What if the recognition you're seeking isn't waiting on a stage somewhere, but right here in your own hands?

Recognition isn't just a trophy on your shelf—it's a form of rest. That sacred breath between survival and becoming. After four years of podcasting through empty seasons, echoing rooms, and uncertain words, I decided to give myself the damn award. No permission needed, no red carpet required. And it wasn't just celebration—it was interruption of an unhealthy cycle.

We often push ourselves far beyond reasonable limits, only acknowledging our need for rest when we're already operating in crisis mode. As the wise Olivia Pope once said, "By the time you realize you're in crisis, it's already too late." This raw, celebratory episode explores what happens when we honor our journey before burnout forces us to pause. When we recognize that the work behind the work—the showing up, the consistency, the vulnerability—deserves celebration too.

You don't need panels of judges or viral success to determine your worth. The honest admission that you're doing your best is enough reason to celebrate. Whether it's taking yourself out for sushi, writing your own acceptance speech (thanking coffee and "Beyoncé's internet"), or simply pausing to acknowledge how far you've come—these moments of self-recognition aren't self-indulgent; they're self-preserving.

Take this as your accountability partner's nudge: stop waiting for permission to slow down. Celebrate your journey not because you've finally done enough, but because you are already enough. Share this message with someone who deserves to celebrate themselves too, and stay tuned for a new season of Time for Tea with Makita coming soon, plus No One Acts dropping this fall with stories that shift your soul.

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Ever wonder what happens when a perfectionist Capricorn decides to get vulnerable behind the mic? That's exactly what unfolds in this special Q&A episode, where I finally answer your burning questions about the woman behind Time for Tea.

You've been filling my DMs and inbox with questions that go beyond self-care tips and growth strategies—you want to know about ME. Am I always this calm and collected? (Spoiler: absolutely not.) How do I balance podcasting with work and family life? Where do my ideas come from? Do I ever feel insecure doing solo episodes? I'm tackling it all with complete honesty.

Whether you've been with me for four years or just joined the conversation, I'm deeply honored to have you in this space. This mini-series continues next week with more behind-the-scenes insights and honest reflections. Have questions of your own? Send them my way—your curiosity might spark the next Q&A episode!

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Have you ever wondered what really happens behind the mic of your favorite independent podcasts? The truth might surprise you.

Welcome to a rare, unfiltered glimpse behind the curtain of Thym 4 Tea with Mikita. In this intimate first episode of my mini-series, I'm spilling all the tea about what podcasting looks like when there's no production team, no fancy studio, and absolutely no playbook: just me, a microphone, and a mission.

From choosing themes based on what genuinely tugs at my heart rather than chasing trends, to the vulnerable moments of sitting with headphones on, wondering "Does anyone even care what I'm saying?" – this journey has been anything but smooth. I share the technical nightmares (yes, I once forgot to hit record after a brilliant 30-minute conversation), the emotional rollercoaster of almost quitting multiple times, and the unexpected joy of having strangers yell "Is it time for tea?" across a store.

The podcast world often glamorizes the process, but the reality involves constant learning curves, battling insecurities, and figuring out how to create quality content without formal training or experience. Yet within these challenges lies the true magic: hitting publish on something you almost talked yourself out of, then hearing from someone who needed exactly those words.

Whether you're considering starting your creative endeavor or simply curious about the person behind the mic you listen to, this raw conversation offers a refreshing dose of reality paired with genuine encouragement. Remember, you don't need perfection to begin – you just need to start. And when you feel like quitting, ask yourself why. The answer might just bring you back home to yourself.

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In this deeply personal season finale, Mikita reflects on the unscripted, raw journey of this season of Thym 4 Tea with Mikita. From navigating grief and rest to reclaiming identity and power, this episode is a love letter to listeners who’ve shown up through the messy middle. Mikita shares a powerful poem, announces an exciting new podcast, No One Asked, launching in Fall 2025, and teases a summer mini-series and a bold new season of Thym 4 Tea in Spring 2026.

• Key Moments:
  • Poem: “There’s a fire inside you… You remembered your roots.”
  • Reflections on the season’s unpolished, authentic conversations about grief, rest, and letting go.
  • Discussion on balancing masculine and feminine energies in self-care and growth.
  • Encouragement to embrace the “messy middle” and recognize personal growth in small, quiet moments.
  • Announcement: New podcast No One Asked will dive into overlooked stories and erased histories, launching Fall 2025.
  • Teaser: A summer mini-series and a reinvented Time for Tea season in Spring 2026, focusing on bold reinvention and guest-driven stories.
• Call to Action:
  • Subscribe to Thym 4 Tea with Mikita on your favorite platform.
  • Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
  • Stay tuned for the summer mini-series and No One Asked in Fall 2025.
• Connect:
  • Follow on social media: @mikitasmith_ 
  • Visit the website: beautifully-unbalanced.com

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This guided meditation invites you to come home to yourself, offering a quiet space to ground your energy when life feels overwhelming.

• Taking time for yourself doesn't require anything fancy—just a few minutes and willingness to be present
• Guided breathing exercise helps anchor you to the present moment
• Letting thoughts pass like clouds while returning focus to your breath
• Permission to hit pause anytime without needing anyone's approval
• The simple act of returning to yourself is returning to your power

Check out our episode titled "Letting Go Finding Inner Peace" which pairs beautifully with today's meditation.

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We’ve been sold a version of self-care that looks good on Instagram—but often leaves us feeling even more burnt out.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what self-care really means, what it absolutely isn’t, and why so many of us confuse survival mode with restoration. Spoiler alert: if your “self-care” still leaves you exhausted, it’s not care—it’s another performance.

We’ll unpack:

• Why self-care is rooted in feminine energy, not hustle
• How to stop using bubble baths to bandage burnout
• The subtle difference between self-preservation and self-nourishment
• And 4 ways to bring intentional, honest self-care into your everyday life

This isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence.
 Because when you learn to care for yourself from a place of wholeness (not pressure), everything shifts.

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In this heartfelt follow-up to one of my most listened-to episodes, we go deeper—because letting go is just the beginning.

Today, we’re unpacking the power of presence, the weight of unspoken expectations, and the courage it takes to ask for help and actually receive it. If you’ve ever questioned your worth when you're not busy, productive, or the “strong one” for everyone else… this episode is for you.

You’ll hear truths about:

• The guilt we carry after asking for help
• Why rest feels like rebellion in a hustle culture
• How to trust your impact even when no one says “thank you”
• And how you’ve been seen and valued in ways you never realized

You were never invisible—you were just growing in the quiet.

✍🏾 Show Notes:

In this episode, we explore:

• [02:40] The pause after letting go—and why it’s necessary
• [07:05] The truth about asking for help and the shame we hide
• [12:25] Why rest still feels like failure and how to shift that narrative
• [17:45] What quiet impact really looks like in real life
• [21:30] How to rewrite your relationship with self-worth, support, and silence

✨ Reflection Questions:

1. Where in your life are you still afraid to ask for help?
2. What does rest look like for you—and what beliefs are tied to it?
3. Can you name one moment when your presence made a difference, even if it went unacknowledged?

💬 Let’s Stay Connected:
DM me your favorite takeaway from this episode @makitasmith_ on Instagram
Or share the episode and tag me—because your quiet impact might be someone else’s breakthrough. 

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In this episode of Thym 4 Tea with Mikita, we’re unpacking what happens when we stop labeling ourselves as "overwhelmed," "anxious," or "depressed"—and start getting real about what we’re actually feeling. Mikita shares how storytelling, emotional vocabulary, and tiny daily actions create space for healing, connection, and growth. With vulnerability and warmth, she walks us through her own journey of anxiety, imposter syndrome, and rediscovery, proving that wellness isn’t a one-size-fits-all path—it’s personal, portable, and rooted in truth.

💡 Show Notes:

• 🎧 Why the labels we use (like “stressed” or “burnt out”) might be holding us back
• 📚 A powerful quote by Brené Brown and what it really means for healing
• 📊 Shocking wellness stats (6.8 trillion market!)—and why that doesn't mean we're okay
• 🧠 Why emotional vocabulary is the missing link in most wellness advice
• ✨ Mikita’s personal story of anxiety, breathwork, and discovering the root emotion
• 🛠️ Actionable tips for claiming micro-moments for self-care
• 🧘🏽‍♀️ Simple practices you can start today: Box breathing, journaling, naming emotions
• 💬 The real impact of saying, “I feel stretched thin” instead of just “I’m overwhelmed”
• 🙌 A community call to try one small practice this week—DM me on IG @mikitasmith_ 

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In this inspiring episode, host Makita welcomes Dr. Jan Schwartz, an award-winning author, speaker, and expert in criminology, forensic behavior science, and homeland security. Dr. Schwartz shares her journey from growing up in a Chicago suburb, surrounded by organized crime and strong community leadership, to becoming a beacon of resilience and hope. She discusses the profound impact of her loving elementary school teachers, who instilled in her a deep sense of care and leadership, and how these experiences shaped her work in white-collar and organized crime investigations. Dr. Schwartz introduces her concept of "authentic intelligence," a blend of mental, emotional, and spiritual gifts that can empower individuals and communities. She also reflects on her best-selling book, Last Summer with Oscar, and her upcoming release, which explores how to harness these gifts to create a meaningful life. With stories of courage, trust, and humility, this episode is a heartfelt exploration of resilience and the power of authentic connection.

• Key Topics Discussed:
  • Dr. Schwartz’s childhood in a Chicago suburb, influenced by organized crime and strong community leadership.
  • The transformative role of her elementary school teachers in fostering resilience and leadership.
  • Her concept of "authentic intelligence" and its role in personal and communal growth.
  • Insights from her book Last Summer with Oscar and her upcoming release on mental, emotional, and spiritual gifts.
  • A powerful story of standing firm during an interrogation by a Fortune 500 chairman and his mafioso associates.
• Books Mentioned:
  • Last Summer with Oscar: A moving story of love, courage, and a dog’s journey with cancer.
  • Upcoming release: Authentic Intelligence: How to Use Your Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Gifts to Create the Life and World You Want.
• Key Takeaway: Dr. Schwartz emphasizes the importance of humility, trust, and feeding our mental, emotional, and spiritual intelligence to live resilient, authentic lives.

Sign up for the Tuesday Tea Newsletter today at BeautifullyUnbalanced.com and elevate your goals to the next level.

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