Iona Speaks about Defending Self-Justice Iona R Rudisill

Historically, April has been denoted by our nation to focus on children and youth who have been abused in various forms (i.e physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, spiritual, etc.).  Children, youth, and families who have been unseen by the masses because their pain has been silenced, continue to thrive through collaborative efforts by champions who refuse to allow their voices to be unheard and their abuse to be unseen.  There are numerous scriptures that speak of how God hates abuse, deplores oppression, and charges All creation to love Him and those created in His image.  In this episode we have a conversation about the responsibility of transformative thinking that produces holistic strategies towards mental health so that the afflicted can be elevated together.  I am honored and privileged to have this life giving discussion with a long standing colleague of mine, Denielle Randall, LCSW-C.  Denielle has an entrepreneurial mindset where she is the founder and CEO of "Elevate Together, LLC".  The vision of Elevate Together is welcoming and growth producing as it’s "Validating individuals' feelings…to help open your gifts and talents that will lead to you reclaiming your purpose and knowing that you got this. " Enjoy this conversation as a roadmap to transformational thinking about mental health as Denielle passionately speaks of her professional journey. To view and connect with Denielle, check out her website https://www.elevatetogetherllc.com/ 

What better month than Women’s History month to speak about a mother’s heartbeat.  Within the symphony of life, there is a rhythmic cadence of a mother’s heartbeat that is a beautiful melody. In the tapestry of life, this melody speaks volumes.  It is a constant rhythm, an eternal love, a powerful strength, a posture of resilience, and warm comfort.  Before the existence of time, it was determined which children would spring forth from the sanctuary of each womb.  From infancy and beyond there is an undeniable soul connection that is profound and unwavering.  Therefore, in this first episode of the 5th season in Iona Speaks about Defending Self-Justice, join me in a conversation of sincerity  with a dear friend, Billie Partlow.  Billie is an esteemed educator with an illustrious career. She speaks of the endearing bond she shares with her son and daughter and how her purposed commitment towards them and her prayers for them resulted in purposeful journeys, leaving an impact and creating a legacy. 

In the mind of our creator, Almighty God, we were perfect.  Yet because of one choice made, outside of His design, through manipulative and deceptive language, trauma entered into existence.   Therefore, we are perfect creations in imperfect bodies, living in an imperfect world, using restorative practices to heal from the trauma we were born into, the trauma we live in, and the trauma we have experienced. Since we all were created to be perfect, in the image of God and God is the ultimate leader of this universe, we were all created to be leaders. However, through time and free-will decision making, we lead through a capacity of trauma.  Thus, It is important for adults and youth to effectively and qualitatively lead through a posture of understanding individual, historical, and collective trauma. So in this final episode of “Iona Speaks about Defending Self-Justice,” in 2023, listeners are invited to a dynamic and insightful conversation with Dr. Durryle Brooks, CEO and founder of Love & Justice Consulting LLC (https://www.loveandjusticeconsulting.com/ ).  I am both honored and blessed to have this enlightening dialogue with Dr. Brooks, a native of Baltimore who leads through a posture of trauma with grace, knowledge, and healing.  Also, Dr. Brooks uses his education, heritage, and life experiences to provide executive coaching for individuals, corporations, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations.  In this discussion he explains, “Emotional Emancipation,” and poses the question, “When we do take on self-care in a much more radical act, it invites us to consider what…part of my socialization has me not to want to be quiet and sit in silence…or to be present that I have to be so busy in doing something all of the time?”  Do not miss listening to this podcast, as we round the corner for 2023 and look ahead to Season 5 in 2024.  Let us be intentional about being the leaders God created us to be, exercising His dominion, as we learn about how there is value in trauma.  

Whether it be physical, mental, spiritual, or psychological, healthcare is essential to the lifestyle of every human being in this world.  For centuries there have been disparities in how adults and children, men and women, races and ethnicities, as well as chosen lifestyles, and forced lifestyles through abusive situations are provided healthcare.  When we speak about receiving emergency healthcare, there are a variety of emotions experienced across the spectrum of peaceful contentment to extreme anxiety.   Have you experienced one of these emotions?  In my lifetime, from an adolescent I have experienced different levels of anxiety when entering into an emergency room.  Therefore, I am honored and privileged to engage in an empowering conversation about emergent care with a world renowned and highly esteemed emergency care physician, Dr. Sharon Waters.  A native of New York, currently practicing in the Atlanta, Georgia region at Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Waters helps to dispel some of the myths of emergent care by explaining how emergency room care should be provided.  Listeners will receive vital information about expectations when entering a hospital emergency room as Dr. Waters expounds upon her 3 C's of care delivery, Check what's life threatening, Care and treat the situation, and Call for any additional care needed.    So as you listen to this podcast episode, be open-minded and open-hearted to what you will hear. 

There is a beautiful, complex, and transformative bond between daughters and their mothers. Some relationships are close, some are stagnant, some are distant, and some are even nonexistent.  In celebrating these unique relationships filled with triumphs, love, challenges, lessons, and a multiplicity of memories, the mother daughter relationship is to be cherished.   Through tough times and growing pains, healing in this powerful bond brings emotional validation.  The journey of this relationship lasts a lifetime.  In this episode, listeners will hear a remarkable story of how a mother risked everything, her family, her home, her life, for the safety of her daughter. Hear from Amy M. Le, CEO and Founder of Quill Hawk Publishing (https://quillhawkpublishing.com/) as she takes us through this beautiful journey of a Daughter’s Love.  Amy has received several Literary awards such as Firebird for the Snow Trilogy, while being a national and international bestselling author.   So sit back, take a deep breath, and open your heart as we delve into a descriptive journey of love through trauma from Saigon to Seattle. 

September is nationally recognized as Hispanic Heritage month.  The theme of 2023 is "Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America".  What a powerful dynamic it is for individuals to know and understand their culture in order to promote their contributions to the educational, economical, political, and social growth of the United States.  However, is culture limited to just a specific heritage?  As we enter into the Fall season, this episode wll be focused on how beautiful memories can set every human being onto a trajectory of making an impact within their sphere of influence and beyond that is connected to WHO and WHAT they were born to be.  These impacts are intergenerational and help add substance to the fabric of our nation as we continue to heal and grow into God's ordained creation.  Naomi Rudisill-Burrell is a Black woman of African American and Native American descent.  Her culture of identity is not just defined by her heritage but also through her choices.  She has a rich history with twists and turns that have led her to soar like an eagle as a professional woman.  Although she experienced abandonment as a child, this did not hinder her vision of life because she was covered with abundant love and support through a great community of extended family.  As you listen to this heartwarming episode, may you feel Inspired to be a Defender of Self-Justice as God has created you to be.  To see all that Naomi is doing you can connect with her through Facebook  MissBeInspired and Instagram missbeinspired