say, other times it's how you say it. Most times, it's both. In this solo episode, I share a personal experience where two words had a profound effect on me. Then I break down the situation using principles in the book, The Four Agreements.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
by Don Miguel Ruiz
Connect with the SOAR Lifecast on:
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Available on: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, YouTube and Libsyn
Email me at soarlifecast@gmail.com
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
Born in Grenada and raised in Canada, Roger Caesar went from shy guy to three-time champion as an award-winning, international speaker. In this episode, my fellow Distinguished Toastmaster and I talk about the power of being vulnerable and sharing your story to connect with people whether on the stage or in your everyday life.
Connect with the SOAR Lifecast on:
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Email me at soarlifecast@gmail.com
Connect with Roger
LinkedIn: Roger Caesar
Instagram: caesar.empire
rogercaesar.com
caesartransport.com
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
So far 2020 has been a tumultuous year globally and for me on a personal level. In this solo episode, I talk about quarantine life, the impact of losing my father, my pet, Kobe Bryant, Chadwick Boseman, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many more.
Connect with the SOAR Lifecast on:
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Available on: Pocket Casts, Stitcher, YouTube and Libsyn
Email me at soarlifecast@gmail.com
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)
A welcome message from host, entrepreneur, and speaker Kesha Whitaker to introduce the Succeeding Over All Roadblocks (S.O.A.R.) Lifecast. On the show, she will share her personal experiences as well as in-depth interviews with close friends who have overcome life-changing moments.
Follow the S.O.A.R. Lifecast on:
Facebook: @soarlifecast
Twitter: @soarlifecast
Instagram: @soarlifecast
Available on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Libsyn
Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/krwhitaker)