The WeAreVon Podcast

Heyyyy ya'll back for another week and this time, we are tackling love and what it means, what it doesn't mean, ways you ben pouring into self, and self care.

I'm going to get a bit vulnerable on here too cause, that's just what I do. Get ready for contradictions (yup I change my mind a good amount with the seasons), laughs, and tough truths for single motherhood.

Keywords:

Reciprocity, relationships, love, giving, receiving, emotional connection

Summary:

The conversation delves into the concept of reciprocity in relationships, emphasizing the balance of giving and receiving. I reflect on my personal experiences with love and the challenges of recognizing when a person could be taken advantage of.

Takeaways

• Reciprocity is crucial in relationships.
• A healthy relationship involves both giving and receiving.
• The ideal relationship is based on mutual support.
• Recognizing when one is being taken advantage of is important.
• Understanding how to love properly is a personal journey.
• Emotional connections are built on reciprocity.
• Acknowledging past struggles with love.
• Healthy relationships require awareness and boundaries.
• The balance of giving and receiving fosters deeper connections.
• Personal growth involves learning from past experiences.

• The Power of Reciprocity in Love
• Understanding Emotional Connections

Ya'll this episode has me a lil' hyped cause I'm an "in the moment" kind of gal lol So if my voice seems elevated, its cause IT IS!

In this episode, we gonna reflect on self-confidence, relationships, and the impact of past trauma on self-worth. Drawing from personal experiences and insights from other podcasts, the discussion emphasizes the importance of mental health and the need for a holistic approach to self-acceptance and personal growth.

I will share how past experiences of trauma and societal pressures can affect one's self-image and relationships, highlighting that external changes alone are not sufficient for true self-worth.Key Takeaways

• Self-confidence is deeply influenced by past experiences.
• Attention and validation can be misleading if not rooted in self-worth.
• Physical changes do not guarantee mental or emotional healing.
• It's essential to address mental health alongside physical health.
• Trauma can create lasting impacts on self-perception and relationships.
• Building a foundation of self-love requires more than just external validation.

• Support from loved ones is crucial in the journey of self-acceptance.
• Balance between physical and mental health is vital for overall well-being.
• True empowerment comes from within, not just from external appearances.

Follow the Podcast on IG & Threads @wearevonpod

Youtube: The WeAreVon Podcast

In this episode, Joshua takes us on his journey from growing up in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to finding healing and purpose through music. He opens up about family dynamics, navigating mental health challenges, and the lessons he learned in college about resilience and financial literacy. Joshua also reflects on coping with grief after the loss of loved ones and how music became a powerful outlet for his emotions. Looking forward, he shares his vision for giving back to the community and building his career as a DJ.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• 03:44 – Family dynamics and mental health
• 08:37 – How upbringing shaped his perspective
• 16:35 – The struggles of college life
• 22:13 – Navigating financial literacy and education
• 24:02 – Gatekeeping in education
• 25:52 – Real-world skills vs. traditional education
• 27:48 – Lessons from family on money management
• 31:43 – Coping with grief and loss
• 40:27 – Finding purpose through music
• 41:30 – Future plans and community engagement

Instagram: @wearevonpod

Instagram: @jay.gotto_

Join us in this insightful episode as we sit down with Alexis, also known as Tha Wellness Jawn, to explore her journey from a military background to becoming a wellness advocate.

Alexis shares her personal story of resilience, navigating challenges in the wellness community, and her vision for a community wellness center.

We delve into the complexities of building genuine support networks, the competitive nature among wellness spaces, and the importance of authenticity in wellness.

Tune in to hear Alexis's inspiring journey and her mission to bring real change to the wellness community.

Follow Alexis on IG @THAWELLNESSJAWN

Website
IG: @wearevonpod
YT: The WeAreVon Podcast
Follow us Apple Podcasts & Spotify

In this heartfelt episode, we dive into the emotional rollercoaster of summer, exploring personal growth, tough decisions, and the importance of setting boundaries.

Join us as we reflect on the highs and lows, share insights from therapy, and discuss the power of self-awareness. Plus, get updates on our exciting new wellness events and collaborations with local businesses.

Special shoutout to @thawellnessjawn on IG for her incredible pilates & wellness coaching and to @especialhtx on IG for their stylish apparel.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that encourages you to embrace your journey and connect with our vibrant community.

Don't miss out on this transformative episode! #podcast #wearevon #mentalwellness

In this week’s episode, we dive headfirst into Netflix’s 2025 drama Forever — a Black love story that’s as messy as it is magnetic. Your host, Yvonne, and inner-city Chicago native with a Houston flair, breaks down the emotional rollercoaster between Keisha and Justin through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.

Why does Keisha pull close then push away? What’s behind Justin’s softness and quiet insecurity? And how are their family histories driving their behavior?

We explore:

• ​What IFS is and how it helps us understand our "parts"
• ​Keisha’s Pusher and Protector parts (and that tender exile she don’t want to face)
• ​Justin’s Pleaser part and his need to be needed
• ​Family systems and how generational wounds show up in love
• ​Reflection questions to help you notice your own inner dynamics

If you've ever felt stuck in a push-pull cycle or dated someone who couldn't sit still in love, this episode will feel like looking in the mirror — but with compassion.

Ready to find a therapist who can help you unpack your own inner world? Here are a few trusted directories that center culture, care, and accessibility:

• ​Therapy for Black GirlsCulturally competent therapists for Black women and girls.
• ​Inclusive TherapistsDecolonized, identity-affirming care for marginalized communities.
• ​Open Path CollectiveSliding scale therapy for folks seeking affordable services.
• ​Psychology TodayWide-ranging directory — use filters to find someone aligned with your needs.
• ​Mental Health MatchMatches you to therapists based on your preferences, like dating but for healing.

Did you see your own parts in Keisha or Justin? What family scripts are still playing out in your love life?

• ​DM me on IG or drop a comment
• ​Follow on IG & Threads ⁠@wearevonpod⁠
• ​YT: ⁠The WeAreVon Podcast⁠

Mental Health Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health challenges, help is available. Please reach out to a mental health professional or contact a support hotline.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

• ​ Text "HELLO" to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Support the Show:

Love what you heard? Leave a review and share with your people

In this soul-stirring episode, we sit down with Erin LCPC,LPC from Maryland who keeps it real about what it actually takes to find the right therapist.

Spoiler alert: you gotta date around! Just like in relationships, it takes a few tries to find someone who truly gets you — your story, your culture, your neurotype, your everything.

Our guest doesn’t just talk the talk. They show up boldly for the LGBTQIA+ community, BIPOC folks, and Neurodivergent clients by creating affirming spaces where nuance, safety, and truth can live. We unpack what that advocacy looks like in the therapy room and in the world beyond.

We also pull back the curtain on their journey to becoming a therapist — the twists, turns, and hard-earned lessons.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Why “dating your therapist” is a must for your mental health journey
• How this LCPC creates space for marginalized voices in therapy
• The beauty of serving LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and Neurodivergent clients
• Personal stories from the path to becoming a licensed therapist
• Encouragement for future clinicians

Things to Remember:

• Therapy ain’t one-size-fits-all. You have every right to shop around until it feels right.
• Being a safe space isn’t just about words — it’s about embodiment, humility, and deep listening.
• You don’t have to shrink yourself to sit in the therapist’s chair or lay on the couch.

Links & Resources:

Guest: Erin Nkele founder of Melanated Wellness LLC

Email: [email protected]

Find a therapist who gets you:

• Psychology Today
• Therapy for Black Girls

Follow on IG & Threads @wearevonpod

YT: The WeAreVon Podcast

Mental Health Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health challenges, help is available. Please reach out to a mental health professional or contact a support hotline.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

• Text "HELLO" to 741741 to connect with a trained

crisis counselor.

Support the Show:

Love what you heard? Leave a review and share with your people

From the early mic checks to chicken plates at JJ’s, this episode is a whole full-circle moment. I link back up with one of my very first guests to chop it up over crispy chicken with mild sauce, fries, and real convo. We get into his evolving relationship with God, navigating love, and staying grounded in his mental health. He opens up about cutting out distractions, protecting his peace, and minding the business that pays him.

It’s soulful, it’s honest, and it’s a reminder that growth don’t always have to be loud—sometimes it’s just consistent.

Brought to you by good food, good faith, and good convo.

Follow on IG & Threads @wearevonpod

YT: The WeAreVon Podcast

Mental Health Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health challenges, help is available. Please reach out to a mental health professional or contact a support hotline.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

• Text "HELLO" to 741741 to connect with a trained

crisis counselor.

In this intimate solo episode, I slow it all the way down and tap in with y’all—no guests, just me and the mic, reflecting on where I am right now.

I open up about the realness searching for your identity mid 30's—how it humbles you and grounds you in ways you never imagined. I talk about how I’ve been feeling as a mom lately, and what it’s teaching me about identity and presence.

Then I shift gears into something that’s been sitting heavy on my spirit—people-pleasing. I get real about the ways I’ve shown up in past relationships, the masks I wore, and how I’m finally seeing the difference between making it work and forcing it to fit. I also share what it feels like to revisit those relationships in my mind, wondering if I could’ve done something different... even when I know deep down it was toxic.

This one’s for anyone who's learning to stop abandoning themselves for the comfort of others.
For anyone still untangling love from survival.
For the healers who are still healing.

Let’s check in—together.

Follow on IG & Threads @wearevonpod

YouTube: The WeAreVon Podcast

Mental Health Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health challenges, help is available. Please reach out to a mental health professional or contact a support hotline.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

• Text "HELLO" to 741741 to connect with a trained

crisis counselor.

In this radiant episode of The WeAreVon Podcast, we’re talking all about dreams. The kind that keep you up at night, the kind that stir your soul, and the kind that demand your boldest, loudest ambition. Yvonne sits down with the fearless and fabulous Setheeiona (@instabeautyyy__), a woman who’s not just dreaming. She’s doing.

From vision boards to real-life breakthroughs, we get into what it truly means to bet on yourself, stay ten toes down in your purpose, and silence the noise that says “you can’t.” Because guess what? You can, and you will.

Whether you're grinding through your 9 to 5 or building something from scratch, this episode is your permission slip to think big, move bold, and manifest loudly. Around here, ambition isn’t just a word. It’s a lifestyle.

What You'll Hear:

• How to stay rooted while reaching for the stars

• Why fear is a sign you’re headed in the right direction

• The power of intentional community

• Real talk on rejection, redirection, and resilience

• Gems from Setheeiona’s personal journey of rising and thriving

Connect with Our Guest:
Follow Setheeiona on Instagram: @instabeautyyy__

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or the podcast. The content shared is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. Listener discretion is advised.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Instagram: @wearevonpod
YouTube & Facebook: The WeAreVon Podcast