In this episode of The My Vision Born Show, host Abdel Russell reflects on how much Brooklyn, NY, transformed while he was away living in Florida from 2005 to 2008. Returning to the city after just three years made him question what he remembered versus what was now in front of him. Was Brooklyn really that different, or had time and distance changed his perspective?

One shift that stood out to Abdel was the noticeable rise in women identifying as lesbians. He couldn’t help but wonder—had these women always felt this way, or did they simply get tired of being labeled as "Tomboys"? And could Barack Obama’s policies on gender identity have played a role in this societal shift?

But the biggest revelation of all? The moment that finally pushed Abdel to become a U.S. citizen after 30 years of living in the country. Tune in as he unpacks his thoughts on identity, politics, and the ever-changing culture of the city that raised him.

In this thought-provoking episode of The My Vision Born Show, host Abdel Russell dives into the evolving public perception of former First Lady Michelle Obama. Once a global icon admired for her grace, intelligence, and impact on culture and politics, Michelle is now facing a wave of media scrutiny—ranging from questions about her marriage and gender to critiques of her lackluster podcast debut.

Abdel reflects on how he once looked up to Michelle Obama as a powerful symbol of Black excellence and leadership, but now finds himself questioning why the media narrative has shifted so drastically. He also explores the controversial clips circulating online where former President Barack Obama refers to Michelle as “Mike” or “Michael,” and asks—what’s really going on?

Adding to the mystery is the Obamas’ absence from the public eye, especially when other former first families are still occasionally seen at events. Rumors are swirling, and Abdel isn’t afraid to ask the tough questions. Tune in for an honest, unfiltered conversation about legacy, media, and the power—and pitfalls—of public perception.

In this episode of The My Vision Born Show, host Abdel Russell shares how he rebuilt his life from the ground up after his divorce, starting fresh in Brooklyn, NY. Determined to carve out a new future, Abdel landed his highest-paying retail management job yet—proving to himself that setbacks were just setups for a comeback.

Despite the chaos of returning to the city—including his car being broken into—Abdel embraced his newfound freedom with excitement. Being single in New York again felt like a second chance, an opportunity to redefine himself and map out the life he truly wanted.

Abdel also discusses how the election of Barack Obama pushed him further away from the left!

In this emotionally charged episode of The My Vision Born Show, host Abdel Russell opens up about the sacrifices, setbacks, and revelations that reshaped his life. Pursuing his entrepreneurial dreams came at a heavy price—his first marriage. As he chased his vision, building a movement of young musicians, dancers, models, and DJs in Central Florida, he faced a heartbreaking decision: walking away from it all.

With his life in transition, Abdel also gained a new perspective on the stark differences between Democrat-led blue states and Republican-led red states, shaped by his experiences living in both. His return to Brooklyn, New York, as a newly divorced man meant starting over from scratch, but instead of dwelling on his losses, he embraced the fresh start.

Amid personal reinvention, Abdel found himself caught up in the historic energy of the 2008 presidential election—hopeful yet conflicted about the possibility of America electing its first Black president, Barack Obama. Tune in as Abdel unpacks the choices, struggles, and political awakenings that defined this pivotal chapter in his life.

In this deeply personal episode of The My Vision Born Show, host Abdel Russell takes his listeners through one of the most challenging periods of his life—his early college years. But, what starts as a promising journey quickly turned into a year wasted on partying, and an uninspired liberal arts major.

By his second year, Abdel dropped out, taking a job at Taco Bell while battling depression and a growing sense of failure. But life had bigger plans! Several years later, and despite warnings about Florida being a racist state, Abdel found himself in Central Florida.

He bought his first house and car, got married, and made a major career leap—landing a management position at Bank of America in corporate America. This new life made Abdel question everything he heard about Florida being a racist state, and reinforced his belief in the 'American Dream'.

Was Florida truly racist, was the 'American Dream' real? Join Abdel as he reflects on his journey from rock bottom to self-made success, exploring the lessons, struggles, and victories that defined his transformation.

In this eye-opening episode of The My Vision Born Show, host Abdel Russell continues his journey of self-discovery, picking up from Episode 5 as he enters high school in Brooklyn, NY. For the first time, Abdel realizes that his differences go beyond race—he’s not just Black; he’s Black from a different country, with a culture, values, and experiences that set him apart from his African American peers.

As he begins exploring Brooklyn beyond his familiar neighborhoods, Abdel finds himself in new spaces, having sleepovers with classmates from various nationalities and backgrounds. These experiences expose him to different ways of life, making him more aware of his own struggles. He reflects on his realization of growing up in a single-parent household with his immigrant mother, who was also navigating a new country while juggling school, multiple jobs, and side hustles in Brooklyn’s vibrant West Indian communities.

Through personal stories and raw reflections, Abdel unpacks the hidden disadvantages of his upbringing—things he never fully understood until he saw how others lived. Tune in as he revisits these defining moments and explores how the shifting dynamics of Canarsie, and Brooklyn as a whole, shaped his perspective on identity, struggle, and success.

In this gripping episode of The My Vision Born Show, host Abdel Russell picks up where he left off in Episode 4, continuing his journey as a second-generation Caribbean immigrant growing up in Brooklyn, NY. Up until his junior high school years in the late ‘80s, Abdel never witnessed racism in action—until he began to see the world around him through a different lens.

As he navigates the halls of his school, Abdel starts to realize the deep racial tensions that defined Brooklyn during this time. He recounts pivotal moments that shook the borough—incidents where racial injustice ignited outrage, nearly leading to riots, and tragic cases where young Black men lost their lives to violence. With raw honesty, Abdel reflects on how these events shaped his awareness and forced him to recognize the stark realities that he was oblivious to, as he was mesmerized by his life in a new country.

Join Abdel as he shares his personal awakening and revisits a turbulent era in New York City’s history, offering a powerful perspective on race, identity, and survival.

In this raw and personal episode of The My Vision Born Show, on The Abdel Russell Experience podcast, Abdel Russell takes us back to his junior high school years—when he got his first real taste of racial issues in America. As a 2nd-generation Caribbean immigrant, Abdel shares eye-opening stories of navigating a new world where racial identity, social divisions, and culture clashes shaped his perspective.

From his first interracial relationship and the backlash it sparked to encounters with racial gangs that controlled school hallways, Abdel lays it all on the table. And in the midst of it all? His unexpected introduction to rock and roll; thanks to a jewish schoolmate, which opened his ears—and his mind—to a whole new musical universe.

This episode is a deep dive into youth, race, music, and identity, told through the lens of someone who lived it firsthand. Tune in for a candid, unfiltered conversation that challenges perspectives and sheds light on the complexities of growing up in America as an immigrant.

Listen now for a journey through the past that still echoes today. #TheAbdelRussellExperience #MyVisionBornShow #RaceAndIdentity #RockAndRoll #GrowingUpImmigrant