Your Hero’s Journey

Imani Ellis: Act of Surrendering

A candid conversation on New Year planning, spiritual alignment, and the balance between ambition and surrender. We unpack the SPIRIT framework—Stillness, Priorities, Infrastructure, Relationships, Integration, and Timing—while exploring the concept of “the whisper,” work ethic vs. faith, and how high-achieving women can release control without losing momentum.
A grounded take on intentional planning, purpose-led work, and sustainable success.

CultureCon Founder: Imani Ellis on Faith, Executive Presence & the Call

In this conversation I sit down with Imani Ellis, founder & CEO of CultureCon, to talk about what it really looks like to build a movement, not lose yourself in the grind, and listen to the whisper. We get into how she walked away from the “dream job” to go all in on CultureCon and why she believes obsession is required to start, but sustainability is required to stay.
In this ep we also discuss:
- Prioritizing friendships and relationships when you’re an ambitious, always-working woman- Practicing quiet time and Sabbath while running a growing company- Structuring the week for deep work, rest, and creativity- Executive presence for the quiet, observant leaders - Handling public criticism with grace, data, and discernment 
If you’re navigating ambition, faith, and alignment in real time — this episode is for you.

Negotiation Power Plays, Gamifying Education & Building a $7M Fund w/ Letta Jaye

In this episode of Your Hero’s Journey, I sit down with Letta Jaye, founder of Coexist Gaming, to unpack the high-stakes business moves and industry shifts reshaping the gaming world. From raising multi-million-dollar capital to making education irresistible through gamification, Jaye shares insights that could change how you see negotiation, tech, and creative entrepreneurship.
We dicuss:
💼 The negotiation tactics you won’t learn in an MBA program
💰 How Jaye raised a $7 million fund — and what it takes to secure major investors
🎓 Gamifying education to meet tech-driven attention spans & keep kids in school
🎮 Breaking into — and thriving in — the gaming industry as a woman of color
📈 Untapped revenue opportunities within gaming for creators, artists & entrepreneurs
🌍 Shaping the future of gaming through community and innovation
Jaye is such a light and I'm genuinely honored to share this one with you all.

AfroFuture Isn’t Just a Festival — It’s an Economic Strategy

Abdul Karim Abdullah is the co-founder of AfroFuture (formerly Afrochella), one of the most influential festivals on the continent of Africa—fusing music, fashion, food, and community.
In this episode of Your Hero’s Journey, Savannah Hart sits down with Abdul to unpack the spiritual, mental, and tactical decisions behind AfroFuture’s rise from a small idea to a global phenomenon that draws over 40,000 attendees to Ghana each year.
We discuss how Ghana leveraged emotional connection and diaspora identity to jumpstart its economy through tourism, what it really takes to build community on a global scale, and the legal battles and early failures that helped shape the AfroFuture brand.
We also discuss:
Why Ghana’s visa numbers jumped from 70K to 750K
What it means to scale faster than you’re ready
Navigating corporate sponsorships without selling out
How Abdul integrates his faith into entrepreneurship
The spiritual reason he felt “called” to this work
What countries across Africa can learn from Ghana’s growth
And why legacy matters more than virality
This episode is a masterclass in building rooted, soulful community—while staying grounded in vision, values, and ancestral purpose.

Yellow Party: A Family Business

In this episode of Your Hero’s Journey, I sit down with Brandon McClary—co-founder of Yellow Party, and Partnerships Manager at Cannes Lions. From grassroots community-building to navigating running a business w/ his brothers, Brandon shares how he knows when it's time to scale, how he operates with spiritual clarity, and how he leads family-centered enterprises with integrity.
In this episode, we cover:
- What it really means to grow a community-based business—with intention and soul- Signs it’s time to scale—and how to do it without losing your core- Running a family-rooted business and preserving unity through growth- Choosing faith over control: spiritual principles that guide every business decision-Tactical advice on building teams, systems, and creative vision for long-term sustainability
For anyone building a community-based business that blends vision and values—this episode is a must-listen.

How to Build a Food Empire: Insights from 5 Culinary Entrepreneurs

What does it really take to build a thriving food business from scratch?
In this season wrap-up episode of Your Hero’s Journey, I’m pulling together the biggest gems from our five game-changing entrepreneurs from this season — Alex Hill, Dan Sabia, Scotty of Las’ Lap, Midi of Shmackwich, and Stanley Lumax of African Chop House.
From navigating burnout to building communities to raising money, this is your crash course on building a brand that feeds people while also feeding your purpose.
If you're a creative, entrepreneur or aspiring food founder, this one's for you.

From Michelin to Meaning: The Story Behind Dan Sabia's Wood Fire Food

In this episode of Your Hero’s Journey, we sit down with Dan Sabia—formerly trained under Michelin-star chef Jean George. From burning out in white tablecloth NYC restaurants to creating fire-cooked feasts that ignite human connection, Dan takes us on a raw and refreshing ride through his entrepreneurial evolution to making Wood Fire Food Co into a million dollar business.
He shares:
👉What it’s really like working under Jean-Georges
👉Why he walked away from fine dining to build community around open flame
👉How one $5K farm dinner launched a million-dollar business
👉Why profit isn’t just about money—and why sliders aren’t welcome
👉The mindset that’s allowed him to scale without sacrificing soul
Whether you’re in the culinary world, building a business, or searching for your purpose, Dan’s story is a masterclass in betting on your gut, building with intention, and finding joy in simplicity.

Just Add Hot Sauce: How Alex Hill Turned Anxiety Into Alignment

In this episode of Your Hero's Journey, Savannah Hart interviews Alex Hill, the founder of Just Add Hot Sauce and host of Tastemade's Spice Spice Baby. Alex shares her journey from a shy child cooking with her mother to becoming a successful culinary entrepreneur. She discusses the challenges of transitioning from a corporate job to entrepreneurship, the need for authenticity in content creation, and the balance between passion and capitalism. She also shares her aspirations for the future, including her dream of publishing a cookbook and hosting a cooking show.
In this episode we get into:- Navigating Career Transitions and Entrepreneurship- Overcoming Panic and Embracing Change- Building a Community and Content Creation Strategies Authentic to You- Navigating Online Criticism- Passion vs. Capitalism- The Journey to getting a Cookbook Deal- & as always, Living Within Purpose
This one is for the content creators, chefs, and entrepreneurs ready to make their jump into their passion. 

Feeding the Diaspora: Stanley Lumax on African Chop House, Teranga, and Scaling Authentically

What does it take to turn a cultural vision into a global community movement?
In this episode of Your Hero’s Journey, Savannah sits down with Stanley Lumax, founder of African Chop House and co-founder of Teranga, to explore how he’s bringing the African diaspora to life in the U.S. through food, storytelling, and intentional brand building.
Stanley opens up about his entrepreneurial journey—from curating African-forward experiences in NYC to opening a West African restaurant in Harlem. He shares the highs and lows of navigating funding, building brand partnerships, and balancing personal peace with professional ambition.
Expect insights on:- how to scale business while remaining authentic- how to approach investments from friends & family - balancing work with passion- sponsors and brand deals- living within purpose 
If you’re a creative, founder, or culture builder looking for purpose-driven inspiration, this one’s for you.

From Las Lap to Linden: How Scotty Built the 'IT' Spots in NYC + LA

What does it really take to build "if you know, you know" cultural staples in major markets like NYC and LA? On this episode of Your Hero’s Journey, Savannah sits down with Scotty Williams — one of the visionaries behind New York’s beloved Las Lap and LA’s rising star Linden — to unpack the real story behind building destinations that feel like home while attracting icons like Rihanna and Chance The Rapper.
Scotty shares how he left behind a finance career for hospitality, what makes spaces craveable beyond food and drinks, and why community, team trust, and authenticity drive his success across coasts. From raising capital through friends and family to navigating liquor licenses and scaling with integrity, this episode gives an unfiltered look at entrepreneurship in one of the world’s most cutthroat industries.
Expect gems on:👉 Building spaces that make people feel seen and safe👉 How to raise money without losing your pride or vision👉 Keeping staff loyal and scaling without losing the magic👉 Why LA and NYC require totally different approaches
Whether you're a future founder, restaurant lover, or just here for the convo — this one dives deep into the mindset behind nightlife mastery.