What if the friends you meet later in life are exactly the ones you needed all along?
In this episode of Wins + Lessons, I sit down with my brother Kofa to talk about the power of “Day 2 friends” — the people who show up when you’re already walking in your purpose. We explore how these friendships can sharpen your focus, align with your growth, and even feel like family.
From real stories to personal reflection, this episode is a reminder that not all friendships are meant to start on Day 1… some arrive right on time.
From Master Sergeant to civilian life—Nat Martin’s journey is a powerful reminder that the rank on your uniform doesn’t define who you are. After serving over 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, Nat shares how she faced the uncertainty of retirement, rebuilt her identity, and discovered new purpose beyond the military.
In this inspiring conversation, we talk about leadership, mental health, family, and the lessons that carried her from Newark, NJ to the top 1% of the Air Force—and into a brand-new chapter of life.
🎯 Whether you’re a veteran, transitioning careers, or searching for your next mission, Nat’s story will motivate you to own your greatness and keep pushing forward.
How do you find your way back when you’ve lost your passion?
In this episode of Wins + Lessons, hip-hop artist Cee One shares his raw and unfiltered journey of losing his love for music — and the powerful path that brought him back.
From recording in the same studios where Notorious B.I.G. made history to partying with Sean “Diddy” Combs on his 21st birthday, Cee One’s career was on the rise. But life had other plans. As responsibilities grew and gatekeepers shut doors, his passion faded. For years, the love he once had for music was gone.
But this isn’t just a story about loss — it’s a story about comeback. With encouragement from his wife and a fresh spark from TikTok, Cee One rediscovered his creative voice and reignited his purpose.
Grief doesn’t have to be the end of your story — it can be the beginning of a new one.
In this powerful episode of Wins + Lessons, host Leron Gaskins sits down with Fhonia Ellis, a fashion designer who lost her mother while chasing her career dreams. Instead of letting grief break her, Fhonia used it as a tool to build faith, resilience, and purpose.
Co-host Alexis also opens up about losing her mom just last year, making this conversation an emotional yet uplifting reminder that healing is possible — and grief can be transformed into growth.
This is not an episode about sadness. It’s about turning pain into power and finding purpose after loss.
What does it take to build a Black-owned fragrance brand—and keep it alive for over a decade? In this episode of Wins + Lessons, Shawn Crenshaw, CEO of Ovation For Men, shares how he started his company to fill a gap in representation and pushed through massive hurdles including DEI setbacks, limited access to capital, and industry gatekeeping.
He breaks down how he landed NIL deals with major colleges like Alabama, worked with pro athletes like Richard Sherman, and how mindset, consistency, and strategy helped him build an independent fragrance brand from the ground up.
If you're building something from scratch—or thinking about starting—this is the motivation you didn’t know you needed.
What happens when millions of strangers decide they know who you are?
In this episode of Wins + Lessons, we sit down with Osha Cerese, a certified life coach who went viral twice—and lived through the emotional aftermath most people never see. After a single post spiraled into mass backlash, racial attacks, fake reviews, and coordinated online harassment, Osha was forced to make a decision many people struggle with: protect her peace or perform for the internet.
Then, just months later, another viral moment resurfaced painful chapters from her past—triggering public judgment, private reflection, and a deeper reckoning with identity, boundaries, and healing.
Tyson Kruze took a leap of faith and turned a bold idea into the inspiring movement Pray Hustle Shine. In this episode of the Wins + Lessons podcast, Tyson opens up about what motivated him to build his brand from scratch, the challenges he faced, and the faith that kept him going. His journey is proof that you're one decision away from changing your life. Whether you're a dreamer, entrepreneur, or believer in purpose—this episode will speak to your soul.
What would you do if your ex told you she had an abortion — only for you to find out two years later, through a DM, that your child is alive and in foster care?
In this emotional and eye-opening episode of Wins + Lessons, Kofa Shakur shares how he discovered he had a 2-year-old son after his ex-girlfriend, who lied about having an abortion, finally told him the truth... only because she lost custody of her other kids due to abuse.
Kofa walks us through the shock of learning his son had already been placed in foster care twice — and what led him to fight for full custody. This is a story of betrayal, resilience, fatherhood, and the powerful journey of a man stepping up after being kept in the dark.
Two Black men. Two different sexualities. One shared truth: father absence leaves scars.
In this powerful episode of Wins + Lessons, host Leron sits down with guest Jerome Davis — an openly gay Black man — to have a raw, honest conversation about growing up without a father. Despite their differences in sexuality, they discover the emotional weight they’ve both carried is rooted in the same place.
In this episode of Wins + Lessons (a Broken Traditions Production), we sit down with author and entrepreneur Toby Daniel to uncover the secrets behind his life-changing framework: the PRICE Principle — Persistence, Resilience, Integrity, Consistency, and Education.
Discover how Toby went from self-doubt to success by applying this mindset, and how you can do the same today. Whether you're stuck in your career, chasing a dream, or ready to transform your life, this is the conversation you need to hear.