Too Be Blunt

This episode was recorded on Sunday, May 24. The celebration of Taylor's daughters 2 year birthday and my big brother Johnny's birthday. I love you John. Taylor loves you baby girl. Antonio Depina is the Founder of Overseas Basketball Connection, a Netflix star, and pro athlete. He played high school ball in Delaware and later went on to play at Liberty University. After college he would take his talents overseas and play in multiple countries such as Spain and Portugal. He went from being a professional athlete, to becoming an entrepreneur focusing on technology and real estate, to a Netflix star where he was featured on The Circle. In this episode of Too Be Blunt, we talk about Antonio's parents and how they came from Africa to chase the American dream. Antonio discusses his relationship with Basketball and how he decided to put it on hold for a year in order to "trust his gut". We talk about why Antonio feels that Lebron James is the greatest of all time and how he motivated him to pursue his athletic dreams. We talk about the losses and struggles Antonio has gone through since launching the app and how he has been able to self fund his venture. The Circle is currently available on Netflix where you can find Antonio "keeping it playa". Antonio and I talk about fear - his fears are disappointing his Mother or God. "America is the only country where you can be born poor and die rich" - Antonio Depina. Welcome to Too Be Blunt. We look forward to sharing our vulnerability with you in hopes that it encourages you to go on your own journey of self-discovery.

This episode was recorded the Friday before Memorial day. Sheri sat in her home office in New Jersey with the sun shining through her window. The day was full and bright which allowed for an incredible conversation. Sheri Kurdakul is the Founder of VictimsVoice, an advocate for victims of domestic abuse and violence, and survivor of personal trauma caused by abuse. She started this journey when her daughter came home with the idea to build an anti-bullying app for a project at school. Sheri and her 10 year old daughter would go on to build a low code app using Zoho, to becoming a speaker at the conference held on the west coast, to creating an app that allows victims to have a voice and use the information collected as a valuable piece of evidence in court. Sheri is not a lawyer or social worker, but a survivor of child, sexual, and domestic abuse. In this episode of Too Be Blunt, she takes time to talk about how she coped with these experiences and how it lead her to a passion for saving others. We talk about the relation between financial and domestic abuse and the level of control predators have on a victims life. Sheri goes on to share why this relationship exists and how she found a way to hide money in plain sight to ensure she had a path to safety. She shares her thoughts on Covid-19 and how it has amplified the intensity of these abusive environments. We discuss why it is important to build strong daughters so they are not an easy target and why it is important to celebrate your children more then you raise your voice. - Sheri talks about how she started channeling her emotions and harnessed it for positive impact. Sheri and I talk about fear and how to overcome it when you are paralyzed by it. We also spend time talking about healthy relationships and how to identify if someone is trying to steal your control. Oh yeah, everyone should have a victory garden, I believe in them! "If kids are not physically part of the abuse, if they are in a home where someone is being abused, they are now also a victim". Welcome to Too Be Blunt. We look forward to sharing our vulnerability with you in hopes that it encourages you to go on your own journey of self-discovery.

This episode was recorded the Wednesday after my brother tried to take his own life. Thank you so much Mark for opening my eyes to the benefit of being alive. Mark Harsley is the Founder of Kite Mail, an advocate for social injustice, and graduate of Kenzie Academy. He has won numerous start up events and spent countless hours in isolation that enabled him to create solutions to problems surrounding those whom are incarcerated. He went from dropping out of Purdue University to pursue entrepreneurship, to becoming incarcerated, to learning how to code and creating an application that changes the way we connect with our loved ones whom are behind bars. In this episode of Too Be Blunt, we talk about the true meaning of "it is the thought that counts". Mark’s upbringing taught him to focus heavily on his faith. He takes time to be vulnerable with us and tell us his story of being locked up even though it often times makes him uncomfortable. We discuss how he went through a period of uncertainty and the lessons he was fortunate to learn that got him through the hardest moments of his life - like his mama being sick while he was away and how it made Mark feel helpless. We talk about Mark's definition of fear and how he "lives in it" on purpose. Mark talks about how he started channeling his emotions and harnessed it for positive impact. Mark and I talk about anxiety and how to find balance in your life when the pain is heavy. He believes in a world where people accept the good and the bad. He loves helping people find the "sweet spot" to maintaining a healthy relation with the "yin and the yang". "I am actually extremely uncomfortable with what I have to share with people. I do it because I know people are helped and impacted. This is how I achieve balance". Welcome to Too Be Blunt. We look forward to sharing our vulnerability with you in hopes that it encourages you to go on your own journey of self-discovery.

This episode was recorded during a global pandemic that forced Sherrell to forego all her travel. For these reasons, she spent a quiet afternoon with us from her Atlanta home. Sherrell Dorsey is the Founder of tpinsights.com, an advocate for minority entrepreneurs, and data journalist from Columbia University. She has been featured on media outlets across the globe for her thought leadership and ability to paint the picture using data. She went from finessing her way into jobs that allowed her to manage social media throughout college - to writing $15 articles for tech companies - to running a successful business that works with top brands we have all come to know. In this episode of Too Be Blunt, we talk about Sherrell’s upbringing and the story she wants the world to hear. She takes time to give grace to her mother and her childhood as she credits “the weird and nerdy” as the most memorable parts of her life. We discuss how she went through a period of uncertainty -she spent time on the beach wondering for 3 months what next steps to take. We talk about what companies to watch as we head into the “New Normal” and the light that has been shined on issues that marginalized communities have been facing for centuries. Sherrell talks about her mission of helping people receive access to basic necessities such as broadband internet and the approach we should be taking with the youth. She believes in a world where we all have access to resources that make living life possible in the new age. We spend time talking about the confidence she came to realize she has and how it has helped her find her tribe. “I deserve to be in every room” Welcome to Too Be Blunt. We look forward to sharing our vulnerability with you in hopes that it encourages you to go on your own journey of self-discovery.

This episode was recorded as we wore our inside glasses and Chris wore a Florida Gators t-shirt. Chris Berryman is a humanity advocate and Founder/CEO of Bringing Humanity Together. He has spent the last several years building an organization that is people and purpose focused. On this episode of Too Be Blunt, we talk about the possibilities that exist when positivity is at the center of your lifestyle and compare it to Rocky Balboa. Over the last few years, I have been overcoming my demons by ensuring that I recognize the brighter side of every scenario/situation. Chris talks about his lowest point in life and how he was ready to give up. He spends time sharing what the beacon of light/hope means to him and how he pulled his self out of the dark by relating to Star Wars. "You have to have hope and dig down deep in your heart" We spend time talking about insecurities and how we found validation that we are enough and we are capable. Welcome to Too Be Blunt. We look forward to sharing our vulnerability with you in hopes that it encourages you to go on your own journey of self discovery.

Too Be Blunt: Ben Haldeman Episode This episode was recorded while Ben sat in his quiet SF home. Ben Haldeman is the Founder/CEO of LifeShip! He has over 15 years experience in building satellites and is responsible for launching one of the largest fleets in the world. On this episode of Too Be Blunt, we talk about listening to the plants and how Mother Nature can provide intuition and direction. Becoming more connected with the earth is a feeling I believe can help shape the next generation. Ben believes in collecting and storing human life beyond the stars. “One of the leading theories is that we are martians and we came from Mars”. We spend time talking about the possibilities of impacting life’s longevity and what he believes we can achieve by storing DNA

This episode was recorded in the dark of the night as Coach Richard sat under his porch light. Coach Richard is the Founder of EyeWill, a youth advocate, and athlete. He recently was featured on several media outlets such as ABC News for the impact he brings to his youth football players. On this episode of Too Be Blunt, we talk about inequalities and the fear of prescription medications. The pharmaceutical industry has always been something that I questioned. Richard talks about his relationship with Dr.Sebi products and his mindset behind training. He believes in a world where people become their true selves. "Hate, Greed, Selfishness, etc do not exist when you are your best self" We spend time talking about the possibilities of magnificence that exist inside your body and what he believes he will be capable of doing when he finally receives his Vibrams (Toe Shoes)! Welcome to Too Be Blunt. We look forward to sharing our vulnerability with you in hopes that it encourages you to go on your own journey of self discovery.

This audio is raw and real. We recorded it on a windy afternoon in Indianapolis, IN on my patio surrounded by a garden of jalapeños and tomatoes. On this episode of Too Be Blunt, we discuss the expectations and rules of the show - To tell the truth, to express how you really feel, and along the way, we want you to feel safe because we care about your opinion here. We talk with Taylor Simpson, CEO of The Halo App. He discusses his feelings on Belief, Feeling, and Trust and how those attributes contribute to a new world. We also talk about how to accept the fact that everything is not personal and how to overcome a the lack of confidence I had after I lost my job. Taylor shares his thoughts on happiness and balance and how to get there. "I believe that your weakness can become your biggest strength - thats what is happening to me - I unlocked that part" Welcome to Too Be Blunt. We look forward to sharing our vulnerability with you in hopes that it encourages you to go on your own journey of self discovery.