40 Lessons

Todd B. Waldo welcomes back to the podcast his daughter for a conversation about education, justice, equity and how our thankfulness and honesty create a foundation for empathy, mission and service. The event spotlight for this episode is the 3rd annual Afrikana Independent Film Festival returning to Richmond Sept 13-16. Afrikana is creating conversation and community, celebrating diverse cultures...

Today another person was shot and killed in Church Hill. Todd B. Waldo reflects on the violence in his neighborhood and invites us to not lose hope and keep pouring into people to help make our community better. The event spotlight for this episode is UntoldRVA’s GABRIEL WEEK and the Community Design at The Valentine event on Tuesday 8/28 at 6p. Help elevate and encourage our talented youth to lea...

Todd B. Waldo continues his conversation with Kinta Turner, owner of The Freedom Factor. This episode, they talk about personal investment and the value of coaching in our lives. Kinta Turner, The Chief Freedom Officer™, is a transformation and trauma coach, an engineer, co-author and a double entrepreneur. She is a domestic violence survivor who has mastered the art of reclaiming life after traum...

On this episode, Todd B. Waldo sits down with Kinta Turner, owner of The Freedom Factor. They share their stories of family, music, college, marriage, trauma and their journey to healing and freedom. Kinta Turner, The Chief Freedom Officer™, is a transformation and trauma coach, an engineer, co-author and a double entrepreneur. She is a domestic violence survivor who has mastered the art of reclai...

As Todd B. Waldo and the TEDxRVA team take a break from producing events, this episode shares his appreciate for the team and their work over the last five years. And looks back at their salon on June 21 at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children on adverse childhood experiences in our community. The event featured the talk from TEDxRVA 2016 by Dr. Allison Jackson, A Call to Connection: Making...

During last month’s Creative Mornings in Richmond, Todd B. Waldo shared his best yes commitments and challenged everyone to stay committed to what matters most. This episode is about one more yes - to a parenting partnership for his daughter. And Todd’s reflections on being a Dad during this season of his life. The event spotlight for this episode is the Next Move Program. The Next Move Program pr...

Inspired by the Richmond Public High School students in Reynolds College Early College Academy, this episode explores the impact of the Black excellence in Richmond. And the opportunity to build on our legacy, realize the greatness within and pour it into others. The event spotlight for this episode is Better Housing Coalition’s Stay Home RVA, Richmond’s first non-event gala to raise awareness of...

Power coupled with racism against people of color have life threatening and life alternating consequences. What do we learn about ourselves and our community when confronted with the inequality and injustice is revealed? The hope shared in this episode of 40 Lessons is that we will be honest enough to recognize our racist thoughts we have accepted as truth and decide to learn something new. And th...

On this episode, Todd B. Waldo sits down with Damon Jiggetts, Executive Director of Peter Paul Development Center. And they talk about lessons they have learned and are still learning about manhood, Blackness, family and our community. As well as their top five MCs. The mission of Peter Paul Development Center is to support the residents of the East End of Richmond and educate its students, equipp...

Do you have a hero or a model in your life? In this episode, Todd B. Waldo remembers lessons learned from two of the most impactful models in his life. And looks at the opportunity for everyone to pour love, hope, skills, expertise, laugher, joy, compassion and empathy into their community.. The non-profit spotlight for this episode is the Hill Topper 5k on March 26 benefiting the Robinson Theater...

The journey from shame to pride is remembered as Todd B. Waldo looks back over the Richmond Black Restaurant Experience, created by Amy Wentz, Shemicia Bowen and Kelli Lemon ( vablackrestaurantexperience.com ). The interactions that week affirmed a sense of home and place and resonated with the emotions sparked by the film Black Panther. This Black pride is not a dividing line. It creates space fo...

The film by Stanley Nelson and Marco Williams “Tell Them We Are Rising” has once again stirred the appreciation I feel when I learn more about the history of Black people in this country. This film focuses on the rich history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the world around them over the last 150 years. Seeing the courage of the men and women who fought to secure the future rea...

As I think about the lessons learned in my almost 43 years and the lessons I’m still learning, the lesson to be good to myself and prioritizing my selfcare and balance so that I have something to give to my family, career and community is still taking root in my life. Listen to all episodes on iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Play and Stitcher at toddbwaldo.com/podcast. Send your feedback, questions and...

It’s a new year and as I return to writing poetry for a new book, I’m looking back on how my mother secured a better future for me. In particular, how she helped me learn that I have the power to choose. I hope this year all of us will embrace the opportunity and choose to be advocates for equity in our city. There are so many ways to serve and make investments with our time, talent, energy and mo...

My daughter returns to the 40 Lessons podcast as we talk about our Christmas traditions in Church Hill and Richmond. She joins me in hoping that our stories will encourage listeners to take care of others to help make our city better, during this season and always. Send your podcast guest suggestions and comments to todd@toddbwaldo.com. Listen to all episodes on iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Play and...

The the last seven years, the RVA brand has grown to represent the best of what we have to offer here in Richmond. While we live in Richmond and work through the impact of policies and practices from generations ago that still determine quality of life today, we need to have two conversations. One that builds us up and helps to imagine and realize a better version of ourselves. And another that te...

After a weekend that included diverse, artist engagements full of love and respect, this episode is a reminder to lean into love and not give hate the attention it seeks. The real problems and the realized impacts of our policies and practices that marginalize people generation after generation require our attention. There is a call to action to serve people and only love and respect can help us r...

Charlottesville was another clear demonstration of hate that shows us what is wrong with our world. It is important for people of faith, especially my fellow leaders, to recognize the bias and racism in us and change how we apply what we believe and lead our churches. Many faith leaders in Richmond have signed the Richmond pastors statement of unity at www.richmondpastorsstatement.org and this is...

I have been experiencing racism since I was 5 years old and for the last 37 years those initial experiences have impacted my life in deep and profound of ways. Today I reflect on those experiences and what happened in Charlottesville Saturday August 12. And hope we are all motivated to examine ourselves, grow in love and demonstrate that love in our community.

A special guest returns to test our new 40 Lessons Behringer studio setup and talk about July 4th fireworks

For the last 5 years I’ve been a part of TEDxRVA. I went from a chair in the audience at the Power Plant on the canal to backstage running production at the Carpenter Theater. Now I have the best seat in the house! In this episode, I share some special moments and the impact of TEDxRVA on my life Here are the talks featured in this episode: A Moment in Time: A Police Sergeant's Observation | Sgt....

How do we come together as leaders across our areas of influence to help the city through the incremental change that will ultimately transform Richmond? Let’s find a way to come together more often and inspire action!

Our journey creating reconciled community must include exploration of our history. Some of that history is hard and difficult to understand. But we can’t run from the truth. Truth is required for us to secure a better future. I appreciate Hannah Ayers and Lance Warren at Field Studio creating the documentary film An Outrage ( www.an-outrage.com ). It can help people understand our pain, anger and...

In the midst of grief and heartbreak, we mourn the loss of two teenagers Mikkaisha and Taliek killed this past week in Mosby Court. Parents should never have to bury their children, especially when it is because of senseless violence like this. I'm trying not to lose hope that our neighborhood and city can be better. And resolve to continue doing something to try and make that happen. We can’t be...

A special guest returns to the podcast to talk about some of our favorite things to do in RVA. We talk about enjoying parks, museums, the James River and food as a family. So many things we get to enjoy together that are, as my guest says, “so cool!”