Frankly Speaking with Tyra G

This week we visit the land of Gen Z aka IGen, aka Centennials, aka Nexters… Generation Z is the youngest, most ethnically diverse, the largest generation in American history, comprising 27% of the US population. Current Population: 23 million and growing rapidly. Gen Z is described as a maker generation, a far more pragmatic and practical generation who must architect and build the future we are all trying to imagine living in. The world doesn't need more foundational layers, it needs a generation to create. There is a belief that the best way to predict the future is to build it. And Gen Z has been described as BUILDERS and human justice warriors. They are living out loud. Their gifts are bridges. And remember bridges go 2 ways. So, our gifts become our tickets across the bridges into one another’s lives. Their growth is a very profound experience. It can be beautiful and ugly, empowering and confining, thought-provoking and mind-boggling, pleasant and unpleasant, all at the same time. Writer Howard Thurman says, “don’t ask what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive, and then go do it.” Today we have a wonderful ambassador from the I generation, who is living out loud, sharing his gifts and talents internationally. I have been looking forward to sharing him with you. Mr. Nyliek Brooks, an 18-year-old, international soccer player shares authentically and vulnerably his story of the hard choices of his journey so far.

I am excited about how the Frankly Speaking with Tyra G show progresses. We are celebrating the sixth year of proof that dreams can come true. We have been telling stories to touch the mind, the heart, and the spirit. They have been multicultural, intergenerational, educational, and inspirational, and you have told them! This week, we present a story from our Frankly Speaking Human Library Catalogue with a theme called This is Us Next Chapter. These stories celebrate the courage, commitment, and creativity of people who positively impact the lives of those challenged in some way, moving from their no longer into their not yet. This week, meet Dana Saif, Visionary and Founder and Director of the International Language Academy (ILA) in Washington, DC. Dana authentically shares the challenges and blessings of birthing something new yet so needed. She prioritized her goals as a relevant curriculum, certified faculty and staff, a state-of-the-art facility, and accreditation. At ILA, the team understands that traveling to a new country can be overwhelming, but rest assured, ILA has all the tools to help you succeed. Whether you want to complete your education at an American university or improve your English, you’ll find your perfect fit at ILA. Take a listen, learn things, and be inspired. Then, share and subscribe.

Veterans Day honors all of those who have served the country in war or peace — dead or alive — although it's primarily intended to thank living veterans for their sacrifices. It was initially called Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I. World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the essential purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. This week, Frankly Speaking shares the table with a National Defense Strategist, Educator, Research Analyst, and Business Architect with multiple years of experience in each of these areas. Hershel Holiday Sr, US Army United States Military Academy at West Point and Veteran takes us beyond preparation for war and the war experience. We share the resulting emotional impact on his family spoken through Hershel Holiday Jr.'s words. Take a listen, learn things, feel proud, subscribe, and share.

Veterans Day honors all of those who have served the country in war or peace — dead or alive — although it's primarily intended to thank living veterans for their sacrifices. It was initially called Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I. World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the essential purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. This week, Frankly Speaking shares the table with a National Defense Strategist, Educator, Research Analyst, and Business Architect with multiple years of experience in each of these areas. Hershel Holiday Sr, US Army United States Military Academy at West Point and Veteran takes us beyond preparation for war and the war experience. We share the resulting emotional impact on his family spoken through Hershel Holiday Jr.'s words. Take a listen, learn things, feel proud, subscribe, and share.

The 1977 theme song for a film about Mohammed Ali, "The Greatest Love of All," was written and composed by Michael Masser, with lyrics by Linda Creed, and sung by George Benson. The beginning lyrics lay the perfect introduction to this week's Frankly Speaking radio show discussion, Were it Not for Those Who Care. "I believe that children are our future Teach them well and let them lead the way Show them all the beauty they possess inside Give them a sense of pride to make it easier Let the children's laughter remind us of how we used to be." This is the ideal life we would like all of our children to experience, However, The World Health Organization reports that an estimated 1 Billion children between the ages of 2-17 in the world have experienced physical, mental, and sexual abuse in the last year. What time is it on the clock for our children's safety, achievement, and happiness? How can we reach, teach, and love those children who are left out, left behind, and leftover that what happens to them is different than who they were created to be? How can we help them discover and walk in their worthiness? This week, we learned about a national non-profit[1] organization, that is doing just that. Girls on the Run (GOTR) designs programming that strengthens third to eighth-grade girls’ social, emotional, physical, and behavioral skills to navigate life experiences successfully. The program’s intentional curriculum places an emphasis on developing competence, confidence, connection, character, caring, and contribution in young girls through lessons that incorporate running and other physical activities. The life skills curriculum is delivered by caring and competent coaches who are trained to teach lessons as intended. Ashleigh Conrad, GOTR Northern Virginia Program Engagement Manager, gets us excited about the secret sauce of the girls, their coaches, the annual 5K, and the proven positive impact that is changing life's clock on the happiness of the girls in the program. Take a listen, be inspired, share, and subscribe. 1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls_on_the_Run.

I believe everyone not only has a story but is a story. Each of our stories evolves as a journey, not a destination, a process, not an event. We learn as we become emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically. Only when we look back and remember can we understand. This week, we look into the rearview mirror of the eternity of one intelligent, evolving, creative story. He has discovered that life works for him because he knows everything he manifests on the outside results from who he has become on the inside. In the beginning chapters, Patric Gregory McCoy was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 20, 1946. McCoy graduated as class valedictorian from Englewood High School in Chicago in 1964. He received his B.A. in chemistry in 1969 from the University of Chicago. In 1972, McCoy was employed as the chief chemist for the Gary, Indiana, Air Pollution Control Department while taking part-time graduate courses. He received his M.A. in environmental science from Governors State University in 1979. McCoy retired from the EPA in 2006 after serving ten years as a national expert on air pollution control measures for the petroleum refining industry. However, the current chapter of Patric's story finds him immersed in his passion for art, nurtured in his childhood home in Chicago, surrounded by art and books. Patric's art collection contains over one thousand paintings, drawings, sculptures, collages, and assemblages of African-American art. He co-founded Diasporal Rhythms in 2003. Diasporal Rhythms is a not-for-profit arts organization that promotes the collection of artworks by living artists of African descent. He is a legacy, mentoring the next generations to live in the now, not be afraid to make mistakes, and walk in their worthiness. His favorite quote is "Stop Trying, Just Do"! The best part of this episode is Patric's outstanding storytelling style. Get comfortable, learn, and be inspired. Then, share and subscribe.

This evening, our show theme is curated from our HUMAN LIBRARY catalog titled What I Know Now. You often hear me say everyone has a story. And you know, I also believe that everyone is a story. Each of our stories reflects a journey, not a destination, a process, not an event. We are continually moving, continually growing, continually becoming. As long as we breathe, the end of our story has not yet been written. That means we have opportunities to edit the plot of our story to reflect our physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional evolution. Author Maya Angelou says, "There is no greater agony than hearing an untold story inside you." Let that resonate for a second. Life coach and author Iyanla Vanzant believes in her story, and I quote, “Life will work for me when I realize I have everything I need within me to create everything I want out there. My guest this week believes all that exists between perceiving something as negative or positive is choice. She is a dynamically unfolding story; a journey, and a process. She is a student. She is a teacher. She is a survivor. She is hope. So, sit back, listen, and learn things as Ms. Lynnie Vessels joins us at the FS Table. Her story, so far, reads of survival and a grateful spirit. Educator, author, and inspirational speaker, Ms Lynnie Vessels.

Tysons Corner and McClean Rotary Clubs Flags For Heroes Display Today, we find ourselves in the midst of an ongoing season of uncertainty, unrest, unnatural disasters, and unnecessary violence and death. We have all been touched by a fresh sense of fragility in ourselves and in our social systems. In order to survive and hopefully thrive, we must recognize that in spite of all this, we are dynamic. We are a journey, not a destination, a process, not an event. We have options in how we respond to how life presents itself to us. And sometimes, we just have to go the extra mile. Going the extra mile means taking what you have and looking for ways to expand it. This week’s show is a return to our Frankly Speaking Human Library theme: Thank You for Your Service, Then and Now. Over the past six years, I have demonstrated my passion for celebrating veterans and active duty military who continually help us sustain and maintain our quality of life, often at the greatest of costs. We have heard stories through diverse lenses including wars fought, age, gender, race, family impact, and especially cultural and social legacies. For more than a century, an organization called Rotary, People of Action, has bridged cultures and connected continents. Rotary champions peace fights illiteracy and poverty, helps people access to clean water and sanitation, and fights disease. Rotary’s newest cause is to protect our planet and its resources. The global organization’s motto is Service Above Self. Rotary celebrates veterans and active military who help maintain our national quality of life with a flag display called Flags For Heroes on July 4th, Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. The definition of Heroes expanded during our most recent war against COVID to include healthcare professionals, teachers, public safety, and all who kept our lives livable, e.g., grocery workers, sanitation, etc. Take a listen and be inspired. Then share and subscribe.

I intentionally created Frankly Speaking with Tyra G with an intergenerational, multicultural audience in mind. Thematic content helps keep our stories fresh and relevant. This evening, our story is curated from our HUMAN LIBRARY theme: Voices From the Future. Hearing the next generations' hopes, dreams, and concerns is always delightful. It serves as a kind of report card on how we are doing. Legacy is an interconnection across time, with a need for those who have come before us and a responsibility to those who come after us. We need to understand that the world isn't connected by molecules. Stories, traditions, memories, hopes, and dreams connect it. Legacy is truly about life and living. My guest this week is a student of life and living extraordinaire, Her conversation will give us a snapshot of how we are doing and how she is responding to the world we have given her. She is a member of Generation Z, the generation reaching adulthood in the second decade of the 21st century. A generalized generational definition describes her generation. As the first social generation to have grown up with access to the Internet and portable digital technology from a young age, members of Generation Z have been dubbed "digital natives.” Okay, but wait, what does that mean in terms of how they live life? Sit back, take a listen, and be inspired. Then, share and subscribe.

"If man is to survive, he will have learned to take delight in the essential differences between men and between cultures. He will learn that differences in ideas and attitudes are a delight, part of life's exciting variety, not something to fear." "A man either lives life as it happens to him, meets it head-on and licks it, or turns his back on it and starts to wither away." "Star Trek was an attempt to say that humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate but take a special delight in ideas and differences in life forms. […] If we cannot learn to enjoy those small differences, to take a positive delight in those small differences between our kind here on this planet, then we do not deserve to go out into space and meet the diversity almost certainly out there." ― Gene Roddenberry My guest this week on Frankly Speaking with Tyra G' is Christopher Derrick, one of the writers on Picard, The Eighth Main series set in the Star Trek universe, and a current writer on The Equalizer television series. Christopher creatively walks us into how AI will reshape stories in entertainment, how living outside your comfort zone can positively impact your creative abilities, and other insights for "consumers" of Hollywood entertainment. Take a listen, learn stuff, and be inspired. Then share

My thoughts are agitated when I look at our nation today, the one for which we are leaving a legacy. What will it look like? I think of the young girl in middle school who wants so much to escape the personal assaults she finds on social media. I think of the young man addicted to violent video games. I think of parents who see their child as lazy and distant; not understanding those behaviors could be a sign of depression. I think of the teacher who has so many children in her classroom that she cannot adequately address their multiple intelligences. Then I think what if you could positively impact and improve the quality of life of some disenfranchised young person and delete the negative stories they are telling themselves? What would you do? Many guests at the Frankly Speaking Table have shared their expertise, commitment, and compassion to and for young people who have been left behind, leftover, or left out. However, this week my guest looks at this tender space through the lens of a developmental psychologist, an innovative, mission-focused, and solutions-oriented leader and who brings experience designing and strengthening child, youth, and family-focused initiatives. Be surprised as Dr. Suzanne Le Menestrel reveals what and how current behavioral and psychological research describes the challenges our next generation faces today. Of particular interest is how she highlights bullying myths. Click below.

Susan V. Bosak of the Legacy Project suggests, “Legacy is about life and living. It's about learning from the past, living in the present, and building for the future. It is an interconnection across time, with a need for those who have come before us and a responsibility to those who come after us. A legacy may take many forms – children, grandchildren, a business, an ideal, a book, a community, a home, or some of ourselves. How many of us live so that our legacy reflects all we genuinely hold, most near and dear? How many of us are living with integrity and courage? Molecules don't connect the world. Stories, traditions, memories, hopes, and dreams connect it. The legacies connect us passed down from those who came before us and the legacies we passed down to those who come after us. For children, legacy means learning from the past. It separates the timeless from the transient. We need to tell them our life stories, our choices, and how we made our decisions. For adults, legacy means hoping for the future. It means developing and passing on a timeless part of yourself. We feel valued and valuable no matter how old we get. For both young and old, the power of legacy enables us to live fully in the present. You understand that you are part of a larger community that must remember its history to build its future." This week, our story begins with someone who did not have shoes to wear until he signed up to be in the army. However, what he did have was a dream and determination. We hear his story through the words of his son, Bruce Wesley of Wesley Sheos, in the Hyde Park Community of Chicago. For over 70 years, the Wesley family has nurtured this dream until it awakened to win a National Independent Retail Shoe Store Award. The journey in between has been filled with life lessons, overcoming racism, natural disasters, determination, creativity, and faith. Today, Wesley's is a family-owned shoe store providing an individual shopping experience to all who visit. From measuring a child's first shoe to helping you find comfort and style, we have everything you need to take your best step. This week, we celebrate the Wesley's Shoes legacy with its second-generation owner, Mr. Bruce Wesley. Be inspired! I was.

If by chance no one has told you that they love you today. I would be honored to be the first to say, I love you today! I love you because you are and have been so willing to grow. And my how you have grown! You have grown from struggling to searching. From "trying to" to "learning how to" . You’ve grown from fear to having faith, to demonstrating your courage. You have grown in many ways, consistently demonstrating your willingness and courage to take the next step ---the step toward knowing more about yourself. That is exactly why I love you—you are profoundly divine. There is more of you waiting to unfold. There is more about the world you desire to understand. There are more people coming into your life, and you are gaining more about yourself through your experiences with them. Yes, there is so much more! My guest today is energy, possibilities, and promise. Hear about her creative journey from high school theatre to college and now to New York City. Welcome Chelsea Townsend to Frankly Speaking with Tyra G. You will smile a lot.

Legacy is about life and living. It's about learning from the past, living in the present, and building for the future. A legacy may take many forms – children, grandchildren, a business, an idea, a book, a community, a home, some piece of ourselves. Our legacy naturally intrigues us. It's perfectly understandable that we would want to know how the world will remember us after we're gone. How many of us will be surprised? How many of us are living our lives so that our legacy reflects all that we truly hold most near and dear? How many of us are living with integrity and courage? Leaving a legacy is a human need. It is in part selfish – we want to feel immortal. The idea of leaving something behind that will "live forever" is appealing. We also want to feel like we matter in the vast sea of humanity. By connecting with those at the beginning of their lives, we do complete a full circle in life's journey and leave some of our "selves" – our experiences, ideas, values, and personal example – in the minds and hearts of others. But leaving a legacy also has an altruistic component. If we don't leave a positive legacy, what kind of society are we building? What kind of world are we leaving behind? What are we passing on to our children and grandchildren? The world isn't connected by molecules. It's connected by stories, traditions, memories, hopes, and dreams. We are connected by the legacies passed down from those who came before us and the legacies we pass down to those who come after us. Be inspired by my guest, poet, artist, educator, and creator of The Urban Legend Series, Mr. Paris White. His gifts will make your heart will smile.

Chocolate is an excellent metaphor for life. It's rich, full of energy, and joyful to the senses. It also represents some of the struggles in life: guilt, complexity, and unrelenting desire for more. Midnight is the transition from one day to the next, a point in time. Today, Frankly Speaking with Tyra G invites all listeners to Chocolate after Midnight. Each time we share Chocolate after Midnight, we walk out of judgment and into a space of acceptance. We walk out of fear and into a place where "impossible" is merely a word to describe the degree of difficulty. Here we don't have to be a stranger to the wonder of dreams. We don't have to be perfect, but we do have to be present. And we must have the willingness to be surprised and say "YES" to the power within us. As a result, we can write a new chapter in the storybook of our lives, alone or with others. Most importantly, we will find new ways to treat ourselves like someone we love! We will become MAGIC! Join the conversation with Ms. Deb Beroset, Founder and CEO of Moxie Creative & Consulting, Inc. By the end of our visit, you will be inspired, and in the words of my guest, "moved you toward that which makes you come alive!" Click below and be inspired.

Are you a fan of Star Trek? Do you watch The Equalizer? You will love this week's Frankly Speaking conversation if you answer yes to either of these questions! Once upon a time, Christopher Derrick's father told him, "If you see someone doing something you want to do, you can do it." And so he did. However, for Christopher, it was a process, not an event, a journey, not a destination. Christopher shares his journey from his graduation in finance at the Univesity of Michigan to his present position as Executive Story Editor on the television show The Equalizer. Christopher is evidence of the validity of the Karmic astrologer Dora Jones's message: “Each of us comes into life with a promise, a gift, a passion, and a deep heartfelt desire.” The promise is what you have come to life to master. You have promised to overcome, resolve or heal some aspect of your consciousness. As you face your life experiences, you are allowed to fulfill this promise. The gift is what you have come to give to life. It is the cornerstone of self-determination and self-actualization. The gift constitutes your talents and your abilities. the special things you do as only you can do them. Passion represents those things you pursue for sheer joy- those you do that make you feel alive, meaningful, valuable, and worthy. Most of us are frightened away from or talked out of our passion. We are made to feel it is inappropriate or useless. The heartfelt desire is the thing you most want to experience in life. Some want love. Others want acceptance. Most of us want both. We face difficulty not losing our identity or integrity in pursuing heartfelt desires. Until today, you may not have been aware of your life's true meaning and purpose. For today, ask the Holy Spirit, your guardians, angels, and guides to reveal how each element is represented in your life. Put this message on your mirror as a daily reminder. “Today, I am devoted to pursuing a deeper meaning and a more divine expression in my life! “I will separate what happens to me from who I was created to be. Take a listen. Be inspired!

Today I share once more words that awaken from the life coach and author in her 2000 book, Until Today. And I quote: “Life will work for me when I realize …the experience of my faith keeps my faith alive. You must have faith and experience to live life fully. You must believe that everything you expect from life is possible. You must have faith that no matter what life brings to you, you will be able to handle it. You must have confidence that your faith will eventually lead to good experiences. Experience teaches you that your faith is paying off. Once you have had an experience, you know that you know. When you see, you become more fruitful. Once you have an experience, you want more and better or different experiences. The difference between faith and experience is this: One you must work on, the other works on you. Join Dr. Amile Exume as he explores the role of the Divine in his life. He continues to provide service to others above self, in spite of a medical condition that defies all odds. He lives in constant wonderment declaring, WOW! God did this for me? Be inspired!

“Millennials, they are the most threatening and exciting generation since the baby boomers brought about social revolution, not because they're trying to take over the Establishment but because they're growing up without one. The Industrial Revolution made individuals far more powerful--they could move to a city, start a business, read, and form organizations. The information revolution has further empowered individuals by handing them the technology to compete against huge organizations: hackers vs. corporations, bloggers vs. newspapers, terrorists vs. nation-states, YouTube directors vs. studios, app-makers vs. entire industries. Millennials don't need us. That's why we're scared of them." Lindsey Pollack says in her March 2018 blog. “When I talk to people about my work with the multigenerational workplace, I hear a lot of preconceived notions about millennials. Unfortunately, most of it is negative and based more on cliché than fact." Click below to hear a conversation that will help you erase a millennial cliche or two. Meet Sherrita Watkins, millennial, manager, and masterful storyteller. Enjoy!

Dollar-for-dollar, human trafficking in America is far worse than it is overseas. It is a market that is growing exponentially, putting $975 million in the pockets of human traffickers every year. Every 2.5 hours, a child is taken by human traffickers. Seven years is the average lifespan of a child victim once taken. Ninety-six percent of trafficking victims are female. Every trafficked child is purchased for sex 5.4 times a day. Human traffickers use any tool available to them to connect with potential victims. Contrary to popular belief, these predators rarely kidnap victims but rather employ psychological manipulation to get what they want, such as social media, video gaming consoles, and chat rooms. The traffickers often search for specific characteristics that make a victim the most vulnerable. This includes emotional neediness, low self-confidence, and economic stress. While looking for their role in a victim's life, traffickers work to obtain the trust from the victim through casual conversations over weeks and sometimes over months. Traffickers also send their current victims to interact with potential victims to gain trust. These girls essentially act as scouts for the trafficker. The traffickers utilize the information they gathered to fill a role in the victim's life. Through gifts, love, friendship, drugs, or alcohol, traffickers force the victims into a dependent relationship. With their new role in the victim's life, traffickers wedge themselves between the victim and those closest to them--their friends and family. This week’s story is a courageous conversation with the mother of a human trafficking victim who was blessed to retrieve her daughter from today’s current slave trade. Click below and learn things. Listen with your heart.

Researchers have found that sex traffickers often target children and youth with a history of maltreatment, sexual abuse, low self-esteem, and minimal social support. About 10,000 children a year suffer the horrors of commercial sexual exploitation in the United States. Each victim on average is forced to have sex more than five times a day. Yet the buyers who fuel the child sex trade are seldom held accountable. Most just blend back into their families, jobs, and neighborhoods. My guest at the table today is a wonderful resource to educate us about the human trafficking space. Beyond that, she is also an expert and advocate in the world of Foster Care. And yes, there is a relationship between foster care and human trafficking. I am grateful for her expertise and her willingness to share the table today. Meet Ms. Anne Basham, CEO of Anti Trafficking International! No one can tell her story better than she can, so let’s listen and learn things: