Women of Influence with Kathleen Cooke

In this inspiring episode of The Vision, host Destiny Yarbrough and her co-hosts—Dr. Alveda King, Ginger Howard, Day Gardner, and Katie Holmes—welcome special guest Kathleen Cooke, co-founder of Cooke Media Group and founder of Influence Women. The episode centers around the importance of Christian influence in media, the power of storytelling, and maintaining a strong biblical foundation in a media-saturated world. Kathleen shares her journey from childhood creativity, encouraged by her parents, to becoming a SAG actress and respected media executive with global impact through faith-based programming and storytelling.Kathleen discusses her foundational belief that Christians, especially women, need to engage deeply with God’s Word to remain spiritually grounded amid the distractions of digital culture. Referencing her devotional book Hope 4 Today, she emphasizes that reading the Bible at least four days a week can have a transformative effect. She warns of the spiritual pitfalls in Hollywood and urges women aspiring to media careers to be rooted in a biblical worldview. This foundation, she says, helps creatives resist compromising their values, particularly when pressured by an industry that often demands moral concessions.The show features a moving video about Influence Women, Kathleen's organization dedicated to empowering Christian women in media. With chapters across the U.S., it provides education, encouragement, and connection through podcasts, webinars, journals, and mentorship. She notes the urgency of producing excellent, values-based content as today’s audiences are flooded with media, often without discernment or depth. For aspiring creatives, Kathleen stresses the need for training—both in technical skills and storytelling—and recommends using discernment in choosing mentors and programs that align with Christian values.The conversation also touches on Kathleen’s recent work, including a documentary for the Museum of the Bible, and her experiences in the entertainment industry. She highlights the importance of standing firm in personal convictions—refusing roles or projects that conflict with her faith—and encourages others to do the same. The co-hosts affirm that Christians have the right to express their beliefs just as others in the industry do, advocating for respect and representation of biblical values in media.In a powerful moment, Kathleen and the hosts reflect on the influence of media on today’s youth and the rise of AI. They underscore the need for Christians to occupy digital spaces with truth and righteousness, producing content that points people to Christ. The segment closes with a heartfelt prayer for spiritual discernment, media impact, and protection over children and families, reinforcing the theme that media can be a tool for God’s glory when wielded by those committed to His truth.Overall, the episode is a call to action for Christian creatives to remain spiritually anchored, pursue excellence in their craft, and use their talents to influence culture for the Kingdom of God.A message from Executive Producers Dr. Alveda King, Dr. Destiny Yarbrough, Dr. Day Gardner, Pastor LeaAnn Pendergrass and Pastor Jearlyn Dennie. The Vision TV Show is only one part of our mission to spread God's Vision throughout our community. To that end, we are looking for sponsors to help us in this endeavor. To learn more about The Vision TV Show and how you can be a part of our mission, visit us at www.thevisiontvshow.com.