Power of Words Podcast | My First Episode with Mercedes Cook
Power of Words Podcast | My First Episode with Mercedes Cook
There are moments in life that remind you why you never gave up on an idea.
Launching the very first episode of Power of Words was one of those moments for me. What started as a vision turned into hours of learning, experimenting, editing, and figuring out the ins and outs of creating a podcast. Every challenge taught me something new, and every step made me appreciate the process even more.
There was never a question about who my first guest would be.
My sister, Mercedes Cook.
This conversation reminded me that sometimes the people closest to us still have stories we’ve never truly heard. We grew up under the same roof, yet hearing her perspective on our family, our childhood, and the experiences that shaped her gave me an entirely new appreciation for the woman she has become.
She shares stories about perseverance, balancing two major television productions on opposite sides of the world, working in the entertainment industry, overcoming obstacles, and staying true to the values that have guided her throughout her life. Listening to her reflect on those moments reminded me that success is rarely about luck. It’s built through consistency, resilience, and the willingness to keep moving forward.
Some of my favorite moments weren’t about television at all.
They were the childhood memories that instantly transported us back in time. At one point, Mercedes tells a hilarious story about climbing onto the roof of her toy kitchen set as a little girl because she wanted to tell Jesus, “Happy Birthday.” I couldn’t stop smiling because that’s exactly the kind of innocence and imagination that made our childhood so special.
Toward the end of the episode, I ask her a simple question: What gospel song instantly takes you back to your childhood?
The moment she answers, I know exactly which song she’s talking about because it was one of our grandmother’s favorites. Without even thinking, I start singing it. It’s one of those moments you can’t plan. It simply happened, and I think that’s what makes it so special.
We also end the conversation with a fun word association game where I say one word and Mercedes shares the very first thing that comes to mind. Some answers will make you laugh, others might make you think, but every response reveals another layer of who she is.
More than anything, this episode is filled with love, laughter, encouragement, wisdom, and the kind of perspective that only comes from years of lived experience.
If you’ve ever wondered how our experiences shape who we become, or if you simply enjoy honest conversations that leave you feeling inspired, I hope you’ll take some time to listen.
This is only the beginning of Power of Words, and I couldn’t have imagined a better person to help me start the journey than my baby sister. No matter how much time passes or how accomplished she becomes, she’ll always be three years younger than me.
I hope this conversation leaves you with something to reflect on, something to smile about, and maybe even a memory of your own.
Now press play, and join us.
Before you leave, I want to share one more special image of Mercedes standing in front of my original painting, Hollywood Dreams. Seeing her with this piece means so much to me, especially after hearing her speak about her journey, her hard work, and the experiences that helped shape the woman she is today.
Hollywood Dreams is part of my 10K Collection and is currently available through my online gallery. Take a closer look at the painting, read the full story behind it, and consider adding this original work to your collection.