Better Said Than Written

How do you feel about second chances? How do you feel about starting over? Maybe you had a dream to become a veterinarian. Or a goal to start a nonprofit. Maybe you have always wanted to travel outside of the country. I'm sure there's something that once made your heart race just thinking about it. But just like everyone else, life happened. Doubt crept in. And that dream was placed on the back burner, got buried under the weight of “what-ifs” and “maybe laters,” or worse…you threw your dreams away because someone said they were unrealistic. If that sounds like you, I want you to write down this following quote from George Eliot: “It's never too late to be what you might have been.” – Want to connect? Want to be a guest on the show? https://www.tamikacody.com/contact Want to take part in the Story of Survival series? Email your entry to StoriesOfSurvivalEntry@gmail.com Or put pen to paper and keep the USPS in business by mailing your entry to: Stories of Survival P.O. Box 39072 Washington, D.C. 20016-9072

This episode is for those who are struggling with life. Maybe you're feeling lost. Maybe your soul is weighed down and it feels like an elephant is sitting on your chest. Maybe you've been battling depression, feeling like the darkness is just too much. Desmond Tutu once said: “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” You might be saying to yourself, “I don't see any light right now.” And that's cool…I don't expect you to ignore the darkness. But I do expect you to know that even if you can't see the light yet, it is there. Want to connect? Want to be a guest on the show? https://www.tamikacody.com/contact Want to take part in the Story of Survival series? Email your entry to StoriesOfSurvivalEntry@gmail.com Or put pen to paper and keep the USPS in business by mailing your entry to: Stories of Survival P.O. Box 39072 Washington, D.C. 20016-9072

Every once in a while, I come across a speech that inspires me to take action. The other day, while scrolling on TikTok, I stumbled on a speech by Rolonda Watts. For those of you who don't know, Rolonda had her own talk show back in the mid 1990s. The syndicated show ran from 1994 until 1997. Now I must admit, at first glance I didn't recognize the face but the voice, I definitely knew. After consulting with Google, I quickly paired the voice to the face I finally remembered. This entire discovery is actually quite ironic because in her speech, Rolonda briefly shared that she herself has gone through several reinventions. But the part that got me in my feelings is when she gave this simple advice, “if you don't like something change it.” – Want to connect? Want to be a guest on the show? https://www.tamikacody.com/contact Want to take part in the Story of Survival series? Email your entry to StoriesOfSurvivalEntry@gmail.com Or put pen to paper and keep the USPS in business by mailing your entry to: Stories of Survival P.O. Box 39072 Washington, D.C. 20016-9072

January 31, 2025 It's hard to believe we are only one month into 2025. With all of the “current events, and non-stop breaking news” it feels like we're in the month of June, despite frigid temperatures sweeping through the U.S. this winter. Remember that life changing goal you set for yourself at the start of the new year? It's not happening is it? You told yourself this year would be different, but here you are, feeling stuck, maybe even a little disappointed in yourself. First, let me say this: You are not alone. And second, I want you to take note of the following quote by T.S. Eliot: “Every moment is a fresh beginning.” Not just at the top of a New Year or the first day of the month. Every moment. That means right now. – Want to connect? Want to be a guest on the show? https://www.tamikacody.com/contact Want to take part in the Story of Survival series? Email your entry to StoriesOfSurvivalEntry@gmail.com Or put pen to paper and keep the USPS in business by mailing your entry to: Stories of Survival P.O. Box 39072 Washington, D.C. 20016-9072

For this episode, I'd like to share an excerpt from a sermon. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines sermon as a “religious discourse delivered in public usually by a member of the clergy as a part of a worship service.” Usually, sermons are paired with a life lesson and a passage from religious scriptures from books like the Holy Bible, the Quran, the Torah, etc. Now depending on where you are in life, when you hear or read that pairing of a life lesson and religious scripture, it seems like that sermon was meant specifically for you. The title of the sermon I recently heard, the one that inspired me to hop on the mic and press record for this episode – Know your role. — Want to connect? Want to be a guest on the show? https://www.tamikacody.com/contact Want to take part in the Story of Survival series? Email your entry to StoriesOfSurvivalEntry@gmail.com Or put pen to paper and keep the USPS in business by mailing your entry to: Stories of Survival P.O. Box 39072 Washington, D.C. 20016-9072

This episode I'm doing something a little different. There is no excerpt from a book, poem, essay or quote. Instead, I just want to talk about TikTok and its coming and going. The on again off again situationship of TikTok between the U.S. government and China, gave me enough time to flip the switch to pursue my goals before I downloaded the app and got sucked into the doom scroll portal club. I have no regrets about the time I wasted on the app. The app taught me so much including: * How to use a rice cooker for other things besides cooking rice * How to kick my fashion up a notch without breaking the bank * How to make a prime rib roast * How to take what resonates from the tarot card readers * The best financial institutions to open a High Yield Savings Account * How to wear a bold red lip with confidence * Perimenopause symptoms ←this helped me not to go crazy * How to deal with toxic situations in the workplace The app also gave me breaking news before the other news outlets: * The collapse of the bridge in Baltimore * All things taking place in Gaza * Kendrick Lamar's GNX Album * Kendrick vs Drake ← The commentary from TikTokers were deep * 2025 L.A. Fires * Food recalls * P Diddy's arrest * TikTok going dark in the U.S. Despite everything I've learned, the short blackout of TikTok allowed me just enough time to hit the reset button and get back to what I was doing before I downloaded the app. — Want to connect? https://www.tamikacody.com/contact Want to take part in the Story of Survival series? Email your entry to StoriesOfSurvivalEntry@gmail.com. Or put pen to paper and keep the USPS in business by mailing your entry to: Stories of Survival P.O. Box 39072 Washington, D.C. 20016-9072

This episode is for those who've stopped pursuing a dream. Or maybe you never had the courage or support to dream. Or maybe fear is holding you back from imagining what's possible. Langston Hughes once said, “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” A broken-winged bird that cannot fly. They are stuck. Grounded. Wishing they could soar. That's a pretty vivid analogy of a person who lost the hope to dream. Here's what I know…you can dream again. And for those who never ‘dreamed' it's never too late to start. So, why do we stop dreaming? For some of us, it's fear. Fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of the unknown. For others, it's disappointment. Maybe you chased a dream once, and it didn't work out. You got hurt, and now you think, “What's the point?” — Want to connect? https://www.tamikacody.com/contact Want to take part in the Story of Survival series? Email your entry to StoriesOfSurvivalEntry@gmail.com. Or put pen to paper and keep the USPS in business by mailing your entry to: Stories of Survival P.O. Box 39072 Washington, D.C. 20016-9072

In this episode, I'm opening up the window to my one of the hardest things I ever had to do in life, and I bet some of you listening also had or have a tough time with: letting go. I want to start with a line from the poet Rumi. He wrote, “Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.” The question I have for you is, how do we let ourselves be pulled forward when we're weighed down by pain, loss, or trauma? When people advise to let “it” go it sounds simple, but it's not. It could be a loss of a job, a relationship that ended, or a dream that feels out of reach, letting go can feel like giving up. Like you're losing a part of yourself. But what if letting go isn't about losing? What if it's about making space? — Want to connect? https://www.tamikacody.com/contact Want to take part in the Story of Survival series? Email your entry to StoriesOfSurvivalEntry@gmail.com. Or put pen to paper and keep the USPS in business by mailing your entry to: Stories of Survival P.O. Box 39072 Washington, D.C. 20016-9072

Welcome to "Better Said Than Written," the podcast that shares inspirational excerpts from books, essays, poems, and quotes that, when read aloud, just sound better said than written. For this episode I would like to touch on one of life's most profound truths: “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” That timeless quote comes from Confucius, and it's a reminder we all need, especially in moments when life deals us a bad hand at the poker table. Like many of you listening, there have been times in my life when I've felt like I couldn't get back up from a catastrophic fall. And not just any fall. I'm talking about a fall into a deep hole where there was nothing but darkness. I was buried under a thick blanket of uncertainty, and fertilized with fear. The fall was so bad, it felt like I didn't have enough strength to pull myself up out of the bottomless pit. Afraid of lifting my head and facing my peers in public. Have you been there? Maybe you're there right now. If you are, you're not alone. Want to connect? https://www.tamikacody.com/contact Want to take part in the Story of Survival series? Email your entry to StoriesOfSurvivalEntry@gmail.com. Or put pen to paper and keep the USPS in business by mailing your entry to: Stories of Survival P.O. Box 39072 Washington, D.C. 20016-9072

Welcome to "Better Said Than Written," the podcast that shares inspirational excerpts from books, essays, poems, and quotes that, when read aloud, just sound better said than written. This episode is all about new beginnings—that first step on the journey toward a better future. I'd like to start with a quote, well, a Chinese proverb some of you might recognize. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Such a simple idea, yet so profound. When we think about a “journey of a thousand miles,” it can feel overwhelming. Maybe that's where you are right now. I'll be honest with you, it's where I am on my career journey. Want to connect? https://www.tamikacody.com/contact Want to take part in the Story of Survival series? Email your entry to StoriesOfSurvivalEntry@gmail.com. Or put pen to paper and keep the USPS in business by mailing your entry to: Stories of Survival P.O. Box 39072 Washington, D.C. 20016-9072

Welcome to "Better Said Than Written," the podcast that shares inspirational excerpts from books, essays, poems, and quotes that, when read aloud, just sound better said than written. Today's excerpt comes from Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist: “The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.” This episode is all about starting fresh. We made it to another year. And with every new year many of us set resolutions or goals for ourselves. Some of the most popular ones are getting back into shape, saving money, traveling, disconnecting from social media, working on a passion project or jumping ship into a new career. By the time you hear this episode the second Friday of the new year has come and gone. It's a day referred to as Quitter's Day. Research shows it's the day most people give up on their new year's resolutions. Maybe you're one of those people who quit? I am not here to judge, I'm only here to let you know that giving up on your new year's resolution is not the end of the world. Want to connect? https://www.tamikacody.com/contact Want to take part in the Story of Survival series? Email your entry to StoriesOfSurvivalEntry@gmail.com. Or put pen to paper and keep the USPS in business by mailing your entry to: Stories of Survival P.O. Box 39072 Washington, D.C. 20016-9072

In the last episode of Better Said Than Written, I introduced you to the series, Stories of Survival - S.O.S. - where I share stories from or about people who overcame difficult challenges in their lives. This next S.O.S. is an anonymous entry. Melanie shares her story of the time when she too was forced to create a plan. For her and her daughter's sake, Melanie needed to figure out a way to leave an abusive relationship. An abusive relationship by the hands of an intimate partner who was also the biological father of her child. Throughout this piece, Melanie admits she ignored all of the red flags. SHOW NOTES: If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, help is available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline will guide you toward the right direction. 800-799-7233. Or text BEGIN to 88788. If you have a story of survival to share, email your entry to StoriesOfSurvivalEntry@gmail.com. Or put pen to paper and mail your entry to Stories of Survival P.O. Box 39072 Washington, D.C. 20016-9072.

Welcome to "Better Said Than Written," the podcast that shares inspirational excerpts from books, essays, poems, and quotes that, when read aloud, just sound better said than written. For the revamp, and return of Better Said Than Written, I plan to share stories from or about people who overcame difficult challenges in their lives … Stories of Survival. The goal… to help others who may be going through struggles of their own. Some people are strategically looking for inspiration and or a blueprint on how they can move forward in their life's journey. Take a moment to think about it. As we navigate through this thing called life, there are moments we just don't know what to do. No matter how much we consult our friends, family or therapist, Google, or ask ChatGPT for advice, its the real life stories from strangers that helps us get through troubled times. Single parenting, loss of a job, self doubt, procrastination, managing life before during and after a divorce, financial mishaps, loss of a loved one, falling in and out of love, homelessness, managing anxiety, keeping intrusive thoughts at bay…you get the point. All of the above, I've dealt with at some point in my life…and I'm still here. I survived even when I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. What helped me get through? Reading memoirs, watching documentaries, and pausing my scroll to listen to those who had the courage to share their stories of survival on social media. To kick this series off, I intended to share one peg of my survival story with you, but a headline from the Los Angeles Times that stopped me dead in my tracks. Molly Wadzeck Kraus, published a personal story where she shared how a cooking show saved her from anorexia and depression. While reading through the piece, I thought “now this is the perfect for S-O-S…stories of survival.” The show - Barefoot Contessa. 
 The headline - How Ina Garten Changed my Life. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES If you have a story of survival to share, email your entry to StoriesOfSurvivalEntry@gmail.com. Stories of Survival P.O. Box 39072 Washington, D.C. 20016-9072.

Today's reading comes from a LinkedIn post that I wrote. It's been quite some time since my last recording. Truth is, I just wasn't motivated to create, produce, or write a single word. Life took a lot of energy out of me. here's the thing…I've come too far in this life just to be average. one of my goals is to be an inspiration to others and to help others who are on the verge of losing hope. there are a few people in particular who I want to be proud of me. My five-year-old self, my 15-year-old self, and my elderly self. And this is where that LinkedIn post comes in. I wrote it on the first day I started one of my dream jobs.

The following reading comes from the book ‘Steal Like an Artist - 10 things nobody told you about being creative' - by Austin Kleon.

Welcome to another episode of "Better Said Than Written," the podcast that shares inspirational excerpts from books, essays, poems, and quotes that, when read aloud, just sound better said than written.

When the coronavirus pandemic forced nearly everyone to isolate, shelter in place, limit social gathering, work from home, the extra downtime gave a lot of people time to think. To think of what's next for their lives. To think about that next opportunity. That next idea. And people were definitely putting their thoughts into action. The Census Bureau reported that in 2020, more than 4 million new businesses were created in the United States - the highest the country has on record. Before the pandemic people would attend networking events and industry conferences where they would share their goals, ideals, and aspirations in hopes to find the perfect window of opportunity to take the big leap. By mid-March 2020, in-person networking came to a screeching halt. But that didn't stop Kieta Rivens founder of the natural hair care company, Verified Beauty. In 2020, Essence magazine reported that Black consumers are making the switch from general products to those that specifically cater to them. As a result, the Black hair care industry in the United States pulled in nearly $2 billion in 2018. Kieta, who is a mother, wife, and a full-time lead infant teacher in North Carolina, launched her company in the midst of the pandemic. In this episode, Kieta shares how she knocked on virtual doors to spread the word of her new business, and the one affirmation that kept her going. You can find Kieta spreading the word about her business at the following: Website: https://verifiedbeautyllc.com/ Instagram: @verifiedbeautyllc Facebook: Verified Beauty LLC Customer Service: 704.840.2219

Social media has caused many of us to compare our outer beauty. The truth is, humans have been comparing themselves to others for centuries. The difference between the Raven and humans is the raven didn't have access to plastic surgery or beauty enhancers.

Ananse is a brave young man who lives in Africa. He wanted to help the children of the world get new stories to read and hear. But all of the stories belonged to the Sky God. The Sky God told Ananse he would give him stories for the children, but only if he could bring back three things.

The host, Tamika Cody, has taken a new spin on the podcast, Better Said Than Written. This time around she's decided to "read" a short essay that she thinks sounds better said than written. First up, is Emma Rathbone's article Before the Internet which you can find on The New Yorker's website. Would you know how to fill your day if you didn't have the Internet? Well, there was a time when most of us relied on creativity to occupy our day without the help of the World Wide Web. Emma Rathbone gently reminded readers of what it was like to create dance moves in the spur of the moment, whip out a notebook to create a piece of artwork, and to flip through a booklet to identify a precious stone. The short essay actually sounds Better Said Than Written. So here's a question for you. How would you occupy your day if the Internet wasn't an option? Send your views to TCsViews@gmail.com or leave your comments below.

This episode was sparked by an Instagram post that talked about creatives, entrepreneurs and freelancers being offered exposure for payment. Newsflash! Exposure can't and won't pay the bills! Pastry chef, But-A-Cake, joins as a special guest to discuss how and why exposure just doesn't work as revenue... at least not for us. * If you're interested in experiencing the But-A-Cake addiction, visit https://squareup.com/store/ButACake

A few life lessons, realizations and truths Tamika Cody has learned now that she's in her 40s.

This is a special episode where my son has taken over the show. When I heard we were going to discuss vinyl records I just had to say yes. And so I handed him the mic. Take a listen.

To kickoff the second season of Better Said Than Written, the first episode is an extension of the blog post, Hyperlocal Newsroom Hype, which can be read in full on ArtzOfCulturez.com I spoke with several journalists during the Sustain Local conference who say they are passionate about environmental sustainable living and they are doing what they can to shrink their carbon footprint.

The holistic health profession is on the rise. Many Americans are seeking out holistic and spiritual healers as an alternative to cure their ailments without subjecting their bodies to possible side effects from prescription drugs and going under the knife on the operating table. But how do you know when it's time to seek conventional medical care vs holistic care? In the ninth episode of Better Said Than Written, Holistic Health Practitioner, Kelarius Finex, explains the benefits of holistic care and knowing when to seek medical treatment. Kelarius shares her personal story of how she recently incorporated holistic and spiritual healing while her daughter was going through rigorous treatments for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. Kelarius' story goes a little deeper when she opens up about losing her mother to AIDS. Kelarius' mother was 59 when she died from the human immunodeficiency virus in 2014. Her mother fought to live a little while longer through spiritual healing instead of seeking medical treatment while she was living with HIV, which eventually took her life after it transformed into AIDS.

In this episode I tried to wrap my head around what's taking place in Baltimore, Md. With the help of Emrld Swmp's member, universe, I was able to get a different perspective from a poem he shared for the people of Baltimore. Normally, you would just click the play button to hear my take and the poem, but in this installment, I decided to include my write up, which includes the identity of the police officers who were responsible for Freddie Gray's death. Head over to ArtzOfCulturez.com for the full writeup.

After returning from a short hiatus, the emotions of life inspired Anthony Villegas to pour out his feelings in a poem titled, The Set of Rules. The Set of Rules questions the ifs, whys and whats of life. It hones in on complexities life serves most of us on a daily basis, which all balances out once we agree to follow all of the unspoken rules of life.

April is National Poetry Month. So why not celebrate with a poem a day. Today's poem is by Shel Silverstein - 'If The World Was Crazy' from his book of poems 'Where the Sidewalk Ends'... Read by Tamika Cody

Rare Disorder Activist, Kim Ramsey, joins Tamika Cody once again in another episode of Better Said Than Written. This time around Kim shares her personal story of persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD). Kim walks us through when she realized she was suffering from PGAD, finding treatment and how she recovered from backlash from the Black community, the medical community, and the media.

Rare Disorder Activist, Kim Ramsey is back! Ramsey graces us with her presence to discuss the lack of intimacy in the Black community, Blacks in S&M, and other intimate sexual discussions that the Black community keeps in the closet.

Young Black American adults share their thoughts and feelings about the social injustice of Mike Brown. Tune in to hear how these three students plan to do their part in making a difference.

On this episode of Better Said Than Written, Tamika Cody sits down with Rare Disorder Activist, Kim Ramsey, to discuss the rape allegations of Bill Cosby, domestic violence and taps on Persistent genital arousal disorder or PGAD.

Better Said Than Written is the podcast supplement of the blog Arts of Cultures where Tamika Cody makes a personal connection with today's trending topics. In this episode Tamika fills you in on the book How to be Black, but first she shares what's trending in her social media world...

Better Said Than Written is the podcast supplement of the blog Arts of Cultures where Tamika Cody makes a personal connection with today's trending topics. In this episode Tamika challenges listeners by asking - What are you doing to help victims of domestic violence.

Better Said Than Written is the podcast supplement of the blog Arts of Cultures where Tamika Cody makes a personal connection with today's trending topics.