Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Ask JBH with Janice Bryant Howroyd

Dr. Cheryl Wood is an international speaker, author, and empowerment coach who went from spending 15 years as a legal secretary to building a successful speaking business and helping women around the world find their voice, own their expertise, and step into leadership.

From overcoming fear and rejection to building confidence, resilience, and purpose, Cheryl shares lessons drawn from her own journey and years of helping others move beyond self-doubt and into action. She discusses entrepreneurship, career transitions, perfectionism, and why the most important voice to trust is often our own.

Whether you're building a business, changing careers, or questioning your next move, this conversation explores what it takes to move forward when fear, doubt, and uncertainty are along for the ride.

Dr. Nicholas Epley is one of the world’s leading experts on human behavior and connection. As a professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and author of A Little More Social, his research explores why people misunderstand each other, avoid connection, and underestimate the power of simple human interaction.

In this episode, Dr. Epley breaks down the science behind loneliness, conversation, gratitude, relationships, and the growing impact of isolation in the digital age. He shares why people are often overly pessimistic about social interactions, how small moments of connection shape our happiness, and what we lose when convenience replaces human contact.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected, overlooked, or uncertain about reaching out to others, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that even the smallest moments of human connection can change the course of someone’s day, including your own.

Comedian, actress, writer, and disability advocate Maysoon Zayid brings laughter, honesty, and heart to every stage she steps on. From co-founding the New York Arab American Comedy Festival to delivering one of the most-viewed TED Talks of all time, Maysoon has built a career on turning challenge into charm and advocacy into art.

In this conversation, she shares how humor became her superpower, the lessons her parents taught her about joy and grit, and why she created Shiny Misfits, a graphic novel that gives kids a hero who looks and lives like them. With her trademark wit, Maysoon reminds us that inclusion isn’t charity, it’s common sense.

Watch to hear how this unstoppable force proves her mantra true: If I can can, you can can.

American Banker magazine 2016 “Innovator of the Year”, Inc.’s “The World’s 10 Top CEOs” (honorable mention), and one of Time magazine’s “50 Leaders for the Future” named in 1994, John Hope Bryant is an American entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, and prominent thought leader on financial inclusion, economic empowerment and financial dignity.  Bryant is the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Operation HOPE, Inc. the largest not- for-profit and best-in-class provider of financial literacy, financial inclusion and economic empowerment tools and services in the United States for youth and adults; chairman and chief executive officer of Bryant Group Ventures and The Promise Homes Company, the largest for-profit minority-controlled owners of institutional-quality, single-family residential rental homes in the U.S., and co-founder of Global Dignity.  

The last five U.S. presidents have recognized his work, and he has served as an advisor to the last three sitting U.S. presidents, from both political parties. He is responsible for financial literacy becoming the policy of the U.S. federal government. In January 2016 Bryant became the only private American citizen to inspire the renaming of a building on the White House campus, when the U.S. Treasury Annex Building was renamed the Freedman’s Bank Building. The Freedman’s Banks’, founded by President Abraham Lincoln, legacy has become the narrative of the work of Operation HOPE—to help all people in the ‘Invisible Class’ become fully integrated into our nation’s economy. In April 2017, a historical marker, also inspired by Bryant, to honor the final flight of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Memphis on April 3, 1968, was installed at the Memphis International Airport 49 years to the day that Eastern Flight 381 arrived from Atlanta.

Timothy Alan Simon, Commissioner Emeritus, (Simon) was appointed to the California Public Utilities Commission by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on February 15, 2007 ending his term on December 31, 2012. During his time as commissioner, Simon served on the Board of Directors of the University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley Energy Collaborative ( BERC) and the Energy Imbalance Market  ( EIM) Regional Taskforce. Prior to this appointment Simon served as Appointments Secretary in the Office of the Governor, the first African American in California history to hold this post.  Simon also served as Adjunct Professor of Law at Golden Gate University School of Law and the University of California Hastings. Prior to public service he was in-house counsel and compliance officer with Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Robertson Stephens.

In 2013 Simon created TAS STRATEGIES and serves as an attorney and consultant on utility, infrastructure, financial services and broadband projects. He is a frequent public speaker and panelist on topics including energy, infrastructure, diversity and inclusion.

Simon served as Chair of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC)  Gas Committee, Chair of the LNG Partnership between the Department of Energy (DOE) and NARUC, member of the Gas Pipeline Safety Taskforce with the U.S. DOT, member the NARUC Board of Directors and also served on the Critical Infrastructure and Consumer Affairs Committees,  the NARUC Wireless Task Force, and Vice Chair of the Utility Marketplace Access Subcommittee.

In February 2019, Simon was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the California Black Chamber of Commerce. He was also appointed to the University of San Francisco (USF) Board of Trustees in June of 2019. Simon also serves on the North American Energy Standards Board Advisory Council and member of the California Green Jobs Council and Advisory Board of the Berkeley Energy & Resources Collaborative (BERC) at U.C. Berkeley.  He also serves as a member of the American Bar Association and on the National Board of Directors for the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE).

Simon received a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of San Francisco (Distinguished Alumni), and a Juris Doctor from the U.C. Hastings College of the Law.  Simon is an active member of the State Bar of California and serves on several non-profit and educational boards.

Management consultant and entrepreneur James H. Lowry was born in 1939 to Chicago postal workers Camille and William Lowry. Lowry graduated from the Francis W. Parker School in Chicago, and went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Grinnell College in Iowa. Lowry served in the Peace Corps in Tanzania and Puerto Rico before he returned to school to earn his master's degree in public international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh. In 1968, Lowry became McKinsey Consulting's first African American recruit.  At McKinsey, Lowry convinced corporate clients of the value of investing in minority communities and sought to increase the firm's number of African American consultants; he continued this work while attending Harvard Business School, where he served as class president in 1973. On assignment from former Commerce Secretary Juanita Morris Kreps, Lowry produced a report on the status of minorities in the twenty-first century that attracted the attention of numerous municipal and corporate clients, including PepsiCo and Ford. In 1975, Lowry used his knowledge and experience to found James H. Lowry & Associates. Lowry's strategic partnership with Ford led to the automotive giant sourcing more than $3 billion dollars of goods and services to more than 300 minority suppliers. In 1981, Lowry approached his former employer, McKinsey, about its disappointing number of African American consultants, which he helped increase to nearly one hundred by 1999.  In 2000 Lowry was recruited to join the prominent Boston Consulting Group; as a president of the group's Chicago operations, he was credited for his productive involvement in the North American Black Diversity Initiative, a program that fosters the development of African American management consultant professionals on college campuses and within the company. An adjunct faculty member of Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, Lowry developed a lauded education program for minority business professionals in 2002. Lowry and his wife, Doris, raised a daughter: Aisha.

Rev. JL Armstrong is an Associate Minister at First African Methodist Episcopal Church (F.A.M.E.), the oldest African American church in Los Angeles. Rev. Armstrong began his ministry under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray, Senior Minister in 1990 and continues under the leadership of Rev. J. Edgar Boyd.

Rev. Armstrong became a student minister at F.A.M.E. in February 1990. In April of that year, he was appointed chairperson of Dr. Murray’s Rites of Passage Man Child Program which targeted young African American males ages 9 through 18.

In 1992, Rev. Armstrong was ordained an Itinerant Deacon, ordained an Itinerant Elder in 1994, and shortly thereafter was appointed Minister of Stewardship responsible for increasing church giving. He served as ministerial liaison for the “Walk of F.A.M.E.” $500,000 fundraiser benefiting the Cecil L. Murray Education Center in 1997, co-chaired the “F.A.M.E. Family Day” fundraiser for several years and was appointed Minister of Emergency Preparedness in 2008, and chaired a $300,000 church fundraiser in 2014.

In addition to Rev. Armstrong’s ministerial duties, he had a distinguished twenty-five year career with Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. (Toyota), until it relocated from Torrance, California to Plano, Texas in 2018. Rev. Armstrong had numerous senior management responsibilities as National Manager Corporate Affairs with the responsibility for a multi-million dollar in-house video production center, the Toyota USA Automobile Museum, and oversight responsibility for national environmental education and STEM education community outreach programs for Toyota Community Relations. He also served as a community ambassador for Toyota and external affairs advisor to executive management. In addition, he was appointed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2005 to the Board of Directors for the National Environmental Education Foundation, headquartered in Washington, D.C., and became its Vice Chairman in 2006.

Prior to Toyota, Rev. Armstrong worked as Director of Business Affairs at Universal Television, MCA, Inc. negotiating deals for the services of writers, directors, and producers in connection with television development and production.

Rev. Armstrong earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Indiana University. He is past Vice Chair, External Affairs of the Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council Board of Directors, and served on the Senior Corporate Executive Advisory Board of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. and is on the advisory board of the Team Heal Foundation in Los Angeles, California.

Rodney Sampson is heralded as the leading inclusive innovation, entrepreneurship and investment ecosystem builder in the world, particularly given his mission to ensure that everyone, everywhere, particularly socially disadvantaged communities, have equitable access to the new multi-generational wealth creation opportunities afforded in the future of work and fourth industrial revolution as definitive paths to reducing poverty and the racial wealth gap everywhere.  

In 2013, Sampson cofounded Opportunity Hub (OHUB) as a follow up to the highly successful Kingonomics’ book release and large-scale conferences in Atlanta, GA and Washington, D.C. OHUB scaled quickly to become the leading multi-campus coworking space, entrepreneurship center and tech hub featuring over 300 events a year, a startup pre-accelerator, coding boot-camp, and scholarship initiative and angel investing platform for founders from underestimated and under-tapped communities. Over 15,000 people walked through OHUB’s doors each year. From 2015-17, Sampson was a Partner at TechSquare Labs, a tech hub, seed stage venture fund and creator of the $100,000 Atlanta Startup Battle.  

Today, TechSquare Labs’ portfolio companies have raised follow on capital of nearly $300 million, are valued at over $1.5 billion, generate over $100 million in annual recurring revenue and employ over 1000 people and growing. He remains the largest minority limited partner in the fund. Today, as Executive Chairman & CEO of Opportunity Hub and OHUB Foundation, Sampson is focused on scaling OHUB as the definitive global future of work, opportunity and wealth creating platform by ensuring that everyone, everywhere has early exposure to tech, startup and venture; in demand technology education, training and talent placement; inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem building; and capital formation. This is driven by the thousands of college and young professional members and growing from hundreds of colleges and universities across America and beyond. OHUB is a supplier, vendor and partner to over 50 tech companies, major corporations, high growth startups, venture funds, municipalities, foundations, associations, colleges and universities and growing.  

Current national initiatives include OHUB@Cities, OHUB@Campus, HBCU@SXSW, 100 Black Angels Fund I and DEIS, a new strategy, service and future software platform to operationalize diversity, equity and inclusion across the major divisions of growing enterprises. Sampson is also a Nonresident Senior Fellow in the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. and a Professor of Entrepreneurship at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. Sampson previously served as the 1st Head of Diversity at Mark Burnett Productions, executive producers of the hit ABC show, ABC’s Sharktank.  

A strong believer in philanthropy and its role in social impact and advocacy, Sampson supports and serves on the boards of Artificial Intelligence for All (AI4All), Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC), International Bishops Conference, and GA Technology for All Policy Summit.Sampson was educated at Tulane University, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and Keller Graduate School of Management. Sampson resides in Atlanta, GA with his wife and six children.

Named as one of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Most Admired CEOs” in 2018, American Banker magazine 2016 “Innovator of the Year”, Inc.’s “The World’s 10 Top CEOs” (honorable mention), and one of Time magazine’s “50 Leaders for the Future” named in 1994, John Hope Bryant is an American entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, and prominent thought leader on financial inclusion, economic empowerment and financial dignity. For the past two consecutive years, Bryant has been named in the "100 Most Influential Atlantans" listing developed by the Atlanta Business Chronicle that spotlights Atlanta’s top business and civic influencers. Operation HOPE is acknowledged as one of (No. 34) "Atlanta's 75 Largest Nonprofit Organizations", included in the 2017-2018 Book of Lists—a publication of the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Bryant is the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Operation HOPE, Inc. the largest not- for- profit and best-in-class provider of financial literacy, financial inclusion and economic empowerment tools and services in the United States for youth and adults; chairman and chief executive officer of Bryant Group Ventures and The Promise Homes Company, the largest for-profit minority-controlled owners of institutional-quality, single-family residential rental homes in the U.S., and co-founder of Global Dignity.

Bryant is the author of bestsellers; The Memo: Five Rules for Your Economic Liberation (Berrett-Koehler, September 2017), How the Poor Can Save Capitalism: Rebuilding the Path to the Middle Class (Berrett-Koehler, 2014), and LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World (Jossey-Bass, 2009). He is one of the only bestselling authors on economics and business leadership in the world today who happens to also be African-American.

https://operationhope.org/

Dr. Greg McLeod took office as president of Edgecombe Community College in August 2018. He is the fifth president of the College, which was founded in 1967.  A native of North Carolina, Dr. McLeod grew up in the small town of Raeford near Fayetteville and Lumberton. After graduating from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in 1989, he earned a bachelor’s degree in math education at UNC-Chapel Hill as an NC Teaching Fellow Scholar.  After college, he taught middle school and high school math before working briefly in corporate marketing. Later, he earned a master’s degree in training and development and a certificate in business management at NC State University and a Ph.D. in leadership and education at Barry University in Florida. 

https://www.edgecombe.edu/about/governance/meet-the-president/

Pamela Prince-Eason is President and CEO of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, a role she assumed in 2011. She was previously Vice President of Worldwide Procurement for Pfizer Inc. and held various leadership positions at Texas Instruments, GSE Systems and Warner Lambert, as well as Co-owner of RMR Associates.

https://www.wbenc.org/

Dr. Tomás D. Morales was selected as the president of California State University, San Bernardino in May 2012. He is the university’s fourth president since it opened in 1965.  Previously, Morales was president of the College of Staten Island, The City University of New York (CUNY), since 2007.

A staunch advocate of this university’s commitment to student success, he has championed the importance of access to higher education and preparing young people for collegiate success throughout his extensive career as a dedicated educational leader.

During his tenure at CSUSB, Morales has overseen sustained growth in overall enrollment, the number of degrees awarded, community engagement and university fundraising. The face of the institution is also expanding with its five-year strategic plan well underway, including the new Coyote Village residence hall and Coyote Commons dining hall, the largest single construction project in university history.

https://www.csusb.edu/

Brittany Salone is the Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Salone Studios, developing and designing solutions in the FinTech sector, Film, and Sound. You can find her online at https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittsalone/

Sarah Kunst has never been afraid to take a leap. From building her career at Apple and Chanel to stepping boldly into venture capital when very few women of color were in the room, she’s been rewriting the playbook for what leadership and ownership look like. Today, as Managing Director at Cleo Capital and a trusted voice in business media, Sarah is investing in the next generation of founders while using her platform to open doors for others.

In this Ask JBH episode, the focus is on money: earning it, negotiating for it, and making it work for you. Sarah shares the lessons learned early on, the instincts that led her into Bitcoin before most of the world knew its name, and what she looks for when deciding who and what to bet on. There’s also honesty about risk, resilience, and the courage it takes to speak truth in an industry that doesn’t always welcome it.

This episode offers more than investing tips. It’s about agency, ownership, and the kind of vision that makes change possible.

John J. Kim L.Ac., Ph.D. has a diverse and wide-ranging practice in acupuncture, herbal medicine, Qi gong, Zen Meditation, and several other disciplines of Eastern Medicine. He holds a Master’s degree in acupuncture from Emperor’s College, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine degree from SAMRA University and also a Ph.D. in Oriental Medicine from Yuin University.

Since the beginning of his professional career in 1987, he has researched and published numerous articles on various aspects of holistic healing and traditional Oriental Medicine. From 1994 to 2000, he was an active member of the Acupuncture Board of the State of California. Through his leadership as chairman of the Board in 1999 and 2000, his commitment to bridging the gap between Eastern and Western medicine has garnered a wider acceptance by both medical communities.

Find Dr. Kim on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialdrkim

Recorded while Kristie was transitioning into her role as Janice's new Executive Aide.

Janice sits down with Sharice Mercer to discuss what she learned from her time working as Janice's Executive Aide.

Dr. Sandro Galea is one of the world’s leading voices on public health. As the founding dean of the new School of Public Health at Washington University, he’s shaping how we think about health not just as individual wellness, but as the conditions we create together.

A physician, scientist, and author of more than 20 books, Dr. Galea’s work reminds us that health is deeply connected to justice, equity, and hope. In this conversation, we talk about the shift from treating illness to addressing root causes, building trust in a world of skepticism, and what it takes to create healthier communities for the next generation.

Panache Desai joins Ask JBH with a radical reminder: you are already whole. From his grandmother’s meditation room to London’s East End, Panache’s journey shows us that crisis can be a calling, struggle can be a teacher, and wholeness is our birthright. In this conversation, he shares how to befriend your ego, honor your feelings without fixing yourself, and remember your worth in a world obsessed with comparison. This episode is an invitation to return to authenticity and discover the power of being enough.

Chris Denson is an award-winning innovation advocate, bestselling author, and former comedian who blends humor with sharp business insight. From the White House to Fortune 500 companies, he’s helped leaders break rules, spark creativity, and turn bold ideas into reality. He’s the author of Crushing the Box and host of the Innovation Crush podcast, and he returns to Ask JBH to share fresh lessons on creativity, leadership, and reimagining what’s possible.

Change doesn’t have to feel like struggle. It can feel like strategy. In this Ask JBH episode, we sit down with Katy Milkman, a Wharton professor and author of the bestselling book How to Change, whose work is transforming the way people approach habits, discipline, and growth.

From procrastination to purpose, Katy brings fresh insight into how small choices and smart design can unlock real transformation. Her approach of pairing joy with effort and aligning timing with intention helps millions stick to the goals that matter most.

This is a conversation for anyone ready to shift from wishing to doing. Come for the science, stay for the clarity, and walk away with tools that respect where you are and support where you're headed.

Jack Kornfield is one of the most influential figures in bringing Buddhist mindfulness to the Western world. A former monk trained in Thailand, India, and Burma, he later co-founded both the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock Center. With a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and decades of teaching under his belt, Jack brings ancient wisdom into real, modern life. He’s the author of beloved books like After the Ecstasy, the Laundry, and No Time Like the Present. In this conversation, we explore how to stay grounded through it all, from embracing acceptance and taking action to practicing forgiveness and emotional healing. Jack shares guidance to help us stay present, awake, and open-hearted, even in the face of global uncertainty.

Dr. David Eagleman, Stanford neuroscientist, bestselling author, and host of The Brain on PBS, joins this episode to break down the science behind how the brain rewires itself throughout life. From sensory perception to daily habits, this conversation explores how people can expand their thinking, shift perspective, and tap into unrealized potential.

With over 120 academic publications, bestselling books like Livewired and Incognito, and experience advising shows like Westworld, Dr. Eagleman brings science to life in ways that empower change. He shares how understanding the brain’s plasticity can reshape how people grow, connect, and thrive.

For anyone ready to change their mind, this episode is a masterclass in what’s possible.

From cattle rancher to business psychologist, Dr. Camille Preston’s unconventional journey led her to help leaders optimize their potential in today’s hyper-connected world. As the founder of AIM Leadership and author of Rewired, she tackles technology overwhelm and champions authentic leadership.

In this conversation, we explore the hidden costs of being "overwired," practical strategies for digital wellness, and her insights on female leadership, including the unique strengths women often undervalue. Whether you're battling tech overload or seeking to lead more authentically, this episode is packed with wisdom you can apply right away.

Minda Harts, CEO of The Memo LLC and bestselling author of The Memo and Right Within, is rewriting the playbook for workplace equity. A leading advocate for women of color, she helps organizations build real trust and inclusion through her Seven Trust Languages framework. Her insights on self-advocacy and authentic leadership have empowered professionals to reclaim their power and thrive in spaces not built with them in mind. This conversation will challenge, inspire, and transform your perspective on the workplace.

Harvard professor and leading public health researcher Dr. David R. Williams brings decades of work into sharp focus, challenging how we understand health, equity, and responsibility. Grounded in one of the most comprehensive bodies of research in the field, his work confronts a question many would rather avoid: why do Black Americans experience worse health outcomes, even when income, education, and effort are held constant?

What unfolds goes beyond data. It reveals how systems, structures, and everyday experiences quietly shape access to care, opportunity, and ultimately, longevity, often long before a person ever enters a doctor’s office. It also makes something just as important clear: these outcomes are not inevitable, and when we are willing to see clearly, we are better equipped to lead, to change, and to build something better.

Because when the problem is this deeply rooted, awareness alone is not enough. Real change demands action.

Ask JBH welcomes Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, a former Harvard professor behind the university's most popular course on Positive Psychology. His bestsellers Happier and The Joy of Leadership have transformed how we understand fulfillment. We explore the surprising relationship between happiness and difficult emotions, why embracing failure fuels growth, and how self-discipline actually increases joy. Tal shares universal truths about happiness that transcend cultural boundaries, while offering clear strategies for finding meaning in our hyperconnected world. This conversation will transform how you approach success and struggle on your journey to a more purposeful life. 

America's favorite financial educator, Tiffany Aliche, aka The Budgetnista, joins Ask JBH with her expertise on personal finance and wealth building. Her NYT bestseller Get Good with Money has helped millions of women transform their relationship with money. Creator of the Live Richer Movement, she's guided over two million women to save and manage hundreds of millions of dollars collectively. A former teacher with a Master's in Education, Tiffany made history as the driving force behind The Budgetnista Law (A1414), making financial education mandatory for New Jersey middle schoolers. As the first Black woman to grace the cover of Money Magazine solo, she continues to share practical strategies that empower people to take control of their financial futures.

Joining Ask JBH, bestselling author Gretchen Rubin brings her insights on happiness and human nature. Her books, including The Happiness Project, The Four Tendencies, and the recent release Secrets of Adulthood, have sold millions of copies worldwide. Host of the popular Happier podcast and creator of the award-winning Happier app, Gretchen brings research-backed strategies to help people build meaningful lives. A former lawyer who clerked for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, she now dedicates herself to exploring what truly makes us happy.

We sit down with Dr. Pamela Gurley, whose remarkable journey from Army veteran to federal executive to literacy champion exemplifies courage in action. After reaching the heights of government service at the Department of Defense and State Department, Dr. Gurley boldly stepped away in 2020 to pursue her passion. Her book "I Am Not A Stereotype: I Am H.E.R." challenges societal boxes, while her Brown Girl and Brown Boy Literacy Foundation is transforming representation in children's literature across America. Join us as Dr. Gurley shares how finding her authentic voice is creating ripples of change for the next generation of readers.

Dr. Jen Douglas, former Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford School of Medicine and mental wellness expert, pulls back the curtain on perfectionism in this revealing conversation. Beyond the organized, high-achieving face we recognize, Dr. Douglas uncovers perfectionism's surprising hidden masks - from procrastination to relationship struggles.

Through her 15+ years of experience, she explains why seemingly successful people feel overwhelmed and offers practical strategies for breaking free. Whether you're battling burnout or wondering why 'doing your best' never feels good enough, this episode provides transformative tools for building a life you truly love.

Lara Love Hardin knows firsthand that a single choice can either define us or transform us. Her remarkable journey from incarceration to literary leadership not only rewrote her own story but also opened doors for countless others. Today, as President and founder of True Literary Agency and author of "The Many Lives of Mama Love," she champions both storytelling and second chances. Through her advocacy for prison reform and dedication to helping writers find their voices, Lara demonstrates that our most challenging chapters often hold the key to our greatest purpose.

Dr. Chris Palmer challenges everything we thought we knew about mental health. As a Harvard psychiatrist and pioneer in psychiatric medicine, he presents a revolutionary understanding: mental disorders are metabolic disorders of the brain. His groundbreaking research reveals the profound connection between the brain's energy and mental well-being, offering new hope for conditions ranging from anxiety to schizophrenia. Through his work at Harvard Medical School and his book "Brain Energy," Dr. Palmer demonstrates how understanding the relationship between physical and mental health could transform treatment as we know it.

Dr. Marcus Collins bridges two worlds - from leading strategy at Wieden+Kennedy to teaching at Michigan's Ross School of Business. More than a marketing expert, he's a cultural translator who understands what makes ideas spread and people move. His book "For The Culture" explores how culture shapes not just what we buy, but who we become. From Apple to Beyoncé, his journey reveals the true power of cultural understanding in business and life.

Stephanie Chung is a trailblazing executive who has shattered glass ceilings in aviation. As the former Chief Growth Officer at Wheels Up and President of JetSuite, she transformed these companies with innovative strategies that redefined private aviation. A neuroscience expert in sales and leadership, Stephanie's groundbreaking work has reached audiences in 60 languages worldwide. She serves on the boards of organizations including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the National Business Aviation Association, bringing her expertise to causes that make a difference. As a dynamic speaker and author, she doesn't just share success strategies – she creates blueprints for breakthrough leadership that resonate far beyond the boardroom.

Bola Sokunbi is a powerhouse in personal finance who's transforming how women think about money. As the founder of Clever Girl Finance, one of America's largest financial education platforms for women, Bola has turned her passion for financial literacy into a movement. A 5x bestselling author and award-winning financial instructor, she's not your typical money expert. Her fresh, relatable approach to finance has caught the attention of major media outlets, from Good Morning America to Forbes, and earned her recognition as one of Money's Most Influential Women. Get ready for game-changing financial wisdom from the woman who's making money talk both accessible and actionable!

What if the distance between you and your goal is not the goal, but the way you see it?

Dr. Emily Balcetis, Associate Professor of Psychology at NYU and TEDx speaker viewed by millions, studies how perception shapes performance. Her research has been featured in Forbes, Time, and Scientific American.

In this Ask JBH episode, she reveals why focus is about perspective, how to turn fear into fuel, and when to look back versus look ahead to stay motivated.

Dr. Raquel Martin is a trailblazing expert in Black Mental Health and Liberation Psychology. Blending clinical psychology with social advocacy, she is renowned for her innovative approach to mental health and social justice. Known for her ability to make complex concepts accessible, she provides actionable resources that empower both individuals and communities. Her unique perspective at the intersection of psychology and activism has established her as a thought leader, helping audiences feel seen, heard, and motivated to make a difference. Join Dr. Martin as she shares insights that bridge the gap between mental health, social justice, and personal empowerment.

Dr. Darnyelle Jervey Harmon is the award-winning Inc5000 CEO of Incredible One Enterprises, LLC - a business transformation company. She is a renowned expert in coaching entrepreneurs and established the Move to Millions movement, which aims to normalize wealth and financial legacy through entrepreneurship, particularly for service-based entrepreneurs. Her approach merges spiritual principles, strategic business growth, and wealth development to build sustainable, lucrative companies.

Adam Smiley Poswolsky is an internationally renowned keynote speaker, workplace belonging and future of work expert, and bestselling author of three books that have been translated into multiple languages, including The Quarter-Life Breakthrough and Friendship in the Age of Loneliness.

J.R. Martinez is an Army veteran, burn survivor, actor, motivational speaker, New York Times best-selling author, and Dancing with the Stars season 13 winner. He has traveled the world speaking with troops at various bases and serving as the keynote speaker for numerous major corporate events, non-profits, Universities, and Fortune 500 companies. J.R. devotes himself to spreading his message of resilience and optimism.

Join Alisa Childers—a wife, mom, author, blogger, speaker, and worship leader—as she shares insights from her journey. Formerly part of the award-winning CCM recording group ZOEgirl, Alisa is now a sought-after speaker at apologetics and Christian worldview conferences, including reThink. Don't miss her latest book, "The Deconstruction of Christianity."

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Samuel Dixon is a full-ride Honors Cheatham-White Scholar Junior at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. He is the Co-Founder and President of the NCAT Crypto Club and Aggie DAO. He is studying user experience design and blockchain technology with a minor in finance. 

Aleesha Barlow created Tell Somebody, Inc., an organization that works toward ending child abuse and silenced abuse of any kind. The Tell Somebody movement is about bringing awareness to parents that sexual abuse can and does happen.

"I am a survivor of child abuse. I was molested by my maternal grandfather and at age 6, I told my aunt that her father was touching me inappropriately. She told my mother, and they confronted my grandfather. He admitted it. I was told to keep it a secret from the police and my own father, with the promise the abuse would stop. Unfortunately he continued, and I never spoke up again. After 20 years, my father asked me if I had ever been molested in my life, I told him yes. I felt all the weight, burden and shame I had been carrying all those years, immediately lifted off my shoulders and I want all survivors to feel that! You are not alone. Don’t take it to the grave, Tell Somebody. It’s time to heal!" —Aleesha Barlow

Patrice Gordon is an established executive coach and personal development advocate, specializing in Women’s Development Programs and Reverse Mentoring. She spearheaded the development of reverse mentoring at Virgin Atlantic, with the initial focus being on how race and ethnicity impact development in the workplace. 

Dr. John Demartini is an internationally published author, a global educator and the founder of the Demartini Method, a revolutionary tool in modern psychology. He is also the author of over 40 self-development books and manuscripts such as the bestseller ‘The Breakthrough Experience®’ which has been translated into over 36 languages.

Efram “LoveLogiq” Bryant is an R&B singer, songwriter, poet, MC, & social activist. His love of music extends to all genres, particularly Soul/Neo-Soul, R&B, Hip-Hop, and jazz. LovelLogiq has performed with world-renowned musicians recreating songs from legends such as Gil Scot Heron, Earth Wind & Fire, and Al Green. He has written for major R&B artists such as Noel Gourdin and has been featured as a vocalist in the hit FOX TV series “Empire.”

On this episode of Ask JBH, Arian Simone shares a fearless journey shaped by faith, grit, and purpose. From early lessons in entrepreneurship at Florida A&M University to rebuilding her life after homelessness in Los Angeles, she reflects on the moments that clarified her calling.

Those experiences led her to found the Fearless Fund, the first venture capital fund built by women of color for women of color, reframing access to capital not as charity, but as strategy. The conversation explores sisterhood, resilience, venture readiness, and what it takes to stay grounded when leadership is tested in both public and private ways.

This episode is for anyone figuring out how to keep going when the path forward feels unclear.

Irina Tishchenko Lujan has worked with Universal Aid for Children of Ukraine since 1999. She served as their Scholarship Program director in Odessa for ten years before moving to the United States. Irina facilitates correspondence between the UAC Ukraine team, the children in Odessa, and their staff and sponsors in the U.S. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbryanthowroyd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaniceBryantHowroyd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicebryanthowroyd/

Marty Neumeier is someone who literally wrote the book on branding, in fact, he’s written numerous books about it. He is an author, designer, and brand adviser whose mission is to bring the principles and processes of design to business. He has worked closely with innovative companies such as Apple, Netscape, Sun Microsystems, HP, Adobe, Google, and Microsoft to help advance their brands and cultures. Today he serves as Director of Transformation for Liquid Agency in Silicon Valley, and travels extensively as a workshop leader and speaker on the topics of design, brand, and innovation.