Sworn Testimonies

On this episode of Sworn Testimonies, Doctor Ukachi Emeruwa (aka "Dr. UK") discusses Covid-19, explains the Delta variant, breaks down how the vaccine actually works, and shares her thoughts about the new SB8 abortion law in Texas. Dr. UK earned her medical degree from Columbia University and her Master's in Public Health from Harvard University. 

Timara Tyler is a 30-year-old wife and bonus mother and serves as a higher education professional in the Richmond, Va area. On this episode of Sworn Testimonies, Timara vulnerably shares with us her journey through endometriosis. She was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2017, and since then, she has grown in her understanding of the condition and related concerns such as infertility. Her message is this: don’t dismiss your pain!

In this episode, I have such a great conversation with Dr. Ebony, a black female psychologist, food relationship strategist, and the creator of My Therapy Cards, about racial trauma, healthy eating, and Covid relationships. She is incredibly wise and helped me dissect my own relationship with food, which up until recently had been based in a scarcity/survival mindset. To order Dr. Ebony's My Therapy Cards, visit https://www.mytherapycards.com/

On the latest episode of Sworn Testimonies, reality TV star and former Miss Virginia Desi Williams and I have a long-overdue conversation about beauty politics, black hair, the ugly truth about our experience competing in beauty pageants as black girls with (and against) one another, and interracial relationships.

Jaquay Williams, the police officer who was terminated from his position after sharing a popular TikTok video about George Floyd's murder, joined me for a sensitive conversation about police brutality, his experience as an officer, and his opinion about “defunding the police.”For your 30 day FREE Audible trial and FREE book, click here! (http://www.audibletrack.com/click.track?CID=102175&AFID=477431)

Aiyana Ma'at is a Licensed Psycho-therapist & Clinical Social Worker in the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia. She is also a certified Marriage & Relationship Educator specializing in couples & family work. She firmly believes that relationships are the vehicles we can all use to grow and evolve. She is clear that a part of the call on her life is to help bring insight and awareness to others so that they can “get out of their own way” and create the lives and relationships they want and deserve to have. On this episode, we discuss why therapy is important, why it is often seen as taboo in the black community, and what to expect when making an appointment for the first time. For your 30 day FREE Audible trial and FREE book, click here! (http://www.audibletrack.com/click.track?CID=102175&AFID=477431)

Interracial couples across the country are processing how current events are affecting their relationship. On this episode of Sworn Testimonies, I have a vulnerable conversation with Justin Sapp - an African American male married to a beautiful white woman, with a beautiful, mixed baby boy. We have a great conversation about love, gender roles, interracial relationships, and raising mixed kids in a racialized society.

Chika Okoro is a marketing executive and colorism expert. In 2015, while getting her MBA at Stanford, she came across a casting call that openly discriminated against dark-skinned Black women. That motivated her to give a TEDx talk raising awareness of the issue of colorism and how women of color can still have self-confidence despite the prejudice in society. That talk has been viewed over 1 million times, translated to 6 different languages. Most recently, Chika had the opportunity to talk about her experiences on the Facebook Watch Series: Red Table Talk. Click the link in my bio the

Korie Grayson holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Cornell University and was recently featured in Forbes magazine for her innovative work. We had a great conversation about what it's like to be a black female scientist in an era where STEM fields are anything but diverse, and the stigma associated with being a black single female whose number one goal in life isn’t (hold your breath) to get married! She had the courage to break off an engagement and carve a path for herself that was more in line with her purpose.

Maurice Fonson is a winner of NBC's Songland, and has written songs that have topped the Billboard charts. We had a great conversation about toxic masculinity, the pressures to succeed that many black children are burdened with, the stigma often associated with therapy in the black community, and the ins and outs of navigating a career as a songwriter who writes different types of music as a black man. Rap, pop, country... he does it all!

A.D. Carson is a prolific performance artist and a Professor of Hip Hop at the University of Virginia. On this episode of Sworn Testimonies: Therapy Isn’t Just For White People, we get into the politics of respectability, rap culture, and the complex relationship America has with black art.

This story really touched my heart. Baby Evalee was diagnosed with cancer when she was just one-year-old. On this episode of Sworn Testimonies, her mother Jennifer discusses the trials that she's experienced raising a child with a chronic illness, and offers words of encouragement to those of you who may currently be struggling in the midst of trauma.

On this episode of Sworn Testimonies, Dr. Anastasia Williams breaks down the coronavirus. She shares helpful information about the virus, how best to protect your family, explains how people are tested for the virus, and debunks popular myths circulating around the internet (i.e. can black people can't catch it, and will drinking water will prevent the virus). Dr. Anastasia L. Williams graduated from Cornell University in 1991 and from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1998. She is also an Assistant Professor for George Washington University and a Clinical Instructor for George Mason University. Dr. Williams has regularly been voted a “Top Doctor” by her peers in the Washingtonian Magazine and Northern Virginia Magazine, and has been recognized in the Guide to America’s Top Pediatricians.

Elaine Swann is the leading and most nationally recognized lifestyle and etiquette expert in the country. As an authority on social etiquette and lifestyle practices, Elaine has appeared on numerous news and talks shows including the TODAY Show, Dr. Oz, CNN, Inside Edition, Access Hollywood, E Network and more. On this episode of Sworn Testimonies, I talk to Elaine about everything from social media arguments to how to handle hard questions about your love life. She also so drops some business gems at the end for all of my fellow (and aspiring) entrepreneurs!

When Nick was drafted to Vietnam, he made the difficult decision not to go to war. As a black man growing up in the civil rights era, he struggled to justify fighting on behalf of a country that treated him like a second-class citizen. On this episode of Sworn Testimonies, Nick discusses growing up in the sixties, and how he eventually managed to evade the draft.

On this episode of Sworn Testimonies, Marieclare shares some incredible, potentially life-saving tips for people who find themselves in a situation where they’re being attacked or assaulted. Her advice is suited for both men AND women. Learning to protect yourself is a form of self-love. To contact Marieclare, you can e-mail her at Marieclare.Sia@lmu.edu. The book she references in the podcast is “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin De Becker.

Danielle was in a coma for almost two months after she was hit by a drunk driver. Her heart stopped beating, and paramedics attempted to put her in a body bag. After the doctors pulled the plug, she miraculously woke up. Her testimony is inspiring.

What does it mean to be happy? Are happiness and joy the same thing? How does one find true, lasting joy? On this episode of Sworn Testimonies, Kiara discusses how to find joy by learning to practice radical honesty, radical acceptance, and radical action.

Sometimes the breakdowns we experience in life are blessings in disguise. In the midst of the storm, they often force us to pay attention to what’s happening in our bodies, in our minds, and in our spirits. On this episode of #SwornTestimonies, designer Dominique of @namasteandcrochet (as recently featured at NY Fashion Week) shares how being a workaholic lead to hospitalization/ a life-changing breakdown that changed the way she saw the world around her.

As an attorney who decided to leave her comfortable 6-figure job to pursue her passion full time, Kiara understands first hand how scary it can be choose purpose over passion, and why figuring out what our purpose is can sometimes feel overwhelmingly. On this episode of Sworn Testimonies, Kiara discuses how to discover and unlock your purpose.

Meilani Welbeck has survived not one, but two failed suicide attempts. On the next episode of Sworn Testimonies (airing Sunday, December 15th), Meilani shares what went through her mind in what she expected to be her final moments, and gives heartfelt advice for those of you who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts. If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts, please know that you are not alone, and God has a purpose for your life. Find someone you trust and let them know how bad things are. Don’t let fear, shame, or embarrassment prevent you from seeking help. For immediate help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

He lost his dream job and his dream girl, but now he owns a million dollar company. This week on Sworn Testimonies, former NFL player Chase Minnifield talks about having to pick up the pieces after the plan he had for his life fell apart. If you’re struggling with trying to reconcile who you are and who you thought you were supposed to be, make sure you check out this week’s episode!

This week on the podcast I sat down with Jess, who is in the midst of going through a very painful (and public) divorce with her ex. We talk about everything - her faith, fear, insecurity, anger, and the embarrassment that often accompanies divorce in a world where we’re expected to project perfection in ourselves and in our relationships at every turn. So often we only share our testimonies on the other side of the messy parts, but life IS the messy parts. If you’re struggling with heartbreak, I hope her vulnerability helps you feel seen, heard, and not-so-alone in what’s so often an isolating experience.

I'm 30 years old, I'm quitting my job as an attorney, and I'm starting completely over. But I'm not starting from scratch - I'm starting from experience. Am I crazy? Possibly. Only time will tell. On this episode, I share vulnerable pieces of my own journey, a few lessons learned along the way, and encouraging words for those of you who are stepping into a new season of life.