Authentic Filters

Welcome to Season 7 of Authentic Filters! In this powerful kickoff episode, “Give Yourself A Chance,” the spotlight is on YOU and the dreams you've been waiting to pursue. It's time to let go of fear, doubt, and hesitation—those barriers that often hold us back from stepping into our greatness. Whether it's launching a business, embracing a new career path, or reigniting a forgotten passion, now is the moment to stop standing in your own way and give yourself the opportunity to succeed.This episode is a reminder that progress begins with a single step and every little bit moves the needle. If you've been waiting for the “right time” to chase your goals, consider this your sign. 

It's been a minute, but thought I'd hop back on the airwaves. Today's message is about giving yourself grace to try something new. With an understanding that it may not be great the first go around but can certainly lead to something bigger and better. Tune out what other people may think and just allow yourself to create what YOU like. That's when you'll find your groove and those that like it too. We hope to be back with Season 6 sooner than later and as always, if you found this episode helpful, be sure to share, like, and review to reach more people. We also have 5 full seasons available now for streaming and download on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen. 

It's been over 400 years and African Americans still have not received reparations for the brutal dehumanization and injustice that was inflicted on our ancestors during the era of slavery. When President Lincoln signed the Proclamation of Emancipation into law, slaves were promised 40 acres and a Mule, but they never received anything when they were set free. Instead, the slave master was compensated $300 for every slave they had to set free. The reason why is because without the labor of slaves, the land would suffer, and they would lose money. That era was the start of the wealth gap amongst whites and blacks.Just recently, Professor William Darity at Duke University conducted two studies. The first study Mr. Darity performed was to see how much each African American is owed for reparations. His review shows descendants of slaves are owed roughly $350,000. He also did another study to see how large the wealth gap is amongst whites and blacks. Study reveals that white Americans are leading the wealth gap by roughly $840,000.The government has paid out reparations to the Holocaust survivors, the Native Americans, and Japanese Americans just to name a few. Now, reparations were owed to these folks for what they had to endure; however, African Americans are the only race that hasn't received reparations for slavery.Now is the time that all descendants of slaves be compensated for the inhuman torture that was inflicted on our ancestors many centuries ago. The only way to make things right is to make a large cash payment for our suffrage and an apology acknowledging how blacks were treated.Welcome to the Season Five Finale Episode Twelve of Authentic Filters! If you enjoyed what you watched and/or listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast, Youtube or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far…Let's Get Into It.

Russia and China appear to be on a Mission to devalue the U.S. Dollar. As the #1 global currency that holds the most weight, the Dollar has taken our country far and stood the test of time. Allowing us to take on more debt unlike any other country. Well, under a newer alliance known as BRICS, Russia and China (two of the largest in the group) are vying for the Chinese currency “Yuan” to start reigning supreme. What will the U.S do about this? Only time will tell…but one thing is for sure, America cannot allow for the U.S. dollar to loose it's value.In the Second half of Episode 11, we're diving into good things of the past and where they went wrong today. From Bed, Bath, & Beyond, to Meta's layoffs, Walmart closing, and some Nasty Micky D's locations…it was good while it lasted. Welcome to Season Five Episode Eleven of Authentic Filters! If you enjoyed what you watched and/or listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast, Youtube or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far…Let's Get Into It.

What world do we live in when you can be shot at and almost killed for ringing the wrong doorbell? This is what happened to Ralph Yarl, a 16-year-old black teenager that went to the wrong house looking for his little brother. Andrew Lester, an 84-year-old white man, didn't ask who he was looking for or say he was at the wrong house, instead, he went to the door with his gun and opened fire on the teenager. Ralph was shot at twice and could have lost his life, for showing up at the wrong house. This is another shooting and still no change to gun reform. In this case, it's not standing your ground but open season. Here's another case where a senior leader of a company went on a rant to employees on a zoom call. Andy Owen's CEO for MillerKnoll company had a town hall call with employees to address the health of the organization and respond to employees' concerns about not getting a bonus this year. Andy started the call off with words of wisdom and how to navigate through the tough times of uncertainty, while telling the employees how to treat each other and continue to work hard. Things quickly took a turn for the worse, and she went down the path of making the employees feel that they needed to figure out how they were going to come up with the $26 million that the company lost. She goes on this rant by telling them not to worry about a bonus and to leave pity city. It was later reported that Andy Owen's receives a yearly salary of $1.1 million and her bonus in 2022 was $3.9 million in stock options. Three words for Andy: READ THE ROOM. This is another real world example of a leader that is tone-deaf and refuses to deal with the truth and reality of this important issue. Welcome to Season Five Episode Ten of Authentic Filters! If you enjoyed what you watched and/or listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast, Youtube or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far…Let's Get Into It.

Not that we're trying to be overly dramatic here, but you literally can't go anywhere without the fear that someone is going to open fire. And the fact that many Republicans in congress are still singing the same old tune of “needing more guns” is wild to us! There are currently more guns than there are people in the U.S., yet they're NOT the problem…?From a Dunkin' Doughnuts Drive Thru to a Sweet 16 Birthday Party and a Bank Employee, the gun violence has hit heavy these past weeks. It's devastating to the families, the communities, and it just goes to show that there are people in office that really aren't about anything. Additionally, we're also diving into the update on Shanquella Robinson and what the U.S. has decided in regards to her assaulters. Welcome to Season Five Episode Nine of Authentic Filters! If you enjoyed what you watched and/or listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast, Youtube or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far…Let's Get Into It.

Former President Donald Trump faced the presiding judge over the criminal arraignment where he pleaded not guilty on 34 indictment charges. Trump showed up to the hearing by an escorted motorcade. He was not arrested nor handcuffed like most people would be. Instead he was given the “Presidential” treatment. And soon after, he flew back to Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida to talk poorly about the presiding judge over his hearing and the judge's family. Will Trump finally be held accountable?  Only time will tell.The Tennessee Three (2 Black men and 1 White woman) was formed when 3 Democratic State Representatives, Justin Pearson, Justin Jones, and Gloria Johnson of Tennessee stood up to the recent Nashville mass shooting that took place. They peacefully protested and voiced their concerns for the residents of Tennessee about gun reform. The Republicans did not want to hear it, so they tried to silence them, by telling them to quiet down. The 3 Democrats continued to protest respectfully and from those actions, the two Black men were expelled. This instantly sparked an uproar around the world. Gloria Johnson however, was able to keep her job, though her duties were reduced. Gloria spoke out and said that she was spared because she was a white woman.Van Jones spoke up and asked the Republican Chair, Jeremy Faison, to help him understand why they didn't go through the Ethics committee and follow the proper steps. The last time someone was expelled happened nearly two hundred years ago. Jones continued by saying, “...you want people to be reasonable, then why are you being so unreasonable and why are you skipping steps…?” Welcome to Season Five Episode Eight of Authentic Filters! If you enjoyed what you watched and/or listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast, Youtube or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far…Let's Get Into It.

It's Deja Vu all over again, but this time in a new city and new town. There's no rhyme or reason why kids should have to fear going to school wondering if they'll make it home. A school should be a safe space, for learning, growing, and escaping whatever stressors exist at home. On the morning of March 27 in Nashville, the person who police would later identify as Audrey Hale, 28, joined the growing list of mass shooters seeking to inflict pain, devastation, and evil into the lives of others. The same person who had at one time been held under Doctor's care for what was revealed as an “emotional disorder”, is the same person who was able to purchase several military-style / AR-style weapons for sinister motives. Three innocent students and staff (six total) lost their lives by the actions of Hale, through her weapon of choice….the guns. A “BREAKING NEWS” headline that is becoming all too familiar but should never be accepted as the norm. When is this going to end? When are those who have the power and authority to make the necessary changes, hold the proper parties accountable going to actually do so? What is it going to take to get the gun reform we need as Americans to happen? On a lighter note:Try our whipped all natural body butters: www.BetterBuddahs.comIndulge in an aromatic bathing experience: www.WaterSalts.comWelcome to Season Five Episode Seven of Authentic Filters! If you enjoyed what you watched and/or listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast, Youtube or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far…Let's Get Into It.

It was reported by several news outlets that Donald Trump would be arrested not for the role he played in the January 6th insurrection, but for the hush money he paid to Stormy Daniels. If he is charged and convicted, his attorney has told him that he could possibly face up to 1 to 4 years in prison. Donald Trump is still working and the arrest has not been made as of yet. As this story continues to unfold, we will see if he does any time for all the wrongs he has done. Only time will tell.Rasheem Carter, a 25-year-old African American was brutally killed in Mississippi, and no one has been charged for his murder. Before Rasheem's death, he had shared with his mother that he was having issues on the job. He said that if anything happened to him, certain people would be to blame. Rasheem went missing back in October 2022 and his remains were discovered a month later. His head was decapitated, and his spine was ripped from his body.His family is demanding justice, but the police department is insisting that they don't suspect foul play. This story continues to unfold and develop with each passing day. We will close out season 5 with another Reparations episode. We will continue to discuss until all states complete their study on how and why Reparations are needed.Welcome to Season Five Episode Six of Authentic Filters! If you enjoyed what you watched and/or listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast, Youtube or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far…Let's Get Into It.

What do you do, when the one place you'd expect your monies to be safe actually isn't? Well, for customers and clients of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and Silvergate Capital, their recent failing has brought that age old question back to the light.Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was actually under Federal review for more than a year with notices that certain practices needed to be modified and actions taken to avoid such a risk. Unfortunately, those requests fell on deaf ears or at least those who weren't quick enough to take action. As a result, one of the worst case scenarios took place and had many in uproar and panic. We're taking a deep dive into these three recent bank failures and exactly what happened.On A Side Note, Be on the lookout for our latest products to hit The Lauren Paige Collection Late March:www.WaterSalts.comwww.BetterBuddahs.com Welcome to Season Five Episode Five of Authentic Filters! If you enjoyed what you watched and/or listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast, Youtube or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far…Let's Get Into It

It's sad that we live in a world where people that you call friends, might not be as loyal as they portray themselves to be. Shanquella Robinson, a 25-year-old entrepreneur, life was cut short when she took a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with 6 friends back in October 2022. Her friends plotted a heinous attack on her that left her with a spinal cord injury and later took her life. These no-good, so called friends tried to say that Shanquella suffered from alcohol poisoning. The autopsy and video recording told a different story. It's disturbing when your “best friend” watches on and records the entire incident on video, but does nothing to stop the beating by intervening; however, you hear his insensitive comment, “Girl, at least try to fight back”. With friends like that, who needs enemies? On January 7, 2023, Tyre Nichols was beaten by 5 African American Memphis police officers, and he succumbed to his injuries 3 days later. These police officers should not be in a position of power because it's clear that they do not honor the badge they were given. There is a video circulating online of the beating that has been viewed all around the country. The officers lied and said that Tyre was resisting arrest and the video clearly shows otherwise. Several months later, all the officers were fired and charged though they've pleaded not guilty.These are both on-going investigations and we believe justice will be served and closure will be had for both families of the victims. Welcome to Season Five Episode Four of Authentic Filters! If you enjoyed what you watched and/or listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast, Youtube or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far…Let's Get Into It.

It's crazy to think about the number of people in managerial and leadership positions that abuse their power. From intimidating those under them, micro-managing to show seniority, and the most childish of all….choosing favorites. It's as if they forgot the Golden Rule growing up: Treat others as you want to be treated. In the first segment, we're discussing all things Leadership and what it means to be one.Since Season 1, we've been transparent on our EIDL & PPP journey that we experienced during the pandemic and the runaround that we got. Well, three years later, the “Watchdog” put in place by the government is on full hunt-mode to find those that defrauded the programs (getting tens of thousands if not millions in funding). With this being an ongoing event, we're gonna get into what we can and continue to monitor the progress made.  Welcome to Season Five Episode Three of Authentic Filters! If you enjoyed what you watched and/or listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast, Youtube or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far…Let's Get Into It.

The creation of the Lauren Paige Collection came into existence about 2 years ago. Through hard work and dedication, 13 amazing scents were created from scratch and have elevated the business to new heights. We are now featured in Made in KC stores in Kansas City and we have also partnered with Faire which will allow us to sell our products wholesale to small & large shops on a global scale. Additionally, we anticipate rolling out new product lines of body butter cremes, bath salts and homemade soaps March/April 2023. We encourage others to go for their dreams and find what they are good at. See how you can turn that into a revenue stream and work to learn everything you can about it. We will continue to share business updates and we progress.What is really going on when people think they can work 2 and 3 full-time jobs at the same time since they work a remote schedule? Some believe it's okay to have several full-time jobs simultaneously and others view this behavior as unethical and morally wrong. One could argue that neither of the jobs said other opportunities couldn't be explored and accepted; while others might consider this as stealing from these companies and displaying a level of greed since it's hard for some people to find one full-time job. This overemployment concept appears to be a generation Z and millennial strategy to stay ahead of the game since we live in a world of economic uncertainty. Could this trend result in something bigger, like data labor numbers being skewed or will this soon become the new norm? We're getting into a deep conversation to learn and discuss what is Overemployment? A couple things:Shop our candles now at: LaurenPaigeCollection.comInquires/Press/Collaborations: Hello@LaurenPaigeCollection.comWelcome to Season Five Episode Two of Authentic Filters! If you enjoyed what you watched and/or listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast, Youtube or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far…Let's Get Into It.

We're officially back and on the big screen. Welcome to Season 5 of Authentic Filters where we're bringing you our first official video podcast season. Check out the full video episode: HERE The month of February is not only great because of our Birthdays

Welcome to our bonus Episode this season on Authentic filters. We couldn't leave you for several months without closing out the season with some last-minute updates. Today we are going to talk about Elon Musk and the chaos that he is causing within his new organization, Kanye West and the aftermath of what he is facing from his Antisemitic comments about Jewish people; Then we are going to pivot and chat about, Hershel Walker trying to fill the senate seat for the state of Georgia.First and foremost, Authentic filters would like to send our condolences to the family of Migos bandmate, Takeoff. He was killed on November 1st at a bowling alley. There were others that were injured in this attack. Another senseless killing due to gun violence.Ever since Elon Musk acquired Twitter, he has been cleaning house and making moves that only he can understand. He fired several top Executives Day 1. He let go about half of his staff and didn't know who the CEO of Twitter was. Additionally, he gave himself a new title: Chief Twitter. He is being sued by several former employees and he wants to start a new membership program charging folks to use the Twitter application and verification checkmark.Kanye West continues with his saga of, as he stated, “Going Def Con on Jewish People”. Companies are continuing to cut ties with Kanye and it's not stopping him from speaking what he believes is his truth. Adidas has decided to continue with the Ye design by changing the branding. This is a true testament to how one class of folks stay rich, and another class continues to scrape by. What Adidas is attempting to do is wrong on every level and Kanye's fanbase is not having it. They continue to support him, and they are doing everything they can to get him back to billionaire status.Would someone, please tell Hershel Walker to go have a seat and I'm not talking about a Senate seat. Many folks in the U.S. are trying to figure out how Hershel is still in the running for Senate of Georgia.  A good number of folks are convinced that he is the right candidate for the job considering his stances on abortion rights and other issues. After having Trump as a president, the sky's the limit for those that want to be a politician with no experience or political background.Support these Creators and Makers:One of Lisa's favorite series on Netflix right now: https://www.netflix.com/title/81104486One of Anthony favorite artist: https://uzoart.com/Shop our candle's and have your home smelling good: https://laurenpaigecollection.com/Welcome to our TRUE Season Four Finale of Authentic Filters! Thank you for all the support and love! If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we wish you all HAPPY HOLIDAYS!  Let's Get Into It

Have you ever heard of the saying “When it rains it pours”? Well, Kayne has been in a monsoon because the waters are coming every which way. Talented but controversial, Ye has been in the spotlight for a lot of good, but also a lot of bad. It seems lately, now more than ever, he's been on a downward spiral to rock bottom. In a matter of hours & days, Kanye went from being valued at over a Billion $'s to losing much of it when he went on a public rant on how he could say anything he wanted and there would be no consequences for it. Well, the Antisemitic comments were truly the straw that broke the camel's back and the flood gates opened. Dropped left & right, by some of the biggest brands in the world, Ye is now on the outside looking in. We're gonna get into some of the things he's been doing, why he's been doing them, and what we think would be an effective solution for him moving forward.Midterms are coming up! Where do you vote: https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/Support Black owned Business and have your house smelling ✨: https://laurenpaigecollection.com/Show your Pup some love

When politicians put governance and cadence in place and don't adhere to those rules and regulations, the people suffer the consequences from those actions.Brittney Griner, a WNBA professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury is currently being held in a Russia prison due to carrying, medical prescribed hash oil. She has been detained since February 2022. In Russia, cannabis is illegal. If you are caught with less than 6 grams of cannabis or 2 grams of hash, you can be fined or jailed up to 15 days. Anything more than that would be considered a more serious crime.Brittney, like others in the WNBA, must play additional games outside the country to supplement their income since many of the women in the WNBA make way less than their NBA counterparts. The average income for an WNBA player is $120k and the average salary for an NBA player is $8.5 million as of the 22' season. The disparities among women salaries and men salaries for playing the same sport is astonishing. Biden is working on getting Brittney released but Putin has stated that releasing her is not a top priority right now. Just recently, Brittney's defense team lost their request for an appeal to reduce her 9-year prison sentence.The Student Loan Forgiveness portal opened on Oct 17, 2022. Over 30 million people took the time to fill out the 1-page form to apply for up to $20,000 in student loan forgiveness. Shortly after this program went live, six Republican led states requested that the Court of Appeals block this program. Student loan forgiveness is currently on hold for now.Nowadays, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to run for political office. Former NFL player Hershel Walker is running for Senate in the State of Georgia. Hershel has displayed that he is unfit to run for any political position when he struggles to understand what is reality versus fiction. When you're given an honorary police badge for whatever cause, that doesn't mean that you work for law enforcement. Hershel probably should have taken the advice from his family and not run for Senate.Welcome to Season Four of Authentic Filters. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It

If y'all thought Quiet Quitting was the in thing, think again. It turns out Over Employment is the next come up and that work from home schedule just might the cover needed to make it happen. Working 2 & 3 jobs is nothing new, but when you're working those jobs on someone else's clock, it's a hard act to keep up. And maybe, just maybe….they are connected.We've said it before and we'll say it again: ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. Just recently a local Kansas City woman escaped what seemed to be the likes of the latest horror movie. Kidnapped, locked in a basement, and tortured for weeks on end. If you see something, say something; From the gruesome details to preventative measures, we're diving in.Imagine waking up, going on your morning walk, and getting shot to death by a crazed 15 year old. Not a fun vision huh? Well, it certainly wasn't for North Carolina residence who have been traumatized by the latest Mass Shooting that took the lives of 5 and a dog by a 15 year old. We're looking for more than thoughts and prayers; we're looking for action and with the mid-terms coming up, it's time to make that happen. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH and the senseless killings have got to stop. Support Black Businesses / EntrepreneursDo you love a home that smells good: Lauren Paige CollectionTyler Perry's New Movie: A Jazzman's BluesWelcome to Season Four of Authentic Filters. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It.

We live in a world where women are invisible and not heard. It's an existence of feeling alone and at times considered an afterthought. Mid-term elections are quickly approaching next month, and Abortion is the number one topic of discussion.For the past fifty years, folks on both sides of the party, liberals and conservatives have been trying to turn back the hands of time by banning abortions around the world. On June 24, 2022, Abortion rights were overturned and kicked back to the States to decide if they want to make Abortions legal or not. As of now, many states are on board with banning abortions, and they are putting in controls by closing abortion clinics quickly and quietly. There are some states that are providing a haven for women to come and take care of themselves by seeking the proper medical care they need when it comes to terminating a pregnancy. We could be on the cusp of going back in time by making abortions illegal around the country. If this happens and a woman is left with no options, she will do what is necessary for her situation at that moment. This is the 21st Century and women are no longer taking a back seat to real matters that affect them.Welcome to Season Four of Authentic Filters. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It.

If you've ever thought about starting a business, then this is the podcast you should be listening to. This episode will provide you with a wealth of knowledge on how both Lisa & Anthony were able to pursue two business ventures that are generating profitable revenue streams. If you can find what you're passionate about and if it can possibly make you money along the way, then the next step would be to turn your idea(s) into a business. There are several business ventures that require little start-up costs, like the candle making business, while others will require more funding to get started such as remodeling homes. Regardless, starting any new business venture, requires discipline and dedication to see it through to fruition. Any new business ideas that you know nothing about will entail a level of educating yourself to have a better understanding of how to get started. Things to think about when starting a new business:Write down your ideasHow do I get started?What service or product are you going to provide?Will you be able to generate income from this business idea?How much will it cost to jump start your business?Where will your funding come from?Network with others that are already in the business and/or that share the same vision as youIn Closing, when people decide to be negative all the time and seldom see the positive things in life and constantly complain about everything,  it's called, “Misery loves Company”. Life is too short to be negative all the time. Finding happiness is more fulfilling. See our latest remodel: https://www.twolaneconcepts.com/Shop our awesome candles: https://laurenpaigecollection.com/Welcome to Season Four of Authentic Filters. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It.

Brett Favre, legendary NFL quarterback and Hall of Famer  has recently come under fire for damning allegations. In what was supposed to be a generous donation to his Alma Mater and School that his daughter attended, has turned out to be a shamble of all sorts. Through verified sources and leaked texts, it's been confirmed that Favre, who claimed to be donating funds for the new Southern Miss University Volleyball complex, was actually green lighting taking funds from the State's Welfare pot in order to complete the project. We're breaking it down and trying to wrap our heads around this whole debacle. Somebody, make it make sense.A tale as old as time, the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side. Former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka is in a whirlwind of mess after it was discovered that he was having personal relations with a member of his staff. Mind you, he was/is engaged to iconic actress Nia Long. THE Nia Long! As the saying goes: Everything in the dark will come to the light.Welcome to Season Four of Authentic Filters. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It.

Car burglaries are on the rise and not slowing down anytime soon. Thieves are snatching catalytic converters in less than 30 seconds and cashing in at junk yards as fast as they can. There is also an uptick in home robberies as well. Many of these crooks are casing high profile celebrities by tracking their whereabouts and breaking into their homes. People need to be vigilant and pay attention to their surroundings. From security cameras, to better lighting, there's things you can do!It's been 2 ½ years since the pandemic happened and businesses are still struggling to keep employees on their payroll. There have been several fast-food restaurants chains that have had to close as early as 4:00 pm each day due to staff shortage. If things don't get better in the economy, many of the franchises will have to go out of business. Is social media to blame for the staff shortage around the world due to the craze of wanting to get rich quick by making “content”, Tik-Tok videos, etc… If we keep on this path, Artificial Intelligence will soon be the work around.Home school is not for everyone, but it's working just good for my daughter. When you have a child that is Autistic, you must ensure that your child's needs are being met and that they are getting a fair chance to succeed in life. One on one learning is the best gift to give a child that learns differently than others. Taking on the commitment of doing home schooling is work, but it will bring great results and reward to my daughter in the long run.In closing remarks, if you have a dream, find ways to bring it to fruition and just do it. No more excuses or regrets. Leave woulda, coulda, shoulda at the door and just make it happen for whatever it is that you want to accomplish in life. Try setting goals and allow for yourself to move the needle each day. You'll be glad that you did.If you'd like to learn more about Autism, please visit: https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autismWelcome to Season Four of Authentic Filters. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It.

What a week WHAT A WEEK!!! Michael Bruner of current season Big Brother 24 and one of the greatest competitors to ever compete on the show, was finally evicted in the always chaotic Double Evection week. After the house unanimously decided to vote out Terrance, Julie Chen Moonves hit the remaining house guest with the DE twist. As a real threat, the house decided to make their move and get out Michael. But it wasn't without a fight till the end and one of the most epic exits in Big Brother history that Michael left his mark on the game and solidified his iconic status as a BB alum.When you hear the term UFO's, what comes to mind…. Flying sauces? Little green aliens with big black eyes? Well, for years, people have been saying they've “seen things”, and it might just be true. Knowing that we are in just one of many galaxies, is it naive of us to believe that we truly are the only planet with living species? This may not be the X-Files, but let's dip our toes in these murky waters.Plain and simple, Elon Musk has silly money and ample time. One of his biggest goals currently, is to colonize Mars with human life, amongst other things. According to reputable sources, 2030 is his target to make that happen. Crazy to think it's only 8 years away; something tells us, his company SpaceX is working on some pretty epic technologies behind the scenes.Welcome to Season Four of Authentic Filters. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It.

Today's episode will be filled with open discussion on many trending topics, along with droplets of nuggets to know.Issa Rae has done it again. She has elevated the Reality television game to the next level. The series, “The Sweet Life”, is about a group of smart, young entrepreneurs that are trying to find their way through life, by making a name for themselves. This series is fresh, real, humorous,  and authentic. A truly must see.The next time you go out to eat, be sure to tip off the subtotal and not the total of the bill. I don't think many people know this or pay attention to it. If your bill has the gratuity amount listed at the bottom of the bill, make sure to recalculate to ensure the amount listed is correct.Serena Williams gave an outstanding performance at the 2022 U.S. Open. She dominated in both the first and second round. Even though Serena lost in the third round to Ajla Tomljanovic, she goes down in history as the G.O.A.T in the Tennis world.Stacey Dash had a moment of clarity. She just learned that DMX passed away. DMX has been gone for almost a year now. Let's all pray for Stacey.Quiet quitting is the new trend right now. Folks are only working their regular schedule hours and doing the bare minimum to keep their job. Will this be the new norm or will employers catch on and demand more from the employees.The “Games of Thrones” may be no more, but the prequel is proving to live up to its name, “House of the Dragon.” Let the reign of House Targaryen begin.Big Brother, Season 24 is bringing all the drama and we are all here for it. Last season, the Cookout made history with the last 7 remaining houseguest being African Americans. While Kyle assumes that this season was going to copy the previous season, Kyle finds himself in the hot seat for insensitive racist remarks that causes the houseguest to step up and do the right thing.Flooding in Mississippi is not getting better. Many folks have lost everything, and they have nowhere to go. The President declared the State a Natural Disaster. If you would like to donate, please reach out to either the Red Cross, United Way, or another reputable charity.Lastly, a Kansas City pastor decided to put his congregation on blast by telling them they were poor, busted, and broke for not buying him a luxury Movado watch. I'm not sure who he is working for or representing, but it's not the work of GOD.Welcome to Season Four of Authentic Filters. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It

It's been over 3 months since the horrific tragedy that took place in Uvalde, TX in which 19 children and 2 adults lost their lives from gun violence. There's no way to truly measure the amount of hurt & pain the families and community feel, but there is a way to hold people responsible. And it appears, that's exactly what is happening with the former School District Chief of police “Pete Arredondo”. The man who should've sent officers in to try and stop the crazed gunman much sooner than he did and has at least 21 innocent lives lost under his tenure. Switching gears, we are breaking down the recent decision by the Biden Administration to offer relief on student loans up to $20k for those that qualify. Key words “UP TO”. Will that be enough, or should the Administration do more? Finally, let's dive into the recession and what we've noticed in our everyday lives as having gone up due to inflation. We'll discuss simple ways in which you can cut back on your spending but still live a fulfilling life.Welcome to Season Four of Authentic Filters. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It.

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson split after only 9 months of dating. Some knew the inevitable was bound to happen, while others were cheering for them from the sidelines. Did Kim lower her standards to try something different that she had hoped would work out for the long haul or was the age gap between them a problem to begin with? On another note, an important key element to building character and navigating your way through life is starting with having an education. Without it, making decisions might become challenging; however, with it, choices are abundant. Teachers are the resource that is needed to help our kids with becoming good people. They serve as mentors, sponsors, advocates, and friends to many of us. So why is there now a shortage of over 200,000 teachers in the United States?  In addition, there is also an 83% shortage of bus drivers. For many low-income and middle-income families, this could be the only means of transportation for their kids to get to school. One thing we know, Teachers and Bus Drivers are severely underpaid. They are required to do a lot for a little and now our children may feel the effects.With student loans coming due soon, many borrowers have yet to see relief. President Biden is deciding on the amount he will forgive and if the pause on student loans will be extended. Either way, this doesn't fix the debt situation that many are facing. It's only a temporary fix to a larger problem and not a long-term solution that is needed.Welcome to Season Four of Authentic Filters episode Two. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen! We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It.

That's that Na-Na…said Queen Bey on her highly acclaimed Seventh Studio album “Renaissance”. Dedicated to her Late Uncle Jonny, it's as vibrant as it is brilliant. With Cheeky lyrics & melodic beats, Beyoncé's artistry shines brightly in music that is beautiful from beginning to end. Act I makes you dance, laugh, smile, and most certainly feel good. It's hard enough to create one album where every song hits, but to do it again and again….baby you got to be an Alien Superstar. As if the COVID pandemic wasn't enough, a visibly sinister looking virus is now making waves. Monkey pox, a member of the small pox family, originally started in the tropical rainforest regions of Central and West Africa. How then did the virus makes its way to the UK and spread wildly from there? We may never know; but one things for sure and two things are for certain, healthy and clean hygiene habits are as important now as they've ever been. Misinformation initially spread that only certain “groups” of people were susceptible to Monkey pox but that just isn't true. Take the time to do your research with helpful resourced like: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html | to better understand how it works and symptoms to look out for. Also, at the very least…wash your hands. Ding Dong! Word on the street is somebody tipped off the FBI in Trump's inner circle. Hmmmm, we wonder who??? Mar-O-Lago was the center of attention just recently as it was raided for what the FBI believed to have held top secret governmental documents that the former President was not supposed to be in possession of. Mind you, these are documents that have to deal with “National Security”!  Initially, the documents from the raid were to remain sealed, but a federal judge did unseal the search warrant which highlighted over 20 boxes of documents were taken, information on the president of France, and note, the executive grant for clemency for Mr. Stone, among other items. As with you, we too are going to see how this plays out, in our bed with our shades like the Tiffany Pollard meme. Before & After of the “Buffalo” Project: https://www.twolaneconcepts.com/Welcome back and welcome to the official kick-off to Season Four of Authentic Filters! Over 10,000 downloads, we can't thank you enough. This is going to be an exciting 12 episode season that will take us to the Holidays and we know you're ready for the ride! Let's keep those downloads coming and the reviews. You know what time it is…Let's Get Into It.

Netflix has been incrementally increasing their fee's over the years since they first started. What was once around $7, has now surpassed a whole $20. It's to be expected that as a business continues to provide more and more offerings and at a greater level, cost increases will happen. From top talent to original produced shows, Netflix has a lot going. But with the increase in competition, just how much can they push the envelope on pricing and still retain a strong & consistent customer base?It's been over 60 days since the War in Ukraine has started with Russia. Unprovoked, unnecessary, and of no Noble cause, this senseless mess has got to stop. Nato has over 20 countries that can and should ban together to end this act of terror once and for all. Only time will tell if they so choose to do so.#SupportBlackBusinessesIf you love ART, check out this talented Young Queen: https://uzoart.com/If you love DOGS, order some yummy Dog Food Topper: https://www.thirstypaws.com/Welcome to Season Three of Authentic Filters and our final episode Twelve! If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends. We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It.

At local Northeast Middle School,  a 14-year-old was stabbed multiple times by another student and later died from his injuries. Our condolences go out to the family for this sad, tragic loss. People  need to be held accountable when they are measures in place that are not being followed by school officials. This school had resource officers, medal detectors, and the students were required to carry clear backpacks. The school administrators failed, other students failed and as a result of their careless actions, this promising young man is no longer with us.The War in Ukraine is not ending anytime soon. Russia has made a threat against the United States by stating that if we continue to provide aid and resources to Ukraine that we will suffer unpredictable consequences. Vladimir Putin also made a statement saying that he feels this war is the noble thing to do. Who is going to step up and stop this evil?While crime is on the rise, many analysts are trying to figure out what is the cause for the uptick in theft. During the beginning of the pandemic, the government infused a lot of money into the country which in turn lifted  folks living in poverty to middle class. Victims are sharing their stories on social media platforms on how thieves are disrupting their lives and we're just trying to figure out how and why.Over the past 2 years, 47 million people have quit their jobs. Why and how do people continue to leave the workforce without another job in hand? Employers are still struggling to find top talent to fill their job openings. Folks still want a more flexible schedule that will allow for them to work more hours remote or full time remote. California is looking to adopt a 4-day work week that would allow for employees to work 32 hours a week and any hours over that would be overtime pay. If companies can offer this benefit to employees, it might encourage folks to get back in the workforce and show that more organizations are listening to their employees and trying to find ways to continue to offer a more work life balance for their employees.Welcome to Season Three of Authentic Filters episode Eleven. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends. We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It. 

It's clear that the war in Ukraine is not getting better. By definition, War is: A state of armed conflict between different nations or states or different groups within a nation or state. This particular conflict however seems very much one-sided in its level of escalation. The world has seen the destruction, the sorrow, and pain inflicted on thousands of innocent people. There are days it feels hopeless for those of us who are not presently there and don't know exactly how to help. But there are many ways you can make an impact for the good and show your support. Donate, denounce, and most importantly, Pray. During the second half we will chat about the 1,000 lb gorilla in the room: Student Loans. For many, this can seem like a jail sentence; especially if your income isn't enough to make a serious dent in the loan amount. Will President Biden truly forgive all or at least some % of student loans for everyone? Or simply just a select few groups who happen to meet certain criteria.#SupportBlackBusinessesIf you love ART, check out this talented Young Queen: https://uzoart.com/If you love DOGS, order some yummy Dog Food Topper: https://www.thirstypaws.com/Welcome to Season Three of Authentic Filters episode Ten. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends. We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It.

There are many issues going on in the world right now. As a nation, we must not lose sight to the senseless attack and war going on against Ukraine. Innocent civilians are being brutally murdered every day and millions have escaped with just the clothes on their back trying to seek asylum elsewhere. News outlets are reporting and displaying images of dead bodies along the dark, eerie streets. The atrocities that are going on in Ukraine are haunting to everyone in the world. Russia is committing war crimes against Ukraine and sanctions are not enough to end this war. Putin can no longer serve as President to his country. The US and NATO must find a way to put a stop to the madness.Another trending topic that is taking over the internet is the slap that was heard around the world, the night of the Oscars. Will Smith decided to take matters in his own hands when comedian, Chris Rock decided to make an inappropriate comment about Will Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith's buzz haircut. He said he looked forward to seeing her in the next G.I. Jane II  movie. Somewhere along the way, Will made the poor judgement of walking on the stage at the Oscars to slap Chris Rock. The world was in complete shock and disbelief from his actions.In the aftermath, Will did apologize for his behavior by saying that what he did was wrong and inexcusable. We hope and pray that both men can forgive and move on. #SupportBlackBusinessesIf you love ART, check out this talented Young Queen: https://uzoart.com/If you love DOGS, order some yummy Dog Food Topper: https://www.thirstypaws.com/Welcome to Season Three of Authentic Filters episode Nine. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends. We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It.

This week we are discussing the days long confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. While there were plenty of disappointing moments in how she was treated by a # of Senators, there were more warming moments in how she was embraced. A woman with an amazing pedigree and background of accomplishments, it's a well deserved nomination and confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court. #SupportBlackBusinessesIf you love ART, check out this talented Young Queen: https://uzoart.com/If you love DOGS, order some yummy Dog Food Topper: https://www.thirstypaws.com/Welcome to Season Three of Authentic Filters episode Eight. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends. We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It.

There is so much going on in the world right now, that we wanted to dedicate another episode to giving short updates on many relevant topics from the War in Ukraine, Lost life of a Golf Team, to the close of tax season, ending Daylight savings time, a March Madness update and the firing of Chris Cuomo from CNN. The war in Ukraine is not getting better and the world is seeing no end in sight for either side. Putin recently held a rally for the people of Russia, declaring why he feels military action is needed. He then goes into quoting a bible scripture, John 15:13, “There is no greater love than if someone gives his soul for his friend”. This evil-spirited man is committing genocide in Ukraine and he sees nothing wrong with the inhumane behavior that he is displaying.A thirteen-year-old was driving a vehicle when he lost control of the car and crashed into a van carrying a golf team of students from the University of Southwest. A total of 9 people lost their lives including the thirteen-year-old driver.The end of the Tax season is quickly approaching with a deadline of April 18, 2022. More and more people are dreading doing their taxes each year. There must be a simpler approach in what a taxpayer owes, less all the credits and deductions they are eligible for. Honestly, it would be nice to do away with the entire processDaylight savings time is now a big top of discussion in many households and even with Congress. Just recently, the Senate voted and passed the bill to do away with adjusting clocks forward and backs for Daylight savings time. Right now, the bill is with the House; if it passes there, it will then make its way to the President to sign the bill into law.It's March Madness and folks are tuning in to college basketball. All teams are well deserving to be there, but only one can win. Rock Chalk, Jayhawk.The last topic of discussion is Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon. Chris Cuomo was recently fired from CNN and now he is demanding $125 million dollars, or he is going to take everyone else down with him. The only fitting response for this is, what happened to “I Am My Brother's Keeper”. #SupportBlackBusinessesIf you love ART, check out this talented Young Queen: https://uzoart.com/If you love DOGS, order some yummy Dog Food Topper: https://www.thirstypaws.com/Welcome to Season Three of Authentic Filters episode Seven. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends. We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It.

Welcome back to another fresh episode of Authentic Filters. We are halfway through Season 3 and on this episode, we're talking about a number of topics around the world. Everything from Kim Kardashian West to Supply Chain Issues. Ukraine and Russia updates to Iraq and Iran.We're firing on all cylinders in this near hr long segment and we hope that you enjoy.#SupportBlackBusinessesIf you love ART, check out this talented Young Queen: https://uzoart.com/If you love DOGS, order some yummy Dog Food Topper: https://www.thirstypaws.com/Welcome to Season Three of Authentic Filters episode Six. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends. We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It.

President Joe Biden addresses the nation on March 1, 2022, during his State of the Union Address. Here are some of the key highlights from his powerful speech. President Biden began by acknowledging the war that is going on currently in Ukraine. He praised the Ukrainians for standing strong and fighting for democracy. President Biden made it clear that we as a nation stand with the Ukrainian people. He also sent a clear message to Russia, by stating that we will hold them accountable for their actions. The Russians are currently facing a freeze on their economy and the United States has placed a freeze on Putin's assets along with his top officials' assets as well.The President briefly spoke about the 6.5 million jobs that were created last year that grew the economy by 5.7 percent during that time. We will stay on track with improving infrastructure for decades into the future. The President stated that 65,000 miles of highways will be repaired and around 1,500 bridges will be updated. He mentioned that all poisonous lead pipes will be replaced so that everyone can have clean drinking water. In addition, everyone should have access to affordable high-speed internet and housing.The President spoke about the misstep with the Pandemic Funds that were intended for small business owners. There were supposed to be watchdogs overseeing how the funds were allocated out and there was a lack thereof. The Justice Department will soon name a Chief Prosecutor for Pandemic Fraud and how they plan to remedy it.The President continued by addressing the issues with nursing facilities. He stated that the quality has gone down, and the prices are up. Nursing homes will also be held accountable on how they handle day to day business and how they care for loved ones.As the President continued, he briefly mentioned the Paycheck Fairness Act that would raise the minimum wage to $15/hr. He also spoke highly about the nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson that will serve on the US Supreme Court.President Joe Biden took the time to recap what his administration has done so far while in office and he also outlined what his plans are for the future. This speech was delivered at the right time with so much going on in the world today.Welcome to Season Three of Authentic Filters episode Five where we are recapping the State of the Union Address delivered by President Joe Biden.. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends. We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It. 

The Ukraine and Russian tension can be traced back decades to when Ukraine gained it's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Things came to a head in February of 2014 when Russia invaded and annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine (which resulted in thousands of casualties). This event took place in the aftermath of the Revolution of Dignity and is part of the wider Russian-Ukrainian War.From 2021 to present, Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought  to prevent Ukraine's drift toward the United States and it's Westernized allies. This would allow NATO countries to set up military bases around the Russian border and potentially gain better intelligence into the Russian military and surrounding areas. Completely unprovoked, Putin doesn't want Ukraine to become more westernized and have a truly fairy democracy that he can't dictate. So by force, he is trying to intimidate allies in NATO, and in many ways the world that there would be dangerous consequences for anyone who tries to intervene with his attempt to overtake the country of Ukraine.NATO has responded swiftly by sanctioning not only Russia as a country and cutting off many of their resources including their large banks ability to access the global economy but have also sanctioned Putin specifically .Welcome to Season Three of Authentic Filters episode Four where we are talking the full segment about the Ukraine and Russian war. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends. We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It. 

Are you ready for the Metaverse? Defined as a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connections in futurism & science fiction,  it is often described as a hypothetical iteration of the internet as a single universal virtual world that is facilitated using virtual and augmented reality headsets. Basically, it's giving “Ready Player One”....but the creators are on to so much more.The Metaverse for some will feel like The Matrix, a world where you can go and be whatever or whoever you want to be. If you want to travel back in time, you can do so in a flash; heading to a party or meeting, teleport in an instant. It's currently a world where there are little to no rules; and time doesn't exist.  For some, they might make the most of this experience and really focus on building as many social connections outside the real world; while others might enter this realm with no set expectations and see this as an outlet to free their minds.Many are capitalizing in the Metaverse world through online shopping and real estate transactions, just to name a few. In this virtual world, you can use cryptocurrency to purchase goods and services, and many early adopters are investing in cryptocurrency through the Metaverse and finding ways to cash out in the real world. We will soon discover if the Metaverse is the way to go or if there is an underlying ulterior motive. Welcome back to another fresh episode on Season Three of Authentic Filters! If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends. We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It. 

Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. It's been a chance to highlight the many accomplishments of Black culture, the advancements made, and what's to come. But to be 100 with you, Black History is American History, it's World History, and is certainly worth more than a month. It's a part of our lives and runs deep within many of our DNA. It's why we are here today.We wanted to highlight 6 phenomenal individuals past and present who have not only inspired us but millions across the globe  to be the best they can be regardless of race. Simply on a humane level, a grateful for the day now let's get after it level, a you can be who you want to be and accomplish what you so choose regardless of your circumstances level, a fierce courage & faith level. This is a celebration of Black Excellence to those known and those not known. To past, present, and future generations to come. We've been given the torch and NOW we must run with it.#SupportBlackBusinesses If you love ART, check out this talented Young Queen: https://uzoart.com/If you love DOGS, order some yummy Dog Food Topper: https://www.thirstypaws.com/Again, welcome to Season Three of Authentic Filters! If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends. We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It. 

At the top of the pandemic, many businesses were applying for the PPP and EIDL loans. However, it didn't take long for individuals to figure out how to game the system and take advantage of the process. It was recently reported through Bizjournals.com that roughly 90 billion dollars have been paid out in fraudulent applications. Currently, there are District Attorneys (DA's) throughout several states that are going through the applications that were approved in their state to determine which applications were approved in error. Upon discovery, many of these DA's are seeing red flags and are questioning how these applications got pushed through the verification process. After much research, these DA's are making a clear point to go after every applicant that lied and defrauded the government during a world pandemic. People are being charged, convicted, and doing time for committing wire fraud and money laundering. Many of the sentences seem to range from 18 to 51 months in prison for the crimes committed.This should serve as a message to everyone, that every action has a reaction whether good or bad whether intentional or unintentional.**Our condolences to the “King Family” and the “Kryst Family” on their heartbreaking losses and to anyone who has had to deal with such a tragedy. If you or anyone you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts, please check out your resources as there are some many that are willing to help.Resources:The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255Additional Resources can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/resources/index.htmlWelcome to Season Three of Authentic Filters! If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends. We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It. 

It's time we have a serious conversation about Reparations for African Americans. For over 32 years, the Slavery Reparation Bill has been introduced at every congressional session since 1989 and just this year, they decided to vote on the bill to move it into the Study and Development proposal phase. If we continue to sit back and do nothing, another 30 years will pass by and the wrong that was inflicted on our ancestors will never be repaired.The slave trade began in the 1400's with the Britain's going over to Africa to trade gold/silver for slaves and transport them to the West Indies by ship. During these times, the slave owners, didn't care about the welfare of the slaves and many of them died from starvation and unhealthy conditions on the ships. During those times, If the slaves were of no value to the slave owner, they would toss them over the boat, still with shackles around their necks, hands, and feet. They murdered hundreds of slaves by throwing them overboard.By the 1600's, North America was well into the slave trade and the rest is history. History that you should read upon and educate yourself of in order to fully grasp why Reparations for African Americans is so important and how it helps to alleviate one of the country's original sins.Welcome to our final episode of Season Two, #12 where we're diving deep into the history of slavery and what we believe would be good sensible options for Reparations. If you enjoyed what you listened to and want to keep the conversation going, be sure the like, subscribe, and share with your family and friends. We want to thank you for taking the journey with us thus far and we're excited to see where it goes next! Let's Get Into It. 

Smash and GrabsYou've probably seen the crazy videos of groups of people banning together to rob high-end luxury and electronic stores across the country. Most notably, in California and some surrounding areas. Happening in split seconds groups of 10+ people brazenly bum-rush these places and try to take as much as they can. Surely this isn't what our society has come to. People doing what they want when they want and thinking there are no consequences behind it. We as a country are better than that; we as people are better than that. Agencies ReloadedIt's been over 21 months since we applied for the EIDL program with the SBA in the Covid-19 relief. We've been denied multiple times for reasons that didn't match up to the previous and we're now in our final request for reconsideration.A program that was supposed to exist to help small business in a time of a global pandemic has failed in many ways to help thousands of people that were forced to close for good. Only time will tell if we get approved. With a backup of millions of tax returns, the IRS has been in a mess for quite some time. An institution that has been around for decades, one would think their systems would be able to handle the workload, but that certainly doesn't seem to be the case. Finally, as the Biden Administration tries to enforce vaccine shots for all Federal workers and other sectors, it appears they are offering a safety net of sorts for those that choose not to get vaccinated for whatever reason and loose their jobs. Unemployment benefits. Could this incentivize those holding out to continue to do so knowing they'll at least have some form of payment coming in? And for how long will it last before it's cut off? Welcome to Episode 11 of Season 2 for Authentic Filters. If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe and leave us a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen. Share with your family & friends…Let's get into it.

Rittenhouse…Not GuiltyThis past week, the Jury decided the outcome of the fatal shootings by then 17 year old Kyle Rittenhouse. Not Guilty. A verdict that elated some but majorly disappointed others. Two men lost their lives and a third forever altered at the hands of Rittenhouse due to his careless actions of possessing a military style gun and choosing to go to the protest with that very weapon. Every action has a reaction whether good or bad and this simply put, was avoidable. At some point people must be held accountable for their actions and not allowed to just do what they want when they want and not face any consequences especially when it so clearly and devastatingly has affected others & their loved ones.Justice for Ahmaud ArberyBack on February 23, 2020, Ahmaud Arbery, a twenty-five-year-old African American man was jogging near his home in Brunswick, Georgia on a Sunday afternoon. Ahmaud was chased down and killed by three white men with guns. Travis McMichael, his father Gregory McMichael, and their neighbor William Bryan Jr. These three white men saw a black man and decided to confront Ahmaud accusing him of burglary and tried to conduct a citizen's arrest. When Ahmaud tried to protect himself, by fighting them off, he was shot in cold blood. The crime was videotaped by the neighbor, William Bryan Jr.Once this story got media attention and it went mainstream, black people demanded that justice be served and that all three men be charged with Ahmaud's murder. Now, eighteen months later, the men are on trial and facing malice murder and felony murder for killing Ahmaud Arbery. Hundreds of people including pastors around the world are rallying outside the Courthouse. The Defense has requested several mistrials and the judge keeps denying their request. In addition, the Defense attorney crossed the line by requesting from the judge that no Black Pastors be allowed in the courtroom. He referred to both Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson being a distraction to the jurors. Closing arguments are expected on Monday and the family of Ahmaud Arbery is looking for justice for their son.Welcome to Episode 10 of Season 2 for Authentic Filters. If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe and leave us a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen. Share with your family & friends…Let's get into it.

Affairs in OrderNo one knows when their time on earth will expire. We don't have a crystal ball nor can we predict what the future holds; but one thing is for sure, life on earth is temporary, so don't procrastinate when it comes to making sure all your “Affairs are in Order”, before you depart from this world.One of the most selfless acts one can do is to invest in purchasing life insurance for their loved ones. It is important to have a life insurance policy in place to ensure that when you're gone, your family can carry on with life and not have to worry about struggling to pay bills. Make sure to have a Last Will and Testament in place to ensure that your final wishes are carried out but be wise and add a POA (Power of Attorney) that outlines who will take over your medical and financial decisions, in the event that you become unable to make those decisions for yourself.Many families have gone through the motions of dealing with horrible family members that don't do the right thing when loved ones pass away. It's important that you take care of your affairs and that you leave behind an ironclad Will to ensure that no one can step in and take over how your final wishes will be handled or cause unnecessary havoc to your family.The Rittenhouse TrialMany Americans are currently awaiting the verdict of the Kyle Rittenhouse trial in which the then 17 year old  fatally shot 2 and injured a 3rd during riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin in Summer 2020 over racial unrest. With closing arguments taking place Monday November 15th, 2021, his fate seems to lay in the hands of the jurors.This was all brought about for Kyle as a result of the police shooting of Jacob Blake which left him paralzyed. Many felt justice needed to be served upon the officer who fired the shots and it was amplified with what seemed like shooting after shooting of African Americans by officers for no just reason.Rittenhouse took to the streets armed with an AR-15 style rifle that he was legally not capable of getting on his own due to age. As a result, he had his friend Mr. Black (who also faces charges of his own) purchase the gun for him. A can of worms in itself, Americans wait to here the fate of both Rittenhouse and Mr. Black. Welcome to Episode 9 of Season 2 for Authentic Filters. If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe  and leave us a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen. Share with your family & friends…Let's get into it.

Rebuilding AmericaLate Friday night on November 5th, the Democrats finally got an Infrastructure Bill passed. The initiative to Build Back Better is a huge undertaking, but one that the country as a whole needs. New highways, bridges, railroads; commitment to combating climate change and investing in services such as high speed internet for all and EV charging stations isn't a “political” thing, it's a “better future for all” thing. America has consistently been at the forefront of innovation in the world, which is why it's one of the best places to live. We've also been a leader among nations who look to us for insights on doing the right thing. Well, this is the right thing; not just for some, but for all. This is a win for America...this is a win for the world.Another Senseless KillingThe African American community continues to struggle with, The Senseless Killings of promising black people at the hands of police officers.On August 5, 2016, Jamarion Robinson a 26-year-old African American man who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia was shot 59 times and killed during an attempted fugitive arrest in Georgia.After years of protesting and demanding justice, five years later, the officers responsible for Jamarion's murder are being charged with his death. One of the officer's is U.S. Marshal, Eric Heinze and the other is a Clayton County police officer, Kristopher Hutchens.The family of Jamarion is thankful that this tragic incident is getting media attention and the officers that are responsible for this heinous crime are finally being charged. We hope and pray that his family is vindicated, and that justice is served for Jamarion.Welcome to Episode 8 of Season 2 for Authentic Filters. If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe and leave us a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen. Share with your family & friends…Let's get into it.

Trying To Undo a WrongJust recently, it was reported by Fox News and The Wall Street Journal that the Biden Administration plans to pay illegal immigrant families $450k to $1 million dollars for the hardship that was inflicted upon them when they crossed the US border illegally and were separated from their loved ones during the Trump Administration.There are several agencies that are on board with this plan such as the Dept. of Justice, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services that believe we should compensate these families that were treated inhuman even though they broke the law. This gives the new administration the opportunity to Undo a Wrong by the previous administration.Many Republicans feel that this is a “horrific decision” and is wrong to use taxpayers' money to turn illegal immigrants into potential millionaires.If this payout comes about, it is said to be more than what families currently receive when they lose a loved one in the military if they are killed in action during their service.In addition, slavery one of the most inhumane histories of America for African American's is a wrong that can never be undone. Yet, reparations are still in a “study”phase for something that started over 400 years ago.It's a hot Hot MarketAcross the country, from coast to coast and throughout the Midwest, the Real Estate market has been blazing hot with record sales prices. Thanks to historically low interest rates, a massive upcoming generation who is ready to buy and a pandemic which caused many Americans to rethink what they truly want out of work and life, now more than ever it seems people are making their way into a market where the demand is overwhelming the supply. Some analysts wonder just how long such a wave can sustain itself and whether or not we are heading to another Bubble. However, economists are predicting the market to remain strong through the rest of 2021 and most of 2022 because there simply isn't enough inventory. In all, we'd need to bring in more than 7 million homes nationally in order for the market to correct itself and become more balanced. When will that happen?…Only time will tell. For now, it's a Seller's market and it's hot, Hot, HOT. Welcome to Episode 7of Season 2 for Authentic Filters. If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe and leave us a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen. Share with your family & friends…Let's get into it.

The Great ResignationWhat a time to be alive. What a time to have an awakening. What a time to disrupt an industry. A trio of three things that have aligned for many people since the hit of COVID-19. What was certainly a nightmare scenario, has since caused people around the country to question what they are really doing with their lives. In August 2021, the U.S. saw some of the highest resignation rates at over 4 million people. While a little over 1 million of that group was let go by the employer, it still is a significant number of unemployed Americans who have said enough is enough. Being dubbed The Great Resignation, the American workforce is rethinking what it truly wants out of a career from paying people what they're actually worth, to working hours & flexibility of remote options, to balancing personal life and the need to shut off work when one clocks out. With labor shortages and supply chain woes, it's safe to say many industries are prime for disruption in how they treat and take care of their employees.Cold GunJust recently, there was a fatality on the movie set, “Rust”, starring actor Alec Baldwin. During a shooting scene, Alec was given a firearm by the Assistant Director. As the firearm was handed to him, someone yelled out the code word: Cold Gun. That is the que to let everyone know that it's okay to shoot a firearm because it's not loaded with real rounds and is safe to use. Unfortunately, we are all now mourning the loss of Halyna Hutchins due to the negligence of others. Another crew member, Joel Souza was also injured on the set, but he is currently recovering.Many of us around the world are trying to understand what happened and why there weren't better protocols in place to prevent such a tragic event. The last time a fatality like this occurred on a movie set was 28 years ago, with the late actor, Brandon Lee. It was the year 1993, when Lee was filming the movie, “The Crow”, when he was hit by a dummy bullet while performing a scene involving a gun. These types of events will hopefully change the trajectory for making movies and implementing better safety measures and controls while working on production sets. Welcome to Episode 6 of Season 2 for Authentic Filters. If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to hit that subscribe and leave us a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen. Share with your family & friends…Let's get into it.

Women are InvisibleAs the saying goes, If you see something wrong, do something about it. People today are not living by that motto. Just recently, a woman was riding the Septa train in Philadelphia when a man assaulted and raped her on the train in plain view of all the other riders. Many of the passengers on the train stood by and watched. This incident occurred around 8:00pm at night when there was a good number of traffic and the entire time this happened, no one stopped to intervene and help. However, some did feel the need to videotape the horrific incident on their cell phones….can you imagine?It's hard to believe and understand that this is the world we live in. For decades, women have been treated poorly, objectified, and in the present day, not much has changed.As a nation, as human beings, this should not and can not stand. An incident that could have been prevented if bystanders simply would have acted rather than watched. A sad moment in history for everyone that was there and a horrendous moment in time that the victim can never wipe away.SBA Deja VuWe are at it again...applying for reconsideration of our EIDL loan that started way back when in March of 2020. It was a process then and still very much a process now. With all the fraud that took place and the SBA giving money out like running water, it's surprising in many ways that the pot has run out again. But, unfortunately as with most things, the COVID-19 relief fund will be ending December 2021. We are very hopeful that with the new changes to the program, learning from past mistakes, and under the current Biden Administration we'll qualify for the EIDL loan but only time will tell. Welcome to Episode 5 of Season 2 for Authentic Filters. If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe and leave us a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen. Do us a favor please!...Share with your family & friends. Let's get into it.

Trump 2024?Bill Maher said it best when describing Trump as a “shark who simply has gone out to sea”...not away. Slowly eating people one by one and turning them into supporters to further push his agenda. If you remember, the Trump years were full of complete chaos. Every week seemed like a reality show: the intro, the drama, a climactic moment, and the need to stay tuned for next week's episode. This went on for 4 years! And let's not forget the insurrection that took place on Jan 6th even after Trump lost the 2020 election. As Bill Maher said, he's creating a slow-moving coup. The possibility of Trump becoming president for a 2nd term in 2024 is very real if people become too laxed. The difference this time? He's learned from his past mistakes on what not to do if he wants to stay in power. People need to realize, Trump isn't running for president...he's running for King. The Neighbors from HellAn African American family moved into a prominent neighborhood located in Virginia Beach. They were in a great school district for their kids, an ideal commute to and from work, and had an overall sense of happiness.As time went by, they started to notice strange behaviors from their next-door neighbor. Whenever they would leave and return home, there would be flashing lights coming from the neighbor's house. The neighbor would play loud music, followed by monkey noises and chatter of the n-word being used.The new family tried to seek help from local authorities but were told there was nothing they could do because the neighbor did not break any rules or cause harm to them. The court system also couldn't help. The family went in front of a judge, only to be told…there is nothing they can do since the neighbor didn't commit a crime or bodily injury to anyone.Will this family get the help that they need or will they be forced to leave a neighborhood that they once enjoyed living in?Welcome to Episode 4 of Season 2  for Authentic Filters.  If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to hit that subscribe and leave us a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen. Share with your family & friends…Let's get into it. 

It's time to officially Free BritneyImagine being one of the biggest stars in the world, at the height of your career with a pedigree that still hasn't been topped till this day. Sold out global tours, iconic #1 albums, videos, and a fan base that has been down since day 1. Now imagine having your entire world turned upside down because of the stress and pressure society has put on you and being scrutinized day in and day out. From how you dress, to your personal life, and even how you raise your kids. Stalked constantly by paparazzi 24/7 with no relief from anyone it seems. At some point, it can get to be too much and you can easily snap. Well, that's exactly what happened to Britney and at the age of 26, she was placed into a Conservatorship with her Father for what has lasted 13 years. A Conservatorship that many feel was never necessary in the first place, but one that has not only left Britney with mental and emotional trauma, but has funded so many people's lifestyles that took advantage of the situation just to get their hands in the pot. The #FreeBritney movement has been going on since the Conservatorship started and many of the fans have expressed concern and disdain for how the entire process played out and went down. Some 13 years later with Britney's father removed from the Conservatorship, it appears we may be nearing the end of what seemed like a prison sentence for all those years. No longer will we say Free Britney, but instead Britney is Free. Supply Chain Still Facing Global ChallengesThe Global Pandemic has been going on for almost 2 years now and many sectors in the world are still very much impacted from this. One of the major services that is still facing worldwide challenges is the Supply Chain. There are many entities within the supply chain such as retailers, warehouses, transportation companies, vendors, producers and distributors all whom have been affected. Currently, each area of the supply chain is facing high demand and low inventory. From car dealerships selling vehicles well over the MSRP, to cargo ships being anchored at the ports in Los Angeles and New York. There was a recent article published by Business Insider about the backlog of cargo ships with thousands of shipping containers filled with goods such as clothing, electronics, toys, furniture, etc. at a standstill in the ports unloaded for over 4 weeks. The reasoning behind this is due to the shortage of labor, equipment, and time. Many analysts are hoping that the government will step in and intervene in the matter to come up with a solution to this global problem. One that could leave lasting impacts and cause a major chain reaction during the Holiday Season.If the supply chain issues continue to go on, distributors will continue to go out of business and we might find ourselves in a recession.Welcome to Episode 3 of Season 2  for Authentic Filters.  If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to hit that subscribe and leave us a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen. Share with your family & friends…Let's get into it. 

The Haitian's Journey to a Better LifeAmerica is known as the land of opportunity, which is why so many from different countries decide to take a chance and come here. Just recently, over 15,000 Haitians left their native land with only the clothes on their backs. Many of them took the journey by foot, crossing through and around 11 countries while others traveled by plane or bus as they made their way to what many felt would be a new beginning. Through misinformation about their chances of asylum, many were blocked at the border in Texas. After several days, some were denied entry into the United States, while others were deported back to Haiti,  leaving only a few thousand access to stay in America.Many Americans were puzzled to learn the desperation and the determination the Haitians endured by escaping from Haiti, a country that is in disarray, with uninhabitable conditions and politically corrupt leaders offering little protection for their people.Mask MandateHeading almost 2 years into the pandemic, the science has shown that wearing a face mask will help protect you from and reduce your chances of contracting the Covid-19 virus. Yet debating & complaining about mask mandates in schools, grocery stores and restaurants is still a thing. Many parents are upset that their kids are forced to wear a face mask while in school. Some don't care that the mask saves lives, nor are they listening to the “Science”.We have to do better when it comes to fighting this virus. As of today, over 4.7 million people have died from Covid globally. If we continue to go against the “Science”, things will not get better, and what has now become the Delta Variant will continue to mutate.Welcome to Episode 2 of Season 2  for Authentic Filters.  If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to hit that subscribe and leave us a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen. Share with your family & friends…Let's get into it. 

We want to welcome you all back to Authentic Filters Season 2! Hopefully you've had a great Summer / Winter (depending on where in the world you're listening) and are feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of this year. If there's anything our break taught us, it's to be in the moment, live in the moment, and most importantly appreciate the moment. It's natural to always be in a rush or just trying to get to the next thing; but we've got to realize, that once the day has passed, we will never get it back.This week were talking about the 22 year old instagrammer “Gabby Petito” who went on a cross country road trip with her fiancé “Brian Laundrie”, in what has now become a grappling nightmare for the Petito family with their daughter missing. At the time of this recording, Gabby was still unaccounted for; sadly with new developments everyday and the outlook seemingly more grim with each day passing, her precious body was discovered Sunday September 19th after almost a month missing. Her estranged fiancé Brian on the other hand is still at large and yet to be located. On Part II, we diving deep into new developments with the IRS and what the Biden Administration in considering implementing. A policy that if approved by congress and put into place, will have lasting effects on the American people for years to come. While some of us may be going Old School with this one, and others considering a new country altogether, either way you should do your own research to get a full understanding of what may be headed down the pipeline.We are super excited for the new format of Authentic Filters this Season where we'll bring you two topics for the week and have open dialogue & opinions on both.  If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to hit that subscribe and leave us a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen. Share with your family & friends…Let's get into it.