The Forte' Effect

The Forte' Effect

The Forté Effect is a podcast where technology, creativity, and the future of work meet-without pretending we're not human while building what's next. Hosted by Forté—an educator, veteran, and STEM advocate—the show features conversations with entrepreneurs, artists, innovators, and civic leaders navigating leadership, reinvention, and impact. Forté’s love of technology began before age 10 on a Commodore 64, sparking a lifelong curiosity about innovation, access to opportunity, the intersection of ideas, creativity, and community. Because reinvention isn’t starting over — it’s moving forward.

  1. Oct 21

    Building a Legacy, Not Just Athletes | Quiwintre Frye

    What does it take to raise two Division I quarterbacks while building a career, sustaining a marriage, and creating a lasting family legacy? On this episode of The Forté Effect, Forté welcomes Quiwintre Frye, Executive Director of STRIVE Birmingham and mother of Ashton Frye of Grambling State University and Aaron Frye of Alabama State University. From Friday night lights to HBCU football Saturdays, Quiwintre shares the sacrifices that rarely make the highlight reels: countless hours of travel, home-cooked meals, family teamwork, financial commitments, and the discipline required to help young athletes succeed beyond the field. But this conversation is about much more than football. Quiwintre reflects on her professional reinvention, from corporate manufacturing and education to nonprofit leadership and workforce development. She shares how her earliest experiences—including a hospital position earning $7.10 an hour—helped prepare her to create opportunities for others. She also opens up about motherhood, marriage, boundaries, finding her voice, and why she considers her sons' transition into adulthood her personal championship. “For me, this is my championship. I just won.” Recorded in summer 2026, this conversation explores what it truly means to build a legacy rooted in education, accountability, service, and love. The Forté Effect — Where technology, creativity, and the future of work meet. Connect: https://linktr.ee/instructorforte Guest inquiries: theforteeffect@gmail.com

  2. Aug 8

    AI Can Scale Chaos: Leadership, Reinvention & the Future of Work | David A. Craig

    “If you’ve got chaos, AI can scale chaos. But if you’ve got clarity, AI can scale clarity.” David A. Craig joins The Forté Effect for a powerful conversation about AI, leadership, decision intelligence, project management, reinvention, faith, and the future of work. As founder of ProdigyIQ and an architect of intelligent systems, David explains why simply adding AI won't fix an organization—and how technology can magnify what's already there. He also gets personal about his Alabama roots, military service, career journey, entrepreneurship, the sacrifices behind success, and learning to pivot. David didn't become an engineer until age 37—a reminder that reinvention doesn't have an expiration date. If you're navigating AI, career change, leadership, or simply wondering how to stay relevant as work changes, this conversation is for you. The Forté Effect — Where technology, creativity and the future of work meet.

  3. Jun 15

    🏆 When Being the Smartest Person Isn't Enough | Afftene Taylor

    What happens when the thing that has always defined you suddenly stops working? Afftene Taylor grew up in Bessemer, Alabama, where academic excellence was expected and college was always part of the plan. As valedictorian, she arrived at Duke University confident in her abilities—only to discover she was surrounded by students who had been the smartest in their classrooms too. In this episode of The Forté Effect, Afftene shares her journey through identity, self-doubt, resilience, technology, accessibility, and innovation. She opens up about navigating moments when grades, titles, and achievements no longer provided the answers, and how those experiences helped shape a career building products used by millions. Host Instructor Forté and Afftene discuss: Growing up in Bessemer, AlabamaThe impact of GEAR UP and educational opportunityThe culture shock of arriving at Duke UniversitySelf-worth beyond grades and accomplishmentsBreaking into technologyAI, coding, and the future of workWhy access and exposure often matter as much as talentLessons for students, professionals, and career changersThis conversation is a powerful reminder that success is not about being the smartest person in the room—it's about continuing to grow when you're no longer the only one. The Forté Effect: Where technology, creativity, and the future of work meet. #TheForteEffect #AffteneTaylor #DukeUniversity #WomenInTech #FutureOfWork #CareerDevelopment #Leadership #Accessibility #Technology #BessemerAL

  4. May 13

    “It’s Time to Go Home.” — Jodie Minor on Leadership, the White House & Returning Home

    Former White House National Security Council Human Capital Director and Army veteran Jodie Minor joins Forté for a powerful conversation about leadership, war, purpose, reinvention, and returning home to rural Alabama. From Iraq combat zones to Capitol Hill and the White House, Jody shares the moments that changed his life — including the experience that made him walk away from power and return home to serve his community. This episode explores:• Military leadership and emotional intelligence• Combat, grief, and purpose• Rural healthcare and community rebuilding• AI, workforce disruption, and the future of work• Education, teachers, and small-town values• Leadership without titles A deeply human conversation about service, sacrifice, and what happens when calling becomes bigger than career. Hosted by Forté.The Forté Effect — where technology, creativity, and the future of work meet.

  5. Apr 29

    Project Management Without Tech

    Project Management Without Tech? From Bessemer to Boardrooms | Katrina “KC” Dada, PMP What does project management really look like outside of tech? In this episode of The Forté Effect, Forté sits down with Katrina “KC” Dada, PMP — Senior Project Manager, engineer, wife, mother, and proud daughter of Bessemer, Alabama — for a conversation about leadership, reinvention, purpose, and building what’s next. KC shares her journey from chemical engineering to becoming what she calls “the people’s engineer,” why project management is really an act of service, and how leadership often begins long before the title. We explore: Project management beyond techPivoting careers into PMLeadership without a formal titleThe power of community and legacyWhy “leaning in” changes careersBalancing ambition, purpose, and familyWhat it means to build a real future in motionOne of the most powerful moments in this conversation:“I never saw myself as a career engineer — I always saw myself as the people’s engineer.” Whether you're navigating career transition, curious about project management, or building what’s next, this conversation is for you. The Forté Effect — where technology, creativity and the future of work meet. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeartRadio📺 Watch on YouTube @TheForteEffect #ProjectManagement #Leadership #CareerPivot #FutureOfWork #WomenInLeadership #PMP #Bessemer #TheForteEffect

    Project Management Without Tech

  6. Apr 29

    Project Management Without Tech

    Project Management Without Tech? From Bessemer to Boardrooms | Katrina “KC” Dada, PMP What does project management really look like outside of tech? In this episode of The Forté Effect, Forté sits down with Katrina “KC” Dada, PMP — Senior Project Manager, engineer, wife, mother, and proud daughter of Bessemer, Alabama — for a conversation about leadership, reinvention, purpose, and building what’s next. KC shares her journey from chemical engineering to becoming what she calls “the people’s engineer,” why project management is really an act of service, and how leadership often begins long before the title. We explore: Project management beyond techPivoting careers into PMLeadership without a formal titleThe power of community and legacyWhy “leaning in” changes careersBalancing ambition, purpose, and familyWhat it means to build a real future in motionOne of the most powerful moments in this conversation:“I never saw myself as a career engineer — I always saw myself as the people’s engineer.” Whether you're navigating career transition, curious about project management, or building what’s next, this conversation is for you. The Forté Effect — where technology, creativity and the future of work meet. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeartRadio📺 Watch on YouTube @TheForteEffect #ProjectManagement #Leadership #CareerPivot #FutureOfWork #WomenInLeadership #PMP #Bessemer #TheForteEffect

  7. Apr 17

    What Everything Changes: From Corporate to the Classroom| Quee, CEO of 6 Nineteen Freedom

    What happens when everything you’ve built in your career suddenly changes? In this episode of The Forté Effect, Forté sits down with Shquila (Quee) to explore leadership, unexpected transition, and rebuilding with purpose. After 25 years in banking and financial crimes, Shquila shares how she moved from corporate leadership into entrepreneurship with 6 Nineteen Freedom and into the classroom as a fifth-grade teacher. This conversation highlights: trusting the process owning your blueprint navigating career change choosing peace, alignment, and purpose  “Feed your focus. Starve your distractions.”

  8. Apr 1

    Jerri Haslem: My Health Is Non-Negotiable

    “My health is non-negotiable.” At 63, Birmingham’s own Jerri Haslem — known as “The Peach of 63” — is still moving, still showing up, and still choosing discipline every single day. In this episode of The Forté Effect, host Instructor Forté sits down with Jerri for a powerful conversation on health, longevity, and purpose. From starting her running journey at 38 to completing over 60 half marathons, Jerri shares what it really means to stay consistent and keep moving — at every stage of life. Rooted in Birmingham and grounded in community, this conversation reflects the spirit of a city that continues to rise through resilience, discipline, and legacy. This is more than a conversation about fitness. It’s about how you show up for your life. Because if you’re still breathing… it’s not too late. 🎙️ The Forté Effect — Where technology, creativity, and the future of work meet. 🔗 Connect with Instructor Forté: https://linktr.ee/instructorforte ✂️ Turn your content into viral clips with OpusClip:https://www.opus.pro/?via=reinventwithforte

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About

The Forté Effect is a podcast where technology, creativity, and the future of work meet-without pretending we're not human while building what's next. Hosted by Forté—an educator, veteran, and STEM advocate—the show features conversations with entrepreneurs, artists, innovators, and civic leaders navigating leadership, reinvention, and impact. Forté’s love of technology began before age 10 on a Commodore 64, sparking a lifelong curiosity about innovation, access to opportunity, the intersection of ideas, creativity, and community. Because reinvention isn’t starting over — it’s moving forward.

Information

  • Creator
    The Forte' Effect
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Forte' Effect
  • Show Website
    The Forte' Effect