All right. Well, good afternoon everyone. Today on the daily, we have an motivational speaker and youth motivator and advocate, Adrienne Robbins, and here she is, and we're going to begin with a daily, but first I'm going to do my intro song of the daily. Welcome to the daily with Silstein here on anchor.
Today, our guest is motivational speaker, author and advocate, Adrienne Robbins. Well, good afternoon everyone. And as I said, it's my pleasure to have the awesome author and motivational speaker, youth advocate. She does it all, Adrienne Robbins and welcome to the show, Adrienne.
Hello, Sylvia, and thank you for having me. Hello, hello. Oh, no problem. Thank you so, so much.
You have so much on your repertoire, girls. So I want to, you know, I'm here in North Carolina. I want you to tell us where you're at and tell us all about you now. Go ahead.
Okay. Hello and good afternoon to you, North Carolina. This is Adrienne or Adrienne Robbins, and I am interviewing with Silvia Stein this afternoon, live from Gary and Deanna. Thank you for being on the daily with me here on anchor.
I really appreciate that. Thank you so much. Thank you for having me. Sylvia.
I really appreciate the opportunity. Oh, anytime you've done the same for me. So we, we guys stick together and support one another. Absolutely.
But I wanted to ask you, so tell us what you're up to these days. Start off with, I don't know if you want to start with your book and then move from there. Go ahead and get and let us know what you're doing. Because like I said, you do so many things from author, advocate to your motivational speaker.
I want you to tell us all about you. Okay. Well, I am just a, just a Midwestern girl from Gary and Deanna. I reside in Detroit Michigan for 20 years.
I authored books. Well, I actually started writing and authored my first two books and my third book in ebook version while living in Detroit. Wow. 2016 lost my mother and so I moved back home.
And so from there, I decided to take my ebook, which was an anti-bullying book titled the Misfits and converted to bounded book version. With that being said, I have established my business here in Gary, Indiana. I am certified with the state of Indiana as a women, I know these business owner. Awesome.
I am a youth advocate and my company, Arden Nell, the mission behind my company simply get youngsters and put them back on the right track with encouragement and guidance. That's so important. That's important. Yeah.
Can you share more about that? Absolutely. And so what I do with the company, I work with youngsters, either in your affiliate agencies, associations or schools with schools, the platform being either doing school hours or after school hours. Okay.
And I work on empathetic practices and training, restorative practices, placing the emphasis on reducing school suspension. And of course, my latest being anti-bullying. Those, those are just so important. That's just amazing.
From the educational parks. I know you were teaching and also you took some books, show Detroit, correct? You unfortunately have your mom pass away and my condolences on that. But then you went back to your hometown Indiana and you made a business so far.
Is that correct? Yes, basically what I've done is that this was actually, it had originated actually in Detroit. And so what I did is revamp it and bring what I do with the youth here here. Always, always giving back to the community, like, especially to our youth and youngsters, they need all so much from from us, you know, like teaching and advocating and giving them tools so they can succeed.
Like you mentioned the different things that you do for them, but among them, the biggest one right now is the anti-bullying. Yes, yes, that was an empathy because I believe we could reduce a lot of the bullying. If our children did not lack the empathetic emotions, if that makes any sense to you. No, it does.
Yeah, so we got a lot of children that are entertained by observing children being physically or verbally abused. Social media aspects are outro. And you've got to know that something's wrong here because you have too many incidences of youngsters recording and not stepping up to the plate and saying, Hey, this is not right. This is wrong.
You have a lot of children absolutely doing the opposite of what they should be doing. Yeah, exactly. That is an important and torture. And so we got to get back to the basics and educate our children on one why that's not okay.
With social media that, you know, there's a missing link going on. Our children have somehow the empathetic, the empathy that should be instilled within our youngsters today is unfortunately doing it. Yeah. No, no, you're right.
Exactly. I think social media is a website we're just synthesizing our children that they feel compelled to want to just be logged on and entertained by others. Meanwhile, they're getting cyber bullied or it's like they never shut shut off because of that social media. Would you agree?
Absolutely. And so that's funny to say that. I did that several weeks ago. You know, our children simply have to be taught that that's not okay.
No. On top of the mental health factors and all the other unfortunate series that are taking place, you know, the high incidence of mental health. Yes. The bullying, you know, and so with the bullying on top of the mental health issues that a lot of our children are, they have it, but I'm not appropriately diagnosed with it.
No. Does not make a difference. No. And so it's important because if our children were mentally healthy, Sylvia, you wouldn't see so many younger children taking their sales out.
I mean, yes, 17 and 18 was so, so disheartening. You would see older kids taking their sales out, but you have babies and I'm talking kids ranging from the ages. I want to say seven, you know, and this is better. Yes, you hear it.
You hear it and you read it on the news. A little girl that was bullied that the parents found her. I think she was like, what, not even 12, I think. No, if we're talking about the same one, because there's so many and you could getting the hammer on the nail with your situation.
But I believe this young girl, the one that I'm talking about was not even nine. Yes. Great. Hearing about that.
Yeah, but there are other. So you make so many different, but the whole, the same theme, which is the at the bullying. It never stops. And so.
And I love that you're, what I love what you're doing is that you're, you're, you're, you're, you're doing up like you're really getting into helping. I'm just talking about it, but actually implementing something to help the youngsters because a lot of people say they want to help, but they don't actually take the time to do it, not to put anyone down. But you're actually there. You're, you're, you're implementing your, your workshop and stuff.
Yes, I, you know, I'm, yes, I am. Because that's important. And you do have to be a doer and. Yeah.
I can be worried at times, but, you know, I prefer that you can see my actions and a utilization of what I'm doing because it works and all it takes is consistency. Yes, because everything that's going on is unfortunate, but every little, every little part that you take, like what you're doing with your business. Not only, you know, trying to help the youth in, in, in, in getting, you know, in education, keeping up with their studies and believing in themselves, but also stopping the bullying against one another. Yes.
Because the bully, the person, the victim of circumstance needs assistance, but keep in mind also that the bully needs assistance too, because that's something that's learned, you know, and that's what others don't always see that there's the bully also needs that that help. It's not something that just gets, you know, that, that the person that didn't just, you know, there's reasons for a bully to become how they become. And so since you mentioned that, that's funny. You said that because in a couple of actually young, in two weeks, I'll be speaking at the All Girls William Conference breakout session.
Oh, and so the title of that session is called what makes a bully. Be addressing the actual antagonizer. Yeah. Exactly.
There's always a factor to why, in my opinion, why someone does the things that they do. I'm not excusing it, but I know that there's more to it. Yes. There always usually is.
Yes. I guess it comes with my faith. I always believe that you always have to say when I pray for not only the person they can hurt, but the other person as well. Yes.
And also understand that a lot of our bullies, the learned behaviors, they're reacting with, unfortunately, being taught to them. Yeah. And parents may not even be aware of it because it's a dysfunction, no situation that has carry on for so long that they see it as normal. It's like a norm.
A lot of the feels, oh, this is the norm. This is what I'm supposed to do, but it really isn't. It is not absolutely not. And so sometimes it's funny when parents are pulled into the situation.
First and foremost, they have to want to admit that there is a problem because, unfortunately, when we have bullies that scene and you talk to a lot of parents and other parents are in the night. Once you can get the parents to see that there is a problem, you can actually begin to dialogue and the healing can actually begin. No, exactly. And that's the most empowering thing of it all.
But I know you have that workshop that you do, but I know you also wrote a book or a series of books about that, correct? Well, I have two books out about the real life situations of what kids go for. But my latest book, The Misfits Sylvia, is an anti-bullying. And it's based on four characters who come together by faith.
They didn't, they weren't friends at first. They ended up becoming friends because they were being bullied by the same individual. Okay. And so this was a person, the bully just happens to be a girl.
And this young lady is good at what she does. And I say that because she identifies their weaknesses. And so that's what bullies do. They seek and intimidate individuals.
And feed off. That may seem to be timid or lack of confidence. And so the overall goal of a bully is to destroy all of your confidence because it's already low. And so it's totally deteriorated.
They want it gone. Yes. So that is the goal of a bully, unfortunately. Yes, no, it is.
And the thing is that it's amazing. Every time I see your posts and I see how people respond to you and what you're doing. You know, you're working as an author, as a public speaker, but also as an advocate, I see so many teachers and students like different people sharing your book and saying, you know, how much, you know, they're moved by it. And that's why I said I have to bring her on the show to talk about her work because this is someone that, you know, I've known you for more than a couple of years now.
And you're always, you're a mover and a shaker, Adria. You know, you're always doing stuff, giving back, you know, to others. And I think that's just amazing. And I feel the same way about you, Sylvia.
Thank you so much. And, you know, you know, I'm just, you become natural to me. It is a passion to help you have a passion. I think you inspire me.
Like everyone has mentors. And if I have to look it back at who like who keeps me going when one of those people is yourself and there, you know, there's a few authors that pushed me along with my husband who's very supportive, thankfully. But I couldn't do it without the mentors and I, you're one of mine. So I thank you so much for saying the passion because I really admire your the way you are and what you're doing for everyone.
Wow, I would never thought that you thought of me like that. Always, always, always rooting for you. Thank you so much. You're welcome.
You can tell she gets very humbled and shy. But, but I wanted to also get back to what you're doing for self publishing. Could you tell us about that? Because I know you've got some events coming up and I want you to share those if you don't mind.
Yes, absolutely. And so I know that like you and I, we are independent authors. Yes. So many people didn't want to tell their story, Sylvia, but they simply don't know how to do it or how to go about doing it the correct way.
And so it dawned on me. I taught this workshop for some high school youngsters in a career day. I was to say in April. And then I said, you know what?
If the students like this, they loved it. It was where we see it. I've wondered how the adults would feel. I never thought to text.
And so I just said, you know what, I want to know how many adults want to know how to write a book. But don't know the steps necessary to make their dreams come true. Yes. I decided to request to do the workshop.
It was accepted. And when I say Thursday is going to be awesome because you have a lot of people who really want to know how to do it. They have stories to tell. Yes.
And they just need somebody to guide them to appropriate steps on what to do. Exactly. So I am doing what's called self publishing for a profit. And that's going to take place this Thursday at the Gary Library and Cultural Center.
Awesome. And it's amazing that that that someone always needs a guide and and you doing this workshop is going to do such an amazing thing for authors who don't know where to go. Because a lot of things that I've noticed with self publishing when I started as an indie author is there's a lot of misconceptions. Wouldn't you agree about the self publishing world?
I couldn't agree more, Sylvia. There's so and you're always things are continuously evolving ways to get your book out there. You know, that was a recent ISB number change standard standard for you. I used to be a number of while back it was 10 numbers.
10 numbers. That's 13 numbers. Yep. And so, you know, people need to know these kinds of things.
Oh, my goodness. I cannot wait to talk about why it's important to have a good editor edit your materials or your galley prior to, you know, having your book. Oh, my goodness. That's a big one for me because I learned the hard way about not getting a good editor and then the embarrassment of having to redo everything and finally finding that editor always self edit your own stuff.
But make sure, you know, and this is just me, get yourself a good editor and a proof leader because if you don't do that, it's embarrassing. And not only is it embarrassing, you know, people always tend to want to look for the worst in everything first. Oh, yes. So it could be a good read and you're getting your point across, but unfortunately, that's not how the world works.
I don't think that's going to say is engulfed in grammatical areas, horrible grammar, excuse grammar and grammatical structure, those things. And so you want to make sure that, you know, you invest in that. Yes, definitely. You know, people say, well, you know, for me, it's all about the editing because that's what, yes, a good cover is important, but if the inside of it doesn't translate, then you're going to find yourself that people are going to look at, like you said, the worst things and those out.
Yeah, you need both. You need a catchy cover. Yes. Make sure that your words are structured, no radical errors, your sensor structure is flowing and you want to be able to get your point across.
And so those are some key factors, especially within the authors, because, you know, we're still trying to get respect anyway. Yes. There are independent authors out here who have, you know, accomplished their literary, their literary goals in regards to making revenues and income, like actually able to live off the sales of their books, because of the things right, you know, they had things in place. Yes.
No. And so that's important because because you're in the author, you have to fight for your respect because you're not a traditional publisher. That makes any sense to you. Yes, it does.
And I wish I was closer so I could attend your workshop because it sounds like, you know, we, especially myself as a, even though I've been doing this for a bit, I still learned something new every day like I went to a book event, the Great Lakes book bash last year in Michigan. And I learned a lot of things, but every day it seems like you learned something new. Yeah, you always doing and I'm never one of those that, well, I know all this for me. It's like, no, teach me more.
I want to know more what you got to say. It's important to to be humble and always, you know, give back like I try to do this is why I do this podcast on anchor and I was going to tell you and not to add more pressure to you, but because you do so much for everyone. Anchor makes it real easy for you to do your podcast and I think people would really tune in to hear you, Adra, because you did do the cooks and books show and you've done other, you know, things on video and podcast and, you know, and you, and I remember how you gave me that opportunity. You, especially with your business could benefit from doing a podcast, even if you don't do it every day, but so people could tune into what you got going on because you're always welcome to come here, but I'm just saying you yourself could have your own podcast too.
Well, that's something to think about. Thank you so much for contesting that. Oh, anytime. Like I said, I told other other people that have come on, you know, you know, you have something to say, say it because that's what we're supposed to do.
It's that passion that like you said that drives you to going for what you're doing. And it's part of the losses and the things you go through in a family, you know, because we have a family life as well. A lot of times, you know, you think of those that, you know, that already gone, but they're always there beside you, kind of giving you that push to keep going. You know, I couldn't agree more.
And that's what you do. You also, you always take, it's kind of like what that song used to say in that show, the facts of life, you take the good and you take the bad and then you put it all together and there you have facts of life because that is how the world works. You got your ups and downs, but you always have to have faith. That's right.
I couldn't agree more, Sylvia. But, and I keep rambling on. So please stop me. But I was going to say, so what other things can you share as far as what's coming up?
I know you have the workshop, you've got a lot going on. But what other things would you like to share now with those tuning in and listening. Oh, absolutely. I cannot wait until next week, because I will be presenting an Atlanta at the Teachers Self Care Conference.
Oh, awesome. And then the following weekend, I will be presenting as a breakout facilitator at the All Girl Bullion Conference. And so after this week, the next two weekends are going to be occupied. I'll be doing some things to expose myself in Atlanta.
Yes. And I hope that my presentations both are well received and that people can really get a lot out of what I'm trying to. I'm sure they will. And I hope you get to come to North Carolina that way because we're not that far.
You're in Indiana. So Indiana, I don't think it's too far from North Carolina. So maybe we can meet halfway one day. That would be great.
That would be awesome. Because like I said, I really love what you're doing. I need to get a copy of your book because I really do believe in the, you know, especially the misfits, the story, what you're talking about. It really resonates with a lot of people that need a, they really need to know about like what you said, how a bully works and what the people that get bullied do.
And I was going to say, what inspired, I know you said, when you started writing it, what was the inspiration behind the characters? The characters are just fictional characters and read by the way of realistic fiction, Sylvia. The characters could have been any mixed of students that I may have taught. Okay.
Because kids would tell me things. Yes. So the misfits is a fiction, but it could be a nonfiction. And it can also be happening in real life.
Okay. And so in response to your question, Sylvia, the characters could be any child or my main character. Who's parents or parents that I say hit a hard time. Yes, before the latest clothes.
Well, she could be anybody. Got a kid with a weight issue. Again, you got a kid that's introverted. That's easily intimidated.
Yes, you have a kid that has a learning disability. So my characters could be any, not only any kid from my teaching years. It could be a kid in Indiana, North Carolina. It could be those four children could represent globally.
Yes. Due to the experiences that they encounter because of what society sees or our young people, what they see per se is what's accepted and not accepted. Yes, exactly. And I feel so sorry for today's use because they we had it hard with traditional media with traditional bullying.
Excuse me. Yes. But now you've got cyber bullying. Oh, my goodness.
Yes. Like it doesn't stop. It has warped. It is just out of control.
And so it's important for parents to talk to their children daily, Sylvia. It's important for them to ask questions. Yes. You know, parents can be busy trying to make ends meet.
Observe your children's learning behalf, learning patterns and behaviors, you know, and what I mean by that is at one point was a kid very happy. And all of a sudden they don't want to be around the visuals, the doors closed down. Watch for those kind of things. Because it's something that's continuously taking place chances are that child is being bullied.
Yes. Yes. And it's unfortunate because now you have shows that kind of, you know, it's controversial shows on TV that talk about these things, but it creates also, it was a big controversy with one of those shows that they talked about the bullying and the suicide and all these, these horrible things that are going on in today's world that we're seeing in the news. But they're not just happening in schools.
They're happening everywhere. Mm hmm. And it's a scary time. And it's important to, you know, we can educate ourselves, you know, for our children.
We need to be prepared because there's so many things going on wrong right now that we just need to stand together and create this conversation. And unfortunately, social media is a big factor. I know a lot of the kids, when I go substitute at school, they have a phone all the time. For me, I limit that at my house because my, my, I don't want my children to be exposed more than they already are.
Yeah. You got to put some, you got to put some standards, you got to lay the foundation as to what the best one was not. And that's a hard conversation to have with parents as well as children, but in my family, for me, speaking personally, that's the way I handle my own house because I was raised where I didn't have a phone, you know, like that. I grew up with a rotary phone, you know, times are different.
And I didn't get a cell phone until I earned my own cell phone. And now it's like children now get phones. I'm not putting anyone down that has one, but there has to be a certain conversation that has to be had, in my opinion, to kind of help prevent these things. And maybe they're not, but if you don't take action, then what else is going to happen, you know?
Yeah, you got to get a grip on it before it's too late. Exactly. Exactly. And everyone's going to have a different opinion, but I'm glad that these workshops exist that where you, you know, you create, you know, you also have your book, but you're also, you know, trying to spread awareness of this.
Yes. Awareness is the key exposure. You know, you teach 10 and they'll teach others. Yes.
And children are, once you can pick their interests and train them and mold them, they'll go back and repeat the same process. Yes. Things. Everything that I'm talking about is teachable.
Yes. Reachable. It's just about doing it. You work as an educator.
You're still an educator in my book, but you did it for how many years were you teach a teacher? 20. 20 years. And I'm sure you taught up.
What is the great levels? Did you change great levels when you were teaching the difference? Well, I taught everything from second to the 10. So you saw all great levels.
Yeah. Exactly. It's like, well, I'm more of a substitute now, but I have taught at school when I was a Spanish teacher and I got to see the younger grades in a Catholic school to a regular school, you know, like just regular public school. And you see the different changes from the times of from back in 2003 to now.
Yes. It's very different. I couldn't agree more. I couldn't agree.
Yes. So much, but it's good that we have these workshops that you're creating and I don't know what else you might want to add to that. Sorry. Oh, thank you for having me on the show.
Sylvia. Thank you. If there's anything I can do, you know, you can always give me a call and for individuals that may be arrested and possibly have me come to your school or your youth affiliate organization. You can log on to www.arda and nyl.com.
I may also be reached at three, one, three, seven, two, two, five, seven, three. And do you have an email that can reach you at? Hello. And website may be utilized to order my book.
Sorry. I had an email. Did you hear the last word? What was that?
Okay. And so I was just saying the same email. I forgive me. The same website may be used to purchase my book.
So I'll repeat my website again. www.arda and nyl.com. Okay. And then she also gave out her phone number, which was the, give me a second here because I have it here in my context here.
It's the three, one, three, seven, two, nine, two, five, seven, three, correct? That is correct. And that's where you can find all the information for Adriah Lynn Robbins and Adriah Lynn Young Robbins. And I appreciate you being here on the Daily with Stylstine.
It was a pleasure to have you join us today. And I look forward to hearing more about you and whenever you want to come on the podcast here on anchor, you're more than welcome. Thank you, Sylvia. Have a great day.
Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday. No problem. And thank you for being here on the Daily with Stylstine here through anchor. Have a great one, everyone.
Happy, happy Tuesday.