Listen to Sweep The League Podcast
Interviews
Cuba Gooding, Jr. Interview with I Am Refocused Radio Talks New Film ‘The Firing Squad’
Lisa Leslie I Am Refocused Radio Shout Out
VIDEO
Asher HaVon, a 31-year-old soulful gospel and R&B artist from Selma, Ala., was named champion of “The Voice” Season 25.
HaVon faced off against a chorus of formidable competitors. Other finalists this season included teammate Josh Sanders from Team Reba, Bryan Olesen and Nathan Chester from Team Legend, and Karen Waldrup from Team Dan + Shay.
In his Blind Audition, HaVon showed off his gospel choir roots with a powerful rendition of Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain,” which had Reba, Chance and Dan + Shay campaigning for him. He ultimately chose to join Team Reba, where he and teammate Alyssa Crosby performed a rousing duet of Tina Turner’s “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” during the Battle Round. In the Knockout round, he had all the coaches on their feet during a showstopping performance of Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My Heart.” During both rounds, Reba choseHaVon to move on while his teammates were quickly stolen by other coaches.
During the Playoffs, HaVon gave the audience chills with an emotional rendition of David Guetta and Sia’s “Titanium,” securing a spot in the Top 12. In the first live show, he performed “I’ll Make Love to You” byBoyz II Men, wowing with his technical ability. During the semifinals, HaVon joined Madison Curbelo and Serenity Arce for a haunting trio performance of “Fix You” by Coldplay and then stepped outside his comfort zone with his version of Beyoncé’s massive hit “Irreplaceable.” On Monday night’s telecast, HaVoncontinued to impress the coaches and viewers alike with an up-tempo live performance of “Last Dance” by Donna Summer as well as a down-tempo performance of “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston.
Before being crowned the winner at the conclusion of tonight’s finale, HaVon was joined on stage by coach Reba McEntire for a soulful duet of “On My Own,” by Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald.
Following her first win, coach Reba McEntire will return to “The Voice” Season 26 as the reigning champ, alongside new coaches Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé and returning coach Gwen Stefani.
HaVon’s presence on the show’s social media platforms this season garnered immense popularity. His performances accumulated 11.6 million views across “The Voice” pages on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.
Growing up in Selma, HaVon was surrounded by gospel singers. Asher’s mom, whom he likes to call his singing sergeant, really pushed him to sing at a young age. His first major performance came in 2015 when President Obama came to Selma for a speech commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery in honor of African-American civil rights. Asher auditioned for a spot in the choir that was set to perform John Legend and Common’s song “Glory.” The choir director was so blown away that he chose Asher to lead the choir that day, performing in front of 200,000 people.
“The Voice” is the most-watched alternative series for the 2023-24 season (L7).
“The Voice” is a presentation of MGM Television, Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon, and ITV Studios The Voice USA, Inc. The series was created by John de Mol, who serves as an executive producer along with Mark Burnett, Audrey Morrissey, Amanda Zucker, Kyra Thompson, Adam H.Sher and Barry Poznick.
Deborah Jane Burke is a dynamic filmmaker, writer, hip-hop recording artist, and producer. As the daughter of Guyanese immigrants who grew up as one of the only Black families in a predominantly white Orange County suburb, Deborah Jane found refuge in writing and hip-hop, igniting her passion for social justice and storytelling through music. Her journey led her to Stanford University, where she penned an award-winning hip-hop musical inspired by a childhood nightmare of being trapped in slavery. The play was later developed into a short film and is now in the process of becoming a feature-length film about racial reconciliation called, Strange Fruit: The Hip-hopera.
Dr. Cady Coleman is a former NASA Astronaut and Air Force Colonel with more than 180 days in space, accumulated during two space shuttle missions and a six-month expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), where she acted as the Lead Robotics and Lead Science officer.
Cady is a vocal advocate for inclusion in STEM/STEAM fields and a sought after speaker on a wide range of topics. She recently co-anchored ABC News Live’s coverage of the SpaceX launch and the Perseverance Mars Rover landing. Other speaking highlights include the opening speech for TED 2011 from space, extensive NASA commentary for CNN, ABC and Fox and TED Unplugged 2019.
Cady is the Global Explorer in Residence at Arizona State University and co-host of the podcast Mission: Interplanetary. She’s also a research affiliate at the MIT Media Lab. Cady consults on space-related work for research and for the media. She serves on several boards, including the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Greenfield Community College and Dent the Future.
Cady lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband Josh Simpson, a glass artist, and their two sons. She is an amateur flute player, known for her “Space Duet” with Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull and her work from space with the acclaimed Irish band, The Chieftains. She coached actress Sandra Bullock from the ISS in preparation for Bullock’s astronaut role in Gravity.
ABOUT TRAPPED IN TREATMENT Season 2
Trapped In Treatment Paris Hilton , Warner Bros. Unscripted TV In Association With Telepictures, and iHeart Media, that will examine and expose the dark secrets of the “Troubled Teen Industry.” Beginning with Provo Canyon School, each season will focus on the story of one youth treatment facility, its survivors, and the traumatizing abuse at the hands of their captors. Hosted by Caroline Cole and Rebecca Mellinger, Trapped in Treatment
CAROLINE COLE BIO
Caroline Cole is an entrepreneur, activist, and trauma-focused women’s transformation coach. At 14 years old, Caroline was sent to a lock-down behavior modification facility where she would stay for 29 months and encounter some of the most horrifying deprivations of human rights. Through her own reckoning with this experience, Caroline has channeled her outrage into public policy and social change through her role as the Director of Government Relations for the non-profit Breaking Code Silence. Her personal experiences with trauma, including domestic violence, addiction, institutionalization, homelessness, and consequentially living with C-PTSD allows her to see greater social issues through a unique and compassionate lens. Turning her pain into purpose, Caroline advocates for a world where the effects of trauma are understood and public policy effectively allows for the treatment and prevention of abuse in all forms. Caroline’s background is in psychology, mental health, state government, and advocacy. She believes that through the deinstitutionalization of all people and the rebuilding of our communities and families, we may finally experience healing as a nation and throughout the world.
REBECCA MELLINGER BIO
Rebecca Mellinger is passionate about harnessing the power of entertainment to drive social change. As Paris Hilton’s Impact Producer, she is working to reform the “Troubled Teen Industry” through policy change, public awareness, and mental health support services for institutional abuse survivors. Rebecca is also leading the impact campaign for Duty Free, an independent documentary about ageism and the need for intergenerational care. With a background in nonprofit management and the entertainment industry, Rebecca manages every aspect of each impact campaign – from working on the ground with the impacted community, interfacing with national partners, and developing effective programming.
www.trappedintreatment.co
parishilton.com/1111-media
www.stopinstitutionalchildabuse.com
Emily Tisch Sussman is the creator and host of the award-winning podcast She Pivots , a Tony-nominated producer, a Marie Claire contributor, a democratic political strategist, and mother of three. With a passion for amplifying women’s voices, she shares the stories of those who have successfully pivoted in their personal and professional lives, sharing how they turned challenges into formative opportunities. Emily createdShe Pivots after leaving her fast-paced job as the VP of Campaigns at the largest democratic think tank in Washington, D.C. Her pivot pushed her to confront her own idea of success without the career she thought she’d have forever.
Emily is a seasoned host, having interviewed leaders and influential women including Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Priyanka Chopra, and Sophia Bush, among others. Emily is dedicated to championing causes that support women, education and the arts in her New York community. She is a co-owner of Gotham FC, the 2023 NWSL champions, and has produced Broadway hits including Shucked and How to Dance in Ohio . She is a founding member of her local Moms Demand Action chapter and has served on the board of the Ethical Culture Fieldston School and the Ross School. She is a member of the Artists Council at the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Director’s Circle at The Church. She is a member of the New York Bar, earning her J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
Reinaldo Marcus Green, director of BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE, on digital March 19th visit www.onelovemovie.com
Davis Miller
Bonnie-Jill Laflin – In a League of Her Own: Celebrating Female Firsts in Sports
Get Her Book Here
Bonnie-Jill Laflin is a trailblazing sports broadcaster, philanthropist, and TV personality. With a determined spirit and an unwavering passion for sports, she has carved a remarkable career path, becoming a prominent figure in the sports industry.
The first and only female NBA scout, holding the front office executive position with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bonnie-Jill holds many “firsts” throughout her prolific career. She’s the first woman to dance at a professional level for three teams, in two sports, starting with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, and moving to the NFL for both the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys. She is the first female to be awarded six championship rings in two professional sports, earning a Super Bowl ring during her time cheering for the 49ers, and five NBA championship rings as an executive for the Lakers. Most recently, Bonnie-Jill adds a new “first” to her repertoire as co-host of the brand-new Women’s Western Sports Roundup on the Cowgirl Channel.
Beyond her accomplishments in sports, Bonnie-Jill ventured into the world of broadcasting, bringing her knowledge and enthusiasm to the airwaves. She has worked as a reporter and host for various high-profile networks, including ESPN, NBA TV, NBC/NBC Sports, NFL Films, Westwood One, CBS, E!, BBC Sports, SiriusXM, NFR Live, and Fox Sports. Most notably a host and ambassador for Michael Jordan’s “Jordan Brand”. Her charismatic personality and deep understanding of the game have made her a sought-after commentator and analyst, enriching the sports-watching experience for countless fans.
An alum of the University of Texas, the former Miss Dallas/Ft Worth USA has also graced the covers of magazines worldwide, is a competitive barrel racer, member of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, and recently created her own rodeo drill and flag team, The Liberty Belles.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Bonnie-Jill is a committed philanthropist that actively supports numerous charitable endeavors that champion the welfare of animals and U.S. Veteran’s rights – causes that are near and dear to her heart. She is the founder of Hounds and Heroes and Horses, a non-profit that pairs rescue dogs as service and therapy dogs with wounded warriors and veterans, as well as rescue horses as equine therapy for our service members and sponsoring retreats. Working to improve the lives of veterans, she has traveled to military bases across the country and abroad on 19 USO tours, including visits to bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Bonnie-Jill’s remarkable journey is a testament to her unwavering passion, resilience, and commitment to excellence. Whether on the court, the field, in front of the camera, behind the microphone, or in the realm of philanthropy, she continues to break barriers and inspire others to pursue their dreams.
William Yeske damnthevalleybook.com William (Will) Yeske is a combat veteran who served 11 years in the United States Army. He is a serial entrepreneur who brings significant expertise in marketing, IT, and project management. He currently runs and operates a marketing company, No Limits Marketing Group (NLMG), founded to help small businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic. It uses a combination of modern marketing techniques coupled with a non-lethal targeting framework learned within the military to provide clients with winning strategies. Will was also a founding board member of a Veteran non-profit, Rally for the Troops (now part of Racing for Heroes) and has worked on other veteran-based projects.
Amber believes that pushing yourself out of your comfort zone physically helps challenge your mental limitations of what you can accomplish professionally.
Support Jerome Surles – A guest on I Am Refocused Radio
Listen on Sunday Morning at 6:00 AM CT on 930AMTheAnswer Radio Station in San Antonio, TX
Listen on your favorite podcast platforms:
