Break The Odds

Welcome to Break The Odds—the place to help you break the odds and walk confidently into your God-given purpose. Think of this podcast as your regular coffee chat where we talk about life, career, and legacy. Hosted by Elease Dillard (award-winning entrepreneur, author, and speaker) enjoy hearing from industry leaders, professionals, and individuals on the show as they share their stories of breaking the odds to help you reach the the next level in your life, family, career, and communities. Let’s do this together. Let’s break the odds.

A Prayer For You For 2023 | Let’s Break The Odds 01/14/2023

A Life-Changing Encounter with God Seconds Before Attempting to End His Life | with Pastor Jon 11/18/2022

Keeping the Faith: Believing God’s “Yes” (Over Someone’s “No”) | with NeNe Terri 11/09/2022

Going to Counseling: What It’s Like, Myths, & Tips for Families | with Dr. India Dillard, PharmD 10/28/2022

Going to Counseling: What It’s Like, Myths, & Tips for Families | with Dr. India Dillard, PharmD Join us as we continue our conversation with our guest, Dr. India Dillard for part 2 of her interview! As a former Co-Chair within the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) for their Mental Health Initiative, in this episode India chats with our host, Elease Dillard about the topic of mental health. She shares free and low-cost places to get counseling, the behind the scenes of what it’s like going to counseling (including counseling myths), and as sisters—Elease and India both share how their parents broke the ice with introducing and integrating counseling as a resource within their family. Press play to listen. - MEET INDIA Dr. India Dillard is a Doctor of Pharmacy graduate from Mercer University in Atlanta, GA and currently a Post-Graduate Year-1 (PGY-1) Clinical Pharmacy Resident at one of the nation's leading hospitals specializing in medical treatment, research, and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and other neurological conditions. India’s journey started from her days in undergrad at Georgia Gwinnett College where she worked hard to successfully graduate college debt-free and obtain scholarships while in Pharmacy School. Not only was India in the top 10% of her class academically for her Doctorate of Pharmacy, but she has served in retail Pharmacy, served on the frontlines at hospitals/care centers alongside physicians to care for patients, mentors + tutors younger aspiring Pharmacy students, served in multiple leadership roles for organizations, including the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) where she served as Co-Chair for their Mental Health Initiative, Phi Delta Chi professional fraternity where she served as treasurer, and is a member of multiple prestigious honor societies including Rho Chi, Phi Lambda Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, and Golden Key International honor society. India has goals to continue her pharmacy training to become a board-certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist and pharmacy educator. Additionally, she intends to become a heath advocate to start health initiatives in her community. — LET’S CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: LET’S CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: LET’S CONNECT ON TIKTOK: EPISODE NOTES & BLOG: - *Please Note: Episodes on Break The Odds do not serve as endorsements of any comments, opinions, actions, resources, and any other behavior by guests, individuals, and other parties. By using any third-party resources/platforms, you may be subject to their terms and conditions. /episode/index/show/eleasedillard/id/24817878

Using Your God-Given Gifts to Serve Others + Debt-Free Funding Tips for Grad Students | with Dr. India Dillard, PharmD 10/23/2022

Using Your God-Given Gifts to Serve Others + Debt-Free Funding Tips for Grad Students | with Dr. India Dillard, PharmD Joining us on the show is guest Dr. India Dillard! During the conversation with our host Elease Dillard, India chats with us about how to use your God-given gifts to serve others, and transparently shares the behind the scenes of her journey of graduating college debt-free + debt-free funding tips for those interested in pursuing an advanced degree. It is also National Pharmacy Week—so if you are interested in graduating with a degree in Pharmacy, India shares her success tips as well! Press play to listen. - MEET INDIA Dr. India Dillard is a Doctor of Pharmacy graduate from Mercer University in Atlanta, GA and currently a Post-Graduate Year-1 (PGY-1) Clinical Pharmacy Resident at one of the nation's leading hospitals specializing in medical treatment, research, and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and other neurological conditions. India’s journey started from her days in undergrad at Georgia Gwinnett College where she worked hard to successfully graduate college debt-free and obtain scholarships while in Pharmacy School. Not only was India in the top 10% of her class academically for her Doctorate of Pharmacy, but she has served in retail Pharmacy, served on the frontlines at hospitals/care centers alongside physicians to care for patients, mentors + tutors younger aspiring Pharmacy students, served in multiple leadership roles for organizations, including the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) where she served as Co-Chair for their Mental Health Initiative, Phi Delta Chi professional fraternity where she served as treasurer, and is a member of multiple prestigious honor societies including Rho Chi, Phi Lambda Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, and Golden Key International honor society. India has goals to continue her pharmacy training to become a board-certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist and pharmacy educator. Additionally, she intends to become a heath advocate to start health initiatives in her community. — LET’S CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: LET’S CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: LET’S CONNECT ON TIKTOK: EPISODE NOTES & BLOG: - *Please Note: Episodes on Break The Odds do not serve as endorsements of any comments, opinions, actions, resources, and any other behavior by guests, individuals, and other parties. By using any third-party resources/platforms, you may be subject to their terms and conditions. /episode/index/show/eleasedillard/id/24770010

Forgiving Yourself & Others | with Ashlee Garrison 09/15/2022

Living a Healthy, Healed & Whole Life | with Ashlee Garrison 09/01/2022

Peace During the Process | with Elease Dillard 08/18/2022

Let's Live Again! | with Elease Dillard 07/12/2022

Season 2 Premiere | Welcome! 06/27/2022

Season Finale & 1 Year Anniversary Celebration 12/27/2021

Working While Pursuing Your Education or Business Venture? Here’s How Your Job Can Help You Pursue Your Dreams | with Marlene Maina 08/08/2021

Turning Pain into Purpose: Finding Hope & Joy | with Marlene Maina 07/01/2021

Turning Pain into Purpose: Finding Hope & Joy | with Marlene Maina Today’s guest shares how they broke the odds by turning pain into purpose and shares how you can break the odds, overcome, and live a life filled with JOY. MEET MARLENE MAINA: Marlene Maina is a Christian writer, Bible teacher and a personal growth and development speaker. She is the Chair and Founder of JosiahKids Incorporated, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to educate, empower and equip young students and TEENS in the local community in the areas of faith, leadership, community service and the arts. Marlene’s academic background includes: a certificate in Medical Administration, a two-year training in Youth Ministry, a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Education, A Master of Divinity (MDiv), and a Master in Leadership, from Luther Rice College and Seminary in Lithonia, Georgia. Her professional journey has led her through a handful of fortune 500 companies, including The Coca-Cola Company where she worked for sixteen years supporting senior leaders, and one c-suite executive. - Episode Disclaimer: On the show, our mission is to be a positive and encouraging environment to help our listeners break the odds in their lives. In today’s episode we will be discussing a heavier topic. To ensure that this episode does not trigger any traumatic experiences for our listeners, we would like to provide the following trigger warning: This episode involves conversations mentioning grief, pain, loss, parents separating, and the feeling of hopelessness. However, this episode also involves conversations about how to overcome, break the odds, find hope, and turn pain into a life filled with purpose and JOY. This show does not claim to be a substitute for counseling or any other professional guidance—and encourages our listeners to reach out to a licensed professional if needed. *visit blog post for resources — LET’S CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: LET’S CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: LET’S CONNECT ON CLUBHOUSE: “Break The Odds” Club EPISODE NOTES/BLOG + CONNECT WITH MARLENE: /episode/index/show/eleasedillard/id/19668623

Overcoming Stuttering + How to Walk Confidently into Your Purpose | with Gynella Ngounou 05/17/2021

Starting a Fashion Design Company + Tips for Finding Business Grants | with Gynella Ngounou 05/14/2021

Starting a Fashion Design Company + Tips for Finding Business Grants | with Gynella Ngounou Do you have a dream yet have had some setbacks towards making that dream a reality? Are you struggling with how to come up with the funds to take your dream to the next level? Are you longing for mentorship and guidance for pursuing your dream yet don’t know how to find a mentor? Friend, you are in the right place because today’s guest not only broke the odds by becoming a fashion designer but she is also the founder + CEO of her own fashion design company, a mentor to aspiring fashion designers, and also a PRO at successfully receiving business grants and pitching her company in front of investors. On the show, she shares tips for how you can too! Press play to listen. - Joining us today is Gynella Ngounou: (Gynella’s bio) Gynella Ngounou is an award-winning fashion entrepreneur, who stutters. She developed a passion for fashion and design at a young age, and was admitted to study at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). However, due to financial constraints, she withdrew and became a self-taught designer struggling to find resources to fulfill her designer needs. In 2018, she launched Students Expressing Life through Fashion (better known as SELF) to equip at-risk fashion designers and hobbyists with affordable, quality fashion education and sustainable careers. The company would go on to partner with Dillard’s, Quaint Revolt Media, and New York Fashion Week independent designers. Today, Students Expressing Life through Fashion is an award-winning Academy providing certificate programs, direct mentorship, industry placements, and business services in a resourceful sewing and tech incubator. With SELF looking to graduate its first class next Fall, Gynella is also excited to launch her eco-luxe women’s wear fashion label called NGOUNOU. — LET’S CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: LET’S CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: LET’S CONNECT ON CLUBHOUSE: “Break The Odds” Club EPISODE NOTES & BLOG: /episode/index/show/eleasedillard/id/19101245

You are a Masterpiece: Positive Self-Image with Gladys Dillard | Establishing Fresh Vision (pt.5) 04/04/2021

Meet Gladys Dillard | Establishing Fresh Vision (pt.4) 04/01/2021

Running a Business with Your Spouse + Healthy Marriage Tips | with Jonathan & Brittany Burke 10/24/2020

Running a Business with Your Spouse + Healthy Marriage Tips | with Jonathan & Brittany Burke Do you have a dream or venture that you want to pursue and want to know how to present the idea to your spouse to get them on board? Do you and your spouse both have a business idea that you want to pursue together? Are you and your spouse simply busy and need some tips to maintain a healthy marriage? Friend, you’re in the right place because today’s guests share how to break the odds in your marriage. Even if you are not married or not in a relationship, this episode can still be applied to help you break the odds with any dynamic—in your personal or professional life! Back with us today are Jonathan and Brittany Burke—Founder and CFO (Chief Financial Officer) of Innovation Learning Academy. If you listened to their last episode on the show, you may have noticed that not only do Jonathan and Brittany serve as Founder and CFO of Innovation Learning Academy, but they are also married to each other! So we HAD to have them dive deeper into that dynamic and share how they are able to work together and maintain a healthy marriage! Here’s more from their conversation with our host, Elease Dillard. Press play to listen. — Jonathan Burke is the Founder of Innovation Learning Academy. He has over 10 years of experience as an educator—including as an Education Services Coordinator, TNTP Education Fellow, Title 1 school teacher, Learning and Instruction Specialist, and a school Administrator. Brittany Burke has a Master’s degree in Accounting and serves as the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) of Innovation Learning Academy. Prior to serving as the CFO of Innovation Learning Academy, Brittany had a career in marketing and worked for companies such as Cartoon Network and TNT. — LET’S CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: LET’S CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: EPISODE NOTES/BLOG + CONNECT WITH JONATHAN & BRITTANY: /episode/index/show/eleasedillard/id/16526570

Digital Learning/Homeschool Strategies + College Funding & Career Tips | with Elease Dillard + Jonathan & Brittany Burke 10/11/2020

Digital Learning/Homeschool Strategies + College Funding & Career Tips | with Elease Dillard + Jonathan & Brittany Burke To celebrate World Teacher’s Day, this week's episode features an educator and his wife who together are helping families and the community break the odds with education. Whether you are a teacher in need of some tips, a parent who needs guidance for how to make digital learning a smooth experience for your child, or a student wanting to know how to prepare yourself for college and your career—today’s episode is for you! — Joining us today is Jonathan and Brittany Burke—Founder and CFO (Chief Financial Officer) of Innovation Learning Academy. Both Jonathan and Brittany have a decorated resume, but here is a snippet and more about Innovation Learning Academy: Meet Jonathan Burke: Jonathan Burke is the Founder of Innovation Learning Academy. Jonathan has received a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from the Metropolitan College of New York. He also earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration from Georgia State University and a Master’s degree in Special Education from Liberty University. Jonathan began his educational career in the New York City School District over 10 years ago as a high school math teacher and Education Services Coordinator for NYC Dept. of Correction inmates ages 16-24 at East River Academy located on Rikers Island. While working with incarcerated youth, Jonathan discovered the inequalities of public education and began to work with various community organizations to help troubled youth and students with learning disabilities by offering tutoring and mentoring services. After being accepted as a TNTP Education Fellow, Jonathan moved to Atlanta and began teaching in Title 1 schools in the Fulton County School District and the Atlanta Public Schools District. Jonathan has taught multiple grade levels and subjects but has always on focused special education services. As a Learning and Instruction Specialist and a school Administrator, Jonathan’s educational experiences have afforded him the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of students to meet the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being. Jonathan’s educational philosophy is based on his uncompromising belief that all students can learn, given a positive learning environment that focuses on the student’s learning styles, strong and knowledgeable leadership, a committed and focused educational team, an encouraging community, and a supportive family. All of which, Innovation Learning Academy possess. Jonathan currently coaches high school basketball at Tri-Cities High School and AAU basketball for various community teams. In addition, Jonathan is an accomplished musician that has traveled the world. As a result, he provides music lessons and production assistance for students at McEachern High School. Meet Brittany Burke: Brittany Burke has a Master’s degree in Accounting and serves as the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) of Innovation Learning Academy. Prior to serving as the CFO of Innovation Learning Academy, Brittany had a career in marketing and worked for companies such as Cartoon Network and TNT. Press play to hear this interview with our host Elease Dillard. — LET’S CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: LET’S CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: EPISODE NOTES/BLOG + CONNECT WITH JONATHAN & BRITTANY: /episode/index/show/eleasedillard/id/16352837

How to Negotiate Working From Home + Work-Life Balance Tips | with Mariya Bentz 09/18/2020

Turning a Side-Hustle Into a Full-Time Career | with Mariya Bentz 09/11/2020

Good News: 2020 is Not Cancelled | Regaining Your “20-20” Vision 08/03/2020

Meet Your Host | Elease Dillard 06/19/2020

Break The Odds

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