AUDIO ONLY - The Art of Reinvention: From Service to Stage to Storytelling. In this intimate, funny, and deeply human 90-minute conversation, we sit down with **Shemika** — a mother, veteran, makeup artist, storyteller, and undeniable force in the DMV theatre scene. Her story is one of transformation, resilience, and learning to shine from the inside out. (Yes… even when life tries to hand you camouflage instead of contour.)We open with a spark: a soundbite you won’t forget — “History doesn't have to be a mystery, if you learn it!” — before diving into the heart of who Shemika truly is. From how we met (shout-out to *Raisin*), to the way she describes herself beyond labels, Shemika invites us into a journey of identity, purpose, and reinvention.Shemika shares how she transitioned from military service into the world of performance and beauty, and how the discipline of one world collided with the chaos and creativity of the other. We dig into the emotional truth of art as healing, rediscovery, and survival.We explore makeup as storytelling — the psychology of transformation, the intimacy of sitting in someone’s chair, and the backstage disasters that become legendary memories. She reveals how her work has shaped not just faces, but her understanding of people, vulnerability, and self-worth.We also dive into her entrepreneurial venture, Miss Story’s Living History, and how she uses business, artistry, and storytelling to amplify voices often overlooked. She speaks candidly about the highs and lows of being a Black woman entrepreneur in the arts — and why she refuses to dim her light.If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or unsure of your next chapter, this episode is your reminder: reinvention is an art — and you’re allowed to begin again.

In this second of a three-part series, Shemika and I explore the complicated aftermath after a friend has either "ghosted" you (chosen to remove themselves from your life with no explanation) or when a friendship "dwindles" unexpectedly. I am truly honored to call her not only a friend but a talented colleague and mentor. Join us for a deep dive in how each of us found our versions of "closure" and explore the many reasons why "best" friendships can be complicated. Like! Listen! Share!And, in the meantime, love yourself!

In this second of a three-part series, Shemika and I explore the complicated aftermath after a friend has either "ghosted" you (chosen to remove themselves from your life with no explanation) or when a friendship "dwindles" unexpectedly. I am truly honored to call her not only a friend but a talented colleague and mentor. Join us for a deep dive in how each of us found our versions of "closure" and explore the many reasons why "best" friendships can be complicated. Like! Listen! Share!And, in the meantime, love yourself!

The Art of Reinvention: From Service to Stage to Storytelling

In this intimate, funny, and deeply human 90-minute conversation, we sit down with **Shemika** — a mother, veteran, makeup artist, storyteller, and undeniable force in the DMV theatre scene. Her story is one of transformation, resilience, and learning to shine from the inside out. (Yes… even when life tries to hand you camouflage instead of contour.)We open with a spark: a soundbite you won’t forget — “History doesn't have to be a mystery, if you learn it!” — before diving into the heart of who Shemika truly is. From how we met (shout-out to *Raisin*), to the way she describes herself beyond labels, Shemika invites us into a journey of identity, purpose, and reinvention.Shemika shares how she transitioned from military service into the world of performance and beauty, and how the discipline of one world collided with the chaos and creativity of the other. We dig into the emotional truth of art as healing, rediscovery, and survival.We explore makeup as storytelling — the psychology of transformation, the intimacy of sitting in someone’s chair, and the backstage disasters that become legendary memories. She reveals how her work has shaped not just faces, but her understanding of people, vulnerability, and self-worth.We also dive into her entrepreneurial venture, Miss Story’s Living History, and how she uses business, artistry, and storytelling to amplify voices often overlooked. She speaks candidly about the highs and lows of being a Black woman entrepreneur in the arts — and why she refuses to dim her light.If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or unsure of your next chapter, this episode is your reminder: reinvention is an art — and you’re allowed to begin again.

Ok. So we're here. We're Black. We're adults for REAL, for real. And we're in America.

Let's talk. Race. George Floyd just over 1 year later (and just a couple of months from the conviction of Derek Chauvin).

Welcome back and thanks for listening to our podcast, "So...Here's the thing". The next several episodes are include discussions that I have been wanting to have  and share with my listeners since I started this season. What are we talking about this time? My guests and I discuss a wide variety of topics (as we always do) including:

Being Black and grown in America (for purposes of framing this discussion, we're talking about ages 30-50, though you can certainly be considered "grown" before you're 30, in many instances.)

The murder of George Floyd just over 1 year later (and just a couple of months from the conviction of Derek Chauvin)

Has anything changed? If so, have things changed for the better for Black people in America? Or have things gotten worse?

Other topics include:

Being Black and "grown" in America and wondering if people give a damn (about Black people, Black issues, Black legacies, etc.)

our truths of being a "brotha" or "sista" in America and what responsibilities comes with that truth. Specifically, how and why many Black people in America share our collective traumas and triumphs as we try to survive and thrive in a country that often sees us as "less than".

You're part of a larger community or several that you have now chosen. What does that look like?

Black and LGBTQIA community

Black and religious vs. Black and spiritual

Black fraternities or sororities

Other communities that intersect with being Black in America.

We invite you to peek behind the Black curtain (so to speak) and get a glimpse of some of the complex issues we face within our community. Special thanks to my guests for their participation.

Please continue to "Like", "Share" and "Subscribe" to our podcast. Enjoy! And always remember - Love yourself.

I'm Black. I live in America but that doesn't mean that I know everything about what that means. I live with a certain amount of privilege. These discussions are by no means meant to represent the entire spectrum of what it means to be Black in America. No one does. 

Welcome back and thanks for listening to our podcast, "So...Here's the thing". In this episode, we continue to discuss our shared and divergent experiences with being Black in America. Sometimes light, sometimes heavy, we discuss our varied experiences including learning about the importance of physical, mental and emotional health and well-being. We also discuss how we, as young Black Americans, are taught to express negative emotions (within our social circles and within the workplace) and how we express love to each other, Black person to Black person. As I continue to dive deeper and engage in these deep and meaningful conversations, I could not be more proud of the work we're doing and I'm often surprised at how much I continue to learn from these discussions. 

We invite you to peek behind the Black curtain (so to speak) and get a glimpse of some of the complex issues we face within our community. Special thanks to my guests for their participation.

Please continue to "Like", "Share" and "Subscribe" to our podcast. Enjoy! And always remember - Love yourself.

Welcome back and thanks for listening to our podcast, "So...Here's the thing". In this episode, we continue to discuss our shared and divergent experiences with being Black in America. Sometimes light, sometimes heavy, we discuss our varied experiences including our first travel experiences/how Black Americans are treated abroad; learning about sex and implications as a Black young adult (what did/didn't our parents teach us?); the importance of physical, mental and spiritual health especially for Black people in America and so much more. Honestly, the next several episodes are some of the most engaging and deep conversations I've had with a group of people in a long time. I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did. 

We invite you to peek behind the Black curtain (so to speak) and get a glimpse of some of the complex issues we face within our community. Special thanks to my guests for their participation.

Please continue to "Like", "Share" and "Subscribe" to our podcast. Enjoy! And always remember - Love yourself. 

Welcome back and thanks for listening to our podcast, "So...Here's the thing". In this episode, we continue to discuss our shared and divergent experiences with being Black in America. Sometimes light, sometimes heavy, we discuss issues like financial literacy (or lack thereof) as in the young, Black American community. Further, we discuss some of the issues within our community like trusting certain institutions like banks and other government-led agencies. 

Stay tuned as the next several episodes of this season will delve into topics like how we (eventually) found our way as young Black Americans and nuggets of knowledge we hope to pass on to the next generations of young people. These important discussions continue to explore how we move, touch and inspire each other, how we "do the work", not only by beginning these conversations, but how we can take definitive steps towards a better future for our community. 

We invite you to peek behind the Black curtain and get a glimpse of some of the complex issues we face within our community. Special thanks to my guests for their participation.

Please continue to "Like", "Share" and "Subscribe" to our podcast. Enjoy!

Welcome back and thanks for listening to our podcast, "So...Here's the thing". As we continue to discuss our shared and divergent experiences with being Black in America. Sometimes light, sometimes heavy, we discuss issues like gentrification, Black illiteracy, how we self-identify within our own communities and growing Black and educated and what the word "education" means to many Black Americans. 

In this bonus episode, our guests and I discuss violence in the Asian American community and our thoughts about the Black community's response to it. I have to admit that I was fairly ignorant which it came to how prevalent violence in the Asian American community was and continues to be. Further, I wish that our communities of color were not bound together by shared traumas but rather by our shared art, creativity and history in America. That being said, I hope that these discussions continue to serve as a template for you, faithful listener, to open up similar dialogues in your own familial and social circles. I had a lot of fun with my guests and I hope that you will enjoy this episode as much as I did.

Stay tuned as the next several episodes of this season will delve into topics like finding love, stability and yourself as a young adult in today's Black America. These important discussions continue to explore how we move, touch and inspire each other, how we "do the work" and what the next steps can be for the next generation of Black young men and women.

We invite you to peek behind the Black curtain and get a glimpse of some of the complex issues we face within our community. Special thanks to my guests for their participation.

Please continue to "Like", "Share" and "Subscribe" to our podcast. Enjoy!

Welcome back and thanks for listening to our podcast, "So...Here's the thing". As we continue to discuss our shared and divergent experiences with being Black in America. Sometimes light, sometimes heavy, we discuss issues like gentrification, Black illiteracy, how we self-identify within our own communities and growing Black and educated and what the word "education" means to many Black Americans. We also discuss some reasons (or what some might call "excuses") why we struggle within our community. This important discussion continues to explore how we move, touch and inspire each other, how we "do the work" and what the next steps can be for the next generation of Black young men and women. 

We invite you to peek behind the Black curtain and get a glimpse of some of the complex issues we face within our community. Special thanks to my guests for their participation. 

Please continue to "Like", "Share" and "Subscribe" to our podcast. Enjoy!

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 2 of our podcast "So...Here's the thing...". 

In this episode, we continue to discuss our shared experiences with growing up Black in America. Some of our experiences vary wildly and some of them are very much the same. 

We also discuss Black entrepreneurship, gentrification, Black parenthood including the subject of corporal punishment), living our legacy of hope within the Black community and much, much more. 

Again, we are very proud of the depth and honesty that these conversations have brought to us and we hope that these discussions can provide a template for other people (Black or otherwise) to "start the conversation".

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to our guests, and not necessarily to the co-hosts (jointly or severally), any other Black or BIPOC individual or the entire Black American community as a whole.

Thanks for listening and enjoy.

Welcome to Season 2 of "So...Here's the thing...". I'm thrilled to announce the addition of my new co-host (and longtime friend), Charmaine, to the podcast. 

In our second season, we thought it would be particularly enlightening (sometimes fun, sometimes sad) to discuss the joys, challenges, triumphs and sorrows of being Black in America today. We welcome you to the table to listen and hear us as "four grown Black folks just talking" over the course of the next several episodes. We are very proud of the depth and honesty that these conversations have brought to us and we hope that these discussions can provide a template for other people (Black or otherwise) to "start the conversation". 

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to our guests, and not necessarily to the co-hosts (jointly or severally), any other Black or BIPOC individual or the entire Black American community as a whole. 

Thanks for listening and enjoy. 

It is my great privilege to present the latest episode of my podcast, "So...Here's the thing...". The latest episode (which is very lengthy) is the final episode of my 3-part themed series with my dear friend, Daniel Carter. "Unloading the Shelf: A Spiritual Journey out of The Mormon Church...". In this final installment, we continue to discuss Daniel's journey out of the Mormon faith, some of the commonly held myths about Mormons and many more fascinating topics.

Thanks for tuning in! I've received so much great feedback about the content of these episodes so far and I know I have a long way to go but I appreciate your support. I try to come to these topics from a place of curiosity, wonder, genuine positive intent and desire to move, touch and inspire others to grow and share their lived experiences with each other. 

In part 2 of this very special multi-part episode with my friend, Daniel, we continue our enlightening conversation about Daniel's experience as a faithful Mormon of 31 years. We discuss rise and fall of Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Mormons. We also discuss and try to dispel some of the myths and misunderstandings that some people may have about the Mormon faith including the practice of polygamy and their stance on the "Mark of Cain" and how crimes are dealt with within the Mormon faith community. 

Please enjoy the episode and Like, Share and Subscribe!

There's a phrase within the Mormon culture described as "breaking the shelf." It comes from the idea that when you unearth some aspect of church practice, doctrine, or history that you find troubling, you are encouraged you to shelf it (metaphorically). Put it away, doubt your doubts, have faith that God will make all things known in the end. 

My next three episodes with my dear friend Daniel, during which he unloads the shelf. Over the next three episodes, we explore, what it means (at least for Daniel) to be Mormon and why, after many years, Daniel ultimately decided to take a different path, outside of the Mormon faith. Join me on this powerful, enlightening, heartwarming, heartbreaking journey with the brave and wonderful Daniel.

In this final installment of this three-part series, I continue my discussion with my dear friend, Amy. Amy is a formidable mother of two children with special needs. In this last episode, we focus on her eldest child, Ian, who lives in a group residential home in Maryland. Ian is a wonderfully special teenager who loves nature, Winnie the Pooh (who doesn't?) and his mom. Unfortunately, Amy's and Ian's experiences with finding an appropriate facility capable of taking care of Ian has been a major challenge and we explore what it truly means to have the training, tools and equipment necessary to properly care for an individual with special needs. Finally, if you take nothing else from this riveting three-part series, take this: people with special needs are human beings, too. They love. They dream. They want and need love just like everyone else. Be kind.

In the second episode of this very special three-part episode, we continue our discussion with the lovely Amy Couch and discuss her "going back in to the closet", eventual marriage and eventually having a son (she has two) with special needs. Ian, a human unlike any other, has a genetic mutation (DEAF1), that manifests itself as autism, intellectual  and physical challenges and emotional issues. We do a deep dive on what it like for her to raise a child with certain challenges, the love, the light, the triumphs and tribulations. Join me as I discover what "the thing" is in this very special episode of "So...Here's the thing...".

In this episode, I sit down with my dear and queer friend, Amy and discuss her upbringing in an "evangelical", religious household and coming out as a lesbian woman to her far-right family. Among other things, we discuss her upbringing in a well-off , far-right, Southern Baptist family (she had a "Mammy" in rural Arkansas). We also discuss what it was like for her to start thinking/feeling for herself, questioning her faith and how she took charge of her life as young adult and ultimately came in to her full identity.