Meet Daria Lester, Brandi Epps, Amanda Campbell and Charnese Ballard of The Counsel Radio Show

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daria Lester, Brandi Epps, Amanda Campbell and Charnese Ballard.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Daria: The Counsel started honestly as a dream in 2018 as I was watching a daytime talk show. It was funny but I just couldn’t relate totally. I said we need something that caters to real women, going through real things, discussing real topics. So I called my girl Amanda on Facetime and told her about the thought. We had done a movie together before so teamwork was our thing.

Amanda: I remember being on Facetime with Daria and her saying how cool it would be if there was a show of relatable women, no superstars or celebs talking about their grand life, but real women talking through real issues. She said it’s not a how too but walking through and talking through the journey with your girls. I instantly got excited and said let pray on it. About a week later, we struck up conversation about it again and she said God had shown her five faces in a dream. She told me the names and I instantly got chills and I knew it was journey I had to be on.

Brandi: I remember so vividly Daria calling while I was leaving a birthday celebration for my mom. I quickly answered the call because I know if she is calling its something we are going to get hype about. Being friends for 21 years you become quite familiar with how your phone conversation goes with your cut-up twin. Daria shared with me her ABCD vision. How she saw each woman bringing something different and vital to a radio show. I was the B, bringing the perspective of education, single motherhood, relationships and counseling. These were all passions and I knew I was down for the ride.

Charnese: Daria and I were sitting at work one day and I shared with her my podcast intro. It was me rapping and she cried laughing hysterically. But it opened the door for me to share with her my vision to speak to women my age about women topics. She told me with tears in her eyes that God had given her a very similar vision and wanted me to join. I was so excited and couldn’t wait to meet the other women because I knew it was going to be great.

Daria: I was crazy excited that the ladies were on board. I had one other girl in mind but it just didn’t work out at the time with her schedule and where God was taking her. But even with the 4 of us I had my ABCD. Amanda Brandi Charnese and Daria.

I researched a station and we began our journey at DFWiGospel Radio. It was perfect. We launched season 1 and it was so beyond our wildest dreams. We were walking in vision on one hand and dreaming bigger on the other. We decided this was something way bigger than what we imagined and we knew it was time to pause and go back to God on how to move forward.

Amanda: We took a break for 11 months. It was hard because I was worried that we wouldn’t get back into purpose and continue to bless the audience we gained in season 1.

Charnese: I was so sad during the break and lonely. I had grown accustomed to being with the ladies once a week. It had become apart of my routine. I was vocal with Daria about it though. I kept asking when are we starting back up?

Brandi: The show had become my own place of therapy and healing. It was like a coping mechanism as I was walking away from things in my personal life. Every week every topic was talking me through and pushing me forward.

Charnese: It was a lifestyle.

Daria: One day my social media memories showed the season 1 videos. My stomach dropped. It was like seeing your love lost love again. I called the ladies and I said in the tune of our intro song “Are you Ready”.

Amanda, Brandi Charnese: And we said let’s do it.

Daria: I found another platform that we thought could be a good fit for our forward vision. And I called the girls to go on a tour at Fishbowl Radio Network.

Brandi: When we arrived to the station stepping into the building I immediately felt this hospitality vibe, from them sending an attendant to greet us to the entire ambiance of the studio. It was reassuring.

Amanda: Going up the elevator, I was singing the Jefferson’s theme song in my head. I felt like we were moving on up.

Charnese: After the tour, I was so impressed. We saw exactly how everything at this station fit into what we had brainstormed.

Brandi: It was worth the wait.Brandi: Just walking in before we signed people were engaging us and asking who we are and affirming us so much.

Amanda: It was so official.

Daria: It was everything we had dreamt and more. So we signed and joined the Fishbowl Family. We strategized and came up with a marketing and social media plan. God blew us away and took our liking from 217 to over 2000 in a month…BEFORE we even went live with season 2, no boosts or paid ads, just organic support and following.

And here we are The Ladies of the Counsel. We didn’t think it could get any better than this. BUT GOD. A water main broke in our building and our beautiful dream came crashing down or so we thought. That moved turned into a life-changing opportunity as Fishbowl has officially moved into the former home of the Texas Rangers, Globe Life Park. We had to pause broadcasting but the opportunity and exposure that we now have as a network and a show is nothing but God.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
What’s harder than having something and then not. Both times we have been on the move we had to pause. But with each pause God has something better. It just goes to prove that delay is not denial but a set up for destiny.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Counsel Radio Show – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
The Counsel Radio Show is four real life women, discussing real life topics, in real life. The Counsel isn’t an advice talk show, it is a round table conversation where everybody’s input matters. The Counsel brings vital topics to the surface such as domestic violence, relationships, motherhood, vision, philanthropy, purpose, health, spirituality, and talks them out with the audience known as The Counsel’s Core.

The Ladies of The Counsel don’t pretend to have all the answers or proclaim to know it all, but they do promise to always keep it real honest, real transparent, and bring in real life experts as they run across topics that matter the most to the women of The Core. The Counsel Radio Show is funny, enlightening, and uplifting. It is made for the real everyday woman to see herself REPRESENTED in a real way that she can agree with and be proud of. No one wants to walk life out alone. The Counsel is bff’s you never knew you had.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Well as shared we are moving into Globe Life Park and there are so many changes coming with that transition.

But the most exciting and unexpected chang with The Counsel is that God finally fulfilled the original vision of 5 members with our newest Lady of The Counsel, Courtney Taylor.

Courtney: I am so excited and honored and thrilled. It’s amazing to be apart of such a dynamic and beautiful group of women. For me, this is a dream come true as I have always aspired to be apart of a radio and tv personality team. I look forward to what the future holds for me as a co-host of The Counsel. The Best is truly yet to come for us all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fbrn.us/shows/the-counsel/
• Email: ladiesofthecounsel@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladiesofthecounsel/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladiesofthecounsel/

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