Living Strong: The Flip Side of Adversity

Back to back tragedies, created a path that I never wanted to travel. I lost my entire home in 2019. We were displaced for over a year. In 2020 January I lost my mother after a long bought of various illnesses. In October 2020, my husband was in a tragic and fatal motorcycle accident with traumatic brain injury. He never awoke. I brought him home after a long day in the hospital under hospice where I cared for him until he passed in January 2021. We were married for 32 years. My original first love was taken from me on a normal day like so many others. Discovering how I could find gratitude within devastating grief has allowed me to live a life that is full, has happiness, and purpose. Gratitude and happiness absolutely can live together. But gratitude and grief cannot occupy the same space. I choose gratitude every time.

Join Dr. Veirdre Jackson and Khalilah S. Lyons as they reconnect to explore the transformative power of Life on the B_List by shifting away from the grind of the a-list and instead prioritizing purpose and joy. Tune in to their conversation about mindful practices and reminders on how to maintain tranquility, self-assurance and conviction in our daily lives.

“The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson When Tre Hadrick thinks about the future of education, his mind immediately goes into game mode— so that he can help all children perform to their full potential. As a former coach, he understands that selecting the best starters to begin the game increases the chances for a positive outcome for the entire team. Choosing the right start is so important as we address the growing demands, needs, and hurdles in education during the post pandemic era. Tre Hadrick is ready to lead educators, parents, and communities into the future so all children can reach their full potential by: - teaching children how to cope with the challenges of life, rooted in self-confidence, normalizing the mental health conversation - making sure all children have a fair opportunity to learn - stressing the importance of completion over correction, encouraging growth over grades, more concerned about mastery over mistakes - allow families to find out what works best for their child(ren) This newly appointed Board Member to the PA Board of Education has enthusiasm, insight, innovation, and practical strategies for the field of public education.

This show offers practical ways for HOPE to come alive in a person’s life through community, a relationship with God and helping to mitigate the damage from the world.

“If you don't manage your wellness, you will be managing your illness. - Mental Health Counselor, Sandtrice Russell As we enter the month of April as Stress Awareness Month, let’s have a flip side conversation to prevent this from happening, we have to be more proactive and take charge of our life and destiny. We can apply the principles of “ Diligence Outweighs Mediocrity” D.O.M.s on our finances, health, personal ties, and relationship with God so little stresses do not turn out to be vast stresses later.

Becoming a Disruptive Peacemaker has been a long time journey of mine. The interesting part of the Journey is that I didn’t realize how important it was to heal from the past, to help heal the future. As an educator, I have seen trauma, conflict and quick fixes really impact the world of education, supporting teachers and holding space to develop children and communities. Through art, my path has me focused on bringing new life to recycled material. This is reflective of my story, once adopted as infant, coming home to my Native tribe after 45 years of disconnect has my heart and soul feeling repurposed in so many ways. My desire to bring art as a catalyst for healing has also formed as a method of peaceful disruption. Activism in 2024 looks very different than what it did at the heels of George Floyd’s Murder. In those days, I was marching, posting and writing angrily at a system that had no chance of changing, because most individuals did not know that systematic racism was very active and alive today. Now, four years later, I follow the playbook of my heroes, Bob Marley, Audre Lorde, Dr. Angelou, bell Hooks, MLK Jr. Malcom X, They each were messengers of words that the world needed to hear, but they chose pathways of art, peace, nature and beauty to take up space as a form of resistance. My hope is that I can bring others in the community to peaceful, artistic pause with purpose. Say what you mean, in a way that matters, and creates pause for reflection rather than violence.

Rick Warren has a quote, “We are the product of our past but we don’t have to be a prisoner to it.” Regardless of what has happened to us we don’t have to be shackled to it and allow it to define us. But let’s be honest life can be overwhelming; and even when we are confident and competent in our abilities and skills to achieve success with joy and gratitude, we can still attest to the reality that sometimes, life still gets hard. And if we don’t stay alert to what we believe to be true, we can become chained to lies, tricks, and skeems designed to distort our value and worth in the middle of our story- sabotaging the potential for our ending. Letting go of our chains (thoughts/hurts/ lies/ narratives) is essential to becoming everything God has called us to be. Sometimes, letting go is difficult because we don’t physically see the chains, so we deny them or ignore them because they are too difficult to acknowledge or confront. In the title for our show Zohnette Sligh shares an expression “who I choose to be”...choice denotes that there are alternatives for our paths. Join us for a conversation of how creativity, adventure and vulnerability can unlock chains and open doorways to purpose and true identity.

Rick Warren has a quote, “We are the product of our past but we don’t have to be a prisoner to it.” Regardless of what has happened to us we don’t have to be shackled to it and allow it to define us. But let’s be honest life can be overwhelming; and even when we are confident and competent in our abilities and skills to achieve success with joy and gratitude, we can still attest to the reality that sometimes, life still gets hard. And if we don’t stay alert to what we believe to be true, we can become chained to lies, tricks, and skeems designed to distort our value and worth in the middle of our story- sabotaging the potential for our ending. Letting go of our chains (thoughts/hurts/ lies/ narratives) is essential to becoming everything God has called us to be. Sometimes, letting go is difficult because we don’t physically see the chains, so we deny them or ignore them because they are too difficult to acknowledge or confront. In the title for our show Zohnette Sligh shares an expression “who I choose to be”...choice denotes that there are alternatives for our paths. Join us for a conversation of how creativity, adventure and vulnerability can unlock chains and open doorways to purpose and true identity.

As professionals and entrepreneurs, life is radically busy. There’s too much to do and never enough time, money, or energy. Our natural tendency is to dig in and do MORE… • More work • More time • More energy which is inevitably followed by more discouragement at the end of each day when the to-do list is longer than when the day started. We worry about the work, then try to work away the worry. What if there was one thing that changed everything? The beautiful truth is that God cares about our joy and fulfillment even more than we do. He’s radically invested in our professional lives, and He wants to fill us with His Spirit to guide and provide for us every step of the way. With God as our partner, we can navigate the twists and turns of life with confidence, knowing that lasting joy and success really can be ours.

In this episode, we bring together two women from different generations—Gen Z and Gen X—for a deep dive into the evolving perceptions of self-worth and the concept of being enough. Through a candid and heartfelt dialogue, we'll explore how societal expectations, cultural shifts, personal journeys, and our faith have shaped our understanding of self-esteem and self-acceptance. We'll uncover the challenges and triumphs each of us have faced, from the current pressure of social media and the quest for perfection in Gen Zers, to the struggle for work-life balance and breaking glass ceilings in Gen Xers. Listeners will gain insights into the impact of technology, the workplace, family dynamics, and societal changes on the concept of self-worth over the years. We'll discuss strategies for fostering self-compassion, the importance of setting boundaries, and how to cultivate a sense of being enough in a world that constantly demands more.

Dr. Franny is on a lifetime journey of reflecting, reframing, resetting, and is now helping others do the same. A self-proclaimed perfectly imperfect perfectionist in recovery. And after years of staying small to avoid being seen and taking cover from trauma behind a mask, this leader shares a bit of her perfectly imperfect story and how the power of owning one’s story can inspire others. And how being vulnerable, yet humble is transformative in creating a safe, brave culture at work.

In this week’s episode we discuss what it means to be a transformative leader and how to walk boldly into purposeful leadership. Leaders are born and exist in all realms of our lives- professional career, entrepreneurship, family, community, ministry. However, purposeful leaders are focused and intentional to instill positivity and growth in whatever arena they are walking. They understand the concept of servitude, collaboration and possess many other attributes needed to withstand adversity, rejection and re-direction. Join Sasha Lalite, CEO and Founder of Meta Viable Solutions and Sasha L Jewels as she shares her journey and advice to STEP INTO PURPOSEFUL LEADERSHIP AND HOW TO BE BOLD IN THE PROCESS

In this week’s episode we discuss what it means to be a transformative leader and how to walk boldly into purposeful leadership. Leaders are born and exist in all realms of our lives- professional career, entrepreneurship, family, community, ministry. However, purposeful leaders are focused and intentional to instill positivity and growth in whatever arena they are walking. They understand the concept of servitude, collaboration and possess many other attributes needed to withstand adversity, rejection and re-direction. Join Sasha Lalite, CEO and Founder of Meta Viable Solutions and Sasha L Jewels as she shares her journey and advice to STEP INTO PURPOSEFUL LEADERSHIP AND HOW TO BE BOLD IN THE PROCESS

LuQman Abdullah has been involved in community-based economic development initiatives, anti-violence, non-profit community program’s organizational development and management for over fifteen years. LuQman’s mission is to the build community by developing leadership, enhancing leadership skills, values and commitments, building strong communities through which people can gain new understanding of their interests as well as power to act on them. His passion to construct communities which are bounded yet inclusive, communal yet diverse, solidarity yet tolerant opens the door to developing a relationship between community and leadership based on mutual responsibility and accountability. The power to ignite change is within the collaborative heart, skill, talents, and intelligence of the Black community to address a painful culture of violence that is killing the community. Let us lift us and foster healing.

LuQman Abdullah has been involved in community-based economic development initiatives, anti-violence, non-profit community program’s organizational development and management for over fifteen years. LuQman’s mission is to the build community by developing leadership, enhancing leadership skills, values and commitments, building strong communities through which people can gain new understanding of their interests as well as power to act on them. His passion to construct communities which are bounded yet inclusive, communal yet diverse, solidarity yet tolerant opens the door to developing a relationship between community and leadership based on mutual responsibility and accountability. The power to ignite change is within the collaborative heart, skill, talents, and intelligence of the Black community to address a painful culture of violence that is killing the community. Let us lift us and foster healing.

Join us for an episode that celebrates the strength, resilience, and untapped potential within every woman. Join us on a transformative journey as we explore Andrea Lawful Sanders' story of triumph over fear, the discovery of inner power, and the art of boldly asking for what you deserve. It's time to embrace your authenticity, own your power, and fearlessly ask for what you want. Whether you're a professional woman breaking through glass ceilings, a mom rediscovering her identity, or someone on a personal growth journey, this episode of The Flip Side of Adversity is here to uplift and inform you. Tune in to hear of resilience, strategies to conquer self-doubt, and a conversation that will empower you to step into your own greatness.

Join us for an episode that celebrates the strength, resilience, and untapped potential within every woman. Join us on a transformative journey as we explore Andrea Lawful Sanders' story of triumph over fear, the discovery of inner power, and the art of boldly asking for what you deserve. It's time to embrace your authenticity, own your power, and fearlessly ask for what you want. Whether you're a professional woman breaking through glass ceilings, a mom rediscovering her identity, or someone on a personal growth journey, this episode of The Flip Side of Adversity is here to uplift and inform you. Tune in to hear of resilience, strategies to conquer self-doubt, and a conversation that will empower you to step into your own greatness.

Join us on Inspiring and Shaping Our Future Generation of STEM Leaders as we embark on a journey to inspire and empower the next generation of STEM leaders. In this engaging and thought-provoking show, we will explore the exciting world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and its profound impact on our society. This will feature an esteemed expert as a Sr. Mechanical Engineer, STEM Advocate, Author, TEDx Speaker, and industry leader, Tiffani Teschey who is passionate about nurturing and developing the STEM talents of young minds. Through insightful conversations and practical advice, we will delve into the strategies and approaches that can ignite curiosity, foster creativity, and build resilience in our future STEM leaders. From discussing innovative teaching methods to exploring emerging STEM trends and breakthroughs, Inspiring and Shaping Our Future Generation of STEM Leaders will provide a platform for exchanging ideas, best practices, and success stories. Together, we will uncover the keys to unlocking the potential of our youth and shaping a brighter future. Whether you are a student, educator, parent, or simply curious about the world of STEM, this show is for you. Let's come together to inspire, motivate, and empower the next generation of STEM leaders who will shape our world for years to come. Tune in to Inspire and Shape Our Future Generation of STEM Leaders and join the movement towards a future filled with innovation, curiosity, and limitless possibilities.

Join us on Inspiring and Shaping Our Future Generation of STEM Leaders as we embark on a journey to inspire and empower the next generation of STEM leaders. In this engaging and thought-provoking show, we will explore the exciting world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and its profound impact on our society. This will feature an esteemed expert as a Sr. Mechanical Engineer, STEM Advocate, Author, TEDx Speaker, and industry leader, Tiffani Teschey who is passionate about nurturing and developing the STEM talents of young minds. Through insightful conversations and practical advice, we will delve into the strategies and approaches that can ignite curiosity, foster creativity, and build resilience in our future STEM leaders. From discussing innovative teaching methods to exploring emerging STEM trends and breakthroughs, Inspiring and Shaping Our Future Generation of STEM Leaders will provide a platform for exchanging ideas, best practices, and success stories. Together, we will uncover the keys to unlocking the potential of our youth and shaping a brighter future. Whether you are a student, educator, parent, or simply curious about the world of STEM, this show is for you. Let's come together to inspire, motivate, and empower the next generation of STEM leaders who will shape our world for years to come. Tune in to Inspire and Shape Our Future Generation of STEM Leaders and join the movement towards a future filled with innovation, curiosity, and limitless possibilities.

B_list Living is for those ready to let go of a-list perfection and leverage life audaciously so we can evolve unapologetically in the calm and the chaos with our brilliance, balance and boldness any time and every time. Join us for Part of our Flip Side Conversation with Khalilah Lyons. Drop resolutions and invest in your own evolution. B_list Living will show you how to embrace life’s questions and listen for unexpected answers, be empowered by experiences rather than achievements; and reimagine who we are as life inevitably and essentially asks for change.