Balanced Black Girl - Balanced Black Girl

REWIND: Small Daily Wellness Habits That Make a Big Difference Aug 02, 2022

How do you start your day? How do you end your day? What are a few things that you do daily, weekly, or even monthly to help yourself feel energized, rested, and vibrant?

We can move through each day in such a rush that we forget to pause and evaluate the actions we are taking every day. Are they serving us?

In today’s episode, I’m talking about habits related to your well-being. I've really been reflecting on some of the habits that have kept me going and also things that I think promote longevity for all of us. The ways that we can continue to pour in and take care as we continue to navigate these challenging situations that we're all facing.

I’m taking you behind the scenes of my small daily habits that have made a huge impact on my mindset and the way I show up in the world.

Tune in to hear why small habits have a giant impact on you and the people around you.

In this episode, I discuss:

My daily habits and how they have changed the way I show up.
Why doing small things each day can keep you energized and rested.
The importance of incorporating small habits into your daily routine.

Resources:

Download The Reset Journal, our daily self-care journal
Follow Balanced Black Girl on Instagram @balancedblackgirlpodcast
Follow me on Instagram @balancedles
Follow me on TikTok @balancedles

Sponsors:

Wonderful Pistachios | Wonderful Pistachios are a healthy, delicious snack for a busy lifestyle. Visit wonderfulpistachios.com to learn more and find your favorite variety.

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REWIND: How to Improve Self- Discipline Jul 26, 2022

Today’s rewind episode is all about approaching discipline in a new way.

Have you ever felt like you need more discipline in your life? Have you told yourself you’re not disciplined enough? By reframing our mindset to take the necessary action steps to correct it, we can start to see a positive change in our lives.

Tune in to hear why discipline involves reframing your mindset and being intentional about your daily habits.

In this episode, I discuss:

The importance of redefining discipline for ourselves
The difference between discipline and punishment
Ways to create discipline in our life
Why discipline starts with small, intentional habits

Resources:

Episode 90: Small Daily Habits That Make a Big Difference
Follow Balanced Black Girl on Instagram @balancedblackgirlpodcast
Follow me on Instagram @balancedles
Follow me on TikTok @balancedles

Sponsors:

Open | If you’re looking for a mindful meditation, breath work, and movement app I can’t recommend Open enough. They have a beautifully curated collection of guided meditation, breath work, and movement exercises to support you in your practice. Try Op e n for 30 Days free. Visit open-together.com/BALANCED.
Wonderful Pistachios | Wonderful Pistachios are a healthy, delicious snack for a busy lifestyle. Visit wonderfulpistachios.com to learn more and find your favorite variety.

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REWIND: How to Begin Your Healing Journey with Yasmine Cheyenne Jul 19, 2022

What does it mean to heal? How can you facilitate your own healing journey? How can you continue to keep yourself going? If you're someone who is going on a healing journey you have probably asked yourself similar questions.

In today's rewind episode, we're really going to talk about the necessary tools needed to truly heal ourselves and healing in a very practical sense.

My guest today is Yasmine Cheyenne. Yasmine is an advocate for mental health and self-healing expert. Yasmine is also known for her transformative teachings around self-healing which she offers through keynote speeches, corporate presentations, and one-on-one coaching. Her instruction has helped thousands of students take control of their financial and physical health by creating boundaries, designing their dream job, finding the love of their life, and more.

Yasmine discusses how we can break the cycle of negative self-talk and empower ourselves. And we also dive into discernment, boundaries, and looking after ourselves.

Yasmine’s knowledge of boundaries, self-awareness & self-acceptance, and healing ourselves comes at a time when women are feeling out of alignment. Hit play if you’re ready for a real discussion on boundaries, making space for ourselves, and being worthy!

We Also Talk About:

Understanding the difference between intuition and ego.
The power of discernment and trusting red flags.
Why self-healing is so important.
Establishing healthy boundaries.
What it means to protect and refill your sugar jar.

Resources:

To keep in touch + get started on your healing journey, sign up for Yasmine’s newsletter and receive 2 free workbooks!
Listen to Yasmine’s podcast, The Sugar Jar Podcast
Download Yasmine’s app, The Sugar Jar
Follow Yasmine on Instagram @yasminecheyenne

Sponsors:

Open | If you’re looking for a mindful meditation, breath work, and movement app I can’t recommend Open enough. They have a beautifully curated collection of guided meditation, breath work, and movement exercises to support you in your practice. Try Op e n for 30 Days free. Visit open-together.com/**BALANCED.**
Wonderful Pistachios | Wonderful Pistachios are a healthy, delicious snack for a busy lifestyle. Visit wonderfulpistachios.com to learn more and find your favorite variety.

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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REWIND: Benefits of Journaling: How to Establish a Journaling Practice Jul 12, 2022

What if I told you there was a tool that can help boost your sense of overall well-being, improve your mood, improve your memory, heighten creativity, and help you manage stress?

In this rewind episode, I'm talking about journaling. Journaling is important because it helps you capture a moment in time, and gives you the opportunity to reflect on what’s happening in your life in real-time as well as reflect on the past. Journaling can help you heal from past trauma, be an emotion regulator, and help you call in what you want your future to look like.

In this episode, I discuss:

How to get the most out of your journaling practice.
The mind, body, and emotional benefits of journaling.
Common roadblocks women have when thinking about journaling.
Tips and tricks to improving or establishing a journaling practice.

Resources:

Check out the Reset Journal, a daily guided journal, and planner to support your journaling habit.

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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REWIND: Sexual and Reproductive Health with Dr. Sara Flowers Jul 05, 2022

This rewind episode features an important conversation about sexual and reproductive health with Dr. Sara Flowers, Vice President of Education of Planned Parenthood.

An advocate for evidence-informed practice and emotional intelligence in sex education, Sara’s research focuses on fidelity and adaptation of sex education curricula, dismantling sexual and reproductive health disparities, serving youth of color, and strengthening reproductive health access.

Resources:

Sponsor:

Sugarbreak | Sugarbreak offers natural supplements to support blood sugar balance. Visit www.sugarbreak.com/balanced and use code BALANCED for 20% off your entire order.
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Healing Through Rest: Creating Balance for Your Nervous System [Solo Episode] Jun 28, 2022

Have you ever struggled to truly feel rested no matter how much sleep or downtime you get? If so, this episode is for you.

There’s a lot of messaging encouraging us to rest and be soft. But what should we do if we’re trying to take it easy, but still don’t feel rested? What even is rest? I’m closing out our Modalities of Healing series with a solo episode about how we can heal through rest, and what our minds and bodies need to feel rested (in addition to adequate sleep).

With so much happening in the world, it can be natural to have a “tired but wired” feeling when we’re constantly on alert. This episode explores what rest is on a physiological level, and shares techniques we can use to start feeling more rested to support our healing.

I also talk about…

Your “fight or flight” and “rest and digest” systems, and how they work together.
Habits and techniques to help you feel more rested.
How to create better mind-body synergy.
Defining what it means to be “soft” for yourself.
The importance of taking breaks when needed.

Resources:

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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Healing Through Nature with Toyin Ajayi of Outdoorsy Black Women Jun 21, 2022

Nature is not a nice to have, it really is a must-have for physical health and longevity. Studies show that being in nature reduces feelings of isolation and promotes calm. For this episode, we are joined by Toyin Ajayi, the founder of Outdoorsy Black Women, which is a community for Black women to connect, celebrate, and open our minds to an outdoorsy lifestyle. Toyin is an entrepreneur, community builder, and creative who is helping Black women connect with nature and one another through her safe space that embodies positivity, celebration, and resources.

Toyin explains how it is possible to heal through our relationship with nature, and your idea of healing can shift over time. And nature doesn’t have to mean going in the woods. It can mean having plants. It can be opening a window, it can be putting your feet in the sand. Whatever makes sense for you.

We Also Talk About…

How connecting with nature can be imperative to self-care practices
Why we must be open to spending time outdoors and being in nature
How to explore nature and feel safe and connected doing so
What are important wellness practices of being outdoors
Why having access is a privilege and should not be taken for granted

Resources:

Join the Summer Solstice Journaling Challenge
Sign up for monthly meetups and hikes with Outdoorsy Black Women
Check out the Twerk n’ Trails event on July 30 in Atlanta
Join the Outdoorsy Black Women Book Club
Join an Outdoorsy Black Women Chapter near you
Nature Gap: Why Outdoor Spaces Lack Diversity and Inclusion
How Does Nature Impact Our Well-Being?
How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health

Sponsors:

Op e n | If you’re looking for a mindful meditation, breath work, and movement app I can’t recommend Op e n enough. They have a beautifully curated collection of guided meditation, breath work, and movement exercises to support you in your practice. Try Op e n for 30 Days free. Visit open-together.com/balanced to start your trial.
Propel | Stay hydrated this summer with Propel. Check out Propel Immune Support, the newest fitness water that helps support a healthy immune system with 100% of the recommended Daily Value of Vitamin C per bottle and an excellent source of Zinc and electrolytes.

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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Healing Through Community: Why You Don’t Need to Be Fully Healed to Be Loved [Solo Episode] Jun 14, 2022

For many of us, hurt oftentimes happens in relationship to other people. Therefore, healing needs to happen in community as well. For the halfway point of our healing series, I’m exploring a statement that was introduced to us in last week’s episode — that healing often happens in community.

In this solo episode, I’m examining why being in community is such a significant, effective healing modality, why we don’t need to be perfectly healed to be loved, and ways we can cultivate healing in our immediate and broader communities.

I also talk about…

The Summer Solstice Journaling Reset, a 5-day journaling challenge.
Why healing is not a prerequisite for receiving love or support.
How being in a supportive community can be incredibly therapeutic.
Why being in community is an effective healing modality.
Ways we can cultivate healing in our relationships and communities.

Resources (contains affiliate links):

Join the Summer Solstice Journaling Challenge beginning June 20, 2022
Episode 111 Let People Show Up for You
The Healing Power of Community and Connection (Psychology Today)
The Importance of Community in Indigenous Peoples’ Healing (NAMI)
Community Healing and Resistance Through Storytelling: A Framework to Address Racial Trauma in Africana Communities (Journal of Black Psychology)
Connectedness and Health: The Science of Social Connection (Stanford)
The Art of Showing Up by Rachel Miller
How We Show Up by Mia Birdsong
Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller
How to Be An Adult in Love by David Richo
What Happened to You? by Dr. Pruce Perry and Oprah

Sponsors:

Arrowhead Mills | Use code ARROWHEADVIP for 15% off Arrowhead Mills baking goods and pantry products at vitacost.com That’s code ARROWHEADVIP for 15% Arrowhead Mills products at vitacost.com.

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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Healing Your Inner Child + Finding Joy in Your Healing Journey with Dr. Peace Amadi Jun 07, 2022

Emotional healing is probably one of the most challenging forms of healing. In order to attend to who we are as fully formed adults, it is imperative that we understand our inner child to aid in our healing journey.

That’s why we’re talking to the amazing Dr. Peace Amadi, a mental health expert, professor, author, TEDx speaker, TV host, and trauma-informed coach who has helped leaders heal including everyone from entrepreneurs to content creators, to pastors to parents.

Dr. Peace is a coach and cheerleader to the people in our lives that everyone goes to. She explains neuroplasticity and what affects our ability to change, what it means to heal, and how we can incorporate joy into our healing process.

We Also Talk About…

How to identify what your inner child needs to heal.
What “healing” means, and whether or not we can ever be fully healed.
How healing impacts our ability to adapt to change.
Why we should be asking “what happened to you?” instead of “what’s wrong with you?”
The importance of connection and relationships when it comes to healing.

Resources (contains affiliate links):

Follow Dr. Peace Amadi on Instagram @itspeaceamadi
Visit Dr. Peace’s Website
Why Do I Feel Like This?: Understand Your Difficult Emotions and Find Grace to Move Through by Dr. Peace Amadi
What Happened to You? By Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah
Join our Summer Solstice Journaling Challenge starting June 20 to get focused and re-aligned during the middle of the year.

Sponsor:

Open | If you’re looking for a mindful meditation, breath work, and movement app I can’t recommend Open enough. They have a beautifully curated collection of guided meditation, breath work, and movement exercises to support you in your practice. Try Open for 30 Days free by visiting open-together.com/BALANCED.
Propel | Stay hydrated this summer with Propel. Check out Propel Immune Support, the newest fitness water that helps support a healthy immune system with 100% of the recommended Daily Value of Vitamin C per bottle and an excellent source of Zinc and electrolytes.

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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Healing Your Gut: Having A Healthy Microbiome and Immune System with Dr. Asia Muhammad May 31, 2022

Our Modalities of Healing series continues with an important conversation about how gut health and the microbiome impact our overall well-being.

The digestive system is incredibly complex, and our gut health can influence several functions in the body and can be linked to many other ailments. That’s why when we look at healing from the inside out, healing our gut is a critical part of the conversation.

We’re talking to Dr. Asia Muhammad, an expert in the field of gut health and digestion. Dr. Asia values the power of lifestyle modifications to achieve optimal health. She uses evidence-based, science-based medicine to provide individualized attention to those in her practice.

As a naturopathic doctor, she utilizes nutrition, exercise, and supplementation through nutraceuticals, botanical medicine, and mind-body therapies such as hypnosis. She has a special interest in gastroenterology, mind-body medicine, and stress management, as increasing research demonstrates the role of stress in disease. She has received additional training in gastroenterology and mind-body therapies, including hypnosis, guided imagery, biofeedback, autogenic training, and progressive muscle relaxation.

Dr. Asia has a gift for making a complex topic such as gut health easy for us all to understand.

We Also Talk About…

The difference between naturopathic and conventional medicine, and how the two can work together.
What do we mean when we say “gut health” and why gut health is so important for everyone to understand and prioritize.
How common gut health-related ailments such as dysbiosis, leaky gut, IBS, Candida, and SIBO occur.
Simple daily practices anyone can implement to support their gut health.
How antibiotics impact gut health, and how to support your gut after taking antibiotics.
The importance of liver health, and why a healthy liver is important for a healthy microbiome.

Resources:

Follow Dr. Asia Muhammad on Instagram @dr.asiamuhammad
Subscribe to Dr. Asia’s Newsletter
Dr. Asia’s Liver Detox Tea
GERD E-Book

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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Daily Healing Rituals + Using Your Voice to Heal with Ashley Curtis May 24, 2022

Welcome to our new series, Modalities of Healing. In this series, we’ll be exploring what it means to heal from the inside out and emphasizing healing as a source of joy. Our first conversation will leave you feeling incredibly supported in your healing journey, and ready to implement a few new practices shared by our amazing guest, Ashley Curtis.

Ashley is the founder of The Journey Healing Oasis and is a Goddess, Healer, Yogi, spiritual doula, sound therapist, soul care coach, wellness advocate, Actress, director, and Writer. She hails from a long line of powerful spiritual healers such as her grandmother who is an ordained Evangelist and her Mother, an ordained evangelist and clairvoyant.

Ashley also has over 8 years of experience with Applied Behavior Analysis. And was certified as an Energy Healing Practitioner at The Mystic Living School based in LA.

In this episode, we explore sound and energy healing.

We Also Talk About…

How sound can heal on a cellular level.
Why using your voice is the most powerful sound instrument for healing.
Simple practices you can do daily to promote calm and energy healing.
The importance of cutting energetic cords.

Resources:

Visit Ashley’s website, The Journey Healing Oasis
Go to the Spiritual Day Spa Retreat May 29-30, 2022 in Atlanta
Go to Ashley’s Soul Care Weekend July 29-31, 2022 in Milwaukee
Follow The Journey Healing Oasis on Instagram @thejourney.healingoasis
Follow Ashley on Instagram @iamashleycurtis
Download our Wellness Rituals Journal

Sponsor:

Op e n | If you’re looking for a mindful meditation, breathwork, and movement app I can’t recommend Op e n enough. They have a beautifully curated collection of guided meditation, breathwork, and movement exercises to support you in your practice. Try Op e n for 30 Days free. Visit open-together.com/BALANCED.

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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How to Nurture Your Creativity Find Inspiration with Cristina Martinez May 17, 2022

This week we’re continuing our exploration of the intersection of wellness and creativity. According to research, creative expression can support feelings of motivation and overall well-being. However, many people have aversions to creativity due to bias, perfectionism, and fear of failure or not creating a perfect result.

To wrap up our series on New Life and Creativity we’re talking to our guest Cristina Martinez about how she’s found healing through creativity, and how creativity has influenced her career and relationships.

Cristina Martinez is a contemporary visual artist based in Seattle, Washington. Her career started in fashion school before she explored self-expression through painting. Cristina’s work is rooted in telling the often-overlooked stories of Black and Brown people, encouraging them to water themselves to bloom and grow in this journey called life.

This conversation inspires us all to tap into our creativity for healing, and a deeper connection to our loved ones and ourselves.

We Also Talk About…

How our relationship with creativity can evolve over time.
Ways to draw inspiration when you need it most.
The ups and downs of having a creative career.
How Cristina supports her kids’ creativity.
The ways creativity can help us bloom, and what it means to bloom.
How collaboration and community can foster creativity.

Resources:

Follow Cristina on Instagram @sew_trill
Purchase Cristina’s work from her website June and Mars
Check out Cristina’s collection at Nordstrom
Research Article: Everyday Creative Activity As A Path to Flourishing
Download our Wellness Rituals Workbook to find your daily inspiration

Sponsor:

Almond Cow | With Almond Cow, you can have mess-free homemade non-dairy milk with the press of a button. Visit almondcow.co and use the code BALANCED for $25 off your order.
Plum Deluxe | Plum Deluxe offers premium tea blends that are the perfect addition to your self-care routine. Visit plumdeluxe.com/listen and use the code BALANCED for 12% off your first order.

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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How Creativity Impacts Your Health + Overcoming Perfectionism with AJ Clarke of Soul Rehab May 10, 2022

Have you ever referred to yourself as a perfectionist? Have you ever felt like perfectionism holds you back from expressing yourself creatively? I know I can relate to both.

The truth is, creativity is not a gift that only a select few have. It's a skill we can all cultivate. And the outcome of creative expression isn’t where the magic is – it’s the act of being creative itself. That’s because creativity is a vital part of health and well-being that isn’t talked about nearly enough. According to research, healthy creative expression is linked to better mental and physical well-being outcomes including higher levels of optimism and improved immune response. But for perfectionists, it can be hard to let go and let ourselves be students.

Our guest today is AJ Clarke, and our conversation is so special. AJ is a creative marketing agency owner, wife, and creative director behind Soul Rehab. She’s had an eye-opening journey learning how to release feelings of perfectionism and the pressure to over-achieve to pursue a creative career.

In addition to her work as a marketer, she realized that the “self-love” space was full of well-intentioned but surface-level endeavors that didn’t tell you how to overcome, but that just told you that you should. Soul Rehab is birthed from the most vulnerable of spaces – the fiery place of healing.

We Also Talk About…

How creativity impacts your health.
Ways you can incorporate more creativity into your life.
Learning how to detach creative expression from the final product.
Advice for navigating perfectionism when it feels unsafe to not overachieve.
Building self-care communities that are rooted in vulnerability.

Resources:

2014 Study: Can Musical Training Influence Brain Connectivity? Evidence from Diffusion Tensor MRI
2010 Study: Optimism and Its Impact on Mental and Physical Well-Being
Download our Wellness Rituals Workbook to start your journaling practice
Follow Soul Rehab on Instagram @mysoulrehab
Follow Soul Rehab on Pinterest @soulrehab
Subscribe to the Soul Rehab Podcast
Subscribe to the Soul Rehab Newsletter, Hey Lovely
Join the 7-Day Affirmation Challenge

Sponsor:

Home Chef | Worried about what to make for dinner? Get fresh, perfectly portioned ingredients and chef-inspired recipes delivered to your door from Home Chef. For a limited time, visit www.homechef.com/balanced for 16 free meals.

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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Shadow Work, Self-Care, and Balancing Entrepreneurship and Motherhood with Erica and Milah of Good Moms, Bad Choices May 03, 2022

During our New Life + Creativity series, we’ve gone from fertility awareness to birth, and now we’re transitioning to talk about navigating motherhood while pursuing your dreams. Our guests today are Erica and Milah, co-hosts of Good Moms, Bad Choices.

If Oprah and Howard Stern had a baby it would be Good Moms Bad Choices. Erica and Milah, are uncensored and outspoken sex and cannabis-positive parents who are redefining what modern motherhood looks like. Good Moms, Bad Choices is a community and audio diary is for those who feel alone in their good and bad choices.

Tune in for a fun, candid conversation that will make you laugh and make you think.

We Also Talk About…

How they juggle entrepreneurship and motherhood.
Redefining what it means to be a “good mom.”
What self-care looks like for them as busy moms and entrepreneurs.
How their creative endeavors influence their parenting styles.
Their experiences with dating as mothers.

Resources:

Listen to the Good Moms, Bad Choices Podcast
Follow Erica and Milah on Instagram @goodmoms_badchoices
Check out Good Moms, Bad Choices on Patreon
Come to the Good Vibes Retreat in Costa Rica in July and August 2022

Sponsors:

OSEA | Get 10% off your first order of organic skin and body care from OSEA by using the code BBG at oseamalibu.com.
Home Chef | Worried about what to make for dinner? Get fresh, perfectly portioned ingredients and chef-inspired recipes delivered to your door from Home Chef. For a limited time, visit www.homechef.com/balanced for 16 free meals.

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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Overcoming Mom Guilt, The Fourth Trimester, and Reparenting Yourself with Dr. Veronica Eyo and Rosalyn Davis Apr 26, 2022

We all experience identity shifts throughout our lives, and the transition into motherhood can bring a very significant shift in one’s identity and how one views the world. To discuss these shifts, I’m sitting down with Dr. Veronica Eyo, a licensed therapist who specializes in supporting moms of color, and Rosalyn Davis, a community builder, breathwork practitioner, and new mom.

This episode is full of honest takes about what the transition into motherhood can feel like, how new and seasoned mothers can reconnect with themselves, and how we can all reparent ourselves.

We Also Talk About…

The importance of friendship for people with and without children.
Moving through feelings of mom guilt.
Why rest during the postpartum period is essential.
The connection between motherhood and creativity.

Resources (contains affiliate links):

Follow Dr. Veronica Eyo on Instagram @drveronicaeyo
Book recommended by Dr. Veronica: Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much Going On
The Fair Play Deck: A Couple's Conversation Deck for Prioritizing What's Important
Follow Rosalyn Davis on Instagram @thesoulfulguide_ and @wearetakingupspace
Join Rosalyn’s supportive community for new moms
Subscribe to Rosalyn’s newsletter

Sponsor:

Get 10% off your first order of organic skin and body care from OSEA by using the code BBG at oseamalibu.com.
Home Chef | Worried about what to make for dinner? Get fresh, perfectly portioned ingredients and chef-inspired recipes delivered to your door from Home Chef. For a limited time, visit www.homechef.com/balanced for 16 free meals.

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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Working with Doulas, Creating Positive Birth Experiences and Nutrition for Birthing Persons with Myriam Webb, RD, RN Apr 19, 2022

Myriam Webb is a Registered Dietitian, Registered Nurse, and trained doula whose mission is to support birth justice for marginalized communities.

In this conversation, we discuss the ways we can design more positive, peaceful birth experiences and ways we can all better support those in our villages through the birth and postpartum transitions.

We also talk about...

Nutrition for before, during, and after pregnancy.
What doulas do, why we need them, and how to access doula care.
Preparing for a hospital birthing experience.
Ways we can support those in our lives who are postpartum.

Resources:

Birth Preparation Webinar Series with Myriam Webb, RD, RN
Download the Irth App for prenatal, birthing, postpartum, and pediatric healthcare reviews
Follow Myriam on Instagram @douliciousnutrition

Sponsor:

Home Chef | Worried about what to make for dinner? Get fresh, perfectly portioned ingredients and chef-inspired recipes delivered to your door from Home Chef. For a limited time, visit www.homechef.com/balanced for 16 free meals.

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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Ending Generational Trauma with Epigenetics + Preparing to Conceive with Dr. Cleopatra Apr 12, 2022

Is epigenetics the key to ending generational trauma? In this episode, guest Dr. Cleopatra shares why we have more power than we realize to change how our genes work, and which genes we can pass on to future generations.

Though we can’t change our DNA, we can change how our genes are expressed through epigenetics, the understanding of how our behaviors and environment impact our genes. This episode is a heartfelt conversation that is equal parts inspiring and informative.

Dr. Cleopatra is a scientist and tenured USC professor who pioneered the field of fertility biohacking and creating superbabies. To date, Dr. Cleopatra has scientifically studied tens of thousands of families and has helped birthing persons in 23 countries on 6 continents have their superbabies.

We also talk about…

Improving maternal health outcomes for marginalized people.
Understanding the mental, emotional, and social factors that can impact our fertility.
How to prepare for pregnancy physically and psychologically.
The Primester Protocol and creating our superbabies.
How we can prevent generational trauma from being passed down.

Resources:

Follow Dr. Cleopatra on Instagram @doctor_cleopatra
Learn more about the Primester Protocol
Learn more about Black Maternal Health Week
Episode 83: How to Optimize Your Menstrual Cycle with Berrion Berry

Sponsor:

Home Chef | Worried about what to make for dinner? Get fresh, perfectly portioned ingredients and chef-inspired recipes delivered to your door from Home Chef. For a limited time, visit www.homechef.com/balanced for 16 free meals.

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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Demystifying Reproductive Health: Egg Freezing, Fertility Treatments, and the Impact of Fibroids with Dr. Tiffanny Jones Apr 05, 2022

In today’s episode, we’re kicking off our new life and creativity series by discussing fertility, motherhood, and birthing new ideas. Understanding reproductive health and fertility can be a complicated topic, and in this conversation, we’re talking about family planning options for those who are considering having biological children.

Our guest is Dr. Tiffanny Jones, OBGYN and reproductive endocrinologist at Conceive Fertility Center in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Tiffanny Jones became a reproductive endocrinologist because she felt connected to the impact she could have on the lives of patients looking to start or grow their families. She earned her medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at LAC+USC Medical Center in Los Angeles, and completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

In this episode, we discuss the unique considerations Black birthing persons may want to keep in mind when trying to conceive.

We Also Talk About…

What the egg-freezing process entails, and the ideal age to begin the process.
How treatments such as IVF can help those experiencing certain fertility challenges.
How conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis can impact fertility.
Tests patients can ask for to learn more about their fertility status.
How the occurrence of fibroids impacts Black people more than other communities.

Resources:

Learn more about Dr. Tiffanny’s practice at Conceive Fertility Center
Follow Dr. Tiffanny Jones on Instagram @tjonesivfmd
Learn more about Black Maternal Health Week by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance.
Episode 11: Reframing Fertility with Bri Braggs

Sponsors:

The Jordan Harbinger Show | Add The Jordan Harbinger Show to your podcast line-up for thought-provoking interviews and insights from some of the greatest minds of our time. Subscribe to The Jordan Harbinger Show here.
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Listener Q&A: How to Regain Consistency, Advice for Aspiring Podcasters, Juggling Multiple Priorities, and Preparing for Success [Solo Episode] Mar 29, 2022

In this ask-me-anything style episode, you’re driving today’s topics. It’s been a minute since I’ve checked in with a life update and have answered your questions on air. We’re switching things up and I’m excited to hear your questions coming directly from your voices, and you asked some fantastic questions.

In this episode, I talk about…

The personal and business changes I’m navigating.
Advice for aspiring podcasters.
Ways to get back on track with your healthy habits.
How to keep your peace when there’s negative energy in your living space.
Juggling multiple jobs and goals while making time for self-care.

Resources (contains affiliate links):

Sponsors:

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balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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How to Use Astrology to Manifest + Navigating Your Saturn Return with Shinobi Robeson of Black Girl Horoscope Mar 22, 2022

We’re closing out our series on manifestation and celebrating the start of spring with a light-hearted conversation about all things astrology. Have you ever wondered how understanding your personal astrology can help you receive your manifestations? Tune in and find out.

Our guest today is Shinobi Robeson of Black Girl Horoscope. Black Girl Horoscope is a supportive community celebrating cosmic wellness for melanated folks and allies. She is incredibly thoughtful in all she shares and exudes Taurus queen energy. We get into the collective astrology for 2022, and deep dive into the next few astrological seasons coming up (specifically Aries through Leo season) and how we can tap into the unique energies each season brings.

If you weren’t feeling the new year vibes in January, you may be feeling more aligned to start anew with the arrival of spring and Aries season, which marks the astrological new year.

We also talk about…

How understanding your birth chart’s Jupiter placement can make you a stronger manifestor.
The numerology of the year 2022, and why it’s an ideal year for connection and community.
Advice for navigating your Saturn Return.
Why knowing the “little three” of your birth chart is as important as understanding your “big three.”

Resources:

Follow @blackgirlhoroscope on Instagram.
Pull your birth chart to learn your astrological placements.

Sponsors:

Sugarbreak | Sugarbreak is the first natural, non-prescription support system that empowers you to reduce your sugar intake and manage healthy blood sugar levels so you can live your best life. Visit www.sugarbreak.com/balanced and use code BALANCED for 15% off your entire order.
Native | Native makes effective natural deodorants and body care products with simple ingredients. Get 20% off your first order by going to www.nativedeo.com/balanced or use the promo code BALANCED at checkout.

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How to Be Patient While Your Manifestations Come Through + Understanding Your Manifestation Style [Solo Episode] Mar 15, 2022

Have you ever felt impatient while waiting for your manifestations to come through? Same, friend. And I’m talking all about it in today’s episode.

Though I didn’t consciously know what manifestation until my 20’s, I realized I’d been manifesting my entire life. In fact, we all have. We all have the power to manifest, and we are all constantly manifesting whether we’re aware of it or not.

And when we become aware, we’re able to intentionally tap into our manifestation power. I discuss my personal experiences learning about and understanding manifestation, some manifestations I’ve had come through, and how I’m learning to be patient and prepare for my manifestations to come through in the physical realm.

I also talk about…

My experiences with manifestation from childhood to now.
How to adequately prepare for your manifestations while you’re waiting for them to come through.
The importance of divine timing and being clear on what is and isn’t for you.
Practices that have helped me manifest.
Why understanding your human design can help you become a more powerful manifestor.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode (contains affiliate links):

Human Design 101 + Owning Your Own Path with Jas of Moon
Episode 104: Christianity and Human Design with Christa Keyes
Episode 124: How to Manifest with Shirin Eskandani
Add More ~Ing To Your Life by Gabrielle Bernstein
Follow me on Instagram @balancedles
Follow me on TikTok @balancedles
Follow Balanced Black Girl on Instagram @balancedblackgirlpodcast

Sponsor:

Talkspace | Get personalized support from licensed therapists with Talkspace. Sign up today at talkspace.com and get $100 off your first month with promo code BALANCED.

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Finding Magic Through Self-Acceptance + Yoga for Our Collective Freedom with Jessamyn Stanley Mar 08, 2022

This week on the podcast we get to have an incredible conversation on inner magic and self-acceptance with yogi, entrepreneur, author, and activist Jessamyn Stanley. Jessamyn is an internationally acclaimed voice in wellness, who is highly sought-after for her insights on 21st-century yoga and intersectional identity.

To say I’m a fan of her work is an understatement. When I first started the Balanced Black Girl podcast I had a shortlist of dream guests and Jessamyn was on that list, so this is a truly full-circle moment! Our conversation is rich and full of insights regarding what the practice of self-acceptance involves. We also chat about our respective yoga journeys and the profound lessons Jessamyn learned in her training around compassion. Being the true astrology nerd that I am we also get into a conversation on our big threes and the impact astrology has had on the way we connect with the universe and ourselves.

This episode is full of insights regarding our path to wholeness and feels like an incredible blessing.

Listen to the episode below!

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Yoga being the key to our collective freedom.
Finding comfort in being yourself, and accepting yourself as you are.
Allowing your yoga and meditation practice to take various different forms.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance
Everybody Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get on the Mat, Love Your Body
Follow Jessamyn on IG - @mynameisjessamyn
Join The Underbelly

SPONSORS:

OSEA | Find your new skincare favorites at OSEA. Get 10% off your first order with promo code BBG at OSEAmalibu.com.
Talkspace | Get personalized support from licensed therapists with Talkspace. Sign up today at talkspace.com and get $100 off your first month with promo code balanced.

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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126 | How to Use the Akashic Records + Embodying Imperfect Wellness with Brit Starr Mar 01, 2022

This week we get to explore something that we haven’t really talked about in great length on previous episodes of the podcast. When it comes to Magic and Manifestation practitioners have different ways to connect and communicate with their spirit guides. One of those ways is by using the Akashic Records. You may be asking yourself, “Um... What are the Akashic Records?” This question is totally understandable and we had the same questions at the Balanced Black Girl podcast so I decided we needed to bring on an expert to share her insights and journey so far.

Brittany “Brit” Starr is a spiritualist and creator working at the intersections of modern technology and the infinite. Through her studio, Sword + Stone, she amplifies the magic of conscious businesses through divinely inspired tech services and education. She offers a unique fusion of channeled guidance, archetypal journeying, and Akashic education through her online community, The Inner Well.

We get to it all in this episode, from Brit’s journey to discovering the power connecting with the Akashic Records has, to the lessons she has learned through her interpretation of the records. As well as the ways we can use them for interpersonal development through practices of feeling our intuition, meditation, and prayer. We also chat about the messiness of spirituality and why it’s ok that our wellness journey will never be perfect.

Listen to the full episode now to learn more about this unique spiritual modality!

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT…

The history of the Akashic Records
How we can communicate with the Akasha
Why wellness should be messy and imperfect
How communicating with the Akashic Records can help with anxiety

RESOURCES:

Brit Starr’s Akashic Higher Self Meditation
Brit Starr’s Getting into the Akashic Records eBook
Rohini of Magic Inclined channeled an Akashic Tap-In, which Brit use to access the Records for herself and clients. You can learn more about the Akasha and get the tap-in on her website: https://www.magicinclined.com/links
Brit Starr’s tech studio, Sword + Stone: https://swordandstone.studio/ | https://www.instagram.com/sword.and.stone/ | https://www.tiktok.com/@sword.and.stone
Brit Starr’s online community, The Inner Well: https://theinnerwell.co/ | https://www.instagram.com/theinnerwell/ | https://www.tiktok.com/@theinnerwell

SPONSOR:

Talkspace | Visit talkspace.com and use the code “BALANCED” for $100 off your first month of therapy services.
Tune into Well-Read Black Girl on your favorite podcasting app.

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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125 | Spiritual Hygiene + Daily Rituals for Manifestation, Protecting Your Blessings with SaTar'Ra Feb 22, 2022

We are continuing our magic and manifestation series with the brilliant and multi-passionate creative SaTar’Ra. SaTar'Ra is a creative, conjure woman, and ritual practitioner focused on the intersection of music, movement, and spirituality. She also happens to be a fellow graduate of the 200hr Yoga Teacher Training I took at the end of 2021.

We really connected at the training, so when I was planning out this series I knew I had to have her on as a guest. This conversation is full of insight and wisdom and a must-listen for anyone looking to learn how to keep their spiritual hygiene up and work magic in their lives.

Tune in for an episode dripping in good energy. We discuss spiritual rituals you can incorporate into your life and SaTar’Ra shares advice for protecting your energy and keeping your manifestations sacred.

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Spiritual Hygiene for manifestation
Moving through our various identities without putting ourselves in a box
Daily rituals to keep yourself protected.
Yoga as a healing practice.

RESOURCES:

Join SaTar’Ra’s Patreon
Follow SaTar’Ra on Instagram @imsattara
Follow SaTar’Ra on Twitter @iamsattra
Episode 105: Manifesting Love with Alea Lovely

SPONSOR:

Native | Native offers an amazing line of natural deodorant and body care products that actually work. Go to nativedeo.com/balanced or use promo code balanced at checkout and get 20% off your first order.

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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124 | How to Manifest: Healing Through the Journey of Manifestation with Shirin Eskandani Feb 15, 2022

Did you know we have the power to manifest the life of our dreams? In our newest series, we are connecting with guests who have created literal magic in their lives and want to teach you how to do the same. I don’t often have repeated guests on the podcast, but I can’t think of anyone better suited to walk us through a Manifestation Masterclass than the founder of Wholehearted Coaching, Shirin Eskandani.

I actually participated in one of her programs back in 2019, and her method of teaching manifestation quite literally transformed my life. Trust me when I say you’re gonna want to take notes because the insight and gems she drops are incredible.

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Why you need to follow your vision boards with aligned action.
The balance of not being too specific or too general with your desires.
Letting go of your attachment to the outcome.
The power of dreaming.

RESOURCES:

Call in love with Shirin’s course, Manifest Them
Learn more about manifestation in Shirin’s two-part masterclass Everyday Magic
Follow Shirin on Instagram @wholeheartedcoaching
Listen to Shirin’s podcast Wholehearted Coaching
Check out Shirin’s feature in The New York Times

SPONSOR:

Talkspace | Connect with a licensed therapist securely, and confidentially with Talkspace. Visit talkspace.com and use the code BALANCED for $100 off your first month.
Skillshare | Explore your creativity at skillshare.com/balanced for a one-month free trial.

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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123 | My Journey Into Yoga + Ways to Incorporate Principles of Yoga Into Our Lives Feb 08, 2022

Did you know that yoga is so much more than stretching and moving through poses? Spoiler: that’s just one limb of yoga - and there are eight. We’ve talked a lot about finding stillness, peace, making connection to the breath, and flowing into your creativity. And that all sounds so simple, but finding ways to reframe our relationship to our inner and outer world is such a game-changer.

For me, yoga helped me open my eyes to the ways I can be present with myself and tune into my own form of balance. I’ve just completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training, and it’s taught me a lot about mindfulness and the gift it is to be one with yourself. In this episode, I’ll be sharing my journey into yoga and the lessons that I’ve learned so you can carry them with you without having to pick up the practice if you don’t want to.

And bonus - Dive into the Reframing the Reset Challenge! It’s free, you can move at your own pace, and it’ll help you take action on what we’ve been exploring this season. Snag your roadmap here → balancedblackgirl.com/reset

I ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Yoga is so much more than stretching.
Why Black women and yoga are a match made in heaven.
My journey into yoga + what it’s taught me.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

SPONSOR:

Talkspace | Visit talkspace.com and get $100 off your first month when you use promo code balanced at sign-up
Skillshare | Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/balanced and get a one-month free trial.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-123-principles-of-yoga ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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122 | Reframing Self-Talk, Tapping Into Your Creativity, + Trusting Your Intuition with Arielle Estoria Feb 01, 2022

It’s interesting how inspiring this conversation is, when one of the points we explore is how fleeting inspiration can actually be. Living a life full of creativity is something so many of us desire for ourselves, but when we depend on timelines and expectations in life, the rush to be something becomes a roadblock if you let it define what you’re able to accomplish. To live the life we want, we have to understand that flowing in creativity is going to look different for everyone. And finding what works for you requires nurturing and connecting to our inner, authentic truth.

Arielle Estoria is a multi-hyphenate creative - a poet, artist, author, and actor - with a passion for making women feel at home in their own bodies. We talk about so many beautiful things, like building a relationship with your intuition, finding your place with creativity, and being discerning of the things you say to yourself.

And bonus - Dive into the Reframing the Reset Challenge! It’s free, you can move at your own pace, and it’ll help you take action on what we’ve been exploring this season. Snag your roadmap here → balancedblackgirl.com/reset

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Black women are divine.
Forming a relationship with creativity.
Leaning into your intuition.
Harnessing the power of self-talk.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

Sign up for the Reframing the Reset Challenge: balancedblackgirl.com/reset
Follow Arielle on Instagram @arielleestoria
Check out Arielle’s collaboration with Pure Leaf
Find more of Arielle’s work on her website: arielleestoria.com
*Big Magic*, by Elizabeth Gilbert

SPONSORS:

OSEA | Get 10% off your first order of organic skin and body care from OSEA by using the code BBG at oseamalibu.com.
Skillshare | Explore your creativity at skillshare.com/balanced for a one-month free trial.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-122-reframing-self-talk ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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121 | Reframing Your Relationship with Stuff – Decluttering + Organization for Mental Health Jan 25, 2022

Continuing to look at how we can build systems and rituals rather than routines and lofty expectations, we’re looking at the part clutter plays in whether we move forward in becoming the person we are becoming. I speak a lot from the I today, sharing several examples of how decluttering my space and creating reset rituals have made an expansive impact on my well-being and ability to show up to myself. We also get into specific systems you can implement to remove clutter from your life.

And bonus - Join us for the Reframing the Reset Challenge! It’s free and we’ve been doing it together as a community. Snag your roadmap here → balancedblackgirl.com/reset

I ALSO TALK ABOUT…

The impacts of having clutter in your life.
Discerning between a soul want + an influenced want.
Three decluttering systems to try.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

SPONSOR:

Native | Native offers an amazing line of natural deodorant and body care products that actually work. Go to nativedeo.com/balanced or use promo code balanced at checkout and get 20% off your first order.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-121-reframing-relationship-with-stuff ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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120 | Reframing Your Menstrual Cycle + Ancestral Practices with Raven Rose Jan 18, 2022

Over the past year or so, I’ve become impassioned with menstrual health and learning all the ways menstruating impacts my well-being. The lack of education or awareness that goes into learning about the menstrual cycle can make us feel like it’s a burden instead of seeing that it’s one of the most powerful, rewarding gifts a person can have.

Raven Rose, a Menstrual Health Herbalist of Moon Medicines joins us to discuss all things cyclical living. Get ready to learn so much from Raven - not just about our cycles, but also healing with herbalism and dreamwork, and creating ancestral practices.

And bonus - Join us for the Reframing the Reset Challenge! It’s free and we’ll be doing it together as a community. Snag your roadmap here → balancedblackgirl.com/reset

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Transferring off of birth control + living a cyclical lifestyle.
Recovering from menstrual shame.
Ancestral healing with dreamwork.
The correlation between menstrual cycles + moon phases.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

Sign up for the Reframing the Reset Challenge: balancedblackgirl.com/reset
Join the waitlist for Raven's Sacred Cycles program
Follow Raven on Instagram @moonmedicines
*Rage Becomes Her* by Soraya Chemaly
Ep 117 - Unapologetically Dreaming Big + The Dreams I Dream

SPONSOR:

Talkspace | Connect with a licensed therapist securely, and confidentially with Talkspace. Visit talkspace.com and use the code BALANCED for $100 off your first month.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-120-reframing-your-menstrual-cycle ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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119 | Reframing Your Relationship with Exercise with Lauren Leavell Jan 11, 2022

As you know, here at BBG we believe wellness is so much more than having a fitness routine (or ritual). It’s just one part of the picture. So when we can start to measure our progress by how good we feel instead of a number on the scale, we’re taking our power back with movement. Before we dive full-on with a new fitness program, let’s get clear on what fitness is actually for, the benefits we’re going after, and how to make movement a joyful part of life.

We’re joined by Lauren Leavell, a fitness coach and instructor who focuses on weight neutrality and finding comfort and joy in building a movement practice.

And bonus - Join us for the Reframing the Reset Challenge! It’s free and we’ll be doing it together as a community. Snag your roadmap here → balancedblackgirl.com/reset

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Confusing fitness for wellness.
Skipping lofty goals + expectations.
Building safety both mentally + physically.
Incorporating play + joy with your relationship to movement.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

Sign up for the Reframing the Reset Challenge: balancedblackgirl.com/reset
Join Lauren's Inclusive Fitness Membership Platform, Leavell Up Fitness
Follow Lauren on Instagram @laurenleavellfitness + on TikTok [@laurenleavellfit](https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenleavellfit?)
Subscribe to Lauren's Newsletter
Check out more of Lauren’s resources on her website LaurenLeavellFitness.com

SPONSOR:

Talkspace | Connect with a licensed therapist securely, and confidentially with Talkspace. Visit talkspace.com and use the code BALANCED for $100 off your first month.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-119-reframing-exercise ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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118 | Reframing the Reset, Redefining Productivity, + Creating Systems of Self-Care Jan 04, 2022

We’re kicking off a series on wellness basics with a twist for the modern-day, including care for individuals living through a global pandemic, and connecting back to the origins of why I created Balanced Black Girl.

As we embark on a new year, instead of overloading ourselves with endless goals, to-do lists, and routines, let’s look at what it really takes to get what we want from this reset. The hardest part of making a change should be showing up, not making time to do more of the things. So we’ll be reflecting on what our soul actually yearns for and how to make space to simply be. Get ready for lots of reframes, pivots, and thoughtful invitations on becoming who we are becoming.

And bonus - Join us for the Reframing the Reset Challenge! It’s free and we’ll be doing it together as a community. Snag your roadmap here → balancedblackgirl.com/reset

I ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Creating systems instead of goals.
Rituals vs routines.
Redefining productivity and efficiency.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

Sign up for the Reframing the Reset Challenge: balancedblackgirl.com/reset
*Atomic Habits* by James Clear
Ep 93 - The Power of Discipline
Ep 109 - You Don’t Have To Do It All + Watering Your Professional Relationships With Tiffany Dufu
Bonus Ep - Year-End Reflection and Journaling

SPONSOR:

OSEA | Get 10% off your first order of organic skin and body care from OSEA by using the code BBG at oseamalibu.com.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-118-reframe-the-reset ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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REWIND: Making Space for Yourself with Breathwork with Kathleen Booker Dec 28, 2021

Our last rewind episode for helping us wind down from the year explores how to be present with ourselves, as we are, right now at this moment. Last year, I sat with Kathleen Booker, the Jedi of Calm, and we talk about how to use our breath to invite calm, peace, and a grounded state of mind - no matter what it is we are facing.

Whatever it is in front of us, whether it's joy, pain, or somewhere in between, we always have our breath. Leaning into the present moment is a beautiful gift that Kathleen encourages us to receive within our lives. She even graciously leads up through a short, Conscious Connected Breathwork practice, which roughly starts around the 45th minute.

TW: Please note that Kathleen briefly mentions her sexual assault trauma in this episode.

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT…

The importance of being connected to your breath.
Benefits of a breathwork practice.
Practices to create more calm in your life.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

Visit Kathleen’s Website
Follow Kathleen on Instagram: @iamkathleenbooker
Connect with Kathleen on LinkedIn

SPONSOR:

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-65-breathwork ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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REWIND: Storytelling + Discovering Your Identity in Wellness with Zuri Adele Dec 21, 2021

If you're like me, then you're still reflecting on that amazing episode we had with Taylor Elyse Morrison on being discerning of how we use our screen time. Ep 114. Thinking about the way we lean into self-care while also doing the things - like working, living, and decompressing from the day. And it really ties into this motivating conversation with Zuri Adele (actress + storyteller) I had a while back.

As we're looking at who we want to be in the new year, it's helpful to reflect on our experiences and the things we have accomplished in this time. What lessons have we learned and how are we using them to own our story and our identity in this world? Especially when it comes to the wellness industry, which is full of essential tools for our well-being, yet surrounded primarily by whiteness. Consider this more food for thought in this already thoughtful time we're all in.

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Finding your sense of self in the wellness industry.
The power of the stories we surround ourselves with.
Everything in life is a teacher.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

Learn more about Zuri at Zuriadele.com
Follow Zuri on Instagram: @Zuriadele
Catch up on Good Trouble on Freeform
Shoutout to Black Girl in Om
Ep 114 - Creating Supportive Boundaries Around Screen Time with Taylor Morrison

SPONSOR:

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-77-zuri-adele ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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REWIND: Human Design 101 + Following Your Own Path with Jas The Moon Mother Dec 14, 2021

As we begin to lean in and think about the person we want to be for this next year, recentering and connecting back to who we authentically are is a pretty great start. This conversation with Jas is one I come back to time and again, and I find it to be really inspiring when it comes to trusting myself.

Jas The Moon Mother is a writer, speaker, and truth-teller empowering us to unearth our individual Divine Destiny through the lens of Human Design

My favorite quote from the conversation is that "we're called human BEings, and not human DOings". Human Design is such a powerful tool for learning how we operate and the kind of environments or situations that allow us to flow with ease in life. We're meant to enjoy life, so let's definitely lean in and start doing that more.

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT…

The quick Human Design 101 breakdown.
Being discerning of society's way vs your own way.
Human Design regards your energy, not your personality.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

SPONSOR:

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-67-human-design ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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117 | Unapologetically Dreaming Big + The Dreams I Dream Dec 07, 2021

This is a bit of a personal episode for me, y'all. Oftentimes, when we look at the dreams we hold, what we're actually talking about is our business and career goals. On our journey to becoming the person we dream of and living the life that inspires us, we can get trapped in focusing on just our "work life" and what accomplishing those achievements will bring us. Instead of just living the life that we want to live, you know?

And I'll raise my hand to say that I too have become sidetracked on going after what I really want for my life. So as we wrap up this season on taking your power back, I wanted to both share the dreams I'm dreaming for my life - outside of work - and the power it brings all of us to dream bigger, bolder, and brighter for ourselves. And what that actually means.

I ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Having peace with not reaching our dreams - yet.
What it means to dream big.
The dreams I'm dreaming about right now.
What our dreams are trying to tell us.
The benefits of dream journaling.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

SPONSOR:

OSEA Malibu | Visit oseamalibu.com and use the code BBG for 10% off your first order of organic, all-natural skin and body care products.

balancedblackgirl.com/117-dreaming-big ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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116 | Going After Your Dreams + Gaining Body Liberation with Chrissy King Nov 30, 2021

We're starting to enter that time of year where we walk the fine line between maintaining our boundaries and finding ways to show love for those we care most for. It can be hard to find the path that works best for you while in the hustle and bustle of holiday traditions and festivities. Although we don't necessarily talk about navigating this time of year, something we do get to discuss is taking your power back by living the life you dream of. We explore the duality of becoming that girl while having peace that everything you want will all come together - as long as you keep moving forward.

Chrissy King is a writer, speaker, fitness and strength coach, and is passionate about women learning to take up space within the world. She is also our first-ever returning guest, making this an inspiring gift of an episode that I'm honored to bring to your ears. Trust me, you'll be thinking about this conversation for at least a few weeks - I'm definitely a little obsessed - and will wanna save this for later so you can listen to it all over again.

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Having peace and trust with your manifestations.
The difference between body positivity vs body liberation.
Escaping the conditioning of limiting beliefs.
Matching your environment to the lifestyle you dream of living.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

Ep 4 - Taking Up Space with Chrissy King
Follow Chrissy on Instagram
Snag The Body Liberation Manifesto on Chrissy's website
Ep 54 - Wholehearted Living with Shirin Eskandani
Phoebe Robinson - Comedian and Best-Selling Author
Audre Lorde - 20th Century American Poet

SPONSOR:

Athletic Greens | Visit athleticgreens.com/balanced and use the code "BALANCED" for 5 free travel packs and a year's supply of Vitamin D.

balancedblackgirl.com/116-body-liberation ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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115 | Taking Our Power Back from Oppressive Systems with the Crunk Feminist Collective Nov 23, 2021

In a world and time where we are constantly moving from one historical moment to the next, it can feel overwhelming to know where you can jump in and be a part of the movement for equality and justice for all. Looking through the perspective of how we can empower ourselves as a community rather than the individual reminds us that this isn't something we can do alone - but that we do together.

I had the honor of sitting down with Brittney Cooper, Susana M. Morris and Chanel Craft Tanner of the Crunk Feminist Collective. The three of them just released their new book, Feminist AF: A Guide to Crushing Girlhood, which helps girls and gender nonbinary young people of color find their voice. Tune in to feel validated, powerful, and able to take action in building a Feminist society that supports all of us.

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Feminism is a structural analysis.
Self-care requires structures.
Building a team for feminist care.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

SPONSOR:

Brown Girl Jane | Use the coupon code "BALANCED" for $10 off your order of premium CBD products from Brown Girl Jane.

balancedblackgirl.com/115-redefining-feminism ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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114 | Creating Supportive Boundaries Around Screen Time with Taylor Morrison Nov 16, 2021

How has your screen time been impacted by the pandemic? This is just one of the many questions I ask Taylor around our relationship with our screens and creating an unplugged self-care practice. Taylor Morrison is an international speaker, facilitator, and the founder of Inner Workout. She's on a mission to help others beat burnout by building sustainable self-care practices. Taylor is also the host of the podcast, Inner Warmup - a show I listen to on the reg.

One of my favorite highlights from this conversation was the acknowledgment that what self-care looks for us now will look different for us five years from now - it could even look different in five weeks or five days. Building a healthy relationship with our screens is so much more than taking back our time - it's taking back our sense of self and our ability to have discernment for our lives and our needs.

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Becoming mindful of when we turn to social media.
Navigating the impulse for instant gratification.
Understanding your needs to practice self-care.
Tips for creating boundaries with our screens.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

Download our free Digital Wellness Checklist
Inner Workout's Card Deck, Instead (10% off with the code BALANCED)
Take Care Assessment
Check out Taylor's podcast, Inner Warmup
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, by James Clear
Ep 109 - You Don’t Have To Do It All + Watering Your Professional Relationships With Tiffany Dufu
Ep 110 - How To Let Go Of People-Pleasing Behaviors With Tiffany Hall
Ep 111 - Let People Show Up For You

SPONSOR:

balancedblackgirl.com ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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113 | Being Multi-Passionate + Betting on Yourself is Self-Love with Asha Bromfield Nov 09, 2021

Connecting with Multi-Hyphenate Actress and Author Asha Bromfield was nothing short of inspiring. You might have recognized her from the hit CW show, Riverdale, or Netflix's adaptation of Locke & Key. But what we really dive into is her new coming-of-age book, Hurricane Summer, and how she ventured into creating representation for softer Black women.

We also go deep into the desire and pursuit of doing it all, and defining what that means for you. So often, when we try to do it all, we're also trying to accomplish the expectations that loved ones and guardians have placed upon us. Asha and I explore what it means to drop those expectations and follow our passions on our own terms. If you have multiple interests and are unsure of where to start, this episode is definitely for you.

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Pursing various passions.
Navigating other people's limiting beliefs.
Defining your life for yourself.
Creating diversity in a world full of one-dimensional Black representation.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

Hurricane Summer, by Asha Bromfield
Check out Asha's website
Locke & Key - Asha stars as Zadie Wells
Riverdale - Asha plays Melody Jones, drummer of “Josie and the Pussycats”
Follow Asha on Instagram @ashabrom
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, by Don Miguel Ruiz

SPONSOR:

HelloFresh | With HelloFresh, you get fresh, pre-measured ingredients and mouthwatering seasonal recipes delivered right to your door. Visit hellofresh.com/balanced14 and use the code "BALANCED14" for up to 14 free meals, including free shipping.

balancedblackgirl.com/113-being-multi-passionate ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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112 | Taking Your Power Back Nov 02, 2021

Coming off of our Connection Series, I wanted to continue the conversation on building boundaries, pursuing what's in our best interest, and making sure we're navigating forms of self-care that align with our needs. And so for the next six episodes, we'll be exploring ways that we can take our power back - spiritually, emotionally, socially, and physically.

So I'm starting things off by sharing some perspective and getting real with you on self-sabotage and facing our fears. In our previous episode, we talked about how we can let others show up for us, but now I want to look at how we can show up for ourselves. Our goal is to, yes, take our power back, but even more so, go after our dreams and make them a reality. Dive in to set the tone and learn how you can do just that.

I ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Showing up even if it means you won't get it right.
Overcoming self-sabotage.
Being discerning with influential content.
The fine line between self-awareness and fear.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

SPONSOR:

Lovers and Friends | Become your own relationship expert by tuning into the Lovers and Friends podcast hosted by Shan Boodram on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Milk + Honey | milk + honey offers incredible spa-quality skin and body care products. Use the code BALANCED to enjoy 20% off your next order of skincare and body products at milkandhoney.com.

balancedblackgirl.com/112-taking-your-power-back ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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BONUS | Guided Meditation to Help You Feel More Present Oct 26, 2021

Do you need help feeling more present and grounded? This guided meditation is for you.

Join me for a brief meditation to help you connect with your body and senses in this moment to ease feelings of overwhelm. I'll be back next week with a brand new episode series about dreaming big and taking your power back.

IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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111 | Let People Show Up for You Oct 19, 2021

As we draw a close to another incredible series, I'll be going off the cuff, today. This connection series has got me so inspired to be real and present with you. Because if there's anything we all have learned from these powerful conversations and expansive insights, it's that communication is key to have healthy connections with those in our lives. Like, people don't know what they don't know. Right? So let's discuss how we can open the door for others - because when we let others show up for us, what we're really doing is showing up to ourselves. Tune in and dive into some 1:1 time with me.

I ALSO TALK ABOUT…

The impact that carrying assumptions has on your relationships.
How to communicate your needs.
Ways to check in on your people.
Reflective questions for showing up to yourself.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

SPONSORS:

Lovers and Friends | Become your own relationship expert by tuning into the Lovers and Friends podcast hosted by Shan Boodram on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or wherever you get your podcasts.
milk + honey | Use the code BALANCED to enjoy 20% off your next order of skincare and body products at milkandhoney.com.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-111-letting-people-show-up ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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110 | How to Let Go of People-Pleasing Behaviors with Tiffany Hall Oct 12, 2021

How full does your cup feel these days? And how much time are you dedicating to yourself and your needs? Tune in to my conversation with Tiffany Hall, LMFT, and let's check-in. When looking at people-pleasing behaviors, I think we can sometimes get too literal. People-pleasing isn't necessarily going out of your way to please the people around you — it's simply putting other's needs before your own.

Start by just reflecting on your life since the start of the pandemic - have you been neglecting yourself to appease those around you? And if so, how does that make you feel?

Talking to Tiffany was amazing - IMO, she is the expert on letting go of people-pleasing impulses. She shared so many insights on how we can begin to focus on how we see ourselves instead of how others may view us. We went everywhere in this conversation, and then some. Tune in to learn how you can break free.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…

Disconnecting how others view us from how we view ourselves.
Locating where people-pleasing behaviors began.
Reparenting is a necessary, ongoing process.
How to set boundaries that are realistic.

RESOURCES:

Follow Tiffany on Instagram @thisistiffanyrenae
What is your People-Pleasing Personality? Take the quiz.
Join Tiffany's People Pleasing Recovery Program
Learn about Tiffany's therapy services.

SPONSOR:

Olive & June | Get a salon-quality manicure at home with Olive & June's Mani System. Visit oliveandjune.com/balanced and use the code BALANCED for 20% off your first Mani System.
Hello Fresh | With HelloFresh, you get fresh, pre-measured ingredients and mouthwatering seasonal recipes delivered right to your door. Visit hellofresh.com/balanced14 and use the code "BALANCED14" for up to 14 free meals, including free shipping.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-110-letting-go-of-people-pleasing ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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109 | You Don't Have to Do It All + Watering Your Professional Relationships with Tiffany Dufu Oct 05, 2021

As important as it is to strive for work-life balance, the act of trying to achieve that can get you into a toxic trap of scarcity (especially if you try to constantly "check-out" between those hours of 9-5).

Yikes! I know - but that's why it's such a gift to have Tiffany Dufu on the show. She helps rein us in, providing check-in points to see if we're actually getting what we need out of our professional and personal relationships. In this episode, we look at what it means to operate within a team and what our place within that space actually looks like.

And just in case you haven't met Tiffany yet, she is the author of Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less and the founder of Cru - an expansive support group for helping you reach your entrepreneurial and life goals. Trust me, this episode is going to be a trip!

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…

The profound difference between pronoia and paranoia.
Reframing what it means to drop the ball.
Not asking for help when you need it is an act of scarcity.
Making good on your dreams and ambitions.

RESOURCES:

Join Cru and get the support you need!
Read Tiffany's book → Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less
Follow Tiffany on Instagram - @tdufu
Check out Tiffany's website: http://tiffanydufu.com/
Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges by Amy Cuddy

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-109-professional-relationships ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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108 | Connecting with Your Inner Child and Intuition to Strengthen Your Relationships with Mari Roberts Sep 28, 2021

We hear time and time again how intuitive and wise our inner self is, but that can be hard to believe when we don't feel connected to or even understand who that inner self even is. If you can relate, get ready to feel seen by our expansive guest, Mari Roberts - a psychic life coach who specializes in bringing purpose into the 9-5 lifestyle.

There were so many wonderful gems dropped throughout this conversation. It's surprising to learn just how much we're impacted by our inner child! But Mari walks us through endless exercises to nurture our inner child and heal our connection to our intuition. Mari's insights will be so liberating for anyone who is living in self-doubt, uncertainty, and overwhelm. I know I'll be keeping this episode handy in my own back pocket!

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…

Everyone has their own inner wisdom and intuition.
Exposing the truth on the glorified side-hustle.
How to bring purpose into the 9-5 culture.
Intuitive exercises for connecting to your authentic self.

RESOURCES:

How to Listen to the Pings: Your Personal Internal Signals
Check out Mari Roberts website and sign up for her newsletter.
Follow Mari on Instagram → @MariRobertsLife
Join Mari's Cultivate Your Inner Wisdom program

SPONSOR:

DAILY HARVEST helps you stock your home with delicious meals packed with produce and made to keep up with the pace of your life. Visit balancedblackgirl.com/harvest and use the code 'BALANCED' for $40 off your first box.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-108-connecting-your-inner-child ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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107 | CROSSOVER: Friendship Goals – How to Have Healthy, Lasting Friendships with Brittany Lackey and Germani Manning of The Black Girl Bravado Sep 21, 2021

In the words of TLC, what about your friends? Our friendships are some of the most significant and long-lasting relationships we'll ever have, yet the significance of friendship is often overshadowed by conversations about romantic partnership. Today we're continuing our relationships and connection series with a dynamic crossover episode with Germani Manning and Brittany Lackey LA-based best friends and hosts of The Black Girl Bravado.

Germani and Brittany share the story of how their friendship came to be, how it's evolved over the years, and how they navigate being best friends and business partners. We explore different forms of friendships, and ways we can all strengthen and improve our friendships. If you like this episode, make sure you subscribe to The Black Girl Bravado podcast for more supportive, uplifting conversations.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…

Making platonic soulmates.
How to handle friendship break-ups.
Trauma bonds & one-dimensional friendships.
What it takes to have great friendships.

RESOURCES:

The Black Girl Bravado Podcast
Follow The Black Girl Bravado on Instagram
Brittany Lackey's Instagram
Germani Manning's Instagram
Make sure to listen to the crossover episode on The Black Girl Bravado!

SPONSOR:

Athletic Greens | Try Athletic Greens whole-foods sourced nutrition. Visit athleticgreens.com/balanced for a year’s supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packets.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-107-friendship-goals ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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106 | Having A Healthy Relationship with Yourself + Breaking Through the Self-Development Trap Sep 14, 2021

Many conversations about relationships revolve around our relationships with others – romantic, platonic, family – but today we are talking about the relationship each of us has with ourselves. How you treat yourself can set the tone for others treat you. When you have a strong connection with yourself, you are more equipped to uphold necessary boundaries, listen to your intuition, and show up in all areas of your life with authenticity.

This is the perfect episode to listen to when you're ready for loving self-reflection and beautiful moments with yourself to wander amongst the gems.

I ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Journaling prompts for deepening your connection to self.
How to observe yourself & lean into your needs.
The way you talk to yourself impacts your self-worth.
Three steps to building a healthy relationship with self.

RESOURCES:

SPONSORS:

Ritual | This new plant-based protein powder is designed to be a part of your daily ritual. Visit ritual.com/balanced for 10% off the first three months of your subscription on any product.
Hello Fresh | With HelloFresh, you get fresh, pre-measured ingredients and mouthwatering seasonal recipes delivered right to your door. Visit hellofresh.com/balanced14 and use the code "BALANCED14" for up to 14 free meals, including free shipping.
Olive & June | Get a salon-quality manicure at home with Olive & June's Mani System. Visit oliveandjune.com/balanced and use the code BALANCED for 20% off your first Mani System.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-106-healthy-relationship-with-self ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

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BONUS: Self-Love Meditation Sep 07, 2021

Next week we're diving into our relationships and connection series. To prepare, enjoy this guided meditation to help you cultivate a deeper appreciation and better relationship with yourself. Grab your headphones and set aside 10 minutes to connect with yourself.

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105 | Manifesting Love + Owning Your Magic with Alea Lovely Aug 31, 2021

We're ending this vibrational series with a big bang and a lot of inspirational chills. Grab some tea, a journal, and get ready to be enlightened by the endless gems Alea Lovely shares in this episode on owning our own magic. Alea provides truly unique perspectives on life, love, spirituality, manifestation, and what it actually means to raise our vibrations.

Alea is an energy reader and coach, spiritual teacher, and host of the Spiritual Shit podcast. She helps people discover and move past their blocks through empathetic energy healing, mediumship, channeling, writing, and mentorship. She specializes in helping people find the answers they are looking for within themselves and through spirit. And she is truly the perfect guest to take us home as we round out the raising your vibration series.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…

How to check in with our own energy.
The difference between masculine and feminine energy.
Making necessary shifts to align our reality with desired outcomes.
Navigating spaces as an empath or highly sensitive person.

RESOURCES:

Learn more about Alea on her website.
Tune in to Alea's podcast, Spiritual Shit.
Manifest Them - an online course for finding aligned love
Instagram: @thelovelyalea
Marie Kondo - well known Japanese expert on tidying up
Holly Laurel Slooth - the intuitive healer Alea mentioned who helped align her chakras and meet her partner beyond the Earthly plane
REWIND: Releasing Self-Judgement and Perfectionism with Shirin Eskandani

SPONSOR:

OUAI restores hair health from the outside and from within, through effective hair care products and proven nutritional supplements. Use the code Balanced for 15% off your purchase at theouai.com

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-105-owning-your-magic ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations

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104 | Christianity and Human Design with Christa Keyes Aug 24, 2021

We're switching gears and diving into using our sense of spirituality within our religious practices. And who better to have that conversation with than Christa Keyes - a Human Design reader who specializes in understanding the design God gave us.

I wanted to bring Christa on the show to help ground any listeners who may be struggling between the different kinds of spirituality within them - the spirit of God and the spirit within themselves.

Tune in to learn a new perspective on Human Design (as well as any other spiritual practice), and how we can use it as a tool to draw us closer to God - to learn how He made us and the purpose we hold in our lives.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…

Using Human Design as a tool in a way that aligns with us.
Drawing yourself closer to God.
Honoring our design.
How to live with your purpose.

RESOURCES:

Where to pull your Human Design Chart: https://www.geneticmatrix.com/?idev_id=4573
Episode 67: How to Manage Your Energy Using Human Design with Jas the Moon Mother: https://www.balancedblackgirl.com/ep-67-human-design/
Christa's Website: www.hdbygod.com
Follow Christa on Instagram @human.designed.bygod

SPONSOR:

Athletic Greens | Get your daily nutrition in one healthy scoop. Visit athleticgreens.com/balanced and use the code BALANCED for 5 free travel packs and a year's supply of Vitamin D.
OUAI Haircare | Hit the reset button with the OUAI Detox Shampoo. Visit theouai.com and use the code BALANCED for 15% off your order.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-104-faith-based-design ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations

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Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
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103 | Overcoming Toxic Positivity and Spiritual Bypassing Aug 17, 2021

We face some hard truths in today's episode, and also some thoughtful opportunities to change our relationship with emoting. As Black women, we are all too familiar with the strong Black woman stereotype. Many of us encountered guilt and shame when experiencing any emotions outside of gratitude. And although it's good to have perspective, we still are human and need to be able to express all of which makes us who we are - and that includes our full spectrum of emotions.

So grab a journal and have a cup of tea by your side. Get ready to push pause and give yourself the space to explore your feelings - perhaps even meeting sides you that you've never seen before.

I ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Our emotions are our teachers.
Gratitude is not a catch-all.
Blanket support is not real support.
Creating safety to emote.

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

SPONSOR:

RITUAL | This new plant-based protein powder is designed to be a part of your daily ritual. Visit ritual.com/balanced for 10% off the first three months of your subscription on any product.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-103-overcoming-toxic-positivity ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations

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Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
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REWIND: Releasing Self-Judgment and Perfectionism with Shirin Eskandani Aug 10, 2021

Today's rewind episode features an interview with coach, speaker, writer, and one of my favorite people Shirin Eskandani of Wholehearted Coaching.

She has been a featured wellness expert on the Today Show and Cosmopolitan Magazine. Certified by the International Coach Federation, her holistic approach to transformation is influenced by her background in guided meditation, spirituality, and the arts.

Prior to building her successful coaching business, she was an award-winning opera singer, performing at Carnegie Hall and The Metropolitan Opera. She is the co-founder of Brown Girl Brunch and has been a featured speaker at ALT Summit, Well Summit, the Assemblage, and Soho House.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…

Overcoming feelings of perfectionism.
Figuring out what comes next after reaching your goals.
How to perform mindset work.
The importance of practicing self-compassion.
Living wholeheartedly.

RESOURCES:

Check out Shirin's 21 Days of Joy
Sign up for Shirin's free manifestation workshop.
Check out Shirin's program Manifest Them
Learn more about Shirin’s Wholehearted Women Program
Follow Shirin on Instagram: @wholeheartecoaching
Tune into Shirin's podcast

SPONSOR:

Olive & June | Get a salon-quality manicure at home with Olive & June's Mani System. Visit oliveandjune.com/balanced and use the code BALANCED for 20% off your first Mani System.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-54-wholehearted-living ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations

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Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
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102 | The Power of Walking: How to Raise Your Vibration Through Movement Aug 03, 2021

Movement is a powerful practice to raise your vibration. I know that I always feel an improvement in my energy and the way I'm feeling, whether that's through my body, my mind, or even both. And part of that has come to be by the way I have changed my relationship to my movements. It's not always the act itself, but the why of what we're doing.

Tune in to not only be inspired to move your body, but also to learn how to explore that why and define the intentions that serve your goals and desires. And remember, tag us if you go on that walk. Let's create a #BalancedBlackGirlWalks movement. 👟

I ALSO TALK ABOUT…

Using movement for clarity
The sedentary lifestyle
Scientific benefits of walking
Setting intentions and taking action

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

SPONSOR:

Athletic Greens | Try Athletic Greens whole-foods sourced nutrition. Visit athleticgreens.com/balanced for a year’s supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packets.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-102-power-of-walking ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations

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Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
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101 | What's Your Energy Saying Sis? Raising Your Vibration Jul 27, 2021

In continuing to celebrate our 100th episode mark, we're diving into a six-episode series talking all things on raising our vibrations. I kick things off by getting real and personal - as I always do, reflecting on how I went through a period of not getting the results I desired by not tapping into the energy I was creating.

What about you? When was the last time you checked in with your own energy? Are you attracting the results you want from life? Consider this episode a vibe-check, exploring why we're not reaching our goals and how we can shift to continue becoming what we want to be.

I ALSO TALK ABOUT…

How our energy impacts our sense of being
Why we're not getting the results we want
Discipline vs. aligned action
The effects of low self-worth
What I'm doing to raise my vibration

RESOURCES (CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS):

SPONSOR:

OUAI Haircare | OUAI restores hair health from the outside and from within, through effective hair care products and proven nutritional supplements. Use the code Balanced for 15% off your purchase at theouai.com.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-101-raising-your-vibration ◉ IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles 〆

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations

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Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
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100 | Ask Me Anything: Building Confidence, Post-Pandemic Dating, Money Mindset Jul 20, 2021

To celebrate the 100th episode of Balanced Black Girl, I'm answering your burning questions. From dating to podcasting to personal growth and everything in between.

Topics include advice I would give myself in my 20's, my favorite journaling prompts, advice for working with brands and building community as a content creator, and ways we can be kind to ourselves.

I also talk about...

Boundary-setting and healing from toxic relationships.
Having the confidence to take big leaps.
YouTube vs. Podcasting
Financial wellness habits.
Living alone for the first time.

Resources (contains affiliate links):

Sponsors:

Ritual | This new plant-based protein powder is designed to be a part of your daily ritual. Visit ritual.com/balanced for 10% off the first three months of your subscription on any product at
OSEA | OSEA offers luxury skin and body care that's good for your skin and for the planet. Use the code BBG for 10% off your purchase at oseamalibu.com.

balancedblackgirl.com/ep-100-ask-me-anything 〄 IG: @balancedblackgirlpodcast @balancedles〆

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99 | Having A Healthy Hot Girl Summer, Taking Care of Your Eye Health, and Navigating Busy Seasons with Dr. Danielle Richardson of Fierce Clarity Jul 06, 2021

Summer is officially here, and many of us are starting to venture outside again. I’m sitting down with Dr. Danielle Richardson, Los Angeles-based optometrist, yoga teacher, and wellness entrepreneur to discuss how we can keep our healthy habits intact as we ease back into being social this summer.

Dr. Danielle's science background and yogic studies blend together to create her unique approach to total wellness of the mind, body, and soul. She focuses on creating evidence-based wellness content to empower busy people to make healthier decisions.

Dr. Danielle shares the evolution of her wellness journey – from stressed optometry student, to having a life-changing experience in Bali, to building her own impressive wellness brand, Dr. Danielle’s definition of balance has evolved throughout her journey.

This episode will inspire you to make wellness-focused habits a part of your daily life and create space for self-care even during the busiest of seasons.

In this episode, we talk about…

Easy ways to feel your best this summer.
How to incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine.
Ways busy entrepreneurs and side-hustlers can make space for self-care.
The importance of taking care of your eye health, and easy ways you can protect your eyes each day.

Resources:

Follow @FierceClarity on Instagram for live weekly yoga classes
Follow @FierceClarity on TikTok
Check out the Fierce Clarity shop for updates on their upcoming activewear line.

Sponsors:

Seed | Get 20% off your first month of Seed’s Daily Synbiotic by visiting seed.com/balanced and using code “BALANCED”
Vuori | Go to vuoriclothing.com/BALANCED and discover the versatility of Vuori Clothing and get 20% off your first purchase.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, and follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

Download our free glow-up guide. This guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

98 | Good Girl Gone Bad: Releasing Shame and Living On Your Own Terms Jun 29, 2021

What does it mean to be good vs bad? Whose definition of a "good girl" are we holding ourselves to?

In this episode, I’m diving into who is benefiting from this mold of goodness because chances are, you aren't. Chances are you’re hiding behind the idea of being good and it’s dimming your light. By stepping out and speaking up for yourself more, you’re allowing yourself to do things purely for fun or that bring you joy.

You don't need to try to be good. You don't need to try to be bad. You just need to be you and that is enough.

In this episode, I discuss:

The definition of a “good girl” vs “bad girl”
Society's stereotypes of who women should be and how women should act
Breaking the mold and redefining yourself
What it means to live on your own terms

Sponsors:

Athletic Greens | Try Athletic Greens whole-foods sourced nutrition. Visit athleticgreens.com/balalnced for a year’s supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packets.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

97 | Creating Space + Keeping Promises to Yourself Jun 22, 2021

Ask yourself, what is it that you truly want? Where do you want to be?

What does your best life look like? How do you want to feel?

Many people think being busy and piling more work on your plate means you’re productive and making more money but that is not reality. Busy is not a badge of honor.

In this episode, I’m opening up about my struggles with creating space in my life to do the things I truly love and that bring me joy. During a recent meditation, I realized that a lot of my actions are actually creating the exact opposite effect of what it is I want to feel. And that a lot of my daily actions are the exact opposite of what I actually tend to preach on this show.

Trust me, I'm not all-knowing or perfectly balanced. Sometimes we need to call ourselves in and have those moments of honesty and I am no exception.

Tune in to hear ways to create space in your life from exactly where you are and with exactly what you have.

In this episode, I discuss:

Why it’s important to reflect on what you want your life to look like
Ways to intentionally create more space
Setting goals that set you up for success
How to detach yourself from time

Sponsors:

Seed | Show your microbiome some love with Seed’s Daily Synbiotic. Go to seed.com/balanced and use the code “BALANCED” for 20% off your first month.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

96 | Benefits of Journaling, Tips and Tricks for Establishing a Journaling Practice, and How to Journal Consistently Jun 15, 2021

What if I told you there was a tool that can help boost your sense of overall well-being, improve your mood, improve your memory, heightened creativity, and help you manage stress?

In this episode, I'm talking about journaling. Journaling is important because it helps you capture a moment in time, gives you the opportunity to reflect on what’s happening in your life in real-time as well as reflects on the past. Journaling can help you heal from past trauma, be an emotion regulator, and help you call in what you want your future to look like.

A 2015 study conducted by Penn State found that positive effects journaling is associated with decreased mental distress and increased well-being. That study also associated journaling with less depressive and anxiety symptoms after one month of consistent practice and improved resilience after two months of consistent practice. And the benefits of journaling, don't stop at the mental and emotional level. There can be physical benefits to a form of journaling as well.

So grab your notebook and a pen and get ready to free the mind of your thoughts, positive and negative.

In this episode, I discuss:

How to get the most out of your journaling practice
The mind, body + emotional benefits of journaling
Common roadblocks women have when thinking about journaling
Tips + tricks to improving or establishing a journaling practice

Head to balancedblackgirl.com/journaling to download your free prompts.

Sponsors:

Seed | Show your microbiome some love with Seed’s Daily Synbiotic. Go to seed.com/balanced and use the code “BALANCED” for 20% off your first month.

Fitbit | Fitbit Sense paired with Fitbit Premium supports total-body wellness and stress management. Get 6 months of Fitbit Premium for free with the purchase of a Fitbit Sense. Visit fitbit.com for more information.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

95 | Embracing Your Single Season [Solo Episode] Jun 08, 2021

Have you ever had a season or period of time that feels like an extended lonely season, which has likely been exacerbated by the pandemic? Do you jump from relationship to relationship to find your worth?

Today’s episode is one that has been on my heart for a really long time. I’m diving into my extended single season. I’ve been single for 4 years now and it wasn’t by accident. Believe me, I’ve had my fair share of good and bad relationships. Relationships where I think I’ve found my person. Relationships that I knew weren’t right for me but I went into them anyway trying to find a connection, a sense of purpose.

In the past four years, I have had moments where I loved it and where I hated it. I’ve had moments where I resented it and moments where I resented myself and others. And I’ve had moments of incredible peace and gratitude for where I am and where I’m at.

The really interesting thing about this place of just being that I’m currently in, is I’ve felt really big shifts all around me. For the first time ever I feel like I’m slowly but surely being seen. I’m attracting new experiences and people that are truly in alignment with my standards and what I’ve envisioned for myself.

In this episode, I discuss:

The season of solitude
Letting go of childhood beliefs about relationships that are no longer serving you
Reflecting on past relationships and your behaviors in those relationships
Knowing when to shift and become truly aligned with yourself
Why wanting connection with others is not a sign of weakness

Sponsors:

Athletic Greens | Get your daily nutritional needs met with a single scoop of Athletic Greens. Visit athleticgreens.com/balalnced for a year’s supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packets.

Fitbit | Fitbit Sense paired with Fitbit Premium supports total-body wellness and stress management. Get 6 months of Fitbit Premium for free with the purchase of a Fitbit Sense. Visit fitbit.com for more information.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

94 | Taking Care of Your Natural Hair with Keziah Dhamma May 25, 2021

Our hair is a part of our identity and represents our individuality. What does your hair say about you?

Hair was a pain point for some growing up, especially for those who experienced not truly knowing how to do their own hair, love and accept their hair and let it be in its natural state.

My guest today, Keziah Dhamma, was one of those women. Growing up in Sacramento, CA she never had anyone that looked like her that she could look up to. Everyone around her had their hair straight. So she turned to relaxers at the age of 12 and never looked back until she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in broadcast journalism and found the water in LA was so harsh on her hair, she had no alternative but to go natural! She did her big chop in 2009 from her hair breaking off so much and struggled for years on not loving her hair and herself.

Almost giving up to return to straight hair. Keziah decided to give it one more shot, and exhaust all options before giving up. She turned to experts to help her understand her hair and process. She has gotten educated by some of the best in the industry: @curldoctor and @vernonfrancois

On her journey to loving and accepting her hair, Keziah Dhamma invented the first-ever Snappee hair tie made for natural hair and founded SwirlyCurly and CurlCollege. SwirlyCurly’s mission is to make the natural hair journey easy through innovative products and CurlCollege the educational side to teach others the system to get beautiful, healthy, natural hair the easy way!

In this episode, we discuss:

Keziah’s hair journey and how she came to be a natural hair educator
Why you need to have a simplified hair routine as your baseline
How to hydrate your hair and proper hydration methods
Environmental conditions and hair care
Your natural hair toolkit - Things that are a must + things to avoid
Natural hair care for children

Hit play to learn how to transition to natural hair and find a hair routine that works for you!

Resources:

SwirlyCurly offers Natural Hair Masterclasses every two weeks. Keziah teaches specific topics like moisture, hair growth, transitioning, etc.
Visit SwirlyCurly.com for natural hair accessories and tools. Use the code balanced15 for 15% off your order.
Subscribe to Keziah’s YouTube channel.
Follow Keziah and SwirlyCurly on Instagram: @swirlycurlyhair, @curlcollegeonline, @keziahdhamma

Sponsors:

Seed Daily Synbiotic: Not all probiotics are created equal. Seed’s 2-in-1 synbiotic is a broad-spectrum prebiotic and probiotic that offers benefits beyond the gut. Visit seed.com/balanced and use the code BALANCED for 20% off your first month of Seed’s Daily Synbiotic.
Fitbit: Fitbit Sense paired with Fitbit Premium supports total-body wellness and stress management. Get 6 months of Fitbit Premium for free with the purchase of a Fitbit Sense. Visit fitbit.com for more information.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

93 | The Power of Discipline May 18, 2021

Has someone ever told you that you need more discipline in your life? Have you told yourself you’re not disciplined enough?

Most people, including myself, don’t realize that the lack of discipline and accountability is holding us back. Reframing our mindset to take the necessary action steps to correct it, we will start to see a positive change in our lives.

Discipline is something that I have been working on for a while now. It is not something that comes easy to me, it is something that I have to work at every day. I have to be disciplined in how I spend my time and it all starts with small habits that I practice daily. There is no such thing as the perfect routine or perfect balance of life but by being mindful of our actions we can achieve freedom.

Discipline is not negative. Discipline can and is a positive practice that is mostly attributed to our own success. Here are four affirmations that I repeat to myself to stay positive about discipline:

I find peace through discipline.
Discipline sets me free.
I create ease through discipline.
Opportunity finds me through discipline.

Tune in to hear why discipline is all about reframing your mindset and being intentional about your daily habits.

In this episode, I discuss:

The importance of redefining discipline for ourselves
The difference between discipline and punishment
Ways to create discipline in our life
Why discipline starts with small, intentional habits

Sponsors:

Athletic Greens | Try Athletic Greens whole-foods sourced nutrition. Visit athleticgreens.com/balanced for a year’s supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packets.

Fitbit | Fitbit Sense paired with Fitbit Premium supports total-body wellness and stress management. Get 6 months of Fitbit Premium for free with the purchase of a Fitbit Sense. Visit fitbit.com for more information.

Resources:

EP 90| Small Daily Habits That Make A Big Difference For Your Well-Being

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

92 | Make Mindfulness Work for You + How to Prepare for Your Level-Up with Dora Kamau May 11, 2021

What does mindfulness mean to you? Do you integrate mindfulness into your daily routine?

I have my moments of calmness and I have my moments of not being calm. It’s all a part of the human experience. Mindfulness is about understanding how to leverage certain tools to bring you back to a state of calmness and zen.

Don’t feel guilty about not being calm and centered all the time because we are all human. We are all living a different human experience unique to us. But how can we incorporate mindfulness into our routines as a way to guide us and bring us back to center?

My guest today is Dora Kamau. Dora is a meditation and mindfulness teacher, who uses meditation as a tool to guide individuals in experiencing who they truly are. Unshaken and impenetrable by the qualms of life, Dora utilizes her own lived experience to guide in-person and online gatherings for women to connect through intentional conversations. Over the last 2 years, she has led thousands in meditation with individuals participating from all over the world and from all walks of life.

In November 2017, Dora founded Bliss Your Heart, a flourishing women’s community-based in Vancouver, in which she’s hosted workshops focused on self-care, self-love, and mental health. With a calling for compassion-centered care, Dora is also a registered psychiatric nurse that integrates holistic, trauma-informed practices for women living with substance dependence and mental illness. In 2020, she completed Sumi Touch's All Black Doula training to continue to support expecting birth folks in marginalized communities.

Her work in the community has aligned her with brands such as Headspace, Insight Timer, NBC, lululemon, Reebok, Little Burgundy, Saje Natural Wellness, Call it Spring, and many others.

In this episode, we discuss:

Dora’s journey into mindfulness + meditation
How teaching and guiding others has impacted Dora’s own mindfulness practice
Keeping yourself centered when life gets tough
What we can do to help others care for themselves
Personal development and how to prepare yourself for growth + opportunities

Hit play to learn how to integrate mindfulness into your everyday!

Resources:

Follow Dora Kamau on Instagram @dora_kamau
To learn more about Dora and how she can help you explore mindfulness, check out www.dorakamau.ca
To follow Dora + listen to her meditations on Insight Timer, head over to insighttimer.com/dorakamau
Listen to Dora’s meditations on Headspace, signup for free at www.headspace.com

Sponsors:

Athletic Greens | Try Athletic Greens whole-foods sourced nutrition. Visit athleticgreens.com/balalnced for a year’s supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packets.

Fitbit | Fitbit Sense paired with Fitbit Premium supports total-body wellness and stress management. Get 6 months of Fitbit Premium for free with the purchase of a Fitbit Sense. Visit fitbit.com for more information.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

91 | Overcoming and Preventing Burnout with Erayna Sargent of Hooky Wellness May 04, 2021

Has the past year got you feeling stressed and overwhelmed? Our brains are running on overload, we are not motivated, and we’re mentally and physically exhausted. What we are experiencing is burnout. Whether the burnout is from work, friendships, family, or even school, burnout is everywhere and the pandemic has only intensified the issue.

This week on the podcast, we are diving into all things burnout with Erayna Sargent. Erayna is sharing her personal experience with burnout and how she navigated her path to recovery. She learned that burnout is hard but recovery was even harder. She set a mission to encourage hustle culture to adopt the new mantra ‘Work hard. Self-care harder.’

Erayna Sargent is a Burnout Coach and the founder of Hooky Wellness, the first stop for Burnout relief. Leveraging her 15 years in marketing & innovation at Nestle & Intuit, she uniquely blends leadership coaching with Design Thinking providing an approachable path to real results. Erayna has coached professionals & teams across organizations including Google, Accenture, Nestle, and Teach for America.

Erayna has an MBA from Indiana University and is a member of the Mental Wellness Initiative at the Global Wellness Institute. She has guest appeared on podcasts including NPR Life Kit and Dribble and featured in Ozy Media, Hour Detroit and Architectural Digest. Erayna is a Detroit native, currently residing in Charlotte, NC with her husband and their two cats.

In this episode, we discuss:

Erayna’s personal experience with burnout and her recovery
Tools and processes to dealing with burnout
Tactics for overcoming burnout
Building your burnout battle team
Ways to support others experiencing burnout

Hit play to learn new tools to tackle burnout and the recovery process!

Resources:

Social media handles -- @Hookywellness, @Burnout_whisperer, @PlyHooky
Burnout Bingo Workbook: https://hooky.typeform.com/to/txKqnU5b
Workplace Support Workshop for Leaders and Teams: https://www.hookywellness.com/workplace

Sponsors:

Seed Daily Synbiotic: Not all probiotics are created equal. Seed’s 2-in-1 synbiotic is a broad-spectrum prebiotic and probiotic that offers benefits beyond the gut. Visit seed.com/balanced and use the code BALANCED for 20% off your first month of Seed’s Daily Synbiotic.
Fitbit: Fitbit Sense paired with Fitbit Premium supports total-body wellness and stress management. Get 6 months of Fitbit Premium for free with the purchase of a Fitbit Sense. Visit fitbit.com for more information.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

90 | Small Daily Habits That Make a Big Difference For Your Well-Being Apr 27, 2021

How do you start your day? How do you end your day? What are a few things that you do daily, weekly, or even monthly to help yourself feel energized, rested, and vibrant?

These questions are more complicated than you think because not a lot of people really think about their daily habits and routines. We go through each day in such a rush that we forget to pause and evaluate the things we are doing or the actions we are taking every day. Are they serving us?

In today’s episode, I am talking about habits related to your well-being. I've really been reflecting on some of the habits that have kept me going and also things that I think promote longevity for all of us. The ways that we can continue to pour in and take care as we continue to navigate these challenging situations that we're all facing.

I’m taking you behind the scenes of my small daily habits that have made a huge impact on my mindset and the way I show up in the world.

Tune in to hear why small habits have a giant impact on you and the people around you.

In this episode, I discuss:

My daily habits and how they have changed the way I show up
Why doing small things each day can keep you energized and rested
The importance of incorporating small habits into your daily routine

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Journey to Launch podcast for advice on reaching financial freedom.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

89 | Building A Foundation for Self-Healing with Yasmine Cheyenne Apr 13, 2021

What does it mean to heal? How can you facilitate your own healing journey? How can you continue to keep yourself going? If you're someone who is going on a healing journey you have probably asked yourself similar questions.

In today's episode, we're really going to talk about the necessary tools needed to truly heal ourselves and healing in a very practical sense.

My guest today is Yasmine Cheyenne. Yasmine is an advocate for mental health and self-healing expert. Yasmine is also known for her transformative teachings around self-healing which she offers through keynote speeches, corporate presentations and one-on-one coaching. Her instruction has helped thousands of students take control of their financial and physical health by creating boundaries, designing their dream job, finding the love of their life and more.

Yasmine discusses how we can break the cycle of negative self talk and empower ourselves. And we also dive into discernment, boundaries, looking after ourselves.

Yasmine’s knowledge on boundaries, self-awareness & self-acceptance, and healing ourselves comes at a time when women are feeling out of alignment. Hit play if you’re ready for a real discussion on boundaries, making space for ourselves, and being worthy!

In this episode, we discuss:

Understanding the difference between intuition and ego.
The power of discernment and trusting red flags.
Why self-healing is so important.
Establishing healthy boundaries.
What it means to protect and refill your sugar jar.

Resources:

To keep in touch + get started on your healing journey, sign up for Yasmine’s newsletter and receive 2 free workbooks!
Listen to Yasmine’s podcast, The Sugar Jar Podcast
Follow Yasmine on Instagram @yasminecheyenne

Episode Sponsor:

Skillshare | Visit skillshare.com/balanced for a free trial of Skillshare premium membership. After you sign up, check out Yasmine’s course Writing for Self-Care.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

88 | Three Ways to Hold Space for Rest Apr 06, 2021

Why is rest important? How can you incorporate more rest into our day? What does rest look and feel like to you?

Rest is something that is often overlooked even when it's planned. Chasing rest can feel like a never-ending cycle which causes you to feel more exhausted. Giving yourself grace and taking a break to rest is something we need to incorporate into our everyday lives.

Recently, I took a month off from recording new episodes for this podcast and creating new content altogether. I knew I needed rest but what I didn’t understand was what was I taking a break from? What does rest look like to me?

Yes, it was amazing to not be on social media or creating new content but I still didn’t feel relaxed and rested. I thought taking a break was going to fix all my problems. But I realized I was burnt out. I realized I was experiencing decision fatigue. Even though I was taking a “break” from putting out new content, I was still holding space for making decisions instead of communicating my boundaries to other people in my life that support me.

Understanding what you're taking a break from will help you feel truly rested and at peace.

In this episode, I discuss:

What does it mean to rest?
3 mistakes I made when taking a break to rest
Ways to incorporate more rest into our daily lives
How to be intentional about getting the rest you need

Skillshare | Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/BALANCEDand get a free trial of Premium Membership.

Vega | Head to myvega.com/BALANCED to check out Vega's full line of plant-based nutrition.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

87 | How to Have Laser Focus and Cultivate Ancestral Healing with Juliet C. Obodo Mar 30, 2021

Our thoughts are powerful. The way we think about ourselves, consciously and subconsciously, controls every aspect of our lives. How are you speaking to yourself? Are you holding on to childhood trauma and emotions that have led you down a path to burnout, living up to other people's expectations, and unhappiness?

In this episode, Les is diving deep into mental health, your subconscious, and how to heal ancestral trauma using hypnotherapy with Master Hypnotherapist & NLP Master Practitioner Juliet Obodo.

To Juliet, hypnosis is the key to unlocking your potential through mental alignment & inner child healing. Her work with FWRD Institute offers Collection Brain Trainings, Kindred Leadership Programs, & Conscious Culture Trainings.

Juliet is a Master Hypnotherapist & NLP Master Practitioner and Trainer with a mission to help treat, heal, and transform racism as well as facilitate individual and corporate transformations through brain training. After graduating with a B.A. in Psychology she went into tech sales instead of medical school for Psychiatry. After 10 years in corporate, she left to run her own design agency & a business funding startup.

However, running two 6-figure businesses led to severe burnout. During her search for a cure, she re-discovered NLP & Hypnosis. She began to coach other stressed-out business owners but wanted to make more impactful transformations which led to her certification as a Master Hypnotherapist & NLP Practitioner and studying for her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Ancestral Trauma.

If you’re struggling with holding onto childhood trauma, unworthiness, or you’re ready to reframe the way you’re thinking about your life, hit play now!

In this episode, we discuss:

Why we need to have healthy coping skills
Using hypnosis to release the emotional blocks and limitations we put on ourselves
Ways to retrain our brains and the way we think
The power of our thoughts and manifestation
How to reprogram your subconscious mind using NLP
How ancestral trauma affects the way we live our lives

Resources:

Follow Juliet on Instagram @julietcobodo
Connect with Juliet on Twitter @julietcobodo
Check out Juliet’s website to learn about her work: www.fwrdinstitute.com

Episode Sponsors:

Skillshare | Get a free trial of Skillshare Premium by going to skillshare.com/balanced
Vega | Check out Vega’s full line of plant-based nutrition at myvega.com/balanced

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

86 | How to Set Boundaries for Inner Peace and Healthier Relationships with Nedra Glover Tawwab Mar 23, 2021

Having boundaries is a healthy habit. It's something that we all have to work on every day. Having healthy boundaries within ourselves and with others leads us to a more peaceful and happy life.

Do you struggle with setting healthy boundaries with family and friends? How do you navigate challenging situations?

Today’s guest is Nedra Glover Tawwab. Nedra is diving deep into the importance of setting and maintaining healthy boundaries and how to navigate shifting your boundaries as we move through this new normal.

Nedra Glover Tawwab is a licensed therapist and sought-after relationship expert. She has practiced relationship therapy for 12 years and is the founder and owner of the group therapy practice, Kaleidoscope Counseling.

Every day she helps people create healthy relationships by teaching them how to implement boundaries. Her philosophy is that a lack of boundaries and assertiveness underlie most relationship issues, and her gift is helping people create healthy relationships with themselves and others.

You don’t want to miss this episode because Nedra isn’t holding anything back. She dives deep into family dynamics, navigating the boundaries within ourselves, and why it’s necessary to use our voice and ask for what we want.

After this episode, you will be ready to take charge of your life and stand up for yourself, even when the people around us disagree.

In this episode, we talk about...

The foundation of setting and maintaining healthy boundaries
Ways to shift your boundaries when challenges arise
Navigating boundaries in family relationships
Empowering other people in the relationship
Using your voice to stand in your power

Resources:

Order Nedra’s book Set Boundaries, Find Peace
Follow Nedra on Instagram @nedratawwab
Check out Nedra’s Website: https://www.nedratawwab.com/

Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Vega Nutrition. Check out their full line of plant-based nutrition products at myvega.com/balanced.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

85 | Getting Financially Fit with Ornella Yovo Mar 16, 2021

Does thinking about your finances cause you stress and anxiety?

Has the pandemic impacted our finances?

Getting financially fit not only helps you plan and save for your future but it also allows you to start living and building generational wealth.

Today’s guest is Ornella Yovo. Ornella is passionate about helping people achieve their goals, relieve anxiety around money, and make #MoneyMoves happen. As an avid advocate for women and minorities, she has spent years providing financial education and guidance to those in need. She wants people to know that you can still live the life YOU want while working towards financial stability.

Having worked for a large wealth management organization, Ornella has learned the tools to build and maintain long-term wealth, while also keeping in mind the human and emotional aspects associated with money. She understands that people need guidance and just aren’t always sure who or where to go. She hopes to empower people to embrace the conversation about their finances and offer a comfortable environment to do so!

What does financial wellness look like for you in 2021?

In this episode, we talk about…

An introduction to investing, and the best platforms for getting started.
Building an emergency fund.
The best financial apps to use.
How to start building generational wealth on a tight budget.
Affording rest.

Resources:

Connect with Ornella and the Financial Gym
Follow Ornella on Instagram @ornellayovo and @osqrd.co
Find out more about O-Squared Consulting and how Ornella helps entrepreneurs make better business decisions.

Episode Sponsor:

Vega | Check out Vega plant-based nutrition at myvega.com/balanced

Unlock more content in Guided, the Balanced Black Girl online membership community. Go to https://community.balancedblackgirl.com to join us.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

84 | Reflection: Discernment, Lessons Learned + Feelings of Hope Mar 09, 2021

This week marks 1 year since COVID was declared a pandemic and all of our lives changed drastically. Do you remember what you were doing this time last year?

If I knew what was coming, I would have spent those last weeks in February and first weeks of March differently. I would have spent that time with people who are near and dear to my heart.

Reflecting on the past year has brought up so many feelings and emotions. Feelings of grief, and those moments of isolation and loneliness, burnout, creativity, nostalgia, and perseverance.

This experience has taught me to be cognizant and aware of my time. I have to be just as discerning about where, how, and with whom I spend my time with. And where, how, and with whom I spend my money with. We all have the gift of discernment, and we have all had times where we used it and were grateful.

A big lesson I learned on the anniversary of this week is to use my discernment. We can’t predict the future, and we can’t change the past, but we can lean into our relationship with spirit to guide us. We can lean into getting quiet and going within to listen to our intuition.

Join me for a guided journaling session, reflecting on a full year of living through a global pandemic. In this episode, we are acknowledging the lessons learned, creating space for rest, and feeling hopeful for what’s ahead. Grab your journal or your favorite note-taking app and let’s get to it.

In this episode, we talk about…

The importance of discernment.
Biggest lessons learned over the past year.
Creating space for both highs and lows.
Staying hopeful for the future.

Sponsors:

Skillshare | Go to skillshare.com/balanced for a free trial of Skillshare premium.
Vega Plant-Based Nutrition | Head to myvega.com/balanced

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

REWIND: Setting Boundaries and Protecting Your Energy Feb 23, 2021

Today’s episode is a rewind solo episode about the importance of setting boundaries and protecting your energy so you can channel it into the areas of life that make most sense for you.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with responding to everyone wanting to check in with you because you’re their go-to “Black friend”, if you’re being put in the position to educate others and are trying to figure out how to navigate it, and if you’re looking for ways to set clear boundaries so you can take care of yourself during this critical time, this episode is for you.

Resources:

Check out #ProtectYourEnergy, an extensive doc with canned responses to racial gaslighting and taxing conversations.
Follow @balancedblackgirlpodcast on Instagram.
Like Balanced Black Girl on Facebook.
Follow @balancedblkgirl on Twitter.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

REWIND: Creating Holistic Wellness Habits That Stick with Alina Brown Feb 16, 2021

Today’s episode is a rewind interview with guest Alina Brown, Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner co-founder of WellnessCon, and creator of the Auralign Planner.

Alina creates video content for her Wellness YouTube channel called ‘Alina Alive,’ where she helps her subscribers take practical steps to deepen their wellness journeys.

In 2019, Alina co-founded WellnessCon, an annual outdoor wellness conference dedicated to promoting diversity in the wellness space while fostering a community for wellness lovers, wellness influencers, and conscious companies. ⁣

Alina is also the creator of the Auralign Planner, a weekly planner focused on seasonal intention-setting and key astrological events.

Alina truly believes that just as nature works synergistically to foster diverse rainforests and deep-sea life, we as humans can best thrive and achieve optimal health synergistically through working together.⁣

Resources:

Follow Alina on Instagram @heyalinalive
Check out the Wellness Con website for updates: https://www.wellnesscon.co/
Subscribe to Alina’s YouTube Channel
Check out the Auralign Planner
Our favorite smudge Kit: Heritage Apothecary

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

REWIND: Breaking Unhealthy Relationship Cycles with Shena Tubbs of Black Girls Heal Feb 09, 2021

Today’s episode is a rewind interview featuring Shena Tubbs, a Relational Trauma and Attachment Specialist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Love Addiction Coach based out of Houston, TX.

She is the founder of Black Girls Heal, an online community dedicated to helping women of color break the cycles of unavailable relationships and feeling not enough by healing what’s within.

In addition to Black Girls Heal, Shena has a private practice where she specializes in helping women heal from unresolved childhood relational trauma, love addiction, and changing relationship patterns. She also hosts the Black Girls Heal podcast which talks about all things intimacy, attachment, and healing internal wounds.

RESOURCES:

Listen to the Black Girls Heal Podcast

Follow Black Girls Heal on Instagram: @blackgirlsheal

Apply to the Black Girls Heal Recovery School

This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Head to skillshare.com/balanced to get a free trial of a premium membership.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

REWIND: Black History – Preserving Our Legacy with Toya Coleman of That Wasn’t In My Textbook Feb 02, 2021

Today’s episode is a rewind interview featuring Toya Coleman, historian, creator of Toya from Harlem and host of the That Wasn’t In My Textbook podcast.

Born and raised in Harlem, with a BA in African-American studies, Toya was inspired to create her platform as a way to capture the historical places in Harlem that were being erased in the name of gentrification. Currently, she lives in LA and has expanded her message from Harlem to cover black history nationwide.

RESOURCES:

Visit Toya’s Website
Follow Toya on Instagram: @toyafromharlem
Subscribe to Toya’s YouTube Channel
Sign up for Toya’s Newsletter
Follow Blvck Vrchives on Instagram: @blvckvrchives
Follow Blk Mkt Vintage on Instagram: @blkmktvintage
Learn about The Heroines of American Black Press
Listen to Toya’s Podcast: That Wasn’t In My Textbook

This throwback episode of Balanced Black Girl is brought to you by Skillshare, an online community that offers membership with meaning. Explore your creativity with a free trial membership at www.skillshare.com/BALANCED.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

83 | Go with the Flow: How to Optimize Your Menstrual Cycle with Berrion Berry Jan 19, 2021

Have you been wondering how your menstrual cycle affects your work, relationships, and overall balance in your life?

My guest today is Berrion Berry. Berrion is a Menstrual Health Educator, Integrative Health Practitioner & the Founder of The Flo Academy. Part of her mission is to teach menstruating individuals how to master their menstrual cycles one period at a time.

As the founder of The Flo Academy, Berri focuses specifically on teaching those who identify as female entrepreneurs or modern women, how to have better periods and healthier hormones, through online menstrual health education.

From hormone balancing to cycle syncing, to mood-enhancing and self-healing, Berri covers it all and is excited to help you have your best period yet.

Her story is beautiful and enlightening. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share Berrion’s story.

In this episode, we talk about…

Understanding the four phases of your menstrual cycle.
How to align your work with your menstrual cycle.
Improving your relationship with your period.
Understanding the best way to adjust your diet and exercise routine throughout your menstrual cycle.
Why authenticity is a key component of balance.

Resources:

Check out The Flo Academy
Listen to Berrion’s podcast, Flow with Berrion Berry
Follow Berrion on Instagram @berrionlberry and @thefloacademy

Episode Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Foria. Foria is an innovative health & sexual wellness company with product lines for intimacy, relief, and optimal wellbeing. Get 20% off your first order at www.foria.com/BBG

Unlock more content in Guided, the Balanced Black Girl online membership community. Go to https://community.balancedblackgirl.com to join us.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

82 | Genuine Self-Love, Authentic Sisterhood, and Healing from Toxic Relationships with Laticia Rolle Jan 05, 2021

Our guest today is Laticia Rolle -- entrepreneur, community builder, podcaster, sister, and so much more. Laticia was one of the first people I met after moving to LA, and every time we speak I’m blown away by her warm authenticity.

Laticia is the creator of Girl, We Got This, a podcast and platform dedicated to sharing the raw, authentic stories of women from all walks of life. She is also the Founder of Tress, the hat that fits and protects our natural curls.

Her story is beautiful and empowering. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share Laticia’s story and journey because it resonated with me so deeply, and I hope it resonates with you as well.

In this episode, we talk about…

Adapting to new environments while still honoring yourself
Defining your self-worth and feeling accepted after heartbreak
How Laticia’s journey with self-love evolved over time
Why Laticia seeks support through therapy and how it has helped her come into herself
Building a supportive community that truly empowers women
Navigating the ups and downs and challenges of life

Resources:

Listen to Laticia’s podcast Girl, We Got This
Follow Laticia on Instagram @laticia.rolle and @girlwegotthis.co
Check out Tress for curl-friendly hats and hair necessities

Episode Sponsor:

Foria has a special offer for sex and wellness essentials for Balanced Black Girl listeners. Get 20% off your first order by visiting foriawellness.com/bbg.

Join our membership community Guided for live Q&A with podcast guests, bonus content, monthly book club, and support on your wellness journey. Go to https://community.balancedblackgirl.com to join us.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Year End Reflection + Guided Journaling Dec 22, 2020

In this episode of Balanced Black Girl Podcast, I’m guiding you through a year-end reflection exercise to acknowledge our greatest lessons of 2020, and begin calling in where we want to go in 2021.

As we get ready for next year and reflect on this year, I want you to think about where you were this time last year and I want you to think about where you are right now. We have had a trying, difficult, and traumatizing year. We have all grown in ways that we may not even understand. In order to uncover how much we have grown, we need to understand where we have been. So when you’re thinking about who you are in this moment and who you were 365 days ago, your outlook, your priorities, your sense of resilience, your belief in yourself. What has changed? What lessons have you learned along the way?

In this episode, I talk about:

Year-end reflection to acknowledge our greatest lessons of 2020
How to begin to call in where we want to go in 2021
Uncovering who you are at this moment and who you were 365 days ago
Navigating how much we've grown by first understanding where we have been

Guided reflection questions to ask yourself:

My biggest lesson of 2020 was…
My greatest blessing of 2020 was…
This is who I’ve grown…
I’m proud of myself for…
I’m calling in…

Resources:

Join our virtual wellness studio, Guided for exclusive content and support.
Follow Balanced Black Girl Podcast on Instagram @balancedblackgirlpodcast
Subscribe to our newsletter

Episode Sponsor:

Quip | Visit www.getquip.com/balancedgirl to get your first refill free

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

81 | How to Navigate Online Dating Without Compromising Yourself with Damona Hoffman Dec 08, 2020

Today, we’re talking to Damona Hoffman, dating coach and media personality. In this episode, we are talking all about enjoying and taking ownership of your dating experience particularly during a pandemic when the dating landscape feels more challenging than ever.

Damona is known for her work on two A+E Networks' TV series: #BlackLove and A Question of Love. She’s a regular contributor to The LA Times, The Washington Post, NPR, CNN Headline News (HLN), BET.com, and more. Damona also hosts and produces the weekly podcast, Dates & Mates with Damona Hoffman.

Over the years, Damona has dedicated her time to teaching people how to celebrate their unique experiences and individuality, and learn to love as you are without conforming to find love. It all started when Damona had to learn how to navigate the complex world of online dating to find love, happiness, and her soul mate.

Damona is energetic, informative, and passionate and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to share her story and mission.

In this episode, we talk about…

How to successfully use dating apps to find a partner.
Ways to effectively use your online profile to attract your ideal partner.
The three C’s of dating online.
Navigating interracial relationships when racial tensions are high.
Opening ourselves up to attract a partner outside of the restrictive guidelines we have set for our future partner.

Resources:

Follow Damona on Instagram @damonahoffman
Follow Damona on Twitter @damonahoffman
Listen to Damona’s podcast, Dates and Mates
Check out Damona’s website

Episode Sponsor:

Foria has a special offer for sex and wellness essentials for Balanced Black Girl listeners. Get 20% off your first order by visiting foriawellness.com/bbg.

Unlock more content in Guided, the Balanced Black Girl online membership community. Go to https://community.balancedblackgirl.com to join us.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your self-care to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

80 | Healthy Coping Mechanisms for 2020 and Beyond with Tiffany Wright Nov 24, 2020

Today, we’re talking to Tiffany Wright, a mental health professional, author, speaker, and wellness consultant based in Inglewood, CA. She obtained a BA in Sociology and BA in Psychology from the University of California Davis and her Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University in New York City.

Tiffany is known for her clinical work that focuses on trauma, grief, esteem, relationships and eating disorders. Her areas of expertise are creating culturally relevant healing spaces, trauma-informed care and leadership, tools for self-care, historic and intergenerational trauma, and grief & loss.

Over the years, Tiffany has facilitated healing, educational and professional workshops, seminars, training, and events for universities, high schools, social service agencies, and community members in the US and abroad around the topics of empowerment, wellness, trauma, and mental health.

Currently, Tiffany is enhancing the lives of millennials and future generations by providing tools and resources that develop a deep practice of self-love and understanding of mental health.

In this episode, we talk about…

Navigating your personal transformation.
Finding positive ways to cope with life stressors.
How to find the answers we’re looking for within ourselves.
The importance of supporting our strong friends and helpers.

Resources:

Get on the waitlist for the Balanced Black Girl membership community
Check out Tiffany’s books The 5 Commandments of Self-Love, and Be Love: Daily Intentions Guiding You to Self-Love
Visit Tiffany’s platform The Be Life
Follow Tiffany on Instagram @tiffinspires
Listen to Tiffany’s podcast The Shift Is Real

Discount Codes:

Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Unpacking My Wellness Journey: Body Image, Mindfulness, and Inner Work Nov 17, 2020

In this solo episode of Balanced Black Girl Podcast, I’m sharing how my wellness journey has evolved over time. From early childhood experiences to the intersection of body image and career, today’s episode is an honest reflection on how our relationship with ourselves can evolve over time.

In this episode, I talk about…

Navigating challenges around body image
Improving my relationship with food and fitness
The importance of support and community
Finding a sense of purpose
Unapologetically tending to our mental health

RESOURCES:

Get on the waitlist for the Balanced Black Girl membership community
Like Balanced Black Girl on Instagram: @balancedblackgirlpodcast
Like Balanced Black Girl on Facebook
Follow Balanced Black Girl on Twitter: @balancedblkgirl

Discount Codes:

Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, and follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

Download our free glow-up guide. This guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

79 | How to Build Body Awareness + Remote Work Wellness Practices with Tarin Calmeyer Nov 10, 2020

Today, we’re talking to Tarin Calmeyer. Tarin is committed to sharing practical tools to understand the body, energy, and mindfulness to take her clients from stress to success. She is a Yoga, Meditation, and Wellness Coach with a background in Osteopathy.

Tarin has more than 10 years of experience coaching burnt-out people around the world to reconnect with their bodies and minds. Tarin has focused her teachings around holistically approaching the aspects that contribute to overall wellbeing.

She has extensive experience working with brands from Women’s Health to Puma to Movenpick Resorts to create engaging wellness experiences and content.

In 2020, Tarin founded Remote Team Wellness as a solution for forward-thinking companies to prioritize their people’s wellbeing by connecting them to world-class wellness instructors and facilitators.

She is a beacon of light and love and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to share her story and mission.

In this episode, we talk about…

Building body awareness.
The healing practice of osteopathy: what it is and its benefits.
Establishing a mindfulness practice.
Maintaining wellness practices while working and socializing remotely.
How to remain focused and centered while working from home.
The importance of accepting our current reality and the things we cannot change.

RESOURCES:

Learn more at Remote Team Wellness at www.remoteteamwellness.com
Follow Tarin on Instagram: @thechocolatepretzel + @remoteteamwellness

Discount Codes:

Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

78 | You’re Worthy – Honoring Your Spiritual Evolution with Lyvonne Proverbs Briggs Oct 27, 2020

Content warning: Mention of sexual trauma and pregnancy loss

Today's conversation is about our spiritual evolutions and how that plays into our wellness. Spirituality is individual and for those who grew up in the church, that is often your first and largest spiritual influence. There are also some people who start to approach spirituality differently – people who want to have a hybrid of some of those church practices that they grew up with and some of the spiritual practices they learned about at different points in life.

Our guest today is Lyvonne Proverbs Briggs (aka “Pastor Bae”) a body and sex-positive preacher, writer, speaker, and spiritual life coach. Lyvonne is the founder of Beautiful Scars, a healing-centered storytelling agency focused on fostering pleasure and resiliency. She is also the curator of The Proverbial Experience, an Instagram church. Briggs has been featured in ESSENCE, Cosmopolitan, and The Washington Post, and Sojourners named her one of “11 Women Shaping the Church.” Briggs, an NYC native, is currently based in New Orleans, LA.

Lyvonne is dedicated to her faith and helping Black women heal their childhood trauma and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to share her story and mission.

In this episode, we talk about…

Decolonizing your faith, African spirituality, and having a sense of curiosity
Releasing shame related to sexual trauma
Fostering conversations about our sexuality in our everyday conversations
Trusting your inner knowing because that’s where the power lives
Sensuality vs. sexuality and the ongoing practice of honoring your body
What it means to be a Surthrivor

RESOURCES:

Check out Lyvonne’s Website: lyvonnep.com
Follow Lyvonne on Instagram: @lyvonnep
Connect with Lyvonne on Facebook
Follow Lyvonne on Twitter: @lyvonnep
Subscribe to Lyvonne’s YouTube Channel
Subscribe to Lyvonne's Patreon for additional coaching and support
Join Lyvonne's online course 'i'm a Surthrivor' and use the code 'BALANCEDBLACKGIRL' for 16% off

Discount Codes:

Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

77 | Intentional Friendships, Setting Healthy Boundaries, and Life-Changing Healthy Habits with Zuri Adele Oct 13, 2020

Today, we’re having a heartfelt conversation with Zuri Adele. Zuri is an actor, currently known for her portrayal of Malika Williams on Freeform’s “Good Trouble.”

She is an alumna of Spelman College, UCLA’s school of theater, film, and television, and the British American Drama Academy, and a former acting teacher at both the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for girls in South Africa and UCLA.

Before “Good Trouble,” Zuri performed on many stages with Georgia Shakespeare, the SITI Company of New York, and the UCLA MFA Acting program.

She is passionate about wellness, access to education, and social justice, Zuri launched and oversees the Zuri Adele Fellowship for HBCU Alumni, which provides support for HBCU graduates pursuing their Master of Fine Arts degrees in theater, film, and/or television.

In this episode, we talk about…

How to hold space for one another and cultivate community
Being in spaces where you can be your authentic self
Creating intentional wellness practices
How different wellness practices shape our lives
The foundation of how to take care of yourself first

RESOURCES:

Learn more about Zuri at Zuriadele.com
Follow Zuri on Instagram: @Zuriadele
Catch up on Good Trouble on Freeform

Discount Codes:

Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

76 | Dismantling Colorism with Dr. Sarah L. Webb of Colorism Healing Sep 29, 2020

Dr. Sarah L. Webb is currently an Assistant Professor in the department of English and Modern Languages at the University of Illinois Springfield. Dr. Webb first wrote publicly about colorism in the summer of 2011 in a post titled: “Colorism: 5 Reasons I Haven’t Said Much… Yet.”

After seeing the interest, positive responses, and negative reactions to her early writing on colorism, Dr. Webb recognized the need for a dynamic platform dedicated entirely to this issue. She also saw the need to focus on solutions, and so she launched the blog Colorism Healing in July 2013.

The goals of Colorism Healing are to raise critical awareness about colorism as a global issue by providing a hub of information and resources, foster individual and collective healing as well as systemic solutions by producing, facilitating, and curating creative and critical work.

In this episode, we talk about…

The history of colorism, and its roots in anti-blackness.
Understanding systemic inequalities that stem from colorism.
How to navigate gaslighting in relation to colorism.
Ways we can build trust and strengthen sisterhood among Black women of all skin tones.
The intersection of colorism and patriarchy.
Healing from the effects of colorism.

RESOURCES:

Visit the Colorism Healing website
Follow Dr. Sarah L. Webb on Twitter: @drslwebb
Follow Colorism Healing on Instagram: @colorismhealing
The Colorism Healing Writing Contest 2020

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL for 20% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, and follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, download our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Bonus: 5-Minute Meditation for Stress Relief Sep 22, 2020

This bonus episode features a brief guided meditation with inspiring mantras to help you de-stress and return to your center.

RESOURCES:

For full podcast episodes and show notes, visit balancedblackgirl.com
Register for our Self-Care for Stress Management Workshop on September 26, 12:00 pm PDT on Zoom.
Follow Balanced Black Girl on Instagram: @balancedblackgirlpodcast
Like Balanced Black Girl on Facebook
Follow Balanced Black Girl on Twitter
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

Meditation music by Chris Collins, indiemusicbox.com

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, download our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

75 | Wellness Beyond the Physical: Creating Spiritual, Emotional, and Social Change with Maryam Ajayi Sep 15, 2020

Half healer, half businesswoman Maryam Ajayi is both an Energy Healer who practices the Akashic Records, Breathwork and Reiki, and an Entrepreneur, who is the founder of Dive in Well, which creates space, community, conversations, and change for a more diverse and equitable wellness industry through both on and offline experiences. Based in LA, she is passionate about de-stigmatizing the wellness industry, advocating for inclusive spaces for marginalized communities, and using her voice to empower and uplift others around the world.

In this episode, we talk about …

Maryam’s backstory and how she came to space she is in
Spirituality, Spiritual Practices, and Self-Awareness
Understanding the perspective of others
Mental, spiritual, physical, and social wellness

RESOURCES:

Visit the Dive in Well website
Follow Maryam Ajayi on Instagram: @maryamajayi
Follow Dive in Well on Instagram: @diveinwell
Join the Balanced Black Girl Webinar

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL for 20% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

Tweetable Quotes from Maryam Ajayi:

“The bigger you shine your light, the bigger your shadow is.”

“Why do we as Black women have to be more self-aware than others?”

“Being held accountable is an opportunity to evolve as a human.”

“Start learning who your well ancestors are and tap into them.”

“How could you not be changed when people come and speak their truth, you think about the ideas around it, and you know you have the power in the room to affect change?”

“We are going to reach a peak where we can’t ignore the diversity problem in wellness anymore.”

“Slowing down allows spirit to move through me.”

“Support me by supporting yourself.”

This episode is sponsored by Cantu Beauty.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

74 | Nourishing Our Bodies and Making Healthy Eating Equitable with Dr. Akua Woolbright Sep 01, 2020

Today we’re talking about nutrition for better health and dismantling food inequality with Akua Woolbright, PhD. Dr. Woolbright is an expert in plant-based nutrition who specializes in teaching people how to harness the healing power of foods to prevent and reverse disease, feel great, look younger, and live longer.

In 2009, Dr. Woolbright joined Whole Foods Market to help create and implement the company’s signature healthy eating program, blending science and evidence-based recommendations with a back-to-basics approach.

In this episode we talk about…

The difference between rural and urban poverty and farming
Nourishing our bodies and making healthy eating equitable
Getting rid of biases and stereotyping in health education spaces
The importance of nutrition education
How to break through the barriers of food accessibility

Resources:

A Life At Work by Thomas Moore
Learn more about the Whole Cities Foundation
Sign up for our Self-Care for Stress Management virtual class on September 26 at 12:00 pm PDT

Dr. Akua Woolbright’s email: akua.woolbright@wholefoods.com

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL for 20% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

This episode is sponsored by Cantu Beauty.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

73 | CBD, Sisterhood, and Living with Purpose with Brown Girl Jane [Part 2] Aug 20, 2020

Today we’re sharing the second part of our conversation with the BROWN GIRL jane team, sitting down with co-founder and Chief Brand Officer Tai Beauchamp.

BROWN GIRL jane is a Black woman-owned and founded company that offers broad-spectrum CBD products created especially for women of color.

Named one of the 50 most influential people in the multicultural market by WWD, Tai is an award-winning producer, TV host, and brand consultant, known most for her expertise in marketing to women. Formerly an editor for Harper’s Bazaar, O, The Oprah Magazine, and Seventeen magazines, Beauchamp departed publishing in the earliest days of social media to leverage her vast audience platform to empower, educate and entertain women of all ages.

Tai has become a go-to thought leader for platforms like ABC, NBC, E!, BET, TVOne, The Wendy Williams Show, The View, The Chew, and the Tamron Hall Show. She’s hosted her own shows on TLC, Cleo TV and GSN as well as worked with fortune 500 companies and impact organizations like AdColor, CoverGirl, Essence, Ford, GM, Hilton, InStyle, Lexus, McDonald’s, Proctor and Gamble, Sundial Brands, Prudential, Target, Walmart, and The Wing. Currently living in Los Angeles, Tai is a New Jersey native and proud Spelman College alum.

In this episode, we talk about…

The importance of understanding your “why”.
Staying aligned with your purpose.
The collective power of sisterhood and genuine friendships and Collaboration.
Stress management and taking care of yourself during busy seasons of life.

RESOURCES:

Visit the BROWN GIRL jane website to shop their CBD tinctures and beauty products.
Follow BROWN GIRL jane on Instagram @itsbrowngirljane
Follow Tai on Instagram @taibeau
Like BROWN GIRL jane on Facebook @browngirljane
Follow BROWN GIRL jane on Twitter @BROWNGIRLjane

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL for 20% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

73 | CBD, Sisterhood, and Living with Purpose with Brown Girl Jane [Part 1] Aug 18, 2020

In part one of this two-part conversation, we’re sitting down with Nia Jones Alugbin and Malaika Jones Kebede, sisters and co-founders of BROWN GIRL jane.

BROWN GIRL jane is a Black woman-owned and founded company that offers broad spectrum CBD products created especially for women of color.

Malaika Jones Kebede is co-founder and CEO and started BROWN GIRL jane after falling in love with the healing power of plants and CBD. After suffering spinal nerve damage during the birth of her third child, she began experimenting with holistic alternatives to traditional pharmaceutical medicine and fell in love with the natural healing wonders Cannabidiol.

Nia Jones Alugbin is co-founder of BROWN GIRL jane and lives in Brooklyn with her two young sons and husband. She spent most of her career as a leader in Philanthropic Management and Diversity shaping the direction and enacting change through institutional policies and capital support. She graduated from Spelman College and received a Master’s degree from New York University.

In this episode, we talk about…

What CBD is and what its benefits are.
Managing stress and anxiety in our daily lives.
Why supporting diverse-owned cannabis companies is so important.
Creating a community focused on healing as a collective.
Allowing flexibility in our approach to self-care.

RESOURCES:

Visit the BROWN GIRL jane website to shop their CBD tinctures and beauty products.
Follow BROWN GIRL jane on Instagram @itsbrowngirljane
Like BROWN GIRL jane on Facebook @browngirljane
Follow BROWN GIRL jane on Twitter @BROWNGIRLjane

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL for 20% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

72 | Coping Strategies for Racial Trauma with Jacquelyn Ogorchukwu Iyamah Aug 04, 2020

Today, we’re discussing ways to heal from and cope with racial trauma with our guest, Jacquelyn Ogorchukwu Iyamah.

Jacquelyn is a Nigerian American Storyteller and User Experience Designer in the wellness space. She has a degree in Social welfare, where her focus was on making wellness more accessible to overlooked communities. She also has a degree in UX design, where she spent a year researching what it would take to design a platform that reduced the barriers of therapy for Black, Indigenous and People of Color.

In 2018, Jacquelyn published The Geometry of Being Black, a poetic body of work that provides a glimpse into prominent experiences of the Black community.

In this episode, we talk about…

The difference between coping and healing.
Defining racial trauma, and understanding its signs and symptoms.
Understanding The Four Bodies of healing.
Identifying and coping with racial battle fatigue.
Activism as an act of hope.

RESOURCES:

Check out Jacquelyn's course Making the Body a Home: Unpacking Internalized Racism
Follow Jacquelyn on Instagram: @ogorchukwuu
Read The Four Bodies: A Toolkit for Healing Racial Trauma
Follow Jacquelyn on Facebook: @ogorchukwuu
Follow Jacquelyn on Twitter: @ogorchukwuu
Order Jacquelyn’s book The Geometry of Being Black
Register for the Unapologetic Retreat and use code LES10 for $10 off
Take the Balanced Black Girl Listener Survey

Balance Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL for 20% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

This episode is sponsored by Cantu Beauty.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Bonus: How to Reclaim Your Worthiness [Guided Meditation + Journaling Exercise] Jul 28, 2020

In this solo episode, Les will dive into the topic of worthiness. While each of us is born inherently worthy, we receive messages that lead us to believe our worthiness is transactional or something we have to earn back.

Les will discuss her own struggles with worthiness, along with a guided meditation and journaling exercise that will help you reclaim your worthiness no matter what life throws your way.

In this episode, we talk about…

Les’s reflections on questioning her own worthiness.
Examining your personal definition of what it means to be worthy.
How to focus on being instead of doing.
Take part with me in a guided journaling meditation to reclaim your worthiness.

RESOURCES:

For show notes and episode information go to com
Follow Balanced Black Girl on Instagram @balancedblackgirlpodcast
Meditation music is The Healing by Sergey Cheremisinov

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL for 20% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

71 | Sex Ed, Consent and Intimate Relationships During a Pandemic with Dr. Sara Flowers Jul 21, 2020

Today, we’re talking to Dr. Sara C. Flowers. She became the Vice President of Education at PPFA in 2018. An advocate for evidence-informed practice and emotional intelligence in sex education, Sara’s research focuses on fidelity and adaptation of sex education curricula, dismantling sexual and reproductive health disparities, serving the youth of color, and strengthening reproductive health access. In this role, Sara sets the vision, priorities, and strategy for sex education and training at Planned Parenthood. She is the spokesperson for sex education, providing contextualization and grounding for the nuanced ways sex education works to support and progress the federation’s vision and mission.

Sara holds a Doctorate in Public Health from The Graduate School and University Center, CUNY, as well as a BA in Psychology and a Master of Public Health degree, both from The George Washington University. She currently serves on the board of directors for SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change.

In this episode, we talk about…

How COVID impacts our sexual health and relationships
Evolution of sex education over the years
How to initiate honest conversations with your partner or potential partners
Communicating and connecting with others during this pandemic
Consent conversations, not just in a sexual context
Communicating with teenagers in this pandemic
Reproductive health care and how black women can advocate for themselves

RESOURCES:

Connect with Dr. Sara through PPFA’s website
Follow Dr. Sara on Linkedin: @drsaracflowers
Article about consent by Dr. Sara C. Flowers. Practicing What I Preach: Consent, Young People, and Respecting a No
Ask Roo, a sexual health chatbot from PPFA

Balance Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL for 20% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

70 | Overcoming Workplace Imposter Syndrome and Navigating Career Transitions with Adunola Adeshola Jul 07, 2020

Today, we’re talking to Adunola Adeshola, a career strategist and Forbes contributor. She teaches flourishing and unfulfilled corporate professionals how to secure new positions they love at companies they love.

Her clients have landed interviews and job offers at Tiffany & Co., Macy's, CBS, BP and other amazing Fortune 500 companies in their industries. Her expertise has also been featured in Bloomberg, Fast Company, Business Insider and other publications.

In this episode, we talk about…

How to overcome imposter syndrome in the workplace.
Transitioning to remote work.
Advice for navigating a toxic company culture.
How to navigate career changes during a time of uncertainty.
Stress management and maintaining balance while job seeking.

RESOURCES:

Check out Adunola’s Website Employee Redefined
Follow Adunola on Instagram: @thenewemployees
Download Adunola’s free guide, How to Go from Zero Interviews to Dream Job Offers
Read Adunola’s Forbes column

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL for 20% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

This episode is sponsored by Cantu Beauty.

Balanced Black Girl is edited by Bex Be Casting.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

69 | Navigating Healthcare As A Black Woman with Dr. Kristamarie Collman Jun 23, 2020

Today’s guest is Dr. Kristamarie Collman, a double board certified family medicine doctor. Leveraging her professional background in medicine paired with a natural flair for beauty and style, Dr. Kristamarie takes a holistic approach in helping women to live healthier lives.

She empowers women of all ages with tools and tips to “glow up” and ultimately feel their best. Dr. Kristamarie graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from Rutgers University – New Brunswick and continued her education at the New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY, earning a Doctor of Medicine. She later joined the ranks of Halifax Health Medical Center as a resident physician in Daytona Beach, FL, where she was also nominated to serve as Chief Resident.

She currently resides in Charlottesville, VA, where she practices in acute care and outpatient Family Medicine. Beyond the doctor’s office, Dr. Kristamarie shares engaging social media content focused on inspirational messages, healthy lifestyle and wellness advice. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her fiancé, their dog and trying out new food recipes in the kitchen. She is also the author of “Glow Up Your Life: The Rx for Looking and Feeling Good from the Inside Out.”

In this episode, we talk about…

Ways we can advocate for ourselves and loved ones when receiving medical care.
What to look for when searching for healthcare providers.
Incorporating holistic medicine with western practices.
Managing stress and anxiety around COVID-19.
Her experience navigating a fibroid diagnosis.

RESOURCES:

Download Glow Up Your Life by Dr. Kristamarie
Follow Dr. Kristamarie on Instagram: @drkristamarie
Like Dr. Kristamarie’s page on Facebook

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

This episode is sponsored by Cantu Beauty, available at Wal-Mart and walmart.com. Balanced Black Girl is edited by Bex Be Casting.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

68 | Setting Boundaries and Protecting Your Energy Jun 09, 2020

We are now in the middle of a global pandemic and cultural revolution at the same time. It’s a lot (to say the least).

In this solo episode, Les is discussing the importance of setting boundaries and protecting your energy so you can channel it into the areas of life that make most sense for you.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with responding to everyone wanting to check in with you because you’re their go-to “Black friend”, if you’re being put in the position to educate others and are trying to figure out how to navigate it, and if you’re looking for ways to set clear boundaries so you can take care of yourself during this critical time, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we talk about…

Defining the role you want to take on in our current state.
Listening to your body and redefining what self care means at this time.
How to respond to emotionally taxing conversations.
Guided journal prompts for clarity.

RESOURCES:

Check out #ProtectYourEnergy, an extensive doc with canned responses to racial gaslighting and taxing conversations.
Visit the Balanced Black Girl Community Healing Resource Guide for an extensive list of Black-focused virtual healing events, mental health resources, and Black-owned self care businesses.
Follow @balancedblackgirlpodcast on Instagram.
Like Balanced Black Girl on Facebook.
Follow @balancedblkgirl on Twitter.

This episode is sponsored by Cantu Beauty.

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for $5 off your order of adaptogen blends

Balanced Black Girl is edited by Bex Be Casting.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

67 | How to Manage Your Energy Using Human Design with Jasmine Offor-Verville May 26, 2020

Today’s guest is Jasmine Offor-Verville. Jasmine is a writer, speaker and truth-teller empowering us to unearth our individual Divine Destiny through the lens of Human Design.

Her provoking conversations and practice pioneer a new way of being that will allow each of us to see our divine nature. Through her resources, workshops and writing, Jasmine is changing the way we see ourselves so that we no longer have to look out for validation but return back within.

In this episode, we talk about…

What the different Human Design types are, and how they differ from one another.
How Human Design differs from, and works with astrology.
Ways to customize your self-care practices for your Human Design type.
How our Human Design impacts how we approach relationships, career, and purpose.

RESOURCES:

Visit Jasmine’s Website
Follow Jasmine on Instagram @moondustourmother
Book a Soul Session with Jasmine and use the code “BalancedBlack” for 10% off
Listen to Jasmine’s Podcast, Divinely Human

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL for 20% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for 15% off your order of adaptogen blends

Balanced Black Girl is edited by Bex Carlos .

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

66 | Creating Holistic Wellness Habits That Stick with Alina Brown May 12, 2020

Today’s guest is Alina Brown, Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner co-founder of WellnessCon, and creator of the Aligned Life Planner.

Alina creates video content for her Wellness YouTube channel called ‘Alina Alive,’ where she helps her 23,000+ subscribers take practical steps to deepen their wellness journeys.

In 2019, Alina co-founded WellnessCon, an annual outdoor wellness conference dedicated to promoting diversity in the wellness space while fostering community for wellness lovers, wellness influencers, and conscious companies. ⁣

This year Alina launched the Aligned Life Planner, a 2020 planner focused on seasonal intention-setting and key astrological events.

Alina truly believes that just as nature works synergistically to foster diverse rainforests and deep sea life, we as humans can best thrive and achieve optimal health synergistically through working together.⁣

In this episode, we talk about…

Creating wellness habits you can stick to by using the three pillars of wellness.
Healthy eating on a budget.
Why seasonality is important for goal-setting and for our wellness practices.
How to incorporate astrology into your wellness practice.

RESOURCES:

Follow Alina on Instagram @heyalinalive
Check out the Wellness Con website for updates: https://www.wellnesscon.co/
Subscribe to Alina’s YouTube Channel
Check out the Aligned Life Planner
Smudge Kit: Heritage Apothecary

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL for 20% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for 15% off your order of adaptogen blends

This episode is sponsored by Cantu Beauty. Pick up Cantu’s Shea Butter collection at Walmart and walmart.com.

Balanced Black Girl is edited by Bex Carlos.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Bonus: Breaking Generational Cycles with Les's Mom Trina May 08, 2020

Today’s bonus episode is a candid conversation with Les’s mom Trina in honor of Mother’s Day.

This episode is a special one, as they talk about navigating motherhood through the different stages of life, and how their mother/daughter relationship has evolved over time.

In this episode, we talk about…

Trina’s experiences as a teen mom.
Breaking generational cycles through intentional parenting.
Establishing parent/child relationships well into adulthood.
Identities outside of motherhood.

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL for 20% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for 15% off your order of adaptogen blends

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

65 | How to Heal Through Breathwork with Kathleen Booker Apr 28, 2020

Today’s guest is Kathleen Booker. She is an effervescent native New Yorker whose energy is infectious. Kathleen is passionate about Conscious Connected Breathwork therapy and knows first-hand the energy, healing, peace, and joy it creates in one’s life.

As a certified and insured Breathwork Coach, she has worked with many masters in the field of Conscious Connected Breathwork therapy. For over 10 years, Kathleen has used her Breath coaching and intuitive skills to support individuals in clearly identifying areas in need of growth, healing and focused goal creation.

Kathleen’s instinctive sense of what will motivate and empower her clients is the impetus for their transformation.

In this episode, we talk about…

Why connecting with your breath is so important.
What conscious connected breathwork is, and how to experience its benefits.
The importance of asking for help.
Ways to create more calm in your life.
Practices to feel grounded and fulfilled.

RESOURCES:

Special offer for Balanced Black Girl Listeners: Book a free breathwork session with Kathleen
Visit Kathleen’s Website
Follow Kathleen on Instagram: @iamkathleenbooker
Connect with Kathleen on LinkedIn

This episode is sponsored by Cantu Beauty. Check out their Natural Hair Collection at Walmart and walmart.com.

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL for 20% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Peak and Valley | Use the discount code balancedblackgirl for 15% off your order of adaptogen blends

Balanced Black Girl is edited by Bex Carlos.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

64 | Black Maternal Health: Protecting Black Mothers with Adriana Jean Louis Apr 14, 2020

Today, we’re talking to Adriana Jean Louis, doula and founder of Doula Philosophy.

In her final year of college, Adriana submitted a thesis on the Black Maternal Mortality Crisis in the Developed United States through the lens of public policy. In her professional life she runs a private practice, Doula Philosophy and also works jointly with non profit organizations that specifically cater to vulnerable women and families.

When working with these organizations, Adriana works directly with adolescent mothers, mothers of Haitian descent, women of color and women with a history of trauma. In private practice Doula Philosophy offers birth, postpartum and home doula services to families in Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island.

Her passion in Black maternal health and mortality, hospital intervention and the power of informed and autonomous decision making is the hallmark of her practice. Adriana has had the pleasure of being invited to speak at TeamBirth a hospital quality improvement conference, Harvard University, Boston College Law and UMass Dartmouth to name a few on the fundamental difference of doula care in birth outcomes and welcomes the opportunity to educate further whenever possible.

In this episode, we talk about…

What doulas do, and why expecting parents should consider working with a doula.
The state of the Black Maternal Health Crisis in America.
Ways Black folks who intend to have biological children can advocate for themselves.
Why Black mothers are less likely to breastfeed, and how we can better support Black mothers who want to breastfeed.
Resources for aspiring doulas.

RESOURCES:

Visit the Doula Philosophy Website
Follow Adriana on Instagram @adrianathedoula
Follow Pump Mama Pump on Instagram @pump_mama_pump
Visit the Evidence Based Birth Website

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL for 20% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Skinny Dipped | Use the code BBG for 15% off your order at skinnydipped.com
Peak and Valley | Use the code balancedblackgirl for 15% off your order at peakandvalley.co

Balanced Black Girl is edited by Bex Carlos.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

63 | Making Pilates Accessible with Patty Dean Mar 31, 2020

Today’s guest Patty Dean, also known as Patty Pilates, has been teaching classical Pilates for 20 years. Through her teaching, she has worked with celebrity clients, athletes, children of all abilities and everyone in between.

Patty Pilates Style actually started when she was a fashion stylist assistant for a celebrity stylist and fell in love with the method. After being a stay at home Mom she decided to go back to teaching Pilates by making it a little more affordable to Black folks and my Inglewood community.

Her motto is, “if you have a spine, a stomach and breath you can do Pilates...I can work with you”. She has witnessed endless life-changing testimonies when a client is committed to the Pilates method. She has worked with a vast spectrum of bodies and is grateful to continue working with more -- especially with Black folks.

In this episode, we talk about…

Building community through genuine connections.
The origins, mental, and physical benefits of Pilates.
Making Pilates accessible.
Modeling self-care for our children and communities.

RESOURCES:

Follow Patty on Instagram to stay updated on her virtual class offerings: @pattypilatesstyle
LA-Area Folks: Contact Patty at pattypilatesstyle@gmail.com for special pricing on private Pilates sessions.

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL30 for 30% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Skinny Dipped | Use the code BBG for 15% off your order at skinnydipped.com

Balanced Black Girl is edited by Bex Carlos.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

62 | Creating Change Through Storytelling with Bridget Todd Mar 17, 2020

Today we’re talking to Bridget Todd, political strategist, media personality, and co-host of AFROPUNK’s Solution Sessions Podcast where she focuses on amplifying Black stories globally.

Bridget has had an extensive career in media, education and politics. The former Howard University educator is a trained human rights activist and coordinated digital strategy for organizations such as MSNBC, Planned Parenthood, and the Women's March. She also facilitated a training program for political operatives that the Washington Post called “the Hogwarts of the Democratic Party.”

Bridget joined the podcast world as a producer for MoveOn.org’s flagship podcast in 2012. She also cohosted iHeartMedia’s “Stuff Mom Never Told You” podcast, where she discussed feminist issues and activism to over 2 million subscriber’s month.

Paper Magazine named Bridget as one of their top women in Politics to follow, and she received a Webby Award nomination for her role on AFROPUNK’s Solution Sessions Podcast. Her work has been featured in Teen Vogue, Refinery 29, Policy Mic, The Daily Show, The Atlantic, the Huffington Post, BuzzFeed, and more.

In this episode, we talk about…

The importance of telling Black stories in a loving, authentic way.
How to get comfortable using our voices.
Owning and protecting our creative ideas and contributions to popular culture.
Navigating burnout, and why rest is essential.

RESOURCES:

Check out AFROPUNK Solution Sessions.
Follow Bridget on Instagram: @bridgetmarieindc
Follow Bridget on Twitter: @bridgetmarie

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL for 20% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Skinny Dipped | Use the code BBG for 15% off your order at skinnydipped.com

Balanced Black Girl is edited by Bex Carlos.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

61 | Stress Management + Everything You Need to Know About Adaptogens Mar 03, 2020

Today’s guest is Nadine Joseph, founder and CEO of Peak and Valley, a conscious company that combines ancient wisdom and modern science to make everyday wellness essentials.

Nadine has a unique background entrenched in both the worlds of wellness and that of the scientific community. She combines the experiences gleaned from her time studying and conducting neuroscience research at both Johns Hopkins and UCSF with her holistic wellness upbringing.

In this episode, we talk about…

How stress impacts the body.
Practical tips for managing stress.
What adaptogens are, and how they can help us manage stress.
Ways to make exercise nourishing, not stressful.

RESOURCES:

Visit the Peak and Valley Website
Peak and Valley Adaptogen Blend -- use the discount code “balancedblackgirl”
Follow Peak and Valley on Instagram: @peakandvalleyco
Follow Nadine on Instagram: @itsanadine

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL for 20% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Skinny Dipped | Use the code BBG for 15% off your order at skinnydipped.com

Balanced Black Girl is edited by Bex Carlos.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

60 | Black History: Preserving Our Legacy with Toya Coleman Feb 18, 2020

Today’s guest is Toya Coleman, creator of Toya from Harlem. Toya From Harlem is an online platform for millennials of color who want to learn more about Locs, history, art and culture without boring pretentious language.

Born and raised in Harlem, with a BA in African-American studies, Toya was inspired to create her platform as a way to capture the historical places in Harlem that were being erased in the name of gentrification. Currently, she lives in LA and has expanded her message from Harlem to cover black history nationwide.

One of her proudest accomplishments was her feature on BET.com titled,“See This Artist's Recreations of Iconic Imagery For Black History Month” where she recreated iconic photos of Black men in history.

In this episode, we talk about…

Underrated moments in Black history.
The best social media accounts to follow to learn about Black history.
Black women’s stories that aren’t often told.
Gentrification’s impact on Black history.

RESOURCES:

Visit Toya’s Website
Follow Toya on Instagram: @toyafromharlem
Subscribe to Toya’s YouTube Channel
Sign up for Toya’s Newsletter
Follow Blvck Vrchives on Instagram: @blvckvrchives
Follow Blk Mkt Vintage on Instagram: @blkmktvintage
Learn about The Heroines of American Black Press

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
MBlack Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL30 for 30% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Skinny Dipped | Use the code BBG for 15% off your order at skinnydipped.com

Balanced Black Girl is edited by Bex Carlos. This episode was recorded with Inclusive Media Podcasting Network.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

59 | Listener’s Choice: Manifestation, Making Moves, Handling Life Transitions, and What’s Next for Balanced Black Girl Feb 04, 2020

In today’s episode, Les is holding it down solo discussing listener-submitted topics. Starting off with some reflection on 2019 and a renewed mindset for 2020, this episode gets deep down and personal about family, relocating, dating, manifestation, and more.

Whether you’re considering a relocation and are afraid to take the leap, you’re feeling stuck in a situation that you aren’t sure how to navigate, or you’re interested in creating a meditation routine, this episode has something for you!

The tea is hot today.

In this episode, we talk about…

Goal setting for 2020.
Relocating to a new city: preparing financially, taking the leap, building community.
How to get unstuck.
The single life and dating in a new city.
Creating a meditation routine.
Overcoming the winter blues.
Manifestation and how to get out of your own way.

RESOURCES:

Get the show notes for all episodes at balancedblackgirl.com
Follow Les on Instagram: @balancedles
Follow Balanced Black Girl Podcast on Instagram: @balancedblackgirlpodcast
Liberate Meditation App
Calm App
Episode 54: Wholehearted Living with Shirin Eskandani

Les’ Top Reads from 2019:

The Game of Desire by Shan Boodram
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper
More than Enough by Elaine Welteroth
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL30 for 30% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Skinny Dipped | Use the code BBG for 15% off your order at skinnydipped.com

Balanced Black Girl is edited by Bex Carlos.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

58 | Democratizing Wellness with Sinikiwe Dhliwayo Jan 21, 2020

Today’s guest is Sinikiwe Dhliwayo, a creative and public speaker who for the last decade has made a home at the intersection of wellness and publishing. Sinikiwe has worked in all facets of the photo and magazine publishing industry and oversees photo and video shoots from inception and conception to execution and delivery. Her skills include casting, producing and art direction as well as creative problem solving and most importantly, creating meaningful and impactful connections with target audiences.

Sinikiwe is also the founder of NAAYA, which roots people of color in their wellness. Whether making yoga accessible to those who need the practice most or telling the stories of marginalized folx through elevated photo and video, Sinikiwe is dedicated to changing the conversation around what it looks and feels like to be well. Her work and efforts to make the wellness space more equitable.

Later this year, Sinikiwe is kicking off NAAYA’s first 200-hour yoga teacher training, created specifically for people who identify as BIPOC. Head to the NAAYA website to learn more.

In this episode, we talk about…

The importance of mindfulness practices for people of color.
Cultural appropriation in yoga.
The intersection of wellness and media.
Advice for beginning your yoga journey.

RESOURCES:

Visit the NAAYA Website to subscribe to the newsletter
Follow NAAYA on Instagram: @naaya.wellness
Follow Sinikiwe on Instagram: @sinikiwe.stephanie

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL30 for 30% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Skinny Dipped | Use the code BBG for 15% off your order at skinnydipped.com

Balanced Black Girl is edited by Bex Carlos.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

57 | Bodyful Healing with Jennifer Sterling Jan 07, 2020

Today, we’re talking to Jennifer Sterling, Registered Dance/Movement Psychotherapist and Holistic Nutritionist.

She is also the Creator of Bodyful Healing, a wellness platform that offers body-based, holistic support to Black women living with depression.

In 2019, Jennifer’s book Dear Strong Black Woman: Letters of Nourishment and Reflection from One Strong Black Woman to Another was published. Dear Strong Black Woman is a collection of 31 letters of nourishment and connection from one strong Black woman to another.

In this episode, we talk about…

The importance of safe spaces for Black women living with depression.
Breaking down the myth of the strong Black woman.
Learning about dance/movement psychotherapy.
How nutrition and mental health are interconnected.

RESOURCES:

Check out Jennifer’s book, Dear Strong Black Woman
Jennifer’s Website: bodyfulhealing.com
Follow Bodyful Healing on Instagram: @bodyfulhealing
Like Bodyful Healing on Facebook
Follow Bodyful Healing on Twitter: @bodyfulhealing

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL30 for 30% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements
Skinny Dipped | Use the code BBG for 15% off your order at skinnydipped.com

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

56 | Breaking Unhealthy Relationship Cycles and Healing Within with Shena Tubbs of Black Girls Heal Dec 23, 2019

Today we’re talking to Shena Tubbs, a Relational Trauma and Attachment Specialist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Love Addiction Coach based out of Houston, TX.

She is the founder of Black Girls Heal, an online community dedicated to helping women of color break the cycles of unavailable relationships and feeling not enough by healing what's within.

In addition to Black Girls Heal, Shena has a private practice where she specializes in helping women heal from unresolved childhood relational trauma, love addiction, and changing relationship patterns. She also hosts the Black Girls Heal podcast which talks about all things intimacy, attachment and healing internal wounds.

In this episode, we talk about…

How we repeatedly get into unhealthy relationships and how we can break the cycle.
Understanding and overcoming love addiction.
Learning your attachment style, and the origins of your attachment style.
Unpacking relationships with unavailable people.

RESOURCES:

Visit Shena’s Website, BlackGirlsHeal.org
Check out the Learn to Thrive course
Check out the Healed and Loved Woman Mentorship program
Follow Black Girls Heal on Instagram: @blackgirlsheal_
Like Black Girls Heal on Facebook

Episode Sponsor:

Skinny Dipped | Use the code BBG for 15% off your order at skinnydipped.com

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL30 for 30% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

55 | Choose Your Own Adventure: Traveling As A Black Woman with Sojourner White Dec 10, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Sojourner White. Sojourner is a traveling scholar whose experiences as a Fulbright Fellow in Spain and service year as a Pubic Ally with AmeriCorps led her to become an International Social Worker.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, her travel journey started in the U.S. with her family, however studying Spanish opened her eyes to the world of international travel. Since studying abroad in 2015, she has traveled from Mexico to Morocco and many European countries in between.

Sojourner is living up to her name all while pursuing her Master’s degree and writing her way through the world on her blog “Sojournies.” She offers tips and resources to other students, professionals, or anyone interested in making travel part of their lives too. Her adventures have shaped her views of Blackness, womanhood, and wellness, no matter where she may be in the world.

In this episode, we talk about…

How Sojourner’s study abroad experience sparked her love for travel.
Ways Black women can benefit from traveling internationally.
Travel tips for Black women.
Practicing self-care and prioritizing wellness as a grad student.
The importance of crafting your own life journey.

RESOURCES:

Download Sojourner’s travel guide: 5 Things You Should Never Forget Before Your First Trip Abroad
Visit Sojourner’s website, Sojournies
Follow Sojourner on Instagram @thesojournies
Like Sojournies on Facebook
Follow Sojourner on Instagram Twitter @sojournies
Self Explored, Self Restored Journal
Becoming Journal

Episode Sponsor:

Skinny Dipped | Use the code BBG for 15% off your order at skinnydipped.com

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL30 for 30% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

54 | Wholehearted Living with Shirin Eskandani Nov 26, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Shirin Eskandani, life coach, public speaker, and writer who specializes in mindfulness and mindset work.

She has been a featured wellness expert on the Today Show and Cosmopolitan Magazine. Certified by the International Coach Federation, her holistic approach to transformation is influenced by her background in guided meditation, spirituality, and the arts.

Prior to building her successful coaching business, she was an award-winning opera singer, performing at Carnegie Hall and The Metropolitan Opera. She is the co-founder of Brown Girl Brunch and has been a featured speaker at ALT Summit, Well Summit, the Assemblage, and Soho House.

In this episode, we talk about…

Overcoming feelings of perfectionism.
Figuring out what comes next after reaching your goals.
How to perform mindset work.
The importance of practicing self-compassion.
Living wholeheartedly.

RESOURCES:

Learn more about Shirin’s Wholehearted Women Program
Visit Shirin’s Website
Follow Shirin on Instagram: @wholeheartecoaching
Like Wholehearted Coaching on Facebook

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

Skinny Dipped | Use the code BBG for 15% off your order at skinnydipped.com
BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL30 for 30% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off Organifi supplements

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

53 | Building Financial Wellness Tonya Rapley of My Fab Finance, Presented by BECU Nov 12, 2019

Today, in partnership with BECU, I’m sitting down with millennial money expert Tonya Rapley of My Fab Finance to discuss the importance of financial wellness. Tonya’s mission is to help millennials break the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck so they can become financially free and do more of what they love. Selected by TV One as a modern-day history maker, Tonya is a full-time entrepreneur and tours the country providing workshops for private and nonprofit clients. Her fierce financial advice has appeared in countless media outlets. Tonya currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and son, and I am so excited to share her approachable advice for achieving financial wellness with you. BECU is Washington’s largest not-for-profit credit union and is owned by its 1.2 million members. They have been a partner of Balanced Black Girl since the beginning of the year, and have helped facilitate important conversations about financial wellness on balancedblackgirl.com. In this episode, we talk about…

How to create your own definition of financial wellness.
Initial steps you can take to build financial wellness.
Strategies for eliminating debt.
How to stick to a budget without feeling deprived.
Wealth-building for Black women.
Finding affordable ways to practice self-care.

RESOURCES:

Visit Tonya’s Website
Follow Tonya on Instagram: @myfabfinance and @tonya.rapley
Like My Fab Finance on Facebook
Follow Tonya on Twitter: @myfabfinance
Check out the My Fab Finance Blue Ribbon Club

EPISODE SPONSOR -- BECU

Check out BECU.org
Learn more about BECU’s free Financial Health Check
Learn more about BECU’s online budgeting app, Money Manager

OTHER FINANCIAL WELLNESS ARTICLES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BECU:

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

52 | Black Girls Wine with Shayla Varnado Oct 29, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Shayla Varnado. Shayla is a serial entrepreneur, entertainer, side hustle queen and the founder of Black Girls Wine.

Black Girls Wine, affectionately known as BGW, is a lifestyle brand that celebrates Black girl magic by curating exclusive experiences for women who love wine. With over 11 chapters in 10+ cities, the brand is growing and the world is taking notice.

A decade of creating businesses has led Shayla to her passion for teaching women how to increase their income by monetizing their gifts with online + offline strategies that actually move their business forward. She is the author of 44 prayers for the Christian Entrepreneur. And she is the host of a weekly podcast called "The Business Besties" where she shares the real deal of what it takes to run a business.

In this episode, we talk about…

The importance of creating community and experiences for Black women.
The backstory of Black Girls Wine.
Wine education tips for beginners.
Knowing when to pivot in business.
Favorite Black-owned wine companies.

RESOURCES:

Visit the Black Girls Wine Website: https://www.blackgirlswine.com/
Join the Black Girls Wine Society: https://www.blackgirlswine.com/society
Follow Black Girls Wine on Instagram: @blackgirlswine
Like Black Girls Wine on Facebook
McBride Sisters Wine: Black Girl Magic Rosé
The Lotus and the Vines
Divine Wineries
Shoecrazy Wine

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

This episode is sponsored by Skinny Dipped Almonds. Use the code “BBG” for 15% off your first order at skinnydipped.com.
Organifi | Use the code “BBG” for 15% off Organifi supplements at balancedblackgirl.com/organifi.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

51 | What does being a Balanced Black Girl mean to you? Oct 15, 2019

Today’s episode is a special one - it is the one year anniversary of Balanced Black Girl Podcast! To celebrate the first year of the show, we are diving into our favorite question: what does being a Balanced Black Girl mean to you?

Host Les is sharing what being a Balanced Black Girl means to her, and we are revisiting some of the most powerful responses to this question from previous episodes of the show, including:

Episode 11: Creating Your Own Lane with Falesha Johnson
Episode 17: Buying Black and Living Green with Dr. Kristian Henderson
Episode 18: Making Self-Care Accessible with Michelle White
Episode 25: Creating a Foundation of Mindfulness with Nkenji Clarke
Episode 36: Let Your Fears Make You Fierce with Koya Webb
Episode 47: Healing from Burnout with Davia Roberts
Honorable Mention: What being a Balanced Black Girl means to Michelle Obama (from our book club meeting with her in March 2019) -

RESOURCES:

Our Website: balancedblackgirl.com
Follow us on Instagram: @balancedblackgirlpodcast
Like Balanced Black Girl on Facebook
Follow Balanced Black Girl Twitter: @balancedblkgirl

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL30 for 30% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use code “BBG” for 15% off supplements at balancedblackgirl.com/organifi

This podcast is edited by Bex Carlos of Explain to Me Podcast.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

50 | Finding Your Soulful Flow with Jasmine RaShae Oct 01, 2019

Today’s guest is Jasmine RaShae, founder of Soulful Flow Yoga. Jasmine is a native of Baton Rouge, LA who currently resides in Seattle. She is a yogi, storyteller and a brand alchemist.

Her platform is used to authentically connect with her following and cultivate a sense of community. She achieves this through a three-prong approach, the creation and practice of Soulful Flow Yoga, custom curated content on her lifestyle blog, “Do It For the Story" and brand storytelling for an array of clients, as the female founder of a boutique consulting agency, The J. RaShae Project.

In this episode, we talk about…

Ways anyone can benefit from yoga.
Making yoga more accessible to communities of color and children.
Why telling and sharing our stories is so important.
Helpful tips for balancing self-care and still showing up for others.

RESOURCES:

Visit Jasmine’s website: www.jasminerashae.com
Follow Jasmine on Instagram: @jasminerashae
Follow Soulful Flow Yoga on Instagram: @soulfulflowyoga
Take Jasmine’s Class (Seattle area)

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL30 for 30% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use code BBG for 15% off supplements from Organifi. Go to balancedblackgirl.com/organifi

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

49 | Decolonizing Education with Adrienne Thomas Sep 24, 2019

Today’s guest is Adrienne Thomas. Adrienne is an unapologetically Black educator who hails from the city of Chicago. She is a passionate social advocate with a focus on Black liberation.

While Adrienne is also a powerlifter and musician, her passion lies within classroom education, where her goal is to create inclusive curriculum that truly supports the lived experiences of our diverse students and children.

In this episode, we talk about…

How the US school curriculum can be more inclusive.
Why it is so important for all students to learn from diverse curriculum.
Tangible ways to support educators.
How inclusion has evolved in the powerlifting space.

RESOURCES:

Support Adrienne’s classroom library
Follow Adrienne on Instagram: @adriennewhoo
Episode 24: Elevating Marginalized Communities Through Fitness with Maria Rodriguez
Organic Bath Co Body Butter

Favorite of the Week:

Organic Bath Co Body Butter

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN all-natural products from Black artisans | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology Prepped Meals | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL30 for 30% off your first Methodology shipment
Organifi | Use the code BBG for 15% off supplements from organifi.com

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

48 | Self-Care Through Skincare with Kimjoy Long Sep 17, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Kimjoy Long, esthetician at Spruce Apothecary in Seattle. Kimjoy specializes in sugar hair removal and offers high-quality holistic skincare and green beauty services.

Through her training to become an esthetician, she realized many beauty and skincare treatments are not designed with the needs of women of color in mind. She strives to provide products and services that are safe for melanated skin.

Kimjoy is a mother of three who is passionate about helping women, especially mothers, prioritize their own self-care. As an esthetician, she not only cares for clients’ skin concerns but strives to cultivate a loving safe space for them to thrive in.

In this episode, we talk about…

Why you should consider visiting an esthetician.
Unique skin care considerations for Black women and other women of color.
How the beauty education space overlooks the needs of those with melanated skin.
Creating space for self-care as a mother.

RESOURCES:

View Kimjoy’s services and book an appointment with her at Spruce Apothecary (Seattle area)
Follow Kimjoy on Instagram: @lovesprucekimjoy
Follow Spruce Apothecary on Instagram: @spruce.apothecary

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL30 for 30% off your first Methodology shipment

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

47 | Healing from Burnout with Davia Roberts Sep 10, 2019

Today’s guest is Davia Roberts. As a certified yoga teacher and licensed mental health therapist, Davia uses her background to make mental health resources accessible. She is the voice and brains behind the AFFIRM podcast, a mental health and wellness podcast for women of color and founder of the wellness platform, Redefine Enough.

Now based in Washington, DC, Davia travels the country bringing mental health and wellness education to millennials and corporate professionals. Her mental health work has been featured on stages like SXSW and major publications such as Bustle, NaturallyCurly, and Mash.

She's using her expertise to help people get into therapy and teaching businesses how to use mental health education to erase burnout from the workplace.

In this episode, we talk about…

Common misconceptions believed about therapy.
Why talk therapy isn’t for everyone and other types of therapy to consider.
Healing from workplace burnout.
How companies and organizations can support the mental well-being of their employees.

RESOURCES:

Visit Davia’s Website: https://www.justdavia.com/
Follow Davia on Instagram: @justdavia
Follow Davia on Twitter: @justdavia
Listen to Davia’s podcast, AFFIRM
Psychology Today Therapist Directory
Open Path Collective Therapist Directory
Therapy for Black Girls Therapist Directory

Balanced Black Girl Partners:

BLK+GRN | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blkgrn.com
Black Girl Sunscreen | Use code BBG20 for 20% off at blackgirlsunscreen.com
Methodology | Use code BALANCEDBLACKGIRL30 for 30% off your first Methodology shipment

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

45 | Queens Have No Size with Klarke Foreman Aug 27, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Klarke Foreman. Klarke is an energetic, God-fearing teen advocate, and businesswoman. The Houston-native is Founder and CEO of Kween to Queen, a mentoring organization for teen girls.

Additionally, she is the Chief Operating Officer of Pink Productions, a platform dedicated to providing opportunities for women worldwide. She is also the co-founder of Foundation First, a digital marketing production company that helps entrepreneurs build a solid business foundation. She’s been featured in Teen Vogue, 979 The Box, Fox 26 and more for her efforts.

In this episode, we talk about…

What inspired her to create her mentoring organization Kween to Queen.
The importance of role models for the next generation.
Creating your own definition of what a “role model” is.
Why queens have no size.

RESOURCES:

Klarke’s Website
Follow Klarke on Instagram: @kweenklarke
Follow Kween to Queen on Instagram @kweentoqueen
Follow Klarke Twitter: @kweenklarke
Read Klarke’s feature in Teen Vogue

This episode is sponsored by Sound Craft Seltzer - the perfect drink for summer!

To unlock exclusive Balanced Black Girl content including weekly bonus episodes, support Balanced Black Girl on Patreon.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

44 | Securing a Seat at the Table with Minda Harts Aug 20, 2019

Today’s guest is Minda Harts, author of The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table, which is out today.

Minda is a well connected, sought after speaker and thought-leader, frequently speaking on topics of Advancing Women of Color, Leadership, Diversity, and Entrepreneurship. In 2018, Minda was named as one of the 25 Emerging Innovators by American Express.

Minda is an assistant professor of public service of NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and the founder of The Memo LLC, a career development company for women of color. Minda was also chosen by General Assembly to serve as one of their Dream Mentors, alongside women like Cindy Gallop. Secure The Seat is her weekly career podcast for women of color. Minda is originally from Southern California and currently resides in New York City.

In this episode, we talk about…

Minda’s most valuable career lessons.
Why we need to talk about race in the workplace.
How Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts can better us.
Advice for those looking for upward mobility in their careers.

RESOURCES:

Check out Minda’s new book, The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table.
Follow Minda on Twitter @mindaharts
Listen to Minda’s podcast, Secure the Seat

Today’s episode is sponsored by Sound Craft Seltzer, the drink of summer.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Summer Rewind: Buying Black and Living Green with Dr. Kristian Henderson Aug 13, 2019

In today’s summer rewind episode, we’re revisiting this conversation with Dr. Kristian Henderson of BLK+GRN.

Dr. Kristian Henderson is a professor of public health, a natural lifestyle enthusiast, and the founder of BLK+GRN, an all-natural marketplace by all Black artisans. BLK+GRN curates products that are sold in categories like skincare, home, bath and body to meet the needs of wellness seekers who want to buy Black and live green.

In the U.S. black women buy nearly twice as many body care and beauty products, with nearly 75% of the products marketing to black women containing toxic ingredients that can have a negative impact on our health. Through the creation of BLK+GRN, Dr. Kristian is tackling this issue head-on. She is an unshakable optimist who is passionate about helping women cultivate a lifestyle that’s free of artificial ingredients, toxins, and harmful chemicals. She believes that doing so is the only way to foster true happiness.

In this episode, we dive into the importance of understanding what ingredients are in our body care products, and how doing so can have a profound impact on our health.

She and her team are leading their community into a Toxic-Free 2019 when it comes to products, mindset, and lifestyle. We had an inspiring, insightful conversation that will have a positive takeaway for everyone. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to share her story and mission.

In this episode, we talk about…

How to make the switch to non-toxic products.
Toxic ingredients we should avoid.
The importance of supporting Black-owned businesses.
What inspired her to start BLK+GRN.

RESOURCES:

Stay up to date on Dr. Kristian’s Recovery
Send support to Dr. Kristian’s family
BLK+GRN Website: www.blkgrn.com
Follow BLK+GRN on Instagram: @blkgrn
Follow Dr. Kristian on Instagram: @drkristianh
Follow Facebook: BLK+GRN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLKandGRN/
Follow BLK+GRN on Twitter: @blkgrn
From the BLK+GRN Blog: The Black Girl’s Guide to Self Care

Use the code ‘BBG20’ for 20% off your BLK+GRN order!

To unlock weekly bonus episodes, support Balanced Black Girl on Patreon.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Summer Rewind: Taking Up Space with Chrissy King Aug 06, 2019

Time to take it back to an earlier interview! In this rewind episode, we’re sharing the first-ever interview on Balanced Black Girl featuring Chrissy King.

Chrissy King is a Milwaukee-based ISSA Certified Personal Trainer, lifestyle coach, fitness blogger, and truth-teller. While on her own fitness journey, Chrissy was introduced to strength training and powerlifting, which helped her build confidence and inner strength. Chrissy shows her clients that fat loss and weight management don’t have to be cumbersome or restrictive. She also encourages women to love their body in every stage, regardless of size or body fat percentage.

In this episode, we talk about...

Ways the wellness community can be more inclusive and representative for all
True self-care that doesn’t feel like a commodity
How to hold ourselves and each other accountable when we miss the mark with diversity and inclusion
Why it is important for women to feel comfortable taking up space.

Resources:

Visit Chrissy’s Website
Follow Chrissy on Instagram @iamchrissyking
“Is Fitness Only for Thin, White Women?”
“Words That Don’t Belong to Us: Why It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Using the World ‘Savage’”

This episode is sponsored by Sound Craft Seltzer - the perfect drink for summer!

To unlock exclusive Balanced Black Girl content including weekly bonus episodes, support Balanced Black Girl on Patreon.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

43 | Taking Control of Your Dating Experience with Shan Boodram Jul 30, 2019

Today, we’re having an open, honest conversation with Shan Boodram about sex, dating, and relationships.

Shan Boodram is a sexologist, popular YouTube personality, intimacy expert and author of The Game of Desire. Published by HarperCollins, The Game of Desire will teach you the self and social awareness to make dating your new favorite hobby. Shan analyzed the competitive dating landscape and the common pitfalls women face in the pursuit of passion, then developed a five-phase workshop to help down-on-love daters achieve romantic success. She has appeared on The View, MTV, E!, The Rachael Ray Show, The Steve Harvey Show, and CNN Radio, and has been featured in the New York Times, Forbes, and Time magazine.

We talked about how women can have more ownership over their dating lives instead of leaving it up to chance or in the hands of others.

In this episode, we talk about…

How women can be in the driver’s seat of their dating lives and romantic relationships.
The importance of understanding your attachment style.
How we can all become relationship experts.
Creating your ideal relationship related to your commitment style.

RESOURCES:

Get Shan’s new book, The Game of Desire
Check out Shan’s websites: shanboodram.com and thegameofdesire.com
Follow Shan Instagram @shanboody
Watch “The Disappointments of Dating as a Black Woman” on YouTube
Find Your Attachment Style
Find Your Commitment Style

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

Want to unlock weekly bonus episodes? Support Balanced Black Girl as a patron on Patreon.
PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

42 | Practicing Self-Care While Dismantling Everyday Racism with Monique Melton Jul 23, 2019

In this episode, we’re talking to Monique Melton, host of the Shine Brighter Together Podcast. Monique is an anti-racism educator, published author, and international speaker. She is also the founder of Shine Brighter Together, which is a community dedicated to healthy relationships & diverse unity.

She travels the world speaking at conferences and events on topics related to anti-racism, personal growth, diversity, and relationships. She’s been published in magazines, featured in blogs and podcasts and has touched the lives of people all over the world.

She is a natural big-bold dreamer and a deeply rooted woman of faith. She is a proud Navy wife to her high-school sweetheart and she is a loving mother to two little ones. She has a BA in social science with an emphasis in sociology & psychology and two years of graduate school education in Clinical Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.

In this episode, we talk about…

Why being “not racist” isn’t enough.
Practicing self-care after performing intense emotional labor.
Understanding internalized racism.
Dismantling problematic beliefs and behaviors.

RESOURCES:

Register for the SHINE Seattle Class
Monique’s 10-Week Anti-Racism Course, Unity Over Comfort
Follow Monique on Instagram @moemotivate
Listen to the Shine Brighter Together Podcast

Support Balanced Black Girl on Patreon for exclusive episodes and content.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

41 | Unpacking The Oreo Complex with Kristin Iris Jul 16, 2019

Today’s guest is Kristin Iris. Kristin is a Film Producer, Speaker, and Coach who helps Black creatives cultivate liberation, joy, and power through deep personal work and Black creative expression. Her work centers on helping Black folx dismantle their internalized oppressions and stand in their power she works in particular on healing “The Oreo Complex” or the idea that an individual isn’t Black enough.

As a creative she shares powerful messages through her writing (currently working on a novel and a screenplay), videos, and her podcast Melanated Rising which is meant to inspire, uplift, and ignite Black creatives all while changing the narratives around Blackness. She is also a Producer at MegaMind Media, a Black-owned feature film and television production company.

Her mission, whether in her art, coaching, or speaking, is to challenge and break down oppressive power dynamics and systems by inspiring and igniting Black folx into their greatness and their capacity to make great change in the world.

We had a great conversation about the unique challenges Black entrepreneurs and creatives face, and how we can unlock our creative power to achieve success.

In this episode, we talk about…

How everyone can unlock their creativity.
Being a Black woman in the online coaching space.
Unique obstacles Black entrepreneurs and creatives face.
Understanding and dismantling The Oreo Complex.

RESOURCES:

Visit Kristin’s Website: www.kristiniris.com
Listen to Kristin’s Podcast Melanated Rising.
Check out Kristin’s course, From Oreo to Empowered.
Follow Kristin on Instagram: @kristiniris

Want to support Balanced Black Girl? Join our community on Patreon to unlock Feel Good Friday episodes and bonus content.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

40 | Sexual Health from the Womb to the Tomb with Michelle Hope Jul 09, 2019

Today, we’re talking about sexual health, effective sexual education for Black and brown students, and how to create our own individual definitions of what it means to be sex-positive with Michelle Hope. Michelle is a dedicated Sexologist, educator and activist with a Master’s degree in Human Development and extensive post graduate training in sexuality. As a veteran speaker, Michelle has over 15 years of experience delivering impactful informative lectures and trainings across the nation. She believes as though her work, in marginalized urban communities, has provided her with deep insight and comprehension of the holistic implications of sexuality on one’s life.

Michelle has dedicated her career to understanding and communicating to the masses the complex intersections of various social identities: race, class, gender, and sexual orientation, through a Reproductive Justice lens. She has taken deliberate actions in exploring and developing a unique language to speak to communities of color. Michelle feels as though her experience in working with marginalized urban communities, and understanding holistic sexuality, has shaped her perspectives on the direct connections between sexuality and generational poverty in those communities.

Her passion and commitment to the work has provided her with a unique style that has the ability to captivate and educate across various populations; with a proven track record of developing, implementing and evaluating dynamic and creative programming for individuals.

In this episode, we talk about…

The implications of how our community views, talks about, and teaches about sex.
How being overly sexualized and fetishized impacts Black women.
Understanding where feelings of shame around sex and sexuality come from.
How consent and pleasure are deeply intertwined.
Helping individuals define what being sex positive means for them.

RESOURCES:

Michelle’s Website: http://www.mhsexpert.com/
Follow Michelle on Instagram: @mhsexpert
Follow Michelle on Twitter: @mhsexpert

PARTNERS:

Get 20% off your order on BLK+GRN using the code 'BBG20'
Get 20% off Black Girl Sunscreen using the code 'BBG20'
Get 30% off Methodology Meals delivered to your doorstep using the code 'BALANCEDBLACKGIRL30'

Support Balanced Black Girl on Patreon for weekly bonus episodes.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

39 | Low-Waste Living and Creating Your Own Path with Moji Igun Jul 02, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Moji Igun. Moji is the founder of Blue Daisi Consulting, a sustainability consulting company that helps small businesses reduce waste and implement sustainable practices.

After pursuing a career in engineering and realizing it wasn’t the right fit, Moji channeled her passion for sustainability to create meaningful work for herself.

Climate change is creating a state of crisis that impacts us all. Moji is sharing her expertise in low-waste living and shares practical advice we can all take to make our planet a better place.

In this episode, we talk about…

Simple ways to adopt a lower-waste lifestyle.
How sustainable practices are rooted in the Black community.
Using your interests and skillset to create the job of your dreams.
How to create a foundation of sustainability when starting a new business.

RESOURCES:

Blue Daisi Consulting
Follow Moji on Instagram: @hippiemoji
Follow Blue Daisi on Instagram: @bluedaisiconsulting
Support Balanced Black Girl on Patreon to unlock weekly bonus podcast episodes.

This episode is sponsored by Sound Craft Seltzer. Fermented on unprocessed, whole, and organic ingredients, Sound Craft Seltzer Co. elevates hard seltzer to another level.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

38| Creating A Community of Black Girl Magic - Balanced Black Girl Podcast LIVE Jun 25, 2019

Today’s episode is a special one - it is from our first LIVE recording of Balanced Black Girl Podcast. We hosted our first live podcast at The Collective in Seattle and had an open, honest conversation about the importance of community, and how we can build more authentic connections and relationships. Get to know our amazing guests.

Michaela Ayers is the founder of Nourish, a social impact organization that drives cultural change through human connection and experiential learning. Through the lens of social justice, she designs meaningful moments that embrace diversity and foster a culture of belonging.

Trina Baker co-leads the Seattle chapter of GirlTrek, the largest public health nonprofit for African-American women and girls in the United States. With nearly 100,000 neighborhood walkers nationwide, GirlTrek encourages women to use walking as a practical first step to inspire healthy living, families, and communities.

Falesha Johnson is the founder of Felite Performance where she works as a speed and agility coach for young athletes. She is also a seasoned public speaker, and the Associate Director of Development at the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington.

In this episode, we talk about…

The need for consistent sisterhood, and why it is so important for our health.
How to take online connections offline.
Finding community when you move to a new city.
Overcoming feelings of competition with other women.
Connecting with people from different cultural backgrounds.

RESOURCES:

Learn more about The Collective Seattle.
Connect with GirlTrek in your city.
Check out future events with Nourish.
Support Balanced Black Girl Podcast on Patreon for exclusive podcast episodes.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

37 | Listener Q&A: Fitness, Self-Care, Entrepreneurship, and More Jun 18, 2019

In today’s episode, Les is flying solo answering all of your burning questions about fitness, wellness, entrepreneurship, mental health, and more. The tea is hot today.

In this episode, we talk about…

Current favorite workouts and why.
Tips for navigating post-grad life, and finding your purpose.
Staying organized when it comes to wellness, fitness, and life.
Future Balanced Black Girl events and meet-ups.
...and more

SUPPORT THE SHOW - Become a Balanced Black Girl patron on Patreon to unlock Feel Good Friday episodes and exclusive podcast content. https://www.patreon.com/balancedblackgirl

LIVE PODCAST - Join us on June 21st for the first live recording of Balanced Black Girl in Seattle. RSVP here - only a few tickets left!

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

36 | Let Your Fears Make You Fierce with Koya Webb Jun 04, 2019

Today’s guest is Koya Webb. Koya is an internationally recognized yoga teacher, personal trainer, holistic health and wellness coach, author, motivational speaker, and professional fitness model revolutionizing the holistic living landscape.

She is the creator of Get Loved Up, a platform that encourages people to “love yourself, love others, and love the planet” by practicing environmental sustainability, plant-based nutrition, and mindful movement.

Koya is gearing up for the release of her latest book, Let Your Fears Make You Fierce: How to Turn Obstacles Into Seeds for Growth, an insightful guide sharing the ways she has lived in fear and the tools she's used to get herself to a more confident and fierce place, moving through life in alignment with everything she believes in.

We had an inspiring conversation about overcoming obstacles and finding triumph over limiting beliefs. Get ready for some serious inspiration.

In this episode, we talk about…

Turning obstacles into inspiration.
Listening to your body as an important form of self-care.
The importance of diverse yoga training programs.
Why love should play a major role in your wellness routine.

RESOURCES:

Get Koya’s new book, Let Your Fears Make You Fierce: How to Turn Obstacles Into Seeds for Growth
Sign Up for Koya’s Get Loved Up Yoga Teacher Training
Follow Koya on Instagram: @koyawebb
Follow Get Loved Up on Instagram: @getlovedup

Join us for our first live show in Seattle on June 21st all about creating community. RSVP here.

This episode is sponsored by Black Girl Sunscreen. Finally, a sunscreen designed to protect your melanin without the white residue. Use the code “BBG20” for 20% off your order at blackgirlsunscreen.com, or grab Black Girl Sunscreen at your local Target!

Like the show? Want to see it thrive? Support Balanced Black Girl Podcast on Patreon for exclusive benefits and perks!

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #21: The Importance of Rest and Recovery May 31, 2019

In today’s Feel Good Friday episode, we’re talking about incorporating rest and recovery into your fitness routine. While moving your body is important, in order to make progress, the magic is in the rest. If you don’t adequately recover from your workouts, your body isn’t able to repair and become stronger. This episode breaks down what signs to look for to help you decide when to recover, and how to determine when it’s time to take your fitness routine down a notch.

RESOURCES:

To hear future Feel Good Friday episodes, support Balanced Black Girl Podcast on Patreon.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

35 | Eloquent Rage (Solo Episode) May 28, 2019

Today’s episode is a solo one, with host Lestraundra doing a recap of the April/May 2019 Balanced Black Girl Book Club pick, Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower. Released in 2018, Eloquent Rage is authored by Brittney Cooper, Associate Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies and Africana Studies at Rutgers University and co-founder of the Crunk Feminist Collective.

The book is considered a Black feminist’s manifesto, and challenges the idea of Black women’s anger being a detriment to the nation. In fact, in the book it is suggested that Black women’s anger can be a source of power that can help us all.

In mid-May, several members of the Balanced Black Girl Book Club met in Seattle to discuss the book, and it was a lively, powerful discussion. Today’s episode serves as a discussion point for anyone who wants to continue the conversation, or who wasn’t able to meet IRL.

RESOURCES:

Get your copy of Eloquent Rage HERE
Sign up for book club updates: https://www.balancedblackgirl.com/book-club/
Get your copy of our June/July book club pick Queenie HERE

This episode was sponsored by Sound Craft Seltzer Co. Sound Craft Seltzer Co. elevates hard seltzer to another level. Find your local Sound Craft Seltzer Co. retailer here.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #20: Working Out After Taking Time Off May 24, 2019

In today’s Feel Good Friday episode, we are talking about getting back into a workout groove after taking time off. Whether you took a step back from fitness because of an injury, lack of time, or you just weren’t feeling it, you can definitely get back at it. Here are five tips to keep in mind (including a mindset tip that is essential).

These tips were inspired by my own fitness journey. After taking the first few months of the year off from consistently exercising, I recently got back in the swing of things using the five steps outlined in the episode.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

34 | Good Hair with Kayla Greaves May 21, 2019

Kayla A. Greaves is an award-winning journalist who currently works at Bustle as the fashion & beauty features editor. She was previously a lifestyle editor at The Huffington Post, and her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Teen Vogue, ELLE, Blavity, FASHION magazine, Upscale magazine, S/magazine and more.

Using an intersectional and inclusive approach, her pieces focus mainly on women's issues, culture, beauty, and fashion. Kayla has interviewed the likes of Academy award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o, Naomi Campbell, TIME 100’s Most Influential People and women’s rights activist Jaha Dukureh, Kelly Rowland, and Tess Holliday among others.

Earlier this year, Kayla created a series for Bustle called “Good Hair” which explored the joys of having 4C hair. Though the natural hair movement is alive and well, it hasn’t necessarily been inclusive of all textures. We discuss hair texture discrimination in the natural hair space and celebrate the beauty of 4C hair.

In this episode, we talk about…

The importance of representation in journalism and media.
Kayla’s natural hair journey.
Why representation and celebration of 4C hair is so important.
The history of hair texture discrimination.

This episode is sponsored by Black Girl Sunscreen. Finally, a sunscreen designed to protect your melanin without the white residue. Use the code “BBG20” for 20% off your order at blackgirlsunscreen.com.

RESOURCES:

Kayla’s Good Hair series on Bustle
From Bustle: How Black People Came to Believe 4C Hair Was A “Bad Hair" Texture
Follow Kayla on Instagram: @KaylaAGreaves
Visit Kayla’s website
Follow Kayla on Twitter: @KaylaAGreaves

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #19: Making Friends As An Adult May 17, 2019

Today’s Feel Good Friday episode is about a topic nearly everyone has struggled with at some point: making friends as an adult.

When you’re a kid, making friends is all about proximity, but as you get older it gets a little more complicated. After you finish school and are no longer surrounded by people your same age, or from your same area, how’s a Balanced Black Girl supposed to make friends? Let’s discuss some tips to help you meet an amazing squad.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

33 | The Power of Black Literature with Harmony Tamaalevea May 14, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Harmony Tamaalevea, the founder of The Literacy Lounge. The Literacy Lounge is a monthly subscription box that highlights Black literature while promoting reading as a means to a less stressful life.

Getting diagnosed with Lupus at age 18 shaped her outlook on life, and helped her shift her perspective on all things health and wellness. This episode will inspire you to see self-care in a whole new way.

In this episode, we talk about…

The importance of promoting and celebrating Black literature.
How an autoimmune diagnosis inspired The Literacy Lounge.
Why reading is so important for self-care.
How to make your business idea come to life (even if you’re young!)

RESOURCES:

The Literacy Lounge Website
Follow The Literacy Lounge on Instagram: @literacyloungebox
Like The Literacy Lounge on Facebook
Follow The Literacy Lounge on Twitter: @litloungebox
Join the Balanced Black Girl Book Club

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #18: Finding Balance For Side Hustlers May 10, 2019

In this Feel Good Friday episode, we’re talking about a hot topic: side hustles. The internet is constantly telling us we all need to start side hustles and seek entrepreneurship - but do we really? Entrepreneurship isn’t a glamorous path to take, especially while you are working another job to pay the bills. If you’re on the fence about side hustling, or have a side hustle and want to take it to the next level, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we talk about…

How to know if side hustling is or isn’t for you.
Time management tips for side hustlers.
Delegation tips for side hustlers.
How to make time for self-care while balancing multiple hustles.

RESOURCES:

Follow Balanced Black Girl Podcast on Instagram: @balancedblackgirlpodcast
Like Balanced Black Girl on Facebook
Follow Balanced Black Girl onTwitter: @balancedblkgirl

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

32 | Healthy Living in the City with Mary Vin Rose May 07, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Mary Vin Rose, host, producer, and actor based in New York City. Mary is best known for her limited talk cable series Healthy Living in The Bronx, where she highlights people and organizations that are helping Bronx residents live a healthier life. Mary is a self-love and mental health advocate who is dedicated to promoting wellness through art and media.

We had an inspiring conversation about the power of promoting healthy living in marginalized communities, practicing self-care when we need it the most, and overcoming the obstacles life throws our way.

In this episode, we talk about…

How Healthy Living in the Bronx started.
The intersection of wellness and art.
The importance of representation in wellness and media.
Self-care for introverts.

RESOURCES:

Visit Mary’s Website
Follow Healthy Living in the Bronx on Instagram: @healthylivinginthebronx
Watch Healthy Living in the Bronx

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #17: 5 Limiting Beliefs to Let Go Of May 03, 2019

In this week’s Feel Good Friday episode, we’re talking about letting go of things that no longer serve you. For many of us, the main thing holding us back is our mindset, and the limiting beliefs we repeat to ourselves over and over.

Limiting beliefs are thoughts or stories we repeat to ourselves that constrain or hold us back in some way. Today we’re breaking down what five limiting beliefs you can let go of to live your best life.

RESOURCES:

Listen to Feel Good Friday #12: You Are Enough
Visit our website, balancedblackgirl.com.
Join the Balanced Black Girl Book Club.
Like Balanced Black Girl on Facebook.
Follow Balanced Black Girl on Twitter.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

31 | Getting In Tune With Your Mental Health with Alicia Tetteh Apr 30, 2019

Conversations around mental health are always a top request, and this episode delivers. Today, we’re talking to Alicia Tetteh. Alicia is a mental health therapist practicing in Charlotte who sincerely believes in the power of change. She completed her education at Virginia Commonwealth and Howard University.

She is a new mom of twins and loves learning how to best nurture them. Alicia owns Building Endurance, where her focus is decreasing the stigma around mental health and recently created a mental health mobile application, ATTUNE. Additionally, Alicia teaches social work at the collegiate level and co-hosts a podcast with a friend and colleague, 2 Elephants in the Room. She loves laughing, silence, books and anything outdoors.

In this episode, we talk about…

How to decide if therapy is right for you.
What strengths-based therapy entails.
How to overcome common barriers to entry when it comes to seeking mental health services.
How to find the right therapist.

RESOURCES:

Check out Alicia’s app, Attune: https://getattune.com/en/
Follow Alicia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_aliciaoctavia
Follow Building Endurance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingendurancepllc
Listen to Alicia’s Podcast, 2 Elephants in the Room

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday 16: The Importance of Alone Time Apr 26, 2019

In today’s Feel Good Friday episode, we are talking about the importance of alone time. Spending time alone can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, having time to yourself can be one of the best things you can do for your health. Whether you have a packed calendar and never have a moment to yourself, you intentionally fill your time to avoid spending time alone, or if you’re in a season of having a lot of alone time and you’re ready for a change, this episode has useful insight to help you make the most of your time to yourself.

RESOURCES:

Balanced Black Girl Website
Follow Balanced Black Girl Podcast on Instagram @balancedblackgirlpodcast
Follow Les on Instagram @balancedles
Like Balanced Black Girl on Facebook
Follow Balanced Black Girl on Twitter @balancedblkgirl

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

30 | Nutrition Made Simple with Wendy and Jess of Food Heaven Made Easy Apr 23, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones, Registered Dietitians, Certified Diabetes Educators, and the creators of Food Heaven Made Easy.

Both women transitioned into careers in nutrition after working in other fields, and launched Food Heaven Made Easy in 2011 to share their passion for nutrition and healthy eating with others. With their podcast, nutrition programs, and recipes, Wendy and Jess want to show others that healthy eating can be delicious, easy, and cost-effective without feeling restrictive.

Wendy and Jess are also fellow podcasters. They host the Food Heaven Made Easy Podcast, a show dedicated to sharing applicable lifestyle changes to help improve your health. Tune in for new episodes every Wednesday.

In this episode, we talk about…

What inspired them to transition to nutrition after pursuing careers in other fields.
Simple tips to help you improve your eating habits if you don’t know where to start.
Meal prep hacks that won’t take over your whole Sunday.
The importance of representation in nutrition.

RESOURCES:

Food Heaven Made Easy Website
Follow Food Heaven Made Easy on Instagram: @foodheavenshow
Like Food Heaven Made Easy on Facebook
Follow Food Heaven Made Easy on Twitter: @foodheavenshow

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #15: Inspiration From Homecoming Apr 19, 2019

This week, Beyoncé’s Netflix documentary Homecoming debuted, and we have to talk about it. The film was inspiration level 100, and provided some amazing takeaways. Homecoming gave us the boost we needed to reinvigorate our goals, and provided the energy to carry us through the rest of 2019.

RESOURCES:

Balanced Black Girl Website
Follow Balanced Black Girl Podcast on Instagram @balancedblackgirlpodcast
Follow Les on Instagram @balancedles
Like Balanced Black Girl on Facebook
Follow Balanced Black Girl on Twitter @balancedblkgirl

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

29 | Unleashing Your Brilliance with Clarissa Rodriguez of She Rocks at College Apr 16, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Clarissa Rodriguez, founder of She Rocks at College. Clarissa is a college study skills expert, Part-time Labor and Delivery Nurse and proud AfroLatina who helps college women earn better grades and minimize the stress and overwhelm that comes with being a busy, working college student.

Clarissa is a first generation Dominican-American and was a first generation college student who started her schooling with dreams of working in medicine. After her college career got off to a discouraging start that made her question whether she could make it in the medical field, Clarissa dedicated herself to learning valuable study techniques and strategies that often aren’t taught to students from marginalized backgrounds. In addition to balancing her nursing career, she teaches women how to understand and unleash their brilliance in the classroom and beyond.

We had an insightful, inspiring conversation about the reality of being a first-generation college student, and how nontraditional students can thrive.

In this episode, we talk about…

Life as a first-generation college student and first-generation American.
Balancing dual identities as an AfroLatina.
How to succeed in higher education as a nontraditional student.
The importance of representation in the medical field.

RESOURCES:

Clarissa’s Website: http://sherocksatcollege.com/
Follow Clarissa on Instagram: @sherocksatcollege
Follow Clarissa on Facebook
Subscribe to Clarissa’s YouTube Channel

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #14: How to Avoid Burnout Apr 12, 2019

Feeling like a Burned-Out Black Girl instead of a Balanced Black Girl these days? You aren’t alone. Burnout is very real, and when you’re dealing with prolonged stress from your career, family obligations, and relationships while also experiencing microaggressions and adversity, eventually something has to give. In this Feel Good Friday episode, we are discussing ways to navigate and avoid burnout.

RESOURCES:

From Buzzfeed: This Is What Black Burnout Feels Like
Like Balanced Black Girl on Facebook
Follow Balanced Black Girl on Twitter: @balancedblkgirl

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

28 | Career Advancement for Us with Sage Quiamno Apr 09, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Sage Ke’alohilani Quiamno. Sage is the co-founder of Future for Us, a company dedicated to accelerating the advancement of women of color through community, culture and career development. Sage has been mentioned in Forbes, The Seattle Times and more. She is a passionate pay equity advocate and diversity, equity and inclusion champion. She has provided over 4,000+ women with salary negotiation tools and resources they need to advocate for themselves at work.

Sage has spoken at the Women’s March, Hired, Microsoft, Starbucks, and more.

Her drive and enthusiasm to fight for pay equity, especially for women of color, has launched her to the forefront of the women’s rights movement and she continues to advocate for the advancement for women in the workplace.

We have a candid conversation about the experiences women of color face in the workplace, and how we can make career advancement work for us.

In this episode, we talk about…

The challenges women of color face in the workforce.
How women of color can channel their ambition to create more opportunities.
Ways women of color can make “leaning in” work for us.
Advice for women of color who feel isolated or unsupported in their place of work.
The importance of seeking sponsorship and mentorship for career advancement.

RESOURCES:

Future for Us Website
Follow Future for Us on Instagram: @futureforus.now
Follow Sage on Instagram: @sageq
Like Future for Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/futureforus.now
Follow Future for Us Twitter: @futurefor_us
Register for the Future for Us Assembly on April 27

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #13 - Advice for Your Younger Self Apr 05, 2019

Today’s Feel Good Friday episode is all about leaning into discomfort and giving much-needed advice to your younger self. Les shares what advice she would give her younger (teenage and early 20’s) self, what advice she still needs to hear, and asks you to share what advice you would give your younger self and why.

RESOURCES:

Balanced Black Girl Website
Follow Balanced Black Girl Podcast on Instagram: @balancedblackgirlpodcast
Like Balanced Black Girl on Facebook
Follow Balanced Black Girl on Twitter: @balancedblkgirl
Subscribe to the Balanced Black Girl Newsletter

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

27 | Starting Over: How to Thrive When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan with Irie Love Apr 02, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Irie Love. Irie is a talented singer, fitness Instructor, activist, child mentor and empowerment coach. Irie is new to Seattle, and determined to use different platforms to empower women and youth worldwide through her love of music, health and wellness.

Irie started her music career in 1999, and spent nearly two decades working in the entertainment industry. After a series of life-changing events in 2017, she fell in love with cycling and transitioned to a career in wellness.

This episode will leave you feeling inspired and ready to take on any transitions you may be going through in your life.

In this episode we talk about...

Navigating major career transitions.
The power and importance of strong friendships and community.
Making manifestation accessible.
How to thrive when life doesn’t go according to plan.

RESOURCES:

Irie’s Website: https://www.thisisirielove.com/
Follow Instagram: @thisisirielove
Take Irie’s class at BurnCycle (Seattle)
Join the Balanced Black Girl Book Club https://www.balancedblackgirl.com/book-club/

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #12 - You Are Enough Mar 29, 2019

You have probably seen memes, quotes, graphics, and merch all over the internet the past few years with the phrase “I am enough.” While we have all liked, shared, and retweeted it, when will we start believing we are in fact, “enough?” Furthermore, what does being “enough” mean?

In this Feel Good Friday episode of Balanced Black Girl Podcast, we are tackling the idea of being enough, and are discussing how to actually start believing it. Because you are enough already.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

26 | Making Boutique Fitness More Inclusive with Briana Owens of Spiked Spin Mar 26, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Briana Owens, founder of Spiked Spin. Briana Owens is a Health and wellness Influencer, entrepreneur and empowerment coach committed to improving the negative stigma surrounding generational health and wellness in minority communities.

Briana wanted to create an experience specifically with women of color in mind, while still attracting a diverse crowd. In that vein, Spiked Spin was created.

In an industry where boutique fitness feels exclusive or is seen as a luxury, Spiked Spin creates an inclusive full-body experience where people of all backgrounds feel welcomed, served, and empowered.

In this episode, we talk about…

The Spiked Spin origin story.
Making boutique fitness feel more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible.
The significance of representation in the boutique fitness space.
Building an unapologetically diverse business.

Resources:

Spiked Spin Website: http://www.spikedspin.com/
Follow Spiked Spin on Instagram: @spikedspin
Follow Briana on Instagram: @bri.monee
Like Spiked Spin on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpikedSpin/
Follow Spiked Spin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/spikedspin

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #11 - How to engage in positive self-talk Mar 22, 2019

In today’s Feel Good Friday episode, we are diving into the importance of self-talk. It can be so tempting to fall down the rabbit hole of negative self-talk. But often times, the language we use to speak to ourselves is far more harsh, and less compassionate than what we would ever say to anyone else.

We’re going to dive into why positive self-talk is so important, how to decode and understand the negative self-talk we frequently engage in and how to engage in positive self-talk (without feeling cheesy).

RESOURCES:

10 Affirmations to Guide Your Glow Up

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

25 | Creating a Foundation of Mindfulness with Nkenji Clarke, M.Ed, N.C.C. Mar 19, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Nkenji Clarke, a Bronx, New York native pursuing her calling in the helping field of Counseling.

An HBCU graduate, from Spelman College, it was there that she fully embraced her purpose and connected it to her passion of working with youth and women in Black communities. She is committed to service and understands the importance of eradicating mental health stigma in the Black community. She pursued her graduate degree in Counselor Education (M.Ed) and is now a Nationally Certified Counselor (N.C.C) with a Professional School Counseling certification.

In the present moment, her purpose has her working with middle school scholars in New York City, where she works with them to learn mindfulness tools and increase their Self-awareness identity. She promotes the importance of Self-care through the 8 dimensions of wellness in both her personal and professional life. She is working toward creating more safe spaces for Brown and Black youth and women through education.

In this episode, we talk about…

Working with youth to change the stigma of mental health in Black and brown communities.
Mindfulness tools and techniques for Black and brown women and youth.
Creating safe spaces for Black and brown women and youth.
How mental health conditions are displayed differently for Black youth and young adults.
The importance of self-care through the 8 dimensions of wellness.

Mentioned in this episode:

Follow Nkenji on Twitter: @kenjikahmali
Follow Nkenji on Instagram: @__kenjikahmali
Test Used to Diagnose Depression May Not Work on Black People
Get your Balanced Black Girl Mug: www.balancedblackgirl.com/shop
Subscribe to the Balanced Black Girl Newsletter: www.balancedblackgirl.com/subscribe

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your new year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #10 - Is therapy right for you? How to find a therapist Mar 15, 2019

In today’s Feel Good Friday episode we’re talking all about therapy. Have you been curious about going to therapy but aren’t sure if you need it? Unsure how to find a good therapist? Don’t know what questions to ask when talking to potential therapists? We’re breaking down all of those points to help you make an informed decision to determine if therapy is right for you.

RESOURCES:

Psychology Today Therapist Directory
Therapy for Black Girls Therapist Directory
Attune App - Find a Therapist Near You
Affordable online therapy platforms: Better Help and Talk Space

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

24 | Elevating Marginalized Voices Through Strength Training with Maria Rodriguez Mar 12, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Maria Rodriguez, founder of Fear Her Fight Athletics, a company that reinforces the lense of intersectional feminism in the strength space. Maria is a competitive powerlifter and a strength and conditioning coach based in Tacoma Washington.

She coaches individuals remotely on a sliding scale and personal trains all levels. She aims to make training more accessible for the LGBTQ+ community at her gym and offers an inclusive space on Friday nights to lift. Her work is deeply rooted in her community and uses her skills to elevate access to wellness for those around her.

On June 1-2 2019, Maria is hosting the second annual Womxns Strength Summit. The Womxns Strength Summit is a weekend where we can explore the monumental power of what it means to be strong. Register for the Womxns Strength Summit here.

In this episode, we talk about…

Making the strength space inclusive, safe, and accessible for all womxn.
Creating opportunities for marginalized communities.
Facing discrimination as a WOC yoga instructor.
Building confidence and mental toughness from fitness.

RESOURCES:

Womxns Strength Summit: https://wss2019.com/
Fear Her Fight Athletics: https://www.fearherfight.com/
Follow Fear Her Fight on Instagram: @fearherfightathletics
Follow Maria on Instagram: @marialiftstacoma
Follow Fear Her Fight Athletics on Facebook
Email Maria at hello@fearherfight.com

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your new year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #9 - Rethinking Body Image Mar 08, 2019

Happy Feel Good Friday! Today’s episode is tackling an important topic - body image. At some point, we have all been impacted by our sense of body image - good or bad. But in this episode we’re talking about the standards for body image in our society, questioning their power, and figuring out where these standards do or don’t align with our personal values.

Get ready to start thinking of body image in a totally different way.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

23 | Kombucha for the Culture with Milan Durham of Cultured Kombucha Mar 05, 2019

In today’s episode, we’re sitting down with Milan Durham, founder of Cultured Kombucha.

With a background in architecture and a love of wellness, Milan built Cultured Kombucha. She created Cultured Kombucha not only because she is a kombucha lover, but because she also wants to tackle barriers to wellness including representation and access to healthy products.

Cultured Kombucha is really the story of one woman looking to affect positive change in minority communities through driving awareness to internal health and wellness. Milan strives to make the health and wellness scene in the District more diverse one fizzy bottle at a time.

In this episode, we talk about…

Introducing kombucha to new communities.
Gateways to make wellness more accessible.
Running an unapologetically black business.
Self-care for entrepreneurs, and how to avoid entrepreneur burnout.

RESOURCES:

Visit Cultured Kombucha’s Website
Follow Cultured Kombucha on Instagram: @theculturedkombucha
Like Cultured Kombucha on Facebook: @theculturedkombucha
Subscribe to the Cultured Kombucha Newsletter
Where to find Cultured Kombucha if you’re in DC

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

Subscribe to the Balanced Black Girl newsletter and get your free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #8: How to deal with imposter syndrome Mar 01, 2019

It’s Feel Good Friday, and today we’re tackling imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is the feeling of self-doubt about one’s accomplishments and abilities, and a fear of being exposed as a “fraud.”

Imposter syndrome is common for a lot of people - and in this episode, we are talking about simple ways you can deal with imposter syndrome so it doesn’t get the best of you or stop you from living your full potential.

In this episode, we talk about…

Common places imposter syndrome may show up in your life.
Tools for dealing with imposter syndrome.
Mindset shifts to prevent imposter syndrome from getting in your way.

RESOURCES:

Join the Balanced Black Girl community for relatable self-care and wellness tips in your inbox every Tuesday: https://www.balancedblackgirl.com/subscribe

Episode 22: Mind, Body, and Soul Care with Shanna Tyler: https://www.balancedblackgirl.com/ep-22-mind-body-soul-care/

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

22 | Mind, Body, and Soul Care with Shanna Tyler Feb 26, 2019

Our guest today is Shanna Tyler. Shanna Tyler is a life + biz coach for entrepreneurial women and podcast host of The Self Soul Sport Podcast. Based in New York City, she loves connecting with fellow girlbosses and owning the concrete jungle. Shanna believes that you can do it and have it all -- from pursuing a life of passion, cultivating a supportive network, and making money doing what you love!

In 2016, she launched Shanna Tyler blog with categories like yoga, mental health, and lifestyle. It’s led to many amazing collaborations with big names like Blink Fitness and SELF Magazine. Recently, Shanna launched her first e-book, the Get It Done E-Book - a guide with productivity hacks, tips, girlboss insights, and more.

In this episode, we talk about…

Shanna’s journey with major depressive disorder.
Mindset tips to help you boost your productivity.
How to overcome imposter syndrome.
Shanna’s experience as a black woman yoga teacher in New York City, and an open discussion about diversity in fitness clientele.
Creating self-love pockets throughout your day.

Resources:

Shanna’s Website
Shanna’s E-Book, the Get It Done E-Book
Shanna’s Group Coaching Program - The Get it Done Program
Follow Shanna on Instagram: @shannatyler_ and @selfsoulsportpodcast
Listen to Shanna’s Podcast, Self Soul Sport
Shanna Interviewing Lestraundra on Self Soul Sport

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your new year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #7 - What are you carrying? Feb 22, 2019

In this Feel Good Friday episode, we're getting real with ourselves about the loads and burdens we carry in everyday life and how they impact us. What are you carrying with you each day? How is it impacting you? Let's create a safe space to talk about it.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your new year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

21 | Activism Through Fitness with Sonja Herbert of Black Girl Pilates Feb 19, 2019

Today we’re joined by Sonja Herbert. Sonja lives in New York where she is a Pilates instructor, writer, speaker, competitive powerlifter and a former social worker. She is the founder of Commando Fitness Collective and the Black Girl Pilates community on Instagram and Facebook.

Sonja is committed to Black female representation in fitness, as well as improving the health and wellness in the Black community through writing, speaking and curating health and wellness events for Black women. She is comprehensively certified in Pilates, and also holds TRX Level 1 and Kettlebell Concepts Level 1 certifications.

In this episode, we talk about…

The importance of Black female representation in fitness.
Speaking out against racism in the fitness space.
Diversifying the Pilates space.
Creating safe spaces for Black women in fitness.

RESOURCES:

Follow Sonja on Instagram: @commandofitnesscollective
Follow Black Girl Pilates on Instagram: @blackgirlpilates
Black Girl Pilates Instructor Only Facebook Group
Black Girl Pilates Community Facebook Group
Sonja for Girls Gone Strong: Black Girl Pilates - My Catalyst for Strength
Sonja for Self Magazine: No, My Black Girl Pilates Group Isn’t Racist - It’s an Essential Way to Feel Represented in the Community

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your new year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #6 - What’s self-love got to do with it? Feb 15, 2019

It’s Feel Good Friday, and this week we’re talking about self-love. Not in a cheesy way - in a realistic way. In a compassionate way. Tune in for three simple steps to start showing yourself a little more love - because if you don’t love you, who will?

Get your self-love journal sheets: https://www.balancedblackgirl.com/self-love

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

20 | Protecting Our Melanin with Shontay Lundy of Black Girl Sunscreen Feb 12, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Shontay Lundy, founder of Black Girl Sunscreen.

She was inspired to create Black Girl Sunscreen by her love of the outdoors, and dissatisfaction with sun protection products available on the market. She often hikes practices yoga and walks her bulldog on the beach. Unfortunately, she couldn’t find a sunscreen that would protect her from the sun without cramping her style. Like many women with dark skin tones, applying sunscreen meant dealing with the white residue left behind by traditional products—and it wasn’t a good look.

Armed with an MBA and a personal vendetta against this unappealing residue, the New York-‐raised businesswoman started looking for a solution. She discovered that there were natural ingredients that could boost melanin production, offer proper UV protection and be fully absorbed by the skin. So, she worked with skin care experts to create Black Girl Sunscreen.

In this episode, we talk about…

Making skincare a pillar in your wellness routine.
Why it is important for people of color to protect their skin from the sun (because Black can crack).
Ingredients to look for vs. Ingredients to avoid when choosing skincare products.
How to take your business from idea to trusted product.

RESOURCES:

Order Black Girl Sunscreen from their website, and use the code 'BBG20' for 20% off: https://blackgirlsunscreen.com/
Follow Black Girl Sunscreen Instagram: @blackgirlsunscreen
Follow Shontay on Instagram: @shontay_a_lundy
Like Black Girl Sunscreen on Facebook
Follow Black Girl Sunscreen on Twitter: @blkgrlsunscreen
Order Black Girl Sunscreen from BLK+GRN (use the code ‘BBG20’ for 20% off your first BLK+GRN order).

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your new year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #5 - Creating a Relaxing Night Routine Feb 08, 2019

A few weeks back on Feel Good Friday we talked about creating a morning self-care routine. Today, we’re talking about creating a night time routine. Having a solid night routine can help you get more rest, properly recover from workouts, and improve your focus for the next day. Tune in for three simple tips to help you create a relaxing nighttime routine that works for you!

Mentioned in this episode...

Sunday Night Slow Jams Playlist

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your new year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

19 | Making Self-Care Accessible with Michelle White Feb 05, 2019

Today we are talking to Michelle White, self-care blogger and author of the guided self-care journal, Self Explore, Self Restore. Michelle created her website gmichelle.com to offer space for folks to practice self-care regularly and strengthen their self-love.

Michelle is a licensed social worker in the states of Illinois and Georgia. From her experiences in providing clinical services, technical assistance and trainings on interpersonal trauma, domestic violence and child abuse, Michelle understands how difficult it can be to practice self-care on a regular basis.

In this episode, we talk about…

Simple ways to start a self-care practice.
Overcoming guilt around practicing self-care.
Practicing self-care in ways that are fulfilling for our needs.
How to cultivate self-love through practicing self-care.

RESOURCES:

Read Michelle’s Blog: https://gmichelle.com/
Follow Michelle on Instagram @thegmichelle
Michelle’s Self-Care Journal, Self Explore, Self Restore
Download Michelle’s Free Self-Care Resource Guide: https://gmichelle.com/free-stuff/

Balanced Black Girl February Book Club Pick: Well-Read Black Girl by Glory Edim

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your new year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #4 - How to Stay Healthy at Work Feb 01, 2019

In today’s Feel Good Friday episode, we’re sharing tips to help you stay healthy at your J-O-B. Let’s be real, most of us spend more time at work than anywhere else so it’s important to still take care of yourself even while you’re at the office.

Tune in for seven super simple, actionable tips to help you feel your best at work.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your new year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

18 | Let's Talk About It with Taylor Nolan Jan 29, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Taylor Nolan, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and host of the Let’s Talk About It Podcast.

Taylor's provides a unique perspective on the topic of mental health from her studies in psychology and counseling, as well as her time spent on The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise reality TV shows. On her platform, she focuses on candid conversations about mental health, relationships, personal development, and life.

In this episode, we talk about…

Wellness practices beyond physical health.
Dealing with trauma in the public eye.
Growing up biracial in a predominately white environment.
Seattle favorites to check out if you’re ever in the city.

RESOURCES:

Listen to Taylor's Podcast on iTunes
Let's Talk About It Episode 58: Women of Color and Wellness Featuring Les
Follow Taylor on Instagram @taymocha

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your new year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #3 - How to Create a Morning Self-Care Routine Jan 25, 2019

In today’s Feel Good Friday episode, we’re addressing one of my favorite topics: how to create a morning self-care routine. I’m breaking down what my morning self-care routine looks like, why it can be short and sweet (I promise you don’t need to wake up at the crack of dawn for a solid morning self-care routine), and how you can customize it to make it work for you.

Generally speaking, I break my morning routine into three categories: things that take care of my mind, body, and spirit. Depending on my season in life and what my priorities are, the amount of time I spend on each area, and what I do to support each area will vary. But I recommend you find a routine that works well for you! Because we all could use a little more practical self-care.

In this episode, we talk about…

Why you shouldn’t use your phone first thing in the morning.
Resources to help you take care of your mind, body, and spirit.
Ideas for customizing your morning self-care routine to make it work for you.

RESOURCES:

Download our free glow-up guide for morning journal sheets, inspiring quotes, and affirmations to guide your morning self-care routine.

Join us at our Balanced Black Girl Seattle book club meet-up for Becoming on January 27. Register HERE.
If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

17 | Creating Safe Spaces for Fitness with Luca Page of Radically Fit Oakland Jan 22, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Luca Page, the founder of Radically Fit Oakland. Radically Fit is the Bay Area's body positive community gym for all queer, trans, POC, big bodied and fat identified folx and their allies, regardless of experience or ability.

Luca first got into fitness while grieving the loss of a close friend. With physical movement being such an important part of their healing, they wanted to share it with others through their training.

They created Radically Fit to build a safe space for fitness, self-care, and well-being for those who need it most, but often don’t feel served or welcome in more traditional fitness spaces. We had an insightful, honest conversation about inclusivity across race, gender identity, sexuality, and physical ability in the fitness space, and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to share their story and mission.

In this episode, we talk about…

Luca’s experiences working in the fitness industry, and not having a body type traditionally seen as “fit.”
Creating fitness offerings geared towards POC, queer, trans, big bodied, and fat identifying folks.
Ways the fitness industry relies on shaming as a key marketing tactic, and how we can change that.
The significance of representation across intersectionalities in the fitness space.
What being an ally truly means.

RESOURCES:

Radically Fit Website: https://www.radicallyfitoakland.com/
Follow Radically Fit on Instagram: @radicallyfitoakland
Like Radically Fit on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RadicallyFitOakland/
If you’d like to visit Radically Fit, reach out to Luca at info@radicallyfitoakland.com

If you're in Seattle, join us for our first Balanced Black Girl book club meet-up on January 27! RSVP HERE.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your new year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #2 - Getting Financially Fit Jan 18, 2019

It’s time for another Feel Good Friday mini-episode, and today we are talking about financial wellness. When talking about health and wellness, we often get very stuck in the physical, however, our mental and financial health are incredibly important too. In fact, your financial health can really impact your physical and mental health.

So let’s start taking baby steps at becoming financially fit this year, and at taking the stigma out of talking about money.

RESOURCES:

5 Ways to Improve Your Financial Wellness in the New Year

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your new year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

16 | Buying Black and Living Green with Dr. Kristian Henderson of BLK+GRN Jan 15, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Dr. Kristian Henderson, professor of public health, a natural lifestyle enthusiast, and the founder of BLK+GRN, an all-natural marketplace by all Black artisans. BLK+GRN curates products that are sold in categories like skincare, home, bath and body to meet the needs of wellness seekers who want to buy Black and live green.

In the U.S. black woman buy nearly twice as many body care and beauty products, with nearly 75% of the products marketing to black women containing toxic ingredients that can have a negative impact on our health. Through the creation of BLK+GRN, Dr. Kristian is tackling this issue head-on. She is an unshakeable optimist who is passionate about helping women cultivate a lifestyle that’s free of artificial ingredients, toxins, and harmful chemicals. She believes that doing so is the only way to foster true happiness.

In this episode, we dive into the importance of understanding what ingredients are in our body care products, and how doing so can have a profound impact on our health.

She and her team are leading their community into a Toxic-Free 2019 when it comes to products, mindset, and lifestyle. We had an inspiring, insightful conversation that will have a positive takeaway for everyone. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to share her story and mission.

In this episode, we talk about…

How to make the switch to non-toxic products.
Toxic ingredients we should avoid.
The importance of supporting black-owned businesses.
What inspired her to start BLK+GRN.
Self-care tips for black girls.

RESOURCES:

BLK+GRN Website: www.blkgrn.com
Follow BLK+GRN on Instagram: @blkgrn
Follow Dr. Kristian on Instagram: @drkristianh
Follow Facebook: BLK+GRN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLKandGRN/
Follow BLK+GRN on Twitter: @blkgrn
From the BLK+GRN Blog: The Black Girl’s Guide to Self Care

SPECIAL OFFERS:

Use the code BBG20 for 20% off your BLK+GRN order!
Head to our Instagram @balancedblackgirlpodcast to enter to win a BLK+GRN gift card.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your new year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feel Good Friday #1 - Creating Space for Healthy Habits Jan 11, 2019

Introducing Feel Good Friday! On Fridays, we’ll be sharing mini episodes with actionable wellness tips empowering you to live well. This week, we’re talking about creating space for healthy habits.

It’s the time of year when a lot of people are trying to create better habits. While we’re all for creating healthy habits, it’s important to create space in your life so these healthy habits can stick. Tune in for advice on how to create space so you can implement better habits in 2019.

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your new year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

15 | Diversifying the Nutrition Field with Deanna Belleny, MPH, RDN of Diversify Dietetics Jan 08, 2019

Today, we’re talking to Deanna Belleny, MPH, RDN, co-founder of Diversify Dietetics - an organization dedicated to increasing diversity in the field of nutrition by empowering students and young professionals from underrepresented minority groups to join the next generation of nutrition experts.

Deanna completed her bachelor's degree, dietetic internship, and masters degree in Houston, Texas and has loved working in such a diverse city (ranked as the most diverse city in the nation but who's counting!) Since her dietetic internship she noticed that the nutrition profession is not particularly diverse. It's quite the opposite. In fact, ONLY 9% of RDNs and NDTRs identifying as non-white. This is in stark contrast to the shifting demographic of the U.S.

In the spring of 2018, Deanna connected with Tamara Melton, MS, RDN, and they created Diversify Dietetics out of a need they saw was not being met. They set out to create a community to attract, encourage and empower students and young professionals of color who were seeking careers in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

In addition to her work with Diversify Dietetics, Deanna works full-time at Harvard Medical School. We had such a great conversation about ways to solve the diversity problem in the nutrition field, and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to share her story and the mission of Diversify Dietetics.

In this episode, we talk about…

Why it is so important to increase ethnic representation in the nutrition field.
How many of our “healthy eating” principles are eurocentric and miss the mark for a lot of people.
Common obstacles non-white students face when embarking on a career in nutrition.
Why it’s so important to educate mentors, teachers and hiring directors to diversify the nutrition field.

...and more!

RESOURCES:

Diversify Dietetics Website: https://www.diversifydietetics.org/

Follow Diversify Dietetics on Instagram: http://instagram.com/diversifydietetics

Like Diversify Dietetics on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diversifydietetics/

Subscribe to the Feed Me The Facts Podcast: https://www.diversifydietetics.org/podcast/

Our Idea of Healthy Eating Excludes Other Cultures, and That's a Problem by Tamara Melton, MS, RDN, co-founder of Diversify Dietetics

NOTES FROM LES:

Follow @curvycurl and @annaclausenfitness for Seattle community fitspo!

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your new year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

14 | Years that Ask Questions, and Years that Answer - 2018 Recap Dec 31, 2018

In our final episode of 2018, Les is sharing a personal, candid recap of the year. No topic is off limits. We touch on the highs and lows of 2018, what’s next for Balanced Black Girl, the real deal on setting goals that stick, and the question constantly in Les’ DM’s - when can we get more workouts?

Tune into this intimate conversation to celebrate a year full of growth, challenges, and community. We break down:

2018 Highlights (Personal and in the Wellness Space)
Lessons Learned
What’s Next for Balanced Black Girl
Real Talk on Goals and Resolutions

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

PS: If you really want to take your new year to the next level, snag our free glow-up guide. This free guide has everything you need to implement a self-care practice that works. You’ll get daily journal worksheets, inspiring quotes, affirmations, and a bonus workout. Get the guide HERE.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

13 | Listener Q&A with Les Dec 25, 2018

In this bonus solo episode, Les is answering listener questions on everything from food, to fitness, to hair care, to racism in the wellness space. Questions include:

What have been your experiences as a Balanced Black Girl doing outdoor activities (hiking, skiing, etc.)?
What are some of your favorite breakfast/lunch/dinner options?
What does your wash and go hair routine look like?
How did you become comfortable talking about difficult subjects?

and more!

If you like this episode, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Keep in touch with Les on Instagram @balancedles, follow the show @balancedblackgirlpodcast, and join the Balanced Black Girl Podcast Community on Facebook.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

12 | Staying Happy and Well with Dr. Pragati Gusmano Dec 18, 2018

Today, we’re talking to Dr. Pragati Gusmano, Florida-Based Functional Medicine Doctor and founder of Happy and Well.

Dr. Pragati offers her patients an alternative perspective on conventional healthcare and her approach emphasizes identifying the root cause of illness, eliminating nutritional deficiencies and the preventing disease and illness through diet and lifestyle modifications.

She was inspired to study Functional Medicine because she wanted to find a way of healthcare that really took a whole person approach to care vs looking at and addressing symptoms. After witnessing her father navigate preventable lifestyle illnesses, she became passionate about addressing lifestyle components of disease, instead of only focusing on a medication-only approach.

In addition to running her own practice, Dr. Pragati is also a wife and mother. We had an awesome conversation full of actionable advice to help you take charge of your health no matter where you are.

In this episode, we talk about…

The differences between functional and conventional medicine, and how the two work together.
Ailments and illnesses that disproportionately impact women of color, and how we can prevent and alleviate them.
Important nutrients people of color specifically need to pay attention to.
Easy lifestyle changes to make healthy living more accessible.
Tips for navigating cold and flu season.
Cultural appropriation in the wellness space.

RESOURCES:

Stay Healthy During Cold And Flu Season with the 5 Day Immune Boost Reset
Dr. Pragati’s Website: https://www.happyandwellhealth.com/
Dr. Pragati’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyandwell/
Dr. Pragati’s Community Reset: https://mailchi.mp/242bcb772055/reset

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

11 | Reframing Fertility with Bri Braggs of Fertile Alchemy Dec 11, 2018

Today, we’re talking to Bri Braggs, the founder of Fertile Alchemy. Bri is a Certified Holistic Health Coach who is passionate about educating women on the importance of preconception health and create a new narrative around their fertility.

Bri helps her clients take charge of their fertility and hormonal health, and helps women live more conscious, holistic lifestyles in an approachable, doable way. She has also developed her own Aromatic Oil (make sure you shoot Bri a DM @FertileAlchemy letting her know you tuned in - she’ll give you a special discount code).

Currently, Bri is working on expanding her line of products and writing her first book. She is currently enrolled in yoga teacher training and considers herself a “professional” at gluten free and dairy free baking. We had an incredible conversation about fertility and reproductive health for women of color, particularly black women, and know that you are going to find so much value in this episode.

In this episode, we talk about…

Common fertility and hormone-related issues for women of color.
How to start tracking your cycle to better understand your reproductive health.
The spiritual, mental, and emotional aspects of fertility.
The disproportionate risk level of pregnancy and birth-related complications for black women, and how we can prevent putting ourselves at risk.
Breaking generational patterns.
Being a black woman in the wellness space (check out Bri’s Instagram post on the topic here).

RESOURCES:

Fertile Alchemy Website: https://www.fertilealchemy.com/
Follow Bri on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fertilealchemy/
Follow Fertile Alchemy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fertilealchemy/
Follow Fertile Alchemy on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FertileAlchemy
Bri’s Aromatic Oil: https://www.fertilealchemy.com/aromaticoil/fertile-alchemy-aromatic-oil (Shoot her a DM letting her know you tuned into the show for a special discount code!)

Join the BBG Community:

Join the Balanced Black Girl Community on Facebook.
Subscribe to the Balanced Black Girl newsletter for diverse, curated content delivered to your inbox weekly.

Thanks for listening!

Please take a moment to leave us a rating and review on iTunes.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

10 | Creating Your Own Lane with Falesha Johnson Dec 04, 2018

Today, we’re talking to Falesha Johnson. Falesha is a former professional track athlete turned empowerment speaker, speed and agility coach, and philanthropic adviser.

Inspired by her personal love of track and field, Falesha saw a need for young athletes in her area to focus on speed and agility training. She then built her athletic training company Felite Performance, to help fill this void. She strongly believes that track and field have embedded characteristics in her such as resilience, adaptability, and time management skills that she continues to use in all aspects of life.

Falesha is also a talented public speaker who leads inspiring talks on perseverance and creating a strong, authentic personal brand.

In this episode, we talk about…

Her background as a professional track and field athlete.
How she balances working full-time as a philanthropic adviser with running her own business.
The importance of representation when it comes to coaches (for youth and adults)
Setting and achieving audacious goals.
Self-care for side hustlers.

RESOURCES:

Falesha’s Website

Follow Falesha on Instagram

Follow Felite Performance on Instagram

Get your ticket to the Ignited Womxn Summit to hear Falesha and Les speak (register before December 10 for early bird pricing!).

Join the BBG Community:

Join the Balanced Black Girl Community on Facebook.

Subscribe to the Balanced Black Girl newsletter for diverse, curated content delivered to your inbox weekly.

Thanks for listening!

If you liked this episode, please take a moment to leave us a rating and review on iTunes.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

9 | Liberation and Healing Through Yoga with Abiola Akanni Nov 27, 2018

Today, we’re talking to Abiola Akanni, of Yoga by Biola.

Abiola is a wellness entrepreneur best known for the Divine Feminine Workshop, and her unique yoga format Trap Vinyasa: A Body Positive Yoga Experience.

Her yoga journey started 10 years ago after a bad drug habit and scoliosis diagnosis. Once she began applying yogic philosophy to her life she created a process of self-examination called the 5 self healing benefits of yoga in order to identify areas of growth.

Currently, Abiola is focused on getting more yoga teachers of color teaching in their communities through her upcoming Trap Vinyasa mentorship program where she will be training the next generation of teachers to share the Trap Vinyasa format.

In this episode, we talk about…

Her prior struggles with bullying and substance abuse
How yoga helped her heal through trauma and reshaped her life’s purpose
Making yoga more accessible for underrepresented communities
Her experiences as a Nigerian-American woman in the predominantly white US yoga industry
Ways to make yoga feel more inclusive and focused on body positivity

RESOURCES:

Abiola’s Website: https://www.yogabybiola.com/

Trap Vinyasa Website: https://www.trapvinyasa.com/

Abiola’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogabybiola/

Yoga by Biola on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yogabybiola/

Yoga by Biola on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yogabybiola

Subscribe to the Balanced Black Girl Newsletter: https://www.balancedblackgirl.com/subscribe

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

8 | Taking Care of Our Mental Health with Ashley McGirt, MSW Nov 20, 2018

Today, we’re talking to Ashley McGirt, MSW, Licensed Mental Health Therapist and founder of Ashley McGirt Counseling Services.

Ashley is an accomplished speaker, author, hospice therapist, and entrepreneur running her own private therapy practice.

Ashley specializes in helping individuals through racial trauma, grief and loss, and navigating anxiety and depression. In her practice, she uses a holistic and interactive- multicultural approach that focuses on the needs of people of color. Her interest in mental health began when she began going to therapy, but struggled to find a therapist of color she could relate to and wanted to offer the kind of help to others she wanted to receive.

She is also an avid traveler and wrote the book I Tried to Travel It Away: Mental Health Tips for Travelers to help folks create lives they don’t need a vacation from. We are so grateful for the opportunity to share her story and knowledge with the Balanced Black Girl community.

In this episode, we talk about…

How women of color can prioritize their mental health when facing racial and gender inequalities
How physical health ailments that often impact women of color can be avoided by prioritizing mental health
Ways we can destigmatize mental health
How women of color can release feelings of needing to be everything to everyone
Mental health tips for travelers

RESOURCES:

Ashley’s Website: https://www.ashleymcgirt.com/

Ashley’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapywithash/

Ashley’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McGirtCounselingServices/

Ashley’s Book “I Tried to Travel It Away”: https://www.ashleymcgirt.com/new-products/i-tried-to-travel-it-away-mental-health-tips-for-travelers

Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom: https://amzn.to/2Kd3L1H

Letters to a Young Sister by Hill Harper: https://amzn.to/2S2oY0X

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

7 | Igniting Intersectional Feminism with Allison Tenney Nov 13, 2018

Today, we’re talking to fitness coach Allison Tenney.

Allison is known for her online fitness training programs and for founding the Ignited Womxn Summit, an annual wellness and leadership event that creates a space for learning through an inclusive lens.

Over the past two years, Allison has really dug into understanding the importance of diversity, inclusion, and intersectional feminism both within and beyond the fitness space. It all started after her first Ignited Womxn event that she held on the heels of the 2016 Presidential Election.

Currently, Allison is preparing for the 2019 Ignited Womxn Summit taking place in Seattle on February 9.

During this conversation, she gets incredibly candid discussing challenging topics, and we’re so grateful for her honesty and willingness to share.

In this episode, we talk about…

How the Ignited Womxn Summit came to be
Why diversity in the wellness space is so important
How those who are not a part of marginalized groups can be more supportive of those who are
What it means to do the work
Resources that can help individuals be better allies

If you haven’t already, make sure you get your ticket to the Ignited Womxn Summit! You can register HERE (make sure you register before December 10 for early bird pricing). Yours truly will be a speaker - hope to see you there!

RESOURCES:

Allison’s Website: https://allisontenneyfitness.com/

Ignited Womxn Summit: http://ignitedwomxnsummit.com/

Allison’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisontenney/

On Whiteness by Erin Brown: https://www.iamerinbrown.info/blog/2017/1/4/on-whiteness

Dr. Tee’s Foundations of Social Justice Course: https://imdrtee.com/foundationslivexxx/

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo: https://amzn.to/2PYAHAF

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

6 | Cultivating Self-Love Through Strength Training with Brittany Love Nov 05, 2018

In this episode, Balanced Black Girl Founder Lestraundra Alfred sits down with Brittany Love, Seattle-based health coach, personal trainer, and cycling instructor. Brittany has had a wide range of experiences in the world of fitness. From discovering fitness in her early 20’s, to competing in bodybuilding competitions, to becoming a trainer and helping her clients build self-confidence and create balance, Brittany shares valuable insight on what it’s like to be a woman of color in the fitness industry. In this episode, they talk about how Brittany uses her platform to diversify the Seattle wellness scene, how she makes her classes and training sessions feel welcoming and inclusive for all, and how fitness can be used as a tool to build more confidence and self-love for all women. This episode will make you feel like you’re laughing with girlfriends - press play and join in the conversation!

Connect with Brittany on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curvycurl/

Workout with Brittany:

University Village Athleta: http://stores.athleta.net/store-4867/
CycleBar South Lake Union: https://southlakeunion.cyclebar.com/
Belltown Strength and Conditioning: http://www.belltownstrength.com/schedule

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

5 | Pretty, for A Black Girl Oct 29, 2018

"You're pretty, for a black girl."

A back-handed compliment at best, these types of comments are often said to women of color. In this solo episode, Lestraundra is breaking down why this "compliment" is anything but, why our society's narrow definition of beauty needs to change, and ways we can all create inclusive definitions of beauty for ourselves. Whether you are a woman of color who is tired of being told you're pretty for a "____" (not true - you're just plain pretty), or you want to learn more about what women of color experience when it comes to beauty standards, you'll want to tune into this episode.

Connect with the Balanced Black Girl Podcast here:

Blog: https://www.balancedblackgirl.com

Instagram: @balancedles or @balancedblackgirlpodcast

Facebook Group: Confidence Over Comparison // BBG Podcast Community

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

4 | Taking Up Space with Chrissy King Oct 22, 2018

Chrissy King is a Milwaukee-based ISSA Certified Personal Trainer, lifestyle coach, fitness blogger, and truth-teller. While on her own fitness journey, Chrissy was introduced to strength training and powerlifting, which helped her build confidence and inner strength. Chrissy shows her clients that fat loss and weight management don’t have to be cumbersome or restrictive. She also encourages women to love their body in every stage, regardless of size or body fat percentage.

In this episode, Chrissy and I discuss ways the wellness community can be more inclusive and representative for all, true self-care that doesn’t feel like a commodity, how to hold ourselves and each other accountable when we miss the mark with diversity and inclusivity, why it is important for women to feel comfortable taking up space, and so much more.

For more from Chrissy head to www.chrissyking.com, and follow her on Instagram (@iamchrissyking), Facebook (@chrissykingfitness), and Twitter (@iamchrissyking).

From Chrissy’s Blog:

“Is Fitness Only for Thin, White Women?”

“Words That Don’t Belong to Us: Why It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Using the World ‘Savage’”

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

3 | How to Feel Confident At The Gym Oct 17, 2018

Ever walk into the gym or a fitness studio and instantly feel overwhelmed? This episode will help you get past that feeling. Tune in for 8 simple, actionable tips to help you feel more confident working out in public no matter your fitness level.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

2 | #WellnessSoWhite Oct 17, 2018

In this episode, we discuss the online wellness space's diversity problem, why representation is important for everyone, and ways we can all make the wellness space more inclusive and representative for all.

Some Great Wellness WOC to Follow (not an exhaustive list! I'm sure I'm missing some great people)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 | Welcome to the Balanced Black Girl Podcast! Oct 13, 2018

Welcome to the Balanced Black Girl Podcast - a show dedicated to reimagining health, wellness, and self-care for women of color.

In the very first episode, I (Les, your host) am introducing myself and am giving you the tea about the evolution from The Balanced Berry to Balanced Black Girl.

Thanks for listening!

xo

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/balanced-black-girl/donations
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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