SpeakUP! International Inc.
SpeakUP! International Inc. is your go-to podcast for inspiring stories, insightful interviews, and educational content that empowers listeners. Join us as we delve into diverse topics with a focus on uplifting black and brown voices, promoting creativity, and fostering personal and professional growth.
Episodes
165 episodes
Dauna Jones-Simmonds: She Doesn’t Drink Coffee, She Brews Change
We sit with Donna Jones- Simmons —the co‑founder and architect of 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women—to trace how a simple idea became a movement that documents excellence, accelerates careers, and reframes what leadership lo...
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50:39
Janet Taylor: Neat Freaks Don’t Always Win—Function Does
What if organization wasn’t about spotless rooms, but about a life that works when it counts? We sit with Janet Taylor—organiser, corporate trainer, and host of “Got Clutter? Get Organized”—to unpack how a layoff became a...
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50:26
A brain aneurysm didn’t end Tess Padmore's life; it unlocked an inventor who’s redefining inclusive design and water safety
A simple swim cap shouldn’t decide who gets into the water. That’s where our guest, inventor and author Tess Padmore, begins—transforming a personal challenge after a brain aneurysm into a patented headwear line designed for tex...
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1:00:06
From Harm to Healing with Leah Brown: Restorative Justice, Institutional Accountability, and Leading Through Chaos
What if the real fix for broken systems isn’t a better press release, but a better way to heal? We sit down with mediator and lawyer Leah Brown—founder and CEO of the Wayfinders Group—to unpack how leaders can move from fire-fig...
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43:25
'Tine Zekis: When Black Women Win, Everyone Wins
Ever been praised in public and panicked in private? That tension sits at the heart of our conversation with author, engineer, and international speaker 'Tine Zekis—who boldly reframes “imposter syndrome” as the byproduct of imposter systems. W...
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39:14
Leadership with a Servant's Heart: Building Dynamic Teams through Compassion
Kevin Wayne Johnson transforms our understanding of leadership through his powerful personal journey that began at just three and a half years old. Growing up caring for his younger brother with a mental disability while his Mar...
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44:37
Brenda Max Cumby-Fashioning a Path: From Red Tonka Trucks to Workwear Revolution
What happens when a fashion model becomes a union carpenter? She discovers there are no work clothes designed for women's bodies and decides to revolutionize the industry. Meet Brenda Max Cumby, founder of Gott Street B...
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55:59
Fanny Tristan: Who told you something was wrong with being single?
What if being single isn't something to fix, but a powerful season for growth and self-discovery? Trauma therapist and empowerment coach Fanny Tristan joins us to challenge everything you thought you knew about singlehood for wo...
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35:37
From Latchkey Kid to Community Builder: Ryan Downey's Journey
Ryan Downey, Executive Director of East Atlanta Kids Club, whose journey from latchkey kid to community leader is rooted in resilience, purpose, and a belief in opportunity for all. Growing up in the south suburbs of Atlanta, Ryan often ...
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47:41
Mirror Books and Adolescent Literacy: A Conversation with Dr. Valcine Brown
What happens when adolescents lose their passion for reading, and how do we bring it back? Dr. Valcine Brown, a veteran educator who recently completed her PhD in education, is tackling this challenge head-on with innovative res...
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52:24
The Chandler Method: Kem Frasier's Revolutionary Approach to Anti-Bullying
What would happen if we responded to bullies with kindness instead of confrontation? Kim Fraser's groundbreaking approach turns traditional anti-bullying strategies upside down, with remarkable results!Growing up in the ...
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48:00
From Spoken Word to Community Leadership: Paulina O’Kieffe-Anthony's Journey
What does it truly mean to "do the work" in the arts world? Paulina O’Kieffe-Anthony answers this question through her remarkable journey from shaking like a leaf during her first spoken word performance to becoming an awa...
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54:40
Connecting with Divine Intelligence: Ellen Edmondson's Spiritual Awaking.
Have you ever sensed there's more to reality than what meets the eye? Ellen Edmondson's extraordinary journey from logical federal executive to spiritual messenger began with profound loss—her mother's passing just months before...
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54:35
Elise Harding-Davis: "We Have a History That's Left Out, That Makes History Incomplete."
The threads of African-Canadian history weave a story of resistance, resilience, and remarkable achievement that spans centuries—yet these vital narratives remain largely untold in mainstream historical accounts. Elise Harding-Davis...
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55:58
Breaking Barriers: A Conversation with Rohan Thompson, Dufferin County's Director of People and Equity
What happens when personal experience with discrimination fuels a lifelong commitment to equity work? Mr. Rohan Thompson, Director of People and Equity for the County of Dufferin, takes us on his remarkable journey from youth wo...
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54:05
Queen D. Michele - Discovering Your Roots: How Ancestry, Travel, and Self-Awareness Shape Healing
What would you do if you discovered your teacher's pension wouldn't be enough to sustain you after retirement? For Queen D Michelle, the answer came in a life-changing decision to leave Atlanta behind and start fresh in Mexico's Lake Chapala re...
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54:35
Beyond the Margins: Tina Garnett's Journey Through Systemic Barriers
"We are not what the system has told us we are," declares Tina Garnett, a powerful voice in the fight against systemic oppression. As a seventh-generation Black Canadian descended from Charlotte and James Handy, Garnett brings t...
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53:14
Amita Sharma and Nourishdoc: Empowering Women Through Perimenopause and Beyond
Half of a woman's life is spent in perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause—yet these critical transitions remain under-researched, underfunded, and shrouded in unnecessary taboo. That's what drove Amita Sharma, after suffer...
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48:02
Moy Fung: Embracing Radical Empathy in Entrepreneurship and Empowering Women to Overcome Business Barriers
What if embracing radical empathy could transform not just your life, but the lives of those around you? Join us as we explore this profound concept with the remarkable Moy Fong, an award-winning entrepreneur whose journey of le...
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1:04:42
Micah Elechi: Bridging Opportunities for African Youth with AfriLink and Redefining Tech Innovation Through Courage and Vision
Visionary entrepreneur Micah Elechi takes us on a transformative journey from his early days as a graphic designer in Nigeria to becoming a leading force in tech innovation with Macklemore Solutions . Hear how Mi...
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46:47
Nicole Osbourne-James Creating Safe Spaces for Women in Comedy
Nicole Osbourne-James, a renowned free thinker and accidental stand-up comedian, reveals her fascinating journey from the spoken word poetry scene of the 1990s to the dynamic world of comedy. Unpacking how her evolution as a you...
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54:47
Charlene Thomas: Crafting Compelling Young Adult Narratives and Navigating the Publishing World with Perseverance and Passion
Uncover the magic behind young adult fiction with acclaimed author Charlene Thomas on this episode of SpeakUP! International. From her childhood days of weaving tales in scribbled notebooks to becoming an award-winning writer, C...
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56:20
Dr. Asanee Brogan: Embracing Ancestral Wisdom and Decolonizing African Spirituality for Modern Life
Discover the profound world of African spirituality with our captivating guest, Dr. Asanee Brogan, as she embarks on a journey of cultural and spiritual transformation. Dr. Brogan, a spiritualist and life coach, shares how she shifted her focus...
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1:04:13
Cheryl Polk: Transforming Career Potentials with Authenticity, Mentorship, and Balance
Cheryl Polk, a holistic career coach from Nashville, Tennessee, joins us on SpeakUP! International, bringing her inspiring journey from corporate accountant to career coach and certified resume writer. Cheryl's story is a testam...
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48:53
Kason Morris: Redefining Career Success and Navigating the Future of Work with Life-Work Synergy
What if you could craft a career that aligns seamlessly with your life’s mission and values? Join us in our conversation with Kason Morris, a trailblazer in the Future of Work Skills Strategy and the creative mind behind "Life Work Revolutionar...
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1:03:17
