Code 27 Conversations With Cousins

Episode 28: Teen Life in 2026—A Conversation with My Niece

Hey, cousins! This week, Alisha Stevenson welcomes her niece, Jordan, for an honest conversation about being a teenager in 2026. From school pressure and trouble focusing to social media overload and worries about world events, Jordan shares what’s weighing on her generation.

Together, they explore loneliness, the fear of rejection, making genuine friendships, and the pressure to show only parts of yourself online. Jordan also offers simple reminders: spend less time on your phone, get outside, and make room for connection.

This episode invites adults to listen and reminds young people that their feelings matter, their struggles deserve acknowledgment, and they deserve support.

Take a break. Take care. Heal and make room for joy.

Code 27 Reset Moment: Small Pauses Count

You don’t need a vacation or a free hour to take a moment for yourself. In this short solo episode, Alisha shares simple ways to pause wherever you are: notice your surroundings, check in with your body, move a little, or take a breath. Join her for a quick reset and a reminder that even 30 seconds count.

What if your anxiety isn’t just “overthinking”—but your body trying to tell you something?

In this episode, Alisha and Bridget talk about anxious thoughts, physical warning signs, triggers, and why getting curious about what you’re feeling can be the first step toward healing. Plus, take a quick Code 27 Reset and learn how to pause before anxiety takes over.

Your body is talking. Are you listening?

#Code27 #Anxiety #NervousSystem #MentalHealth #Healing

Episode 24: What Does Safety Feel Like? 🌿

You’ve been told to relax—but what if your body doesn’t actually feel safe enough to slow down?

In this episode of Code 27: Conversations with Cousins, Alisha and Bridget continue the conversation about rest, safety, and stepping away from the constant pressure to grind, produce, and keep going.

We talk about how trauma, stress, worry, and always being “on” can make slowing down uncomfortable—and how creating a sense of safety can help your mind and body finally begin to settle.

We explore simple ways to build safety through:

• Breathwork and grounding
• Movement and emotional release
• Rest and intentional quiet
• Supportive relationships and therapy
• Creating peaceful environments
• Letting go of what you cannot control

Remember: wellness is a practice, not perfection. Sometimes the first step is simply asking yourself, “What do I need right now to feel safe, secure, and settled?”

✨ Safety in. Anxiety out.

🏆 Everyday People Award: This week, we recognize Officer Melinda Jordan for more than two decades of service to the City of Cincinnati and her continued commitment to supporting children, families, and schools with compassion, poise, and grace. We see you and appreciate you!

🎧 Listen, follow, and share Code 27: Conversations with Cousins.

Out of Service. Into Healing.

Just Relax! If only it were that easy.

Do you ever find yourself replaying conversations, worrying about the worst-case scenario, or struggling to quiet your mind? In this episode of Code 27: Conversations with Cousins, Alisha and Bridget explore why overthinking happens, how it's connected to our nervous system's need to protect us, and practical ways to break free from the cycle. Learn simple tools like brain dumping, journaling, gratitude, reframing unhelpful stories, and creating moments of peace in an overstimulated world. If you're ready to quiet the mental noise and make room for calm, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Code 27: Conversations with Cousins, Alisha and Bridget explore how people-pleasing is often more than just "being nice"—it's a survival strategy rooted in trauma, fear, and the need for acceptance. They discuss how childhood experiences, anxious attachment, and conflict avoidance can lead us to overcommit, ignore our own needs, and lose ourselves in the process. The conversation offers practical ways to begin setting healthy boundaries, honoring your "yes" and your "no," and recognizing that rest is not selfish—it's essential. Plus, they share a simple mindful movement exercise to help release stress from the body and recognize Teresa as the Everyday People Award Health & Wellness Champion for her lifelong commitment to wellness and self-advocacy. A powerful reminder to step out of survival mode, embrace healthier relationships, and take a break, take care, heal, and make room for joy.

Most women, especially Black women, are praised for being strong — but at what cost? What if real strength is knowing when to pause, take a break, and set boundaries?

In this heartfelt episode, Alicia and Bridget unpack the hidden toll of society's pressure to always be the strong one. They share personal stories, like battling illness and learning to say no, to reveal how embracing vulnerability is actually a sign of true resilience.

You'll discover why the strong Black woman stereotype can keep you stuck in exhaustion and stress — and the simple, powerful shifts that can change your relationship with strength. Rivering the HALT framework, they teach you how to check in with yourself: Are you hungry, angry, lonely, or tired? And how to honor your limits without guilt.

This episode redefines what it means to be strong. It's perfect for anyone feeling drained or overwhelmed by societal expectations — whether you're a woman, a man, or anyone trying to find space to be human. If you're tired of carrying invisible burdens and ready to reclaim your well-being, this conversation is your wake-up call.

Get inspired to prioritize yourself, set boundaries, and understand that true strength includes vulnerability and self-care. Don't just survive — thrive by learning how to pause and be kind to yourself.

Listen now and start rewriting your story of strength — because you deserve boundaries, rest, and peace.

In this episode of Code 27: Conversations with Cousins, Alisha and Bridget explore how trauma can shape the way we see ourselves without defining who we are. They discuss how experiences like neglect, inconsistent support, loss, divorce, abuse, illness, and other overwhelming life events can create survival patterns such as extreme independence, people-pleasing, anxiety, or difficulty trusting others. Alisha shares personal reflections on how her childhood experiences and cancer journey influenced her own need for independence and how healing required learning to accept support. Join the conversation as they discuss recognizing trauma responses, increasing self-awareness, and finding balance between the survival skills that once protected us and the healthier ways of living that help us thrive today. Remember: trauma may be part of your story, but it is not your identity.

Take a Break. Take Care. Heal and Make Room for Joy.

#Code27 #HealingConversations #TraumaHealing #MentalHealth #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #HealingJourney #Wellness #Podcast #MakeRoomForJo

In this milestone 10th episode, Bridget and Alisha explore the importance of rest, self-care, and listening to what your body needs. Through personal stories and honest reflections, they discuss how the pressure to stay busy often begins in childhood and can follow us into adulthood. Alisha shares memories of resisting kindergarten nap time because she didn't want to miss out on learning and play, while Bridget emphasizes the value of slowing down and creating space to reset.

Together, they encourage listeners to embrace rest without guilt, pay attention to their physical and mental well-being, and recognize that taking a break is an important part of growth, healing, and showing up as their best selves. Tune in for an uplifting conversation filled with wisdom, reflection, and practical reminders to prioritize yourself.