At just 30 years old, Chantel Roberts was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer after recognizing that something in her body wasn’t right. Her experience became a powerful lesson in knowing your body, asking questions, and advocating for yourself—regardless of your age.

In this inspiring episode of Conversations with Karen and Kat, Chantel and her mother, Michelle Roberts, share their family’s journey through breast cancer, loss, treatment, faith, healing, and purpose.

Chantel opens up about chemotherapy, radiation, a double mastectomy, and the emotional realities of treatment. She also shares how family and friends supported her throughout her journey and why practical support can mean so much to someone undergoing cancer treatment.

Michelle discusses how their family’s experiences with cancer helped inspire Survivor Legacy Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing support, resources, education, advocacy, and hope to individuals and families affected by cancer. The organization also works to raise awareness and help bridge gaps in cancer care and education.

The conversation explores early detection, barriers to cancer screenings, dense breast tissue, mental health, family support, and the importance of seeking additional medical evaluation when something does not feel right.

The Roberts family is also taking its message of awareness into the community through the Survivor Legacy Breast & Lung Cancer Walk/Run, bringing survivors, caregivers, families, and supporters together to raise awareness and stand with those affected by cancer.

Learn more about Survivor Legacy, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, resources, and ways to support its mission at SurvivorLegacyInc.com.

✨ Survivor Legacy Breast & Lung Cancer Walk/Run 2026 ✨

• 📅 Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026

• 📍 Location: Alexander Park, Lawrenceville, GA

• Register as an individual or team — or show your support by making a donation today at www.survivorlegacyinc.com!

At 18 years old, Jamison Charles made a decision that changed the course of his life. One night led to eight felony convictions, a 50-year sentence, and ultimately 27 years behind bars.

But prison did not end his story.

In this powerful episode of Conversations with Karen and Kat, Jamison shares how faith transformed his life, how he discovered his gift for writing while incarcerated, and how he returned home determined to change the narrative.

Today, Jamison is an author, playwright, minister, husband, and founder of the Before, During & After Foundation. His book and stage play Saved-ish explore redemption, second chances, and whether we can embrace who someone has become instead of holding them hostage to who they once were.

Jamison also shares a powerful message for young people: You get to choose your actions, but you don’t get to choose the consequences.

This conversation is about accountability, faith, perseverance, redemption, and discovering purpose after life’s darkest chapters.

Donate to the Before, During and After Foundation at

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/the-before-during-and-after-foundation

Contact Jamison Charles, Founder at https://thebdafoundation.com/

Subscribe to Conversations with Karen and Kat as we impact the world one conversation at a time.

After losing her youngest son, Marquavies “Quay” Broughton, to nitazene poisoning, Frederica Roberson transformed her grief into a mission to save lives.

In this powerful episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat, Frederica shares Quay’s story and the mission behind the Marquavies Bernard Broughton Foundation. She discusses the growing dangers of nitazenes, fentanyl, and other synthetic opioids; the signs of an opioid overdose; and why access to naloxone (Narcan) and overdose prevention education can save lives.

This important conversation explores substance use, addiction, recovery, youth drug prevention, and the challenges families face when seeking help.

Through advocacy, education, and prevention, Frederica is keeping Quay’s legacy alive while helping families and communities better understand the overdose crisis.

Contact The Marquavies Bernard Broughton Foundation at

Email: info@mbbfoundation.org

Website: https://mbbfoundation.org/

In this episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat, we welcome back John Harris, also known as Baruti Muenda Meriamen, founder of Mastering Your Moments, LLC. Drawing from experiences in leadership, youth development, martial arts, mediation, and community service, he explains why conflict resolution requires us to understand not only what we choose, but why we choose it.

We discuss helping children navigate conflict, emotional intelligence, workplace conflict, accountability, boundaries, and making intentional choices. Baruti also shares his Mastering Your Moments book series and vision for the Mastering Your Moments Institute.

Books

Mastering the ABCs of Conflict Resolution

Empowering Today's Youth, Parents, and Community Leaders

Mastering the ABCs of Conflict Resolution

A Guide for Adults in Work, Life, and Relationships

Beyond Outcomes

The Hidden Meanings Behind the Choices That Define Us

Contact information: Website: MomentsToMaster.com

In recognition of August as National Minority Donor Awareness Month, former NFL player and kidney transplant recipient Bobby Howard joins Conversations with Karen and Kat for an important conversation about kidney health, organ donation, and second chances.

Bobby is the Director of Multicultural Donation Education Program, LifeLink® of Georgia. He shares how kidney disease changed his life and inspired more than three decades of advocacy with LifeLink® of Georgia. Bobby also discusses the disproportionate impact of kidney disease on Black communities, the critical need for organ donors from minority communities, and the myths and mistrust surrounding donation.

Bobby also encourages listeners to know their family health history, get regular checkups, and monitor kidney function through creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen) testing.

This episode is a powerful reminder to know your numbers, protect your health, consider becoming an organ donor, and give someone else the gift of life.

What happens when retirement plans are replaced by school drop-offs, homework, and parenting all over again?

In this episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat, we welcome Dimeca and Burdette Hawkins, founders of Poppa & Gigi's Promise. They share their journey of unexpectedly becoming full-time caregivers for their grandchildren and how that experience inspired them to create a nonprofit dedicated to supporting grandparents and other relative caregivers.

Resources from the episode

Poppa & Gigi's Promise

Supporting grandparents and caregivers raising children through resources, community, advocacy, and events.

Step Forward Community Walk

📅 October 3

🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Learn more, register, and donate at:

PoppaAndGigisPromise.org

Connect With Us

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need this conversation.

Together, we can ensure that no grandfamily walks this journey alone.

Can healing truly change your life?

This week on Conversations with Karen and Kat, we welcome Eboni Caldwell, founder of Productive & Prosper-Us Empowerment, LLC. After surviving homelessness, domestic violence, divorce, and financial hardship, Eboni transformed her pain into purpose and now helps women heal emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

In this powerful conversation, she discusses healing trauma, inner-child work, setting healthy boundaries, journaling, faith, forgiveness, and discovering purpose after life's greatest challenges.

If you're ready to embrace healing and move forward with hope, this episode is one you won't want to miss.

Topics Covered

• Healing trauma
• Women's empowerment
• Inner-child healing
• Faith and purpose
• Mental wellness
• Healthy relationships
• Self-love
• Personal growth
• Journaling
• Breaking generational cycles

Subscribe for more inspiring conversations with changemakers, community leaders, and visionaries who are making a difference.

What if the behaviors we label as resistance, defiance, or laziness are actually signs of an untold story?

In this powerful episode of Conversations with Karen and Kat, we welcome Dr. Erlange Elisme, behavioral health consultant, trauma-informed leadership strategist, author, and founder of Elisme Consulting Services.

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in behavioral health, education, and leadership, Dr. Elisme explores how trauma shapes our relationships, workplaces, and communities. She explains why many high-functioning people silently carry emotional burdens, how leaders can create psychologically safe environments, and why healing is a collective responsibility—not an individual one.

The conversation also highlights the wisdom of the Haitian tradition of kombit, reminding us that we were never meant to carry life's challenges alone. Dr. Elisme shares practical insights on building resilient teams, supporting young people, addressing mental health stigma in communities of color, and recognizing the humanity behind every behavior.

• Why behavior is often communication rather than defiance.
• How trauma affects leadership, workplaces, and families.
• Why high achievers are often the last to seek support.
• The importance of psychological safety and compassionate leadership.
• How community and connection are essential to healing.
• Practical ways to support mental wellness in everyday life.

This timely conversation, released during National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, is an invitation to rethink resilience, extend grace, and create communities where people feel seen, heard, and supported.

Email: elisme@elismeconsultingservices.com

Phone Number: 6785956446

Website: https://www.elismeconsultingservices.com

Signup for Dr. Elisme's July 16th webinar, The Body Whispers: Catch Burnout Before Resignation https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1991030125703?aff=oddtdtcreator

Subscribe to Conversations with Karen and Kat as we continue impacting the world—one conversation at a time.