Y'all, this episode is about to SHIFT your whole perspective on what's possible for your life. 🐠✨
Meet Tekoa Pouerie - CEO, pastor, author, and the woman who made me ugly cry at Creator's Escape with her raw truth about turning trauma into triumph. From losing both parents by 16 and surviving poverty to becoming a powerhouse nonprofit CEO and co-pastoring with her husband, Tekoa's story will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about your own limitations.
In this episode, we dive deep into:

The goldfish tank principle that will blow your mind (seriously, you'll never look at your environment the same way)
How speaking life over your circumstances literally rewires your soul
Why "God is my homie" approach to faith hits different
Trauma-informed care and why empathy changes everything
Breaking generational cycles and speaking your future into existence
The real tea on affordable housing, criminal justice reform, and giving people their flowers while they can smell them
Building a ministry rooted in business integrity and community service.

Tekoa keeps it 100 about depression, survival mode, and finding purpose in your pain. If you've ever asked "when will I be happy again?" - this conversation is your sign that breakthrough is coming.
Connect with Tekoa:
📖 Book: "I Am Courageous: Discovering the Power of Affirmations" (Amazon)
📍 The Sharing Center - Seminole County's largest homeless services nonprofit
⛪ Co-Pastor with her husband (business Bible study turned ministry)
📱 Instagram/LinkedIn/Facebook: Tekoa Pouerie
This is Hard Wig, Soft Life at its finest - doing the internal work to create the external freedom. Grab your tissues and your journal because Pastor Tekoa is about to pour into your spirit.
#HardWigSoftLife #TraumaInformed #PurposeInPain #NonprofitLeadership #AffordableHousing #CriminalJusticeReform #GenerationalWealth #BlackWomenInLeadership #FaithJourney #Affirmations #SpeakingLife #GoldfishTankPrinciple #CreateorsEscape #TekoPouerie #PastorLife #MinistryWork

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Hard Wig, Soft Life | Season 2, Episode 3: "She Said No One Knew She Was Married" - A Chat w/ Giovonnie Samuels

"All That" icon Giovonnie Samuels kept her 16-year relationship and 11-year marriage completely private—until now. In this vulnerable conversation, the actress, entrepreneur, and mother opens up about her recent divorce, ADHD diagnosis, and journey toward embracing her soft life.

What You'll Discover:

• How Giovonnie kept her personal life private for over a decade in Hollywood

• Her transition from "masculine era" survival mode to feminine energy

• Co-parenting successfully after divorce while maintaining friendship

• Late ADHD diagnosis and how it changed everything

• Breaking the "strong Black woman" trope to embrace vulnerability

• Building Soul Not For Sale Productions and GS Acting Workshops

Key Conversations:

• Why she chose privacy over publicity during her marriage
• Navigating divorce as a public figure and protecting her son
• The "parentified daughter" syndrome and eldest child trauma
• Black hyperfemininity and reclaiming softness
• Mental health, therapy, and generational healing
• Entrepreneurship, boundaries, and saying no to what doesn't serve you

Perfect for: Black women seeking wellness inspiration, divorce recovery stories, ADHD awareness, parenting wisdom, celebrity interviews, soft life lifestyle content, and personal growth journeys.

Hosted by Melissa L. Atkinson | Follow Giovonnie Samuels @only_1giovonnie across all platforms

Available May 28, 2025 on all platforms: www.hardwigsoftlifepodcast.com

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Hard Wig, Soft Life | Season 2, Episode 2: "Walking in Your Purpose" - A Chat w/ Justin Storey

Digital marketing mogul Justin Storey shares his journey from teen actor to successful entrepreneur, revealing how faith, vulnerability, and community building became the foundation of his purpose-driven business empire and the transformative Creators Escape movement.

What You'll Discover:

• How Justin made $32,000 in high school and chose entrepreneurship over college
• The pivotal moment when his mother's health crisis inspired his business drive
• Transitioning from child actor to behind-the-camera digital storytelling expert
• Building a 60% real estate clientele while staying true to artistic vision
• Creating Creators Escape: a safe haven for entrepreneurs and creatives
• Navigating industry spaces while maintaining integrity and faith

Key Conversations:

• Why he never wanted to be labeled as "Black-owned business"
• The difference between religion and authentic faith in business
• Supporting Black entrepreneurs and giving second chances in our community
• Depression, setbacks, and the $20K project that nearly broke him
• How vulnerability fuels both community and creativity
• The three steps for navigating seasons of uncertainty

Perfect for: Entrepreneurs seeking purpose-driven business advice, faith-based entrepreneurship, Black business owners, creative community building, mental health awareness, digital marketing insights, and personal development journeys.

Hosted by Melissa L. Atkinson | Follow Justin Storey @iamjustinstorey | Learn more about Creators Escape @thecreatorescape

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