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This episode stars a woman who WOW'd my Daddy starting when I met her in college. Dr. Wanda Joubert is a Clinical Psychologist and the Co-Founder of Ikonic Spirits, known for their Phyllis Wines and Black Eden 1912 brand of Bourbon & Moscato. Hear how the deep relationships we have with other humans shape us, how she helped my Daddy navigate not receiving his proper benefits as a veteran, how she views the demands of entrepreneurship from a psychological lens, how Ikonic Spirits honors history while creating a new legacy, and her message to fellow young entrepreneurs out there. Get ready to be inspired!!!   Learn more about Dr. Wanda Joubert & Ikonic Spirits: IkonicSpirits.biz Instagram @BlackEden1912 Instagram @DrWDJoubert   Get your copy of Let's Dance: An Inspirational Coloring Book For Kids Who Love to Dance at KristineDSmith.com

Episode #62 - Showing up Anyway!   In this special solo episode, I talk resilience and reflect on losing my Mommy, Lillie Mitchell, to COVID 6 years ago. If you've ever lost someone you love, you already know: you don't "get over it." You learn how to keep going with it. Hear why today's episode didn't go as planned, why I chose to just show up anyway, how to keep leading when you're tired, the reality of navigating change with InSpira Performing Arts, and why I still believe in new beginnings - no matter what. Get ready to be inspired!!!   Get your copy of Let's Dance: An Inspirational Coloring Book For Kids Who Love to Dance at KristineDSmith.com   Learn more about InSpira Performing Arts at InspiraArts.com

This episode stars 2 young women my Daddy would be very proud of. Juliett & Gracie Reid-Ventura are the Owners of JuJu & CeCe's Lemonades and Treats, from St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. They're 8 and 7 years old, respectively. Hear what being a founder means to them, what they love most about owning their own business, what to do when things go wrong as an entrepreneur, what they learned from their experience at a startup battle pitch competition, and their advice to other kids with a big idea. Get ready to be inspired!!!   Learn more about JuJu & CeCe's Lemonades and Treats: Facebook JuJu & CeCe's Lemonades Instagram @JuJu_And_CeCes_Lemonades   Get your copy of Let's Dance: An Inspirational Coloring Book For Kids Who Love to Dance at KristineDSmith.com

In this special solo episode, I reflect on my Daddy's life & legacy. We're a little over 6 months past his death. He simply impacted people. People loved him, and they connected with him. Hear the memories from his 99th birthday trip to Aruba, the kindness shown by the team at his favorite Stop & Shop, my memories eating hot dogs & fries with him, our 4-day drive from Oakland to Atlanta for my college experience, and how he taught me to appreciate life. You'll also hear all the exciting things coming up in my world and at InSpira Performing Arts today. Get ready to be inspired!!!   Get your copy of Let's Dance: An Inspirational Coloring Book For Kids Who Love to Dance at KristineDSmith.com   Learn more about InSpira Performing Arts at InspiraArts.com

This episode stars a woman who was very special to my Daddy. Cathy Perez is the General Manager of The Original Pancake House in Metuchen, where my Daddy ate endless flapjacks. Hear how Cathy & team made my Daddy's celebrations so special, how to provide a personalized touch with your customer service, how to treat your guests as family, how to set a bar of excellence when you're always so busy, and how to create loyalty with your customers. Get ready to be inspired!!!   Visit The Original Pancake House in Metuchen: OPHWoodbridge.com   Get your copy of Let's Dance: An Inspirational Coloring Book For Kids Who Love to Dance at KristineDSmith.com

This episode stars a man who truly took care of my Daddy. Kise Anderson is the Founder & CEO of BWS Massage Concierge, who's offered customized massages and other modalities for the past 10+ years. Hear how to start a small business or massage business, how to find your perfect clients, how to build a team of 20+, how to ensure consistency & excellence with every customer touchpoint, and how to navigate challenges as an entrepreneur. Get ready to be inspired!!! Learn more about Kise Anderson & BWS Massage Concierge: BWSMassage.com Instagram @BWSMassage Instagram @Kise_Anderson Al-Shakise Anderson on LinkedIn Get your copy of Let's Dance: An Inspirational Coloring Book For Kids Who Love to Dance at KristineDSmith.com

This episode stars a man my Daddy loved very much. Tonnie Rozier is the Founder & CEO of Tonnie's Minis, the top destination for cupcakes & desserts in the Newark, NJ area. Hear the impact Tonnie's treats have had on so many families, how he started the business in the first place, his advice for new entrepreneurs & small business owners, how to conquer your fears, and how to shape your legacy. Get ready to be inspired!!! Get your copy of Let's Dance: An Inspirational Coloring Book For Kids Who Love to Dance at KristineDSmith.com

My Daddy, Mr. Leroy Mitchell, was a great man. He passed away on August 29, 2025, at the age of 102—and I miss him more than words can express. He was an inspiration to so many, and even now, people smile when they speak his name. At the height of COVID, in August 2020, I had the blessing of sitting down with my Daddy when he was 97 years old to record this conversation. What began as an interview became a gift—one I didn't yet know I would need so deeply. On November 7, 2022, my Daddy suffered a stroke, and I suddenly found myself trying to balance caregiving, running my business InSpira, and continuing the podcast. I was giving everything I had—but I was burning out quickly. Something had to give. In April 2023, I made the difficult but necessary decision to pause the podcast. As I prepared to relaunch the Got InSpiration Podcast, I knew exactly how I wanted to return. I chose to relaunch my 56th episode on my 56th birthday—a full-circle moment of reflection, gratitude, and legacy. It felt only right to begin here—by bringing this episode to life so I can always hear my Daddy's voice. In this episode, he shares powerful reflections on surviving the sinking of the USS Leedstown Navy warship on November 9, 1942, the importance of education, and his lifelong commitment to exercise, discipline, and purpose. His wisdom spans generations. This episode is also a reminder—and an encouragement—to document your loved ones. Capture their voices. Their stories. Their laughter. I wish I had done even more of this with my Daddy, but I am deeply grateful for what I have. Daddy, I love you. I miss you. And I'm honored to share you with the world.

This episode is a celebration of the unconditional love parents have for their children. Mrs. Dajuana Rowe-Mayers and her son Mr. Malcolm Mayers join the podcast to share their ongoing journey of healing. They share their journey through Malcolm's traumatic brain injury and how it has transformed Dajuana and her husband's perspective on parenting and the meaning of opportunity. Malcolm shares how he stays motivated through his healing journey, and we discuss the importance of being intentional when seeking help for your loved ones. Get ready to be inspired!!!

I'm excited to share a special episode for Alopecia Awareness Month with 3 wonderful guests: Dr. Sheron Jefferson, Dr. Dakira Starks Watkins, and Mrs. Nasha Shandri. They're all amazing women, Alopecia warriors, and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Hear their journeys with Alopecia, how they learned to thrive with it, learning the world of wigs vs. rocking bald in public, how they turned struggles into triumphs and started opening up about their stories. Get ready to be inspired!!!

Ms. Tsia Moses will take you on a journey of her life.  First, we have known each other since we were 12 years old and attended The Hamlin School in San Francisco, CA.  She then gives an in-depth view of her life beginnings of wanting to be a professional dancer, then going to Howard University, changing her major to English and then on to an amazing career - from working with Dave Chapelle and Kevin Hart just to name a few.  She gives so many examples of why networking is so beneficial.  She then speaks about her biggest gift her son and choices she has to make as a single mother and why she's so excited to be at PBS.  Get your listening ears ready because I guarantee you will be INSPIRED!

Ms. Nadiyah Spencer is truly an amazing woman.   She's a wife, mom and consultant.  Both of us have roots in the Atlanta University Center as she is an Alumna and I am an Alumna of Clark Atlanta University.  I am also excited to say that she and I are both members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.   She's a new initiate...Spr. '23 She's the Founder of TinkPoo which is a Diaper Brand Company.  I had heard about this company prior to knowing her and wanted to learn more about it.  God would have it that Nadiyah and I would be connected for life.  In this episode, you will learn about the wonderful career experiences, how she started her consulting company and how TinkyPoo came to be.  Get ready to be inspired!!!

Miss Raina Ford is an 18-year-old, from the metro Chicago area.   She is an amazing student and an athlete and can now add an entrepreneur to her resume.  In this episode, she speaks about her life and growing up with a sibling that has ADHD.  Her reality influenced her to start her own company called Project, I See U and write a children's book called I See U.  Children and Parents, please visit her website www.projectiseeu.com to get more information and purchase the book.  She is truly an inspiration.

Mr. Jimmy Locust is a Dance Studio Owner, Choreographer, Master Teacher, and my friend.  I have known Jimmy since the early 90's back in my Atlanta Days and working at then Total Dance Theatre.  In this episode, he speaks about how he became a dancer, getting into the professional world, opening his own dance studio and of course dancing with Ms. Janet Jackson and so many other great opportunities.  He's such an amazing person with a beyond giving heart.  If you are a dancer, interested in opening your own dance studio, interested in entrepreneurship in general, or just love hearing inspirational stories that will jumpstart your day you will be truly inspired by Jimmy's story.

I met Ms. De'Neia Mabry Whitted while she was a student at Clark Atlanta University and I was leading an aerobic program there.  She is an amazing Wife, Mother, Sorority Sister, and Entrepreneur.  She is the Owner of Events By Day.  I was blessed to work with her personally three years ago this November 2019 at the launch of my children's coloring book and then again in January 2020 for the Grand Opening of InSpira's second location in Newark.  In this episode, De'Neia speaks about her beginnings and how she has grown her business to where it is today.  She is passionate and very intentional about what she does when she works with her clients.  Follow her on Instagram and Facebook at @eventsbyday.  Get Ready to Be Inspired!!!