Start Within w/Coach Colette

How can we construct a framework for how the world perceives, interacts and embraces men and boys of color to shift us from the belief of "No, they can't." to "Yes, they can!"? In April of 2010, Brandon Frame answered this call in a way that would change the trajectory of his career and the lives of Black men and boys in America. He started TheBlackManCan, Inc., an award-winning nonprofit organization that is committed to the healthy and holistic development of Black men, boys and their communities. In addition to being its Chief Visionary Officer, Brandon also is Deputy Director of Social-Emotional Learning at The Urban Assembly.

In this Coach Chat episode, you'll hear how TBMC has evolved into a conscious social community that reflects positive images of Black boys and men of color. Brandon and Coach Colette unpack male privilege, and its impact on Black relationships. The two also discuss why it is critical to disrupt the hyper-masculine stereotypes of Black men to help young men and boys of color develop greater self-esteem.

As mentioned, to get a copy of Brandon's book, My First Tie, click here. Co-authored with Tanae Denean Eskridge, it's the second book in a children's book series, The Adventures Of Coach & Little Dell. Donate $25 to help send a young Black man to the Building a Better Brother Summit, click here. 

You'll hear one of Brandon's favorite quotes: "Once you make an observation, you have an obligation." What observations are you making about the challenges faced by Black men (and women) in the US? If you'd like to share your responses or thoughts, send us a message here.

If you enjoyed this episode, why not share it on Instagram and tag @Coach_Colette! She’ll be sure to share your comments and big takeaways on her Instagram Stories. Thanks for listening and please make sure to give us a review on iTunes or Spotify or wherever you listen.

This is the last Friday in June. We are approaching July 1, which will mark the end of the first half of 2020.  If you were to take a look at the intentions and goals that you set at the beginning of the year, what have you already manifested? What would you still like to manifest? Have your intentions or goals shifted based on what's been happening in the world? In this episode of Financial Fridays, we focus on this midpoint. Now is a great opportunity to take some time to reflect on where you are now, where you would like to be, and what you would like to accomplish over the next three months.

Just one week after Juneteenth, and the social media displays by many companies, one can wonder how things are shifting inside the workplace. In today's Unplugged segment, Coach Colette discusses the concept of allyship. She shares a personal anecdote about a recent experience that could be described by the hashtag #WorkingWhileBlack. Being an ally really does require proactive action. For example, saying that you're not racist or that you're not homophobic; saying that you want to help but don't know how, is not action that has a tangible impact. What does allyship mean to you? If you'd like to share your responses or thoughts, send us a message here. 

If you enjoyed this episode, why not share it on Instagram and tag @Coach_Colette! She’ll be sure to share your comments and big takeaways on her Instagram Stories. Thanks for listening and please make sure to give us a review on iTunes or Spotify or wherever you listen.

Today marks the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.  On June 19, 1865 Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was 2.5 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863.

In this week's Financial Fridays episode, we discuss this historical commemoration. In the early years, little interest existed outside the black community to participate in the celebrations. In some cases, there was explicit resistance by barring the use of public property for the festivities. Today, 47 of the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have recognized Juneteenth as either a state holiday or day of observance. The three states that do not recognize Juneteenth are Hawaii, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

In the Unplugged segment, Coach Colette discusses FREEDOM. What does FREEDOM mean to you? How do you feel when you notice other people's freedom being restricted or limited? Do you choose to respond, or stay silent? This is a good time as Sukhtej suggests to take action. If you're seeking suggestions, visit here.⠀

If you would like to share your responses or thoughts, send us a message here. If you enjoyed this episode, why not share it on Instagram and tag @Coach_Colette! She will be sure to share your comments and big takeaways on her Instagram stories. Thanks for listening and please make sure you give us a review on iTunes or Spotify or wherever you listen!

Did you know that in 1965, 100 years after Emancipation, black Americans were more than 10% of the population, but held less than 2% of the wealth in the US, and less than 0.1% of the wealth in stocks? Or that in 2016, the average black American family had total wealth of $17,600, about 1/10 the wealth of the average white American family,  which stood at $171,000? It's been estimated that it could take 228 years for black Americans to reach the level of wealth white American households enjoy today. 

In this week's Financial Fridays, we explore racial economic inequality, which has primarily been the result of long term investment in some communities, and a lack of investment in others. There have been exclusionary policies and strategies such as limited access to federal mortgage lending and redlining. A study by The Guardian in 2018 showed that minority owned businesses grew 400%. They found that 38% of black-owned businesses were female-owned, which is actually higher than the average of 23%, among all other small business owners. Yet the study showed that minority-owned businesses received lower loan amounts than non-minority businesses.

On this week's episode of Unplugged, Coach Colette speaks about racialized trauma. She discusses a theory developed by Resmaa Menakem, who is a therapist and trauma specialist based in Minneapolis, MN. It's called the HIPP Theory; and it stands for historical, intergenerational, persistent institutional, personal traumas. What Resmaa suggests is that it's often so coupled together, that we can't tell the difference. The only thing we notice is the overwhelm. Coach Colette shares some tips to help get some relief and release from our different traumas. 

How have you been processing and dealing with your HIPP trauma? If you'd like to share your responses or thoughts, send us a message here. If you enjoyed this episode, why not share it on Instagram and tag @Coach_Colette! She’ll be sure to share your comments and big takeaways on her Instagram Stories. Thanks for listening and please make sure to give us a review on iTunes or Spotify or wherever you listen.

Did you know that each year marine plants produce more than a half of our atmosphere's oxygen? Or, that a mature tree can clean our air by absorbing 22 kilos of carbon dioxide, while releasing oxygen in exchange? On this Financial Fridays episode, we're taking time to focus on biodiversity, in recognition of World Environment Day. Biodiversity is the foundation that supports all of us on land and below the sea. It affects every aspect of our health and wellbeing. 

This is a time to remember the importance of protecting our environment, and to recognize how interdependent we are. It's been estimated that, without changes in our consumption, within the next 10 years, one out of every four known species may be wiped off the planet. How can you help to make this world a safe habitat for all of us to live? Now more than ever, it is important to keep lines of communication open with your black and brown brothers and sisters. Learn to listen to other people’s voices. 

The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, not to mention countless others that have been maimed or murdered, have been emotionally, physically, and mentally draining for people of color. In the Unplugged segment, Coach Colette turns our attention to these recent violent events, and introduces us to a condition called racial battle fatigue. This term was coined in 2003, by Professor William Smith, a professor of Ethnic Studies at the University of Utah. It describes the social and psychological stressors faced by African-Americans; specifically, black males on historically-white college campuses in the US. Chronic exposure to racial microaggressions and overt racism can be life-threatening, and lead to depression, anxiety, migraines, fatigue, and several other health issues. 

Coach Colette suggests that you make yourself a priority, and do your inner work. If you need to talk to a therapist or coach, do that! Make time to move your body and eat nutritious foods. Create space for spiritual Zen moments or meditation. You might just save a life; and it might be your own. Take care of yourself by Starting Within.

If you enjoyed this episode, why not share it on Instagram and tag @Coach_Colette! She’ll be sure to share your comments and big takeaways on her Instagram Stories. Thanks for listening and please make sure to give us a review on iTunes or Spotify or wherever you listen.

Did you know that nearly 60% of people have experienced a major loss sometime in the past three years? In the last Financial Fridays episode for May, we're wrapping up our focus on Mental Health Awareness Month. Today, we're concentrating on how to find the positive after experiencing a loss. Whether it's related to COVID-19 and this pandemic, or in our regular lives, we all will experience loss at some point. It might be the end of a relationship. It might be the end of a job or a business. It might be the loss of a home, or the death of a loved one. Know that healing takes time. Nearly half of people who had a loss reported that it took up to six months for their strong feelings of grief to reduce. Today, you'll hear from Coach Colette some suggestions to help you navigate, manage, and process difficult emotions that may come up for you such as sadness, grief, or even anxiety. 

In light of recent incidents in Central Park, New York and Minneapolis, Minnesota, Colette dedicates the Unplugged segment to sharing a special message of healing. Listen to hear more about her passion to accelerate collective healing in communities of color, and to help black and brown people to release the stress, anxiety and trauma that results from discrimination, micro-aggressions, racism, and ancestral wounds. Know you are special. You are unique. You are important. You matter, and we see you.

If you enjoyed this episode, why not share it on Instagram and tag @Coach_Colette! She’ll be sure to share your comments and big takeaways on her Instagram Stories. Thanks for listening and please make sure to give us a review on iTunes or Spotify or wherever you listen.

How have you been responding to stress lately? Has there been a change in your mood? Have you had difficulty adjusting to new guidelines as we continue to move towards "reopening?" Whether you've been reading every headline in the news, or have been taking the situation in stride, this pandemic likely has had an impact on your regular routine -- both physically and mentally.

In this episode of Coach Chat, Marina Simovic joins Coach Colette to talk to us about maintaining flexibility --  and, not just in the physical sense. Marina is a stretch therapist and Reiki master who engages her clients in a very personalized approach to achieve calmness and peace of mind. She also incorporates meditation and essential oils in her work with clients, and is a huge advocate of mindfulness. To learn more about her work, click here.

How much time do you spend sitting and staring at your computer screen? Remaining seated for long periods of time can cause pain and discomfort. Stretch therapy is a combination of physical therapy and Thai massage that incorporates traction and movement to effectively increase joint flexibility. Marina describes how to improve your health with deep, synchronized breathing and stretching techniques that help counter your sedentary habits. She recommends that you move your body every 45 minutes and drink water throughout the day. This helps to produce a clearer mind and reduce tension, which leaves you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and more limber.

What lessons are you learning about your mental and physical flexibility in the time of Corona? If you'd like to share your responses or thoughts, send us a message here. If you enjoyed this episode, why not share it on Instagram and tag @Coach_Colette! She’ll be sure to share your comments and big takeaways on her Instagram Stories. Thanks for listening and please make sure to give us a review on iTunes or Spotify or wherever you listen.

Did you know that it's possible to be surrounded by people and still feel alone? In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we're exploring more tools to help you thrive while managing your emotions. This week's Financial Fridays episode focuses on how you can improve your social connection with others. 

It's been shown that the number of friendships you have in your adult life, especially early in your adult life, and how close those relationships are, will influence your wellbeing -- even up to 30 years later.  What are you doing to create time for fun, play and socializing? Making time for those activities is important to support your mental health and wellbeing.

What other choices have you been making in this pandemic? In the Unplugged segment, Coach Colette talks about her A-HA! moment about making choices from a place of fear, or a survival mindset. She suggests that you consider your choices not from a place of self-judgment or guilt. Perhaps you'll have an A-HA! moment like she did, and learn more about your response to traumatic situations -- be it FIGHT, FLIGHT OR FREEZE. 

Sukhtej asks you to consider how you might benefit from government financial support programs for businesses and individuals that were put in place in light of COVID-19. What lessons are you learning from life in the time of Corona? If you'd like to share your responses or thoughts, send us a message here. 

If you enjoyed this episode, why not share it on Instagram and tag @Coach_Colette! She’ll be sure to share your comments and big takeaways on her Instagram Stories. Thanks for listening and please make sure to give us a review on iTunes or Spotify or wherever you listen.

Developing a regular meditation practice can improve your mental and physical health in many ways, including increased positive mood and outlook, self-discipline, healthy sleep patterns, and even increased pain tolerance. To support you on your meditation journey -- particularly in these uncertain times -- we decided to create this special episode and to release it on World Meditation Day. Know that you can listen to this guided meditation at any time that you would like to settle down, start within, and get grounded. 

If you experience challenges when you sit down to meditate, here are some steps to embrace a more mindful attitude: acknowledge any feelings that come up; observe any thoughts that come up; observe any sensations that arise in your body. Aim to not judge, nor to resist them. Instead, get into the practice of refocusing your attention back to your breath. Being curious can be a great way of counteracting resistance. If you say, "I'm curious about why I'm feeling ..." This is different than saying, "Why am I feeling ...?" or "I shouldn't be feeling ..." Curiosity or a beginner's mind can be very helpful for your meditation journey. 

What insights or A-HA! moments did you have as a result of listening to this guided meditation? If you'd like to share your responses or thoughts, send us a message here. 

If you enjoyed this episode, why not share it on Instagram and tag @Coach_Colette! She’ll be sure to share your comments and big takeaways on her Instagram Stories. Thanks for listening and please make sure to give us a review on iTunes or Spotify or wherever you listen.

We are continuing our focus on Mental Health during this Awareness Month of May. We love the theme of this Awareness Month, which is Tools 2 Thrive. One of the ways that you can thrive in your mental health and wellbeing is to own your feelings. It's been shown that people who can be more specific about identifying or labeling their emotions are less likely to self-injure, engage in potentially harmful self-coping habits, or to be physically aggressive with others. In this episode of Financial Fridays, Coach Colette shares tips and ideas to help you to recognize and own your feelings. Sukhtej also gives us another reminder of the benefits of starting an emergency fund -- even if it's only a small amount that you are able to put aside in the present time.

Have you noticed any unexpected positive outcomes that have resulted from your current situation? Are there things that you're doing now that could be beneficial for you to KEEP doing, (or STOP doing), after this pandemic has subsided? Perhaps you can be reminded of the analogy that "beautiful gifts can be wrapped in sandpaper."  In today's Unplugged segment, Coach Colette discusses the benefits of re-framing your perspective, especially in challenging times. What lessons are you learning from life in the time of Corona? If you'd like to share your responses or thoughts, send us a message here.

If you enjoyed this episode, why not share it on Instagram and tag @Coach_Colette! She’ll be sure to share your comments and big takeaways on her Instagram Stories. Thanks for listening and please make sure to give us a review on iTunes or Spotify or wherever you listen.