March 23, 2025 • 30 mins
Eli gets you caught up on his past week, & answers your email questions.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to the Elijah Winfrey Show. Each week, Elijah gets
you caught up on his work in the community, talks
with guests about issues and causes that are important to them,
while also answering your email questions. So sit back, relax,
and enjoy the show. Here's your host, Elijah Winfrey.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Hello, folks, and welcome to the Elijah Winfrey Show. I'm
indeed your host, Elijah Winfrey, and we have a great
show lined up for you today.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Folks.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Once again, you've sent in some amazing questions that I
am excited to answer today. But before we get to
any of that, I want to get you caught up
my past week first and foremost. I hope that your
weekend and your past week was successful. It is raining
(00:57):
here in the Pacific Northwest, so business as usual, as
we say. The good news is, you know, I think
spring is is definitely here. I think the temperatures are
gonna warm up here a little bit, but I can't
wait for.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
More consistent sunshine.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
So I hope that you're I hope you're enjoying your
weekend and you had a productive past week.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
My past week was it was.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
My producers looking at me because he knows what I'm
gonna say. It was business as usual. It was productive.
I got some things done after spring break. I am
really going to hit the ground running. And I I
(01:58):
caught myself yesterday as I was working on some things,
kind of thinking about, you know, what the summer is
gonna entail for me. It's gonna be some traveling, some golfing.
So I'm really spending a lot of time making sure
I'm physically and mentally ready to.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Go with that. And I think.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Having having some downtime at the beginning of April is
going to be really good to kind of really reset
and refocus so I can, you know, push through the
excitement of the summer and the events that we have planned.
So I spent a lot of time this weekend doing
(02:43):
that and catching up on some some nonprofit emails and
meeting with some organizations about a possible collaboration.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
So it's productive. It's productive.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
For those of you that I mentioned this last week
on the show, we are hosting a donation drive for
Dignity for Divas and I am going to deliver the
donations on Wednesday, and I'm excited to help this this
(03:23):
amazing organization that you know helps women you know that
are living in you know that are homeless transitioned out
of that into housing. I think it's so important that
we we we do our very best to give back
in the community in these ways. I know there are
a lot of people who are doing that. You know,
(03:44):
I'm not the only one, you know, I'm not the first,
won't be the last, but I do think it's important
and to partner with this organization means a lot to
me too. I've been really searching for a while now
too connect with women. Organizations that are are are working
(04:12):
extremely hard. I just don't think they get the visibility
that they that they deserve, and you know, I want
to shine a light on that. So this is the first,
and I hope many opportunities to collaborate with organizations led
by women, and I'm excited about that. My role as
(04:38):
a para professional, you know, there's nothing really new to
report there. Things are, things are going well. I enjoyed
my time, so I don't have I don't have anything
new to report on that end. What else do I
(04:59):
have going I haven't been able to work out, or
I should say I got the green light to start
working out.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
On Friday, and.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
Today after the show, you know, I'm going to start
a couple of programs to build my body up for
the summer. I'm excited about those programs.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Now. The goal for me is to just stay healthy.
You know.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
It feels like I get these these twenty four forty
eight hour bugs that kind of slow me down a bit.
So I'm hoping that that's not the case. But I am.
I would say I'm about ninety percent now, and I
think being able to work out again that will, you know,
(05:51):
get me back to where I need to be. And
I can't wait to get started. I'm going to be
doing some modeling for a company. I'm excited about it.
I'm sure you've seen the company before, so I don't
I'm not gonna give it completely away. We'll be doing
that in May, and then hopefully, you know, i'll make
(06:13):
the cover of their you know, books, or you'll definitely
see me on their social media pages. It's a it's
an exciting opportunity, you know, for me to continue to
to walk through these doors that are open and to
do my best to keep these doors open. So all
(06:36):
in all, the past week and this weekend has been
pretty good, pretty good family's doing really.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Well and.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
We're going to finish the month of March strong. All right,
enough about me, let's get into some of these questions
this week. Each week I tell you to send me
questions at Elijah dot Winfrey at gmail dot com. And
as always, you never disappoint My amazing producer, Greg Nice
(07:11):
goes into the email bag and he pulls out a
handful of questions, and first up is Iliana from New Jersey.
Eleanna writes, Eli, do you ever worry about failing at
anything you do or being criticized?
Speaker 3 (07:33):
No.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
I there was a time when I was I was
maybe younger than I probably thought that way, and I
probably wouldn't have attempted to do the things that I'm
doing now. But as I've gotten older, I don't. I
don't really worry about failing. Like it's I think you
(07:57):
got to get it wrong to get it right. It's
you're gonna fall down quite a bit. And that's happened
to me and everything. You know, everything that I've done
in my life. You know I've fallen. Sometimes I've fallen
pretty hard, but I always get up, and you know,
I keep moving forward. As far as being criticized, look,
(08:17):
we all do it. We all criticize things and people,
so you know, I'm not immune to that. When I
I've told this story here on the show before, when
I started my not when I started my radio show.
I have a very good friend. He's a really good
friend of mine, love him dearly. He heard my first
(08:41):
show and it was the first show I did, so
you gotta you gotta keep in mind like it's the
first time you're on air. You're nervous, your voice is
probably shaky. You you don't know if your your your
tone is right or whatever. And he sent me attack
was telling me how bad he thought the show was
(09:03):
and how I didn't have a radio voice, and how
I should you know, mail it in and you know,
do something else besides being having a show. And you know,
I really I thought about what he said. You know,
I didn't. I didn't dismiss it. You know, I didn't
give him a response right away. I had to really
(09:23):
think about it. And then thinking about it, I just said,
you know, that's his opinion. I started getting emails and
texts from friends who love the show. You know, but
I knew it was something that I wanted to do.
And I know everybody doesn't rock with the show, Like
that's the thing. And I know people criticize the show.
(09:45):
That's fine, that comes with it. You know, when you
pray for success, you don't pray for jealousy, envy, entitlement.
But common sense says those things are there, and I
know that, so I don't really worry about it anymore.
You know, I try to pivot or when somebody's criticizing me,
I try to take it, and you know, I try
(10:08):
to dissect it later, and I really, I really try
to find out whether or not there's some truth in it.
You know, if there's some truth in it, then you know,
but I'm not I wouldn't stop the show, but I
would definitely try to maybe critique some things. So I've
always been open to criticism. But like I said, nobody
(10:31):
likes it. Nobody likes it, and anybody who's telling you
that they do, they're not being honest with you. Next
question is from juliet in Minnesota. Juliette writes, Elijah, what
are some of the most impactful collaborations You've been a
part of and how did they come together?
Speaker 3 (10:52):
Great question.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
So I think a lot of the impactful collaborations I've had.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Have been with.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Public schools, and I owe mister d a lot of
that credit, if not all of the credit.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
You know.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Over the holidays, it's it's it's really a hard time,
not just for families but for me. You know, I
struggle over the holidays. You know, it's it's not my
best time of year. But when you're when you're shopping
for for families who are less fortunate, it it does
(11:34):
something to you. I know, I definitely feel it. You know,
I've I've been very appreciative too, Gerald for helping me
put these things together, you know, but working with school
kids in in in the Seattle school district, it's been.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
Phenomenal, you know. I I would love to.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Do more in other school districts, specifically the one that
I am in right now, but I think those have
been the most impactful. And in this past year, you know,
I we did a collaboration with Devil Kendrick, who runs
the Restoration of the Arts, and it was a reading event,
(12:26):
you know, I got a chance to speak a little
bit to the audience and then we delivered gifts on
behalf of Team Winfree and and I I really really
love it. You know, it gives me goosebumps to see
(12:47):
their faces, to interact a little bit with them, with
these kids, So you know, those two come to mind.
I've done I'm I can't think of the off the
top of my head, but I've done a few other
collaborations that have been done really well. But anytime I
(13:07):
can interact with with families and kids, you know, it's
it means so much, and you know, I I.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Really appreciate it. Great question.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
Next question is from Aubrey and Virginia Aubrey Wrights Eli,
what's one thing you wish more people understood about the
struggles low income families experience alby I think what I think,
(13:41):
I wish more people understood how extremely hard it is
for these families to dig out of this.
Speaker 3 (13:55):
Environment.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Of these families are living paycheck to paycheck, that one
paycheck missed away from being on the street. And I
think a lot of them are fighting hard. A lot
of them are in need of voices, a lot of
them are in need they need us to advocate for them.
(14:21):
You know, I think with the cost of living only
going up, it really hurts these low income families. Some
of these families can only afford to work at McDonald's.
You know these restaurants, these fast food restaurants that they
don't they're not paying a livable wage. And these families
(14:46):
are trying to get out of those situations. But it's
hard when you're not making the money to make ends meet.
You know, you can't pay you can't pay your rent,
or you're short on your rent. You know your kids
need food, they need clothes. Uh, it's it's extremely difficult.
(15:10):
So I wish more people really understood the struggle and
put themselves in it. And what I mean by that
is go and go down and visit some of these
these neighborhoods and find out how you can help. I
think a lot of times we spend too much time
posting words instead of doing the work. I see it
(15:35):
a lot, and I'm not calling anybody out. I'm just saying,
you know, I see a lot of people who won't collaborate.
And the collaboration doesn't have to be big. It could
be one or two people saying let's go to let's
go to this this neighborhood, let's find out how we
can help, and then let's do it.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
You don't have to post about it. But do the work.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
But I know a lot of people who would rather
spend their time posting a quote by someone famous than
doing the work. So I I I'm sure there are
a lot of good people that are are investing in
these neighborhoods and helping these low income families deal with
(16:21):
you know, their their traumas and their struggles. But I
just wish more people would invest the time because it's neat.
Next question is from Brook in California. Brook writes, Elijah,
(16:44):
what inspired you to start writing grants for Team Winfrey?
Speaker 3 (16:48):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (16:48):
This is a good question, Brook, So here's the story.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
I have a really good friend. He's like my agent,
he's like a brother.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
Also, he put me in contact with a grant writer
because I was in need of a grant writer. I
don't know anything about writing grants. I'm not experienced in that.
So he put me in touch with this great grant writer.
And I don't want to I'm not going to reveal
that person's name, but I'm sure that they're great at
(17:25):
what they do. So I email introduced myself and my
organization and what we're about and what we would like
to do and how we could, you know, work together
on you know, writing grants or maybe bring you on
as a grant writer. And I got no response. So
(17:45):
I sent an email out again no response. So I
did it again, no response, and I began to get
frustrated because I felt like I was being ghosted and
I was, unfortunately, and at the time it really hurt.
(18:09):
It hurt me. I was pretty angry because I felt like,
you know, I didn't I don't know the person, but
I'm trying to know the person, and I thought it
could have.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Been a great thing.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
And the more I thought about it, you know, I
told myself, instead of getting angrier about the lack of
response or no response, just write it yourself. Learn how
to do it yourself. So I went on YouTube and
I watched these videos on grant writing. And again, you know,
(18:49):
I'm no professional grant writer. Let me just say that
for the record, I am not. But I did learn
how to write them. And you know, I I write
the grants for Team Winfree and it's rewarding to learn
that skill set and to just put my head down
(19:09):
and do the work, and I do from time to time.
Think about that, you know, that that that lack of
response from the individual, you know, I'd rather be told no, no,
it's a complete sentence, no, I don't want to work
(19:31):
with you. You know, I would have gotten over that,
but it just stings when you feel like there's a
connection that would have been really good and it just
didn't happen. So that inspired me to write to learn
about them first and then and then to write grants
for Team Win Free.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
And I enjoy it. It is.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
It's extremely hard to do, but I I really enjoy it.
Next question is from Hope and Miami Beach, Florida. Hope, right, Eli,
what's one piece of advice you give someone struggling to
(20:15):
find their purpose. I would say, keep digging. It's in there,
it's in you. The easiest thing to do when you're
struggling to find your purpose is to give up, you know,
is to then do something that you really don't want
(20:38):
to do or your heart's not into it.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
So I would say, you know, stay in it.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
Sometimes sometimes it takes a hard reset to find your purpose,
but it's there.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
We all have it.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
And it may take a little time to find it.
But what you can't do is give up because you'll
tap into it and not even know it at the time.
And then you sit back and think about the work
that you've done and you go, Yep, that's it. That's
(21:18):
my calling, that's what I'm supposed to be doing. So
my advice would be stay in it, keep digging, don't
pivot right away, because you're closer than you think you
(21:39):
really are. I think, I think sometimes we don't realize
how close we are to finding our purpose in giving
back to this world. But we're all closer than we think.
(22:01):
All right, let's take a couple more questions. This next
question is from Vanessa and Texas. Vanessa writes, Hi, Elijah,
I love your show.
Speaker 3 (22:13):
My question this week for you.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
Is this, what's one book or movie that has had
a profound impact on you? One book? I don't know
if there's one book. I can't name one book that's
(22:41):
had like a profound impact on me. From a movie standpoint,
it's probably The Color Purple, the original version, like WHOOPI Goldberg.
Speaker 3 (22:53):
I really.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
That movie really hit me on a lot of levels.
It's one of my favorite movies of all time. A
lot of lessons in that movie. So I would say
The Color Purple is the movie.
Speaker 3 (23:15):
The book. I just don't know. I don't know.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
I don't really, I don't have a book. I'd have
to really think about that. And you know, I'm part
of a book club now and you know, right now
we're reading Giovanni's Room, you know, written by the amazing
James Baldwin. And I love James Baldwin. I've listened to
his speeches. I have his picture on my living room
wall here at my home. So I'll have to get
(23:49):
back with you. But that'sa on the book. I have
to think about that, all right. Next question is from
Sydney and ioming Sydney Rights. I, Elijah love your show.
If you weren't, if you weren't doing what you do now,
what other career path would you have pursued? I would
(24:13):
so I wanted to be a baseball player. Baseball is
my first love. Still love baseball. I tore my rotator
cuff and that kind of ended that that dream. But
I would probably chase my baseball career. I'd want to
(24:35):
play baseball, but you know that's not where we are.
And you know, I'm really happy that, you know, my
life is pivoted into this position. I think having that
happened to me and kind of losing direction, you know,
in my life a little bit. It allowed me to
(24:56):
really find my purpose as I continue to grow and evolve,
and I think, you know, things happen for a reason, right,
So I would say baseball. But I'm really happy where
I am now, all right. Last question is from taking
Let's do teaking? Can we be at time? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (25:18):
Okay? Teaking from Georgia Teaging Rights. Eli.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
How do you stay grounded and maintain a sense of
peace in difficult times? I'm why do I stay grounded?
I'm just Eli. I I I just don't let much
bother me. And I think I think some people think
(25:45):
I do, but I really don't. I think if I have,
if I'm guilty of, of of if I'm guilty of
some things. It's I think a lot. I process a lot.
When people are talking to me, I start processing. I
(26:07):
may not have a response right away, but I'm listening.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
Uh So.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
One of the ways I stay grounded is I just
don't put myself out there as much as I used to.
Speaker 3 (26:19):
I don't.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
I like being at home doing absolutely nothing, and I
mean nothing. I like cleaning the house that brings me peace.
I like washing clothes that brings me peace. I like
taking out the trash. I like working out, like those
things bring me peace, and when things get difficult, I meditate.
(26:45):
I'm able to call on those things. You know, things
have been difficult my entire life. I don't think there
hasn't been a time where it hasn't been chaotic, whether
whether it's me as a kid or now.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
You know, But I don't, I know, I don't. I know.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
I don't need to be the loudest one in the room.
I know how to pull back and be okay with that.
I don't chase anything that brings me peace. I'm not
trying to be better than anybody that brings me peace.
(27:30):
So I I think as I continue to evolve, you know,
and I see the world around me that's chaotic.
Speaker 3 (27:40):
I I can just I can.
Speaker 2 (27:43):
I can really step back from all of that and
process things.
Speaker 3 (27:50):
So that's how I stay grounded. You know.
Speaker 2 (27:53):
I do simple things at home, or I take a walk,
or I work out.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
It helps.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
It's it helps me get my mind off of those things,
and it's working, so I won't change that. It's a
great question to end to end on. I would like
to thank all of you for sending in questions each
and every week. Please continue to do so, you know,
(28:23):
they continue to get better and better and better and better,
and I really enjoy answering the questions.
Speaker 3 (28:31):
We have.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
Come to the end of the show and as always,
I want to thank all of you for downloading. We
have a lot of a ton of live listeners today.
You know, one day we're gonna we're gonna open up
the phone lines and get you on and maybe answer
some live questions. That would be fun too, So my
(28:56):
my producers like, yeah, let's do it, So we'll we'll
definitely work on that. Look, do me a favor this
upcoming week. Get out in your communities and check in
on your family and friends. All right, put a smile
on someone's face. Remember, doesn't take a lot of energy
to do that at all. Thank you for listening to
The Elijah Winfrey Show. Please be sure to download this
(29:19):
show wherever you download your favorite podcast to next week.
Take care, God bless Bye bye.
Welcome to the Elijah Winfrey Show. Each week, Elijah gets
you caught up on his work in the community, talks
with guests about issues and causes that are important to them,
while also answering your email questions. So sit back, relax,
and enjoy the show. Here's your host, Elijah Winfrey.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Hello, folks, and welcome to the Elijah Winfrey Show. I'm
indeed your host, Elijah Winfrey, and we have a great
show lined up for you today.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Folks.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Once again, you've sent in some amazing questions that I
am excited to answer today. But before we get to
any of that, I want to get you caught up
my past week first and foremost. I hope that your
weekend and your past week was successful. It is raining
(00:57):
here in the Pacific Northwest, so business as usual, as
we say. The good news is, you know, I think
spring is is definitely here. I think the temperatures are
gonna warm up here a little bit, but I can't
wait for.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
More consistent sunshine.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
So I hope that you're I hope you're enjoying your
weekend and you had a productive past week.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
My past week was it was.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
My producers looking at me because he knows what I'm
gonna say. It was business as usual. It was productive.
I got some things done after spring break. I am
really going to hit the ground running. And I I
(01:58):
caught myself yesterday as I was working on some things,
kind of thinking about, you know, what the summer is
gonna entail for me. It's gonna be some traveling, some golfing.
So I'm really spending a lot of time making sure
I'm physically and mentally ready to.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Go with that. And I think.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Having having some downtime at the beginning of April is
going to be really good to kind of really reset
and refocus so I can, you know, push through the
excitement of the summer and the events that we have planned.
So I spent a lot of time this weekend doing
(02:43):
that and catching up on some some nonprofit emails and
meeting with some organizations about a possible collaboration.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
So it's productive. It's productive.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
For those of you that I mentioned this last week
on the show, we are hosting a donation drive for
Dignity for Divas and I am going to deliver the
donations on Wednesday, and I'm excited to help this this
(03:23):
amazing organization that you know helps women you know that
are living in you know that are homeless transitioned out
of that into housing. I think it's so important that
we we we do our very best to give back
in the community in these ways. I know there are
a lot of people who are doing that. You know,
(03:44):
I'm not the only one, you know, I'm not the first,
won't be the last, but I do think it's important
and to partner with this organization means a lot to
me too. I've been really searching for a while now
too connect with women. Organizations that are are are working
(04:12):
extremely hard. I just don't think they get the visibility
that they that they deserve, and you know, I want
to shine a light on that. So this is the first,
and I hope many opportunities to collaborate with organizations led
by women, and I'm excited about that. My role as
(04:38):
a para professional, you know, there's nothing really new to
report there. Things are, things are going well. I enjoyed
my time, so I don't have I don't have anything
new to report on that end. What else do I
(04:59):
have going I haven't been able to work out, or
I should say I got the green light to start
working out.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
On Friday, and.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
Today after the show, you know, I'm going to start
a couple of programs to build my body up for
the summer. I'm excited about those programs.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Now. The goal for me is to just stay healthy.
You know.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
It feels like I get these these twenty four forty
eight hour bugs that kind of slow me down a bit.
So I'm hoping that that's not the case. But I am.
I would say I'm about ninety percent now, and I
think being able to work out again that will, you know,
(05:51):
get me back to where I need to be. And
I can't wait to get started. I'm going to be
doing some modeling for a company. I'm excited about it.
I'm sure you've seen the company before, so I don't
I'm not gonna give it completely away. We'll be doing
that in May, and then hopefully, you know, i'll make
(06:13):
the cover of their you know, books, or you'll definitely
see me on their social media pages. It's a it's
an exciting opportunity, you know, for me to continue to
to walk through these doors that are open and to
do my best to keep these doors open. So all
(06:36):
in all, the past week and this weekend has been
pretty good, pretty good family's doing really.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Well and.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
We're going to finish the month of March strong. All right,
enough about me, let's get into some of these questions
this week. Each week I tell you to send me
questions at Elijah dot Winfrey at gmail dot com. And
as always, you never disappoint My amazing producer, Greg Nice
(07:11):
goes into the email bag and he pulls out a
handful of questions, and first up is Iliana from New Jersey.
Eleanna writes, Eli, do you ever worry about failing at
anything you do or being criticized?
Speaker 3 (07:33):
No.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
I there was a time when I was I was
maybe younger than I probably thought that way, and I
probably wouldn't have attempted to do the things that I'm
doing now. But as I've gotten older, I don't. I
don't really worry about failing. Like it's I think you
(07:57):
got to get it wrong to get it right. It's
you're gonna fall down quite a bit. And that's happened
to me and everything. You know, everything that I've done
in my life. You know I've fallen. Sometimes I've fallen
pretty hard, but I always get up, and you know,
I keep moving forward. As far as being criticized, look,
(08:17):
we all do it. We all criticize things and people,
so you know, I'm not immune to that. When I
I've told this story here on the show before, when
I started my not when I started my radio show.
I have a very good friend. He's a really good
friend of mine, love him dearly. He heard my first
(08:41):
show and it was the first show I did, so
you gotta you gotta keep in mind like it's the
first time you're on air. You're nervous, your voice is
probably shaky. You you don't know if your your your
tone is right or whatever. And he sent me attack
was telling me how bad he thought the show was
(09:03):
and how I didn't have a radio voice, and how
I should you know, mail it in and you know,
do something else besides being having a show. And you know,
I really I thought about what he said. You know,
I didn't. I didn't dismiss it. You know, I didn't
give him a response right away. I had to really
(09:23):
think about it. And then thinking about it, I just said,
you know, that's his opinion. I started getting emails and
texts from friends who love the show. You know, but
I knew it was something that I wanted to do.
And I know everybody doesn't rock with the show, Like
that's the thing. And I know people criticize the show.
(09:45):
That's fine, that comes with it. You know, when you
pray for success, you don't pray for jealousy, envy, entitlement.
But common sense says those things are there, and I
know that, so I don't really worry about it anymore.
You know, I try to pivot or when somebody's criticizing me,
I try to take it, and you know, I try
(10:08):
to dissect it later, and I really, I really try
to find out whether or not there's some truth in it.
You know, if there's some truth in it, then you know,
but I'm not I wouldn't stop the show, but I
would definitely try to maybe critique some things. So I've
always been open to criticism. But like I said, nobody
(10:31):
likes it. Nobody likes it, and anybody who's telling you
that they do, they're not being honest with you. Next
question is from juliet in Minnesota. Juliette writes, Elijah, what
are some of the most impactful collaborations You've been a
part of and how did they come together?
Speaker 3 (10:52):
Great question.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
So I think a lot of the impactful collaborations I've had.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Have been with.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Public schools, and I owe mister d a lot of
that credit, if not all of the credit.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
You know.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Over the holidays, it's it's it's really a hard time,
not just for families but for me. You know, I
struggle over the holidays. You know, it's it's not my
best time of year. But when you're when you're shopping
for for families who are less fortunate, it it does
(11:34):
something to you. I know, I definitely feel it. You know,
I've I've been very appreciative too, Gerald for helping me
put these things together, you know, but working with school
kids in in in the Seattle school district, it's been.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
Phenomenal, you know. I I would love to.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Do more in other school districts, specifically the one that
I am in right now, but I think those have
been the most impactful. And in this past year, you know,
I we did a collaboration with Devil Kendrick, who runs
the Restoration of the Arts, and it was a reading event,
(12:26):
you know, I got a chance to speak a little
bit to the audience and then we delivered gifts on
behalf of Team Winfree and and I I really really
love it. You know, it gives me goosebumps to see
(12:47):
their faces, to interact a little bit with them, with
these kids, So you know, those two come to mind.
I've done I'm I can't think of the off the
top of my head, but I've done a few other
collaborations that have been done really well. But anytime I
(13:07):
can interact with with families and kids, you know, it's
it means so much, and you know, I I.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Really appreciate it. Great question.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
Next question is from Aubrey and Virginia Aubrey Wrights Eli,
what's one thing you wish more people understood about the
struggles low income families experience alby I think what I think,
(13:41):
I wish more people understood how extremely hard it is
for these families to dig out of this.
Speaker 3 (13:55):
Environment.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Of these families are living paycheck to paycheck, that one
paycheck missed away from being on the street. And I
think a lot of them are fighting hard. A lot
of them are in need of voices, a lot of
them are in need they need us to advocate for them.
(14:21):
You know, I think with the cost of living only
going up, it really hurts these low income families. Some
of these families can only afford to work at McDonald's.
You know these restaurants, these fast food restaurants that they
don't they're not paying a livable wage. And these families
(14:46):
are trying to get out of those situations. But it's
hard when you're not making the money to make ends meet.
You know, you can't pay you can't pay your rent,
or you're short on your rent. You know your kids
need food, they need clothes. Uh, it's it's extremely difficult.
(15:10):
So I wish more people really understood the struggle and
put themselves in it. And what I mean by that
is go and go down and visit some of these
these neighborhoods and find out how you can help. I
think a lot of times we spend too much time
posting words instead of doing the work. I see it
(15:35):
a lot, and I'm not calling anybody out. I'm just saying,
you know, I see a lot of people who won't collaborate.
And the collaboration doesn't have to be big. It could
be one or two people saying let's go to let's
go to this this neighborhood, let's find out how we
can help, and then let's do it.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
You don't have to post about it. But do the work.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
But I know a lot of people who would rather
spend their time posting a quote by someone famous than
doing the work. So I I I'm sure there are
a lot of good people that are are investing in
these neighborhoods and helping these low income families deal with
(16:21):
you know, their their traumas and their struggles. But I
just wish more people would invest the time because it's neat.
Next question is from Brook in California. Brook writes, Elijah,
(16:44):
what inspired you to start writing grants for Team Winfrey?
Speaker 3 (16:48):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (16:48):
This is a good question, Brook, So here's the story.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
I have a really good friend. He's like my agent,
he's like a brother.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
Also, he put me in contact with a grant writer
because I was in need of a grant writer. I
don't know anything about writing grants. I'm not experienced in that.
So he put me in touch with this great grant writer.
And I don't want to I'm not going to reveal
that person's name, but I'm sure that they're great at
(17:25):
what they do. So I email introduced myself and my
organization and what we're about and what we would like
to do and how we could, you know, work together
on you know, writing grants or maybe bring you on
as a grant writer. And I got no response. So
(17:45):
I sent an email out again no response. So I
did it again, no response, and I began to get
frustrated because I felt like I was being ghosted and
I was, unfortunately, and at the time it really hurt.
(18:09):
It hurt me. I was pretty angry because I felt like,
you know, I didn't I don't know the person, but
I'm trying to know the person, and I thought it
could have.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Been a great thing.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
And the more I thought about it, you know, I
told myself, instead of getting angrier about the lack of
response or no response, just write it yourself. Learn how
to do it yourself. So I went on YouTube and
I watched these videos on grant writing. And again, you know,
(18:49):
I'm no professional grant writer. Let me just say that
for the record, I am not. But I did learn
how to write them. And you know, I I write
the grants for Team Winfree and it's rewarding to learn
that skill set and to just put my head down
(19:09):
and do the work, and I do from time to time.
Think about that, you know, that that that lack of
response from the individual, you know, I'd rather be told no, no,
it's a complete sentence, no, I don't want to work
(19:31):
with you. You know, I would have gotten over that,
but it just stings when you feel like there's a
connection that would have been really good and it just
didn't happen. So that inspired me to write to learn
about them first and then and then to write grants
for Team Win Free.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
And I enjoy it. It is.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
It's extremely hard to do, but I I really enjoy it.
Next question is from Hope and Miami Beach, Florida. Hope, right, Eli,
what's one piece of advice you give someone struggling to
(20:15):
find their purpose. I would say, keep digging. It's in there,
it's in you. The easiest thing to do when you're
struggling to find your purpose is to give up, you know,
is to then do something that you really don't want
(20:38):
to do or your heart's not into it.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
So I would say, you know, stay in it.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
Sometimes sometimes it takes a hard reset to find your purpose,
but it's there.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
We all have it.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
And it may take a little time to find it.
But what you can't do is give up because you'll
tap into it and not even know it at the time.
And then you sit back and think about the work
that you've done and you go, Yep, that's it. That's
(21:18):
my calling, that's what I'm supposed to be doing. So
my advice would be stay in it, keep digging, don't
pivot right away, because you're closer than you think you
(21:39):
really are. I think, I think sometimes we don't realize
how close we are to finding our purpose in giving
back to this world. But we're all closer than we think.
(22:01):
All right, let's take a couple more questions. This next
question is from Vanessa and Texas. Vanessa writes, Hi, Elijah,
I love your show.
Speaker 3 (22:13):
My question this week for you.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
Is this, what's one book or movie that has had
a profound impact on you? One book? I don't know
if there's one book. I can't name one book that's
(22:41):
had like a profound impact on me. From a movie standpoint,
it's probably The Color Purple, the original version, like WHOOPI Goldberg.
Speaker 3 (22:53):
I really.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
That movie really hit me on a lot of levels.
It's one of my favorite movies of all time. A
lot of lessons in that movie. So I would say
The Color Purple is the movie.
Speaker 3 (23:15):
The book. I just don't know. I don't know.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
I don't really, I don't have a book. I'd have
to really think about that. And you know, I'm part
of a book club now and you know, right now
we're reading Giovanni's Room, you know, written by the amazing
James Baldwin. And I love James Baldwin. I've listened to
his speeches. I have his picture on my living room
wall here at my home. So I'll have to get
(23:49):
back with you. But that'sa on the book. I have
to think about that, all right. Next question is from
Sydney and ioming Sydney Rights. I, Elijah love your show.
If you weren't, if you weren't doing what you do now,
what other career path would you have pursued? I would
(24:13):
so I wanted to be a baseball player. Baseball is
my first love. Still love baseball. I tore my rotator
cuff and that kind of ended that that dream. But
I would probably chase my baseball career. I'd want to
(24:35):
play baseball, but you know that's not where we are.
And you know, I'm really happy that, you know, my
life is pivoted into this position. I think having that
happened to me and kind of losing direction, you know,
in my life a little bit. It allowed me to
(24:56):
really find my purpose as I continue to grow and evolve,
and I think, you know, things happen for a reason, right,
So I would say baseball. But I'm really happy where
I am now, all right. Last question is from taking
Let's do teaking? Can we be at time? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (25:18):
Okay? Teaking from Georgia Teaging Rights. Eli.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
How do you stay grounded and maintain a sense of
peace in difficult times? I'm why do I stay grounded?
I'm just Eli. I I I just don't let much
bother me. And I think I think some people think
(25:45):
I do, but I really don't. I think if I have,
if I'm guilty of, of of if I'm guilty of
some things. It's I think a lot. I process a lot.
When people are talking to me, I start processing. I
(26:07):
may not have a response right away, but I'm listening.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
Uh So.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
One of the ways I stay grounded is I just
don't put myself out there as much as I used to.
Speaker 3 (26:19):
I don't.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
I like being at home doing absolutely nothing, and I
mean nothing. I like cleaning the house that brings me peace.
I like washing clothes that brings me peace. I like
taking out the trash. I like working out, like those
things bring me peace, and when things get difficult, I meditate.
(26:45):
I'm able to call on those things. You know, things
have been difficult my entire life. I don't think there
hasn't been a time where it hasn't been chaotic, whether
whether it's me as a kid or now.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
You know, But I don't, I know, I don't. I know.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
I don't need to be the loudest one in the room.
I know how to pull back and be okay with that.
I don't chase anything that brings me peace. I'm not
trying to be better than anybody that brings me peace.
(27:30):
So I I think as I continue to evolve, you know,
and I see the world around me that's chaotic.
Speaker 3 (27:40):
I I can just I can.
Speaker 2 (27:43):
I can really step back from all of that and
process things.
Speaker 3 (27:50):
So that's how I stay grounded. You know.
Speaker 2 (27:53):
I do simple things at home, or I take a walk,
or I work out.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
It helps.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
It's it helps me get my mind off of those things,
and it's working, so I won't change that. It's a
great question to end to end on. I would like
to thank all of you for sending in questions each
and every week. Please continue to do so, you know,
(28:23):
they continue to get better and better and better and better,
and I really enjoy answering the questions.
Speaker 3 (28:31):
We have.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
Come to the end of the show and as always,
I want to thank all of you for downloading. We
have a lot of a ton of live listeners today.
You know, one day we're gonna we're gonna open up
the phone lines and get you on and maybe answer
some live questions. That would be fun too, So my
(28:56):
my producers like, yeah, let's do it, So we'll we'll
definitely work on that. Look, do me a favor this
upcoming week. Get out in your communities and check in
on your family and friends. All right, put a smile
on someone's face. Remember, doesn't take a lot of energy
to do that at all. Thank you for listening to
The Elijah Winfrey Show. Please be sure to download this
(29:19):
show wherever you download your favorite podcast to next week.
Take care, God bless Bye bye.
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