Most of us have been told that growth requires discomfort. Intellectually, we get that. We nod along. We agree. Emotionally? It hits different.

In this episode, I share a moment that stopped me in my tracks while I was on my treadmill, huffing through an incline workout. When my instructor said, “If you’re comfortable, increase your speed,” it felt like she was talking about more than fitness.

I’ve been clear about wanting a soft and lucrative life. Slow mornings. Coffee. Journaling. Movement. Rest. But what I had to confront is this: softness does not eliminate discomfort. It simply means you choose where and how you stretch yourself.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why comfort won’t produce the results we say we want
• How softness and ambition can coexist
• The areas in my life where I am choosing to turn up the heat
• What it really takes to build the business, body, and life you envision

There is no point of arrival. There is only evolution.

If you’re feeling stuck, craving growth, or wondering how to balance ease with effort, this one is for you.

And yes, I give my quick take on Selling Sunset because I am late and obsessed.

DM me or email me and tell me: where are you willing to get uncomfortable?

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In this episode, host Kianti sits down with her homegirl, Carline Hooker, the "saleswoman extraordinaire" and founder of NetworkIt.

Carline brings 14 years of marriage experience (and 17 years of partnership) to the table for a conversation that moves past the "Instagrammable" version of relationships and into the "real deal Holyfield" truth. Whether you are single, dating, or decades into a marriage, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on what it actually takes to build a life with someone else.

Inside This Episode:

• Moving Beyond "Communication": Carline explains why she "hates" the standard advice that communication is the key to marriage and offers actionable alternatives.
• The Power of Service: A deep dive into the definition of love as "taking actions to help another person win".
• Different by Design: Understanding the fundamental biological and psychological differences between partners to remove barriers of tension.
• Prioritizing Values: How to recognize when your personal priorities, like efficiency, might be inadvertently "poo-pooing" on your partner's strengths.
• Safe Spaces for Honesty: Identifying safe spaces to discuss challenges and obstacles as they arise in marriage.

About the Guest:

Carline Hooker is the founder and owner of NetworkIt, a community focused on connecting people for the sake of genuine connection rather than just business revenue. You can find her at networkitcoach.com or on Instagram at @NetworkItCoach or @carline_hkr.

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It’s been a minute, but I’m back and easing into the year with intention.

In this episode, I’m talking about why I’m rejecting “strong starts” and choosing a softer beginning to the year instead. I reflect on last year as my first full year in business, what it meant to simply be profitable, cared for, and steady, and why that deserves celebration.

We talk about seasonal energy, rest, and why winter is not the time to force growth. I share how I’m aligning more intentionally with natural cycles, including the 13 moon calendar, and why I’m giving myself permission to nurture what already exists instead of rushing into what’s next.

I also reflect on different life paths, motherhood, and a powerful reminder that there are many peak human moments worth celebrating. Becoming a mother is one of them. It is not the only one.

And, of course, I wrap with quick takes on what I watched over the break.

If you’re craving ease, rest, and affirmation that you’re not behind, this one’s for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

•  Link to source on the 13 moon calendar

Watch list quick takes:

• Knives Out
• One Battle After Another
• Pluribus
• Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

 If this episode resonated, share it with a friend, rate the show, and be sure to subscribe wherever you listen.

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In this the last episode of 2025 and as we roll into the end of the year, I want to offer something different. No “end the year strong.” No “grind ‘til the last minute.” I’m over it, and I know a lot of y’all are too.

In this freestyle episode, I’m talking about what it looks like to close the year softly with intention, gentleness, and care. I share the three things I’m doing to wrap 2025 in a way that actually nourishes me instead of draining me:

1. Ending my workday early.
I’m committed to shutting things down by 3 p.m. when I can, giving myself back time, space, and ease.

2. Reconnecting with my people.
Spending time with the community I’ve built in Atlanta, meeting up more in person, and supplementing those meet-ups with FaceTimes and phone calls to the folks who aren’t close by.

3. Resting + reconnecting with myself.
Doing what makes my spirit light. Dancing until I sweat. Hitting a dance floor and losing myself in joy. Choosing softness as a practice.

If you’re tired, stretched thin, or over the pressure to “push through,” this one’s for you. Let’s end the year in softness, not stress.

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In this week’s episode of Black Girls Bonding, I’m talking about something I never expected to record an episode on: what it means to reparent yourself, to care for the little girl you once were.

I share a very personal part of my story, including my journey through infertility, the deep grief that followed, and how I slowly found my way back to myself with the support of therapy and a whole lot of honesty. When my therapist first introduced the idea of “parenting myself,” I wanted no parts of it. It felt too raw, too painful, and honestly… I didn’t understand it.

But as I leaned into the practice, I discovered the parts of me, specifically my six-year-old self, who needed gentleness, curiosity, and care. In this episode, I talk about how I began reconnecting with what made me joyful, safe, and seen, and how tending to those needs has become one of my most meaningful self-care practices.

Whether you're in a season of healing, rediscovery, or just craving softness, I hope this conversation helps you think about the younger version of yourself. What she loved, what she needed, and how you might show up for her now.

I’d love to hear from you:
What does it look like to you to care for the little girl within?

Also, as promised, here's a link to buy The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander

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In this episode, Kianti talks about the importance of holding on to hope, especially when the world feels unpredictable. Inspired by the recent Democratic wins across the country, she reflects on what it means to celebrate progress without bracing for the next blow.

As someone who’s used to waiting for the other shoe to drop, Kianti shares her journey of learning to rewire her brain to stay present, savor joy, and let herself feel the win—because anticipating what’s next only robs us of the moment we’re in.

Tune in for a reminder that hope isn’t naïve. It’s necessary.

Listen if you’re:

• Feeling anxious even when good things happen
• Learning to practice presence and gratitude
• Craving a little emotional reset and hope

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Some fights are worth it. Others? They’re invitations to let go.

In this week’s episode of Black Girls Bonding, I’m reflecting on one of life’s hardest lessons: learning when to push and when to surrender. After weeks of wrestling with QuickBooks, the IRS, and my own stubbornness, I hit a wall and finally heard that quiet voice telling me: let it go.

This episode is about that moment. The one where faith, frustration, and acceptance collide. I talk about:
 ✨ What it means to “fight first, release later”
 ✨ How surrendering doesn’t mean giving up
 ✨ The peace (and power) that comes from letting go

If you’ve been fighting a battle that feels like it’s going nowhere — whether it’s with work, relationships, or life itself — this one’s for you.

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Things are heavy right now.

In this short and heartfelt episode, I’m talking about what it feels like to live in a world that’s constantly demanding our attention, energy, and empathy — and what we can do to protect our peace in the midst of it.

I share three simple, powerful practices that always help me find my footing again:
 💛 Find community – you’re not meant to carry it all alone.
🖤 Unplug – doom scrolling won’t save us.
💛 Find your joy – big or small, joy is a survival skill.

This one’s an invitation to slow down, breathe, and do something — anything — that makes you feel alive again.

Plus, I couldn’t resist a quick Morning Show recap (because Mia Jordan? Phenomenal).

And, as promised, here's the link to The Log Off Newsletter - "a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life."

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This week on Black Girls Bonding, I’m asking a simple but heavy question: Are we okay?

Lately, I’ve noticed so much vitriol online. Yes, the internet has always had its share of negativity, but lately it feels sharper—especially toward Black women. From journalists like Karen Attiah being punished for telling the truth, to Jemele Hill being publicly attacked, to hundreds of thousands of Black women facing unemployment despite being the most educated demographic in the country—the attacks feel relentless.

But what’s hitting me hardest is how much of that harshness we’re turning on each other. From the reaction to Crissle’s opinion on The Read to Tabitha Brown’s heartfelt encouragement, I’ve seen us pile on one another with judgment and cruelty instead of grace.

So in this episode, I unpack:
 ✨ Why it feels like we’re hurting more than ever right now
 ✨ How Malcolm X’s words about Black women still ring true
 ✨ Why we need to show up as safe spaces for each other
 ✨ A call to action to pour into Black women—through organizations, community, and kindness

As LaTosha Brown recently reminded me on a Win with Black Women call: we’re all activists now. We don’t have a choice. Let’s make sure our activism includes care, grace, and support for one another.

Plus, a quick Huntin Wives recap to lighten things up.

🔗 Learn more about Win with Black Women: https://www.winwithblackwomen.org/

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This week, I’m talking about those moments when life feels heavy: grief, overwhelm, and the urge to retreat into isolation. I share how a conversation with my best friend shifted my perspective: maybe the Universe isn’t working against me, but actually working for me.

In this episode, I get into:
 ✨ Why isolating when you’re down can be harmful (yes, the science backs this up)
 ✨ How community, even when we don’t want it, can be medicine
 ✨ The importance of doing the things we don’t feel like doing, from workouts to cookouts
✨ How cultivating connection is really an act of self-care

And yes, I close with a little TV talk — Big Brother has me in a full-on love/hate spiral this season.

If you’ve been feeling low or tempted to pull away, this one’s for you.

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