My Cotton Patch Moment

At 68, Ande is not just a four-time founder and serial podcaster, but a true champion in dissolving ageist beliefs. Her podcast, "Don't Be Caged by Your Age," inspires folks to thrive beyond 65 by redefining societal norms and embracing age with pride. In our enlightening discussion, Ande shared her journey of being "unemployable" since 1992 and how she empowered herself as a reluctant entrepreneu...

I am thrilled to announce the latest episode of "My Cotton Patch Moments," featuring an insightful conversation with my dear friend, the inspiring Syni Champion, performance poet, author, and motivational speaker. Syni shares her journey in empowering young girls through poetry and dance, and how her book, " ABCs of Self Esteem ," became a beacon of positivity and growth. Here are 3 key takeaways...

In today's compelling episode, we are joined by the unstoppable Stacey Ruth. Stacey is a trailblazer in the world of entrepreneurship and leadership, having founded two multimillion-dollar agencies and been recognized as one of the top 50 entrepreneurs under 50 in Atlanta. A metaphysical minister and certified executive leadership coach, Stacey brings together the worlds of neuroscience, positive...

Welcome to My Cotton Patch Moments, where authentic stories inspire growth. In this episode, I sit down with my incredible granddaughter, Chynna Mills, a 3rd year clinical psychologist PhD student at Northwestern University, as she shares her journey in mental health and her dedication to breaking barriers for Black communities. We dive into her personal experiences of overcoming societal narrativ...

Welcome back to "My Cotton Patch Moment," where faith, community, and wisdom intersect. In today's heartfelt episode, I welcome a truly inspiring guest, Pastor Vandy Carl Simmons of Antioch AME Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia. With eight impactful years under his leadership, Pastor Simmons has not only enriched his congregation's spiritual lives but also spearheaded community initiatives like yo...

In my latest episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Altimese Nichole, an award-winning renowned marketing expert, best-selling author, and diversity advocate, serving as the Founder and CEO of The Ezer Agency. With over 15 years of experience working with major brands, including CNN and Facebook, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her clients and partners. Together, we journeyed through her...

Welcome to another heartfelt episode of My Cotton Patch Moment! In this episode, I had a deeply personal and enlightening conversation with none other than my own son, Richard Gates Jr. Join us as we delve into Richard's reflections on reading my memoir, " Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs, and Rising Above Her Roots ." Richard reveals how the memoir brought newfound respect...

Welcome back to another inspiring episode of My Cotton Patch Moments! I'm your host, Mildred J. Mills, and in this episode we have an incredible first guest joining us, Bethany Hawkins. Bethany is the powerhouse CEO and founder of Crackers and Soup LLC, a company dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices through podcasting. With over 18 years of corporate experience and numerous accolades in...

Welcome back to Season 3 of My Cotton Patch Moment. After taking a much-needed break following season 2, I've returned more determined than ever to continue this journey, inspired by the stories and encouragement from you, my listeners. In this exciting new season, I'll be inviting guests who have read my book, Daddy's House , to share their own cotton patch experiences and how the story has impac...

Thank you, Areva Martin for inviting me to speak on your podcast, Areva Martin in Real Time! I am so excited for you, dear Listener, to get to hear our discussion. Don't forget, I will be back at the end of 2024 with some more Cotton Patch Moments to share with you! 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and...

Thank you, Angela Taylor for inviting me to speak on your podcast, Unlocking the Club ! I am so excited for you, dear Listener, to get to hear our discussion. Don't forget, I will be back in September with some more Cotton Patch Moments to share with you! 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating...

Thank you, Antioche African Methodist Episcopal Church Inc. located in Stone Mountain, Georgia for inviting me to speak at your Church. I am so excited for you, dear Listener, to get to hear my speech. Don't forget, I will be back in September with some more Cotton Patch Moments to share with you! 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories...

Thank you, Whitney Mendoza for inviting me to speak on your podcast, Fifth City ! I am so excited for you, dear Listener, to get to hear our discussion. Don't forget, I will be back in September with some more Cotton Patch Moments to share with you! 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows...

Thank you, Kevin Hooks for inviting me to speak on your podcast,  Equity in Focus ! I am so excited for you, dear Listener, to hear our discussion. Don't forget, I will be back in September with some more Cotton Patch Moments to share with you! 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as sh...

Thank you, Ande Lyons for inviting me to speak on your podcast, Don't Be Caged By Your Age ! I am so excited for you, dear Listener, to get to hear our discussion. Don't forget, I will be back in September with some more Cotton Patch Moments to share with you! 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devast...

For the Season 2 finale of My Cotton Patch Moment, join me on a journey of triumph and healing as I share my incredible book release experience after I successfully launched my memoir " Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots " and took the literary world by storm. From heartfelt reader reviews to engaging book signings, my memoir has made waves. Listen in...

Overcoming fear and embracing vulnerability as a speaker and author is one of the most challenging things I have had to do. As I reflected on my own experiences and those of others, I uncovered the profound impact of truth-telling and the liberating effect it has on individuals. Join me as I explore the courage that comes from embracing one's truth and taking that first step towards personal growt...

As Mother's Day vastly approaches, although she has been gone for 16 years, I feel my Mama's influence all around me. As I read an excerpt from my memoir, Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots , I can't help but feel the deep currents of love, loss, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and a child. Despite the sharp sting of missing her, I aim to le...

As I soared above the clouds on my way to Houston, memories flooded my mind of the pivotal moments in my life that led me to this monumental book signing event for Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots . From the challenges of a long-distance marriage to the resilience and growth we experienced in Houston, this journey has been a true testament to the fa...

I am honored to say, like my mother, I have been gifted with seven decades and three years and the more I live, the more I admire old women! Throughout each decade, I found out something new about myself. From feeling the lowest I ever felt in my 20s to completing my memoir, Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots in my 70s, all of my experiences are ferti...

Marcus Thomas is quoted as saying: "Speak your dream into existence and the universe will attract the right circumstances and conditions for it to be realized." I am living proof that this quote is spot on. From creating this podcast to writing my memoir, Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots , I have been continuously saying I am a motivational speaker....

Do you ever think about your historical footprint? When I was asked: "What do you feel will be your legacy"? I answered: "My legacy will be the courage, bravery and vulnerability to share the story of a life well lived in my book, Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots " . I shared more...but you are just going to have to listen to the episode to find out...

In this episode, I introduce you to the world of publication. I learned it is not enough to have a captivating story. If you aren't "known", most publishers are unwilling to invest in you or your book. But that didn't stop me from taking my memoir from a dream into a reality! Not only did I write my memoir and find my "right-for-me" publisher but in one month, this book has reached the #1 Best Sel...

I quietly say a prayer for anyone missing a mother this festive season. As more friends and acquaintances share their experiences about their mothers getting Alzheimer's and dementia, it made me think of my own mother and her daily prayer asking God that she be of "right mind all the days" of her life. Thankfully, she was. This holiday season, I am asking Santa to make sure I become a "super ager,...

In my memoir: " Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots ," which will be published in December, I share many stories over a sixty-five period. But, like with any editing process, some stories do not make the cut. In this week's episode, I share some of those stories. One of my favorites is about the tradition of Christmas and my continued belief that the b...