YOU Better!

It's the end of season two of You Better! This episode features a compilation of Kiesha's reflections, questions, and conversations with this season's guests.If you've listened to season two, enjoy returning to the most powerful moments from these episodes. And if you're tuning in for the first time, let this compilation point you to some must-listen episodes for your podcast queue.Make sure you listen to the end of the episode to hear about her new project Hey, Black Seattle! Episode Resources:Hey, Black Seattle!Contact Info:Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.coFollow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrisonFollow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this inspiring final interview of the season, Kiesha talks with Rhonda Joy McLean, a celebrated attorney, entrepreneur, leadership consultant, and co-author of The Little Black Book of Success.Rhonda shares her family heritage and pivotal life lessons, including her experience of integrating a school at age thirteen in the Jim Crow South.Kiesha and Rhonda also discuss high achievement, depression, and mental health — making this episode a must-listen for anyone wondering how successful individuals prioritize their mental and emotional well-being.Rhonda is a phenomenal human who offers her wisdom with an open heart. She is sisterhood with a capital “S”. Tune in to learn from her story! Episode Resources:Visit Rhonda's WebsiteFollow Rhonda on InstagramFollow Rhonda on LinkedInBuy The Little Black Book of SuccessContact Info:Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.coFollow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrisonFollow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this moving and thought-provoking interview, Kiesha talks with poet and educator Dr. Lauri Conner. Together, they explore the value of personal reflection in shaping character and discuss freer, more open-minded ways to think about education. Dr. Conner also reflects on her young life and shares some vulnerable and difficult lessons she learned, leading to a discussion on the importance of compassion & accountability.Dr. Conner is a Cave Canem fellow whose poems have appeared in Calyx, Seattle Review, and other journals and anthologies. She holds a Ph.D. and an MFA from the University of Washington and has taught at Cornish College of the Arts, Antioch University, Seattle Central College, and Seattle Academy. Now, as the Head of School at Lake Washington Girls Middle School, Dr. Conner uses her past experiences to help understand and shape her students for the better. Her inquisitive spirit, love for Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon, and ability to share what she's learned make this an episode you don't want to miss! Episode Resources:Follow Dr. Lauri Conner on LinkedInOrder *Song of Solomon* by Toni MorrisonContact Info:Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.coFollow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrisonFollow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this episode, Kiesha is joined by Dr. Amber Thornton, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Default Parenting + Millennial Motherhood Wellness Expert, and the Founder of Balanced Working Mama, where the mission is to support millennial mothers in creating a life of more balance and wellness.It is important that we - for our individual and collective wellbeing - break free from confining social norms and cultural conditioning that don't serve us.  And this is why Dr. Amber is a person I appreciate deeply because that is exactly what she helps people do. Her current teaching is focused on undoing the prevalence of default parenting syndrome.  Tune in to learn how default parenting can lead to a type of life that makes it easy to lose yourself and your dreams.  Together, we discuss the power of crafting a life that includes space for you to learn yourself and to have what you need to thrive. We also highlight the importance of effective communication and questioning societal expectations.You better tune in and learn more about supporting the parents in your community!Episode Resources:Visit Dr. Amber's WebsiteFollow Dr. Amber on InstagramFollow Dr. Amber on TikTokListen to the Balanced Working Mama PodcastContact Info:Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.coFollow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrisonFollow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrison Directly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this solo episode, Kiesha reflects on why we should love all parts of ourselves and live our layers.She explores a few common ways we lose touch with ourselves. And offers suggestions for returning and reconnecting, time and time again.She also shares an exercise for figuring out when and where you're denying yourself so you can connect with your ideal self and your most supportive community.Grab some pen and paper, then tune in to learn how to love your layers. And if you want to share anything that comes up, find Kiesha on social media @kiesha_garrison. Contact Info:Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.coFollow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrisonFollow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrison Directly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

At the height of her career, Celine Brozovich was experiencing severe health issues and fell into a deep depression that pushed her to the edge of her life. After watching her mother battle similar issues with little success, she decided to make matters into her own hands by becoming a Lifestyle Medicine Coach.Celine is the founder of Baykenji Health and the creator of the E.L.M. tree method for improving your Emotional Intelligence, Lifestyle Medicine, and Mindset. She believes in helping people achieve health and happiness through self-acceptance, good nutrition, reconciliation, and movement.Together, Kiesha and Celine discuss Celine's six pillars of nutrition, as well as many of her tried-and-true best practices for a happy, healthy life. Ultimately, Celine strives to contribute to healing and encourages listeners to slow down, appreciate what they have, and focus on helping others. You better tune in to learn how!Episode Resources:Visit Celine's WebsiteFollow Celine on LinkedInCheck Out Celine's Favorite Resources Contact Info:Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.coFollow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrisonFollow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrison Directly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

Have you ever wondered if music could help you heal? In this episode, Kiesha is joined by Stephanie Ann Ball to discuss just that.Stephanie is a professional classical singer who performs in curated concerts across the country, as well as a sound meditation facilitator who holds space for people to hear healing sounds. She is also a Certified Hypnotherapist and Certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Mental Emotional Release.Together, they discuss how post-college and mid-Covid anxiety led her to take a non-traditional path in the world of performance and sound. They also discuss the struggles of being visible in our daily lives and how Stephanie learned to let music come through her without trying to control it. Episode Resources:Visit Stephanie's WebsiteFollow Stephanie on InstagramFollow Stephanie on LinkedInContact Info:Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.coFollow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrisonFollow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this fun and inspiring episode, Kiesha and Bernice Ye discuss how sometimes we must go against everything we've been taught to find the path that fits who we are. Together, they unpack how embracing your unique perspective is a key to a happy life.Bernice is a comedian, first generation Chinese-American, and producer of the multicultural comedy show Fine Imports in Santa Monica, CA. In her journey to living as her true self Bernie has boldly rejected confining cultural norms to take ownership of her path forward. From an intense and demanding Chinese grade school education, to her initial distaste for public speaking, to embracing standup comedy as part of her skincare routine— her life is full of delightful twists and turns.Bernice lives by the mantra “rules are suggestions” and that shows in her willingness to be courageously unique in everything she does and in the stories she tells in this episode. You better tune in to hear about it!Episode Resources:Visit Bernice's WebsiteFollow Bernice on InstagramFollow Fine Imports on InstagramFollow Bernice on TwitterContact Info:Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.coFollow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrisonFollow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this solo episode, Kiesha reflects on how we can receive and process feedback while staying true to ourselves.She explains why processing feedback requires knowledge of the self and knowledge of the source. And she shares a story about feedback she received after an internship that shows how critical feedback can actually tell us our superpowers.She also reflects on the messiness of feedback, including how some people will give you feedback that sends you where they want you to go and when positive feedback can be clouded by contemporary -isms.Listen in to hear Kiesha's poignant reflections on praise and criticism, as well as her two quick tips about feedback. Then share your thoughts on social media! LinksEpisode Resources:Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull & Amy WallaceWhen We Make It by Elisabet VelasquezContact Info:Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.coFollow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrisonFollow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this heartfelt episode, Kiesha and Heather Burris dig deep into what it means to set an example for those around us.Together, they talk through Heather's pandemic journey, one that brought a deep grief that taught her the importance of leaning on and receiving God's love through community. They also discuss the book she wrote after embracing an uncomfortable lesson about how we embody the lessons we want our children to learn. Heather Burris is the Immunization Division Chief at the District of Columbia Department of Health (DC Health). Her expertise includes vaccine operations, program management, and clinical research administration of infectious diseases. In addition, she is mission-focused on health equity and ensuring vulnerable residents or those hard-to-reach community members have access to immunizations. A champion for Black women, particularly Black girls, Heather also authored Hair Like Me, a children's story about beauty and confidence inspired by her daughter.Episode Resources:Order Heather's Book Hair Like MeFollow Heather on InstagramVisit Heather's WebsiteContact Info:Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.coFollow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrisonFollow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this spiritually-rich episode, Kiesha talks with proud father, artist, actor, producer, author, and activist, Aaron Ableman.Aaron shares his unusual life story, from being born in Michael Douglas's basement to traveling the world for his award-winning work to support children and families.Together, they discuss the challenges of being renaissance people in a world that encourages hyper-specialization, the lack of systemic support for parenthood, and what it means to be a Rebel of Kindness.Episode Resources:Follow Aaron on InstagramVisit Aaron's WebsitePre-order Aaron's Book Rebels Of Kindness: How Loving-Care Can Transform Self, Others and PlanetContact Info:Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.coFollow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrisonFollow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

Welcome back to YOU Better! We're so excited for season two of the podcast.Today's episode is full of vibrance and joy as Kiesha talks with Aramis O. Hamer (AO for short), an exuberant artist and spiritual woman. Together, they follow Aramis's journey as she decided to pack up her life with her husband and move from her hometown of Chicago to Seattle for nursing school, only to discover that the kind of healing she truly felt called to do was through art.Now, Aramis paints enormous and beautiful murals all over Seattle, highlighting the beauty, the splendor, and the magic of Black women. She's an exuberant soul who is overflowing with lessons to share about spirituality, energy, self belief, self image, and how everything you want is on the other side of fear. Episode Resources:Visit Aramis's WebsiteFollow Aramis on InstagramRead Aramis's Book Recommendations: You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero, The Illusion of Money by Kyle Cease & You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen SinceroContact Info:Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.coFollow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrisonFollow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrison Directly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

This episode features a compilation of Kiesha's reflections, questions, and self-discovery advice from the first half of her 2022 interview guests.  Let these moments of post-conversation musing inspire your end of year journaling or your beginning of the year intention-setting.Reflections are from the following episodes:Spread Truth and Joy with Alliah L. AgostiniGet to the Other Side with Allison ZinczenkoBrace for Impact with Bobby MorganReload Yourself with Latorsha PeakeBe More Than Enough with Dr. Shelly BhowmikWalk Through the Fire with Kim BlueBreak Free From Normal with Prairie Rose FreeMaster Self-Discipline with Kena TchiteyaCome Home to Yourself with Troy WilliamsEmbrace Your Pain with Joy WhiteGet in the Game with Chipalo StreetPursue Your Dreams with Anthony ColeUnlock Your Voice with Quinn ConyersFace Yourself with Coax MarieGet Strategic with Tonya FewellValue Life with Kaska AdoteyeRedefining Self with Tomasina Boone

This episode features a compilation of Kiesha's reflections, questions, and self-discovery advice from the first half of her 2022 interview guests.  Let these moments of post-conversation musing inspire your end of year journaling or your beginning of the year intention-setting.Reflections are from the following episodes:Take the Leap with Sukie JeffersonHeal from Within with Tira FeiersteinBloom in Hope & Love with Charles E. Sims Jr.Get Rooted in Community with Yaribel MercedesBe Present with Mark HatcherKnow that Happiness Takes Courage with A. Jade SmithFind the Edge of Growth with Phill NosworthyObserve Where You Are with Les AlfredLet Empathy Change You with Nyah PeytonSuperpower of Sensitivity with Ben ShimizuChoose Joy & Come Alive with Dr. Jun Love YoungKnow You Are Worthy of Dignity with Nikki Gane-ButlerApply the Right Pressure with Aspen Fitzgerald-DorseyReclaim Your Imagination with Zerandrian MorrisKnow that You Can Matter with Shaya LyonReplenish Your Soul with Kev MarcusOverflow out of the Box with Shermica Farquhar 

Tomasina Boone is the founder of The Curls and Natural Hair Beauty Place, a unique space that is the only service provider of it's kind in Sydney to provide a retail shop for great quality products and a beauty space dedicated to the care, maintenance, and styling of naturally curly hair.  As a former Essence Magazine Advertising Beauty Director, Tomasina moved to Sydney, Australia 15 years ago with her hubby (lawyer and former NAACP board member) and 1 year old daughter.When leaving the USA she was constantly asked two questions: one, are there any Black people there? And two, who is going to do your hair? Tomasina's hair was relaxed at the time so she thought nothing of it.  But years later, Tomasina finally went natural (begrudgingly) and her hair fell out. This inspired her to purchase an e-commerce business to supply imported products from the States for natural and curly hair. What started out as a business to support expats quickly expanded into a market and knowledge place for all kinds of clients and curly hair textures. In this conversation, Tomasina shares with Kiesha how her sense of self evolved through her changes in geography, career, and through her journey with her hair.Episode Resources:https://www.curlsandnaturalhair.com.au/Curls And Natural Hair (@curls_and_natural_hair) • Instagram photos and videosBooks: The Complete Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue, Neale Donald Walsch In Search of Satisfaction, J California CooperFor Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf, Ntozake ShangeContact InfoWant Kiesha to host a YOU Better! experience for your team? If you are ready to strengthen the foundation of your team culture by investing in your team members' self-development, reach out for a free discovery call:  kieshagarrison.co/discoverycallSend speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to (send an email to:  info @ kieshagarrison.co)Follow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me 

Kaska Adoteye, Ph. D. has held many hats, being a data scientist, author, investor, and entrepreneur. He has taken his skills from Wall Street to Silicon Valley and is known for his technical excellence across domains. He is also the author of the thought-provoking and insightful book Theory of Mind. The book, among other things, follows his story of discovering he has a rare and potentially lethal brain malformation, as well as the failed journey to treat it. The experience left him rattled, but also allowed him to gain empathy, compassion, and get closer to those around him. Episode Resources:Theory of Mind, by Kaska Adoteye The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart TolleSoul, a Disney Movie Contact InfoWant Kiesha to host a YOU Better! experience for your team? If you are ready to strengthen the foundation of your team culture by investing in your team members' self-development, reach out for a call to discuss:  kieshagarrison.co/discoverycallSend speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to (send an email to:  info @ kieshagarrison.co)Follow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

This episode features Tonya Fewell, J.D., a highly driven woman who is truly powered by purpose.  She has made her life's work the work of walking other people through radical transformation. As the senior strategist at Bridge Every Gap Tonya and her team build optimal systems and strategies for success with individuals, teams, and organizations in leadership and self-development.Her role as a mother to her three children Briana, Evan, and Grace, plays greatly into her identity – she even professionally goes by the moniker “Mama T” She recognizes her kids are at the center of so much motivation for her, but she also shares some of self-inquiry she had to do around the fact of her being an unmarried mother of three. We also talked about her figuring out where she belonged and how she began the process of living in alignment with who she actually is. Tonya believes that a goal with a plan and a guide is the recipe for success Episode Resources:Learn about Bridge Every Gap & the SHE2023 RetreatBooks mentioned:We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman's Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic PowerThe One Minute Millionaire: The Enlightened Way to WealthThe 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New RichContact InfoWant Kiesha to host a YOU Better! experience for your team? If you are ready to strengthen the foundation of your team culture by investing in your team members' self-development, reach out for a free discovery call:  kieshagarrison.co/discoverycallSend speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to (send an email to:  info @ kieshagarrison.co)Follow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

Coax Marie is a powerful talent - an artist whose music affirms what is unique and magical about us. She uses her gifts to promote energetic freedom and liberation and creates the type of music that holds your hand throughout the beautiful challenges of being human.  She has moved thousands of people to assert “I Am Enough.” In this interview with Kiesha, Coax talks about her artistic origin story, how she challenges herself to show up as the person she says she is, and how she looks within for insight for her journey.  She also digs into some people's tendency to dismiss things they don't yet understand as “woo-woo” and shares about how she's holding herself accountable for finishing what she starts.  Episode Resources:Coax Marie's WebsiteBuy Coax Marie's “I Am Enough” MerchFollow Coax Marie on InstagramBook Recommendation: 300 Writing Prompts Contact InfoWant Kiesha to host a YOU Better! experience for your team? She speaks and hosts workshops to help your team members develop a stronger sense of self:  kieshagarrison.co/discoverycallYou can also submit speaker booking inquiries by emailing info@kieshagarrison.coFollow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

 A conversation about grace in the workplace from one of Kiesha's Culture Conversations with a corporate client group is lingering on her mind along with the memory of the last three minutes of raw vulnerability from Deon Cole's Netflix comedy special Charleen's Boy.  In this solo episode, Kiesha reflects on two recent moments of introspection, both centered on being able to recognize the goodness that other people are sometimes offering us. Contact InfoWant Kiesha to host a YOU Better! experience for your team? If you are ready to strengthen the foundation of your team culture by investing in your team members' self-development, reach out for a free discovery call:  kieshagarrison.co/discoverycallSend speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to (send an email to:  info @ kieshagarrison.co)Follow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this episode, Kiesha Garrison interviews Event Emcee and Author Quinn Conyers who shares her story of giving up, finding her way back to her unique gift, and defining success on her own terms.Episode Resources:HOME | Quinn ConyersQuinn's Speak Black Woman Podcast - Episode wit Kiesha! Following Your Inner Voice to Do What You Love - SBW Ep #56 with Keisha Garrison - YouTubeBooksSpeak Black Woman: How Women In Business Can Profit from Public SpeakingAtomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad OnesContact InfoWant Kiesha to host a YOU Better! experience for your team? If you are ready to strengthen the foundation of your team culture by investing in your team members' self-development, reach out for a free discovery call:  kieshagarrison.co/discoverycallSend speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to (send an email to:  info @ kieshagarrison.co)Follow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

Growing up Anthony Cole dreamed of being a recording artist, but like many talented creatives who enter the job market, corporate pursuits became his source of stability.  But you know that saying, wherever you go, there you are... Well, eventually Anthony's musical self became a part of his corporate life which has led to the artist in Anthony taking center stage in his life. In October of 2022, he released his first album, Good Vibes Only.  In this interview he shares with Kiesha about how he finds fulfillment and what he has learned about embracing his full self and speaking up for what he wants and needs in life.Episode Resources:Anthony Cole Rise Up: Rise Up (Official Music Video) | Anthony Cole & Precision Productions - YouTubeAnthony Cole Rock It Back: Rock It Back (Official Music Video) | Anthony Cole & Precision Productions - YouTubeMentioned in the episode:Sesame Flyers International IncorporatedThe STAR Method of Behavioral Interviewing (vawizard.org)Kasey Phillips (@kc_kasey) • Instagram photos and videosContact InfoWant Kiesha to host a YOU Better Workshop for your team? If you are ready to strengthen the foundation of your team culture by investing in your team members' self-development, reach out for a free discovery call:  kieshagarrison.co/freecallSend speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to (send an email to:  info @ kieshagarrison.co)Follow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

Chipalo Street has worn many hats throughout his life – in addition to being a groundbreaker and mentor in the tech world, he's had a “nights and weekends” career refereeing international, professional, and collegiate soccer matches.  In this episode, Chipalo talks with Kiesha about how his dreams of playing in the NBA morphed into something else - a life filled with solving dynamic problems in a variety of spaces. Currently, Chipalo is combining his excitement for problem solving with his desire to create positive change in the world by running for the office of Washington State Representative for Legislative District 37.  Join Kiesha to learn about Chipalo Street in this season of his life where he is experiencing the whirlwind that is running for office in America. 

After reaching many of her professional and personal goals, Joy White still found herself unfulfilled and unhappy.  Once she allowed herself to acknowledge things that she survived, feel her way through her painful past, and love her inner child better, she was able to move forward boldly towards a more fulfilling and authentic life.  In this interview, she shares with Kiesha her about her decision to tell her story publicly to help other women like her find their path towards healing.Episode Resources:Watch Joy's Short Film: Finding Joy in the Journey - A Flawed Masterpiece | Short Film (2021) Follow Joy Online: Flawed Masterpiece® (@flawedmasterpiecebyjoy) • Instagram photos and videosBook Pairing: Unbound by Tarana BurkeContact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this solo episode, Kiesha reflects on one of the areas of personal work that continues to unfold for her - honoring her limits.  This commitment to a lifestyle that allows for more reasonable expectations of mind, body, & spirit is not as simple as making the decision.    Check out the episode to find out more of how this work is informing Kiesha's identity today.Episode Resources:Books: Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia HerseyThe Sleep Revolution by Arianna HuffingtonContact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

While serving time in San Quentin State Prison Troy Williams was able to step all the way outside the box of one would typically imagine for an inmate and create a media organization inside the walls that confined him.  In this episode of YOU Better!, Troy shares with Kiesha about his passion for being a student of life, his evolution towards listening to his inner knowing, and how love for his family kept him anchored in his humanity.  They also discuss the power of storytelling and why Troy sees it as a powerful tool in personal and societal transformation. Episode Resources:The Prison Within Documentary: The Prison WithinTroy's website(7) How parolees are sentenced to fail | Troy Williams | TEDxSanQuentin - YouTubeBooksThey Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America,  Ivan Van Sertima (Author)The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality,  Cheikh Anta Diop (Author)  Mercer Cook (Editor)Contact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Follow Kiesha on Instagram: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

Kena Tchiteya is a skincare entrepreneur who puts nutrition and discipline as top priorities in her message; She rapidly grew an audience of over 1 million followers on TikTok in only 9 months by sharing her vulnerable journey to clear skin after suffering from severe acne, deep hyperpigmentation and more. She is widely regarded for using her platform to share the steps she took to achieve her skincare goals to empower other acne sufferers to do the same.In this interview, Kena shares with Kiesha how she gained deep insight about herself through her relationships, how she cultivates her inner voice of awareness and how she continues to practice self-discipline in her thoughts and actions. Episode Resources:Books:Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less TimeThe 10x Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and FailureContact InfoFind Kena online:KENA | SKINCARE (@missskena) TikTok | Acne & nutrition advisor | LinktreeSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Follow Kiesha on Instagram: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

Prairie Rose is an author, trained sommelier, wine and spirits educator, and host of the popular podcast Bit by a Fox. She is also a woman who, after a childhood that began in a hippie commune, found herself making bold choices to show up for herself.  From saving up to take a life-changing solo trip to Europe in her twenties, to launching the Bit by a Fox platform after a major heartbreak, Prairie has moved through her life making friends her family and her wholeness her priority. Episode Resources:Books:Mixology for Beginners: Innovative Craft Cocktails for the Home BartenderImbibe by David WondrichThe AlchemistThe YOU Better! BookshopContact InfoFind Prairie online: Prairie Rose | Bit By A Fox

In this episode Kiesha goes inside the life and lessons of Kim Blue, an HR powerhouse who cherishes her role as a mom first and foremost.  She shares her blueprint for self-care and her reflections on a life of big moves and even bigger lessons.  She's a woman who is using her voice, practicing her boundaries and continually making space for her own healing.Episode Resources:Books:Right Within by Minda HartsNobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen: The Emotional Lives of Black Women by Inger Burnett-ZeiglerThe YOU Better! BookshopContact InfoFind Kim online: Kim Blue | LinkedInSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this interview with Kiesha Garrison, Dr. Shelly Bhowmik discusses her own personal journey of self-discovery and recovery after experiencing burnout so bad it motivated her to launch a platform for helping others not end up in the same place.   Her practice is based on the belief that mindset is medicine, a belief she came to realize through her own journey that began at the edge of a subway platform. Shelly is impacting the world through her work as a physician specializing in Preventive Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine and her programs for companies who appreciate having employees who enjoy professional growth and success without having to sacrifice their health and wellbeing. All the while, she is a human being on the continual path to learning and loving herself just like all of us. Episode Resources:Book: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress CycleThe YOU Better! BookshopColorism resource: Yaba Blay (@yabablay) • Instagram photos and videosContact InfoReach out to Dr. Bhowmik: Coaching, Consulting, and Clinical Services for Burnout (shellybhowmik.com)Send booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this interview with Kiesha Garrison, wellness consultant Latorsha Peake shares her lessons of learning to care for herself better.  Her experiences led her to write a book titled Iced Coffee and Self Care® in which she aims to help us move ourselves higher on our own to-do lists.  Self-care is not only about spa treatments! So join this conversation where Latorsha and Kiesha share their insights on what else it entails. Episode Resources:Iced Coffee and Self Care by Latorsha PeakeProfessional Troublemaker by Luvvie Ajayi JonesUntamed by Glennon DyoleThe Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health: Navigate an Unequal System, Learn Tools for Emotional Wellness, and Get the Help You DeserveThe YOU Better! BookshopContact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this episode, we talk about what it looks like to go on a healing journey towards self-love.  Kiesha is joined by a dear friend who has made her life's work about helping others understand and get to “the work.” Her name is Tira Feierstein, and she is a writer, artist and spiritual thought leader who is passionate about helping other woman feel less alone on their journey. Through her artful expression and storytelling, it is her mission to help illuminate a path of authenticity and healing for feminine empowerment. Her work focuses on women, but fellas, rest assured that this episode has lots of goodness for you too.  In this interview, Tira takes us through her insight about the important steps in a self-love journey with some of her personal reflections along the way.Find Tira Online:Tira on Instagram @her_story_projectShop book recommendations from this episode:All about Love: New Visions a book by Bell Hooks (bookshop.org)Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life a book by Susan Forward (bookshop.org)Clarity & Connection a book by Yung Pueblo (bookshop.org)You can check out more recommendations in the YOU Better BookshopBook Kiesha at https://kieshagarrison.coDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

So many people have the experience of feeling like they are in the wrong profession. But they stick it out for years even when that work environment is so bad it feels like it's going to break them. We have gotten so used to sacrificing our selves in the name of survival, that it is hard to even imagine what another kind of existence could look like.This episode's guest, Sukie Jefferson, is someone who allowed herself to pursue another way. Sukie and I share the experience of both being young Black women who left corporate jobs to launch our own businesses.  Her company is called Suki's candle company and she's a new kind of leader.  I call her the soulful CEO.  In this interview conversation Suki takes us inside the experience of how her life changed when -in an act of self-love- she made space for and listened to the messages from inside herself and allowed them to guide her decisions. And let me tell you this…Suki is not continuing on with business as usual. Find Sukie Online:Sukie's Candle Co. WebsiteSukies Candle Co. on Instagram (@sukiescandleco) Shop book recommendations from this episode:Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress CycleThe AlchemistCaste: The Origins of our DiscontentsYou can support the podcast by checking out more books in my Bookshop store. YOU Better BookshopBook Kiesha at https://kieshagarrison.co

Detroit native and Morehouse Man, Mark Hatcher, sits down with Kiesha to share his life story.  He talks through his journey from his premature birth to his mother's guidance which provided inspiration for how he moves with purpose and how he fathers his elementary school aged daughter Maris Mays.  He also celebrates the goodness that was poured into him on the campus of historic Morehouse College.  Take in this story of a Black man whose model of manhood highlights community care, service-based leadership and honoring black femininity.  There are lessons here about being open to new ideas and perspectives and about letting go of the quest for perfectionResources from this episode:Mindfulness ResourcesOprah and Deepak 21-Day Meditation Experience; Great for beginnersSleep Cove Guided Medications: Large variety of options and scenarios12-Minute Meditation: A resource for specified mindfulnessBooks Recommendations The Alchemist: Great book for personal centering and finding all that you are looking for within yourself.Four Agreements: Simple book for redefining what's important and refocusingBefore I Forget ; A novel loosely based on a true story helped me with understanding parenting and lineage.Tuesday's with Morrie: Great book based upon a true story, highlighting the importance of connectivity with other humansGod's Debris: Considers a subjective look at God's Omnipotence.The Professional Troublemaker – by Luvvie Ajayi Jones - Learn how to cause some good trouble.The Quotations of Mayor Coleman A. YoungContact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

What happens when you feel like your environment does not properly reflect love back to you?  On this episode of YOU Better! Charles E. Sims Jr. reflects on his melancholy filled childhood and his journey to seeing himself as a “60-year-old late bloomer.” This self-proclaimed prisoner of hope also shares his learnings about self now that he is experiencing the ultimate safe space with his boyfriend. Shop book recommendations from this episode:The Bluest Eye a book by Toni Morrison (bookshop.org)Song of Solomon a book by Toni Morrison (bookshop.org)You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience a book by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown (bookshop.org)The Mother of Black Hollywood: A Memoir a book by Jenifer Lewis (bookshop.org)You can check out more recommendations in the YOU Better BookshopBook Kiesha at https://kieshagarrison.coDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this last episode in the YOU Better! Take Action Series, Kiesha highlights the work of storyteller Ava DuVernay whose aunt sparked her interest in the arts when she was a little girl.  Kiesha reflects on how she has learned from and taken action based on Ava's work, chiefly the documentary 13th. She also discusses how shining a light on issues and opportunities for learning is a critical action to take as we work for a more humane society.Episode Resources:Watch 13th in full for freeThe Uncounted Workforce - NPR InterviewExample of a documentary engagement guide: (this one is for True Justice, Bryan Stevenson's doc)Article: How the US Got its First Police ForceBooks: Coming SoonContact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me 

In this fourth in the YOU Better! Take Action Series, Kiesha highlights the work of civil rights activist Marian Wright Edelman who dedicated her life to advocating for the rights and welfare of children. Those who have already invested in the work have left so much information and instruction that sometimes the action for us to take is to actually engage with the work they have already put in front of us!

Most Black people, despite our ingenuity, still have to push through a wall of distrust, opposition and financial impediment that was built at the base of our family trees from the beginning. In this episode from the Take Action Series, Kiesha focuses on learning from work of Kerry Coddett, an activist and multi-hyphenate creative in NYC, who is doing her part to chip away at that wall.  Kerry and her sister have showed moxie and creativity in designing and running a pub crawl with an aim to demonstrate black buying power, support the local black economy, and honor the seven principles of Kwanzaa.Episode Resources:Learn more about Kerry Coddettkerrycoddett.comKwanzaa CrawlInterview with Alex Babbitt on Behind the Mic StandContact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this episode from the Take Action Series, Kiesha focuses on learning from the life of women's health advocate and activist Byllye Avery.  She shares some stories from the early parts of Byllye's  life and how she ended up beginning her work as an activist supporting women who were seeking abortions in the 70's.Episode Resources:Learn more about Byllye AveryVIDEO: 2018 UCSF Medals - Byllye AveryVIDEO: Byllye Avery: Warming Up the ClinicINTERVIEW: Voices of Feminism Oral History Project: Avery, Byllye (smith.edu)Books:The Feminine Mystique (Anniversary)Liberating Masturbation a Meditation On Self Love Paperback Contact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this special summer series about taking action to care for community, Kiesha is taking a pause from interviews to share what she is learning about people who have led important movements in their communities along with the actions they are inspiring her to take.  This episode features the writing of activist Dean Spade, who authored the book Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next) and has inspired Kiesha's current focus.  Mutual aid projects are a form of political participation in which people take responsibility for caring for one another and changing political conditions not just through symbolic acts or putting pressure on gov't representatives, but by actually building new social relations that are more survivable. Episode Resources:Buy the Book: Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next) by Dean SpadeLearn about Dean SpadeVideo: We're All We've Got, We're All We Need: A Mutual Aid ExplainerOrganizations mentioned in this episode: Oakland Power ProjectsSRLP (Sylvia Rivera Law Project)About the BLACK PANTHER PARTY COMMUNITY SURVIVAL PROGRAMS @ BPPALN.org Contact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to speak or conduct interviews to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

Bobby Morgan is a man committed to education.  He is also a husband, father, and founder of Liberation Lab, an educational consulting firm that builds pathways of internal and external accountability.  In this interview with Kiesha Garrison, Bobby talks about how he freed himself from the toxicity of chasing acceptance in places he was taught to value that did not value him back.  The two also discussed the mixed feelings of both Father's Day and Juneteenth.Episode Resources:Liberation LabBooks:Ratchetdemic: Reimagining Academic SuccessPushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in SchoolsInside the quiet rooms - nj.comType Descriptions — The Enneagram InstituteContact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

Allison Zinczenko is many things - a mom, wife, educator, business leader and so much more.  But above all else, she describes herself as a work in progress and shares with Kiesha on YOU Better! how she has taken that work seriously.  She recounts her journey of growing up as a young child who felt unsafe, trying to navigate that by portraying perfection - to now being a mother who is nurturing a home environment with her husband and two teenage children that prioritizes healing from the inside rather than the appearance of goodness.TRIGGER Heads-up: There are mentions of suicide and sexual abuse of children in this episode.  Please consume the content at a time when/if you have the emotional and mental space to do so.Episode Resources:BooksThich Nhat Hanh - You Are Here, How to Eat, How to Love, How to RelaxLibby - check out audiobooks from your library!Learn about EMDR therapy.Contact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

Alliah L. Agostini is a proud native of Buffalo, NY and a developing creative.  In addition to being a mom, a Harvard grad, and so much more, Alliah is the author of the kids book The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States (released in May 2022).  In this interview with Kiesha, she discusses the importance of preserving heritage and of integrating the new layers we find in ourselves as we grow into who we have always been.Episode Resources:Books:The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United StatesPlaying Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and LeadElaine Welteroth's MasterclassContact InfoKiesha is available to moderate interviews and panels. Send booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

Shermica Farquhar is many things including being a multi-faceted Black woman and a Brooklynite proud of her Trinidadian heritage.  She is an incredibly strategic problem solver who also runs two companies – Solutions by SF, a business growth strategy firm, and Soka Tribe, a cultural organization that spreads the joy of carnival through dance. In this episode, she shares with Kiesha her stories of taking bold steps for change in her life, living in alignment with her values.Episode Resources:Soka TribeBook:  Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful LifeContact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

Kev Marcus is a Grammy nominated recording artist and co-founder of Black Violin, a band he formed with his longtime friend Wil Baptiste, in which they combine their classical training and hip-hop influences to create a distinctive multi-genre sound.  In addition to being a musical groundbreaker, Kev is a father, husband, activist, author and a person who pushes for progress and seeks to shatter expectations.  In this interview, Kev shares with Kiesha about finding his way after feeling trapped by the very success he pursued and about how he has approached navigating depression and replenishing his soul. Episode Resources:Black Violin – Official WebsiteBlack Violin on IGA Violinist Without a Stage. Black Violin, cancelled or postponed… | by Kevin Marcus Sylvester | MediumBooks:Be Water, My FriendThe Greatest Salesman in the WorldThe Greatest Salesman in the World, Part II: The End of the StoryThe Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal FreedomContact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmo

Kiesha Garrison reflects on having to shut her productivity down while being sick and lessons from the one work assignment she allowed herself to still do during that time - a speech for the Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund which celebrates young women who exhibit excellence in academics, leadership, and community service. Episode Resources:Organization: The Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund | Empowering young women to be leaders and active world citizens through education and active service (stanleyanndunhamfund.org)Books: The Color Purple by Alice WalkerRising Troublemaker by Luvvie Ajayi Jones Contact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

 Some in the classical music scene might know Shaya Lyon as the founder of a nonprofit organization called the Live Music Project.  For Kiesha, Shaya is also a very dear friend full of global perspective, earnest curiosity, and sincere compassion.  In this episode, Shaya - a descendent of both a blacklisted physicist and a Holocaust survivor - shares about her upbringing as a young woman who was raised with a charge to make the world better.  Tune in to hear Shaya outline the ways she supports herself so she can have her dreams and how she allows herself to matter enough that she can hear those dreams in the first place.Episode Resources:Shaya Lyon – Photographer, writer, and software product managerLive Music Project - Classical Music Concerts & EventsBooks:A Little Bit of Intuition: An Introduction to Extrasensory Perception by Catharine Allan“Mommy, What's that Number on Your Arm?" A-6374   - A Holocaust Memoir by Gloria Hollander Lyon Contact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me 

Living a life that doesn't center Whiteness is bold and requires intentionality and imagination.  Zerandrian Morris joins Kiesha on this episode to talk about turning points in her life that led her to listen to imagine what's possible and listen to spirit instead of following oppressive social conditioning.  She also shares about the powerful work she does with her organization The Ignant Intellectual Group, LLC. They also discuss getting comfortable with the "both/and" aspect of dynamic parts of life as well as the importance of dreaming and how White Supremacy robs us of imagination and steals our innate ability to see past our present moment.  About Zerandrian:Zerandrian Morris (a/k/a ‘The Ignant Intellectual') is a capital 'B' Black non-binary transmasculine girl-identified person born & raised in the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans currently living in Washington DC. Zerandrian is a 2001 graduate of THEE Spelman College. Zerandrian is a social impact strategist who spends time creating paradigm-shifting experiences for companies, institutions, organizations, & individuals around topics like anti-racism, anti-Blackness, and racial equity. Zerandrian is also an Epidemiologist/Biostatistician & Owner/Principal Strategist of The Ignant Intellectual Group LLC, a NYC-headquartered consulting and strategy social enterprise that guides organizations and companies through the process of transforming themselves into anti-racist places of business.Episode Resources:Books:  Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue, Book 1 by Neale Donald WalschThe Ignant Intellectual Group LLC Contact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

Aspen Fitzgerald- Dorsey shares with Kiesha Garrison details from her life story as a young Black woman who dealt with the pressures of attending Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology, one of the country's highest ranked magnet schools, and her experience needing to leave graduate school because of crippling student debt.  With Aspen being pregnant with her first child at 40, the first cousins compare notes about the different messages they received about the "must-dos" of womanhood and about when was the right time to become a mother.  Episode Resources:Books:  The War on Moms: On Life in a Family-Unfriendly Nation by Sharon LernerContact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

In this episode, Kiesha is joined by Nikki Gane-Butler, the Founder and Director of Dignity for Divas, who shares her story as well as her perspective on self-leadership, our connectedness as humans, and how own experience with homelessness has led to her finding the personal power she always hoped was there. More about Dignity for Divas: Nikki Gane- Butler is committed to creating an impactful and replicable approach to supporting women as they transition out of homelessness. In 2012, Inspired by her own experience fleeing an abusive marriage and becoming homeless, Nikki founded Dignity for Divas. Dignity for Divas supports women across the Puget Sound transition out of homelessness with a self-care platform that creates pathways to success. Nikki and her team are committed to creating an impactful and replicable approach to supporting women as they transition out of homelessness. With a unique focus on self-care Dignity for Divas has created a pathway empowering woman experiencing homelessness reminding them of their dignity and sense of self-worth.Episode Resources:Dignity for Divas - Visit the organization's website to support this incredible organization. Contact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to conduct interviews (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

Jun Love Young, PhD is many things...CEO of ZUM Communications, founder of Beloved Arise which celebrates and empowers LGBTQ+ youth of faith, a father, a storyteller, and so much more.  In this interview with Kiesha Garrison, Jun shares his journey to being a person who has come alive and chooses joy.Episode Resources:Beloved Arise - The first national organization for queer youth of faith. They fight for the lives of queer youth of faith by building relationships, offering support, and inspiring youth to embrace life to the fullest.Episode: Jun interviews Kiesha on A Change MindsetBooks:Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker J. PalmerGod and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships by Matthew VinesUntamed by Glennon DoyleMore YOU Better! RecommendationsContact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me

Join Kiesha Garrison and Ben Shimizu of Canine Cornerstone for this episode featuring many lessons about love, connection, and relationships we can glean from people who are intuitive enough to communicate well with animals. Ben enlightens about the deep connections between pets and their owners and uses his life story as an example of how our human lives impact the animals in our care and how our pet relationships impact our lives and our growth as individuals.  They also talk about staying connected to things you care about throughout your life, caring for oneself during a grieving process, and how embracing what others may call weird about you might just lead you to your superpower. Episode Resources:https://www.caninecornerstone.com/ Canine Cornerstone (@caninecornerstone) • Instagram photos and videosContact InfoSend booking inquiries for Kiesha to (info at kieshagarrison.co)Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrisonDirectly support the podcast financially:Cash AppVenmoPayPal.Me