Ten Minutes of Truth with Shawn A. Barksdale

The Men of Faith Brotherhood is launching a special three-part series titled “When Clergy Speaks.” In this series, three different pastors will share personal insights about their lives—some of their journeys before salvation, their walk after being saved, and what it took for them to step into the pastorate. They will also speak honestly about personal struggles, lessons learned, and what it trul...

“When Clergy Speaks.” In our third episode, we feature Bishop Alfonso L. Smith, who is known for combining strong preaching with encouragement and personal testimony about overcoming serious health challenges. Our second episode features Overseer B. Stephon Brown, Pastor of Noah’s Ark Full Gospel Baptist Church, who delivers a message that is raw, transparent, and deeply honest about the realities...

The Men of Faith Brotherhood is launching a special three-part series titled “When Clergy Speaks.” Our second episode features Overseer B. Stephon Brown, Pastor of Noah’s Ark Full Gospel Baptist Church, who delivers a message that is raw, transparent, and deeply honest about the realities of life and ministry. Our first episode featured Overseer J. Troy Blackwell, Pastor of Cedar Grove Tabernacle...

Tedx: The Journey to Fluvanna Women's Correctional Center with Delia Cohen 🎙️ New Episode | #TenMinutesOfTruth Podcast In this powerful and insightful conversation, Shawn A. Barksdale sits down with Delia Cohen , Founder of Proximity For Justice , to discuss an extraordinary journey connected to Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women in Virginia. Their discussion centers on the upcoming TEDxFluvan...

🌱 Grow It. Raise It. Share It. 🐓 Shawn A. Barksdale and Lawrence Howerton spent the day at a local community garden talking about something powerful: self-sustainability . From planting your own vegetables to raising backyard animals, we have the ability to take control of our food — and our future. ✅ Learn how to start growing your own food  ✅ Understand the value of local gardens and small f...

🎥 New Episode Drop: SNAP & EBT – Use It Right or Pay the Price Shawn and Lawrence sat right in front of the Halifax County Courthouse to break down the real truth about SNAP and EBT benefits.  This isn’t just about getting help — it’s about doing it right . Because when these benefits are misused or turned into a hustle, people will get caught… and the consequences are no joke. 🔍 In this 6-m...

THIS ISN’T ABOUT VIEWS. IT’S ABOUT SURVIVAL. Let’s get one thing straight: the videos we’re producing on SNAP & EBT benefits and the pitfalls of abusing the system — we’re paying for them out of our own pockets. No grants. No sponsors. Just us.  Big props to all the community members that support Feed Halifax , Hitachi Energy South Boston and Ryland Clark for there phenomenal efforts and succe...

🎙️ Real Talk from the Ground Up Shawn and Lawrence got real today — sitting right on the grass outside Social Services — to speak directly to the MEN in our community. They talked about what it means to truly step up as fathers, to lead with love, and to raise our children with purpose. They spoke on the responsibility we have not just to our kids, but to respect and work with the mothers of our c...

🎤 Full Promo and Keynote Speech by Dr. Tony Dice — Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council The Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council’s first-ever Peer-Led Recovery Conference was a powerful success — and now you can watch the full keynote speech by Dr. Tony Dice right here. This dynamic and thought-provoking presentation captures the heart of Region 5’s mission to Bridge the Gap between recovery, family,...

🚨 CALL TO ACTION – HALIFAX COUNTY & SOUTH BOSTON 🚨 If the government shutdown and SNAP/EBT benefit stoppage are going to affect your family, go to the Ten Minutes of Truth Podcast Facebook page and tell us what challenges you’re facing and how you’re planning to cope if benefits are delayed or cut off. Your voice matters — we want to hear from you. 🎙️ SPECIAL EPISODE ANNOUNCEMENT Because of...

💡 Medicaid Billing Made Clear — Supporting Peers Through Knowledge At the 2025 Region 5 Advisory Council First Peer-Led Recovery Conference & Podcast Series , Dianna Wegkamp and Rebecca Graser joined Shawn A. Barksdale on the Ten Minutes of Truth Podcast to discuss their dynamic sessions — Medicaid Billing Part 1 & Part 2 . Together, they broke down how understanding Medicaid billing empo...

🌉 Bridging the Gap Through Justice Support At the 2025 Region 5 Advisory Council First Peer-Led Recovery Conference & Podcast Series , Ann-Marie Byrd and Jamie Easley sat down with Shawn A. Barksdale on the Ten Minutes of Truth Podcast to discuss what it truly means to support peers with justice involvement . Their conversation highlights how lived experience, compassion, and person-centered...

🕯 Patrick Henry’s Red Hill Presents: 2025 Legacy Roundtable & 4th Annual Quarter Place Tribute 📅 October 4, 2025 | Brookneal, Virginia Patrick Henry’s Red Hill hosted the 4th Annual Quarter Place Tribute alongside the Legacy Roundtable Discussion , bringing together voices dedicated to preserving history and honoring the legacy of the enslaved and their descendants. For more information and h...

Listen to Pastor Justin Goodman talk about how Hope City Church welcomes all just as they are. Email: info@hopecitychurchva.com 540 East Constance Road Suffolk, Virginia 23434 757-439-6755  www.hopecityva.com

🎙 A Conversation With Kiera Moore & Sam at the 2025 Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council’s First Peer-Led Recovery Conference & Podcast Series In this 10 Minutes of Truth episode — recorded live at Hub757 in Suffolk, Virginia — Shawn A. Barksdale talks with Kiera Moore and Sam about what it took to make the Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council’s First Peer-Led Recovery Conference such a succes...

🎙 Kattrell Lewis | Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council At the 2025 Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council’s First Peer-Led Recovery Conference , Kattrell Lewis was everywhere — guiding attendees to breakout sessions, helping vendors find their tables, running messages, and jumping in wherever help was needed. 💪🏽 Kattrell shared how being part of Region 5 feels like being part of a family — where ever...

🎙 A Conversation With Lauren Pegram at the 2025 Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council’s First Peer-Led Recovery Conference & Podcast Series Recorded live at Hub757 in Suffolk, Virginia , this 10 Minutes of Truth episode — produced in partnership with the Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council — features Lauren Pegram , Secretary for Region 5 and one of the many dedicated members who make the council...

🎙 A Conversation With Sherri Wiggins at the 2025 Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council’s First Peer-Led Recovery Conference & Podcast Series In this follow-up interview, Shawn A. Barksdale reconnects with Sherri Wiggins , who spoke with 10 Minutes of Truth months ago as Region 5 was preparing for the conference. This time, she reflects on how everything came together — the teamwork, the dedicatio...

💜 Special Thanks to Andrea Triplett Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council | 2025 First Peer-Led Recovery Conference At the Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council’s First Peer-Led Recovery Conference at Hub757 in Suffolk, Virginia , Conference Coordinator Keira Moore selected Andrea Triplett to serve as Shawn A. Barksdale and 10 Minutes of Truth’s personal assistant during the event — and she was nothing...

🎙 A Conversation With Daniel Srebro at the 2025 Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council’s First Peer-Led Recovery Conference & Podcast Series Recorded live at Hub757 in Suffolk, Virginia , this 10 Minutes of Truth episode — produced in partnership with the Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council — features Daniel Srebro , a key part of the team that made the conference possible. Daniel was instrumental...

🎙 A Conversation With Christy Corbin at the 2025 Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council’s First Peer-Led Recovery Conference & Podcast Series Recorded live at Hub757 in Suffolk, Virginia , this 10 Minutes of Truth episode — produced in partnership with the Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council — features Christy Corbin , facilitator of the breakout session “Empowering Families: The Role of Family Sup...

🎙 A Conversation With Heather Peck at the 2025 Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council’s First Peer-Led Recovery Conference & Podcast Series Recorded live at Hub757 in Suffolk, Virginia , this special 10 Minutes of Truth episode — produced in partnership with the Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council — features Heather Peck sharing insight on the power of lived experience, connection, and collaboratio...

🎙 A Conversation With Shetra Colston at the 2025 Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council’s First Peer-Led Recovery Conference & Podcast Series Join Shawn A. Barksdale of the 10 Minutes of Truth Podcast for an insightful conversation with Shetra Colston , who led an engaging workshop on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the Region 5 Recovery Conference in Suffolk, Virginia. Shetra shared pow...

🎙️ A Conversation with Don McCourtney & The Region 5 Recovery Council In this episode, Ten Minutes of Truth host Shawn A. Barksdale sits down with Don McCourtney from the Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council to talk about the power of connection, recovery, and—believe it or not— video games . 🎮 They explore how gaming and creative outlets can play a role in healing, recovery, and building bridg...

Workshop Facilitator Spotlight We are honored to feature Cheryl DeHaven, CPRS, CPC, as one of our inspiring facilitators for the Region 5 RAC Recovery Conference – Bridging the Gap on September 30th at Hub757 in Suffolk, VA. “Cheryl DeHaven, CPRS, CPC is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and Professional Coach with over 40 years of lived experience navigating recovery, resilience, and wellness....