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"I Am Refocused Radio" is more than just a podcast—it's a movement of purpose-driven storytelling that inspires, uplifts, and empowers. Hosted by Shemaiah A. Reed, a calm and thoughtful creative with a background in media, music, and the arts, the show dives deep into conversations that resonate.

From a humble start in a San Antonio barbershop, Shemaiah’s journey has grown into a global platform featuring over 1,000 interviews with a diverse array of guests—celebrities, CEOs, community leaders, and everyday people with extraordinary stories. Each episode offers a blend of faith, personal growth, perseverance, and hope, fostering a space where listeners can find clarity and rediscover their purpose.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration, innovative ideas, or a moment of peace in a busy world, "I Am Refocused Radio" invites you to refocus your mind and embrace a life aligned with meaning and authenticity. Tune in to join this global community and hear the stories that connect us all.

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Jeremy Keith of The Voice

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

About the Show

It's a whole new game. "The Voice: Battle of Champions" introduces an amped-up competition with returning stars Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend. These champion coaches come back to their chairs once again to discover incredible talent in a season full of thrilling twists, fan-favorite guests and spectacular performances. Let the showdown begin! 

About Jeremy

Jeremy Keith has spent more than 20 years making a living through music. A seasoned R&B and soul vocalist, he began touring straight out of high school with Grammy winner Stephanie Mills before joining the legendary group After 7 as a full member. Jeremy has performed around the world and worked with the Harlem Gospel Choir and the Soulful Symphony through the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. A self-described miracle baby, Jeremy overcame early health challenges and has built a career rooted in resilience and gratitude. Now based in Los Angeles, he splits his time between performing, vocal coaching and nurturing his growing collection of houseplants. After years of singing behind icons and sacrificing time with family to chase his dream, Jeremy is ready to step into the spotlight on "The Voice" and finally share his story.

https://www.nbc.com/the-voice

Syd Millevoi of The Voice

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

About the Show

It's a whole new game. "The Voice: Battle of Champions" introduces an amped-up competition with returning stars Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend. These champion coaches come back to their chairs once again to discover incredible talent in a season full of thrilling twists, fan-favorite guests and spectacular performances. Let the showdown begin! 

About Syd Millevoi

Raised in a lively Italian household with her mom, uncle, grandparents and brothers, Syd Millevoi never had a quiet moment. Her mother, a former opera singer, became her first vocal coach, helping Syd channel that chaos into art. By 11, she was writing songs, and by her teens was performing anywhere that had a mic. After studying music business and releasing her debut EP, "Everything I Couldn't Say," Syd found her voice as both a singer and songwriter. When she's not teaching or working toward her master's degree in vocal performance, she's fronting a wedding band that performs across the East Coast and New York. Inspired by her mother's legacy and her own determination, she hopes "The Voice" will be the stage that turns years of hard work into a Jbreakthrough moment. 

https://www.nbc.com/the-voice

How Speech Therapy Restores Hope, Confidence, and Connection

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Join us on I Am Refocused Radio as we welcome Ebony Turner-Bailey, M.S. CCC-SLP, licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, Founder, and Executive Director of Prime Speech Solutions. 

With a Master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, Ebony brings years of specialized experience helping children with autism, developmental delays, articulation disorders, and complex medical conditions find their voice. She has provided life-changing speech and language services both in the U.S. and abroad in Ghana and Haiti, empowering families to communicate more effectively and strengthen their relationships. 

Ebony also supports adults through professional communication coaching, accent modification, presentation skills, and specialized programs like LSVT LOUD for Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions. Her person-centered, evidence-based approach is rooted in one powerful mission: to restore hope, boost confidence, and improve quality of life through the gift of communication. 
In this heartfelt conversation, Ebony shares inspiring stories from her practice, practical advice for parents and professionals, and why effective communication is essential for a productive and fulfilling life.


Tune in for an uplifting episode full of hope, practical insights, and powerful reminders that every voice deserves to be heard.

https://www.primespeechsolutions.com/

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Navigating Midlife Transitions with Clarity and Alignment

Monday, March 30, 2026

Randy E. Bishop is an author and speaker who helps people move through those quiet but powerful seasons when the life you’ve built no longer fits. He shares his simple RE Method™ — a grounded framework for honest reflection, reframing your story, and stepping forward with greater clarity and alignment.

https://a.co/d/08iULJUM

 

Grief, Identity, and Faith on the Open Road

Monday, March 30, 2026

Indie author Lee Ann Walling joins us to discuss her debut novel The Salt and Light Express. We follow Chris, an older LGBTQ woman, on a healing RV road trip through Utah’s red rocks and the Texas Hill Country as she grapples with grief, guilt, loneliness, and alienation.

https://www.leeannwalling.com/

Storytelling, Screen Adaptations, and Thriving as a Creative in the Age of AI

Monday, March 30, 2026

Bestselling author Aaron Ryan has written and published 41 books, with multiple titles adapted for the screen — one currently being pitched to major streaming networks. He just released a YA dystopian dark fantasy series and a nonfiction book on fatherhood. A professional voiceover artist who narrates his own audiobooks, Aaron talks openly about the impact of AI on creatives, how he’s adapting, self-publishing strategies, creative marketing, and what keeps him passionate about storytelling after decades in the game.

https://authoraaronryan.com/

Reclaiming Your Life After Putting Everyone Else First

Monday, March 30, 2026

Best-selling author and speaker Debbie Weiss opens up about breaking free from a long-held victim mentality after years of caregiving, infertility, weight struggles, and widowhood. At 50, she made a powerful shift that led to her memoir On Second Thought… Maybe I Can! (featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show) and her practical guide The Sprinkle Effect. We talk about responsibility, resilience, small intentional changes, and how to start again in midlife — even when life is still messy.

https://www.debbierweiss.com/

Homeschool Under Fire: Ray Moore on the Rising Battle Over Education Freedom

Monday, March 23, 2026

Across the country, a new wave of legislation is putting homeschooling in the spotlight—and not in a good way.

In this powerful conversation, Shemaiah sits down with Ray Moore, founder of The Exodus Mandate Project, to break down the growing push for tighter homeschool regulations in multiple states. From Connecticut to Hawaii, families are pushing back—and the stakes are higher than ever.

Ray shares what these proposed bills really mean, why they’re gaining traction now, and how homeschool communities are responding. The conversation also dives into the deeper roots of public education, the role of faith in learning, and the ongoing debate around who should ultimately shape a child’s education.

This is about freedom, responsibility, and the future of the next generation.

If you care about education, parental rights, or the direction of culture, this is one conversation you don’t want to miss.

https://raymoorelive.com/about/

https://exodusmandate.org/about/mission

 

When News Breaks: Carol Lin on 9/11, War Zones, and Finding Herself Beyond the Headlines

Sunday, March 22, 2026

CNN anchor Carol Lin is at the height of her career after becoming the first network journalist to break the news of the 9/11 attacks. 

A month later, she finds herself in the crosshairs of a Taliban sniper along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, a stark reminder of the sacrifices she made to succeed in a white-centric, male-dominated journalism career. For Lin, breaking news and the defining split second when lives change is a drug—and a love that her traditional Chinese mother warned would never love her back. But when devastating news breaks apart her own life, Lin is forced to question a career that demands everything, a marriage marked by infidelity and cancer, and the sacrifices required to become the mother her daughter needs her to be.

Told with fierce wit and candor, When News Breaks is the story of a woman who has been places and seen things but still has to discover who she really is behind the headlines.

Carol Lin is best known for being the first national anchor to report the first 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. Carol was a long-time anchor and correspondent for CNN and ABC News. During her career, she covered the war in the Middle East, the aftermath of the Kosovo War, the 2002 Winter Olympics, and every imaginable natural disaster from hurricanes, tornadoes, historic wildfires, and floods. Carol Lin received an Emmy, a Peabody, the Alfred I. Dupont Award, and Greater Los Angeles Press Club Awards for Excellence in both Investigative Reporting and her coverage of the Los Angeles Riots. She lives in Hawai’i and can be found writing, paddleboarding, and teaching her Cavapoo tricks.

https://www.carollinnow.com/

 

Leading Through the Heat: Fire Captain Mark Andrew on Real Leadership Under Pressure

Sunday, March 22, 2026

When the alarm sounds, there’s no time for theory—only truth. Fire Captain Mark Andrew joins I Am Refocused Radio to break down what leadership really looks like when lives are on the line. Drawing from decades in the fire service, Mark shares hard-earned lessons that separate leaders people trust from those they don’t.

This conversation goes beyond corporate buzzwords and into the raw reality of leading in high-stakes environments. From building trust under pressure to understanding why presence beats micromanagement, Mark reveals how real leadership is forged in moments most people never see.

When the alarm sounds and lives hang in the balance, there's no time for micromanagement, ego, or empty commands. In the firehouse, leadership isn't a theory-it's survival. Fire Captain Mark Andrew has spent his career learning what separates good leaders from poor ones, often through hard-earned lessons while fighting fires.

In LEADING THROUGH THE HEAT, he distills decades of experience into a practical guide that proves the principles forged in emergency response apply to any workplace:

- Why presence matters more than micromanaging

- How to build trust when stakes are high

- The difference between commanding and inspiring

- What it means to truly care about your team

- How to transform from worker to leader

This isn't another corporate playbook filled with buzzwords and case studies. It's an honest, sometimes raw account of leadership failures and successes witnessed in one of the most demanding professions on earth. Captain Andrew doesn't just tell you what good leadership looks like. He shows you through real stories of officers who earned loyalty in the fire service's crucible and those who lost it.

Get the book: https://a.co/d/047Yu9UK

 

‘Spacewoman’: Discipline, Leadership, and the Career of Eileen Collins

Thursday, March 19, 2026

ABOUT SPACEWOMAN

SPACEWOMAN, a doc about Eileen Collins, the first woman to pilot and command a spacecraft, and directed by Hannah Berryman lands in theaters beginning March 20th and will be in select theaters nationwide.

Eileen's journey, from her working-class beginnings in Elmira, NY, to breaking glass ceilings at NASA, commanding four space shuttle missions, and navigating the pressures on her family is awe inspiring. The doc includes archival materials and interviews that highlight both the monumental dangers of spaceflight and the incredible achievements of the shuttle program, including her leadership on STS-114, the first mission after the Columbia tragedy.

Based on Eileen's book Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars, the film premiered at DOC NYC and is directed by Hannah Berryman and produced by award-winning teams Keith Haviland (Haviland Digital) and Natasha Dack Ojumu (Tigerlily Productions).

It is an intimate and authentic account of an astronaut's life and Hannah Berryman's offers a nail-biting film showcasing the emotional drama Eileen's family experienced, and a philosophical question about what level of risk is acceptable in human endeavor.

Here's the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnhqHdxNsgk 

ABOUT EILEEN COLLINS

Eileen M. Collins is a former astronaut and a retired U.S. Air Force colonel. She retired from the Air Force in Jan 2005 and from NASA in May 2006 after a 28-year distinguished career. A former military instructor and test pilot, Collins was the first female pilot and first female commander of a space shuttle. 

Collins graduated from the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California, in 1990. She was selected by NASA and became an astronaut in July 1991. After tours at Kennedy Space Center (shuttle launch and landing) and Johnson Space Center (shuttle engineer and capsule communicator), she flew the space shuttle as pilot in 1995 aboard Discovery. She was also the pilot for Atlantis in 1997, where her crew docked with the Russian Space Station MIR. Collins became the first woman commander of a U.S. spacecraft with shuttle mission Columbia in 1999, the deployment of the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. Her final space flight was as commander of Discovery in 2005, the "Return to Flight Mission" after the tragic loss of Columbia. She has logged more than 6,751 hours in 30 different types of aircraft and more than 872 hours in space as a veteran of four space flights.

Collins currently serves on several boards and advisory panels, is a professional speaker and an aerospace consultant. She is married with two children.

Collins is also a member of the Air Force Association, Order of Daedalians, Women Military Aviators, Women in Aviation International, U.S. Space Foundation, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the Ninety-Nines.

Zolal Habibi - Iran at a Turning Point: Why the Iranian People Must Decide Their Future

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Iran may be entering one of the most pivotal moments in its modern history. As tensions rise and voices for change grow louder, a powerful message is emerging from inside and outside the country: the future of Iran must be determined by the Iranian people themselves, not by the ruling regime and not by foreign powers.

In this timely conversation, we explore what this moment means for Iran and for the world. Our guest helps unpack the deeper realities often overlooked in global discussions about Iran, including the growing call for a secular, democratic republic and the critical role ordinary citizens are playing in shaping the country’s future.

We also examine the powerful leadership of women at the forefront of protests and resistance movements, the misunderstandings many in the international community have about the Iranian people’s aspirations, and why the demand for sovereignty and democratic reform has become more urgent than ever.

Looking ahead, we discuss what developments the world should be watching in the coming months and what the international community needs to understand about the Iranian people’s determination to define their own path forward.

At its core, this conversation is about a simple but profound principle: a nation’s future belongs to its people.

https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/

📌 Connect with I Am Refocused Radio:
📺 YouTube: @RefocusedNetwork
📸 Instagram: @iamrefocusedradio
📘 Facebook: @iamrefocusedradio
🌐 Website: https://www.iamrefocusedradio.com

#RefocusedNetwork #Leadership #Entrepreneurship

War Without Humanity: Conflict in the post-Human Era | Dr. Daniel M. Gerstein

Sunday, March 1, 2026

“Everyone who might believe you can substitute robots for soldiers on the battlefield needs to read this book.” — General Wesley K. Clark, U.S. Army (Ret.), Former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe

In this gripping episode of I Am Refocused Radio, we sit down with national security expert Dr. Daniel M. Gerstein to explore his powerful new book, War Without Humanity: Conflict in the Post-Human Era.

The story opens in February 2039 on the tense Latvia–Russia border, where a U.S. Army platoon relies on humanoid robotic forces to hold the line—until the machines suddenly disobey orders and launch a cross-border attack. Connected through a brain–computer interface, the platoon leader watches in real time, unable to stop what could ignite World War III.

From that chilling moment, the conversation expands into a real-world exploration of the technologies already reshaping modern warfare.

We dive into the rise of augmented soldiers, artificial intelligence with human-level decision making, biotechnology that creates enhanced warfighters, and the Internet of Things turning the battlefield into a living network. As humans become nodes in a digital combat ecosystem, the line between man and machine begins to disappear.

But the deeper questions go beyond strategy and innovation:

When autonomous systems act on their own, who is accountable?

If enhanced humans begin to see themselves as a new species, what happens to loyalty and command?

Can humanity maintain its moral and spiritual identity in a post-human military age?

Dr. Gerstein walks us through the evolution of a transhuman future force—from concept and testing to the road to war—revealing how today’s research is shaping tomorrow’s reality.

This episode is not just about the future of combat.
It’s about leadership, responsibility, identity, and whether human values can survive in an era where evolution is no longer natural—but engineered.

Get the book: https://a.co/d/0eVNlBqS

https://www.casematepublishers.com/9781636246581/war-without-humanity/

BIO Soldier, Statesman, Scholar, Technologist, National Security Author and Novelist ... Dr. Gerstein has extensive experience in the security and defense sectors in a variety of positions while serving as a Senior Executive Service (SES) government civilian, in uniform, in think tanks, in industry and in academia. He previously served in the Department of Homeland Security from August 2011 to December 2014 as Under Secretary (Acting) and Deputy Under Secretary in the Science and Technology Directorate. He has been an Adjunct Professor at American University in Washington, D.C. since 2009 and at George Mason University since 2020. He is national security author with eight nonfiction books out on a range of national security topics including technology and national security, countering biological warfare, bioterrorism, arms control, and the commitment of forces. War Without Humanity is his first novel.

📌 Connect with I Am Refocused Radio:
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🌐 Website: https://www.iamrefocusedradio.com

#RefocusedNetwork #Leadership #Entrepreneurship

Hans Charles & Menelek Lumumba: hosts & co-creators of podcast The A Building

Saturday, February 28, 2026

ABOUT THE A BUILDING

iHeartPodcasts and Imagine Entertainment Launch "The A Building" - A Riveting New Documentary Podcast About the Student Uprising That Reshaped Historically Black Colleges and Universities New Series Recounts How a Group of Morehouse College Students in 1969, Including a Young Samuel L. Jackson, Organized a Protest That Took Multiple Hostages, Among Them Martin Luther King Sr. iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, and Brian Grazer and Ron Howard's Imagine Entertainment today announced the launch of "The A Building," a powerful new documentary podcast that revisits one of the most extraordinary and rarely told moments in American civil rights and higher-education history-an event that changed the future of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and helped define the modern era of student protest. This is the seventh title to be released from Imagine Entertainment and iHeartMedia's slate of original iHeartPodcasts. The series tells the story of the 1969 student uprising at Morehouse College, where a group of students barricaded themselves inside the administration building-known on Historically Black Colleges and Universities campuses as "The A Building." Set against the backdrop of late-1960s America, "The A Building" explores a volatile period when student activism surged nationwide amid movements for civil rights, women's rights, labor justice, and opposition to the Vietnam War. At Morehouse, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. intensified tensions between the administration and a student body demanding an education that reflected Black history, identity and lived experience-and ultimately led students to hold members of the Board of Trustees hostage for two days demanding reforms to curriculum and improvements to student life. One of the hostages was Martin Luther King Sr., president of the Board of Trustees. One of the student organizers was Samuel L. Jackson-years before he would become one of the most celebrated figures in Hollywood. Samuel L. Jackson and his friends devised a plan to hijack a Board of Trustees meeting to create change. A heist with a purpose. Blending immersive reenactments with firsthand testimony, archival research and expert analysis, the series unfolds with the tension of a true-crime heist-one driven by moral urgency. "The A Building" examines the risks students took, the consequences they faced, and the lasting impact of their actions on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and student activism nationwide. Co-created and produced by Menelek Lumumba and Hans Charles, the podcast traces the aftermath of the protest, including the expulsion of the students involved, the escalation of political pressure, and the pivotal moment that ultimately led Samuel L. Jackson back to Morehouse-where a change in academic focus quietly set him on the path toward acting. "This project has been years in the making, but it feels more relevant than ever," said Menelek Lumumba, co-creator and producer. "I'm grateful we have the opportunity to tell this story about young people who took action, and how their one act of protest continues to reverberate through all those involved over 50 years later." "It's an incredible, unbelievable story when you first hear it," said Hans Charles, co-creator and producer. "That it happened on a campus like Morehouse College, in a city like Atlanta, at such a volatile time, speaks to the importance of telling and exploring what is quintessential American History." "What makes the story of 'The A Building' so compelling is how clearly it reveals the purpose and power of protest," said Nathan Kloke, Executive Producer for Imagine Entertainment. "When Hans and Menelek first brought us this pivotal chapter of American history, it unfolded like a heist film-fast-paced, surprising, and utterly gripping. We're excited to bring audiences along for the ride." "This is premium documentary storytelling that connects history to the present," said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. "'The A Building' revisits a moment that feels both historic and urgently relevant, revealing how student voices helped shape lasting institutional change." "The A Building" is part of a growing slate of documentary podcasts from iHeartPodcasts and Imagine Entertainment, including"Hello Isaac," "Unf**cking the Future," "Big Sugar," "The Tao of Muhammad Ali," "Obscurum, and "The Secret World of Roald Dahl," which explore iconic figures, cultural flashpoints, and untold stories through deep reporting and cinematic storytelling. Nathan Kloke and Kara Welker are Executive Producers for Imagine Entertainment in partnership with oddarts media. Katrina Norvell is the Executive Producer for iHeartPodcasts. "The A Building" is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available weekly on Fridays on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

Episodes available here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/imagine-audio-the-a-building/id1692268936 

HOST BIOS Hans Charles is an Emmy award-nominated cinematographer and writer/producer, best known for Netflix's 13TH, and Showtime's  WU-TANG CLAN: OF MICS AND MEN. Hans has shot award-winning films that have screened at Tribeca, Sundance, NYFF, and Outfest, among many others. His projects include Netflix's GRASS IS GREENER, CONTACT HIGH, a short film that gives a visual history of hip hop, 1 ANGRY BLACK MAN, a collegiate drama feature Hans both lensed and produced, Lifetime's DEATH SAVED MY LIFE, and Showtime's hit docu series WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT COSBY, which premiered at Sundance 2022 and was nominated for four Emmy Awards. Hans was the cinematographer on The CW's hit series ALL AMERICAN: HOMECOMING and worked on a documentary film with Vespucci Group and Showtime called THE HONEY TRAP, directed by Chris Moukarbel which released in December 2024. He's currently shooting two documentary projects and is developing his next feature film with his creative partner, Menelek Lumumba. Hans is a partner at Align Pictures.

Menelek Lumumba is a writer and director who wrote and directed his debut feature film, 1 ANGRY BLACK MAN. The film premiered at the Blackstar Film Festival and screened at dozens of festivals across the country and abroad, winning Best Feature Film at two festivals. It was released by Freestyle Digital Media in June 2020. With his creative partner Hans, Menelek co-created THE A BUILDING, a podcast about the hostage situation at Morehouse College in 1969, produced with Imagine Entertainment and iHeart. Menelek is currently in development on his next feature film.

Leading Texas Forward: Melva Rivera Perez's Fight for Families

Friday, February 27, 2026

Tune in to I Am Refocused Radio with host Shemaiah Reed for an energizing conversation with LTC Melva Rivera Perez (Ret.), Republican candidate for Texas House District 119. As a proven leader bringing Army discipline to Austin, Melva breaks down her campaign's core mission: safer streets, stronger communities, economic opportunity, and protecting Texas values for every family. Hear why she's running now, her strategies for accountability and prosperity, and how her military background equips her to tackle real issues in HD 119. With the Republican primary on Tuesday, March 3rd fast approaching, this episode motivates listeners to get involved, vote, and refocus on building a brighter future for San Antonio and Texas.

melvafortexas.com

 

From Battlefield to Purpose: LTC Melva Rivera Perez (Ret.) on Turning Service into Strength

Friday, February 27, 2026

Join host Shemaiah Reed on I Am Refocused Radio as we sit down with retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Melva Rivera Perez for an inspiring dive into her personal journey. With 28 years of military service leading troops through challenges and triumphs, Melva shares pivotal moments that shaped her commitment to integrity, family, and community. Discover how she refocused her life after retirement—advocating for veterans, mentoring youth, and building stronger neighborhoods in San Antonio. This episode explores themes of resilience, faith-driven purpose, and transforming pain into powerful leadership, offering listeners actionable insights on finding their own path to refocus and thrive.

melvafortexas.com

 

Michael Jai White, star of the new thriller Oscar Shaw, now available On Digital & On Demand

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

MICHAEL JAI WHITE BIO

A highly trained martial artist and actor, Michael Jai White has broken barriers as a Hollywood star and international box office sensation. With his dynamic personality, agile abilities and a physique of a bodybuilder, Michael has earned respect for his versatile talents both on and off screen.

Born November 10th in Brooklyn, New York, it was after watching the movie Five Fingers of Death, Michael's interest in the martial arts began. At the tender age seven, Michael started taking weekly Japanese Jujitsu classes to stay focused while growing up on the tough streets of Brooklyn. By age eight, Michael's family relocated to Bridgeport, Connecticut where he studied the Shotokan and Kyokushin forms of karate and earned his first black belt by age 13. Upton graduating from Bridgeport's Central High School, Michael went on to further his education, first attending Southern Connecticut and then UConn. While winning multiple championships as a national martial arts competitor, Michael became a Special Education teacher at Wilbur Cross Elementary School in Bridgeport.

Bitten by the acting bug in college, while teaching, Michael began auditioning for commercials and acting gigs on weekends and summer breaks. Michael landed the lead role of Tom Robinson in the first Off-Broadway adaptation of To Kill A Mockingbird, starring opposite Tony Award Winner George Grizzard. Shortly after, Michael began landing jobs in commercials and guest starring roles on television shows and films; he eventually left teaching and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career full-time.

Before long, Michael would go on to guest star on such hit television shows as Saved by the Bell, Martin, NYPT Bue, and CSI. Proving his acting ability, Michael would soon be cast for the lead role of legendary boxer Mike Tyson in the HBO biopic Tyson which solidified his legitimacy as a dramatic actor in Hollywood.

Michael was then cast to play the title character in the movie Spawn which came with the distinction of being the first black superhero in a major motion picture. As white cemented his Hollywood status as a bonafide action star, more diverse roles emerged that allowed him to showcase his physical prowess as well as display his on-screen charisma and comedic ability in such films as Exit Wounds, Undisputed 2, Silver Hawk, Blood & Bone, Black Dynamite and Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married and Why Did I Get Married Too playing opposite Tasha Smith. The two would ignite such on-screen chemistry, they would go on to start together in the long running OWN Network series, For Better or Worse.

Having proven himself as an actor, White would make his directorial debut with the action film Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown, in which he also starred. Based on the cult film Black Dynamite which White created and starred, he would go on to write and produce the hit animated television series bearing the same name. He would also win over audiences in a string of films, including Chain of Command, Chocolate City, Skin Trade, and Falcon Rising. He also guest stars in the recurring role of Ben Turner / Bronze Tiger on The CW hit series Arrow. He is currently directing and starring in Sony Pictures third install, Never Back Down 3: No Surrender, and will also reprise his role as Princeton in the upcoming Chocolate City 2.

As a martial artist, in 2013 Michael achieved his 8th black belt from mentor and legendary undefeated kick-boxing champion, Bill "Superfood" Wallace and was honored by Black Belt Magazine as their 2014 Man of the Year. Continuing the legacy of such greats as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme, Michael is now the #1 martial arts action star in in America.

Michael Jai White resides in Los Angeles with his wife, actress Gillian White and their three daughters

ABOUT OSCAR SHAW, AVAILABLE NOW ON DIGITAL AND ON DEMAND

After retiring from the police force, a relentless detective haunted by the tragic loss of his closest friend sets out on a perilous quest for vengeance, seeking redemption and fighting to restore justice to the streets he once swore to protect.

Here's the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMlCJQ2SefU  

Onboarding, Accountability, and Culture by Design | Kelly Price, Founder of Thrive HR

Monday, February 23, 2026

In this episode of I Am Refocused Radio, Shemaiah Reed sits down with Kelly Price, Founder of Thrive HR, for a real-world conversation about what HR looks like when it’s done right, not just “paperwork and payroll.”

Kelly shares her journey from Marriott International to becoming a VP of HR, and what she learned early that still drives her leadership today: people don’t want excuses, they want solutions, and they want to feel heard.

This episode gets into the stuff most employees never see, like the pressure executives carry, the stress behind toxic work environments, and why HR must align with revenue, growth goals, and the real mission of the company. Kelly also breaks down why onboarding is a game-changer, how trust collapses inside a toxic culture, and the warning signs that your people strategy is drifting away from your business goals.

🔗 Learn more about Kelly Price and Thrive HR: thrivehrkc.com

The Courage to Tell the Full Story: Writing Fox Creek & Building Schools in Africa

Monday, February 23, 2026

Award-winning author, humanitarian, and Orphans Africa founder M.E. Torrey joins I Am Refocused Radio to share the powerful journey behind her novel Fox Creek—a deeply researched and emotionally transformative work that brings to light the lived experiences of enslaved people in America and the untold intersections of history.

What began as a completely different book idea turned into a 30-year calling after visiting plantations in Louisiana and confronting the disconnect between the glorified narratives of the past and the truth that powered them. Through years of primary-source research, M.E. Torrey wrestled with history, identity, faith, and the question of joy—discovering how storytelling can become a tool for healing, unity, and honest cultural reflection.

Beyond literature, her mission continues globally through Orphans Africa, a nonprofit that has built multiple schools in Tanzania and empowered children through education, sustainability, and opportunity—creating generational impact.

Learn more about M.E. Torrey: metorrey.com

The Making of a Leader: From Self-Belief to High-Impact Influence

Monday, February 23, 2026

In this episode of I Am Refocused Radio, Shemaiah Reed sits down with Amy Weber, a seasoned sales leader, entrepreneur, and founder of Vetta Insights. From blue-collar beginnings as the youngest of five, to leading high-performing teams across global tech and healthcare, Amy’s story is a masterclass in vision, discipline, and building your life with intention.

Amy breaks down how early leadership influence, relentless learning, and the right mentors shaped her confidence and career trajectory. She shares the pivotal advice that changed everything: law and sales are the same game, you’re either selling a product or selling a story and why believing in the “story” matters more than chasing titles.

This conversation goes deeper than resumes. Amy explains why most companies struggle because they put the wrong people in the wrong roles, how psychometric assessments reveal how you’re actually wired (not just how you see yourself), and why real growth comes from aligning your gifts with the right environment.

You’ll also hear a grounded take on modern success culture: the obsession with numbers, followers, and validation, versus the real value of relationships, authenticity, and being the kind of leader people want to work with across decades.

vettainsights.com

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  • The Hugh Hewitt Show
    8:00PM - 10:00PM
     
    Hugh Hewitt is one of the nation’s leading bloggers and a genuine media   >>
     
  • Todd Starnes Show
    10:00PM - 12:00AM
     
    The Todd Starnes Show showcases Todd’s unique down-home humor with interviews   >>
     
  • The Voice of Reason
    12:00AM - 1:00AM
     
    The Voice of Reason is a nationally syndicated conservative talk show that   >>
     
  • Overnight Drive
    1:00AM - 4:00AM
    Overnight Drive
    844-844-3388
     
    Steve Sommers is LIVE! every weeknight with his call-in talk show — a   >>
     
  • First Thing Today
    4:00AM - 5:00AM
    First Thing Today
    434-882-4217
     
    Joe Thomas is more than just a radio host; he’s a seasoned broadcaster with an   >>
     

See the Full Program Guide