#322: Sometimes the biggest transformations happen not when everything changes around you, but when you finally shift how you show up. In this solo episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the internal work that led to one of the most profound shifts I've ever experienced — and why people keep telling me my energy feels completely different.

I'm sharing the honest story of what most of this year really looked like behind the scenes (spoiler: it wasn't what you saw on social media), the exact daily practices that changed everything for me over the summer, and why finally feeling content has nothing to do with checking boxes or hitting milestones.

This episode is for you if:

• You're doing all the "right things" but still feel like something's missing
• You're tired of feeling like you're grasping for the next achievement to feel whole
• You're ready to shift your energy but don't know where to start
• You want to understand what manifestation actually looks like in practice
• You're struggling with the gap between how your life looks and how it feels

I talk about…

• Why going full-time with the podcast in 2024 brought up more triggers than I expected
• What it was like to have everything feel hard during the months that looked the most successful from the outside
• My exact daily manifestation practice
• How mirror work went from incredibly uncomfortable to one of my most powerful tools
• Why the manifestations I wanted didn't come exactly when or how I expected, but something better happened instead
• Why feeling content doesn't mean you stop being ambitious
• The real prize of manifestation work

Check Out These Related Episodes:

• The Science of Manifesting Your Dream Life (Even When It Feels Impossible)
• The Journaling Practice That Changed My Life: Best Case Scenario Journaling

Episode Links:

• Follow Les on IG @lesalfred
• Follow She’s So Lucky on IG @shessoluckypod
• Follow Les on TikTok
• Follow She’s So Lucky on TikTok
• Subscribe to the She’s So Lucky Newsletter: https://shessolucky.kit.com/bestcase
• Visit our website at shessoluckypodcast.com
• Get your She’s So Lucky Merch: https://shop.dearmedia.com/collections/shes-so-lucky

Sponsors:

• Google Shopping: #sponsored Shop the 100 products that made our year by visiting g.co/shop/holiday100
• Happy Mammoth: Try Hormone Harmony risk-free AND get 15% off your first order with code LUCKY at happymammoth.com.
• Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code SSL20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry item. Exclusions apply, offer ends December 31, 2025.
• Cotton: Cotton is the fabric of our lives. Visit thefabricofourlives.com to learn more.
• Kale Health: If you’re interested in a career in wellness, check out the CN-P certification with Kale Health. Use code LUCKY for $1500 off the program.
• Vionic: Use code LUCKY at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account. One-time use only.
• Heifer International: Spread some luck by funding a loan at heifer.org/lucky.

This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#321: If you've ever felt like you had to choose between the beauty trends you love and the ones that were "meant for you," this conversation will feel like permission to explore it all. Today I'm sitting down with Darcei Giles — the award-winning content creator who's been pioneering inclusivity in beauty since before it was an industry buzzword.

Darcei shares her journey from making webcam videos in 2010 to becoming a bridge between Korean beauty innovation and Black beauty consumers. She opens up about the viral series that changed everything, the moment a brand actually listened to her feedback, and why she's spent over a decade refusing to delete her early content.

This episode is for you if:

• You're navigating spaces where you don't see yourself reflected
• You're curious about what real brand inclusivity looks like behind the scenes
• You want to understand how to build longevity in a constantly changing industry

We talk about…

• How a lighthearted video concept became a movement that gave thousands of Black women permission to experiment
• The real reason Korean beauty brands are getting inclusivity right (and what American brands can learn)
• Why Darcei made three TikToks a day for 90 days straight — and gained 100K followers
• What happened when she told a foundation brand "call me" and they actually did
• The difference between creating 30 shades and creating 30 good shades
• Going into the lab to create foundation shades that had never existed before
• Why she keeps her earliest videos up despite the cringe factor
• What it takes to stay relevant for 15 years without losing yourself
• Her plans to merge Korean skincare innovation with Black beauty needs in her own future brand

Episode Links:

• Follow Darcei on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missdarcei/?hl=en
• Follow Darcei on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missdarcei?lang=en
• Check out Parnell Serum Cushion Foundation: https://parnellbeauty.com/products/parnell-serum-cushion
• Get your She’s So Lucky Merch: https://shop.dearmedia.com/collections/shes-so-lucky

Sponsors:

• Cotton: Cotton is the fabric of our lives. Visit thefabricofourlives.com to learn more.
• LMNT: LMNT is a zero sugar electrolyte drink mix with a research-backed ratio of electrolytes. To try it out go to drinkLMNT.com/balancedles to receive a free LMNT sample pack with any purchase.
• Shopify: Start your online business with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial at shopify.com/balancedblackgirl.
• Happy Mammoth: Happy Mammoth: Try Hormone Harmony risk-free AND get 15% off your first order with code LUCKY at happymammoth.com.
• Kendra Scott: Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code SSL20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry item. Exclusions apply, offer ends December 31, 2025.
• Google Shopping: #sponsored Shop the 100 products that made our year by visiting g.co/shop/holiday100

Connect with Les:

• Follow Les on IG @lesalfred
• Follow She’s So Lucky on IG @shessoluckypod
• Follow Les on TikTok
• Follow She’s So Lucky on TikTok
• Subscribe to the She’s So Lucky Newsletter: https://shessolucky.kit.com/bestcase
• Visit our website at shessoluckypodcast.com

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#320: What if there’s less standing between you and your dream life than you think? If you've ever caught yourself thinking "that's too big of a dream," this episode is going to completely shift how you see what's possible for your life.

Today I'm sitting down with Olivia Rose Thomas — manifestation coach, co-host of Inspired Delusions, and someone who went from being skeptical of the idea of manifesting to completely transforming her life through it. Olivia breaks down the neuroscience behind why getting your hopes up is the most powerful thing you can do, why your 95% subconscious mind might be sabotaging what you want, and how to rewire your brain to expect good things.

This isn't just woo-woo talk — Olivia connects quantum physics, nervous system regulation, and brain science to explain why manifestation actually works. She shares how she manifested her dream apartment the day after putting it on her vision board, why being audacious about your goals gives your brain more dopamine and motivation, and the exact tools that help you feel safe enough to dream bigger than you ever thought possible.

This episode is for you if:

• You're tired of playing it safe and ready to let yourself receive what you actually want
• You've tried manifesting before and felt like it didn't work
• You want to understand the science behind why your thoughts literally shape your reality
• You're ready to stop being realistic and start being audacious

We talk about…

• The moment Olivia went from manifestation skeptic to believer — and manifested her exact dream living situation
• Why getting your hopes up is actually less painful than believing nothing is possible
• The study that proves we only see what we're looking for (and how to use this to your advantage)
• What your subconscious mind really is and why 95% of your thoughts are working against you without you knowing it
• The three R's formula: Recognize, Rewire, Regulate — and how to actually change your beliefs
• Why EFT tapping calms your nervous system and clears the "clouds" blocking your natural state of worthiness
• How to use subliminals safely (and why creating your own with your voice works faster)
• Why acting "as if" and changing your identity is more powerful than any manifestation ritual
• Why being realistic is the fastest road to mediocrity — and what to do instead
• How to feel safe enough in your nervous system to actually let yourself hope for more

Episode Links:

• Follow Olivia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviarosethomas_/
• Follow Olivia on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oliviarosethomas?lang=en
• Listen to Olivia’s podcast, Inspired Delusions: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ETFmbKuK8CU6vYU9wFRwu?si=c93d63ba996d4dd7
• Get your She’s So Lucky Merch: https://shop.dearmedia.com/collections/shes-so-lucky

Sponsors:

• Nutrafol: For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to nutrafol.com enter the promo code BALANCEDLES.
• Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code SSL20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry item. Exclusions apply, offer ends December 31, 2025.
• BBoutique: Everyone who signs up gets a FREE rose suction toy with their order. Visit https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/shessolucky-podcast.
• Vionic: Use code LUCKY at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account. One-time use only.
• Ritual: Get 25% off your first month of Ritual when you visit ritual.com/balanced and add Essential Protein today.
• Cotton: Cotton is the fabric of our lives. Visit thefabricofourlives.com to learn more.
• Google Shopping: If you're stressing about finding those perfect presents, head over to g.co/holiday100

Keep in touch with Les and She’s So Lucky

• Follow Les on IG @lesalfred
• Follow She’s So Lucky on IG @shessoluckypod
• Follow Les on TikTok
• Follow She’s So Lucky on TikTok
• Subscribe to the She’s So Lucky Newsletter: https://shessolucky.kit.com/bestcase
• Visit our website at shessoluckypodcast.com

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#319: If you've ever lost your spark — that fire that used to drive you — and wondered if it would ever come back, this conversation is for you. Today I’m welcoming Rachel Rodgers back to the podcast. You know Rachel as the founder and CEO of Hello Seven, bestselling author, and someone who's living proof that audacious goals are within our reach.

Rachel gets incredibly honest about a period of deep grief that nearly derailed her eight-figure business, how community pulled her back to her center, and the casual question in Greece that sparked a 100-million-dollar plan. She shares why 10X-ing isn't about doing more (it's actually about doing less), how to use what you already have to create something new, and why setting small goals keeps us stuck.

This episode is for you if:

• You're ready to stop playing small and set goals that actually light you up
• You’re ready to get your spark back after a period of being off your game
• You want to understand what it really takes to 10X your focus and impact

We talk about…

• How Rachel turned a podcast into a TV show by following her creative instincts
• The six-month period of grief and depression that nearly stopped her business
• Why shame shields solutions — and the importance of community during hard times
• The casual question in Greece that sparked a 100-million-dollar business plan
• Why 10X-ing your business is actually about subtraction and editing, not addition
• How big goals wake you up in ways that 10% growth never will
• Why most people quit right before things work — and how consistency wins
• How to take stock of what you have and cook up your next move (even with nothing)
• Why Gen Z needs a completely different financial playbook than generations before them

Episode Links:

• Listen to Episode 223: Rachel Rodgers on How to Establish Million-Dollar Habits
• We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers
• Future Millionaire: A Young Person’s Step-by-Step Guide to Making Wealth Inevitable by Rachel Rodgers
• Million-Dollar Action Plan by Rachel Rodgers
• Support The Rachel Rodgers Show: Entrepreneurship, Uncensored on Kickstarter
• Get your She’s So Lucky Merch: https://shop.dearmedia.com/collections/shes-so-lucky

Sponsors:

• Quince: Quince is the go-to for elevated basics at affordable prices. Visit quince.com/balancedles for free shipping and 365-day returns.
• LMNT: Get a free sample pack with purchase at drinklmnt.com/balancedles.
• Mosh: Support your brain health with MOSH Bars. Head to moshlife.com/lucky to get 20% off plus FREE shipping on the best sellers Trial Pack or the plant-based trial pack.
• Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code SSL20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry item. Exclusions apply, offer ends December 31, 2025.
• Shopify: Start your online business with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial at shopify.com/balancedblackgirl.
• Happy Mammoth: Try Hormone Harmony risk-free AND get 15% off your first order with code LUCKY at happymammoth.com.

Keep in touch with Les and She’s So Lucky

• Follow Les on IG @lesalfred
• Follow She’s So Lucky on IG @shessoluckypod
• Follow Les on TikTok
• Follow She’s So Lucky on TikTok
• Subscribe to the She’s So Lucky Newsletter: https://shessolucky.kit.com/bestcase
• Visit our website at shessoluckypodcast.com

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you've ever wondered what it really takes to scale a mission-driven business without losing yourself (or your values) along the way, this episode is for you. Today I'm joined by Beatrice Dixon, co-founder and CEO of The Honey Pot Company — the groundbreaking personal care brand that's transformed an entire industry.

Beatrice opens up about what it means to lead a company that serves millions while staying deeply connected to its purpose. She shares the real story behind turning down a $450 million offer, why choosing the right partners matters more than the biggest check, and how she's learning to balance ambition with actual rest.

This episode is for you if:

• You're building something at the intersection of abundance and integrity
• You want to understand what a partnership really looks like in business
• You're trying to figure out when to say no (even to big opportunities)

We talk about…

• How preparation creates freedom (even when plans don’t go exactly right)
• Why Beatrice turned down higher offers to protect the integrity of her company
• What founders should look for when choosing investors and partners
• Where The Honey Pot stands on its relationship with Target
• The difference between being ahead of your time and wasting energy
• How to stay in flow while still being strategic and prepared
• Why loyalty and gratitude matter in business relationships

Episode Links:

• Pre-Order Beatrice’s Book, The Soul Instinct
• Learn more about The Honey Pot: https://thehoneypot.co/
• Get your She’s So Lucky Merch: https://shop.dearmedia.com/collections/shes-so-lucky

Sponsors:

• Bumble: Start your love story on Bumble.
• Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code SSL20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry item. Exclusions apply, offer ends December 31, 2025.
• Grüns: Grüns are comprehensive nutrition packed into a snack pack a day. Visit gruns.co and use the code LUCKY for 52% off your first order.
• BBoutique: Everyone who signs up gets a FREE rose suction toy with their order. Visit https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/shessolucky-podcast.
• Vionic: Use code LUCKY at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account. One-time use only.
• Kale Health: If you’re interested in a career in wellness, check out the CN-P certification with Kale Health. Use code LUCKY for $1500 off the program at kalehealth.com.

Keep in touch with Les and She’s So Lucky

• Follow Les on IG @lesalfred
• Follow She’s So Lucky on IG @shessoluckypod
• Follow Les on TikTok
• Follow She’s So Lucky on TikTok
• Subscribe to the She’s So Lucky Newsletter: https://shessolucky.kit.com/bestcase
• Visit our website at shessoluckypodcast.com

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#317: If you’ve ever felt like you were doing everything “right” in your career but still felt stuck, this is your episode. Today I’m joined by Naomi Wright and Krystal Vega, the powerhouse best friends and co-founders of Fortune & Forks — a community and social club built by and for women navigating their careers, connections, and calling.

We talk about they went from meeting as interns at BET to launching and scaling a thriving movement. They share how they grew from curating intimate dinners to building a cross-city network of 500+ women, a foundation, and game-changing partnerships — all without losing the plot (or each other).

This episode is for you if:

• You’re looking to build genuine relationships in your industry.
• You’ve been wondering how to actually find your people.
• You need motivation to help you start something before you’re ready.

We talk about…

• How to actually network across
• Why good people still win in business
• How Naomi and Krystal grew Fortune & Forks in its early stages
• How to be a real villager in your friendships + community
• Navigating entrepreneurship during an economic downturn

Episode Links:

• Follow Fortune & Forks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortuneandforks/
• Apply to join Fortune & Forks: https://www.fortuneandforks.com/apply
• Learn more about the Fortune & Forks Foundation Gala: https://givebutter.com/c/FortuneAndForksFoundation
• Get your She’s So Lucky Merch: https://shop.dearmedia.com/collections/shes-so-lucky

Sponsors:

• Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code SSL20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry item. Exclusions apply, offer ends December 31, 2025.
• LMNT: Get a free sample pack with purchase at drinklmnt.com/balancedles.
• Quince: Quince is the go-to for elevated basics at affordable prices. Visit quince.com/balancedles for free shipping and 365-day returns.
• Heifer International: Spread some luck by funding a loan at heifer.org/lucky.
• Kale Health: If you’re interested in a career in wellness, check out the CN-P certification with Kale Health. Use code LUCKY for $1500 off the program.
• Nutrafol: For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code BALANCEDLES.

Connect with Les:

• Follow Les on IG @lesalfred
• Follow She’s So Lucky on IG @shessoluckypod
• Follow Les on TikTok
• Follow She’s So Lucky on TikTok
• Subscribe to the She’s So Lucky Newsletter: https://shessolucky.kit.com/bestcase
• Visit our website at shessoluckypodcast.com

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#316: Nia Sioux has been in the public eye since she was 9 years old. Most people first met her on Dance Moms, where she became known for her talent, her grace under pressure — and yes, for often being put at the bottom of the pyramid.

Now at 24, Nia is reclaiming her story — on her own terms.

In this conversation, we talk about what it’s like to be perceived before you even know who you are, and how you begin to unpack that when the whole world thinks they already know your story. Nia opens up about the emotional process of writing her upcoming memoir Bottom of the Pyramid, what it took to revisit her childhood through adult eyes, and how she found closure by using her own voice.

This is an honest, layered conversation about resilience, identity, and what it means to own the narrative of your life, especially when that narrative has long been shaped by others.

Nia reminds us that reclaiming your narrative isn't just empowering — it's healing.

In this episode, we cover:

• Nia’s emotional journey of revisiting her childhood on reality TV
• What it means to be “the underdog” — and how that label lingers
• How the title Bottom of the Pyramid became a reclamation, not a resignation
• Learning how to tell your full story, even when people only want to hear certain parts
• Releasing the pressure to prove yourself (and who that performance is really for)
• What she's learned from watching the show as an adult — and what her mom taught her about strength

Episode Links:

• Check out Nia’s memoir, Bottom of the Pyramid: A Memoir of Persevering, Dancing for Myself, and Starring in My Own Life, available November 4th
• Follow Nia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niasioux
• Follow Nia on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@niasioux
• Get your She’s So Lucky Merch: https://shop.dearmedia.com/collections/shes-so-lucky

Sponsors:

• Jones Road Beauty: Modern-day makeup that’s clean, strategic, and multifunctional for effortless routines. Use code LUCKY at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a free Cool Gloss with your first purchase!
• Quince: Quince is the go-to for elevated basics at affordable prices. Visit quince.com/balancedles for free shipping and 365-day returns.
• Shopify: Start your online business with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial at shopify.com/balancedblackgirl.
• Ritual: Get 25% off your first month of Ritual when you visit ritual.com/balanced and add Essential Protein today.
• Grüns: Grüns are comprehensive nutrition packed into a snack pack a day. Visit gruns.co and use the code LUCKY for 52% off your first order.
• MOSH Bars: Support your brain health with MOSH Bars. Head to moshlife.com/lucky to get 20% off plus FREE shipping on the best sellers Trial Pack or the plant-based trial pack.
• Mood: Visit mood.com and use code LUCKY for 20% off your first order of functional gummies.

Connect with Les:

• Follow Les on IG @lesalfred
• Follow She’s So Lucky on IG @shessoluckypod
• Follow Les on TikTok
• Follow She’s So Lucky on TikTok
• Subscribe to the She’s So Lucky Newsletter: https://shessolucky.kit.com/bestcase
• Visit our website at shessoluckypodcast.com

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#315: If you’ve ever felt underestimated, this episode is for you.

Taylor Rooks is one of the most respected sports journalists in the game — and not because she plays it safe. She's built her career on asking fearless questions, trusting her gut, and refusing to shrink herself to fit into anyone else's idea of who she should be.

In this conversation, Taylor and I talk about what it means to be a woman who takes up space and why the pressure to be palatable isn’t worth giving in to.

We talk about ambition, integrity, reinvention, and the deep self-trust it takes to keep showing up when you have a big vision for your life. Taylor doesn’t just bring her voice to the table — she brings her values. And you can feel it in everything she does.

We talk about:

• How the experiences of women in sports mirror broader societal beliefs
• Why it’s powerful not to respond to every critic
• The art of asking better questions (in life and interviews)
• Knowing your value, even when others want you to shrink
• Building a career that reflects your values, not just your resume
• How to trust yourself when the opinions of others become too loud

Episode Links:

• Follow Taylor on Instagram
• Watch NBA on Prime Video
• Learn more about the Taylor Rooks Foundation

Sponsors:

• LMNT: LMNT is a zero sugar electrolyte drink mix with a research-backed ratio of electrolytes. To try it out go to drinkLMNT.com/balancedles to receive a free LMNT sample pack with any purchase.
• Cotton: Cotton is the fabric of our lives. Learn more at thefabricofourlives.com.
• Bumble: Start your love story on Bumble.
• Vimergy: Vimergy makes liquid vitamins that are clean, potent, and actually easy for your body to absorb. Visit vimergy.com and use code LUCKY for 20% off your first order.
• Headspace: Visit Headspace.com/solucky to try headspace for free for 30 days.
• IM8: IM8’s Daily Ultimate Essentials is my go-to drink for getting all the nutrients I need. Go to IM8health.com/lucky and use code LUCKY for a free welcome kit, five free travel packs, and 10% off your order.

Connect with Les:

• Follow Les on IG @lesalfred
• Follow She’s So Lucky on IG @shessoluckypod
• Follow Les on TikTok
• Follow She’s So Lucky on TikTok
• Subscribe to the She’s So Lucky Newsletter: https://shessolucky.kit.com/bestcase
• Visit our website at shessoluckypodcast.com

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#314: If you've ever felt like you're supposed to be everything for everyone—while somehow also building a career, maintaining relationships, and taking care of yourself—this conversation is for you.

Nina Westbrook is a licensed marriage and family therapist, founder of the mental wellness app Nebbi, host of the Do Tell Relationship Podcast, and a wife and mom of three. She's also someone who knows what it's like to push through challenging seasons including launching a business while navigating a debilitating injury.

We talk about what happens when you stop making yourself smaller to keep everyone else comfortable. Nina shares how she navigates the tension between being fully present for her family and building something that matters to her, why difficult conversations don't have to feel like confrontations, and what it actually looks like to let people see your full humanity—even when it's messy. If you've been shrinking yourself to make room for everyone else, or waiting for the "right time" to prioritize what you actually need, this episode will leave you feeling inspired to show up for yourself fully.

We also talk about:

• Recognizing when you're in a difficult season vs. when it's just your life
• How to teach the people in your life that you're a whole person, not just their support system
• Why prioritizing yourself first isn't selfish
• How to build self-care moments into small moments of your day

Resources:

• Follow Nina on Instagram @ninawestbrook
• Subscribe to Nina’s podcast, Do Tell Relationship Podcast
• Download Nina’s app Nebbi, a cognitive behavioral therapy app that offers daily self-care tools.
• Get your She’s So Lucky Merch

Sponsors:

• Grüns: Grüns are comprehensive nutrition packed into a snack pack a day. Visit gruns.co and use the code LUCKY for 52% off your first order.
• Mood: Visit mood.com and use code LUCKY for 20% off your first order of functional gummies.
• Nutrafol: Get stronger, healthier hair with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering $10 OFF your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to nutrafol.com and enter promo code BALANCEDLES.
• Quince: Quince is the go-to for elevated basics at affordable prices. Visit quince.com/balancedles for free shipping and 365-day returns.
• Shopify: Start your online business with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial at shopify.com/balancedblackgirl.

Keep in touch:

• Follow on IG: @shessoluckypod @lesalfred
• Follow on TikTok @shessoluckypod @balancedles
• Join the newsletter: https://shessolucky.kit.com/bestcase
• Visit our website at shessoluckypodcast.com

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#313: If you’ve ever felt like you’re not measuring up to where you “should” be—whether that’s finding partnership by a certain age, building lasting friendships as an adult, or navigating the expectations society throws at you—this episode is for you.

Today, I’m sitting down with the always insightful Shan Boodram to talk about the real journey of connecting—from romance, to friendship and everywhere in between. Shan doesn’t shy away from the messy, inconvenient parts of connection—whether it’s dating in a world that prizes efficiency, how algorithms influence our decisions and attachment styles, or the challenges of learning how to nurture deep friendships later in life.

We dive into why your age or relationship timeline doesn’t define your worth, how to find and nurture love that truly sees you, and why inconvenience might be the secret ingredient to building bonds that last. Shan shares her wisdom on how to show up authentically in both romantic and platonic relationships, break away from rigid dating rules, and live a big, joy-filled life at any stage.

If you’ve ever questioned whether it’s too late for new love or genuine friendships—or if you’re simply craving more meaningful connection—hit play on this episode.

We talk about:

• How online algorithms are impacting our attachment styles and preferences
• Navigating dating and romance without falling into the efficiency trap
• The truth about cultivating friendships as an adult
• The power of showing up, even when it’s inconvenient
• Letting go of dating rules and loving by your own standards

Links & Resources:

• Watch Lovers by Shan
• Join the Lovers by Shan community
• Follow Shan on Instagram @shanboodram
• Get your She’s So Lucky Merch

Sponsors:

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Stay in Touch

• Follow on IG: @shessoluckypod @lesalfred
• Follow on TikTok @shessoluckypod @balancedles
• Subscribe to the She’s So Lucky Newsletter: https://shessolucky.kit.com/bestcase
• Visit our website at shessoluckypodcast.com

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Produced by Dear Media.

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