The Moxie Podcast

My guest this week loves helping others and building a space for the black tech community, but she is ultimately working toward her own freedom. The freedom of financial stability, of focusing on the things she’s passionate about, of just chilling out and living life. Pariss Athena, founder and CEO of Black Tech Pipeline , joins me to share real truths about her journey to this point and her hopes...

What’s wrong with work today? Since you listen to this podcast, you’re probably dissatisfied with the normal 9-to-5, but do you know why? My guest this week, Rodney Evans, is here to tell you. Through years of personal development and her work as an organizational designer, Rodney has learned the many reasons that work doesn’t work, in both our personal and professional lives. Join us to learn abo...

Tune in this week for a special conversation between our very own Michelle Lee and returning guest, Dr. Sarah Moon. As two Asian American women, they discussed how they’ve been dealing with the increases in Asian hate crimes over the past few years. They explored how Michelle is equipping her young daughters to know and love who they are, in ways she didn’t have herself. You’ll also get to hear wh...

Welcome to an exciting bonus episode, featuring an amazing conversation with someone who blows me away. For this episode, I got to connect across oceans with Aussie Alice Armitage. She’s defying conventional wisdom in every way, most importantly with her new printed (yep, with paper and ink) newspaper, Pandaemonium . This newspaper uses long-form stories to explore the many ways people approach su...

If you look up the word “capable” in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of Satta Hightower, my guest this week. A gift storyteller, she has spent the last eight years building a thriving freelance content marketing business that is creating a foundation for her family’s future. Though she stumbled upon freelancing accidentally, she has successfully QUADRUPLED her income through her business.  S...

How well do you know yourself? What you can offer to the world, who you are, and where you want to go in life are all questions that can only be answered through self-knowledge. In this week’s episode, Cam Lee Small joins me to explore these questions and the journey required to understand yourself fully.  As a trans-racial adoptee and clinical psychologist, Cam has both personal and professional...

I’m excited to welcome Dane Lyons to the podcast and welcome BACK his wife Evy, who joined me last season to talk about building brands, muscles, and teams. Together, Dane and Evy are pushing back against rigid business structures and wholeheartedly embracing creativity. From hackathons to NFTs, they share how they are finding new ways to challenge themselves and build something new. In this episo...

What makes a good podcast guest? We had so much fun last season with Thomas Hicks, a.k.a. The Cereal Snob, that we had to bring him back to share his secrets. From learning how to show up as a fuller, more energized version of yourself to embracing your journey, Thomas has all the tips you need to own your space and story. Join us for a special bonus episode of The Hectic Podcast. In this episode,...

How long have you been putting off that thing you want to do? What if you just started today? That’s the message Devonnae Williams, my first guest of season 3, wants to share. Whether she’s helping companies define their brands and perfect their websites or educating creators on YouTube, she is all in and loving it. Join our conversation to hear what Devonnae loves about connecting with people, ho...

Hey, there, world! The Hectic Podcast is back for season 3, with our first episode launching on Tuesday, February 8th, 2022. Thank you to the thousands of listeners and subscribers; we wouldn't be here without you. Darryl & Michelle 

Well, folks, we’ve reached the end of season TWO of The Hectic Podcast and, wow, what a season it’s been. Reminisce with Michelle and me as we discuss our favorite moments from this season. From learning how to share and own our stories to becoming more present in everything we do, our guests have given us so many ways to be better people and creators. Get a peek behind the podcasting process as w...

We recommend pouring a bowl of your favorite cereal before listening to this week’s chat with leading cereal influencer (yes, you read that right), Cereal Snob’s Thomas Hicks. Along with giving us a peek at the world of cereal reviews, Thomas shares what he’s learned from this work and how he’s using this experience to overhaul his brand.  We also touch on authenticity and human connection, explor...

Do you have easy access to YouTube? In about 40 minutes, you’re absolutely going to need it. This week, Michelle arranged a visit from some of my personal heroes: The Rocky Mountain Ringers. As a handbell player, getting to indulge in and share my passion for this instrument with group members Amy and Jeff was an incredible experience. We’re all about pursuing your dreams and passions at Hectic, s...

If you ever feel like you have to fight to have control of your life and how you spend your time (in both big ways and little ways), this episode is for you. Dr. Beth Waterman, licensed mental health counselor, joins to share how we can recognize, engage with, and find relief from the traumas that may be controlling us. From practical ways to deal with these cycles to permission to acknowledge the...

Did you start your business because it was a step toward what you want to achieve or because it flowed from the person you are and the purpose you hold? Alex Drummond joins me this week to share how he is helping the next generation of entrepreneurs discover their stories and take steps to realize the purpose they hold. In this episode, you’ll learn how to reclaim a can-do, why-not lens that will...

My guest of the week is a connector. He brings people together, creating and participating in communities that are life-giving to everyone involved. He also happens to kill at it independent creating, giving clients what they want before they even know they want it. I am thrilled to introduce you to Todd Van Fleet, photographer and designer extraordinaire. Whether he’s adding to his popular bicycl...

When was the last time you took a break? Not a vacation where you still did some work or a few hours that you had to use to handle another responsibility, but a time when you focused solely on rest and recovery? For me, it had been way too long and my body had had enough. So we’re doing things a bit different this week. We’re taking a break from guest conversations to focus on the value of rest. R...

For Brittany Charboneau, life is about being present in the moment and finding joy in even the smallest things. Even as she has run in some of the country’s biggest races, including the 2020 Olympic trials, she has focused on enjoying every second, keeping a positive outlook, and being wholly her genuine self. She joins me today to talk about her journey to authenticity, what she’s learned since s...

My guest this week is not a fan of labels. She is working to change the legal industry and that is the most important thing to know. Join me and Eda Rosa as she shares how she is pursuing and accomplishing this goal. With hard work, a good support system, and the right perspective, she is fighting for justice and a healthier way of practicing law. In this episode, you’ll hear: That Eda doesn’t do...

There’s something different about my guest this week. She practically glows with passion, vulnerability, and authenticity. During this episode, you’ll hear how Odalys Jasmine learned how to own her story and share it with the world. From childhood hardships to current projects, she explores her experience with finding and understanding success on her terms.  As a Latino and child of immigrants, Od...

All good tattoos start with a story. The same can be said for brands. For David Peterson, my guest this week, this idea was the inspiration behind his company, Tat2 Marketing Group. Together with his business partner Tammy and their crew, they help companies learn how to promote and share their stories. During our conversation, David shares his love of analytics and data. As the “left brain” of hi...

Whether they’re creating stunning product pics, hosting their podcast, or scheming to make new friends, Arabela and Elle of Weekend Creative are all about having fun. On their podcast Per Our Last Email, Arabela and Elle share crazy stories about freelancing, all while unwinding with a delicious cocktail. If you’ve done any freelance work, it’s a podcast that will leave you rolling and saying, “I...

Today, we welcome back Nicole Swartz of Sprout Law, an expert on everything trademark. She returns to answer many of the questions we got after her last episode, plus offers guidance on choosing the right business registration, checking for trademarks, and building a solid contract. The best part? It’s all focused on freelancers and small business owners so you can easily apply it to your work and...

Can she fix it? Yes, she can! Adrianna Baros offers furniture repairs and touch-ups, but that is only one of the many incredible skills she offers. She joins the podcast this week to share how she got involved with this craft and what it’s like to live such a wild, fun, and crazy life. Whether she’s plotting how to trade up from a pen to a Tesla or making barn doors for her home, Adrianna isn’t af...

This week, you get to meet sister duo and creative powerhouse, Carly DeFilippo and Lauren DeFilippo Jackson. Together, they run Cognoscenti Creative, a small creative studio. Though entrepreneurship is in their blood, it definitely wasn’t their plan. Join us as Lauren and Carly share what led them to start a business together and how they developed the skills they use to wow clients. You’ll learn...