Impel Forward Podcast

What does it take to turn a difficult upbringing into a life of purpose? In this episode of the Impel Forward Podcast, I sit down with Durham, North Carolina native Khedron Mims—barber, recording artist, community leader, and advocate against gun violence. Khedron shares his journey from growing up in the projects to becoming a voice for hope, mentorship, and positive change in his community. Toge...

In this powerful episode of the Impel Forward Podcast, Marcus Samie shares one of the most honest conversations of his life. He opens up about experiencing homelessness with his family, battling pornography addiction, stepping away from ministry, and the difficult journey of rebuilding his relationship with God. Marcus also discusses how faith, accountability, and God’s grace transformed his life,...

In this powerful episode of the Impel Forward Podcast, Tyjaun Alston shares his incredible journey from hardship, pain, and personal struggles to finding purpose and creating the Eternity Living brand. Tyjaun opens up about getting into fights as a child, challenges in school, his difficult relationship with his parents, being kicked out of college, and facing some of the darkest moments of his li...

In this episode of the Impel Forward Podcast, we sit down with the founder of Pur Bella to discuss entrepreneurship, natural beauty, confidence, healthy hair care, and the journey of building a purpose-driven brand. From overcoming challenges to empowering women through beauty and education, this conversation is packed with inspiration and business insight. Merch: https://impelforwardmerch.com/ Ti...

Chef Anthony Caldwell shares his incredible journey from prison and addiction to becoming a successful chef, entrepreneur, and Food Network competitor. In this powerful conversation, we discuss redemption, faith, second chances, business, and how cooking transformed his life forever. 50 Kitchen's Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/chef_50 https://www.facebook.com/50kitchen info@50kitchen.com...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with retired police officer BJ Council to have a real conversation about police and community relations—what’s broken, what’s misunderstood, and how we move forward. BJ Council has dedicated her career not only to serving in law enforcement, but also to educating both officers and civilians on how to interact with each other safely, respectfully, and effective...

Think you know wine? Think again. In this episode, we sit down with expert and business owner Brian Lane of Sticks & Vines to break down the biggest misconceptions about wine, how to choose the right bottle, and what actually separates cheap wine from expensive wine. Whether you’re a beginner or someone who’s been drinking wine for years, this conversation will change how you look at wine fore...

In this episode, we sit down with Mavis Peaks, owner of Skrimp Shack, to break down one of the most powerful business turnarounds you’ll hear. When she took over, the location had a 2.9-star rating. Through leadership, strategy, and consistency, she transformed it into a 4.9-star business. We dive into:     •    How she identified what was broken in the business     •    The exact changes she made...

How do you actually raise money for your business? What are investors REALLY looking for before they say yes? In this episode of the Impel Forward Podcast, we sit down with marketing and growth expert Frank Pollock to break down the real strategies behind raising capital, securing investors, and funding your vision the right way. If you’re an entrepreneur, startup founder, or someone trying to tak...

How do you grow faster in business—by competing or collaborating? In this episode of the Impel Forward Podcast, we sit down with three successful business owners who have found a way to win together. Instead of competing for the same customers, they built a system of collaboration that helps each of their businesses grow stronger. We break down how they support each other, share opportunities, and...

What does it really take to build a brand that lasts? In this episode of the Impel Forward Podcast, we sit down with the visionary behind one of Durham’s most recognized restaurant brands to talk about what most people never see—the belief, the vision, and the mindset it takes to keep going when nothing is guaranteed. This isn’t just a conversation about business. It’s about betting on yourself, t...

Durham’s nightlife scene just got a new addition. In this episode of the Impel Forward Podcast, we sit down with the owners of Eve Lounge on Parrish Street in downtown Durham to talk about how they turned an idea into one of the city’s newest cocktail lounges. They share the story behind building Eve Lounge, the challenges of opening a lounge in today’s economy, and what it takes to bring a new co...

In this powerful episode of the Impel Forward Podcast, we sit down with a courageous guest who shares her real-life journey through breast cancer. From the moment she heard the life-changing diagnosis to the emotional, physical, and spiritual battle that followed, this conversation dives deep into fear, faith, resilience, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward. She opens up about what go...

This episode features a powerful conversation with Thomas Caraway (Tommy Xavier) of Durham, discussing community-led reform, violence prevention, re-entry programs, and how so called credible messengers are “NOT”working to stop shootings and change lives from within the city.   Impel Forward Podcast Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed on this podcast—including discussions around news, poli...

What does a chiropractor really do—and can spinal health improve your overall wellness? In this episode, we sit down with a North Carolina chiropractor to break down chiropractic care, common misconceptions, pain management, posture, injury prevention, and how spinal alignment affects the nervous system and long-term health. Whether you’re dealing with back pain, headaches, or just want to move an...

In this episode of The Impel Forward Podcast, I sit down with Dasan Ahanu to talk poetry, hip-hop, freedom, and the responsibility of using your voice to shape culture. This conversation dives into art, identity, community, and what it truly means to move culture forward.   https://impelforwardmerch.com/

In this episode, we break down the recent controversy surrounding Actively Black, after items were reportedly stolen directly from their website. We also react to the Super Bowl halftime show and discuss the growing conversation around GloRilla, fame, and her family publicly claiming she doesn’t financially support them. This episode dives into Black-owned business challenges, celebrity money expe...

This episode tackles three powerful and controversial topics: the true origins and impact of Black History Month, whether being Pro-Black automatically means Anti-White, and the growing belief that midterm elections are already rigged. We break down history, challenge assumptions, and ask hard questions about identity, power, and trust in America’s systems. This is an honest, thoughtful conversati...

In this episode of the Impel Forward Podcast, we break down three major stories shaping culture, power, and accountability right now. We discuss the resurfacing assault allegations involving comedian Corey Holcomb and what newly circulated footage means for public perception, legal responsibility, and the comedy industry. We examine the latest ICE killing in Minneapolis, unpacking what happened, t...

In this episode of the Impel Forward Podcast, we challenge the idea of “talking white,” break down Black identity and code-switching, and dig into the controversy surrounding LeBron and Nike’s MLK shoe. We also confront a disturbing case involving a child, entitlement, and parenting—asking hard questions about culture, accountability, and what we’re really teaching the next generation. 📌 Subscrib...

Join us as we break down the explosive Corey Holcomb vs Anton podcast confrontation- what sparked it, what it reveals about online discourse, and what it says about accountability in media. Then we pivot to Druski's viral mega-church skit that's got Christians, comedians ,and critics talking. Finally, we dig into the online debate around videos claiming Trump has dementia-is it criticism, politica...

In this episode of the Impel Forward Podcast, we dive deep into accountability- the uncomfortable truth behind success, failure, and staying stuck. We break down why so many people avoid accountability, how excuses quietly sabotage growth, and why owning your decisions is the fastest way to change your life, business, and mindset. From personal responsibility, leadership, money, relationships, and...

It’s time to talk about what generational wealth really means — beyond money, inheritance, and last names. In this episode of the Impel Forward Podcast, we dig into the tension between building a legacy and protecting it: Are we teaching the next generation how to earn, or are we accidentally creating entitlement? Is “what’s mine is mine” selfish… or is it a boundary? We break down:     •    The d...

What does it really take to turn creativity into income? In this episode of the Impel Forward Podcast, we sit down with Questin Clay, a Durham-based filmmaker and photographer who built a creative media business from scratch—no shortcuts, no overnight success. Questin breaks down his journey from early work in church production to landing commercial clients, building a brand, and learning how to m...

From a single ice cart to becoming the largest mobile Italian Ice brand on the East Coast, Lou Torres shares the real story behind CocoCrissi Tropical Icees. In this episode, we dive into:      •    How CocoCrissi started from the ground up      •    The challenges of scaling a food business      •    Building a brand rooted in community and purpose    •    Hiring, leadership, and mentoring young...