somindboggling journeys

Join me this week as I sit down with actor Lauren Foster-Lee. I loved this chat with Lauren, as she reminds me of myself when I first started out on this #somindboggling journey and needed to (1) adjust to new surroundings (2) adjust to new ways of being and (3) set out on an unknown path while also managing and planning for the "in-between." So many times when we hear about people living out their dreams, we don't hear about the changes/adjustments/uncomfortable learnings and living that preceded that dream coming to life. Lauren and I talk about how she is settling into her new life, what it's like moving from Durham, NC where her family is to New York City. She is super close to her mom and her artist family, yet she felt and acted on an urge to see what other opportunities awaited her in the unknown. And she teaches us - it's ok to move back home if you decide it's not for you!

Watch and listen to Lauren inspire us all to feel the fear and do it anyway. Anyone who has lived in New York City has a love/hate relationship with the island known as Manhattan. Lauren shares what she loves and what she can do without when it comes to the Big Apple.

00:00 - How we met and Lauren's move to New York City from Durham, NC

01:33 - Starting over as a beginner

07:27 - How Lauren thought she could never do New York City, but she's doing New York City!

10:55 - The 3 things Lauren loves about New York City

12:25 - The 3 things Lauren could do without when it comes to New York City

13:22 - Lauren's life back in Durham, NC

14:40 - What Lauren is up to now

16:30 - How Lauren feels about working behind-the-scenes vs acting on stage at this point in her career

19:58 - How Lauren ended up taking a class at the Atlantic Acting School

21:30 - What Lauren is looking forward to this Fall

23:17 - Living with family, then with friends in the city

24:50 - Lauren shares the #somindboggling things she's experienced thus far along her journey

The Links: 

Lauren Foster-Lee Official Website

Lauren Foster-Lee on Instagram

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Podcast intro/outro music provided by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DJ Dilemma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://officialdilemma.com/

If you have lived long enough, you've experienced a hardship or two. As we get older, the realities of life rear its not-so-pretty head whether in the form of sickness and/or death, disappointments, heartbreak, injustice and/or atrocities on a larger level. Life be life’ing, as they say. So when there are moments of magic and glimmers of hope, we have to embrace them and inhale the fresh scent of newness like that of a newborn baby - figuratively and literally! 

Meet this week’s guests… Ch-a Mosley, new mother at the age of 47, and her now 3-month old miracle baby, Naomi (Naomi was just 6 weeks old when this recording took place). Ch-a shares her journey to motherhood through a natural pregnancy that is not commonly heard of at her age - she experienced a miscarriage at 45, conceived naturally at 46, and gave birth at 47. Watch and listen in as she takes us along her #somindboggling journey, introduces us to her sweet baby Naomi and how she intends to keep the legacy of her father alive. Be wowed by our moment of synchronicity!

10:08 - 12:39 – Naomi as a rainbow baby

12:40 - 14:18 – Ch-a adjusts to motherhood

14:19 - 37:23 – Ch-a’s dad, Roger E Mosley, and his influence and legacy (shout out to actor Stephen Hill)

37:24 - 41:04 – Ch-a’s postpartum life/plan

41:05 - 45:08 – Ch-a’s message to other moms, moms-to-be, aspiring moms

45:09 - 51:50 – Wrap-up

The Links: 

Pregnancy over 40 on Tiktok

Pregnancy over Forty on Instagram

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@somindboggling⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/somindboggling ⁠⁠⁠

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Follow along on Facebook Somindboggling Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.facebook.com/somindboggling/

Podcast intro/outro music provided by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DJ Dilemma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://officialdilemma.com/

In this episode, meet one of my long-time friends - of over 30 years! - loving mother and supportive friend Kimon and her sweet, smart-as-a-whip daughter, Kambry. With summer vacation coming to a close and the new school year beginning, moms are kicking it into high-gear. Listen in as Kimon shares how she balances encouraging Kambry's independence while also honoring her mama bear instincts, how she's been deemed the "cool mom" while also remaining the "no-nonsense mom," supporting Kambry's dreams and much more. Moms are some of the ultimate creators, so I love hearing how they shape and mold their little humans. 

00:00 - 06:35 – Motherhood

06:36 - 08:17 – Failure into success

08:18 - 09:19 – Kimon’s entrepreneurial ventures

09:20 - 16:40 – Balancing being the “cool mom” with being the “respected mom”

16:41 - 22:56 – A mother and a daughter’s love 

22:57 - 31:07 – Supporting a child’s interests, curiosities and dreams

31:08 - 37:23 – Mothers nurturing and taking care of themselves

37:24 - 38:28 – Wrap-up

The Links: 

Kimon Jackson -- ⁠www.instagram.com/kimon_jackson⁠⁠

Black Girl Physicist -- ⁠www.instagram.com/blackgirlphysicist⁠

Bota x Body -- ⁠⁠www.instagram.com/bota_x_body⁠

Ella Mai -- ⁠www.instagram.com/ellamai⁠

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@somindboggling⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/somindboggling ⁠⁠⁠⁠

@bettinagoolsby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bettinagoolsby⁠

Follow along on Facebook Somindboggling Journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/somindboggling/⁠

Podcast intro/outro music provided by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DJ Dilemma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠https://officialdilemma.com/

In the previous episode, I shared an update on the status of my insurance. On this episode, we have insurance specialist for artists who is also an actor, Jim Bracchitta, on the show to help us demystify the process of keeping ourselves insured while on our artistic paths. As the Associate Director of Health Services for the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly called The Actors Fund), Jim takes myself and listeners through the realities of being an artist while tending to one of the major components of living life in the in-between.

The Links:

Watch the full episode on YouTube

S5:E4 - Artist Update - Solo where I share about my latest challenge with insurance

Artists Health Insurance Resource Center

*Be sure to subscribe, like and review. Leave us a voice message/question/comment by clicking the link below. If you're listening to this episode via Spotify, be sure to answer the Q&A and the poll.

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Podcast intro/outro music provided by⁠⁠⁠⁠ DJ Dilemma⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠ Official Website

Here's a life/artist update with Summer 2023 underway!

The Links:

Listen to Episode 1 of Season 4 to hear why Steph and I started "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron

The Entertainment Fund (formerly known as 'The Actors Fund') as a resource for health care understanding and support

Getting annual mammograms

Steven Pressfield's "The War of Art" on Resistance

Summer Solstice - a peak of expression, fullness, strength, abundance, fertility, creativity, warmth, receptivity, and activation.

A breakdown of The WGA/Writer's Strike

Morning Pages

15-min Free-write

*Be sure to leave us a voice message/question by clicking the link below.

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Podcast intro/outro music provided by⁠⁠⁠⁠ DJ Dilemma⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠ Official Website

Kimberly Annece Henderson and Kadeem Alphanso Fyffe are former classmates and friends from Durham, NC who are now in the Big Apple pursuing their individual dreams while supporting and celebrating each other along the way. Kimberly is a historical curator and researcher who has contributed on The 1619 Project, and Kadeem is a fashion designer with extensive experience at numerous fashion labels including Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs.

In this episode, we hear how these two got their start and how their skills, experience, tenacity and vision led them to becoming first-time authors, supportive friends and co-pilots on the somindboggling journey to their dreams.

The Links:

Kimberly Annece Henderson on Instagram: @kimberlyannece & @emalineandthem

Kimberly's book: "Dear Yesteryear"

Kadeem Alphanso Fyffe on Instagram: @k_alphanso

Kadeem's book: "Threading the Needle: A Fashion Designer's Guide to Successfully Launching Your First Collection"

Click here to learn more about Kim and Kadeem's in-person event on Tue, June 20, 2023 in NYC

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Follow along on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ @somindboggling⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠ @bettinagoolsby⁠⁠⁠

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Podcast intro/outro music provided by⁠⁠⁠ DJ Dilemma⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ Official Website

Krystle N Adams is an actor, a writer, a wife and a mother, just to name a few of her many roles. Krystle and I first met in 2018 while performing as sisters in a play written by Joan Bigwood titled "Or Current Resident." Since then, we have worked on in-person and virtual readings, including "See No Color" written by Krystle, inspired by a true event. This compelling play has received both acclaim for its bravery and truth, as well as criticism for its bold and unapologetic storytelling. We’d love for you to join us for our virtual reading this Friday, April 28, 2023 - ⁠⁠Register here⁠⁠. In this episode, we discuss Krystle’s thought-provoking play, her writing process and how she manages all the things by following her mother’s influence of having a strong work ethic. 

The Links:

⁠⁠Krystle N. Adams website⁠

⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@krystlenadams

⁠⁠⁠⁠BlackBoard Plays⁠⁠⁠ reading series

Director ⁠⁠⁠Lori Kee⁠⁠

Brandi Varnell and Kate McConnell of ⁠⁠Squeaky Bicycle Productions

Learn more about Krystle's short romantic comedy - ⁠⁠Speak D'Amour

⁠⁠Check out Krystle's web series - ⁠⁠Brooklyn Baby, Jersey Maybe

⁠⁠Suzan Lori Parks ⁠⁠"Watch Me Work"⁠⁠ at the Public Theatre

⁠⁠The Actor's Studio Playwright/Directors Unit (PDU)⁠

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Follow along on Instagram⁠⁠ @somindboggling⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ @bettinagoolsby⁠⁠

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Podcast intro/outro music provided by⁠⁠ DJ Dilemma⁠⁠,⁠⁠ Official Website

Hey y'all hey!

Today is my birthday, and I wanted to give you a little update on what's been going on. In this episode, I talk about my AM/daily routine, weekend plans leading up to my birthday and strengthening my self-love. Here's to another trip around the sun! #somindboggling

The Links:

Habit Share

Melissa Wood Health

Yasmine Cheyenne Meditations

EVOLVE by Erika - Kundalini Guide

Samantha Martins - Kundalini Guide

5-min Journal

Movement is Medicine

Morning Pages

15-min Free-write

Exhale Spa

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Follow along on Instagram⁠ @somindboggling⁠ and⁠ @bettinagoolsby⁠

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Podcast intro/outro music provided by⁠ DJ Dilemma⁠,⁠ Official Website

Andrea Coleman is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer and accomplished lawyer. She first appeared on the podcast in 2017 with Ekwa Msangi (Listen to Part I and Part 2) to speak about her lead role in the web series “All My Friends Are Married” by Mercedes Brazier-Thurman. Andrea shares how the pandemic changed her worldview and led her to reassess her intense workload, how her health struggles introduced her to alternative methods such as Reiki and Shamanism, and the premiere of "Her Brand of Humor" by Yuting Lei, which is a documentary portrait chronicling Andrea’s life and career.

— Creating Your Own Content: Plays, Web Series, Documentaries, and Shorts

— Balancing Relationships & Pursuit of Career

— Health & Finding Reiki

— Developing New Works

— Finding Your Inner Child

Episode Links:

Andrea has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, Forbes, Entertainment Weekly and more - check out Andrea Coleman’s Official Website

Andrea Coleman’s Instagram

Andrea Coleman’s Blog

Andrea Coleman tells the story of one of her greatest courtroom victories

Andrea Coleman’s new passion - Reiki Healing

Andrea and I met in a writing workshop with Ela Thier of the Independent Film School

Andrea and I performed in a short film together along with Lodric D. Collins and Uri Thier called “No More”

Andrea's Most Recent Plays, including "Run" Wack or Woke?

Andrea Coleman Judges the Law at The Tank on PBS Public Victories

Andrea Coleman produces live shows which will return in the New Year for public performances at Young Ethels at 6pm EST on the 2nd Sunday of every month (Including a performance by yours truly in February!)

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Podcast intro/outro music provided by DJ Dilemma, Official Website

Ok, so in all transparency - this is Episode #8 because the scheduling was thrown off, and I did not have an episode ready in time to post for you. Soooo there was no Episode #8 at the time (there was no Episode #2 as well - but that's coming!). I'm learning and growing, and so appreciative of you riding this wave with me. I went ahead and used this slot to take a trip down the proverbial candy-striped lane to share with you my 1st radio play from Dec 2013(!) -- "The Tale of the Emergency Landing at Christmastime" with actors Julia Giolzetti, Brian Polk and myself. Special shout out to the writer and production team, Tyler Grimes, Liz Regan and Lisha Brown of the Distilled Theatre Company and DTC Radio. 

I hope you are enjoying the Holidays as best you can, wherever you are. I know the holidays can bring up sadness, longing and discomfort for some, and for that, I am truly sorry. I wish this time of year felt magical for everyone. I hope you give yourselves the biggest, warmest hug. You never know what's right around the corner. Magic does exist. 

Episode Links:

If you need support, please listen to S4:E9 - Holiday Healing with Therapist Megan Stocker Headley

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Follow along on Instagram @somindboggling and @bettinagoolsby

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Podcast intro/outro music provided by DJ Dilemma, Official Website