In this illuminating episode of Culture Raises Us, Grace Harry explores the practice of “micro honesty”—small truths that prevent big breakdowns in love, friendships, and community. While we often tell half-truths to avoid conflict or spare feelings, Grace shows how those lies corrode trust over time.

Through candid stories and practical tools, she explains how pausing to ask “what’s true?” can shift our interactions and keep relationships on track. Micro honesty isn’t about being harsh—it’s about choosing truth as the foundation for intimacy, even in the smallest exchanges.

This conversation is a reminder that love can’t survive on half-truths. Courageous honesty, even in micro doses, is what creates real connection.

#CultureRaisesUs #GraceHarry #MicroHonesty #TruthOverComfort #AuthenticRelationships #EmotionalIntelligence #BuildWithTruth #HealthyLove

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For too long, we’ve been told that money and spirituality live in two separate worlds—one about survival, the other about higher purpose. In this enlightening episode of Culture Raises Us, Simone Griffin Taylor bridges that divide, showing us how aligning finances with spiritual values creates wholeness, not conflict.

She shares her own journey of blending spiritual awakening with financial growth, revealing how money can act as energy that amplifies purpose when used with integrity. From saying yes to opportunities like international travel to practicing daily financial discernment, Simone offers a blueprint for seeing money as both tool and teacher.

This episode is about courage—the courage to rewrite inherited money stories, embrace abundance without guilt, and view wealth as an ally in walking out your purpose.

Book your free consultation with Simone using the link below now!
https://www.affluencereimagined.com/work-with-me

#CultureRaisesUs #SimoneGriffinTaylor #SpiritualityAndMoney #FinancialAlignment #MoneyAsEnergy #FaithAndFinances #PurposeDrivenWealth #AbundanceMindset #SpiritualGrowth

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In a culture overflowing with noise—social media opinions, cultural pressures, even the good demands of family and work—how do we make space to hear God’s whisper? In this reflective episode of Culture Raises Us, Marquita Moore of How I Grew Today shares wisdom on relearning stillness, discerning God’s leading, and protecting spiritual sensitivity in a world that thrives on distraction.

Marquita speaks candidly about the seasons when she couldn’t hear clearly, the daily practices that help her realign (fasting, prayer, deeper study), and why God’s guidance often comes with peace even when it stretches us—unlike the striving of ambition and pressure. She uses vivid analogies—from naming your brain to the ache after a chiropractor visit—to remind us that alignment takes discipline, but the reward is clarity and freedom.

This episode is an invitation to tune out the noise, set boundaries, and lean into the whisper that knows the way forward. Because God doesn’t always show up in the loud and obvious—often, He’s found in the quiet.

#CultureRaisesUs #MarquitaMoore #HearingGodsVoice #FaithAndStillness #SpiritualDiscipline #FindingClarity #GodInTheWhisper #WalkByFaith #QuietStrength #SmallVoiceBigImpact

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Codie Elaine Oliver is a master builder of culture, community, and visibility. As the co-creator of the Black Lovedocuseries and founder of BlackLove.com, Codie has dedicated her life to amplifying stories that show the full spectrum of Black love, family, healing, and entrepreneurship.

In this soul-stirring episode of Culture Raises Us, host Astor Chambers sits down with Codie to unpack the movement behind the media. From navigating ownership in Hollywood to balancing motherhood, wellness, and entrepreneurship, Codie shares how storytelling became her calling—and why she refuses to water anything down for comfort.

This is a conversation about love as a cultural cornerstone, mentorship as responsibility, and authenticity as a non-negotiable. Whether she’s leading retreats, producing podcasts like The Mama’s Den, or helping shape safe spaces for Black families to be seen and celebrated, Codie is living proof that storytelling is not just art—it’s a public service.

You’ll learn:

• How Black Love became a platform and not just a series
• Why ownership matters more than virality
• How motherhood shaped her as a leader
• Why transparency and vulnerability are at the root of impact
• The power of Black women creating space for each other
• How to nurture culture while protecting your own peace

Codie leaves us with three timeless seeds for future stewards of culture: take up space, mentor those behind you, and lead with love.

This episode is a masterclass on creating from a place of purpose and leading from the heart.

Chapter Markers:
00:00 – Culture, Wisdom & the Power of Story
01:22 – Creating Space for Black Love Stories
03:10 – From Howard to Hollywood: Owning the Vision
05:05 – Leaving Journalism to Pursue Joy
07:12 – Discovering the Power of Black Romcoms
09:00 – From the Obamas to the Black Marriage Myth
11:18 – The Birth of Black Love Series
13:31 – Navigating Insecurity and Delays in Creation
15:05 – Meeting Tommy & Creating the Docuseries
17:12 – The Importance of Black Ownership
19:48 – Why Black Love Took Two Years to Build
22:10 – Choosing a Licensing Deal with OWN
24:19 – Monetizing the Platform: Merch, FAST Channels, and Spin-offs
26:44 – Expanding the Brand: BlackLove.com & The Mama’s Den
28:16 – Creating Safe Spaces for Motherhood
30:17 – Transparency Over Clickbait: Choosing Depth
32:21 – Staying Grounded in a Microwave Culture
34:12 – Mental Health, Empathy & Holding Space
36:55 – Allyship, DEI Backlash & Standing Up for Each Other
39:27 – Faith, Humanity & the Politics of Love
42:02 – Codie’s 3 Seeds: Take Up Space, Mentor, Lead With Love

🏷️ YouTube Keywords (500 character max):
Codie Elaine Oliver, Black Love series, BlackLove.com, The Mama’s Den, Astor Chambers, Black storytelling, Black ownership in media, motherhood and leadership, women in film and TV, Black female creators, DEI in Hollywood, culture podcast, creating safe spaces, leading with love, authenticity in media, inspirational Black women, black romcoms, faith and humanity, black marriage myths, transparency in storytelling, mentorship, entrepreneurship, cultural representation, Culture Raises Us

#CodieElaineOliver #BlackLove #CultureRaisesUs #BlackStorytelling #LeadWithLove #BlackOwnership #BlackCreatives #TheMamasDen #BlackWomenInFilm #SafeSpaces #BlackCultureMatters #AuthenticVoices #CulturalRepresentation #DEI #MentorshipMatters

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In this insightful episode of Culture Raises Us, Grace Harry returns to talk about what she calls “rebooting our life picker”—the choices we make about who we allow into our lives and how those choices shape our stories.

Grace draws from her own journey of failed relationships and personal transformation to explain why we often choose from loneliness, habit, or old wounds rather than from alignment and self-worth. She emphasizes the need to “pick yourself first” and shares how self-full living—not selfishness—sets the foundation for healthier relationships and communities.

This conversation is about raising your standards, trusting your inner GPS, and building a circle of people who reflect the love, joy, and growth you’re cultivating within.

#CultureRaisesUs #GraceHarry #RebootYourLifePicker #IntentionalLiving #HealthyRelationships #ChooseYourselfFirst #SelfWorth #JoyIsOurBirthright

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In this powerful conversation on Culture Raises Us, financial coach Simone Griffin Taylor reframes what it truly means to live a fulfilled financial life. Instead of chasing endless “more”—more money, more status, more things—Simone challenges us to define our own enough number: that personal sweet spot where joy, purpose, and security meet.

She opens up about her own journey of learning to advocate for salary increases, the freedom found in financial gratitude, and the importance of shifting money from being a marker of worth to a tool for impact. Simone reminds us that fulfillment isn’t about comparison—it’s about alignment, gratitude, and using your resources to serve yourself, your family, and your community.

This episode is a call to transform the way we view wealth: less about accumulation, more about purpose.

Book your free consultation with Simone using the link below now!
https://www.affluencereimagined.com/work-with-me

#CultureRaisesUs #SimoneGriffinTaylor #FinancialFulfillment #DefineEnough #PurposeOverMoney #WealthWithWisdom #MoneyMindset #GratitudeAndGrowth #PersonalFinance #FaithAndFinances

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In this thought-provoking episode of Culture Raises Us, AI expert Julian Reeves challenges us to see software creators not just as coders, but as modern-day builders of culture and infrastructure. With billions of lives shaped daily by invisible lines of code, the responsibility of developers is nothing short of spiritual.

Julian reveals why most software today is built from fear, profit, or ego—and why only a small fraction is designed with true intention to transform lives. Together, we explore whether developers should take an oath like doctors, how past data from platforms like Facebook and Instagram proves we already know the dangers, and why the next generation of technologists must be trained both technically and spiritually.

From building apps with purpose (like his “Tinder for dog adoption”) to rethinking developers as cultural leaders, Julian calls for a radical shift: code should be planted like seeds, bearing fruit that heals, connects, and uplifts. This conversation is a roadmap for aligning innovation with values—and for building technology that honors God’s higher purpose.

#CultureRaisesUs #JulianReeves #SpiritualResponsibility #EthicalAI #TechWithPurpose #FaithAndTechnology #SoftwareCreators #AIWithIntention #BuildingCulture #CodeAndConscience #PurposeDrivenTech

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Will Catlett is more than an actor and producer—he’s a storyteller of spirit, resilience, and truth. From Charm City Kingsand Love Is_ to his mentorship program “Wisdom Like Water,” Will has used his platform to remind us that culture begins within. In this powerful conversation with host Astor Chambers, Will breaks down why self-love, inner joy, and authenticity are non-negotiables for creating culture that truly lasts.

Born and raised in the DMV, Will carries lessons from his father, his faith, and his community into every role he takes on. His journey is filled with pivots—basketball, photography, fashion, and acting—all leading him to a purpose-driven career that now includes mentoring others through his academy. For Will, the culture of the mind is the foundation of everything: how you think is how you create, how you love, and how you impact the world.

This conversation explores:

• Why Black culture sets the rhythm for the world

• The importance of valuing ourselves and our ideas

• How desegregation shifted the Black dollar—and why community wealth matters

• Finding the courage to leave rooms that don’t value you

• The role of allyship and intuition in building authentic connections

• Why men need to check in with men and build accountability

• How his program “Wisdom Like Water” pours into the next generation

• The three seeds he leaves for future leaders: self-love, a cultivated mind, and joy

Will Catlett reminds us that culture isn’t just external—it starts with the self. His transparency about challenges, purpose, and responsibility offers an unfiltered blueprint for artists, leaders, and everyday people striving to live authentically.

Listen to gain perspective on why joy is a choice, why ownership matters, and why culture begins with the work we do on ourselves.

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction & Opening Reflections
00:23 – Will Catlett on Black Culture & Global Influence
01:02 – The Culture of the Mind: Thinking Shapes Life
02:17 – Black Spending Power & Valuing Ourselves
03:57 – Destiny, Purpose & Self-Reflection
05:25 – Ownership vs. Assimilation: Building Our Own Tables
07:18 – The Black Dollar & Lessons from His Father
08:44 – Growing Up in the DMV & Family Foundations
10:01 – The Presence of a Father & Masculine Energy
11:09 – Wisdom Like Water: Mentorship & Teaching
13:09 – Overcoming the Block of “Not Being Denzel”
14:39 – Artists as Teachers & Storytellers
15:18 – Ripples of Wisdom: The Power of Influence
16:11 – Allyship & Knowing When to Let Go
18:21 – Intuition, Trust & Energy in Relationships
19:37 – Showing Up as Your Best Self
21:07 – Fatherhood, Legacy & Creating Safe Spaces
23:02 – Knowing When to Leave the Room
23:34 – False Narratives, Opinions & Emotional Intelligence
25:15 – Social Media, Sensationalism & Value Systems
26:34 – Honoring Sacrifice & Moving with Purpose
27:14 – Men Checking Men & Accountability
28:34 – Transparency, Vulnerability & Mental Health
30:01 – The Culture of Self & Real Conversations
31:23 – Three Seeds for the Future: Self-Love, Mindset, Joy
34:01 – Choosing Joy & Life Lessons from Auditioning
36:15 – Living with Joy & Impacting Others
37:11 – Closing Reflections & Gratitude

#WillCatlett #CultureRaisesUs #WisdomLikeWater #SelfLove #ChoosingJoy #CultureOfTheMind #BlackExcellence #Authenticity #LifeLessons #InspiringConversations #ActorInterview #BlackCulture #MentorshipMatters #EmotionalIntelligence #JoyIsAChoice

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