NAKED w/Salene

In this episode I got NAKED about finances with Madienne Mahon - Insurance Agent and Philip Williams - CEO & Founder of Phil The Gap. Get to know them...  Madienne Mahon-Henry is a mother of one, a wife and professional sales person with the #1 Insurance group in the Caribbean. She is a graduate of the UWI and an entrepreneur by nature and has a few business ventures in her portfolio. Her greatest joy is to see people achieve their financial and personal goals...many through creating new business opportunities for themselves or simply using what they have to their advantage. She tries to emulate kingdom principles in every aspect of her work and life and strives to make the strong line of women in her generations proud.   Philip Williams is the CEO and Founder of Phil The Gap (PTG), a company that's passionate about working together with clients to assess their current financial situation and help them to make the most of their money. He is a graduate of Morehouse College with a BA in Finance and has worked as an investment professional since 2003. Philip also gained an (M.Sc.) in Finance at the University of Leicester, holds the Series 6 and 26 licenses from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in the United States, and is currently the Assistant Vice President of Fixed Income Investments for one of the major Investment companies in Trinidad and Tobago.   You see, many of us have had to weather a financial storm that made us feel like there was no end in sight. Many labels would term that broke or some may say you act a role as though you're not 'ketchin arse' and so you're broque...HA!   What is it to be broke anyway?   - is it that you have no income at all?   - are you making ends meet but can't save?   - is it a mindset?   Madienne shared from a more lifestyle and spiritual standpoint and Phil shared from a financial standpoint, both gave advice that any angle from which you address your finances, you can thrive!  This conversation delved into the mindset and the steps one must take to get out of a financial challenge.  Hope you enjoy and for more financial management and investment tips be sure to follow  @Phil The Gap     Thank you for watching and listening and I'd love for you to LIKE. COMMENT. SHARE. SUBSCRIBE...

It's October and yes, we do pay homage and raise awareness regarding breast cancer. But not in the way we see in the en mass sense but in the NAKED way. I got NAKED with Mel Gabriel, a 37yr old breast cancer thriver and advocate and Dr Natalie Johnson an Oncoplastic Surgeon. Let's meet them...  Mel is an entrepreneur, producer and writer living in Trinidad & Tobago. The founder and Chief Vision officer of Caribbean Lookbook- the premier catalogue for Caribbean fashion and style.  Her journey with breast cancer she shares very candidly on social media, creating an atmosphere of transparency and education for anyone who consumes the content in her journey. She shares the ups and downs of being diagnosed with breast cancer giving hope that life has to be lived...to the fullest, even with breast cancer and a double mastectomy before the age of 40...WHAT A BADASS! It is no surprise Mel shares with us on NAKED, because that's exactly what we're about....keeping it real!!!  Dr Natalie Johnson hails from Trinidad & Tobago and has been resident in the UK since 2002. A member of the Black Surgeons Network n the UK, Natalie continues to extend her research (an already very broad scope she has) into the breast and oncoplastic reconstructive surgery before her completion of her Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons. She is currently working at the Royal Marsden NHS Trust, a hospital dedicated to the treatment of cancer. With funding from the Royal Marsden cancer charity in collaboration with Nubian Skin, the softies in diverse skin tones initiative was born with the help of her colleague Sarah Adomah. She hopes to get this prosthesis available to all patients of colour who require it as part of their patient care.  So much was shared and learned from all angles in this conversation and I look forward to hearing from you, your own experiences and thoughts.  Thanks for engaging and remember to LIKE. COMMENT. SHARE. SUBSCRIBE. Thankies!!!!

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" - a literary term we hear all the time.  It relates to actions by women who have been dealt a bad hand for whatever reason in a relationship. Some women in history have been known to concoct ways to harm or kill their ex lovers and when you get down to the nitty gritty, you realize that she was either harbouring her emotions until that 'last straw broke the camel's back', or she simply decided to take a stand for her self worth and said 'NO MORE".  No more...am I going to keep it in to save face and continue to be disrespected as a human being and a woman. No more...am I going to dash my own needs and wants to accommodate this man. No more...am I going to feel unworthy of love when I should spend the time loving myself and whomever comes along I sniff dat shit out from jump! Rhea-Simone Auguste (Simmi The Trini) is a stand up Comedienne and Radio Announcer who has been brave enough to share her story on social media and here with us on NAKED! So much of what she shares resonates with my own experience as I get NAKED about my experience with my children's father and my most recent relationship, from which I am still painfully healing and learning. I hope this sharing inspires or helps you or someone you know in some way or the other and sisters...RISE UP! We've got this!

What is it to be Mentally Woke in these times we live in? Everything that we have learned since our existence is changing, some attempting to compromise and question our core values and could sometimes leave us feeling as though we're just tumbling through life.   Heck! It's only one physical life we have and we need to live it to our fullest potential...fulfil our purpose!   This conversation is with Kassandra Pemberton of Ananda Yoga TT and Genevieve Pantin of Vieve Living and author of A Lioness Heart...check out this book too!  Would love to hear your thoughts.  Like. Subscribe. Share. Thank you for getting NAKED with us!

Have you ever felt so close to obtaining something and it just doesn't happen? I have had too many encounters like that..as though it's the norm. Sucks though, but I am intent on changing that norm/ narrative because I cannot be excited about something and it just doesn't work out! All that energy and commitment for nothing??? Nah man... There are lessons to be learned here though...patience, trying different paths, healing, acceptance and Grace! What has been your experience? Share in the comments   Like this video? Subscribe. Share. And look out for so much more... Remember to be a good human...cheers!

Dyslexia - "a general term for disorders that involve difficulty in learning to read or interpret words, letters, and other symbols, but that do not affect general intelligence" - Oxford dictionary. Though this is the definition, Dyslexia shows up is so many different ways for different people. The month of October is Dyslexia Awareness month and in this episode I got NAKED with Brendon Brathwaite, who also has dyslexia and is a board member of the Dyslexia Association of T&T. We shared our experiences and though they may differ slightly, we both agreed that 'finding ways to disguise it' to be able to manage has been and is a part of our lives...can you tell? You'd be amazed to learn of some of the celebrities who also live with Dyslexia. Listen and learn about Dyslexia and perhaps you may identify with some of these traits or may be able to detect them early enough in your loved ones and seek the assistance necessary.

In this episode I got NAKED with 2 Voisin men!!! HAHA!!! What a conversation I had with Garth Voisin of The Dear Men Project and Nicholas Voisin -  Counselling Psychologist. No strangers to NAKED podcast...but they always have so many gems to share! We addressed male toxicity/ toxic masculinity as a phrase that's used to 'explain' male behaviour but why? Some women's behaviours are toxic too, so why not call it toxic behaviour? Where does the gender come into play? Feminism is great...but the radicals are really putting a new face to feminism that makes it seem like it's a war that's waging! Hmmm... Is the media responsible for how gender equality is manifested? Are we aiming for equality or sameness...they are NOT the same! Maturation rituals are a thing of the past in the Western world and sadly, so is the nuclear family. This is possibly the reason some men aren't equipped with the ability to express their feelings. Tune in for so much more interesting discussions as it relates to male/ female interaction and awaken your thoughts so we can continue conversations like these.

That's what they call me...family and friends alike! LMAO In this episode, I'll tell you why. But yuh know what? I'd have it no other way... Through my 'randomness' I've made so many life changes, learned new perspectives and grew my network. And...having an opportunity to share this with you gives me joy because I KNOW I'm not alone HAHAHAHAAA!!!! Enjoy!

In this latest episode of NAKED the podcast, I chat with Counselling Psychologist & Original Pain Therapist, Nicholas Voisin about giving advice and the way it was received vs. suggesting that the person seeks therapy. Well, as the title suggests, I had to learn the hard way...LMAO!!!  All jokes aside, I have learnt that even with good intention, people in their mental space, just need someone to listen and not necessarily give advice. Truth be told it is confusing when we should be our 'brother's keeper' and then still 'stay in our lane'.   

Livet! What's it mean? LIVEt no DIEt...choosing to live through a thorough understanding of one's body, according to Dr. Livet. I got NAKED with  our good family friend Uchenna Hackett. Many of us want to know the best approach to living our best lives. I have religiously been doing my annual medicals and fell off the band wagon years ago because I felt ok...but do we really know what's happening on the inside. I did a Health Assessment @ Livet Health, Fitness & Beauty Spa and walked away with quite an understanding of my body's organs, what I need to do to reset my approach to health and wellness in my quest to avoid inheriting any illness that plagues my family. Really interesting conversation and I hope you take the opportunity to use the information to decide how you approach your health and wellness. ENJOY!!!! *I do not own the rights to the music in this episode*

I NEVER liked the kitchen...still don't! But the joy of knowing I prepared a meal and people loved and gave good reviews...I feel so accomplished. Ah got da flava, flava, flavaaaaa...HA! A bit of shit talk (keeping it a lil light) about my cooking experience thus far as it relates to:  - cooking for my family (well what I like to eat)  - having no choice because of the pandemic  - another requirement when ah find 'D Man' of meh dreams  - and actually discovering another ability. Are you a kitchen champion, a do-it-out-of-necessity or a newbie?

'Like mother, like daughter", a saying that can be either complimentary or insulting. Why do I always experience a bit of everything? Well, so I thought! In this episode I acknowledge, confront and accept that I am "Celia's daughter". At first, I detested the comparison and got to the point of getting annoyed at people for seemingly bombarding me with it. They were saying what they saw and experienced, I was dealing with my internal battle....which I didn't know existed. I've always felt proud to be a product of such a lady, a gem. Although I couldn't understand the upset, I still felt proud!  One would think we had a terrible relationship, but we were so very close.  Have a listen and feel free to share your thoughts on the topic on IG @the_salene_solution or Facebook The Salene Solution. Cheers!!!!

What exactly is 'Daddy issues'? Where'd this term come from and why is it mainly applicable to women? Also, why does it have such a negative connotation? It's almost like someone telling you, 'ah doh like yuh style' and of course, the walls go up when you hear it, yes? I got NAKED with Nicholas Voisin, Counselling Psychologist and Original Pain Therapist as we chatted about some experiences growing up and how it shows up in our adult life.  So much else was discovered in this episode and I wonder if this type of conversation continues in our social spaces, that the term just might be dismissed....let's check it  out! *I do not own the rights to the music played in the episode* 

"When are you gonna have kids? You're getting older yuh know" "How come you're married and no kids"? Ladies...in particular, aren't you tired of hearing questions like these, or being judged for choosing not to have children? In this episode, I got NAKED with Dr Shevon Joseph of Azelea Health and my very good friend, who has had these questions asked of her as she approaches 40.  Why should a woman give up on the thought of growing a family as she gets older or feel badly that it hasn't happened...yet? So many factors to take into consideration and we must be aware that there is indeed a biological clock as it relates to fertility, but there are some anomalies...look at Sarah in the Bible and few stories we've heard from around the world.  But...it is important to know what to expect for the most part and this discussion touches on all of it!

Guys...we are faced with some REAL life-changing, challenging times. So many ills taking place from all quarters on a daily basis, and as we try to navigate our way through...the question is HOW? What do we do in small pockets to ensure we enjoy life? For me, an immediate approach is trying to keep a light, jovial spirit, not just for my sanity but to share with others. Laughter...oh laughter!!! My best emotion! Gotta lighten up even though we go hard...all day...everyday!!! Laughing and more so a good sense of humor, has so many benefits to your body that medicine would take a longer time to remedy. I think laughing at yourself is a form of self love...accepting your flaws and goofy side! It helps build self confidence once processed thoroughly and in the intended manner...not to self sabotage, but to accept YOU as you are.  This episode is a bit on the light side as we've just closed off the Lenten season (during a pandemic) and hopefully, we are reminded of the trials we must endure to reap the reward. I share some of my goofy, funny stories and bloopers throughout the years that haven't changed a bit...ah still clumsy and always doing some shit LMAO!! Special credit to the music used for entertainment purposes and context to my stories only and the bit of comedy from the lovely Tiffany Haddish (I don't own the rights to the material in this episode).

We oftentimes wished we chose a different path...and while we have the ability to make the change, we are too scared because of our responsibilities or...the Golden Handcuff (the comfort of the 8-4 job) Running your own business isn't for everyone but many of us have been faced with challenges that actually became the catalyst, the birth of the things we never thought we could do. In this episode I got NAKED with Leah De Souza, entrepreneurship coach who has many years of experience with persons like me and we chat about the journey to chasing your dreams. Hope you enjoy!

I am WOMAN!!!! Happy International Women's Day 2021 #choosetochallenge This is a special episode in observance of IWD in collaboration with the Ayana S Dyette Foundation for Cervical Cancer. Had a lovely, fulfilling conversation with some sisters who are so powerful and inspiring in their very own unique way. Many of you may be able to identify with their stories and I encourage you to share yours as we continue to support each other. C'mon Queens...we got this!!!! We discussed women's roles throughout the ages, physical and mental health, female interactions, motherhood, our innate nurturing ability and much more. Special thanks to Charli and Kelli Griffith for sharing their original piece WOMAN, which I closed this episode off with. 

No plan...no guide book...just bundles of joy that we've been blessed with. Motherhood is a welcomed role, for the most part, but as individuals we have different approaches but we love our children with everything in us! For crying out loud, why can't we talk about the real issues that affect us as mothers...crusty nipples, self-care, sleepless nights, different stages in their growth, the back chats and the list goes on... Are you a Bad Mom? Ride or die for your kids, the villain and the saint all in one... I got NAKED with Nikisha Watson @thisisrealmama as we shared our experiences on motherhood and what changes we needed to make to embrace this very important role.

Own it! Yeah we all have some issue(s) to deal with as we make our way through everyday life. Depression, once diagnosed, is a hard pill to swallow, but it places perspective on what we need to do to save our own lives...once we make it our BITCH!!! I got NAKED with Abisola Amina who shared her journey with depression and what triggers it and the actions that are taken to control it. Let's get NAKED...

Yeah...finish it...All men are...Dogs? Responsible? Respectful? Strong? What????? I got NAKED with Garth Voisin of the Dear Men Project. Our convo (and pardon the shitty audio) is really about understanding men rather than applying a label to them which we both believe contributed to the ills we experience in our society today. We attempted to take a journey back to what the cause is, as we all know about cause and effect. Feel free to share your thoughts and perspectives on this topic as we all have a part to play in changing the narrative and continuing the conversation to healing humanity.