In this episode, I’m sharing one of the most personal stories of my life—the story of chasing a dream with everything I had, and still falling short. For over 20 years, I dedicated my life to music. I performed in stadiums, had songs on the radio, worked with Def Jam, wrote for Isaac Hayes’ label, got featured on Trina’s first album, and even had a shot with Sony Europe. I went from freestyle battles in Ohio to recording in studios where legends like Busta Rhymes and Lil’ Kim were just down the hall.

But even with all that momentum, I never “made it.” At least not in the way I had hoped.

I wasn’t lazy. I showed up. I sacrificed. I was first in and last out of the studio. I dropped everything for the chance to be heard. But life has a way of humbling you, especially when your dream becomes unsustainable. I found myself broke, burned out, raising kids, and still being pulled back into something that wasn’t working. Eventually, I had to walk away. And it broke me.

I even joined the Army just to escape the temptation to go back.

I talk about what that kind of loss does to your spirit, how it creates fear around trying new things, and how it made it hard for me to commit to any other career path—even though I’ve tried nearly everything. From welding and web development to SEO and insurance sales, I’ve done it all. But nothing ever filled the space that music once held.

If you’ve ever given your all to something—your art, your business, your dream—and it didn’t work out, I want you to hear this: You are not a failure. That experience still matters. You still have something inside you, even if the world didn’t give you the title, the contract, or the money.

I’m learning that the pain of failure doesn’t mean the end. Sometimes it just means it’s time to shift. To evolve. To take what you learned and use it in a new way. And that’s what this episode is about—turning failure into something that still has value.

You’re not alone. And we don’t have to stay stuck in the past.

Let’s find a way forward—together.

—Lois Lane Miami 💜

The Purple Kool-Aid Podcast

What Do You Think? Send me a Message

Support the show

Connect with Me:

• Email: info@purplekoolaid.com
• TikTok: @LoisLaneMiami
• Instagram: @LoisLaneMiami
• Website: PurpleKoolaid.com

Credits:

• Hosted by: Lois Lane Miami
• Produced by: Angela Beasley
• Music by: Lois Lane Miami

Support the Podcast:

• Support us on Patreon: Coming Soon
• Buy our merchandise: Purple Koolaid Media

Call to Action:

• Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadio !
• Share this episode with your friends and family.

Episode Links:

• Resource 1
• Resource 2

Legal:

• All opinions expressed in this episode are personal and do not reflect the views of any organizations.

Ever been asked to train someone at work—only to find out later that they were your replacement? Yeah. That’s what I call a business okie-doke.

In this episode of The Purple Kool-Aid Podcast, I share a raw, real-life breakdown of how employers use good employees, all while plotting to replace them behind their backs. I talk about how personality differences, personal boundaries, and even having ambition can make you a target—no matter how great you are at your job.

I also offer tips on how to protect yourself, keep your power, and avoid falling for the okey-doke.

This episode kicks off a whole series of eye-opening truths about getting used, misled, and manipulated in everyday life—and how to avoid it.

Tune in. Stay sharp. And don’t fall for the okie-doke.

If you’d like to watch the YouTube video version of this episode, follow this link: https://youtu.be/RL5M4Vq_bJQ?si=ue4UEXha5cXidFXh

What Do You Think? Send me a Message

Support the show

Connect with Me:

• Email: info@purplekoolaid.com
• TikTok: @LoisLaneMiami
• Instagram: @LoisLaneMiami
• Website: PurpleKoolaid.com

Credits:

• Hosted by: Lois Lane Miami
• Produced by: Angela Beasley
• Music by: Lois Lane Miami

Support the Podcast:

• Support us on Patreon: Coming Soon
• Buy our merchandise: Purple Koolaid Media

Call to Action:

• Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadio !
• Share this episode with your friends and family.

Episode Links:

• Resource 1
• Resource 2

Legal:

• All opinions expressed in this episode are personal and do not reflect the views of any organizations.

In this episode of The Purple Kool-Aid Podcast, I dive headfirst into something that’s been bothering me for a while: why are so many people just plain mean these days?

From women shoulder-checking me in public to pushy, self-entitled patients at my day job, I break down what it feels like to navigate a world where kindness is rare and attitudes are nasty. Whether it’s complexion bias, classist arrogance, or just plain emotional nastiness, I’m sharing real stories and real frustration.

This isn’t just a vent session — it’s a reality check. People are walking around with ugly energy, rude behavior, and inflated egos with nothing to back them up. I talk about how being mean AND needy is not a flex, how people misjudge others based on surface-level nonsense, and why a smile and a little respect still go a long way.

And if you’re one of those people who thinks you’re better than someone just because of where you live, who you date, or how much money you make… this one might sting.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more. Just search “The Purple Kool-Aid Podcast.”

What Do You Think? Send me a Message

Support the show

Connect with Me:

• Email: info@purplekoolaid.com
• TikTok: @LoisLaneMiami
• Instagram: @LoisLaneMiami
• Website: PurpleKoolaid.com

Credits:

• Hosted by: Lois Lane Miami
• Produced by: Angela Beasley
• Music by: Lois Lane Miami

Support the Podcast:

• Support us on Patreon: Coming Soon
• Buy our merchandise: Purple Koolaid Media

Call to Action:

• Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadio !
• Share this episode with your friends and family.

Episode Links:

• Resource 1
• Resource 2

Legal:

• All opinions expressed in this episode are personal and do not reflect the views of any organizations.