Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life®

ALL THE WAY FROM SCOTLAND!!! 5 YEARS ANNIVERSARY SERIES Check out our previous conversation titled, More Than Enough (episode 75). Emma Dhesi writes women’s fiction. She began writing seriously while a stay at home mum with 3 pre-school children. By changing her mindset, being consistent and developing confidence, Emma has gone from having a collection of handwritten notes to fully written, edited and published novels. Having experienced first-hand how writing changes lives, Emma now helps beginner writers find the time and confidence to write their first novel. www.emmadhesi.com Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2024 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

ALL THE WAY FROM UNITED KINGDOM!!! 5 YEARS ANNIVERSARY SERIES Check out our previous conversation titled, Challenge Yourself To Think Differently (episode 108). Olson Aguirre is a travel content creator and cultural storyteller based in London. Originally from New York City, Olson moved to the United Kingdom where he is a Product Management and Marketing Sciences professional traveling the world. Olson started Olsonoverseas, to inspire others to challenge their thinking and upgrade their surroundings. Through his content Olson shares his experiences challenging cultural ideas and bringing a different consciousness about traveling. www.instagram.com/olsonoverseas Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2024 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

ALL THE WAY FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!! 5 YEARS ANNIVERSARY SERIES Check out our previous conversation titled, Think About What You Think About (episode 89). Ntokozo Ncogwane is a dynamic force with a global perspective. As the Global Communications Manager in a major international organization, she wields her sharp mind to craft innovative strategies, managing media relations, and amplify brand impact in the Automotive space. Beyond the boardroom, Ntokozo thrives as a mother, seamlessly blending the challenges of parenthood with expanding company reach and driving business success. She's not just a professional powerhouse but a strategic maestro balancing the global stage and the joys of motherhood. Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2024 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

ALL THE WAY FROM NORWAY!!! 5 YEARS ANNIVERSARY SERIES Check out our previous conversation titled, My Purpose Unfolding (episode 88). Rometris is a renowned Motivational Speaker, Relationship Expert, Author, Leadership & Wellness Coach and Host of “Living Your Best Life, Now!” Podcast. She has achieved over 20 years of experience and extensive study in personal self-development and healing with a strong background in leadership. As a dynamic speaker, her passion includes engagements that encourage living an inspired life of authenticity, empowerment, and confidence. As an author, writing has provided a healing outlet in which Rometris openly shares her personal journeys with her readers. Her passion also includes public speaking engagements that address living an inspired life of authenticity, empowerment and confidence. As a Leadership and Wellness Coach, she assists her clients with finding solutions to life challenges and to live their best lives now. Rometris is also a relationship expert providing counselling and support for individuals, family and children. With her professional and knowledgeable background and thorough way of working Rometris will assist you with having the confidence to “live your best life, now!” and breakthrough challenges to remember who you truly are. Rometris has helped inspire and transform the lives of thousands of clients internationally, from many different walks of life and backgrounds and offers in-person, 1-1 and online events and consultations and is a lifelong lover of everything beauty, lifestyle , international food, travel and music. www.rometris.com Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2024 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

ALL THE WAY FROM GHANA!!! 5 YEARS ANNIVERSARY SERIES Check out our previous conversation titled, Follow Your Heart (episode 102). Kenric Brooks is always asked, when did you start traveling? Well, I can say that I always remember traveling. We would always travel to the family farm on the weekends or the beach every summer. I joined the boy scouts; we also traveled to different campsites and states. Some of my fondest memories as a child were at places I have traveled. There were terrific memories from outdoor activities to beaches. My love for travel continued throughout my military career. I lived in Germany for over three years. While there, I took a trip to Pairs, Netherlands, and more. Driving along the countryside, beautiful green fields and vineyards in the distance France and many places in Europe is where my love for travel and food flourished. In 2018, after retiring from the military and working in the private sector for two years. I suffered a mental break. I was in search of myself. Within the last seven years, I experienced several significant life-changing events. It was then that I turned back to travel. In 2018 I started my journey to travel to all 206 countries and territories. And like everyone, 2020 happened. 2020 helped me realize the genuine connection we have to each other and the need to feed that connection with family, friends, and experiences. I’m more determined than ever to see this journey, though. I am on a long and challenging process of personal change and development. I travel through unfamiliar countries to learn about or familiarize myself with the culture and share the experience with others. I intend to connect with the people who have been dispersed from their original homeland to understand the connection with the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of the particular nation. Check out our previous conversation titled, The Ultimate Mindset (episode 1). Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2024 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

5 YEARS ANNIVERSARY SERIES Check out our previous conversation titled, The Ultimate Mindset (episode 1). Ashley Shaw was the very first guest on the show 5 years ago and has returned to the podcast to drop some new gems for the audience. Ashley is an author, public speaker, certified master life coach, certified personal trainer, and health/wellness coach. Founder and owner of AshFit Solutions, she focuses on holistic total body lifestyle transformation to ensure her clients are their best selves. A tragic traffic accident ended her career in law enforcement as an LA County Deputy Sheriff, so Ashley had to reinvent her life. After neck and back surgery and re-teaching herself to walk, Ashley ultimately rehabilitated herself from using a walker to becoming a body competitor. From that experience, AshFit Solutions was formed and Ashley created a groundbreaking program, the “Ultimate Mindset Experience”, to share her story of going from depression to triumph for the purpose of inspiring and motivating others and to truly change lives through total mind, body, and spirit fitness. Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2024 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

ALL THE WAY FROM THAILAND!!! 5 YEARS ANNIVERSARY SERIES Check out our previous conversation titled, You're The Common Denominator In All Situations (episode 41). Zachariah Bourne has returned to the podcast to drop some new gems for the audience. Zachariah is a passionate Personal Development and Dating Coach who has been helping thousands of people live their ideal life for seven years. His goal is to create more love and happiness in the world, and he does this by empowering his clients to become a match to their ideal partner. Zachariah's approach to personal development and dating is unique, focusing on change from the inside out. He believes that through self-improvement and inner growth, people can attract their perfect match. He helps his clients create unique emotional states that attract love powerfully, and also teaches them how to create their own happiness, regardless of external circumstances. Zachariah has been featured in Huffington Post, Success Magazine, and Addicted2Success.com, and is the author of the upcoming book "Love By Design." https://www.zachariahbourne.com https://www.youtube.com/zachariahbourne Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2024 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

SEASON 4 DEBUTS JANUARY 8, 2024!!! I can't believe its been 5 years since I launched the first podcast episode. I'm so excited to be celebrating the 5 year anniversary of my Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® podcast this month. It's been an amazing experience speaking with 61 international guests representing 47 countries. Together we curated 111 episodes with listenership in 73 countries and 6 continents. I'm so grateful for such a spectacular accomplishment and thankful for all of my guests and listeners. I'm delighted to announce the 5 year anniversary series featuring a few return guests. We will catch up on how their lives have progressed and do a deep dive to dig up some gems for the audience. And of course we'll talk about some recent layers they had to peel. You can catch this new series starting January 8th on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Audible, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, Amazon Music, Audible and other platforms where you listen to podcasts. Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2024 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

ALL THE WAY FROM JAPAN!! Black Men Living Abroad Series #blackmenlivingabroad Originally from London, Jordan Green made the international leap to Tokyo Japan to seek a life different from what he once knew. He works for a PR firm that deals with influencers and local governments. Jordan seeks to help others who wish to make the same international leap. As well as, inspire those who want to experience a life of travel and explore through his Instagram and YouTube page under the name, "AfroInJapan". www.instagram.com/afroinjapan Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2022 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

ALL THE WAY FROM KUWAIT!! Black Men Living Abroad Series #blackmenlivingabroad Attorney Wesley J. Harris was determined to experience life abroad and searched tirelessly for the ideal opportunity. He currently lives and works in Kuwait. Harris plans to retire in New Zealand and is already exploring and researching the lifestyle. Wesley isn't the first generation to travel. He had an Uncle that was in the Army who spent his entire career in Germany until his death. Wesley plans to explore the things his Uncle didn't get a chance to do. Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2022 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

ALL THE WAY FROM MEXICO!!! Black Men Living Abroad Series #blackmenlivingabroad Dr. Gerald C. Hassell is a clinical/spiritual psychologist, life coach, and author. He earned a B.A. in psychology from Talladega College and received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Wright State University in 1999. Concerned that traditional mental health providers fail to meet the needs of people of color, particularly men, Dr. Hassell started his private practice twenty years ago and has worked with hundreds of African American men, boys, and families. www.instagram.com/drghassell Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2022 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

ALL THE WAY FROM UNITED KINGDOM!!! Black Men Living Abroad Series #blackmenlivingabroad Olson Aguirre is a travel content creator and cultural storyteller based in London. Originally from New York City, Olson moved to the United Kingdom where he is a Product Management and Marketing Sciences professional traveling the world. Olson started Olsonoverseas, to inspire others to challenge their thinking and upgrade their surroundings. Through his content Olson shares his experiences challenging cultural ideas and bringing a different consciousness about traveling. www.instagram.com/olsonoverseas Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2022 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

ALL THE WAY FROM VIETNAM!!! Black Men Living Abroad Series #blackmenlivingabroad JK Hobson hails from New York City, where he dove headlong into the music scene in the 80’s and 90’s. He first caught the traveling bug upon joining Crisis, a prominent metalcore band in the NYC underground scene. After moving to Los Angeles, releasing an album with the band, and years of touring, JK began more academic pursuits and in 2016 was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for teaching English. The Fulbright ETA program brought him to the Mekong Delta city of My Tho where he spent an academic year before moving to Saigon. After completing the Fulbright ETA program, he moved to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam. Since moving to Saigon, JK co-founded comedy collective Saigon Funny People, founded Asia Out Loud and has performed in Los Angeles, New York City, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam and was a finalist in the 2018 Vietnam Comedy Competition. With his confrontational standup comedy, JK has opened for International standup comedians Lars Callieou, Garrett Millerick, Corey Marx, Dwayne Perkins, and Mark Lucas and has guest-hosted VTV4’s Vietnam Discovery. JK was also the very first guest on the podcast “Seven Million Bikes: A Saigon Podcast.” In 2019, JK launched the Asia Out Loud social media site where he posts videos of his exploration of Vietnamese culture and food. He also runs a standup comedy series called The Outsiders under the banner of Standup Comedy Asia Out Loud. In late 2020, VN Express ran a video profile on JK which is featured on their website. He also hosts his own podcasts, “The We Outchea Expat Podcast,” and “Asia Out Loud Presents: The Outsiders Podcast!” JK has just returned from a run of comedy performances in NYC, culminating in a set at the legendary Bitter End in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village! instagram.com/jkhobson Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2022 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

ALL THE WAY FROM SAUDI ARABIA!!! Black Men Living Abroad Series #blackmenlivingabroad My name is Meres J. Weche, and I came of age as an '80s kid in Montreal, Canada. My parents moved to Canada with my younger sister and I from my native Haiti, in the Caribbean, during the 1970s, when I was four years old. Back then, I could only speak Creole and French, but I started learning English when I was 12 by listening to Micheal Jackson's Thriller album. After spending my summers throughout my teenage years in New York City with relatives (the Bronx ... where I 'may' have come across J-Lo at some point in the 6 train on my frequent trips to Manhattan), I became completely fluent by 16. I later called Ottawa and Toronto home. After shocking my family at 17 with a 2-year stint in the Canadian army reserves between school semesters as a Grenadier Guard (yeah, with the red suit and black bearskin hat), I first got the travel bug when I jetted off to London, England at 19 for a 4-month working holiday, followed by a backpacking tour of Europe. Before long, I started feeling the wanderlust calling again. So, I decided to write to the Chairman of the National Bank of Egypt, entirely out of the blue, successfully asking for a summer internship in Cairo, Egypt, at 21 while in university. Sometimes, you just have to ask. www.meresofarabia.com Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2022 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

ALL THE WAY FROM BELGUIM!!! Black Men Living Abroad Series #blackmenlivingabroad Harry Kennedy was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, but he grew up in Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a B.S. in Information Technology. His interest in IT began at age 11 when he disassembled his first PC. His career in IT and his interest in life abroad officially started in 2014 as an intern at a global company based in Cincinnati, Ohio. There, he gained experience in Computer Networking, Systems, Security, and interacting with employees abroad. This eventually paved a pathway into being offered a full-time position. Harry working both with his local and foreign colleagues sparked curiosity in all sorts of ways regarding life abroad. In 2016, he finally went abroad for the first time to Denmark, Poland, and France on business travel shortly after starting full time. This experience made an immediate impact which grew into a passion for life abroad and learning about different cultures. In 2018, he jokingly got the opportunity to live and work abroad for the company’s office in Belgium. He decided to take advantage of learning Flemish (Dutch), one of the country’s official spoken languages. He became the sole IT resource for the EU offices. This, along with his new founded language learning skills, both impressed and won over the support from his Belgian colleagues. After realizing the impact reaching people in their native language had and the value it brought, this motivated him to learn more languages. He decided to aim to become multilingual. Since then, he’s learned Dutch, French and Spanish to conversational fluency all within 4 years. He also serves as Chairman of the board for Passport For Change, a non-profit startup aiming to use global exploration to help black and brown youth between the ages of 5 and 18 to become global citizens. His experience abroad has been truly eye opening. He’s absolutely grateful for taking on this challenge as it’s helped him grow exponentially as a person. He’s learned how to take on new approaches to life. With this knowledge and experience, he’s using his time to give back to youth and others. He hopes to inspire them to pursue life changing experiences just like he had done. He also wants to share his story, and help others get into language learning and travel. Instagram: www.instagram.com/hkpro_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMZdyM7FThrdjH0jDaEKN1Q Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2022 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

ALL THE WAY FROM NEW ZEALAND!!! Black Men Living Abroad Series #blackmenlivingabroad Greg Thomas a former Marine and a professional security consultant with 11 years of experience in his field. He recently moved to New Zealand in April 2022. His goal is to show life in New Zealand from a black perspective and settle down in his new chosen home. His YouTube channel can be found here: https://bit.ly/3MymgwH www.instagram.com/blacktonystarks Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2022 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

ALL THE WAY FROM COSTA RICA!!! Black Men Living Abroad Series #blackmenlivingabroad Michael Ruth is a world traveler, teacher and mentor. He is co-founder of Sun People Yoga. He teaches Ancient African and Egyptian methods of yoga that benefit physical health as well as holistic, mental, and spiritual health. He is a Navy veteran coming from a career first in IT and then as a surgical first assist in orthopedic surgery. Michael's yoga practice blends accessible, meditative movement with internal martial arts for liberation of mind, body and spirit. www.instagram.com/ramses_amun_ptah/ Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2022 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

ALL THE WAY FROM HONDURAS!!! Black Men Living Abroad Series #blackmenlivingabroad Kenric Brooks is always asked, when did you start traveling? Well, I can say that I always remember traveling. We would always travel to the family farm on the weekends or the beach every summer. I joined the boy scouts; we also traveled to different campsites and states. Some of my fondest memories as a child were at places I have traveled. There were terrific memories from outdoor activities to beaches. My love for travel continued throughout my military career. I lived in Germany for over three years. While there, I took a trip to Pairs, Netherlands, and more. Driving along the countryside, beautiful green fields and vineyards in the distance France and many places in Europe is where my love for travel and food flourished. In 2018, after retiring from the military and working in the private sector for two years. I suffered a mental break. I was in search of myself. Within the last seven years, I experienced several significant life-changing events. It was then that I turned back to travel. In 2018 I started my journey to travel to all 206 countries and territories. And like everyone, 2020 happened. 2020 helped me realize the genuine connection we have to each other and the need to feed that connection with family, friends, and experiences. I’m more determined than ever to see this journey, though. I am on a long and challenging process of personal change and development. I travel through unfamiliar countries to learn about or familiarize myself with the culture and share the experience with others. I intend to connect with the people who have been dispersed from their original homeland to understand the connection with the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of the particular nation. linktr.ee/countryboytravels206 Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2022 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

ALL THE WAY FROM AUSTRIA!!! Black Men Living Abroad Series #blackmenlivingabroad Christopher Squires grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He graduated from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and was a pitcher/closer for the baseball team. He was drafted by the Miami Marlins and spent his time as a journeyman, traveling the country from Rookie Ball to Double A, as well as a few Independent ball stints in leagues stretching from Canada to Mexico. His baseball career eventually led him to Austria where his dream of starting a fashion label and creative studio would come to fruition. Off‐seasons were spent further developing his passion for fashion and style, a bloodline trend cultivated by the small boutique and personal shopping service started by his Grandmother and Great Aunt in New York City. He took on roles as a personal stylist for men’s clothier J. Hilburn, he has explored the modeling world from coast to coast as well as abroad, and worked for the independent luxury label, Weber + Weber that is now based in Vienna, Austria. Luvet Lifestyle was born in 2016 as a blog to connect others to content centered around international life and boutique fashions and styles, while encouraging them to embrace their uniqueness, chase their dreams and design a life they love. Soon after, it was time to move the closet design work into the foreground and begin creating garments that embodied the Luvet attitude. Mr. Squires continues to play and coach baseball for the Dornbirn Indians in Austria. His style reflects his passion for baseball, and sits at the intersection of hard and soft, rigidity and fluidity, rugged elegance. He encourages a minimalistic base infused with personality. Throughout Luvet Lifestyle’s pieces and content, you will find authentic and original details created and produced solely by Mr. Squires. These include, but are not limited to photos, music, logos, and much of the overall aesthetic. Inquiries on these topics, including styling and image consulting, for personal use, your website, business or brand, can be discussed by contacting Mr. Squires. www.luvetlifestyle.com www.instagram.com/luvetlifestyle www.instagram.com/christoph_wade Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2022 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved

SEASON 3 DEBUTS AUGUST 1, 2022!!! Thank you so much for listening to Season 1 and 2. I greatly appreciate your support! Peeling Back the Layers of Your Life® Podcast Creator, Host, and Producer: Loronda C. Giddens www.lorondainspiresgreatness.com Copyright ©2022 by Loronda C. Giddens All rights reserved