Fearless Authenticity with Jeanne Sparrow

“It's a necessity to pour into yourselves to be able to give back to other people.” That realization is what led professional dancers Jasmine Harper and Ashley Everett, and celebrity publicist Randy C. Bonds to form “Be > (Greater Than), a wellness brand that focuses on the importance of taking time for yourself. While all three are accomplished professionals, they’ve often worked in someone el...

After cheating death twice, Sherri Dias or the Real Slim Sherri as she’s known across social media with 3-million followers, isn’t afraid to let it all hang out. From her Gen X upbringing to her career as a loss prevention investigator, she realized the walls she built to defend herself needed to be torn down. She wants you to know the true Sherri through her work as an influencer and hopes to lea...

Belinda Chang says that what makes her different is that she thinks small, like really small, about every single detail for an event. That includes being intentional about having women design each element, from the name cards to the tequila she’s pouring. She wants every part of the experience to be unique to you - a rare occurrence these days. She shares with Jeanne how a house full of friends an...

“We think that we’re crooked … but it is that the room is crooked.” Those words from Melissa Harris-Perry’s Sister Citizen are what sent Dr. Jenn Jackson on their path to becoming a political scientist. Those words also describe what it often feels like as a Black woman, walking into a room full of stereotypes about your body, your work ethic, your attitude … everything. As a queer genderflux andr...

What do you get when you mix a multi-passionate person with a bit of boredom? Coach, speaker, and businesswoman Jill Salzman. The founder of Founding Moms likes a challenge: “Can I make money from something that sounds nuts?” Jill shares with Jeanne why trusting yourself is important; why telling everyone your mistakes helps you grow; why slowing down can reap multi-faceted rewards; how she ended...

“Just be who you are. Just be Mo.” That’s exactly what Ms. Monét did when she took the stage in 2020 at the World Expo in Dubai. When the audience rushed the stage she discovered how powerful her performances could be and now refers to them as a ministry. Ms. Monét shares with Jeanne the thought process behind her newest single; why seeing a woman in her 50s succeed in this industry is important f...

What do you do when you’re stuck? Renowned speaker and leadership development consultant Amy Riley says it takes reflection and action to make a breakthrough; you have to focus on your feelings to help you figure out your next step. And that takes courage, something Amy credits for her success in both her professional and personal life. She shares with Jeanne what courage looks like in leadership;...

Nicole Clarke-Springer isn’t losing sleep over the final product; as a dancer and choreographer, she’s more interested in the process. She says the communal nature of her work is what makes the performance authentic and affects the audience. Nicole shares with Jeanne why she threw out her plan to move to New York City for training; what the three points of collaboration are when she’s choreographi...

“The beauty that comes from growth and change is incredible if we can just embrace it.” Cassidy Glo Novak has embraced a life full of pain and heartache after a lot of soul-searching and prayer. Those experiences helped her find empathy and forgiveness for others, leading her on a mission to find the positive in even the worst day. Cassidy shares with Jeanne the story of her brain injury and the r...

Nicole Robinson never imagined she would be a dance educator - she didn’t commit to dance until she was in college. But now she provides a vital creative outlet for her students of color that brings joy to them and her. Nicole shares with Jeanne (her cousin!) why the work she does matters; how teaching found her; why she’s calm when facing adversity; how she realized she was asking the wrong quest...

“I do not suck things up very well … I have to talk about it.” And talk about it she does. Whether it’s her PTSD diagnosis from repeated exposure as a reporter to horrific events or viewer comments about her appearance, Marcella Raymond is fearless in the way she expresses her anguish or exasperation. She shares with Jeanne how she coped with the heartache on deadline; when she knew it was time to...

“Satisfaction comes from the character’s journey,” according to one of Jeanne’s favorite repeat guests (this is her third episode!), award-winning Chicago crime writer Tracy Clark. And what a journey Tracy takes us on in Fall , the second in her Harriet Foster thriller series, out now! She shares with Jeanne how she’s still trying to find a way into Harriet’s head after 2 books; why she’s a pantse...

Ina Pinkney's resilience and culinary genius have left an indelible mark on Chicago. She's not just a chef but a beacon of community and courage. Despite not baking her first cake until she was 37, she reigned as the beloved "Breakfast Queen" for 33 years as owner of Ina's in the city's West Loop. She shares with Jeanne her journey of overcoming polio and why she believes in second chances; why yo...

rich past and vibrant culture. As the CEO and chief storyteller at Chicago Mahogany Tours, he’s turned his love of everything Chicago into an Emmy Award-winning celebration of his mission to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself. He shares with Jeanne how his devotion to Chicago history started: why he compares his child-raising philosophy to bowling; how he uses the power of history to cross br...

Nicka Sewell-Smith is a leading authority in the world of genealogy with her talent going well beyond names and dates. She shares with Jeanne (her cousin!), her gifts for digging up family history, how she makes the past come alive and uncovers long-forgotten details, and why knowing our identity shapes who we are today and helps us plan for our future. Nicka shares amazing stories of her and Jean...

Join Jeanne as she talks with two fearless and authentic women, mother-daughter duo Jimalita Tillman and 17-year-old Dr. Dorothy Jean (DJ) Tillman. (Yes, this young woman has her doctorate!) Jimalita and Dr. DJ get real about growing up under the legacy of their mother and grandmother, civil rights activist and former Chicago Alderman, Dorothy Jean Tillman. Hear how they deal with the naysayers, h...

Join Jeanne as she sits down with Shannon Cohen, the CEO of Shannon Cohen, Inc., a boutique consulting firm that specializes in emotional intelligence, equity, and wellness. Shannon shares her self-care advice for leaders and why rest and replenishment is so important; how she embraces each new season and adapts accordingly; why she believes uniqueness is your best competitive advantage; and how h...

Despite dreams of being a New York fashion designer, Rosey Lee now believes she’s exactly where she’s supposed to be … as a newly published author. She spent the first part of her career life as a doctor but kept her creative side engaged by writing, doing DIY projects, even some wedding planning. She shares her biggest daily challenge with Jeanne and how she solves it; what survival techniques sh...

Niena Drake isn’t afraid of hard work; she’s always expanding her business and philanthropic empire, hoping to create a long-term legacy in her industry. She says the key to her continued success is that she brings good vibes everywhere she works which leads to great relationships. Niena shares with Jeanne the top three must-haves a person needs to make it in the entertainment world; why inner awa...

It never bothered Je’Niece McCullough that she was Bernie Mac’s daughter. What was difficult was dealing with people who reduced her to just being his daughter; that she had nothing to offer on her own. She shares with Jeanne how she spent years at war with herself, knowing she had gifts but never thinking they were enough; how she finally broke free and was able to honor her dad’s legacy in her o...

When you’re told what success looks like from a young age (good grades, college, 30-40+ hours a week at a good paying job) it’s easy to feel like you know your next step. Well, that was a lifestyle that Mignon Francois was not ready to settle into when she decided to “bake sale” her way to breaking the cycle. As stay-at-home mother of 6+1 with no prior baking experience (not even out of a box) try...

A Magician, a 2nd basemen (for the New York Yankees of course), a Meteorologist… all career options that author Kevin Powell considered, but what finally stuck was the act and art of writing. The library is where he fell in love… with books, art, music, cultural diversity, and anything he could get his hands on. Kevin believes that the stories we tell are the history of this country, and his passi...

“Sustainable shifts are a really good antidote to climate anxiety.” To help quell some of that stress (more than two-thirds of Americans experience some kind of eco distress), Ashlee Piper has dedicated herself to dispelling the many stigmas surrounding sustainability. Her focus is on making it more simple and approachable than crunchy and expensive; sharing small steps that everyone can take to m...

As a beacon for being who and what you want, Anupy Singla admits “I don’t know how to be anything but honest and direct.” But that confidence doesn’t come from nothing…Anupy has spent much of her professional life trying to find her path. Hoping to bring the mixed eaters of the world together, she has found her joy in cultural celebration through food. From the foodie legacy of her grandfather to...

”110% Effort…I’m Sorry, that’s not how math works...” Joey Thurman, wearer of MANY hats has learned that it’s IMPOSSIBLE to give more than 100% of yourself…whether it be a workout, a career, or in life! Embracing transparency while battling anxiety and depression helped push Joey through one of the darkest periods in his life. One of his most pivotal moments came when his son was born, changing hi...