Shows
Hard Wig, Soft Life PodcastMaking Business Sexy: When Authenticity Meets Entrepreneurship (featuring ESSO)Meet ESSO - entrepreneur, podcast host of Bag Fuel, and the man who's literally making business sexy for the culture. From surviving an attempt on his life at 22 to building a six-figure empire while navigating personal struggles, ESSO proves that authenticity isn't just a buzzword - it's a business strategy.In this episode, we dive deep into:- Why "marketing yourself like a rapper" changed his entire approach to business- How putting your heart first in everything creates genuine connections and opportunities- Building from rock bottom: losing everything in 2010 to hitting 100K...2025-07-241h 05
Hard Wig, Soft Life PodcastDivine Positioning-The Accidental Reality TV Blueprint (feat. Tracey Baker Simmons)Y'all, this episode is EVERYTHING! đŹâ¨ Meet Tracey Baker Simmons - the Emmy-nominated executive producer and reality TV pioneer who literally created "Being Bobby Brown" and changed television forever.Twenty years ago, Tracey revolutionized how we watch television with "Being Bobby Brown," and she's STILL making moves! Just this past June, she dropped Nelly and Ashanti's highly anticipated reality show, proving she's the queen of authentic celebrity storytelling across generations.From finessing her way into Houston's restaurant with a strategic resume to convincing Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston to do reality TV (when reality TV barely exist...2025-07-101h 24
Hard Wig, Soft Life PodcastFrom Eviction Notice to Empire" (feat. Monique S. Carrillo)Y'all know Deshae Frost, Brooklyn Frost, and Amari Frost - but do you know the powerhouse woman who helped build their empire? đŞđžMeet Monique S. Carrillo - the ultimate momager who went from working with Nicki Minaj and Gucci Mane to managing four of the internet's biggest personalities. From getting an eviction notice to packing up and driving 18 hours to LA on pure faith, Monique's story is about pivots, resilience, and building something from nothing.In this episode, we talk about:How an eviction became the catalyst for their move to LAManaging four kids...2025-06-2648 min
The Deep DishSummer Reading with Melissa and Collin (from TGC's Gospelbound Podcast)Weâre sharing this episode of our Gospelbound podcast as a bonus episode for Deep Dish listeners because we know you love to read! In it, Melissa Kruger and Collin Hansen talk about whatâs on their own summer reading list and share recommendations of other books they believe our listeners will enjoy. We hope this conversation will lead you to books that are edifying and enjoyable. Happy reading!Collin's Summer Reading ListGodric by Frederick BuechnerThe Fate of the Day by Rick AtkinsonThe Space Trilogy by C. S. Lewis Melissa's Summer Reading ListHomec...2025-06-191h 11
GospelboundSummer Reading with Melissa KrugerSummer is a time for reading. Work slows down a bit, at least for some. Iâm not traveling as much to speak and teach. Schoolâs out. I spend more time at the lake. In fact, I have probably spent more time reading on a couch next to a lake than any other place. Iâve read everything from history to fiction to theology on that couch that helps put my mind in the right place to relax then concentrate.One of my favorite guests is back on Gospelbound to talk about summer reading as we close...2025-06-171h 12
Hard Wig, Soft Life PodcastThe Goldfish Tank Principle (feat. Tekoa Pouerie)Y'all, this episode is about to SHIFT your whole perspective on what's possible for your life. đ â¨Meet Tekoa Pouerie - CEO, pastor, author, and the woman who made me ugly cry at Creator's Escape with her raw truth about turning trauma into triumph. From losing both parents by 16 and surviving poverty to becoming a powerhouse nonprofit CEO and co-pastoring with her husband, Tekoa's story will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about your own limitations.In this episode, we dive deep into:The goldfish tank principle that will blow your mind (seriously, you'll never...2025-06-1256 min
Hard Wig, Soft Life PodcastShe Said No One Knew She Was Married-A Chat W/ Giovonnie SamuelsHard Wig, Soft Life | Season 2, Episode 3: "She Said No One Knew She Was Married" - A Chat w/ Giovonnie Samuels"All That" icon Giovonnie Samuels kept her 16-year relationship and 11-year marriage completely privateâuntil now. In this vulnerable conversation, the actress, entrepreneur, and mother opens up about her recent divorce, ADHD diagnosis, and journey toward embracing her soft life.What You'll Discover:⢠How Giovonnie kept her personal life private for over a decade in Hollywood ⢠Her transition from "masculine era" survival mode to feminine energy ⢠Co...2025-05-291h 20
Hard Wig, Soft Life PodcastWalking in Your Purpose (feat. Justin Storey)Hard Wig, Soft Life | Season 2, Episode 2: "Walking in Your Purpose" - A Chat w/ Justin StoreyDigital marketing mogul Justin Storey shares his journey from teen actor to successful entrepreneur, revealing how faith, vulnerability, and community building became the foundation of his purpose-driven business empire and the transformative Creators Escape movement.What You'll Discover:How Justin made $32,000 in high school and chose entrepreneurship over collegeThe pivotal moment when his mother's health crisis inspired his business driveTransitioning from child actor to behind-the-camera digital storytelling expertBuilding a 60% real estate clientele while staying...2025-05-151h 16
Hard Wig, Soft Life PodcastDo It Differently: Letting Go, Starting Therapy, and Trusting Myself, For OnceHard Wig, Soft Life | Season 2, Episode 1: "Do It Differently: Letting Go, Starting Therapy, and Trusting Myself, For Once"After months of silence, podcast host Melissa L. Atkinson returns with raw vulnerability, sharing why she abandoned her podcast, what sparked her comeback, and the transformative experience that changed everything. This deeply personal solo episode explores burnout, pride, and the journey to asking for help.What You'll Discover:Why Melissa disappeared from podcasting and what really happened behind the scenesThe life-changing impact of attending Creators Escape in OrlandoHow meeting TV icon Giovonnie...2025-04-3052 min
The Panama PodcastThe Hidden Paradise Where Startups Actually Succeed!Send us a textThinking of launching a business overseas? If you've ever dreamed of starting a business in a foreign country, Panama should be at the top of your list! But whatâs it really like to be an entrepreneur here? In this episode of The Panama Podcast: Real Expats, weâre diving deep into the pros, cons, and insider tips of doing business in Panama.đ˘ Join our expert panel:â
Melissa Darnay, Founder and President of Choose Panama Real Estate - www.ChoosePanama.com.â
Stacey Jenks, Director of Choose Panama Rentals â a vacation pr...2025-03-1947 min
Two Smart BlondesInside the AACTA Awards, Bridget Jones...but are Rom-Coms dead? - Feat. Kate AtkinsonOur special guest this week is actor, Kate Atkinson.We dive into the ACCTA Awards, in which Leilaâs film Just A Farmer was nominated, so we have a boots on the ground witness! Is there a divide between the famous and the non-famous? What was Robbie Williams like? And why Leila was nearly refused entry to the AACTA awards for what she chose to wear.We also discuss:Are we obsessed with glorifying criminal behaviour on TV? With the release of the Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar, it raises th...2025-02-1146 min
Hard Wig, Soft Life PodcastEpisode 3: Renegotiating the Price; The Real Cost of Growth"Renegotiating the Price: The Real Cost of Growth"Growth isnât cheapâitâll cost you your time, energy, and even relationships. In this episode, Iâm unpacking what it means to set your price, protect your peace, and align with the life you deserve. Inspired by Jay-Zâs 4:44 and my dadâs timeless wisdom, weâre diving into the layers of growth, from letting go of stagnant relationships to recalibrating your mindset.Tune in as I share personal stories about navigating friendships, the emotional toll of leveling up, and how setting boundaries has shifted everything for...2025-01-1635 min
6 Figure Podcast RebelsEfficiency Bitch, How Ambitious Women Can Have It All Without Doing It All Melissa LeonJoin our 2 HUGE Facebook groups to find guests or BE a guest (for free) We have over 53,000 membersđwww.facebook.com/groups/needaguestwww.facebook.com/groups/thepodcastnetworkââWant to get lifetime access to The Podcast Network Premium For free? đwww.freepremiumupgrade.comâââWant to use your own podcast to help grow your business? You're in the right place.Welcome to 6-Figure Podcast Rebels.đĽ My name is Jamie Atkinson, founder of podcastclosing.com and this show is built for 6 & 7 figure entrepreneur...2025-01-1416 min
Murder UnscriptedEp:34 - A Conversation with Edna Cowell Martin (TED BUNDY'S COUSIN)In this compelling interview, Edna Cowell Martin shares her experiences growing up alongside her cousin, the notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. From her family's roots in the Puget Sound region to witnessing Ted's unsettling behavior while under the influence of marijuana, and ultimately discovering his connection to the murders of dozens of young women, Edna's firsthand accounts are both chilling and revealing. This conversation offers just a glimpse into her story. For more gripping tales and deeper insights, explore her book Dark Tide: Growing Up With Ted Bundy, co-authored with Megan Atkinson.Available...2025-01-141h 19
Hard Wig, Soft Life PodcastEpisode 2: Surviving The System, A Conversation With Ricky LaneIn this powerful and eye-opening episode of Hard Wig, Soft Life, I sit down with Ricky Lane, who courageously shares his story of navigating life during and after incarceration. From missing out on his 20s to being released in 2020 during a global pandemic, Ricky reflects on the challenges of rebuilding his life and reclaiming his future.We discuss the friendships he formed in the most unlikely circumstances, the emotional toll of being away from loved ones, and how he coped with FOMO (fear of missing out) while the world moved on without him. Ricky also sheds light...2024-12-051h 15
Hard Wig, Soft Life PodcastEpisode 1: Arrested, Not DefinedWhat do you do when one moment changes your whole life? For me, it all started with a car accident that flipped my world upside downâliterally.In this episode, Iâm taking you through everything: the crash, waking up in the hospital, trying to heal while drooling into a napkin, and realizing Iâd been pulled into a system that felt impossible to escape. From the detectiveâs visit to the sentencing that left me with a choice I didnât fully understand, itâs a story about survival, resilience, and trying to hold onto myself when everyth...2024-11-221h 04
Songs & Stories: Supplemental Jazz EditionSongs & Stories: Supplemental Jazz Edition1) Ceora - Lee Morgan2) Freedom March (Remastered) - Grant Green3) The Solitary Seeker - Melissa Aldana4) Bright Eyes - Dr. Lonnie Smith5) Virgo (Remastered 2004/Rudy Van Gelder Edition) - Wayne Shorter 2024-11-1057 min
Hard Wig, Soft Life PodcastEpisode 0: The Story Behind Hard Wig, Soft LifeIn this first episode of Hard Wig, Soft Life, Iâm getting real with you about where this journey starts and why Iâm here. Growing up as a first-gen Afro-Latina in a single-parent home, I learned early that life wasnât going to be simple. By 19, I was working full-time, helping support my family, while friends were figuring out college. Then a car accident changed everything, leaving me labeled and navigating a system that felt impossible to escape.This episode isnât just about my story, thoughâitâs about what it takes to get back up after lif...2024-11-0729 min
Unruly Confessions: A Kink StoryPain in the AssWhat happens when your life takes an unexpected turn and lands you on your favourite band's tour bus? Join us on Unruly Confessions as we continue Nicole's journey after an unexpected encounter with the Band's frontman, Mike Solomon. Listen as Nicole panics getting ready after receiving a late text from Melissa Casey, and she frantically rushes to meet Billy at Watford Station. Feel the thrill and chaos as she races across London to meet Billy before it's too late. Added bonus of hearing Nicole and Arabella struggle and failing their way through various accents.  Join Nicole on the...2024-10-0341 min
The Heart of YogaThe Yogic Arts Series: Yantra & the Tantric Arts with Melissa ForbesIn this episode of "The Heart of Yoga " Rosalind kicks off the Yogic Arts Series with a deep and enlightening conversation with artist and Yogini Melissa Forbes. They explore the intersection of art and spirituality through the study of Yantra, numerology, and Jyotish (Vedic astrology). Melissa shares her personal journey into sacred geometry and how these ancient traditions have shaped her practice, teaching, and artwork. Through this conversation, listeners are invited into the rich, intricate world of sacred Yogic arts and the deeper meaning behind these practices.   They discuss⌠The profound relationship between Yant...2024-09-131h 00