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What happens when women spend so much of their lives showing up for everyone else that they forget they deserve to be a priority, too?   In this powerful episode of The Flip Side of Adversity, Dr. Veirdre Jackson welcomes Robin Shine Maddox, Founder of She Shines Sisterhood and visionary behind the 7th Annual She Shines Conference, for a timely conversation about why SHE STILL MATTERS!   Against the backdrop of the 2026 midterm elections, they explore the importance of women’s voices, health advocacy, community engagement, faith, and the collective power of sisterhood.   From breast cancer and menopause to emotional wellness, healthcare access, leadership, and legacy, this conversation challenges women to move beyond simply surviving and serving others toward intentionally prioritizing their own well-being.   The conversation continues Saturday, November 7, at the She Shines Conference in Philadelphia, where The Flip Side of Adversity will join the celebration LIVE on stage.   Because empowering women is more than celebrating what they accomplish. It’s making sure they have the support, resources, opportunities, and voice to thrive.   Her story matters. Her health matters. Her voice matters. SHE STILL MATTERS!

We’ve raised awareness. Now it’s time for action.   In this powerful episode of The Flip Side of Adversity, Dr. Veirdre Jackson sits down with breast surgeon, physician-scientist, C-suite executive, and Founder of Still Rise Farms, Dr. Monique “Dr. Mo” Gary, to challenge how we think about breast health, leadership, prevention, and whole-person wellness.   Dr. Mo takes us beyond the pink ribbon to explore the 4 M’s—Meals, Movement, Mindset, and Medicine—and why caring for our health must become part of how we live, lead, and build legacy.   And for the high-performing leaders who keep pushing through, postponing appointments, ignoring their bodies, and caring for everyone except themselves, this conversation carries an important reminder: your health deserves the same intentionality you give your leadership.   This isn’t simply a conversation about surviving breast cancer. It’s about taking action, creating agency, pursuing wellness, and choosing to STILL RISE.

Optimism isn’t pretending that difficult things aren’t happening. It’s deciding that difficulty doesn’t get the final word.   In this episode of The Flip Side of Adversity, Dr. Veirdre Jackson sits down with Kimberly S. Reed, Founder and Chief Transformation Officer of Reed Development Group, bestselling author of Optimists Always Win!, Culture Transformation Executive, and Stage IV breast cancer survivor.   Kimberly shares how facing one of life’s greatest adversities deepened her commitment to optimism, purpose, service, and human-centered leadership—and how those principles now shape her work with executives and organizations.   This is a conversation about moving beyond simply surviving change to asking: How can we use adversity to transform the way we lead?

We talk often about the mentors, coaches, and professional networks women need to succeed—but what about the friendships that help us stay whole along the way?   In this personal episode of The Flip Side of Adversity, Dr. Veirdre Jackson sits down with her friend Aida Gonzalez, a Wealth Management Advisor with more than 25 years of experience, to explore the often-overlooked connection between friendship, resilience, leadership, joy, and wellbeing.   From their unexpected first meeting to the importance of having relationships where strong women can put down the titles and simply be themselves, this conversation celebrates the women who listen, laugh, tell us the truth, sit with us through hard seasons, and remind us that we don’t have to navigate life alone.   Who holds you when you’re tired of holding everything else?

What do you build when life breaks the version of your future you thought was certain?   After navigating divorce, career loss, and grief in 2024, Roshanna Campbell went searching for a community that understood what it meant to rebuild. When she couldn’t find it, she created Bloom Where You Break—beginning with a small circle of women and growing into a community centered on healing, connection, and new possibilities.   In this episode of The Flip Side of Adversity, Dr. Veirdre Jackson and Roshanna go beyond the story of resilience to explore serial entrepreneurship, building a mission-driven community, the insurance business, financial protection, purpose and profit, capacity, identity, and creating something new after life doesn’t go according to plan.   This conversation is for the woman, leader, or entrepreneur navigating a breaking point and wondering what comes next.   Your breaking may be part of your story. It doesn’t have to be your ending.

In this episode of The Flip Side of Adversity, Dr. Veirdre Jackson sits down with former corporate finance leader turned integrative health coach M’Jae Brown for The Missing Conversation: Perimenopause, Leadership, and the Story Black Women Aren’t Being Told.   Together, they explore midlife transition, wellness, identity, rest, high performance, and what it means to listen to your body without abandoning your ambition. It’s an honest conversation for women ready to stop simply pushing through—and begin leading this next season with greater awareness, intention, and care.

In this episode of The Flip Side of Adversity – Leadership Edition, Dr. Veirdre Jackson sits down with David Schultheis, President & CEO of The Pathway School, for a thoughtful conversation on Authentic Leadership.   Drawing from more than 40 years in human services and education, David shares how servant leadership, authentic learning experiences, and a deep commitment to people have shaped his leadership philosophy. Together, they explore what it means to build environments where individuals feel seen, valued, supported, and empowered to grow.   This episode is for leaders who want to move beyond managing performance and start developing people.

Caroline Campana-Reynolds joins us to discuss the journey from living by default to living by design. In this inspiring episode, she shares lessons on leadership, healing, boundaries, self-worth, and personal transformation that can help anyone create a more purposeful and fulfilling life.

In this meaningful episode of The Flip Side of Adversity – Leadership Edition, Dr. Veirdre Jackson sits down with educator, scholar, and transformational leader Dr. Cherie L. Crosby-Weeks for a timely conversation titled:   “Maintaining My Joy Meter Despite the Noise”   With more than 30 years of experience spanning early childhood education through higher education, Dr. Crosby-Weeks shares how she has sustained her passion for teaching, mentoring, scholarship, and leadership despite the challenges of navigating educational systems as a Black woman.   Together, we explore the realities of leadership exhaustion, emotional depletion, purpose-driven work, and the intentional practices required to protect joy in environments filled with pressure and noise.   Dr. Crosby-Weeks also reflects on her journey as a scholar and writer, the importance of giving back to the educational community, and why joy must be treated as a critical leadership resource—not an afterthought.   This episode is for educators, leaders, changemakers, and anyone seeking to lead with purpose without losing themselves in the process. Because your joy matters too

In this powerful episode of The Flip Side of Adversity – Leadership Edition, Dr. Veirdre Jackson sits down with nationally recognized speaker, bestselling author, corporate leader, and resilience advocate Erika Rothenberger for a transformational conversation titled:   ✨ “The Audacity to Be YOU” ✨   After surviving a brutal assault in 2022, Erika made a courageous decision: she would not allow trauma, fear, or adversity to define her future. Instead, she chose expansion, purpose, and audacious leadership.   Today, Erika is a sought-after keynote speaker, founder of the Audacious Women’s Summit, host of the Grit, Grace & Glitz Podcast, and author of Audacious Expansion. Her work challenges leaders to stop carrying the weights that drain them and start choosing the challenges that strengthen and expand them.   In this episode, we explore resilience, identity, leadership exhaustion, reinvention, and what it truly means to lead boldly in uncertain times.   This conversation is for leaders, entrepreneurs, visionaries, and anyone ready to stop surviving and start becoming.   Because your predicament does not determine your destiny—but your choices do.

In this inspiring episode of The Flip Side of Adversity – Leadership Edition, Dr. Veirdre Jackson sits down with entrepreneur, designer, and visionary leader Lia Valencia Key for a powerful conversation titled:   “Your Predicament Does Not Determine Your Destiny”   From homelessness, hunger, and personal loss to building a luxury jewelry brand featured on Good Morning America, The Mel Robbins Show, and Oprah’s Favorite Things, Lia Valencia Key shares how she transformed adversity into purpose and created a global brand rooted in joy, light, love, gratitude, and peace.   More than a jewelry story, this episode is a masterclass in resilient leadership, creativity, and believing beyond your current circumstances. Lia opens up about the lessons her mother instilled in her, the symbolism behind the VALENCIA KEY brand, and how choosing joy became a strategy for survival and success.   This conversation is for leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, nonprofit visionaries, and anyone navigating uncertainty while trying to build something meaningful.   Because your current situation is not your final destination.

In this inspiring episode of The Flip Side of Adversity – Leadership Edition, Dr. Veirdre Jackson sits down with nationally recognized nonprofit leader Marissa Christie, President & CEO of United Way of Bucks County, for a timely conversation titled:   “The Flip Side of Leadership: Courage Before Confidence”   When Marissa stepped into the CEO role in 2016, the organization was facing financial instability, rapid leadership turnover, and declining community relevance. At the same time, she was preparing to give birth to her second child and raising a toddler at home. Instead of waiting until she felt fully ready, she chose courage—and committed to becoming the leader the moment required.   Today, under her leadership, United Way of Bucks County has grown revenue by more than 160%, expanded services to thousands of families, and launched an innovative community hub model designed to increase access, dignity, and impact.   This episode explores what it means to lead through uncertainty, challenge outdated systems, and make bold decisions before confidence arrives.   For leaders navigating pressure, change, and self-doubt—this conversation is your reminder that confidence often follows courage.

In this powerful episode of The Flip Side of Adversity – 2026 Leadership Edition, Dr. Veirdre Jackson sits down with Deputy Secretary Shante’ A. Brown, a trailblazing leader and the first African American to serve in this role for Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning.   With over a decade of experience—from PreK teacher to Director of PHLpreK to statewide leadership—Shante’ has dedicated her career to strengthening systems for children, families, and communities. But this conversation goes beyond credentials.   Shante’ opens up about the personal and professional journey that shaped her leadership—including a life-altering moment that forced her to pause, reflect, and redefine what strength truly looks like. Together, we explore the hidden cost of “pushing through,” the reality of leadership burnout, and why sustainable leadership requires support, alignment, and self-awareness.   This episode is for leaders who are tired of surviving and ready to thrive.   Because real leadership isn’t about carrying it all—it’s about learning how not to carry it alone.

Most organizations have 20% of the people do 80% of the effective work. I lead a church and that rule held true for us as it does with most churches. As a frustrated pastor, a creative, and a critical thinker I began to ask the questions why more people don’t get involved and serve. Two major reasons… we don’t offer enough options with time and different types of opportunities. We created a week of serving opportunities where people could pick their passion and the time that fit their schedule and we regularly now see 80% now involved.

In this episode, we sit down with State Representative Morgan Cephas, Chair of the Philadelphia Delegation, to discuss her journey into public service and how she is working hard for Philadelphia in Harrisburg. From advancing maternal health equity through landmark legislation to tackling affordability and expanding workforce opportunities, Rep. Cephas shares how she’s working every day to improve the lives of families across Pennsylvania.