Our Voices Matter Podcast

As American school children, we learned it by heart, and recited it every day.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America..."

But how often did we then, and do we now, think about the meaning behind the words? "...one nation. Under God. Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Indivisible

What does it mean to be indivisible? It's a question Denise Hamilton explores with intelligence...

What is driving the recent conflict on college campuses? One obvious factor is reaction to the Israel-Hamas War.

But my guest this week isn’t sure it’s quite that simple. 

As CEO of the non-profit, BridgeUSA, 25 year-old Manu Meel is in constant contact with students on more than 70 campuses across the country.

The organization helps facilitate conversations among college and high school students with ide...

The eyes of the world are trained on Israel and Gaza like no time in recent memory.

The horror of October 7th ignited a firestorm that will reverberate for generations to come.

Yet, in the midst of unfathomable pain borne by families on both sides of the Israel Hamas War, there is an ongoing search for pieces of peace.

Jewish and Arab Israelis working together toward a shared society.

Even now.

Especially now.

Shared Society

When I learne...

It’s been inspiring to see our friends in the LGBTQ+ community celebrate and be celebrated during Pride Month.

Though, I must say I long for the day when we don’t need a specific month to acknowledge the humanity of those who are marginalized.

No matter who we love, what our race, how we pray or how we identify, we matter. We are human. We belong.

But until that day, I am grateful for each month that shin...

I can hear my dad saying it now: “I have to laugh to keep from crying.” As a little girl, I didn’t quite get it.

But now I do. And it’s safe to say, these days, that’s how most of us feel.

Up is down. Fake is real. Fact is fiction. The world has gone mad.

And we’re all choosing sides — scared to death of what this chaos means for our future.

So. How to cope with it all?…

My guest this we...

“We cannot coexist if we cannot talk to each other — it’s that simple.”

And that complicated. Yet the leaders of BridgeUSA are determined to meet the challenge.

This 7 year-old non-profit is “building a student movement to bring the country together”, led by a dynamic CEO and return guest to Our Voices Matter, Manu Meel.

Lessons Learned
When we first spoke with Manu over a year ago, he was about to em...

Talking with Jordan Seaberry is like wrapping up in a warm blanket on a frigid, winter night.

You still feel the cold, but the softness enveloping you takes the edge off.

Our chaotic world churns constantly, spewing more mayhem, but somehow, we still have hope.

Jordan and others of his generation give me the sense that ultimately, we’ll be ok.

What is an Artist?

But not without doing the work, and Jordan is among many, spectacular mille...

People often ask where and how I find guests for Our Voices Matter.

The short answer is, when I run across a story I think will resonate with our audience, I jump on it.

For this episode, I didn’t have to look very far.

Literally across my desk.

No Subject Off Limits
Jodi Rabitoy is my Executive Assistant at Linda Lorelle Media.

As you might imagine, we talk a lot. About pretty much ...

“When your story is being told, make sure you are the one holding the pen.”

It’s one of Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton’s favorite quotes. And one that has particular resonance in 2023 as powerful, political forces are literally trying to erase parts of American history.

Black history.

But Mouton is holding the pen.

Multi-Genre Literary Artist
A self-described multi-genre literary artist, she is a ma...

The message comes from Millennial recording artist, Kam Franklin, and her band, The Suffers.

Kam, the Houston band’s lead singer, lives her life leading with love — and the truth, even when it isn’t pretty.

I became a Kam super fan after sitting down with her for the podcast in November of 2020. Her talent, intellect and empathy toward others on full display.

Surviving the Pandemic

Still in full-blown pandemic mode at that time, Kam an...

When you were 18, what were you concerned about?

If you’re of a certain age, my guess is that the demise of our planet and Artificial Intelligence taking over weren’t at the top of your list.

But for today’s youth, those are real concerns. And it impacts how they think about and prepare for the future.

In Part 2 of our series, Across the Generations, I sit down with a mother and daughter who are grappling in real time with these quest...

It’s no secret that sometimes we just don’t “get” each other. There’s a disconnect between the generations.

That in itself certainly isn’t new.

But what seems, or at least feels different, is the fragility of the systems on which we depend — and the urgency of figuring out how to save ourselves…from ourselves…

So that a livable world with a thriving society will still be here for Millennials, Gen Z and fu...

Since we first introduced you to Sipple and its co-founder, Danny Frounfelkner, the Houston-based company has hit next level status. At least from my humble perspective as a customer.

Like many of you, I am participating in Dry January, which necessitated a recent shopping trip to my favorite non-alcoholic bottle shop.

The place was packed. First timers. Regulars. All of us browsing bulging shelves decked out with new offerings, refl...

I love candles. Especially during the Christmas holidays, which makes this the perfect time to revisit my conversation with The Candle Queen.

Ianthe Mauro is fluent in the language of candles. Whatever the shape or scent, candles are a perfect metaphor for what Ianthe is all about — bringing light and love to our troubled world.

Sound familiar? It’s one of the mantras of this podcast and all of the content I creat...

Growing up, she was simply my second cousin, Yvonne. Someone I looked forward to seeing on my summer visits to Nashville, Tennessee, my mother’s hometown.

Little did I know she was also a pioneer — a badass Black woman who refused to let the barriers of the day keep her down.

No matter the obstacle, Yvonne “Y.Y.” Clark, started by asking herself: “How do we fix this?” An approach instilled in her by her parents, Dr. Coleman Milton Yo...

As I count my blessings this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the opportunity to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community that is deeply hurting.

The recent Q Club killings in Colorado Springs are the latest example of the searing hate and violence gripping our nation.

Hate toward those considered to be “the other” — simply for existing as who they are.

Those of us who call ourselves allies must do our part. Re-...

He calls himself a recovering lawyer and politico turned culinary historian, food writer and professional speaker.

Sprinkle in a healthy dose of faith and social justice activism and voilà — a Soul Food Scholar “dropping knowledge like hot biscuits!”

Somehow, Adrian Miller has managed to fashion a successful career intersecting his multitude of talents to the benefit of us all.

From the White House to Netflix

Some of you might recogniz...

Why An Interracial Couple Emigrated From the U.S.

What’s your definition of “Home”?

Here’s one I found in a random Google search:

“A home is a place of refuge. A person’s most personal belongings are kept in a home and it’s where a person feels safe and accepted. To create a home requires an emotional connection and sense of belonging, not physical things.”

Safe and accepted. A sense of belonging.

Isn’t that what we all want?

It’s certai...

This week's episode of Our Voices Matter Podcast explores the intersection of two topics making recent headlines: DEI in the workplace and Black women's hair.

Diversity, equity and inclusion -- along with belonging and accessibility -- have remained at the forefront of corporate conversations in the last few years. Especially after the murder of George Floyd.

Last week, headlines screamed about the results of a new study by...