Life! Changes. Yeah? (W/ Special Guest Janna Joyner)

“The things you want in life will change.”

-Janna Joyner (and I working through all the ups and downs and growth we experienced in 2022.)

I don’t know about y’all…

…but I have so many feelings.

So much to process and reflect upon.

If you’re in a similar space then this episode is for you.

Yeah, Tom?

Yes, my friend.

Here is episode 3 (of 4) from the ‘Janna is brilliant and bold and here all month!’ February 2023 series.

Here is how you can connect with Janna.

P.S.

Want to fall in love with your creativity and the feeling you get when you just vulnerably express yourself and share your story?

Then consider joining our brave, messy, awkward, and loving community here.

Listen to "Life! Changes. Yeah? (W/ Special Guest Janna Joyner)" on Spreaker.

Moving Beyond Fear and Embracing your Experience with Nurjahan Boulden

Original Air Date: May 13, 2019

What fear have you been carrying that you are ready to set down? 

 What would it look like to move beyond fear and embrace your experiences?  

This week’s episode provides a bold and courageous reflection on these questions. 

My guest, Nurjahan Boulden, was 21 years old when she was shot with an assault rifle in an attack that killed the man next to her.

That one night changed the trajectory of her life. 

Even as she moved on to become a teacher and mother of three, PTSD and complications from the bullet wound continually threatened her future. 

13 years later, she is now recognized as America’s leading coach for survivors of gun violence who are ready to Feel Safe Again™. 

Fear has been a companion of mine during 2020. I have a feeling I am not alone in this. 

Rather than numbing myself or hiding from it, I have made it a goal to confront, get to know, and investigate my fears. 

A significant part of that journey is listening to the stories, wisdom and reflections from others who are on that same path. 

This episode with Nurjahan is one that I listen to often when I need a reminder of the inner-power that I, and all of us, possess.

For the astute listener keeping track at home, you’ll note that this episode originally aired May 13, 2019. 

As I was re-listening to it this week, I knew that the messages and insights Nurjahan shares could really serve a lot of us at this very moment. 

Even if you distinctly remember listening to this episode when it first aired, I passionately urge you to give it a re-listen. 

The experiences you have gained over the past 1.5 years will allow you to gain new gifts as you re-listen. 

Trust me. 

Do yourself this favor of hitting play. 

Thank you, Nurjahan, for sharing such a vulnerable, authentic, and empowering interview.

tomearl.me/nb

Listen to "Moving Beyond Fear and Embracing your Experience with Nurjahan Boulden" 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.

Compassionate Survival & Dancing Through Healing With Jayson James and Lydiana Garcia

When was the last time you danced out all your feelings?

We’re all doing a bit of “surviving” after the last few years… and we could all use a little extra love.

You MUST listen to our special episode that can only be described as POWERFUL as we went really deep with Jayson James and Lydiana Garcia about being strong and vulnerable and what it takes to keep going.

Lydiana is a therapist and healer, using her passion for dancing to support trauma survivors. She describes herself as a mom, healer, dancer, spirit, teacher, and student. 

Jayson describes themself as compassionate, warm, bright, survivor, loving, and balanced.

This is one amazing discussion you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Ready to listen?

Go to: www.tomearl.me/jl

After the episode, hang out with our guests on Instagram!

Jayson.

Lydiana.

Listen to "Compassionate Survival & Dancing Through Healing With Jayson James and Lydiana Garcia" on Spreaker.

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

Why I Love FB and IG Ads (And You Will Too)

You may have heard that Facebook Ads are the best thing to get a high volume of fresh leads on repeat for your business. Or you may have heard just the opposite. 

I’ve heard people say they aren’t predictable, they are too expensive, or it’s not a path worth going down at all.

I don’t mean to disagree with you or someone you know, but I LOVE Facebook and Instagram Ads. And I can tell you exactly why.

This is a confusing subject for so many, but I’m ready to help clear some things up for you.

Two questions submitted on this subject led to the creation of this very episode and I answer them just for you.

👉 When you started your Facebook ad agency and then later your Facebook Ads course, how did you overcome your fear of starting a new venture?

👉 Why are you passionate about doing ads?

I have to tell you, my friend. It’s easy to talk about something I love so much. 

Ready to hear why? Let’s go!

Listen or watch here.

Listen to "Why I Love FB and IG Ads (And You Will Too)" on Spreaker.

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

Courageous Self Love Revisited

Have you ever headed out the door only to realize you can’t find your keys?

Now, be honest. Did you ever search high and low for your keys, glasses, phone, etc. – only to discover they were in your pocket, purse, or backpack? 

That you were looking everywhere for something that you actually had all along? 

Just the other day I was looking for my glasses only to realize, “oh wait – I’m wearing them.”

You may have heard myself or my guests say that the answers you seek are already within you.

The power within us goes unnoticed and therefore, underutilized until we recognize it is within us. 

Let’s take self-love for example. 

You – I – we – are already worthy of love.  

We are already whole, complete, and powerful. We are miracles. 

And yet, how often do we find ourselves “hustling for our worthiness,” as Brene Brown puts it. 

How often do we find ourselves in that place of guilt, shame, anxiety, or feeling that sense of loss - all stemming from our belief that we must do more in order to be worthy. 

The indisputable fact that we are already worthy is lost on us – which is why we need to recognize its intrinsic nature. 

That’s why this week’s episode is dedicated to providing practical steps towards embracing self-love.  

This episode originally aired at the end of 2017, and revisiting it is a perfect way to end 2020. 

If you listened to it when it first aired, I invite you to walk this path once again. 

If it is your first time, get ready for the ride.

Gift yourself this time of reflection. 

Here we go. 

Listen to "Courageous Self Love Revisited" on Spreaker.

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

Living Your Most Pleasurable Life With Kimra Luna

Imagine you have a million dollar business. 

Imagine you have a multi-million dollar business that took you years to build.  

Everyday you get to empower amazing people.

You’re living the dream. 

And loving it. 

Until one day - you’re not. 

Inside you start to feel a calling to serve a new mission. 

That inner-voice grows until it becomes a choir singing it is time to change direction. 

Would you have the courage to walk away from this super successful company that has brought you notoriety, wealth, and an enormous audience? 

This was the crossroads this week’s guest, Kimra Luna, found herself about a year ago. 

If you Google ‘Kimra Luna’ you’ll find a number of articles, including Forbes and Business Insider, detailing Kimra’s journey from “Welfare To $1M [Business Owner].”

As someone who has been in the entrepreneur community for a decade, Kimra’s name was one of the first you’d come across when looking for tips to start your business. 

A few months ago, I was on Facebook and saw Kimra post a Google drive folder that gave everyone complete access to her entire course curriculum, modules and resources. 

Previously you would have paid thousands of dollars to access this kind of content from Kimra. 

And now - it was all there - with the message from Kimra that she is leaving the business coaching world and embarking on her new mission a cosmic sensuality coach and pleasure activist.

I immediately messaged Kimra asking if she’d be open to sitting down for an interview to share her story and her journey. 

As you meant imagine - this turned out to be one of my favorite interviews of all time. 

Yes - Kimra shares details on what led to her decision. 

But the majority of this episode goes all in on the vital, important, and necessary mission and business that Kimra has launched. 

We talked about healing from trauma, sex, love, relationships, music, sensuality, self-love and activism.  Topics she covers every week on her podcast and Youtube channel.

Kimra took a deep dive into the core component of her new signature program - 30 Days of Slowing The Eff Down - and you discover your deepest desires, connect with your personal pleasure and shed the shame so you can channel your inner creatrix and live the life you deserve. 

I’m telling you - this episode is a must-listen!

Please do yourself the favor if absorbing the knowledge, compassion and tools Kimra openly shares during this episode. 

Alright.  This was the longest writeup ever - I know. 

Time to stop reading and start listening. 

Hit play.

Here we go.  

You can find her works at kimraluna.com or on Instagram at @kimraluna

Listen to "Living Your Most Pleasurable Life With Kimra Luna" on Spreaker.

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

Gifts for My Child Episode 7

Featuring: Shelby Birch, Moses Weir, Walter Wally B. Jennings, and Jessica Estevez

Wow! Can you believe it?! This is the final episode of the ‘Gifts for My Child’ series. For those of you just tuning in – I highly recommend you start with episode 1 of this series. 

I am so grateful to all of my friends who shared their time, their love, and their wisdom with Jayanma by participating in this project. 

There are so many intentions and aspirations that went into this project. One of the main ones being that I want Jayanma to know that there is a community of people ready to listen and be there for her. 

As a new dad, these interviews have been such a resource! 

I am so excited for Jayanma to listen to this as she gets older. I envision her checking them out 32 years later, and reflecting on her dad creating them while he was 32 and preparing for her arrival. 

Wow. What a fun thought. 

Speaking of – I’d love to hear your thoughts on this project. And, as always, if you have any advice or reflections on any questions I asked my guests, please send them in!

Thank you so much for listening to this series! 

Listen to "Gifts for My Child Episode 7" on Spreaker.

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Gifts for My Child Episode 6

Featuring: Alex Sullivan, Dermot Givens, Irmina and Ace Vedo

Episode 6 of ‘Gifts for My Child’ has arrived. This will be the second to last episode. If you haven’t yet, be sure to start with episodes 1 & 2 so you can learn the context behind this series. 

There have been moments where I am holding Jayanma and listening to these interviews and I just get tears in my eyes. The advice, words of wisdom, and love that people shared just brings me such joy. 

As you’re listening to this week’s episodes, be sure to let me know if you have any additional reflections you’d like to share!

Enjoy. 

Listen to "Gifts for My Child Episode 6" on Spreaker.

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

The More You Love Yourself… With Timothy Mays

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 voice 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.

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

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