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In this episode, I sit down with Ashlee Hollis, founder of Helm Creative Studio and Story Factory, for an insightful conversation about entrepreneurship, storytelling, leadership, and company culture. Ashlee shares the journey behind building her businesses, the values that drive her work, and her approach to creating meaningful stories that connect with audiences. We also dive into what makes a great workplace culture, how she prioritizes her team, and why treating employees with respect and trust has been a key factor in her success. What stood out most during our conversation was Ashlee's refreshing perspective on leadership and the intentional way she has built a company where creativity and people thrive together. Whether you're a business owner, creative professional, or aspiring entrepreneur, there's something valuable to take away from this conversation. Connect with Helm Creative Studio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helmcreativestudio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/helm-creative-studio YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4Ff3oFfS4nTRgakCi5RSgQ Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/helmcreativestudio Connect with Ashlee Hollis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleeshollis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashlee.hollis.9 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves stories, leadership, and creative entrepreneurship. Provide your feedback on BizChat

In this episode of Conversations With Toi, we’re welcoming the radiant Ashia Collins, who brings the character Carol Evans to life in the Broadway‑bound musical Boop! — coming to Ensemble Arts Philly from November 17–29. Ashia joins us to talk about stepping into a role rooted in joy, friendship, and the kind of bold energy that makes Boop! such a vibrant, modern reimagining of an icon. We dive into her journey as a performer, the heart behind Carol Evans, and what it means to be part of a production that blends nostalgia, empowerment, and pure theatrical fun. Ashia shares how the cast built community on and off stage, the creative process behind shaping this new musical, and why Philly audiences are in for something truly special. We also explore the magic of Ensemble Arts Philly — how the city’s arts scene continues to uplift performers, spark connection, and create space for stories that make us feel seen. Ashia reflects on the joy of bringing Boop! to a city that shows up for theater with passion and pride. Get your tickets here: http://www.ensembleartsphilly.org/ If you love conversations about creativity, culture, and women showing up fully in their purpose, this episode will feel like a warm seat at the table. And of course, we close with a moment of intentional living — honoring the balance between ambition, artistry, and rest. Follow me across all platforms @toitimeblog and visit ToiTime.org for more wellness, storytelling, and Philly‑centered experiences.

This week on Conversations with Toi, we’re unpacking the Cornell 57 and the very real ways men need to do better — not just in theory, but in practice. This story isn’t just a headline; it’s a mirror. It forces us to look at how accountability, empathy, and emotional maturity are still lacking in spaces where they’re needed most. I’m breaking down why these patterns keep showing up, how they impact our communities, and why we can’t afford to ignore them. I’m also talking about the importance of taking a mental health day — especially when big news stories start to feel heavy. Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is step back, breathe, and protect your peace. We don’t have to consume everything. We don’t have to carry everything. Rest is a form of resistance too. And finally, we’re getting into the power of saying no. Not just occasionally, but regularly. Saying no to overwhelm, to guilt, to expectations that drain you. Saying no so you can say yes to yourself. This episode is about accountability, boundaries, and choosing wellness even when the world feels loud. For more wellness and mental health guidance, follow me on ToiTime.org and on all socials @toitimeblog.

This season opener of Conversations with Toi is all about preparing your mind, your heart, and your emotional toolkit for fall therapy — whether you’ve been in therapy for years or you’re considering starting for the very first time As the days get shorter and the pace of life shifts, fall brings its own emotional landscape. In this episode, I’m breaking down the key themes you should bring into your therapy sessions this season: noticing early signs of seasonal depression, navigating holiday pressure, naming grief that resurfaces, slowing down with intention, and building a fall self‑care plan that actually supports you.I’m also sharing personal reflections on what I’m bringing into my own fall therapy work, because healing is seasonal — and we grow best when we grow honestly.If you’re ready to enter fall with more clarity, more grounding, and more emotional awareness, this episode is your starting point. Explore related themes • seasonal depression • holiday boundaries • emotional inventory • seasonal self-care Follow me on socials as Toitimblog and on the blog www.toitime.org

In this episode of Conversations With Toi, we’re joined by the incredible Amy Impellizzeri to talk about her work with BLOCS and the powerful ways the organization is investing in the next generation of men and women. We dig into the mission behind BLOCS, the importance of educational access, and how community support truly changes futures. We also highlight the upcoming BLOCS Speaker Series happening May 6th at the Rittenhouse Hotel from 6–8 PM, featuring bestselling author Marie Benedict as she shares insights from her newest book, Daughter of Egypt. Amy gives us a behind‑the‑scenes look at what attendees can expect, why this conversation matters, and how events like this create space for women to learn, lead, and lift one another. Throughout the episode, we explore the power of women showing up—through donating, advocating, attending, and supporting causes that open doors for others. We talk about what it means to stand in your purpose, especially when your professional mission mirrors your personal values. And as always, we close with a conversation on self‑care—the kind that goes beyond bubble baths and into boundaries, alignment, and honoring the parts of yourself that need rest while you continue to pour into your community. If you believe in women supporting women, storytelling that inspires action, and the importance of showing up with intention, this episode is for you. Get tickets to see Marie Benedict Tickets available https://www.blocs.org/marie Follow me across all platforms @toitimeblog and visit www.toitime.org for more wellness, intentional living, and real‑life conversations!

This week on Conversations With Toi, we’re starting with a real check‑in — the kind that goes beyond “I’m fine.” I’m sharing where I am mentally and emotionally as we move through a heavy news cycle and try to stay grounded in our own lives. From there, we’re diving into the rise in viral violence against women and the emotional toll it’s taking on all of us. These stories aren’t just headlines — they’re reminders of the fear, exhaustion, and hyper‑vigilance women carry every day. We’re talking about the impact, the desensitization, the need for community accountability, and how to protect your peace while staying informed. To close things out, we’re shifting into something a little lighter but still very real: Bran Flakes, Philly culture, and the influencer community. What does authenticity look like online? How does the Philly creator space move? And what can we learn from the chaos, the humor, and the lessons that come out of it all? If you’re navigating the weight of the world while still trying to show up for yourself, this episode is for you. Follow me across all platforms @toitimeblog and visit www.toitime.org for more wellness, intentional living, and real‑life conversations.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses sexual violence, abuse of power, and the recent CNN “Rape Academy” investigation. Please listen with care and step away if you need to. Your wellbeing comes first. In this episode, we dive into one of the most disturbing and necessary conversations of our time. The CNN “Rape Academy” report has shaken many, and we unpack why these patterns of abuse continue to surface — and why the phrase “it’s never all men, but it’s always men” reflects a painful, recurring reality. We talk about accountability, culture, and the responsibility we all share in calling out those who harm others. But this episode isn’t only about the darkness. We also explore pockets of joy — the small, intentional moments that keep us grounded when the world feels heavy. These two themes may seem like opposites, but they’re both essential. We can hold space for truth and still choose joy. We can confront harm and still protect our peace. This is a hard conversation, but hard conversations are how we push for change. ✨ Follow the journey, the dialogue, and the healing at www.toitime.com ✨ Connect with me across all socials: @Toitimeblog

Spring is here, but that doesn’t mean our minds and bodies automatically shift into bloom mode. In this episode of Conversations With Toi, I'm talking about the emotional reality of spring — the mood swings, the pressure to “be outside,” the social re‑entry anxiety, and the messy middle between wanting to grow and wanting to rest. Let's explore why seasonal transitions hit so differently, how winter survival mode follows us into spring, and what it looks like to rebuild routines gently instead of forcing a glow‑up. I’m sharing practical grounding tools, sensory resets, and small wellness practices you can weave into real life — especially if you’re balancing work, parenting, and your own mental health. Spring is an invitation, not a deadline. Let’s talk about how to move through it with intention, softness, and honesty. Stay connected with me on all socials @toitimeblog, and dive deeper into wellness, lifestyle, and community care on the blog at www.toitime.org.

There’s a particular kind of heartbreak that happens when you walk into therapy carrying wounds someone else created, yet the work ahead is yours alone. Healing Without the Apology explores that quiet, complicated space where personal accountability meets unresolved hurt. Each episode dives into what it means to rebuild yourself without closure, to take responsibility for your reactions without excusing someone else’s actions, and to grow even when the words “I’m sorry” never come. Through honest conversations, reflective storytelling, and grounded psychological insight, this podcast guides listeners through the messy, courageous process of reclaiming their power. It’s about learning to stop waiting for someone else to make things right—and choosing to become whole on your own terms. If you’ve ever felt the sting of being left with the emotional bill for someone else’s damage, this space is for you. Healing is still possible, even without the apology you deserved. Follow me on the blog, www.toitime.org and on all socials as Toitimeblog

In this episode of Conversations With Toi, I'm getting real about something far too many of us normalize—survival mode. It’s that constant state of pushing, grinding, and functioning on fumes, where you’re doing everything except actually living. But here’s the truth: survival mode may help you get through a moment, but it was never meant to become your lifestyle. We’ll break down what survival mode really is, the subtle and not-so-subtle ways it shows up in your daily life, and how it quietly steals your joy, peace, and presence. From emotional numbness to over-functioning to feeling disconnected from the things you once loved, we’ll explore the signs that you may be stuck in a cycle you didn’t even realize you were in. Most importantly, I talk about the path out—how to reclaim rest, joy, intention, and the fullness of your life. You deserve more than just “getting by.” You deserve to thrive. If this episode speaks to you, stay connected with me for more conversations on wellness, intentional living, and emotional growth. Follow me on all social platforms @Toitimeblog and visit the blog at www.toitime.org.

In this episode of Conversations With Toi, I'm talking about what it really means to pour from an empty cup — not the cute Instagram version, but the real-life, real-time signs that you’re running on fumes while still trying to show up for everyone else. We’ll break down how to recognize when your cup is drying out, the subtle ways burnout disguises itself as “being strong,” and the emotional toll of constantly giving without replenishing. I’m also sharing practical, grounded ways to pour back into your own cup — not the generic “take a bubble bath” advice, but the internal work, the boundaries, the rest, and the self-honesty required to refill yourself in sustainable ways. You’ll hear real examples from my own life, because if you’ve been here long enough, you know my life stays being the catalyst for these conversations. We’re also getting into what I’m still learning: how to express how I feel without being petty, how to honor my emotions after going no contact with people who drained me, and how to navigate the messy middle between protecting your peace and communicating your truth. Growth isn’t linear, and I’m sharing the lessons as I live them. If you’re tired of pretending you’re okay while running on empty, this episode is for you. Follow me across all social platforms at @toitimeblog, and stay connected on the blog at www.toitime.org.

This week on Conversations with Toi, we’re digging into what it really means to reframe your wellness journey—not from perfection, pressure, or comparison, but from honesty, curiosity, and compassion. Wellness isn’t a straight line, and this episode explores how to pause long enough to ask: What is this moment trying to teach me? We also get into a necessary and layered conversation about therapy, faith spaces, and the narratives that keep people from getting the support they need. From the idea that “therapy is the devil” to the recent story of a therapist walking away from church work, we unpack how stigma, burnout, and unrealistic expectations collide. This is a space for nuance, not judgment. You’ll hear practical ways to: • Reframe your thoughts when you feel stuck or overwhelmed • Identify the trigger beneath the trigger • Understand what your emotions are signaling instead of fighting them • Give yourself permission to grow without guilt If you’re on a wellness journey that feels messy, complicated, or overdue for a reset, this episode is for you. Follow me across all social platforms at @toitimeblog and stay connected through the blog at www.toitime.org for more conversations on wellness, mental health, and intentional living.

In this inspiring episode of Conversations With Toi, I sit down with the “People’s Bishop,” Bishop Kevin Foreman, for a conversation rooted in faith, wellness, mental health, and everyday common sense. Bishop Freeman opens up about why he embraces the title “The People’s Bishop” and how his mission is grounded in accessibility, authenticity, and serving people where they truly are. We talk about the importance of emotional and spiritual wellness, the need for honest mental health conversations in faith spaces, and how practical wisdom and faith can coexist in a powerful way. This episode is heartfelt, grounded, and full of the kind of insight that stays with you long after listening. Special Offer: Text “BISHOP” to 55498 to receive 10% off any of Bishop Foreman’s books and select items. Connect with Bishop Foreman: Website: https://www.bishopforeman.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bishopkevinfreemanFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bishopkevinfreemanYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bishopkevinfreemanTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bishopkevinfreemanX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/bishopfreemanStay connected with me for more conversations on wellness, intentional living, and real-life growth. Follow me across all platforms @toitimeblog and visit the blog at www.toitime.org.

In this episode of Conversations with Toi, I'm diving into the concept of weaponized incompetence—calling out the ways people use it to dodge responsibilities and how we can set better boundaries. We'll also touch on celebrating Black History Month, sharing clear Valentine's Day wishes with your partner, self-care tips for anyone flying solo, and a quick update on my latest adventures with my Hatch. Plus, I sprinkled in some thoughts on how big cultural moments—like 50 Cent's Super Bowl DoorDash commercial—get us all talking about what really matters in our relationships and our communities Follow me on all socials as Toitimeblog and on the blog itself, www.toitime.org Not to mention make sure you follow my self care journey on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@toitimeblog

This week on Conversations With Toi, we’re talking about what it really looks like to take a bold leap — the kind that shifts your entire life. I’m sharing the lessons I learned moving from a small town to Philadelphia, and how that transition forced me to grow, stretch, and trust myself in new ways. We’re also getting into the truth about fear: how it convinces us to stay still, shrink, or wait for “perfect timing.” Spoiler — that timing rarely comes. Sometimes you have to move and shake somethin’, even when your knees are knocking. This episode is your reminder that discomfort can be the doorway to your next level. If you’re navigating a big decision, craving a fresh start, or trying to push past fear, this conversation is for you. Follow the blog for more intentional living and wellness content: www.toitime.org Connect with me across all socials: @toitimeblog