In this empowering episode of Momentum Now, hosts Bob Brooks and Karen McFarlane sit down with Candice Jackson Long — award-winning marketing strategist, global speaker, and founder of CJL Consulting Group.

Candice shares her powerful journey from corporate layoffs to launching a purpose-driven consulting firm that helps visionaries and underrepresented founders align branding, business, and faith.

She opens up about listening to divine prompts, overcoming self-doubt, and learning that no one escapes the process on the road to success. From managing the mindset shifts of entrepreneurship to building generational wealth and curating what your mind consumes, this episode is a masterclass in faith-fueled resilience and strategy.

Whether you’re exploring your next career move or dreaming of starting your own business, Candice’s story will remind you to “look back at your receipts” and trust that every step—win or loss—is preparing you for impact.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to:

• Transform your purpose into a profitable brand.

• Skill-stack your way to freedom and growth.

• Navigate layoffs, self-doubt, and the unknown with faith and confidence.

• Build income-generating assets and create generational wealth.

Timestamps: 00:00 — Welcome to Momentum Now Bob and Karen introduce the episode and today’s guest, Candice Jackson Long.

01:10 — From Side Hustle to CEO Candice shares the story behind launching CJL Consulting and taking the leap of faith into full-time entrepreneurship.

04:30 — Faith, Timing, and Trusting the Process How faith played a crucial role in her career pivot — and why you can’t wait for “perfect timing.”

07:30 — The Power of Receipts Candice explains how documenting your accomplishments helps build confidence and silence imposter syndrome.

11:00 — Mindset & Morning Routine Her daily practices for staying grounded, motivated, and intentional as an entrepreneur.

16:30 — Wealth Building 101 What she wishes she knew at 24 — understanding assets vs. liabilities and the keys to financial empowerment.

20:50 — Advice for Young Professionals Why you should skill-stack and embrace trial and error instead of chasing instant success.

24:45 — Lessons From Failure Candice reflects on the challenges, breakdowns, and how she found strength to keep moving forward.

26:30 — Rejection Is Redirection How to reframe setbacks, remember your value, and stay anchored in your “why.”

30:50 — Finding Your Purpose & Building Your Brand Why purpose is seasonal, and how adding value leads to self-discovery and opportunity.

35:00 — Turning Passion Into Profit Candice’s advice on transforming ideas into income while staying authentic and impactful.

41:00 — Rapid Fire: Quick Wisdom From the best advice she’s ever received to the worst, and her ultimate “why.”

45:00 — Closing Reflections Karen and Bob recap key lessons: receipts, skill stacking, and the truth that no one escapes the process

In this game-changing episode of Momentum Now, we sit down with cultural strategist and marketing exec Javier Farfan to talk legacy, leadership, and leveling up. From working at Microsoft and Pepsi to shaping narratives at the NFL, Javier has done it all—and he's still pushing the culture forward.

He unpacks how his upbringing in Harlem, his experience as a Latino creative, and his love for music, tech, and education all collided to build a career on his own terms. This episode is for anyone chasing purpose, building community, and rewriting the rules of success.

In this episode of Momentum Now, we sit down with Charlotte Castillo, Managing Director of Poderistas and former global brand executive at ViacomCBS, to explore what it truly means to “figure it out” — in life, in leadership, and in legacy-building.

Charlotte shares her journey from helping her immigrant mom negotiate bills at 10 years old to leading billion-dollar global franchises like SpongeBob and Dora the Explorer. With honesty and warmth, she opens up about navigating corporate reorgs, advocating for herself, and staying grounded in authenticity — even in rooms that weren’t built with her in mind.

This conversation is packed with career gems for young professionals navigating uncertainty, self-doubt, and professional growth.

• Turning fear into action and inexperience into opportunity

• Building a personal brand that opens doors (without the cringe)

• How to find — and become — the right advocate

• Learning to lead with authenticity in high-stakes spaces

• Why “you will face hard things — and you will get through”

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

📄 Episode Description In this inspiring episode of Momentum Now, we sit down with Ian Matthew Clayton, Vice President and Chief Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Officer at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. From immigrating to the U.S. at six years old to shaping talent strategies at top institutions, Ian’s journey is all about leading with purpose, owning your story, and building a career rooted in authenticity.

Ian shares insights on • Understanding yourself before launching your career • Why excellence matters more than doing everything • Turning culture and identity into career strengths • How coming out in the workplace changed everything for him • Using AI as a tool to sharpen, not replace, your voice • The importance of mentorship, boundaries, and being intentional

This episode is a must for young professionals navigating school, internships, and the early stages of career growth. Whether you’re figuring out what’s next or trying to grow without burning out, Ian’s story will give you clarity, encouragement, and strategy.

In this powerful episode of Momentum Now, Samina Bari—biopharma leader, twin mom, and author of I Can, I Will & I Did—shares her incredible journey of defying cultural expectations, navigating personal trauma, and rising to the top of a male-dominated industry.

Samina opens up about what it really takes to build a life on your own terms: persistence, self-belief, and choosing to be fueled by love—not anger. From breaking barriers in leadership to transforming pain into purpose, her story is a blueprint for anyone looking to rise above their circumstances and create lasting impact.

This episode is a must-listen for young professionals ready to own their power, rewrite their narrative, and break limits—boldly and unapologetically.

Pick up a copy of Samina's book here: I Can, I Will, & I Did

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – 5:30 | Introduction & Early Career Samina shares her background, growing up in a culturally traditional household, and the pivotal moments that sparked her drive.

5:30 – 15:00 | Breaking Cultural Expectations A deep dive into how she challenged family norms, found her voice, and pushed into spaces where she wasn’t always welcomed.

15:00 – 25:00 | Leadership & Resilience in Pharma Samina discusses her rise in the biopharma world, how she built credibility, and key lessons in leadership.

25:00 – 35:00 | Using Empathy & Power Effectively She explores the balance between empathy, negotiation, and standing her ground in high-stakes environments.

35:00 – 42:00 | The Power of Love & Healing Samina and the hosts reflect on her mindset shift—choosing to fuel her growth with love, not anger—and the ripple effects on her personal and professional life.

42:00 – 46:30 | Rapid Fire & Final Reflections Quick Q&A covering best/worst advice, her personal “why,” and closing words of encouragement for young professionals.

In this powerful episode of Momentum Now, co-hosts Bob Brooks and Karen McFarlane sit down with Kishane Davis, a senior biotech leader and leadership coach, to explore his extraordinary career journey. 🌟

Kishane shares how he transitioned from a clinical occupational therapy background to a thriving career in pharmaceutical sales and leadership, fueled by resilience, mentorship, and a relentless drive to diversify his skill set. Raised in a Jamaican household where education, hard work, and entrepreneurship were core values, Kishane reflects on how those early lessons shaped his personal and professional growth.

Listeners will learn:

• The importance of embracing discomfort to unlock new opportunities

• Why building authentic relationships can change the trajectory of your career

• How mentorship and consistency helped him break into competitive industries

• Real-world strategies for navigating career transitions and standing out in today’s market

• How to create a personal brand rooted in confidence, integrity, and resilience

Kishane’s story is a masterclass in how young professionals of color can move from surviving to thriving, one bold step at a time. 🔥

🎧 Listen and subscribe:

• Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/5qy1R6AnexTiZRyDWFlbCv

• Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/momentum-now/id1749694194

• YouTube: youtube.com/@mvpoc9565

🌟 Learn more about MVP:

• Website: mvpoc.org

• Instagram: @mvpoc

• Facebook: facebook.com/mvpoc2020

• LinkedIn: Momentum and Value for People of Color (MVP)

Our co-hosts, Bob Brooks and Karen McFarlane, sit down with Dr. Juan Rios—a powerhouse in mental health, trauma-informed care, and inclusive leadership. As Chair of Social Work at Seton Hall University and founder of Rios & Associates, Dr. Rios brings not only a stacked list of credentials but a deeply personal story of resilience, purpose, and authenticity.

In this episode, Dr. Rios opens up about surviving foster care, living with survivor’s guilt, and the “toxic hustle” that fueled his early success. He unpacks how mindfulness, vulnerability, and finding your tribe are key to thriving in both your career and your personal healing.

In this episode of Momentum Now, Karen and Bob sit down with Wema Hoover, a global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion leader and CEO of Be Limitless Consulting. Wema takes us through her journey, from organizational development to leading DEI efforts at Google, Pfizer, and beyond!