Leaders & Learners, a Sand and Shores Production

🧠 AI Is Making People Lose Their Minds — Literally.

In this special episode of Leaders & Learners, host Tonya McKenzie sits down with award-winning filmmaker Sean King O’Grady (The Mill, Our American Family) to unpack his chilling new docuseries SUSPICIOUS MINDS, an urgent look at how artificial intelligence is triggering real-world delusions.

From chatbots to surveillance fears, people around the world are slipping into full-blown psychosis fueled by technology. Sean reveals what he discovered while working with psychiatrists, neuroscientists, and ethicists who are sounding the alarm on the psychological cost of our hyper-connected lives.

🎧 Topics include:

• The rise of AI-induced paranoia and digital delusions

• The razor-thin line between mental wellness and tech obsession

• How filmmakers and communicators can tell these stories responsibly

• The future of empathy, storytelling, and mental fitness in an AI-driven world

🔥 If you think Black Mirror was fiction, think again.
Subscribe for more conversations that challenge the culture, elevate your storytelling, and help you CTRL the Narrative before it controls you.

#SuspiciousMinds #LeadersAndLearners #AI #MentalHealth #SeanKingOGrady #TonyaMcKenzie #Wondermind #Documentary #CTRLTheNarrative

Everybody wants the spotlight, but few can handle the work that comes with it. Syracuse linebacker Trey Dudley sits down with me to talk about what it really takes to earn that D1 jersey, the early mornings, the missed moments, the family that keeps him grounded, and the faith that keeps him going.We talk about sacrifice, pressure, and the price of chasing greatness when the cameras aren’t rolling. This one’s for every parent, coach, and athlete trying to make sense of the grind.Tune in and CTRL the narrative on what it really means to “make it.”🎧 Listen now on Leaders & Learners Podcast — link in bio and on all podcast platforms. #StudentAthleteLife #SyracuseFootball #LeadersAndLearnersPodcast #CTRLtheNarrativeSubscribe to the CTRL the Narrative Newsletter: https://tonyamckenziepr.substack.com🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/51644511...

What if exploring the world could transform who you are?

In this inspiring Leaders & Learners Podcast episode, I sit down with Dr. Stacey L. Ford-Edwards, founder of Integrity Elite Travel, to explore how travel changes your life — especially for Black women in travel who are rewriting their stories through freedom, empowerment, and cultural exploration.Dr. Ford-Edwards shares how travel inspiration and travel motivation go beyond vacation photos — it’s about discovering purpose, confidence, and personal growth through travel.Join us as we talk about:💫 Empowerment through travel and new perspectives🌴 Cultural exploration and growth across the globe🧭 Building a travel mindset and freedom lifestyle💖 Real stories of transformation from Integrity Elite TravelIf you’ve ever felt that pull to see more, do more, and become more, this conversation will reignite your wanderlust and your courage.🎧 Tune in now and be inspired to stamp that passport — your next chapter starts with a single trip. ✈️#BlackWomenTravel #LeadersAndLearnersPodcast #TravelMotivation #EmpowermentThroughTravel #IntegrityEliteTravel #PersonalGrowthThroughTravel #TravelMindset #CulturalExploration

She Built the Brand Before the Buzz

Francheska “Fancy” Felder turned cultural storytelling into a powerful media platform with Swagher Magazine. From the roots of Black excellence to the mechanics of PR, journalism, and unapologetic visibility, this conversation dives into how she’s reshaping media on her terms—while keeping her community front and center.Subscribe to the CTRL the Narrative Newsletter: https://tonyamckenziepr.substack.com🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5164451187916800

Black media has always been the heartbeat of our culture, and the first target when truth gets uncomfortable. In this episode, we speak with Truth Talks, Sarah Fontenot and Demetri Wiley, unapologetic truth tellers. They join me to unpack the ongoing attack on Black media, why cultural ownership matters, and how we reclaim our narratives. This conversation is about power, protection, and the future of our stories.Subscribe to the CTRL the Narrative Newsletter: https://tonyamckenziepr.substack.com

What happens when your calling collides with controversy—and the world is watching? Pastor Sam Collier knows that story all too well. From his departure from Hillsong to the collapse of Story Church, his journey has been marked by painful headlines, personal challenges, and the kind of public scrutiny most leaders never face.Now stepping into a new season as Lead Pastor of Christian Cultural Center Atlanta under the guidance of Dr. A.R. Bernard, Sam is ready to speak openly about redemption, reconciliation, and rebuilding with integrity. In this candid conversation, we dive into the lessons learned, the marriage restored, and his bold vision for a multicultural, multi-generational church that centers healing over hype.This is more than a comeback story. It’s a masterclass in faith, accountability, and what it means to lead with scars, not perfection.

You can follow Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samcollierSubscribe to the CTRL the Narrative Newsletter: https://tonyamckenziepr.substack.com

LaTisha and Marsau Scott aren’t just reality TV stars, they’re a power couple redefining what Black love, legacy, and leadership look like in real time. On this episode of Leaders & Learners, host and LA County Commissioner Tonya McKenzie sits down with the Love & Marriage: Huntsville stars to unpack life beyond the cameras. From building multi-million-dollar businesses and raising strong kids, to navigating marriage in the spotlight and holding tight to their Greek pride, this conversation is as real as it gets. The Scotts are back, and they’re holding nothing back.

Check out Scholt Industries

Subscribe to the CTRL the Narrative Newsletter: https://tonyamckenziepr.substack.com🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/51644511...

She’s not your typical politician. Councilwoman Paige Kaluderovic went from coaching AYSO and supporting new moms to leading Redondo Beach’s District 3 with bold plans for mental health response, housing, and youth civic engagement. On this episode of Leaders & Learners – South Bay Edition, we get real about what's going on in Redondo Beach, the real status of the South Bay Galleria, getting rid of the Public Safety commission, and the Redondo Beach Pier. Don’t miss this one, it’s local leadership with the heart and hustle of a SHEro.

Kevin Jordan isn’t just selling performance—he’s building a movement. As the founder of Maxxx Performance, he’s turned science-backed supplements into a trusted brand for athletes, fitness warriors, and everyday folks who want more from their health. But behind the muscle is a masterclass in branding, marketing, and storytelling.In this episode, we talk about what it takes to launch a wellness brand from the ground up, how to earn trust in a saturated market, and why Black founders in health and wellness are reshaping the industry. Whether you’re pushing weight or pushing product, this is a conversation about performance and purpose.🎧 Tap in and take notes.#CTRLtheNarrative #LeadersAndLearners #KevinJordan #MaxxxPerformance #BlackOwned #EssenceFest2025 #BrandingInMotion #HealthIsWealth #Athletes #MentalToughness #MindBodySubscribe to the CTRL the Narrative Newsletter: https://tonyamckenziepr.substack.com🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/51644511...