I Have Given My Answer

Welcome back, fam!

Welcome back to the second season of I Have Given My Answer! We're kicking off this season with a topic that's near and dear to our hearts: self-care.

In this episode, we're talking about how paying ourselves back through self-care can translate to money. That's right, we said it: self-care is an investment. When we take care of ourselves, we're more productive, more creative, and more resilient. And when we're able to thrive in our personal and professional lives, that means more money in our pockets.

Unsure of what to do with those 5 minutes you save daily? I GOT you:

• Set aside time each day for yourself. I know we talked about those 5 minutes, but make sure to schedule some time each day to do something that makes you happy and relaxed. Read a book, take a bath, go for a walk, or whatever else helps you de-stress.
• Say no to things that don't serve you. It's okay to set boundaries and say no to things that you don't have the time, energy, or desire for. You DO NOT have to be everything to everyone.
• Learn to delegate. If you have the ability to delegate tasks, do it! This will free up your time so that you can focus on the things that are most important to you.
• Take breaks. When you're working on a project, take breaks every 20-30 minutes to get up and move around. This will help you stay focused and avoid burnout.

So if you're looking for a way to boost your income and improve your overall quality of life, tune in to this episode of I Have Given My Answer. We'll show you how paying yourself back through self-care is the best investment you can ever make.

In the finral episode of our first season, we are privileged to have the joy and the expertise of Joyce Conley. As Coach and Consultant at Alve' Pro, LLC, she specializes in building relationships, effective communication, and being resilient in the most challenging times, while increasing student achievement and teacher efficacy. She was one of Orange County Public Schools' three 2022-23 Assistant Principal of the Year finalist, and is just pretty much, an overall badass.

Joyce comes to talk with us this week in a very personal and frank conversation about relationship-building, authenticity, and support. If you are work with people in any capacity - and we all do, you will benefit from this conversation.

We will be taking a break from NEW episodes until July, but we'll be sharing some of our favorites in June to hold you over!V Which ones would you like us to re-release? Sound off!

Owner of Body Luxxe Luxury Hair and Body Care, Lagina Smith shares with us not only her journey as a Black businessowner, but that of a corporate executive, a Black woman, and a Black mother. While each of those titles carries an unimaginable weight by itself, she wears them all with the poise and posture of a true queen.

That doesn't mean it isn't heavy, and it doesn't mean she's stronger than most - it means she exercises and understands her limits. And she is excited to share with you how YOU can care for yourself, your family, and your business in many of the same ways.

A graduate of Florida A&M University, Lagina is married with 1 adopted daughter and 2 small sons. She is a full time corporate executive, in addition to owning and operating my own business, Body Luxxe. She maintains that "people don't realize how damaging most commercial products are. Once you know better, you technically should have the tools to do better. Body Luxxe is designed to help people who may not have exposure to luxury skin care. Everyone deserves an opportunity to Get Luxxed!"

For our listeners, Lagina has offered a generous discount! Head over to BodyLuxxe.net, and enter coupon code "E16" for 15% off your purchase!

Today, we're talking to Danielle Felton, Founder and CEO of DEF Educational Consulting. She is an expert in transforming classrooms in to safe, engaging communities where children thrive. She is also an expert in solution oriented strategic thinking and simplifying complex subjects and tasks.

In this week's episode she talks to us about creating and thriving in community, creating community for our students, and the clarity that comes from living our own lives - on purpose.

To get your free chapter of her first Amazon bestseller, Teach and Go Home, head over to https://awesome-architect-4484.ck.page/42dc292fd6.

Founder and Designer of Ilium Wing, Ama McKiney talks with us about how she lives her life as a fine jewelry designer, a global nomad, and a woman who has had 35+ jobs (she'll tell you herself!).

As my oldest and best friend, Ama has known me for a very long time, and I've known her. She is an incredible teacher, and is here to teach us how to live lives that are authentic to us, and that are without the values and approval of others.

She is an MBA-turned-fine jewelry designer. After leaving a career in advertising, she returned to her passion - making waistbeads - and discovered an opportunity to turn them into fine jewelry. She studied as a goldsmith, launched her business in 2020, and was recently accepted into The Couture Show's Diversity Action Council mentorship program.

Find out more about her company at IliumWing.com

This week, I talk about Shame and Black womxn - how it comes from generational trauma, and how we can free ourselves to live outside of it. I reference thought leaders I trust and respect like Brene Brown, Melissa V. Harris-Perry, and bell hooks - so it's a well-rounded conversation in this piece about shame. Let's get into it.

The books referenced this week are:

Brene Brown, The Power of Vulnerability: Teachings of Authenticity, Connection, and Courage.

bell hooks, Sisters of the Yam: Black women and self-recovery

Melissa V. Harris-Perry: Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America.

Amber Vaughan comes to us with stories of learning and understanding your worth, betting on yourself, and making sure that you and everyone else knows that you ARE everything. She is the embodiment of knowing that you are the shit, and she makes sure that you know it, too.

Would you believe she was nervous to record this episode? After hearing her, you'd likely never have guessed. And so she's also a testament to believing in yourself beyond your wildest dreams. Because someone out there - lots of someones out there - need to hear your story.

Give yourself the gift of hearing this amazing woman speak today. She is incredible, and you deserve to hear this message of encouragement.

Amber Vaughan is the principal at A. Vaughan-Garde Strategy and Consulting. She is a lover of community, fighter for equality. Non-profit and political consultant. Pensacola raised, FAMU made🐍. Most recently, she served as the Statewide Relational Organizing Director for the 202 Charlie Crist for Florida Governor Campaign. She's here to show you that you, too, can live your dreams.

Patricia Reign is the HBIC at Traveling Aura Mobile Spa Concierge, serving the South Florida area. In our episode this week, we talk about resting, living life as a creative, and what it means to save space for your dreams. This is a powerful episode that reminds you that your birthright IS to dream, and that you deserve the space to do just that. You can find out more about Traveling Aura, and book their services at www.travelingaura.com.

If you're ready for your dreams to become closer to your reality, and I KNOW that you are, then join us on Saturday, April 29 from 9 am - 10:30 am EST for our Boundaries On, Shields Up webinar. It's completely free, and I'll give you the blueprint for how to live a life that makes space for your dreams in simple ways you can implement immediately. I can't wait to see you there! Seats are filling up, so come register at www.e616consulting.com/webinar.

Making the choice to show up as our full selves as Black women means unlearning a lot of the lessons we grew up with. We have to unlearn what our parents and grandparents taught us, be kinder to ourselves, and extend grace to those around us. But that extension of grace to others starts with shwing it to ourselves, as well. That part, isn't always so easy.

Talitha is here to share with us her journey as a Black woman, a mother of free Black children, and an all-around badass who is here to remind us all of our unique powers.

Talitha Anyabwéle is the CEO of Black Girl Speaks, and the Director of RISE Anyabwéle Academy. She is an EXTRAORDINARY educator, and a Black woman dedicated to the hearing and liberation of all Black womxn.

So often, we think that by telling ourselves that we are a priority is the end of the work.

Spoiler alert - it's not.

Prioritizing yourself is an action. It is an active verb that calls for you to make a decision about who, or what, is important.

In this week's episode, have a sneak peek at how the My Time, My Way Challenge went, and see how we get down when we're teaching. There's no holding back and there's quite a bit of swearing - but you'll be feeling it once I get there. You'll understand why.