What happens when the plan you had for your life no longer fits?

In this episode of The Greatness Router, I sit down with Dr. Joseph N. Cooper, a leading scholar in sport leadership, education, race, and culture. We talk about pivoting with purpose, embracing identity shifts, and why challenges aren’t always obstacles—they’re sometimes invitations.

From post-athletic career identity crisis to becoming a powerhouse in academia, Dr. Cooper shares the pivotal moments that shaped his journey. We unpack:

🔹 The unexpected push that forced him into his true calling
🔹 Why “Not Every Challenge is a Setback—Some Are Transformational”
🔹 The power of learning yourself and why self-acceptance is the ultimate game-changer
🔹 How faith, obedience, and discomfort often lead to the biggest breakthroughs

This episode will challenge you to rethink how you handle setbacks, embrace growth, and walk boldly in your purpose.

🎧 Tune in now! #TheGreatnessRouter #KnowYourself #PivotWithPurpose

Email: josephn.cooper@umb.edu
LinkedIn: Joseph Cooper [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-cooper-79974543/]

Episode No. 0006: Pivot, Purpose & The Power of Knowing Yourself

What if what you know—what you’ve experienced—is only part of the story?

In this episode of The GR8TNESS Router, we’re challenging the way we see the world, the way we listen, and even the way we judge ourselves. Using a timeless story as our guide, we’ll unpack what happens when certainty clouds understanding—and why perspective isn’t about being right, but about being open.

Get ready to question what you think you know. Because once you do? The whole picture starts to change.

Plus, if you’re navigating a transition—career shifts, unexpected pivots, or just figuring out what’s next—stick around for a plug on Laid Off Lemonade [https://laidofflemonade.com], a book designed to help you turn setbacks into opportunities.

Let’s get into it.

The Elephant in the Room: How Perspective Shapes Truth

What if losing your voice meant losing your connection to the world? In this episode of The Greatness Router, Dr. Kelli Uitenham, CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist and founder of Brain Talk Foundation, shares how speech therapy is about more than words—it’s about restoring identity, independence, and connection.

We dive into the silent epidemic of brain injuries, how they impact everything from daily life to the TBI-to-prison pipeline, and what you need to know to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Follow Dr. Kelli: @drkelly.medicalslp on Instagram, TikTok, & LinkedIn

🎧 Listen now!

Episode No. 0004: ‘Not Yet’, Isn’t “No”

We spend so much time trying to be whole—unshaken, unblemished, unbreakable. But what if the very thing you see as a flaw is actually what makes you valuable?

In this episode of The GR8TNESS Router, Zena C. shares the story of The Flawed Vessel—a powerful reminder that purpose can be disguised as imperfection.

💡 Ever felt like you’re losing more than you’re gaining? Like no matter how much you try to hold it together, something keeps slipping through the cracks? Maybe the real question isn’t about what you’ve lost—but about what you’ve been watering all along.

Press play, reflect, and let’s get into it.

🎤 Listen now & reclaim your impact.

Episode 0003: The Flawed Vessel: What If Your Cracks Are Your Power?

What does it truly mean to MOVE? In action? In resistance? In rhythm?

In this episode of The GR8TNESS Router, I sit down with Dr. Frederick Engram Jr., critical race scholar and author of Black Liberation Through Action and Resistance: Move, to explore the power of movement—as liberation, as transformation, and as a cultural force.

💡 We dive into:
✔️ The moment Dr. Engram pivoted from law to academia
✔️ How oppression persists when we refuse to move
✔️ The intersection of race, activism, and education
✔️ Why embracing discomfort fuels real change
✔️ The role of music & culture in shaping movements 🎶

🎧 Press play and join the conversation. It’s time to stop waiting—and start moving.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Engram:
IG/Threads @dr.engram19
LinkedIn: Frederick Engram, Jr., Ed.D.

Ep. 0002 | MOVE: As A Double Entendre

Every morning, the lion wakes up. Every morning, the gazelle wakes up. Both are running—but for different reasons. The real question is… what’s making YOU run? Survival? Growth? Fear? Purpose? Let’s talk about it.

Release Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025

-- -- --

Visit LaidOffLemonade.com [https://laidofflemonade.com/] by 12/28 to secure your signed copy of my book.

Ep. 0001 | The Lion & The Gazelle: What’s Making You Run?

Greatness isn’t just about the title—it’s about the journey.

In Season 1 of The Gr8tness Router, we’re diving into The Doctor’s Journey, exploring the real stories behind Black doctors—PhDs, MDs, Ed.Ds, JDs, and more. But this isn’t just about degrees—it’s about purpose, process, and perseverance.

💡 What does it really take to earn those letters?
💡 What moments almost made them quit?
💡 And what can you learn from their journey—no matter your path?

Each week, host Zena C. sits down with high-level thinkers, educators, and changemakers to unpack the mindset, decisions, and resilience behind their success. Plus, in solo episodes, she breaks down key takeaways that you can apply in your own journey.

If you’re ready to go beyond inspiration and tap into the process of greatness, subscribe now—Season 1 starts 2/13/25. 🎤✨

Season 1 Trailer – The Doctor’s Journey

🎙️ Greatness isn’t random—it’s built.

Welcome to The Gr8tness Router, where purpose meets process, one conversation at a time.

We’re not here for surface-level success stories. We’re here to break down the mindset, the pivots, and the real work behind greatness. Through thought-provoking interviews and deep solo episodes, host Zena C. explores the why behind success—not just what people do, but how they navigate the journey.

Expect:
✅ Raw, engaging conversations with high-level thinkers and changemakers.
✅ Unfiltered lessons on purpose, resilience, and strategy.
✅ Solo deep dives that turn inspiration into action.

Whether you’re building something, pivoting, or just hungry for deeper conversations, The Gr8tness Router is here to connect you to the wisdom and process behind success.

🔗 Start here. Subscribe now. Let’s get to work. 🎤✨

START HERE.

Where purpose meets process. One conversation at a time.

Greatness isn’t random—it’s built through purpose, process, and perseverance. The Gr8tness Router is where deep, real conversations uncover the why behind success—not just what people do, but what drives them and how they navigate the journey.

Hosted by Zena C., this podcast moves beyond inspiration into practical insight, blending thought-provoking interviews with personal reflections to help listeners apply key lessons in their own lives.

Season 1: The Doctor’s Journey

Doctors don’t just wake up with a title—they are crafted through discipline, decisions, and defining moments. This season, we sit down with Black Doctors across disciplines—PhDs, MDs, JDs, Ed.Ds, ClinSciDs— to explore the wisdom, struggles, and breakthroughs behind their journeys.

But the conversation doesn’t stop there. In solo episodes, Zena C. unpacks key takeaways, shares hard-hitting insights, and breaks down how we can all apply the principles of greatness—no matter our field.

Why Listen?

🔹 Real stories. Real strategies. No fluff.
🔹 Conversations that connect purpose to process.
🔹 Actionable takeaways to help you navigate your own journey.
🔹 A fresh, engaging, and authentic space for learning and growth.

Whether you’re chasing your next milestone, pivoting in life, or just hungry for deeper conversations, The Gr8tness Router is here to connect you to the wisdom, resilience, and mindset behind success.

New episodes drop on Thursdays. Subscribe and let’s get to work. 🎤✨

Zena C

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