1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:03,960 Speaker 1: Progressive presents forest metaphors about bundling your home on auto 2 00:00:04,280 --> 00:00:06,920 Speaker 1: and sports. Three goals is a hat trick, And when 3 00:00:06,920 --> 00:00:09,120 Speaker 1: you bundle your home and auto with Progressive, you get 4 00:00:09,119 --> 00:00:11,480 Speaker 1: a hat trick of great savings and around the clock protection. 5 00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:13,560 Speaker 1: So you might be thinking, wait, that's two things. A 6 00:00:13,640 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 1: hat trick is three. But in this metaphor, great savings 7 00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 1: counts as two goals, and so does around the clock protection, 8 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:21,840 Speaker 1: So it's like four goals, and that's more than three. 9 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:26,279 Speaker 1: It's basic math. Forest metaphors presented by Progressive bundle and 10 00:00:26,280 --> 00:00:28,400 Speaker 1: protect today. Progressive couentalty in Trance Company and I Feel 11 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:30,200 Speaker 1: gets discount of the little in all states or situations. 12 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 1: What girls in the forest, our imagination and our family bonds. 13 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:38,880 Speaker 1: The forest is closer than you think. Find a forest 14 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:41,839 Speaker 1: near you and discover the fourth Dot Org brought to 15 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 1: you by the United States Fourth Service and the AD Council. 16 00:00:45,600 --> 00:00:50,080 Speaker 1: The Black Effect presents features honest conversations and exclusive interviews, 17 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:54,920 Speaker 1: a space for artists, everyday people and listeners to amplify, elevate, 18 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 1: and empower black voices with great conversations. Make sure to 19 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:02,480 Speaker 1: listen to the Black of Present podcast on I Heart Radio, 20 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:13,320 Speaker 1: Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to 21 00:01:13,360 --> 00:01:15,480 Speaker 1: Money Making Conversations. It's the show that she has the 22 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 1: secrets of success experience firsthand by marketing and Brandon expert 23 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:21,480 Speaker 1: Rashan McDonald. I will know he's giving me advice to 24 00:01:21,560 --> 00:01:24,600 Speaker 1: many occasions. In the case you didn't notice, I'm not broke, 25 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:28,039 Speaker 1: you know he'll be interviewing celebrity CEOs and entrepreneurs and 26 00:01:28,080 --> 00:01:30,840 Speaker 1: industry decision makers. It's what he likes to do, it's 27 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:33,280 Speaker 1: what he likes to share. Now it's time to hear 28 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 1: from my man, Rashan McDonald. Money making conversations Here we come. 29 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:41,200 Speaker 1: Welcome to Money Making Conversations of your host, Rashwan McDonald. 30 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:43,880 Speaker 1: I always tell people every time on this show it's 31 00:01:43,880 --> 00:01:46,440 Speaker 1: time to stop reading other people's success stories and really 32 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: start writing your own. I always tell people to leave 33 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:51,040 Speaker 1: with your gifts, gifts I call your passion, and don't 34 00:01:51,080 --> 00:01:54,040 Speaker 1: let your age, friends, family, or coworkers stop you from 35 00:01:54,040 --> 00:01:57,360 Speaker 1: planning or living your dreams. My next guest is really 36 00:01:57,400 --> 00:02:00,080 Speaker 1: in that ain't that era where we're talking about a 37 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 1: lot of people can tell you're gifted in certain area. 38 00:02:02,120 --> 00:02:04,000 Speaker 1: You can go into that direction I'm gonna talk about 39 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:06,520 Speaker 1: some of my experiences that she shared some of experiences, 40 00:02:06,600 --> 00:02:09,640 Speaker 1: and my next guest is Michelle Williams. Who is Michelle Williams. 41 00:02:09,880 --> 00:02:12,440 Speaker 1: She's a Grammar Award winning recording artists and actress. One 42 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 1: of my favorite people who rose to stardom as the 43 00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 1: member of the R and B R and B Mega 44 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:20,440 Speaker 1: Group or Iconic Mega Group, Destiny Child, and most recently 45 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:23,679 Speaker 1: appeared as the butterfly S Are on the hit series 46 00:02:23,880 --> 00:02:28,240 Speaker 1: Mass Singer. Michelle is passionate about raising awareness and mental health, 47 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:31,000 Speaker 1: about sharing the lessons she has learned in her own 48 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:33,919 Speaker 1: struggle with depression. She's on the show discussed her very 49 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:37,400 Speaker 1: first book, Checking in How Getting Real about Depression saved 50 00:02:37,480 --> 00:02:40,359 Speaker 1: My life and can save yours. Michelle Sayah is an 51 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:43,200 Speaker 1: intermitted never before told stories about how even in the 52 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 1: midst of enormous famous success, she battled depression, leading to 53 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,400 Speaker 1: her to find a true calling as an advocate for 54 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 1: mental health, especially her own Please work with the money 55 00:02:52,720 --> 00:03:02,440 Speaker 1: making conversations to Nitra Michelle Williams, how you doing? Yes, 56 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:08,480 Speaker 1: name you know, I'm gonna start out with the name first, 57 00:03:08,560 --> 00:03:11,919 Speaker 1: because my name is Rushan McDonald and a lot of 58 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:14,480 Speaker 1: people over the years have always remember that. I remember, 59 00:03:14,800 --> 00:03:17,080 Speaker 1: like twenty two years old and this guy came to me. 60 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:19,239 Speaker 1: I was working with what is your name because people 61 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:22,720 Speaker 1: say I let people say Russian or Rushan or Chin. 62 00:03:22,880 --> 00:03:24,800 Speaker 1: They just said in any kind of way. He said, 63 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 1: make it. He said, make make a decision about your name. 64 00:03:28,560 --> 00:03:30,760 Speaker 1: And when when I made that decision about my name, 65 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 1: it really defined who I am today because I stuck 66 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:36,800 Speaker 1: with I fought forward and I and I held onto 67 00:03:36,920 --> 00:03:39,440 Speaker 1: it and that and then today it defines me. I 68 00:03:39,480 --> 00:03:41,800 Speaker 1: would tell people I was a Rickey or Ronald or 69 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:45,000 Speaker 1: or anything else, I probably wouldn't be the person I am. 70 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 1: In some ways I'll be successful, but it gave me 71 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 1: an extra bonus. And to here, when I started reading 72 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:53,280 Speaker 1: about this in the very early part of the book 73 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:55,920 Speaker 1: your name, it played a big role. I want to 74 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 1: talk about that whole process because it plays out today 75 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 1: when I wanted to make sure that I introduce you 76 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 1: with your whole name, not just the middle name Michelle 77 00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:08,800 Speaker 1: to Nitro, a beautiful name. Let's talk about that. Thank 78 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 1: you so much. Yes, so my first name is Tunitra. 79 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:17,640 Speaker 1: My middle name is Michelle, and I remember having to 80 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:24,480 Speaker 1: make that decision on me not using Tantra, and um, 81 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 1: if you read the book, you know the reason ra 82 00:04:28,279 --> 00:04:30,839 Speaker 1: shine because you read the book. So I don't know 83 00:04:30,880 --> 00:04:33,560 Speaker 1: if I want to give away the reason, Well I don't. 84 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:35,560 Speaker 1: I don't think that. I'm not asking you give away 85 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:38,560 Speaker 1: a reason. I think because my reason was and there's 86 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 1: a lot of people said down there, that's why the 87 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:42,640 Speaker 1: book is relatable to me because you know we do. 88 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:46,280 Speaker 1: You know we do? You can continue Michelle, Yes, sir, 89 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 1: so I you know making that decision. Well do I 90 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,960 Speaker 1: want to go by Tuntra or Michelle? Um? Now the 91 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 1: reason presented, you're gonna have to get the book because 92 00:04:57,920 --> 00:05:01,760 Speaker 1: if you don't want to if I give it a way, okay, 93 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:09,720 Speaker 1: so um I, But what I will say is obviously 94 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:13,720 Speaker 1: I didn't. I didn't go on to have a problem 95 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:17,640 Speaker 1: with the name change because I felt like it afforded me. 96 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:22,080 Speaker 1: It afforded my family to have a piece of me 97 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:28,080 Speaker 1: still because the world is getting everything right now there, 98 00:05:28,120 --> 00:05:30,040 Speaker 1: you know what I'm saying. I'm away from home. I'm 99 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:34,719 Speaker 1: having to sacrifice being at graduations, baby showers, fish fries, 100 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:38,040 Speaker 1: everything that I normally would be with my family. And 101 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 1: so when I come home, I felt like they were 102 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:45,839 Speaker 1: getting to Nitra, right. But then at the same time, 103 00:05:45,839 --> 00:05:48,359 Speaker 1: it's like, well, so you're saying, so, then what was 104 00:05:48,400 --> 00:05:51,680 Speaker 1: the world getting? We were getting you and who you 105 00:05:51,760 --> 00:05:54,960 Speaker 1: really are, And it's like, yes, you were, but there 106 00:05:55,040 --> 00:06:00,320 Speaker 1: are so many entertainers who I mean you got people 107 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:04,919 Speaker 1: say The Rock, for instance, you're still getting him, but 108 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:08,479 Speaker 1: I don't know if his parents or family members are 109 00:06:08,520 --> 00:06:11,599 Speaker 1: calling him the Rock. Get what I'm saying. You know, 110 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:13,919 Speaker 1: The interesting thing about it is that you're not the 111 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:19,240 Speaker 1: first person that deals enter. I remember talking to him 112 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:21,719 Speaker 1: about that, you know, The Rock says called me Dwayne Johnson, 113 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:25,200 Speaker 1: fifty cents Curtis Jackson. So there are a lot of 114 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 1: issues with names because they can't define you, and it's 115 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:33,880 Speaker 1: important that people understand that names respect and also accountability 116 00:06:34,279 --> 00:06:37,240 Speaker 1: and also in this case, Brandy, you know you're branded 117 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:41,719 Speaker 1: right now? Is Michelle Williams and an incredible singer, member 118 00:06:41,760 --> 00:06:45,840 Speaker 1: of the iconic Destiny's Child, a great actress, a motivator, uh, 119 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:51,640 Speaker 1: an entrepreneur. But then there is you know, yeah, and 120 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:55,640 Speaker 1: I feel like that definitely, at least the past ten years, 121 00:06:55,760 --> 00:07:02,240 Speaker 1: for sure, y'all have been getting to n okay and 122 00:07:02,279 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 1: that's the blessing of this conversation because I, you know, 123 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:07,280 Speaker 1: because you we just sit in my office and when 124 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:09,840 Speaker 1: I was in Chicago all the time and Steve Harvey 125 00:07:09,880 --> 00:07:13,320 Speaker 1: talk show and we'd have conversations and so and I 126 00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:16,040 Speaker 1: and I. You know, I'm not saying I noticed anything, 127 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:18,800 Speaker 1: but I started seeing a different level of independence. And 128 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:22,040 Speaker 1: you're trying to find yourself, your your when you put 129 00:07:22,080 --> 00:07:25,200 Speaker 1: your footprint in is that my footprint is somebody else's footprint. 130 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:27,240 Speaker 1: But we can talk about those journeys. And that's why 131 00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:29,280 Speaker 1: I want to talk about because it led to your book. 132 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 1: It led to the revelations that I'm not being me 133 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:35,520 Speaker 1: because success is really and that's what I loved about 134 00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:38,520 Speaker 1: the book because it talks about success and defining how 135 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 1: success can lead to destructive behavior or destructive lifestyle, just emotionally. 136 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:47,960 Speaker 1: And sometimes people think destructive physically has to be physical 137 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:50,960 Speaker 1: and but the middle part of it is really the 138 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:55,720 Speaker 1: part that can also hurt the most. Correct. Absolutely, there 139 00:07:55,720 --> 00:08:00,680 Speaker 1: are so many people coming into the entertainment industry or 140 00:08:00,720 --> 00:08:06,880 Speaker 1: even in the world of sports. Um physically, obviously you 141 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: might be doing all right, and you're strong in football, 142 00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:13,760 Speaker 1: you're doing you know, you've got scouts going to the combine, 143 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:17,000 Speaker 1: you're you're running fast, or in the world of entertainment, 144 00:08:17,040 --> 00:08:19,800 Speaker 1: you're looking good, you're singing good, or you act really good, 145 00:08:19,840 --> 00:08:24,240 Speaker 1: whatever that whatever that is. But so many of us 146 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 1: are coming into these spaces um with dysfunction, with wounds 147 00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:36,360 Speaker 1: really that stem from childhood and then they start to 148 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:44,600 Speaker 1: manifest um tremendously in your adulthood. And when it's gone unchecked, 149 00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:49,920 Speaker 1: it can lead to some really serious problems, right, you know, 150 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:52,560 Speaker 1: and like you have beautiful parents. First for the bookish 151 00:08:52,600 --> 00:08:55,000 Speaker 1: dedicate to your dad. So let's let's let's make sure 152 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:57,199 Speaker 1: we get that clear. You know what she says, those 153 00:08:57,200 --> 00:09:02,280 Speaker 1: stids you know, uh, you know as and sisters, twin sisters, brother, 154 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:04,760 Speaker 1: so you know all these the facts you get from 155 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:06,280 Speaker 1: the book. See, that's how I kind of doing left 156 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:10,160 Speaker 1: better that because I read uh and and this book 157 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:12,439 Speaker 1: here when I when I started looking at myself as 158 00:09:12,520 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 1: that because this is what I love about the book 159 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:17,400 Speaker 1: that we're talking about talking to Michelle Williams checking in 160 00:09:17,520 --> 00:09:20,720 Speaker 1: how getting real about depression saved my life and can 161 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 1: save yours, is that when you live a life out 162 00:09:24,120 --> 00:09:26,280 Speaker 1: in the open book, that's where it becomes especially with 163 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:29,319 Speaker 1: social media because you your career was tied to social media. 164 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:31,760 Speaker 1: You know, it blew up during that area, the Internet 165 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:35,680 Speaker 1: era blew up during Destiny Child era, So you couldn't hide, 166 00:09:35,760 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 1: you couldn't run. Your photos were taken, they were being posted, 167 00:09:39,160 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 1: so everything. So you almost, from an emotional standpoint, you 168 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:46,880 Speaker 1: really couldn't live a life of secrecy because you was 169 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:51,200 Speaker 1: always being exposed by cameras and paparazzi's and tmz. That 170 00:09:51,280 --> 00:09:53,839 Speaker 1: led a lot to you trying to define yourself. And 171 00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:57,320 Speaker 1: let's talk about defining who Michelle is and and and 172 00:09:57,320 --> 00:09:59,719 Speaker 1: when I say that, I want you to talk a 173 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:01,480 Speaker 1: little it. But then I'm gonna go back to you know, 174 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:03,800 Speaker 1: you attending Illinois State, because I think that's a part 175 00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:06,800 Speaker 1: of the conversation we need to talk about, because it 176 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:08,880 Speaker 1: helps to find where we're gonna go with the future. 177 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:12,640 Speaker 1: Because I think your future is going back to college. 178 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:18,800 Speaker 1: So that's that's another consisting Rashaan, I kid you not. Literally, 179 00:10:19,760 --> 00:10:23,280 Speaker 1: maybe about ten minutes before I logged on here, I 180 00:10:23,360 --> 00:10:27,440 Speaker 1: literally was finishing up my conversation with the university about 181 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:33,080 Speaker 1: my fall enrollment to get a bachelors in psychology. Yeah, 182 00:10:33,400 --> 00:10:36,680 Speaker 1: I was telling my staff I said, I said, because 183 00:10:36,679 --> 00:10:38,559 Speaker 1: they always said, Richelle, you know you're gonna tell people 184 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:42,320 Speaker 1: what's on your mind anyway, you know you And I said, 185 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:44,280 Speaker 1: I gotta tell us you gotta go back to college. 186 00:10:44,360 --> 00:10:47,160 Speaker 1: I said, because that's a part of our life that's 187 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:51,960 Speaker 1: important to defying herself. Because you're successful, Michelle, you know now, 188 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 1: I just want you to live your life. Now. You 189 00:10:54,040 --> 00:10:57,680 Speaker 1: don't have to prove anything to anybody. You're beautiful, you gifted, 190 00:10:57,720 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 1: you care, you have a legacy. Now what is your legacy? 191 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 1: But you're you're I'm talking to your legacy. You're like, 192 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:06,320 Speaker 1: you know. One of the reasons, you know, when I 193 00:11:06,320 --> 00:11:08,960 Speaker 1: talk about my my life with Steve Harvey and I 194 00:11:09,040 --> 00:11:12,640 Speaker 1: was telling my team was that I remember when, um, 195 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:14,280 Speaker 1: you know a lot of people in as a stand 196 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:16,640 Speaker 1: up comedian. And so that's how Steve Harvey and I met. 197 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:19,200 Speaker 1: We were doing stand up. He was my opening act. 198 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:22,120 Speaker 1: And as he became successful and uh, and I was 199 00:11:22,200 --> 00:11:24,720 Speaker 1: still being the stand up And people just always tell me, what, Sean, 200 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:27,320 Speaker 1: you're just as funny as Steve Harvey. I go that 201 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:31,760 Speaker 1: I don't want to do stand up? Oh no, why hey, 202 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:34,520 Speaker 1: I don't want to stand up? Okay, just because that's 203 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:37,240 Speaker 1: a decision I make. I'm making so and so, and 204 00:11:37,280 --> 00:11:39,560 Speaker 1: I'm that very happy. I decided not to do stand 205 00:11:39,679 --> 00:11:41,280 Speaker 1: up because I'm doing what I want to do. I 206 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:44,880 Speaker 1: love produce it, I love managing. I love being creative. 207 00:11:44,920 --> 00:11:47,439 Speaker 1: And then God is giving me his gifts. And so 208 00:11:47,559 --> 00:11:49,760 Speaker 1: God gives us a lot of blessing. That doesn't mean 209 00:11:49,760 --> 00:11:52,439 Speaker 1: that you have to act on the blessing. And so 210 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:55,760 Speaker 1: God is giving this tremendous gift to sing, to entertain, 211 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:58,640 Speaker 1: but just one of the blessings. And so that's where 212 00:11:58,679 --> 00:12:01,760 Speaker 1: my conversation today when I said to my team, as 213 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:03,679 Speaker 1: I gotta tell Michelle, you gotta go back to college. 214 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:05,880 Speaker 1: She gotta go. She had to live out that blessing 215 00:12:05,920 --> 00:12:09,439 Speaker 1: and God put her down that path and another gift 216 00:12:09,600 --> 00:12:11,560 Speaker 1: took her offer. But she got to go back to 217 00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:14,720 Speaker 1: the original blessing, which she wanted to be criminal justice 218 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 1: in Illinois State. She has to go back for that. 219 00:12:17,679 --> 00:12:20,520 Speaker 1: And to hear you say that, just perfect phone call, 220 00:12:20,720 --> 00:12:24,679 Speaker 1: perfect phone. It's amazing. And like you said, living a 221 00:12:24,840 --> 00:12:28,600 Speaker 1: life of you know, being able to do what you 222 00:12:28,640 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 1: want to do. Music has afforded me this chance to 223 00:12:33,360 --> 00:12:36,000 Speaker 1: you know, a legacy of a person where I feel 224 00:12:36,040 --> 00:12:42,760 Speaker 1: that I've been resilient, I've displayed courage, and UM, I 225 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:47,880 Speaker 1: want to make sure that I am excellent in every 226 00:12:47,920 --> 00:12:52,720 Speaker 1: path that I take. You know, you're being excellent in music, 227 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:56,440 Speaker 1: excellent and Broadway in theater. You know. Now it's time 228 00:12:56,480 --> 00:13:00,920 Speaker 1: to take that because I get confirmation a league of 229 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:04,640 Speaker 1: this next path, and that is to help others. Now 230 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:08,800 Speaker 1: I can continue to help others just through my testimony, 231 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:11,240 Speaker 1: But a part of me is like, well, what if 232 00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:14,319 Speaker 1: I want to take it the next step and counsel 233 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:18,760 Speaker 1: people legally, you know, because you know you have to 234 00:13:19,360 --> 00:13:23,080 Speaker 1: have at least some type of certification UM to go 235 00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:26,800 Speaker 1: into counseling. I really want to help people in entertainment 236 00:13:26,880 --> 00:13:30,760 Speaker 1: and sports because I don't feel like we have to 237 00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:35,360 Speaker 1: live these lives with so much with with with dysfunction 238 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:43,520 Speaker 1: or not identifying hurts that trigger certain behaviors and responses. 239 00:13:43,880 --> 00:13:47,280 Speaker 1: Because just because I was hurt in my childhood does 240 00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:49,760 Speaker 1: not mean does not give me the right to go 241 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:55,320 Speaker 1: hurting people as an adult. It's like, identify what's got 242 00:13:55,360 --> 00:14:00,520 Speaker 1: you angry, upset or sad or depressed or friddled with anxiety. 243 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:04,400 Speaker 1: Let's deal with that. Let's get the proper treatment. Whether 244 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:08,080 Speaker 1: it's medication or whether it's just because some people may 245 00:14:08,080 --> 00:14:12,920 Speaker 1: not need medications. Sometimes the root just uprooting something, just 246 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:16,480 Speaker 1: by talking about something and identifying it. And then I 247 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:19,000 Speaker 1: really feel like we can go on to be more 248 00:14:19,160 --> 00:14:25,520 Speaker 1: whole um and and have great quality relationships. Because if 249 00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:28,680 Speaker 1: every relationship around you was crumbling, whether it be in 250 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:32,600 Speaker 1: your career or personal relationships, it's okay to sit down 251 00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:36,480 Speaker 1: and process that with somebody and for someone to say, Okay, 252 00:14:36,600 --> 00:14:38,320 Speaker 1: let's get down to the root of it. Now you're 253 00:14:38,320 --> 00:14:40,040 Speaker 1: gonna have to make a lot of apologies to some 254 00:14:40,080 --> 00:14:43,920 Speaker 1: people you hurt, but let's get to the root of it. Wow, 255 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:47,720 Speaker 1: this is not the girl who was in my Chicago offense. 256 00:14:47,920 --> 00:14:51,040 Speaker 1: I love, this is the girl in your Chicago office. 257 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:54,160 Speaker 1: I was scared. It was like I wanted to do 258 00:14:54,400 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 1: everything or Shawn, I even ask you, I say can 259 00:14:58,240 --> 00:15:02,480 Speaker 1: you help me? And and it's like my mother says, 260 00:15:02,680 --> 00:15:05,200 Speaker 1: I love when my mother would always say keep living, baby, 261 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 1: keep living. You will eventually find that passion in your 262 00:15:10,080 --> 00:15:12,480 Speaker 1: college restaurant. You could have you told me to do 263 00:15:12,520 --> 00:15:15,160 Speaker 1: a lot of things you saw. I could have been 264 00:15:15,200 --> 00:15:18,000 Speaker 1: doing a lot of things. But what is now my 265 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:23,720 Speaker 1: passion and what I believe is just another addition to 266 00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:27,760 Speaker 1: my purpose, and that's the conversation we're having right now. Absolutely, 267 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:30,280 Speaker 1: I remember I always tell people that more and more 268 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 1: this show has helped me a lot, because the first 269 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:35,000 Speaker 1: of all, always allowed me how to see how I've 270 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:38,120 Speaker 1: been pacted a lot of people and didn't know that 271 00:15:38,160 --> 00:15:39,640 Speaker 1: I just got to get one of those kids. We 272 00:15:39,760 --> 00:15:46,080 Speaker 1: gotta you know for you, I gotta do anything for you. 273 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:50,000 Speaker 1: It's finally here, the season of celebration, and no matter 274 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:53,240 Speaker 1: how you celebrate with family and friends, whether you're preparing 275 00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:56,880 Speaker 1: for Reyes Magos or Karamu lighting the Manura, are going 276 00:15:56,960 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 1: to midnight mass, Cools has just what you need to 277 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:03,640 Speaker 1: make those traditions special. Plus you'll find gifts for all 278 00:16:03,680 --> 00:16:08,400 Speaker 1: your loved ones. Send warm wishes with cozy fleeces, sweaters, loungeware, 279 00:16:08,440 --> 00:16:12,320 Speaker 1: blankets and throws. Support minority owned or founded brands by 280 00:16:12,320 --> 00:16:16,080 Speaker 1: giving gifts from Human Nation and Shame Moisture, or treat 281 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:20,360 Speaker 1: them to everyone's favorite activewear from top brands like Nike, Adidas, 282 00:16:20,360 --> 00:16:23,720 Speaker 1: and under Armour. And in the spirit of giving, Coals 283 00:16:23,800 --> 00:16:28,000 Speaker 1: Cares is donating eight million dollars to local nonprofits nationwide. 284 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:30,720 Speaker 1: Committed to the health and well being of our communities. 285 00:16:31,080 --> 00:16:34,359 Speaker 1: No matter how you celebrate, when you shop at Coals, 286 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:37,720 Speaker 1: you're right where you belong. So this season give with 287 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:40,640 Speaker 1: all your heart with great gifts from Coals or coals 288 00:16:40,680 --> 00:16:44,960 Speaker 1: dot Com. And we're live here outside the Perez family home, 289 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:48,480 Speaker 1: just waiting for them. And there they go, almost on time. 290 00:16:48,520 --> 00:16:51,280 Speaker 1: This morning. Mom is coming off the front door strong 291 00:16:51,320 --> 00:16:53,880 Speaker 1: with a double arm kid carry. Looks like Dad has 292 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:57,120 Speaker 1: the bags. Daughter is bringing up the rear. Oh, but 293 00:16:57,240 --> 00:17:01,680 Speaker 1: the diaper bag wasn't closed. Typher's and toys are everywhere. 294 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:05,840 Speaker 1: Oh but mom has just nailed the perfect car seat 295 00:17:05,840 --> 00:17:09,120 Speaker 1: buckle for the toddler. And now the eldest daughter, who 296 00:17:09,119 --> 00:17:11,920 Speaker 1: looks to be about nine or ten, has secured herself 297 00:17:11,920 --> 00:17:14,760 Speaker 1: in the booster seat. Dad SIPs the bad clothes and 298 00:17:14,800 --> 00:17:18,199 Speaker 1: they're off. Ah, but looks like Mom doesn't realize her 299 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:20,480 Speaker 1: coffee cup is still on the roof of the car. 300 00:17:20,880 --> 00:17:24,920 Speaker 1: And there it goes. Oh, that's a shame that mug 301 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:27,840 Speaker 1: was a fan favorite. Don't sweat the small stuff, just 302 00:17:27,960 --> 00:17:30,000 Speaker 1: nailed the big stuff, like making sure your kids are 303 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 1: buckled correctly in the right seat for their agent's eyes. 304 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:34,240 Speaker 1: Learn more n h t s A dot gov slash 305 00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:38,439 Speaker 1: the right seat visits h s A dot gov slash 306 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:40,679 Speaker 1: the right Seat, brought to you by NITZA and the 307 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:45,879 Speaker 1: AD Council. What grows in the forest trees? Sure know 308 00:17:45,960 --> 00:17:49,320 Speaker 1: what else grows in the forest. Our imagination, our sense 309 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:52,760 Speaker 1: of wonder, and our family bonds grow too, because when 310 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:59,560 Speaker 1: we disconnect from this and connect with this, we reconnect 311 00:17:59,560 --> 00:18:02,680 Speaker 1: with each other. The forest is closer than you think. 312 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:06,320 Speaker 1: Find a forest near you and start exploring. I discover 313 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:08,840 Speaker 1: the forest dot org, brought to you by the United 314 00:18:08,880 --> 00:18:12,840 Speaker 1: States Forest Service and the AD Council. And I would 315 00:18:12,840 --> 00:18:15,560 Speaker 1: tell people about gifts. And I talked about gifts, and 316 00:18:16,040 --> 00:18:18,280 Speaker 1: I always says the day about talking about daughter this weekend, 317 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:21,600 Speaker 1: because I was talking about empowering her to be more 318 00:18:21,640 --> 00:18:24,280 Speaker 1: than just an individual tie to one vision. She said, 319 00:18:24,280 --> 00:18:26,560 Speaker 1: what do you mean? I said, well, And October nine, 320 00:18:26,680 --> 00:18:30,000 Speaker 1: nineteen one October, that's a day I was talking to 321 00:18:30,040 --> 00:18:32,920 Speaker 1: God and I was saying, I said, if you allow 322 00:18:33,080 --> 00:18:36,440 Speaker 1: me to just explore all of my talents, I would 323 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:39,640 Speaker 1: give to everything. I will not cheat you. I will 324 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:41,960 Speaker 1: so over. People always say, why are you multitached? You're 325 00:18:41,960 --> 00:18:44,280 Speaker 1: such good Because I made a commitment. I made a 326 00:18:44,320 --> 00:18:46,720 Speaker 1: commitment that he he told me, I can do all 327 00:18:46,760 --> 00:18:48,919 Speaker 1: these things. I have to. I have to do what 328 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:52,119 Speaker 1: I say. And so so when I look at you, 329 00:18:52,119 --> 00:18:54,840 Speaker 1: you're one of those people with a lot of talents. 330 00:18:54,960 --> 00:18:58,760 Speaker 1: And so now when and what's been fortunate for me, 331 00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:00,840 Speaker 1: I've been able to complete some of those things, like 332 00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:03,359 Speaker 1: I got my to college degree. You know everything that 333 00:19:03,520 --> 00:19:05,119 Speaker 1: you know. I went to IBY. I wanted to do that. 334 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:07,080 Speaker 1: I wanted to be successful comedi. I wanted to be one. 335 00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 1: So I'm willing to walk away from certain things. And 336 00:19:10,359 --> 00:19:12,719 Speaker 1: so when I read the book, this is what's happened 337 00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:15,600 Speaker 1: to you that I want to use the word courage, 338 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:17,800 Speaker 1: but the willingness to look in the mirror. So you know, 339 00:19:17,880 --> 00:19:20,840 Speaker 1: so I'm good with that. I'm good. I can walk 340 00:19:20,880 --> 00:19:23,400 Speaker 1: away and be Michelle. And when I'm hearing you talk 341 00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:26,120 Speaker 1: right now, it didn't matter that you I didn't want 342 00:19:26,119 --> 00:19:28,439 Speaker 1: to hear you singing. I wanted you were motivating me. 343 00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:32,719 Speaker 1: You were encouraging me, you were empowering me because I 344 00:19:32,760 --> 00:19:36,199 Speaker 1: heard an honest tone of like uplift from you and 345 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:38,520 Speaker 1: you didn't sing a note. And that's why it was 346 00:19:38,560 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 1: so beautiful. And that's why I was like, this is 347 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:43,439 Speaker 1: gonna be a great interview because for the first time 348 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:46,880 Speaker 1: she and I can just talk and talk about my flaws, 349 00:19:46,960 --> 00:19:50,240 Speaker 1: talk about her flaws, talk about how her book is 350 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:53,760 Speaker 1: making me a better person and making me understand that 351 00:19:54,280 --> 00:19:57,560 Speaker 1: I too walk that journey and how I handled it 352 00:19:57,600 --> 00:19:59,720 Speaker 1: and maybe I can help her with some advice on 353 00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:01,880 Speaker 1: how she can handle it too. But my number one 354 00:20:01,880 --> 00:20:06,840 Speaker 1: thing is be yourself. Mm hmm. That's so good. Let's see, 355 00:20:06,920 --> 00:20:09,560 Speaker 1: every time you and I talking, you just give me, 356 00:20:09,760 --> 00:20:13,200 Speaker 1: even if it's just something practical. I appreciate you for that. 357 00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:16,240 Speaker 1: Thank you well, I appreciate you. I've always appreciated you 358 00:20:16,280 --> 00:20:18,679 Speaker 1: in this book. Um, when I when I, when I 359 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:20,960 Speaker 1: look at this book and I because I interview a lot, 360 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:23,720 Speaker 1: I probably read, I've interviewed probably with six people on 361 00:20:23,800 --> 00:20:26,960 Speaker 1: money making conversations, read at least a hundred and fifty books, 362 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:29,919 Speaker 1: and each book tells a different story. But when I 363 00:20:29,960 --> 00:20:33,120 Speaker 1: get a book like your book that talks about decisions, 364 00:20:33,760 --> 00:20:36,920 Speaker 1: talked about living your gifts, about making the decisions for you, 365 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:39,480 Speaker 1: and that's what this book is about right now, Michelle, 366 00:20:39,600 --> 00:20:43,080 Speaker 1: So as we as we go into this interview, why 367 00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:49,680 Speaker 1: was this so important? To really write this book. WHOA. UM, well, 368 00:20:51,520 --> 00:20:54,280 Speaker 1: you have probably encouraged people to tell their own stories 369 00:20:54,280 --> 00:20:58,440 Speaker 1: and not to let anybody else tell the story for them. 370 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:01,359 Speaker 1: And that's just where I was, is UM. When I 371 00:21:01,400 --> 00:21:04,479 Speaker 1: go back to the year eighteen and when I was 372 00:21:05,080 --> 00:21:09,440 Speaker 1: when I was hospitalized in you know, I could imagine 373 00:21:09,480 --> 00:21:12,360 Speaker 1: the thoughts that were running in people's heads. Not that 374 00:21:12,440 --> 00:21:17,040 Speaker 1: it's really anybody's business, but by the time I felt 375 00:21:17,160 --> 00:21:21,119 Speaker 1: like the way in which I had to release a 376 00:21:21,280 --> 00:21:27,760 Speaker 1: statement about my hospitalization because TMZ found out and I 377 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:33,040 Speaker 1: did not want some narrative out there. So you know, 378 00:21:33,520 --> 00:21:36,439 Speaker 1: I was able to craft a statement while I'm in 379 00:21:36,480 --> 00:21:42,879 Speaker 1: the hospital seeking treatment for depression and anxiety. UM, I 380 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:45,399 Speaker 1: had to release a statement and tell people, yes, I 381 00:21:45,480 --> 00:21:48,479 Speaker 1: in fact have been in the hospital. I'm actually you know, 382 00:21:48,560 --> 00:21:52,320 Speaker 1: taking the advice that I myself give to others, which 383 00:21:52,359 --> 00:21:58,200 Speaker 1: is to seek help and um. And then fast forward 384 00:21:58,240 --> 00:22:01,040 Speaker 1: to the year twenty nineteen when the book process started. 385 00:22:01,400 --> 00:22:03,879 Speaker 1: It was healing for me and it was restored it 386 00:22:04,119 --> 00:22:06,040 Speaker 1: for me. And I don't know if it's a part 387 00:22:06,080 --> 00:22:08,520 Speaker 1: of me that wants to have a little bit of control, 388 00:22:09,160 --> 00:22:11,320 Speaker 1: but it was to kind of take the power back 389 00:22:11,800 --> 00:22:15,840 Speaker 1: in the shame that we're in those two words checking 390 00:22:16,040 --> 00:22:20,560 Speaker 1: in because I felt like a hypocrite. I was embarrassed, 391 00:22:20,640 --> 00:22:24,560 Speaker 1: especially when I people kind of found out I didn't. 392 00:22:25,160 --> 00:22:27,639 Speaker 1: Now that's the good thing about being Tunitra is you 393 00:22:27,640 --> 00:22:30,320 Speaker 1: know I called myself being able to check into the 394 00:22:30,359 --> 00:22:36,240 Speaker 1: hospital under that name, but someone still found out. Um. 395 00:22:36,280 --> 00:22:40,240 Speaker 1: But it was to take the power back, um, and 396 00:22:40,280 --> 00:22:45,280 Speaker 1: to tell my own story, but to give another person 397 00:22:46,040 --> 00:22:48,359 Speaker 1: maybe a name to maybe what it is they're feeling 398 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:50,600 Speaker 1: because I didn't get a proper diagnosis until I was 399 00:22:50,600 --> 00:22:54,520 Speaker 1: in my thirties. So can you imagine a young person 400 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:57,040 Speaker 1: right now that's reading that book that can say, oh 401 00:22:57,080 --> 00:22:59,159 Speaker 1: my gosh, maybe this is what it is. But I 402 00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:01,720 Speaker 1: still advise you to go get an assessment. Don't just 403 00:23:01,760 --> 00:23:03,919 Speaker 1: read my book and say, oh I'm depressed. It's the 404 00:23:03,920 --> 00:23:06,720 Speaker 1: same thing as going on Google. Google gonna tell you 405 00:23:06,880 --> 00:23:09,080 Speaker 1: fit a die, you know when you try to when 406 00:23:09,080 --> 00:23:12,200 Speaker 1: you google a symptom or something. So please, by all means, 407 00:23:12,240 --> 00:23:16,520 Speaker 1: it's just to give a be a supplement and a 408 00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:20,320 Speaker 1: guide to maybe what someone else is going through and 409 00:23:20,359 --> 00:23:26,400 Speaker 1: how they can overcome. I am I'm just there and 410 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:31,280 Speaker 1: at you, and with a smile, I'm actually talking to 411 00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:37,000 Speaker 1: a beautiful person who is defining their future. This is amazingly, 412 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:42,439 Speaker 1: this is an amazing encouragement for me, for anybody who's listening. 413 00:23:42,960 --> 00:23:47,720 Speaker 1: And because what happens is you know changed. It's a 414 00:23:47,800 --> 00:23:49,240 Speaker 1: it's a big fear for a lot of people because 415 00:23:49,280 --> 00:23:51,520 Speaker 1: it walks into our known. You're walking into our known. 416 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:55,480 Speaker 1: And so because knowing is your singer, Knowing is you're 417 00:23:55,480 --> 00:23:59,040 Speaker 1: an actress, Knowing is your famous. But the unknown is 418 00:23:59,240 --> 00:24:01,280 Speaker 1: does anybody want to hear this? But I'm gonna just 419 00:24:01,320 --> 00:24:03,879 Speaker 1: tell you something right now to NTRA. I want to 420 00:24:03,920 --> 00:24:07,959 Speaker 1: hear it because you are articulating it in such a 421 00:24:08,040 --> 00:24:14,159 Speaker 1: tone of motivation, honesty of uh, your captain and my 422 00:24:14,280 --> 00:24:17,080 Speaker 1: imagine that you wanted me. You know we was at 423 00:24:17,119 --> 00:24:21,920 Speaker 1: the church. This this is the call to the automon Listen. 424 00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 1: You know what you said something about defining I'm defining 425 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:30,800 Speaker 1: my future and um, a friend of mine, we've been 426 00:24:30,840 --> 00:24:34,920 Speaker 1: dissecting that word future literally the past few weeks. We've 427 00:24:34,960 --> 00:24:40,040 Speaker 1: been dissecting that word future and future means um the 428 00:24:40,200 --> 00:24:45,440 Speaker 1: time or a period of time following speaking or writing 429 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:50,880 Speaker 1: m hm. We define our futures by what we speak 430 00:24:51,760 --> 00:24:55,960 Speaker 1: or what we write. And I was like, wait a minute, 431 00:24:55,960 --> 00:25:00,000 Speaker 1: because we know the future to be as something to come. 432 00:25:00,040 --> 00:25:06,159 Speaker 1: M m hmmm, Like, oh, I can define my future 433 00:25:06,200 --> 00:25:10,640 Speaker 1: by what I'm speaking and by what I'm writing. The past. 434 00:25:10,840 --> 00:25:13,760 Speaker 1: If you look up the word past, it's the same thing. 435 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:19,680 Speaker 1: The past is something that was spoken or written. Now, 436 00:25:20,359 --> 00:25:25,240 Speaker 1: how can I maybe read better from my past? Start 437 00:25:25,280 --> 00:25:33,040 Speaker 1: speaking better, start writing better, start sewing better seeds, and 438 00:25:33,080 --> 00:25:36,120 Speaker 1: your your future would be a little brighter my thoughts, 439 00:25:36,560 --> 00:25:41,480 Speaker 1: and I see it happening in my life. Wow. Tunitra 440 00:25:41,640 --> 00:25:44,080 Speaker 1: Michelle Weeves, she's on my show. She's on my show. 441 00:25:44,200 --> 00:25:46,080 Speaker 1: She's talking about a new book, her first book in 442 00:25:46,119 --> 00:25:50,120 Speaker 1: fact checking, in how getting real about depression saved my life, 443 00:25:50,160 --> 00:25:54,159 Speaker 1: meaning her and can save yours. That was a moment 444 00:25:54,359 --> 00:25:56,080 Speaker 1: where she had to take control of her life. And 445 00:25:56,080 --> 00:25:57,879 Speaker 1: this is what this interview is about taking control of 446 00:25:57,880 --> 00:26:00,480 Speaker 1: your life and so many people and you know what, 447 00:26:00,640 --> 00:26:04,640 Speaker 1: I love that perspective, taking control of my life because 448 00:26:06,040 --> 00:26:09,080 Speaker 1: going on three years now, that's what I've had to do. 449 00:26:09,240 --> 00:26:12,000 Speaker 1: I didn't have anybody to hold my hand. It was 450 00:26:12,080 --> 00:26:18,760 Speaker 1: a decision that I made and rushing. Do you think 451 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:22,280 Speaker 1: it's a decision people make as we get older Because 452 00:26:22,320 --> 00:26:26,200 Speaker 1: I'm forty one. Adoption of teams from foster care is 453 00:26:26,240 --> 00:26:28,560 Speaker 1: a topic not enough people know about, and we're here 454 00:26:28,600 --> 00:26:31,120 Speaker 1: to change that. I'm April Denuity, host of the new 455 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:35,560 Speaker 1: podcast Navigating Adoption, presented by adopt us Kids. Each episode 456 00:26:35,560 --> 00:26:38,840 Speaker 1: brings you compelling, real life adoption stories told by the 457 00:26:38,880 --> 00:26:42,360 Speaker 1: families that lived them, with commentary from experts. Visit adopt 458 00:26:42,440 --> 00:26:45,880 Speaker 1: us Kids dot org, slash podcast, or subscribe to Navigating 459 00:26:45,920 --> 00:26:48,959 Speaker 1: Adoption presented by adopt us Kids, brought to you by 460 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:51,400 Speaker 1: the U. S Department of Health and Human Services, Administration 461 00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:54,639 Speaker 1: for Children and Families, and the AD Council. If I 462 00:26:54,640 --> 00:26:57,199 Speaker 1: could be you and you could be me for just 463 00:26:57,440 --> 00:26:59,800 Speaker 1: what hour? If you could find a way to get 464 00:26:59,800 --> 00:27:03,760 Speaker 1: in side each other's mind. Walk a mile in my shoes, 465 00:27:04,000 --> 00:27:08,320 Speaker 1: wacome mile in my shoes, walco my shoes. We've all 466 00:27:08,359 --> 00:27:11,680 Speaker 1: felt left out, and for some that feeling lasts more 467 00:27:11,720 --> 00:27:14,840 Speaker 1: than a moment. We can change that. Learn how it 468 00:27:14,960 --> 00:27:17,720 Speaker 1: belonging begins with us dot org, brought to you by 469 00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:24,880 Speaker 1: the AD Council. Welcome out in machines. Look at your 470 00:27:24,960 --> 00:27:28,120 Speaker 1: children's eyes to see the true magic of a forest. 471 00:27:28,520 --> 00:27:31,640 Speaker 1: It's a storybook world for them. You look and see 472 00:27:31,640 --> 00:27:34,640 Speaker 1: a tree. They see the wrinkled face of a wizard 473 00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:38,639 Speaker 1: with arms outstretched to the sky. They see treasure and pebbles, 474 00:27:39,119 --> 00:27:41,840 Speaker 1: They see a windy path that could lead to adventure, 475 00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:46,640 Speaker 1: and they see you. They're fearless. Guide. Is this fascinating world? 476 00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:49,840 Speaker 1: Find a forest near you and start exploring and discover 477 00:27:49,920 --> 00:27:52,159 Speaker 1: the forest dot org brought to you by the United 478 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:55,560 Speaker 1: States Forest Service and the ad Council. Well I would 479 00:27:55,560 --> 00:27:58,800 Speaker 1: tell you that I found out who was Sean Mcdonaldwells 480 00:27:58,800 --> 00:28:00,840 Speaker 1: in his forties in my parties, you know when I 481 00:28:00,880 --> 00:28:02,879 Speaker 1: really you know, because I was just going through the 482 00:28:02,920 --> 00:28:06,640 Speaker 1: process making money. A lot of great decisions were being 483 00:28:06,640 --> 00:28:09,400 Speaker 1: made in my career for me or by me or 484 00:28:09,760 --> 00:28:12,119 Speaker 1: and but but people to tell me I was successful, 485 00:28:12,160 --> 00:28:15,400 Speaker 1: But I didn't understand success. I didn't understand my gifts. 486 00:28:15,640 --> 00:28:18,040 Speaker 1: And so my whole thing now is that for the 487 00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:20,560 Speaker 1: for your living, your decision. So in my forice, I 488 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:22,800 Speaker 1: started living my life as with Sean McDonald. I stopped 489 00:28:22,880 --> 00:28:25,640 Speaker 1: using words like lucky, right places at the right time, 490 00:28:25,680 --> 00:28:27,960 Speaker 1: because your book talks about that, and the beginning you 491 00:28:27,960 --> 00:28:30,119 Speaker 1: look at your book talking about somebody made a phone 492 00:28:30,119 --> 00:28:32,440 Speaker 1: call and you just happen to get this. The word 493 00:28:32,560 --> 00:28:35,520 Speaker 1: luck comes into play there, and it's really not. Your 494 00:28:35,560 --> 00:28:39,200 Speaker 1: gifts came into play there, but you were not clearly 495 00:28:39,280 --> 00:28:42,440 Speaker 1: understanding your gifts. They were just it just it just 496 00:28:42,480 --> 00:28:44,920 Speaker 1: pushed you in certain direction that the opportunity was tied 497 00:28:44,960 --> 00:28:47,600 Speaker 1: to that, to that moment. And so now in my 498 00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:51,880 Speaker 1: my forties, I realized that I'm not lucky, I'm gifted. 499 00:28:51,920 --> 00:28:54,400 Speaker 1: God is giving me all these gifts. Now I have 500 00:28:54,440 --> 00:28:56,840 Speaker 1: to apply them properly. And one of the persons who 501 00:28:56,920 --> 00:29:00,960 Speaker 1: achieved that foundation of me, the rest luction of understanding 502 00:29:01,000 --> 00:29:04,040 Speaker 1: what words, was Steve Harvey. And so because all those 503 00:29:04,080 --> 00:29:06,920 Speaker 1: gifts are poured into his career and allowed him to 504 00:29:06,920 --> 00:29:09,120 Speaker 1: become the person and we both benefited from that level 505 00:29:09,120 --> 00:29:12,200 Speaker 1: of success. So when you say it's it's a some 506 00:29:12,240 --> 00:29:14,120 Speaker 1: people get it in eighteen. Some people get from the 507 00:29:14,240 --> 00:29:17,320 Speaker 1: sixteen have a clear understanding the direction. All you're getting 508 00:29:17,480 --> 00:29:21,400 Speaker 1: right now, Michelle, is an undis assessment of yourself and 509 00:29:21,440 --> 00:29:24,320 Speaker 1: what you want to do. That's what you're doing right now. 510 00:29:24,840 --> 00:29:27,800 Speaker 1: That's why it's important that we talk. I can't wait 511 00:29:27,840 --> 00:29:31,160 Speaker 1: to see you because I owe you a big hug. 512 00:29:31,200 --> 00:29:33,960 Speaker 1: I owe you sit down and walk in the park 513 00:29:34,120 --> 00:29:38,440 Speaker 1: just just something normal, just a normal Rashan McDonald talking 514 00:29:38,440 --> 00:29:41,840 Speaker 1: to a normal Michelle to Nietra Michelle Williams, that's what 515 00:29:41,960 --> 00:29:47,560 Speaker 1: I Atlanta. Okay, well come on now I owe your meal. 516 00:29:47,880 --> 00:29:50,959 Speaker 1: We will connect this week. Seriously. I literally I just 517 00:29:51,000 --> 00:29:54,720 Speaker 1: became an official Georgia resident. I got my license, you real. 518 00:29:54,840 --> 00:29:57,240 Speaker 1: Then we won't connect because I got I bought a 519 00:29:57,280 --> 00:30:01,719 Speaker 1: building here. I believe me. We're going to talk because 520 00:30:03,000 --> 00:30:04,880 Speaker 1: I would love that because before we run out of time, 521 00:30:04,880 --> 00:30:06,120 Speaker 1: I want to talk about the book to it that 522 00:30:06,120 --> 00:30:07,880 Speaker 1: you're kind of coming up here. You know, the topics 523 00:30:07,960 --> 00:30:09,960 Speaker 1: ranging for all these celebrities or your book to the 524 00:30:10,000 --> 00:30:15,080 Speaker 1: story that may tight you know, Roger p Henson, Lacre, 525 00:30:15,240 --> 00:30:18,520 Speaker 1: that's my boy, Tina Lost and that's m girl Latonia Lucky. 526 00:30:18,640 --> 00:30:20,480 Speaker 1: Let's talk about this, uh, this book to it just 527 00:30:20,600 --> 00:30:23,880 Speaker 1: virtual to it that you hosted. Correct, Yes, it's a 528 00:30:25,200 --> 00:30:28,720 Speaker 1: conversations with Michelle Williams. Um as it relates to my 529 00:30:28,760 --> 00:30:33,880 Speaker 1: book checking in. And some of the topics are identity, UM, anxiety, depression, 530 00:30:34,080 --> 00:30:38,800 Speaker 1: singleness um. And we've got some great names. We've got 531 00:30:38,920 --> 00:30:42,800 Speaker 1: Divon Franklin chand Lamore, Tabatha Brown, She's gonna, We're gonna 532 00:30:42,800 --> 00:30:45,200 Speaker 1: be talking about what the topic was supposed to be community, 533 00:30:45,480 --> 00:30:48,120 Speaker 1: but she and I just talked about so much her 534 00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:52,000 Speaker 1: health and um like tag like you said, lacraid, LaToya 535 00:30:52,080 --> 00:30:55,920 Speaker 1: luck At, Tina Lost and Chloe Bailey. Dr Caroline Leif 536 00:30:56,280 --> 00:30:59,960 Speaker 1: who is a neural scientist and can break stuff down. 537 00:31:00,320 --> 00:31:04,600 Speaker 1: She is phenomenal. Dr India Phillips as well, UM some 538 00:31:05,240 --> 00:31:09,400 Speaker 1: a great mixture of um, you know, celebrities, you know, 539 00:31:09,480 --> 00:31:12,400 Speaker 1: giving some practical advice. And then we've got to We've 540 00:31:12,400 --> 00:31:15,160 Speaker 1: got Dr India Phillips that's a psychologist, and I named 541 00:31:15,240 --> 00:31:18,960 Speaker 1: Dr Caroline Leaf as a neuroscientist, um who can also 542 00:31:19,040 --> 00:31:22,880 Speaker 1: kind of scientifically, um kind of break down what the 543 00:31:23,000 --> 00:31:26,560 Speaker 1: mind and brain goes through. Well, you know, I'm just 544 00:31:28,080 --> 00:31:32,680 Speaker 1: I am smiling. I am at you because I am 545 00:31:32,760 --> 00:31:35,840 Speaker 1: talking to I'm talking to you now, I'm talking to 546 00:31:35,960 --> 00:31:39,240 Speaker 1: the Nuetra. I'm talking to a person. You know the words. 547 00:31:39,480 --> 00:31:42,840 Speaker 1: Nobody has written a song for you, now, nobody has 548 00:31:42,880 --> 00:31:45,520 Speaker 1: told you a beat, nobody's told you a chore at 549 00:31:45,560 --> 00:31:48,960 Speaker 1: graft to move it in this conversation. And I want 550 00:31:49,240 --> 00:31:51,520 Speaker 1: these interviews. I want you to be you. I want 551 00:31:51,560 --> 00:31:53,080 Speaker 1: you to be to Ntra. I want you to be 552 00:31:53,440 --> 00:31:56,640 Speaker 1: that eighteen year old who wanted to go to Illinois State, 553 00:31:57,000 --> 00:32:00,239 Speaker 1: who wanted to major in criminal justice. But you had 554 00:32:00,240 --> 00:32:03,120 Speaker 1: this big old gift, this ability to the sing, and 555 00:32:03,160 --> 00:32:07,280 Speaker 1: you will you and you will and you will, uh say, 556 00:32:07,680 --> 00:32:09,520 Speaker 1: not sure how to go because you're a church girl 557 00:32:09,600 --> 00:32:11,920 Speaker 1: and you had that second over there, that secondly that 558 00:32:12,440 --> 00:32:15,120 Speaker 1: you know, battling that so you always had that battle. 559 00:32:15,480 --> 00:32:18,480 Speaker 1: And so so what God has done for you, now, 560 00:32:18,800 --> 00:32:21,040 Speaker 1: this is what He's done for you. He set you 561 00:32:21,080 --> 00:32:24,920 Speaker 1: on another path to be you. And these interviews Claude Bailey, 562 00:32:25,000 --> 00:32:27,320 Speaker 1: you know, J p hen To, look, Craze, these ain't 563 00:32:27,400 --> 00:32:30,520 Speaker 1: names you just throw out that people don't. I'm these people. 564 00:32:30,720 --> 00:32:32,960 Speaker 1: These people they spend time with you, they love you, 565 00:32:33,280 --> 00:32:36,320 Speaker 1: they believe in and you know, Tarager, she just finished 566 00:32:36,320 --> 00:32:39,720 Speaker 1: a healing show for faith Facebook watch when we was 567 00:32:39,720 --> 00:32:42,280 Speaker 1: talking about people coming in, she just finished a healing show. Look, 568 00:32:42,280 --> 00:32:45,920 Speaker 1: Craize just came off that book Healing, Finding God, Understanding 569 00:32:45,960 --> 00:32:48,680 Speaker 1: Religion His Way, you know. And and so I just 570 00:32:48,760 --> 00:32:51,320 Speaker 1: look at all this and Devine, frankly we all know 571 00:32:51,360 --> 00:32:55,440 Speaker 1: about him. And Tamar Bractice interviewed her, and you know, 572 00:32:55,600 --> 00:32:58,920 Speaker 1: so when I look at you and this tour I 573 00:32:59,000 --> 00:33:00,920 Speaker 1: just see a next step for you. And what I 574 00:33:00,920 --> 00:33:04,560 Speaker 1: want to say to you, Michelle, be you, Be you girl, 575 00:33:04,640 --> 00:33:08,000 Speaker 1: Be the person I'm talking to right now. Be honest, 576 00:33:08,680 --> 00:33:11,440 Speaker 1: uh and lead us and lead these people. Don't be 577 00:33:11,760 --> 00:33:13,960 Speaker 1: don't don't be caught up, and they might be leading 578 00:33:14,000 --> 00:33:17,080 Speaker 1: them like I've been leading people for years. Sitting there 579 00:33:17,120 --> 00:33:20,200 Speaker 1: telling the truth. You are a leader, young lady. You 580 00:33:20,280 --> 00:33:23,640 Speaker 1: are talking the truth. Share your story, and when you 581 00:33:23,720 --> 00:33:26,560 Speaker 1: share your story, people will listen. And when they listen, 582 00:33:26,760 --> 00:33:29,400 Speaker 1: they want to hear how they can be led, and 583 00:33:29,440 --> 00:33:32,400 Speaker 1: they be led in a positive manner. You are. You're 584 00:33:32,520 --> 00:33:35,520 Speaker 1: so close to what you want to be in life. Now, 585 00:33:35,680 --> 00:33:38,720 Speaker 1: don't stop. You're on the edge. You're looking, You're looking 586 00:33:38,760 --> 00:33:43,200 Speaker 1: across the mountain top. Go over it, climbing. That's all 587 00:33:43,240 --> 00:33:45,760 Speaker 1: I'm saying right now, come on, come on, That's all 588 00:33:45,840 --> 00:33:49,520 Speaker 1: I'm saying. Now. When I go over, I'm gonna need 589 00:33:49,560 --> 00:33:51,800 Speaker 1: the parachute. Don't worry about it. Don't worry. It's gonna 590 00:33:51,800 --> 00:33:54,160 Speaker 1: be so many people waiting on you with their arms open, 591 00:33:54,520 --> 00:33:58,640 Speaker 1: talking about thank you, talking about I need you, talking 592 00:33:58,640 --> 00:34:02,240 Speaker 1: about who you can help. It's gonna be so many 593 00:34:02,280 --> 00:34:06,200 Speaker 1: people waiting for this, to need your Michelle Williams. This 594 00:34:06,360 --> 00:34:09,280 Speaker 1: version that you of life, This is your next version 595 00:34:09,280 --> 00:34:12,200 Speaker 1: of life. This is your conversion. This is I've lived 596 00:34:12,200 --> 00:34:15,080 Speaker 1: many lives in my and I've been for I'm living 597 00:34:15,080 --> 00:34:17,239 Speaker 1: in another path when I left Steve really living a 598 00:34:17,280 --> 00:34:19,279 Speaker 1: life I wanted to live when I was eighteen to 599 00:34:19,360 --> 00:34:21,879 Speaker 1: twenty four. That's when I'm living right now. And so 600 00:34:22,239 --> 00:34:26,000 Speaker 1: I'm just telling you right now, that eighteen year old kid, 601 00:34:26,800 --> 00:34:29,680 Speaker 1: you're you're living that life right now, and so what happens. 602 00:34:29,680 --> 00:34:32,960 Speaker 1: I always tell people between eighteen and twenty four, that's 603 00:34:33,000 --> 00:34:36,239 Speaker 1: really when you wanted to be, when you was ambitious, 604 00:34:36,239 --> 00:34:38,680 Speaker 1: when you had dreams and that were different from other people. 605 00:34:39,840 --> 00:34:43,160 Speaker 1: Now you're living a life right now that will make 606 00:34:43,200 --> 00:34:46,120 Speaker 1: that eighteen to twenty four years work for you. Just 607 00:34:46,360 --> 00:34:51,360 Speaker 1: leading with honestly, yes, sir, yes, sir, yeah, leading with honesty, 608 00:34:51,840 --> 00:34:54,760 Speaker 1: leading with the ability to understand that you are great. 609 00:34:55,239 --> 00:34:57,319 Speaker 1: I just wanted to take the time just to talk 610 00:34:57,400 --> 00:34:59,640 Speaker 1: to you. You are in Atlanta. We will connect and 611 00:34:59,800 --> 00:35:01,800 Speaker 1: bring by an office when we eat dinner, because I 612 00:35:01,840 --> 00:35:04,440 Speaker 1: got a built in We're gonna dessert you asking for 613 00:35:04,440 --> 00:35:06,759 Speaker 1: all that people to take photos, But more important, I 614 00:35:06,800 --> 00:35:08,799 Speaker 1: got a garden in the back, I got ocre back 615 00:35:08,840 --> 00:35:10,919 Speaker 1: that to maade Us, back that Coli green back. That 616 00:35:11,160 --> 00:35:16,200 Speaker 1: all that I need about Sunds word, don't worry about, 617 00:35:16,200 --> 00:35:18,799 Speaker 1: don't word about. When you leave, I'm gonna leave you 618 00:35:18,800 --> 00:35:20,719 Speaker 1: and leave with the cake. But Shell, first of all, 619 00:35:20,760 --> 00:35:22,319 Speaker 1: I want to wrap in this interview and just say 620 00:35:22,920 --> 00:35:27,480 Speaker 1: I am so blessed to talk to you now this version. 621 00:35:29,239 --> 00:35:31,880 Speaker 1: Don't get me wrong, don't get me wrong. You always 622 00:35:31,880 --> 00:35:35,879 Speaker 1: be one of my favorite people. But to hear you 623 00:35:36,320 --> 00:35:41,000 Speaker 1: talking the way you're talking now as tantra, yeah, oh 624 00:35:41,160 --> 00:35:45,399 Speaker 1: my god, oh my god. The blessings are gonna be 625 00:35:45,680 --> 00:35:47,919 Speaker 1: just over. So go to that mountaintop when you look over, 626 00:35:47,960 --> 00:35:50,279 Speaker 1: I swear to you, it's gonna be so many people 627 00:35:50,280 --> 00:35:52,680 Speaker 1: are gonna make you cry, and you're gonna slide down 628 00:35:52,680 --> 00:35:54,279 Speaker 1: that here because you're gonna have to. They've got the 629 00:35:54,320 --> 00:35:56,839 Speaker 1: part the ways they're gonna go. What what took you 630 00:35:56,880 --> 00:35:58,480 Speaker 1: so long? Where it took me for the one year? 631 00:35:58,560 --> 00:36:03,160 Speaker 1: But I'm here, y'all, I'm here, Come on, Yes, Thank you, 632 00:36:03,960 --> 00:36:06,880 Speaker 1: thank you Michelle coming on to nature, Michelle Willen for 633 00:36:07,000 --> 00:36:09,640 Speaker 1: coming on money making conversation. Thank you, thank you Mr 634 00:36:09,760 --> 00:36:14,680 Speaker 1: Rashawn McDonald for having me on your show Money Making Conversations. 635 00:36:15,480 --> 00:36:18,000 Speaker 1: Any in my interviews I'll see in interview. Please go 636 00:36:18,080 --> 00:36:21,279 Speaker 1: to Money Making Conversation dot com. I'm Roshan McDonald. I 637 00:36:21,320 --> 00:36:31,879 Speaker 1: am your host. In this season of giving, Coals has 638 00:36:31,920 --> 00:36:34,440 Speaker 1: gifts for all your loved ones. For those who like 639 00:36:34,520 --> 00:36:38,520 Speaker 1: to keep it cozy, find fleeces, sweaters, loungeware, blankets and throws, 640 00:36:38,920 --> 00:36:42,360 Speaker 1: or support minority owned or founded brands by giving gifts 641 00:36:42,400 --> 00:36:45,920 Speaker 1: from Human Nation and Shame moisture and in the spirit 642 00:36:45,960 --> 00:36:49,480 Speaker 1: of giving, Coals Cares is donating eight million dollars to 643 00:36:49,600 --> 00:36:53,240 Speaker 1: local nonprofits nationwide. Give with all your heart this season 644 00:36:53,400 --> 00:36:56,640 Speaker 1: with great gifts from Coals or Coals dot com. Piece 645 00:36:56,680 --> 00:36:59,600 Speaker 1: of the Planet, Charlemagne to God here and you don't 646 00:36:59,640 --> 00:37:02,920 Speaker 1: want him. Miss Hello Somebody with Senator Nina Turner on 647 00:37:02,960 --> 00:37:07,200 Speaker 1: the Black Effect podcast Network. I love Hello Somebody simply 648 00:37:07,239 --> 00:37:12,080 Speaker 1: because I love Nina Turner. She's feeless. I'mina Turner, hell 649 00:37:12,320 --> 00:37:17,880 Speaker 1: raising humanitarian sister in the struggle and recover an elected official. 650 00:37:18,400 --> 00:37:23,200 Speaker 1: Listen to Hello Somebody every Thursday on the Heart Radio 651 00:37:23,440 --> 00:37:29,560 Speaker 1: at Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts. When 652 00:37:29,560 --> 00:37:32,200 Speaker 1: I was eighteen years old, Anne at my high school 653 00:37:32,280 --> 00:37:35,800 Speaker 1: was brutally murdered. Getting to the truth has opened to 654 00:37:35,880 --> 00:37:40,160 Speaker 1: Pandora's Box of secrets, exposing abuse of power and the 655 00:37:40,239 --> 00:37:44,319 Speaker 1: world of lies at one Miami monastery. I mean, the 656 00:37:44,360 --> 00:37:48,440 Speaker 1: woman will stab my need plus times. There's got to 657 00:37:48,480 --> 00:37:53,400 Speaker 1: be something else going on here. Listen to Sacred Scandal 658 00:37:53,480 --> 00:37:56,600 Speaker 1: on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever 659 00:37:56,680 --> 00:37:57,719 Speaker 1: you get your podcasts.