The Real Talk Network

On Episode #8 of Real Talk with Tedi, Tedi welcomes back special guest, Sarah Pierce, the Founder & Owner of 517 Living.  Tedi and Sarah talk about 517 Living's 10-Year Anniversary and ways this will be celebrated.  Sarah provides us with an update on all the changes at 517 Living and what to look for and expect in 2024.  Sarah also shares with us the benefits of being part of the 517 Living.com membership directory.  Tedi...

On this episode of Real Talk with Tedi , Tedi welcomes back special guest Elaine Sterrett Isely, Deputy Director of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC), located in Grand Rapids, MI.  Tedi and Elaine talk about Earth Day (April 22, 2024) and how we can become better stewards when it comes to caring for our planet.  Elaine provides with great information on what Climate Change is and how we can be part of the solut...

On Episode #6 of of Real Talk with Tedi, Tedi welcomes special guest Derek Davis, a Cali Sober Bartender and Postpartum Doula, located in Southeast Michigan.  Derek shares with us his journey as a Trans man and why his role as Mr. Trans Michigan 2024 is so important to him and the communities he serves.  We learn what a Postpartum Doula is and what they do and that I am considered 'straight edged'.  Tedi and Derek talk ab...

On Episode #5 of of Real Talk with Tedi, Tedi welcomes special guest Nikki Thompson Frazier, Founder & Owner of Sweet Encounter Bakery & Cafe, which is located in the historic Knapp's Building in downtown Lansing, MI.  Tedi and Nikki talk about how the bakery and cafe got started and why it has a strong focus on those with food allergies. Nikki shares with us the amazing treats and more you can get at Sweet Encounter B...

On this episode of Real Talk with Tedi, Tedi welcomes special guest  Trevis Gleason, Chef, Published Author & Disability Advocate, located in West Kerry, Ireland.  Trevis shares with us his amazing journey around the world and how this provided some incredible lessons for living well.  We learn about Trevis's new book Living well with Multiple Sclerosis and where the inspiration for writing this came from.  Trevis provides...

On Episode 3 of Season Four of Real Talk with Tedi, Tedi welcomes back special guest  Shelley Davis-Boyd, President of Integrare Collaborative, which is located in Lansing, MI.  Tedi and Shelley talk about all things Certified Life Coaching, what this is and how it can help us to grow both personally and professionally.  Shelley shares with us her style of coaching and why she enjoys helping others to achieve their life goals.  Ted...

On Episode Two of Season Four of Real Talk with Tedi, Tedi welcomes back special guest Jamie Ashby, the current reigning Miss Trans Michigan USA, of Lansing, MI.    Jamie is back to share with us her journey to the Mr. & Miss Trans USA pageant that took place in November 2023 in Milwaukee, WI.   Jamie and Tedi talk about how she (Jamie) discovered her true self and what it took to get where she is today.  Tedi shares some alarm...

On Episode One of Season Four of Real Talk with Tedi, Tedi welcomes  K Lynn Smith, an award-winning artist and writer from Michigan.  K Lynn is best known as the writer and artist of the western comic PLUME.   Tedi and K Lynn talk about all things comics.  Tedi provides a brief history of comics in the U.S. and K Lyn shares with us her journey from aspirations of being an animator to creating, writing and selling her own comic book...

On the final episode of Season 3 of Real Talk with Tedi, Tedi welcomes his Co-Host, Cindy Whittum,  Recruitment and Internship Specialist, State of Michigan (EGLE), for a candid discussion about the holidays (the good, the bad and the ugly).  Tedi and Cindy talk about what they like and dislike about the Christmas holiday, holiday gift giving and the dreaded office holiday party.  Cindy shares with us her favorite Christmas song an...

On this episode of Real Talk with Tedi, Tedi welcomes special guest Allison Spooner, Writer & Creative Warrior, located in Lansing, MI.  Allison shares with us all the details about her new book: Lost Girl: A Neverland Story (available now).   Tedi and Allison talk about her (Allison's) passion for writing and why/how she started creating stories that bring her characters to life, sometimes in unexpected ways.  Allison sch...

On this episode of Real Talk with Tedi, Tedi welcomes Ieva Rutkauskaitė (Yeh Va Root-koh-sky'-tea) a 16-year old exchange student from Lithuania who is now living in Grand Rapids, MI.   Tedi and Ivea have a fascinating conversation about her (Ivea's) journey to the United States to be an exchange student in Grand Rapids, MI.  Ivea shares with us her experiences of coming to America and the differences in her education her...

On this episode of Real Talk with Tedi, Tedi welcomes Victoria Meadows, Marketing Director at the Capital Area District Libraries, located in Lansing, MI.    Tedi and Victoria talk about today's library and the many services available to the public.  Victoria shares with us her passion for reading and her love of books and the library.   It is clear based on our conversation that this is not your grandfathers library.  You can...

On this episode of Real Talk with Tedi, Tedi welcomes  Amy Bragagnini a Clinical Oncology Dietitian at Trinity Health Lacks Cancer Center, located in Grand Rapids, MI.   Tedi and Amy talk about food as we prepare for the upcoming holiday season.   Amy shares with us some great tips on how we can enjoy our time during the holiday when it comes to food, without feeling guilty.  Tedi and Amy discuss how we can get past 'food fear...

On this episode of Real Talk with Tedi, Tedi welcomes special guests Jody Washington, a strong Community Activist and former City of Lansing Council Woman and Jerry Norris, Primus Inter Paris at The Fledge, both who are located in Lansing, MI.   We have a very informative and educational discussion centered on housing, the unhoused and affordable housing.  We also discuss inclusive language and how we can all get involved.  Jody an...

On this episode of Career Chat, Tedi welcomes special guest Beth Batts, Founder & Owner of BB Consulting LLC, located in Grand Rapids, MI.   Tedi and Beth talk about all the incredible services Beth and her team offer at BB Consulting.  Beth shares with us what Change Management, Gap Analysis and Learning Modalities are and how these can assist a business with different strategies that can help them grow.  Beth also shares with...

On this episode of Real Talk with Tedi, Tedi welcomes special guest Mark Ralko, Founder, Executive Director & Trainer of Inclusively Fit located in Sterling Heights, MI.  Tedi and Mark talk about how he (Mark) came-up with the idea of creating Inclusively Fit and where he hopes to see the organization in the next 5-years.  Mark shares with us his passion for fitness and how he uses this to help others.   This is one conversatio...

On this episode of Real Talk with Tedi, Tedi welcomes special guest Jody Washington, a strong Community Activist and former City of Lansing Council Woman.   Tedi and Jody talk about the strong commitment Jody has to serving the Lansing community and why this is so important to her.  Jody share with us her views on the housing crisis and ways we can help our homeless population.  Jody also tells us about her candidacy for City of La...

On this episode of Career Chat, Tedi welcomes special guest Caryn Bedford, Founder & Owner of Caryn Bedford Consulting LLC, located in Lansing, MI.   Tedi and Caryn talk about the many services and training's Caryn offers through her consulting firm.  Caryn also shares with us what DiSC is and how the assessments can help individuals and organizations with their talent needs.   You can connect with Caryn at:

Caryn...

On this episode of Career Chat, Tedi welcomes special guest Kaitlin Brown, Attorney & Shareholder at Maddin Hauser, located in Southfield, MI.    Tedi and Kaitlin have a fascinating conversation about employment law, pre-COVID and how the Pandemic has changed the way we work .  Kaitlin shares with us why she chose to be an attorney after having a exciting career in film production.   Katie provides some great information on wha...