More Than Graphics Podcast

Our extra bonus guest tributes to the lessons we took from our MASTER theme and apply them, featuring fellow podcaster and CEO of A Steps Ahead Tutoring Gabrielle Crichlow.

While Gabrielle attended graduate school at St. John's University, she worked for two companies at which she tutored students at no cost to them. While she was working at both companies, she saw the academic struggles of working class families that were disproportionately people of color. She believed that their little allotment of hours was not enough for them. Furthermore, she believed that the children in these families tended to have unknown learning disabilities and were almost illiterate and undereducated. Gabrielle reached a point when she realized that these families deserved more than that. A light bulb went off in her head - "I’ll start my own company!" Gabrielle’s experiences at these companies provided her with the insight she needed to excel at and enjoy tutoring, while inspiring other tutors to do the same. In 2013, she founded her own company, A Step Ahead Tutoring Services, and has operated it ever since.

[00:01:34] The meaning of "master".

00:05:27] Fixing interconnected struggles in tutoring.

[00:09:09] Calling myself a business.

[00:12:17] After-school programs as safe havens.

[00:17:31] Changing a student's life.

[00:22:44] The impact of good work.

[00:26:06] Financial challenges in tutoring.

[00:32:20] Expanding your racial comfort zone.

[00:34:30] Getting outside our racial comfort zone.

[00:38:21] Slow and steady wins

[00:43:49] Expanding beyond limitations.

[00:46:38] Something new I've learned.

[00:50:33] Digital books vs physical books.

[00:56:56] Service in your own community. [

00:59:23] Encouraging and inspiring listeners.

In this episode of the More Than Graphics podcast, host Danielle discusses the theme of purpose with a special guest. They dive deep into the topic, exploring its meaning and significance. The conversation is filled with open dialogue and deeper reflections on purpose. Tune in to hear the insights and perspectives shared in this thought-provoking episode.

[00:09:30] Authenticity in storytelling.

[00:11:45] Authenticity in social media.

[00:16:38] Women in tech empowerment.

[00:18:00] Relationships and Trust.

[00:21:55] Purpose driving through difficult seasons.

[00:25:22] Chasing a creative high.

[00:30:53] Chasing dreams and boundaries.

[00:34:11] Fortitude and pushing through.

[00:37:13] Self care and cooking.

[00:41:55] The real deal in podcasting.

[00:45:41] Seeking a deeper purpose.

[00:49:51] Music videos and small businesses.

[00:52:21] Long-form journalism transitioning to podcasts.

[01:00:46] The Harlem Renaissance and Jazz.

[01:05:36] Passing on knowledge and wisdom.

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Welcome to the show! This bonus convo around 'master' with Dr. Jessica Metcalfe completely delivers. Listen to these gems.

Dr. Jessica Metcalfe is a Strategic Leadership and Workplace Culture Consultant, award-winning international speaker, and best-selling author of Speak Kindly, You're Listening. She is a former dental oncologist and education director where she started teaching the medical and dental community how to improve a patient's quality of life post-cancer therapy. Now Dr. Jessica develops top leaders, entrepreneurs, and CSuites by improving their quality of life by elevating and supporting their teams and culture through burnout, impostor syndrome and psychological safety.

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Welcome to another episode! Today's guest helps us unpack the theme MASTER and packed full of gems and deep takeaways! Creative women unite!

Ashlee Green is an animated, bright, problem solving industry designer, speaker and teacher who is on a mission to help entrepreneurs build and grow profitable businesses by designing their professional brands with her company, A. Louise Creative. Ashlee’s dedication, hard work and determination to avoid a life of mediocrity is what inspired her unique background. She is a self taught graphic and brand designer even though she holds a B.A. in Psychology and “half” a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling. Ashlee loves that she can be free to design for whomever she chooses, including herself. In fact, she recently launched a podcast, Eff the Glitter, which caters to other like-minded creatives. By thinking outside of conventional ideas but staying within the rules allows Ashlee to help people navigate their wants, determine their needs and figure out the steps needed to achieve their business goals.
Ashlee’s down-to-earth humor makes it very easy for her clients to relate to her and quickly become comfortable with her, starting off as a stranger and ultimately becoming a friend. When not designing, speaking or teaching Ashlee can be found grooving to Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite, and watching family comedies or supernatural horror movies.

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Women in Tech love the ever popular rise of video and as July's theme is FIRE we brought on the MTG stage one of the fieriest women of video around!

Desiree Martinez is a YouTuber, Podcaster, author, award-winning social media creative content creator, and advocate for Women Creators. She has worked with hundreds of businesses and brands to help them grow their business with better content marketing. Desiree knows what it takes to help your business grow, build a community, and get leads through a very noisy news feed.
As the founder of Women of Video, she is helping to build economic impact and equality for the female creator economy with community, education & resources.
She's a hot mess mom of two, Mario Kart champ, Slytherin, and nerdy wife living in Michigan.

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Happy PRIDE friends! This month's theme is DELIVER. And while we delivered some really good thoughts on our latest Clubhouse episode, technology didn’t record the conversation so I’m going to recap some of those those thoughts here:

• The first talking point was Delivery of self. To stand and deliver. Showing up for our best selves and putting out the best parts of ourselves.The production we as women creatives and women in tech know and thrive in oh so well. 
• The second talking point was Delivery From… The things that do not serve us. The things we need to be delivered from. Whether guilt or shame or comparison. Priscilla gave an amazing analogy to this in reference to a mixtape. Where we hear that old familiar song but over time in relistening the quality loses its luster…

• In this episode we shared transparent things. We laughed hard in attempt to always remain a safe space for women in tech and women creatives. Whether we’re nurses in tech, or graphic designers we want to find authentic ways to reach you and let you know… your tribe is here.

Even though the summer is delivering all the deliverables when we’re supposed to be in a retreat for ourselves we remind both ourselves and our listeners to take small moments to chill. For me that’s hanging out half day in the baby pool drinking the local refreshment Ale8One Ginger Ale. What’s your chill moment? You can tag us in your thoughts and in your pics at @mtgthepodcast1 on twitter or @mtgthepodcast on instagram. 

Wherever you are, know that you can take us with you where you listen to podcasts. We’ll catch you next month with an amazing special guest. 

Until next time ...

FOLLOW MTG:

Growth takes on various shapes and sizes both physically, mentally and emotionally. In this transparent episode entitled growth, GNTL owner and creator Leda Toussaint and Team MTG: Danielle x Cicely x Priscilla, take a deeper look through introspection of how we be greater through failure and celebrate the lessons we carry.

Leda Toussaint, owner, and creator of GNTLE, helps women with sensitive vaginas find a true cleanse and symptom relief by providing a healthy alternative to feminine care without the harsh ingredients.
Leda is no stranger to vaginal infections. In her late 20s, she suffered from recurring yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis for almost a year. After trying multiple products and antibiotics that only made her symptoms worse, Leda created a natural feminine wash with a clean and sophisticated formula where she found relief within days.

Leda's twelve-year background in medical science and passion for women's reproductive health laid the foundation to help launch GNTLE in 2018. Leda is currently working to help women "Go GNTLE" with the goal of dismantling the taboo stigma around women's health, bodies, and sexual wellness.

The march continues through #womenshistorymonth for #womenintech with #Technology pioneer #KimberlyBryant. Kimberly is a Memphis, Tenn., native, and always thought of herself as a “nerdy girl.” She loved math and science at an early age and it drove her passion to pursue a STEM career.

Bryant was enticed by the early technology of microchips, personal computer and portable cell phones. She worked for numerous companies in the electrical, biotech and pharmaceutical fields such as Pfizer, Merck, Genentech and Novartis.

Once Kimberly founded Black Girls Code, a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing technology and computer programming education to African-American girls, Bryant was listed as one of the "25 Most Influential African-Americans In Technology" by Business Insider.

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This is the only theme that infers movement in our entire season 5 lineup and its MEANT to MOVE YOU! Join the Team MTG: Danielle / Cicely / Priscilla as they embark on highlighting women that exemplify marching to there own drum, and both discovering and claiming space in unknown territories for women in Tech and women creatives. 

Our bonus guest is none other than Lynn “Elikqitie”! Lynn “Elikqitie” Smargis is an author, speaker, podcast producer, ghostwriter, and content marketing specialist who works with speakers and service-based business owners using content marketing to establish their credibility online.

She is currently producing two podcasts: Travel Gluten Free, which assists people with Celiac disease, and those who are gluten-free because of medical reasons on how to eat out and safely travel. Her second podcast, the Marketeers Mastermind, serves our community of speakers and service-based business owners with marketing advice to create their digital marketing plan.

Lynn is an avid ideator and writer who enjoys delivering quality content in which their readers will receive value. She writes between 2,000 and 8,000 words per day and is currently in the process of writing and publishing four books for 2023.

Lynn currently splits her time between her home in Olympia, Washington, and her farm in McMinnville, Oregon - the latter of which lies in the middle of wine and hazelnut country!

When she’s not writing, Lynn enjoys playing with their three dogs, snuggling with her two cats, traveling, painting, reading, meditation, studying Buddhism, outdoor activities, and flying with her pilot husband, Jeff, in their airplane.

NOTES:

• Ghost writing is when they have an idea for a book and need to finish it.
• Tips to finding a ghostwriter: Personalities have to click, Ask for a contract, what other services do they offer, You can use a ghostwriter at any point in the process.
• Advice for those into pivoting into Ghostwriting: Find a friend /colleague and write at cost. You have to love writing. Know how to talk to people. You can’t override them - take a ‘no’. Network a lot.  Block out time for writing/ work.
• #1 don't take content and slap it into a book.
• Mind map/traditional outline: visualization of content/ideas, coming off from main ideas are the chapters, then write content that fits into openings.
• Magnets you can write on (Amazon) to put on white board (search: “magnetic wipe off marker labels”)
• Tips/tools for writing: Grammarly premium, write daily to become a better write, join a writing group (Daily Writer)
• www.Writeforyou.me - direct website for ghostwriting services

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In February we deep dive into discussion around our theme: honor. Whether you've listened to our content on Clubhouse or you're hearing this incredibly transparent convo with bilingual video and podcast producer Maribel Quezada-Smith, the concept of loving ourselves as women in the tech and creative industries runs much deeper than any 9a to 5p or our true reality; our 9a to 9p. Take notes on how we can learn from and uplift each other in the process to better honoring ourselves.

Maribel is a bilingual video and podcast producer, as well as a host and speaker, with over  16 years of expertise developing meaningful content.

Her TV credits include producing on shows for the Discovery family of networks, Netflix, Oxygen and A&E (among others). She's currently a Producer and Co-host of the popular Pulso podcast.

Maribel is the Co-founder of BIPOC Podcast Creators, an organization devoted to amplifying the voices and stories of people of color. She regularly shares her expertise on topics like this around global stages.

Today, she helps entrepreneurs, startups and growing brands build deeper connections with their ideal customers through meaningful video and audio content.

SHOW NOTES:

• Am I just doing things to honor other people or am I honoring myself? Why am I doing this and who is it for? MQS
• I’m just beginning to honor myself because I’m constantly honoring others - MQS
• This industry isn’t honoring me so I have to start honoring myself. - MQS
• When you spend your whole life living under the umbrella of what society has told you to be…how do you know what you want for yourself? - MQS
• It’s hard to accept yourself for who you are when you’ve been told your whole life you’re not good enough - MQS
• We honor ourselves differently as we age; what’s important shifts. - PA
• It’s ok to save those gifts for only us -MQS
• It’s not for the streets, its for home -CS
• I just wanted to be seen. To know I was there. To know that I existed. -MQS
• It’s so easy to rip somebody else’s idea and use them as your own. It matters when trying to make connections that go beyond the superficial - MQS
• The work we do in media resonates, stays around and has a real impact on other people. We need to be ethical and not performative - MQS

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Get ready 2023! Its time to be heard! It's time for us to be valued for what we bring to the table!  We're coming at you with a full convo on VISION, right on time to kick off the year. Our first guest of 2023 is none other than Nuerodiversity specialist Alex Leech. 

Alex Leech consults and coaches both parents and educators helping them to help and support their amazing neurodivergent kids to flourish & become who they are meant to be, and all that they can be.

Her vast knowledge in brain-science and mental health & wellness paired with her personal experience gives her a rich and unique perspective; this enables Alex to deliver a wide range of support and resources helping her clients to deepen their understanding of “the why” behind behaviours & challenges while providing tools and strategies which help to strengthen mindset & problem-solving skills in order to achieve the results that they are looking for, for their child and their family as a whole.

Show Notes:

• “Neurodiversity is all the differences coming together and really respecting what each individual brings to the table” - AL
• It’s time to be heard - AL
• “We all deserve to heard and see and just bc I do things different doesn’t me less than.” -AL
• Work life balance (Illustration - venn diagram: work, family, self) — blend not separate, holistic view
• “You have to pick a place to start.” - AL
• Audio Slide Board (Illustration - PA system/sound board) - Understanding the spectrum of neurodiversity
• If we know better, we should be doing better - AL
• Parents are some impactful and we don’t realize it - AL
• “How we speak to our children is what develops the inner voice in their head. I want to make sure we work together so it’s changing the conversation.” - AL
• “Compaire and despair” is so detrimental. It can lead to negativity, giving up and victim mode. Nothing needs to be fixed. Understanding of expectations is key. - AL
• Problem vs challenge, normal vs natural can lead to better communication and healing - AL
• “In the workplace- You have to hold space for everybody to come to the table with their ideas in order to create something” - AL
• Neurodiversity is not just about people with Autism, ADHD - it is the beautiful thing that makes us all different, but all the same - AL
• The vision is to get people talking. - AL
• Even when we check in with ourselves, we have to keep judgement out - AL
• It’s important to have empathy and holding space for those that need different ways of learning, interacting, working etc - AL
• Collaborative mindsets and collaborative spaces get the best out of everybody - AL
• If you’re not collaborating, you’re isolating - AL
  

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We end the year with two amazing conversations on achievement and we are celebrating them both!  Our final guest of 2022 is Kentucky Blogger and influencer Caitie Lamb of Life with Caitie.

Caitie with Life With Caitie is a writer, content creator, and model based here in Central Kentucky. She loves blogging, and sharing all things Kentucky including fun things to do, and sharing small and local businesses with others. She is also a student at Midway University working on her second degree, BA's in Science of Mass Media Communication with an emphasis on Writing, and a Minor in Psychology.

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This months topic is HESITATE and in the episode we are NOT hesitating about discussing disparities in medicine for people of color. Our guest Dr. Fenwa Milhouse gives a glimpse for many of us the daily hurdles she experiences as a Black Woman urologist and demystifying the convo around, you guessed it... pee. 

Dr Fenwa Milhouse is a fellowship-trained, board certified urologist. Originally born in Nigeria, her family immigrated to the US when she was a young child. She grew up in Texas and ended up at the University of Texas at Houston for medical school. After hearing a lecture about urology given by an African American woman urologist, she found her calling. She trained at the University of Chicago for urology residency. Thereafter, she completed her fellowship in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.

She is a wife and mother of 3. She is passionate about introducing the public to the world of urology, mentoring underrepresented minorities, and diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.

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Interested in hearing full artisan expression through the lense of Black men? Look no further than this episode! Listen to our interesting chat with Keith Cooper co-host of Blerd.ish! Podcast and independent comic distribution artist.

Tis the season for INTENTION! Our top guest of the month is Kellie Daab who dives into her story and shares reasonable steps you can take to garner a deeper level of intention in your season! 

Kellie Daab is the Highly Sensitive CEO. After working in the creative industry for her entire career, Kellie couldn’t understand why she felt different from other entrepreneurs. Despite running a highly successful education business, speaking on dozens of stages, and winning multiple awards - Kellie still felt something was “wrong with her”. She set out to determine why she felt overwhelmed and unfilled in business and life. That’s when she discovered HSP and the traits of a highly sensitive person. Kellie went on a quest to find a new way of living and working. Since then, Kellie has completely reset her business and reclaimed her peace. Now, she helps other highly sensitive entrepreneurs do the same through consulting, education, and slowpreneurship.

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July's theme of discussion is BLAZE and we warn you that.... its fully LIT. From womanhood to motherhood and all in between as creative women, this episodes should deeply speak to you.

Blaise Hunter is breaking barriers with her consulting agency Blaise the Trail inc. Known as the Modern-Day Superhero—Heroine, she contends for women to own their super identity. Blaise is an author, multi-award-winning humanitarian, international speaker, fertility expert, certified human rights advocate, Mother of Purpose, and Breaker of Chains. She is the fertility expert that doesn’t help people get pregnant; rather, Blaise inspires others to be fertile in their lives and birth their purpose, dreams, voices, books, and brands. Her mission is to empower women to draw their swords and breathe fire on this world.

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We're going GEEK. This months topic of REBOOT is filled with inspiration as women in tech and women creatives step into new seasons. On this side of the pond, summer begins and techie educator Sheri Allain shares her truths with the MTG tribe.

As a geeky creative, Sheri is a life-long marketer who dreams in logos and loves to test-drive new tech tools.

As an award-winning marketer for Fortune 500 brands such as Coca-Cola, Nissan and Unilever, Sheri applied her brand-building skills to found Codezilla, a 6-figure tech-ed business that teaches at 40+ schools in Toronto.

Her passion is turning 'boring' brands into sales magnets as a business consultant at ZipLaunch.

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Hello February! This months theme is PRIORITIZE and our special guest Shehla Faizi shares real insight throughout our conversation! 

Shehla is a mum of two boys who does freelance graphic design, illustration and product photography. And as an extension from her experience producing and hosting her own podcast she also helps edit and produce other podcasts. And in whatever little time she does get to spare she enjoys biking, playing Super Smash Bros with her kids and lounging with her four cats.

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August is typically that season of back to school. Fittingly so our theme of LEARN is on time with special guest Daree Allen Nieves! 

Daree is an award-winning technical writer, UX writer, speaker, podcaster, life coach, voice actor, author and court-appointed special advocate (CASA) in Virginia. She has also written three personal development books, and hosts the Kickin' it with Daree podcast since 2015. As a court-appointed special advocate (CASA), she advocates for youth in her local community who are wards of the court based on abuse and neglect. She enjoys inspiring people and using her voice for good.

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Our July podcast episode is themed Perspiration and our special guest Lisa Peranzo embodies every ounce of it.  

Lisa Peranzo has over 10 years of experience in the fitness industry. She has worked with a diverse population, including first responders, athletes and adolescents. Her experience in the fitness industry has also included working with clients to rehab from a variety of injuries, from spinal cord injuries and brain injuries, recovery from childbirth, sports related injuries as well as joint replacements. Her focus is always to help her clients find their own strength and power from their fitness routine. 

She is a PMA accredited Pilates Instructor, Senior Trainer, Certified CrossFit, Certified Kettlebell, and Certified Barre Above Instructor, Lisa also has a certification in Paleo Nutrition, a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, and a Masters Degree in Human Behavior. She is a contributing writer for HealthWeb Magazine as well as Smartrepreneur Magazine. In addition to being the founder and CEO of A Healthful Life, Lisa has been featured in various magazines and on podcasts including San Diego Voyager magazine, Combat Divas, The Pourly Written Podcast, and Radical Resilience.  

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Ready, set, MANIFEST! Danielle and Cicely have a JAMMED PACKED GEMS episode with best selling author, content creator and tv/radio personality Shonda Brown.

Shonda Brown White is passionate about encouraging and empowering women through life and love real talk. This divine purpose has led to her to write and publish books including the bestselling Don’t Be A Wife To A Boyfriend: 10 Lessons I Learned When I Was Single. She's been featured and interviewed on several platforms and shows including: The Rickey Smiley Show, ESSENCE, ABC36 and a plethora of radio outlets and podcasts. For years, she penned dope and inspiring pieces as a content contributor for the nationally recognized website xoNecole.com. In addition to enjoying and living life with her husband of 12 years, she also enjoys producing content, seeking new adventures, and hosting her show, Wives Wine Down.  

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Our Manifest episode is definitely helping us kick off summer right! Meet distinguished podcaster and veteran mom, Jennifer Reed.

Jennifer is a mother of a little girl, a wife for the second time and a caregiver to her Navy veteran husband. Listed as a top 50 mom podcaster in Podcast Magazine in May 2020 she is current 2020 Elizabeth Dole Fellow for the state of Arkansas and now a Mom Empowerment Coach. Jennifer wants to be a woman who sheds the light on women and moms going through different seasons of life and making the normal struggles we all go through normal and not something to be ashamed or embarrassed about AKA hot mess momma life. Jennifer is also a big supporter of childhood ADHD, domestic violence survivors, and caregivers for veterans.

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Join Danielle and Cicely as they interview femme artisans at the Bluegrass Creative Market April 11, 2021 at the Shriners Temple on Southland Drive in Lexington KY. 

Please note this event is RECORDED LIVE onsite so quality is not as high but there words and stories are certainly heard. 

SHOW NOTES:

Our special guest for April is none other than professional speaker, writer and consultant, Tanya Torp.

Tanya Torp is an agent for social change and has spent her career engaging in community-based initiatives as convener, speaker, trainer, writer, and consultant.

Her full-time job as Executive Director at Step By Step, Inc encourages and equips young single mothers, ages 12-24, through an empowerment model which includes mentoring, deep listening, case management, Support Groups, leadership development, and walking alongside them towards their own definitions of success.

Additionally, Tanya manages her consultant business as a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator in the following areas: strategic planning for nonprofits, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, volunteer management, community liaising, and youth empowerment. Finally, Tanya is an Associate Pastor at Embrace United Methodist Church. Her ministry passions are discipleship, leadership development, intercessory prayer, women's ministry, and worship ministry.

Currently, Tanya is editing her forthcoming book on the topic of radical hospitality.
She lives in Lexington, KY with her husband Christian, a Civil Rights Attorney, their 2 young children.

Get ready for this gem-packed BONUS FEBRUARY episode with Ted Talk Alum, Mike Veny. 

Our next guest managed to overcome a lifetime of mental health challenges to become a professional drummer and a Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist. He’s the author of the best selling book, Transforming Stigma: How to Become a Mental Wellness Superhero. His advocacy work has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS news. 

As a 2017 PM360 ELITE Award Winner, our next guest was recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the healthcare industry.  He is also a writer for Corporate Wellness Magazine, Health Central, and delivered a TED-X Talk, titled Mental Illness is an Asset. 

He’s worked with a variety of companies including Microsoft, CVS Health, T-Mobile, Heineken, Salesforce, United Auto Workers - General Motors, and The Wounded Warrior Project.  In his spare time, he enjoys weight training, meditating for 20 minutes, twice a day, and eating a good bone-in ribeye steak cooked medium rare. He lives in New York City and is ADDICTED to buying luggage, along while watching YouTube videos on how to pack a suitcase. 

His packing checklist for business trips is one of his most prized possessions.  Helping us with chatting all things self care and self love today is Mike Veny.

Show Notes: 

Escape activities vs self care

Self care Structured achieves to grow and love yourself

Love is a verb

If you’re not doing self care you’re selfish.

Dr Stephen Covey - make a keep a promise to yourself

Therapy is an opportunity for growth.

Good therapy - directory of therapists

Therapyincolor.org / the safe space/place app

Monica Lewinsky - shame held her hostage, she began to talk about it and got to take her power back

Habits are difficult to do and undo

Self care/self love practice: start small, prioritize. FORCE it into your calendar!

metal/phys/spiritual/social-emotional

The miracle morning life SAVERS - done in the morning

What am I feeling? Where is it located? And what do i need right now?

All emotions are good emotions. It’s important to sit with your emotions.

Anger, grief and fear = best emotions, needed for success

Fear when dealt with becomes vision/courage

Grief when dealt with becomes joy

Anger when dealt with becomes passion/leadership/decisiveness

Danielle - how can I make this better for the next person?

Get ready for a FULL month of SELF CARE & SELF LOVE as we chat with amazing entrepreneurs and thought leaders to help remind you of the work on self we all must to be GREAT as women creatives and women in tech.

Meet De'Nicea Harper Hilton our first guest of February!