Reppin: Learned Lessons

Evelien & Zach Smadu

Zach Smadu by Photo Credit: Richie Lubaton

Actor Zach Smadu from CW’s Family Law shared how his father’s battle with cancer reshaped his life and perspectives. Today, on my time with you, I’m going to share what I connected with and my personal reflections. So, let’s get to know one another as I let you into my own takeaways and see if you agree!

I’ve also made my donation to support Zach and to help the brilliant researchers do what they need to to help further along cancer research. Pitch in if you’re able to.

Donate to the organizations Zach works with:

Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan: cancerfoundationsask.ca

Canadian Cancer Society: cancer.ca

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada:

www.bloodcancers.ca

REPPIN SERIES DIRECTORY: Check out everyone who has come by!! SUBSCRIBE AND SHARE!

https://campsite.bio/reppinpodcast

Kara Robinson Chamberlain: Surviving a Serial Killer.

Kara Robinson Chamberlain

Kara Robinson Chamberlain was kidnapped by a serial killer. Yes. You read that correctly. At 15, she was abducted by a serial killer, escaped AND helped authorities capture the man who kidnapped her. This horrific experience could traumatize anyone. But you’re going to hear how Kara escaped, how she not only survived and helped authorities capture this man but how she has transformed this nightmare into strength, and what she’s ultimately grateful for.

Now, Kara is out in front, spreading hope, encouragement to other survivors and to remind them they can heal—and they are stronger than what has happened to them.

This is a remarkable story of survival, composure and courage.

Find out what Kara’s learned that is universal and can help you in your life YOUR life, regardless of your situation.

Kara’s website: https://www.kararobinsonchamberlain.com/

Kara’s twitter: https://twitter.com/KR_Chamberlain

Kara’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kararobinsonchamberlain/?hl=en

Reppin 5.5: Russell Horsnby

Russell Hornsby

Photo credit: Benjo Arwas

Russell Hornsby is a talented actor who has a commanding presence on and off screen. You’ve seen him as Detective Hank Griffin on the NBC series Grimm, Carl Gatewood in the Showtime series The Affair, Edward "Eddie" Sutton on ABC Family’s Lincoln Heights, Luke on the HBO drama In Treatment and he gave a masterful performance as Maverick Carter in the film The Hate U Give.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with Russell on multiple projects. In between takes, I found myself in a corner of the room having deep conversations with him. His perspective and the insights shared always made reflect.

Here, he shares some of the lessons learned and what made him the man he is. He also shares the importance of mentorship, who he learned from and how he’s paying it forward.

This is a small sampling at what some of our conversations were like. Listen in!

Russell’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/russellhornsby

Russell’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russoulhornsby/?hl=en

Reppin 4.3: Kimberly McCullough

Kimberly McCullough

Kimberly McCullough is an incredible talent. She started working at 5 years old appearing in movies like Breakin’2: Electric Boogaloo to Bugsy with Warren Beatty, and has an impressive list of television credits that include The Shield, Firefly, Joan Of Arcadia, All My Children. She’s best known as Robin Scorpio the daughter of super spies Robert Scorpio played by Tristan Rogers and Anna Devane played by Finola Hughes on General Hospital. She originated this role at 7 years old and playing this character on an off through the years into adulthood. And she’s won 2 daytime Emmys for her portrayal.

Now, she’s evolved into an incredible Producer/Director for shows like High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Fuller House, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Carol’s Second Act to The Conners.

She’s grown up in front of audiences and you may THINK you know her. On Reppin she shares what she’s learned throughout her career, challenges she’s overcome and what she’s doing to advocate for others. Meet this incredible woman.

Kimberly’s Twitter:https://twitter.com/whitewatercrew

Kimberly’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmeabreak/

Reppin 3.7: AJ Mendez

AJ Mendez

Photo Courtesy: Cathy and David Photography

AJ Mendez is a former professional wrestling champion with the WWE under the ring name AJ Lee. Don’t let her diminutive stature fool you, she was a formidable opponent. She threw people around like a short order cook threw pancakes onto a plate. With her trademark black widow submission move, she easily took out her competitors. But in real life--nothing came easily for her.

In her autobiography, which was a New York Times best seller, Crazy Is My Super Power, she details what it was like being a petite Puerto Rican girl growing up in an unstable home, struggling with poverty, homelessness and mental illness to how comics, wrestling and her fans helped change her life. 

Because of her own personal struggles, she is a mental health advocate, and is an ambassador to The Jed Foundation and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

If that’s not enough, she also partnered with actress Aimee Garcia and founded Scrappy Heart Productions. Together, as Latin X storytellers, they want to create the change they want to see in the media and to tell stories that have universal themes.

She is a warrior. Meet this incredible woman, who is breaking boundaries, who has overcome so many personal challenges and now she’s out in front working to help others.

AJ’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheAJMendez

AJ’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theajmendez/

Mental Health Resources:

National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI.org

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)