The Inner Edit

Today With Mikaya Thurmond:

Today on The Inner Edit I am joined by Mikaya Thurmond, an award-winning Public Relations Strategist propelling brands to new heights with more than a decade of expertise. Mikaya is former television news anchor for WRAL in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is a politician's daughter, Miss Georgia 2009, a University of Georgia and Harvard graduate, and a TedX speaker. But above all, Mikaya's superpower is authentic storytelling. It's what she lives and breathes—because if we aren't being ourselves, then what's the point, right?

Today, Mikaya and I are discussing how to be true to yourself at work and at home, online, and in real life. Mikaya says she is here for happiness, not the hustle, and is sharing strategies she uses to prioritize her mental health.

Pick It Apart

[5:24] Mikaya talks about working remote as a TV news anchor during the pandemic, and continuing to work remote now as a PR strategist, and what she has learned from these experiences.

[12:07] Christie asks Mikaya about her personal habits that help create intentional time for herself.

[20:25] Mikaya talks about leaving her news anchor position, how scary it was but why it was an important step in her growth.

[26:45] Mikaya shares her perspective on relevance and how she is able to be more authentic to herself as an influencer as opposed to a TV personality.

[29:56] Christie and Mikaya discuss how fast-paced our world is, and the importance of slowing down and taking a breath.

[32:21] Christie asks Mikaya how valuing mental health spills into her client relationships.

[40:59] Mikaya shares how she color codes her calendar to make sure she fits in time for her spiritual, physical, social, and future self.

Christie Rocha's and Mikaya Thurmond's Ah-Ha Moments

"I think we all should ask ourselves every day, 'What did you do today, Christy, to make yourself happy? And it's got to be something just for you. And I think when you make a habit of that, I've been really successful at maintaining positive mental health." – Mikaya Thurmond

"We often are looking for what we can add to our life to make it easier, when really we could probably start with what to take out—what can we remove?" – Christie Rocha

"The key to the magic sauce, especially if you're talking about a person or product, is authenticity and vulnerability." – Mikaya Thurmond

More About Mikaya Thurmond

As an award-winning Public Relations Strategist, Mikaya Thurmond harnesses over a decade of expertise to propel brands to new heights. Her passion for messaging began as a journalist across the southeast. Most notably making waves as the youngest anchor for WRAL News in Raleigh, where she engaged with hundreds of thousands of viewers daily over a seven-year tenure. During her time reporting in North Carolina and Tennessee, Mikaya secured two Associated Press awards and received four Emmy nominations. Notably, she contributed to prominent platforms like CBS Evening News and NBC's Today Show.

Honored as one of UGA's "40 Under 40" and recognized as a "Mover and Shaker'' by Cary Magazine, Mikaya's influence extends beyond journalism. A proud alumni of Harvard University and the University of Georgia, she's deeply committed to molding the upcoming wave of professionals. This passion led her to educate the future of communications as a 2023 lecturer at North Carolina State University's communications department. Moreover, she proudly established a college scholarship with the North Carolina Education Scholarship Fund, aimed at financially supporting young women studying communications.

In October 2023, Mikaya will add another feather to her cap by taking the stage as a speaker at TEDxRaleigh. As she continues to shape the PR landscape, Mikaya remains a beacon of inspiration and a testament to the power of authentic storytelling.

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Other Shows Mentioned:

Sass Says #133: Jenna Altman: How to Align Your Mindset, Metabolism, and Movement to Your Unique Body and Values

Today With Libby Ward:

Today on The Inner Edit I am joined by Libby Ward. Libby is a digital creator, writer, speaker, and mental health advocate with a deep commitment to changing the motherhood narrative and breaking toxic cycles. You may know her from Instagram or TikTok where she is @diaryofanhonestmom.

Every week, Libby's inspiring content reaches millions of women around the world in a meaningful way. She has been featured by The BBC, Good Morning America, Motherly, and other media outlets around the world.

Libby is sharing an honest glimpse into her life as a content creator. We discuss finding your voice, growing a community, internal issues versus external issues, and the challenge of making connections in this industry.

Pick It Apart

[0:58] Libby talks about her lane as a motherhood content creator.

[5:13] Libby explains the sense of responsibility she feels for her community.

[11:06] Christie and Libby discuss the feeling of not being enough, and Libby shares a light bulb moment she had recently about this feeling.

[22:19] Christie asks Libby about her choice not to show her children in her digital content.

[34:09] Libby and Christy chat about industry events and cultivating relationships with other content creators.

[53:08] Libby shares her advice to other creators who may be feeling lonely or disconnected.

Christie Rocha's and Libby Ward's Ah-Ha Moments

"I know in my heart and in my logical brain that the thing that I am good at is putting our experiences and our feelings into words and empowering moms to advocate for themselves…I know that words, help, but they're not enough. And so I can feel that can feel defeating." – Libby Ward "Just let a 'thank you' be a 'thank you.' And not a 'thank you, and' or 'thank you, but'…it's just 'thank you.'" – Christie Rocha "This industry is just constantly evolving, too. So it's not like…you learn something, and you're good to go. It's like you learn something, and then it changes also, and then you have to learn something else." – Libby Ward "It's not possible to not have the dual brain all the time…I am always thinking of different content that can be made. And I have to actively turn that off and just be present with my family." – Libby Ward "I would just say to other creators: that if you're feeling a need for deep connection and community, and feeling like a group, that you're not alone. And that if it feels like you're being excluded, you probably aren't. And I would just encourage you to find one other creator that you really want to connect with and intentionally seek out to connect with that one person." – Libby Ward

More About Libby Ward

Libby Ward is a digital creator, speaker, and mental health advocate with a deep commitment to changing the motherhood narrative and breaking toxic cycles. Every week, Libby's content reaches millions of women around the world in a meaningful way. She has been featured by The BBC, Good Morning America, The Tamron Hall Show, Global News, Motherly, Insider and media outlets around the world.

As a storyteller and thought leader in today's difficult and complex experiences of mental health, Libby is focused on reaching more women with her perspective changing stories through events and partnerships that make a real impact. Find her at @diaryofanhonestmom on Instagram, Tiktok and on her website diaryofanhonestmom.com and fall in love with her authentic content sure to inspire and entertain you each day.

Connect with Libby Ward

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

TikTok

Connect with Christie!

Website

Join us at LuAnn Live 2023!

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Other Shows Mentioned:

Sass Says #78: Libby Ward: Depressed or a Hot Mess? Diary of an Honest Mom Talks on Mental Health and Motherhood

The Inner Edit #189: Bryana Kappadakunnel: Content That Cares: How the Conscious Mommy Shows Up Online (and Hopes You Will, Too)

The Inner Edit #190: Renee Reina: Content Creation: What Really Matters

Today With Renee Reina:

Today on The Inner Edit I am with Renee Reina, who joined me in Episode 14 of Sass Says, where we discussed self-reflection and authenticity in motherhood and beyond. You might know Renee from the internet, where she is the mom friend you always wanted. In March of 2020, just days before the Covid lockdowns, Renee finished her PhD in Psychology. Like many of us, she went online, only she was really good at it. Since then, she has gained a huge following on both TikTok and Instagram, and launched the Mom Room podcast, where she hopes to change how people see themselves and motherhood, in her own hilarious way. While Renee is not a clinician, her PhD, training and research all impact the content she creates. Today, Renee and I are digging into what content creation means to her, whether or not being true to a niche is important, the crazy amount of work that actually comes with these mediums, how she handles negative comments, and why it's important to actually enjoy the content you are creating.

Spoiler alert: it's super important. Keep listening, because this is a good one.

Pick It Apart

[4:09] Renee talks about her struggle with niching down.

[12:20] Christie asks Renee about being part of a podcast network and what that means for her.

[17:00] Renee shares her experience with hiring out different tasks.

[22:09] Christie and Renee discuss publically responding to negative comments.

[32:45] Renee shares how her work online impacts her real-life relationships.

[39:00] Christie talks about the gray area that comes with working online and the difference between online community and in-person community.

[52:52] Renee reflects on why she can't put out content just to be performative and why.

Christie Rocha's and Renee Reina's Ah-Ha Moments

"I know what performs on social media when it comes to mom content. But that doesn't feel good to me as a creator to only do that—that doesn't fulfill me. So I had to decide recently to not worry about being niche and just post what I want to post." – Renee Reina "I do notice I don't feel the best when I'm not doing things for myself, like going to yoga and making time for friends and making time for my husband." – Renee Reina "Not only is [content creation] a real job, but there's no rulebook, there's no one way to do it. And because your business is your face, there is a lot of pressure, I think, to say and do the right things." – Christie Rocha "You have to enjoy the content that you're creating. Otherwise, it's not going to last." – Renee Reina

More About Renee Reina

Renee finished her PhD in psychology days before quarantine started. While in quarantine with her toddler she gained a large following on TikTok with her honest mom-related content and started The Mom Room Podcast. The Mom Room presents a no bullshit, real-life image of motherhood that moms can actually relate to and take comfort in. Renee wants moms around the world to feel a sense of empowerment in being a mom. She wants to help moms acknowledge and validate their feelings and inspire moms to start conversations with their partners that they otherwise wouldn't have. She wants to help ease the dreaded mom guilt and put an end to the mom vs. mom shaming. Ultimately, Renee's goal for The Mom Room brand is to normalize the ups and downs of motherhood and change the narrative of what it means to be a mom.

Connect with Renee Reina

Website

Instagram

TikTok

Connect with Christie!

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Join us at LuAnn Live 2023!

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Other Shows Mentioned:

#14: Renee Reina: Self-Reflection and Authenticity in Motherhood and Beyond #69: Marisa Lonic: Key Time Management Steps to Prevent Burnout #180: Jude Charles: Breaking the Silence: Overcoming Burnout and Embracing Wellness

#183: Claire Jefford: Content is Queen: Leverage Video Content That is True To You

Today With Bryana Kappadakunnel:

Today on Sass Says I am joined once again by Bryana Kappadakunnel, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, an Infant-Family Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, and a Perinatal Mental Health Specialist-Certified. Bryana is the owner & voice behind Conscious Mommy where she teaches parents to become the conscious parent they never had. Today, Bryana is here to discuss how she creates content that cares, what that looks like, why that matters, and why she wants others to do the same. Join us as we dig into boundaries, burnout, and being yourself.

Pick It Apart

[1:43] Bryana talks about her journey and how she never intended to grow an audience and community, but she suddenly did.

[9:10] Bryana tells the saga of why she rebranded to Conscious Mommy and what social media means in that.

[21:47] Bryana and Christie discuss the expectation on mental health providers to give information online without charge.

[30:27] Bryana talks about the challenge of social media algorithms, how that can lead to burnout, and what she does to recover from burnout.

[38:05] Christie and Bryana discuss the social responsibility of viral creators and influencers.

[45:20] Bryana emphasizes that she would love to see a cultural shift amongst creators and professionals online that isn't just about views, clicks, and comments but is about taking greater care of the people who are consuming their content.

[47:56] Bryana states that we are all called to be our authentic selves, and explains how she brings her authentic self to her online presence.

Christie Rocha's and Bryana Kappadakunnel's Ah-Ha Moments

"I'm not going to put myself out there in ways that are inauthentic to me, just for clicks, or likes or views. That's just not the life that I personally feel comfortable and confident living." – Bryana Kappadakunnel "Being a creator on a big social media platform, you are owned by that social media company. And you cannot have your business rely on Instagram or Facebook, they need to be avenues to funnel a business but you cannot rely on it. Because in a second, and I mean that literally, it can be completely swept away from you." – Bryana Kappadakunnel "Check your source." – Christie Rocha "Knowing yourself, knowing your values, knowing what you stand for and how you want to show up—that's the most important thing." – Christie Rocha

More About Bryana Kappadakunnel

Bryana Kappadakunnel is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (90464), an Infant-Family Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, and a Perinatal Mental Health Specialist-Certified. She is the owner & voice behind Conscious Mommy where she teaches parents to become the conscious parent they never had. Since 2011, Bryana has worked exclusively with families with very young children to navigate challenges related to child development, behavioral & emotional issues, attachment problems, and trauma. Guided by attachment theory and the neurorelational framework, her approach is unique in that she works primarily with parents by helping them discover their child's nervous system and developmental needs. In this process, parents also learn how to regulate their own triggered reactions and discover more self-control and self-compassion. She also guides parents to develop vital skills in self-reflection & deconstructing familial cycles of guilt and shame, which aims to drastically shift the child-parent relational patterns. Bryana also works with new moms experiencing perinatal mood or anxiety disorders. She uses a conscious- and mindfulness-informed approach to help moms realign their expectations with reality, deconstruct the guilt & shame they're experiencing, and shift into the present moment, where depression and anxiety cannot exist. Bryana has a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology, has been licensed since 2015, and has an extensive number of advanced certifications & specializations in perinatal, infant, and early childhood mental health as well as conscious parenting. She is the mom of 2 young children, and lives with her spouse in Southern California.

Connect with Bryana Kappadakunnel

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Join us at LuAnn Live 2023!

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Other Shows Mentioned:

#109: Bryana Kappadakunnel: Heal the Mother Wound: How This Conscious Mommy Turned Childhood Trauma Into Her Life's Work #125: Meredith Masony: Content Creator Queens Don't Gatekeep…Life Lessons from a 9 Year Veteran #153: Dr. Lexx Brown-James: Strategies for Overcoming Intimacy, Mental Health, and Vulnerability Challenges in Relationships #180: Jude Charles: Breaking the Silence: Overcoming Burnout and Embracing Wellness

Today With Tara Clark:

Today, the creator of Instagram's @modernmomprobs, as well as the author of the book Modern Mom Probs: A Survival Guide for 21st Century Mothers, shares what it means to have creator burnout. It's an easy thing to have, especially as content creators and influencers in this crazy digital world that is constantly changing. But don't worry, there are ways around it.

Pick It Apart

[3:50] Tara explains what she learned to be the difference between influencers and content creators

[7:35] Signs you may be experiencing "Creator Burnout" and what to do about it.

[16:44] The importance of compartmentalizing your personal life versus your professional life.

[21:23] Tara shares the personal boundaries she has for what she shares on social media.

[26:32] What is the level of responsibility of a content creator?

[31:59] Tara explains how she decides when and what to do next.

[47:00] When content creators take, repeat, and re-share other's content.

[55:39] Tara advises staying true to yourself and being proud of what you put out there.

Christie Rocha's and Tara Clark's Ah-Ha Moments

"If you are physically feeling sick when it comes to doing your work, maybe that's when you need to take a step back and take a break," - Tara Clark

"What we need to learn how to do is compartmentalize ourselves as a person versus us in our professional life," - Tara Clark

"Content creators and influencers are people too and need a minute to process certain things, just like anybody else," - Tara Clark

"In regards to pivoting, originally I started this podcast based on what I needed and now I need something different," - Christie Rocha

"If there was one wish I had for social media is that they could take away viewing any metrics, so people could create simply for the love of creating," - Tara Clark

More About Tara Clark

Tara Clark, creator of Instagram's @modernmomprobs, is the author of the book Modern Mom Probs: A Survival Guide for 21st Century Mothers. She presents realistic issues facing modern parents in a humorous, heart-warming light. A frequent guest on podcasts discussing parenting, Tara is the very funny and authentic voice of a generation of modern mothers.

She got her start in social media while working at Nickelodeon, where she oversaw the social media accounts for Nick Jr. and Nick@Nite. Tara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Villanova University and an MBA from Metropolitan College of New York in Media Management. She currently lives in New Jersey with her husband and son.

Connect with Tara Clark

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Instagram

Facebook

X

YouTube

Connect with Christie!

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Join us at LuAnn Live 2023!

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Other Shows Mentioned:

#03 Tara Clark: Heartfelt Advice from the Creator of an Online Village for Modern Moms

#78: Libby Ward: Depressed Or A Hot Mess? Diary Of An Honest Mom Talks On Mental Health And Motherhood

#143: Holly Marie Haynes: Simplify And Scale: The Secrets To Building A Successful Business In 8-10 Hours A Week

#174: Jenna Hermans: Finding Calm In The Chaos: A Guide To Navigating The Ups And Downs Of Parenting And Daily Life

Today With Christie Rocha:

Welcome to The Inner Edit! In this launch episode, Christie will tell us all about her decision to rebrand from Sass Says to The Inner Edit. We will take a deep dive into content creation, the mental health implications of it, and the ethics of our actions in this digital space. We'll also be discussing topics from productivity hacks to burnout to audience growth to the power of personal branding and content creation. So pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and join me for the inaugural episode of The Inner Edit.

Connect with Christie!

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Christie Rocha's and Mary Beth Somich's Ah-Ha Moments

"If you care about someone, it's important to set boundaries with them. Reframe it as, 'boundaries are not scary, they are actually indicative of healthy relationships.'" - Mary Beth Somich

More About Mary Beth Somich

Mary Beth Somich is a licensed therapist with a group private practice located in North Carolina called Your Journey Through. She specializes in family dynamic work and is passionate about promoting modern mental health and making therapy accessible and relatable. She helps other therapists promote their own mental health platforms through expanding their reach on social media and building thriving private practices. We discuss the ethics of social media and being a therapist, the pillars of modern therapy, teen, college aged, and post grad mental health challenges, family dynamics, and enmeshment.

Connect with Mary Beth Somich

Christie's Website

Christie's Instagram: @sasssays

Mary Beth's Website

Mary Beth's Instagram: @yourjourneythrough

Mary Beth's Courses

Mary Beth's Podcast

Ep 98 Maddie Spear

Ep 43 Heather Chauvin

Ep 1012 of Heather Chauvin's podcast - 4 Steps on How to Create Your Next Level Vision

NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

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Today With Meredith Masony:

Today's a Way Back Wednesday! In this episode we revisit our talk with Meredith Masony, founder of That's Inappropriate, online parenting community.

Christie Rocha's and Meredith Masony's Ah-Ha Moments

"Being a mom is one part of what you do, being a wife is one part of what you do…what does Christie want to do? What does Meredith want to do? You're allowed to be you because you have a name and your name is not mom." - Meredith Masony

More About Meredith Masony

Meredith Masony is the founder of That's Inappropriate, an online parenting community with over four million followers across social platforms, where members can talk about the parenting experiences they love, hate, and everything in between. Meredith is a former teacher, and has spoken at women's and social media conferences including Dad 2.0, Mom 2.0, and Start Loving You. She is the author of Scoop the Poop and Ask Me What's for Dinner One More Time. Meredith, Dena Blizzard, and Tiffany Jenkins took their comedy out on the road last year for the My Name is Not Mom live tour. Meredith is married to her best friend Dave, who is now her business partner. They live in Florida with their three children, two dogs…and some new kittens.

Connect with Meredith Masony

Meredith's Website

That's Inappropriate Website

Meredith's Instagram

Meredith's Facebook Community

Connect with Christie!

Website

Join us at LuAnn Live 2023!

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Today With Lindsay Fleming:

Today's a Flashback Friday! In this episode we revisit our talk with Lindsay Fleming, therapist specializing in children, teens and young adults.

Christie Rocha's and Lindsay Flemings Ah-Ha Moments

"There's a lot of misinformation on social media. A lot of people in the field say 'yes, be on social media' and others in the field say 'that's not our place.' My opinion is that people are going to be out there talking about it—we might as well have someone who's licensed in the mix." - Lindsay Fleming

More About Lindsay Fleming

Lindsay Fleming is a therapist specializing in children, teens, and young adults with a focus on anxiety and ADHD. In addition to being a therapist, Lindsay is a mental health advocate with a research-based presence on TikTok. Tune in to hear what she has to say about social media, the struggles teens face, and the importance of countering mental health misinformation.

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Today With Claire Jefford:

Today on Sass Says I am joined by Claire Jefford, an award-winning interior designer, business coach, and video content creator. Claire has done design videos, car karaoke, paint color reviews, and more, but the thing all of Claire's videos have in common is that her personality shines through. Join me as I chat with Claire about video, vulnerability, connection, and opportunity.

Pick It Apart

[0:49] Claire tells Christie about the first video she made for her website in 2011.

[4:35] Christie and Claire discuss why getting started with video can be scary and difficult, but also create valuable connections.

[15:26] Claire explains why it is important to look at the camera like you are speaking directly to your ideal client.

[17:56] Claire talks about the opportunities video content has brought her.

[21:25] Claire and Christie talk about how to handle negative comments from others and how to handle self-sabotage.

[32:47] Claire talks about tech and how great today's phones are at making video content, as well as other resources she loves.

[43:04] Claire explains the important roles of both having a plan and allowing some things to evolve naturally.

Christie Rocha's and Claire Jefford's Ah-Ha Moments

"The connection that you can get via a video versus an email or a blog article…is huge." – Claire Jefford

"There is more than one path to the top of the mountain." – Claire Jefford

"[Creating video content] can feel very isolating…but if you're thinking it and feeling it and experiencing it, there is this very high chance that a lot of other people are too." – Christie Rocha

"You put yourself out there. You become a little vulnerable. You resonate with some people. Things can happen. Yeah, things do happen." – Claire Jefford

More About Claire Jefford

Claire Jefford is a Certified Interior Decorator who began her award-winning firm in 2011. She is proud to be the highest reviewed Design Professional in the Toronto area with over 120 reviews. Claire is also a respected Business Coach within the design industry and developed her signature course for Designers 0-5 years in business, called the Interior Design BOSS Academy.

Voted Top Influencer 3 years running, Claire does speaking engagements, panel discussions & live video broadcasts from various design events across North America. She runs a highly engaged, private Facebook group, Interior Design Business Strategies, with over 6000 design professionals from around the world.

Connect with Claire Jefford

Website

Claire Jefford (Facebook)

Interior Design Business Strategies

Claire Jefford (Instagram)

Coaching

Colour & Design

Claire Jefford (Pinterest)

Connect with Christie!

Website

Join us at LuAnn Live 2023!

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Other Shows Mentioned:

Sass Says #180: Jude Charles: Breaking the Silence: Overcoming Burnout and Embracing Wellness

Sass Says #181: Sandra Funk: A Million Dollar Mindset For Setting Boundaries And Standing In Your Space

AWDB #237: Claire Jefford- How To Get More Clients With Video Content

AWDB #325: Claire Jefford: Create Valuable Content to Sell Through Your Website

AWDB #485: Power Talk Friday: Claire Jefford: Rock the Consult

AWDB #807: Power Talk Friday: Claire Jefford: Interior Design Boss Academy. Why Trust & Experience Matter in Creating a Profitable Business

Other Resources Mentioned:

Gary Vaynerchuk

"It's Corn" kid song on YouTube because my kids play this all the time and I love it ;) but it also has 33M views on YouTube

Inshot app