To wrap up Women’s History Month, Melodie talks with her sister, Robin Graves, about the journey of an accomplished woman. Robin is a mom to three sons and devotes her life to servant leadership through her experience as an attorney, real estate agent, teacher at Amarillo College, and as the first black woman President of the Amarillo Independent School District School Board. They discuss the importance of education and how it levels out the playing field. Robin believes that her contribution to conversations in any room keeps her motivated and empowered. Any efforts she makes are not only for ..read more

To celebrate Women’s History Month, Melodie discusses the obstacles that women still face today and the stats to back it up. She also reads Maya Angelou’s famous poem titled Phenomenal Woman. Melodie also talks about the importance of diversity and inclusion among women. Embracing diversity means recognizing and celebrating the unique perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences that women from all walks of life bring to the table. Inclusion goes beyond mere representation; it involves creating environments where women feel valued, respected, and empowered to voice their ideas and aspirations wi ..read more

Melodie brings her friend, educator, and author, Kayren Gray, onto the podcast to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion. During Kayren’s first administrative role as a Student Activities Coordinator, Kayren realized her role was to keep students connected in order to encourage their own success and dedication to education. When people feel welcome and that they belong, they are more likely to stay on course and be involved. When she became an assistant principal, she saw the push-out of young African American women from the school even more. Kayren discusses her experience reflecting on the ..read more

Melodie talks with Nappy Coach, Nia Green, about their friendship and life journey. Nia and Melodie knew each other from growing up in Amarillo. Now living in DFW, Nia has grown as a life coach and expanded her experience. Nia’s experience as a life coach helps others facilitate goals for clients. They discuss the importance therapy and healing the past so you can catapult into the future. Life coaches and mentors can come in many forms such as business, spiritual, fitness, etc. Even if a person doesn’t seek a professional or paid life coach, it is important to have people you can lean and rel ..read more

How will you be celebrating Martin Luther King Day? Is it just another day off from work? Or will you be taking time to reflect on his efforts for justice? Melodie reads some of her favorite Dr. King speeches in his honor. She expresses how we cannot lose sight of his dream and vision for our country ..read more

Melodie discusses her mindset and inspirations for new year’s resolutions. She discusses her goals for the podcast, her career, and health. Goals are so much deeper than the surface. It’s not just being healthy, it’s being healthy enough to live long enough to see milestones for yourself and loved ones. Are there things that are in your control that you can improve? Not change, just improve. Because the smallest improvements made the biggest difference. Also making clear goals that are written down in a planner makes it more real and helps to keep ourselves accountable ..read more

Melodie brings America onto the podcast to tell her story. America found herself in an abusive relationship with two children. After becoming a “two-time single mom,” she was determined to turn her life around and break situational poverty for herself and her children. She now assists people, especially women, in creating a life path and moving forward. As a life coach, she helps with goal setting, writing resumes, and improving life step-by-step. America speaks about imposter syndrome as a minority woman. She describes her self talk and how she reminds herself that she is smart, powerful, and ..read more

Melodie brings her friend Ruth to the show to discuss her path of success. During the middle of the pandemic, Ruth joined the College of Education and Social Sciences. She received her  B.A . in Social Work from West Texas A&M University in 2005 and M.S.S.W in Social Work from West Texas A&M University in 2011. Ruth teaches Bachelor level courses and is the Field Director for the undergraduate program. Over the course of her career, she has worked as an adoption and foster case manager  for a local non-profit licensed child-placing agency.  There, she was an adoptio ..read more

Melodie brings Monty to the show to discuss her story of resilience. After her days of partying, loss of family, and being homeless, Monty made a promise to her kids to turn her life around. She had to make consistent efforts and experienced slip ups to eventually take control of her life. Now pursuing her bachelor’s in social work, Monty wants to help others that feel they have no other option. Monty and Melodie reflect on her growth through her studies and taking the risk to continue her education from Amarillo College to West Texas A&M ..read more

Melodie discusses what resilience means to her. Leaders, especially, feel the weight of enduring the pain of their team or organization. Melodie encourages us to all thank our leaders for their strength and for enduring whatever is thrown their way. Her experience with building a team is based on Gallup Strengths, therefore, each member can be appreciated for their own gifts and talents. Rather than focusing on other’s weaknesses, we can focus on their strengths and what they bring to the table ..read more