Advertise on podcast: Being The Balance

It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’re taking some time to honor things that make us happy and be realistic about some of the heaviness happening around us. That’s what being the balance means to us at this moment. A tv show aptly named “Atlanta” gets all of the love for the characters and the storyline. And can we take a moment to say, Shari is CAUGHT up on the episodes, people! Issues centered around race, blackness, traditions, tragedy, self-reflection, and introspection are gift-wrapped in the script and delivery. Don't mind us... We’re just a couple of fans gushing over the way the episodes are presented. Watch it for the first time or catch up on a few episodes from this season. Time well spent. You’re welcome. We’d be remised if we didn’t check in with each other after the violent events over the weekend. Once again, a mass shooting is causing us to consider our lives and how they intersect with others. Grief and anguish sit with all of us as we process what’s unfolding. And we’re grateful that we spoke to our dope friend, Ti, to ground us. Sadness is real and you have every right to feel it. But his story is a testament to transforming the trauma and finding authentic purpose after a life-changing loss. What an incredible testimony of honoring your person, their wishes, and their memory. These dope friends have shown up and shown out this season! Thank you to each one for being vulnerable and sharing your truths. Those truths continue to help our dope friends know they’re not alone. For more details about mental health awareness, self-care, professional help in getting over the hurdles, or facts that can help you or someone you know, go to the National Institute of Mental Health’s site. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/ We hope the takeaways from this episode and the season are: There’s room for transformation on the other side of what feels like an unbearable reality. You are supported.

Y'all... It feels like this week has been hectic with the news 🗞 (per usual). And this episode's dope friend was right on time. Tune in to hear our initial thoughts on the leaked draft of the potential changes to Roe v. Wade. And then we'll talk to Dr. Julie about grief and her grief community. What does it look like to make space for yourself and for others during the grieving process? What is prolonged grieving? How can you integrate grief into your life? I mean... we loved discussing these questions with her. We'll all experience loss at some point, but having a community to work through it with and be vulnerable about your thoughts and feelings with can be life-changing. You are supported. ❤ 🫂

Hey Dope Friends! We're back from spring break, and we've got some things to catch up on. #Travel, sand, sun, #politics and lodging, and THE thing that everyone's seen and talked about all month... You know you were waiting to hear our commentary. LOL we've got you covered. Have you made a life change and received differing advice from your village? Have you been the person to question your friend about #exercise, #diet, #dating, etc.? We share our perspectives on change and why it seems to put people in a space. What's your experience? We want to know. Side note: Folks can judge and offer opinions all they want. Shari's still vegan, and Callie's fam still doesn't eat pork. End of story. Ooohhh did it feel like that pushed a button or two? [insert a nod and a shrug] Change is good, guys. Now that that's out of the way, drop us a line and tell us what you've got planned for the #summer. We're going back on break in a few weeks, but we will leave you a listening list to keep you entertained. We promise!

As Women's Her-story Month wraps, we wanted to talk about women making monumental moves. Salute to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for being the first Black woman to be nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court. She's shining in those confirmation hearings. Come on #blackgirlmagic!! We'll let you decide how you want to categorize the 2nd group. Sooooo you'll just have to listen and decide for yourself. No spoilers on that one. And our dope friend, athlete and bodybuilder extraordinaire came by to share her journey and the moments of clarity she's had along the way. We're rooting for you, girl!! Drop us a line and share something you learned this month about an inspiring woman. P.S. We're taking spring break off! Check out some our oldie but goodie episodes while we're out. ✌🏽

Listen we know you're carrying a lot. And without sounding like a huge cliché, it's important to take a breath, speak your truth, lean on your people aka your #tribe and take things one thing at a time and one day at a time. As adults we know that, but how do you help kids understand the often-slow journey of processing difficult topics. Callie's #Mommy Corner paints a picture of how her family is processing a personal #loss, and how they explained it to their little ones. Even in difficult times, there are profound moments that will last for years to come. The #memories that will live on and the memories you're creating are a beautiful testament to what feels "lost" but will always have a special place. Go on that trip! Bradley is right. #Mexico is a great idea to create more amazing memories that will honor their loved one. How do you process and explain tough subjects to your little ones? Do you remember how any of those conversations from your #childhood? That's that. And then on a scale of 1 to 5, how are you feeling about being outside in these streets these days? 1 is "nah, I'm good" and 5 is "meet us at the spot, we got the first round!" You know what to do... drop us a line and tell a friend to... you got it!! Friendly reminder: "You are supported."

As we close out #BHM, we're talking real-world issues from #Putin and politics to resilience and retail. #Sanctions, gas prices, and intense tension overseas. We're #adulting and working through what it means to us and the world around us. For example, what's the first word you think of when you hear the word resilient? Is it strong? Is it unbreakable? Or is it synonymous with struggle? Let's debunk the connection between resilience, strength, and struggle. We're definitely unearthing some truths about our perceptions in this episode. [Enter Dope Friend, Elisha.] This episode was a great fit for Elisha to discuss her journey to being an #entrepreneur and what it means to her to be a balanced, boutique boss. Here's a hint: The keyword is #authenticity. And it resonates seamlessly with not working to be resilient/tough all of the time. Be vulnerable and be you. The people will #love you for it. Take it from a boss in this episode.

OK. Real quick, tune in because we're here for #BHM, the #tatas, love, and #sex. Ladies, schedule your #mammograms. Callie is giving you all of the descriptors you need to prep for your first one. Salute to #blacklove and the awesome black sex therapist (and dope friend) that joined us to talk about helping people understand their perspectives on relationships. Those perspectives, in turn, shape our broader views and behaviors. Now y'all know we aren't therapists, but we will bring one into chat and share some common (and perhaps not-so-common) themes around a (saucy) topic. Would you expect anything less than an interview with a sex therapist in #February?! Unless you're a NEW dope friend, you know the drill. You're welcome. *bows head* Lord, we thank you for mental health professionals. They are very, special blessings. And we know people need unbiased counsel and connections to ground them, help them heal, navigate the ups and downs, and thrive. We joke, but we take the healing and self-improvement journey seriously. Dope friends, if you don't hear it anywhere else: #Therapy is a part of #self-care. There's no stigma or shame in seeking help in its many forms. "You are supported." ❤

Dope friends, tune in. Our melanated peeps already know what half of the title means. #Omicron aka #Omarion is outchea, and we're letting you know how feel about it the only way we know how. And while we're talking about Omarion's cold antics, we're going to dive into The #Iceberg Method/Theory. #storytime What are the characteristics you reveal to others? And what's below the surface? Do you consider the differences and how people interact with you depending on which layer of the iceberg they see? Whew chile. Introspection can be beautiful and transformative. Drop us a line about your thoughts about the theory AND share your one good thing. We want to hear your positive moments because... #balance.

🍾 Happy #2022, dope friends. How are your new year #resolutions looking?? Be honest! Tune in to hear about our visions and goals. We're chatting about the #VID and the #colorist #podcast hosts that shall not be named. They said they don't date "night riders" and we're not fans of such foolishness. Moving on to more entertaining content... get into a reality-ish guilty pleasure that Shari shared. Wait... did she say...? Yes. Go check out what we're watching and listening to and send us your recommendations. I mean... we've STILL got plenty of time to tune in. Damn you, "2020 too". Just kidding, girl. We are on your side, 2022 boo.

So long, 2021! As we wrap up this year, we're wishing our dope friends and family happy holidays and a safe and prosperous #2022.🥂 And it's only right to chop it up with a chef right before #Christmas. Chef Justin Dixon dropped by to share his journey and give us the business about play kitchen sets and angry #vegans 🥗 and vegetarians, in no particular order. The takeaways are: Let the kids play 👨🏾‍🍳 and let the chefs cook! We can all hope that kids find a passion that encourages them to build and nourish the community like Chef Justin. He is feeding AND inspiring the people. Google Humble Mumble for the dets and for that old-school reference on that #OutKast album. You can thank us later. #ATL all day. Last thing for the YEAR, hats off to everyone that kept pushing this year - despite the roadblocks. This one is dedicated to you. Cheers to your #persistence. We see you!

Tune in to BTBP this week as we remember Virgil Abloh's contributions to the fashion industry. Per usual, Callie is spilling the beans about the latest #Insecure episode. Dear Molly, It's OK to take a break and to ask for help. Delegating is a skill and it can be your friend. *note to self* Now #Issa, why are you throwing newborns like 3-point shots?! 🏀🤣 Baby JA didn't do anything to you. And for the "balance" element of the episode... we got you. Our dope friend, Dr. Callie, shared her journey into veterinary medicine. We love her story, her lifelong passion to care for animals, and her #energy. You'll ❤️ 2 Callies in this episode, and how Dr. Callie's advice is impacting Bradley's #holiday plans.

Listen... We ain't gone hold you because you've got podcasts to listen to and share! We're still talking about #COVID because it's STILL here. [insert extra-long, obnoxious eye roll] We're unraveling current topics, and it's basically a rundown of the rappers in the news this week. And then get into our interview with dope friend and #entrepreneur, Andrea Polk. She's candid about her journey, her #transformation, and her passion to share gems with her customers. If you don't learn another thing today, you can thank her later for that caterpillar quote. That's a BTBP classic. Let the people know, Andrea!!