being BALANCED podcast
By Ciji Townsend
being BALANCED podcastApr 16, 2023
The "me time" series continues with bibliophile, activist and mom, Michele Blondheim
Michele Blondheim is a true bibliophile, fiction fangirl (especially romance), epilogue enthusiast, book club champion and indie author advocate. When she's not in a book, she is creating cultural change and community impact as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) leader, all while navigating #momlife with her two active boys and husband.
In this episode:
- Michele shares why she doesn't have #momguilt when she's indulging in me time
- Breaks down how she developed her passion for reading
- How personal passion and cultivating community intersect
- Who Michele would have a dinner date with if she could pick a woman who inspires her!
Stay in touch:
LaKeitha Carlos breaks down the extroverts view on "me time" boundaries
LaKeitha Carlos, is a talented leader, attorney, communications specialist, and government executive. She is a transformational catalyst for organizational change and a driver of results.
In this episode:
How to navigate "me time" for extroverts
The learned behavior of busyness
Optimizing pockets of productivity
Pockets of productivity - clean up, meet up with friends, date night without cost of childcare - free time when the kids are at activities
Stay connected to LaKeitha on LinkedIn.
Me time: navigating time for yourself in every season of life, a conversation with Ciji Townsend
Kicking off a four part series focused on Me Time! First up, Ciji Townsend, founder of Balanced Not Busy breaks down ways to embrace time for yourself in every season of life.
The number one question asked at speaking engagements, in DMs and in casual phone chats is - "how do you find me time?" Well if you've been following along in IG stories, you know that Ciji doesn't skip or sacrifice time to enjoy a bath soak, go for a solo walk, read a book or just curl up on the couch - ALONE! So listen in as she breaks down:
* How me time as a single person helped to establish a rhythm of honoring working hours.
* Me time in marriage takes a little work and clear communication.
* Motherhood and me time only works without the guilt.
Keep in touch:
* Visit the website, balancednotbusy.com, to learn more about speaking engagements
* Join the Behind The Balance newsletter for free resources to invest in your balanced journey
* Follow and share practical solutions from IG: @balancednotbusy
SlumberPod co-founder and CEO, Katy Mallory shares the importance of a personal and professional village
Katy Mallory is co-founder and CEO of SlumberPod, a baby brand with more than $12M in annual revenues. She and her mother (Lou Childs) were inspired to invent SlumberPod and start the company in 2016 following a few sleepless nights on a family trip. SlumberPod is a quick assembly privacy pod that covers a playard, mini crib or toddler mattress -- giving baby their own dark and private place to sleep while sharing a room with family. Katy has more than 15 years of experience in marketing and communications, working most recently at Cox Automotive. She left her full-time job in February 2022 to join her mom on the entrepreneurial journey.
Stay connected:
- Follow Katy's personal journey on Instagram -@katymalloryatl
- Stay in the know on all things SlumberPod - @slumberpod
Goodies for the pod guests: use code BALANCED20 for a special discount on your next purchase
Resources mentioned:
Christian B. Aaron is a fearless coach, author and motivator on a mission to hold space for wellness
Christian B. Aaron is an author, registered nurse, life coach, preacher and founder of RISE Enterprises. Her life's mission is to help others RISE in Christ and calling and she does so by creating spaces for empowerment, holistic wellness, feeding the soul. She enjoys spending time with her hubby, planning retreats for women, and crafting sermons.
In this episode:
- How to rise in purpose and obstacles.
- Shifting your focus to the trunk and not the branches.
- Three aspects of your life you can honor regardless of your profession.
- Ways to embrace your superpower.
Stay in touch:
Instagram: @risingwithchristian and @risingwithchristianpodcast
Facebook: RISING with Christian
Websites:
Lifestyle health & wellness ambassador, Lynnette Williams explains the evolution of self to impact all areas of life.
Lynnette Williams is a wife to Dr. Joseph Williams, mom to Skylar (5) and Zion (3) , First Lady, health empowerment ambassador, fitness coach for the past 9 years and most importantly, a survivor of the obese/weight loss yo yo. She is a momprenuer who ongoingly helps women/corporations and other groups all across the US and Canada lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Her daily motto is, "Get Up, Get Active & Do Something For Yourself!
In this episode:
- How a person not self-motivated to live healthy now helps women find a healthier and more fulfilling life.
- Shifting the narrative after Googling, "how to be sexy"
- Three things to consider if you struggle with starting or restarting a healthy lifestyle
- Building a support system on your wellness journey
- Prioritizing the healthy behaviors and not the results.
Stay connected with Lynnette on Instagram.
Neuro Coach, Keshawn Hughes explains how understanding brain science helps you thrive
Keshawn Hughes is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) certified neuro coach, adjunct professor, and keynote speaker who serves in the top 1% of coaches with neuroscience expertise. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing, an M.S. in Strategic Communication, and specializations in NeuroEducation, NeuroEntrepreneurship, NeuroHealth, NeuroSpirituality, and NeuroRelationships. With twenty years of marketing and corporate leadership experience for top-ranked, global brands, Keshawn provides the language, strategies, and practical steps to help leaders and organizations ease stress, level up, and align with purpose.
In this episode:
- High powered brain practices, easy to remember and integrate into our lives.
- Why we unconsciously hold our breath as a neurological and biological response to threats.
- How to avoid the external trappings of success.
- How to add space between stimulus and response.
- Creating moments of pause + rest and action + activity.
Stay in touch:
Solo episode with Ciji Townsend, season four is here + pulse check!
Ciji Townsend - Wellness Expert / Problem Solver / Speaker / Podcaster
Raised by multiple generations of busy people, Ciji didn’t realize there was life beyond an over-programmed schedule full of commitments, responsibilities, and obligations. She learned at an early age how to “do” and realized in her 30’s she didn’t know how to just “be.” That revelation sparked the journey of learning how to live balanced not busy.
Balanced Not Busy is a lifestyle brand and social movement empowering go-getters with a full plate to step outside their comfort zone and tap into their full potential. Ciji is a sought-after public speaker delivering practical ways to stop glorifying busyness and embrace balance.
She’s passionate about her community and serves many Atlanta nonprofits in various leadership positions. Additionally, she solves problems, provides counsel, and executes strategic communication tactics as a corporate communicator while keeping her own, her team and her partners well-being top of mind.
Ciji is a radical advocate for rest and shares how she navigates her own balance as a content creator, storyteller and host of the being BALANCED podcast.
Ciji lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband Travis and children, nine-year-old Tripp and one-year-old Trinity Lacey.
Creating peace and ease with neuromuscular therapist, Kimberly Haley
Kimberly Haley is the founder and head practitioner of Relaxed and Restored. Her own health journey sparked a transition from the world of fashion to the wellness space. In 2019 she became a certified neuromuscular therapist and wellness coach. In her practice she utilizes therapeutic massage as a form of treatment to help working women find balance within their bodies. She emphasizes the benefits of self care as a means to reduce pain, manage stress and improve the quality of a women’s life as her mission.
In this episode:
- Navigating the tug of war when doing too much
- The responsibility of those who work in the wellness space
- Pursuing what the Lord has called you to do with ease
- When wellness and self-care seems out of reach
Stay connected:
Ashley Brown, explains how routines can create space and magical predictability
Ashley Brown is a mom of two, author of the Routine Building Handbook, and owner of Routine and Things, which serves to help women get organized and develop a routine so they enjoy the heck out of life. Ashley knows when women feel good, the world is better for it. She’s on a mission to see as many women as possible organize their life one routine at a time!
In this episode:
- How her bedtime routine dramatically supports her mental health.
- Avoiding the morning routine comparison trap.
- Understanding the routine block planning method.
- Avoiding energy leakage when you're faced with curveballs.
Stay connected with Ashley on Instagram.
CEO of Greentop Gifts, Jacquelyn Rodgers on the importance of diversifying celebrations and spreading joy
Jacquelyn Rodgers is on a mission to bring diversity to every celebration. As CEO of Greentop Gifts, her company brings joy to thousands of households across the United States with its unique and captivating gifting products. Greentop Gifts has been featured in Essence, O, The Oprah Magazine, NBC News, People.com, and Beyonce.com. And is now available in Target!
Jacquelyn is based in Atlanta, GA where she and her husband Shaun are the snack suppliers to their 3-year-old daughter Cameron Ellis and 8-year-old son Elijah. :)
In this episode:
- How this mom on a mission focused on filling a void changed the course of diversified celebrations.
- What her family eats for dinner when stuff hits the fan.
- A hard earned lesson in entrepreneurship.
- What she hopes Santa will put under the tree this year.
Follow the joy, @greentopgifts on all social platforms and the Jaquelyn's family fun on @snackswithjack
Michelle Blue on establishing a healthy relationship with failure
Michelle Blue is an entrepreneur, coach, and talk show host. Her mission is to support entrepreneurial dreamers in transformation from the inside out, teach them to show up powerfully in their purpose, and help them bring their businesses to life.
In her signature coaching program, Take the Leap with Blue, Blue guides women with entrepreneurial vision to gain the clarity, strategy, and confidence to get out of their head and take action to make their dreams a reality.
On her talk show The Journey with Blue, she leads conscious conversations with inspiring thought leaders and entrepreneurs about the spiritual, success, and mindset principles they’ve discovered along their journeys to success. On the show, Blue has sat down with guests such as Danielle Leslie, Brandice Daniel, Renae Bluitt, Abu Fofanah, Tonya Rapley, Maya Elious and more.
Blue has been recognized by 21 Ninety as one of the 11 Top Coaches to Follow and by Blk Women Hustle as one of the Top 20 Black Women Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2022. She has presented a TedTalk, “How to Break Free From Your Plan and Let Your Vision Guide You,” spoken at conferences for Essence and CultureCon, and has been featured on The CW South Florida.
In this episode:
- Aligning all you're doing with your being
- Reframing your fear
- Establishing a healthy relationship with failure
Stay Connected:
Instagram: @themichelleblue and @thejourneywithblue
Tallia Deljou breaks down finding clarity, purpose and direction in inner child work
Tallia Deljou is a life coach guiding people into the next chapter of their lives from a healed and whole place. With her three cornerstones of self-discovery, self-healing, and self-leadership, she creates space for people’s inner wisdom to be revealed and lived. Check out Tallia's inner child 5-day challenge!
In this episode:
- Healing the parts of us that hold onto certain beliefs that we likely formed in early life
- How Tallia is changing the conversation on inner child work
- The importance of understanding all of your parts
- The one thing Tallia does every morning to better connect with her inner child
The book Tallia can't shut up about!
Stay connected on Instagram
Moving from chaos to clarity with time management coach, Anna Dearmon Kornick
Anna Dearmon Kornick is a Time Management Coach who helps busy professionals and business owners master time management so they can stop feeling overwhelmed and start spending time on what matters most. Her weekly podcast, It's About Time, shares stories and strategies to inspire women seeking better work/life balance. Anna could literally eat chips and salsa every single day of her life.
In this episode:
- How you can arrive at your own definition of balance
- What busy people can do to avoid falling into a busy default mode
- Why ambitious people need to move from chaos to clarity
- Connecting self-care with memories from loved ones
A special treat for you: Get a Game Plan: 3 Steps to Design Your Winning Week
Stay connected with Anna:
Recover from burnout and fill your cup with Amber Zaricor
As an Enneagram 2w3, Amber believes in building deep relationships, living intentionally, and doing everything with her whole heart. “Heart” is an ongoing theme throughout Amber’s life—something she weaves into every interaction and life decision. Listed amongst The Top 10 Designers in Tennessee, Amber leads a team of creative entrepreneurs in building brands through powerful storytelling at her Nashville-based branding agency, Copperheart Creative. Her podcast, Small Business Big Heart, shares the raw stories of real business owners by digging deep into the heart behind their brand, with the purpose of inspiring and uplifting her listeners on their own entrepreneurial journey. Amber thrives by creating a safe, inclusive community for women to chase their big, scary dreams through hosting a weekly Wine Night in her home, the Fill Your Cup Conference, and (most recently) the Fill Your Cup Collective! In her free time, Amber fills her cup by journaling at local coffee shops, spreading hope through coloring sidewalk chalk, and riding bikes with her tall, dark, and handsome hubby!
In this episode:
- Why you need to sit down and fill your cup with Billy Joel.
- How to prevent burnout and exhaustion.
- What needs to be done to better understand your relationship with work and rest.
Use promo code "BALANCED10" for $10 off in-person AND online tickets - tickets are available at fillyourcupconference.com :)
Connect with AmberPersonal // Amber Zaricor
Website: https://www.amberzaricor.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberzaricor
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberzaricor
Branding Agency // Copperheart Creative
Website: https://www.copperheartcreative.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/copperheartcreative
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/copperheartcreative/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberzaricor
Podcast // Small Business Big Heart
Website: https://smallbusinessbigheart.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/smallbusiness_bigheart
Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/small-business-big-heart-with-amber-zaricor/id1543988177
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0uuQZbSCtsH6kAGN1xMKkV?si=pZVyno_WSVadS5iWZaP1Fg
Conference // Fill Your Cup
Website: https://www.fillyourcupconference.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/fillyourcup
Self actualization coach, Trish Ahjel Roberts breaks down what it means to have mind-blowing happiness
Trish Ahjel Roberts is a Self-Actualization & Diversity Coach, Happiness Expert and Inspirational Speaker. She is the founder of Mind-Blowing Happiness LLC and Black Vegan Life™. Trish was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and holds an MBA from Long Island University. She is the author of three self-help books: the e-book, Mind-Blowing Happiness™ Guide to Self-Care; the self-help memoir, Thinking Outside the Chrysalis: A Black Woman’s Guide to Spreading Her Wings; and the inspirational journal, 12 Steps to Mind-Blowing Happiness: A Journal of Insights, Quotes & Questions to Juice Up Your Journey. She is also the author of the #sexyfunnysmart novel, Chocolate Soufflé. Trish is a #1 Amazon bestseller with endorsements from Jack Canfield, Marci Shimoff and Iyanla Vanzant. She has over a decade of Buddhist study and yoga experience. She is a certified life coach, registered yoga and meditation instructor and certified reiki practitioner.
In this episode:
- Trish breaks down HOW to experience mind-blowing happiness
- WHY her 12-step process starts with healing
- The "aha moment" that shifted WHAT was on her list of life's priorities.
Connect with Trish:
Website: TrishAhjelRoberts.com
Instagram: @trishahjelroberts
Twitter: @trishahjel
The intersection of brain science and therapy with intuitive healing coach Cindy Robinson
Cindy Robinson is the founder of The Kid Factory and an Intuitive Healing Coach. She believes her calling is to find leading-edge mental health resources and make them accessible to as many families as possible. She works one-on-one with clients using a combination of walk-and-talk, brain science + physiology integration, and guided meditation in her practice.
In this episode she shares:
- Her impact in filling the gap between the scientific and therapeutic world.
- A way for parents, specifically of teens to experience parenting relief without adding to their plates.
- Ways parents can better understand where to put their energy.
- Prioritizing rest in a society that prioritizes achievement.
- How to start your healing journey + step one, read Laziness Does Not Exist
Connect with Cindy:
Instagram: @cindyrobinsonllc
Website: www.cindyrobinsonllc.com
Medium: cindyrobinnsonllc.medium.com
Self-talk to own your magic with therapist, G. Michelle Goodloe
Michelle Goodloe is a licensed clinical social worker and an experienced project manager dedicated to helping make self-care practical and accessible for busy, caring people.
Michelle is the owner and psychotherapist with The Essence of Healing LLC, a private therapeutic practice based in Atlanta, Georgia. She is also the creator of the wellness-resource website, gmichelle.com. Michelle facilitates interactive workshops for non-profit and private organizations that experience challenges with addressing self-care, compassion fatigue and professional burn out. Michelle lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and son.
In this episode, Michelle shares:
- Why she believes self-care is a non-negotiable and how she helps to fill in the blanks once somehow has identified what needs to be done to care for self.
- The moment her exhaustion transformed into shame.
- The three things she does every day to show up as the best version of herself.
Stay Connected:
Christian Murphy, relationship building wizard and gratitude coach shares her rising rituals and breaks down her gratitude practice
Christian Murphy harnesses a decade of experience in fundraising to support women and girls in our community through the power of dynamic relationships. Yet her proudest accomplishments come from helping people live to their highest potential through the power of gratitude.
In this episode, Christian shares her rising rituals. Click here to hear why she created this sacred space.
She also breaks down her gratitude practice, the one thing she does before her feet hit the Earth every morning and what she would tell her 20-year-old self.
Stay connected to Christian:
- Tune in to her podcast, Sticky Notes with GratefulCee
Learning how to rest with recovering workaholic, Melissa Brogdon
Melissa R. Brogdon a proud native of Oakland, CA and currently resides in Atlanta, GA. She is an entrepreneur collaborating with her husband on a number of family businesses including co-founding Fourth Party, a legal technology company serving negotiators. She uses her Instagram @Handledbycam to connect with women who are recovering workaholics.
In this episode, Melissa talks about her journey from a deep resistance to rest to establishing a rest regime and embracing the benefits. She shares her daily non-negotiables, communicating rest to loved ones and to her professional network and how quieting the negative self-talk created space for a more balanced life.
Octavia Raheem, rest when you're movement full and stillness deprived
Octavia Raheem, is a mother, online business owner, author, and life partner (wife) who prioritizes rest for her and my family despite the sometimes hectic pace of life. She has taught rest, restorative yoga, and Yoga Nidra for 10 years. She self published my first book, Gather, and it focuses on courage, rest, and connecting to your Ancestors. Her second book: Pause, Rest, Be: stillness practices for courage in times of change is now available!
One of her greatest joys is supporting high achieving and driven people in resting AT WORK. Some of her clients are Lululemon, The Highland Project, KIPP, and Civic Lab.
She believes we all need, deserve, and require more rest- especially now. Books on her nightstand:
Finding Refuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief
Connect with Octavia on Instagram and visit her website for details on her Devoted to Rest program.
Ciji Townsend, shares how she pulled herself out of a busy season and reclaimed balance
Ciji Townsend, founder of Balanced Not Busy and host of the being BALANCED podcast shares how her world turned upside down on March 11, 2002 beyond the direct impact of COVID-19. In this episode she explains the importance of navigating life's seasons with grace, acknowledging how you feel to make adjustments to "tools in the toolbox" and giving yourself permission to accept bandwidth changes.
Stay connected with Ciji:
Kailei Carr, breaks down how to navigate your career with intentionality during disruption
Kailei Carr is a champion for women in leadership and an expert in creating safe spaces for women to thrive, both personally and professionally. Since 2014, she has led The Asbury Group, a transformational leadership development firm specializing in elevating women and people of color. Her signature approach to leadership presence -- which is grounded in one's personal power and cultivated from the inside out -- has helped high-potential leaders around the globe thrive and advance to the most senior ranks. When she’s not facilitating leadership development programs or speaking at conferences and corporations, Kailei can be found hosting her podcast, Beyond the Business Suit, which has listeners in over 100 countries.
In this episode:
Kailei takes us back to 2013 when she saw the fragility of life which led to the next phase of her career. How to navigate your career with intentionality during disruption. And provides recommendations for pursuing something new in your profession.
Stay connected:
Instagram +Twitter: @kaileicarr
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaileicarr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaileicarr
Websites: http://beyondthebusinesssuit.com/ + www.groupasbury.com
Ciji Townsend, founder of Balanced Not Busy goes back to the basics to share life as a busy kid
Ciji Townsend, founded Balanced Not Busy because she knew that the glorification of busyness was a societal problem AND she knew that there were solutions. She's worked for the over five years to share those solutions with the masses via social media conversations, speaking engagements and as the host of the being BALANCED podcast.
In this episode she goes back to the basics and discusses what life was like with busy parents and as an over-programmed busy kid.
Stay connected to Ciji on Instagram, @balancednotbusy and find out more about her speaking engagements on www.balancednotbusy.com.
Michelle Carlton & Adrienne McCrary connected on social media and are now changing the way that women connect
Michelle Carlton and Adrienne McCrary, connected through insta, collaborated on a project and Founders of The Valorie. The Valorie offers a unique experience for Black Women, by providing a social + wellness club that is focused on connection and community, giving Black Women the space to be their true selves.
In this episode we chat about all things community care, why black women need support now more than ever and ways to be intentional every single day.
Learn more about the Valorie on Instagram, @thevalorie and at www.thevalorie.com
Author Alka Joshi takes us behind the scenes of "The Henna Artist" and shares how persistence, perseverance and passion is her key to balance
Born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, Alka has lived in the U.S. since the age of nine. She has a BA from Stanford University and and MFA from California College of Arts in San Francisco. Her debut novel,The Henna Artist, became a NYT Bestseller and a Reese Witherspoon book club pick in 2020. The sequel, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, premieres in July 2021, and she’s at work on the third book of the trilogy. An episodic TV series of The Henna Artist starring Freida Pinto is in development by Miramax TV.
In this episode Alka shares why she believes in the beauty of binge reading, how she reacted when she learned that Reese Witherspoon had picked her book for the book club and how important it is to see people of color in powerful positions.
Click here to purchase The Henna Artist.
Stay connected with Alka:
Dr. Alisha Reed shares how she prioritizes her time while grieving with grace
Dr. Alisha Reed is a Mother, Pharmacist, Certified Life Coach and creator of the lifestyle brand Fly with Alisha Reed. Since 2014, Alisha has inspired women to live their best lives by becoming the best version of themselves.
In this episode Dr. Reed covers how to grieve with grace based on her personal experience of suddenly losing her husband, the challenges associated with the expectation that black women have to be strong and what's she's reading/listening to/meditating on in this season of her life.
Stay connected:
Instagram: @flywithalishareed + @theflywidowpodcast
Book Stack:
Manu Muraro, explains the importance of social media boundaries and the impact of influencers being authentic
Manu Muraro is the founder of Your Social Team. She helps marketing professionals and entrepreneurs use Instagram to grow their businesses. She has 20+ years of experience in Creative, Marketing and Strategy and has worked full time for brands such as the Cartoon Network and King of Pops. She's taught over 100 classes, created several online trainings and started a membership program to support business owners and social media managers with innovative tactics and new ways to leverage Instagram.
In this episode, Manu shares how to have social media boundaries, the real deal life of an entrepreneur and how she made drastic changes to improve her productivity.
Stay in contact:
- Join the membership program and mention that Ciji Townsend sent you!
- Follow @yoursocialteam on Instagram
- Browse trainings and classes
- Reach out to Manu here
Nette Archangel, shares how you can be busy for good, navigating life in the LGBTQIA+ community and her journey to motherhood
Nette Archangel is a charismatic human of all things Living Life With Nette lifestyle brand. She's the proud mom of two kings, Lane and Thomas who are also known as the #brodudes. One of her greatest joys is raising them and with the support of their other parent Jasmine. When Nette is not playing Power Rangers, dinosaurs, or assembling puzzles, she's advocating for children autism, building a growing LGBTQIA+ community in New Orleans and business, listening to Carrie Underwood, indulging in Hamilton and planning her next power move.
In this episode, Nette breaks down her journey to motherhood, shares how her planning tools help to maintain her balance and encourages us all to be busy in a good way!
Stay connected:
Instagram: @livinglifewithnette
Email: livinglifewithnette@gmail.com
Part Two: Cara Snow picks back up with the things that white women should be doing to end systemic racism
In this episode, Cara and I pick back up on our previous conversation. Cara dives right in on what long-term allyship and advocacy should look like even when you have to have the tough conversations. And then it gets real juicy when she breaks down what white women should be doing to end systemic racism.
If you could sum up Cara Snow on a t-shirt it would say "Run all the miles, pet all the dogs, fight all the injustice and then stop for wine." Cara is a long time champion for diversity in tech and avid runner and volunteer. A devoted Southerner, she now lives, runs and pets all the dogs in Portland, Oregon where she works for a business association and focuses on equity and inclusion work.
Stay connected:
- Instagram & Twitter: @caraturanosnow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cara.t.snow
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carasnow/
Part One: Cara Snow talks about using power and affluence as a white woman to affect change.
If you could sum up Cara Snow on a t-shirt it would say "Run all the miles, pet all the dogs, fight all the injustice and then stop for wine." Cara is a long time champion for diversity in tech and avid runner and volunteer. A devoted Southerner, she now lives, runs and pets all the dogs in Portland, Oregon where she works for a business association and focuses on equity and inclusion work.
In this episode, Cara and I cut right to it and chat about the power and affluence that white women can use to support people of color and the difference between America's racial awakening and nightmare. This is episode is part one of our conversation.
Stay connected:
- Instagram & Twitter: @caraturanosnow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cara.t.snow
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carasnow/
The burnout whisperer, Erayna Sargent breaks down how to prevent professional burnout and why you should play hooky!
Erayna Sargent is the Founder & CEO of Hooky Wellness. After a personal battle with burnout proved that recovery could be as hard as the condition itself, Erayna founded Hooky Wellness to be a preventative mental wellness company helping hustle culture navigate burnout. Leveraging her 15 years of experience building consumer brands across companies like Nestle and Intuit, she uniquely blends design thinking and mental wellness, providing an approachable and innovative path to real results.
Hooky is the mental wellness partner for the Kelley School of Business MBA program at Indiana University and provides burnout support programming for companies like Google, P&G, Accenture and Teach for America, helping employees better understand what burnout is and how to manage it within the workplace. Erayna has an MBA from Indiana University and is a member of the Mental Wellness Initiative at the Global Wellness Institute.
In this episode, Erayna shares the work that she's doing to tackle burnout and the recovery process. She details, how you can participate in hooky day and beyond and shares her recipe for wellness.
Stay connected:
Instagram: @HookyWellness + @Burnout_whisperer
Money Coach, Dr. Nicole Garner Scott breaks down navigating financial trauma and dealing with money shame will embracing balance
Dr. Nicole Garner Scott is a highly sought after serial entrepreneur, finance expert, and money coach. She launched Amount Financial Services which positioned her as a thought leader, teacher, speaker and nationally recognized money expert. Through her company and digital financial membership platform (Common Wealth Membership), Nicole’s mission is to help communities of color eliminate poverty cycles by creating breathing room in their households and long term generational wealth assets. Dr. Nicole Garner Scott has served as a TEDx speaker and presented to Fortune 500 Companies and businesses including Google, Turner Broadcasting, CNN, Georgia State Capitol, The White House Entrepreneurship Demo Day, Essence, and a host of Universities, Churches, Women’s Empowerment Conferences and more.
When she’s not working with individuals on personal finance, she lends her expertise as a consultant helping both established companies and startups forge meaningful connections with wealth positive individuals hungry for knowledge and adding her personal understanding of cultural sensitivities to provide true impact. Her clients include Charlie Finance, Freshbooks, Operation Hope, State Farm and more. A disruptor who is committed to normalizing money talks around the nation, Nicole uses her own story and experiences to empower others with tools to change their financial trajectories. She has appeared in Essence, Upscale Magazine, Rolling Out and more.
In this episode, we discuss the burden of financial strain on families, breaking away from money shame and how your finances impact your overall well-being.
Stay connected: @drgarnerscott & @amountfinancial
Cat Polivoda shares how body positivity, fat liberation and our negative diet culture impact your balance.
Cat Polivoda (pah-lah-VOE-duh) is a boutique thrift shop owner and fat activist. Cat owns Cake Plus-Size Resale in Minneapolis, Minneapolis and her inclusive space not only welcomes people of all shapes and sizes, she also leverages the in store connection to encourage body positivity and fat liberation! She is a co-host of Matter of Fat, a body positive podcast with Midwest sensibilities. In her spare time, Cat enjoys RomCom audiobooks, trampoline parks and traveling.
Ciji and Cat met in 2015 as fellows of the New Leaders Council (NLC) Louisiana and in this episode, their conversation tackles the impact of negative body talk on your every day life, how your time can be spent doing the things that you love instead of counting calories and how as a small business owner Cat is embracing a newfound flexible schedule in this season.
Connect with Cat!
Website: www.catinspired.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/catpolivoda/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PolivodaCat
Twitter: www.twitter.com/CatPolivoda
Martine Resnick & Eileen Lee, co-founders of The Lola share ways to embrace the positive aspects of disruption
In this episode, Martine and Eileen share how to navigate balance as a business owner, embracing the positive aspects of disruption, why we should all be taking more naps and the importance of holding space during vulnerable conversations.
Martine Resnick has an extensive background in creating, building, marketing and monetizing global brands. After almost 20 years (and two kids back to back) Martine realized the traditional corporate environment no longer fit her life and the lives of many other womxn around her. She decided to make a change and stepped out to start her own business. She is now The Co-Founder of The Lola - an inclusive womxn’s club and community and workspace creating space to help womxn invest in themselves to grow professionally and personally through community, programming and digital content. The Lola’s first location opened summer 2019 in Atlanta’s Historic Old Fourth Ward (across from Ponce City Market) and already has over 390 Members within the first 8 months of opening.
Eileen Lee started her career as a management consultant at Accenture. After traveling for six years and working with Fortune 500 clients, she left corporate and started Venture for America, a national nonprofit and fellowship program for recent grads to launch their careers as entrepreneurs. Eileen is an operator and team, culture and community builder. Though her work environments changed, Eileen continued to observe challenges womxn face in both corporate and the startup world. Eileen is now co-founder of The Lola - a womxn's club and community.
Stay connected with The Lola:
Larissa Dubose shares the benefits of drinking a glass of wine, being ok with throwing out your 2020 vision board and a full list of wines to add to your shopping cart!
Larissa C. Dubose is the Founder and Resident Wine Educator of The Lotus & The Vines. She is a Certified Sommelier, and market-savvy Sales Manager with over 10 years of experience in the Wine & Spirits Industry. Larissa has held several roles; from On-Premise Sales Representative, Patrón Portfolio Manager with Maryland-based wine & spirits distributor Reliable Churchill, to managing the wine distribution and sales as the Southeast Regional Manager of Napa Valley-based winery, The Hess Collection. Larissa is currently the Georgia, South Carolina, & Tennessee Senior On-Premise Manager for two Luxury California Wineries, where she manages the sales and distribution goals.
Stay connected with Larissa on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter, @LotusVineWine
Wines to add to your shopping cart:
Maison Noir Wines- O.P.P ( Other People's Pinot Noir)
Sports communications guru, Tareia Williams breaks down her quarantine "situationship"and the challenges of decreased interactions in the PR industry
Tareia Williams is Senior Director of Communications for Turner Sports. She leads the content communications team which includes oversight of integrated, strategic and social media PR for Turner Sports’ premium sports content including the NBA, Major League Baseball, NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, ELEAGUE and more. Additionally, Tareia leads PR efforts supporting all live events and special projects including the NBA Awards on TNT, All-Star Road Show and the annual NCAA March Madness Music Festival.
Tareia works diligently within the sports industry and the community. She was named to Rolling Out Magazine’s 2015 list of Top 25 Women in Atlanta. She is the founder of PoweR, an intensive bootcamp that allows PR students an opportunity to develop and execute real public relations campaigns while also building relationships with current PR professionals. Additionally, she serves on the sports task force of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) as Vice President of Digital and Socia and is a member of National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Communications. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Tareia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in mass media communications with a concentration in public relations from Clark Atlanta University (CAU).
Stay in contact with Tareia:
- Twitter/Instagram: @TNicolePR
Dana Moody has mastered the art of productivity WITHOUT a to do list!
After almost 20 years in beverage sales and marketing with the same organization, Dana decided to start Dana Michelle Strategy + Consulting with the ultimate goal of helping people and organizations be successful. Dana is married to Scott Roberts and a very proud bonus mom to a 16 year old, Kaitlyn, and dog mom to rescue puppy, Buoy.
In this episode, Dana shares the self-care tactics that help her maintain balance, explains how she's productive without a to do list and passionately shares how COVID-19 has impacted her beloved restaurant and hospitality industry.
Stay in contact with Dana:
www.danamichelleconsulting.com
Instagram: @danammoody, @danamichelleconsulting, @buoy_barks
Christina Rodriguez shares the raw and authentic story of being balanced while navigating infertility
Christina is a wife and mother of three. She was born and raised in Indiana and now lives in Atlanta where she began her career in event planning and nonprofit management. Throughout the course of her career Christina’s love of technology and passion for helping others led her to work with organizations such as Women in Technology and the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) which empowers women, girls and young professionals to purse careers in tech.
When Christina isn’t working the Atlanta tech scene she can be found traveling with her family and working as a content creator for major brands. Christina is also known for devoting a large portion of her time raising awareness of infertility and its many struggles. In all things Christina is an open book sharing about her life and the things she loves and hoping to inspire and encourage others.
In this episode, Christina shares lessons learned during her fertility journey. What is means to believe that "real life is enough" and advice to women that are dealing with the increased uncertainty in 2020 and their personal fertility journey.
Stay connected with Christina:
Instagram: @christinanrodriguez
Twitter: @ChrissyRodATL
Pinterest: 1ChrissyRodriguez
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/chrissyrodriguez
Three moms being balanced in their own way while ensuring that their kids aren't bored this Summer!
In this special episode, three moms share how they are keeping their kids occupied this Summer, preparing for an unpredictable school year and navigating life at home with a child who has learning differences.
Meet the Moms:
Deanna Anderson - Small business owner, community volunteer and runner. Founder of Moms Making it Together an online community for moms to share, support and smile. Join the Moms Making It Together community on Facebook & Instagram and read the blog.
Ericka Smith - Mom of two boys, a 10-year-old and a 14-year-old. One of her sons has a learning difference and she's an avid advocate for those who have learning differences to have a voice. She's also a lead ambassador for early childhood education. In her interview she shares how the impact of COVID-19 has affected her family. She also does a deep dive into the conversations that are taking place in her home during a heightened awareness of systemic racism.
Edwina Bernita Robinson - A full-time working, single mom of one and holds graduate degrees in Corporate Governance and Compliance. She is also the founder of Hot Mom Fitness & Wellness where she is dedicated to empowering women, especially moms through cultivated experiences that feed the mind and body. Edwina is a certified barre and yoga instructor. In her spare time, of which there is very little, she likes to tickle her son and make funny Tik Tok videos with him that they almost never post. Connect with Hot Mom Fitness on Instagram.
Travis T. Townsend Jr., the other half of my balanced household shares his thoughts on fatherhood, being a Black man in America and so much more!
Travis wears MANY hats. He's a proud father, loving husband, loyal friend and caring brother. Professionally he's a Founding Partner at Townsend & Lockett, LLC law firm and Managing Consultant at Torinity Consulting Company. In his community, he founded MAFDET, a nonprofit focused on eliminating the disparity in education, employment, and overall opportunity experienced by lower income individuals and minority youth in America. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Serenbe Institute for Art, Culture, & the Environment Executive Committee and is the President Emeritus of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta Young Professionals. Travis is also an Adjunct Professor on Faculty at the Emory School of Law where he teaches Deal Skills transactional law practicum.
In this episode, Travis shares his perspective on being a Black man in America, the joys of fatherhood, how he navigates a full plate and the importance of prioritizing the actions that are vital to a happy marriage.
Stay in touch with Travis:
Instagram: @therealtravtown
Dr. Ayanna Abrams, a licensed psychologist, shares her awakening when she realized that she had been falling asleep vs going to sleep
Dr. Ayanna Abrams is a licensed psychologist in Atlanta, GA and works primarily with individuals, couples and groups to improve their mental health and relationship functioning. She specializes in helping her clients create healthy relationships through authenticity and assertiveness, assisting high functioning students, entrepreneurs and professionals create lives they deserve and can sustain and helping women healing from the impacts of physical and emotional trauma. Her practice uses culturally responsive treatment models to work sensitively with the needs of black clients.
This episode covers:
* The importance of going to sleep vs falling asleep
* Books to read when you need to both establish and maintain boundaries
* How a mental health expert handles the impact of a global pandemic
Website: www.ascensionbehavioralhealth.com
Instagram: @dr_ayanna_a and @notsostrong
Facebook: Ascension Behavioral Health, LLC
Michelle Carlton dishes out ALL that you need to know about essential oils and the impact that they've had on her balance!
Michelle Carlton wears many hats; image bearer, wife to a baker, entrepreneur and oily mama to four. She believes whole-heartedly in being strong and kind (tune in to hear more on how this belief also defines her balance) and telling stories through aesthetics.
In this episode, Michelle explains why she started using essential oils, how they help EVERYONE in her family (+ specific ways to incorporate oils into your child's life) and unapologetically advocates for the one brand that she KNOWS is 100% legit!
You can connect with Michelle after the show on Instagram at @juststyling.
Certified KonMari consultant, Lindsey Hardegree tells us everything we need to know to get organized!
Lindsey is also a professional organizer and productivity specialist trained and certified by Marie Kondo as Georgia’s first Certified KonMari Consultant. At Get Organized Y’all, Lindsey works with individuals, families, and companies to create their ideal life by organizing their homes and businesses. She is a professional member of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals.
In this episode, Lindsey breaks down what you need to know BEFORE you start your home organization project and also shares the alignment between being balanced and sparking JOY!
Stay connected with Lindsey:
http://instagram.com/getorganizedyall
http://facebook.com/getorganizedyall
Neichelle Guidry, faith leader and coffee lover shares the role of the church during a global pandemic
Rev. Neichelle Guidry is the Dean of Chapel and Director of the WISDOM Center at Spelman College. She's a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, Yale Divinity School, and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Neichelle is a lover of HBCUs, family, travel and coffee.
Modern Faith is a womanist podcast that exists to spiritually nourish today's millennial Black woman. This show provides all the good of the Gospel (such as encouragement, empowerment, renewal and truthfulness), without the toxicity of religion. By discussing issues that matter to women of color, Neichelle Guidry is helping her sisters keep the faith.
Connect with Neichelle:
Instagram + Twitter: @neichelleg
Modern Faith podcast: https://www.modernfaithpodcast.com/podcasts
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/neichelle-guidry-phd
Cookbook author and food blogger, Whitney Bond breaks down what should be on your grocery & pantry list
Hungry? Meet Whitney Bond, food blogger extraordinaire, cookbook author and on camera host. Whitney has been blogging for nine years at WhitneyBond.com where she's shared over 1100 recipes. She recently launched a second blog, Bowls Are The New Plates where she's sharing predominately plant based bowls for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
More information on the recipes & resources shared on the show:
Thai Yellow Curry: https://whitneybond.com/thai-yellow-curry/ + Curry paste she uses: https://amzn.to/3b0N6uY
Beef Ragu
- Slow Cooker Recipe: https://whitneybond.com/slow-cooked-beef-ragu/
- Instant Pot Recipe: https://whitneybond.com/instant-pot-beef-ragu/
- Instant pot she uses: https://amzn.to/2RowoOa
Easy recipes to make with pantry staples + grocery shopping list: https://whitneybond.com/easy-recipes-pantry-staples/
Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies: https://whitneybond.com/whats-for-dessert-nutella-chocolate-chip-cookies/
Litehouse freeze dried herbs: https://amzn.to/3eazq2j
Connect with Whitney:
http://instagram.com/whitneybond
https://www.facebook.com/whitneybondblog
November Nichols, the transformation strategist and curator of calm shares her sanity schedule.
November Nichols has her roots planted firmly in the South. Growing up in a huge, delightful, boisterous family November developed a love of embracing others and intentionally working to make their lives better! November obtained a bachelor of arts degree from Spelman College and a master’s degree in the art of teaching English from Agnes Scott College.
A desire for “heart work,” and deeper connections, led November on a journey to wellness practices not only for herself but also for others. She envisioned a safe place, where all of the senses could be invoked to align oneself to live their best lives! She invites others into a special place, L’Artisan Muse, where they can share the experience of a semi-private yoga & meditation studio and wellness maison, while garnering support on their journey to create the lives they dream about.
To receive a FREE copy of November's sanity schedule, text FINDBALANCE to 66866.
Connect with November & the L'Artisan Muse community:
@lartisanmuse on Facebook and Instagram
@novembernichols on Facebook and Instagram
Jasmine Marie believes that we're all experiencing collective grief and breathwork is the answer to release the trauma
Jasmine Marie is a Breathworker and the founder of black girls breathing™. Her work has influenced hundreds of black women across the country and millennials. She’s brought her expertise to organizations such as Harvard Business School, Columbia University Journalism School, Cornell University - ILR, New York University Stern School of Business, UCLA amongst others.
On this episode of the Being Balanced podcast, Jasmine does a deep dive into the importance of breathing to release trauma and shares her intimate grief story.
Connect with Jasmine on Instagram, @blackgirlsbreathing, @thatgirl_jmarie & @adultingwithease
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-marie-baba7248/
Website: blackgirlsbreathing.com
E-mail (for private sessions): jasmine@adultingwithease.com
Beauty & wellness expert, Ariane Turner helps us navigate our skincare routine in our new normal
Ari is a wellness and beauty influencer with over 20 years of experience in the cosmetic industry. She's a licensed master cosmetologist and has spent the past 11 years specifically working as a makeup artist for feature films and television productions (most recently Bad Boys 2 and Coming To America 2). In 2017 Ari founded Look Good, Love Well, a digital wellness platform designed to help women connect the dots between beauty and wellness. The rigorous demands of working on set sparked Ari’s wellness journey, and she quickly learned that how she moved, what she ate, the words that she spoke, had just as much of an impact on how she looked as did cosmetics. Also passionate about educating women of color about the dynamic impacts of toxic chemicals found in majority of our beauty products, Ari uses her platform to educate and empower women with tools to make healthier choices, and to prioritize self care.
Special Download for Being Balanced podcast listeners: https://mailchi.mp/2279e8d3f258/brownsugarbodypolish
ANOTHER special treat for Being Balanced podcast listeners: Anyone that books a skincare consult this week (April 6-12) will automatically receive the full upgraded experience at no additional cost. Right now the 30 minute consultation is $45 and a full hour is $97.
Virtual enhanced skincare consultations include: the option for an interactive skincare analysis, a lymphatic massage, and a step by step tutorial on how to properly execute their regimen. You'll also cleanse their skin on camera, while Ari provides tips/notes. When booking, mention the Being Balanced podcast in the survey.
SPECIAL EPISODE: Ciji Townsend does a deep dive on working from home AND homeschooling
In these very unprecedented times as we now navigate the impact of COVID-19 on our daily lives, I felt compelled to send a special edition of the Find Your Balance e-newsletter two weeks ago. The response was overwhelming and after a week of navigating change in my personal life, I decided to record a special episode of the being BALANCED podcast so that I could share my original 6 tips to stay sane while working from home and homeschooling and more importantly my lessons learned in week one!
To join the e-newsletter list, text FINDBALANCE to 66866.