Locker Room for Growth

Space has fascinated us for most of our lifetime. Well before the first moon landing in 1969, we have been obsessed with discovering what lies beyond the sky and if there are other life forms. Martin Keller is in a unique position to have had access to CIA UFO briefings and other evidence, a near-death struggle, his own UFO and paranormal experiences -- which makes him one of the most interesting...

Mark Bello is an attorney and civil justice advocate who has over 40 years of courtroom experience, which includes working high-profile cases. He was one of the attorneys who sued the Catholic Church for sexual abuse and that journey led him to writing the book Betrayal of Faith. His passion for justice comes through his writing style. Bello has penned several books, including the Zachary Blake Le...

This isn’t a phenomenon or some recent trend. Crossdressing has been around since the beginning of time. Historically, women have cross-dressed as men to pass and gain economic independence and serve in wars in a patriarchal system. Crossdressing is everywhere: in Greek and Norse mythology, music, movies, cartoons. So why do some think it is it okay in pop culture fiction, but not with real life p...

Dawn Maria France was only 16, living in the Yorkshire city of Leeds, when she marched against South Africa’s apartheid system. At the same time, she was told in her own country that she could not be a journalist because she didn’t look the part as a Caribbean/Asian woman. She did it anyway. France is a broadcasting veteran with the likes of BBC, Sky News, and some of Europe’s largest stations. Sh...

After the 2016 federal election, Tahmina Watson helped create, and currently chairs, the Response Committee of the Washington Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She is an immigration attorney at Watson Immigration Law in Seattle, Washington who has helped hundreds of families work and live in the United States. She is a columnist with a national legal publication, a contribut...

Many of us fear change because we are afraid it will not work out. Urmi Hossain challenges that belief. What if it did work out? She is a financial analyst who uses her free time to teach girls and women about finance. The lack of financial education is an obvious void in our curriculums and some cultural norms that hold back many females. The lack of basic financial studies has likely contributed...

Jody Fisher has been on both sides of a reporter’s notepad. In the biggest media market in the world, he worked as a former radio broadcast journalist before embarking on his current position as a public relations professional of over 20 years. He’s even picked up a bass guitar from time to time when he’s not collecting Star Wars memorabilia. https://www.jodyfisherpr.com/ https://twitter.com/jodyf...

She’s a digital native who started her first social media account at 12 years old. Six years later, Amanda Penny has found her niche in podcasting with her show Amanda’s World. Let’s just say, she’s killing it. She has essentially begun her journalism career by creating her own media. Even BuzzFeed, MTV, Barstool Sports, and Young Hollywood have taken notice. Penny started her show, while in high...

Tamika Sims is one of those people you will gravitate to and call a friend after spending just one email with her. Her positive spirit is contagious, and her courage is consequential. As an entrepreneur, she has seen it all and then some. Her story is the backdrop of her new book: Ink Pen Diva: The Truth Behind My Pen. She takes her story out of hiding and shares it so fellow entrepreneurs will no...

Kevin Palmieri’s life trajectory was rising high in his 20s. He had it all. Still, he questioned his existence and considered suicide, more than once. Fortunately, he chose life and worked through his demons to overcome his anxiety and depression.  Today, he is the CFO, founder and co-host of Next Level University, a Global Top 100 self-improvement podcast with more than 1000 episodes reaching ove...

You know the song and sang it more than once. What you may or may not know is Platinum artist Cecil DC Glenn cowrote it with his Tag Team rap duo partner, Steve Gibson. "Whoomp There It Is" was released as a single in 1993 and topped the Billboard R & B chart. DC is also an actor, writer, and voiceover artist. The legendary duo and song were featured in the number one ad of 2021: Geico’s "Scoop! T...

Brenden Kumarasamy was afraid of communication well into his teen years. He trained himself to master the fear. He improved his skills by using the same determination as an athlete does when competing in high level sports. Today, he is the founder of MasterTalk, a coaching business he started to help ambitious executives and business owners become great communicators in their industries. He has cr...

They call him the Guard Whisperer. Olin Simplis is the man who stands behind every great basketball player and helps them excel. His player-first attitude about training is what makes him who he is. Olin began his basketball journey in Los Angeles and was looked upon as one of the top guards in the area. While his playing career didn’t materialize, he found a niche with training. More than just a...

Mark V. Smith specializes in empowering individuals in the creation of personal clarity and teaches them how to formulate their path through the slings and arrows life throws at us. An Ohio State Buckeye Alumni, Smith has worked with people who have chosen many lanes, including those in a juvenile detention center, high school and college football, and high-end executives. Smith is vice president...

Addiction is a taboo topic but one that needs more light shed on it. Recent worldwide statistics show that 5.5% of the population aged 15 to 64 have used illicit drugs at least once in the past year. Drug abuse is highest among those who are 18 to 25. Nicole Odom-Hardnett is the CEO of Focus Point Solutions, which operates four Focus Point Behavioral Health clinics in the Baltimore area. She works...

Marlene Sharp is all things entertainment. She is a creative executive, producer, and writer at Pink Poodle Productions, and an entertainment consultant who specializes in animation and family content, dog-approved by the company mascot and star of the award-winning short film: Blanche’s Bichon Buzz. She produced the TV Series, at Sega of America; worked on the Teen Choice Award-nominated cartoon...

Enrique Alvarez is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Vector Global Logistics, a certified minority-owned supply chain and logistics company dedicated to world-class service, a results-only mindset, and social impact. His company’s success is built on its results-based, positive workplace culture, and philanthropic mindset that has had a growing impact in the supply chain process. This is a p...

She’s a British contemporary art performer. Urvashi Patel is a painter who also dances while she works. Her home studio is a picturesque setting that embraces the beauty of an English garden. https://www.urvashiartstudio.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit debbieelicksen.substack.com

Kim Vopni is a certified personal trainer who specializes in pelvic floor therapy. She helps women regain their soft power. She is The Vagina Coach, the founder of Pelvienne Wellness Inc., and Kegels & Cocktails. Kim strives to normalize discussions about vaginas, Kegels and menopause. Her journey to help other women came as a result of her first pregnancy, where she had numerous questions. Learn...

Chris Barnes and Zaheed Bardai join Debbie Elicksen for a philosophical discussion about hard rock and metal music. This music gets a bum rap at times, challenges the norms, and gives the listener relief from negative emotions. This music embraces individuality, while embracing all genres. Some might consider it a subculture, but you know if someone is wearing a metal t-shirt, you've found your tr...

He has trained over 40,000 people, many of them professional athletes from major leagues, but Anton Joseph is more than just another fitness coach. He has coordinated the construction of a massive recreation facility. He is the chairperson for the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Task Force with Hockey Alberta. He was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. Yes, he provides online...

She has been named one of the top 10 PR influencers in 2021 and has one of the top 25 must read PR blogs. One visit to Michelle Garrett’s Twitter feed, and you will know why she is one of the top PR leaders on the Internet. She is all things PR, but she is also all things freelance. Her FreelanceChat every Thursday is wildly successful, where people turn to for tips and ideas on how to move their...

They are the power couple of digital and influencer marketing and coined the term human to human. Bryan Kramer and Courtney Smith Kramer co-own H2H Companies and the Silicon Valley marketing agency PureMatter. They are the movers and shakers in the digital hemisphere and they are the best private coaches you could ever have. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other su...

Bryan Kramer and Courtney Smith Kramer co-own H2H Companies and the Silicon Valley marketing agency PureMatter. They are the power couple of digital and influencer marketing and coined the term human to human. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit debbieelicksen.substack.com

Her podcast, Your Highness Podcast, is about uncomfortable conversations around cannabis. Discussions are about inclusiveness, accountability, equality, and women in the industry. Diana Krach is a veteran journalist who covers the industry. She sheds light on issues that help educate and raise the consciousness of cannabis. Yourhighnesspodcast.org This is a public episode. If you would like to dis...