Episodes
Episodes
Tuesday Aug 20, 2019
011 | What Is a Philanthropic Identity?
Tuesday Aug 20, 2019
Tuesday Aug 20, 2019
WRITE TO BEAR ALMS
August is Black Philanthropy Month, so that means it's Halima time! With such a great celebration, there are many who get into the spirit of giving. One's giving should have purpose, however (thus the supporter of "For Our Edification", the Purposeful Philanthropy Foundation). For this edition of the Write to Bear Alms segment, Halima breaks down how having a philanthropic identity can lead to more meaningful giving.
Halima breaks down the philanthropic identity. She defines it, how it feeds into one's reputation, what it means to protect a philanthropic identity, the difference between influence and power in philanthropy, and how to establish a philanthropic identity.
Monday Jul 01, 2019
010 | College Isn’t for Everybody
Monday Jul 01, 2019
Monday Jul 01, 2019
In so many conversations about college, someone inevitably offers up that "college isn't for everybody." There's no disputing that, but we decided to challenge that statement. On this episode for "For Our Edification," we don't challenge its truth so much as we challenge the frequency with which it is said. Specifically, we discuss why that statement does more harm to Black America than any other sector of society.
For this discussion, we lean on Halima's knowledge of education. Having earned her master's degree in Educational Sociology, Halima touches on the history of higher education which includes the complex history of HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). From there, we do a deep dive discussion about what is left on the table by people quickly dismissing college as a viable option for success. Unapologetically, we tie higher education into a critical part of Black America's identity and value.
Saturday May 11, 2019
009 | Throwback: The Daughter Voice and the Dad Lance
Saturday May 11, 2019
Saturday May 11, 2019
Here is a pair of throwback interviews to my radio days when I was a co-producer of and contributor to the award-winning show "Sunday Journal with Hal Clark". In 2010, I was introduced to hip hop artist and educator Voice whose discography includes "Black Maria" and "Voice Presents Cutz". Voice's single "Black Maria" features her mother Zardis.
Later, I had the pleasure of interviewing her dad, actor and acting instructor Lance E. Nichols. By far, this is one of the most entertaining interviews I have ever done thanks to Lance's energy and charm. Lance has appeared as Dr. Larry Williams in "Treme", as Gene Clancy in "House of Cards", and the Preacher in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons". Enjoy!
Wednesday Apr 17, 2019
008 | Understanding Black Philanthropy
Wednesday Apr 17, 2019
Wednesday Apr 17, 2019
WRITE TO BEAR ALMS
It's a throwback on For Our Edification! On this episode, we're going back to the old "Eddie Francis Podcast Show" when Halima had a conversation about Black philanthropy. Her guests were Darryl Lester and Vince Bayyan. The conversation defined Black philanthropy, discussed trends, and the importance of empowering everyday people to be strategic in their giving.
About Darryl Lester
A leading voice in philanthropy, Darryl is the director of Service Year at North Carolina State University's Institute for Emerging Issues. He is also the founder of HindSight Consulting and the Community Investment Network. Darryl had also served as the director of Community Leadership and Programs at the Triangle Community Foundation (NC) and as Trustee of the Warner Foundation. An alumnus of Wofford College(B.A., Economics) and North Carolina State University (M.Ed. in Counselor Education and minor in Psychology), Darryl is a brother of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
About Vince Bayyan
Vince is a former development official at Claflin University and St. Augustine's University. He also has non-profit experience as a former executive director of the YMCA Clarence E. Lightner Youth Leadership Academy in North Carolina. Also a dedicated artist, Vince is the principal partner of Bayyan Ventures and the Arts Conference Event Center. Vince holds a B.A. in Mass Communications from Hampton University.
Tuesday Apr 02, 2019
007 | On My Brain: Fyre Fest and Narcissistic Leadership
Tuesday Apr 02, 2019
Tuesday Apr 02, 2019
Social media was abuzz in early 2019 when two documentaries about the infamous Fyre Festival dropped on Netflix and Hulu. People could not believe how the event got so out of hand and how the festival's creator, Billy McFarland, seemed oblivious to the harm he caused several parties in the process. I believe the reason is McFarland's narcissism.
Using my professional experience and information I am gathering for my master's degree research, I lay out the signs of narcissistic leadership using the events surrounding Fyre Fest as portrayed in the documentaries. This isn't about McFarland so much as it is about helping people understand how working under narcissistic leaders can adversely affect one's identity and value. Trust me, I know. Not only do we look at warning signs in this episode but also ways people can protect themselves under narcissistic leadership.
Click the image above for Dr. Ramani's web site. For her great TED talk on narcissism, click here.
SOURCES
Leader Narcissism and Outcomes in Organizations: A Review at Multiple Levels of Analysis and Implications for Future Research by Susanne Braun
The Narcissism Spectrum Model: A Synthetic View of Narcissistic Personality by Zlatan Krizan and Anne Herlache
How to Handle Narcissistic Abuse by Darlene Lancer
Narcissistic Leaders: The Incredible Pros, the Inevitable Cons by Michael Maccoby
8 Types of Narcissists -- Including One to Stay Away From at All Costs by Kristen Milstead
Narcissistic Leaders and Their Victims: Followers Low on Self-Esteem and Low on Core Self-Evaluations Suffer Most by Barbara Nevicka, Annebel De Hoogh, Deanne Den Hartog & Frank Belschak
The Narcissism Epidemic and What We Can Do About It by Joe Pierre
EDITORIAL NOTE
I made a reference to the Op Ed Project during my "to be sure." Please take time to find out more about this great organization.
Thursday Mar 07, 2019
006 | Doctor Who? Identity and Value on Halima’s Doctoral Journey, Part 2
Thursday Mar 07, 2019
Thursday Mar 07, 2019
Halima and I continue to unpack her Ph.D. experience in part two of a conversation about how her identity and value were affected during her doctoral journey. Here, it gets even more interesting as we discuss the value of doctorates to greater society. Halima gives thoughts about how people who engage in doctoral studies shape important social issues. By the way, there are interesting segments where Halima gives her thoughts about how doctoral work had been adversely affected in Black America in the 1990's and cultural representation in scholarship.
Finally, Halima offers words of advice to anyone considering or just embarking on the doctoral journey. Pay close attention to her thoughts on maintaining a sense of mental wellness and wholeness on the quest for knowledge.
One more thing. You'll hear some odd noises at 12:55. Ignore it; we have no idea what was going on. *smiles*
Closing music by Swagg Beats.
Wednesday Mar 06, 2019
005 | Doctor Who? Identity and Value on Halima’s Doctoral Journey, Part 1
Wednesday Mar 06, 2019
Wednesday Mar 06, 2019
The year 2018 was a great one for Halima. After defending her doctoral dissertation in November 2017, she received her Ph.D. in 2018 from New York University's Steihardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. Having had so many conversations about the process, we thought it would be a good idea to pick her brain about how the process affected her identity and value.
In part one, Halima discusses why she chose to pursue a Ph.D. and why she chose her research. We find out how her passion for understanding fundraising capacity-building at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and being an alumna of Hampton University served as key motivators. This part goes deep as we find out how the inequities between HBCUs' and majority institutions' are more intricate than many realize.
That being said, we learn that the doctoral journey can be a very personal process. Halima also discusses who she was prior to her doctoral journey and her identity and value now.
Closing music by Swagg Beats
Thursday Feb 07, 2019
004 | Mental Health Benefits of Giving
Thursday Feb 07, 2019
Thursday Feb 07, 2019
WRITE TO BEAR ALMS
In this first installment of Halima's Write to Bear Alms segment, we take a look a the mental health benefits of giving. To do that, we're taking it back to her old "Write to Bear Alms" radio show which aired on the Dallas-based Radio Azad.
Halima's guest was Leslie Brown, a mental health professional who is pursuing her Ph.D. in Counseling. Leslie's mental health work includes stress reduction workshops for various groups and counseling military veterans. She explains the neuroscience behind the feelings of satisfaction that come from giving and how an attitude of gratitude relieves stress. Halima and Leslie also discuss the importance of leveraging giving to help youth develop their mental health.
Not only is Leslie a great friend but she also serves on the board of the Purposeful Philanthropy Foundation.
Monday Jan 14, 2019
003 | Sports Infamy: When Athletes Mess Up
Monday Jan 14, 2019
Monday Jan 14, 2019
What's it like when a player makes a game-ending mistake? Of course, it's painful for us fans but it's obviously way more painful for the players.
David Grubb, a columnist for Crescent City Sports, has a very good idea of the real identity and value of the player who had a tough game. In this throwback interview (from the old Eddie Francis Podcast Show), David talked about the identity and value of athletes beyond the arena on the heels of a mistake that ended my New Orleans Saints' 2018 playoff run. The tables turned for the Saints, however, when a mistake kept their season alive in the 2019 playoffs. Who Dat!
David talked about what it's like the locker room for players after crushing defeats or big mistakes. He also talked a bit about student athletes and how athletes manage social issues. David not only provides great insight but he mixes in a couple of great stories--like that time he almost got pulverized by former NFL linebacker Greg Lloyd in the locker room.
Sunday Jan 06, 2019
002 | New Year, New Me? Ha!
Sunday Jan 06, 2019
Sunday Jan 06, 2019
As yet another new year rolls in, many of us are determined to be better versions of ourselves. A popular social media hashtag has been #NewYearNewMe with folks determined to make 2019 a better year than 2018.
The response? HATERATION!
But not everybody is letting the haters have their way. Take this tweet, for instance:
I hate when people say saying #NewYearNewMe is lame. It's a time to set benchmark #goals and #resolutions. Maybe you don't need that fresh start but I know plenty of people who do. Let's make #2019 great.#LetsWork #Money #Family #Fitness #Health #Growth #MentalHealth #Love #Joy
— D. A. Daniels, Jr. (@DeryleDanielsJr) January 1, 2019
With so many eager to knock the "New Year, New Me" crowd off their pedestals, Halima and I talk about how the pushback just may affect those who are looking to reinvent themselves. Halima, who teaches sociology, offers thoughts about why she believes there have been such toxic responses to the "New Year, New Me" mantra. We also chat about people who present images of their "perfect" lives on social media and whether or not they're being real. Are they real???
As a bonus, Halima publicly reveals why she tapped out on "Game of Thrones".
Here's an interesting read that we referenced during the conversation: "How Social Media Affects Our Self-Perception".
Friday Dec 28, 2018
001 | Introducing For Our Edification featuring Write to Bear Alms
Friday Dec 28, 2018
Friday Dec 28, 2018
Welcome to For Our Edification!
This podcast is about identity and value--who we are and how we influence those around us. The foundation for the podcast's message is the practice of personal branding which was popularized by Tom Peters' 1997 essay "The Brand Called You". While we are not diving directly into the waters of personal branding, For Our Edification promises to deliver guests and commentaries designed to empower you to articulate your identity and value.
For Our Edification's co-pilot, Halima Leak Francis, is the host of the Write to Bear Alms segment which provides insights and information about how giving can build sustainable communities. Being the fundraising mastermind she is, Halima will also sprinkle some helpful fundraising tidbits along the way. Also, check out the Write to Bear Alms blog.
Want to learn more about me and Halima (or just Halima)? CLICK HERE.