What does it actually cost to choose peace in a world that keeps demanding violence?In this powerful episode of The Real Room Podcast, host Lacretia Mitchell sits down with a community leader who lives this question every day. This conversation goes beyond statistics and soundbites to explore what violence prevention really looks like on the ground. It is about presence, accountability, healing, and the unseen weight carried by those committed to protecting their communities.This episode unpacks the emotional toll of violence intervention, the pressure placed on leaders in underserved communities, and the reality that peace is not passive. It requires sacrifice, courage, and consistency. The discussion challenges performative leadership, exposes systems that profit from chaos, and highlights why community must be led by those who understand it from the inside.In this episode, we discuss:• What it truly costs to choose peace• Community violence prevention beyond programs and policies• The emotional and mental weight carried by frontline leaders• Why presence matters more than publicity• Healing trauma while still showing up to lead• Accountability, integrity, and real impact• The role of community in breaking cycles of violence• Why sustainable change must come from withinThis is a raw, honest, and necessary conversation for leaders, advocates, parents, and anyone who cares about building safer, healthier communities.If this episode challenged or encouraged you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.Watch more episodes of The Real Room Podcast for real conversations about leadership, healing, community, and purpose.

In this powerful episode of The Real Room Podcast, host Lacretia Mitchell sits down with Paula Rae Jones, author, trauma informed coach, creative, and YouVersion content partner, for a deeply honest conversation about trauma, faith, healing, and covenant.

Paula shares her personal journey through childhood sexual abuse, abandonment, identity struggles, and the long road toward emotional and spiritual healing. She explains how trauma shaped her relationships, motherhood, and view of God, and how understanding covenant changed the way she sees love, trust, and belonging.

This episode explores covenant not as religion or performance, but as presence, protection, and unconditional love. It speaks directly to survivors, seekers, creatives, leaders, and anyone who has struggled to trust God after pain.

In this episode, we discuss:
• Healing from childhood trauma and abuse
• Faith after betrayal, pain, and loss
• Understanding covenant as love, not religion
• How trauma affects identity and relationships
• Breaking generational cycles through healing
• Motherhood after trauma
• Grace, obedience, and trusting God without clarity
• Emotional healing and self awareness
• Finding purpose through pain
• Why your obedience may be tied to someone else’s healing

This conversation is raw, compassionate, and deeply encouraging. It reminds us that healing is possible, identity can be restored, and no one is abandoned, even in the hardest seasons.

If this episode resonated with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to know they are not alone.

Watch more episodes of The Real Room Podcast for real conversations about faith, healing, identity, leadership, and purpose.

Some people chase titles. Others build purpose.In this episode of The Real Room Podcast, host Lacretia Mitchell sits down with Dr. Charles Loftus to explore a journey rooted in discipline, faith, and follow-through. Timeline 1Born and raised in Oklahoma, Dr. Loftus shares how balancing academics and athletics at Dell City High School led to a full-ride scholarship to Langston University, a doctorate in physical therapy, and a career that includes working with NBA athletes, opening his own gym, and building an independent practice in a demanding industry.This conversation goes beyond credentials. Dr. Loftus opens up about fear, identity, injury, mental health in sports, entrepreneurship, leadership, mentorship, and what success truly looks like behind the scenes. From late nights in professional sports to the faith required to step into private practice, this episode highlights what it really takes to build something meaningful over time.In this episode, you’ll hear about:• Growing up in Oklahoma with strong educational roots• Balancing basketball, track, and academics• The mental toll of athletic injuries and recovery• Transitioning from athlete to healer• Working behind the scenes with professional athletes• The reality of entrepreneurship as a solopreneur• Faith, risk, and building a business from vision• Leadership lessons learned in high-pressure environments• Protecting peace while living a demanding lifestyle• Redefining success beyond titles and accolades• The legacy Dr. Loftus hopes to leave behindThis episode is for athletes, professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating the tension between ambition, faith, and purpose.If this conversation resonated with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs encouragement to trust their vision and take the next step forward.Watch more episodes of The Real Room Podcast for honest conversations about leadership, healing, entrepreneurship, and impact.

In this powerful episode of The Real Room Podcast, host Lacretia Mitchell sits down with Tara Morgan, the visionary behind the Melanated Christmas Ball, to unpack what it truly takes to turn an idea into a movement.This conversation goes far beyond event planning. Tara opens up about the years of unseen work, financial sacrifice, emotional tension, and faith required to build something meaningful before the world is ready to celebrate it. From pouring personal resources into a vision, to wrestling with doubt, family impact, and delayed return, this episode highlights the real cost of purpose-driven entrepreneurship.Together, they discuss what it means to stay obedient when support is limited, how family buy-in matters when the dream demands sacrifice, and why perseverance is often the deciding factor between ideas that fade and movements that last.In this episode, you’ll hear about:• Building a vision without immediate validation• The emotional and financial cost of entrepreneurship• Faith as a foundation when outcomes are uncertain• Balancing family, marriage, and personal sacrifice• Staying committed when the return is delayed• Creating cultural impact through intentional community spaces• Why obedience often comes before understandingThis episode is for dreamers, builders, creatives, and leaders who are carrying a vision that has not fully materialized yet, and need the reminder that the process matters just as much as the outcome.If you’ve ever wondered whether the sacrifice is worth it, this conversation will meet you right where you are.Watch more episodes of The Real Room Podcast for honest conversations about leadership, faith, entrepreneurship, community, and purpose.If this episode resonated, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who is building something bigger than themselves.

In this special takeover episode of The Real Room, Simone Taylor steps in as guest host to interview the woman who created one of Oklahoma’s most impactful platforms for storytelling and community: Lacretia Mitchell, real estate broker, entrepreneur, mother, wife, and the heart behind The Real Room Podcast.For the first time, Lacretia sits on the opposite side of the questions to share her full story. She opens up about the childhood experiences that shaped her strength and softness, the insecurity she had to overcome, the moment she became aware of her leadership, and the journey that led her to launch her own real estate firm and a podcast that has become a safe space for thousands.This conversation is transparent, emotional, and deeply inspiring. Lacretia speaks honestly about transitions, betrayal, performative support, motherhood, sacrifice, faith, entrepreneurship, and the weight of being called to serve a community while healing from her own story. It is a rare and powerful look into the woman who pours into everyone else.In this episode, Lacretia shares:• How her parents shaped her confidence, tenderness, and resilience• What she felt she lacked growing up and how it changed her parenting• The moment she recognized her natural leadership and influence• The insecurity she had to let go in order to lead boldly• The spiritual calling that pushed her to become a broker• The real financial struggles during the early months of her firm• The heartbreak of letting team members go and learning to pivot• How motherhood softened her, strengthened her, and grounded her• Why Oklahoma deserves more storytelling and representation• The truth about performative support, criticism, and discerning energy• How she protects her peace while being a safe space for others• The sacrifices she made for her career and her daughters• Why The Real Room was born and the mission that drives itThis episode is a love letter to Oklahoma, to leadership, to motherhood, to faith, and to every woman choosing to rise even when no one sees the climb.Watch more episodes of The Real Room Podcast for powerful conversations about identity, healing, community, entrepreneurship, and purpose.#TheRealRoomPodcast #LacretiaMitchell #SimoneTaylor #OklahomaCity #WomenInLeadership #BlackWomenInRealEstate #HealingJourney #FaithAndPurpose #EntrepreneurLife #RealEstateBroker #WomenEmpowerment #CommunityLeadership #PurposeDrivenLife #OKCPodcast #StorytellingMatters #BehindTheScenes #ImpactAndLegacy

In this powerful episode of The Real Room, host Lacretia Mitchell sits down with Cameron Burke, a 24 year old real estate mogul whose story proves that your beginnings do not define your destiny. Cameron opens up about growing up in a single wide trailer in Newalla, navigating chaos, surviving instability, overcoming generational patterns, and choosing discipline when no one else chose it for him. His journey is a raw and inspiring masterclass in grit, ownership, faith, and relentless self belief.Cameron shares stories he has never told publicly. From traveling with his mother as she transported drugs across state lines, to waking up during police stops, to living alone at 16 while trying to survive high school, his early life forced him to grow up fast. He explains how meeting his now wife, B, and being welcomed into a healthy family radically changed his trajectory and helped him become the man he is today.This episode dives into mindset, personal responsibility, leadership, scaling a business from nothing, and the real emotional toll of carrying a team that depends on you. Cameron’s honesty about fear, ego, trauma, and choosing a different path offers hope for anyone trying to break cycles and build a life that looks nothing like where they started.In this episode, you will hear about:• Growing up in chaos and learning early discipline• Carrying trauma while trying to build a new identity• His mother’s addiction, prison sentence, and losing custody• Becoming guardian of his younger brother• Being welcomed into a family that taught him love and stability• Entering real estate at 18 and failing for nine months• Building confidence through mentorship and opportunity• Closing nearly 200 deals a year in a tough market• Why ego kills growth and curiosity unlocks success• Delegation, scaling, bookkeeping pain points, and team leadership• Creative finance as the catalyst for his rise• The real pressure of having 25 people depend on your performance• The truth about fear, lawsuits, setbacks, and resilience• Advice for young entrepreneurs dealing with doubtThis is one of the most honest, gritty, emotional, and impactful conversations ever recorded in The Real Room. It is a reminder that you can rebuild your life, rewrite your story, and rise far beyond what your upbringing tried to limit.Watch more episodes of The Real Room Podcast for raw conversations about identity, faith, entrepreneurship, healing, and purpose.#TheRealRoomPodcast #LacretiaMitchell #CameronBurke #RealEstateMogul #OklahomaCity #EntrepreneurStory #FromTheBottom #RealEstateInvesting #CreativeFinance #TraumaToTriumph #BreakingGenerationalCurses #Leadership #YoungEntrepreneur #BusinessGrowth #GritAndGrace #PurposeDrivenLife #OKCPodcast #InspiringStories

In this powerful episode of The Real Room, host Lacretia Mitchell sits down with Chris Day, the creator and owner of Hanks OKC, to unpack one of the most inspiring entrepreneurship stories in Oklahoma City. Chris shares how he went from selling $10 plates out of his trunk to building one of the most talked about food brands in the state. His journey is raw, real, and full of lessons about faith, family, sacrifice, and believing in yourself when no one else can see the vision.

Chris opens up about growing up in Arkansas, moving to Oklahoma as a kid, watching his parents grind, finding his passion for cooking, and fighting the fear that held him back from stepping into his purpose. He shares never-before-heard stories about going viral, selling out turkey legs every weekend, creating the name Hanks, quitting his job after eight years, and building a family business that changed the trajectory of his life.

This episode is a blueprint for anyone chasing a dream. If you have ever felt stuck, overlooked, or afraid to take the leap, Chris’s story will remind you that anybody can build something meaningful when they stay focused, stay humble, and keep grinding.

In this episode you will hear about:
• Growing up in a small Arkansas town and moving to OKC
• Watching his parents work and the impact of seeing both struggle and growth
• Discovering cooking as a kid and learning from family
• Selling dirty rice, fried chicken, and cookies before Hanks existed
• The viral video that changed everything
• Running from success and learning to accept purpose
• Quitting a stable government job to bet on himself
• Launching Hanks, building a brand, and serving the city
• Keeping his family involved and building a legacy for his daughters
• Navigating hate, social media narratives, and the pressure of being a public figure
• The importance of genuine friendships and community among OKC business owners
• Advice for entrepreneurs who feel stuck, tired, or unsure
• What is coming next for Hanks 2.0 and his new food truck concept

If you are a creator, entrepreneur, parent, dreamer, or someone who loves Oklahoma City food culture, this episode will push you, challenge you, and inspire you.

Watch more episodes of The Real Room for real conversations about community, purpose, entrepreneurship, and personal growth.

#TheRealRoomPodcast #LacretiaMitchell #HanksOKC #ChrisDay #OklahomaCity #OKCFood #BlackEntrepreneurship #SmallBusinessStory #OklahomaEntrepreneurs #FoodTruckCulture #OKCRestaurants #FaithAndBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #StartupJourney #LocalBusinessSpotlight #FromTheMud #PurposeDrivenLife #CommunityBuilders #InspiringStories

In this inspiring episode of The Real Room, host Lacretia Mitchell sits down with Ashley and Raven, two Oklahoma City dancers whose friendship started in middle school and grew into a powerful sisterhood rooted in purpose, creativity, and community. From early dance battles and viral Dubsmash videos to navigating adulthood, identity, and dreams that once pointed toward BET and Beyonce stages, their story is a testament to growth and resiliency.

They share how dance shaped their bond, how social media opened unexpected doors, and how they learned to evolve from performers to community builders. Their honesty about insecurities, patience, purpose, and staying grounded as young women in the spotlight offers encouragement for anyone chasing a dream while fighting distractions and doubt.

This conversation is filled with wisdom on faith, friendship, self belief, and what it means to build something meaningful for the next generation of girls and women watching.

Topics Covered:
• Growing up in Oklahoma City and becoming early content creators
• How dance became the foundation of their friendship
• Navigating growth at different speeds and staying rooted in sisterhood
• Building community through dance classes and safe spaces for women
• Dealing with labels, pressure, and public perception
• Staying authentic while finding your lane
• Viral moments, confidence, and social media influence
• Dreaming big, fighting distraction, and trusting God’s timing
• Creating legacy and impact through community and service
• Lessons on patience, purpose, and building something bigger than yourself

Watch more episodes of The Real Room Podcast for conversations that uplift culture, community, faith, and purpose.

#TheRealRoomPodcast #LacretiaMitchell #OklahomaCity #WomenInCommunity #Sisterhood #DanceCommunity #BlackExcellence #DreamBig #FaithAndPurpose #OklahomaCreators #WomenSupportingWomen #PersonalGrowth #CreativeJourney #ContentCreators #ViralCreators #PurposeDrivenLife #YoungWomenEmpowerment #RealConversations