Verbally Effective

Blues bloodlines don’t come any stronger or run any truer than those of Rodd Bland. As the son of immortal singer Bobby “Blue” Bland, Rodd was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps—though not from behind a microphone. Instead, Rodd regally sits behind a drum kit, supplying a propulsive beat that powers so many bands in and around Memphis. Rodd began playing with his father at the age of fiv...

Jeff “Trot” Trotter is an Atlanta native that has been living and serving in the city of Memphis for over 12 years. Deeply rooted in faith and family, Jeff has carved out a lane in Memphis that has helped him stay hungry. He currently serves as the Special Projects Assistant to the Senior Pastor at Hope Church Memphis; which is the largest Presbyterian church in America. He is developing a busines...

Westwood native, Arriell Gipson, loves people and even more to make powerful impact on lives. Whether it is on the job, in the community, or within her family, Arriell leads by serving. Arriell has worked in four diverse career fields, from non-profit to small business and government, enhancing her skillsets to impact positive change vigorously. Arriell is also a candidate for Shelby County Clerk,...

Germantown native, AyeshiA Smith, is both CEO and Fashion Designer of the next big global brand, AyeshiA, an all-inclusive luxury women’s wear brand designed for women who appreciate timeless custom made pieces that creates confidence. AyeshiA's passion for fashion started at the age of five when she would often frequent Hancock Fabrics with her mom. At the age of thriteen she started sewing and r...

Holly Springs, MS native, Bianca Richmond, manifested her very first publication into a hit stage play. She started writing this book after a divorce which led to the creation of "Married to a Cheater, In Love with a Husband." Take a listen as Bianca walks us through growing up in Holly Springs where her creativity was developed and nurtured. Fast forward to today, Bianca is an entrepreneur owning...

South Memphis native, Ashley Dortch, is bridging the gap between millennials and the masses. She was so bothered by the negative connotations associated with being a millennial in the workplace that she wanted to make a change. In 2018, she leaned on both her marketing and therapy skills to create Millennial Consulting to help organizations and companies understand how to work with millennials to...

Born in New Orleans and based in Memphis, Preauxx mines musical inspiration from both cities even as his lyrics take listeners far beyond his humble Southern roots. Preauxx recently dropped his new project entitled "Slide" that is accompanied with a nice two-step dance. Take a listen to Preauxx's story stemming from a military family filled with religion and discipline. You'll discover that music...

Trinica Goods is a professional dancer born and raised in Memphis, Tn. Since she was a young girl she always had a strong passion for dance. Trinica began her dance training at the age of 11 at Colonial Middle School. She attended multiple performing arts school(s) for the next four years. After graduating high school, she went on to continue her dance training at The University of Memphis. There...

Senator Katrina Robinson was elected to the Tennessee General Assembly November 6, 2018. With no political background but a fire for a good fight on behalf of the underserved, Sen. Robinson launched an aggressive campaign for office, ultimately unseating a 12-year incumbent in a 2 to 1 victory. Sen. Robinson is Founder and CEO of The Healthcare Institute Inc. - one of Memphis’ leading postsecondar...

White Haven native Ashley Ave. has her hands in quite a few bags. Not only is she a singer-songwriter, but Ashley is also the mastermind behind the creative content for Memphis' first Women's Semi-Pro Basketball League, She Got Game. She refers to her upbringing as "High Class Hood Culture" stemming from both worlds of Tennessee and Mississippi. However, it wasn't until the age of twenty-three whe...

New Orleans, LA native Damieon Henry aka "Boss Spook" has made Memphis his home while he builds his empire. He is the CEO of Connected and Respected clothing line where his merch is housed at the Lyfestile Clothing Shop and Tattoo Shop in Whitehaven, TN. With over six hundred tattoos and known affectionately as Spook, he and I go way back meeting in 1999 when he stepped on the lawn of LeMoyne Owen...

Made In Memphis Entertainment recording artist, Brandon Lewis, is comfortable in the lane he has carved out for himself and he's doing what he loves-creating music. Being the youngest of seven, he was the only one to develop such a strong interest in and passion for music. Brandon has literally pulled himself up by the bootstraps in this music game by taking the initiative to learn every aspect of...

South Memphis native, Donald Walker Jr., is the Pastor of LimitBreaker Church. Donald followed in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather continuing a devout legacy in preaching the word. It is indeed amazing to listen to his journey as he shares accepting his "calling" at the age of twelve. Take a listen as Donald walks us through his road to leading his very own Church and the many chal...

White Haven, TN native Candace Spicer joins me for EP 172 of the Verbally Effective Podcast. She's an author, model, actress and creator of the new Memphis based reality show Bluff City Bellas. Tune in as Candace walks us through her journey dealing with insecurities, her thoughts on the evolution of the modeling industry and why she developed an online reality show in the Bluff City.

East Memphis native, Mille Manny is waking up the industry with his Hip-Hop immersed R&B vocals. He just happens to be the youngest ever guest on the Verbally Effective Podcast. Millie found his passion for music at the age of fourteen and has had two songs featured on NBA2K21 in addition to making his television debut in the Lifetime reality TV show, Ms. T’s Music Factory. This young crooner has...

Whitehaven, TN native Deric "Sleezy" Evans began his love for comedy at a very young age. This actor, comedian and radio personality earned a Bachelors degree in Human Performance Sports Science from Tennessee State, and secured a coveted membership in the world famous Aristocrat of Bands. Deric discusses very humble beginnings in the comedy game once he graduated college. However he continued to...

Tune in to South Memphis Legend IBN Young AKA Playa Fly as he gets Verbally Effective with Ena Esco on Ep 169. Playa Fly is an artist, writer, musician, and entertainer who became a certified hood celebrity at the age of 21. Many of us still to this day recite verbatim Memphis anthems such as “Gettin It On,” “Crownin Me,” and “Nobody Needs Nobody.” He talks of his close relationship with his grand...

West Memphis, AR native Carmeon Hamilton is HGTV's most recent and only African American Design Star: Next Gen Winner. Carmeon exists in a space where there are eighty percent Whites and two percent Blacks often being one of very few in her profession. Her love for design flourished when she was in college as a RA and rearranged her space with a hot pink and zebra theme. She immediately changed he...

Frayser native Dr. Bobby White is the Founder and CEO of Frayser Community Schools - a Charter Management Organization designed with the intent of positively transforming schools with the support of the community to build Family Centered Schools in Frayser// and Memphis Communities as a whole. Take a listen as Dr. White walks us through his journey of becoming a single parent to a child with a dis...

Jason “Jay” Anderson hails from City of Smiles - Grenada Mississippi. At a young age Jay had an affinity for science, music, and business. After becoming a hall of fame graduate of Grenada High School, he jumped headfirst into corporate America as the youngest African American human resource representative for Lennox International Incorporated. Jason thrived in this arena fast tracking into fields...

It's all about balance for episode's 161 guest Meridith Miller Rucker. Having a strong support system has aided this South Memphis native in accomplishing a plethora of goals. Meridith is currently the Director of Program Development for Bridges, yoga instructor, writer, wife, and mother. She discusses navigating through private institutions during her formative years that was very rewarding acade...

Meet Whitehaven, TN native and fashion designer Prep Curry. When he arrived in Los Angeles, California with only $6 to his name to work on his dream of becoming an accomplished fashion designer, he had no idea where his journey would lead. Five years later, history has been made as Prep Curry has grown his craft from creating bowties and pocket squares to become the first African American designer...

Finance professional and podcaster, Willams D. Brack, is originally from the Delta of Greenwood, MS. Growing up he faced much adversity moving to Chicago, IL for a few years and coming back to the midsouth with family in Memphis, TN at the age of thirteen. He learned a plethora of life skills at a very early age and excelled in academics and sports graduating summa cum laude from Carver High Schoo...

Mike Ware, Jr. is an entrepreneur who is part owner of Chuckles Comedy House and the Cockeyed Rooster. He was born and raised in Whitehaven, TN and graduated from Overton High School in 1998. Mike received a chorus scholarship to the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff and majored in Communications. Upon graduation, he began working in radio sales at WRBO where he gained his confidence in building r...

South Memphis native, Larry Dodson, has experienced a total reset since the pandemic. From writing a book, to becoming a spokesperson for Guidance Whiskey, Larry has created many opportunities for himself. It all began in South Memphis at Carver High School when he started a group called the Temprees. Once he graduated, he joined the Bar-Kays and began his entertainment journey. On this episode yo...