I Am Refocused Radio Show

ABOUT BOTTOM OF THE PYRAMID

Young dancer Nia Sioux was only nine years old when she stepped into stardom as one of the original cast members of Lifetime's reality TV show Dance Moms. Nia learned new choreography week after week and competed against dancers from across the country as well as at her own studio. Perhaps her greatest obstacle was suffering through her dance teacher's ranking of the girls against each other in her infamous pyramid, where Nia spent the majority of her time on the bottom-all in front of an audience of millions.

But there was much that viewers didn't see. How her experiences in the studio went far beyond what made it into the show. How she was ostracized for not fitting into an aesthetic that wasn't designed for girls like her. How her friendships and her mental health crumbled under the strain of the show. How she lost control of her story and her voice.

But don't be fooled-this is a story about resilience. Nia is not looking for pity, sympathy, or validation as she reflects on her experiences. Instead, she is choosing to use her story as a celebration of triumph. Nia finally gets to tell her story in her own way and in her own words. In this captivating memoir, Nia reclaims both the spotlight and her narrative.

In addition to going behind the scenes of the seven seasons of Dance Moms, she shows how she fought against the negative perceptions that dominated her tween and teen years and emerged as a confident young woman secure in her talents and her direction. Anyone who has ever felt misunderstood, overlooked, or stuck at the bottom of the pyramid will be inspired by Nia's story of overcoming. "Despite barriers and constant naysayers, assumptions and criticisms, only you know who you are inside and out," Nia says. "And you have the power to create your own narrative, your own level of success."

Nia provides a unique perspective on:

. Overcoming Adversity: From navigating the toxic environment of competitive dance and reality TV to her harrowing battle with Reflex Neurovascular Dystrophy (RND).

. Confronting Racism & Body Shaming: Nia speaks candidly about being the only Black girl on the team, facing microaggressions, and the constant pressure that impacted her self-worth.

. Inspiring a Generation: The book is a powerful message for young people, especially young Black girls, about knowing your value, protecting your peace, and pursuing your dreams unapologetically.

ABOUT NIA SIOUX

' Nia Sioux is a dancer, singer, and actress who has performed on the small screen and in live performances, proving to be one of today's most popular triple threats. Known for her breakout role as an original cast member in Lifetime's hit series Dance Moms, Nia has since starred as a series regular on The Bold and The Beautiful. She has appeared in several movies, including Imperfect High, and two of her own digital series, one of which she served as an executive producer for. She was featured in Variety's Power of Young Hollywood 2023 list. A graduate of UCLA with a degree American Literature and Culture, Nia continues to use her social media platforms to positively impact the lives of others. She highlights the accomplishments of inspiring others who have achieved extraordinary things in her Role Model Monday series. Nia is especially committed to encouraging voting, body positivity, and strengthening social justice.

Get the book: https://a.co/d/c3ClzzV

Sam Wegner, pastor, chaplain, longtime ministry leader, and author of The Weight of the Wait, joins us to talk about the hard seasons we never asked for and the hope that sustains us anyway. After navigating years of anticipatory grief alongside his wife’s battle with cancer, Sam learned that waiting isn’t just something we endure — it’s a place where faith is forged, resilience grows, and unexpected purpose emerges. In this conversation, he unwraps how to hold hope in uncertainty, find peace amid unanswered questions, trust in the middle of pause, and discover spiritual strength in the waiting room of life. This is real, raw, and rooted in faith — perfect for anyone who’s ever asked, “How long, God?”

https://samwegner.com/

Elizabeth Webb, The Practical Priestess™ and best-selling author of Made for Magic: A Practical Guide from Survival Mode to Soul-Satisfying Joy, joins us to dismantle burnout, ditch people-pleasing, and step fully into a life that feels rich, real, and joy-filled. With two decades of coaching executives, creatives, and leaders, Elizabeth blends positive psychology, intuition, and no-nonsense tools that help you set boundaries that stick, trust yourself again, and uncover the magic you were always meant to live. Expect practical shifts, real-talk wisdom, and a soulful blueprint for turning exhaustion into energy and purpose.

https://positivelyelizabeth.com/

https://positivelyelizabeth.com/book

https://www.instagram.com/positivelyelizabeth/

In this segment, Kelsey Pritchard, Communications Director for Susan B. Anthony (SBA) Pro-Life America, joins the show to discuss the growing tension between the pro-life movement and Republican leadership. Following recent comments from President Donald Trump suggesting that the party should remain "flexible" on abortion policy, Pritchard outlines why the Hyde Amendment—a long-standing legislative provision that prevents federal taxpayer dollars from funding elective abortions—is a non-negotiable line in the sand for millions of voters.

Key Discussion Points

• What is the Hyde Amendment? Pritchard explains that the Hyde Amendment has been a bipartisan consensus for nearly 50 years, ensuring that Americans are not forced to violate their conscience by funding elective abortions through federal programs.

• The "Shock" of Trump’s Comments: Despite previously being a champion of the Hyde Amendment, Trump’s recent call for "flexibility" has sparked swift backlash. Pritchard argues that moving away from Hyde is a "no-go" and "completely unacceptable" to the pro-life movement.

• Political Consequences & Stats: The interview highlights the high stakes for the 2026 midterms. Pritchard warns that even a small 1% to 2% drop in pro-life voter turnout could cost Republicans control of the Senate and House.

• The $80 Million Strategy: SBA Pro-Life America is launching a massive $80 million mobilization effort targeting battleground states like Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, and Iowa.

• A Moral Stand: Beyond politics, Pritchard emphasizes the moral weight of the issue, stating that taxpayer-funded abortion would lead to an increase in the number of abortions and cause "misery" for women across the country.

https://sbaprolife.org/staff/kelsey-pritchard

CHAMP BAILEY BIO

Roland "Champ" Bailey, Jr. is the Founder of Bailey Companies & Investments, Inc. While best known as a Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play football, Champ now spends his time as a founder, investor, speaker and endorser of companies.

During his playing days for the University of Georgia, Washington Redskins, and Denver Broncos, Champ built a stellar reputation as a diligent and detailed leader who modeled high-performance. He continues to take that same approach with his business interests. As a privately held company, "Team Bailey" is involved with numerous entities. Champ's vision is to make a lasting impact in the community by creating sustainable jobs that change lives.

He still holds two NFL records with 203 career pass deflections and being selected to 12 Pro Bowls as a cornerback. He was tabbed for the NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s and chosen to the Broncos 50th Anniversary Team. Champ was rewarded for his excellence by being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019.

In all, Bailey played in 215 career games with the Redskins (1999-2003) and the Broncos (2004-2013). He amassed a total of 908 tackles (812 solo), intercepted 52 passes which he returned for 464 yards and four touchdowns, recorded three sacks, and made six fumble recoveries. Bailey led the NFL in interceptions in 2006 (10 for 162 yards and one TD).Believe and be unshakable.

ABOUT SIGNING TONY RAYMOND - IN THEATERS JANUARY 16TH

SYNOPSIS: Set in the Deep South, the film follows Coach Walt McFadden, a talented but idealistic assistant coach at Louisiana University who's out of second chances. After failing  -to land a top recruit the previous year, Walt is given one last shot at redemption: signing the nation's number one defensive end, Tony Raymond - or losing his job. His pursuit takes him deep into the backwoods of Alabama, where he discovers that money, not talent, often determines who wins.

-Written and directed by Glen Owens

-Co-starring Michael Mosley, Mira Sorvino, Rob Morgan, and Jackie Kay, along with NFL legends Marshawn Lynch, Richard Sherman, Champ Bailey and college football great Brian "The Boz.

Here's the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XfZYwNWgNk 

ABOUT LESSONS FROM THE FRONT

Lessons From the Front is the most honest, relatable, and humble book yet written about Ukraine and the Middle East. It's not the memoir of a seasoned correspondent - it's the raw perspective of a 25-year-old kid from Cleveland who thought he understood the world. until war humbled him.One day in Ukraine taught him he had much to learn. One day in the Middle East taught him he didn't know much of anything at all. Instead of pretending to be an expert, Robert admits what he doesn't know, learns in real time, and lets the people living the conflict teach him - and the reader - what war really asks of ordinary human beings.Unlike most war books, this isn't about strategy, geopolitics, or ideology. It's about people - families fleeing, soldiers breaking, civilians surviving - and the lessons these fast-paced moments teach about home, time, fear, and humility.Listeners will walk away saying: "The world is more complex than I thought - and I want to understand it better."

WHY THIS BOOK MATTERS (and why now)

In a fractured country starving for nuance, Lessons From the Front is proof that understanding is still possible.The book arrives at a moment when:' . Americans are overwhelmed by global events. Media trust is historically low. People are tired of punditry and certain answers. Younger audiences crave honesty over ideologyRobert's voice cuts through the noise with humility, unvarnished truth, and human storytelling.Bill O'Reilly - The state of American journalism is shaky at this point in history but brave guys like Robert Sherman just might save the industry.a fascinating book."Brigadier General (ret) John "Dragon" Teichert - "Robert Sherman's insights from the Ukrainian and Israeli front lines are stunning.creating a book that readers won't be able to put down." 

ABOUT ROBERT SHERMAN

Robert Sherman is a correspondent for NewsNation whose reporting has taken him to Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, the Red Sea, the Baltic States, and South Korea. He's a native of Cleveland, Ohio and a graduate of DePauw University (Greencastle, IN).

Get the book: https://a.co/d/h43ybK0

Tami Reiss is teaching the world how to lead through influence. As a renowned product strategy coach and the creator of the viral "Just Not Sorry" plugin, Tami has spent two decades helping leaders at companies like JPMorgan and Humana move from "doing" to "leading."

In this conversation, Tami breaks down her "Product Mindset"—the idea that every career, project, and interaction can be optimized for impact. We explore how to eliminate self-undermining language, the secret to gaining buy-in without a formal title, and the L.E.A.D. framework for executive presence. If you’ve ever felt like your ideas aren't being heard or that you’re stuck in the "middle" of your organization, Tami offers the strategic toolkit you need to become the "Chief Enthusiasm Officer" of your own career.

https://tamireiss.com/

What does it take to rebuild a legacy after losing it all? In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Nash, the founder of Passively Rich Investments, to discuss the transition from the high-stress "hustle culture" of the fashion industry to the freedom of a seven-figure real estate portfolio.

Melissa shares her "Path to Passive" framework, designed specifically for women who want to stop trading hours for dollars and start building generational wealth. We dive into the mindset shifts required to overcome financial setbacks, how to manage a growing empire as a mother of four, and why Melissa believes that when women control their capital, they change the world. Whether you are a real estate novice or looking to scale your assets, Melissa provides a practical, heart-centered roadmap to achieving financial independence.

https://www.hellomelissanash.com/

ABOUT POLAR WAR

POLAR WAR: Submarines, Spies, and the Struggle for Power in a Melting Arctic by Kenneth R. Rosen (January 6, 2026/$29.00 hardcover) offers a blend of travelogue and frontline reporting that reveals how climate change, military ambition, and economic opportunity are transforming the Arctic into the epicenter of a new cold war in which the planet's great powers are struggling for dominance.

Russian spies. Nuclear submarines. Sabotaged pipelines. Undersea communications severed in the dark of night. The fastest-warming place on earth-where apartment buildings, hospitals, and homes crumble daily as permafrost melts and villages get washed away by rising seas-the Arctic stands at the crossroads of geopolitical ambition and environmental catastrophe. As climate change thaws the northern latitudes, opening once ice-bound shipping lanes and access to natural resources, the world's military powers are rushing to stake their claims in this increasingly strategic region. We've entered a new cold war-and every day it grows hotter.

In POLAR WAR, Rosen takes readers on an extraordinary journey across the changing face of the far north. Through intimate portraits of scientists, soldiers, and Indigenous community leaders representing the interests of twenty-one countries across four continents, he witnesses firsthand how rising temperatures and growing tensions are reshaping life above and below the Arctic Circle. He finds himself on the trail of Navy SEALs training for arctic warfare, embarks on Coast Guard patrols monitoring Russian incursions, participates in close-quarter-combat training aboard foreign icebreakers in the Arctic sea ice, and visits remote research stations where international cooperation is giving way to espionage and the search for long-frozen biological weapons.

POLAR WAR concludes with a prescriptive Appendix, "Reigning in the Arctic," in which Rosen elucidates "several definite and immediate steps American lawmakers and the current presidential administration must take to not only advance our national security in the arctic but also preserve the region for generations to come."

Drawing on hundreds of interviews and three years of reporting from the frontlines of climate change and great power competition, Rosen's deeply researched and personal accounts capture the diverse landscapes, people, and conflicted interests that define this complex northern region. The result is both an elegy for a vanishing landscape and an urgent warning about how the race for Arctic dominance could spark the next global conflict.

ABOUT KENNETH R. ROSEN

Kenneth R. Rosen is the recipient of a Kurt Schork Award in International Journalism and the Bayeux-Calvados Award for War Correspondents, a two-time finalist for the Livingston Award for his work in Syria and Iraq, and an Ira A. Lipman Fellow at Columbia University. He is the author of Troubled and Bulletproof Vest, and his writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Atlantic & WIRED. He divides his time between Western Massachusetts and Northern Italy with his wife and their three children.

https://kennethrrosen.com/

New year, new purpose. In this episode of I Am Refocused Radio, host Shemaiah Reed interviews Julie Colombino-Bellingham, founder of Deux Mains—a humanitarian entrepreneur who turned the 2010 Haiti earthquake response into a global, Fairtrade-verified luxury brand. Julie shares the moment that changed everything—“I don’t want money, I need a job”—and how it sparked a 16-year mission built on dignity through work, not charity.

They unpack how Deux Mains became the only woman-owned, solar-powered leather goods factory in Haiti, what it takes to build sustainable manufacturing, why listening is a leadership superpower, and how partnerships with Nordstrom and more are expanding the brand’s impact. Julie also previews big 2026 goals—including a potential flagship store—and the deeper vision: economic freedom and opportunity for Haiti.

https://deuxmains.com/

In the first episode of 2026, I Am Refocused Radio host Shemaiah Reed sits down with war-winning soccer coach, disability advocate, and author Scott Martin. Scott shares his powerful journey through a life-threatening illness, amputation, depression, and rebuilding his life through coaching, music, and purpose. From surviving Group A strep and necrotizing fasciitis to adopting five children and writing his new book Play From Your Heart, this conversation explores resilience, leadership, storytelling, and why connection matters more than titles. A deeply inspiring start to the new year.

https://librarytalespublishing.com/collections/scott-martin

Fashion Week may spotlight bold heels, sculpted silhouettes, and statement accessories—but once the runway lights fade, a deeper question remains: what are these trends doing to our bodies? Dr. Sherry McAllister, president of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress and author of Adjusted Reality: Supercharge Your Whole-Being for Optimal Living and Longevity, brings more than 25 years of clinical expertise to the conversation.

After attending Fashion Week this year, Dr. McAllister shares eye-opening insights on how fashion choices—on the runway and in everyday life—affect posture, spinal alignment, breathing, and long-term health. From how high heels can dramatically increase spinal load, to the hidden strain caused by handbags and tight clothing, she explains how small, intentional adjustments can help anyone move with greater ease, confidence, and longevity.

Blending real-world observations from conversations with New Yorkers during Fashion Week with practical, science-backed guidance, Dr. McAllister offers a fresh perspective at the intersection of style, whole-being health, and presence—proving that looking good doesn’t have to come at the cost of feeling good.

https://drsherrymcallister.com/

After 35 years behind the scenes of some of television’s most iconic reality shows, Rusty Austin has traded cameras for crayons—and the result is pure magic for young readers. Drawing on decades of storytelling experience from top-rated series like Hell’s Kitchen, Survivor, Big Brother, COPS, and Nanny 911, Austin now creates illustrated children’s books that blend playful poetry, fascinating animal facts, and hands-on creativity. Since retiring from Hollywood in 2018, Austin has published six books, including four children’s titles that encourage curiosity, learning, and artistic expression. His latest release, An Awesome Bird, The Pelican, features illustrations created entirely by local middle school students, giving kids the rare chance to see their own artwork inside a published book. Each poem introduces young readers to animals from around the world—what they eat, where they live, and even fun scientific concepts like echolocation and nictitating membranes—without ever feeling like a lesson. Beloved by parents, grandparents, and educators alike, Austin’s books include interactive DIY sections that invite children to draw, color, write, and sign their own pages—turning reading into a shared creative experience. His mission is simple but powerful: help kids laugh, learn, and feel confident following their curiosity. Rusty Austin is available for interviews to discuss his Hollywood journey, his transition to children’s literature, and how poetry, education, and community collaboration can inspire the next generation of artists, thinkers, and storytellers. http://rustyaustin.com/

Gerald Jones and Kevin Clark's friendship goes back over 20 years, to the night they first met backstage at the Academy Awards. Their bond grew through creativity, shared values, and a deep desire to make a difference. Together, they later won an Emmy Award for a public service announcement addressing school gun violence - a project that reflected their heart for inspiring hope and protecting the next generation. Beyond their work in media, Gerald and Kevin have also been long-time business partners supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, running programs focused on empowerment and compassion. This commitment to community is woven into everything they do - and it became the foundation of Blessn.

The story of Blessn began in March 2023, when Gerald Jones became sick of doom scrolling on social media, and found himself bummed out after every TikTok session. It occurred to him that maybe there was a better way. There should be a short form video social media that uplifted and encouraged instead. He thought it would be better to faith scroll instead of doom scroll. He called his business partner, Kevin Clark, who was feeling the exact same way. They decided to create something themselves, that uplifted people about the world and each other. Something that encouraged connectedness.

Over the next several years, the two friends poured their faith, creativity, and personal savings into developing the Blessn app, testing every detail to make sure it felt safe, uplifting, and positive. Their mission is to shift the culture of social media and to make it a place where kindness, faith, and encouragement are celebrated, not drowned out by negativity. At its heart, Blessn is more than an app - it’s a movement. A space where users can share uplifting videos, connect with others who believe in goodness, and replace endless “doom scrolling” with “faith scrolling.” Gerald and Kevin believe that positive scrolling has the power to change hearts, strengthen communities, and remind people that light always wins over darkness.

For more information on the Blessn app, visit: blessn.com

Aiden Ross - TEAM NIALL

Age: 20

Hometown: College Station, TX

Resident: College Station, TX

Aiden grew up in the same college town where he currently studies engineering at Texas A&M. Now entering his sophomore year, he's a proud member of the elite a cappella group HardChord DynaMix, where he's honed his skills in harmony and performance. Aiden's love for music began with school musicals, family sing-alongs and learning to play the guitar as a teen. He has performed at local events and on his family's farm, Rockberry Ranch, outside San Antonio. Inspired by artists such as Billie Eilish and Lizzy McAlpine, Aiden loves reimagining female-led tracks in his own unique style and is ready to bring that style to the show that he's loved since he was a little boy.

https://www.nbc.com/the-voice

Jane Muir is a powerhouse business law attorney and the managing shareholder of J. Muir & Associates, P.A. in Coral Gables, Florida, where she blends sharp legal strategy with genuine passion for helping entrepreneurs and organizations thrive. Recognized repeatedly as a Super Lawyer and honored among Miami’s 20 Under 40 Emerging Leaders, Jane brings deep expertise in commercial litigation, contracts, corporate formation, and general counsel services to the table. Her leadership extends beyond the courtroom — she’s a former president of both the Coral Gables and Miami-Dade Bar Associations, a dedicated community advocate, and a relentless ally for business innovation and justice. Jane’s story is about bold leadership, resilience, and using legal know-how to unlock real-world impact.

Jane Muir is a Miami attorney, whose practice focuses on commercial litigation, contracts and general counsel. Her diverse experience includes purchase, sale and management of businesses, and enforcing a variety of business contracts, prosecuting partnership and real estate disputes, defending intellectual property rights, and recovering assets. She has been elected to leadership roles like president of the Coral Gables Bar Association and the Miami Dade Bar Association, appointed to serve as Receiver in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, to temporarily manage businesses during legal disputes, and recognized with several significant honors and awards, such as the Florida Bar's 2015 Young Lawyers Division’s Lynn Futch Most Productive Young Lawyer Award and the Miami Dade Bar Association's President's Award. 

https://www.jmuirandassociates.com/jane-muir

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Michael Johnson, President of the Slavic Gospel Association, to discuss the escalating humanitarian crisis in Ukraine as families face freezing temperatures, widespread power outages, and nonstop uncertainty.

With over 40% of Ukraine’s power infrastructure destroyed, millions are struggling to survive without consistent heat or electricity. Through the Heat and Hope campaign, Slavic Gospel Association is delivering firewood, generators, blankets, and life-saving support—often through pastors risking their lives near the frontlines.

Michael shares:

What daily life looks like for families surviving without heat

How local churches have become emergency warming centers

Why faith is more than belief—it’s action in moments like this

How everyday people can make a real-world impact right now

This is a story about leadership under pressure, courage in the face of danger, and how hope survives—even in the coldest places on earth.

https://www.sga.org/heat-and-hope

https://www.sga.org/

Founder & President

Adrien began his career in business development, spending a decade working across healthcare, technology, and education. But in 2007, a mission trip to Haiti with his wife, Cynthia, shifted everything. The experience ignited a deeper calling and opened his eyes to the impact of showing up for vulnerable children.

For the next three years, Adrien volunteered with The Global Orphan Project, gaining firsthand insight into how powerful simple connections can be in a child’s life. In 2010, he felt a clear prompting from God to step away from the business world and devote himself fully to advocating for orphaned and abandoned children.

That calling led him and his family into foster care and adoption—and eventually inspired the creation of CarePortal, a Care-Sharing technology that mobilizes local communities to respond to the needs of children and families in crisis. Today, CarePortal is transforming lives through meaningful, real-time connections built on compassion, action, and faith.

https://www.careportal.org/

On this episode of I Am Refocused Radio, I sit down with visionary author, speaker-coach, and business strategist Patty Aubery — the force behind the billion-dollar brand Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, President of The Canfield Training Group and author of 14 New York Times bestselling books. We dive deep into her journey from navigating big business to guiding speakers, authors, and trainers to confidently share their stories. Patty breaks down how storytelling isn’t just a tool—it’s the framework for building purpose-driven influence, avoiding costly detours, and turning your vision into reality. Whether you’re ready to build around your message, wrap a product or service around your mission, or craft a killer keynote—this conversation is your roadmap to stepping into impact.

https://www.pattyaubery.com/

On this episode of I Am Refocused Radio, I sit down with the insightful speaker and entrepreneur Pam Dwyer—founder of the Delay the Binge™ Collective and creator of the “Plus One Theory.” She opens up about her journey breaking free from cycles of emotional eating, perfectionism, and overdrive, and reveals how the simple act of pausing became a powerful gateway to clarity, calm, and aligned living. Whether you’re an overachiever caught in the spiral or a creator ready to pause and choose differently, Pam’s tools and story will inspire you to reclaim your identity, act from intention (not impulse), and finish stronger than you started.

https://www.pamdwyer.com/