Archives for July 2014

Black Women Need To Travel!

July 30, 2014 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

One of the delightful things about doing a podcast is that we often have the opportunity to engage in impromptu conversations on a wide variety of subjects.

In our previous podcast Lorraine Spencer, Interracial Blogging Pioneer, Dating Coach and self-described “Information Broker,” rejoined Adrienne and me to discuss her new book, When Family Does You Wrong.

I was asking Lorraine about her background, and during the course of her response this gem of a conversation came up.

Want to travel – or simply experience an adventure? Listen to Lorraine’s comments about the choices she made as a young woman (one of which was to pack everything up and move to Alaska), and why Black women need to travel.

I’m so happy my passport is current . . . .

Lorraine is the publisher of the blog Interracial Marriage and Family and posts articles on Beyond Black & White under the name “Swirl Queen.”

In addition to listening in iTunes, you can also listen to this episode on Sound Cloud.

Want to be a guest on the podcast, or know someone who should? Send an email to Podcast@TheSwirlWorld.com. Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. You can also listen to the show on Sound Cloud and Stitcher Radio.

When Family Does You Wrong

July 28, 2014 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Has a member of your family ever done you wrong?

I’m talking about wrong.

When the incident occurred, did other family members try to act like YOU were the problem?

Lorraine Spencer, Interracial Blogging Pioneer, Dating Coach and self-described “Information Broker,” rejoins Adrienne and me to discuss her new book, When Family Does You Wrong.

Lorraine shares the riveting story of how she and her family lost their home and possessions, and were forced to start over – all as the result of being deceived by a family member.

Lorraine is the publisher of the Swirling and Marriage blog and posts articles on Beyond Black & White under the name “Swirl Queen.”

We appreciate Lorraine’s willingness to be so transparent. Adrienne and I have both read the book and we highly recommend it.

In addition to listening in iTunes, you can also listen to this episode on Sound Cloud.

Want to be a guest on the podcast, or know someone who should? Send an email to Podcast@TheSwirlWorld.com. Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. You can also listen to the show on Sound Cloud and Stitcher Radio.

Podcast Episode 017b: You Know YOU’RE Cray-Cray When . . . . Part 2 (Special Guest: Eugenia Berg)

July 26, 2014 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 1 Comment

Hopefully by now you’ve listened to Part 1 of “You Know YOU’RE Cray-Cray When . . . . “ featuring our special guest and beloved friends, blogger and vlogger Mrs. Eugenia Berg of the blog/vlog “Married Girl In A Weird World.”

In between the laughter and hilarity, Eugenia shared some truths and great vetting pointers – all of which she is known for. Check out her vlogs on vetting by clicking here and here.

In this episode, Adrienne, Eugenia and me each share our take (and Eugenia shares some experiences) on what constitutes “Cray-Cray” in dating – crazy habits and “first date” shenanigans that kill a relationship before it even begins. Texting, stalking, random behavior – you name it!

Our girl Eugenia is expecting TWINS and has only one more month to go, so she’s on hiatus. Please send lots of love and prayers her way!

We hope to have her back on the show at some point in the future.

Until then, you would do well to go check out Eugenia’s blog and give the podcast a listen!

Want to be a guest on the podcast, or know someone who should? Send an email to Podcast@TheSwirlWorld.com. Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. You can also listen to the show on Sound Cloud.

You Know YOU’RE Cray Cray When . . . .

July 22, 2014 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 1 Comment

Cray Cray – What can I say?

Here in The Swirl World, we just love, love, LOVE blogger and vlogger Mrs. Eugenia Berg of the blog/vlog “Married Girl In A Weird World.”

We love her wit, her charm, her wisdom and above all her PASSION for Black women.

When we interviewed her for Podcast Episode 003, we asked her to be on standby because we KNEW we wanted to have her on the show again.

You Know You’re Cray-Cray When . . . .

Whelp, when we went through a stretch of emails from readers telling us some of the “cray-cray” things they were doing (that’s right – they were doing some cray-cray things, y’all) we contacted her to join us in coming up with some dating actions and practices that identified people as sho ’nuff cray to the cray, cray, CRAY.

Eugenia was up for the task and made time to talk with us. We appreciate that – especially since she and her handsome hubby are now expecting TWINS! Woot Woot!)

Here’s a BONUS (see how much we love you?):

Want some FREE coaching on Vetting? Eugenia’s blog is a premiere source. You can find just about everything you need to know on the subject by watching her vlogs on the subject and clicking here and here.

Doing podcasts with Eugenia is always a blast. We know she’s going to be busy with twins Axel and Lionel, but we promise to have her on as often as they time permits!

Want to be a guest on the podcast, or know someone who should? Send an email to Podcast@TheSwirlWorld.com. Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. You can also listen to the show on Sound Cloud.

Teaching Hair Love To Young Girls

July 21, 2014 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

In this episode Adrienne and I interviewed the fun-filled Mechal Renée Roe, author of Happy Hair.

Raised in St. Louis by a single mother of three girls, Mechal has always been fascinated with art.

She often used the medium as a form of escape of an under-served community.

She has, fortunately, allowed these experiences to be a catalyst, rather than a hindrance, to all of her wildest dreams.

As an adult, Mechal used her experiences as a child from a mixed shade family to write and illustrate Happy Hair.

Happy Hair is a call and response picture book that promotes positive self-esteem and hair love to girls of all ages. Happy Hair covers different shades and hair types all while being fun and fashionable!

Her book is a celebration of the uniqueness of natural hair, and all of its styles.

This book is the foundation to building Happy Hair in young girls, thus enabling them to grow up into women who will fully embrace their unique beauty.

In addition to discussing her book, Mechal (pronounced “McCall”) discusses cutting off her locs, her new ‘do, hair care products and Black women’s beauty and uniqueness – all the ingredients for an interesting, stimulating and thought provoking conversation!

You can also listen to the episode on Sound Cloud:

Purchase copies of Happy Hair on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. For signed copies and special bulk pricing, email Mechal at HappyHairgirls@gmail.com.

Follow Mechal on Twitter @HappyHairGirls and on Instagram. To “Like” the Happy Hair Facebook page, click here.

Copyright © 2014 Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, All rights reserved. Photos and images used with permission. Post contains the author’s affiliate links.

A White Man Who Loves Black Women

July 18, 2014 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 1 Comment

Singer. Songwriter. Composer.

(and a Magician, too!)

Link A. Valiant holds all these titles, yet there is another title of which he is most proud: Swirler.

That’s right – Link Valiant loves Black women, and in this podcast episode he discusses the why and the how.

When Did He Know He Loves Black Women?

The Chicago native tells us he came to this realization between the ages of 18-19 and shares the events in his life that led to his discovery.

At the end of the show, Link even sings a few bars from a ballad that he wrote – a Black woman is his muse, of course!

You can also listen to the show on Sound Cloud.

To visit Link;s website, click here. If you’re on Facebook, you can keep up with Link’s latest and schedule of appearances by clicking here. You can also follow Link on Twitter @LinkValiant.

There IS Life After Divorce

July 17, 2014 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Divorced – or in the process of getting a divorce? Do you have a friend or relative who is facing divorce?

Well, there is LIFE after divorce!

I had the wonderful opportunity to converse with Wilma Jones, Founder/Publisher of the Living Happier After blog and Founder/Leader of the Living Happier After Facebook Community.

Jones is a speaker and author of the book, Living Happier After: 20 Women Talk About Life After Divorce. Her goal is motivating and empowering women to live better, not bitter, after divorce.

The conversation treads into some deep waters – covering the themes of affairs, deceit, betrayal, change, forgiveness, healing, self care, moving forward and truly living happily after.

I’ve never been divorced, yet I have suffered the effects of a broken relationship. Wilma’s tips, pointers and insight is just as applicable to “break up” situations. Listen, learn and be inspired!

You can listen to the show on Sound Cloud:

To check out Wilma’s Facebook community, click here. Subscribe to her blog and visit her website by clicking here. You can find Wilma on Twitter at @LivingHappierAf.

In addition to her wonderful book, her FREE ebook – A Short Discourse To A Kick-ass Life is a great read!

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Dating, Mating & Relating 101 – Part 2

July 10, 2014 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 2 Comments

Whelp, we promised you Part 2 of Dating, Mating & Relating 101 was forthcoming.

The Swirl World Team Members Patrick Browne, Michelle Matthews Calloway, Mark Custard and Adrienne London Leach held a big conversation concerning their opinions about dating and such.

Adrienne, Mark, Michelle, and Patrick each express very strong opinions – which person resonates with you the most?

You can listen to the show on Sound Cloud:

Or on Stitcher Radio.

Podcast Episode 013a: Dating, Mating & Relating 101 – Part 1

July 9, 2014 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

What happens when The Swirl World Team Members Patrick Browne, Michelle Matthews Calloway, Mark Custard and Adrienne London Leach have the audacity to engage in a freewheeling conversation concerning the differences in men and women’s views on Dating, Mating and Relating?

Hilarity, that’s what!

Despite all the laughter, we manage to share some thought-provoking insights on relationships.

Y’all, the conversation was so good, it had to be broken up into two parts!

This is Part 1.

If you’re receiving this in an email and you can’t see the iTunes player, you can listen to the show on Sound Cloud:

Or on Stitcher Radio.

Podcast Episode 012: Kaye Flewellen – “The Hair Maven”

July 7, 2014 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 4 Comments

Kaye Flewellen – “The Hair Maven”

Whether your hair is natural or relaxed, curly, straight, wavy or a combination of all three, if you’re like most women, you care about the state of your hair.

Have you ever wondered if “hair” vitamins were worth buying – or wondered to what extent genetics determines how fast your hair grows or how thick it can become?

Well, Adrienne and me chatted it up with Kaye Flewellen of Dallas, TX, and tapped into her 20+ years of hair styling expertise to learn the answers to these and other questions.

Kaye holds a degree in Communications/Public Relations from Baylor University. She is a Salon Owner, Celebrity Stylist, Image Consultant, Community Activist and Adjunct Professor at Navarro College of Cosmetology.

She has served as an educator for McBride Research Labs/Design Essentials, an industry leader in hair care and Farouk Systems/CHI Hair Salon.

The Hair Maven has created styles for Grammy award-winning gospel artist CeCe Winans, Angie, Debbie, and “Mom” Winans, Solange Knowles, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, and a host of civic and business leaders. The Hair Maven has made several trips to the White House – she is continually on the move!

Kaye Flewellen and First Lady Michelle Obama

Not only that, Kaye recently added Author to her list of accomplishments!

Her book, A Mane Attraction, is “a go-to guide for everything you need to nurture a healthy and attractive mane.”

Whether you wear your hair natural, permed, weaved or braided, Kaye drops knowledge concerning how to enjoy a healthy mane. Listen and learn!

P.S. At the end of the broadcast, Kaye discusses Swirling. Fun, fun, fun!

If you’re receiving this in an email and you can’t see the iTunes player, you can listen to the show on Sound Cloud:

You can also listen on Stitcher Radio.

To visit Kaye’s website, click here. Follow Kaye on Twitter @JustAskKaye. To follow her on Instagram (and see some amazing hairstyles!), click here. If you’re on Facebook, you can receive daily doses of interesting information on all things hair, beauty, fashion and empowerment by going to her page, Just Ask Kaye.

Black Women Need To Travel!

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When Family Does You Wrong

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You Know YOU’RE Cray Cray When . . . .

You Know You’re Cray-Cray When . . . .

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Teaching Hair Love To Young Girls

Like this:

A White Man Who Loves Black Women

When Did He Know He Loves Black Women?

Like this:

There IS Life After Divorce

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Dating, Mating & Relating 101 – Part 2

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Podcast Episode 013a: Dating, Mating & Relating 101 – Part 1

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Podcast Episode 012: Kaye Flewellen – “The Hair Maven”

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Archives for July 2014

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