I want to share with you a great conversation I had with Dr. Ijeoma Nwaogu.  Dr. Nwaogu is the Founder and CEO of EVERLEAD® and the Multicultural Center Director at Rice University.  She is deeply passionate and committed to the personal growth, well-being, and advancement of others. Today we are talking about IMPOSTER SYNDROME - the extremes of self-doubt, feelings of being a fraud, and the fear of being exposed.  Listen in as we share personal experiences and offer insight for overcoming. In our convo, we will discuss Imposter Syndrome, a deep-seated belief of not being good enough. When something good happens, you feel like it shouldn't be happening to you because you're not good enough to deserve it—thoughts like. I'm not fooling anyone, who do I think I am, I can't possibly pull this off, I have no business doing this, and they are going to figure me out… and so you end up feeling like an "imposter."  We'll discuss some of the characteristics of Imposter Syndrome.   Seventy percent of people experience Imposter syndrome once in their lives, and it can appear in several different ways like perfectionism or superwoman syndrome.  What are some of the internal or external factors that can contribute to that deep-seated belief patter?   Personal experiences with Imposter Syndrome? What role did mental wellness and your faith in God play in shaping your ability to overcome?  Every time we give in to our inner imposter's lies, we lose our ability to fulfill our highest potential; here are three shift points that we can put into action today to combat Imposter Syndrome.

Hello, hello, thank you so much for tuning into the She Shifted podcast. Today our real talk topic is on self-doubt. William Shakespeare said, "Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." Have you ever doubted yourself? I mean to the point where you didn't go after that it, whatever that it was or is?  I mean had a lack of faith, a feeling of doubt or uncertainty about one's abilities, actions, etc till it stop you in your tracks. It could have been a career path, a goal; 92 percent of people miss that mark at achieving their goals due to self-doubt.

The impact of self-doubt could be in not fulfilling a dream, not starting that business you've wanted to start for years, not going for that promotion that you're more than qualified for. Not trusting the decisions you've made, you've prayed about it. He gave you an answer, confirm it with his word, and still don't trust the decision.

Or you are not speaking up with ideas and insights. God has given you revelation on a solution to a problem, and sure it's out of the box, and you won't share because you don't think it's good enough. Or who am I to color outside of the lines. Why shouldn't you.. I'm just saying. But I get it…but nope, not today..

You see, self-Doubt is something that we all can relate to because we've all experienced one point or another. Your story may be different than mine, but I know you've got one. It doesn't matter what stage of life you're in... As women, we can doubt ourselves on so many levels, and self-doubt can become a massive hindrance in our ability to live more abundantly. Think about it; self-doubt won't even let you try at. I can't so..it won't.. I'm not going to try.. You've heard the saying, "Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will". Can we agree that there is definitely so truth to that saying..lol

Join in as I share the mic with Tamika Thomas as we talk about mental wellness and living with crazy faith. Tamika shares what it means to be an inspirational transparent woman of God who lives to inspire and not impress. Her story is one of personal triumph in the face of adversity, trauma, and challenge. She shares how she views life’s challenges to include a PTSD diagnosis as treasures. We talk about the importance of healthy mindsets, how to incorporate practical tools, like prayer, journaling, studying the word of God, and other strategies to promote a healthy mindset. Tamika drops some golden nuggets on viewing the mind as the soil by which things grow and the importance of releasing negative thoughts, and replacing them with positive ones.  In the episode, we talk about God, prayer, and the transforming power of crazy faith

When a woman’s partner is unfaithful, it is not uncommon for their entire life to unravel. This unraveling is what was used not only as of the catalyst for Stephanie’s brokenness but the passion behind her healing and restoration. Stephanie’s passion and pleasure are to see women bounce back from whatever was the catalyst for their brokenness or stressful experience, forgive everyone who hurt them, and live out their God-given purpose. She helps women go from heartbreak to happiness so that ultimately, they grow as women and have the power and passion to be freed to love. I'm excited to share the mic, Stephanie McNeal. Stephanie welcome to the She Shifted podcast.  In this episode, we talk about forgiveness; growth, potential, and seeds of opportunity. Stephanie doesn’t shy away from her backstory which includes experiencing infidelity in marriage. Stephanie shared how the experience shaped, molded, and acted as a catalyst for growth in her? She shared what forgiveness is and what forgiveness is not. We can’t begin to truly understand forgiveness until we acknowledge that it is a process. Right. If we look at our own journeys, it was a process that occurred in stages or phases.  Now as believers, it’s still a process, the difference is with the Holy Spirit we navigate the process quicker, right?

Stephanie breaks down what she believes are the stages or phases of forgiveness are? You will hear us echo loud and clear that Forgiveness is a choice and it is us to us to release it the offense to God. The word “give” is in forgiveness..that should tell us something.

Hello, hello!

Today, our real talk topics are somewhat of a buffet; let's talk growth, potential, seeds of opportunity.

It is not difficult at all to point out what is wrong. Right? Think about it. It is easier to be critical than it is to be complimentary. If you like something.. most of us will keep it so ourselves. We have to be persuaded to provide feedback. However, if you don't like something, if we don't hold back. We tell in and everyone who will listen. I believe it was Benjamin Franklin who said, "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain, and most fools do." I'd like to add .any fool can just criticize, just condemn, and just complain. Most well, you get what I'm trying to say.

As we find ourselves in this constant cycle of change brought on by the COVID 19 crisis, wear a mask, don't wear a mask, mask ordnance, I refuse. States reopening, states delaying reopening, work from home, return to work, schools reopening. And by the way, we are still dealing with divisiveness as a result of racism and injustice. Many of us are wondering what that heck is going on?

We are more inclined to criticize the wrong than recognize the good; we are more prone to criticize the wrong than recognize the opportunity for growth. We are more willing to criticize than to lean into our own potential, our own capacity to become and develop into something in the future.  I believe that we were created to be a solution to a problem, an answer to a question. Sadly, we are more inclined to criticize than to recognized seeds of opportunity to be the solution.

Let me give you a simple example. My first overseas duty station was in Korea. I'd been in the Army all of three years, and then they up and relocate me to Korea without asking me. Go figure. All of the creature comforts that I'd become accustomed to. You know my favorite restaurant, malls, movie theaters, cable, friends, own car, four-day weeks. All those things that make a home, home. I would no longer have access. Normalcy would have to be re-established, I was stationed at Fort Campbell and my family lived in Alabama, so I would go how often.

Tafeni L. English is the director of the SPLC’s Civil Rights Memorial Center (CRMC) in Montgomery, Alabama. The CRMC is an interpretive center that provides visitors with a deeper understanding of the civil rights movement and includes the Civil Rights Memorial, which honors 40 men, women, and children killed during the movement. In addition to overseeing the CRMC, English regularly travels across the country to speak about combating hate and extremism.  This episode Tafeni addresses the impact did her personal experiences have had on your professional desire to educate others about the civil rights movement and the continued efforts for civil and human rights today?  Tafeni will address what's going on in our nation today and as the director of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Civil Rights Memorial Center if she believes that people can be oblivious to the depth of racism in this country? She will share insight from her article  It's time to demand justice for black people,  she wrote…." Understanding the past sheds light on where we are now", did she think people have forgotten, dismissed the past as that was then this is now?  She will shed light on the impact racism has had on the various domains of wellness in African Americans.  Respond to how critical is it for each generation to participate in devising means to which real change can occur. The role women play in the current civil rights movement.  As a prayer warrior….and social justice advocate for over 20 years, you've seen and heard a lot around injustice. How essential is it for us to pray for strategy as we continue to navigate racism and injustice  Tafeni will educate some of us and remind most of us to shift.

Tafeni L. English is the director of the SPLC’s Civil Rights Memorial Center (CRMC) in Montgomery, Alabama. The CRMC is an interpretive center that provides visitors with a deeper understanding of the civil rights movement and includes the Civil Rights Memorial, which honors 40 men, women, and children killed during the movement. In addition to overseeing the CRMC, English regularly travels across the country to speak about combating hate and extremism.  This episode Tafeni addresses the impact did her personal experiences have had on your professional desire to educate others about the civil rights movement and the continued efforts for civil and human rights today?  Tafeni will address what's going on in our nation today and as the director of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Civil Rights Memorial Center if she believes that people can be oblivious to the depth of racism in this country? She will share insight from her article  It's time to demand justice for black people,  she wrote…." Understanding the past sheds light on where we are now", did she think people have forgotten, dismissed the past as that was then this is now?  She will shed light on the impact racism has had on the various domains of wellness in African Americans.  Respond to how critical is it for each generation to participate in devising means to which real change can occur. The role women play in the current civil rights movement.  As a prayer warrior….and social justice advocate for over 20 years, you've seen and heard a lot around injustice. How essential is it for us to pray for strategy as we continue to navigate racism and injustice  Tafeni will educate some of us and remind most of us to shift.

Thank you so much for tuning into the She Shifted podcast. What a difference a few weeks have made, right. This is the same statement, I made following the COVID-19 pandemic. We seemingly find ourselves once again shook at our core as we are in the midst of what the American Psychological Association is referring to as a racism pandemic. I will tell you that my heart weeps. Y'all I have cried out. I have cried out God.  As a wife, mother, daughter, sister, auntie of black men, I have cried out to God.

The other night, my husband and I were out walking and discussing what’s going on in the world and we recalled the multiple conversations that we’ve had to have with our son centered around racism and police brutality. Our collective cry was us just simply asking God to intervene. All of our adult lives have been about serving our country. As veterans, it is heart-wrenching to know the sacrifices made by so many service members and their family who have served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting the war on terrorism. Men and women who already experiencing so much loss… only to come back home to be treated like a terrorist because of the color of one’s skin.

Understandably this is a very emotionally raw time for us all.  Listen, if we want to change, we must be willing to be uncomfortable.  This right here… should make us all uncomfortable.

No doubt, we are living in what some have deemed a racism pandemic that has been at the root of our nation’s history for centuries.  The strong roots of racism have taking a heavy psychological toll on African Americans and what we’re seeing in the streets of our cities is a result of that toll. Think about shaking up a liter of soda….

In this episode, Dr. Griffin will share on a house with four rooms, creating a healthy life balance.  

Dr. Griffin tell the She Shifted Family a little bit about yourself?

Your heart is for helping others address wellness. As women, we wear many hats. Both in the home as well as outside of the house for those that work outside the home. The COVID-19 storm and all that has come along with it has added dare I say more hats, and the demands have intensified in most areas. We're trying to feed our families, keep a roof over our heads, keep the electricity on, help with homework, manage the requirements of work if we're working. Looking for employment for those that aren't, and it is a lot to handle, and the pressure is real.  Let's not mention the stress of reopening..the dilemma of reopening and the potential consequences.  Many feel fearful, alone, overwhelmed, defeated, and hopeless.

Additionally, we tackle is addressing wellness an awkward conversation to have right now?

 When we look at wellness, most focus on the physical aspect of wellness. As a helping professional, can you define wellness from a holistic perspective? How important is it to give attention to all the dimensions of wellness?

Physical 

Emotional- understanding and respecting your feeling, values, attitudes, managing your emotions in a constructive way

Spiritual – finding purpose and meaning

Mental- work that provides

It’s important to note that wellness is biblical: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. To prosper is to grow or increase; to thrive; to make gain. When I read that I think wellness.

What can we expect if we neglect one over the other? Is finding balance possible?

 What role do self-awareness and self-regulation play when it comes to experiencing wellness?

Recently, on the podcast, we've talked about having an attitude of gratitude and the importance of resiliency during these challenging times we find ourselves in.

Things are very different now.

Things will be very different moving forward.

Some experts believe that this is the perfect storm creating psychological trauma. So I invited Dr. Gibson in to share the mic with me today. Dr. Gibson, hello there and welcome to the podcast!!

A topic that you enjoy teaching on is that of trauma recovery and coping skills are very much a part of the journey of recovery.

Talk to us about the importance of coping skills?