The Good Word

Dr. Marissa Pei joins Tisha Lewis on The Good Word! She shares insight from her new book “8 Ways to Happiness from Wherever You Are.” Pei also shares how to feel balanced, happy and at peace with yourself, both in life and in relationships. Plus, she discusses her encounter with Oprah. Join us!

Akisha Jefferson, also known as “The Job Coach,” joins Tisha Lewis on The Good Word. Jefferson is back by popular demand after her first appearance on the podcast was met with rave reviews.

Fashion designer Dionna Dorsey joins Tisha Lewis on The Good Word! At 39 years old, Dorsey says faith fueled her success in the fashion industry.

Two-time Emmy Award-winning and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television and film producer Rushion McDonald joins Tisha Lewis on The Good Word. McDonald host a popular iHeart Media podcast called Money Making Conversations and shares how he balances faith and finances. Plus, McDonald tells us his best practices for achieving financial success.

Fairfax County Public Schools Board Member Elizabeth Schultz joins us on The Good Word. Fairfax County Public Schools is the 10th largest school district in the country.

Former stripper turned pastor Monica Gary joins Tisha Lewis on The Good Word! Gary shares how she went from hopelessness to hope after spending years working in strip clubs in DC. Her story also includes surviving a physically, emotionally and mentally abusive relationship. She is now a mother, married to a Marine and shares how she overcame adversity. Gary says her faith saved her, but she also has advice for those without faith. Gary is the pastor at New Wine Community Church in Stafford, Virginia. Join us!

DC native, teenage mother and author Rennee Hubb joins us Tisha Lewis on The Good Word. Hubb had two daughters by the time she was 18 and shares her powerful message of perseverance, faith and overcoming the obstacles of teenage motherhood. She also shares how her faith transformed her hopelessness into hope and success. Hubb is the author of "From Bound 2 Found." Join us!

DC native and "Get Yourself Together First" author Gavata Smith joins FOX 5's Tisha Lewis on "The Good Word!" Smith shares how she helped her mother break a 24-year addiction to crack cocaine by using love, faith and forgiveness. Smith said drug addiction is real and that denial is dangerous and destroys people and families. But Smith's faith helped her save her family and now she is helping others to do the same. Smith is an encouraging reminder that forgiveness can happen! Join us!

Marriage: The Wholly Hook-Up founders Dr. Cedric Brown and Bobette Brown join Tisha Lewis on The Good Word! The Browns have been married more than 30 years and take everything they have learned about relationships on the road. The two host powerful events on relationship development including The Wholly Hook-up conferences nationwide.

Special needs advocate Shanna Ruffin joins FOX 5's Tisha Lewis on The Good Word! Ruffin is a special integration coordinator in Northern Virginia and works closely with adults who have special needs. She shares how her faith inspired her to pursue her career and how it continues to motivate her on a daily basis to help those who need it the most.

Northern Virginia couple Victoria and Joseph Riollano, who are building a church from scratch, join us on The Good Word! The couple has six children and Joseph is a Yeoman in the U.S. Coast Guard and Victoria is the author of The Victory Walk. The couple shares how, with faith, they manifested their dreams of building and leading the Enlighten Church in Stafford, Virginia. The Riollanos say Enlighten Church will focus on community outreach. They also share how their faith helps them balance starting a church, raising a family, all while managing their careers, fulfilling their dreams and embarking on new projects. Join us!

Grammy-Award winner Kirk Franklin joins Tisha Lewis on The Good Word podcast to discuss his new music, faith and more. Franklin chats about his new album "Long Live Love" and his career success. The legendary gospel singer also discusses his faith and forgiving a father he almost never knew. He also calls out prosperity preachers serving "diet Jesus." Join us!

Skye Jones becomes the youngest guest to appear on The Good Word as the 15-year-old entrepreneur discusses how and why she embraces her faith at such a young age. Skye is the founder and creator of Above the Skye greeting cards, which promote positive images for young girls and women. Many of her designs highlight women wearing their natural hair and crowns. Skye also discusses how her faith impacts her creative designs and why each card comes with an inspirational scripture and message. Skye will be attending Washington D.C.'s Duke Ellington School of the Arts this fall. Join us!

Lyricist, vocalist and songwriter Kamila Gem joins The Good Word podcast! The DC native discusses the importance of mental health and how her faith, music and self-expression helped her overcome depression. Kamila shares her inspirational journey with us and also tackles the stigma surrounding therapy, counseling and mental illness. She notes Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and Andre 3000 as some of her musical inspirations. Kamila has performed throughout the DC area at Busboys and Poets, Bohemian Caverns and the Lincoln Theatre. Kamila says music, poetry and faith have helped heal her. Join us!

Bishop Alfred A. Owens and Co-Pastor Susie C. Owens join Tisha Lewis on The Good Word podcast! Bishop Owens pastors Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, one of the largest congregations in Washington, DC. The church is celebrating 53 years in ministry. The Owens discuss how America can use faith to heal amid school shootings, workplace violence and hopelessness. They also talk about healing for those outside the faith-based community, seeking spiritual well-being and the power of prayer to heal. They also share how to stay inspired amid hard times. Join us!

Akisha Jefferson joins The Good Word to discuss how her faith led her to help others know the difference between a job, a career and a calling. She also chats about her gift -- helping people find their calling and placing people with challenging backgrounds in their dream jobs and careers. Akisha is also a minister and shares how she found her passion in the headhunting industry and why now is the best time to make your next career move. Join us!

Will Grandberry joins "The Good Word" podcast. Will is an amazing faith-filled young adult who has a special talent for connecting with young people and other young adults! He is bringing Kanye West inspired "pop-up church services" to the DC area. He's from Chicago but calls DC home. He also leads an annual prayer outside the White House to pray for the president. Join us!

Faith Holmes, a serial entrepreneur who most recently owned Love n' Faith Community Cafe in Northwest DC, joins The Good Word with Tisha Lewis! Holmes discusses her spiritual journey as a member of the Baha'i faith and how she's continually overcome obstacles and challenges as an entrepreneur. Plus, her unique take on the power of positive thinking! Join us!

Miko Branch, the CEO of the curly hair products company Miss Jessie's, joins the Good Word with Tisha Lewis! Branch started the company with her sister and says her faith became stronger during the hard times in the early years of starting Miss Jessie's. Branch says the challenging times prepared her for success and also talks about how her son and single-motherhood has motivated her to be successful. Plus, Branch discusses how Miss Jessie's landed their deal with Target. Join us!

Ashley Rios joins "The Good Word" podcast. Ashley is an actress and was most recently the lead female actress in the DC-based film "Sinners Wanted," a biblically based script come to fruition on the big screen. Ashley grew up in the church and shares how her faith impacts her roles, characters and how she navigates Hollywood and the entertainment industry! She is inspired by the surge in faith-based films and the supportive audience fueling the genre. Join us!