Not Your Average BS

Welcome back to the final episode of the Not your Average BS podcast!

On today's episode we talk about our new jobs, moving to Washington, DC, and what comes next for us. 

Brendi & I will be starting our own new shows in an effort to explore our own interest while always remaining best friends. 

We have loved creating this show every week and hope to have your support in our future projects 

Happy Monday! In today's episode, Brendi sits down with Nick Courmon, a spoken word artist, workshop facilitator, and motivational speaker. Nick talks about how he grew to love poetry, intersectionality, and the Civil Rights Movement, sharing and learning Black History, and going viral and gaining a TikTok following of 88k+. Nick uses his passion and poetry to teach African American History, address a myriad of social issues, and advocate for mental health awareness.

Happy Monday friends!

Today you have just Shannon the mic to chat all things health and sustainability with Cassidy Putney!

Cassidy Putney wears multiple hats including being an entrepreneur in the sustainability industry, serving as the lead instructor at CycleBar Matthews, boxing trainer at 9Rounds Mint Hill, dog mom, daughter, finance and so much more. 

In today's episode, Cassidy and I touch on a lot of things from taking charge of your health to taking one step at a time towards a more sustainable lifestyle. As the title reads, Cassidy opens up about her journey to recognizing that we are all just working in progress living our own human experience. 

I hope more than anything you all gain from this episode that we are allowed to be passionate about many different areas of life and to run with those passions as long as you can!

Cassidy holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy and environmental sustainability from Rochester Institute of Technology.

She co-founded (in 2015) and served as the Director of Sustainability for Impact Earth until 2020. She designed Impact Earth’s first education-based program for k-12 schools in 2017, created Impact Earth Composting in 2018, and led the team to work on consulting contracts with municipalities and corporate organizations alike. Cassidy currently consults with Impact Earth on a project basis and is still a part-owner of the Rochester-based company.

Happy Monday! We know we've been gone for a few weeks, but we're back. Tune in to today's episode to find out where we have been, how we're feeling about graduation right around the corner, and how we have navigated and dealt with burnout.

Happy Monday and welcome back to another episode of NYABS! 

Today we sit down with Candace Chambers, a current Ph.D. Student at UNC Charlotte! Chambers has an impressive list of accomplishments including self-publishing her own book, being named a 30 under 30 literacy leader internationally, and serving as a composition instructor for those who are incarcerated. 

In today's episode, we break down the impact of literacy in communities across the country as well as how to turn your vision into reality through utilizing tools like Youtube. Candace comes from a family of educators, so it is no surprise that she herself has landed in the field. But Candace is utilizing a digital strategy to cast a wider net to those who need it most. 

Let us know how you like today's episode!

Happy Monday friends!

Welcome to another episode of the podcast, we're so happy you pressed play. We sat down with Bahama's native, Natajia Miller to talk all things anti-racism. 

Natajia Miller is the Founder of Mind Fro Travel, a company dedicated to dismantling racism in all areas. Natajia works with corporations and entrepreneurs through virtual or in-person speaking engagements, workshops, and coaching sessions to break down media stereotypes and misconceptions about race. 

When she's no on her quest to a Nobel Peace Prize, Natajia helps run her family business which includes taking tourist to see the infamous swimming pigs of the Bahama's.

Sit back and prepared to be amazed the Natajia's accomplishments only to realize, she hasn't even reached her peak!

ALSO: In honor of Black History Month, we are partnering with a local Black-Founded Charlotte non-profit that's mission is to provide restoration and resources to those facing hardship in the community. Each time you donate or purchase an item off the amazon wish list, we will match it!

Happy Monday and Happy Black History Month!

Today we had Satoria Ray on the podcast. Ray is an 8th-grade social studies teacher in Dallas, Texas where she lives with her 30+ house plants. Her life revolves around inspiring young minds to channel their anger into action and volunteering in her local community. When she's not in the classroom you can find her travelling the world, helping others, and having uncomfortable conversations with her friends. We hope today's conversation leads you to see different ways you can enact change in your own local community. 

In honor of Black History Month, we are partnering with a local Black-Founded Charlotte non-profit that's mission is to provide restoration and resources to those facing hardship in the community. Each time you donate or purchase an item off the amazon wish list, we will match it! 

Happy Monday! Today, Brendi sits down to speak with Rick Hart, a Morehouse College junior and political campaign veteran to talk all about getting involved with politics and campaigns, how GenZers are an asset in the digital age, the power of networking, and what you can do to get involved. From knocking on doors for the Stacey Abrams gubernatorial campaign to most recently serving as the Youth Vote Director on the historic campaign and election of Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia, this conversation will leave you feeling motivated and inspired on where our future is headed.

Welcome to another episode of NYABS! 

Welcome to 2021 and another episode of NYABS! 

Today we chat all about what we learned in 2020 and the goals we're setting for ourselves in the New Year! We chat about investing, health & wellness routines, and more adventure. 

Appetizer:

Happy Monday! Welcome to our final episode of 2020. Today we have Laura Smith, a fellow podcaster and emerging activist to speak about educational equity and structural racism. Laura talks about coming from the UK to the US, being involved in the organization Action for Education Equity within the most segregated school district in the country (Rochester City School District), and working towards anti-racism.

Happy Monday and welcome BACK to another episode of NYABS! 

Today we kick off our small business series with the owner of Beaded Collective, Riley Bratton! Riley started this business on a family vacation when she wanted to create affordable jewelry that was also aesthetically pleasing. Since then, she's grown her business online through social media and Etsy! 

Riley is the epitome of when you put your mind to something, you can accomplish it. Her passion for small business and giving back to cause like breast cancer shine through in today's episode and we hope you'll consider supporting her! 

Use code NYABS10 at checkout for 10% off your order today!

Happy Monday! Press play as we give you all the updates about how we're feeling post-election and pre-holiday season! Today we're breaking down how to get involved, what we want for Christmas, and how to set boundaries around holiday gift-giving! 

Happy Monday!

Today we sat down with a lifelong friend, Latrice Johnson. In this episode, Latrice shares her road to medical school at Howard University in Washington, DC. She talks about her passion for keeping Black families together through combatting health disparities such as diabetes and heart disease. In addition to that, she shares her faith and constant reliance on God with us. 

We know the world is crazy, but people like Latrice are fighting the good fight, we hope you will be inspired to as well. 

Happy Monday you all!

In this week's episode, we chat with NC Democratic Candidate running for Commissioner of Agriculture, Jenna Wadsworth! 

Jenna is a proud LGBTQ+ woman who is running to change the face of NC farming. In today's episode, she shares her plan to make North Carolina great by focusing on addressing issues of climate change and the mental health of NC's farmers. In addition to that she shares what it was liking growing up on a farm in eastern, NC as well as how her campaign has utilized social media to reach voters!

Be sure to vote in your local, state, and national elections on November 3rd!

HELLO, SEASON TWO with Brendi & Shannon! Today we had Aria Maslow on the podcast. Aria shares her journey of battling breast cancer at 29 years old, how she became a registered dietician & Cyclebar instructor, and how to live with true intention even through difficult times. In this episode, we hope you learn the value of health and wellness and how to prioritize it with minimal accessibility. In addition to that, please be sure to start self-exams as early as possible and be your own health advocate! 

Appetizer 

Welcome back to another Monday with us! Today's episode will be the last of Season 1. Today we're recapping what the past 8 months of podcasting have looked like, why we decided to move to different seasons, and what Season 2 will have in store. Season 2 will be all about activism and advocacy. We want to talk about issues that encompass the Black Lives Matter movement, health policy and advocacy, homelessness, and more. We are excited to bring on more guests, not only those who are traditional activists and professionals, but also everyday people who are making a change in the communities they are apart of. We have loved recording each week with each other and putting out content for you all, but it is time to switch up and prepare for something even better!

Season 2 is coming soon but until then, be sure to keep up with us on social media:

Welcome back to another episode with Brendi & Shannon! Today, we’re updating you all on our transition back to school and Charlotte. Brendi also shares her perspective as a childhood cancer survivor, what it was like to be diagnosed as a teenager, and what’s most important to know about September which is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Resources

Happy Monday!

Just Shannon here this week giving you a rundown of her two-week out west adventure! She shares her journey, travel tips, and things she learned along the way! 

Appetizer 

Happy Monday! This week, Brendi sits down to talk with Erin Santos, the Executive Director of the Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF). ISF is a Charlotte nonprofit dedicated to advancing research and treatment options for rare pediatric cancer. Erin and Brendi talk about everything from how Erin ended up in Charlotte from Ohio, going from finance to the non-profit sector, what it is like to have a child with a chronic illness and lose them, and what sets ISF apart in the non-profit world. 

Happy Monday and welcome back to another episode! This week we give you our thoughts on the latest Instagram update as well as answer your questions! We chat all about how to support Brendi and the Isabella Santos Foundation as well as reminding you to register to vote for the upcoming election. As always, be sure to follow us on social media!

Happy Monday! For this week we wanted to do a trending topics round up, and we're talking everything from Kanye to Taylor Swift to the late Honorable John Lewis. We give you our thoughts on Kanye's twitter rant and Sunday service, best songs on Folklore, and the legacy of Rep. John Lewis & how voting ties into that. 

Happy Monday! Today we sat down with Issy Rushton, who is the first International Student Body President of the University of South Carolina. We discussed how she ended up at USC coming from the Gold Coast of Australia, got involved in student leadership, her plans for law school & how recent statements from the Trump Administration impact international students. Her journey to the US and her passion for advocacy was so inspiring to listen to, and we hope that you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.

Happy Monday! Today we sat down with Maya Fleming, a self-care expert who's been featured in Vanity Fair, The Real Reel, Leeza Rants, and more! On this episode, Maya shared how she moved from Arkansas to Washington, D.C and found actionable methods to self-care that are more than bath bombs and wine (even though those are great too!) We hope this weeks episode leaves you asking yourself your "why" and how to better take care of yourself amidst a pandemic, international protest, and more.

Happy Monday! Today we're doing a twist on a Q&A centered around the Black Lives Matter movement, our thoughts on how often you should be posting, the Fourth of July, case updates on Breonna Taylor and Vanessa Guillen + more. 

Happy Tuesday! We are so excited to have Montyy Taj on today's podcast episode. We discuss all things social justice, inclusion, activism, and allyship for the LGBTQ+ community. Montyy hosts her own podcast, Comfortably Excluded, works in the media industry, and is passionate about creating safe spaces for people of color. 

Welcome back to another Monday with us! Today, we're talking about what we have been up to, new internships, the significance of Juneteenth, and what cancel culture and accountability looks like today when it comes to racial insensitivity and injustice. We also include tips on how to hold yourself accountable and what to do if you get called out.

Happy Monday! This week we sat down with Bonny Shade, Associate Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life at UNC Charlotte, a professional speaker, a sorority sister of ZTA, sexual assault survivor, wife, and mother. We like to call her superwoman. Today we talked about Bonny's path to Charlotte, NC in student affairs, surviving sexual assault, and how to be an advocate and ally for the issues that really matter.

TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual Assault & Miscarriage 

Welcome back to another episode! Today is a little different with Brendi as the only host, but we have a guest, Daviana Fraser to talk about the Black Lives Matter organization and movement, protests, and how to be an ally. Daviana is a graduate student at UNCC obtaining her Master’s in Communication Studies and focuses on the Black experience through empowerment and resistance in her research. We dive into what changes have occurred in George Floyd & Breonna Taylor’s cases, how Black Lives Matter got started, what it’s like to be a Black student at a PWI (predominantly white institution), and performative vs genuine allyship.

Today, we sat down to have an uncomfortable conversation on the recent events in our country in relation to racial injustice. But uncomfortable conversations lead to impactful change. George Floyd died at the hands of police and it’s not okay. Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Abrery, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, and the list goes on of Black people who have died senselessly due to white supremacy and police violence. We break down the George Floyd case, protesting & rioting across the nation, and why the only answer to speak up and be anti-racist. #BLACKLIVESMATTER

Happy Monday! This week we sat down with Dr. Shané Teran, a licensed therapist, organizational development psychologist, life coach & motivational speaker. Today we cover a range of topics from prioritizing your mental health during a pandemic to how to combat feelings of burnout. We’re so excited to bring guests on who are subject matter experts in their fields, if you have any one or any topic in mind, please feel free to connect with us on social media or by email!

Happy Monday! This week we are giving you guys advice on topics that you asked us about. This is the first part of a continuing series on the podcast, we will always be accepting questions and topics so feel free to keep sending them to us on social media. For today's episode, we are answering topics including handling jealousy, confronting backstabbing friends, and more! 

We're back with another episode, bringing you more BS! Today we're talking briefly about mental health awareness month and we need YOUR help on what you want to know and who you want us to bring on! In addition to that, we're updating you all on wrapping up our first year of grad school. We take you through the highs, lows, and everything in between. We also share some tips for anyone wanting to continue their education!

Appetizer:

We're back with another episode, bringing you more BS! Today we're answering YOUR questions from our social media platforms! We talk about how we met, our crazy college stories, and more! We loved doing this so look out for more Q&A's in the future!

PROMO CODES:

We're back with another episode, bringing you more BS! Today we're talking briefly about how we feel about the state of NC as our stay at home order has been extended, and our guide to supporting local businesses during this hectic time. These are just a few of our favorite places in the Charlotte and Greensboro areas, and we hope that you will try them out and show them support!

Places Mentioned:

Happy Monday everyone! Today we're discussing our favorite hobbies, the apps getting us through the stay at home order, and sharing the top 4 things we wish we would have learned sooner in life.

Happy Monday! Today we have Abi Ferro on the podcast to share her wealth of knowledge on the health, wellness, and fitness industry as well as what it’s like to live on the west coast in California! She shares her thoughts on coronavirus, what Americans need to do to take charge of their health, and how moving your body and fueling it properly is key to bettering yourself. Abi is currently a field marketing strategist for the mega organic juice bar, Clean Juice. She travels the country opening new stores as well as acting as the behind the scenes to the newest Clean Juice endeavor, the Be Organic Podcast.

Items Mentioned:

Happy Monday! Today we're talking about what we're watching, reading, and listening to that has helped to take our minds off of what is currently going on in the world. We also discuss why social distancing is so important, the implications of COVID-19 on education, and what social media influencers are doing during this time.

What We're Watching: Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Ozark, All American, QB1, Last Chance U, Vanderpump Rules, Tiger King, The Hunters, Pandemic, Self Made, The Platform, The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez

What We're Reading: Educated - Tara Westover, Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins, The Librarian of Auschwitz - Antonio Iturbe, Embraced - Lysa TerKeurst

Happy Monday! We wanted to do something a little different for today's episode while still covering what is going on in the world, so today we are talking all things sports featuring our resident sports expert, Cam Kelshaw. Cam is the President of Campbell University's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a lifetime sports fan, and now-retired collegiate football player so we brought him on today to help us break down some recent events in the sports world.

Happy Monday! Today we're discussing time management, how the current pandemic impacts our learning as college students, time management, and self-care. We know that there is a lot going on in the world right now and we are certainly living in strange times, so we hope that today's episode brightens up your Monday and gives you a few good tips.

Happy Monday! Today we have our very first GUEST!!! Kevin McGevna talks to us about finding a job post-grad, falling in love in Nashville, and pursuing a side hustle!

Happy Monday! Step into spring the best way with this episode. Today, we’re discussing upcoming spring trends to look out for, how to spring clean your life, and what to look forward to in the coming season.

Organizations for Donation: Hannah's Bridge (GSO), Crisis Assistance Ministry (CLT), Dress for Success (CLT)

Mentioned: Dove Pottery

Happy Monday! This week, we're doing a deep dive into all things Greek life--are any of the stereotypes true? Should you go through recruitment? We're also discussing ways to get involved outside of Greek organizations and how the steps you take in undergrad will set you up for success post-grad.

Welcome back! Today we wanted to do something a little more lighthearted and fun, so we did 73 Questions with Vogue: Podcast Edition. We hope that you all enjoy listening and getting to know us a bit better!

People Mentioned: Katherine Johnson, Shirley Chisholm

Happy Monday! Been feeling uninspired or unmotivated lately? Today we're talking about how to rediscover your inspiration and motivation: personally, professionally, and academically. From a popular shark to a photoblog, we're giving you all the tools and advice on how to (re)set yourself up for success.

People Discussed:

Happy Monday! On this week's episode, we recap the Super Bowl halftime performance and our thoughts on J. Lo and Shakira, discuss how it is bigger than just a show, which leads us into a discussion on body image and health.

People Discussed: