Spiked Sugar

If you need a little encouragement or know someone that needs it, I hope this helps. Feeling stuck, or not even realizing you're stuck, can be a lonely place. And if you stay there too long, you'll make a home somewhere that isn't meant for you. Better days are certainly coming, even if not-so-much-better days find you along the way. That's the journey- and it's one of your choosing.

You can move on and not be considered a quitter.... according to your own standards. Deciding what completion looks like is a personal journey. Sure, people were excited for you, supported you, and wanted more. Sure, you invested time and other resources that you'd hate to see go to waste. Let's get out of that thinking. The time you have ahead of you is more valuable than anything!

Quiet Quitting by Courtney T.

Crazy news- the not-so controversial Psychology Today article about single men being lonely, weird crimes, & a bomb inspirational quote of the day. Plus, I've decided to GO for something big and not so likely to happen, so naturally.. I feel like it's going to happen and be even better than I imagined. Tune in!

I'm over these -cute for nothing- restaurants, for starters. Also, let's talk about the growth-stunting limits we put on ourselves and the ones that we sometimes put on others- the healthy, unhealthy, and toss ups. It's all case by case.... but such is life. Tune in!

There are a few books that keep you moving in life and "We Should All Be Millionaires" is one of them. Also, I discuss how some influencers miss out on corporate opportunities and recommend a few things to increase their value (based on my 12 year corporate marketing career).

Let's talk about when we're left with no choice but to step back and gather ourselves, because even after our many efforts to move forward or move on.... we've gotten nowhere.

Adulting Topic #BeingAverage - Being called average is not typically met with a pleasant response. Do we hate being called average or do we actually hate being average? IF we truly hate being average, would our efforts, choices, accomplishments and lives look any different? Food for thought and a convo to be had! Tune in!

It's been a minute, but I'm back with a new direction and ready to share. Spread the word and follow TheSpikedSugarPodcast on Instagram to keep up with new episodes and comment on episode topics. Thanks for your time and letting me bend your ear.

Falling in and out of greatness happens constantly, but how other people convict the person that needs help up is an endless tragedy. We can be our own worst enemy but for your life's mistakes to suddenly be a disappointment to people that were simply riding your wave and won't lend you a life boat when you're in need- it's painful. Let's all learn to have some grace or keep other people's struggles out your mouth!

This isn't about facing your fears in the "you're so brave way"; this is about being too scared to even admit you're fearful, meanwhile you're fooling no one. It's rough trying to NOT wear your heart on your sleeve, yet it's inevitably unavoidable. Brandman Sean joins me for this conversation and this long episode goes through many different conversations about fear, strategy and acceptance.

We say we'll start our better habits or working on our better lives as soon as we get this new opportunity, or leave that relationship, or start school, or get back in the gym. Have you ever thought about how many fresh starts you've really had in life? Is being a nonstarter situational or behavioral. Tune in to hear why Spiked Sugar went ghost and how I'm hoping this fresh start is what I needed to keep it up.

Do you think you're beautiful? Like... do you really believe that and carry yourself in a way that honors the beauty you think you behold? Internal and external beauty. Current beauty. I'm catching up with Whitney Jordan about saying things to friends in poor taste and beauty. Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcast and Soundcloud. #spikedsugar #spikedsugarpodcast

It is what it is. We are where we are. What's next though? This movement is our legacy. It's a legacy continued, and one that has its scars already. I'm afraid. I'm mad. I'm ready. #blacklivesmatter #blm

Relationships take work. If we're honest, sometimes just getting to the relationship takes work- is it worth it though? If it's not love at first sight or abiding by the 90 day rule, can it work? Of course! Every relationship has its own story, and so do the people a part of that bond. We can all learn from each other and today Jeff & Tristine share how their relationship went from friends, to "friends???" to lovers. Their story will be cute to some, a rollercoaster to others, and too familiar to many. Regardless, they have created something that works for them. Check it out!

I wish everything I said, that I absolutely know is right, was something I did. I also wish it didn't change from time to time. Unfortunately, this is life. Sometimes I preach it, and it stares me back in the face like "yeah right". Tune in as Ary joins me to discuss this constant growing pain.

Exposure got me together on many of occasions- it humbled me, empowered me, made me wiser, and sometimes took me beyond my wildest dreams (because my dreams were imagined based on what reality looked like to me). Exposure is one of the greatest teachers and when we're lucky, it hits us before experience teaches us the hard way. Tune in and get exposed!

Spiked Sugar is an overthinker's podcast and a true village. As a newbie in the podcasting world, we're connecting real stories to topics that are timely and necessary. Sometimes you'll laugh (that good hard laugh, sometimes you'll shed a thug tear, & sometimes you'll just nod your head softly in agreement. Whatever you do, I hope you'll learn, connect or grow. No matter what, you'll be reminded that the most powerful moments in life create the stories that we were meant to share. #spikedsugar

You know how you get a new job and just know that your life is about to be on a whole new level of lit?! That is not my testimony. This job is testing me in new ways, but I have to do it; I need whatever I’m going to get from this place and I’m not fully sure why yet, but I just know. It’s a bit of a struggle rant about a struggle time in my life (which is now). I’m talking weight gain, working more than ever before and still feeling like I’m sinking. Have you ever been here in life? I hope not, but at the same time… I hope so.. crazy! #anOverthinker's #podcast

From integrating a school to crying at shotgun weddings- this is definitely a story for the books. There is something so special about sitting in the presence of your elders, learning about their life experiences, getting occasionally shaded on behalf of “truth”, and growing wiser. My grandmother is in this interview giving us all of that! Listen to her story.

What we don't talk about is how hard it is to be loyal and stay loyal to people and things that you've outgrown or those moments when being loyal is in direct conflict with your best self, greater opportunity or morals. On the season finale of Spiked Sugar Volume 1, we talk about about where your loyalties lie.

I'll never know what's it's like to be a father, but I sure as hell appreciate mine. We've been through a lot as a family, as most families have. As a child, I didn't always have the appreciation for my parents as I do now. My father is so dope and I'm fortunate that he handled us with grace (or discipline when needed)and has always been my rock. Check out our conversation on episode 14.

How do you determine when it's time to demand a seat at the table or create your own? Then... there are those times when pushing away from it all is actually the best answer. Every person has to do what's best for them, and their decisions can vary throughout their life based on the situation and experience. No matter which method you choose, it's the follow through and impact you make moving forward will impact the future. #spikedsugarpodcast #spikedsugar

Influence is power. Everyone has the power to influence but some use their platforms dangerously, by pushing away from unwanted responsibility or planting seeds and hiding intention. Everyone has been influenced and will continue to be influenced, and that doesn't make you a sheep or a purposeless follower. There's a time for it all, but if we're being honest, are we really being honest?

This one isn’t short but it’s valuable. Business partnerships are preached to be such an asset but how to vet potential partners is a conversation that needs to be had more often. Whether you’re partnering with a cross-functional team as an employee, an entrepreneur, an agency or a consultant, there are rules to success that can’t be ignored; reputation is #1 on the list (both yours and theirs).

2 friends. 2 totally different lives. Similar values. Different paths. Roxane joins us this episode to talk through her then and now- getting married young, attitudes towards your partner's debt, becoming a mother of two and growing as an individual in the process. Whether you're single or married, male or female, tune in and witness this perspective! Roxane's story definitely has a few good seeds you may like to plant.

Support is something that most people like to believe they require and adequately provide in all of their relationships. Unfortunately, sometimes we don't truly know what sufficient support is to even know if we're receiving it or providing it to our partners, friends and family. Africa, Whitney and I share our experiences of when we truly noticed a support (or lack thereof) gap that we accepted in previous relationships. The question- is it support, indifference, or disinterest?

There are many times in life we hit a crossroad. Some have more crucial decisions than others. Jeremy decided that family was most important and moved across the country to be with his blood. However, that change came with a career sacrifice (as if Sales wasn't already a complicated enough job).

Sometimes you say "thanks but no thanks" without knowing what's next. Stepping out into the unknown usually paralyzes us to the point that we don't actually go through with it at all. However, there's so much power in actually making that decision, especially when you know what's behind you is no longer serving you well. On this episode Shaylynn shares her story that must be told.

Getting your foot in the door- can you count on it and what blowback should you prepare to encounter?

If I had to choose again, knowing what I know now, would my decision change? The question isn't about living in the past. It's not about regret either. The questions is, for better or worse, what's next for me? The importance of this decision is, this time you'll know what you're really choosing and what it means for your future.

Toxic therapists are a real thing. Our resident therapist (and career forensic therapist) Kami is here to tell us how having the wrong therapists can deepen your troubles. We also dig into black trauma, crazy jail stories, and why more men aren't into therapy.

From an entrepreneur's perspective- building on borrowed land and brand can get tricky. Sean fell into opportunities in the music industry and decided to build on that, but his lessons taught him he needed something he could control to better benefit him and his community, so he created BrandMan Network TV. We need resources in this world, so building together is definitely a goal. Just make sure that whatever you build is either an affordable loss (great lesson/low cost) or you own the rights. #signyourself #brandmansean #brandmannetworktv

Spike Sugar is an overthinker's podcast that tells the stories that simply need to be told. Each story ties into a trending topic, personal experience, pop and black culture and community growth. It's basically the group therapy you get when you're chilling on the couch with your friends, going in on a topic or two.

Building on borrowed land may feel like the American way, but it'll get you in American debt. Check out part one of this podcast mini-series to hear what we're addressing "borrowed land" as and some hard lessons learned.

Could you be the one that someone settled for in a relationship or at a job? People settle all of the time but do they admit it or do they convince everyone their decision to settle is actually an awesome life journey that took even them by surprise?

You weren't the first person born but you didn't let that stop you from living. Spiked Sugar's 1st episode digs into the fear of being labeled "just another [ _____ ]". It starts awkward, but hey, that's just the side effects of virginity.