Next Nation with Sylvia K. Alston

Host Sylvia K. Alston is joined by "The Brotherhood" to discuss the importance of preserving, protecting and purposing mental health discussion for men during Men's Health Month. A vivid discussion with the brothers about their mental health advocacy work which was born out of a need to end the stigmas around Mental Health Awareness. A personal conversation with longtime friend, Salesman and Mental Health advocate Jay Brown, prompted the creation of this safe space with his brotherhood about the myriad challenges men face weathering personal storms. We talk to Chris Hubbard of the Cleveland Browns, Human Services Professional and Entrepreneur Aaron Green https://www.strugglemademe.co and Mental Health Professional and Advocate Mark Harrison about their struggles to maintain through divorce, personal struggle, childhood trauma and the pandemic. The brothers are provided reinforcement by contributor and licensed clinical therapist P. Bashea Williams who helps to center the discussion around acknowledging black men's pain, their attempts to cope with their personal and professional challenges, in an ever evolving world but offering tools, skills and resources, on how to release, connect and heal.Struggle Made MeStruggle Made MeStruggle Made Me | More Than Clothes | Indianapolis Active WearStruggle Made Me is a clothing brand designed to uplift the voices and stories of overcomers, underdogs, barrier breakers, and all the people working to defy the odds every single day. Men's and Women's activewear.

Host Sylvia K. Alston www.sylviakalston.com drops a line on location from her spa vacation in Arizona to talk the symbolism of the Juneteenth holiday and also to give a warm wish of love and thanks for fathers for this Fathers Day Holiday.

Nancy Lee Sánchez www.kaplanedfoundation.org is the Executive Director for the Kaplan Educational Foundation which is responsible for the design and implementation of the Kaplan Leadership Program, a community college to four-year model, which focuses on developing the whole student for four year college programs, while preparing them for a lifetime of socially conscious leadership. Nancy joins us to discuss the importance of community college to widen the access and pipeline for immigrants and financially compromised students. Our discussion centers the premise- Education is a Civil Right and a necessary component to success.

Success Story and Entrpreneur Tracee L. Hunt joins us to discuss how she overcame a troubling childhood of trauma and rejection and went on to become a major success in HR Consulting. Tracee details her childhood, her challenging relationship with her mom and how the pain of feeling insignificant created Imposters Syndrome and an overwhelming need to overcompensate. Tracee details the ways in which she finally healed the pain of her past and fought her way to a successful career and her inspiring story gives tools to help you overcome too. For book purchase and to learn more about Tracee L. Hunt's company and work visit www.yourtotalHRsolution.com

Author Shawn Rochester www.blacktaxed.com joins us to discuss economic imperatives to building wealth in black communities. We discuss his method PHD (Purchase, Hire and Deposit) a financial concept that explores the pipeline to hiring black employees, creating black business owners and depositing investments that will reap long term rewards inside black communities. Our discussion ranges from economic missions, to creating wealth opportunities to scoring the first 100 days of the Biden presidency. Shawn is a contributor and a brilliant resource in what it takes to leverage black owned businesses for success. Join us.

Next Nation Contributor Dr. Mel of www.arenewedfocus.com Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and a proclaimed empowerment enabler, a self-acceptance guide, and a mind-body connector joins us in the first half of the show to discuss Motherhood, the journey, pivoting roles and responsibilities AND GUILT through the pandemic and what evolution of mothering truly looks and feels like. In the second half of the show we are joined by Rev. Thurselle executive pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church of East Orange, NJ and she joins to share her mothers day wishes for women to put down the mantle.....She also closes out the show with a prayer for mothers that is OUT of this world.....

Sylvia is joined in a special 4/20 edition by Co-founders Shea Douglas and Crystal Page. Shea left corporate America after a stressful stint to pursue the budding marijuana industry. Crystal is a successful aesthetician. These two ladies have a fascinating story of how they met and how they sampled and discovered the multi use benefits of CBD and THC and now are a part of the Green Rush as the sale, distribution and use of recreational marijuana has now been approved in New Jersey. For an array of products that range from CBD calming teas that promote restful sleep to gummies, lozenges, pre-rolled sticks and more visit their website at www.suitegreenlabel.com and help us support these two budding business owners.

Writer and Journalist Torraine Walker www.torrainewalker.com and Co-Founder of All Hip Hop.Com Chuck Creekmur www.chuckcreekmur.com join host and executive producer Sylvia K. Alston for social commentary on the week. Discussion includes the conviction of Derrick Chauvin, the death of Daunte Wright and Ma'Khia Bryant and the effects social trauma has on black men. Often misunderstood, maligned and poorly defined in mainstream media- Torraine and Chuck join us to discuss their feelings around black manhood, the trauma bonds that generations of violence has on black men. We examine black male relationships in relation to society, music, and culture at large....We end our discussion with hip hop and accountability vs responsibility. Check out Chuck's company at www.allhiphop.com for all hip hop culture news and visit Torraine Walker's site for past stories, journalism and content.

Host and Executive Producer Sylvia K. Alston is joined by friends Robyn Lowe and Monique Bell to discuss the week that was. Conversation includes Derek Chauvin Trial, Daunte Wright murder and the PTSD that is caused in workplace environments and home life when we are battling the pain and stress of our seeing so much violence in America.

Host and Executive Producer Sylvia K. Alston spends an episode discussing the importance of processing and dealing with our grief, after a series of personal losses, the death of colleague and friend Midwin Charles and the very tragic death of DMX. Syl shares personal history of loss and how it's important to take stock in and invest in our healing and grieving. Joined by author, professor and drug and alcohol counselor Jema Hill Cook, the ladies dissect how personal trauma leads to risk factors and behaviors that are symptoms of deeper and larger issues. A master class discussion on addressing loss, dealing with grief and healing from the inside out......

Author, Speaker and Coach Jennifer Arnise originally joined Host and Executive Producer Sylvia K. Alston in August of 2020 to discuss her apt book F$ck That Cape which centers the concept that black woman are always trying to do too much for too little in return. A healing discussion that addresses trauma, how shame stands in the place of vulnerability and the racial unrest that continues to leave us all fearing for our collective safety. Jennifer reveals the miracle that helped her to shift her perception and how she embraces her full womanhood as she pivots through the pandemic. A GEM of a discussion. For more information about the author and to buy the book visit www.jenniferarnise.com Please rate, review and share the show.

Clinician and Nationally Awarded Relationship Expert Paul Bashea Williams joins host Sylvia K. Alston to discuss relationships, marriage, & the work that needs to happen between black couples to heal after the the circle of trust is broken. We also give our weigh in on the Derrick Jaxn cheating scandal. For counseling, to buy his book Dear Future Wife and for more information about our guest visit www.basheawilliams.com

Host Sylvia K. Alston gives a tribute to the recent loss of loved ones.

Host and Executive Producer Sylvia K, Alston is joined this week for a continued theme on Womens History Month. Celebrity Chef and Real Estate Broker Jamie G (& One of Sylvia's BFF's) and Author, Ted X Speaker and Executive Coach Lolita Walker join her for an empowered hour of discussion that ranges from topics like The Royal Interview with #MeghanHarryandOprah to strength, vulnerability, breaking free from toxic relationships and family culture and the conversation gets too juicy around the topic of sexism. Join Us for an hour that left us inspired, ready to climb higher heights and break down OLD systems.... For more information on both of our guests and to utilize their expert services visit www.chefjamieg.com and www.lolitawalker.com

Host and Executive Producer Sylvia K. Alston takes a deep look into the making of Stanley Nelson's latest documentary #Crack on Netflix. with the Emmy and Peabody Award Winning Director. Nelson, was awarded the National Humanities Medal Award by President Obama in 2015 and is a consummate storyteller and artist. Crack explores the 80's, how crack eviscerated communities and families and encouraged new legislation that would find its most vulnerable target: black men. An exploration into hip hop culture, the music scene and how urban centers provided the backdrop for a multi billion crime spree that went as high as the Presidency of the United States. For more information about Stanley Nelson and his work and his mentorship program for young filmmakers visit www.firelight.tv

CEO and Founder of Ruby Love www.rubylove.com period panty design and apparel company founder Crystal Etienne joins us at Next Nation as our first #WomensHistoryMonth guest for the month of March to discuss how she built her $25 million intimate apparel company out of her NY home to become the second largest period panty design company in e commerce. Crystal drops gem after gem about the importance of reproductive health for women of all ages and the importance of women investing in their brand and in their confidence.

Episode #012 UNCORKED with Angela McCrae, Marcia Jones and Dan Glover Host Sylvia K. Alston sits down to celebrate Black Winemakers during Black History Month. Wine enthusiast and CEO of Uncorked and Cultured Angela McCrae produces this segment bringing Urban Connoisseurs CEO Marcia Jones in to share how she followed her passion after a cross country trip to celebrate her freedom in 2011. Winemaker Dan Glover shares how he created his wine L'Objet after being on the art and culture scene in Los Angeles for 20 years. With the creation of the Inaugural International Winemakers Summit, 12 award winning winemakers from all over the world, renowned sommeliers and champion chefs come together for a weekend of celebration. For more information and to attend the summit www.internationalwinemakersummit.com

For the first and likely only time, I sit with my husband James "Jay" Alston to talk about our relationship, our marriage and our family. We share deep personal truths about how therapy turned our relationship right side up and our recent decision to renew our vows on our 15th wedding anniversary on January 1, 2021, and why we didn't give up on each other.

Musician, Producer, Composer and Director Sedgrick Marsh joins Next Nation to talk about his transition from growing up performing and playing gospel music into the world of secular music. Sed Marsh is an international performer who has toured with famed artists like Donnell Jones, Angie Stone, Patti Labelle and the Labelle Reunion Tour. His new song Colors which is the quintessential love song is featured in the episode and can be found on all streaming platforms as Colors by Sed Marsh.

Dr. Ebony Jade Hilton and Dr. Rayshad Holmes join host Sylvia to discuss the measures and disparities in care across the Covid pandemic and in the application and access to the Covid vaccine in black and brown communities. Dr. Ebony J. Hilton is the Medical Director and Co-Founder of Goodstock Consulting. www.goodstockconsulting.com She is a Critical Care Physician and Anesthesiologist and based at UVA Health. Dr. Rayshad Holmes is a professor at Howard University Business School, he is an administrator and leadership specialist. Dr.Ray owns a HR Consulting firm called The Henle Group and is a contributor of The Next Nation Podcast brand.

Harlem native, Multimedia personality, Sirius XM host and now Author joins Sylvia K. Alston to recap her new memoir Bevelations: Lessons from a Mutha, Auntie, Bestie. A review of the memoir, good girl chat and some personal gems from the free flowing author as she recaps her life's lessons, her rising brand and her theory that life does indeed get greater later. www.bevysmith.com

Psychologist and Practitioner Lindsey Dial of Private Practice For Every Mountain www.foreverymountain.org joins host Sylvia K. Alston to discuss her transparent and deeply personal journey to motherhood. Lindsey is authentic as she shares her fears about "the motherhood clock", the fears of women in their 40's who have not found the perfect mate but want children and how the Covid-19 pandemic exposed her tremendous desire to be a mother. Deeply personal commentary about the pressures on women to live up to a standard and ideal and one woman's decision to design her path to motherhood on her own terms

Voiceover Artist, Creative, Media Personality and Producer Kesha Monk www.keshamonk.com joins us to sit on the other side of the microphone. Deeply personal and honest interview about how she hails from a musical family, the need for sisterhood, the power of women investing in one another and showing up for yourself. Kesha shares personal details about being a 3 time cancer survivor, how she learned to advocate for her own health and pursue her dreams simultaneously. Kesha is a light and its a honor to hear her story in her own words.

Friend, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Consultant Torin Ellis of the Torin Ellis Brand www.torinellis.com joins host Sylvia K. Alston as part 2 of a new series of discussion about how racism and the recent acts of lawlessness at the US Capitol affect employees and employers and thwarts progress in the workplace all while disrupting the bottom line. Torin, a well known tactician uses firebrand to engage discussion about change needed in systems, resources and behavior in workplace culture and the handling of racism discussions.

On this episode, host Sylvia K. Alston breaks formation from her planned episodes to create a series of episodic discussion about racism, lawlessness and the overall effect it has on Black America. The episode dissects the senselessness of the January 6th, 2021 Terror at the US Capitol. Political commentator and political scientist Dr. Jason Johnson and Attorneys Charles Coleman and Midwin Charles are guests. Guests weigh in on the effects of white supremacy and white nationalism on US institutions, Black America and society at large with specific historical reference & culpability of POTUS Trump.

Creator and Co Producer Markuann Smith drops into Next Nation to discuss The Godfather of Harlem, the smash hit on Epix TV, with behind the scenes details of the show's creation, how the stars aligned for the story to come to life, behind the scenes peaks of the upcoming Season 2 and how his creative genius is really just getting started in his second act. Inspiration for Creatives and those looking for ways to ignite their neXt act....

Funnyman and comedy guru Aries Spears gives honest and in depth realness about his career, the ever present changes in the comedy game and the colorism that is still prevalent in the entertainment business.

Famously chronicled as Star Jones' ex husband - Al Reynolds visits as my first guest and in his in depth interview he gives insight into his professional work, his marriage and that lingering and pesky question - his sexuality.

2021 podcast coming soon!