Coffee & Convos

Shayna Renee Hammond, Founder & CEO of Lead For Liberation and IndigoWomen, is a serial entrepreneur with an extensive 20-year background in leadership and life coaching, organizational culture redesign, business strategy, and education leadership development. Joins me to discuss liberation, self-care, and leadership. It is an inspiring conversation that reminds us that leadership doesn't mean alone or without rest. Listen in and let me know what you think on the CoffeeConvosLiz.com website. 

Where to find Shayna Renee Hammond

Joined by a few friends to talk about creating diverse characters, lifting diverse writers, and how pen names have helped people avoid bias. 

Follow these guests and the Kindle Vella's they are reading/writing 

Speaking up for yourself can be anxiety-provoking, yikes! But you can be the best advocate on your journey to healing and hope, which is the theme for Women's History Month. Amy Green Smith, a personal empowerment expert, joins me to discuss how speaking up for ourselves is a key component to wellness. 

More about Amy Green Smith 

Have you ever left a conversation and wish the other person really heard you? Karen joins me to discuss values and how to use this to communicate more and argue less. 

Find Karen Tibbals

Who knew that freedom of expression has so many layers and a deep connection to our past circumstances. Kayla joins me to discuss how she blends her passion for caring and curating. She discusses how the explorative journey of helping clients decorate their home can lead to healing from past traumas.

Find Kayla Jackson

"Its Up To Us" is the campaign slogan for CT State Senate Candidate Charneil Bush. He joins me to discuss his desire to fight for the needs of the people and passion for creating policies that people forward. This conversation is full of politics, people, and hope.

Find Charneil Bush

Alexis closes out this season as we discuss the policy behind the abortion law instituted by the state of Texas and what this means future abortion policies. 

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Brain joins me to talk about pushing past the negative thoughts blocking your success. His first book, “Get Out of Your Head,” draws parallels between computer systems and the human mind and gives readers practical strategies for overcoming anxiety. Much of Brian’s writing is focused on health, wellness, and personal development. 

Find Brian and his books at

Podcaster's Jazz and Tae join me to discuss our similar interests, politics, mental health, and celebrity culture. We explore the importance of wellness and how 2020 has sparked so much change. 

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Gretchen discusses a new take on creativity that will have you problem solving in a whole new way! Need more help unlocking creativity head over to her website for your very own FREE discovery call ** Don't forget to mention Coffee and Convos sent you***

Find Gretchen Voolich

Author Alexia Bartholomew joins me to discuss how she used writing to soar through the pain. Author of multiple books about her journey, she discusses how writing helped her healing process. 

**Possible Trigger Warning--Sexual abuse discussed during the episode**

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Find Daralyse Lyons

Doug Noll, Esq, co-founder of Prison of Peace a project started in 2010 to train lifers and long-term incarcerated people how to be peacemakers; shares some of those strategies this episode and discusses how we can de-escalte conflict in our own lives and how we can listen others into existence.

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I left this convo feeling inspired about the power of my own voice and understanding the importance of speaking up for others in need. This episode Jeffrey Le, activist, writer, and all around good person, shares his journey to activism, the work he is doing to support the AAPI community, and aiding those in need in Afghanistan. For more articles or to connect with Jeff, use the links below. 

Find Jeffrey Le

John from Custom Mobile Apps, aka PodSquad, joins me to discuss creating custom apps, finding balance, and learning from mistakes. If this episode leaves you feeling inspired to get your own custom app connect with John and tell him "Liz from Coffee and Convos" sent you for 1 month free!

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Looking for a guide to creating an anti-racist community and organization? Then look no further! “Shannon Prince joins me to discuss her book's anti-racist tactics – tactics that anyone, of any race, can use to strike a blow against injustice systemic racism and inspired to tackle injustice in your own communities.  

Find Shannon Prince 

Are you ready for the tea on having difficult conversation? Nai from Black Girl Tea podcast drops all the tea on talking activism with employers and staying true to yourself. 

Find Nai and Black Girl Tea

Black Girl Tea Podcast is available on Apple podcast Google podcast and Spotify

What's your wildest dream? Did it feel magical to think of your dream? Was it hard to experience what it means to dream? This week's guest, Mya Saree' Gray, drops in to remind us to dream out loud. 

About Mya 

Mya Saree' Gray is a filmmaker, musician, and dreamer. She is a Waterbury native and believes in the city as well as the people here. She is currently working at Neighborhood Housing Services of Waterbury and Program Director at the Mattatuck Museum for upcoming music showcase called Deeper Than Skin. Her upcoming film screening of a documentary entitled "A Face Like Mine" will also be screened at the Mattatuck Museum on July 15th from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM.

Two local residents throw their hat into the race for public office. While the road is often an uphill battle, these two hopefuls join me to discuss their platform and passions. 

Find Bilal Tajildeen, Democratic Candidate for Waterbury's 5th Alder District 

CBD and hemp products are on the rise! Whether in the political or health scene or as a lifestyle choice most everybody has an opinion on this subject. But where do you go when your looking to debunk the myths and political agendas? Right to source! Caleb of Lancashire Hemp shares about his journey, his company, and the CBD info you want to know. 

Find Lancashire Hemp

Dr Donna de Haan, of the Diversity Doctor Community, joins me to discuss creating a culture of diversity and inclusivity. Creating a diverse and inclusive space is her passion. While she shares her unique perspective on the topic, check out her FREE resource on creating inclusive meeting cultures - meetings are a great place to examine and change exclusionary cultures! For more of her resources and to connect with Dr. Donna check out the links below.

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Need a little more joy in your cup? Yvette, host of Positively Joy is sure to fill your cup way to the top! We discuss how faith and religion show up in everyday life and what would happen if we let our faith base show up more often.

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Shakirah joins me to discuss what it's like to raise children in a time with so much uncertainty and when parents sometimes don't have all the answers. She shares tips that she uses to remain calm, cool, and collected while raising and homeschooling  children. 

Where to find Shakirah Wade and the Long Hill Bible Church

Waterbury Strong's President, Demetre Coles, and Founding Member, Tyler McElrath join me to talk about the Police Accountability bill recently passed in CT.  Not only do we discuss this bill and the accountability of police, but we also touch upon the accountability of the voter to explore and educate themselves on the issues they deem important.  Waterbury Strong has further discussions from legislatures on this bill on their Facebook page (info below). 

Where to find Waterbury Strong

Pastor Wade joins me to discuss making racism a public health crisis and how he is taking steps to make this a reality. He provides insight on the importance of this issue, as well as insight as to why racism is an important fight for the religious community. 

Where to find Pastor Wade and the Long Hill Bible Church