Self-Regard

Heidi Childers Jones is a Birthworker, Bodyworker, & Strength Coach based in Austin Texas. She is a full-spectrum birth and postpartum doula, meaning she provides culturally-sensitive support and advocates for all birthing people across all birthing experiences and preferences. She has studied with Birthing Advocacy, Mama Glow, and Doula Training International. Heidi’s life philosophy, which carries over into all aspects of her work, is flow. It’s about shifting, transforming and being receptive and adaptable to change. What washes up, good or bad, will always wash away. She is guided by the knowledge and practices of her ancestors, with strong Thai and Southeast Asian influences found in her birth and bodywork; in an effort to keep traditions alive and respected.

Book Heidi: flowbirthandbody.com

Follow Heidi: @heidi.flowbirthandbody

Follow Woke Beauty: @wokebeauty

Follow Riley Blanks Reed: @rileyblanksreed

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Miranda Bennett is a pioneer of ethical manufacturing, local and transparent production models and sustainability through design and materials. A graduate of Parsons’s School of Design and Eugene Lang College, Bennett’s thesis and senior collection were rooted in local, maker economies that eschew mass production and the exploitation of workers. Bennett began her career in Fashion in 2006 with her first eponymous collection, designed, cut and ethically sewn by woman owned production facilities in New York City. Her current brand, Miranda Bennett Studio, highlights plant dyed, zero waste women's apparel, made under one roof in Austin, Texas. A pilgrim of myth, Bennett is often captured by the invisible, underlying thread that connects us all. An awareness of this connection, and that no actions exist in a vacuum, is the foundation of her approach to fashion and environmental stewardship.

Her recommended book: After the Rain by Alex Elle

Her morning routine: supplements, strong black tea and social media engagement

Her lesson to her younger self: Value yourself more.

A favorite quote: "I think at the core of all of my decision making and the intention behind all of it is how do I create environments, products, situations where women feel of value? That is always what I go back to. I consider the Earth to be one of those women."

To learn more about Woke Beauty visit www.wokebeauty.com

To learn more about Miranda Bennett Studio visit shopmirandabennett.com

Follow @wokebeauty @rileyblanksreed @mirandabennettstudio

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Jules Acree is a wellness writer, content creator, and certified yoga + mindfulness teacher. Her daily mission is to bring wellness down-to-earth and to help others simplify life to find more joy in this digital age. Through her journey, she’s learned it’s about the small shifts made consistently that add up to sustained change. She aids her readers and watchers with finding more ease and ditching the all-or-nothing mindset through incredible content that incentivizes you to live a more intentional lifestyle - one that motivates you to slow down, cut the clutter and tune into your own channel.

Mental health – 10:42

Mindfulness – 17:15

Morning routine – 19:38

Evening routine – 23:52

Social media process – 27:49

Home organization – 32:35

Launching your brand – 44:28

Family and Culture: 48:44

Her go to book: Essentialism by Greg McKeown

Follow @wokebeauty @rileyblanks @omandthecity

Check out Jules' blog: www.omandthecity.com and her online store: www.thehomebodies.co

Learn more at www.wokebeauty.com

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Shohreh Davoodi is a rainbow glitter bomb of a human who exudes thoughtfulness and creativity. Within the clutches of capitalism, Shohreh makes her living as a coach, consultant, and podcast host, helping people redefine health and wellness in the ways that feel most nourishing for them. Shohreh currently feels particularly passionate about queer TikTok, having a bookshelf full of physical books she hasn't read yet while continuously turning to audiobooks, sending snail mail, expanding her collection of fancy sprinkles, and trying her best to human, even when it hurts.

Follow @shohrehdavoodi @wokebeauty @rileyblanks

Visit https://shohrehdavoodi.com

Listen to Shohreh's podcast: Redefining Health and Wellness

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To all of our guests and listeners, thank you for a beautiful summer! See you October 7. Some words to ponder till then...

Not fitting is okay. 

Our memories and what we choose to remember can also speak to what we choose to forget.

Your skin is your skin. Your body is your body. Cherish it.

It is just so interesting how you can tether or untether yourself from the place that you were born or the place where you grew up. I find that really interesting how it plays a role in our identity.

Exposure and experiences across the spectrum will teach you to process the world and the people who live in it. 

Accept then situation for what it is. Find peace in the things that you can control. Be grateful and celebrate the happiness that you can find.

You can change the value of stories by giving them attention. We can literally create culture.

We deserve the right to live in our bodies and we deserve the right to exist... in the way that we were created. That is a fundamental human right. 

To be a black woman of mixed race is rather nuanced.

Leave this earth empty. Empty yourself of every gift you have. 

Laughter will keep you young and beautiful. Laughter will heal you.

Food is medicine. 

Really healthy and really imperative things are often basics, foundational elements of health that cost zero dollars.

Typically, history is written by the winners. Historically, because of colonialism, the winners have not been Black. We need to tell our stories. It’s time to get another point of view.

You have to know why you do something or it has no meaning.

Oftentimes, mixed race people can’t claim any part of themselves. Thus, they have to create their own identity. 

Being green is seen as feminine trait, by both men and women... it's really for white women in the suburbs...in urban cities some of the biggest minorities are African American communities.. I was interested in how black men perceive green consumption, do they think it's mascuine or not? We have no research on black men.”

Me phrasing a sentence in a way that's privileged or irresponsible could be super damaging to somebody. On one hand i'm very nervous to be just another white lady contributing to the bullshit and oppression and the system and thats been really me struggling with the okay you do really look like a white lady, you do have those privileges, and you have walked through the world this way so how can you be the white lady and also be the black lady that gets it, how can you be both things?

I want to preserve this feeling, this feeling of fulfillment, this feeling of happiness, so if i have to take risks, travel, do whatever i need to do, jump outside of my comfort zone in order to preserve that feeling, in order to grow that feeling, of waking up everyday and being at peace with what i'm doing, i'm going to do it.

Those things really enable you to astonish people; your intelligence, your timing, how much you listen to people I think is really important.

1.) You can never be too prepared.

2.) Don't be afraid to take up space.

3.) Set boundaries, especially in the work space.

Using someone else’s suffering as a prop to kind of minimize your own doesn’t benefit the person who is suffering, any person who is suffering in the equation.

Truly what other advice is there, other than that? Be humble and trust that inner voice. KNow that you can be wrong and trust that inner voice.

You don't always have to be in people pleaser mode... as a woman especially... we tiptoe around certain people, from a genuine place, not wanting to inconvenience somebody or burden somebody with something that you’re wrestling with. Sometimes someone else will resonate with struggle and sadness and with emotion in a way that brings you closer. It is not a burden, it is an ability to be human together.

I learned from an early age to really understand that there is not a right or wrong way to be, as humans. There are so many different ways to exist.

If we’re in the thick of Fall and no one is hanging out by the pool – whatever – it’s totally fine to go to a pool, put your feet in the water and have a cocktail like it’s summer. I’m huge on living your best life unapologetically no matter what season it is and no matter what somebody says you have to do. A lot of the SAD comes from sitting inside and watching things change on the outside. So, break yourself free from the home. Create the life you want and live it.

When people started to tell me that I was confident, honestly, for a while I actually wasn’t. I was putting myself in situations where I didn’t feel comfortable nor confident engaging in those spaces. But after I had some accomplishments and survived I started getting used to it – to those uncomfortable spaces. It started to bother me less. That evolution is different than putting on a red lipstick and a loud outfit. I started putting on those looks before I felt confident. Those aesthetic choices are an extension of me now but then, it was just me trying to find a way to feel good. Confidence, in general, is always just…becoming.

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Note: Please see a professional if you are in need of emotional support. I am not an expert, just a storyteller. Two definitions of burn out that may resonate: 'to be completely consumed and thus no longer aflame' and 'fatigue, frustration, or apathy resulting from prolonged stress, overwork, or intense activity.' Acknowledge and embrace, monitor what you allow into your being, take care of yourself in the mornings and nights, make things basic and easy, take small breaks, eat food as medicine, find therapy in small acts and rely on external tools to organize your thoughts and priorities. Remember that you are small. Your troubles are small.

"Art is never finished, only abandoned." -Leonardo da Vinci

Full Focus Planner: https://fullfocusplanner.com/

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Shauntavia Ward founded eleMINT as a Nurse Practitioner, who after 8 years in medicine, craved a deeper connection with inspiring people to feel good about themselves, in their most natural state, beyond the needle. With an extensive knowledge in skin health, anatomy & physiology, wellness and preventive education, Shauntavia is deeply invested in helping you cultivate healthy skin habits and become your own #skingoals. eleMINT is driven to shift the conversation to highlight overall wellbeing, and make skincare inclusive, accessible and affordable, so every person, of every hue, can put their best face forward; empowering you to look good, feel good and do good in the world. Through crowdfunding, resourcefulness and a lot of grit, Shauntavia just finished opening a brand new studio in east Austin where she continues to cultivate a lifestyle for skincare through her warm, welcoming, infectious aura.

Explore more on Woke Beauty: www.wokebeauty.com.

Book a consultation and facial at eleMINT: www.elemint.com.

Follow @wokebeauty, @rileyblanks, @elemint, @shauntaviaaaa

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Angélica Rahe has an artistic journey that truly spans the globe. Her music and art reflects her journey of femininity, sensuality, and self-love.Born of a Spanish-musician father and American theater-actress mother, Angélica split her childhood between Spain, Japan and landed in the U.S. as a young teenager. While her early singles show an impressive range of vocal talent and songwriting abilities, it's the intimacy and sensuality in her debut album, REINA, that has media and fans likening her to artists ranging from Sade to Solange. 

A pioneer for self love, Angelica seamlessly speaks and sings about her personal journey of reflection and rebirth. She reminds me that though life holds pain, a sense of ease and comfort can be manifested. You might hear in her voice that she talks through smiles. 

Follow @wokebeauty @rileyblanks @angelicarahe

Listen to Angélica: https://open.spotify.com/artist/75OOnlOyG0Rwt3hp2JJJGy?si=P05DgE5rSpWBe-zU_VbVRA

Explore more on Woke Beauty: https://www.wokebeauty.com

A favorite quote from Angélica: "There is no good or bad, just color."

The book that nurtures her creative spirit: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

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Chelsea Francis is a multi-hypenate creative type. She got her degree in Marketing and PR and knew the traditional desk job would keep her away from what she loves most: profound connection. She has been photographing and consulting professionally for over seven years. Her heart is open and her soul is good. She believes that any story doesn’t begin and end with a brand. It begins and ends with a person. Her goal is to capture a story with the images she creates. Her trade as a creative individual isn’t limited to just one thing. She offers photography, brand direction, public speaking, community events and writing. She is grateful to have worked with many prominent platforms such as Tribeza, Glitter Guide, Yellow Giggles and Texas Style Council. She is the founder of Fluffi, a space that allows humans to embrace their full selves. Chelsea is a content creator and truth teller. She has partnered with powerhouse brands such as Madewell and Doc Martins. I am beyond grateful for her heartfelt presence, honest stories, shameless tears, colorful expression and unrelenting allyship.

Follow @wokebeauty @rileyblanks @ohhhchelsea @lovefluffi

Read about (Re)learning to read: https://www.lovefluffi.com/all-posts/building-a-reading-habit

Explore more on Woke Beauty: https://www.wokebeauty.com

Some favorite quotes from Chelsea:

"Using someone else's suffering as a prop to minimize your own doesn’t benefit the person who is suffering."

"For a long time I thought I needed a lot of other stuff to get me to God - whatever that was, whoever that was - now i understand that I don’t need all of that stuff. And that’s about as much as I’ve got figured out about it."

"This time is about the island that you’re building for yourself that no one else gets to live on."

"Nothing matters as much as the moment after you fail."

"Be humble and trust your inner voice."

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Haitian by birth and an artist at heart, Paola Mathe uses her inspiring style to encourage others to live unapologetically. In her formative years, the self taught photographer nurtured the dream of living within full creative expression and upon moving to New York City, Paola began chronicling her adventures with bold colors and style on lifestyle blog, Finding Paola. Producing statement making outfits has earned Paola features in many online and print publications such as The New York Times, Vogue, A Cup of Joe, NY Magazine/The Cut, Oxygen, and Essence.com. However, it is Mathe’s flair in shaping important narratives around identity, culture, womanhood, and beauty that have made her the center of campaigns for GAP and L’Occitane as a champion of self love. In 2014, Paola launched Fanm Djanm, a collection of headwraps and popular lifestyle brand meaning “strong woman” in Haitian Kreyol. She regularly touches on the proud Haitian heritage that initiated her love affair with color and delivered a Tedx Talk aptly named “Sharing My Colors With the World” at her alma mater Drew University. Paola lives in Austin, TX with her husband Tyler and daughter Zuli.

Follow @wokebeauty @rileyblanks @findingpaola @fanmdjanm

Read https://camillestyles.com/wellness/mind/beyond-skin-deep/paola-mathe-finds-beauty-everywhere/

Explore Woke Beauty: https://www.wokebeauty.com/

Watch Paola's Tedx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UTnyKG7VwY&list=UL5knODmUhgbc&index=53754

Sign up for Fanm Djanm's newsletter: https://www.fanmdjanm.com/

26:58 // Quote from Zadie Smith: “I am seized by two contradictory feelings: there is so much beauty in the world it is incredible that we are ever miserable for a moment; there is so much shit in the world that it is incredible we are ever happy for a moment.”

Paola's favorite authors:

Ocatvia Butler

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Edwidge Danticat

Paola's methods:

Patience with myself, questioning things around me, being curious about my intentions and doing things that make me feel uncomfortable. I try to do things that scare me. 

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