The Seeds You Sow

An archive episode we recored earlier this year in February to celebrate Black History Month. We had a well rounded in-depth conversation on what it means to be unapologetically black. We explore the varying definitions people have when they hear the term (To Be Unapologetically Black) and we discussed how can you take pride in your blackness while still uplifting others. We also honored pivotal black figures in history and discussed what we can we do NOW to ensure that their contributions to history keep moving forward.

In this episode we review the critically acclaimed biopic film "Talk to Me" Directed by Kasi Lemmons and starring Don Cheadle & Taraji P. Henson. This film tells the true story of Radio DJ host & Community activist Ralph "Petey" Greene. We discuss the impact Petey made during the 1960's and how he used his platform to be a voice for the people. We connected his life and the issues he was exploring to current events that are happening today (George Floyd & Black Lives Matter Movement). We also explore the importance of using our voice and platform to inspire and hold space for others that are sometimes left unheard. Tune in for some insight, humor, and inspiration as we discuss this pivotal film that celebrates and honors they varying aspects of Black Culture.

A discussion on how to protect your mind in the age of information overload. Articles referenced: Are we consuming too much information Information overload: why we are facing it and how to handle it?

An episode giving honor and love to our siblings and the influence they have in our lives. We also discuss the influence of birthing order (eldest, middle, and youngest) and what role that plays in your personality.

"The Ending is Only the Beginning: Opportunities in the Midst of a Storm," is a discussion centered around our current state in society, and how we can still recognize the opportunities to rise up and be better in compromising times.

"Trust the Timing of Your Life," is a reflective conversation on how to stay committed to your journey and your process, and to trust where you are without comparing yourself to others

"Rest is a Form of Resisting" Since this is our first episode since August, we decided to discuss the importance of embracing rest into our overall lifestyle. In this episode, we all confessed to be guilty of staying on the grind and constantly on the go, but we decided to take a moment to reset & reflect on what happens to our mind, body, and spirit when we do not incorporate a healthy amount of rest into our daily lives. We have a few articles for you to check out: "The Power of Rest: 4 Ways to Disengage with the Hustle" and "A Day of Rest: 12 Scientific Reasons It Works." Through this conversation we were able to uncover how our culture is socially engineered to believe that constant work and hustle equates power and success. While there is some truth that a strong work ethic will yield great results; we decided to offer the other part to that narrative that it is also equally important to rest as well. When we give ourselves the space to rest, we are actually resisting the "norm" to always perform, produce, and be constantly on the go. A balance lifestyle that reflects a healthy work ethic and moments of peaceful rest can yield results that are powerful and meaningful to our overall well being. We also defined the difference between emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical rest and offered advice to our listeners on how to incorporate more rest into t our day to day lives. We hope this episode encourages you to resist the false narrative that says "we are defined by what we do." Instead, we want to affirm the truth that we are enough because of who you are, not what we do. And we are humans beings capable of demonstrating a strong work ethic but also deserving and in need, of moments of peaceful rest. Give yourself the space and compassion to embrace both.

This week on the podcast we had a lively discussion on the generational divide and came up with proactive solutions on how to bridge the gap. We had the opportunity to have our first ever younger guest from Generation Z (Jonathan Piper II) in the studio to offer his perspective on the generational divide. The discussion was engaging and honest, and we were able to come to a common understanding that each generation has something valid and meaningful to offer.

This week on the podcast we had a honest discussion about intimacy and identifying the barriers we place that prevent others from "seeing into us" and allowing them to connect with who we truly are. Needless to say, our conversation was very intimate. We went beyond the scope of sexual intimacy by also discussing emotional, mental, and intellectual intimacy. We offered our insight into what encourages people to feel safe and brave enough to connect and share with others on deeper levels. We also highlighted the "barriers of shame" or "screens of insecurities" that people put up that prevent them from letting others get close to them. Through this episode, we hope you are able to gain a deeper understanding into the benefits of genuine intimacy on multiple levels and we also hope it encourages you to be more comfortable connecting with yourself as well as with others.

This past week on the podcast we had a well rounded conversation on healthy competition and how to be inspired by perceived competitors instead of feeling intimidated by them. We recognize that  societal & social media pressures can indirectly or directly propel us to compare ourselves to one another, which can cause a feeling of inadequacy or shame. We discussed why this is problematic and offered some positive tips that would encourage us to become more comfortable with our own journey in life. We have two articles for you to  check out: "Unhealthy & Healthy Competition" posted by Skybound.com and "Why We Compare Ourselves to Others on Social Media and HowTo Stop." posted  by tinybuddha.com. This episode will prompt you to think more critically about how you view yourself in relation to others, and further motivate you to not only build yourself up in a healthier, more loving way, but to build others up as well in the same fashion. Instead of looking for ways to compare, let's discover ways to celebrate our individual and collective growth.

Beyonce's relentless work ethic & Nipsey's consistent hustle has inspired and moved our culture in a number of ways! In this episode we examined how their movements have encouraged us ALL to strive towards excellence and continue doing the work that will empower ourselves and our local communities. There are two articles for you to check out this week: "Nipsey Hussle's Dreams Were Bigger Than Hip-Hop" posted by the LA Times & "Beyonce's Black Intellectual Homecoming" posted by The Atlantic. We analyzed the impact of Nipsey's death, as well as how his work and legacy continues to live on. We defined Beyonce's work as legendary, and talked about how it serves as inspiration for us all to think about how much we're willing to push ourselves to master the gifts we have to share. Both of these figures have demonstrated consistency and sacrifice towards what they believe and have been unapologetic in lifting up black culture and their community. We hope this episode allows you to celebrate the greatness of what is currently happening in our culture and more importantly, we hope it allows you to recognize that the same greatness lives in you!

This week on the podcast we had a conversation on how to persist after experiencing rejection. Rejection at times can attack our sense of value and self-worth. It can also act as a deterrent, preventing one to further pursue whatever dream, goal, or interest they had in mind. This episode is a motivator to keep you going in the midst of discouragement or temporary failure. We have two articles for you to indulge in: Why Rejection Can Be A Really Good Thing? posted by the Huffington post and 10 Benefits of Rejection posted by lifehack.org. We discussed the reasons why people avoid rejection and the courage and confidence it takes to go after the desires and dreams of your heart.  We offered our personal stories dealing with rejection and provided a humble perspective that allowed us to see rejection not as a negative experience but instead, as an experience that allows us to grow and be better.  In the words of our host Ashley, "We don't win or lose, we Win or Learn." Tune in and LEARN the different ways to push through any moments of personal or professional rejection in life.

The concept of selling out is layered with multiple viewpoints, and at times, can causes a lot of tension and division in the Black Community community. In this episode we discussed what causes these divides, and if there is a need to have more conversations with those who per se "sell out," or if it is acceptable to "cancel" those that we may not agree with. We have two articles for you to indulge in, "The History of Race, And What Selling Out Means?" posted by The Washington Times and "Everyone is Canceled" posted by the NYTimes. We hope this episode challenges you to be mindful of the different experiences we all share and encourages you to think of more ways to build and connect with others in your community.

Since relationships are the theme for the month of February, we decided to highlight the universal love affair that everyone has experienced -- the relationship we all have with music. Music can define our mood, speak to our spirit, and even tell the story of our lives. In this episode we took the time to think about how music has influenced us over the years by sharing specific songs and albums that relate to our experiences thus far in life. Some of the artists we featured in this episode were: Roy Ayers, ​Common,​ Big Tymers, The Mississippi Mass Choir, & Mary J. Blige, just to name a few. We answered several questions, from reflective ones such as “name a song or album that got you through a difficult time in life”, to intimate questions, such as “name a song or album that reminds you of the first time you fell in love.” We discussed how certain songs and even whole albums have helped us push through difficult times, and how other records have helped us celebrate the good times. Through this episode, we conveyed that music is an outlet that allows us to connect and express the varied emotions we experience. Musics like a partner or a good friend; one who offers comfort and inspiration, and reminds us that we are not alone as we go through this drama we call life.

Partnership, love, intimacy, a feeling of closeness, and connection are basic human needs. The ability to connect and relate is how we thrive as a people. While many people may wonder when and how they will meet the love of their life, there is a bigger question to ask -- how do you determine if the love and relationship you are seeking is healthy? The unfortunate truth is, some people risk entering unhealthy toxic relationships that endanger their sense of self-worth and overall well-being. This week on the podcast we had an intimate conversation about what a healthy relationship looks like, and ways to build stronger self esteem that will not allow you to settle for toxic behaviors from others that you do not deserve.

How many people are truly pursuing their passion in life? What prevents people from pursuing what makes them happy? How can we begin to encourage ourselves and others to pursue a career that brings joy not only to themselves but to the community they live in? This week on the podcast we answered these questions through a conversation on the importance of tapping into our passion, and pursuing careers that truly connect with our overall purpose in life. We have a few helpful articles for you to indulge in:"Follow Your Passions and Success Will Follow" posted by Investopedia and "Do What You Love! How To Identify and Pursue Your Passions" posted by themuse.com. We acknowledged the process it takes to discovering your passion and the barriers that prevent people from going after what brings them joy. We offered advice, and tips on how to establish a strong mindset that is courageous enough to pursue the joys within your heart. We believe that our jobs should NOT be something “we do”, but instead, be something that contributes to our overall personal growth, and the greater good of our society. We encouraged our listeners to think critically about what they are passionate about, so they can in return, invest in a career that will grant them purpose.

This week we did a book review Becoming, the autobiography written by our previous FLOTUS, the one and only, Mrs. Michelle Obama.  We explored and discussed the power and vulnerability of her inspiring story and highlighted the areas of the book that spoke to us personally. Also in this episode, we highlighted the importance of sharing YOUR own personal narrative and encouraged our listeners to think about their story thus far and the type of legacy they hope to leave behind.

It's our final episode of 2018 and we thought to leave you all with something that would be reflective and inspiring. In this fast paced world, there are number of external stresses and circumstances that can cause a person to mentally or emotionally breakdown.  As a podcast team, we've given a lot of critical thought to this and talked about how the break down can actually set a person up for a build-up. Without the proper emotional support system or awareness to check in with yourself however, it can be difficult to overcome certain experiences and move forward in life.  Our goal with this episode was to remind listeners the importance of checking in with themselves. We provided an authentic space of encouragement and hope for those who may be in the midst of a major life transition or mental or emotional breakdown, and supported them with steps on how to start moving forward so they are able to build themselves back up again. We have three helpful articles for you this week: “Having a Breakdown? The Best Tip I Ever Heard” posted by Psychology Today,  "Life After a Nervous Breakdown" posted by Bridges To Recovery and "You Can Always Build Yourself Up Again" posted by the Thought Catalog. We acknowledged the stigma associated with experiencing a mental breakdown, as well as the barriers that prevent people from reaching out for help. We offered our personal stories of times in our lives where we experienced a type of break down and what tools we used to build ourselves back up. This episode  is meant to offer you a truth, that no matter what experiences you endure you are not alone in the process. It was a cathartic, genuine, and uplifting show, and we hope it allows you to embrace the truth that no matter what you experience in life, you do have the power to not only endure it, but to overcome it.

How does one find balance in this fast paced non stop world? Between pursing your passions, spending time with your loved ones, taking care of your health, and finding time to just relax and "just be" it can be difficult at times to manage all of the responsibilities. In this episode, we offered our personal testimonies on how we maintain a balanced lifestyle and offered tips to our listeners on how to do the same! Balance is not something you achieve but something you consistently have to work on. Tune in and listen, as we inspire and encourage you all to be patient with yourself as you learn to sustain a more balanced lifestyle.

The concept of black hair being labeled as good or bad seems absurd, but the reality is, the notion that only a specific type of black hair can be "good" is still an ongoing issue in certain black communities.  We decided this week to think about the history of black hair, and had a conversation about how our hair is connected to our identity, culture, and expression not only as a race but as individuals. Following in the footsteps of Comedian/Social Commentator Chris Rock, who released his documentary "Good Hair" in 2009, we wanted to continue the discussion by offering some positivity and insight to the conversation around black hair in regards to racial identity and cultural expression.   We have two short articles and one insightful video to share with you this week: "The Connection Between Hair & Identity in Black Culture" posted by C&R, "The Navy Is Finally Lifting Its Ban on Dreadlocks for Women" posted by the Huffington Post and “The black hair care industry generates billions — but the US is missing out on the market,” a 9 minute video posted by CNBC about the one billion dollar hair industry. We offered our personal testimonies by sharing the positive and negative experiences we have had with learning to accept and manage our hair. We discussed the natural hair movement and the one-billion dollar hair industry that black hair generates. We not only addressed the complexities and struggles behind black hair, but also its uniqueness in texture and the overall beauty & versatility in the styles it is able to display. We promoted a message that our hair is powerful and unique, which is synonymous to who we are as a people. We hope this episode empowers you to think about ways to accept the uniqueness of your hair, and more importantly, how to accept yourself.

Last week we decided to have an in depth conversation about gentrification in the Bay Area and its impact on the community. We paired this conversation with the importance of voting and also discussed this topic in connection to California's Proposition 10. Although prop. 10  did not pass we still feel it is important to think critically about the policies that are being put into place and how that connects with who has access to housing and  the changes occurring in our communities.  We were able to question and analyze,  who is impacted by gentrification, what are the pros and cons to gentrification, and how does one get involved to maintain and preserve the culture and history of their communities. Overall, we were able to acknowledge that gentrification is a symptom of a systemic issue of institutional racism and economic access.  However, we acknowledged that we all have individual and communal power to fight against the system. We hope this episodes encourages you to have more critical conversations and to get engaged in the local politics of your community.

Last week we discussed what it is like to date in today's modern culture, and we received such good feedback for that episode we thought to extend the conversation. This week, we're discussing the impact of finances on dating and relationships. Since it's important to understand how to manage your personal finances, we believe it's equally important to think about how your relationship with money impacts the relationship with those you're dating. We have two helpful articles to share with you this week: "Navigating The Financial Side of a Relationship" posted by the NYTimes and "How Couples Handle Money at Every Stage of Their Relationship" posted by USNews.com. Throughout this episode we discussed the history of our personal relationships with money and how that impacts our relationships with others. We discussed and questioned financial gender norms, the reasons behind why it may be difficult to let someone provide for you or vice versa, how to share/split costs, and when the best time is to start these conversations about money with someone you are dating.  We also offered a few tips to listeners on how to be more proactive with crafting your financial philosophy in reference to dating and communicating those thoughts with your partner about it. We understand that discussing finances can bring up a range of positive and/or challenging emotions, however, we hope this episode encourages you to get comfortable with discussing this important topic with the hopes that you can better understand yourself and your partner as well. ​

This week on the podcast we kept the conversation fun and light by discussing what it's like to date in today's modern culture. In a time where people can be quick to make generalizations about men, women, and dating, we thought it would be refreshing to stop the stereotypes, break the division, and create a safe & fun space to have an open conversation about how people feel about dating. This is the first week in which we did not highlight any specific articles, and instead offered our own opinions and experiences. We also made an effort to recognize that our individual experiences do not represent the entire culture, and encouraged our listeners to approach every new dating experience with an open mind, a willing heart, and without generalizations and tainted perspectives. Our conversation was well rounded, and we discussed the various perspectives on dating: from those who are looking to hook up and others who are looking to commit, people's preferences in reference to online dating apps or meeting people in person; first date suggestions; the importance of doing self reflection and understanding yourself; understanding your love language; and finally, understanding your intentions as you begin to date and meet new people. Overall, different perspectives were offered, laughter was shared, and we provided insight, reflection, and hope to the single folks out there who are looking to connect and build with a significant other. We hope this episode makes you laugh, brightens your day, and gives you hope for love and a meaningful connection.

​Have you ever felt like you did not belong? Maybe questioned your own skill sets or abilities in a social or professional setting? Most people would like to admit​ that​ they navigate society with a confident view of ​themselves, but if we're all being honest, most people,at least once in their life, have questioned their talents and skill sets​. They may have even given into the idea that somehow, despite their hard work, they did not deserve the opportunity that was granted to them. This week we decided to shed light​ on this issue which is labeled as the "Imposter Syndrome." According Psychologist Pauline Rose Clance the Imposter Syndrome is defined as the idea that you've only succeeded due to luck, and not because of your talent or qualifications." We decided to have a conversation around the root causes of this syndrome which affects people in social, academic,and professional settings. It may even affect you. As always, we have some great articles for you to indulge in: "Yes, Imposter Syndrome is Real. Here's How to Deal With It." published by Time.com and "The Five Types of Imposter Syndrome And How to Beat Them" by fastcompany.com. Through our conversation we were able to explore the root causes underneath this feeling of ‘not belonging' and this haunting lie that causes certain people to makes who they truly are in order to feel accepted.Since we live in a society that constantly bombards us with negative messages and at times can have us questioning our self worth and power, we felt it was necessary to offer an episode that reinforced the following message to our listeners: you are qualified, you have done the work needed, and more importantly, you are enough. We hope this episode inspires all of you to think critically about the times you may have doubted yourself​, in hopes that you will no longer give into the negative voice that tries to hold you back. We hope that by offering our personal testimonies, you are empowered to actively overcome that lie that says ‘you do not belong', because ultimately -- you do.

This week we decided to have a conversation on the importance of breaking our biases. Today's society can can be divisive and individuals are unwilling to engage in open dialogue with others whose opinions differ from their own. As a podcast, we are dedicated to creating spaces that foster honest & open dialogue, and we were super excited to have this conversation. Not only to inspire you to be better in your communication, but to challenge ourselves to be better as well.  Here are two articles for you to reference:  Active Listening: The Art of Empathetic Conversation published by Positive Psychology Program and Six Ways to Break Your Implicit Bias Patterns  published by the Culture Wizard. We also encourage you to take an implicit bias test, published Harvard University to reveal any hidden biases you may hold. Follow this link to see what may be underneath the surface: Project Implicit.  We questioned and discussed the root causes of certain biased attitudes in regards to race, politics, and religion, and what is at risk when we do not take the time to learn how to have productive dialogues with people that hold differing views.  We also noted, having a bias is not necessarily a negative thing. It only becomes problematic when you allow your bias to be a basis for discriminatory behaviors or judgmental actions towards certain groups or individuals in society. We hope this episode encourages you to do some self-inventory and reflect on our your own biases. The moment we are made aware of something, is the moment we are one step closer to changing it.

On August 20th, 2017 we recorded our first episode as a podcast at the University of San Francisco. Last week, we took the time to celebrate our consistency, commitment, and overall love we have for each member on our team, our supporters, and the Seeds You Sow Podcast platform! This was a high energy, record-setting two hour episode! We guarantee it's an engaging, hilarious, and heart felt episode you'll truly enjoy, so set time aside to fully indulge! We took a moment to reflect on a few highlights we've had as podcast: *A total of over 2,300 downloads world wide (Listeners from New York to Japan have tuned in with us!) *12 phenomenal guests! *A total of 27 released episodes (nine unreleased episodes coming soon) *Two promotional videos *Solidification of our team, the mission, and the brand as a podcast! *One Live Show at Trapathon (episode to be released soon!) Not only were we able to pause and reflect on our growth as a podcast, we were able to reflect on our growth as individuals. We highlighted the importance of rest & reflection and acknowledged the power in connecting the decisions and actions of our past to our present day self, which allows use to move forward with purpose and intentionally. We also shared our vulnerabilities by reflecting on our different experience as individuals, and the unique peaks and falls in our own processes. All in all though, we were able to show gratitude for everything we endured this past year, and we hope this episode encourages YOU to take a moment to reset and reflect on where you are within your own journey in life.

This past week on the Seeds You Sow we took a minute to pause and reflect. In today's culture we realize that we are constantly bombarded with a multitude of images and reports of violence against black bodies. How often though do we question the effects of these reports and the rapid exposure to these too often violent  stories and images,  on our daily mental health?  Considering that the violence against black bodies in America is not only a recent issue but a historical one as well, we wanted to take the time to think about how we're processing the media we receive, and if we are responding or reacting to these upsettig news reports in a healthy way. We have two articles for you to review: "Police Killings and Violence Are Driving Black People Crazy posted by citylab.com and "New Study Gives Broader Look Into How Police Killings Affect Black Americans' Mental Health" posted by pbs.org. This episode was also inspired by Nia Wilson; a young woman whose life was senselessly taken while traveling on BART with her older sister. The incident took place three weeks ago and though the news was quick to report, now that time has passed a number of us have been left with a range of emotions and lingering questions. Through this episode we created a space where questions were not left unasked, and emotions were not left to linger; instead they were affirmed and felt.  We acknowledge the importance of taking a moment to honor the lives of those who were killed and not just scrolling through these stories but giving a space for us to be vulnerable in about how this affects us as individuals and as a community. Through our conversation we offered tips and advice to our listeners  about how to protect themselves from the violence that occurs in their day to day lives, and also about how to protect their mind and spirit, by filtering out the media messages they consume.  We hope this episode encourages you and other listeners all to think critically about the news and media you consume, and the affect it has on the way you view yourself and your outlook on the world around you.  More importantly, we hope this episode encourages us all to think about what actions we can take to make these violent stories against black bodies less prevalent.

The concepts of "selling out", code switching, and having to to mask who you are in order to get ahead can be complex for people, especially those who are still attempting to decide what passion and profession to pursue.  In this episode, we decided to have a conversation on the challenges faced when pursuing a profession that expects one to alter or mask who they are. Through our conversation we were able to uncover the different layers, biases, and prejudices that are promoted in some work settings. We questioned, how does one navigate the professional landscape? How can one stay true to their authentic self if they are asked to assimilate into a work culture that doesn't quite match with who they are? We also took the time to  define what professionalism look likes and how race, culture, and gender play a role within the professional working world.

Today's culture can be extremely fast paced and at times even isolating. People are so quick to emphasize  the need to put themselves first, it's difficult for them to establish balance and prioritize the needs of their community as well.  In this episode we highlight the importance of giving back to our community through the role of being an active Mentor.  There is power when we are able to connect, thrive, and provide ongoing leadership and support to another who is in need of that guidance.  We have two articles for you check out:  "The Importance of Communities, Mentors in Youth's  Lives" posted by Black Enterprise and  "Mentoring is Desperately Needed In The Black Community"  posted by the HuffPost. We discussed what prevents people from giving back and connecting to their community as a role as a Mentor. We also highlighted the benefits and need to provide guidance and support to our community by defining key values of what an effective Mentor demonstrates.  Through this episode we hope it encourages people to think about who were the individuals in their lives, who took the time to offer support and guidance.  We also hope it motivates people to tack action and establish a leadership role in another young person's life who may be in need of wisdom,  love, and support.

We've had some reflective conversations on relationships but what about the other ships of life? Our friendships? Metaphorically speaking, our friends are like ships, people who sail with us through the fun times as well as the challenging times. We decided to examine the different 'ships' of life and the importance of maintaining healthy connected friendships. In doing so, we highlighted two articles: Fifteen Reasons We Need Friends posted by Psychology Today & The Love Story I Never Thought To Tell. We brought into question, what are the values and qualities of a good friend? How does one define a healthy friendship? How do you navigate changes and difficulties within friendships? And why do we need friends as we go forward in life? We think it is important to stop and reflect on the different relationships in our lives, and how we are all interconnected beings who thrive when we are part of mutually beneficial friendships. We hope this episode inspires people to stop and reflect on the meaningful friendships they've had throughout life, and to also take time to show love & appreciation to the people who they have come to honor as their friends.

In this episode we analyzed the song "Brackets" by Hip-Hop artist, J. Cole which references a number of issues in society including mass incarceration, voting rights, and urban education. We decided to have a productive conversation about the song not only to encourage people to listen to music, but to engage with it as well and allow it to move them  to take action within their communities.  Also, joining us in the studio was Entrepreneur Michael McNair, Founder of UnicornAR. Check out the episode now!

In a culture that constantly consumes, when is there ever time to properly reflect & digest? It's been two years since the release of Beyonce's Lemonade and with the one year anniversary of Jay-Z's 4:44 slowly approaching, we decided to put these albums in conversation with one another and have a honest discussion about relationships in reference to maturity, accountability, and love. Check out the episode now!

We took a break last week to exercise some self-care! We're back though to wrap up  the Internal Wokeness Series by having an in-depth vulnerable conversation on how to deal and unpack emotional baggage, so we can be the best version of ourselves for our current and future partners.  One way to ensure that we are the best version of ourselves is to pause, and take the time to acknowledge and assess any past pain or disappointments we've endured in previous relationships, before embarking on our next journey with a new love. By unpacking our emotional experiences and placing them in their proper places, we allow ourselves to move forward on our emotional journey with others in freedom, joy, and a grande sense of love, which provides security and strength to ourselves and all those we encounter.  We referenced two articles for you this week: Three Ways To Break Free of Your Past Relationship Baggage posted by Psychology Today and 5 Steps to Deal With Emotional Baggage So It Does Not Define You by tinybuddah.com. We offered tips on how to unpack emotional baggage and identified obstacles  that may prevent one from doing so, and even provided our own personal testimonies of overcoming barriers that at one point prevented us from unpacking our own emotional emotional baggage. We acknowledged that unpacking is a process that requires courage to deal with the painful truth of our past, willingness to forgive yourself and others, a mature mindset, and a desire to grow and seek better for yourself and others. We hope this episode inspires you to identify the things you've been  carrying that no longer serve you, so that you can travel free of emotional baggage and experience a healthy love for yourself, and with others.

The ​2nd installment of the Internal Wokeness series ​is indeed an episode you need to listen to. ​As we know, today's world is filled with a number of distractions, traumas, and stresses. It's so easy to be constantly on the go that we may forget how to slow down, stop, and reflect. This week's episode we ​highlighted the importance of establishing a healthy self​-​care routine that will align your mind, body​,​ and spirit with one another. We also noted that the term self-​care is more than a trending topic or buzz word​ -- it is a way of life; a mentality that will ultimately assist us all in the fight against social injustice. As Activist, Author, and Poet Audre Lorde stated, "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare." We stand behind this statement because we recognize that during these stressful times in our culture, caring for others and fighting for our community can take a toll on one's mental& emotional health. Therefore it is important that we begin to fight for a space in which we can establish a way to care for ourselves, without feeling shameful when we decide to do so.  The first article, 45 Self-Care Practices for a Healthy Mind, Body, *& Soul published by tinybuddha.com serves as a guiding tool in establishing your own ways of self care, and provides several ideas you can incorporate in your daily life.  The second article we highlighted is titled, Healers of Color, on Why Self-Care is not Self-Indulgence. An article published by colorlines.com. This piece offers different explanations for why our community needs to learn how to care for and love one's self. We also noted that though embracing a healthy self care routine is not the final solution to achieving wholeness, it is one step in the process.  Finding one's rhythm and method requires willingness, commitment, and consistency. It is not something that establishes itself over night but instead takes time. Through this episode we hope to encourage all of you l to recognize it is okay to take time for yourself and get back to making sure you are good. The more we are able to establish a healthy love and relationship with ourselves the better we will be for our loved ones and our community. Peace!

We are kicking off our first three-part series centered on the theme of "Internal Wokeness." Last season, we discussed the concept of being internally woke and highlighted the importance of not only being intellectually aware(a.k.a. woke) to what is going on socially & politically but also being woke internally to what is going on within one's self mentally & emotionally.The concept for this first episode in this series is "starve the ego and feed the spirit"  was inspired by the Native American parable Two Wolves.Through this discussion we encouraged our listeners to think critically about what they are actually giving their time and energy to, and to question if the facade they present to the outer world matches what is happening in their inner world.  We also affirmed that establishing a healthy ego -- not one fueled with masked pain or uncontrollable anger is the first step to letting our guards down and exploring what is going on with ourselves internally.   ​We thought the following articles would be beneficial to reference & discuss:: Therapists are saying African Americans Are Seeking Help for Mental Illness posted online by The Washington Post and Black Men & Our Health   published online by The Huffington Post. These articles highlight that there is a need for our community to start checking in with our selves individually and collectively. Through this dialogue we hope to encourage others to create more spaces where people feel comfortable talking about trauma, pain, and the every day struggles & stress of life. We need healing just as much as we need justice and we're hoping this series will inspire all of you to mentally and emotionally check in with yourselves so that true transformation can begin to take place.

This week we decided to have a conversation about the impact that racial stereotypes still pose on today's culture. We recognize that racial stereotypes are not a new topic; we do posit however that stereotypes, along with the prejudices and unchecked biases that people hold, are in direct correlation with the high amount of racial violence and systematic oppression that continues to plague this country today. Our goal is to create spaces that have more in-depth conversation about these racial stereotypes and their impact on the culture. We believe that it is important to ask deeper questions and really explore what triggers these stereotypes? Where do they originate? And more importantly, how do we begin to dismantle false narratives imposed onto marginalized communities? We referenced the following articles, which we encourage for you to review: "How To Fix Unconscious Racism?" published by the TheGurdian.com and "Responding to Racist Stereotypes" posted highered.com. We offered our personal testimonies of being stereotyped by oppressive systems as well as by those within our own communities. Furthermore, we acknowledged the mental and emotional health risks that emerge when individuals begin to believe the stereotypes that have been imposed onto them. Through this episode we hope we can effectively encourage people of privilege and power to start thinking more critically about any unchecked biased they may hold. Lastly, we hope it will empower those who have been marginalized to speak out, reject the false narratives, and stand firmly in their truth.

This week on The Seeds You Sow Podcast, we had an in depth conversation about the concept of black privilege. Part of this conversation was inspired by Radio Personality Charlamagne Tha God's autobiography "Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes To Those Who Create It."  Although Charlamagne catches our attention with this title, the book itself is an autobiographical account of his personal life experiences and does not detail the full concept of Black Privilege.  We were were curious about this controversial term however, and the type of emotions, thoughts, and conversations it could spark so we decided to engage in a balanced dialogue on the topic. We noted how the term of "Black Privilege" could possibly be problematic and unintentionally negate the systemic structures of white privilege which are in place to keep people of color at a disadvantage. Oppositely, we explored the notion that the idea of "Black Privilege" could be interpreted as a state of mind. With this context, this term becomes one of empowerment, used to inspire individuals and communities alike to take pride in their blackness and develop stronger mindsets with which they can dismantle systems of oppression.  Our goal was to have a balance conversation and to present both sides of the argument, so we referenced the following articles. Equity Matters,  Why Black Privilege Doesn't Make Much Sense  posted eurweb.com and Why CharlamagneTha God Loves Telling White America about Black Privilege from New York Time's online publication. We also delved a little deeper and broaden our scope of privilege, thinking more critically not only about black privilege vs. white privilege, but the many types of  privileges we all hold in society, and the various ways it shows up in our daily lives. By taking time to acknowledge our individual privileges we are better able to recognize our power, and the inherent responsibility to call out certain injustices in our society. We are hoping this episode inspires you to stop, reflect, and check in with your own given privileges so that you can better position yourself to serve others in your community.

This week we decided to discuss what it really means to love yourself and your significant other in today's culture. In this context, we defined the concept to " to be in love with yourself" as an unhealthy selfish "full of yourself" type love that depends on external confirmations. Contrarily, we defined the concept of loving yourself could be defined as being able to love, accept, and show compassion to one's self independent of material things or the approval of others. We noted the cultural complexities that make it difficult for people to truly love & accept themselves wholeheartedly. We highlighted the fact that how a person treats themselves, and how they feel about themselves reflects in their relationships with others. We also delved into the importance of spending time getting to know yourself, and learning to love yourself, before building a foundation with your significant other. We referenced the articles, "The Brain on Love" by Diane Ackerman, "Why You Need To Get To Know YOURSELF Before a Relationship" posted by the online publication, meetmindful and "How To Tell if Your Partner Has Genuine Self Love?, by the Goodmen Project. This conversation opened the doors for us to offer our personal testimonies on various aspects of dating, love, and relationships, the process and patience it required to truly know one's self as well as the person your dating and the vulnerability & courage it requires to authentically become your best self while single or in a relationship. Our goal with this episode is to encourage you to think critically about type of relationship you are building with yourself and with others. We all want acceptance and love, so we're hoping that this episode will help us all along the path to truly loving ourselves and others in healthy, mature, and honest type of way.

We're wrapping up Black History Month with the "We Are, Because they Were" series through which we honor the historical African American people, films, shows, or movements of our past and place them in conversation with people doing similar work today. This week we honored the classic 90's TV show A Different World with the recent television premiere of the coming of age show, Grownish. Although the two shows were released 30 years apart from one another they both depict the college experience through the perspective(s) of the Young & Black. We highlighted the importance of representation in the media and how shows like a A Different World & Grownish plant seeds of positivity and achievement in our youth and subtly encouragement them to pursue higher education. We salute both shows and appreciate their contribution to the culture! Also in the studio was Jasper Smith, who returned to offer humor, insight, and financial advice. Jasper is the leader of the #BuildWealth Movement and joined us to talk about the webinar series called #BuildWealth Half Hour. Check out the clip below to find out more information and make sure to tune in and listen to the full episode.

Movie history has been made, and we were among the masses who went out to the theaters to support this proud moment in movie history. The first ever major super hero movie featuring an all black leading cast, "Black Panther"  was released this past weekend and we are proud and hyped for its success.  We understand that we are living in a time of critical thought, which compels people to talk more about the impact of the film rather than just simply enjoying it. In this episode we offered a balanced perspective  in reacting to the film by discussing the CRITICAL themes that were presented in the movie and also CELEBRATING the film for its art and accomplishment. This film has ignited great conversations and is pushing the culture forward! This episode does contain spoilers, so if you haven't seen the film yet, we encourage you to first watch it and then tune in to listen.  Overall, we were in awe and filled with an extreme amount of pride for the monumental amount of Black excellence that was presented in this film! Wakanda Forever!

We're switching the format for Black History month! We are honoring historical African American people, films, shows, or movements of our past and putting them in conversation with people who are doing similar work today. We believe it is important to acknowledge the predecessors who planted the first seeds of hope for our people and it is also important to acknowledge those who are still plowing away in the garden and brining forth that harvest for all of us to enjoy and be inspired by! This week we honored the following: Because of Julie Dash, we have Ava DuVernay. Because of Tupac Shakur, we have Kendrick Lamar Because of Barbara Christian, we have Ula Taylor We could take the time to TELL you who these people are but instead we would encourage you LISTEN to the episode instead. The stories and highlights of these phenomenal black figures in our society are definitely worth sharing. We also played a couple of rounds of the hilarious game Black Card Revoked, highlighted some great books, and overall had a good time. Tune in for some history, fun, and a great show! =D

We're starting off Black History Month with boldness and a great sense of pride by affirming the POWER we hold not only as individuals but also as a community. We know the culture is hyped right now about the  Marvel Studios Film, 'Black Panther' which inspired us to explore the question, what does it mean to have super hero like qualities? This episode is dedicated to discussing the importance of establishing a healthy sense of self worth and being unapologetic in who you are, in reference to the gifts & powers you have as an individual and how you share those abilities with your community. We discussed the importance of building a strong sense of identity because it leads to an increased sense of self worth, which in turns leaves you in a better position to uplift and encourage others.  We then took the time to honor people in our personal lives who demonstrate superhero like behavior. After, we self-identified our personal superhero like qualities and offered them to YOU(our listeners) to encourage you to think about what greatness and power you have to offer to the world as well. Finally, we highlighted the power of humility, because only when we're humble enough to acknowledge our weaknesses can we truly let our strengths shine even brighter.

This week was full of laughter, good times, and inner reflection as we examined how we view the differing perspectives of spirituality in today's Black community. This topic was inspired by the book Why did Jesus, Mohammed, and Buddha cross the road? Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World by Brian D. McLaren. We understand we are living in a culture where people are quick to reply as opposed to understand. This inspired us to think critically not only about how to discuss the different religious or non-religious perspectives we all hold, but also about the power in learning how to listen to one another and our different stories we have in reference to our spiritual walk in life.

We're starting off season two by discussing topics that for decades have been considered inappropriate unless discussed behind closed doors. However, in the words of James of Baldwin, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” In the spirit of addressing things in a direct manner we decided to have a holistic conversation about sex. This episode was inspired by a talk given by Pastor, Author, and Speaker Toure' Roberts, entitled Sexual Wholeness! This encouraged us to think critically about how we discuss sex in today's culture and about the multiple perspectives we all have.  Take Root & Give Back: We Highlighted the organization, The Eastside Cultural Arts Center Reading is Good for the Soil(Mind): Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry (Mildred D. Taylor) The Man Book (Jareem Gunther) Tales of Semple (Langston Hughes) The Mother of Black Hollywood(Jennifer Lewis) Articles Referenced: Changes in American Adults' Behavior towards Sex​ 1972-2012 (http://psy2.fau.edu/~shermanr/Twenge%20Sherman%20&%20Wells%20In%20Press.pdf) "The Sex Talk Isn't Enough" (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2017/05/17/how-to-teach-teens-to-have-healthy-romantic-relationships/?utm_term=.8899a283edec) "In the era of #MeToo Conversations about Sex are more important ever!" (https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/blog/20986742/in-the-era-of-metoo-conversations-about-sex-are-more-important-than-ever)

In this episode, we discussed the power of the process and offered our personal affirmations to keep you all motivated and focused for 2018. Instead of fixating on the end result we highlighted the importance of embracing and respecting the journey it takes to get there. It was a lively, empowering, well rounded conversation where we offered our own personal testimonies on discovering and embracing the balance of being patient and persistent towards the dreams you have in life. Also in the studio as our guest, was Musician and Artist, Jaylen Green. Jaylen offered her inspirational story and process of completing her debut solo album, "Better Late than Never" which is available now on Spotify. Articles Referenced: Why You Should Give Up on Goals(http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20171117-why-we-should-all-give-up-on-goals-already) The Power of the Process(https://experiencelife.com/article/the-power-of-process/) Books Referenced: The Mother of Black Hollywood: A Memoir(Jennifer Lewis) Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry(Mildred D. Taylor) The Man Book (Jareem Gunter)

Seed of the Day: This week we had a difficult but much needed conversation about the recent sexual assault allegations that have been covered in the news and shared through the #MeToo movement. We stressed the importance of recognizing if we are going to discuss the issue of sexual assault we first have to address the issue of a culture that objectifies women and the power dynamics that are being demonstrated between men and women. We also highlighted the point that these recent allegations are NOT trending topics, but a painful truth that we all - men and women - are experiencing and dealing with. Through this conversation we were able to shed light onto the people aiming to overcome their pain and foster hope as they reclaim their power by sharing their stories. We also promoted the need to establish healthy and respectful mindsets between men and women, so that we can encourage a culture of people who look to love & support one another, instead of to dominate and control. Take Root & Give Back: Youth Uprising Center Reading is Good for the Soil: Have a Little Faith (Mitch Albom) & "The Prophet (Khalil Gibran) Articles Referenced: Sexual Violence Against Women: Understanding Cross-Cultural Intersections (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3777345/)

Seed of the day: "Narratives of Blackness: How We Identify Individually & Collectively as Black People and the Importance of Sharing Our Stories." We had an empowering conversation about black identity in American society and shared our own personal stories of how we see ourselves as individuals connected to the rich legacy of Black History. Through this conversation we were hoping to spark dialogue, encourage others to think of their own journey of identity, and challenge all to listen to and respect the differences between us and the similarities we share as Black Americans in today's world. We referenced an excerpt from the book "Who is Black? One Nation's Definition" by author and retired professor Floyd James Davis. We also highlighted the books, "Dreams of My Father" (Barack Obama), "Souls of Black Folk" (W.E.B. DuBois), as well as the new album "If All I Was, Was Black" by legendary singer Mavis Staples of the Staple Singers. Check out the new clip below! The full episode is now available now iTunes.

Seed Of The Day: This episode is a response to Beyoncé & Eminem's new song "Walk on Water," a lyrical message to the fans that the artists are not God, and that people should not "believe in them, the way that they do." This prompted us to question and discuss the line between idolization and admiration of a celebrity, and why this is or isn't problematic for society. Take Root & Give Back: Thai Chu, founder of Listen For A Change (www.listenchange.org) Reading is Good for the Soil: The Marrow of Tradition (Charles Chestnut) Articles Referenced: "Celebritiy Worship and The American Mind" (https://www.huffingtonpost.com/donna-rockwell-psyd/celebrity-worship-and-the_b_13794782.html)

Seed Of The Day: We had the chance to examine how social media plays a role in our culture and establishing the importance of making sure that we know how to use the social media and not have the social media use us. Take Root & Give Back: The Angels in Orange (https://www.axios.com/the-angels-in-orange-fighting-californias-fires-2496642109.html) Reading is Good for the Soil: 'The Gifts of Imperfection'(Brene Brown), Life in Overtime(Tierra Rogers), & Man's Search for Meaning(Viktor Frankl) Articles referenced by: "How Black People Built Social Media" (https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-black-people-built-social-media_us_58139254e4b08301d33e08dc) "6 Ways Social Media Affects our Health(https://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2017/06/30/a-run-down-of-social-medias-effects-on-our-mental-health/&refURL=&referrer=#43595f152e5a)

Seed Of The Day: Are you internally woke? The importance of not only intellectual awareness but mental/emotional health awareness.” We had an honest conversation about the need for our community to be vulnerable and seek thearpy in order to repair and move forward. Take Root & Give Back: Jus Me of Just Mindfulness www.justmindfulness.com Reading is Good for the soil: ‘The Four Agreements (Miguel Ruiz) and ‘Raising Fences' (Michael Datcher) We also highlighted the new album ‘4eva Is a Mighty Long Time' by hip-hop artist Big K.R.I.T. Articles referenced: "FAMILY-CARE, COMMUNITY-CARE AND SELF-CARE TOOLKIT: HEALING IN THE FACE OF CULTURAL TRAUMA" by The Community Healing Network and American Black Psychologists Association

Seed Of The Day: “Breaking Barriers & Double Standards: How do we have productive conversations about patriarchy & race?" This episode was a critical response to an article published by The Root entitled, “Straight Black Men are the White people of Black People” we felt the need to respond to this article and find ways to have productive conversations between black men and black women that would stop the divide and instead, inspire and establish connection. Take Root & Give Back: Our featured guest, Entrepreneur& Interior designer, Ms. Ashley Allston @adornbyashleyallston discussed her business “Adorn” and her passion/commitment to helping others see their own potential and beauty! Reading is Good for the Soil: “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho and “The Color of Water” by James McBride! Articles Referenced: "Straight Black Men Are the White People of Black People" (Damon Young) "Dear Black Men: This System May Not Want You To Love Yourself, But I Love You."(StormErvin)