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  • The Hope Machine: Michael Strautmanis on the Obama Presidential Center

    The Hope Machine: Michael Strautmanis on the Obama Presidential Center
    Jun 18 2026

    To celebrate Juneteenth and the historic opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, host Lamell McMorris welcomes Incoming Executive Vice President Michael Strautmanis back to Chicago's South Side. Far from a traditional archive, this privately funded "hope machine" utilizes world-class green spaces and local hiring pipelines to expand what the next generation believes they can achieve.

    Throughout the episode, Strautmanis weaves the show's core leadership habits directly into his journey. He shares how dogged determination led him to call a hiring director monthly for over a year to secure the job that introduced him to the Obamas. He pairs this grit with the agility of introspection—a self-reflection habit learned from President Obama to overcome people-pleasing and find authentic purpose. Ultimately, he defines his legacy as building a network of winners by working behind the scenes to let others succeed and scale systemic community impact.

    About the Obama Presidential Center

    The Obama Presidential Center, located on Chicago’s South Side, is a civic hub and "hope machine" designed to invest in local communities and inspire the next generation of global leaders. Far from a traditional museum, the privately funded campus features world-class architectural green spaces, a public playground, and a branch of the Chicago Public Library. It stands as a vibrant economic and cultural catalyst, offering community programming, local career pipelines, and immersive exhibits that celebrate the legacy of President and Mrs. Obama.

    To plan a visit or explore their civic programs, check out these official resources:

    • Plan Your Visit: https://www.obama.org/visit/

    • Civic Initiatives: https://www.obama.org/

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    57 Min.
  • The Education Mayor: Birmingham's Randall Woodfin on Rebuilding Trust and Opportunity

    The Education Mayor: Birmingham's Randall Woodfin on Rebuilding Trust and Opportunity
    Jun 2 2026
    On this episode of The Power to Persist, host Lamell McMorris welcomes Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. Elected as the city's youngest mayor in more than a century at age 36, Woodfin shares how his deep roots across Birmingham's neighborhoods, strong family values, and commitment to service shaped his approach to leadership and community impact. Throughout the conversation, Woodfin embodies the habit of Dogged Determination, reflecting on an early political defeat that could have ended his public service journey but instead fueled his resolve to keep moving forward. He demonstrates remarkable Agility in his approach to public safety, shifting from traditional enforcement strategies to treating violence as a public health crisis while addressing the economic factors that contribute to crime. McMorris and Woodfin also explore the importance of Building a Network, highlighting how communities, relationships, and public-private partnerships can create transformational opportunities. Through initiatives like the Birmingham Promise, which has raised more than $30 million to help local students attend college tuition-free, Woodfin shares how collective action can change the trajectory of an entire city. This episode is an inspiring masterclass in leadership, resilience, and the power of community, proving that lasting change happens when persistence is matched with purpose, partnership, and a commitment to serving others.
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    44 Min.
  • Burnout Is a Signal: How to Rest, Reset, and Persist

    Burnout Is a Signal: How to Rest, Reset, and Persist
    May 19 2026
    In this episode of The Power to Persist, Lamell McMorris addresses the rising epidemic of burnout, reframing exhaustion not as a weakness but as a human signal that we are carrying too much alone. This conversation is for anyone who has been running on empty and wondering why rest no longer feels like enough. Burnout is showing up in our homes, workplaces, classrooms, and communities, especially for those trying to

    Lamell offers a grounded path forward through three essential practices: focus, vulnerability, and agility. What truly deserves your energy today? What shifts when you tell the truth about what you are carrying? And how can you adjust your pace without losing your purpose? These are practical habits that help protect your peace, strengthen your mindset, and build real resilience over time.

    At the heart of this episode is a simple but powerful reminder: resilience is not about pushing through at all costs. It is about responding with honesty, wisdom, and care, honoring your limits, and leaning into community. If you have been feeling stretched thin, this episode will meet you there.

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    Purchase your copy here: https://www.lamellmcmorrias.com/the-power-to-persist
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    6 Min.
  • “Praying With Your Feet”: A Life of Faith and Justice with Rabbi Steven Jacobs

    “Praying With Your Feet”: A Life of Faith and Justice with Rabbi Steven Jacobs
    May 5 2026
    On this episode of The Power to Persist Podcast, Lamell McMorris sits down with longtime friend Rabbi Steven Jacobs for a powerful conversation shaped by nearly 30 years of trust, friendship, and a shared commitment to justice—featuring commentary from Rabbi Philip Lazowski.

    Rabbi Jacobs has spent a lifetime at the intersection of faith and moral courage, confronting antisemitism, racism, and extremism with conviction and compassion. Together, he and Lamell explore the historical bond between Black and Jewish communities, the tensions shaping that relationship today, and the urgent need to rebuild trust through honest dialogue.

    This conversation leans into complexity. It explores solidarity, pain, faith, and leadership—and what it truly means to pursue peace in divided times. Rabbi Lazowski’s contrasting perspective adds depth, grounded in the same commitment to dignity and shared humanity.

    What can we learn when we choose conversation over division? What becomes possible when we make room for complexity without losing our commitment to one another?

    If you care about faith, justice, and the future of Black-Jewish relations, this is a conversation worth your time.

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    Purchase your copy here: https://www.lamellmcmorris.com/the-power-to-persist
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    48 Min.
  • Mental Health Is Resilience: What We Can All Learn from Gen Z About Mental Health

    Mental Health Is Resilience: What We Can All Learn from Gen Z About Mental Health
    Apr 21 2026

    In this episode, Lamell McMoriss dives into the pressure and anxiety of trying to hold it all together during uncertain seasons. Lamell emphasizes that true resilience is not a "solo sport" but a team effort built on vulnerability—admitting that you are human and honestly asking for help when you're tired. Learn why forming a trusted inner circle is crucial, transforming your mental health into something you can navigate through network and community, not isolation.

    The conversation covers the burden felt by listeners, from young graduates feeling like failures to professionals facing their first layoff, all carrying the same weight. By focusing on small, daily practices like "micro rest" and setting boundaries, you can begin to rebuild your mental resilience from the inside out.

    You are not alone, you are built for this moment, and together, we will persist.

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    Purchase your copy here: https://www.lamellmcmorris.com/the-power-to-persist

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    Weniger als 1 Minute
  • John Hudson's Energy: Power, Persistence, and Community

    John Hudson's Energy: Power, Persistence, and Community
    Apr 9 2026

    On this episode of the Power to Persist, Lamell welcomes John Hudson, Chief External Affairs Officer of Entergy, and close friend for a candid conversation. John details his rise in the Fortune 500 utility sector and the dogged determination instilled by his father. The discussion dives into the constant industry tension between sustainability and profitability. John outlines the utility’s "obligation to serve" all customers and his efforts to promote energy equity in underserved communities.

    Hudson breaks down the billions of dollars in new opportunities driven by AI data centers and renewable infrastructure. John recounts his non-linear career path, stressing the crucial agility needed to pivot during down moments. He attributes his persistence to a strong network of mentors and friends who help reframe challenges. This episode is a masterclass in resilient leadership and building an ecosystem for community success.

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    Purchase your copy here: https://www.lamellmcmorris.com/the-power-to-persist
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    46 Min.
  • Basketball Legend Kevin Johnson’s Story Doesn’t Stop on the Court - It Evolves.

    Basketball Legend Kevin Johnson’s Story Doesn’t Stop on the Court - It Evolves.
    Apr 7 2026
    In this episode of The Power to Persist, Lamell McMorris sits down with former the NBA All-Star and the first Black mayor of Sacramento to unpack what it really takes to build a life of impact beyond one chapter. Kevin shares the mindset that carried him from the NBA to public service, rooted in work ethic, focus, and dogged determination. He reflects on what he calls the “Larry Bird lesson,” why the greats show up early to sharpen their edge, and breaks down the mentality behind his legendary dunk on Hakeem Olajuwon, a moment that captures the importance of fearlessness and preparation. The conversation also explores leadership, resilience, and the responsibility that comes with influence. That same drive now fuels Kevin’s work in the community, from supporting Black bookstores across the country through the National Association of Black Bookstores, founded with his brother to honor their mother, to creating opportunity through Fixins Soul Kitchen and his commitment to second chance employment, local hiring, and community impact is part of the foundation, not an afterthought. Kevin closes with a powerful reminder on resilience inspired by Reverend Jesse Jackson. You don’t stop. You keep kicking. This episode is about reinvention, discipline, and the habits that allow you to keep building, no matter where you start.

    Follow Lamell McMorris

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    Purchase your copy here: https://www.lamellmcmorris.com/the-power-to-persist
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    44 Min.
  • "Resilience is Not Optional": A Book Talk with Lamell McMorris and The Executives' Club of Chicago

    "Resilience is Not Optional": A Book Talk with Lamell McMorris and The Executives' Club of Chicago
    Mar 24 2026
    In this episode of The Power to Persist, host Lamell McMorris takes listeners inside his live conversation at The Executives' Club of Chicago to explore the core habits of lifelong resilience from his book. In this conversation moderated by Cortney Hall (NBC Chicago), Lamell asserts that resilience is "not optional anymore" in the current disruptive social and technological landscape. He reveals the profound, and sometimes challenging, habits necessary for persistence, citing the personal journey that led him to write the book.

    Lamell discusses the liberation found in embracing vulnerability, explaining that letting go of the need to have all the answers frees both the leader and those they lead. He connects the habits to the modern workplace, detailing why cultivating agility—the ability to be nimble and flexible—is crucial for adapting to the age of AI. Finally, Lamell pays tribute to his mentor, the late Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., reflecting on the profound examples set by Jackson's "dogged determined" spirit and incredible work ethic that Lamell has modeled throughout his career.

    Follow Lamell McMorris

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    Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@LamellMcMorris/playlists

    LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamellmcmorris/

    Purchase your copy here:https://www.lamellmcmorris.com/the-power-to-persist
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    Weniger als 1 Minute