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Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Funmi talks about what she's been up to during the month of March. She talks about a recent networking event and other life events. Life has been full, but what's next? Shout out to a recently launched podcast by a previous guest, Kemi (Season 4, Ep 2)-  Living in Purpose Pod  Another noteworthy mention, the new season of The World Without People is out, join Ayomide and guests The World Without People Connect with Funmi on Instagram @upswingwoman

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, Funmi sits down with Kemi to explore her bold entrepreneurial journey from studying public health to building multiple purpose-driven businesses. Kemi shares how faith, family influence, and community shaped her path, along with the realities of starting young, being taken seriously, and learning through experience. From launching a beauty business and salon suite to creating her faith-based journal brand Living in Purpose, Kemi offers honest insights on patience, professionalism, and building a solid foundation as an entrepreneur.  Connect with Kemi on instagram @living.inpurpose Connect with Funmi on Instagram @upswingwoman

Send us Fan Mail Happy New Year, and welcome to Season 4 of Hey, We Should Connect On this episode, Funmi talks about freeing herself from the endless pursuit of clarity. What's next? She has quite figured it out. Instead, she's doing the next right thing and trusting that the lines will fall around in the right places. Funmi also gives a recap of 2025 and why she deeply resonates with the Maya Angelou quote, "the main thing in one's private world is to laugh as much as you cr.y" Connect with Funmi on Instagram @upswingwoman

Send us Fan Mail In part 2 of this conversation, Funmi and Pastor Bimbola ("PB") take listener questions about making sacrifices and practical ways to remain balanced. 00:00 – 9:45| Did You Sacrifice Your Ambition Pastor Bimbola answers a listener question about sacrificing personal ambition. She also talks about making adjustments when her husband went into full-time ministry.​ 9:45 - 13:30 | Will Ministry Restrict How I Show Up In Other Spaces PB discusses her upbringing, early influences, and how she felt called to ministry.​ 13:30 – 21:04 | Growing in Ministry and Finding Her Identity PB talks about the motivation to create a ministry for Pastor's Wives and fill a need that she also experienced in her early stages of ministry.​  21:04 – 28:15 | Staying Balanced She shares about staying organized, learning to receive help, and knowing that there are seasons where you need to stretch. 28:15 – 30:00 | A Place of Surrender PB speaks to women who might be struggling with a decision to go into ministry Connect with @LeadingLadiesGlobalNetwork @AgapeHouseNJ Connect with Funmi on Instagram @upswingwoman

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful and down-to-earth conversation, Funmi has a conversation with Pastor Bimbola Lawore ("PB")  who gets real about life in ministry, motherhood, leadership, and everything in between.  PB shares how she balances it all—from co-pastoring and raising a family to leading women’s empowerment movements and working in the public sector. You’ll hear honest insights about creating boundaries and intentionally pursuing growth because it is also fundamental to Christian teaching If you’re a woman called to lead and live on purpose—this episode is for YOU.  About PB Bimbola Lawore, lovingly known as Pastor B, is a woman of wisdom, grace, and purpose. As co-pastor of Agape House of Worship Family of Churches (AHOWFC) with her husband, Pastor Jide Lawore, she has spent nearly two decades empowering women through the Women of Purpose Ministry. Her mission is to help women discover and live out their God-given purpose while also championing strong marriages, families, and emotional wholeness. Beyond the church, Pastor B leads initiatives like the Pastors’ Wives Network, Leading Ladies Global Network, and the Flourish Conference—creating spaces for women in leadership to grow and thrive. She also serves on the board of Touch Link Inc., supporting domestic violence victims. A devoted wife, mother of three, and Tax Compliance Manager in the public sector, Pastor B exemplifies strength, service, and balance in every area of life. 00:00 – 02:15 | Introduction Funmi introduces the episode and shares her excitement about speaking with Pastor Bimbola Lawore.​ 02:16 – 10:45 | Early Life and Calling Pastor Bimbola discusses her upbringing, early influences, and how she felt called to ministry.​ 10:46 – 20:31 | Balancing Ministry and Family She shares insights on managing responsibilities as a co-pastor, wife, and mother, emphasizing the importance of balance.​ Discussion on her work with Leading Ladies Network.​ 20:31 – 23:43 | Pursuing Growth She offers advice to women aspiring to take on leadership roles in ministry and the marketplace.​ 23:43 – 32:15 | Everything Has Worked Out For Good Discussion on how she became an accountant and how her career choices have turned out to be a blessing for her family and in fulfilling her purpose in ministry. 32:15 – 35:52 | Making Sacrifices Pastor Bimbola talks about going into ministry and what it entails. She also takes a listener questions about personal sacrifices she has made Connect with @LeadingLadiesGlobalNetwork @AgapeHouseNJ Connect with Funmi on Instagram @upswingwoman Connect with Funmi on Instagram @upswingwoman

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Funmi and special guest, Dr. Fara delve into the unique mental health challenges women professionals face. Funmi shares her personal experience including the crazy work situation that landed her in the emergency room. Dr Fara shares insights on managing stress and provides examples of lifestyle modifications that can be made when things feel out of control. Dr. Fara also discusses the support she provides through her private practice. Key Takeaways: "I wanted to do more, and this was the more" Dr Fara's career journey into the mental health space (3:00)Is this a physical illness or a mental health or behavioral issue? (6:34)Funmi's personal experience with panic attacks (13:05)Anxiety- the warning signs and progression(15:30)Therapy and other low-invasive coping methods (21:00)Mental health perception and the impact of race, gender, and culture (25:45)Slow progress of mental health advocacy in the workplace (30:15)Mental health resources including support for career management(36:10)Trauma-informed therapy and other mental health resources (37:45)Dr. Faramade (Fara) Eruanga is the medical director of Imperative Healthcare Services, bringing over 15 years of mental health expertise to her compassionate practice. Her qualifications include: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with honors from the University of Massachusetts GlobalDual board certifications in psychiatric-mental health and family nursingMaster’s in nursing from Maryville UniversityTrained in a variety of settings including oncology, orthopedics, pain managementAfter witnessing first-hand the barriers many face accessing affordable mental healthcare, Dr. Eruanga made it her mission to leverage her diverse medical background to fill these gaps. To contact her private practice, [email protected]; +1 (301) 357-4794 Connect with Dr Fara on IG @imperative_healthcare Connect with Funmi on Instagram @upswingwoman

Send us Fan Mail Funmi is back from hiatus and ready to dive into the craziness that was 2024. On this episode, she explains how she navigated the challenges of stress, career changes, and personal growth in 2024.  The episode explores the impact of layoffs, mental health, and unexpected life events. Shout out to @nekpenwerks for her incredible coaching work Connect with Funmi on Instagram @upswingwoman

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Hey, We Should Connect, Elise Antoine shares insights from her new book, "Many Shades of a Confident Leader."  Funmi connects with Elise on going beyond the title to put in the transformational work it takes to show up as a more confident leader. Elise I. Antoine, a distinguished Haitian American executive leadership coach, brings nearly two decades of dedicated experience to the forefront. With a Master's in Social Work from Fordham University and a Bachelor's from Kean University, she has honed her skills in coaching, mentoring, and effective communication.  As the CEO and Founder of Rip The Stigma, Inc., Ms. Antoine leverages her coaching expertise to empower individuals and challenge societal stigmas surrounding mental health. Additionally, as the CEO of "Legacy In The Making, LLC," she focuses on executive leadership coaching, guiding professionals to leave a lasting legacy. Connect with Funmi on Instagram @upswingwoman

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Funmi talks about navigating transition seasons and seeking clarity about pending decisions. She shares insights gained from personal failures and how we measure the rightness of a decision based on the perceived success even though the best decisions often involve walking through difficulty. Funmi touches on the gift of discomfort and how the constant yearning for clarity can stop us from moving forward. The book and messages that inspired this episode are included below The Next Right Thing- Amazon Moving Forward with God- Part 1 Moving Forward with God- Part 2 Connect with Funmi on Instagram @upswingwoman

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Hey We Should Connect, Funmi reflects on Women's History Month-  the victories and the uphill battle for women in corporate spaces. Episode Notes Why Women Don’t Apply for Jobs Unless They’re 100% Qualified Women in the Workplace 2023 Lily Allen Says Having Kids ‘Ruined My Career’ Connect with Funmi on Instagram @upswingwoman

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Funmi concludes her conversation with Dr. Funke Olayinka. Dr. Funke has more advice about cultivating symbiotical networks without impeding your growth. She also shares her thoughts on changing generational mindset. Funmi and Dr. Funke reiterate the importance of knowing your self-worth and finding your purpose. Episode Guide Lessons learned and sacrifices- 9:30Finding fulfillment- 15:30Boundaries- 19:30Trading the supermom cape for different hats- 25:00Girl can't fight- 26:25 Connect with Funmi on Instagram @upswingwoman

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to part 2 of the conversation with Dr. Funke- It's another podcast and you'll find out why. On today’s episode, Funmi and Dr. Funke discuss how to navigate different friend groups and how to be intentional about building your networks. Dr. Funke offers very practical advice for fostering different friend groups and being strategic about where you spend your time. As she puts it bluntly, you can't cash out in relationships that you have not invested in. is it really lonely at the top? The final part of the conversation will be available on Monday, February 12th Episode Guide Where is your value proposition? - 12:00Authenticity in friendships- 14:10Is it lonely at the top?- 15:35Mixing Business with Friendships- 19:40Connect with Funmi on Instagram @upswingwoman

Send us Fan Mail In Part 1 of the conversation with  Dr Funke Olayinka, she shares candidly about aligning with your purpose and seeking clarity while navigating different seasons. She also shares about failures, delays, and her path to entrepreneurship.  Funmi and Dr. Olayinka talk about faith, misconceptions about strong-willed women, and the importance of taking time to truly figure out who you are.   Episode Guide On failures, delays, and the path to entrepreneuship- 10:31Taking time to figure out who you are: 19:20Leaning In vs. Self Awareness- 28:10Getting comfortable with who you are: 35:35About the Guest Funke Olayinka, MD is the Owner of Nothing Bundt Cake in Wayne, NJ and Founder and Chief Executive  Officer of GHIT Consulting INC., an Information Technology Consulting Firm primarily servicing the  Healthcare IT Industry.    Dr Olayinka has an extensive background including her current role on the Board of Directors for the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey supporting the chamber's mission to economically empower and sustain African American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activities within the state of New Jersey.  She is also an Advisory and Advancement Council Member at the William Paterson Cotsakos College of Business serving to help advance William Paterson’s mission and strengthen the University’s competitive position among public institutions of higher education in New Jersey and beyond.  She serves in various capacities and above-all, Dr. Olayinka is a wife and mom. Her family serves as daily motivation to work hard and strive to be the best version of herself. Connect with Funmi on Instagram @upswingwoman

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, guest Ananeika Pankey-Gordon talks about how her experience with being displaced led to her creating  Family Rebuild of New Jersey, a non-profit organization. Ananeika shares practical ways for people to become impactful in their communities and how her network of women has been instrumental to her success. Ananeika is a Behavior Therapist who works to meet the needs of clients diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other behavioral and social/communication challenges to live their best lives.  In addition to Family Rebuild, she owns two businesses- Especially 4U Event Planning, LLC, a full-service specialty event production company; and Oracle Behavioral Solutions, LLC, which provides support services for students with behavioral challenges in educational settings.  Ananeika is a member of the National Council of Negro Women, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Roselle Democratic Club, the Roselle Zoning Board, the Urban Woman’s Coalition, Dr. Charles C. Polk Parent Teacher Organization and The Successful Speaking Toastmasters Club of Rutgers, Newark. In August 2022, she became a certified Speaker, Coach and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team. For more information visit https://www.familyrebuild.org/ Connect with Funmi on Instagram @upswingwoman

Send us Fan Mail On this final episode of 2023, Funmi reflects on the episodes for the year and the ones that resonated with most listeners. She also shares what worked for her in 2023. Have a Happy New Year. Connect with Funmi on Instagram @upswingwoman