Perspectives with Condace Pressley

Today on Perspectives, we’re joined by someone whose story continues to inspire people across Georgia and far beyond. Mohamed Massaquoi first made his mark at the University of Georgia, where he became a team captain, a first-team All-SEC wide receiver, and one of the most respected leaders in the Bulldog program. He went on to play in the NFL — but his most powerful work has come after football....

As the holidays approach, many of us are juggling joy with stress, expectations, and even loneliness. Nearly nine in ten American adults say something causes them stress this time of year. Today, we’re talking with Laura Snyder about how to navigate the season with more peace, more balance — and maybe even a little more joy.

Today we’re tackling a crisis affecting families across America: Black women are nearly 3.5 times more likely to die around childbirth than white women. The First Ladies Health Initiative is bringing its national Maternal Health Tour to Atlanta with Born to Thrive, and Co-Executive Director Marquis Alston joins me with real solutions — and real hope.

Strong families build strong communities — but too many children and parents are still facing barriers that keep them from thriving. The Annie E. Casey Foundation has long been a leader in shining a light on what kids and families need to succeed, using data and research to drive real change. Joining me now is Lisa Lawson , President and CEO of The Annie E. Casey Foundation. She’s here to help us...

If you’ve been dragging a little since the clocks changed, you’re not alone. The end of Daylight Saving Time can wreak havoc on our sleep cycles — and with our busy lives, who among us is really getting enough rest anyway? Joining me now to talk about the importance of good sleep health — and how a lack of it can affect everything from our focus to our physical well-being — is Lori Oliver, co-foun...

October is National Women’s Small Business Month, a time to celebrate women entrepreneurs and the impact they make on our economy and our communities. My guest today is one of those women — Dr. Gina Williams, founder and owner of Mobility Health Physical Therapy, a concierge practice in New York City bringing healing directly to clients’ homes, offices, or clinics. Dr. Williams believes posture is...

As the world reacts to news of more hostages released in the Middle East, we’re reminded how deeply stories shape our understanding of hope and humanity. My guest, Rabbi Dr. Miriam Udel of Emory University, explores that very idea in her new book, Modern Jewish Worldmaking Through Yiddish Children’s Literature. She reveals how early 20th-century Jewish writers used children’s stories to build a mo...

Today on Perspectives, we’re talking about the future of healthcare and what it means to be a better ancestor. A special article in the New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst introduces the Better Ancestor Framework—a bold new approach to transforming a healthcare system that too often has been shaped by structural racism, and instead reimagining one rooted in healing, trust, and justice for all...

Few relationships shaped the 19th century as profoundly as that between President Abraham Lincoln and the great abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass. Their story is not just about politics and policy; it’s about the complicated, evolving connection between two men navigating a nation at war with itself. Our guest today is Jonathan W. White, co-author with Lucas Morel of the compelling new bo...

HYPE was founded in 2017 out of the realization that tech is for everyone, but it doesn’t include everyone. My guest today is Kristina Newton, founder and CEO of HYPE—Hope for Youth, Inc.—a nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls of color to pursue and lead in technology. What began as a grassroots effort is now a nationally recognized movement, impacting thousands of young women with opportunitie...

The 100 Black Men of Atlanta has been a cornerstone of our community since 1986, mentoring, empowering, and creating opportunities for thousands of young people through its flagship Project Success and other initiatives. On October 4th, they will gather for the annual 100 Honors Gala, celebrating not just excellence and achievement, but also the legacy and future of Atlanta’s youth. Joining me now...

From September 25th through the 28th, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church will be alive with the sound of worship, fellowship, and empowerment during the Reinvigorate Women’s Weekend. It’s a four-day gathering that has quickly become one of the most celebrated women’s events in the nation—drawing women from every walk of life to be renewed spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. Joining me today i...

As Americans, we often describe our nation as founded on freedom and equality. Yet we know the reality is more complicated. For more than 200 years, chattel slavery stripped millions of Africans and their descendants of their freedom, dignity, and humanity. It’s a history that shaped every corner of American life — our economy, our politics, even our public health. And yet, today, there are voices...

Sunday, September 7th, we celebrate Grandparents Day—a time to honor the wisdom, sacrifice, and love of those who came before us. My guest today, Walter Pryor, has captured that spirit in a moving new memoir titled This Leaves Me Okay: Race, Legacy, and Letters from My Grandmother. For nearly 30 years, Walter’s grandmother, Lucille “Mama Celie” Hatch Eldridge, wrote him weekly letters. She was a w...

Today on Perspectives, we’re focusing on health where it matters most — in our communities. My guest is Dr. Verneda Bachus Curry, the CEO of Healing Community Health. Under her leadership, the organization has been working to close healthcare gaps, improve access, and bring a holistic approach to healing that addresses both body and mind. We’ll talk about the biggest challenges facing families tod...

As summer winds down, many families are feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety as young adults prepare to head off to college, begin new jobs, or even take a gap year. For students, this season of transition can bring emotional shifts and uncertainty. For parents, it can be a challenge to strike the right balance between staying involved and supporting their child’s independence. With data showin...

This week on Perspectives, we take a closer look at the urgent issue of Black maternal health and what recent changes in Georgia’s Medicaid program could mean for pregnant women across the state. Governor Kemp’s plan to extend certain Medicaid programs has the potential to dramatically affect healthcare access and outcomes, especially for Black mothers who already face disproportionate risks in pr...

For far too long, the skincare industry has overlooked the needs of people with melanin-rich skin, leaving many of us searching for solutions that simply don’t work. But that’s changing—thanks in part to two remarkable doctors who are bringing science, care, and celebration back to brown skin. Dr. Gauri Desai, a pathologist with nearly 25 years of experience, and her husband, Dr. Abhijit Desai, an...

Today we’re diving into a powerful conversation about the future of work—and why college isn’t the only path to success. My guest is Marion Skinner, the dynamic founder and CEO of Workforce Career Centers. With a new campus opening in Atlanta, backed by partners like Microsoft, Grady Health, and Atlanta Public Schools, Marion is helping close the skilled labor gap with zero-debt, hands-on training...

Today, we’re taking a deep and, at times, uncomfortable look at something many of us take for granted—what’s on our plates. My guest is Dr. John Sanbonmatsu, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and one of the leading voices in animal ethics today. His powerful new book, The Omnivore’s Deception: What We Get Wrong about Meat, Animals, and Ourselves, challenges nearl...

Beware of the sharks. They leave blood in the water! Today we’re joined by mega bestselling and award-winning author Tiffany D. Jackson, a master of suspense known for gripping YA thrillers like The Weight of Blood and White Smoke. Now, she’s taking her signature storytelling talents to a younger audience with her middle-grade debut, Blood in the Water—a chilling mystery set on Martha’s Vineyard,...

Today we’re speaking with Debra Morrison, a best-selling author, transformational speaker, and the powerhouse behind We Can Do It Women. With more than 45 years in the financial industry, Debra is on a mission to help women—especially those over 60—step out of invisibility, reclaim their power, and take control of their financial futures. She’s known for making money talk relatable, practical, and...

Today on Perspectives, we’re diving into a topic that’s shaping the future—AI and the trust we place in it. From tools like ChatGPT to the systems running behind the scenes, artificial intelligence is everywhere. But how do we know it’s safe? And what’s really happening with our data? Joining me is Hillery Hunter, CTO of IBM Infrastructure, to help us understand the technology powering AI—and how...

My guest today is Rosey Lee, a physician-turned-author who’s making waves in the literary world with her heartfelt storytelling. Her latest novel, A Gardin Wedding, is a beautifully layered tale about family, forgiveness, and the bonds that hold us together—even when life pulls us apart. Set against the backdrop of a much-anticipated wedding, this story invites readers into the heart of the Gardin...

In this episode of Perspectives, Dr. Otto E. Stallworth, Jr. joins the conversation to discuss A Gathering of Voices, a powerful new anthology from the Longwood Writers Workshop. Alongside authors Denise Billings, Charles Floyd Johnson, Denise Nicholas, GW Williams, and Hattie Winston, Stallworth shares vibrant, introspective stories rooted in resilience, wisdom, and lived experience. With a forew...