Getting Older Podcast

In this deeply honest and wide-ranging episode of the Getting Older Podcast, host Ivory sits down with longtime friend and dynamic guest Skye Pasek—a birth doula, parent educator, and full-spectrum creative with a heart that knows no limits. What unfolds is a conversation that blends vulnerability, wit, and wisdom in equal measure.Ivory and Skye first crossed paths over a decade ago at Montclair State, and from dorm elevators to late-night talks about life, their friendship has seen it all. In this episode, they unpack everything from childhood identity and growing pains to what it means to show up for yourself when the world gets heavy.Skye opens up about being a mixed-race Black woman, growing up in a musical, faith-centered household, and how her perspective on race, identity, and belonging has evolved with time. Her reflections on not fitting neatly into one category—and why that’s perfectly okay—hit home for anyone navigating their own self-definition.But the episode goes far beyond identity. Skye shares how she's learned to enforce boundaries, protect her peace, and embrace solo experiences—from karaoke nights alone to a spontaneous solo trip to San Francisco that turned into a turning point.This conversation is a lesson in soft power, self-awareness, and the art of self-rescue. Skye doesn’t just talk about healing—she embodies it. And while her strength is undeniable, she’s refreshingly honest about the cost of always being strong.Topics explored in this episode include:Navigating life as a biracial woman with a Black mother and white fatherChildhood joys, loneliness, and the beauty of growing up in a musical householdThe realities of being an empath and the cost of people-pleasingLetting go of FOMO and learning to enjoy your own companyWhat it means to do the “hard healing” that’s not always Instagram-worthyWhy solo trips can be sacredBalancing ambition with softness, and independence with the desire for partnershipLater in the episode, Skye opens up about her journey to becoming a doula—a role that bridges her passion for service with her roots. In a powerful moment, she shares how her great-great-grandmother was a midwife, and how that ancestral connection helped guide her into this work. Through intimate birth stories, hospital sprints, and high-emotion deliveries, Skye offers a front-row seat to the raw beauty of birth, womanhood, and care work.But the emotional core of the episode arrives with the story of Malachi Archibald, a student Skye worked with as a paraprofessional. Malachi, battling a brain tumor, became her close companion during his senior year. The story of their bond—and his passing—offers a profound reminder of the fragility and beauty of life. It’s tender, heartbreaking, and unforgettable.As the conversation comes full circle, Ivory and Skye reflect on the evolving meaning of friendship, love, ambition, and what it truly means to keep going when life tests your limits. It’s not about having the answers—it’s about choosing to move forward anyway.Whether you’re in your healing era, questioning your life path, or simply craving a meaningful conversation with heart, this episode delivers. Skye’s voice is both a balm and a mirror—offering comfort, truth, and a reminder that you’re not alone.Connect and Engage:Want to keep up with Skye’s journey?Follow her doula and wellness work at Sky Who Serves on Instagram: @skyewhoservesFor her personal updates: @skye.well

In this episode of Getting Older Podcast, host Ivory welcomes Luis Guzmán, the creator and host of I’m an Artist, Not a Salesman. Known for his ability to bridge artistry and entrepreneurship, Luis sits down to share his powerful journey of self-discovery, resilience, and transformation. From growing up in Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, to chasing his first passion in music, to finding clarity in business and faith, his story is both raw and inspiring. This conversation dives deep into themes of ego, addiction, therapy, creativity, and what it truly means to stay authentic in a world obsessed with image and numbers.Luis opens up about his early years and the influence of his single mother who raised him in the face of poverty and adversity. He describes how music became his first passion, a creative outlet that allowed him to turn pain and insecurity into art. His rap career led him to create independent albums, sell CDs by hand at Jersey Gardens Mall, and even collaborate with Noriega. But despite moments of recognition, he admits how jealousy, comparison, and burnout pushed him away from music. The lessons he learned from those years set the foundation for the creative philosophy he carries today.One of the most striking parts of Luis’s story is his candid reflection on ego. He explains how ego can build walls that block growth, relationships, and true opportunities. For him, learning to “check the ego at the door” became essential, not only in content creation but in life. By asking himself “Who am I?” in moments of self-importance or selfishness, Luis has been able to reset, focus on service, and stay connected to humility.The episode also explores Luis’s battles with addiction and weight. At one point, he weighed over 330 pounds and leaned heavily on food as a coping mechanism, tied to his childhood experiences of being comforted with meals after punishment. Later, weed became another escape, turning from a social pastime into a daily habit that spiraled into dependence. He shares how a pivotal moment with his wife, coupled with watching Bohemian Rhapsody, convinced him to quit smoking in 2018. The withdrawal was painful, but on the other side came growth: marriage, fitness, therapy, and a renewed sense of purpose.Luis doesn’t shy away from discussing mental health. He acknowledges his struggles with body dysmorphia, self-criticism, and the fear of losing everything. Therapy, faith, and discipline—like his rigorous 4 a.m. workouts—help him navigate those challenges. He emphasizes that doing hard things, even when they suck, creates resilience and helps dismantle ego.The discussion highlights the values behind I’m an Artist, Not a Salesman. For Luis, artistry is about integrity, passion, and intention, while salesmanship often carries a negative stereotype of manipulation. He believes it is possible to sell without selling out, to build something sustainable while staying aligned with one’s values. That means saying no to opportunities that compromise authenticity, even if they promise quick money or visibility.By the end, both Ivory and Luis circle back to the same core message: stay true to yourself, embrace the journey, and don’t sell out your integrity for short-term gain. Their dialogue is filled with vulnerability, wisdom, and encouragement for anyone building a creative career, battling personal struggles, or searching for meaning.Engage with Us:We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Share what resonated with you, what inspired you, or what challenges you’re currently facing in your own creative or personal journey. Subscribe to Getting Older Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio to stay updated on new episodes. Leave a rating and review to help us grow, and join the conversation by commenting on the platforms where you listen. For more inspiring stories and behind-the-scenes content, follow Ivory and the podcast community online and become part of the journey.

In this heartfelt and high-energy episode, host Ivory sits down with longtime friend and powerhouse marketing consultant Keyshawna Johnson for a real conversation about ambition, reinvention, and why she walked away from agency life to build her own consultancy: Scale with Key.From performing arts school to leading marketing departments for some of the top agencies in New York and Miami, Keyshawna has taken a nontraditional path to building a career she loves—one rooted in strategy, creativity, and helping brands scale with intention.But the journey hasn’t been linear.They talk about everything from:Growing up in a Caribbean-American household with a strong focus on education and excellenceNavigating rejection after applying to top conservatories like Juilliard and TischDiscovering a passion for media and marketing through unexpected college coursesHosting her own radio show at Rutgers (Brown Sugar Radio!) and how it shaped her voiceThe hard decision to pivot from a lifelong dream of acting to a strategic career in brandingBuilding confidence as the youngest department head in her agency—and the challenge of gaining respect as a young Black woman in leadershipLiving in Miami, working with high-growth DTC brands, and building a life she loves on her termsBut this episode goes way deeper than the resumé stuff.Keyshawna opens up about the pressure to succeed, the weight of expectations from family and mentors, and the moment she realized that choosing financial stability wasn’t giving up on herself—it was honoring her journey.Key Takeaways:“Discipline from the arts translates into business.” How acting school taught her to listen deeply—a skill she now uses in consulting and leadership.“Your marketing strategy can’t stop at Instagram.” Why most founders are missing massive retention opportunities.“Sometimes the data proves the creativity.” How she combines gut instinct with test-driven growth to deliver results for clients.“Being good at your job is only half the battle. The other half is being seen.” How she carved space in the room—and then built her own table.Keyshawna also shares her viral “STEMI Sale” campaign, which generated nearly half a million dollars in just a few days for a DTC brand—and how that one spontaneous idea reminded her why she’s made for this work.Scale with Key, her consulting brand, was built to help ambitious founders who’ve already found product-market fit and revenue traction—but don’t have the systems to scale sustainably. She walks us through her ideal clients, the gaps she helps brands fill, and the #1 misconception most small businesses have about marketing strategy (spoiler: it’s not all about paid ads).She also talks candidly about the politics of agency life, why she ultimately walked away, and how she’s building a more values-aligned business by choosing projects, people, and partnerships that energize her.You’ll also hear real talk on:Moving to Miami solo and what surprised her most about the cultureBeing an empath and how she manages emotional boundaries in businessOutgrowing people-pleasing and embracing a “tunnel vision” mindset.Want to connect with Keyshawna or work with her?🌐 Website: www.keyshawnaj.com📧 Email: [email protected]📱 Instagram: @scalewithkeyLove this episode? Here’s how you can support the show:Subscribe wherever you’re listeningShare it with someone who needs to hear itLeave a rating or review to help us growFollow us on Instagram @gettingolderpodcast for updates and behind-the-scenesThank you for being here—and remember: be kind to each other, and also to yourself.

In this powerful and emotional episode of Getting Older, host Ivory Fennell sits down with twin flames Keisha and Janine—registered nurses, spiritual healers, and hosts of Truth Be Told Conversations—for a transformative crossover experience centered around truth, trauma, and healing.

What begins as a planned business collaboration turns into something much deeper: Ivory’s first quantum healing hypnotherapy session at Uplift Vibrational Wellness Center. The experience cracks open long-buried emotions tied to childhood, identity, and self-worth—and sparks a spiritual breakthrough that he never saw coming.

Ivory opens up about the shame and self-hate that followed him for decades—growing up Black and gay in a world that told him he wasn’t enough. Despite success and therapy, he still carried invisible wounds. In this session, he’s confronted with the root of that pain—and with the help of Keisha and Janine, begins the journey of letting it go.

Through conversation, the trio explores how trauma embeds in the subconscious, how it impacts our relationships and self-image, and how spiritual healing can unlock peace. Keisha and Janine explain the tools they use in their work—like quantum hypnotherapy, past life regression, energy healing, and Akashic Records—and how they guide people to reconnect with their true selves.

The episode also digs into the concept of twin flames. Keisha and Janine share how their own unexpected journey toward each other helped awaken their spiritual gifts and purpose. They talk about leaving behind traditional structures, embracing their calling, and the importance of doing “shadow work” to raise your vibration and live in alignment.

Ivory shares excerpts from his hypnotherapy session and talks about what it was like to surrender to something bigger than himself. From emotional releases to divine messages, he emerges from the experience with more clarity, softness, and self-forgiveness than he’s ever known.

This episode explores:

• What quantum healing hypnotherapy actually is

• The root causes of self-sabotage and repeating cycles

• How religion and spirituality can coexist

• What it means to raise your vibration and heal karmic wounds

• Twin flames, spiritual contracts, and why you were sent here

• The importance of self-trust, grace, and forgiveness

Keisha and Janine remind us that healing is a process—but it’s also your right. You don’t have to stay in pain. You don’t have to keep playing small. And you’re not alone.

Ivory's journey is a mirror for anyone who’s ever struggled to believe they are enough. His vulnerability in this conversation is raw, honest, and a powerful reminder that the road to healing doesn’t start with perfection—it starts with truth.

This episode will move you, challenge you, and hopefully inspire you to look inward with compassion. Because growth isn’t easy, but it’s always worth it.

Featured Guests:
Keisha & Janine – Twin flames, registered nurses, intuitive healers, and hosts of Truth Be Told Conversations. Founders of Uplift Vibrational Wellness Center in New Jersey.

Topics Covered:

• Hypnotherapy and emotional release

• Spiritual awakenings and downloads

• Inner child and identity trauma

• Twin flame dynamics and soul growth

• Religion vs. spirituality

• Vibration, karma, and soul alignment

Connect with Truth Be Told Conversations:
Instagram: @truthbetoldconversations
YouTube: Truth Be Told Conversations
Website: upliftvibrationalwellnesscenter.com

Follow Getting Older Pod:
Instagram: @gettingolderpod
YouTube: @GettingOlderPod
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio

In this powerful and inspiring episode of The Getting Older Podcast, Ivory welcomes his good friend and creative collaborator Keiber Diaz Sosa—a New York-based photographer, videographer, and founder of NYC Live. From shooting Miss Universe queens to building a career that spans high fashion, pageants, and real estate, Keiber opens up about his path as a creative, the setbacks he’s faced, and how he found healing through the lens.
Keiber's journey starts with a childhood spent under strict expectations in a traditional Peruvian household. College was non-negotiable, but creativity? Not exactly encouraged. Despite the pressure, Keiber couldn’t shake his love for photography, sparked by a disposable Kodak camera and letters from his older sister, an artist who reminded him to never give up on his creative voice. He couldn’t draw, but he could shoot—and that became his way of telling stories.
In this honest conversation, Ivory and Keiber go deep on the hustle of building a creative career. From sneaking into New York Fashion Week after years of rejection to juggling college exams with secret city shoots, Keiber shares the real behind-the-scenes: failed SD cards, lighting disasters, imposter syndrome, and the moments when he almost quit for good. And yet, he always came back.
The two reflect on the challenges that come with being artists—especially in a world that constantly compares, critiques, and moves at a breakneck pace. They talk about burnout, the pressure to keep up with new technology, and how easy it is to lose your "why" in the process. But they also celebrate the joy: community, mentorship, reinvention, and the art of rediscovering your passion after losing it.
Keiber also breaks down the creative process behind some of his biggest shoots, including a water-and-sand production in his garage that went viral, and a last-minute, high-stakes shoot with Miss Grand Dominican Republic that involved Teslas, red carpets, and a full team of stylists. It’s a masterclass in resourcefulness, leadership, and vision.
But perhaps most moving is Keiber's reflection on the power of giving back. He speaks about the photographers and creatives he mentors—especially those who, like him, grew up feeling unseen or unsure—and how being that one person who believes in someone can change everything.
In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Keiber turned a childhood passion into a full-blown production company
• The highs and lows of his creative journey
• The role of mentorship, friendship, and community
• Ivory’s parallel experience with photography—and why he’s reigniting his creative flame
• How to find your voice in a saturated industry
• Why staying humble, teachable, and curious is essential for growth
• The balance between creativity and business—and why both matter

If you’ve ever doubted your path, questioned your talent, or felt stuck creatively, this episode is for you. Keiber's story is a reminder that growth isn’t always linear, and sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come right after your biggest doubts.

In this heartfelt episode of The Getting Older Podcast, host Ivory Fennell welcomes Ash — artist, storyteller, community gardener, and self-proclaimed “Jackie of all trades” — for a powerful conversation about what it means to live authentically while still figuring it all out.

Ash’s journey is anything but linear. Growing up in Plainfield, New Jersey, she navigated multiple worlds — the cheerleader, the theater kid, the performer, the caregiver — and now, years later, she’s reflecting on what those early roles taught her about masking, validation, and identity. As Ivory and Ash laugh through old memories and dig into the uncomfortable truths of becoming, they invite us to sit with our own transformations.

Ash opens up about what it’s like to peel back years of people-pleasing and perfectionism to reconnect with her truth. From being the go-to caretaker for her grandparents to moving through spiritual uncertainty and creative burnout, she shares candidly about what healing really looks like when no one’s watching. She’s no longer interested in being the “strong one” or having it all together — she’s learning to rest, to feel, and to let softness lead.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Ash’s “Today I Feel” emotional practice and the power of checking in with yourself

• How growing up in Black and white spaces shaped her sense of identity

• Letting go of control and learning to sit in stillness

• Moving from atheism to a personal relationship with God

• Reclaiming creativity as a form of healing, not perfection

• The sacredness of celibacy, boundaries, and being alone

• Understanding success outside of hustle culture and timelines

• Community gardening as a metaphor for life, death, and rebirth

Ash’s story is a reminder that healing is not a straight line. It’s messy. It’s full of restarts and redefinitions. It’s about accepting who you’ve been while choosing who you want to be — over and over again. Whether she’s talking about dating, God, emotional boundaries, or learning how to ask for help, Ash offers us a blueprint for growth that’s honest, compassionate, and deeply human.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re “too much,” like you’re behind, or like you have to prove yourself to be worthy of love and rest, this episode is for you. Ash’s presence reminds us that we don’t have to be fully healed to be whole. We just have to be honest.

Follow Ash:
Instagram: @just.a.girl.going.through.it
Music: A Bunch of Everything With Little to Nothing Left
TikTok & YouTube: Just a Girl Going Through It

Follow the show:
Instagram: @GettingOlderPod
YouTube: Getting Older Podcast
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more.

Like what you heard? Rate, review, and share — it means everything. Because growing up is real. And getting older? That’s where the beauty lives.

In this powerful episode of The Getting Older Podcast, host Ivory Fennell sits down with poet, educator, and activist Paul Con Queso for a raw, unfiltered conversation on healing, masculinity, identity, and the beauty of becoming.

Over nearly two hours, Paul shares with striking vulnerability the lessons he’s learned through love, heartbreak, activism, and art. From navigating trauma and mental health to guiding students through pain using poetry, Paul brings nothing but truth, heart, and lyrical clarity.

• The radical act of telling your male friends you love them

• Losing friends to suicide and building safe spaces for men

• Challenging toxic masculinity as a Black man in America

• Why artists like Jaden Smith and Childish Gambino matter

• Art as protest, healing, and transformation

• Where creativity, activism, and education intersect

• The defunding of creative writing in higher ed

• Why comparison is a trap and success is not a race

• Dating in your 30s, financial stress, and emotional readiness

• The myth that you must be “healed” to be loved

• Creating chosen family and embracing rejection

Paul also reads one of his most beloved poems:
“Telling My Male Friends I Love Them as a Radical Form of Joy” — a moving, intimate piece that calls men to lean into vulnerability, softness, and truth. He shares how his students’ courage gave him permission to live more fully in his own truth as a survivor.

This episode isn’t just a conversation — it’s a permission slip. To feel. To speak. To break patterns. To let healing in, even when you’re not sure what that looks like yet. Whether you’re a poet, creative, teacher, survivor, or someone just trying to figure it out, Paul’s story will meet you right where you are.

As an educator, Paul also talks about the challenges of working in academia — where creative programs that often save lives are being cut, silenced, and undervalued. He speaks openly about what it means to teach during times of censorship and erasure — and why creative expression is essential, not optional.

Through his lens as an ARTivist (artist + activist), Paul makes the case that healing is ongoing. That pain, when alchemized, becomes purpose. And that art — even in its messiest, most personal form — can connect us, move us, and build new worlds.

Follow Paul Con Queso:
Instagram: @paulconqueso
Buy his book: Disappearing Boy
Find upcoming shows + projects: Linktree in his IG bio

Listen to this episode:
Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you listen.

If this episode spoke to you:
Drop a comment, share it with someone who needs it, and don’t forget to like and subscribe. This show grows through real conversation and real community.

Subscribe for more weekly episodes where Ivory Fennell explores the raw, real, and sometimes ridiculous process of growing up — emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

This isn’t therapy.
But it is honest, unfiltered, and full of moments that might just change how you see yourself.

Welcome back to The Getting Older Podcast. This week’s episode is raw, real, and exactly the kind of conversation we all say we want but rarely have. I’m sitting down with the incredible Nephetia Brown — a woman who turned the wreckage of divorce, grief, and spiritual disconnect into something powerful.

Nephetia isn’t just talking about divorce. She’s talking about what happens when everything you thought you could count on vanishes. The quiet loneliness that creeps in even when your house is full. The moments when faith feels out of reach, and you’re left alone with your thoughts — deciding whether to break or rebuild.

We get into how she wrote her book, Rebuilding After Divorce, right in the middle of her own heartbreak. No sugarcoating. No fake positivity. Just the honest, painful, beautiful truth of learning to pick yourself up when you’re still bleeding.

We talk about the messy stuff people usually skip:

• How healing doesn’t come just because you pray harder

• How grief can make you think staying broken proves something

• How loneliness tempts you to go back to places you swore you’d left behind

• How rebuilding starts with choosing yourself — even when it feels selfish

Nephetia opens up about writing without a plan — just pain, prayer, and truth. Those raw journal entries became the foundation for a book that walks with you through the healing process instead of talking at you from a distance.

We unpack the real conversations around:

• Feeling abandoned after doing "everything right"

• When the church makes you feel judged instead of supported

• What spiritual disconnection looks like

• Rebuilding faith when prayer feels impossible

• Choosing your circle wisely during a storm

• Knowing the difference between being alone and feeling alone

• Grieving the life you imagined — not just a person

Nephetia also shares the hardest truths she learned:

• The danger of idolizing relationships

• The guilt of clinging to something that’s already gone

• The pressure to fake healing for everyone else’s comfort

We talk about what actually helps when you’re deep in the trenches — no fluff, no filters:

• Reconnecting with passions, even if you feel rusty

• Sitting still instead of chasing distractions

• Remembering you're still here — and worth fighting for

• Finding people who pray for you, not prey on you

• Letting go of timelines you thought you had to meet

This episode is a reminder that surviving isn’t always pretty — and that’s still a win. Healing isn’t always graceful. Sometimes it's crawling forward inch by inch, bleeding and stubborn, but still moving.

You don’t owe anyone a polished version of your comeback story. You just owe yourself the chance to keep going.

If you’ve ever gone through a divorce, a breakup, a friendship fallout, or the loss of a dream — anything that left you starting over — this one’s for you. You’ll hear honesty, humor, heartbreak, and healing from two people who know what rebuilding really takes.

Where to find us:
TikTok: @GettingOlderPod
Instagram: @GettingOlderPod

If this episode speaks to you, leave a comment, like the video, and share it with someone rebuilding too. Real stories heal. Real conversations matter. And choosing yourself? That’s the bravest thing you’ll ever do.

Your pain doesn’t get the final word. Your story isn’t over. You are still here. And your healing matters.

See you next episode.

Season 2 is officially here, and we’re kicking it off with a story that’s part Hollywood legend, part real-life survival guide. In this episode, I sit down with my cousins, Jahmaal Huuno and De Jah Huuno — two brothers who’ve seen more by 18 than some folks do in a lifetime.

Born in Brooklyn and raised between Long Beach, Venice Beach, and Hollywood, their story isn’t just about growing up Rasta — it’s about survival, identity, and what happens when your foundation cracks before you even know what solid ground feels like.

We get into everything: from gang wars to rooftop DJ sets, from family betrayal to figuring out who you are when everything familiar falls apart. This isn’t a fairytale. It’s for anybody who had to grow up fast, move in silence, or become their own blueprint.

We talk about growing up Rasta when spirituality, hustle, and danger are always colliding. About being the only Black kid from the hood catching three buses to a private school full of billionaire kids — pretending like you belonged in both worlds, when neither really claimed you.

We dive into real West Coast chaos — gang life, club nights, and late-night hustle. What’s it like sneaking into after-hours parties, DJing for celebrities and street legends, dodging cops and shootouts, all before you’re even old enough to vote? What happens when your family business is booming, but your family is breaking down?

You’ll hear untold stories from Venice hustles and Long Beach street survival to wild firehouse parties that could’ve ended everything. We unpack the heavy cost of building your life around survival — and the even heavier price of choosing to leave it all behind.

There’s the story of how O.J. Simpson’s family crossed paths with theirs — before the headlines. How a secret hustle became a teenage dream and a nightmare. How being uprooted from the West Coast and dropped on the East Coast unlocked parts of themselves they didn’t even know they needed.

And then there’s the deeper stuff — the grief nobody warns you about. Not just losing people, but losing the version of yourself that believed in them. What does it mean to mourn someone who’s still alive — just not who you thought they were?

We get real about the rebuild: choosing healing when rage feels easier, launching businesses while still unpacking trauma, and turning heartbreak and silent battles into something that fuels your next chapter instead of draining it.

The Getting Older Podcast isn’t therapy. It’s not a self-help seminar. It’s the front porch. The 1 a.m. phone call. The deep couch conversation you didn’t know you needed until you hear it. Growing up is messy. Getting older? That’s where the freedom lives.

If you’ve ever had to grow up too fast, rebuild from zero, fight for your peace, or rewrite your story — this one’s for you.

You’ll hear East Coast hustle. West Coast reality. And proof that no matter where you start or what you’ve survived, the best part of your story is the chapter you haven’t written yet.

Where to find us:
TikTok: @GettingOlderPod
Instagram: @GettingOlderPod

If this episode hits you — comment, like, share it with your people. Nobody grows up alone. We just act like we do. Getting better is a group project — you just gotta find your crew.

Your story matters. Your healing matters. Getting older isn’t losing yourself — it’s finally meeting the version of you that’s been buried under everybody else’s expectations.

See you next episode.