After 60 episodes over five years, the 40 Lessons podcast returns for one final conversation. In this special retrospective, host Todd B. Waldo takes the guest seat as longtime friend and the show’s final guest, Marc Cheatham — founder of The Black Baseball Mixtape and The Cheats Movement — steps in as interviewer.

Together, they reflect on a decade of growth, the wisdom of past guests, and the road ahead as Todd prepares to turn the page from his 40s to his 50s.

To help close out the journey, several past guests return with something new: voice notes recorded this month after revisiting their episodes. Their reflections explore what those conversations meant then — and what they mean now, in the context of their lives today. Returning to the podcast are Sandi Cauley, Damon Jiggetts, Radiah Rhodes, Samaya Waldo, James Warren and Mike Watts.

This isn’t just a final episode. It’s a celebration of shared growth, full-circle moments, and the stories still unfolding.

(00:00:00) Let’s close the book!

(00:19:47) Guests return and reflect - Damon, Radiah and Samaya

(00:30:36) A decade of lessons on career and fatherhood

(00:43:37) More reflections from past guests Sandi, Mike and James

(00:57:11) Saying Yes, the hard things and what Dad would say

(01:17:00) The final lesson to choose the work to heal and be free

40 Lessons is a podcast about the lessons we've learned about family, career, community and the lessons we are still learning.

Listen to all episodes on Spotify, iTunes or toddbwaldo.com/podcast.

For the season finale of the 40 Lessons Podcast, Marc Cheatham joins Todd B. Waldo to talk about the last ten years of The Cheats Movement and the impact it has had on Richmond.  They reminisce about Marc’s journey through 90’s hip hop and the impact 2020 has had so far on his family, career and service to his community.

Marc Cheatham is a creator of The Cheats Movement. The Cheats Movement is a multi-media platform that celebrates the Richmond region as a hub for music, art, culture, and diversity. The Cheats Movement has been voted one of the best independent media platforms in Richmond and Marc has become one of the leading voices for Richmond's hip-hop community. In 2018, Marc transformed his popular podcast into a radio show which airs biweekly on WRIR 97.3 FM. Professionally, Marc serves as Director of Constituent Services and Casework for Senator Tim Kaine. He is married to Aria Cheatham and together they have a 5-year old son named Cameron.  Learn more about The Cheats Movement at thecheatsmovement.com.

The spotlight for this episode is Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities works with schools, businesses, and communities to achieve success by addressing prejudices, in all forms, in order to improve academic achievement, increase workplace productivity, and enhance local trust. Through workshops, retreats, and customized programs that raise knowledge, motivation, and skills, VCIC develops leaders who work together to achieve success throughout the Commonwealth.  Learn more at inclusiveva.org.

40 Lessons is a podcast about the lessons we've learned about family, career, community and the lessons we are still learning.

Listen to all episodes on Spotify, iTunes or toddbwaldo.com/podcast.

#40Lessons #podcast #storytelling #family #career #community #hiphop #culture #diversity #WESEEIT

Outside on a Saturday morning, Duron Chavis sits down at Canvas with Todd B. Waldo to discuss his “Resiliency Garden,” a project being constructed outside the VCU Institute of Contemporary Art in Richmond.  They discuss the importance of Black spaces, authenticity and collaboration.  Duron also shares stories from his life growing up in Richmond that still impact his family and his work as an educator and change maker.

Duron Chavis started his career in community advocacy as first a volunteer then an employee of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of VA. He worked as a museum coordinator developing programs and conducting guided tours for groups of all ages and backgrounds. In 2003 he founded the highly acclaimed Happily Natural Day festival as a grassroots effort to supplement the summer jazz concert that was held annually at the institution. Presently Duron is engaged in coordinating innovative and dynamic initiatives around the topics of urban agriculture and food security in a culturally relevant way. In 2009 he launched the Richmond Noir Market, a Saturday farmer’s market targeting low income communities located in what the USDA has designated as food deserts in Richmond Virginia. 2012 marked the development of the McDonough Community Garden, an urban agriculture project that promotes sustainable food growing, horticultural therapy and environmental stewardship.

The spotlight for this episode is Happily Natural Day, a powerful summer festival dedicated to holistic health, cultural awareness and social change. Founded at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia in Richmond Virginia in 2003, the festival has grown from a one day festival to a three day event called Black Freedom Weekend. Through community partnerships and the support of socially responsible individuals and organizations, Happily Natural has become one of the most anticipated annual grassroot events in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Happily Natural focuses on social change and holistic health & wellness. Since inception, it has placed a specific focus on natural haircare, cultural heritage, and naturopathic medicine. Workshops are held annually on modalities for holistic healing, natural haircare & naturopathic medicine. Lectures on history, culture and heritage as it relates to Africans in America & throughout the Diapora are presented by scholars of wide & diverse backgrounds and specialties. Learn more at thenaturalfestival.com

40 Lessons is a podcast about the lessons we've learned about family, career, community and the lessons we are still learning.

Listen to all episodes on Spotify, iTunes or toddbwaldo.com/podcast.

Send your feedback, questions and comments to todd@toddbwaldo.com

#40Lessons #podcast #storytelling #family #career #community #empowerment #equity #justice