Meet our authentic voices...
Not every story is written. Some are told.
Courageous storytellers who’ve turned their unique journeys into powerful insights—check out their bios and click to listen to their inspiring episodes on the podcast, Mindset 2 Manuscript w/JT: Speak Your Truth!
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Summer 2025
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2025 SEASON 1 GUESTS
Wearing Your Purpose: How Fashion, Faith & Community Build Movement
Todd & Tishawn Hatchett
Apparel can be more than style—it can be a statement, a source of healing, and a call-to-action. We’ll dive into the story behind the brand, what inspired Tishawn and Todd to create a line rooted in purpose, and how their faith and community drive their mission. We’ll also discuss how fashion can empower marginalized voices, spread light in dark times, and start conversations that shift culture.
Their journey, the messages on their apparel, and their impact through visibility and voice will encourage listeners to show up boldly, live intentionally, and "wear" their truth every day.
Greetings to you, from us, Todd and Tishawn Hatchett. We are the owners of the Godware Inspirational Communication Brand and we wanted to share a little bit of our brand information with you, how it began, and why we decided to step out in faith and obedience to God and go full throttle with the brand and business. I, Tishawn, am the creator and founder, and my husband Todd, is my partner and co-creator; The brand, "GodWare Inspirational Communication",& birthed during an intense one on one meditation and prayer session with God during one of the lowest points in my life. The GodWare brand, the meaning behind it and its contents have been created for the sole purpose of everyday, perpetual encouragement, inspiration, enlightenment, uplifting and God Awareness in and around us all. Each design is created to encourage and inspire the consumer to not only look good wearing or using the merchandise, but to feel good inwardly also and embody his presence, his ableness and who they believe God is to them. It is to unashamedly, unapologetically, promote and make known some of the many attributes of a limitless God. Another goal of ours is to also assist every consumer with creating a spiritual and uplifting atmosphere within their homes, office space, or any personal space where the presence of God may be desired. Coming from a lowly place in my life during that time and trying to claw my way back to peace, strength, stability, sanity, happiness, and forward motion, I realized that I needed a major overhaul of my total being. I needed to be rebuilt mentally, emotionally, spiritually, relationally, and even physically. This was a rebuilding that could not be done by human hands, words, or workings. This was a building up that could only be done by God himself. Being a Christian for many years and an avid worshipper and lover of God, I was all too familiar with where and who to go to for what I needed. So, I did just that! Sought God and "Walla", GodWare Inspirational Communication was birthed! If an item you have or a house that you own, needs to be repaired, the first thing that one thinks to do, is go to a hardware store to get the tools that they need to repair or rebuild the item or home or find the resources to simply start over and build a new one. The hardware store is a specific place that would have every tool needed to produce a successful recovery, restoration and bountiful result of that physical building or item. If a person needs their spiritual home to be repaired, they go to the place or the one that would have every tool that they'd need to get it up and running again. God was the hardware store that I went to, to get every tool that I needed. I reference it, "GodWare” store. I needed to start from scratch, and I let him know that, so he presented to me, during my time with him, a list of all of his tools that he had available to me. Some of them are listed below: The Peace of God, The Love of God, The Strength of God, The Mercy of God, The Might of God, The Breath of God, The Fragrance of God, The Power of God, The Light of God, The Wisdom of God, The Move of God, The Will of God, The Way of God, The Voice of God, The Stillness of God, The Blessings of God, The Goodness of God, The Praise of God, The Righteousness of God, The Spirit of God, The Help of God, The Heart of God, The Forgiveness of God, The Grace of God, The Depth of God, The Touch of God, The Mind of God, The Majesty of God, The Glory of God, The Omniscience of God, The Omnipotence of God, The Omnipresence of God, The Vengeance of God, The Wrath of God, The Word of God, The Provision of God, The Holiness of God, The Victory of God, The Angel of God, The Friend of God, The Son of God, The True and Living God! I filled up my spiritual bag with every tool and the only cost to me was to embrace and embody every bit of his provision going forward in life and put it out there on a bigger platform. HardWare - fittings, cutlery, tools, utensils, or parts of machines. made of metal; major items of equipment or their components used for a particular purpose for the purpose of building, rebuilding, or constructing a thing. GodWare – Spiritual tools, verbal, written or tangible; Spiritual products, merchandise or goods used for the purpose of building up, rebuilding, maintaining, constructing, inspiring, enlightening, repairing, restoring, or recovering a soul. Creator: Tishawn D. Brown-Hatchett & Co-Founder: Todd E. Hatchett Founder: Tishawn D. Brown-Hatchett
The Space Between the Last Will and the Last Breath: A Personal Connection
Veteran. Scholar. Leader. Advocate. Trailblazer. Expert. Visionary. Fellow. Mentor. Changemaker.
Felesia Bowen PhD, DNP, PPCNP-BC, FADLN, FAAN
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
We plan for death with living wills, powers of attorney, and funeral arrangements. But what about the messy, silent space in between—the stretch of days, weeks, or months when life hangs in limbo, and the weight of decisions falls heavy on the living?
In this raw and necessary conversation, Dr. Bowen speaks truth to a story shaped by love, loss, and the emotional labor of saying goodbye. As a Black woman who’s walked this path with both parents and a brother, she shares what no one told her—and what we all need to start talking about.
Felesia Bowen PhD, DNP, PPCNP-BC, FADLN, FAAN is a decorated U.S. Army Nurse Corps veteran who earned her B.S. in nursing at Tuskegee University, master’s degree from Rutgers University, Ph.D. from Columbia University, and DNP from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ. Presently she is Professor and Inaugural Associate Dean for Access and Engagement at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing. In this role she leads the School of Nursing priorities in health equity, access, and enhancing nursing workforce development by leading the development of innovative pathways and forging strategic partnerships. Dr. Bowen has a long career in health disparities and equity. As the founder and inaugural primary investigator of the Rutgers University School of Nursing-Newark, Center for Urban Youth and Families. Dr. Bowen was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, for her work in pediatric health disparities. She was recently inducted as an inaugural Fellow in the new Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing for her contributions to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in nursing and healthcare. Dr. Bowen is known and respected for her upstream work addressing nursing workforce diversity. Dr. Bowen is a firm believer that student nurse diversity is necessary to decrease health disparities in minority and marginalized individuals. Dr. Bowen is a nationally certified primary care pediatric nurse practitioner and President-elect of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners with a term of service from June 2024-June 2027.
Media Visionary Championing Family, Culture & the Power of Black Storytelling
Publishing Pioneer; Advocate for Black Empowerment
John Blassingame
New Day Associates
John Blassingame is a pioneering media executive, publisher, and advocate for Black empowerment through storytelling and representation. As the founder and publisher of Today's Black Woman, Black Men, and Black Elegance magazines, he has spent decades shaping narratives that celebrate and uplift the Black community. With a deep commitment to culture, identity, and family, Blassingame brings a wealth of insight to Mindset 2 Manuscript w/ JT: Speak Your Truth!
In his featured episode, he speaks candidly about the value of the family unit—exploring its many benefits, the challenges it often faces, and the deep societal consequences when it is broken or absent. His truth-telling is rooted in both lived experience and years of amplifying voices that matter. This conversation is a powerful reflection on how family shapes mindset, legacy, and long-term success in our communities.
John Blassingame’s groundbreaking career began in the world of fashion when he made history as one of the first Black male models to walk the runways of Paris. Joining forces with iconic Black model and activist Bethann Hardison, Blassingame helped challenge the exclusionary practices of the fashion industry. He was part of the 1973 Fashion Show at the Palace of Versailles, a landmark event that helped reshape global beauty standards and paved the way for greater diversity in high fashion. After transitioning from modeling into publishing, Blassingame founded Today's Black Woman, Black Men, and Black Elegance magazines, which became vital platforms for celebrating Black culture, identity, and excellence. His publications have played a crucial role in amplifying underrepresented voices and promoting a more inclusive vision of beauty and lifestyle. For the past 44 years, Blassingame has continued to showcase the power of fashion through his annual fashion shows, which spotlight Black designers, models, and creatives. These shows are now recognized as signature events that celebrate both established and emerging talent in the fashion industry. With a focus on cultural pride and representation, Blassingame’s fashion shows are not just about style—they are platforms for social change, bridging the worlds of art, culture, and activism. As the CEO of New Day Associates, Blassingame leads a company dedicated to promoting cultural representation, family values, and community empowerment. His career has been a testament to the transformative power of media, fashion, and representation, demonstrating how breaking barriers in one industry can have far-reaching impacts on others. Today, Blassingame continues to inspire and mentor a new generation of artists, creators, and leaders. His influence remains strong in both the fashion world and beyond, where he is recognized as a visionary, advocate, and pioneer who has spent his life amplifying the voices that matter most.
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Succeeding While Failing: The Hidden Cost of 'Having It All'
Trailblazer. Strategist. Changemaker.
Deidre Smalls Landau
Chief Business Equity Officer,
IPG MediaBrands
Mindset 2 Manuscript w/ JT: Speak Your Truth! invites trailblazing advertising executive Deidre to explore a bold and often unspoken reality: “succeeding while failing.” With over two decades of leadership in marketing, innovation, and inclusive business strategy, Deidre unpacks the emotional and practical toll of pursuing professional excellence—especially for women juggling careers, family, relationships, and personal well-being.
Together, we challenge the glossy narrative of “having it all” and take a critical look at the real cost of success,
Deidre speaks truthfully about the pressures and trade-offs that come with high achievement and the hidden failures that often accompany public wins.If you’ve ever felt like you’re winning in one part of life but losing in another, this episode will hit home.
Get ready for an honest, empowering, and thought-provoking conversation that redefines success and encourages others to speak their truth while navigating their own manuscript of life.
Dynamic and entrepreneurial, Deidre is an award-winning advertising & marketing executive who has been at the forefront of the industry for more than 20 years. Deidre’s focus on business development, new business, innovation and consumer segmentation ensures that true competitive advantages exist for her clients and the agency. As an accomplished leader, she leads inclusive business strategies and makes them core to Mediabrands’ business strategies, while working across the agencies’ practices, disciplines and client teams to integrate inclusive data and insights into all processes. Deidre served as the U.S Chief Marketing Officer and Global Cross-Cultural Officer for UM, transforming workplace & marketplace efforts to re-engineer an agency of the future, encourage bold thinking, creativity and stimulate growth. This includes launching the first award-winning global cultural market segmentation study (in 81 countries and 44 languages); revamping the agency’s internal media creativity awards program to expand the categories and change the rating system; and establishing and launching UM’s employee culture division in 2018. The latter led to workplace awards in 2019 and 2022. In 2021, Deidre helped architect the industry’s first-ever Equity Upfront, highlighting the importance of small and diverse-owned media within the advertising industry. To further these efforts, she led a team of researchers in creating UM’s groundbreaking Future Impact study. The study showed that purchase intent more than doubles when socially conscious brands collaborate with media partners that share similar values, such as integrity, sustainability, and equity. Currently as Chief Business Equity Officer, Deidre is integral to new business growth and leads a team across Mediabrands focused on growth audiences, cultural insights/intelligence and inclusive business practices across data & analytics, audience strategy, planning, investment, content, and commerce. She led the new business strategy to double the Ulta Beauty media account and expand the agency’s capabilities into retail media. she has introduced consulting solutions and products that help clients define, immerse and activate against growth audiences. Deidre is a 2018 Adweek Media All-Star, a recipient of the She Runs It Working Mother of the Year Award in 2018 and 2020, an Ad Club Innovator 2021 and a 2021 She Runs It Changing the Game honoree. She served as a judge in the 2022 Effie Awards, 2021 Cannes Media Lions, 2018 Cannes Glass Lion and the 2018 Festival of Media Global Awards. She has served on several boards and is currently sits on the board of the 4A’s Foundation, BRIDGE and the AdCouncil Diverse Leaders group. Deidre received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Utica University and currently lives in Brooklyn with her husband Jonathan, twin girls Nyla and Soleil, and her dog Yazmine.
Buttons, Brims & Breakthroughs: Unlocking Purpose with Miss Coffee
Veteran, Storyteller, Creative
Ms. Tamicka Coffee-Hogan (Miss Coffee)
Mindset 2 Manuscript w/ JT Speak Your Truth! welcomes Tamicka “Coffee” Hogan, the visionary behind Unlocked Brims, for a powerful conversation on purpose, creativity, and reinvention. A 20-year Army veteran, Miss Coffee’s path to entrepreneurship began not with a business plan, but with a dream. At 40, she had recurring visions of buttons on a hat—clear, persistent, and impossible to ignore. That dream sparked Unlocked Brims, a brand where each custom hat tells a personal story of identity, culture, and resilience.
Miss Coffee’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. From navigating life after the military to embracing her voice as a creative, she’s transformed adversity into artistry. Beyond fashion, she brings her story to life on stage through original performances blending poetry, dance, and music. Her work speaks to anyone rediscovering themselves at any age. In this episode, Coffee opens up about the discipline, faith, and vision that helped her unlock a new chapter—and inspire others to do the same.
Tamicka "Coffee" Hogan is a visionary entrepreneur, artist, and storyteller who turns creativity into wearable art. As the CEO and creative force behind Unlocked Brims, she’s redefining self-expression—one custom hat at a time. A 20-year Army veteran, Coffee’s journey into entrepreneurship didn’t start in a boardroom; it started in a dream. At 40, she kept seeing buttons on a hat in her sleep. The vision was so vivid, so persistent, that she couldn’t ignore it. What began as a simple dream soon became Unlocked Brims—a brand dedicated to storytelling through fashion. But Coffee’s creativity doesn’t stop there. She has brought her life’s journey to the stage, producing a play where each act represents a different era of her life—told through dance, song, and poetry. She’s sat down for interviews with DJ Money Now, One:11 Studios, and Scars, sharing her story of resilience, artistry, and reinvention. And as a designer, she has taken her talents to the big stage, competing at the International Designer Competition in New Jersey. With a military background that instilled discipline and leadership, Coffee has built Unlocked Brims into more than just a brand—it’s a movement. Each custom brim carries a story, whether it’s about heritage, ambition, or life’s defining moments. Through pop-up events, brand collaborations, and immersive experiences, she’s making sure her work is more than just fashion—it’s a legacy. At 40, Coffee proved that dreams don’t expire. They’re just waiting to be unlocked.
From Butterflies to Beauty, and Beyond:
The Journey of Eva Jane
Award-winning Makeup Artist, Filmmaker, Author, Inventor and Business Owner
Eva Jane Bunkley
Get ready to go beyond the highlight reel.
In this unforgettable conversation, Eva Jane Bunkley—two-time Emmy-winning makeup artist, inventor, filmmaker, and visionary—pulls back the curtain on a life marked by brilliance, bold reinvention, and the kind of resilience you can’t Google. From her star-studded brushes with icons like Cicely Tyson and Jamie Foxx to the sacred whispers of her ancestral journey, Eva reveals what really shaped her—from private heartbreaks to powerful breakthroughs.
You’ll hear the stories behind her award-winning films, the soul behind The Makeup Bullet®, and the truth behind the glossy covers of success. She’s not just building beauty brands—she’s building legacy. And trust—this is the Eva Jane you’ve never met.
Raw. Real. Revolutionary.
Eva Jane Bunkley is an Atlanta-based two-time Emmy Award Winning Makeup Artist and the inventor of "The Makeup Bullet® - HiDef Cosmetic Finger Sponge," the most innovative design this decade in a makeup sponge applicator and blender. Eva Jane was makeup artist for Fox 5 GoodDay Atlanta for seven years and NBC 11Alive's makeup artist for five years. Her anointed hands have touched many celebrity faces including President Jimmy Carter, Usher, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Jennifer Holliday, Charles S. Dutton, Cicely Tyson, Jamie Foxx and Randy Jackson and served as personal makeup artist to Creflo and Taffi Dollar and Judge Hatchett for several years. Eva Jane considers herself a creative that doesn't limit her artistic endeavors; in fact she is also an award winning filmmaker with two first place documentary film projects to her credit and continues media production as a creative passion through her production company Eva-Lution Studios, LLC. Eva Jane loves to give back, frequently mentoring young artists in the business and was recently awarded the "2016 Maqui Award for Philanthropy" by the Atlanta-based Professional Makeup Artist Conference. Eva Jane is working diligently at building her brands, "Eva Jane®" and "The Makeup Bullet®" through her company "Eva Jane Beauty, LLC" and continuing to create innovative beauty products . She presently holds five total registered patents and trademarks. She recently self-published the book "Innovative Beauty - Keys to an Inventor's Success" which tells the story of how she created "The Makeup Bullet" and launched it into the international marketplace. It is available for purchase on Amazon.com. Eva Jane earned a bachelors degree from The Ohio State University and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is wife to "Terence" and together they are raising with two young men to follow their own God-given missions.
Who's Up Next: The Gen Z Social Media Takeover w/Jaylin
Communications and Social Media Expert
Jaylin Longsworth
Independent Consultant
Get inspired as Jaylin shares her journey as a Gen Z pioneer, offering a front row seat to the passion, purpose, and truth behind her rise. More than her degrees and digital expertise, she reveals the personal growth, challenges, and bold choices that shaped her path. We go beyond the live stream to explore what sparked her drive and how it continues to evolve.
Jaylin opens up about the power of social media in building small businesses and communities, while also addressing its downsides—like burnout, comparison, and the pressure to constantly perform. Her honesty offers a refreshing look at what it really takes to succeed as a young entrepreneur in today’s digital world.
This conversation is a deep dive into authenticity, ambition, and the resilience needed to forge your own path. Jaylin’s story is a must-listen for anyone navigating purpose, creativity, and the realities of building something real from the ground up.
Jaylin Longsworth is a recent graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, with a Bachelors of Arts in Communications and a Masters of Arts in Communications. Her experience in Communications consists of interning at former Congressman Bill Pascrell, assisting the press secretary and a previous Graduate Assistant to FDU Department of Communications Studies. Jaylin currently offers private public relations services to small businesses & platforms to help boost her expertise and assist her peers.
Straight Talk with Ceata E Lash:
A Natural Transformation
Inventor, Manufacturer, and Visionary
Ceata E. Lash
Hair holds history—and Ceata E. Lash knows it better than most.
As the trailblazing founder of PuffCuff, Ceata is redefining how we care for our curls—and ourselves. Her journey isn’t just about innovation; it’s about honoring the roots that shaped us. From generational strength to the sacred stories tucked inside every coil, Ceata reveals how the power of hair goes far beyond style.
Now, she's stepping into the Mindset2Manuscript studio to give us a crown view we've never seen—filled with life-locking lessons and deeply personal insight. From triumphs to tough seasons, Ceata opens up about legacy, identity, reinvention, and the intimate connection between hair and healing.
This is more than a conversation. It’s a reclamation.
Ceata E. Lash is the founder and CEO of PuffCuff, a natural hair accessory brand designed specifically for people with thick, curly hair. With over 25 years of experience as a solopreneur and graphic designer, Ceata launched PuffCuff in 2013 to fill a gap in the market—and ended up becoming the first African-American woman to hold four U.S. patents in the hair accessory space. Her work has earned national recognition, including the President’s Innovation Award from Sally Beauty, the #WeStanForHer Beauty Business Grant from New Voices + Barefoot Wine, and most recently, the 2024 BOTOX® Women Entrepreneur Grant. She was also named one of Inc. Magazine’s Top 200 Female Founders. Along the way, Ceata has stayed focused on learning and growing—completing the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses Program, joining the inaugural Amazon Black Business Accelerator, and most recently, finishing the “Building a Successful Diverse Business” program at Tuck Executive Education at Dartmouth. Like many entrepreneurs, Ceata has faced her share of tough seasons. In recent years, PuffCuff has experienced some serious challenges that forced her to take a step back and rethink how to move forward. She’s now in the process of rebuilding—refining operations, reconnecting with her community, and getting back to the heart of what makes the brand special. Ceata’s story is still unfolding—but it’s a reminder that success doesn’t always follow a straight line. Sometimes it’s about pausing, pivoting, and continuing on with intention.
The Birth of Freealittea: Tranquility in a Cup
Physician, Holistic Counselor, Business Owner, Author
Dr. Michelle Clay
It's time to experience the magic of honoring your wellness from the inside out with Dr. Michelle— founder of FREEALITEA, author, and holistic health expert with a heart for healing from the inside out.
From physician to holistic healer, Dr. Michelle’s story is a beautiful blend of purpose, passion, and personal transformation. We’ll chat about life, wellness, and how she’s helping others “be well and wonderful” — one soothing cup at a time.
We'll reset with real talk, restorative vibes, and maybe even a few laughs. So grab your favorite tea and join us for a feel-good convo that’ll feed your soul and quench your thirst for less stress.
Mindset2Manuscript w/ JT: Speak Your Truth when we'll sip, chill and dive even deeper into her journey. .
Dr. Michelle Clay is a board-certified physician, Certified Holistic Health Counselor, and Clinical Nutritionist dedicated to helping others achieve true wellness—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Known affectionately as "Dr. Michelle," she realized her dream of practicing medicine after graduating from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. However, her experience in clinical medicine revealed a deeper truth: health goes beyond prescriptions and procedures. Driven by a holistic philosophy and a personal battle with uterine fibroids, Dr. Michelle turned to natural medicine and found healing through herbs, nutrition, and spiritual alignment. This shift led her to the Academy of Natural Health Sciences, where she deepened her knowledge in holistic healing. Her most personal transformation came in 2021, when her father was diagnosed with throat cancer. She became his full-time caregiver, using plant-based tonics, juicing, and her proprietary tea blend—FREEALITEA—to nourish him during treatment. Through this sacred journey, Dr. Michelle not only helped her father return to health but also reaffirmed her calling: to guide others toward healing with compassion, nature, and purpose. Today, through FREEALITEA and her holistic health practice, Dr. Michelle empowers others to reclaim their well-being and embrace the full spectrum of healing.