3.9K
Downloads
79
Episodes
Did you push through or did you pivot? That's the question that we ask people to hear how they made it to the other side of a defining moment in their lives.
Episodes
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
In honor of Black History Month, I am putting a spotlight on influential Black Americans that paved the way for others.
Our next Black History Month spotlight is American Composer, William Grant Still.
William Grant Hill was an American composer who composed more than 150 works, including five symphonies and eight operas. William was known as the Dean of African American classical composers, as well as one of America's foremost composers.
He was born on May 11 1895 in Woodville, Mississippi. His mother was a teacher, and his father was a bandleader. After his father's death, the family moved to Arkansas, where his mother remarried, Williams formal music education began with violin lessons, and his love of music grew due to a stepfather, taking him to operettas and buying classical music recordings.
As a young man, William went off to college to learn to become a doctor. However, he soon found himself conducting the university band, writing music, and teaching himself to play various instruments. He left his traditional college before graduating, so he could attend Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
William served in World War One, and after the war, he moved to Harlem where he worked for WC Handy's Band. During this time, he was involved in the Harlem Renaissance movement. And through the 1920s, he composed and arranged music for various musicals and band leaders. By the 1930s he was writing popular music for radio programs and movies. In 1931, his first major orchestral composition, Symphony number one Afro American, was performed by the Rochester Philharmonic.
It was the first time a complete score of work by an African American was performed by a major orchestra and by the end of World War Two, the piece had been performed in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles. Berlin, Paris and London. Until 1950 it was the most popular Symphony composed by an American. William also composed Song Of A City for the 1939 World's Fair in New York City. And in 1949, his opera troubled island was performed by the New York City Opera. It was the first opera by an American to be performed by that company, and the first by an African American to be performed by a major company.
In this episode Thea discusses:
- William’s inspiring story
- How William broke barriers in the music industry
- Thea’s love of music and why she enjoys listening to classical music
Ready to get out of your rut? Click here to download my FREE guide to getting out of your rut!
Resources and Links
Music selections and interview were all sourced from YouTube
Summerland (Three Visions) — William Grant Still
Gamin
Interview with the Afro-American Composer William Grant Still
Connect with Thea Charles
To learn more about Thea, please visit www.thearenel.com
Head over to www.pushorpivot.com to learn more about this podcast and dive into previously released episodes.
Follow Push or Pivot on Facebook: @Pushorpivot
Take a screenshot of your favorite episode, share it on your Instagram story, tag me @pushorpivot, and let me know your biggest takeaway!
Wednesday Feb 03, 2021
Wednesday Feb 03, 2021
Episode 68: Unbought and Unbossed - Shirley Chisholm
In honor of Black History Month, I am putting a spotlight on influential black Americans that paved the way for others.
Our first spotlight is the first African American candidate for a major party's nomination for president of the United States, Shirley Chisholm. Shirley was born on November 30, 1924. She was a politician, educator, author, and the first black woman elected to the United States Congress.
Shirley's family immigrated from Barbados, and from a young age she had strong ties to the island. She lived by the mantra of being unbought and unbossed, a slogan that she used throughout her career, and was demonstrated from an early age.
In college, she won prizes for her debate skills, not an easy fee as a woman. After graduation, she worked as a teacher's aide, and an early child care center. While she worked there, she continued her education to earn a master's in elementary education, which led her to move from aid to center director. She was not content simply letting injustices happen in front of her. She quickly became known for standing up for issues involving early education and child welfare. It didn't take long for Shirley to enter the world of politics. She started as a volunteer for Brooklyn's democratic clubs, and worked her way up from volunteer to the New York State Legislature.
Shirley Chisholm is not only an inspiration for all women but she was also a force to be reckoned with. This story shows the determination of a smart, educated, and thoughtful woman of color but also the sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo.
In this episode Thea discusses:
- Shirley Chisholm’s story
- Why she entered into politics
- How Shirley refused to accept that women could not have a seat at the table
- How she allowed herself to be seen and heard
Ready to get out of your rut? Click here to download my FREE guide to getting out of your rut!
Resources and Links
Autobiography of Shirley Chisholm, Unboought and Unbossed
The sound bite of Shirley Chisholm was sourced from www.archives.gov and their Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com
Source: Creator(s): U.S. Information Agency. 1982-10/1/1999 (Most Recent)
Series: Moving Images Relating to U.S. Domestic and International Activities , 1982 - 1999
Record Group 306: Records of the U.S. Information Agency, 1900 - 2003
Production Date: 1974
National Archives Identifier: 54173
Local Identifier: 306.9028
Connect with Thea Charles
To learn more about Thea, please visit www.thearenel.com
Head over to www.pushorpivot.com to learn more about this podcast and dive into previously released episodes.
Follow Push or Pivot on Facebook: @Pushorpivot
Take a screenshot of your favorite episode, share it on your Instagram story, tag me @pushorpivot, and let me know your biggest takeaway!
Wednesday Jan 27, 2021
Wednesday Jan 27, 2021
This past year has caused the entire world to shift. All at once. And without warning.
How do you handle pivoting when it’s forced upon you? How do you find the resilience to keep moving forward?
Safiya Robinson is an author and blogger with a passion for storytelling and listening to the stories of others. She believes that all stories are important and should be told, and there is no wrong way to tell your story!
Safiya is the owner of the 39 and counting blog, a project she started not long before she turned 40 to reflect on life lessons from her first 39 years on the planet. As a keen world traveller, she uses this space to explore her experiences and philosophy on life, sprinkled with fun, humour and big love from a small island. Her mission is to inspire you to embrace every part of your story and try something new!
Her book “Everything is a thing - my journey to living a truly authentic life” is available through her website, or you can get the paperback version on Amazon, and you can follow her journey at www.39andcounting.com
In her spare time, you’ll find her brushing up on her photography skills, enjoying island sunsets, baking delicious treats, or spending time with her friends and family.
In this episode Thea and Safiya discuss:
- How to handle unexpected changes in your life
- Discovering new routines and letting go of habits that no longer serve you
- Self discovery and taking time to rest
- Finding new ways to connect with people
Ready to get out of your rut? Click here to download my FREE guide to getting out of your rut!
Connect with Safiya Robinson
To learn more about Safiya and the work she does, head over to www.39andcounting.com
Interested in joining her book club this month? Find more information at book club — Safiya Robinson | Author | Writing Coach
To purchase Safiya’s book, Wellbeing for Dentists, head over to www.wellbeingfordentists.com
Contact Safiya by email at 39andcountingblog@gmail.com
Listen to Safiya’s first interview on Push or Pivot, Episode 6: Your Story Your Way with Safiya Robinson
Connect with Thea Charles
To learn more about Thea, please visit www.thearenel.com
Head over to www.pushorpivot.com to learn more about this podcast and dive into previously released episodes.
Follow Push or Pivot on Facebook: @Pushorpivot
Take a screenshot of your favorite episode, share it on your Instagram story, tag me @pushorpivot, and let me know your biggest takeaway!
Wednesday Jan 20, 2021
Wednesday Jan 20, 2021
Do you unconsciously hold biases against any group? When did you realize that you can make a choice to change and widen your worldview?
My guest today is Becky Curran Kekula. Becky is no stranger to facing her share of obstacles in her life. Becky is a public speaker and advocate for disability inclusion on a global scale.
Becky received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Providence College, where she started to gain a passion for influencing change behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. Upon graduation and after 1,000 applications, 100 job interviews, and three temporary job assignments, Becky started working full-time in the Entertainment Marketing department, followed by the Comedy Touring department, at Creative Artists Agency, the world’s leading entertainment and sports agency. Five years later, she worked at CBS Television Studios, where she assisted with the casting of pilots and television series.
During this transition, she also served as the Marketing Director and Co-Founding Board Member of the Catalina Film Festival. She also founded DisABILITY In Media, which focuses on positive disability inclusion storytelling through social media. After her six and a half years of working in the entertainment industry, Becky launched a public speaking business. A prolific public speaker and advocate for disability inclusion on a global scale, she has spoken at over 200 venues, including schools, corporations, nonprofit organizations and government agencies, throughout the United States and beyond. She’s really passionate about disability inclusion in schools, the workplace, and everywhere else.
More recently, she spent three and a half years working in the Equity & Inclusion department at Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the world’s largest entertainment union. At SAG-AFTRA, she supported the implementation of a national diversity plan of action to achieve accurate representation of those groups historically excluded from the entertainment and news media. Becky currently serves as the Little People of America (LPA) Employment Chair and she’s on the Board of Advisors for the National Center For Disability Journalism (NCDJ) at Arizona State University.
Becky shares how she uses storytelling for positive disability inclusion and I hope you find some inspiration from her story.
In this episode we discuss:
- How unspoken biases are felt
- How we can seek to learn about people outside of our communities
- Having a mindset of acceptance and inclusion
- Overcoming obstacles and pushing forward
- Sharing and honoring your lived experiences
Ready to get out of your rut? Click here to download my FREE guide to getting out of your rut!
Connect with Becky Curran Kekula
Head over to her website, www.beckymotivates.com, to learn more about Becky.
Follow Becky on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter @BeckyMotivates
Connect with Thea Charles
To learn more about Thea, please visit www.thearenel.com
Head over to www.pushorpivot.com to learn more about this podcast and dive into previously released episodes.
Follow Push or Pivot on Facebook: @Pushorpivot
Take a screenshot of your favorite episode, share it on your Instagram story, tag me @pushorpivot, and let me know your biggest takeaway!
Wednesday Jan 13, 2021
Wednesday Jan 13, 2021
Are you evolving? Are you seeking to discover new things about yourself? How have past experiences helped you with future goals?
My guest today, Margo Lovett told me that, “Age is a valuable tool when factored into reinventing yourself.” If you could reinvent yourself, who would you be?
After ending 26 years of employment, Margo launched her first show in October 2017 and 2 years on the Vercay Network secured over 1 million downloads. Margo did this at age 61. This best-selling author (Her Business Her Voice Her Reinvention) loves teaching podcasting at – Podcast Academy Online.
Margo Lovett is the creator and host of Her Business Her Voice Her Conversation, a podcast giving how-to instruction, information, inspiration to those looking to #reinvent, becoming an author, speaker, entrepreneur. Trailblazing entrepreneurs such as Bro. Bedford, David Dunworth, and Mary Crafts & Nicholas Hinrichsen have been guests.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Reinventing yourself after corporate life
- Believing in yourself and the ability to succeed
- The ability to change during difficult times
- Starting a business during a pandemic
Ready to get out of your rut? Click here to download my FREE guide to getting out of your rut!
Connect with Margo Lovett
To learn more about her services, visit www.margolovett.com
Connect on LinkedIn: Margo Lovett - Creator/ instructor - Podcast Academy Online
Follow on Facebook: Her Business Her Voice - Home
Interested in starting a podcast? Check out Margo’s course A Powerful Podcast Academy For The Baby Boomers
Text 242828 to receive your instant download, To Podcast Or Not to Podcast, And The Podcast Industry
Connect with Thea Charles
To learn more about Thea, please visit www.thearenel.com
Head over to www.pushorpivot.com to learn more about this podcast and dive into previously released episodes.
Follow Push or Pivot on Facebook: @Pushorpivot
Take a screenshot of your favorite episode, share it on your Instagram story, tag me @pushorpivot, and let me know your biggest takeaway!
Wednesday Jan 06, 2021
Wednesday Jan 06, 2021
Have you had the odds stacked against you? Have you let other people deter you from your dreams? Did you use other people’s skepticism as a way to drive you? What inspires you to keep pushing toward your dreams?
Our guest today is no stranger to a childhood full of tragedies. Naomi Mamiye got married young just to have a home. She did not have parents to guide or have her back. Because of her foolishness of youth, years later she found herself divorced with 4 kids- no income or family to lean on. Naomi had to turn to her creativity to start a business. People laughed when she proposed to start the Naomi Mamiye Design firm. Instead of letting it bring her down, she used it as fuel to propel herself ahead and prove them wrong.
Naomi pushed herself hard to get to the top of the design world. She did her first few projects free of charge to get her name out. With a good reputation, one referral came after the next and she never had to advertise.
With a specialty in healthcare, Naomi Mamiye travels across the United States designing hospitals, rehab centers, assisted living centers, drug rehab centers and corporate offices. There is no single designer with these many projects to their name.
Today, years later, she is considered a leader in the field and constantly gets asked by beginner designers for advice or to watch her work. Naomi spends endless hours with all, setting them up to start businesses of their own. A true leader creates more leaders!
In this episode, we discuss:
- How to reflect on your past to improve your future
- Positivity is the key to positive change in your life
- Trusting yourself to make the right decisions
- Finding your passion by listening to your inner calling
Ready to get out of your rut? Click here to download my FREE guide to getting out of your rut!
Connect with Naomi Mamiye
To learn more about her services, visit Naomi Mamiye Design
Connect on LinkedIn: @naomimamiye
Follow on Instagram: Naomi Mamiye Interior Design @naomimamiyedesign
Connect with Thea Charles
To learn more about Thea, please visit www.thearenel.com
Head over to www.pushorpivot.com to learn more about this podcast and dive into previously released episodes.
Follow Push or Pivot on Facebook: @Pushorpivot
Take a screenshot of your favorite episode, share it on your Instagram story, tag me @pushorpivot, and let me know your biggest takeaway!
Wednesday Dec 30, 2020
Wednesday Dec 30, 2020
What can you do to boost your sense of self? Are you letting time stop you from achieving your goals and passion projects?
By taking one step at a time, you are letting that step snowball into you becoming the person you want to be. What steps can you take today to get closer to reaching your goals?
My guest today is Ekiuwa Aire. Ekiuwa is previously a full time Finance Manager turned IT Data Engineer turned Photographer and recently turned Self Published Children's Author of books on African History. She has a history of pivoting whenever she is faced with a career path that does not align with her personality or vision of how she wants to lead her life. Ekiuwa doesn’t believe in complaining about what situation she finds herself in. Ekiuwa a doer. If she doesn't like something, she believes that it is up to her to fix it.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Ekiuwa’s story into becoming a author and how she got stuck in 3 years of research mode
- Her struggles with publishing her book
- How Ekiuwa pushed past her fears and followed her passion to achieving her goals
- Her journey of learning from her mistakes and why she pushes past them
Ready to get out of your rut? Click here to download my FREE guide to getting out of your rut!
Connect with Ekiuwa Aire
To learn more about her services, visit www.our-ancestories.com
Connect on Facebook: @our.ancestoriess
Follow on Instagram: @our_ancestoriess
Grab your copy of Idia of the Benin Kingdom
Connect with Thea Charles
To learn more about Thea, please visit www.thearenel.com
Head over to www.pushorpivot.com to learn more about this podcast and dive into previously released episodes.
Follow Push or Pivot on Facebook: @Pushorpivot
Take a screenshot of your favorite episode, share it on your Instagram story, tag me @pushorpivot, and let me know your biggest takeaway!
Wednesday Dec 23, 2020
Wednesday Dec 23, 2020
How often do you choose yourself? Can your story inspire someone’s pivotal moment? If you were to share a memoir, what lesson could someone learn from you?
Today, my guest is Mytrea Meliana. Mytrae (pronounced “My-thray-yee”) is a women's empowerment and spiritual teacher, holistic psychotherapist, trauma expert, speaker, and author. She leads workshops and programs for women that empower them to heal from trauma, liberate themselves from patriarchy, and claim their truth, power, heart, and soul purpose.
Mytrae is also the Founder of Temple of Sound Healing, which teaches sound healing to health/wellness practitioners and social justice community leaders so they can offer that to their clients and communities. Mytrae, a WOC immigrant from India, shares her personal story of healing, empowerment, and awakening in her memoir "Brown Skin Girl: An Indian-American Woman's Magical Journey from Broken to Beautiful".
Trigger Warning: Acts of Domestic Violence are mentioned on this episode
In this episode, we discuss:
- Mytrea’s struggle between cultural beliefs and personal beliefs
- What sparked her personal journey of healing, empowerment, and awakening
- How Mytrea pivoted into choosing herself, leaving her marriage and going back to school
- What inspired Mytrea to write her memoir as a way to help others
Ready to get out of your rut? Click here to download my FREE guide to getting out of your rut!
Connect with Mytrea Meliana
To learn more about her services, visit www.mytraemeliana.com
Connect on Facebook: @mytraemeliana
Follow on Instagram: @mytraemeliana
Follow on Twitter: @MytraeMeliana
Connect with Thea Charles
To learn more about Thea, please visit www.thearenel.com
Head over to www.pushorpivot.com to learn more about this podcast and dive into previously released episodes.
Follow Push or Pivot on Facebook: @Pushorpivot
Take a screenshot of your favorite episode, share it on your Instagram story, tag me @pushorpivot, and let me know your biggest takeaway!
Wednesday Dec 16, 2020
Wednesday Dec 16, 2020
Have you ever found yourself at a crossroad? Which direction would you choose?
When you find yourself at a crossroad, the best thing to do is live in it and be present. When you sit in it, you are allowing yourself to pause and evaluate where you want to go. You are able to talk about the pros and cons of each path. You are able to talk about which way you want to go that will help you achieve the goals you have in your life.
Today, my guest is Lolita E. Walker. Lolita is a Certified Life & Executive Coach, TEDx Speaker, Author, Podcast Host, Retreat Cultivator, and change champion for you. She is at the forefront of a movement that empowers women and teams to embrace their challenges and triumphs, act in their strengths, and thrive in the greatness that drives individual and group ownership toward a renewed vision of excellence. She helps you to truly feel and trust the power within your pause.
After nearly 20 years, Lolita packed her faith, strengths, and experiences, then leaped from her senior position in corporate America. With a strong foundation and her savings account, she founded Walker & Walker Enterprises, a personal and professional coaching and change consultancy. Her company, Walker & Walker Enterprises, creates intentional sacred-spaces for individuals, corporations, agencies, and groups.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What inspired Lolita to write her book
- What to do when you find yourself at a crossroad
- How to be present, take action, and choose the right path
- Why your goals need to be taken into consideration when choosing what’s right for yourself
Ready to get out of your rut? Click here to download my FREE guide to getting out of your rut!
Lolita’s book, "The Intersection of You & Change" leads readers through 17 stops of challenging discovery. It shifts your mindset and current thinking of fear to confidence and chaos to clarity. According to one of her long-time clients, "this book is Lolita's signature retreat in print. It is simply POWERFUL!" A natural extension of her portfolio is her podcast, "Coaching, Cocktails, & Conversations," where she meets you where you are and coaches you up to where you need and deserve to be while having conversations around, what she calls, her virtual kitchen table.
Connect with Lolita E. Walker
To learn more about her services, visit www.lolitawalker.com
Connect on Facebook: @lolitawalker
Follow on Instagram: @heycoachwalker
Follow on Twitter: @lolitaewalker
Connect on LinkedIn: @lolita-e-walker
Connect with Thea Charles
To learn more about Thea, please visit www.thearenel.com
Follow Push or Pivot on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Pushorpivot
Take a screenshot of your favorite episode, share it on your Instagram story, tag me @pushorpivot and let me know your biggest takeaway!
Wednesday Dec 09, 2020
Wednesday Dec 09, 2020
Are you waiting for the right time to make a change? Is fear holding you back from making a change?
What would happen if you woke up one day and said to yourself, today is the day. Today is the day you’re getting what you want. Today is the day you put your needs first. You’re going to take action on the business idea you’ve had for years, sign up for that coaching program, quit your 9-5, tell your partner you need more support around the house.
Here’s the thing, you can do anything you put your mind to. It will take hard work but amazing things are waiting on the other side. Create Your Own Path.
My guest today is Elizabeth Ellery. Elizabeth is a photographer, website designer, mentor and fashion industry insider who’s launched two successful businesses and now uses her skills to help entrepreneurs build the perfect personal brand online.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Elizabeth’s journey into entrepreneurship
- How to push fear aside and take action
- Books that inspired Elizabeth to pivot
- Following your own path even when it’s out of the norm
Ready to get out of your rut? Click here to download my FREE guide to getting out of your rut!
Connect with Elizabeth Ellery
To learn more about her services, visit www.elizabethellery.com
Connect on Facebook: Elizabeth Ellery - Home
Follow on Instagram: @elizabeth_ellery
Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-ellery
Connect on Pinterest: pinterest.com/elizabeth_ellery
Connect with Thea Charles
To learn more about Thea, please visit www.thearenel.com
Follow Push or Pivot on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Pushorpivot
Take a screenshot of your favorite episode, share it on your Instagram story, tag me @pushorpivot and let me know your biggest takeaway!