Local woman uses music, legal expertise to motivate | Motivation with Marissa
On this week’s “Motivation with Marissa,” Melanie E. Bates shares how she uses her professional expertise as an attorney and her creative passion as a violinist to inspire people across the DMV. It’s a personal mission she followed after finding herself unfairly placed on the opposite side of the criminal justice system in her youth.
“Dear Future Wifey” podcast creator Laterras R. Whitfield talks finding love again
On this week’s “Motivation with Marissa,” “Dear Future Wifey” podcast creator Laterras R. Whitfield talks about finding love again and getting married to a woman who was revealed to guests, for the first time, during their recent star-studded wedding. The award-winning producer, who has been open about heartbreak and struggle in his popular podcast, details his love journey and forthcoming book to Marissa Mitchell in a heartfelt conversation you won’t want to miss.
Wanda Lockridge on helping DC youth following the death of her husband
On this week’s “Motivation with Marissa,” Wanda Lockridge details how she’s helping DC youth explore international careers and opportunities through an organization she founded following the death of her husband. She details the legacy that the lives on and her commitment to give back via the William O. Lockridge Community Foundation (WOLCF).
Motivation with Marissa: Overcoming leukemia, lymphoma, and a brain aneurysm
On this week’s “Motivation with Marissa,” a local woman who has battled a series of serious health issues shares her journey. Rhonda Frederick-Stewart not only overcame blood cancers, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but she also dealt with a bone marrow transplant and a brain aneurysm. She documents her life and faith in her book, “The Faith Fighter vs. The Health Destroyer.”
Portia Bruner talks career, life challenges and advice to youth
On this week’s “Motivation with Marissa,” Portia takes center stage! Portia Bruner is an accomplished journalist, a Howard University alum and a former FOX 5 DC intern. She’s the host of the nationally-distributed lifestyle show, ‘Portia,’ which brings a daily dose of positivity and empowerment. And now Portia is chatting with her former colleague and intern, Marissa Mitchell, about her career, life challenges and advice to youth. Their conversation streams this Saturday at 10 a.m. on FOX Local and FOX 5’s YouTube page. ‘Portia’ airs weekdays on FOX stations in Atlanta and San Francisco, weeknights on FOX Soul and at 12:30 a.m. in Washington, D.C.
Local mother and son duo writes children's book on bullying
On this week?s ?Motivation with Marissa,? a local mother and son share details on their new children?s book, ?The Elegant Elephant, Fly and Flea.? Dr. Lucille Hilliard and Marcellus Mitchell also talk about their personal experiences with being bullied as kids. They hope their book and story will help people learn how to build friendships, set boundaries and overcome challenges.
Motivation With Marissa | DC-based businesswoman Maria Mojica
As we commemorate National Hispanic Heritage Month, DC-based businesswoman Maria Mojica joins ?Motivation with Marissa.? Mojica moved to the U.S. with her family from Nicaragua when she was sixteen years old. Raised by a single father and among four other siblings, she dealt with a language barrier and other challenges to eventually lead a successful banking career. Now Mojica leads her own spirits company and reflects upon her personal triumphs including overcoming a house fire, deaths of loved ones and a near-fatal car accident.
The story behind UniverSoul Circus | Motivation with Marissa
On this week?s ?Motivation with Marissa?- UniverSoul Circus founder Cedric Walker shares the story behind the groundbreaking attraction which included several challenges in starting it and keeping it going for more than 30 years. The Baltimore, Maryland native also delves into his personal story of triumph.
Marine Corps Veteran Terri Tulli on how motherhood sustains her
Marine Corps Veteran Terri Tulley just finished competing at the 2025 National Veterans Wheelchair games, and she brought home five gold medals in swimming, air rifle shooting and archery. She also earned a silver medal in shot put. Tulley was injured while on active duty as a utilities engineer from 2000-2003 in Okinawa, Japan. On this week?s ?Motivation with Marissa,? she discusses the traumatic incident, how adaptive sports have changed her perspective and why being a mom sustains her emotional outlook on life.
JC and Cuba Walker | Motivation with Marissa
On this week's Motivation with Marissa, we sit down with JC and Cuba Walker from the Krewe of Pyros Foundation.
Financial guru John Hope Bryant on personal finance, confidence
Operation Hope's Founder and CEO John Hope Bryant talks with Marissa Mitchell about personal finance, generational wealth and self-esteem.
Business Mogul Mahisha Dellinger | Motivation with Marissa
On this week?s ?Motivation with Marissa,? Mahisha Dellinger talks about going from a young single mother from humble beginnings to becoming the founder of the multimillion-dollar haircare company, CURLS. She details leading a business empire and her family alongside her husband.
Stylist and Podcast Host Jai Simon | Motivation with Marissa
Jai Simon lives in her truth. She?s a stylist, a podcast host and designer. But finding peace in her authenticity wasn?t easy. In fact, she endured battles within herself along with a suicide attempt and a house fire that left her with nothing.
Hairstylist and Advocate Billy Maloy | Motivation with Marissa
Hairstylist, Photographer, and LGBTQ Advocate Billy Maloy joins Motivation with Marissa to tell his story.
Motivation with Marissa | Joyce and Barbara Adams
On this week?s ?Motivation with Marissa,? local sisters reunite after being separated for 47 years. Joyce and Barbara Adams detail what led up to the reunion and their journey from pain and emptiness to forgiveness and love.
Motivation with Marissa | Memorial Day Special
Host and Producer Marissa Mitchell leads with the heart in powerful conversations with women who have succeeded in their professional and/or personal lives against incredible odds.
Victoria Rowell on motherhood and her memoir 'The Women Who Raised Me'
She has starred in hit shows, including “The Young and The Restless” and “Diagnosis: Murder.”
Motivation with Marissa | Victoria Rowell
Actress and producer Victoria Rowell details her memoir, ?The Women Who Raised Me,? in a special Mother?s Day edition of Motivation with Marissa. She discusses her own childhood in foster care and challenges she later faced raising two children in a demanding career. Rowell shares encouraging words to moms and mother figures
Actress Victoria Rowell on memoir, motherhood
Inspirational guests sit down with FOX 5's Marissa Mitchell each week on "Motivation with Marissa."
Motivation with Marissa | One Year Special!
Motivation with Marissa is celebrating it's one year anniversary, so take a look at some of the best moments and interviews from the past year.