The Seeds You Sow

This week on the podcast we had a honest discussion about intimacy and identifying the barriers we place that prevent others from "seeing into us" and allowing them to connect with who we truly are. Needless to say, our conversation was very intimate. We went beyond the scope of sexual intimacy by also discussing emotional, mental, and intellectual intimacy. We offered our insight into what encourages people to feel safe and brave enough to connect and share with others on deeper levels. We also highlighted the "barriers of shame" or "screens of insecurities" that people put up that prevent them from letting others get close to them. Through this episode, we hope you are able to gain a deeper understanding  into the benefits of genuine intimacy on multiple levels and we also hope it encourages you to be more comfortable connecting with yourself as well as with others.

This past week on the podcast we had a well rounded conversation on healthy competition and how to be inspired by perceived competitors instead of feeling intimidated by them. We recognize that  societal & social media pressures can indirectly or directly propel us to compare ourselves to one another, which can cause a feeling of inadequacy or shame. We discussed why this is problematic and offered some positive tips that would encourage us to become more comfortable with our own journey in life. We have two articles for you to  check out: "Unhealthy & Healthy Competition" posted by Skybound.com and "Why We Compare Ourselves to Others on Social Media and HowTo Stop." posted  by tinybuddha.com. This episode will prompt you to think more critically about how you view yourself in relation to others, and further motivate you to not only build yourself up in a healthier, more loving way, but to build others up as well in the same fashion. Instead of looking for ways to compare, let's discover ways to celebrate our individual and collective growth.

Beyonce's relentless work ethic & Nipsey's consistent hustle has inspired and moved our culture in a number of ways! In this episode we examined how their movements have encouraged us ALL to strive towards excellence and continue doing the work that will empower ourselves and our local communities. There are two articles for you to check out this week: "Nipsey Hussle's Dreams Were Bigger Than Hip-Hop" posted by the LA Times & "Beyonce's Black Intellectual Homecoming" posted by The Atlantic. We analyzed the impact of Nipsey's death, as well as how his work and legacy continues to live on. We defined Beyonce's work as legendary, and talked about how it serves as inspiration for us all to think about how much we're willing to push ourselves to master the gifts we have to share. Both of these figures have demonstrated consistency and sacrifice towards what they believe and have been unapologetic in lifting up black culture and their community. We hope this episode allows you to celebrate the greatness of what is currently happening in our culture and more importantly, we hope it allows you to recognize that the same greatness lives in you!

Since relationships are the theme for the month of February, we decided to highlight the universal love affair that everyone has experienced -- the relationship we all have with music. Music can define our mood, speak to our spirit, and even tell the story of our lives. In this episode we took the time to think about how music has influenced us over the years by sharing specific songs and albums that relate to our experiences thus far in life. Some of the artists we featured in this episode were: Roy Ayers, ​Common,​ Big Tymers, The Mississippi Mass Choir, & Mary J. Blige, just to name a few. We answered several questions, from reflective ones such as “name a song or album that got you through a difficult time in life”, to intimate questions, such as “name a song or album that reminds you of the first time you fell in love.” We discussed how certain songs and even whole albums have helped us push through difficult times, and how other records have helped us celebrate the good times. Through this episode, we conveyed that music is an outlet that allows us to connect and express the varied emotions we experience. Musics like a partner or a good friend; one who offers comfort and inspiration, and reminds us that we are not alone as we go through this drama we call life.

The concept of black hair being labeled as good or bad seems absurd, but the reality is, the notion that only a specific type of black hair can be "good" is still an ongoing issue in certain black communities.  We decided this week to think about the history of black hair, and had a conversation about how our hair is connected to our identity, culture, and expression not only as a race but as individuals. Following in the footsteps of Comedian/Social Commentator Chris Rock, who released his documentary "Good Hair" in 2009, we wanted to continue the discussion by offering some positivity and insight to the conversation around black hair in regards to racial identity and cultural expression.   We have two short articles and one insightful video to share with you this week: "The Connection Between Hair & Identity in Black Culture" posted by C&R, "The Navy Is Finally Lifting Its Ban on Dreadlocks for Women" posted by the Huffington Post and “The black hair care industry generates billions — but the US is missing out on the market,” a 9 minute video posted by CNBC about the one billion dollar hair industry. We offered our personal testimonies by sharing the positive and negative experiences we have had with learning to accept and manage our hair. We discussed the natural hair movement and the one-billion dollar hair industry that black hair generates. We not only addressed the complexities and struggles behind black hair, but also its uniqueness in texture and the overall beauty & versatility in the styles it is able to display. We promoted a message that our hair is powerful and unique, which is synonymous to who we are as a people. We hope this episode empowers you to think about ways to accept the uniqueness of your hair, and more importantly, how to accept yourself.

This week on the podcast we kept the conversation fun and light by discussing what it’s like to date in today's modern culture. In a time where people can be quick to make generalizations about men, women, and dating, we thought it would be refreshing to stop the stereotypes, break the division, and create a safe & fun space to have an open conversation about how people feel about dating. This is the first week in which we did not highlight any specific articles, and instead offered our own opinions and experiences. We also made an effort to recognize that our individual experiences do not represent the entire culture, and encouraged our listeners to approach every new dating experience with an open mind, a willing heart, and without generalizations and tainted perspectives. Our conversation was well rounded, and we discussed the various perspectives on dating: from those who are looking to hook up and others who are looking to commit, people’s preferences in reference to online dating apps or meeting people in person; first date suggestions; the importance of doing self reflection and understanding yourself; understanding your love language; and finally, understanding your intentions as you begin to date and meet new people. Overall, different perspectives were offered, laughter was shared, and we provided insight, reflection, and hope to the single folks out there who are looking to connect and build with a significant other. We hope this episode makes you laugh, brightens your day, and gives you hope for love and a meaningful connection.

This week we decided to have a conversation on the importance of breaking our biases. Today's society can can be divisive and individuals are unwilling to engage in open dialogue with others whose opinions differ from their own. As a podcast, we are dedicated to creating spaces that foster honest & open dialogue, and we were super excited to have this conversation. Not only to inspire you to be better in your communication, but to challenge ourselves to be better as well.  Here are two articles for you to reference:  Active Listening: The Art of Empathetic Conversation published by Positive Psychology Program and Six Ways to Break Your Implicit Bias Patterns  published by the Culture Wizard. We also encourage you to take an implicit bias test, published Harvard University to reveal any hidden biases you may hold. Follow this link to see what may be underneath the surface: Project Implicit.  We questioned and discussed the root causes of certain biased attitudes in regards to race, politics, and religion, and what is at risk when we do not take the time to learn how to have productive dialogues with people that hold differing views.  We also noted, having a bias is not necessarily a negative thing. It only becomes problematic when you allow your bias to be a basis for discriminatory behaviors or judgmental actions towards certain groups or individuals in society. We hope this episode encourages you to do some self-inventory and reflect on our your own biases. The moment we are made aware of something, is the moment we are one step closer to changing it.

On August 20th, 2017 we recorded our first episode as a podcast at the University of San Francisco. Last week, we took the time to celebrate our consistency, commitment, and overall love we have for each member on our team, our supporters, and the Seeds You Sow Podcast platform! This was a high energy, record-setting two hour episode! We guarantee it's an engaging, hilarious, and heart felt episode you'll truly enjoy, so set time aside to fully indulge! We took a moment to reflect on a few highlights we've had as podcast: *A total of over 2,300 downloads world wide (Listeners from New York to Japan have tuned in with us!) *12 phenomenal guests! *A total of 27 released episodes (nine unreleased episodes coming soon) *Two promotional videos *Solidification of our team, the mission, and the brand as a podcast! *One Live Show at Trapathon (episode to be released soon!) Not only were we able to pause and reflect on our growth as a podcast, we were able to reflect on our growth as individuals. We highlighted the importance of rest & reflection and acknowledged the power in connecting the decisions and actions of our past to our present day self, which allows use to move forward with purpose and intentionally. We also shared our vulnerabilities by reflecting on our different experience as individuals, and the unique peaks and falls in our own processes. All in all though, we were able to show gratitude for everything we endured this past year, and we hope this episode encourages YOU to take a moment to reset and reflect on where you are within your own journey in life.

We've had some reflective conversations on relationships but what about the other ships of life? Our friendships? Metaphorically speaking, our friends are like ships, people who sail with us through the fun times as well as the challenging times. We decided to examine the different 'ships' of life and the importance of maintaining healthy connected friendships. In doing so, we highlighted two articles: Fifteen Reasons We Need Friends posted by Psychology Today & The Love Story I Never Thought To Tell. We brought into question, what are the values and qualities of a good friend? How does one define a healthy friendship? How do you navigate changes and difficulties within friendships? And why do we need friends as we go forward in life? We think it is important to stop and reflect on the different relationships in our lives, and how we are all interconnected beings who thrive when we are part of mutually beneficial friendships. We hope this episode inspires people to stop and reflect on the meaningful friendships they've had throughout life, and to also take time to show love & appreciation to the people who they have come to honor as their friends.

In a culture that constantly consumes, when is there ever time to properly reflect & digest? It's been two years since the release of Beyonce's Lemonade and with the one year anniversary of Jay-Z's 4:44 slowly approaching, we decided to put these albums in conversation with one another and have a honest discussion about relationships in reference to maturity, accountability, and love. Check out the episode now!

The ​2nd installment of the Internal Wokeness series ​is indeed an episode you need to listen to. ​As we know, today's world is filled with a number of distractions, traumas, and stresses. It's so easy to be constantly on the go that we may forget how to slow down, stop, and reflect. This week's episode we ​highlighted the importance of establishing a healthy self​-​care routine that will align your mind, body​,​ and spirit with one another. We also noted that the term self-​care is more than a trending topic or buzz word​ -- it is a way of life; a mentality that will ultimately assist us all in the fight against social injustice. As Activist, Author, and Poet Audre Lorde stated, "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare." We stand behind this statement because we recognize that during these stressful times in our culture, caring for others and fighting for our community can take a toll on one's mental& emotional health. Therefore it is important that we begin to fight for a space in which we can establish a way to care for ourselves, without feeling shameful when we decide to do so.  The first article, 45 Self-Care Practices for a Healthy Mind, Body, *& Soul published by tinybuddha.com serves as a guiding tool in establishing your own ways of self care, and provides several ideas you can incorporate in your daily life.  The second article we highlighted is titled, Healers of Color, on Why Self-Care is not Self-Indulgence. An article published by colorlines.com. This piece offers different explanations for why our community needs to learn how to care for and love one's self. We also noted that though embracing a healthy self care routine is not the final solution to achieving wholeness, it is one step in the process.  Finding one's rhythm and method requires willingness, commitment, and consistency. It is not something that establishes itself over night but instead takes time. Through this episode we hope to encourage all of you l to recognize it is okay to take time for yourself and get back to making sure you are good. The more we are able to establish a healthy love and relationship with ourselves the better we will be for our loved ones and our community. Peace!

We are kicking off our first three-part series centered on the theme of "Internal Wokeness." Last season, we discussed the concept of being internally woke and highlighted the importance of not only being intellectually aware(a.k.a. woke) to what is going on socially & politically but also being woke internally to what is going on within one's self mentally & emotionally.The concept for this first episode in this series is "starve the ego and feed the spirit"  was inspired by the Native American parable Two Wolves.Through this discussion we encouraged our listeners to think critically about what they are actually giving their time and energy to, and to question if the facade they present to the outer world matches what is happening in their inner world.  We also affirmed that establishing a healthy ego -- not one fueled with masked pain or uncontrollable anger is the first step to letting our guards down and exploring what is going on with ourselves internally.   ​We thought the following articles would be beneficial to reference & discuss:: Therapists are saying African Americans Are Seeking Help for Mental Illness posted online by The Washington Post and Black Men & Our Health   published online by The Huffington Post. These articles highlight that there is a need for our community to start checking in with our selves individually and collectively. Through this dialogue we hope to encourage others to create more spaces where people feel comfortable talking about trauma, pain, and the every day struggles & stress of life. We need healing just as much as we need justice and we're hoping this series will inspire all of you to mentally and emotionally check in with yourselves so that true transformation can begin to take place.

This week we decided to discuss what it really means to love yourself and your significant other in today's culture. In this context, we defined the concept to " to be in love with yourself" as an unhealthy selfish "full of yourself" type love that depends on external confirmations. Contrarily, we defined the concept of loving yourself could be defined as being able to love, accept, and show compassion to one's self independent of material things or the approval of others. We noted the cultural complexities that make it difficult for people to truly love & accept themselves wholeheartedly. We highlighted the fact that how a person treats themselves, and how they feel about themselves reflects in their relationships with others. We also delved into the importance of spending time getting to know yourself, and learning to love yourself, before building a foundation with your significant other. We referenced the articles, "The Brain on Love" by Diane Ackerman, "Why You Need To Get To Know YOURSELF Before a Relationship" posted by the online publication, meetmindful and "How To Tell if Your Partner Has Genuine Self Love?, by the Goodmen Project. This conversation opened the doors for us to offer our personal testimonies on various aspects of dating, love, and relationships, the process and patience it required to truly know one's self as well as the person your dating and the vulnerability & courage it requires to authentically become your best self while single or in a relationship. Our goal with this episode is to encourage you to think critically about type of relationship you are building with yourself and with others. We all want acceptance and love, so we're hoping that this episode will help us all along the path to truly loving ourselves and others in healthy, mature, and honest type of way.

We're wrapping up Black History Month with the "We Are, Because they Were" series through which we honor the historical African American people, films, shows, or movements of our past and place them in conversation with people doing similar work today. This week we honored the classic 90's TV show A Different World with the recent television premiere of the coming of age show, Grownish. Although the two shows were released 30 years apart from one another they both depict the college experience through the perspective(s) of the Young & Black. We highlighted the importance of representation in the media and how shows like a A Different World & Grownish plant seeds of positivity and achievement in our youth and subtly encouragement them to pursue higher education. We salute both shows and appreciate their contribution to the culture! Also in the studio was Jasper Smith, who returned to offer humor, insight, and financial advice. Jasper is the leader of the #BuildWealth Movement and joined us to talk about the webinar series called #BuildWealth Half Hour. Check out the clip below to find out more information and make sure to tune in and listen to the full episode.

We're starting off Black History Month with boldness and a great sense of pride by affirming the POWER we hold not only as individuals but also as a community. We know the culture is hyped right now about the  Marvel Studios Film, 'Black Panther' which inspired us to explore the question, what does it mean to have super hero like qualities? This episode is dedicated to discussing the importance of establishing a healthy sense of self worth and being unapologetic in who you are, in reference to the gifts & powers you have as an individual and how you share those abilities with your community. We discussed the importance of building a strong sense of identity because it leads to an increased sense of self worth, which in turns leaves you in a better position to uplift and encourage others.  We then took the time to honor people in our personal lives who demonstrate superhero like behavior. After, we self-identified our personal superhero like qualities and offered them to YOU(our listeners) to encourage you to think about what greatness and power you have to offer to the world as well. Finally, we highlighted the power of humility, because only when we're humble enough to acknowledge our weaknesses can we truly let our strengths shine even brighter.

We’re starting off season two by discussing topics that for decades have been considered inappropriate unless discussed behind closed doors. However, in the words of James of Baldwin, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” In the spirit of addressing things in a direct manner we decided to have a holistic conversation about sex. This episode was inspired by a talk given by Pastor, Author, and Speaker Toure' Roberts, entitled Sexual Wholeness! This encouraged us to think critically about how we discuss sex in today’s culture and about the multiple perspectives we all have.  Take Root & Give Back: We Highlighted the organization, The Eastside Cultural Arts Center Reading is Good for the Soil(Mind): Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry (Mildred D. Taylor) The Man Book (Jareem Gunther) Tales of Semple (Langston Hughes) The Mother of Black Hollywood(Jennifer Lewis) Articles Referenced: Changes in American Adults' Behavior towards Sex​ 1972-2012 (http://psy2.fau.edu/~shermanr/Twenge%20Sherman%20&%20Wells%20In%20Press.pdf) "The Sex Talk Isn't Enough" (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2017/05/17/how-to-teach-teens-to-have-healthy-romantic-relationships/?utm_term=.8899a283edec) "In the era of #MeToo Conversations about Sex are more important ever!" (https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/blog/20986742/in-the-era-of-metoo-conversations-about-sex-are-more-important-than-ever)

Seed of the Day: This week we had a difficult but much needed conversation about the recent sexual assault allegations that have been covered in the news and shared through the #MeToo movement. We stressed the importance of recognizing if we are going to discuss the issue of sexual assault we first have to address the issue of a culture that objectifies women and the power dynamics that are being demonstrated between men and women. We also highlighted the point that these recent allegations are NOT trending topics, but a painful truth that we all - men and women - are experiencing and dealing with. Through this conversation we were able to shed light onto the people aiming to overcome their pain and foster hope as they reclaim their power by sharing their stories. We also promoted the need to establish healthy and respectful mindsets between men and women, so that we can encourage a culture of people who look to love & support one another, instead of to dominate and control. Take Root & Give Back: Youth Uprising Center Reading is Good for the Soil: Have a Little Faith (Mitch Albom) & "The Prophet (Khalil Gibran) Articles Referenced: Sexual Violence Against Women: Understanding Cross-Cultural Intersections (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3777345/)

Seed of the day: "Narratives of Blackness: How We Identify Individually & Collectively as Black People and the Importance of Sharing Our Stories." We had an empowering conversation about black identity in American society and shared our own personal stories of how we see ourselves as individuals connected to the rich legacy of Black History. Through this conversation we were hoping to spark dialogue, encourage others to think of their own journey of identity, and challenge all to listen to and respect the differences between us and the similarities we share as Black Americans in today's world. We referenced an excerpt from the book "Who is Black? One Nation's Definition" by author and retired professor Floyd James Davis. We also highlighted the books, "Dreams of My Father" (Barack Obama), "Souls of Black Folk" (W.E.B. DuBois), as well as the new album "If All I Was, Was Black" by legendary singer Mavis Staples of the Staple Singers. Check out the new clip below! The full episode is now available now iTunes.

Seed Of The Day: This episode is a response to Beyoncé & Eminem's new song "Walk on Water," a lyrical message to the fans that the artists are not God, and that people should not "believe in them, the way that they do." This prompted us to question and discuss the line between idolization and admiration of a celebrity, and why this is or isn't problematic for society. Take Root & Give Back: Thai Chu, founder of Listen For A Change (www.listenchange.org) Reading is Good for the Soil: The Marrow of Tradition (Charles Chestnut) Articles Referenced: "Celebritiy Worship and The American Mind" (https://www.huffingtonpost.com/donna-rockwell-psyd/celebrity-worship-and-the_b_13794782.html)

Seed Of The Day: We had the chance to examine how social media plays a role in our culture and establishing the importance of making sure that we know how to use the social media and not have the social media use us. Take Root & Give Back: The Angels in Orange (https://www.axios.com/the-angels-in-orange-fighting-californias-fires-2496642109.html) Reading is Good for the Soil: 'The Gifts of Imperfection'(Brene Brown), Life in Overtime(Tierra Rogers), & Man's Search for Meaning(Viktor Frankl) Articles referenced by: "How Black People Built Social Media" (https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-black-people-built-social-media_us_58139254e4b08301d33e08dc) "6 Ways Social Media Affects our Health(https://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2017/06/30/a-run-down-of-social-medias-effects-on-our-mental-health/&refURL=&referrer=#43595f152e5a)

Seed Of The Day: Are you internally woke? The importance of not only intellectual awareness but mental/emotional health awareness.” We had an honest conversation about the need for our community to be vulnerable and seek thearpy in order to repair and move forward. Take Root & Give Back: Jus Me of Just Mindfulness www.justmindfulness.com Reading is Good for the soil: ‘The Four Agreements (Miguel Ruiz) and ‘Raising Fences’ (Michael Datcher) We also highlighted the new album ‘4eva Is a Mighty Long Time’ by hip-hop artist Big K.R.I.T. Articles referenced: "FAMILY-CARE, COMMUNITY-CARE AND SELF-CARE TOOLKIT: HEALING IN THE FACE OF CULTURAL TRAUMA" by The Community Healing Network and American Black Psychologists Association