40 Lessons

For the season finale of the 40 Lessons Podcast, Marc Cheatham joins Todd B. Waldo to talk about the last ten years of The Cheats Movement and the impact it has had on Richmond.  They reminisce about Marc’s journey through 90’s hip hop and the impact 2020 has had so far on his family, career and service to his community. Marc Cheatham is a creator of The Cheats Movement. The Cheats Movement is a multi-media platform that celebrates the Richmond region as a hub for music, art, culture, and diversity. The Cheats Movement has been voted one of the best independent media platforms in Richmond and Marc has become one of the leading voices for Richmond's hip-hop community. In 2018, Marc transformed his popular podcast into a radio show which airs biweekly on WRIR 97.3 FM. Professionally, Marc serves as Director of Constituent Services and Casework for Senator Tim Kaine. He is married to Aria Cheatham and together they have a 5-year old son named Cameron.  Learn more about The Cheats Movement at thecheatsm

Outside on a Saturday morning, Duron Chavis sits down at Canvas with Todd B. Waldo to discuss his “Resiliency Garden,” a project being constructed outside the VCU Institute of Contemporary Art in Richmond.  They discuss the importance of Black spaces, authenticity and collaboration.  Duron also shares stories from his life growing up in Richmond that still impact his family and his work as an educator and change maker. Duron Chavis started his career in community advocacy as first a volunteer then an employee of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of VA. He worked as a museum coordinator developing programs and conducting guided tours for groups of all ages and backgrounds. In 2003 he founded the highly acclaimed Happily Natural Day festival as a grassroots effort to supplement the summer jazz concert that was held annually at the institution. Presently Duron is engaged in coordinating innovative and dynamic initiatives around the topics of urban agriculture and food security in a culturall

Todd B. Waldo travels to Petersburg Virginia for a conversation with Yewande Austin.   They talk about the impact this year has had on their professional and personal lives. And Yewande shares insight from her work across continents to help us understand what is possible for our communities in America. From MTV to the historic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Dr. Yewande Austin’s socially charged music has taken center stage with musical icons from the Black Eyed Peas to Maroon 5, but it is her work as a lecturer, social activist and honorary U. S. Cultural Ambassador that has become her greatest achievement. Recognized as an expert in innovative leadership, diversity and inclusion, social impact and international development, her work has reached over 250,000 people in 30 countries including 23 nations across the continent of Africa. Dr. Austin was recently crowned as a Chief of the Obosi Kingdom in Anambra, Nigeria for her dedication to the African diaspora. Conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Huma

Todd B. Waldo invites back to the podcast his daughter Samaya for a special conversation.  They talk about this summer and their reactions to the pandemic.  They also discuss Camp Diva with Girls for a Change (GFAC)  and the impact it had this summer. Since 2013, GFAC has focused more deeply on the empowerment and uplifting of a population whose needs are most unmet—Black girls and other girls of color. We, as an organization and movement, view this action as a first step to end the prejudice, poverty and lack of resources that leave Black girls and young women vulnerable at the margins of society. Through GFAC programs, not only do girls create change by engaging in social change projects, but in the process, they learn problem-solving skills, as well as what it means to change policy and create movements. GFAC programs also focus on leadership skills, goal-planning, financial literacy, building a network, exposure, community engagement, skill-building, sisterhood building, and socio-emotional

Robert and Catina Jones join Todd B. Waldo to share the journey from their first date to leading multiple businesses together as husband and wife.  They talk about selflessness, commitment, communication and growth as well as the legacy they are building for their family and the community around them. Catina Jones is the founder and Principal Broker of ICON Realty Group. With 15 years of providing a superior service experience for her clients, Catina and her team are committed to being your advocate and advisor throughout your real estate transaction. Catina’s real estate resume includes new construction, urban revitalization, historic and luxury home sales and marketing.  As a successful business owner and entrepreneur, Robert has enjoyed over 25 years of accomplishments in the commercial industry.  This high level of success lead to a natural and smooth transition into the commercial real estate industry.  Robert serves as Chief Operating Officer of ICON Realty Group, LLC and leads the c

From his rehearsal studio,  Independent Reggae Artist Mighty Joshua joins Todd B. Waldo to begin a new season of the 40 Lessons podcast.  Mighty Joshua talks about growing up in Virginia and how it shaped his musical foundation.  They talk about life on stage and at home as well as the work in community.  And they talk about the pursuit of liberation in the midst of all that has happened in our world this year. Mighty Joshua engages audiences by opening minds and activating bodies through song. Conscious lyrics flow freely to create distinctive refrains that pulse with pride against rhythms rooted in percussion. His soulful exploration in the evolution of sound creates an expression of reggae for the modern day. Mighty Joshua plays in a multitude of arrangements including high energy live performances with support of his back-up band the Zion #5 and as an acoustic configuration known as Roots Covenant. From mountain top festivals, to intimate club gigs, he invites listeners of all ages to

Robey Martin and Todd B. Waldo talk about their shared love for food and culture and what it means to come together to experience both in Richmond. They also share how their focus on mental health and self-care impacts how they live and work each day. Robey Martin lives an unctuous soup of a life. During a day, she balances human resources and contract staffing for Remx Specialty Staffing (need a temp?). In that very same day, she's an online/tv/print personality who features food, spirits and culture primarily in Virginia. You can find her over at WTVR CBS 6 as a co-host of the food podcast "Eat It, Virginia", author of Richmond's restaurant "hot list" and as their local food correspondent. Other places where she is: Richmond Magazine, Virginia Living, Style Weekly, Richmond Times Dispatch, Beer Advocate, Richmond Grid, Virginia Craft Beer Magazine, or wherever good French fries are. Follow her food-centric life at @callmerobey and @eatitvirginia on Instagram. The spotlight for this episode is Holli Fund

#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth is here to remind us that our mental health deserves to be prioritized more now than ever. Whether it be supporting a friend or opening up to someone about your own experiences. In part two of his focus on mental health, host Todd B. Waldo talks with James Harris about his own journey with mental health and therapy. And why he created Men To Heal and the opportunities it provides to our community. James Harris the founder of Men to Heal . He is a Licensed Mental Health Professional and holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. At age 5 James lost his father and was placed into the Virginia foster care system. As a ward of the State he was required to attend counseling sessions. However, he found those sessions unengaging. Typically run by white therapists who sat on a couch James felt that they could not relate to the emotional and cultural issues he faced. As a result, counseling wasn't a service he took seriously and so he wasn't able to benefit from it. This

#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth is here to remind us that our mental health deserves to be prioritized more now than ever. Whether it be supporting a friend or opening up to someone about your own experiences. In part one of his focus on mental health, host Todd B. Waldo talks about his experience with depression and anxiety and the importance of self care in his life today. He shares the impact of forgiveness, giving himself grace and that it is ok to not be ok. If you need help or support, you can find resources from the National Alliance on Mental Illness ( nami.org / namicva.website ) Also checking out Men to Heal ( mentoheal.com ) for additional resources. 40 Lessons is a podcast about the lessons we've learned about family, career, community and the lessons we are still learning. Listen to all episodes on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Play, TuneIn and Stitcher at toddbwaldo.com/podcast. Send your feedback, questions and comments to todd@toddbwaldo.com #40Lessons #podcast #storytelling #fam

Todd B. Waldo is joined by long-time friend Radiah Rhodes as they look back on the journey through life after receiving their Engineering degrees from NC State. Radiah shares what she gained in her career moving from corporate leadership through entrepreneurship. They talk about what the process of introspection has done to transform her life, family and business. And the impact that process is having on her clients. Radiah Rhodes is an alchemist, activist, and innovator for all things well-being. After two decades of experience leading in small businesses and Fortune 100 companies across beauty, health & wellness, and information technology, Radiah is known for her strategic acumen, impeccable design, and intuitive ability to connect, lead, and accelerate multi-million dollar results through people and products. Most recently Radiah authored the book, Being is the New Doing: A Divine Guide to Owning Your Energy, Time and Peace of Mind. A simple and practical tool that marries spirituality, science, a

From her home in Richmond, Enjoli Moon joins Todd B. Waldo for the 50th episode of the podcast. She shares how intuition and intentionality have impacted her family and career. And they talk about learning how to maintain balance with time and attention while pursuing passion. Enjoli Moon is the founder and creative director of the Afrikana Independent Film Festival, a festival dedicated to showcasing the cinematic works of people of color from around the world - they place a special focus of the global Black narrative. She is also the Assistant Curator of Film & Special Programs at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU where she is dedicated to using film as a catalyst for conversation and authentic connection. Through Afrikana and the ICA she looks forward to helping grow the footprint of Black indie cinema in Richmond and making the city a premier platform for elevating, celebrating, and further validating stories of the marginalized and underrepresented. Outside of film, Enjoli serves on the Bo

Mike Watts begins a new season of 40 Lessons from his home in Maine. He talks with Todd B. Waldo about family, marriage, business and self-care. They share what it takes to balance all of these and continue to listen, learn, grow and show grace. As an entrepreneur, speaker, and dad, Mike Watts has built a multimedia digital empire with his wife, Kate Northrup, that reaches hundreds of thousands globally. They are committed to supporting ambitious women to light up the world without burning themselves out in the process. They have a podcast together called The Kate & Mike Show: Life, Love & Business where they share their life plus business strategies on a weekly basis. You can learn more about their work over at KateNorthrup.com. The spotlight for this episode is Love 146. Love146 is an international human rights organization working to end child trafficking and exploitation through survivor care and prevention. The trafficking and exploitation of children is one of the darkest stories and most se

From her office in Richmond Virginia, Anedra Wiseman Bourne talks with Todd B. Waldo about the impact of her family on her life and career. She talks about being wife, mom and friend while making time to listen, lead and serve communities. Anedra Wiseman Bourne is a wife and mother of two, but by day she’s the Deputy Executive Director at Venture Richmond, Downtown Richmond’s Marketing organization. Anedra has spent most of her 20-plus year career focused on public relations, community outreach and marketing in the tourism industry. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering in the community and serves on various non-profit boards in leadership positions. Currently, she serves as the Board Chair for the Northside Family YMCA. The spotlight for this episode is the Northside Family YMCA. Located on Old Brook Road beside John Marshall High School, the Northside Family YMCA has been serving Richmond for over 100 years. It is a resource within your community of men, women and children committed to bringing abou

James Warren sits down with Todd B. Waldo for a candid conversation about family, fatherhood and how they experience forgiveness and freedom in relationships. They share lessons on community building and what it means to work in a diverse community pursuing common goals. James Warren is a storyteller and a strategist, passionate about the intersections of human and digital, and brands, culture and communities. He is the Founder and CEO of Share More Stories, which helps companies understand humans, one story at a time. James is also the Vice President of Brand Strategy at JMI, a marketing firm uniquely focused on brand community engagement. James studied economics and literature at Princeton University and creative writing at Columbia University. And for nearly 25 years, James has used his unique blend of creative writing, marketing, organizational development and innovation experience to help companies form lasting connections with their employees, consumers and communities. A sought after advisor, facilita

Todd B. Waldo joins City of Richmond Fire Lieutenant Keron Tull for a conversation about his journey from Guyana to Richmond and his career of service. They talk about family, fatherhood, and the drive to give back to the community. And what it means to learn and grow from our past and pursue a better future. Keron Tull has been an active member of the City of Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services for the last 10 years. He has served in the role of Engine Company Lieutenant at Fire Station 11 located in Richmond’s Historic Church Hill community. Born in Georgetown, Guyana Keron immigrated to the US at an early age with his parents and after spending his formative years in Brooklyn, New York they settled in the Richmond area. After graduating high school, Lt. Tull joined the United States Marine Corps honorably serving during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Through this experience not only did he develop a true passion for servant leadership but also the ability to train and grow withi

From his studio in Richmond, Artist S. Ross Browne joins Todd B. Waldo to share the journey with family and loved ones that shapes his work. And the deep convictions and passion that motivate him through struggle. They talk about the impact of art on the community and how it can be used to help heal after difficult and tragic moments in our lives. S. Ross Browne studied Communication Art and Design at Virginia Commonwealth University, in Richmond, VA and Photography at The Corcoran School of the Arts in Washington, DC. He is also an alumnus of The Miller School of Albemarle in Charlottesville, Virginia. Browne is a professional studio artist with over 23 years experience. With an emphasis on painting, he has exhibited domestically and internationally in over 70 gallery and museum exhibitions and is in multifarious private and public collections including the permanent collection of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. As an educator Ross was the Art Specialist for the VCU Health System where he practiced art th

Dr. Hollee Freeman joins Todd B. Waldo on the podcast sharing how she leads the MathScience Innovation Center and cares for her family, while also creating space to live out her passion. They talk about the hard work of building community in Richmond and what is possible when you push through fear and step out of your comfort zone. Dr. Hollee Freeman is the Executive Director of the MathScience Innovation Center in Richmond, VA. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and has worked as an elementary teacher, district math coach, national mathematics trainer, educational researcher, curriculum writer, and professor. She has authored numerous book chapters and articles focused on STEM, educational reform, gender, and educational equity in the US and abroad. She keeps very busy volunteering her time locally serving on several education boards and event committees. In addition, she is an adjunct instructor at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she teaches a class focused on community engagement. The Math

Kelli Lemon joins Todd B. Waldo for a conversation about her family, career and her journey to discover how she could weave together all that she is to connect people, create experiences and help shape the world around her. Kelli is socially connecting people through food, sports, arts and education. This week she is celebrating the first year of her social cafe Urban Hang Suite in Richmond’s Historic Jackson Ward community! She is also the host for Coffee With Strangers where each week guests share with Kelli how they live, work, play and support all that Richmond has to offer. Season one included an interview with Kelli and Todd four years ago. Learn more about Kelli and Urban Hang Suite by following @likethefruit and @urbanhangsuiterva on Instagram. The event spotlight for this episode is the Hardywood Gingerbread House Challenge with Better Housing Coalition, Sunday, November 3 Noon – 5:30 p.m. The third annual Hardywood Gingerbread House Challenge dares local businesses, nonprofits and student group

Adrienne Cole Johnson joins Todd B. Waldo for a conversation about what she has learned creating intentional spaces and balancing her work at home and in the community. Adrienne Cole Johnson is a social justice professional focused on creative approaches to change and has done this by focusing on building robust engagement strategies for various communities for over 15 years. She is an innovator and entrepreneur, co-leading thoughtful and intentional brands such as The ARTisan Cafe, The Flourish Society and The Richmond Night Market. She shared “I’m a Richmonder committed to ensuring the arts and culture scene of the City speaks to the diversity of talent and art that it hosts.” Learn more at richmondnightmarketva.com. The event spotlight for this episode is the The Great RVA Bake Off on October 27 with Next Move Program and their new tABLEspoons Bakery. The bakery will serve as a training and employment site. Internships will be run throughout the year through our partnership with the VA DOE serving ap

Sandi Cauley joins Todd B. Waldo for a conversation about family, career and life in Richmond as she leads her business and serves the community. Sandi Cauley is the owner and founder of TURN Cardio Jam Studio, a fitness instructor and also a choreographer and instructor for Dance Trance Richmond; She discovered the program while working as a television news producer in Birmingham, Alabama in 1998. Sandi's love for dance starts in Corpus Christi, Texas where she took Ballet Folklorico and twirling as a child. She gave up those activities to play sports and music; She was a snare drummer in both her South Texas high school and college marching bands and after moving to Richmond in 2001, was a dance team member for the Richmond Speed arena football team. With her strong background in choreography and fitness, Sandi also teaches Tabata, Bootcamp and Ass and AB's. Learn more about TURN at turncardiojamstudio.com The event spotlight for this episode is 2019 Uncork Hope with Medical Home Plus. Parents often feel