Best Benjamin Shelby Podcasts (2025)

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How Bridge-Building Questions Cross Divides! | Frank Sesno #58

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5d ago

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"I'm gonna make an appointment with my curiosity." - Frank Sesno Emmy award-winning journalist Frank Sesno shares how curiosity and strategic questioning shaped his four-decade career covering presidents and world leaders as CNN's Washington Bureau Chief and White House correspondent. From a fourth-grade question about astronauts to interviewing fi…

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Building Enduring Trust Through the Questions We Ask! | Jaimie Reese #57

7d ago

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"When you have a trusting environment, it is exactly to hold each other accountable." - Jaimie Reese What does it take to build trust in one of the world’s largest bureaucracies? Former U.S. Navy Senior Executive (SES) Jaimie Reese joins Ken Woodward to explore how genuine curiosity and courageous questioning can reshape systems, teams, and lives. …

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Safety, Burnout, and the High-Achievement Mask! | Garrett Wood #56

14d ago

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"The closer you become with these people while you're wearing that mask, the more distant you actually feel from the people around you." - Garrett Wood In this episode of Curated Questions, host Ken Woodward engages in a deep conversation with Garrett Wood, a national board-certified health and wellness coach and certified clinical hypnotherapist. …

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The Locked Door: How Avoided Questions Hold the Key to Transformation! | Ken Woodward #55 35:27

21d ago35:27

35:27

Episode Notes 00:00 The Possibility Of Your Avoided Question 01:21 Welcome to Curated Questions 01:59 Tangled Wings' Impact 04:31 The Question That Changes Questions 07:43 When Your Brain Says "Nope" (A Friendly Science Tour) 12:06 The Locked Door Model (Your Map to the Question) 15:11 A Personal Interlude (When I Found My Door) 16:10 From Boardroo…

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The Permission Paradox & Why Questions Matter More Than Approval! | Jill Reilly #54 1:17:54

28d ago1:17:54

1:17:54

"The most fundamental relationship in any change process is the one that you have with yourself. It's the questions that you ask yourself first and foremost that are the game changers." - Jill Reilly In this episode of Curated Questions, host Ken Woodward is in conversation with global citizen and author Jill Reilly to explore the power of question…

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Author Talk with Dr. Ashley Baker 21:25

19d ago21:25

21:25

In this episode, local author Dr. Ashley Baker speaks with Ross about her new book The Ashes of Us, which is a novel that navigates themes of trauma, paternal love, and the devastating price of retribution. Dr. Baker talks about her inspiration for the book and how she's utilized her experiences and knowledge to write a book that is ultimately a tr…

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Impactful Questions: Am I My Brother's Keeper? Ken Woodward | Ken Woodward #53 45:06

1M ago45:06

45:06

"Am I my brother's keeper? Is answered in the daily work of showing up, being challenged, getting it wrong, being corrected, and showing up again." - Ken Woodward In this solo episode, Ken Woodward explores one of humanity's oldest and most challenging questions: "Am I my brother's keeper?" Born from Cain's evasion after murdering Abel, this questi…

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Why Asking the Right Questions Beats Having Quick Answers! | Amy Radin #52 1:34:53

1M ago1:34:53

1:34:53

"Asking the right questions the right way at the right time can often be more of a determinant of your success than being the person to raise their hand and come up with the answer." - Amy Radin Amy Radin is a pioneer in corporate innovation and strategic questioning. Amy shares her journey from the influence of her father's corner drugstore to bec…

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Mental Models, Cognitive Frameworks, and the Questions That Disrupt Them! | Dave McGurk #51 1:27:11

2M ago1:27:11

1:27:11

"If we start talking about developing people, you have to ask those deep questions." - Dave McGurk Dave is a transformational leader who bridges military precision with cutting-edge organizational development. As Founder and CEO of Veridian Perspective and Vice President at Apogee Global RMS, Dave brings over 20 years of executive leadership experi…

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Why "Who Do I Say I Am?" Changes Everything! | Mike Hilson #50 1:25:57

2M ago1:25:57

1:25:57

"Who am I? Was never gonna turn out well. Who do I say I am? Had a chance." - Mike Hilson Host Ken Woodward welcomes Pastor Mike Hilson, senior pastor of New Life Church. They delve deep into how questions shape identity, leadership, and personal growth. Mike shares his journey, from wrestling with self-identity as a child to leading a thriving net…

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The Key to Helping Others Find Their Own Questions! | Naomi Campbell #49 1:24:16

2M ago1:24:16

1:24:16

"Questions are an extremely sophisticated thinking skill that everyone can use and practice all the time." - Naomi Campbell In this episode, host Ken Woodward is in conversation with Naomi Campbell, Director of the Right Question Institute (RQI) Legal Empowerment Program. They delve into the transformative power of teaching people to ask questions,…

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Forsyth Reads Together with William Kent Krueger 12:20

2M ago12:20

12:20

In this episode, Ross talks with William Kent Krueger about his Cork O'Connor series, including a sneak peak of the next book in the series, God's Country. Krueger discusses his use of a small town setting, spirituality, and a dynamic protagonist to keep his long-running series compelling to readers. Krueger will be visiting the Sharon Forks Librar…

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The Curated Questions Origin Story: When It All Began! | Ken Woodward #48 27:30

2M ago27:30

27:30

In this solo episode, host Ken Woodward delves into the origin and development of the 'Curated Questions' project, which began in 2018. Ken shares his personal journey of curiosity, inspiration from Tim Ferriss' podcast, and the influences that led to the creation of his blog and subsequent podcast. Highlighting notable milestones and influential i…

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How Questions Create Instant Trust in Any Conversation! | Maury Rogow #47 1:43:50

3M ago1:43:50

1:43:50

"You were the most interested person in the room, and you're gonna get love." - Maury Rogow Maury Rogow is all about storytelling. He is the CEO of the Rip Media Group and creator of the Story2Sales methodology that's generated over $150 million in trackable revenue for clients. I appreciate the tag line, "Your brand will thrive or die, based on th…

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Mark Lee Gardner's "Shot All to Hell, Jesse James, the Northfield Raid 29:48

3M ago29:48

29:48

https://uncommonhistory.substack.com/ The End of an Era in the Wild West The American Wild West continues to captivate the public imagination, with figures like Jesse James remaining iconic symbols of an untamed frontier. This enduring fascination often romanticizes the era's dramatic events, yet historical accounts, such as Mark Lee Gardner's "Sho…

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Why the Right Question Feels Like an Invitation | Dr. Matt Lampe #46 1:35:11

3M ago1:35:11

1:35:11

"The meaning of your communication is the result you are getting." - Dr. Matt Lampe With a Doctorate from Alliant International University's California School of Professional Psychology, Matt has dedicated his career to transforming how organizations approach change, leadership development, and workplace agility. He is currently leading enterprise-…

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The Power of Asking "What Do I Do Now?" Instead of "Why Me?" | Dr. Latorial Faison #45 2:05:57

3M ago2:05:57

2:05:57

"When I even think that I wanna give up, I can't because people like this put their life on the line so that I could have better opportunities." - Dr. Latorial Faison Dr. Latorial Faison is an HBCU and Virginia State University Professor, Poet, Author, Independent Scholar & Senior Military Spouse. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Virginia …

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The Dedication of Denmark Library 45:31

3M ago45:31

45:31

It has been an exciting year for the Forsyth County Public Libraries. We opened a brand new library branch in March: Denmark Library! On May 10, 2025, the library's official dedication took place. Many local and state officials were on hand to share what this library has meant to them and what it will mean for the community. If you missed the dedic…

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Bloody Breathitt- Murder, Power, and the Price of Silence. 11:56

3M ago11:56

11:56

https://uncommonhistory.substack.com/ You’d think a courthouse would be the safest place in town. Built of stone, with a flag waving above and a judge inside. But in Jackson, Kentucky, around the turn of the 20th century, you’d best keep your head down—especially on court day. Because in Breathitt County… justice didn’t wear a robe. It carried a Wi…

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What Machines Can’t Imitate - On Questions, Doubt, and the Discipline of Curiosity | AI Alan Turing #44 48:30

3M ago48:30

48:30

"I suspect beauty comes when a question both sharpens and enlarges your vision." - AI Alan Turing In this special episode, we step back to a cold December night in 1951 and into the warm, wood-paneled room of The Britons Protection, a historic Manchester pub. Across the table sits Alan Turing, the mathematician, wartime codebreaker, and one of the …

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The Scholar Who Sees Literature in Sneakers, Hip-Hop, and Gaming | Dr. Jemayne King #43 1:39:08

4M ago1:39:08

1:39:08

"Sneaker culture literature is no different than any other form of literature." - Dr. Jemayne King Jemayne, is creative, insightful, and VERY intentional. He is the founder of Sole Food Brand LLC, sole is spelled S.O.L.E which you will come to appreciate, and among many things, his company celebrates HBCUs (or Historically Black Colleges and Univer…

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The Untamed Frontier: When Justice Wore a Six-Gun 16:09

4M ago16:09

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The Untamed Frontier: When Justice Wore a Six-Gun https://uncommonhistory.substack.com/ We are going to begin a multi part series into a foundational text for understanding American outlaw: Emerson Hough’s 1907 classic, The Story of the Outlaw: A Study of the Western Desperado. It's not just a collection of biographical sketches about cowboys and b…

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Want Connection? Skip The Small Talk | Ashley Kirsner #42 1:40:41

4M ago1:40:41

1:40:41

"It is much safer to be vulnerable than you might think." - Ashley Kirsner Ashley is the founder and director of Skip the Small Talk, and believes in the efficacy of high-quality person-to-person interaction for improving psychological health. She has conducted research with professors at prestigious organizations such as Cornell University, the Ha…

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The Question of Beauty: A Photographer's Pursuit | Robert Sturman #41 1:23:54

4M ago1:23:54

1:23:54

"I realized that paying attention is a form of a question." - Robert Sturman Robert Sturman is a seeker and visual storyteller. Driven by an unshakeable belief that beauty exists everywhere. He has pursued this vision as an Official Artist of the Grammy Awards and the FIFA World Cup, and as a globally recognized photographer who captures the healin…

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Reviving Benjamin Franklin's Junto: How Questions Built America | Ken Woodward #40 24:31

4M ago24:31

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"They were the leather apron crowd, average guys intent on having extraordinary conversations." - Ken Woodward In this episode of Curated Questions, host Ken Woodward uncovers a forgotten antidote to our fractured discourse: Benjamin Franklin's Junto. In 1727 Philadelphia, a 21-year-old printer gathered tradesmen—the 'leather apron crowd'—for Frida…

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How Asking 'What Was That Like' Creates Extraordinary Connection | Scott Johnson #39 1:35:40

4M ago1:35:40

1:35:40

"I brought these people together and now they're engaging with each other and enriching each other's lives." - Scott Johnson Scott is a curious listener and natural connector. He started The Computer Tutor in 1999 and then expanded to include a compendium podcast, which he hosted for several hundred episodes. Driven by an insatiable desire to under…

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How Do You Build a Life That Honors All Your Talents? | Ernest Ponraj #38 1:10:12

5M ago1:10:12

1:10:12

"That's where things started with my idea and vision for this space." - Ernest Ponraj Dr. Ernest Ponraj, a native of Montgomery County, Maryland, pursued his undergraduate studies at Pacific Union College in California before earning his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Loma Linda University in 2008. After obtaining his DDS license, he returned to …

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Walking 2,085 Miles Through America's Hard History | Ken Woodward #37 35:05

5M ago35:05

35:05

"Albeit on wobbly legs, I chose courage." - Ken Woodward Curated Questions host, Ken Woodward recounts his transformative journey of questioning deeply held beliefs about patriotism and social justice, influenced by significant moments, readings, and personal encounters. This introspective episode delves into his midlife reevaluation of American hi…

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When Every Conversation Holds Possibility | Jeff Wetzler #36 51:00

5M ago51:00

51:00

"That is the question. What can I learn from this person?" - Jeff Wetzler Jeff is a learner and teacher. Blending a unique set of leadership experiences in business and education, he has pursued this quest as a management consultant to the world’s top corporations, as a learning facilitator for leaders around the world, as Chief Learning Officer at…

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When You Show Up for Yourself, Your World Changes | Shelbie Morgan #35 1:02:44

5M ago1:02:44

1:02:44

"I had a lot of small victories, but it wasn't until I showed up as me completely that my world began to change." - Shelbie Morgan Shelbie Morgan is a force for good. Good purpose, good energy, good vibes, and good financial literacy. For several years, Shelbie worked in corporate marketing and social media, with her last corporate role in human re…

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From FBI Interrogations to Corporate Conversations | MK Palmore #34 1:20:06

6M ago1:20:06

1:20:06

"The secret to interviewing is knowing when to shut up and listen." - MK Palmore M.K. Palmore's story begins where many transformational leaders find their compass—in service to something greater than themselves. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., during a time when the city carried the sobering title of "murder capital" of the United States, the…

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From Cowboy Dreams to Coaching Life Transitions | Tony Kennedy #33 43:34

6M ago43:34

43:34

"What are we going to do afterwards?" - Tony Kennedy Tony Kennedy began his collegiate football career by earning a Division I scholarship at Virginia Tech (1988-1992). In 1993, Tony signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, fulfilling a childhood dream. Although he finished his professional career in 1994, he has remained active in the colle…

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Why Curiosity Converts Better Than Commission | Patrick Dubois #32 1:31:04

6M ago1:31:04

1:31:04

"We want to learn from our mistakes. And remember, it's a miss-take, so we can do it again." - Patrick Dubois Patrick Dubois has over 30 years of experience in corporate sales and leadership for the veterinary and pet spaces. In 2024, he launched his own consultancy, Sales Growth Today, as a conduit to share his expertise through coaching, seminars…

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Color Our World: Your Summer Reading 2025 Guide 10:07

7M ago10:07

10:07

Summer Reading is just around the corner, and Ross is joined by Sarah Brubaker, Programming Manager at FCPL, to discuss how to make the most of this year's Summer Reading Fun! Sarah shares how to get started using Beanstack, as well as some tips and tricks for logging your and your family's reading. Curious about our incremental and grand prizes, o…

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Kevin Kelly: The Future Belongs to the Question-Makers | Kevin Kelly #31 50:30

7M ago50:30

50:30

"In any vibrant, ongoing discipline, questioning has to be at the heart of it, or there's no growth." - Kevin Kelly Kevin Kelly is one of the most original voices in technology and culture. Kevin's career is a journey through the heart of innovation. He helped launch Wired magazine, shaping our understanding of the digital revolution. Before that, …

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Intentionally Cracking Love's Enigma Through Analytics | Tim Molnar #30 1:25:48

7M ago1:25:48

1:25:48

"The better question is, how am I feeling in my body at the end of or during this date? Do I feel safe? Do I feel seen? Am I energized?" - Tim Molnar Tim Molnar isn't your typical dating coach—he's a fascinating blend of academic researcher and practical relationship strategist who's transformed how we think about finding love. As a former Fulbrigh…

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Cultivating Transformational Growth Through Questions | Dave Reynolds #29 1:25:40

8M ago1:25:40

1:25:40

"We don't want it to be transactional. We want it to be transformational." - Dave Reynolds Dave Reynolds is a serial entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of the Rumin8 Group in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Rumin8 is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs scale small and medium-sized organizations through executive coaching, performance management tool…

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From Lightning's Wrath to Neuro Resilience | Lisa Wimberger #28 1:11:26

8M ago1:11:26

1:11:26

"When you mix curiosity with the urgency of imminent death, you get power you never knew you had." - Lisa Wimberger To understand Lisa's story, we must first acknowledge that humans have three primary options in moments of stress or fear: fight, flee, or freeze. Lisa is predisposed to the freeze response. Hit by lightning on her 15th birthday, clin…

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A Fork, A Precipice, A Decision | Ken Woodward #27 24:42

9M ago24:42

24:42

Host Ken Woodward shares a personal and professional dilemma faced upon receiving an unexpected resignation offer from his government employer. Reflecting on extensive conversations and internal contemplation, Ken explores the strengths and vulnerabilities of his situation. Highlighting the obstacles and emotional turmoil faced while deciding to st…

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The Catalyst for Collaborative Conversations | Chad Littlefield #26 1:08:36

9M ago1:08:36

1:08:36

"Pay attention in conversations and to the questions that you ask because they can have a profound effect on people." - Chad Littlefield Chad Littlefield is the co-founder and Chief Experience Officer of We and Me (www.weand.me). The organization aims to help leaders, educators, and events make connection easy. His successful 2015 Kickstarter for W…

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Seth Godin: Embracing Tension & Unleashing Questions Strategic Potential | Seth Godin #25 43:37

10M ago43:37

43:37

"The reason we hesitate to ask questions is because they create tension." - Seth Godin Seth Godin is a bestselling author of 22 books in 39 languages, entrepreneur, and speaker. Books include The Dip, Linchpin, Purple Cow, Tribes, This is Marketing, The Carbon Almanac, and most recently, This is Strategy. In April of 2025, he will upload his 10,000…

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Forsyth Reads Together with Shelby Van Pelt 16:53

10M ago16:53

16:53

In this episode of Unreadable, Ross speaks with Shelby Van Pelt about her novel Remarkably Bright Creatures, this year's Forsyth Reads Together selection. Van Pelt's debut novel, published in 2022, remains a New York Times bestseller and features the unique perspective of Marcellus the octopus as a narrator. Van Pelt spoke with Ross about how she d…

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Impactful Questions: Are You Better Off… | Ken Woodward #24 20:50

10M ago20:50

20:50

This episode dives into the significant political question posed by Ronald Reagan during the closing moments of his 1980 presidential debate with Jimmy Carter: 'Are you better off than you were four years ago?' Ken Woodward explores the context of the 1980 political climate, marked by economic difficulties, high inflation, unemployment, and interna…

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Right Now Questions Explored | Ken Woodward #23 36:57

10M ago36:57

36:57

This episode explores 'Right Now Questions,' a concept introduced in an earlier 2024 podcast episode. The episode compiles various interviews where individuals share their current pressing questions. Featured guests include author Chazz Scott, who discusses life post-book release and physical recovery, and sisters Shreyaa and Esha Venkat from the n…

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2024 Recap, Reflections, and A Look Ahead | Ken Woodward #22 23:45

11M ago23:45

23:45

This episode features a solo reflection by Ken Woodward, the host of the Curated Questions podcast, on episodes from 2024. Ken provides an overview and insights from 19 different episodes. Snapshots include significant points, questions, and background with various guests, including activists, authors, executives, and performers. Topics range from …

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Benjamin Franklin's Satirical Spark: The Accidental Birth of Daylight-Saving Time 4:33

11M ago4:33

4:33

https://linktr.ee/uncommonhistory Benjamin Franklin's Satirical Spark: The Accidental Birth of Daylight-Saving Time In 1784, Benjamin Franklin penned a satirical letter to the Journal de Paris that would inadvertently plant the seed for what we now know as Daylight Saving Time. This humorous piece, far from being a serious policy proposal, showcase…

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A Clarion Call For Kindness & Social Good! | Shreyaa & Esha Venkat #21 1:49:53

11M ago1:49:53

1:49:53

Shreyaa Venkat and Esha Venkat were inspired by their parents model of serving those in need, and founded the non-profit NEST4US, that is N.E.S.T Numeral 4 U.S., as a philanthropic platform built upon kindness, generosity, and social good. With the mission of making the world better through kindness by mobilizing volunteers worldwide to advance pro…

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Winter Reading Challenge 2024 6:14

11M ago6:14

6:14

It's that time again! Our Winter Reading Challenge is back. If you enjoyed the reading challenge last year, especially collecting those trading cards, we have good news for you: we have a whole new set of trading cards to collect this winter! The Winter Reading Challenge is for all ages. Listen to find out how to participate and what grand prizes c…

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A Benediction For Black Womanhood And Softness! | EbonyJanice Moore #20 1:21:12

12M ago1:21:12

1:21:12

EbonyJanice Moore is the founder and CEO of The Free People Project and The EbonyJanice Project. She has authored several books, and her most recent release is “All The Black Girls Are Activists: A Fourth Wave Womanist Pursuit Of Dreams As Radical Resistance.” Her Spiritual Mentorship Program, entitled “Dream Yourself Free,” is designed to support …

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A Courageous Quest For Beloved Community | Jerry Colonna #19 1:13:12

1y ago1:13:12

1:13:12

Jerry Colonna is a coach, writer, and speaker focusing on leadership, business, and radical self-inquiry. For over two decades, he has proposed that work should be nonviolent to the self, community, and planet. He is host of the Reboot Podcast and the co-founder of Reboot.io, a company founded on the belief that work does not have to destroy us but…