This episode stars 2 young women my Daddy would be very proud of. Juliett & Gracie Reid-Ventura are the Owners of JuJu & CeCe's Lemonades and Treats, from St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. They're 8 and 7 years old, respectively. Hear what being a founder means to them, what they love most about owning their own business, what to do when things go wrong as an entrepreneur, what they learned from their experience at a startup battle pitch competition, and their advice to other kids with a big idea. Get ready to be inspired!!!

Learn more about JuJu & CeCe's Lemonades and Treats:

Facebook JuJu & CeCe's Lemonades

Instagram @JuJu_And_CeCes_Lemonades

Get your copy of Let's Dance: An Inspirational Coloring Book For Kids Who Love to Dance at KristineDSmith.com

In this special solo episode, I reflect on my Daddy's life & legacy. We're a little over 6 months past his death. He simply impacted people. People loved him, and they connected with him. Hear the memories from his 99th birthday trip to Aruba, the kindness shown by the team at his favorite Stop & Shop, my memories eating hot dogs & fries with him, our 4-day drive from Oakland to Atlanta for my college experience, and how he taught me to appreciate life. You'll also hear all the exciting things coming up in my world and at InSpira Performing Arts today. Get ready to be inspired!!!

Get your copy of Let's Dance: An Inspirational Coloring Book For Kids Who Love to Dance at KristineDSmith.com

Learn more about InSpira Performing Arts at InspiraArts.com

This episode stars a woman who was very special to my Daddy. Cathy Perez is the General Manager of The Original Pancake House in Metuchen, where my Daddy ate endless flapjacks. Hear how Cathy & team made my Daddy's celebrations so special, how to provide a personalized touch with your customer service, how to treat your guests as family, how to set a bar of excellence when you're always so busy, and how to create loyalty with your customers. Get ready to be inspired!!!

Visit The Original Pancake House in Metuchen:

OPHWoodbridge.com

Get your copy of Let's Dance: An Inspirational Coloring Book For Kids Who Love to Dance at KristineDSmith.com

This episode stars a man who truly took care of my Daddy. Kise Anderson is the Founder & CEO of BWS Massage Concierge, who's offered customized massages and other modalities for the past 10+ years. Hear how to start a small business or massage business, how to find your perfect clients, how to build a team of 20+, how to ensure consistency & excellence with every customer touchpoint, and how to navigate challenges as an entrepreneur. Get ready to be inspired!!!

Learn more about Kise Anderson & BWS Massage Concierge:

BWSMassage.com

Instagram @BWSMassage

Instagram @Kise_Anderson

Al-Shakise Anderson on LinkedIn

Get your copy of Let's Dance: An Inspirational Coloring Book For Kids Who Love to Dance at KristineDSmith.com

This episode stars a man my Daddy loved very much. Tonnie Rozier is the Founder & CEO of Tonnie's Minis, the top destination for cupcakes & desserts in the Newark, NJ area. Hear the impact Tonnie's treats have had on so many families, how he started the business in the first place, his advice for new entrepreneurs & small business owners, how to conquer your fears, and how to shape your legacy. Get ready to be inspired!!!

Get your copy of Let's Dance: An Inspirational Coloring Book For Kids Who Love to Dance at KristineDSmith.com

My Daddy, Mr. Leroy Mitchell, was a great man. He passed away on August 29, 2025, at the age of 102—and I miss him more than words can express. He was an inspiration to so many, and even now, people smile when they speak his name.

At the height of COVID, in August 2020, I had the blessing of sitting down with my Daddy when he was 97 years old to record this conversation. What began as an interview became a gift—one I didn't yet know I would need so deeply.

On November 7, 2022, my Daddy suffered a stroke, and I suddenly found myself trying to balance caregiving, running my business InSpira, and continuing the podcast. I was giving everything I had—but I was burning out quickly. Something had to give. In April 2023, I made the difficult but necessary decision to pause the podcast.

As I prepared to relaunch the Got InSpiration Podcast, I knew exactly how I wanted to return. I chose to relaunch my 56th episode on my 56th birthday—a full-circle moment of reflection, gratitude, and legacy.

It felt only right to begin here—by bringing this episode to life so I can always hear my Daddy's voice.

In this episode, he shares powerful reflections on surviving the sinking of the USS Leedstown Navy warship on November 9, 1942, the importance of education, and his lifelong commitment to exercise, discipline, and purpose. His wisdom spans generations.

This episode is also a reminder—and an encouragement—to document your loved ones. Capture their voices. Their stories. Their laughter. I wish I had done even more of this with my Daddy, but I am deeply grateful for what I have.

Daddy, I love you. I miss you. And I'm honored to share you with the world.

This episode is a celebration of the unconditional love parents have for their children. Mrs. Dajuana Rowe-Mayers and her son Mr. Malcolm Mayers join the podcast to share their ongoing journey of healing. They share their journey through Malcolm's traumatic brain injury and how it has transformed Dajuana and her husband's perspective on parenting and the meaning of opportunity. Malcolm shares how he stays motivated through his healing journey, and we discuss the importance of being intentional when seeking help for your loved ones. Get ready to be inspired!!!

I'm excited to share a special episode for Alopecia Awareness Month with 3 wonderful guests: Dr. Sheron Jefferson, Dr. Dakira Starks Watkins, and Mrs. Nasha Shandri. They're all amazing women, Alopecia warriors, and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Hear their journeys with Alopecia, how they learned to thrive with it, learning the world of wigs vs. rocking bald in public, how they turned struggles into triumphs and started opening up about their stories. Get ready to be inspired!!!