1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:01,360 Speaker 1: I love your name. I got to tell you that 2 00:00:01,439 --> 00:00:03,680 right now. I love your name. I think there's a 3 00:00:03,839 --> 00:00:08,240 vibration about it. There's something very positive about it. I mean, 4 00:00:08,279 --> 00:00:10,880 but what was it like growing up in the image 5 00:00:10,880 --> 00:00:11,439 of that name. 6 00:00:12,599 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 2: Oh my gosh, thank you so much. No, I was. 7 00:00:16,199 --> 00:00:19,879 Speaker 3: I was born and raised in Nigeria, and there my 8 00:00:19,960 --> 00:00:21,839 name is normal. But then when I moved to the 9 00:00:21,960 --> 00:00:25,800 US is where my name became very special because people 10 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:30,320 could not pronounce it. And I think my name has 11 00:00:30,359 --> 00:00:32,399 always been something that I've wanted to protect because I 12 00:00:32,399 --> 00:00:33,600 actually really do love it too. 13 00:00:34,520 --> 00:00:38,359 Speaker 2: So growing up with kids who I knew. 14 00:00:38,159 --> 00:00:40,679 Speaker 3: Could not pronounce if Lua, which is my first name, 15 00:00:41,840 --> 00:00:45,600 love you became a thing. So but I think kind 16 00:00:45,600 --> 00:00:47,640 of why I even wrote this book is because I 17 00:00:47,719 --> 00:00:51,200 just know how many of us have spent our lifetimes 18 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:55,320 not seeing our names on key chains, having our name mispronounced, 19 00:00:55,439 --> 00:00:58,439 no matter how much we tell people how to pronounce it. 20 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:00,600 So I wanted to write something to kind of heal 21 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:03,119 that piece of all of us. That's like dealt with 22 00:01:03,119 --> 00:01:05,680 the frustration of graduation, your name being butchered. 23 00:01:05,879 --> 00:01:06,159 Speaker 2: Yep. 24 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:10,200 Speaker 3: So yeah, no, thank you for affirming that you like 25 00:01:10,239 --> 00:01:11,920 my name. That still matters Man. 26 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:14,959 Speaker 1: You talk about your name not being on a like 27 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:17,120 a little a key chain, what about Coke? Right now? 28 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:18,920 Coke has got all those names on there. And I'm 29 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:20,599 not saying this is my real name. My real name 30 00:01:20,640 --> 00:01:23,280 is Clarence. I have not seen Clarence on that bottle ever, 31 00:01:23,719 --> 00:01:26,959 and it gets inside my heart and it makes me go, well, 32 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:29,560 why am I being you know, ruled out of the game. 33 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:32,680 Speaker 3: I'm telling you, like you know when we go into 34 00:01:32,719 --> 00:01:35,959 a souvenir shop at six Flags afterwards, and I'm just like, nope, 35 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:37,319 I already know my name is not there. 36 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:38,159 Speaker 2: That's crazy. 37 00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:43,200 Speaker 3: So yeah, right, it's it, And I don't think people 38 00:01:43,239 --> 00:01:46,159 recognize how much it does affect them. So throughout this 39 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:49,719 process of launching the book, I've been surprising my friends 40 00:01:50,239 --> 00:01:51,799 with keychains. 41 00:01:51,319 --> 00:01:53,840 Speaker 2: Of their names. Oh god. Some have cried. 42 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:57,280 Speaker 3: Some have cried like them like, oh my god, I 43 00:01:57,319 --> 00:01:59,719 didn't even know how much I needed this, And I'm like, 44 00:01:59,799 --> 00:02:03,239 I know, right, like, imagine, we've never seen our names 45 00:02:03,239 --> 00:02:05,840 on keychains. I finally made one for myself and now 46 00:02:05,879 --> 00:02:08,800 it's on my keychain ring and every time I look 47 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:11,879 at it, I smile, because yeah, I think adults are 48 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:12,680 just big kids. 49 00:02:12,719 --> 00:02:14,080 Speaker 2: Anyway, So of course we are. 50 00:02:15,199 --> 00:02:17,719 Speaker 3: This book is something that even though for kids, the 51 00:02:17,759 --> 00:02:20,000 adults who've read it so far like yeah, no, no, no, 52 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:22,240 I'm keeping my copy and buying my kid a new one, 53 00:02:22,280 --> 00:02:22,960 because no, I'm. 54 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:25,479 Speaker 1: Keeping right here in my notes it says it right here, 55 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:27,400 It says, don't you think that adults in each children's 56 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:29,360 stories as well? I mean, you hit it right on 57 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:30,599 the head. Yes we do. 58 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:35,120 Speaker 3: We absolutely. I mean, so much of what we deal 59 00:02:35,159 --> 00:02:37,639 with as adults actually start as kids. So like a 60 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:40,400 lot of times, we get stuck at the age that 61 00:02:40,479 --> 00:02:41,719 whatever the trauma is. 62 00:02:43,159 --> 00:02:45,479 Speaker 2: Happened. So I love children's books. 63 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:47,639 Speaker 3: Before I even started writing them, I used to collect 64 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:50,000 them because I just think there's something so pure that 65 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:52,759 takes us back to a time where we might need 66 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:55,439 to heal a piece of ourselves. So when I write 67 00:02:55,479 --> 00:02:58,240 my kids books, I'm really writing them for big me. 68 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:00,520 Speaker 2: Somebody message me. 69 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:05,439 Speaker 1: I find that inspiring, And I want listeners who are 70 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:08,360 locked up inside their homes writing stories but hiding them 71 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:10,680 in boxes to follow you. And the reason why is 72 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:13,680 because you stepped out with your idea and you're now 73 00:03:13,719 --> 00:03:16,319 sharing it with the world. That to me is where 74 00:03:16,319 --> 00:03:19,800 real storytelling is when you step out into the real world. 75 00:03:21,439 --> 00:03:24,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, and we need that step out right. 76 00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:27,039 Speaker 3: And I think so many people question everything so much 77 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:29,120 and then they end up being silent. 78 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:29,639 Speaker 2: Yep. 79 00:03:29,919 --> 00:03:33,719 Speaker 3: And what the world needs more of his stories because 80 00:03:33,719 --> 00:03:36,800 that also humanizes all of us. It allows us to 81 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:40,039 find common ground. It allows us to see each other 82 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:44,199 in our beauty. So I think, whenever we hide our stories, 83 00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:49,240 we're hiding kindness, We're hiding the ability to connect with 84 00:03:49,319 --> 00:03:49,800 each other. 85 00:03:50,240 --> 00:03:51,479 Speaker 2: So yeah, we gotta tell them. 86 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 3: And as a creative a writer myself, being able to 87 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:57,919 tell my stories is an honor. To be able to 88 00:03:57,960 --> 00:03:59,400 use my gift in this way as an honor. 89 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:02,120 Speaker 1: So what is your writing process in the way of 90 00:04:02,159 --> 00:04:04,400 the discipline? Because I have a discipline, I have to 91 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:07,759 be behind that writing instrument at seven o'clock every single morning. 92 00:04:09,599 --> 00:04:10,000 Speaker 2: Okay. 93 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:12,199 Speaker 3: See, I don't have a writing discipline unless I am 94 00:04:12,319 --> 00:04:15,319 under manuscript. So if I have that is due is 95 00:04:15,319 --> 00:04:18,199 when I create a writing discipline. Otherwise I write when 96 00:04:18,199 --> 00:04:21,680 I feel like writing. I typically don't force myself to write, 97 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:24,319 so like, for example, I have a manuscript that's doing 98 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:27,879 a few months for my for another book. Then is 99 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:29,920 when I create a writing discipline of saying all right 100 00:04:29,959 --> 00:04:32,199 from two to four, and my brain is activated more 101 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:35,040 in the afternoon. That morning, I'll go, okay, from two 102 00:04:35,079 --> 00:04:36,879 to four, it's me in the computer screen. Let's just 103 00:04:37,319 --> 00:04:42,040 figure it out. Let's remove all distractions and just focus. 104 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:45,279 And that's usually my writing discipline. But otherwise I write 105 00:04:45,319 --> 00:04:48,439 when the words come, whether I'm sitting in an uber 106 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:50,759 or whether I am in the middle of a meeting, 107 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:52,240 and I'll be like, oh, let me jot this down 108 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:55,720 before I forget what. Sometimes I'm sleeping in their words coming, yes, 109 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:57,680 and I'll pick up and grab a notebook and write 110 00:04:57,680 --> 00:04:58,040 it down. 111 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:00,600 Speaker 2: So I simply try to honor the words when they come. 112 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:03,439 Speaker 1: Do you believe in the in the the gift of 113 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:05,759 stream thinking, In other words, it comes to you in 114 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:07,480 this moment of now, and all of a sudden you 115 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:08,199 have to trust it. 116 00:05:09,199 --> 00:05:10,800 Speaker 2: Yes, yeah, full too, me too. 117 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:12,920 Speaker 3: Fully when I tell my when I tell my students 118 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:15,639 and my clients, and I'm like, let the words do 119 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:17,639 what they're gonna do. Because if the words decide to 120 00:05:17,639 --> 00:05:18,759 come to you in the middle of the night, get 121 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:21,839 up and put them down on paper, then you sleep better. Afterwards, 122 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:24,319 you will sleep better. Just get the words down on paper, 123 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:26,720 because they're clearly here you. 124 00:05:26,959 --> 00:05:28,759 Speaker 1: I think what's so interesting about this book is that 125 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:32,279 it's about a little troublemaker. But haven't we all been 126 00:05:32,319 --> 00:05:34,639 called the troublemaker in our lifetime? And that's why we're 127 00:05:34,639 --> 00:05:37,439 so attracted to this story. 128 00:05:37,519 --> 00:05:39,920 Speaker 2: Yes, because who are the biggest troublemakers? 129 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 3: Those tiny broke best friends that we all love, the 130 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:46,079 kids who have no filter, but they have such a 131 00:05:46,079 --> 00:05:48,000 big heart, and that big heart will get them in 132 00:05:48,040 --> 00:05:51,120 trouble every time, and they really. 133 00:05:50,879 --> 00:05:55,240 Speaker 2: Are the purest form of disruption. So why not honor that? 134 00:05:55,399 --> 00:05:57,639 Speaker 3: Like kids are the ones who will give you the 135 00:05:57,680 --> 00:06:00,839 truth and it's from a pure place, it's not malicious. 136 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:05,920 They're so funny, and yeah, I think we've all been 137 00:06:05,959 --> 00:06:08,439 called troublemakers. And for me, it's a badge of honor. 138 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:11,800 You know, to live in a world that is not 139 00:06:12,399 --> 00:06:15,199 as just as it should be. To be a troublemaker 140 00:06:15,319 --> 00:06:17,439 is a badge of honor because it means I'm somebody 141 00:06:17,879 --> 00:06:20,680 who is trying to be a part of positive change. 142 00:06:20,959 --> 00:06:23,160 Speaker 1: And I love getting in conversations with with with the 143 00:06:23,199 --> 00:06:25,040 little little ones. And the reason why is because you're 144 00:06:25,079 --> 00:06:27,199 right that honesty, Because that to me is where the 145 00:06:27,279 --> 00:06:30,040 laughter is and it is. They will say things you're going, 146 00:06:30,079 --> 00:06:35,319 oh my god, where did that come from? 147 00:06:35,439 --> 00:06:37,759 Speaker 3: They and they're so and you just have to laugh 148 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:42,120 sometimes because they'll sometimes drag you about yourself. Like my 149 00:06:42,199 --> 00:06:43,959 favorite thing is talking to parents, and I'll be like 150 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:46,759 your kids said, what like they will hurt your feelings 151 00:06:46,839 --> 00:06:50,800 with a smile. But let's lean into that. Let us 152 00:06:50,920 --> 00:06:54,319 let us use that to even show that sometimes it 153 00:06:54,399 --> 00:06:57,079 is okay to make mistakes. It is okay to not 154 00:06:57,120 --> 00:06:59,120 get it right. It is okay to have a big 155 00:06:59,160 --> 00:07:00,800 heart that will get you a big trouble. But can 156 00:07:00,879 --> 00:07:02,079 you move forward with growth? 157 00:07:02,639 --> 00:07:02,959 Speaker 2: You can? 158 00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:06,800 Speaker 1: Boy, Like you said something that that you know, that 159 00:07:06,879 --> 00:07:08,519 really touched me in the way that I would love 160 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:10,480 to see this on a T shirt or a poster somewhere. 161 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:13,959 Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I just think that is 162 00:07:14,079 --> 00:07:16,560 so so positive in so many different ways. 163 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's also the title of my TED talk, and 164 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:25,160 it's because I mean, like I said in the talk, 165 00:07:25,319 --> 00:07:29,079 comfort is overrated. Comfort has never gotten us where we 166 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:32,959 need to go. Comfort keeps you stuck and stagnant. Comfort 167 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:36,040 is a lack of growth. So that's not where we're 168 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:39,079 supposed to be. You know, our comfort zone exists because 169 00:07:39,079 --> 00:07:41,480 it's supposed to be a bubble. But we're not supposed 170 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:43,519 to live in bubbles, So we do got to get 171 00:07:43,519 --> 00:07:46,399 comfortable to being uncomfortable, because it's in the discomfort that 172 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:48,279 we will grow and get what we want. 173 00:07:49,199 --> 00:07:52,199 Speaker 1: How did you grow into the author that can take 174 00:07:52,279 --> 00:07:55,160 something so simple and put it into words, because I mean, 175 00:07:55,240 --> 00:07:57,000 you know, so many people when they sit down to write, 176 00:07:57,040 --> 00:07:59,120 they've got to use their this source they've got, they've 177 00:07:59,120 --> 00:08:01,279 got to make it, you know, make it look pretty basically, 178 00:08:01,439 --> 00:08:03,680 But you've got this way of really making a connection 179 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:04,839 in the most simplest way. 180 00:08:06,879 --> 00:08:11,639 Speaker 3: I mean, I just really don't overthink it. I don't 181 00:08:11,680 --> 00:08:14,759 overthink it, I don't overthink my words. If it feels true, 182 00:08:14,759 --> 00:08:16,279 I'm gonna try to say it in the most thoughtful 183 00:08:16,319 --> 00:08:19,319 way possible. And I think that's really the difference between 184 00:08:19,839 --> 00:08:22,240 me and some other people who might be like, hey, 185 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:25,040 you're churning a lot of content. A lot of people 186 00:08:25,079 --> 00:08:26,879 spend time being like should I should I? 187 00:08:26,959 --> 00:08:29,759 Speaker 2: Yes, it's good enough? Is this somebody gonna be upset? 188 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:32,440 Speaker 3: So then because of that, how much art has never 189 00:08:32,480 --> 00:08:35,159 been seen the light of day simply because somebody questioned 190 00:08:35,159 --> 00:08:35,759 it too much. 191 00:08:36,919 --> 00:08:39,200 Speaker 2: Infinite amounts of art that could. 192 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:43,759 Speaker 3: Have actually changed somebody's life, somebody's day, somebody's mood has 193 00:08:43,799 --> 00:08:45,759 not seen the light of day because the artist who 194 00:08:45,799 --> 00:08:48,799 created it is questioning it and says, ah, it's okay, 195 00:08:48,799 --> 00:08:49,519 I'm not gonna do it. 196 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:50,200 Speaker 2: Yeah. 197 00:08:50,279 --> 00:08:54,639 Speaker 3: I spend less time questioning myself and my work. It 198 00:08:54,639 --> 00:08:56,759 doesn't mean that I always think I'm gonna get it right. 199 00:08:56,799 --> 00:09:00,200 It doesn't mean that I am that I think I 200 00:09:00,240 --> 00:09:02,480 am perfect, nor does it mean that I don't think 201 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:05,720 there's improvement. What it means is that I honor what 202 00:09:05,879 --> 00:09:09,440 feels true without constantly doubting it. 203 00:09:10,759 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 1: You sharing that with me right away. I go back 204 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:15,480 to Mark Twain's book where Mark says that he says, 205 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:17,919 you've got to be able to write in your own accent. 206 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:19,960 And I thought to myself, of your accent, I said, 207 00:09:19,960 --> 00:09:22,360 oh my god, all writers have their own accent. We 208 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:24,679 may not hear it, but we can see it. And 209 00:09:25,159 --> 00:09:27,240 that's what we see on your pages, is that you 210 00:09:27,279 --> 00:09:28,840 write it with your own accent. 211 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:33,360 Speaker 3: Yes, and that's why I can write fast, because I'm 212 00:09:33,399 --> 00:09:37,039 not spending time trying to sound like anything but who 213 00:09:37,080 --> 00:09:41,000 I am. Right, So my first draft is my first draft, 214 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:44,679 because that's how I thought about it, That's how it 215 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:47,039 came to me, and that's how the words flowed. I 216 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:48,440 didn't go back and say, oh, I need to make 217 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:50,879 this funny. I need to make it punch you. I 218 00:09:50,919 --> 00:09:53,080 need to make it sound like this other person. No, 219 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:54,120 it's going to sound like Lovey. 220 00:09:54,399 --> 00:09:58,240 Speaker 1: Do not Move. There's more with Lovey coming up next. Hey, 221 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:00,720 thanks for coming back to my conversation with Oh and 222 00:10:00,799 --> 00:10:03,919 the name of the book, Little Troublemaker defends her name. 223 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:06,320 So how much was social media part of this journey? 224 00:10:06,320 --> 00:10:07,600 Because and the reason why I bring that up is 225 00:10:07,639 --> 00:10:10,480 because my last book, I put it out there all 226 00:10:10,519 --> 00:10:12,200 the way through, from the beginning of the book, all 227 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:13,519 the way to the end, and then when it was 228 00:10:13,559 --> 00:10:16,360 finished and to the point where I wanted to create 229 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:18,960 talk and social media is so important to you as well. 230 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:22,879 Speaker 3: Yeah, No, social media kind of got me started on 231 00:10:22,879 --> 00:10:25,039 my writing journey because in two thousand and three, I 232 00:10:25,039 --> 00:10:27,440 started my first ever blog while I was in college, 233 00:10:28,039 --> 00:10:30,360 and then you know, deleted that blog in two thousand 234 00:10:30,399 --> 00:10:32,919 and six when I graduated and started Awesomely Lovey, which 235 00:10:32,919 --> 00:10:37,360 still exists today. But it's through the audience that I've 236 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:40,399 built online that I've been able to build, you know, 237 00:10:40,559 --> 00:10:43,919 this career because they've always supported me, invested in my 238 00:10:44,039 --> 00:10:47,120 work and have seen my journey as a writer, as 239 00:10:47,159 --> 00:10:49,799 a thinker, as a human being, and a lot of 240 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:54,200 that has been social media driven. But I also know 241 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:58,759 that because my audience can they're not just on Facebook 242 00:10:58,759 --> 00:11:03,759 and Instagram and LinkedIn, also find me still on my blog. 243 00:11:03,799 --> 00:11:06,440 They can still find me on my newsletter. So even 244 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:08,720 though I build some of my career on social media, 245 00:11:08,759 --> 00:11:11,559 I don't depend on it as a way to reach 246 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:13,200 everybody all the time. 247 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:16,200 Speaker 1: Oh, Lovey, I'll tell you what you know. Back in 248 00:11:16,240 --> 00:11:18,399 the early part of this millennium, you know, I was 249 00:11:18,720 --> 00:11:21,080 trying to do the blogging and the podcasting and stuff 250 00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:22,080 like that, and people are going, I. 251 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:23,840 Speaker 2: Need you exclusively on this site. 252 00:11:23,919 --> 00:11:26,879 Speaker 1: Quit trying to go every place else. And now they're going, oh, well, 253 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:29,399 I didn't understand where you were coming from. And it's like, 254 00:11:29,679 --> 00:11:32,279 you understand that, Lovey, that you got to be everywhere. 255 00:11:31,799 --> 00:11:35,600 Speaker 2: All at once, but you got me in the right places. 256 00:11:35,679 --> 00:11:39,039 Speaker 1: Yeah you do. Now that study that's doing to me. 257 00:11:39,120 --> 00:11:41,720 That's the business of what we do, not just the art, 258 00:11:41,759 --> 00:11:43,039 but the business. 259 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:45,000 Speaker 2: That's it. 260 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 3: Like we have to be We have to be visible. 261 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:51,200 That's actually the word you gotta be, right. 262 00:11:51,399 --> 00:11:51,759 Speaker 2: I don't. 263 00:11:52,279 --> 00:11:54,639 Speaker 3: For example, I'm not on Snapchat, Like why would I 264 00:11:54,639 --> 00:11:57,960 be on Snapchat? On Snapchat and see if I show 265 00:11:58,039 --> 00:12:00,720 up on Snapchat, Like, I'm gonna leave that to the kids, right, 266 00:12:00,759 --> 00:12:03,360 But you will find me on Facebook, on Instagram, on LinkedIn, 267 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:06,080 you'll find me on my newsletter. So it's about being 268 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:09,200 visible in the right places. The place is where your 269 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:14,000 people are, right, So it's not about chasing other people. 270 00:12:14,039 --> 00:12:16,919 It's really about how can I deepen the communities in 271 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:19,879 the spaces where they're already spending time. 272 00:12:20,759 --> 00:12:23,000 Speaker 1: One of the things that I'm inspired by from you 273 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:25,960 is the fact that you pretty much put it out 274 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:28,679 there that we all face conflict, but you're very transparent 275 00:12:28,759 --> 00:12:31,519 about it. And I think that's such a teaching tool 276 00:12:31,559 --> 00:12:33,159 that you that you've got the strength to be able 277 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:35,639 to say, Okay, this is what happened. Now what are 278 00:12:35,639 --> 00:12:37,279 we going to learn from it? Let's locate a solution. 279 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:41,039 Speaker 2: Yeah. I never purport myself to be an expert in anything. 280 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:44,120 Speaker 3: I am simply a guide who's trying to figure out stuff, 281 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:47,039 just along with everybody else. So one of the things 282 00:12:47,039 --> 00:12:50,360 that happens is that people, whenever they see platforms, will 283 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:53,480 put people on pedestals, and I'm just like, nah, pedestals 284 00:12:53,519 --> 00:12:58,039 are for statues, not so there's any pedestals anybody has 285 00:12:58,159 --> 00:13:00,440 me on, kick me off. It just you set me 286 00:13:00,519 --> 00:13:03,200 up to fail, because I definitely can't live to that. 287 00:13:03,399 --> 00:13:06,200 So for me, I do talk about my failures. I 288 00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:08,480 do talk about the mistakes that I make because I 289 00:13:08,519 --> 00:13:10,720 don't want people to forget that I'm a human. Yeah. 290 00:13:10,840 --> 00:13:12,480 Speaker 2: I might look like I have it together on a 291 00:13:12,519 --> 00:13:13,720 regular basis. 292 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:15,799 Speaker 3: But I am just a human being trying to figure 293 00:13:15,799 --> 00:13:18,799 this out, just like everybody else. And sometimes when people 294 00:13:18,799 --> 00:13:24,000 attach extremely high standards and expectations of you, it also 295 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:27,399 means they're setting you up for disappointment because it means 296 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:32,519 the things that you do disappoint them more often or quicker. 297 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:35,399 So I'm always like, don't forget I'm a human. Behind 298 00:13:35,399 --> 00:13:38,120 this platform, behind the books, behind the best sellers, behind 299 00:13:38,159 --> 00:13:40,679 the coaching all of that, I'm still a human first. 300 00:13:40,799 --> 00:13:41,080 Speaker 2: Yeah. 301 00:13:41,159 --> 00:13:43,679 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's when usually, like, especially when I make a 302 00:13:43,720 --> 00:13:46,360 mistake and the boss has to come in and remind 303 00:13:46,360 --> 00:13:48,600 myself over and over again how I made that mistake, 304 00:13:48,600 --> 00:13:51,080 and my mouth because I'm a little troublemaker. I'll look 305 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:52,960 at the boss and a heartbeat and say, where on 306 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:55,000 my resume did I say that I was Jesus, I 307 00:13:55,279 --> 00:13:57,360 am not perfect. I'm going to make mistakes. 308 00:13:58,559 --> 00:14:01,519 Speaker 2: That's it. That's exactly I'm like. 309 00:14:01,759 --> 00:14:04,080 Speaker 3: Even Jesus said I'm not perfect ease and he flipped 310 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:08,200 the table. I'm not perfect either, So I just think 311 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:11,399 for me. And one thing I'm always telling people like, look, 312 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:14,679 i'm gonna disappoint you. Follow me for I'm gonna say 313 00:14:14,720 --> 00:14:16,600 something you're not gonna like. At some point, I'm gonna 314 00:14:16,600 --> 00:14:19,200 do something you're not gonna like. So just expect that 315 00:14:19,279 --> 00:14:21,679 of me. Because and the thing about me, bo I 316 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:24,799 always promise is that if there's a lesson to be learned, 317 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:27,080 I will learn it. You know, if there's better to 318 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:28,960 be done, I will do it. I will do better. 319 00:14:29,879 --> 00:14:31,960 That's all we can do in this pursuit for humanity 320 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:34,080 is like, can we all just do better? 321 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:34,759 Speaker 2: Day by day? 322 00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:37,559 Speaker 1: Where in your heart did you find the trust and 323 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:41,240 strength to collaborate? Because I always fear collaborations, but yet 324 00:14:41,279 --> 00:14:44,279 you created with Joey, and you've got something from that collaboration. 325 00:14:44,639 --> 00:14:47,639 And because I'm not alone there, listeners are gonna go 326 00:14:47,720 --> 00:14:49,440 I don't want to collaborate with anybody either. I don't 327 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:51,720 trust them, I don't about And it's like, how how 328 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:53,279 did you find that? To be able to do that 329 00:14:53,360 --> 00:14:53,879 with Joey. 330 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 3: Art is collaboration. We must learn how to share the gifts. 331 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:03,559 And Joey has an amazing collaborator. He's understood my vision 332 00:15:03,639 --> 00:15:06,720 for this little character. He brought her to life like 333 00:15:06,799 --> 00:15:08,559 him and I literally would get on the zoom. I'll 334 00:15:08,559 --> 00:15:09,759 be like, oh, do this to her eyes? 335 00:15:10,399 --> 00:15:12,960 Speaker 2: My gosh, like you have her frolo a little bit 336 00:15:12,960 --> 00:15:14,919 more curl. And one of the things that I love 337 00:15:14,960 --> 00:15:15,480 about this. 338 00:15:15,559 --> 00:15:18,720 Speaker 3: Character is how good her haircut is. Her haircut is 339 00:15:18,799 --> 00:15:21,759 top notch. My girl's haircut is top notch. 340 00:15:21,879 --> 00:15:23,200 Speaker 2: And that's Joey. 341 00:15:23,639 --> 00:15:25,519 Speaker 3: I told Joey. I said, Joey, I need her haircuts 342 00:15:25,519 --> 00:15:28,639 to be fire. Okay, he said, I got you. So, Like, 343 00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:31,360 you know, collaborating with somebody who's willing to take feedback, 344 00:15:31,399 --> 00:15:34,559 who is like making the process fun. 345 00:15:34,639 --> 00:15:36,840 Speaker 2: We also have fun creating these books. 346 00:15:37,120 --> 00:15:38,879 Speaker 3: We have a good time with the colors like him, 347 00:15:38,879 --> 00:15:40,200 and I would be like, Okay, what color are we 348 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:41,000 thinking about for the cover? 349 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:41,399 Speaker 2: Yeah? 350 00:15:41,480 --> 00:15:44,879 Speaker 3: And we'll sit there playing with different colors, because art 351 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:47,519 and creation of art can also be fun. It doesn't 352 00:15:47,559 --> 00:15:50,879 have to be all laborists and oh the tortured artist. 353 00:15:51,159 --> 00:15:52,639 You ain't got to be tortured to be an artist. 354 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:54,480 You don't, Yeah, you don't. 355 00:15:54,519 --> 00:15:56,919 Speaker 1: I always say that, you know that being an artist 356 00:15:57,080 --> 00:15:59,519 that gives you permission to make mistakes and to learn 357 00:15:59,519 --> 00:16:01,639 from them to build upon. That's which is one of 358 00:16:01,679 --> 00:16:03,720 the reasons why like painting on a canvas is because 359 00:16:03,879 --> 00:16:04,279 just go in. 360 00:16:04,200 --> 00:16:06,039 Speaker 2: There and screw. 361 00:16:05,279 --> 00:16:07,200 Speaker 1: It up and and figure it out and then and 362 00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:09,440 then because who was it that it was? Peter Maxett 363 00:16:09,440 --> 00:16:11,279 told me the color red. You need to have the 364 00:16:11,279 --> 00:16:13,759 color red because it will take the eye off the 365 00:16:13,799 --> 00:16:16,799 mistake on the canvas. I'm going the color red. I 366 00:16:17,080 --> 00:16:17,360 like that. 367 00:16:20,919 --> 00:16:22,679 Speaker 3: And you know, I'm a fan of branding. I'm a 368 00:16:22,679 --> 00:16:25,200 brand in geek. That's been my professional background too. So 369 00:16:25,559 --> 00:16:28,120 even the use of color is intentional, yeah, right, Like 370 00:16:28,639 --> 00:16:31,399 your color is red, and red is the color for 371 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:35,240 boldness and power and energy, and that's that's what I represent. 372 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:37,600 So in the books you will always see some type 373 00:16:37,639 --> 00:16:38,879 of red in there. 374 00:16:40,559 --> 00:16:43,200 Speaker 1: When did you realize that that you were the artist? 375 00:16:43,279 --> 00:16:45,840 Because a lot of people don't understand our path and 376 00:16:45,840 --> 00:16:48,440 our trail in the way. They just think we're weird. 377 00:16:48,519 --> 00:16:50,600 So I say, then, then let me prove how weird 378 00:16:50,679 --> 00:16:51,759 I am by being an artist. 379 00:16:54,159 --> 00:16:55,840 Speaker 2: Why we got to be? I mean, here's the thing, though, 380 00:16:55,879 --> 00:16:56,519 we're all weird. 381 00:16:56,639 --> 00:16:59,559 Speaker 3: Let the record show like we are all weird those 382 00:17:00,159 --> 00:17:00,720 different way. 383 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:01,759 Speaker 2: And that's all right. 384 00:17:01,840 --> 00:17:04,599 Speaker 3: I'm a weirdo in a way, you know, So listen, 385 00:17:04,759 --> 00:17:07,880 just choose your weird as long as you're weird, is 386 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:10,880 your true weirdness? For me, my weird Let me see. 387 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:14,160 One of my weirds is I always have to match. Yeah, 388 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:18,279 like I have to coordinate my outfits. They gotta go together, 389 00:17:18,319 --> 00:17:20,960 the colors gotta match. Even today, my outfit matches my 390 00:17:21,000 --> 00:17:24,319 book cover. That's my level of weird in my day 391 00:17:24,359 --> 00:17:26,119 to day life. I'm going to the grocery store, I'm 392 00:17:26,119 --> 00:17:30,599 still going to match. So I'm weird like that. 393 00:17:31,039 --> 00:17:33,079 Speaker 1: So now where do you grow from this point forward? 394 00:17:33,079 --> 00:17:35,319 Now that the book is out? Because I know what authors, 395 00:17:35,599 --> 00:17:37,880 we're always working on the next book while promoting the 396 00:17:37,960 --> 00:17:38,480 last book. 397 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:41,799 Speaker 3: Facts actually facts. I'm working on two books right now there. 398 00:17:41,960 --> 00:17:44,920 I have two books coming out next year. The third 399 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:49,079 Little Troublemakers coming out May twenty twenty six, and then 400 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:51,200 my next bigger book is coming out in the fall 401 00:17:51,279 --> 00:17:53,680 of twenty twenty six. So I'm absolutely working on books 402 00:17:53,720 --> 00:17:54,880 while promoting this book. 403 00:17:55,680 --> 00:17:58,440 Speaker 1: So do you look at yourself as being an author 404 00:17:58,839 --> 00:18:00,960 or a writer, because people tend well when I tell 405 00:18:00,960 --> 00:18:03,160 people I'm a writer, they go ooh, and it's but 406 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:04,599 you know, but what do you what do you think 407 00:18:04,599 --> 00:18:05,759 you are an author or a writer. 408 00:18:06,759 --> 00:18:08,640 Speaker 2: Some people are authors, but they're not writers. 409 00:18:09,039 --> 00:18:12,759 Speaker 3: I'm a writer, right right, some people are I'm a 410 00:18:12,799 --> 00:18:16,319 writer first. I'm a writer first, and then my work 411 00:18:16,400 --> 00:18:18,799 is now bound and published. Now I'm an author too, 412 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:21,039 But at my core, I am a writer. 413 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:22,079 Speaker 2: The way I'm able to. 414 00:18:22,119 --> 00:18:26,599 Speaker 3: Use words to communicate is my gift, and that's what 415 00:18:26,680 --> 00:18:29,960 my career also is, because i mean, why not merge 416 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:32,319 career and and what's that vocation? 417 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:34,599 Speaker 2: So I mean gift and vocation. 418 00:18:35,359 --> 00:18:37,799 Speaker 1: I'm shocked that you aren't writing music and performing music 419 00:18:37,839 --> 00:18:39,359 because I can hear it in your voice that you 420 00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:41,279 that you because you speak perfectly in tune. 421 00:18:42,519 --> 00:18:46,319 Speaker 2: Really yeah, I've never heard that I speak in tune. 422 00:18:46,400 --> 00:18:50,160 Speaker 4: That's incredible, It's it's it's one of those you know, 423 00:18:50,200 --> 00:18:52,279 it's like it's to me, it's it's the That's how 424 00:18:52,279 --> 00:18:53,960 you can spot what what kind of moves people are 425 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:55,839 in by listening to their vocal tones when they when 426 00:18:55,839 --> 00:18:57,400 they I'm doing fine. 427 00:18:57,519 --> 00:19:00,799 Speaker 1: I'm okay. It's like you God, I'm staying away from 428 00:19:00,799 --> 00:19:04,039 you today. 429 00:19:04,079 --> 00:19:07,519 Speaker 3: Wow, I'm actually curious. So you're saying there's musicality in 430 00:19:07,559 --> 00:19:08,039 my tone. 431 00:19:08,319 --> 00:19:11,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, You've got perfect pitch, volume and 432 00:19:11,680 --> 00:19:13,680 tone in it. I mean it's it's like you're using 433 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:15,839 your voice in such a great way. And I just 434 00:19:15,880 --> 00:19:17,400 I just love it when I when I when I'm 435 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:20,000 associated with something like that, because it's positive energy. 436 00:19:21,240 --> 00:19:24,640 Speaker 3: Yes see, I love affirmations like that. I don't hear 437 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:28,160 that often. I have heard that. Somebody actually did message 438 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:31,160 me once and said that their kids stops crying when 439 00:19:31,200 --> 00:19:35,000 they play my podcast, and my podcast became some like this, 440 00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:37,960 like lullaby for their kid because like apparently my voice 441 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:38,880 was soothing to the kid. 442 00:19:39,079 --> 00:19:41,799 Speaker 2: And I was like, that's amazing affirmation. Thank you. I'll 443 00:19:41,839 --> 00:19:42,960 take that. Wow. 444 00:19:43,440 --> 00:19:45,839 Speaker 1: Where can people go to find out more about you 445 00:19:45,960 --> 00:19:47,240 and give you lots of love? 446 00:19:47,319 --> 00:19:51,319 Speaker 2: Lovey Oh? Yes, I am all over social media. 447 00:19:51,359 --> 00:19:53,960 Speaker 3: I'm easy to find my user name on all the 448 00:19:53,960 --> 00:19:57,680 platforms is l u v v I E and you 449 00:19:57,759 --> 00:19:59,599 can find my blog at. 450 00:19:59,480 --> 00:20:01,480 Speaker 2: Awesome lea love dot com. 451 00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:04,240 Speaker 3: And if for Little Troublemaker defends her name, which is 452 00:20:04,240 --> 00:20:07,279 out today, you will find it anywhere books are sold. 453 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:11,200 You know, I always ask people if they can, if 454 00:20:11,240 --> 00:20:14,400 you can support an independent bookstore, it's really good to 455 00:20:14,440 --> 00:20:18,920 get the ND's some business. But otherwise Barnes and Noble, 456 00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:21,680 target Amazon, it's everywhere. It's everywhere, so just go ahead 457 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:23,880 and place in order. But I have one ask of 458 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:27,319 your audience. I do have one to ask, go for it. 459 00:20:27,359 --> 00:20:27,960 Speaker 2: On top of that. 460 00:20:28,640 --> 00:20:31,000 Speaker 3: So one of my missions with this book, because I 461 00:20:31,039 --> 00:20:34,839 think this message is so important and so critical, is 462 00:20:34,880 --> 00:20:37,039 to get this book into as many hands of kids 463 00:20:37,079 --> 00:20:40,720 in classrooms as possible without their teachers having to incur 464 00:20:40,839 --> 00:20:43,720 more costs because teachers do not get paid enough. 465 00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:46,000 Speaker 2: And shout out to today's Teacher Appreciation Day. 466 00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:50,160 Speaker 3: We are doing a sponsorship train to have people cover 467 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:53,559 the costs of the books for a classroom and people 468 00:20:53,599 --> 00:20:59,240 would love to join. LT sponsor train dot com. Lt 469 00:20:59,480 --> 00:21:03,079 sponsor dot com. Let us know if you want to 470 00:21:03,119 --> 00:21:06,319 sponsor whether five books, whether it's ten books, twenty books. 471 00:21:06,640 --> 00:21:08,519 Our goal is to get this into the hands of 472 00:21:08,559 --> 00:21:11,039 ten thousand kids in classrooms, and so far we are 473 00:21:11,079 --> 00:21:11,839 at two thousand. 474 00:21:11,839 --> 00:21:16,480 Speaker 2: Oh wow wow yeah, joy wow. Join us. 475 00:21:16,799 --> 00:21:18,400 Speaker 1: I love where your heart is. You've got to come 476 00:21:18,440 --> 00:21:20,599 back to this show anytime in the future. The door 477 00:21:20,759 --> 00:21:22,240 is always going to be open for you. 478 00:21:23,119 --> 00:21:24,359 Speaker 2: Listen, I'll come back next year. 479 00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:26,200 Speaker 1: Okay, I expect that. 480 00:21:26,240 --> 00:21:27,759 Speaker 2: Then let's do it. 481 00:21:29,079 --> 00:21:30,319 Speaker 1: Will you'd be brilliant today? 482 00:21:30,319 --> 00:21:33,480 Speaker 2: Okay, thank you. Have an amazing day, you too. 483 00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:34,440 Speaker 1: Thank you.