Daily Spark with Dr. Angela

In this episode, we sit down with Dr LaNail Plummer, a creative force and changemaker whose work bridges innovation and impact. With a focus on empowerment and sustainable growth, she shares insights on building with purpose, navigating challenges with grace, and creating opportunities that extend beyond personal success. This conversation is a reminder that leadership is not just about achievement; it is about legacy.Still We Rise, Still We Lead honors leaders who turn passion into platforms that inspire and empower others.

In this episode, we welcome Suzanne Horton MA, NCC, LMHC, a visionary committed to creating meaningful change through leadership and community engagement. Her work reflects a deep belief in collaboration, access, and building systems that uplift rather than exclude. This conversation highlights resilience, intentional leadership, and the impact of showing up consistently for the communities we serve.Still We Rise, Still We Lead continues with a spotlight on leaders who are transforming spaces through service and strategy.

Still We Rise, Still We Lead is a Black History Month radio series highlighting voices who are shaping culture, community, and impact in powerful ways.In this episode, we are joined by Radiance, a dynamic leader whose work centers empowerment, authenticity, and purpose driven influence. Through her platform and presence, Radiance challenges others to embrace their voice, own their narrative, and move boldly in their calling.This conversation explores identity, confidence, and the responsibility that comes with visibility in today's world.

In this episode, we are joined by Shonda Scott, entrepreneur, ecosystem builder, and founder of 360 Total Concept. A champion for small businesses and underserved founders, Shonda has dedicated her career to helping entrepreneurs move from vision to viability. Through business development support, access to capital connections, and strategic guidance, she works to close opportunity gaps that too often prevent innovative ideas from becoming sustainable enterprises. This conversation explores economic empowerment, the power of ownership, and what it takes to build structures that allow others to thrive.Still We Rise, Still We Lead is a Black History Month radio series highlighting Black leaders whose work is transforming communities, industries, and the narratives we carry about success.

In this episode, we are joined by Michael Pugh, President and CEO of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, one of the nation's leading community development financial institutions. Growing up in Detroit in a single-parent household, Michael's journey from bank teller to national financial leader reflects a deep commitment to strengthening the economic health of underserved communities. With more than three decades in community lending and development, including leadership at Carver Federal Savings Bank, he now leads LISC's work investing billions of dollars into affordable housing, small businesses, and neighborhood revitalization across the country.This conversation explores financial equity, generational wealth, and how lived experience can shape a vision for transformative community impact.Still We Rise, Still We Lead is a Black History Month radio series highlighting Black leaders, creatives, and changemakers whose work spans justice, community development, mental health, and service. Through thoughtful conversation, the series explores how leadership is formed, sustained, and carried forward in real life.

In this episode, we are joined by Tiffany Obeng, attorney, literacy advocate, social impact author, and founder of Sugar Cookie Books. Tiffany shares how her experience navigating legal systems and serving as an Equal Opportunity Director shaped her commitment to fairness, access, and belonging. When she realized she had not met a real-life lawyer until the eleventh grade, she understood how limited exposure can shape possibility. That realization led her to create children's books that introduce young readers, especially Black children, to careers and everyday joy in spaces where they have historically been absent. This conversation explores representation, early access, and how storytelling can expand what children believe is possible for their futures.Still We Rise, Still We Lead is a Black History Month radio series highlighting Black leaders, creatives, and changemakers whose work spans justice, community development, mental health, and service. Through thoughtful conversation, the series explores how leadership is formed, sustained, and carried forward in real life.

In this episode, we are joined by Alexandra Aileru, Founder of Confident Career Switch. A former high school teacher who transitioned into corporate project management, Alexandra understands firsthand how career changers, especially Black women, are often overlooked not because they lack ability, but because their experience is undervalued. She shares how learning to translate her skills, advocate for her growth, and lead through uncertainty became the foundation for the company she built to help professionals reinvent their careers without starting over. This conversation explores confidence, reinvention, and the power of creating pathways when traditional ones fall short.Still We Rise, Still We Lead is a Black History Month radio series highlighting Black leaders, creatives, and changemakers whose work spans justice, community development, mental health, and service. Through thoughtful conversation, the series explores how leadership is formed, sustained, and carried forward in real life.

In this episode, we are joined by Cheryl W. Thompson, an award-winning investigative correspondent for National Public Radio and an associate professor of journalism at George Washington University. With more than two decades of reporting at The Washington Post, multiple Pulitzer Prize-winning team contributions, and over 40 journalism honors to her name, Cheryl brings a rare depth of insight into truth-telling, accountability, and resilience.As the daughter of a Tuskegee Airman, her work is also deeply personal. We discuss her forthcoming book, FORGOTTEN SOULS: The Search for the Lost Tuskegee Airmen, the responsibility of preserving untold histories, the power of mentorship across generations, and why patience, connection, and integrity remain essential leadership tools in moments of cultural uncertainty.

Still We Rise, Still We Lead is a Black History Month radio series highlighting Black leaders, creatives, and changemakers whose work spans justice, community development, mental health, and service. Through thoughtful conversation, the series explores how leadership is formed, sustained, and carried forward in real life.In this episode, we sit down with Charise Beckett, leadership strategist, transformational speaker, and author of P.O.I.S.E.™: The Blueprint for Escaping Burnout, Redefining Success, and Creating Your New Reality. With more than two decades of experience working with women executives, CEOs, and high-performing leaders, Charise shares how burnout has become a defining leadership challenge and why a new model of success is required. We explore her P.O.I.S.E.™ Leadership Framework, the shift toward conscious leadership, and how women can lead with clarity, build influence without exhaustion, and balance ambition with well-being without sacrificing excellence. This conversation centers on sustainability, self-trust, and redefining what powerful leadership looks like in this season.

Still We Rise, Still We Lead is a Black History Month radio series highlighting Black leaders, creatives, and changemakers whose work spans justice, community development, mental health, and service. Through thoughtful conversation, the series explores how leadership is formed, sustained, and carried forward in real life.In this episode, we are joined by Quinae G. Jackson, Senior Director of Learning and Development at Wayfinder and founder of Overflow.Innovate.Lead. LLC. Quinae leads national training strategies that support tens of thousands of educators in creating learning environments rooted in belonging, agency, and purpose.We explore her approach to leading with integrity inside complex systems, how she responded when strong outcomes were mischaracterized by forces outside her control, and why belonging is not a soft skill but a strategic leadership practice. This conversation offers grounded insight on resilience, values-aligned leadership, and how leaders can continue to move forward with clarity and intention, especially in seasons of change.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Vedet Coleman-Robinson, President and CEO of the Association of African American Museums. A historian by training and a cultural steward by calling, Dr. Coleman-Robinson leads a national organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and advancing Black history year-round. Under her leadership, AAAM supports museums and cultural institutions that chronicle civil rights struggles, honor trailblazers, and confront the inequities that continue to shape American life.As the nation approaches the 100th anniversary of Black history commemorations in the United States, her work reminds us that history is not static, it is lived, carried, and responsibly stewarded for future generations.

Still We Rise, Still We Lead is a Black History Month radio series highlighting Black leaders, creatives, and changemakers whose work spans justice, community development, mental health, and service. Through thoughtful conversation, the series explores how leadership is formed, sustained, and carried forward in real life.Leadership is not only about visibility, it is about responsibility. In this episode of Still We Rise, Still We Lead, Dr. Angela sits down with Sean Wilson, Senior Director of Organizing and Partnerships of Dream.Org. A leader whose work reflects intentional growth, community impact, and a clear understanding of what it means to lead with purpose.

Still We Rise, Still We Lead is a Black History Month radio series highlighting Black leaders, creatives, and changemakers whose work spans justice, community development, mental health, and service. Through thoughtful conversation, the series explores how leadership is formed, sustained, and carried forward in real life.In this episode, Dr. Angela sits down with Andrew Frazier, MBA, CFA, Masterpreneur™, and founder of Small Business Pro University, is revolutionizing how business owners scale. An entrepreneur and community builder whose journey reflects the power of servant leadership and intentional connection. After transitioning from employee to entrepreneur without a built in network, Andrew created The POWER BREAKFAST, a quarterly forum designed to foster learning, relationships, and shared wisdom. Over more than a decade, this community driven platform has helped thousands of entrepreneurs access opportunity and generate meaningful economic impact. Together, this conversation explores leadership as service, the compounding power of relationships, and how creating space for others can lead to sustainable success.

Still We Rise, Still We Lead is a Black History Month radio series highlighting Black leaders, creatives, and changemakers whose work spans justice, community development, mental health, and service. Through thoughtful conversation, the series explores how leadership is formed, sustained, and carried forward in real life.In this episode, Dr. Angela welcomes Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, an author, editor, podcaster, and publishing leader whose work centers on faith filled storytelling and purpose driven creativity. As the founder of Dressed In Love Press, Katherine is cultivating a community of writers committed to uplifting, engaging stories rooted in a Christian worldview. From Bible studies to suspense novels, her work reminds us that stories can carry truth, healing, and moral clarity without losing heart. This conversation explores calling, discernment, and how faith shaped storytelling can guide, encourage, and strengthen readers in every season.

Still We Rise, Still We Lead is a Black History Month radio series highlighting Black leaders, creatives, and changemakers whose work spans justice, community development, mental health, and service. Through thoughtful conversation, the series explores how leadership is formed, sustained, and carried forward in real life.In this episode, Dr. Angela is joined by Anastacia "Ana" Sams, a licensed marriage and family therapist, mindset coach, and relationship expert dedicated to redefining wellness and love within the Black community. Through her work at HealingWorks®, Anastacia helps Black professionals unlearn survival mode and heal intergenerational patterns so they can build sustainable, thriving lives. She is also the cofounder of A Soulful Love, where she prepares Black couples for life beyond the wedding day through intentional premarital education. Together, this conversation explores healing, faith, healthy relationships, and what it truly means to move from surviving to flourishing.

Still We Rise, Still We Lead is a Black History Month radio series highlighting Black leaders, creatives, and changemakers whose work spans justice, community development, mental health, and service. Through thoughtful conversation, the series explores how leadership is formed, sustained, and carried forward in real life.In this episode, Dr. Angela sits down with Deedee Cummings, a leader whose work reflects a deep commitment to storytelling, advocacy, and cultural impact. Deedee shares reflections on leadership, resilience, and responsibility, offering insight into how purpose is shaped through lived experience and service. This conversation invites listeners to consider what it truly means to rise with integrity and lead with wisdom in our time.

Join Dr. Angela as she speaks with author Richard J Raven about his book "I Was There." When asked, why the title? Richard's answer: Reading through the Gospels in my Bible, I could see the events unfolding before my mind's eye. It was as if I was there. With this in mind, I decided to put down on paper just what I had experienced. The result is this small book detailing Jesus' birth, life, miracles, death and resurrection from factual recordings written soon after his death and resurrection.A compelling story.

“One of the King's Men” is the completely factual account of the remarkable life of my son Cameron, whose short Earthly journey demonstrated his unique connection with the miraculous, heavenly realm in which he could function with complete ease and gladness.Cameron was a tall, blond athlete; a kind, loving, and helpful boy; obedient and well-mannered always; a consistent trier; neat and tidy; and a joy to his whole family. Right from his babyhood, he began to demonstrate his exceptional capacity for the supernatural realm of the Spirit and his unquenchable desire to connect with heaven and with God.Cameron was, in many ways, a typical, laid-back Aussie kid growing up in the 1980s and into the 1990s. He loved and enjoyed very much the company of his sister and brother, and his life included many of the usual adventures and misadventures common to typical young Aussie boys.His story is told with authenticity, comical whimsy, enthusiasm, gladness, and a sense of pride in his achievements, evenly mixed with trepidation, horror, and life-changing sorrow, followed by generous helpings of amazement, shock and awe, and finally, real, genuine thankfulness.This is Cameron's story and welcome to it.One of the King's Men by Estelle Everingham (Author) is available on Amazon.

Join me as I talk with Father John Odongo, about his book, "The Role of the Mother of Jesus in the Gospel of John: An Exegetical Study of John 2, 1-12; 19, 25-27."Fr. John Bosco Odongo, CM., born in Uganda on 26th December 1981, is a Roman Catholic Vincentian Missionary Priest, ordained on 28th May 2016 in Nairobi Kenya.  This book is aimed at encouraging devotion to the mother of Jesus and with her take up a journey to knowing Jesus better and thereby believe in him and attain eternal life. For questions, clarification, new ideas or consultation contact: johnforchristjesus@gmail.com; Tel: +39 371 382 3802.

God has always been the light for believers. How will you focus on the light, when dark times come?

There's a difference between happiness and joy. Like there is with kind and nice, so let's take a look and see how we can have more joy in our lives. 

Join us as we talk with author, Pearl Nsiah-Kumi about her book: Experiencing God's Overwhelming Peace During Hard Times: Know God – Experience Peace.This book is written to encourage readers to know and trust God personally before hard times come. Through a personal encounter with lymphoma and chemotherapy, Pearl believed that already knowing God in a personal way through His Son, Jesus, made a difference in how she coped and the outcome.In this book, she gives a stage-by-stage experience of her health journey and how God was with her every step of the way, granting her peace.

Its time we take inventory of the gifts we've been given and use them accordingly. What have you been doing with your talents?

Shifting the paradigm from negative to positive POV. What if what didn't bloom has allowed for more to bloom, indeed?

Sometimes the best thing to do is the hardest thing to do; let go. 

Have you considered this - it's not a roadblock, but a pause so God can make your way perfect according to His plan? Rethinking how we see life.

As the holidays are right around the corner, now is the time to prepare. 

Gratitude isn't just a positive response when something goes right; it's a spiritual posture. Let's talk about it!

As we approach Thanksgiving, let's take a look at how food is a part of our lives. 

Fall is a rich time of year. One that helps us slow down and reflect. So, grab your coffee (or your tea) as we talk about harvesting what you've sown all year, and in your life's time. 

Fall is a time of gathering - thoughts, friends, family, and community - around meals, with love, and laughter. What does this teach us about ourselves and we are wonderfuly made?

We're going to talk about what it means to release, to surrender, and to trust God with the parts of life that no longer serve us. So, take a deep breath and let's talk!

As the seasons turn and we step into Autumn, something special happens. Today, we're going to talk about it - faith, resilience, and the journey of healing. 

Today's guest is Allen Brillhart III, an inspiring author and advocate whose journey reminds us that resilience and faith can turn even the hardest seasons into opportunities for growth. In this conversation, Allen opens up about his book, the lessons learned through life's challenges, and how spiritual awareness shapes his perspective on purpose and perseverance.Join Dr. Angela and Allen as they explore how faith, family, and focus can guide you through life's transitions with strength and clarity.✨ Tune in and be encouraged to live brighter, walk stronger, and trust deeper.

All this week, we've been exploring alignment in leadership. As we come to a conclusion of the series, let's look at one last point - the art of alignment. 

Join me as I talk with author Joan Fields Long about her book "Depart from Evil"

When you're in flow, even challenges come with a sense of peace. So, how does following the Holy Spirit help you make everyday decisions? Let's talk about it.

Your calling and your career were never meant to be in competition. They are meant to complement each other. Let's talk about it!

Aligning Vision with Values -- what does this really men, to lead with vision? And just as important, what happens when the vision we're chasing drifts away from the values that define us?

On this episode of Daily Spark with Dr. Angela, I sit down with author Heather Millard to talk about her journey, her inspiration for writing, and the message she hopes readers carry with them. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation filled with encouragement, creativity, and the power of storytelling.Her book, Moonlight Monsters, is available on Amazon or wherever books are sold.

Perfection is not the goal; wholeness is. In this empowering Topic Talk, Dr. Angela Chester sits down with Heather Sells, Author and Child Trauma Advocate, to discuss Mental Health: Whole, Not Perfect. Together, they explore the pressures many face to appear “fine” after experiencing hardship or trauma, and why healing means embracing authenticity rather than striving for an impossible standard.Heather shares insights on breaking free from the myth of perfection, while Dr. Angela offers faith-fueled wisdom for walking in strength, resilience, and self-acceptance. This conversation is for anyone navigating recovery, rebuilding confidence, or learning to honor their whole story.

Are you running on empty—spiritually, emotionally, and mentally? In this powerful conversation, Pastor Tymesia Butcher brings clarity, compassion, and biblical truth to one of the most urgent struggles of our time: keeping your faith alive in a season of burnout. As a preacher, educator, mentor, intercessor, prophetic praise-and-worship psalmist, and songwriter, Pastor Tymesia shares how to:Recognize the early signs of spiritual and emotional burnoutDraw from the Word of God for renewal and restorationUse worship as a source of strength and healingReclaim your joy, identity, and divine purposeBuild sustainable rhythms for a healthy faith walkWhy you should listen: Burnout is not just a mental or physical issue—it is a spiritual battle. This message will inspire you to pause, realign with God's presence, and take practical steps toward restoration.

Every great journey begins with a single step. In this episode of Daily Spark with Dr. Angela, we explore the importance of starting, no matter how small the action may seem. Discover why the courage to begin is often the most powerful move you can make and how faith, resilience, and vision fuel the momentum that carries you forward.

What does it mean to follow God when His guidance comes in whispers rather than wonders? In this profound and soul-stirring Topic Talk, Dr. Angela Chester sits down with Christian mystic, educator, and author Mark K. Olsen to explore the quiet ways God leads us—especially during seasons of uncertainty, stillness, and change.Mark shares insights from his deeply spiritual walk and writing, offering timeless truths about hearing God's voice, trusting divine timing, and staying faithful when the path ahead is unclear. This is a must-listen for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of spiritual discernment, contemplative faith, and the mystical beauty of walking with God in quiet surrender.

What does it really mean to be both strong in faith and fully feminine? In this heartfelt and revealing episode, Dr. Angela unpacks the beauty and boldness of embracing femininity without compromising spiritual depth or leadership authority. Whether you're nurturing a family, building a business, or both, this conversation invites you to explore how grace and grit can coexist in the life of a woman of faith. It's time to rise with intention, lead with softness, and rediscover the sacred power of who you are.

We've all done it—pushed down the words we knew needed to be said, sidestepped the issue we didn't want to face, or smiled through something we should've confronted. In today's episode, Dr. Angela invites you to consider the power, peace, and purpose that can come when you stop avoiding and start addressing. Whether it's a boundary that needs to be set, a truth that needs to be told, or healing that's waiting on your honesty, this conversation might just be the one that changes everything.

Leadership isn't something you wait for; it's something you walk in. In this episode of Daily Spark with Dr. Angela, we're breaking the myth that you need someone else's validation to step into your calling. Whether you're leading in the boardroom, your home, your community, or your spiritual walk, this message is a powerful reminder that leadership begins with belief—from the inside out.Join Dr. Angela for an empowering conversation that will challenge your mindset, fuel your confidence, and remind you that you were born to lead. No permission slip required.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Angela reminds us that transformation is not a crisis, it's confirmation. When God shifts something in your life in your mindset, your relationships, or your assignment, it's not always meant to be comfortable, but it is always meaningful. Whether you're in the middle of reinvention or rediscovery, this message speaks to the woman who knows she's being called higher, even if the path looks unfamiliar.Embrace your evolution without fear. What's changing in you is not breaking you, it's building you.

Breaking Cycles, Finding Clarity, and Healing Through Generations On this compelling episode of Daily Spark TV, Dr. Angela Chester sits down with author James Maiwurm to explore the layered truths in his book, Inheritance of Crises and Dysfunction, a thought-provoking look at generational patterns, leadership, and the long shadow of unresolved history.Together, they unpack how dysfunction -- whether in families, institutions, or culture can be passed down like heirlooms, and what it takes to recognize, interrupt, and heal those inherited crises. James shares personal stories and professional insight with honesty and hope, reminding us that awareness is the first step toward legacy-shifting transformation.

This isn't just encouragement, it's a declaration.In this fire-filled episode, Dr. Angela Chester reminds us that fear doesn't get the final word. Whether you're walking through uncertainty, opposition, or pressure, God's presence remains—and so does His promise. This is your call to rise up, hold steady, and choose faith over fear every single time.