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Listen Linda! Hosted by Jacquiline Cox
Music commentary
Listen Linda! Hosted by Jacquiline Cox
Real Talk, Real Healing: Not Just Another Book w/ Carolyn Coleman
What happens when a nurse with four decades of experience picks up a pen? Magic. Carolyn Coleman transforms her wealth of bedside wisdom into powerful storytelling in "The Stethoscope is for More Than Listening," and she joins us to share how her journey unfolded.
Carolyn opens up about the patient encounters that shaped not just her nursing career, but her identity as a writer. One particularly moving story involves sitting with a patient during his final moments, creating a profound connection that would stay with her forever. "To be there with him and for him and to hold his hand as he transitioned," she shares, "it gave me purpose." These intimate moments at the threshold between life and death reveal the sacred trust placed in healthcare professionals—and the weight of responsibility they carry daily.
Beyond her nursing scrubs, Carolyn wears many hats: author, podcast host, and community leader who even answered the call to run for political office. She talks candidly about stepping outside her comfort zone when she felt divinely prompted to serve in new ways, reflecting, "Not my will, but let Your will be done." Through her global podcast "Gentry's Journey," she's connected with voices from around the world, breaking out of what she calls our individual "silos" to embrace diverse perspectives and stories.
What stands out most about Carolyn is her insistence on finding joy amidst life's heaviest moments. "If I can't kiki and kaka, what am I doing here?" she asks with characteristic warmth. Her philosophy reminds us that even in serious professions, laughter remains essential medicine—for both caregiver and patient. Whether you're in healthcare, struggling through personal storms, or simply seeking inspiration, Carolyn's wisdom offers a perfect blend of compassion, humor, and profound insight.
Ready to experience Carolyn's unique voice yourself? Find her podcast on all major platforms and grab her book at www.cpwbookshelf.com. Your heart and mind will thank you.
Sis, have you ever survived something that was supposed to take you out? Have you walked through something so heavy, so painful, that you didn't even recognize yourself after? But somehow you made it through? Through the Rain is for women who've been through the storms, all women who face unique challenges and triumphs. This is about what we went through and how God pulled us through. This ain't just another book. This is real talk, real healing and real ministry For all women who've been through it and still got the strength to speak. Your tears, your triumphs, your testimony they all matter. You don't have to be a writer, sis. I got you From ghostwriting to one-on-one consults. I'll help you get your story out the way it's meant to be told with grace and power. Your story has power. Let it do the ministry. Come join us through the rain. We're waiting on you, sis. Spots are limited. Payment plans are available. Dm me today and let's walk this journey together. It's time to turn your pain into purpose, your struggle into strength.
Speaker 2:Yes, hey, y'all. Listen, linda. Welcome to another episode of the Listen Linda Book Club Live. It's your girl, jacqueline Cox, and I'm so glad you're here with me tonight. You could have been anywhere in the world, but you are right here and I appreciate you. Now, tonight we got a treat. I am sitting down with none other than Carolyn Coleman.
Speaker 2:The author of the Stethoscope is for more than listening. She's a nurse, a leader and a powerhouse voice in her community. She's out here serving people, both in scrubs and with her pen, and if you know me, you know that's my kind of people Heart, hustle and purpose all wrapped in one. And y'all, she do not stop there, okay. She's also the host of the global podcast, gentry's Journey, where she's had conversations with guests from all over the world that have brought new perspective and deep insights. She's truly a voice that bridges story and healing together.
Speaker 2:So grab your tea, your snack and your journal, because you're going to want to take some notes tonight, honey. Okay, we're going to talk about her book, her journey, and we're going to talk about the calling God's placed on her life. But y'all know, before we start, we got to give it to him, we got to give him his time. Okay, so let's bow our heads and pray. Father God, we just thank you for tonight. Thank you for waking us up, for giving us breath in our bodies and for the opportunity to connect, even virtually.
Speaker 2:Lord God, bless Carolyn for the work she's doing both on the page and in her community. Lord God, and for the work she's doing both on the page and in her community. Lord God, let her words tonight inspire someone to push through, to dream again and to use the gift for your glory. We ask that you cover this conversation, lord God, that it uplifts, encourages and plants seeds in every listener's heart under the sound of our voices. Jesus, mighty name, amen, amen, let's get into it, girl. So, for those who may be meeting you for the first time tonight, carolyn, who is Carolyn Coleman in your own, words Carolyn Coleman.
Speaker 3:I am Carolyn Coleman. I am a child of God. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, cousin. I'm a good friend. I'm a good friend. So that's a little bit about me. Professionally, I am a nurse, I'm a case manager and I have been in nursing more than 40 years. So that is my calling. It was not me intentionally going into nursing just to do something. I was led into nursing and I'm thankful for it. I don't have any regrets about that at all.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, absolutely. Now I love your title. The stethoscope is for more than listening. Tell the story behind that. Where did that idea actually come from, for you to write that book?
Speaker 3:Well, some days at work, Working with patients and your co-workers and other health care professionals that are out there, some things are just said and done. That is just unbelievable. And so I used to say, not really, I guess I spoke it into existence. I would say, oh, I'm going to write a story about this, I'm going to write a book about that, because it's unbelievable, it's unbelievable.
Speaker 3:And I would walk around several years later and saying, who wants the first chapter? I'll do the first chapter. Who wants chapter three? Who wants chapter four? I said, because we have to put some of this on paper. And it was in jest, I promise you, it was in jest, but I did want to write. Never really would have thought I would write about nursing or health care. And I ran into a physician that we used to work closely together and I was telling him that I was a published author and I was thinking of writing something about health care. I said, but I don't want anybody coming for me, I don't want that smoke. And he was like, put fiction on the book and write. So I was like see, that's why you, my mentor, that's why, that is why Fiction it is. And there started the stethoscope is for more than listening.
Speaker 2:Absolutely Now. You've had a career in nursing, a profession that takes compassion, discipline and grit. How has your time as a nurse shaped the way you write and tell your story?
Speaker 3:Well, with the stethoscope. I hate to say it is what it is, but there are so many things I have seen and I have experienced, or someone else has experienced, and they came back and told me what the deal was and I'll be like, oh, I would be, I am, I am, you know, quite silly by nature. I really am. You know. You have to laugh to keep from crying some days and some days you just have to laugh it off. So just some of the things that I have seen and I have been a part of. Some of it's heartbreaking. Now, you know, nursing is not comical, but some of the things people do, you're like I'm not believing this, you know, I'm just not, you know, and some people, you know you hold their hand as they're transitioning. So you know it's not all fun and games. You know it's very, it's very heart wrenching. You know it's very deep and not knowing.
Speaker 3:Being especially new in nursing, growing up in church, and you know about your faith, you know about your belief system, but to have to put it into practice, yeah, and you know, everybody and I have worked in um religious facilities where their um, their philosophy was um Baptist or their philosophy, you know, was Catholicism, so it's not that prayer is unheard of in those places, because prayer would come across the intercom system every morning. We had access to chaplains or we had access to some of the sisters or the nuns or the chaplains in the different facilities. So we had access and we had backup. But you're there before they come Because it's your patient. You know about what's going on with your patient better than anyone and you can't just walk out a lot of times because they really don't want to be alone.
Speaker 2:Right. So yeah, I can. And that was getting to my next question. I'm glad you kind of kind of glided us right on into the next question because in your book you blend real experiences with powerful lessons. Was there one patient encounter or life moment that you knew had to be in there, no matter what?
Speaker 3:no matter what. Well, I think they all had to be in there because those are the ones that surfaced as I was writing and I'll be like oh, I forgot about this one. So the first time I ever really experienced death and sitting with someone who was transitioning was very, it was very powerful, but the atmosphere in which we sat as he was transitioning was meaningful. It gave me purpose. You know that we all know death is imminent I mean with all of us. But to be there with him and for him and to hold his hand as he transitioned, because the day before we coded him he was very, very sick. So we had to do a lot of emergency care. And when he woke up he looked at me room full of people Will you take care of my things? I mean, he looked and I was like I just could speak and I went. You know I will, you know I will.
Speaker 3:So it's not that he did not realize what was going on. He certainly was very well aware me, was very well aware. It just took me, off guard, with everyone in the room, for him to look at me and say will you take care of my things? And I went, absolutely. And I did because he didn't have really any family members that were coming through. I think he lived several miles away, maybe a couple of counties over from the facility, so everybody can't drive up every day or can't afford to stay with their loved ones. Some people are willing but they're just not able. So I did that for him. I sat with him as he transitioned and it was the next day in which that happened and a lot of times you wonder, you know, why me? Why am I here? Why am I in this situation? Why am I present for? But then you say, why not me? Yeah, why not?
Speaker 2:absolutely and also, um, kind of stepping away from that for a second, because I definitely want to mention that you are very active in your community and you even ran for political office a couple times. How do you balance service writing and your professional life without burning out?
Speaker 3:well, one thing I don't know if we do it with that, like what well, I mean, you do with the, the project that's at hand, the one that you know you have to prior to ride. So you do it with, with what is at hand, what has the shortest timeframe, what needs to be done now? So now I didn't just want to run for office. You know, the Lord told me to run for office and I went. I'm the nurse. No, you know, nurses don't need to be doing this. You know, I give, I comfort people at the bedside, take care of people. I do all this. And then I went, not your will but not my will, but let your will be done. I said, because if you bring me to it, you got to bring me through it. And so I just went with that and it's a total of three times, but it was.
Speaker 3:It was unsuccessful to a degree, meaning I did not win but I did not lose. And because you gain so much when you are with the public and you are getting to know them, they're getting to know you, you gain a lot. And it is not all negative. It is really pretty good when people find out that they can talk to you that you are a real person and they don't mind engaging you. And that still happens to this day. I still get phone calls or when someone sees me, they ask me questions and I just do my best to guide them in the correct direction.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And another thing I want to point out to your perspective on that is that if I see somebody who ran you know, a facility, council person or whatever in my district, even though they didn't win, to see that they even took the time because that's money coming out of your own pocket, your own sponsorship and to see that you ran multiple times, means that you actually care about what goes on in the community. You actually care about the constituents. So, whether you win or lose, the fact that you even cared enough to even run to even make it be known that, yes, I'm here, I care about my community and what goes on, I'm paying attention, that means a lot to the constituency.
Speaker 2:I agree, I've heard so absolutely, you definitely gain. You know, if you didn't gain anything, you gain respect. Because I'm gonna tell you something you lost, but you didn't lose that many honey, because I was watching on my email all the way from chicago I still saw that you, um, you didn't lose that much honey. So, um, that says a lot, um to who you are. And you know because you, you, you, you are not just, you are a brand, you are a household name, not even just in your community, but globally, because and that's what I want to kind of hone in on now is your global podcast, gentry's Journey, because you've had guests from all walks of life. How has having those conversations opened your eyes or shifted your perspective on certain topics? And even though you're on high haters right now, we should be excited for a return.
Speaker 3:Yeah, we are excited about a return, but it shapes you because we're all, believe it or not, in my humble opinion are in our own little silo. We are all in our own silos and unless we have to come out spread our wings and do some things, you're still going to be in that silo. You're just protecting your, your, your area, that's all you know. But once you start talking with people and their story seems interesting and meeting people, you know, mike, the gentleman that I interview that is from Japan, still lives in Japan.
Speaker 3:His roots are here in are in Chicago, and then I posted something and he said I have relatives in your city and I was like, wow, you know, talk about going 360. So and he's an author and he has embraced his culture, his biracial culture, and you can just see it all over him. He embraces both sides of his culture equally. To hear him speak Now, you wouldn't think he's from Japan, but to see him you will say yes, he is from Japan. And so you just grow by seeing what other people are doing and you love to see them do it well.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, absolutely. Now let's talk legacy. What do you want readers to walk away with after they finish reading your book?
Speaker 3:Well, I have several, but we're talking about the stethoscope. Just know that you can't be a stuffed shirt wherever you go. Someone told me the other day you're always grinning and I said, and I will, I will continue to grin, because if I can't kiki and kaka, what am I doing here? I mean, why should I be a stiff shirt Because you are one? Why can't I relax and have fun? That may be what is helping me to relieve my pressure. Okay, Because we all need an outlet somewhere. I'm not just grinning inappropriately. It's funny to me. It's funny, you know, and just because you don't think it's funny, that's maybe your loss. It's definitely not mine. So you have to find a way to relax and enjoy the ride. And writing is very cathartic for me and it made me think of some things I had forgotten about when I was reading, when I was writing the stethoscopist, for more than learning, for listening, I'm sorry, you know, because you learn from each person. You learn either that they're not concerned about you nor themselves. So where do you think you fit in the equation? Okay, and I've been in it for so long.
Speaker 3:It used to be a time patients came in around the holidays because their family was going to be having parties and Nana didn't need to be present. Or maybe they didn't need to see about Nana during the parties that they were going to be having. And I was like, are you kidding me? You know, you don't say it out loud in your head. Are you kidding me? Nana can't enjoy the party either. You know. So that is what it is or that's what it was.
Speaker 3:You know, I don't think it happens as much now, but another co-worker of mine, she said I thought that was just a joke that they came in and put a man for the holiday. I said so did I. And we're from two totally different backgrounds. So we all had heard the stories but we didn't believe the story. And then you have the patient that doesn't want anyone Family, friend, neighbor, they don't want to be bothered with anyone. They don't really want to be bothered with the nurses, but they still get admitted just to come in and start something. And you're like you should stay the hell. Why'd you come? Because they're not sick. If you're coming in with that type attitude, you are not sick Okay.
Speaker 2:Attention.
Speaker 3:So you know, you just have to have an open mind. I have learned to have an open mind about people. You can't case them. You just can't case them absolutely. In some situations where I thought that was the wife, okay, so I have put my foot in my mouth more than I care. I've eaten more shoe leather than I care to taste. But when you're presenting these people as your spouse, why are you putting us in the middle of this? When the real spouse come in, then you know we got to wrestle somebody out of the room because you know it's going to be some pulling of hair. It's going to be people bring of hair. It's going to be. People bring it to the hospital. They do not leave it at home. Oh trust me.
Speaker 2:I know, girl, I got stories to share. That's why when stuff happens with my family, I don't even go no more. I just say my prayers from the house, because when I tell you, baby, that Smith family and that every family ain't nothing to play with, I tell people all the time Carolyn, you want to watch some real live Madea movies. You come to anything dealing with my family, any type of gathering. You're going to get all types of stuff happening there and I don't want to have no parts of it, no Stories.
Speaker 2:I can only write about child because if I say it on here they're gonna be all in my inbox. You know what you telling the family business. I'm just not gonna say no. No, before we uh finish this conversation, I have to take a break to get a word from our sponsor. It's going to be me today, but it's going to be other sponsors in the future, so right now we take like a minute or 14 seconds and we'll be back with more of Carolyn Coleman right after this.
Speaker 4:Her hands were soft but they were strong. Her voice, gentle but full of power. She didn't wear a cape, she wore a sweater that smelled like Sunday morning pancakes and prayer. She taught us more than just how to tie our shoes. She taught us how to stand tall when life tries to knock us down. And now it's our turn to tell the world, featuring real stories from real women from every background and every corner of the world, because love like this has no borders. Because when Grandma speaks, the world listens. Join the Grandma's Hands Anthology and give your grandma an ode she can be proud of and one your legacy will be known for for generations to come. Contact dr jacqueline cox for more information.
Speaker 2:A portion of the proceeds will go towards the walk for lupus now foundation yes, so that is the anthology that is coming up, if you would like to be involved. It is a fully illustrated children's book called Grandma's Hand, and it is we are recruiting people today. So if you have a story about how your grandmother taught you something or the things that your grandmother may have taught you that sticks with you today, you get a full feature of your story inside of the anthology and you can also take that fully illustrated feature and create your own children's book from it. So get with me now. A portion of the proceeds does go to walk to end Lupus Now Foundation, something that I am very, very active in as an ambassador.
Speaker 2:I am very, very active in as an ambassador. I actually am a lupus warrior. Both of my grandmothers both had lupus on both sides my mom and my dad's side so it's something I take very, very seriously, and so if you want more information on how you can be involved in the Grandma's Hands anthology, just DM me on Facebook. That's the best way to contact me. I kind of live there, honey, okay, um, so if you want to contact me, it's not by email, it's always by Facebook message, okay. So now we are back with Carolyn Coleman, aka Gentry, my girl. Um, you've been featured in listen. Well, you've been featuring a lot of Listen Linda magazines because you are a contributing writer, but you have also been featured in this month's edition of Listen Linda magazines 25 awesome authors. How has connecting with other authors and sharing your work on platforms like this helped you grow as a writer?
Speaker 3:like this help you grow as a writer. Some people are just very open, or this is the first time they're telling a story that's near and dear to their heart, something that has been basically a secret or not spoken about, especially in the anthologies, especially in the anthologies, and so it helps me to realize there's some very brave women out here. They're very brave. They are willing to just pour their truly, their heart out on pages and for the world to read and hopefully, to learn and to grow.
Speaker 2:Absolutely so. We have a comment from Audrey Ann Moses saying I love hearing Nurse Carolyn's story. Yes, we do, girl, don't we? I got all her books here. I was trying to find my stuff to go look for before we got on but I came in the house too late and I couldn't find them. But just know, she gave me a signed copy so I definitely got one. Um been been had for a few years now, maybe about two, three years now I've had this book. So, um, it's a great, great story. We all love hearing um Carolyn's stories. And speaking of what's next for you, so do you have any new books, new projects or goals that you're working toward?
Speaker 3:I don't, I mean, I do, I do. I have some things that are on the shelf at this point in time, um, so I have several things a friend and I are going to um correct um, we've already started the process, but we kind of put it out for a minute because we're not in a hurry to get it done. And then I'm still working on a couple of things Advice, wisdom moments with my parents and um. And then left, left is um fiction, um, the others are, um, I think the one I'm going to co-author. It is fiction as well, uh, but I love the story. And when she sent it to me, uh, she said what can I do with this? Oh, we can go in so many directions. We can do a lot with this. So, and then the nonfiction, the wisdom moments from my parents.
Speaker 2:So that sounds like it's going to be very, very interesting. I cannot wait. You already know I'm ready, especially for that. No, I'm ready, I'll be behind the scenes. Carolyn will be giving me some little snippets. I get first dibs. That's what happens when you are friends with authors they give you a chance to art read. It's just an amazing, amazing experience. I love being a writer. Just for those perks. Right there, you get first dibs on stuff. So, all right, Carolyn, we're going to have a little fun. Okay, before we wrap up. Okay, when it comes to mind. No explaining, no thinking too hard. You ready? Okay, All right. So this is called the lightning round, and I just started this with the 25 awesome options, but I think I'm going to keep it going because it's fun. So, first thing, one in person or night out.
Speaker 3:Oh, night out.
Speaker 2:Favorite comfort food Ice cream. The last book that you read that made you cry.
Speaker 3:I think it was the Waiting Room, Volume 1.
Speaker 2:Beach Vacation or Mountain Retreat.
Speaker 3:Uh-uh, we'd be going to the beach. No, we ain't climbing nothing.
Speaker 2:If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?
Speaker 3:Dinner. Yeah, oh yeah. You know, former President Barack Obama, we need to have a conversation.
Speaker 2:Amen. Sweet tea or lemonade. Sweet tea Scripture you lean on the most.
Speaker 3:It's several and I'm going to paraphrase. Paraphrase Um oh, it's so many, but I'm going to paraphrase. He will never leave me, nor forsake me.
Speaker 2:Amen, amen. And last one, one word to describe your style.
Speaker 3:Uh, it's eclectic.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that was a good one right there, okay, carolyn. Well, thank you for blessing us tonight with your wisdom, your joy, your testimony and, most of all, your personality. I truly, truly love you, my dear friend.
Speaker 3:Thank you.
Speaker 2:If you all have not already grabbed the stethoscope is for more than listening, go do that. Ok, you really, really really want to support this queen because she's walking her purpose out loud. And if you have not yet checked out her podcast Gentry's Journey, even though she on a short break, those past episodes are gold and they are full of eye-opening conversations. So you can catch the replay of tonight's interview on all major platforms. But you can also catch Gentry's Journey on all major platforms. She is global now in 10 countries.
Speaker 3:It's several. I looked at the stats a few weeks ago. It's global now in 10 countries. It's several. I looked at the stats a few weeks ago. It's several.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 3:So China, Japan yes.
Speaker 2:Yes, absolutely Absolutely, and you can catch her on iHeartRadio, spotify, pandora, audible, amazon Music, linkedin, youtube and, of course, facebook for a plethora of others. Okay, and remember, your stories matters. Somebody's waiting on the other side of your obedience, so until next time, listen. Okay, let's close out in prayer. Carolyn, would you close us out in prayer?
Speaker 3:Yes, heavenly Father, lord, god, we just thank you for every opportunity that you give us. Lord, god, lord, we ask you to be with our sick and bereaved family members and friends. Give them strength, give them peace, lord God, that peace that surpasses all understanding. Lord, we just thank you for listening to her platform. We thank you for Audrey Ann and anyone else who listens live or listens later. Lord God, let them be blessed, let them realize that they have a father who can Lord these and other things back in your son Jesus' name, amen.
Speaker 2:Amen, amen. And if you want to grab that book, don't go to Amazon. Go right to wwwcpwbookshelfcom for that book and a plethora of other books that my friend Carolyn Gentry Coleman has. Okay, if you don't, if you didn't hear me, I know you see it right there at the bottom of the screen wwwcpwbookshelfcom for more information and how you can contact Carolyn Coleman. All right, guys. Well, that's it. This wraps up another edition of Listen, learn, the Book Club Live. I'm your host, dr Jacqueline Cox. This is my guest and my dear. I'm your host, dr Jacqueline Cox. This is my guest and my dear, dear, dear friend and my kiki buddy, carolyn Coleman.
Speaker 3:We out yeah, rule, baby, we'll see you next time to wash away until the sun comes out and shines again. Smile for me, smile for me On all those rainy days, bring your lifetime, try to wash away until the sun shines and I see your face, smile at me, smile.
