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Imagine finding a beacon of hope amid your struggles during the holiday season. That's precisely what our extraordinary guest like Cynthia Adams offers as she shares her profound insights on finding joy in simple things and embracing self-worth. We traverse various facets of this special time, from the significance of family and mental health to finding strength in adversity. Our guests candidly share their personal experiences, creating a tapestry of stories that inspire and uplift.
Notably, we have Tim Carr who, despite being incarcerated, finds the holiday season a chance to be a blessing to others. Ms. Marva King bravely discusses her struggles with mental health during the holidays, advocating for the creation of your personal happy place. Rochelle, a lover of traditional Southern dishes, evokes memories of family gatherings and emphasizes unity during this season. We even explore advocacy for incarcerated individuals during the holidays and the impact of reflection and gratitude on our lives.
Finally, our conversation culminates with Carlton Copeland, who underscores the value of serving others, particularly those experiencing mental hardships or loss. This episode isn't just about holiday cheer; it's about acknowledging struggles, offering support, and extending love. Whether you're roaring with laughter around the dinner table or silently reflecting by a frosty window, this episode is a reminder that the holiday season is about much more than gifts under a tree – it's about the warmth in our hearts. Tune in for a heartwarming, uplifting, and enlightening episode that encapsulates the spirit of the holiday season.
Welcome back to another episode of let's Just Talk About it podcast. I'm your host, chuck, and if you're here for the first time, this platform was created to give genuine people just like you an opportunity to share a portion of your life's journey. So, with that being said, with the holiday season being here, I wanted to release an early episode today, just to put an encouraging word in someone's ear, to get them through. So I asked some of my former guests to come on and share what the holiday season means to them and to give some inspirational words to you. So, while you're preparing your meals, you can listen to let's Just Talk About it podcast and be inspired. So, as a matter of fact, do me a favor go and grab your husband, your wife, your children, or even call a friend and gather around to listen to let's Just Talk About it podcast. Hey, let's jump right in. I have Cynthia Adams on from episode 37, called One Shot. Cynthia, let's talk about what the holidays mean to you today.
Speaker 2:What the holidays mean to me today is a chance to really rejoice, be thankful and surround yourself with people that you know genuinely and unconditionally love you. It's a chance to let God know how appreciative and thankful you are to be able to celebrate that holiday Just really rejoicing and giving thanks and giving love. Thanksgiving to those who love you and for those who are distant with you or don't treat you the way you want to be treated. Just leave them be, wish them well and continue to surround yourself with love, support, positivity and make sure it's reciprocated. Wow.
Chuck:Cynthia, there's so many people right now that are struggling. They don't really want to see the holidays, they want to see it go. What would you say to a person right now who's like struggling mentally with the holiday?
Speaker 2:What I would say is really get with yourself and be true to yourself. Self-assessment is when you really reflect on yourself and know what you really want and just go for it. Being at the simple, as simple as putting on your coat or whatever, and going for a walk. Search yourself from. Find peace. Peace comes in simple things. A walk, finding that favorite song Music is Sue's off-souls and reminisce, and just know that you are here on this earth for a purpose. And find that purpose and don't give up, see, because being lonely or being alone for too long, that's not good. You know, they always say I don't mind if the devil's work. That's when those crazy ideas come into your head and you start feeling bad and sad and getting depressed and then next thing you know you're doing something that's really harmful to you. So just really really do things that you like Play some music, go for a walk, you know, if you have the funds, go buy yourself something like go buy your favorite candy bar or something like that. You know, don't give up, because every day that you go to sleep and you wake up, that's another day to embrace life and know your worth. And you got to know that you are worthy, no matter what the circumstances are. Love yourself and be thankful for being alive and well. It's the little things in life. It's the little things in life that give you that oomph to keep going and that's true and be triumphant. Little small things you were able to pay a bill on time, you were able to go buy that nice dress you wanted, or be able to get your favorite sneakers, or just be able to pick up the phone and call your best friend. Life is too short to just sulk and be sad, and not just on things given. Every day is a holiday. Yeah, absolutely. There's no such thing. No such thing is a bad day. No such thing. No such thing. There's no such thing as a bad thing, and positive affirmations will keep you going. They really do Get up and move, because when you sit and you're thinking and you're reminiscing, you get sad, you get depressed and then here comes all the drama that you don't need. So you know, reach out to people, answer your phone, call people, response to the text messages that people send you, pick up the phone. Don't always be like, well, I haven't heard from them, they don't call me, or I'm not calling them, they don't call me. Don't do that, cause you ever thought of a thing maybe when you do call that person, you feel it hasn't called you, you can brighten their day and put a smile on your face. Wow, what you put out in the universe most of the time, what you get back, and choose your battles wisely.
Chuck:Well said, well said. What are you up to now? I'm waiting on the book. What are you up to now? Listen, listen, listen.
Speaker 2:I got so much going on right now, but it's a beautiful thing for me. I am the beautiful grandmother of two beautiful grandchildren and I have Logan she's three, soon to be four in January, and then I have my grandson, roman, who just turned one, and my son is doing amazing as this beautiful company going Mom's is still doing for the New York and me personally. I love to sing and you know I'm singing at different events. I am contemplating on writing that book to share my experiences and I think so wonderful gentlemen, like yourself, who encourages me a lot. You know I'm basically just living life and taking care of myself, man, like, I love waking up every day, I love taking care of myself and loving people that love me. I love to be pretty, I love to dress, smell good. You know what I'm saying. I just love life, man. That's what I'm at Just love life, love yourself. When you love yourself, you can't help but extend and exude love to other people. That's pretty much what I'm living my best life, man. Every day. Every day is a good day for me, wow.
Chuck:Yeah, thank you so much for sharing during the holidays. I'm quite sure somebody's going to be inspired by who you are Appreciate you, Thank you.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much for having me Listen. If you want to reach out to me, you know my email is sooctigreen at hotmailcom. I'm always there to give you an uplifting word. I might sing your little melody. You know what I mean, so you know, reach out to me, I'm here. You know what I'm saying. Best love is to give love and to share it.
Chuck:Yeah, Absolutely One shot.
Speaker 2:Yeah, one shot man.
Chuck:All right, appreciate you.
Speaker 2:All right, take care.
Chuck:This is your boy from episode number six, from the bottom to the top. Go check it out. And I just want him to say a few words of inspiration to someone and also give a shoutout to what he's doing now. So, what's up, daddy Boy? What's good, what's good. Yes, sir, man, yes sir, talk about it, man. What's your thoughts about Thanksgiving? You know?
Speaker 5:Well, the holidays you know, man, I'd have grown into it, man. At first I had stopped liking them with my mom's past and grandma's past and my granddad's past and all the people. That really was like a good inspiration and made those holidays great. My grandmom, granddaddy used to give us all types of gifts, added with my mom and dad gifts Thanksgiving. My mom would cook, my grandma would cook. You know, it just was like we already knew if we was gonna get that fried chicken and candy and seafood, casual turkey, whatever man you know. You already knew who was cooking what and you just got ready for it and as the years on went back, I learned I'm not gonna get that no more.
Speaker 7:You know what I'm saying. Like I got to stop being creative.
Speaker 5:You know what I'm saying. I'm either gonna have to be a chef or or or I'm gonna make you Cause I found one of my mama's old cookbooks right, so I was like man. I think I can pull this off right here, you know.
Chuck:Then boy, y'all go ahead.
Speaker 5:Just happy man. Just happy man, just to be alive.
Chuck:You in a good place.
Speaker 5:Yeah, in a good place. Like I said, they have my right, man. You know it's just the little things, man, you know that amount of you ain't got to have everything you know, like the gifts that I got. The best every day is making love. You can't get that on Black Friday, nah.
Chuck:You can't get peace on Black Friday, you can't get better what you think about.
Speaker 5:What for Black Friday? You just want to wake up, you know what I'm saying. Yeah, that's it.
Chuck:Oh man, what would you say to somebody, man who's struggling right now? What advice, what inspirational words would you give them?
Speaker 5:Count it all joy. Wow, count it all joy. Even if your loved ones are not here, don't stay there, you know. Count it all joy that you're here and that they're in a better place. Because if my mom was living and I'm going to go all the way back to Kobe if my mom was living and she had a long issue and Kobe was around, oh, it had been terrible. You know what I'm saying. And then at Christmas and that that Thanksgiving year I was so happy that my mom ain't had to go through that. I'm so glad my mom ain't got to go through just seeing the wars that's going on, what's going on now, it's real. So like I'm glad she ain't got to go through Wow, family's not being together, because stuff like that used to hurt her feelings.
Chuck:Yeah.
Speaker 5:You know, like that family wasn't speaking, no more, they weren't getting together, no more. You know I mean behind the dummy stuff. So I would say right now if you got a small group of friends, that's good, if you got a small group of family, that's good, wow. Celebrate your holidays with those that love you and you love them also. When you give love, that love come right back.
Chuck:Yes, sir.
Speaker 5:Don't try to bring back the past of your loved ones. Man, they are OK, they are happy, they are good, they don't mind, they just look. They are there with you in spirit, and they are watching that See if you put in the right ingredients and that macaroni and cheese, and that If you feel something bad on the back of your neck, yeah, uh-uh, uh-uh, you don't put a little bit too much salt in there. Hey, one stop. You know you have a hand on that seasoning. Here you go. My mama, my mom, be right there, that damn boy. You know goodness where you don't put too much seasoning in there. Boy, you said heavy-handed. That's right though yeah, you got a heavy wrist, come on, come on now. But, yeah man, I'm telling you, man, my thing about comedy is that I can take my train and make laughter out of it.
Chuck:Yes, sir, I love it.
Speaker 5:And when I go on stage, all I care about is like somebody laughing at their pain, laughing at oh, I had an uncle that did this. I had a uh that got banned from the cookout. I got a family member that you know. Nobody trusted him or trusted her when they came around. I've been that person.
Chuck:Hey man, we got to go Look. Hey man, what are you up to now, Danny?
Speaker 5:Oh man, I got a comedy show I'm doing. Matter of fact, privilege is a new restaurant in Loudoun and Poison, virginia, I think it's town. Yeah you have Town of the Street and I'll be hosting a Thanksgiving special. And I'm talking about you know, people you know in jail making swows for Thanksgiving.
Chuck:Yes, sir.
Speaker 5:Out here making Thanksgiving for the first time. You know what I'm saying, so that's what I'll be doing, man, and I would love to see if anybody could come out with a lap. Follow me at Danny Boy VA on Instagram or follow me on Facebook. Danny Boy JR on Facebook.
Chuck:Yes, sir, I love y'all man.
Speaker 5:Thanks, Chuck man, I appreciate it.
Chuck:Absolutely man. You, my man. Thank you so much for sharing man Talk to you soon.
Speaker 5:OK cool.
Chuck:Next up I have Lo and Ashley Mills from episode 41 called Love and Marriage, who are back on with me to briefly share what their thoughts are for this time of the year, what it means to them, so how you guys doing.
Speaker 2:We're doing good. How you doing, chuck, how you doing, chuck, doing great, doing great.
Chuck:So first of all, ms Ash, starting with you, what does this time of the year mean to you?
Speaker 2:This time of the year I just love the holidays. I'll say once September comes like the fall season. I love like the attire.
Speaker 3:I love the weather.
Speaker 2:I just love this time of the year. It just like gives me like really, really, really good joy and vibes. It's just very special and dear to me. I don't know just like everyone. Like just get joy around this time of the year.
Speaker 6:For me.
Speaker 2:A lot of people don't like the holidays but I do. But I lost my dad New Year's Eve about 15 years ago and growing up as a kid, like seeing my parents in the kitchen, like my dad would be in the living room and my mom she'll be cooking, and you know this is when they used to drink and they used to smoke and stuff like that. But just to see that vibe that they had. It was just like even though my dad was a party and a drinker and my mom would say it just brought I seen them come together and it was just amazing to see because she'll be cooking, she'll be decorating and he would always invite friends and stuff over just to kind of see, because he was very impressed with the kind of woman she was. He took a lot of value in her, how she kept the house and I think that was something that he's supposed about the kind of wife that he had. And I always kind of looked up to my mom in that area because I always wanted to be a good wife, a good steward or what I had, you know, making the house look pretty. So those kind of things mean a lot to me around this time of year and it just brings me a lot of joy because by me losing my dad around the holiday time, it's something that kind of keep me in the good spirits of not getting down and getting depressed. So, my husband knows around this time. He knows I start early, I get excited and he gives me that room to kind of be free because he knows I need it.
Chuck:Shout out to him.
Speaker 2:He needed for my own, my self, love for my healing. He know I needed for me that's dope.
Chuck:Oh man, I love it.
Speaker 2:He kind of let me be free. So I mean I just love Christmas. My birthday is in December, then we got Christmas, then we got my husband's birthday and then we got our anniversary. It's just so many things around this year. So it's like I look forward to it every year. So I just say, don't take life for granted, man, because you know if you got to out with anybody, I would say call them and make it right, because you don't know the day or the hour, you don't know. When somebody going to close their eyes, I just say, man, you can go say, hey, man, you got nobody to fall in love or whatever. I'm just saying, I'm thinking about you because you never know. People are like really suffering in silence. People are depressed. Don't have no bad. So a lot of people don't have this joy that I have during this time of year. Even though I lost my dad, I still make sure I keep joy because it's important for me, for my sanity, honestly.
Chuck:Got you, so what about you, mr Mills? I? Know you were smiling because he spoke good about you.
Speaker 8:Oh yeah. Well, just like she was saying, I really love this time of year as well. Growing up, I have all good memories of Christmas and Thanksgiving and just the camaraderie of the family everybody coming together, you know, just getting around each other. Even if you don't see one another often during the year, that was the one time of the year where the family would come together and we would talk and we would share and we would good food and for the African-American culture, man, that's something that's big. And I love my wife's spirit during this time of year as well, because the way she gets joy out of turning on the music and decorating the tree and just to see her skip around and to see her get excited about cooking for the holidays. And if I was to talk to anyone this time of year, it's really not about gifts, it's not about what you can buy a person or what you want to receive, but it's really about family, because I know so many people I'm working out there on that corner on that waterfront and I know a lot of guys who have a lot of money, they're rich in finances but they're poor in family. Wow. So if I was to talk to anyone I would say, man, place your premium on your family. That's what's important, because money comes and goes. You can't take it all with you. And when you get older and we all going to get there, let's God take us early. But your family is what's really going to sustain you. You know what I'm saying? The kids coming back when they move out, when you start having grandchildren, those are the things that are going to be important to you as you progress and age and life.
Chuck:Wow, well said. So, as I always say a lot of people, ms Ash Low, they're not excited about this time of year. People have lost loved ones, as you stated. So what kind of encouragement or advice would you give them? You pretty much said it, but in a few words. What advice would you give them?
Speaker 8:Me personally, I would say, if you don't have any family, find that one person, that one friend. Sometimes I was sitting out thinking what would I be doing this time of year if I didn't have any blood relatives? And I say I would find family. Family is not always the person that you share blood with. Sometimes family is the people that are closest to you. I probably would be somewhere. So am I time at a homeless shelter? I would try my best to be around anywhere where I can absorb love. If I didn't have family right now, I would find my way to a situation or a circumstance that involves as much love as possible.
Chuck:Wow, what about you, ms Ash?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I totally agree with Lil' on that. I mean, I'm such a people person so I felt like if I was in that kind of situation, I feel like people would probably say, hey, girl, come on over and do that. But sometimes, when people don't have someone around this time, you know about them getting oppressed and lonely a lot of the times. They don't really want to be around people. So that's why.
Speaker 3:I do it to hide that good discernment.
Speaker 2:Try to feel people out. I know when I go to work every day I'll be like, hey, girl, how you doing? I'm just trying to talk to people and see how they are mentally, because a lot of people it's like God can give me. He gives me the discernment so well and I can read people to a team. Sometimes you got to kind of fall back a little bit because some people are just not going to open up to you, some people are just going to be closed off. But I'm a digger so I always like to dig deeper, just try to figure people out and see what I can do for them. I mean, I may not have all the money in the world, but what I do have is love to give, you know, and that's just my goal to just try to give people love. So my co-worker, she was just I was like, are you OK? I said you see a little off and she was like well, the holidays coming up, I really want to do my family but I just don't know if I can do it. So I was like you should just go ahead and try. She was like, well, my mom doesn't really like me to pop up at her house because she has a new husband. And I was like, wow, and my circumstance is different. Even though I don't have my dad, I can just pop up at my mom's house. She would never turn me away if she had a new husband, right? So she was like I got my grandmom and her grandma is up in age. So I said me, I will take that drive and I will go see my grandma, because you never know if she's more like a mom to you. Just don't take life for granted, man. If someone's going to be here tomorrow, so she's going, actually she's going to leave tomorrow after work, she's going to drive up to see her grandma, because this could be her last year with her you never know, because she's up in age. So I just say, man, if you can take that extra drive or extra step, just go be with people.
Speaker 9:Yeah.
Speaker 2:You should do it. Don't take life for granted, man, because I'm trying to tell you, people out here suffer because they don't have people this time of year, even with mothers, their fathers, they all these holidays. They don't just have to be the holidays, but more people are sad because they lost a lot of loved ones during this time of year, so it's harder to like really celebrate or be excited about it.
Chuck:Wow, a lot of people suffer in silence. Yes, sir, yeah, so real quick. What are you up to now? What do y'all got going on? I know y'all got a lot of things in the fire.
Speaker 2:What y'all got going on. That's the question. Tell me what's going on.
Speaker 8:Talk about it. I'll say this Designs by Ash and Lowe. We've been popping, just gaining traction, gaining momentum. Custom apparel shirts, tumblers, sweatshirts, hoodies, all that stuff like that. I'm still heavy into the media, photography, videography, things like that. And just gap with my man, chuck, yeah, in regards to VA certified, we're coming. So I'm excited man of what this last stretch of 23 has to offer and going into 24 with momentum. I'm just excited man. I feel like this is my time. The kids are getting older and this is my time to kind of prioritize the things that I've been wanting to do and the dreams that I've set on the shelf, because I prioritize others. So now I feel like it's our season. My season is our season. Yes, sir.
Chuck:Got something Ash. Oh, he said it all.
Speaker 2:He said it's his time. Well, he meant to say it's our time, it's our time.
Chuck:Yeah, I rephrase myself you always include him, Ms Ash it's our time.
Speaker 2:You just think about life and that saying life has been bad, but it's been a lot of sacrifice.
Speaker 8:It's been a lot of things you've been doing Absolutely.
Speaker 2:So, and you see people you like. Lord, when is it going to be my season? When is it going to be my time? So I just thank God that you can finally see some sunshine and he can say you know, I haven't forgot about your door. And so it's coming, so just keep on holding on and just see what I got for you. So I'm just saying come on, God, whatever you got, we got.
Chuck:You on too, let's go, let's go, let's go. Man, I'm grateful to know you two and on for real. When I say this, I'm grateful, man, it's like we've been knowing each other for a thousand years and we just really met the connection.
Speaker 2:Who would? Talk to us A little inbox right, yeah, if it wasn't for that ad.
Speaker 8:she put that ad out, man. That ad you know generally, you know, you know, you know how social media is, you don't? You know, if you put something out, the algorithm is only circulated within your 20 to 25 closest friends. But by her putting that ad out, man, it really, it really got it out there and expand, grab your, grab your attention. And you, you were a client first and then you became a friend.
Chuck:Yeah. By the way, these are the people who made my last. Just talk about it. Hoodie and shirt. Okay, okay, yeah.
Speaker 2:And now and now we together, we might have to do some more pro bono stuff.
Chuck:Hey man thank you all, man again for coming back and being on Appreciate you. Yes, sir, yes sir, appreciate you, man All right. Next up I have Shayana Freeman from episode number eight, how you doing today.
Speaker 2:I'm good. How are you?
Chuck:Doing good. I wanted to have you on just to talk about. As a Gen Z, how do you feel about this time of year?
Speaker 2:I think this time of year is very exciting to those that you know that have it. I think this time of year just reflects on how good or how your year has been. Previous Got you. I think it's like meaning that if you had a good year, it's going to show, you know, during the holidays. If you had a challenging year, it's also going to show during the holidays. I just think it's a reflection of how the overall year has been.
Chuck:Okay. So what encouragement would you give somebody doing this time of year, shay, because a lot of people don't like to see this time of year coming because of some grief. You know, something happened to them, so it brings back memories. So what, what encouragement, as a younger person, would you give another younger person or older?
Speaker 2:I think um although I don't celebrate the holidays the way that I used to.
Speaker 9:Got you.
Speaker 2:Um, I still value how my family and everyone else celebrated so in this time of year. Um, I think that if you are going through something or you know you kind of dread this time of the year, it's to actually embrace it, like we we spend so much time. Actually embrace the moments. Don't worry about how you look it goes, sit down at the living room to eat, thank you, give him dinner, like you know. Just show up and be present. Be present in the moment. We spend so much time on decorations and what type of gifts to get a person. You know. If you don't get a person to give, just give it to them throughout the year. Like, I think that the holidays is just about being present, and it's never really, you know, about present all the time, cause it's always, you know, somebody trying to outdo, somebody, trying to get a better gift. Just be present and feel your emotions If you say it and you miss someone you know, give honor to them. Maybe you want to, maybe you want to give to the homeless or something, or just do something that makes you feel good, but also be present. You don't have to escape your feelings to enjoy the moment.
Chuck:Wow, I like that you say embrace it, embrace how you feel accepted, right, yes, wow, wow. So since the last time we had an episode, what are you up to now?
Speaker 2:As of right now, I'm up to so much. I got gotten trucks since the last time that we talked and now you know the trucking industry for small time fleets hasn't really been the best year for us. So, as of right now, I'm looking forward to getting rid of the rigs that I have Wow, and I'm not getting out of trucking. Well, I'm not getting out of transportation, but I do look forward to getting out of trucking. Wow, still doing transportation, just not trucking. And I am still. Since the last time we talked, I am still writing the book. Wow, the book is never ending, it seems like, but I'm making progress. What's it called the blueprint for the Melanated team?
Chuck:Got you Wow.
Speaker 2:And that book just a blueprint for a teenager on how to navigate through you know, teenage years Got you. It's like it's just so much wisdom that I've been trying to like put into the book and I don't ever feel like it's ready. But one day I'm just going to get up and just go launch it.
Speaker 6:Yeah, here it is.
Speaker 2:Like because the book is ready. Like when my friends look at it and they read it, they see the cover photo. They're like this is ready. But me, something in me is like no, it's just not time. Got you, it's not. I have something else that I feel like I need to add.
Chuck:Wow, wow.
Speaker 2:So I look forward. And then my nonprofit. My nonprofit has been like the light of my life right now, like that has been just making me so happy. My nonprofit is 50 shades of melanated millionaires and is based on teaching kids about entrepreneurship, leadership. The little slogan that we like to use is break your mental poverty, and poverty doesn't start within the household, it doesn't start at your income or your job. It starts in your mental. So we are working with kids and teenagers to break that habit and that's been very like, important to me Got you.
Chuck:I look forward to bringing you back to share and talk about your book on our next episode together, right, yes, all right, all right. Thank you so much for sharing, shay, I really appreciate it.
Speaker 2:Thank you for having me.
Chuck:OK, until next time, shay, talk to you soon. Peace Next up. I have Tim Carr from episode number three talking from the inside. How's it going, man?
Speaker 12:Going all right. It's going all right. I'm blessed.
Chuck:Man. I wanted to do an episode, man, about how people feel during the holidays, and what encouragement would you give somebody who's struggling right now, being you, you know, incarcerated. What would you say? And also, you know things that you're doing while you're on the inside. So talk about it, man. What do you think about the holidays? What do the holidays mean to you?
Speaker 12:Well, the holidays are even tough for me, being that I'm used to being around my family.
Speaker 4:Right.
Speaker 12:Well, every holiday, as you know, you know starting with going to church and then going with the family. You know even Thanksgiving services. So you know I'm used to being around a family but you know I look at it as in God sitting me still in this situation, right here, to go ahead and be a blessing to somebody else. You know it's a lot of guys in this correctional facility that are lost and don't have the way they don't know their way of following people. That's not leaving them in the right direction, still even in this incarcerated state. But you know, thank God that I've been a light to those, that some of them sitting darkness, to be able to share the love of Christ with them through conversation and giving them encouragement like I would on the outside. One thing I could say that a young man spoke on me to another man. He's there out of all these guys in here that you know, mr Carr stays the same every day and he's always encouraging somebody to do something positive or find out what the exit strategy is to get out of here, not just sitting here stumbling or lost trying to find a way out, as I'm doing in here now in church services. In here now I work every day in the kitchen, I go to school, take care of classes, computer auto drafts, learning how to build houses, food prints to houses, cars, balls and everything like that. So it's one of those things where you got to stay prayed up in here, you know, and you got to put God first and don't be afraid to ask God for anything. You know, one day I was praying and I asked God, you know, I got a little frustrated myself and I said God, you know, please show me something, show me a sign that I'm trying to get you to let me out of here. And I know that God works in the spiritual, you know, you know, but it's funny. God does things in a manner that we don't understand. So he sent a young man to me and this is the Caucasian brother that he sent to me out of the blue and he said look, man, I know that you don't even belong here, but I'm going to give you this number to this hapus corpus attorney. He's one of the top three in the nation, but the state of Virginia. And he said I want you to call him. He said, because I told him about you. My situation is worse than yours, he said, and I know he can help you. And I said good God. I said, man, you don't even know what type of blessing you were. He said when I first came to here, you was one of the ones that pulled me aside and showed me a little bit of the ropes that went on to here, because when you ain't here you got to watch out for this and that you got games, you got all this stuff, you got a whole bunch of different things. And you know, I just told him how to stay out the way and still be his own self within himself, and it was a blessing that he gave me the number and I got the number and I'm sending my people to make the phone call and everything's a cost, you know. So everything's a cost. It's a cost that's going to cost me about I don't even know between anywhere from $17,000 to $25,000, $30,000 to get home. But you know, like I told him, he looked worried when he was on that. He said look on his face. I said you are worth more on the street than you are working here. He just looked at me and just smiled and said, yeah, you right man. I said you can make that money back on the street, go on to work, but you can't make it up in here, you know, only making $75,000 to $100 a month. He was like man, you right man. Because he was looking at it as the way somebody would look down and say, man, my people don't have that type of money or somebody got that money. I asked the prayer of the Lord and said man, I don't know what it is. The Lord don't know what the money's going to come from. The Lord you're going to make it. Do what it is so that I stay encouraged by doing stuff like that man and knowing that I'm always trying to come home. I'm always focused on getting home and my exit strategy and what I'm going to do when I come home working and flipping house and encouraging others and have a nonprofit organization. Also, a young lady named Karen Morrison is trying to help me get apart. So all these things are factoring in the Lord's mood in my life in that situation. So I stay focused and positive on those things like that man and think about my family, you know, and you all, and coming home, man, that's all I can do is stay encouraged and put God first.
Chuck:Wow, man. I appreciate you for sharing that man, taking time out to do it for me, man, and I'm quite sure you're going to encourage somebody who's listening right now, man. So thanks again, tim.
Speaker 12:No problem. No problem, anytime, absolutely.
Chuck:Next up I have Antonio Morgan from episode number four called Don't Give Up Hope my friend and my brother back to share his thoughts on what the holidays, this time of year, means to him. So how you doing today, bro.
Speaker 7:Hey, it's good to be back, man. Glad to hear from you, man, I'm doing OK, man, thanks for having me.
Chuck:Absolutely, absolutely so, man, as I stated, what does this time of year mean to you? What's your feelings when this time of year comes around?
Speaker 7:You know, to be honest, you know it's a reflection time for me. You know I'm sitting here and I'm thinking about the day. Almost three years ago I lost my best friend through a massive heart attack, and it's coming up on these days. At the same time, my brother passed away a few weeks from a year ago from now, and it's just a reflection about the holidays, man, and it's about having a different perspective about things that you shouldn't put off and about enjoying family and friends. Man, you know, I'm getting older and I'm watching these days go by and it's just making me have gratitude that I'm still here. Sometimes we think that, you know, life is going to be presented to us every day, but every day that we give life, that we get life is an opportunity for us to be a better person and to realize and reflect. And I was looking at something today about growth. It was getting rid of old ways, and that's something that I'm thinking about this holiday about getting rid of old ways, man, Especially old ways of thinking, and just really putting aside, you know, different differences between family and friends and just enjoying that day for Thanksgiving, Because, even though you know what we celebrate Thanksgiving about, you know about pilgrims and understanding about Thanksgiving, about you know whatever school of things that were presented. You know the stories that told us through our school and throughout history, but it's a day of fellowship and that's what I'm reflecting on during the holidays Chalk Wow.
Speaker 5:Wow.
Chuck:So, man, a lot of people are struggling this time of year mentally. You know what I mean Like throughout all the year, but more during this time of year. So what would you say to a person, what advice would you give to somebody who may be struggling mentally right now?
Speaker 7:Well, you know, I think you know, if you go back to episode number four, when I sit on Google Pope, you know I was struggling with. I struggled with depression and also mental health issues and I'm also an advocate for mental health and I think mental health hygiene is important during these days of reflection on holidays. And I think, like I said again, about perspective. I think that when we sit back and we think about what we have lost or what we you know we can't celebrate with family members. I think that sometimes we can get down and dismal about our emotional state. So I think it's about reflection and having gratitude, like making the best of the day, right, and also, you know, I have neighbors here where I live who are able to celebrate with their families and it's an opportunity to go fellowship. I think, if you put it in an emotional state about what you don't have, go give, wow, go give. You know that's what Thanksgiving is about Give thanks and give it. You know. So I think that that's where I'm at with that, you know. So I encourage anyone that's listening who has missed the opportunity to be friends and family to go and create opportunities to get Thanksgiving. Yeah, so that's where I would get out of that slump man yeah.
Chuck:Create your own happy place. You know your own happy place. Yeah, I love it. Don't wait for it to come to you sometimes, but sometimes we have to create it. Create the environment for ourselves to be healthy.
Speaker 7:Absolutely, man. You know there are so many people that die each second and even though it's a holiday, we've been giving this gift of life. I think we should make the best of it, you know, forgetting about what tomorrow, what yesterday had was done, it's over and done, it's thrown in the oven. It can't never get it back. Yeah, but just having a perspective about today and giving things. No matter where you are in life, no matter what predicament you're in, whether you're homeless or whether you are bound or you have much, you have plenty, but just giving things and just being able to be there for the fellow man, yeah, yeah.
Chuck:So, man, as we close out, wrap it up, Appreciate you being back on to share your thoughts, man. So what are you up to now, Mr Morgan? You know what you got going on.
Speaker 7:Well, you know, I'm in the process of putting together a nonprofit. Hopefully next year I get it off the ground. Yeah, you know, I've been continuing to work on myself, building myself to be a better me Amazing and I was spending that time with family and friends and repairing relationships and looking towards building new relationships, especially with my kids. So, you know, I think my high power for giving me an opportunity to be alive and see some things and transition, you know, and I think that's where I'm at. So I think previously in the episode, you know, I was in a place of optimism, you know, even though I was going through so much. But just to be fast forward to now, I'm just glad that someone was looking out for me to be here another day, absolutely Just to see these things come through with you.
Chuck:Yeah, absolutely Absolutely, man. I appreciate you, bro, I appreciate you. I hear the growth, I hear you moving forward, man, and that's what it's all about. Yes, sir, Thank you for having me sir, absolutely man.
Speaker 7:Happy holidays, man, you too, and happy holidays to you and let me all the listeners yes, sir.
Chuck:Next up I have Ms Marvah King, from episode 74 called Rescue and the Forgotten, back to Share her thoughts and feelings about the holidays of this time of year. How you doing today. I'm doing great. As I stated, I wanted to hear your thoughts. You know share with the listening audience your thoughts about this time of year. What do they mean to you?
Speaker 2:Well, you know, for me as an advocate, this time of the year it's kind of more like you want to make sure that the ones incarcerated are doing OK, Because they're having a tough time Doing the holidays. They're having tough times and a lot of them are starting to shut down mentally. I spoke with one of the people we are advocating for and they just expressed how a guy just had a fool like Meltdown already in prison, and so it's kind of like for me, my process right now is the ones that are behind the walls who kind of helping them get through the holidays. So we kind of talk to them, you write, you know stuff like that, Just kind of talk to them more and writing for the Thanksgiving holiday and then we're preparing, you know, for the Christmas holiday to make sure that we have a few people that we send, you know, put some money on their books, get them some Christmas packages and stuff like that. So you know, I'm kind of working on it this moment.
Chuck:I know you're working on people on the inside, but out here, what encouraging words would you share with somebody that's struggling mentally out here now, today?
Speaker 2:Oh man, you know that's so crazy that you were saying that because I was thinking that, you know, because I still have my struggles mentally and I just took myself to the thought process that, anything that happened, god is always with us, even when it feels like it doesn't feel good. I started asking myself because I watched this guy, since Black guy can't remember his name his first name is Michael, but he was on Oprah's show, but he does this video. He was like what you asked yourself empowerment question what if? So, what if God is on your side? What if it's all it's working out for your good? So I'm kind of taking that to practice, to tell anyone who's struggling mentally to bring yourself back and remember that even in the times that are challenging, it's nothing, that's not. You don't wanna look at it as bad for challenging, that's broke. Then you say, what if it's working for my good? Things could have been worse. You see what I'm saying. So I'm starting to pose that question because, remember, even though I'm an advocate and I have my own insurance agency and on the outside people may see, oh wow, she has this, and that I myself struggle with anxiety and depression and stuff like that. I have my days too. I have trauma, so I feel the same things that they feel. It's just that I've learned to say it's working out for my good and I do things, I pray and talk to God to get through it. So I would encourage people to find some type of spiritual outlet. It doesn't have to be in church every Sunday, but talk to God in some type of way. That's good for you and when you do that, it really brings you to a better place mentally.
Chuck:Wow, I love your transparency and although you advocate, like you said, you still have your own emotions, you still have things that you go through, but you learn how to navigate through those things and press forward and look at it from this perspective that it could be worse or it's making you stronger, it's making you a wiser person in your endeavors, so I love that.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So I tell people I'm the face of depression and anxiety too. I have some very overwhelming moments as well. So I tell people I'm human, just like they are. I have struggles, some mornings and things like that, and so I try to remain transparent, to show people that they're still away from you. To get through. You don't have to allow it to consume you. Some days you can have your bed. I've had some tough days in the last upcoming day, but I still have to get up and answer the phone. I still have to talk to someone that's incarcerated because I tell myself they have it way difficult that I do. I can get up and go for a walk. I can pick up the phone and call a friend. I can go and sit in the church. I tell people if you want, in my opinion, really find some peace, go sit in a Catholic mass, because they have them like three, four times a day. You sit in a Catholic mass. All they do is pray. I find so much peace in that.
Chuck:So that's my vibe Good encouragement. Although we go through things, you keep going. And I love that word you said and not allow it to consume you. I love that, yeah. So, ms Marvah King, tell the listening audience, who may not have heard our episode, talk about a little bit what you do in terms of advocate before we close out.
Speaker 2:Well, what I do is I assist people who could be in a pretrial phase, which means they are just have been arrested, or I help people who are already incarcerated, where I become their voice, because once you are arrested or behind the walls you kind of lose your voice. So I advocate and become their voice to make sure that they receive justice, to make sure if they were over sentenced or if they didn't receive due process because that's the biggest thing a fair trial, that they receive that fairness, that they receive that justice. So I'm currently also working on a case of Raquan Knight in Virginia. I don't know if you heard about his case, but 10 years ago he was incarcerated during one year and he had someone that was incarcerated that wants to get their time put to send a letter to the prosecutor and produce this letter and say that he was threatened the life of the CO correctional officer and they proceeded to trial and gave him 20, they gave him 80 some years. They dismissed it out to 22 years. I was outraged at that letter. He's done 10 years currently on it, and so I'm advocating for him now too, in the state of Virginia. So this job alone because he's young, he's been there for a long time. He's young he's about 30 years old now and been in there for the majority of his 20s. But I speak for them, I make sure that their story is heard correctly and not the way that it is told to get a conviction. I make sure that people know who these people are, because a lot of these guys are very smart. People Like Raquan is a very smart young man who speaks very well and very well articulated, explain his case well, explain who he is well. But he's been deemed as a danger to society. Yes, I find that sad because they need to hear you're not a bad person and that's what I told you. I said, raquan, you are so smart, you have so much to give to the world, you're not what they say you are, and so they need to hear that. So that's what I do when I speak for them and I, with the help of God running with me, to push for justice for them, for release for them. So that's my position.
Chuck:Got you, wow. So shout your number out, your business number, so if somebody wants to get in contact with you, they can reach you through your business.
Speaker 2:Well, email us at 13 liberation at gmailcom. I just changed and updated the number so I don't know what I have to talk to my head. To be honest with you, so they can email me or find me on Facebook. Under Marvah King, I'm always on Facebook. I get a lot of inboxes personally If they don't hear from me. I've been seeing a lot of emails stuck in Messenger where I don't see it unless I have to go to something where I forgot what they call it Spam Because we're not flanged. Yeah, they put it in spam.
Chuck:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So I saw an email that somebody sent me a month ago Wow. So I went in there and responded. So they can inbox me on there, but I just updated my number. I don't know what. I have to talk to my head so much.
Chuck:I appreciate you sharing your thoughts about this holiday season and again I love your compassion and your passion about what you do and advocate it for those who are unheard and incarcerated. So thank you so much again for being on and coming back. It's always a pleasure. Again, marvah King, everybody Next up, I have Terrence Buo-Terry, from episode number 62 called Dreams to Reality, back to share his thoughts about this time of year during the holiday season. Welcome back, man.
Speaker 10:Hey how you doing. Thank you very much for having me back.
Chuck:Appreciate you Absolutely, man. I wanted to have you on just to share your thoughts about the holiday, man, and give some encouraging words and then shout out what are you up to now? So what's your thoughts about this time of year?
Speaker 10:Oh yeah, man, I'm very excited, man. You know, it's something positive to me, you know, and shout out to all the people out here grinding and getting ready to get together, whether it's one person with somebody else or everybody coming together, it's all about each other, you know. Be thankful, be grateful for what you have, you know. So I'm just very thankful. You know, I'm excited for the holidays, you know, and it just makes me want to just love people, man, and keep people in prayer. You know what I'm saying. I'm just excited, man. You know I'm excited for Thanksgiving. You know I can't wait to eat, bro. You know I gotta eat, bro. That's all that. You know what I'm saying. I gotta eat, man. I know you're going to eat, you cooking, you cooking.
Chuck:No, I'm not. I'm not cooking. I'm going to go somewhere to eat.
Speaker 10:OK.
Chuck:But I did cook some collard greens. Man, I put some collard greens.
Speaker 4:So I did do the oldest.
Chuck:That sounds good yeah.
Speaker 10:Yeah, that sounds real good. Yeah, you know me, man, I'm looking forward to stuffing. Man, I can't wait, man. Good God, I'm writing, yes, sir, because you know you don't really eat stuffing, you know, throughout the year, just Thanksgiving. So I'm going to tear it up, my brother man, I'm going to tear that to man. Shoot. I just been. I've been, you know, building my business man and just pursuing my dreams, man Working on my music, and everything's been going well. Man, God is good, he gets the glory, brother.
Chuck:Wow, amazing man. You know a lot of people doing this time of year Terrence. They're really not happy man. A lot of people going through traumatic situations. They've lost loved ones. They're just depression, you know. So what encouragement, as a young man, would you give someone that's going through right now?
Speaker 10:Yes, shout out to all the people, man that's going through a hard time or have some challenges they have to endure through. I just want to encourage you and let you know that, hey, god is with you. He's with you through it all and he said in his word he'll never leave you. No forsake you. You know you're going to feel pain in this life, sometimes we're going to have our challenges, but I promise you y'all, god is with us and that's what keeps me grounded, because I have been through some traumatic stuff in my life, you know. But if it wasn't for the Lord, y'all, I'm telling you, oh my God, where would I be? Amazing, I'm just amazing. So just stay strong y'all, keep moving forward. As long as you keep one foot in front of the other, things will get better. That's what he says in his word. He's working it out for the good.
Chuck:Wow, I love what you said, man. You know you can't duck the pain, it's inevitable. You know what I?
Speaker 7:mean.
Chuck:But if you have God on your side, you can make it through the storm.
Speaker 10:Shout out to you, bro, shout out to you, man. Thank you, man.
Chuck:Yeah, so shout your shirt out again.
Speaker 10:Yeah, my golden brand y'all is Dreams to Reality 1405. Basically, I want to encourage every single person that is alive to change your dream, become better. You know, Always strive to have a goal, a vision in front of you. It says in the word you know you're perished without a vision, so you need to, you know, have something that you can wake up and do every day, something that's positive. I want to encourage you to do something positive and your goals, your dreams, no matter how small, it can grow. You know it can grow.
Chuck:Man shout out to you again for being back on man with me to share your thoughts about this holiday season. Man, I really appreciate it and I encourage you, man, keep grinding, I see you. You too, I got you Absolutely Talk to you soon, man. All right, thank you, you too, all right. Next up I have Felicia Howard from episode 50 called the Hand. I Was Dealt Back to share her thoughts of what this time of year means to her, during what we call the holiday season. So welcome back, felicia.
Speaker 2:Thank you. Thank you for having me.
Chuck:Absolutely so. As I stated, what's it like for you doing this time of year?
Speaker 2:Wow, this time of year. It fills my heart, simply because I come from a family where my grandmother, who I talked about in my episode, ms Brooks, ms Eva Lee, she instilled in us this sense of family, this sense of togetherness that we not only on Sundays but all through the holiday season we got together and we shared a meal, we ate together and if anybody know about those Sunday dinners and those Sunday meals, and eating together. It's not only food for the body to nourish the body, it's food for the heart and the soul. So when I was much younger, this time of year meant something totally different to me. But as I am more seasoned and I'm more self-aware of what I need to sustain myself, this time of year is a time for me to connect with the people. I love to provide a service to the people in my community. I do things like. I just have a couple of neighbors that every year since I've been in this neighborhood I give them a flower or I take them a cake just because they're good neighbors. They watch out for me. I know they see me leaving out in the morning early. I know when I have to leave and go to work they see my boys at the bus stop and I feel safe. I feel safe in this community. So this is definitely a religious thing, a cultural thing when we talk about the holiday season, and I don't want to forget that and I don't want to leave that out. But to me it is definitely a time to connect with my loved ones a time for me to rest, to reflect on the year and to rejuvenate my soul so that I can get ready, if God bless me, to see another year and to come into this new year with a plan, because you got to have a plan, I got to have a plan.
Chuck:Wow, well said, I love it, I love it. So it's about community, it's about togetherness.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. It's about togetherness and community and rest. You got to rest and reflect Because you can't serve your community, you can't serve your family, you can't be your best self without getting some rest and actually taking the time and reflect.
Chuck:I love that. I love what you said, because the mindset of this coach today is to go, go, go, go go, and if you're doing something, that means you mean something. But sometimes you just got to sit back and reset and relax, absolutely yeah.
Speaker 8:Absolutely yeah.
Speaker 2:That's a part of being self-aware. You have to know when it's time to slow down. To calm down so that you can be your best self when you present yourself to people. You want to be your best self. You can't be your best self with a busy mind.
Chuck:Talk about it.
Speaker 2:You know what I'm saying? I?
Chuck:love it.
Speaker 2:You got to slow down and reflect, and just some stillness. I don't mean you have to sleep for eight, nine hours, I mean just be still, take a breath.
Speaker 4:I like that.
Speaker 2:Step back and reflect and then present yourself as the best way as possible, as the best authentic person as possible. So when you sit down and enjoy your family doing this holiday see, even some people don't get together on Thanksgiving. They get together the day before, the day after Christmas Eve, new Year's Day. Whenever you are with your family, you want to be able to be the best you that you can be.
Chuck:Yeah, not mean and groggy, so hey.
Speaker 2:I know.
Chuck:It is a great segue into this next question because, as you say, a lot of people don't have family, a lot of people have lost loved ones. You know what I mean.
Speaker 7:So a lot of people are not happy.
Chuck:They'd rather see the holiday or this time of year just go away, because it brings back so many memories. So what advice would you give a person who's struggling mentally right now? What wisdom would you give that person?
Speaker 2:What I would say to a person that's struggling right now, even though I talk about family and I talk about being aware I have lost a lot of loved ones along the way. Oh, my goodness. And it just it brings tears to my eyes just right now because I just attended a funeral last week with a very dear friend of mine, my daughter's godmother, and she was just not a average person. She was a reverend, a mother, a loved one. But when you talk about dealing with loss or feeling hopeless, or just not feeling connected. What I would say to a person is don't give up and I know that's easier said than done. Find something, somebody, something to connect to. It's that feeling of being connected, togetherness, serve somebody else, go to a church, just connect with something that gives you some joy, and it doesn't have to be anything big, it could simply be somebody that's going through. You reach out to them and you guys talk and share your story, but sometimes just knowing that you're not the only one, going through. It makes the difference.
Chuck:Makes the difference.
Speaker 2:Sometimes when we going through, we think it's just us going through. Nobody understands, can't, nobody relate. But if you just reach out, just have some hope and reach out and sometimes just sharing your story or smiling at someone, and they smile back and you guys connect and have a conversation, it doesn't have to be anything big, but I'm just saying try to connect with something or someone that gives you that sense of togetherness, that sense of feeling that you're not alone in this world. Because we're not alone, we have God. God is everything. He's our father, our mother, our sister, our brother. But some of us, when we're going through. we don't see that we don't feel that we feel alone.
Chuck:Wow, well said, man. I appreciate that wisdom, I appreciate that advice and I love to ask this question Felicia, what are you up to now? You have so many things going on. You're an entrepreneur, so talk about it before we close out.
Speaker 2:Well, we are in the process and I talked about this before of opening our third location. Well, it's been approved, it's here. We're looking forward now opening up and having our soft brand opening in December, which is just a couple weeks away and then a major grand opening in January 2024. It's an all-infant center where we're only serving children under two years old. But when I say, this thing is so much bigger than me and my vision, I get to serve my community, I get to do for the least of me and that's those babies. So I have been given another opportunity to serve my community and that's what I love doing.
Chuck:Wow, amazing. Shout out to you. Felicia, for real, shout out to you.
Speaker 2:Yes, me and my wolf pack.
Chuck:I appreciate you being back to share your thoughts about this time of year. I know it's going to encourage somebody from what you've been through, your transparency and what you're up to now as an entrepreneur, giving somebody that encouragement to step out, start their own thing, be their own boss, yes, yes, and I thank you for this opportunity.
Speaker 2:I thank you for reaching back out to me Absolutely, and I look forward to doing this again next year.
Chuck:Yeah, absolutely yeah. Thank you so much and talk to you soon. I appreciate you.
Speaker 2:Happy holidays.
Chuck:Next up I have Ms Carla Turner from episode 38, called what About the Teachers? Part 1, back with me to share her thoughts about what the holidays mean to her. So how you doing, ms Carla?
Speaker 2:I'm doing. Well. How are you doing, Chuck?
Chuck:Doing pretty good. Good to hear your voice yes, good to be heard, absolutely so. I wanted to have you back to share your thoughts about what you think about the holidays. What do they mean to you?
Speaker 2:Well, the holidays are a time of reflection. I think, that's the biggest thing is normally there's that hustling bustle of everyday life.
Chuck:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:And most people don't see it as a time of reflection. So I'm hoping that more people adopt not becoming overly busy, because that's what we do we slinging pots and pans and trying to get something together, but it doesn't get the green going. We out in the malls. But truly, this should be a time. I think about just all kinds of different festivals, particularly those in the Bible. Just come to mind the festival of booze and the different type of Passover. It was a time of reflection, and so I really think that Thanksgiving season should be a time where we sit back and we really take stock of what we're thankful for. We'll find that if we create a list of all the things we're thankful for, in the times where we are feeling despair, it's great to look back at that list and remind ourselves, just hot off the press from the revelations of Carla, because listen, in this world we're going to have some trouble. Let me just break that to everybody.
Speaker 6:It's inevitable.
Speaker 4:Inevitable yeah.
Speaker 2:We're going to have some trouble. And so, listen, you're going to have some rejection, you're going to have some betrayal, you're going to have some grief and hot off the press. Just the word that I needed, the word that I'm going into 2024 with that I'll be reflecting on this Thanksgiving, is the word knowing. And knowing something requires reflection, and so knowing who you are, knowing where you came from, knowing where you're going, knowing who you are, that right there will sustain you through some betrayal, it will sustain you through rejection, it will sustain you through grief, just the mere fact of knowing who you are.
Chuck:Amazing. You really just touched on it. But I'm going to ask you again what wisdom would you give somebody who's struggling mentally, because a lot of people really don't want to see the holidays come. They don't care nothing about Turkey because of what they're going through mentally right now. So what wisdom and encouragement would you give?
Speaker 2:I'm going to give some encouragement. The encouragement I would give is this Take stock. And what I mean by take stock is, listen, you pulling out the greens. You know, some of us got an old, dusty can of cranberry sauce in the cabinet, right, okay, here's what I'm going to encourage you to do is check the expiration date. There are some things that we have in our cabinets that are beyond the expiration date, and there are some reasons why expiration dates are stamped because beyond the expiration date, not only could whatever is in that can go bad, it could hurt you, and so, in this season of being thankful, take stock of those things that are actually hurting you. Fine, listen, everybody deserves freedom and you need freedom from those things that have expired. So there is some forgiveness, some unforgiveness that stood on the shelf. So the point is thinking now it is messing with your overall happiness, so forgive that person. And I know that sounds real simple, right? Because people say that all the time Forgive, just for. All you have to do is forgive. Listen, forgiveness is not a feeling, forgiveness is an action, action, wow. And if you have to forgive 100 times, if you have to go and find counseling to help you walk through that process. But what I will say now is this month, this month, is not wasted. You have one more month to look into your personal life, take stock of what's in there, see what is expired and come up with an action plan. How do I move myself from a place where I'm stuck to another place? And so that is the wisdom I have to give you about what to do in this season. If you are down, listen, find a friend, join a group, join a group of people who don't even know you. You know what I'm saying, because sometimes families, they come with Thanksgiving. They not only come with plates, they come with drums, old drums. Some folks don't even know you. You know what I'm saying. Find a knit and circle, you know. Go to a sports bar and just become a regular and watch the game with some folks you don't even know. You know, sometimes you need brand new set of ads. Who can see you? Brand new, wow.
Chuck:That's it right, miss Carlaterna, full of wisdom. So what are you up to now? I know you got a lot of stuff going on, so talk about that before we go.
Speaker 2:Listen, I have a lot of stuff going on right now. Right now I am directing the best Christmas pageant ever for the Hurrah players. So if you are in the Hampton Roads area and you want to see a great show, visit the Hurrah players website. Look for the show. The best Christmas pageant ever I am directing. I played the mom in the show for 10 years. I played Grace Bradley and it's a wonderful show about some children who some some rug rats, some children you don't even want to see, knock at your door. These children end up at church during Christmas time and they are terrorizing the church until a turning point happens and they find out what the true meaning of Christmas is. When I tell you, the children are amazing, the adults are amazing that are in the show, the mother and father this year amazing, and so check that out. Best Christmas pageant ever for Hurrah players.
Chuck:Shout out to you. I appreciate you taking time out to share your thoughts about what the holidays mean to you and the wisdom you just gave Carla.
Speaker 2:I try to do what I can do when I can do it, and you're doing it, because I tell you, like this, when you come through, you're able to comfort with the comfort that you've been confident with.
Chuck:Wow.
Speaker 2:So I consider that an honor.
Chuck:Wow, thank you so much. Talk to you soon. All right now, all right. Next up I have Lamont Draft from episode 39, called what about the teachers, part two? He's back with me to share his thoughts of what goes on during the holiday season. So thanks, man, for being a part of. Let's just talk about it again. Appreciate you, man.
Speaker 3:Hey, glad to be back, glad to be back.
Chuck:Yeah, so, as I stated, what's your thoughts about this time of the year that we call holiday season?
Speaker 3:The holiday season definitely is a time you want to kind of slow everything down. You know you're slowing things down for the purpose of taking a moment to just appreciate what you have Right. Wow. Throughout the year it's so easy to get caught up in the back and forth, the back and forth and the big things start getting small, you know. So whenever you get to the end of the year the holiday season you really need to kind of slow down and take a moment to appreciate what God bless you with. I like that. You know. Utilize that time during the holidays to really soak up what you have and take a moment to pray for those that don't have.
Speaker 4:Right.
Speaker 3:Because once you realize what you're blessed with, it's easy. Then it's easy to understand the things that people don't have. You know and appreciate what you do.
Chuck:Wow, man, a lot of people. When they see this time of year approaching, there's a struggle, maybe because something a loss of a job, or maybe even a loved one, or just something they're just going through right now they're just feeling lonely. What advice, wisdom, would you give a person that you may run into that's going through that right now?
Speaker 3:Hey, I'm going to tell you, Chuck, I've been really feeling lately like these storms that we go through. You know, I was listening to a rapper, Red man, the other day.
Speaker 4:Okay.
Speaker 3:And Red man was mentioning that the storm is for you. Talk about it. You know the storm that you're going through is for you. It's a time you're going through your struggles and strikes whether it's losing a job, losing a loved one, just having a hard time. You know God put you in that situation for a moment, you know, to build you up Because you know it's not going to last forever. Absolutely, Storms don't last forever. I like that. You always come out. So when you're in that storm, you really got to embrace it and just know that God is putting in that storm for a reason and you are coming out of it. Wow, Stay fast. Wow, I like that. That's what I would tell someone that's going through it. You know, stay fast, Appreciate your trials and tribulations that you're going through, because it's only building you Right. It's going to build you for what God has for you.
Chuck:So when you speak about storms, I think about waves in the ocean. So learn how to ride the waves, because it's helping you get to another destination or to a higher level.
Speaker 3:Now only does it help you get to a higher level. You have to learn how to ride the waves, because you know they're coming. You're never going to have a full time con seat.
Chuck:Yeah.
Speaker 3:Therefore, you have to be knowing that the storms are going to come and you just ride those waves. I like that you hunker down in prayer and you ride your way through.
Chuck:Hunker down. I like that. So pray as the key to ride the waves. Come on, pray as the key to everything. My man, my man, yes, sir, my man. So what are you up to now, man? I know the last episode we talked about education because you are a teacher, a male teacher. So talk about that a little bit before we close out. Man, the people know what you do in terms of a teacher.
Speaker 3:We're back in the classroom, working with our youth, building them up, making sure that they understand that there's a tomorrow that they have to go to and they have to prepare themselves for, and helping our students understand that there's a bigger picture, man. It's bigger than just money. Through Friday, you guys are on your way and so preparing these guys and ladies for what they have to do in the future years. Open them up to the big picture, wow.
Chuck:I love what you said. There is a tomorrow as long as you live. There will always be a tomorrow that you have to prepare yourself to walk into. I like that.
Speaker 3:The students. They understand that as soon as they begin their walk.
Chuck:Wow, I love it, man. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts, man, you know, with the listening audience Appreciate you, lamar.
Speaker 3:We appreciate you. We appreciate you and what you bring to your audience and just to the people as a whole. We appreciate you, brother.
Chuck:Man, yeah, shout out to you. Man, appreciate you.
Speaker 4:Happy holidays.
Chuck:Same to you, man. Love you, man, Love you too. All right, bro. Next up I have Tamra Vance from episode 53 called the happiness journey, sharing her thoughts about the holidays.
Speaker 9:Happy holidays, beautiful people. I am Tamra Vance, from the happiness journey, and I struggled with the loneliness during the holidays for many years. I can feel the depression, I can feel anxiety, I can feel that struggle with addiction at that time, all from loneliness, all from the mental strategies that I had put in my head that I was lonely and that I was going to be unable to make the day, make the hour. Why me? My thoughts, why me I'm not enough. Why am I here, looking through social media and everyone happy and smiling, and here I am, in a pit of loneliness, until I rose up and talked to myself in the mirror and did the work and said hey, girl, do you know you're going to make it. So I'm telling you today, I'm telling you on this holiday you're here today. You're here for a reason. You're here because you're already great. You're here because you're already enough. You're here because there are a billion people in the world that you can serve. There are a billion of people that don't even know you. So go out into the world, give someone your smile, don't stay in the house. Walk, ride, whatever you have to do, release that loneliness, go into your community, go into church, go into your job and give out so much love that you won't be lonely. If you believe in a higher power, I call him God. You can always, never feel alone with him. I'm telling you the joy of the holidays, the joy of being great and the joy of being the best. You is already there. It's already in you. Happy holidays.
Chuck:Next up I have Siobhan Freeman from episode 27. Your past doesn't dictate your future. She's back with me to share her thoughts about this time of year, her feelings about this holiday season. So how you doing today.
Speaker 2:All is well, young man, how are you?
Chuck:Doing all right, thank you. So, as I stated, I wanted to have you on just to share your thoughts, or your feelings of what you think about this time of year you know, the holidays.
Speaker 2:This time of year means to me just, you know, giving back, you know, just a portion of your gratitude, spending time with your family. With so much chaos and habit going on in the world right now, we just need love.
Chuck:Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. So what do you do this time of year? You like to cook turkey. What? What would you do?
Speaker 2:Something like nothing, nothing major. Turkey's no ham. You know what do? Turkey Chicken wings, little stuff. But you know we just want to sit around and just be thankful.
Chuck:Yeah, absolutely so. It's all about the family.
Speaker 2:Yes, and you know just sharing a portion of you know our gratitude. You know giving back. I'll be doing that. We'll be cooking a dinner at my turkey.
Chuck:You know so, so many people doing this time of year, siobhan. They're not happy. They'd rather see this time of year gold than come, because it brings back so many memories, maybe of a lost of a loved one, or just going through that emotion of loneliness, not having nobody around them. So what would you share with them right now? To those who's listening, you know, some wisdom, some advice on what to do during this holiday season.
Speaker 2:I would say me personally, you know, just keep your faith and know that no weapons formed against you. Shia Prospa and God will never leave nor forsake you. So whenever you're feeling down or lonely, you always have somebody watching, a guy that's protecting over you.
Chuck:Wow, I love it. Before we go shout out, what are you up to now? I know you had your own business, but for those who don't know who you are, let us know what you're doing now.
Speaker 2:So right now we're in a process. We have a lot of new business ventures that we're working on, which I don't want to speak on yet until you know the foundation and the structure is proper and correct.
Chuck:Yeah.
Speaker 2:We still have the home health agency. So if you or you know anyone in need or need some sort of help or support, we offer personal care assistance, assistance with daily living and activities, lighthouse keeping, light meal preparation. So we are hiring, we're accepting new clients, so please don't hesitate to reach out to 757-704-4697. Her name is Sabrina Freeman, my business partner.
Chuck:Wow, shout out to you, I really appreciate you sharing that wisdom to somebody who may be listening. You will encourage their hearts to you know. Keep it moving, because it's hard doing this holiday season. Yes, yes, and I hope so.
Speaker 2:You know, I just want to be able to uplift and encourage someone. You know, don't give up. It's so much going on in the world and people that have it way worse than you know. You think you have to Absolutely, and just be thankful that you're here and just be thankful that you're eating, not just on Thanksgiving.
Chuck:Yeah, yeah. So I love that you know. Looking at what you do have already, you know, can brighten up your day, cause sometimes you feel like you don't have anything. But when you really pay attention to what you do have and who you have it like changes your perspective, so yeah, yes, it really does. Yeah, so I appreciate you coming back to share your journey, you know, thank you for having me. I really appreciate that. Absolutely. I look forward to our next episode.
Speaker 2:Likewise Happy holiday.
Chuck:Same to you, thank you. And next up, I have Ty Cuffee with me from episode 36 called the Hustler Experiment, back to Share His thoughts about this time of the year. You know what it means to him during this time that we call the holiday season. So how you doing, man?
Speaker 11:What's good, Chuck? What's going on, man? Good to hear your voice, how's things going? And let me extend to you and to your family Happy Thanksgiving and enjoying the rest of the year and happy holidays.
Chuck:Absolutely Same to you, man. Your misses. Yes, sir, yes thank you.
Speaker 11:Thank you so much.
Chuck:Yep, no problem, man. So, as I stated, man, what did the holiday season mean to you? You know this time of year. I'll tell you this.
Speaker 11:You would hope that in your circle a lot of things are not perfect, but when you look out and about here or abroad, foreign or domestic, you'll see a lot of folk that are going through you know, worse off than you are. So you can count your blessings like that, because I feel like this if you got health and strength in your body, you got your loved ones near you that's your holiday season, right there within itself. Because I do the news every week, I see a lot of bad things and I'm like, wow, that could be me and my family. So I go off, just that, chuck. And when I go off, just that, I don't take anything that I'm going through for granted and that's how I count my blessings and that's how I look at the holiday season. Amazing, when it's near here, brother, thanksgiving all you got to do is listen to those two words, even though it's like a compound word. But you look at thanksgiving and you're giving back. You want to make sure you're blessing others that do not have. Because here's the thing I tell people within reason. I say, look, I'll do whatever you need for me to do for you within reason. Because, look, I'd be sounding crazy if I stood here and said you know what, chuck, whatever you need, I'll do anything for you. Come on now. That sounds crazy because you'd be like, well, I know this guy ain't going to go jump off no bridge for me. So what I would say is you're, chuck, within reason. What do you need? Whatever favors you need within reason, I got your back, got you. So that's how I do it on that level and that's how I look at the holidays, my man and it's been a rough year 2023. Matter of fact, I'm going to share this with you real fast. Week four last, I went to my doctor and I had to go to my doctor to get my medical card for my job, and my doctor gave me a wake-up call. She said look, your numbers are entirely too high, mr Cuffee. Your blood pressure is up and you need to get these numbers down. And she looked at me and said Mr Cuffee, do you want to live? And I said yes, ma'am, I do. She said it looks like you don't, because what are you doing? And she gave me a wake-up call. That was my red flag right there. And I said you know what? I got to do something about this. And for the last two, three weeks, chuck, I've been watching what I eat, I've been exercising more, I'm bringing my weight down. My wife she's so proud of me shout out to my baby, claudia, and I feel good. Man, I'm telling you and I'm going to tell you, it's hard for Thanksgiving because you know, all that food is in front of you. Some of that food is going to be hard for me to turn down. Anyway, I said all that to say this. Please, for whosoever listens to this please go see your doctor.
Chuck:Yeah.
Speaker 11:Please go see your local doctor. It don't take long to find out what's up with your body. Who's going to take care of your body but you?
Chuck:Wow. So man doing this time of year? You know a lot of people struggle mentally because of more so now than ever, you know. So what's your thoughts about somebody struggling? What kind of wisdom or advice would you give them? If you knew somebody who's going through some type of grief, or just struggling mentally with depression, what would you say to them?
Speaker 11:Well, I know, on my show I have a section that's called suicidal awareness and I always talk about how I always give the 24 hour hotline. I always say, hey, if you know someone, you are someone that you know. There's a three digit hotline 988. You also have that 1,800 number. But if I'm face to face with a person that has that look like I don't know what else there is to do, I just say, hey, look look at it this way, look at the positive, look at a lot that you could live for, because if you do bodily harm to yourself or take yourself out, or what have you or what gives you, look at the stress or the situation or problems you will put on your loved ones. Because why would you want to do that? Why would you want to put more or add more fuel to the fire? Why not? Why not get with someone that you can really talk to, have like a mentor, have someone that you could easily call? You know what I'm saying. They're making it easy for you. It's almost like saying, well, money will solve this and that and that and this. Well, I disagree. Money will help a lot of situations, but it will not solve every problem. So I put it this way If you're in a dilemma where you have your back up against the wall and you have nowhere to turn, you have to reach out to someone, because that very person could very well give you the medicine that you need to stride and keep moving forward. Because I've been there, chuck, look, I'm not perfect. I face on problems every day and I see it every week when I do my show, and I get very emotional when I do that section of my suicidal awareness segment. I do it right after my five minute break, well, after the five minute commute mix to listen to my show. And I'm telling you, man, sometimes you have to give it a solid, deep hearted thought before you do something drastic. Or if you do something whereas you will regret later, you'll be like oh my God, I wish I could have given some time to take that over. I wouldn't have done that. So you have to look at it on that aspect. That's what I would pretty much tell that person. You know what I'm saying. Yeah, Not to say that's the best answer. I'm not a doctor, Phil, but for the most part I would do anything in my power to keep that person from doing something you know to harm themselves or to harm others. Especially around this time of the year, Chuck, Especially around this time of the year.
Chuck:Right.
Speaker 11:So you really, you really got to think things through?
Chuck:Wow, amazing man. So what are you up to now, as we close out this segment? What are you up to now? What you got going on?
Speaker 11:Well, real fast to let you know, this makes a year of the hustle experiment. It's a little over a year old there, chuck. So within this past year I've done a lot with the show. I know a year ago I was doing the McDonald's tour, gave away a lot of money, gave away bikes, prizes, spent a lot of people. And now what I plan to do this time. I'm still doing that now, but my vacation will be coming up and I will be vacationing with a large group of people that I plan to give away money. I'm like, why not give away money with the ones that you're vacationing with? So I plan to do that as well, because I'm always into giving back business and these last few days that's what I've been up to and, like I said, in trying to watch my blood pressure, I'm telling you this is so real, so I am so serious. High blood pressure. That's a silent killer, Even to your listeners, Chuck, whoever listens. Please, please, go to the doctor. I can't express that even more. I mean, come on, we'll find time to do other things. We do what we want to do. We will do what we want to do, but hey, take the time to go to the doctor.
Chuck:Wow, man, I appreciate you, man, appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule and just to share your thoughts about this year and what you're up to now, man. So I appreciate it. Next up, I have Russ shell Brown, from episode 33, called All Things Are Possible, back with me to share her thoughts on what the holidays, or this time of the year, means to her. So thank you, russ shell, for taking time out of your busy schedule to have a brief conversation with me.
Speaker 6:Thank you for having me always, Chuck.
Chuck:Absolutely Wanted to have you on, just to share and hear your thoughts about what the holidays mean to you this time of year, talk about it.
Speaker 6:First of all, I mean it may sound cliche, but for me it's family. Family is everything. Wow, you know, even without the food, it's the family for me. As a matter of fact, I was traveling and I was in route to be with my family. I'm actually in Georgia right now hanging out with the family, and it's just going to be a week long celebration. My sister's birthday falls at the end of the week, and so we're got a little surprise thing for her going on, and so for me it's family. You know, and I will say this, our mother was, you know, was a cook. She was good at her craft and so it's, you know, talking about those recipes and getting in the kitchen and recreating those things and laughing and reminiscing and just the goodness of being together. You know what I mean. Everything that is bad is put on the back burner you know what I'm saying For a period in time and we just enjoy the company of each other. Yeah, that's what it means for me. Wow.
Chuck:I love that. So you can't forget the turkey. You can't forget the collard greens. I know we like family, but you can't forget the stuff in and so forth.
Speaker 6:You know I did not say forget about it, I just said it was a priority because, listen, let me tell you something, I am all about the food too, and so all of those things. You know the turkey is in there getting ready to be prepped and everything we're starting to do, those you know preparatory things, because Thanksgiving for us is not out of a box or out of a can. You know the greens have got to be out of somebody's field. You know what I'm saying. Those yams get picked sweet potatoes. You know we're not coming out of a can, so the cakes are not coming out of a box. You know what I'm saying. We do it Southern style. You know what I'm saying. And so that is the part that I'm looking forward to no glory in those greens. No glory in those greens. No, not this season.
Chuck:Yes. So let me ask you this. So I know we're laughing at having fun, but there are a lot of people right now, rochelle, that are struggling mentally because they don't have family, they don't have nobody to talk to. They feel alone. So what encouragement or wisdom would you give somebody who's going through that moment right now?
Speaker 6:Oh, my goodness, that is a hard thing to deal with, you know, and I say that because I remember there was a time when it's not that I didn't have family, but I was in a situation where I found myself all alone. And, even though you may not know it in the moment, depression has a way of setting in on you and it is a heavy weight to carry. And so, for those people, reach out to someone. If you haven't been in touch with them, then reach out to them. Or for those who know someone who may be struggling or going through, let's extend that hand of courtesy to them, invite them to come and sit at your table, invite them or take them a meal. Just, you know, we need to be more engaging. And for those who are actually going through it, there are places. You know, even if you don't have family, most areas have a place where you can go and have a meal and have that time with other people. A lot of churches do it, a lot of outreach services do it, and it's a hard thing, it's a hard thing to go through, but I am praying that everybody, no matter where they are, you know has an opportunity to commune with someone this holiday season, not just Thanksgiving, not just Christmas, but throughout this entire season, because it can be hard. It can be hard, you know, and, like I said, even there are those of us who have family but we may be out of touch and unable to get to them, and I am hoping that there is a hand extended to them in this season and any other time. You know, it's a good thing to look into what we call employee assistance programs and things of that nature. Those who are gainfully employed most companies supply something like that that will help you get through this time of season, help you to deal with the mental stress of all of those things, help you deal with grief. There are services out there. We just have to get rid of the stigma that needing help is a weakness. It's not. Reaching out for help is actually a strength. It is indeed so we need to be mindful of that. And those of us who are more fortunate, let's help those who are not. And that's what I say, that's my take on it.
Chuck:Well said, well said, real quick. What are you up to now in terms of life? You know, I know you do a lot of things like skydiving and all that kind of stuff Talk about it, I do, I do, I love it all.
Speaker 6:You know, I love the skydiving, the motorcycles, the hold, the deep sea, diving the whole nine. My next thrill coming up is I'm a dolphin lover. I love dolphins and so swimming with the dolphins and that's going to be coming up for me at the beginning of the year. But in addition to that just doing what I can to help I've co-partnered with a friend, an ex-co-worker, and we started a community association and what we do is reach out to companies, communities, who have been poorly managed, and we help them get back on track with their finances and teach them the principles of being managed in case they want to someday be self-managed. But we go about getting them out of those deep holes that poor management has put them in, because every management company is not about helping the actual community. You know what I'm saying. They get robbed, blind and embezzlement happens, and so we are in the business of putting them back on track. So that's what I'm out here doing, trying to use my time to yes, yes, to help other people get going in the right direction as often as possible.
Chuck:I love it. I appreciate you, Rochelle, for coming on and sharing that wisdom and encouragement to somebody who's going through. And, man, it's going to help somebody because your life can be an inspiration to somebody who feels like they don't have anything to do. But listening to you, let them know they can go. You know, mess with the dolphins and all that stuff. All right, so I appreciate you.
Speaker 6:Absolutely, chuck. I appreciate you and always, I will always tell you you are a blessing to many for having this platform out there and giving a voice to those of us who need it and have the ability to help other people. But they don't know that that help is there and so you put it out there. So thank you for being who you are and how you are and doing what you do for all of us. I appreciate you.
Chuck:Thank you, appreciate you too. Talk to you soon, ok, bye, bye, moving right along. Next up, I have Miss Jolanda Jones from episode 60 called. I Know my Purpose she's back with me to have a brief conversation about what the holidays mean to her, or this time of year means to her. So thank you so much for coming on and joining me for this conversation, jolanda.
Speaker 2:Thank you for having me again. It is a pleasure, an honor to be here again.
Chuck:Wow, absolutely, I appreciate it. So what does this time of year mean to you?
Speaker 2:This time of year is just about family to me, creating memories, laughing, just loving one another. I'm not big on the holidays, like celebrating in a traditional way, but I'm big on family and just coming together and building. You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 4:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Just creating those memories over and over again, because life is I wouldn't say it's short, but we just don't know the day, the hour where anything can happen, and I've been dealing with a lot of losses. So at the end of the day, all I want to do is just be happy with the people that make me happy.
Chuck:I love that. So, with that being said, you've experienced a lot of losses. What encouragement would you give somebody else who's going through the same thing? You know who's struggling, maybe mentally, you know because they lost somebody or did just you know alone.
Speaker 2:I would say lean on God. You know, trust God for your healing, for your strength, for everything. Without God, I'm absolutely nothing. I can't get through this. You know, I have to ask God daily to be my strength and my weakness, because if it was up to me, I would just give up, I would curl into a ball and I wouldn't show my face. But you know God is there and he's doing what he said that he would do, you know. So I would say you're never lonely. You know what I'm saying. God is always there and God is always your friend. But it's find your tribe. You know what I'm saying. There's people like that want to love others, and you know, find your tribe and surround yourself with the people that are going to celebrate you and love on you and, you know, accept you for who you are. So I encourage you to just, you know, be a part of your tribe and trust God always.
Chuck:Wow, I love that the word you use, tribe, in other words, find a group of people, yes, and like, be that support for you and be that listening ear. So yeah, I love that tribe. So, since the last time we talk, share with the listening audience. What do you have going on in upstate New York?
Speaker 2:Oh, my goodness. So my podcast is growing. Shout it out. Yes, real Talk podcast. You can find it on YouTube the Real Lala Jones and I'm also. I go live on my main page on Facebook Shalonda Jones. Go follow, go subscribe. I don't have the team right now, it's just me, but trust me, it's still good. And also, I just started a new business. I just launched a new business. I'm now in the traveling business and you can go to my website it's called Landa Jones dot and tell a travel dot com and you can book a vacation and you can also ask me to help you find a discount to book your vacation. Yeah, and that that's major to me. That's really putting me in a position to be the businesswoman, the entrepreneur that I desire to be. So, yes, I'm doing that. And I still have Lala's closet LLC dot com. You can go there and put water, stray butter, hair oils and soap, and I also have some sweaters and I have my first little outfit on there, but that's going to grow to Brandy. Yes and yeah, and I'm just being a wife and a mother and you know, every day I'm becoming a better woman of God, I'm growing and God is just stretching me in this season. So, yeah, this it's been a lot and you know that is good.
Chuck:Wow, all the time? Yeah, Absolutely. So I realized listening to you when you started talking about entrepreneurship you like, brightened up. So that lets me know that when a person discovers what they're here for, it makes the difference.
Speaker 2:You know what I mean.
Chuck:Yes, like you're not just wondering, wondering what's next. But when you really know your purpose, it gives you something to do, something to aim at, something to achieve. So yeah, shout out to you.
Speaker 2:Thank you, I appreciate that Absolutely.
Chuck:Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about with this time of the year Means to you and tell your husband I said hello. I will Keep going Real talk podcast. Talk to you soon. Thank you, peace. Next up, I have Serena Mann from episode number 45 called On Assignment. She's back to share her thoughts, her feelings about this time of year and what goes on with her during the holiday season. So welcome back, serena.
Speaker 2:Well, thank you so much for having me back, chuck, and this time of year to me is magical Because people hearts really do change when they get into that spirit of holidays and Christmas, and so I just love the magic that the holiday season brings and the kindness that people show to one another that they normally may not, would show.
Chuck:Wow, I love that word. You said magic. You know that people come alive, so to speak. Wow, amazing. So you know, always say that during this time of year, a lot of people go through stuff, whether it be being homeless or being alone, depression, some kind of trauma that everybody's not feeling that magical emotion. You know what I'm saying. So, with that being said, what kind of advice would you offer somebody, some wisdom, to get through this season this year?
Speaker 2:Well, the biggest piece of advice that I would give to anyone is that you got to make sure that you keep your hand in the hand of the man up above.
Chuck:Send it one more time. Send it one more time. Go back and see it.
Speaker 2:You got to make sure you keep your hand in the hand of the man up above and he will definitely guide your footsteps. If you are feeling depressed this season, if you're feeling overwhelmed, if you're feeling discouraged, if you're feeling suicidal, we just want to let you know that that is nothing but a trick of the enemy. The devil is a liar, and that you shall live and not die, and there's help right around the corner, even though you may not be in your best ideal situation. What can you learn from where you are right now so that the next holiday season you can be in a better position and you can be the person pouring it to somebody else?
Chuck:Wow, I love that. Thank you so much for that wisdom, man, serena man. So since the last time we talked, what are you up to now?
Speaker 2:Well, right now we're very excited because we're in a blessed position. We got a grant from Wingstop not long ago, and so we're going to be doing a huge holiday giveaway on the 7th of 16th and we're going to be helping people in the community who do feel hopeless and do feel despair lift their spirits by giving them assistance with paying their rent, their mortgage, their utilities, helping them buy gifts for their loved ones and helping them work on any projects that they may be doing themselves in the community that require a little bit more support. So we're super excited about that. And then on December, the 4th, we're going to be launching a free tutoring program for the community, from pre-K all the way up to the 12th grade. We specialize in English and math, and we also will have a specialized tutoring available for our children that are on the spectrum or have other developmental delays.
Chuck:Wow, you have the information so people can reach out, you know if they hear something they want to be a part of.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely so. If you're interested in anything that I just mentioned, you can go to our website, wwwimpactmind7.org that's wwwimpactorg. Or you can also email us at infoimpactmind7.org, and we'll be more than happy to be able to help you with whatever you need. And just know that the request for assistance is all throughout the year. So, even though we're doing this big holiday giveaway, if you need something outside of the holiday season, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We will do whatever the resources that we have within our company. Whatever we can do, we will, and if we don't have it in-house, we will strive to find another partner in the community or individual in the community that might be able to help you out. You can call us too, if you like. Our number is 757-405-7417. Again, that's 757-405-7417. And just let us know how we can be a blessing to you, because our mantra is alone we are limited, but together we are limitless. So please don't leave us alone.
Chuck:Wow, man, as the title of our last episode stated, you're still on assignment. Yeah, you got a lot going on. I love it, appreciate you.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, thank you.
Chuck:Thank you so much. Last but not least, next up from episode 47, called Cavalier, man of Conversation, I have my man, carlton Copeland, on with me to share his thoughts about what the holiday season, or this time of year, means to him. So what's going on, man?
Speaker 4:Hey Chuck man, how you doing this evening.
Chuck:Doing pretty good. How about yourself?
Speaker 4:Oh man, I'm blessing how they favor, Blessing how they favor.
Chuck:I hear you on the move. You're doing what you usually do going to work.
Speaker 4:Yes indeed, man. That's what it's all about, man Keep it moving, Keep serving, keep pushing forward, keep believing.
Chuck:Absolutely, man. So, as I stated, man, I just want to get you on and hear your thoughts about what this time of year means to you, carlton.
Speaker 4:Oh, actually, Chuck, it's almost like a double-edged sword. You know, on one side of me, I'm thankful and grateful, and on the other side of me, man, I just want to do all that I can to serve, to help those that's going through and those who need a word of encouragement or a meal or a jacket or whatever it is. You know what I mean. It's really just time and season to really get outside of myself and push myself to do for others.
Chuck:Wow, wow, man. A lot of people are struggling mentally. A lot of people are laughing, but a whole lot of people are sad, carlton, right now, maybe because of a loss of a loved one during this time of year, and this is a bad time for many people because they may have lost somebody. So what would you say, what kind of encouragement would you give somebody if you was to meet them today? That's going through mentally.
Speaker 4:Well, Chuck, man, it's good you asked me that, because just this morning and this is how this season works, man I have a client of mine who I've grown to respect and do work for, and they trust me to do work for them. And they thought I was going through and been going through and I had to be flown back to Philly for emergency surgery. Her lungs had collapsed, wow. And the mother, carl, texted me this morning and said it's sad and sort of had to tell me that her Kayla passed away this morning. You know, and you know, as we talk about this, your heart just gets heavy. Here we are.
Chuck:Yeah.
Speaker 4:Thanks to the EVE, and you know we're gearing up to be thankful and to be grateful and to serve and to give back and to have someone who you deal with on a regular basis and know their story and you do pray with them and you encourage them, and to know that God on this day called her daughter Kayla home.
Speaker 6:Wow.
Speaker 4:And that you know her and her husband and their other daughter have to deal with this. You know earthly ramifications of death, but we as Christians know that the absolute body is to be present with the Lord Absolutely. So we find joy and pleasure in that. So I would tell someone that you know love your loved one, love your enemies.
Speaker 3:Trust.
Speaker 4:God, Put your faith in God and just stand still when you have nothing else to do and it seems like it's hard. You know what I mean. Just stand and pray. You know, stand and pray, you know. You just never know where they help them and come from. So continue to be kind and continue to be faithful and just trust God you know, find God, search God, find out, optimize who knows God you know, and to let God know, hey, I need you.
Chuck:Wow, that's the source. That's the source, that's the main source, absolutely, man. Yeah, I appreciate those words, man, and wow, my prayers go out to her.
Speaker 4:Yeah, absolutely. This month, the month man. Definitely prayers out to them, man, and you know and we keep all you know, all of us deserve prayer, man. We got to pray for each other, absolutely, you know. I thank you for having me on this Catholic Mount of Conversation, man, because it's all about you know. Catholic Mount of for me, man, because I think we can help heal the land and change the landscape of things when we focus on our community of Catholic Mount of, and not the present, but the past, present and the future of our neighborhood, that we can do so much good if we just stand up for where we grew up.
Chuck:Wow, wow, wow. So since the last time we talked real brief, what are you up to now? I know you have Purpose Driven, the Purpose Driven Foundation with your sister, dion. So what else do you do? What else do you have going on?
Speaker 4:Well, right now, a Purpose Driven 501C free organization, we're gearing up for our eighth annual toy drive.
Chuck:Wow.
Speaker 4:That would be held at the Catholic Mount of Center, 504 Viking Street and, like I said, we've been doing it for eight years and the community comes out and everybody comes through the door, goes in and gets to pick what they want out of us donated and gifted toys and take a picture with Santa, and so it's been real successful. Tomorrow, myself and my family are going to go down to Little Homies. I'll reach dinner while Elliot has a new and we're going to feed. We're going to feed meals. We work with the kids all week. They prepare to feed the food and cut the yams and potatoes. They clean the collards. So, they've been working all week. So today we are preparing the food today, and tonight, tomorrow, we're a third, from 9 to 12. And so we're just looking forward to continue to partner with other organizations and find avenues and ways to connect and to make a difference. So I really enjoy being down there Monday and Tuesday with the kids and interacting with them and having them use their hands to get involved and knowing that they got nothing else out of Thanksgiving. They've learned how to prepare a meal. And they know what goes into preparing meals, so maybe they can have a respectful perspective of those who are feeding and those that do cook.
Chuck:Wow, wow, man. I appreciate it, man. One thing about you, man you really have a heart of passion and compassion, man, for people, man, to see them eat, to see them be well off, man. So I really appreciate what you're doing, man for real.
Speaker 4:Well, Chaka, I appreciate you, man, given people like myself a outlet and a platform to be able to have people to hear us in our walk and hear us in our assignment and what we do throughout our neighborhoods and throughout our city across the 757. So you are just as important man, because it takes care, it takes hard work and belief to stay on this grind that you're on. So I thank you too, chaka.
Chuck:Yes, sir, man. Thank you again, man, for taking your time out to be on this platform. Shout out to you, bro.
Speaker 4:Absolutely. I love you, chaka. Thank you, man. You have a great evening, enjoy your holiday and see you to be with you. Yes, sir.
Chuck:Likewise.
Speaker 4:Thanks man.
Chuck:You're welcome, sir. Be good, be good. Wow, what an amazing conversation. Shout out to all my friends for having those encouraging words. From what I gathered from this episode is that no one can make it alone, that we all need one another to succeed in this life. So, hey, do me a favor. Let's show some love to each other from now on to beyond. Enjoy your day, enjoy your meal, love you to life, as always. Thank you so much for tuning in to let's Just Talk About it podcast, and please check out my website. Just Google let's Just Talk About it podcastcom and then hit that Subscribe button to receive all the new episodes every Friday. You can also find me on Facebook. Just Type in Chuck LJTAI, which means let's Just Talk About it. So, as always, until next time, don't hold it in, but let's just talk about it. Talk to you soon.
