In this bonus segment of Culture Cues, Shaniqua and Stephanie get personal about what they were taught growing up about change—and how those early messages still influence them today. From southern church pews to 80s anthems and recovery prayers, they explore the cultural cues that shaped their resistance, acceptance, and redefinition of transformation. Raw, reflective, and relatable—this is the story behind the story of change.

Who decides what’s important—and why? From MTV to meme culture, from fashion to intergenerational values, Shaniqua and Stephanie analyze how collective beliefs turn trends into movements. This episode unpacks how ideas gain traction (or disappear), and how culture, style, and storytelling shape industries, policies, and the future.

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STEPHANIE’S BIO:

Stephanie Crain, aka Corporate Mystic, is a visionary collaborator who empowers organizations and individuals to align their core values and unleash their authentic expression. With 25 years of experience in branding, culture, and creative strategy, Stephanie excels as an executive leader, fostering collaboration and talent elevation across diverse industries. As a Certified Master Jungian Coach specializing in Success Mindset, she guides executives, creators, and entrepreneurs to overcome obstacles and #vibratehigher by activating their true potential.

SHANIQUA’S BIO

Shaniqua Brown, Founder and Talent Strategist at Elevated TA brings over a decade of expertise in Talent Acquisition, with a distinguished background at industry leaders like Kforce and Google. Merging her academic prowess in Interdisciplinary Social Science with insights gained from a dynamic career as a professional dancer and NFL cheerleader, she infuses Elevated TA's mission with precision, agility, and an innovative spirit. Focused on revolutionizing talent acquisition strategies for mid-sized companies, Shaniqua's approach blends empathetic partnership with dynamic, data-informed solutions, ensuring businesses align their teams with their strategic vision for success and efficiency.

• (00:00:00) - Show Opening
• (00:00:50) - MTV Amplifying Subcultures
• (00:18:53) - Memes IYKYK Culture
• (00:40:18) - Predicting Future Trends
• (00:46:14) - FITI Takeaways
• (00:48:37) - Show Close

Language is more than communication—it’s a blueprint for change.

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Shaniqua and Stephanie explore how language influences identity, fuels innovation, and reinforces or resists power structures, from corporate jargon to code switching, and political rhetoric to emojis. We unpack how our words shape culture, policy, connection, and control. Elevating insights inspired by linguists, neuroscientists, and everyday experiences, this conversation reveals why language is one of the most potent tools for transformation.

• (00:00:00) - Show Opening
• (00:03:15) - Why Language Matters
• (00:21:27) - Personal Reflections & Societal Inquiry
• (00:52:22) - Closing/Takeaway
• (00:52:30) - Show Close