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The Power to Persist

The Power to Persist

Written by: Lamell McMorris
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 The Power to Persist Podcast with Dr. Lamell McMorris brings you candid conversations with changemakers, leaders, and innovators who embody resilience, justice, and transformative leadership. Through powerful stories and actionable insights, Lamell shares the habits and mindset that help you rise above challenges and create lasting impact. New episodes every other Tuesday.© 2026 The Power to Persist Lamell McMorris Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Self-Help Social Sciences Success
Episodes
  • The Nucleus of Power: How White House Strategist Ashley Etienne Learned to Play Big

    The Nucleus of Power: How White House Strategist Ashley Etienne Learned to Play Big
    Feb 10 2026

    On this episode of Power to Persist, host Dr. Lamell McMorris brings on political advisor Ashley Etienne, former Senior Adviser to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Communications Director for Vice President Kamala Harris.

    The two dive into Etienne’s journey from Houston to Washington, D.C. and her deep commitment to represent her community at the highest levels of power. Etienne's journey exemplifies exceptional work ethic as she recounts pursuing the hardest assignments, which she felt forced her to grow rapidly. Her success as a communications juggernaut is a testament to her agility as a "pure strategist" and problem-solver in high-stakes political environments.

    This conversation also highlights her dogged determination to never accept no, leading to a remarkable career that broke glass ceilings. McMorris and Etienne end the conversation by highlighting the importance of faith and the role it has played in both of their lives and their success.

    Follow Lamell McMorris

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lamellmc/
    Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@LamellMcMorris/playlists
    LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamellmcmorris/


    Purchase your copy here:

    The Power to Persist: 8 Simple Habits to Build Lifelong Resilience: https://www.lamellmcmorris.com/the-power-to-persist#order-section
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • The Quiet Resilience of Gen Z

    The Quiet Resilience of Gen Z
    Jan 27 2026
    Join host Lamell McMorris on The Power to Persist Podcast as he explores why Gen Z is one of the most quietly resilient and resourceful generations ever. This episode examines the financial and social disruptions Gen Z has faced—from rising costs and financial anxiety to pandemic-era isolation—and how they’ve turned fragments into new roadmaps. Through adaptability and Agility, Gen Z has learned to move quickly in a constantly shifting world. Their Work Ethic shows up in side hustles, online skill-building, and creating multiple paths to stability. At the same time, their willingness to embrace Vulnerability has made mental health and balance essential—not optional—parts of persistence. This episode reframes resilience through the lens of Gen Z—quiet, consistent, and unbreakable.

    Follow Lamell McMorris

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lamellmc/
    Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@LamellMcMorris/playlists
    LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamellmcmorris/


    Purchase your copy here: The Power to Persist: 8 Simple Habits to Build Lifelong Resilience

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    Less than 1 minute
  • Navigating the Challenges of Higher Education and Entrepreneurship with Dr. JD LaRock

    Navigating the Challenges of Higher Education and Entrepreneurship with Dr. JD LaRock
    Jan 13 2026
    Welcome to The Power to Persist podcast with your host Lamell McMorris. In this episode, Lamell sits down with Dr. JD LaRock, President & CEO of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) and former Northeastern professor, for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on the forces reshaping education and access in America. With higher education under intense scrutiny, AI rewriting the rules, and corporate commitments to equity quietly unraveling, Lamell and JD dig into what opportunity really looks like today—especially for underserved communities. They explore why public frustration with college has reached a tipping point, how HBCUs continue to serve as anchors of purpose and leadership, and why entrepreneurial education may be one of the most powerful tools for economic mobility. The conversation also tackles the promise and pitfalls of AI in education, the reality behind post-2020 corporate pledges, and the mindset young people need to navigate an uncertain future. This episode is a masterclass in Agility and Focus—two habits essential for persisting when the landscape keeps shifting.

    Follow Lamell McMorris

    Instagram
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    Purchase your copy here: The Power to Persist: 8 Simple Habits to Build Lifelong Resilience
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    43 mins
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