Emotional intelligence is for everyone. But, it only works when you work it. Emotional intelligence (EQ) isn’t just about managing feelings—it’s about thriving in life, love, and leadership. In this episode, Alechia and Dani unpack the five components of EQ—self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills—while sharing the real-life lessons many of us grew up with (“stop crying before I give you something to cry about”) and the lasting damage of words that cut deeper than sticks and stones.

You’ll learn why avoiding your triggers makes you fragile, how to use values over moods when making decisions, and practical tools to grow your EQ—like naming your emotions, reframing challenges, and practicing active listening.

In This Episode We Dive Into:

• Why self-awareness is the foundation of all emotional growth.

• How avoiding triggers keeps us weak, and why exposure (like emotional immunotherapy) builds resilience.

• The truth about “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” and the invisible bones words actually break.

• Why EQ is for everyone—and how to start strengthening it today.

🔗 Join the Thrive Tribe Community: https://bit.ly/jtncommunity🎧 Listen to more episodes:  http://apple.co/2M79Od7 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @alechiareese + @thedanibourdeau💬 DM us your favorite takeaway from this episode!

Triggered AF Podcast is where healing, self-mastery, and bold conversations collide. Hosts Alechia Reese & Dani Bourdeau unpack triggers, patterns, and strategies to thrive emotionally, mentally, and professionally.

Triggered AF Podcast is produced by Triggered Media Group.

Are you chasing approval at the expense of your own peace? In this episode of the Triggered AF Podcast, we’re joined by powerhouse executive coach and emotional intelligence expert Christina Howard, who’s guiding us through what she calls a Validation Detox.

After years of leading at the executive level for major corporations like Target, Ross, and ClubMed, and now coaching high-achieving leaders and CEOs of 9-figure organizations, Christina knows firsthand how easy it is to get hooked on external validation. She shares how to break free from the cycle, reclaim your power, and own your truth unapologetically.

In This Episode We Dive Into:

• Why it’s critical for leaders, visionaries, and anyone seeking inner peace to release the need for validation.

• How to spot when you’re chasing validation instead of living authentically.

• The role of emotional intelligence in creating self-awareness, self-acceptance, and healthier relationships at work and at home.

• How leaders can create meaningful environments where people feel seen, heard, and truly valued.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re not enough unless someone else says so, this episode will help you detox from that need and step fully into your truth.

🔗 Join the Thrive Tribe Community: https://bit.ly/jtncommunity🎧 Listen to more episodes:  http://apple.co/2M79Od7 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @alechiareese + @thedanibourdeau💬 DM us your favorite takeaway from this episode!

Christina Howard 📲 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-howard/ 🔗 Website: https://connectedec.com

Triggered AF Podcast is where healing, self-mastery, and bold conversations collide. Hosts Alechia Reese & Dani Bourdeau unpack triggers, patterns, and strategies to thrive emotionally, mentally, and professionally.

Triggered AF Podcast is produced by Triggered Media Group.

The best way to reclaim your power and rebuild your life now requires owning the mindset shifts and small actions that create lasting change. In this powerful episode of the Triggered AF Podcast, we sit down with author, Notes from a BlackBerry, Julie Barth, a courageous author who has turned her pain into purpose. Julie opens up about surviving an abusive marriage, reclaiming her power, and rebuilding her life with intention. Her story is raw, honest, and a testament to resilience—showing us that it’s never too late to start again.

From the moment her son confronted her with heartbreaking truth, to learning how to take small but consistent actions forward, Julie’s journey is one of bravery, accountability, and radical transformation. Whether you’ve struggled with starting over, felt trapped by fear, or questioned your own worth, this episode will equip you with perspective-shifting truths to help you thrive.

• Why the average woman tries to leave seven times before it’s successful—and what finally pushed Julie to break free

• How taking even the smallest daily actions can build momentum and reclaim your power

• Why losing everything you thought mattered may actually be the path to true freedom

• The difference between surviving for others and choosing to live fully for yourself

• What it means to rebuild your life with intention and self-love

This isn’t just about survival—it’s about building a life worth living. The level of honesty will challenge you to rethink what’s really holding you back. And her resilience will not only inspire  you to rise, but to discover your own—no matter how many times you’ve fallen.

🔗 Join the Thrive Tribe Community: https://bit.ly/jtncommunity🎧 Listen to more episodes:  http://apple.co/2M79Od7 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @alechiareese + @thedanibourdeau💬 DM us your favorite takeaway from this episode!

Julie Barth 📲 Instagram:  @julie_barth_author 🔗 Website: juliebarthauthor.net 

Triggered AF Podcast is where healing, self-mastery, and bold conversations collide. Hosts Alechia Reese & Dani Bourdeau unpack triggers, patterns, and strategies to thrive emotionally, mentally, and professionally.

Triggered AF Podcast is produced by Triggered Media Group.

When it comes to building wealth, most of us were never taught the real rules of the game. In this episode of the Triggered AF Podcast, Ramel Lee, Founder & Managing Partner of RD Lee Capital Partners LLC, joins Alechia Reese & Dani Bourdeau to unpack what it really takes to shift how we see money, ownership, and opportunity.

Ramel doesn’t just talk dollars—he talks strategy, mindset, and the kind of moves that create generational impact.

We dive deep into: 📌 Why Black communities need information even more than capital 📌 How to treat your dollars like employees (and make them work overtime!) 📌 The role of group economics in closing the wealth gap 📌 Ramel’s unexpected journey into the hotel business 📌 Why the way you see money may be holding you back 📌 What it really takes to manage and multiply large sums of money

This isn’t your average money convo—it’s a masterclass in reprogramming how we think about wealth. If you’re ready to stop letting your money sit idle and start building the kind of legacy that lasts, this episode is for you.

https://youtu.be/3Syakxzq_Mw

🔗 Join the Thrive Tribe Community: https://bit.ly/jtncommunity🎧 Listen to more episodes: http://apple.co/2M79Od7 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @alechiareese + @thedanibourdeau💬 DM us your favorite takeaway from this episode!

Ramel Lee 📲 Instagram: @rd_lee_capital_partners   🔗 Company Website: https://www.rdleecp.com/

Triggered AF Podcast is where healing, self-mastery, and bold conversations collide. Hosts Alechia Reese & Dani Bourdeau unpack triggers, patterns, and strategies to thrive emotionally, mentally, and professionally.

Triggered AF Podcast is produced by Triggered Media Group.

When it comes to building wealth, most of us were never taught the real rules of the game. In this episode of the Triggered AF Podcast, Ramel Lee, Founder & Managing Partner of RD Lee Capital Partners LLC, joins Alechia Reese & Dani Bourdeau to unpack what it really takes to shift how we see money, ownership, and opportunity.

Ramel doesn’t just talk dollars—he talks strategy, mindset, and the kind of moves that create generational impact.

We dive deep into: 📌 Why Black communities need information even more than capital 📌 How to treat your dollars like employees (and make them work overtime!) 📌 The role of group economics in closing the wealth gap 📌 Ramel’s unexpected journey into the hotel business 📌 Why the way you see money may be holding you back 📌 What it really takes to manage and multiply large sums of money

This isn’t your average money convo—it’s a masterclass in reprogramming how we think about wealth. If you’re ready to stop letting your money sit idle and start building the kind of legacy that lasts, this episode is for you.

https://youtu.be/3Syakxzq_Mw

🔗 Join the Thrive Tribe Community: https://bit.ly/jtncommunity🎧 Listen to more episodes: http://apple.co/2M79Od7 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @alechiareese + @thedanibourdeau💬 DM us your favorite takeaway from this episode!

Ramel Lee 📲 Instagram: @rd_lee_capital_partners   🔗 Company Website: https://www.rdleecp.com/

Triggered AF Podcast is where healing, self-mastery, and bold conversations collide. Hosts Alechia Reese & Dani Bourdeau unpack triggers, patterns, and strategies to thrive emotionally, mentally, and professionally.

Triggered AF Podcast is produced by Triggered Media Group.

Raising a grandchild after unexpected life changes changes everything! In this powerful episode of the Triggered AF Podcast, author and PR professional Adrienne Marshall and author of "The Accidental Parent: Nurturing Love in Unforeseen Circumstances" joins hosts Alechia Reese & Dani Bourdeau for an honest, eye-opening conversation about parenting through life’s most unexpected turns. Adrienne shares her deeply personal journey of becoming a parent again — with adult children — after her daughter was sent to prison, leaving her to raise her 1-year-old granddaughter.

We dive deep into:

📍 How to feel your feelings without guilt or shame

📍 The importance of honoring your needs as a caregiver

📍 Communicating openly even in the hardest moments

📍 Accepting the help you actually need (and deserve)

📍 Turning unforeseen circumstances into opportunities for deeper love and connection

This isn’t a fluffy conversation — it’s a raw, real discussion that will help you tell your truth, seek support, and navigate challenging seasons with grace and honesty.

Resources & Connect with Us:

🔗 Join the Thrive Tribe Community: https://bit.ly/jtncommunity

🎧 Listen to more episodes: http://apple.co/2M79Od7

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @alechiareese + @thedanibourdeau

💬 DM us your favorite takeaway from this episode!

Connect With Our Guest:

Adrienne Alexander

📲 Instagram: @impromotingyou

🔗 Company Website: www.theipyagency.com

🔗 Personal Website: www.adriennedalexander.com

Triggered AF Podcast is where healing, self-mastery, and bold conversations collide. Hosts Alechia Reese & Dani Bourdeau unpack triggers, patterns, and strategies to thrive emotionally, mentally, and professionally. 

In this powerful episode, we’re joined by luxury bridal designer Andrea Osei to reveal the unfiltered truth about what every bride should do before marriage—but no one talks about.

✨ We’re diving into:

📌 The self-work brides must do to align with their future

📌 How choosing the right partner impacts your destiny

📌 Why shrinking yourself in relationships is a guaranteed recipe for regret

📌 Honoring your legacy while building your future

📌 Andrea's raw journey of setbacks, success, and staying true to her vision

This conversation isn’t just about wedding dresses — it’s about designing a life that fits.

Watch the conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/awfPB-dOX10 

Triggered AF Podcast is where healing, self-mastery, and bold conversations collide. Hosts Alechia Reese & Dani Bourdeau unpack triggers, patterns, and strategies to thrive emotionally, mentally, and professionally.

🔗 Join the Thrive Tribe Community: https://bit.ly/jtncommunity  🎧 Watch more episodes: https://youtube.com/@triggeredafpodcast   📲 Follow us on Instagram: http://instagram.com/alechiareese + http://instagram.com/thedanibourdeau + http://instagram.com/triggeredafpc   💬 DM us your favorite takeaway from this episode!

Connect With Our Guest:

Andrea Osei

📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreaosei/ 

📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreaoseibride/ 

🔗 Website: https://www.andreaosei.com 

Triggered AF Podcast is produced by Triggered Media Group.

It’s not just hair. Did you know, the way you care for your hair is the way you care for yourself. For many Black women, our hair is more than just hair—it’s a reflection of identity, culture, and self-love. In this powerful episode, hosts Alechia and Dani sit down with Adria Marshall, CEO and founder of the clean haircare brand EcoSlay, to unpack the complex relationship Black women have with their hair and how learning to love and nurture it can transform the way we see ourselves.

Adria shares her journey of creating EcoSlay and why using products that are safe, effective, and made with intention matters. She opens up about the emotional weight hair can carry, from societal pressures to personal insecurities, and how changing the way we talk to ourselves—and our hair—can heal more than just our strands.

Alechia and Dani also reveal their own experiences with natural hair, including the struggles, setbacks, and the patience it takes to embrace every stage of the journey. Together, they dive deep into how our inner dialogue often sabotages our self-confidence, and why it’s time to hype ourselves up with the same energy we give to our friends.

📌 Why the relationship Black women have with their hair is deeply tied to self-love

📌 How negative self-talk affects not just confidence, but hair care routines

📌 The importance of patience and grace when dealing with natural hair

📌 Tips for nurturing your hair with intention—inside and out

📌 Why hyping yourself up is just as important as the products you use

✨ Listen and be reminded: the way you care for your hair reflects the way you care for yourself.

Watch the conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ExMGBWmzajs 

SPONSORED BY:

Just Thrive Now Community, visit to learn more: https://stan.store/justthrivenow/p/just-thrive-now-community

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

Adria Marshall

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/iamadriamarshall/

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/ecoslay/

Website | https://ecoslay.com/

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOSTS:

Alechia Reese

Instagram | http://instagram.com/alechiareese

LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/alechiareese

Dani Bourdeau

Instagram | http://instagram.com/thedanibourdeau

RESOURCES:

For more info, visit: http://triggeredafpodcast.com

Like what you're hearing? Follow Triggered AF and share the love!

IG: instagram.com/triggeredafpc

Twitter: twitter.com/triggeredafpc

FB: facebook.com/triggeredafpc

YouTube: youtube.com/channel/@triggeredafpodcast

Triggered AF Podcast is produced by Triggered Media Group.

In this powerful and soul-stirring episode of TriggeredAF, Alechia and Dani sit down with Celebrity Intuitive Life Strategist, Natasha Leath, for a deep conversation about trusting your intuition and honoring your spiritual gifts. Natasha opens up about discovering her divine gift of knowledge as a child and how it has shaped her purpose and practice today. She explains why she doesn’t identify as a psychic and how her insight comes directly from her relationship with God—not mysticism.

Together, they dig into the difference between religion and relationship, unpacking how true spiritual connection often begins when we stop performing and start doing the work. 

Whether you’re curious about how to sharpen your intuition, or step fully into your calling, this episode offers inspiration, validation, and a spiritual nudge toward growth.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Natasha’s journey with the spiritual gift of knowledge from childhood to now

• Why Natasha sees her gift as a connection to God—not fortune-telling

• How to build a relationship with God outside of religious tradition

• The real work of healing and spiritual evolution

• Why many people avoid their gifts out of fear or judgment

• Tools for honing your intuition and recognizing divine downloads

🎧 Press play and share this with your circle.

Watch the conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GXf6Hbu9oP0

SPONSORED BY:

Just Thrive Now Community, visit to learn more: http://justthrivenow.com

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/talktotash922/

Website | https://www.talktotash.com/

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOSTS:

Alechia Reese

Instagram | http://instagram.com/alechiareese

LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/alechiareese

Dani Bourdeau

Instagram | http://instagram.com/thedanibourdeau

RESOURCES:

For more info, visit: http://triggeredafpodcast.com

Like what you're hearing? Follow Triggered AF and share the love!

IG: instagram.com/triggeredafpc

Twitter: twitter.com/triggeredafpc

FB: facebook.com/triggeredafpc

YouTube: youtube.com/channel/@triggeredafpodcast

Triggered AF Podcast is produced by Triggered Media Group.

Welcome back to TriggeredAF! In this powerful Season 12 opener, hosts Alechia and Dani get real about something we all say but rarely do: checking in on your strong friend.

This episode isn’t just talk — it’s a raw, unfiltered example of what it actually looks and sounds like to hold space for someone who seems like they’ve got it all together. Alechia and Dani open up about what’s been heavy on their hearts, the weight of being "the strong one," and how easy it is to miss the signs that someone you love might be breaking inside.

You’ll learn:

📌 How to recognize when your “strong friend” is silently struggling

📌 Practical ways to check in that feel safe, supportive, and non-invasive

📌 What NOT to say when someone finally opens up

📌 Why vulnerability between friends is a two-way street

📌 How to protect your peace while still showing up for others

This is the episode you didn’t know you needed — equal parts emotional release and masterclass in emotional intelligence.

Because being strong doesn’t mean being unbreakable. And sometimes, the strongest ones are the most overlooked.

🎧 Press play and share this with your circle — especially the ones who never ask for help.

Watch the conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tcYdnu0P0Ak 

SPONSORED BY:

Just Thrive Now Community, visit to learn more: http://justthrivenow.com

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOSTS:

Alechia Reese

Instagram | http://instagram.com/alechiareese 

LinkedIn | http://linkedin.com/in/alechiareese 

Dani Bourdeau

Instagram | http://instagram.com/thedanibourdeau

RESOURCES:

For more info, visit: http://triggeredafpodcast.com 

Like what you're hearing? Follow Triggered AF and share the love!

IG: http://instagram.com/triggeredafpc  

Twitter: http://twitter.com/triggeredafpc 

FB: http://facebook.com/triggeredafpc 

YouTube: http://youtube.com/channel/@triggeredafpodcast 

Triggered AF Podcast is produced by Triggered Media Group.