ElevateLife

Why Engaging God In Your Own Language Matters - With Nohemie Sanon

ElevateLife — Wed, 28 May 2025 13:00:00 GMT

In this powerful episode, we dive into the transformative journey of using one’s voice for healing, particularly within the Haitian community. Our special guest, Nohémie Sanon Roland, is a global-minded strategist, youth advocate, and leader who shares her inspiring transition from corporate work to nonprofit leadership focused on poverty alleviation and addressing inequity. Together, we explore: The power of personal storytelling in the Haitian community and how it can serve as a catalyst for healing and empowerment. The beauty and significance of seeing Haitian women take leadership in faith-based and kingdom-building work. The courage to question God, a practice often taboo in Haitian culture, but one that can lead to deeper intimacy with the Divine. The vision behind translating Dieula’s book into French to expand access to trauma-healing resources for Francophone communities impacted by oppression and marginalization. The announcement of a translation project led by a Haitian woman fluent in both English and French, ensuring the cultural and emotional integrity of the message is preserved. We also invite our listeners to support the French translation campaign, officially launching this May. Your partnership can make healing tools available to communities around the world who need them most. 🎧 Listen now and be inspired to use your voice, share your story, and take part in global healing. 🔗 Support the Translation Campaign: https://givebutter.com/qxoOR1 📅 Campaign Launch Date: May 8th - June 6th

Does God See Me? French Translation

ElevateLife — Tue, 06 May 2025 17:18:00 GMT

In this heartfelt episode, Dieula shares the journey behind her powerful book Does God See Me?, written during a deeply painful season following the tragic loss of her nephew and brother. Drawing from her own spiritual wrestling, she introduces the concept of “sitting in Saturday”; the sacred space between Good Friday and Easter Sunday where questions linger, hope feels distant, and faith is tested. It’s in this space that Does God See Me? was born, offering raw honesty and spiritual insight for anyone navigating grief and uncertainty. What You’ll Hear In This Episode: Dieula’s personal story of loss and how it shaped the writing of Does God See Me? A deep dive into the idea of “sitting in Saturday” and its relevance for believers facing seasons of pain and doubt. The exciting announcement of a new French translation of the book, inspired by Dieula’s Haitian roots and intended for women in Haiti, West Africa, France, and beyond. Reflections on the unexpected reach of the book; from men to white women; who found comfort and connection in its pages. Testimonials from readers who felt deeply seen and understood. A call to join the GiveButter campaign launching in May to support the translation project and bring healing resources to French-speaking women in crisis zones. Why This Matters: This translation project is more than just language; it’s about meeting women where they are, in their mother tongue, during times of war, violence, displacement, and despair. It’s a reminder that yes, even in the darkest “Saturdays” of life, God sees you. Ways to Support: Donate to the Does God See Me? French Translation Project via GiveButter link: https://givebutter.com/qxoOR1 (The campaign will go live May 8th, 2025.) Read and share the English version of the book. Subscribe to Elevate Her International’s newsletter and Dieula's substack for updates and stories of impact. Share this episode and help spread the word. We’d Love to Hear From You: Let us know your thoughts on the project, how the book has impacted you, or how you plan to support the translation effort. Reach out directly to Dieula—we’re in this together.

I Am From... I Am Becoming

ElevateLife — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 11:00:00 GMT

In this heartfelt episode, I take a reflective journey through two original poems shared on my Substack: “I Am From…” and “I Am Becoming…” Inspired by the poetic prompt from Freeology’s “I Am From” template, I explore the roots that shaped me—memories, places, people, and sounds that echo through my story. The second piece, “I Am Becoming…”, is a declaration of hope, healing, and transformation—a celebration of who I am unfolding into. In a season filled with challenges, we all need spaces to ground ourselves and reconnect with creativity. Poetry has a way of reaching into the soul, giving voice to emotions and experiences we sometimes can’t put into plain words. I hope this episode reminds you of the beauty in your own becoming. ✨ Mentioned in this episode: Freeology “I Am From” Prompt My Substack writings: dieulamprevilon.substack.com 📖 Read the full poems and subscribe to stay connected with future reflections and creative offerings.

Lessons Learned from a 40-Day Fast

ElevateLife — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 16:32:00 GMT

In this episode of The ElevateLife, we dive into the power of spiritual reset through fasting. After feeling disconnected from God, I embarked on a 40-day fast seeking clarity, renewal, and a deeper connection with my purpose. Key Takeaways from this Episode: ✨ The fast involved three key restrictions: avoiding certain foods, limiting unnecessary spending, and stepping away from social media. ✨ This fast was not done alone—it was part of Alfred Street Baptist Church’s annual 40-day fasting community, with thousands joining in spiritual discipline. ✨ From Day 1, I experienced a renewed ability to have prophetic dreams and heightened clarity in prayer. ✨ The fast brought greater understanding of my calling, deeper joy, and a stronger conviction in navigating political spaces with faith. ✨ I emphasize that activism must be rooted in love, not hate, and encourage listeners to consider fasting during Lent as a way to reset and realign. This conversation is for anyone seeking to start over again with purpose, deepen their faith, and find clarity in their spiritual journey. 📌 Connect with ElevateLife: Follow us for more episodes, inspiration, and resources! 🔔 Subscribe & Share: If this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to leave a review and share with a friend!

The Church's Response to a Pregnant Teen - Grace or Shame?

ElevateLife — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Dieula discusses a heartbreaking and infuriating situation—a teenage girl in a Church of Christ in Virginia was forced to stand before her congregation and apologize for being pregnant out of wedlock. To make matters worse, the pastor prohibited the church from throwing her a baby shower as a form of punishment. Dieula unpacks the deep harm caused by this kind of public shaming and calls for an apology to this young woman and countless others who have faced similar judgment. Whether or not you believe in church discipline, we must ask: Is this the way of Jesus? Looking to John 8:1-11, we reflect on Jesus’ response to a woman caught in sin—offering mercy, not condemnation. This story also hits close to home for Dieula, triggering her own past experiences with shame and exclusion. She challenges us to rethink how churches should respond when someone doesn’t live according to traditional values. Instead of punishment, the church should: ✅ Love them and draw them closer. ✅ Keep them in community rather than isolating them. ✅ Maintain sacred rituals like communion or baby dedications. ✅ Offer resources like baby showers to help them thrive. When we lead with kindness and inclusion, we foster a community where people stick around, grow in faith, and bring others with them. This is the way of the gospel. Scripture Reference: John 8:1-11 – "Let the one without sin cast the first stone." Join the Conversation: How do you think churches should respond when someone in their community doesn’t follow traditional values? Let’s talk about it! Share your thoughts on social media using #GraceOverShame 🎧 Tune in now!

Women and Church Trauma with Cherisna Jean-Marie

ElevateLife — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 07:00:00 GMT

On this episode I'm joined by Rev. Dean Cherisna Jean-Marie. On this episode we discuss her trauma experienced through the Haitian church and being called to pastor. Here's a little bit about Cherisna: Born and raised in Newark, NJ, Rev. Cherisna Jean-Marie is the newly elected Dean of the Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt. She is the first woman and person of color to occupy this role and begin her tenure there on April 1, 2024. She is a pioneer in her own right as she was the first to serve as Director of Leadership and Organizing at Children’s Defense Fund, first to serve as the Director of Racial justice ministries at Scarritt Bennet Center, first woman and person of color to serve as Dean of Chapel at Bethany College, in Bethany West Virginia, first woman to serve as Chaplain at Jarvis Christian College the only HBCU affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the first woman to be ordained by the Chirstian Church (Disciples of Christ) at New Covenant Christian Church in 2012. On November 3, 2022, she founded The Co-Conspirator Institute. A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that seeks to create space for individuals to confront and eradicate systemic, social, structural, and institutional racism and provide opportunities for healing from racial trauma. At the heart of her work with TCCI, is hosting grief retreat for Black mothers who has lost their children due to gun violence. TCCI was started in honor of her beloved nephew Christopher Aldy Morand who was murdered in 2019 due to gun violence. In 2001 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Communications from Kean University in Union, NJ. In 2010, Rev. Jean-Marie completed her Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School. During commencement, she was awarded the coveted Florence Conwell Prize for outstanding preaching. She is a co-contributor for 5 book projects, a mentor, social entrepreneur, community organizer, antiracist activist, an international teacher and preacher but her most beloved role is being “auntie” to her 9 nephews and 1 niece.

Women and Church Trauma with Sharifa

ElevateLife — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 12:05:00 GMT

Join Dieula and Sharifa as they continue the discussion on women and church trauma. Sharifa Stevens is a writer, poet, speaker, and singer. She is the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, born and raised in New York, and currently resides with her family in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Columbia University in New York with a bachelor’s degree in African American Studies before earning a master’s in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. Sharifa aspires to use writing as a vehicle that moves readers to intersect with the sacred and the honest. Her first book, When We Talk to God: Prayers and Poems for Black Women will be released in 2025. She co-authored Only Light Can Do That and contributed to the books Vindicating the Vixens, Rally, and Lecrae’s upcoming Set Me Free. Sharifa is married to a Renaissance man and is a mother to two lively boys.

Women and Church Trauma -- Divorce Part 2

ElevateLife — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 20:00:00 GMT

Today on the Podcast we have Amber Webb Sims joining us. If you remember, Amber was with us last season sharing with us how she got started over again from divorce. She’s back to help us heal from church trauma. This is how she describes herself:

Attorney.

Speaker.

Writer.

Abolitionist.

These are just a few words that describe Amber Webb Sims. As a trial lawyer with nearly 100 first chair jury trials, Amber is skilled at courtroom presentation and advocacy. But her true gift and passion are empowering people through making complicated, intimidating information understandable, engaging, practical, and fun. This passion has extended beyond the courtroom to topics such as theology, politics, and social justice.

After graduating from The Hockaday School in 2003, Amber got a B.A. in Political Science from The George Washington University. Afterwards, she obtained her Doctor of Jurisprudence, cum laude, from Texas Tech University School of Law. She worked briefly as an Assistant District Attorney in Dallas County during the tenure of Craig Watkins, the first African-American elected District Attorney in the State of Texas. Her primary field of practice is insurance defense litigation, and Amber has worked in a top insurance defense law firm as well as for three of the largest carriers in the country. Amber currently works as Assistant Vice President, Senior Legal Counsel in Litigation for AT&T, and her responsibilities include handling commercial disputes and significant tort matters.

In her spare time, Amber co-hosts the Broke-ish podcast with Erika Brown, and they discuss the systemic and interpersonal impacts of racism and injustice on the Black community. She also regularly appears on radio shows, virtual events, and churches and has been featured as a guest on many podcasts and shows, including Roland Martin’s “Black Power Network” She lives in Wylie, Texas with her husband, Freddie, their dog, and blended family of six children.

From Pain to Purpose: Dieula Previlon on Women's Experience with Church Trauma

ElevateLife — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:15:00 GMT

Welcome to the Elevate Life podcast with a focus on Starting Over Again with Purpose! In this transformative
episode, host Dieula Previlon introduces a new series focusing on Women and
Church Trauma, sharing her personal journey as a Black woman minister and therapist navigating church spaces.

Looking Forward
This new series promises to explore the complex relationship between women and
church trauma, offering paths to healing and hope. Stay tuned for future episodes featuring guests sharing their experiences and journeys toward healing within church
spaces. For more insights and stories about starting over with purpose, follow Dieula Previlon's podcast and check out her newly published book discussing these important themes in greater detail.

Join us next time as we continue to explore women's experiences with church trauma and pathways to healing.

Starting Over Again After Losing a Child

ElevateLife — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 15:05:00 GMT

Join me with Dr. Liz Rios as she shares her story of pain, loss, and starting over again through Jesus and other resources. Be encouraged.

Dr. Elizabeth Rios is an accomplished Afro-Latina leader in the Christian community who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team as we implement our program. With degrees from various institutions, including a BA in Liberal Arts, an MA in Management, an EdD in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, and a DMin from Southeastern University, Dr. Rios is currently pursuing an MA in Social Justice at Union Theological Seminary. As a former pastor and church planter, she founded Passion2Plant, one of the few national church planting training networks in the United States founded by a BIPOC woman. Passion2Plant trains Black and Brown church planters to start holistically minded, justice-oriented churches. Dr. Rios is also the founder of the Passion Center, an online, justice-oriented, liberation-driven training center based in South Florida.

In addition to her work with Passion2Plant and the Passion Center, Dr. Rios is an Adjunct Faculty member at Fuller Theological Seminary and serves on the Missiologists Council at Wheaton College's Church Multiplication Institute. She is a respected authority on women in ministry, organizational culture, civic activism, and church planting. Her articles have been published in various reputable outlets, including Sojourners, Influence, Called, Christianity Today, and Pentecostals and Charismatics for Peace and Justice. She has also been featured or quoted in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Religion News Service, and Outreach Magazine. Dr. Rios is the author of "Don’t Buy The Lie: Eradicating False Belief Systems That Keep You From Your Destiny" (Ghetto Rose Publications, 2012) and has contributed to many books, including "Rhythms of Rest: 40 Devotions for Women on the Move" published by Our Daily Bread Publishing.

Dr. Rios has been mentoring emerging women leaders and ministers since founding the Center for Emerging Female Leadership in NYC (1996-2001) and currently serves as a Senior Mentor in the R.E.A.L. Black Women in Ministry THRIVE initiative. Recently, she was inducted into the 37th MLK Jr. Morehouse College Board of Preachers comprised of ordained clergy from the Christian tradition as well as faith leaders from a wide array of global spiritual and ethical traditions. This prestigious recognition is reserved for those who have exhibited a commitment to using their positions of religious leadership to promote peace, tolerance, interfaith understanding, healing, reconciliation, nonviolence, moral cosmopolitan social progress, justice, and care for the ecosystem.

You can find her on Instagram and Facebook. She teaches, preaches and consults, reach out to her to speak at your next event.

Starting Over Again From Divorce

ElevateLife — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 15:03:00 GMT

In this interview, Amber shared her story of pain and suffering in her marriage that ultimately ended in divorce.

Amber shared during the interview that everything she shared has already been made public. I believe there is power in naming your story and how it's impacted you so others can be liberated to do the same.

Below is Amber's bio:

Attorney. Speaker. Writer. Abolitionist.

These are just a few words that describe Amber Webb Sims. As a trial lawyer with nearly 100 first chair jury trials, Amber is among the top attorneys in Texas as measured by actual cases tried. But her gift and passion are empowering people through making complicated, intimidating information understandable, engaging, practical, and fun. This passion has extended beyond the courtroom to topics such as theology, politics, and social justice.

In her spare time, Amber co-hosts the Broke-ish podcast with Erika Brown, and they discuss the systemic and interpersonal impacts of racism and injustice on the Black community. She also regularly appears on radio shows, virtual events, and churches – discussing a wide range of issues. She lives in Prosper, Texas with her husband, and they have a blended family of six children.

The Aunties Grieve Too

ElevateLife — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 14:59:00 GMT

We're back with Rev. Cherisna for part 2 of our conversation together. For this part of the conversation, we explore the often forgotten laments of the aunties. Cherisna speaks of the loss of one of her babies, Christopher Jean-Marie, We remember you.

When Singleness Disrupts Our Perfect Narratives

ElevateLife — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 14:56:00 GMT

In this Episode I sit with my sister-in-love Rev. Cherisna Jean-Marie. She the founder and CEO of the Co-Conspirator Institute and a host of many hats that she wears. Today she sits with me in this part 1 conversation about life, singleness, lament and finding joy.

From Pain to Purpose - Sickle Cell

ElevateLife — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 14:52:00 GMT

This week, I sit down with my dear friend Ngozi in honor of Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Find out how she turned the tragedy of losing two siblings to the disease into purpose.

Ngozi Afulezi is a mother, wife, sister, aunt, and friend. She serves as the Senior Advocacy Manager for Gilead Sciences, where she leads the hematology advocacy work and focuses on how best to amplify the patient’s voice in order to improve outcomes for the patient and the community.

When she’s not working on issues related to health equity and health disparities, you can find Ngozi working closely with the nonprofit organization, the Nigerian Women’s Association of GA, whose mission is dedicated to improving the lives of under-resourced women and children in Nigeria and the US.

In her spare time, she loves to garden, travel with family, and spend time with her friends.

Can God Be Found In Hollywood?

ElevateLife — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 14:39:00 GMT

In this episode, Naima helps us make the connection between God and Hollywood. There's great pain in Hollywood but there's also great beauty and God is present in Hollywood.

Rev. Dr. Naima Lett is an award-winning actor, producer, co-pastor of Hope in the Hills in Beverly Hills, and co-founder of the 40|50 Project to heal our nation's racial divide. Dr. Lett loves helping leaders find purpose, follow dreams, and deepen faith. Her candid and humorous storytelling and engaging preaching make her an in-demand speaker, and she has been married to her best friend for over two decades.

Starting Over Again After Loss Upon Loss

ElevateLife — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Rev. Dr. Carlyn Jacques is a pastor with a PHD in family and marriage counseling. She is well acquainted with loss and grief. In this interview she keeps it all the way real as she discusses her most recent loss.

Our Vacations are Often Never Enough Time to Rest

ElevateLife — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 12:00:00 GMT

We're often tired after a vacation because it's often never enough.

Starting Over Again After Loss — A Faith that Includes Loss

ElevateLife — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 12:00:00 GMT

Today we have Rev. Dr. Naima Lett leading us in a conversation about experiencing loss upon loss and how to create a faith and theology that includes loss.

Rev. Dr. Naima Lett is an award-winning actor, producer, co-pastor of Hope in the Hills in Beverly Hills, and co-founder of the 40|50 Project to heal our nation's racial divide. Dr. Lett loves helping leaders find purpose, follow dreams and deepen faith. Her candid and humorous storytelling and engaging preaching make her an in-demand speaker, and she has been married to her best friend for over two decades.

Starting Over Again After Loss, Pain, Suffering and Trauma

ElevateLife — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 11:00:00 GMT

Today I talk about my healing journey. Healing is not linear, it's a journey with you and God that takes time. I also share some practical things that have helped me along the way. Leave me your thoughts, comments and questions.