The Wishful Doing Podcast

Dr. Ja'Bette Lozupone

Where bold ideas meet real action—and purpose turns into power. Hosted by Dr. Ja’Bette Lozupone—speaker, strategist, and founder of Wishful Doing, the Wishful Doing Podcast is a go-to space for mission-driven leaders, changemakers, and creatives ready to shake off the doubt, disrupt the status quo, and lead with intention. Through raw, unfiltered conversations and inspiring stories, we shine a light on what it takes to build legacy, grow your impact, and stay in momentum—even when the odds are stacked against you. From student parent success and equity in education to leadership, entrepreneurship, and systems change—this is the place where you’ll find the tools, truths, and community to fuel your next move. Subscribe now and join us as we turn wishful thinking into Wishful Doing—together. Learn more at www.wishfuldoings.com and follow @wishfuldoings on your preferred socials.

  1. Episode 25: The Acceptable Version of Me: Navigating Identity, Expectations, and Professional Legibility

    APR 14

    Episode 25: The Acceptable Version of Me: Navigating Identity, Expectations, and Professional Legibility

    What does it mean to be seen as “acceptable” and who gets to decide? In this episode, Dr. Eric Louérs-Phillips reflects on growing up as a Black man whose family instilled pride, discipline, and high expectations without explicitly naming race, and how that foundation shaped his professional journey. From classrooms to district leadership, Eric unpacks the quiet, persistent questioning of his competence and identity, including the complicated tension of being evaluated both inside and outside the Black community. This conversation invites listeners to sit with the emotional labor of proving yourself, the cost of constant self-monitoring, and the liberation that comes from naming what has long gone unspoken. Eric Louérs-Phillips is a lifelong educator, systems-level leader, and trusted voice at the intersection of education, equity, and community impact. A native Washingtonian, Eric has spent more than two decades serving Maryland’s public schools as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, curriculum specialist, and district leader, always with a steady focus on accelerating achievement while honoring the humanity of those he serves.  He currently serves as the Associate Superintendent of Public Affairs for Frederick County Public Schools and is deeply engaged in civic and community leadership, serving on multiple boards across education, health care, philanthropy, and economic development. Eric is also an adjunct professor and a proud graduate of Morgan State University and Hood College, where he earned his Doctorate in Organizational Leadership.  Grounded in faith, mentorship, and lived experience, Eric brings a rare blend of clarity, humility, and grace to conversations about leadership, identity, and wellbeing. He is known for leading with integrity, telling the truth even when it’s uncomfortable, and reminding us that what we don’t see still matters.

    48 min
  2. Episode 24: Why Leaders Need Coaching and Community

    MAR 31

    Episode 24: Why Leaders Need Coaching and Community

    Leadership can be isolating. Even for experienced leaders. In this episode, Ja’Bette and Linda explore the power of executive coaching and leadership communities in helping leaders reflect, grow, and navigate complexity. They discuss Linda’s work as an ICF-certified executive coach and the role she will play helping guide members inside the Wishful Doing Legacy Lab. The conversation highlights a simple truth: Leadership growth rarely happens in isolation. It happens in community.

    30 min
  3. Episode 23: Why Supporting Women-Owned Businesses Matters

    MAR 24

    Episode 23: Why Supporting Women-Owned Businesses Matters

    Entrepreneurship can be exhilarating. It can also be isolating. In this episode, Ja’Bette and Linda talk honestly about the realities of building businesses as women — including the importance of supporting solopreneurs, lifting each other up, and resisting the scarcity mindset that sometimes creeps into professional spaces. They also explore the cultural shift required for women to move from competition to collaboration. Because when women genuinely support each other, the impact multiplies.

    45 min
  4. Episode 22: Leading the Next Chapter: Reinventing After a Lifetime of Leadership

    MAR 17

    Episode 22: Leading the Next Chapter: Reinventing After a Lifetime of Leadership

    After decades of leadership in public education — including directing large systems, shaping policy, and leading teams of hundreds — Dr. Linda Chambers chose to step into entrepreneurship. Why? In this episode, Linda shares the story behind launching LJC Consulting, the mindset shifts required to move from institutional leadership to solopreneurship, and the courage required to start something new after a successful career. Together, Ja’Bette and Linda unpack what reinvention really looks like when you’ve already built a lifetime of expertise. This episode is for anyone wondering: What happens when the next chapter calls you?

    39 min
  5. Episode 21: Back2theWater: From Fear to Freedom — Stories from the Retreat

    MAR 3

    Episode 21: Back2theWater: From Fear to Freedom — Stories from the Retreat

    What happens when Black women choose courage over fear—and step back into the water together? Recorded after the Back2theWater retreat in Cartagena, Colombia, this episode centers the voices of women who once avoided water and now move through it with confidence, reverence, and joy. Diamond Crystal is joined by retreat participants Keyoka Kinzy and Wendy Kyles as they share their stories before, during, and after the experience. This is a conversation about healing at any age, reclaiming agency over one’s body, and the quiet power of doing something once believed impossible. Featured Guests Diamond Crystal, Founder of Back2theWater Keyoka Kinzy, writer, solo traveler, creator of The Awkward Black Nomad, retreat participant, Follow Keyoka at @AwkwardBlackNomad Wendy Kyles, retired activist, global nomad, and retreat participant Learn more about Back2theWater: https://back2thewater.org/

    36 min
  6. Episode 20: Back to the Water: Drowning Disparities, Water Safety & the Fight for Equity

    FEB 17

    Episode 20: Back to the Water: Drowning Disparities, Water Safety & the Fight for Equity

    Drowning is not random. It is patterned by history, access, and inequity. In this powerful opening episode, we examine the racial and socioeconomic disparities that make drowning a persistent and preventable public-health crisis, particularly in Black communities. Joined by Dr. Tiffany Monique Quash and Diamond Crystal, we explore how segregation, generational trauma, and exclusion from aquatic spaces shape today’s statistics, and how education, advocacy, and healing are changing the tide. This episode blends data, history, and lived experience to reframe swimming as a human right, not a luxury, and introduces the transformational work of Diversity in Aquatics and Back2theWater. Featured Guests Dr. Tiffany Monique Quash, aquatics scholar, TEDx speaker, and Co-Chair of the Research Council for Diversity in Aquatics Diamond Crystal, The Gallivanting Grandma™ and Founder of Back2theWater Diversity In Aquatics (DIA) – www.diversityinaquatics.org  Diversity in Aquatics is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting water safety, education, and inclusion in aquatic spaces, especially for historically underrepresented and underserved communities Dr. Tiffany Monique Quash Outside of her research and publications, Dr. Quash is the Co-Chair for the Research Council for Diversity in Aquatics. For more information, go to:Website: www.tiffanymoniquequash.comTiffany’s TEDx talk: “Learning to Swim is a Human Right” Diamond Crystal, Founder of Back2theWater  Website: https://back2thewater.org/

    29 min
  7. Episode 19: The Ripple Continues: Mentorship Through the Eyes of a Mentee with Gracie Armstrong

    FEB 3

    Episode 19: The Ripple Continues: Mentorship Through the Eyes of a Mentee with Gracie Armstrong

    In this final installment of our Mentorship Series, we bring the conversation full circle. You’ll meet Gracie Armstrong—a parenting student whose journey reflects courage, growth, and the transformative power of mentorship. Together, we unpack what it means to be mentored, the hurdles mentees face, and how embracing guidance can change the trajectory of your life and leadership. This episode is a love letter to the power of belief, persistence, and connection across generations. Dr. DeRionne Pollard was named president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) in July of 2025. Her passion for higher education has driven her leadership in several roles, most recently as the president of Nevada State University, Montgomery College (MD), and Las Positas College (CA). Dr. Pollard’s career in higher education began in the classroom teaching English and she remains deeply committed to life-long learning for her students and herself. A student-centered ethos is at the core of her leadership and she is a champion for access, fairness, and opportunity for all. Throughout her career Dr. Pollard's vision has been grounded in a belief that higher education is a pillar of economic mobility and community strength. Dr. Pollard’s experience in the higher education sector is rich, having served on the American Association of Community Colleges’ 21st Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges, the Commission on Academic, Student, and Community Development, and the Board of Directors. Dr. Pollard is a member of the National Board of Directors and Executive Committee for Generation Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the success of teen parents and parenting college students. Dr. Pollard was named one of Washington’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Washingtonian Magazine, won a 2017 Academic Leadership Award from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and a Visionary Award from the Washington Area Women’s Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English from Iowa State University and a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies in higher education from Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Pollard is the first woman to be named president and CEO of AACC and now serves as the nation’s leading advocate for community colleges. Gracie Armstrong is a college student balancing parenting responsibilities with work, and academic obligations. She was a Generation Hope Scholar, and continues to impress everyone she meets with her resiliency, dogged persistence, and dedication to being a good mom. She has big plans for her life, and mentorship is just one tool in her pocket to ensure she achieves her goals.

    22 min
  8. Episode 18: Paying It Forward: The Art of Mentorship and Sponsorship

    JAN 20

    Episode 18: Paying It Forward: The Art of Mentorship and Sponsorship

    In this heartfelt continuation of our Mentorship Series, Dr. Pollard reflects on the importance of paying it forward. We explore what mentorship looks like in action—from her role as a mentor to emerging and seasoned leaders, to the deeper concept of sponsorship and advocacy. We’ll dive into how she creates space for others to rise, what true mentorship requires, and how to nurture the next generation of changemakers. Dr. DeRionne Pollard was named president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) in July of 2025. Her passion for higher education has driven her leadership in several roles, most recently as the president of Nevada State University, Montgomery College (MD), and Las Positas College (CA). Dr. Pollard’s career in higher education began in the classroom teaching English and she remains deeply committed to life-long learning for her students and herself. A student-centered ethos is at the core of her leadership and she is a champion for access, fairness, and opportunity for all. Throughout her career Dr. Pollard's vision has been grounded in a belief that higher education is a pillar of economic mobility and community strength. Dr. Pollard’s experience in the higher education sector is rich, having served on the American Association of Community Colleges’ 21st Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges, the Commission on Academic, Student, and Community Development, and the Board of Directors. Dr. Pollard is a member of the National Board of Directors and Executive Committee for Generation Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the success of teen parents and parenting college students. Dr. Pollard was named one of Washington’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Washingtonian Magazine, won a 2017 Academic Leadership Award from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and a Visionary Award from the Washington Area Women’s Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English from Iowa State University and a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies in higher education from Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Pollard is the first woman to be named president and CEO of AACC and now serves as the nation’s leading advocate for community colleges. Gracie Armstrong is a college student balancing parenting responsibilities with work, and academic obligations. She was a Generation Hope Scholar, and continues to impress everyone she meets with her resiliency, dogged persistence, and dedication to being a good mom. She has big plans for her life, and mentorship is just one tool in her pocket to ensure she achieves her goals.

    22 min
See All (25)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Where bold ideas meet real action—and purpose turns into power. Hosted by Dr. Ja’Bette Lozupone—speaker, strategist, and founder of Wishful Doing, the Wishful Doing Podcast is a go-to space for mission-driven leaders, changemakers, and creatives ready to shake off the doubt, disrupt the status quo, and lead with intention. Through raw, unfiltered conversations and inspiring stories, we shine a light on what it takes to build legacy, grow your impact, and stay in momentum—even when the odds are stacked against you. From student parent success and equity in education to leadership, entrepreneurship, and systems change—this is the place where you’ll find the tools, truths, and community to fuel your next move. Subscribe now and join us as we turn wishful thinking into Wishful Doing—together. Learn more at www.wishfuldoings.com and follow @wishfuldoings on your preferred socials.

Information