In this episode, we dive deep into the world of small and minority-owned businesses with our special guest, Sean Atkinson. As a seasoned entrepreneur and advocate for minority business owners, Sean shares his journey of overcoming obstacles and breaking barriers in the competitive business landscape. We discuss the unique challenges that minority entrepreneurs face, the importance of community support, and the strategies that have led to success. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, innovation, and the power of minority-owned businesses to shape the future.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lifestrong-project–4260319/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lifestrong-project–4260319/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .

In this inspiring episode of “The Lifestrong Project,” we delve into the transformative journey of Anthony McDuffie Jr., a young black man who overcame significant challenges in his youth, yet changed his mindset to create a brighter, more positive future for himself.

Anthony shares his powerful story of resilience, determination, and personal growth. From facing adversity in his early years to discovering the strength within to make a change, Anthony’s journey is a testament to the power of mindset and the impact it can have on one’s life.

his episode offers a heartfelt and motivational narrative that underscores the importance of perseverance, self-belief, and the right support systems in achieving personal success. James’s story is not just about overcoming obstacles but also about the potential for growth and the pursuit of a better future.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lifestrong-project–4260319/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lifestrong-project–4260319/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .

Divorce hits different when youre a Black man.

In this episode of The Lifestrong Project, were joined by Daviddivorce survivor, author, and professional WTF just happened? analystto unpack what really goes down when a Black mans marriage ends.

We get into:

• The emotional fallout Black men are never taught to talk about

• How culture, pride, and man up expectations make the pain even heavier

• Co-parenting, courts, and the quiet fears most brothers never say out loud

• Why its okay to be angry, hurt, and confusedand still be healing

• Real strategies to rebuild your life, identity, and joy after the papers are signed

If youre a Black man going through a breakup, know someone who is, or just want to understand the unseen weight divorce puts on men in our community, this ones for you.

Congrats, youre divorced. Now what? 

Press “Play” and lets talk about it!

If youve ever told yourself, I cant make a movie because I dont live in LA, I dont have money, or I dont know where to start, this episode is for you.

Filmmaker Julian Vaughan Hampton (Vaughanworks LLC) has spent the last 15 years proving you can create anyway. From the Midwest to Los Angeles to the Southwest, hes made action films, crime dramas, thrillers, and family filmsoften handling nearly every job on set himself.

In this conversation, we cover:

• How he learned filmmaking by doing every job on an indie set

• Being a Black indie filmmaker and what that really looks like day-to-day

• Going from songwriter and author to screenwriter and director

• How to make movies in your hometown, not just LA or New York

• The making of Fighting Olympus and the upcoming thriller The Fear of It

• The story behind his award-winning short Blacked Box

• Practical advice for staying motivated when you want to quit

Whether youre a filmmaker, writer, or any kind of creator, youll walk away with real, usable inspiration and strategies.

On this episode of The Lifestrong Project, were digging into what it really means to pursue excellence without losing yourself. Depression, anxiety, and suicide are rising among Black youth and college students, often fueled by intense pressure to succeed. At the same time, more high-achieving Black students are gaining access to elite spaceswhile silently battling burnout, isolation, and unspoken mental health struggles. Our guest, Nicole Olaniyi, is the founder of Lionheart Coaching Academy and co-creator of Black Founders Formula. Shes a Princeton admit, author, and nonprofit leader whose life checks every success box on paperbut behind the scenes, she wrestled with depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder she didnt yet have the language for. In this conversation, we explore:

• Why external achievement doesnt guarantee internal peace

• How the pressure on Black high achievers is showing up as burnout and breakdown

• What elite achievement looks like in a postaffirmative action landscape

• Practical ways families can redefine success to include mental health, identity, and wholeness

• Tools to help Black students pursue big opportunities and protect their well-being

This episode is for parents, students, educators, and anyone who believes success should never cost you your sanity, your story, or your soul.

If dating apps feel like a second job, youre not alone. In this episode, certified matchmaker and single mom Felicity Morgan explains why more matches isnt the answerand how focusing on fewer, better matches can change everything.

As the founder of Elite Rendezvous and creator of the relationship app Door2, Felicity helps busy adults stop repeating the same dating cycles and start choosing relationships that truly fit their lives.

In this interview, we cover:

• The real reasons modern dating feels overwhelming

• How to move from guessing to dating with intention

• What makes matchmaking different from swipe-based apps

• Practical tips for single parents who want to date without chaos

• How to create a privacy-first dating experience

• Spotting consistency early as a key green flag

• Exiting a situation earlykindly and guilt-free

What if the purpose youve been searching for has been inside you all along?

In this powerful episode of The Lifestrong Project, host AyeCee sits down with prophetic teacher, author, and purpose coach Dr. E. Laura Porter to explore one of lifes most important questions: Why was I created?

Dr. Porter shares the heart behind her book Purpose Unlocked: Discovering Your Spiritual DNA, where she introduces the transformational S.H.A.P.E.D. framework Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experiences, and Deployed. Through this model, she helps believers understand how God uniquely designed each person for Kingdom impact.

Together, they discuss:

Why so many people struggle to discover their purpose

How to hear Gods voice with clarity

The connection between inner healing and walking in your calling

How your life experiences shape your spiritual DNA

What it means to live fully aligned with Gods plan for your life

Dr. Porter also shares insights from her work through RORDEL Incorporated, ELP Ministries, and the Purpose Unlocked Podcast, where she equips believers to grow in spiritual maturity and boldly step into their God-ordained assignments.

If youve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or unsure about the direction of your life, this conversation will encourage you to seek God, discover your identity, and unlock the purpose that was placed inside you before you were born.

Because the truth is simple: You were created on purpose, for purpose, by a God.

Listen, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who is searching for their purpose.

What happens when your identity is shaped by two worlds—but fully accepted by neither? In this powerful episode of The Lifestrong Project, licensed therapist and author Johnzelle Anderson shares his deeply personal journey growing up as a biracial Black man in America while navigating race, faith, family tension, and the search for belonging. Born during the era of the 1992 Los Angeles riots to a white mother and a father from Sierra Leone, Johnzelle opens up about confronting internalized messages about identity, wrestling with cultural expectations, and discovering healing through self-reflection, music, and truth. His memoir—structured around songs instead of…

Landing that first job can feel intimidating for many teens and young adults—but what if they had the tools, preparation, and confidence to walk into an interview ready to succeed?

In this episode of The Lifestrong Project, host Anthony Chappell sits down with Dr. Moses Delaney, a respected leader in higher education with more than 20 years of experience developing students, building high-performing teams, and leading campuses to success. As a Campus President with multi-site leadership experience, Dr. Delaney has spent his career shaping educational environments that prepare students not only academically, but professionally and personally.

Through his leadership in education, Dr. Delaney has mentored countless students and professionals, helping them build confidence, develop leadership skills, and prepare for meaningful careers. His passion for preparing young people for success goes far beyond the classroom.

That passion led to the creation of First Job Prep, a program that began when Dr. Delaney helped one of his daughters prepare for her very first job interview at a popular shoe store in Atlanta. By developing interview scripts, role-playing scenarios, and coaching her through the process, she successfully landed the job—proving that preparation can turn nervousness into confidence.

What started as a lesson for his daughter soon became a mission to help teens and young adults everywhere prepare for their first step into the workforce.

Today, through the First Job Prep online course, Dr. Delaney shares the same proven strategies that help young people develop confidence, communicate effectively, and stand out in job interviews.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Dr. Delaney’s leadership journey in higher education
• Why many teens struggle with their first job interview
• The importance of preparation and mentorship
• Skills young people need before entering the workforce
• How parents and educators can better prepare students for success

Whether you’re a parent, educator, mentor, or a young person preparing for your first job, this episode offers valuable insights into building confidence and creating opportunities for the next generation.

Black bookstores were once the heartbeat of our communities—spaces of knowledge, culture, resistance, and liberation. In this episode of The Lifestrong Project, we sit down with the filmmakers behind the upcoming documentary “They Said Niggas Don’t Read: The Rise & Fall of Black Bookstores.” Together, we break down: ✔️ How Black bookstores shaped political thought & cultural identity ✔️ Why these spaces were systematically removed across the U.S. ✔️ COINTELPRO’s role in targeting Black intellectual hubs ✔️ The legacy these stores left behind—and why their story matters now more than ever If you care about culture, truth, and preserving our history… this is the episode you need to hear. Listen, subscribe, and share. Let’s keep the legacy alive. 
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lifestrong-project–4260319/support.