ABWilson's Heart of the Matter

Aderonke Bademosi Wilson "ABWilson"
  • 5.0 (3)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the ABWilson Heart of the Matter podcast. I'm Aderonke Bademosi Wilson, and I'm thrilled to be your host. From the stunning shores of Bermuda, nestled in the heart of the North Atlantic Ocean, comes a podcast that goes beyond the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle. Here, we dive into the depths of human experience, one heartwarming story at a time. Heart of the Matter isn't just another podcast.It's a journey of exploration and discovery. In each episode, I sit down with remarkable individuals from all walks of life. These aren't household names. They're everyday heroes with fascinating tales to share. Drawing from my passion for Appreciative Inquiry, a management methodology focused on amplifying positivity, strengths, and successes.In fostering meaningful change, we seek to uncover the moments that define us. I unearth stories of joy, kindness, and resilience through overwhelmingly positive questions. Tell me about a recent accomplishment or success you're particularly proud of. Can you recall a situation where you overcame a challenge that led to personal growth?What did you learn from that experience? And what book recommendations do you have? These are just a few of the questions we explore together. We will delve into the heart of each story, one conversation at a time, but be warned, laughter and tears are both frequent companions on this journey. That's the beauty of authenticity. It knows no bounds.What sets ABWilson's Heart of the Matter apart is its consistency. I ask each guest the same questions in the same order, creating a blueprint of diverse experiences woven together by a common thread. So whether you need a good laugh or a heartfelt moment of reflection, join me as we celebrate the extraordinary within the ordinary. Welcome to the Heart of the Matter, where every story awaits sharing.

  1. 1D AGO

    S3 Ep5. Joy as a Way of Life: Janet Harvey’s Journey from Wall Street to Regenerative Humanity

    Send us a text In this rich and soulful conversation, Janet Harvey shares how being an alchemical visionary shapes the way she invites people and organizations to transform from the inside out. She describes alchemy as a natural process of turning what is into what is possible, drawing on examples from nature, cooking and soil, and explains how this lens led her to name and build her company, Invite Change, over the past 30 years.  Janet reflects on her corporate journey at Charles Schwab & Company, where she led a massive transformation that successfully moved thousands of people into new roles and locations while retaining 96 percent of the workforce. That experience inspired her to become an entrepreneur and a leader’s leader, working with executives on six continents to widen their lens, listen deeply and access the wisdom that already lives inside their organizations.  She also shares how she unexpectedly became a coach’s coach, ultimately taking over and rebuilding a coach training school, expanding it into a global center for rigorous coach development and advanced education through Invite Change.​ Throughout the episode, Janet illuminates the profound ripple effect of well trained coaching, introducing her ripple effect formula: "every one hour with a well trained coach can positively impact 1,600 people in 30 days.: She describes coaching as a process of restoring access to a person’s essence, inner authority and personal sovereignty, and she contrasts coaching with therapy, mentoring, consulting and training so listeners can understand when each modality serves best.  She speaks candidly about trauma, grief and healing, including losing her mother and fiancé on consecutive days and how honoring trauma’s own clock allows people to move through loss rather than around it.​ The conversation also explores intuition and the body’s wisdom. Janet explains how she begins each day with movement, Asian Pilates, strength work and quiet reflection to stay resourced and fully available to others. She describes intuition as into me see, a form of intimacy rooted in noticing energetic and emotional shifts, mirror neurons and subtle changes in the relational field.  By practicing stillness and patience, she allows clients’ next insights to emerge rather than pushing her own agenda, modeling coaching as deep witnessing rather than problem solving.​ Throughout the episode, Janet returns again and again to joy. She finds joy in everyday moments, from hummingbirds at her window to pulling weeds and watching her beloved Seattle Seahawks play and she reminds listeners that every interaction is an opportunity to be a cathedral builder in someone else’s life.  She closes with a heartfelt affirmation that every person matters, that we are all more than our hardest moments and that our shared journey toward a regenerative, more compassionate world is possible and already underway. https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com https://abwilsonphotography.com

    1h 8m
  2. S3 Ep4. From Bermuda to New York to Ghana: Elena Menendez Sanchez on Finding Home in Art

    JAN 30

    S3 Ep4. From Bermuda to New York to Ghana: Elena Menendez Sanchez on Finding Home in Art

    Send us a text This episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter features multi hyphenate artist and Bermudian creative Elena Menendez Sanchez, whose life and work weave together theater, activism and deep self reflection. In conversation with host Aderonke Bademosi Wilson, Elena shares how she embraced being a multi hyphenate artist at NYU, where she trained not only as an actor but also as a director, playwright, sound and light designer, producer, songwriter, poet, and dancer, choosing breadth as a way to honor her curiosity and capacity. She talks about growing up in Bermuda with strong social norms and how creativity, for her, means forming her own path rather than following prescribed rules, even as she navigates the realities of living and working in New York.  Elena opens up about identifying as hopeful and optimistic even while recognizing moments of pessimism and she describes being a contrarian as a playful and essential way of seeing the other side so she can better understand the full picture.​ Elena reflects on graduating from NYU as a hard won accomplishment shaped by financial strain, culture shock and the challenge of studying in the United States as someone from a predominantly Black country, and she shares how she nearly pursued pharmacy instead, seeing surprising alignment between medicine and art as different ways of helping people heal.  Her stories from studying abroad in Ghana reveal a profound identity shift, as she grappled with being misread as American, the invisibility of Bermuda in global conversations and the pain and growth that come from feeling like your country “does not exist” in other people’s imaginations. That experience led her to claim her Bermudian identity more firmly, deepen her knowledge of her own culture and see her uniqueness as a superpower rather than a burden.  She honors the legacy of her grandfather, Bermudian artist and activist Ronald Lightbourne, describing him as the first multi hyphenate in her life and crediting his artistry, anti apartheid activism and interracial marriage with shaping her sense of justice, courage and possibility.​ Throughout the episode, Elena speaks tenderly about friendship, grief and what it means to hold space for others, especially friends who have lost parents, emphasizing kindness, patience and remembering how human we all are. She shares specific self care practices, including a chakra based check in ritual that combines mantras, food choices and mindful grounding, as well as the importance of nourishing relationships, small luxuries and movement.  Elena also offers a glimpse into her creative future, from assistant directing 12 Angry Black Women at the Billie Holiday Theater, to dreaming of working on London’s West End, to building a theater space in Bermuda where artists can experiment, fail, and grow.  She talks about her play Kink’s A Good Hair Story, which explores Black women’s hair, identity and the emotional labor of hair care, and shares book recommendations that center queer people of color and invite readers to reckon with change, belonging and self discovery. The conversation closes with Elena’s gentle invitation to listeners: keep dreaming, even if you have to do it in secret for a while, find comfort in yourself when others cannot hold it for you and trust that there is always room for better things ahead. https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com https://abwilsonphotography.com

    1h 2m
  3. S3 Ep3. Building Bridges, Not Walls: Francoise Palau-Wolffe on Human Rights Education

    JAN 23

    S3 Ep3. Building Bridges, Not Walls: Francoise Palau-Wolffe on Human Rights Education

    Send us a text This episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, guest Francoise Palau-Wolffe explores how one person’s conviction, compassion and courage can ripple outward to transform communities.  From her early inspiration in Avignon, where a political dissident’s story led her to Amnesty International, to her current work as founder and executive director of the Human Rights Education Network (HUREN) in Bermuda, Francoise shares a powerful journey grounded in fairness, human dignity and an unwavering intolerance for injustice. She reflects on being described as principled, caring and a go getter, explaining how speaking up for what is right, even without overthinking the consequences, has guided her activism, teaching and leadership. Listeners will hear how Francoise helped design and deliver an Intro to Human Rights course with Bermuda College, bringing together Bermuda and Geneva based students and local experts to help participants see human rights as omnipresent in their everyday lives. She tells a moving story of a school based Amnesty International “Write for Rights” campaign where students wrote letters on behalf of prisoners of conscience and witnessed one young man’s release, illustrating the power of one multiplied by millions.  Beyond her advocacy, Francoise opens up about her love of flamenco dance and the almost spiritual experience of duende, her multilingual path through English, French, Spanish and Quechua, and her deep appreciation for literature, art and nature as sources of solace and joy. Throughout the conversation, she highlights the importance of rest as resistance, the quiet strength of family support and her belief in the passion and leadership potential of Bermuda’s young people, inviting listeners to see their own capacity to build bridges, challenge injustice and make the world a better place from wherever they are. https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com https://abwilsonphotography.com

    47 min
  4. S3 Ep2. The Ripple Effect of Authentic Leadership: A Conversation with Karen Hinds

    JAN 16

    S3 Ep2. The Ripple Effect of Authentic Leadership: A Conversation with Karen Hinds

    Send us a text In this episode of the ABWilson Heart of the Matter podcast, host Aderonke Bademosi Wilson welcomes leadership expert and Workplace Success Group founder Karen Hinds for a deeply thoughtful conversation about the power of authenticity, courage and cultural awareness in leadership. Karen’s story begins with her Caribbean roots, where community, hard work and resilience shaped how she views influence and responsibility.  Her journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship offers a window into what it means to lead with purpose, create inclusive spaces and build teams grounded in trust and belonging. Throughout the conversation, Karen shares how she helps organizations move beyond diversity checkboxes to create environments where people feel valued and heard. She emphasizes that true inclusion requires courage, the courage to listen, to question and to lead differently. Her insights are practical and soulful, reminding us that leadership is as much about personal growth as professional achievement. Listeners will hear reflections on mentorship, legacy and what it takes to stay grounded while reaching for success. Karen’s thoughtful approach invites all of us to reflect on the kind of leaders we want to be. She reminds us that leadership is not confined to job titles; it is about actions that inspire others to rise, to participate and to belong. Her words linger as a call to lead from the heart, cultivate empathy and make space for every voice at the table. https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com https://abwilsonphotography.com

    41 min
  5. S3 Ep1. Name It to Tame It: How Emotional Regulation Shapes Leadership and Relationships with Dawnese Openshaw

    JAN 9

    S3 Ep1. Name It to Tame It: How Emotional Regulation Shapes Leadership and Relationships with Dawnese Openshaw

    Send us a text In this inspiring episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, host Aderonke Bademosi Wilson sits down with Dawnese Openshaw, a self-described change agent, visionary, and impact-maker who brings warmth, clarity, and deep intention to every space she enters. Dawnese shares a powerful idea that shapes how she leads: she aims to be a thermostat, not a thermometer. Instead of simply reading the energy in a room, she focuses on influencing it by adding value, opening possibilities and supporting people to see themselves differently.  She reflects on life experiences that helped her develop this approach, including running for public office, serving on community commissions and navigating challenging leadership conversations. The conversation also explores Dawnese’s work around emotional regulation and co-regulation, including practical ways to pause, name emotions and respond with intention. She explains how being present, leading with curiosity and making requests instead of demands can strengthen relationships at home and at work. This episode is a thoughtful reminder that meaningful change begins with how we show up, one moment at a time and that personal growth creates ripples far beyond ourselves. https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com https://abwilsonphotography.com

    58 min
  6. S2 Ep49. Unlocking Joy & Personal Power: Pursuing Excellence on Your Hardest Days with Karel Mc Intosh

    12/12/2025

    S2 Ep49. Unlocking Joy & Personal Power: Pursuing Excellence on Your Hardest Days with Karel Mc Intosh

    Send us a text In this uplifting episode of ABWilson's Heart of the Matter, host Aderonke Bademosi Wilson welcomes Karel McIntosh, a joyful, spirited and analytical team coach from Trinidad and Tobago. Karel shares her remarkable journey from childhood resilience to becoming a transformational team coach who helps individuals and organizations discover their hidden potential. Karel opens up about her natural joyfulness, describing how it manifests as warmth, generosity and an ability to see the world through a positive lens while remaining grounded in reality. She explains her love for deconstructing and reimagining things, whether it's transforming old furniture or helping people recognize strengths they didn't know they had. Listeners will be inspired by Karel's story of pushing through illness at age 10 to excel in her common entrance exam, a pivotal moment that taught her she was capable of excellence even when not at her best. She reflects honestly on both the empowering and challenging aspects of this lesson, including learning to honor her body's needs as she matured. Karel discusses her intensive 10-month journey to become a certified team coach, describing how the experience expanded her internal capacity and transformed her approach to working with groups. She shares the powerful Avengers analogy for team dynamics and explains how team coaching differs from individual coaching by treating the entire team as one entity working toward shared goals. The conversation explores Karel's passion for helping others advance in their careers and lives, her role as a connector who sees potential in people and her commitment to asking for nothing in return. She credits her late father with teaching her sovereignty and the courage to forge her own path, lessons she now passes on to her 10 nieces and nephews. Karel reveals her hidden creative side, including her love of singing, her history as an aerobics enthusiast and her talent for writing and performing rap songs. She shares her self-care practices, from electrolytes and intentional sleep schedules to starting each day by asking what her heart, spirit, gut and mind need. With warmth and authenticity, Karel describes life in Trinidad and Tobago, the natural beauty of her island home and the joyful, supportive spirit of Caribbean culture. She discusses her excitement about expanding her team coaching work throughout the Caribbean to build courage and confidence in communities, schools, governments and businesses. The episode concludes with Karel's powerful invitation for listeners to conduct a research project on themselves, to discover who they are at their core beyond societal expectations and to take one small step toward embodying that authentic self. This conversation is a celebration of joy, resilience and the transformative power of believing in yourself and others. https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com https://abwilsonphotography.com

    44 min
  7. S2 Ep48. Empowering Change: Lessons from Human Rights Advocate Isha Dyfan Davies

    12/05/2025

    S2 Ep48. Empowering Change: Lessons from Human Rights Advocate Isha Dyfan Davies

    Send us a text In this deeply inspiring episode of ABWilson's Heart of the Matter, host Aderonke Bademosi Wilson welcomes Isha Dyfan Davies, a disciplined, determined and open-minded expert in human rights and advocacy. Isha shares her extraordinary life journey starting from a challenging childhood in Sierra Leone to becoming a distinguished human rights lawyer and United Nations advisor.  She reflects on growing up amidst personal loss, perseverance during a decade-long war and immigrating to the United States. Isha's story reveals the power of determination, discipline and open-mindedness in overcoming obstacles and making a difference on the national and global stage. Listeners will learn about Isha’s impactful work on women, peace and security, her role in shaping international human rights policies, and her compassionate leadership, including supporting colleagues through difficult times.  She also discusses her lifelong passion for health, spirituality through Bible study and the joy she finds in family and mentorship. With 40+ years of experience, Isha offers wisdom on finding purpose later in life and embracing ongoing growth. This episode is an invitation to reflect on resilience and the lifelong search for meaning. https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com https://abwilsonphotography.com

    1h 3m
  8. S2 Ep47. Dreaming on Purpose: Ontological Coaching and Creative Reinvention with Laura Westman

    11/28/2025

    S2 Ep47. Dreaming on Purpose: Ontological Coaching and Creative Reinvention with Laura Westman

    Send us a text In this inspiring episode of ABWilson Heart of the Matter, host Aderonke Bademosi Wilson welcomes Laura Westman; a coach, artist, dreamer and author to share her extraordinary journey of personal growth, creativity and leadership. Laura offers a heartfelt exploration of dreaming, explaining how her waking dreams and vivid night dreams shape her life and coaching practice.  She delves into her 13-year coaching career focusing on ontological coaching, a deeply reflective inquiry into the study of being, which helps clients align with their authentic selves and aspirations. Listeners will be moved by Laura’s stories about her music and artistic expression, including her recent EP Moves and the joy of performing with her band Little Sister. She opens up about overcoming vocal challenges, healing autoimmune disease and embracing her unique voice in life and leadership.  The episode also highlights Laura’s intentional self-care practices, such as protecting sleep, limiting screen time, nurturing intimacy and fostering joy. Finally, Laura shares her book 'How to Be Creative in the Age of Digital Noise' and offers empowering insights on vulnerability, leadership reinvention and staying connected to what truly matters. Tune in for a warm, engaging conversation full of wisdom and encouragement to live a dream-inspired life with heart. https://www.abwilsonconsulting.com https://abwilsonphotography.com

    1h 2m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to the ABWilson Heart of the Matter podcast. I'm Aderonke Bademosi Wilson, and I'm thrilled to be your host. From the stunning shores of Bermuda, nestled in the heart of the North Atlantic Ocean, comes a podcast that goes beyond the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle. Here, we dive into the depths of human experience, one heartwarming story at a time. Heart of the Matter isn't just another podcast.It's a journey of exploration and discovery. In each episode, I sit down with remarkable individuals from all walks of life. These aren't household names. They're everyday heroes with fascinating tales to share. Drawing from my passion for Appreciative Inquiry, a management methodology focused on amplifying positivity, strengths, and successes.In fostering meaningful change, we seek to uncover the moments that define us. I unearth stories of joy, kindness, and resilience through overwhelmingly positive questions. Tell me about a recent accomplishment or success you're particularly proud of. Can you recall a situation where you overcame a challenge that led to personal growth?What did you learn from that experience? And what book recommendations do you have? These are just a few of the questions we explore together. We will delve into the heart of each story, one conversation at a time, but be warned, laughter and tears are both frequent companions on this journey. That's the beauty of authenticity. It knows no bounds.What sets ABWilson's Heart of the Matter apart is its consistency. I ask each guest the same questions in the same order, creating a blueprint of diverse experiences woven together by a common thread. So whether you need a good laugh or a heartfelt moment of reflection, join me as we celebrate the extraordinary within the ordinary. Welcome to the Heart of the Matter, where every story awaits sharing.

Information

  • Creator
    Aderonke Bademosi Wilson "ABWilson"
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 ABWilson's Heart of the Matter
  • Show Website
    ABWilson's Heart of the Matter