In life we have challenges and we often try to search for answers from within but some times we just need to reach out.

On this episode of the balancing act, I am taking a moment to say thank you to my listeners for coming back. But I am also reflecting on the loss my family and I are still dealing with today and may always feel. It's an emptiness that just feels so unnatural.

Tune in as I give you an update on my career now and also what we are dealing with in our family.

”I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave person does not feel afraid, but is the one who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela

On this episode. NikiMarie talks about parenthood and how we should include our children in conversations pertaining to in-person and or virtual learning. As we know, COVID numbers have increased, decreased and increased again. We have been on a rollercoaster journey with COVID and other variants forming.

NikiMarie talks about how you can lead not with fear but have an intelligent, researched based conversations with your kids or our youth in general. We have all had to adapt and pivot since the pandemic first started. Let's keep that positive mindset and make sure our kids, educators and parents can be helpful to each other.

Teaching children to overcome their fears is no easy task. This is a natural phase that children go through, but a complicated one. You’ll need plenty of patience. As a parent, teaching children to overcome their fears can be frustrating. Fears can be irrational. Often, nothing you say seems to help your child get over their anxiety. You may be at a loss as to what to try next. Children sometimes develop a fear of certain situations or objects which, to our adult eyes, don’t seem threatening at all. This occurs across all cultures.

Listen to this full episode. The information may be helpful to you or to someone you know.

#childrenmentalhealth
#educators
#fear

I want to send out a little positivity to those who may be feeling the highs and the lows. It’s good to have a balance between negatives and positives.

Treat yourself with kindness and respect, and avoid self-criticism. Make time for your hobbies and favorite projects, or broaden your horizons. Do a daily crossword puzzle, plant a garden, take dance lessons, learn to play an instrument or become fluent in another language.

Like it or not, stress is a part of life. Practice good coping skills: Try One-Minute Stress Strategies, do Tai Chi, exercise, take a nature walk, play with your pet or try journal writing as a stress reducer. Also, remember to smile and see the humor in life. Research shows that laughter can boost your immune system, ease pain, relax your body and reduce stress.

https://www.mhanational.org/31-tips-boost-your-mental-health

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“Courage doesn’t always roar, sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering ‘I will try again tomorrow” – Mary Anne Radmacher

The Queen of quotes is back. I love to refer back to the quotes that make you think and the statements that make you apply it back to your life. Continue listening every week for a new show, new views and quotes.

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Self-love means loving yourself unapologetically, whereas self-care is about taking the time to feel good in your skin. While these two are different, they’re both necessary to a healthy, fulfilled lifestyle. Self-care allows you to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself rather than beating yourself up over the little things.

Taking a moment or a weekend to be with yourself and do things alone can be a great way to refresh, balance or give yourself some weekend love. I'm learning to love myself, more and more everyday and so should you.

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Song credit: Savannah Cristina
Song title: Self Love

Dr. Shemena Johnson works with people of color to develop insight and critically think about matters such as race, anxiety, depression, sexuality, imposter syndrome, family dynamics, professional development and empowerment. Her new course, Beautifully Black Beautifully Aware is a collection of concepts on various topics, from childhood wounds, identity, relationships and communication; I have used to become conscious in my life. Everyone has a responsibility to work on themselves so they bring a greater sense of consciousness to their life and relationships. It’s about changing your internal state so that you can become BEAUTIFULLY BLACK & BEAUTIFULLY AWARE.

➢Instagram : www.instagram.com/drshemenajohnson
➢Website : www.shemenajohnson.com
➢Linkedin : www.linkedin.com/company/shemena-johnson

Dr. Shemena was born and raised in Los Angeles, California to parents that were blue-collar workers. Her parents were born in the mid-west and were part of the Great Migration of many African Americans coming to the west coast to escape racism and explore better opportunities. Trauma was interwoven into the fabric of my family history. What came out of her family history was not only trauma, but the strength to overcome obstacles and strive for something greater. Dr. Shemena says, “I owe this understanding to my parents of learning how to not just survive, but thrive through adversity. These early experiences have come to inform my therapeutic work. I take heart that life’s circumstances need not overpower you. I have worked with a broad spectrum of individuals and couples from many different cultures, lifestyles and socio-economic backgrounds and I have learned that pain does not discriminate. Many of us at some point have experienced conflict, doubt, uncertainty, loss and sadness that come with life’s struggles.”

To find out more about Dr. Shemena's course, please visit her website, www.shemenajohnson.com

#blackmentalhealth
#blackcommunity
#therapist

On this episode, I am joined by Nahash Wizdom. He’s one of hip hop’s most promising and uplifting voices of music today. Coming straight out of Central Illinois as one of the Midwest’s best, Nahash’s debut single, “Dreams” has taken off and is on fire. As the first offer from the most highly anticipated EP titled, “Grown Folks Muzik”, dropping this Summer, “Dreams”, has proven, not only to motivate listeners to turn up the volume, but also inspires the youth, and us all, to be at our very best and go for our “Dreams!”

We talked about mental health, holding in feelings and expressing the words through music. We may not say all that we need to say, he's more of a music artist that would rather show you than tell you but he's saying a lot through his lyrics. Check out this new episode with an interview with Nahash and some new music along the way.

https://www.instagram.com/Nahash_Wizdom
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ZRByWjVQbJKTXQ1-vgeUQ

Coming from Central Illinois, USA, One of hiphop's most promising and uplifting voices, releases a new single titled "Dreams"

Beginning with an ambient introduction to the beats style, it really showcases what the song is going to be like throughout.

This eventually leads into Nahash Wizdom's uplifting, fast verses.

The lyrics of the aforementioned verses are not just meaningful and inspirational, "Keep your eyes on the Prize" They are also rhythmic and spoken with power and strength.

The layered vocals mix perfectly with the backing beat, especially towards the end of the track when the vocals slowly fade out alongside the beat, bringing a dramatic end to the action packed, upbeat hiphop track.

"Dreams" is a great showcase of what Nahash Wizdom can do, and is a great debut single to gain traction and introduce fans to what Nahash will be bringing in the future.
Make sure you subscribe to this channel and click the notification bell so you never miss a new episode. You never know who the next guest will be or who will impact you with their story. Keep supporting and showing love.

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#mentalhealth
#music
#nahashwizdom

Born and raised in Memphis,Tennessee, Curtisha LaShundra’ Johnson is professionally known as madam cj. madam cj is a chart topping Singer/Songwriter,Dancer, Host, Womanist, Certified Strategic Self Care Ambassador, Licensed Certified Liquid Motion Instructor, Womb Wellness Revolutionary and Award Winning CEO of Divine Clementine Bath and Body and Hattie Evelyn’s Movement Apothecary. Her career began as a Makeup Artist, GoGo Dancer and Legendary Themed Theatrical Club Kid in Atlanta,Ga at clubs Kaya, Nomenclature, Karma, Crescent Room,Yin Yang and MJQ. She appeared on the WB Networks music reality tv show, Popstars to compete for a spot in the Pop girl group Eden’s Crush. The next year, she became one of the top figure study models in the city of ATL on the artistic and art school scene. She started her solo music career as madam cj. Since then she has performed with or opened for Joi, India.Arie, Bilal, Masego, Big Freedia, Kamasi Washington, FKA Twigs, Janelle Monae. Her song “Smell Urself” the Daz I Kue Bounce mix, is a soulful house remix of the original song she wrote, debuted at number 8 on the Top 20 Essential Soulful House Tunes on Traxsource.com, the go to source for all styles of House and Dance Music. She was diagnosed with Uterine Fibroids. This diagnosis led her to seek out natural healing options. She was introduced to her mentor in the art of soap making and revolutionary Womb Wellness, Dr. Eshe Faizah aka Eshe the Herbsistah. On this journey to fibroid freedom and womb wellness, she has also worked with Queen Afua and Chef Ahki. She has hosted and performed at AfroPunk ATL and AfroPunk NY alongside, Rahbi Raw. She has lived and worked as a nightclub singer at Al Mandaloun Nights,in Beirut, Lebanon. She won Creative Loafing Atlanta’s, "Best Of" and Critic's Choice Award,has appeared in Uptown Magazine and Voyage ATL. She was handpicked to appear in Killer Mike’s Netflix docu-series, “Trigger Warning”,the same year she appeared as a choir member in the Carlton Pearson biopic,”Come Sunday”. She is a member of Sister Care Alliance, Certified Strategic Self Care Ambassador under the guidance of Anana Harris Parris, the creator of SisterCare Alliance and a Licensed and Certified Liquid Motion Instructor under the guidance of the methodology creator, Jeni Janover. This has lead to her starting the womb wellness based service business, Hattie Evelyn’s Movement Apothecary. madam cj believes in the power of personal and self transformation thru using all the categories of strategic self care. Those areas are: Spiritual/Emotional, Physical,Economic, Education,Artistic and Social.

https://www.instagram.com/therealmadamcj
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Britta B performs “Dear Young Woman”

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#uterinefibroids
#womenshealth
#wombwellnessadvocate

When you wake up in the morning, what are you grateful for? What is the first thing you say to yourself or say out loud? Everything starts in the mind. The way you treat your mind, the words you feed to yourself and the actual food you put into your body. What toxic words or people are you getting rid of and how do you feel after getting rid of the toxic stuff?

I find strength in being authentically me. Forget who is bothered by it, at the end of the day, I am living my purpose and living in what makes me happy. Happiness looks different for everyone. It first starts in the mind. So tap in and listen to what I have to say to myself every morning and every night before I lay myself to sleep.

Advocating and providing resource information. Check out this new episode featuring Mental Health Advocate, Educator and host of The Miseducation of the People podcast, Tarrin Morgan. Follow @realtalksessionseries and @nikimarie_radio social media pages.

If you would like to join my support group search The Balancing Act: Highs, Lows & Lessons on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/272488964453031/

Tarrin Morgan II is a man of many talents and possess wisdom beyond his years. He is a tried and true student affairs professional that has been working in the higher education field for nine fulfilling years. “Students are not an interruption to our work, students are our work” is Tarrin’s professional philosophy which is backed with his actions of putting students first, advocating for them at all times, and his reputation of exceeding expectations of students and colleagues. In addition to being an educator, he has been doing videography for over 10 years. He has interned for Emmis Communications (specifically with radio station, Hot 97), done multiple videos for Morgan State University, and does freelance work such as weddings, commercials for businesses, etc. - https://linktr.ee/realtalksessionseries

Tarrin originally created the Real Talk Session Series to address the issues that students and staff of color face at a private higher education institution in New Jersey. The Real Talk Session Series was birthed on November 15, 2017 when he held a conversation surrounding race, gender, and leadership with award-winning researcher, political commentator, and professor, Dr. Wendy Osefo. The Real Talk Session Series evolved into what it is today when Tarrin faced an extremely tough battle with depression and anxiety all throughout 2018. He was able to turn a negative situation into positive as well as figure out a way to fuse his passions of education and videography in his own unique way in efforts to maximize his positive impact on the world.

Tarrin holds a Masters degree in Higher Education Administration from Morgan State University (Baltimore, Maryland), a Masters degree in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University (Teaneck, New Jersey), and a Bachelors degree in Communication with a minor in Sociology from William Paterson University (Wayne, New Jersey). He aspires to obtain his Doctorate degree in Education in the near future. Tarrin sits on the advisory board for the NJ National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) African-American support group, AACT-NOW and is a certified NAMI NJ In Own Own Voices (IOOV) presenter. He also co-hosts a monthly men's healing event called Messages For Men which is held the first Saturday of the month at Above Art Studios in New Brunswick, NJ.

#mentalhealthadvocates
#bethechange
#mentalhealthawareness