Anita Wilson Defies Gospel Norms: Love, Labels & the Fight for Human Rights | Ep. 012

What happens when a gospel artist chooses love over silence—and the church isn't ready for it?

In this powerful follow-up episode, three-time Grammy nominee Anita Wilson returns to Bonnerfide Conversations to talk about the viral Pride post that exposed hypocrisy in gospel culture, shook the faith community, and sparked a conversation the church has avoided for too long.

Host Gerard Bonner dives deep with Anita on:

• The backlash from her bold stand for LGBTQ+ love and inclusion

• Why many Christian artists stay silent on social justice and human rights

• How she's navigating a new chapter beyond genre limits—with freedom, purpose, and soul

This episode is more than an interview—it’s a masterclass in courage, faith, and choosing authenticity when the cost is high.

🎧 Whether you're a fan of gospel music, a believer questioning tradition, or someone walking their own truth—you don’t want to miss this.

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In this powerful episode, three-time Grammy nominee Anita Wilson joins Gerard Bonner for an unfiltered, soul-stirring conversation about what it truly means to stand up, show up, and speak up—even when the church stays silent. From creating timeless music to making bold social statements, Anita shares the tension between humility and self-worth, tradition and truth, faith and freedom.

You’ll learn:

• Why the church’s version of humility may be holding artists back

• How Anita navigated digital music shifts while staying true to her sound

• The real story behind her viral post supporting the LGBTQ+ community

• What it takes to create worship that is both vintage and visionary

• How her husband Rick Robinson became her creative soulmate

• Why gospel artists must stop apologizing for their authenticity

• What "More Than Anything" teaches us about impact and legacy

• How to love people boldly—even when others won’t

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What if the very thing that made you different was the key to your breakthrough?

In this episode of Bonnerfide Conversations, three-time Grammy nominee Anita Wilson opens up about her incredible journey from background singer to bold solo artist. She shares how embracing her authentic voice, protecting her peace, and pushing past industry expectations helped her build a legacy in gospel music on her own terms.

You’ll learn:

• How to own your tone and confidently stand out in the gospel music industry

• Why it's crucial to plan your exit strategy before the door closes behind you

• What it takes to create your own lane when the world pressures you to conform

• How to balance faith, music, and mental wellness in a fast-paced creative space

• Why staying true to your sound can unlock long-term impact and legacy

Whether you’re a creative, a dreamer, or a believer in reinvention—this is the episode that reminds you to show up for yourself.

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009: Fired, Broken, and Called — Courtney Beard’s Radical Comeback Story "How does a man who builds others survive when no one shows up to build him?" — Courtney Beard

In one of the most raw and revealing conversations yet, Gerard Bonner reunites with Courtney Beard to unpack the downfall no one saw coming—and the comeback no one expected.

Courtney opens up about:

• Getting fired at the peak of his ministry career

• Driving Uber the next day just to survive

• The strength it took to face public shame in silence

• How The Collective was born from his lowest moment

• Being the fixer… while needing to be fixed himself

• Watching others steal his ideas—and how he made peace with it

This isn’t just a story about failure. It’s a blueprint for what to do when your gift gets you fired, your purpose gets hijacked, and you have to build again with nothing but faith.

Tap in. This one hits different.

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"Church got too polished. Too professional. So professional that we stopped making room for people to grow." — Courtney Beard

In this no-holds-barred conversation, Gerard Bonner sits down with Courtney Beard — a true multi-hyphenate who went from Broadway stages and Gap Band tours to call centers, pulpits, and purpose.

Courtney opens up about:

• Singing with legends like Jennifer Holliday and the Gap Band

• How fame nearly wrecked his marriage and his faith

• The moment Shirley Murdock laid hands on him and everything changed

• Why modern church culture may be killing creativity

• How God literally “fired” him to save his soul

• And the painful road back to ministry, manhood, and meaning

This isn’t just an episode — it’s a masterclass on redemption, resilience, and finding your voice when you’ve almost lost it all.

Tap in. You won’t forget this one.

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"What do you do when the person you love most collapses before your eyes—and the doctors say there’s nothing they can do?"

In this Part Three of our powerful conversation, Dr. Khaalida Forbes gets deeply personal about faith, adversity, and the unexpected challenges that tested her resilience. She opens up about a life-altering medical emergency—her husband Chris Forbes’ sudden stroke—and the miraculous journey of recovery that followed. From the shocking moment it happened to the divine intervention that defied medical expectations, Dr. Forbes shares exclusive details on how faith, prayer, and unwavering love carried them through.

We also explore the evolving conversation around mental health in the Black community, the role of therapy post-pandemic, and the challenges of virtual counseling in today’s world. Plus, Dr. Forbes discusses her legacy project, Healthy Haven, and why leadership, healing, and community are at the heart of her mission.

This is an episode you can’t afford to miss—raw, real, and packed with inspiration. Hit play and be part of this unforgettable conversation.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and join the discussion using #BonnerfideConversations. A Member of the Bonnerfide Podcast Network - bonnerfidepodcastnetwork.com

Can You Be Anti-Jesus While Trying to Be Like Him? Dr. Khaalida Forbes Unpacks the Truth

What happens when faith, therapy, and emotional trauma collide? In this raw and unfiltered episode of Bonnerfide Conversations, Dr. Khaalida Forbes sits down with Gerard Bonner to unpack the complicated relationship between mental health, deliverance, and the church.

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ Why emotional trauma is keeping believers spiritually stuck ✔️ How faith-based therapy breaks generational cycles of pain ✔️ The hard truth about religious guilt & mental health ✔️ "Crying is deliverance"—why your soul NEEDS to release pain ✔️ Why the church has failed in addressing real mental health struggles

🚨 "You run me away from the God I need while I’m trying to figure out His ways." – Dr. Khaalida Forbes

💡 This episode is for anyone who has ever felt torn between faith and mental health.

💬 Join the conversation: Use #BonnerfideConversations and tag us @bonnerfide and @drkhaalidaforbes on social media!

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"Can a Black woman with a PhD be both feared and misunderstood? Dr. Khaalida Forbes opens up about the dangers of being ‘dangerously effective.’"

In this thought-provoking episode of Bonnerfide Conversations, host Gerard Bonner sits down with Dr. Khaalida Forbes, a transformative leader who blends academic excellence, grit, and grace in ways that challenge the status quo. As a Black woman with a PhD, Dr. Forbes is both feared and misunderstood by many—and in this episode, she opens up about what it’s like to be “dangerously effective.” From her New York roots to navigating male-dominated spaces, Dr. Forbes shares how she’s learned to wield her power, her language, and her silence with precision.

If you're a leader, entrepreneur, or creative looking to redefine what it means to be both strong and authentic, this episode will leave you inspired, challenged, and ready to take action.

Show Notes:

• Grit and Grace: Dr. Khaalida Forbes dives into her personal philosophy on mastering both grit and grace. She shares how her upbringing in Brooklyn, New York, shaped her unshakable resilience and how she learned to navigate life with balance and strength.

• The Power of Language: Discover why Dr. Forbes believes that silence can be more powerful than words and how she carefully chooses when to speak. Her wisdom in balancing communication and silence is one of the key takeaways from this conversation.

• Breaking Barriers: As a Black woman with a PhD, Dr. Forbes discusses the challenges she’s faced in male-dominated spaces and how being “dangerously effective” often leads to being misunderstood. She shares valuable insights on how to maintain integrity and be unapologetically powerful in any environment.

• Wisdom Over Words: Dr. Forbes explains how wisdom has played a crucial role in her success. It’s not just about having the right words but knowing how to apply them. Listen as she reflects on the lessons she’s learned about being assertive and strategic in her leadership.

• Sexism and Race: One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is Dr. Forbes' candid reflection on the intersection of sexism and race. She discusses her experiences with both, shedding light on how these dynamics affect her career and leadership style.

Chapters:

1. [00:00] - Introduction: Host Gerard Bonner introduces Dr. Khaalida Forbes and sets the stage for a conversation about strength, resilience, and authenticity.

2. [03:20] - The Grit and Grace of Dr. Khaalida Forbes: Dr. Forbes discusses how her upbringing in Brooklyn influenced her grit and approach to overcoming obstacles.

3. [08:45] - The Power of Silence: Dr. Forbes explains why sometimes saying nothing is more impactful than speaking, and how she uses this strategy in her leadership style.

4. [14:30] - Breaking Through Barriers: Dr. Forbes opens up about navigating male-dominated spaces and why being both feared and misunderstood comes with the territory.

5. [20:15] - Wisdom and Leadership: The conversation shifts to the importance of wisdom in leadership. Dr. Forbes shares how wisdom helps her apply knowledge and make effective decisions.

6. [25:40] - Navigating Sexism and Race: A candid discussion about the challenges Dr. Forbes has faced as a Black woman with a PhD in a world that often doesn’t know how to handle her power.

7. [30:00] - Final Thoughts and Takeaways: Dr. Forbes shares final reflections on how to embrace your power, stay true to your authenticity, and lead with purpose and integrity.

Dr. Khaalida Forbes' journey is a testament to the power of grit, grace, and wisdom in overcoming life's challenges. As a Black woman with a PhD, she has shattered barriers and navigated difficult spaces, becoming a "dangerously effective" leader in the process. In this conversation, she has given us a masterclass in being unapologetically powerful, wise, and authentic.

For entrepreneurs, creatives, and leaders, this episode offers valuable insights into how to navigate a world that often doesn't know how to handle your strength. Dr. Forbes' words will leave you motivated to stand in your power, speak when necessary, and strategically choose when to remain silent.

Join the conversation: Use #BonnerfideConversations and tag us @bonnerfide and @khaalidaforbes on social media!

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