Gill Teitz, host of Sober Powered Podcast, joins Shatai on this episode and shares her journey of alcohol addiction, rock bottom, and the process of recovery. Binging and restricting  food eventually evolved into to excessive alcohol use during grad school, causing an increase in depression, as well as new problems: anxiety and suicidal thoughts. “My life kind of revolved around shame.” Gill talks about the relationship between emotions, actually allowing yourself to lean in and feel them, and resilience. The two share laughs, drop gems on addiction, therapy, self-love, and growth. This is an episode you won’t want to miss as you’re bringing in the new year!

Be sure to follow and subscribe to all of Gill’s platforms as she continues to do amazing work and inspire others around the world.

www.soberpowered.com

YouTube: Sober Powered

Instagram: SoberPowered

Podcast: Sober Powered (available anywhere you listen to podcasts)

On this episode Evan Bagg, friend and past co-worker, joins Shatai to talk about working in the mental health field as a direct care provider, managing depression, and losing loved ones. Working directly with patients in an inpatient mental health facility has its ups and downs. It is extremely rewarding, but also means sometimes getting kicked in the groin and having to restrain patients from time to time! The two reminisce on their experiences in this field. Evan shares his story of growing up in a small town, being bullied, losing both parents, and managing depression. Going to therapy, keeping healthy, supportive, people in your corner, and avoiding alcohol and other addictive means to cope, are important things to put in place! 

If you or someone you know is looking for a therapist, psychologytoday.com is great place to look.

"ADHD is not a mental problem, it's a BRAIN problem!"
Julia Edwards, Iowa therapist, joins Shatai on this episode to discuss all things ADHD! Both therapists, both diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder in adulthood. 
Julia,  a certified ADHD-Clinical Services Provider, sheds light on diagnostic criteria and characteristics of ADHD as well as how it affects your emotional regulation.

ADHD is one of the most misunderstood mental health diagnosis, and is often not taken seriously, joked about, or minimized. ("Everybody has a little ADHD in em").   Some of the common "side effects" of ADHD are shame, difficulty regulating emotions, low self-esteem,  rejection sensitivity, perfectionism, anxiety and depression. 
The two share professional knowledge as well as their own personal experiences. From struggles in school, to getting diagnosed and how it affects work and relationships in adulthood.  They are keeping it real, authentic, and getting vulnerable! 

Listen to this episode to learn more about ADHD, personal stories and experiences, and ways to navigate through life with ADHD! Whether you use medication, therapy, coaching, or a combination of all three, know that you are not alone, your ADHD is not " just an excuse", or anything to feel shameful of! It looks different for everyone, and the more you learn about yourself and the way your brain works, the better understanding and grasp of your health you can have!

Recorded lakeside in SWEDEN! Shatai travels to Uppsala, Sweden to visit long time best friend Becka Ehlin. While sharing a few glasses of wine, the two discuss what it's like growing up as black girl, adopted from Tanzania, and living in a predominantly white culture. Oh, and after 16 years of friendship she drops the bomb that she was raised in a religious cult!! "What? My wildest, most outspoken friend grew up in a cult?!"Becka shares her experience in the controversial Word of Life church, how she broke away from it and embarked on a journey of self-exploration and self-love.  
Resilience: the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. Shatai and Becka talk about the things that help you recover from life changing situations.  This includes grief, and how to navigate through life after losing your mom and best friend. 

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Annie Garcia joins Shatai on this episode to share her story and experience with the deportation process. She sheds light on the ugly truth about deportation,  and being separated from her family, including her newborn daughter that was still nursing. Navigating a broken system seemed at times impossible and unreal. Annie talks about hitting rock bottom, going from  feeling broken and hopeless,  to rising from the ashes and rebuilding a new life for herself and her children. Not only has she shown resilience, but a passion to expose truth and help others who have gone through this traumatic experience. 
Follow Annie on Instagram at @Annigrcx and on Tik Tok @Annigrc

Phoenix Lee, creator of Rise Again Create and vintage seller and curator joins Shatai on this episode and shares his inspiration for his podcast and business. He is a Des Moines native who is passionate about inspiring others and showcasing local talent in his community. He sheds light on his path to happiness and following his passion.  The two share stories of “growing up mixed” and the awkward situations that go along with being biracial in the Midwest. Phoenix is a prime example of how you can take what seems like a disadvantage and turn it into a dope business venture! Growing up and shopping at thrift stores lead him to become an entrepreneur and curator of vintage clothing. 

Be sure to check him out on Instagram at @ravphoenix  @riseagaincreate and @thearchiveia as well as his podcast: Rise Again on all streaming platforms and riseagain.com 

Janeica joins Shatai on this episode to talk about her T-shirt line and what inspired “OK. Now What?” She drops gems on how to stay motivated and avoid staying complacent. Praying, meditation, and setting aside time to put herself first are key factors to her happiness.  Janeica talks about the trauma of losing a child, depression, and healing.

What even constitutes as dating in 2021? Shatai dives deep into Janeica’s relationship history, how she got through a toxic situation, and plans for the future. From self-love, confidence, and secretly being an introvert to growing up as a Preacher’s Kid, we’re bringing it to the table!

You can find Janeica on Instagram @forbiddencoutureplus and on Facebook at Janeca Terry. SHOOT YO SHOT and buy dope merch!

We’re raising funds for an upgrade baby! The podcast turns 2 years old this month and to celebrate, Shatai is bringing you more content and better quality. 

To dontate and contribute, check out the link  https://igg.me/at/Unashamed/x#/

Also cashapp $shataijoiner

Venmo @shatai

HAPPY NEW YEAR! IF YOU’RE READING THIS YOU SURVIVED 2020, by any means necessary. On today’s episode, Shatai is joined by Artichala Wise: law student, natural leader, perfectionist, trauma survivor, mental health enthusiast, and social justice advocate. The two exchange stories on how they were first diagnosed with ADHD, their struggles with it, and ways they manage. ADHD is often a diagnosis that gets taken lightly or is joked about, but in all actuality can really be debilitating. Untreated symptoms of ADHD can even lead to anxiety and depression.  These self-proclaimed ADHD SISTERS naturally jump from topic to topic, covering childhood trauma, working in the mental health field, how to be an asshole, and why boundaries are SO necessary. 

COMING SOON: 3 Part video series Side Effects of Racism n 2020. Be sure to follow the podcast on Facebook and YouTube!

Tis the season for laughter and cheer! ....And seasonal depression, not living up to expectations, and over spending! Latitia, one of Shatai's best friends, and owner of local small business Exonia's Castle, joins this episode to discuss the ups and downs of holidays. With two totally different views on Christmas, these two share drinks, jokes, and heart warming advice on how to navigate through a pandemic, anxiety ridden, holiday season. Being intentional about self-care, saying no, and setting aside time for yourself is most necessary right now!

Wendy Broich is the epitome of women’s empowerment.  She is a business woman, certified pole dance instructor, sex coach, self-love enthusiast and she lives her life unashamed & unapologetically. Wendy and Shatai talk about authenticity, confidence, and trusting your body and mind. In a world of judgement, anxiety, and over-stimulation, sometimes we need to shut our minds off and let our bodies do the talking. If you listen, it’ll let you know exactly what it needs! 

Wendy shares her experience with growing up in rural Iowa, and the two can relate on growing up as biracial, black girls in a predominantly white town. With Shatai being African and Wendy having white parents, they discuss what it was like “learning how to be black” from figuring out their curly hair to embracing their thick thighs. Growing up mixed: not being black enough, not being white enough. It is important to know that your feelings are valid, its ok to not be ok, and you don’t need to minimize your trauma because you think it wasn’t “real trauma” compared to other peoples’ tragedies. “I don’t want to share my traumas because I look like an asshole, I may not have been through an in your face sort of trauma, but I was neglected as fuck.” Stop judging yourself, thinking “I shouldn’t feel this way, my problems aren’t real problems” this creates a lot of self-shame and prevents you from processing legitimate issues in your life. 

Wendy also discusses her personal journey of personal and professional growth, and how she continues to motivate and push herself to new limits in all aspects of her life!

You can find Wendy at www.thewendyb.com and on Instagram: @watchwendyb