Rushing to Adulthood

Today's conversation helps us focus on enjoyment in adulthood. I'm joined by Alesha Greene (@AyeeeDeeeGeee). Originally born & part time raised in Washington D.C., Alesha Greene is a creative entrepreneur, who is returning to her joy and re-building her life centered around honor, vulnerability, and courage. Her 9-5 work takes place in the Operating Room, but outside that, the World is her muse. Alesha is an “iPhone Photographer” who pairs contrast in print, with sound to narrate. She is also a Certified Life Coach, & the Founder of Well Where You Are (@wellwhereyouare), a holistic company that cultivates spaces where we nurture community around wellness, empowerment, self-expression, and global travel. Alesha also enjoys editing videos (TT @god.as.alesha) (YT @AleshaGreene)crafting unique & slammable resin domino sets (@dominiquesdominoes), producing vibey beats (@chuckArizona), propagating pothos plants, and spending time with her Lady & Tramp. You can find her at a city market, at the bowling alley, or the thrift store. This Scorpio/Libra/Aquarius baby is here to shine!

Today's conversation focuses on the importance of resting in your adult life. I'm joined by Alexis Mitchell, a Family Nurse Practitioner with a background in emergency medicine, infectious disease, and community health. She’s originally from Alabama and obtained both her BSN and MSN from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is a mental health and sexual wellness advocate, and loves caring for the local community and being a trusted resource for Black and brown folx.In her off time, she enjoys caring for her cat Crumbs, enjoying the many different restaurant choices Atlanta has to offer, traveling, HIIT training, and attending various music concerts and art museums.

Today's conversation focuses on reorienting how we understand the act of surrender. I'm joined by "Shaunesse' Jacobs Plaisimond, an aspiring dope ass human being. Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, she has been privileged to live in a variety of places filled with beautiful experiences. She is wife to Maureen, mommy to Jonah and Bayou, Assistant Professor of Religion and Health to undergrads at the University of South Florida, and a wacky friend to many. She loves belly laughing, good food, dry red wine, and thoughtful conversations that keep her encouraged to make her microcosm of the world a better place.

Today's conversation is about mending unhealed parts of ourselves in this adult life. I'm joined by, Lani Gahiji, a motivational speaker and life coach. Born and bred in Chicago, she is true to herself, her message and brings a lituation to any space she inhabits. Lani’s events and workshops focus on empowering women to live their best lives in every way. She uses her story to motivate and inspire other women to live in their truth.IG: @coachedbylanig

Today's conversation focuses on returning to the sites of challenge in our adult life to learn and heal from them. I'm joined by Delanyo Mensah, a queer African changemaker, a multi-passionate life coach, event curator, and multidisciplinary artist devoted to building a more just and connected world. Guided by the values of creativity, community, and connection, Delanyo holds sacred space for healing, reflection, and transformation, particularly for Black women and queer people of color. As a first-generation Ghanaian-American, she weaves together cultural wisdom, spiritual insight, and embodied practice to help others reclaim their power, live with intention, and move through the world with care and purpose.Ig: @delanyothechangemaker

In today's episode, we cover the adulting realty of cracks forming in the stories we were told to believe. I'm joined by ChaValiér Sharps, a Sociologist and adventure therapist with 18 years of experience in behavioral health and education. Originally from Louisiana and now calling Arizona home, she spends her time camping, hiking, and navigating life's adventures, both on and off-road! Through her career and personal journey, she continues to learn that adulting is about embracing change and finding meaning in each experience.IG handle is @offroad_chav

Welcome to the first episode of season 3! For this first episode of this season, I'm happy to have my bae back on the podcast to talk about the rush and all the questions it brings up.

It’s your host, Hazel Monae- that’s me! Thanks for joining me in Rushing to Adulthood!

Welcome back to Season 3! It’s about to be magical!

Wow! And just like that, Season Two comes to an end! It’s been an absolute joy to go on this journey with you! I have loved every conversation and every interaction with listeners from all over! In the theme of intentional adulting, I will be putting the Rushing To Adulthood Podcast on pause to shift from creating a story podcast to starting my manuscript for my book! Thank you all for this amazing experience! Peace and Light! Hazel Monae 

Rev. Emily Labrecque currently serves as the Missioner for Church Revitalization at the Episcopal Diocese of Washington (DC). Ordained in the United Church of Christ, she is an Enneagram practitioner and ICF trained coach. Emily lives in DC with her 5 year old twins, Max and Ruth. When not working or chasing her kids, she can be found exercising with the Queer Gym, exploring the National Arboretum, or binging the latest TV dramedy @emilymlabr on IG

Rudy Logan is from Silver Spring, Maryland. He uses his experience in grassroots organizing, creative arts, criminal justice, prison, and social justice-based ministries to cultivate holistic and collective liberation alongside others. His parents are from Washington, D.C., and Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), and their social locations have played a critical role concerning his perspectives on matters of religion, prison and policing, migration, interiority, race, class, and gender. Moreover, Rudy’s upbringing in his local Baptist church, experiences across communities from the D.C. area, to New York City and Central New Jersey, in addition to anti-carceral advocacy, Black Liberation Theology, and Black Philosophies of Existence, profoundly shape his processing toward a justice-oriented life. Rudy is a graduate of both St. John’s University (Queens, New York) and Princeton Theological Seminary. He currently works for the Episcopal Diocese of Washington as the Missioner for Equity and Justice, building capacity for racial justice and equity-based practice while supporting the Diocesan strategic plan.  rudy.e.logan@gmail.com Rudykouakoe

Joining me in the last part of this series is a dear human, Tory Dillard! Honored to know him! Tory Shane Dillard is an actor, poet, and pastor. He is a 29 year old clergy person of the United Methodist Church in the heart of rural Tennessee. Tory dreams of a church that embroils the joys  within us, brings to light the best in us, and empowers us to be transformed through the perfected love of God’s unfailing grace. Tory’s hobbies involve playing Dnd, taking hikes, writing poetry and participating in community theater.  You can find him in Adamsville, Tn serving three wonderful churches and seeking to be a bearer of joy to all he meets. Tory wishes that you be someone’s joy this week and he prays that he can be a joy for you this day. You are a child of God and you are Loved.

This week, we have the honor of hearing from one of my favorite humans! Rev. Katie Capurso Ernst (they/them) has spent the last year serving as a palliative care chaplain resident at level three trauma hospital in Minneapolis, MN. What brings them joy is floating in lakes, playing with their two adorable pups, and cooking.

Look who is back for more! My dear friend, Anica Jeremie! A Boston-born daughter of of brilliant and faithful Haitian parents living in LA, Anica embraces that entrepreneurial life with deep love, passion, and authenticity. This episode is the level of depth we all could use. You can find Anica on social media platforms at @sincerelywithlov You can also shop her Etsy business BlackHoneyGold Coming Soon!- SkinCare Line Launching Soon!

Honored to be joined by my brother, Michael as part of this series. Michael is a 30-year old Black Gay traveler who navigates the nomadic life with so much intention and lightness. Having traveled all over the United States, Michael highlights Vermont and Martha’s Vineyard as his favorite places. As an advocate for the LGBTQIA community, Michael brings deep passion to advancing opportunities for this beautiful community’s full thriving.

This next series couldn't get started without the wisdom and energy of Zaidi! A light bearer and beautiful creator, Zaidi is the embodiment of being whole, complete and lacking nothing. She can be found on IG as beardedladyart

What a delight to have this conversation with the illustrious Houstonian, Kim Daily! A dynamic speaker, award-winning attorney and badass steward of The Qulture, a community for folks that God ain’t make straight- Kim brings so much love, depth and wisdom to all she does. You can find her going viral on social media- dropping so much wisdom on the intersections of Faith & Sexuality. Enjoy this conversation!

So happy to have my love back on the podcast to talk about Creating Impact in Community from a very powerful perspective.

We are back with another episode in our "Creating Impact in Community" series! Today, I'm honored to be joined by a dear friend, Jonathan Allen. Jonathan L. Allen, JD, MTS, is Co-founder and Director of Development at Leadership Brainery, a Boston-based company closing wealth gaps by ensuring underrepresented communities have equitable access to master's and doctoral degrees and workforce leadership. Jonathan’s experience building social impact ventures has earned him the inaugural appointment as Innovator-in-Residence at Boston University. Jonathan is also known for his commitment to public service, evidenced by his 2019 run for Boston City Council, and his work with Partners in Health to stop the spread of COVID-19 throughout Massachusetts—helping develop protocols and train teams for equitable data collection. He’s a dynamic and highly sought after thought leader, and was recently named 40 Under 40 by The Boston Business Journal and one of Boston’s “Most Influential Men of Color” by Get Konnected!. Jonathan graduated from Grambling State University, Southern Methodist University, and Boston University School of Law. Learn more at JonathanLAllen.com