The Forte' Effect

What happens when the thing that has always defined you suddenly stops working? Afftene Taylor grew up in Bessemer, Alabama, where academic excellence was expected and college was always part of the plan. As valedictorian, she arrived at Duke University confident in her abilities—only to discover she was surrounded by students who had been the smartest in their classrooms too. In this episode of T...

Former White House National Security Council Human Capital Director and Army veteran Jodie Minor joins Forté for a powerful conversation about leadership, war, purpose, reinvention, and returning home to rural Alabama. From Iraq combat zones to Capitol Hill and the White House, Jody shares the moments that changed his life — including the experience that made him walk away from power and return ho...

Project Management Without Tech? From Bessemer to Boardrooms | Katrina “KC” Dada, PMP What does project management really look like outside of tech? In this episode of The Forté Effect , Forté sits down with Katrina “KC” Dada, PMP — Senior Project Manager, engineer, wife, mother, and proud daughter of Bessemer, Alabama — for a conversation about leadership, reinvention, purpose, and building what’...

Project Management Without Tech? From Bessemer to Boardrooms | Katrina “KC” Dada, PMP What does project management really look like outside of tech? In this episode of The Forté Effect , Forté sits down with Katrina “KC” Dada, PMP — Senior Project Manager, engineer, wife, mother, and proud daughter of Bessemer, Alabama — for a conversation about leadership, reinvention, purpose, and building what’...

What happens when everything you’ve built in your career suddenly changes? In this episode of The Forté Effect, Forté sits down with Shquila (Quee) to explore leadership, unexpected transition, and rebuilding with purpose. After 25 years in banking and financial crimes, Shquila shares how she moved from corporate leadership into entrepreneurship with 6 Nineteen Freedom and into the classroom as a...

“My health is non-negotiable.” At 63, Birmingham’s own Jerri Haslem — known as “The Peach of 63” — is still moving, still showing up, and still choosing discipline every single day. In this episode of The Forté Effect , host Instructor Forté sits down with Jerri for a powerful conversation on health, longevity, and purpose. From starting her running journey at 38 to completing over 60 half maratho...

“My health is non-negotiable.” At 63, Birmingham’s own Jerri Haslem — known as “The Peach of 63” — is still moving, still showing up, and still choosing discipline every single day. In this episode of The Forté Effect , host Instructor Forté sits down with Jerri for a powerful conversation on health, longevity, and purpose. From starting her running journey at 38 to completing over 60 half maratho...

Meet Xavier Rice — 17 years old, Aliceville High School junior, dual enrollment student, videographer known as CMZ, and future meteorologist. When Xavier was just 6 years old, an EF2 tornado touched down near his home in Aliceville, Alabama. That moment didn’t just scare him — it sparked a calling. Now, he’s training with the National Weather Service, building Small Town Big Dreams Productions, an...

Meet Xavier Rice — 17 years old, Aliceville High School junior, dual enrollment student, videographer known as CMZ, and future meteorologist. When Xavier was just 6 years old, an EF2 tornado touched down near his home in Aliceville, Alabama. That moment didn’t just scare him — it sparked a calling. Now, he’s training with the National Weather Service, building Small Town Big Dreams Productions, an...

Loss does not pause responsibility. In this episode of The Forté Effect, Valerie Hughes shares what it means to lose both parents within 15 days — while continuing to show up as a mother, professional, and woman of faith. We talk about: • Why high-functioning women rarely ask for help • Why silence can be more powerful than the wrong words • How healing doesn’t look the same for everyone • What it...

Reinvent your content: https://www.opus.pro/?via=reinventwithforte Turn one conversation into multiple clips using AI—this is how I create Reinvention Clips™ for The Forté Effect. Healing Forward: Grief, Rest & Reinvention Loss does not pause responsibility. In this episode of The Forté Effect, Valerie Hughes shares what it means to lose both parents within 15 days — while continuing to show u...

After nearly three decades with one company, Nichole L. faced an unexpected career disruption that forced her into a powerful season of reinvention. In this candid and heartfelt conversation, Forté and Nichole explore what it really looks like to navigate sudden job loss, rediscover creativity, and redefine identity beyond a job title. From motherhood and resilience to financial savvy and bold car...

After nearly three decades with one company, Nichole L. faced an unexpected career disruption that forced her into a powerful season of reinvention. In this candid and heartfelt conversation, Forté and Nichole explore what it really looks like to navigate sudden job loss, rediscover creativity, and redefine identity beyond a job title. From motherhood and resilience to financial savvy and bold car...

In this powerful debut episode of The Forté Effect — where technology, creativity, and the future of work meet culture, leadership, and entrepreneurship — host Forté sits down with Southern Soul artist DeVonese and producer, DJ, and entrepreneur DJ Ike Durty to talk about faith, music, business, and building a movement from the ground up. From church stages at age four to launching Turner Entertai...

In this powerful debut episode of The Forté Effect — where technology, creativity, and the future of work meet culture, leadership, and entrepreneurship — host Forté sits down with Southern Soul artist DeVonese and producer, DJ, and entrepreneur DJ Ike Durty to talk about faith, music, business, and building a movement from the ground up. From church stages at age four to launching Turner Entertai...