ABWilson's Heart of the Matter

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, Kashonna Marrow shares a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about joy, calling, growth, and the power of self-awareness. She describes herself as happy, joyous, open, and approachable, and explains that joy, for her, is not dependent on outside circumstances but anchored in faith and cultivated through intention.Kashonna reflects on the importance of staying open to change, people, and new opportunities, even when discomfort shows up. She speaks candidly about learning to lean into curiosity instead of shutting down, and about creating a sense of safety and trust for others through approachability, active listening, and genuine care. Her work as a speaker, coach, and training and development leader is rooted in helping people feel seen, heard, and supported.The conversation also highlights Kashonna’s adventurous side, from skydiving and zip lining to her red belt in taekwondo, as well as her love of dreaming big and seeing what is possible. She shares how seeing her long-held dreams come to life has strengthened her faith and confidence, especially in her work and travels. These stories bring out her playful, determined spirit and her belief that life is meant to be fully lived.A major theme of the episode is personal growth through challenge. Kashonna opens up about the lessons she learned through divorce, therapy, and faith, explaining how digging into the root causes of pain helped her change the fruit in her life. She speaks honestly about boundaries, forgiveness, and the need to stop carrying emotional weight that blocks peace, creativity, and progress.Throughout the episode, Kashonna emphasizes that her business is about people, purpose, and impact. After 14 years in business, she continues to show up with commitment because she sees her work as a calling, not just a passion. Her reflections on self-care, harmony, seasons of life, and the importance of saying no offer listeners practical wisdom for staying grounded while serving others.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

Send us Fan MailJoanna Sell joins ABWilson Heart of the Matter for a warm and wide-ranging conversation about creativity, kindness, imagination and the many ways art can support well-being. Joanna describes herself as someone who deeply values creativity in everyday life, whether that means experimenting in the kitchen, engaging in creative tasks or  writing, where she says she truly flourishes. She also reflects on the close relationship between creativity and imagination, explaining that the creative process brings something new into the world while remaining rooted in what already exists.A major theme in the conversation is Joanna’s belief that art has healing power and can help people understand one another across cultures. She shares how her background in art history, her interest in intercultural communication and her professional work all come together in projects designed to use art as a bridge for connection and reflection. Joanna also discusses her art-based cards inspired by the PERMA model, which she created to invite positive emotions, engagement and meaningful storytelling through visual art.The episode also touches on Joanna’s roots in Poland, especially Krakow, a city she describes with deep affection and pride. She speaks about the challenge of discussing her own accomplishments, shaped in part by cultural values of humility and offers a thoughtful example of how success can be understood as helping dreams become reality rather than simply self-promotion. Joanna’s story shows how personal history, cultural context and creative practice can shape a life of purpose and contribution.Listeners will also hear about Joanna’s commitment to experiential learning, relationship building and non-judgmental communication. She shares a memorable story about making an unexpected but important difference in a professional setting, as well as the lessons she learned after overcoming self-doubt around language and belonging early in her career. Throughout the episode, Joanna returns to the idea that creativity, when paired with kindness and openness, can transform individual lives and the way we connect in families, communities and across cultures.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of ABWilson's Heart of the Matter, host Aderonke Bademosi Wilson speaks with Tara Salinas, an educator, mother,and fervent supporter who brings warmth, humor and practical wisdom to conversations about wellbeing, work and relationships. Tara shares how becoming a mother later in life reshaped her priorities and taught her to be more purposeful in her attention, and she reflects on the surprising joys and challenges of parenting a kind and curious 10 year old. She describes her journey to teaching, from an unexpected first class that sparked a love of mentoring to intentionally choosing a small university environment so she can know students by name and support them beyond course content. Tara explains her identity as a fervent supporter, the value she places on deep friendships and how small acts of recognition and kindness can create meaningful differences in other people's lives. She discusses practical strategies for resilience including movement classes that require no thinking, short naps, solo writing retreats for brain dumps and trying tapping and breath work to reset during stressful times. Tara and her colleague’s Psychology Today blog, The Problem With, translates social science research into accessible guidance, and she celebrates the satisfaction of reaching readers beyond academic journals. Looking ahead Tara will launch a new undergraduate course called Wellbeing Work and You that brings together research on happiness, resilience, relationships and workplace practices to give students practical toolkits for living well in their careers. The conversation closes with Tara’s invitation to treat people like people, to lean into causes and relationships that matter and to remember that even small gestures of recognition can ripple outward in powerful ways.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, Dr. Julia Sen shares a deeply personal and inspiring story about how her passion for parenting support came full circle. What began as a childhood desire to help children eventually led her into psychology, infertility work and now a new chapter focused on creating community-centered support for parents. Julia opens up about her own fertility journey, living with PCOS, and how those experiences shaped both her compassion and her calling.Julia describes herself as playful, fascinated and parenting-focused, and those words come through clearly throughout the conversation. She talks about the joy she finds in play, music, baseball, learning new creative skills and staying curious about life. She also shares why she stepped away from traditional psychology, explaining that she wanted more freedom to support parents in an accessible, global way through a membership-based community called Supported.At the heart of the episode is Julia’s belief that children thrive when they feel understood. She introduces the Habit of Heart, a mini course built around secure attachment and three simple daily statements: “I’ve got you,” “You’re safe with me,” and “I believe in you.” Julia also offers her Be Fabulous practice, or BFAB, as a way for parents to regulate themselves in stressful moments by breathing, offering empathy, affirming safety, and believing in themselves and their children.The conversation also explores how parents can break generational patterns and respond differently in challenging moments. Julia shares how she has worked to interrupt cycles of exhaustion, yelling, guilt and self-sacrifice by learning to pause, practice self-empathy, and respond with more intention. Her reflections are thoughtful, practical, and full of warmth, making this episode especially meaningful for parents who want to grow without perfectionism.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of ABWilson Heart of the Matter, Sonia Dong shares a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about parenting, identity, healing and growth. Sonia is a writer, podcaster and speaker whose work centers on helping parents feel less alone and more connected as they navigate the evolving stages of raising children. She opens up about creating her podcast Raising the Next Gen after realizing that the parenting landscape changes dramatically as children grow older and that community and support are still needed just as much in the teen years as they are in the toddler years.Sonia reflects on the idea that parents are the original influencers, explaining that children often learn more from what we model than from what we say. She speaks candidly about rediscovering her voice as a writer, including her Substack Next Gen Connection, her co-authored book contribution in Mamas Gotta Grow and her personal project of capturing 49 moments to remember in her 49th year. Sonia also shares how her signature talk, All About the Baby Steps, grew out of her belief that both children and parents need patience, practice and encouragement as they learn and grow together.The conversation also explores a season of grief, strain and reinvention after the loss of a close friend and the collapse of a business she once poured herself into. Sonia describes how therapy, coaching, journaling and a shift in mindset helped her let go of old definitions of success and release the business with love, making space for a new chapter rooted in purpose, creativity, and service. She now channels that energy into her podcast, writing, speaking, workshops, a parent book and trail club and future possibilities including a TED stage.Throughout the episode, Sonia’s warmth and wonder come through beautifully. She speaks about joy in the small things, from rainbows and birds to car washes and laughter and invites listeners to notice the beauty around them. Her story is a gentle reminder that growth can be slow, healing can be messy and meaningful change often begins with one small step.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, host Aderonke Bademosi Wilson sits down with David Arguez, a Miami-based nutritionist and restaurant consultant whose work blends science, service and a deeply human approach to helping people and businesses thrive. David shares how adaptability, empathy and resilience shape his professional philosophy and the systems he has built to support individuals, families and restaurant partners. He explains how his work goes far beyond nutrition advice, offering a thoughtful framework that combines portion standardization, nutrition labeling and practical guidance designed to create better outcomes for  consumers and businesses.David also opens up about his personal journey and the values that keep him grounded. He speaks candidly about learning to balance authority with approachability, the importance of working with experts and the role of self-care in sustaining long-term energy and focus. From martial arts and piano to travel, family and a commitment to lifelong learning, David reflects on the habits that help him stay well while serving others. His story is a reminder that meaningful health work is not just about numbers but about relationships, trust and respecting each person’s unique palate, pace and goals.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, Torie Slaughter shares a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about optimism, curiosity, family, purpose and the power of showing up with grace. From the opening moments, Torie reflects on what it means to stay positive when life feels heavy, describing optimism as “trying to find the sunlight in the storm” and reminding listeners that perspective can shape how we move through difficult seasons. Her reflections are honest and grounded, offering a meaningful look at how she navigates stress, motherhood, work and personal growth.Torie also opens up about the role communication has played in her life, from being described as talkative as a child to using conversation as a way to process emotions and make sense of the world. That natural curiosity is also what led her into doctoral study, where she is researching how Black women in DEI roles are advancing inclusion through everyday micro-strategies, even as organizations face backlash, budget cuts and shifting language around the work. Her scholarship is both timely and practical and it reflects her commitment to belonging, psychological safety and creating healthier workplace cultures.The conversation also turns to Torie’s personal journey. She shares her experience growing up in Lynchburg, Virginia, studying abroad in England and eventually building a life there through education, family and opportunity. She speaks candidly about becoming a mother, celebrating one year of breastfeeding and finding strength in daily walks, fresh air and quiet moments with her son and husband. One of the most moving parts of the episode is her reflection on losing her father to alcoholism, a loss that reshaped how she sees health, grief and the importance of caring for one’s body and life with intention.Torie’s story is also one of service and impact. She describes helping someone land a job through career coaching, using her HR background to offer resume support, interview prep and encouragement at a moment when that person was also caring for a family member. That experience affirmed her belief in using her gifts to help others and it points to the kind of future she envisions for herself through public speaking, writing and broader advocacy. Throughout the episode, Torie returns to a central theme: we do not always know what someone else is carrying and a little grace can go a long way.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

Send us Fan MailIn this heartfelt conversation on ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, Yollanda Zhang shares a deeply moving story of growth, resilience and healing. She describes herself as compassionate, insightful and integrative, three words that reflect not only her professional path but also her personal journey. From engineering to teaching to entrepreneurship, Yollanda explains how each chapter of her life has shaped her ability to support others with empathy, creativity and purpose.Yollanda opens up about the experiences that led her to become a mother, entrepreneur, nonprofit founder, coach, mental health advocate, keynote speaker, and soon, therapist. She reflects on how motherhood inspired her to create a Mandarin school for her daughter and how the loss of her grandmother motivated her to launch Girl Strong, a nonprofit designed to help girls build resilience and confidence. Throughout the episode, she speaks candidly about living with bipolar disorder, the long road of treatment and the healing power of sharing her story. Her honesty about shame, self-compassion and the importance of asking for help brings a powerful and tender dimension to the conversation.The episode also highlights Yollanda’s remarkable work as an educator and mentor. She shares one especially meaningful story about a young girl in her nonprofit program who struggled with severe social anxiety and eventually became a finalist in an international speaking contest. For Yollanda, this was not just a success story, but a reminder that helping others uncover their potential can create lasting ripples of transformation. She also reflects on the practices that sustain her, including meditation, sound baths and intentionally making room for rest, even when productivity tries to take over.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

Send us Fan MailIn this moving conversation on ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, Dr. Richmond Stanley Otolorin-Garrick shares a story shaped by courage, devotion, artistry and deep gratitude. He reflects on his journey from Sierra Leone to the United States, the sacrifices his parents made and the values that shaped him as a husband, father, educator and fine artist. His story is one of perseverance through loss, reinvention and the steady belief that education and art can transform lives.Dr. Garrick speaks warmly about his marriage of nearly three decades and the joy of raising his three children, while emphasizing the importance of discipline, education and opportunity in their upbringing. He describes teaching as more than a profession, saying he is not there simply to give grades but to change stories. That spirit carries through every part of the conversation, from his classroom work to his commitment to advocating for students and helping them feel seen, trusted and supported.As a divine fine artist, Dr. Garrick opens up about how art became a calling and a form of healing. His work reflects the dignity and struggle of humanity, especially the trauma of Sierra Leone’s civil war, the pain of displacement and the resilience of those who survive it. He shares how his canvases and portraits became a way to process grief, tell the truth and honor history, including iconic portraits of African Americans that now live at Middlesex County College.The episode also offers a beautiful glimpse into the sources of his strength, including quiet reflection, faith, mentors, family and the inspiration he draws from Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr. and other artistic and cultural icons. He closes with a powerful reminder that excellence is a form of purpose and that he hopes to be remembered as someone who discovered his divine talent and practiced it with integrity, care and conviction.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

Send us Fan MailThis week’s guest on ABWilson's Heart of the Matter podcast is Dina Chaerani, a bold and joyful sexuality educator, storyteller and youth advocate from Indonesia whose work lives at the intersection of advocacy, digital media and care. Dina shares how her own lived experience shaped her commitment to helping young people understand consent, boundaries, pleasure and safety in ways that feel accessible, honest, and human.Dina Chaerani brings a rare combination of honesty, warmth and courage to this conversation. As a sexuality educator and youth advocate, she shares how her work began with her own experience of sexual violence at age 13 and grew into a lifelong commitment to making accurate, accessible sexual and reproductive health information available to young people. She speaks candidly about the gaps in education, the taboos that still shape conversations about bodies and consent and why she built platforms like Sex Dugram and her SRHR Barbie persona to reach young audiences where they already are.Throughout the episode, Dina reflects on the emotional labor of public advocacy and the costs of being visible in online spaces, including harassment and doxing. Still, she remains grounded in empathy, persistence and a strong sense of purpose. She describes self-care as something joyful and active, from dancing and Zumba to humor, music, walking and leaning on a supportive inner circle. Her story is  deeply personal and widely resonant, reminding us that resilience is powerful, but so is care and that young people deserve truth, dignity and the freedom to ask questions without shame.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of AB.Wilson’s Heart of the Matter, Joyce Hayward brings a vibrant mix of energy, wisdom and heart to a conversation about purpose, growth and living intentionally. Joyce describes herself as energetic, joyful and thoughtful and throughout the interview she shows exactly what those words mean in practice, from finding the silver lining in hard moments to making time for the people and priorities that matter most.Joyce shares her journey from a childhood in rural Maryland, where she learned responsibility and resilience, to a life in Bermuda shaped by creativity, faith, family and service. She talks about being a business ballerina, blending her lifelong love of dance with her work as an accountant and advisor who helps clients move through business with confidence, imagination and grace. Her story is rooted in helping others, whether she is supporting a business owner with a dream, teaching, developing content or creating tools like her new invoicing app designed to help tradespeople get paid quickly and easily.A major theme in the conversation is balance, especially the way Joyce learned to stop treating family as an interruption to work and instead build a life where both can thrive. She speaks openly about setting boundaries, protecting Fridays as Sabbath and making space for rest, joy, travel, swimming and the simple pleasures that refill her spirit. Joyce also reflects on legacy, storytelling and the importance of sharing life lessons with family and community so that wisdom is not lost and others can benefit from what we have learned.This episode is full of encouragement for anyone learning how to lead with joy, stay open to change and live with purpose. Joyce reminds us that life is precious, time is valuable and the best way to honor both is to be intentional, thoughtful and willing to dance through life with faith and courage.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of ABWilson's Heart of the Matter, host Aderonke Bademosi Wilson sits down with Darlene Repollet, a woman who embodies the art of purposeful living through service, community and intentional growth. Darlene describes herself as a supporter, a Peloton enthusiast and a community servant, and over the course of this rich conversation, she brings each of those descriptors to life in deeply meaningful ways.Darlene opens up about her love of Peloton, not just as a fitness tool, but as a lifestyle anchor that keeps her grounded through cycling, strength training, yoga and meditation. She then speaks with great warmth and clarity about her role as First Lady of Kean University in New Jersey, where her husband Dr. Lamont Repollet serves as president. Her identity as a supporter, she explains, was shaped by 25 years as a human resources executive, a career that taught her that the heart of HR is service to people.The conversation takes a joyful turn when Aderonke reveals that Kean University is her own alma mater, creating a moment of shared pride and nostalgia between the two women as they reflect on how much the campus has grown and transformed over the decades.Darlene shares three surprising things about herself: that she is retired yet busier than ever, that she grew up traveling the country with her family in an RV and motorhome during summers and that she is an introvert who has learned to function as an extrovert. Each of these reveals a layer of depth, from her entrepreneurial ventures in real estate investment to the quiet recharging that keeps her going behind the scenes.One of the most moving parts of the episode is Darlene's story of introducing Gratitude Fridays to her HR team during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. What began as a simple practice of sharing one thing to be grateful for at the start of weekly team meetings became a lifeline for a group of colleagues navigating extraordinary stress and isolation. Over time, the practice deepened into genuine vulnerability and connection and team members later told Darlene how much it had meant to them. It is a story about leadership, humanity, and the quiet power of showing up with intention.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

Send us Fan MailRenee Rampersadsingh joins ABWilson's Heart of the Matter podcast, sharing her warm journey as a yoga educator, devoted caregiver and joyful creator in Trinidad and Tobago. With roots in a family of teachers and a lifelong spiritual practice sparked by meeting her guru at age 10, Renee inspires through her reading club, retreats and vegetarian lifestyle shaped by ethics and yoga. Her stories highlight community building, self-care, and finding joy in bird song, dark chocolate and strategic gaming.Renee opens up about her multifaceted life, describing herself as an educator who teaches yoga to all ages, plans retreats and events and empowers people to manage their well-being through breath, movement and mindset shifts. She reflects on her role as a carer, having supported her mother through 17 years of stage four breast cancer from age 13, which deepened her empathy and commitment to nurturing relationships. As a creator, Renee celebrates everyone's innate creativity, from hosting silent reading clubs that foster third spaces for connection to crafting origami, embroidery and co-leading photography-yoga retreats on perspective with her partner. She shares surprises like her lifelong vegetarianism rooted in family ethics, her love for strategy games and a casual spiritual foundation that sustained her family. Proud of her year-old reading club partnering with the Bocas Lit Fest and recent joint retreat successes, Renee discusses making differences through adaptive yoga for seniors, injury recovery and palliative care, relying on empathy, patience and extensive training. Overcoming her MBA amid caregiving taught her perseverance, willpower and self-care like pranayama for energy awareness, strategic napping and graceful aging. She envisions ripples of positivity from grounded self-awareness, upcoming events like World Labyrinth Day and International Yoga Day and her memoir on co-surviving her mother's cancer journey. Simple joys like morning bird song, flowers, family and guiding transformations light her path.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com