Black churches have historically been pillars of strength in their communities, but fragmentation into smaller congregations has limited their collective impact. This episode explores how uniting resources and membership can help churches build stronger, more effective strategies to address local challenges.

Key Discussion Points:
- The current trend of fragmentation is diluting community influence—smaller congregations struggle with limited resources compared to larger churches.
- A unified approach can help churches develop comprehensive plans to uplift and empower their communities.
- In today’s world, genuine connection is more critical than ever.
- Churches have long served as community centers, and a return to this foundational role could drive meaningful change.
- Positive gatekeeping should focus on inclusion and empowerment rather than exclusivity.

Tune in for a conversation about revitalizing Black churches and strengthening their role in shaping communities for the better.

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Parenting teenagers requires understanding their unique developmental needs and creating safe spaces for authentic connection in a digital world fraught with comparison and pressure. Modern teens face unprecedented academic expectations, social media influences, and mental health challenges that require parents to adapt traditional approaches.

• Social media significantly impacts teen identity formation, especially during sensitive developmental periods
• Not all screen time is equally harmful—content matters more than duration
• Model respectful communication and maintain genuine curiosity about your teen's interests
• Allow natural consequences and age-appropriate independence to build decision-making skills
• Create conversation opportunities beyond "how was school?" to foster deeper connections
• Academic pressure is more intense for today's teens with college expectations starting earlier
• Recognize when teen behavior goes beyond normal development and might require therapy
• Parents should practice self-care and examine their own digital habits as children mirror behaviors
• Building relationships with teens should balance respect for privacy with consistent boundaries
• Therapy offers teens a safe space to explore identity and develop emotional intelligence

If you're struggling with parenting your teenager, check out Volume Up Coaching's parent support group for millennial parents called "Drop the Beat, not the Ball" to improve your parenting in just four weeks. Visit volumeupcoaching.com or follow @volumeupcoaching on Instagram. For therapy services, visit mybestelftherapy.com.

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We explore the complex relationship between Black Americans and the Black church, examining both its historical significance and the contemporary challenges facing these institutions today. The conversation unpacks how church traditions shaped our upbringing while addressing why many, especially younger generations, are seeking alternative spiritual paths.

• The Black church served as a refuge during slavery and the civil rights movement, providing food and materials for Freedom Riders
• Idolization of church leaders has created environments where accountability is lacking and scandals can flourish
• Many church attendees focus on emotional experiences without developing deeper spiritual understanding through personal Bible study
• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated church attendance decline as people discovered alternative ways to worship
• Some church environments have developed cult-like characteristics where questioning leadership is discouraged
• Young people are leaving churches partly due to church hurt and witnessing inconsistencies between preaching and practice
• Developing a personal relationship with Christ through Scripture study is essential regardless of church attendance
• The conversation acknowledges that while some churches have strayed from biblical teachings, many leaders are genuinely serving God

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When Janisha Mays found herself working in emergency rooms during COVID-19, suited up for 12-hour shifts without breaks to eat, drink, or use the bathroom, she had a revelation about the healthcare system. "It really made me understand that as a nurse I have so much more power than just working bedside," she shares. This awakening led her to create Eudaimonia Wellness and Beauty, a Dallas-based wellness spa focused on disease prevention and health promotion.

The wellness revolution Janisha champions goes far beyond conventional approaches. Her spa specializes in IV hydration therapy—delivering vitamins, minerals, and amino acids directly into the bloodstream with 100% bioavailability. This stands in stark contrast to oral supplements, which even in people with healthy digestion only offer 25-35% absorption. "Once you get to that optimal level and you are feeling amazing, you never want to be at a level where you're deficient ever again," she explains, describing how clients experience improvements in energy, mood, sleep quality, and overall wellbeing.

Particularly passionate about addressing vitamin deficiencies common in Black women, Janisha notes that 95% of her clients are vitamin D deficient—a condition conventional medicine increasingly downplays despite its significant health impacts. She bridges the gap between traditional healthcare and functional medicine, emphasizing that while medications have their place, understanding the root causes of health issues creates truly transformative results. Her collaborative approach extends to partnerships with hairstylists and estheticians, creating specialized treatments for hair growth and skin health that address problems from the inside out.

For aspiring wellness entrepreneurs, Janisha offers hard-earned wisdom: "Entrepreneurship is super lonely. There are so many people that give up when they're almost at that breakthrough." She emphasizes the importance of community, authentic self-presentation, and strategic investment in marketing from day one. Her wellness philosophy mirrors her business advice—balance doesn't exist, but prioritizing your nervous system health while making intentional choices about what to sacrifice (never your sleep or health) leads to sustainable success.

Ready to experience the difference of truly customized wellness care? Connect with Janisha on social media @eudaimoniawellnessbeauty and discover how addressing your body's nutritional needs can transform your health journey.

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Dr. Cynthia Brown joins us for a revelatory conversation about fertility and women's health that challenges conventional wisdom and offers hope to women struggling with conception. As a clinical pharmacologist, integrative fertility expert, and founder of Hope Health in Dallas, Dr. Brown brings 13 years of specialized training in biochemistry, pharmacy, and research to help women achieve pregnancy through personalized approaches.

What makes this episode particularly powerful is Dr. Brown's personal journey. Once diabetic with hypertension, sleep apnea, and weighing 200 pounds at just 5'3", she feared never having children. Through holistic methods rooted in science, she healed her body and now empowers other women to do the same without spending years in medical school.

The conversation delves into how precision medicine is revolutionizing fertility treatments by looking at women as individuals rather than statistics. Dr. Brown explains how genetic factors, particularly relevant for Black women, often explain why some struggle despite following all the standard advice about diet and exercise. "It might not be you," she reassures listeners, "it might just be literally what your DNA is saying to do with the hormones."

We explore eye-opening insights about vitamin D deficiency in darker-skinned women and its critical impact on fibroids and fertility. Dr. Brown uses the powerful metaphor of asking a body "to bring a baby into a burning building" when inflammation levels are high, explaining why addressing underlying health factors is crucial for conception.

Perhaps most surprisingly, we learn why many supplements fail women – they're simply not properly regulated or bioavailable, meaning what's on the label isn't necessarily what's in the bottle. This explains why many women take supplements without seeing results.

Whether you're actively trying to conceive, facing fertility challenges, or simply want to understand your body better, this episode offers data-driven insights and compassionate wisdom from someone who's been on both sides of the fertility journey. Visit CopellaHealth.com to connect with Dr. Brown and access her resources.

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Discover the transformative power of productivity with Coach Lee, a criminal defense attorney who moonlights as a productivity and accountability coach dedicated to helping women reclaim their time. In this enlightening conversation, Coach Lee reveals how her journey from health coach to productivity expert happened almost by accident during the pandemic, when she recognized that what many people struggle with isn't just finding time to exercise—it's mastering time management in all areas of life.

At the heart of Coach Lee's philosophy is a revolutionary perspective on productivity. She challenges listeners to recognize that "no week is created equally" and teaches practical strategies for aligning daily activities with long-term aspirations. Through personal examples and client success stories, she demonstrates how small adjustments—like utilizing lunch breaks for side projects or shifting work hours—can create significant space for pursuing personal goals without sacrificing professional or family responsibilities.

Perhaps most powerful is Coach Lee's distinction between motivation and discipline. While motivation fluctuates day to day, discipline is what builds the unstoppable momentum she likens to a locomotive—difficult to start but nearly impossible to stop once moving. Her framework, captured in her book "Lee's Laws of Productivity," simplifies productivity into three principles: Look, Examine, and Execute. This approachable system helps anyone find their unique path to productivity rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all solution.

Ready to master your mornings and transform your productivity? Coach Lee's insights will help you stop putting yourself on the back burner and start building momentum toward your dreams—one disciplined day at a time. Get her book "Lee's Laws of Productivity" on Amazon and watch for her upcoming masterclass to take your first step toward reclaiming your time.

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Faced with the relentless pace of modern life and the weight of social media pressures, I’ve discovered a transformative approach to self-care and positivity. Inspired by the wisdom of Denzel Washington, I've learned to start each day with stillness and prayer, cultivating a mindset of gratitude that acts as a shield against negativity. Join me as I share my personal journey of balancing the demands of content creation with the vital need to recharge. Together, we’ll explore how carving out moments of solitude can help us realign with our goals and emerge stronger in the face of societal pressures.

Embrace the liberating act of letting go to discover unparalleled spiritual growth. In this episode, we confront the attachments that hold us back, and I offer insights on how faith and visualization can guide us through life’s challenges. When we stand firm on the promises of God and harness the power of prayer, we are better equipped to overcome obstacles and call forth our desires. This conversation is an invitation to reflect, release what doesn’t serve us, and step boldly into our true potential. Let's journey together, trusting that a spiritually grounded life can lead to transformation and fulfillment.

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Send us a text

Support the show