Southern Soul - Live Stream @COEDCommunity

What can gardening teach us about nurturing and growth in education? Today’s episode of Southern Soul explores this question through the transformative experiences of two individuals: Alethea Victor, founder of GroLeafy, and Janelle Wood, founder of Black Mothers Forum.
 
Alethea shares her journey from social worker to gardening enthusiast, a hobby that provided her solace and therapeutic benefits during challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, Alethea had no experience with gardening and struggled to keep plants alive. Now, she is an avid gardener and composter, guiding others on how to start their own gardens, from selecting the right soil to starting seeds and managing pests organically.
 
The discussion shifts to Janelle Wood, whose advocacy is deeply rooted in her experiences in the Middle East and Arizona’s prisons. Janelle tackles critical issues like systemic racism and the school-to-prison pipeline, which disproportionately affect Black and Brown communities. Her work with the ACLU led her to advocate for micro schools—an innovative educational model offering personalized, trauma-informed environments. These schools emerged in response to the traditional public school system's inadequacies, particularly in meeting the needs of Black children and incorporating parental involvement. Janelle points out that micro schools provide tailored education for small groups, enhancing student support. The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed this initiative, pushing for a transformative approach to education for Black children.
 
This episode offers insights on personal growth, community empowerment, and innovative approaches to education. Whether you're a gardening enthusiast or an advocate for educational reform, there’s inspiration and practical advice to be found in the stories of Alethea and Janelle. Tune in to uncover how small-scale interventions can lead to substantial changes in our lives and communities.
 
Quotes
“I just remember reflecting and just wondering that I wanted to live a healthier life now; make some choices and changes in my life that would affect me in a positive way. I know that we're not here forever, but I really wanted to just make some changes at that point.” (04:22 | Alethea Victor)
“I would come home and I would spend hours in the garden. It would just really help me to decompress and to just relax. It was my form of self-care. And that really helped me through difficult times.” (07:22 | Alethea Victor)
“It started to hit me that one thing that I had in common with many black mothers was that I had a black son in America and that he was deemed a threat by the police. And that became a problem for me because I realized that we raised our sons, many of us mothers of black sons, raised our sons to be respectful, to get a good education. And for me to even think that someone would think that he was a threat just because of the color of his skin was unacceptable.” (35:10 | Janelle Wood)
“What are our top three urgent issues? Mothers, what do you think we need to do? And the mother said, ‘We want to save our children now, especially our sons. We want to deal with systemic racism. We want to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder in the black community, and we need to pray.’ So we started our first four core groups off of that. But our mission became getting educated so we could get organized to take action, to do whatever we needed to do to make sure our children could live the life that they were birthed here to live and to be who God created them to be. (36:28 | Janelle Wood) 
Links
 
Alethea Victor, founder of Gro Leafy https://www.facebook.com/GroLeafy/ 
Janelle Wood, Founder of the Black Mothers Forum.https://blackmothersforums.com/
 
About with Southern Soul Livestream - Live Episode Podcast
 
Witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting, Soul Thursdays is the program that you’ll invite friends over to watch every week, where you’ll learn about fas

Why is it essential to tailor advocacy efforts for neurodivergent children within the Black community? In this episode of the Southern Soul Livestream podcast, host Calvin Baldwin introduces a panel discussion that explores this topic with detailed analyses and engaging dialogue. The panel features four leading experts in neurodiversity and advocacy: Cheryl Poe, Cori Fonville Foster, Destiny Huff, and Maria Davis-Pierre. Drawing from their personal and professional experiences, each panelist brings a unique perspective to the discussion:
Cheryl Poe, founder of Advocating 4 Kids, discusses her work in helping parents navigate services for children with disabilities. She emphasizes the importance of using neuro-affirming language in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and protecting families from racial microaggressions. 
Cori Fonville Foster, a CEO and homeschool educator, shares her reasons for homeschooling her neurodivergent children, citing the limitations of the public school system and the benefits of a tailored educational environment supported by a community network. 
Destiny Huff, a licensed mental health professional, talks about her experiences with late diagnoses of autism and ADHD for herself and her son, advocating for systemic changes to incorporate neuro-affirming practices in educational and professional settings. 
Maria Davis-Pierre, CEO of Autism in Black, highlights the need for culturally responsive autism advocacy and discusses disparities in diagnosis and treatment for Black autistic individuals.
The panel examines the importance of tailored IEPs and 504 plans for meeting the unique needs of Black neurodivergent students, addressing systemic barriers, and emphasizing the need for advocacy and representation. This episode also includes a Q&A session that allows the audience to engage with the experts, reinforcing empowerment through informed advocacy and culturally responsive support for the neurodivergent community.
Quotes
“Special education is not a location. It is not a classroom. It's a service. There's nothing that should prevent your child from going into a general education classroom if they have the skill to do it, if they have the ability to do it. That should always be your goal.” (23:38 | Cheryl Poe) 
“I have been noticing that there are just so many resources out there where we can give undivided attention. We don't call them IEPs in homeschool, but they are. Basically, we are individualizing our children's ability to grow. We're able to focus on things that they need and offer them more support.” (28:12 | Cori Fonville Foster)
“When you go in there and you have a 96% chance of having a non-Black healthcare professional, and they are using an evaluation that was not created for Black people, that leads to misdiagnosis. That leads to Black kids constantly getting pushed into a behavioral diagnosis that leads to, ‘Oh, autism is not a Black people thing.’ ...I like to use culturally responsive or cultural humility as the terms. I do not believe that anybody is competent in anybody's culture.” (33:29 | Maria Davis-Pierre) 
“When you are that Black person in the room sitting across all white faces, and my husband being in the military, he can't be there all the time for the meetings, right? So it was predominantly on me. You feel judged for everything. You feel like you're not a professional. You feel like your child is doing all these wrong things and you don't know how to help him and you don't know how to support him. You feel like a failure as a parent. And then you feel like because you're Black, they view you as less than, right? Even though I had the mental health experience. And so it goes back to what Maria said. You have all of these credentials and people are still looking at you like this. So what about those families that don't have those credentials, that don't have that background, that don't have that education?” (45:26 | Destiny Huff) 
Links
Cheryl

In this enlightening episode of Soul Thursdays, we embark on a profound exploration of natural hair care, with a particular focus on addressing alopecia and its potential remedies. Our esteemed guest, Evelyn Pettiford-Landrum, a recognized expert in the realm of natural hair care, generously shares a treasure trove of insights regarding holistic approaches for promoting hair regrowth. Throughout this engaging discussion, we dissect the root causes of alopecia, dispel prevalent misconceptions, and unveil the efficacy of various natural treatments. This episode is an absolute must-listen for those in search of alternative methods to nurture robust hair growth and combat the challenges of hair loss. Don't miss out on the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge in the realm of natural hair care solutions. Download now and join us on this enlightening journey.
 
Listeners also get practical DIY hair care tips and tricks that can be tried at home, making this episode not just informative but also highly actionable.
 
The episode wraps up with an engaging Q&A session, where our expert addresses various queries from the audience, offering tailored advice and recommendations for individual hair care concerns.
 
Quotes
"Your hair is a reflection of your inner health and well-being."- Evelyn Pettiford-Landrum
"Consistency is key when it comes to promoting hair growth naturally."- Evelyn Pettiford-Landrum
"Alopecia is a challenge, but it can be overcome with the right care and mindset” - Evelyn Pettiford-Landrum
 
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Connect  Evelyn Pettiford-Landrum, Natural Hair Care Guru, Master Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Herbalist, Certified Aromatherapist
Visit Website EVELZWAY.com
 
 
Connect with @SoulThursdays
Website | Facebook Instagram | Twitter | TikTok
 
 
About with Southern Soul Livestream - Live Episode Podcast
Witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting, Soul Thursdays is the program that you’ll invite friends over to watch every week, where you’ll learn about fascinating speakers and get to share in exciting experiences.
 
Build a Community Following with Podcasting - from concept to creation, we'll explore the essentials of crafting compelling content and building an engaged audience.
Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or a newbie, you'll find valuable insights in this episode. Tune in and get ready to amplify your voice in the podcasting sphere! 🚀 #Podcasting101 #SoulThursdays #AmplifyYourVoice
Side Gig Saturdays is your ticket to unlocking new skills, nurturing your side gig, and revitalizing your entrepreneurial passion.
 
Discover how Side Gig Saturdays can empower you in this engaging podcast episode. Don't miss it! 🚀🎙️ #SideGigSaturdays #SoulThursdays #Empowerment
 
Support - Community Exploratory Journalism -  Buy us  A Coffee!
Learn - Register Free Training - Getting Started in BIPOC Podcasting Workshop
Shop - Southern Soul Official Merchandise - Buy Official Merchandise
Purchase - Official Show Companion - Soul Thursdays Journal
Register - Join a Live Episode Show - “It’s a Whole Vibe!”
 
 

In this compelling episode, host Calvin Rich engages in a poignant conversation with Shanera Williamson, the dynamic force behind the "Brown Mama Bear" podcast on Empowering Parents: Navigating Black and Brown Youth in Aggressive Spaces, the episode is a deep dive into the challenges faced by Black and Brown youth in aggressive white education spaces.
The discussion unfolds in a series of impactful topics, beginning with an exploration of microaggressions, the absence of representation, and the crucial understanding of racial identity. Shanera shares personal stories about parenting in predominantly white spaces, highlighting the importance of open conversations about race and the significance of exposing children to their cultural heritage.
 
Quotes
"Parents are busy, and I wanted my podcast to be a one-stop shop. Listen for 30 minutes or less, get tools to put in your toolbox, and ease the burden of being a parent in aggressive spaces."- Shanera Williamson, Coach, Speaker & Podcaster
 
"During bedtime wind-down, have heart-level conversations with your kids. It's a quiet time when they often open up and share more." - Shanera Williamson, Coach, Speaker & Podcaster
 
"Brown Mama Bear Podcast is about being a mama bear and not being ashamed of it. Don't get between me and my cubs, especially when it comes to racial harm." - Shanera Williamson, Coach, Speaker & Podcaster
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Connect with Shanera William
Brown Mama Bear Podcast
 
Connect with @SoulThursdays
Website | Facebook Instagram | Twitter | TikTok
 
About with Southern Soul Livestream - Live Episode Podcast
 
Witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting, Soul Thursdays is the program that you’ll invite friends over to watch every week, where you’ll learn about fascinating speakers and get to share in exciting experiences.
 
Build a Community Following with Podcasting - from concept to creation, we'll explore the essentials of crafting compelling content and building an engaged audience.
 
Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or a newbie, you'll find valuable insights in this episode. Tune in and get ready to amplify your voice in the podcasting sphere! 🚀 #Podcasting101 #SoulThursdays #AmplifyYourVoice
Side Gig Saturdays is your ticket to unlocking new skills, nurturing your side gig, and revitalizing your entrepreneurial passion.
 
Discover how Side Gig Saturdays can empower you in this engaging podcast episode. Don't miss it! 🚀🎙️ #SideGigSaturdays #SoulThursdays 
 
Support - Community Exploratory Journalism -  Buy us  A Coffee!
Learn - Register Free Training - Getting Started in BIPOC Podcasting Workshop
Shop - Southern Soul Official Merchandise - Buy Official Merchandise
Purchase - Official Show Companion - Soul Thursdays Journal
Register - Join a Live Episode Show - “It’s a Whole Vibe!”

In a world filled with challenges and battles, Cynthia C. Farmer emerged as a guiding light in the realm of spiritual warfare. Her journey is a testament to faith, resilience, and the transformative power of healing and forgiveness.
Through her candid and relatable account, Cynthia reveals the power of faith in the face of adversity. Her two-week silence with God, a profound spiritual attack, and the shattered trust in her marriage were all pivotal moments in her story.
Quotes
"Dig into who God is, who you are, and God, and you will set you up for victory every single time." - Cynthia C. Farmer, The Warfare Coach
"The enemy's primary goal is to make sure that he has the power to defeat you." - Cynthia C. Farmer, The Warfare Coach
"You are more powerful than you realize, you are always a conqueror." - Cynthia C. Farmer, The Warfare Coach
"How many revelations are we missing because we're not going into our prayer Closet?" - Cynthia C. Farmer, The Warfare Coach
Connect Cynthia C. Farmer, The Warfare Coach
Connect with the Speaker
Connect with @SoulThursdays
Website | Facebook Instagram | Twitter | TikTok
 About with Southern Soul Livestream - Live Episode Podcast
Witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting, Soul Thursdays is the program that you’ll invite friends over to watch every week, where you’ll learn about fascinating speakers and get to share in exciting experiences.
Build a Community Following with Podcasting - from concept to creation, we'll explore the essentials of crafting compelling content and building an engaged audience.
Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or a newbie, you'll find valuable insights in this episode. Tune in and get ready to amplify your voice in the podcasting sphere! 🚀 #Podcasting101 #SoulThursdays #AmplifyYourVoice
Side Gig Saturdays is your ticket to unlocking new skills, nurturing your side gig, and revitalizing your entrepreneurial passion.
Discover how Side Gig Saturdays can empower you in this engaging podcast episode. Don't miss it! 🚀🎙️ #SideGigSaturdays #SoulThursdays #Empowerment
Support - Community Exploratory Journalism -  Buy us  A Coffee!
Learn - Register Free Training - Getting Started in BIPOC Podcasting Workshop
Shop - Southern Soul Official Merchandise - Buy Official Merchandise
Purchase - Official Show Companion - Soul Thursdays Journal
Register - Join a Live Episode Show - “It’s a Whole Vibe!”

In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Gaskins, a remarkable individual who has not only survived multiple sclerosis (MS) but has also become a leading advocate for the use of cannabis in autoimmune care. Join us as we delve into her inspiring journey and explore the profound impact of cannabis on autoimmune conditions.
Episode Highlights:
Overcoming Burnout and Embracing Change
Medical Marijuana for Autoimmune Conditions 
Confronting Mental Health Stigma 
Self-Care, Cannabis, and Cultural Heritage 
Unveiling Medical Marijuana's History and Usage 
Quotes
"Cannabis has been a game-changer for so many people with autoimmune conditions." - Jennifer Gaskins
"I'm proud to be part of an industry that's changing the narrative around cannabis and its benefits." - Jennifer Gaskins 
"Education is key. It's important for people to understand how cannabis can be used for medical purposes." - Jennifer Gaskins
"We recommend books like 'Cannabis Pharmacy,' 'The Women's Guide to Cannabis,' and 'Cannabis High Tea' for learning about medical marijuana dosing and usage." - Jennifer Gaskins
Dr. Rachel Knox, a black doctor, is spotlighted for her work in running a cannabis institute that certifies patients and educates them about the endocannabinoid system and the body's natural ability to utilize cannabis. Jennifer recommends essential reading materials for understanding medical marijuana dosing and usage, including "Cannabis Pharmacy," "The Women's Guide to Cannabis," and "Cannabis High Tea."
 
Connect with Jennifer Gaskins
https://www.southernsoulthursdays.com/guests/jennifer-gaskins/
 
About with Southern Soul Livestream - Live Episode Podcast
 
Witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting, Soul Thursdays is the program that you’ll invite friends over to watch every week, where you’ll learn about fascinating speakers and get to share in exciting experiences.
 
Build a Community Following with Podcasting - from concept to creation, we'll explore the essentials of crafting compelling content and building an engaged audience.
 
Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or a newbie, you'll find valuable insights in this episode. Tune in and get ready to amplify your voice in the podcasting sphere! 🚀 #Podcasting101 #SoulThursdays #AmplifyYourVoice
Side Gig Saturdays is your ticket to unlocking new skills, nurturing your side gig, and revitalizing your entrepreneurial passion.
 
Discover how Side Gig Saturdays can empower you in this engaging podcast episode. Don't miss it! 🚀🎙️#SideGigSaturdays #SoulThursdays #Empowerment
 
Support - Community Exploratory Journalism -  Buy us  A Coffee!
Learn - Register Free Training - Getting Started in BIPOC Podcasting Workshop
Shop - Southern Soul Official Merchandise - Buy Official Merchandise
Purchase - Official Show Companion - Soul Thursdays Journal
Register - Join a Live Episode Show - “It’s a Whole Vibe!”