What happens when you finally stop shrinking and start speaking?

In this episode of The GR8TNESS Router, Dr. Davia Crutchfield joins us for a deeply honest, spiritually grounded conversation on clarity, calling, and becoming. She opens up about how language, identity, and obedience intersect—and why your voice might be the very thing God is waiting on.

📖 From the power of journaling to the pain of playing small, Dr. Davia shares what it means to honor your truth—and how faith, fear, and frameworks are all part of the journey.

🎧 Tap in and step forward—your next chapter may be waiting on your “yes.”
🔍 Search “The GR8TNESS Router” wherever you get your podcasts.

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Connect with Dr. Davia J. Crutchfield on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davia-j-crutchfield/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drdavia/] or learn more about BL&CK at visitandblack.com [http://visitandblack.com/]

Scandinavia House | A Celebration of Doug Crutchfield [https://www.scandinaviahouse.org/sh/films/a-celebration-of-doug-crutchfield/]

National Nordic Museum | A Celebration of Dancer Doug Crutchfield [https://nordicmuseum.org/events/encomium-for-doug-crutchfield]

Episode 0014 | Faith, Frameworks & Finding Your Voice

There’s a particular kind of grief that comes from being left behind not because you did something wrong—but because you were finally being real.

In this episode of The GR8TNESS Router, Zena C. holds space for the quiet ache of being cut off, edited out, or misunderstood for choosing authenticity. Anchored by Langston Hughes’ iconic poem Mother to Son, this reflection invites listeners to consider what it costs to shrink, and what it could mean to stop.

From middle school memories to grown-folks clarity, this episode is a reminder that not all disconnection is loss—and that sometimes, the most radical thing you can do is let people go… and stay true to yourself anyway.

If you’ve ever traded a piece of yourself to belong—or felt discarded for simply being—this one is for you.

Ep. 0013 | Let Them Live. And You Be, Too.

What happens when the systems you’re trained to trust… start to show their cracks?

In this episode, Zena C. is joined by Civil Rights Attorney and Community Advocacy Educator Jonathan Barry-Blocker, JD, for a powerful conversation on identity, justice, and protecting your peace while doing the work.

From courtroom realities to community wisdom, Jonathan breaks down what it means to advocate with integrity—and still be whole. He shares how growing up in a deeply rooted Black family, navigating predominantly white institutions, and surviving the mental toll of overperformance shaped his perspective on boundaries, law, and liberation.

This episode is for anyone carrying the weight of excellence, service, or expectation… and learning how to set it down without letting go of who they are.

🎧 Stream Episode 0012 on all major platforms
Release Date: 5/22/25

Connect with Attorney Jonathan Barry-Blocker on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/attyjbarryblocker/]

Ep. 0012 | Ask The Question Anyway

🗓️ Released on the 5-year remembrance of Zena’s father’s passing

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What if the truth you’ve been waiting for… asks for something in return?

What if clarity doesn’t just set you free—but sets you apart?

In this episode, Zena C. reflects on the hard-earned wisdom passed down by her father, through one of his favorite poems and the life he lived with deep conviction.

This is more than a message—it’s a memorial.
A tribute to legacy. A meditation on loyalty.
And a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful shift begins not with a plan… but with a whisper.

💜 Released in honor of Dr. Thomas E. H. Conway, Jr (1949–2020)
🍋 Laid Off Lemonade available at LaidOffLemonade.com [http://laidofflemonade.com/]

Ep. 0011 | When Clarity Costs You Something

What does it really take to build a life of impact?

In this episode of The GR8TNESS Router, Dr. Peter Eley shares his powerful journey—from a small town in North Carolina to the leadership ranks of higher education. Through resilience, faith, and an unwavering commitment to access, Dr. Eley shows how legacy isn't about titles—it's about lifting others along the way.

From math to mentorship, from family sacrifices to global opportunities, Dr. Eley’s story reminds us:

 * Why ownership and responsibility go hand in hand
 * How access and exposure can change the course of a life
 * Why living out loud is the truest form of leadership

🎧 Tune in now and be inspired to walk in your purpose, unapologetically.

Connect with Dr. Eley on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-eley-13012438/], Twitter [https://x.com/drpetereley/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/gospelprofessor/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/eleypm] or via his website drpetereley.com [https://www.drpetereley.com/]

Ep. 0010 | Building Legacy Through Access and Authenticity

You ever hear a phrase so many times it loses meaning?

Then one day… it hits different?

In this episode, we’re unpacking the deceptively simple wisdom of “make good choices” — a phrase I used to shrug off, but now hold close when life gets foggy, fearful, or full of friction.

Inspired by the poem Invictus and grounded in the real, raw truth of personal pivots, this episode is a reflection on agency, quiet decisions, and the power of choosing yourself — even when the world doesn’t clap for it.

This isn’t advice. This isn’t instruction.
This is perspective — for the moments when it’s time to bet on you.

🎧 Press play if you’ve been stalling on a shift, sitting in silence, or standing at the edge of something new.

Episode No. 0009: Make Good Choices

What do sneakers, literature, and legacy have in common?
In this episode of The GR8TNESS Router, Dr. Jemayne Lavar King shares how a lifelong love of sneakers and storytelling evolved into a groundbreaking academic lane, a thriving cultural brand, and a mission to redefine what’s worthy of study.

From chasing his dream pair of Ewings to teaching college courses on sneaker culture, Dr. King invites us into his world—a world where hip-hop, literature, and authenticity collide.

This episode is for the visionaries, the culture-builders, and the ones writing their own story—one step at a time.

Tune in now!

To learn more about Dr. King’s work at the intersection of culture, literature, and identity, explore his innovative coursework and scholarship through Virginia State University’s “Sneaker Stories” archive [https://libguides.vsu.edu/doit4culture_sneaker_stories/JLK].

You can also connect with him directly on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jemayne-lavar-king-phd-63763939/] and experience the cultural depth of his brand by visiting solefoodbrand.com [http://www.solefoodbrand.com/].

Episode 0008: Sole, Soul & Storytelling

Two roads diverged… and twenty years later, we’re checking in on the one we chose. In this episode of The GR8TNESS Router, host Zena C. revisits Robert Frost’s classic poem with fresh eyes—and lived wisdom. What does it really mean to take the road less traveled? What if the path isn’t the point at all? Through personal stories, poetic reflection, and powerful questions, this episode explores the importance of who you ride with, how you check in with yourself, and why the ride—not the road—is what shapes you.

Whether you’re a self-navigator, a silent passenger, or an intentional co-rider, this one’s for you.

Tap in. Let’s ride.

Episode No. 0007: The Road Trip

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.

Episode No. 0005: The Elephant in the Room: How Perspective Shapes Truth

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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