Your Self-Talk Matters More Than You Think

Your Self-Talk Matters More Than You Think

What are you saying to yourself every day—and how might those words be shaping your life?  In this episode of Light Up the Mic, Kembala Evans explores the power of affirmations, positive self-talk, and how our self-belief and mindset play a role in helping us become the person we want to be. Drawing from personal experience, scientific research, and the stories of Muhammad Ali, Lady Gaga, W. Clement Stone, and Michael Jackson, Kembala shares how self-talk can shape our beliefs, choices, and ultimately our lives. You'll learn what affirmations are, what the research says about their impact on stress, performance, self-belief, and well-being, and why so many successful people make them part of their daily lives. Plus, you'll walk away with a practical 7-Day Challenge to help you become more aware of the conversations you're having with yourself, along with simple ways to bring more positive self-talk into your life. 7 Key Takeaways: 1. The conversations you have with yourself matter. 2. Affirmations help reinforce the beliefs you want to live by. 3. Research suggests affirmations can support performance and well-being. 4. Affirmations work best when combined with self-belief and action. 5. Many successful people have used positive affirmations to reach BIG goals. 6. It's about who you're becoming, not just what you're achieving. 7. Pay attention to the story you're telling yourself. Resources: * Affirmation Research: 1. Carnegie Mellon University’s Self-Affirmation and Stress Performance Study [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3641050/] 2. Self-Affirmation Impact on Brain  [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4814782/] 3. Stanford University’s Self-Affirmations and Academic Success [https://ed.stanford.edu/news/self-affirmation-leads-academic-success-minority-students-stanford-scholars-find] * Book: Moonwalk by Michael Jackson * Cleveland Clinic: Do Positive Affirmations Work [https://health.clevelandclinic.org/do-positive-affirmations-work]  * Mayo Clinic: Positive Thinking  [https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950] 🔗 Follow, share, and leave a review or send us a text below. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2428044/fan_mail/new] Thanks for joining us today!  We want to hear from you with any feedback, show ideas or thoughts. You can send us a text above or email to hello@lightupthemic.com. Connect with us on Instagram: lightupthemicpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/lightupthemicpodcast/] Follow "Light Up the Mic" host Kembala Evans online: X: @Kembala [http://x.com/Kembala/] YouTube: @KembalaEvans [https://www.youtube.com/kembalaevans] (video podcasts will be posted here occasionally) Disclaimer: This "Light Up the Mic" podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to deliver legal, accounting, medical, or other professional services. If legal, accounting, medical or other professional advice is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.  Links to Other Sites: The "Light Up the Mic" podcast may provide links to other sites and we provide no warranty for other sites. Sites that may be linked have their own policies. Users may reference their terms of use and privacy policy.

Beyond the Scale — Chase the Feeling, Not the Look | Steve Parkin

What if just 15 minutes… one simple sweat… could change how you feel—and ultimately, how you live? In this episode of Light Up the Mic, Kembala sits down with certified personal trainer Steve Parkin to explore what it really takes to build strength, transform your body, and stay committed to your health for life. Born and raised in Jamaica without access to gyms, Steve shares how fitness changed his own life—and how, over 30 years as a trainer, he has helped others reclaim theirs. From helping a client recover after brain surgery to training a runner who returned from Graves’ disease to qualify for the Boston Marathon, this conversation goes far beyond weight loss. If you’ve ever felt stuck, intimidated, unsure where to start, or wondered if it’s too late to make a change—this conversation is for you.  You’ll learn why “just showing up” is the hardest—and most important—step, how clean eating fuels your body, and why chasing how you feel matters more than chasing how you look. Together, Kembala and Steve discuss: * Why movement is medicine * How breaking a sweat impacts your mental health * The importance of clean eating and recovery * The dangers of losing muscle mass * How to build strength the right way This episode may change the way you think about fitness, aging, and what’s still possible for your life—while reminding you how one step could lead to your breakthrough.  Key Takeaways: 1. Chase the feeling, not the look 2. Clean eating > dieting 3. Just showing up can change everything 4. Breaking a sweat can shift your mindset 5. Movement today protects your future 6. Healing and recovery are important  7. It’s never too late to improve your life Resources: * Connect with Steve Parkin on Instagram: @SparkinFitness [https://www.instagram.com/sparkinfitness/] * Business Insider: Bob Marley’s Famous Last Words [https://www.businessinsider.com/famous-last-words-of-famous-people-2017-2] * UC Davis Health on the Impact of GLP-1 Drugs [https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/uc-davis-health-examines-systemic-impact-of-glp-1based-therapies/2025/12]  * Statista: 1 in 8 Americans Use a GLP-1 Drug [https://www.statista.com/chart/35919/key-figures-usage-and-opinion-glp-1-medication-weight-loss-drugs-in-the-united-states/?srsltid=AfmBOopsJe2GIE-Lm3hFDNWNaG67AwEFQinFK6RmNE5fOLwPotMYzV2X]  🔗 Follow, share, and leave a review or send us a text below. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2428044/fan_mail/new] Thanks for joining us today!  We want to hear from you with any feedback, show ideas or thoughts. You can send us a text above or email to hello@lightupthemic.com. Connect with us on Instagram: lightupthemicpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/lightupthemicpodcast/] Follow "Light Up the Mic" host Kembala Evans online: X: @Kembala [http://x.com/Kembala/] YouTube: @KembalaEvans [https://www.youtube.com/kembalaevans] (video podcasts will be posted here occasionally) Disclaimer: This "Light Up the Mic" podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to deliver legal, accounting, medical, or other professional services. If legal, accounting, medical or other professional advice is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.  Links to Other Sites: The "Light Up the Mic" podcast may provide links to other sites and we provide no warranty for other sites. Sites that may be linked have their own policies. Users may reference their terms of use and privacy policy.

“Expect a Miracle”—Then This Happened

After seeing three words in gold—“Expect a Miracle”—on a tall black iron gate, Kembala couldn’t stop wondering what would make someone believe in miracles like that. So, she set out to learn more—and discovered how a single mother’s dream became her reality: owning that very estate. In this episode, Kembala and her friend Kai talk to real people in Florida and ask a simple question: Do you believe in miracles… and why or why not? From doubt to deep faith, the answers were honest, surprising, and thought-provoking. What they discovered—from real people to their own experiences—may change how you think about belief, alignment, and expectation. As they reflect on that morning, what started as a simple outing turned into a series of moments they couldn’t ignore—reminding them that sometimes what doesn’t go as planned may lead to something even better. This episode is about perspective, belief, and the power of expectation. So maybe the real question is—what are you expecting? In this episode, we explore: * What people really think about miracles and real-life experiences. * The contrast between belief and doubt. * A powerful testimony that challenges perspective.  * How unexpected moments can lead to meaningful connections.  * The role of expectation in shaping our experiences. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2428044/fan_mail/new] Thanks for joining us today!  We want to hear from you with any feedback, show ideas or thoughts. You can send us a text above or email to hello@lightupthemic.com. Connect with us on Instagram: lightupthemicpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/lightupthemicpodcast/] Follow "Light Up the Mic" host Kembala Evans online: X: @Kembala [http://x.com/Kembala/] YouTube: @KembalaEvans [https://www.youtube.com/kembalaevans] (video podcasts will be posted here occasionally) Disclaimer: This "Light Up the Mic" podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to deliver legal, accounting, medical, or other professional services. If legal, accounting, medical or other professional advice is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.  Links to Other Sites: The "Light Up the Mic" podcast may provide links to other sites and we provide no warranty for other sites. Sites that may be linked have their own policies. Users may reference their terms of use and privacy policy.

Stuck and Stressed About Money? Take Control | Dorethia Kelly

With rising costs, economic uncertainty, and increasing financial stress, many people are working harder than ever—but still feel like they’re falling behind. In this episode of Light Up the Mic, Kembala Evans sits down with award-winning financial expert and CEO of MoneyChat, Dorethia Kelly, to break down what’s really keeping people stuck—and how to take control back. From credit cards and emergency savings to job loss and major financial decisions like buying a car, this conversation delivers practical strategies and real-world insights you can apply immediately. Dorethia shares how she helps clients get out of debt, recover from financial setbacks, and build a stronger financial future. She also discusses how you can: * Avoid common debt traps  * Reframe your path to the American Dream  * Recover after job loss and rebuild savings  * Reduce financial stress and build confidence with money  Whether you're trying to get out of debt, improve your credit, or simply feel more in control of your finances, Dorethia delivers real, actionable advice to help you move forward.  Key Takeaways: 1. Money is a tool—but how you use it determines your results. Financial success starts with mindset.  2. Don’t beat yourself up about past mistakes. Focus on progress, not perfection.  3. Emergency savings are critical—start small and build over time. Aim for 6–12 months expenses as a goal.  4. Use credit cards strategically. Spend what you can pay off monthly.  5. High-interest debt can keep you stuck—take action to reduce it. Increase income and follow a clear plan.  6. Financial stress decreases when you take control and create a plan. Clarity builds confidence.  7. Big purchases like cars require strategy—not emotion. Understand the total cost before committing. Resources: 1. Connect with Dorethia 👉 Dorethia.com [https://dorethiakelly.com/] or on social media @iamdorethia 2. Dorethia's #MoneyChat® Book 3. Gen Z (Fortune [https://fortune.com/article/gen-z-giving-up-on-buying-a-home-financial-nihilism-risky-investments-working-less/])  4. Average Car Payments (NerdWallet [https://www.nerdwallet.com/auto-loans/learn/average-monthly-car-payment]) 5. Financial Stress (NFCC [https://www.nfcc.org/press_release/financial-buffer-gone-stress-soars-record-high/]) 🔗 Follow, share, and leave a review or send us a text below. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2428044/fan_mail/new] Thanks for joining us today!  We want to hear from you with any feedback, show ideas or thoughts. You can send us a text above or email to hello@lightupthemic.com. Connect with us on Instagram: lightupthemicpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/lightupthemicpodcast/] Follow "Light Up the Mic" host Kembala Evans online: X: @Kembala [http://x.com/Kembala/] YouTube: @KembalaEvans [https://www.youtube.com/kembalaevans] (video podcasts will be posted here occasionally) Disclaimer: This "Light Up the Mic" podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to deliver legal, accounting, medical, or other professional services. If legal, accounting, medical or other professional advice is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.  Links to Other Sites: The "Light Up the Mic" podcast may provide links to other sites and we provide no warranty for other sites. Sites that may be linked have their own policies. Users may reference their terms of use and privacy policy.

How One Woman Broke Barriers, Rose to Global Leadership—and Reached Back to Mentor Others | Terry Cardwell

What does it really take to break barriers, rise to leadership, and create a life of purpose? In this powerful episode of Light Up the Mic, Kembala Evans sits down with Terry Cardwell—former Accenture partner and global leader—who shares her journey navigating corporate America at a time when women were still fighting for a seat at the table. Terry shares her journey navigating corporate America as one of the first women in her office. Through candid stories and practical insights, Terry highlights the importance of mentorship, resilience, visibility, and a strong work ethic. Terry also reflects on her transition from corporate leadership to global philanthropy, underscoring the importance of impact-driven success. Ultimately, this episode reframes success as the ability to influence and uplift others, encouraging listeners to pursue meaningful growth and define success on their own terms. Key Takeaways: 1. Success is about more than a title. True success is measured by the lives you touch—not just the positions you hold. 2. No task is beneath you—excellence builds reputation. Even the smallest assignments are opportunities to prove your value. 3. Mentorship is a game changer. Having someone “at the table” advocating for you can accelerate your growth. 4. You must take ownership of your own career. Even without formal programs, you can create your own opportunities. 5. Visibility matters—don’t hide your potential. Seek out high-impact opportunities where your work can be seen. 6. Be intentional about celebrating your wins. Pausing to recognize achievements builds confidence and resilience. 7. It’s never too late to pursue your dreams. Whether it’s a new career path or a life goal, don’t give up. McKinsey & Company 2025 Women in the Workplace Report [https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/women-in-the-workplace] 🔗 Follow, share, and leave a review or send us a text below. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2428044/fan_mail/new] Thanks for joining us today!  We want to hear from you with any feedback, show ideas or thoughts. You can send us a text above or email to hello@lightupthemic.com. Connect with us on Instagram: lightupthemicpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/lightupthemicpodcast/] Follow "Light Up the Mic" host Kembala Evans online: X: @Kembala [http://x.com/Kembala/] YouTube: @KembalaEvans [https://www.youtube.com/kembalaevans] (video podcasts will be posted here occasionally) Disclaimer: This "Light Up the Mic" podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to deliver legal, accounting, medical, or other professional services. If legal, accounting, medical or other professional advice is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.  Links to Other Sites: The "Light Up the Mic" podcast may provide links to other sites and we provide no warranty for other sites. Sites that may be linked have their own policies. Users may reference their terms of use and privacy policy.