Crossroads & Callings

Crossroads + Callings| Season 1| Episode 20: Embrace. Enhance. Evolve.: Navigating Life Beyond the Glow

"Trouble doesn't last always." — Ashonti Sharkey How do you find your voice when you feel silenced by your circumstances? This week, Chimere Brown welcomes Ashonti Sharkey, the visionary behind “Work of Arch” and the viral “Makeup Monday” movement. While Ashonti is a master of aesthetic strategy, her personal journey is a testament to the grit required to move from victimhood to victory. Why you should listen to this episode: * The Reality of Resilience: Hear the unfiltered account of a woman who faced a “blackout” nervous breakdown and found the strength to rebuild her life from scratch. * Redefining Motherhood: Ashonti opens up about the rare and difficult experience of being a “part-time mom” during a custody battle and how she maintained a deep, loving bond with all five of her children. * The Power of the Pivot: Discover how a physical injury that left her unable to walk for a year actually accelerated her spiritual and professional growth. * Intentional Healing: Learn why Ashonti transitioned her brand to “Makeup Therapy” and how embracing, enhancing, and evolving can change your life. Whether you are in a season of isolation or standing at your own crossroads, Ashonti’s story provides the blueprint for getting back up. Listen now on Substack, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full visual experience on YouTube. Connect with Ashonti Sharkey: * Instagram: @CurveeMadame * Website/Booking: Work of Arch Brow Bar | Esthetician in Chicago, IL This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crxrdscallings.substack.com [https://crxrdscallings.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Crossroads + Callings| Season 1|Episode 19: Finding God Again: Lessons on Faith, Fitness, and Forgiveness

"My body is only a reflection of how I feel on the inside... I want my light to shine every time I step on stage." — Alicia Williams What do you do when the "long-suffering" of life feels like too much to endure? Alecia Williams joins the podcast to share her raw journey from being "done with God" to finding Him again on the bodybuilding stage. This episode is a masterclass in resilience for anyone standing at a crossroads. Key Takeaways for Your Journey: * Nurture One Thing: Don’t try to fix your whole life at once; pick one scripture or one habit to nurture until it flourishes. * The Power of Silence: Sometimes you need to shut out external voices to hear God’s voice for yourself. * Forgive the “Cowering”: Forgiveness isn’t just for others; it’s for forgiving yourself for the times you let situations take your power. * Anchor Points: Find what brings you joy and use it as an anchor when life’s challenges attempt to overtake you. Connect with our Guest: * Instagram: A_Estelle_Official Support the Show: * Subscribe for more stories on navigating life’s pivots. * Leave a comment: How has your faith been tested recently? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crxrdscallings.substack.com [https://crxrdscallings.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Crossroads + Callings| Season 1| Episode 18: Soul with Strategy: Bridging Grassroots Culture and Global Brands

“I just believe that God designed me for this type of stuff.” In the 18th episode of Crossroads + Callings, host Chimere Brown sits down with the ultimate "Renaissance Woman," Tamika “Mimi” Smith. As an award-winning creative producer, professional singer, and the founder of EyeKan Studios, Tamika has mastered the art of blending soul with strategy. Tamika’s journey is a masterclass in divine alignment. From her roots in Freeport, Illinois, to becoming a powerhouse in the Chicago music and corporate scenes, she shares how she transitioned from being a "subway girl" at Jackson State University to producing major activations for global giants like Nike, McDonald's, and Toyota. In this episode, we explore: * The “Mimi on the Mic” Origin Story: How a childhood rooted in the church and a musical family in Northwest Illinois cultivated the discipline needed for the global stage. * Winning the High-Stakes Game: The "illustrious" college pivot where Tamika won a national competition, earning a free car and a garden planted in her honor at JSU. * Scaling to Global Brands: Behind the scenes of producing the McDonald’s activation at Art Basel Miami and navigating $90,000+ fabrication bids. * The House Chi: Her role as a supporting producer for Chicago’s premier collective of independent artists and their journey from treehouse shows to playing for the Mayor of Chicago. * The "Kept" Entrepreneur: A candid discussion on the reality of maintaining a 9-to-5 at Salesforce to secure stock options and health insurance while scaling a creative empire. Tamika’s Gems for the Crossroads: * Posture Over Agenda: Why showing up with a good heart and authentic relationships is the ultimate currency. * Visit Fear, Don’t Live There: How to navigate uncertainty without letting imposter syndrome stall your journey. * Write the Vision: The biblical and practical necessity of creating a “plain” strategy that others can run with. Connect with Tamika: * Instagram/TikTok: @mimionthemic * LinkedIn: Tamika R. Smith * Email: Tamika@IconStudios.com If you enjoyed this episode, consider becoming a subscriber to the Crossroads + Callings Substack for more deep dives into life pivots and purposeful living. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crxrdscallings.substack.com [https://crxrdscallings.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Crossroads + Callings| Season 1| Episode 17: The Architecture of a Reboot: Navigating Corporate Toxicity, Real Estate, and Preserving Black Stories

What happens when you realize that in order to build something to last, you have to be willing to start over? In this episode of Crossroads + Callings, I’m joined by Troy Martin—a man who masterfully balances the worlds of high-stakes corporate implementation and cinematic art. By day, Troy manages complex financial data solutions; by night, he is a filmmaker and the 2022-2025 SAIC Tower Artist in Residence. Troy shares his "reboot" story—a journey that took him from the pressures of corporate toxicity to the liberation of real estate and film. We discuss his work with the Black Film Club Collective and his mission to preserve Black stories through radical acceptance and intentionality. If you are currently feeling the urge to "restart" or looking for the courage to walk away from a toxic environment, Troy’s perspective on "tenacity and gratitude" is the guide you need. 💡 Key Takeaways from the Episode: * The “Reboot” Mindset: Why starting over isn’t a sign of failure, but a strategic move toward implementation and longevity. * Navigating Corporate Toxicity: How Troy moved from the boardroom to the tower, preserving his peace while managing complex data solutions. * Preserving Black Stories: The mission behind the Black Film Club Collective and the importance of archiving our history in real-time. * Radical Acceptance: Learning to accept the current season of your life as an avenue to find your true calling. 🔗 Connect with Troy Martin: Stay updated on Troy’s work with the SAIC and the Black Film Club: * Instagram: Black Film Club Collective [https://substack.com/profile/262006136-black-film-club-collective] 📸 Special Thanks: This episode was produced in partnership with the National Public Housing Museum. Their support is vital in helping us share authentic stories from the Chicagoland area. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crxrdscallings.substack.com [https://crxrdscallings.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Crossroads + Callings| Season 1|Episode 16: From Church Roots to Global Stages: Navigating the Maestro’s Marathon of Faith and Music

How do you bridge the gap between Sunday worship and high-stakes commercial success? In this episode of Crossroads + Callings, host Chimere Brown sits down with the multi-talented Paul Hall—drummer, singer, producer, and the creative force behind the Verzatile Band. Paul has shared the stage with icons like Lupe Fiasco, Avery Sunshine, and Syleena Johnson, but his journey began in the church. We explore the “Maestro’s Marathon”—the seven-year residency at Chicago’s Lazy Bird that shaped his discipline and the pivotal moment he decided to branch off into his own season of independence. This is a conversation about “divine timing,” the transition from church kid to corporate musician, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. 🎧 Listen & Watch * Watch the full experience on YouTube [https://www.google.com/search?q=INSERT_LINK&authuser=1] (Don’t forget to subscribe!) * Listen on Spotify [https://www.google.com/search?q=INSERT_LINK&authuser=1] * Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://www.google.com/search?q=INSERT_LINK&authuser=1] 💡 Key Takeaways from the Episode: * The Church to Industry Thread: How the foundations of gospel music prepared Paul for the rigors of the commercial music industry. * The Lazy Bird Residency: Lessons learned from a seven-year stint as a musical director and how to know when your “season of preparation” is complete. * The Art of the Pivot: Navigating the transition from backing independent singers to leading the Verzatile Band and producing global-scale performances. * Faith & Rhythm: How Paul maintains his spiritual roots while navigating high-stakes environments and the “corporate” side of music. 🔗 Connect with Paul Hall: Stay updated on Paul’s upcoming performances and curations in the South suburbs: * Instagram: yoitspaulhall and verzatileband 📸 Special Thanks: This episode was produced in partnership with the National Public Housing Museum. If you are in the Chicagoland area, please pay them a visit—they are a vital part of our community story! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crxrdscallings.substack.com [https://crxrdscallings.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]