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She had every reason to quit—grief, financial struggles, and the challeng of protecting her late partner’s dream. But instead of giving up, Abbey Tiu built Leilani Asian Fusion, a restaurant that honors Jason Morales’ legacy. She also runs a successful mental health practice dedicated to helping others heal. How did she turn tragedy into success, and what can you learn from her journey? Watch until the end to find out.

Watch: https://youtu.be/gFb1dMzX_U4

Listen: https://tuesdayswithandrea.com/audio   

Charting your own path and creating a successful living in real estate and entrepreneurship. 

In this episode, we talk about growing up with a Latino single dad raising daughters. The early career grind and finding success with Realty of Chicago. Sally also talks about having the guts to chart your own path and breaking out of fear and promoting yourself while focusing on the next chapter.   

Watch the episode: https://youtu.be/umfp3sM9W4M  

Listen to the episode: https://tuesdayswithandrea.com/audio 

 IT Solutions Architect: Skill Up & Use the Gift of Technology  

He went from GED to retail to corporate and is now a leading cloud operations technologist. Learn about the moments that sparked Johnny's career in tech and the mentor who changed his life.

Listen to the full episode: https://rss.com/podcasts/tuesdayswithandrea/ 

“We All Have Soft Hearts”

Mystery Novel Author: Connecting People through Art. 

In this episode, Andrea sits down with mystery novel author, Eric Lodin about his book, We All Have Soft Hearts. Learn about the writing process and rituals that create environments of flow and ways to activate the energy within by tuning in to our strengths. 

“This Stops With Me”

Educator and Leader: You Have Power to Break Cycles

Former educator with a passion for sharing cultural experiences talks about healthy diet and anxiety, depression after losing a student, breaking generational cycles, travels abroad and molding next Gen leaders.

The Latino Experience in the Courtroom

Judge Bianca Camargo is one of five women, and the first Latina, appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve as a Circuit Judge in Kane County. Hear her experience growing up on the East side of Aurora, Illinois, the trickle-down effect of opportunity, people who shaped her career and being a former prosecutor for the Kane County State’s Attorney’s office.

Her message: Representation matters, flush out the noise and look at the bigger picture of career service and family sacrifice. 

Inspiring Girlfriend: Be the Change we Want to See

Lessons she teaches her kids, finding peace after losing her brother, pushing past comfort for growth, being a force for good, tenacity, supporting men and borrowing hope.

Part 2 of 2: Chicago-based Rapper: The Power of Thought and Self-Identity

The state of our culture, self-growth, temptation, animal intelligence, plant-based eating, harmony and perception, courageous stupidity, God, the bible and quitting cigarettes.

www.instagram.com/lyricalivo 

Bar Owner with a Vision: Get Social and Leap Forward

Marketing director takes a leap of faith into the world of craft beer. His message: get butterflies in your stomach, every day!

 www.finalstretchevents.com

This episode features teacher, community organizer and doctoral student, Sandra Gonzalez and her quest to bring the student and faculty voice back to the forefront in education governance. Join the conversation as she talks about transparency, equity and governance in higher education.

https://www.sandrag4wcc.com/ 

Health & Fitness Owner on a Mission: Be Better

Friend a fellow NCC Alum on running multiple businesses, the sacrifice of success, derailments (that could end it all!)  and opening the first high-end vegan, gluten-free restaurant in the midwest.

https://www.rejoicelounge.com/ 

"Level the Playing Field"    

Driving Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Corporate America   Speaking the honest truth with Jeremy Nixon on how Blacks can move ahead in their careers and how corporate America can better support them.

First Hispanic Judge in Kane County: Strengthening the Judicial Bench

We talk about the sacrifice of military families and spouses, Latino identity, bringing diversity and community to the judiciary, servant leadership, pathway to judgeship, giving kids a voice and an open invitation to the public.

Part 1 of 2: Chicago-based Rapper: Embracing Insecurities & Using Gifts   

Getting kicked out of college, pursuing his craft, hiding our imperfections, using the superpowers within us, comparison, jealousy and working with rapper Twista.

www.instagram.com/lyricalivo 

Free-spirited Solo Traveler: Creating Amazing Experiences

From bartending to Cirque Du Soleil, she's led 70+ teams in 17 countries and shares her unique take on exploring human connection and inspiring leadership from around the world.

 www.carolenemeli.com

Registered nurse, aromatherapist and oncology certified aesthetician on toxins, weak guts and the common struggle many small biz owners are facing: marketing during a pandemic!

https://luxxehonor.com/ 

Local healthcare hero on living your best life now!

This Polish immigrant is tough enough to handle hard problems! After the early passing of her mother she became a Nurse Practitioner and clinical instructor. Now she's focused on collecting memories and helping others do the same.

We talk about leaving the gang environment, being a terrible high-schooler, dreaming big, becoming mayor, leading through crisis, vaccine equity and Aurora's formula for success.

This episode is part of a special series: Aurora, Meet your Mayor. The series focuses on the men running for the city's top position, their profession and what drives them.

This episode features mayoral challenger Judd Lofchie, a real estate broker, attorney and city alderman. We talk compassion, living a life of service, getting Aurora's financial house in order, building wealth with real estate, and the Rotary club. 

This episode is part of a special series: Aurora, Meet your Mayor. The series focuses on getting a deeper understanding of  the men running for the city's top position, their profession and what drives them.

Part 4:  Promises Fulfilled: Everlasting Love

Marrying the wrong person, becoming a grandmother, leaning on God's promises and the dream that confirmed everything.

Part 4 of four-part series: 

A Mother’s Hope: A Story of Self Love & Sovereignty.

Part 2: Sacrificial Love: Facing Addiction and her second divorce

Delia DeLeon Dy on embracing love again, facing the consequences of addiction and accepting loss.

Part 2 of four-part series:  

A Mother’s Hope: A Story of Self Love & Sovereignty. 

Software Engineer: Empowering DevOps Teams

Lessons from Japan, what the world needs more of, and connecting people through technology.

Executive Connector: Diversifying the Board Room

Librarian and research director on increasing Latino representation in 'the room where it happens' and building a pipeline of board-ready individuals. 

Andrea McMillian sits down with Sam Nunez to talk about his campaign for Aurora Township Trustee. This conversation focuses on local elections, role of government, community engagement and advice for youth interested in local leadership.

Learn more about Sam at: https://www.facebook.com/samfortrustee2021/ 

Finding Peace: Growing up adopted & anxious.

And that's a wrap! Thank you for tuning in! Can't wait for Season 2 in January!  

Much love,  ~Andrea

Family Legacy: A Father’s Might and Mission. Facing loss and grief as a widowed dad and embracing a diverse, blended family. 

My first podcast ever recorded with my dad, Jason. He shares his story of being an Asian immigrant, becoming a doctor, being a widowed father to two, and finding new love, family and meaning.

Tough but fair: 

Developing champion people 

Lisette oversees 45 Xfinity Stores and several hundred Xfinity retail sites. Learn how this fortune 50 vice president leads high-performing teams at work and at home. 

Leading Courageously in Crisis: 

History-making police chief leads law enforcement response for the second-largest police department in the state. Her reflections on the Henry Pratt mass shooting, Covid-19, civil unrest, and why she's not afraid of the "c" word - compassion. Also, the self-talk that almost stopped her from being "the first".

Nurses around the world make huge personal sacrifices to help fight covid-19. Orlando shares what it's like managing acutely ill patients, dealing with death on a daily basis, and triaging patients during the pandemic. Also my younger brother, we talk about growing up Boricua, coping with loss, coming out, and bougie standards.

Shannon is an HR executive leader navigating ‘work in the time of a global pandemic’. He's also one of my closest friends. We talk business continuity, diversity and inclusion, brave conversations, and how he puts his values into action in the workplace.

Listen as he hilariously shares his journey into HR and how a high school corporate internship program changed his life.

Alexandria advances equity within her district and is rehauling the learning experience for high school teachers and students. Launching today is volume II of her newest book: today's Inspired Latina! Did I mention she's my twin?! We also talk about mom guilt and when sisters fight.

Leadership lessons from CompTIA's president and chief executive officer, Todd Thibodeaux, on expanding emotional intelligence, stepping into leadership, and creating a culture of continuous improvement.

As a mental health provider, Tony is a professional at counseling people through problems. After earning the trust of my teenage son and husband, he's now someone I count on to 'tell me like it is'. In this episode, we talk about common challenges families and couples face, navigating interpersonal conflict, and self-improvement.

Emily is a gladiator defense attorney and fierce advocate of criminal justice reform. Learn how she's empowering others to fight back and her holistic approach towards practicing law. A graduate of Harvard University and Stanford Law School, Emily is Senior Legal Counsel at The Justice Collaborative, and Founder & CEO of Partners For Justice, a nonprofit committed to increasing access to justice.  

This discussion focuses on law, public safety and civics.

Adrienne is a social change maker on a mission to unite communities. Serving as a 'chief' in her city with a Ph.D. in political science and public policy, she has the smarts and authority to make massive impact. Learn how growing up in Harlem and the Bronx by first-generation Puerto Rican parents shaped her approach to building community.  Discussion themes include the power of struggle, surrender, sisterhood and seeking help.

65% of U.S. inmates meet medical criteria for substance abuse and addiction yet only 11% receive treatment.   

This is my dad’s story.  

Finding hope and healing; my dad's journey towards recovery and breaking the cycle of addiction and imprisonment.

Jessica Banta, 25yr old restaurant worker, isn't letting this global pandemic crisis get the best of her or the people she loves. After being laid-off due to Covid-19, she co-founded the Relief Coalition, a local grass-roots initiative run by and for the people. They've since packaged 36,000 pounds of food for curbside pickup, helping 6,600+ locals. 

She shares details about the journey to launch and how her team of "regular" people came together to advance the mission.

This episode is dedicated to the bosses who champion their people!   

Charles is CEO of a national workforce nonprofit that is changing the game for tech education and helping people get tech jobs. He shares his experience growing up as a diplomat's kid in Hong Kong, his passion for fanatical learning, and his views on education, marriage, parenting & more.

Raul is a Comcast essential worker helping his community stay connected. He's also a trusted friend, respected peer and a championed leader. Married for 17 years and raising two teen boys, he's learned a thing or two about life. In this episode we find out who inspires him and how he uses his favorite call to action on himself.  Warning: This episode might restore your faith in humanity.  Spoilers: 1 - good people still exist, 2 -  making new friends is always possible, 3 - distance doesn't have to divide and 4 - somewhere out there is a good soul who's willing, ready and able to elevate your huddle

Land of the free; home of the brave. Barbara is the youngest Latina in the Illinois House of Representatives and the daughter of Mexican immigrants. Learn how this 1st generation American became one of the youngest shining stars in the Democratic party and how she's leading through Covid19.