ABWilson's Heart of the Matter

Hosted by Aderonke Bademosi Wilson "ABWilson"

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Episodes

114

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Welcome to the ABWilson Heart of the Matter podcast. I'm Aderonke Bademosi Wilson, and I'm thrilled to be your host. From the stunning shores of Bermuda, nestled in the heart of the North Atlantic Ocean, comes a podcast that goes beyond the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle. Here, we dive into the depths of human experience, one heartwarming story at a time. Heart of the Matter isn't just another podcast. It's a journey of exploration and discovery. In each episode, I sit down with remarkable individuals from all walks of life. These aren't household names. They're everyday heroes with fascinating tales to share. Drawing from my passion for Appreciative Inquiry, a management methodology focused on amplifying positivity, strengths, and successes. In fostering meaningful change, we seek to uncover the moments that define us. I unearth stories of joy, kindness, and resilience through overwhelmingly positive questions. Tell me about a recent accomplishment or success you're particularly proud of. Can you recall a situation where you overcame a challenge that led to personal growth? What did you learn from that experience? And what book recommendations do you have? These are just a few of the questions we explore together. We will delve into the heart of each story, one conversation at a time, but be warned, laughter and tears are both frequent companions on this journey. That's the beauty of authenticity. It knows no bounds. What sets ABWilson's Heart of the Matter apart is its consistency. I ask each guest the same questions in the same order, creating a blueprint of diverse experiences woven together by a common thread. So whether you need a good laugh or a heartfelt moment of reflection, join me as we celebrate the extraordinary within the ordinary. Welcome to the Heart of the Matter, where every story awaits sharing.

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60 recent

June 12, 2026Episode 2340 min

S3 Ep23. Finding Sunlight in the Storm: Choosing Grace and Building Belonging with Torie Slaughter

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, Torie Slaughter shares a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about optimism, curiosity, family, purpose and the power of showing up with grace. From the opening moments, Torie reflects on what it means to stay positive when life feels heavy, describing optimism as “trying to find the sunlight in the storm” and reminding listeners that perspective can shape how we move through difficult seasons. Her reflections are honest and grounded, offering a meaningful look at how she navigates stress, motherhood, work and personal growth.Torie also opens up about the role communication has played in her life, from being described as talkative as a child to using conversation as a way to process emotions and make sense of the world. That natural curiosity is also what led her into doctoral study, where she is researching how Black women in DEI roles are advancing inclusion through everyday micro-strategies, even as organizations face backlash, budget cuts and shifting language around the work. Her scholarship is both timely and practical and it reflects her commitment to belonging, psychological safety and creating healthier workplace cultures.The conversation also turns to Torie’s personal journey. She shares her experience growing up in Lynchburg, Virginia, studying abroad in England and eventually building a life there through education, family and opportunity. She speaks candidly about becoming a mother, celebrating one year of breastfeeding and finding strength in daily walks, fresh air and quiet moments with her son and husband. One of the most moving parts of the episode is her reflection on losing her father to alcoholism, a loss that reshaped how she sees health, grief and the importance of caring for one’s body and life with intention.Torie’s story is also one of service and impact. She describes helping someone land a job through career coaching, using her HR background to offer resume support, interview prep and encouragement at a moment when that person was also caring for a family member. That experience affirmed her belief in using her gifts to help others and it points to the kind of future she envisions for herself through public speaking, writing and broader advocacy. Throughout the episode, Torie returns to a central theme: we do not always know what someone else is carrying and a little grace can go a long way.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

June 5, 2026Episode 2255 min

S3 Ep22. Beautifully Unbroken: Yollanda Zhang on Compassion, Courage, and Coming Full Circle

Send us Fan MailIn this heartfelt conversation on ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, Yollanda Zhang shares a deeply moving story of growth, resilience and healing. She describes herself as compassionate, insightful and integrative, three words that reflect not only her professional path but also her personal journey. From engineering to teaching to entrepreneurship, Yollanda explains how each chapter of her life has shaped her ability to support others with empathy, creativity and purpose.Yollanda opens up about the experiences that led her to become a mother, entrepreneur, nonprofit founder, coach, mental health advocate, keynote speaker, and soon, therapist. She reflects on how motherhood inspired her to create a Mandarin school for her daughter and how the loss of her grandmother motivated her to launch Girl Strong, a nonprofit designed to help girls build resilience and confidence. Throughout the episode, she speaks candidly about living with bipolar disorder, the long road of treatment and the healing power of sharing her story. Her honesty about shame, self-compassion and the importance of asking for help brings a powerful and tender dimension to the conversation.The episode also highlights Yollanda’s remarkable work as an educator and mentor. She shares one especially meaningful story about a young girl in her nonprofit program who struggled with severe social anxiety and eventually became a finalist in an international speaking contest. For Yollanda, this was not just a success story, but a reminder that helping others uncover their potential can create lasting ripples of transformation. She also reflects on the practices that sustain her, including meditation, sound baths and intentionally making room for rest, even when productivity tries to take over.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

May 29, 2026Episode 2147 min

S3 Ep21. Art, Advocacy, and the Power of Purpose: A Divine Calling with Dr. Richmond S. Otolorin-Garrick

Send us Fan MailIn this moving conversation on ABWilson’s Heart of the Matter, Dr. Richmond Stanley Otolorin-Garrick shares a story shaped by courage, devotion, artistry and deep gratitude. He reflects on his journey from Sierra Leone to the United States, the sacrifices his parents made and the values that shaped him as a husband, father, educator and fine artist. His story is one of perseverance through loss, reinvention and the steady belief that education and art can transform lives.Dr. Garrick speaks warmly about his marriage of nearly three decades and the joy of raising his three children, while emphasizing the importance of discipline, education and opportunity in their upbringing. He describes teaching as more than a profession, saying he is not there simply to give grades but to change stories. That spirit carries through every part of the conversation, from his classroom work to his commitment to advocating for students and helping them feel seen, trusted and supported.As a divine fine artist, Dr. Garrick opens up about how art became a calling and a form of healing. His work reflects the dignity and struggle of humanity, especially the trauma of Sierra Leone’s civil war, the pain of displacement and the resilience of those who survive it. He shares how his canvases and portraits became a way to process grief, tell the truth and honor history, including iconic portraits of African Americans that now live at Middlesex County College.The episode also offers a beautiful glimpse into the sources of his strength, including quiet reflection, faith, mentors, family and the inspiration he draws from Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr. and other artistic and cultural icons. He closes with a powerful reminder that excellence is a form of purpose and that he hopes to be remembered as someone who discovered his divine talent and practiced it with integrity, care and conviction.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

May 22, 2026Episode 2052 min

S3 Ep20. Making Space for Joy in Justice with Dina Chaerani

Send us Fan MailThis week’s guest on ABWilson's Heart of the Matter podcast is Dina Chaerani, a bold and joyful sexuality educator, storyteller and youth advocate from Indonesia whose work lives at the intersection of advocacy, digital media and care. Dina shares how her own lived experience shaped her commitment to helping young people understand consent, boundaries, pleasure and safety in ways that feel accessible, honest, and human.Dina Chaerani brings a rare combination of honesty, warmth and courage to this conversation. As a sexuality educator and youth advocate, she shares how her work began with her own experience of sexual violence at age 13 and grew into a lifelong commitment to making accurate, accessible sexual and reproductive health information available to young people. She speaks candidly about the gaps in education, the taboos that still shape conversations about bodies and consent and why she built platforms like Sex Dugram and her SRHR Barbie persona to reach young audiences where they already are.Throughout the episode, Dina reflects on the emotional labor of public advocacy and the costs of being visible in online spaces, including harassment and doxing. Still, she remains grounded in empathy, persistence and a strong sense of purpose. She describes self-care as something joyful and active, from dancing and Zumba to humor, music, walking and leaning on a supportive inner circle. Her story is deeply personal and widely resonant, reminding us that resilience is powerful, but so is care and that young people deserve truth, dignity and the freedom to ask questions without shame.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

May 15, 2026Episode 1944 min

S3 Ep19. Business Ballerina: Dancing Through Life with Joyce Hayward

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of AB.Wilson’s Heart of the Matter, Joyce Hayward brings a vibrant mix of energy, wisdom and heart to a conversation about purpose, growth and living intentionally. Joyce describes herself as energetic, joyful and thoughtful and throughout the interview she shows exactly what those words mean in practice, from finding the silver lining in hard moments to making time for the people and priorities that matter most.Joyce shares her journey from a childhood in rural Maryland, where she learned responsibility and resilience, to a life in Bermuda shaped by creativity, faith, family and service. She talks about being a business ballerina, blending her lifelong love of dance with her work as an accountant and advisor who helps clients move through business with confidence, imagination and grace. Her story is rooted in helping others, whether she is supporting a business owner with a dream, teaching, developing content or creating tools like her new invoicing app designed to help tradespeople get paid quickly and easily.A major theme in the conversation is balance, especially the way Joyce learned to stop treating family as an interruption to work and instead build a life where both can thrive. She speaks openly about setting boundaries, protecting Fridays as Sabbath and making space for rest, joy, travel, swimming and the simple pleasures that refill her spirit. Joyce also reflects on legacy, storytelling and the importance of sharing life lessons with family and community so that wisdom is not lost and others can benefit from what we have learned.This episode is full of encouragement for anyone learning how to lead with joy, stay open to change and live with purpose. Joyce reminds us that life is precious, time is valuable and the best way to honor both is to be intentional, thoughtful and willing to dance through life with faith and courage.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

May 8, 2026Episode 1854 min

S3 Ep18. Climb Higher, Give More: Darlene Repollet on Leadership and Legacy

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of ABWilson's Heart of the Matter, host Aderonke Bademosi Wilson sits down with Darlene Repollet, a woman who embodies the art of purposeful living through service, community and intentional growth. Darlene describes herself as a supporter, a Peloton enthusiast and a community servant, and over the course of this rich conversation, she brings each of those descriptors to life in deeply meaningful ways.Darlene opens up about her love of Peloton, not just as a fitness tool, but as a lifestyle anchor that keeps her grounded through cycling, strength training, yoga and meditation. She then speaks with great warmth and clarity about her role as First Lady of Kean University in New Jersey, where her husband Dr. Lamont Repollet serves as president. Her identity as a supporter, she explains, was shaped by 25 years as a human resources executive, a career that taught her that the heart of HR is service to people.The conversation takes a joyful turn when Aderonke reveals that Kean University is her own alma mater, creating a moment of shared pride and nostalgia between the two women as they reflect on how much the campus has grown and transformed over the decades.Darlene shares three surprising things about herself: that she is retired yet busier than ever, that she grew up traveling the country with her family in an RV and motorhome during summers and that she is an introvert who has learned to function as an extrovert. Each of these reveals a layer of depth, from her entrepreneurial ventures in real estate investment to the quiet recharging that keeps her going behind the scenes.One of the most moving parts of the episode is Darlene's story of introducing Gratitude Fridays to her HR team during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. What began as a simple practice of sharing one thing to be grateful for at the start of weekly team meetings became a lifeline for a group of colleagues navigating extraordinary stress and isolation. Over time, the practice deepened into genuine vulnerability and connection and team members later told Darlene how much it had meant to them. It is a story about leadership, humanity, and the quiet power of showing up with intention.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

May 1, 2026Episode 1750 min

S3 Ep17. Nurturing Self and Others: An Inspiring Life with Renee Rampersadsingh

Send us Fan MailRenee Rampersadsingh joins ABWilson's Heart of the Matter podcast, sharing her warm journey as a yoga educator, devoted caregiver and joyful creator in Trinidad and Tobago. With roots in a family of teachers and a lifelong spiritual practice sparked by meeting her guru at age 10, Renee inspires through her reading club, retreats and vegetarian lifestyle shaped by ethics and yoga. Her stories highlight community building, self-care, and finding joy in bird song, dark chocolate and strategic gaming.Renee opens up about her multifaceted life, describing herself as an educator who teaches yoga to all ages, plans retreats and events and empowers people to manage their well-being through breath, movement and mindset shifts. She reflects on her role as a carer, having supported her mother through 17 years of stage four breast cancer from age 13, which deepened her empathy and commitment to nurturing relationships. As a creator, Renee celebrates everyone's innate creativity, from hosting silent reading clubs that foster third spaces for connection to crafting origami, embroidery and co-leading photography-yoga retreats on perspective with her partner. She shares surprises like her lifelong vegetarianism rooted in family ethics, her love for strategy games and a casual spiritual foundation that sustained her family. Proud of her year-old reading club partnering with the Bocas Lit Fest and recent joint retreat successes, Renee discusses making differences through adaptive yoga for seniors, injury recovery and palliative care, relying on empathy, patience and extensive training. Overcoming her MBA amid caregiving taught her perseverance, willpower and self-care like pranayama for energy awareness, strategic napping and graceful aging. She envisions ripples of positivity from grounded self-awareness, upcoming events like World Labyrinth Day and International Yoga Day and her memoir on co-surviving her mother's cancer journey. Simple joys like morning bird song, flowers, family and guiding transformations light her path.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

April 24, 2026Episode 1637 min

S3 Ep16. The Healing Power of Connection: A Conversation with Dr. Irma Campos

Send us Fan MailIn this heartfelt conversation on AB Wilson’s Heart of the Matter, Dr. Irma Campos shares a thoughtful and deeply human reflection on what it means to live and work with curiosity, compassion and care. As a psychologist with experience in clinical and organizational settings, Irma explains how her inquisitive nature shapes the way she supports people, always looking beyond the surface to understand the deeper why behind behavior, emotion and struggle. Her person-centered approach comes through clearly as she speaks about honoring each person’s perspective, lived experience and worldview while staying grounded in warmth and respect.Irma also opens up about joy, describing herself as someone who appreciates the small pleasures in life, from savoring a good meal to laughing at herself and finding lightness where she can. She reflects on the value of helping individuals and organizations thrive, sharing how her work with Grossman Consulting is focused on building well-being, stronger leadership and healthier systems that create ripple effects far beyond the individual. That systems-level perspective is matched by her belief that connection matters, especially in a fast-paced and often isolating world.One of the most moving parts of the conversation is Irma’s honest reflection on grief, loss and the emotional layers that can accompany change. She speaks beautifully about acceptance, the shifting weight of grief over time and the importance of honoring loved ones by keeping their legacy alive through warmth, action and remembrance. Throughout the episode, she offers a powerful reminder that wellbeing, rest and human connection are not luxuries but essentials and that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

April 17, 2026Episode 1556 min

S2 Ep15. Embracing Bold Career Shifts: Coaching Hearts and Global Giving with Pamela Barit Nolan

Send us Fan MailIn this inviting episode, Pamela Barit Nolan joins Aderonke Bademosi Wilson on ABWilson's Heart of the Matter podcast for a heartfelt conversation filled with wisdom on bold career shifts, compassionate service and spiritual growth. With decades in financial services, philanthropy leadership and now as a global coach and spiritual director based in Bermuda, Pamela shares her journeys, including epic world travels that sparked her passion for empowering others. Her stories radiate warmth, resilience and a deep faith that guides her work with clients worldwide through her practice.Pamela opens up about her multifaceted life as a devoted wife of 32 years, seasoned coach, certified spiritual director and dedicated philanthropist championing education. She recounts daring transitions, like leaving a lucrative Boston career after 20 years for a 16-month global adventure that ignited her call to serve women and girls and later pivoting from leading Bermuda's Center on Philanthropy following a divine nudge during strategic planning. Pamela warmly details her self-care rituals, from silent retreats like her recent six-day Ignatian journey and yoga escapes to rowing with Bermuda Pilot Gig Club, weight training and meditative horse care, while embracing AI as a tool to enhance human connection in coaching. Listeners will feel inspired by her client transformations, Flow Game hosting for personal clarity and gentle nudges to notice inner meh moments, seek support and step bravely into joy-filled purpose.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com

April 10, 2026Episode 1433 min

S3 Ep14. Joy in Every Season: Dr. Kelly Holder and Her Path to Wonder and Wellness

Send us Fan MailDr. Kelly Holder joins Aderonke Bademosi Wilson on the latest episode of ABWilson's Heart of the Matter podcast, sharing her warm insights as a clinical psychologist specializing in psycho-oncology. She describes herself as empathetic, joyful and curious, drawing from her unique path that includes a biochemistry undergrad, neuroscience research with lion necropsies and now supporting cancer patients. This engaging conversation invites listeners to embrace joy even in challenges.Kelly lights up the episode with her infectious enthusiasm for joy as a sustaining force in life and work. She unpacks curiosity as a skill fostering wonder about people, emotions and experiences, while empathy comes from her daily practice of truly listening and seeing through others' eyes in her psycho-oncology role. Joy, for her, is a resting place and subtle presence, even holding her during hard times via gentle perspective shifts toward gratitude. Kelly shares delightful personal stories, like her cathartic drum lessons where music surges through her body, her love for savoring hot teas' warmth and aromas and her surprising lab days handling lion tissues for FIV research. She celebrates launching her weekly podcast "Held with Joy," blending mental health science, well-being and faith. Self-care buffers her demanding career through slow mornings, exercise, play, connections, awe at the universe and curiosity about seasons of life. Kelly emphasizes sharing successes to ripple joy to family and beyond, affirming it's available to everyone right now.https://www.abwilsonconsulting.comhttps://abwilsonphotography.com