Bri Books

Let’s talk cookbooks, featuring “Slice and Torte” podcast hosts Danielle and Sherrod--the cookbooks the ones that changed our lives, the ones that challenged our pallets, and the ones that never should’ve been printed.

Slice & Torte on Instagram, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and on their site! 

“Slice & Torte” podcast is a conversation about food as if it were pop culture. Two cooks from different perspectives, Danielle and Sherrod, love to “make food that’s simple and delicious, and warms the soul.”

0:30 - Danielle and Sherrod introduction: “By day,” Danielle is a Senior Analyst for a healthcare company and Sherrod is a UX Designer for a medical device company. “By night,” they cook too much, buy too many plates, and create “Slice and Torte”.

5:00 - How Sherrod and Danielle decided to share their passion for food through podcasting.

6:00 - How design, art and science merge to create the “Slice and Torte” podcast and platform.

7:55 - “When did you turn on the stove for the first time?” and early memories of cooking (including Danielle’s incredible story of cooking for her family...at age four.)

9:40 - How Sherrod’s great aunt set him on his path of loving food and community.

11:35 - The Four Cookbook #BriBooks

-Chrissy Teigen's “Cravings”

-”How to Cook Everything” by Mark Bittman

-“Rodale’s Garden Fresh Cooking”

-“Vintage Pies” by Ann Haney Collins

12:20 - Cookbooks for building confidence: “The Martha Stewart Cooking School,” “Cook with Jamie” by Jamie Oliver.

16:24 - What cooking has taught both Sherrod and Danielle about themselves.

17:30 - “Cooking is the highest form of magic. it’s the only way I know to stop time, to cure disease, to completely change a good day from a bad day. Understanding that at ones core is so fulfilling, because when you can do that, you can do things like change your outlook!” - Sherrod Faulk, “Slice & Torte” podcast

19:05 - “What I’ve learned is that there's only suggestions, there’s no rules. The kitchen is the one place where literally what I want goes. No one can tell me what to do. I can try whatever I want to try. For me, that’s very freeing and relaxing. And I’ve learned, there’s nothing I can’t make. Even if it doesn’t exist yet, I can make it and invent it. I’ve also learned, it’s OK to fail. But, that sense of failure is so freeing, and I don’t know many other places where you can feel good about failing other than the kitchen.” - Danielle Jones, “Slice & Torte” podcast

BREAK

21:00: #BriBooks Cookbook #1: “Rodale’s Garden Fresh Cooking” and eating with the seasons/ seasonality.

“Rodale’s Garden Fresh Cooking” my go-to for ingredient-based cooking. Each chapter focuses on a specific crop. Listen to “Bri Books all about “Rodale’s Garden Fresh Cooking,” featuring the incredible @ABeautifulNest.

24:10 - Seasonality 101 and eating with the seasons, and shoutout to farmers markets! @GrowNYC Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket warrior!

26:15 #Bribooks Cookbook #2: “Vintage Pies:Classic American Pies for Today's Home Baker” by Anne Collins. These aren’t your aunty’s sweet potato and pumpkin pies. Danielle gives her take on a few bizarre pies from America’s history, including Amber Pie, Boiled Cider Pie, Grape Pie...and Jefferson Davis Pie.

29:30 #Bribooks Cookbook #3: “Cravings” by Chrissy Teigen. One of the strengths of the book is that it felt like a quick trip to the grocery store could pull off all recipes--no specialty store required.

30:40: “No food is exclusionary in this world. everyone eats. these ingredients are available to everyone. It’s well worth it for people to get out of their comfort zones, go to grocery stores in neighborhoods you’ve never explored, talk to people you wouldn’t normally talk to. Get out and explore.” - Sherrod

31:45 - Sherrod and Danielle on “Cravings” by Chrissy Teigen and how it’s a highly-social cookbook, great for people who entertain.

34:05 - #Bribooks Cookbook #4: “How to Cook Everything” by Mark Bittman

35:00 - Why we don’t understand cookbooks that don’t have photos?!

BREAK

37:45 - GAME TIME! Let’s play “Read It, Reading It, Wrote It,” inspired by “Slice & Torte’s “Love It, Hate It, Ate It segments!

“Read It” =  a book you feel like you read and it taught you something about uncovering passions, etc

“Reading It” = A book you’re reading or want to read next

“Wrote It” = The book that resonated with you so deeply, you feel you could’ve written it!

38:30 - Sherrod’s “Read It”: Martha Stewart’s book “Entertaining” cookbook taught him that cooking isn’t *just* cooking. “Cooking is a way to have fun, to have a party, to change people's’ lives, to get outside your own culture,  a way to take a trip around the world.”

39:50 - Danielle’s “Reading It”: “Birdbox” by Josh Malerman,  and “The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wilde” by Junot Diaz.

40:30 - Sherrod’s “Reading It”: “Mastering the Art of Japanese Homecooking” by Masaharu Morimoto

42:00 - Danielle’s “Wrote It”: “The Cooking Gene” by Michael Twitty and “Swindled: The Dark History of Food Fraud, from Poisoned Candy to Counterfeit Coffee” by Bee Wilson

43:20 - Brionna’s #bribooks: “Everyday is Saturday: Recipes and Strategies for Easy Cooking Every Day of the Week” by Sarah Copeland

44:10 - Danielle’s “Read It”: “Between Harlem & Heaven” by Alexander Smalls all about Afro-Asian-American cooking and history

45:00 - Sherrod’s “Wrote It”: “Mrs. Wheelbarrow's Practical Pantry” by Cathy Barrow, and “It’s All Easy: Super Delicious Recipes for a Home Cook”

Two weeks ago, the #MTYRetreat took place at Nizuc Resort and Spa in Cancun, Mexico. To say it was transformative...would be an understatement. I’ve enlisted @SwirlSuite Podcast co-host and producer Sarita Cheaves (@vinemeup) to help me unpack the magic behind CURLBOX founder Myleik Teele’s second annual retreat.

• 1:40 - In this episode, we’re going deep on our experiences at #MTYRetreat, the second annual retreat hosted by CURLBOX founder and CEO Myleik Teele. Myleik offers unfiltered advice on everything from business to parenthood on her “Myleik Teele’s podcast” platform.
• 2:42 - The #MTYRetreat was designed as “a curated getaway inspired by next-level luxury and the cultural experiences of Myleik.” The goal was the restore, transform and edify attendees. The MTYRetreat consisted of a 4-day, 3-night experience at Nizuc Resort and Spa, a  AAA 5 Diamond Award-winning resort, complete with masterclass workshops, fireside chats/ cocktails and conversations, and so much dancing.
• 3:18 - Sarita was a first-time MTYRetreat attendee, and I was coming back for second year. In this episode we’re sharing our favorite takeaways and moments from the retreat. We have so much gratitude for the CURLBOX team, Myleik, Karleen Roy and The Vanity Group for making magic.
• 5:40 - Sarita introduction: Sarita is a wine writer and producer of "Swirl Suite,” a podcast that's all about wine, liquor, spirits, beer, and life.
• 6:30 - Who is Myleik? Founder and CEO of CURLBOX, Myleik’s receipts print THEMSELVES! She’s an entrepreneur and PR extraordinare and she’s so intensely devoted to black women gathering our resources, talents, and ambitions.
• 8:15 - How Sarita discovered Myleik: via Side Hustle Pro podcast! Sarita heard Myleik on an episode, and immediately had to acquaint herself with Myleik’s work. Sarita says Myleik’s words are incredible: “Her words of encouragement are extremely firm and clear. There’s no fluff. I love everything about it.”
• 9:20 - Myleik wanted to teach us what she didn’t know. So, she hosted #MTYRetreat with support from her multi-hyphenate baddie brigade: Bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi, ministry leader Sarah Jakes Roberts, Blavity founder Morgan DeBaun, creator of Karma Bliss and author of “Crystal Bliss” Devi Brown, “Insecure” star Yvonne Orji, style and fashion journalist extraordinaire Kahlana Barfield-Brown, and founder of XONecole Necole Kane.
• 10:00 - Sarita describes her first moments at MTYRetreat, from the flight touching down at the airport to pulling up at the Nizuc Resort and Spa lobby: “We touched down and I walked into the lobby. The scene from the lobby, where you can spot the water, left me breathless. I stood there for a moment and took it in, like, “Wow I don’t know what I’m in for, but my life is about to change.”
• 11:30 - The first night of the retreat was a fun dinner-cocktail party, complete with a gorgeously set, long dining table. There was such ease in the room as attendees mingled. Brionna says, “I kept feeling like everyone was putting in the same energy. Everyone wanted to be there.
• 12:07 - Sarita on arriving at the #MTYRetreat late, and how her roommate helped her ease into the experience, and the incredible wall of personalized menus!
• 14:30 - On Saturday, we began with a Saturday Sunrise Service and a morning word by Sarah Jakes Roberts, a ministry leader and best-selling author. Jakes-Roberts lead a Sunrise Service, where all were welcome to participate, dress in white, walk to the edge of the ocean on the beach, and share a spiritual yet grounding moment.
• 15:30 - Sarita and Brionna describe the beauty of watching the sunrise surrounded by dozens of black women, all wearing white.
• 16:30 - Sailing on “The Retreat by Myleik” catamaran!
• 17:30 - The elation of enjoying poolside champagne with wine writer/ expert and consultant Julia Coney!!  
• 18:00 - There was a huge breadth of experiences and people present at the retreat. Not everyone needed to have a “side hustle” or have something “going on.” So much of the programming was directed toward pouring back into everyone who attended MTYRetreat. Seeing connections made in real-time, and watching the “accelerated collisions” was incredible. The moments of clarity and connection will keep reverberating. Nothing “ends” at the MTYRetreat--it’s where everything takes off.
• 20:00 - Sarita on connecting with #MTYRetreat attendees: “It felt nice to connect souls with people.”
• 20:35 - Sunday’s #MTYRetreat Masterclass series! To kick it off, Myleik invited at least a half dozen of the most interesting, multifaceted people in her world to offer insights. The first to masterclass speaker was Devi Brown, founder of lifestyle and wellness company Karma Bliss, and author of “Crystal Bliss.” Devi was so efervescent yet stabilizing. Her discussion on purpose:”Purpose is using your unique gifts, unique abilities to be of service to others.”
• 22:00 - Devi’s meditation according to Sarita: “We had to close our eyes, and respond to ourselves. She kept saying, “Who are you?” Not mom or wife--that’s who you are to others---who are YOU? Outside of a professional career or titles, who ARE you?! Devi also said, “You’re only you to yourself.” THINK ON THAT!
• 22:30 - Morgan DeBaun, founder of Blavity, offered a workshop about working smart. Why Sarita loved Morgan: “She took the emotion out of setting goals."
• 23:40 - Sarita on Morgan’s recommendation/ homework--separating CEO tasks from operating tasks.
• 24:45 - Yvonne Orji shut it DOWN with her energy, her story, and her vulnerability.
• 25:20 - Sarita discusses Yvonne’s story of success: “What resonate with me was that she (Yvonne) said she auditioned for “Insecure” for five times, because one person she was competing with was doing great, but they plateaued in the audition. However, as Yvonne kept coming back, she kept taking notes and getting better and better. The team said, ‘If she’s getting better just from notes, just imagine how great she’ll be with producers and a director.” WOW!
• 26:15 - Brionna’s favorite Yvonne quote: “I hate regret more than I hate fear.”
• 27:00 - How the level of courtesy at Nizuc Resort and Spa impacted us
• 28:50 - Much love to DJ and author Olivia Dope for keeping us dancing!
• 29:15 - Sarita’s MTYRetreat action item: Identifying CEO and operational tasks, a la Morgan deBaun.
• 30:40 - Brionna’s MTYRetreat action item: Be a good human, a la Yvonne Orji. Being considerate, compassionate and courteous are skills. Yes, you can be FAIR and NICE at the same time. Devi’s quote, “The lessons repeat as needed” HIT ME HARD!
• 32:15 - SO MUCH LOVE to Ms. Diana on the CURLBOX team, for being such a rockstar. Periodt.
• 33:05 - Final thoughts: MTYRetreat was worth it 100%! We’re still reaping the benefits, and will do so going forward. Sarita’s expectations were exceeded. She says, “I don’t know what I needed when I got there, but I certainly received it when I left.”

33:45 - Brionna’s #bribooks is from Sarita! “Lost in the City", a book of short stories about DC, by Edward P. Jones.

Welcome to season five of Bri Books!

 You can follow along with the conversation on Instagram and Twitter using #BriBooks. Subscribe to newsletter bribookspod.com/newesletter!

We’re kicking off the season with Patricia Bright, businesswoman, YouTube queen and author of “Heart & Hustle: Use Your Passion, Build Your Brand, Achieve Your Dreams.” Patricia has earned over 2.7M YouTube subscribers, and just hit 1M on Instagram. I've followed Patricia Bright since the late 2000’s on YouTube and Longhaircareforum, and it’s such a treat to be able to celebrate the platform she’s created.

*Note on audio: You’ll hear a small sound of me typing furiously in the background during the interview. I apologize!

 0:00-4:30 – Meet Patricia Bright, the story behind Bri Books cold pitching Patricia and why Suzanne Jeffers’ “Feel the fear and do it anyway” is how Patricia lives her life.

 4:30 – In the book, Patricia discusses how being consistent is the challenge of our lives, and one we must rise to daily. Patricia shares her untold story, and why the big three--Brand, Business, and Beliefs--are crucial. With "Heart & Hustle," Patricia is teaching us to find our grinds, and identify our sweet spots where passions and unique skills find the perfect audience.

 8:20 – How Patricia applied for and earned an investment banking internship…even though she didn’t have the grades and failed the admittance test…and what the experience taught her about the nature of limitations

12:09 – Patricia on learning to be a stronger networker: “Networking should be active, and start on an honest point of interest.”

14:25 – Taking the sting out of networking, and learning to be comfortable having varied conversations with different types of people. 

14:45 – While Patricia was writing “Heart and Hustle,” she created one of her most successful YouTube series organically, the “I Spent” series wherein she shops online retailers, and brings her YouTube audience along as she tries on and reviews new purchases.

 15:25 – Patricia: “It’s important to find that sweet spot between your passion, ability and what’s practical.” it sounds like that’s the recipe.

18:00 – Patricia on the science of building an audience: Writing down and executing ideas, and planning content are key! These two concepts are transformative because it takes the in-the-moment pressure away. 

18:50 – Patricia’s #BriBooks current read: “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

19:45 – Patricia: “You realize that in life, you’ll have a big goal, but what matters are the steps you take towards it. If you can take those steps every day, you’ll most likely achieve that goal. Pick up ‘Atomic Habits’!

 20:07 – Let’s play “Patricia Taught Me,” a game where we quote from “Heart and Hustle” and Patricia expands on the ideas behind her words. 

24:20 – One of the most powerful quotes from the book: “ “When you're struggling or fearful about doing something you want to do, the temptation is real to look for an excuse. Don’t. Excuses are just ways to stop yourself from being as good as you want to be.” – Patricia Bright, “Heart and Hustle.”

25:50 – What’s making Patricia say “What a time to be alive”? “I’m excited about is the fact that knowledge and wisdom will be open for everyone. We’re in the generation of we all have the same knowledge, so let’s work. It’s important to me: for people to learn, have access to information. That’s where the passion lies.”

LINKS TO PATRICIA'S WORK:

Patricia Bright's blog, book, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube channels. 

Say hi! @bribookspod and bribookspod.com and bribookspod.com/newsletter.

Welcome back to Bri Books, the podcast that encourages, entertains and enlightens by engaging with the ideas on and off the pages. Season five starts April 16!! Send “Bri Books” to the booklovers in your life! @bribookspod, bribookspod.com/newsletter. Show me what you’re reading with #bribooks!

SHOW NOTES

0:53 - This season we’re doing things differently. We’re talking to more authors, more podcast hosts, and creatives. Before the season begins, I want to give you a taste of what to expect.

1:07 - We’ll be having conversations with first time author Cora Harrington, founder and Editor-in-Chief of “The Lingerie Addict” and author of new book “In Intimate Detail.” Later this season you’ll hear from Danielle and Sherrod of "Slice and Torte" podcast as we talk through our can’t-live-without cookbooks. We’ll be chatting with fashion writer Channing Hargrove about how she’s dedicated her career to loving on and celebrating black women. We’ll be having bibliophile Liana Rodriguez discuss what she does to build a more well-read and less overwhelmingly male and white library for herself. Then we chat with host of "The Kindred Spirit" podcast Ashley Warren to discuss women in wine and liquor from beginning of time to today.

2:24 - This season we’ll be using literature more to uncover our passions and manage things like managing side hustles, mentorship, career growth, fear of adulting, life challenges. Bri Books is a podcast that’s invested in delivering a sincere and inspiring conversation on books of cultural significance! 

Say hi! @bribookspod and bribookspod.com and bribookspod.com/newsletter. You can follow along with the conversation on Instagram and Twitter using #BriBooks. Subscribe to newsletter bribookspod.com/newesletter!

Welcome to Bri Books Season four finale, where we're discussing “Becoming” by Michelle Obama. Thank you for a great season four! In this episode, we’re breaking down “Becoming,” and sharing a few #Becoming101 insights.

Much love to Well-Read Black Girl community and founder Glory Edim, for dedicating their December book club to “Becoming.” Joining the conversation via #WRBGChat was such a treat.

4:00 - “Becoming Me” and the crystalizing moments Michelle experienced as a child that solidified the foundation for who she would “become.”

6:00 - ‘Becoming Us” and the musings of Michelle on mid-career, marriage, motherhood and beyond

7:20 - “Becoming More,” and Michelle molding her FLOTUS platform to her values and priorities

9:00 - #Becoming101: Michelle is teaching us to “become” by dating, by iterating, and by being bougie

Bri Books will be back in early spring 2019! In the meantime, keep the pot boiling at @bribookspod and bribookspod.com and bribookspod.com/newsletter. You can follow along with the conversation on Instagram and Twitter using #BriBooks. Subscribe to newsletter bribookspod.com/newesletter!

You asked. I'm delivering. In today’s episode,  we’re discussing the film adaptation of the Richard Ford novel “Wildlife”, as requested by YOU! Thank you for heeding the call on a recent “Bri Books Bites” asking which of my most recent reads you’d be most interested in chatting about. Thank you to @bethcorinnek, who commented TWICE on Instagram, requesting we dissect the novel and film. I think this episode will encourage you to pick up the novel from your local library or pop into a local theater to support the film.

• 3:00 - Recapping the novel “Wildlife” (more in this episode of “Bri Books”)
• 5:30 - Recapping the experience of watching film “Wildlife”

Both the film and novel communicated the unexpected vulnerability that accompanies blurred lines within a family. It’s that vulnerability--between spouses and between child and parent--that permeates both expressions of this incredible story. #BriBooks recommends “Wildlife” 100%

I’ve shared my bullet journal tips in an IGTV about setting up your bujo is live on @bribookspod and bribookspod.com and bribookspod.com/newsletter. You can follow along with the conversation on Instagram and Twitter using #BriBooks. Subscribe to newsletter bribookspod.com/newesletter!

Today's "Bri Books" is holiday feast-ready. We're discussing "Gut: The Inside Story of Our Bodies Most Underrated Organ" by Giulia Enders. We're mere weeks away from 2019. From now to the end of 2018, our guts will be working overtime. Between work potlucks, family potlucks, holiday parties, our guts are working intensely. This books goes inside (no pun intended) the world of the gut, and I share my "gut checks" and learnings along the way. 

• 0:35 - Today's #BriBooks pick couldn't be more appropriate for end of the year as we wrap up 2018…with lots of food. Between now and the end of 2018, our guts will be working overtime. Between work potlucks, family gatherings and holiday parties, there's so much food and stress packed into the last few weeks of the year when our guts are working intensely.
• 3:00 – How Brionna discovered “Gut: The Inside Story of Our Bodies Most Underrated Organ" by Giuliana Enders” while working at ABC News, and general takeaways and first impressions after finishing “Gut”
• 5:00 - Gut Check #1: Giving our small intestines enough vitamins and minerals (by way of nutrient-rich and nutrient-dense food) is a major key to more small intestine success.
• 5:30 – Gut Check #2: Constipation results from a disconnect between the nerves in the nervous system and the muscles of the gut. The gut is ultimately a creature of habit, and if that habit is disrupted by holiday travel or holiday eats, constipation can arise. A great way to re-establish your gut’s equilibrium is to make sure you’re eating fiber and drinking fluids 2-3 days before holiday travel or before major meals.
• 7:45 – Gut Check #3: There’s a link between the gut and the brain. Emotions like fear and stress reduce smooth muscles in the gut, and make it so the stomach can't stretch adequately, and we feel nauseous or anxious after just a few bites. Let’s all work on connecting with our guts and your brains, remaining mindful of seasonal stress.

Bri Books is not intended as a substitute for medical or health advice, and shouldn't be treated as such. A great secondary research for your deep dive into the world of the gut: "Follow Your Gut: The Enormous Impact of Tiny Microbes" by Rob Knight

PS, I’ve shared my bullet journal tips in an IGTV about setting up your bujo is live on @bribookspod and bribookspod.com and bribookspod.com/newsletter. You can follow along with the conversation on Instagram and Twitter using #BriBooks. Subscribe to newsletter bribookspod.com/newesletter!

PS, I’ve shared my bullet journal tips in an IGTV about setting up your bujo is live on @bribookspod and bribookspod.com and bribookspod.com/newsletter. You can follow along with the conversation on Instagram and Twitter using #BriBooks. Subscribe to newsletter bribookspod.com/newesletter!

Hi, welcome back to Bri Books. On today’s episode I’ll be starting “Bri Books Bites.” I’ll be sharing four recent reads that I think may resonate with you.

• 0:22 - I want to apologize and acknowledge the Bri Books schedule’s been out of whack.
• 1:47 - In lieu of a full episode, I’m starting “Bri Books Bites,” a quick digest of a few of the titles I’ve recently devoured. And there will be a twist. I want you to choose which of the four titles we will feature on the podcast. I’ll tell you all the steps of how to vote.
• 2:30 - This Podcast was inspired by “Just The Right Book Podcast.”

• 4:10 - Book #1: “Wildlife” by Richard Ford. On October 19, the “Wildlife” film starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Williams. When Roxanne Coady mentioned it on “Just The Right Book Podcast,” I knew I, too, had to discuss this title. The book begins in 1960s rural Montana, and we are introduced to a family--mom Jeanette, dad Jerry, and 16-year-old son Joe. It’s wildfire season, but the flames burn through more than the neighboring forests--it burns through the family fabric. What’s left behind after the flames tear through their lives is...interesting. To discuss this book, visit @bribookspod on Instagram, and leave the comment “Wildlife” on the most recent photo.
• 6:05 - Book #2: “The Butcher’s Daughter” by Victoria Glendinning. In the mid-1500s, when King Henry the VIII and his right-hand-man Thomas Cromwell set about abolishing religious houses and monasteries in England, the priests and nuns who were part of the religious order were scattered to the winds. But what happened to the nuns? “The Butcher’s Daughter” sets out to answer the question through eyes of a young woman sent to live at Shaftesbury Abbey. Thanks fo her intellect and the fact that she could read, she was able to be an assistant to the Abbess of Shaftesbury. This plops here in the midst of a landscape of protest and reformation. If you want to discuss “The Butcher’s Daughter,”  visit @bribookspod on Instagram, and leave the comment “Butcher’s Daughter” on recent photo.
• 9:35 -Break!
• 9:53 - Book #3: “Travel As A Political Act” by Rick Steves. I picked this book up while working at ABC News. The author has spent most of his career reaching people how to travel. The book is about finding the lessons that accompany us through travel. For context, Steve’s wrote first edition at end of the Bush administration and the second edition post-Trump election. The book describes how travel as a political act, and is organized into regions and counties including Yugoslavia, Europe, Denmark, El Salvador, Turkey, Iran,Palestine, Israel.
• 11:15 I leaned into being part of global POV and putting global POV into action locally. To discuss this book, visit @bribookspod on Instagram, and leave the comment “Travel” on the most recent photo.
• 11:45 - Book #4: “Martha Stewart's Newlywed Kitchen: Recipes for Weeknight Dinners and Easy, Casual Gatherings.”Martha Stewart’s Newlywed Kitchen: Easy Weeknight Dinners.”  Even though I’m not engaged and I cook for one (or two), I love how this book is organized, and it doesn’t feel like a specialty cookbook. It feels like with forward thought, planning, creativity, flexibility, and grace could be fun. To discuss this book, visit @bribookspod on Instagram, and leave the comment “Newlywed” on the most recent photo.
• Thank you so much!

PS, I’ve shared my bullet journal tips in an IGTV about setting up your bujo is live on @bribookspod and bribookspod.com and bribookspod.com/newsletter. you can follow along with the conversation on Instagram and Twitter using #BriBooks. Subscribe to newsletter bribookspod.com/newesletter!

Today on Bri Books, we’re doing a deep dive into world of bullet journaling: What it is, what it solves, and how to get started.

• 1:00 - Bri Books on IGTV: Bullet Journaling 101!
• 2:00 - Define: Bullet journaling
• 2:30 - What seperates a bullet journal from a notebook you have on your shelf? I love Leuchtturm1917.
• 3:19 - The guiding principle behind bujo is you want the method to work for you. It’s about “tracking the past, organizing the present, and planning for the future.”  You don't want to spend so much time focusing on recording of the doing, that the doing doesn't get done.
• 5:08 - Step One: Index. It’s the Table of Contents of your bullet journal, where you write down page numbers and their corresponding sections.
• 5:30 - Step Two: Write a prayer, a grounding thought, a dream that’s on my mind, 3-5 simple joys in life. Write down three peaceful thoughts and joys you find. You can use those as anchors as you move through your bullet journal
• 6:28 - The prayer lately is John 15:5. Here’s a link. I find that it’s helpful to have something grounding and centering at the top of my journal, to put myself into perspective.
• 6:50 - Step Three: Categories. It’s never too early or too late to start creating categories. It’s a useful practice to keep different areas of life in check and balances.  Categories help me see if things are overloaded or underloaded, i’m able to give myself a gut check.
• 7:18 - Brionna’s story of setting categories and boundaries, and what it solved
• 10:00  Step Four: Logs and Calendar. There are tons of different types of logs--monthly logs, future logs (two or three months out), and a calendar-style log (current and next month)
• 11:08 - Logs are helpful for recording regular operations tasks you want to tick off. Gym sessions, grocery store, financial, books to read,  movies you wanna read, items to purchase next, phone calls that need to be made.
• 11:40 - Step Five: A Spread. A spread is a few pages devoted to a certain project or time period. For example, each week I create a 2-page spread, and write down what’s on my calendar along with a little checklist built on tasks pulled from the….CATEGORIES LIST! The daily and weekly spread keep me honest. It's’ where i break down large projects or tasks into daily chunks. It's’ where i cordon off parts of my day or week to different things. It's’ where i experiment and play on subway. Ifind daily and weekly spreads keep me helpful with everything else i set out with, and be flexible with my time by realizing the space i do have and the types of work i'm able to do throughout the week.

I’ll share the resources, and give you a sneak-peak into how I set up my bullet journal in the Bri Books Newsletter. A few of the resources I found useful: How to Bullet Journal video from official website, Lucy Moon’s 2018 Bullet Journal setup,  Lucy Pebbles Bullet Journal video! The IGTV about setting up your bujo is live on @bribookspod and bribookspod.com and bribookspod.com/newsletter. Thank you!

Hello! Welcome back to “Bri Books.” Today’s guest is style expert, hip hop head, and creator/host of “Poised n Polished” podcast, “the podcast dedicated to people with style like you.” She’s also a proud member of the Beyhive. In the spirit of innovation and new fall inspiration, this episode is all about the Beyonce edition of Vogue magazine. In this episode, we share our earliest fashion memories, the significance of the Beyonce edition of Vogue, our favorite fall/winter trends, fall/winter “Beautylutions,” and Esta’s tips on being a better packer ahead of holiday season travel. “Poised n Polished” podcast, Esta Fiesta newsletter, Instagram, Twitter, blog

• 3:10 - A bit about Esta Fiesta’s work, how we met, and her work as host/ creator of “Poised n Polished”
• 5:05 - Esta introduces herself, in her own words
• 7:10 - This episode of Bri Books is a bit of a change--we’re discussing US Vogue September 2018 issue featuring Beyonce.
• 7:40 - Esta’s earliest fashion memory, and how her family’s focus on being “put together” influenced her approach to style
• 10:15 - Brionna’s earliest fashion memory, the show “Fashion Trance,” and how Brionna learned that fashion experimentation “should be fun.”
• 11:50 - Esta’s first September issue memory
• 13:30 - Brionna and Esta’s takes on the Beyonce edition of Vogue US
• 18:00 - Esta on Beyonce’s deep dive into the realities battling with self-esteem and societal pressures, even if you’re “Beyonce.” Remember, “I’m not too perfect to ever feel this worthless,” as Beyonce said in “Hold Up.”
• 19:15 - Brionna and Esta on A/W Trends: Granny chic is BACK (Gucci, Christian Dior), emerald green is the thing, and global patterns are taking over the world.
• 23:00 - Esta on A/W Trends: Tough, but gentle to the touch.
• 24:20 - Esta’s favorite autumn/winter activity: being in the fresh air! Esta’s autumn/winter style faves: Layers and coats and shoes, oh my!
• 25:20 - Brionna’s favorite autumn/winter activity: Roasting veggies! Brionna’s autumn/ winter style faves: Fashion shoes, and layering
• 29:00 - Esta’s “How to Pack” video, and her top tips for more smartly packing for holiday season
• 29:30 - At the end of every trip, Esta takes inventory of what wasn’t used on her trip--accessories, clothes, everything. She also uses a travel itinerary as backbone for packing
• 30:30 - Esta defines Beautylutions: A resolution, but beauty-focused. Beautylutions evolve over time and as goals are accomplished and shift. Her 2018 beautylution: Clearer skin!
• 31:00 - Esta’s Beautylution for fall: Finding the autumn version of her skincare must-have’s
• 32:40 - Brionna’s Beautylution for fall: Strong, healthy skincare habits (10 minute timer and all!)
• 33:30 - Esta’s #BriBooks: “Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America” by Ayana Byrd and, Lori Tharps
• 35:00 - Brionna’s #BriBooks: “Wildlife” by Richard Ford
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