Verbally Effective

Bri Saulsberry "Luxury Experiences" | EPISODE 211 Memphis native, Bri Saulsberry, is my guest for episode 211. Bri is the the Beauty, Boss and Brains behind the illustrious company that reimagines and redefines luxury experiences, Bri Saulsberry & Company. Bri Saulsberry and Company is a boutique design agency that specializes in uniquely reimagining spaces to create extraordinary experiences. Thr...

Founded in 2018, Ruthless Ryderz is a roundup club for cowboys and cowgirls started by my guest for Ep 210 Tyrone Brown Sr. Originally from Okmulgee, OK, Tyrone moved to Memphis in 2010 and began expanding Ruthless Ryderz which now has over one hundred members in nine states. Members partake in western rodeo events, horse shows, trail rides and parades. Take a listen as Tyrone discusses the rich h...

My guest for episode 209 reps White Station and Memphis sports. You may have heard John Martin on your radio dial 92.9FM ESPN from 11am-2pm along with Jason Smith giving you the latest in the sports news. John's love for Memphis sports started very early in life as a huge Memphis Tigers fan under the Calipari era. He attended the University of Memphis as journalism major and received his first rad...

Meet South Memphis native Jeff Cohran. He’s been holding down the role as Tour & Production manager for Janelle Monae for the last two decades. Jeff comes from a musical family with his Aunt singing background for Ray Charles and Uncle as a musician with the Bar-Kays. However it was Jeff’s mom who was very instrumental in getting him to hone in on the business side of music. Jeff attended UT Knoxv...

You've seen my Ep 207 guest, Janeen Fullilove Gordon, on television over the past 9 years as a traffic anchor and most recently host of Bluff City Life. She is now transitioning from television into full-time public service as a candidate for Shelby County Juvenile Court Clerk. You'll learn that Janeen is deeply rooted in the Memphis community which began in the Glenview Historic District. Take a...

Orange Mound, TN native, Marcus Washington is an Emmy Award winning journalist, currently working as the morning anchor at NBC Bay Area in the San Francisco Bay Area. He's lived in six cities over the past seventeen years in the news industry. Tune in as Marcus talks us through his time at University of Memphis in the journalism program while pledging Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc. He takes us b...

Orange Mound native, Gerald Richardson, is my esteemed guest for episode 205. The youngest of eight siblings, Gerald grew up in a gospel/musical family. He attended White Station High School during the time re-districting was enforced in Memphis. Immediately following graduation he joined a band and the rest is history. Gerald shares that he is blessed to be able to merge his love for both music a...

North Memphis native, Dominique Y. Frost, is my guest for episode 204. Dominique is currently a licensed insurance agent and financial services professional that focuses her practice on helping individuals, families and small business owners. She is extremely compassionate about her Memphis community using her voice to influence others. Tune is as Dominique and I discuss her political ambitions, m...

Attorney Janika White is in the midst of campaign season up for the imperative role of Shelby County District Attorney. Her current situation is filled with a plethora of meetings while staying on path of an intentional journey. Janika's hometown in Memphis is rather debatable being that she lived a street over from Crystal Palace skating rink. Some would say that is South Memphis, White Haven or...

Beaumont TX native, Emile G. Sigee Jr. joins me for episode 202. Emile is a tax professional with EdXact Tax Prep, Union President of Local 352-G and he's also one my big brothers. Take a listen as Emile talks us through his thoughts on the Russia-Ukraine war having experience serving in the US Military. In addition, he breaks down his position as the Union President with Dupont and how the issues...

Originally from East St. Louis, multi-disciplinary artist Eso Tolson joins us for episode 201. Eso talks us through his upbringing as an "art kid" in Missouri while pointing out the many comparisons of both Memphis and St. Louis. Although Eso moved to the Bluff City at the age of 22, he has definitely embraced his inner Memphis. He describes the art scene as one that is building community with a n...

White Haven, TN native, Dr. Tavis Wade-Jones, joins me for Ep 200 of the Verbally Effective Podcast. Being number twelve of thirteen siblings, Tavis grew up in very big, loving family. I'm sure it wouldn't surprise you to know that she was voted "Most Popular" and "Wittiest" at White Haven High School. Tavis began her college journey at Fisk University and later finished at THEE LeMoyne-Owen Colle...

Ernest D. Strickland, President and CEO of the Black Business Association of Memphis, holds an MBA from Bethel University and Bachelor of Professional Studies from University of Memphis. Strickland has led a multitude of successful economic and workforce development projects throughout his career. Most recently, he served as architect of Memphis’ community-wide workforce development initiative, Up...

Nikki Barnes, known in the entertainment industry as Ooowee Nikki B, is a Memphis event planner and promoter. This South Memphis native is a graduate of University of Memphis where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality & Resort Management. Nikki B began here promotional career in high school while being a part of the Hottest No ID Required promoter, Shunn Gunn’s street team. While...

Jackson, TN native, Dr. Chrisla Key, is on a mission to find that delicate balance in life. Chrisla has been in the nursing field for over twenty years currently practicing pediatric urology and serving as an assistant professor. Not only is Chrisla an outstanding wife and mother of two boys, she is also very active in the Phi Lambda Omega graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Take...

Oakland, TN native, Sweet Face Brit, is an ICU Nurse and owner of Sweet Temptation Hair and Lashes. Britney shares how it was growing up in Fayette County participating in competitive cheer and band. She attended MTSU and later finished nursing at Baptist. It was her ex-husband who introduced Britney to selling hair a few years back. After a bitter divorce, she began to build Sweet Temptation Hair...

Indianola, MS native, Tony Smith, has been setting the vibes for your Memphis night life for the past six years. The oldest of three brothers, Tony grew up in the church and moved to Memphis with his mother around the age of twelve. While attending Hickory Ridge Middle School, Tony played the violin in the orchestra and later moved to bass at Overton High School’s orchestra. Tony's love for night...

East Memphis native, Bianca Mcmillian, is an actress and entertainer with over 10 years of experience on the stage and a couple of years on film. She reluctantly began her thespian journey in the drama department at Kirby High School. Bianca shares that she was very shy and experienced bullying prior to entering the world of drama. However, she experienced an amazing breakthrough once she joined....

Hailing from North Memphis, Jus Bentley is maximizing her craft. I first met Jus Bentley at Dream Fest showcase over ten years ago and I am so proud on the artist that she has grown into. She starts the pod sharing the legacy of her family's gas stations, King Grocery, which is a staple throughout the city of Memphis. Although Bentley went to three high schools (Cordova, Germantown and Bartlett) d...

South Memphis, TN native, Sherman Harper Jr., is the owner of Service Queens, Co-Creator of SneakFest and a member of Grind City Cycling. Take a listen as Sherman kicks off the podcast sharing insight on the why he started therapy during the pandemic and how it has changed his life. Find out how he and his wife started flipping houses and transitioned into renovations, construction and property in...

Chima Onwuka's God given purpose is to impact as many lives as I can before he leaves this Earth. After graduating college with a psychology degree, he became a recreational therapist and helped adults that struggled with mental illness such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar, alcohol and drug abuse, and anger management. Now as a Clinician while finishing up his masters, he works with children...

Orange Mound, TN native, DJ Squeeky, has produced music for a plethora of talented artists from Memphis and beyond. This Paper Route Empire producer shares with us how his mother and uncle were very instrumental in how his musical journey began. DJ Squeeky attended Melrose High School with MJG and was immediately known for music after he djed a high school pep rally. Immediately following he began...

Originally from Pelham, AL, Amy Speropoulos has graced our televisions in Memphis since 1999. This award-winning journalist entered our homes and our hearts delivering compelling content on all 4 TV stations in Memphis including WREG, WMC-TV, ABC 24, and WHBQ, Fox 13. Take a listen as Amy shares quite a few peaks and valleys working in news television. From constantly being reminded of her souther...

On EP 187, we welcome Whitehaven, TN native Kier C. Thomas. He is currently the Executive Director at Western Tennessee A&M School of Engineering and Design. Kier's colorful background includes working for the Shelby County Government Law Enforcement and the Shelby County School System. He shares his experience on having the epiphany to become an entrepreneur starting his very own school. Kier und...

Whitehaven native, Marvin Todd, has an extensive skillset in the areas of marketing, project management and strategic planning and implementation. Marvin currently serves as a Marketing Manager at FedEx corporate after mastering numerous roles during his eighteen-year tenure. He’s the Board Chair for Vision Prep Charter School, Board Member of Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change and is a...