Chasing Dreams With Aimee J.

Leneen Faith is a wife, mom of three, elementary school teacher, author, and CEO. Despite her full plate, she continues chasing her dream of inspiring children to be kids of character! The dream nearest and dearest to her heart is her children’s brand, The Adventures of Peacebe and the Heartwatch. Peacebe is currently an 8-book character education series that’s already in 20 schools. However, Leneen’s dream is for her brand to become a cartoon on a major cartoon network. Leneen is a firm believer that you can never be too busy to chase your dream and fulfill your purpose. TWEET: “Learn ways to inspire #children to have good #character with #LeneenFaith” Chasing the Dream How is a dream born? Dreams come in different ways to different people, but Leneen says her dream came as an idea that “popped into” her head way back in 2005. She wrote out her first Peacebe story, but then shelved the idea for FIVE years. She knew her inspiration was to teach kids about character through her writing, so she persevered until

Erica Blocker, MA, CPC, is a bestselling author, educator, Success Strategist, CEO of Moms With Dreams University, inspirational speaker, and host of the Moms With Dreams podcast. Erica teaches women how to pursue their passion, discover their purpose, and do what they love in the midst of a busy life, motherhood, and a career without feeling guilty or selfish. She believes that you can create anything you want in your life when you know what you want and are willing to go after it. Her mantra is: Reclaim your dream. Do what you love. Make a difference. TWEET: Talking to @Momswithdreams - “This was my chance to start over and rewrite my story.” Listen in! Challenged by Motherhood: Are you a busy mom who feels guilty for having your own dreams? Erica shares her personal story of being a teen mom who thought she might never have the chance to do what she wanted to do. After a bad divorce, she felt that she had been so entrenched in the roles of wife and mother that she had totally lost her sense of self. She ca

Lauren Puryear is a 29-year old mental health clinician and proud mother of Isaiah. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Union University, two Master’s degrees, AND a PhD in Psychology. Lauren prides herself in giving back to her community. She is an activist, philanthropist, and an advocate for social issues across the world. Being raised in Paterson, NJ has taught Lauren the importance of giving back to her community. She started a charity organization, For the Love of Others, LLC, that helps those in need, and it’s all in honor of her grandmother, Marion Elizabeth Smith. After beating cancer twice, Lauren’s resilience and strength has been incredible! Her goal is to share her story with the world in hopes to not only raise awareness, but also to inspire! TWEET: “Focusing on the #dreams that really matter and making the world a better place on Ep 101” @FTLOO_inc Chasing the Dream: When you first had your dream, did you know exactly how you would accomplish it? Most people don’t have it all figured ou

It’s Episode 100 and my guest is Dr. Freeman Hrabowski. Since 1992, he has been the president of MY university, UMBC (the University of Maryland, Baltimore County). He is a consultant on science and math education to national agencies, universities, and school systems. He was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME in 2012. With philanthropist Robert Meyerhoff, he co-founded the Meyerhoff Scholars Program in 1988, which is open to all high-achieving students committed to pursuing advanced degrees and research careers in science and engineering, and advancing underrepresented minorities in these fields. He is a much sought-after speaker, a busy man, a mentor, a friend, and I am blessed to have him as a guest for this 100th episode. Thanks, Doc, for coming on the show! God’s Minute, by Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays: “I have just a minute, only sixty seconds in it. Forced upon me, can’t refuse it; didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it, but it’s up to me to use it. I must suffer if I lose it, give

Jeff Brown is the host and creator of the Read to Lead podcast, a top-ranked business and career podcast in iTunes. He spent 26 years in radio, and for 6 of those years he co-hosted an award-winning and nationally syndicated morning show. Using his background and talents, Jeff’s mission is to help you bridge the gap between intentionality and implementation. He does this through public speaking, mentoring, teaching, and most often through the Read to Lead podcast. Jeff is a firm believer in the mantra, “Leaders read and Readers lead.” TWEET: “Getting the #job wasn’t as difficult as keeping the job.” @theJeffBrown Changing paths: How do you react when circumstances force you to change what you THOUGHT was your path? It’s something many dream chasers face, and it’s important to be aware when new opportunities present themselves. Jeff shares how he went from studying to be a music teacher to an “accidental” radio career. It all started with a crash course and led to his first radio job over 30 years ago! TWEET:

Tavon Mason is a former NFL wide receiver for the NY Jets. A graduate from Woodlawn High School in 1998 with Aimee J., he accepted a full athletic scholarship to attend The University of Virginia. In 2011, after retiring from two seasons in the NFL and one season with the Baltimore Mariners in the indoor football league, Tavon started coaching high school football at Woodlawn and started his Tavon Mason Loves the Kids Foundation. Today he is a defensive backs coach at Stevenson University, works for Baltimore County Public School System, is the VP of the NFLPA Baltimore Chapter, and is a published children’s book author, with his debut book, Tavon Does It All, which released in 2015. TWEET: “One thing that helped me was to just go and play the game I love.” @TMLTKF  When you have doubts about your journey: Have your dreams changed along the way? Tavon explains how things changed for him from high school to college, when football became a business. Sometimes, your long-term dreams have to adjust, and most

As a nationally touring college circuit speaker, award-winning standup comedian, and certified life coach, Elaine Williams provides public speaking coaching advice to both beginning and experienced speakers, helping them deliver engaging videos and presentations with ease. Her focus on real skills enables speakers to overcome their nerves to deliver content that connects and entertains audiences so they stop and click or stand and clap.  TWEET: “#Comedy made my life make sense for the first time.” @elainetweets The One Consistent Thing: What do I do with my pain? It’s a question we all have to answer when hard times come, and we know they do come to all of us. Elaine explains the relief she felt in using her personal pain to help others. After growing up in a very dysfunctional family, facing many problems, Elaine found musical theater to be the one consistent thing in her life. Musical theater has something for everyone, and it became a great outlet for her and is the passion she credits for saving her

Dani Jones is an artist, writer, children’s book illustrator, and comics creator. She is the author and illustrator of the picture books, Monsters VS. Kittens, and the sequel, Dinosaurs VS. Puppies. She also created the webcomic My Sister the Freak. For more than ten years, she’s worked as a freelance artist, drawing for books, magazines, apps, and games. She loves what she does and she’s here to tell us all about it! Don’t be afraid to chase your dreams! Dani has heard the question countless times, and you may have wondered the same thing: Can art actually make a living? When Dani graduated from college, she decided to jump right in and MAKE it happen for her. She knew that making a living from her art would take full effort, but it’s all she wanted to do. She shares how she stepped out of her comfort zone to chase her dreams. TWEET: “Making #decisions is the most important thing, because they’re not going to be made for you.” @danidraws Figuring out the next steps: Have you felt the confusion of not kn

Meet my new friend Azuka, who grew up in Nigeria, West Africa, and later moved to the US. He writes self-development books and travels worldwide to motivate people to follow their passion and live their dreams to the fullest capacity. He takes selfie photos to promote unity, ignite friendships, foster togetherness, and put smiles on people’s faces. He believes this endeavor makes people feel good about life and promotes a sense of love among all races and ages. Azuka is a Beverly Hills Book Award Winner and a fire-brand Motivational Speaker who inspires people to follow their passion and make positive changes to their lives. He is always under construction and believes in achieving BIG things with faith in the power and goodness of the Most High. Join me for Azuka’s inspiring story! TWEET: Join us to find out why you should #live full and die empty as @zubby34 explains! “My AHA Moment”: Have you had that AHA moment when you realized what your purpose is? Azuka’s moment came when he realized he could live out

As we approach Episode 100, I’ve decided to make THIS one a reflective one, instead of waiting for 100. It’s amazing just how far we’ve come and how far we will go! I’m constantly amazed! Since September 2015, we’ve had 28,887 downloads! We have listeners from many other countries; it’s mind-boggling and thrilling at the same time. Join me as we take a look back—and a look ahead! TWEET: “When one listener is helped, that’s all that matters to me.” Looking ahead: How can I help you MORE in living your dream? I’m not just asking; I really want to know! Visit the website and take the survey there so I can get your feedback. I want to help you chase and achieve your dreams. Remember, you CAN chase more than one! TWEET: “If you have a #dream, chase it!” Recently, I asked for listeners to give me their top words or phrases that can motivate others. Here are the top five responses: No “Whether you think you can or can’t, either way, you’re right!” ---Henry Ford Progress is measured from 0, not 100 “Begin with the en

My guest today is Gina Mathew, a Baltimore-based writer, producer, and the founder of Couture Rani, a digital magazine that covers fashion, style, beauty, and entertainment for the global South Asian diaspora. Although she has spent most of her career in television production, her passion is launching and developing new ventures and digital media platforms, specifically in media, fashion, and lifestyle spaces. Gina has her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Journalism from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and holds a Master’s degree in Publications Design, an integrated graphic design and writing program from the University of Baltimore. Let’s hear more of Gina’s story! TWEET: “Find out how to turn your #passion into your #paycheck with #CoutureRani.” Finding the right path: Have you always been clear about your path and your passion? For some people, it takes years to get to that place, and most college students don’t have it all figured out. Gina explains why internships and experience

My guest is Rebecca Kay Thompson of RKT Wellness Solutions. She’s a lifestyle and wellness coach who brings a holistic approach to solving a broad spectrum of challenges, from health and wellness to relationship coaching, personal finance, and home/office organization. Her honest and practical coaching style helps her clients become proactive in maintaining a fulfilling life of whole wellness. Rebecca emphasizes the simple question, “What does wellness mean to YOU?” This allows her clients to look at the big picture, break down shortfalls, and then focus on improvement. Rebecca has a bachelor’s degree in Leadership Development from Villanova University, where she graduated with many accolades in her 40’s! After conquering her personal battle to achieve wellness, Rebecca has recently added nutrition coaching to her 20-year repertoire. TWEET: “Ep 92 is all about #wellness and how to make it a way of life!” #RebeccaKayThompson “The Wellness Factor” Are you experiencing wellness? Of course, this can mean differen

My guest today is Anthony Rice, with whom I’ve been friends for a long time. He’s been creating art his whole life, with the female form being his muse. His passions have included many forms of art, but his recent craze centers around photography. Anthony has taken body painting to a new level with his “Transflections,” a digital mix of reflections and transformations that create other-wordly images, with each image being a unique mix of form, shapes, and color that can never be recreated. Join me to hear more of his story and his unusual artistry. TWEET: “Learn how @aricephoto is making his living from his #art and pushing his #creative boundaries!”  What’s YOUR superpower? Have you ever thought about what your superpower is? Anthony explains how he pinpointed his superpower as being the natural instinct required to “figure things out.” He uses the example of how he created his first website back in 1996, when NO ONE knew how to do that! He says the key is to stay focused and keep at it until that light

I’m talking today to MJ and Josh of MJx Music and Justwavyj. They are friends who met in their freshman year of high school and then went on to the same college, both studying computer information systems. MJ and Josh went on to work at one of the top consulting companies in the world, but success felt “average.” They decided to live a life chasing their dreams every day, as they fuel their passions for music and video. Join us for their inspirational story! TWEET: “Chasing #Dreams that fuel #passions for #music - that’s today’s topic with MJ and Josh. “ Trying to get out of the 9-5 life: So, how do they make it work? How do you make the decision to really chase your dreams? MJ and Josh share about their weekly process leading up to their “Sunday sessions” in releasing new music. They’ve gotten positive feedback and say that true success is impacting just one person each week with their music.  TWEET: “We feel #successful if we #impact ONE person each week with our #music.” #MJxMusic Balance: The word ba

My guest today is Mike Domitrz, host of The Everyday Mindfulness Show and the author of Can I Kiss You? Mike is a leading voice in helping kids, parents, educational institutions, and the US military discuss dating, sexual decision-making consent, and sexual assault. He speaks to tens of thousands yearly around the world, providing positive how-to skill sets and helpful insights to romantic relationships, sexual intimacy, and being safer. His podcast features special guests and a unique cast of over 70 people who stop by to add to the fun and thought-provoking conversations. Is Mike a dream-chaser? You bet! He’s on a mission to create a culture of consent and respect through the Date Safe project. TWEET: “Be a part of creating a culture of #consent with Mike Domitrz” @datesafeproject Can I Kiss You? How does a book like Mike’s come about? He explains why he wants to bring awareness to behavior and why people want to keep reading the book. His goal for the book was to transform our culture and how it views sex

Alison Cardy is an expert coach who runs an international career coaching team specializing in guiding people through career changes. She personally coaches a handful of select clients on creating greater alignment and success in their life, love, and work. She has the unique ability to zero in on the perspective shifts and small tweaks that create the biggest positive results. She’s written the 5-star rated bestseller Career Grease: How to Get Unstuck and Pivot Your Career. Her work has been featured in many publications. Alison is eager to share some great tips and experiences with us today. TWEET: “You get expert help for your car, and your #career should be no different.” @cardycareers Getting Unstuck Have you ever felt stuck? Most people probably feel this way at one time or another—or maybe several times! Alison’s specialty is helping people get unstuck from jobs, degrees, or careers that haven’t been a perfect fit. Sometimes we just have to ease the gunk away so we can move forward. Alison’s solution i

Raj Stewart is an academic researcher turned healthcare consultant. He’s passionate about bringing an evidence-based, patient-centered perspective to practical healthcare issues. He works on a wide variety of projects and helps with coaching and training for companies that interact with government agencies and private medical insurers. Reading scientific literature and policy takes much of his time, but he manages to find time for travel, DJ gigs, record collecting, soccer, and family. He’s been my friend for over 15 years, and I’m excited to have him on the show! TWEET: “Raj Stewart shares how to follow your #dream while enjoying the #journey.” Why college? What do you think? Is college necessary? Many people think it’s just a waste of time. Raj was raised to know the value of education. College was encouraged in his family as the next step of evolution in the development of a young adult. College gives opportunity to expand horizons and interact with all kinds of people. You learn how to think and have expo

Joe Wilner is a life coach, licensed clinical psychotherapist, and drummer from the band Yes You Are. He’s created the You Have a Calling initiative, which includes a blog and an online community helping people discover and pursue their life’s work and mission. Through deep and personalized coaching, he helps ambitious, creative, and spiritually-minded individuals make a greater impact, grow as leaders, and design a soulful life of inspiration. He’s here to share his dream chase journey! TWEET: “Find out what your #calling is! @JRWilner shares his calling in today’s show!” The path that sometimes leads to “Now what?” Have you felt that “stuck” feeling? You’ve worked hard to establish yourself in a position, like Joe did in his private practice, but “Now what?” Is this ALL there is? Joe knows what it’s like to find success but wonder, “Where am I headed and who do I want to become in this life?” Many times, there is MUCH MORE out there. Joe explains how to branch out, while committing and embracing a new

Dr. Carlise Bethel is the first African-American to graduate from University of Maryland Baltimore County with a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology. She has worked and received many accolades in the field of cancer research. After taking a non-conventional path after her Ph. D., she is five years into her career in teaching biology and health professions classes at a high school in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Carlise is married and the mother of two kids, and a personal friend and mentor of mine. Join me to hear her story! TWEET: “My life-changing moment was receiving a #microscope for a birthday present as a kid.” #CarliseBethel Switching Gears: Have you experienced those moments of confusion and uncertainty about your future? You know, those times when it seems like everyone else seems to know exactly what they want to do with their lives, and you are the one who “doesn’t have a clue.” Carlise shares how this experience affected her life, and how taking a developmental biology class literally changed

Jennifer Nappier entered the University of Maryland Baltimore County as a pre-med biology major, but she changed her path and graduated from law school eight years later. January 2017 marks her tenth year as part of the Maryland Bar Association. Jennifer started her career as a staff attorney for a non-profit, representing victims of domestic violence. She then moved to the Maryland Department of Labor, working with unemployment insurance appeal hearings. In October of 2015, she was appointed as an Administrative Law Judge for the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings. Join us for some interesting insights! TWEET: “#Goals and #dreams are fluid and changing.” #JenniferNappier From Doctor to Lawyer: Is there something you’ve “always wanted to be”? For Jennifer, it was being a doctor that dominated her childhood dreams, mostly because of her love of all things science. She was determined to be a pediatrician until she ran head-on into chemistry classes in college. After deciding she had suffered through eno