What if your hardest moment could lead you to your greatest purpose? In this powerful episode, Valerie Hartman shares her journey from high-powered lawyer to mindset coach, runner, and advocate for differently-abled athletes. She shares how mindfulness, curiosity, gratitude, and compassion can help us keep moving forward.

Who is Valerie:

Ms. Hartman is an iPEC Certified transformational coach, motivational speaker, MMTCP Certified meditation/mindfulness teacher and so much more. Valerie, Founder and President of Shift Into Fifth, coaches and advises ambitious executives, athletes and individuals regarding business/career and life development, leadership acceleration and energy optimization.

Web: www.shiftintofifth.com

Episode highlights:

(1:27) Paralympians and the power of representation
(2:49) The difference between losing and never having sight
(5:45) From law to coaching: Mallory’s life shift
(8:07) Coping with grief and betrayal
(13:13) How Mallory met Soulja and found purpose in the streets of NYC
(17:03) Inside Achilles International: inclusion through sport
(20:08) Coaching mindset and emotional resilience
(29:14) Practicing presence, gratitude, and joy
(36:04) Victim triangle and helping without rescuing
(42:44) How to get involved with Achilles from anywhere
(47:04) “Shift Into Fifth”: living in alignment
(59:01) Running in memory of loved ones
(1:01:00) Final thoughts on showing up, community, and purpose

This is the kind of episode best viewed on Youtube: https://youtu.be/k21DURBPO8o

Born without limbs, Soulja has spent his life smashing barriers and proving that circumstances don’t define destiny. Wild Child survived being stabbed 16 times, forever changing his body but never breaking his spirit. In this powerful compilation, we witness both men push past pain, prejudice, and impossible odds to compete, not just to participate, but to finish strong. From the streets that tried to hold them back to the roar of the crowd at the finish line, their stories are a living reminder: there are no excuses… so what’s yours?

What makes someone stop, truly see another human, and say hello? In this moving episode, jazz singer and former model Pucci Amanda Jhones shares how a chance encounter on a New York City street turned into a deep friendship, and sparked a conversation about compassion, grit, and the unseen strength of people society often overlooks. From growing up tall and misunderstood to walking away from Hollywood after a painful encounter, Amanda opens up about life, loss, and finding her voice again. You'll also hear from Soulja, a wheelchair-bound poet and father of eleven, whose story of survival after being paralyzed at 17 is nothing short of inspiring. Together, they remind us to keep dancing, keep rolling, and never dim our light—even when others don't understand it.

Episode highlights:

(0:55) How Amanda met Soulja outside her office

(2:16) Why she stopped, despite NYC’s busy pace

(3:12) Seeing strength in people, society ignores

(10:18) Soulja’s story: paralyzed at 17, still a king

(13:04) Amanda’s early modeling and music dreams

(17:03) A powerful moment with Bill Cosby

(20:50) Turning loss into music after her mom’s passing

(24:50) Lessons learned too late from mom

(27:18) Final takeaways: keep being yourself, no matter who’s watching

What does it mean to truly see someone and to be seen in return? In this heartwarming episode, Mr. Spencer joins the show to reflect on 40 years of working with students with disabilities, coaching track, and mentoring youth. He shares how his journey began without formal training and how it transformed his views on patience, purpose, and human connection. Mr. Spencer opens up about the unseen struggles many kids face, especially those with disabilities, and the deep impact of just showing up and staying positive. His wisdom on parenting, teaching, and living with intention will stay with you long after the episode ends. It's not just about diplomas or coaching, it’s about purpose, respect, and love.

Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:09) Background and prison time
(3:32) Challenges of reentry and mental adjustment
(6:01) The shift in prison culture and youth mindset
(10:30) Respect, gangs, and surviving inside
(14:26) Coming home to a changed neighborhood
(17:43) What does freedom mean after incarceration
(19:44) The trap of poverty and staying focused
(21:19) Importance of support during incarceration
(26:53) Message to the youth: jail isn’t what it looks like
(31:03) What real rehabilitation should look like

What does it mean to rebuild your life after a traumatic change? In this powerful episode, we open up about life in a wheelchair, brotherhood, relationships, regret, and growth. From hilarious moments with the fire department to deep talks about adapting after injury, they speak on the pain, the purpose, and the power of resilience. Through raw honesty, faith, humor, and real friendship, we remind our listeners that purpose doesn’t end with hardship; it just begins again. This episode feels less like a podcast, more like family.

Episode highlights:
(1:44) Life, love, and dating while in a wheelchair
(4:56) Reinventing yourself after trauma
(6:47) Getting shot young and adapting
(7:58) Self-esteem, motivation, and second chances
(11:07) Strengths and struggles of wheelchair life
(13:49) What they’ve learned and what family means
(16:01) Rebranding the name and growth
(17:32) Creating music together: “Rollin’”
(22:00) Final prayer and powerful send-off

What if hip-hop could change how you see yourself, and the world? In this episode, Wild Child, Soulja, and Bill Blass keep it all the way real. They talk about where hip-hop came from, how it’s bigger than music, and why it still hits different when it comes from the soul. From its roots in Africa to the streets of the Bronx, they break down how hip-hop helped folks survive, stay united, and speak their truth. Bill talks about teaching the youth with his Rap and Learn program and building community through the ANTS Movement. They speak on growth, fatherhood, faith, and why being yourself is the real win. Whether it’s pain or praise, this one’s all love and purpose.

Episode highlights:

(2:16) Africa to the Bronx—where hip-hop really started

(3:50) Zulu Nation, peace, love, unity, and fun

(6:05) Rap and Learn—building up the youth

(9:02) Music as therapy: getting through stress and struggle

(14:02) The spirit in the music...hip-hop is soul food

(21:13) Staying real and consistent when the world follows trends

(27:05) Individuality in hip-hop. Don’t get tricked out your spot

(35:59) Ego, pride, and learning to grow through it

(41:00) God → Self → Family → Community → World

(50:01) Turning L’s into lessons

(56:00) What they walked away with and why the mission ain’t over

(58:27) Final bars and straight fire to close it out

What does freedom feel like after spending years behind bars? In this heartfelt episode, Calvin Everson shares the truth about life after incarceration, from adjusting to freedom to the daily struggle of staying on track. At 51, after serving two lengthy prison terms, Calvin opens up about the emotional toll, the broken prison system, and how important community, guidance, and real opportunities are to staying out. The hosts and guests touch on everything from gang culture and broken homes to finding hope and the small joys of normal life like carryout food. This raw and powerful conversation isn’t just about prison, it’s about what it takes to rebuild your life.

Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:09) Calvin’s background and prison time
(3:32) Challenges of reentry and mental adjustment
(6:01) The shift in prison culture and youth mindset
(10:30) Respect, gangs, and surviving inside
(14:26) Coming home to a changed neighborhood
(17:43) What does freedom mean after incarceration
(19:44) The trap of poverty and staying focused
(21:19) Importance of support during incarceration
(26:53) Message to the youth: jail isn’t what it looks like
(31:03) What real rehabilitation should look like

What if the key to reaching today’s youth lies in the rhythm of a beat? In this inspiring episode, Val introduces the Quick Hitters Experience, a hip-hop-infused educational program changing lives in New York schools. Drawing from his own journey and his father’s legacy in hip-hop, Val shares how music became both a healing outlet and a powerful classroom tool. From a 7-year-old mastering DJ software to a shy 8th grader now known as “Always GTFO,” real student stories highlight music’s impact on mental health and self-expression. The crew also breaks down the meaning and roots of trap music, and how it represents raw, honest voices from communities that often go unheard.

Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:32) Hip-hop as personal therapy and school engagement
(3:11) Challenges of keeping students interested
(5:47) Story of 7-year-old DJ Lucas
(7:15) Hip-hop in education nationwide
(13:55) What trap music really means
(19:48) Impact stories from students like Unique
(25:00) Why voice and expression matter now more than ever