Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood

Annual tradition, honest conversation.

Each July 4th I return to Frederick Douglass’ 1852 address to check the pulse of American freedom. In this replay runback I share a partial reading of the speech’s most searing passages—followed by my own reflections 

📤When have you felt both pride and discomfort on the 4th?

Share your story via voice note, DM, or tag @HighlyVisiblePod—I may feature your perspective in next year’s runback: ht...

What happens when joy feels like a luxury you didn’t earn? In this powerful conversation with life coach and facilitator Ashmi Patel, we explore the quiet ache of perfectionism, inherited guilt, and the radical practice of feeling good—on purpose.

Ashmi shares how growing up as the daughter of immigrants shaped her relationship to joy, rest, and self-worth. From late-diagnosed ADHD to healing through creativity and coaching, she in...

What if fitness wasn’t about chasing numbers—but about reclaiming joy in your body?

In this episode of Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood, I’m joined by Brandon Howard, a personal trainer, health coach, and founder of Howard Power Fitness. Together, we explore what it means to feel at home in your body—regardless of weight, appearance, or arbitrary milestones.

Brandon shares how years in the fitness industry taught him tha...

What if joy isn’t something we chase, but something we return to?

In this season's opening episode of our new theme, On Joy, I reflect on what it means to slow down, pay attention, and remember joy—not the loud or curated kind, but the quiet, complex, deeply human kind.

Through personal reflection, spiritual tension, generational memory, and a whole lot of pondering, this video essay sets the tone for a season-long exploration of j...

What’s good y’all! It’s your boy, Jonathan Dumas. I’m dropping in with a quick check-in for my Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood fam.

We’ve been cooking behind the scenes, and I’m excited to announce that WE COMIN BACK! New Seaon, On Joy, is dropping next month! This new season is all about exploring the real, messy, sacred places where joy shows up—in our minds, our bodies, our communities, and even in the mundane moment...

Authenticity isn’t about oversharing or performing—it’s about practicing your values daily. And in this episode, we’re getting real about what it means to truly show up, reject the performance trap, and redefine success on our own terms.

I’m joined by Alawna Ozoka—certified life & leadership coach, bestselling author of Awareness Put Me On, and all-around truth teller. We dive into:

✅ Finding contentment in a chaotic world 🌍 ✅...

How do you choose yourself in a world that asks you to sacrifice your essence? In this soulful and empowering episode of Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood, Jonathan sits down with Candice, a Dream Doula, to explore what it means to embrace your authenticity, navigate societal pressures, and birth your dreams into reality.

From the challenges of being a multi-passionate creator to redefining time and success, this conversa...

In this heartfelt episode of Highly Visible & a Little Misunderstood, Jonathan Dumas welcomes author and creative Jocelyn Chung to discuss her newly released children's book, When Love Is More Than Words. Together, they journey through themes of storytelling, generational love, and finding authentic voices amid personal growth. Jocelyn shares the origins of her book, revealing how it began as a deeply personal poem and evolved ...

In this soul-nourishing episode of Highly Visible & a Little Misunderstood, host Jonathan Dumas welcomes back Aizaiah Yong, a practical theologian, educator, and writer known for his profound insights on leadership and community. As they dive deep into the essence of authenticity, they explore its many layers—from personal journeys marked by multicultural heritage to the theological and philosophical dimensions of living a true...

In this engaging podcast episode, host Jonathan Dumas is joined by his long-time friend and political science enthusiast, Gustavo, to dissect the critical stakes of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The episode dives into debates about the economy, immigration, democracy, and more, contrasting the platforms of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. The conversation highlights the importance of political ...

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After a long break, Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood is back with a brand-new series, Performing Authenticity. In this first episode, host Jonathan Dumas sits down with authenticity coach Betty Chan to dive into a deep and hilarious conversation about what it truly means to be “authentic” in a world full of pressure to conform. Is it possible to be our real selves, or are we al...

On this special, unscripted episode of Highly Visible & a Little Misunderstood, Jonathan Dumas reflects on the sobering aftermath of the election, expressing raw emotions and exploring the reality of communal responsibility, identity, and hope in challenging times. With guest Isaiah Young, a practical theologian, they delve into the meaning of community, the impact of institutions, and how we remain true to ourselves amid socie...

Your boy Jonathan is back and giving us all the updates! After a brief hiatus (we know y’all missed him), Jonathan is dropping some big news – he’s making the jump back to corporate America! 🎉 Tune in to hear all about his job search journey, the highs, the lows, and why he’s ready for a new challenge after years as a solopreneur.

But that’s not all! Jonathan is spilling the tea on the latest happenings with the show, including th...

Jonathan and guest, Betty Chan, an authenticity coach, discuss various topics including their experiences as entrepreneurs, issues of burnout, and the importance of taking regular rest. Betty shares her belief in 'gentle leadership' and the value of allowing oneself the freedom to simply exist, such as her concept of 'potato days' - where one intentionally does nothing to reset and recharge. The conversation also delves into unders...

Dive into an insightful conversation about racial identity, bridging the opportunity gap, entrepreneurship among BIPOC, and the issues and initiatives concerning foster care alumni and transracial adoptees. Listen to our host, Jonathan Dumas share personal experiences and learn about Grace Yung Foster's groundbreaking project, the Inclusion Initiative. This podcast episode deeply explores the nuances of living between cultures, str...

Join host Jonathan Dumas in intriguing discussions with Olanike A. Mensah, founder of Mosaic Consulting. They share experiences of being Black entrepreneurs, emphasizing the value of their identities in shaping their businesses and fostering inclusivity in workplaces. Olanike reveals her expertise in advising equity strategies, providing services like audits and coaching tailored to clients' needs. She also looks forward to launchi...