Our Voices: Recent Episodes
WHPC
Our Voices is a new show hosted by Natasha Nurse, Owner & Co-Founder of Dressing Room 8, Co-Host of WokeNFree, and the Lifestyle Editor of Plus Model Magazine, highlighting the amazing and dynamic work of people of color. Natasha interviews business owners, coaches, innovators, and thought leaders in various industries who eager to educate, inspire, and motivate.
Natasha Nurse talks with Jackie Schwartz, an award-winning filmmaker. In 2014, she co-created, produced, and sold a digital series called Rare Birds of Fashion, which champions the plus-size community and female entrepreneurs. Since then, she’s produced multiple web series and short films, which have premiered and won awards at various festivals throughout the country. Jackie is a board member of Realize Your Beauty, an organization dedicated to promoting positive body image to youth through theater arts. She currently lives in New York City & is working on her memoir: I Only Came for the Food.
Before starting Compass Operations, Patrick Bergin served in global operations, integration and quality roles within multi-billion-dollar global companies where he focused on delivering significant ROI by transforming the business operations through workflow automation, process engineering, productivity management, quality control and providing effective leadership through intense change management programs. As a Partner and Executive Vice President, Tom Catalano is a business expert with more than 20 years’ experience in operational development and management. Patrick & Thomas joins Our Voices to share their origin story of Compass Operations and what is necessary for business success in today’s business world.
Raegan Sealy is a poet, singer, rapper and the founder of Sound Board NYC, a non-profit that brings rap, writing and performance opportunities to undeserved communities. A fierce champion of social change through the arts, Raegan draws on her own experiences of overcoming sexual abuse, addiction and domestic violence in her work as an artist and advocate. Raegan is a 2018 TED Resident, a 2017 TNP Scholar, a 2016 P.E.O International Peace Prize winner and a 2015 Fulbright Scholar. She is based in NYC but talks, teaches and performs around the USA. Raegan joins Our Voices to share her story as an artist and entrepreneur.
Keith Kirkland is the Co-founder of WearWorks, a company that builds products and experiences that communicate information through touch. Their first product, WAYBAND™, is a haptic navigation device for the blind and visually impaired. And they used it to help a person who is blind run the first 15 miles of the NYC marathon without any sighted assistance. Keith is a mechanical engineer, accessories designer, and industrial designer with experience developing innovation-based concepts and experiences. He has worked with organizations ranging from the MET Museum, The Cooper Hewitt Design Museum, Unilever, Futureworks, Discovery Channel, TED, Dropbox, The Yokohama Government, Coach and the National Science Foundation. He is deeply excited about re imagining the future of tactile design while expanding the human ability to sense the environment. Keith joins Our Voices to share how WearWorks will change lives.
Natasha Nurse talks to Brian Fried, who has his own portfolio of inventions that he has licensed and manufactured as well as other inventors products that he represents, which made it or are going into mass retailers, catalogs, online retailers, as seen on TV, home shopping channels, etc. He is the Founder & President of Long Island Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club through the Small Business Development Center, a division of the Small Business Administration. He has authored a resource guide for innovators, inventors and entrepreneurs called "You & Your Big Ideas" & "Inventing Secrets Revealed." He founded and Hosts a live weekly online radio show called Got Invention Radio since 2009, interviewing high profile inventors and resources for inventors.
Natasha Nurse talks with Sharon Devonish Leid, CEO of NetStruc PR, Celebrity Publicist, Speaker, TV Host and Author. Sharon has over 20 years of experience in Public/Media Relations and she is an expert in Community Engagement. Her mission is to ensure that each client gets featured in media outlets and is connected to the right contacts that will help them grow. Sharon joins Our Voices to share her tips and insight on being a successful publicist.
Lesley Jane Seymour is a media entrepreneur and founder of CoveyClub, a new club for life-long learners launched in February 2018. CoveyClub allows women 40+ to bond over issues of interest and concern through virtual salons or topics in the CoveyClub monthly magazine, which is written and produced by the best journalists around the world. CoveyClub also offers a daily blog, weekly podcasts with women reinventing themselves and a special list for high-level one-on-one networking. In January 2008, she was named Editor-In-Chief of More Magazine, the leading lifestyle magazine for women over 40. and Editor-in-Chief and Social Media director of More.com. In July of 2015, Seymour created history by having the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, guest edit an entire issue. In 2012, Seymour was named Executive Director of Meredith’s Beauty Center of Excellence; in 2009 she was named number four on the 2009 Most Powerful Fashion Editors List by Forbes magazine. Lesley joins Our Voices to share her entrepreneur journey to founding the CoveyClub.
Host Natasha Nurse shares practical tips to help you effectively goal set and ensure that 2019 is an unforgettable year.
Daniel J. Lloyd is a social entrepreneur with 8+ years of experience in helping with the development or creation of Not-for-profit enterprises that focus on solving targeted problems within society. Presently, in his capacity as Associate Director of Long Island Citizens for Community Values (LICCV), a 501(c)3 organization that has been committed to protecting Long Island’s Children and Families in the Digital Age for nearly 25 years, Daniel designs solution-based programs that work to protect children & families in the Digital Age. Spanning topics such as Screen Time Management, Digital Dependency, early access to obscene material and Cyber-Bullying. Daniel founded Minority Millennials Inc., a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that focuses on tackling disempowering narratives around minority communities and mobilizing millennials with the tools needed to become the next generation of change-makers in public policy. Daniel joins Our Voices to discuss what currently matters most to Minority Millennials.
Sarah Madras empowers and educates audiences with a fiery passion to motivate people to create fulfilling lives. She joins Natasha Nurse to talk about her mission to revolutionize the way people live, work, love, and lead. Founder of Esteem Builders Coaching, Sarah's reputation is built on her ability to explore difficult topics with compassion. As a licensed mental health therapist her education in the science of human interaction and mindset mastery combined with 14-years of working directly with individuals and organizations makes her an expert at teaching interpersonal and leadership skills for achieving success.
Host Natasha Nurse shares her story as an entrepreneur, media personality, and content creator, the lessons learned from hundreds of interviews and how to become a content creator.
Rudy Breedy is a Long Island native with an extensive and celebrated career in the non-profit sector. His work with organizations like the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle and the Bon Secours Warwick Health Foundation! Rudy is currently the Director of Development for the Nassau Community College Foundation. Rudy also serves as the Vice President of Programming for Strong Island Television, an internet-based entertainment network headquartered in Massapequa, NY, where he hosts a live weekly show entitled "Rudy's Room" Wednesday nights at 10 pm. He is also a Community Volunteer for WHPC! Rudy joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to share how to build your personal brand in media.
Jacqueline Twillie holds an M.B.A. in Leadership, and is the Founder and President of ZeroGap.co, a leading training, and development firm with specialties in women's leadership programming. Jacqueline is the Amazon Best Selling Author of Navigating the Career Jungle. Her mission is to get eliminate the gender wage gap by focusing on ways to increase women in leadership roles in male-dominated industries. Jacqueline's leadership advice has been featured in Forbes, FastCo, Essence Now, Black Enterprise, Parade, Today.com, and more. Jacqueline joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to share what millennials need to know to get ahead
Shaquan Hoke, Founder and CEO of Beyond A J.O.B. Inc. - Career and Job Readiness Services, is an author, inspirational speaker, and training facilitator with over ten years of Professional Business Experience, Recruitment, Development, Sales and Job Readiness. Her company provides assistance in attaining the tools needed to gain employment or to map out a professional career, personal and business leadership coaching, inspirational speaking and leadership training to organizations across the world. Shaquan has completed her first solo book, “Beyond A Job: Seven Steps to Create & Move Into Your Vision,” which details her transition to true freedom through the application of Prayer. Shaquan joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to share the keys for finding career success.
Patricia Birch is an attorney, model and floral design enthusiast, whose intention is to empower and uplift the marginalized and deconstruct mental limitations. Her work as an attorney encompasses social services policy and employment and labor matters. As a model, Patricia’s intention is to represent an alternate view of beauty that is body positive. As a floral design enthusiast, she demonstrates to herself and others that following your creative passions is a worthwhile pursuit. Patricia joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to share how to pursue passions.
More info can be found at https://linkedin.com/in/pbirch/.
As someone who doesn’t support bias-ridden resumes, Melissa Dobbins is also not a fan of bios. Resume and bios are just long enough to feed assumptions without accurately representing the individual. Ms. Dobbins formed www.career.place, where candidates can be evaluated on competency, not what is on a piece of paper. Melissa joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to share the keys for hiring without bias
Stephen A. Hart is the Founder of Isles Media, LLC and creator of Brand You Academy™. His passion is to guide people through the steps to build, market and grow their own amazing personal brand. Stephen is also the host of Trailblazers.FM™, the #1 podcast that interviews today’s successful black professionals. His podcast has been downloaded more than 130,000 times in 110 countries and he is one of the most dynamic speakers on the topic of personal branding. Stephen joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to breakdown what it takes to create the brand you want.
Kim Nario is a Virginia-based second generation Filipino American. She grew up in Virginia Beach and relocated to Richmond, to attend Virginia Commonwealth University to study theatre and creative writing. Since leaving VCU, Kim has made it a goal to work only for local businesses or non-profits. Because of this, she has been able to add some much-appreciated variety to her work environment. Earlier this year, she became a member of the Coalition Theater, where she performs with the house team, Resident Ghost. Kim joins Our Voices to discuss her role as a Feminist Camp Facilitator at Soapbox, Inc.
Actress & Career Coach Bethany Kay got her wit from thirteen years of Catholic school, her smirk from her Jersey family, and her curves from a very healthy love of her mom's tortellini with lemon cream sauce. When she's not working on shows like Boardwalk Empire, Difficult People, Gotham, and as the scene-stealing embodiment of body positivity Janice on Dietland, she is probably creating some devised theatre and clowning projects with friends. Bethany Kay joins Our Voices to share her real world wisdom as a plus size actress.
Tiffany Jenkins is the funny lady behind “Juggling the Jenkins.” She has 2.4 million Facebook followers and counting! She is a wife, mother, author, content creator and recovering addict. Although best known for her funny viral Facebook videos, Tiffany is also incredibly passionate about bringing awareness to addiction and mental illness. She speaks shamelessly, openly and honestly about her past and addiction, as well as her struggles with depression and anxiety. Tiffany joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to share her story and message.
Michelle Swoons is a Pro-Makeup Artist and Plus-Size Model who openly struggles with Binge Eating Disorder. After experiencing some health issues, she decided to take her life back by making some drastic changes in her routine. After losing 124 pounds, Michelle is still blogging about her weight loss story, plus size lifestyle, hitting the gym to get healthy. She created FACE beauty (Facts, Action, Compassion, Empowerment as she feels make-up products on the market were just not good enough for the consumer. Michelle joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to discuss the real impact beauty has in our lives
Megan Aronson is an author, speaker, thought leader, and Mental Health and Addiction/Recovery Advocate. After losing 28 people in 8 years, she uses her experiences to remind others that they can always rise again after any fall. She is the author of the forthcoming memoir, “Rise Again,” the true story of how she survived her husband’s battle with opioid addiction. Megan is on a mission to use the spoken and written word to inspire a generation to live, grieve and love out loud. Megan joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to share the secrets for really tackling loss and grief.
Taylor Wallace is a global explorer, millennial thought leader, body positivity warrior and creator of The Fit Founder. Through her own process of trial and error in sustaining and growing her company while traveling the world, Taylor has engineered a system that makes work/travel accessible for ANYONE willing to commit to consciously creating their very own lifestyle by design. Taylor joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to discuss the importance of self-care for entrepreneurs
Robert Vitelli is the Chief Operating Officer at the LGBT Network, managing the organization’s programs and fundraising. The LGBT Network is a non-profit organization that is a home and a voice for the LGBT community, their families, and support systems in Long Island and Queens. Its four community centers in Woodbury, Bay Shore, Sag Harbor, and Long Island City help LGBT people to be themselves, stay healthy, and change the world. Robert joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to discuss what it takes to create safe spaces for the LGBT community in this world.
Sherry Sims, Career Strategist, Leader, Influencer, Founder of Black Career Women's Network and native of Oklahoma City, decided after working 12 years in the Human Resources industry as a Corporate Recruiter and HR Generalist that she wanted to utilize her experience in a different way. So, she made the transition to become a Career Strategist and discovered a new passion for helping people strive for career success, specifically black women. Sherry Sims joins Our Voices to share her story and journey for creating the Black Career Women's Network.
Piera Van de Wiel is a British Actor, Singer and Producer living in New York City. She has performed with the Off-Broadway theatre company the Classical Theatre of Harlem with reviews from the New York Times, TimeOut and Stagebuddy. Piera is also an entrepreneur and has founded 2 companies this year. She joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to share her journey as a creative.
Ashby Vose is a body positivity advocate and prominent voice in the plus-size fashion industry. She has worked with countless women, helping them along their style journey and guiding them on the journey of self-love. From hosting a weekly style video to creating social content for Dia & Co., Ashby is actively trying to better the digital landscape to make it more reflective of plus-size women and their stories. She joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to discuss why women are going wild over subscription box companies like Dia & Co.
Martin Fogelman is the founder & CEO of Pluto.Life. His background studying externalities and information asymmetries in finance, economics and law inspired him to create Pluto, a transparency & analytics platform for companies to build a diverse & inclusive culture. He joins Natasha Nurse and Our Voices to share just how important diversity and inclusion is in the workplace.
Michal Alter has been working in technology and social development for over 15 years. In 2015, she founded Visit.org, a platform that helps companies integrate social responsibility into corporate culture, combining her love for technology with her dedication to social development. Michal joins Our Voices to discuss how Visit.org discusses why traveling with a cause is a must.
Susan Moses is no novice. Anchored by two decades of fashion experience, steeped in the culture—from the Hollywood big screen to high-end SoHo boutiques, through work on more than 50 music videos, numerous ad campaigns, and television shows—Susan’s creative energy has made her a highly sought expert in the fashion arena. While she has worked with celebrities and models of all sizes, Susan is renowned for her work with curvy women and the brands and designers catering to them. Susan joins Our Voices to discuss the keys for dressing for the body you have.
Jason Schuler, the founder and CEO, founded Drink More Good in late 2012 with one goal in mind - to make this world a better place. With 20 years of hospitality industry experience, Schuler started Drink More Good from behind a bar as the demand for his syrups & mixers grew. Through their products, services, and resources, Schuler continues to grow Drink More Good as an industry leader in the handcrafted beverage manufacturing space. Jason joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to discuss how Drink More Good is disrupting the beverage industry.
Natasha Nurse talks with Taarini Kaur Dang, a fourteen-year old (8th-grade) student in Silicon Valley. She is a Venture Fellow at SoGal Ventures, which is world’s first female millennial-led cross-border VC firm, investing in diverse startups. Taarini is the youngest person to win the Young American-Indian Award, which she received from the Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna, for her work in Entrepreneurship. She joins Our Voices to discuss her entrepreneurial journey at such a young age.
Ginger Gregory craves crafting stories. Consider her an adventurous storyteller and poet with a passion for people. She is a driving enthusiast who finds the open road exhilarating. Ginger joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to discuss the realities of writing and publishing a book.
As a former journalist, Professor Heather Schultz has covered a wide array of beats including bridal technology, criminal justice, reproductive health, pop culture, direct marketing, legal technology, digital marketing and interior design. She joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to discuss the crisis with unwed mothers in Korea.
Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker Nicole Burke, who has over 15 years marketing and selling houses, joins Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to talk about how home owners can sell their home the right way and with a lot less stress.
Natasha Nurse talks with Dr. Nadia Rodriguez, a general dentist in midtown Manhattan, who focuses on preventative care and patient education while delivering a positive experience for the entire family. She joins Our Voices to discuss the real importance for prioritizing dental care on a daily basis.
Alexandra Boos' work spans the creative spectrum from on-air industry spokesperson to fashion brand owner. During a 25-year career as a Ford model, Alexandra worked as a fashion, fit and brand consultant helping to launch some of the top designer’s plus lines, such as Tommy Hilfiger and Liz Claiborne. She joins Natasha Nurse to discuss what it really takes to manage people.
Stacey Lorin Merkl (Founder & Executive Director) started Realize Your Beauty, Inc. in 2010, where she combines her love of theatre arts with her passion for social change and education. She joins Natasha Nurse to discuss the importance of empowering our youth.
Kelly Stickel is the founder and CEO of Remodista, a social think tank examining global retail disruption. A collaborative thinker, she is focused on understanding the layers of disruption in retail and translating insights into actionable items for retail brands using community as a business model. She joins Our Voices to discuss the importance of women networks.
Inseparable duo, owners, and sisters Noelle Lee Ventresca and Kali Taylor Ventresca are the creative minds behind Impish Lee, Custom Intimate Apparel. Founded on Etsy, their company has evolved from a small handmade boutique lingerie line into a fully customizable intimate apparel brand. They join Natasha Nurse on Our Voices to discuss the importance of using technology with fashion.
Natasha Nurse talks with Adrienne Garland, the CEO and Founder of She Leads Media, a media and marketing consultancy dedicated to enhancing the visibility and influence of women entrepreneurs and leaders around the world. The mission of She Leads Media is to inspire, educate and showcase women as the leaders they are through in person conferences, events and an online community. She joins Our Voices to share how women make their voices heard in media.
Sean Mayes shares his dynamic career in music as a US based musical director, enjoying a wide-ranging career as a conductor, educator, creative, performing artist & academic in the US, as well as throughout Canada & the United Kingdom, with host Natasha Nurse.
Natasha Nurse talks with Terr Cacilia, a 23-year-old Psychic Medium living in New York. After her first experience with “Spirit” at 3 years old, she spent the next 20 years of her life keeping her countless experiences a secret. Now, she is sharing her wisdom and perspective with the world.
Journalist and Professor Heather Schultz shares her personal story as an Korean adoptee, Long Island native and domestic violence survivor.
When you think about college, are there things you would wanted to know before stepping onto campus? Host Natasha Nurse sits down with You Could Have Told Me Book Campaign Founder Monique Denton-Davis and Campaign Ambassador Tiffany Wood.
Whether you are petite, tall, plus size or straight size, all women deserve quality clothing. Host Natasha Nurse sits down with Erin Cavanaugh, as well as Yi Zhou, the Co-Founders of See Rose Go.
How can we have a message with music? Host Natasha Nurse sits down with local independent artist Killah Smilez.
All girls deserve to have a voice in media. Host Natasha Nurse sits down with Marcia McNair, Executive Director and Founder of Long Island Girl Talk
Natasha Nurse speaks with Reverend Kymberley Celmons-Jones, aka Rev KC Jones, Owner of Restored Life! LLC. They discuss the relationship between the church and the black community, understanding the significance of individual spirituality, and the relationship of the church with modern day society.
Natasha Nurse speaks with Wendi Levy and Kim Etheredge, co-founders of Mixed Chicks. They discuss what it takes to have a successful black business, the value of turning your passion into a profit, and tips for the entrepreneurial journey in America.
Natasha Nurse speaks with Hasani Gittens, Senior News Editor at NBC News. They discuss the state of affairs of current day news, challenges faced as a black journalist, and tips for making your voice heard.
Natasha Nurse speaks with Kim Love Jones, author, speaker & relationship specialist. They discuss the basics of finding love, the future of black love, and tips for embracing love in your life.