Stop, Look & Listen

On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, we sit down with Grammy-nominated soul powerhouse Eric Roberson to unpack the heart, healing, and honesty behind his latest album, Beautifully All Over the Place.From turning failed relationships into timeless music to finding inspiration in everyday family moments, Eric reveals how chaos and creativity go hand in hand. He opens up about:🔥 His unique songwriting process and embracing spontaneity👨‍👦 How fatherhood shaped his music (including a moment with his son in the studio!)💔 The emotional depth behind songs like “Trust and Love”💛 The magic of collaboration on “Sweeter Than You” with Avery Sunshine💪 The powerful message of resilience in “Fight Through It All”“Every experience—good or bad—can become part of the process.”This isn’t just an album… It’s a soundtrack to growth, healing, and real life.🎥 Watch the full conversation and discover Fourcast Media’s stable of shows at  Tap in now on www.pushplaypods.com!:🔗 Connect with Eric Roberson:🌐 www.ericrobersonmusic.com📸 IG: @Erro44🐦 Twitter: @IamEricRoberson📘 Facebook: /BlueErroSoul

What really happened behind the scenes of one of R&B’s most iconic groups? 👀🎶In this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with Abdul Ra’oof of The S.O.S. Band to uncover the untold stories behind the music that defined a generation.From falling in love with music in junior high 🎺 to becoming the voice behind timeless records, Abdul shares his journey—from Albany, Georgia roots to joining S.O.S. in Atlanta after passing on an early opportunity with The Commodores 😳He also reveals how working with legendary producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis transformed the group’s sound, leading to classics like “Just Be Good to Me” and “Tell Me If You Still Care.” 🎧🔥💬 "We knew the sound was changing… and it changed everything."Abdul discusses:✨ The making of “Take Your Time (Do It Right)”✨ The Jam & Lewis era and sonic evolution✨ Touring and Tabu Records behind the scenes✨ Mary Davis stepping away✨ Becoming a legacy act in today’s music landscape✨ The truth about sampling and modern R&B✨ What really happened to R&B bands Plus, he shares what’s next, including new music from a special side project featuring members of the band.🔗 Connect with The S.O.S. Band:Website: https://www.thesosband.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@THESOSBANDInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealsosband/🎙️ Join LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen community for more incredible conversations:🌐 www.pushplaypods.com

What happens when a thriving business success story suddenly turns into a $1.5 million legal battle?In this powerful episode of Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with entrepreneur, author, and Executive Director of Black Theater United Kettia Ming to talk about the highs, the setbacks, and the ultimate reinvention of her career and life. 🎙️Kettia shares how she built Smarter Toddler from her Manhattan apartment into two commercial childcare centers serving nearly 300 families, successfully sold the business to Bright Horizons, and later reopened new locations—only to face a $1.5 million lawsuit over a non-compete clause based on “as the crow flies.”After months of mediation and crushing legal fees, Kettia made the difficult decision to settle. The experience ultimately led to a strategic business bankruptcy, a sale to KinderCare, and a deeply personal period that also included divorce.But this isn’t just a story about loss—it’s a story about resilience, reinvention, and staying present when life takes unexpected turns.Kettia explains the stigma surrounding bankruptcy, the difference between personal and business bankruptcy, and how running and meditation helped her navigate one of the toughest chapters of her life.Today, she leads Black Theater United, an organization founded in 2020 to diversify backstage roles on Broadway through education, mentorship, and opportunity.Her upcoming book “Run the Mile You’re In” (releasing May 5th) shares the lessons she learned about perseverance, leadership, and finding purpose in the moment you're living.📚 Pre-order “Run the Mile You’re In” on Amazon🌐 Learn more about Kettia MingWebsite: https://www.kettiaming.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kettiaming/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kettia/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kettia.ming🎧 Listen to more episodes from the PushPlay Pods family of shows:https://www.pushplaypods.com✨ Don’t forget to:👍 Like💬 Comment🔔 Subscribe for more conversations that make you Stop, Look & Listen

On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with former NFL fullback and longtime NFL running backs coach James Saxon. A proud Battery Creek High School product from Beaufort, South Carolina, Saxon shares how Lowcountry culture, discipline, and fierce high school rivalries helped shape the mindset that carried him to the NFL.Saxon reflects on being selected in the 6th round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, and his playing career with the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles.He also takes listeners behind the scenes of his coaching career, working in the NFL with players like Adrian Peterson, Larry Johnson, Priest Holmes, Ricky Williams, James Conner, and Le’Veon Bell.Along the way, Saxon opens up about the analytics debate, the evolving value of the running back position, dealing with pressure in professional sports, and honoring the legacy of players he’s coached. He also shares lessons learned through adversity and previews his upcoming podcast highlighting the voices and perspectives of assistant coaches.If you love football history, coaching insight, and real stories from inside the game, this conversation is a must-listen.👉 Join LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen community for this powerful conversation.🎧 Listen to the full episode and explore our family of shows:🌐 www.pushplaypods.com👍 Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more conversations with legends, creators, and culture-shapers.

What happens when a hurricane hits not just homes but history? On this powerful episode of Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with cultural strategist, oral historian, filmmaker, and author Majella Mark to discuss preserving Caribbean memory in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.From her Grenadian roots to the lasting impact of the U.S. invasion of Grenada, Majella shares how her parents’ embrace of Black American history shaped her global lens. She breaks down her work leading the modern rebuild of Carriacou’s people-founded museum—balancing preservation with a future-focused approach that refuses to glorify colonial architecture.Majella also touches on:🌊 The Rising from the Waves project documenting post-hurricane recovery🗣️ The power of oral history to capture everyday voices🧠 Trauma support and therapy as part of cultural rebuilding📖 Her upcoming feminism book “Cats are Trash Human Beings” (releasing March 8)🎬 A film exploring Connecticut’s Black migration, tobacco labor & connections to Martin Luther King Jr.💙 A forthcoming coffee-table book tracing indigo’s cultural threads across Africa, the Caribbean & the Gullah Geechee communityThis is a conversation about memory, migration, identity, and the responsibility we all have to document our own stories before they disappear.Follow Majella Mark:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majellamark/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majellamark/Website: https://www.majellamark.com/🎧 Join LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen family of shows now at:👉 www.pushplaypods.comIf this conversation moved you, like, comment, and subscribe—and start archiving your own history today.

What if the solution to a hidden crisis started in your garage? 🛠️This week on Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with Luke Mickelson, author and founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), to tackle the heartbreaking reality of child bedlessness and how one simple act of service sparked a global movement. 🌎Growing up in Kimberly, Idaho, Luke learned the value of community early. But it wasn’t until a church conversation revealed local children sleeping on the floor that everything changed. What started as building a bunk bed with the Boy Scouts became a life-altering mission after delivering a bed to a 6-year-old girl who had never had one, sleeping instead in a “nest” of clothes.That moment ignited SHP’s growth from a garage project to a worldwide nonprofit with:🛏️ 430+ chapters🌎 48 states & 4 countries👧🏽 160,000+ children currently on the waiting listLuke shares how a feature on Returning the Favor hosted by Mike Rowe accelerated SHP’s expansion, how anyone can start a chapter through SHPbeds.org, and why service unites people beyond politics or background.💡His message? You don’t need money or extra time to make an impact. Start by sharing the mission so families know hope—and a bed—are within reach.This is more than a conversation. It’s a call to action.🔗 Connect with Luke:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHPLukeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shpluke/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukemickelson/Website: https://shpbeds.org/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lukemickelson5338🎙️Join LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen family of shows now on:👉 www.pushplaypods.com

What happens when a chart-topping voice trades the stage for shaping young minds? This week on Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with the legendary Sybil, the powerhouse behind timeless hits like Walk On By and Don't Make Me Over.Sybil takes us on a heartfelt journey from her upbringing in Paterson, to her college days at North Carolina A&T State University, to performing on international stages. She opens up about navigating the music industry, transitioning from independent labels to major platforms, and ultimately discovering a new calling in education.🌟 In this episode, you’ll discover:The story behind her biggest hitsLessons learned from the music industryWhy education became her next stageHow she continues to inspire through purpose and passionFrom Billboard charts to the classroom, Sybil proves that your voice can echo far beyond the mic. Follow Sybil:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sybilsings/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sybil.lynch.9/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sybil-lynch-newman-ba4b5112/🎧 Join LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen family of shows now on www.pushplaypods.com

🌟 What does it really take to build a world-class music festival from scratch?On this episode of Stop, Look & Listen, 🎙️ host LeTroy Gardner sits down with Billie-Jo Aasen, CEO of The Festival Company and the visionary behind Mudfest, Canada’s largest motorsports and music festival. 🚜🎶Billie-Jo shares her journey from a tiny Canadian town to producing major festivals across North America, breaking down the risks, planning, and people-first culture behind her success. She also pulls back the curtain on the realities of festival management, lessons from industry missteps, and how Mudfest grew into a family-friendly, community-driven experience.Beyond the stage, Billie-Jo opens up about how motherhood reshaped her perspective and inspired her growing commitment to youth mental health advocacy, proving that real impact extends far beyond the festival grounds. 💙🧠Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, festival lover, or community builder, this episode is packed with inspiration, hard-earned lessons, and gems you don’t want to miss. 💎🎧 Tap in, subscribe, and share if you believe music, leadership, and live experiences can truly change lives.🎙️ Explore our full family of shows at 👉 www.pushplaypods.com🔗 Connect with Billie-Jo Aasen📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billiejobryce💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billie-jo-aasen-59428931/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billiejoaasen/🌐 Website: https://thefestivalcompany.com/Join LeTroy Gardner for this powerful conversation on Stop, Look & Listen—stream this episode and more now at www.pushplaypods.com.

This week on Stop, Look & Listen, 🎙️ host LeTroy Gardner sits down with legendary multihyphenate Hakim Green of Channel Live—artist, activist, scholar, and cultural architect—for a powerful conversation about legacy, purpose, and the soul of hip-hop. 🌍🔥Hakim takes us back to East Orange, New Jersey, sharing how early hip-hop influences shaped his worldview, his time as a background dancer for Naughty by Nature, and the journey that led to forming Channel Live. 🎧 We dive deep into the making of the iconic track “Mad Izm,” the influence of trailblazers like KRS-One, and how true lyricism became a tool for education and empowerment. 🧠🎶Beyond the mic, Hakim opens up about his work in education, activism, and cannabis advocacy, including his mission-driven initiatives 24 Hours of Peace and Mad Izm Inc., all aimed at uplifting communities and preserving hip-hop’s original intent. ✊🏾🌱Whether you’re a die-hard hip-hop head or passionate about social change, this episode delivers real gems, real history, and real talk. 💎🔥👇 Connect with Hakim Green:📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrhakimgreen/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hakimgreen🌐 Website: https://www.madizminc.com/▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/madizm🎧 Subscribe, like, and share if you believe hip-hop should educate, elevate, and liberate.🎙️ Tap into our full family of shows at www.pushplaypods.com

This week on Stop, Look & Listen, 🎙️ host LeTroy Gardner sits down with Jimmy Rios, CEO of Rios Business Advisors and Next Level Credit, for an inspiring and practical conversation every entrepreneur needs to hear.Raised in Queens, NY by Colombian immigrant parents, Jimmy shares how his family’s entrepreneurial roots, lessons from his father, and a relentless problem-solving mindset shaped his journey into leading multiple successful financial services companies. 💪💡 In this episode, Jimmy breaks down:His path from humble beginnings to CEOThe power of business credit and strategic fundingWhy contingency plans are non-negotiableHis signature “Eye Level to High Level” program for sustainable growthHow to build a legacy, not just a businessWhether you’re an entrepreneur, founder, or aspiring business owner, this episode is packed with real-world insight, motivation, and actionable advice. 💼✨🎧 Watch now and learn how to level up your mindset, money, and mission!👇 Connect with Jimmy Rios:🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riosbusinessadvisors/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Riosbusinessfunding/🌐 Website: https://riosbusinessfunding.com📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RiosBusinessFunding🎙️ Join LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen family of shows—now streaming at 👉 www.pushplaypods.com

What happens when life hits you head-on—and you refuse to stop? 💥This week on Stop, Look & Listen, host Troy (LeTroy) Gardner sits down with the unstoppable KELZtango for a powerful, unfiltered conversation about resilience, creativity, and purpose. After surviving a serious car accident, KELZtango opens up about his unexpected journey into rap, navigating the music industry, and why mental health and community are non-negotiable. 🧠From debating age and relevance in hip-hop to breaking barriers and teasing upcoming projects 🚀, this episode is all about growth, persistence, and betting on yourself—no matter the odds.👉 Tap in, get inspired, and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!👇 Connect with KELZtango:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelztango/▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KELZtango/featured🎧Join LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen family of shows—now streaming at www.pushplaypods.com

What happens when a country boy from Georgia follows curiosity all the way around the world? This week on Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with Dr. Djelani Hamm—mindset coach, author, educator, and African travel consultant—for a powerful conversation about purpose, culture, and transformation.From chasing dreams in music and acting 🎶🎭 to discovering his life’s calling through international travel, Dr. Hamm shares how exploring the world—especially Senegal (visited 20 times!)—completely reshaped his worldview. With deep roots in World Arts & Culture, Dr. Hamm reflects on identity, global connection, and what’s next as he approaches retirement 🛤️.If you’ve ever felt the pull to explore beyond your comfort zone, this episode is for you. 🌍✨👇 Connect with Dr. Djelani Hamm:🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wm.h.948🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djelanihamm/🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djelanihamm/#🔹 Website: https://www.djelanihamm.com/🎧Join LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen family of shows—now streaming at www.pushplaypods.com

What happens when a real estate investor stops chasing just the money and starts building with purpose? 👀🏡In this week’s episode of Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with Fuquan Bilal, Chief Visionary Officer of NNG Capital Fund, to unpack his incredible 25-year journey from real estate hustler to community-focused leader.Fuquan reveals the light bulb moment that transformed his mission—from stacking profits to uplifting underserved communities through affordable housing for low-income families, seniors, and battered women. 🌍❤️You’ll also hear how NNG Capital Fund thrives through multifamily investing and luxury spec homes, plus Fuquan’s expert insights on:🔹 Navigating market cycles🔹 Effective risk management🔹 Building wealth with purpose🔹 Empowering others through educationThis is a must-listen for investors, entrepreneurs, and anyone passionate about making impact-driven decisions. 💼✨👇Connect with Fuquan Bilal:💻 Website: https://nngcapitalfund.com/ 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/fuquanal/ 📘 FB: https://www.facebook.com/fuquanal 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fuquanal/Join LeTroy Gardner for this powerful conversation on Stop, Look & Listen—and explore more shows at www.pushplaypods.com 🎧🔥

This week on Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with Marcus “Skalez” Braxton — entrepreneur, author, podcaster, and the definition of resilience in motion. 💯🔥From growing up in one of Washington DC’s toughest neighborhoods to rising as the CEO of a thriving digital streaming company, Marcus opens up about his remarkable transformation. He shares:✨ His journey from the streets to entrepreneurship♟️ How chess sharpened his discipline and mindset📚 The powerful story behind writing Sunroof Hitters while incarcerated💡 What drives him to maximize every opportunity and inspire his communityThis is an episode packed with transparency, redemption, and purpose. If you need motivation to rewrite your story — this one’s for you. 🙌🔗 Stay Connected with Marcus Braxton🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@BlockBoySportsTalk📚 Book: Sunroof Hitters on Amazon📧 Email: marcuslbraxtonsr@gmail.com📱 Social: @marcuslbraxtonsr | @SunroofHittersPage🎧 Tune In to More ShowsExplore the full lineup of Fourcast Media programs at www.pushplaypods.com!

This week on Stop, Look & Listen, 🎙️ LeTroy Gardner sits down with 18-year-old filmmaker Austen Hamel, whose journey from shooting short films at age 10 to premiering his first feature film “The Wanted” is nothing short of inspiring. 🌟Austen opens up about:🎬 His creative process and storytelling approach 👨‍👩‍👦 The impact of family support on his filmmaking dreams 🏔️ The unique challenges of filming in Vermont ❤️ The emotional depth behind The Wanted and what drives his art With dreams of moving to New York City to continue his filmmaking career, Austen’s story is proof that passion and persistence can turn big dreams into reality. 💪Listen and our family of shows now at www.pushplaypods.com!

Join host LeTroy Gardner on this week’s edition of Stop, Look & Listen as he sits down with the dynamic and multifaceted Joshua PK White!🎤 As the CEO of Jay White Enterprise, Joshua wears many hats — DJ, producer, engineer, author, minister, and music consultant — all while staying rooted in his faith. 🙌 Born and raised in Miami as a preacher’s kid, Joshua shares how his upbringing fueled his passion for gospel rap and how he’s breaking barriers in the music industry.🎶 Discover how he blends hip-hop culture and church influence, the lessons he’s learned mentoring others, and his bold vision for the next generation of Christian creatives.💡 Don’t miss this conversation about purpose, creativity, and spiritual authenticity in today’s entertainment world.📘 Facebook: Joshua PK White📸 Instagram: @j.white4life▶️ YouTube: J-White Enterprise🎧 Spotify: J-White🌐 Explore more inspiring conversations at www.pushplaypods.com

This week on Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with Kenneth L. Johnson, the Emmy Award–winning sound designer and founder of Artistry in Sound. 🌟From growing up in South Central LA to crafting the soundscapes of some of Hollywood’s biggest productions, Kenneth shares his incredible journey — one of resilience, reinvention, and representation. 🙌🏾🎙️ In this episode:Escaping gang life and finding purpose through sound 🎶The creative process behind TV and film’s most iconic moments 🎬Why diversity in post-production matters now more than ever ✊🏾How Artistry in Sound is paving the way for the next generation 🚀👉 Tune in for an inspiring conversation on faith, focus, and forging your own path in Hollywood.📲 Connect with Kenneth L. Johnson:Instagram: @artistryinsound Website: artistryinsound.com🎧Join LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen family of shows now at www.pushplaypods.com!

What happens when music meets the universe? 🌌 This week on Stop, Look & Listen, 🎙️ host LeTroy Gardner sits down with Amanda Falkenberg, the visionary composer and creator of The Moons Symphony 🪐 — an awe-inspiring orchestral masterpiece inspired by NASA missions and the wonders of space. 🚀From her early days as a pianist with the Australian Ballet Company 🎹 to collaborating with NASA scientists and astronauts, Amanda shares how she transforms scientific data into emotional soundscapes, connecting art, science, and the human spirit. 💫Discover how her new interdisciplinary educational program “LUNAR” 🌕 aims to inspire future generations through creativity and curiosity — launching this December! 📅 ✨ Tune in for an unforgettable conversation about how imagination and science can harmonize to expand our understanding of the universe.🌐 Explore More:📘 Facebook: Amanda Falkenberg💼 LinkedIn: The Moons Symphony📸 Instagram: @amandafilmmusic🎵 Website: moons-symphony.com▶️ YouTube: @moonssymphony🎧 Join LeTroy Gardner and the Stop, Look & Listen family of shows at www.pushplaypods.com for more powerful stories that inspire, uplift, and ignite curiosity!

This week on Stop, Look & Listen, 🎤 host LeTroy Gardner sits down with the incomparable Melba Moore — Tony Award-winning actress, Grammy-nominated singer, and Hollywood Walk of Fame honoree. 🌟With over 60 years in entertainment, Melba shares insights from her powerful memoir “This Is It: Marvelous and Getting Better,” opening up about her journey through faith, resilience, and reinvention. 🙏✨From groundbreaking moments on Broadway 🎭 to topping the music charts 🎶, Melba reflects on her legacy and gives us a glimpse into her next big project — an autobiographical one-woman play. 🎬💫 Don’t miss this heartfelt conversation with a true trailblazer who continues to inspire generations!🔗 Connect with Melba Moore:📘 Facebook: facebook.com/mooremelba📸 Instagram: instagram.com/melba1moore🎧 Hosted by LeTroy GardnerExplore more inspiring conversations at 👉 www.pushplaypods.com

In this inspiring episode of 🎙️ Stop, Look & Listen, host LeTroy Gardner sits down with R.M. Easterly, the visionary CEO and founder of Byio (By Invitation Only) — the first social media platform founded and owned by Black women 💻R.M. opens up about her journey from a young entrepreneur to a tech trailblazer, building a platform that empowers marginalized voices and redefines what community means online. 🌍💬 Discover:🚀 The mission behind Byio and how it’s changing the social media game💡 R.M.’s path to entrepreneurship and tech innovation💪 How Black women are reclaiming autonomy in the digital space📱 Connect with R.M. Easterly:👉 Facebook: facebook.com/r.m.easterly 👉 Instagram: instagram.com/r.m_easterly 👉 Website: itsbyio.com🎧 Don’t miss this powerful conversation on tech, empowerment, and vision!Join the Stop, Look & Listen community and explore more shows at 🌐 www.pushplaypods.com