In this powerful New Year conversation, Asher sits down with Eugene and Donna Perry of Young People Nation to talk about mental health, marriage, faith, finances, and legacy.
With over 40 years of marriage, the Perrys share raw, honest stories about healing, counseling, faith, parenting, and why mental health is not a taboo topic — it’s a life-saving one.
From community impact to financial wisdom, from marriage transparency to mental wellness, this episode reminds us that as long as you’re above ground, you’re still young — and there is always hope.
Scripture Reference: Romans 15:13
Reminder: You are not alone. Help exists. Healing is possible.
In Episode 261, Asher reconnects with Dr. PI, a leader at the University of Louisville who recently moved from strength & conditioning coaching into administration. This conversation explores leadership, communication, and the perspective shifts that come after disruption.
Dr. PI shares reflections on his recent promotion, his new office, and the season of life he's entered—one focused on refinement rather than accumulation. He opens up about a serious motorcycle accident that happened last year and how the recovery process became a mental, spiritual, and emotional turning point.
We talk about:
• Why this stage of life is about refining, not adding
• What a motorcycle accident revealed about priorities
• How to collaborate with professionals under pressure (even when you have knowledge)
• The importance of respecting others' expertise, especially in crisis
• Learning from athletes as a coach (it's a two-way street)
• Reading body language and knowing when to stop talking
• Why careers aren't always straight lines—sometimes they loop
• The urgent/important matrix for decision-making
• Why coaches need coaches (everyone needs advisors)
• Navigating unexpected career shifts (like daily conversations with lawyers)
Key Quote:
"Earlier in our careers, it's about conquering, growing, adding, multiplying. At this stage, it's about refining. How do I make my processes, my thought patterns, my conversations, my relationships better?"
This episode isn't about wins and losses. It's about how leaders think, how they communicate, and how they show up under pressure.
If you're in a season of refinement, navigating recovery, or learning to lead with grace—this conversation is for you.
Connect with Dr. PI: University of Louisville Athletics
Subscribe to It's My Time Podcast for weekly conversations with everyday people doing extraordinary things.
Episode 260: Bryan Sartin - Highway Engineer
Bryan divides his life into two parts: before and after May 9, 2005. Before that date included instability across four states and abandonment at 15. After that date, his grandparents provided the stability that led to a 14-year career designing America's infrastructure.
Topics discussed:
• Why infrastructure projects take decades to complete
• The engineering shortage creating unexpected opportunities
• His journey from geotechnical to highway engineering
• Remote work on Georgia DOT projects from North Carolina
• The "two-year rule" for new graduates
• Bridge replacements and the 1950s infrastructure crisis
Bryan's advice: "Stick it out for two years minimum. I felt like a total idiot my first nine months. Now I design the roads you drive daily."
Currently living in Mebane, NC, Bryan works on bridge replacements and intersection improvements while collecting highway signs from his projects.
Connect: Instagram @bsizzle
IT'S MY TIME PODCAST
Host: Asher Tchoua
Episode 260 of 270+
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Episode 259: Bradston Henry - Marvelously Mediocre and Thriving
After 13 years, I sit down with Bradston Henry, a Georgia Tech engineering graduate who's mastered the art of being "good enough" at everything—and why that's actually a superpower.
From his Jamaican engineering family roots to surviving Georgia Tech's brutal curriculum, to pivoting from mechanical engineering to programming, Bradston's journey proves that self-awareness beats perfectionism every time.
We discuss:
• The "fastest on JV, slowest on Varsity" philosophy
• Why AI is basically "trust me, bro" (problematic for bridges)
• How engineering trauma bonds last forever
• The unexpected path from break-dancing to programming
• Why engineers make great storytellers
• Preparing for fatherhood while building careers
Plus: Why Georgia Tech prepares you for anything life throws at you (because nothing will ever be that intense again).
Connect with Bradston:
LinkedIn: Bradston Henry
Podcast: Semantics (Theme-antics)
IT'S MY TIME PODCAST
Share your transition: speak@itsmytimepodcast.com
Episode 258 features Dr. Susan Burns, Professor of Civil Engineering at Georgia Tech and my former geotechnical engineering professor. In this reunion conversation, Dr. Burns shares her journey from a NASA engineer's daughter to becoming a beloved educator and administrator at one of the nation's top engineering schools.
We discuss:
• Growing up in a science-oriented family (NASA father, chemist mother)
• The evolution of Georgia Tech from "harsh" to nurturing
• Why civil engineering is a people-serving profession
• The importance of mentorship in engineering
• Her current role as interim AVP for Research
• How alumni donations transformed Tech's campus
Dr. Burns reminds us that engineering isn't just about structures and calculations—it's about relationships, service, and preparing the next generation to literally hold lives in their hands.
A genuine conversation about transitions in academia, engineering, and life.
#Engineering #Education #GeorgiaTech
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This episode contains discussion of business opportunities with MLM connections. Claims made have not been verified. Listen with caution and read full disclaimer.
Episode 257 features Barry Nembhard and Paul Dolphin discussing mindset transformation and business opportunities. Post-recording research revealed unverifiable claims and MLM connections.
This episode is preserved with extensive warnings as an educational example of red flags in business opportunities.
NOT AN ENDORSEMENT. For MLM information: ftc.gov/mlm
Renaldo Lawrence is a content creator, educator, and Adobe Educational Leader based in London, England. For nearly seven years, he's posted daily 30-60 second encouragement videos—a practice that started after one message saved someone's life.
In this episode, Renaldo and I reconnect to talk about his journey from professional basketball player to educator, his mission to inspire students and strangers alike, and why he believes "age is a gift."
What we discussed:
✅ The phone call that changed everything (why he posts daily encouragement)
✅ His near-death accident and the wake-up call it provided
✅ "I don't have bad days—I might have a bad hour, but never a bad day"
✅ Teaching 1,300 students in London (and why classroom size matters)
✅ YouTube University: Learning anything from drone videography to life skills
✅ His 99-year-old mother and the importance of seeing family while you can
✅ Why the next generation doesn't know their history (and how to fix it)
✅ Building a self-help course on self-care launching fall 2019
✅ Going from 5 days/week to 3 days/week (and how it changed his life)
✅ Paper and pencil > digital: Writing down goals and solutions
✅ His great-great-grandfather was the first Black man in the South Carolina Senate
CONNECT WITH RENALDO:
Instagram: @renaldlawrence1
Facebook: Renaldo Lawrence
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@renaldostechnologyworld-u2m
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renaldo-lawrence
ABOUT IT'S MY TIME PODCAST:
Hosted by Asher Tchoua, this podcast highlights everyday people with extraordinary stories. Because we all have a voice, a vision, and a way we lead those we serve.
Website: itsmytimepodcast.com
📬 SUBSCRIBE for weekly conversations that remind you: your time is now.
Nicole Stuhr is a civil site design and stormwater engineer, a working mom of twins, and someone who stayed with the same company for 11 years—by choice.
But her journey from Georgia Tech grad to senior engineer wasn't without challenges. Imposter syndrome. Learning how to "hobby." Balancing million-dollar projects with bedtime routines.
In this conversation, Nicole and I (her former Georgia Tech classmate) reconnect to talk about:
✅ Why being a mom of twins is "efficient" (her engineer brain is showing)
✅ The moment she realized: "Maybe there's more to life than just work"
✅ How she went from working overtime constantly to learning dance and book clubs
✅ Beating imposter syndrome after 10 years: "I finally know what I'm doing"
✅ What it's like auditing 60-year-old contractors as a 22-year-old female engineer
✅ Why civil engineering only gets attention when something breaks
✅ The evolution of work-life balance across generations
✅ Her philosophy: "We work to live, not live to work"
CONNECT WITH NICOLE:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-stuhr
ABOUT IT'S MY TIME PODCAST:
Hosted by Asher Tchoua, this podcast highlights everyday people with extraordinary stories. Because we all have a voice, a vision, and a way we lead those we serve.
Website: itsmytimepodcast.com
📬 SUBSCRIBE for weekly conversations with people who chose growth over comfort.
In this episode, I reconnect with my 5th-grade classmate Ali Awad, now known as "The CEO Lawyer," who has built a personal injury law firm with 140 employees and 9 divisions across multiple states.
We take a deep dive into Ali's transformation from the shy, quiet kid in Dalton, Georgia, to a fearless entrepreneur who started selling on eBay in middle school and never looked back.
Topics:
How Ali's father enrolled him in martial arts to combat bullying—and how that discipline shaped his entire business approach
Running a six-figure eBay business in middle school while maintaining straight A's
The concept of "breaking your brand" and why changing environments is crucial for growth
How growing up in a Palestinian immigrant family shaped his survival-based approach to entrepreneurship
Managing a law firm with virtual teams in Mexico and Colombia
Why he believes "you should only fear God and not fear man"—and how faith drives fearless business decisions
The stories behind his book "Laws of Victory" and the childhood lessons he still applies today
His approach to AI implementation in the legal industry
Why he refuses to buy retail and how that mindset extends to every business decision
The importance of fair compensation and ethical business practices in building a lasting company
Guest Bio: Ali Awad is the CEO of a multi-million dollar personal injury law firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. Starting with entrepreneurial ventures at age 5, Ali has built his career on fearlessness, discipline, and constant learning. He's also the author of "Laws of Victory."
Connect with Ali: Instagram/TikTok/Facebook: @CEOLawyer
Book: "Laws of Victory" available on Amazon
EP 253 — Sonya Denise: Whispers of Grace, Boundaries & Becoming
Author, retired educator, and nonprofit founder Sonya Denise returns to talk about healing without perfection, choosing peace over chaos, and serving families through the Sonya Denise Foundation. We cover “no more shame,” how to set healthy boundaries, practical journaling rhythms, mental-health access, and the launch of her 365-day devotional Whispers of Grace and podcast Transformational Conversations.
Links
• LoveSonyaDenise.com — books & merch
• TheSonyaDeniseFoundation.com — programs & giving
• New devotional: Whispers of Grace
• Podcast: Transformational Conversations with Sonya Denise
In this episode, Asher sits down with Janeekis Harper, a construction manager turned solopreneur, to talk about career transitions, personal growth, and finding balance between discipline and self‑care. From building projects to building a life of purpose, Janeekis shares lessons learned from leadership, career pivots, and redefining success on her own terms.
🎧 Tune in for insights on:
Navigating career transitions and finding your lane
What it takes to thrive as a woman in construction
Learning when to stay, when to shift, and how to grow from both
➡️ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/O3kjxzdSvNQ
🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, and Audible.
🏈 “When family, faith, and football come together, you get something special.”
In Episode 251 of It’s My Time Podcast, Asher sits down with Coach Gabe and his son Clay Jackson for a heartfelt conversation about parenting, leadership, and teamwork.
From California’s football culture to lessons on integrity and faith, this episode highlights what it means to lead by example both at home and on the field.
🎧 Tune in and subscribe for new episodes every week.
How do you rediscover purpose when the path changes?
In this week’s episode, Brendan Ferguson shares lessons from teaching overseas, returning home, and rebuilding a career in engineering.
It’s a reminder that growth isn’t always glamorous—sometimes it’s about slowing down, realigning, and moving forward with quiet confidence.
Watch full episode on YouTube → https://linktw.in/YAsqqt
Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts 🎧 itsmytimepodcast.com
Today’s guest is Dr. Jimmy Shaw of Florence, Alabama. We talk about servant leadership, how schools strengthen neighborhoods, teacher retention, and why mentors matter.
Links: Guest → https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawjimmy?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
YouTube → https://youtu.be/pki8zBLjcyY?si=ResVe08a2OaAAWj7 | Newsletter → [link]
If this episode resonates, leave a rating and share it with someone in education.
Civil engineering is about more than blueprints and codes — it’s about creating legacies. In Episode 248, I sit down with Vinod Gopinath (Civil Engineers World, India) to discuss his 30 years of industrial construction, eco-friendly building, and why passion is the engineer’s greatest tool.
In Episode 247 of It’s My Time Podcast, I talk with Doug DeWitt of Coastal Business Supplies. Doug shares how CRIO laser printing is changing the creative space and how his team supports entrepreneurs every step of the way.
🎧 Listen & Subscribe → itsmytimepodcast.com
In Episode 246 of It’s My Time Podcast, we sit down with Tonda Pratt — a vibrant soul who has turned loss into light and strangers into family.
Tonda shares her story of overcoming negativity, finding love, and embracing life through her travels with a historical reenactment group. She opens up about:
Growing up in Hazard, Kentucky and shaping her outlook on life
Meeting her husband and building a partnership grounded in love and laughter
How traveling with a chosen family taught her the value of connection, joy, and belonging
What it takes to shift from focusing on negative voices to living in gratitude and fun
Tonda embodies what it means to live authentically, spreading joy wherever she goes.
👉 Watch, listen, and join us in celebrating her story as part 3 of our 4-part Texas mini-series.
Shelia Tucker shares her journey from wig making to embroidery, how she connected with Sew Sweet Academy, and what inspired her at her first Appliqué Getaway.
Listen to the full Appliqué Getaway 2025 mini-series → https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF4dTlhSjXy_udshuhM8g_W4jho6mZid9&si=PdU3vSjqiMl5N9x_
In this episode of It’s My Time Podcast, I sit down with Letty Walker of Walker Woods Creation at the Applique Getaway 2025 in Irving, TX.
Letty shares how she turned a simple cheer gift into a thriving embroidery business, the joy she finds in teaching others, and why community matters in crafting.
Topics we cover:
Turning passion into business
The role of community in embroidery & crafting
Passing knowledge forward
Balancing family, career, and creativity
Sponsored by: Sew Sweet Academy — teaching embroidery and empowering crafters everywhere.
👉 Learn more: https://sewsweetacademy.com/
Podcast, Its My Time Podcast, Embroidery, Applique Getaway, Sewing, Small Business, Crafting, Creativity, Everyday Makers, Sew Sweet Academy, Knowledge Sharing
For mid-level professionals (27–37) who feel overwhelmed by noise, burnout, and leadership pressure—this conversation with Greg is your reminder to slow down, sharpen the saw, and rebuild your foundation.
🎙 What you’ll learn in this episode:
• Why the “ruthless elimination of hurry” matters for your career and identity
• Practical ways to beat burnout without losing productivity
• How slowing down builds stronger leadership and relationships
🔗 Watch Next Playlist: Blueprints for Voice & Leadership
💬 What’s one way you’ll slow down this week? Drop your answer in the comments.
👤 Guest: Greg – Learning & Development Leader
📌 Subscribe for new episodes every Thursday: