" I don't have some amazing strategy or some How-To book that I'm keeping to myself. I'm just trying things and figuring it out. I'm a girl who just bought a microphone and started throwing spaghetti at the wall and never really stopped."

Les Alfred went from no listeners, zero star reviews, and recording in her closet after working her 9-5 to hosting a podcast that everyone wants to listen to. In this chat with Les, we get to hear what was happening behind the scenes in those early days to what worked (and didn't) along the way.

Les shares the reasons her show recently rebranded - in content and in name - and why she's decided to embrace the word "luck." Les may look lucky from the outside but she shares how she handles the responsibility of having a large platform in 2025.

Friend, do not miss this chat with Les Alfred!

Listen to She's So Lucky: https://pod.link/balancedblackgirl

Connect with us both on Threads @LesAlfred and @NicoleWalters

Get the rest of the links and resources from this chat at

https://nicolewalters.com/episode516 and watch this chat on YouTube at

https://nicolewalters.com/youtube

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Caraway’s cookware set is a favorite for a reason, it can save you up to $190 versus buying the items individually. Plus, if you visit Carawayhome.com/nicole you can take an additional 10% off your next purchase.

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"That little voice within us... listen to it. Even when people around us try to drown us out, try to tell us no, try to gaslight us, try to tell us HOW we're feeling, WHAT we're thinking... listen to it because it's always right."

Friend, I am honored to bring you this honest and vulnerable chat with Brooke Baldwin, a celebrated journalist and former CNN anchor.

We chat about Brooke's experiences in journalism, her departure from CNN, and her insights on the media industry today. Brooke shares the personal journey she has been on, including finding her voice, growing in her faith, and her determination to leave a lasting impact by sharing her truth and encouraging women to use their voices.

There are so many opinions about journalists, what their motives are, and if we can trust them in 2025. Brooke is the real deal and my hope is that you walk away from this chat with more understanding of what it's like being a journalist.

Thanks for being here! Slide into my DMs on IG or chat with me on Threads @NicoleWalters.

Read Brooke's Substack: https://unravelingwithbrooke.substack.com/

and grab her book, Huddle: https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/huddle

Get the rest of the links and resources from this chat at

https://nicolewalters.com/episode515 and watch this chat on YouTube at

https://nicolewalters.com/youtube

Episode Sponsors:

Use code WALTERS at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account. 1 time use only.

Try Gusto today at gusto.com/nicole, and get three months free when you run your first payroll.

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“The two things you're not supposed to talk about are politics and religion. But if you don't talk about those things, what are we even doing?”

Former evangelical pastor Brian Recker is here to share his lived experience with modern Christianity, the Christian Nationalism movement, and why maybe Hell isn’t what we thought it was.

Brian shares his experiences transitioning from a fundamentalist background to becoming an evangelical pastor, and the turning points he faced within the church, especially during the first election of Donald Trump.

We chat about the cost of linking faith with the fear of Hell and the necessity of engaging with marginalized communities like Jesus did. Brian explains why we should consider divesting from harmful systems and instead embrace a spirituality rooted in love and empathy rather than fear and exclusion.

This chat is not just for Christians but for anyone living today so don’t miss it, friend!

Grab Brian’s upcoming book, Hell Bent, at BrianRecker.com

Thanks for being here! Slide into my DMs on IG or chat with me on Threads @Nicole Walters

Get the rest of the links and resources from this chat at https://nicolewalters.com/episode514

And watch this chat on YouTube at https://nicolewalters.com/youtube

Episode Sponsors:

Use code WALTERS at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account. 1 time use only.

Caraway’s cookware set is a favorite for a reason, it can save you up to $190 versus buying the items individually. Plus, if you visit Carawayhome.com/nicole you can take an additional 10% off your next purchase.

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.

“ I gotta follow my heart this time. I can't get caught up in my ego. And I've been caught up in my ego for 15 years!”

This is Part 2 in our chat with seasoned Music Executive, Chris Anokute! Chris shares the dark sides of the music industry and why he decided to walk away after 20 years.

Chris and I chat about the ethical compromises people make for fame and money and the spiritual and moral awakening that followed his exit. He then shares how he fell into mentorship and why he isn't looking back.

Don’t miss Part 1 of this chat when Chris shares how he became a Music Industry Executive and Insider at such a young age.

Thanks for being here, friend! Find Chris on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/chrisanokute/ and slide into my DMs at Nicole Walters!

Get the rest of the links and resources from this chat at https://nicolewalters.com/episode513

And WATCH this chat on YouTube at https://nicolewalters.com/youtube

Episode Sponsor:

Use code WALTERS at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account. 1 time use only.

Produced by Dear Media

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“If you want to come out here to get rich, if you want to come out here to get accolades, you're in for a rude awakening because it’s a dark industry and the only thing that gets through is the light.”

Chris Anokute, the prominent music executive and artist development specialist, is here to chat about his journey and profound impact on the music industry.

From humble and scrappy beginnings to founding Young Forever Inc., to playing a pivotal role in launching global superstars, Chris shares how he did it and the faith that carried him the whole way.

We chat through how Chris reconciles his faith with working in a secular industry and his personal transformation towards using his voice for mentorship and spreading hope, marking a new chapter in his life.

Don’t miss Part 2 of this chat when Chris shares why he left the music industry and what this next chapter looks like for him.

Thanks for being here, friend! Find Chris on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/chrisanokute/ and slide into my DMs at https://www.instagram.com/nicolewalters/

Get the rest of the links and resources from this chat at https://nicolewalters.com/episode512

And WATCH this chat on YouTube at https://nicolewalters.com/youtube

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“We are collectively, inadvertently, signing up young people to be entered onto this toddler to train wreck pipeline.”

Friend, this chat is about childhood fame but it’s also about so much more! I am so honored to bring you this chat with Alyson Stoner, a multi-hyphenate artist and mental health advocate.

Alyson and I chat about her lived experience as a dancer and actress in Hollywood, the journey she went on to heal, and how the topic of childhood fame touches us all.

Alyson will blow you away with her compassion and research-based ideas on what it means to be successful, especially as a child. From mental health reform to creating safe and creative spaces for kids, this chat is a must-listen.

Hit play and grab Alyson’s new book, Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything, wherever books are sold!

Get the rest of the links and resources from this chat at https://nicolewalters.com/episode511

And WATCH this chat on YouTube at https://nicolewalters.com/youtube

Episode Sponsors:

Use code WALTERS at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account. 1 time use only.

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“Just because you have a diagnosis doesn't mean you fit in the same box as someone else.”

Friend, today we are diving into autism with educational therapist, school psychologist, and my friend, Alicia Trice.

Alicia has worked with people with autism (and their families) for over 10 years and in this chat she debunks many of the myths that are circulating about autism. She explains the importance of individualized care and the need for better resources within our education system for non-neurotypical kids.

From someone who is on the ground working with these families every day, Alicia encourages us to look for the strengths in each other and to lead with love.

Friend, this is a good one. Thanks to Alicia for being here and thanks for hitting play on another Tell Me More chat!

Connect with Alicia on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/andlovelearning

Get the rest of the links from this chat at https://nicolewalters.com/episode510

And WATCH this chat on YouTube at https://nicolewalters.com/youtube

Episode Sponsor:

Use code WALTERS at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account. 1 time use only

Produced by Dear Media

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“We have to TRUST each other to do the things that we say we're gonna do. And trust that we have each other's best interests in mind always.”

My husband, Alex, is back to chat through how we are accomplishing big goals every 3 months.

Trust is at the root of our version of being a Power Couple so in this chat we’re sharing stories of what it really looks like to build and maintain trust in our relationship.

I’ve got a list of things I’m going to buy when Alex gets stupid rich so don’t miss this tip on how you can get your own urban farm, cheese fridge, and Spanish tutor.

Thanks to Alex for being here and thanks for hitting play on another Tell Me More chat!

Get the rest of the links from this chat at https://nicolewalters.com/episode509

And WATCH this chat on YouTube at https://nicolewalters.com/youtube

Episode Sponsors:

Use code WALTERS at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account. 1 time use only.

Produced by Dear Media

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“There's research that says over 50% percent of supplements tested weren't exactly what they claimed to be.”

Friend, your mind is about to explode in Part 2 of our chat with Dr. Jessica Knurick!

We chat about why the wellness industry has exploded in recent years and the changes we can make to keep ourselves (and our neighbors) healthy.

Dr. Jessica breaks down why supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA and how our government’s policies have resulted in a lack of accessibility to nutritious food and preventive healthcare for many Americans.

I had to ask her if eating whole foods and moving your body was enough to stay healthy and you may be surprised by her answer.

Thanks for being here with an open mind! And don’t miss Part 1 when Dr. Jessica talks about ultra-processed food and why we should care about public health in the first place.

Get the rest of the links and resources from this chat at https://nicolewalters.com/episode508

And WATCH this chat on YouTube at https://nicolewalters.com/youtube

Episode Sponsors:

Use code WALTERS at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account. 1 time use only.

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“What I have a problem with is when people use fear-based conspiratorial language to scare the shit out of you.”

Friend, it’s safe to say most of us have had the shit scared out of us on social media with some new claim about what’s in our food (or isn’t in our food!)

Well Dr. Jessica Knurick isn’t having it and with science on her side she is here to share her thoughts on what is going on right now in public health, the wellness industry, and beyond.

In the first part of this chat, Dr. Jessica breaks down the difference between public health and individual wellness, the issues with ultra-processed foods, and the role that government policies and corporate interests play in shaping our food environment.

I was able to walk away from this chat with a lot of new information that MADE SENSE so I know you’ll feel the same way after hearing from Dr. Jessica.

Ultimately, the goal with these chats is to introduce you to someone who may think differently than you or has experience that is different than your own. Learning from someone like Dr. Jessica can empower you to make informed decisions about your health and public health policies.

In Part 2 we chat about why the wellness industry has exploded in recent years and the changes we can make to keep ourselves (and our neighbors) healthy. Don’t miss it!

Get the rest of the links and resources from this chat at https://nicolewalters.com/episode507

And WATCH this chat on YouTube at https://nicolewalters.com/youtube

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.