I love how instagram can just bring us all together! I had a pleasure of sitting down with Kels last week for my first interview for #womentowatch Wednesday, lean in and give a listen!

From her website https://www.findingkels.com/about

KELS is the perfect mix of jazz, pop and soul. Her brash vocals and sultry style reflect the old school sound of some of her biggest influences- Ms. Lauryn Hill, Sarah Vaughan, Erykah Badu, Adele, and Amy Winehouse with a profound lyricism to match. Born in Germany to military parents, she moved often as a child. By age 5 she was living in Pittsburgh with her mother and brother. KELS started writing songs at 13 years old. Growing up she was heavily involved in choir, singing at church and in jazz ensembles. Her debut EP, Slow Ryde, released in November 2021 displays her unique vocal style and versatile songwriting. KELS debuted her original music at a series of music festivals in Pittsburgh during the summer of 2021- headlining at The Three Rivers Arts Festival, Millvale Music Festival, Picklesburgh and opened for Kat Wright on her fall tour stop at Thunderbird Music Hall. In early 2022, KELS released a series of live renditions of original music. Most notably, her independent release of “Just Let Me Go (Live at Kingfly Spirits)” gained over half a million views on TikTok and has been streamed over a quarter of a million times across all listening platforms. Her newest release, "Be Fine." was featured in Earmilk and Newsweek as well as on a billboard in downtown Atlanta. KELS has been based in Atlanta for one year, and recently held her first headlining show at Smith's Olde Bar. The show sold out before doors opened. KELS is currently touring the United States independently.

If you're available and in Austin this week (since I'll be out of town) please go see her and support her on tour this year! 

March 8 sofar sounds Austin: https://www.sofarsounds.com/events/45543

March 16th no ticket needed: She goes on at 8pm at The Hive in Austin!

Please be sure to follow KELS on all social at @findingKels and listen to her on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0JzgaVLxpCeDg5WIm06DsU?si=l7pee-VCRVWMcvEgXp7GSw

Give yourself the time to lean back in to things you may love... its amazing what you can accomplish when you see the characters you read being brought to life. 

I appreciate the cinematography of it all and to see who the director choose for the real life portrayals.

You guys know I am a #booknerd, with the launch of a failed attempt at a book club for the #babeafpod, so here I am getting some help from Tierney Bricker from @ENews for bringing some opportunities to each of us to may be read before we watch.

There will be the carousel of the book titles and go run and read your little heart out!

Without further adieu, here are your new TV Obsessions:

Daisy Jones & The Six, Kay Scarpetta, White House Plumbers, Love and Death, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, American Born Chinese, The Last Thing He Told Me, The Power & Three Women

Today's Resources: 

https://www.eonline.com/news/1331541/12-books-to-read-asap-before-they-become-your-next-tv-obsession?cmpid=social_instagram_bio%26source%3Dinstagram-enews%26medium%3Dlink-post

I love it when a new artist emerges when you tune in to view Rihanna after many years with all her hits and discovering the coolest, most passionate girl in Justina Miles. What a freaking way to burst onto a large stage like online through Tik Tok and what better place than State Farm Stadium. 

I really just adore talented people and what is so fun to find out is that she's normal like us! I cannot wait to see her to continuing soar and reach those big audacious goals! 

Thank you for the 'CNBC Make it' article and CBS Mornings (with Gayle) interview in order to help us all fall in love with Justina and her badassery! 

Episode Resources:

CNBC Make It: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/12/meet-justina-miles-rihannas-super-bowl-halftime-show-asl-performer.html

CBS Morning video/audio w Gayle's 'Talk of the Table' : https://youtu.be/BlTsBxu8KiQ  

The promises you make to yourself in the new year may not always be the most consistently obtainable. I like to think of a 're-solution' for things you're wanting to improve on- take what you're already doing and improve a skill, frequency or helpful task to see how that goes. Or say 'fuck the resolution, idk her' and try smaller accomplished challenges throughout the month ESPECIALLY if they are uncomfortably fearful. 

I have two quotes that have been hanging with me this week (thanks for my virtual instructors at Hotworx & my iFit app):

1. 'its just a slight incline, we'll get over it'

2. 'if you wait for the perfect conditions, you'll never get anything done'

Whether these help you in regards to a new household routine, workout, or starting something that you've been thinking about forever (ya know that scary thing that brings you THE MOST JOY!?!?!), S T A R T it. Do the things. You're here to do magnificent things, gain more connections, love yourself for your accomplishments AND failures and really really lean in to UNFUCKING yourself. & luckily for us, 2023 is the time and you are the vessel. let's go babes.

Thank you for listening to today's episode, please be sure to share on socials (@thebabeafpod) if something resonated with you or if you know some of your friends needs to hear that I've mentioned for encouragement in today's episodes. I'll see ya back next Friday! 

Since I've been in cahoots with Dukesy since 2010, I have no idea how I could even date in the age of today, so if you're single in our Bat City, let @AustinMonthly help you out! They are hosting a rad Singles in the City event on February 9th with those most eligible (and badass) babes at the new South Austin spot, Superstition! While the gents are great on their own accord, this is a female empowerment podcast, so sorry gents, but ladies first!

All the information for the event and full list of the 12 amazing singles will be listed in the resources at the end of the show notes :) & thanks to Austin Monthly for the great info on the babes, I'll encourage my friends and followers to grab a ticket in hopes to find their SOMA ULTE (IYKYK)!

You can hear more about these babes in the episode so I am going to give their socials here and how to best find them: 

1. Tabitha Ford, 28: @tabithaford

2. Kristy Owen, 37: @kristyowen/ @365thingsAustin

3. Vicky Lau, 31: @vickicup

4. Diana Melendez, 37: @dianamelendeztx

5. Olivia Lee, 29: @olivia_lovelee

6. Ebony Kenney, 40: @ebonykenney

Good luck to all attendants and hope you find someone who makes you discover a more badass and a better version of you, someone who makes you laugh the loudest and continue to achieve your dreams!

This episode resources: 

Here's the full article from Austin Monthly with the event details: https://www.austinmonthly.com/singles-in-the-city-2023/

Austin Monthly 2023 Most Eligible Singles (gents included): https://www.austinmonthly.com/meet-austins-most-eligible-singles-2023/

I didn't want to do the traditional episode for 2023 full of promises I don't keep to myself (or you) and really just have too much going on to figure it out at this point the month anywhere right? I mean I know You can change yourself at any time of the day in any way you want, so basically I compiled a list of things to make your week better, call a permission slip from ya girl JessRoseDukes, if you'd like. & here goes...

1. Celebrate the little victories: no matter how little and no matter the victory.

2. Your Tada list does not correlate to your self worth babes, if it gets done: great, if not, tomorrow can take care of it. 

3. Make yourself into a card and give yourself more credit.

4. There is no justification in the way others see you. Your way of doing things is magnificently yours, ok? 

5. Let the proof sit in the way you feel about yourself, loud and proud babes. Shout it from the rooftops :)!

I am so happy to be back and here with ya'll, three cheers for another circle time around the sun and #alwaysbebabef. Follow for more fun and inspiration @thebabeafpod. love you bunches. toodles & see ya next time!