The Real Connect | A Relationship Podcast for Better Connections

If you keep giving to everyone else without staying connected to yourself, eventually something will start to feel off.

In this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with Patrice Cameau for a real conversation about self-connection, boundaries, motherhood, marriage, solo time, and what it actually looks like to come back to yourself when life keeps pulling you in every direction.

Patrice is a wellness advocate for busy working mothers, a communications expert with over 20 years of experience, and a trailblazing entrepreneur. She is the founder of CAMPspace, one of the first content creation studios designed to help creators and entrepreneurs tell their stories authentically. Today, Patrice focuses on empowering women, especially mothers, to prioritize themselves unapologetically and build lives that support both their ambitions and their well-being.

Patrice opens up about being a wife, a mother of three, and a woman who has learned that staying connected to herself is not selfish; it’s necessary.

From navigating marriage and motherhood to losing herself in the demands of life, closing a business, going to therapy, prioritizing movement, and taking solo trips, this conversation is a reminder that knowing who you are is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.

What You Will Hear About In This Episode:

1. Why staying connected to yourself matters in marriage, motherhood, and everyday life

2. What “losing yourself” can actually look like and how to recognize it before it goes too far

3. Why boundaries, solitude, and self-care are not selfish

4. How stress, anxiety, and emotional overload can begin to show up in the body

5. The role movement, therapy, and routine can play in healing and recentering yourself

6. Why solo time and solo travel can be powerful tools for self-connection

7. How knowing yourself better helps you show up more fully in every other relationship

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, disconnected from yourself, or like life has been asking more from you than you’ve had space to give, this episode is for you.

🔗 Watch, subscribe, and share this episode.

Connect with Patrice Cameau: https://www.patricecameau.com/

Connect with Patrice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricecameau/

Connect with Tamika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp

Join The Connect (free weekly newsletter): https://www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter

Visit Tamika’s website: https://www.tamikacarlton.com

00:00 Podcast Welcome and Patience

02:07 DMV Roots and Beach Dreams

04:38 Marriage Growth and Two Worlds

07:23 Motherhood and Losing Yourself

11:10 Turning 40 and Doing the Work

13:38 Therapy and Letting Go

14:33 Closing CAMPspace

19:39 Options Boundaries and Routines

26:43 Solo Trips and Recharging

31:25 Is It Selfish

43:56 Family Lessons And Parenting

50:50 Speed Round And Farewell

#TheRealConnect #SelfCare #Boundaries #Motherhood #HealingJourney #WomenAndWellness #SoloTravel #SelfConnection

Quick reality check: your next opportunity might be inside the person you negatively judged in just 3 seconds.

In this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with the infamous crew, Logan and Vincent Tobias Bell, for a real conversation about the “judgy judge” world: how people assess you off your clothes, your voice, your background, your job title… before they ever learn your heart.

The crew reflects on childhood, what it feels like to be the “different” one in the room, and how judgment can quietly silence people before they ever get the chance to fully show up.

They also talk about how that silence can block growth, connection, and opportunity. From being labeled a nerd, to navigating identity, to feeling the side-eye in unfamiliar spaces, this conversation is a reminder that many of the most impactful people you’ll ever meet may not look like who you expected them to be.

Here’s the truth we keep coming back to:

Judgment is expensive. It costs you relationships, experiences, and access.

From cultural travel experiences and counter-culture lifestyles to navigating appearance-driven industries and using your voice even when you know people will judge you, this episode dives into what it really means to see people beyond the surface. If you keep judging the shell, you’ll miss the soul.

What You Will Hear About:

1. Why judgment often starts in childhood and follows us into adulthood.

2. What it feels like to know you’re being judged, even when nobody says it out loud.

3. Why “everybody judges” and how to stop letting that reality control you.

4. How fear of being judged can quietly block friendships and experiences.

5. Navigating appearance-driven industries while staying authentic.

6. Why money, intelligence, and opportunity rarely look the way people assume.

7. How to train yourself to see beyond first impressions: play the long game, dive deeper, ask better questions.

If you’ve ever felt overlooked, misunderstood, or judged before you even spoke, or if you’re ready to stop doing that to other people, this episode is for you.

🔗 Watch, subscribe, and share this episode.

Connect with Vincent Tobias Bell on Instagram: https://instagram.com/vincenttobiasbell

Connect with Tamika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp

Join The Connect (free weekly newsletter): https://www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter

Visit Tamika’s website: https://www.tamikacarlton.com

00:00 Why We Judge

00:35 Meet The Crew

02:15 Logan’s Childhood Lessons

04:16 Vincent Coming Out

05:28 Everyone’s Judging

06:18 Travel And Culture Clash

09:13 Beauty Without Judgment

11:06 Finding Your Voice

14:28 Logan Speaks Up Anyway

17:27 Vincent Truth Mode

19:17 Handling Judgment

20:25 Judgment Is Projection

21:18 Roots And Perspective

21:54 Stop Judging by Appearances

22:36 Everyone Brings Value

23:25 Status Culture in DC

24:23 Atlanta Dating and Transactional Vibes

25:33 Finding the Counterculture

26:55 Different Experiences and Travel

29:50 Why People Judge and Conform

30:34 Letting Go of Others' Opinions

33:29 Train Past First Impressions

36:50 Speed Round Judgments

39:10 Final Takeaway: Do Better

#RealConnection #TheRealConnect #HumanConnection #StopJudging #EmotionalIntelligence #AuthenticConversations #DeepConversations #PodcastConversations

Have you ever wondered if the wedding is getting more attention than the marriage?

Eloping used to sound like “run to the courthouse in secret”… but in this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with Kate Okenatez-Mahoney, founder of Soul and Sky Weddings, to flip that whole narrative. Kate specializes in adventure elopements—think Alaska glaciers, mountaintops, national parks, and even cliffside ceremonies that require rock climbing to reach.

This conversation is about intention, boundaries, and choosing a love story that feels like yours (not your aunt’s, not your mom’s, not Instagram’s).

Kate breaks down what modern elopements actually look like, how couples navigate family pressure, why private vows can be a game-changer, and the mindset shift that turns “we can’t” into “we just have to turn a little bit.”

What You Will Hear About:

1. What a “modern elopement” really is.

2. Why Kate believes eloping is often a more intentional way to marry.

3. The real difference between planning a wedding for others vs. designing an experience for your relationship.

4. How couples handle family opinions, guilt, and boundaries.

5. Multi-day elopements: family day vs. private vow day.

6. Kate’s “villain origin story.”

7. Why Alaska is the ultimate elopement backdrop.

8. The “True North” planning exercise

9. Why “extraordinary” matters, and why you don’t have time to settle on your day.

If you’re anticipating the strife of wedding planning or thinking about eloping, or feeling pulled between what you want and what everyone expects, this episode is for you.

🔗 Watch, subscribe, and share this episode if you’re trying to love better, set real boundaries, and stay connected.

Connect with Kate/Soul and Sky Weddings: https://soulandskyweddings.com/

Connect with Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-okenatez-mahoney/

Connect with Kate/Soul and Sky Weddings on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulandskyweddings

Connect with Tamika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp

Join The Connect (free weekly newsletter): https://www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter

Visit Tamika’s website: https://www.tamikacarlton.com

00:00 The Essence of Eloping

00:36 Introduction to the Podcast

01:02 Meet Kate: The Adventurous Elopement Photographer

02:55 The True Meaning of Elopement

05:41 Why Alaska?

06:50 The Origin Story: From Traditional to Adventurous

08:23 The Unique Challenges and Joys of Elopements

11:50 Finding the Right Clients

13:52 Creating Memorable Experiences

16:51 Balancing Family Expectations and Personal Desires

20:05 The Importance of Boundaries and Personal Vision

25:15 Elopement and Reception Ideas

26:11 Choosing Between Elopement and Traditional Weddings

27:59 The Importance of Extraordinary Weddings

29:00 Transition from Corporate HR to Photography

31:10 Embracing Change and Adventure

43:39 Speed Round and Final Thoughts

#TheRealConnectPodcast #TamikaCarlton #Elopement #DestinationWedding #MicroWedding #WeddingPlanning #Marriage #RelationshipAdvice

Real Connection Doesn’t Mean “No Conflict”… It Means You Stay on the Same Team

In this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, host Tamika Carlton sits down with Sara Margulis, founder and CEO of Honeyfund (yes, the Shark Tank success story), for a real conversation about what keeps relationships alive when life gets loud. From honeymoon travel and why “shared experiences” are a love language, to boundaries, communication, divorce, and building a company with your spouse.

Sara shares how she and her then-fiancé created Honeyfund from their own wedding dream (hello, Fiji), how Shark Tank changed everything, and the relationship science that helped her reframe conflict: it’s not about being right...btw.

What You Will Hear About:

1. What “heart-centered connection” means and why it’s the difference between conflict and collapse

2. Why couples who travel together often communicate better (and feel like a team again)

3. The #1 thing you can do to stop arguments from going too far

4. Why you can’t be business partners + romantic partners 24/7 (and the boundaries that matter most)

5. How Honeyfund started with one honeymoon dream (Fiji) and turned into a platform for over 100,000 weddings a year

6. Behind the scenes of Shark Tank

7. Divorce, grief, and rebuilding

8. Why “I’m proud of you” isn’t enough

9. Sara's take on love and ambition

🔗 Watch, subscribe, and share this episode if you’re trying to love better, argue cleaner, set real boundaries, and stay connected.

Connect with Sarah Margulis and Honeyfund: https://www.honeyfund.com

Connect with Tamika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp

Join The Connect (free weekly newsletter): https://www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter

Visit Tamika’s website: https://www.tamikacarlton.com

00:00 Introduction to Heart-Centered Relationships

01:26 Welcome to the Real Connect Podcast

01:52 Getting to Know Sara Margulis

02:52 Sarah's Background and Career Path

06:10 The Birth of Honey Fund

09:21 Honey Fund's Growth and Success

17:23 Shark Tank Experience

26:20 Challenges and Personal Struggles

29:54 Navigating Business and Personal Life Post-Divorce

30:41 The Impact of the Pandemic on Business

32:10 Raising Funds and Moving Forward

32:52 The Importance of Boundaries

35:40 Balancing Work and Personal Life

38:59 Insights on Relationships and Communication

50:06 Defining Success and Personal Growth

54:32 Speed Round and Final Thoughts

#TheRealConnectPodcast #TamikaCarlton #Relationships #Marriage #Divorce #LoveLanguages #SharkTank #Honeyfund #SaraMargulis

This is for anyone who’s been knocked down by life and decided not just to survive, but to build something meaningful on the other side.

In this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with Nayana (Nay) Ferguson, entrepreneur, national speaker, and the first Black woman co-owner/operator of a tequila brand, Anteel Tequila, for a conversation that’s inspiring, and deeply human.

Nay shares why she moved from Detroit to Atlanta, how Atlanta embraced her vision (including receiving a City of Atlanta proclamation just two weeks after arriving), and how one “couch conversation” turned into a tequila brand that disrupted the industry. The heartbeat of this episode is Nay’s faith in herself—something she traces all the way back to a childhood house fire. That moment became a lifelong anchor.

What You Will Hear About:

1. The childhood fire story that shaped Nay’s identity and faith in herself.

2. Surviving pancreatic cancer and breast cancer, and the mindset that carried her through.

3. The “couch conversation” that sparked Anteel Tequila.

4. Building a business with your spouse.

5. What it means to be a pioneer in the industry and why legacy matters.

🔗 Watch, subscribe, and share this episode if you care about resilience, entrepreneurship, and the kind of connection that reminds you: you’re still here for a reason.

Connect with Nayana Ferguson: https://www.instagram.com/nayanaferguson

Follow Anteel Tequila on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anteeltequilas/

Visit Anteel Tequila's website: https://anteeltequila.com/

Connect with Tamika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp

Join The Connect (free weekly newsletter): https://www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter

Visit Tamika’s website: https://www.tamikacarlton.com

#TheRealConnectPodcast #TamikaCarlton #Entrepreneurship #Resilience #FaithInYourself #Atlanta #TequilaBrand #BlackWomenInBusiness #MarriageAndBusiness #Connection

What does self-care look like when you’re building a career, building a family… and life is still lifing?

In this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with Atlanta powerhouse Lakila Bowden, COO, keynote speaker, and co-founder of Isee Technologies, for a fearless and fruitful conversation.

Lakila breaks down why career success doesn’t have to cost you your health, what alignment really looks like in real life (not just as a buzzword), and how women can give themselves permission to prioritize themselves without guilt.

Lakila also shares her story about leaving corporate on her own terms, building a business with her sister Camille (who is blind and absolutely unstoppable), and navigating one of life’s most emotionally complex seasons with intention, joy, and self-preservation.

This episode is for the woman who’s tired of pouring from an empty cup and ready to build a life that actually feels good.

What You Will Hear About:

1. Why weekends off and real rest are a non-negotiable (and how Tamika protects her peace).

2. The difference between being a “cultural fit” vs. a cultural addition in corporate spaces.

3. What “alignment” actually looks like and how to strengthen your intuition as a decision-making muscle.

4. How Lakila built a company with her sister Camille and why accessibility is about capability, not limitation.

5. Leaving the corporate world at 37 to create financial freedom and moving without fear.

6. The truth about women, burnout, and self-care guilt.

7. Love, partnership, and why her husband is genuinely part of her self-care.

8. Lakila's book: The Sho Nuff Principle: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-shonuff-principle-lakila-bowden/1148372350

🔗 Watch, subscribe, and share this episode if you care about self-care, burnout prevention, women’s wellness, alignment, and the kind of connection that feels like fuzzy socks.

Take the Guilt Detox Quiz: https://app.agolix.com/assessment/28648

Connect with Lakila Bowden on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakilaj/

Follow Lakila on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lakila-bowden-mba-0463272/

Visit Lakila Bowden's website: https://lakilabowden.com/

Connect with Tamika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp

Join The Connect (free weekly newsletter): https://www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter

Visit Tamika’s website: https://www.tamikacarlton.com

00:00 Introduction to Self-Care

01:49 Energy and Positivity

03:08 Career Success and Personal Happiness

03:27 Corporate Challenges and Alignment

08:09 Entrepreneurial Journey

13:26 Preventing Burnout

17:52 HBCU Experience and Personal Growth

20:15 Traveling the World: A Journey of Exposure and Growth

21:19 Family Support and Fearlessness

22:59 Meeting My Husband: A Fearless Love Story

28:45 The Importance of Accessibility and Capability

31:01 Writing and Self-Care: The Show N Principle

32:27 Balancing Joy and Grief: A Personal Story

36:46 Speed Round and Closing Thoughts

#TheRealConnectPodcast #TamikaCarlton #SelfCare #BurnoutPrevention #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #CorporateToEntrepreneur #LakilaBowden

This is for anyone who’s ever eaten something so good it felt like a memory and a hug at the same time because food isn’t just food, it’s connection.

In this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with Top Chef Season 22 winner and Afro-Caribbean chef Tristen Epps for a conversation that goes way beyond the show. Tristen shares one of the most powerful compliments a chef can receive: not “this is delicious,” but “I’ve never felt so seen eating your food.” Tristen opens up about growing up as a military kid, moving 18 times, and learning how to adapt to new cultures across the U.S., Japan, the Philippines, Guam, and beyond. This conversation is equal parts thoughtful, funny, and grounding. Tristen breaks down the four reasons he cooks, why nostalgia and culture matter, what post-Top Chef life has been like, and how food can bridge people across backgrounds. This is a real one about connection, identity, culture, and the power of being seen.

What You Will Hear About:

1. Why the greatest compliment is “I’ve never felt so seen eating your food.”

2. How Tristen’s Afro-Caribbean roots and global travel shaped his cooking.

3. The four reasons he cooks: deliciousness, nostalgia, the “aha” moment, and feeling seen.

4. What Tristen learned from living in Japan, the Philippines, and across the U.S.

5. How culture impacts belonging, friendship, and the way we connect.

6. Why people struggle to connect in new environments and how to adapt without losing yourself.

7. What life is like after Top Chef, private dinners, sold-out events, and building a platform with purpose.

🔗 Watch, subscribe, and share this episode if you care about culture, food, and the kind of connection that makes people feel seen.

Connect with Tristen Epps on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheftristenepps/ or visit his website: https://www.eppsandflows.com/

Connect with Tamika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp.

Join The Connect—a free weekly newsletter with real insights on everything relationships! https://www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter

Visit Tamika's website: https://www.tamikacarlton.com to stay connected.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections

00:59 Travel and Cultural Experiences

02:22 Post Top Chef Life

03:17 Childhood and Culinary Beginnings

14:41 Top Chef Journey

17:40 Career Reflections and Inspirations

28:56 Celebrating Afro-Caribbean Culture

29:36 The Untold Story of Afro-Caribbean Cuisine

30:02 Connecting Through Food

34:36 The Journey to Top Chef

36:22 Family Support and Sacrifices

39:57 Perseverance Through Loss

43:06 Favorite Dishes and Culinary Inspirations

48:04 Future Plans and Collaborations

51:34 Speed Round: Quickfire Questions

#TheRealConnectPodcast #TamikaCarlton #TristenEpps #TopChef #ChefLife #AfroCaribbeanCuisine #FoodCulture #Friendship

If you are building something, feeling tired, or trying to find your lane without pretending to be someone else, this episode will hit.

In this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with Atlanta real estate closing attorney and TV personality (Ladies Who List), Tiffani Hawes, to talk about what it really takes to build a respected business in an industry that was not designed with you in mind. Tiffani opens up about walking into brokerages as the “little old Black girl” asking for a chance, realizing she did not understand how business was actually won, and then finding her edge through social media by simply being real.

They also talk about the seasons of entrepreneurship, why burnout is often part of season one, and how relationships, consistency, and honesty can become the best strategy for success.

This conversation is equal parts funny, practical, and grounding. Tiffani breaks down why you cannot outsource clarity, how she built a team that actually stays, what it means to lead without control, and how to keep your marriage and family strong while still going after what is yours.

What You Will Hear About:

1. Breaking into a male-dominated industry and learning the real game

2. How Tiffani used social media to build trust, visibility, and consistent referrals

3. The truth about entrepreneurship seasons, burnout, and what the “grind” really looks like

4. Why you cannot hire help until you understand your own problems

5. Leadership, loyalty, and how she keeps long-term employees without micromanaging

6. Marriage, motherhood, and raising self-sufficient kids while building a business

7. Why real connection feels natural, not forced

🔗 Watch, subscribe, and share this episode if you are trying to build something real, stay consistent, and still feel like yourself while doing it. This one is for the people who are tired of pretending and ready to lead with truth.

Connect with Tiffani Hawes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanihawes_closingattorney or visit her website: https://thehaweslawfirm.com/

Connect with Tamika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp.

Join The Connect—a free weekly newsletter with real insights on everything relationships! https://www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter

Visit Tamika's website: https://www.tamikacarlton.com to stay connected.

00:00 Discovering the Power of Social Media

01:19 Navigating the Real Estate Industry

01:40 Life in Atlanta and Personal Background

03:34 Building a Dream Home

08:03 Journey to Becoming a Lawyer

12:04 Entrepreneurship and Business Growth

15:50 Leadership and Team Management

24:52 The Importance of Relationships in Real Estate

26:27 Starting a Law Firm: The Early Struggles

27:33 Embracing Social Media for Business Growth

27:58 Authenticity on Social Media

30:52 Balancing Family and Career

33:27 Raising Independent Kids

39:33 The Reality TV Experience: Ladies Who List

41:35 Maintaining Relationships and Friendships

44:37 Marriage and Longevity

49:55 Speed Round: Fun and Personal Insights

#TheRealConnectPodcast #TamikaCarlton #TiffaniHawes #RealEstate #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #ClosingAttorney #Atlanta #LadiesWhoList

Real connection is about choosing growth, accountability, and peace, even when quitting feels easier.

In this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with Jovon “Q” Quarles. A retired Navy SEAL, public speaker, and cast member on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test for a real conversation about love, leadership, trauma, and the kind of resilience you only earn.

Jovon opens up about finding peace in his relationship with his fiancée. He shares the truth about growing up with a mother struggling with addiction, being raised by a village led by his grandmother, and how that upbringing shaped his trust, dating patterns, and identity as a man.

They also get into the moment Jovon quit during SEAL training. Why he rang the bell, how regret hit instantly, and what it took to come back and graduate not only as a SEAL, but as Honor Graduate—twice. Tamika and Jovon discuss the difference between motivation and inspiration, why humility is required to evolve, and how vulnerability becomes strength when your life is on the line.

What You Will Hear About:

1. Why men often “know she’s the one”

2. How your upbringing can shape attachment, trust, and your life in relationships

3. The moment Jovon quit during Hell Week and what it taught him about regret and resilience

4. What Hell Week is really like (and why most people still have more in the tank than they think)

5. The difference between motivation and inspiration, and how to build a vision that carries you

6. Why humility is the entry point to becoming a better leader (and why celebrities struggle with it on Special Forces)

7. The reality of the SEAL team brotherhood, trust, and responsibility

8. Why vulnerability is a core part of military culture even for the most “emotionally controlled” men

8. Tamika’s challenge to Jovon

9. Jovon’s upcoming book, Why Not Me, and the mindset behind building a life you didn’t grow up with

🔗 Watch, subscribe, and share this episode if it reminded you that relationships still sit at the center of every opportunity.

Connect with Jovon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jovonpquarles

Connect with Tamika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp.

Join The Connect—a free weekly newsletter with real insights on everything relationships! https://www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter

Visit Tamika's: https://www.tamikacarlton.com to stay connected.

00:00 Knowing When She's the One

00:14 Family Struggles and Support

00:34 Military Life and Brotherhood

01:20 Welcome to the Real Connect Podcast

01:53 Life in South Africa and Beyond

04:03 Engagement and Love Story

08:50 Childhood and Upbringing

14:22 Joining the Military

17:02 Navy SEAL Journey

23:13 Hell Week and Overcoming Challenges

28:52 Standing Out in Navy SEAL Training

30:42 Inspiration and Motivation

35:16 Reinventing After Retirement

37:40 Special Forces: World's Toughest Test

42:21 The Importance of Team Camaraderie

45:40 Vulnerability and Emotional Control

52:59 Personal Reflections and Future Goals

56:26 Speed Round and Final Thoughts

#TheRealConnectPodcast #RealConnection #EmotionalResilience #HealthyMasculinity #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipMindset #TamikaCarlton #JovonQQuarles

This is for anyone who has ever been labeled, judged, or misunderstood and still had to show up like nothing was wrong.

In this episode of The Real Connect Podcast, Tamika Carlton sits down with TV personality, writer, and entrepreneur Ashley Silva from OWN’s Love & Marriage: DC. Ashley opens up about growing up in Baltimore near the world of The Wire, becoming a young wife and mom, and what really happens behind the scenes of reality TV when the cameras go down and the comments start rolling in.

She shares candidly about anxiety, suffering in silence, and how writing her book Do That Sht* helped her face her own story. Ashley and Tamika talk about friendship breakups, being labeled “mean” for telling the truth, navigating marriage when your partner is always working, and why so many women lose themselves in the roles they play for everyone else. They also dive into Ashley’s dreams of acting, her love of true crime, and building a beauty brand with her daughter.

What You Will Hear About:

1. Growing up in West Baltimore

2. The cost of being “the honest one” on camera and online

3. Mental health, insomnia, and suffering in silence

4. The story behind Ashley’s book Do That Sht* and what she hopes readers feel

5. Friendship, loyalty, and why she does not play with the word “friend”

6. Big dreams, acting classes, and what is next for Ashley

🔗 Watch, subscribe, and share this episode if you have ever felt misunderstood, mislabeled, or tired of pretending. This one is for the people who are finally ready to be who they really are.

Connect with Ashley Silva on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleybrittney or visit her website: https://ashleybrittneysilva.com/

Connect with Tamika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp.

Join The Connect—a free weekly newsletter with real insights on everything relationships! https://www.tamikacarlton.com/newsletter

Visit Tamika's: https://www.tamikacarlton.com to stay connected.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Struggles

00:46 Welcome to the Real Connect Podcast

01:00 Discussing Sleep and Daily Routine

02:16 The Real Connect Mission and Ashley's Journey

03:05 Life Changes and Reflections

04:01 Growing Up in Baltimore

05:26 Early Love for Entertainment

07:06 Reality TV Experience

10:52 Friendships and Authenticity in Reality TV

11:11 Podcasting and Social Media

15:19 Friendship Dynamics on Reality TV

25:09 Importance of Authentic Friendships

26:51 Writing 'Do That Shit' and Scorpio Energy

29:03 Silent Suffering and Misconceptions

29:34 Breaking the Silence and Finding Balance

30:14 Reflecting on Family and Personal Growth

30:58 Journaling and Relating to Others

31:23 Book Reveal and Reality TV Insights

33:22 Challenges of Reality TV and Personal Growth

36:52 Future Aspirations and Personal Projects

48:41 Balancing Public Life and Mental Health

54:53 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts

#TheRealConnectPodcast #TamikaCarlton #AshleySilva #LoveAndMarriageDC #RealityTV #RealConnections #DoThatShit #FriendshipGoals