Intentionally Overheard w/Robert Ginyard

Thank you for listening. Send us a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1568326/open_sms] Transforming Stigma: A Journey with Mike Veny    In this episode, Robert Ginyard chats with Mike Veny, an influential mental health advocate, author, drummer, and keynote speaker. Recognized for his work in patient advocacy, Mike shares his personal journey with mental health challenges, including his childhood struggles, the critical role of drumming, and his transformative moment in 2017.  He delves into the stigma surrounding mental health, especially in minority communities, and highlights the importance of emotional wellness and self-forgiveness. Mike also discusses his life's purpose and his ongoing mission to spread a message of love and support through his unique learning experiences, books, and upcoming podcast, 'Coffee with Mike.'     00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction   01:00 Mike Veny’s Mental Health Journey  03:42 The Power of Drumming   04:12 Challenges and Turning Points  07:16 Family Dynamics and Support   09:44 Cultural Stigma and Mental Health   11:17 Special Education and Behavioral Issues   12:46 Parental Influence and Emotional Impact   14:58 Music and Family Background   16:51 Generational Differences in Parenting   17:52 Mental Health and Relationships   18:32 Reflecting on Self and Health Challenges   19:31 A Triggering Conversation on Mental Health   21:02 The Turning Point: A Retreat for Difficult Emotions   22:34 Discovering Forgiveness and Emotional Wellness   24:39 Embracing Public Speaking and Mental Health Advocacy   26:57 Finding Purpose and Combining Gifts   31:40 Advice to Younger Self and Final Thoughts  Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/intentionallyoverheard]

Thank you for listening. Send us a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1568326/open_sms] Today I have a conversation with Bobby Blackwell- entrepreneur, marketing consultant, and men's health advocate.  Bobby has a rich background in entrepreneurship; he likes to create something from nothing! Bobby and I caught up to talk about: entrepreneurship,  the importance of good health, and living a life of purpose.  Bobby also shares his personal journey of dealing with mental health challenges that caused him to hit life's reset button and prioritize what's important in life.   Bobby is currently a partner and the director of sales for From Baltimore With Love (a dynamic multifaceted entity whose singular mission is crafting a compelling digital narrative that authentically represents Baltimore City through a diverse range of initiatives such as campaigns spanning various mediums, including apparel, PSA's, commercials ,documentaries, short films, special events, and collaborations with local, regional, and national brands. Blackwell also serves as an Associate Producer with the Waissman Group (of Broadway fame - Grease, Torch Song Trilogy and Agnes of God) which is scheduled to bring the original production of Josephine to Broadway.  Blackwell has also worked as the Director of Business Development with CCC Diagnostics, LLC (CCCD), a molecular diagnostic company whose proprietary platform technology Direct Hit™ Drug Response Indicator Test Panel, analyzes an individual patient’s tumor in order to indicate the drug sensitivity/resistance to FDA-approved, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommended chemotherapy drugs currently on the market.  Bobby has been fortunate to have had a diverse career and is very proud of his accomplishments as he has worked as a consultant to private companies, business owner and a public employee. He was the founder and CEO of Ultima Group Inc and has also done previous stints with the international brand Bang & Olufsen and Hallmark Marketing Corporation. Blackwell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Military Institute. He currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland with hiswife and son. Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/intentionallyoverheard]

Thank you for listening. Send us a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1568326/open_sms] In this episode of Intentionally Overheard, I have a conversation with Dr. LaMarr Darnell Shields.  We talked about his childhood growing up on the South Side of Chicago, the many life lessons gleaned from his mother, and his love and appreciation reading and learning which subsequently led him to teaching...and living a life of purpose.        Dr. LaMarr Darnell Shields is a distinguished educator, author, and advocate renowned for his transformative contributions to education. A former professor at the School of Education at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Shields is celebrated for his innovative approaches and steadfast commitment to equity in education.  As an Open Society Institute Fellow, Dr. Shields has driven initiatives that promote educational justice and inclusion. His impactful advocacy was further recognized when he received the 2023 Civil Rights Award, underscoring his significant role in advancing equity.  Dr. Shields is also the author of the influential book What I Learned in the Midst of KAOS: The Making of An Ubuntu Teacher. This work delves into his personal experiences and insights on crafting meaningful and inclusive educational environments, bridging the gap between theory and practical application to empower both students and educators.  Beyond his scholarly achievements, Dr. Shields is a sought-after speaker and consultant, collaborating with schools, organizations, and policymakers to foster educational excellence and equity. His role as Executive Producer of the Short Kuts Show, a live storytelling series that highlights narratives from People of Color, further exemplifies his dedication to community service and belief in the transformative power of education.  Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/intentionallyoverheard]

Thank you for listening. Send us a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1568326/open_sms] In this episode of Intentionally Overheard, I have a conversation with Founding Artistic Director of Dance Happens, Inc, Paula LeVere.  Introduced to the art form of ballet 45 years ago, Paula shares her life's journey through the world of dance, and how she is embracing living a life of purpose on purpose.  Paula recalls the moment in life areer when she decided move from performing to teaching in order to give    Over the course of her career, Paula has studied with some of the well known names of the ballet world: Sylvester Campbell with The Baltimore School for the Arts, Laura Alonzo with the Cuban Ballet Company in Cuba, Arthur Mitchell with Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Fredrick Franklin of the Ballet Russe. Through her intense studies, Paula was able to perform major ballets such as Giselle, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Firebird, and other notable ballets. Paula also appeared as a guest soloist on a PBS TV Series, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. In 1993, she earned a B.A. in dance from Point Park University where she was a positive influence in the lives of toddlers, children, and young adults through her teachings of ballet. Most importantly, Paula has found a love in being a positive role model to the children she has guided and instructed throughout her profession, and she has shared her knowledge and passion for the art of ballet through volunteer work with the inner city. Furthering Paula’s accomplishments, she formed a youth ensemble, Union City Youth Ensemble, for the inner-city kids of New Jersey. Paula’s love for dance brought her back where it all began in Baltimore, Maryland. Prior to creating Dance Happens, Inc., she was given a great opportunity to build the dance program at Meade Senior High School where she was Director of the dance company. Currently, Paula is Founding Artistic Director of Dance Happens, Inc., which is a thriving 501c3 nonprofit organization that caters to Baltimore’s City kids. Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/intentionallyoverheard]

Thank you for listening. Send us a text message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1568326/open_sms] In this episode of Intentionally Overheard, Dave Bjork, "The Research Evangelist" shares his outlook on life, his lung cancer journey, and how living a life of purpose has inspired him to live his best life by helping others.      Dave Bjork is a lung cancer survivor, patient advocate and research evangelist with more than 25 years of progressive experience in community-building, nonprofit fundraising, and research advocacy.  Dave is host of the Research Evangelist Podcast where he interviews leaders in lung cancer research and care, and the Dinner with Dave Podcast where he shares lung cancer stories of inspiration and courage from patients and care partners. In addition, he is an advisor to Medidata Solutions where he serves on the Patient Insights Board team to bring the patient voice to the clinical trial experience. Previously Dave spent 8 years leading nonprofit fundraising and advocacy teams. Dave has made it his life mission to connect patients, biopharma companies, academic institutions, and other key influencers to forge strong partnerships to focus on cancer research and care. He proudly serves on the Advisory Board of the Cancer Epigenetics Institute at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Dave earned a BS in Economics and Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Twitter @bjork5 [Https://Twitter @bjork5] https://www.linkedin.com/in/davebjork/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davebjork/] https://www.instagram.com/theresearchevangelistpodcast/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/theresearchevangelistpodcast/?hl=en] https://www.facebook.com/david.bjork.71 [https://www.facebook.com/david.bjork.71] Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/intentionallyoverheard]