The podcast is back and better than ever! In this intro episode, I reflect on the biggest life lessons I learned during my summer in Greece, open up about my faith, and share a bit about what to expect this season.

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

In the season two finale, my friend Avery, a registered dietician, discusses her experience with an eating disorder and how to develop a healthy (and happy) relationship with food. We also have a candid conversation about our struggles with body image, ways to overcome being hyperaware of your appearance, and finding confidence outside of how others perceive you.

We discuss intuitive eating, mindful exercise, unrealistic body standards, social media, self-love, and more. We also share practical advice for anyone struggling with these topics.

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

REFERENCES

Resources:

Bible verses:

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Intro

(02:07) Avery’s experience with an eating disorder

(10:22) Dealing with your body changing overtime

(17:33) Becoming a dietician and giving back

(19:02) Confidence, social media, and unrealistic body standards

(23:06) How to control negative thoughts and hyperawareness

(28:04) Advice and encouragement on improving your body image and relationship with food

(42:16) “Gym girl” storytime

(43:36) Setting healthy wellness goals

(45:31) Calling people out about weight comments

(47:27) Final thoughts

(48:53) Outro

In this episode, my friend and self-taught personal finance guru, Jadyn, shares why it’s never too early (or too late) to learn how to take control of your finances. We discuss budgeting, investing, lifestyle creep, her best financial advice, our biggest financial mistakes, and much more! We also talk about the societal pressure to chase wealth and earn more, and what marriage has taught her about money.

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

REFERENCES

Financial terms / concepts discussed in this episode:

In this episode, my cousins Amaka, Ekenem, and I reflect on growing up as the eldest daughters. We discuss how “eldest daughter syndrome” has manifested in our lives, learning to set boundaries, healing from childhood trauma, having hard conversations with our parents, and forgiving family members.

We also talk about the impact of eldest daughter syndrome on your friendships, relationships, and future family.

REFERENCES

⁠What is ‘eldest daughter syndrome’?⁠ – NBC article

⁠ep. 13: i miss my friends (adult friendships, catch-up culture, and platonic love)⁠ – Making Space

ep. 06: a crash course on speaking up for yourself – Making Space

In this year’s birthday episode, I reflect on turning 25 with my friend Quynh. We share our experiences of the dreaded “quarter-life crisis" and discuss the tension between figuring out what you really want in life versus chasing goals based on the expectations of others.

We also touch on several topics including adulting, anxiety, grad school, friendships, self-care, and therapy!

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Related Episodes:

In this episode, Jordyn and I discuss our biggest dating lessons, hot takes, unpopular opinions, and regrets. We share our thoughts on online dating, emotional and physical boundaries, the dangers of fantasizing, and much more!

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

REFERENCES

Bible verses:

Podcast episodes:

My good friends Destny and Damilola are back on the podcast to rant about our hair struggles. We share our negative experiences with African hair braiders and dissect the rules and unrealistic beauty standards surrounding black hair. We also talk about learning to take care of our natural hair and confront the unhealthy social standards that women face.

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Previous episodes:

ep. 01: natural hair and the struggle of being a black girl in the American school system (ft. Damilola)

ep. 03: a beginner's guide to cultivating a joyful life (ft. Destny)

In this episode, Mfon and I have a very honest conversation about mental health and faith. She shares her ongoing struggles with depression and the role of faith in her mental health journey. We discuss the taboos around mental illness and medication in the Christian community and the importance of getting help and giving yourself grace.

We also share practical advice for those dealing with mental health issues and simple ways to support a friend struggling with their mental health.

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

REFERENCES

Mental health resources:

Videos:

Bible verses:

Why are adult friendships so hard? Are we too quick to cut off friends because they’re “no longer serving us?”

Justine and I get deep about one of my favorite topics: friendship! We discuss seasonal friendships, navigating change in friendship, long-distance friendships, work friends, and much more. We also share practical advice on maintaining friendships in adulthood and the importance of platonic love.

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

REFERENCES

In this episode, I'm joined by a special guest: my mom! We dive into 20 questions you all shared that you wish you could ask your mom. She shares the best advice she’s ever received, reflections on motherhood, relationship advice, and much more! We also discuss the age-old question of why it seems that mothers are "always" right.

For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

QUESTIONS:

1. What is something you’ve learned or are currently learning that you wish your younger self could’ve known?

2. If we were around the same age, and unrelated, do you think we would be friends?

3. When did you first believe in your faith on your own?

4. What was the hardest part about immigrating to the US? Did you have any regrets?

5. Is there anything you wish you would have experienced or done differently before having kids?

6. How would you describe what it feels like to be a mother?

7. Why are mothers always right?

8. How did you choose my name?

9. What was the first similar characteristic you noticed between us as I was growing up?

10. What is the scariest part about raising kids?

11. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

12. Do you have any regrets about how you raised me?

13. What is your best relationship advice?

14. What is one thing you wish I were more confident about?

15. Do we grow up to become our mothers?

16. Is there anything you enjoyed doing when you were younger that you wish you could still do now?

17. When have I most surprised you?

18. What do you wish I understood about you?

19. What do you hope our relationship will look like as I get older?

20. Do you have any questions for me?