The Life Defined Podcast

We are back with a brand new episode featuring brand new author Semaj Rashad. In today's episode we talked about Semaj's journey of faith and how he was once living the life that a lot of young men would envy, traveling the world, President of his chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, attention from plenty of young women...but in the midst of all the "success" he was having, Semaj started to realize there was something missing. Listen in to his journey as he reveals what that missing piece was and how his life was never the same since!

In today's episode we sat down with Heaven Neal, serial-entrepreneur, , wife, mother, makeup artist and much more.  In this episode we talked about Heaven's journey experiencing some of the greatest highs of her life while also experiencing some of her lowest points in life as well. From losing a son, to losing a marriage to launching her own business, this young woman has a lot of life experience to share. Listen in to hear how she's been able to remain hopeful and optimistic through it all.

Trauma...mental health challenges...communication issues...therapy...generational curses... These are just some of the topics we covered during our conversation with Verrett Taylor. I've known Verrett since he was just a teenager in Youth Ministry and over the years he's experienced more trauma and seen more in his short life than many people have in their entire lives.  His life story could be a Hollywood movie and he hasn't even hit 3-0 yet. He shared so much more than I ever knew and think this conversation has something for everyone  to glean from. This was a good one!

Well folks this is it! This is the last episode of our Marriage Defined Series. And to bring our series to an end, we thought it would be great to end with a Q&A from our listeners and supporters. These were the questions that were burning on their hearts and Shamon and Nijiama went IN to cover these topics. So listen in to see if they answered some of those burning questions from your heart as well!

This is Part 2 of our conversation with Pastors Eric and Susan Kellum. We picked up with our conversation from where we left off last week and got right into the heat. We continued to discuss the steps to healing after experiencing infidelity in marriage and the ups and downs when trying to work through that. Buckle your seats for this one!

Whew....this episode here was something! In this episode the discussion got very REAL with Pastors Eric and Susan Kellum from Zion Church, Anywhere Campus. If you've ever experienced the trauma of infidelity in your relationship, then this is the episode you need to listen to.  Infidelity is one thing that is sure to devastate anyone's relationship. For some it's the breaking point of no return. But others are able to find a way through that trauma. This episode begins to show how what that healing process looks like. And this is just Part 1!

In this episode we sat down with Pastor Dondrae McGee from Zion Church Fort Washington and his wife Veronica McGee. This episode was fun, informative, enlightening and deep. We covered several areas within marriage that I think will hit home for all of us; topics like deception within a marriage, making idols of our spouses, and some keys to helping couples breathe life into a stagnant or mundane relationship.

This is Part 2 of our conversation with William and Kelly Rucker and we had no idea that this episode would end up being more of a therapy session than a normal conversation or interview. We really got into some of the nitty-gritty behind marriage and discussed some of the big challenges that couples face when you have two imperfect people trying to become one in matrimony.

Welcome to Part 1 of our conversation with William and Kelly Rucker in our Marriage Defined Series. In this episode William and Kelly walked us through some of the most challenging times in their marriage and the impact their upbringing had on them becoming the husbands and wives they would one day become. 

Welcome to an all new season in a new year as we begin a brand new series! This is the first episode in our new Marriage Defined Series. In this first episode we covered several topics with friends of the show, Damont and Selikka Wood, including becoming a new step-parent and the most difficult time in their marriage. By the end of our conversation it was clear why so many other couples look up to them as role models.

In this episode we talked to our good friend Dr. Tameka Duncan, PT, DPT, Cert. MDT who is the owner and founder of her very own physical therapy practice in Clarksville, TN called Vitality Sport and Rehab. Although starting her very own practice was certainly one of the life-defining moments in Dr. Tameka's life, it may not be the most significant one. In today's episode, Dr. Tameka shared her journey of hatred, forgiveness, love and then grief over the loss of her dad. Her story is one of personal growth, triumph, perseverance and hope that is sure to connect and resonate with everyone who listens. Enjoy!

**Parental Advisory is suggested. This episode does contain content which may not be suitable for children** You wouldn't know it simply by looking at her, but Keyontae Davis (Nwachu) has experienced more in her short time on Earth than most people will experience over the course of their entire lives. Even then, most people wouldn't have faced half the things that this young woman has had to face and overcome in such a short period of time. In part 2 of our conversation, through a tear stained face, Keyontae recounts some of the hellish moments she's had to go through in life and how she was able to find healing and hope through it all. From being sexually abused for years, to being neglected and somewhat forgotten by her own mother, to losing her father at a young age, and so much more that I wouldn't even do justice to by trying to explain here. But to hear the full story, tune in and listen right now!

In this episode I've taken off the mask that a lot of us wear, especially as Christians, where we try to portray this image that everything is well and good. This episode was both difficult and therapeutic because it was the first time I've publicly revealed that I struggled with depression and losing myself over the past couple years. Listen in as I share my story about dealing with depression and how God helped me to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

This episode is one for the books! If you've ever read the bible then you've read stories about God performing signs, wonders and miracles, but what about since then. Have you seen many present day signs and wonders?? Have you doubted whether or not God even still performs miracles and wonders in these present times? If so, then you're like many of us who have often wondered if all those miracles we read about stopped once the last book of the bible was written.This episode is for anyone who's ever asked those big questions like "why God", "why me God", or "can God even heal me". Or if you've ever felt like you couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel, then this episode is for you. Listen in as our guest today shares her life and death experience while dealing with the all too real COVID-19 (Coronavirus). COVID tried to kill her, but she's still here and better than ever for it!!

I'll be honest and say this was one of the most challenging, convicting and motivating episodes FOR ME that I've done so far. Whether he knew it or not, our guest today dropped several nuggets that specifically hit me right where I live and I'm sure I won't be the only one. In today's episode, I sat down with my good friend and up-and-coming primetime TV and film star, Mark McKinnon as we discussed some of the high points and low points of his life and career thus far. From hitting rock bottom in his career to attending the funeral services for a father he hadn't seen in 20 years to starting his own world-renowned acting studio, we covered all of it and so much more! This is an episode you don't want to miss!!

In this episode we sat down with our good friend Siobhan Copeland as we talked about her day-to-day work as a child abuse victim advocate, a job not for the faint of heart. Personally, I don't think I'd have it within me to do this sort of work every day, but I'm extremely grateful that there are people out there like Siobhan who are committed to doing a job that has to be emotionally draining and difficult to do, but still have a passion and love for this sort of work. Maybe this episode will challenge and inspire all of us to work for a higher purpose in life beyond simply earning a living.

Ladies and gentlemen, put on your seatbelts for this one cause this episode is a rollercoaster of emotions! This episode was special! We were honored to welcome today's guest Lenneil Turner from Revolution Church DC as she opened up and shared some of her life experiences with us from being abandoned by her natural father, feeling rejected by her own mother to being sexual abused for many years by another family member. For years she held all of that of that pain in and carried it by herself. But eventually she was able to find healing and wholeness. To find out how, listen in to this powerful, transformative and inspirational episode with DC's own Lenneil Turner.

During this current season when all of us are being effected in some way by the COVID-19 Pandemic, I thought today's episode was very fitting and timely. With so many of us feeling all sorts of emotions like anxiety, uncertainty, doubt or even fear, I believe this episode is going to be a breath of fresh air for so many of us. In less than four years, the Bells have lived in four different states, had a new baby, been unemployed and faced great uncertainty on many levels, but somehow through all of it they were able to hold on to their sanity and each other. Listen in to find out how!

This episode truly was a special treat as I had the opportunity to talk to Darrell (aka Stephen the Levite) and his wife Trisha Bell. This is Part 1 of our conversation as we discussed one of the major hurdles they had to endure in their marriage as they dealt with some of the past trauma(s) that Trisha had gone through prior to them getting married. Forewarning: This episode does involve a conversation about sex and sexual assault, so if this isn't something you want your kids hearing about, you might want to check out one of previous episodes until it's safe to listen. Hope you enjoy! 

We are BACK!!! After an extended hiatus, we are back for our first brand new episode of 2020! Today's episode is definitely one of the most transparent episodes we've done to date. In this episode I explain where I've been the past few months and why I've been away for so long. I've had to do a lot of soul-searching over the past few months and in this episode I start to reveal how I've been developing my own life-defining mindset and the impact that's been having on me. This is just the first episode that we dive into this thing we're calling "The Life-Defining Mindset". We hope you stick around!

If you spend any significant amount of time watching the news, scrolling through social media, or just trying to keep up with everything going on in the world right now, it's easy to lose perspective and to grow weary and bleak. However in this quick episode Raymond reminds us that although times like this might cause us to question our faith and beliefs, that's not where our stories end. This episode is a reminder that there is still a reason to have hope and faith in this world.

Now that the big day has come and gone for Whisper the Stage Play and Marriage Conference 2019, we took this episode to provide a recap of the last 7 months putting this whole thing together and how it all came out, from our perspective. From the sleepless nights, to the anxiety attacks and everything in between, in this episode we open up and share some of those transparent moments we had putting all this together. This is one of those episodes for every dreamer, visionary and idealist out there. 

"Insecurities and Communication in Marriage"In this episode, my wife and I discuss a somewhat touchy and personal subject as we discuss insecurities in marriage and how one person's insecurities can have such a drastic impact on the marriage. We also offer some encouragement to others who may have their own insecurities to work through as well. We hope you're encouraged and blessed by the conversation as we were doing it.

In this episode of our new WHISPER Series, we sat down with Jasen and Rashida Banks as we discussed the role of faith in marriage and the importance of being "equally yoked". But here's one of the most important questions that arose during the conversation. If it's possible to have a good marriage without both parties being followers of Christ/faith, then why is it important for us to be "equally yoked" in order to have a successful marriage? We answer that question and a lot more in this packed and lively episode!

In this second episode of the Whisper series, my wife Alicia and I discuss 10 things we've learned during our first 10 years of marriage. These aren't simply things that we've read about in a book somewhere, but these are 10 things that we've had to live out and work through. And we believe we've become much better people as a result of these things. We hope you learn something new that can help you in your own relationships.

In this episode we're beginning a brand new series entitled The WHISPER Series. In this series my wife and I will be discussing different topics and issues related to the theme of our upcoming Stage Play and Marriage Conference similarly titled. We'll also be interviewing other couples about different phases and challenges from their own marriages as well. In this first episode we break down the big WHY behind doing WHISPER and other things related to us making it happen. Stay tuned for more episodes to come!

For this episode we did something a lil different. Instead of our usual interview format, I decided to do something special and do a tribute episode to my father, Ray Watson Sr., the person most responsible for helping me to define what kind of man I wanted to be in life. In this episode I share three of the biggest lessons I learned from dad growing up that has had the greatest impact on my life. This episode is dedicated to all the husbands, fathers, coaches and leaders who know what it means "to be there through thick and thin" for their families............... My dad, a real life Joe Clark (shoutout to Lean on Me)

In this episode we talked to friend of the show, Jeffrey Tyler. Although Jeff appears to be living his best life right now as a speaker, pastor, author, entrepreneur and more, that hasn't always been the case. From being unemployed for nearly an entire year to possibly facing foreclosure, he and his wife have faced some significant challenges in their marriage. In this episode he walks us through how they were able to find their own rhythm and success for them.

What happens when the rock of the family gets rocked? In most of our families it's our wives and mothers that serve as the backbone and support system that holds the entire family together. But what happens when the person who's always the strong one for everyone else gets hit herself? It's one thing to be the calm in the storm for everyone else, but what about when the storm is ravaging you? In this episode we talk to Crystal Wilson about all the different hats that she has to wear in her own life while trying to hold it all together. We get into that and a whole lot more in this episode of TLDP.

In this episode our good friend of the show, Dondrae McGee, joins us as we get into all things marriage, entrepreneurship, kids and so much more. So listen in as he gives us a glimpse into the world of Doncrae McGee and Haberdashnow!!

In this interview we get into the nitty-gritty with our good friend, Terrence Shingler as he shares some of the greatest challenges he's faced in life and how he got started in his career. And if I'm being honest, if it were me in his shoes I seriously doubt I would've been able to end up where he is today. This is a must-listen!

In this second episode we talk to Cyrkle Lomax, creator of Beautifully Human about some of her life-defining moments and how she was able to keep going, despite the immense pain, anger and hurt. From being a young single mother, to going through a painful divorce and being at her wits end, Cyrkle walks us through what it looks like to go through the fire and come out even better.

Welcome to the first episode of our brand new podcast, The Life Defined Podcast. In this first episode we'll be talking to Alethea Felton for what I think will be one of our most powerful episodes of the season. So listen in as she walks us through some of the most challenging times of her life, times where she literally could have died any moment! Listen, enjoy and please join the conversation.

After a lonnnggg hiatus we are back for an all new episode of The Life Defined Podcast. In this episode we walk our listeners through the origins of TLDP, how it all got started and my very own first major life defining moment, a crises of faith, a crossroads between a cult and real faith.