Is A.I. Created Art Alarming or Authentic?

Imagine you’re a digital artist and the work of art that wins first place in your category is created through the use of A.I.

Would that change how you feel?

Would it feel like cheating?

What if you’re a business coach and lose a customer, not to another coach…

…but to an A.I. algorithm that can receive questions and give customized advice better than you.

Would that change how you feel?

Right now someone somewhere is working on a piece of tech or an invention that will make your business absolute.

Is that alarming? Fear inducing?

Or is that just business?

This is not theoretical or just a fun intellectual exercise.

This is reality.

We like to think that it will always be someone else’s business…

Or someone else’s industry…

Or someone else’s skill that will be made absolute by an invention or new technology.

When in reality we are all susceptible to the laws of change.

So how do we address this?

First - talk to your therapist about the emotions that come up -  they are an opening to healing.

Second - let’s talk about how to use the momentum of change to launch you into even greater heights than your current comfort zone.

All that plus some fun stories and the occasional ramble by yours truly.

That is if you dare to take the wild leap into the adventure that is this week’s episode.

And yes this is a brand new never before-released episode.

I hope you enjoy it at least 3% as much as I did recording it. 😂

Then again…to be honest I don’t think anyone listens to my podcast other than my bestest of friends.

And they listen in just so they can lovingly mock my podcast voice anytime we hang out. 😂

Well, there you have it.

This week’s write-up.

Give it a listen.

I double dare you.

P.S.

This was not written using A.I.  Maybe you can tell. 😂

P.S.S.

If you’re really feeling adventurous then I invite you to join the experiment & intentional community that I have just launched.

It is the first time ever that  I’m sharing my marketing playbook & the propriety storytelling & relationship-building ads system that I’ve created.

And if you’re short on cash flow but filled to the brim with ambition then I have good news:

We have “pay-what-you-can” scholarships available to anyone who needs it. 

So if you’re up for learning how to run ads like a storyteller fueled by empathy & courage then check out the details here:

https://tomearl.me/dcminvite

Peace and Blessings, 

Tom Earl

Listen to "Is A.I. Created Art Alarming or Authentic?" on Spreaker.

The Tragedy & Triumphs of Transformations With Wally B

Original Air Date: August 28, 2020

On this day, Jan 20th, we celebrate the life and achievements of Dr. King, and today on the podcast, I talk to Wally B., an ordained minister, spoken word artist, and the Founder and Executive Director of the Heard Em Say Youth Arts Collective. 

In this episode, Wally shares his reflections on MLK and the influence Dr. King had on his life.  We dig deep into Wally's journey of transitioning from being a full-time artist to founding his nonprofit back in May 2007 to cultivating Heard Em Say. We also talk about what ultimately led to his decision to transition out of the role of Executive Director and creating a succession plan so that he could continue to grow and serve the community.

You'll hear all about his conversations with God and with his leadership team, and how he redefined what it means to be an artist and a leader. You won't want to miss this episode. 

Heard ‘Em Say was created in May 2007 to identify, cultivate and empower youth in activism and advocacy through artistic education and expression.  The organization serves over 300 young people a year, providing a healthy social outlet for teens to express themselves through spoken word and performance.  His team has competed for years at Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival.

Support Heard Em Say and you can follow Wally on Facebook.

Check out past Wally B interviews here and here.

tomearl.me/wb

Listen to "The Tragedy & Triumphs of Transformations With Wally B" on Spreaker.

The More You Love Yourself… With Timothy Mays

Original Air Date: February 8, 2020

On this week’s podcast, I have the pleasure of speaking with Timothy Mays, an educator, artist, and published author. In our talk, we delved into what it means to experience love and relationships and to feel a sense of community. We peeled back the layers and expectations of what being a man means - in whatever variant identities you may have.

Timothy shared his experiences growing up and how he has witnessed marriages changing and evolving throughout the years. We also talked about Black History Month and about books that have transformed and impacted Timothy's life and my life as well. You will not want to miss this episode so you can hear Timothy's perspective on creating community and how men can transform their lives through the creation of community.

Timothy received his Master’s in Higher Education from Loyola University Chicago in 2016 and continues to dig deeper into his research around exoticism, disposability, and the healing of Black bodies.

As an Artist/Spoken Word poet, Timothy has competed in the National Poetry Slam, InkSlam, College and Universities Poetry Slam Invitational, and many other events.

He is now conducting spoken word and critical pedagogy workshops that give students and community members a space to develop their voices and materialize their thoughts.

Timothy recently released his first poetry and affirmation book entitled, “And Still I Rise to Fantasize” which attempts to channel Black resilience in the face of consistent trauma while having the unwavering courage to strive toward being holistically well.

Timothy has devoted himself to making sure that people from low-income communities are prepared for and comfortable with the possibility of advocating for themselves to ensure that a true sense of community is accomplished.

To find out more about Timothy, you can reach him on Instagram and on his website.

tomearl.me/myly

Listen to "The More You Love Yourself… With Timothy Mays" on Spreaker.

Art, Culture, and Dopeness With Marium Rana

Original Air Date: May 25, 2018

Art, Culture, and Dopeness.  That’s this week’s episode with visual artist Marium Rana. 

Oh, and we talked about Black Panther, AFI, Ramadan and fasting, racism, the impact of art, creativity and courage, being yourself, and tons and tons of brilliant quotes from Marium. 

We laughed A BUNCH and we even talked about the bald eagle American pride tattoo that I have. 

Here’s just a snapshot of Marium’s awesome life: 

Marium Rana is an American-born Pakistani visual artist, who works primarily in ink and aqueous media. She has curated numerous art exhibitions throughout the United States.  She served as the design chair for TEDxFSU.

Be sure to do your patriotic duty and listen to this weeks’ FIRE episode with Marium Rana (say that last part super loud and like a MC bringing someone to the stage).

tomearl.me/acd

Listen to "Art, Culture, and Dopeness With Marium Rana" on Spreaker.

Facebook & Instagram Ads Reflections With Nickey Rautenberg & Tom Earl

Do you use paid ads for digital marketing? Should you?

On this week’s episode, I’m joined by a brilliant marketer, Nickey Rautenberg Norrish, as we discuss the ever controversial topic of… paid Instagram and Facebook Ads.

This topic has so many layers, it was fun unpeeling them by reflecting on best practices and past .

Most people don’t know that with a low budget ad spend, they can be getting 25x the clients vs. organic reach… and with a lot less effort. 

But so many are unsure of the unknown, have heard horror stories of ads being rejected, or just don’t know where to begin.

That’s why Nickey and I really get into the science of ads and how to use them, with tips on what you should do next to get started or optimize what you’re already doing.

I get the honor of working with Nickey through my Facebook Ads agency - THE Celebration Media, so I can say she’s truly an expert I trust!

🎧 Ready to listen? Let’s go!

You can watch or listen here: www.tomearl.me/nickey

Wanna know more? Follow Nickey on instagram.

​​Listen to "Facebook & Instagram Ads Reflections With Nickey Rautenberg & Tom Earl" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Complex Connection and Unrestrained Release With Andrea Hodos and Omar El

We’re back for another one of my favorite style episodes where we dive DEEP into gratitude with two seriously amazing guests. 

This week was full of beautiful feelings that could only be described by one of our guests, Omar El, as therapeutic.

Andrea Hodos is an artist, the creator of Moving Torah and an Associate Director at NewGround: a Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change.

She goes deep to talk about connecting to yourself as well as others and shares how she helps others to do just that.

She spends much of her time connecting people with their roots.

Omar describes himself as complex, an idealistic dreamer who is hardy and multidimensional. He shares his vision for the world and what he’s currently creating for the world at HighAtlas.Shop.

You won’t want to miss what these two lovely people share with us on this episode of Complex Connection and Unrestrained Release…

Get in touch with Andrea on her website:

Hang out with Omar on Instagram:

Ready to dive in?

🎧 Listen now: www.tomearl.me/ao

​​Listen to "Complex Connection and Unrestrained Release With Andrea Hodos and Omar El" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Getting Deep, Ugly & Honest With Your Spirituality + Money Blocks With VibeQueen and Suki Eleuterio

“Your business will be as successful as your mindset will allow you to.” 

This was one of the themes that this week's episode is centered around.

My guests - VibeQueen and Suki Eleuterio - believe business and spirituality go hand in hand. 

This episode is a timely reminder that you are perfect as you are.

Your business isn’t a vehicle by which we can prove our worthiness.

You’re already worthy - just as you are

Suki and VibeQueen explored how to process and move through our money stories, our self-image, and our limiting beliefs.

Suki Eleuterio is a spiritual and business coach focusing on helping people harness their creative energy to create the life and business their SOUL desires. She is also an award winning blogger, podcaster, wife, and mommy.

You can follow her on IG here

VibeQueen is an artist who has been in the music industry for 15+ years. Her mission is to entertain while uplifting her audience through guided meditation, self-awareness, and sharing her journey through her music, blog, and podcast Vibe Talk Awaken. 

You can follow her on IG here

 This conversation was so empowering. 

Do yourself this favor.

Hit play. 

Listen to "Getting Deep, Ugly & Honest With Your Spirituality + Money Blocks With VibeQueen and Suki Eleuterio" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Black Love & Plugging Into Your Spiritual Power Source With Wally B and C-Main Jennings

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how would you give voice to those words? 

This is the mission of Mouth of the Mural. 

Mouth of the Mural is an ekphrastic (i.e. visual art into words) event that unites visual, literary and performance artists with business owners in an effort to celebrate community, connection, and conversation. 

The initiative is founded by power couple Walter “Wally B.” Jennings and Charmaine "C-Maine" Jennings. 

During our interview, we explored how to cultivate a loving, supportive, and long-lasting relationship. 

There were so many special moments where Wally and C-Maine shared honest and vulnerable moments from their 20+ year marriage. 

Walter “Wally B.” Jennings is an ordained minister, published poet, spoken word artist, MC/Host, instructor and strawberry Fruit Roll-Up enthusiast!  A native of Tampa, FL, his poetical talents has allowed him to conduct over 1000 performances, workshops and mentorship sessions in the national spoken word community during his 20-year career.  

Charmaine "C-Maine" Jennings is a 20+year leader in education.  She is a writer, artist and champion for equity, culture, diversity and inclusion.  She has designed and facilitated professional development and workshops for private organizations and K-12 public schools across county and state lines.

At the core of this episode, we discuss the importance of finding the spiritual power source that will sustain you. 

I hope you will do yourself this favor, and dive into this week’s episode. 

Enjoy. 

You can learn more about Mouth of the Mural here and here.

Listen to "Black Love & Plugging Into Your Spiritual Power Source With Wally B and C-Main Jennings" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Black Lives Matter is More Than a Hashtag With Amoja MoMan Sumler

This week’s episode brings you a powerful conversation with Amoja MoMan Sumler. If you’ve been a part of THE Celebration for a while, you’ll recognize MoMan from past episodes. 

For the new folks: MoMan is a nationally celebrated poet, essayist, and one of the preeminent emerging voices of leftist intersectional social advocacy.

This interview takes a dive deep into how we can have action back up our proclamation that Black Lives Matter. 

Plus we talk about: 

Virtue Signaling vs. Actually Taking Action

Aspiring Allyship vs. Performative Allyship 

How to align our actions with our values for change 

The case for defunding the police 

How the NFL, Amazon, and other corporations can actually prove that they support Black Lives Matter 

I’m telling you – that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This interview with MoMan goes in hard. 

MoMan is also one of the most brilliant poets I know, and he made sure to share three powerful poems with us. 

On top of all that: my daughter Jayanma makes a cameo appearance!

Let’s do it. 

Listen to "Black Lives Matter is More Than a Hashtag With Amoja MoMan Sumler" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

An Interview With My Dad

I have been reflecting upon fatherhood ever since… you know… becoming a father. So I knew this would have to be one of the replays I dusted off and brought back to life. 

In May of 2017, I had the opportunity to sit down with my dad for an interview. It’s an episode I treasure and hold dear.  

As a result, it is my honor to share it with you this week.  

Here’s the original writeup: 

I'm so excited that my dad, Tom Earl Sr., joined me for an interview this week!  My dad and I have a special relationship that I am so grateful for.  Not only is he my dad, but he is also my friend, my mentor, an inspiration, and one of my heroes. 

My dad is super humble, so let me brag for a second: he's a self-taught artist and landscape architect, a Vietnam veteran, he raised my oldest sister as a single dad, he started his own business back before it was cool to be an entrepreneur, and he's my dad :).

It took me over a year to convince my dad to do this interview.  And it was well worth the wait.

On this week's episode: My dad shares some cool stories about my childhood and what it's like to be my dad. We also talked about his own personal life journey. Dad imparted some great knowledge about life, entrepreneurship, being unafraid of failure, following passions, and never giving up.

Check out this very personal conversation between my dad and I!

Listen to "An Interview With My Dad" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.