Take a deep breath in through your nose. Holds it.

Take a deep breath in through your nose. Holds it.

Now, release slowly.

Now, release slowly.

Again deep in, helle.

Again deep in, helle.

Hold release, repeating internally to yourself as you connect to my voice. I am deeply well. I am deeply well. I am deeply I'm Debbie Brown and this is the Deeply Well Podcast. Welcome to Deeply Well, a soft place to land in your journey. A podcast for those that are curious, creative, and ready to expand in higher consciousness and self care. Thank you for joining us. This is where we heal, this is where we become. I am Debbie Brown. Welcome back to the Deeply Well Podcast. I am so glad to have you here, and I think gratefully now more than ever, so many in the world are feeling that deep call, that deep little seed deep within yourself, feeling the push to step into a more expanded version of authenticity in your life. A lot of questions are coming up for people inside of themselves as the world seems to be spiraling in so many ways, and we're realizing what truly matters and what really never did.

Hold release, repeating internally to yourself as you connect to my voice. I am deeply well. I am deeply well. I am deeply I'm Debbie Brown and this is the Deeply Well Podcast. Welcome to Deeply Well, a soft place to land in your journey. A podcast for those that are curious, creative, and ready to expand in higher consciousness and self care. Thank you for joining us. This is where we heal, this is where we become. I am Debbie Brown. Welcome back to the Deeply Well Podcast. I am so glad to have you here, and I think gratefully now more than ever, so many in the world are feeling that deep call, that deep little seed deep within yourself, feeling the push to step into a more expanded version of authenticity in your life. A lot of questions are coming up for people inside of themselves as the world seems to be spiraling in so many ways, and we're realizing what truly matters and what really never did.

So I'm so.

So I'm so.

Excited this episode to dive even more deeply into that thought and into that process with an absolutely incredible guest Today Today's Guest. Alynsia Johnson is an award winning cultural commentator, author, political advisor, and leader at the intersection of social impact and cultural change. Uniquely experienced at marrying cultural cornerstones, advocacy, politics, corporate and entertainment together for good. She is the founder of ten sixty three West Broad, a social impact consultancy and media company connecting brands, organizations, and people to purpose driven solutions. Her debut book, Flip the Tables, The Everyday Disruptor's Guide to Finding Courage and Making Change, is coming out in just a few weeks, and maybe by the time you hear this episode is already here, so wherever we land, you can pre order it, or you can order it for real.

Excited this episode to dive even more deeply into that thought and into that process with an absolutely incredible guest Today Today's Guest. Alynsia Johnson is an award winning cultural commentator, author, political advisor, and leader at the intersection of social impact and cultural change. Uniquely experienced at marrying cultural cornerstones, advocacy, politics, corporate and entertainment together for good. She is the founder of ten sixty three West Broad, a social impact consultancy and media company connecting brands, organizations, and people to purpose driven solutions. Her debut book, Flip the Tables, The Everyday Disruptor's Guide to Finding Courage and Making Change, is coming out in just a few weeks, and maybe by the time you hear this episode is already here, so wherever we land, you can pre order it, or you can order it for real.

As you listen to this episode.

As you listen to this episode.

She's worked for presidential campaigns of President Barack Obama, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and was a senior advisor to President Biden and Vice President Harris's twenty twenty campaign. Alyncia also held national roles at Planned Parenthood and Geico, leading efforts in each organization to address systemic issues facing marginalized communities through brand engagement and narrative strategies. During her six years at Planned Parenthood, she was one of the architects behind the Stand with Black Women branding and framework, as well as led the organization's election media strategies with Secretary Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. Alyncia has been recognized by Harvard University with a Woman of the Year award, Ebony Magazine's Power one hundred list of Influential African Americans, PR Week's forty Under forty list, and more. Her board service includes the Warner Music Group, Blevotnik Family Foundation, Social Justice Fund, as well as Human Rights First, and she was appointed to the Virginia Council on Women by Governor Ralph Northam. She is currently a Georgetown University Institutes of Politics Fellow. Alyncia is a sought after thought leader and cultural critic, regularly featured on MSNBC, CNN, NBC, b ET, NPR, Washington Post, Essence, Glamour and more.

She's worked for presidential campaigns of President Barack Obama, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and was a senior advisor to President Biden and Vice President Harris's twenty twenty campaign. Alyncia also held national roles at Planned Parenthood and Geico, leading efforts in each organization to address systemic issues facing marginalized communities through brand engagement and narrative strategies. During her six years at Planned Parenthood, she was one of the architects behind the Stand with Black Women branding and framework, as well as led the organization's election media strategies with Secretary Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. Alyncia has been recognized by Harvard University with a Woman of the Year award, Ebony Magazine's Power one hundred list of Influential African Americans, PR Week's forty Under forty list, and more. Her board service includes the Warner Music Group, Blevotnik Family Foundation, Social Justice Fund, as well as Human Rights First, and she was appointed to the Virginia Council on Women by Governor Ralph Northam. She is currently a Georgetown University Institutes of Politics Fellow. Alyncia is a sought after thought leader and cultural critic, regularly featured on MSNBC, CNN, NBC, b ET, NPR, Washington Post, Essence, Glamour and more.

Oo oit she.

Oo oit she.

Been doing work in the world. Welcome to the show, Lyncia.

Been doing work in the world. Welcome to the show, Lyncia.

Thanks for having me.

Thanks for having me.

I'm so excited to be here.

I'm so excited to be here.

I am so happy to have you here.

I am so happy to have you here.

I remember I think this was either the first or one of the first times we met this past year in Florida at Kimberly Blackwell's incredible event that she puts on every year for women elevate her and I remember You're.

I remember I think this was either the first or one of the first times we met this past year in Florida at Kimberly Blackwell's incredible event that she puts on every year for women elevate her and I remember You're.

Like, I love deeply well, and I was like, girl.

Like, I love deeply well, and I was like, girl.

Yes, literally, I was like, oh my gosh, I love deeply well. And then remember you were talking about use the whole bag of epsom.

Yes, literally, I was like, oh my gosh, I love deeply well. And then remember you were talking about use the whole bag of epsom.

Saw, yes, use the whole bag sis, and that.

Saw, yes, use the whole bag sis, and that.

Really spoke to me because I love my EPs and salt Babs and I felt so seen. So I was so excited to see you there and finally meet you and just what you bring in general to all of us, but especially to that space of just boss business women who really needed.

Really spoke to me because I love my EPs and salt Babs and I felt so seen. So I was so excited to see you there and finally meet you and just what you bring in general to all of us, but especially to that space of just boss business women who really needed.

To center themselves. So it's a great meeting.

To center themselves. So it's a great meeting.

Much thank you, thank you, thank you. You have quite an offering coming to the world. I mean, wow, you know, we just kind of I was able to really beautifully list off such a gorgeous life that you've lived, and a life that is really deeply rooted in service and impact, but also it requires, right like, a life that big, a life that meaningful, requires so much of you and so many facets of who you are. And so you know, when we spoke recently and I was so excited to get a copy of your book, Flip the Tables.

Much thank you, thank you, thank you. You have quite an offering coming to the world. I mean, wow, you know, we just kind of I was able to really beautifully list off such a gorgeous life that you've lived, and a life that is really deeply rooted in service and impact, but also it requires, right like, a life that big, a life that meaningful, requires so much of you and so many facets of who you are. And so you know, when we spoke recently and I was so excited to get a copy of your book, Flip the Tables.

This cover is gorgeous. You know this is powerful.

This cover is gorgeous. You know this is powerful.

Your book is called Flip the Tables, The Everyday Disruptor's Guide to finding courage and can change.

Your book is called Flip the Tables, The Everyday Disruptor's Guide to finding courage and can change.

What gave you the call to write this book?

What gave you the call to write this book?

Now, when I think about where I was a few years ago at the beginning of the pandemic, you read my beautiful bio, and I have been so blessed to have a career that I believe is creating impact and teaching people how to disrupt in the world. And I don't take lightly that God chose me to do all of these things. And at the beginning of the pandemic, that was after Senator Elizabeth Warren had ended her presidential campaign and I decided to go stay with my parents. As I said, I'm not staying in Boston by myself. We don't know what's happening here with this pandemic. And I wasn't working again yet, but I was just figuring things out, which I know is a privilege. And I had this download from God very clearly about one of my favorite stories of Jesus when he went in the temple and flipped over tables, hence the title of the book. But I started interrogating that and thinking, well, what made Jesus really so frustrated that he wanted to flip over tables in the temple that's supposed to honor his father. And then I went and even broad her and said, well, wait a minute, what would make all of us get to a place that we are willing to flip over a table a proverbial table. And so I was really wrestling with that throughout the pandemic the height of the pandemic, while I was also in prayer, I had some prayer circles with some girlfriends and really thinking about what I wanted to do next. I was looking through my own life. I was thinking about relationships and how for some reason I was dating the same person but they were all different guys.

Now, when I think about where I was a few years ago at the beginning of the pandemic, you read my beautiful bio, and I have been so blessed to have a career that I believe is creating impact and teaching people how to disrupt in the world. And I don't take lightly that God chose me to do all of these things. And at the beginning of the pandemic, that was after Senator Elizabeth Warren had ended her presidential campaign and I decided to go stay with my parents. As I said, I'm not staying in Boston by myself. We don't know what's happening here with this pandemic. And I wasn't working again yet, but I was just figuring things out, which I know is a privilege. And I had this download from God very clearly about one of my favorite stories of Jesus when he went in the temple and flipped over tables, hence the title of the book. But I started interrogating that and thinking, well, what made Jesus really so frustrated that he wanted to flip over tables in the temple that's supposed to honor his father. And then I went and even broad her and said, well, wait a minute, what would make all of us get to a place that we are willing to flip over a table a proverbial table. And so I was really wrestling with that throughout the pandemic the height of the pandemic, while I was also in prayer, I had some prayer circles with some girlfriends and really thinking about what I wanted to do next. I was looking through my own life. I was thinking about relationships and how for some reason I was dating the same person but they were all different guys.

And I was like, well, why is this all the same? And then why.

And I was like, well, why is this all the same? And then why.

Why is the same? Why is this all the same but none of them know each other?

Why is the same? Why is this all the same but none of them know each other?

Oh my God?

Oh my God?

And then thinking about that always happens, which is why we writing the book. I had to talk about some of you know, my relationship, not struggles.

And then thinking about that always happens, which is why we writing the book. I had to talk about some of you know, my relationship, not struggles.

But journeys.

But journeys.

Yeah, yeah, your experiences, my experiences.

Yeah, yeah, your experiences, my experiences.

And then At the same time you listed off, you know, you talked about all the things that had done in my career. I was thinking about what I wanted to do next and how I felt a little stifled, and to be honest, I felt like I hadn't even reached my fullest potential or was it even doing the things that I wanted to do. Physically, I wasn't feeling the best. I had gained a lot of weights and I lost all of the amazing habits that I thought I had picked up.

And then At the same time you listed off, you know, you talked about all the things that had done in my career. I was thinking about what I wanted to do next and how I felt a little stifled, and to be honest, I felt like I hadn't even reached my fullest potential or was it even doing the things that I wanted to do. Physically, I wasn't feeling the best. I had gained a lot of weights and I lost all of the amazing habits that I thought I had picked up.

There was just a lot.

There was just a lot.

Happening in my own life, and.

Happening in my own life, and.

This question kept coming of how do I create impact in the world. So it's the pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, this election, so many things are happening. And the answer to that question of how do I create impact in the world, it starts with healing myself. And I took myself through this journey. Now, mind you, I did not know that that concept and idea was a book. My agent shout out to Trinity. She reached out to me at the end of twenty twenty, and I was like, sure, I have a book in me said that didn't know that this what I was going through was the actual book. I knew it was called Flip the Tables, and I said, Okay, sure, I'll write this guide book for people who want to sow more good in the world, because I believe that our purpose here on earth, when we are who we are supposed to be, it actually is in service to one another, right, it is in community, It is relational, It is to advance society. But how do we get there, Well, it starts to itself. And I had to go through my own journey of disrupting myself and disrupting my vision of what's possible and then disrupting my community. And so it took two years to write the proposal, and then it took a good year to actually write the book. But it was so divinely orchestrated to happen at the parallel time that I literally was taking myself through the first part of this book, this disruption of self and disruption of vision of what's possible, and God was like, you have to be very vulnerable, especially as someone who I know that so many people, especially black women, look to me and see all of these amazing professional things I've done, and here I am breaking down myself and saying I'm not content. There are things I'm missing in life, whether it's time with family or time with self right, or having less time in the office and more time to do frivolous things, things that bring me joy, things that allow for me to rest right, things that will heal me physically and spiritually. And so that's where it came from. It's literally the book that I needed when I was going through about of depression and anxiety at the very beginning of the pandemic.

This question kept coming of how do I create impact in the world. So it's the pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, this election, so many things are happening. And the answer to that question of how do I create impact in the world, it starts with healing myself. And I took myself through this journey. Now, mind you, I did not know that that concept and idea was a book. My agent shout out to Trinity. She reached out to me at the end of twenty twenty, and I was like, sure, I have a book in me said that didn't know that this what I was going through was the actual book. I knew it was called Flip the Tables, and I said, Okay, sure, I'll write this guide book for people who want to sow more good in the world, because I believe that our purpose here on earth, when we are who we are supposed to be, it actually is in service to one another, right, it is in community, It is relational, It is to advance society. But how do we get there, Well, it starts to itself. And I had to go through my own journey of disrupting myself and disrupting my vision of what's possible and then disrupting my community. And so it took two years to write the proposal, and then it took a good year to actually write the book. But it was so divinely orchestrated to happen at the parallel time that I literally was taking myself through the first part of this book, this disruption of self and disruption of vision of what's possible, and God was like, you have to be very vulnerable, especially as someone who I know that so many people, especially black women, look to me and see all of these amazing professional things I've done, and here I am breaking down myself and saying I'm not content. There are things I'm missing in life, whether it's time with family or time with self right, or having less time in the office and more time to do frivolous things, things that bring me joy, things that allow for me to rest right, things that will heal me physically and spiritually. And so that's where it came from. It's literally the book that I needed when I was going through about of depression and anxiety at the very beginning of the pandemic.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Absolutely, it's really powerful.

Absolutely, it's really powerful.

And you know, a friend of mine, a healer friend of mine, something he had said to me years ago is when God gives you the title for the book, then the next few years are the book, you know. And I feel like in myself in my process, it very much was that, even though I had so much to talk about already and so many life experiences, but God is like, okay, good, now, let's get your middle. Now, let's get this, let's find your ending to this book. Let's bring your life together in a way that you can embody everything that you are saying and teaching.

And you know, a friend of mine, a healer friend of mine, something he had said to me years ago is when God gives you the title for the book, then the next few years are the book, you know. And I feel like in myself in my process, it very much was that, even though I had so much to talk about already and so many life experiences, but God is like, okay, good, now, let's get your middle. Now, let's get this, let's find your ending to this book. Let's bring your life together in a way that you can embody everything that you are saying and teaching.

To other people. And it takes you through that.

To other people. And it takes you through that.

Really like beautiful and really hard and sometimes like very anxiety filled and you know, tearful, yes, and.

Really like beautiful and really hard and sometimes like very anxiety filled and you know, tearful, yes, and.

Did experience literally you saying this, that is exactly what it is, because that several points when I'm writing this book, I'm like, yeah, girl, why didn't you just write a book about the women's movement?

Did experience literally you saying this, that is exactly what it is, because that several points when I'm writing this book, I'm like, yeah, girl, why didn't you just write a book about the women's movement?

What are you doing here?

What are you doing here?

Because I was going through all of that. When I was reading the audiobook, I was in tears. Yeah, mind you, I'd written and edited and approved all of.

Because I was going through all of that. When I was reading the audiobook, I was in tears. Yeah, mind you, I'd written and edited and approved all of.

This, read it ten times already.

This, read it ten times already.

Yeah, I've sent it to people to get their feedback, and I'm reading it and tears and even some of the stuff is still challenging for me to read an experience again. But it is my hope and the book that we get to a place of understanding. But that's okay, that's the process, right, Like it's actually a good thing that you feel emotions about our experiences. But Debbie, it took me so long to get there, especially I'm a virgo type a person we like to run from our feelings.

Yeah, I've sent it to people to get their feedback, and I'm reading it and tears and even some of the stuff is still challenging for me to read an experience again. But it is my hope and the book that we get to a place of understanding. But that's okay, that's the process, right, Like it's actually a good thing that you feel emotions about our experiences. But Debbie, it took me so long to get there, especially I'm a virgo type a person we like to run from our feelings.

No, it's actually good to sit in that.

No, it's actually good to sit in that.

Yeah, not just good, it's like that's God's intention. Yeah, you know, And I think that's what's so beautiful and what you express really powerfully in the book. It's like giving yourself that agency to not just be one thing. Right, I don't have to be the perception that is crafted or the version of me that everyone is kind of projecting onto me. Like I am having my human experience and it is faceted.

Yeah, not just good, it's like that's God's intention. Yeah, you know, And I think that's what's so beautiful and what you express really powerfully in the book. It's like giving yourself that agency to not just be one thing. Right, I don't have to be the perception that is crafted or the version of me that everyone is kind of projecting onto me. Like I am having my human experience and it is faceted.

It's so facinted, and it's fascinating.

It's so facinted, and it's fascinating.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Right, and it's something for us to interrogate. So I have been in and out of therapy myentire most of my life. I was diagnosed with OCD when I was fifteen. I had a nervous breakdown and college and I talk about some of this in the book, and so I've been in and out of therapy for years. But it finally took me sitting and saying, I have the tools already, Yeah, go try this on your own. And you're not something. You're not a problem that needs to be fixed. Yeah, you are this complex, beautiful human to accept and embrace. And that journey has been that's right, so much, but it's been so rewarding and so powerful. Right, and that the courage and the confidence that comes from that I want all of us to experience.

Right, and it's something for us to interrogate. So I have been in and out of therapy myentire most of my life. I was diagnosed with OCD when I was fifteen. I had a nervous breakdown and college and I talk about some of this in the book, and so I've been in and out of therapy for years. But it finally took me sitting and saying, I have the tools already, Yeah, go try this on your own. And you're not something. You're not a problem that needs to be fixed. Yeah, you are this complex, beautiful human to accept and embrace. And that journey has been that's right, so much, but it's been so rewarding and so powerful. Right, and that the courage and the confidence that comes from that I want all of us to experience.

Yeah, God, that's beautiful.

Yeah, God, that's beautiful.

You know, it's so interesting. It's like in this day and age. I mean, I think so many words get really trendy, right like really fast, and we all seem to have, in general, very different definitions for the words many of us commonly use, right Like, the word love is defined very differently by each of us, and many of the words.

You know, it's so interesting. It's like in this day and age. I mean, I think so many words get really trendy, right like really fast, and we all seem to have, in general, very different definitions for the words many of us commonly use, right Like, the word love is defined very differently by each of us, and many of the words.

And I think one of the words now that.

And I think one of the words now that.

People can appropriate for whatever intention they want is the word authenticity, right Like, I see some people using that word as a way to kind of continue to promote bad behavior because they're like, this is my authentic self.

People can appropriate for whatever intention they want is the word authenticity, right Like, I see some people using that word as a way to kind of continue to promote bad behavior because they're like, this is my authentic self.

And it's like, that's not really.

And it's like, that's not really.

What it is, right Like, what you're describing is what the truth of authenticity is, right It's the peeling back the layers. It's giving self permission to not fit or and we never could not attempt to fit a perfect right like being able to say I feel like crying, so I will cry. I feel like yelling, so I will yell today. Little depressed today, Wow, I feel really powerful and ready to serve and use my skills. And it's like, that's the heart of what it is to be an authentic woman, to be, you know, a servant leader. It's connecting all of that. Your book is centered around the idea of disruption. Can you define what it means to be a disruptor in today's world, especially for women that are navigating this personal space and this professional space and trying to find.

What it is, right Like, what you're describing is what the truth of authenticity is, right It's the peeling back the layers. It's giving self permission to not fit or and we never could not attempt to fit a perfect right like being able to say I feel like crying, so I will cry. I feel like yelling, so I will yell today. Little depressed today, Wow, I feel really powerful and ready to serve and use my skills. And it's like, that's the heart of what it is to be an authentic woman, to be, you know, a servant leader. It's connecting all of that. Your book is centered around the idea of disruption. Can you define what it means to be a disruptor in today's world, especially for women that are navigating this personal space and this professional space and trying to find.

A way to be who they really are in both.

A way to be who they really are in both.

M I love that you led into that question with what it truly means to be your authentic self because for me and I spend a lot of time at the beginning of the book defining disruption and reclaiming it because I feel as though as we've been talking about how words have shifted meaning right and they became a buzzword and you would hear it in very business terms, and to be honest, people involved with the book were like, maybe you shouldn't actual put that on the book cover. And for me, I had always danced with the word because as someone who grew up my dad's a.

M I love that you led into that question with what it truly means to be your authentic self because for me and I spend a lot of time at the beginning of the book defining disruption and reclaiming it because I feel as though as we've been talking about how words have shifted meaning right and they became a buzzword and you would hear it in very business terms, and to be honest, people involved with the book were like, maybe you shouldn't actual put that on the book cover. And for me, I had always danced with the word because as someone who grew up my dad's a.

Pastor, I'm a Black Christian.

Pastor, I'm a Black Christian.

And then also in this change making space, we embrace the word disruption, but I had to really interrogate what does that mean?

And then also in this change making space, we embrace the word disruption, but I had to really interrogate what does that mean?

For me?

For me?

It is intentionally tearing something down to build something better. And I imagine the Tasmanian Devil Loney tunes, right, he was just going through town, barreling through with no plan, no concept of why he's just destroying.

It is intentionally tearing something down to build something better. And I imagine the Tasmanian Devil Loney tunes, right, he was just going through town, barreling through with no plan, no concept of why he's just destroying.

That's not a disruptor.

That's not a disruptor.

The disruptor understands that something can actually be a lot better. And this is no longer serving us and women who want to be disruptors. And I believe that we are by nature right. Our very existence for the most part, especially women of color, is disruptive. We know that when we walk into a room with our authentic self, we can shift the entire atmosphere. That might be what's something we say, or who we bring to the table, or whatever it may be. And so the first step of disruption for me, and that's what I had to work through in the book, is us having the courage to be ourselves. And I intentionally use courage instead of fearless, because sometimes that fear doesn't go away. Encourage reminds us that there's something greater than our fear, and as a disruptor, sometimes there's something greater than our fear that requires us to shift the entire atmosphere, to flip over that perverbial table to say, you know what, this isn't working. We need to build something better. We may not know exactly how we're going to do it. But that's the north star and the goal. And it's also connected to the fact that if I don't do this, if I don't disrupt what's right in front of me, the person next to me can't also do what they're supposed to be doing because we're all connected, We're all interconnected.

The disruptor understands that something can actually be a lot better. And this is no longer serving us and women who want to be disruptors. And I believe that we are by nature right. Our very existence for the most part, especially women of color, is disruptive. We know that when we walk into a room with our authentic self, we can shift the entire atmosphere. That might be what's something we say, or who we bring to the table, or whatever it may be. And so the first step of disruption for me, and that's what I had to work through in the book, is us having the courage to be ourselves. And I intentionally use courage instead of fearless, because sometimes that fear doesn't go away. Encourage reminds us that there's something greater than our fear, and as a disruptor, sometimes there's something greater than our fear that requires us to shift the entire atmosphere, to flip over that perverbial table to say, you know what, this isn't working. We need to build something better. We may not know exactly how we're going to do it. But that's the north star and the goal. And it's also connected to the fact that if I don't do this, if I don't disrupt what's right in front of me, the person next to me can't also do what they're supposed to be doing because we're all connected, We're all interconnected.

Yeah, that is a really really powerful understanding to come to because it's like, and it's why we all have to use our gifts and do the work, you know, do the work you've been avoiding.

Yeah, that is a really really powerful understanding to come to because it's like, and it's why we all have to use our gifts and do the work, you know, do the work you've been avoiding.

God requires it because it's like.

God requires it because it's like.

If you don't become yourself, the people around you can't.

If you don't become yourself, the people around you can't.

Now, if you don't do.

Now, if you don't do.

What you're here to do, you're disrupting that chain, that domino effect, and what isn't getting birth because you won't be yourself?

What you're here to do, you're disrupting that chain, that domino effect, and what isn't getting birth because you won't be yourself?

That's right?

That's right?

And how can I face God and not have used the gifts that he has entrusted me with?

And how can I face God and not have used the gifts that he has entrusted me with?

Right?

Right?

Like, how can I answer the question of did you do what you were supposed to do.

Like, how can I answer the question of did you do what you were supposed to do.

On this earth?

On this earth?

Yeah?

Yeah?

If I stayed in my own way. One of my good friends is I was working through my proposal, which the proposal took longer than actually writing the book. I had a good friend of mine. He would call me like once a month and he would be like, how's the proposal going, what's going on? And one day he literally said, I want to see you're selfish? I said, excuse me. He said, the world needs this book more than you are, more than the roadblocks that you have in your life. He said, we need this book, and you are being selfish with what God has told you to put out in the world. And when I tell you that, that convicted me, and it pushed me to a place of I'm crying through proposal notes. I'm like, God, I don't know how I'm going to do this, But in essence, I was living what I'm telling everyone to live.

If I stayed in my own way. One of my good friends is I was working through my proposal, which the proposal took longer than actually writing the book. I had a good friend of mine. He would call me like once a month and he would be like, how's the proposal going, what's going on? And one day he literally said, I want to see you're selfish? I said, excuse me. He said, the world needs this book more than you are, more than the roadblocks that you have in your life. He said, we need this book, and you are being selfish with what God has told you to put out in the world. And when I tell you that, that convicted me, and it pushed me to a place of I'm crying through proposal notes. I'm like, God, I don't know how I'm going to do this, But in essence, I was living what I'm telling everyone to live.

Right.

Right.

Yeah, that, Oh, something bigger than me, bigger than my fear, is requiring me to go forward and do this.

Yeah, that, Oh, something bigger than me, bigger than my fear, is requiring me to go forward and do this.

Hmm.

Hmm.

Okay, everybody listening, take a breath, Sit with that for a second. We'll revisit this later in that episode. But where are you being selfish? Where are you not listening? Where are you not doing what you're called to do? I you know, I think we're another one of those times. Because there are years of activations that happen on this planet really intentionally. This is what I've observed within my spiritual awakening. There are different activation points that happen every so amount of years, right where the people that need to speak, the people that need to teach, are activated and activated in new ways. And I identified for myself like twenty ten, twenty twelve, twenty sixteen, twenty twenty, and now this moment twenty twenty five feels to me where I've kind of observed in my own process and and seeing other people who have birthed the important works that these were years that have been really important to humanity. And I remember when twenty twenty first came and it was already working in wellness and all the things, but God gave me this this sentence that I started posing with my students, and I started putting on social media, which was who are you being called to become?

Okay, everybody listening, take a breath, Sit with that for a second. We'll revisit this later in that episode. But where are you being selfish? Where are you not listening? Where are you not doing what you're called to do? I you know, I think we're another one of those times. Because there are years of activations that happen on this planet really intentionally. This is what I've observed within my spiritual awakening. There are different activation points that happen every so amount of years, right where the people that need to speak, the people that need to teach, are activated and activated in new ways. And I identified for myself like twenty ten, twenty twelve, twenty sixteen, twenty twenty, and now this moment twenty twenty five feels to me where I've kind of observed in my own process and and seeing other people who have birthed the important works that these were years that have been really important to humanity. And I remember when twenty twenty first came and it was already working in wellness and all the things, but God gave me this this sentence that I started posing with my students, and I started putting on social media, which was who are you being called to become?

Right now?

Right now?

And I had launched this program called the Divine Timeout because I remember this second I heard the pandemic orders come down, I was like, Oh, this is an opportunity. People are about to become themselves. People are going to get to sit with the truth of who and what they are in the best ways and in the really challenging ways, and they're going to be able to emerge from whatever this container is. Hopefully if you do the work, if you sit in it, if you be with it, there is profound opportunity to come to the other side of this isolation and these home orders as who you are actually meant to be.

And I had launched this program called the Divine Timeout because I remember this second I heard the pandemic orders come down, I was like, Oh, this is an opportunity. People are about to become themselves. People are going to get to sit with the truth of who and what they are in the best ways and in the really challenging ways, and they're going to be able to emerge from whatever this container is. Hopefully if you do the work, if you sit in it, if you be with it, there is profound opportunity to come to the other side of this isolation and these home orders as who you are actually meant to be.

And it's yeah, it's.

And it's yeah, it's.

Just really powerful because it's like, though, I know you have had a very layered life, and I'm certain God has spoken to you about so many things, so many times. But it's interesting because if we look at what I'm trying to really spotlight is the importance of listening when you.

Just really powerful because it's like, though, I know you have had a very layered life, and I'm certain God has spoken to you about so many things, so many times. But it's interesting because if we look at what I'm trying to really spotlight is the importance of listening when you.

Hear it, right, Because you heard this book.

Hear it, right, Because you heard this book.

In twenty twenty, you then spent time becoming who you needed to be to birth this in the way that would free and unlock people. And right now, in this year of twenty our lord, twenty twenty five, my god, my god, my god, my god, the world is changing and we have to get really freaking clear. And so your awakening and you listening when you need it to is now coming into this moment five years later, which is, dare I say, one of the most pivotal moments in human history. Yes, one of the most pivotal moments in human history and at the bare minimum, one of the most pivotal moments in this country.

In twenty twenty, you then spent time becoming who you needed to be to birth this in the way that would free and unlock people. And right now, in this year of twenty our lord, twenty twenty five, my god, my god, my god, my god, the world is changing and we have to get really freaking clear. And so your awakening and you listening when you need it to is now coming into this moment five years later, which is, dare I say, one of the most pivotal moments in human history. Yes, one of the most pivotal moments in human history and at the bare minimum, one of the most pivotal moments in this country.

And now there are resources and tools for who's ready to.

And now there are resources and tools for who's ready to.

Be awakened right now to then pass the baton to continue the work. So it is so important that you listen. It is so important that you listen and.

Be awakened right now to then pass the baton to continue the work. So it is so important that you listen. It is so important that you listen and.

Do do your work. Do your work.

Do do your work. Do your work.

Yeah, Debbie, I'm like feeling and receiving everything that you're saying, because I'm about to get emotional. If I hadn't been obedient, yeah, right, Like, if I had not been obedient and the going through and the facing myself and the being honest with myself in ways that quite frankly, even my loved ones at the time couldn't understand. Right, And thank god, I have so many friends and family who were.

Yeah, Debbie, I'm like feeling and receiving everything that you're saying, because I'm about to get emotional. If I hadn't been obedient, yeah, right, Like, if I had not been obedient and the going through and the facing myself and the being honest with myself in ways that quite frankly, even my loved ones at the time couldn't understand. Right, And thank god, I have so many friends and family who were.

Like, I don't get this, but I support you. Whatever this journey is that you're on, I support you.

Like, I don't get this, but I support you. Whatever this journey is that you're on, I support you.

But if I wasn't obedient, this book wouldn't be coming out at a time when people are looking for a guy to navigate and a guy that gives them permission to actually go inward a bit before you face the world. Right, Like, there's a whole section disruption of community that talks about ways that we can seemingly small ways that actually help with disruption. But it's the going through in our journey first. And I write a little bit about something that you said about how the pandemic was an opportunity, and that's what I felt too. I said, Okay, thank you God that I can hang out with my parents for several months and I can work from home, and they're retired, so we had our base level of needs met that we could actually take that time and really have conversations that were needed. I could focus on myself in ways that I hadn't before.

But if I wasn't obedient, this book wouldn't be coming out at a time when people are looking for a guy to navigate and a guy that gives them permission to actually go inward a bit before you face the world. Right, Like, there's a whole section disruption of community that talks about ways that we can seemingly small ways that actually help with disruption. But it's the going through in our journey first. And I write a little bit about something that you said about how the pandemic was an opportunity, and that's what I felt too. I said, Okay, thank you God that I can hang out with my parents for several months and I can work from home, and they're retired, so we had our base level of needs met that we could actually take that time and really have conversations that were needed. I could focus on myself in ways that I hadn't before.

I can.

I can.

I could realize that, you know what, I don't need to achieve anything else. I say that as I'm putting a book out, But yeah, I don't need to achieve anything else. I don't need to fly across the country every other week because I need to be at this meeting or be in the mix. I actually want to go hiking with my friends. I actually want to want to I want to want to build a life, YEA, a life that quite frankly devy in the going through over these years. There was a moment, and I'm just so blessed that as an entrepreneur, I have been successful.

I could realize that, you know what, I don't need to achieve anything else. I say that as I'm putting a book out, But yeah, I don't need to achieve anything else. I don't need to fly across the country every other week because I need to be at this meeting or be in the mix. I actually want to go hiking with my friends. I actually want to want to I want to want to build a life, YEA, a life that quite frankly devy in the going through over these years. There was a moment, and I'm just so blessed that as an entrepreneur, I have been successful.

I immediately got all of.

I immediately got all of.

The are you building this big agency and how much money are you raising? And I was like, wait, wait, wait, wait, that's not actually what I want to do, Like I want the freedom of time, and there's a way that I can do this that serves me.

The are you building this big agency and how much money are you raising? And I was like, wait, wait, wait, wait, that's not actually what I want to do, Like I want the freedom of time, and there's a way that I can do this that serves me.

So I was pushing against that.

So I was pushing against that.

And then I was in my new place at the time, and beautiful place, had all the clothes, all the things, and I remember sitting in my bedroom outside of my closet and I was like, this is great, but like, am I really happy? Like am I really happy with all of the things, with all of the accolade?

And then I was in my new place at the time, and beautiful place, had all the clothes, all the things, and I remember sitting in my bedroom outside of my closet and I was like, this is great, but like, am I really happy? Like am I really happy with all of the things, with all of the accolade?

Am I really happy here?

Am I really happy here?

And that breaking down help get this book, and it got me to a place of you know, when the world opened up, there are a lot of people, people that we know, who got immediately back into their pre pandemic selves, on flights, at events, doing all the things, and I'm like, have we not learned our lessons?

And that breaking down help get this book, and it got me to a place of you know, when the world opened up, there are a lot of people, people that we know, who got immediately back into their pre pandemic selves, on flights, at events, doing all the things, and I'm like, have we not learned our lessons?

I was actually shocked me to.

I was actually shocked me to.

See how many people instantly went back to that, and I was like, wow, I thought I thought that was going to bring a little more.

See how many people instantly went back to that, and I was like, wow, I thought I thought that was going to bring a little more.

Yeah, but you know what, I think some of it is DeBie is. So many of us are scared to sit with ourselves. We are running from ourselves.

Yeah, but you know what, I think some of it is DeBie is. So many of us are scared to sit with ourselves. We are running from ourselves.

It's the hardest thing. It's the hardest thing, the hard That's what the work of our lives is. It is.

It's the hardest thing. It's the hardest thing, the hard That's what the work of our lives is. It is.

Yeah, and I stopped being scared of myself. I'm like, Wow, you were scared of yourself. Like to sit with yourself. It's okay to cry, It's okay to be angry, It's okay that this childhood trauma that happened to you when you were six years old, it still impacts you. That's reminding you that you are human. Right Like, I actually don't want to be numb to emotions. And again for me as a virgo to say that that is a lot to not be numb to my emotions. And again, if I wasn't obedient, I always want to be in a place where I can hear God, whether clearly or through signs. And something that came to me even before the pandemic was that I don't actually want a full plate, because if I have a full plate, that means not only isn't there if there isn't room for me to do some of the things that I want to do, but there's also no room for God to use me in the ways that He needs me to be. You have to you have to have space, and I have been pushing and creating that space. And I want to give us all the permission to do that because to your other point about this moment we're in, especially right now as a country and as a world, we have to have the space to show up in community, to do what we need to do to get us to the other side of that together.

Yeah, and I stopped being scared of myself. I'm like, Wow, you were scared of yourself. Like to sit with yourself. It's okay to cry, It's okay to be angry, It's okay that this childhood trauma that happened to you when you were six years old, it still impacts you. That's reminding you that you are human. Right Like, I actually don't want to be numb to emotions. And again for me as a virgo to say that that is a lot to not be numb to my emotions. And again, if I wasn't obedient, I always want to be in a place where I can hear God, whether clearly or through signs. And something that came to me even before the pandemic was that I don't actually want a full plate, because if I have a full plate, that means not only isn't there if there isn't room for me to do some of the things that I want to do, but there's also no room for God to use me in the ways that He needs me to be. You have to you have to have space, and I have been pushing and creating that space. And I want to give us all the permission to do that because to your other point about this moment we're in, especially right now as a country and as a world, we have to have the space to show up in community, to do what we need to do to get us to the other side of that together.

Deeply.

Deeply.

Well, you know so interesting to me about you know, creating the spaces.

Well, you know so interesting to me about you know, creating the spaces.

I talk with so many people about this. You know, so many people that fl fil fill phil fill their lives or.

I talk with so many people about this. You know, so many people that fl fil fill phil fill their lives or.

Always like making these plans or even having these you know, and this is not sometimes this serves purpose.

Always like making these plans or even having these you know, and this is not sometimes this serves purpose.

But when we're overly attached to goals.

But when we're overly attached to goals.

Or building out these like long timelines of how life should go for me, that really illustrates a deep lack of faith in God, a deep lack of faith in your life. Because when you are faithful, you get the message, you get the call, and then you create the space for it because you know you're not meant to carry all of it or understand all of it right away, especially when you're building something you haven't been yet. So it's like taking some of that pressure off to make this space to let God move in your life and actually build what is desired, because it is in service to more than just you and to other people. But if you find yourself and I'm saying this for whoever needs it listening right now, you know, if you find yourself looking to fill every single inch of your time, there's something to look at. Yeah, you know something, something needs your attention within yourself, and it's time to start investigating your relationship with your nervous system and your relationship with the need to be distracted at all times.

Or building out these like long timelines of how life should go for me, that really illustrates a deep lack of faith in God, a deep lack of faith in your life. Because when you are faithful, you get the message, you get the call, and then you create the space for it because you know you're not meant to carry all of it or understand all of it right away, especially when you're building something you haven't been yet. So it's like taking some of that pressure off to make this space to let God move in your life and actually build what is desired, because it is in service to more than just you and to other people. But if you find yourself and I'm saying this for whoever needs it listening right now, you know, if you find yourself looking to fill every single inch of your time, there's something to look at. Yeah, you know something, something needs your attention within yourself, and it's time to start investigating your relationship with your nervous system and your relationship with the need to be distracted at all times.

And that's the work that I end up having to do. And even now when I go through bouts of I feel like my career is in sprints, Like there are short spurts where it's like extremely busy and chaotic, and then it kind of levels out to the point where sometimes I'm bored. But I've learned to sit in boredom with nothing to do. But in those chaotic times, I found that I have to cling closer to myself and create the space to meditate, to pray, to get in deeper relationship with my maker, because that is what's going to help me navigate that right. And you mentioned lack of faith, and I write about that in the book. There's a chapter called sometimes the Red Flags. You and I had to really list out all of the things that I was doing to get in my own way, and one of those things was having a lack of faith. And I was apologizing to God. I was like, oh my God, how am I doubting you? And then I realized, well, if you gave me the vision, then I just have to trust that it's going to happen, that it's all going to fall into place. And the more that I surrender, I surrender my thought process on how it's supposed to work out. I surrender against what everyone else says. The easier it is to actually walk in what I'm supposed to be doing right, the easier it is to be obedient. But that lack of faith piece. I had to wrestle with that for a lot because I was constantly questioning why certain things weren't working out, trying to figure out things, and I kept hearing, but do you trust me? And I was like, oh, right, I have to learn to trust you, and I have to accept who I am today and have the courage to walk into spaces to put ideas out there, trusting that if I've been called here, it is actually going to work out the way that it's supposed to.

And that's the work that I end up having to do. And even now when I go through bouts of I feel like my career is in sprints, Like there are short spurts where it's like extremely busy and chaotic, and then it kind of levels out to the point where sometimes I'm bored. But I've learned to sit in boredom with nothing to do. But in those chaotic times, I found that I have to cling closer to myself and create the space to meditate, to pray, to get in deeper relationship with my maker, because that is what's going to help me navigate that right. And you mentioned lack of faith, and I write about that in the book. There's a chapter called sometimes the Red Flags. You and I had to really list out all of the things that I was doing to get in my own way, and one of those things was having a lack of faith. And I was apologizing to God. I was like, oh my God, how am I doubting you? And then I realized, well, if you gave me the vision, then I just have to trust that it's going to happen, that it's all going to fall into place. And the more that I surrender, I surrender my thought process on how it's supposed to work out. I surrender against what everyone else says. The easier it is to actually walk in what I'm supposed to be doing right, the easier it is to be obedient. But that lack of faith piece. I had to wrestle with that for a lot because I was constantly questioning why certain things weren't working out, trying to figure out things, and I kept hearing, but do you trust me? And I was like, oh, right, I have to learn to trust you, and I have to accept who I am today and have the courage to walk into spaces to put ideas out there, trusting that if I've been called here, it is actually going to work out the way that it's supposed to.

Yes, yes, yes, As you were diving into some of those inner chambers of who you were, what surprised you the most?

Yes, yes, yes, As you were diving into some of those inner chambers of who you were, what surprised you the most?

M one of the things that really surprised me, and I had a therapist work with me on this. It's how harsh I was with myself and can still be right. I had a therapist who she said to me, one time, you.

M one of the things that really surprised me, and I had a therapist work with me on this. It's how harsh I was with myself and can still be right. I had a therapist who she said to me, one time, you.

Go to law school.

Go to law school.

And I was like, no, girl, Like, what are you asking me this for? And she said, there's this judge in here. And I didn't think that that was your career, but I just wanted.

And I was like, no, girl, Like, what are you asking me this for? And she said, there's this judge in here. And I didn't think that that was your career, but I just wanted.

To make sure.

To make sure.

And I was like, ooh, the read okay, okay. And so she would constantly point out there's that judge because I would use the words should or I should.

And I was like, ooh, the read okay, okay. And so she would constantly point out there's that judge because I would use the words should or I should.

Be doing this, or they should be.

Be doing this, or they should be.

And what was reflected back onto me was how I had such high expectations of myself. And I've worked through the difference between expectations and standards.

And what was reflected back onto me was how I had such high expectations of myself. And I've worked through the difference between expectations and standards.

I can have high.

I can have high.

Standards, but these expectations that were impossible for me to meet for myself. Was also putting the people around me in positions of like we could never meet her expectations of her or who we're supposed to be ooh, And I had to really sit with that of like, why are you hiding behind these arbitrary expectations?

Standards, but these expectations that were impossible for me to meet for myself. Was also putting the people around me in positions of like we could never meet her expectations of her or who we're supposed to be ooh, And I had to really sit with that of like, why are you hiding behind these arbitrary expectations?

What conditioned you this way?

What conditioned you this way?

Right?

Right?

And that took some grieving of who I was, That took some understanding of how I was raised. That took some grace for how black parents of a certain age had to protect their children.

And that took some grieving of who I was, That took some understanding of how I was raised. That took some grace for how black parents of a certain age had to protect their children.

Right, and like what that looks like and what.

Right, and like what that looks like and what.

Happens in the church and all of these things I had to work through to really stop judging myself and release those expectations so I could release my expectations of other people as well as let them embrace who I am. And one of the things that I constantly say, I would say it in relation to romantic relationships, but I actually didn't realized that it was in relation to all of my relationships.

Happens in the church and all of these things I had to work through to really stop judging myself and release those expectations so I could release my expectations of other people as well as let them embrace who I am. And one of the things that I constantly say, I would say it in relation to romantic relationships, but I actually didn't realized that it was in relation to all of my relationships.

So I want to be in a.

So I want to be in a.

Place where it feels safe to feel fully seen, to be fully seen. But what requires that is some courage to actually put yourself out there right woo, And so I kept saying it, Debbie, and then I kept being confronted with spaces to be seen and friendships and dating and even in like workspaces, and I heard this little word of but this is what you want it like, yeah, we're getting rid of this judge and we're being fully seen.

Place where it feels safe to feel fully seen, to be fully seen. But what requires that is some courage to actually put yourself out there right woo, And so I kept saying it, Debbie, and then I kept being confronted with spaces to be seen and friendships and dating and even in like workspaces, and I heard this little word of but this is what you want it like, yeah, we're getting rid of this judge and we're being fully seen.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And it's been bumpy, but it's been so beautiful and rewarding, and.

And it's been bumpy, but it's been so beautiful and rewarding, and.

It's it's it really is the most special part. You know, it's very.

It's it's it really is the most special part. You know, it's very.

Cringey when you're in the midst of it, like, oh my god, how many times you make yourself cringe at yourself.

Cringey when you're in the midst of it, like, oh my god, how many times you make yourself cringe at yourself.

You're like, oh god, girl, I wanted.

You're like, oh god, girl, I wanted.

To apologize, like ooh.

To apologize, like ooh.

Mess. But then it's like, you know, and I don't know if you feel this way, but you look back years later.

Mess. But then it's like, you know, and I don't know if you feel this way, but you look back years later.

And it's a once in a lifetime thing when you're in it, and it feels like forever when you're in the midst of it, But then you miss it because it's like, my god, the way you bloomed, like the way you unfolded and unfurled and came to life, and like you know, that perfect word, the way every time you have.

And it's a once in a lifetime thing when you're in it, and it feels like forever when you're in the midst of it, But then you miss it because it's like, my god, the way you bloomed, like the way you unfolded and unfurled and came to life, and like you know, that perfect word, the way every time you have.

The courage to keep practicing.

The courage to keep practicing.

Because when we ask God for something, especially to be a better person, you actually have to get your reps up. You have to get in all the opportunities for practice that refine you.

Because when we ask God for something, especially to be a better person, you actually have to get your reps up. You have to get in all the opportunities for practice that refine you.

Enough to be that.

Enough to be that.

And it's like it's it's gnarly, but it's so special. And then you're like, oh, I'm bringing all of my skills, Like all of that I can bring into this too. I'm not walking in like a little lamb, Like I can walk in with the skills, with the insight, with the depth that I've amassed and apply it to me.

And it's like it's it's gnarly, but it's so special. And then you're like, oh, I'm bringing all of my skills, Like all of that I can bring into this too. I'm not walking in like a little lamb, Like I can walk in with the skills, with the insight, with the depth that I've amassed and apply it to me.

Here you said refining. It makes me think about you know, in the Bible they talk about it talks about us being refined like gold, and so often we want God to bring us to a certain place, but we don't think about the going through, right, like you have to go on the furnace to be refined is pure gold, right, And that is actually really important And that journey I used to want to run away from that tough journey. But to your point, it's the reps. It's the getting the reps in that eventually gets easier. And it reminds you of I talk about proof points in here of this is evidence that I can do these hard things. Yeah, if I keep doing them, they may not get easier, but you know what, they're less burden some I know that I can overcome again. But what's on the other side of all of that is so worth it. And that is greater than any fear that I have or any apprehension I have of that standing in the mirror looking at myself when I don't want to. But what's on the other side of that is worth that, And getting to that refined, pure gold is worth going through the furnace.

Here you said refining. It makes me think about you know, in the Bible they talk about it talks about us being refined like gold, and so often we want God to bring us to a certain place, but we don't think about the going through, right, like you have to go on the furnace to be refined is pure gold, right, And that is actually really important And that journey I used to want to run away from that tough journey. But to your point, it's the reps. It's the getting the reps in that eventually gets easier. And it reminds you of I talk about proof points in here of this is evidence that I can do these hard things. Yeah, if I keep doing them, they may not get easier, but you know what, they're less burden some I know that I can overcome again. But what's on the other side of all of that is so worth it. And that is greater than any fear that I have or any apprehension I have of that standing in the mirror looking at myself when I don't want to. But what's on the other side of that is worth that, And getting to that refined, pure gold is worth going through the furnace.

So this book is just so important. It's just so important.

So this book is just so important. It's just so important.

And you know, as I think about the time that it is coming out, and you know, just quickly, could you even imagine, right if you didn't listen to that call in twenty twenty and do all of that refinement and we came to this moment as someone working in government in the presidential world, It's like, I'd imagine that would be a full shutdown.

And you know, as I think about the time that it is coming out, and you know, just quickly, could you even imagine, right if you didn't listen to that call in twenty twenty and do all of that refinement and we came to this moment as someone working in government in the presidential world, It's like, I'd imagine that would be a full shutdown.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, So, Debbie, I was at a coffee shop, my favorite coffee shop in Arlington, Virginia, on a Saturday, doing some edits and it was a huge that was a huge political moment. It was the unfortunate rally where the non president was there was an attempted assassination, and I had a moment where and I'm getting all this pressure from my editors is they're like, you're a little late on these edits, and I said, it would be really irresponsible for me to rush through a lot of this with everything happening in the world right now. And I don't address that specific incident in the book because I don't want to give energy to that person, but it made me reorient my mind as I was looking through the edits, and God was very clear of like, yes, you relate on those you understand. You wrote a book too, You relate on those you relate because that's what they said.

Yeah, So, Debbie, I was at a coffee shop, my favorite coffee shop in Arlington, Virginia, on a Saturday, doing some edits and it was a huge that was a huge political moment. It was the unfortunate rally where the non president was there was an attempted assassination, and I had a moment where and I'm getting all this pressure from my editors is they're like, you're a little late on these edits, and I said, it would be really irresponsible for me to rush through a lot of this with everything happening in the world right now. And I don't address that specific incident in the book because I don't want to give energy to that person, but it made me reorient my mind as I was looking through the edits, and God was very clear of like, yes, you relate on those you understand. You wrote a book too, You relate on those you relate because that's what they said.

But this is the.

But this is the.

Time, like this is actually divinely orchestrated for you to be doing these edits through this lens. And then you know, a couple of weeks later, Vice President Harris becomes the nominee, right, and then I'm working through my final edits in the midst of all of that, and so just the lens of these disruptions happening in the world and knowing that, Okay, I'm going to close this book now before the election, and it's coming out women's history month after the election, how does this book work for either scenarios? And that was my question. I said, Okay, God, I just trust you. And had I not been obedient, I might have been like scrambling to write a book right now that doesn't really capture what we are all trying to navigate through, which is trying to navigate ourselves in the midst of trying to navigate this world and how those have to work together, and giving people a space to understand that. It set us to another that was in another interview and they were asking how my soul is and how my spirit is. I was like, it's optimistic and it's light, and she said in all of this, I said, yes, I understand the importance of maintaining a healthy soul. As Alice Walker talks about maintaining a healthy soul in the face of oppression. Yes, now more than ever, that is imperative and that is our first tool of disruption. And I want to give everyone that permission to cut out the noise, cut out the distraction, stay informed, but really take.

Time, like this is actually divinely orchestrated for you to be doing these edits through this lens. And then you know, a couple of weeks later, Vice President Harris becomes the nominee, right, and then I'm working through my final edits in the midst of all of that, and so just the lens of these disruptions happening in the world and knowing that, Okay, I'm going to close this book now before the election, and it's coming out women's history month after the election, how does this book work for either scenarios? And that was my question. I said, Okay, God, I just trust you. And had I not been obedient, I might have been like scrambling to write a book right now that doesn't really capture what we are all trying to navigate through, which is trying to navigate ourselves in the midst of trying to navigate this world and how those have to work together, and giving people a space to understand that. It set us to another that was in another interview and they were asking how my soul is and how my spirit is. I was like, it's optimistic and it's light, and she said in all of this, I said, yes, I understand the importance of maintaining a healthy soul. As Alice Walker talks about maintaining a healthy soul in the face of oppression. Yes, now more than ever, that is imperative and that is our first tool of disruption. And I want to give everyone that permission to cut out the noise, cut out the distraction, stay informed, but really take.

Care of our souls.

Care of our souls.

Get deeply wet well.

Get deeply wet well.

Yeah, to show up when we all get that phone call of Okay, this is what we collectively have to do.

Yeah, to show up when we all get that phone call of Okay, this is what we collectively have to do.

Yeah, mmmmmm mm hmmm. Yeah, it's time. It's time, It's time.

Yeah, mmmmmm mm hmmm. Yeah, it's time. It's time, It's time.

Deeply well, I am so excited about this book, so excited what it will do for the hearts and the minds and the spirits that connect to it and that stay with the process. At the end of every episode, I like to invite guests to share a piece of soul work.

Deeply well, I am so excited about this book, so excited what it will do for the hearts and the minds and the spirits that connect to it and that stay with the process. At the end of every episode, I like to invite guests to share a piece of soul work.

With the audience.

With the audience.

And this can look like a journal prompt or one of your personal practices for self reclamation, but something that everyone listening can utilize to really integrate and process everything that they've just heard.

And this can look like a journal prompt or one of your personal practices for self reclamation, but something that everyone listening can utilize to really integrate and process everything that they've just heard.

So there's two things that I focus on. One is gratitude, but like real gratitude, not just you know, oh I love my meal today, but like thinking of something every single day to have gratitude for. And I do that in prayer, some people do that in journals. And then two, I have learned to connect more with nature, and so daily walks, even if it's for fifteen minutes, getting outside in nature. Those are the two things. And they're so simple, they don't cost any money. Yeah yeah, and we can do them any almost any and everywhere, and they help me in my practice to just stay in myself and to stay well and to be in my spirit.

So there's two things that I focus on. One is gratitude, but like real gratitude, not just you know, oh I love my meal today, but like thinking of something every single day to have gratitude for. And I do that in prayer, some people do that in journals. And then two, I have learned to connect more with nature, and so daily walks, even if it's for fifteen minutes, getting outside in nature. Those are the two things. And they're so simple, they don't cost any money. Yeah yeah, and we can do them any almost any and everywhere, and they help me in my practice to just stay in myself and to stay well and to be in my spirit.

That is really.

That is really.

Such a perfect way to connect to regulation, you know, and really connect to who you are. And as anyone is listening, if there's ever moments when you hear some of these techniques and you feel like you'd have anxiety taking a walk by yourself, or you're like, it's not pleasure to take a walk by myself, it's uncomfortable. That's what the work is, that's the piece, that is the work to do, and that's why you need the walk. And as you continue to take that daily walk, those parts of you soften, those parts of you lift, and eventually it becomes a way for you to connect to beauty and you're out there not in the anxiety of your chest, or the boredom or the embarrassment or the awkwardness.