The Unexpected Detour ❤️

In this powerful conversation, the ladies opened up about their personal journeys with breast reconstruction—discussing how the procedure is performed and breaking down the two main types of reconstruction. Whether you're considering this step or simply seeking to understand the options, today's episode offers heartfelt insight, honest experiences, and valuable education.💗 There's always somethin...

Sonet Teruel was my guest today on The Unexpected Detour ❤️. She is a devoted wife, mother, and nurse who was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. In this heartfelt episode, Sonet shares her powerful journey — and how her husband, her father, and her unwavering faith in God, along with continuous prayer, helped her navigate every step of the way. She is truly a beacon of hope, and her beauty radi...

In this powerful episode of The Unexpected Detour ❤️, host Frances sits down with bestselling author, speaker, and advocate Rebecca Faye Smith Galli, whose life was transformed by unexpected heartbreak, loss, and paralysis. From the devastating death of her brother and daughter to navigating life in a wheelchair after a sudden illness, Rebecca’s journey is a masterclass in resilience. She shares h...

In this unforgettable episode of The Unexpected Detour ❤️, host Frances Hammond sits down with Kijuan M. Amey—an Army veteran, drummer, entrepreneur, and author of the inspiring book Don’t Focus On “Why Me?”.After a life-changing motorcycle accident left him blind, Kijuan could have given up. Instead, he leaned into his faith, found a new rhythm, and turned his detour into a divine assignment.🔥 T...

Tonight’s Conversation Recap – The Resilience of Black Women Confronting Breast CancerIn this heartfelt discussion, we reflected on the recent passing of Ananda Lewis and explored the question: Would early detection through mammograms have changed her diagnosis? We opened up about our own cancer journeys and the emotional weight that comes with hearing the word cancer. We also discussed the option...

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Talley Koren — a singer, songwriter, spiritual healer, and caregiver whose life and music are deeply rooted in compassion, resilience, and love. Talley opens up about her late husband Doug's courageous battle with cancer and how caregiving shaped her path as an artist and healer. Talley also shares the emotional journey of caring for her mother, who is l...

Tonight on The Resilience of Black Women Confronting Breast Cancer…We didn’t hold back. We opened up about the silent battles—the side effects that disrupt our lives and challenge our identities. From hair loss to autoimmune issues, we spoke our truth—raw, real, and unapologetically powerful. Because when Black women speak, the world should listen. Presented by The Unexpected Detour ❤️

In this episode of The Unexpected Detour ❤️, I had the privilege of speaking with the incredible Sally McQuallen. Sally is not only a wife, mother of three, and an accomplished author, but also an LCSW and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Her memoir, Reaching for Beautiful: A Memoir of Loving and Losing a Wild Child, tells the powerful story of her journey after the heartbreaking loss of her...

Today, I had the honor of interviewing Tony Stewart, author of Carrying The Tiger: A Memoir. Tony’s powerful memoir shares his deeply personal journey as the devoted caregiver to his beloved wife, Lynn, who courageously battled Stage IV metastatic cancer for six years. In our conversation, Tony opens up about the challenges, heartache, and unwavering love that defined their path. His story is a mo...

The resilience of Black women confronting breast cancer is an inspiring testament to strength, courage, and perseverance. Despite facing unique challenges, including disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, Black women continue to demonstrate remarkable fortitude in their fight against this disease. Cultural, social, and familial support systems play a crucial role in empowering these women...

There was a time when the constant mention of breast cancer became a heavy weight, and I was simply fed up with discussing it. The very word felt exhausting, and I grew weary of the well-meaning conversations, longing only to leave it all behind and reclaim my life. Then, a lifeline appeared in the form of a group of incredible women who profoundly changed my perspective and my heart. Now, fueled...

“Resilience is knowing that you are the only one that has the power and the responsibility to pick yourself up.”-Mary HollowayIn this episode the ladies and discussed our uncertainty of Breast Cancer in the future. We talked about unknown factors that we didn't know were associated with breast cancer. We took time to remember our sister Angie Money who lost her fight to breast cancer on February 2...

Today's discussion covered the probability that toxic products, foods you eat and products we use daily may be a contributing factor of Breast Cancer. We covered birth control, hair care products, plastic bottles, synthetic materials such as clothes, bed linens and what's in the food and drinks we consume. Reading labels is important and knowing the terminology of the words on the products can sav...

I had the pleasure of catching up with Tamika Baker, one of the ladies who's a part of The Resilience of Black Women Confronting Breast Cancer. She is one of the most transparent women I have met during my journey. She was diagnosed with Stage 2 TNBC (Triple Negative Breast Cancer). She had a double mastectomy and goes into details about the procedure. She left me in awe as I listened to her story...

The voice that I disliked will be the legacy left behind.

In episode 4 of The Resilience of Black Women Confronting Breast Cancer the women were transparent about personal issues. We covered how they dealt with their diagnosis mentally. How do they see themselves physically when they look in the mirror? Then we discussed intimacy which these women were open and honest. #mindbodyandspirit #intimacy #physical #mentally #transparent

The Resilience of Black Women Confronting Breast Cancer is a project that explores the strength and determination of Black women in their fight against breast cancer. It highlights the unique challenges they face, such as disparities in access to healthcare and clinical trials, and celebrates their resilience in overcoming these obstacles. The project aims to raise awareness of breast cancer in th...

Two years ago, I had the esteemed privilege of interviewing Bill C. Potts. the author of "Up For The Fight". This is a book about his journey with cancer. Not one type of cancer, but five types of cancer. I wanted to catch up with him and find out how he's doing, and I was excited to hear that he has used his story to encourage others. Have a listen but if you haven't listened to my interview Bill...

The Resilience of Black Women Confronting Breast Cancer is a community of black women discussing the trials and tribulations regarding their journey. We have fresh faces and new journeys. You'll not only hear their stories, but we will discuss new objectives regarding Black women and Breast Cancer. We have a special guest Nicole Celine so stay tuned. The podcast will be available the second Friday...

We as Black women are the least to discuss breast cancer amongst ourselves due to the stigma and rejection from others. Today we begin a new journey to break the cycle of being inclusive about our journey by being open and transparent about Breast Cancer. Meet Angie, Zainab, Latisha, Tifanie, and Zakiarh each one has a different story, various stages and different treatment and how they approached...

Being transparent means letting it - all of it - pass through us. Converse to letting go, it means never holding on in the first place. When we can learn to do this, we remove the obstacles of ego that we ourselves create in our lives. Being transparent isn’t just about physical clarity; it’s about openness, honesty, and vulnerability. Order your autographed copy of Alopecia or Cancer This is Me a...

We're so grateful for the voices who joined us this Black History Month. A special thanks to Steven Lewis, Octavia SoulSista Cohen, Andrea C, Dwayne Graham, Eric Benson, Danielle Atherton-Bonner, Kimberly Policano, Selena Cherry and Ranelle Wilson for sharing their powerful detours. Please check out The Unexpected Detour podcast available across podcast platforms. --- Send in a voice message: http...

The special guest today is Ranelle Wilson, who is a up and coming body sculptor. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree and started a job in the medical field. She, like most of the younger generation that I have interviewed, prefers to work for themselves and that was exactly what she does as a body sculptor. Ranelle technique is non-invasive body sculpting using wood to help fight cellulite. As...

My special guest today is Selena Cherry, she's a mother grandmother, she works a full-time job and is a solopreneur. She and I met her at church, I would love to go to church and see her outside. She had that biggest smile and would hug you as you came through the door.  It was later that I found out she was on a ministry called the SMILE ministry. Selena loves candles and the scents but would suf...

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Kimberly Policano. Kim and I met and worked when she was eighteen years old. Although she may have left, we reconnected in 2005. Kim was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of twenty-five, but as time went by, she her kidneys would no longer function properly. Determined to keep living, she went on kidney dialysis for seven years when she would receive her...