In this deeply moving episode of In the Studio with J Haleem, J Haleem sits down with Angelique Daniels, founder of Paint for Kidneys and the Angelique Community Art Center. What begins as a conversation about creativity quickly unfolds into a powerful story of faith, resilience, marriage, health, and purpose.

Angelique shares her journey from corporate restaurant leadership to full-time artist and nonprofit founder, revealing how art became a lifeline during one of the most challenging seasons of her life — her husband Will’s battle with kidney failure and their life-changing transplant journey. Through paint, prayer, discipline, and systems, Angelique transformed pain into purpose and built a mission rooted in healing, mental wellness, and community impact.

This episode is raw, honest, educational, and inspiring — a must-listen for creatives, entrepreneurs, caregivers, and anyone navigating uncertainty while trying to walk in purpose.

To close out 2025, In the Studio with J Haleem is bringing you a powerful compilation episode featuring some of the most impactful moments from guests who’ve joined us over the last five months.

From women breaking barriers in tech and construction, to chefs demanding respect for their craft, to nonprofit leaders demystifying grants, to entrepreneurs mastering systems, wealth, and legacy — this year-end episode is a masterclass in real-life game.

If you’re an entrepreneur, leader, creative, or someone rebuilding and redefining your life going into 2026, this is the one you play twice.

Across this 2025 year-end compilation, you’ll hear from:

• Women entrepreneurs and founders
• IT and tech professionals
• Chefs and culinary creatives
• Construction and facilities leaders
• Nonprofit and grant professionals
• Bookstore owners and literacy advocates
• Sports and operations professionals
• Coaches, strategists, and systems builders

All brought together through intimate, honest conversations with Jamar “J Haleem” Washington inside In the Studio with J Haleem.

If this compilation episode fed you, inspired you, or challenged you:

• Subscribe to In the Studio with J Haleem on YouTube & your favorite podcast platform
• Follow @iamjhaleem on all social platforms
• Share this episode with:
• An entrepreneur
• A nonprofit founder
• A woman in a male-dominated space
• A young man trying to find his footing
• Anyone building a legacy going into 2026

In this special “tables have turned” episode of In the Studio with J Haleem, our resident Queen of Storytelling, Tamika L. Sims, steps into the host chair and puts Jamar “J Haleem” Washington in the hot seat.

J Haleem opens up about growing up in Newark, New Jersey in a crowded household, hustling early, getting into serious legal trouble in South Carolina, becoming a convicted felon in college—and how he still graduated with honors but couldn’t get a job.

He shares how entrepreneurship became his only lane, why he built his first studio in Columbia, SC, and how In the Studio with J Haleem was born long before podcasting became cool. Then he walks us through his move to Las Vegas, what surprised him about the city, and his vision to make In the Studio with J Haleem the premier platform for entrepreneurs, leaders, and culture shapers in Vegas and beyond.

You’ll also hear J Haleem’s powerful quote that defines his journey:

“The platform you leap from is more important than the platform you land on.”

This episode is raw, funny, honest, and inspiring—perfect for anyone who’s ever had to start over, rebuild, or believe in themselves when nobody else did.

🎧 Make sure you subscribe, hit the notification bell, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

🎧 Episode Summary

In this powerhouse conversation, J Haleem sits down with Jim Gemma, the longtime Media Relations Director for the Las Vegas Aviators, the city’s oldest professional sports franchise. With over 40 years in sports media and operations, Jim gives a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what it truly takes to run a professional baseball organization — and how Las Vegas evolved into America’s fastest-growing sports hub.

From explaining why minor league ball IS professional sports, to how the Aviators have survived 42 seasons and multiple sports booms, Jim breaks down the business of baseball with depth, honesty, and humor. He shares insight on player development, salaries, media competition, community engagement, the future MLB stadium, and why Vegas is now a magnet for athletes and sports executives alike.

Whether you're an athlete, a parent, a sports fan, or someone who wants to understand how sports franchises really work — this episode is pure education.

In one of the most raw and transformational conversations to date, Jay Haleem sits down with Coach Dorian Warmsley to unpack a journey marked by addiction, survival, discipline, and total identity reinvention.

From surviving a four-story fall while blackout drunk and relearning how to walk… to overcoming years of alcohol abuse, probation, career rejection, and emotional isolation — Coach Dorian shares how he rebuilt his life through accountability, sobriety, celibacy, fitness, and mindset rewiring.

This episode is a masterclass in self-responsibility, emotional control, and what it really takes to change when no one is coming to save you. If you’ve ever struggled with addiction, identity, self-worth, or discipline — this conversation will hit home.

In one of the most powerful and purpose-filled conversations of the season, Dr. Jade steps In The Studio with J Haleem to break down her journey from a four-year-old girl with a divine calling… to becoming one of Las Vegas’s most respected physicians and healthcare innovators.

With unshakeable faith, a deeply rooted mission to serve, and relentless determination, Dr. Jade shares how she fought against doubt, stereotypes, academic setbacks, financial challenges, and the politics of healthcare to create Nspire Primary Care — a modern, concierge-style medical practice built on access, compassion, and community care.

This episode is a masterclass in purpose-driven entrepreneurship, spiritual alignment, and the courage required to challenge broken systems. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a parent, or someone trying to navigate healthcare today, this conversation will shift your mindset, strengthen your faith, and inspire your next move.

In this episode of In The Studio with J Haleem, we dive deep into the world of entrepreneurship, literacy, and reinvention with Joshua Dana, founder of Mad Red Books — one of Las Vegas’s newest independent bookstores.

Joshua’s journey is far from typical: from journalist to nightlife magazine owner, from real estate investor to bookstore entrepreneur. He proves that success isn’t a straight line, and that passion for knowledge can turn into a thriving business.

Together, Joshua and J Haleem explore the importance of reading, entrepreneurship as a second act, and the power of staying curious. This episode is for dreamers, doers, and anyone who’s ever thought, “It’s too late to start over.”

In The Studio with J Haleem features authentic, unfiltered conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders shaping culture in Las Vegas and beyond. Every episode blends humor, hustle, and heart — reminding you that success starts with your story.

• 📺 Watch on YouTube: @InTheStudioWithJHaleem
• 💼 Follow J Haleem: JHaleem.com | @IamJHaleem

In this high-energy, no-excuses episode, J Haleem sits down with Wanda Luna, founder and CEO of Universal Furniture Design, one of Las Vegas’s most sought-after custom furniture manufacturers for the hospitality industry.

Born in Honduras and raised in Orange County, California, Wanda shares her journey from government logistics to entrepreneurship in a completely new industry—upholstery and custom furniture design. Starting from a garage with zero experience, she turned faith, hustle, and grit into contracts with major casinos like Caesars Palace, Treasure Island, and Hilton Hotels.

This conversation is a masterclass on self-belief, resilience, and what it means to be a Latina business owner breaking barriers in Las Vegas’s multi-million-dollar hospitality supply chain.

02:00 – Meet Wanda Luna – from Honduras to Orange County to Las Vegas

07:30 – How a random Facebook job offer changed her life

11:00 – Falling in love with upholstery and design

16:45 – Learning sales the authentic way – being genuine wins every time

23:20 – Starting UFD Vegas in a garage with faith and a champagne bottle

28:30 – Getting her first big break with Caesars Palace & Treasure Island

34:00 – Expanding from one garage to multiple bays – manifestation & momentum

41:00 – The importance of believers like Raul – the power of support

49:15 – How to fake it till you make it (ethically) – “manifest your shop”

55:00 – Expanding to L.A. – scaling for labor and logistics

1:05:00 – Breaking into the casino supply chain

1:14:00 – Faith and hustle – why you must make room for your blessing

1:21:00 – Advice for women in business: “Stop being afraid of the no.”

1:29:30 – Collaboration over competition – sisters lifting each other

1:38:00 – Closing words on faith, hustle, and purpose