Today on Pillar Talk with Rochelle, one of my favorite humans and youngest daughter, "the awesome" Dejah Armstrong, shares with us what it means to be Simply Complex largely through her experience in The Governor Scholar program (GSP). Dejah believes what makes us a collection or community is that everybody is scared to be different, but everyone wants to be different. Yet, we're all the same in that we want to be different. During her five-week experience at GSP, she learned that not all perceptions are true. And there were times when she had to speak up and say, "Hey! We can't use that as an excuse to justify their actions." As Dejah aspires to be a college professor, journalist, or own a bookstore with a speakeasy, she will remain true to her authentic self. "You can't change how other people think, but you can change how you see yourself." —Dejah Armstrong.   To learn more about the twelve pillars in my book Simply Complex: Leading out of Authenticity, contact me directly by email or www.rochellearmstrong.com. Also, you can buy a copy at most places you purchase books, including Roots 101 https://roots-101.org/  African American Museum and Amazon here. Much gratitude and appreciation to all my authentic guests and listeners.

Today on Pillar Talk with Rochelle, senior VP, and Chief Human Resource Officer, Mr. John Brown takes us through a graduate-level course on leadership and environment. Growing up in Kansas City, MO, with his biological and adopted siblings, they saw firsthand the value of hard work. Both parents worked tirelessly outside of the home while still managing to be foster parents, yet John knows all too well what it means to be poor. "Shame on y'all! I'm going right back to the place where I came from to give back because I can relate." John believes that the environment he grew up in, with all its challenges and all its pain, was preparing him to provide value to others around him when he reached a position of influence to give back. Personally or professionally, If you're someone who struggles with confidence, John will encourage you to associate yourself with confident people who bring the best out of you. "Don't let your circle be filled with chance." —John Brown.   To learn more about the twelve pillars in my book Simply Complex: Leading out of Authenticity, contact me directly by email or at www.rochellearmstrong.com. Also, you can buy a copy at most places you purchase books, including Roots 101 https://roots-101.org/  African American Museum and Amazon here.

Today's pillar tip is on personaility. Unmask everything about your personality that people have said is too much. We have to accept the parts of people that make us feel good and the parts that might irritate us. You can also view on YouTube.  To learn more about the twelve pillars in my book Simply Complex: Leading out of Authenticity, contact me directly by email or at www.rochellearmstrong.com. Also, you can buy a copy at most places you purchase books, including Roots 101 https://roots-101.org/  African American Museum and Amazon here.

Today on Pillar Talk with Rochelle, program manager Mrs. Sheila Howell takes us through personality boot camp. "I was too friendly and happy." I was too mean and logical." Can all of these attributes be true of an Officer in the United States Army? This intelligent, beautiful, "get it done kind of girl" is not waiting for you to decide. Embracing her personality has been a journey, but Sheila is okay with not fitting the mold. Working in a male-dominated field for 18 years (Happy anniversary!), she doesn't mask the kind and sweet characteristics she learned from her outgoing, optimistic mother. Sheila's not interested in blame. She believes that everything is going to work out! But if you're expecting her to listen when you bring her a problem professionally or personally, be prepared to take action because she's a fixer. As a leader, Sheila believes that there is nothing wrong with adapting to one's environment without regulating yourself too much. "Not only will I laugh at a joke, but I'm going to make a joke." —Sheila Howell. If you have thoughtful comments or questions for Sheila, she can be reached on IG at writers_block16 or FB (Sheila Howell). Thank you for your service, MA'AM! We're so proud of you. To learn more about the twelve pillars in my book Simply Complex: Leading out of Authenticity, contact me directly at www.rochellearmstrong.com. Also, you can buy a copy at most places you purchase books, including Roots 101 https://roots-101.org/ African American Museum and Amazon here.

Do you feel stuck? Are you in an environment that drains you? You would like to escape. You've contemplated what that exit might look like but feel compelled to stay for whatever reason. Today's pillar tip is on Environment. If you can't escape an unhealthy environment physically, use your imagination to escape mentally. No matter how unrealistic—imagine a better future.

Today, on Pillar Talk with Rochelle, phenomenal mother, grandmother, and aunt Veronica Cargill revisits her nightmare on 6th Street in West Palm Beach, FL. Born in 1959 during the Civil Rights Movement, young Veronica struggled with acceptance in her suburban neighborhood. "Black people didn't want to see other black people do well." Having an accomplished father who owned a seafood business and a wealthy mother whose parents owned a farm, Veronica grew to resent her privilege because of rejection from her own people. During her college years, she would buy her acceptance or pretend to struggle like her peers, eating hot dogs when she really wanted some Churches chicken. However, Veronica would eventually get the sense of belonging that she desired. Be sure to stay tuned to the end of the interview, "I'm getting ready to unmask." —Veronica Cargill. You can view this interview on YouTube: "The Prissy Kids Lived on 6th Street." Pillar Talk—Interview w/Veronica Cargill. To learn more about the twelve pillars in my book Simply Complex: Leading out of Authenticity, contact me directly at www.rochellearmstrong.com. Also, you can buy a copy at most places you purchase books, including Roots 101 https://roots-101.org/ American Museum and Amazon here.

Today's pillar tip is Authenticity Too. Another way I would describe authenticity is being honest with people about who you are and what you like and being true to thyself. I touch on personailiaty types, more specifically how introverts and extroverts get their energy. There is no simple way to explain authenticity, so we'll continue to define what authenticity means to each other. That's right; I would like to hear from you. Either leave a comment in the review section of the podcast or go to my website www.rochellearmstrong.com and write what authenticity means to you on the contact page. You can view this episode on YouTube: Pillar Tip: Authenticity Too.  To learn more about the twelve pillars in my book Simply Complex: Leading out of Authenticity, contact me directly at www.rochellearmstrong.com. Also, you can buy a copy at most places you purchase books, including Roots 101 https://roots-101.org/ American Museum and Amazon here. Much gratitude, Rochelle Armstrong 

Today, on Pillar Talk with Rochelle, empowerment specialist and educator Jemilla Barakaat will help us escape everyday stressors and monotony and explore another part of the world. Having a strong desire to make an atonement with ancestors and much-needed reprieve from societal norms and social unrest, Jemilla welcomes us on her getaway to the beautiful country of Gambia. "When it comes to authenticity, it is important to have real people around you who can be that journal for your life." Being multi-ethnic and a refugee, Jemilla is passionate about putting yourself in environments where you can be your most authentic self. To that end, "sometimes you want to go to the store and just get some milk." —Jemilla Barakaat. If you have thoughtful comments or questions for Jemilla, she can be reached at [email protected]. Also, go to www.rochellearmstrong.com for general comments or questions. You can view this interview on YouTube: "Can I go to the store and just get some milk?" Pillar Talk—Interview w/Jemilla Barakaat.  To learn more about the twelve pillars in my book Simply Complex: Leading out of Authenticity, contact me directly at www.rochellearmstrong.com. Also, you can buy a copy at most places you purchase books, including Roots 101 https://roots-101.org/ American Museum and Amazon here.

Yes! Relationships take work and should be valued, but sometimes self-love means letting go of the people or institutions who have become unhealthy or toxic to you. Your mental health matters. Check out this pillar tip on self-love as I share some of my journey of letting go.

Today, on Pillar Talk with Rochelle, IT analyst professional and college student Alexis Compton paints an exquisite portrait of "self-love." Experiencing betrayal at a young age didn't make her bitter and would eventually push her into a love relationship with herself. But before she would arrive at this destination, this mother, a phenomenal mother of two, would have to escape an unhealthy relationship and go through a beautiful yet painful healing process. So hit pause and get something to write with and write on. "Self-love is a hard learning curve," but Alexis equips us with some valuable tools. By setting boundaries and being wise enough to know that there is no age limit on learning to love yourself, Alexis shares her journey of self-love, which gives her a sense of peace. " An empty vessel provides nothing. You can't provide what you don't have." —Alexis Compton.  If you have thoughtful comments or questions for Alexis, she can be reached on Facebook under Alexis Kiana or Instagram under @_en.igmaa. Also, go to www.rochellearmstrong.com for general comments or questions.  To learn more about the twelve pillars in my book Simply Complex: Leading out of Authenticity, contact me directly at www.rochellearmstrong.com. Also, you can buy a copy at most places you purchase books, including Roots 101 https://roots-101.org/ American Museum and Amazon here.