The SonRise Project creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces veteran speaker and master coach, Sylvia High. She’s an author, a healer and a specialist in transformation. In this episode, Sylvia talks about how to support teens and young adults in finding their purpose. While that alone can be a daunting task, she asks parents to reflect on when they discovered their own purpose. She says while some people know from an early age they want to be an artist, a singer or a doctor, for many that’s not the case. She says most people discover it, “Oh, this is my purpose. Or that is my purpose. Or I thought my purpose was here, but it's not after all.” She says if we're not careful, our purpose becomes looking for our purpose. To avoid that trap, Sylvia says we must shift our mindset and realize it’s not about discovering a thing that “we do,” it’s discovering “who we are meant to be.”

In this SonRise episode, creator Kelli Richardson Lawson and SonRise Executive Director Kelly Chapman lead an open discussion with parents about how to deal with ongoing challenges with their children. With honesty and compassion Kelli and Kelly draw on their own experiences and hard-won wisdom reminding everyone it’s possible to choose a self-empowering response to any situation. They emphasize one must tend to one’s own mental health to be available to others. They also encourage SonRise listeners to define boundaries, allowing children to experience the consequences of their actions rather than jumping into rescue. Above all, Kelli and Kelly urge parents to learn self-acceptance, self-love and to practice the art of forgiveness with self and others. Kelli says if we loved ourselves as much as we love our children how much better off everyone would be.

The SonRise Project creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces veteran speaker, Dr. Linda McGhee. She is a clinical psychologist with expertise in young adult and child psychology. In this episode, Dr. McGhee reflects on the devastating murder of George Floyd. She asks SonRise parents to share their feelings about raising Black boys and young men in America. She talks about the severe impact racial trauma is having on Black communities. She shares that people she knows are not sleeping, they're feeling anxious and depressed. However, she says even amidst the devastating effects of ongoing traumatic events, there are also signs of hope. She explains that more Black people are seeking help for mental health issues and more celebrities are coming forward to talk about mental wellness and the importance of getting therapy. She also says more young people are finding their voices, their strength and standing up for justice. She says everyone must look at the broader picture and advance their efforts in every direction.