Disrupting Balance

038: Unstifling Her Voice: When Social Constructs Fail to Inhibit the Power of Diversity

February 1st, 2021  |  Season 5  |  48 mins 58 secs

Growing up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn as an immigrant child in the 80s was no easy feat. For Nicole Smart, she found an unconventional path to find her voice and build a profession and mission to ensure that diverse voices are at the table.

037: Shifting Perceptions: How a Former Opera Singer is Changing the Wine Industry

January 18th, 2021  |  Season 5  |  43 mins 57 secs

entrepreneur, multicultural, nonprofit

Cristie Norman is a natural born game changer. The former opera singer and body builder found her way into the wine world after taking a job as a server, which ultimately led to an opportunity to work at Wolfgang Puck's flagship restaurant, Spago. Since then, Cristie has set her sights on providing wine education for the everyday consumer.

036: Unveiling the Mask: How I Broke Free From Abuse & Used Art as my Refuge

January 11th, 2021  |  Season 5  |  36 mins 17 secs

identity, motherhood, relationships

Breaking barriers while being broken is a testament to A. Decker's determination to unravel from a life that did not align with her destiny. The Canadian resident with British-Jamaican heritage speaks candidly about her desire to break the cycle of struggle.

035: Unraveling & Releasing: How I Learned to Define my Internal Compass

December 28th, 2020  |  Season 4  |  21 mins 21 secs

faith, mental health, wellness

At the beginning of 2020, I started to let go of things that didn't serve me only to have to pile it back on with the killings of unarmed Black people and Covid-19. I sought help, learned to clarify my expectations and allowed 2020 work in my favor.

034: Aquila Farrell: On Her Greatest Pivot, the Trampoline Effect & Making Friends

December 21st, 2020  |  Season 4  |  27 mins 35 secs

Aquila is back! In this episode, she shares how she bounced back from her lowest point this year to find success in her business. And for Aquila, success starts with family. The biochemist turned blogger shares a heartfelt moment about visiting her family in the midst of a pandemic.

033: Gisset Renteria: On Being a Working Mamacita, Balancing Therapy with Culture & Spending the Day with Snoop Dogg

December 14th, 2020  |  Season 4  |  28 mins 20 secs

family, mamacita, working mom

Gisset has used 2020 as a time to do those things that mattered to her most. She launched her blog, started therapy and is getting better with working through mommy guilt.

032: Asia Nelson: On Borrowing Worries, the Moment of Decision & WKRP in Cincinnati

December 7th, 2020  |  Season 4  |  32 mins 13 secs

mental health, transition, wellness

Asia is a no-nonsense teacher and entrepreneur who had to refund $50k to her clients when Covid hit. How did she recover her peace and her business? Find out in this week's episode.

031: Elise Beckles: On Being Worthy, Her Celebrity Crush & Business Growth

November 30th, 2020  |  Season 4  |  23 mins 19 secs

black woman, entrepreneurship, personal development

Elise is back! Since her guest spot on Season 2 of the podcast, Elise has been blessed beyond measure in her personal growth and business endeavors. Find out how she was able to finally break through to the many possibilities of 2020.

030: Shawna Bator: On Answering Hard Knocks, Amish Country & Rebirth

November 23rd, 2020  |  Season 3  |  35 mins 14 secs

Shawna Bator has embraced the constant metamorphosis of her life. From growing up in public housing, to fighting for survival while living on the streets, getting pregnant at a young age...to losing her mother to breast cancer and learning of her daughter's autism diagnosis...she has found resolve and is grateful for the hardships. Don't miss this powerful episode.

029: Robin Walton: On a Mother's Love, Clarity During Covid & Trusting God

November 16th, 2020  |  Season 3  |  40 mins 52 secs

faith, family, motherhood

Robin Walton has learned to make room for the critical needs in her life - faith and family. Losing both parents and one sibling has taught her so much about faith, legacy and hard work. Even in the midst of a breakdown or emotional moment, Robin's resolve is steady and endearing. Those lessons guide her as a wife, a mother to two sons, and a busy professional who knows that she is enough.

028: Danielle Jones: On Falling Down, Divine Obedience & Political Pursuits

November 9th, 2020  |  Season 3  |  35 mins 45 secs

faith, relationships, transition

Danielle Jones is a woman stepping authentically and faithfully on the road less traveled. The former college dropout pushed through health issues, a break up from a 5-year relationship and much more to finally gain her superpowers when she learned to accept and love her authentic self.

027: Samantha Heuwagen: On Overcoming Disability, the Gateway of Writing & Creating Unconventional Paths

November 2nd, 2020  |  Season 3  |  41 mins 21 secs

identity, mental health, transitions

Samantha is a Latinx sex therapist who does her life in two different languages. It all began in her home state of Michigan where she grew up with a close-knit family in a multicultural community. But what happens when you decide to shift the narrative, leave your family and create your own path? Samantha charted her own journey that led to a discovery of creativity and healing.

026: Khristi Lauren Adams: On Sacrificing Vulnerability, Brown Girl Stories & Stepping into Her Calling

October 26th, 2020  |  Season 3  |  45 mins 6 secs

author, faith, healing

Khristi Adams is a vessel for Black girl stories. The speaker, author, youth advocate and ordained Baptist minister is no stranger to devastating loss. Find out how she dealt with the trauma to find her purpose and write her first book.

025: Anna Gonzalez: On Generational Trauma, the Drive to Excel & the Culture of Leadership

October 19th, 2020  |  Season 3  |  33 mins 44 secs

identity, transition, wellness

Anna is no stranger to dealing with the challenges of growing up and existing between two cultures - Mexican and suburban American. She shares how she fought through feelings of otherness and challenges with addiction to create a life and career path beyond her imagination.

024: Caressa Walker: On Redefining Marriage, Showing Up & Being Perfectly Imperfect

October 12th, 2020  |  Season 3  |  29 mins 31 secs

faith, identity, motherhood, relationships

Caressa Walker is embracing all of her imperfections. The creator of the Imperfect Caressa blog knows that self-love and understanding of self allows her to show up despite the challenges of her parents' 27-year marriage and devastating divorce, which later shaped her expectations on relationships and marriage.

023: Erika Tebbens: On Accidental Activism, Running for Office & Running a Business

October 5th, 2020  |  Season 3  |  47 mins

advocacy, entrepreneur, family

Erika is a business strategist who made bold moves to overcome her challenges and change her destiny. The former military wife and mother of one son shares how an unexpected beginning resulted in her lifting her voice for food justice, testifying before Congress and eventually running for office.