エピソード

  • EP 48- "The Mindset Every Writer Needs" | Keisha-Gaye Anderson | Award-winning Poet, Author, and Artist

    EP 48- "The Mindset Every Writer Needs" | Keisha-Gaye Anderson | Award-winning Poet, Author, and Artist
    2026/04/30

    In this episode, Nicole Thomas sits down with Keisha Gaye-Anderson — award-winning poet, author, visual artist, and educator — for a grounding conversation on creativity, purpose, and authenticity. Keisha shares how she moves through different “seasons” of creativity, from poetry to visual art, while balancing work, grad school, motherhood, and everyday life. Together, they explore a more holistic approach to creating — one rooted in discipline, self-trust, and spiritual alignment, not hustle or perfectionism.

    If you’ve been feeling blocked, behind, or hesitant to share your voice, this episode is your reminder: your creativity hasn’t left you — it’s waiting for your attention and courage.

    In this episode we discuss:

    • Navigating different seasons of creativity
    • Balancing art with a full, demanding life
    • A compassionate take on writer’s block and creative fear
    • Why discipline and boundaries support creativity
    • Letting go of perfectionism and finding your rhythm
    • Handling rejection in publishing
    • The stories behind Keisha’s books and creative work
    • Why authenticity and self-belief matter most

    Key Takeaways
    • Creativity is always within you — nurture it with time and focus
    • Discipline creates space for creativity to thrive
    • Authenticity is your greatest strength
    • Rejection is part of the process — keep going
    • Your voice matters more than you think

    This Episode Is For You If…

    You’re a creative navigating self-doubt, burnout, or a full life and you’re ready to reconnect with your voice and create on your own terms.
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    33 分
  • EP 47- "Art as a Global Language" | Bakare Mubarak | Founder and Creative Director of BILARTERAL, and Global Culture and Youth Ambassador

    EP 47- "Art as a Global Language" | Bakare Mubarak | Founder and Creative Director of BILARTERAL, and Global Culture and Youth Ambassador
    2026/04/23
    In this episode, Bakare Mubarak, Founder and Creative Director of BILARTERAL, Global Culture and Youth Ambassador, and Co-founder of Expedition 54 Ltd, joins Nicole Thomas to explore how art functions as soft power and a universal language. He shares how African art, culture, and the creative economy can shift the global lens on Africa, unite the continent and its diaspora, and inspire a new global African renaissance.

    This episode is for creatives, culture shapers, and members of the African diaspora who want to use their gifts, stories, and collaborations to create meaningful impact across borders.

    Key Takeaways
    • Art is a universal language that reaches the spirit beyond words
    • Africa is a source to be tapped, not just a place to be helped
    • A vision for a global African renaissance through art, business, and diplomacy
    • Leadership as service: opening doors, building community, and collaborating
    • Encouragement for creatives to start now—your unique frequency is needed
    Quotes from the Episode

    “Art is the only language that doesn’t need a translator to be felt.”
    “Africa is not just a place to be helped, it’s a source to be tapped.”
    "We may be scattered around the world, but it’s not acceptable for us to be disconnected.”
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    34 分
  • EP 46- "From Idea to Brand" | Temika Walker | Founder, BlacBeutyNo9, LLC

    EP 46- "From Idea to Brand" | Temika Walker | Founder, BlacBeutyNo9, LLC
    2026/04/16

    In this episode, Nicole Thomas sits down with Temika Walker, founder of BlacBeutyNo9, LLC and creator of B4 UR SKN®, a Brooklyn-based Black-owned, plant-based skincare brand. Temika shares how her Guyanese roots, lifelong battle with acne and dry skin, and career in fashion and the cosmetics industry inspired her to create a clean beauty line that blends natural ingredients, cultural storytelling, and community impact. This conversation dives into entrepreneurship, resilience, product formulation, and what it really takes to build a purpose-driven skincare brand from the ground up.

    Key Takeaways
    • How Temika turned her personal skin struggles into a plant-based skincare line
    • The role of Guyanese heritage, crab (andiroba) oil, and kokum butter in her formulations
    • Lessons from working in the beauty and cosmetics industry before launching her own brand
    • Why resilience, hustle, and spiritual alignment are essential for entrepreneurs
    • How to handle naysayers, protect your vision, and use constructive criticism to grow

    This episode is perfect for:
    • Aspiring skincare and beauty brand founders
    • Black, Caribbean, and diaspora creatives building culture-centered brands
    • Women entrepreneurs and survivors starting over and reinventing themselves
    • Students and career-changers interested in fashion, beauty, and product development
    • Anyone curious about clean beauty, plant-based skincare, and founder stories

    This episode is sponsored by B4 UR SKN®

    🌿 Get 20% off with code LETSTALK on orders $25+ (U.S. only)
    🔗 https://b4urskn.com/discount/LETSTALK

    Disclosure: This episode contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
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    27 分
  • EP 45- "The Privilege to Create" | Sangho Han | Painter

    EP 45- "The Privilege to Create" | Sangho Han | Painter
    2026/04/09
    In this episode of Let’s Talk: Passion & Purpose with Nicole Thomas, Nicole sits down with painter Sangho Han to talk about the realities of being an artist. From early beginnings to developing a personal voice, Sangho shares how doubt, isolation, and intensity shape both his work and creative process.

    They discuss the pressure of becoming an artist, working intuitively across materials, and the idea of “blind faith”—continuing to create even when you don’t feel certain or confident in your work.

    This conversation explores what it means to stay committed to your practice without clear answers—and to keep going even when you question yourself.

    This episode is for artists, creatives, and anyone navigating uncertainty in their work or path.

    Key Takeaways:
    • Doubt is part of the creative process, not a reason to stop
    • Isolation can influence the work, but community is essential
    • Creating is a privilege that requires intention and persistence
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    32 分
  • EP 44- "Building a Life in Art " | Patrick Schmidt | Visual Artist & Educator

    EP 44- "Building a Life in Art " | Patrick Schmidt | Visual Artist & Educator
    2026/04/02

    How do you build a sustainable life as an artist—and keep creating over years, not just moments?
    In this episode of Let’s Talk: Passion & Purpose with Nicole Thomas, Nicole sits down with visual artist and educator Patrick Schmidt to explore what it really takes to build a creative career. From an unexpected start in a college drawing class to developing a distinctive visual language rooted in color, pattern, and abstraction, Patrick shares an honest look at the long-term artistic journey.

    This conversation dives into creativity, failure, experimentation, and the realities of balancing teaching, studio practice, and everyday life. Patrick reflects on how critique shaped his work, why making “bad” or uncomfortable art can lead to breakthroughs, and how research and global influences helped him develop a deeper, more meaningful practice.

    In this episode, we discuss:
    • Building a long-term career as an artist
    • Finding your creative voice
    • Overcoming fear and perfectionism
    • Why failure and experimentation matter
    • Balancing art, work, and life

    Memorable Quotes:
    “Failure is an option, but not trying isn’t.”
    “Nobody is doing what you’re doing—so you need to keep doing it.”
    “Happiness isn’t something you can buy—you find it by following your inner voice.”

    Whether you’re an artist, creative, or someone looking to follow your passion, this episode offers an honest and inspiring perspective on building a life around what you love.
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    43 分
  • EP 43- "Wealth, Purpose & Financial Literacy" | Stacia M. Morris | Author, Educator, and Executive Leadership Coach

    EP 43- "Wealth, Purpose & Financial Literacy" | Stacia M. Morris | Author, Educator, and Executive Leadership Coach
    2026/03/26
    In this episode of Let’s Talk Passion and Purpose, Nicole Thomas sits down with Stacia Morris—2025 Women Innovator honoree, author, educator, and executive leadership coach. From a small island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to corporate leadership at IBM and global financial literacy work, Stacia shares how she turned setbacks into a life of service, mentoring, and money confidence.

    You’ll hear how she reinvented herself after corporate downsizing, why she wrote Teen Money 101 as a “love letter” to her niece and nephew, and how her “Be the CEO of your household” framework helps families take control of their finances and future.

    Key Takeaways
    • How Stacia’s upbringing in a service-oriented family shaped her passion for teaching and giving back.
    • The moment a student told her, “You are our lifeline to this country,” and how it clarified her purpose.
    • Why even highly educated people struggle with money—and how to start with a simple income-and-expense statement.
    • The story behind Teen Money 101 and why financial literacy should start long before a crisis.
    • What it means to “be the CEO of your household” and practical ways to align spending, saving, and goals.
    Memorable Quotes

    “You are our lifeline to this country.”

    “If I knew what I teach now, I’d be on the rock I always wanted in the Caribbean.”

    “We need to start doing for ourselves what companies do long before there’s a crisis.”

    “Go after your passion first. Do something you would do even if you didn’t get paid—and your purpose will follow.”
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    52 分
  • EP 42- "How to Rewrite Your Story" | Krystal Glenn | Media Producer, Storyteller, Author and, Award-winning Teaching Artist

    EP 42- "How to Rewrite Your Story" | Krystal Glenn | Media Producer, Storyteller, Author and, Award-winning Teaching Artist
    2026/03/19
    In this episode of Let’s Talk: Passion & Purpose with Nicole Thomas, Nicole sits down with Krystal Glenn (SmartVideo Girl)—media producer, storyteller, and author—to explore how to rewrite your story, release limiting beliefs, and step into authentic self-love.

    Krystal shares her journey from studying accounting to stepping into media and storytelling, and how she moved from telling other people’s stories to bravely owning her own. Together, they dive into personal growth, mindset shifts, and what it really takes to move from limiting labels to living in alignment with who you truly are.

    If you’ve been feeling stuck, behind, or disconnected from your purpose, this conversation will inspire you to reconnect with yourself, trust your timing, and start creating a life that reflects your truth.

    What You’ll Learn:
    • The difference between self-care and true self-love
    • How limiting beliefs and labels impact your growth
    • Why personal growth requires inner work, not just action
    • Understanding delays as “on purpose,” not failure
    • How to trust your unique path and creative rhythm
    • The power of storytelling in shaping your life and purpose


    Key Takeaways
    • Self-love is deeper than self-care—it’s how you treat yourself daily
    • Labels can limit your identity and growth
    • Your journey unfolds in its own timing—trust it

    Quotes

    “Labels are limitations.”
    “Sometimes it may be put on pause, on purpose.”
    “You march to the beat of your own drum.”

    About the Guest
    Krystal Glenn (SmartVideo Girl) is a media producer, storyteller, author, and award-winning teaching artist who helps individuals and brands bring their visions to life through creative storytelling and media.
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    33 分
  • EP 41- "Creative Leadership in Action" | Sylvia Barchue | Transformational Healthcare Leader and Author

    EP 41- "Creative Leadership in Action" | Sylvia Barchue | Transformational Healthcare Leader and Author
    2026/03/12
    In this episode of the podcast, host Nicole Thomas sits down with Sylvia Barchue, an author, healthcare leader, and innovator with more than 35 years of experience in critical care and healthcare leadership. Sylvia shares her journey from training as a nurse in London to becoming a senior leader at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx, where she helped design intensive care units, develop innovative programs for healthcare professionals, and improve care for veterans.

    Throughout the conversation, Sylvia explains how creative leadership and innovative thinking can transform healthcare systems and help leaders solve complex challenges. She discusses building programs for new nurses, mentoring future healthcare leaders, expanding organ donation efforts, and creating initiatives to support women’s health. Sylvia also shares the personal story behind her books My Sister, My Friend, My Miracle and The ABCs of Women’s Health, inspired by advocating for her sister after a stroke and promoting patient education and wellness. This episode offers practical leadership insights for healthcare professionals, leaders, creatives, and anyone looking to create meaningful impact through their work.
    What You’ll Learn in This Episode

    • How to apply creative leadership in structured and high-pressure environments
    • Ways healthcare leaders can solve complex problems through innovation
    • How mentorship and strong leadership development programs support teams
    • Why advocacy and patient-centered care are essential in healthcare leadership
    • Lessons on building a career focused on service, impact, and leadership
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    1 時間 8 分