Fierce Conversations with Toby

Harriet Tubman risked everything for freedom—not just her own, but for countless others. Escaping slavery was only the beginning; she returned again and again, guiding over 70 enslaved people to safety through the Underground Railroad. With unwavering faith and fearless determination, she defied the odds and became a beacon of hope. This Fierce Bit honors her extraordinary bravery and the legacy o...

In this Fierce Flashbacks episode, we take a hard look at the fight for criminal justice reform—unraveling the injustices, the systemic failures, and the voices demanding change. Through past conversations with advocates, formerly incarcerated individuals, and legal experts, we explore the cracks in the system and the movements working to create a fairer, more humane approach to justice. From sent...

For nearly three decades, the Berlin Wall stood as a symbol of division and oppression. But on November 9, 1989, the courage of ordinary people demanding freedom shattered that barrier. As protests grew and pressure mounted, the wall finally fell, marking the end of the Cold War and a powerful victory for unity. This Fierce Bit honors the resilience of those who dared to dream of a world without w...

At just 15 years old, Malala Yousafzai stood up to the Taliban’s oppressive rule in Pakistan, refusing to be silenced in her fight for girls’ education. Even after surviving an assassination attempt, she continued her advocacy, becoming the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Her courage reminds us that one voice can spark global change. This Fierce Bit honors Malala’s unwavering determination to...

On August 28, 1963, over 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C., to demand civil rights, justice, and equality. This historic march became a defining moment in the fight for freedom, culminating in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. Their courage in the face of injustice changed history. This Fierce Bit honors their bravery and reminds us that collective action has t...

Fierce Bits is a production of Fierce Conversations with Toby. Sparks of Inspiration, Under a Minute. Today, A Sequoia's Strength: Standing the Test of Time Sequoias stand tall for centuries because they intertwine their roots with others. Strength doesn't come from standing alone; it comes from connection.

Ferce Bits is a production of Fierce Conversations with Toby. Sparks of Inspiration, Under a Minute. Today, A Butterfly's Transformation: Growth Through Change. The caterpillar's world ends in the cocoon, but that's where transformation begins. Growth often feels like the end, but it's really the start of something beautiful.

Fierce Bits is a production of Fierce Conversations with Toby. Sparks of Inspiration, Under a Minute. Today, The Adaptability of a River: Carving its Path Through Rock. Rivers don't resist obstacles -- they flow around them wearing them down over time. Life's challenges aren't barriers but opportunities to find your flow.

Fierce Bits is a production of Fierce Conversations with Toby. Sparks of Inspiration, Under a Minute. Today, A Hummingbird's Journey: Small but Mighty. Hummingbirds are tiny, yet they travel thousands of miles on sheer determination. You don't need to be big to make a big impact -- just determined.

Join us for this special episode of Fierce Flashbacks, where we spotlight authors sharing the stories behind their books. From the inspiration that sparked their creativity to the challenges they faced along the way, these storytellers take us behind the scenes of their writing journeys. Discover the passion and purpose that brought their words to life.

Fierce Bits is a production of Fierce Conversations with Toby. Sparks of Inspiration, Under a Minute. Today, the Resilience of Trees. After a storm, a broken tree may seem lifeless, but with time, new leaves sprout. Like the tree, we too can regrow, stronger than before. Resilience isn't about avoiding the storm; it's about thriving after it.

“The past is a foreign country…” In this Fierce Bit, we explore L.P. Hartley’s thought-provoking first line from The Go-Between. It’s a reminder that while we can’t relive the past, we can reflect on its lessons. What does this line inspire in you about your own journey?

“All children, except one, grow up.” In today’s Fierce Bit, J.M. Barrie’s wistful line from Peter Pan reminds us of the fleeting magic of childhood. Explore how this opening invites us to carry the wonder and imagination of youth into every stage of life. A little spark of nostalgia and hope!  

“Call me Ishmael.” This Fierce Bit unpacks the simplicity and mystery of Herman Melville’s opening to Moby-Dick. Learn how these three words invite us into a profound journey and remind us that even the simplest beginnings can lead to transformation.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” Charles Dickens' famous words from A Tale of Two Cities resonate through the ages. This Fierce Bit uncovers how duality shapes our lives and how growth often springs from the tension between opposites. Tune in for a spark of insight!

In this powerful episode of Fierce Conversations, we revisit heartfelt moments that explore the unbreakable bond between love and resilience. Through personal stories and deep reflections, we uncover how love—whether for others or oneself—can become a wellspring of strength during life’s most challenging seasons. From enduring heartbreak to discovering the courage to rebuild, this episode celebrat...

“It is a truth universally acknowledged…” Today’s Fierce Bit dives into Jane Austen’s iconic opening from Pride and Prejudice. Discover how this single line challenges societal norms and invites us to question the 'truths' we often take for granted. A moment of irony, wit, and timeless wisdom—all in under a minute!

My guest, Rosalyn Rourke, MSW, has worked as a psychotherapist for over 30 years, specializing in trauma resilience, body dysmorphia, and imagined unworthiness (shame). After the unexpected death of her daughter, Melissa, Rosalyn experienced what many would call a Spiritual Awakening. This led her to write the bestselling memoir and non-dual fable When Wisdom Arrives: From Imagined Unworthiness to...

Candace Newman is an author, artist, teacher, and aromatherapy licensed massage therapist.  Her book, Your Inner River of Peace: Ten Messages of Love, is a Guide for building a deep, loving relationship with Your own Inner River of Peace. Her life experiences with the Messages, along with the Four Themes pave the way. Her Touch With Oils® work is based on Ten Principles and Ten Motions of Stillnes...

Erica Richmond is the author of three books including: Pixie and the Bees, a whimsical tale about learning to trust yourself while living with an invisible illness; Pixie and the Fox, a story about remembering that you get to decide you are; and The Mail Art Stories Project: Mail Art in the Time of Covid-19, a collection of mail art from around the world that chronicles the Covid-19 pandemic. Thro...

Originally from the VA/DC/MD area, Audrey is a devoted mother of two adult children, a proud grandmother of three, and the widow of former Army Lieutenant James Harrell. Audrey's personal interests include traveling, spending time with family, and rehabbing houses. In 2012, she founded Built by Her, a real estate investment company that established an apprenticeship program to help incarcerated wo...

Priscilla Coleman Jenkins’ mission is accomplished through her non-profit organization, Overcomers Journey Through Scriptural Prayers Ministries. The purpose is to foster hope and healing through her YouTube Channel, virtual and in-person-songs, scriptural prayers, and book readings at community events, nursing homes, hospice hospitals and local churches. Priscilla’s books are the resource used fo...

Susan Mathews is a mother, author, speaker, and co-founder of Love Without Reason. Love Without Reason is a nonprofit that works to fight human trafficking, prevent it and end it before it starts. The organization was birthed through the journey of her first child, Philip. After obtaining her undergraduate degrees in chemistry and nursing, she went on to get her Master of Science in Nursing and se...

Serene Singh is a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford pursuing a Doctoral degree in Criminology. Singh completed her postgraduate studies in Public Policy as the youngest student in Oxford’s global cohort of 100+ individuals. A Truman Scholar, Fulbright recipient, and an alumnus of the University of Colorado, Singh graduated with summa cum laude honors in Political Science and Journalism de...