
WINDSOR, Ont. -- The creators of a local online talk show that helps viewers set personal and professional goals say they have a goal of their own - a slot on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
What started out as conversations between Javaughn Langlois, 24, and Yvonne Khadra, 25, about realizing goals has morphed into a web series called Seed My Dream.
"We realized that talking about our goals and having someone there to keep us on track every day motivated and inspired us to follow through on them," Langlois said. "We saw the benefits of incorporating our goals into our social life and wanted to share this experience with more people."
And they did.
In June the two devised a philosophy and business plan for Seed My Dream, a website where they blogged about the importance of goal-setting and steps to take to fulfil personal objectives. To get others involved they sent out a proposal detailing the purpose of Seed My Dream to dozens of goal-oriented friends over Facebook.
Within minutes of receiving the Facebook notification, Brady Thrasher, 25, called Langlois saying he was interested and soon became part of the enterprise.
As founder of the Affected Campaign, an international charity that began locally, Thrasher "serves as a credible and familiar face in the community," Langlois said.
"Because of the Affected Campaign, Brady has brought the experience of a startup from the ground level and knows how to get people engaged early on," Langlois said.
Langlois asked a friend, Devon Kendrick, 21, to become the final member of the Seed My Dream team. Langlois said Kendrick, who writes inspirational poetry, brings a positive outlook to Seed My Dream.
Thrasher proposed Seed My Dream produce a weekly talk show in addition to the online blog. The web series, which is filmed at NYN Designs in Windsor, features guests who talk with the four hosts about how to achieve goals.
On Dec. 10 the first episode aired live on their website, seedmydream.com. It attracted more than 60 live viewers and 150 viewers of the recorded show.
Facebook and Twitter have also become part of their social networking.
One guest, 17-year-old Jordan Monforton discussed the anti-bullying video he posted on YouTube and how it's important to overcome negativity and criticism.
Monforton said he has followed Seed My Dream from the beginning and was happy to be a guest on the show.
"I think with the negativity that you have in your life, like how I was bullied for six years and still am, it plays a rough role in your life and it kind of stops you from achieving what you want to do," said Monforton. "So I think if you get rid of it, because negativity stops your motivation to accomplish these goals, you achieve more. And your goal could even be to get rid of bullying or minimizing it in your life."
Langlois said the best part of starting up Seed My Dream has been the outpouring of positive feedback he and his co-hosts have received.
He said one woman texted that after watching the show and figuring out her goals, she finally made a decision she had been struggling with - to have the baby she was pregnant with.
"There's nothing more fulfilling than knowing you've made an impact in someone else's life, especially someone you've never met before," Langlois said.
The unscripted show is "just like when you meet with your friends for coffee," said Langlois.
Life coach Kelly MacLellan said Seed My Dream provides a space for communication and connection among young people. She added that the team of hosts is leading by example.
As for becoming a regular talk show on the Oprah Winfrey Network, Langlois said Seed My Dream fits the network's mission of encouraging people to live their best life. He said they've set a goal of January 2014 to appear on the network.
"This pressure will serve as the needed push of motivation during the days when we need it most. If ever we give up on this, we'd have to answer to everyone who is reading this."
Seed My Dream has recorded four episodes that can be viewed anytime at www.youtube.com/seedmydream. Live shows can be viewed on Saturdays at 4 p.m. on seedmydream.com.
Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/entertainment/Windsor+online+show+urges+dream+chasing/5943232/story.html#ixzz1iVOgO7PK


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