Award-winning author, humanitarian, and Orphans Africa founder M.E. Torrey joins I Am Refocused Radio to share the powerful journey behind her novel Fox Creek—a deeply researched and emotionally transformative work that brings to light the lived experiences of enslaved people in America and the untold intersections of history.

What began as a completely different book idea turned into a 30-year calling after visiting plantations in Louisiana and confronting the disconnect between the glorified narratives of the past and the truth that powered them. Through years of primary-source research, M.E. Torrey wrestled with history, identity, faith, and the question of joy—discovering how storytelling can become a tool for healing, unity, and honest cultural reflection.

Beyond literature, her mission continues globally through Orphans Africa, a nonprofit that has built multiple schools in Tanzania and empowered children through education, sustainability, and opportunity—creating generational impact.

Learn more about M.E. Torrey: metorrey.com

Award-winning author, humanitarian, and Orphans Africa founder M.E. Torrey joins I Am Refocused Radio to share the powerful journey behind her novel Fox Creek&mdash;a deeply researched and emotionally transformative work that brings to light the lived experiences of enslaved people in America and the untold intersections of history. What began as a completely different book idea turned into a 30-year calling after visiting plantations in Louisiana and confronting the disconnect between the glorified narratives of the past and the truth that powered them. Through years of primary-source research, M.E. Torrey wrestled with history, identity, faith, and the question of joy&mdash;discovering how storytelling can become a tool for healing, unity, and honest cultural reflection. Beyond literature, her mission continues globally through Orphans Africa, a nonprofit that has built multiple schools in Tanzania and empowered children through education, sustainability, and opportunity&mdash;creating generational impact. Learn more about M.E. Torrey: metorrey.com

"I Am Refocused Radio" is more than just a podcast—it's a movement of purpose-driven storytelling that inspires, uplifts, and empowers. Hosted by Shemaiah A. Reed, a calm and thoughtful creative with a background in media, music, and the arts, the show dives deep into conversations that resonate.

From a humble start in a San Antonio barbershop, Shemaiah’s journey has grown into a global platform featuring over 1,000 interviews with a diverse array of guests—celebrities, CEOs, community leaders, and everyday people with extraordinary stories. Each episode offers a blend of faith, personal growth, perseverance, and hope, fostering a space where listeners can find clarity and rediscover their purpose.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration, innovative ideas, or a moment of peace in a busy world, "I Am Refocused Radio" invites you to refocus your mind and embrace a life aligned with meaning and authenticity. Tune in to join this global community and hear the stories that connect us all.

"I Am Refocused Radio" is more than just a podcast&mdash;it's a movement of purpose-driven storytelling that inspires, uplifts, and empowers. Hosted by Shemaiah A. Reed, a calm and thoughtful creative with a background in media, music, and the arts, the show dives deep into conversations that resonate.
From a humble start in a San Antonio barbershop, Shemaiah&rsquo;s journey has grown into a global platform featuring over 1,000 interviews with a diverse array of guests&mdash;celebrities, CEOs, community leaders, and everyday people with extraordinary stories. Each episode offers a blend of faith, personal growth, perseverance, and hope, fostering a space where listeners can find clarity and rediscover their purpose.
Whether you&rsquo;re seeking inspiration, innovative ideas, or a moment of peace in a busy world, "I Am Refocused Radio" invites you to refocus your mind and embrace a life aligned with meaning and authenticity. Tune in to join this global community and hear the stories that connect us all.

I Am Refocused Podcast

I Am Refocused Radio provides a space that welcomes people to speak freely about real life experiences through various platforms to engage and encourage those who are looking to find their purpose.

I Am Refocused Radio Show

The Courage to Tell the Full Story: Writing Fox Creek & Building Schools in Africa

In this episode of I Am Refocused Radio, Shemaiah Reed sits down with Kelly Price, Founder of Thrive HR, for a real-world conversation about what HR looks like when it’s done right, not just “paperwork and payroll.”

Kelly shares her journey from Marriott International to becoming a VP of HR, and what she learned early that still drives her leadership today: people don’t want excuses, they want solutions, and they want to feel heard.

This episode gets into the stuff most employees never see, like the pressure executives carry, the stress behind toxic work environments, and why HR must align with revenue, growth goals, and the real mission of the company. Kelly also breaks down why onboarding is a game-changer, how trust collapses inside a toxic culture, and the warning signs that your people strategy is drifting away from your business goals.

🔗 Learn more about Kelly Price and Thrive HR: thrivehrkc.com

In this episode of I Am Refocused Radio, Shemaiah Reed sits down with Kelly Price, Founder of Thrive HR, for a real-world conversation about what HR looks like when it&rsquo;s done right, not just &ldquo;paperwork and payroll.&rdquo; Kelly shares her journey from Marriott International to becoming a VP of HR, and what she learned early that still drives her leadership today: people don&rsquo;t want excuses, they want solutions, and they want to feel heard. This episode gets into the stuff most employees never see, like the pressure executives carry, the stress behind toxic work environments, and why HR must align with revenue, growth goals, and the real mission of the company. Kelly also breaks down why onboarding is a game-changer, how trust collapses inside a toxic culture, and the warning signs that your people strategy is drifting away from your business goals. 🔗 Learn more about Kelly Price and Thrive HR: thrivehrkc.com

Onboarding, Accountability, and Culture by Design | Kelly Price, Founder of Thrive HR

In this episode of I Am Refocused Radio, Shemaiah Reed sits down with Amy Weber, a seasoned sales leader, entrepreneur, and founder of Vetta Insights. From blue-collar beginnings as the youngest of five, to leading high-performing teams across global tech and healthcare, Amy’s story is a masterclass in vision, discipline, and building your life with intention.

Amy breaks down how early leadership influence, relentless learning, and the right mentors shaped her confidence and career trajectory. She shares the pivotal advice that changed everything: law and sales are the same game, you’re either selling a product or selling a story and why believing in the “story” matters more than chasing titles.

This conversation goes deeper than resumes. Amy explains why most companies struggle because they put the wrong people in the wrong roles, how psychometric assessments reveal how you’re actually wired (not just how you see yourself), and why real growth comes from aligning your gifts with the right environment.

You’ll also hear a grounded take on modern success culture: the obsession with numbers, followers, and validation, versus the real value of relationships, authenticity, and being the kind of leader people want to work with across decades.

vettainsights.com

In this episode of I Am Refocused Radio, Shemaiah Reed sits down with Amy Weber, a seasoned sales leader, entrepreneur, and founder of Vetta Insights. From blue-collar beginnings as the youngest of five, to leading high-performing teams across global tech and healthcare, Amy&rsquo;s story is a masterclass in vision, discipline, and building your life with intention. Amy breaks down how early leadership influence, relentless learning, and the right mentors shaped her confidence and career trajectory. She shares the pivotal advice that changed everything: law and sales are the same game, you&rsquo;re either selling a product or selling a story and why believing in the &ldquo;story&rdquo; matters more than chasing titles. This conversation goes deeper than resumes. Amy explains why most companies struggle because they put the wrong people in the wrong roles, how psychometric assessments reveal how you&rsquo;re actually wired (not just how you see yourself), and why real growth comes from aligning your gifts with the right environment. You&rsquo;ll also hear a grounded take on modern success culture: the obsession with numbers, followers, and validation, versus the real value of relationships, authenticity, and being the kind of leader people want to work with across decades. vettainsights.com

The Making of a Leader: From Self-Belief to High-Impact Influence

CINQUE LEE BIO

Cinque Lee is an American actor and filmmaker. He is the younger brother of filmmaker Spike Lee. Lee has worked in a number of different positions in his older brother's films, as a camera operator, video archivist, and most notably as a co-screenwriter in Crooklyn (1994). He also had small roles in School Daze (1988) and  Oldboy (2013). As an actor, he appeared in the Jim Jarmusch-directed films  Mystery Train (1989) and Coffee and Cigarettes (2003), and a number of other independent films.

Lee is also a filmmaker himself, directing, producing and writing the following films: Window on Your Present (1988),Nowhere Fast (1997), Sink Like a Stone (2000), UR4 Given (2004), and Burn Out the Day (2010, co-directed with Sean Bohary

ABOUT LAST RIDE, DIRECTED BY CINQUE LEE AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY SPIKE LEE

In the winter of 1982, three American boys find themselves stranded in a cable car with a dead body, suspended midair in the mountains of Norway during a rare celestial event.

Here's the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjrkWz1Gvk4

CINQUE LEE BIO
Cinque Lee is an American actor and filmmaker. He is the younger brother of filmmaker Spike Lee. Lee has worked in a number of different positions in his older brother's films, as a camera operator, video archivist, and most notably as a co-screenwriter in Crooklyn&nbsp;(1994). He also had small roles in School Daze&nbsp;(1988) and Oldboy&nbsp;(2013). As an actor, he appeared in the Jim Jarmusch-directed films Mystery Train&nbsp;(1989) and Coffee and Cigarettes (2003), and a number of other independent films.
Lee is also a filmmaker himself, directing, producing and writing the following films: Window on Your Present&nbsp;(1988),Nowhere Fast&nbsp;(1997), Sink Like a Stone&nbsp;(2000), UR4 Given&nbsp;(2004), and Burn Out the Day&nbsp;(2010, co-directed with Sean Bohary
ABOUT&nbsp;LAST RIDE, DIRECTED BY CINQUE LEE AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY SPIKE LEE
In the winter of 1982, three American boys find themselves stranded in a cable car with a dead body, suspended midair in the mountains of Norway during a rare celestial event.
Here's the trailer:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjrkWz1Gvk4" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DyjrkWz1Gvk4&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771671457009000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2nKL_Jv_ojOtxhI6gEc3uR">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjrkWz1Gvk4</a>

The Courage to Tell the Full Story: Writing Fox Creek & Building Schools in Africa

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