We’re looking forward to introducing you to Stephen C Stephens. Check out our conversation below.
Stephen, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are about setting the tone — not just for what I’ll do, but how I’ll feel doing it. I start with coffee and a check-in with Alexa: the forecast, traffic, and a little ‘this day in history’ to anchor me in time. Then I settle in with my cup and cruise the internet — emails, bills, a scroll through Facebook and Instagram — all while Spotify plays soothing tracks that help center me.
It’s not rushed. It’s a gentle scan of the world and my place in it. Before I shift into work mode, I take a moment to assess: What’s ahead? How do I feel about it? What kind of energy do I want to bring? That mental check-in helps me align my focus with intention. It’s my way of making sure I’m not just reacting to the day — I’m choosing how to meet it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m someone who’s lived many lives in one — from decades in hospitality and dance to years of modeling and mentoring, and now, stepping fully into my voice as a poet and storyteller. What makes me unique isn’t just the path I’ve walked, but how I carry it forward: with intention, with humor, and with a deep desire to connect.
I believe in the power of words to heal, to honor, and to spark something in others. Whether I’m crafting a signature phrase for a book signing or designing a visual prompt that captures joy, grief, or wonder, I’m always asking: how can this moment make someone feel seen?
I’m not afraid to blend the playful with the profound. I’ve learned that vulnerability is a strength, and that creativity — when rooted in authenticity — can be a bridge between strangers. That’s the space I try to live in: where memory meets imagination, and where every interaction leaves a little light behind.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I think bonds between people break when we stop showing up for each other — when we get too busy, too proud, or too hurt to listen. Sometimes it’s not even a big blowout. It’s the slow fade: missed calls, assumptions, silence where there used to be laughter.
But the good news is, bonds can be rebuilt. It starts with honesty and a little humility. A simple ‘I’ve been thinking about you’ or ‘I didn’t handle that well’ can crack open the door. I’ve seen relationships heal through shared memories, a good laugh, or just the willingness to try again. It’s not about being perfect — it’s about being present
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self: ‘You don’t have to earn your worth — you already have it.’ Back then, I thought I had to prove something to be seen, to be loved, to belong. But the truth is, your light was never conditional. You were already enough — even in the quiet moments, even when no one was clapping.
I’d also say: ‘Listen to that inner voice — it’s your compass.’ It’ll guide you through hard decisions and protect you from the urge to carry everyone else’s burdens. Helping others is admirable, but you’re not here to rescue the world. Sometimes, you have to be the Magician — like in the tarot — and help people help themselves. You won’t always have the answers, but you can lead them to the water. That’s enough. That’s powerful.
And finally, I’d remind him: ‘Keep your humor, keep your heart, and don’t be afraid to take up space. You’re not just passing through this world — you’re here to leave a spark
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
In my creative work, I’ve learned that fads are like glitter — they catch the eye, but they don’t stick to the soul. Real shifts, though? They change the way people feel, speak, and connect. When I’m crafting a line for a poetic stanza or designing a visual prompt for poem, I ask: does this reflect something deeper, something timeless? If it’s just trendy, it’ll fade. But if it taps into emotion, memory, or shared truth, it’ll last.
I watch how language evolves — not just what’s popular, but what’s meaningful. A real shift makes people pause, reflect, maybe even heal. It’s the difference between a moment and a movement. And in my work, I try to stay rooted in what resonates, not just what’s viral.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story people tell is that I made them feel something — seen, heard, maybe even inspired. That I showed up with humor, with heart, and with a spark that lingered. I’ve worn many hats in my life — dancer, model, mentor, poet — but the throughline has always been connection. I didn’t just pass through rooms; I tried to light them up.
They might say I had a way with words, but more importantly, a way with people. That I could turn a moment into a memory, a phrase into a feeling. That I didn’t shy away from grief or joy, but let both shape me. And that I left behind more than just stories — I left behind a sense of possibility.
In my latest book, Sparked: To inspire or be inspired, I wanted to do more than share verses—I wanted to ignite something. A call to pay it forward. To spark imagination, self-reflection, and kindness toward others, no matter their race, culture, or politics. If they say, ‘He made me feel like I mattered,’ then I did something right.
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