We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alana Cooper-Russ a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Alana, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Throughout the bible, we can locate several scriptures and stories of the word “resilience” being lived out. For example, the bible encourages us not to become weary in well doing, that IF we don’t faint, it is guaranteed that we will reap in our due season. (Galatians 6:9) There is a key here, “IF” is conditional and based on our ability to remain resilient no matter what. There is indeed a season with your name on it, only IF you don’t give up. Another example is the Apostles in the book of Acts, look at how many of them received harsh punishment and sufferings all because of their faith in Jesus Christ and their audacity to preach such. Nevertheless, they persevered.
I believe God has wired me this way and I have him to thank for it. I have a set mind on seeing my “end”, meaning if I haven’t seen that which I desire, I’m not giving up. I may sweat, cry, fuss, vent, fight, go to war, become tired, miss a few meals and be upset but I never give up and I don’t plan on it. In my mind, there is ONLY one possibility and that’s to WIN.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Yes! I have a talk show called, “theAlanaLCoopershow” & yes, it’s spelled like that on purpose lol. It’s a platform for christians to have uncommon dialogue about personal and spiritual experiences. We are committed to changing the world one conversation at a time through conversations that reflect the gospel of Jesus Christ. We aren’t for the latest trends or gossip, I believe the world has enough of that. We are rooted in truth and steadfast on communicating it effectively for the benefit of every watcher. The show for one, is relatable because whether you know nothing about Jesus or everything about Jesus, you have been through some of the experiences discussed on the show and can relate to how it impacts ones life. The show also brings about strong convictions which leave people in a state of godly repentance and desiring to do and be better for the sake of God’s kingdom. Lastly, the topic discussions are such a huge encouragement for the viewers that 90% of the time, people reach out to us and testify that the topic was exactly what they needed and at the time they needed it.
The most exciting part about being a talk show host with my own platform is that I have created a show that is and will transform people’s lives inside out. There are a lot of shows and podcasts out there but none of them are like mine. I love how we are providing a solution to problems people didn’t even know existed. Other podcasts and shows I’ve seen are giving people what they want (which can work) but I believe in giving people what they didn’t even know they needed. That’s a whole different level of service. As the show grows, I’m in expectancy for what has never been done through a tv screen, to be accomplished with theAlanaLCoopershow. I’m so excited to see where God takes this show!
theAlanaLCoopershow is coming back for another season. SEASON 8, FEBRUARY 10TH, 2024, ONLY ON YOUTUBE! Be sure to watch.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Hmm! Three qualities that are most important to develop?
Three areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey? Hmm.
1) Building my relationship with Jesus Christ- I can’t have a show about him, surrounding him or discussing him and not know anything about him. We already live in a world full of assumptions and half truths. I truly desire to master my relationship with Jesus and introducing that dimension of him to the world. The world is awaiting not just people who have a platform to speak, but people who actually have something to say. I can only develop the words, the wisdom, the knowledge, the understanding and the insight from my private time getting to know Jesus. From there, I can reveal him to others.
2) Being myself- This one was hard when I truly first got saved because everybody else’s calling/gift looked and sounded better. I just couldn’t place my finger on what God called me to do and how he called me to do it. I was trying too hard to fit in at some points and other points I shrunk and tried to disappear because I didn’t want to be included. Honestly, if people can get this area down packed then it will be the game changer in how they impact humanity. Nobody can be you better than you. You weren’t meant to do everything but the thing you were meant to do better count! There is so much effectiveness and capacity in being yourself. Daily, I’m reminded of how God made me specifically and some reasons why he made me that way. He’s the manufacturer and I’m the product, he knows what I’m capable of doing even when I don’t. He knows what will malfunction me if I step outside of what I’m called to do. When you are truly comfortable being yourself, in that place you will find endless possibilities and no limitations.
3) Faith- This one is a never-ending journey for me but a crucial area that impacts my journey. I like to say that this is not a quality, skill or knowledge, it’s a lifestyle. In the kingdom of God, faith is our currency. Thats why some people rely on their money and resources to buy them tangible things but that’s where it stops. Faith is the only currency that can buy both tangible and spiritual things. I am constantly fighting to keep my faith because everywhere I look, people are always ready to break it. The naysayers, the haters, the strangers, family, close love ones, friends…I mean you name it! lol. It’s almost like I can’t catch a break when it comes to this area. I’m constantly having to keep a guard up to make sure I hold onto my Faith. Sometimes, it’s the only thing I have left. People won’t believe in what God showed you and that’s okay, honestly, they’re not suppose to. People will not support you when you’re ready to take risks and that’s okay because faith is not dependent on who around you believes with you. Faith is dependent on the finished works of Jesus Christ. Meaning every promise he ever made is already fulfilled over your life, you now just have to believe it & walk it out. It can be really discouraging when you don’t see what you were promised, but as I said earlier, if you don’t see it YET, don’t give up! Whatever they tell you you can’t or won’t have, just go to the bank of the kingdom, deposit FAITH and cash out on your promise.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
My biggest growth this past year has been keeping my faith despite challenges and tribulations. Sometimes, we want to take matters into our own hands but I’m learning how to truly trust God with my process. The process isn’t always attractive or promising yet we must go through it, persevere and then we will receive what we’ve been believing for.
I’m proud of how much I’ve endured this year to get to where I am and I’m excited to see what’s next!
Contact Info:
- Website: youtube.com/@thealanalcoopershow
- Instagram: @thealanalcoopershow & @alanalcooperruss
- Facebook: theAlanaLCoopershow & Alana L Cooper-Russ
- Youtube: youtube.com/@thealanalcoopershow
Image Credits
Photos by: Savior Nehan Photography
