20 January
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Let’s Get Triggered Again

Trigger Pointe podcast

Some of you may remember I launched my own podcast in September of last year. I had an amazing, eye-opening time speaking with various friends about love, relationships, mental health, finances and other ‘triggers’. Your triggers may not be mine and vice versa. However, one thing we all have in common is we have something that trigger us. The trigger(s) may motivate us to achieve the best version of ourselves or temporarily stop us in our tracks.

Similar to life, the triggers never end. Hopefully, we just get better at managing them. Although the Trigger Pointe podcast was initially meant as a one-time season, I’ve decided there are still some important things to discuss. Plus, the new discussions will be right on time for the release of the Trigger Pointe novel, coming February 2, 2022. Trigger Pointe (the novel) is the story of one man’s fight to survive by any means necessary. A domino effect of unfortunate events ultimately push him to the point of no return. Will his life-changing decision prove to be worth it? You’ll have to check out the novel to find out.

Oh, and while you read (in a couple of weeks), make sure to tune into the second season of the Trigger Pointe podcast (click HERE to catch up on season 1), coming February 3, 2022. We’re leaving no stone unturned in these discussions that will be more intense than the first season. How do you handle your triggers?

3 January
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See. Swipe. Pointe.

Here we are at the beginning of another new year. I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday season and feel energized to conquer the path ahead! First of all, I apologize for going so long without providing any content on the site. Life and several projects happened, one of which I am excited to announce. My upcoming novel, Trigger Pointe, is set to be released on February 2, 2022.

Halston is a stand-up guy who loves his wife and career. After a series of unfortunate events, he finds himself willing to do anything to survive. He even resorts to entertaining an illegal means of making money. Is it wrong? Yes. Is he in a bind? Yes. Could you see yourself (or have you been) in the same situation? If you’re anything like me (human), then the chances are likely yes. Find out what happens when Halston’s back is pushed against the wall.

Plus, today also marks the one-year anniversary of my books, A Swipe in the Wrong Direction and Cataracts. Today only, get Trigger Pointe for free (when it’s released) when you purchase your copy of A Swipe in the Wrong Direction and Cataracts. Also, check out the Trigger Pointe book cover below.

Cheers to another year down and a promising, joyous one to come for 2022!

3 November
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Judge Me By My Cover

“You must be sensitive because you’re a poet”. This is a common perception people have of me. Sometimes they’re right. Sometimes they’re wrong. It can be so easy to fall into the expectations of others without truly knowing who we are inside.

The creative person (artist, author, musician, etc.) is one that is often misunderstood. Although I like to have a little mystery creatively, I’m not a fan of being misunderstood in my personal life. However, I’m learning more and more that how people perceive me shouldn’t be a great concern.

We’ve all heard the saying, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover”. Nevertheless, we do it anyway when we make snap judgments about people based on their interests, profession or simply their appearance. At times those judgments may be correct, but it’s up to us individually to define how judgments shape us.

Akela Renae and Ethionel Hernandez Ramos join me on the final episode of the Trigger Pointe podcast. Yes, the podcast has come to an end, but it’s not the last of Trigger Pointe by a longshot. I hope you’ve enjoyed the series of discussions and enjoy this week’s episode as well. As always, you get to hear it first.

27 October
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….But Don’t Push Me

Why do people insist on pushing people with chill attitudes? If there was ever a walking billboard for “Don’t let the smile fool you”, I would be the advertisement. Even as I’m writing this blog today, I had to professionally (as best as I could) let someone know they were stepping way out of bounds with me.

As Aric Tucker, my guest on this week’s Trigger Pointe podcast and host of the Greekly Speaking podcast, put it you can’t change the way you’re wired. We represent what many people would label as the “good guys”. The ones who are quick to smile and slow to anger. Agreeable and mannerable. Intelligent and considerate. That’s nice and all…..but as the late, great Tupac Shakur once stated, “I ain’t a killer but don’t push me…” Well, it’s not quite that bad (on most days) but you get the point.

We are down to the final two episodes of the Trigger Pointe podcast. This has been an exciting and insightful ride that I hope you have enjoyed. Tune into my discussion with Aric on this week’s episode, “….But Don’t Push Me”. As always, you get to hear it first before everyone else. Feel free to comment, like and share the podcast with any other nice guys (and ladies), or even mean people, that you know.

20 October
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I Shoulda Pulled Out

Alright, so it’s not what you think. I’m sure some of you reading this may have a few instances where you wished you pulled out, but we’ll save that for another day. When I mention pulling out figuratively, there are more than a handful of situations where I did the opposite. The older I get, the more I value time and the ability to recognize when time is up.

Sometimes you know and sometimes you don’t until you’re removed from the situation. It could be a relationship (platonic or romantic), job or even an entrepreneurial endeavor. Last year, I experienced a situation when I knew it was absolutely time to pull out. I even ranted in anger to one of my friends, “I’m gonna be out of there by September 1st”. What happened? I made the decision to follow a great new opportunity, on August 31st. Words are powerful, even if they are uttered without specific intention. But I digress….

My great friend Tammie Henry joins me on this week’s Trigger Pointe podcast episode to discuss life’s pull-out moments. Tune in below and share your own pull-out moments. There are only two more episodes left of the podcast. Catch up on all of the episodes here (through my Blog link) or through any streaming service where you listen to your podcasts.

12 October
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Scared of Silence

Why are some people uncomfortable with being alone? I’m probably not the best person to answer that question, since I grew up as an only child. I’m used to my oneness and at times, I often prefer it. However, when the pandemic was a few months in full swing, there were moments when I did feel anxious about being alone. Image that. A loner that feels uneasy about being alone.

Although my anxious feelings about being alone during the pandemic didn’t last long, it can be a debilitating feeling for others. When we talk about “living our best life”, few people can envision that solo. It takes a special kind of person to not only find comfort in their alone time but search deep within themself to improve and grow. On the new episode of the Trigger Pointe podcast, we’re talking about those sometimes scary, silent moments.

Amir joins me on “Scared of Silence” to discuss how he has taken advantage of the current state of the world to travel. Contrary to popular belief, it can be done with a full-time job. Are you comfortable with yourself? Is there something wrong with you if you prefer oneness over a crowd of people? Let’s talk about it. Tune in to the discussion between Amir and myself as we discuss how silent moments impact us differently.

6 October
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Saving All My F’s for Me

I admire people who don’t care what people think about them. At times, I am that person. At times, I am the furthest from that mentality. Often, I could care less about what strangers, people I dislike or people who have no power over my money think about it me.

However, it’s close relationships that can be tricky. If I care about you, I want you to understand me. One of my biggest pet peeves is being misunderstood. With that in mind, I tend to bend towards what other people want (if I give a….) at the cost of sacrificing what I like. Isn’t that a crazy idea? I’m sure I’m not the only one.

On this week’s episode of the Trigger Pointe podcast, “Saving All My F’s for Me”, I’m joined by my carefree Aquarian friend, Robi Nickoli. She’s the host of It’s the A.D.D. Show and she lives life on her own terms. Find out what we care about the most, why it’s so important to have individuality, and how even people like Robi may not be as carefree as they appear to be.

29 September
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Let’s Get Physical

I’ve had a few health scares in the past. There was the time I had my first gout attack on April Fools’ Day (go figure) in 2019. Then there was the time a doctor tried to prescribe an antipsychotic drug for me (that I didn’t need), all because the “side effect” would ease my back pain. No thanks. Needless to say, I’m sure we all could share stories like this or ones even more severe.

I’m not a fan of medicine and favor natural remedies. This is where Ali and Dr. Groves come in. Ali is one of my close friends that introduced me to some tasty meatless recipes. Dr. Groves is my chiropractor (and unofficial health consultant) for the past 10 years or more. Between the two of them, I’ve had almost everything I need for preventative and restorative health.

Don’t take it from me. Listen to the new episode of the Trigger Pointe podcast, “Let’s Get Physical”, for yourself. Oh, and in case you didn’t know, tomorrow is International Podcast Day. I hear there’s a secret reward for anyone who listens to this episode today or tomorrow. Well, maybe not but you certainly have my utmost gratitude. Also, make sure you catch up on the two latest episodes of the Brown Liquor & Cigars that I’m a member of as well.

22 September
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Running from My Reflection

When relationships fail, it’s so easy to blame the other person. Really easy. However, even the darkest, most horrible relationships have two sides. It takes two to feel and reciprocate love. It takes two to convey and receive understanding. Nonetheless, we sometimes run into repeat situations because we haven’t dealt with the elephant in the room: self.

Thankfully, I’ve never made the same obvious mistakes in relationships more than a couple of times. However, it’s always been the small things that get me caught up. During the pandemic, I’ve had plenty of time for introspection (as many of us have) and it has definitely helped me realize more about myself. Will it continue to make mistakes? Yep. Will I go into any type of relationship better now than I did before? Absolutely.

The more we take accountability for what we’ve done wrong, done right, what we love and what we hate, the better off we will be. We’re tackling this delicate balance of self-reflection in the new Trigger Pointe podcast episode, “Running from My Reflection”. My guests Sherry Bronson and John Patrick Adams join me as well on this interesting and hilarious discussion. Check it out below.

15 September
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Live Like There’s No Plan B

The older I get, the more I realize there is no linear plan to success. When I was younger, I thought if I went to school, got decent grades and worked hard, I was guaranteed success. Honestly, I couldn’t have been further from the truth. About ten years ago, my passion for writing (poetry specifically) really began to come to the surface. It quickly became “my thing”. Whatever that “thing” is, it should be something that you can nearly do in your sleep. Something that you could do for free and still love it.

Fast forward to today and I have written several books (in addition to running a publishing company), all while holding down a 9 to 5. I love my job and I’m able to pay bills and live because of the opportunity. However, it’s my passion (or what I like to call the 5 to 9) that keeps me moving.

In the latest episode of the Trigger Pointe podcast, Jimmie Sanders and Corey Wilson join me to discuss their individual paths toward entrepreneurship. We all have different ways to reach our dreams. The path may not be as difficult to attain as you think. Check out the episode below.