Hey friends, welcome back to The Blueprint Podcast. I’m Yanique — your host, your sister, and your friend.

In this episode, we’re joined by author Michelle Nicole Farley, who shares how her vivid recurring dreams became the pages of her novel All Bark and No Bite. We talk about writing as an outlet for confidence, healing, and reclaiming your voice — plus the real challenges behind publishing: fear, formatting, marketing, and showing up consistently online.

We also get into:

• Why she waited years to publish

• How TikTok helped her sell books

• Writing through abandonment wounds

• Reclaiming your time as a woman

• Balancing a career, family, and creativity

• Faith, self-care, and betting on yourself

If you’re a writer, creator, or a woman rebuilding her confidence, this conversation is for you.

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE

TikTok + Instagram: @MichelleNBooks

Website: https://michellennacobooks.com">https://michellennacobooks.com">https://michellennacobooks.com

Upcoming Event: Dallas (April) — Black Girls Who Read Summit

💛 SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/theblueprint">https://buymeacoffee.com/theblueprint">https://buymeacoffee.com/theblueprint

FOLLOW YANIQUE / THE BLUEPRINT

Instagram: https://instagram.com/sisyouareher">https://instagram.com/sisyouareher">https://instagram.com/sisyouareher

TikTok / Instagram / Facebook: @yaniquetheceo

App: https://herreflectionspace.com">https://herreflectionspace.com">https://herreflectionspace.com

📖 Grab my book Sis, You Are HER:

https://a.co/d/1HbDkRX">https://a.co/d/1HbDkRX">https://a.co/d/1HbDkRX

A reminder: you can still heal, evolve, and reclaim your power — no matter how long you stayed.

If this episode blessed you, be sure to follow, rate, and share it with another sister.

What happens when you spend 33 years in a narcissistic marriage and don’t even realize what you’re living in until decades later? In this powerful episode of The Blueprint, host Yanique Walters sits down with Mickey, author of Cultivating Freedom, who shares her raw, unfiltered journey of surviving narcissistic abuse, enduring six years of legal battles, and ultimately reclaiming her peace, voice, and freedom. This conversation dives deep into:

• Early red flags of narcissistic abuse
• How childhood patterns shape adult relationships
• The emotional confusion before having language for abuse
• Why women stay — and how they mentally leave long before they physically do
• Financial control, isolation, and stonewalling
• What finally became the breaking point
• How to rebuild after losing yourself for decades
• Practical steps to protect yourself if you’re in a toxic relationship

If you’ve ever felt drained, confused, isolated, or like you were constantly questioning yourself in a relationship — this episode may help connect the dots.

📘 Guest Book: Cultivating Freedom

🌐 Website: https://cultivatingfreedom.ca">https://cultivatingfreedom.ca">https://cultivatingfreedom.ca

📸 Instagram: @cultivatingfreedom2024

Follow Yanique / The Blueprint:

Instagram: @sisyouareher

TikTok / Instagram / Facebook: @yaniquetheceo

App: https://Herreflectionspace.com

📖 Grab my book – Sis, You Are HER:

👉 https://a.co/d/1HbDkRX

A reminder that you can still heal, evolve, and reclaim your power — no matter how long you stayed.

🎧 Listen, reflect, and share this episode with someone who needs to know they’re not alone.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 – Intro: Losing Yourself in a Narcissistic Relationship

01:40 – Meet Mickey: Life Before the Labels

03:30 – Childhood Patterns That Shaped Adult Relationships

05:20 – Life Before Knowing It Was Abuse

06:50 – Early Red Flags She Ignored

08:40 – Why She Stayed for Decades

10:30 – The Moment Narcissistic Abuse Was Named

16:30 – The Breaking Point

21:00 – Planning to Leave While Still Living There

24:00 – Boundaries, Court Battles & Advocacy

34:00 – Rebuilding Peace After Leaving

36:00 – Traits of True Narcissistic Abuse

40:00 – Dating Someone With Narcissistic Personality Disorder

45:00 – How to Protect Yourself (Practical Advice)

48:00 – Cultivating Freedom: Book Message

51:00 – Rapid Fire Reflections

53:30 – Final Words on Healing & Freedom

In this episode of The Blueprint, Yanique Walters sits down with Gift Ijeoma, a faith-driven writer, budding entrepreneur, and plant biology student from Nigeria, for a powerful conversation about loss, abuse, homelessness, and rebuilding.

Gift shares her journey of losing family members, being separated from her siblings, and enduring physical and emotional abuse that deeply impacted her confidence and view of relationships. Through faith, forgiveness, self-awareness, and affirmations, she found the strength to heal and bloom — even in dark seasons.

This episode is a reminder that your pain does not disqualify you. With the right tools and faith, it can become your purpose.

🎧 In This Episode, We Cover:

• Growing up through loss, separation, and instability
• Physical and emotional abuse and its impact on self-worth
• Homelessness and choosing resilience over bitterness
• Faith, forgiveness, and healing in practical ways
• Boundaries, self-awareness, and protecting your peace

💬 Memorable Takeaways

• “Your pain can become your purpose when you stop hiding it and start healing through it.”
• “Forgiveness is not approval — it’s release.”
• “Self-awareness protects your peace.”

Guest’s go-to affirmation: “I am loved by God.”

⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps

0:00 Pain, purpose, and God’s strategy 0:48 Intro + what The Blueprint stands for 2:42 Gift joins the show 3:08 Life in Nigeria + plant biology 4:22 Her story begins 6:10 Family loss and separation 8:03 Homelessness and determination 12:53 Abuse and trauma impact 17:52 Healing through faith and forgiveness 24:58 Turning point and rebuilding confidence 29:01 Practical healing tools 34:03 Rapid Fire 38:11 Where to connect + book mention 39:02 Closing encouragement

🔗 Connect with the Guest

Facebook: Link coming soon 📘 Upcoming Book: Silent Bloom in the Dark

💛 Support the Podcast

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/theblueprint

📲 Follow Yanique / The Blueprint

Instagram: @sisyouareher TikTok / Instagram / Facebook: @yaniquetheceo HER Reflection Space App: https://herreflectionspace.com

📖 Grab the book: Sis, You Are HER https://a.co/d/1HbDkRX

In this episode of The Blueprint Podcast, Yanique sits down with Daneil Dunkley for a raw and deeply moving conversation about rebuilding life from the ground up.

From moving to America from Jamaica at age 20 to navigating divorce, toxic relationships, and the shame she carried after becoming pregnant again, Daneil shares her powerful story with honesty and grace. She opens up about giving birth at 23 weeks to a micro-preemie weighing just 1 lb 7 oz, facing homelessness with a newborn, and the moment a doctor reframed her understanding of strength forever.

This episode is for anyone struggling with self-worth, healing from heartbreak, or trying to find God in the middle of a storm.

🎧 In This Episode, We Cover:

• Culture shock and loneliness after moving to the U.S.
• Toxic relationships and ignored red flags
• The reality of being a NICU mom at 23 weeks
• Homelessness, pride, and learning to accept help
• Boundaries, integrity, and reclaiming your life

⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps

0:00 Intro + Welcome 2:16 Moving from Jamaica to America 5:30 Loneliness and “fake friends” 14:21 Marriage, divorce, and self-worth 21:01 Boundaries and integrity 27:27 The “stench of shame” 29:01 NICU journey (23 weeks, 1 lb 7 oz) 33:21 Homelessness with a newborn 42:15 Doctor’s advice that changed everything 50:27 Detachment and patience 54:47 Healing, purpose, and passion 1:00:34 Mentoring young girls 1:09:19 Rapid fire

🔗 Connect with the Guest

Instagram: @_sheesang TikTok: @sheesang

💛 Support the Podcast

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/theblueprint

📲 Follow Yanique / The Blueprint

Instagram: @sisyouareher TikTok / Instagram / Facebook: @yaniquetheceo HER Reflection Space App: https://herreflectionspace.com

📖 Grab the book: Sis, You Are HER https://a.co/d/1HbDkRX

Welcome back to The Blueprint Podcast. I’m Yanique — your friend, your sister, and your host.

If you caught our last episode with Briyon Minor, we explored parenting, children’s mental health, and the patterns formed in the home. In today’s episode, we continue that conversation — because what starts in the home doesn’t stay there. It follows us into our adult relationships, how we love, how we cope, and how we heal.

I’m joined again by Briyon Minor, Licensed Associate Professional Counselor based in Atlanta, who works closely with individuals and families navigating trauma, relationships, and recovery. Together, we unpack how emotional abuse shows up, why leaving unhealthy relationships is so difficult, and what real healing looks like.

This episode is for anyone who has ever questioned their reality, felt stuck in a cycle they couldn’t explain, or tried to love someone through pain.

You’re not broken. You’re not alone. You’re becoming.

💛 Support the Podcast / Donate to the Movement

Buy Me A Coffee: 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/theblueprint

📲 Follow Yanique / The Blueprint

• Instagram: @sisyouareher
• TikTok / Instagram / Facebook: @yaniquetheceo
• HER Reflection Space App: https://herreflectionspace.com

📖 Grab my book: Sis, You Are HER 👉 https://a.co/d/1HbDkRX

📚 Book & Resource Recommendations

• The Body Keeps the Score — Bessel van der Kolk
• Love Languages Quiz: https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language

📩 Guest Contact (as shared in the episode)

• Briyon Minor: [email protected]

🆘 Support Resources Mentioned

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988 — confidential support 24/7 🌐 https://988lifeline.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline 📞 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) 📱 Text START to 88788 🌐 https://www.thehotline.org

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) 📞 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) 📱 Text HOPE to 64673 🌐 https://rainn.org

Ahimsa House (Georgia – Pets & Domestic Violence Support) 📞 24-Hour Crisis Line: 404-452-6248 🌐 https://ahimsahouse.org

Welcome back to The Blueprint! I’m Yanique Walters, your host, your sister, and your friend. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Ingrid Garofola, an Army veteran with over 20 years of service, a wife, dog mom, bonus mom, and a woman of faith.

Ingrid shares her powerful story and the moment she realized true healing had to begin. We talk about childhood trauma, life in the military, emotional survival, the transition to civilian life, boundaries, confidence, and what it really looks like to pursue mental freedom.

In this episode, we cover:

• Ingrid’s childhood and how discipline shaped her
• Joining the Army at 17 and how the military “saved” her
• The emotional toll of service and learning to shut off emotions
• Being a woman in the military and dealing with racism + judgment
• Retiring in 2021 and struggling to find identity beyond the uniform
• The turning point that led her to take healing seriously (2023)
• Therapy, EMDR, and learning the root of trauma
• Setting boundaries when you’re a “yes girl”
• What self love looks like in this season
• Why healing is possible and trauma doesn’t define you

Connect with Ingrid:

• Instagram: @Wyndchillz4
• YouTube: Wyndchillz4
• TikTok: Wyndchillz4
• Website: Wyndchillz.com

Follow Yanique / The Blueprint:

• Instagram: @sisyouareher
• TikTok/Instagram/Facebook:@yaniquetheceo
• App: https://Herreflectionspace.com

📖 Grab my book Sis, You Are HER: 👉 https://a.co/d/1HbDkRX

☕ Support The Blueprint Podcast: 👉 buymeacoffee.com/Theblueprint

🎁 Gratitude Giveaway: If you made it to the end and you’re grateful for this episode, comment below. I’ll choose a random person to receive one of my gratitude journals.

If this episode blessed you, please subscribe, like, and leave a review. And always remember: healing is your blueprint. You are becoming HER.

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual — and for many of us, especially Black families and single mothers, we’re trying to raise emotionally healthy children while healing ourselves at the same time.

In this episode of The Blueprint Podcast, I’m joined by Briyon Minor, LAPC, a licensed associate professional counselor based in Atlanta, for an honest and necessary conversation about parenting styles, children’s mental health, and breaking generational cycles.

We unpack the difference between discipline and punishment, why routine matters, how trauma shows up later in life, and how to raise emotionally aware children without fear-based parenting. Because what happens in childhood doesn’t stay in childhood.

This episode is for:

• Single mothers carrying it all

• Parents navigating gentle vs. traditional discipline

• Families raising emotionally healthy children

• Adults healing childhood trauma while parenting

✨ Connection before correction

✨ Presence over perfection

✨ Healing homes create healed adults

What We Cover:

• Parenting styles and long-term impact

• Gentle parenting vs. discipline

• Burnout in single mothers

• Early signs children may need mental health support

• Anxiety, depression, ADHD, and emotional regulation

• Attachment styles and childhood trauma

• Media exposure and screen time

• Breaking generational cycles — starting with you

Resources:

Attachment Style Quiz: https://shorturl.at/wux5s

Know Your Chapter (HER Quiz): https://herreflectionspace.com/quiz

Sis, You Are HER (Book): https://a.co/d/bgF6yaZ

HER Affirmation Cards: https://shorturl.at/eOC9E

HER Reflection Space App: https://herreflectionspace.com/

Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/Theblueprint

Crisis Support (U.S.):

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988

Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741

If this episode spoke to you, share it with another parent who may need encouragement today.

I’m Yanique — your host, your sister, reminding you that you can rewrite your story and create the kind of love you never had.

This episode is a testimony.

In this episode of The Blueprint, I sit down with Aneisha “Wealthy Annie” Rose — a certified John Maxwell life and business coach, entrepreneur, and forex trader with over ten years in the financial industry.

Born and raised in Kingston 13, Jamaica, Aneisha shares how growing up around violence, poverty, and discrimination shaped her mindset, her faith, and her mission to help others build confidence and wealth.

We talk about:

• Growing up in the inner city
• Wrestling with anger, depression, and suicidal thoughts
• How faith and prayer pulled her out of a dark place
• Why she refuses to trade her body for opportunity
• Money management, wealth building, and why saving alone is not enough
• Time management, boundaries, dating, and protecting your name
• Practical steps to build confidence and remember who you are

If you grew up in the inner city, battled low self-worth, struggled with money, or felt like your past disqualifies you, this conversation is going to sit in your spirit.

Content Note: This episode includes honest discussion about suicidal thoughts and attempts, as well as sexual coercion and abuse. Please listen with care.

Connect with Aneisha “Wealthy Annie” Rose:

Website: http://www.wealthyanniecoaching.com

Email: [email protected] | [email protected]

Instagram: @thewealthyannie

TikTok: Wealthy Annie – Life and Business Coach

Phone (Jamaica): +1 (876) 827-0646

She supports:

• Women and young professionals seeking confidence and purpose
• Individuals wanting to get out of debt and manage money wisely
• Small business owners wanting to become bank-ready and scale
• People interested in learning forex trading as an additional income stream

Connect with Me: My book Sis, You Are HER is coming December 12. Preorder: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX1P7MZ4

Instagram: Main – @sisyouareher

Personal – @yaniquetheceo

Support the Podcast: If this content blesses you and you want to help me keep creating it, you can support here: https://buymeacoffee.com/Theblueprint

Self-care isn’t selfish — it’s how we show up whole. Today I’m joined by Ashley Sessions, the powerhouse behind Pampering Sessions, a self-care brand creating decadent body butters, luminous body oils, cleansing sugar scrubs, and more. We break down self-care vs. self-love, rebuilding self-trust, and how small daily practices lead to big inner shifts. Ashley also shares how her brand came to life in under a year, plus what’s coming next (hello, beard kit 👀).

In this episode

• The difference between self-care (the practice) and self-love (the foundation)
• Rebuilding self-trust so your routines actually stick
• Gentle routines that work when you’re busy and tired
• Products for women and men (yes, men love baths too!)
• Friends who lovingly “fix your crown” when it slips
• How Ashley bootstrapped packaging, labels, and her first product line

Guest — Ashley Sessions, Pampering Sessions

• Website: pamperingsessions.com
• Instagram & Facebook: @PamperingSessions
• Email: [email protected] (as shared on-air)

Mentioned products

Bath soak (rose & lavender, Himalayan salt), Cleansing Whipped Sugar Scrub (with Castile soap + vitamin E), Triple-whipped Body Butter (shea + grapeseed oil), Shimmering Body Oil (sunflower, jojoba, rosehip), Micellar Makeup Remover, Face Serum (coming), Men’s line (scrub, butter, soap), Beard oil & balm; Beard Kit (shampoo, leave-in, butter, oil, comb/brush) targeted for World Beard Day (Sept 6). Bonus: Self-Care Archetype Quiz for Pampering Sessions insiders (via the website).

Connect with Yanique

• Instagram & FB Group: Sis, You Are HER
• Book & Journal: Sis, You Are HER + HER Reflection Journal (release info inside)
• Subscribe & review The Blueprint to help more women find this conversation. 💜

On this episode of The Blueprint Podcast, host Yanique Walters sits down with Karen “Karey” Casto-Chrin, founder of the global award-winning beauty brand Hopa the Karey / Hoppy Skin—a CBD-alternative skincare and cosmetics line born from deeply personal pain, resilience, and faith.

Karey opens up about grief, domestic abuse, losing contact with her children, and the legal maze she’s fought through—then shares how she turned tunnel-vision survival into a global brand with 250+ products (including the Liberty collections and Bulletproof Mineral Cosmetics). We talk confidence, self-love, practical side-hustle advice, why “loneliness isn’t always bad” during healing, and building legacy in real life.

If you’re rebuilding after heartbreak or reminding yourself who you are—this one’s for you.

Guest Karen Casto-Chrin

Brand: Hopa the Karey / Hoppy Skin

IG/TikTok/Amazon/Poshmark: “hopathekarey” (search to find)

Sites mentioned: HoppySkin.com (launching), beautybox.com (surprise boxes)

Host : Yanique Walters

IG: @sisyouareher | @yaniquetheceo

Site: YaniquePWalters.com

Book: Sis, You Are HER — launching December 12

Affirmation Cards: releasing December (HER Collection)

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse • US: National Domestic Violence Hotline — 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or thehotline.org

Key themes: confidence after abuse, healing journey, self-love, side hustles, women in business, skincare, CBD-alternative, entrepreneurship, motherhood, resilience