Proven Not Perfect
Proven Not Perfect
You can’t pour from an empty account, so here’s how to audit your calendar, choose impact over quantity, and set a clear vision for 2026 with Denise Thomas, The Effective Communicator
What if your burnout isn’t about doing too much—but about allowing the wrong withdrawals? We step into the fourth quarter with a sharper lens: a daily deposits-versus-withdrawals audit that exposes invisible drains, restores peace, and helps you choose the rooms where your impact will be felt. From calendar chaos to meaningful tradeoffs, we share the simple tie-breaker that ends second-guessing: pick the commitment where your presence creates the greatest change, not the one with the flashiest optics.
Denise takes us behind the curtain of persona and replenishment, naming why high-energy performers get quiet offstage and why that boundary is part of the work. Then the moment we’ve been waiting for: announcing her debut book, The Only One in the Room: How to Transform Differences into Strengths, Communicate with Impact, and Lead with Confidence—featuring a foreword by Stephen M. R. Covey. The book blends candid stories, practical tools, and interactive exercises to help you claim your voice, communicate with intention, and lead with calm confidence. Whether you’re introverted, the youngest at the table, the only woman, the only person of color, or simply the quietest thinker, your difference can be your superpower.
We also zoom out to the cultural noise and remember this truth: there’s still more good than evil. That perspective fuels our 2026 planning—what to launch, what to celebrate, and what to cut. If you’re craving clarity, this conversation offers a blueprint: audit your energy, choose impact over attention, honor your need to replenish, and build a vision that aligns with your values. Ready to protect your peace and amplify your voice? Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs the reminder, and leave a review with your Q4 non-negotiable—we’ll feature our favorites next week.
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
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I'd love to hear what you think!
Denise. Chandra. No stranger to proven not perfect. None. Um, in fact, we had you for an impromptu, it was supposed to be a catch-up, personal catch up, and it turned into a whole podcast that we shared with the world. But this time there's a bit more intentionality. There is something on my mind, and I was thinking about this, and I was like, you know, I want to have this conversation, but I also want to be intentional with who I choose to have it with. And you're one of those leaders who brings such intentionality to the spaces and places that you inhabit that I thought that you'd be perfect for this discussion with us. Okay. Wow.
SPEAKER_01:Thank you. I received that. Thanks so much. I'm trying to figure out because you know, I'm looking at you here. Yeah. And then there's okay, so I'm gonna try to get right in here on right in here. I'm right here.
SPEAKER_02:I'm like, I'm looking at you. No, I'm not. Thanks to Zoom and all of the new features. Thanks to Zoom.
SPEAKER_01:Zoom now is you can pay us later.
SPEAKER_02:We'll appreciate it. Right. We'll check all the sponsorship for sure. So here is the question on my mind. Now that we are officially in the fourth quarter of the calendar year, it's crazy. And for a lot of us, we scurried from summer right on into fall. And now we open our eyes and it's October. Everyone's inevitably looking back and thinking, what was on their list that they didn't accomplish? And they're thinking, what's still on their list yet to do for the end of the year? I don't know how many people are really bringing intentionality to the setup for 2026 and beyond, but let's just focus on the next year for now, right? And so I thought, let me tap into your wisdom and ask you now that you're entering the fourth quarter of the year, what's top of mind for you as you do a look back on the year that we're in and you start to look forward to the future?
SPEAKER_01:Well, the first word that comes to my mind is rapping. Ooh. This year, and we say that every year, it's like, man, this year just flew by. Yeah. And I'm just starting to accept the fact that the older and wiser we are becoming. And when I say we, for those that are 40 and over, yes, I feel like ever since I became part of the 40s club, which this, by the way, Chantra, is my last year. So next year, I'm a bicentennial baby. So I'll be celebrating my 50th with the country's 250th. Wow. And so I just believe that as I'm wrapping up the 40s, going back to your question, there's so much, whether it's networks, whether it's philanthropy, whether it's family, everything that I believe it's that everything that we do combined with the rapid rate of technology, I I strongly believe, Chantra, that that's one of the reasons why we feel as though the year flies by, and yet to your point, when we reflect and think, what did I get accomplished this year? Because think about it. What used to be where, okay, I'm leaving the office and I'm leaving work. That's no longer the case. Accessibility combined with the rapid rate of technology is where I think we really need to focus in on intentionality. And the reason why I say that is because sometimes I have to take a step back. Literally, I'm not even, I'm won't even be dishonest and say every now again or sometimes. Every day is part of my reflection process.
SPEAKER_00:Yes.
SPEAKER_01:I'm not asking how much I accomplished today. I'm asking how many withdrawals did I allow and how many deposits did I receive? That is the question I ask myself every day.
SPEAKER_02:How many withdrawals? Yep. How many deposits? So unpack that a little bit for this new language for a lot of people.
SPEAKER_01:When your account is overdrawn, there's a variety of emotions. And listen, you know, because I know your audience is of high caliber. I get it. But there's not too many folks in this thing called life that can say, I've never had an overdrawn account. We've all been there, you know, during our formative years. And when you think about what that felt like, you know, whether it was humiliation, frustration, anxiety, there's so many emotions that are associated with having an account overdrawn. Yes. And the simple formula, Chantra, is I had this much money in my account. Yes. But yet I was allowing all these the withdrawals to come in and there wasn't sufficient funds. It's the same principle with us as people. We allow, we allow people to make withdrawals, but yet we're not making enough deposits. And then we literally feel overdrawn. That's burnout. Yes. So that's why it's important for me every day to say, okay, is my account full? Do I have sufficient funds in my account?
SPEAKER_02:How do you course correct?
SPEAKER_01:Ooh.
SPEAKER_02:So I think you're everything you're saying is spot on. But what are some of your strategies to sort of course correct when you feel like, you know what? I'm looking at the deposits, I'm looking at the withdrawals, and I'm out of balance. Um, especially when you look at your calendar and it still has all of those commitments that you made when you were in balance, right? And so I think, especially as we start to ratchet up on this back half of the year, folks do typically start to see lots of withdrawals, right? It's it's the one more event, it's the one more meeting, um, making space for the one more trip. Not a whole lot of space to deposit anything that hasn't been in there already. So I guess what I'd love to unpack with you are as folks start to end this year, are there maybe two or three things that you would just kind of put out there that you do yourself that might be very useful tools for folks who don't have a practice or maybe have one, but feel like they can fine-tune it?
SPEAKER_01:Great question. I'm so glad you asked that question. It's the same principle. So when we do realize that our accounts, our bank accounts, are having way more withdrawals than deposits, the first thing we do is we'll analyze, we'll say, okay, let me look at all these subscriptions that are automatically withdrawn out of my account. Let me look at all these automatic payments. Let me assess what actually is necessary andor bringing me value versus something that I'm just paying for and I'm not even utilizing. That's the same principle, Chantra, that you should apply with people. Wow. And it and it hurts, I mean, because even when I say it and your response was, wow, that's how I felt too. However, the more and more that I apply that principle, and this is daily.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:You know, like data analysts, people that are listening to this and watching this, there's some people who are very data-driven. They're analytical. Okay. I don't need the fluff, I want the data. I don't want feelings, I want facts. I so appreciate that because that's the same type of methodology that you should apply when it comes to assessing who, what, and where are taking way more withdrawals than deposits in my life. And it's gonna sting because at first, you know, you might say, wow, every time this person has access to me, whether it's a text, a phone call, you know, an in-person meeting, even you know, this person who I work with, they do a lot more taking out of me than they do giving. That's a flag. And I will say this since I started applying that method, I've gained what all of us, when we assess what's causing burnout, I've gained more time. I've gained more clarity. And here's the big one I've gained more prosperity. Prosperity has nothing to do with money. Yes, prosperity has nothing to do with how many cars are in your garage, or you know, how many homes you you you invest in. Prosperity is one thing and one thing only, that is peace. That's it. Priceless. When you when you say I I I want you to have a prosperous life, or I I am striving to be prosperous, you are striving or praying for or asking for peace. Which is I there's nothing, Chantra, that I could think of that is more valuable than peace.
SPEAKER_02:Totally agree with you. That's what God is. Yes, yes, yes, yes. Absolutely. And when the presence of peace isn't there. So I think that's an excellent rubric, though. So, you know, one of the things that that you're really just nailing is as you take your own personal inventory and you start moving toward the back after this year, it's not too soon to start saying, Where's the dead weight in my life? Right. And that dead weight can be overcommitments, right? I find I found just yesterday that I made a new commitment on top of a commitment that I already had. Um, now I have to reconcile which of the commitments is going to beat the other one, right? Which is not a good place to be, right? But, you know, we all find ourselves there. It's now what do you do? How do you rationalize the fact that you have to and you can only do one, right? Um, it's it's a very real thing. And it's going to it's going to continue to creep up because I think with all these portals of entry that you launched us with, all the portals of entry are that it's not, it's not stopping, they're not slowing, they are there, they're getting faster. So now it's figuring out how you get efficient on top of all the portals of entry for all the events and places and spaces you need to be. It's a whole lot.
SPEAKER_01:Listen, that just happened to me, Chantra. And and this is where it's a simple formula for me. Yeah. When you're when you're in the position of which who gets my time and who doesn't now that I've realized I've I've overbooked or I've double booked. Impact.
SPEAKER_00:Yes.
SPEAKER_01:That's always my my anchor is based on this decision, who or what is going to have the most impact? On you are you on it? Me on them. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Thank you for that. Even though you answer my question for which I was gonna pick. Because here's going to impact me, but the other one I believe I will impact. It's a smaller community of folks who are quite frankly seeking light. The other one is a larger community of folks who all are exuding the light, or at least, you know. And so my greater self was like, hang on.
SPEAKER_01:Which place really should you choose to be? Whichever place you are going to have the most impact on them. Do not focus on quantity, focus on the quality. So, for example, I could be invited, and now this is just an example. I don't want any of our clients who may be listening to be like, is she talking about me?
SPEAKER_02:I don't want people trying to reconcile who I just who I just deciphered up between, right? That could be two of my friends in uh Japan and Australia. So just don't even try.
SPEAKER_01:I break this down just really quick. You could have an invitation by a notable, distinguished leader of the world. Yes, and they their team reaches out to your team and says, you know, I would love to have dinner with Chantra and learn more about her services, her journey, her leadership. And you're thinking, you had me at hello, because this person again, and then you accidentally or inadvertently book, let's say, a keynote for a nonprofit organization. Yes, and they're gonna give you maybe whatever they can give you in terms of stipend honor. Yeah. So this is where you know the the the brain is gonna say, go with the notable leader. I mean, man. And then the heart and the gut probably is gonna say, based on impact, I need to go and and and do my work with this nonprofit. That's just an example. But ultimately, it's always chess, it's never checkers. And the chess component where you get to say checkmate, is where whatever decision that you make, Sandra, when you reflect on that decision, where did I make the most impact? Oh, and I, you know, it's gonna happen to the best of us, and that's where we also, in addition to assessing the impact, please, please, please, please, even if they don't, give yourself grace. And how you do that, challenge for because I know a lot of people are gonna say, Well, how do you do that? You remind yourself that you're a good person. Yes, do you do you you feel what I'm saying? Like you have to know that good people make mistakes, and it doesn't there's grace there for it, right?
SPEAKER_02:Um I've I had a conversation recently with a friend, and you know, it came up this if you are guided by strong values, core values, principal beliefs, that there is a wisdom and a discernment and a spirit that goes with your best decisions at a point in time, given the information that you have. The reality is, even if it ends up looking like, man, why did I decide to do that? You're probably exactly where you were supposed to be. I love that. And wait, but but here's when I when it blew my mind when we unpack this. Whatever your core values and beliefs are, that spirit guide in your heart knew where you were gonna go anyway. Ooh. So the grace was already there. So even though you're you're finding it out, you're like, wow, why did I decide this? There were lessons to be learned. To my sister Denise's point, there were there was an impact to be made, even in what perceptibly looked like your bad decision.
SPEAKER_01:I love this. Yeah, and you know, that's I I love the way it releases us, right? Because I have to look we have to, yeah. That's our superpower. That's one of our superpowers is the grace, the understanding, and the self-activation of it. Because and here's what you have to be okay with either party's initial reaction to you saying, Hey, here's what happened. Yeah, I I accidentally, you know, double booked. Yes, you mean the world to me. I have to make this decision, it was difficult. And and please be okay with, they're gonna be upset. We're human. That's a natural, but understand that that will pass.
SPEAKER_02:It will pass.
SPEAKER_01:You know, because I know there's been times where someone may have or communicated a decision that they were making that I wasn't happy with, and my initial reaction was frustration, disappointment, all these you know, negative emotions. But after I slept on it, I woke up, I was okay. And then I reached out to that person again and said, you know what? I initially was disappointed or initially felt blank. But after some reflection and getting a good night's sleep, I just want you to know I understand and I appreciate your openness and sharing that with me. So I it again, you have to just be okay with which Chantra, this is a great segue into this point that the spirit is telling me to share too. It's like people can't be disappointed or frustrated anymore without the other person saying, You're attacking me. And I think as humans, we have to get yes, we we we have to get back to you need to take it down.
SPEAKER_02:Like I honestly do a collective inhale, exhale. Can we just do that now, even in the places and put wherever you are right now?
SPEAKER_00:Let's do it.
SPEAKER_02:I think one, two, three, inhale, exhale.
SPEAKER_01:Oh, that feels so good.
SPEAKER_02:For somebody that was the first time they maybe have done that all day. And it feels so good because that's what how we're living right now. But yeah, it's like we gotta be perfect, and I'm like, no, I'm human.
SPEAKER_01:The way that the most high designed me, I have an array of emotions. Yes, and some days, you know the thing about it, Chantra, for you and for many of us that are in this room right now, that are listening and watching this incredible podcast, we put so much pressure on ourselves to please everybody and make people happy and and and make ourselves look so perfect on social media. So that so it gets to the point where you've done all that, but then when you finally have a situation where you need to be frustrated or upset or disappointed, everyone's like, the nerve.
SPEAKER_02:I thought she was Miss Happy Cloud.
SPEAKER_01:You see, you see what I'm saying? And it's like for so going back to the original question, I'm more comfortable now reminding people that as much, because a lot of people, when they use one word to describe me, and that was intentional, is energy. And I appreciate that because I know that my energy is a superpower that positively impacts that word again, so many people. And I appreciate the most high trusting me and blessing me with that gift. With that being said, sister, there there are days where I'm different. Yes. I'll say this quick story, and the and the person that said it may be watching this, and they they didn't understand the impact, but that's okay. This person said to me, Yeah, Denise, you know, few few people, side note, stay away from folks who say, folks are saying this about you. But that's a whole nother episode.
SPEAKER_02:Another episode. Look, I love I love the trilogy we're building.
SPEAKER_01:Right. This person said, you know, Denise, there are some folks that say you're different when you're not on the stage, you're different from when you're you're off the stage. You're so nice and and high energy when you're on the stage, but when you get off the stage, you're different. I'm like, uh yeah, it's called persona. Yes. This this incredible woman right here. I don't know if you can see her. She is my Shiro, one of them, Tina Turner. Yes. Let me show you how God works. Because when that person said it to me, Shantra, what do you think my immediate reaction was?
SPEAKER_02:Well, I mean, you're human. So immediately you're sort of like, really? I'm like, really?
SPEAKER_01:I gotta fix this. I gotta be, you know, high energy all the time. I'm showing you how God works. I study the best every night before I go to bed. Because if you want to be the best, you gotta study the best. Okay, shout out to Whitney Houston who taught me that. Not personally. And there was a video that came in on my social media feed, and it was literally Tina Turner during an interview. Wow. And she was sharing with the interviewer that I'm not Tina Turner once I get off that stage. And she didn't say she was anime bullet, but she did say I'm not what you see. And chant her the immediate release that that gave me that freedom, that permission to know that people who are anointed and have gifts to where they can entertain people through their words or through their presence, that can be exhausting. Girl, you need to replenish. Which goes back, see, see how that works? Now we're back to the withdrawals and the deposits. Yes, because when I'm on stage, when you're on stage, we are focused on making sure that our audience is getting exactly what they deserve, and that is the best. Amen. Why do you think Beyonce doesn't say too much? Now I get it. Now I get it. I'm like, because I remember when you know when I first when she first started, you know, really starting to elevate as this global icon, one of the very inconsiderate judgments I made on Beyoncé was she doesn't know how to communicate, she doesn't know how to speak, she doesn't really talk that much. To me, she's socially awkward. But remember what we said in the beginning, Chantra. The older you become, the wiser, not just based on books, but just experiences. So now I totally get why Beyoncé doesn't say diddly squat.
SPEAKER_00:That's right.
SPEAKER_01:All that she has given the world she's given us that she gives on stage. I've seen Beyonce in concert. Let me tell you right now. Yes, I mean she's human, but she's not, she's otherworldly. That is one of the most anointing, and so you you you you have to number one assess the impact in everything that you do. Number two, make sure that as much as you are allowing people, places, and things to withdraw from you, because many of us we make it look so easy. Yes, and we and and the more that you and it is easy if it's your length.
SPEAKER_02:And I think that that's that's that's a truth, too, right? Because we should seek the things that are easy, it should be easy.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, the older we become. Yes, and so with that, I'm okay with uh knowing that when I get off that stage and I've given my best, which I always do. Yes, I'm undefeated when it comes to giving my best and being mediocre. I'm undefeated. Yes, my record is like 582 and oh. Okay, and that's intentional. I have to also be okay with yes, it's important for me to connect with people as much as I love to be connected to. However, with that being said, it's also important for me to know when to say, I'm overdrawn, I need more deposits.
SPEAKER_02:So if you hear nothing else, as you approach the back half of this year and start visioning what the next part of the year looks like, anybody listening to us, understand your own personal inventory. That's it. Be clear about what it is today and about what you're gearing up for in the future. Now, I want to pivot because I know that you're gearing up for the future and you're gearing up for something very special. So I would imagine, yes, yes, yes, as we're closing out 2025, there's intentionality that you're bringing to what's depositing and how many deposits you're making space for. So that you have a whole lot of energy to walk into 2026, ready to probably tip a little bit on withdrawals, right? Tell me what I'm talking about. What am I talking about?
SPEAKER_01:So this year, as we're closing, and and to your point, launching into 2026, I I cannot even believe I'm saying this, but I am so excited, thankful, grateful to announce right here. Yes, on the future is bright podcast. Yes, posted, curated, produced by the Chantra Pap. My highly anticipated debut book. Yes. Yes, so excited. You know, it's kind of like it hasn't hit me yet. I know, right? It just it hasn't hit me yet, and I I need to to make space and time to just be with the book. But again, the the book is titled The Only One in the Room.
SPEAKER_02:So tell us about that. Tell us what what can we expect? What what give us a little bit of a snack here? The only one in the room. What what was the inspiration? Fiction, nonfiction. Um, you know, give us a little bit, a little bit of more.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, no, this all great question. So, in terms of it's kind of like uh the same way that I got into entrepreneurship. There was one point where I was like, I'm never gonna work for me, I'm never gonna be an entrepreneur. I I need guaranteed, I need security, I need a stable income. Yeah, and then it's funny how that saying says when you plan something, that's the best way to make God laugh. Yes. So obviously, God had other things in plan for in store for me as part of his plan. And so I'm sorry, and you were listening, and I was lit. Thank you for calling that out because it's a lot of times we we pray for things and then we don't listen. So then, fast forward about two and a half years, no, two years ago, I was uh a guest keynote speaker at a conference, and there were two guest keynote speakers. So I kicked off the morning, and then there was another keynote that kicked off the afternoon by the name of Stephen Covey of Franklin Covey. Come on now, New York Times bestseller. Wow, fire, Mr. Covey. Now, now mind you.
SPEAKER_02:Wait, wait, wait, wait. We all gotta walk with you on this journey. So let's understand this. You were just doing what you do, where you said winning 580 to none, right? Showing up with excellence over mediocrity winning every time. So you showed up to that whatever hundredth experience that was, happened to be placed in a scenario where you were in a space with someone that could perhaps pour seed and change the course and trajectory of your life.
SPEAKER_01:Thank you for saying that, Chantra. I could listen, I'm just not a communication coach. I could not have said it better. Thank you for saying that. Because, you know, your listeners, your audience, they also needed that. Because to your point, I knew that Stephen Covey was going to be the keynote speaker in the afternoon. I knew who he was. I've worked for companies that use the Franklin Covey leadership model as one of their key components of developing high potential employees. So I I know I knew all of that. You know, sharing the stage with the same stage, I should say, with Stephen Covey. I'm like, so of course, when the afternoon comes and I'm like, listen, I'm gonna be in the audience. Can I stay? And my the client was like, of course. Afterwards, I'm literally, I remember like it was yesterday, Chantra. I'm placing my items in my bag and I'm getting ready to head to the airport.
unknown:Mr.
SPEAKER_01:Cubby walks up to me. Wow. He says, I heard you speak this morning, and he simply said, You are amazing. But now she's I'm like, oh my goodness, thank you. That means so much to me coming from you. Like, thank you. Then he proceeds to say, There's a book in you. No, I I take that back. I'm sorry. He says, How many books have you have you written? I said, zero. He said, There's a book in you. He said, I'll tell you what. If I connect you with some good people that can help you write your first book, as long as you complete it, I'll write the forward to your first book. I was like, done. Look, you should have led with that. Thus, we have the only one, and I'm I'm looking at my screen so I made sure I read this correctly. The only one in the room, how to transform differences into strengths, communicate with impact, and lead with confidence. Forward by Stephen M. R. Cubby. Wow. I'm trying to see if I can maybe see this.
SPEAKER_00:So yeah, there's the book.
SPEAKER_02:That's the book covered. Oh my gosh. Look at there. There's the beauty.
SPEAKER_01:There's the beauty. There she is, right there. And so she's coming out October 11th. Today is October 2nd. And Chantra, you already know you're going to receive a copy. I would be honored for you to read it. Oh my gosh. Your brain is brilliant. So I just definitely want folks like you to read the book. But it's it's for everyone. Yes. This book is so important to your earlier question in terms of timeliness, because there's never been a time, at least once, where, regardless of your role, regardless of your level, regardless of your physical appearance, that at one point you've asked yourself, do I belong here? There's not one person. Everybody has. Everybody has experienced a moment, yes, which could have been detrimental or could have been the launch of, you know, do I belong in this room? Do I belong here? So this book is literally for anyone who has ever asked that question. And the relevance as it relates to current day. There's a lot of us that are, even from the pandemic, so 2020 through current day, 2025, five years later, who have really been focusing on who am I? Yeah. Am I am I located where I'm supposed to be located? Am I working where I'm supposed to be working? Am I doing the things that I'm supposed to be doing? Am I living the way that I'm supposed to be living? And that has everything to do with how you're engaging every day. And so this book is really going to help people develop their voice, refine their existing voice, elevate their brand, and really learn how to communicate in a way that is valuable, that is relevant, that is motivating. We all need that.
SPEAKER_02:Every one of us. Everybody. And there's no, there's no you've mastered it unless you've mastered it. And very few have, right? And I think in particular right now, as there's so much noise, right? I think the ability to control not only the placement of your voice, the intonation of your voice, the softness.
SPEAKER_01:Yes.
SPEAKER_02:All of it, right? Um, I'm excited. I cannot wait to read the book.
SPEAKER_01:And it's engaging, just so you know, this is to answer your question, how this book differentiates from other books is it's a hybrid. So all of this is based on personal and professional experiences, which I get into a lot of detail. I'm very candid. And most people that know me know I'm very candid. Yes. Like you can't. One thing no one can say about Denise is that I don't know how she feels. I don't know what worked about. Yes, you do. You do. So yes, this book is the same reflection of that part of me because you deserve that. And then, secondly, it's very engaging. This is going to be like one of those books where you have the highlights, the little bookmarker post-it notes. This is going to be a blueprint. Because as much as I provide insight, wisdom, tools, it's going to inspire you to do the same. And we have intentional places. So the team that I work with, we have intentional places in the book.
SPEAKER_00:Yes.
SPEAKER_01:Where you'll be able to write your thoughts. A lot of truth bombs, a lot of interactive exercises, a lot of accountability in the book. A lot of reminders on how amazing you are, even when you are the only one in the room. And remember, Chantra, being the only one in the room isn't always about physical appearance.
SPEAKER_02:Right. Absolutely right.
SPEAKER_01:You could be someone who's been described as introverted.
SPEAKER_02:That's right.
SPEAKER_01:And what I'm reminding you is that, you know, there's power in being quiet. It's just your responsibility to educate people on the power of being a processor, of being an observer.
SPEAKER_02:Yes, yes.
SPEAKER_01:I don't always need to be the loudest one in the room to be the most. And this goes back to our word. Impactful.
SPEAKER_02:Wow. This is great. So it's a great book. So tell, tell me, as you as you think about 2026 and walking into this new place with the book. Um, you know, what excites you and what sort of pings at your heart a little bit? Like, ooh, you know what I mean?
SPEAKER_01:You know what excites me, Shantra? And again, thank you so much for these just responsible questions. That there's still more good in this world than evil. 2025 celebrated a lot of evil people, evil places, evil things. And that's and that's hard for a lot of people to to digest.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:And what we have to remind ourselves is that there's still more good than not. Taking that into 2026, obviously, I'm gonna be focused on promoting this book. Yeah, we're gonna have virtual book launches, book club parties. Uh and when I say we, Mr. Covey and I, he's gonna join me. Come on, yeah. So you're gonna see a lot of DT and Mr. Covey promoting this book. And I just want people to understand that whether you're the only one in the room based on physical appearance, based on work style, personality, persona, whatever, is that you have a valuable voice that deserves to be heard. And the number one thing, Shantra, that people literally the number one thing out of every area of communication that people will ask me to coach them on or even reintroduce is confidence. This book, it's gonna remind you that you don't need to be taught how to be competent. You just gotta get rid of all that noise. Get those layers out of the way. Because the confidence is here. And that's what this book is gonna help you do. You're gonna literally hear my voice when you're reading this book because you know, when I was writing.
SPEAKER_02:Energy is gonna come through. It's gonna come through. I already know it. Haven't read a page, but I just think that that's the light that you bear, right? And quite frankly, to God be the glory, that's what Mr. Covey saw, right? And I just think, you know, it's time to illuminate, illuminate that light, to share it, um, and to help turn on some lights where they may have gotten a little dim, right? Um, this is a season where I do feel a momentum and a movement around turning on lights, being confident, being bold, um, being considerate, being kind, holding space when people maybe don't have the strength to hold it for themselves. We have folks that are willing to do that. And any strike of a match opportunities to do that right now, I think are blessed. And that's what I think the only one is going to be one of those strike of the match. And, you know, to Mr. Covey, I just say, you know, I'm gonna call him, I'm gonna call him Mr. Covey until, you know, we I get to know Steve, right? But I'll say I'll say to him now, look, I mean, thank you for modeling the behavior that we should all model, right? Because it's very easy to get to a place of, okay, great, I've done that, and then sort of be comfortable there. I don't believe that that's why God shines our light. I don't believe that's why the gifts are deposited. They are, I believe, to understand them, understand them responsibly, and start to seed others and not make clones because we're not clones, right?
SPEAKER_01:No need to be, yeah.
SPEAKER_02:There's no need to be a clone. When I water that fertile soil on somebody else, there's an expectation that what sprouts is not gonna be mini Chantron or mini Denise or many Mr. Covey, right? It's going to be DT in the way that only DT can be. And man, I just think the brilliance of So I gotta say this.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, pardon me for a second, Chantra. I'm gonna talk to your audience. Let me tell y'all how incredibly gifted this woman is. We have not had a very detailed conversation about this book, but going back about 60 seconds, Chantra brought up the word light and associate that with my book. Like, this book is gonna be a light. Now, let me just say this to again, all of Shantra's viewers and listeners. Let me tell you how brilliant I know she is. She had no clue that the reason, and I'm gonna see if I can share it again. When we were designing, and shout out to Mel Wise, who designed the book cover. You see how the word one is highlighted in yellow? Yes. Guess what word we used when we decided to highlight that in yellow? We said we want this to be the light. We want people when they see the word one, they see that as a light. And you just said it. That's why I almost fell out my chair when you were speaking. I was like, so I'm sorry, carry on, Shantra. I promise. Oh, I promise. Wow, that was the whole intention of highlighting the word one in the title. If you notice that's the only word, only word, yeah. And that is to represent that this there we go is is the light. You are the light, you are the one. Even if you're the only one, you are the light.
SPEAKER_02:Wow. And you got it. Uniquely Chantra Pow! Well, you know what, honestly, I just think that when something makes sense, it just makes sense. And, you know, it starts to resonate in the way that it was intended to. So me, it just affirms that what you're put releasing into the world um really, really is on the precipice of something that's that's not even going to be impactful for today. It's going to be impactful for many, many years as we sort of continue to shift through dynamic changes, um, learn new things together as human beings right now, who are all figuring out new ways of being at the same time. Um, shifts in everything we've come to know, even economically, right? Um, where markets behave differently fundamentally because they're different instruments for markets to navigate, right? Um so, you know, I I think never has there been a more dynamic time with so many shifts at once. The the responsibility is so great. And I'm again, I couldn't be more excited to be a part of the DT Club as we go into 2026 and experience um experience this great celebration of this work that you've birthed. Thank you, really.
SPEAKER_01:Seriously, that means sis, and I just love you so much because you talk about light. You should be very well acquainted with light because your light exudes way more than you could ever imagine, Chantra. You are a force, you are a light. And the fact that you have curated this space to have, because you know, right now, podcasts are everywhere. Is it was funny because I've I've I keep getting this pressure. Denise, when you have a podcast, I'm like, it's so for me. I was like, it's so saturated. Yes, it's but what you've been able to do is create a space to where people who traditionally don't feel comfortable saying certain things, especially right now, you give us that that comfort, and we so need it. And I just want to say this because I know we're about to wrap up. I just want to say this. I was driving last week and a song came on that I hadn't heard in a long time. Do you remember the song We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel? Yes, so I'm listening to the lyrics, and I thought, man, this song came out if I had to guess, late 80s, early 90s. Yes, absolutely. And it's still relevant today today. Think about what's going on by Marvin Gash. That song came out in the late 60s, early 70s. So my point is saying this is for a lot of us, we're we're saying things like, oh man, this was this was a heck of a year. What's what's going on? Or who's to blame? These artists that wrote these songs, it's reminding us that whether it was the 60s, the 80s or 90s or current state, yes, there's always gonna be something to where the incoming generation is saying, and then the outgoing generation is like that's right. So we can't keep telling ourselves that man, the world is just a bad place right now. It never used to be like this. Yes, it has, yes, it was. Yes, it has. Yes what?
SPEAKER_02:Yes, we're still here, and we're still here, we're still here.
SPEAKER_01:We made it, and we're gonna continue to make it. That's right. We may have not started the fire, we may want to ask ourselves what's going on, but with incredible humans like you, Chantra. And you, DT. Come on now. I receive that. Yes, in the words of the great Kendrick Lamar, we're gonna be all right.
SPEAKER_02:We're gonna be all right. But look, I think that is as good a mic drop as any. Look, I can't wait for all the launch parties. Boom, boom, boom. Um, there's so much more to come. But look, if you heard nothing else, go into this last quarter of the calendar year with intention. Let you happen to it. Don't let it happen to you. Really think about your withdrawals and your deposits. And now is the time to start building the vision for what 2026 looks like for you. What are you launching into this world? What are you celebrating through? What is it, right? Answer those few questions for yourself. All right, DT, we'll see you soon. Later, babe.
SPEAKER_01:Love you, sis. Thank you. Thank you so much.
SPEAKER_02:Bye bye.