in this episode, i reveal why i have been gone (so sorry y'all) and we dive into a deep discussion on reframing how we view love, not as individualistic but as sacrificial. it is incredibly important to develop this understanding as it allows us to then analyze the ways in which our addiction to comforts and western ideals have shaped our relations to the world around us. additionally, through this self-criticism, we then open the doors for internal and external change to occur as we continually fight for our collective liberation. i hope all those who listen to this episode leave with a deeper understanding of themselves and the innate interdependency of humanity. and remember, none of us are free until all of us are free. #freetheland

accepting that we need people is a humble and harsh truth that we all struggle with at times. it can be so easy to isolate yourself and believe that you can and should experience this life alone, but we cannot lie that to lean into the depths of connectivity is to make this experience all the more fulfilling. in this episode, we discuss why it can be so hard for us to ask for help, how we can make this easier for ourselves, and practice trust and vulnerability in our relationships with others, how we can practice helping ourselves, and the role that honesty, both with ourselves and others, plays in our ability to become comfortable in vulnerability. make sure to tune in for this episode, you won't want to miss it!!!

in this episode, we are discussing consumerism and how overconsumption and unintentional consumption, whether that be physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, or otherwise, can affect our ability to navigate this world from a state of optimism and joy as well as often contorting our perspectives on ourselves and the world around us. this dialogue has proven to be salient over and over again, especially in the age of social media and growing technological addictions and even more so in the context of the hyper-sensationalization of black death and violence being pushed out on all forms of media with influence. it is incredibly necessary for us all to become more cognizant and intentional of how we are spending our time and what we are giving life to in our lives. i hope this episode acts as a source of truth and a first step to rethinking how we value our time and the energy invested in the things that often unconsciously shape our worldview.

in this episode, we are continuing our discussion on the difference between being nice and being kind with a special guest! in my interview with fumni, she shares her perspective and definitions on these terms as well as the personal experiences that have led her to value kindness, authenticity, and peace above all else. we dive deeply into the necessity for transparent and honest communication when curating relationships with longevity and the role that accountability plays in our own ability to see others clearly. this discussion was absolutely beautiful and i hope you all learn as much as i did from her insight! please check this one out and don't forget to listen to part 1 of this talk on all streaming platforms and share these episodes with your friends and family!!!

in this episode, we are discussing the difference between being nice and being kind and how these two characteristics are often conflated in our modern society. the cooptation of niceties in order to leverage respectability or likeability has made it hard for many of those who aren't naturally charismatic to maintain healthy boundaries and fulfilling friendships outside of societal expectations, however, we are going to dive deeply into why charisma isn't all that it seems and why it is important to maintain your boundaries when looking to curate and attract deep, meaningful, and long-lasting connections. additionally, we are going to discuss why differentiating between being nice and being kind is so important for those who identify within the panafrikan diaspora as we are often surveilled through the lens of respectability and desirability politics which can force us to dishonor our boundaries, morals, standards, and authentic nature in many social settings. tune in for the first part of this important dialogue, you won't want to miss it!

in this episode we are diving deep into the three main aspects of your purpose: doubting your purpose, finding your purpose, and walking in your purpose. it is often incredibly hard to find our purpose in this life, but once we do, it can be even harder to maintain the discipline and consistency that is needed to truly achieve what we desire. in this talk we are going to be addressing the limiting beliefs that we hold that contribute to us doubting our purpose, how to get out of these mental habits, and the accountability that comes with walking within your highest purpose in a society that thrives on our complacency and fear. make sure to tune in, this is gonna be a good one !!!

in this episode we are diving deep into one of the most difficult aspects of healing ourselves: navigating shame and punishment. we often feel the need to shame ourselves for what we do not know, how we have harmed others, and for the areas of our character that we have yet to work on, however, this leads us to perpetuate cycles of self-loathing and complacency instead of pushing us forward into tangible action items that can help us grow into who we are supposed to be. this talk lays the foundations for a topic that we will be discussing in many more episodes to come (stay tuned!!) and acts as a guide to first defining guilt, shame, and punishment and then revealing how the treatment of ourselves translates to our most valuable interpersonal relationships. thank you for tuning in for such a heavy topic today!

in this introductory talk, you hear the thoughts behind why this podcast was created and a brief introduction to me (nicole, your host) and how i have come to relearn myself over the past few years. thank you for listening, and i hope you stick around for a while, much love <3