A Lawful Truth Podcast

In this conversation with Andrea Lawful-Sanders, Congresswoman Madeleine Dean gets candid about the state of the U.S. government, the battle for democracy in the country, and what the near future could hold. Now serving on the House Appropriations and House Foreign Affairs Committees, where the country's “power of the purse” dwells, Congresswoman Dean provides insight on the current climate and in...

Timothy Welbeck, a civil rights attorney and Director for the Center of Anti-Racism at Temple University, is a leader in the fight for justice and racial equity. He discusses the significance of Kendrick Lamar as a voice of his generation, the relevance of hip hop studies, and the current challenges facing civil rights in America. Timothy emphasizes the importance of understanding DEI as a continu...

In this conversation, Andrea speaks with Tracie Powell, founder of The Pivot Fund, about the critical need for funding in BIPOC media and grassroots journalism. The Pivot Fund invests in independent community news organizations that serve communities historically overlooked by mainstream media. Tracie discusses the challenges faced by traditional journalism, the importance of trust in media, and t...

In this episode of the A Lawful Truth Podcast, Diane Mapp shares her journey of resilience and transformation, recounting an early life marked by multiple losses of life, homelessness, teenage marriage and pregnancy, domestic violence, and a toxic relationship with food. The discussion explores how the weight of trauma led to morbid obesity; Diane’s transformational journey from teenage motherhood...

In the final conversation held in honor of Sarcoma Awareness Month, Andrea speaks with Margaret Livermore, a lifelong friend, who shares her journey through multiple recurrences of cancer. In this heartfelt conversation, Margaret emphasizes the emotional and physical challenges she faced, discussing the importance of having a strong support system, maintaining a positive attitude, and the need for...

Dr. Gina D'Amato is a professor of medicine and sarcoma medical oncologist who is on a mission to bring her patients hope. This is no easy feat, as there are 100+ kinds of sarcoma (a rare cancer of the bones or soft tissues) and key factors that make it hard to detect and diagnose. When Andrea’s friend Margaret was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma, Dr. D’Amato was a saving grace. Dr. D'Amato shares h...

When E. Marie Lambert’s husband, Larry, fell ill in 2008, they assumed it was a common cold. And then pneumonia. And then he experienced a loss of appetite, a spike in his sugar, and extremely shallow breathing. A health crisis began to unfold quickly. In this conversation with Andrea Lawful-Sanders, E. Marie shares the harrowing journey of Larry's sudden illness, the complexities of navigating th...

Dr. Rufus Sylvester Lynch, Chair of The Strong Families Commission, discusses the critical role of fathers in child wellbeing, the systemic issues surrounding fatherhood, and his advocacy for a permanent commission for fatherhood to address these challenges. He shares his journey, the challenges fathers face in family courts, and the need for agencies to include fathers in their services. The conv...

Police Chief Carlos Kelly discusses his unexpected termination from a university police chief position after attempting to report misconduct. Reflecting on his extensive experience in the field, Chief Kelly shares his experiences with accountability, the culture of fear within law enforcement, and the disparities in treatment based on nepotism and race. Chief Kelly emphasizes the importance of spe...

In the Season 3 opener of the A Lawful Truth Podcast, Andrea Lawful-Sanders reflects on the pivotal role of community in facing current societal and life challenges, emphasizing that, “Whether you make a decision or not, it's going to cost you.” She details what to expect in the coming episodes, which feature conversations that explore the power of choice, community, and courage. Andrea reminds us...

In this intimate conversation with Andrea Lawful-Sanders, beloved hip-hop MC Philadephia Freeway reflects on his journey to assign purpose to pain as a music artist, a kidney donor recipient, a community leader, a nonprofit founder, and a father of two children who passed one year apart. Freeway shares priceless insights on everything from the power of faith and kindness to rebuilding and elevatin...

Andrea Lawful-Sanders and Kelvin Jeremiah, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), explore the Housing Choice Voucher Program. They discuss the program's significance as Pennsylvania's largest affordable housing initiative, including opportunities and funding support for landlords who participate in the program, community integration, the eligibility criteria for tenants, an...

In this engaging conversation with Andrea Lawful-Sanders, Leo Lopez, founder of 484 Renovations, shares his transformative journey from a DJ to a successful general contractor in real estate. He discusses the impact of his family's work ethic, the challenges of adulting, and the importance of building a supportive network. Leo emphasizes the importance of planning, learning from experiences, and m...

In this heartfelt conversation, Andrea Lawful-Sanders and Antoine Johnson, a Philadelphian battling stage five kidney disease, explore the deep bond of friendship that formed through shared experiences and challenges. They discuss the complexities of faith, the sacrifices made by athletes, and the reevaluation of personal accomplishments in light of health struggles. Antoine shares his personal st...

In the second of three bonus episodes, Andrea Lawful-Sanders speaks with Kelvin A. Jeremiah, CEO of the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), about the fundamental power of homeownership in terms of generational wealth and community-building, and the various programs PHA offers to assist residents in becoming homeowners. They address the misconceptions surrounding public housing, the financial sup...

In this enlightening conversation, Desiree “Dezi Speaks” Riley, founder of the Mastermind Cooperative and a Directly Impacted Life Skills Coach, joins Andrea Lawful-Sanders to share her transformative journey from incarceration to empowerment, emphasizing the importance of support systems across the diaspora, self-accountability, and faith. Desiree reflects on going from probation to living in Bel...

In this conversation, Andrea Lawful-Sanders and Dr. Crystal M. Edwards discuss the importance of community engagement, the challenges women, particularly black women, face in leadership roles, and the impact of personal experiences on leadership styles. They emphasize the need for empathy in education, the role of fathers in child development, the complexities of community identity, and the power...

In this transparent conversation, Andrea Lawful-Sanders speaks with Diona Nicole Murray, an infertility warrior and founder of Barren Fruit, about her transformational journey through infertility, the emotional and physical challenges she faced, and the miraculous moment of discovering she was pregnant. Diona shares her experiences with painful periods, misdiagnoses, and the importance of advocacy...

In this conversation, Kimberly S. Reed shares her inspiring journey of resilience and optimism in the face of back-to-back devastation from her mother and grandmother’s deaths and her cancer diagnosis. She reflects on how her mother's unwavering faith would ultimately provide a blueprint for one of the most challenging life seasons and health scares Kimberly has ever experienced. She gets honest a...

In this first of three bonus episodes of the A Lawful Truth podcast, host Andrea Lawful-Sanders and Kelvin A. Jeremiah, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Housing Authority, discuss one of the most important issues of our time: affordable housing. They discuss the ongoing affordable housing crisis, the innovative acquisition strategies being implemented to address it, and reimagining public hou...

In this engaging conversation, Andrea Lawful-Sanders and Kyle Darby, a government relations professional and lobbyist, explore his journey from intern to influential advocate for community impact and social responsibility. He discusses the importance of younger leadership, the nuances of networking and community building (regardless of the field), the significance of cultural identity (particularl...

The Season 2 kick-off of A Lawful Truth Podcast features Andrea Lawful-Sanders in conversation with Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggets, a thought leader and NY Times Bestselling author, about harnessing the power of intention for joy. Using her latest book as a guide, "Black Joy Playbook: 30 Days of Intentionally Reclaiming Your Delight" they explore the intersection of culture, identity, and spiritual...

In the season 2 opener of A Lawful Truth podcast, host Andrea Lawful-Sanders reflects on the podcast's journey, the importance of community, and the themes for this season. —————— Credits: * Andrea Lawful-Sanders, Host & Executive Producer * Syreeta Martin, Producer * Eric Nixon, Podcast Audio Editor —————— Thank you for listening! If your time with Andrea has been positive, please support and sha...

In this episode of the A Lawful Truth podcast, Andrea introduces her dedicated team, Syreeta Martin (producer), Denise James (production consultant), and Haniyyah Sharpe-Brown (publicist) to discuss their perspectives on and contributions to the season’s success. They reflect on the pivotal moment the podcast was born, the dynamics and complexities of mentorship, and the values that have shaped th...

In this episode of the A Lawful Truth Podcast, Marquita Robinson Garcia, a cosmetic chemist and founder of Dviniti Skin Care, shares how working as a chemist for corporations in the cosmetic industry motivated her to embark upon entrepreneurship and champion holistic approaches to skin care. Andrea and Marquita explore the importance of personalized skincare, the connection between gut health and...