Rabbit holes - those unexpected tangents we follow while researching - often carry a negative connotation as productivity killers. But what if these digital detours are actually where the magic happens?

Today I'm pulling back the curtain on my research process, particularly the way I embrace going off-script when following information trails. Just yesterday, what started as a simple search to enhance an advertisement led me through a fascinating journey connecting women's histories in ways I never anticipated. A single image search revealed blog posts I didn't know existed, uncovered that a woman was the granddaughter of a college president, and connected to another woman's hotel business I'd been documenting separately. These unexpected connections enriched my understanding and added crucial context to my work documenting the 400+ women of substance from Raleigh whose stories deserve telling.

These research diversions have practical challenges too. When you find yourself with 40-50 browser tabs open (we've all been there!), how do you manage that information effectively? I share my system for documenting sources, preserving disappearing web content, and organizing research materials for future use. I discuss how finding an oral history interview in an Ohio college archive - something I never would have specifically searched for - provided 30 pages of invaluable background on a respected community elder. The excitement of these discoveries fuels my passion for learning something new every day.

Whether you're researching for writing, personal projects, or professional work, I encourage you to see rabbit holes not as distractions but as opportunities for discovery. What unexpected connections might you uncover by following your curiosity down that next digital pathway? Join the conversation by sharing your own research rabbit hole stories and the treasures you've discovered along the way.

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Carmen Wimberley Cauthen is an author, speaker, and lover of history, Black history in particular. As a truth teller, she delights in finding the hidden truths about the lives of people who made a difference - whether they were unknown icons or regular everyday people.

To Learn more of Carmen:
www.carmencauthen.com
www.researchandresource.com

Have you ever wondered what stories about your family, your community, or yourself might be lost forever if not written down? I tackle this profound question head-on in a deeply personal exploration of why documentation matters.

I share my journey from taking legislative notes to founding the first NAACP chapter at North Carolina State University—an achievement I almost forgot until recently. I observe how women's accomplishments often go undocumented because we're culturally conditioned to avoid "boasting," while men's achievements are celebrated and recorded without hesitation. This systematic silence has created massive historical blind spots.

Through my research for the Woman of Substance event, I discovered a remarkable 19th-century entrepreneur—a Black washerwoman who not only took in laundry but also rented rooms to boarders, including a future Wake County legislator. This revelation demonstrates how proper documentation can transform our understanding of historical contributions, particularly from marginalized communities. As I powerfully stated, "The history of America is not the history of white men," yet without deliberate documentation efforts, diverse experiences continue to be erased from our collective memory.

Drawing parallels to the invaluable Works Progress Administration interviews with formerly enslaved people, I emphasize that documentation creates permanence. I urge listeners to record family stories, preserve artifacts, and share their experiences on platforms they control. In an age where information can be deleted with an executive order, taking ownership of our narratives becomes an act of resistance.

Take out your phone the next time you're with elders, record their stories, and write down your experiences—because this is not a time to be quiet. Your history matters—your family's journey matters. Together, these documented stories create a more complete picture of America.

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Carmen Wimberley Cauthen is an author, speaker, and lover of history, Black history in particular. As a truth teller, she delights in finding the hidden truths about the lives of people who made a difference - whether they were unknown icons or regular everyday people.

To Learn more of Carmen:
www.carmencauthen.com
www.researchandresource.com

Have you ever held onto a dream that others couldn't see? That burning vision that persists even when practical obstacles seem insurmountable?

The journey from dream to reality requires more than wishful thinking—it demands meticulous planning and unwavering belief. I share my recent experience planning an event that started as a vision to honor my mother and Black women, facing skepticism and zero funding, yet ultimately sold out in six weeks and doubled in size. The lesson? "You can't depend on somebody else to make your vision come to life. You just have to go for it with everything you've got."

Planning isn't just about organization—it's about empowerment. Whether creating spreadsheets for large events or writing grocery lists for family dinners, effective planning turns seemingly impossible dreams into achievable goals. I break down my process of list-making, from initial outlines to detailed steps, and how this skill has served me throughout life. The habits I learned from my mother—who planned her own funeral arrangements six months before passing—show how an organization creates a legacy and eases burdens for others.

If you've ever felt your dreams dismissed or struggled to manage competing priorities, this episode offers practical wisdom about maintaining your vision while adapting your approach. Your plans might need revision, but your dreams never need abandonment. Don't drift through life hoping to accomplish your goals—plan deliberately, document carefully, and watch as your vision materializes despite the doubters.

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Carmen Wimberley Cauthen is an author, speaker, and lover of history, Black history in particular. As a truth teller, she delights in finding the hidden truths about the lives of people who made a difference - whether they were unknown icons or regular everyday people.

To Learn more of Carmen:
www.carmencauthen.com
www.researchandresource.com