What's Good? Doing the best you can with what you got! In this episode, I catch up with Muhammad Saahir - licensed mental health counselor, educator, dad/husband and stand-up comedian! We talk about what inspires him to want to help people, the importance of humor in his life/work and what it means to "embrace the suck" Connect with Muhammad at https://www.facebook.com/thebluesofac... Connect with me at ebonychappel.com #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #blacktherapist #blackmaletherapist #blackpodcast #therapy #blackcounselor #blackteachers #blackmaleteachers #comedy #blackcomedians

What's Good? Embracing all the twists and turns of your own personal faith journey! In this episode, I share a conversation I had with Rev. Jeffrey A. Johnson II. At the time of our convo, he was serving as associate pastor of Eastern Star Church and just recently he stepped into the role of head pastor at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. We chat about what it's like being a millennial in ministry, the rocky road of accepting one's call, balancing work and family life, and the role humor plays in his theology. Connect with Jeffrey on IG @_preachdoc Connect with me at ebonychappel.com

What's Good? Sticking with it. I'm back with another fantastic convo after a little hiatus. This chat with Chef Oya Woodruff of The Trap covered so many things ... traditional African spirituality, the importance of therapy, what it is like running a restaurant in this uncertain time, and much more. In just a few short years, Chef Oya Woodruff and her team have established her 1st restaurant The TRAP as the premier seafood take-out lunch spot in Indianapolis. The TRAP provides fresh food with layers of unforgettable flavor, all served in an atmosphere of unapologetic love of black food and black culture. Chef Oya is a Queer Mother of 1 dope daughter, a sought-after voice-over artist, contract packaging consultant and loving supporter of her community and village. You can connect with Chef Oya online at https://www.chefoya.com/ Connect with me at ebonychappel.com

What's Good? Having an empowering spiritual life. In this episode, I catch up with Rev. Jason Powell, an ordained minister, musician, singer, songwriter, recording artist, spiritual teacher and author. He is fueled by the following ministry mission statement: raising the consciousness of humanity to the heavenly reality – revealing the Christ within, by manifesting heavenly music, teaching divine truth, and building healing communities of love and affirmation among diversity. Jason and I talk about the importance of affirming spiritual spaces and what its like to reinvent as a faith leader. Catch up with Jason - https://www.jasonpowell.faith/about Catch up with Ebony - https://www.ebonychappel.com/ Get your tix to Testimony Service (11/12/22) - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-testimony-service-part-of-the-spirit-place-festival-tickets-420917564767 Get your tix to Free People Party (11/20/22) - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-people-party-tickets-442007756097

What's Good? Makin ish happen! That's what Create, Connect Collab (run by Starla Kay Mathis and Lateva Woolfork) is all about. CCC provides creatives, leaders, and entrepreneurs the community, accountability, resources and connections to Make Ish Happen! Learn more about CCC at createconnectcollab.com As a CCC member, I'll just say the Unstoppable Retreat coming up November 4-5 is what you need to kick off your new year feeling powerful and confident about all you do! I want to personally invite you to experience it. Use code "CCCFRIENDS" to get 12% off on your ticket! Connect with Starla Kay Mathis at starlakaymathis.com Connect with Lateva Woolfork theallpurposewoman.com Connect with me at ebonychappel.com

What's Good? Taking a chance on yourself! In this episode, I catch up with Leslie Bailey - co-founder, CEO, and editor-in-chief of Indy Maven, a lifestyle media company and community for women, by women in Central Indiana. Leslie and I talk about all things Indy Maven, the opening of Maven Space (a femme-powered social club and co-working space) and what it's like to push through even in the face of uncertainty! Learn more about Leslie, Indy Maven and Maven Space: http://leslieabailey.com/ Catch up with me at ebonychappel.com Essential Reading: We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers (available for free, with your library card, on Overdrive!) - https://www.overdrive.com/media/5572221/we-should-all-be-millionaires

What's Good? Living life to the absolute fullest and making a difference along the way. Dee Ross, a community leader on the far Eastside of Indianapolis, is doing just that. After many tumultuous experiences, including several brushes with near death, Dee has focused on doing what he can to inspire and motivate others. Connect with Dee Ross: https://www.facebook.com/TheRossFoundationCommunity Connect with me: https://www.ebonychappel.com/ Learn more about The Testimony Service: https://youtu.be/e1VKducL3iY

What's Good? Giving back to your community in creatively collaborative ways. Ya'll know I love alliteration. LOL It's a habit! Anywhoo, on this episode of What's Good w/ Ebony Chappel I catch up with my friend and collaborator Tedd Hardy. Tedd is a dedicated community leader, father, husband and entrepreneur. We dive in on so many topics - keys to effective teamwork, his unique relationship with spirituality and much more. Catch up with Tedd at teddhardy.com Connect with me at ebonychappel.com

What's Good? P VALLEY! Whew... what a season finale! Katori Hall and crew took us on a wild ride this season full of fairytales, nightmares and everything in between. This week I caught up with Moni and Kat of the Fake Ass Book Club podcast to share our thoughts on the way Season 2 wrapped up. Keep up with the FAB Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thefabpodcast/ Connect with me at ebonychappel.com

What's Good? Prioritizing your pleasure, joy, leisure and overall well-being! I'm FINALLY home from a long month or so of travel so I had to take a moment and catch up with ya'll. In this episode, I talk about the importance of having a lil coin on hand at all times in case you need to make moves, my fave parts of traveling to Philly, Hawaii, Belize and Toronto among other things including BLACK: A Festival of Joy that just happened in Indianapolis. Special shoutout to Beyoncé and this Renaissance album and some of my other Disco and House music faves for getting me through! YES LAWD! Also, much love to my boy BigBelly Bob for showing love to me. If you like mukbang vids and whatnot, check out his channel on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/BigBellyBob472/videos Connect with me at ebonychappel.com

What's Good? Creating things with your friends! On this episode, I catch up with artistic genius Sarah Jene' to talk about our creative baby - The Testimony Service. We discuss what it means to overcome, find joy in the midst of sorrow and come out that mf glistening like pure gold. Job 23:10 for those of ya'll who know your scripture. LOL About Sarah: Sarah Jene’ is an inspired multidisciplinary artist who uses fashion and visual art to highlight and embrace her community. She encapsulates the art of Blackness and the beauty of interpersonal relationships to reimagine and celebrate the Black experience. Sarah Jene’ does this through curated events and her art brand, Thee Black Card, digital and paper collage art. Whether it’s through an installation or conversation her goal is to connect and create spaces for Black people to feel seen and celebrated. Her desire is to use her various art-forms as a vehicle to enlighten and embrace her community and highlight Black Culture. Learn more about Thee Black Card: https://www.theeblackcard.com/ Learn more about The Testimony Service: https://www.ebonychappel.com/the-testimony-service

What's Good? P VALLEY SUNDAY NIGHTS! Episode 207 (Jackson) took us on a whole journey. Whew... This week I'm joined by Moni and Kat of the Fake Ass Book Club podcast to break this episode all the way down. Spoiler Alert! Also, trigger warning re: convos about domestic violence, abortion and death. Check out the Fake Ass Book Club: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fake-ass-book-club/id1568407334

What's Good, friends?! In this episode, I catch up with fellow Indianapolis Recorder newspaper alum Brea (Breanna) Cooper. We talk about what it's like to leave the journalism field to pursue other avenues of storytelling along with a few other topics. Shout out to Brea for reminding me to replace my beloved flying saucer earrings. :) About Brea: Breanna Cooper is a press secretary for Indiana House Democrats. She previously worked as a reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, NUVO and Indianapolis Monthly Magazine. Connect with her on Twitter at @BreannaNCooper Connect with me at ebonychappel.com

What's Good? Laughing until you cry and crying until you can laugh again. That was kinda corny. But, you know what's not corny? The Made Man Improv show! In this episode, I catch up with Justin Bland, the man behind Made Man. We talk about childhood imaginations manifesting as reality, the importance of having a solid team and so much more. Connect with Justin: https://www.facebook.com/justin.f.bland Connect with me: ebonychappel.com

What's Good? P-VALLEY SUNDAY NIGHTS! Episode 206, Savage, was action-packed as usual. Of all the things that happened (Mercedes losing her sponsorship from Coach, Hailey crashing an important party, Ms. Ernestine getting the Rona and Keyshawn attempting to runaway... just to name a few things!) the one that is still heavy on my heart today is the death of Big Teak. Suicide is one of those things that can be so confusing to folks who have never dealt with ideation, planning, etc. but it is a situation that impacts many, many people. I dedicate this episode to all the Big Teek's out there who love and live with all they have but suffer silent internal battles that we on the outside would never comprehend. Connect with me at ebonychappel.com Shout out to the Fake Ass Bookclub Podcast -https://thefabpodcast.fireside.fm/

What’s Good? Taking a damn break! Whew, life is crazy as hell and we all need a lil pause here and there. In this episode, I catch up with Ashley C. Ford to discuss what she’s looking forward to from her much needed hiatus, the role humor plays in her life and we chat about God and pets too. Fun times! About Ashley: Ashley C. Ford’s New York Times best-selling memoir, Somebody’s Daughter, was published by Flatiron Books in June 2021. Ford is the former host of The Chronicles of Now podcast, co-host of The HBO companion podcast Lovecraft Country Radio. She currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband, poet and fiction writer Kelly Stacy, and their chocolate lab Astro Renegade Ford-Stacy. Ford has written or guest-edited for ELLE Magazine, Slate, Teen Vogue, New York Magazine, The New York Times, Domino, Cup of Jo, and various other web and print publications. Connect with Ashley at AshleyCFord.net Connect with me at EbonyChappel.com

What's Good? P-VALLEY SUNDAY NIGHTS! “Where are the men that love and protect you? Do they only live in the future? Do they even exist?” This sentiment hits on the core of what this episode is about - Asking these questions and getting real about the answers. The truth is, the savior is you, babe. In Episode 205, titled White Knights, we go back in time to the origin story of Keyshawn aka Ms. Mississippi as told in the form of a ghetto fairytale narrated by the golden-voiced Uncle Clifford. What happens when prince charming becomes evil incarnate? How does a damsel in distress rise up and save her own damn self? I get into all this and more! Reference Links: Down in the Valley Twitter Blog: https://twitter.com/i/notes/1544008727208001538 Intimate Partner Violence During Covid: https://time.com/5928539/domestic-violence-covid-19/ Fentanyl Overdoses: https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/total-health/health-topics/one-pill-can-kill-understanding-the-risks-of-fentanyl Cheetah Girls Cinderella: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qURdm4_QZI Connect with me at ebonychappel.com

What’s Good? Wanderlust and adventure! On this episode, I catch up with Charlotte Simpson - the Traveling Black Widow. We talk about the importance of staying present in the moment, how to survive an international trip with no luggage and so much more. Charlotte Simpson, the woman behind The Traveling Black Widow, finds positivity and adventure in everything she does and hopes to inspire that in others. Learn more about Charlotte at travelingblackwidow.com Connect with me at ebonychappel.com

What’s Good? P VALLEY! Season 2 is heating up and I just had to talk about it. Listen in as I share recaps on everything popping off at The Pynk during the age of Pandemy and Uprising. Major themes from this season include: ⁃ Being haunted by the past and unhealed inner traumas ⁃ Uncertainty, disruptions and the inevitability of our own impermanence ⁃ The healing power of intimacy Major shout out to Katori Hall for making my Sunday nights on Starz sexy again. Reference Links: - Dolly Parton’s Jolene: https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/dolly-partons-america/episodes/only-one-me-jolene - Bovedas: https://www.thehoodwitch.com/blog/2016/8/15/the-boveda-creating-a-portal-between-worlds - Hoodoo: https://cswr.hds.harvard.edu/news/magic-matters/2021/11/10 - Reiki: https://www.everydayhealth.com/reiki/ Keep up with me at ebonychappel.com

What's Good? Being free... NO MATTER WHAT! In this episode, I catch up with one of my fave people online, Tone Classic! From conflicted feelings around Pride and Juneteenth to learning how to love yourself even when you step into a room filled with side-eyes and hater stares, we get into it! Connect with @ToneClassic on YouTube, IG, Twitter and TikTok. Connect with me at ebonychappel.com