The Inside Perspective.

Content note: This episode talks about stress and anxiety and how they show up in your body. This isn't medical advice, just me sharing what I've learned.Has your mind ever gone totally blank right when you needed it? Like somebody asks you something simple and you got nothing? Yeah. Me too. Literally on this episode.So we're taking that moment your stomach drops and following it through your body and your brain: the alarm that goes off before you even think, the orders your brain sends down, the reports your body sends right back up, why your words disappear under stress, and where your body's brake actually is. I share my own stomach drop moment (a grade I really thought I did well on), what helps me come back down, and the one thing I want y'all to try this week.If you're struggling, please call or text 988 in the US, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Wherever you are, findahelpline.com can point you to support near you.Sources• 3:22 Harvard Health Publishing. Understanding the stress response. Updated 2024.• 18:06 Chu B, et al. Physiology, Stress Reaction. StatPearls, 2024.• 7:39 Wang YB, de Lartigue G, Page AJ. Dissecting the role of subtypes of gastrointestinal vagal afferents. Frontiers in Physiology, 2020.• 10:05 Barrett LF, Simmons WK. Interoceptive predictions in the brain. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2015.• 12:56 Arnsten AFT. Stress signalling pathways that impair prefrontal cortex structure and function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2009.• 16:16 McEwen BS. Central effects of stress hormones in health and disease. European Journal of Pharmacology, 2008.• 20:36 National Institute of Mental Health. I'm So Stressed Out! Fact Sheet.• 21:47 Laborde S, et al. Effects of voluntary slow breathing on heart rate and heart rate variability. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 2022.• 21:56 Bae D, et al. Increased exhalation to inhalation ratio during breathing enhances high-frequency heart rate variability in healthy adults. Psychophysiology, 2021.• 21:56 Meehan ZM, Shaffer F. Do longer exhalations increase HRV during slow-paced breathing? Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 2024.insideperspective.org · @theinsideperspective#theinsideperspective #stress #anxiety #nervoussystem #mentalhealth 0:00 When your mind goes blank1:09 Your stomach drop moment1:58 Where you felt it first3:17 The alarm in your brain4:41 Adrenaline and cortisol7:04 Your body talks back8:34 A body check with me10:00 Your brain is guessing12:07 Why your words disappear16:10 When stress never lets up18:03 Finding your brake20:29 Signs your body is stuck21:42 Slow your breathing22:00 Back to your moment

ApparentLiy; I have a podcast. After a long break, The Inside Perspective is back, and so am I.In this Season 3 premiere, I get honest about where I've been: a year that started with functional depression and not wanting to be here anymore, and the weekly therapy, EMDR, movement, and journaling that helped me find my way back. I share the moment in Kenya that stays with me most, my new chapter in the DMV, and the real reason TiP came back now. Suicide rates in the Black community are rising, and I believe the more we understand ourselves, the less alone we feel.This season is about learning to take care of yourself, out loud. Coming up: stress and the nervous system, anxiety and depression, PMDD and the menstrual cycle, building self-confidence, and working out as a form of care.Content note: This episode discusses depression and suicidal thoughts. If you're struggling, you don't have to hold it alone. In the US, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Outside the US, find a local helpline at findahelpline.com. If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. Looking for a therapist? Therapy for Black Girls and Therapy for Black Men both offer directories.Sources mentioned in this episode:Capital B News: Young Black men are now dying by suicide at a historic ratehttps://capitalbnews.org/young-black-...Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health: Suicide Rates Among Black Women and Girls Have Climbed for Two Decadeshttps://www.publichealth.columbia.edu...Chapters:0:00 Content note0:30 Welcome back, insiders1:10 Early 20253:02 Choosing change3:44 Therapy and EMDR5:47 What helped me7:33 Finding the right therapy for you9:18 A month in Kenya10:52 The moment that stays with me13:22 New city, new chapter14:38 Why TiP is back15:12 The numbers16:25 Season 3: I'm learning to take care of myself17:04 Coming up this season18:25 Thank you, insidersWelcome back, insiders. Try not to hold everything in. At least journal.

Self-care is essential, but what happens when treating yourself turns into overspending? In this episode of The Inside Perspective, we’re tackling a topic many of us face: finding the balance between indulging in self-care and staying financially healthy.

This week, try one free self-care ritual—whether it’s a walk in nature, a journaling session, or simply taking time to breathe. Let me know how it works for you in the comments!

Watch the video on YouTube! @ The Inside Perspective. Podcast

In this episode of The Inside Perspective., we explore the essential topics every financial novice needs to understand: income versus expenses, smart financial management, the basics of retirement investment, and the importance of saving accounts. Whether you're just starting on your financial journey or looking to refine your money management skills, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Key Topics:

Income vs. Expenses

I break down the crucial concept of income versus expenses. Learn how to analyze your monthly cash flow, identify unnecessary expenditures, and make informed decisions to ensure your income works for you rather than against you.

Mastering Finances

Discover practical tips on budget creation and financial discipline. I discuss the significance of tracking your spending habits and how a simple budget can transform your financial landscape.

Retirement Investment Basics

Planning for the future is essential, and we simplify the intimidating world of retirement investments. From understanding 401(k)s to exploring IRA options, we provide you with the foundational knowledge to plan for a secure retirement today.

Saving Accounts Explained

I highlight the importance of saving accounts and how they can act as a financial safety net. Learn about different types of savings accounts, their benefits, and strategies for maximizing your savings potential.

Tune in to better understand how to manage your money wisely. Whether you aim to build a robust financial foundation or are eager to optimize your resources for the future, this episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to take charge of their economic destiny. Subscribe to "The Inside Perspective" on your favorite podcast platform, and remember to leave a comment. 

Get ready for a deep dive into the world of self-care with The Inside Perspective! Today, we’re talking about how to take care of your hair, skin, and soul. We’ll be exploring holistic practices that can help you feel better and prevent burnout in our crazy, fast-paced world. We’ll start with hair care, where we’ll learn how to keep your locks healthy and how to use them as a way to connect with your roots and your identity. Then, we’ll move on to skincare, where we’ll discover routines that are perfect for winding down. We’ll be using natural ingredients that will make your skin glow and help it stay strong. And finally, we’ll wrap things up with some mindfulness techniques and spiritual exercises that can help you stay centered and balanced, even when life gets tough. So, grab a cup of tea, sit back, and let’s get started!

In this episode, I overview how Mental Health intersects with Adulting. What challenges do we face when transitioning into adulthood, and how can mental health affect careers, relationships, and self-worth?

Those early mornings sucked, bro lol, but those were the moments where I was able to discover parts of myself that were hidden. I wanted to know the most authentic and favorite version of myself, not the product of the environments I've experienced. I nonjudgmentally questioned my thoughts, actions, and behaviors. And ask myself, is this who I am to be? Anything that didn't align was removed, and it hurt more than it felt good at the time. But now, I can see and feel the payoff.

In this riveting episode of The Inside Perspective, I open up about my recent journey with autism/neurodivergence and the transformative power of self-reflection in nurturing non-judgmental self-support. As I navigated my daily life, I found myself increasingly grappling with irritability and frustration, struggling to recognize the person I once knew. This realization prompted me to seek more substantial support.

One technique that has been instrumental in helping me avoid self-judgment is simply listening. I allowed the various voices in my mind to speak freely and then transcribed their words. Upon reflection, I often discovered that these voices did not belong to me. This process has been incredibly enlightening, uncovering a deeper understanding of my inner thoughts and feelings.