** This Episode has an AAA...aka an AX3...aka an Armenian Aunt Advisory** What does this mean? This episode of Shut Up and Listen may include profanity, triggering topics, or content that is not appropriate for kids. TL;DR-- this may be an episode you DON'T blare in the car with your kids in the back seat.  

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PREVIOUSLY RECORDED 12/2021

Shut Up and Listen hosted by Hope Alcocer. A 15-minute podcast with your bi-weekly dose of inspiration + insight. This week it's all about family! Hope is chatting with her cousin (and very first friend) Rachel Mardoian. Rachel shares her inspiring story of making a cross country move to California with no job and no plan, just a yearning to step outside of her comfort zone. It's never too late to start over.  Find Rachel (AND her SF Yoga schedule) on Instagram @rachmardo. 

Curious about Rachel's career path? Yoga? Big move? Visit her at her website. 

Rachel has chosen to pay it forward to SOAR. SOAR stands for the Society for Orphaned Armenia Relief successfully providing humanitarian relief to orphaned Armenians throughout the world since 2005. 

** This Episode has an AAA...aka an AX3...aka an Armenian Aunt Advisory**

What does this mean?

This episode of Shut Up and Listen may include profanity, triggering topics, or content that is not appropriate for kids. TL;DR-- this may be an episode you DON'T blare in the car with your kids in the back seat. 

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Shut Up and Listen hosted by Hope Alcocer. A 15-minute podcast with your weekly dose of inspiration + insight. 

We're baccccccckkkkkkkk. 

In the Season 2 premiere of Shut Up and Listen, Hope is chatting with female entrepreneur, badass mom, wife, and self-proclaimed pothead Jordan Massa!  Jordan is the co-founder of Doja Consulting; a market research, strategy, and branding consulting company that specializes in the cannabis business and immersive & educational events. Jordan dives into her weed journey, how consumption has helped with chronic pain, and resources that can provide further education and products for all the weed connoisseurs out there. 

Jordan's favorite things:  

1. Mary's Medicinals  

2. HiVi  

3. Foria

Jordan has chosen to pay it forward to The Last Prisoner Project. We made this $25 donation to happily pay it forward in September 2021. Connect with Jordan via Linkedin or email [email protected] 

Shut Up and Listen hosted by Hope Alcocer. A 15-minute podcast with your weekly dose of inspiration + insight.

This weeks guest, MelimeL, wears many hats: graphic designer, business owner, women's empowerment advocate, event producer, and super mom (just to name a few). 

MelimeL shares what it is like to be a working mom, thoughts on Juneteenth, why asking for help is okay, and how she pivoted her business during the pandemic. 

You can find out more about MelimeL on mldigitalart.com

Follow MelimeL on Instagram 

Follow the female empowerment platform SISstarloop or on SISstarloop.com

Subscribe to the digital magazine The Empowerment Network 

For tickets to the 10th annual Women Empowerment Event

MelimeL has chosen to pay it forward to the Dominicans Love Haitians Movement

Shut Up and Listen hosted by Hope Alcocer. A 15-minute podcast with your weekly dose of inspiration + insight.

In this week's solo episode, Hope is coming to you live from New York City!

We cover moving during a heatwave, post pandemic weddings, letting go of past relationships and how important it is to be kind to yourself.

Shut Up and Listen hosted by Hope Alcocer. A 15-minute podcast with your weekly dose of inspiration + insight.

This week it's all about celebrating friendship! Hope is chatting with her two best friends, Olivia Ford and Laura Cosgrove. 

The ladies discuss how they first met, why their friendship has lasted, what Friends characters they identify with, and more!

Olivia has chosen to pay it forward to NYC Coalition for Educational Justice

Laura has chosen to pay it forward to GiveWell

Shut Up and Listen hosted by Hope Alcocer. A 15-minute podcast with your weekly dose of inspiration + insight.

This week Hope is chatting with female entrepreneur, business coach, and founder of Six Degrees Society, The Mastermind Program, & ReadySetCoach, Emily Merrell.

Emily talks about how she started her own networking business, pivoting during the pandemic, and gives advice on how to break away from your 9-5. 

The Shut Up + Listen community can participate in a complimentary networking event on Emily at Six Degrees Society, use code VIRTUALSDS at check out. 

Six Degrees Society 

Emily on Instagram

Emily has chosen to pay it forward by donating to Sundara Fund

Shut Up and Listen hosted by Hope Alcocer. A 15-minute podcast with your weekly dose of inspiration + insight. 

Part 2 of Hope's conversation with therapist Laura Jennings. 

This week Hope is chatting with a fellow Michigander, founder of Azalea Therapy, Laura Jennings. Laura is a Michigan based therapist who works in adult, child and specifically healthcare professional therapy. Hope and Laura discuss the trauma as a result of this past year and Laura provides some insight into what the pandemic has been like in the therapy world, coping mechanisms and where we can find support.  Lauras resources:

The Calm App 

Azalea Therapy 

Laura has chosen to pay it forward by donating to The Michigan Black Therapy Fund

Shut Up and Listen hosted by Hope Alcocer. A 15-minute podcast with your weekly dose of inspiration + insight. This week Hope is chatting with a fellow Michigander, founder of Azalea Therapy, Laura Jennings. Laura is a Michigan based therapist who works in adult, child and specifically healthcare professional therapy. Hope and Laura discuss the trauma as a result of this past year and Laura provides some insight into what the pandemic has been like in the therapy world, coping mechanisms and where we can find support.  Lauras resources:  

The Calm App  

Azalea Therapy 

Laura has chosen to pay it forward by donating to The Michigan Black Therapy Fund 

Shut Up and Listen hosted by Hope Alcocer. A 15-minute (ish) podcast with your weekly dose of inspiration + insight.

In this episode, Hope sits down and interviews her mom, Joyce (AKA Mama Joyce), for Mother's Day. Mama Joyce weighs in on all things motherhood in your 20s and 30s, balancing parenting + career, and practicing self-care as a mother.  

Shut Up and Listen hosted by Hope Alcocer. A 15-minute podcast with your weekly dose of inspiration + insight.

This week Hope is back chatting with a mutual friend from her small town in Michigan, Jessica Kaczmarczyk. Jess is a fully licensed social worker who focuses on helping young women. We discuss growing up as a feminist in a small town, finding your voice, and what advice you would give to your younger self with what you know now. 

Jess' Resources/Recommendations

Social:

Ella Grace Denton, Instagram

Rachael Alaia, Instagram

Brene Brown and her new podcast Unlocking Us (So good!)

Read:

Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit

Listen:

Laura Marling - A poetic British folk singer who is feminist as fuck and gender-bending

Sleigh Bells - To make you feel like a badass

Any music by Katheen Hanna (to also make you feel like a badass)

Mental Health:

If you have private insurance, call the number on your insurance card or talk to your doctor. Or simply go to psychologytoday.com and research the type of therapist you want to work with. Shoot them an email or phone call.