PODCAST · education
For Our Edification
by Real stories of transformation. Real insights for navigating change.
A personal leadership podcast that shares real stories about moments that transform people's careers. Eddie Francis reaches into his bag of strategic communications and leadership expertise, while Dr. Halima Leak Francis comes in with super cool sociological insights to help us be our best selves. forouredification.substack.com
Episodes
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084 | Creativity Can’t Stop with Adriana Kaegi
For Adriana Kaegi, technology was both a blessing and a curse. A pioneer of streaming media, Adriana had to pivot quickly when the dot-com bubble burst. And she did. Through twists and turns on an unpredictable media journey, Adriana has maintained her creativity, earning the nickname “The Human...
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083 | What About Me Needs to Change? with Dr. W. Garrett Goggans
He was an architect for a home builder when the 2008 housing bubble burst, and it caught up with him in 2009. And then there were the two divorces. Those setbacks gave Dr. W. Garrett Goggans pause. But instead of trying to figure out what was wrong with the world, Garrett looked inward for…
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082 | Is College a Waste of Time or Did You Waste Your Time?
Folks who say that college is a waste of time might be leaving out some details about their experience. In this installment of Higher Edification, I take this claim head-on by questioning what part these folks played in the time-wasting. How much does having a sense of personal leadership play in...
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081 | Be the Pattern with Carrie KC West
As someone who often speaks her mind, Carrie KC West’s story of career transformation began when a single, unfortunate moment with her boss in Corporate America led to her current career. As she has worked with people as a “hidden story doula,” Carrie has also worked to be the pattern so that her...
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080 | When Perfectionism Becomes the Disability with Michelle Steiner
Michelle Steiner suffered a setback in her career when she lost her job during the COVID lockdown, but she had already passed a major life test. Michelle had been told that she wouldn't be successful in college because of her learning disability. Instead of retreating within, Michelle leaned on…
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079 | On My Brain: Patience Matters in the Pivot
A common question that has come up since my most recent full-time adventure: How did I pivot so quickly? I got to work on reinventing myself quickly, but the truth is that this career pivot—my fifth one—took a bit longer. In this episode, I talk about the steps I took and why patience matters in...
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078 | From Surviving to Helping Others Survive the Toxic Workplace with Phillip Holmes
"Setbacks start with what feel like peaks." That's how Phillip Holmes kicked off his conversation with me about his journey from surviving a toxic workplace to helping others navigate toxic workplaces. A coach and leadership consultant, Phillip visited For Our Edification to talk about the…
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077 | The PR Crisis That Transformed My Career
It was 15 years ago that I encountered my first and worst crisis as a public relations professional. It was then, when I was Southern University at New Orleans’ public relations director, that a Louisiana legislator proposed a bill that would merge SUNO with the University of New Orleans as part…
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076 | Resilience in Mindfulness with Dave Delaney
As was the case for so many, 2020 wasn’t a great year for Dave Delaney. With the COVID-19 lockdown, his speaking business took a big hit, and natural disasters had become too much a part of his life. On top of that, Dave had been diagnosed with ADHD. With his love for communication and the stage,...
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075 | Discovering His Sovereign Path with Rory Verrett
Rory Verrett felt "rudderless" after being defeated early in his career—literally. The New Orleans native had returned from Harvard Law School and had a strong start to his career when he decided to run for public office. But he suffered a bitter defeat. It was a moment that Rory describes as...
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074 | Transformation Beyond Corporate Politics with Melinda Van Fleet
What happens when a self-described workaholic hits a wall with corporate politics? For Melinda Van Fleet it was a sign that something had to change. Melinda visited For Our Edification to share her journey from successful retail buyer at Saks Fifth Avenue to empowerment and business coach. After...
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073 | 5 Leader-Follower Relationship Promises to Make in 2026
The Season 7 premiere kicks off a new direction for the podcast. For Our Edification is setting sail into deeper personal leadership waters with stories of career transformation. We’re kicking off the new season with a challenge to both managers and their direct reports in the workplace to make...
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072 | Season 6 in Review
I focused more on personal leadership in Season 6 of For Our Edification, brought back the Write to Bear Alms segment, and launched the Higher Edification segment. Take a listen to some of the episodes that stood out to me: 56 | Eddie’s the Guest 68 | Creating Student Success From Access with Dr....
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071 | Colleges and Universities as Civic Anchors with Dr. Halima Leak Francis
In the Higher Edification segment, Halima discusses how colleges and universities are civic anchors, something that was part of her doctoral research in higher education administration at New York University. She shares her thoughts about the importance of colleges and universities’ role as civic...
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070 | Philanthropic Investment in New Orleans with Dr. Halima Leak Francis
Approaching the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, The Data Center published “The New Orleans Index at Twenty” Collection, which included “Resourcing resilience and prosperity: Philanthropic investment in New Orleans’ nonprofit sector after Hurricane Katrina”. The research was produced by For...
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069 | The Fight for Critical Thinking with Dr. Esha Lovrić
Dr. Esha Lovrić deeply believes that there is a need to widely promote critical thinking. She is so convinced of it that she has taken to Threads for a public commentary, even focusing on making the distinction between critical thinking and conspiratorial thinking. I was so excited about her…
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068 | Creating Student Success from Access with Dr. James K. Winfield
The first Higher Edification guest stepped in to share some great perspectives about the profound impact that higher education has on him. Dr. James K. Winfield is a student access and success leader who champions first-generation college students. Having been a first-gen student himself, James...
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067 | Podding from Podapalooza with Randy Phares
Randy Phares got it out the mud…literally. Once upon a time, he was digging a ditch for a living while dealing with diagnoses of Tourette’s Syndrome and ADHD. That didn’t stop Randy from showing his bosses how creative and determined he was to be a problem-solver. Now Randy does a presentation…
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066 | On My Brain: 5 Things I've Learned From Betting on Myself
On April 10, 2023, I decided to bet on myself. It was scary, but I did it, dang it! But seriously…going into my third year as a business owner and realizing that there are probably thousands of small businesses being opened around the U.S. due to major job losses, there are five big things that...
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065 | Podding from Podapalooza with Andrea C. McLean
Andrea C. McLean had a promising path in Corporate America until something unexpected happened. It was then that she realized that she needed to shift her mindset. But Andrea also recognized that there were others like her—especially women—who needed to shift their mindsets. That’s when she set…
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064 | Podding from Podapalooza with Lori Osborne
Lori Osborne loves what she does. A brand strategist, web developer, and speaker, Lori finds joy in helping thought leaders turn their voices into internet things of beauty. We had a conversation about what’s behind Lori’s sparkly personality. She shared her story of resilience—from surviving...
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063 | Introducing Higher Edification
Introducing a new segment--Higher Edification! In future episodes, we'll hear about how higher education touches our lives. This commentary sets the table for the importance and personal impact that higher ed has on our personal leadership. Note: A passage from the book "Footprints of Black...
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062 | Winners Win with Carlos Henry
Carlos Henry is serious about two things--leadership and winning. Having grown up in a challenging environment (to put it mildly), Carlos made up his mind that he would be the best he could possibly be. And he hasn't looked back. Not even 30 years old, Carlos visited "For Our Edification" to talk...
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061 | Archives Are Not Neutral with Dominique Luster
For Dominique Luster, archives are more than artifacts. They're stories that both give life to history and provide direction for the future. A passionate professional archivist and proud product of Kentucky, Dominique visited "For Our Edification" to talk about how her work informs her personal...
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060 | This Podcast Sucks
Can we talk? I am nowhere close to satisfied with For Our Edification. So, help me out and let me know how this podcast can play a productive role in your life. Plus, I’m introducing Higher Edification, more personal leadership conversations, and Write to Bear Alms. The views expressed on “For…
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059 | Strength in Authenticity with Rashad Young
When Rashad Young speaks, there's a lot to take in. He is open about the work in progress that he is, showing a wealth of authenticity. The host of the podcast, Knowing Is Knowing, Rashad joined For Our Edification to discuss how he tries to live up to the (literal) meaning of his name and how he...
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058 | Thinking, Feeling, and Leading with Christopher Tidrick
Chris Tidrick is on a mission to create a world where people think and feel so that they can lead better, especially men. That is why he started hosting the ILLUMENATE podcast. Chris joined For Our Edification to chat about his podcast, his "Think. Feel. Lead." mantra, and the "a-ha" moments that...
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057 | Radiating Health and Wellness with Christine D. Ross
Christine D. Ross has had to deal with serious life setbacks even as she sat in paradise. This is what led her to commit her life to health and wellness. Christine joined "For Our Edification" for an honest conversation about the importance of gratitude, mindfulness, and food as medicine. About...
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056 | Eddie's the Guest with Dr. Halima Leak Francis
Halima turned the tables for the season 6 premiere by interviewing me! We dug into my obsession with leadership, especially as it relates to identity and value, as well as personal leadership. Out of it came a big story about how one leader I worked with reinforced the importance of listening…
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055 | Direct Your Life with Mykel Shannon Jenkins
Three words define Mykel Shannon Jenkins' career as an actor, director, and producer--passion, purpose, and persistence. I've seen these three qualities come out of Mykel's pores since I saw him on Bonnabel High School's speech and debate team. In this conversation, we go into a deep dive about...
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054 | Throwback: A Burning Desire with Harold E. Clark, Jr.
This throwback episode features a conversation with playwright and author Harold Ellis Clark Jr. While he is known for his great radio broadcasting, public relations and communications work, Harold has made a mark as an award-winning playwright and author. In this interview from the old "Eddie...
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053 | Throwback: Cultural Philanthropy with Dr. Halima Leak Francis
This throwback interview goes back to May 2018, when I asked Halima about cultural philanthropy. In this Write to Bear Alms segment, she gave great insight about how giving differs from one community to the next. At the time, Halima had been the chief philanthropy officer for the Texas Muslim...
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052 | Leading with ADHD
October is ADHD Awareness Month, so it seems like a good time to continue sharing my experiences having been recently diagnosed with ADHD. I wondered how ADHD impacts the leadership journey, so I offered thoughts on what makes the journey a challenge. There are also thoughts about how people can...
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051 | The Journey to Self-Validation with Priscilla María Gutiérrez
Priscilla María Gutiérrez's story is a true mental health journey. Having lived through trauma, she set out to understand what it means to truly trust herself. Priscilla joined "For Our Edification" to tell her story of personal leadership so that others can understand what it means to reach a...
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050 | Another Way to Win with Trevon Bryant
On episode 19, David Grubb spoke passionately about athletes and their mental health. Trevon Bryant lived it. As a running back at the University of New Hampshire, he saw his future as a professional football player ahead of him. One day, it slowed down drastically because of a severe knee…
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049 | Throwback: Whose Donation Is It Anyway? with Dr. Halima Leak Francis
It's another blast from the past. In 2016, Michael Jordan made significant donations to several causes. There were many critics, however, who questioned why the sports legend donated the money where he did. In this Write to Bear Alms segment from the old "Eddie Francis Podcast Show" and in the...
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048 | Throwback: Not a 'Make It Rain' Fundraiser with Dr. Halima Leak Francis
Once upon a time, Halima was in the fundraising world. But she wasn't a "make it rain" fundraiser. That's because Halima's success was built on the understanding that fundraising isn't just about money, it's about relationships. In this Write to Bear Alms segment, hear about why your…
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047 | Define Your Story with Dr. Sheena Howard
Dr. Sheena Howard has succeeded because of a simple mantra: "This is not the end of my story." She joined "For Our Edification" to talk about the importance of her work as a creator who centers her work on representation. Having survived domestic abuse at one point in her life, Sheena's journey…
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046 | I Have ADHD
At the age of 53, I found out that I have ADHD. Here's how it feels and this is how I'm handling it. The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with...
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045 | The Commencement Address That No One Asked For
No one asked for this commencement address, but they got it. The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus...
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044 | Keep Pushing with Liz Springer
Business is Liz Springer's business. For her, however, business growth is heavily connected to personal growth. Having endured significant challenges in the business world as a woman, Liz is dedicated to working with small business owners to overcome their challenges to grow their businesses. It...
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043 | A Life Changing Transformation with George "White George" Sedberry
George Sedberry became a fan of HBCUs in a pretty interesting way. He's not just any fan; he's a fan with, shall we say, a past. So, when and how did he make the life-changing transformation that got him known on TikTok and Instagram as "The White George"? George visited "For Our Edification" to...
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042 | On My Brain: Freaknik and the "Top" HBCUs
American Black Gen Xers are buzzing with the release of "Freaknik: The Greatest Party Never Told." I watched it, and two things stood out to me--one was folks' perception of Freaknik and the other was the way the documentary ended. I shared some thoughts. On another note, I've had thoughts…
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041 | Throwback: My Award-Winning Interview with Immaculée Ilibagiza
The reason I’m an "award-winning" broadcaster is Immaculée Ilibagiza. In 2010, I interviewed her for a retreat that she was holding in New Orleans. A year later, I won the Press Club of New Orleans Excellence in Broadcasting Award for the Best Radio Entertainment Feature. This interview is a...
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040 | What God Does Through You with Dr. Ansel Augustine
"It's not about you. It's about what God does through you." Those are the words of Dr. Ansel Augustine, international speaker, author, and educator. Ministry is Ansel's life, and he joined "For Our Edification" to talk about how his dedication to faith has been an important part of his personal...
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039 | Bravo! Fitness! with Micah "Bravo" Matthews
Personal trainer Micah "Bravo" Matthews trains more than the body. He goes out of his way to train the mind and the spirit. Set to enjoy a lucrative engineering career, Bravo decided that he wanted more out of life than he felt a lot of his colleagues were getting. That's when he decided to…
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038 | Your Wellbeing Is Your Voice with Kimberly O'Neil
At one point, Kimberly O'Neil was concerned that she would lose her voice, both figuratively and literally. Heavily committed to community work and education, Kim dedicates her life to empowering people to lift their voices to fortify the causes they care about. When her well-being was threatened...
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037 | Relationship Goals...For Real with Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew
Let's call this a get-to-know-you episode. It was such a pleasure to have Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew on to talk about her work and what she values most--relationships. A "network weaver," as she calls herself, Froswa' talks about her expertise in social capital, why she's concerned about the lack of...
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036 | Lyrics, Business, and Buns. Why Not? with Austin Levy
Why not? It's a question that Austin Levy seems to ask whenever he has an idea for a venture. Recognized as one of Gambit's 2023 "40 Under 40," the New Orleans MC (known as A.Levy) has spent over two decades as a recording artist and businessman. We spent time talking about what it means to grow…
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035 | Celebrating Black Philanthropy Month with Akilah Wallace
August is Black Philanthropy Month. It's a time that celebrates the legacy and traditions of giving throughout the African diaspora. One group that has uplifted Black philanthropy is HERitage Giving Fund. Based in Dallas, HERitage has awarded over $100,000 to Black women-led nonprofit…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A personal leadership podcast that shares real stories about moments that transform people's careers. Eddie Francis reaches into his bag of strategic communications and leadership expertise, while Dr. Halima Leak Francis comes in with super cool sociological insights to help us be our best selves.
forouredification.substack.com
HOSTED BY
Real stories of transformation. Real insights for navigating change.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does For Our Edification have?
For Our Edification currently has 84 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is For Our Edification about?
A personal leadership podcast that shares real stories about moments that transform people's careers. Eddie Francis reaches into his bag of strategic communications and leadership expertise, while Dr. Halima Leak Francis comes in with super cool sociological insights to help us be our best selves....
How often does For Our Edification release new episodes?
For Our Edification has 84 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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You can listen to For Our Edification on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts For Our Edification?
For Our Edification is created and hosted by Real stories of transformation. Real insights for navigating change..
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