In this episode, we sit down with Patty Durand, founder of Georgians for Affordable Energy and longtime advocate for consumer rights and clean energy. Patty has spent her career at the intersection of policy, advocacy, and accountability — from leading the Georgia Sierra Club, to a decade as Executive Director of the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative, to launching her own campaign for the Public Service Commission.

Patty opens up about:

• Why Georgians are paying some of the highest power bills in the Southeast

• The role of the Public Service Commission in setting rates — and why accountability matters

• How corruption and utility overreach harm everyday families

• The future of clean energy in Georgia and how affordability and sustainability can go hand-in-hand

  If you care about your power bill, clean energy, or holding leaders accountable, this is a must-listen conversation.

  
  

In this episode, we sit down with Atlanta-born Author and Advocate, Astrid Serika Ross, affectionately known as Sister Sayeedah. A mother, grandmother, suicide loss survivor, and fierce voice for mental health and education, Sister Sayeedah shares her journey of transforming personal tragedy into powerful advocacy.

As Executive Director of the Mental Health Support Network and a 20-year leader at the City of Knowledge Islamic School, she has dedicated her life to breaking the stigma around mental health, especially in communities of color. Certified through NAMI, a leader of the Gwinnett Comm-UNITY Mental Health Task Force, and a newly published author of children’s books on emotional wellness, her impact spans classrooms, communities, and policy circles.

In this conversation, she opens up about:

• Her journey as a suicide loss survivor and how she found purpose through pain

• The importance of early mental health education for children

• Her new children’s books that empower kids to embrace emotions

• Why representation and advocacy in politics and education matter more than ever

• Her vision for mental health equity across Georgia schools and beyond

This is a powerful episode for parents, educators, advocates, and anyone committed to transforming mental health in our communities.

In this soul-stirring episode, we sit down with Pastor Moses Brown—visionary leader and founder of Feed Our Children. For over four decades, Pastor Brown has championed the underserved, delivering food, supplies, and hope to thousands of children and families in need.

He shares:

• The personal faith journey that led him to launch a global movement

• How Feed Our Children grew from a local outreach to an international force

• Stories that fuel his mission to restore dignity and opportunity

• Insights on leadership, partnership, and sustainable change

• His call to action for us all to do more for our neighbors

📍 Learn more: www.FeedOurChildren.org
📲 Follow us: IG @Karen.And.Cat, YouTube @conversationswithkarenandcat, TikTok @KarenAndCat
🎧 Subscribe & share to inspire others!

In this episode, we sit down with Sharoya Ham — a mother of three, devoted wife, and the founder of Embrace Behavior Change. As a behavior change specialist and parent coach, Sharoya is passionate about helping families, educators, and workplaces shift their focus from constant problem-solving to creating meaningful, joy-filled connections.

Through her Parent Coaching, Teacher Coaching, and Workplace Coaching services, Sharoya equips people with the tools to reduce stress, strengthen relationships, and reclaim the precious moments that matter most.

Join us as we explore:

• Sharoya’s personal journey and what inspired her to start Embrace Behavior Change

• Practical strategies parents can use to bring more peace into their homes

• How teachers can manage classroom behavior while fostering stronger student relationships

• The surprising ways behavior change principles transform workplace culture and leadership

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or professional, this conversation will inspire you to embrace change not just as a challenge, but as an opportunity to build healthier, more joyful connections.

You can find "Help, My Child Won't Go to School" on Amazon https://a.co/d/bU0uHIq and Barnes and Noble

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/help-my-child-wont-go-to-school-katie-fowle/1145720686?ean=9798990129719

We’re joined by Michelle Kang: first-generation Korean American, mom of three, community advocate, and candidate for Georgia State House District 99.

Michelle shares her inspiring journey—from organizing service projects as a teen in South Korea to supporting immigrant families and small businesses in Gwinnett County. Now, she’s running for office to fight for housing, education, public safety, and equity for all.

💬 Tune in for a powerful conversation on leadership, service, and building a Georgia where every voice counts.

#MichelleKang #District99 #GeorgiaPolitics #CommunityLeadership #ConversationsWithKarenAndCat

On this episode, we are joined by Flossie Ross, the Lead Community Outreach Advocate with Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV).

Flossie shares personal insights from her work on the front lines of domestic violence prevention.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

The early warning signs of domestic violence

How education and outreach save lives

Ways you can support survivors and spread awareness

🕊️ Upcoming PADV Events Mentioned:

🌟 Legacy of Hope Dinner

📅 Saturday, September 20, 2025 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM (EDT)

📍 The Metropolitan Club – 5895 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30005

🕯️ Candlelight Vigil Honoring Lives Lost to Domestic Violence in Georgia

📅 Wednesday, October 8, 2025

📍 Atlanta, GA

➡️ Register at PADV.org

📞 Need Help?

PADV 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (404) 873-1766

💻 Visit www.padv.org for more resources, support services, and event registration.

Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps spread the message and reach those who need it most.

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Rashad Patterson—Southwest Atlanta native, Georgia State University graduate, and celebrated children’s book author—to explore how storytelling can empower the next generation. With a background in sociology and a deep commitment to representation, Rashad weaves community, identity, and hope into every page he writes.

We dive into his latest book, Santiago, Waylon, and Legend, a heartwarming tale that’s winning the hearts of kids, parents, and educators alike. Rashad shares his mission to help children see themselves as heroes, his thoughts on diversity in children’s literature, and the lessons he hopes young readers carry with them long after the last page.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or just passionate about the transformative power of stories, this episode is a celebration of resilience, imagination, and the importance of being seen.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with humanitarian, advocate, and community transformer LaQuana “LA Pink” Alexander—First Lady of Street Groomers and CEO of The Community Boutique. From her personal journey through homelessness to becoming a force of change in Atlanta and beyond, LA Pink shares how her passion for service turned into a global mission.

Through The Community Boutique, a nonprofit she founded, LA Pink provides critical support such as clothing, mental health services, mentorship, housing assistance, and food to thousands of families. Recognized by both the City of South Fulton and the City of Atlanta, she continues to lead collaborative efforts with organizations like Fountain of Hope and Street Groomers, impacting over 25,000 families each month and serving over 100,000 meals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tune in as we explore how one woman’s vision, fueled by love and resilience, is revitalizing urban communities and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

🔗 Connect with LA Pink:

at info@thecommunityboutique.com or visit www.thecommunityboutique.com.

Contributions can also be made via CashApp: $communityboutique.

Email: tcbwithlapink@gmail.com