Shows
Optimistic VoicesFrom Playgrounds to Paramilitary: The Stolen Children and Dark Reality Behind Russia's "Evacuation" of Ukrainian KidsSend us a textThe systematic abduction and militarization of Ukrainian children by Russian forces represents one of the most devastating yet underreported aspects of the ongoing war. In this eye-opening conversation, Ukrainian historian and religious scholar Vladyslav Havrylov reveals the shocking scope and calculated nature of Russia's deportation campaign targeting Ukrainian youth.His research with the Institute of World History at Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences and his work documenting war crimes with multiple humanitarian organizations exposes the brutal reality behind Russia's euphemistically labeled "evacuations." Since February 2022, Russian authorities have forcibly transferred thousands of...2025-07-171h 00
Business MisfitsCoaching ADHD Women, Masking, and Midlife Change with Danica LefeverHost Melody Edwards sits down with Danica Lefever, a former engineer who now coaches late-diagnosed or undiagnosed ADHD women.They dig into the realities of getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, especially for women who’ve spent their lives masking symptoms to meet expectations. Melody and Danica swap personal stories about growing up, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and learning to embrace their uniquely wired brains. You’ll hear how Danica decided to move away from from engineering, the moment that changed everything, and why understanding your brain can change your business, and your life. They also break down the...2025-06-031h 09
Optimistic VoicesTwice Orphaned: The MaMaw's House Story - Why Sponsorship Doesn't Save the Care Leaver.Send us a textWhen Jen Conrad first sponsored a child in Sierra Leone, she never imagined it would lead to adoption proceedings, heartbreaking visa denials, and eventually creating a groundbreaking program that's changing lives across the country. Her story reveals the hidden aftermath of institutional care that few people consider: what happens when orphaned children become adults?After traveling to Sierra Leone multiple times and forming deep bonds with two siblings, Jen and her husband pursued adoption. Despite gaining full legal guardianship in Sierra Leone's courts, their hopes were crushed when U.S. immigration...2025-04-1843 min
Business MisfitsThe Entrepreneur's Identity Crisis: From Workaholic to Leader - The Transition No One Prepares You ForIn this episode Melody dives deep into what it takes to transition from a busy workaholic to a strategic leader. She shares her personal experiences, including the identity crisis she faced after selling her business and the challenges of finding purpose beyond busyness. She emphasizes the importance of measuring productivity by impact rather than effort and discusses the profound shift required to move from being a hustler to a visionary leader. 00:00 Introduction: The Myth of Hard Work00:36 Welcome to Business Misfits01:19 The Identity Crisis of a Recovering Workaholic05:30 The Transition from Work...2025-03-1831 min
Cultimatum-The Culture of Cults & Human Trafficking Secrecy to Freedom: Leaving the 2X2 CultEp. #57 Secrecy to Freedom: Leaving the 2X2 CultPlease consider buying us a cup of coffee or two by clicking here. Your support helps fund our out of pocket expensesIn this episode of the Cultimatum podcast, hosts Anonymous Andrew and Melody interview Kalie Adams, a former member of the Two by Two cult. Kalie shares her experiences growing up in this secretive religious group, discussing its strict rules, beliefs, and the dangers associated with its structure. The conversation delves into the cult's rejection of traditional church titles, the role of traveling preachers known as...2025-03-161h 03
Journeys In Melody PodcastJourneys In Melody - Episode 14 | Jahmar "JahOcean" Speid - Gospel Music Singer/Rapper and SongwriterAt a young age, “JahOcean” became aware of his ability to structure his life experiences with rhythmic expressions. These expressions became his hope. He would often rap in his room for hours to create a world that was better than the world he was experiencing. He was heavily influenced by songs that told stories in creative ways. Artists such as Nas, J. Cole, and Bob Marley became his virtual philosophers as he consumed their music in high volumes.
At a music conference called Outcry, JahOcean came alive as the music created an avenue for him...2025-02-0454 min
Business MisfitsMindset ResetMindset Reset: My Journey from Learning to UnlearningIn this episode, Melody discusses the counterintuitive key to growth - unlearning. Melody shares personal experiences, realizations from attending a conference, and tools to help recognize and unlearn old beliefs. 00:30 Information Hoarding01:04 The Problem with More Knowledge01:20 The Importance of Unlearning03:28 Steps to Start Unlearning04:05 The 'Five Whys' Method06:18 Practical Exercise07:29 Ketamine Therapy09:48 Facing her Fear of Snakes11:56 Final Thoughts Melody Edwards is a lifelong entrepreneur with a sparkly brain and...2025-01-2113 min
Journeys In Melody PodcastJourneys In Melody - Episode 11 | K-Anthony - Gospel Music Recording Artist; Juno and GMA Award WinnerEpisode 11 of the Journeys In Melody Podcast features Gospel Music Recording Artist, Juno and GMA Award winner - K-Anthony (Kevin Anthony Fowler).
K-Anthony's early musical experiences began in the church he attended in his youth, located in Falmouth, Jamaica. He is influenced by the island music, and you can hear his love of reggae and R&B. His strong musicality shows his classical training gained through his Bachelor of Arts degree in music.
K-Anthony’s songs are well crafted with the lyrics front and center with a decidedly optimistic tone, but the underlying theme of his music is his lo...2025-01-0847 min
Empowering Her with Melody PourmoradiEp. 249 - Luz Hernandez On The Journey to Self Healing and EmpowermentHealing starts from within, and when we empower girls with the tools to nurture themselves, we set them on a path toward lifelong resilience and strength.In this episode of Empowering Her, I sit down with the amazing Luz Hernandez to talk about empowering girls through workshops focused on self-healing, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness. Luz shares her wisdom on creating safe spaces where girls can express themselves freely and how tools like self-love, nutrition, and emotional awareness can spark profound healing.We also dive into the mind-body connection, the role anxiety plays i...2024-12-3128 min
Business MisfitsConfidence in Business: It's Overcoming Imposter Syndrome by Embracing VulnerabilityIt's time to sit down with Our Lady of Business, host Melody Edwards, to have her share her entrepreneurial journey as a self-employed technician to systems slaying business owner with all the unique challenges and triumphs she faced along the way. She shares the importance of prompt action in making impactful changes within the business world and how this has played out in her ventures. Listen in as Melody explores the dynamics of sales and marketing, the role of confidence, and the impact of vulnerability on professional perception. Whether you're struggling with niching strategies or seeking to understand different...2024-12-3139 min
Journeys In Melody PodcastJourneys in Melody - Episode 8 | Morrissa Nicole - Gospel Music Singer/Songwriter, Voice Actor, ActressMorrissa was introduced to music at a very young age. Honing her gifts as a classically trained pianist and vocalist she won her first national songwriting competition at just 7 years old- evidently proving that Morrissa was on the right path. As she grew, her love for music and the arts grew with her.
She recalls many weekends filled with joyful car rides rehearsing, while travelling throughout the city to perform in: musicals, choirs, stage plays and vocal & piano recitals all throughout her teenage years. Morrissa continued to pursue the arts by working incredibly hard to become a trained actress...2024-12-181h 07
Business MisfitsOvercoming Business Hurdles and Creating Success with Libby De LucienIn this compelling episode of Business Misfits, Melody engages with Libby De Lucien in a valuable conversation about balancing business growth and personal development. Libby recounts significant milestones, such as her cleaning business hitting $1 million in revenue and launching WHOOP Recruit. Learn how she expertly navigated the uncertainties of the pandemic and diversified her business portfolio across various states, while wrestling with the challenges wrought by natural disasters like hurricanes. The episode touches upon Libby's journey in book writing, coaching, and the value of mentorship, offering listeners a comprehensive look at how she harmonizes her family life with her...2024-12-1746 min
Business MisfitsNavigating Challenges: Irum Jones on Strength, Family, and FortuneEpisode 7 of "Business Misfits" features the remarkable Irum Jones, a woman whose life story is a testament to resilience and determination. Melody guides the conversation as Irum shares her experiences with abandonment, foster care, and the harsh realities of being a woman in the trades. Discover the strategies she used to overcome these challenges and build a successful career. Topics like the importance of feedback, managing imposter syndrome, and the role of authenticity in business are just a few of the highlights. Tune in to hear about the innovative concept of "dream management" and how vision boards can align...2024-12-101h 02
Optimistic VoicesRadical Collaboration and Redefining Mission - We're all grown up now...Send us a textCurious about how sustainable development models can transform entire communities? Our latest episode promises to unravel this by sitting down with Melody Curtis, the inspiring Executive Director of Helping Children Worldwide. Discover how her organization transitioned from temporary relief to an empowerment approach, fostering resilient communities and strong families. Melody shares uplifting success stories of families gaining independence, and our program strategist Laura emphasizes the value of local expertise, highlighting the key role communities play in driving long-term change.Rethinking mission work? We definitely are, and this episode challenges the traditional...2024-12-091h 06