The TOMMIE! Talk Show

Episode 10” ”Aliens Living Among Us: A Conversation with Brilliant Creatives” (Part II)

Due to popular demand and the growing need for intelligent conversations around the unique needs and challenges most creatives face, we decided to do part 2 of "Aliens Living Among Us: A Conversation with Brilliant Creatives".  
In this episode, T.W. Suggs interviews Tezarah Wilkins (director, producer, CEO and founder of Wilkins Photographer) and Steven Taylor (photographer, CEO and founder of Ubuntu Fine Art Gallery) to explore some of the issues many creatives struggle with navigating.  This includes remaining true to one's craft (and self) while also having competing priorities, balancing between being a creative and an entrepreneur, feeling overwhelmed because of too many creative projects, and charging what you're worth.  

Episode 9: ”Beneath His Armor: A Conversation With Men About Men”

The mental (and emotional) well-being of men is being talked about more as many men struggle quietly with mental and emotional health issues that usually go unaddressed.  This episode of The TOMMIE! Talk Show, which is titled, "Beneath His Armor: A Conversation With Men About Men", explores the challenges many men face in silence because of toxic societal standards, cultural norms, and family dynamics. 
This episode features guest cohost Derrick Killebrew Jr. and a conversation with Dr. George James who is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has made appearances on many platforms such as The Today Show, NBC, CNBC, Good Day LA, and Good Day Philadelphia.  We end the show with a group discussion with special guests Daniel Trawick, and Dr. James Mable Jr. who share their own challenges as well as possible solutions. 

Episode 8: ”Celebrating and Support Our Young Black Men”

In this episode of The TOMMIE! Talk Show, TW Suggs centers the conversation around the well-being of young black men.  Young black men in America experience unique challenges and need the support of their communities to help navigate them.  One of the biggest challenges they face is safety. 
To help explore these issues and learn more about ways schools and communities can support TW speaks with Jonah, Mujahid, and Noah, three young, black men between the ages of 15 and 18 from Philadelphia, PA.  The conversation also includes a discussion with black men who are mentors for young, black men in the community: Ronny Sizer (Career and Technical Education Teacher for Benjamin Franklin High School and the Community College of Philadelphia), Leroy Miles (Running Leader for Black Men Run and mentor at Students Run Philly Style), and Vernon Ray (Founder of Creative Minds Production and Shoot Cameras Not Guns).  
The discussion culminates with the young men and mentors working together as architects for a solution.  

Episode 7: ”Celebrating HER Power”

For the entire month of May, The TOMMIE! Talk Show is celebrating women.  In Episode 6, we celebrated "Phenomenal Women" and their contributions to society, business, and life.  This episode continues the celebration but focuses on celebrating and encouraging women in leadership.  TW is joined by his guest cohost, Stacy DiStefano who is the founder and CEO of Consulting for Human Services and special guest, Kalilah Wright who is the founder and CEO of Mess in a Bottle.  Together they explore the barriers and challenges women in leadership (and aspiring women leaders) still encounter and also surface stories, ideas, and inspiration to help women navigate these challenges. 

Episode 6: ”Celebrating Phenomenal Women”

Episode 6 of The TOMMIE! Talk Show celebrates and highlights the contributions phenomenal women are making in their communities, families, networks, and places of business.  This episode features interviews with Lisa Little (entrepreneur, cowgirl, and photographer), Dr. Chelsey Green aka The Green Violinist (international recording artist, musician, and professor), and a group discussion with Tina Pelzer (CEO and founder of FAVOR, mentor, and entrepreneur), Dr. Veirdre Jackson (CEO and founder of Live Strong Consulting, author, and talk show host), and Robin Shine-Maddox (CEO and founder of Celebrating Sisterhood and community connector).  
Join TW and his guests as they explore the cost of being phenomenal, the phenomenal women who inspire them, and what they all decided to put into the "Phenomenal Woman's Toolbox".  

Episode 5: ”Behind the Music: A Conversation with International Worship Artists”

Worship artists are gifted individuals who create captivating music and sounds that resonate with worshippers and help facilitate worship experiences.  Usually, we don't have an opportunity to speak with these artists to learn more about the story behind some of their music and lyrics. 
Join TW Suggs as he interviews multi-award-winning international worship artist, actress, and talk show host Tamika Patton and multi-award-winning international worship artist, minister, and lyricist Joe Mettle.  During the conversation, they talk about life, their art, and the story behind their music.     

Episode 4: ”No Child Left Behind: Nonprofits on a Mission to Help Our Youth”

This episode of the TOMMIE! Talk Show features a conversation with Teresa Duncan (Executive Director of the Center for Leadership, Development, and Advocacy) and Aisha Winfield (Executive Director of the Blues Babe Foundation and Camp Jill Scott).  Join TW Suggs (the host) and his guests for a rich and transparent discussion on the challenges many youth face in today's society, the difficulties of running a nonprofit, and what we ALL can do to better support the youth in our communities.  We also discussed disabilities and how to continue to move forward with realizing our aspirations despite challenges and difficulties.   

Episode 3: ”Aliens Living Among Us: A Conversation with Brilliant Creatives”

This episode features engaging conversations about being a creative in today's world.  In many instances, there are more outlets and communities for creative people to engage and get inspired.  Though these communities and outlets exist, it's still easy for a creative to feel like they are outsiders or like they don't belong...ALIENS. 
DonChristian Jones, a rap artist, painter, musician, trailblazer, and co-founder of the nonprofit Public Assistants, and Will Toms, a creative, mentor, thought leader, author of "Uncommon Sense: Your Strategy Guide to Creative Freedom", and co-founder of Rec Philly walk us through their journey of being an alien and finding strength and identity.  They also share some very helpful tips for people who are parenting aliens.  

Episode 2: ”The Worshipper’s Appetite: Are We Still Hungry for God?”

What is an "appetite"?  An appetite can be described as a craving or strong desire for something.  As human beings, we all have them.  Appetites are more than just a craving for food like a Five Guys burger at 11:00pm.  We can have an appetite for anything like power, attention, or sex to name a few.  Usually, whatever we have a strong desire or craving for is what we'll gravitate towards.  We can have appetites for many things, but do we still have an appetite for God?  Join T.W. Suggs and his guests as they explore how culture can influence our hunger for God, the impact social media and technology have on worship, and how to maintain our hunger for God in today's world.  
Guests include: Worship artist and renowned singer Tiff Joy, recording artist and Sunday's Best winner Joshua Rogers, 2x Image Award Winner and singer Bashir Hogue, gospel music veteran, singer, and writer Kayla Johnson, and renowned musician Scot Stevens.  

Episode 1: A Conversation with Black Producers

Men and women of color who are in the entertainment industry face unique challenges whether they are on stage performing or behind the scenes working as producers.  We usually hear about the unique challenges artists encounter, but we seldom explore the challenges producers face.    
Join T.W. Suggs as he dives into the experiences, hardships, and victories of black producers.  
Guests include:
Ta'Rhonda Jones: Ta'Rhonda is an actress, rapper, director, producer, and best known for her recurring role as Porsha Taylor on the FOX television series Empire.  
Ira Warren: Ira is an author, actress, singer, and producer who released a children's book with her husband called, "Bodyguards" and recently started a nonprofit called DivineMindz215. 
Kyle Godwin: Kyle is an Emmy, Peabody, WEBBY, and People's Voice Award winner who is also a creative and producer.