I'm your host, C.W. Sistrunk, and welcome to "YOU CAN MAKE IT," formerly known as "Rough Road: A Path To healing." Why the name change? Our goal is to leave our listeners lifted and inspired from start to finish! It's a given we all encounter rough roads in life but not all of us receive the encouragement needed to bounce back from those challenging experiences. Our goal is to be a clarion call to the downtrodden, heartbroken, bruised but not broken individual to realize it may be tough, but YOU CAN MAKE IT!
Mrs. Elgina Bullock Smith - Making Sense of a Senseless Act of Violence - Part 2
Today, I’m joined by a mother, Mrs. Elgina Bullock Smith, who tragically lost her only son, Anthony Jerome Smith, Jr on February 7, 2015 to gun violence. Let’s hear part two of her story of how she and her family are making it through such a life-changing and tragic ordeal.
11 Feb 2023
Mrs. Elgina Bullock Smith - Making Sense of a Senseless Act of Violence - Part 1
Today, I’m joined by a mother, Mrs. Elgina Bullock Smith, who tragically lost her only son, Anthony Jerome Smith, Jr on February 7, 2015 to gun violence. Let’s hear her story and how she and her family are making it through such a life-changing and tragic ordeal.
23 Dec 2022
Dr. Julia A Royston - "Begin Again" - Part 2
Dr. Royston is an author of over 50 books, a motivational speaker, retired Computer Technology educator, an accomplished singer with several album releases, and one of few women in the country to own her own publishing house. Her story is one of triumph, resilience, and new beginnings. Listen in to part two of my interview with Dr. Julia Royston.
16 Dec 2022
Dr. Julia A. Royston - “Begin Again” - Part 1
Special guest, Dr. Julia A. Royston, Host of Live Your Best Life, which airs Sunday Mornings at 10 am EST on envision-radio.com. Dr. Royston is an author of over 50 books, a motivational speaker, retired Computer Technology educator, an accomplished singer with several album releases, and one of few women in the country to own her own publishing house. Her story is one of triumph, resilience, and new beginnings. Listen to part one of my interview with Dr. Julia Royston.
19 Nov 2022
Ms. Tapeka Fennell, from Accountant to Media Company Owner with No Background in Media
Special guest, Ms. Tapeka Fennell, award-winning multimedia producer & television personality ranked among Top Women in Alabama Media by Business Alabama magazine! She is also the founder and CEO of Fennell Media Group. I believe her story will inspire us to move toward the dreams we hold in our hearts that we've been too afraid to manifest.
11 Nov 2022
Honoring My Stepfather, a Veteran and an Abusive Man
November 11th. A day when we remember the sacrifice and service of all our military service personnel past and present. This day, however, has always been a conflict for me when I think about my stepdad, the only dad I knew, a military veteran deserving of honor, but also a violent and abusive husband and father who catapulted me onto the roughest road I’ve known. Can good deeds wash the stain of bad ones? On Today’s episode, I share a personal rough road about how I made the decision to honor my stepfather after years of focusing only his faults.
4 Nov 2022
A Message to Zac Stacy, My Alabama Brother
It's important for perpetrators of domestic violence to address the harm they cause, be accountable, and find a restorative path forward. I’d like to open up space in today’s episode for retired NFL running back Zac Stacy to do just that.
11 Mar 2022
Episode 106: Navigating Life As A Strong Black Woman, Part 2
In honor of Women's History Month, join me and some of the strong black women in my life for Part 2 of "Navigating life As a Strong Black Woman." Join us as we continue to break down our interpretation of the 'Strong Black Woman,' and our approach in separating the truth of this identity from myth in order to live our best life in the midst of daily pressures, prejudice, and our own inner struggles.
11 Mar 2022
Episode 105: Navigating Life As A Strong Black Woman, Part 1
In honor of Women's History Month, join me and some of the strong black woman in my life as we break down our interpretation of the 'Strong Black Woman' and how we separate the truth of this identity from myth in order to live our best life in the midst of daily pressures, prejudice, and our own inner struggles.
10 Feb 2022
Episode 104: How to Create a Lasting legacy in spite of the Rough Road of Racism, Inequality and Injustice that we Travel as African Americans
When I gaze upon our long neglected African American legacy it has always inspired me to think about legacy for my own African American family. When I remember the achievements of my people, it makes me ask myself, what are YOU gonna do? What kind of legacy will YOU leave? What kind of values have I left for my children to pass along? Am I leaving a good example for my children and grandchildren to follow? Today’s episode will explore how to leave a lasting legacy in spite of the rough road of racism, inequality and injustice that we’ve traveled as African Americans. Whether you’re 14 or 45 its never too early or too late to start.
27 Jan 2022
Episode 103: Navigating the Rough Road of Living After Losing a Child
My heart breaks for actress and director, Ms. Regina King and her ex-husband, record producer Mr. Ian Alexander, Sr. who are both enduring the recent loss of their only son, Ian Alexander, Jr who died by suicide. As a mother, I can only imagine what she and her ex-husband are going through right now and what countless others have secretly endured living after the loss of a child. While this episode does not tackle the tragedy of suicide, I do sit down with a mother who has been navigating the rough road of living with the loss of her child. If you are a parent struggling to navigate the rough road of living with the loss of your child I hope that this episode is a source of encouragement for you.
29 Dec 2021
Episode 102: Safely Navigating the Rough Road of Domestic Abuse
In this episode, I share my personal story of domestic abuse and how faith helped me find the strength to leave. I also sit down with Mrs. Carolyn McCoy-Player, retired Women's Shelter Manager and Education Specialist who spent over 20 years of her life helping abused women from all over the world safely navigate an exit from the cycle of abuse. She will help us identify the signs of an abuser and provide some practical steps to leave the abuse behind.
23 Nov 2021
Episode 101: Honoring My Deceased Stepfather: A Veteran, Schizophrenic, and My Mom's Abuser/Murderer
In this episode, I share a deeply personal rough road journey of how I forgave my stepfather and made the tough decision this past Veterans Day to remember him not for any monstrous acts he committed, but for his heroic one in choosing to serve and protect our county. Listen as I share how I got to this point of honoring my stepfather and allowing his memory to be resurrected in my heart with dignity and honor.
23 Nov 2021
Trailer
We all at one point must travel a rough road. Whether that road is physical or mental abuse, addiction, declining mental health, a rocky marriage, a broken relationship, death of a loved one, unforgiveness…whatever it is. It doesn’t matter how you got on that rough road. All that matters is that rough roads can be smoothed with the right tools. Join us for biweekly episodes as we hear stories of ordinary people just like you and me who survived their rough road and received the healing they needed for their lives. I’m your host, C.W. Sistrunk and welcome to Rough Road: A Path to Healing.
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