In this episode of History In Me, LaCole “Purlz” Purley sits down with her longtime friend, Jordan, for a thought-provoking conversation about Black culture, food, history, health, and the habits we inherit across generations.

From soul food and the cultural influence of Black cooking to food deserts, fast-food culture, economic inequality, and generational eating habits, LaCole and Jordan explore how history continues to shape what ends up on our plates today. They also discuss the complicated relationship between cultural influence and ownership—asking what happens when traditions, ideas, and creativity become profitable without the communities that helped shape them receiving the same opportunities to build wealth from them.

But this conversation isn’t only about looking backward.

LaCole and Jordan challenge listeners to consider what can be changed moving forward. How much of our lifestyle comes from circumstances our ancestors were forced to survive—and how much responsibility do we now have to make different choices when more information and resources are available to us?

The conversation turns toward nutrition, cooking at home, reducing dependence on fast food and sugary drinks, becoming more physically active, learning skills that may not have been taught at home, and intentionally passing healthier habits to the next generation.

History can explain where we came from without determining where we have to go.

That is the heart of History In Me: understanding our personal and collective histories, recognizing the habits that have been passed down, examining how they affect our lives today, and deciding what we want to carry with us into the future.

Because just because something has always been a part of your story doesn’t mean it has to remain part of your future.

Honor the past. Understand the present. Inspire the future.

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Connect with me:

Quick Bio: https://lacolepurlzpurley.link

My website: lacole-portfolio.netlify.app

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In this episode of History In Me, LaCole “Purlz” Purley reflects on a powerful storytelling practice that challenged her to rethink her relationship with nature, agriculture, spirituality, family history, and the beliefs she has carried since childhood.

What begins with a conversation about farming and the familiar idea of being “dirty” or “smelling like outside” becomes a deeper journey of learning and unlearning. LaCole wrestles openly with what it means to appreciate nature as God’s creation while navigating conversations surrounding ancestors, African heritage, Black American identity, spirituality, and her Christian faith.

She also reflects on memories of her late father and the traditions that brought her family together—from basketball and Monopoly to barbecues and home-cooked meals—and asks an important question: What brings your family together?

The conversation then turns toward the present: the health of the Black community, processed foods, destructive eating habits, local agriculture, farmers markets, community collaboration, financial opportunity, and the importance of taking greater responsibility for what we consume and support.

And one unexpected question keeps resurfacing:

Should I become a farmer?

This episode is an invitation to examine where your beliefs came from, reconnect with the history that shaped you, appreciate the resources God has placed around you, and consider what role you can play in building a healthier future for yourself, your family, and your community.

History In Me is about honoring the past, understanding the present, and inspiring the future.

Be sure to like, comment, subscribe, and share for more content!

Connect with me:

Quick Bio: https://lacolepurlzpurley.link

My website: lacole-portfolio.netlify.app

We appreciate any support to this movement!

Support through Cashapp: https://cash.app/$CoCoPurlz

Support through Pay Pal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/lacolepurley

Support through Venmo: venmo.com/u/LaCole-Purley

What is the true story of a neighborhood? Is it what we hear on the news—or what the people who have lived there for decades have experienced?

In this heartfelt episode of History In Me, I sit down with my grandmother, Valeria Purley, to explore her personal journey living in the Spanish Lake community of St. Louis. She reflects on witnessing neighborhood changes over the past two decades, from declining property values and increased crime to a gradual sense of peace and renewal.

Together, we discuss how media coverage can shape our perception of communities, why personal experiences often tell a different story, and the importance of preserving the voices of those who have lived through history rather than simply reading about it.

More than a conversation about one neighborhood, this episode is about perspective, resilience, and choosing hope over fear. My grandmother also shares how protecting her peace, limiting negative media, and focusing on personal growth transformed the way she experiences life.

This episode reminds us that every family holds pieces of history that deserve to be heard. By honoring those stories, we better understand our communities, strengthen our present, and inspire a brighter future.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• How Spanish Lake has changed over the years
• The relationship between neighborhood conditions and property values
• The lasting impact of the Michael Brown era on surrounding communities
• Why personal testimony matters more than stereotypes
• How constant negative news can affect our mental and emotional well-being
• The importance of documenting family history before it's lost

Every neighborhood has a story. Every family has a history. And every voice matters.

History In Me exists to honor the past, understand the present, and inspire the future—one story at a time.

Connect with me:

Quick Bio: https://lacolepurlzpurley.link

My website: lacole-portfolio.netlify.app