Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Moniek Garside.

A licensed clinical social worker and founder of Fit Life Wellness. Here's a comprehensive summary of the episode:

🎙️ Guest: Moniek Garside

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Georgia, Colorado, Illinois, South Carolina, and Minnesota.
• Founder of Fit Life Wellness, a private mental health and wellness practice.
• Author of the guided journal I Can, I Will.

🧠 Key Topics Discussed 🧘‍♀️ What Therapy Really Is

• Therapy is not just “talking on a couch”—it’s a safe space for vulnerability, healing, and personal growth.
• It involves unpacking emotional challenges, not just surface-level advice.

🔄 Life Transitions

• Includes shifts like:
  • Moving from corporate to entrepreneurship
  • Divorce or children leaving home
  • Personal reinvention
• Therapy helps individuals navigate uncertainty and redefine stability.

🧑‍💼 Mental Health for Entrepreneurs

• Entrepreneurs often neglect self-care in pursuit of success.
• Therapy helps them prioritize balance, manage burnout, and maintain mental clarity.
• Moniek emphasizes the importance of processing emotions and having a support system.

📘 About the Book: I Can, I Will

• A 30-day guided journal with weekly themes and daily prompts.
• Designed to help individuals:
  • Reflect on their emotions
  • Reset their mindset
  • Overcome depression, anxiety, and life transitions
• Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and MoniekGarside.com

🧩 Common Mental Health Misconceptions

• Mental health is often oversimplified or trivialized on social media.
• Terms like “anxiety” and “boundaries” are used without understanding.
• Real healing requires professional guidance, not just affirmations or apps.

🧍‍♀️ Moniek’s Personal Journey

• Originally a nursing major, she transitioned to social work after realizing her passion was emotional care.
• She created Fit Life Wellness to have autonomy in how she supports clients.
• She is both a therapist and a therapy client—emphasizing the importance of self-work.

🧠 Mental Health Red Flags

• Depression: Irritability, isolation, loss of interest, low motivation.
• Anxiety: Racing thoughts, physical symptoms (e.g., heart palpitations), constant worry.

🧰 Therapy vs. Technology

• Apps and AI tools can supplement mental health care (e.g., affirmations, breathing exercises).
• But they cannot replace the human connection and insight of a trained therapist.

🌐 Connect with Moniek Garside

• Website: MoniekGarside.com
• Practice: Fit Life Wellness
• Services: Virtual therapy, clinical supervision, mental health resources

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Stephanie Stuckey.

The chair of Stuckey’s, a historic snack and candy company. She shares her journey of revitalizing the brand, her family’s legacy, and the importance of entrepreneurship and branding.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

1. Reviving an American Icon

   • Stephanie took over Stuckey’s in 2019, aiming to restore its legacy.
   • She discusses the challenges of rebuilding a brand that had lost its original assets.

2. The History of Stuckey’s

   • Founded by her grandfather during the Great Depression in 1937.
   • Grew into a nationwide chain with 370 stores across 40 states.

3. The Importance of Branding & Social Media

   • Stephanie leveraged LinkedIn and other platforms to rebuild brand awareness.
   • She emphasizes authenticity and storytelling in marketing.

4. Business Strategy & Growth

   • Transitioned from outsourcing products to owning a manufacturing facility.
   • Expanded retail presence from 200 to 5,000 stores, including Hobby Lobby and Food Lion.

5. Lessons in Entrepreneurship

   • Discusses the importance of adaptability, partnerships, and strategic decision-making.
   • Shares insights on overcoming setbacks and scaling a business.

📘 About Stephanie Stuckey
Stephanie Stuckey is an entrepreneur, author, and advocate for brand revitalization. She is dedicated to restoring Stuckey’s as a leading snack brand while preserving its rich history.

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Yolanda D. McElroy.

A registered pharmacist and author. Dr. McElroy discusses medication safety, her career in pharmacy, and her children's book, It's Not Candy, which educates children and parents on the importance of proper medication storage and awareness.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

1. The Importance of Medication Safety

   • Medications are a leading cause of accidental poisoning in children.
   • Parents must store medicines properly and educate children on their dangers.

2. Dr. McElroy’s Pharmacy Journey

   • Started in chemistry before transitioning to pharmacy school.
   • Has nearly three decades of experience in retail and hospital pharmacy.

3. Challenges in the Pharmacy Profession

   • Pharmacists face increasing workloads, including vaccinations and insurance issues.
   • The profession has seen strikes due to excessive demands and responsibilities.

4. Educating Children & Parents

   • Her book It's Not Candy teaches kids to recognize medicine and avoid accidental ingestion.
   • She emphasizes the need for early education, starting as young as three years old.

5. Community Outreach & Consulting

   • Founded MediManage Consulting to promote medication safety and health education.
   • Works with schools and organizations to distribute her book and raise awareness.

📘 About Dr. Yolanda D. McElroy
Dr. McElroy is a pharmacist, consultant, and author dedicated to improving medication safety and health education. Her book It's Not Candy helps families prevent accidental overdoses and promotes responsible medication use.

Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

#AMI

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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