Épisodes

  • The Right to Be Forgotten: Preserving Black Memory with Dominique Luster
    Sep 3 2025
    In this powerful episode, I interview archival consultant and memory worker Dominique Luster to explore the sacred responsibility of preserving Black stories. From the emotional complexity of storytelling to the importance of naming our grandmothers, this conversation dives into legacy, lineage, and the radical act of remembrance. You’ll walk away with deep insight into how personal history shapes identity—and how to become an active participant in your own story. Key Takeaways: Why “intent doesn’t equal impact” in storytelling The spiritual and emotional power of knowing your ancestors by name How family naming patterns and inherited roles shape our identities The archival process of deciding what is preserved—and what is forgotten What Dominique learned from a 90-year-old WWII veteran about legacy and courage Listen to the episode and share your biggest insight or learning moment. Connect with Dominique Luster: LinkedIn | Instagram Connect with Monique Russell: ⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠| ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠| ⁠⁠Youtube⁠ Or email with feedback or questions: ⁠leadership@clearcommunicationsolutions.com⁠ Produced by Breadfruit Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    40 min
  • Anger Is Not the Enemy: Healing, Boundaries & Emotional Truth
    Aug 6 2025
    In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we're joined by Karimah Cornelius-Stith, Certified Sex Therapist, Anger Management Specialist, and CEO of New Reflections Therapeutic Services. Hailing from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Karimah brings deep cultural insight, spiritual grounding, and clinical expertise to a topic that’s often misunderstood: anger. We explore the emotional, spiritual, and physical costs of unprocessed anger—especially within Black and Caribbean communities. From her faith-based beginnings in St. Croix to her work with trauma survivors and couples, Karimah breaks down why anger is a signal, not a sin. We talk about the shame and guilt often connected to intimacy and emotion, the difference between venting and healing, and how suppressed feelings can show up in our relationships, bodies, and communities. You’ll also learn: The difference between expressing anger and weaponizing it Why therapy is not the same as talking to friends The right (and wrong) way to apologize What "shake therapy" is and how it helps you release tension How to identify emotions when language feels out of reach If you’ve ever been told you’re “too much,” if you’re navigating a legacy of silence, or if you're ready to feel without judgment—this episode is your invitation to begin. Listen to the episode and share your biggest insight or learning moment. Connect with Karimah Cornelius - Stith: LinkedIn | Website Connect with Monique Russell: ⁠LinkedIn ⁠| ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Facebook ⁠| ⁠Youtube Or email with feedback or questions: leadership@clearcommunicationsolutions.com Produced by Breadfruit Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    40 min
  • Coaching Without the Fluff: What It’s Really Like to Work With Me
    Jul 9 2025
    If you’ve ever wondered what coaching with me is actually like, this episode is for you. I break down my process, my frameworks, and why the transformations my clients experience aren’t surface-level hype, but deep, embodied shifts. From emotional intelligence to cultural healing, from executive presence to releasing shame, you’ll hear how we do the real work, and why it lasts. Whether you're a high-achieving leader, a mother in transition, or someone tired of performative change, this episode invites you to cross the bridge from overwhelm to integration. Listen to the episode and share your biggest insight or learning moment. Connect with Monique Russell: LinkedIn | Instagram | Website Or email with feedback or questions: leadership@clearcommunicationsolutions.com Produced by ⁠Breadfruit Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    22 min
  • Redefining What’s Possible for Black Women in Work and Life
    Jun 11 2025
    I sat down with powerhouse strategist, scholar-practitioner, and cultural architect Dr. Kerry Mitchell Brown to explore what it truly takes to lead with equity, dismantle harmful leadership models, and redefine what’s possible for Black women at work and in life. Dr. Kerry pulls back the curtain on the quiet (and not-so-quiet) systems that block progress—and how Black executive women can lead, not just by climbing the ladder, but by redesigning it. She shares her personal story of navigating a finance-driven career path, the moment she realized there was no clear lane for someone like her, and how that discovery sparked a lifelong mission to challenge systems from the inside out. Key Takeaways: Organizations are perfectly designed to get the results they get, but they can be redesigned for justice and inclusion. Black women in America face systemic erasure masked as opportunity. Many were hired during the post-2020 equity surge, and are now disproportionately being let go. Quiet disruptors exist. You don’t need to shout to make change; you need strategy, timing, and courage. Privilege exists even in struggle. Recognizing our relative privilege is key to building braver spaces rooted in trust and equity. Financial literacy = personal power. Listen to the episode and share your biggest insight or learning moment. Connect with Dr. Kerry Mitchell-Brown: LinkedIn | IG: @DrKerryMBrown Connect with Monique Russell: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube Or email with feedback or questions: leadership@clearcommunicationsolutions.com Produced by Breadfruit Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    40 min
  • Core Values: How to Align Your Life, Build Trust, and Lead with Integrity
    Feb 5 2025
    Knowing your values is the key to building trust, creating meaningful connections, and maintaining integrity in everything you do. In this episode, I explore: How to identify your core values using simple reflection questions. Why living in alignment with your values builds confidence and peace of mind. How values strengthen trust and collaboration in teams, families, and communities. Practical strategies to help your team, organization, or family clarify and live by shared values. Challenge for the Week: Take time to reflect on your core values. Ask yourself: What do I want to be known for? When have I felt most proud or out of alignment? How can I live my values more consistently in my daily actions? Listen to the episode and share your biggest insight or learning moment. Connect with Monique Russell: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube Or email with feedback or questions: leadership@clearcommunicationsolutions.com Produced by Breadfruit Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    13 min
  • The Power of Consistency: Sustaining Growth in 2025
    Jan 8 2025
    Welcome to the first episode of Bridge to U in 2025! In this episode, I explore: Why Consistency Matters The Role of Habits Systems That Reinforce Habits The Power of Community Key Takeaways: “The connections you have are part of the solution.” Showing up for others creates a ripple effect of trust, healing, and progress. Habits are quiet yet powerful, compounding over time into extraordinary outcomes. Systems reduce pressure, making it easier to maintain consistency and avoid burnout. Community is the ultimate catalyst for transformation—don’t try to thrive in isolation. Your Challenge for 2025: Identify one person in your life who might need support. Reach out to them—not with advice or solutions, but with presence. Say, “Take your time,” or “I’m here if you need me.” Let them know they’re not alone. This episode will inspire you to: Recommit to small habits that drive lasting change. Build systems that make success inevitable. Lean into community as a source of strength and accountability. Let’s make 2025 the year we show up fully—for ourselves, for others, and for the communities we’re building. Listen to the episode and share your biggest insight or learning moment. Connect with Monique Russell: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube Or email with feedback or questions: leadership@clearcommunicationsolutions.com Produced by Breadfruit Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    26 min
  • The Misconception of Emotions and Vulnerability
    Dec 11 2024
    What does “home” truly mean when you've lived across cultures and continents, never quite fitting in? DEI and Emotional Intelligence expert Sunnee Samuel explores this question with Monique Russell, sharing her journey of discovering identity and belonging while growing up between Nigeria, India, and beyond. Sunnee reveals how reconciling her inner “home” taught her that true belonging starts within—by embracing the unique qualities that make us “different.” In this episode, we explore: The complexities of cultural identity Strength in embracing one’s unique qualities The essential role of Cultural Emotional Intelligence in bridging personal and professional worlds. Listen to the episode and share your biggest insight or learning moment. Connect with Sunee Samuel: LinkedIn | Website Connect with Monique Russell: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube Or email with feedback or questions: leadership@clearcommunicationsolutions.com Produced by Breadfruit Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    42 min
  • Grounded in Nature: How Earth, Wind, Fire, Water and Space Shape Self-Love
    Nov 6 2024
    Jeanne Aguet, the founder, and owner of Loving Is Key, is a remarkable individual hailing from the beautiful country of Belize in Central America. Born with a passion for spreading love and making a positive impact, Jeanne's journey has been shaped by her deep-rooted belief in the power of love to change lives. Growing up in Belize, Jeanne was exposed to the diverse cultures and vibrant communities that make the country so unique. This upbringing instilled in her a strong sense of compassion, empathy, and a desire to connect with others on a deep level. Inspired by the warmth and hospitality of her fellow Belizeans, Jeanne set out on a mission to share that love with the world. Driven by her vision, Jeanne founded Loving Is Key, a platform dedicated to promoting love, kindness, and positivity not only to others, but first and foremost to self. Through various initiatives and projects, Jeanne and her team strive to create a world where love is at the forefront of every interaction. From organizing community events, wellness retreats, self-improvement workshops, Mindfulness Meditations, to collaborating with local organizations, Loving Is Key aims to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities. Jeanne's leadership and passion have brought the mission of Loving Is Key to life. She leads by example, inspiring others to embrace self-love as a guiding principle in their own lives. Her dedication to promoting love and kindness has touched the hearts of many, making her a beloved figure in her community and beyond. Beyond her role as the founder and owner of Loving Is Key, Jeanne is also a devoted advocate for social justice and equality. She actively supports causes that aim to uplift marginalized communities and works tirelessly to create a more inclusive society. As Jeanne continues to spread love and kindness through her work, she remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for those who believe in the transformative power of self-love. Her journey from Belize to becoming the founder and owner of Loving Is Key is a testament to her unwavering commitment to making the world a better place, one act of love at a time. In this episode, we discuss: What it means to truly have Self-Love - knowing and accepting yourself, including all your imperfections How to engage in a continuous journey using the elements of earth, wind, fire, water and space The importance of cultural and spiritual influences and the connection of Self-love to Global Care Connect with Jeanne Aguet: LinkedIn | Instagram | Website Connect with Monique Russell: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube Or email with feedback or questions: leadership@clearcommunicationsolutions.com Produced by Breadfruit Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    50 min