Shows
Desire to Be FreeWriting Your Own StorySend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing life after leaving the classroom and what it looks like to create the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo sits down with the amazing Debra Senegal, a multi-talented children’s book author, to dive into the beauty of her journey and how she crafted a heartwarming story that touches and inspires both kids and grown-ups alike. This week, the ladies shine the spotlight on their in-person Pioneering Woman, Debrah Senegal, a visionary who's built multiple inspiring paths for herself. Her jou...2025-04-2142 minDesire to Be FreeSweet, Black, Baby JesusSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing life after leaving the classroom and what it looks like to create the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo discuss religion and spirituality and how the two intersect in their own lives. This week, the ladies highlight D. Danyelle Thomas. A Black faith and spirituality speaker, author, public theologian, spiritualist, activist, and founder of a brand called Unfit Christian. A woman who is truly a gem in the Black community.As they move into the episode topic, De...2025-04-141h 35Desire to Be FreeThe Dash Between The YearsSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing life after leaving the classroom and what it looks life creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo discuss a heavy subject...death. Not in a sad way though. It's more of a, "what legacy do you want to leave behind?" kinda conversation. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Florence Wooten—a brilliant optometrist, trailblazer, and beloved pillar in Houston’s African American community. Her passing inspired us to reflect on the dash—the space between the years o...2025-04-071h 02Desire to Be FreeYour No Is SacredSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo discuss the beauty of the word "no". This week, the ladies highlight Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam tennis champion and a powerful advocate for mental health awareness, who's known not only for her athletic excellence but also her courage.As they move into the episode topic, Desiree & Benita discuss the "Sacred No" and how they're using it in t...2025-03-311h 16Desire to Be FreeThe IRS May Be Slow But They Ain't Stupid ft. Ugonna AgboSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In the TWENTY-FIFTH episode *WOOP WOOP*, the dynamic duo talk with their special guest about all things taxes and entrepreneurial life. This week, the ladies highlight their special guest, Ugonna Agbo, a successful tax specialist and business owner making a name for herself by building her own tax empire where she teaches and mentors other professionals on building a successful tax business.As they move into th...2025-03-241h 02Desire to Be FreeThose Millennials & Their BoozeSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo talk about their relationship with alcohol and how it's affected them throughout the years. This week, the ladies highlight Melissa Urban, Co-founder and CEO of Whole30, a well-known 30-day nutrition reset program that aims to help people identify how different foods affect their bodies and minds.As they move into the episode topic, Desiree & Benita discuss their drinking habits fr...2025-03-191h 20Desire to Be FreeAre You Sprung Yet? Refresh Your Mind, Body & Soul for SpringSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo talk about releasing their limiting beliefs and behaviors as they refresh their mind, body, and soul for the Spring season. This week, the ladies highlight the amazingly talented, Viola Davis. Her journey is a testament to the power of letting go of old narratives, stepping into your truth, and embracing renewal!As they move into the episode topic, Desiree & B...2025-03-1041 minDesire to Be FreeThe Great Escape: Knowing When (and How) to Leave Your JobSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo discuss the art of choosing yourself when your employer is making your life miserable. Both ladies have had great experiences as "quitters" and are sharing what they learned with y'all! This week, the ladies highlight the incomparable Tabitha Brown. She is an actress, author, businesswoman, and social media personality best known for her uplifting personality, vegan lifestyle, and motivational content. Tabitha i...2025-03-031h 26Desire to Be FreeGoal Diggin' In These StreetsSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo have gone completely off-kilter, but somehow find their way back to discussing goal-setting. This week, the ladies highlight a woman who has had a lot of controversies and rumors surrounding her in recent years, but whose story is undeniably inspirational...Oprah Winfrey. Yes, we know...just bear with us.As they move into the episode topic, Desiree & Benita discuss g...2025-02-241h 11Desire to Be FreeLiving The Sovereign Life - Pt. 2Send us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo tease the second part of their Sovereign Individual series called, "Living The Sovereign Life". This week, the ladies switch it up a bit and instead of introducing a new pioneering woman, they look at the lessons Madam CJ Walker taught during her life experiences and what we can learn from them. As they move into the episode topic, Desiree & Be...2025-02-181h 13Desire to Be FreeLiving The Sovereign Life - Pt. 1Send us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo tease the first part of a multiple part series called, "Living The Sovereign Life". This week's Pioneering Women are from the past and the present. The ladies highlight a notable figure, Madam CJ Walker, and a modern figure, Jade Sykes (@ijaadee on all platforms). Though completely different, these two women found ways to create their dream life by diving head first i...2025-02-0342 minDesire to Be FreeIs Repetition The Cheat Code To Life?Send us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo discuss life's cheat code: REPETITION! This week's Pioneering Woman is the iconic, Serena Williams, who everybody knows as a living tennis legend. Serena's dedication to the sport she loves brought her to her success today. Her desire to consistently and repetitively hone her skill as a professional tennis player speaks to the power of dedicating your time to repetition.A...2025-01-2254 minDesire to Be FreeCan We Really Have It All? Balancing Career & RelationshipsSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo discuss what "having it all" looks like and if it's even possible. The Pioneering Woman for this week is Beyoncé...enough said. :)As they move into the episode topic, Desiree & Benita discuss their perspective on whether women can have both a successful career and a successful relationship. The episode closes with some helpful tips that Desiree created for...2025-01-131h 15Desire to Be FreeHealing Your Relationship With Food In 2025 w/ Dr. Aalia Al-Barwani, MDSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! Happy New Year and welcome to 2025! In the year's first episode, the dynamic duo welcome their first guest, Dr. Aalia Al-Barwani, MD who explains the art of eating intuitively rather than using food as a coping mechanism. The Pioneering Woman for this week is none other than our esteemed guest, a board-certified physician who specializes in preventative and obesity medicine. What makes Dr. Al-Barwani's practice so special is t...2025-01-061h 11Desire to Be FreeLearning Lessons & Shaping Our Identity in 2024Send us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode (the last episode of the year), the dynamic duo discuss the lessons they've learned in 2024 and what they're looking forward to in 2025. The Pioneering Woman for this week is the phenomenal and audacious, Zora Neal Hurston. A woman who knew who she was and proclaimed it boldly. Her unapologetic acceptance of her roots and vibrant portrayal of Black culture have made her a lasting i...2024-12-161h 10Desire to Be FreeWhy Good Girls End Up LastSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo discuss breaking free from being "good girls" and getting comfortable with breaking societal rules. The Pioneering Woman for this week is none other than the fabulous, Coco Chanel, who made a mark in the fashion industry by redefining what it means to be a woman through clothing and encouraging women to prioritize comfort and self-expression over societal expectations.As t...2024-12-091h 18Desire to Be FreeCreating The Life You Desire...with AI???Send us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo discuss the power of Artificial Intelligence and how they use it to improve their own lives. The Pioneering Woman for this week is the intelligent and innovative Dr. Latanya Sweeney, a computer scientist and professor passionate about blending technology and privacy to make the digital world safer and free from racial bias.As they move into the episode topic, De...2024-11-251h 11Desire to Be FreeUnscripted Beauty: A Guide to Romanticizing Your WorldSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo discuss the beauty of romanticizing your life! The Pioneering Woman for this week is the beautiful and talented, Solange Knowles whose love for art and her commitment to celebrating Black culture make her a remarkable example of romanticizing life through creativity and heritage.As they move into the episode topic, Desiree & Benita discuss how to romanticize your life and h...2024-11-181h 17Desire to Be FreeIn Her Words- Unpacking Megan Thee Stallion's DocumentarySend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo discuss the documentary, In Her Words: Megan Thee Stallion. In the Pioneering Women segment, none other than Megan Thee Stallion is highlighted for her ability to get through all the things she's been through since her rise to fame. Her ability to recognize when she needed help and taking time to work on herself, allowed her to rise from the ashes t...2024-11-111h 11Desire to Be FreeFrom No to Yes: Embracing Rejection for SuccessSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo discuss the rejection received in their own lives and how they repurposed those no's as pathways to something better. In the Pioneering Women segment, Issa Rae is highlighted as a resilient, creative, and inspiring actress, writer, and producer that did not let rejection stop her from becoming who she is today. Instead, she tapped into her network and creatively found ways...2024-10-281h 05Desire to Be FreeSilencing The Critic WithinSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo talk about those negative inner voices that constantly criticize us and as a result, stop us from reaching our full potential.In the Pioneering Women segment, Brené Brown is highlighted as a psychologist, author, and professor whose work surrounds courage, vulnerability, shame, and comfort. As they move into the episode topic, Desiree & "Juicy Box" (IYKYK lol) talk about where th...2024-10-221h 06Desire to Be FreeEmpowered Women, Empower Women: The Sisterhood ConnectionSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo talk about the beauty of sisterhood and how solid friendships with women can be such a life hack! In the Pioneering Women segment, we highlight and honor Maya Angelou, who was a celebrated American poet, author, activist, and memoirist, best known for her powerful works that explore themes of identity, racism, resilience, and the human spirit. Benita does a beautiful reading...2024-10-141h 14Desire to Be FreeI'm Not Your SuperwomanSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo talk about the Superwoman Schema, a concept coined by Dr. Cheryl Woods-Giscombé, that explores how Black women experience stress.In the Pioneering Women segment, Dr. Thema Bryant is highlighted as a well-decorated psychologist, minister, author, and scholar whose work surrounds the societal trauma of oppression and mental health advocacy. As they move into the episode topic, Desiree & Benita dig d...2024-10-0958 minDesire to Be FreeChange Your Perspective, Change Your LifeSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo talk about perspective changes and its ability to change our lives!In the Pioneering Women segment, Malala Yousafzai is highlighted as a resilient, young activist who didn't let a whole assassination attempt stop her from what she felt called to do. Instead, she allowed this attempt on her life to shift her perspective and push her forward in her fight for...2024-09-301h 00Desire to Be FreeTwo Can Play That GameSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo talk about masculine and feminine energy and what those two terms ACTUALLY mean! In the Pioneering Women segment, and in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the ladies dive into Frida Kahlo's ability to access both her masculine and feminine energies. Doing this made her a renowned artist and activist, even 70 years after her death. As they move into the...2024-09-2344 minDesire to Be FreeKeep Reinventing Yourself Until You're SatisfiedSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo talk about the power of reinventing yourself and how they managed to reinvent themselves throughout their lives.In the Pioneering Women segment, the ladies discuss the fictional character, Evelyn Hugo, from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid and how this character inspires us to always welcome reinvention as many times we need, for as long as we...2024-09-1654 minDesire to Be FreeDon't Throw Your Crap On MeSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo talk projection, and how projecting our misplaced emotions onto others can cause quite an issue in our relationships. In the Pioneering Women segment, the ladies discuss Bell Hooks, an accomplished author who radicalized the feminist movement with her views on love and self-accountability. As they move into the episode topic, Desiree & Benita discuss what projection is and how it ma...2024-09-0941 minDesire to Be FreeDrawing A Line In The SandSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, discussing how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this week's episode, the dynamic duo talk about boundaries, and how enforcing them in various areas of our lives can lead to a pretty peaceful life. In the Pioneering Women segment, they highlight a young and very talented athlete who, at the top of her game, created boundaries by taking a break from the sport she loved and excelled at for the sake of her mental health. 2024-09-0250 min
Desire to Be FreeStepping Out of Your Comfort ZoneSend us a textJoin Desiree & Benita, two former educators, as they discuss how they gained the courage to leave the classroom and begin creating the life they desire! In this episode, the dynamic duo share what it took for them to take their leap of faith and the obstacles they encountered. Be sure to follow us on Instagram! @_desiretobefree"Always remember to follow your desires, and you might just find freedom!"Follow us on Instagram & Twitter and check us out on YouTube! Want to tell u...2024-08-1642 min
What We Know, What We Don't(4/4) A More Equitable TheatreDesirée Dabney, Head of Musical Theatre at VCU, joined us for a lightning-quick hour on performing, directing, teaching, musical theatre, and the effect she and those disciplines have had on her personally and on others. The arts move us all, and therefore, the arts belong to us all and should include everyone! Her journey and the ripple effect it's had on so many is an inspiration, and it was an honor to have her on. To learn more about Desirée Dabney, check out these links:https://arts.vcu.edu/community/vcuarts-faculty-and-staff/directory/desiree-dabney/ht...2024-02-0658 min
The ConversationOur journey to sobrietyAlcoholism is a global health issue which each year results in millions of deaths. Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two women to discuss the realities of addiction and compare their different paths to sobriety.
Danijela Kovac from Canada gave up alcohol nearly 12 years ago. Years into sobriety, Danijela became frustrated at the lack of choice for non-alcoholic beverages for adults and created her own non-alcoholic wine company, Teetotaler Wines.
Desiree-Anne Martin from South Africa is a recovering addict with over 17 years of sobriety. She is also an author, poet and addictions and trauma counsellor. She has written a memoir, We...2022-06-1327 min