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Trials To Triumphs

Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins

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Netflix star, producer, content creator and a proud Howard University graduate, Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins is stepping out with her brand-new podcast Trials to Triumphs. The interview-style show debuted on the Oprah Winfrey Network, which includes the popular Oprah’s Super Soul podcast. As one of the lead actresses in both the movie and series Dear White People, Ashley is deeply connected to many of the premiere innovators and performers in the entertainment industry. Her personal and ...
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In this anthology episode, Trials to Triumphs host Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins revisits key insights from this season on generational healing. ABFJ looks back at how actress, comedian, and social justice advocate Amanda Seales learned to set healthy boundaries with her mother and what radical acceptance taught best-selling author Ashley C. For…
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Actress Bresha Webb sees God’s hand in all things. She talks to Ashley about moving through grief with resilience and hope. Two years ago, Bresha lost her father in the midst of filming her hit show, Run the World. Despite the pain of that season, she pushed through believing that goodness would find her on the other side of her grief. Speaking can…
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Trials to Triumphs host Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins is joined by three of her best friends: Angelique, Crystel, and Madison for a special conversation on growth and the beauty of sisterhood. Reflecting on the genesis of their friendships (meeting Crystel in middle school and later, Angelique and Madison at Howard University), the group shares …
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Trauma therapist, life coach, and minister Dr. Anita Phillips believes embracing our emotions with authenticity is crucial to leading a powerful life. She talks to Ashley about the connection between our emotional well-being and our spiritual and physical health. Drawing from her New York Times best-selling book, "The Garden Within," Dr. Anita reve…
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Actor, writer, and speaker Franchesca Ramsey no longer believes in forcing opportunities. Franchesca talks to Ashley about the importance of pursuing alignment and ease in her career. Franchesca describes how the support she received from her parents as a child nurturing multiple creative passions continues to serve her today. She opens up about ho…
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Actress, comedian, and social justice advocate Amanda Seales has never been afraid of speaking the truth. In this candid conversation, Amanda talks to Ashley about the cost of being honest. Recalling a classroom experience in which she corrected her teacher, Amanda reveals she learned early that speaking up for what she believed in can sometimes ma…
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Wellness entrepreneur and angel investor Hannah Fallis Bronfman has never “lived in a box.” Hannah talks to Ashley about harnessing her potential and allowing herself to expand beyond her wildest dreams. As a young girl growing up biracial in New York City, Hannah’s parents taught her there were no limitations on what she could do or dream and that…
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Dancing with the Stars finalist and star of the Bachelorette Charity Lawson is living out her wildest dreams. Charity talks to Ashley about creating a vision board full of future goals. While Charity had bold dreams in mind, she never could’ve imagined the year she eventually experienced. After being nominated to compete on The Bachelor by a close …
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Emmy-winning writer, producer, and actor Lena Waithe has always relentlessly pursued her dreams. Ashley and Lena talk about meeting over a decade ago and the growth they’ve experienced in their friendship since their early days in Los Angeles. While Lena initially desired to pursue a career in television writing, the opportunity to star in Netflix’…
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Actress Gail Bean is trading frustration for gratitude. Gail talks to Ashley about the challenge of navigating 2023. After enduring the actor’s strike, a breakup, and saying goodbye to her hit show Snowfall, Gail found herself walking through a dark valley of uncertainty. It was difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel in the face of so …
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Actress Melanie Liburd knows how to fight for what she needs. She tells Ashley taking her craft into her own hands as a budding actress was one of her greatest acts of self-care. In the early stages of her career, Melanie struggled to juggle multiple auditions during Hollywood’s ‘pilot season hustle.’ Having recently moved from London to Los Angele…
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Actress Teyonah Parris knows the power of co-creating with God. In this heartfelt conversation, she talks to Ashley about the process of nurturing a God-given dream. Comparing the experience of believing before seeing to walking through a pregnancy, Teyonah shares how she learned to activate her faith and remain expectant. She also discusses the im…
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White House correspondent and author April Ryan has always used her voice for good. April talks to Ashley about discovering her purpose in one of America’s most prestigious political institutions. As a young girl from Baltimore, Maryland, April constantly fought to overcome adversity and being underestimated. Reflecting on her early days at the Whi…
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Actress Karen Pittman no longer subscribes to a scarcity mindset. The Nashville native talks to Ashley about learning to align herself with abundance and claiming what was rightfully hers. Karen describes the major transitions of her life including shifting from the cutthroat financial world to attending NYU’s prestigious acting program...while pre…
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Doula and author Brandi Sellerz-Jackson understands the power of sharing our stories in community. She talks to Ashley about growing up in Alabama and functioning in survival mode. When she found the courage to revisit her childhood trauma in therapy later in life, Brandi discovered that healing happens in community. Brandi also discusses her work …
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Award-winning actress Wendy Raquel Robinson has learned how to sit in her dreams. The South-Central LA native talks to Ashley about the defining moments in her life and career; from her early days taking the stage at Howard University to starring in the long-running hit series, The Game. No stranger to the grind of the entertainment business, Wendy…
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Grammy Award-winning jazz singer Samara Joy accomplished a major feat when she was awarded Best New Artist at the 2023 Grammys. But just two months later, she realized her newfound success came with new challenges. Samara talks to Ashley about prioritizing rest in the midst of walking in her purpose. She also shares the importance of taking breaks …
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Blogger and model Achieng Agutu no longer lives within societal confines. The self-proclaimed “Confidence Queen” talks to Ashley about learning to love herself and confidently step into her power. As a child growing up in Kisumu, Kenya, Achieng knew all about the unwritten rules dictating how women in that society should behave. But as she grew old…
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Emmy-nominated actress and Human Rights Advocate, Angelica Ross uses her privilege for purpose. Angelica talks to Ashley about embracing her essence and fighting for what she believes in despite the cost. When a series of unfortunate events led to a fallout with one of Hollywood’s most powerful producers, Angelica chose not to buckle and bend under…
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Four-time Olympic gold medalist and star of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, Sanya Richards-Ross talks to Ashley about understanding the power of the tongue. From predicting her Olympic win at the age of nine, to preparing herself to retire from track and field, prayer and preparation have served Sanya in powerful ways throughout her life. Sanya als…
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Comedian and actress Nicole Byer’s superpower is authenticity. In this candid conversation, Nicole talks to Ashley about gratitude, discovering her creative voice, and being unapologetically herself. Despite the entertainment industry’s subjective and fickle nature, Nicole has always trusted her brand of funny. The Emmy-nominated host emphasizes th…
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CEO and Founder of Slutty Vegan, Pinky Cole knows the road toward purpose-driven work is paved with successes and failures. After a grease fire destroyed her first restaurant in New York City, Pinky relocated to Atlanta where she developed the concept for her now multi-million dollar restaurant chain, Slutty Vegan. Pinky talks to Ashley about how t…
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Life coach and bestselling author, Dr. Iyanla Vanzant is no longer playing small. While the world may know her as a masterful spiritual teacher, Dr. Iyanla confesses to Ashley that there are some days where she forgets to embrace her full power. Dr. Vanzant shares how her phrase of the year “full bloom” is helping her live life to the fullest. The …
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CEO and Boxing Champion, Laila Ali has always marched to the beat of her own drum. Laila talks to Ashley about the trials and triumphs of following in her famous father's footsteps as a young woman. Despite initially lacking her dad’s approval, Laila defied the odds and claimed her spot as one of the boxing greats when she became an undefeated worl…
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Media mogul Necole Kane lives a lifestyle of abundance. The serial entrepreneur talks to Ashley about overcoming rock bottom moments in her career after finding global success as celebrity gossip blogger, Necole Bitchie. Necole says her unwavering belief that her purpose was always greater than “giving good tea” led her to sunset her blog and launc…
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Author, producer, and philanthropist Nicole Avant knows how to make life count. In her discussion with Ashley, Nicole talks about the importance of choosing happiness in the face of adversity and honoring the legacy of her community. Avant shares her personal journey of finding courage and making intentional choices to maintain joy after the sudden…
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Actress Kylie Bunbury is intentionally vulnerable enough to discover her true self. In her conversation with close friend Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins, Kylie lets go of her “armor” and reveals secrets from her past to tell her most authentic story. Kylie opens up about the sexual abuse she experienced growing up, and how she’s healing on the ot…
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Attending Howard University transformed Glory Edim’s life. The author and founder tells Ashley how her unique experience at “HU” inspired her to create Well-Read Black Girl, a book club and community for Black women. In this conversation, Glory reflects on her journey with Well-Read Black Girl, from its humble beginnings as a Brooklyn-based bookclu…
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Political commentator, professor and star of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Potomac, Dr. Wendy Osefo lives life with intention. In her conversation with Ashley, Dr. Osefo talks about growing up with the pressure of her family’s expectations and the pain of always being the new girl. Despite not liking school, Wendy earned four degrees to appease her mo…
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Actress Edwina Findley Dickerson learned to embrace the God story of her life. In this powerful conversation, Edwina takes Ashley back to her early days cultivating her faith in Washington, D.C. TheIf Loving You Is Wrongstar describes how God orchestrated divine appointments at critical turning points in her life. Over the years she’s trained her e…
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Actress and award-winning fertility advocate Kellee Stewart prioritizes her happiness in every chapter of her life. Kellee shares with Ashley how the painful ending to a long-term relationship was the catalyst for her decision to freeze her eggs. Although this decision was not originally in her plans, she talks about how her fertility journey led h…
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Best-selling author Ashley C. Ford was raised in survival mode. In her conversation with ABFJ, she talks about the impact of growing up with an incarcerated father and a fraught relationship with her young, single mother. Without the safety of a nurturing caregiver, Ashley grew up believing she only had herself to count on. Years later during an ey…
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From a very young age, author and media executive Michelle Hord longed to become a mother. When she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Gabrielle, Michelle was living a dream fulfilled. Seven years later, after losing her daughter at the hands of her ex-husband, Michelle found herself living her worst nightmare. In this deeply moving conversa…
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Hailing from modest beginnings in Rio de Janeiro, ballerina and activist Ingrid Silva discovered her aptitude for dance at the tender age of eight. In her conversation with Ashley, Ingrid describes feeling free the very first moment she stepped on stage. From there, the precocious but shy dancer promised herself she would push past her fears and be…
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Author and Poet Arielle Estoria hasn’t always recognized her worth. In her vulnerable conversation with Ashley, Arielle explains how engaging in constant comparison throughout her life made her feel small. While uplifting other women with inspiring words always came naturally to her, Arielle often struggled to encourage herself. Raised as a pastor’…
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In the Season 2 Trials to Triumphs premiere, Grammy-nominated R&B singer and songwriter Ari Lennox sits down with Ashley during the 2023 Essence Festival in New Orleans. Both DMV natives, they discuss their childhood and humble beginnings as artists navigating survival jobs until landing their big breaks. Ari opens up about her battles with anxiety…
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Our host flips the script and answers burning questions from Trials to Triumphs listeners! Find out the three things Ashley would take to a deserted island, how she decompresses after a long day, and where she would’ve worked if she did not pursue acting. Ashley also discusses navigating the entertainment industry as a dark-skinned Black woman, pre…
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After the former stockbroker was rejected by investors on NBC’s Shark Tank, she channeled her disappointment into an opportunity to reinvest in her beauty brand and Black women. Melissa tells Ashley about growing up in Detroit and being inspired to make products that catered to and celebrated Black beauty. She was determined to succeed after seeing…
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Actor Marque Richardson (Dear White People) no longer operates in “survival mode.” The Netflix star tells Ashley how experiencing homelessness at a young age hindered his self-confidence, impacting his self-worth personally and professionally. An eye-opening conversation with his parents during the early days of the global pandemic led to a greater…
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Author, professor and researcher Dr. Joy DeGruy encourages Ashley, and each of us, to have “more than hope” for the future, and to honor the determination of past generations by finding our purpose. She believes moving beyond resilience to radical joy is the rightful inheritance of Black Americans. She and Ashley discuss how family has inspired the…
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A “No” can devastate and feel like a dead-end. But often “No” is simply redirection. In this anthology episode, Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins revisits conversations with Curlbox CEO and founder Myleik Teele, award-winning Actress Danielle Brooks, and Comedian and Executive Producer Robin Thede. Each woman transformed rejection into a pivot and u…
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When actor, writer and director Yvette Nicole Brown left Cleveland for Los Angeles she wanted to be a singer but fell in love with acting. Since then, she’s starred in the popular sitcom Community as well as Drake and Josh, The Mayor and The Odd Couple. In her conversation with Ashley, Yvette shares how she decided to be honest about her age in an …
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When Tabitha Brown became a young mom, she feared her Hollywood dream was over. The actress and vegan food influencer tells Ashley she resigned herself to living a “regular life” in Eden, North Carolina, until God told her He had a different plan. Fueled by a renewed vision, Tabitha returned to LA confident enough to shed unhealthy Hollywood beauty…
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The accomplished artist’s life changed dramatically after she was commissioned to make the official portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama for the National Portrait Gallery. But this was no overnight success. Amy tells Ashley about the sacrifices she made along the way, including working as a waitress for 15 years while honing her skills. She descri…
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In this anthology episode, Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins reviews some of the lessons her dear friends shared on the show from their motherhood journeys. She looks back at how Actress Aja Naomi King’s son taught her the power of letting go, how teaching her son about forgiveness challenged Grammy winner Kelly Rowland to grow, and how acclaimed ac…
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Globetrotter and bestselling author of The Catch Me If You Can, Jessica Nabongo has always valued freedom. The record-breaking traveler and Ashley reflect on their shared experiences of being raised by parents who encouraged their independence at a young age. This sense of autonomy cultivated the boldness Jessica called upon to take major risks, li…
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Tunde Oyeneyin is no stranger to change. She was a successful makeup artist for 15 years before becoming a Peloton Instructor, Nike Athlete and Author of NY Times Best Selling book, Speak: Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. Tunde chats with Ashley about moving on from what she thought was her dream …
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Best-selling author Nedra Tawwab has a fresh perspective on boundaries. In this eye-opening conversation, the sought-after relational therapist breaks down why setting clear boundaries is an essential form of self-care. She tells Ashley that doing so is less about saying “No” to others and more about saying “Yes” to ourselves. Nedra explains how bo…
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She won one of the most challenging reality TV shows, but her biggest victory was learning to love and accept her “weird” self. In this uplifting interview, Maryanne shares with Ashley how being an outsider has elevated her purpose in the long haul. The challenges she faced growing up as an immigrant taught her to take risks and to “show up” as her…
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